What a beautiful world we live in

I'm physically exhausted after spending the night in the desert with a massive group of kids ages 10-12 (my Munchkin #1 among them), but I'm feeling spiritually refreshed. It does me good to get out of the city from time to time. I so loved to watch the camels wandering loose everywhere. They make funny noises, but they are so very tranquil to watch plodding along. Truly magical stuff.

Upon coming back to the 'real world', I learned that the United States has passed the health care bill. How will this effect the American people? Only time will tell. What blew my mind as I was watching American news on the television this morning was the level of ugliness being displayed. I saw on one program African American politicians enduring racial slurs as they walked into a government building. I also saw another politician (I believe the story said he 'prefers men' - sorry don't wish to use the proper words for fear of being censored by computer) being spit upon by someone. Are other politicians dealing with these types of hateful things? Or are racist ideologies rising to the forefront?

Upon watching a second American news program (I believe it was PBS's NewsHour?), a lady commentator said that those Americans currently paying for health coverage may end up paying more for that same coverage. Ok. Well, that's the problem then. One, it sounds like nobody really knows what this law is going to do - no matter how much they think they know. And two, people are scared. They are scared that they will no longer be able to afford their current insurance which is a very valid concern. But, because of fear, we are seeing ugliness rise.

I have seen, especially living in the region in which I currently find myself, if people are busy fighting and being ugly, then the real work can't be done. When I'm in my vehicle of choice taking munchkins to school in the morning, I see people really pushing and shoving to jump the que in the lines of traffic. This lane jumping only serves to slow traffic down even more. If everyone would just be calm and patient, they would realize that we're all in it together and we're all gonna get where we need to go if we'd be patient.

I truly believe that America has some of the best healthcare available on the planet. But, it is so amazing, so tops, that many Americans simply can not afford it. It's a serious problem. But, racism, spitting and name calling are not the answers.

Peace.