Does it matter how experienced you are if you are wrong and out of touch?

Now that Sunday afternoon football is behind us (with the Titans winning a punishing brawl only paralled by modern partisan politics... and all thanks to the the arm and experience of the second-string journeyman QB, Collins who replaced Vince Young, the superstar with potential but undeveloped leadership), I am starting to shift my thoughts to Tuesday's presidential debate - where unlike the NFL, experience does not seem to be winning out. As Nashville's own Belmont University is navigating it's recent controversial departure from it's conservative Baptist roots, it is preparring to host Senators McCain and Obama as they too offer a contrast of republican traditionalism and democratic relevance, and the risks of each. For all the critique of both Obama and Palin as too inexperienced, how can it be that they are the ones who have captured the hearts and minds of voters on their respective sides? Is it due to thier shared "out-sider" perspective? Is it Palin's folksy approach and Obama's new language and vision for this country? It's telling that while America may find valid comfort in experience, we are now even more motivated by the opportunity to see real change, and we are seeing it in the persons of Sara and Barack... the only challenge is that you really don't want the draw of your ticket to be the VP... so Obama has a decided edge. Obama's inexperience was challenged early on as a liability (and his presidency is certainly a calculated risk), but if the choice is between experienced, but wrong or inexperienced, and right... then maybe experience does not matter.

If I were debating McCain

As I watched the first presidential debate, I couldn't help but offer my minor league swing at a few softball comments that deserved much better answers. Remember, Senator Obama was the underdog, but showed presidential composure, knowledge of the complicated issues, concise 1-2-3 proposals… all while providing a window into how he has, and will engage members of both parties, and foreign leaders – with intellectual generosity, warm but strong diplomacy, and the confidence to look the "other guy" in the eye. Still, if I was advising Obama, I'd suggest...

1. When Sen. McCain rants about what he sees when he looks Putin in the eye… I'd love to see Sen. Obama challenge him by saying… "How can you look dangerous world leaders in the eye – when you can't even look me in the eye?"

2. When Sen. McCain mocks the idea of Sen. Obama meeting with world leaders America has issues with – saying what will that look like… when Iran says they are going to destroy Israel, and you're going to say, "No you wont"…. I'd love to see Sen. Obama say… "As the American people have seen tonight, I take the approach of strong diplomacy, just like I have tonight with you John. When there is common ground, I readily embrace it am not afraid to state it. When you are wrong, I tell you are wrong. It has been said… Stay close to your friends, and even closer to your enemies."

3. When discussing lessons from the war in Iraq, and whether the surge was the right strategy… I'd love to hear Sen. Obama say… "The lessons are 2-fold. It was the wrong war, AND the wrong strategy. So, while I agree with Sen. McCain that we finally fixed the 2nd problem… the right strategy for the wrong war – is still the wrong war!" - What Sen McCain is saying is like… the means justify the end.

4. When talking about values, I'd love to hear Obama say... "As a Christian, I believe in the over-arching responsibility of STEWARDSHIP – which applies to everything I will do as President… From stewardship of the earth and this country's resources... Stewardship of our economy – ensuring Wall Street is responsible for monies Main Street has entrusted to it...
Stewardship of government – and the power to work not only for one's constituents, but for the common good... Stewardship of our family responsibilities – for dads to be fathers, and children to be safe and hopeful for a better future... Stewardship of our neighbors and communities – helping those are trying to climb out of being poor and uninsured – knowing that we are only as strong as our weakest link.

How close is the election???

If the election were today, the electoral college projections are: Obama wins by: 12 votes!

Obama: 238
McCain: 227

http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/president/whos-ahead/key-states/map.html

The Revealing Stage of Politics

In response to a recent article about how Sara Palin, republican running mate of John McCain drew over 6000 people in a recent political event in Florida - my response is...
Good for Palin! I’m sure this feels like a wild ride, and one she never expected. On one hand, it’s great to see so many citizens get energized and being involved. So many people seem to resonate with her hometown values and outdoors activities – I just hope she uses the stage carefully. I hope she illustrates those values with a dialogue that is bold, but also humble and uplifting to America – not divisive. I agree with her on faith, life, stewardship of resources, and other issues – but I’m also looking to see if that faith perspective translates into moving people together or just typical – "We’re republicans and democrats are stupid" talk. Some of the ads have been a bit slimy recently and that is not the direction we need to go. Case in point… at the convention – Palin as well as the 3 guys who spoke before her were making the point that Obama’s resume is short and all made a point to mock Obama for community service in the poorest section of Chicago. Here was a chance to play much smarter politics, while also maintaining Christian virtue. They could/should have said… We applaud Obama’s story because it represents an unlikely story that can only happen in America! We applaud Obama’s choices in life as a young man – because community service represents the best of American generosity and we encourage the youth of America to follow that example… However, community service does not qualify a person to be President of the US! Do you see what I mean?

If McCain-Palin and Obama-Biden are confident in their character, message, their record, and their vision – they should run on that. If they want to promote their Christian faith in God – then it should not come out in mockery. So, I hope this is the largest turn out ever – and people stop allowing government to be something they just passively pay taxes to – and try to ignore. Someone once said that every bill out of DC is a moral document… it reflects who we are and what we believe to be important. It can also be said of every political commercial, speech, and debate. I think the next few weeks will show either strength of character and Christian virtues – or lack thereof. Certainly, the issues before us (with the unbelievable financial bailouts and extremist terrorism) call for a careful choice here. So, while it’s great to see so many people excited (about Palin on one side and Obama on the other), I care less about the excitement factor – and more about how that leader is using that stage of opportunity – to play off our existing divides and cynicism OR to remind us of a higher calling and that which unites us around these all important issues.

Not very funny

If you don't at least occasionally discuss what goes on in your head with a therapist, I'd recommend it. I was talking with mine recently, and I recalled how, as a child, my father would often position himself at the top of the stairs and keep yelling "Who do you think I am?", "I am your FATHER!" and other booming shock and awe type declarations to intimidated his children and demand respect. I remember laughing a little inside, thinking what a poor memory he must have to have to keep asking us such an obvious question. But this was my father's way of demanding his form of police-state control. He was a former cop, and I think it never left him. To this day, I am unnerved when I think a police car may be about to pull me over. I never think of cops as public "servants" - I control my nervousness and remember to only say "yes sir". My childhood was an unsafe playground. It was promoted as a Disney movie to the outside world, but all too often playing out like a Hitchcock gotcha! or Steven King horror. Like most kids, we rode bikes and built snow forts, and ate ice cream. We were also locked outside the house many Saturdays, missed out on the love of a father, witnessed the abuse of our mother, and felt deeply afraid. I hated the pain my family lived in, so I learned to find humor in life. I learned to make humor in life and became the family comedian and peace maker. I lightened the mood and pulled tricks out of my hat all in hopes to distract us from our reality and pass the time till we could escape. I specifically remembered one time when dad stood at the top of the stairs after he was in a rage. He yelled at me "You think everything is a big joke! Everything is NOT a big joke!" Those words stung this little boy. He created the pain that demanded a way to cope. He forced me to cling to humor - and now he mocked me for clinging to all I had. Once he realize that hurt me, he said it many times again. Now, as an adult, I still cling to humor as a way to dilute the pain and disappointments of life. I wonder if growing more healthy means being less funny? At this point, I just see things differently - and naturally see the humor. But I may need to sit in some of these moments and let the humor pass by - and just say that I am hurt when I am hurt. And Dad, if you are listening... You were right, and now I am not smiling. I am not joking. I am hurt. I see myself standing at the top of the stairs and I see you, a little boy still wanting someone to tell you who you are - but I can't fix that for you. All I can do is suggest that you too find a good shrink.

Are we really in a healthcare crisis?

These are people I have met - who are uninsured, and thankfully, the Dispensary of Hope played a small part in helping them. You won't believe the stories...

A 70 year old man qualifies for Medicare but has to work as the grounds keeper at the town cemetery to make ends meet and still cannot afford Part D Rx coverage. With no hope for retirement, he works full time yet has no employer coverage… and cares for his bed-ridden aging wife, who suffers from several diseases and daily debilitating migraine headaches. Without any other hope or other options, he goes to the Shelbyville Community Clinic who gives him a weekly supply of medicine for his wife– sourced from the Dispensary of Hope. I saw a hard-working man with dirty rough hands; hallow eyes, but a heart made of gold. Most likely he will never travel the world or enjoy afternoon golf as so many seniors do… meanwhile, his wife’s headaches probably stem from a larger issue but they can’t afford the cost of finding out. Harsh realities have robbed them both of their “golden years” - but he did not complain and was so grateful that somebody cared, and someone could help ease the pain.


A 40 year old single mom with 3 kids works full time but has no health insurance – and tries to make ends meet with income below poverty level. Already strained, stressed, and without hope for a happy ending to her financial or healthcare situation, she broke her leg in multiple places last week. In terrible pain, she drove herself to the local ER – but the hospital was in the process of moving locations and the wait time would be up to 8 hours. Despite the agony, she was the only guardian of her children and needed to go home. On the way, she stopped at the local community clinic – which provided pain medicine provided by the Dispensary of Hope. The clinic also called in a favor to a nearby surgery center who reluctantly agreed to schedule the patient for the next morning. After enduring the pain and discomfort of a broken leg all night long, she drove herself to the surgery center only to meet an office manager who acknowledged her appointment time but insisted of a $15 co-pay… on the spot. Embarrassed and undone… the patient did not have $15 – but promised to pay it over a few weeks… but the policy won out over compassion – and this woman was turned away for three five dollar bills. If only the clinic had known how poor the family was, they would have given her the money from their own pockets. Think about it… she was turned away for 3 five dollar bills.


One more…
A 50+ year old homeless man people call “Harley” lives downtown and rides his tattered 10-speed bike to work most mornings. He stands in line in hopes that there is construction work and earns $6 hour with no health care benefits. He gets colds and the flu like everybody does, but six months ago, he broke his right collar bone on a job site. With no workers compensation coverage or healthcare benefits, he hoped the local ER would have mercy on him. He waited for hours with the rest of the paying and non-paying patients in this Metro hospital – all waiting their turn based on triage nurse assessment. 5 hours later, they gave him shots for the pain, but turned him away after he did not have $60 payment to arrange surgery. I have since called the hospital directly and confirmed that they enact this policy. Harley seems like a tough guy, but I can’t imagine the pain of getting back on his 10-speed and riding back to the bridge he slept under at that time. In the following days, Harley approached the local clinics and got more medicine to ease the pain… but he needed surgery. I met Harley 6 months after this incident on a mobile loaves and fish sack lunch delivery and was shocked and appalled when he pulled down his t-shirt to reveal his clavicle (collar bone) was never operated on, still broken, and sticking up about 4 inches from his shoulder. Harley had gone back to different hospitals but was turned away each time and eventually gave up – accepting the idea that he would live the rest of his life with a broken collar bone. He said the pain is only unbearable in the winter – when the temperature gets really cold…

There Is No Medicine Like Hope

Nearly 47 million Americans are uninsured – with 16 million struggling to manage serious chronic diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure – just like the rest of us who are fortunate enough to currently have insurance. Most work at least part time, but as fewer companies offer health insurance, and healthcare costs continue to rise, over 105 million Americans have incomes less than 200% of the poverty level and cannot afford essential medicines. While many communities are trying to provide a primary care “safety net”, nearly 25% of the uninsured admit they have not visited a health professional in the past year, and many just wait till they are sick enough to go to the Emergency Department. One study found that over 30% of Emergency Department visits were non-emergent or avoidable with earlier care – while the system tries to absorb the $40 billion in uncompensated care each year. For those who accessed care, nearly 60% could not afford to obtain the medicine prescribed to treat their condition– and go without. But there is HOPE. To see waht I am working on these days.... go to http://www.dispensaryofhope.org/