Democratic Party Ninth District Daniel McGrail

This past fall I visited the beautiful country that is twenty five percent of my heritage: Croatia. While there, I had the honor of having a missionary sponsored through my Church to act as our tour guide from time to time. Somewhere in between the picturesque mountaintop castles and gorgeous coast, the discussion of politics arose. As we traversed the countryside, nearly everything from economics to immigration was covered. However, a singular statement from the minister's mouth implanted itself in my brain. "There is one thing about your 'religious right' that I do not understand," he began, "how is that many of them are your Christians, but none support healthcare for all your people?"

Intrigued, I questioned him further about the Croatian healthcare policy. He was pleased to elaborate. "Here, we believe healthcare is a basic human right. We have clinics for anyone who is sick, and then those of more privilege can pay more to go to private clinics." The theologian also believed "This is the way Christ would have it." I must concur.

I too believe "Whatever you have done unto the least of these you have done unto me." I too believe healthcare is a basic human right. I believe that Croatia may be on to something.

One out of seven is people in the United States are uninsured. That is 47 million fathers and mothers, daughters and sons. That is 47 million people who, through one emergency or sickness, could lose everything, and according a study by Gregory Wozniak, this number could be cut in half by just ten percent of the money we spend in Iraq.

Outside of paying for "the least of these" one of the biggest criticisms of universal healthcare is the wait time. This problem is alleviated by allowing a private sector of healthcare to carry on. There, budget allowing, one could bypass the long federal lines and quickly receive the care desired. However, there would always be government clinics for those who are not as fortunate. Care would never be denied.

In 1776 our Founding Fathers declared we had the right to "LIFE, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." In 1863 Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. In 1920 during the progressive Wilson administration the 19th Amendment allowing Women's Suffrage was passed. In 1935 Roosevelt passed the Social Security Act. In 1964 Kennedy passed the Civil Rights Act. Now, as we enter the election of change, let America add another article to this list. In 2009, the Universal Healthcare Act was passed by…

Daniel McGrail is a senior and President of Young Democrats at Johnson High School.