The People's Seat

In case you've been under a rock and/or tune into the news only to learn about Heidi Montag's latest plastic surgery disaster, we've got a new Senator in our fair Commonwealth. He is handsome. He is a GREAT campaigner. He has a truck. That's all I really know about him. Oh, and I also know a lot of things he's against- like health care reform (which he voted FOR in MA (will return to this in a bit)) and calling the his seat Senator Kennedy's seat. He REALLY hates those things. Yet, it remains to be seen what he actually is FOR. He is like one of those grumpy guys on the Muppets, complaining about everything that the other, more proactive Muppets do but not ever taking a position on what would be better.

The national media is all over this story. OBAMA FAILS! CHANGE of the CHANGE! HEALTH CARE REFORM IS DEAD! THE PUBLIC SPEAKS! AMERICA! WOO!

The thing is, this election meant a lot and is hideous for the democrats and our futile attempts to salvage vulnerable seats in next year's mid-term. But one thing that this election is NOT is a repudiation of health care reform. Despite unprecedented global shit-storm, health care reform maintains a 76%+ approval rating in MA- those are numbers that are of political dreams. 97.4% of our citizens are and have been insured for the past two successful years of reform. How you like 'dem apples, Norway? NINETY-SEVEN POINT FOUR PERCENT. Only 1% of the budget is a result of health care reform associated costs (according to the non-partisan, right-leaning Mass Taxpayers Foundation). In other words, and let me be clear here:

HEALTH CARE REFORM IS WORKING.

Naysayers can shrug, selectively ignore facts and use simple phrases to miscategorize it, but on this one, I can assert that I am right and they are wrong. I work with the numbers people. Thus I can say: it is hard, we need to really focus on system delivery and the cost of care in general. The tenets of health care reform are not the problem, but the ass-backward market that establishes rates that promote excessive use and specialty care and financially punishes doctors for going into the proven preventative type of medicine, primary care.

So, to Mr. President and Congresspeople I say this: we are women and men not Muppets. Let our emotion-laden election not interfere with real progress. I'm not saying push a bill through, but stop pretending that your job is anything BUT creating and implementing meaningful legislation, with or without a super majority. As Jon Stewart, the smartest American of our generation said, "W. didn't need a super majority when he did WHATEVER HE WANTED for 8 years."

Fe que da Alegria

Ten summers ago, I spent 5 weeks in the Dominican Republic with a group of fellow Eagles. By day we ran a summer camp called Fe y Alegria (faith and happiness); by night we lesson planned and reflected on the sense of community of the lovely, rural town that zealously embraced us and how to incorporate the love of simplicity and 'it takes a village' mentality that abounded therein. Toward the end of the trip, my group and I journeyed to the far western edge of the DR, just over the Haitian border. The juxtaposition of the lifestyle there compared to the poor, yet hopeful one we'd left behind with our gear was so severe, to this day I find it difficult to articulate.

The village of small huts was home to about 200 individuals. Raw sewage ran through the streets, rendering the water undrinkable. Animals and humans coexisted under what could barely be referred to as shelter and children took to hitting each other with brush for sport. The most incomprehensible image that haunts me was the looks on the villagers faces upon our arrival. They were neither angry nor confused; welcoming nor dismissive. They weren't, contrary to what Disney would have you believe, gracious and SO THANKFUL for our arrival. What they were was...blank. Completely void of emotion, tenderness and humanity. These were people whose exposure to violence, poverty, political corruption and disillusionment had taken a serious emotional toll on their very being.

The millions of images that have flashed in front of us for the past 72ish hours since the devastating 7.0 earthquake near Port-Au-Prince, are a constant reminder of my decade-old visit. The outpouring of needed medical aid, supplies and world attention has been remarkable- a testament to human kind. Yet, when the next big disaster happens- or when Jay and Conan next decide to feud like boys who long to be king of the mountain during recess, rather than men who earn in the MILLIONS- Haiti will be forgotten and the mental and emotional health needs of the Haitians who need hope and compassion will remain unmet.

I get so caught up in the memememe of my life, that I often forget to step back and reflect. This is a time of reflection, I'm glad that we are caught up in it, but the problem of extreme poverty persists. I'm truly not sure as to what America's role should be. We can not afford, both financially and resourcefully, to be either the world's police officer or its provision manager. But we must do something. Because 55 thousand people died this week and are currently being used as road blocks for lack of a better place to 'dispose' of them. 55 THOUSAND. My heart and funds, in $10 increments, go out to the Haitians. I can't let another 10 years go by without letting that powerful day get to me again.