The only way to change the world is to change yourself. Accept what can’t be changed, but there is much that can be changed, only not in the obvious, direct way. That doesn’t mean ignoring injustices and may not even involve any outward behavioral change. It is a shift in perception, taking responsibility for one’s state of consciousness, and letting go of expectation (that is, the emotional investment in consequences).
Change is constant, but our state of consciousness is the one thing we have direct control over. I wouldn’t say that would make one a hypocrite, or spineless.
Are you kidding me? You make it sound as if the quality of Chinese hospitals is even approaching anywhere near that of its American counterparts. I have lived here for five years in all parts of China and been to the hospital on multiple occasions. In Shenyang and Xiamen, I have been to the “best” hospitals where it smells like pee, kids defecate into garbage bins (although bathrooms are readily available nearby), doctors routinely order unnecessary tests to boost revenue, and almost every patient, regardless of ailment, is prescribed a drip of lactate and sodium chloride.
I do admit that if I had a minor injury or ailment, I would opt for the Chinese hospital due to cost and overall speed; however, the high costs and waiting times we are subject to in the States guarantee quality of care and treatment. If I am ever seriously injured or affected by some grave ailment, I pray to God I am in the good old United States of America, whether or not Obama has made reforms.
I have 30 years experience in the American Healthcare system and although what you say about the Chinese hospitals may be true, the current healthcare system in the US is broke, to say the least.
Not only is there abuse and excessive waste but the out of control costs and stacks of red tape do not equate to quality healthcare. Should we settle for “pretty good” just because we believe anther countries healthcare system may seem inferior?
I agree with you that, by American standards and norms, our system may be broke. Trying to compare the Chinese and American systems, however, is like trying to compare filet mignon wrapped in bacon with cube steak. No matter how broke our system may be, the quality is higher all around.
Thanks Chaz and Hanyman for your contributions. “To be sure, China’s healthcare system could be improved … But there’s nothing “harmonious” about the status quo in America’s healthcare system either.” It pains me that some politicians have actually said the US system does not need improving (http://tinyurl.com/yzl8g6u).
Perhaps my article didn’t spend enough time chastising China’s healthcare. I can certainly validate Chaz’ description of some medical facilities/services. But my point here is just how ridiculous it is that — particularly when it comes to the payment scheme — America’s system shares more in common with China’s system than the system of many post-industrial, developed democratic countries. No more excuses; we need to reform healthcare.
I love it when someone can peel back the glossy image (or distorted image) we have of history. “The Fog of War” with Robert Macnamara did a good deal of shaking up my image of what and how the government felt about war during WWII, Korean, and Vietnam.
As your wife, I’m very proud of you for writing this novel (AND a little bit jealous of the fact that you actually wrote a book before I did:).
As a reader and an English literature major graduate, I’m so looking forward to reading it as a whole. Because from the pieces I’ve peeked at, I can already tell it’s a fascinating novel, the kind that has a force to keep you turning the pages and not putting it down.
Nowadays we get so hung up on the goal of settling down: buy a house, start a family, get a steady job…that we are missing out so much of what Sal and Dean experienced and saw and heard and felt and thought on the open endless road of America…
We are on the road so that we can find a place to stay on. They find a place to stay on just so that they can get back on their road again.
I have had two US hospital experiences in my 70 years:
1. On Christmas Eve I had a bursitis attack in both my shoulders. Walk-in private emergency services closed, I went to a hospital. A cortisone shot at that time in the private walk-in service would have cost $25 each. The Emergency room bill came to $1065. Yet the conservatives advocate that we have “universal health care” because anyone can go to a non-profit hospital and get care. Then they complain about the cost of health, which is swollen by unnecessary visits to ERs.
2. I had an operation. Went home, got a blood clot in lung. That is, I figured that was the problem, took a shower, called doctor, he agreed and said to get a cab and rush to the emergency room (he had a surgery scheduled). He called to say they should admit me. I went to the desk, gave my name, doctor’s name, and said I had a blood clot in my lung. Problem: I looked really healthy, no bleeding, felt just fine as long as I did not lie down. Four hours later I was asked, in a sarcastic tone, “Why are you here?” I said “Blood clot in lung.” The person snorted with skepticism, “How do you know?” “My doctor said so.” Finally they let me see a doctor, who informed me that I probably just had a touch of pneumonia. I said, “No, not this pain, Very different, only there when I lie down, very localized and deep, not that I’ve ever had pneumonia.” Tests were run, then doctor in a scolding tone: “Do you realize that you have a blood clot in the lung, and that you could die any second?” “I answered cheerfully, “That’s what I’ve been saying for the last five hours.” Then the brouhaha: forced onto a gurney (thus causing huge pain), rolled off to room. Blah blah. Everything turned out fine.
Your reviews of both the Pike Place Market and the first Starbucks are pretty spot-on. Next time you have a Seattle layover you should check out the Olympic Sculpture Park, a partnership between Seattle Parks & Recreation and the Seattle Art Museum. It’s free, beautiful, and close to where you were.
Thanks for this post and the shout-out, Tim. I’m glad to know that Dreamhost is available in China and has automatic Wordpress installation. Installing Wordpress was the hardest step for me. Hopefully Dreamhost doesn’t get blocked any time soon.
Beautiful pictures. Those are the ones who enjoy nature to the highest extent, not by admiring the sunset and the beach with pictures and paintings, but simply by being part of it.
I’d say another necessary change is to make pedestrian green lights longer, or have a split light for particularly wide boulevards. Pedestrians begin crossing the street when the light is red and no cars are coming but there is often not enough time to cross during the span of a green light.
I have never been to China. In the U.S the waiting room in the E.R is always over crowded and 5 hours if probably standard for any minor E.R Visit. There are no upfront payments and I have never been denied coverage for lack of insurance or otherwise.
My Buddy has a wife from China and their experience in China is that Health-Care is free paid for by the additional taxes. So I was suprised when you mentioned insurance in China, but possibly this is only for E.R visits. Also their belief that you cannot be turned down for treatment or coverage in China like you can here in the U.S for the most serious of issues like in the well known movie “John Q” where his son is denied a heart transplant because lack of insurance and money.
My issue with Government Health Care is that I don’t believe I should have to pay the same taxes when I go to the Doctor maybe once in 5 years as someone who may go 12 times a year. That doesn’t seem like a fair way to do it, but at the same time I don’t think the right to live and die and treatment should ever be determined by the amount of money you have and nobody should be refused treatment when a treatment is available.
Maybe a fair way to do it would be to calculate all your doctor visits over the year and deduct your tax return and modify your personal income tax rate by how much you owe. “Just one possible solution”
Thanks for your input. This is such an important issue for any society, and I wish the public debate in America had been characterized by people sharing their honest opinion and constructive ideas like you have — rather than resorting to name calling, which is how it turned out unfortunately. Anyway, just to set the record clear, China does not have universal healthcare. The system in China is very much the way America was/is: you pay cash unless you have insurance that you purchase or is provided by your employer. It is other democratic countries in Europe where tax payer money supports universal healthcare. That’s why I think it’s inaccurate when people claim universal healthcare is “communist” or “socialist” or whatever — the fact of the matter is that most post-industrial democracies other than America have some form of universal healthcare, and America does too in the form of Medicare/Medicaid. There’s nothing more “communist” about that than public libraries. Also, I think that the Chinese healthcare system has a long way to go, but I’m just saying that a CAT scan costs US$50 here, so even if you don’t have insurance it won’t cause you to lose your house. Anyway, thanks again for your comment. This has been a hot topic!
Amen!!! All those shouting and preaching have never walked a mile in another man’ s shoes. Let them get one of those “honest jobs” and try to provide for a family even modestly. And most of those people screaming about healthcare reform are counting on or already on Medicare. Why do people think change is always bad? I think it’s fear. So the people who talk the biggest fight are really the most scared.
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[...] of this blog know my favorite quote is by Robert F. Kennedy, “Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.” My understanding of the Obama position is that diplomacy does not work until you give it a [...]
[...] best thing about blogs is comments. One of my recent post, “How to hate the government and love the people,” really generated a lot of buzz. (To my chagrin, that probably had more to do with the [...]
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[...] here to read In Tim’s shoes, Day 3 Click here to read In Tim’s shoes, Day 2 Click here to read In Tim’s shoes, Day 1 These icons link to social bookmarking sites where [...]
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[...] here to read In Tim’s shoes, Day 3 Click here to read In Tim’s shoes, Day 2 Click here to read In Tim’s shoes, Day 1 These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web [...]
[...] wrote a post about one of her plays, I Heart Beijing, (see “Beijing gets a heart”) a while back. Here’s an excerpt that was recently quoted in an article about Cheeky Monkey [...]
[...] located in a Balinese neighborhood. You can check out the review I wrote the first time I visited, here. Now, after having checked out some of the island’s other hotels too, I can confirm that [...]
[...] not talking about the American people. I’ve written on this blog many times before about the importance of distinguishing between a country’s politics and a [...]
Welcome to Go Too Far East
Go Too Far East is a blog about my writings and world travels. Click here to find out more.
331 Comments
The only way to change the world is to change yourself. Accept what can’t be changed, but there is much that can be changed, only not in the obvious, direct way. That doesn’t mean ignoring injustices and may not even involve any outward behavioral change. It is a shift in perception, taking responsibility for one’s state of consciousness, and letting go of expectation (that is, the emotional investment in consequences).
Change is constant, but our state of consciousness is the one thing we have direct control over. I wouldn’t say that would make one a hypocrite, or spineless.
Tim, very cool video!!! nice shooting and editing!! I really enjoy it!!! Makes me miss home. And by the way, Ning looks like a pro emcee! Pretty!!
I think the difference is personal involvement and commitment versus the bottom line syndrome.
Are you kidding me? You make it sound as if the quality of Chinese hospitals is even approaching anywhere near that of its American counterparts. I have lived here for five years in all parts of China and been to the hospital on multiple occasions. In Shenyang and Xiamen, I have been to the “best” hospitals where it smells like pee, kids defecate into garbage bins (although bathrooms are readily available nearby), doctors routinely order unnecessary tests to boost revenue, and almost every patient, regardless of ailment, is prescribed a drip of lactate and sodium chloride.
I do admit that if I had a minor injury or ailment, I would opt for the Chinese hospital due to cost and overall speed; however, the high costs and waiting times we are subject to in the States guarantee quality of care and treatment. If I am ever seriously injured or affected by some grave ailment, I pray to God I am in the good old United States of America, whether or not Obama has made reforms.
I have 30 years experience in the American Healthcare system and although what you say about the Chinese hospitals may be true, the current healthcare system in the US is broke, to say the least.
Not only is there abuse and excessive waste but the out of control costs and stacks of red tape do not equate to quality healthcare. Should we settle for “pretty good” just because we believe anther countries healthcare system may seem inferior?
I agree with you that, by American standards and norms, our system may be broke. Trying to compare the Chinese and American systems, however, is like trying to compare filet mignon wrapped in bacon with cube steak. No matter how broke our system may be, the quality is higher all around.
Thanks Chaz and Hanyman for your contributions. “To be sure, China’s healthcare system could be improved … But there’s nothing “harmonious” about the status quo in America’s healthcare system either.” It pains me that some politicians have actually said the US system does not need improving (http://tinyurl.com/yzl8g6u).
Perhaps my article didn’t spend enough time chastising China’s healthcare. I can certainly validate Chaz’ description of some medical facilities/services. But my point here is just how ridiculous it is that — particularly when it comes to the payment scheme — America’s system shares more in common with China’s system than the system of many post-industrial, developed democratic countries. No more excuses; we need to reform healthcare.
What a view, snow makes everything look so much cleaner. That looks like the twin towers in the distance.
I love it when someone can peel back the glossy image (or distorted image) we have of history. “The Fog of War” with Robert Macnamara did a good deal of shaking up my image of what and how the government felt about war during WWII, Korean, and Vietnam.
Very, very well-written … and insightful. Thanks for this commentary.
What a fun trip.
咋一看开头还以为是写给你孩子的呢～
good article, thus the quote,”many a truth is said in jest”
Tim,
As your wife, I’m very proud of you for writing this novel (AND a little bit jealous of the fact that you actually wrote a book before I did:).
As a reader and an English literature major graduate, I’m so looking forward to reading it as a whole. Because from the pieces I’ve peeked at, I can already tell it’s a fascinating novel, the kind that has a force to keep you turning the pages and not putting it down.
Salute to Jack Kerouac!
Nowadays we get so hung up on the goal of settling down: buy a house, start a family, get a steady job…that we are missing out so much of what Sal and Dean experienced and saw and heard and felt and thought on the open endless road of America…
We are on the road so that we can find a place to stay on. They find a place to stay on just so that they can get back on their road again.
Glad i found you on Twitter.
I have had two US hospital experiences in my 70 years:
1. On Christmas Eve I had a bursitis attack in both my shoulders. Walk-in private emergency services closed, I went to a hospital. A cortisone shot at that time in the private walk-in service would have cost $25 each. The Emergency room bill came to $1065. Yet the conservatives advocate that we have “universal health care” because anyone can go to a non-profit hospital and get care. Then they complain about the cost of health, which is swollen by unnecessary visits to ERs.
2. I had an operation. Went home, got a blood clot in lung. That is, I figured that was the problem, took a shower, called doctor, he agreed and said to get a cab and rush to the emergency room (he had a surgery scheduled). He called to say they should admit me. I went to the desk, gave my name, doctor’s name, and said I had a blood clot in my lung. Problem: I looked really healthy, no bleeding, felt just fine as long as I did not lie down. Four hours later I was asked, in a sarcastic tone, “Why are you here?” I said “Blood clot in lung.” The person snorted with skepticism, “How do you know?” “My doctor said so.” Finally they let me see a doctor, who informed me that I probably just had a touch of pneumonia. I said, “No, not this pain, Very different, only there when I lie down, very localized and deep, not that I’ve ever had pneumonia.” Tests were run, then doctor in a scolding tone: “Do you realize that you have a blood clot in the lung, and that you could die any second?” “I answered cheerfully, “That’s what I’ve been saying for the last five hours.” Then the brouhaha: forced onto a gurney (thus causing huge pain), rolled off to room. Blah blah. Everything turned out fine.
Your reviews of both the Pike Place Market and the first Starbucks are pretty spot-on. Next time you have a Seattle layover you should check out the Olympic Sculpture Park, a partnership between Seattle Parks & Recreation and the Seattle Art Museum. It’s free, beautiful, and close to where you were.
Exciting observation. Merely minute is it truthful it is.
听起来不错哟 ^-^ 一定去试试~感谢推荐！
表述方式还是比较西化 感觉像是英文直译过来的似的 不过很有你自己的味道 我很喜欢 加油哦~~
Thanks for this post and the shout-out, Tim. I’m glad to know that Dreamhost is available in China and has automatic Wordpress installation. Installing Wordpress was the hardest step for me. Hopefully Dreamhost doesn’t get blocked any time soon.
Sounds great. Bali is on Keisha’s long list of places to visit, so hopefully we’ll get to someday. : )
I’m amusing myself thinking that Ku De Ta is pronounced the same as “coup d’etat.”
the chinese taco bueno
Beautiful pictures. Those are the ones who enjoy nature to the highest extent, not by admiring the sunset and the beach with pictures and paintings, but simply by being part of it.
haha now feel bad taking the pictures? :p
I’d say another necessary change is to make pedestrian green lights longer, or have a split light for particularly wide boulevards. Pedestrians begin crossing the street when the light is red and no cars are coming but there is often not enough time to cross during the span of a green light.
I have never been to China. In the U.S the waiting room in the E.R is always over crowded and 5 hours if probably standard for any minor E.R Visit. There are no upfront payments and I have never been denied coverage for lack of insurance or otherwise.
My Buddy has a wife from China and their experience in China is that Health-Care is free paid for by the additional taxes. So I was suprised when you mentioned insurance in China, but possibly this is only for E.R visits. Also their belief that you cannot be turned down for treatment or coverage in China like you can here in the U.S for the most serious of issues like in the well known movie “John Q” where his son is denied a heart transplant because lack of insurance and money.
My issue with Government Health Care is that I don’t believe I should have to pay the same taxes when I go to the Doctor maybe once in 5 years as someone who may go 12 times a year. That doesn’t seem like a fair way to do it, but at the same time I don’t think the right to live and die and treatment should ever be determined by the amount of money you have and nobody should be refused treatment when a treatment is available.
Maybe a fair way to do it would be to calculate all your doctor visits over the year and deduct your tax return and modify your personal income tax rate by how much you owe. “Just one possible solution”
Thanks for your input. This is such an important issue for any society, and I wish the public debate in America had been characterized by people sharing their honest opinion and constructive ideas like you have — rather than resorting to name calling, which is how it turned out unfortunately. Anyway, just to set the record clear, China does not have universal healthcare. The system in China is very much the way America was/is: you pay cash unless you have insurance that you purchase or is provided by your employer. It is other democratic countries in Europe where tax payer money supports universal healthcare. That’s why I think it’s inaccurate when people claim universal healthcare is “communist” or “socialist” or whatever — the fact of the matter is that most post-industrial democracies other than America have some form of universal healthcare, and America does too in the form of Medicare/Medicaid. There’s nothing more “communist” about that than public libraries. Also, I think that the Chinese healthcare system has a long way to go, but I’m just saying that a CAT scan costs US$50 here, so even if you don’t have insurance it won’t cause you to lose your house. Anyway, thanks again for your comment. This has been a hot topic!
I can’t wait to read your book! Exciting.
Did you get to chat with Major Leppert? How were those North Park models?
Just let me know how I can help you with your book. Spell check, anything.
Amen!!! All those shouting and preaching have never walked a mile in another man’ s shoes. Let them get one of those “honest jobs” and try to provide for a family even modestly. And most of those people screaming about healthcare reform are counting on or already on Medicare. Why do people think change is always bad? I think it’s fear. So the people who talk the biggest fight are really the most scared.
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[...] of this blog know my favorite quote is by Robert F. Kennedy, “Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.” My understanding of the Obama position is that diplomacy does not work until you give it a [...]
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[...] best thing about blogs is comments. One of my recent post, “How to hate the government and love the people,” really generated a lot of buzz. (To my chagrin, that probably had more to do with the [...]
[...] good friend and colleague, Jenny Xia (also a bona fide Gotoofareaster) recently asked me, “What elements of [Chinese] culture do [...]
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