OLD, HAPPY and GRATEFUL

My life could not be better and a big reason for that is that I am financially OK because of a Defined Benefit Pension Plan from my Union.  In old age one has no more big decisions to make and I am free to do as I please, selfish maybe but very enjoyable.  One of the best things is that for the first time in my life there is a President that I can totally believe in.  I was born working class and worked since age 15 and led a very politically active life. I believe in knowing as much as possible about the world we live in and by being informed was able to position myself for where I am today.  I am very GRATEFUL.

The real problem.

The Real Problem is not taxes or spending but compensation. Specifically compensation to the majority of working class Americans who, for the last 30 years, have greatly increased productivity and profits for Corporate America but have nothing to show for it. Real wages for the vast majority of working class Americans have remained stagnant while the top tier of the population, aka as the 1 %ers, enjoyed not only greater wealth, but ownership of a greater percentage of the this nation’s wealth. To distill this problem to it’s essence, the social contract between the working class and the wealthy class has been shredded, replaced by a laissez faire, everyone for themselves economy managed by the 1%ers who have developed a sense of entitlement worthy of Marie Antoinette. While this contract has worked fabulously well for the 1%ers, it is unsustainable. In the long run this nation is on course to become a third world country whose leaders will talk about helping the working class and lifting them up but it will be all talk. Just like now, all talk about everything but the Real Problem. 

‘I’m pretty sure more storms are going to be like Sandy and we couldn’t make it through another with the way things are’

By Elizabeth Shell

After Hurricane Sandy sucker-punched the East coast last fall, we went to Long Island to meet people who’d lost nearly everything but had no flood insurance to cover their losses. Jack Nowinski’s home and $1 million musical instrument collection were among Sandy’s victims. At 82, Jack’s entire retirement and his children’s inheritance were held in that collection. “I decided that I should invest only in things that I know something about,” Jack told us at the time. “So, I started investing in some really great instruments.” Four months later, we got in touch with Jack’s son, Paul, on how things were going:

I’ve been to the house nearly every day over the last three months. The first priority was making the house livable. The city got a grant and was able to put electricity in for us, and we have been able to put some drywall up. It’s been nonstop work — my dad is back living there. We finally got a car but it’s near Philadelphia so I will be picking it up in the next few days. That will be great. But no appliances yet. He has a dorm fridge and I got him a crock pot.

The instruments were a tremendous loss. They are in limbo. Some are getting cleaned up. But we’re alive and chipping away. It may be possible to raise the house — FEMA sent us a package on how to do that. If I could move the house up six or seven feet, then I wouldn’t have to worry about future flooding on the first floor. Seems like we need to find a civil engineer to help with the foundation rebuild. And Sandy, it’s not just one storm. I’m pretty sure more storms are going to be like Sandy. And we couldn’t make it through another with the way things are.

Photo courtesy of Paul Nowinski

English Spoken – PLEASE

For the common good, one national communication language only! Historically it could have been a number of languages in the USA. It happens to be English. Let’s keep it that way. It’s the most cost-efficient, fair and unifying way to run a country.

Comprehensive immigration reform must contain a “tiered assimilation requirement”; language and culture. Sheer numbers of immigrants and literacy levels dictate a common-sense, cost and time efficient approach; maximum assistance, minimum enabling.

One country = one shared language. This may sound strange coming from someone who roamed 5 continents, communicates in 6 languages, and clearly thrives on cultural diversity. However, I have lived in a bilingual country, and observed the enormous economic and social costs. I also spent time in a country that successfully invented a post-colonialism national language, recognizing it as an essential means to unite a multitude of ethnic groups.

Other countries implemented immigration assimilation programs to deal with global mass migrations. No system is perfect. Neither were the WPA, CCC or GI Bill but their positive effects are still visible today. Long-term vision is a must. So let us compare assimilation systems, adopt successful elements, and integrate modern communications technologies in the learning process. Everyone needs to be literate and computer literate. Teach these skills simultaneously.

Everything is readily available now for a successful assimilation program that serves the shared interests of present and future citizens as well as temporary workers and their employers. Let’s not complicate or delay the matter. A national tiered assimilation program will be a wise and justified investment in the country. The innate delayed gratification of an assimilation process must be realistically kept in mind. However, breaking down language barriers and facilitating cultural understanding by creating increased communication channels will quickly result in improved individual functionality and national economical sustainability, and lead to societal empathy and improved quality of life. A tiered assimilation requirement is a win-win.

Feb. 12, 2013 AvH

Autism health care/employment/social services reform

Dear President Obama, I am a young man with high-functioning autism (PDD-NOS/Aspergers). I hope that at one point this term, you persuade Congress to pass more comprehensive autism legislation in terms of health care, employment services, and social services. Many people with autism often do not proper health care insurance and are denied services after they leave the public educational system. They also need more efficient teachers and job coaches to help them in terms of school and employment.

Middle Ground but See the Future

At this moment, I’m at a stand still, there’s no fork in the road and not very many obstacles, just one: When?  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and the growth of our nation’s economic status but it’s just a matter of WHEN?  I can see my professional future and it’s future success but WHEN?  I can see a break from financial burden but WHEN?  I can see the future but I just don’t know when the good things will happen.image

At the Bottom and Unimportant

The stratifying of our economic classes leave those, like me, without vast wealth to feel insubstantial. Struggling every year to survive while the one percent dictates to the rest, is no way to live. Here in Ohio the GOP is manipulating our political system to even further alienate the people from the power to elect those who represent them. How are we supposed to change things when the rich steal our voice?