1/27/2023

JRB,

            It seems folks managed to enJOY the Lunar New Year event at the WH yesterday despite their sorrow over the shootings in Monterey Park & Half Moon Bay. As you well know, one of the challenges of life is vacillating between moments of grief & pleasure. My Christian tradition does not help me much with that balancing act. George Fox suggested that Quakers “walk cheerfully over the world” but he did not counsel us on dealing with loss. I find the Buddhist emphasis on acceptance of the inevitable sufferings that come with life more instructive.

            Have you ever spoken with Jeffrey Zients (JDZ) about his approach to finding the grief/joy balance? According to Forward, he’s Jewish, but they didn’t report on how often he goes to temple. He sounds like he is a worker bee, so he might spend all his time on the job. I hope his management acumen helps you succeed in the next two years.

            I looked into this debt thing this AM. It seems that my solution of reducing military spending is only part of the answer. According to the Peter G Peterson Foundation, we need to fix our health care system. They note, “On a per capita basis, our healthcare system is the most expensive among advanced nations. Yet, America’s health outcomes are generally no better than those of our peers, and in some cases are worse, including in areas like life expectancy, infant mortality, asthma, and diabetes.” Obama Care might have helped, but we have more to do. Please tell JDZ to assemble a team to work on it. According to the NYT “he has a keen eye for recruiting talent” & is “maniacal about developing a plan and sticking to it.”

            As you hang out at Camp David this weekend, please consider how we can restore democracy in Burma. The generals just announced restrictive “election” laws. They need to know that the only people they are fooling are themselves.

Let’s also hold Tyre Nichols’ family & the people of Memphis in the Light.

            BYBS,