Here Is What's Wrong

Part of our problem is Obama, who does not have the temperamant of a leader, and the pols and hacks (e.g. Rahm) that he has surrounded himself with. Obama has turned out to be just another garden variety politician. "Change you can believe in" has turned out to be triangulation and betrayal.

But the real problem is systemic. As Larry Flynt and Michal Moore point out today over at Huffington, our political system is totally corrupt. The control of American politics by the uber wealthy, corporations, and the military-industrial complex is complete. That's why having a Democratic president and a Democratic Congress has meant just about nothing in the overall sceme of things. It doesn't matter which of the two major parties is in control. They are both bought and paid for. Nothing will change without political reforms that are not even being suggested let alone seriously considered.

Post Political?

I think I'm finally burnt out, or bummed out, or both. My Woodstock generation values are out of sync with post 1970 American values. I watched a documentary a few days ago that tried to make the point that the crowds massed at the Obama inaugural were like the peace and music crowd at Woodstock. I don't think so. Well, maybe the crowds were hopeful..."change" and all that, but Obama has turned out to be just another garden variety politician. "Change you can believe in" has turned out to be triangulation and betrayal. Progressives are miffed. I don't think I care much anymore.

Jim

Julie and Julia and Yuppies

We went to see "Julie and Julia" yesterday. It was good. Meryl Streep is just fantastic as always. The way that Yuppies are portrayed in the movie (as self absorbed) is not flattering. Last weekend I was reminded of the unselfishness of the young at Woodstock 40 years ago. What a difference in generations!

Jim

Holland Tunnel Graffitti

I saw this on my way into the Holland Tunnel yesterday. I thought it was very prophetic...

M

It's Sick, It's Vile, It's Educated, It's Healthcare

We shouldn't give up on health care or the promise of having real public health care in our country. When I see the beligerent Americans shouting in town halls, babbling endlessly about going back to an America the Founding Fathers had intended; you know, all white, Christian and people that care more about their wallets then their neighbor, I have to wonder if we aren't already lost. And any analogy of Obama to Hitler is ludicrous. Barney Frank said it best to a woman who stood up in front of him and said healthcare is like the Nazi regime: "Arguing with you is like arguing with the dining room table, I just won't do it." It's a lazy and stupid analogy regardless.

I've worked for big companies for over two decades and I can recognize manipulation when I see it. Insurance companies are full of them: hordes of men and women with MBA's and mediocre college degrees getting together and denying their responsibility to their fellow man. Using a spreadsheet and clever media manipulation to deny the obvious to so many.

I have a few thoughts on health care. It's essentially the same as public education; we need to give it away and lavish on it. It's a good people investment for our country and it's exactly the kind of thing our founding fathers could not have foreseen but absolutely would have wanted. If you don't believe me, go back to high school civics and this time worry less about your tests and more about what the book and teacher is saying. Ok, something more constructive? We live in a living Democracy, the Constitution and Bill Of Rights are not static documents. Google HR476 (one of the proposed bills in the House Of Representatives for health care). It is very straightforward and is the least we can do.

We are being manipulated. Quite heavily at this point. Let me Are public roads, schools, fireman, parks and the like socialist? Hardly! Is the Vets Administration or the Pentagon a bunch of socialists? Nope. Yet they are all paid for by our collective pooled taxes. I'll give you a not so subtle situation I found myself in just recently. In speaking with a manager in my firm, I had a not so subtle reminder that if I didn't "make my number" I could get a tap on the shoulder and I'd be looking for a new job in no time. What would my family do without income, health care and all of the wonder the firm blesses upon my humble self? I better pull in much more money for the firm or who knows what could happen? Doesn't sound like that has much to do with a friendly doctor's visit or choosing my doctor or single payer now, does it?

I also had another experience this week that struck me as strange. I had almost $1000 bill dropped in my lap for my kids wellness visits. Both my wife and I went into shock when we saw the bill and we were launched into a half a day of insurance call centers and very belligerent billing staffers at medical facilities. The bills we received were literally out of the blue; my whole family has extensive insurance and the bills went back almost 3 years! We think we may have gotten it all sorted out yet I am still going to be out well over $140; my wife warns me daily that nothing is done until we have some kind of paper saying it is done so I am keeping my joy under wraps until then.

I relate these two experiences because they are not in theory. They are real things that happen to me and thousands of others every day. And they happen so often I do know that they are not mere coincidence. Perhaps the health care industry is a bit more concerned over a crack that happens with public health care; public oversight. Right now, there is very little legislation to stop an insurer and a doctor from forcing me to pay $1k in medical bills they say I owe. And the system is so confusing, at some point it becomes completely futile to fight it.

Granted, the government doesn't have a good record of uncomplicating things, check out the tax code for the last 40 years. However our society is largely defined by how we treat the weakest in it, the one's that can't care for themselves. I have to wonder if and when we'll all find ourselves in that position some day. I hope we all have great health and care by then.

Marc

Don't Slip Slide Away

We work our jobs
Collect our pay
Believe were gliding down the highway
When in fact were slip slidin away

- Paul Simon

What's the worst drug you can take? Is it marijuana, alcohol, maybe LSD? Or is it the one that numbs you day in and day out, year in and year out? Finally you breathe your last with the realization that your life had little of worth in it...save those few really valuable things, your loved one, animal companions, great art and music, that you were fortunate enough to be able to appreciate at least some of the time.

Better to stop, or be stopped as I was by this past weekend's Woodstock 40th anniversary celebration, before it's too late. Being taken back to that beautiful moment in time was a strong antidote to the pernicious drug of mundane living. It was a wake up call and reminder to me to do the really important things in life if I possibly can, and to savor what is truly valuable, if only for a fleeting moment, each and every day. It's easier said than done.

Woodstock Plus 40: America Gone Mad

Oh, to be back in the idyllic summer of 1969, when the biggest sin committed by the rebellious mobs at Woodstock was getting stoned. Something else is happening here in our anxious summer of 2009, when instead of flower-power and free love there are reports of death threats and fanatics packing guns.

Frank Rich in the NY Times, commenting on the current U.S. political and social environment. Take me back, please.

Jim

Santana - Soul Sacrifice (Woodstock 1969)

Just a fantastic performance and one of my favorites from Woodstock.

Woodstock 40th Anniversary

40 years ago this month I made plans with a buddy from my rock band to go to Woodstock. We didn't have much money, and I was working a summer job to help pay my college tuition. We were going to drive from Philly in my then 19 year old Plymouth jalopy (my car was as old as I was.) As the date approached, it became apparent that we would not be able to swing it financially, and even if we could my old car would probably not make it, so at the last minute we decided not to go. Instead, I did the responsible thing and worked at my summer job that mid August weekend in 1969. I've regretted not going to Woodstock ever since, but even those of us who weren't there still have the music, and through the music we can keep the Woodstock spirit of love and peace alive.

Jim

WOODSTOCK 40th: Circus Maximus - Wind

I wasn't there, and neither was Circus Maximus, but this great song from the 60s was one of the earliest progressive rock classics that I listened to at that time.