Back to School Assignment

For many people, the end of August marks the beginning of a new school year. It is a time for new beginnings, renewed optimism for the coming school year and, yes, uncertainty about what lies ahead academically and socially for each student. And it seems like this August, when it comes to health-care reform, we adults are struggling with some of the very same feelings that our children face on the first day of school.

If you truly believe recent polling, conventional wisdom and political cynicism, it is over for health-care reform. Democrats are fighting among themselves as if the public option is the holy grail of reform. Republicans are once again opposing something (remember Social Security and Medicare) with the hopes of another high-profile political defeat and with keen focus on how to gain seats in next year's mid-term elections.

So what advice would I give the president to get health-care reform back on track? I would suggest President Obama start the new school year with a major project: a 50-state, 50-day grassroots campaign for health-care reform. Get out of Washington in September and October. Lose the town-hall rallies and host all-day events to talk with people from all walks of life. Listen to their issues and concerns about what reform could mean to their families. Understand that there is still real economic concern throughout the country and people are struggling to see how reform can be accomplished without (1) paying more taxes; (2) losing current real or perceived benefits of what they have now; and (3) increasing government's role in their lives. Articulate the three to five major non-negotiable principles for a reformed health-care system at every event and be prepared to state what the president will not support.

For Obama, the bell has rung and class is in session. And it looks like the first lesson plan is about the art of leadership.

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Raymond Martins

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Back to School Assignment