As I listened to the Health Care Summit wrap-ups on Friday, I found myself frustrated by how the process story seemed to trump discussion of policy.
Well, they say a picture is worth a thousand words. This morning my mom, who is celebrating her birthday today, sent me a You Tube video of a song that is worth a million.
It's called We're Number 37, and in 3 brief minutes, it strips bare the basic lie underlying many of the arguments against health care reform: that America has the best health care in the world.
Now arguing that America's health care system is actually behind many industrialized nations is not a new argument. It has been eloquently articulated by many right here on Daily Kos. And just Thursday the lie of American health care supremacy was masterfully deconstructed by Ezra Klein. Yet the general public, while sensing the lie, are constantly told by politicians and media pundits that the lie is the truth.
Which is why it's so exhilirating to watch songwriter Paul Hipp declare the obvious so succinctly and cleverly in his song.
A month or two ago I was listening to an important discussion about the war on science and the difficulty scientists often have in explaining their work to the public in an understandable, engaging, and emotionally accessible way. The solution proferred was that scientists use art as a means to convey the truth and beauty of science to lay audiences.
Similarly, I think one way we progressives can advance our causes most effectively is to find, share, and popularize those pieces of art that crystallize important political truths in an accessible and entertaining way.
Chris Bower at Open Left has made good arguments about the need for progressive institutions to support progressive activists so that they can make a decent living while helping to create change. We in the progressive blogosphere should also support artists and the work they do -- especially when that art helps spotlight an important truth that is often missing or hidden in the crevices of each-side-entitled-to-their-own-facts journalism.
One video by Jon Stewart, one cartoon by Tom Toles, or one song by Paul Hipp is worth a thousand (a million?) words in the Washington Post in helping to illuminate important points of public policy.
Let's help to make sure the light spreads.