Howling to the Moon? (Taxing Big Business)

      Agreed — but so did Target and Sears and most big retailers. Government must demand more in taxing large corporations, closing loopholes and requiring more in social and family responsibility from ALL retailers – not to mention many of the so called “non-profits” that make millions on the disadvantaged.

We must also look at all of the major corporations and medical product suppliers who continually pay their assembly workers and support staff $10-12 hour. Who is going after them? Banks were bailed out of the giant mess that they created in the mid 2000’s and yet they remain immovable in sharing relief to a desperate economy.

I see Walmart as the scapegoat for the bigger picture. Yes, they should be included into the solution most definitely, but they are no worse, nor better, than thousands of corporations – and our Government is giving them carte blanche.

Howling to the moon? Probably.

Recapping the Year? Perhaps a tad……but first: Happy Holidays to All from Dignity by Design!

First and foremost:
HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all and may we all have Enough….

May the holidays enlighten us to diversity, and usher in a new year of Dignity for all!

As for this year and Dignity by Design: We’ve had our ups and downs. It continues to be a challenge to enlighten the financial community on the importance of disability services and products for the disabled, veterans and elderly.  When I say may we all have Enough….I mean that we should all have enough dignity, enough respect, enough joy and enough Ability to love ourselves and feel blessed with what we do have…..

It’s not easy in these tough economic, employment and Social Media crazed times to be
grateful for the hard times, the sick times, the lonely times and the times of loss.  So with the Holidays upon us, I wish you Enough…. enough strength, love and fortune to anticipate 2015 with hope and a renewed joy!

On this day in 1974, labor activist Karen Silkwood died under mysterious circumstances.

1974

The younger generations may not know who she was or why she died – but this single incident sparked a Nationwide acknowledgment to Nuclear terror – hidden within the towns,
families and jobs in the “Good Old U.S. of A.”  

It was a time when: If the people, the press or news uncovered corruption/evil THEY spoke
and the people of the USA listened.

 
We had outlived the Hearst’s and our Nation was seeking truth and liberty. We were expanding our brains beyond what we’d been told and we sought to become enlightened people.
It wasn’t without risk, but it was courageous and true. 

TODAY evil/corruption is at home again and deeply nestled within all of the news –
and sound bites are everywhere.

It has escalated since the Karen’s and Watergate to where this nation is uninformed and held hostage to “entertainment” coverage for ratings, financial and political gains.

        

Nixon – Vietnam (Desert Storm, Iraq War, Afghanistan) – Enron –
OH MY!!

Information today is so polluted that I feel we will never
again be truly knowledgeable.

UNEMPLOYMENT: Has the Unemployment rate “actually” gone down, or have the 1.3 Million Unemployed Americans simply been abandoned?

It’s tough out there. People are still losing their homes to foreclosure, unemployment is very high, income and job stability is low, student debt is staggering.  So when the government can do something substantial for the unemployed by extending emergency (EUC) funding WHY aren’t they?

?            

[This is an excerpt from 12/2013; Benefits ended 1/2014; it is Now 11/10/2014] Originally blogged in August 2014…….

Renewal of Federal Unemployment Benefits Blocked in the House of Representatives
                                                  –  Posted by: Mitchell Hirsch on Dec 13, 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-8UWmvCYHA

” …….In the Senate on Wednesday, Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) attempted to bring up his bill for a full-year renewal of EUC on the floor for a vote, but his unanimous consent request was blocked when Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) objected.

On Thursday, following the Rules Committee chairman’s rejection of his amendment, Rep. Levin took to the House floor, along with other House Democrats, imploring the House to allow a vote on an EUC extension.”

“We want to vote. And you misunderstand if I might say so the issue. If we don’t act, on December 28 1.3 million people will lose every cent of unemployment insurance. These are people who have exhausted their state benefits. They have exhausted them. These are people who have been laid off through no fault of their own. They are looking for work,” Levin said.

“Historically we have never, never ended these emergency provisions when long-term unemployment has been as high as it is today, 37 percent. We have already reduced the average number of unemployment insurance weeks in this country to 54. I want to point out to the gentleman and everybody else if we don’t act it, another 1.9 million unemployed people will lose every cent of their unemployment insurance the next six months.”

“So, under this bill SGR is now extended for three months. We asked the Rules Committee to make in order an amendment paid for to extend unemployment insurance for three months. Here’s what we said. If we can prevent a 25 percent cut to doctors’ pay, surely we can prevent a 100 percent cut for 1.3 million unemployed. And so what’s been the response? The answer from House Republicans is this — an empty box.”

Charity Fundraisers: Where are the dollars spent??…..

Charity Fundraisers are awesome aren’t they? They bring awareness to diseases and devastation and disabilities……We feel good when we take part in supporting the “Greater Good“.  I myself support many organizations – either on boards, by monthly donations or fundraising for non-profits. 

The question I pose is this: Don’t we want a concrete answer as to WHERE and HOW these funds are appropriated?  Or more pointedly: Whose pockets do your hard earned dollars go into?

My suggested answer to this is: We should ask to see real data on how fundraising dollars are spent – and DEMAND…full disclosure! This should be a stated guarantee prior to any event by every organization – within 30 days of of event closing – not at year end, buried in the profit and loss section of an Annual Report.  

AM I wrong here??

Can One Click help to make a dream?

OH yes it can!!!………… Please visit the site below..it’s free and painless and will help Dignity by Design fulfill it’s dream and the dreams of millions of disabled!!!!

GO TO: https://www.missionmainstreetgrants.com/vote

SEARCH: DbD …….. and vote!

SHARE: With your friends, family and the world.

P.S. Share back on what vote number you were  – it takes a village – Great friends & colleagues!

UNEMPLOYMENT: Has the Unemployment rate “actually” gone down, or have the 1.3 Million Unemployed Americans simply been abandoned?

Revisiting Unemployment: When we go to the polls this November – keep in mind that “Political Games” are destroying Middle America.

Dignity by Design

It’s tough out there. People are still losing their homes to foreclosure, unemployment is very high, income and job stability is low, student debt is staggering.  So when the government can do something substantial for the unemployed by extending emergency (EUC) funding WHY aren’t they?

?            

[This is an excerpt from 12/2013; Benefits ended 1/2014; it is Now 8/18/2014]:

Renewal of Federal Unemployment Benefits Blocked in the House of Representatives
                                                  –  Posted by: Mitchell Hirsch on Dec 13, 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-8UWmvCYHA

” …….In the Senate on Wednesday, Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) attempted to bring up his bill for a full-year renewal of EUC on the floor for a vote, but his unanimous consent request was blocked when Sen…

View original post 250 more words

OPEN the Future History Books (or iPad 5000’s) to a retelling of what this generation stood for: What will we see??

While this is mostly true. We saw the years of 1929-33 and 1937-41 (Great Depression) leaving the the country – particularly the poor, middle class and farmers, in ruin.

Although Republicans are also screaming for military movement – they are undercutting and sabotaging the President with confusing rhetoric (surprise) of “ISIS” vs. “ISIL” (as if there is a significant difference) – but it strongly infers that Obama is “hiding” some secret/personal agenda.

I appreciate Sen. Sanders stance – he stands for unity – but it is a losing battle as Tea Partiers, Right Wingers, the Fox News enthusiasts and non-educated voters have their unearned badges pinned on their asses – not their hearts.

Recalling an age old story: There are two stranded in a desert and rather than share the last drops of water, the “possessor” kills his only companion, but during the struggle, pierces the vessel and the water melts into the sand…. then lies wondering, with his dying breath: Why??

We will stand united in the wealth, opportunity and strength
of this country – or we will die. And…..
the History books will show us as the egocentric, selfish cowards that we have become.  

Which elders do we turn to: Former Presidents and their Legacies

As I viewed this article from the NY Daily News (link below) – it occurred to me:

Historically, it is primarily (and naysay only) the former DFL Presidents that have become involved so furtively in World Peace initiatives, Global preservation and Human/Humane enlightenment. The Listing includes: Roosevelt (along with wife Eleanor), Truman (Hubert Humphrey VP), Carter, Clinton (Al Gore VP) to now President Obama.

I must encourage society at large to take note in how legacy is achieved — long after the “official” power of the Office has passed.

NY Daily News

The ATHEIST Limb: Precarious or prudent?

This may be a popular or unpopular post – but rest assured it is not a religious bashing, nor a stand – simply a viewpoint.  

In most part I do agree with Mr. Harris.  I don’t know whether it is “reasonable noise” against unjustified beliefs or an opinion that one needs to make. 

I don’t believe:

• that a gay person has to state that they are gay (unless they want to)
• that a disabled person has to justify their abilities or disability (unless they choose to)
• that a poor person should calculate their worth by their net worth (ever)

I do believe:

• that A person has the right to believe as they wish – without justification, prejudice or government/political interferance. 
• that belief systems built on hate and intolerance are simply mobs.
• that Respect, listening and being open to new thoughts or perceptions is right.  
  NOTE: This goes both ways – if you are “preaching” your view – be prepared to hear the other side with an open mind – or keep your opinions to yourself – as they are the only ones you will be receptive to.

Whether you are an Atheist, Agnostic, skeptic, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist….. It is entirely your choice. It can be your calling to share why this is so – but also note; unsolicited bullying is likely not within your manifesto (look it up – bet I’m right).  

 

People with disabilities have lived their lives in hopes of Enlightenment from the unfair and uneducated opinions that they are “less than” or “limited by”…..But because this has been a historically and carefully taught belief, should they just lay down and take this as “religious” truth??

 

Only by opening our minds to all possibilities do we break down barriers and create harmony – in this world – or any other!

                                                                                  -Donna