"These state visits and dinners are a really important part of our nation's diplomacy. Throughout history, they've given U.S. presidents -- and the American people -- the opportunity to make important milestones in foreign relations. So these dinners and events are really critical to what we do internationally. And they've helped build stronger ties with nations as well as people around the world." --- First Lady Michelle Obama, Indian State Dinner Press Preview, November 24, 2009
"These state visits and dinners are a really important part of our nation's diplomacy. Throughout history, they've given U.S. presidents -- and the American people -- the opportunity to make important milestones in foreign relations. So these dinners and events are really critical to what we do internationally. And they've helped build stronger ties with nations as well as people around the world."
--- First Lady Michelle Obama, Indian State Dinner Press Preview, November 24, 2009
Throughout history partaking (eating) food has been associated with sharing experiences; in addition to obtaining intimacy and understanding i.e. psychological bonding. It is evident through the customs and practices of soceity many people believe this process still has merit today. For example, it is becoming more common for businesspersons to hold meetings with food available for consumption, there's even the new trend of conducting interviews during breakfast, lunch, dinner. An invitation to eat is considered an honor within many cultures, specifically the Asian cultures. African-American culture is rich in the tradition of food preparation for Sunday dinners. In general, Americans have deep-rooted tradition of food preparation for holiday, funeral, and wedding dinners.
In today's soceity more individuals and organizations are emphasizing the 'family table' i.e. encouraging people to eat their meals together as a family unit. Furthermore, the association between eating and the process of obtaining understanding is eveident through the scripture, "O' taste and see that the Lord, He is good." As a final point, the origin and celebratory nature of the concept of reunions, formerly called 'homecomings', focuses on the 'bonding' effect from eating together. It is not surprising then that food is an important part of any reunion celebration.
The partaking of food is an outward expression of learning about individuals and/or organizations. The partaking of food provides an opportunity to experience and learn about individuals and/or organizations. Personally, there's an opportunity to actually live the heartwarming message in the movie, 'Soul Food' i.e. learning and caring about the soul of people, individually and collectively.
State Dinners provide an opportunity to actually learn and care about the soul of a nation.
There's a loss in our soceity. Its impact is evident in our homes, schools, churches, businesses, and government. The loss of Thanks.
Expressing appreciation for the actions or just mere presence of others may be so edifying for ourselves and others.
Imagine the impact of just saying the word 'thanks' to your family: spouse, parents, children, siblings, et al.
Imagine the impact of just saying the word 'thanks' to your school: teachers, administrators, office workers, and volunteers.
Imagine the impact of just saying the word 'thanks' to clergy and laity.
Imagine the impact of just saying the word 'thanks' to employees and supervisors.
Imagine the impact of just saying the word 'thanks' to friends and opponents because opponents challenge us to think and act beyond ourselves.
Imagine the impact of just saying the word 'thanks' to leaders and civil servants.
Imagine the impact of just saying the word 'thanks' to God.
Just Imagine.
We take for granted the simple pleasures that peoples in other countries view as luxuries.
O' the countless times we've forgotten to express our thanks for the effforts the individuals who work 'behind the scenes' daily to make our lives just a little more comfortable. So I would like to express a simple thought to everyone: Thanks
Part II: America's Health ---- Recovery
[Part 1: America's Health http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/invisibilityblanket/gGx2hK ]
************
Let's try to offer a little understanding about the current state of affairs using an analogy familar with many people: Health. Hopefully, individuals who insist on creating distractions or adhering to pure ideological dogmas will understand that enough is enough. Skillful action is needed, now.
Prompt and deliberative actions have brought forth some improvements, namely a marked increased in blood pressure (increase in the monetary flow) from a dangerously low level. However, the status of America's health is critical, but stable.More than ever there is a need to provide affirmation of belief in American ideals, character, and way of life. Commerce through media (advertisements, news, books, movies, etc) does this like circulatory system continually provides re-oxygenated blood to all parts of the body.
There is a deficiency in nutrients, i.e. that which promotes growth. What is causing the deficiency? It's a inter-relationship of many factors and systems.One reason may be paralysis among businesses and banks. Businesses, in particular small businesses who hire ~60% of the workforce, are unable to respond because they cannot receive the desired loans from banks. Banks are not making loans because they may be gripped with fear --- underwriting the loans is a concern that looms large and the spectre of TARP still hovers. It challenges old beliefs about the role of Government and its relationship to Free Enterprise System/Captalism.
The basic framework, Capitalism, that has contributed to defining America has been affected like osteoporosis affects the bones of human body. Support has been provided to businesses to spur responsible risk and innovation (risk is not bad itself, in fact willingness to take risks is inherently involved in business) It is this combination (risk and innovation) that produces goods and services. It's similar to process whereby the bone's marrow produces red blood cells.
Contrary to popular opinion, Wall Street wants reform through reasonable regulation. Wall Street is fickle, so it's ironic that it seems to show a resistance to change. However, it's not resistant to change per se but it resists instability and uncertainty. It doesn't want another Madoff-style scandal or Sub-Prime Mortgage fiasco.
Reformation, not Revolution
Reform is needed now but must be careful, yes skillful as a surgeon, in the enactment of reform. Due to relationship between different sectors of soceity or policy areas, an action may have minimal effect in intended target area but through 'ripple effect' have a tremendous effect in another sector or policy area.
Keep in mind...America's lymphatic system needs to be examined so that it functions more efficiently and effectively (eradicate waste, fraud, and abuse; act as suitable defense) This highlights the importance and inter-relationship between immigration policies and national security and healthcare reform.
Be aware of possible growth of cancer cells i.e. extremism from BOTH ENDS OF THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM. The extremist rhetoric and actions from individuals and organizations actually undermines the spirit of the U.S. Constitution, if not the letter. Must be balance in considering what means should be used to remove the cancerous growth --- Radiation (like x-rays): Use of Surveillance. (e.g. FISA)Chemotherapy: Enacting new laws; Surgery: Removal. Again reminder that given integration of members/sectors in soceity, An action may have unintended effects on other members/sectors of soceity.
What is needed?
Government checks may provide some inducement but it's like being on a feeding tube or receiving nutrients in a pre-packaged pill. What is more beneficial is when nutrients come naturally from eating food. America needs to experience something that is a natural part of American way of life, yes even human existence. This is the reason why job growth is so important. To achieve productivity, in every sense of the word, there must be adherence to the The Productivity Principle. A person must believe her/his actions do matter.
While dealing w/ the paralysis cause by the reticence of small businesses and banks may emphasize not only volunteering but education to upgrade skills and knowledge. (e.g. CPR/First Aid ceritification, Continuing Education Programs) This may prepare by facilitating recruitment of personnel for the influx of new patients that will access the healthcare system when the Healthcare Reform legislation is passed.
May encourage nonprofits (secular and parochial) to function even more as a 'clearinghouse' of information and pool community resources to conduct workshops on nutrition, budgeting, or other practical life-enhancements. It may be analogous to the digestive process whereby food is taken in and transform into something that may be used by the body. Summarily, all may spur growth through building confidence required for willingness to take risks, while discovering new aptitude for innovation.
Part II
And When We get this Done, The American People will always remember that we had A trailblazing, community organizer, Advocate sitting in the Oval Office making the right, hard and necessary decisions that will help bring The American People out of lack and poverty, and help propel them into Abundance and prosperity. Health Insurance Reform Now!!
According to Wikipedia: President Obama garnered 69,556,897 votes and Senator Mccain got 59,934,814 votes.
We have 435 elected house of representatives, and We have 100 United States Senators.
We have 60 Democrats or Democratic Leaning Senators in the Senate.
President Obama is a very smart and Brilliant President and He knows that he has to get the 60 Senators on Board, so instead of just leaving it up to the 60, Our President is taking the Health Insurance Reform fight straight to the Insurance Companies themselves by way of American People's living rooms and kitchen tables.
We need to broaden our focus.
We need to go after the offending Insurance companies with the same tenacity, resilience and persistence we used when we went after Wall street. We need to call them daily and ask them why are they dropping or revoking people insurance policies whenever they are getting sick? and Why are they trying to undermind and disrupt the town hall meetings with "fronter groups" that rile-up some mccain/palin voters with hatred and wrong information and then send them out to the democrats town hall meeting to shut them down and shout them down.
We need to ask the Rougist Insurance Companies are they for US or Against US?
We will not let the ROGUE Insurance Companies continue to short-change the American People, we don't care how many Pre-Paid senators that they have got tucked away in their slick, dirty-little , greasly or is it grassley "my little finger is in the dike" back pocket?
We don't want the Insurance Companies making medical decisions for us?
We don't want "Them" The "ROUGERS" making loads of money off of the sick people that they have dropped, rejected, tricked, and then denied.
Is there a list of the Pre- Paiders/Senators who have taken money from the Roguers/insurance Companies that are fighting against the Success of the American People EVER receiving Health Insurance Reform?
P.S. All of the Insurance Companies like AARP and others are not against the American People Insurance Reform Bill but we all know that one spoiled apple Always rotten the the entire bunch.
By John Jonik, political cartoonist
Comments and sentiments like Demint underestimates the call for Healthcare Reform. This is not 1990s. Many stakeholders that opposed efforts previously are actively engaged now towards the current efforts.
This Admistration is really working on behalf of the American People.
WoW...There are So many Americans without Health Insurance. It is a shame that some elected officials are not insterested in the plight of the Uninsured.I just spent a few hours reading ( I made it to page 363, of course I had to take a break in between pages) some of the American people health challenges, storys/life challenges on the health blog and It was very heart rendering to hear/read about their horrendous plights/experiences.
If these Great Americans Life Stores don't change the minds and hearts of some fo the "fence stragglers" in office, then I don't know what will?
Thank the Lord that we finally have an Administration in Office That Undestands and Gets its.
After a long day of campaigning on July 8, candidate Barack Obama arrived at his Chicago headquarters for a three-hour brainstorming session about a suddenly hot issue: energy and climate change.
He had summoned a cross section of experts, including top executives from three utilities and two oil companies, the chief energy economist of an investment bank, a climate scientist, a California energy and environment expert, an oil consultant-historian, and several campaign staffers. Despite the late hour, one participant recalled, "He walked in as if he had just gotten up after a refreshing night's sleep to lead a class. He was clearly there to harvest information and then do something with it."
Now, four months into his presidency, Obama has elevated energy and climate issues to near the top of his agenda; he's made them pop by packaging them as ways to create "green" jobs and reduce U.S. dependence on imports of foreign oil. Favoring pragmatism over moral suasion, the president is attempting to make a sharp shift in national policy on an issue that many voters have yet to embrace as a priority, advisers and lawmakers say.
His efforts, combined with those of congressional Democrats, have already pushed forward groundbreaking initiatives. February's stimulus act lavished money on projects for renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy research. This month, the White House announced that it had negotiated corporate, state and environmentalist support for higher fuel-efficiency and tailpipe-emissions standards that would clamp the first nationwide limits on greenhouse gases.
The Dow is Up!!!!
The Nasdaq is Up!!!
The S & P is Up!!!!!
Now the silly talking heads are up in arms about a simple greeting...how pathetic can the media really be?
The king’s heart is the hand of the lord, as the rivers of water, he turneth it whithersoever he will,” who is the Originator of change, the power behind change, the organ of change and the outcome of change. In others word it will empower you to overcome the employer’s no, the banker’s no, the lender’s no, the government’s no, and the judge’s no! And experience God’s yes, in his timing and according to his will. How? One principle, one precept and one prayer at a time!
- Dr. Ralph A. Martino.
A CBS News poll of approximately 500 people saw approval of the president rise from 62 percent before the speech to 69 percent afterward.
Meanwhile, a poll on CNN showed that 68 percent of respondents -- who skewed a bit Democratic -- viewed the speech positively, 24 somewhat positively, and only eight percent not positively. Eighty-two percent supported the president's economic plan as outlined in the speech, while 17 percent opposed it.
Those results were buttressed by the findings of longtime Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg. In his own dial poll, which included 50 participants of mixed gender, education and politics, Greenberg found a large swath of bipartisan support for Obama's addres. That included a 14 percent jump, from 62 to 76 percent, in the favorability rating for the president.
Saying at the onset that this was an "immensely successful speech," he highlighted a few issues on which Obama won over the audience.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/24/polls-show-obama-won-the_n_169700.html
Eric Cantors said that the American People will be asking "where is my bailout" and the only answer that We the American People can give him is "IT'S In Your Wife's Purse" Will she Return the Money?
I have concluded of late that I could only consider myself a political independent if there is such a thing. I do not think I should be labeled Republican or Democrat, on the Left or on the Right or any other affiliation except to be a proud citizen of this United States and live by the principles on which this great nation was founded.As far as I am concerned, our government, as it stands today, is in great need of an overhaul and a wake up call. I firmly believe that if our founding fathers could see the way our government and institutions run today, they would be greatly disturbed and dismayed on how far We The People have strayed from the principles that our republic was built on.There was a time long ago and at the beginning of our republic and our experiment in democracy, that to serve in public office was considered a privilege and not a right. To serve in public office often meant financial sacrifice to those who gladly served the people and this great country, sacrifice or not.Today most who serve in public office expect a windfall financially and are mainly interested in the influence they can gain to increase their wealth in office and for when they leave office. Where is the personal and financial sacrifice to serve? They look at their title as a possession and not a privilege. They pontificate to attempt to bend the will of the people to their ways of thinking instead of deriving their actions from the will of the people to whom they profess to serve. Some politicians become so entrenched in their governmental powers; they often feel themselves above the law.Today's politicians are a washed in a tsunami of lobbyists, who bend the ears of those in government in order to influence the politicians' vote that will most benefit the interests of the lobby they represent. How often do we see politicians, who when they leave office, become pawns; working for one lobby interest or the other? Elected federal government officials need to be banned by law from working for a lobby for at least 5 to 10 years after they leave office in order to stop the habit of influence peddling after they in fact leave public office. I dare say, I lay a good part of the guilt for the perversion of public office on We The People themselves whom have absolved their responsibility to impose and elect officials on their merit and desire to serve the people. They have abdicated their rights by allowing so-called public servants to make their own decisions of policy and directions for the public servants own benefit. "To hell what the people want!" they say. "We know what is best for them. Where would they be without us?" they say as they puff up their chests and proudly strut.I always thought that there should be some sort of term limitations for all federal elected positions, not just for the presidency. Change is good, as it allows the government to refresh itself on a regular basis by bringing new ideas and approaches to work for the people.When will We The People ever wake up and demand that the government of the people, for the people, by the people be truly put into the hands of the people and not political demigods'? I see the slow demise of our republic if We The People are not brought to our senses. Will we follow the demise that history has shown us be-felled other once great nations and peoples? I would say, it is likely, considering the current state of affairs of government and the distance we have traveled from our roots of our democracy and our republic.
Keyword Articles: http://www.keywordarticles.org
Bill Wallmuller aka Mr. Merokee is the founder of Merokee Enterprises: www.merokee-enterprises.com
Bob Herbert offers sound advice on what is neded right now:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/11/opinion/11herbert.html?hp
"The most important thing the Democrats and President-elect Obama can do with regard to the economy is bring back a sense of fairness and equity.
The fat cats who placed the entire economy at risk with their greed and manic irresponsibility are trying to lay claim to every last dime in the national Treasury. Meanwhile, we’re nowhere close to an economic recovery program that will help the people who are hurting most.
Back in September, with the credit markets frozen and the stock markets panicking, the treasury secretary, Henry Paulson, was telling anyone who would listen that his $700 billion bailout package had to be passed with lightning speed — no time to look at it too closely, no time for dissent.
The package was modified, but hurriedly. Now we learn that while all eyes were focused on this enormous new burden for American taxpayers, Mr. Paulson’s department was also engineering — separate and apart from the bailout — what The Washington Post described as “a quiet windfall for U.S. banks.”
With virtually no public attention, and without the input of Congress, Treasury made a change in an obscure tax provision that benefited banks to the tune of well over $100 billion. Was this good policy? In the absence of proper scrutiny, how is it possible to know?
We’ve also learned that the government bailout of the giant insurer, the American International Group — already more than $100 billion — is apparently insufficient. Tens of billions more are needed.
When the Champagne and caviar crowd is in trouble, there is no conceivable limit to the amount of taxpayer money that can be found, and found quickly.
But when it comes to ordinary citizens in dire situations — those being thrown out of work or forced from their homes by foreclosure or driven into bankruptcy because of illness and a lack of adequate health insurance — well, then we have to start pinching pennies. That’s when it’s time to become fiscally conservative. President Bush even vetoed a bill that would have expanded health insurance coverage for children.
We can find trillions for a foolish war and for pompous, self-righteous high-rollers who wrecked their companies and the economy. But what about the working poor and the young people who are being clobbered in this downturn, battered so badly that they’re all but destitute? Can we find any way to help them?
In an article on Sunday, The Times mentioned a young woman in Philadelphia, Kyuana Everett, who is 21 years old, has a high school diploma and is desperate for work. “I’ve tried everything,” she said, “retail sales, office work, but the employers all say they have too many staff and they’re not hiring now.”
The article noted that Ms. Everett cannot even afford to rent a room for herself. She stays with her grandmother, secretly, in a home for the aged.
This is no ordinary recession. With brokerage houses, banks and a mammoth multinational insurance company depending on the Treasury for resuscitation, and with automakers like General Motors staring bankruptcy in the face, it has the feel of a monster downturn, a recession on steroids.
That kind of downturn buries people at the bottom of the economic ladder. We have an obligation to look out for them as well as for the banks and the A.I.G.’s of the world.
If I could place a message on the desk of the incoming president, it would have just one word: Jobs.
With credit cards maxed out, the stock market in the tank, family savings depleted and home equity evaporating, that weekly or monthly paycheck has never been so important.
Congress and the new administration need to think big — bigger than the stimulus package of $100 billion or so, which is being kicked around. Now is the time for a coast-to-coast “Rebuild America” infrastructure program. Put people to work repairing and rebuilding roads and bridges, decrepit schools and ancient sewer systems. Get the construction industry back on its feet.
And now is the time to get going on candidate Obama’s promise to move the country as close as possible to a system of universal health insurance. Pump the money from that vast project into the economy and get those jobs up and running.
And let’s get some help, quickly, to the families who are suffering most from the housing crisis — the ones trembling and heartbroken in the dark shadow of foreclosure.
The naysayers will claim that all of this is too expensive, that we can’t afford it. Where were they when we invaded Iraq? And how do they feel about the staggering amounts being funneled, with nothing like the proper oversight, to the banks and Wall Street?
Let’s try investing in America and its people for a change, rather than just hurling our billions into the abyss"
A friend of mine at Skyhorse Publishing is putting together a book called Letters To President Obama.
If you are interested in more information or submitting a letter for possible inclusion in the book, go to www.letterstopresidentobama.com.
Congratulations to Barack Obama who has written a new chapter for race relations in our country
and has set an example for other countries to follow. Barack has shown all Americans that
you don't have to allow others to tell you that "you can't be a CEO, the President, an astronaut
or whatever" because Barack just proved that anyone can do anything.
