This email arrived earlier this week;
I really enjoyed your newsletters until you started showing your political side; It’s unfortunate that you had to make that known to your audience.
I’ll leave aside the fact that I’ve been “showing my political side” for the more than two decades I’ve been writing MCM, moreover I’ve been transparent on my views on everything from:
- opioids to
- politics to
- physician dispensing to
- Congressional Republicans’ attacks on the ACA to
- Russia’s war on Ukraine to
- vaccination skeptics to
- the work comp industry’s failure to understand health care to
- TPA profiteering on managed care fees to
- some state legislators’ unconscionable failure to expand Medicaid to
- Texas’ legislators ridiculous grandstanding
- and about a gazillion other topics.
What is distressing about the former subscriber’s note is the underlying unwillingness to consider alternative viewpoints, to open one’s mind to different ways of thinking through issues, of critically evaluating one’s own beliefs.
That is especially true today, when we seem more willing to build walls than open windows.
I’d bet exactly none of my 2,510 subscribers agree with every one of my opinions and posts – nor should they. As I’ve publicly admitted, on occasion I’ve been wrong on facts, gone a bit too far or changed my opinion (right Rob Gelb?), mostly because a reader challenged me to think differently or I’d been lazy or lax in my research.
What’s distressing about the former subscriber’s note and subscription cancellation is it is symptomatic of a much broader “closing of the American mind.”
We lament society’s polarization while refusing to engage with others who may have different views.
We ostracize others for their views on a single subject, when we may well agree on most things.
We decry government’s ability to get anything done while supporting candidates who refuse to compromise.
I’m quite sure the unsubscriber and I agree on many things…perhaps the evil of Purdue Pharmaceuticals, the unconscionable profiteering of physicians dispensing drugs, the questionable ethics of non-transparent claims “fees”, the critical importance of getting patients to the right provider quickly, the problems with brokers and consultants who follow the latest fad instead of doing the hard work to actually help their employer clients (nurse triage, anyone??).
Alas we’ve become latter day Inquisitors, willing to demonize anyone that doesn’t agree entirely with us. The Pope’s inquisitors tortured, burned, and crippled Cathars for the sin of their different interpretation of Catholicism.
Today, nine centuries on, we are at risk of returning (hopefully only metaphorically) to the horrific days of the 1300s.
What does this mean for you?
We are far more alike than we are different, share far more similarities than differences.
Let’s try.
I appreciate this post. I’ve always believed if you can’t understand (or at least try) the counter argument/view than your argument /view becomes less relevant. Don’t have to agree on everything and but need to try and compromise.
Thanks MA!
be well Joe
As you might recall, I have commented in the past, and I do not agree with you on many issues. that said let the debate continue. While I do not this this is the place to discuss the war in the Ukraine, I would prefer workers’ compensation topics, as a guy who did his time in boots, I will not tolerate anyone to inhibit you and your soapbox. So, say anything you want but know I would prefer your insight on comp issues.
Thanks for the observation and I respect your perspective on my occasional posts on Ukraine.
I’ll keep doing them from time to time, and hope you find value in the posts on comp.
be well Joe
This is a great entry. Whether it’s in politics, religion, or in the WC world…absolutism to your own ideology often (if not always) leads to the wrong conclusion, therefore, the wrong plan of action. Imagine if we were all incentivized to maximize results on where we can agree before even beginning to explore the bucket full of differences. But maybe that would be too much winning. ;)
Bob 0- much appreciate you adding your perspective.
I would like to “operationalize” your idea…oh if it were only possible!
be well Joe
I agree with the person who gave you the feedback. Opinions on workers’ compensation is one area where you have established your knowledge. Leave the rest of the politics to people who practice in the larger political arena. It is very offputting and not because I don’t want to look at it. I just don’t want it in this forum.
Hey Laurie – thanks for weighing in.
Please allow me to make a key point – this is my blog, no one pays anything to access it, and I can and will write about any topic I wish. Most will be about healthcare, but I’ll also opine on Ukraine and sometimes other issues.
re the political arena, I am involved…I ran for office (unsuccessfully) and am active in local politics. So, I do have educated opinions.
If this doesn’t work for you, sorry to see you go. We can only learn if we open ourselves up to different perspectives.
be well Joe
Compromise. It is a powerful concept. The opposite of compromise: stall, dissent, refuse. Without compromise, you are left with two separate positions called my way or highway. I enjoy your thoughts on many of these topics and while I don’t agree with all of your positions, I appreciate the effort you employ to substantiate them when they are presented. Our world improves with windows most certainly.
Thanks for being part of the solution David – SHOCKED that you don’t always agree…:)
be well Joe
This is a great column and much needed in this time of tribes and factions that are hyper focused on our differences. While it’s entirely normal to have different opinions and beliefs, we would all do well to try to follow Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s advice that “you can disagree without being disagreeable”.
really appreciate it Jeff – and love RBG…who doesn’t!
be well Joe
Well, I like the content you write about. You have a right to do so and the fact that you would allow people to comment on politics as well is rewarding for the public. I don’t care which side you are on, I am reading what you have to say, and I like it. That comment is hilarious to me with all of the foolishness we have had to put up with in the last 6 years, politics is the least we have to worry about. Keep it coming JOE!!!!
M – thanks as always for weighing in. Dialogue is precious and welcome indeed.
be well Joe
“We are far more alike than we are different, share far more similarities than differences. ” ABSOUTELY TRUE
I understand why some may not want to be like me!
thank for the note Mike – be well
Joe
Joe keep up the good work. I for one enjoy you blog because it does challenge my thoughts, beliefs and opinions. IN many of instances you have caused me to rethink my beliefs research deeper and change my mind. Which I have found out that changing one’ opinion is not that painful. Thank you Joe for who you are and shst you do.
Thank you Todd. I appreciate you.
be well Joe
I have a love-hate relationship with your newsletter for the same reason my Great Aunt Bea had a love-hate relationship with the New York Times. I love reading it, and hate that too often I don’t have time to make it through the first bit.
We dont’ agree on everything, but I like that. Haters gunna hate…
RJ – honored to be associated w Aunt Bea… I hope she’s Okay with the association!
be well Joe
Right on Joe – it’s called ‘spilled milk’ in my company now. We welcome the opportunity to try hard and sometimes we don’t get it right. It’s all good and in the spirit of trying to make a positive difference. Glad you are still rolling and always love your views and perspectives.
good to hear from you Rob – much appreciate your kind words.
Newell Joe
I’m laughing so hard over here, Joe! I *love* how you put yourself out there. Life would be so dull if we all thought the same way, felt the same way, ate the same food, etc. Seeing your replies to people who tell you to keep your thoughts about politics off your blog tickles me to no end. I treasure my relationships with people who disagree with me on some things but can set that aside and enjoy conversations about everything else. Those opportunities are becoming few and far between, it seems. I have enjoyed reading your blog and seeing the world through your eyes. And I remember very clearly years ago (it doesn’t seem like that long!) when you launched your website and blog. I remember stuffing envelopes for your first direct mail drops announcing Health Strategy Associates and inviting people to follow along. My how things have changed since then. Thank you for all that you do, Joe! XOXO
Yvonne – I deeply appreciate you. Your willingness to put yourself out there makes me pale in comparison.
as a reader noted in an email – gently correcting me for missing a critical point- healthcare and politics are inextricably linked. Pharma lobbying Congress, the abortion wars, Medicaid expansion or not, COVID vaccines…
not discussing political issues when covering healthcare is like ignoring the players when analyzing a game.
my best Joe
Thanks, Joe for sharing. I always wonder when people subscribe to my newsletter, everyone has their reason…so we let it go and continue to build!
Thanks Anne – and thanks for continuing to write!
Joe, Joe, Joe…even though we’re almost always diametrically opposed on all things political, I still love you and enjoy reading your blog. Keep ’em coming.
Kim – the feeling is mutual!
be well Joe
Hi Joe,
When it comes to alternate opinions you are correct we need to diversify our intake. In the USA I look to the WSJ, Bloomberg, and Straight Arrow News. World wide Al Jazeera is doing a pretty good job as long as you ignore their reporting of the Arab World. They actually still have journalists working in offices around the world which is unheard of in an industry where a large amount of the articles are written by bots and algorithms. For geopolitics Peter Zehain does a great job! Plus you check in with news from other countries.
News nowadays is so homogenized that it is all the same. I ready US news and news from Spain (El Pais) as I am bilingual. The fodder put out for the general populace is pretty much same pap and simplistic reporting. The world is much more complex and nuanced than anything that the main stream brings to the table. Typical as humans hate and deplore the complex and favor simple answers that never really address the real problems.
Thanks for sharing this Antonio.
I’m a fan of the Atlantic, the Economist, and NPR. While none are perfect, they certainly try to get the facts straight.
be well Joe