An open letter to the Democratic National Convention & President Obama

I am a register Independent voter and would like to offer you some undecided voter advice. The Republican convention offered no real solutions to what voters are thinking going into November. Their convention was a display of extravagance & arrogance. The speeches were written by a bunch of paid writers who had more interest in the big-money donors then the average American citizen.  Oh yeah, the other thing, I was a registered Democrat,  who voted for “change” 4 years ago, while there has been some “change” it has been progressively crawling along at a pace that doesn’t match needs.

When you did the “IAMA” on “Reddit” it was notice that you purposely ignored questions regarding legalization of Cannabis, the closing of Guantanamo Bay. These seem like unfinished business that was issues in that “change” from 4 years ago, still unaccomplished. This election has gone with “forward” which is confusing because that means “change” has been abandoned & moving “forward” doesn’t seem to encouraging based on the present issues. Really did not notice the discussion on sustainable wage jobs. Although, there was an assuring answer for small businesses. Guess at this point, it should be noted that the “Jobs Act” bill went through a tremendous amount of unnecessary delays created mostly by Republicans. Meanwhile, partly to blame for increased hardships & debts for the actual ones who needs the help. Honestly, it’s a valid criticism, in the last 4 years overall, the economy is not something to brag about.

Let’s address the drain the ongoing war in Afghanistan, the other military involvements & the issues soldiers are dealing with when they return home. However, it’s understandable since the site crashed, probably were getting around to it. Additionally, the other issues fell by the wayside. Luckily, the plug for the White House beer made it before the site went down.

What about student debt and the lack of federal aid.  As tuition costs keep rising, the ratio of students being able to graduate is decreasing. Part of moving “forward” would be to invest in the future. Isn’t making education accessible & affordable guaranteeing growth & prosperity?  At the same time, the elderly & vulnerable are being overlooked as well. As costs of living keep going up, no one seems to be getting any breaks but big businesses got buyouts that benefitted them only. That whole “trickle-down did not work during the Reagan era still not working.

Hopefully, the speakers at the convention will represent a cross-section of actual voters who know the realities voters are facing not a scripted show pandering to high-dollar donors selling pipe dreams of days past. Additionally, there should be less focus on what to wear & more emphasis on what actual plans that will be seen moving “forward”.  Also, less eloquence in the speeches more real talk.

Obviously, security will be visible during the convention in Charlotte. However, it should not interfere with people exercising their right of “Free Speech”. Instead of creating safety zones to the side where criticizers will be strategically place.  Why can’t they be seen and heard by representatives to make sure their voice counts. Isn’t the idea of Democracy, the voice of the people not what you think people want to hear? While it may be true, the President represents every citizen not one specific group. It seems this race is focus on big dollar contributors. The citizens’ needs are not being addressed but big spenders are being accommodated like these conventions are pay-to-play events.

 

 

RIP 9 to 5: Part II

“The employment shift in the U.S. economy away from goods-producing in favor of service-providing industries is expected to continue. Service-providing industries are anticipated to generate nearly 18 million new wage and salary jobs. As with goods-producing industries, growths among service-providing industries will vary”- BureauofLaborStatistics

When you go to the Bureau of Labor Statistics website, as you look at the projection chart, you notice this statement is not entirely true. While it may be true, there will be an increase in service-providing industries positions, the increases are not going into the traditional middle class occupations.

According to projections, the field for the most increase growth is “Healthcare and social assistance”. That’s a very startling & problematic projection. First, the traditional service industry, the middle class positions, expects little real growth in the next 8 years. Those are traditional industries such as Retail, Administrative support, Information, and Governmental Services. But, healthcare and social assistance are the “new” boom industries. The new boom industries are servicing the growing worker displaced because they aren’t able to obtain sustainable wage jobs. Ironically, all those yelling less government are helping to fuel this “new” industry since the Government won’t really be hiring per their wishes. It’s crazy, in the next 8 years; the average individual will be replaced by more technology and will have to rely on the misery of others in order to earn a decent living.

The Automated telephone system replaced receptionist & customer service agents. Now, they have expanded the technology to incorporate a virtual person on the other end to handle much of your inquiries by the touch of a button allowing even more deletion of these types of jobs. Those industries that still use call centers are maintaining smaller centers or contract their call center work to third-party vendors who contract these jobs to companies in other countries or to internet companies that contract these jobs out as work from home. All these advances to make life easier are helping to make life harder. Irony is like Karma.

The migration patterns of old, from rural to suburbs to city are changing from city to rural. The city no longer offers the opportunities once sought.  In fact, the violence & the increasing costs of city life have made it really hard for an average family to survive in an urban environment.  Another reason of this shift in the population has to do with the still unresolved housing crisis that’s been created by all the foreclosures happening. Guess it’s not weird at all; there are millions of empty houses going into decay & million of families homeless.

The third boom industry is educational services.  As the landscape changes, many people have gone back to school to become competitive in what has become a specialized marketplace.  The only problem with this solution is the skyrocketing student loan debt; this debt has passed credit card as ranking number 1. Time will tell, if this may become the “foreclosure-bailout issue” for the next presidential term. Keeping the debt in mind, this will be another industry that growth is dependent upon phased-out workers.

In Tampa and Charlotte, both parties are spending millions of dollars to tout they have the solution for moving America forward.  The only problem for the last 4 years, this hasn’t been the place. What confidence should voters have that it will happen in the next? Both parties are not getting just as times are changing.  They both need to step up with these changing times instead of trying to use the same old tactics.  Instead of telling the voters what you’re going to do, try earnestly asking voters what it that you really need. Surprisingly, there may be a second of clarity when the parties realize they have it all wrong. Not optimistic about it. Not optimistic at all.

Let “Voters” be heard or beware of the consequences

As I watched, “Mainstream Media” news tonight; The half-hour of sound bites and relevant information on the major network, it caught my attention, a particular comment made regarding the current path the Republican Speaker, John Boehner has advised to approach the election. The topic of how to change the current buzz regarding Paul Ryan; while not actually acknowledging but conceding, there’s enough wrong with this candidate that will allow the democratic party to publically roast him alive in the upcoming weeks. He told his party to tow the line, keeping up the farce of highlighting Obama’s record on jobs and the economy. Ironic part of this tactic, for the last four years, they have contributed to those issues. The naysayers will have you believe it’s all Obama’s fault. This is partly a truth. The Republican’s who were in office during this administration need to owe up to their role in it.

As a voter, I thought it was up to us, the “voters” to decide those issues which are relevant. It’s funny; not really, the campaigns of all the candidates are being privately maneuvered. This type of “backdoor-politics” doesn’t benefit the whole only a select few. Basically, the new millennium term is “pay-to-play”. We the people can’t afford the buy-in. Ironically, Ryan  did release his returns that showed he paid a rate of 16% & he was eligible for a bailout on several occasions. In comparison, to the war veterans who are coming state-side to homelessness because they lost their home to foreclosure. Guess, they didn’t get that bailout memo.

A few months ago, “Mainstream Media” news did a report of hunger in America. According to Worldhunger.org; hunger is one of the many human crisis issues rising in the United States.

• In 2010, 46.9 million people were in poverty, up from 37.3 million in 2007 — the fourth consecutive annual increase in the number of people in poverty. This is the largest number in the 52 years for which poverty rates have been published (United States Census Bureau)
• In 2010, 17.2 million households, 14.5 percent of households (approximately one in seven), were food insecure, the highest number ever recorded in the United States ¹ (Coleman-Jensen 2011, p. v.)
• In 2010, children were food insecure at times during the year in 9.8 percent of households with children (3.9 million households.) In one percent of households with children, one or more of the children experienced the most severe food-insecure condition measured by USDA, very low food security, in which meals were irregular and food intake was below levels considered adequate by caregivers (Coleman-Jensen 2011, p. vi).
• 20.5 million Americans live in extreme poverty. This means their family’s cash income is less than half of the poverty line, or about $10,000 a year for a family of four (DeNavas-Walt 2011, p. 19).

No doubt, jobs & the economy are extremely important issues in this election. These discussions seem to be gearing up to be the same old finger-pointing as usual until November. Both parties need to know they are both being held accountable and the voters want to hear real-time solutions.

It seems through all the pandering, neither party doesn’t get; voters are sick and tired of being sick and tired. They going to show, if the current atmosphere of politricking continues into the conventions; 50 shades of Hungry. As these millionaires, our elected officials continue to work in the interest of protecting the fortunate and giving the rest the short-ended stick. They are going to get that metaphoric hand bite by rabies-like constituents.

That’s What’s Up

In the city of Philadelphia, they had a graduation ceremony for those seniors who had to attend summer school. The fact they attended summer school and have fulfilled the requirements needed to receive their high school diploma deserves a high-five & congratulation.
Some may say big deal. It’s a real big deal for them; A major accomplishment, in their lives that deserves just as much if not more notice and attention; Why? They overcame the odds & statistics. They didn’t give up. It may have taken a bit longer, they had to delay their celebrations but they did it.
I would like to congratulate all graduates who stuck it out & succeeded. These graduates are an asset to the future because they learned to persevere & not to give up on their goals or dreams.

Outside the box, part II

Finally, I put my words into action. As the occupy movement held its National Gathering in Philly, I attended the smoke-in rally in Washington DC. Truth be told, I have been known to stand up for various issues over the years, so, I was amped to get out & put my best foot forward for Cannabis. Ha! The heat & Washington DC kicked my ass. I left DC defeated like Oklahoma Thunders in the finals against Miami Heat.

These are the things I learned; GPS is a beautiful thing but is a waste less device when the Department of Homeland Security & Washington DC police close streets. Then, you’re a tourist just like everybody else. This is an insult to a Native New Yorker but I looked like every other out-of-towner that day. Funniest shit, I kid you not; I spent part of my day last 4th July in DC. These were two totally different experiences. I’m never going into our nation’s capitol without a native of the area again. That person found my whole experience hilarious. The phrase heard most that day, recalculating, recalculating, make the next legal U-turn when possible…………

The next thing I learned, my plan was to dump my car in a parking garage close to my point of exit out the city. My plan was an epic fail. First, I never did a drive-by before I dumped the car to see the distance between all the places I needed to be or I would have done more strategic parking in the beginning. Silly me stuck to my plan. This plan didn’t work when my ex used it on one of our many trips to DC either. Yep, my epic fail plan wasn’t mine & was proven a fail. After a bus ride for 3 blocks & a walk of 6 additional blocks arrived at destination #1, Lafayette Park.

The next thing I learned, don’t ask for directions. So, you kind of know the jest to this learning experience. The kind bus driver gave me walking directions; the warning light should’ve gone off when he gave me a disclaimer. He said as I’m getting off the bus, this is not my usual area. In my defense, the warning light would’ve gone off but I overlooked the kind passenger backing up his information. Now that I think about it, she was suspect.

OK, I’m trying to be a trooper. I had a plan & I’m sticking to it. After I said, “Uncle” to the heat, I went to recoup in McDonalds. I asked again for directions. At this point, I knew I wasn’t physically able to do a march of 2.6 miles or sit in the park for the end of the rally. But, I wanted to do something with my daughter, who is my special kid & supported my reasons for the trip. I asked the bus driver was the MLK monument in the area. His answer was two blocks away. Ummmm, next person, there’s no way in hell, especially in this heat, you can walk from here. The realization when I was lost & drove by the Washington monument earlier & being told it was over there. Game over.

Literally, game over. We got in a cab & $6.00 dollars later, we were at the parking garage. Of course, I repeated a lesson learned. I tried to use GPS to get out. At this point, I was just happy to be in my air-conditioned car. I managed to get on the 295 but in my happy air-conditioned bliss, I missed my exit. Guess a sane person would’ve turned back on the GPS. I winged my ass onto the beltway which added about 45min to my return trip home.

In the end, I was proud that I didn’t wimp out & went to DC. I don’t know if I should credit growth or stubbornness for that. I was proud to meet & see other progressive mothers who raise their children outside the box. My daughter’s biggest complaint going down was that she was going to be the only kid. Then, she met other kids & heard the speakers. Those bonding moments we had at the rally, when she appreciated her weird-ass mom; Priceless. The not so great feeling, that I wasn’t as young as or healthier than I use to be, sucked. Finally, getting home, taking a shower & going to sleep in your air-conditioned room in your bed. Of course, after I smoked some goody; Salvation.