Democracy and The Child

Sunday, when I started this blog, it was my intent to focus on a new study with the League of Women Voters’ Education Committee.  I have been invited to chair this important committee.  Why am I doing this at this point in my life?  Why aren’t I just hanging out?  I never learned how to just hang out.  I guess I truly believe and live Marian’s philosophy as quoted.

“I guess If we don't stand up for children, then we don't stand for much.” 

Marian Wright Edelman

But, the more I read and listened about the carnage of Newtown, the more I was pulled back into the value of education and what it means to us in this democracy we live.  How integrated these two subjects are to me.

Here I am, sitting in my peaceful and calm Camelot and trying to digest the horrors of this past week.

“I'm sure I am impatient sometimes. I sure do get angry sometimes. I think it's outrageous how hard it is to get this country to feed its children and to take care of its children, to give them a decent education.” 

Marian Wright Edelman

Indiana’s Governor Pence said he wants a new study to focus on schools, not the state’s guns laws. When pressed, he said he supports the rights of law-abiding Hoosiers to keep and bear arms and will “defend that right.”  There you go - one huge reason I left Indiana with a smile.  I enjoyed working for Governor Evan Bayh who would have had a totally different reaction and response to the tragedy.  I called him to wish his family a happy holiday and I asked him.  He confirmed my belief that he was and is a fine man - a man we needed to stay in the Senate - one of those unique politicians who always worked across the aisle and taught me the art of compromise and negotiation in the legislative process.

Evil walked tall last week in Connecticut, but evil should not be confused with what follows.  You won’t see any pure evil in any room when legislators come down to hard choices over the budget for mental health programs in the next legislative session, but if you want to personify it, rest assured evil will be in the room keeping an eye on things. Most everyone will mean well and there will be valid arguments for spending more or less, but down the line somewhere one decision will have a little better or worse impact than another.

This coming January, funding for mental illness research and services, as well as housing programs are at risk of being subject to an across-the-board cut of as much as 8.4 percent. This “sequester” was put in place last year as part of the Budget Control Act. These critical federal investments in mental illness research, services, housing programs are all part of the “non-defense discretionary”.  

Let’s pivot to education and the child.  One of the major tasks that education must perform in a democratic society is the proper preparation of young citizens for the roles and responsibilities they must be ready to take on when they reach maturity.

Our committee will study what the current landscape is of early childhood development, education, and quality in our area.  Our committee will start by researching the 3 A’s of early education.  Availability, Affordability, and Accessibility.  These were the words governing my work in Indiana for so many years.  What goes around - comes around.  I believe that ‘education is for democracy’.  I also believe that high quality early childhood programs offer positive economic development. The following site offers good information on how early childhood development impacts economic development.

Early childhood development: Economic development with a high public return

A Rolnick, R Grunewald - The Region, 2003 - datacenter.spps.org

Why Investments in Early Childhood Work?

The data show that the greatest challenges facing our country – from school dropout rates, to crime to rising health-care costs, to the necessity of competing in the global marketplace – can only be met by focusing on the development of all our children, beginning at birth.

To the Ounce of Prevention Fund, the "achievement gap" is not a metaphor. It is a social outcome that we can see and measure. Research shows that the achievement gap appears long before children reach kindergarten – in fact is can become evident as early as age nine months. And at-risk children who don't receive a high-quality early childhood education are:

• 25% more likely to drop out of school

• 40% more likely to become a teen parent

• 50% more likely to be placed in special education

• 60% more likely to never attend college

• 70% more likely to be arrested for a violent crime

I have always been drawn to the ways and needs and dreams of children.  I started The Stein Group upon retirement from my place in Indiana government.  As an analyst, I was responsible for the production of reports and more reports, most of which settled on government office shelves gathering that dust you always hear about.  That always troubled me in that so much research, funds and time went into producing these reports.  I wanted The Stein Group to bring

those reports and findings to life and develop policy for children.

I remember going to the Secretary of State’s office with my husband and signed the paperwork to start a corporation.  There I was, now the president of a corporation.  A nonprofit, independent children's research and policy organization.  Those were great days.  

Take a few minutes and click on my Children’s Issues blog.  I started writing this blog while in Indiana government.  The situations are the same - I hope the values are the same. 

Children's Issues - a blog by Carole Stein and Friends

Child Care: It's Good Business. The Indiana Tool-Kit for Employers

All these programs and policies will be evaluated and reviewed as we

start our study here in Palo Alto and surrounding communities.  Please join us at this critical time for our children.

Take Time to Think. 

“Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.” 

Carl Sandburg 

I have been very fortunate in my life to have made some healthy, wise and valuable choices.  The obvious of course - my husband and children.  But. then there were those choices that required more compromise and negotiating with husband and family as to time spent.  These are interesting words - ‘time spent.’  An interesting quote from a master.

“A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing."  

George Bernard Shaw

Compromise and negotiation are also interesting words.   ‘Compromise is a basic negotiation process in which both parties give up something that they want in order to get something else they want more.’  This definition has been an absolute for me.  I knew as a young married that I needed the freedom to express myself while at the same time being committed to building a quality marriage filled with love, fun and productivity. 

These choices were easier than I would have thought.  I learned what is meant by sharing your beliefs in marriage.  It was early in our marriage that I started to read about the advantages of equal partnership.  I studied the writings of researcher John Gottman and I found my comfort zone for life.  One of John’s beliefs was that husbands who accept their wives’ influence are four times less likely to divorce or have an unhappy marriage.   We bought into that - it worked for us.  

Jerry was wise enough to know what the ‘equal rights amendment’ meant even before I sucessfully lobbied for the passage.  You know the overused saying, ‘the happy wife is a happy life.‘   It all centers around respect for those differences.  Agreed?

One area in which we always agreed and that was our sense and love for the spirit of democracy.  In 1980, an article was written in The Indianapolis Star about my professional volunteerism career - I was asked how I knew Jerry was the right man for me and without hesitation responded, ‘he was a democrat and a feminist and a great dancer.’

Last week, I picked up the NYTimes to read my favorite journalist - David Brooks.  He was writing about just that - democracy and politics.  He wrote:

“We live in an anti-political moment, when many people -- young people especially - think politics is a low, nasty, corrupt and usually fruitless business. It's much nobler to do community service or just avoid all that putrid noise.”

He went on to say.  “I hope everybody who shares this anti-political mood will go out to see "Lincoln." The movie portrays the nobility of politics in exactly the right way.  It shows that you can do more good in politics than in any other sphere. You can end slavery, open opportunity and fight poverty. But you can achieve these things only if you are willing to stain your own character in order to serve others -- if you are willing to bamboozle, trim, compromise and be slippery and hypocritical. The challenge of politics lies precisely in the marriage of high vision and low cunning. The hero has a high moral vision, but he also has the courage to take morally hazardous action in order to make that vision a reality.”

This article gave me clarity as to why I loved politics - He made it very clear to me.  My career in politics started with The Children’s Defense Fund and the beautiful Marianne Wright Edelman and ended up with a decade of service to Indiana governors. I never felt helpless in the face of obstacles.  It was always that challenge I loved and being a tiny speck on that great stage still remains a love.  Just being  that small speck in reaching success for California’s voting for education funding was a wow for me.  My government friends in Indiana called and asked ‘were you involved in that vote?’

This Brooks’ article gave me some time to think about who through the years had the greatest influence on me - whether or not I was aware at the time or not, at this moment in time I can look back and remember.

Who immediately comes to mind was Lyndon Johnson.  It was during his administration that I served as President of the National Council of Jewish Women in Indianapolis.  Our organization accepted the challenges he presented through the War on Poverty.  We had an opportunity to advocate and educate in response to a national poverty rate of around nineteen percent.  Johnson believed in expanding the government's role in education and health care as poverty reduction strategies. The legacy of the War on Poverty policy initiative remains in the continued existence of such federal programs as Head Start, Volunteers in Service to America and Job Corps.

And then for me, came John F. Kennedy - Oh, I was a Camelot devotee.  I remember attending a Boston College medical school dance and there was this gorgeous young Congressman coming to the microphone.  My Dad and I shared a love for politics so I immediately called him in New York and I remember my words, ‘I just met a future President.’ So lucky were we to have him albeit so little time.

The term "Camelot" was applied by ‘Jackie’ Kennedy.  Camelot refers to the seat of the court of the legendary King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and a place or time of idyllic happiness. She described the years of her husband's presidency as an American Camelot, a period of hope and optimism in U. S. history, and asked that his memory be preserved. 

His Presidency was cut short right before our eyes but his accomplishments served to set a valuable framework for progress.

For me, his call for Americans to serve their country has remained an inspiring and memorable appeal.  It was this call that gave structure to my adult careers.  He gave us the Peace Corps, a way for volunteers to travel overseas to make real differences in the lives of real people.   Laws were put in place to end segregation in interstate travel facilities.  He issued an executive order prohibiting discrimination in the sale or lease of housing that was financed by federally guaranteed loans or owned by the federal government.  Great moves in such limited time. 

John Kennedy reminded us that the arts are an essential part of life.  At his inauguration he asked Robert Frost to read a poem, and invited more than 50 of the country's outstanding writers, artists and composers to attend the ceremonies.  Bill Clinton, even as Governor of Arkansas, has expressed his belief that each child conceals an original and passionate voice and that by offering the arts freely to every child everywhere, "we invest in our future as a country."  Maya Angelou, at Bill Clinton's request, was the first poet since Robert Frost to read at a Presidential inauguration.

For me, my time with him was indeed Camelot - I see it every time I watch “West Wing” and now with the new “Newsroom.” 

I had just came off the ‘Lincoln’ movie high and I started looking for similarities between Lincoln and Kennedy.  So here goes:

Abraham Lincoln and John Kennedy were two of the most well-known presidents that the United States of America ever had. Not that too many US presidents ever passed without a mention, but Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy were still the most famous, particularly due to their personalities, their policies and their assassinations. The similarities too are unnerving with some people suggesting that perhaps Kennedy was the reincarnation of Abraham Lincoln! This claim may be quite far-fetched, but there is no denying the fact that there were some rather strange similarities between the lives of both these men.

Both Lincoln and Kennedy studied law and were associated with the civil rights movements during their respective presidencies.  Both the presidents served in the military before entering politics.  Lincoln was elected to the House of Representatives in 1846, while Kennedy was elected to the House of Representatives in 1946.  Lincoln was elected president in 1860, while Kennedy was elected in 1960.  Lincoln and  Kennedy both lost a son while serving as presidents. Both the presidents had 4 children, but two died before reaching their teens.  Look at the similar datings for each event. 

Such intersections, regardless of generational divides and offered by presidents via presidents make such a study, although short worth the time.

“Change is the law of life.  And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.”

John F. Kennedy Speech, Frankford, June 25, 1963.

Music is all around us. We don’t need to be sophisticated musicians, experienced concertgoers, or amateur or professional performers to enjoy it. We just need to take time to listen.

Here we are - still in November, the month of 80.   I have been thinking about the many touchtones throughout my life.  I have many spectacular young adult memories as well as the current wonderful evenings and surprises.  Take a walk with me through the years of birthday touchtones.

How well I remember my 16th birthday.  My parents surprised me with house seats at The Palace - this wonderful theater that attracted acts like Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lewis, Danny Kaye, Lauritz Melchior, and Judy Garland.  In October 1951, Judy Garland opened in a vaudeville-style, two-a-day engagement at the newly refurbished Palace Theatre. Her 19-week engagement exceeded all previous records for the theater and was described as "one of the greatest personal triumphs in show business history."  The moment as Judy took to the edge of the stage with her legs dangling and belting out ‘Over the Rainbow’ - never to be forgotten.  And I was there with Bruce Nelson, a good looking date seated to my right, in a Scotch tweed jacket, itchy as I recall.

Frank Sinatra at the Paramount once said,  “The sound that greeted me was absolutely deafening. It was a tremendous roar. Five thousand kids, stamping, yelling, screaming, applauding. I was scared stiff. I couldn’t move a muscle. Benny Goodman froze, too. He was so scared he turned around, looked at the audience, and said, “What the hell was that?”  I probably wasn’t there that night -  but many Sinatra filled birthdays in the 50‘s.  Friends and family would go to The Brass Rail for celebrations.

That was the beauty of being a teenager and young adult in New York City.  Nothing was out of reach for us.  We could ride the subways without concern and we could afford the price of tickets.  I don’t think we realized at the time that we were living through the most powerful time in music history.

And then came JAZZ - Norman Kranz recruited Gene Krupa and fellow drummer Buddy Rich for his Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts. It was suggested that the two perform a 'drum battle' at the Carnegie Hall concert in September 1952.  I was there with another date, and not in an itchy Scotch tweed jacket.  My date was a drummer, Gene Sass - I can’t believe I remember his name - but he was certainly my guy at the time.  That was until I met my Jerry.  Jerry loved the music as I did.  So, we subwayed into Manhattan to enjoy the Jazz clubs.

Birdland was a favorite jazz club started in New York City in 1949. I celebrated my 20th birthday in that crowded, smoke filled jazz club.   Irving Levy, Morris Primack, and Oscar Goodstein – along with six other partners – purchased the club from Joe Catalano. They adopted the name, "Birdland" to capitalize on the popularity of their regular headliner Charlie “Yardbird” Parker who, at that time, had been enjoying undisputed popularity as a jazz artist.

I was in my 30's during the turbulent decade of the 60's. On unforgettable November 22, 1963,  the assassination of JFK kept us fixated on the TV for days and gave us an insecurity that other decades had not felt before.  I will always remember where I was when Walter Cronkite announced that the President had been shot.   It was at that moment - that my life came into focus.  It was in response to John F. Kennedy’s words at his Inaugural Address - '”Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”


My 51st birthday was one in a million.  On one of our regular NY working trips, Jerry and I went to ‘our’ favorite piano bar - the great Duplex, NY’s world famous cabaret and piano bar in West Greenwich Village. Todd was a New Yorker at the time and introduced us to this Village life.  I didn’t expect what happened because I would never think of it happening - our friend at the piano and at the bar arranged for cast members of La Cage aux Folles to come in that evening, not for me but for the bar.  The words of those songs held so much meaning for me - it was my very favorite show on Broadway at the time.  When they sang “The Best of Times” I remember trembling.  And those words still haunt me today.

The best of times is now
What’s left of Summer
But a faded rose?
The best of times is now
As for tomorrow, well, who knows?
Who knows? Who knows?

So hold this moment fast
And live and love
As Hard as you know how
And make this moment last
Because the best of times is now
Is now, is now

80th Celebration - Bringing us up to this year - just imagine my excitment as I was sitting on the Floor Level in the 19th row of BP Pavillion watching the ever sensational Barbra Streisand. It brought back memories of my attending her first concert in Indianapolis.  Sunday December 1, 1963 in Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University.   Streisand played there almost two months after it opened. The auditorium seated 2,200 people. There she was standing alone on stage in her white middy blouse.  She captured the audience then and now at 70, she still captures her audience but this time with of over 18,000 guests.

A story in the local Indianapolis newspaper in 1963 said:

"Miss Streisand will play an 8:30 p.m. concert Dec. 1 as one of her three concert hall debut-appearances before going back to New York to resume rehearsal for the new musical "Funny Girl", where she will play the starring role of Fanny Brice.  The girl with the much-quoted "Purple grab" in her voice, Miss Streisand specializes in offbeat singing interspersed with quixotic remarks, and is universally acclaimed as the year's 'hottest new singing discovery."

Travel with me!

In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life:
       IT GOES ON.
             Robert Frost

Welcome Friends, Colleagues and Family!

I will be celebrating the Big 80 this month.  Coming face to face with this reality brought me up close and personal to looking at what I am doing and what I want to do with my next many years.  My mom lived to 102 - but my big challenge is to keep enough money sitting comfortably at Schwab.

Perhaps I want to 'take stock' which includes becoming aware of how far I have come from any of the obvious anxiety brought about by the many changes I have confronted over the past four years.  

Of course - losing Jerry as the centerpiece and partner of my wonderful active life was the biggest loss.  But I was somewhat prepared by an extraordinary medical team and my children and family of friends.  What a change from our simple Saturday mornings going to Bella for our manicures and Jerry going off to Mejeirs for what he insisted were real bargains.  Then off to Infinity for their gift of car washes and bagels and toppings.  I sat in all the new cars on the showroom floor - how I loved fast cars.  

And then taking inspiration from Elizabeth Gilbert's search for her center and the need 'to cross over.'  My crossover came when I decided to jump into a whole new life in Palo Alto, surrounded by children and a challenging new philosophy of living.  A liberal city - a Democratic state.  How would my life change with my move to Palo Alto?   I was concerned about the automatic disconnect from government and the politics of 'my community.' I was well established - I always felt lucky that I could pick up the phone and call legislators and the Governor and Mayors from around the state.  I never felt helpless in order to help those who needed help.  Change is good - at least for me.  Certainly nothing to fear. 

As I started to write this blog, I started thinking about what I do and how 'busy' I think I am.

“Life is just a quick succession of busy nothings.”
~ Jane Austen

Do you remember the last time you asked someone how they were?  How about life in general? What was their response?

What did you say the last time you were asked those questions? I bet I know. It’s the same thing almost everyone I talk to says, and something I’ve been keeping track of the past few weeks.

The unanimous answer: “busy”

I must admit that “busy” has been my response for years. But how did we suddenly find ourselves in a society where busy was the most acceptable way to be spending our time? I am not on this earth to be busy.  I am here, hopefully,  to build friendships and relationships, experience life, go places, create things, help others, or whatever else I decide as I get up in the dark of early morning, walk to make a pot of Peet's coffee, pick up the NYTimes outside my door and sit down with "Morning Joe."

Our reasons for being will all be different but I have a feeling that none of us feel we are here simply to be busy.  It is this thinking that put me in front of the computer to share with you and open my mind and heart to what the world has to offer.

My love has always been for children and here I am in Palo Alto -  all I needed to do was change my address and connect with new and more outstanding women.   I still have that fire in the belly to reform what needs to be reformed.  

"Be what you are. This is the first step toward becoming better than you are." ~Julius Charles Hare