Friday, March 26, 2010

political slap party

"For Democrats, having a health care bill is not only a 'major policy victory' but also a 'badly needed psychological boost' for a party that was growing increasingly desperate for a major accomplishment with the November election looming, according to [Charlie] Cook [of The Cook Political Report]." - Washington Post


What the leaders of the Democratic party aren't seeing is that the entire party is not sitting around the table with them. I am a member of their party, many people I know and you know are members of that party. But WE don't see this as a win. What has been won? We can't even understand how this bill is going to affect us as every news source says something different and the hidden negatives of the bill are popping up in sources that aren't necessarily trustworthy. This is not about a slapping game between two old stubborn parties who are disconnected from the citizens they are meant to serve. This is about creating justice and fairness in the health system so that we can have healthier citizen.


What makes me even more sick is this:
"Politics Daily reports: "The Democratic National Committee announced it will begin running ads Thursday praising House Democrats who voted for the health care reform bill and calling out Republicans who opposed it. The ads -- 25 on television and 10 on radio -- will run in markets across the country." 


Chest beating? Seriously?
This is going to bite the Democrats in the ass if it doesn't solve the problem. The reality is that solving problems can take time, more time than there is between now and November. The current confusion that citizens have over the bill will only lead to more discontent. Good luck hanging on to Congress in Novemeber guys. 

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

virtual latte anyone?

Just read this article in fast company about BooYah, a location based service that is now partnered with H&M to offer discounts on clothes for those checked-in. This is very similar to what Foursquare is working at.

I recently learned about how on another location-based service, Gowalla, you can leave virtual items in the ether of a space you've checked into that another user can choose to take. It's all fake little gidgets, say I leave a teddy bear and someone else who checks in can take that and leave a toy train. This makes me think of Second Life and how real currency is converted to digital currency and whole businesses are run across the bizarre platform. Wondering if that's where Gowalla's idea may head next? Could they release items virtually, only in specific venues that people could buy/sell? Granted buying a virtual cup of coffee while standing in a coffee shop may not be as enjoyable as buying the physical version, but I feel like there's something in that. Want to discuss and explores possibilities in this.