The week the White House launched a website called Reality Check, obviously aimed at the younger “internet set” to voice its side of the story on Obama’s healthcare reform and answer some of the questions that have arisen. This is one of those issues that I’ve heard about all. over. the place. But the sad truth is, I haven’t been listening much, and either have a lot of other people our age. It suddenly occurred to me that I have heard an awful lot about what our parents and grandparents think on the issue, but next to nothing on it from girls like me.

Are you all like me and just not paying attention, or is it just that we aren’t talking it out?

Well here’s your chance, ladies. If you don’t know what’s going on, it’s time to get informed. If you do, well, duke it out. I want to know what you all think.

But first, we all gotta know what’s up. If you’ve been a little lax in your news watching (like me) or if you just love legalese, here’s the official barackobama.com PDF on the healthcare reform plan. Now, if you weren’t patient enough to wade through all of that (because who is?), I’ve slogged through a lot of the recent news on both sides and here’s the gist:

On the “pro” side: The Obama plan addresses some of the big problems with healthcare right now – the high costs, the hoops doctors and patients have to jump through, the big money insurance companies make at the public’s expense and the way that the poor get the worst level of healthcare (if they’re lucky enough to get any at all). The Obama plan, it seems, would create an option where the government would help subsidize certain qualifying insurance plans to make them more affordable for everyone, particularly low-income people who can’t afford insurance now.

There have been a number of assurances that the new program would be strictly voluntary, particularly aimed at those without healthcare now. And there are plenty of modern countries, like the UK, that have government run healthcare systems, which many argue are more effective than our own. Even in the US, many note, government-run systems like Medicare do a better job of providing care than private HMOs, which could be a strong point for a bureaucratically based system, as well as the heavier regulations that would come along with government control.

Perhaps the biggest point on the the “pro” list is the basic fact that our current system just isn’t working. Community hospitals have had a hard time in the last few years, with many going bankrupt and being replaced by for-profit facilities that do much less for lower-income groups. Many healthcare workers have lost jobs and both the cost of procedures and the amount of time it takes to get them approved and covered has only gone up.

On the “con” side: The details are still a little sketchy on how exactly things would work with the plan due in large part to the fact that the program actually only exists in the form of several different drafts, leaving a lot of important facets to the reform left to be nailed down.

Some say that the system for funding the $1 trillion program (a major expenditure in still difficult economic times) would probably backfire and end up with the middle-class footing most of the bill. It also seems likely that those who can already afford healthcare would hold onto their superior plans, with many doctors catering to them, leaving those with the government subsidized plan with mediocre coverage and facilities once again.

There are also many who balk at the level of government control that would be involved, even suggesting that certain healthcare rights might be lost in the program, and no one wants that. Despite assurance that no one will be forced to use the government plan, there’s a big question about how government subsidized insurance can co-exist with a for-profit plan. The government plan would almost necessarily undercut the current insurance companies (otherwise, it’s existence would be pointless), potentially causing the for-profit companies to fail and ultimately pushing everyone into the subsidized insurance - in direct opposition with what they seem to be trying to do.

Finally, one of the big beefs about the current bill is that it has been put together very quickly and is intended to be pushed through in just weeks with very little concrete information out there about what exactly the whole affair is about.

Obviously there’s still a lot of questions up in the air right now and the Obama administration has been criticized from both sides about how poorly the information about the new bill has been distributed. Maybe the new website will help, but it looks like many of the major news sources have already cast their vote against the effort. Still, with the current healthcare system taking some hard hits, it’s obvious something needs to be done.

So what do you think ladies? Am I getting it all wrong? Is the new healthcare reform a good idea? The best of a bunch of bad ideas? Or just a bad idea altogether?

Of course a week later that said boyfriend came back with his tail between his legs promising to make it better. He’s seen how ugly the world can be without you and, damn it, he’s changed.

Oh and look at that; Facebook is right on schedule, trying to make amends just like your last douchey boyfriend. But this time it’s different; this time there’s hope! It may be a dysfunctional relationship, but it’s our dysfunctional relationship and we’re listening, Facebook. I’ve missed our late night sessions, wasting time together, looking at old pictures…

Some may call it an obsession but I call it love.

This time Facebook has a plan to woo me back. A week after we heard about the policy change (the one that would allow Facebook to obtain permanent rights to your pictures, wall posts and information), the most popular social-networking site has changed its mind and will instead give users more control over future Facebook rules and practices. The first step being several town hall style meetings that would allow users to comment on the new proposed statement of rights and responsibilities.

In the long run this arrangement sounds like it could be healthier for everyone. It feels good to talk out our problems, compromise, and make suggestions like adults. But while we’re on the subject I have some ideas.

Ideas that could really take this relationship to the next level.

I love the idea of giving me back my ownership rights and everything, but it’s really important that we stay, “stalker friendly.” I don’t want to have another discussion a week from now where I learn that I can’t creepily browse through my “friend’s” photos anymore. And what if we had and und0 option for those drunken Facebook mistakes? Sort of a virtual “oops” where I can erase that comment about watching that guy in chem class. Oh, and one more thing – I would really love it if I had full access to celebrity profiles. And contact info…

Just some suggestions. I think if we can make those teeny tiny changes we could be together forever.

What about you? Got any ideas?

[Photo courtesy of Flickr]

This series is meant to provide advice for getting the most out of college, rather than just getting through it. So far we’ve already discussed having a professor as a BFF, and now we’re going to explore the college town…beyond the pub crawl!]

College is a learning experience that extends outside classroom walls. You’re not just amassing knowledge from textbooks, but learning how to manage your time and live on your own. It sounds corny, but it’s true. And one aspect of learning at college that many tend to overlook is learning about your surroundings: your college town.

You may know the basic landmarks (the freshman bar, the frat bar, the upperclassmen bar, the jock bar), but if your only contribution to the local economy is your weekend drinking cash, you could be missing out on much, much more. Whether you go to a small college tucked away in the hills, or a major university in an urban jungle, there is sure to be something exceptional about the land just off campus.

If you go to a rural or secluded school, see if there are any local harvest-your-own farms. Is there apple picking nearby? Or perhaps a place to pick up fresh corn or milk? You might never be able to boast about having such fresh food again! Maybe there’s a lake not too far away for swimming (or skating, in the winter). Take a few friends out for a pick-up hockey game to mix things up on a Saturday afternoon. The best thing about these activities is that they’re either dirt cheap, or free.

If you go to a suburban or small-town school, see if there are any pick-up or recreational sports leagues in the area. It’s a great way to get in touch with local culture, especially if you want to start establishing yourself outside of school. If you’re a runner or cyclist, see if there are any races being run in the area. Are there any museums or historical landmarks nearby? Stop by the town hall to find out. Perhaps there are local music or art festivals held annually where you might be able to pick up some original wall hangings or discover a new band or two.

If you go to an urban, big-city school, the possibilities are really endless. You probably have access to public transportation and major centers of culture and commerce. Take advantage! Not everyone gets the chance to say they’ve lived in New York/Boston/DC/LA/Chicago etc., so take the time to get the know the city like a native. Do they film television shows or movies in your city? See if you can sign up for a filming! Furthermore, see if your school has an internship program and try to get some work experience in the city. Chances are, you could be connected to your dream job with all the networking possibilities in your area.

If you take the time to get to know your area, you’ll become a more cultured and interesting person–traits that are extremely handy when it comes time for job interviews. When they ask, “when was the last time you tried something new?” you’ll be all ready to supply them with the story about the time you chartered a bike tour in the mountains near campus. But even more importantly, everyone reaches a point where going to the same bars every weekend just doesn’t cut it anymore. By discovering what’s up in your new neighborhood, you’ll learn how to entertain and sustain yourself. Isn’t that what college is all about?

[Come back to find out the next must-do on my list: Join a Club You Never Thought You Would.]

The event is going to be moderated by NBC’s Tom Brokaw, but instead of Tommy asking the questions, the debate will have a town hall format.

Which means the people get to ask the questions.

So, people of Nashville who will be sitting pretty in the town hall-y debate, if you are reading this, we have a few questions we’d like to ask the candidates. Real questions that require real answers instead of that fluff Gwen Ifill came up with (and Sarah Palin dodged) during the VP “debate.”

1. Honestly, do you think President Bush was qualified to run this country? If not, how does that make you feel now? How badly would you hate yourself if you lost?

2. Inquiring minds want to know: Peanut Butter Crunch or Crunch Berries?

3. If you could only change one thing during your term as President (and money was not an issue), what would it be?

4. When SNL makes fun of you, does it hurt?

5. Barack, do you really eat 4-6 eggs a day, or are you a p*ssy who only eats the whites?

6. Tell us, McCain, what have you learned from living through the Civil War, WW1, WW2, Vietnam and the current Iraq sitch?

7. Would you rather have George Bush walk in on you having sex, or walk in on he and Laura doin’ the naughty dance?

8. What would you do to Osama Bin Laden if you had him in your office right now (and no one was watching)?

9. Would you eat PB slices?

10. Do you really like holding babies/shaking people’s hands/hugging creepy strangers, or is it all an act?

11. You both claim to want to fix the current Global Warming problem, yet you both tool around this country on airplanes/in giant buses. How can you justify that?

12. Is there any money left in either of your budgets to help Amy Winehouse?