Every time I start to semiseriously consider just giving up on today's nasty partisan politics, a favorite writer will force me to take a deep breath, have a good laugh, and in this case - listen to some great music.
Here is San Francisco writer, Sam Barry's September 8 column. Sam is Dr. Betty Kamen's son-in-law. Dr. Kamen is an esteemed member of the Biosyntrx Scientific Advisory Board.
"We are fast approaching the time when we, as a nation—and here I am referring to the United States, not Denmark—must make a decision regarding the healthcare system. Broadly speaking, there are two positions on the healthcare crisis, which can be characterized as follows:
Position 1: Everyone should have healthcare. This should be a national priority. If you think otherwise you are an evil, greedy corporate lobbyist for Big Pharma, the insurance industry, or the AMA, or an insane member of the gun-toting Christian right-wing Republican conspiracy, located somewhere east of Berkeley and west of the Hudson River, probably in Texas or Colorado Springs.
Position 2: Healthcare is for sissies. I have a good job and I have healthcare because I earned it. Later, when I am older, I will have Medicare, which I also earned. Screw the rest of you, except for my loved ones, who deserve nothing but the best because I have family values. People who think differently than me are, in a word, Commies.
As you can see, these two positions are fairly far apart. As I see it, we can all either sit down at the negotiating table and hammer out an agreement that serves the best interests of the nation and its citizenry, or we can grab our weapons, get behind some barricades, and start shooting.
The last time we did this in the United States (the shooting that is)—if you exclude minor incidents like the pitched battles at recent congressional town hall meetings—was during the Civil War. While I am not suggesting we have another civil war over the healthcare crisis, it would solve a couple of problems: one side or the other would win, ending the debate; the economy would get a kick start; many National Guard troops would get to come home from Iraq and Afghanistan to fight Americans right here in America; and there would be some good songs written, which we could all then learn to play on the harmonica. Win, win, win all around."
Thank you Sam, for bringing some much-needed humor to the healthcare issue. As promised, here is a link of you playing two of my favorite tunes. http://www.redroom.com/video/sam-barry-and-todd-swenson-play-theme-black-orpheus-manh%C3%A3-de-carnaval-and-the-way-you-look-ton
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14 comments:
Sam Barry is the author of a new book, How to Play the Harmonica: and Other Life Lessons (Gibbs Smith Publisher, 2009) and co-author of a forthcoming book about writing and publishing (Summer 2010).
He is also a member of a writer's rock band called "The Rock Bottom Remainders." Other current and past Remainder members include Kathy Kamen Goldmark Barry, Maya Angelou, Stephen King, Dave Barry (Sam's brother), Jessica Mitford, Norman Mailer, Roy Blount. Jr., Ben Fong-Torres, Ken Follett, Amy Tan and Molly Ivans, just to name a few.
The Rock Bottom Remainders was the brainchild of Dr. Betty Kamen's daughter, Kathy Kamen Goldmark Barry. Kathy's first novel, "And My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You" is a fabulous read.
Dr. Kamen must be proud of Kathy and Sam. I will order Sam's new book from Amazon.
Hey Pat, While you are on Amazon, order Kathy's book too. I promise you will love it. Should we think about taking up the harmonica? It would make Mom proud if one of us learned to play an instrument, since we both flunked piano.
Loved Sam's piece. We are all starting to take fringe partisan politics and ourselves too seriously.
Sam Berry is a great writer, and he touched a soft spot with me. I love the harmonica, having played since i was ten....and Jerry Murad's Harmonicats and the Harmonica Rascals are two of my favorite CDs.
We could all learn a life lesson from Sam. We need to occupy ourselves more with real issues and get off the extreme politics kick.
What a great way to discuss the healthcare system issue without making me want to scream…or fall asleep! We all need a dose of political satire every now and then to help us see things in laymen’s terms!
All parties need to come to the table with ideas on a healthcare reform program that will be the best fit for everyone. This should not be a "war on healthcare reform" is should be a "partnership on healthcare reform"!
Love it! We all so often turn the channel or change the radio station when we hear people speaking on the healthcare issue, this is a very creative way to address the subject! Great job!
Hey Spence, My sister Pat, is married to Johnny Puleo's nephew, Louie Baker. Louie was kind enough to give me one of Johnny's very small harmonicas years ago.
For those of you who are way too young to remember Johnny Puleo; google and read the wikipedia article.
Everyone should have healthcare! The question is how to agree on the best plan. Good post Ellen and nice work Sam.
Don't forget to look through the more than 20 Betty Kamen, PhD titles listed on Amazon. Betty's books cover the nutrition gammet.
"The time for bickering is over; the time for games has past. Now is the time to work together to solve our health care problems. The status quo is no longer acceptable. My office is always open to new ideas, but make no mistake, we will reform health care. If you misrepresent what's in the healthcare plan, we will call you out. " President Barack Obama
These words will, no doubt, change history.
It doesn’t seem to me as healthcare cant be made to feel luxurious. My experience with the elite health care services defines a very different story. Right now, I am engaged in Elitehealth.com concierge wellness program which is designed for healthcare at concierge level. They are providing me medication with care at the highest level of comfort. Their wellness program allows me to have a direct access to my personal physician via phone and email, but also in the emergency situation which I had because of having a heart attack, physician came home and also were present in the emergency room to expedite my care. They provided me a patient care concierge who managed all my transportation and accommodation. All this meant a lot to me when it comes to health. So, a concierge level hospitalization is a boon to me, and many other who are desiring to experience.
If this response is a commercial for Elitehealth, it's inappropriate.
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