This Moment Is Your Moment

I started this blog 8 years ago, right after President Obama’s first inauguration.  I remember clearly how hopeful I felt watching him take the oath of office and listening to his inaugural address.  You can read my thoughts about it at the time here: http://historicalandpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-era-of-responsibility.html  

It’s hard to say I feel that same hope now.  Whether it’s because our new President doesn’t inspire it in me, or because I was just naïve at the time, I just don’t feel that hopeful about the future of America or our planet.  Whenever I start to feel depressed about the state of our nation, I revert back to what comes natural, which for me is service.  Those of you who know me, know I’m a big believer in giving back.  Whether it’s recycling, volunteering a local nonprofit, or helping someone in need, my motto has always been to leave the world a little better than I found it.  I may just be one person, but it’s a start.

So my question to you this week will be the same one that I started the blog with all those years ago, “"What can you pledge in 2017 to help your community, your school, your nation or your planet?" "How do you plan to carry this out?"  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, February 1^st, 2017.

Repeal and Replace

No item on Donald Trump’s agenda seems to have received as much publicity (except maybe “The Wall”) as his desire to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with “something terrific.” So it didn’t surprise me that when I asked what you most wanted to learn about this quarter, many of you said healthcare.

The Affordable Care Act requires all Americans to have health insurance.  Republicans feel it hurts employers because it requires companies with over 50 employees to provide health insurance to their employees.  Opponents to the law also feel it amounts to over-reaching by the federal government – essentially saying it is not the federal government’s job to mandate healthcare for all citizens - hence, the "socialist" label we discussed in class last week.

Democrats say the law has expanded access to healthcare and helped to reign in the rising costs of healthcare coverage.  The Affordable Care Act prevents those with pre-existing medical conditions from being denied health insurance, eliminates co-pays for preventative care, and allows young adults to stay on their parents’ coverage until 26 years of age.  Supporters also say individuals who have health insurance no longer must indirectly pay for emergency visits from individuals who aren’t insured.

I grew up in a household that didn't have health insurance.  I've seen firsthand what hospitals bills can look like when you're not covered.  However, I've also spent my career in workforce development.  I've also seen first-hand how companies are less likely to hire full-time employees because they don't want to pay the healthcare mandate. So, my question to you this week is, “What do you think of the Affordable Care Act?  Do you think Congress should repeal the law, and if so, what should they replace it with?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, January 25, 2016. 

Just for fun, check out this Jimmy Kimble video in which he goes to the street to find out if people support the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare (hint: they’re the same thing). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx2scvIFGjE

Also – the inauguration is tomorrow!  Love him or hate him, the inauguration and the peaceful transition of power is still an American tradition.  I encourage you to watch it if you can!

Choose Your Own Adventure!

I hope you all enjoyed a nice break.  It's always hard coming back to school after break. Don't get me wrong, I love teaching and being surrounded by all the crazy, creative energy that is all of you. That being said, it's still hard to get back into the grind. So for our first blog post, I'll go easy on you.

This week we will start our study of the Constitution and the freedoms that make us uniquely American. You can order your own free copy of the United States Constitution from: http://www.constitutionfacts.com/index.cfm?section=bookstore&page=freeCopy.cfm

A good portion of this class will be spent discussing current events and political issues that affect our everyday lives. For this post, I would like you to tell me at least one issue that you are interested in studying. To help you out, you can look over the blog posts that we've had in the past several years to get an idea of the type of things we've covered. Many of the topics are pretty controversial and I do my best to not censor the information available to you.

So my question to you this week is, "What is one issue that you are interested in studying in this class?" Answers are due no later than Wednesday, January 18th, 2017. I'm looking forward to a great quarter!

Your Thoughts and Feedback Are Appreciated!

Well another quarter has come and gone!  When we started together it was nice and warm, and now there is no doubt winter is here! I have enjoyed getting to know all of you and hearing your opinions in class!  I wish all of you blessings and success in the future, and hope that you stay in touch.

So for our last blog post, I would like to get your thoughts and feedback on the class.  "What did you like or dislike about the class?  What could I do to make it better?"  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, December 14th 2016.  After that, the blog will be down until class resumes next quarter. I wish all of you a merry and bright holiday season!!

We the Jury - Part II

As I mentioned in class a few weeks ago, I received a jury summons last month. Now most people hate when they get the dreaded jury summons in the mail, but I am one of the few people who LOVE jury duty. Doing my civic duty, participating in our judicial process and getting a “free” day off of work, what could be better than that? If I could, I would give up both of my jobs and become a professional juror. Yes, I know, I am a weird political nerd!

Last time I served on a jury was several years ago. I seemed to be the only one on the jury that was excited to be there. Everyone else complained, whined and used every excuse in the book to try and get out of serving, and yes, they all thought I was a weird political nerd too.

I'm sad to say I wasn't called that week, but it got me thinking about why Americans are so apathetic when it comes to jury service. So my question to you this week is, “Why do you think most Americans don’t want to participate in jury duty? Be honest – would you try and get out of it if you were called? Why or why not?” Answers are due no later than Wednesday, December 7th, 2016.

Giving Thanks!

Now, I have made it clear in class that Thanksgiving is not my favorite holiday. I don't like the way schools fictionalize a story that sounds good, while ignoring the sad facts about how we really treated Native Americans in this country. That being said, I have learned to treat Thanksgiving as a reminder of all the things I am thankful for.

This year, as always, I am thankful for my faith, my family and my friends. I am blessed to be surrounded by people who love me. I am also thankful that I am able to make a living doing two things I love.  This year, I'm especially thankful that I live in a country that allows me to freely express myself, even when I don't agree with my country's choices.

So, in honor of the holiday my question to you this week will be an easy one. "What are you thankful for this holiday season?" Answers are due no later than Wednesday, November 30th, 2016.  I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday full of good food, good friends and good conversation! Enjoy your break!

This Is My Fight Song

This is not the post I had planned for this week.  It’s not a post that’s been easy to write.  I try really hard to remain unbiased in my teaching.  I believe we need both sides, and that having diversity and a difference of opinions is what makes this country great.  Since the election, I’ve wondered if I can really remain unbiased.  I’ve wondered if I’m still qualified to teach this course – actually, I’ve wondered if my life of service has all been for nothing.  That maybe the world is just the ugly, hateful place that some people want us to believe it is. In short, I felt hopeless.  Over the past 48 hours I have experienced almost all the stages of grief - denial, anger, sadness, and finally, acceptance.

I haven’t heard enough of Donald Trump’s policy initiatives to know how I feel about them.  Perhaps he will surprise us all – perhaps not.  But I love my country enough to not want him to fail.  That will only hurt all of us.  What I have heard enough of from Donald is the vile, misogynistic, racist rhetoric that incites people to violence.  And in regards to that, I cannot and will not remain unbiased.  It is unacceptable to me, and I will call it out time and time again when I hear it from anyone, including my President.  I woke up this morning feeling that I will not remain silent – and I will continue my life of service with the same hope and optimism I’ve always had. That is what I am called to do by faith, and that is how I will heal. 

So this week, I would like to provide a safe, open forum for you to share your thoughts on the election.  All voices and viewpoints are welcome, but you cannot comment on someone else’s post.  This isn’t the time for heated debates.  This is the time to share how you felt and what this election has meant to you.  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, November 16^th, 2016.

P.S.  Friday is Veteran’s Day! To all of those who have served on the armed forces, and to the military families who make sacrifices daily, so we can enjoy our freedoms – thank you!!  You are the real American Heroes!