Forward Thinkers

Would you ignore a smoking car until it needed to be towed to a shop? Or wait until leaking pipes flooded your house before contacting a contractor? If you did, you’d expect to pay a heavy premium to repair what’s likely become major damage—usually much more than the cost of simple maintenance. But for most Americans, this is exactly what we do when it comes to our health. Up to now, this approach has been mindboggling for policy makers and healthcare providers.

Fernando Jara knows what second chances are all about. He’s a high school dropout and at age 17 was already on parole. But, members of the community gave him a structure and path, allowing him to contribute positively.

As California works to right its economy and deal in a meaningful way with the challenges it faces, we are reminded of the role we as citizens and voters can play in the process.