Levain Bakery and health care
Life is like a box of chocolates. And national health care is like a cookie.For both, you never know what you're going to get. I'm not saying that everyone needs a cookie or should want or cookie or should even like a cookie. Although if you don't like a cookie, man, you gotta relax. Take it from a guy who's wound up too tightly... cookies are nice. Relaxing even. Of course this is not to say that what constitutes a cookie to person 1 is the same as what constitutes a cookie for person 2. I think it's funny that on food blogs, everyone will rush to do a bracket or some shit for March Madness, because talking about pop culture increases your page views. But talking about politics? Oh no. Homey don't play that. I just never knew there were so many Michael Jordan philosophers in the food world. Yea, Republicans eat too. But I'm going to talk about this dark chocolate peanut butter chip cookie from Levain Bakery and also about this huge momentous occasion in our country. I mean, the most powerful country as of 2010 is instituting a national health care plan. This is big stuff yo, almost as big as cookies from Levain.
A cookie from Levain Bakery is $4. Probably on the expensive side for cookies in NYC in general, although I'd guess if you went by price per ounce, they'll be up there. They serve a hefty cookie, it's not big and wide. It's more like a small brick made out of dark chocolate and peanut butter chips. I really enjoyed it although it's understandable that some feel it's not your typical cookie. I walked by Levain Bakery once on a weekend and the line was nuts. On weekday afternoons though, it's all good.
Levain's cookies aren't as crunchy as flatter cookies. I mean, not all cookies are made alike right? And not everyone likes the same kind of cookies. That's how I see health care. We may quibble over who's doing the baking or what kind of cookies it is... but at least we can say cookies are good. So is health care. We might not know exactly how to make it a nimble, efficient, and super effective. At least we can say, "You know, it ain't so bad if everyone gets a piece." Does this mean that some people won't like their piece? Of course. The truth is you can never ask a baker to always bake the greatest, faultless cookie on the first try. Even if you factor in research over recipes and asking for expert opinions. And it works the same with health care.
The most we can say that is we're heading in the right direction. It might be not delicious, a little delicious, or very delicious to you. I'm not sure what it's going to be like. I'm sure the social security bill was important and a great event in our country as well. But when I retire, shit gonna be gone. It doesn't change that it's a good idea though. Maybe we now know the implementation was askew. Maybe health care will be better. I really hope so. I'm really tired of all the haters. The whole idea of government is to help the people do things they may not do well on their own. And what people do poorly on their own is understand what helps nurture society. I'm tired of the tea party motherfuckers who don't understand how libertarianism can help a country. The world is about more than just what's in your own pocket. So I can afford less pork buns if my taxes are slightly higher. Really, people need to see this for the potential it possess. We're essentially giving everyone access to a cookie and you know, that's pretty damn good.
Levain Bakery
167 W 74th St.
New York, NY 10023
212-874-6080
I really wanted to extend this analogy to cover fee-for-service bullshit, but I realized that I'm actually fairly accepting of fee-for-service outside the health care industry :P
James
March 30, 2010 9:20 pm
@Ang,
You see poo and I see chocolate cookie...
@Kim,
Yea, less is more sometimes. I like a cookie that's quarter of a meal though. It's good but definitely not like the best cookie ever.
@Christine,
The world ain't perfect... less pork buns might make the world a better place in general.
@Jack,
haha, well we're in a mess without it, so...
@Steph,
This is true, we're finally going to get something that most industrialized countries have had for years... The cookie was very chocolatey although not so much chewy as soft.
@Mai,
The comparison to a brownie is fair, although some parts of the cookie were crunchy, whereas a dream brownie for me is soft all over.
Danny
March 29, 2010 1:20 pm
You know we cannot win both sides of the party and I'm saddened to see such extreme bipartisanship within our country. Can't we at least agreed on one thing for the benefit of the country? For the people? Just can't win, can we?
I'm more of a minimalist, so something out of the Levain kitchen won't appeal to me (even though heard great things about the sweets there). FOr me, less is more. :)
kim
March 24, 2010 8:25 am
It's actually not a bad metaphor. So far no politician is forcing the public to buy one brand of cookie. People can still either abstain, make them at home or buy them from places other than Levain.
Maybe there can be a movie with people starving in the streets from lack of cookies, or going bankrupt from being forced to buy $4 cookies. Ah well, as you say, less pork buns.
Christine
March 24, 2010 12:45 pm
That cookie looks like something that came out of the backside of a giant animal. Which actually sort of reminds me of this whole healthcare situation.
Jack
March 24, 2010 6:41 pm
The US have joined the rank of civilized nations, better late than never...
And how was the cookie? Very chocolaty? Chewy?
Steph
March 25, 2010 12:07 pm
I actually think the cookie looks delicious, kinda like brownie made by a four-year-old, unpretentious and chocolaty to the fullest. I mean, who to say a cookie has to be flat and all? Is it chewy?
Mai
March 25, 2010 9:55 pm
Dude, if you're going to compare one of the most monumental legislation in US history to a cookie, don't use picture of a cookie that looks like a big dried wad of poop.
Just to be clear, I'm all for healthcare reform- I almost cried watching Obama signed the bill (albeit imperfect bill)- but that cookie on your page looks like poop.
Ang
March 23, 2010 11:06 pm