Power of Words

Words are very powerful devices, they can heal souls and break hearts. It is not the actually word that holds the power, but the emotions and meaning put behind the actual word or phrase. A word is like a tank or a gun. At first thought, these things appear dangerous and harmful, but without ammunition and a person to handle them, they are actually quite harmless. Like an empty box of chocolates or an empty Tiffany's box, without the gift, it is just a shell. That is what words are as they just lay on paper in the dictionary or before anyone breathes life into them. People must choose how they want to use words, what kind of meanings will be behind their words, or whether they want to even put a significant meaning behind those words. Words...are powerful devices, if in the right hands

I've heard time and time again that nothing good last forever, and that everything changes. Statements such as these scare me at times, (well, most of the time) because I am a hopeless romantic at heart. Yes, many of you may find that hard to believe, but put away your shock for the moment and pay attention to the topic at hand. When I hear such comments as stated earlier, it scares me because it makes me think that long lasting, even life-long relationships are things that only happen in movies, or to the those extremely lucky people in life. That the people that actually experience life-long love and happiness are exceptions to those rules, and that everyone else will either be stuck in a loveless relationship or live by themselves, lonely and miserable. Maybe I'm just being over-dramatic, but the fact that I see couples break up that I would never guess were unhappy, or when I see a spouse cheat on someone that would do, and has done any and everything to please them, it just makes me lose all hope in love and relationships, and in humanity all together. I know that I am young and I have a lot of heart ache and relationships to endure, but if they are all going to be in vain in the end, why go through it? Why keep getting my heart stepped on and feeling that stab of rejection if in the end I don't find my Prince Charming? Because isn't that what dating is about, a trial and error stage for a person to find a person that they are truly compatible with, to marry and spend their lives together? I guess I'm just looking for somebody to tell me that it is possible for two people to stay together, forever, and stay happy and in love. And not to just say it because it's something I want to hear, but because they truly feel that it is possible, because they've seen it happen, because it has happened to them...or maybe I'm just a dreamer looking for a dreamworld where people can stay in love...

Session 14: Immigration

Immigration has been a hot button topic for as long as I can remember and comprehend. Somewhat like the health care reform that I spoke about previously, it seems that the Nation is split down the middle when it comes to the topic. There are those that feel that immigration, legal and illegal, will further damage the infrastructure and economy in the US, while others believe that immigration will be the leading force in regaining some economic stability. Though the immigration rate has declined, it has not been as substantial as some would like to think, there is still a steady flow of immigrants to the US, especially to states such as Georgia and California. Though both sides have valid points on the issue of immigration, it seems that there is still somewhat of a stand-still on what will be the ultimate outcome of the issue, since there as been a kind of back and forth within Congress, as well as other governmental structures about the issue. Obama is trying to set a more concrete plan into motion with the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, which would prevent children of illegal immigrants from being turned down for health care. This is a great start because, as I talked about before, without proper health insurance, many illegal immigrants will have to turn to charity care at hospitals, forcing taxpayers to dish out even more money and insured citizens to pay even more for coverage. As of right now, looking at all of the issues, I am not sure what my view is on the issue, but I do find it ironic that many people disapprove immigration, even legal immigration, when the US was basically founded and established because of immigration.

Session 13: Housing and Community Development

Having once lived in lower income housing, I know precisely how it feels to move some place else where there is less crime and poverty, and to just experience new surroundings. Now, with so many different programs being put into place, more people can experience that same feeling, and not just the few it once was. Not only is Obama establishing the White House office of Urban Affairs to help generate more financial help to lower income, urban areas, there are other organizations and programs being put into place to help those living in public housing where crime and poverty can run ramped. One such program is the HOPE VI, which tries to lessen concentrations of poverty by placing public housing in non-poverty areas, instead of just isolating lower income residents as has been the traditional approach. This, in turn, promotes mixed-income communities. Public housing agencies are also providing help to the housing market for lower income residents by proving Housing Choice Vouchers. These are administered through PHAs and helps lower income families find suitable, sanitary and safe housing. The family chooses the home but it must meet PHA standards. If the home does, PHA will pay a direct subsidy to the landlord, and the family pays the difference. This is a great program because it provides much needed assistance to families that would otherwise continue to live in poverty and inadequate quarters. The fact that the government, as well as other non-governmental agencies are taking such an interest and role in housing for lower income families shows all that can be done to start to combat poverty. The government is doing a good job in helping to decrease poverty rates in the US with such programs. I had no idea that so much was being done in this area, but it is often times easy to not look back at hard times in your life, but one must never forget where he or she has come from, nor the people that are still there, and I am happy that many people that shared a similar living experience with me can now share the experience of living a better life in a better living environment.

Session 12: Social Security

With many people concerned about the future of social security, Obama tries to reassure that he will do all in his power to make sure that in the future, seniors can still retire and receive social security. With the economic downturn, many have pondered, and even feared that there would no longer be enough in the Nation's budget to pay out social security. The fact that the elderly are often in the poverty group is also something that should be considered when thinking of social security. Yes, taxes may have to be heightened, but think about the fact that once a person has reached a certain age and can no longer contribute to the work force, what kind of income are they to receive if social security is cut? It would not be far that only those that are wealthy will be able to retire and not worry about their economic well being, but also those that worked hard to be able to retire. What Obama is proposing is a good way for the federal government to prevent poverty amongst the elderly.

Session 11: Health Care

There has been quite some controversy over the issue of health care for the past 2-3 years. The country seems to be split on whether the Health Care reform is in the best interest of the Nation. With 20.5 % of Georgians uninsured last year, there has been quite a heavy cost for caring for these people when they are in need of medical attention. Many hospitals, such as Grady and Piedmont are giving charity care to these patients, but at the end it is the taxpayers that feel it in their pockets. Grady, arguably the most visited hospital in Atlanta, has lost over $200 million in care for those uninsured, with Piedmont losing close to $30 million. Such hospitals often times depend on federal grants, and charging insured patients higher amounts to make up for such losses. One would think that with such an effect on the economy and taxpayer dollars, the majority of Americans would be in support of the Health Care reform. Well, a recent study showed that about 47% of Americans were/are against the reform, saying that it would cause higher taxes, and force them to buy insurance even if they don't want to, or risk getting fined a set amount. What is so interesting is that people would feel this way, even though it is evident that the economic downturn has left many people without jobs, thereby leaving them without health insurance because they were getting the insurance through their jobs. What is even more shocking is that the costs of not having universal health care is far greater than having it. One must look at it as what would be the lesser of two evils. And with the increased amount of Hispanic illegal immigrants, the cost for insuring them will be quite high, but not as high as giving them charity care and forcing the insured to pay higher premiums and out of pocket expenses, as well as regular tax dollars. What the federal government has done so far to prevent poverty on the side of health care is wonderful, but if a repeal is approved, would only increase poverty substantially. 

Session 9: Historical and Current Policy Responses: Social Welfare and Tax Policies

Chapter 7 and 8 could not have gone any better with my experience last week volunteering with some people in the homeless population. In chapter 7 of John Iceland's book, Poverty in America, I got a chance to learn some of the history of social welfare and the policies that were in place since the beginning of this country. The fact that starting in the colonial times, people had the tendency to shun those that were homeless, or even just living in poverty, helps me understand why some/many people still do the same today. The problem was that many people never took into consideration that often times there are extenuating circumstances that force a person into poverty. This misconception, that people that are living in poverty because they are too lazy to work hard, is a deep-rooted misconception in the American psyche. Another behavior that is deep-rooted is that of knowing that the government has some obligation to provide a "safety net" for those living in poverty, but also feeling as though those searching for assistance will become dependent upon it and will force others to pay higher taxes to foster their "contentment" with their situation. Since many feel this way, a lot of the programs and policies set up to aid in public assistance aim to discourage dependency on such programs by giving a cut off time such as two years, and eligibility only to those willing to go out and search for jobs. This can be a good thing, and has lead to many people leaving welfare and getting jobs to support themselves and their families, but often times programs set up this way ONLY combat dependency on the programs, but not the real problem, which is poverty. What I think is being done about poverty in the United States is setting up these different welfare policies and programs, but the problem of actually POVERTY is not being addressed as well as it should be. It is great that many do not want to create a dependency on such programs, but a more efficient system has to be set up in order to combat poverty as well. Some programs are doing so, by offering training and educational programs so that those seeking help can learn more skills that will enable them to receive better, higher paying jobs, but more programs should start to take that approach. The center that I volunteered at had many different programs, and also offered education on how to use different computer applications, and resume building techniques. If there were more programs such as that one, poverty would decrease sharply.