The self-made man and health care

Why are decent American folk upset about the Affordable Care Act, the gov't handing out low-cost or free health insurance? One might argue it is because the GOP is stirring up the populace. Likely. But there appears a general feeling that the GOP is able to exploit. So, back to the question.

Harold Lloyd is a Wake Forest Law Professor and he explains his take on the situation for Huffington Post. This anger at the ACA comes from the self-made man, one of the enduring ideas of America. This man rose from poor circumstances, pinched pennies to make it through law or medical school, and is now self-sufficient. A self-made man considers the idea of insurance to be patronizing. And he feels that if he can do it, anyone can do it. Therefore simply handing out insurance (as well as welfare) encourages laziness.

But the self-made man is a myth. Yes, a lot of hard work was done. But there were lots of more important factors involved, such as good teachers (starting in grade school), supportive parents, great fellow students, safety supplied by police, roads to get to class paid by everyone's taxes, safe food, and a working health system. In addition, a severe illness can impoverish even a self-made man. And a society with lots of uninsured people sucks money out of the self-made man's wallet.

But why should wealth be a deciding factor? What about the woman who also works hard, takes care of an elderly father, is putting a daughter through college, and is considered to be a blessing by her peers? Doesn't she deserve affordable health care? We -- including the self-made men -- are in this together.