President Obama was sworn in for a second term on Martin Luther King's holiday. Evoking the principles of Martin Luther King and the constitution, President Obama carved out what he believes is important for our country. In his inaugural speech, he highlighted the concept of “we the people”, reaffirming the principle of democracy. Relying on the words of the U.S. constitution, he stated that “our founding fathers gave to us a Republic, a government of, and by, and for the people, entrusting each generation to keep safe our founding creed.” And it is our duty to bridge the words of the U.S. constitution with our modern times. Some highlights of President Obama’s speech showing where he would like to take the country in the areas of gay rights, immigration reform, voting rights, health care, Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid are below: “A great nation must care for the vulnerable, and protect its people from life’s worst hazards and misfortune.” “For we, the people, … [Read more...] about Pres. Obama’s Second Inauguration Speech Theme
Archives for January 2013
Congratulations to President Obama on Inauguration Day
President Barack Obama was officially sworn into office at 11:55 A.M. on January 20, 2013. As he reflects back over the last four years, he must be thinking some of the following: • Change is not easy but it’s not impossible • Congress is more divisive and dysfunctional than we ever thought • Pres. Obama cannot make change happen alone The most important take away from the last four years is that President Obama cannot do it alone. We all have a collective duty in this country. It is a government of “we the people, by the people and for the people.” And that means, we all have a collective duty to make change to our government. We cannot just sit by idly and complain that government is broken and not working. Some efforts can be as small as writing an email, letter or making a phone call to our representatives and letting them know what we think. Other efforts can be larger such as lobbying through our respective organizations. We all have the right to visit our … [Read more...] about Congratulations to President Obama on Inauguration Day
What Will it Take for Gun Control to Pass?
As President Obama signed 23 Executive Orders for gun control, the ink was barely dry before the NRA started attacking the President and his daughters. The NRA’s new ad says that President Obama’s daughters have armed guards to take them to school. The ad implies that armed guards and armed teachers are a better approach rather than limiting or prohibiting certain guns. When I see inflammatory comments aimed at the President’s daughters like this, it makes me wonder if there is any level too low to stoop for the NRA. The NRA obviously knows that the first daughters need Secret Service protection. Even more amazing is the belief among many gun owners that President Obama intends to take away all guns from law abiding gun owners. Many envision a society like Nazi Germany where instead of going to homes to search for Jews, we will be routinely searching homes for illegal guns. Then there’s the irrational belief that limiting assault weapons or magazine capacity will do nothing to … [Read more...] about What Will it Take for Gun Control to Pass?
Guns are the Problem and Gun Control is the Solution
Gun violence is no stranger to urban communities. Once upon a time, there was little chance of being shot and killed in senseless gun violence unless you lived on the wrong side of town. Now the wrong side of town is everywhere— in small towns, big cities, college campuses, shopping centers, churches, hospitals, movie theaters, gated communities and elementary schools. No place is the right side of town. All have been the sight of gun violence and killings. And yet, some in our society think the solution is more guns. That’s like fighting the war on drugs and saying we need more drugs. It’s also like saying we need more prisons to end crime. More prisons have done nothing to end crime. And more guns in the hands of more citizens will not end gun violence. Guns in the hands of teachers, principals or movie goers will have no effect on a gun man armed with 80-100 rounds of ammunition and an assault rifle. That is not the answer. In a civilized society, we owe ourselves, the … [Read more...] about Guns are the Problem and Gun Control is the Solution
If Dr. Martin Luther King Were Alive today
If Martin Luther King, Jr. were alive today, he would be 84. Tuesday, January 15 is the actual birth date of Martin Luther King, Jr. although we will celebrate the federal holiday on Monday, January 21. As we honor his legacy, let us remember what he stood for. His principles are just as relevant today as they were 84 years ago. He stood for justice everywhere and spoke out against injustice everywhere. If he were alive today, he would speak on civil rights, voting rights, gun violence, support of unions, health care reform, the Dream Act, against the Afghanistan war, on jobs and the economy and civility in our political process, to name a few. Some of the civil rights that Dr. King fought and died for are continually being tested as seen in our last election with the GOP’s attempts to disenfranchise minorities through bogus so-called voter ID laws. Permanent disenfranchisement of those who have paid their dues to society through prison terms is a permanent denial of voting … [Read more...] about If Dr. Martin Luther King Were Alive today
Will We Continue to Allow the NRA to Rule America?
Gun violence has been haunting America for many decades. Many urban cities throughout the country face gun violence and unnecessary killings on a daily basis. In the early 1990’s Washington, DC, the nation’s capital was also known as the murder capital of the country. While homicides have decreased in Washington, DC, in other urban cities violent gun crime is statistically at an all- time high. And gun violence is now extending far beyond the urban cities to suburban shopping centers in Tucson, Arizona, movie theaters in Aurora, Colorado, small college towns and elementary schools in Newtown, Connecticut. And still, as a country, we are debating what, if any, measure should be taken to control or alter gun violence. The National Rifle Association (“NRA”) has taken the country hostage to any change of gun laws citing the 2nd amendment and the right to bear arms. We have a democratic government and not a dictatorship. In the area of guns, it feels as if the NRA is ruling … [Read more...] about Will We Continue to Allow the NRA to Rule America?