We are our own worst enemy

We had a drink fest last night with my son and his wife (though she limited herself to two chardonnays). It was his 31st birthday and we were celebrating he was alive. Last year he had a brain tumor removed, underwent extensive chemo and radiation and now is supposedly cancer free. Today, he is a shadow of himself, underemployed (going from $65k to $14k), has a stack of medical bills, and his COBRA is going to run out. His beautiful body is ravaged from chemo, his teeth are rotting out from radiation (after spending a fortune on those teeth when his was a kid). Now he and his wife are considering separation. Stress does that to you.

Anyway, the beers flowed, the laughter began to build and we talked of old times. Even the teeth couldn't destroy that beautiful smile. I was feeling good. Hopeful.

Then, in the middle of the evening, they brought up the "government take over of health care" and its plot to run our lives. We needed to be aware and fight it. I was shocked.

Here was a classic example of why we need health reform, and these two have swallowed the fear mongering rhetoric and were staunchly opposed to the President's plan.

My son was a hard working man in the East Texas oilfield when he collapsed from convulsions brought on by a brain tumor. Because a few months earlier, he left a job for a better one, at the time he collapsed he was in the waiting period before his new health insurance would take effect.

He purchased COBRA insurance from his last job. When his new insurance started to take effect, it wouldn't cover the pre-existing condition. But never the less, when COBRA ran out and the new employer's insurance would have to kick in, he was let go for a driving infraction. It could be a coincidence. The oil patch has been shutting down anyway. A lot of hard working people are out of work.

My son has not been able to find serious work, and of course this being Texas, he was denied unemployment insurance. I told him to appeal, but he is too proud.

Now his wife has insurance. She asked her employer to enroll her husband during open enrollment. That was denied because of pre-existing conditions.

These two have fought a hard fight to put dinner on the table for their three children and put off creditors. But they work. They work hard when they can find it. They really don't seek handouts. They just want to be treated fairly.

These people are opposed to health care reform because their oilfield friends told them that it was a way to control their lives. We are our own worst enemy.

We changed the subject and started to laugh about my prostrate cancer.

Tired of the Fight; ergo You Lose

One time I had two secretaries that were fighting. Their disdain for each other was going on for weeks. The problem seemed to be one was a seasoned old secretary that had the personality of an alligator and the other was an inexperienced young secretary with enthusiasm and a smile. One made a lot of mistakes. The other just pissed you off.

In my infinite wisdom, as a young manager (this was many years ago), I brought both of them into a conference room to put the issues on the table and work through them. The theory was that if they articulated their concerns some empathy would develop on both sides and they would work toward common ground. Boy was I wrong. The old bitch ate her alive. The young one limped out of the room, probably psychologically damaged forever. I let it happen.

That same feeling came over me today. We had an election for President. Barak Obama won hands down. There were a lot of reasons for that victory. I like to think of myself as mainstream in an unorthodox kind of way. I couldn't vote for McCain because I felt that Bush and the Republicans did us a lot of damage internationally and at the end, here domestically, bringing the economy down around our knees. I couldn't vote for Hilary because she would be an overreaction in the other direction. She would lead the Democratic Party in a scathing burnt ground, take no prisoners campaign across the national landscape, slaying anything that smelled conservative or Republican. I am really tired of the fighting. I want national leaders that will work together for the national good and work in a respectful way that allows differences with dignity. But that is what I thought about the two secretaries.

Anyway, I voted for Obama. I was sceptical of the charisma thing, but the ideas were good and he sounded like he would work toward reconciliation and work for a better USA.

So far, he has proven true to my wish. But unfortunately he is coming to remind me of the young secretary. The Republican machine is certainly reminding me of the sour old bitch that would have choked the young thing if I wasn't in the room.

I'm tired of it all. I don't have the will to fight. Obama's polls are falling like a rock. I understand his position on health care reform and I think it is sound and good. The Republican machine is obfuscating the message with incredible fearful misinformation. The seniors are abandoning reform. Independents are showing their disillusionment in the polls. No one is quite sure what is on the table anymore. Everyone is tired. If peace means no reform, than by God, drop it.

We lose. We all lose.

Today, I don't think health reform is salvageable. Let's hope tomorrow we all get a second wind and start thinking clearly. Certainly we are a sophisticated enough country that can provide health care for all and reign in control of rich insurance companies and health care costs. Certainly we are wise enough and generous enough to do that.

TED KENNEDY DIED TODAY

Well, Teddy Kennedy died today of brain cancer. There is a lot being said about him all over the Net and Media. There is nothing I can add that has not already been said, but I need to note it for myself so when I look back through these blogs, I'll place this day as a significant day in history.

Having a son that has just gone through the fight to rid himself of brain cancer this past year, I feel for the Kennedy's and what they went through. Fortunately for my son and me, he is diagnosed as cancer free today. But we know how that goes. Once your tainted by it, your are always looking over your shoulder for its return.

But about Kennedy. My adult life was a life with the Kennedy's. I got a glimpse of "Camelot" that JFK created during his short life. In high school, we went through the horror of assassination and morning for a person you never really met put you still had a sense of loss.

Then there was Bobby. He wasn't John, but he was relevant. Where John was "Presidential," Bobby was strong but not quite legitimate. There was always a bit of "coattails" involved. But the message was good and something the young could believe in. Bear in mind this was the time of "Aquarius." The baby boomers had arrived on the political scene.

What does this have to do with Teddy? Teddy was never taken seriously in those days. He was awarded the Kennedy family political dynasty by default. The Massachusetts Senate seat was his entitlement if for no other reason than for John and Bobby's sake.

Teddy almost even blew this "nest egg on the ground." He was just thirty, partying and enjoying life too much until he drove off into an estuary, managing to escape a sinking car and leaving a drunk girl (Mary Jo Kopechne) in the back seat. That was it. He had it all in his hands and he blew it. Everyone in the liberal "boomers" generation was just waiting for him to come of age and become President and lead us back to "Camelot." That vision evaporated that night. Teddy tried to make a run at it some years later against Carter but enough of the world could not forget.

Now, why are we all taking time out today to ponder Teddy's passing? Because he grew up. He grew up to be one of the most remarkable persons of our time. He probably achieved more than John and Bobby ever dreamed of. That could arguable be because he had more time, but I think it was because he proved over and over again his commitment to the well being of all Americans, regardless of their walks of life. Teddy had more than his hand in every piece of social legislation passed in the past forty years. He had his soul in them.

Teddy was a liberal for the working class whether it was fashionable or not. I remember times through my life that I thought he went too far to the left. Especially when it came to unions. Teddy was the union workers man. I would always have trouble voting for a Ted Kennedy.

But now I reflect on his legacy. What would the world be without Ted Kennedy. It would be a much poorer place to be. He enriched all our lives in ways that few people can appreciate. But he did it and it cannot be denied.

Who will lead the liberals now?

(Update 1:30)

Some of the better quotes:

Edward M. Kennedy -- the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply -- died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port. We've lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever. We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice, fairness and opportunity for all. He loved this country and devoted his life to serving it. He always believed that our best days were still ahead, but it's hard to imagine any of them without him. - Kennedy Family

Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy.

For five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts.

I valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I've profited as President from his encouragement and wisdom.

An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time.

And the Kennedy family has lost their patriarch, a tower of strength and support through good times and bad.

Our hearts and prayers go out to them today--to his wonderful wife, Vicki, his children Ted Jr., Patrick and Kara, his grandchildren and his extended family. - President Obama

I had hoped and prayed that this day would never come. My heart and soul weeps at the lost of my best friend in the Senate, my beloved friend, Ted Kennedy.

Senator Kennedy and I both witnessed too many wars in our lives, and believed too strongly in the Constitution of the United States to allow us to go blindly into war. That is why we stood side by side in the Senate against the war in Iraq.

Neither years of age nor years of political combat, nor his illness, diminished the idealism and energy of this talented, imaginative, and intelligent man. And that is the kind of Senator Ted Kennedy was. Throughout his career, Senator Kennedy believed in a simple premise: that our society's greatness lies in its ability and willingness to provide for its less fortunate members. Whether striving to increase the minimum wage, ensuring that all children have medical insurance, or securing better access to higher education, Senator Kennedy always showed that he cares deeply for those whose needs exceed their political clout. Unbowed by personal setbacks or by the terrible sorrows that have fallen upon his family, his spirit continued to soar, and he continued to work as hard as ever to make his dreams a reality.

In his honor and as a tribute to his commitment to his ideals, let us stop the shouting and name calling and have a civilized debate on health care reform which I hope, when legislation has been signed into law, will bear his name for his commitment to insuring the health of every American.

God bless his wife Vicki, his family, and the institution that he served so ably, which will never be the same without his voice of eloquence and reason. And God bless you Ted. I love you and will miss you terribly.

In my autobiography I wrote that during a visit to West Virginia in 1968 to help dedicate the "Robert F. Kennedy Youth Center" in Morgantown, "Senator Kennedy's voice quivered with emotion as he talked of his late brothers and their love for West Virginia. 'These hills, these people, and this state have had a very special meaning for my family. Our lives have been tightly intertwined with yours.

I am sure the people of the great state of West Virginia join me in expressing our heartfelt condolences to the Kennedy family at this moment of deep sorrow. - Sen. Robert Byrd

Even facing illness and death he never stopped fighting for the causes which were his life's work. I am proud to have counted him as a friend and proud that the United Kingdom recognized his service earlier this year with the award of an honorary knighthood. - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown

Senator Ted Kennedy was one of the most influential leaders of our time, and one of the greatest senators in American history. His big heart, sharp mind, and boundless energy were gifts he gave to make our democracy a more perfect union.

As President, I was thankful for his fierce advocacy for universal health care and his leadership in providing health coverage to millions of children. His tireless efforts have brought us to the threshold of real health care reform. I was also grateful for his efforts, often in partnership with Republicans as well as Democrats, to advance civil rights, promote religious freedom, make college more affordable, and give young Americans the opportunity to serve at home in Americorps. I am glad the bill President Obama signed to expand Americorps and other youth service opportunities is named the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. Through it, his commitment to public service will live on in millions of young people across our nation.

Hillary and I will always be grateful for the many gestures of kindness and generosity he extend to us, for the concern he showed for all the children and grandchildren of the Kennedy clan, and for his devotion to all those in need whose lives were better because he stood up for them. Our thoughts and prayers are with Vicki, his children and grandchildren, and the people of Massachusetts he served so well. - President Bill Clinton

America has had a few precious individuals who are both passionate about social justice and also understand deep in their bones its practical meaning. And we have had a few who possess great political shrewdness and can make the clunky machinery of democratic governance actually work. But I have known but one person who combined all these traits and abilities. His passing is an inestimable loss.

Most Americans will never know how many things Ted Kennedy did to make their lives better, how many things he prevented that would have hurt them, and how tenaciously he fought on their behalf. In 1969, for example, he introduced a bill in the Senate calling for universal health insurance, and then, for the next forty years, pushed and prodded colleagues and presidents to get on with it. If and when we ever achieve that goal it will be in no small measure due to the dedication and perseverance of this one remarkable man. We owe it to him and his memory to do it soon and do it well. - Robert Reich, Former Sec. of Labor

Hmmm.... How do you start to blog? I guess you just start and hope one day it will make sense.

How do you get millions of people who stand the most to gain to be your largest segment of opposition? Universal health care with the public option was supposed to provide insurance for those who can't afford it and pay for it through the reduced cost of health insurance with a public option and 40 million new customers. Everyone would win except insurance companies (but even they will win with the 40 million new customers) and those who can most afford to help those who can't.

Where did it all go awry with "death panels", "birthers", right to bear arms, "astroturfing?" How could something that good be lost in all this paranoid tripe?

Why are we not marching in the street, demanding Congress pass health reform?