My Brother Died, Saturday.

He had just turned 51.  

He has 2 beautiful children.  

He had recently begun to reconcile his faith after having once been deeply wounded by a church.

He passed suddenly, while doing something he loved, surrounded by people who loved him.

We spoke not long ago, and we said I love you.  We were in a good place.  

Too soon.  Ouch.  

I want to hug our Mom, and Sister, and Brother in Law, and all the Kids, and sob and curse and laugh and cry.  2500 miles away and broke, I might as well be on the moon.

I love him.  I want him back.  

To my friends in America, and those who loved Mike, tell your government, and your bosses, and your corporate Masters that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege, or a bargaining chip, or a source of financial ruin.  The healthcare I am privileged to enjoy in Ontario Canada is better than any I ever had in the U.S., except, barely, in the Marine Corps.  It is better, on average than it is in the states, by nearly every measure of healthcare comparison, like lifespan, childbirth related death, and infant mortality.  Is it perfect, or cutting edge, no and sometimes.  Is it miles and Kilometers better than what was caring for my brother.  I'm literally betting my life on it.  

To my Canadian readers and friends:  the American medical system is not better.  It is only better for multi-millionaires and billionaires seeking brand new treatments for cancers and other diseases, or trying to defeat natural aging,  all of which are likely to fail anyways.  Unless you clear 250K a year, do everything you can to ensure that our healthcare system is robustly funded and protected.  Treat the defense of healthcare like the NRA treats their right to own firearms.  Zero Compromise. 

Any politician that wants to erode or defund your healthcare and services doesn't care about you or anyone you love, except when it is election time.  They are liars and they are in it for themselves and their rich buddies.  Government's purpose should be to take care of Its people.  End of list.  Weigh the options and the candidates.  Which option takes care of people, on the most human and humane level.  That is the choice.  It is what is best for the country, your neighbor, the economy, your future, your retirement, your children and grandchildren, it is what Jesus would do.  Allah is merciful.  Life is most important.  All Life is sacred and precious.  The economy, the culture and the country are all made up of ordinary middle and Working Class people.  Human beings.  Dividends be damned.  What is the value of your life and that of your children?  

Ignore the labels and the colors.  Its Hogwash and Horseshit.  Which person says "We need to take care of everyone.  Feed and house everyone. Treat everyone with a base dignity and value."? That is the person who deserves your vote and support.  Not some faceless, lifeless party full of old, rich, self important, I know better, wind bags.  You know better.  Vote for a person.  Ideals are what we hope for, true. but good people are what we count on, and what we should fight for.  Don't give in, and don't do the same thing again and again when it is clearly not working.  

Tell those you love that you love them.  It will be a great comfort if it is the last thing you say to them.  Trust me.  It is my one of my only comforts right now, other than my wife and child and In-laws.  And it means so much more than I might have imagined.  

Peace and Blessings

Dan Broaddus 

Brother of Michael A. Broaddus, Oct. 4, 1973 to Oct. 26, 2024. May he find everything he hopes for, including our love and longing, wherever he finds himself.  

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