Earlier this week, former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin condemned Obama‘s plans to introduce a public heath insurance scheme as an “evil” move that would result in “death panels,” deciding who would live or die. As usual when any American administration has touched the button of health care reform, the conservatives send a rain of criticism about the national health care systems of three countries: the UK, Canada, and France. How it is possible that the ex-governor of Alaska — who rarely left her state — has an opinion about the British health care system?

The tactics of fear always work for the GOP because the people of America have a short memory. The anti-muslin rhetoric worked to reelect George W. Bush. Now the word “socialism” is creating fear against taking a courageous step for a better health care.

The richest country on earth has a health care system ranked 37th in the world according to the World Health Organization (WHO). So why is this idea of the “best health care” in the world so deeply entrenched in the mind of the American people? Or is it just a way for the conservatives to create panic?

Maybe some of this brouhaha is about race? Clearly the minorities and poor whites will benefit more from health care reform than rich whites. For sure, Americans need to leave their yards to have a clear idea why the WHO has put countries like France, England, Cuba, and Canada ahead of the US health care system. As the Baganda of Uganda say, “The person who has not traveled widely thinks his or her mother is the best cook.”