About the Archimedes Movement
WeCanDoBetter.org, is a member-driven project of the Archimedes Movement, led by former Oregon governor John Kitzhaber, MD.
The Archimedes Movement is committed to building meaningful opportunities for engagement and direct action to champion solutions to the common challenges we face. We are rooted in the firm belief that we can do better. We can advance the common good by supporting those things that benefit us all and make Oregon a better place.
The Archimedes Movement, by creating opportunities for community engagement, provides a vehicle through which the growing concern over the U.S. health care system can be channeled into effective action - not only in creating the vision for a more equitable and sustainable system – but also in building the tension necessary for the realization of that vision. The movement serves as a catalyst to drive the national debate on this subject that we so desperately need. Through that energy we've launched WeCanDoBetter.org.
The challenge of upgrading our outdated health care “operating system” to reflect the realities of today is complicated by the fact that our politics have become largely transactional – “lower my taxes and I will vote for you;” “give me prescription drug coverage and I will vote for you.” And it works the other way around as well - “vote for me and I will cut your taxes;” “vote for me and I will fund schools first.” The problem is that these transactions are all about “me” – and have nothing to do with “us.” They are all about what I can get, not what I can give. They neither foster a sense of the larger public interest; nor do they advance the common good. This way of looking at things fails to give us an idea of how we can become part of a solution.
The Archimedes Movement was launched on the recognition that we cannot effectively meet the challenges we face unless we find that sense of common purpose and dispel the belief that if we can just elect a new governor; a different legislature; a different congress or a new president – all our problems will be resolved. These problems cannot be solved without some risks and sacrifices, which means they will not be solved by relying solely on a political process which is set up to reward people who play it safe - who ask at every decision point “which action offers the safest path to retain my position?”
The problems we face impact all of us and they cannot be solved unless we do it`together. Unless we – the people – can agree on a broad vision for what they want their health care system to look like; on the values they want it to reflect and the outcomes they want it to produce – the political process cannot and will not do it for us. We have to find ways to take action and make our voices heard. WeCanDoBetter.org is the venue to make that better future a reality that we all take part in shaping. Join us now.
