Yesterday president Obama reconstituted his presidential campaign team to centralize control over Democratic party strategy and respond to the Republican win by Scott Brown in the Massachusetts special Senate election; growing public anger over unresponsive government and insufficient 'change', and Republican challenges in the coming midterm elections. This move by the president represents a response to the failure of his initial strategies for reform.

While the criticism being purported now by many conservatives that the president ignored the jobs issue is not supported by the facts, the presidents economic initiatives have not delivered as promised or met the expectations of many. The interests of citizens have always been in dire conflict with those of business and the wealthy elite, but what's new here is the appearance that the president is considering (or being forced to) shift the governments policy positions to directly side with citizens interests. "Instead of a government that works for the entitled and special interests, a government that looks out for Wall Street, they wanted a government that works better for them, a government that plays the role it should to help foster the security of the middle class.", said former Obama campaign chief David Plouffe in his recent Washington Post column where he characterizes the change voters demanded in the 2006 and 2008 elections. Amidst a sea of anger and rabid partisanship that has undermined every major initiative, it appears the president may now look to new courses to live up to that promise.

Hati has a way of highlighting the work we need to do to be a truly civilized and humane society.

With each incidence of disaster in Hati the world has a new opportunity to display its compassion. I am grateful for the hundreds of volunteers from around the world who are giving of themselves and making a difference. for the nations that sponsor them and have contributed aid and resources. For the millions who have made donations despite facing economic challenges at home. There is truth in the saying "I am my brothers keeper." When we see ourselves in others we are connected to the only real source of security we have. When we care for each other we can count on one another, and we are then never alone. The benefits of brotherhood are perpetual.

But the selfish, self-interest based way in which we typically choose to live leaves us with small circles of support. Support that is then contingent on a negotiated exchange of benefits, and only available when it serves the interests of others. Reading about a group of doctors who elected to leave critically wounded survivors to secure their own safety, and took the medicine and supplies at hand with them, is a perfect exemplification of the selfish, misguided, and ultimately cruel beliefs we hold that prevent us from achieving real peace and security.

May peace be upon us…

May we love ourselves richly…
with bold thoughts,
thoughtful and measured steps,
fearless actions,
and faithful vision.

May we love our children…
with principled direction,
compassionate interaction,
loving responsiveness,
and unconditional acceptance.

May our labors enrich the world…
with passionate initiative,
respectful and attentive collaboration,
and open and receptive issue resolution.

May love fill our souls…

1. Why doesn’t the United States have universal health care as a right of citizenship?

   The United States is the only industrialized nation that does not guarantee access to health care as a right of citizenship. 28 industrialized nations have single payer universal health care systems, while 1 (Germany) has a multipayer universal health care system like President Clinton proposed for the United States.

2. Myth One: The United States has the best health care system in the world.
   
   • Fact One: The United States ranks 23rd in infant mortality, down from 12th in 1960 and 21st in 1990.
   • Fact Two: The United States ranks 20th in life expectancy for women down from 1st in 1945 and 13th in 1960.
   • Fact Three: The United States ranks 21st in life expectancy for men down from 1st in 1945 and 17th in 1960.
   • Fact Four: The United States ranks between 50th and 100th in immunizations depending on the immunization. Overall US is 67th, right behind Botswana
   • Fact Five: Outcome studies on a variety of diseases, such as coronary artery disease, and renal failure show the United States to rank below Canada and a wide variety of industrialized nations.
   • Conclusion: The United States ranks poorly relative to other industrialized nations in health care despite having the best trained health care providers and the best medical infrastructure of any industrialized nation.
3. Myth Two: Universal Health Care Would Be Too Expensive
   
   • Fact One: The United States spends at least 40% more per capita on health care than any other industrialized country with universal health care.
   • Fact Two: Studies by the Congressional Budget Office and the General Accounting office show that single payer universal health care would save 100 to 200 Billion dollars per year despite covering all the uninsured and increasing health care benefits. (View the source.)