Nash on the first anniversary of health care reform.

There are several answers to Matt's questions below. Much of the problem always has been the crass materialism that has come to define the American experience; dollars invested in human happiness may not be available to purchase vital plastic trinkets from overseas manufacturers. Infinity beckons, but all we want are our toys, and society does not exist outside the walls of the gated community.

To me, it's always gone even deeper than money, into aberrant psychology. What Americans crave more than anything else is their "right," one irrespective of comparative circumstance or variable station, to find someone (anyone will do) "lower" than themselves, and to heap abuse on these convenient victims by means of this lofty phrase: "After all, it's your own fault. Why should I pay to help you?"

But what about unhealthy children? Is it their fault, too? Or, is it enough to blame their parents and allow the guilt to trickle down to the powerless?

Worse yet, the main offenders tend always to explain their derision by reference to Christianity, which in turn exalts wealth as the condition preferred by Jesus, and permits personal greed to be thinly disguised as a theological condition whereby the believer condemns the sick to Hell for harboring illness.

Since when is good health not precondition for the pursuit of happiness?

Apparently I've forgotten the modern American's creed: "Life is good, but not on my dime."

Anyone know a cheap faith healer?

NASH: A year of health care reform

... Why are so many lawmakers concerned with the repeal of this legislation without any concerns for those that are benefiting from it? Why are they not concerned for the health of this nation that falls behind on many key statistics except for the actual money that is spent on health care?