Article 28

In recent months there has been a lot of discussion about raising minimum wage in an effort to balance the income scale and help move individuals from poverty assistance programs to self-sufficiency.  While this may be a noble effort, it is nothing more than a band-aid to the larger problem; declining jobs by big business and corporate greed.  It also places small business owners in jeopardy of closing or reducing the staff.  So, why are we in this predicament? For the past few decades, major american corporations have discovered the profit gains and tax advantage of closing operations and moving them offshore.  American jobs were moved to China, Mexico, Viet Nam, Malaysia, Jamaica and many other countries where operating expenses and labor costs are significantly less. Profit margins have increased to an obscene level and the american skilled worker is thrown into employment in minimum wage jobs originally intended for high school and college students as an intr...

There is a story of a man who had persistent ringing in his ears, with a flushed face and bulging eyes.  He went from doctor to doctor in an attempt to find out about this affliction and if there is a cure.  Repeatedly told there was no medical explanation for his symptoms, he decided to try one more doctor before giving up. After interviewing the patient for some time, the new doctor told him the condition was terminal and his timeline was around 6 to 8 months.  The man was stunned and asked the doctor what he should do to prepare.  The physician told him to sell everything and take a world tour; live life to the fullest in his final days. The man did just that, he sold everything and made a reservation for a world cruise.  Wanting to look his best on the cruise, he decided to buy some tailor made suits for the trip.  At his first fitting the tailor measured his pant size, 36 X 30, shirt sleeve length, 34 inches and neck was 16.5. The man interrupted ...

As a former Home Care Administrator in Phoenix, and living with a registered nurse for over thirty years, health care is a daily discussion topic.  During our dialogue, we have lamented the slow destruction of health care as a healing ministry to the rise of health care for profit.  Like the politics of our country, health care has sold its soul to the highest bidder and has become a culture of serving the dollar rather than the person.  While many laud the recent healthcare reform by the government as providing better access to care, it is new clothes on the same emperor and holds no hope for better and responsible healthcare.  The reform is doomed for failure since it does not address the root issue; corporate profits. Insurance corporations, pharmaceutical companies and accountants have taken over the healthcare industry, assumed the roles of healthcare professionals and the public is held hostage.  Here are but a few examples: The primary care p...

One of my favorite stories is about an old mystic who would go out behind his hermitage every day to sit by the stream and meditate.  On one occasion, he noticed a scorpion struggling to climb a large rock.  Slowly and gently, he reached down to help the scorpion.  However, the scorpion recoiled and stung the old mystic.  He rubbed his hand and tried to help the scorpion once more.  Once again, he was stung.   One more time the old man reached down to assist the scorpion and, you guessed it, he was stung violently.   A young man was watching the mystic with great interest and some concern and after the third strike, the youth ran toward the old man and said, "Why don't you pick up that rock and kill that thing!" The mystic responded, "Because it is in this creature's nature to inflict harm, does not mean that I have to change my nature to be like it." Today, our country is more divided than any other time in history.  Why?  We have cha...

RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS  Yesterday's Supreme Court decision for small private corporations, and their desire to exercise a particular faith stance within their business operations, has created a firestorm in both religious and political circles.  The discussion has centered around religious freedom on which, many believe, this country was founded and is protected by the Constitution. I would argue however, that this is an illusion and is practiced only when politically expedient.  A review of our history reveals that the words are there, but the practice of religious freedom has been lacking.  I am always taken aback by those who claim that this country was founded on the principles of religious freedom.  It was not.  The founding fathers took great pains to ensure that there was a separation of church and state and the infusion of religion into governance.  Some of the more notable quotes include these by the these famous founding fathers: “The...

  Immigration reform is a political minefield and more contentious than ever.   With the midterm elections approaching this fall, and the presidential election two years away, immigration reform will once again be at the forefront.   What is at issue though is not just immigration but also that of unchecked foreign policy.     A review of the recent history of immigration and its correlation to foreign-policy will hopefully shed light on the complexity of reform. Throughout the 20 th century immigration policy was generally one of restriction.  However, during a national crisis, the link between foreign-policy and immigration becomes very apparent.  With the spread of communism in Europe, World Wars I & II and the Cuban crisis’s, the government loosened immigration restrictions and even stimulated migration from Mexico and other Latin American countries. 1.   In 1917 the government formalized a migration practice with Mexico.   ...