'The West Wing' by Aaron Sorkin

[gholumboy]

As an alien (actually born on this planet) I am curious as to how many remember the drama and depiction of life in the White House whichwas presented in this television series. Personally, having lived very close to the seat of power in my own country I was humbled by the compassion, intelligence, insight and political nous depicted.

With Barack Obama on the throne, I think most of the Western world sees at last a leader with intelligence, insight, free of chicanery and dedication to all the citizens of your country. Despite this your Nation's dedication to 'free speech' encourages the most outlandish and derogatory accounts from many quarters without hindrance. The impression I have is that the people generating these calumnies, generally regard the populace as a morass of manipulative dough to be moulded by the media and encouraged and enhanced by politicians of both sides.

Yet Obama presses on! The fight that he had on his hands (and still has) over health care was incomprehensible to an alien. In my country if I get ill, I will be looked after regardless of my bank balance, health insurance, age or debilities. But it seems that you poor people have to have the contract with your insurance provider in your pocket, to know how many sutures you can afford? Obama apparently finds that this situation should pertain to his people, you lot; yet gets creamed from every quarter.

Indeed it is a puzzlement.

 

[JetSetJake]

I love The West Wing - I think it is some of the best television ever written for many reasons. As a language teacher, I particularly like it because of the witty dialogues and rhetorical devices used throughout. I have in fact taught lessons based around particular clips of the show.

Maybe it'll inspire my students to become fans of the show too

 

[PrivateTimm]

Yet Obama presses on! The fight that he had on his hands (and still has) over health care was incomprehensible to an alien. In my country if I get ill, I will be looked after regardless of my bank balance, health insurance, age or debilities. But it seems that you poor people have to have the contract with your insurance provider in your pocket, to know how many sutures you can afford? Obama apparently finds that this situation should pertain to his people, you lot; yet gets creamed from every quarter.

I am not sure if I find this post sad or touchingly naive.

When you are older in your country and you need a hip replacement, it might take two years to get it so relax, just take the pain medication until then. Or they might decide you are too old for it. If you are 80, the charts say you really only have a few years left well then, we really can't spend the money on you, sorry, we need it for the younger people, some old doff was shoved aside for you when you were young so now it is your turn. Suck it up.

 

[Seasoned]

Oh, yes, the what ifs of health care. I happened to be in an universal health care country when I needed surgery. Surgery and a five day hospital stay was $7,000. This was the UK, btw. No complaints from me. As for the elderly, should my 88 year old aunt have had a knee replaced, only to have non-knee related complications which led to her dying 9 months later?

Private hospitals still exist for those who have private insurance and don't want to wait for elective surgery.

 

[JetSetJake]

Oops, seems this isn't a discussion on The West Wing after all, despite the title and the original question as to who remembers the series.

 

[MercuryJones]

When you are older in your country and you need a hip replacement, it might take two years to get it so relax, just take the pain medication until then. Or they might decide...

As if people are not denied treatment NOW in order to provide someone with more profit every single day.

And as seniors aren't on state funded coverage already.

 

[construct]

As an alien (actually born on this planet) I am curious as to how many remember the drama and depiction of life in the White House whichwas presented in this television series. Personally, having lived very close to the seat of power in my own country I was humbled by the compassion, intelligence, insight and political nous depicted.

With Barack Obama on the throne, I think most of the Western world sees at last a leader with intelligence, insight, free of chicanery and dedication to all the citizens of your country. Despite this your Nation's dedication to 'free speech' encourages the most outlandish and derogatory accounts from many quarters without hindrance. The impression I have is that the people generating these calumnies, generally regard the populace as a morass of manipulative dough to be moulded by the media and encouraged and enhanced by politicians of both sides.

Yet Obama presses on! The fight that he had on his hands (and still has) over health care was incomprehensible to an alien. In my country if I get ill, I will be looked after regardless of my bank balance, health insurance, age or debilities. But it seems that you poor people have to have the contract with your insurance provider in your pocket, to know how many sutures you can afford? Obama apparently finds that this situation should pertain to his people, you lot; yet gets creamed from every quarter.

Indeed it is a puzzlement.

I agree that The West Wing was a very well-written show, and it generally shows the executive branch in a favorable light. As I remember it, it showed the administration as full of loyal policy wonks who served at the pleasure of a generally wise and principled President. You see that as parallel to the Obama administration. At the time, it was probably inspired by the Clinton administration. Both parallels seem appropriate since Pres. Bartlett was leftish in his policies and since he encountered often vociferous, vituperative, or unfair opposition to his goals.

 

[gholumboy]

I am not sure if I find this post sad or touchingly naive.

When you are older in your country and you need a hip replacement, it might take two years to get it so relax, just take the pain medication until then. Or they might decide you are too old for it. If you are 80, the charts say you really only have a few years left well then, we really can't spend the money on you, sorry, we need it for the younger people, some old doff was shoved aside for you when you were young so now it is your turn. Suck it up.

Personally I have always carried full medical and dental cover as has my partner. My Mother at 85 developed bowel cancer whilst in a nursing home and her doctor and the staff worked hard at getting her into a hospital for surgery. I did mention that she had medical insurance and the world changed. She was in the same hospital we had tried to get her in but this time as a private patient. The surgery was done she recovered and I paid a nominal amount to cover the shortfall between what the fund paid and what the hospital charged.

In West Wing by the way when Josh is shot by some gun-toting idiot he has to sue his insurance company to get them to pay the bill because he didn't clear certain matters with them before they saved his life! Perhaps I am naive to be amazed!

 

[kallipolis]

From my perspective The West Wing was much too idealistic to believe. Following the Nixon years even the only in America American patriots were sufficiently transformed to be much less naive on White House antics.

The GWB and Dick Cheney Show might well have reinforced the perspective of many that television drama is no more than a theatrical attempt to demonstrate how life should be. Alice in Wonderland is much more compelling as an escape into fantasy land.