Global/Local/Humanity

What Is That State Patrolman Doing?

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I watched as a State Patrol officer carefully navigated through the homeless camp. His cruiser parked on the side of the highway with lights flashing, the decrepit, makeshift tents tucked under scrubby trees and the litter everywhere gave an immediate impression of danger and courage. My eyes took this all in at high speed, his crisp, clean uniform, the way he was likely watching for sharp needles hidden in the dirt and weeds. I wondered, why was he there? Did someone call 911? There were no people I could see to meet him. He gingerly walked toward the tents. He was alone. This did not seem right on so many levels.

How did we get here? Here, where huge numbers of men, women, veterans and children are discarded on the side of the road. Here, where brave people are left to manage the “untouchables” in our society. Here, where the rest of us drive on around the corner feeling lost and hopeless to solve this problem.

I once suggested calling 911 over and over again, every time I saw a homeless person in distress, as a way to raise the call-in numbers and force more funding for the disenfranchised in our society. Is that the entry point to fixing this problem? Do we force the government to pay for more EMT’s to take these folks to the hospitals? Do we force a larger line in the budget to support social service agencies to hire more social workers to provide these folks with services that will turn their lives around? Do we agree to pay taxes toward care for these people that actually make a difference? How do we get the village to work this problem together because it can’t be done by individuals, it can’t be done by charities and churches and it can’t be done by a lone cop walking into who knows what kind of peril. If these solutions could work, we’d be all set by now.

If the average American were able to assist their son or daughter or sister or uncle to get help, it would have happened by now. We can no longer delude ourselves there are enough volunteers to manage this avalanche of need in our society. I am deeply grateful to our military and our police, our EMT’s and other First Responders and we can talk all day about how we honor these gritty and hardy frontline people, but until we back that up with broad support for all the jobs we ask them to do, our best intentions turn into platitudes.

We need to demand of our representatives a budget in congress that reflects our values and needs as a nation. It’s considered unpatriotic to question the military budget but this righteously imposed gag rule keeps the average American from really looking at the issue. It seems there are greedy folks working hard to keep us in the dark because knowledgeable Americans will upset the money making military machine. If the budget can’t take close scrutiny, especially the military budget, there must not be good answers to hard questions.

You may want to do some research on how the budget is spent, on who benefits from it’s current configuration, and notice the proposed budget gives more money to the military than even the pentagon requested. Why is that? Look at what is going on and send an email to your representative regarding your values. Ask for an audit of the military budget. The last time we did that, we discovered we were paying hundreds of dollars for one toilet or screwdriver. We can no longer be blind sheep.

If we had money in the budget for the struggling, the unlucky and the disadvantaged, that State Patrol Officer would be two officers with EMT’s and Social Workers at the ready to make an actual difference for the people who don’t know how or can’t seem to get their lives on track. We need The Helpers who create programs that work, places filled with care that we can still donate to, still volunteer for, but don’t have to worry about the backbone of the organization.

Wake up, look around. We are defining the Soul of America. Where do you come in? We solve these issues together. As One. See that police officer doing more than he should have to do. See the homeless on the street as people. And decide what you will do.

Then do it.

Culture Shock within America

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The Trump supporter I talked with today was a laid back, small town chiropractor in liberal, upstate New York. He munched a sandwich while I inquired about his Trump flag and Trump t-shirt pinned to the office waiting room wall. Clearly he felt this improved his business to have his opinions publicly displayed. It made me curious about this little town where the differences in political beliefs can change dramatically from one doorway to another.

I asked him “You are a Trump supporter?”

“Yup” he replied casually.

“I’m curious about why you are a Trump supporter today?”

“For patriotism.”

I nod my head knowing there is no easy way to continue the conversation and I don’t have time to debate the definition of patriotism.

“Are you a liberal?” he inquires.

“I don’t think of myself as one way or the other.” I respond.

He nods his head and proclaims, “You’re a liberal. You have to be.”

And there it is. The shut down that prevents people from talking. I don’t have time, he has his assumptions. From the looks of it on the surface, I’m not sure any amount of time would change his mind.

“I’m bothered by the ethics and the greed for the top 20%” I say as he gently touches my shoulder and turns me toward the door. “That’s the main issue for me, the ethics and the greed.”

He nods as I walk outside, his face exposing his search for a response to my statement. Unable to find one, he turns and walks back in his shop.  Maybe he is of the same mind as I am, it isn’t possible to have this discussion in a short, few minutes. Maybe he also thinks I have stuck assumptions about him.

I wish I could have stayed, sat in his plastic, red padded chairs and leaped into the cultural differences that now are apparent from neighbor to neighbor, storefront to storefront in this country. It’s hard to realize many people are not even close to your belief system. Before November 2016, many of us woke up each morning knowing the country we lived in, that our fellow Americans held the same ethical and moral beliefs. After November 2016, many Americans woke with a realization of the rising anger and hatred, fear and worry released into our beloved American dream.

Even though the American mind is fractured and unsure, we must breathe deeply and remember the common dreams we do share for this country. Even if we can’t change minds in a short time, I still think it beneficial to have the conversation because there are  basic beliefs we all share – the right to liberty, to live our lives as we see fit, the freedom to move ourselves forward with opportunities, that in the long run justice will prevail.

We may see the avenues to liberty, freedom and justice differently but we all hold those ideals close to our hearts whether liberal, conservative, libertarian or green party. Don’t let the descriptions by the media color your view of different groups. Talk to the people next to you. Listen to understand. Clarify your own thinking around your beliefs.

Take those fractured thoughts and see where they connect. Build on those connections. Hug your liberal or conservative or libertarian neighbor today. And breathe.

Biggest Fake News of All

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The one thing that will bring this country down is not Republicans, not Democrats, not power mongers, not CNN or Fox News. The one thing that will make it all fall apart is believing the House of the US of A, is deeply divided.  Too many Americans falling for this lie forced upon us by the storytellers who need the division to keep the story going.

We hear all day, every day about the deep divide, the hatred, the troubles between political parties, friends and family. The racial abyss that can never be crossed. The liberal agenda, the conservative plan to destroy this country. This is the biggest lie ever perpetrated on the American people.

I know, you think I’m nuts. How can I not see what destruction the other guy is trying to wreak in our lives? Actually, the “other guy” is mostly a sought out event uncovered by “journalists” looking for anything ranging from minimal disruptions to horrific devastations. And they can find them every day, but these events are not representative of this nation. Read that again. If it were true, you would see much more about this, close to home and in your own life.

How many people do you think have had your credit card? Thousands? Every time you paid for something, someone had your credit card information.  How many of them stole your identity? For most of us none and for some of those that have it stolen, it was their very own family or friend. This sort of activity is the exception, not the rule. But the media needs you worried, afraid and tuning in to make sure you stay up on all they ways you could be taken out. Your fear and anxiety get you to click and they make money.

You are falling for a media trick even the media has forgotten they are perpetrating on the country. At least I hope they have because otherwise, they are the most despicable of all. I think the media believes they are doing what is right to expose and “inform” but much of the media machine is about generating fear and divisiveness so you’ll keep tuning in.

I’ve written about this before, the turning of the news broadcast from a series of educational facts and events meant to inform about our world, to a money making venture that required large numbers of viewers. What is the result? Fires, wrecks and stories that pit one person against another, often David and Goliath stories where the little guy wins. Stories of corruption and devastation. Luckily, these stories are far and few between. Unfortunately, media then must exaggerate and embellish and talk about whatever story they can, for as long as they can, with whatever “expert” or talking head they can find.

Eventually, Americans become immune, because we can’t take it over and over again. So the media ramps it up, gives emotions to politicians, makes guesses as to what peoples’ intentions are, and suggests scandals at every opportunity.  This has led to the conspiracy theory boom in recent years.  The National Enquirer was a rag we laughed at when we found a copy in Aunt Mildred’s bathroom with hyped conspiracy theories we all knew were too bizarre to be believed.

We all knew no one was crazy enough to believe that garbage… but hmmm… now it seems we’ve got plenty of folks who do. Why? Because it’s become mundane just like the rest of the the “news”. It seems normal. Because media of all kinds portrays it that way.

So glad you read this far, because there is good news. The vast majority of people are good, maybe misinformed, maybe misunderstood (including you and me) but ultimately just want to get along and be safe. The antidote is to actually get to know your neighbor, to relax, breathe and begin to look around at what is in your neighborhood you need to understand better.

Be careful of the biggest lie of all – that we can’t get along – that we can’t understand one another – that we don’t have common goals – because guess what, we do.

Have You Heard About the Left’s Hatred?

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It’s widely reported by conservatives who make this stuff up all the time, so, it must be true, yes? Have to keep that divide going or maybe we’ll find a way to talk to each other. And the right is full of hate as well. Everyone hates everyone.

But what if we found we didn’t hate each other? What if it turns out it’s not true? Hate is a big word. An inflammatory word. There may be a small part of the population that is in full hatred mode, but I don’t think it is the majority of folks.

What if we didn’t fall for that characterization?? Believe it without question?

Then, oh-the-horror to politicians that need the divide, maybe we’ll find a way to get along. Maybe we’ll figure out what we want in common.

Then! Maybe we won’t need politicians who look for ways to make themselves and other rich people richer as the main goal in serving this country.

THEN We might boot them out of office.

THEN!! We vote in folks who want to fix problems, not just be right, or in control, or force their narrow agenda. The world might become a better place…

I vote for that.     Literally…  I vote for that.

United Airlines is a Symptom

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When the video of the United Airlines passenger, forcibly removed from the aircraft, went viral, it showed how appalled Americans feel at the willingness of the United Continental corporation to treat customers like cattle. The callous words of the CEO added fuel to the fire. This is not the problem in itself, it is a symptom of a world where humans have become devalued by the corporate and political system.

I’m sure the United CEO wishes he had spoken more eloquently. I’m sure he wishes that he had spoken differently, not because what happened was wrong in his eyes, but because it caused a dip in the value of the company’s stock and may affect traveler numbers. But, I’m also sure he’s not too worried because Americans have short memories and feel powerless to stand up for themselves.

It is the sincere wish of United Continental that this fade to the background as quickly as possible. Then they can go on with their policies, the media will move on as it is no longer a shocking story – just every day – and people will continue to be treated badly without any recourse. Other stories are surfacing but it is only a matter of time before this all just goes away.

There is a law that caps how much a passenger can be compensated but the airlines are not required to go that limit. United opted not to offer the max by less than half. If you have a compelling reason to stay on the plane, it doesn’t matter as flight crews do not have a say in that decision. Hmmm, I wonder how those laws and regulations came about? Legislatures. That’s how that came about. You have little power, unless, you take it. How to do that?

Pay attention to your representatives actions and votes. Do they lean toward corporation rights or consumer rights? for workers rights? family rights? or human rights? How they vote is how they will take care of you. You can’t go by what they say. Politicians know how to say what you want to hear, but then vote very differently. People in this country are treated pretty shabbily as we become smaller and smaller cogs in the big business machine without unions or politicians who have our back.

See what your representatives do, not what they say and take action. Let them know they are replaceable. That will get their attention.

Be a voice for bringing humanity back to America.

http://www.latimes.com/business/lazarus/la-fi-lazarus-united-low-priority-passenger-20170412-story.html

CEO Pay and the Average Worker

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What do you think about CEO pay? In finance, in insurance and in large corporations? Do you believe it’s okay for CEO’s to make hundreds of times more than their employees? Some folks do, they believe we should leave businesses to their own devices. Some folks see that CEO’s struggle to be fair to employees for whatever reason. Where do you come in?

If you agree it’s gotten out of control and is influencing the cost of goods, healthcare and financial markets, let your representative know. This is an important issue for the coming administration that says they are for the people. Inform them what you believe is fair and you want them to solve this problem.

And would some techy type please create an app that tells me who is treating their workers fairly? Thanks!

Which class are you?

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Worker Wednesday 11.30.16 –

Which class are you? Check out the numbers below –

A major issue all political parties have been talking about, and doing nothing about, is the middle class. Consider the following from investopedia.com:

The median income is only $50,000 per year.

You are Upper Class if you make more than $150,000, 5% of the population. If you make more than $250,000 you are the 1%

The Upper Middle Class tends to be well-educated and white collar positions. This class is white male dominated and earns more than $100,000 per year. This is the top third of US incomes.

The Middle Middle Class makes between $32,500 and $60,000 per year in lower-level white collar jobs and may have a college education but not one that gets into higher paid jobs. These are police officers, This class is made up of more women and minorities.

The Lower Middle Class, or the Working Class, are the blue collar workers with not much for education but maybe some technical or vocational training. These are sometimes police officers, truck drivers or factory workers with salaries ranging between $23,000 and $32,500.

The Poverty Level income for a family of four is only $18,000 or $23,000 per year. This is 15% of the population or 42 MILLION PEOPLE.

What needs to happen for the Middle Class in this country? How did we let 42 million people fall below the Poverty Level, many of them children? It’s time for some Fierce Change but not done with violence or abuse. Anger expressed in the raw is a recipe for disaster. Emotions are very bad decision makers. Emotions are excellent information. Anger lets us know something is not fair, a wrong needs to be made right. We need to breathe, think, make a plan and take calm, steady, fierce action.

Many of us are angry at the state of the political system in our country. It needs to change, on that, every political party can agree. How it changes is the question. We need all points of view. We need all ideas. We need Republicans, Democrats, Green Party, Libertarians and whoever wants to chime in to speak up for all of us. And we need to listen.

It’s time for Fierce Listening, Fierce Understanding, Fierce Compassion and Fierce Love. I know it’s out there. I know you can contribute. I know we can weave a tapestry of authentic connection that leads to compromise (not a dirty word) and true progress. What would you contribute to the conversation?