I support a living wage, which varies depending on where you live, and is approximately double the minimum wage. The living wage is defined as the amount needed to bring a family of four up to the federal poverty line. Why do I support it? If the minimum wage were increased to a living wage, all other wages would be increased and all of us would enjoy a higher standard of living. Detractors point out that some entry level jobs would disappear. That is true. I would train those lacking jobs to fill higher paying skilled jobs.
The question that needs to be asked and no one is asking is: who is willing, are you or are we, to be associated with an economy that forces millions to work for near starvation wages? I am NOT. This nation has the resources to provide a dignified life for all who work. If a job is worth doing, it is worth paying a living wage for its performance.
Dear Friend:
We have made great progress with the independent movement and brought real--plus fundamental change to the two-party system. Now is the moment and time to join our continuous effort on making government more accountable -- Coaches! 101 have lobbied the government for Health Care Reform, and Homeless Prevention. Now we are taking on the fight to bring more jobs to NJ, and we need both republican and democrats to join our movement to place pressure on government to create jobs, or fund programs that create jobs in this country. The Next Generation's Leaders Program needs some of your help. We are asking you to be a part of the program and Donate to the cause.
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In a recent post, I predicted that Iran would be an ally on the war on terror. I want to explain my thinking. Before the 1979 revolution, the US supported the Shah with weapons sales so that Iran would have a big stick to police that part of the world. The US had installed the Shah in power and he had ruled with an iron fist through his secret police, SAVAK. Their abuses probably exceeded ours at Abu Graib. Our interference in Iranian affairs made many Iranians anti-American and goes a long way toward explaining their current attitude to the US.
Our current allies in the West are doing little in the war on terror and in Afghanistan and want to do less. Our allies in the Muslim world do little to help and some sectors of their societies are actually helping the other side. Saudis are funding madrassas, schools, in Pakistan that produce Taliban recruits and probably recruits for al-Qaeda too. The Pakistan intelligence service, ISI, has been an active supporter of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Now that support has boomeranged with Taliban attacks in Pakistan. I do no know if ISI support for the Taliban continues at this date.
We in the West who are not Muslim are infidels to be converted to Islam. Shiitie Muslims in the Middle East are considered by most Sunni Muslims to be heretics to be put to death. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, That puts the Muslim Shiites and the majority of the West on the same side. I do not expect Iran to send troops to Afghanistan or Pakistan. I do expect that Iran will desire peaceful borders with Iraq, Aghanistan and Pakistan. Iran has a larger population than any of its neighbors, save Pakistan. Iran has a big stake in settling the wars in their neighborhood.
If we reduce our dependence on Saudi oil, the Saudis will not be able to take our support and protection for granted. Our friendship with Iran will put pressure on Saudi Arabia to modernize their society, reduce corruption and reduce funding for the madrassas in Pakistan if they desire our continued friendship.
Haste makes waste is the slogan of Haste International, a large multinational company, and the world's largest supplier of waste. At the beginning of George W. Bush's first term, they had 13 factories in the US and now there is only the one required for government contracts that specify made in the USA. The other factories have been closed and the jobs shipped to China. We now import 95% of our waste from China. The reason I am talking about Haste International now is that Dick Cheney is urging Barack Obama to use haste in deciding the next steps in Afghanistan. The Bush administration used a great deal of the Haste product and you can see the waste all around the US and the rest of the world.
Logic is facing a surge in unemployment since Bush left office. The sign on the door of employment offices at the Heritage Foundation, the American Enterprise Institute, and other conservative think tanks reads, No Logic Need Apply. Logic has gone out of fashion at the Republican party too. The policy now is make any charges against the Obama administration, however false and fanciful. If repeated often enough and loud enough, some will believe.
In a recent posting, I listed three causes of approximately 118,000 US deaths every year. I am reading Ralph Nader's most recent book, Only the Super-rich..., which I will review as soon as I finish reading it. In the meantime, some numbers just jumped off page 286 and I wanted to share them with you as soon as possible.
Numbers are again approximate
65,000 die each year from air pollution58,000 die from workplace related disease and trauma100,000 die from medical negligence or incompetence in hospitals100,000 die from adverse effects of commercially advertised drugs
That is an additional total of 323,000 added to the originally reported 118,000 for a grand total of 441,000 preventable deaths per year here in the US. Reducing those numbers must be a high national priority.
These numbers are approximate.
43,000 died in traffic accidents in 2008.30,000 die each year from gun shot wounds45,000 die each year from lack of health insurance
That is a total of 118,000 US citizens dying each year needlessly. What are you going to do about it? Probably nothing unless a friend or loved one falls into one of those three groups and then it will be too late. How many of us are among the walking wounded bearing physical or emotional scars from contact with the results of the above three sources of death?
The NTSA and others have worked for years to reduce traffic fatalities. Now it's the turn of lack of health insurance to receive attention. In a few days or weeks, the US Congress will decide the fate of health care reform. In the immortal words of George W. Bush, " You're either with us or against us." If you are a member of Congress and you don't support health care reform, please get out of the way. If you support health care reform, now is the time to be vocal about it. The opportunity for real reform is a very rare occurrence.
Saw this in yesterday's Business section of the L.A. Times, CVS and Walgreens promote free flu shots for the unemployed.
CVS will immunize 10,000 individuals that are jobless and Walgreen will give the shot to the uninsured. For a list of the vaccination locations visit www.cvs.com <http://www.cvs.com/> or call (888) FLU-SHOT. Walgreens will also give out vouchers to eligible people. Go to www.walgreens.com <http://www.walgreens.com/> or call (866) 484-TOUR for further information.
Peace out, Minerva
Our President recognizes the responsibility ensuing to the Office of the President of the United States. As he continues to do what is right for all, he undoubtedly will make some angry. I have exorbitant respect for anyone, that will step up and do what is right, even in the wake of adversity. While he may not be the savior, as some have claimed. He is a healer, healing the pain of so many African Americans, allowing them, once again to believe, travailing the word encouraging them to work together as one, As my daughter said, We are all one family. I truly believe that our President has a true heart for humanity. How many years have you prayed for this very person to be in office, not knowing who it should be, but knowing he/she needed to come? My heart is so open, so filled. We truly are so blessed and I for one am extremely happy for our President and his family, as I know no one person, deserves this more!
Congratulations to President Barack Obama in honor of the Nobel Peace Prize...at his acceptance speech, he humbly stated he was undeserving of the honor, but I beg to differ...the prize of accomplishing the office of Presidency in America by a man of Black African heritage, is a testament to his life, all Americans of vision and African Americans in particular. The Prize is the paramount national and global vision that our President embodies.....and if anyone is concerned about the economy, with all the speculation, lies and projection of ideologies, the President's presence has undoubtedly spurred talk show hosts, pundits, and any other "wish i knew what the hell i was talking about"opportunists, to generate monies from the paymaster.........the election of President Barack Obama was achieved through a peaceful and bloodless process that some still try to invoke the ugliness of the base of human nature.....but, global life of peace, justice and happiness is the Prize of the Prize.
Young people are killing young people in Chicago. Would second amendment supporters suggest arming everyone for self defense? When the smoke cleared, the streets would be littered with the dead. As an alternative, should the police shoot to kill? That might reduce the violence temporarily, but is not the solution.
I grew up in Chicago but it is many years since I have been back. When I lived there, Chicago was one of the most segregated cities in the country. I doubt that much has changed. I am now in Utah and Chicago is still many miles away in Illinois, but from here I think I know what the problems are. I cannot offer specific solutions but I do know that a piecemeal approach will not work. The problems that face our youth must be approached simultaneously if there is to be any hope of success.
The problems are: drugs, gangs, broken families, poor schools, guns in the wrong hands, unemployment and lack of opportunity. Why spend the effort to educate yourself if you are denied a chance to advance? Good , rewarding lives as productive members of society require good, well-paying jobs. Political and social leaders must set moral examples. Jails are overcrowded and the courts are too. Justice delayed is justice denied.
