Last week’s vice-presidential debate confirmed, once again, the slim attention that HIV/AIDS is getting in the current election cycle. Nonetheless, what was said (plus the respective records of Bush and Kerry) shows there is only one choice for a voter who cares about, or especially who is affected by, HIV/AIDS.
Cheers to debate moderator Gwen Ifill for focusing her question on “AIDS right here in this country,” specifically on the disproportionate representation of black women among HIV-infected females. Neither candidate confined his remarks to the U.S., but bless her for trying!
Globally, “the enormous cost,” said Cheney, is tragic, both in lives and money. The “entire, sort of, productive generation … eliminated [by AIDS, leaving] nobody to do the basic work that runs an economy.” How Republican – a sniff at the tragedy of lost life, but primarily concerned.
that there won’t be enough laborers to work. Next, he crowed about the president’s $15 billion 5-year program for some hard-hit nations, principally in Africa – a program, Edwards subsequently noted, that has yet to be fully funded or implemented.
Then, coming back to the U.S., Cheney truly stepped in it: “I have not heard (about) African-American women. I was not aware … that they’re in epidemic there.” Geez, even the most ordinary workplace training audience or college class that I talk with knows about the issue, but the vice-president of the United States doesn’t? That speaks volumes: HIV/AIDS, especially the domestic epidemic, is not on the administration’s radar screen – beyond the publicity opps that announcing “initiatives” gains them.
Unfortunately, Edwards hardly addressed the specific question, either. Still, what he said was correct: The continuing spread of HIV in the U.S. results from our lack of both attention to disease prevention and access to primary medical care. (It is a uniquely U.S. circumstance among the world’s developed nations.)
It is clear that the Republicans do not “get” health care issues, especially AIDS, among our society’s disadvantaged citizens. While we haven’t heard much concretely from the Kerry team, it is clear that the Democrats do understand the topic; the environment surely would be better with them in charge.
For a full debate transcript, go to www.debates.org/pages/trans2004b.html.
This article appears in October 15 • 2004.