“Let’s talk about socialism. … I think it’s very important to bring back the idea of socialism into the national discussion to where it was at the turn of the [last] century before the Soviet Union gave it a bad name. Socialism had a good name in this country. Socialism had Eugene Debs. It had Clarence Darrow. It had Mother Jones. It had Emma Goldman. It had several million people reading socialist newspapers around the country… Socialism basically said, hey, let’s have a kinder, gentler society. Let’s share things. Let’s have an economic system that produces things not because they’re profitable for some corporation, but produces things that people need. People should not be retreating from the word socialism because you have to go beyond capitalism.”
--Howard Zinn (via mattpayton) (via sassy-meditations)
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
New Facebook Fan Page: Making Drug Tests Required to Get Welfare
Wow! Where to begin...Must I explain this...seriously?? As a former family services worker for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, I must start by saying I do NOT know how the Welfare system works in the other 49 states of the Union, but I AM fairly more familiar than the SIX Facebook "friends" of mine who became fans of this page today. In the Commonwealth of Kentucky (kind of ironic, right? The name "commonwealth" to describe the state where the citizens are so self righteous), there is NO such thing as "Welfare." The government run, social program is called the "Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program" (commonly referred to with the acronym K-TAP, the government just loves acronyms, right??). To qualify for K-TAP, you must be unemployed, not of your own volition, (yes, the family service worker will verify this through your previous employer). You must be the SOLE provider for a child under the age of 6,meaning you cannot be receiving any kind of child support what so ever from the NCP (non-custodial parent), you must be enrolled in a school of higher learning or be willing to volunteer 20 hours a week at a place chosen by the state. So, there you go, you have to meet all of these qualifications for monthly check in the whopping amount of $125. Yep, $125 a month...barely enough to provide diapers, toilet paper, soap, shampoo, detergent, Heaven forbid you have a car, because you won't be able to afford to put gas in it. Those are just some of the essentials needed to care for one child...don't even ask what happens if you have more. Yes, at this impossibly meager income you are eligible for Food Stamps...and to be eligible for those, your friendly family services worker will do a background check to make sure...tah dah...that you have never committed a drug felony. So, why you may ask, would someone even WANT to jump through all those hoops to get that tiny check and a way to provide just enough food for your family to survive?? Well, if you go out and get a part-time job at $7.45/hour and work 20 hours a week that is $149/week and for a child under 1, daycare is going to run $125 week. So after taxes, you are in the hole. What I found so disheartening about the "fans" of this page is that every, single one of them is Catholic!! So, they are pro-life and will judge you for getting an abortion, but they don't care if your child on the outside of your womb has no diapers and starves!! Here's an idea for everyone to try. STOP JUDGING OTHERS! TRY TO PUT YOURSELF IN SOMEONE ELSE'S SHOES AND SEE LIFE THROUGH THEIR EYES. MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, THEIR LIFE IS NOT AS EASY AS YOU THOUGHT IT WAS...
Sunday, January 17, 2010
What do we need to thrive?
There certain things that are necessary for the survival of humans. We all know, instinctively, that we must have our basic needs to "survive." Food, water, shelter, etc., but I propose that there are other "needs" that we crave and desire so much so that they may be considered necessary, not to our survival, but to make us thrive.
I believe to thrive we must be able to find happiness...yes, happiness. The emotion that releases serotonin and dopamine and make us "feel good." To be productive members of society we must be able to find sort of contentment in our lives. This theory goes back to modern studies that show the productivity of workers improves significantly if they are dealing with less stress, are in good overall health, and have a generally positive outlook...that should be common sense, right??
We must be loved. I take this example from something that I experienced personally. I call it "orphan syndrome." I used to work with an infant, about 7 months old that had a very painful heart condition that caused her to have to undergo five heart surgeries before she was 7 months of age. She did not cry as much as most babies her age, because usually [at home] her cries were not responded to. I thought this was very strange, especially after one day she returned after surgery and had sutures from the top of her sternum to her navel. It looked very painful and I tried to be very careful with her, but she never cried. She had been conditioned to believe that there no one would respond to her cries anyway, so why waste the energy. Sadly enough she didn't smile either. Then, one day while feeding her a bottle, I noticed something. She took just under an hour to drink 6-7 ounces of formula. I figured out then just how strong the instinct of a child is. She was not having a problem swallowing the milk, but rather she was intentionally drinking very slowly, because I would hold her tiny body (10 lbs.)close to my chest and looking her directly in the eye. It was after a few weeks of these feeding sessions that I experienced her first smile, and I smiled back. After that she started to improve and hit developmental milestones, that had been delayed for so long...all of this because she could feel love. I have not yet decided, though, if love that is not love for someone in your family is always a co-dependent type of love...
I also believe to thrive that we need to believe that there is some larger purpose to serve in the world other than ourselves. In saying this, do not misunderstand, I do not mean, specifically, God, or a god, or even a higher spiritual power. This can mean one believes strongly in their vocation...education, social work, medicine, science, for example.
All the above being stated, sure, we all need other, more individual aspects in our lives to thrive and succeed, but these three I believe to be universal.
I believe to thrive we must be able to find happiness...yes, happiness. The emotion that releases serotonin and dopamine and make us "feel good." To be productive members of society we must be able to find sort of contentment in our lives. This theory goes back to modern studies that show the productivity of workers improves significantly if they are dealing with less stress, are in good overall health, and have a generally positive outlook...that should be common sense, right??
We must be loved. I take this example from something that I experienced personally. I call it "orphan syndrome." I used to work with an infant, about 7 months old that had a very painful heart condition that caused her to have to undergo five heart surgeries before she was 7 months of age. She did not cry as much as most babies her age, because usually [at home] her cries were not responded to. I thought this was very strange, especially after one day she returned after surgery and had sutures from the top of her sternum to her navel. It looked very painful and I tried to be very careful with her, but she never cried. She had been conditioned to believe that there no one would respond to her cries anyway, so why waste the energy. Sadly enough she didn't smile either. Then, one day while feeding her a bottle, I noticed something. She took just under an hour to drink 6-7 ounces of formula. I figured out then just how strong the instinct of a child is. She was not having a problem swallowing the milk, but rather she was intentionally drinking very slowly, because I would hold her tiny body (10 lbs.)close to my chest and looking her directly in the eye. It was after a few weeks of these feeding sessions that I experienced her first smile, and I smiled back. After that she started to improve and hit developmental milestones, that had been delayed for so long...all of this because she could feel love. I have not yet decided, though, if love that is not love for someone in your family is always a co-dependent type of love...
I also believe to thrive that we need to believe that there is some larger purpose to serve in the world other than ourselves. In saying this, do not misunderstand, I do not mean, specifically, God, or a god, or even a higher spiritual power. This can mean one believes strongly in their vocation...education, social work, medicine, science, for example.
All the above being stated, sure, we all need other, more individual aspects in our lives to thrive and succeed, but these three I believe to be universal.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Prayer for Peace
Lord, Make me an instrument of Your Peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where is there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may seek
not so much to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be
loved as to love; for it is in giving that we
receive; it is in pardoning that we are
pardoned, and it is in dying that we are
born to Eternal Life. Amen
St Francis of Assisi
(1181-1226)
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where is there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may seek
not so much to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be
loved as to love; for it is in giving that we
receive; it is in pardoning that we are
pardoned, and it is in dying that we are
born to Eternal Life. Amen
St Francis of Assisi
(1181-1226)
Friday, January 8, 2010
Kizmet
1. kismet-n. fate; destiny; fortune; providence; predestination ;portion; karma; lot
2. kismet- 1834, from Turk. qismet, from Ar. qismah, qismat "portion, lot, fate," from root of qasama "he divided."
3. kismet Origin: 1840–50; < Turk < Pers qismat < Ar qismah division, portion, lot, fate, akin to qasama to divide
4. kis·met (kĭz'mět', -mĭt)
n. Fate; fortune.
Turkish, from Persian qismat, from Arabic qisma, lot, from qasama, to divide, allot; see qsm in Semitic roots.]
After looking this up and seeing definition two, I was wondering...Does it mean "He" as in "God," "Allah," "Yahweh," or the dominant force of the universe??? My thinking is (as it it is on most things) that it is possible!
2. kismet- 1834, from Turk. qismet, from Ar. qismah, qismat "portion, lot, fate," from root of qasama "he divided."
3. kismet Origin: 1840–50; < Turk < Pers qismat < Ar qismah division, portion, lot, fate, akin to qasama to divide
4. kis·met (kĭz'mět', -mĭt)
n. Fate; fortune.
Turkish, from Persian qismat, from Arabic qisma, lot, from qasama, to divide, allot; see qsm in Semitic roots.]
After looking this up and seeing definition two, I was wondering...Does it mean "He" as in "God," "Allah," "Yahweh," or the dominant force of the universe??? My thinking is (as it it is on most things) that it is possible!
Monday, January 4, 2010
The Time is Now by Sister Jan Barthel
In a report to members of Congress (June 10, 2009), Lake Research Partners submitted a poll data from around the country showing that the time for comprehensive immigration reform is now. In fact, their tracking shows that the current economic situation has actually increased the desire for quick action on immigration reform.
Voters see that the broken immigration system is a problem that has neglected far too long. And their consistent choice is comprehensive reform that resotres control and order, expands the tax base, and is practical, fair and consistent with American values.
In addition to securing the border and stopping illegal hiring, we need to require illegal immigrants to to register, pass background, pay taxes, and study English in order to be eligible to apply for citizenship. This comprehensive approach will secure our borders, level the playing field, and stop dishonest business from from gaining an unfair advantage. It will make illegal immigrants into legal taxpayers and bring needed money into the federal budget.
Persons have the right to immigrate, especially to feed their families, and to flee persecution. However, the host nation has the right to protact its borders and to limit the number of immigrants. How can this conflict be resolved? To deport 12 million illegal immigrants, is simply not viable. To continue the status quo with their living in the shadows is simply unacceptable. Comprehensive immigration reform holds the key.
What are the benefits of immigration reform?
-It is a common sense proposal that is fair, balanced, and practical.
-It would secure the border and crack down on employers that illegally hire the undocumented.
-It would secure the future flow of immigrants.
-It would require illegal immigrants to register for legal immigration status, pay back taxes, and learn English to be eligible for citizenship.
-It would restore order and control the flow of immigrants.
-The Congressional budget office estimates it would add $66 billion in revenue over ten (10) years in requiring more employers and more workers pay their fair share in taxes.
-It would add, over the next fifty (50) years, $407 billion to the struggling Social Security system.
Voters see that the broken immigration system is a problem that has neglected far too long. And their consistent choice is comprehensive reform that resotres control and order, expands the tax base, and is practical, fair and consistent with American values.
In addition to securing the border and stopping illegal hiring, we need to require illegal immigrants to to register, pass background, pay taxes, and study English in order to be eligible to apply for citizenship. This comprehensive approach will secure our borders, level the playing field, and stop dishonest business from from gaining an unfair advantage. It will make illegal immigrants into legal taxpayers and bring needed money into the federal budget.
Persons have the right to immigrate, especially to feed their families, and to flee persecution. However, the host nation has the right to protact its borders and to limit the number of immigrants. How can this conflict be resolved? To deport 12 million illegal immigrants, is simply not viable. To continue the status quo with their living in the shadows is simply unacceptable. Comprehensive immigration reform holds the key.
What are the benefits of immigration reform?
-It is a common sense proposal that is fair, balanced, and practical.
-It would secure the border and crack down on employers that illegally hire the undocumented.
-It would secure the future flow of immigrants.
-It would require illegal immigrants to register for legal immigration status, pay back taxes, and learn English to be eligible for citizenship.
-It would restore order and control the flow of immigrants.
-The Congressional budget office estimates it would add $66 billion in revenue over ten (10) years in requiring more employers and more workers pay their fair share in taxes.
-It would add, over the next fifty (50) years, $407 billion to the struggling Social Security system.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Simple, Great, Gifts
Chorus:
I'm feelin' very happy inside.
I gotta' voice inside me that's sayin'....
Live your life with love, laughter, and the simple great gift God gave you.:||
1. Be happy that you have the best people in your life. Be grateful for the food and drinks here today.
Chorus
2. Love the fact you have people by your side.
Stay happy little children God is with you.
Don't be discouraged when life isn't right, or
maybe friends aren't by.
Chorus
3. No matter how crazy an idea may seem.
Just try it (just try it)
You never know (you never know)
Life will give you challenges.
Chorus
4. Don't pay attention to the bad things going on in this world.
Pay attention to the life you have.
You have a great one and only one.
Chorus
Live your life! Live our life!
Original Lyrics written by Jackie Gesser, age 9
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)