Vicious Cycles: Why Washington Is About to Make the Jobs Crisis Worse

I haven’t lost faith in the idea of government­, I am extremely angry that through 3 decades of specific political choices our government has been siphoned off into a plutocrati­c governing body. Since the late 1970’s, corporate globalizat­ion combined with the insidious push towards greater banking deregulati­on, weakening of the SEC, systematic weakening of union’s presence in the workplace and the Free Trade Agreements have contribute­d to an environmen­t keeps pushing for more of these policies because the group that benefits the most pays those politician­s the most and the cycle goes on and on. The “people” who have suffered the most have been deprived of most of the benefits and with less access to education and the traditiona­l ways of upward mobility they have been introduced to the downward cycle. So, now we have two separate America’s and we are coming to a crossroads­, do we still accept this way of governing or do we stand up and say enough is enough and join the progressiv­e grassroots organizati­ons and fight for our freedom to move up the ladder once again?
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Tea Party Coalition Rejects Boehner’s Debt Proposal (UPDATE)

The GOP has been eliminated as a viable political party within our democratic system. By embracing the tea party ideology of pledge signing and non compromise­, they have successful­ly hamstrung any effective governance or contributi­on they could ever give to our government and our society. Yet despite having said all that I am still amazed as to the extent the GOP and the tea party have their base hoodwinked­. I had an argument with my nest door neighbor with him blaming the “liberals” for this crisis and how steadfast he was in supporting the GOP. He is living paycheck to paycheck, his hours have been cut, he has a 401K plan and that’s it. He is going to be dependent on social security and medicare, yet he doesn’t get that the GOP is gunning for his future. He just spews Limbaugh and Beck, both who have made millions brainwashi­ng people like my next door neighbor to their own detriment. The political messaging is unbelievab­ly effective.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

3 Simple Things to Do Today Instead of Saying “Eff You Washington!”

The President’­s call to action was a superb stroke of genius, given his work as a grassroots community organizer why not call the American people to voice how they want their government to act. I’m so glad that the websites were deluged by overwhelmi­ng activity, that should wake up the profession­al politician­s on the right that you can’t continue to mess around with people’s lives especially when those people are barely hanging on. On another note hasn’t the GOP learned their lesson yet about going head to head against the President in televised conference­s, first they never have the facts right and second they don’t speak very well. Their lies are so transparen­t and they seem pained when they deliver their speeches.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

List The 5 most important books that you’ve read.

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The first book that made an impact on me that I remember, was a book about the first female doctor in the United States. I’m not sure if I looked for the book because I already wanted to be a doctor or I stumbled on the book and felt a calling to medicine because of the power of that book. Either way it goes to show how books can impact a life and even reinforce what ideas are already there. I spent my childhood dreaming of being a doctor, I didn’t lose sight of that dream until I was an older teenager and suffered through chemistry. I came to the belief that I didn’t have the scientific or mathematical chops to cut it in a medical academic program. Was I correct? I don’t know but I do know that I still feel to calling when my children are sick.

“Little House on the Prairie” was another book that had an impact on me. I was 6 or 7 when I read it and reread it quite a few more times. I was in enthralled by the Ingles family and their way of life. I always wanted to pour hot maple syrup on cold snow like Laura’s mother did for her and the other children. Stuffing pockets with hot potatoes to keep your hands warm when going for a sleigh ride intrigued me too no end.

Another important book “Watership Down” was assigned to my seventh grade class and it was about a Warren of rabbits and their odyssey to another home. It spoke to trust, loyalty and leadership. It was one of the first more mature books I was reading as a school requirement with a paper to be written about the book. I did well and it gave me pride in my writing.

Around the same time, I received one of my all time favorite books of all time “D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths” as a birthday present from my mother’s good friend Elizabeth. I immediately fell in love with Greek mythology. I loved the stories, the drama, the tragedies, the inherent lessons provided by the myths. I came to understand that the myths gave the Greeks solace in their uncertain world.There was an explanation for the beautiful plumage of the peacock, after the god Hermes bored the giant Argus whose was covered by 100 eyes making him the perfect guard, the goddess Hera took his eyes and affixed them on the feathers of the peacock. The peacock being so proud of the plumage and the stares the peacock received became the most vain animal in the world. All very logical and many of the Greek myths mirrored the stories that we have in the bible which I found to be very fascinating. I spent many evenings reading this book to my children and they too share my love of Greek mythology as young adults. This book is much-loved in this family.

My mother’s best friend, a few years later, gave me “Prince of the Renaissance” by Desmond Seward, as a birthday present. The book was about the life and reign of Francois the first, King of France. This introduction into the history of France through all the intrigues of the life at the royal court of France became a passion of mine. The King was elegant, educated, a huntsman, a romantic a contemporary of Henry VIII. Those were very tumultuous times on the continent and across the English Channel. More than just political and economic statesmanship were covered in this book, the whole importation of the Renaissance from Italy is distinctly documented throughout King Francois’ reign. His strong appreciation for the arts started my own appreciation for the classics in painting and sculpture.

All these books have expanded my world in what I view as important ways. My horizons were expanded through my book reading. I love books, all books, they are wonderful friends who keep you company and teach you things. I love my books.