The problem with numbers. . .

It's a classic story really.

Due to crazy rumors of government run death panels, man goes to passionately protest the new health care legislation.

Man gets into fight with local union members in favor of universal health care.

Man hurts his leg.

Because of some recent economic hardship, man has no health insurance so he must take up a collection with his fellow protesters.

The people who are so unwilling to save 50 million people from high health care costs are more than willing to save one.

We love our irony (see AP story).

When we talk about one person not getting access to health care, it is easy to get behind the movement. When we talk about 50 million, it is much easier to be selfish--in fact we often look for ANY reason to be selfish. Any at all. Even reasons that are untrue. Why should 50 million people get something? What about me?

It is the problem with numbers. Obama needs to focus this debate on the individual level. Forget about broad goals. Put a face to this legislation. Forget the techno-jargon. There are people that truly need help and that point is getting lost in death panels and socialism.

We need a poster child for health care reform. Call it cheap ploy, but it will help people understand what is at stake. Because what is at stake has nothing to do with whether a government bureaucrat is going to euthanize my grandmother.