Bicycling 1:40:00 [3]
To a training session on data entry for the Obama campaign, and back.
Then in the evening, dark/wet, out to the wilds of Newton for a Scientists for Obama event. Heard Dr. David Blumenthal talk about Obama's health care plans; he's an advisor to the campaign. It was pretty interesting. Key points: universal coverage, information technology, no pre-existing condition hurdle. He also talked about McCain's plan, which is based on McCain's belief in the free market curing all ills. That does seem rather knee-jerky to apply blindly without looking to see whether your market meets certain preconditions. Like some balance in power and information amongst players. Feet is a free marketer, isn't he? But a clever one. Teachable, even. I find the free market thing a bit cynical (definition b: based on or reflecting a belief that human conduct is motivated primarily by self-interest). I like that Obama is a surgeon. Scalpel, not hatchet. Effective, too - look at everyone's low-key let's-get-it-done attitude without the in-fighting and inefficiencie; look at the gathering of ideas and information from throughout the network. Obama wants people to act in their self-interest, but sees that people's self-interest is not just trying to make more and more money but also living a decent life with friends and family in peace and good health. And he realizes that it's in people's self-interest to help other people attain these goals.
Anyway, today I got to check out several aspects of the preparations for Obama's presidency.
There's the generation of policy that makes sense and is good for human beings, with lots of input from smart experienced knowledgeable evidence-based-reasoning people. Like the health care policies, and the statement on science policy that is coming out tomorrow and which I got to see a copy of tonight.
Then there is just the demeanor and attitude of all these people working for Obama - calm, competent, real, friendly - people you'd like to have a beer with. Except they're busy. They are also respectful, having a very good tone about McCain & Palin - moving the conversation away from the personal and bringing it to differences in philosophies of governing and the likely outcomes.
And then there is the organization to carry out the campaign itself. Very effective. Those folks can run FEMA anytime, as far as I'm concerned.
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# of google hits for "scientists for obama" 19,400
# of google hits for "scientists for mccain" 332