The Road to Health Care Reform

I very rarely blog about politics and political issues (with the exception of DC Mayor Adrian Fenty and School Chancellor Michelle Rhee) but this debate on Heath Care Reform really bothers me.

Today, someone tweeted that 16% of Americans are without health insurance.  I questioned that statistic but turns out it is equal to 46 MILLION people.  That's incredible!  It's sad to think we live in America and so many of us are not covered by health insurance.  I've been to third world countries and you could expect that from those societies, but here that just doesn't make any sense.  How did this happen and why has it been going on for so long?

The main argument I hear is people think by creating universal healthcare they are going to lose their own premium coverage or that they'll be paying for other people.  While that may be partially true, that's the way of the world.  We pay taxes don't we?  I'm young, single and don't have children but my taxes pay for education, welfare, social security and a number of other benefits that I'm not eligible to receive but I'm not complaining.

I have friends who have jobs but may be working in temporary positions or doing contract work here and there and they don't have insurance.  I'm always worried about what if something happens to them.  It's not their fault they don't have insurance and premiums are too high for them to be able to afford them without having an employer who's willing to subsidize it.

When will the Powers-that-be come together and pass Health Care Reform?  Are we really that selfish and greedy?  People shouldn't be living in poverty and without health insurance in America of all places.  Something has to be done.

DC Mayor Fenty Is At It Again!

Growing up in Maryland and moving back to the Washington, DC Metro area, I've always been exposed to the politics of the District.  Watching NBC News like I do every morning, I saw DC's Mayor Adrian Fenty at his finest.  His arrogance and his constant antics make me want to move into the city just so I can campaign and vote against him in the next election.

DC has been a place known to accept their Black mayor despite his many down falls, case in point Marion Barry.  I have a lot to say about that fool but I'm not even going there this time.  Adrian Fenty has definitely worn out his welcome in the District and I look forward to the day when he's no longer Mayor.

You may wonder why I even care about the Mayor of DC, but being that I work here, eat here, and stimulate the economy of DC on a daily basis, I feel like I have a right to be irritated with his lack of concern for the residents on the Nation's Capital and those who commute into the city on every day.

Here's the video that just made me shake my head this morning and question why it is he's the Mayor.

Al Sharpton Go Sit Down!

I truly can't stand, or better yet I despise, the Rev. Al Sharpton. Out of respect, I will refrain from referring to him as "Big Perm" as I've been known to in the past. He's an utter embarrassment to me as a Black person and he does not represent me nor anything that I stand for.

As I sat and watched the memorial service held for Michael Jackson yesterday, I felt sick to my stomach when ole Al got up to speak. All I could think was what foolishness is he going to spew from his mouth today. So as I sat there thinking, wait for it...he dropped the bomb. He looks towards Michael Jackson's children and says "I want you three children to know, what’n nuttin strange about your Daddy.” (You can see the Video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MAKLq865bk, he makes the comment at 5:21)

Really Al? Everyone was sensitive to the family and did their best to keep the mood light and positive. But there he goes with his controversial commentary. Maybe I’m being critical because I can longer see past his ignorance or need for self-promotion but he really could’ve worded what was supposed to be positive message to make his point sound less harsh. Instead, he made a point of drawing a reaction from the crowd in usual Al Sharpton-fashion.

Seriously, did he really think that was appropriate to say to someone's grieving children? Did he think it was appropriate to make a comment like that which would be heard by millions, if not billions, of people all over the world?

Why do people keep encouraging him? Why do people call on him to speak at any event where there’s going to be media scrutinizing his every word and action? I just hope “others” realize that he does not speak for all Black people. In all respect, I know he’s done his part in bringing discrimination issues to the media (i.e. Jena 6 and any other racial injustice that would allow him to stand on his pulpit to have his 30 seconds of fame). Will someone please tell Al Sharpton it’s someone else’s turn to be in the spotlight and hopefully someone who’s a little more articulate and is more representative of the black community as a whole! To the Rev. Al Sharpton, I wish you’d just go sit down somewhere and be quiet for a change!

Domestic Violence 101

This morning I attended Regional Day of Service: Take a Stand Against Domestic Violence Symposium sponsored by the illustrious Prince George's County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

This event was planned several months ago, long before the entire Chris Brown & Rihanna incident. You don't know how glad I am that situation came to light because it shows everyone that domestic violence doesn't just happen to certain people of a certain age or a certain race, or even a certain socioeconomic class, it happens to everyone. I'm not saying at all that I condone what happened to Rihanna, I'm just glad the incident gained so much attention because it provided valuable exposure especially to children and teenagers who look up to the two celebrities. It provides a name and a face of domestic violence.

The morning began with comments from the Prince George's County State's Attorney Glenn Ivey who provided a lot of information about resources for victims/survivors of Domestic Violence as well as ways in which we can all make a difference. He suggested emailing or calling our representatives to ensure when new domestic violence legislation is up for vote, they vote the way we want them to vote. We can make a difference.

Following, there were several break out sessions. I attended one on Advocacy & Outreach brought to us by the Outreach Coordinator at the House of Ruth in MD (not affiliated with the DC one). The presentation began with a video that included sound from an actual incident that occurred between a husband and wife. It was so real and so scary. You could hear the woman begging her husband to stop, but he kept hitting and slapping her. He told her if she told anyone he'd kill her and the person she told. At the end of the video, the words came across the screen stating that 2 weeks after its taping he had killed her.

It was very hard to hear something like that but it makes domestic violence so real especially to someone like me who's never been in that type of situation. As far as I know of I have only one friend who was in an abusive relationship but she's always said it only took him only once to hit her and she got out of the relationship and I've always been proud of her for that.

Watching the video and hearing the stories, you always think to yourself why doesn't the woman (and in some cases man) leave? Why does she accept the beatings and the verbal abuse? How could she love someone whose sole purpose is to be in control of her? But unless you're in that particular situation, it's hard and unfair to be judgemental because you're just an outsider looking in.

Today made me realize that I shouldn't ask questions like those, but I should be supportive and do my part in trying to see that laws are put into effect so domestic violence is taken more seriously. It's still crazy to me that if a man were to walk up to a stranger on the street and punch him, he'd be charged with assault and likely get locked up. But if the same man were to hit his wife, girlfriend, or the Mother of his child, someone he supposedly loves, often times he gets let off with just a warning and continues the cycle of abuse.

I think that it's interesting people fight for cruelty against animals and animal rights but the same compassion isn't there for the rights of battered women. Organizations like PETA can spend millions of dollars to have a commercial during the Super Bowl while most domestic violence organizations have limited funding and lack space for women seeking solace from their abusers.

The presentation made me feel very empowered like I could do something to make a difference. We can all do some thing whether we donate money, donate our time as a counselor, email our representatives, or write blogs to get the word out.

Remember, 1 out of every 3 women will be a victim of domestic abuse, if that's not a scary statistic I don't know what is.