Bottom Line: Politics is problematic in that it combines interests with identities. It is made worse that in the US we have only two parties, so overarching coalitions are made with interests and identities getting lost in the cracks or having to pick sides (it's really like one giant game of Red Rover).
President Obama's Health care plan is igniting lots of flames from both sides of the aisle and across the country. While many sub-groups are thrilled about supporting the plan to assist those with no coverage, there are just as many sub-groups who are thrilled about protecting the system we have (if the numbers Obama hands out, the system cannot just pick up 30 million new clients without expansion of the facilities).
Health care reform brings out multiple identities within each of us. While I would venture to say that most feel that the issue is one of social justice and equality there is still some essence of practicality and functionality. Let's say there is a wealthy El Salvadorian who is trying to decide how she feels about this issue. First off, she remembers what it was like to be a poor immigrant in the US barely getting by. But second, she now wants to protect what she has and not jeopardize an overcrowded system where everyone's quality falls. So this leaves me with the question, if there are two conflicting identities within one person, which identity wins when it comes down to it?
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