Every morning one of the of the first things I do is check my email. I am sure I am no different from anyone else and I have to weed trough all the junk mail. I also get a lot of forwarded jokes that my friends thought I would like. I have friends that are conservative and liberal, and they both like to send me emails that argue their political views. I usually find my view right in the middle. While filtering my email this morning I found and email that says what I have been saying for many years. It lays out a basic plan for congressional term limits.
I have heard people on both sides talk about this for a long time and I wonder why it has never been made law. The President is bound by term limits; why aren't congressmen bound by these same limits. Below the plan is laid out and I want to hear what you think.
1. Term Limits: 12 years only, one of the possible options below.
A. Two Six year Senate terms
B. Six Two year House terms
C. One Six year Senate term and three Two Year House terms
2. No Tenure / No Pension:
A congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out office.
3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security:
All funds in the Congressional retirement fund moves to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, Congress participates with the American people.
4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan just as all Americans.
5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
6. Congress looses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
7. Congress must equally abide in all laws they impose on the American people.
8. All contracts with past and present congressmen are void effective 1/1/11.
The American people did not make this contract with congressmen, congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.
I really want to hear what you think about this plan. Post your comments below.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Lorain Must Support It's New Baseball Team
Baseball----Chevrolet----Apple Pie; what could be more American? At least 2 of those are still American. One of those is Baseball; you figure out which one isn’t. The County of Lorain, and specifically the city of Lorain, will have the opportunity to cheer for a local team. If you haven’t heard the news, the Lorain County Ironmen are in town and they are going to be playing their games at the Pipe Yard Stadium, right here in Lorain.
Owners, Kevin Rhomberg and Bob Schenosky, are really trying to make a difference in the city of Lorain. I have personally witnessed how hard they are working to make their team a success. They are truly interested in helping to boost the economy in Lorain County. They are offering a very low-cost alternative to going to a very ‘Pricey’ Cleveland Indians game. They appear to understand, that times are hard, and most families can’t afford to go to Cleveland and see a Indians game. The Cost of admission is only $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children and $99 for season tickets.
We need to remember that they chose us because they saw the potential here, and we need to support them every chance we can. How nice will it be to go to a local game and not go broke in the process. A family of 4 can attend for less than $20. You can’t even go to a movie for that price.
Please Lorain County; I beg you, let’s be positive about this team. Let’s show them that they made the right decision in coming here. The Home Opener is June 4th at 7:05pm.
“Take Me Out to the Ball Game,
Take Me Out to the Crowd,
Buy Me Some Peanuts and Cracker Jacks.”
PLAY BALL!!!!!!
For Ticket Information and any question just click on their website or call 440-522-9549
Owners, Kevin Rhomberg and Bob Schenosky, are really trying to make a difference in the city of Lorain. I have personally witnessed how hard they are working to make their team a success. They are truly interested in helping to boost the economy in Lorain County. They are offering a very low-cost alternative to going to a very ‘Pricey’ Cleveland Indians game. They appear to understand, that times are hard, and most families can’t afford to go to Cleveland and see a Indians game. The Cost of admission is only $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children and $99 for season tickets.
We need to remember that they chose us because they saw the potential here, and we need to support them every chance we can. How nice will it be to go to a local game and not go broke in the process. A family of 4 can attend for less than $20. You can’t even go to a movie for that price.
Please Lorain County; I beg you, let’s be positive about this team. Let’s show them that they made the right decision in coming here. The Home Opener is June 4th at 7:05pm.
“Take Me Out to the Ball Game,
Take Me Out to the Crowd,
Buy Me Some Peanuts and Cracker Jacks.”
PLAY BALL!!!!!!
For Ticket Information and any question just click on their website or call 440-522-9549
Saturday, May 22, 2010
A Very Personal Struggle
All my life I have always been a proud man. That pride never allowed me to confide my personal life with anyone; not even people that were close to me. No one around me ever knew when I was struggling financially, mentally or any other way. If someone asked me how I was doing I always responded that I was doing great. It was partly because most of the time no one really cares how you’re doing and also because I was too pride to reveal the truth. I always faced my struggles by myself refusing to let anyone in. It was only recently that I began sharing with everyone my life story. That only happened when I realized that the things I had been through could help someone else. Revealing my struggle with Bi-polar disorder and homelessness was the best decision I ever made. It not only helped others it helped me to heal. Eventually you will be able to hear about my whole life in a book that is being written about me. I have been truly blessed.
The reason I am sharing this with you is because the time has come for me to share another personal struggle with you. It is a struggle that many Americans deal with everyday. As you know I am a small business owner. I able to be in business thanks to the generosity of the city of Lorain. So many people are under the impression that if you own a business you must have a lot of money. Let me assure you that nothing could be farther from the truth. My income falls well below the national poverty line. Don’t get me wrong I am able to survive, because I have learned through life experiences how to do so.
The one thing I cannot afford is health insurance. During the health care debate I stood by silently while people said things like, “Obama’s health care plan is nothing more than welfare,” or “It’s only lazy people that will benefit from the health care reform.” I have worked hard all my life and most of the time I had insurance. Now that I am in business for myself I work harder than I have ever worked in my life and I can’t afford to buy health insurance, and I don’t meet any of the guidelines to receive Medicade.
What brought this to the surface was my trip to the Emergency room today. I am suffering with something that may or may not be life threatening. Actually I am suffering with two things. I have had high blood pressure for several years and have been able to control it with medication. I went to the ER with and unknown problem involving my prostate. For the past few days it has caused me debilitating pain. I finally couldn’t take it anymore so I went to the ER. I went to the ER because I couldn’t afford to go to my own Doctor. The experience was much different from the experience I had when I had insurance.
I was living in the state of Arizona when I was finally diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder. I had a very good job that included health insurance. When I knew that I had a problem I just called my insurance company and they found me the best Specialist in the state to treat me. I went to the ER and they processed me right in and put me in touch with everyone I needed to help me; including an inpatient facility that was very well equipped to handle my problem. I spent nearly a month there getting my life back in order and learning to live again. My life was most certainly saved. The tragedy was that when I was in the hospital my job was eliminated. I only had insurance for another month and then I was without insurance. From that moment on I was denied access to all the services that saved my life. I was once again on my own.
Today when I checked into the ER I had no insurance and I was put in a room by myself. I was there for quite some time before I even saw a Doctor and I never saw a nurse until they checked me out. He told me he didn’t know what was wrong with me and referred me to a urologist. The doctor told me it was very important that I go see the urologist because it could be very serious. Which brings me back to my original problem; if I could afford a Doctor’s office visit I would have went there to begin with. It seems my only option is to wait until the new health care bill goes into effect.
I wonder how many people are just like me who have illnesses they can do nothing about because they simply can’t afford it. I am sure the number is astronomical. I wonder what all the people who are so opposed to this new health care plan would say to all those people. People like me.
The reason I am sharing this with you is because the time has come for me to share another personal struggle with you. It is a struggle that many Americans deal with everyday. As you know I am a small business owner. I able to be in business thanks to the generosity of the city of Lorain. So many people are under the impression that if you own a business you must have a lot of money. Let me assure you that nothing could be farther from the truth. My income falls well below the national poverty line. Don’t get me wrong I am able to survive, because I have learned through life experiences how to do so.
The one thing I cannot afford is health insurance. During the health care debate I stood by silently while people said things like, “Obama’s health care plan is nothing more than welfare,” or “It’s only lazy people that will benefit from the health care reform.” I have worked hard all my life and most of the time I had insurance. Now that I am in business for myself I work harder than I have ever worked in my life and I can’t afford to buy health insurance, and I don’t meet any of the guidelines to receive Medicade.
What brought this to the surface was my trip to the Emergency room today. I am suffering with something that may or may not be life threatening. Actually I am suffering with two things. I have had high blood pressure for several years and have been able to control it with medication. I went to the ER with and unknown problem involving my prostate. For the past few days it has caused me debilitating pain. I finally couldn’t take it anymore so I went to the ER. I went to the ER because I couldn’t afford to go to my own Doctor. The experience was much different from the experience I had when I had insurance.
I was living in the state of Arizona when I was finally diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder. I had a very good job that included health insurance. When I knew that I had a problem I just called my insurance company and they found me the best Specialist in the state to treat me. I went to the ER and they processed me right in and put me in touch with everyone I needed to help me; including an inpatient facility that was very well equipped to handle my problem. I spent nearly a month there getting my life back in order and learning to live again. My life was most certainly saved. The tragedy was that when I was in the hospital my job was eliminated. I only had insurance for another month and then I was without insurance. From that moment on I was denied access to all the services that saved my life. I was once again on my own.
Today when I checked into the ER I had no insurance and I was put in a room by myself. I was there for quite some time before I even saw a Doctor and I never saw a nurse until they checked me out. He told me he didn’t know what was wrong with me and referred me to a urologist. The doctor told me it was very important that I go see the urologist because it could be very serious. Which brings me back to my original problem; if I could afford a Doctor’s office visit I would have went there to begin with. It seems my only option is to wait until the new health care bill goes into effect.
I wonder how many people are just like me who have illnesses they can do nothing about because they simply can’t afford it. I am sure the number is astronomical. I wonder what all the people who are so opposed to this new health care plan would say to all those people. People like me.
A Reintroduction Of Myself
Back before we went live on the Morning Journal web page I wrote a blog introducing myself to the readers of the paper. There was a lot of time that passed between the time I wrote the Blog and the time we went live. I feel it necessary that you know who I am, so that you will understand the way I feel about the things I write about. So I am re-posting the blog. I would love to hear what you think.
A little about myself
I feel since this is my first Blog, I need to tell you a little about myself. I was born in Summersville, West Virginia. I grew up in Lorain County, specifically, Elyria. I’ve done a little bit of everything in my life. I started out my career in restaurants, I worked at a newspaper, a sandstone quarry, a pipe wrench factory, I got in trouble with the law; I ran away and was homeless, I worked as a Lumper for a truck driver, I joined a carnival, and hitchhiked across the country to find my mother in Texas. I worked on a farm in Texas driving a grain truck; I got married and divorced in Texas for the first time. I worked as a DJ in Guymon Oklahoma, and I got in trouble in both Texas and Oklahoma, and spent time at the gray bars hotel. I left Texas, and hitchhiked back to West Virginia, and then I hitchhiked to North Carolina; I met a woman 16 years my senior and I married her the following week. I got a job as a DJ, car salesman, volunteer EMT, worked in a hospital as a CNA, store manager, pest control sales person; moved to Ohio, got a job as a hotel manager and got divorced. I then married my boss who had 4 small children, and I helped her raise her kids, and worked as a restaurant manager, car salesman, factory worker, and store manager. I moved to Arizona to help take care of her mother, and I took a job in a factory, she told me she wanted a divorce I flipped out and was committed to an INTITUTION, found out I had Bi-Polar disorder(who didn’t see that coming). After being crazy I moved back to Ohio got a job in a factory, flipped out again, took a bus to Charlotte; I was homeless again, I decided I didn’t like that, so I moved back to Ohio and met someone on line and moved to Parma; I worked for the world’s largest retailer. I decided to go in to business with my now Fiancé and we have a store in Lorain, where we donate 25% of or proceeds to the homeless. I also do a weekly radio talk show on 91.5 WOBC out of Oberlin College…….. I’m doing much better now.
Now that you know about me; let me tell you what this Blog is going to be about. Back before the ‘Light up Lorain’ event in Lorain we were ask by Joe Skodny to come and sell our Christmas supplies to the public, for the event. We moved in to the old Reith Insurance building at 737 Broadway. Before the first Light up Lorain event, a story was published about me in the Morning Journal. The word had gotten out that we were donating 25% of our proceeds to the Haven Center for the homeless in Lorain County. That story began the snowball effect. Channel 5 in Cleveland read the story and decided they wanted to hear more, and they gave me the opportunity to tell my story. I was then featured in several other publications and radio. We became an instant success in downtown Lorain.
This experience has caused me to fall in love with downtown Lorain. I have the advantage of looking at the area with new eyes. The potential in downtown Lorain is unlimited. Back in January I wrote a letter to the Editor that pretty much summed up my feelings. Here it is again:
“To the Editor: I have a business in downtown Lorain and there are things that need to be said. I came to Lorain to be a part of something that I felt in my heart was going to be a great thing. When I started learning the history of Lorain and how great it once was, I knew I wanted to be a part of a Lorain that will be great again. I see a major problem in this great town — negativity. Being negative will never fix anything. I know for a fact that Mayor Krasienko has nothing but the city's best interests at heart. He and his administration are doing a great job attracting new businesses to come to Lorain, I am one of them.
The mayor has a great man in Rey Carrion who works tirelessly trying to better the situation in Lorain. Another person deserving recognition is Joe Skodny of the Downtown Lorain Christmas Decorating Council. He is a true blue Lorainite, who wants nothing more than to see Lorain great again. His vision of Lorain as a Disneyland-type tourist destination is exactly the kind of thinking we all need.”
After that appeared in the paper on the website I reluctantly read the comments posted. Unfortunately, it was mostly negative, which I expected. In these economic times, I do understand where that comes from. However, one thing is certain, complaining and moaning will never fix anything. So this Blog is going to be about the positive things that are happening and are going to happen in downtown Lorain.
I truly believe when people work together as one, there is nothing that can’t be accomplished. I’m amazed everyday as I look out my big window on Broadway just how many pass by. So many people live in this city that only drive through downtown Lorain to get to another destination. They don’t realize that they are driving by the answer to fixing the economy in Lorain. When you patronize our businesses the money goes into the city of Lorain with the taxes we pay. We are then able to hire employees and put people back to work. Those people will then buy products and we will put more money in the economy. When you spend money with us the city is then able to afford to put public servants back on the job. If you want more police and fire fighters the answer is right in front of you.
I am what some people would call a contradiction. I am a very socially liberal in my politics but I still believe in a Mayberry type town. (By the way, The Andy Griffith Show is the greatest show ever made) We have the opportunity to turn our downtown into a retail destination. It is going to take all of us to make that happen.
I am going to share my Ideas on this Blog, as well as, sharing with you all the good stuff going on down here. You will hear about businesses that you didn’t know were here or maybe you didn’t know they were still here. I also want you to share with me your ideas. This is about mobilizing the citizens of Lorain. We need to make businesses want to come to downtown Lorain. Come on Lorain, let’s build this city together.
A little about myself
I feel since this is my first Blog, I need to tell you a little about myself. I was born in Summersville, West Virginia. I grew up in Lorain County, specifically, Elyria. I’ve done a little bit of everything in my life. I started out my career in restaurants, I worked at a newspaper, a sandstone quarry, a pipe wrench factory, I got in trouble with the law; I ran away and was homeless, I worked as a Lumper for a truck driver, I joined a carnival, and hitchhiked across the country to find my mother in Texas. I worked on a farm in Texas driving a grain truck; I got married and divorced in Texas for the first time. I worked as a DJ in Guymon Oklahoma, and I got in trouble in both Texas and Oklahoma, and spent time at the gray bars hotel. I left Texas, and hitchhiked back to West Virginia, and then I hitchhiked to North Carolina; I met a woman 16 years my senior and I married her the following week. I got a job as a DJ, car salesman, volunteer EMT, worked in a hospital as a CNA, store manager, pest control sales person; moved to Ohio, got a job as a hotel manager and got divorced. I then married my boss who had 4 small children, and I helped her raise her kids, and worked as a restaurant manager, car salesman, factory worker, and store manager. I moved to Arizona to help take care of her mother, and I took a job in a factory, she told me she wanted a divorce I flipped out and was committed to an INTITUTION, found out I had Bi-Polar disorder(who didn’t see that coming). After being crazy I moved back to Ohio got a job in a factory, flipped out again, took a bus to Charlotte; I was homeless again, I decided I didn’t like that, so I moved back to Ohio and met someone on line and moved to Parma; I worked for the world’s largest retailer. I decided to go in to business with my now Fiancé and we have a store in Lorain, where we donate 25% of or proceeds to the homeless. I also do a weekly radio talk show on 91.5 WOBC out of Oberlin College…….. I’m doing much better now.
Now that you know about me; let me tell you what this Blog is going to be about. Back before the ‘Light up Lorain’ event in Lorain we were ask by Joe Skodny to come and sell our Christmas supplies to the public, for the event. We moved in to the old Reith Insurance building at 737 Broadway. Before the first Light up Lorain event, a story was published about me in the Morning Journal. The word had gotten out that we were donating 25% of our proceeds to the Haven Center for the homeless in Lorain County. That story began the snowball effect. Channel 5 in Cleveland read the story and decided they wanted to hear more, and they gave me the opportunity to tell my story. I was then featured in several other publications and radio. We became an instant success in downtown Lorain.
This experience has caused me to fall in love with downtown Lorain. I have the advantage of looking at the area with new eyes. The potential in downtown Lorain is unlimited. Back in January I wrote a letter to the Editor that pretty much summed up my feelings. Here it is again:
“To the Editor: I have a business in downtown Lorain and there are things that need to be said. I came to Lorain to be a part of something that I felt in my heart was going to be a great thing. When I started learning the history of Lorain and how great it once was, I knew I wanted to be a part of a Lorain that will be great again. I see a major problem in this great town — negativity. Being negative will never fix anything. I know for a fact that Mayor Krasienko has nothing but the city's best interests at heart. He and his administration are doing a great job attracting new businesses to come to Lorain, I am one of them.
The mayor has a great man in Rey Carrion who works tirelessly trying to better the situation in Lorain. Another person deserving recognition is Joe Skodny of the Downtown Lorain Christmas Decorating Council. He is a true blue Lorainite, who wants nothing more than to see Lorain great again. His vision of Lorain as a Disneyland-type tourist destination is exactly the kind of thinking we all need.”
After that appeared in the paper on the website I reluctantly read the comments posted. Unfortunately, it was mostly negative, which I expected. In these economic times, I do understand where that comes from. However, one thing is certain, complaining and moaning will never fix anything. So this Blog is going to be about the positive things that are happening and are going to happen in downtown Lorain.
I truly believe when people work together as one, there is nothing that can’t be accomplished. I’m amazed everyday as I look out my big window on Broadway just how many pass by. So many people live in this city that only drive through downtown Lorain to get to another destination. They don’t realize that they are driving by the answer to fixing the economy in Lorain. When you patronize our businesses the money goes into the city of Lorain with the taxes we pay. We are then able to hire employees and put people back to work. Those people will then buy products and we will put more money in the economy. When you spend money with us the city is then able to afford to put public servants back on the job. If you want more police and fire fighters the answer is right in front of you.
I am what some people would call a contradiction. I am a very socially liberal in my politics but I still believe in a Mayberry type town. (By the way, The Andy Griffith Show is the greatest show ever made) We have the opportunity to turn our downtown into a retail destination. It is going to take all of us to make that happen.
I am going to share my Ideas on this Blog, as well as, sharing with you all the good stuff going on down here. You will hear about businesses that you didn’t know were here or maybe you didn’t know they were still here. I also want you to share with me your ideas. This is about mobilizing the citizens of Lorain. We need to make businesses want to come to downtown Lorain. Come on Lorain, let’s build this city together.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Should Pitbulls Be Banned?
I’m going to catch a lot of flak for this one but I have just got to talk about it. A lot of the time when I write these blogs I’m sitting in my store at 737 Broadway Ave. I usually have the scanner on because I like to know what is going on around me. I think it is very important to understand the area you are in, so that you can come up with solutions to fix it. If you have ever listened to a scanner, the police get a lot of different kinds of calls. Some are pretty serious and some are just ridiculous. People call the police sometimes for something that they probably could have fixed themselves. The call that I hear a lot more often is ‘Dog on the loose’ calls and the one that alarms me the most is ‘Pitbull on the loose.’
Let me preface this first by saying, I love animals, especially dogs. I have two of my own. A Miniature Pincher that really belongs to my Fiancé and a black Labradoodle that I named Johnny Cash, which is my dog. I am constantly recommending the Labradoodle hybrid to anyone that asks. Before I bought Johnny I spent a year learning about the breed. I read the pros and cons, and frankly there were almost no cons. He was the easiest dog to house break that I have ever had. He is very eager to learn and please. One of the main reasons I got him is that he is truly a family dog. My Fiancés 2 year old can do anything to Johnny and he never gets mad. They are very much like brothers, and I never have to worry about leaving them alone together.
I believe very strongly that the purpose of a pet is to be a part of the family. Yes they are our protectors when necessary, but we should always be in complete control of our dogs. I don’t understand why people want Pitbulls. Let me reiterate, I love dogs, but a Pitbull is more than a pet, it is a weapon, and a very dangerous one.
A Pitbull was bread specifically to be a fighter. I constantly hear people say, “It’s not the dog it’s the owner.” There is some truth to that but the underlying truth is these dogs are deranged. They are not mentally stable and you never know when they are going to go off. It is like having a time bomb. Every time I hear that a Pitbull is on the loose in Lorain I hold my breath. When I see the pictures of babies lying with these dogs that are a part of the pro Pitbull speech, I always think it is only a matter of time until that dog will turn on the child. They are simply not to be trusted.
Long time superior court judge, Judge Joe Brown is also a dog lover and he calls them “Devil Dogs.” Consider also that most homeowners insurance companies won’t cover you if you own a Pitbull.
I personally think that there should be a law to outlaw them completely. My guess is that that will never happen so there certainly needs to be tougher laws regarding these animals. I wasn’t kidding before when I called them weapons. I believe that a person that chooses to own a Pitbull should have register it as a lethal weapon. They should be required to go through a class that teaches them what a Pitbull can do. Also they should not be allowed to live in certain areas. You may think I am talking crazy but I truly feel it is becoming an epidemic. There is a tremendous responsibility involved in owning a dog, and with a Pitbull the responsibility is even greater. So when you are in the market to purchase a dog please consider the risks in owning a dog that was bread to be viscous. Why not consider a Lab or Golden Retriever or a Labradoodle.
I want to hear what you think. You can reply below or friend me on my Facebook Page. Coming up on Broadway Connection an interview with Carl Neilson of Neilson’s Jewelry and an Interview with former Cleveland Indian left fielder and now co owner of the Lorain County Ironmen, Kevin Rhomberg. Talk to you soon.
Let me preface this first by saying, I love animals, especially dogs. I have two of my own. A Miniature Pincher that really belongs to my Fiancé and a black Labradoodle that I named Johnny Cash, which is my dog. I am constantly recommending the Labradoodle hybrid to anyone that asks. Before I bought Johnny I spent a year learning about the breed. I read the pros and cons, and frankly there were almost no cons. He was the easiest dog to house break that I have ever had. He is very eager to learn and please. One of the main reasons I got him is that he is truly a family dog. My Fiancés 2 year old can do anything to Johnny and he never gets mad. They are very much like brothers, and I never have to worry about leaving them alone together.
I believe very strongly that the purpose of a pet is to be a part of the family. Yes they are our protectors when necessary, but we should always be in complete control of our dogs. I don’t understand why people want Pitbulls. Let me reiterate, I love dogs, but a Pitbull is more than a pet, it is a weapon, and a very dangerous one.
A Pitbull was bread specifically to be a fighter. I constantly hear people say, “It’s not the dog it’s the owner.” There is some truth to that but the underlying truth is these dogs are deranged. They are not mentally stable and you never know when they are going to go off. It is like having a time bomb. Every time I hear that a Pitbull is on the loose in Lorain I hold my breath. When I see the pictures of babies lying with these dogs that are a part of the pro Pitbull speech, I always think it is only a matter of time until that dog will turn on the child. They are simply not to be trusted.
Long time superior court judge, Judge Joe Brown is also a dog lover and he calls them “Devil Dogs.” Consider also that most homeowners insurance companies won’t cover you if you own a Pitbull.
I personally think that there should be a law to outlaw them completely. My guess is that that will never happen so there certainly needs to be tougher laws regarding these animals. I wasn’t kidding before when I called them weapons. I believe that a person that chooses to own a Pitbull should have register it as a lethal weapon. They should be required to go through a class that teaches them what a Pitbull can do. Also they should not be allowed to live in certain areas. You may think I am talking crazy but I truly feel it is becoming an epidemic. There is a tremendous responsibility involved in owning a dog, and with a Pitbull the responsibility is even greater. So when you are in the market to purchase a dog please consider the risks in owning a dog that was bread to be viscous. Why not consider a Lab or Golden Retriever or a Labradoodle.
I want to hear what you think. You can reply below or friend me on my Facebook Page. Coming up on Broadway Connection an interview with Carl Neilson of Neilson’s Jewelry and an Interview with former Cleveland Indian left fielder and now co owner of the Lorain County Ironmen, Kevin Rhomberg. Talk to you soon.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
If You Are Poor and Missing No One May Ever Know.
Have you ever heard any of these names? Amina Ashraf Al-Jailani, Layla Ashraf Al-Jailani, Sami Ashraf Al-Jailani,Marti Lee Bell, Jeanice Sherildette Burgos, Darnesha Charmaine Chandler, Jasmine Kirlissa Collins, Melissa Ann Collins, Bianca Damanik, Georgina Lynn DeJesus. My guess is the answer to that question is no. Well I’m going to tell you who they are. They are just a few of the children that are missing in the state of Ohio. They also have something else in common; none of them are white. I know your thinking, oh no here he goes again playing the race card. That is not completely true. I think there is more to it than that.
If it had not been for the great work of The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, I would have never heard of them either. I can’t help but wonder why that is. When I see the stories on ABC, NBC, CBS, and even FOX, of children that are missing, I have always noticed that the majority of the time they are upper middle class white girls. With so many children missing in America why does the national news always focus on a certain type of child to showcase?
It really seems to be all about ratings. A poor little black girl from the projects doesn’t make good ratings. I’m not entirely sure that it is about race. It seems to be more about class and beauty. If you are not attractive and at least middle class you probably are not going to get national coverage. I honestly can’t remember ever turning on the news and seeing Diane Sawyer or Katie Couric report on a little boy or girl from the trailer park missing.
We all remember the story of JonBenet Ramsey. We all were glued to the tube waiting for the new developments of a case that changed every day. This was a very beautiful little girl and her story was news worthy, but how many children came up missing at the same time that never made national news? There are many more examples of this.
There is one example of a show that doesn’t seem to follow suit with the rest. The work that John Walsh does on America’s Most Wanted `seems to truly profile cases from all walks of life. So readers, I pose these questions to you. Do the national media choose their cases based on what will get the best rating? Do you think we will ever see a case on the networks of a child abducted from W 21st in Lorain? I would love to hear what you think. You can respond below or on my Facebook page.
Coming up on the Broadway Connection Blog; A Story about Lorain County’s new baseball team, the Lorain County Ironmen. Also I will be interviewing the owners of Slutzker’s Quickprinter Center in downtown Lorain. You will also get to hear many more stories of businesses in downtown Lorain.
If it had not been for the great work of The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, I would have never heard of them either. I can’t help but wonder why that is. When I see the stories on ABC, NBC, CBS, and even FOX, of children that are missing, I have always noticed that the majority of the time they are upper middle class white girls. With so many children missing in America why does the national news always focus on a certain type of child to showcase?
It really seems to be all about ratings. A poor little black girl from the projects doesn’t make good ratings. I’m not entirely sure that it is about race. It seems to be more about class and beauty. If you are not attractive and at least middle class you probably are not going to get national coverage. I honestly can’t remember ever turning on the news and seeing Diane Sawyer or Katie Couric report on a little boy or girl from the trailer park missing.
We all remember the story of JonBenet Ramsey. We all were glued to the tube waiting for the new developments of a case that changed every day. This was a very beautiful little girl and her story was news worthy, but how many children came up missing at the same time that never made national news? There are many more examples of this.
There is one example of a show that doesn’t seem to follow suit with the rest. The work that John Walsh does on America’s Most Wanted `seems to truly profile cases from all walks of life. So readers, I pose these questions to you. Do the national media choose their cases based on what will get the best rating? Do you think we will ever see a case on the networks of a child abducted from W 21st in Lorain? I would love to hear what you think. You can respond below or on my Facebook page.
Coming up on the Broadway Connection Blog; A Story about Lorain County’s new baseball team, the Lorain County Ironmen. Also I will be interviewing the owners of Slutzker’s Quickprinter Center in downtown Lorain. You will also get to hear many more stories of businesses in downtown Lorain.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Child Support Causes Homelessness
In the last few months I have gotten a great deal of press because I decided to share something very personal about myself, in the hope that it would help someone else. I was not wrong about that, I do not regret it in the least. Many people have told me that they were helped by the stories in the paper and on television. So I consider it a great success. Contrary to what you might think, I am a very private person. However I feel it is necessary to let you in to my private life again, because I believe there is a system that needs to be fixed. The system I am talking about is Child Support.
I have been called a ‘Dead Beat Dad’ in the past. That statement was probably true at one time. I’ve said before I am a flawed person. Due to Mental Illness and homelessness there were times I wasn’t able to pay my child support. I also missed out on having a relationship with my boys. That is the biggest tragedy of all. I have been in contact over the years and talk to them from time to time, but the relationship is not what it should be. I’m not trying to make excuses I’m trying to show you that sometimes there is a reason. This system, however, lumps everyone into one category.
I want to make it clear that I believe if you make a baby you should be responsible for them; whether you have a relationship or not. Paying is not my complaint at all. My complaint is that according to the law the payee is always right and the payer is always wrong. These cases should be taken on an individual basis; not every situation is the same. There are people out there that are truly ‘Dead Beat Dads’ or Moms, and they need to be pursued by the law.
If you are court ordered to pay child support you are required to have a job. That part makes sense. What doesn’t make sense is the payee is not required to have a job. It’s OK for them to set home and collect state assistance and child support and never have a job. The formula they use to set the amount that has to be paid is designed to even out the income in both households. If the payee has a low income then the person who is paying the child support balances out the household with his/her payment. What usually happens is the person paying the child support is left with no less than 40% of their income. Using round numbers let’s say a person brings home $600 a week. After child support the person will take home $240 a week. Do you know anyone who can survive on that amount?
People have asked me, how did I end up homeless? In my case it was a combination of many things, but child support was a very big part of the reason. I don’t know if there has ever been a study done on the subject, but I assure you, a very large percentage of homeless people can attribute their homelessness to child support.
The thing that makes the least amount of sense is the punishment for not paying. If you cannot pay your support, for whatever reason, you can be put into jail. Not only can they put you in jail they can take your driver’s license away. If you have a professional license, (i.e. Doctor, Lawyer, Paramedic, etc) How do they expect you to make your payment if they impose any of those punishments. I have said it before and I say it again, I don’t have all the answers. What I do know is the system is not working and it needs a major overhaul.
Maybe some of you have the answer. I would love to hear what you think. You can respond below.
I have been called a ‘Dead Beat Dad’ in the past. That statement was probably true at one time. I’ve said before I am a flawed person. Due to Mental Illness and homelessness there were times I wasn’t able to pay my child support. I also missed out on having a relationship with my boys. That is the biggest tragedy of all. I have been in contact over the years and talk to them from time to time, but the relationship is not what it should be. I’m not trying to make excuses I’m trying to show you that sometimes there is a reason. This system, however, lumps everyone into one category.
I want to make it clear that I believe if you make a baby you should be responsible for them; whether you have a relationship or not. Paying is not my complaint at all. My complaint is that according to the law the payee is always right and the payer is always wrong. These cases should be taken on an individual basis; not every situation is the same. There are people out there that are truly ‘Dead Beat Dads’ or Moms, and they need to be pursued by the law.
If you are court ordered to pay child support you are required to have a job. That part makes sense. What doesn’t make sense is the payee is not required to have a job. It’s OK for them to set home and collect state assistance and child support and never have a job. The formula they use to set the amount that has to be paid is designed to even out the income in both households. If the payee has a low income then the person who is paying the child support balances out the household with his/her payment. What usually happens is the person paying the child support is left with no less than 40% of their income. Using round numbers let’s say a person brings home $600 a week. After child support the person will take home $240 a week. Do you know anyone who can survive on that amount?
People have asked me, how did I end up homeless? In my case it was a combination of many things, but child support was a very big part of the reason. I don’t know if there has ever been a study done on the subject, but I assure you, a very large percentage of homeless people can attribute their homelessness to child support.
The thing that makes the least amount of sense is the punishment for not paying. If you cannot pay your support, for whatever reason, you can be put into jail. Not only can they put you in jail they can take your driver’s license away. If you have a professional license, (i.e. Doctor, Lawyer, Paramedic, etc) How do they expect you to make your payment if they impose any of those punishments. I have said it before and I say it again, I don’t have all the answers. What I do know is the system is not working and it needs a major overhaul.
Maybe some of you have the answer. I would love to hear what you think. You can respond below.
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