Today, we'll examine Governor Brown's proposed cuts to Medi-Cal and what that could mean for state healthcare. We'll also consider Sheryl Sandberg's ideas for how to pursue gender equality in the workplace. Later, we'll talk about the Venezuelan plans for Huge Chavez's body and discuss the increasingly difficult process of applying for a job. All that and more, on AirTalk.
Brown’s proposed Medi-Cal cuts unpopular with California Democrats
As California moves toward implementation of Obamacare in the state, Governor Jerry Brown and Democratic state lawmakers have hit a speed bump in how the state will pay for coverage of the poorest Californians.
Dems in the state house have proposed adding those who make up to $15,415 a year to the roles of Medi-Cal (the state’s version of Medicaid), but Brown has countered, concerned that the state can’t afford it in a time of deep budget cuts. Not only is funding a concern, but who administers the healthcare expansion--the state or counties. Democrats are in favor a state-wide approach, and the governor has yet to pick a side, but needless to say, the Affordable Care Act as a working system is still taking shape in the state.
Do you think it’s wise to add spending to cover the poor in a time when budgets are shrinking? Would you rather see Obamacare administered by the state or local government?
Guests:
Holly Mitchell, Democratic California State Assemblymember; Member of the Assembly Health Committee; Mitchell represents California's 54th District, which stretches from South L.A. to UCLA; the Crenshaw district, Culver City, Ladera Heights, West Adams, Mid-City and Mar Vista.
Dylan Roby, Assistant Professor, Health Services, University of California, Los Angeles; Research Scientist, UCLA Center for Health Policy Research
Sheryl Sandberg rocks the boat by leaning in
In her new book, "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead," Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg tells women they need to “lean in,” embrace success and self-confidence, take charge of their careers. But the problem is not just women themselves, she says - it’s ingrained societal prejudices. Girls who are assertive are called “bossy,” writes Sandberg, and women who lead in the workplace are seen as aggressive and unlikeable. Despite the gains made by the feminist movement, women are still not making it to the top boardrooms in parity with their male colleagues; they should be forging ahead, acquiring mentors, demanding promotions and shattering stereotypes.
The backlash has been instantaneous. Critics point out that Sandberg has wealth and privilege on her side, that she has been “lucky” to have powerful men to smooth her way and that she’s balanced career and motherhood with the help of nannies. So how much of a role model can she be?
There’s also the question of whether “leaning in” will make much of a difference as long as corporations continue to be resistant to changes that will enable women to rise to the top. Are Sandberg’s ideas realistic? Should she be using her platform to inspire change in the business climate, rather than in individuals? Fifty years after the birth of the feminist movement, are women still paying a price to climb the corporate ladder? And what about men - will they ever be able to choose family over career, or are they just as trapped in their role of breadwinner?
Guest:
Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, CEO of 20-first, one of the world's leading gender consulting firms, and author of "How Women Mean Business: A Step by Step Guide to Profiting from Gender Balanced Business" (Wiley, 2010)
Brett Singer, formerly worked in public relations, now a stay-at-home dad whose wife is the "breadwinner". He's also the editor of Daddytips.com.
Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez’s body to be preserved for posterity
Venezuela’s government has announced that it plans to embalm the body of recently deceased leader Hugo Chavez, so that it may be displayed in a glass coffin “eternally” and inspire Venezuelans to keep the socialist revolution alive.
Comandante Chavez joins a long line of 20th century world leaders whose remains have achieved immortality. The first was Soviet Union founder Vladimir Lenin, who died soon after the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb and is still on display in Moscow’s Red Square. Ho Chi Minh and Mao Zedong are two revolutionaries whose corpses receive daily visitors in their respective glass sarcophagi; Joseph Stalin’s body was displayed along with Lenin’s from 1953 to 1961, when it was removed and buried.
But let’s face it – it’s cold in Russia, not so much in Venezuela. Some have speculated that the decision was made too late in Chavez’ case, and that preserving his body to withstand the South American climate is no longer feasible. What extreme measures must be taken to ensure a corpse will survive decades, even centuries?
Why do some political regimes feel the need to keep an embalmed leader above ground? Is it to remind the people who’s in charge? If a powerful symbol of the movement is needed, would a statue do? Would you visit the tomb of one of your heroes to see his or her body on display?
Guest:
Nina Tumarkin, Russian Historian and Professor of History, Wellesley College; author of "The Living and the Dead: The Rise and Fall of the Cult of World War II in Russia" and "Lenin Lives! The Lenin Cult in Soviet Russia"
Jumping through hoops to get a job
The “Great Recession” that began in 2008 upended the economy and left millions of Americans without jobs. Now, in 2013, as the economy climbs back and the unemployment rate continues to drop, employers have large numbers of qualified candidates from which to choose. But many companies still aren’t rushing to fill vacant positions. Instead, they’re taking a more cautious approach to hiring new labor and counting on existing employees to take on the extra workload.
The result is a growing number of dispirited job hopefuls who are experiencing a new kind of grueling, multi-step interview process and some unorthodox requests. Some candidates have endured eight or more interviews for jobs that may never be filled and spending valuable time and resources on transportation, food, clothing and time trying to get the gig.
What can convince employers to invest in their workforce and fill vacant positions? How can desperate job seekers circumvent or survive the interview gauntlet? Have you been run through the ringer to get a job?
Guest:
Cynthia Shapiro, career strategist and author of “What Does Somebody Have to Do to Get a Job Around Here?” (St. Martin's Griffin 2008)