I’ve noticed that people who whine about socialized medicine are perfectly content with a socialist military.

That’s right. The U.S. military is a complete socialist state within a state – taxpayer-funded and government-subsidized from health care to housing, education to transportation, right down to groceries at the post exchange.

I’m not criticizing our military. I think it’s the best in the world. I’m pointing out right-wing hypocrisy. If Americans practice socialism to kill people abroad, why not practice socialism to heal people at home?

Conservatives complain that nationalized health insurance would cost too much. We could surely afford it if we stopped funding imperial Third World adventures and brought our weary troops home. I question the moral sanity of those who spend a trillion dollars invading and occupying Iraq, but won’t spend a penny on nationalized health insurance for our own citizens.

Our gutless politicians, both Republican and Democrat, grovel before insurance companies, health-for-profit cartels and pharmaceutical lobbyists. Our president snuggles in the middle, speaking fluently out of both sides of his mouth.

I voted for change. I voted for single-payer public health insurance. I’m not afraid of Islam or a tiny fringe group of extremists. I’m afraid of doctors, insurance premiums and medical bills.