Change

Back in the last millenia, when I was a debater, my coach told me that people favour the status quo. The presumption is always with the current system.

Even if things suck, we are creatures of habit. I used to joke that the reason Professor X and I had been married so long was that we were too lazy to go after something better. Don't get me wrong - I do love him and we have more fun than a barrel of monkeys most of the time - but we've also had a few moments of lifewouldbebetterapartitis, and there is an smidgen of truth to the notion that one reason we have endured is simply because we're afraid that being with a new person might be worse. I read an interview with Valerie Bertinelli about her breakup with Eddie Van Halen. She decided to leave him in 2001, yet didn't actually divorce him in 2005. She explained the time lag by saying "I'm a procrastinator."

People can recognize things aren't good, but they procrastinate on making changes. They worry that they'll rue their actions. Let us draw inspiration from brilliant songwriter Kevin Cronin, whose classic single from the You Can Tune a Piano But You Can't Tuna Fish album reminds us

So if you're tired of the
Same old story
Turn some pages
I'll be here when you are ready
To roll with the changes

Let's watch the lads in R.E.O. Speedwagon sing this toe-tapping tune.



Man, that brings back some memories of my wild youth. I remember seeing these guys when I was in high school. Let me propose that this song be an anthem for all progressives who yearn to feel a sweet sun shower.

Yes, my fellow Americans, it is time to be brave and embrace the change that is upon us. The House of Representatives voted today to take some baby steps toward health care reform in our country, and I say Bravo!

I will have more thoughts on this tomorrow. I must nap now. Change is great, but a mite exhausting.

Rockin' it out on health care reform

One of my favorite parts of the Smithsonian American History Museum is their collection of popular culture political protest songs. Here's a suggestion for an addition. This guy is awesome!

Time for Action

The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

I'm one of the fortunate ones. Professor X has a great employer who provides our family with wonderful health coverage. I don't live in fear of some illness or injury wiping out our savings. I'm able to take my children to the eye doctor and the dentist for a nominal co-pay. But so many of my friends don't have this "luxury." One, a mom of two young boys, is hesitant to let them play soccer in case they get hurt, because she and her husband can't afford health insurance. Another is struggling with the prospect of expensive dental bills in order to assure her daughter a nice healthy smile. These friends have nice homes and decent paying jobs. If they and so many others like them, solid middle class to upper middle class citizens, are feeling swamped by health care costs, it must be a thousand times more frightening for poorer folks. I can't really imagine it, but I can be grateful for our blessings.

And I can speak up to support health care reform. I may not be in trouble, but others are, and I believe that action by our government can make this situation better. I remember when the Clintons first tried to make a difference on this issue, back before I was a parent. I was so disappointed when their efforts were thwarted.

Now that the Obama administration is endeavoring to lead on health care reform, there's a ton of misinformation and downright lies being spread against his proposals. Google "health care reform" and you'll see a zillion falsehoods - scare tactics by the bad guys.

There's a good website with information about the government's plan at http://www.healthreform.gov/.

I need to figure out what sorts of action I can take to support the reform effort. I'm open to suggestions!

This is what I just posted on my Facebook page, after seeing it on friends' status lines:

No one should die because they cannot afford health care, and no one should go broke because they get sick. If you agree, please post this as your status for the rest of the day. ALSO - if you agree your Representatives need to hear from you! They are hearing from Teabaggers every day. Please take a moment to call (202) 224-3121 and leave a message for your senators and representative.