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Dale (Man-in-the-Kitchen) in Idaho (Lewiston, ID)

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I just want to talk about issues sometimes and contribute to the dialogue. I'm a proud supporter of Barack Obama's vision of Hope and Change for All.

Even a Modest Plan Would Help

By Dale (Man-in-the-Kitchen) in Idaho - Jan 29th, 2008 at 1:23 pm EST

Also listed in: Citizens Concerned about Healthcare

It would be wonderful if all Americans had comprehensive health care coverage, but as someone who has no heath care, even a modest plan would be progress in my view. If there was a plan that did not offer everything but did offer the basics, then we would have something to build on. By basics I mean things like prenatal care for pregnant women, a doctor's visit and antibiotics for minor infections before they become emergency situations, annual check-ups, preventative and minor dental care, early infant check-ups, minor wound care and care for broken bones, tests for early detection of deseases, these sorts of things. I know that this is not enough in the long run because what does someone do then when they learn that they have a disease that requires treatment and the basic services do not cover such treatment? But, as it stands now, people cannot even affort to go to the doctor's office and get antibiotics for themselves or their children. Something is better than nothing. Then over time, the President (hopefully Barack Obama) and Congress can figure out how this all can work for a really fair health care plan for all. But a modest plan early would ease a lot of anxiety.

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I Would Like to Know

By Dale (Man-in-the-Kitchen) in Idaho - Jan 29th, 2008 at 12:49 pm EST

Also listed in: Obama for Immigration Reform!

I would like to know what discussion has taken place reguarding the possiblity of an American Union (meaning the formation of a union of nations within North, South, and Central America similar in some respects to the EU). I would like to be informed on this topic because I see that globalization is affecting United States' domestic issues such as immigration, environment, energy, employment, and security. I would like to be informed and participate in discussions on this topic or similar topics. Please comment.

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A Letter to Senator Obama on the topic of Immigration

By Dale (Man-in-the-Kitchen) in Idaho - Jan 27th, 2008 at 5:08 pm EST

Also listed in: Obama for Immigration Reform!

Dear Senator Obama,

   I would like to say first of all that I want to support your campaign more financially, and I will, but right now I have to get through this month and pay my rent. I teach at a local community college part-time. I am not allowed to teach full time because the State of Washington requires that state institutions pay health benefits to those who work above 19.5 hours per week, (there is some formula for determining full time status for adjunct faculty that I'm not sure how it works) so like most of the adjunct faculty at the college, I can only teach so many hours because the college cannot afford to pay all of its teachers benefits. This has been the case at the college for many years. But, I am able to make good wages for the hours I do work, so I don't complain.

   Anyway, the reason I'm writing is to offer my perspective on a couple of the issues. I teach English as a Second Language to minority populations and I teach basic skills for those trying to achieve their GEDs. Many of my students are Hispanic but come from different countries in South and Central America as well as Mexico. I admire my students because they take jobs that are low paying and are physically taxing plus they attend evening classes twice per week for two and a half hours each class to improve their English skills. Some of my students attend class dead tired after a full day's work. But, they do not complain. They are optimistic and they are happy to be living and working in the United States, and they like the freedoms they find in the U.S. and think highly of Americans and the American way of life. A few months ago, one of our exercises was to discuss what they would do with a large sum of money (I think the amount was $250,000) if they won it on a lottery ticket. I was really surprised by their answers because they were not the types of answers I would have expected. At the top of their lists were three things: 1) Send money home to their families 2) Pay for a college education in the U.S., and 3) Start a business. Buying a home in their native countries was also on their list, but the top 3 were as I stated above. Basically, they want the American dream.

   Recently the Bush Administration has raised the costs of all immigration form filing fees to double, but in many cases triple the amounts they were before. It now costs somewhere in the neighborhood of $2000 to $3000 in fees for a person to become a U.S. citizen plus the process is a very daunting one. The N-400 form itself (application for naturalization) is 10 pages long and requires numerous attachments and supportive documentation.

   I thought that your campaign might be interested in my perspective on the issue of immigration since I see it from the ground level. In fact I think it would be beneficial if you were able to attend English classes like mine and meet some of the people that attend them. My view is that the problem with illegal immigration is primarily an economic one. People are doing whatever they have to do to try to insure that their families and extended families survive and to find some way out of abject poverty. Also, people who have educations and are not living in the worst poverty in their native countries, are trying to find a way to thrive and gain opportunity. They are coming here (usually through legal means) to find the opportunities they hope for, for themselves and their extended families. But the raising of fees on the part of the USCIS will, I'm sure, impact these folks' (who are trying to do things legally) in a very negative way.

   I think that immigration reform needs to begin at the international political level. I think that the U.S. will not solve this problem by building walls on our borders, and, quite frankly, I am ashamed that American politicians would suggest such a thing because it is against our core values, not to mention it would be counterproductive in the long run. I think what we must do is open our borders not close them. We need to work politically with our good friends in Mexico, Central and South America and Canada to form a mutual security plan. Could we not help our American neighbors to strengthen their security of ports and airports in the fight against terror? The nations of the European Union have experienced numerous terrorist attacks, but we don't hear them talking about building fences on their borders or forcing immigrants to leave. I just believe that the U.S. would be stronger economically and safer if we reached out to our American friends and neighbors and dealt with these issues in a more global fashion.

   Just one last thing. During the Nevada Democratic debate I must say I was completely mystified when Sen. Clinton began talking about economic issues (in response to the question about foreign investment in U.S. banks). I think I'm a fairly well educated person, but her answer was so filled with jargon that I had no idea what her point or plan was. My suggestion for your campaign would be that you find a way to talk to the voters in laymen's terms when it comes to the economy. The economy appears to be one of those issues that is gaining importance among voters in the face of this prospect of recession. We need answers, but we need answers we can understand just what they mean and how policy changes will help us. In listening to Sen. Clinton's response, I came away with idea that she was completely lost on this issue. I'm sure she is not, but it just sounded like a politician "talking around" the issue instead of addressing it.

   I'm a proud supporter of your campaign for Hope and Change, Sen. Obama. I truly hope you are the Democratic nominee for President. I hope you find my comments useful. Good luck in South Carolina and beyond!

   Sincerely,
   Dale Tucker
   Lewiston, Idaho
   (On the border of Washington State & Idaho)   Read More »

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