I just watched the Presiden't Health Reform speech at an OFA watch party in Oakland, and I am FIRED UP!  For those who have been following, his new plan isn't radically different from what the policy discussion has been all along.  Those who have public or private coverage will be able to keep what they have if they like it, and use a newly created Exchange to choose from private plans, or a public health insurance plan option.  I hope everyone will call their Senators and encourage them to support the President's plan, and pass the HELP bill (or something better).  You can click here to call or dial 1-877-264-4226!  Let's build the future together!

Ok, now that that's out of the way, this is what I really want to talk about:

The President did an interesting thing tonight.  He made several references to the "American Character" and framed health reform in a "what it means to be American" paradigm.  As an Asian American, I am sure I am not alone in having spent a lot of time thinking and talking about what it means to be American.  He tossed out some ideas, "hard work and responsibility should be rewarded by some measure of security and fair play" he said, and proposed that government should have some role in that.  Interdependency, community, and shared responsibility?  What?  I thought those values came from the Asian part of my Asian American-ness.  No, no, my President reminds me, remember Social Security? and Medicare?  Taking care of each other (which my Mama taught me was important), it turns out, is also fundamentally American... just ask our checkbook how much we spend each year on Medicare.  So what I am realizing here is that contrary to what every Amy Tan novel I've ever read has tried to tell me - there is NOT in fact an innate and conflict between my Asian-ness and my American-ness.  Yay, my existence is not inherently tortured.  Whew!  

Sorry, all silliness aside, the President spoke to me when he talked about our shared values.  These define us and should define our public policy, whether it be health care, immigration, or any other issue.  And at the same time that the President talked about reflecting the American Spirit in our health reform, he invited all of us to help him shape the future of our country.  Sure, our families came here seeking what America already was, but it's our turn to shape what America will be in the future.  Our values, our character, and our spirit are the future of this country... if we raise our voices to be heard!