In response to Proof of Residency

My classmate, A. Lopez, wrote a blog post about the plight of undocumented workers.  I agree with most of what he had to say.  He feels that the employer, not the employee, should be penalized for employing people without proper documentation.  I agree.  And, there is a penalty for businesses that hire undocumented workers.  In some cases, the business can be shut down for severe non-compliance.  While Mr. Lopez is sympathetic to the workers, I tend to also be on the worker's side, but for different reasons.  Of course, I want people to come to America and be able to have a better life here and provide for their families.  But, part of that is contributing to the system.  The system is undoubtedly flawed, but it is still a system that works for the most part.   I know of a restaurant that does employ undocumented workers but turns a blind eye to the fake or forged social security cards that are provided.  They accept them, and when they are bounced back as questionable, another one is provided with no questions asked.  If the name is different, the company just has him/her fill out new paperwork to match the name.  Taxes are taken out of the worker's check.  Where does the money go??  It obviously will not benefit the worker in any way later on in life when it might be needed.  The company is doing its due diligence by paying the taxes, but what is the point?  I do think that there needs to be a compromise of some sort to allow workers to earn a living while still pursuing citizenship status.  Maybe coming up with visa extensions with an incentive to become a citizen could help. I have no knowledge of what it would take to become an American citizen other than the citizenship test, which I did not do so well on myself!  But, maybe there could be a program that employers could help their workers participate in to become a citizen.  I think that there is too much negativity towards immigrants in this country.  This country was based on immigration and diversity.  I think that is part of what makes it so great, this blending of cultures.  But, when in Rome, do as the Romans.  So, when in the US, do as the Americans.  Pay taxes, learn the language, and educate the children.  As to Mr.Lopez's comment about firing 17 people at one time, there was probably an immigration sweep coming.  Usually, the business can "hear"about an impending sweep and clean house before it happens to avoid steep fines and risk of closure or criminal charges.  Unfortunately, that is part of the plight of undocumented immigrants.  That should also be an incentive to become a citizen. 

Equal Enough?

I grew up thinking that I could do or be anything that I set my mind to.  I grew up thinking that I could do anything that a man can do and do it in heels.  Then, when I was grown up, I realized what it took for women to be able to think that way.  My Aunt Lee, who currently resides in Georgia, was an escort for a Women's Clinic in the '80's.  She wore a bulletproof vest sometimes because there were people that wanted her to die because she wanted women to have access to safe and reliable health care.  She marches at the state capitol (in fact, they are marching on April 28, 2012), she attends rallies fighting for future women.  I had never met a male feminist before until my Uncle Ron.  Of course, my Aunt Lee would only marry a man that believed that she was his equal.  He fights for women's rights along side of her.  I say all of these things because before I got to know them on an adult level and see what the process was in order for women to vote, women to join the military, women to decide their own medical futures, I had no idea what it meant to be a woman and have to fight to just be equal.  Well, that fight is not over.  Lately, maybe because I am paying more attention, I have been seeing the encroaching oppression.

I am so lucky to have been born in the United States.  I understand that there are women in parts of the world that, because they are raped, have dishonored their family and therefore killed in order to restore their honor.  Women are bought and sold in Eastern Europe like cattle.  Women sexually mutilated in China and Egypt.  Because of these horrors worldwide, I understand why a woman/man would say that we are equal enough.  We should be thankful that we don't have to deal with those things.  Maybe that is true.  But, reading an article by Soraya Chemaly, I realized that she is absolutely correct.  She is addressing all women and men that believe that women are capable of making their own decisions.  Regardless of the issue, a woman can decide for herself.  Whether that means to decide to join the military, have a family, not to have a family, to have a career, to get married, not to marry, whatever.  A woman is an intelligent being, an independent being that does not need a man or another woman to tell her how to live her life.  Women are strong, resilient, and creative.  We need government to stay out of our heads.  We don't need legislation to let us know what to decide, or what not to decide.

The Violence Against Women Act has been passed through Congress several times.  But, this time, there is a delay because many Republicans don't feel that we need to include ALL women.  If a lesbian is in a violent relationship, she cannot go to a shelter because most are for straight women only.  If an American Indian woman is beaten by her husband, police are slower to respond because of budget cuts.  The Republicans do not want to edit the bill to include lesbians, American Indians, or undocumented women.  If you aren't a citizen, you are not entitled to help if your significant other decides to turn your face into a punching bag.  Too bad....if you had been born here, we could have helped you.  We have to stop making women's rights a favor bestowed upon us by men.  There are too many of us to stand idly by and let them decide what is right.  My Aunt and Uncle are fighting too hard for all of us to let the current Congress and House of Representatives tear it apart with their rhetoric and bias.  We have to take what is ours.  We have to use our collective power.  We have to vote.  We have to shout.  And, we DEFINITELY need to misbehave a little.

In response to Jessica's blog,  "The American Dream", I absolutely agree with what you had to say about the Staar test.  My son is a 7th grader in the Austin Independent School district.  The focus for the first half of the year was preparing the students to pass the Staar test.  I think that these standardized tests only put pressure on the students and teachers to hit a standard instead of making sure that students are learning and able to persevere through high school and go to college.  I agree that standardized testing is a great tool to see where the kids are progressing and maybe where more focus needs to be had.  But, putting too much value on these tests only makes the teachers teach what is tested.  There needs to be a better way to let the teachers teach the kids what is needed to move on and be successful than to be successful on ONE TEST!!  It is frustrating for teachers and parents.

Too bad you are a girl....

As a female, part of the growing up process was going the "lady doctor", as my grandfather called it, and being checked out yearly.  During one of these visits, I disclosed to my doctor how painful my cramps had become each month.  The solution was to start taking birth control to help regulate my hormones and to put my cycle on a predictable schedule.  I am not sure how it worked, but my cramps eased considerably.  I don't remember there ever being an issue.  No one was outraged.  My grandfather was a little alarmed at first, but after explanation, shrugged and said he would pick them up.  I was not a slut.  The actual pills had nothing at all to do with sexual activity for another 8 years!! It is amazing to me how men in this country take it upon themselves to insert their "expertise" of women's issues and make it worthy of national debate.  Don't we have soldiers dying in Afghanistan and Iraq?  Don't we have hundreds of thousands of homeless Americans?  Aren't the school systems circling the drain?  Why is it that these men in power, the ones that can affect the system, worried so much about what women do with our bodies?  Do they not trust us to think for ourselves?  What can happen when a woman thinks too much?  Maybe a woman could affect the change that is needed on this planet because, obviously, a man ain't getting it done!

It has gone so far that there is now legislation regarding what employers offer in way of insurance coverage for contraception.  Are you kidding me?  So, if I work for a company that has religious affiliation, they can refuse to allow me access through the insurance provided by them?   Then, I make a phone call to the actual insurance company and then they have to provide me with the contraception coverage at no additional cost?  What did we just do here?  What purpose does this actually serve?  It is wasteful of time and resources, and just plain stupid.

In reading an article about Georgia passing HB 437, I actually laughed out loud!  This bill makes it illegal for a doctor to perform an abortion after 20 weeks gestation except in "medically futile" cases;  profound and "irremediable" anomalies that would be "incompatible with sustaining life after birth."  If a doctor does, he/she could be charged with a felony and given a 10 year prison sentence.  There is no stipulation for rape or incest.  But, what made me laugh is this sentence, ”Senate Bill 469, which began as a bill to prevent union-connected picketing in front of the homes of executives involved in union disputes, had the picketing provisions stripped out of it the last night over fears of writing unconstitutional laws."   The guys were more worried about trampling on the civil liberties of people picketing in front of union officials than they are of doctors helping rape or incest victims or even a woman carrying a baby with no chance at having a life other than breathing.

It is crazy to me the priorities of this country.  Maybe we should stop worrying about what "she” is doing and start worrying more about what I am doing to make this world a better place.  Maybe start making decisions to help the greater good than worry about what is going in the house next door.  To each his own, and to you, freedom to find your own.

Who needs Biology??

     Sara DeHart has written an article describing how the Republicans against women's reproductive rights have obviously missed Biology class on the day that they went over reproductive organs and processes in class.  Ms.DeHart is an associate professor at Emeritus University of Minnesota School of Nursing, as well as a visiting scholar at the University of Washington.  She frequently writes articles about public health and is considered an expert in her field.
     She is writing to inform people of the misnomers the Republicans would like for you to believe.  She also feels that they are ignorant of the way women's bodies work, as well as men's bodies, for that matter!  She feels that knowledge will help people to know that reproductive rights are not just for people to go out and have rampant orgies or to become sluts or whatever Rush Limbaugh is calling women this week, but that birth control and women's health is something that insurance should help cover.  There are many issues that birth control helps with including regulating cycles and balancing hormone production.     She mentions that it is sad that this bill was defeated by only four votes.  She feels that the entire House needs a Biology 101 class to understand how a female body works.  Then, maybe they would understand that it is not about sex or reproduction.  It is about a woman's health.  Dr.DeHart mentions that if the bill had passed, the future of a company's employee health coverage would be decided by the sitting CEO.  So, if the CEO is a Jehova's Witness, this CEO could stipulate that the company insurance coverage would not cover blood transfusions or even blood donation since it is against Jehova faith to do these things.  Or, if the CEO is of the Catholic faith, as an Archbishop, he could stipulate provisions that prohibit any type of hormonal therapy or other device to prevent pregnancy, even if it was prescribed to prevent another health problem.
     Dr.DeHart goes on to explain other issues that birth control pills help to control as well as a little of the history of the pill and its inclusion in the Catholic community. I think the doctor is absolutely right and it is ridiculous to think that men are trying to regulate what a woman does with her body sexually or otherwise.  It seems to me that more research should have been done before this bill went to vote.  At least this has nothing to do with party affiliation.  They are equal opportunity offenders and it is sickening in this day and age, after so many women have fought for equal rights and the right to choose how they take care of their bodies, that these ignorant, arrogant men stroll in and try to make laws regarding my healthcare.  It is almost laughable if it weren't so offensive.
   

Dana Radcliffe's "Should Public Policy Conform to 'God's Law'?"

Dana Radcliffe, a professor in business ethics, wrote a blog entitled "Should Public Policy Conform to 'God's Law'?"  and it was posted on The Huffington Post blog.  In this blog, Professor Radcliffe discusses the comments that Rick Santorum has made in debates and speeches about things that he would do if put into the White House.  After reading the blog, I have decided that I sit on the side of Professor Radcliffe when it comes to religion and public policy.  I believe that the intended audience for Professor Radcliffe's blog are democrats and liberals that read the Huffington Post, like myself, and the ages vary.  College students, various religious affiliates, as well as republicans would do well to read this blog to see what Santorum has planned for the American people if elected president.  I believe that Professor Radcliffe's credibility is established in the fact that he is a practicing professor in business ethics with a PhD in philosophy.  He is a professor at Syracuse University as well as at other two lesser know colleges.  He attended Yale and UCLA but got his doctorate at Syracuse University.  He, as a professor in business ethics, knows what it takes to be a leader.  He understands what is valuable in a candidate and what people value as a whole. 

In this blog entry, Professor Radcliffe is informing the public of why letting Rick Santorum use his religious beliefs to control policy and law making is an unwise choice.  He explains that Rick Santorum believes that human laws must align with a "higher law". While the professor does not disagree with that sentiment, he is disturbed by the fact that Santorum doesn't respect any opposing opinions.  Santorum feels that his god is the right god and that is the end of the conversation.  By believing and acting this way, Santorum is not only alienating a lot of his constituents, he is offending every other religion in the world!  He even accuses President Obama from practicing a "phony"theology.  

As for the public policy, Professor Radcliffe informs his readers about a few policies that Santorum has promised if he becomes President of the United States.  Santorum has vowed to prohibit abortion and same-sex marriage.  Professor Radcliffe states that as a Christian, he find parts of his theology -- presumably the "real" theology -- mystifying.  For example, "I cannot see how the freedom practice my faith is, as his website alleges, "under attack through the redefinition of marriage." Indeed, since New York legalized same-sex marriage last summer, I have not noticed any diminution of my religious liberty."  The professor also questions that right of the Catholic church to determine public policy or, if by proxy, have a presidential candidate do it on their behalf, whether knowing or not. 

I enjoyed reading the professor's blog entry.  It was a concise and straightforward, and I enjoyed that 

http://news.firedoglake.com/2012/02/10/birth-control-debate-exposes-desired-social-control-from-catholic-bishops/


I just read this blog on FireDogLake and I am a little confused by it.  From what I understand, Obama has made it so insurance can be used in acquiring birth control.  But, religious universities and religious institutions do not have to oblige because of moral and religious objections.  So, the New York Archbishop thinks that the compromise is not satisfactory because the employees that work for said religious institutions that have their insurance paid for by these institutions will, in a sense, have their contraception paid for by these institutions.  He feels that the church is paying for it in a round about way.  He says that he is worried about "government intrusion into issues of faith and morals", but yet it is the Catholic church and supporters that are the intruders.  I understand that Catholics and some Christians are against contraception and other things, such as gay marriage, or just homosexuality in general, but it is they that force their morals onto others and heavily lean on politicians to regulate these morals.  I don't understand why these factions need legislation to enforce their religious beliefs.  Don't they believe that their followers have minds of their own and can decide their own morality?  Or, is that the reason for the legislation?  They are afraid that they do have their own minds and will not do as they claim to believe should be done?  Why legislation for who gets birth control with the help of insurance?  If you are Catholic, and believe that contraception is not in line with your morals, then don't participate.  Don't get birth control.  Don't use your insurance for contraception.  Why do we need a law to provide an exemption for them?  Why not let people decide for themselves what is right for them?  Same as gay marriage....if my gay friend decides to marry his/her partner, how does that adversely affect my life or yours?  If I decide I don't agree that gays should marry, why does that mean I have a say in whether they do or don't ?  I would love to live in a world where we are free to worship as we please, love as we please, use birth control if we please (and have insurance to help pay for it), or just live freely without the "intrusion" of religion or government.   I am more worried about the uninsured being able to afford insurance than this dumb arguing over whether or not the insured can use it for reproductive services.  I think that we need to stop arguing over the morality of a few and worry more about the hundreds of thousands of uninsured people living under the poverty line.  It seems that there are more important things to worry about than a condom or birth control pill and who has access to it through insurance. 

I think that this article is worth reading because it just reinforces the antiquated foundation that politicians seem to base all decisons.  It is worth reading just for the sense of oxymoron that the Archbishop uses in his reasoning for wanting the bill revisited.  I think it is another step along the slippery slope in regulating the rights of women.  I think all women need to read this blog for the simple fact that whether you are pro-choice or pro-life, it affects all of our rights in the long run.  Each little stab at that needs to be known.

Just my two cents.