Republicans and others who are in anguish over the possibility of socialized medicine ought to have to explain their ideology to a mother with a sick newborn. They ought to have to explain how this nation can debate health care and not mention how abysmal ours is.
Interpretation
The quote critiques those who oppose socialized medicine, urging them to consider the real-life consequences of their ideology.
Richard Cohen highlights the moral obligation to recognize the struggles of individuals, particularly vulnerable populations like mothers with sick newborns, when debating health care policies. He emphasizes the inconsistency and moral failure in discussing health care without confronting the dire realities faced by many, suggesting that ideology must be tempered with empathy for those in need.
In practice
During a political debate, one could use this quote to illustrate the human impact of health care policies.
It takes a willful disregard of history to appreciate how white Southerners could look at the Confederate battle flag and see states' rights or a way of life or a tradition - and not one human being whipping another, which was a common occurrence.
In our political system, money is power. And that means a few can have a lot more power than the rest. That's bad news for everyone else - and for our democracy itself.
The government of the United States is a device for maintaining in perpetuity the rights of the people, with the ultimate extinction of all privileged classes.
Arguments can always be found to turn desire into policy.
I deplore the need or the use of troops anywhere to get American citizens to obey the orders of constituted courts.
The over-representation of Wall Street banks in senior government positions sends a bad message. It tells people that one - and only one - point of view will dominate economic policymaking.
In a democracy, dissent is an act of faith.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.