It's a Man's World???

Ignorance breeds Racism and all other prejudices. Let me repeat this phrase: Ignorance breeds Racism and all other prejudices. This is the only statement I have to make in regards to the ignorance that occurred yesterday where some parents yanked their kids out of school (which, I will admit is technically their right). They kept their children home so that they wouldn’t hear a speech given by that guy named Barack Obama who, oh yeah, just happens to be the President of the freaking United States of America. People, get a grip, enough said. Moving on, I can’t let this post go without advising that people watch the president’s address to Congress tonight at 8pm (as always, just flip your tv on, it will be on every major channel). Apparently, my dream plan may actually be coming to fruition (yes “Sally”, dreams do come true!). There will be a Republican response following the president’s address so please check out the alternative plan as well. As I said in my previous post, this is the most crucial step in getting this healthcare reform passed so I’m expecting straight talk, and please don’t forget to define terms such as public option, single payer, coop, etc. “We the people” are the only ones that matter when it comes to this issue because: A. it affects our lives, B. it is our money that will pay for it, and C. we are the boss. We hire and fire politicians in Washington every 2-5 years.

Moving on to the real post, it was announced last week that Diane Sawyer would be taking over from the retiring Charlie Gibson as ABC’s evening news anchor. Thus, 2 of the Big 3 newscasts will be anchored by women. As I heard this news, I was elated to hear that another prominent position has been taken over by a woman. However, I couldn’t help feeling just a tiny bit sad about it as well. Now, we certainly still live in a man’s world. As it stands now, women still have some work to do in the struggle for equal pay and respect in the workplace, but we aren’t far from not only reaching that goal but overtaking it. There are some studies out there that state by the year 2020, 2/3 of the college population will be female. The statistics are staggering. Even more interesting is how this economic down turn has adversely affected men. A large percentage of job losses have occurred in male dominated employment sectors such as the automobile industry and construction which begs the question: what is happening to our social structure?

Some years back, my college room mate told me that the gender roles are reversing. Men are becoming more like women, and women are becoming more like men. This statement certainly couldn’t be truer today (Vibeless, who knew you could be so clairvoyant?). Currently, my favorite television show is Mad Men (if you are desperate for a show with clever writing, this is the show for you). Mad Men is set during America’s turbulent 60’s. I won’t go into detail about the show, but it is about an advertising agency during this time. I am often fascinated by the females on this show. From the Betty Crocker housewife (whose name ironically is Betty) to the corporate climbing female at the ad agency, you can’t help but be enraptured by their silent strength and horrified by the terrible treatment dealt to them by men. Many women were virtually second class citizens everywhere including their homes, and my how the times have changed. This structure with men on top is quickly deteriorating. It is truly a whole new day. My only hope is that women will choose to show men more respect (i.e. not emasculate, degrade, or abuse them) than they have shown us all of these years.

Healthcare's new game plan

Well, ladies and gentlemen, September has arrived!! This means that you better enjoy your last barbeque of the summer this weekend. It means that a majority of America's kids are back in school (and might I add, not a minute too soon. My neighborhood pool was starting to look like an episode of 7th heaven gone terribly wrong). It signifies the start of that great American pastime known as football which means that the real work for some American employees has started (I mean drafting a good fantasy team and managing it does require one's full attention, after all). Most importantly, it is when Congress reconvenes for the fall session. Therefore, it is now time for Democrats to get down to work and iron out the new game plan for this health care bill.

Now, I have my own vision for how this little scenario should play out (keep in mind I am just your average citizen looking at Washington from the outside in). Anyway, here is my game plan, like to hear it, here it go: First and foremost on the agenda, everyone will have to get on the same page. Thus, President Obama is going to have to step up and take over the reigns (rains?, reigns?, reins? clearly I wasn't an English major in school) from Pelosi, Reid, and company. He needs to start by having a meeting with all dissenting members of his party and fence sitting members of the opposing party. It is time to figure out exactly what these people want in order to quickly sign on to this bill. Now, I'm not saying the president needs to sell his soul here, but I am saying that, when plausible and reasonable, he is going to have to cut some deals, period (unfortunately, that is the American way, either deal with it or move elsewhere). You get nothing for free, here.

After getting all parties on board, it will be time to have that little "Come to Jesus" meeting that I mentioned in my previous blog. All the wrinkles in this bill need to be ironed out, and all the holes mended to make this sucker air tight. After a consensus has been reached on exactly how health care reform is going to be achieved with this bill, talking points should be handed out. Now this next point is important, anyone who doesn't stick to the script will be on their own next November when congressional seats are up for grabs (that's right, they need to roll mafioso style on this one). Democrats do not need to underestimate the importance of talking with one voice on this issue. Ultimately, united you stand, divided you fall.

Third, this step is absolutely crucial in moving this issue forward. President Obama will have to sell this plan to the most important stakeholders, us, the American people. Now, what I would like to see is Mr. President go on tv prime time and explain this health care bill to the American people, and do it CORRECTLY this time. Part of the problem with Democrats is that they don't know how to talk to the average American. It is an interesting phenomenon when you think about it. Democrats certainly tend to relate better to the average American, and they definitely sympathize more with the struggles of the working class citizen. However, they still haven't learned how to speak the average "joe" talk. Conversely, Republicans stay disconnected from reality, yet they can talk on the level with average Americans, and I'm not talking about dumbing down their speech (although we know that Dubya was no Rhodes Scholar). I'm talking about letting go of the political rhetoric and giving people some straight talk for a change. There are so many lies circulating about this bill that I can't keep track of them all, but they resonate with people because they are presented in a way that people understand them. Meanwhile the truth is getting lost in no man's land because the administration and congressional Democrats seem incapable of just outlining this bill in a simple 1, 2, 3 manner. Now, I know president Obama is extremely capable of doing this because he has done it in the past. He needs to talk to the American people as if he were talking to his own children (there will be some who are offended by this simplistic manner, but they are going to have to suck it up and be alright). It needs to go something like this: #1. This bill will cost _____ dollars, period. #2 This bill will have a public option that____________or will be a single payer system that______ or will not have a public option because of________, period. #3 This bill will affect Medicare by_______________,period. #4 This bill will be paid for by_________,period. I think you get my point. He needs to end it with an appeal that illustrates why this bill isn't about any one person, but it is about providing health care for the country as a whole. Simply, this ain't about me, it is about you. When it is time for media questions, the president should only take questions on health care, and he needs to refer all journalists back to the list. Republicans will then get 30 minutes ( yeah, 30 minutes is it,they are the minority party after all) after the President to present their alternative solutions in the same manner. It is then all in the hands of the American public to decide how "we the people" would like to see Congress proceed on this issue. There should be a time span of about two weeks to a month where the public will be allowed to voice our opinions on the "new and improved" health care bill. How Democrats choose to have this open forum is entirely up to them.

Finally, after this time, it will be time to either go back to the drawing board or it will be time for this bill to hit the House and then Senate floors for a vote. This is where it is time for Congress to uphold their end of the deal and either put up or shut up (and whoomp, there it is!). If only things could play out this way, we might be able to move on to some other pressing issues facing this country. However, knowing Washington this debate will continue with little or nothing being accomplished. (sigh) and I ask you why??