Cali Uncovered

Numbers alone can't convey an issue's significance -- tell a man America's 8th Grade math scores lag 22% behind international averages, and his eyes'll glaze over, but tell him we're getting our butts kicked by Slovenia, and he'll say, "Damn, Slovenia?" Get perspective on America's most pressing problem, at LetsShieldCalifornia.com.

Thrillist - Blue Shield of CaliforniaFrom Blue Shield of California, LSC takes Cali's less-than-inspiring healthcare figures -- 6.7 million with no insurance of any kind, 800,000 of them children, 40% with household incomes above $50K, etc -- and puts them into terms graspable even by those who spent algebra perfecting the art of hair-metal band logos. The comparison engine's addictively interactive: you'll add up various populations (actors in LA, capacity of the Rose Bowl, population of UCLA), connect dots into a map, hold your breath, and cover naked statues -- because they represent Californians left uncovered by insurance, not because you're terrified of nudity. To real-world up that lesson, Blue Shield is planting 100 life-size versions of these statues across LA and SF -- when your less-mature friend approaches one with mock lust in his eyes, instead of just saying "You're an idiot", hit him with "Let me tell you what's up with California healthcare".

LSC's also offering the everyman two no-maintenance ways to help solve this crisis: send a pre-written e-letter to Nancy Pelosi, and/or hit today's Chat Box event at Hollywood and Highland to record a quick video of your thoughts -- which hopefully aren't still dragged down by "Damn, Slovenia?".