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Archive for the ‘Government’ Category

HEALTHCARE ACTION NOW!

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

In his recent address to Congress, President Obama made what many consider his most passionate speech, urging law makers to put aside the ‘bickering’, to think about the American people and make a push for real health care reform.   Despite the disrespect shown by South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson, a Republican, during the speech, the President was able to maintain his composure and his focus. He’s serious about changing the way health care is provided in this country. So much so that he’s been willing to listen to and address the concerns of insurance companies worried about their bottom line. The time for arguing whether or not reform will work has past. Congress needs to heed the President’s advice and begin the difficult task of building and passing a plan that serves the needs of the people. Action is indeed needed.

The number of Americans without health insurance rose to 46.3 million last year as the economy forced people out of jobs and away from employer sponsored health benefits. Among those fortunate enough to work, nearly 1 in 5 are uninsured. 20 percent of those who go without insurance are children and nearly half are below the age of 30. The majority are people of color.

The President’s health care plan, which he detailed in his speech, would change the way health insurance is offered in this country. Private companies would no longer be able to deny coverage because pre-existing conditions, limits on the amount of coverage individuals can receive in a given year or over their lifetime life time would be eliminated and insurers would be required to cover routine checkups, such as mammograms and colonoscopies. The President also supports a public health care option, where individuals can choose a health plan outside of the one their employer offers, and mandatory coverage for everyone.

The President estimates it will cost $900 million to put the plan into effect. But we should not focus on cost here.  The U.S. health care system is already the world’s most expensive and is considered by many one of the most wasteful. With all that we spend now, so many go without coverage or are covered by policies that don’t take care of all of their health needs. Hospitalization or a serious illness can mean financial ruin for some under the current system.

Is this plan perfect? That remains to be seen. What is clear is that is the most thought out and comprehensive option that has been presented. It takes into consideration the needs of the average person and the big corporations. It balances public and private. It is what we need at this moment in time.

Take action: call your legislators and urge that they support the President’s plan. Call them, no matter what party they represent; they need to know that their constituents want health care reform. Go online to find your legislative contact info at www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml.

Posted in Blog, Government, Healthcare | No Comments »

STOP CONGO SEX VIOLENCE

Thursday, August 13th, 2009

Here, in America, when we hear the word ‘rape’ we think of women being snatched off the streets by a stranger or being forced by a man they know. But in eastern Congo, located in Central Africa, rape is used as a tool of war. Women, girls and, increasingly, men are subject to this brutal act that damages both the victim’s body and spirit.

In an unprecedented move, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton visited the area and pledged $17 million dollars in support of Congo rape victims. At least $10 million of the money the U.S. has pledged will be used to train doctors who will treat rape victims. Much of what is left will be used to help prevent the sex attacks. The U.S. must not only follow through on its pledge, but it must lead the way and encourage other international powerhouses to join forces to end sex violence in the Congo.

The United Nations considers eastern Congo the rape capital of the world, having recorded close to 200,000 cases of sexual violence against girls and women in the region since 1996. The number of cases where men have been raped has risen; workers in the region theorize that the male rapes are a tool militia groups use to humiliate and break the spirits of the Congolese people.

The war in the Congo has been going on for years and is one of the longest ongoing wars in recent decades. The conflict is rooted in land disputes, a desire to control mineral resources, political corruption and tribal and ethnic pride. Rebel militia groups, the government and mining companies all wish to control and exploit the area’s rich mineral resources. Rebels fund their operations by smuggling diamonds, copper and other minerals so that they can purchase guns and fuel. Governments are forced to create military regimes in mineral rich areas so that they are protected; these military forces are often corrupt, with little respect for civilians.

The U.S. has paid little attention to the Congo over the last several years. In 1995, under the watch of former President Bill Clinton, we did little in the region when nearly a million Africans were slaughtered over the course of 90 days during a violent uprising.

Clinton’s recent visit to the Congo is a good sign; she is the first secretary of state to visit in a decade. In her role, she must also lobby the international community, asking that they too get involved. So many European countries have benefited from the Africa’s rich resources; they must begin to give back what they have taken. Millions have suffered as a result of the ongoing war in the Congo and it will take much more than the U.S. has pledge to end the violence, stabilize the government and rebuild lives.

Posted in Africa, Blog, Government, War | No Comments »

CORRUPTION BLOCKS REBUILDING EFFORTS

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

William Jefferson, a former Louisiana Congressman who represented parts of New Orleans, was recently convicted of in federal court for accepting more than $400,000 in bribes. Jefferson could be sentenced to more than 20 years in prison for his crimes. Though it only took the jury five days to deliver the verdict, it will take the state much longer to pay off the trial’s debt; a sum that includes far more than court costs.

The Gulf Coast has progressed slowly and steadily since it was hit by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. In New Orleans, however, many residents feel that more can – and should – be done. There are still nearly 66,000 unoccupied homes in the city, school enrollment is at 78 percent of its pre-Katrina levels, home sales are down 39 percent from four years ago and rents have increased by 40 percent in that same time period.

Charity Hospital, one of the city’s largest state-run hospitals, was damaged heavily by Katrina. It has not reopened and it doesn’t look it will. Many of the city’s poor and elderly were able to receive free and low cost medical services there; they are now redirected to hospitals that are much farther from their homes. Like the hospital, many local businesses – dry cleaners, car repair shops and more – didn’t reopen after the storm, resulting in a lack of services to a city that has so much need. Most importantly, elected officials from the area still cannot definitively say whether or not New Orleans’ levee system is strong enough to protect the city from a major hurricane.

Jefferson did not hold office when he was convicted – he lost his seat in a December race, after he was indicted. But his corruption case is not an isolated one. According to the FBI, Louisiana ranks third in the nation in public corruption cases. It’s maddening to think that, in the midst of all that remains to be done in both the state of Louisiana and in the city of New Orleans, local politicians will abuse their power and ignore their constituent’s needs in favor of fattening their pockets.

With Louisiana, New Orleans in particular, struggling to rebuild itself nearly four years after Hurricane Katrina hit, the local government simply doesn’t have the time or resources to continuously prosecute corrupt public officials. The state’s attorney is doing his job by cracking down on corruption. The politicians need to step up and do their part by putting the needs of the people ahead of their own greed.

Posted in Blog, Government, New Orleans, Political Corruption | 2 Comments »

BAIL OUT COLLEGE STUDENTS

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

In recent months, the federal government has bailed out banks, auto companies and, to a lesser extent, families and individuals via programs built into its economic stimulus package. College students are now in need of a helping hand. And the government needs to step up.

Organizations that provide private college scholarship have cut back on the money they give to students, thanks in part to the economic downturn. Funding sources have either been reduced or completely eliminated, to the detriment of those wanting to further their education. These cuts, combined with a difficult economic climate that makes it even harder for families to afford college tuition, are dashing the college dreams of numerous students across the country, most of whom come from working and middle class families.

Even though the economy has made things difficult for numerous industries, now is not the time for scholarship cutbacks. During an economic downturn, Americans should be encouraged to return to school to obtain training, increase their skills or to develop new ones. This way, when things improve – and they always do – these individuals will be better prepared for the job market. The quality of workers available to employers will have improved and companies will be motivated to refrain from outsourcing key jobs.

The financial coffers of the foundations and other organizations that offer scholarships are drained. So the government must step in. Given the assistance that has been extended to other industries, it is not too much to ask that the government help the workers who may potentially help grow these sectors in the future. Because state scholarship programs have also taken a hit – California is considering shutting down its state scholarship program and Pennsylvania has reduced the amount of funds available to students – the responsibility falls on the federal government to ensure students have access to money for college.

The federal government should either expand the economic stimulus package to include funds for college scholarships or create a new funding source specifically for this purpose. Additionally, federal grants to students need to be further extended and programs designed to eliminate student loan debt in exchange for work – i.e. teaching for a year, working in new industries in city’s hit by urban blight – need to be researched and implemented.

Some have argued that the current administration is on a spending frenzy and will attempt to block the allocation of additional funds for college students. However, even in an economic crisis, it is important to invest in the future. And there is nothing more important to the continued growth of this country’s economy than its workforce.

Posted in Blog, Education, Government | 5 Comments »

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