Monthly Archives: September 2009

(Community Matters) A note from a Jerusalem friend about his high blood pressure scare and the Israeli healthcare system.

Two nights ago, I had a high blood pressure scare and we rushed, at midnight, to the emergency room at the Hadassah hospital, which is 10 minutes away from us. We spent three hours there; everything is all right now. This was an opportunity to observe the Israeli “health care” system in action. The place was busy (though without any ER television drama). The patients were mostly middle and low class – the regular Jerusalem crowd, secular, religious, Arabs. The place was sparkling, the staff was efficient and very polite and patient, the whole place functioning smoothly and efficiently. The ECG was in place within 10 minutes of arrival; the eye test that was required was done at the proper department immediately upon arrival ( at 1 in the morning ). There were people groaning around us, some looked really bad, and all were attended to. It was very impressive.

The bill was $150, and will be covered by our (government-subsidized) insurance.All this becomes poignant to us as we watch the acrimonious debate you have about health care in America. The intensity of the opposition to the plan baffles us completely, and those of us who admire America find it embarrassing. Our socialized health system – which is similar to most of the West European health systems – is one of the most shining aspects of life here, and draws no opposition at all. The rich can still get some extra perks, some expedited non-urgent procedures with greater comfort, but overall it is a system that works well, at a fraction of what it costs in America, and it provides us with one of the highest life expectancies in the world (this, and plenty of humor!)

(Community Matters) Dinner tonight at the Merediths to meet Tom Schieffer (and his wife Susanne). Tom’s a Democrat running for governor. I liked him. Asked tough questions and liked his answers. I’ll post more and some pictures on here in the morning.

(Community Matters) Steven and I are endorsing Bill White’s race for the US Senate.

The Mayor has an outstanding record of accomplishment as mayor of Houston, having been reelected twice with 86% and 91% of the vote. He’s a successful business man, former Deputy Secretary for Energy, a Harvard and UT Law grad and a Texas native. I’ve met with him and have spoken with him a few times – simply outstanding. We need him in the US Senate.

(Community Matters) . . . as a third gender. I’ve been thinking about the unique chemistry between gay men and straight men & women. It seems unique, very productive.

(Community Matters) Breakfast this morning with Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana. He’s an important D leader on the following committees: Armed Services; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Energy & Natural Resources; Small Business & Entrepreneurship; Select Committee on Intelligence; Special Committee on Aging. He’s a former governor and secretary of state.

He noted that then Senator Obama spent $15mm in Indiana and visited 50 times. McCain spent $0 in the state. Indiana went blue for the first time since 1964. Considers the big three legislative silos: the deficit, health care and the role of government. Thinks the American people’s tolerance for more big government action might be exhausted after healthcare reform. I didn’t realize he’d been a finalist for vice president.

(Community Matters) wow, I had no idea he’d passed away. Monsignor McCabe helped start Caritas, Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Central Texas and was the first person who ever took me to the Headliners, probably in 1984.

(Community Matters) In yesterday’s NYT, two gay marriage announcements with pics. Deacon Carpenter, James Kuhner – 36 & 33yo. Love that Deacon’s father is the retired owner of a toy store and sweet shop in England. Michael Wartofsky, Imtiyaz Hussein – 40yos – a composer and a Bridgepoint healthcare manager. They incorporated Muslim and Jewish traditions into their marriage – need more of that!

(Community Matters) HP sponsored. . . . the party for Paper magazine (the NYC affiliate) that champions downtown NYC designers, musicians and artists. Pics of their recent fundraiser in NYT’s Evening Hours. I don’t usually wish I was at the parties I see but I do at this one. What an interesting group of guests. (Sunday NYT)

(Community Matters) My friend Mark Kramer says that donors cannot continue to delegate the responsibility for solving social problems to the nonprofit sector alone. “Neither our polarized government nor our fragmented and under-funded nonprofits can assemble the necessary components of large-scale solutions in the same ways that private donors can. Instead, donors must lead change themselves, take direct responsibility for achieving impact, and use every tool at their disposal to obtain the scale of results they seek.” article in Stanford’s Social Innovation Review

(Community Matters) Not sure why but rougher this past week than since I quit on July 6. Yesterday I’d have killed for a cigar. ST a tireless advocate; however, and he knows just how to reinforce me – enticement – he’s challenged me to stick with it and is offering to pay for our May Paris trip if I stick with it. grrrr, ok

(Community Matters) Seems to me, Congress could reverse any S Ct decision about corporate funding for campaigns by amending/clarifying the law & stating that corporations are NOT “legal persons”

(Community Matters) They were spectacular this morning. I can’t believe how loud they sang, how well they vocalized and the two solos were terrific. congrats!