There's debate as to whether the Democrats should lean left or toward the center in politics. I think, especially for the midterm election, they could do both depending on the region. Congressional and local races can play to the constituents of various diverse places. There doesn't have to be one standard bearer for the entire party.
This gets a bit more tricky for presidential elections, but still, the party of the big tent ought to be able to function with civility, given much diversity of opinion within.
Sunday, July 06, 2025
Keeping the big tent.
I would guess that the majority of Americans are worried about our possible slide toward more authoritarian; one party, one person government. Still, the Democratic Party alternative doesn't do well in the polls.
I hope Democrats can retake seats in Congress if, for nothing else, to preserve our system of checks and balances.
I still think deep cultural changes are needed before we can more effectively address problems; such as climate change and income inequality. The world as a whole, including USA, needs less population growth and less consumption. Things like over dependency on private automobiles are an example of our problems at the grass roots levels.
People in large urban areas, where space is more limited, are already living in somewhat of a different culture. A culture of more public transit and lower footprint housing, for instance. Urban areas tend to elect politicians that lean farther to the left, such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York City. There is worry that this brand of politics will not play well for elections across most of America where life is less urban.
More moderate Democrats still due better in polls across most of America, though some folks might disagree with me. Bernie Sanders has done fairly well in nationwide polling, I guess.
One solution to this problem is to have more autonomy for cities. The politics and culture of dense urban areas is different than that of rural areas. We are a large and very diverse nation so one size fits all solutions can't work across the entire nation. Cities often do tax themselves more to provide things like transit while the need for that is less evident in rural areas.
Still, we do need to figure out how to address things like climate change and inequality in diverse ways suited for each region. Technology is still a big part of the answer, but cultural and lifestyle changes are needed as well. These changes will be different, and in some cases only incremental, based on the differing needs of various places. We live in very diverse environments ranging from New York City to rural Wyoming.
I hope Democrats can retake seats in Congress if, for nothing else, to preserve our system of checks and balances.
I still think deep cultural changes are needed before we can more effectively address problems; such as climate change and income inequality. The world as a whole, including USA, needs less population growth and less consumption. Things like over dependency on private automobiles are an example of our problems at the grass roots levels.
People in large urban areas, where space is more limited, are already living in somewhat of a different culture. A culture of more public transit and lower footprint housing, for instance. Urban areas tend to elect politicians that lean farther to the left, such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York City. There is worry that this brand of politics will not play well for elections across most of America where life is less urban.
More moderate Democrats still due better in polls across most of America, though some folks might disagree with me. Bernie Sanders has done fairly well in nationwide polling, I guess.
One solution to this problem is to have more autonomy for cities. The politics and culture of dense urban areas is different than that of rural areas. We are a large and very diverse nation so one size fits all solutions can't work across the entire nation. Cities often do tax themselves more to provide things like transit while the need for that is less evident in rural areas.
Still, we do need to figure out how to address things like climate change and inequality in diverse ways suited for each region. Technology is still a big part of the answer, but cultural and lifestyle changes are needed as well. These changes will be different, and in some cases only incremental, based on the differing needs of various places. We live in very diverse environments ranging from New York City to rural Wyoming.
Thursday, July 03, 2025
Healthcare industry grows as populations age and more folks can access coverage. This could be in jeopardy however.
Healthcare spending has increased in the US and around much of the world. Aging populations, especially in wealthier nations, are part of the equation. Another big factor, in the US, is an increase in the percentage of population covered by insurance. According an article I saw in New York Times, 14% of US population had no health insurance in 2000. By 2023 that number had dropped to 8%; a benevolent trend.
Insurance coverage has increased mostly due to Medicaid expansion in most states due to Obamacare. The Obamacare exchanges and some other changes has increased coverage as well. Some of this improvement may be in jeopardy due to the budget.
Past growth of healthcare industry is reshaping the US economy. Below graphic I excerpted from.
What are the alternatives? Healthier lifestyles are part of the equation, but not all of the equation. The inevitable reality of death is also part of the equation. It may seem crude to say this, but here is a sound byte I recently thought of.
"Assisted dying is cheaper than assisted living."
Still, in spite of all this, my wish for people, including myself, is.
"May we have many more years."
Insurance coverage has increased mostly due to Medicaid expansion in most states due to Obamacare. The Obamacare exchanges and some other changes has increased coverage as well. Some of this improvement may be in jeopardy due to the budget.
Past growth of healthcare industry is reshaping the US economy. Below graphic I excerpted from.
What are the alternatives? Healthier lifestyles are part of the equation, but not all of the equation. The inevitable reality of death is also part of the equation. It may seem crude to say this, but here is a sound byte I recently thought of.
"Assisted dying is cheaper than assisted living."
Still, in spite of all this, my wish for people, including myself, is.
"May we have many more years."
Democrats and the public watches as Republicans struggle with the budget.
As I write this, who knows the fate of that Republican budget bill in the US House of Representatives?
Republicans tend to not listen to Democrats, but there is division within the house of Republicanism about this bill. Reservations ranging from it's Medicaid cuts to it's projected deficit increases related to the tax cut provisions.
Maybe Republicans, themselves, will delay giving Trump his victory of having the bill on his desk by the Fourth of July. The process may slow down so they can continue to refine the bill and hammer out compromises.
We'll see. We, the public and also the Democrats, watch from mostly being relegated to the sidelines.
Republicans tend to not listen to Democrats, but there is division within the house of Republicanism about this bill. Reservations ranging from it's Medicaid cuts to it's projected deficit increases related to the tax cut provisions.
Maybe Republicans, themselves, will delay giving Trump his victory of having the bill on his desk by the Fourth of July. The process may slow down so they can continue to refine the bill and hammer out compromises.
We'll see. We, the public and also the Democrats, watch from mostly being relegated to the sidelines.
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