DFA Progressive Values group name change to Empathy Cafe.

Written by: Edwin Rutsch on Aug 10, 2009 11:19 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Oakland DFA Meetup, Empathy Cafe, California for Democracy, Lake Park, Philly for Change

Greetings

The DFA What are  Progressive Values? group
has not had much activity for some time. I wanted to let you know I've just
changed the group name to Empathy Cafe. http://democracyforamerica.com/groups/2285-empathy-cafe

 From my work of interviewing people about progressive values I've come to see empathy as a core progressive value. It's also the value that Obama ran on. See this compilation video I made from Obama's speeches on empathy.
http://progressivespirit.com/Empathy/Obama/ObamaOnEmpathy.htm

So with that in mind I've been refocusing my work on supporting Obama's call for standing in each other's shoes.  Below is some of the work we've been doing.  More to come shortly.
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Analysis of Private Health Insurance Industry $2 Trillion “Savings” Proposal

Written by: Scott R on May 13, 2009 8:44 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Washington, Blog For America, Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), Democracy for Brevard North, Democracy for Texas

The private health insurance industry proposes to reduce health care spend and slow rate increases over the next 10 years to provide $2 trillion in “savings”?

Let's analyze what that might mean.

Analysis of Private Health Insurance Industry $2 Trillion Savings Proposal

The purpose of this analysis is meant to provide grounding, and further the discussions and progress of US health care reform.

Please note that all statistics are rounded to make the calculations and comprehension of the concepts more straightforward.

Please provide feedback to make this information more correct and useful.

US Private Health Insurance Industry $2 Trillion Savings Proposal

The private health insurance industry proposes to reduce health care spend and slow premium increases over the next 10 years to provide $2 trillion in savings.

2009 US Health Care Spend

Total 2009 US health care annual spend is widely accepted to be US $2.5 trillion.

US Private Health Insurance Industry Market

Today, 1200 US private health insurance companies make up the US private health insurance industry that insures 60% of the US population, or 180 million Americans.

Approximately 180 million Americans are covered by private health insurance.   At an estimate of $10,000 per person per year, that amounts to roughly $1.8 trillion annually.  

At $1.8 trillion annually, the private health insurance industry administers 70% of the total $2.5 trillion US health care annual spend. 

Whether for profit or non profit, the private health insurance industry is lucrative. In fact, of the $1.8 trillion private health insurance industry, 31% goes directly to private health insurance industry administrative costs and income.  So, for every US health care dollar spent by privately insured Americans, an average of 31 cents goes to the US private health insurers' administration and income, or approximately $580 billion annually.

If the private health insurance industry continues to administer 70% of the US health care industry at $1.8 trillion annually over the next 10 years, the total 10 year private health insurance industry would be $18 trillion at current US health insurance industry premiums and health care costs (obviously assuming no growth or reduction in the private health insurance and health care industries). 

Also, if the private health industry continues a 31% administrative costs and income at $580 billion annually over the next 10 years, the health insurance industry would receive $5.8 trillion for administrative costs and income at current US health insurance industry premiums and health care costs (once again assuming no growth or reduction in the private health insurance and health care industries). 

However, the US health care industry is estimated to grow as much as 60% or to a total of $40 trillion over the next 10 years.  

If the private health insurance industry continues to administer 70% of the total US health care annual spend over the next 10 years, the total private health insurance industry would be $24 trillion.  

And if the private health insurance industry maintains a 31% overhead over the next 10 years, a total of over $7.7 trillion would go directly to private health insurance industry operational costs and income. 

Over the next 10 years, the private health insurance industry could potentially see a $24 trillion industry that includes $7.7 trillion operational costs and income.

Does it really cost $7.7 trillion to write policies and process health care bills?  

With a potential total industry of nearly $24 trillion over the next 10 years, I am not surprised that the private health insurance industry proposed $2 trillion in reduced spending and slower premium increases. That's less than 10% in an industry that is projected to grow 60%.

US Private Health Insurance Industry Overhead

How does the private health insurance industry realize a 31% overhead today?

The 180 million Americans with private health insurance are statistically healthier, wealthier, and have less costly medical conditions (e.g. not terminally ill like a larger segment of those on Medicare, etc.).   By taking advantage of advances in information technology, automating business processes, and setting policies to deny coverage and insure the young, healthy, and wealthy is where the private health insurance industry realizes 31% overhead for administrative costs and income.

US Medicare and Medicaid/SCHIP Markets

How does private health insurance overhead compare to Medicare and Medicaid/SCHIP?

Medicare covers 45 million seniors or 15 percent of the US population. At an estimate of $10,000 per person per year, that amounts to $450 billion annually (including unfortunately $60 billion in fraud annually), with an overhead of only 3% or $13.5 billion annually due to no income requirement or excessive administrative costs and salaries. 

Medicare has some excesses and inefficiencies.   Also, seniors are statistically an unhealthier segment of the US population, while many require more expensive long term health care, especially the terminally ill.  The fact that this segment of the US population is growing the fastest will make matters even more complicated in the very near future. 

Medicaid/SCHIP costs are $300 billion annually (also including unfortunately $40 billion in fraud annually) for 30 million children, families, and seniors who are 65 or older, blind or disabled and have limited income, or roughly 10 percent of the US population.  At an estimate of $10,000 per person per year, that amounts to roughly $300 billion annually, with an overhead of only 3% or $9 billion annually due to no income requirement or excessive administrative costs and salaries. 

Medicaid/SCHIP also has some excesses and inefficiencies.  Additionally, low income groups are statistically an unhealthier and less literate segment of any population, and administering health care coverage and treatment can be more challenging.   Regrettably, this segment of the US population is also growing.

Analysis of Private Health Insurance Industry $2 Trillion “Savings” Proposal

Written by: Scott R on May 13, 2009 7:53 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Tennessee, Netroots Activism!, Democracy for New York, Blog For America, Democracy for Texas

The private health insurance industry proposes to reduce health care spend and slow rate increases over the next 10 years to provide $2 trillion in “savings”?

Let's analyze what that might mean.

Analysis of Private Health Insurance Industry $2 Trillion Savings Proposal

The purpose of this analysis is meant to provide grounding, and further the discussions and progress ofUS health care reform.

Please note that all statistics are rounded to make the calculations and comprehension of the concepts more straightforward.

Please provide feedback to make this information more correct and useful.

US Private Health Insurance Industry $2 Trillion Savings Proposal

The private health insurance industry proposes to reduce health care spend and slow premium increases over the next 10 years to provide $2 trillion in savings.

2009 US Health Care Spend

Total 2009 US health care annual spend is widely accepted to be US $2.5 trillion.

US Private Health Insurance Industry Market

Today, 1200 US private health insurance companies make up the US private health insurance industry that insures 60% of the US population, or 180 million Americans.

Approximately 180 million Americans are covered by private health insurance.   At an estimate of $10,000 per person per year, that amounts to roughly $1.8 trillion annually.  

At $1.8 trillion annually, the private health insurance industry administers 70% of the total $2.5 trillion US health care annual spend. 

Whether for profit or non profit, the private health insurance industry is lucrative. In fact, of the $1.8 trillion private health insurance industry, 31% goes directly to private health insurance industry administrative costs and income.  So, for every US health care dollar spent by privately insured Americans, an average of 31 cents goes to the US private health insurers' administration and income, or approximately $580 billion annually.

If the private health insurance industry continues to administer 70% of the US health care industry at $1.8 trillion annually over the next 10 years, the total 10 year private health insurance industry would be $18 trillion at current US health insurance industry premiums and health care costs (obviously assuming no growth or reduction in the private health insurance and health care industries). 

Also, if the private health industry continues a 31% administrative costs and income at $580 billion annually over the next 10 years, the health insurance industry would receive $5.8 trillion for administrative costs and income at current US health insurance industry premiums and health care costs (once again assuming no growth or reduction in the private health insurance and health care industries). 

However, the US health care industry is estimated to grow as much as 60% or to a total of $40 trillion over the next 10 years.  

If the private health insurance industry continues to administer 70% of the total US health care annual spend over the next 10 years, the total private health insurance industry would be $24 trillion.  

And if the private health insurance industry maintains a 31% overhead over the next 10 years, a total of over $7.7 trillion would go directly to private health insurance industry operational costs and income. 

Over the next 10 years, the private health insurance industry could potentially see a $24 trillion industry that includes $7.7 trillion operational costs and income.

Does it really cost $7.7 trillion to write policies and process health care bills?  

With a potential total industry of nearly $24 trillion over the next 10 years, I am not surprised that the private health insurance industry proposed $2 trillion in reduced spending and slower premium increases. That's less than 10% in an industry that is projected to grow 60%.

US Private Health Insurance Industry Overhead

How does the private health insurance industry realize a 31% overhead today?

The 180 million Americans with private health insurance are statistically healthier, wealthier, and have less costly medical conditions (e.g. not terminally ill like a larger segment of those on Medicare, etc.).   By taking advantage of advances in information technology, automating business processes, and setting policies to deny coverage and insure the young, healthy, and wealthy is where the private health insurance industry realizes 31% overhead for administrative costs and income.

US Medicare and Medicaid/SCHIP Markets

How does private health insurance overhead compare to Medicare and Medicaid/SCHIP?

Medicare covers 45 million seniors or 15 percent of the US population. At an estimate of $10,000 per person per year, that amounts to $450 billion annually (including unfortunately $60 billion in fraud annually), with an overhead of only 3% or $13.5 billion annually due to no income requirement or excessive administrative costs and salaries. 

Medicare has some excesses and inefficiencies.   Also, seniors are statistically an unhealthier segment of the US population, while many require more expensive long term health care, especially the terminally ill.  The fact that this segment of the US population is growing the fastest will make matters even more complicated in the very near future. 

Medicaid/SCHIP costs are $300 billion annually (also including unfortunately $40 billion in fraud annually) for 30 million children, families, and seniors who are 65 or older, blind or disabled and have limited income, or roughly 10 percent of the US population.  At an estimate of $10,000 per person per year, that amounts to roughly $300 billion annually, with an overhead of only 3% or $9 billion annually due to no income requirement or excessive administrative costs and salaries. 

Medicaid/SCHIP also has some excesses and inefficiencies.  Additionally, low income groups are statistically an unhealthier and less literate segment of any population, and administering health care coverage and treatment can be more challenging.   Regrettably, this segment of the US population is also growing.

(Sacramento) - Home Stretch...Vote for Karen Bernal: Friday 5:30 PM

Written by: Susan Rowe on Apr 23, 2009 6:38 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Sacramento For Democracy, Blog For America, California for Democracy

We're Almost There!

 

Tomorrow evening at 5:30, the Progressive Caucus will meet and hold elections for new officers.  It's been an exciting campaign!  I've been able to travel throughout the state and talk to progressives to get their input on what they would like to see out of our Progressive Caucus.  From our big blue cities, to our most rural counties, I have spoken to many activists and found that we can learn a lot from them all.  I want to encourage greater participation in our caucus from progressives in ALL 58 counties and give them the representation that they deserve.  Let's give the 58 County Plan a progressive flavor! 

We must also end the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan and prevent future pre-emptive wars; Enact a Single-Payer Health Care system (SB 810 & HR 676) because Healthcare is a right, not a privilege for the few that can afford it; Demand Equal Rights for all regardless of gender, race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or religion (and over-turn Prop 8);  Protect our environment for our children and our children's children; Protect and improve our Public School system by demanding it receive the funding it needs; Protect the right of all workers to organize; Insure that our voting systems allow everyone to cast a vote and have that vote counted as cast; Work for public financing of campaigns (Clean Money);  Abolish the Death Penalty; Increase affordable housing to help the growing numbers of homeless in our society; Adjust cuts to social services in our state; Close the digital divide and provide an internet that is accessible to all; Restore the Constitution and our democracy!; and much more - Wow, we've got a lot of work to do!

I am so honored by all of the great supporters of my campaign.  This week I received the endorsement from Henry Vandermeir (President, California Democratic Council) and the Yolo County Central Committee to add to the endorsements from over two dozen Democratic Clubs and Central Committees, five Democratic Regional Directors, over a dozen E-Board Reps, elected officials, candidates, LGBT & Labor leaders, and hundreds of Democratic delegates and activists throughout the state!   A list of my supporters can be found on my website:  http://karenforpcchair.org/2009/02/endorsements.html

I look forward to meeting many of you this weekend at the Convention.  Remember, you do not need to be a delegate to attend the Progressive Caucus.  Any registered Democrat can join the Caucus at the convention ($10 yearly dues) and vote for the officers, so feel free to bring your friends!  There will be great parties after our meeting at the convention center and the surrounding areas with lots of free food and drinks, so please join us and make an evening out of it.

The Progressive Caucus will meet:

Tomorrow, Friday, April 24th, 5:30 PM
Sacramento Convention Center
1400 J St., Sacramento, CA 95814
MAP

Just follow the signs to the Progressive Caucus (upstairs) once you get into the convention center.

I want to thank all of the volunteers from my campaign for the endless hours they have put into making phone calls, sending emails, organizing events, travel arrangements, etc...  Our campaign would be nothing with out their endless energy and support!

See you all this weekend!

Organizing Truth to Power,
Karen Bernal
Officer-At-Large, Progressive Caucus, CDP
5th AD Exec. Board Representative ; Elected Member, Sacramento County DCC
NorCal Coordinator, Progressive Democrats of America
Co-Founder, Wellstone Democratic Club of Sacramento
Co-Founder, Sacramento for Democracy
CWA, Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO; Former Organizer, ILWU Int'l

INDIVIDUAL ENDORSEMENTS (as of 04/22/09): * All titles for identification only

• Darrell Steinberg, Senate President pro Tem, CA District 6 *
  
• Mark Leno, State Senator, CA District 3; Author SR 7, Opposing Prop 8;
• Author SB 810, Single Payer Healthcare *
  
• Charlie Brown, Congressional Candidate, CA-04 *
  
• John A. Perez, Assemblymember, CA Dist 46, Los Angeles; Democratic Caucus Chair *
  
• Mariko Yamada, Assemblymember, CA District 8 *
  
• Pedro Nava, Assemblymember, CA District 35, Santa Barbara *
  
• Aleita Huguenin, Chair, DNC Western Regional Caucus; Vice Chair, Labor Caucus, CDP; Retired Political Director, CA Teachers Assoc. *
  
• Mayme Hubert, CDP, Region 2 Director, Co-Founder and Secretary, Progressive Caucus, CDP; Co-Founder, Take Back Red California *
  
• Mal Burnstein, Co-Founder and Co-Chair, Progressive Caucus, CDP *
  
• Dotty LeMieux, DSCC E-Board Rep, Marin DCC; Co-Founder and Officer at Large, Progressive Caucus, CDP *
  
• Medea Benjamin, Co-Founder, CODEPINK; Co-Founder, Global Exchange; Board Member, Progressive Democrats of America *
  
• Laurie McBride, Co-Chair, National Stonewall Democrats; Northern Chair, LGBT Caucus, CDP; 9th AD Delegate; Member, Sacramento Stonewall *
  
• Henry Vandermeir, President, California Democratic Council (CDC) *
  
• Jamie Beutler, Chair, Rural Caucus, CDP *

more endorsements after the jump...

Read more

SB 810 (Leno) Kick-Off Event Supporting California's Single Payer Bill

Written by: Susan Rowe on Apr 10, 2009 5:56 PM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA-CFD of Fresno & Madera Counties, DFA-CFD of Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties , Capitol Area Progressives (CAP) , Democratic Club of Coarsegold, Sacramento For Democracy

SB 810 (the new single payer bill) has been introduced into the legislature. The first public hearing on the bill is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15th before the Senate Health Committee. Please join us for lunch and targeted legislative visits prior to the hearing at 1:30 in Room 4203.  We are hoping to turnout hundreds of supporters to show that the movement for single payer is growing – and that it is the only real health reform proposal that covers everyone and will contain costs.  If you cannot be in Sacramento, you can still help (see below).

Join us for the first hearing to support

SB 810 in the Senate Health Committee
 
WHEN -- Wed., April 15th : 12pm Lunch/1:30pm Hearing
WHERE --  Capitol Cafeteria (basement) - West Dining Room, Sacramento

Transportation available from the following locations:

Berkeley: 10:15am/Ashby Bart – Ashby @ MLK, Berkeley/ 415-550-0828
Central Valley: Carpools from Stockton & Modesto – Call 209-823-3890 to reserve
Placer County: Carpools from Rocklin area - Call 916-435-9760
San Francisco: 9:45am / N side Fulton St. between Hyde and Larkin, SF/ 415-550-0828
Vallejo: 10:30am/ Elks Lodge, 2850 Redwood Parkway, Vallejo/ 415-550-0828
SACRAMENTO AREA: You are on your own to get to the capitol – but must rsvp for lunch.

RSVP to California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) at 415-550-0828 if you are planning to attend and want lunch. You must rsvp by April 10th to be guaranteed a seat or ride. Donations will be collected.

DFA Campaign Academy in Fresno March 28-29, 2009

Written by: Susan Rowe on Mar 20, 2009 10:27 AM EDT

Linked to groups: San Diego for Democracy, DFA Trust, Democracy for Environmental Awareness, Courage Campaign, DFA Job Board

Obama and the New Spirit of Empathy Group: Updates

Written by: Edwin Rutsch on Feb 27, 2009 12:10 PM EST

Linked to groups: DFA Night School, PA for Democracy, DFA Film Club, Democracy for Maryland, Blog For America

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

The capacity to know emotionally what another is experiencing from within the frame of reference of that other person, the capacity to sample the feelings of another or to put oneself in another’s shoes.   D. M. Berger

Barack Obama is leading a movement based on values and at the core of this is the value of empathy. Barack talks about empathy and the importance of 'standing in other peoples shoes', in many of his speeches (I've collected 50 so far).  Empathy is the most basic value he ran on and he says the country has an 'empathy deficit' that needs to be filled. We are forming an Empathy Values Group to build on Obama's call to address the empathy deficit. 

A sense of similarity in feelings experienced by the self and the other, without confusion between the two individuals.^{Jean Decety}

As part of this empathy movement, we are also putting together a video of his talking about this topic to give it some context and promote this foundational progressive value. Let's help fill the empathy deficit by making people more aware of the topic. This is a collaborative project and we invite you to take part.  See.

Barack Obama and a New Spirit of Empathy (rough cut 1)  (1 hr 15 min)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6504935098489252112

A Chronological Video of Barack on Empathy - Compiled from about 30 of Barack's speeches and interviews, etc on the topic of empathy. 

Here's a review of the video:  Hi Edwin, It is truly wonderful that you and others have grasped the brass ring of the progressive movement by highlighting the core issue of Empathy. I now see that everything about the rising of Barack Obama and the revolution in America is based on this principle. Thank you, thank you for your effort and the timely reminder to me of what is really important. It's easy to get lost in the dust that is being raised by so many who sincerely want to see change and see it quickly. But it is crucial to remember why we are being called in this time in history to change. You are exactly right, it is Empathy. Warmly, Terri  Jan 28, 2009.
 

Some more Video About Empathy

•  
  •  
    •  
      •  
        •     Nova: Mirror Neurons and Empathy
              A video about Mirror Neurons which could be  the physiological source of empathy.

      •     George Lakoff on Empathy
            Lakoff talks about Obama and empathy.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = =
Next Empathy Group Meeting Dates
   (online and in person)
= = = = = = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = =

How might we nurture, promote or foster empathy within ourselves, as a group and within the larger culture through a balance of action and reflection?

Attend In Person meetings in the Bay Area. El Cerrito, CA. Meetings are ongoing, every week .
Sign up at:

Saturday, Feb 28, 2009, 2 - 5 pm  
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpt2lv
At this meeting we'll brainstorm  about projects to work on.

Saturday, Mar 07, 2009, 2-5 pm
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gptyrd

Saturday, Mar 21, 2009, 2-5 pm
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gptyrg

Saturday, April 04, 2009, 2-5 pm
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gptyrl

= = = = = = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = =

An affective response that stems from the apprehension or comprehension of another’s emotional state or condition, and that is similar to what the other person is feeling or would be expected to feel.   Nancy Eisenberg

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Resource Links
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Group  Website: Barack Obama and the New Spirit of Empathy
     http://progressivespirit.com/Empathy/

Video: Barack Obama and a New Spirit of Empathy - Rough Cut 1 (1 hr 15 min)
    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6504935098489252112
    Compiled from about 30 of Barack's speeches and interviews, etc on the topic of empathy.
    It clearly makes the case that the most important value that Obama is promoting is empathy.

Online Discussion Group
     http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ProgressiveValues/
     Take part from anywhere online. We hold ongoing online discussions, brainstorming and meetings.
      Join the project discussion list by sending an email to:
     ProgressiveValues-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
      http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ProgressiveValues/
= = = = = = = = = = = = = =
 

Best

Edwin Rutsch

Watch Countdown with Keith Olbermann on the net at http://liberal.democratz.org

Written by: Dennis Baer on Feb 17, 2009 4:04 PM EST

Linked to groups: DuPage Democracy For Illinois, Democracy For America - Metro West of Boston, Emerald City DFA, DFA-Denver, DFA-Evanston North Shore

Did you miss last night's episode of Countdown with Keith Olbermann? Does your tv system not have MSNBC? If so then you can watch Countdown with Keith Olbermann on the net at

http://liberal.democratz.org and if you can't get to that web page then go to

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze2pnn4/dmocrats1/id2.html

Read more

Send this letter to congress to end Republiklan filibusters and get needed legislation enacted. http://write2congress.buyblue.biz

Written by: Dennis Baer on Feb 17, 2009 1:19 PM EST

Linked to groups: NJ Draft Gore, Parade Brigade Minnesota, San Fernando Valley Grassroots for Democracy, Philly for Change, DC Kickball Dems

Send the following letter by fax to Senate Republican minority leader Senator Mitch McConnell. Tell other people to visit this site and have these people to get other people to visit this site.

Go to http://write2congress.buyblue.biz which will have the letter shown below in the text box and the fax information for Senator McConnell. Just enter your name and email in the left hand box and fill in the captcha code and then click on the button that reads send free fax now.


Dear Senator Senator McConnell

I want the following actions taken and legislation enacted into law.

Read more

Obama Empathy Values Movement Meetings and Video Now Online

Written by: Edwin Rutsch on Jan 27, 2009 3:53 PM EST

Linked to groups: Lake Park, Democracy for Texas, Blog For America, Washington Fair Elections, DFA at Netroots Nation (formerly YearlyKos) July 17-20

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

I recently uploaded a video I compiled from about 30 of Barack's speeches and interviews, etc on the topic of empathy. It clearly makes the case that the most important value that Obama is promoting is empathy.  You can see it here;

Barack Obama and a New Spirit of Empathy - Rough Cut 1(1 hr 15 min)

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6504935098489252112

I've also collect about 50 speeches from Barack and Michelle where they talk about empathy. You can see the full list and text here
http://progressivespirit.com/Empathy

Obama Empathy Values Movement Group
Barack Obama led a campaign based on values and at the core of this is the value of empathy.  Obama repeatedly says the country has an 'Empathy Deficit'. We are forming a group to build on Obama's call to address the empathy deficit. We are holding weekly meetings to form a group to promote a  national ethos change to greater empathy.  The weekly meetings are from 2 to 4 in El Cerrito (near Berkeley),  CA.  You can also join us for online discussions on the Yahoo discussion list at  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ProgressiveValues/

At the next meetings we'll brainstorm about how to build the group.

As part of this empathy movement, we're also putting together a video of Barack's many speeches on empathy.  You can see the first rough cut here. Compiled from about 30 of Barack's speeches and interviews, etc on the topic of empathy.
Barack Obama and a New Spirit of Empathy
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6504935098489252112
 

Read more