I’m Sorry. The Old US Can’t Come to the Phone Right Now.
In the last decades, we've seen significant changes in our media landscape that have impacted democracy in ways many might not realize. One major factor was the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine in 1987. This policy required broadcasters to present contrasting viewpoints on controversial issues, fostering a more balanced public discourse.
With its end, we witnessed the rise of partisan media outlets, leading to a fragmented information environment where audiences often only hear what reinforces their existing beliefs. This has contributed to increased polarization, making it harder for citizens to engage in constructive dialogue across differing opinions.
Moreover, the 2010 Citizens United decision further transformed the political arena by allowing unlimited spending in elections. This has amplified the voices of wealthy individuals and corporations, drowning out the average voter. As a result, we see even more sensationalism in media, as profit motives often take precedence over responsible reporting.
The answer to our challenges is not to terrorize and deport immigrants or to erase LGBTQ rights and women's rights. Such actions only serve to divide us and undermine our values. We must realize that our only enemy is the system that keeps us fighting each other. Every hardworking American deserves economic prosperity.
Anyone working in the U.S. deserves the ability to provide for themselves regarding basic necessities like housing, healthcare, and childcare. Most importantly, we deserve a quality single-payer healthcare system that provides comprehensive benefits beyond what typical insurance offers today, including home and community-based long-term services and supports, as well as adult dental, vision, and hearing benefits.
Under this system, all costs would be covered by the federal government—no premiums, no out-of-pocket expenses, including undocumented residents. Many would gain insurance for the first time, while others would enjoy significantly more generous coverage. With improved access to care, people would likely utilize more medical services, which is essential for overall public health.
In contrast, consider President Trump's "big, beautiful bill," which proposed significant tax cuts, primarily benefiting corporations, while simultaneously cutting hundreds of billions from Medicaid and imposing stricter eligibility requirements. This approach prioritizes the wealthy and undermines essential services for the most vulnerable in our society. By raising the debt ceiling substantially without addressing the underlying issues of income inequality and healthcare access, it further perpetuates the financial burdens on everyday Americans.
While transitioning to a single-payer system would lead to an estimated increase in federal spending by $34 trillion over ten years, it’s essential to understand that individuals, employers, and state governments currently spend approximately $52 trillion on healthcare over a decade. Moving to a single-payer approach would reduce spending by about $27 trillion for these entities, resulting in a net increase in national health spending of $7 trillion—an investment in public health that contrasts sharply with the priorities in Trump's agenda.
This investment is crucial for a healthier, more equitable society, and it directly addresses the systemic issues that have plagued our healthcare system for too long. But we can’t achieve this alone. The only choice is to come together, demand change, and hold our leaders accountable to ensure our voices are heard.
As a millennial mother of three, I find it heartbreaking that for the first time in my lifetime, we cannot afford healthcare. We work hard and pay taxes. Why does it feel like healthcare is a privilege that is now only accessible to the wealthy?
Our country is broken.
If this “Big Beautiful Bill” passes, the country will continue to suffer while the ultra-wealthy get richer, deepening the gaping inequality gap.
We have no other choice than to acknowledge that the Old U.S. can’t come to the phone right now.
Why?
Oh, because she’s dead.
#Democracy #FairnessDoctrine #CitizensUnited #Media #PoliticalEngagement #SystemicChange #Unity #HealthcareForAll
Sources:
https://campaignlegal.org/update/how-does-citizens-united-decision-still-affect-us-2025
https://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1033&context=fclj
https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/99918/pros_and_cons_of_a_single-payer_plan.pdf
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5352650-senate-republicans-trump-agenda-taxes-medicaid-green-energy/amp/