My Country Tis of Thee, Sweet Land of Healthcare
Writing by Jes on Thursday, 18 of December , 2008 at 11:08 am
To me there are some things in life that should just make sense.
I feel that because I was born on American soil, there are privileges and distinctions that are handed to me because my birthright as an American. Now if I leave the country, I understand I lose some privileges based on location but if I visit the American embassy and show my American passport, I do believe that I will get some of my American rights…
I mean, I have watched countless movies where the bad guy or good guy is racing toward the embassy because once they pass that white line, their embassy will protect them. I feel like I have been sold on the idea that your embassy is your advocate, an immediate connection to home.
That is a lie. How do I know, because I am testifying about the straw that broke the camel’s back. My boss is severely sick and when I call to make an appointment at the clinic in the embassy, I am told that the US Embassy American Clinic is not for public use. And I’m like I understand we have our passports to prove citizenship. And she lets me know that it is only for US officials and personnel who work within the governmental departments. So basically, the janitor at the embassy has health care but an American citizen who sacrificed a job and benefits can’t even ask the doctor a question.
So, I’m on the phone….I’m trying to put pieces together and I realize that if anything happened to me off American soil, my country cannot lend me a hand or a needle of penicillin to help me out. How you gonna call my momma to tell her I died but then not offer health care? It’s crazy that we as Americans are trying to help and dedicate portion of our lives towards rebuilding a country and we can’t get an aspirin…the argument isn’t even if it is affordable or not, it is the fact that I can’t see a doctor unless I go ravaging through the village and locals trying to find someone who might be able to cure a disease.
You cannot imagine the number of germs out here; I had to take eight shots just to visit Liberia. EIGHT. Each that would ward off a different symptom or disease that is prevalent in this country and then you tell me that if one slips through the cracks its better for me to board a plane and go back home? I mean yeah, I can go to the local hospital which reminds me of a season finale of ER, but when you are ill isn’t the best time to research and locate the best medical plan or doctor that is available. Then, I am an American branded child…my stomach, immune system, and nervous system is not equip for Liberia. There are to many situations that because I am foreign, my body reacts like it is foreign and I get sick. The locals can drink the water, bath, rinse all kinds of stuff…if I touch it I will die. But I can’t get a doctor to throw me a pill incase a sister slips up.
I mean lets be a little smart about something, my ol’ country tis of thee, don’t we need malaria pills, birth control, blood pressure meds? Couldn’t the clinic just serve as a damn pharmacy for basic drugs and you have your doctor call a special number or email the embassy and you can pick up your prescriptions for stuff you need. Because now a sister has to look at the black market for malaria pills because of terrorist alerts, I can’t get my pills mailed here due to US postal customs and if I do sneak it in, it costs eighty dollars just to get a box.
I’m really livid. Is this because we don’t have universal health care…what is Obama going to do about Americans in other countries getting basic services? Shouldn’t that be part of my rights? Hell I still got to do taxes. In fact the damn embassy has tax information online and classes to make sure we get our taxes in on time but nothing to ensure I stay alive to be able to do taxes. Think I’m lying?
http://monrovia.usembassy.gov/public-services.html
I don’t even know what the benefit is right now of the embassy. I guess I watched too many X-men movies where Professor looks on the screen and is able to locate all the mutants. I thought the embassy was an advocate for Americans in foreign countries, but they not even having a Christmas program. The Lebanese embassy had a Lebanese Independence Day party…we were invited, America’s calendar of events is blank, or I guess I just don’t know the right people. Forget the fact that I was “BORN in the USA”, Bruce Springsteen would be upset…we should change the words to “STAY in the USA”.
Now, I am posting this because I am mad…but I do have to do it with precaution. I am just saying if I come up missing, ya’ll need to ask questions. Just don’t take the report standing and if they tell you anything medical you know that the GOVERNMENT was behind it.
How I know? They wouldn’t treat me.
Category: December 08
- Add this post to
- Del.icio.us -
- Digg
No comments yet.
