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SiCKO: Disappointingly Entertaining
Well, I've done it. I followed my own advice, plopped down $10 and sat through Michael Moore's new mockumentary SiCKO.Not long ago I posted here that everybody should go see the film simply to stimulate discussion about our nation's health care delivery system.
Most filmgoers are aware of Moore's nonjournalistic approach. He does not play fair, nor is he required to play fair. Most of the folks he interviews are shills. Again and again Moore expresses mock amazement whenever he hears that a Canadian or European does not pay (directly) for their health care. It's a bit overacted.
The segment that really captivated me was an interview with a retired British politician named Tony Benn. He's an extraordinarily articulate gentleman. As Benn explained, the UK universal health plan evolved after WWII. An enormous sum of money was spent to win the war and to rebuild the damaged country afterwards. The national debate boiled down to one fundamental concept, "If we have enough money to kill Germans we have enough money to protect the health of our own citizens." I found this a disturbingly simple and unarguable concept. Ten days later and I'm still thinking about it.
Two bits chafed: one involving a mislabeled act of charity and the second demonstrating no charity whatsoever. Moore describes how he "anonymously" sent $12,000 to a long-time critical blogger who had medical bills but no health insurance. The massive debt required the blogger to discontinue his online "anti-Moore" activities. If this was a genuine, anonymous act the audience (and the recipient) should never have learned about it. The stunt involving the transport of sick 9-11 rescue volunteers to Cuba was uncaring grandstanding. The footage was staged and unconvincing. Perhaps Moore simply should have written a few more anonymous checks.
Enough already, it's only a film!
Go see it. Enjoy it. Ponder it. Discuss it. Help fix the health care mess.
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: health insurance, Michael Moore, Sicko, medicine, health and wellness
