Whether the topic is Ebola or the governor’s race, some people divide Mainers into those guided by science and those guided by emotion.
In other words, they claim that there are those of us who just follow “the facts” and others who follow their fears. But we are more than that. All Mainers want the best for ourselves and our families. And we all worry, at least sometimes, that there may not be enough.
My daughters are 2 and 5 years old. They share pretty well with each other. But when there is not enough (of whatever person, place or thing of interest), they quickly forget about sharing and focus on getting what they can for themselves.
A lot of us Mainers are feeling like there is not enough to go around. Take my co-workers, for example. None of them have health care. Most don’t have a car. One of them hasn’t had electricity for six months. Most are quick to point their finger at people who receive state benefits. They are quick to say that they deserve better than those other people.
Yes, every single one of them deserves better – better than what they have now, but not better or more than anyone else. Health care is a human right. We all deserve it, the same way we are all worthy of reliable transportation and a home with the heat and lights on.
Neither a politics of facts nor a politics of fears will get us where we need to go. Only a sense of togetherness – a commitment to leave no one behind – can do that.
Elizabeth Capone-Henriquez
Portland
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