The Last Time I Saw Portland...

Unexpectedly, it was snowing here in January.  Now Portland, Oregon's  weather is sunny, the envy of our friends in New York drenched with rain over the past week.  The two cities seem to have exchanged climates.

It's been too busy since we arrived to think about blogging.  But today I read the last two posts at TimeGoesBy.  Reading her responses to the prevalence of Blackberries on her visit to Manhattan was timely.  My daughter's Blackberry was next to me at the breakfast table.  Left there as she took the baby up for a nap.  I never get over how tiny the keys are.

But I have seen it's utility.  Last week a call from a broker while we were on the playground with Zoe.  Nice to have a cellphone.  Needing to make arrangements for her to show someone our apartment, we were impressed by how she could receive call and email on her little device.  "Now I get it," told my daughter.

Of course it's all so speeded up--faxes for contract exchanges were added to the mix.  I guess these innovations are more appealing when they facilitate something important to me.  But no Black or Blue or Redberries in my future--too much to keep track of along with my knittng.

Today's TGB, a tidy listing to terms around the healthcare debacle plus concise explanations of what is at stake, sparked an "Aha" moment.  Here is why we will not get a single payer plan or even a very useful "public" option.  It would mean that all Americans would be joined in a way that would threaten what is so important in our political system today:  how to keep groups of us at odds with one another.

Think of it.  Medicare for all, for example, reduces the conflict between  older and younger people.  Our energy might be directed toward making a better national health system rather than setting up old people's entitlements versus those of children. 

What would keep the Repubs and Dems going?  They'd have to be thoughtful--finally answer why only Congressmen and Congresswomen were entitled to the best healthcare benefits.  And that might lead to, oh you remember the term, Democracy.

Comments

[Hattie]

Hmm. I too see the advantage of being able to text from wherever you are.
Glad you are enjoying grandkids and good weather in Portland and sorry I'm going to miss you this time around.
Let's hope we can get our darn properties sold before the summer's over!

[Anne Gibert]

It looks as though we won't get much in the way of meaningful health care reform this time. The Senate seems to be the impediment to any sort of progressive legislation. I hope there is still time to improve the mix of senators so that the country can move in a better direction.

Glad you are again nearby on the left coast.

[Duffy]

I wouldn't worry about the political parties. They'll find something else to argue about.