As the Affordable Care Act (ACA, aka Obamacare) goes online, there is still much ado about its implementation, including a patently vindictive shutdown of the federal government. Its easy to get lost in the hyperbole, but for me it comes down to basic human necessity, most effectively illustrated by a few real world examples:

My best friend worked for 20 years at a large manufacturing firm in Portland. He suffered an on-the-job injury, which five surgeries have been unable to correct. Rather than continue paying him workmans compensation, the company chose instead to fire him. And, yes, this is illegal. According to his attorney, rather than acknowledge their responsibility to him, they would tie the case up in court until my friend was bankrupted by legal fees.

Now, at 53, he is permanently disabled, uninsured, and surviving on $400 per week in unemployment compensation and his retirement savings. Hes a lifelong Republican who, now that the shoe is on the other foot, has begun to see exactly how much his party cares about his well-being.

My other best friend served aboard the USS Missouri before she was mothballed. He now works as a freelance camera and audio technician at sporting events hes the guy crouched in the sidelines holding a microphone at Blazers and Timbers games and at the Prefontaine Classic.

At 48 years old, he recently finished paying off his college loans. He hasnt seen a dentist in 10 years or a doctor in more than 20. He works job-to-job, gambling that he will remain healthy, and applying every spare nickel toward his IRA, since the Republicans are doing their level best to cut his Social Security benefits.

Another friend is a part-time and substitute teacher for a number of different schools around the region. At 52, his own kids are grown and have moved on, and hes well on the way toward owning his house. Hes thrilled about the ACA because never in his entire life has he been able to afford health insurance.

I could go on and on, and these examples are just within my immediate circle of friends. Multiplied by the tens of millions, one may begin to appreciate for whom the Affordable Care Act is being implemented.