An electrifying young President sweeps into office promising change. He institutes broad legislation in the first few months of tenure. He moves mountains and the Hill stands in awe. Yet, one piece of legislation bogs him down, expends his political capital and stalls future change. Bill Clinton stalled on Gays in the Military – society was not ready.
Will Obama falter the same way with Health Care?
Fevered town hall meetings, Democrats refusing to fall in line, alarming allegations of “death panels” from Sarah Palin – it has become the intractable issue of the administration. Propping up failed banks, breaking apart GM, stabilizing the economy – are all Lilliputian tasks compared to the healthcare quagmire. Even the passing of Sen. Edward Kennedy may not be enough to rally politicians around this critical issue.
With Congress and the President on vacation, the issue will play out after Labor Day, a good chance for us to reflect on why the White House is losing this war.
Everyone recognizes the need. First, it is irresponsible for a developed society not to provide basic health care as a primary right for its inhabitants. Second, the current system is untenable with health care costs consuming a huge part of the nation’s GDP – resources that could potentially be used for other causes – primary school education, medical research, or climate control. So why are people so scared to implement this change when the need is so apparent?
Neill Blomkamp’s film District 9 is an electrifying portrayal of a society at odds with its own residents. An alien space ship docks above Johannesburg, filled with a derelict extra-terrestrial populace that eventually take up residence in the slums of the city. Shot on-location in Soweto, the allegory of the apartheid era is front and center. The citizens of Jo-burg – both black and white – allow the foreigners to reside initially but then turn against them. The aliens’ otherness is exploited by a multi-national corporation, reviled by humans, and forgotten by the government.
The human citizenry is unwilling to extend any rights or dignities to the strangers. They are essentially left to fend for themselves; cordoned off from the rest of the populace by high walls and barbed wire. Drawn in such stark contrast, the despicability of the act is apparent, and yet the analogy to our current circumstance becomes even more deplorable. Despite the fact that aliens almost look like humans, as a society we are willing to create a second class of citizens who are allowed to live amongst us, but for whom we choose not to expend our own money to afford the same rights.
Torchwood: The Children of Earth, the third in a series of BBC shows describes a covert quasi-government team that watch over a space-time rift in Cardiff, Wales. A spin-off from the show Doctor Who, the latest installment finds the Torchwood group resisting an invasion by extra-terrestrial creatures who demand a fraction of the planet’s children. The aliens’ plot is aided by the highest levels of government who make the trade-off in order to prevent a virus being unleashed on all the people of the world.
The story characterizes society’s ethical options when weighing one evil against another. The choices are not easy and no answer is “correct”. In the show, the government decides to sacrifice the poorer and less-educated children in the country, rather than make a random allocation across all strata. The answer is reprehensible to some and acceptable to others, but where the government universally falters is by making the choices covertly. The secrecy engenders distrust, and the purposeful distractions by the government reinforce the suspicion.
Given the sweeping regulatory changes that have taken place in the past few months, with health care the country may be saying it is too much to digest in one go. This is something that people need time to process. We know there is an inherent reluctance to extend healthcare to portions of the population that some consider are either undeserving or believe will unnecessarily usurp resources.
Building on the reluctance, there is wide-spread distrust in a government program making decisions around health care provision –whether it be end of life choices or basic preventive care. People are worried that they won’t be able to get the care they want. In any legislated program, there will need to be some choices – an elderly alcoholic with cirrhosis should not be given a new liver, when that money can be used to purchase free Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccines for children. So are there similar choices hidden within this bill?
Our charming 70-year old, libertarian host at a B&B in Callistoga, CA expressed both issues quite simply. She is a hard-working lady who raised five children, cares about public service and came from a working class background. Her worry was that extending services to a broader population would only lead to a waste of her tax-payer resources on unnecessary procedures.
The administration is faltering because it is not addressing these two concerns of the populace. First, why it is critical to extend primary care benefits to the entire population and second, what implications this would have on the care being provided to people who are covered today. Similar to how Obama described the implications of his tax changes, i.e. people who make less than $250,000 will not see there taxes increase, he needs to make some clear and incisive statements on the implications of this legislation.
The sheer size of the bill – H.R. 3200 – which is over 1000 pages does not make it any easier to understand the two issues. The nation is asking for some clear answers, transparency around the decision-making and some time to digest. Let’s provide this and get this important bill passed.
August 30, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Some thoughts on… In Memoriam
Michael Jackson’s death may be the first truly global event of the century. Other milestones come close, like 9/11 or the death of the pope, but it seems almost every household in the world felt they knew Michael Jackson, through either his music or his moves. Radio stations replayed his music, newspapers reflected on his style, and people from all walks of life paid tribute. Perhaps this is a reflection of the ubiquity of pop-culture, but it is hopefully an indication of his singular talent which was able to inspire cultures and countries across the globe.
But no one can deny that he had notoriety surrounding him as well – lamas and chimps on his lavish Neverland estate; allegations of pedophilia; finances that placed him on the verge of bankruptcy; a constantly evolving facial construction. As anyone who has experienced loss knows, our remembrances of people are mixed. So, what will we remember of the King of Pop? Perhaps pop culture can provide some insights.
The tony-award winning musical, Next to Normal, bedevils in its portrayal of a typical family plunged into incoherence by the death of a relative. The characters attempt to support each other, but the overwhelming memory of the loss consumes them alive. The music is soaring and searing, a refreshing jolt back to the early days of Rent. One can hope that the show remains driven by its strong voices and insightful lyrics rather than jarring instrumentation and overacting to which Rent later devolved.
Memory is a vivid character in the show interweaving into day to day activities. Interacting with these remembrances, the characters confront their prejudices of each other leaving little room for caution. Resolution may not arrive in a neat and tidy bow, but the angelic revelation is clear – we need to remember and recognize our grief in order to overcome it. Trying to erase painful memories only leads to other losses.
Recently re-watching Ian McKellen as aging director James Whale in Gods and Monsters, I recalled why I admire Brendan Fraser. The interaction between the characters is a touching portrait of a platonic friendship between lonely souls – one gay and one straight; a relationship combination we rarely see on the screen.
Near the end of his life, McKellen’s character is jarred by reminiscences of a disapproving family, lost love, and the glories of by-gone days. Fraser is a blue-collar aesthete with an Adonis-like physique, whose sensitivity awakens the memories. He plays the role without campiness allowing the viewer to believe the trauma faced by Whale. In the movie, memories are not active characters, but are the background sets providing context for the choices made in life. By erupting at random points, the recollections divulge the answers for past and future actions of the characters.
Pixar has done it again with their new film – Up. The movie holds true to the title, lifting the spirit of its viewers through a frothy mix of morality tale, unprecedented 3-D graphics and rollicking, adventure story. The camaraderie between a crotchety– widower and a bulbous boy-scout seeking approval heals both their wounds. With the loss of his wife, the older man has forgotten how to interact with the world. He literally holds on to her memories even though they want to fly away. The un-ending optimism of the youth is what allows him to release the weight from his shoulders and engage in the adventure surrounding him. As with many Pixar movies, especially this one, go see this with a parent or relative over 65 – the subtle messaging somehow unfolds even more elegantly.
With anyone we have lost or will lose in our lives, their past foibles will be memories that constantly recur. We can not choose what we remember – sometimes the images come at you at the oddest times – a hint of music, the smell of cooking, the color of a leaf But, we can choose to view these shortcomings as the context for circumstances they faced and the decisions they made. Choices and situations we all must confront.
The trick with these unpleasant memories is not to forget or deny them, but to face them for what they are – the mistakes of mortal, human beings. Once we can place them in context, then it is easier to let them float away like a house strapped to thousands of multi-colored balloons.
.
So with Michael Jackson, despite lingering doubts of interaction with children, I’ll remember the bell quality of his voice on “She’s Out of My Life”, his MoonDance to Billie Jean, and the departing words of his 11-year old daughter, “Daddy has been the best father I can ever imagine, and I love him so much”.
July 11, 2009
But no one can deny that he had notoriety surrounding him as well – lamas and chimps on his lavish Neverland estate; allegations of pedophilia; finances that placed him on the verge of bankruptcy; a constantly evolving facial construction. As anyone who has experienced loss knows, our remembrances of people are mixed. So, what will we remember of the King of Pop? Perhaps pop culture can provide some insights.
The tony-award winning musical, Next to Normal, bedevils in its portrayal of a typical family plunged into incoherence by the death of a relative. The characters attempt to support each other, but the overwhelming memory of the loss consumes them alive. The music is soaring and searing, a refreshing jolt back to the early days of Rent. One can hope that the show remains driven by its strong voices and insightful lyrics rather than jarring instrumentation and overacting to which Rent later devolved.
Memory is a vivid character in the show interweaving into day to day activities. Interacting with these remembrances, the characters confront their prejudices of each other leaving little room for caution. Resolution may not arrive in a neat and tidy bow, but the angelic revelation is clear – we need to remember and recognize our grief in order to overcome it. Trying to erase painful memories only leads to other losses.
Recently re-watching Ian McKellen as aging director James Whale in Gods and Monsters, I recalled why I admire Brendan Fraser. The interaction between the characters is a touching portrait of a platonic friendship between lonely souls – one gay and one straight; a relationship combination we rarely see on the screen.
Near the end of his life, McKellen’s character is jarred by reminiscences of a disapproving family, lost love, and the glories of by-gone days. Fraser is a blue-collar aesthete with an Adonis-like physique, whose sensitivity awakens the memories. He plays the role without campiness allowing the viewer to believe the trauma faced by Whale. In the movie, memories are not active characters, but are the background sets providing context for the choices made in life. By erupting at random points, the recollections divulge the answers for past and future actions of the characters.
Pixar has done it again with their new film – Up. The movie holds true to the title, lifting the spirit of its viewers through a frothy mix of morality tale, unprecedented 3-D graphics and rollicking, adventure story. The camaraderie between a crotchety– widower and a bulbous boy-scout seeking approval heals both their wounds. With the loss of his wife, the older man has forgotten how to interact with the world. He literally holds on to her memories even though they want to fly away. The un-ending optimism of the youth is what allows him to release the weight from his shoulders and engage in the adventure surrounding him. As with many Pixar movies, especially this one, go see this with a parent or relative over 65 – the subtle messaging somehow unfolds even more elegantly.
With anyone we have lost or will lose in our lives, their past foibles will be memories that constantly recur. We can not choose what we remember – sometimes the images come at you at the oddest times – a hint of music, the smell of cooking, the color of a leaf But, we can choose to view these shortcomings as the context for circumstances they faced and the decisions they made. Choices and situations we all must confront.
The trick with these unpleasant memories is not to forget or deny them, but to face them for what they are – the mistakes of mortal, human beings. Once we can place them in context, then it is easier to let them float away like a house strapped to thousands of multi-colored balloons.
.
So with Michael Jackson, despite lingering doubts of interaction with children, I’ll remember the bell quality of his voice on “She’s Out of My Life”, his MoonDance to Billie Jean, and the departing words of his 11-year old daughter, “Daddy has been the best father I can ever imagine, and I love him so much”.
July 11, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Some thoughts on… Glee
A US President in Cairo calling for partnership with the Muslim world – this could have been a scene from a Hollywood blockbuster movie a few years ago – a cotton candy vision of utopia. Yet, B. Hussein Obama (as Ann Coulter addresses him to emphasize the foreignness) provided a shaded perspective on a tenuous topic.
Salient points of the speech:
- The Presidency would fight negative stereotypes of Muslims everywhere, and the same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America.
- Violent extremism must be confronted – all faiths reject the killing of innocent men, women, and children
- An investment of $1.5 billion would be made per year in Afghanistan and Pakistan to build schools, hospital and other infrastructure
- All US troops are to be removed from Iraq by 2012
- The US endorses a two state system in Israel requiring halting of settlements in the occupied territories and renunciation of violence by Palestinians
- A request to stop nuclear weapon proliferation throughout the Middle East including for Israel
- Recognition that the US supports the spread of Democracy globally but would not impose that ideal
- A call to Western nations to stop disguising hostility towards any religion behind the pretence of liberalism
- The promotion of equal opportunities for education for women in Muslim countries
- Establishing a partnership in economic development for public health, business development and research
The speech gained widespread acclamation, and everyone has a part with which they disagree – a mark of great oratory. The two individuals who unequivocally denounced the address were Osama bin Laden and Rush Limbaugh who called the President’s visit an “apology tour”. What perfect bed-fellows politics makes.
Given the textured arguments of the speech, a common response has been “These are just words; they need to be backed up by actions.” Obama’s heart may be in the right place, but as they say in Batman Begins “It’s not who you are underneath, it’s what you do that defines you.”
The second part of the sentiment is uncontestable – commitments made must be followed through.
As for the first part, there is some room for debate. Intention and words matter here, not only because the words are more articulate than any President, Democrat or Republican, in the past 40 years. But also the symbolism is undeniable – the most powerful Office in the world extending a welcome hand and acting as bridge between two worlds. As the fast-paced but ultimately fatigable movie Angels & Demons points out: symbols by themselves convey meaning even if they ultimately don’t lead to anything.
Similar to Nixon’s visit to China, President Obama is the only who could have carried off this remarkable event, because he is a symbol that can be trusted from both sides. The Western world believes in him by virtue of his position. The Islamic world may have skepticism but his Muslim father and upbringing, provide a believable alternative to the “axis of evil” perspectives of previous administrations.
In his own words: “All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort -- a sustained effort -- to find common ground,”
The relentless and satisfying production – Glee – is the most promising show of the Fall season. Premiering after American Idol two weeks ago, it was ostensibly a high school musical rip-off with competing cliques breaking into song. Instead the show delivers on the promise of its title – an unwavering assault on your senses until you are forced to smile. The series will continue in September, but the pilot is still available on the internet at the Fox website.
In the show, the quarterback finds that his passion for singing outweighs the taunts of his fellow players. Given his position he is the only one that can bring legitimacy to the outcasts who inhabit the glee club. Like Obama, the football jock inspires confidence from both sides of the fence – not necessarily making the two factions into friends, but engendering a belief that greater understanding is a possibility.
As the choral group from Glee sing - “Don’t Stop Believing”.
June 6, 2009
Salient points of the speech:
- The Presidency would fight negative stereotypes of Muslims everywhere, and the same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America.
- Violent extremism must be confronted – all faiths reject the killing of innocent men, women, and children
- An investment of $1.5 billion would be made per year in Afghanistan and Pakistan to build schools, hospital and other infrastructure
- All US troops are to be removed from Iraq by 2012
- The US endorses a two state system in Israel requiring halting of settlements in the occupied territories and renunciation of violence by Palestinians
- A request to stop nuclear weapon proliferation throughout the Middle East including for Israel
- Recognition that the US supports the spread of Democracy globally but would not impose that ideal
- A call to Western nations to stop disguising hostility towards any religion behind the pretence of liberalism
- The promotion of equal opportunities for education for women in Muslim countries
- Establishing a partnership in economic development for public health, business development and research
The speech gained widespread acclamation, and everyone has a part with which they disagree – a mark of great oratory. The two individuals who unequivocally denounced the address were Osama bin Laden and Rush Limbaugh who called the President’s visit an “apology tour”. What perfect bed-fellows politics makes.
Given the textured arguments of the speech, a common response has been “These are just words; they need to be backed up by actions.” Obama’s heart may be in the right place, but as they say in Batman Begins “It’s not who you are underneath, it’s what you do that defines you.”
The second part of the sentiment is uncontestable – commitments made must be followed through.
As for the first part, there is some room for debate. Intention and words matter here, not only because the words are more articulate than any President, Democrat or Republican, in the past 40 years. But also the symbolism is undeniable – the most powerful Office in the world extending a welcome hand and acting as bridge between two worlds. As the fast-paced but ultimately fatigable movie Angels & Demons points out: symbols by themselves convey meaning even if they ultimately don’t lead to anything.
Similar to Nixon’s visit to China, President Obama is the only who could have carried off this remarkable event, because he is a symbol that can be trusted from both sides. The Western world believes in him by virtue of his position. The Islamic world may have skepticism but his Muslim father and upbringing, provide a believable alternative to the “axis of evil” perspectives of previous administrations.
In his own words: “All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort -- a sustained effort -- to find common ground,”
The relentless and satisfying production – Glee – is the most promising show of the Fall season. Premiering after American Idol two weeks ago, it was ostensibly a high school musical rip-off with competing cliques breaking into song. Instead the show delivers on the promise of its title – an unwavering assault on your senses until you are forced to smile. The series will continue in September, but the pilot is still available on the internet at the Fox website.
In the show, the quarterback finds that his passion for singing outweighs the taunts of his fellow players. Given his position he is the only one that can bring legitimacy to the outcasts who inhabit the glee club. Like Obama, the football jock inspires confidence from both sides of the fence – not necessarily making the two factions into friends, but engendering a belief that greater understanding is a possibility.
As the choral group from Glee sing - “Don’t Stop Believing”.
June 6, 2009
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