Conservatives Usually On The Wrong Side Of History
Health care reform, increasing the minimum wage, reducing carbon emissions and global warming, reducing interest rates for college student loans; the list of current issues goes on and on where the conservatives in congress have blocked legislation from being passed. But throughout history, conservatives have usually been on the wrong side of history.
In 1776, conservatives were called loyalists. They opposed making a break from England and believed that the colonist’s grievances against King George III could be addressed peacefully without resorting to rebellion. When war broke out some even supported the British and even fought against their neighbors. Of course we all know how that turned out. Today we call their descendants Canadians.
In 1861, southern conservatives saw the election of an anti slavery president as a threat to their way of life that was based on slavery. The truth was that Lincoln, at first, was only against the expansion of slavery into new territories in the west. But they believed that northern abolitionists were treasonous and trying to destroy their way of life. Led by South Carolina, they seceded and began a four year bloody civil war that devastated their whole region and economy. Eventually the 13th amendment was passed abolishing slavery in the United States.
Even earlier, conservatives were on the wrong side of history. In the 16th century, Galileo had used the telescope, a recent invention, to discover the moons of Jupiter and postulate the theory (now proven) that the earth revolves around the sun. This went against the conventional thought that the universe was earth centered and the sun, moon and stars all revolved around the earth. For saying that, Galileo was threatened with being burned at the stake as a heretic unless he recanted. To save his life, he recanted. But his writings were smuggled out of Italy to England where they were published and changed our concept of the universe.
One hundred years ago, suffragettes marched in the streets demanding that women be granted the right to vote. Conservatives believed that only men should have the right to vote, that women could not make wise decisions on whom to elect to run the government. “Give women the right to vote and we will soon have them actually running for office and working, deserting their home and family!” said one conservative senator. But eventually the 19th amendment to the constitution was ratified and now women vote in greater proportions than men with many holding office.
Almost eighty years ago, FDR proposed a radical new idea that a government program can be established that could provide pensions for the aged and those widowed as well as help to the poor. Conservatives in congress railed against the “dole” saying that it would reward laziness. But the Social Security Act passed and today is an important part of our economy as well as a lifeline for many.
During the 1950s and early 1960s, African Americans marched in the streets demanding that they be treated the same as whites; that they be allowed to sit anywhere on the bus, dine at the same lunch counters, use the same bathrooms and drinking fountains. The conservatives in the United States believed that this was a threat to the “order of things” and resisted, sometimes violently. But fifty years ago this month, the Civil Rights Bill was signed into law guaranteeing equal treatment and rights under the law.
Medicare was signed into law on July 30 1965. At the time, conservatives railed against Medicare, calling it “socialized medicine”. Future president Ronald Reagan made a speech against Medicare, saying that “in the future we would tell our grandchildren about how we were once free men and women”. Hear this at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRdLpem-AAs . Today Medicare has become a life line for those over age 65 or disabled and Medicaid has become a life line for many people with low income.
Today, the ACA is the law of the land and is firmly established. It is working as intended and no doubt will become a fixture in the United States. Eventually, the minimum wage will be increased and indexed to the cost of living. Something will be done about the college student loan crisis. No doubt, conservatives will be ranting and railing against these all the way. But as history has often shown, conservatives will again be on the wrong side of history.
Lee Kamps
Lee has been working with Medicare, Medicaid and private health insurance since he began working at the Erie County Welfare Department in January 1973 where a major part of his job was determining eligibility for Medicaid. He went into the private insurance business in 1977 with Prudential Insurance Company and within a short time had become one of the company’s top sales agents. In 1982, he was promoted into management where he managed two field offices and as many as thirteen sales agents. After leaving Prudential in 1986, Lee decided to become more focused on health insurance and employee benefits. He has advised many local employers on how to have a more cost effective employee benefit program as well as conducted employee benefit meetings and enrollments for many area employers. The companies Lee has worked with ranged from small “mom and pop” businesses to local operations of large national companies. Lee received his B.S. degree from Kent State University where he has been active in the local alumni association. He has completed seven of the ten courses toward the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist designation. He has taught courses in employee benefits and insurance at Cleveland State University and local community colleges. In addition, Lee is an experienced and accomplished public speaker. He has been a member of Toastmasters International where he achieved the designation of “Able Toastmaster – Silver” in 1994. He has also served as a club president, Area Governor and District Public Relations Officer in Toastmasters as well as winning local speech contests. Lee has also been a member of the Greater Cleveland Growth Association’s Speaker’s Bureau where he was designated as one of the “official spokespeople for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” prior to the hall’s opening in 1995. He has given talks and presentations before many audiences including civic organizations, AARP chapters and many other community groups. With the implementation of the Medicare Modernization Act (Medicare drug bill) in 2006, Lee has shifted his focus to Medicare and helping Medicare beneficiaries navigate the often confusing array of choices and plans available. As an independent representative, Lee is not bound to any one specific company or plan, but he can offer a plan that suits an individual person’s needs and budget. In addition, Lee is well versed in the requirements and availability of various programs for assistance with Medicare part D as well as Medicaid. While he cannot make one eligible, he can assist in the process and steer one to where they may be able to receive assistance.