|
|
|
|
Untitled. Markup on photo from Aug 27
|
|
|
I'm still trying to come up with some quippy start to this thing, but I already over-wrote a piece about (my personal and) universal health care, so if you want to know why I'm preoccupied with bones & boobs, 'high maintenance' as an ironic concept, and making a difference, feel free to read it.
|
It's also primary day in Rhode Island, and while I'm not as well-read on the candidates as I would like to be, I decided to reach out to a few doers in this space to see who they were supporting. One is a young moderate|progressive, who is likely thinking what is in his generation's best interest long term, and a women's rights activist.
|
I'm not going to publicly state my vote, but let's say, nationally, I bend toward Democratic Socialism, but not so extremely so that a winning candidate couldn't get anything done once in office. Ability to work with others being key: more so than ever.
|
Amplification, I think is the word for asking people who you trust, then acting on what they feel is best. I'll be amplifying some smart folks' voting preferences this year, because I know these folks are paying more careful attention on the matter than I am.
|
I ask people, instead of responding to ads, because well, you know, I worked in marketing, and algorithms have been sending our minds down impractical, partisan cattle chutes. Not helpful.
What has me all tuned up to history, culture, and health care these days, is remembering my stepmother who was an early proponent of Universal Health Care. She came to this from the role of an economist, advocating for the benefit not only for individuals, but also how implementation would actually work in the US economy. She wrote a well-sourced, academic publication in 1980 about the matter. I'm still trying to find the pdf link online so you can read it for free, but I have lost it, so let me know if you want me to dig in again to get the info to you directly.
|
I never spoke with Rita about her work for public health care, and that was my loss. My goodness, having a smart, creative person who loved art films, her home town, copious cookies, and smoking American Spirit Cigarettes is right about what I need right now to face escalating (and ridiculous) health care co-pays for simple preventative care.
|
So, maybe ask some elders – and some youngsters – what they feel is really important before you miss the chance. Especially if you have a platform.
|
Oh well. Such is middle age, maybe? Feels more like the middle ages, where only the feudal lords could afford the effective docs and treatments, and the rest of the folks died or did folk remedies. But the bonus to this time is, I can look both "up" and "down" for answers.
|
What's funny is I never asked Rita about her intellectual work when she was alive. And now, I'm revisiting this topic from the standpoint of an awed step daughter and also a middle aged human trying to figure out the highest value use of my time to make the world more livable and lovable for generations to come.
|
For now, I'll sign off. I'd prefer to leave you with something inspiring, full of wonder and measurable benefit, but all I've got today is a day of personal and political concerns and a tiny bit of oomph to do something about it.
|
Vote, please, if you can. It's quite literally, the least you can do.
With Love, Gratitude and Emboldened Bones,
|
|
|
|
|
|
“The personal is political”
-Carol Hanisch
|
|
|
|
|
More Text & Images
|
|
|
Staying in my bones and boobs: on pay equality, health care, and how to restructure an organization
|
|
|
I realized yesterday, the soaring health care costs I'm experiencing are mostly about keeping me in strong bones and boobs. My entire adult life, I've avoided being considered "high maintenance." It was a derogatory warning given me as a young person that seemed to only afflict women. So to avoid ridicule, I doubled down on being natural and easy, and …
|
|
Categories: Body & Health, Culture, Mommess, Uncategorized
|
|
|
|
|
|
You received this email because you signed up here, or I thought you might find this interesting and added you to my weekly roundup of text & images. You may unsubscribe at any time at bottom. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
A piece from this week | Markup on photo of goldfinch | More Art
|
|
|
|
In the days of AI and excessive optimization, mess is leading edge.
Some content on my site is political, some personal, much of it philosophical, and all of it meant to shine some light into the lives of my readers, because it was written to shine light into mine.
|
|
I hope my work stirs your soul, ignites your creativity, and helps you feel connected to all the good things this life can offer. If it doesn't, please promptly forget it! This work is my soul's calling. If you find value here, please tip or consider a paid subscription.
|
|
|
|
  
|
POLITICAL ACTION AREA: It's best to connect with your local civic groups, and show up in the ways you can. Peaceful crowd sizes matter, as does your positive energy, community spirit, and adherence to non-violence.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
