Our culture is dominated by the corporate bottom line. Voices trumpeting competition, selfishness, beauty, and weath drown out the voices reminding us of those things that are good, that bring us together, and that make life meaningful.
In this holiday season, let us not be afraid to celebrate the things we believe nourish the human spirit ... love, human relationships, feeling empowered to take responsibility and plot the course for one's own destiny, nature, music, books, art, helping others, being part of something inspiring, something larger than ourselves ... these are what make life worth living.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Ain't Life Great!
By the way, just wanted to mention that I've so busy working for the Obama campaign that I've totally neglected this blog. But now, with a huge sigh of relief and tears of joy, we can face the future with hope and optimism!
Welcome Back, Senator Kennedy!
First, it is so wonderful to see Senator Kennedy back!! Only people ignorant of history would disparage this man who is admired by Republicans and Democrats alike both professionally for the high quality and dedication of the work done by his Senate staff and personally for the passion and integrity he brings to work everyday.
Second, again ignorance speaks when folks talk of "nationalizing" health care. It is health insurance which needs to be nationalized, at a savings of millions of dollars to taxpayers. Think about it logically: private insurance companies have 20-30% administrative costs including huge departments devoted to finding reasons to NOT pay claims as opposed to the 2-3% administrative costs of Medicare (government-provided health insurance for those over 65). That means with private insurance companies we get less health care and it costs more. Additionally, cost to taxpayers for the uninsured is astronomical because the uninsured don't get preventive care and so preventable conditions get worse and then these folks go to emergency rooms with more advanced problems which require more expensive treatments AND the taxpayer picks up all these bills. And lastly every business man with two functioning neurons favors national health insurance because this would take the burden off businesses and would therefore help to level the playing field so American companies could compete globally.
With nationalized health insurance, the government would NOT interfere in people's medical care, however they would provide safeguards not provided by private insurers: no refusal to treat "pre-existing" conditions, no refusal to provide health insurance, no being dropped after you submit a claim or lost your job, etc. Again, think about it logically - private insurers are in the business of making money, not making sure we have good health care.
The Republicans, who have long demonized government, don't like to acknowledge that there is good government, which actually solves problems individuals or states just can't tackle on their own. Kennedy has been one of the leading champions for government helping to solve the problems of ordinary Americans during his long and distinguished career.
Second, again ignorance speaks when folks talk of "nationalizing" health care. It is health insurance which needs to be nationalized, at a savings of millions of dollars to taxpayers. Think about it logically: private insurance companies have 20-30% administrative costs including huge departments devoted to finding reasons to NOT pay claims as opposed to the 2-3% administrative costs of Medicare (government-provided health insurance for those over 65). That means with private insurance companies we get less health care and it costs more. Additionally, cost to taxpayers for the uninsured is astronomical because the uninsured don't get preventive care and so preventable conditions get worse and then these folks go to emergency rooms with more advanced problems which require more expensive treatments AND the taxpayer picks up all these bills. And lastly every business man with two functioning neurons favors national health insurance because this would take the burden off businesses and would therefore help to level the playing field so American companies could compete globally.
With nationalized health insurance, the government would NOT interfere in people's medical care, however they would provide safeguards not provided by private insurers: no refusal to treat "pre-existing" conditions, no refusal to provide health insurance, no being dropped after you submit a claim or lost your job, etc. Again, think about it logically - private insurers are in the business of making money, not making sure we have good health care.
The Republicans, who have long demonized government, don't like to acknowledge that there is good government, which actually solves problems individuals or states just can't tackle on their own. Kennedy has been one of the leading champions for government helping to solve the problems of ordinary Americans during his long and distinguished career.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Senator Kennedy
Like many of you, I am devastated to learn of Senator Kennedy's malignant brain tumor. If you want to express your well wishes, they have set up an easy-to-use place on his home page here:
http://kennedy.senate.gov/
Needless to say, our hearts go out to him, his family and friends, and this country. He is one of our best and truest leaders - a liberal and proud of it. I think of him like a roaring lion - passionately fighting for ordinary people - a champion for the values of decency, fairness, equal opportunity, and lending a helping hand to those who need it.
For all our sakes, I hope he is back at work soon.
http://kennedy.senate.gov/
Needless to say, our hearts go out to him, his family and friends, and this country. He is one of our best and truest leaders - a liberal and proud of it. I think of him like a roaring lion - passionately fighting for ordinary people - a champion for the values of decency, fairness, equal opportunity, and lending a helping hand to those who need it.
For all our sakes, I hope he is back at work soon.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Last Ditch Attempt
Today ABC supposedly obtained documents from Karl Rove (as if he didn't want them leaked) with charts and statistics about why Hillary would be the stronger candidate for the Democratic Party. Anybody who doesn't think Karl Rove had an ulterior motive is living in fantasyland as is anyone who doesn't know that nothing would unite the Republican Party better or faster than Clinton as the Democratic nominee.
All that aside, Democrats shouldn't be manipulated into playing that game again. In 2004 Democrats picked John Kerry not because they liked him but because he seemed the safest - his war record would stop the GOP attacks on Democrats being weak on national security. Yeah, that worked well.
What Democrats have to figure out is who would make the best president - who has the better judgement and character? Who will make us proud again to be Americans? Who will begin to restore the reputation of our country and repair all the damage that has been done both here and abroad? Who can overcome the cynical disgust we have all had with Washington for so long and engage us in working together to find common ground for the problems that have gone so long ignored?
In my book, there is only one possibility and that is Senator Obama. The people who say he's not electable because he is black may be right, but I hope they are not, for the sake of this country.
All that aside, Democrats shouldn't be manipulated into playing that game again. In 2004 Democrats picked John Kerry not because they liked him but because he seemed the safest - his war record would stop the GOP attacks on Democrats being weak on national security. Yeah, that worked well.
What Democrats have to figure out is who would make the best president - who has the better judgement and character? Who will make us proud again to be Americans? Who will begin to restore the reputation of our country and repair all the damage that has been done both here and abroad? Who can overcome the cynical disgust we have all had with Washington for so long and engage us in working together to find common ground for the problems that have gone so long ignored?
In my book, there is only one possibility and that is Senator Obama. The people who say he's not electable because he is black may be right, but I hope they are not, for the sake of this country.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
A Thought on Discrimination
I can't believe how many times lately I've heard arguments about which group of historically discriminated against persons, women or blacks, more deserves to have the next president come from their group. As if there were any contest.
When I was in medical school, and trust me back then there were very few of us (13/113 in my class), my roommate was a black woman, who had also been my roommate in college. I remember coming back to our apartment one day and complaining about how many people had asked me to empty their bedpans, thinking I was a nurse or a nurses' aid. My roommate struggled unsuccessfully not to cry as she told me a few things that had happened to her that day and ended by saying, "At least they don't think you're the cleaning lady."
Well, that kind of says it all to me. We're talking about apples and oranges, here folks. Yes, I didn't have an easy time as a woman trying to break into a man's field. But the indignities and hatred to which my roommate was daily subjected were in an entirely different league from anything I ever experienced.
Of course, these kind of discussions should have nothing to do with whom you actually support for president. Both candidates have fairly similar policies and agendas. Besides, Congress writes the laws, not the president. And it's not like most of us have the luxury of getting to know the candidates personally. What you can do is make your decision on the basis of your evaluation of both candidate's character and judgement and basic decency.
When I was in medical school, and trust me back then there were very few of us (13/113 in my class), my roommate was a black woman, who had also been my roommate in college. I remember coming back to our apartment one day and complaining about how many people had asked me to empty their bedpans, thinking I was a nurse or a nurses' aid. My roommate struggled unsuccessfully not to cry as she told me a few things that had happened to her that day and ended by saying, "At least they don't think you're the cleaning lady."
Well, that kind of says it all to me. We're talking about apples and oranges, here folks. Yes, I didn't have an easy time as a woman trying to break into a man's field. But the indignities and hatred to which my roommate was daily subjected were in an entirely different league from anything I ever experienced.
Of course, these kind of discussions should have nothing to do with whom you actually support for president. Both candidates have fairly similar policies and agendas. Besides, Congress writes the laws, not the president. And it's not like most of us have the luxury of getting to know the candidates personally. What you can do is make your decision on the basis of your evaluation of both candidate's character and judgement and basic decency.
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