Rising Sense of Racial Optimism

The article in the New York Times, May 3 2009, reflected on racial optimism. Samuel Sallis from Milwaukee shared that he was always left wanting respect and courtesy, but has now noticed a change in how he is addressed since Obama took office. He said that people started addressing him as Mr. and sir. The article says that interviews with black men and women show a favored outcome of the generosity but still do not admit that racial prejudice has disappeared.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, active hates crimes have increased by 50 percent since 2000, and Homeland Security warned that right-wing extremists could use Mr. Obama election as a recruitment tool. However, more black men and women are beginning to feel more at ease and don’t have to question motives behind conversations with white folks. The article says the power of positive images of Mr. Obama and his family have no doubt played a role for both races.

I think it’s great that black people are feeling less tense about how whites address them, and I also think we must do everything in our power to make sure that all men are indeed treated equal. Mr. Obama is doing the best he can with the American people. I am sure it doesn’t matter to him if people are black, white, red, or yellow. Everyone, regardless of the color of their skin, should remember the great commandment,” Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them”, Matthew 7:12.

Prison Crusade

In an article by Christopher Hayes that appeared in the April 15, 2009 edition of The Nation, we are told of efforts by Senator James Webb of Virginia to bring reform to existing criminal justice policy through a bill he introduced in the Senate called the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009. The senator noted, in a tour of the Bragg Hill Family Life Center, which provides social services to ex-offenders in Fredericksburg, Virginia, that the United States has “5% of the world’s population and 25% of the people in prison.” He particularly scoffed at the widespread imprisonment of non-violent drug offenders, saying “I saw more drug use at Georgetown University Law Center when I was a student there than I’ve seen anywhere else in my life … and some of those people are judges.”

While I agree with what the senator is trying to accomplish, I disagree with one of the author’s major contentions. The fact that a politician, who in the past consistently sided with the right in social policy, is now calling for reform, does not necessarily signal that the culture wars may be drawing to a close. On the contrary, as I understand the article, no one is advocating a change in direction as it relates to violent crimes – murder, rape, robbery, child molestation, etc – but rather taking a common-sense approach to the decriminalization, or at least relaxation of laws pertaining to certain non-violent, drug offences – particularly regarding marijuana. I have actually heard of violent criminals in the state of Kentucky being released early from their sentences in order to make room for the incarceration of non-violent drug offenders!

How do the demonization of marijuana (which I don’t use, condone, or advocate) and its overzealous prosecution affect an average citizen like me? Every year I am routinely monitored by government helicopters (federal, state, or county, I know not) while working in my garden (to assure that I am tending a legal crop, no doubt). In fact, this last summer, I was paid a not-so-friendly visit by three of Menifee county’s finest, who after succinctly announcing that they would hurt my dog if I didn’t chain it up, went on to proclaim that they had seen marijuana from the air growing down by the barn. Naturally, I told them I had nothing to hide, and after an hour of searching, they sheepishly admitted that ragweed, which they did find, often looks like marijuana from the air. So they left me with an overwhelming urge to “vote the rascals out”, come election day, and when I saw the high sheriff, I chided him,” I thought I had my ragweed patch well hid, but your boys found it”. But seriously, does the government’s obsession with this plant justify the incessant surveillance that Kentuckians are subjected to every growing season? Perhaps Senator Webb’s Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009 can answer this question.

Tax Cheats

Regarding “Judgment Day for Tax Cheats,” which appeared in the April 15, 2009 edition of “The Nation,” I have one gnawing question. Why am I not surprised that another so-called “statesman”- in this case retired Senator Phil Gramm, from Texas- is engaged in what in truth can only be described as influence peddling (otherwise known as “working”) for a foreign-owned bank specializing in tax evasion for wealthy Americans. In effect, the United States government for whom he once worked, and from whom he draws his very generous pension, he seeks to undermine by training the wealthy in the art of tax evasion.

This points out once again the all too familiar scenario that regardless of one’s political affiliation, conservative or liberal beliefs, etc, too often the true nature of ones “public service” is to accumulate enough political capital to put it on the auction block to the highest bidder-even if it puts you at odds with the government you purportedly represented for a number of years. Apparently there is no higher calling than to feather one’s own nest, even if the load carried by average working Americans is made heavier. This is a despicable way for Senator Gramm to reward the hard working Texans who returned him to office several times over the years, and a slap in the face to all Americans who pay their fair share of taxes.

This is the true gist of this article, not that wealthy people seek out tax loopholes-legal or illegal-but that a senator that I once respected for his intellect and conservative principles proves to be yet another sell-out for a filthy dollar. We also learned from the article that his wife –like a true “bird of a feather”- is also engaged in similar activity, feathering her nest in like manner. This begs another pertinent question- Does the Texas Department of Criminal Justice have an available cell large enough to accommodate both Senator and Mrs. Gramm?

Slashing Social Programs

The article in the New York Times today was about the numerous budget cuts of many social programs and how it has affected some of our most vulnerable. Even though Obama’s stimulus package has helped some, still, groups like the elderly, child welfare, Medicaid, home counseling and others suffer greatly. The interim chief of the Arizona Department of Economic Security has said that these short-term savings will cause long-term effects. I must say that I agree with her whole-heartily. I also know that Arizona is not the only place where people are struggling to get by because it’s felt by people in Kentucky too. It seems that President Obama did mention something in one of his speeches that it was better to take preventive measures concerning medical services and expenses. Well, all of these cuts are certainly not one of those measures. It will cost the government more money to take care of the elderly in nursing facilities then to hire aids to service them at home. It will also cost the government more money to finance foster homes for abused kids then to work with the family. Personally, I think these cuts are the results of poor management.

I personally know of an instance where two people were sent to work on a home contract basis after several years of employment for an agency area development district because of federal cut backs. Both of them lost all employee benefits and retirement just to keep their jobs. The executive director told them that there had been major cuts in the aging program and unless they both agreed to go on home contract, then one of them would be fired, so naturally neither one of them wanted to see the other lose their job. After they went on contract, a month later the executive director had all of the offices renovated and hired other employees. Then soon after, they decided to have a brand new building built and relocated to another city.

The American people cannot afford to sit back and let the elderly and poor innocent children suffer because of poor management or anything else. The cut backs affect us all and some are just now beginning to feel what I have for several years now. I know what it’s like- not to be able to go to the doctor because of no insurance, and I also know what it’s like not to have a retirement. The only thing that can be done is, give up everything that you don’t need and pray for a better tomorrow.

Shooting

The article that appeared in the New York Times, April 4, 2009, was about the shooting that occurred in Bingham New York. Apparently, a gunman entered the American Civic Association Center on Friday, April 3, and opened fire during citizenship classes. The New York Times reports that the killing was over in minutes, but the ordeal lasted three hours. It’s still not clear what the perpetrator’s motivation was that resulted in this tragedy, although some report that it was because the gunman, an emigrant from Viet Nam who possessed very poor English skills, had recently lost his job (Associated Press). The Vice President said Americans must find a way to prevent this kind of bloodshed.

I’m afraid this is only the beginning of many serious dramas that could occur if the American economy does not improve. People are desperate, watching the big shots abuse the Federal bailout money, while the middle class continues to lose their jobs. How long can this disparity between the haves and have-nots continue before someone else snaps? Of course it’s barbaric, and sane people do not behave in this manner, but when you don’t know where your child’s next meal will come from, it could trigger violent behavior in the less stable among us. I don’t know if the gunman had a wife and children, but he was not from this country, and evidently could not speak English well, which probably caused him to lack the skills needed for employment.

A lot of the major corporations have moved to Mexico, or other third-world countries, so they can pay cheap labor instead of paying the workers here a decent wage. This has caused many people who have spent years of their life as dedicated workers to have to search to find new jobs. Many of them are surprised to learn that they lack technological skills needed to qualify for many modern-day jobs.

Obama's dichotomy

In the article of The Nation entitled, Obama Rips Republican Critics but Eschews Populism, the writer expresses his opinion, claiming that Obama was contradictory in explaining the misuse of the federal bail out money by the multimillion dollar insurance giant AIG. The writer also claims that the President is two sided in his speech by saying that he was as angry as everyone else about the bonuses, but goes on to say that the public can’t afford to demonize every investor who tries to make a profit, and even made the suggestion to loosen up on the rich guys. The writer further compared Obama to Roosevelt during the Depression, when Roosevelt attacked the bankers and speculators, saying that they have resorted to exhortation and pleaded for restored confidence of the American people.

The article reported that Obama lashed out at Capitol Hill critics for criticizing his budget proposal and was sharp in striking out at congressional Republicans during the press conference, accusing those who griped, of having a short memory reminding them that he inherited the economic crisis incurred by the free-spending of the Bush/Chaney administration. Mr. Obama stated that the reason for the criticism was because the Republicans did not offer an alternative budget plan of their own and asked why. He says that they know its the long-term deficits of hugh care costs, once again straying away from the media's questions concerning AIG.

I agree with this writer because I too watched the conference and Mr. Obama did seem eager to point out the fact that he walked into this mess, and it was his responsibility as president to try to make mends for the out of control spending. I thought his sharp remark about wanting to make sure he knew what he was talking about before addressing the nation, was just a cop out. In fact, I think he actually knew it was the Democratic controlled congress that was to blame for their lack of control of government spending,but just avoided saying it.

link to this article is http://www.thenation.comblogs/state_of_change/420928/print?rel=nofollow

Health Care Reform

This article which appeared in the New York Times, March 5 2009, was about Obama’s health care plan. President Obama warned lobbyists and others not to stand in the way of efforts to hold back costs so all Americans can have health coverage. To me, a person who has no health insurance, the prospect of affordable health coverage seems like a dream come true, but I’m afraid it won’t work, no matter how many plans the President comes up with. The article stated that President Obama would establish a public insurance program to compete with private carriers, but I still doubt that any plan will work, because many people cannot afford insurance from any carrier. All carriers drive their costs up because of hospitals, doctors, research etc. It’s sad when you can go to Wal-Mart and pay $4.00 for a bottle of Excedrin, but hospitals charge $6.00 for one.

There are over 46 million people living in the United States without health coverage. If the government can issue KCHIP for kids, Medicare for seniors, and Medicaid for the disabled or poor, why not change the age limit and let the government take care of everyone. Maybe Washington needs to set a law that makes it illegal for doctors and hospitals to rob people of everything they have including their dignity. Why can’t people be allowed to pay what they can afford? Surely people who are ill and in need of a doctor are willing to pay something. Most people really don’t want charity, but they want equality, especially when it comes to their health.

There are too many special interest groups entered into Washington who fight to the last minute to stop any progress the President tries to push through concerning health care reform. The Multi-billion dollar corporations and enough willing lawmakers who sponsor the Medical industry, (especially on the Republican side) are acknowledging the whole affair. The whole idea of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness becomes a cruel joke when you live with the prospect of one trip to the hospital wiping out all you have or ever hope to have in this life.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/06/us/politics/06web-health.html?_r=1

Mountaintop Removal

The article on AlterNet entitled,” Americans in Appalachia are living in a State of Terror,” really was upsetting to me. It was a letter addressed to the President, begging for implementation of greater restrictions on mountaintop-removal permits- if not downright cessation of the practice. I must say, I too share a deep concern for Appalachian people who have had to sit back and watch the land disappear right before their very eyes.

My grandparent’s farm, which I remember as a bucolic paradise, was all but destroyed when a rock quarry opened up at the “head of the holler.” Fertile benches (the mountaineer’s word for flat ground partway up the hillside, but below the cliff line) that sustained my family for generations were rendered useless, as falling rock and debris rained down upon them. My uncle even had a large rock blown through the windshield of his new 4-wheel drive SUV- the result of a dynamite blast gone awry. As bad as this scenario is, imagine the added specter of toxic-waste sludge ponds literally “hanging over your head” (as the article pointed out is the case in West Virginia) that, if past history is any indicator, are capable of giving way at any time, with great loss of life from the resulting tide.

For President Obama, who campaigned against mountaintop removal as a method of coal extraction, to sit back and do nothing, now that he is in a position of power, is the absolute height of hypocrisy- especially given the fact that the very coal that fuels the White House is mined in this fashion. What utter inconsistency for both houses of Congress to argue over preserving the pristine beauty of the North Slope of Alaska (which admittedly has merit), while a whole region of this country-central Appalachia-is entirely written off and ruled unworthy of even a modicum of environmental protection! Furthermore, America has absolutely no credibility in preaching to other countries (especially third world) the merits of protecting the natural environment while this type of devastation is allowed to continue within our own borders.
http://www.alternet.org/environment/127877/americans_in_appalachia_are_living_in_a_st...

Investigating Bush's Crimes?

In an article that appeared in The Nation entitled Investigating Bush’s Crimes, the author reflected on the question of whether or not a special prosecutor would be appointed to investigate the “gravest crimes” of the Bush administration. Those who believe so were not satisfied when Obama said he was more interested in looking forward than looking back. As the article stated further, it’s not that Obama takes the issue lightly, but he puts more important issues first- like bailing out the American people. The author affirms that an increasing number of American people are concerned about what the Bush administration did, and they can’t wait to press charges. I personally think that President Bush did the best he could have, considering the various, complicated circumstances with which he was confronted. I’m sure that every decision he made weighed heavily on him as the leader of this country, because the United States of America depended on him to stop terrorism in its tracks.

The article also talked about Susan Crawford, a Bush Administration official responsible for the military commissions in Guantanamo, telling the Washington Post that she refused to approve the charges against Mohammed al-Qahtani because he had been tortured. What about the many people that boarded those planes that awful morning in 2001 and never made it home to their families? I doubt very much that their survivors would be as concerned as Ms. Crawford is for this alleged terrorist’s welfare. The only thing on the American people’s mind is who is responsible for this terrible loss and how they can be made to pay. Speaking of torture, does being trapped in a burning building, knowing that you’re never going to see your husband, wife or kids again qualify? I believe the documentary said the north tower alone burned for 59 minutes before it collapsed.

Finally, I agree with President Obama, that looking toward the future, not looking back, is what the country needs. I think that Mr. Bush, though he did make mistakes, meant well for this country. In his zeal to protect the American people & to assure that 9/11 would not be repeated, he may have crossed the line in certain areas- but I doubt there was any criminal intent. I think President Obama will do everything in his power for the betterment of the American people, and he does not need to be encumbered with endless hearings as he attempts to solve the economic mess America finds itself in. We can learn from the mistakes of the Bush Administration, but it is time to pick up the pieces and go on. http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090309/horton?rel=hp_currently

Government Deception

An article that appeared in the February 11, 2009 edition of The Nation, entitled “Looting Social Security” sheds light on how deceptive our government can be when trying to hide from the public’s eye their true intentions. The so called governing elites in Washington and Wall Street are trying to persuade President Obama to recover the bail out costs by looting Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare. These propagandists intend to use America’s social security taxes illegally for their own purposes, but they don’t want the American People to know about it-so they are using what the author calls “bait-and-switch fraud.” In other words, millions of dollars accumulated since FICA was substantially raised under the Reagan administration in 1983 will be misappropriated, behind closed doors, so the public cannot discern the full extent of what is happening, or even which politicians they should hold accountable. Never mind that trust will be broken with the millions of working Americans who thought that by contributing a portion of each paycheck, they were accumulating a nest egg that would provide a measure of economic security in their retirement years.
As pathetic as this prospect seems, it is actually business as usual for the federal government. Every year the Treasury borrows surplus money from Social Security & spends it according to the whims of the president or Congress-even allowing for tax cuts for favored special interests. The formula is simple- just juggle a few numbers & “Presto!”…. the federal deficit appears 200 billion dollars less. The problem is that Uncle Sam is legally obligated to pay back this money, with interest, whenever Social Security needs it to pay benefits. With baby boomers retiring in droves, the time is fast approaching that trillions owed must be paid back or the United States government risks losing all credibility- and millions of retirees, as a consequence, will have to be paid through borrowed money.
I agree wholeheartedly with the author of this article, but I have an idea of my own. Why not require honesty on the part of the federal government in all fiscal matters? The American people are not stupid; we can see through the yearly charade put on by the Treasury. Continued attempts to mislead us only make a mockery of our democratic system, & imply that the checks & balances established by our founding fathers are inadequate. http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090302/greider?rel=hp_currently

SCHIP for Working Adults?

An article entitled;”President Obama Signs SCHIP Reauthorization and Expansion” appeared in the February 5, 2009 edition of the Feminist Majority Foundation’s US Daily News Wire. In this Article we learn that the SCHIP program, which currently provides health insurance for more than 7 million children, with the stroke of President Obama’s pen, was expanded to cover an additional 4 million children. We are also provided with the somewhat troubling information that President Bush twice vetoed similar legislation.

Before signing the bill, Mr. Obama stated, “In a decent society, there are certain obligations that are not subject to tradeoffs or negotiations, and health care for our children is one of those obligations…” I must say that I agree wholeheartedly, but it bothers me to know that President Bush twice vetoed legislation that would have expanded SCHIP. Did he not, as a purportedly decent man, also see the need-indeed the necessity-of providing quality health care for millions of indigent children, including legal immigrants, who lacked coverage?

But I would carry this a step further. If a “decent” society feels the obligation to care for millions of children whose parents work full time, but cannot afford health insurance, what about these working parents? If it is “decent” to provide health care for these needy children, isn’t it “indecent” to deny it to the parents of those same children who (to quote the article) “through no fault of their own don’t have-and can’t afford- private insurance?”