Healthcare issues have become so politically charged that it can be very hard to have a rational conversation about them, particularly one that converses in ideas rather than hyperbole, anecdotes and party talking points. As I have become interested in this topic, I have tried to engage a number of people in conversation, both to learn what they think and to learn what I do not know, with relatively little success. Continue reading “The difficult conversation”
What are you doing, Patrick?
Let’s just put it out there. I am a bit of an enigma where politics are concerned. To some people, I am a mirror. They simply assume I agree with them. To others I seem to project a reverse image. For those, my more conservative friends see me as liberal, and my liberal friends see me as conservative. In truth, I am largely a contrarian with a strong libertarian streak. I don’t like to be told what to do and, often, will instinctively react as might the loyal opposition. But I am also basically conservative, which is not a surprise given my Texas roots. However, I also live in the heart of a large urban center (not being coy, it is commonly known as H-Town) that routinely votes Democrat. Continue reading “What are you doing, Patrick?”