Do you ever wonder why anyone runs for public office anymore? I always do. It’s not a walk in the park for anyone, however tough and ambitious he or she may be. Their commitment, tenacity, perseverance and preparedness for their “laundry” being open to the public are tremendously awe inspiring to me.

The trials and tribulations candidates go through while campaigning are not for the fainthearted. Again, if it weren’t their passion they pursue, these folks definitely can do a lot better financially and with their private lives. We should appreciate these leaders’ sacrifices as they serve the nation.

In addition, even after withstanding every ordeal, while running a long hard campaign, and winning the seat they have run for, their hardships don’t end; instead, their hard work begins and intensifies as they start working to fulfill their campaign promises. Notice that it’s been only about 200 days and President Barack Obama’s hair is already turning white.

Seems like there are some who are pleased with nothing Obama does. Let’s consider particularly health care. A professional, paid propagandist, somebody like Betsy McCaughey, invents a lie as brazen as so-called “death panels” out of nowhere. Then after her “death panel” falsehood gets amplified by figures like Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, and Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley.

And if this wasn’t enough, what is most saddening is to see this creepy little cult proliferating posters on town halls and street corners showing Obama as Adolph Hitler. And not to be forgotten are the swastikas spray painted on one congressman’s sign outside of his office. Disfiguring Obama’s portrait with a superficial Hitler moustache and calling him a communist, these propagandists have reached their limits. Their acts show how helplessly desperate they are to disfigure the real picture by hook or crook. It’s a sign that these accusations have gone completely unhinged. It’s offensive and demeaning for the country to equate a democratically elected president of the United States in any way, shape or form to dictators who murdered millions of people in their name.

Seems like people have lost any sense of perspective about this debate. Some are treating it as a political theater. This is way over the line, and it’s got to stop. This is not partisan points scoring. This is running down America, displaying malice and ignorance. The country must come together and get its wits back, behave rationally and conscientiously to discard and put an end to the cheap tactics of fear mongering, polarizing people in American politics.

Health care reform is needed badly. Skyrocketing health care costs have taken a toll on American families. Many are suffering either because they can’t afford insurance or because what they have is not efficient. Most of the noisemakers do not fit into either category. And those who need it badly are busy going to work, putting food on the table and taking day-to-day care of their family. Debate is fine, but it should be done with words candidly and cordially aiming to educate the taxpayers, not play the crazy town cranks.

Obama made his campaign promises; we elected him. Now he is working diligently to fulfill those. He, thankfully, is bringing much-needed overdue change to Washington and is dedicated to repairing the broken system. It’s our duty that we study it individually, without any influence of propagandists, and support the worthy cause.

Meanwhile, some folks are actually trying to do something to help. Here is one example: Dr. Nick Spirtos, director of the Women’s Cancer Center of Nevada, has set up a special little space to help to treat underinsured patients. When the outpatient cancer center at the county hospital was closed down earlier this year because of state budget cuts, Spirtos converted his storage area into a chemotherapy room.

One of the patients who profited was 28-year-old Christina Aguilar. Her mother died of cancer when she was 18. Now she has advanced-stage ovarian cancer. She has nowhere to turn; her insurance doesn’t cover chemotherapy, and she makes a little bit too much money to be qualified for Medicaid. Cashier at a “Toys R Us,” Christina makes $8.76 an hour. However, she is one among the people who have been working and supporting the system, but doesn’t fit in any of the holes.

Spirtos created a place for them to fit in. He convinced his partners to take on the patients pro bono. Then they arranged for Clark County to pay for expensive chemotherapy drugs.

If Christina were not able to come there, over time, her cancer would have progressed and she would have passed away.

The good news for the chemo closet crew is by next year, the University Medical Center and the Nevada Cancer Institute will bring back the outpatient oncology service after receiving a $3 million donation.

Fortunately, these kinds of deeds have been taking place in every part of our nation. You may remember reading in The Times and Democrat about the new clinic opened in Orangeburg on Holly Street. It runs on voluntary services to serve those who cannot get care elsewhere. Thank God for all these good people who are generously and thoughtfully serving their community in need.

May God bless the leaders who are committed to serve their nation for the sake of the greater good of all. Lest we forget, it’s hard to please all.

Mandakini Hiremath is a Claflin instructor and coordinator of the university’s writing center.

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