The following are excerpts from a speech delivered on October 31st 1936:
"...powerful influences are trying to restore that kind of government with its doctrine that government is best which is most indifferent to mankind. That, to me sums up Republican politics, the kind of politics that count on the voters' lowest impulse, individual greed, to sell its idea of carrying on at the expense of all else, be it nature or the future of mankind.
For four years now you have had an administration, which instead of of twirling its thumbs, has rolled up its sleeves. And I assure you that we will keep our sleeves rolled up. We had to struggle with the old enemies of peace; business and financial monopoly, speculation, reckless banking, class antagonism, sectionalism, war profiteering. They had begun to consider the government of the United States as a mere appendage to their own affairs; and we know that government by organized money is just as dangerous as government by organized mob.
Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today. They are unanimous in their hate for me, and I welcome their hatred."
The excerpts quoted above were from a speech delivered by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt at Madison Square Garden just before the election of 1936, wherein he won his second term. The parallels to our situation today are striking.
In 1932 when FDR won the presidency the first time he inherited a Great Depression that had been raging for three years and only grown worse under the policies of the Hoover administration. Those policies featured budget cuts, breaks for the wealthiest, and an outright rejection of the idea of government spending to stimulate the economy or create job growth. Indeed, rejection of the idea that government should serve its people in any way. In early 1933 when FDR took office with huge Democratic majorities in Congress he began an aggressive set of programs to reverse the policies of the previous Republican administration and Congress. He and the Congress set about creating major Government programs that built dams, bridges, hi-way systems, and major efforts like the Tennessee Valley Authority that brought the south into the modern world. Today we would call these Infra-structure projects. In addition he created the Civilian Conservation Corps and other jobs programs.
Please remember that all this happened at the darkest and most hopeless moments of the financial crisis. But he used the power of his office and his own personal strength of leadership to push these programs through. The list of accomplishments and change that came about in this period is staggering. These programs, including Social Security, transformed the country forever. FDR restored the people's faith that government could make a positive impact on its people-that government serves the people.
Today we face nearly identical issues, and predictably the same set of choices the country faced in dealing with the Great Depression. However, there is a major difference between that era and this one. The difference is leadership. Today, like 1932, a President is faced with creating bold new programs to correct the disaster left behind by the last set of leaders. Today, like 1932 the current Republican party blames the current President for the problems they caused only a few short years before- because he didn't fix them quickly enough, and (of course) without an ounce of cooperation from them. Today's leadership in the White House and in the Democratic caucuses of the Congress, however, seem to lack the boldness and the courage of an FDR.
President Obama could deliver the same speech, word for word, FDR delivered in 1932 and be spot-on with the issues that FDR spoke of. But, unfortunately, President Obama doesn't say, "I welcome their hatred". In 1932 President Roosevelt defined the debate and framed the solutions his way. The people heard the message and stood with their President because, even though he was a man of privilege himself, he challenged the money interests- and put people back to work. He knew you cannot "cut" your way back to prosperity.
We have the same opportunities today. We have a crumbling infra-structure, an antiquated power grid, an old 19th century rail system, with roads, bridges and school buildings falling apart. We also have a dying energy system based on withering amounts of fossil fuel that only guarantee two things- it will get more expensive and it will continue to ruin our planet. The opportunities are there for jobs and for a brighter future. We have an FDR moment! We need an FDR!
President Obama has abilities to seize this moment, but he continually backs away, just when we need him most. I believe we cannot be short-sighted and forget our history. We must prime the pump of employment by using aggressive programs to create jobs the way FDR did. We must encourage our President to stand up, re-take the debate from those who package their ideas in thinly veiled hatred- "welcome their hatred" and be the bold president we expected. The times demand it and as involved citizens, we must demand it too. We live an age when it is so easy to communicate our wishes to our leaders. The Internet makes it an easy task. Take advantage and write to our President, write to your congress person and your Senators. Let them know the "old enemies of peace" should not prevail this time either.
Thanks for looking in.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
It Starts With Your Eyes
Well, it doesn't always start with your eyes- but it did for me. I'm talking about that creeping realization that you are aging. In my own case, I remember it well. About fifteen years ago when I was in my early-forties I began to notice that the letters on the page were not as clear and crisp as they used to be. There was an ever-so-slight feeling of irritation in my eyes. "Strain", I thought. This will pass. After all, I've had perfect vision up to now. Both my parents wore glasses from the time they young adults, but I thought all that stuff had passed right over me, so this couldn't be about having my vision go south on me. But as the months passed I couldn't deny it any longer. I found myself attempting to read while adjusting my upper body back and forth trying to find the focus zone. Then I became the old cliche'. I was actually extending my arms until they just weren't long enough anymore.
I complained about it to a friend. He is about eight years older than me and he got quite a good laugh at my situation. Then he painstakingly went through his own eye history. (Jesus- will this ever end?) He told me about how "as you age" your eyeball changes shape and you need to correct for good vision. So like very other dorky 40-something, I'm at the drug store buying those readers. First 1.0; then 1.5s; and finally after the 2.25s won't work anymore you're at the eye doctor and you're wearing full-out prescription "corrective lenses". This is the time you know you're not a kid anymore. You can't do everything you used to do- like see stuff! As I stand here today I'm now a full-fledged bifocal wearing man. See how it goes?
All of these experiences help prepare you for the "next phase" of life. Soon, wearing glasses is a small issue. You might experience a minor medical scare of some kind, or find yourself checking in for out-patient surgery. Then you have "a procedure"; possibly major surgery (hell, there could even be "complications"). And so it goes.
Last week our family had one of those events that goes beyond the normal grumbling about getting older. My cousin had a major heart attack. She had the kind that couldn't be fixed without "crack the chest", full open-heart surgery. She nearly lost her life and remained in a highly critical state for several days. Thankfully, she is now beginning to recover; but her survival was not assured when the crisis hit. This was not a normal heart attack- if there actually is such a thing. This was a helicopter ride to a larger town- emergency surgery- and the highest level of critical care.
My cousin is part of the generation I belong to. We are the baby boomers, born after World War II and up to about 1960. All of my first cousins are in this group. So, what happened last week is a poignant reminder that as we age the stakes are getting higher. It is clear now that members of my generation can be lost . I think we've tried to be careful to take care of ourselves as best we can. I think we've all given up our bad habits, if we had them, and turned to healthier ways. But even for those like my cousin, who did all the right things, our end can come suddenly and without warning. This is just life. It is unpredictable. We are, after all, living organisms that will eventually fail and pass on from life- as all living things do.
I'm so happy to be writing this while my cousin continues to recover- instead of writing this while in mourning. But this event has given me more cause to reflect on the way forward for those of us facing the challenges that come with aging. I suppose there are basically two ways to react. I have known those who recoil and devolve into a life of worry and depression. They believe that getting older is nothing more than mounting physical and emotional hardships to be endured. They live their lives around trips to the doctor's office and dwelling on lost youth. Then are those who believe that to be alive is to be active and involved and look forward to the future. I made the choice to look forward. Believe it or not, I made that choice about the time I started wearing "corrective lenses". It was then I knew there were some things I couldn't change- so I had better make the best of it- instead of living in dread of approaching decline.
In lots of ways, this choice informs my political and social beliefs too, and the way I want to spend my time. I want to be progressive. I want to be involved. I want to think and comment, and take actions when I have the chance to do so. I want to put my faith in the young people who will move us forward- not the stance that says, 'look backward, conserve the past". Youthful passion for change and improvement is exhilarating. Besides, I don't believe the good old days were all that good for a lot people. So I decided to engage in activities that challenge my talents (if I have any) and take up new endeavors. Writing these articles is part of that effort. I want to keep my mind and my body as active as I can. And if my end comes sooner rather than later, then be assured I enjoyed the time I had- that I found it so interesting and so full of wonder.
Thanks for looking in.
I complained about it to a friend. He is about eight years older than me and he got quite a good laugh at my situation. Then he painstakingly went through his own eye history. (Jesus- will this ever end?) He told me about how "as you age" your eyeball changes shape and you need to correct for good vision. So like very other dorky 40-something, I'm at the drug store buying those readers. First 1.0; then 1.5s; and finally after the 2.25s won't work anymore you're at the eye doctor and you're wearing full-out prescription "corrective lenses". This is the time you know you're not a kid anymore. You can't do everything you used to do- like see stuff! As I stand here today I'm now a full-fledged bifocal wearing man. See how it goes?
All of these experiences help prepare you for the "next phase" of life. Soon, wearing glasses is a small issue. You might experience a minor medical scare of some kind, or find yourself checking in for out-patient surgery. Then you have "a procedure"; possibly major surgery (hell, there could even be "complications"). And so it goes.
Last week our family had one of those events that goes beyond the normal grumbling about getting older. My cousin had a major heart attack. She had the kind that couldn't be fixed without "crack the chest", full open-heart surgery. She nearly lost her life and remained in a highly critical state for several days. Thankfully, she is now beginning to recover; but her survival was not assured when the crisis hit. This was not a normal heart attack- if there actually is such a thing. This was a helicopter ride to a larger town- emergency surgery- and the highest level of critical care.
My cousin is part of the generation I belong to. We are the baby boomers, born after World War II and up to about 1960. All of my first cousins are in this group. So, what happened last week is a poignant reminder that as we age the stakes are getting higher. It is clear now that members of my generation can be lost . I think we've tried to be careful to take care of ourselves as best we can. I think we've all given up our bad habits, if we had them, and turned to healthier ways. But even for those like my cousin, who did all the right things, our end can come suddenly and without warning. This is just life. It is unpredictable. We are, after all, living organisms that will eventually fail and pass on from life- as all living things do.
I'm so happy to be writing this while my cousin continues to recover- instead of writing this while in mourning. But this event has given me more cause to reflect on the way forward for those of us facing the challenges that come with aging. I suppose there are basically two ways to react. I have known those who recoil and devolve into a life of worry and depression. They believe that getting older is nothing more than mounting physical and emotional hardships to be endured. They live their lives around trips to the doctor's office and dwelling on lost youth. Then are those who believe that to be alive is to be active and involved and look forward to the future. I made the choice to look forward. Believe it or not, I made that choice about the time I started wearing "corrective lenses". It was then I knew there were some things I couldn't change- so I had better make the best of it- instead of living in dread of approaching decline.
In lots of ways, this choice informs my political and social beliefs too, and the way I want to spend my time. I want to be progressive. I want to be involved. I want to think and comment, and take actions when I have the chance to do so. I want to put my faith in the young people who will move us forward- not the stance that says, 'look backward, conserve the past". Youthful passion for change and improvement is exhilarating. Besides, I don't believe the good old days were all that good for a lot people. So I decided to engage in activities that challenge my talents (if I have any) and take up new endeavors. Writing these articles is part of that effort. I want to keep my mind and my body as active as I can. And if my end comes sooner rather than later, then be assured I enjoyed the time I had- that I found it so interesting and so full of wonder.
Thanks for looking in.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Our Children and Our Teachers
This one has me vexed. I usually follow a pattern of coming upon an issue or topic; then I think about it a while to come up with a way of discussing it that's a little different (if I'm lucky); then I sit down to write it out. This one isn't going according to the pattern. I've determined my feelings on the topic, but I'm having the hardest time seeing it written out. So you just have to come along for the ride.
It all started some years ago when Lee and I joined a new organization called Stand for Children. It was the beginning of a national organizing effort to create a lobby for children, where members of a community could address the needs of children with local decision-makers. We were privileged to know the founder of the movement, Jonah Edelman; and work with him on the first actions in Spokane along with some great people here locally. Jonah is a brilliant young man. If you have a minute, look him up on "the Google". The organization's efforts were generally geared towards improving educational opportunities for all children.
Education is not a topic that requires much outside motivation for us. I'm a huge believer in the value of education at all levels; and Lee is an educator, with a great passion for improving education. We are once again participating in the Stand for Children efforts here locally, but oh how the times have changed.
Public education is under attack like no time I can recall over my lifetime. In the last year we have seen unprecedented blows to public education in a number of states. This movement seems part of a concerted effort by Republican Governors to use a budget crisis as a reason to dismantle teacher's unions and de-fund large portions of the educational structure itself. (I suspect this is a movement to privatize schools) And this is where I have floundered a bit in my own reaction to the crisis, and disagreed with others who are also seeking to maintain best possible outcomes for our children. We in this movement are all on the same side- but we may see the way forward a bit differently. From here on down, it's all opinion. As it is with all opinions; mine may not be any better than the next person's opinion. But here goes!
Our budget crisis is real. The Great Recession is real, and there are fewer dollars to go around. Many states are weighing the educational needs of their children with other needs. In my opinion there are no needs that measure up to the need to educate our children. Our children are not getting the best education now, based on comparisons with other industrialized counties around the world. Overall, we rank 18th. Not good. If you want to curb the growth of the prison populations and solve many of the other ills that befall our culture- then believe that nothing is more important than education and fund it above all else.
Teachers are the key element required for an excellent education (once a culture or society decides on this as a priority). But, teachers seem to cast as the bad guy in this debate. Some argue that the unions are too strong and serve only to protect their own. There are many cases where this appears to be true, but it is not the rule. It is the exception to the rule, that inevitably gets the public attention. Some argue that teachers get paid too much, so they are the logical target of budget cuts when fear, rather than logic, rules us. Some argue that union contracts favor seniority over quality of teachers-so we have to find different ways to deal with teacher layoffs during a budget crisis. (This issue is one that Stand for Children is grappling with in Washington.) It is true that there are times when the unions seem more concerned with their issues than the children's issues. But at the heart of it, I believe teacher's unions have evolved in order to create a stronger profession for our children's sake. In addition unions are the last hope of keeping the playing field level for the working class. They are fewer now, but they help us all maintain living wages.
I have come to believe that those of us who want to reform/improve education may be only nibbling around the edges of reform to the detriment of more meaningful long-term improvements. As a philosophical point it might be better to get away from the argument about the best way to reduce the number of teachers, and focus on not laying-off teachers at all. Instead of arguing over the amount we spend on schools we ought to work for a cultural shift that elevates the idea of education above all others. The politicians will always blurt out their old platitudes about "children are our future" but they rarely govern that way. If they really meant it- if our culture truly valued children- we would not be having this discussion. There are other counties that don't quibble about education, it is paramount. But, somehow, we seem to go on with the platitudes and never get to the point of believing, as a people, that we must elevate the whole profession and give education our highest priority.
In the 60's when JFK reset the tone by asking "what can you do for your country?" there was a national call to service and to higher education. Even then we valued teachers more. If we are to value them again we must pay to attract our best and our brightest. Our children deserve the best. Our culture pays the big bucks for the investment bankers and the athletes, while starting teachers need five years of college, and begin careers at 30K a year, deep in debt. So if we have sub-par teachers, that's why- not because of unions. It's because we haven't made them important and valuable enough.
I've been told I'm not too practical on this issue- that we need to start small and work for reforms "we can get". That may be right, but the bold changes are the ones that inspire and elevate us. I hope to see a rising tide of education lift all ships.We can never achieve greatness while attacking those who serve our children. We have monumental problems facing the next generations and I'm counting on my children and grandchildren to ensure the survival of our kind. They will need the best education we can give them to do so. That will come from having the best teachers, and giving education our highest priority to prepare them. This is a basic cultural shift I'd like to see us all start making now.
Thanks for looking in.
It all started some years ago when Lee and I joined a new organization called Stand for Children. It was the beginning of a national organizing effort to create a lobby for children, where members of a community could address the needs of children with local decision-makers. We were privileged to know the founder of the movement, Jonah Edelman; and work with him on the first actions in Spokane along with some great people here locally. Jonah is a brilliant young man. If you have a minute, look him up on "the Google". The organization's efforts were generally geared towards improving educational opportunities for all children.
Education is not a topic that requires much outside motivation for us. I'm a huge believer in the value of education at all levels; and Lee is an educator, with a great passion for improving education. We are once again participating in the Stand for Children efforts here locally, but oh how the times have changed.
Public education is under attack like no time I can recall over my lifetime. In the last year we have seen unprecedented blows to public education in a number of states. This movement seems part of a concerted effort by Republican Governors to use a budget crisis as a reason to dismantle teacher's unions and de-fund large portions of the educational structure itself. (I suspect this is a movement to privatize schools) And this is where I have floundered a bit in my own reaction to the crisis, and disagreed with others who are also seeking to maintain best possible outcomes for our children. We in this movement are all on the same side- but we may see the way forward a bit differently. From here on down, it's all opinion. As it is with all opinions; mine may not be any better than the next person's opinion. But here goes!
Our budget crisis is real. The Great Recession is real, and there are fewer dollars to go around. Many states are weighing the educational needs of their children with other needs. In my opinion there are no needs that measure up to the need to educate our children. Our children are not getting the best education now, based on comparisons with other industrialized counties around the world. Overall, we rank 18th. Not good. If you want to curb the growth of the prison populations and solve many of the other ills that befall our culture- then believe that nothing is more important than education and fund it above all else.
Teachers are the key element required for an excellent education (once a culture or society decides on this as a priority). But, teachers seem to cast as the bad guy in this debate. Some argue that the unions are too strong and serve only to protect their own. There are many cases where this appears to be true, but it is not the rule. It is the exception to the rule, that inevitably gets the public attention. Some argue that teachers get paid too much, so they are the logical target of budget cuts when fear, rather than logic, rules us. Some argue that union contracts favor seniority over quality of teachers-so we have to find different ways to deal with teacher layoffs during a budget crisis. (This issue is one that Stand for Children is grappling with in Washington.) It is true that there are times when the unions seem more concerned with their issues than the children's issues. But at the heart of it, I believe teacher's unions have evolved in order to create a stronger profession for our children's sake. In addition unions are the last hope of keeping the playing field level for the working class. They are fewer now, but they help us all maintain living wages.
I have come to believe that those of us who want to reform/improve education may be only nibbling around the edges of reform to the detriment of more meaningful long-term improvements. As a philosophical point it might be better to get away from the argument about the best way to reduce the number of teachers, and focus on not laying-off teachers at all. Instead of arguing over the amount we spend on schools we ought to work for a cultural shift that elevates the idea of education above all others. The politicians will always blurt out their old platitudes about "children are our future" but they rarely govern that way. If they really meant it- if our culture truly valued children- we would not be having this discussion. There are other counties that don't quibble about education, it is paramount. But, somehow, we seem to go on with the platitudes and never get to the point of believing, as a people, that we must elevate the whole profession and give education our highest priority.
In the 60's when JFK reset the tone by asking "what can you do for your country?" there was a national call to service and to higher education. Even then we valued teachers more. If we are to value them again we must pay to attract our best and our brightest. Our children deserve the best. Our culture pays the big bucks for the investment bankers and the athletes, while starting teachers need five years of college, and begin careers at 30K a year, deep in debt. So if we have sub-par teachers, that's why- not because of unions. It's because we haven't made them important and valuable enough.
I've been told I'm not too practical on this issue- that we need to start small and work for reforms "we can get". That may be right, but the bold changes are the ones that inspire and elevate us. I hope to see a rising tide of education lift all ships.We can never achieve greatness while attacking those who serve our children. We have monumental problems facing the next generations and I'm counting on my children and grandchildren to ensure the survival of our kind. They will need the best education we can give them to do so. That will come from having the best teachers, and giving education our highest priority to prepare them. This is a basic cultural shift I'd like to see us all start making now.
Thanks for looking in.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
John Edwards was Right
Sometimes it's odd how a word, or a phrase, or a quick notion will strike a person and give you pause to think about an issue. On Monday morning this week such a thing happened to me. I was having breakfast and watching national news on TV. The story was about John Edwards, who had been in the news last week because he was indicted in Federal Court for misuse of campaign funds. As you recall John Edwards was running for President in 2008 and had an affair with Rielle Hunter- who it later turned out gave birth to his child. He's accused of using close to a million dollars of campaign donations to cover-up the affair and the baby. This particular news item was an interview with a close family friend who said that Edwards was just moments away from a plea-bargain before the indictments came down. This fellow was explaining that Edwards turned down the deal because it required 6 months of jail time. The friend noted that John Edwards is now a single parent, and therefore characterized the government's offer as "awful". Yes, "awful" is the word that struck me.
Please don't think I believe John Edwards is right for anything having to do with this affair or the circumstances surrounding this child. I know it happens all the time in our culture; but this case points out the huge level of hypocrisy for a person who seeks high office based on an image, that was a major lie.
But I hearken back to his campaign, remembering it was Edwards' message that was so unique and so correct in 2008. His campaign theme was about 'Two Americas". On this, he was right! Ironically, he is now the possible beneficiary of that America where wealth and power make it possible for his friends to claim that being a single father makes (even the idea of) jail time 'awful". John Edwards is a very wealthy white male; a trial lawyer by profession and a former U.S. Senator. In this country we rarely put rich, white men in jail. They have the money and the influence to defeat our system of justice. The only rich, white guy of note who went to jail lately was Bernie Madoff- and that is simply because he swindled a bunch of other rich, white guys. (the ultimate offense in white, rich guy world)
Over the many years I've spent in social work I have dealt mostly with the other one of those "Two Americas". My contacts have almost exclusively been with the poor and disenfranchised people of my community. Before I bore you with a few statistics, I'll tell you that I've worked in or around child welfare cases the biggest chunk of 35 years. In those many years I can count on the fingers of only one hand the number of times the system has even touched a family of wealth- and that goes for families of moderate wealth too, the middle class included. Our social service and justice systems are designed to regulate the poor. In that America the idea of a single parent going to jail is not "awful"- it's standard operating procedure. There is very little empathy for the poor. There is very little concern for their children, no matter how tragic the circumstances. They don't have the highly paid lawyers- so they do the time.
We know that families of every economic strata have problems, but if you look at who is in 'the system" they will overwhelmingly be poor or minorities. People of means have choices on how they handle their legal and social issues. The United States incarcerates more people than any other country in the world. Over 3% of our total population is in jail or prison- far more than even the most repressive governments anywhere. In that "other America" 39.4% of those in prison are non-Hispanic blacks, while the non-Hispanic black population in the country is 12.6%. Hispanic prisoners represent 20.6% of the imprisoned, while only being 16.3% of the general population. Nearly everyone in prison comes from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This is no coincidence and it does not mean that minorities or poor people are that much more likely to engage in crime. Over representation by minorities and the poor in our prisons is an institutionalized aspect of our culture and does not represent the reality of criminal behavior among the poor or minorities. Every study supports these facts.
So John Edwards was right. There are two Americas. Instead of being a voice for fairness and equality, John Edwards has become the poster-boy for what is really wrong here. He exemplifies the real differences between those two Americas. Money, power, and status play the most important roles in determining how our institutions function- a bigger role than fairness-justice-or any of our American ideals. There is an America for the affluent and those who enjoy white privilege; and there is another America for the poor and the minorities. Now that is "awful"!
Thanks for looking in.
p.s. Betcha a quarter John Edwards doesn't serve a day- probably won't even be convicted....
Please don't think I believe John Edwards is right for anything having to do with this affair or the circumstances surrounding this child. I know it happens all the time in our culture; but this case points out the huge level of hypocrisy for a person who seeks high office based on an image, that was a major lie.
But I hearken back to his campaign, remembering it was Edwards' message that was so unique and so correct in 2008. His campaign theme was about 'Two Americas". On this, he was right! Ironically, he is now the possible beneficiary of that America where wealth and power make it possible for his friends to claim that being a single father makes (even the idea of) jail time 'awful". John Edwards is a very wealthy white male; a trial lawyer by profession and a former U.S. Senator. In this country we rarely put rich, white men in jail. They have the money and the influence to defeat our system of justice. The only rich, white guy of note who went to jail lately was Bernie Madoff- and that is simply because he swindled a bunch of other rich, white guys. (the ultimate offense in white, rich guy world)
Over the many years I've spent in social work I have dealt mostly with the other one of those "Two Americas". My contacts have almost exclusively been with the poor and disenfranchised people of my community. Before I bore you with a few statistics, I'll tell you that I've worked in or around child welfare cases the biggest chunk of 35 years. In those many years I can count on the fingers of only one hand the number of times the system has even touched a family of wealth- and that goes for families of moderate wealth too, the middle class included. Our social service and justice systems are designed to regulate the poor. In that America the idea of a single parent going to jail is not "awful"- it's standard operating procedure. There is very little empathy for the poor. There is very little concern for their children, no matter how tragic the circumstances. They don't have the highly paid lawyers- so they do the time.
We know that families of every economic strata have problems, but if you look at who is in 'the system" they will overwhelmingly be poor or minorities. People of means have choices on how they handle their legal and social issues. The United States incarcerates more people than any other country in the world. Over 3% of our total population is in jail or prison- far more than even the most repressive governments anywhere. In that "other America" 39.4% of those in prison are non-Hispanic blacks, while the non-Hispanic black population in the country is 12.6%. Hispanic prisoners represent 20.6% of the imprisoned, while only being 16.3% of the general population. Nearly everyone in prison comes from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This is no coincidence and it does not mean that minorities or poor people are that much more likely to engage in crime. Over representation by minorities and the poor in our prisons is an institutionalized aspect of our culture and does not represent the reality of criminal behavior among the poor or minorities. Every study supports these facts.
So John Edwards was right. There are two Americas. Instead of being a voice for fairness and equality, John Edwards has become the poster-boy for what is really wrong here. He exemplifies the real differences between those two Americas. Money, power, and status play the most important roles in determining how our institutions function- a bigger role than fairness-justice-or any of our American ideals. There is an America for the affluent and those who enjoy white privilege; and there is another America for the poor and the minorities. Now that is "awful"!
Thanks for looking in.
p.s. Betcha a quarter John Edwards doesn't serve a day- probably won't even be convicted....
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Family: Community
I am 57 years old. I am continually reminded of the importance and power of family. To me, it is more important than anything else. I don't view family as a inherently good, in and of itself. You see, I am also a social worker, and have been one for 35 years. I have seen the destructive elements of family as well the positive force it can be. I've been giving the idea of family alot of thought lately because families are the fundamental element of our culture (a culture that's on the cusp of change); and it's important to think about, and act out our lives in community with one another.
Some of my earliest and fondest memories come from a special kind of childhood. My (maternal) grandparents were Italian immigrants who were brought here by the family patriarch in the late 1800's and early 1900's. My grandmother was actually born here- though my grandfather was brought here by my great-grandfather with a promise of a job and a young bride (that would be my grandmother). My grandparents eventually took over the family farm and raised their family. They had three daughters. Two of the daughters married and lived on the same land where they grew-up. The other daughter moved away with her husband to raise her family, but always remained close in touch. When the daughters married, my grandparents simply carved out a bit of the family farm and gave them the land to build their houses. I grew up in one of those houses.
I was raised literally surrounded by family. There were not, what you would call, streets separating us- no fences between the houses. There were only shared gravel driveways and yards around the houses. It was one big compound of houses all inhabited by family. We had parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, great aunts and uncles, and cousins all sharing the same land and the pretty much the same experience of life. It was a truck farm, and as each of us got to the age when we were barely worth the trouble of having us in the field, we worked in the gardens alongside our grandfather. In that sense it was a family enterprise as well. During planting time or harvest time everybody chipped in. All the adults and all the kids did the work. It seemed like a very natural way to do things. It was a community.
During the slower seasons my grandfather would work in the mornings then rest in the afternoons. I would sometimes just hang out with him. Nothing of much importance was discussed, but on occasion I would have questions about his life in Italy, or other people in our town who came from Italy, like he did. He sat in his big metal lawn chair to answer and explain things to me, in his "brief" speaking style as he smoked his cigar. I remember that he was almost always outside and he always was looking out on his fields.
The lesson that came through this kind of upbringing was one of shared responsibility, shared prosperity, and shared hardship as well. My grandfather never spoke about rugged individualism, or "going it on your own", though individual good work habits were valued. His experience and ours was one of mutual support. As children there was always an expectation to do well in school, or sports or whatever activities we engaged in. But we learned that we were always part of a larger group, a family, a community. Most of the Italian farmers even marketed their crops through a Cooperative (run by my uncle). You see they always seemed to work together for a common good. It was the way of our family- and the way of the others who came here to make a life. History tells us that many of the immigrant groups who came here, and established themselves, had similar experiences.
Of course this kind of experience belies one of the common myths of American culture. That myth says that we revere "the self-made man". We worship the individual who "stands alone". It's true that we have produced great individuals who have made great contributions. But I think the more common element of our culture, if we really think about it, is the idea of community and a common good. A closer examination would most certainly reveal that those "self-made" types had support and help along the way. We all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and we have a responsibility to those who follow us. As our country decides the issues that will effect our children and grandchildren I hope we hold on to the value of community, and we don't give in to the forces of selfishness, greed and short-sightedness.
Thanks for looking in.
Some of my earliest and fondest memories come from a special kind of childhood. My (maternal) grandparents were Italian immigrants who were brought here by the family patriarch in the late 1800's and early 1900's. My grandmother was actually born here- though my grandfather was brought here by my great-grandfather with a promise of a job and a young bride (that would be my grandmother). My grandparents eventually took over the family farm and raised their family. They had three daughters. Two of the daughters married and lived on the same land where they grew-up. The other daughter moved away with her husband to raise her family, but always remained close in touch. When the daughters married, my grandparents simply carved out a bit of the family farm and gave them the land to build their houses. I grew up in one of those houses.
I was raised literally surrounded by family. There were not, what you would call, streets separating us- no fences between the houses. There were only shared gravel driveways and yards around the houses. It was one big compound of houses all inhabited by family. We had parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, great aunts and uncles, and cousins all sharing the same land and the pretty much the same experience of life. It was a truck farm, and as each of us got to the age when we were barely worth the trouble of having us in the field, we worked in the gardens alongside our grandfather. In that sense it was a family enterprise as well. During planting time or harvest time everybody chipped in. All the adults and all the kids did the work. It seemed like a very natural way to do things. It was a community.
During the slower seasons my grandfather would work in the mornings then rest in the afternoons. I would sometimes just hang out with him. Nothing of much importance was discussed, but on occasion I would have questions about his life in Italy, or other people in our town who came from Italy, like he did. He sat in his big metal lawn chair to answer and explain things to me, in his "brief" speaking style as he smoked his cigar. I remember that he was almost always outside and he always was looking out on his fields.
The lesson that came through this kind of upbringing was one of shared responsibility, shared prosperity, and shared hardship as well. My grandfather never spoke about rugged individualism, or "going it on your own", though individual good work habits were valued. His experience and ours was one of mutual support. As children there was always an expectation to do well in school, or sports or whatever activities we engaged in. But we learned that we were always part of a larger group, a family, a community. Most of the Italian farmers even marketed their crops through a Cooperative (run by my uncle). You see they always seemed to work together for a common good. It was the way of our family- and the way of the others who came here to make a life. History tells us that many of the immigrant groups who came here, and established themselves, had similar experiences.
Of course this kind of experience belies one of the common myths of American culture. That myth says that we revere "the self-made man". We worship the individual who "stands alone". It's true that we have produced great individuals who have made great contributions. But I think the more common element of our culture, if we really think about it, is the idea of community and a common good. A closer examination would most certainly reveal that those "self-made" types had support and help along the way. We all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and we have a responsibility to those who follow us. As our country decides the issues that will effect our children and grandchildren I hope we hold on to the value of community, and we don't give in to the forces of selfishness, greed and short-sightedness.
Thanks for looking in.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
We've Been Here Before
One of the really fascinating aspects of our culture is our notoriously short memory. We have the capacity the live through a major national event, then almost immediately put the experience out of mind, only to re-live it a generation or two later. Maybe that comes from being such a young, brash nation. This sometimes happens in matters of international conflict and war, but it more often occurs when it comes to our financial calamities. During the period following the Civil War our national economy was a roller coaster of boom and bust cycles that were occurring with regularity about every ten years.
The big boom time happened in the 1920's. Of, course this led to the big bust period known as the Great Depression. Many of the behaviors of the 20's were similar to the events we saw in the years leading up to our second biggest financial crisis: the Great Recession of 2008. Looking back to the 20's we would have seen bankers accumulating too much power by artificially inflating their assets. We would have seen Wall Street investors using those inflated assets as collateral on cash-heavy venture investments, and a disproportional accumulation of wealth at the top. And we would have seen a series of conservative Presidents and Congressmen allowing it all because they felt it was wrong to regulate business. For the leaders of that time, it was quite a departure from progressive policies of Teddy Roosevelt, but the pendulum had swung their way and all the fat-cats had a great time in the "roaring twenties".
We all know what happened next. The Crash of '29 happened because it became apparent all that phony wealth wasn't real. Panic, and runs on banks set in because it was obvious that the economy was a false economy-confidence was gone. Suddenly, everything was worth next to nothing. All economic activity came to a halt- unemployment reached disaster levels-millions of Americans became impoverished and lost hope. That's a simple version- but an essentially accurate one. If this is eerily familiar, it is because we are re-living those events now. But there is more to the story!
After the Depression was realized, Hoover and the Republicans in Congress believed that the best way to handle the crisis was to cut government spending (along with other measures) and balance the budget. That was exactly the wrong course. Those policies deepened the Depression. When Franklin D. Roosevelt took office two and half years after the Crash he reversed course and set about creating government programs (and YES, spending money) to put people back to work. Government jobs programs began to reverse the misery of the Depression. In addition, Roosevelt initiated stringent banking and revenue reforms that stayed in place until just recently. The elite rich hated him for this- but the people elected him four times! Economists have spent lifetimes examining the Great Depression, and there are many theories. Most theories provide a much more in-depth theoretical explanation than I could explore here. But the essential truth of the story is the same today as it was then.
We're at a crossroads again, as we were then. Fortunately, we didn't have to wait two years for new leadership- only four months. I had hoped our President would have been bolder than he was in the beginning (as FDR was in his day) but at least his stimulus package did stop the downward spiral. I still maintain a hope that he will not let the Republican party do what they did before. Today the conservatives in Congress are screaming for impossible budget cuts, as their fore bearers did. The real key to recovery is strong middle-class spending spurred by jobs creation. The Republican Party got control of the House in 2010 on the banner: "JOBS JOBS JOBS" and haven't done one thing except keep repeating the magical thinking that says we need more rich people and fewer regulations to get more jobs. It is a recipe that's never worked. Yet, these cries represent the same ideology that betrayed us before; because it's an ideology that only benefits the rich while exploiting the rest of us. Sadly, it is all too familiar. If you want to know who wins with the conservative plan- just follow the money that goes to elect the conservatives to Congress.
The different thought for us now is to stop and take the time to remember the past- and vow not to re-live it. Thanks for looking in.
The big boom time happened in the 1920's. Of, course this led to the big bust period known as the Great Depression. Many of the behaviors of the 20's were similar to the events we saw in the years leading up to our second biggest financial crisis: the Great Recession of 2008. Looking back to the 20's we would have seen bankers accumulating too much power by artificially inflating their assets. We would have seen Wall Street investors using those inflated assets as collateral on cash-heavy venture investments, and a disproportional accumulation of wealth at the top. And we would have seen a series of conservative Presidents and Congressmen allowing it all because they felt it was wrong to regulate business. For the leaders of that time, it was quite a departure from progressive policies of Teddy Roosevelt, but the pendulum had swung their way and all the fat-cats had a great time in the "roaring twenties".
We all know what happened next. The Crash of '29 happened because it became apparent all that phony wealth wasn't real. Panic, and runs on banks set in because it was obvious that the economy was a false economy-confidence was gone. Suddenly, everything was worth next to nothing. All economic activity came to a halt- unemployment reached disaster levels-millions of Americans became impoverished and lost hope. That's a simple version- but an essentially accurate one. If this is eerily familiar, it is because we are re-living those events now. But there is more to the story!
After the Depression was realized, Hoover and the Republicans in Congress believed that the best way to handle the crisis was to cut government spending (along with other measures) and balance the budget. That was exactly the wrong course. Those policies deepened the Depression. When Franklin D. Roosevelt took office two and half years after the Crash he reversed course and set about creating government programs (and YES, spending money) to put people back to work. Government jobs programs began to reverse the misery of the Depression. In addition, Roosevelt initiated stringent banking and revenue reforms that stayed in place until just recently. The elite rich hated him for this- but the people elected him four times! Economists have spent lifetimes examining the Great Depression, and there are many theories. Most theories provide a much more in-depth theoretical explanation than I could explore here. But the essential truth of the story is the same today as it was then.
We're at a crossroads again, as we were then. Fortunately, we didn't have to wait two years for new leadership- only four months. I had hoped our President would have been bolder than he was in the beginning (as FDR was in his day) but at least his stimulus package did stop the downward spiral. I still maintain a hope that he will not let the Republican party do what they did before. Today the conservatives in Congress are screaming for impossible budget cuts, as their fore bearers did. The real key to recovery is strong middle-class spending spurred by jobs creation. The Republican Party got control of the House in 2010 on the banner: "JOBS JOBS JOBS" and haven't done one thing except keep repeating the magical thinking that says we need more rich people and fewer regulations to get more jobs. It is a recipe that's never worked. Yet, these cries represent the same ideology that betrayed us before; because it's an ideology that only benefits the rich while exploiting the rest of us. Sadly, it is all too familiar. If you want to know who wins with the conservative plan- just follow the money that goes to elect the conservatives to Congress.
The different thought for us now is to stop and take the time to remember the past- and vow not to re-live it. Thanks for looking in.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Quite a Month
A few weeks ago I took a break from writing on this blog. Springtime was upon me and I had a number of things I wanted to concentrate on, so I stepped away from this little hobby. I've had pretty good time over the last couple of weeks. I've seen a bunch of soccer games and decided that soccer makes a cold wind blow and often causes rain. I got to see our youngest grandchild start playing tee-ball, and I know he's destined for "the bigs"-as long as he can figure out which way to run to reach first base. But that's tee-ball with five-year-olds.
We had a great Mother's Day with all the immediate family around. We have some great moms in this family. I got some chores done, and I have overseen the greening of my yard with a little help from Ortho. I even got to do a little fishing with the boys on opening day- though the fish won the day. So, all together the last couple of weeks have been pretty good for me. But as I looked up from my little world, I saw the rest of the world had quite a month.
Just look at the enormous events of the last couple of weeks. The world is still bleeding from the wounds of a disaster in Japan- but no one even mentions it now. We have seen the fast moving tragedy of deadly tornadoes in Alabama, and the slow moving tragedy of rising flood waters on the Mississippi. We have seen the Republican Party get new candidates and shed old ones for an election next year. Rebellions continue in the Arab world, with no real resolution-only more bloodshed and human rights violations. And our country just this week reached it's national debt limit.
As I observed the events of the last couple of weeks one person stood out as the person at the center of many events, President Barack Obama. You see, there were a couple of other events I haven't mentioned yet that really filled me with sadness. One event was seeing our President stand before the country to display his Birth Certificate. I did not imagine that would ever have to happen. But Mr. Obama knew that he would have to commit that humiliating act just to quiet those who engage in this most hateful form of politics- those "carnival barkers", as he called them. My name for the those who sought to de-legitimize him because of who he is, for their own aggrandisement, would be far worse.
On Sunday night of that week he announced the other event. President Obama announced the successful mission that killed Osama Bin Laden. My personal reaction was two-fold. At first, I felt relieved that this murderer Bin Laden was dead. No elation, no joy, no celebration- just relief the world was rid of one more monster, cloaking himself in religion while killing innocents. I immediately began to feel a sadness that after ten years of war in two countries, it might all have been settled this way long ago. I was struck by the solemness of knowing the attack on our country by Bin Laden gave our leaders an excuse to start these wars-wars that now seem unending, pointless, and in the wrong countries. I thought of the thousands of Americans who have died, and the many hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and Afghan's who have died.
The public reaction to these events concerned me too. The President was widely hailed for one day. Then the old patterns emerged again- a constant barrage of criticism that says he can do nothing right. Some claimed the President should be given no praise or credit for the mission. On a national level, and even here locally, some said he deserved nothing- he just happened to be in office when these events occurred. They gave the real credit to President Bush and Bush torture policies. It is ridiculous on it's face to say the commander-in-chief was merely a bystander, and the former President actually did it. That argument is so silly it's not worth arguing the point. I assure you if the mission had failed, those same people would have said he deserved all the blame.
In looking back at these two events, both happening in the same week, I was was struck by the awesome juxtaposition of a President both humiliated and triumphant. But the sad part of these events, and their aftermath, is the constant theme of race. I am not President Obama's biggest fan, but we can never escape the undertone of racism that follows this man and everything he does. It is subtle- but it is pervasive. His election did not push us into a post-racial era, it seems only to have amplified the lingering racism that still lives deep in our national soul. These two events so clearly illustrated the racial tension we have surfaced in electing a our first black President. I was thrilled, and continue to be thrilled, that we finally elected a black President. I hope that this will eventually lead to an honest national dialogue about race- it's a conversation we need to have. This country could never be defeated by the likes of Bin Laden- but it can be destroyed from within be the hatreds that separate us.
Thanks for looking in.
We had a great Mother's Day with all the immediate family around. We have some great moms in this family. I got some chores done, and I have overseen the greening of my yard with a little help from Ortho. I even got to do a little fishing with the boys on opening day- though the fish won the day. So, all together the last couple of weeks have been pretty good for me. But as I looked up from my little world, I saw the rest of the world had quite a month.
Just look at the enormous events of the last couple of weeks. The world is still bleeding from the wounds of a disaster in Japan- but no one even mentions it now. We have seen the fast moving tragedy of deadly tornadoes in Alabama, and the slow moving tragedy of rising flood waters on the Mississippi. We have seen the Republican Party get new candidates and shed old ones for an election next year. Rebellions continue in the Arab world, with no real resolution-only more bloodshed and human rights violations. And our country just this week reached it's national debt limit.
As I observed the events of the last couple of weeks one person stood out as the person at the center of many events, President Barack Obama. You see, there were a couple of other events I haven't mentioned yet that really filled me with sadness. One event was seeing our President stand before the country to display his Birth Certificate. I did not imagine that would ever have to happen. But Mr. Obama knew that he would have to commit that humiliating act just to quiet those who engage in this most hateful form of politics- those "carnival barkers", as he called them. My name for the those who sought to de-legitimize him because of who he is, for their own aggrandisement, would be far worse.
On Sunday night of that week he announced the other event. President Obama announced the successful mission that killed Osama Bin Laden. My personal reaction was two-fold. At first, I felt relieved that this murderer Bin Laden was dead. No elation, no joy, no celebration- just relief the world was rid of one more monster, cloaking himself in religion while killing innocents. I immediately began to feel a sadness that after ten years of war in two countries, it might all have been settled this way long ago. I was struck by the solemness of knowing the attack on our country by Bin Laden gave our leaders an excuse to start these wars-wars that now seem unending, pointless, and in the wrong countries. I thought of the thousands of Americans who have died, and the many hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and Afghan's who have died.
The public reaction to these events concerned me too. The President was widely hailed for one day. Then the old patterns emerged again- a constant barrage of criticism that says he can do nothing right. Some claimed the President should be given no praise or credit for the mission. On a national level, and even here locally, some said he deserved nothing- he just happened to be in office when these events occurred. They gave the real credit to President Bush and Bush torture policies. It is ridiculous on it's face to say the commander-in-chief was merely a bystander, and the former President actually did it. That argument is so silly it's not worth arguing the point. I assure you if the mission had failed, those same people would have said he deserved all the blame.
In looking back at these two events, both happening in the same week, I was was struck by the awesome juxtaposition of a President both humiliated and triumphant. But the sad part of these events, and their aftermath, is the constant theme of race. I am not President Obama's biggest fan, but we can never escape the undertone of racism that follows this man and everything he does. It is subtle- but it is pervasive. His election did not push us into a post-racial era, it seems only to have amplified the lingering racism that still lives deep in our national soul. These two events so clearly illustrated the racial tension we have surfaced in electing a our first black President. I was thrilled, and continue to be thrilled, that we finally elected a black President. I hope that this will eventually lead to an honest national dialogue about race- it's a conversation we need to have. This country could never be defeated by the likes of Bin Laden- but it can be destroyed from within be the hatreds that separate us.
Thanks for looking in.
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