How to Tell You need Healthcare Reform

Choose the Public Option

Spin

Crossposted from Dallas Nonprofit News site DallasSouthNews.org

As the U.S. House of Representatives continues to push for healthcare reform, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson takes a moment to share her thoughts with Dallas South News.  Here are the contents of an email interview that I conducted with the Congresswoman last week.

Dallas South News: Congresswoman Johnson thank you so much for your time.  How would you feel about about a final Healthcare Bill that does not include a public option?

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson:  Luckily, the House and the Senate bills both include a public option, and I am very pleased about that.  The simple fact is that if the insurance companies wanted to insure the uninsured people in our country, they would have found a way to do so already.  The public option will force the insurance companies to compete for customers, which will bring prices down for everyone, and it will enable people who either can’t afford coverage now or who are currently being denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions to be insured.

DSN:  How do you feel about the way President Obama has handled the health insurance debate?
Rep. Johnson:  President Obama has provided incomparable leadership on health care reform, and the result is that both the House and the Senate have health reform bills that stand a good chance of passing this year.  President Obama inherited a large number of challenges from the prior administration, but he has continued to set the bar high and inspire policymakers to find solutions that improve the lives of Americans.

DSN:  What can Democrats do to gain more bipartisan support as it relates to crafting a healthcare bill that the President can sign?

Rep. Johnson: The Democrats have worked hard to include Republicans in the health care debate, and some of their ideas have been incorporated into the health care bills in both the House and the Senate.  Health care reform must happen now—too many people are struggling for us to continue with our broken system.  We want the Republicans to play a role in passing comprehensive reform, but it’s up to them whether they want to participate.

DSN:  You originally co-sponsored HR 848 which would in essence pay royalties to singers for having their music played on terrestrial radio.  Why did you decide to withdraw your name from this measure?

Rep. Johnson: After hearing from my constituents, many of whom were concerned that smaller stations, such as those that play gospel music, would be hurt by the bill, I decided to remove my name as a co-sponsor and reevaluate the issue.

DSN:  As Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, what are the most critical things members of your district and throughout North Texas should know about water as a resource?

Rep. Johnson: Many people don’t realize how much water infrastructure affects their daily lives, from the water they drink, to the pollution in their immediate environments, to the lakes and rivers they take their kids to in the summer.  Water infrastructure is a critical aspect of our nation’s public health, quality of life, and economic well-being.  Unfortunately, we continue to face a number of challenges related to water infrastructure, particularly in regard to funding, and the growing population is placing stress on our current water infrastructure, so we could lose many of the gains we have made.

DSN:  Finally, are you satisfied with the information you have received from the United States Post Office regarding their AMP study regarding the Dallas Main Post Office?

Rep. Johnson: The USPS study caused a great deal of concern and confusion among postal service employees, business owners, and residents of Dallas.  The USPS held a public input meeting in July, but I thought it would make sense to follow up with my own townhall on the issue in August, which I hope helped to clear up some of the confusion.  I have been in regular contact with the Postal Service, and I was pleased when the Office of Inspector General began an independent audit of the proposed changes in September.  In the coming months, I will continue to work with the Postal Service, and I will continue to ensure that Dallas residents know what is going on with any changes to the Dallas Main Post Office.   I hope to be able to announce the results of the audit in the coming weeks.

DSN:  Thank you Congresswoman, I hope you will join us again down the road. ]]> http://dallassouthblog.com/2009/11/03/rep-eddie-bernice-johnson-interview-with-dallas-south-news/feed/ http://dallassouthblog.com/2009/11/03/rep-eddie-bernice-johnson-interview-with-dallas-south-news/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dallassouthblog/ROKL/~3/ZKyvMgSEfLU/ http://dallassouthblog.com/2009/10/29/salazar-approves-martin-luther-king-jr-memorial-construction-on-national-mall/#comments Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:31:05 +0000 Shawn Williams http://dallassouthblog.com/?p=4827 Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – At a ceremony with Harry E. Johnson, Sr., President of the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc., Christine King Ferris, sister to Martin Luther King Jr.; EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and members of the Black and Hispanic Caucuses, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today signed a permit allowing construction of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall.

“Dr. King is one of America’s greatest heroes - a Nobel Peace Prize winner who inspired America to live up to the meaning of its creed of freedom, justice and opportunity for all people,” said Secretary Salazar. “It is fitting and appropriate that we honor Dr. King’s extraordinary life and legacy with a memorial here on the National Mall, alongside the timeless landmarks of American democracy and freedom. May this sacred ground help us draw strength from Dr. King’s courage, dedication and sacrifice, and inspire us to always seek a more perfect union.”

“I am excited to move forward with construction and share that we are in the home stretch of the fundraising campaign to build this national memorial to Dr. King,” said Harry E. Johnson, Sr., President of the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc. “I call on all Americans to participate in our Build the Dream: Countdown to Completion phase of the fundraising campaign by donating $1 or more to become a part of history.”

Now that Secretary Salazar has signed a construction permit, the non-profit Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc. can proceed with construction of the memorial. The new memorial will be situated adjacent to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and in a direct line between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. Dr. King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream Speech” at the Lincoln Memorial in August, 1963.

Congress passed Joint Resolutions in 1996 authorizing Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to establish a memorial honoring Dr. King to be built in Washington, D.C. The ceremonial groundbreaking took place on November 13, 2006, and the memorial is expected to be completed in 2011.

The design of the four-acre memorial includes the use of water, stone and trees to symbolize Dr. King’s call to America for justice, opportunity and hope for all people.

“Dr. King’s dream is America’s dream,” Salazar said. “This new memorial honoring him and his legacy will help us share this dream - and America’s story - with future generations.”

Dr. King, a Baptist minister, dedicated his life to promoting civil rights and opposing discrimination and segregation. He led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957, serving as its first president.

In his “I Have a Dream” speech, he challenged the conscience of the nation to finally live up to the ideals upon which it was founded, helping to convince Congress to pass landmark laws, including the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

In 1964, he became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end segregation and discrimination by peaceful protest and other non-violent means.

King was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 and Congressional Gold Medal in 2004. Congress established Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a U.S. national holiday in 1986.

Chris Bridges a.k.a Ludacris is offering a refreshing image for an art form that has seemed to lose its way over the last decade.  This past weekend he made the circuit, promoting his foundation and asking for a new look at philanthropic leadership.  This 4 1/2 minute video is worth the time.

Good Look Luda.

• It was 1999. I was only 27 years old, but I was worn-down, weary and depressed. I was working full-time at a job that I despised and coming home to two kids, only one of which I gave birth to. One was a sweet toddler, and the other was my so-called husband. We’d just had another ferocious fight over the finances, and instead of paying his share of the bills, the man I’ll call “Marvin” pretended they didn’t exist, allowed things to get cut off or repossessed and thought he could smooth things over this time by leaving a bouquet of roses and a card waiting for me in the bedroom.

• I decided that it was no longer enough. The following year I filed for divorce. It was hard to be the one to accelerate my descent into becoming yet another tired statistic—that of a ‘black single mother’—but to spare my sanity, I had no other choice. I had a life to live and a child to raise.

• What did concern me, after getting the legalities handled, was keeping a stable household for my fragile, impressionable three-year-old. I needed to keep a roof over our heads, food on the table and childcare in place in order for me to work. I needed life to be as drama-free as possible to show him that parents could still love and care for him even from separate addresses, and most of all, I had to prove to him with my actions that instead of languishing as part of a couple, it was better for me to struggle on my own.

Read more at ChickTalkDallas.com

1. Cadillac Escalade ESV: Twenty inches longer than the base model Escalade, it makes an attractive target, not just for the visibility, but for the standard features. It comes with many high-ticket items such as a DVD navigation system and Bose surround sound. The best DIY way to keep it safe? Park it in a locked garage. If the garage is full, find another place for your stuff. If you don’t have a garage, how can you afford a $65,000 car?

4. Dodge Charger: According to a Fox affiliate in Detroit, Chrysler products are so easy to steal, even a child can do it. Requiring only a screwdriver, a brick, and minimal force, thieves regularly steal and use these vehicles simply for transportation. The Detroit PD recommends etching your VIN on key areas of the vehicle to deter thieves. The entire video can be seen here.

7. Dodge Magnum: Also easy stealing, this wagon trim vehicle actually boasts an impressive engine that is attractive to joy riders. The newer models come with Sentry keys, making it difficult to start the car without one. Owners of older models are advised to purchase a steering wheel lock, starting at around $16.00.

10. Honda S2000: The only convertible on the list, it is a tempting target to thieves, simply because there is no need to pick a lock. With a simple slice from a household knife, a thief can cut open your top and be in the driver’s seat within seconds. If considering a purchase, try getting a hard top. It will pay for itself if it saves you from just one break-in.

Read the entire post here.

Stronger Than Pride

This is pretty much Sade vocals carrying the entire song. (with a haunting drum in the background).  THIS IS GOOD MUSIC!!!

KING OF SORROW - Good song and good video

CHERISH THE DAY - My Favorite

OTHER OSF SITES

Electronic Village -Pam - pprscribe -

- Ms Grapevine - Pirouette -Quick - Vérité Parlant

-Marty - iriegal -Mahogany -Hagar’s Daughter - Lisa C

- DP - Dallassouth - - The Connoisseur -

- Regina - MsMarvalus - Clnmike - Vivrant Thing

-AJ - Sharon - RevvyRev - Prof. PC - Invisible Woman

-Pop Art Diva - Pjazzypar - MsLadyDeborah -

Archie Bell & the Drells - The Tighten Up

• What’s wrong with this picture? Um, the white girl in the middle has something to do with it. Earlier this month, Nikole Churchill,22, was chosen as 2009 Hampton University homecoming queen. Hampton U is historically black, and the main campus of 5,700 students has a  mostly black student body.

• Churchill wrote a letter to President Barack Obama claiming he could relate to the racism she was facing at the university. “I am hoping that perhaps you would be able to make an appearance to my campus, Hampton University, so that my fellow Hamptonians can stop focusing so much on the color of my skin and doubting my abilities to represent,” she wrote, “but rather be proud of the changes our nation is making toward accepting diversity.”

• So why shouldn’t Churchill win? She got accepted to the university. She paid tuition. Attended classes. She won fair and square. Complaining about her race now is a little like the pot calling the kettle black.