Real Solutions NOW...
Before I say anything else, let me explain why what "I" have to say should be taken seriously...
The first reason is ; I have nothing to gain or to lose...If the entire "plan" I have put together is immediately adopted, or completely ignored, I will likely not see any benefit to my life...
The second is ; I don't "like" everything in the plan, but the effects and benefits far outweigh any personal feelings I may have...
The third is ; I am one person (though not the only one) who had virtually nothing to do with the mess our country & our world is in...I never abused credit, in fact, I've only had (1) credit card and I destroyed it in the late 1980's when I saw how easy it would be to get myself in over my head...I never bought a home, mostly because I owned a motor home and traveled the country for business reasons, but never bought more "motor home than I could afford"...
The fourth reason is ; I am not asking anyone to believe me...In fact, I would much rather have people "try to disprove" what I offer...That doesn't mean to merely disagree, but to actually research facts and follow where the facts lead...
The fifth and most important is ; my "plan" is designed to help save "My country for my son"... I have a son (not yet 5 years old) that deserves to have a world to grow-up in, preferably one that doesn't resemble a post apocalyptic "Mad Max" movie...My "life", as I worked hard to create and many others benefited from may be gone, but my son hasn't even had a chance as of yet...
The U.S.A. is "my" country, but she's no longer the country I grew up in...Not only has my country changed, but so has the entire world around us...The days of plentiful jobs, plentiful opportunities, plentiful food, plentiful energy, self-reliance, self-respect, respect and concern for our neighbors, our family, our environment, our very existence has rapidly given way to ; the addiction to the moment...Drugs, alcohol, money and sex are used to satisfy the desires of the moment, with little or no concern for the consequences..."Personal responsibility" appears to be an outdated term of the past..."Political correctness" appears to be overriding all common sense and "Freedom" itself is being dismantled and sold, given away or thrown away...Our lives, our future and the very existence of humanity itself is in danger of disappearing...
America is not just a place, it's an ideal...America is an experiment...To be an "American" is to be a person, from any country, any culture, any religion, where the desire to be "free" to speak out, "free" to worship and to live as you wish as long as you don't infringe on another's right to do the same and "free" to rise to your own personal potential, without having your very existence dictated to you by others...Those who hate Americans, fear the "free spirit" America stands for because "freedom" is the biggest threat to "power & authority over others" that the "intellectually & politically elite" think they have some right to...These same people who hate or fear what America stands for and want to bring our "spirit" to it's knees are also standing in line to take advantage of what America offers...
I do not believe in American interference around the world, though I did try to reenlist in the Army before the first "Gulf war" (before I got too old) and believe that Saddam should have been deposed at that time...I still believe that would have saved hundreds of thousands of Iraqi lives, as well as prevented the cost in thousands of lives and hundreds of billions of dollars during the second "Gulf war"...I believe that NOBODY "wins" a global nuclear war...I believe that technology has made warfare impersonal and I believe that the survival of the human race is at great risk...I am not a "warmonger"...I do however believe in defending freedom, defending "my" country and defending the lives of my loved ones from anyone who actively attempts to destroy our country, or people and our desire to live free from the dictation of others...I do not own a gun, but I am not defenseless...I do not believe in war or forcing beliefs and control on others, but I do believe in self-defense and the defense of freedom...I do not want others to bring violence and the intention of destruction to our continent, but if that happens, I will defend the freedom that others fought & died for...I have no misguided belief that "I" will survive what I believe is coming, but I will not run either...I'm not a "hero", I'm an "American"...
Humanity itself is facing many problems, more than we have ever had to face at one time...The "intellectually and politically elite" have no real clue when the problems started, what the causes are or what to do...There is a limited number of people in this "elite inner circle" and the same people involved in creating and escalating our problems are turned to in order to find the solutions...Money we don't have is thrown in the general direction, like tossing "flash paper" in the direction of a bonfire...Not only is the money not targeted at the problems themselves, the money is given to those who are devastating their own business industries solely for the sake of their own wealth...We are engaged in a war with multiple fronts, known and recognized as "theological", yet the historically proven tactics to beat the radical theology at it's source are the tactics NOT used (as if nobody wants to win against those who want to bring about the destruction of mankind)...Although over 70 years has past since the beginning of the "great depression" and exhaustive research on it has been done, there is still no agreement on the causes or the solutions...The one specific action that is agreed to have brought about recovery is WW II and the manufacturing industry supporting the war machine, which provided employment to those not fighting in the war...Yet our manufacturing industry has all but been dismantled and the President is planning to cut defense spending by at least 50%...
There are many more examples of various, possibly catastrophic, that we face...I don't claim to have all the answers to all our problems and I'm not going to say "I" can save humanity...I can however show how we can solve some of the problems, so that the "intellectuals" can concentrate on solving others that are within their realm of expertise...
Now before I'm categorized as a "doomsday fanatic", I want to offer "real hope"...To understand what I'm trying to say and to understand why what I say should be taken seriously, I believe you need to know me and where what I'm trying to say comes from...If you take each piece from the whole, you will agree that much of what I say has already been said and you will miss the point...It's not as confusing as it appears...What hasn't been done however, is to make the connections..."Real Solutions" are found by making the connections, like putting the pieces of a puzzle together..."That" is what I will try to do...
I encourage scrutiny...I will offer you ways to verify each major point I try to make, so that you will have the opportunity to come to your own conclusions...Before I begin, I would like to make my simple "plea and challenge"...
My "plea" : I need the information I offer heard by the public masses...I am asking ALL of you to pass on this blog to others...I am publicly offering to have everything I say "exposed"...All I ask is that you not make judgments until you have actually looked into the information I offer...The more people who get behind the "exposure to the masses" I am aiming for, the better chance I have of achieving the goal of my "challenge"...
My "challenge" :
I have been attempting to contact officials and the "national media" for years...I am "challenging" CNN & FOX specifically to give me the opportunity to speak to a panel of experts (off camera)...I want what I have to offer heard and scrutinized..."IF" what I offer is verified as accurate and beneficial, then I challenge the media to help me reach those I cannot reach on my own...There is some information I will not speak publicly about for "national security" reasons...I respectively request to be contacted by someone with the CIA, DHS or NSA, as these are who I was referred to by the FBI...I don't take this request lightly...Someone needs to hear what I won't speak publicly about...
If supposed "experts", who admit they have no real clue what to do, won't take the time to listen to options offered by someone not under the pressures to find solutions as they are ; if these "experts" aren't willing to engage in a conversation that could have positive results ; why should we listen to anything else they say? If these same "experts" are afraid to examine information that they themselves have stated as facts and refuse to put pieces together and reveal the specific steps we can take right now to establish security, stability and to become an example for other countries facing the same issues ; what gives them the right to publicly admonish others for their failures to find solutions?
About me : I'm a 50 year old, single father of a young son (not yet 5) with "special needs"...I remember at least the end of the "cold war", as seen from under my school desk...Like fire drills, climbing under our desk is what children were taught to do...I have often wondered since then if it were someone who lived through the same experience that coined the phrase, "bend over & kiss your own ass goodbye"...I remember adults having bomb shelters built underground in backyards of their homes, good for the economy but not very effective...I remember air raid sirens and "nuke drills" and even as a very young child, after seeing movies about what nuclear explosions do, I often wondered what good any of that would really do...As an adult I came to the realization : None of that would really do anything, except ; it gave the public masses the feeling that "we were doing something to save ourselves", a calming effect was created in order to keep the masses from erupting in nationwide chaos and the economy was stimulated in a way that would not bring about economic disaster if a nuclear war did not occur...
I remember when man landed and walked on the moon...I remember the assassinations of both John and Robert Kennedy...I remember the invention of color televisions...I remember record albums and 45's, 4-track and 8 track tapes, cassettes, reel-to-reel players and video projectors...I remember the first "cell phone", the size and weight of a brick...I remember Vietnam and most of the military actions since...I remember President Nixon, the Iran / Contra affair and "Watergate"...I remember Jimmy Carter and the initially known rise of the Taliban...I remember Bill Clinton...I remember his signing the creation of "NAFTA", balancing the Federal budget, multiple failed encounters with an increasingly violent "Taliban" and of course his redefinition of the word "sex"...I remember Ronald Reagan, as an actor, as a Governor and as a President...I remember George Bush Sr. and the first "Gulf war" (which I supported & tried to reenlist for)...I remember George Bush Jr...I remember both attacks on the twin towers, the second on 9/11, resulting in our invasion of Afghanistan in the search for Bin Laden and Al Queda...I also remember the years of failed U.N. resolutions and all that lead up to our second "Gulf war"...I remember our most recent election and I remember watching a man fly across the English Channel to the White Cliffs of Dover with a jet powered wing strapped to his back...
I ran my own small business, based on a "hobby" for over 26 years...The main focus of my business was the re-creation and restoration of items made pre-1600, which required extensive research into the cultures and ideologies of those in the "known world" as it was then... My business required expertise in historical research, task analysis, product development, product production, safety testing and of course shipping & receiving...This business failed for two reasons : (1) The inter-net boom of 2000/01, during which almost everything was purchased online ; (2) My lack of knowledge about computers and the inter-net...Many much larger businesses failed during that period of time, such as Montgomery Wards (main competitor of Sears & J.C.Penney's)...The entire way people shopped changed...The days of "malls" being the main way of shopping at multiple stores in one location almost vanished...I literally lost everything I owned, much of which was irreplaceable including patterns, documents, certificates & awards and much more...I have never been able to recover...I not only lost a business, I lost the only way of life I knew and my job skills didn't transfer well to the job market...In 1985 I tried to advance my business education...Interestingly I received an (A+) in "business principles", but failed the required "typing & accounting" classes...As a business owner, I would hire a secretary and accountant, but that's the reality of business, not what is required for an educational degree...
In 2001, with the loss of my business and way of life, including my motor home, I became "homeless"...I moved from the east coast in September 2001 to Arizona, where a friend tried to help me figure out what to do next...It turns out that many of the people I knew were "computer geeks" (I wish I had known that before the loss of my business because I wasn't "on-line")...I returned to my home state of California in June 2003 and gained employment as a flooring installer...Spending most of my time working on out-of-town jobs (mostly "public works", ie; schools & federally funded contracts) and as it turned out, my employer was violating "Federal Public Works Rules" by underpaying employees...In my case, I was paid $8 per hour, not the $28-$33 per hour required for "public works projects" and none of us were paid for transportation to of from out-of-town jobs..."Loopholes" in enforcement rules allowed my ex-employer to profit from under paying employees...My then fiancé' and biological mother of my son was financially supported, but left alone during most of our relationship...Unknown to me, she drank during her pregnancy...My son was born premature and has "full FAS/D" (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, aka Fetal Alcohol Syndrome)...Just (13) days after my sons birth, I became a single father and had to stop working in order to care for a newborn with "special needs"...My son is now almost (5) years old...He receives Social Security Disability, I'm still single & unable to work and we are forced to live in a hotel, because we don't "qualify to rent" a much less expensive apartment...We don't own a vehicle and our only mode of transportation is our bicycle...Owning my own vehicle wasn't needed until recently and by the time we had any need for personal transportation, gas prices were increasing drastically and a bike seemed like a much better idea for us, though it does create some serious issues with moving or travel for any real distance...
Virtually all of my adult life has been focused on research, problem identification, task analysis and the creation of viable solutions...As a single father of a "special needs" son, these skills have proven to be vital in my ability to deal with specific "issues"...My extensive research into FAS/D has uncovered many facts that are not only disturbing, but directly related to some of our biggest problems, ie; Social Security crisis, Education crisis, Social Services crisis, Criminal issues, State Budget crisis, unemployment crisis, homelessness and much more...I'm not saying FAS/D is the main cause...I am saying that research uncovers "connections" and combined with other known factors, identification of the core problems IS possible...
It is common practice to separate big problems into smaller issues and assign responsibility for applying techniques by specialists to address each issue...This is like separating a large puzzle into what appears to be like pieces and having multiple people put their own section together and claim the puzzle is being assembled by specialists, with extensive education and experience in appropriate areas...If pieces are missing, experts claim the puzzle cannot be solved, or they guess at what the puzzle represents, according to previous puzzles assembled and without consulting other specialists working on other sections...Some may claim that the solution of the puzzle can't be completed without knowing when the puzzle was made and what company made it...Real Solutions are found in the connections...Simple concept...
Now, let me try to bring all of this into focus and apply this concept to what I believe are the unrecognized "Real Solutions" to many of the sections of our current Global Crisis...After identifying the main sections and making the connections, we can reveal the big picture...It's really not as hard or confusing as it's been made out to be...
First ; You'll need something to write with and write on...In order to "see" the reality of my "plan", you need to write down the pro's and con's...You may very well think of things I've forgotten to include here and you should definitely think of things (from your perspective) that I haven't...Your input will be valuable in coming to your own conclusions and thus, have a greater impact on how actively you seek to pass this on to others...
Second ; You have all been told, "there are no silver bullets" and "there is nothing that can be done on the short term" : Just because (1) person says this on the National Media (CNN) and it's then repeated by everyone following, doesn't mean it was or is true...
Third ; Keep in mind, "None" of the intellectually or politically elite (supposedly the smartest people in the country) have a clue what to do...Not only are they guessing, but worse, they are repeating what has been done, in numerous countries including ours and failed...Just because we are the U.S.A. or because we are combining multiple failed attempts into one or two bigger attempts, doesn't mean we will do anything but create a bigger problem with even bigger failing results...
We simply can't afford to be wrong...Seeing that nobody else has put the pieces together, or has the backbone to speak the truth, there is no harm in at least examining the "Real Solutions" I am trying (and have been since 2003) to offer...
Now, let's "work the problem"...Start by writing down the problems we face :
War : based on a globally expanding radical theology (radical religious belief) :
Economy : break this one into it's various pieces to make examination easier if you want to, ie ;
(housing / mortgage crisis, credit market freeze, loss of stock market values, loss of market confidence, loss of home / property values, unemployment, etc.) :
Environment : whether you believe in "Global Climate Change" or not, it needs to be listed :
Energy : even if you think the crisis is past, it needs to be listed :
Entitlements : ie ; Social Security, Medic-aid, Social Service Programs (welfare, food stamps, etc.) :
Health care : coverage, costs & availability :
Deficit : the money our country owes to other countries :
If you feel like adding more to the list, feel free, but you'll just end up crossing more off in the end as connections are made...
Start the next step by putting as many on your list with other related problems : Hint ; when you're done, there should only be one...
After racking your brain, you still can't find all the connections to just (1) issue left to resolve? It's ok, the next step should help...
Step two : "Work the problem" : Look at each issue and list the end results desired...Don't look for solutions, those will reveal themselves...Just try to look past whatever method could be used and just list the desired results themselves...
Step three : This one can be really hard for some people, but, say to yourself, "Personal opinions are like assholes, everybody has one" : In the end ; our opinions, what we believe or don't believe, especially if based on religion or formal education, doesn't mean it's correct and may only serve as an obstacle to reaching our goal...
Back to the list : War, Economy, Energy should be your biggest three...Economy and Energy are connected, but which is connected to the other and leaves only one? The answer IS as easy and obvious as it looks...Energy...
Before I explain my detailed "plan", it's important to remember ; I have no vested interest in anything but doing what I can to see our world survive, for "my" son's sake...I'm not part of any lobbying group (in fact, I think most are scams)...I won't benefit from acting or not acting on what I offer as a plan of action...I am not "religious" and have no affiliations...I have nothing to personally gain or lose, no matter what is decided...Finally ; I'm not asking anyone to believe me...I'm only asking you to examine the facts for yourself and pass this onto others, so they can examine and evaluate this for themselves...
"Energy" is the one everything else is connected to...It's at the top of the pyramid...Solve that and "most" (unfortunately not all) of our biggest issues will be resolved along the way...No? Let me ask you some simple questions :
If "access to oil supplies" are under the control of Middle Eastern countries, Venezuela and Russia, is that or is that not the biggest reason for military conflict, now and/or in the near future?
If we (the U.S.) are relying on 45% of the oil we import from these three, at a cost of $800 billion (plus) each year, does this or does this not appear to be the most important issue to solve?
What if just one or two specific actions would "eliminate" or "need" for importing that 45%? What if the same one or two specific actions would create "energy security" for our country and be an example of what other countries can do to resolve the issues we all have in common?
What if these specific actions would create "millions" of jobs, resulting in incomes that give people the ability to reduce debt and pay mortgages?
What if the creation of millions of jobs would create new tax revenues for the government, without raising taxes? What happens to the threat from foreign countries that rely on oil revenues to pay for military funding, if oil revenues drastically decrease?
Whether we believe in "Global Climate Change" or not, the fact is if "man" has any chance of making any effect what-so-ever, humanity as a whole must make a drastic change in the "energy infrastructure"...If attacking the "energy issue" would create millions of jobs, make a positive effect on the global economy and create "energy security", which reduces the likelihood of continued military conflict, would it or would it not be a good place to invest for our future?
Before I state what "I" see as obvious, please ask yourselves just a couple more questions...
What would happen if there were just two or three well placed bombs (backpack size) that damages unprotected (and unprotectable) electricity transfer stations?
What would happen if a larger attack disrupts electrical supply to large areas of our country for an extended period of time?
What would happen to you, your lifestyle at home, your ability to work, your ability to access money or shop at the grocery store if there is no electricity for any extended period of time?
Now ; what happens if each home and business can be 60%-65% (minimum) "energy independent", even if multiple major attacks on our current energy system were to happen?
By now it's obvious that I like to create "mental images"...Let me create two more...I apologize for these in advance...
I told you previously that as a child, I remember being taught to get under my school desk in case of a nuclear attack during the "cold war"...
Picture in your mind an "ostrich", bent over with it's head in the sand and it's ass exposed to whoever wanted to take advantage of the unprotected position...
Consider someone tells you that at any moment you ARE going to be hit in the groin with a baseball bat...It'll hurt at the very least, or it could knock you unconscious, or if hard enough it could kill you...Are you going to waste time trying to find out who, when, where & why? Are you going to ignore the threat or cower like an ostrich? Or, would you put on a "cup" (athletic groin protection) if it were offered?
Personally, I want the "cup" and whoever hit me better hope they can run faster than me because I'm not going to let myself be hit again...Of course, just being prepared and being able to withstand such an attack would cause the attacker to fear what they may have just done, with little or no effect...
We have already been warned, many times...I'm offering the "cup"...Put it on, or not...It's your choice...
IMPORTANT NOTE :
After finishing the section I wrote yesterday, I watched Pres. Obama's speech last night...My points were made for me...I have been saying for years now, "I" don't want to have to talk "about" what needs to be done ; "I" don't want to rehash what has already been said by every President since Jimmy Carter ; "I" don't want to say what the masses have already been saying for years : "I" want to offer a "Realistic, Verifiable, Actionable Plan"...Pres. Obama said as plainly as he could last night, He knows "what" he and the masses want to do (supported by 82%), but He doesn't know "how"..."THAT" is precisely what I'm offering...The Plan...
Not everyone is going to like everything in this plan (I don't "like" it all myself), but we "need" most of the following specific actions...Some may be cast aside, but the plan, as a whole, is based on what experts from many fields have been saying for decades...
My "Plan" :
Foundation : In order to turn the economy around, on a global scale, the very first step is to re- instill a sense of "confidence" so that those with money will begin investing again...The term "confidence" in this case amounts to : a sense of security for your investments, while feeding the sense of greed for profit, by supplying openings in the market and compelling reasons to invest...
Greed was at the heart of the economic meltdown and only greed can get the gears of progress moving again...Security for investments must be achieved with regulation...In the end, our way of life and desire for progress must be protected by modernizing our economic and energy infrastructure...
Society reacts positively, even when faced with outside threats and adversity, when the masses feel they can take part in their own security, when the government shows concern for the country and takes actions that instill a sense of pride and hope...
In order for Governments around the world to reduce "National Debts" and to afford new spending requirements of modernizing infrastructures and programs with social benefit, more revenues are needed...Increased tax revenues must be achieved by increasing the amount of people employed and must not come from increasing tax rates on those currently employed...To reach this, I propose as part of my "plan", a "Government Diversified Joint Venture Program", which if implemented will give government profitable investment and lending opportunities and at the same time, encourage "private industry" to once again become involved in the progress of America's economic stability and security...
Regulation :
(1) Eliminate or limit "mark to market" exposure and restore "up tick" rules :
(2) Freeze "golden parachutes" in cases of corporate failures and/or Government intervention :
(3) Expand "usury law" to include credit cards & cap interest rate levels :
(4) Expand "usury law" to include mortgages & cap interest rate levels :
(5) Until "usury law" is modified, freeze interest rates on existing credit cards & mortgages :
(6) Cap percentage of "hedging " and "leveraging" :
(7) "NAFTA" : close loopholes allowing employment outsourcing, or, cap percentage of foreign employment and offer incentives for companies who participate in returning production and employment opportunities :
(8) "NAFTA" : sanction or deincentivise companies who outsource employment, especially to adversarial countries :
(9) Cap percentage of foreign workers allowed to be employed by companies within American borders, "expand E-Verify" and offer incentives for participation :
(10) Freeze or limit pay raises for ALL government officials and employees :
"Government Diversified Joint Venture Program" :
Foundation : The purposes of this proposed program are simple and straight forward...
(1) Put America back to work...
(2) Modernize various aspects of America's infrastructure...
(3) Create profitable ventures and increase revenues for our Government...
(4) Create economic stability and opportunity for private industry and individuals...
(5) Create National Security measures for the country and our citizens...
Proposed Programs & Joint Venture Projects :
(1) Solar Energy Infrastructure Program :
The "Big One"...Governments and private industries most profitable opportunity...Government "loan" program for start-up and expansion of solar system manufacturing, transportation, installation and maintenance...To strongly encourage "private industry" to participate in this venture, Government would require all homes and business structures to have solar energy systems installed...With government requirement, payment for the system will be made directly from the program to the installation company, with verification of completion...
This will accomplish multiple goals...
First ; This will offer low-interest loans to encourage expansion of solar energy system production, provide low-interest loans for start-ups of installation companies, help to stabilize business & home structure values and provide "individual energy security" at no cost to the structure/home owner...Loans would be repaid by the companies manufacturing and installing the systems ; the consumer end of the program would be paid for through increased income & property tax revenues by increasing employment and property sales...Employment opportunities will be created in construction, manufacturing, product transportation, installation and repair/maintenance...
Businesses, both large and small would be encouraged to participate due to the guarantee of government funding, thus causing a quick thawing of the "market freeze" and with increased employment incomes, and result in a thawing of the "consumer credit freeze"...
This will make our country "energy secure" through independence from any interruption of energy supply and save hundreds of billions of dollars currently paid to foreign countries we purchase oil from...
In breaking our addiction to oil and ending our vulnerability to those who would use energy resources as a weapon, this would also reduce funding from oil revenues used to fund military threats and terrorist group activity...
(2) Security & Surveillance Program :
Another known threat to all of us are our "soft targets", ie ; schools, malls, hospitals, parking structures, theaters, etc...This program is much like the “Solar Energy Infrastructure Program”, with many of the same “loan” and incentive programs for manufacturing, product transportation and installation business and employment creations...The difference is that this directly focuses on potential attacks by denying access in applicable cases, with the installation of security doors and in all cases, with the installation of video equipment, produces video surveillance and recording for law enforcement use and quicker apprehension of suspects, as well as video evidence...
(3) Transportation Modernization Program :
This program replaces future automotive industry bail-outs by offering a “trade-in” program for the consumer...This program would be intended to help take the worst polluting, gas guzzling vehicles off the road and replace them with more fuel efficient, cleaner vehicles...This would help the automotive industry by helping to reduce inventory and provide capitol, just as if they were selling vehicles under normal circumstances...
As with the other programs, the intent is to save and/or create jobs, boost the economy and take steps towards energy conservation, with less impact on the environment and a benefit for average Americans...
(4) Neighborhood Reconstruction Program :
This program simply encourages small business creation and expansion to form and/or grow businesses that clean-up distressed areas and put many individuals in the construction industry back to work...More people working locally, more consumers with money to pay for products & services...More people employed, more tax revenues, more credit worthiness, more overall economic stimulation...Not to mention cleaner, safer neighborhoods, resulting in stabilized property values and the likelihood of home sales, resulting in increased property tax revenues...
(5)Renewable Energy Resource Program :
This program is meant to encourage the investigation into land use for renewable energy sources where the land itself is otherwise unusable and uninhabitable...This program would also help fund the replanting of plants and trees, more fire resistant and water efficient in areas hard hit by wildfires...
Not only do we need to use land efficiently to grow renewable fuel sources, we need to not use land where food is grown...Another point not covered by the media or intellectuals is the fact that we get the oxygen we breath from the plants & trees that are being destroyed by fires and deforestation...
Final Note : Though I am going to end here for now, this is not “all I have”...There is a lot more...We all know “something” needs to be done, but that doesn't mean we should just do “anything”...We may not be able to prevent “pet projects” from being funded at this point, but a “targeted approach” will be needed to get our country out of the deeper hole that we've been thrown into...I make no secret of the fact that I did not support Pres. Obama's candidacy, but that is no longer important...This is “My” country and for the next four years, Pres. Obama is our only hope...If you believe his rhetoric, Pres. Obama “gets it” and he is supposedly looking for a “targeted plan” with specific actions...Pres. Obama is not the problem...The Congress and Senate are...Think about it : Did Bush Jr. have control of what got us into this mess? Presidents don't read bills once they pass the houses, Presidents sign them...Has Pres. Obama read the bill he just put his name on? Or was he convinced to sell us all a used Yugo with a Mini-Cooper or BMW emblem on it? Lipstick on a pig? Even if what we have been told is true and this “recession” began in December of 2007, I think that means the current houses were in control...Personally, I believe we are now suffering the effects of the recession of 2000/01...The “elite economists” say it magically ended on 9/11...If anything, that recession ended when Pres. Bush told everyone to “go shopping” on 9/12...But what caused that recession? Answer : The “inter-net boom” of 1999/2000 and with it, the greed and wild spending brought on by the “dot-coms”, which was also the beginning of rapidly escalating unsupported property values...The “inter-net boom” caused many business failures, such as Montgomery Wards...It severely hurt “malls” and did “untold” damage that nobody talks about...I lost my business and entire “life” directly because of the inter-net boom...We are doomed to repeat past failures and each will grow in severity, unless we examine the true causes and “fix” the problems...Band-aids only put off the effects, like alcohol or drugs can cause distraction...But after you deal with the hang-over, the problems are still there...So is drinking more AND taking more drugs too the solution? Combining things that failed in the past just cause a bigger hang-over...Why not fix the problem, so you can enjoy partying and only have a hang-over to deal with later? Maybe that's a bad analogy for some, but it fits...There are more problems to deal with than I covered here, but if we don't “fix” the ones we can, we can't even touch the others...To borrow Pres. Obama's saying, “Yes We Can” fix many of our big issues and “Yes We Can” do it quickly...The stock market can turn on a dime, with just a good speech or announcement of a “Real Solution”...A “recession” can end without most recognizing why it started, when it started or exactly what caused it to end...I want to do my part to save “My” country for “My” son...I need “everything I know” to be heard and examined by the people who can understand and use the info...I need “Your” help...I started trying to reach out to be heard in 2001 and I was labeled an “alarmist”...I'm not going to quit trying, because I believe WE CAN make our voices heard...I believe WE CAN make those in power listen to our voice and if it's loud enough, make those in power actually DO what is right for our country and our world...I believe : Yes We CAN...
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
“Real Solutions”...follow-up :
In the previous post, I tried to point out some of the “connections” between various issues that are being ignored...I also explained how I had become a non-participating victim of the 1999/2000 inter-net boom and recession of 2000/01...Now I'm going to explain how my son and I are part of the causes of other huge issues and the “Real Solutions” I propose to fix them...Keep in mind ; though I propose specific solutions and steps to achieve them, I don't “like” the idea that some of these steps “need” to be taken...I am well aware that many of you won't “like” some of them either, but if you compare the facts, combined with pro's and con's, I believe you will understand “the end results will justify the means”...
The following will include information regarding one of the “most actively ignored and resisted” problems we face...It will include information that will outrage many people...Please don't form an opinion merely at the mention of the topic...I challenge everyone to do your own research and come to your own conclusions...The solutions I propose include some questions I myself have...I don't personally “like” some of the steps of I propose, though I do see them as necessary...This includes issues I am extremely passionate about and I ask you to visit the sites I offer (and any you can find) on your own...
Hot issues for virtually everyone include :
(1)Health Care crisis :
(2)Medi-Care / Medic-aid crisis :
(3)Social Security crisis :
(4)Entitlement crisis :
(5)Education crisis :
(6)Energy crisis :
(7)Environmental crisis :
(8)Social / Public Service crisis :
These are all inter-connected...I believe it's in the connections, we can discover and identify some (though not all) of the root causes...I also believe that at least one of these could be a huge part of the solutions we seek...I briefly touched on this in my previous post...I told you about myself, now let me introduce you to my son Zachary...His story is both, part of the problems and part of the solutions...
Born almost two months premature, barely (5) pounds, ashen gray (requiring oxygen) and quietly enduring full body tremors...Suspected (pretty much “known”) and later officially diagnosed, he was born with “Full Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder” (FASD)...
Important information on the following sites :
(1)cdcgov/ncbddd/fas
(2)fasiceberg.org
(3)fasworld.org
Born with a form of “organic brain damage” and only giving hints of what was (and still is) yet to come...”Failure to thrive”, combined with soon to develop “oral dysfunction”, “tactile sensitivity” and a “lack of chew / swallow reflex” would become one frustrating eating disorder we are still working on...A lack of response to pain or other stimuli ; including hunger, wet / messy diapers, were also disturbing signs...A lack of concern when something was withheld or taken and a lack of visible response to parents has been an ongoing issue described as an “attachment disorder”...There have been and remain to be issues with a need for “structure”, “repetition”and “decompression”...I can already see the anticipated issues with understanding right from wrong and the ability to control impulsive behavior...”Concepts”, such as “actions / reactions”, “consequences”, “time”, others “personal space” and “danger” are all simply inconceivable...
I am SO lucky...Although my son has “issues”, many others have much more extreme issues to deal with...Zach has no health problems (so far), mild behavioral issues and mild “Autistic” tendencies...In many ways, my son is “A-typical FASD”, yet in so many ways, he seems to defy the statistical expectations...I am trying to remember to enjoy each day, because the future may not be as easy...
I do not want to downplay any of the other various “issues” far too many children are born with...This is not meant to take attention away from them, or challenge the seriousness of other “disabilities”, but rather, bring some focus on what all of these have to do with the problems many countries face, especially with economies and health care issues and actually “do” something about the ones we can...FASD is by far the biggest, the most widespread, the most costly and the one most easily eliminated...As I stated in my previous post ; we must begin to “eliminate” the aggravating factors of our economic difficulties that can be dealt with, in order to use resources more efficiently...
The knowledge of alcohols health risks and other related consequences of alcohol use are so old that ; it was directly referred to when religious scriptures (such as the Bible) were written, kings made “proclamations” (laws) against use and in many cultures a woman would become a “social outcast” if she used alcohol during pregnancy...Due to the lack of “legitimate” arguments against the severe risks, the very topic is “actively ignored” and when regulation, taxation or restrictive laws (such as the U.S. Constitution 18th Amendment) are attempted, other tactics (such as violent crimes and personal rights) are used to create civil unrest and distraction from the real issue...In some countries, the “facial anomalies” (deformities), behaviors and educational issues are so prevalent that they are considered to be merely “cultural traits”...
“Official research” has been conducted, medical reports and books and have been written, many governments have required warnings labels on containers and of course, billions of dollars has been spent and all of these continue...The one single most important thing missing is simply, the education of the masses, thereby allowing “active ignorance” of personal behavior and the consequences to persist...
Are you aware that here in the United States, during the late 1970's through early 1980's, official research was conducted by the USCDC (Center for Disease Control)? Are you aware that books have been written to bring about “mass public awareness” by people like Dr. Ann Streissguth, who was on the team at the USCDC conducting the research? Are you aware that a special commission was formed, headed by then Senator Al Gore, to hear evidence that led to a “unanimous” Senate vote on July 12th for Senate Resolution 499 and the creation of a National Fetal Alcohol Awareness Day”, September 9th ? Are you aware that a “Congressional Caucus” was formed (which officially opens Government funding) and a “National Task Force on FAS/FAE” was formed? Are you aware that some states, including California, led by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger officially adopted the same resolution at a State level, to create a “Fetal Alcohol Awareness Day”? Are you aware that both the “national and local news media's” refuse to announce and acknowledge the existence of this vitally important educational information? Are you aware that even local “county public health” officials refuse to help push for “public health awareness”?
For those interested in statistics, here are some that should be given attention and serious consideration :
(1)Official research completed in the early 1980's shows an occurrence rate of 1.9 in 1000 for children born with “Full Fetal Alcohol Syndrome” ; this rate for “officially diagnosed cases of full FAS” is nearly double the rate of “Downs Syndrome” and almost (5) times the rate of “Spina Bifida”, two of the most commonly recognized birth defects...
(2)By the mid-1990's : the number of people infected with HIV/Aids was (1) million, the number of “officially diagnosed cases of Full FAS” was (3) million...
(3)By the mid-1990's, the occurrence rate of “Autism” was 1 in 166 to 1 in 150...
(4)By the mid-1990's (only about 15 years after research had shown an occurrence rate of 1.9 in 1000) the “officially diagnosed” rate of “Full FAS” had risen to 1 in 100...
(5)In 1996 : (US Center for Disease Control, Streissguth, Barr, Kogan & Bookstein) wrote ; “Alcohol poses the biggest threat to the survival of humanity through our next generations” ; “Fetal Alcohol Exposure is the single largest factor setting up physical and neurological conditions that predispose American babies to aggressive and violent behavior” and “1 in 100 children are born with “Full FAS” to women who use alcohol in ANY amount during pregnancy, when alcohol use is reduced by at least 50% during pregnancy, 24% are still born with “Full FAS” and 26% are born with “FAE” (the same thing as FAS, but without the “facial anomalies / deformities” required for official diagnosis of the Full syndrome)...
(6)At the rapidly increased frequency rate of FAS is a community catastrophe that threatens to wipe out any culture in just a few generations even when use is reduced...
(7)FASD is the #1 most commonly known cause of mental retardation ; in fact, more cases of mental retardation resulted from alcohol related birth defects than from All known genetic causes COMBINED...
(8)FAS is the #1 cause of still births, premature births, organic brain damage, mental illness and physical birth defects...Alcohol is the #1 most dangerous substance to an unborn child...Ask yourself : If alcohol kills germs and virtually anything directly exposed to it for any period of time, what chance do developing cells that create a developing fetus's brain have?
(9)FAS is the #1 most misdiagnosed disability, most often misdiagnosed as “Autism”...This should cause questions regarding the accuracy of the statistical rate of “Autism”, as well as a possible connection currently unexplored...
Resulting issues include :
(1)Mental illness : 90%
(2)Dependent living : 80%
(3)Need for “special education” : 90%
(4)Expulsion or drop-out from school : 60%
(5)Trouble with the law : 60%
(6)Inappropriate sexual behavior : 50%
The most alarming “fact” is : FASD is virtually 100% preventable...
Consider the statistics above and the impacts on our most urgent social issues :
(1)Overall Economy : The cost of “Full FAS” alone to our national budget in 2003 was estimated to be $5.4 Billion, a cost to taxpayers of $1.5 million per child in his/her lifetime...
(2)Social Security / Disability : Children with FASD, as well as other officially diagnosed disabilities, qualify for Social Security Disability, yet virtually none pay into this...
(3)Education : Not only do these children pose educational difficulties to educators (who know virtually nothing about FASD), but “special education” costs an average of $30,000 per student, per school year...Also considering issues with disruptive behavior, shared symptoms of ADHD : disorganization, impulsiveness, distractability and hyperactivity, or under activity ; Neuromotor Impairment : balance, coordination, oversensitivity or under sensitivity to stimuli, poor perception of sounds, visual input and social cues ; Poor Executive Functioning : ability to judge, plan, empathize, estimate, or understand concepts such as “right from wrong” ; Speech, reading, mathematics and science problems ; is there any doubt, backed by historical and scientific research, as to the causes of educational difficulties, educational funding problems, rising rates of illiteracy and increasing drop-out rates?
(4)Social Services : The need for “dependent living” assistance including ; assisted living facilities, foster care, welfare and other assistance for parents / caretakers unable to work outside the home due to in-home care requirements, and more...
(5)Health care : Children prenatally exposed to alcohol are highly likely to be born with or to develop heart, kidney and liver problems, not to mention the drastically increased probability of physical injury requiring medical care...
(6)Incarceration and institutionalization : Costs for police, court systems, jails, prisons and mental institutions ; most often as a direct result of either not being able to understand “right from wrong”, or “inappropriate sexual behavior” caused by stunted mental growth that does not match chronological age...
(7)Over-all Economy : Costs for all of the above, not counted in the 2003 estimates of $5.4 Billion, or $1.5 million per individual and rising...
You can find much more by doing your own research...Many books have been written, foundations and educational websites created and yet, the “topic” of alcohol and the dangers are “actively ignored and resisted”...I could go on about the evils of alcohol, but, there is another side...The “Alcohol Industry” could be a “big” part of the solution to multiple issues we face...
As I stated previously, my son was born with “Full FASD” and after his birth, I had to quit working, at the age of 45 and become a “stay-at-home” single father of a newborn child...By the age of (6) months, symptoms of his condition were already becoming apparent and at (1) year of age, Zach was officially diagnosed...At that point, he qualified for and began receiving Social Security Disability...I also had to apply for AFDC (welfare, including food stamps) just to survive...When my son was about (3 ½ years old) we lost our two bedroom apartment (and HUD), through no fault of ours, and had to move into a single room at the cheapest hotel in town...No kitchen or cooking facilities makes teaching my son to eat rather difficult to say the least...Surrounded by alcoholics, drug addicts, dealers, chronically homeless (many with mental health issues) ; this is no place to raise a child, especially one with some of the issues of FASD that make him easy prey...We're managing however, mostly by becoming hermits and not associating with anyone around us...Most “normal people” (especially women) I meet won't have anything to do with us, thinking I must be like the others living in this place...After the loss of my business and motor home in 2001 and my loss of employment that provided a company truck, I have not purchased a vehicle of our own, which makes transportation a major issue...We live in a small northern California town that has a city bus system and during the energy / gas crisis, I bought a bicycle and “trail-along-bike” (that attaches to mine), so my son and I can get to local parks, the post office and get away from the hotel together...Our town has a nice river trail to ride on and Zach loves to go for rides...We are not only victims of what has transpired in the economy for years ; we are “prime examples” of some major issues we face as a country...There are millions in positions similar to ours...
To understand at least some of what I propose for “Real Solutions”, let me point out a few historically proven facts...
(1)As the “white man” moved westward, alcohol (firewater) was offered to native American Indians initially...It didn't take long before native Americans recognized the effects of alcohol had dangerous consequences...The white man then began forcing alcohol to be accepted by threatening not to make trades with native Americans, unless they also accepted the alcohol...In effect, alcohol was used as a weapon against native American Indians...”Alcoholism” became identified as an “Indian problem”...
(2)Though exactly when alcohol was introduced to the black African community is unclear, whether given to slaves for “control” purposes, or with the freeing of slaves and the rise of racial poverty, alcoholism spread to include blacks...”Alcoholism” was then identified as a problem only effecting Indians and black Africans...
(3)Major health risks of the poorly made alcohol was brought to the attention of the American government and “prohibition” was created with the 18th amendment, which made alcohol illegal to manufacture, sell, possess and consume...It is “prohibition” itself that caused a drastic increase of alcoholism, caused a cultural shift allowing women to drink socially and caused the issue of physically and mentally damaged children (later identified as Fetal Exposure to Alcohol) to cross all race and socio-economic lines...
(4)“Prohibition” and the illegal transportation of “moonshine” also caused the discovery that alcohol could be used as a “high octane fuel”, which allowed “moonshine runners” to outrun police...This discovery would also give birth to auto racing and the creation of “NASCAR”...
(5)Leaders of the old “mob” (organized crime) could not effectively argue against the health risks, so violent crime was made into a much bigger issue and the government retracted the 18th amendment, legalized alcohol and in the process, made profitable agreements with “mob bosses” to bring violent crime under control...This would eventually be the downfall of the “mobs control” of what became the alcohol industry in America...Regulations were created to not only limit the production of alcohol made by anyone not officially recognized as part of the newly created “legitimate industry”, but also to create “purity” control...
(6)The use of alcohol as a fuel was re-discovered by the military during WW II in the field where obtaining gas for jeeps and other military vehicles simply was not always possible...
(7)Of course ; both the “civil rights” and “womens rights” movements made dramatic contributions to the problem ; however, “official” recognition, research and identification of FAS / FAE and other ARND's (alcohol related neurological disorders) did not occur until the 1970's...The occurrence rate at that point was considered high enough to be “alarming”, yet low enough not to be “publicly addressed”...In fairness to researchers, actively concerned groups and the U.S. Government, there has been “official recognition and legislation”; however, the “public masses” have yet to be effectively informed...
(8)During the “fuel crisis” of the mid to late 1970's again caused the re-discovery of alcohol use as a fuel ; as well as the use of “natural gas” (propane) and methane (made from chicken crap and other animal manures)...
We are now at the point where I can offer my solutions...This also requires that questions be asked of our “intellectually elite” corporate officials and researchers...NOTE : Again ; I don't personally “like” some of this myself, but the “need for the results these will achieve” is what is important...
First : “WE” can try to appeal to the Alcohol Industry Executives business sense and desire for profit and get them to at least examine the possibility that they “may” already have what is needed to become the newest suppliers of “liquid fuels”...Whether this is successful or not, the following will still be needed...
Second : A “class-action lawsuit”, supported by the government needs to be filed on behalf of the tens of millions effected by their products...Just as was done with the “tobacco industry”...This lawsuit should be for (or settled for) $3 million per individual...The government should also drastically increase taxation on all alcohol products...As was done with the “tobacco industry”...All advertising should be regulated or discontinued...As was done with the “tobacco industry”...There is no way the alcohol industry can pay the billions that would be owed, without drastically increasing prices...GOOD! Initial “National Media” coverage of the suit, the appeals, the judgments and every action taken will repeatedly re-inform the public and the “education of the masses” regarding the effects will be possible...”Elimination” of FASD can be achieved in a single generation simply by changing behavior, however, it appears that destructive behavior needs to be more than quietly offered... There is absolutely no good reason for the cheap prices and easy access that currently exists...Society has major issues with ; alcoholism, underage drinking, drunk driving accidents (most resulting in injury and / or death), crimes (while under the influence, including assaults, robbery & domestic violence), homelessness (due to alcoholism) and of course, FASD...Increased prices will have a dramatic effect on all of the above and more...
Third : The alcohol industry should be given “tax credits” for participating in the manufacture and / or refinement of alcohol into “ethanol” for use as our next fuel source...These “tax credits” should be of sufficient amount as to offset the losses incurred do to the decrease in sales and to strongly encourage participation in the “ethanol production program”...
Fourth : Proceeds from the lawsuit should be divided into three parts : 1/3rd payed to individuals...1/3rd payed to the Social Security Administration, to help repay monies that have been paid out for “alcohol related disabilities” and the final 1/3rd to create a new “Disability Fund” separate from the currently used Social Security fund...
Fifth : Though women in general won't “like” this ; A law should be passed making “Drinking during pregnancy, selling alcohol to or buying for a woman known to be pregnant” illegal...”After” a child is born with FASD, a woman “can” be charged with “Child Abuse and Child Endangerment”, but this does nothing to prevent it in the first place, especially when the law isn't currently enforced...”No consequences, No personal responsibility”...
The above should have a huge impact on many issues already listed...The decreased use / abuse of alcohol would also begin to reduce the need for many “social services”, “health care services”, “foster care services” and much more for future generations...We should also see an increase of “intelligence” and “productive ability” in future generations...”Decreased need for services” = “Decreased need for funding”...”Decreased need for future funding” = “Decrease in the escalating National Debt” for future generations...
The questions I would really like answers to are :
(1)If “alcohol” was used for fuel in the past, WHY can't we use it today?
(2)What would it take for the “automotive industry” to produce new vehicles that can efficiently use this new fuel?
(3)What would it take to modify existing vehicles on the road today to efficiently use this new fuel?
(4)If this could be done in the past, multiple times in our countries short history, “why” can't it be done today in order to save our “way of life” and “hope for the future”?
(5)According to an interview on CNN with James Miegs, with “Popular Mechanics”, every vehicle on the road today can run, without modification or damage, on up to 50% “ethanol”...”IF” this is indeed a fact, then “Why” do we only have a 10% blend of “ethanol” in gasoline? I have already independently verified this with multiple mechanics with local dealerships and small repair shops...
(6)If Alcohol has been known to cause such severe damage to our children and if we know that this form of “organic brain damage” (along with all the resulting effects and costs) can be prevented from happening in the first place, “WHY Do We ALLOW It to Continue and Grow”?
Personally, I don't want answers to the above questions...Excuses are NOT what our society needs, “WE Need ACTION” and “We Need SOLUTIONS”!!!
Final Note : It is possible that I am completely wrong about everything in this post AND my previous post...That would be an awful lot to be wrong about, especially for someone who has come to these conclusions through experience and research...These are not merely ideas I have come up with, but rather, the result of actively seeking answers and putting together connections...I have been lead to accept some of these solutions “unwillingly” and I have personally attempted to question everything, from every angle...I may have either missed something, or forgotten to include information in my posts...Either way, I ask everyone to research these possible solutions themselves...I ask that you “allow” yourself to be guided by the facts to the solutions and not merely refuse to believe or accept what you find based on personal feelings...
“Real Solutions” are not beyond current technology, beyond comprehension or beyond reach...Humanity does not have time or money to waste...Our worlds economies can't afford to lose any more value...Our environment can't afford to be damaged any more than absolutely necessary...Our problems can't wait to be solved...
The world I grew up in no longer exists, but I still believe...Technology has come a long way in my lifetime, but I don't believe continued research for new technology, at any cost, will be the solution...I don't believe wasting money ; we don't even have, on things we don't need, on things that have no real impact and on things that don't move us forward is the answer...I don't believe that with a global crisis, that we have all been watching grow over time, involving so many aspects in all our lives, that there is “nothing we can do on the short term with long term effects”...I don't believe “actively ignoring” what CAN be done NOW, will somehow make the problems go away...
I definitely don't believe the “elites” that say “there is nothing we can do but watch... I don't believe the “political rhetoric” saying “what needs to be done” (without any clue “how”), while at the same time, using the widespread support to pass massive spending bills, throwing financial irresponsibility in our faces, at a time of financial crisis...
I believe “greed” is at the heart of our problems and I believe Only greed can get us out...I believe that by offering “direction” and for re-investing in our countries, we can tap into the desire for profit and “create” an economic recovery...I also believe that we can have the widest range of effects by addressing the core issues...I believe in the human spirit and our ingenuity...
I'm not a Democrat, Republican or an Independent...I'm don't consider myself Right, Left, Conservative or Liberal...I'm not politically active...
I'm also not religious, though I have studied multiple religions in order to understand the beliefs and how it directly related to the aspects of cultures that I worked with...I don't have an “ulterior motive”...I may personally benefit more if nothing is done to correct the path humanity is on...
Because of, or in spite of, all the things I'm not ; what I am is worried...
I'm worried that we may have the solutions within our grasp, but refuse to see the obvious...
I'm very worried that there actually could be (or could have been at some point) a God...
I'm worried that we may watch as our world is destroyed, without even trying to save it...
I'm worried our world may not survive our ignorance and arrogance...
Most of all :
I'm really worried that my son may not have a world to grow-up in...
I don't like all this “Doom and Gloom”...I don't like feeling like I have to write about, what we should all already know...I want to discuss possible solutions...I want to talk about all the things that CAN be done...I'm worried that “denial” may be more paralyzing than fear itself...
I'm not asking anyone to believe me ; I'm asking everyone to look into all this for yourselves and follow where the facts lead...
In the previous post, I tried to point out some of the “connections” between various issues that are being ignored...I also explained how I had become a non-participating victim of the 1999/2000 inter-net boom and recession of 2000/01...Now I'm going to explain how my son and I are part of the causes of other huge issues and the “Real Solutions” I propose to fix them...Keep in mind ; though I propose specific solutions and steps to achieve them, I don't “like” the idea that some of these steps “need” to be taken...I am well aware that many of you won't “like” some of them either, but if you compare the facts, combined with pro's and con's, I believe you will understand “the end results will justify the means”...
The following will include information regarding one of the “most actively ignored and resisted” problems we face...It will include information that will outrage many people...Please don't form an opinion merely at the mention of the topic...I challenge everyone to do your own research and come to your own conclusions...The solutions I propose include some questions I myself have...I don't personally “like” some of the steps of I propose, though I do see them as necessary...This includes issues I am extremely passionate about and I ask you to visit the sites I offer (and any you can find) on your own...
Hot issues for virtually everyone include :
(1)Health Care crisis :
(2)Medi-Care / Medic-aid crisis :
(3)Social Security crisis :
(4)Entitlement crisis :
(5)Education crisis :
(6)Energy crisis :
(7)Environmental crisis :
(8)Social / Public Service crisis :
These are all inter-connected...I believe it's in the connections, we can discover and identify some (though not all) of the root causes...I also believe that at least one of these could be a huge part of the solutions we seek...I briefly touched on this in my previous post...I told you about myself, now let me introduce you to my son Zachary...His story is both, part of the problems and part of the solutions...
Born almost two months premature, barely (5) pounds, ashen gray (requiring oxygen) and quietly enduring full body tremors...Suspected (pretty much “known”) and later officially diagnosed, he was born with “Full Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder” (FASD)...
Important information on the following sites :
(1)cdcgov/ncbddd/fas
(2)fasiceberg.org
(3)fasworld.org
Born with a form of “organic brain damage” and only giving hints of what was (and still is) yet to come...”Failure to thrive”, combined with soon to develop “oral dysfunction”, “tactile sensitivity” and a “lack of chew / swallow reflex” would become one frustrating eating disorder we are still working on...A lack of response to pain or other stimuli ; including hunger, wet / messy diapers, were also disturbing signs...A lack of concern when something was withheld or taken and a lack of visible response to parents has been an ongoing issue described as an “attachment disorder”...There have been and remain to be issues with a need for “structure”, “repetition”and “decompression”...I can already see the anticipated issues with understanding right from wrong and the ability to control impulsive behavior...”Concepts”, such as “actions / reactions”, “consequences”, “time”, others “personal space” and “danger” are all simply inconceivable...
I am SO lucky...Although my son has “issues”, many others have much more extreme issues to deal with...Zach has no health problems (so far), mild behavioral issues and mild “Autistic” tendencies...In many ways, my son is “A-typical FASD”, yet in so many ways, he seems to defy the statistical expectations...I am trying to remember to enjoy each day, because the future may not be as easy...
I do not want to downplay any of the other various “issues” far too many children are born with...This is not meant to take attention away from them, or challenge the seriousness of other “disabilities”, but rather, bring some focus on what all of these have to do with the problems many countries face, especially with economies and health care issues and actually “do” something about the ones we can...FASD is by far the biggest, the most widespread, the most costly and the one most easily eliminated...As I stated in my previous post ; we must begin to “eliminate” the aggravating factors of our economic difficulties that can be dealt with, in order to use resources more efficiently...
The knowledge of alcohols health risks and other related consequences of alcohol use are so old that ; it was directly referred to when religious scriptures (such as the Bible) were written, kings made “proclamations” (laws) against use and in many cultures a woman would become a “social outcast” if she used alcohol during pregnancy...Due to the lack of “legitimate” arguments against the severe risks, the very topic is “actively ignored” and when regulation, taxation or restrictive laws (such as the U.S. Constitution 18th Amendment) are attempted, other tactics (such as violent crimes and personal rights) are used to create civil unrest and distraction from the real issue...In some countries, the “facial anomalies” (deformities), behaviors and educational issues are so prevalent that they are considered to be merely “cultural traits”...
“Official research” has been conducted, medical reports and books and have been written, many governments have required warnings labels on containers and of course, billions of dollars has been spent and all of these continue...The one single most important thing missing is simply, the education of the masses, thereby allowing “active ignorance” of personal behavior and the consequences to persist...
Are you aware that here in the United States, during the late 1970's through early 1980's, official research was conducted by the USCDC (Center for Disease Control)? Are you aware that books have been written to bring about “mass public awareness” by people like Dr. Ann Streissguth, who was on the team at the USCDC conducting the research? Are you aware that a special commission was formed, headed by then Senator Al Gore, to hear evidence that led to a “unanimous” Senate vote on July 12th for Senate Resolution 499 and the creation of a National Fetal Alcohol Awareness Day”, September 9th ? Are you aware that a “Congressional Caucus” was formed (which officially opens Government funding) and a “National Task Force on FAS/FAE” was formed? Are you aware that some states, including California, led by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger officially adopted the same resolution at a State level, to create a “Fetal Alcohol Awareness Day”? Are you aware that both the “national and local news media's” refuse to announce and acknowledge the existence of this vitally important educational information? Are you aware that even local “county public health” officials refuse to help push for “public health awareness”?
For those interested in statistics, here are some that should be given attention and serious consideration :
(1)Official research completed in the early 1980's shows an occurrence rate of 1.9 in 1000 for children born with “Full Fetal Alcohol Syndrome” ; this rate for “officially diagnosed cases of full FAS” is nearly double the rate of “Downs Syndrome” and almost (5) times the rate of “Spina Bifida”, two of the most commonly recognized birth defects...
(2)By the mid-1990's : the number of people infected with HIV/Aids was (1) million, the number of “officially diagnosed cases of Full FAS” was (3) million...
(3)By the mid-1990's, the occurrence rate of “Autism” was 1 in 166 to 1 in 150...
(4)By the mid-1990's (only about 15 years after research had shown an occurrence rate of 1.9 in 1000) the “officially diagnosed” rate of “Full FAS” had risen to 1 in 100...
(5)In 1996 : (US Center for Disease Control, Streissguth, Barr, Kogan & Bookstein) wrote ; “Alcohol poses the biggest threat to the survival of humanity through our next generations” ; “Fetal Alcohol Exposure is the single largest factor setting up physical and neurological conditions that predispose American babies to aggressive and violent behavior” and “1 in 100 children are born with “Full FAS” to women who use alcohol in ANY amount during pregnancy, when alcohol use is reduced by at least 50% during pregnancy, 24% are still born with “Full FAS” and 26% are born with “FAE” (the same thing as FAS, but without the “facial anomalies / deformities” required for official diagnosis of the Full syndrome)...
(6)At the rapidly increased frequency rate of FAS is a community catastrophe that threatens to wipe out any culture in just a few generations even when use is reduced...
(7)FASD is the #1 most commonly known cause of mental retardation ; in fact, more cases of mental retardation resulted from alcohol related birth defects than from All known genetic causes COMBINED...
(8)FAS is the #1 cause of still births, premature births, organic brain damage, mental illness and physical birth defects...Alcohol is the #1 most dangerous substance to an unborn child...Ask yourself : If alcohol kills germs and virtually anything directly exposed to it for any period of time, what chance do developing cells that create a developing fetus's brain have?
(9)FAS is the #1 most misdiagnosed disability, most often misdiagnosed as “Autism”...This should cause questions regarding the accuracy of the statistical rate of “Autism”, as well as a possible connection currently unexplored...
Resulting issues include :
(1)Mental illness : 90%
(2)Dependent living : 80%
(3)Need for “special education” : 90%
(4)Expulsion or drop-out from school : 60%
(5)Trouble with the law : 60%
(6)Inappropriate sexual behavior : 50%
The most alarming “fact” is : FASD is virtually 100% preventable...
Consider the statistics above and the impacts on our most urgent social issues :
(1)Overall Economy : The cost of “Full FAS” alone to our national budget in 2003 was estimated to be $5.4 Billion, a cost to taxpayers of $1.5 million per child in his/her lifetime...
(2)Social Security / Disability : Children with FASD, as well as other officially diagnosed disabilities, qualify for Social Security Disability, yet virtually none pay into this...
(3)Education : Not only do these children pose educational difficulties to educators (who know virtually nothing about FASD), but “special education” costs an average of $30,000 per student, per school year...Also considering issues with disruptive behavior, shared symptoms of ADHD : disorganization, impulsiveness, distractability and hyperactivity, or under activity ; Neuromotor Impairment : balance, coordination, oversensitivity or under sensitivity to stimuli, poor perception of sounds, visual input and social cues ; Poor Executive Functioning : ability to judge, plan, empathize, estimate, or understand concepts such as “right from wrong” ; Speech, reading, mathematics and science problems ; is there any doubt, backed by historical and scientific research, as to the causes of educational difficulties, educational funding problems, rising rates of illiteracy and increasing drop-out rates?
(4)Social Services : The need for “dependent living” assistance including ; assisted living facilities, foster care, welfare and other assistance for parents / caretakers unable to work outside the home due to in-home care requirements, and more...
(5)Health care : Children prenatally exposed to alcohol are highly likely to be born with or to develop heart, kidney and liver problems, not to mention the drastically increased probability of physical injury requiring medical care...
(6)Incarceration and institutionalization : Costs for police, court systems, jails, prisons and mental institutions ; most often as a direct result of either not being able to understand “right from wrong”, or “inappropriate sexual behavior” caused by stunted mental growth that does not match chronological age...
(7)Over-all Economy : Costs for all of the above, not counted in the 2003 estimates of $5.4 Billion, or $1.5 million per individual and rising...
You can find much more by doing your own research...Many books have been written, foundations and educational websites created and yet, the “topic” of alcohol and the dangers are “actively ignored and resisted”...I could go on about the evils of alcohol, but, there is another side...The “Alcohol Industry” could be a “big” part of the solution to multiple issues we face...
As I stated previously, my son was born with “Full FASD” and after his birth, I had to quit working, at the age of 45 and become a “stay-at-home” single father of a newborn child...By the age of (6) months, symptoms of his condition were already becoming apparent and at (1) year of age, Zach was officially diagnosed...At that point, he qualified for and began receiving Social Security Disability...I also had to apply for AFDC (welfare, including food stamps) just to survive...When my son was about (3 ½ years old) we lost our two bedroom apartment (and HUD), through no fault of ours, and had to move into a single room at the cheapest hotel in town...No kitchen or cooking facilities makes teaching my son to eat rather difficult to say the least...Surrounded by alcoholics, drug addicts, dealers, chronically homeless (many with mental health issues) ; this is no place to raise a child, especially one with some of the issues of FASD that make him easy prey...We're managing however, mostly by becoming hermits and not associating with anyone around us...Most “normal people” (especially women) I meet won't have anything to do with us, thinking I must be like the others living in this place...After the loss of my business and motor home in 2001 and my loss of employment that provided a company truck, I have not purchased a vehicle of our own, which makes transportation a major issue...We live in a small northern California town that has a city bus system and during the energy / gas crisis, I bought a bicycle and “trail-along-bike” (that attaches to mine), so my son and I can get to local parks, the post office and get away from the hotel together...Our town has a nice river trail to ride on and Zach loves to go for rides...We are not only victims of what has transpired in the economy for years ; we are “prime examples” of some major issues we face as a country...There are millions in positions similar to ours...
To understand at least some of what I propose for “Real Solutions”, let me point out a few historically proven facts...
(1)As the “white man” moved westward, alcohol (firewater) was offered to native American Indians initially...It didn't take long before native Americans recognized the effects of alcohol had dangerous consequences...The white man then began forcing alcohol to be accepted by threatening not to make trades with native Americans, unless they also accepted the alcohol...In effect, alcohol was used as a weapon against native American Indians...”Alcoholism” became identified as an “Indian problem”...
(2)Though exactly when alcohol was introduced to the black African community is unclear, whether given to slaves for “control” purposes, or with the freeing of slaves and the rise of racial poverty, alcoholism spread to include blacks...”Alcoholism” was then identified as a problem only effecting Indians and black Africans...
(3)Major health risks of the poorly made alcohol was brought to the attention of the American government and “prohibition” was created with the 18th amendment, which made alcohol illegal to manufacture, sell, possess and consume...It is “prohibition” itself that caused a drastic increase of alcoholism, caused a cultural shift allowing women to drink socially and caused the issue of physically and mentally damaged children (later identified as Fetal Exposure to Alcohol) to cross all race and socio-economic lines...
(4)“Prohibition” and the illegal transportation of “moonshine” also caused the discovery that alcohol could be used as a “high octane fuel”, which allowed “moonshine runners” to outrun police...This discovery would also give birth to auto racing and the creation of “NASCAR”...
(5)Leaders of the old “mob” (organized crime) could not effectively argue against the health risks, so violent crime was made into a much bigger issue and the government retracted the 18th amendment, legalized alcohol and in the process, made profitable agreements with “mob bosses” to bring violent crime under control...This would eventually be the downfall of the “mobs control” of what became the alcohol industry in America...Regulations were created to not only limit the production of alcohol made by anyone not officially recognized as part of the newly created “legitimate industry”, but also to create “purity” control...
(6)The use of alcohol as a fuel was re-discovered by the military during WW II in the field where obtaining gas for jeeps and other military vehicles simply was not always possible...
(7)Of course ; both the “civil rights” and “womens rights” movements made dramatic contributions to the problem ; however, “official” recognition, research and identification of FAS / FAE and other ARND's (alcohol related neurological disorders) did not occur until the 1970's...The occurrence rate at that point was considered high enough to be “alarming”, yet low enough not to be “publicly addressed”...In fairness to researchers, actively concerned groups and the U.S. Government, there has been “official recognition and legislation”; however, the “public masses” have yet to be effectively informed...
(8)During the “fuel crisis” of the mid to late 1970's again caused the re-discovery of alcohol use as a fuel ; as well as the use of “natural gas” (propane) and methane (made from chicken crap and other animal manures)...
We are now at the point where I can offer my solutions...This also requires that questions be asked of our “intellectually elite” corporate officials and researchers...NOTE : Again ; I don't personally “like” some of this myself, but the “need for the results these will achieve” is what is important...
First : “WE” can try to appeal to the Alcohol Industry Executives business sense and desire for profit and get them to at least examine the possibility that they “may” already have what is needed to become the newest suppliers of “liquid fuels”...Whether this is successful or not, the following will still be needed...
Second : A “class-action lawsuit”, supported by the government needs to be filed on behalf of the tens of millions effected by their products...Just as was done with the “tobacco industry”...This lawsuit should be for (or settled for) $3 million per individual...The government should also drastically increase taxation on all alcohol products...As was done with the “tobacco industry”...All advertising should be regulated or discontinued...As was done with the “tobacco industry”...There is no way the alcohol industry can pay the billions that would be owed, without drastically increasing prices...GOOD! Initial “National Media” coverage of the suit, the appeals, the judgments and every action taken will repeatedly re-inform the public and the “education of the masses” regarding the effects will be possible...”Elimination” of FASD can be achieved in a single generation simply by changing behavior, however, it appears that destructive behavior needs to be more than quietly offered... There is absolutely no good reason for the cheap prices and easy access that currently exists...Society has major issues with ; alcoholism, underage drinking, drunk driving accidents (most resulting in injury and / or death), crimes (while under the influence, including assaults, robbery & domestic violence), homelessness (due to alcoholism) and of course, FASD...Increased prices will have a dramatic effect on all of the above and more...
Third : The alcohol industry should be given “tax credits” for participating in the manufacture and / or refinement of alcohol into “ethanol” for use as our next fuel source...These “tax credits” should be of sufficient amount as to offset the losses incurred do to the decrease in sales and to strongly encourage participation in the “ethanol production program”...
Fourth : Proceeds from the lawsuit should be divided into three parts : 1/3rd payed to individuals...1/3rd payed to the Social Security Administration, to help repay monies that have been paid out for “alcohol related disabilities” and the final 1/3rd to create a new “Disability Fund” separate from the currently used Social Security fund...
Fifth : Though women in general won't “like” this ; A law should be passed making “Drinking during pregnancy, selling alcohol to or buying for a woman known to be pregnant” illegal...”After” a child is born with FASD, a woman “can” be charged with “Child Abuse and Child Endangerment”, but this does nothing to prevent it in the first place, especially when the law isn't currently enforced...”No consequences, No personal responsibility”...
The above should have a huge impact on many issues already listed...The decreased use / abuse of alcohol would also begin to reduce the need for many “social services”, “health care services”, “foster care services” and much more for future generations...We should also see an increase of “intelligence” and “productive ability” in future generations...”Decreased need for services” = “Decreased need for funding”...”Decreased need for future funding” = “Decrease in the escalating National Debt” for future generations...
The questions I would really like answers to are :
(1)If “alcohol” was used for fuel in the past, WHY can't we use it today?
(2)What would it take for the “automotive industry” to produce new vehicles that can efficiently use this new fuel?
(3)What would it take to modify existing vehicles on the road today to efficiently use this new fuel?
(4)If this could be done in the past, multiple times in our countries short history, “why” can't it be done today in order to save our “way of life” and “hope for the future”?
(5)According to an interview on CNN with James Miegs, with “Popular Mechanics”, every vehicle on the road today can run, without modification or damage, on up to 50% “ethanol”...”IF” this is indeed a fact, then “Why” do we only have a 10% blend of “ethanol” in gasoline? I have already independently verified this with multiple mechanics with local dealerships and small repair shops...
(6)If Alcohol has been known to cause such severe damage to our children and if we know that this form of “organic brain damage” (along with all the resulting effects and costs) can be prevented from happening in the first place, “WHY Do We ALLOW It to Continue and Grow”?
Personally, I don't want answers to the above questions...Excuses are NOT what our society needs, “WE Need ACTION” and “We Need SOLUTIONS”!!!
Final Note : It is possible that I am completely wrong about everything in this post AND my previous post...That would be an awful lot to be wrong about, especially for someone who has come to these conclusions through experience and research...These are not merely ideas I have come up with, but rather, the result of actively seeking answers and putting together connections...I have been lead to accept some of these solutions “unwillingly” and I have personally attempted to question everything, from every angle...I may have either missed something, or forgotten to include information in my posts...Either way, I ask everyone to research these possible solutions themselves...I ask that you “allow” yourself to be guided by the facts to the solutions and not merely refuse to believe or accept what you find based on personal feelings...
“Real Solutions” are not beyond current technology, beyond comprehension or beyond reach...Humanity does not have time or money to waste...Our worlds economies can't afford to lose any more value...Our environment can't afford to be damaged any more than absolutely necessary...Our problems can't wait to be solved...
The world I grew up in no longer exists, but I still believe...Technology has come a long way in my lifetime, but I don't believe continued research for new technology, at any cost, will be the solution...I don't believe wasting money ; we don't even have, on things we don't need, on things that have no real impact and on things that don't move us forward is the answer...I don't believe that with a global crisis, that we have all been watching grow over time, involving so many aspects in all our lives, that there is “nothing we can do on the short term with long term effects”...I don't believe “actively ignoring” what CAN be done NOW, will somehow make the problems go away...
I definitely don't believe the “elites” that say “there is nothing we can do but watch... I don't believe the “political rhetoric” saying “what needs to be done” (without any clue “how”), while at the same time, using the widespread support to pass massive spending bills, throwing financial irresponsibility in our faces, at a time of financial crisis...
I believe “greed” is at the heart of our problems and I believe Only greed can get us out...I believe that by offering “direction” and for re-investing in our countries, we can tap into the desire for profit and “create” an economic recovery...I also believe that we can have the widest range of effects by addressing the core issues...I believe in the human spirit and our ingenuity...
I'm not a Democrat, Republican or an Independent...I'm don't consider myself Right, Left, Conservative or Liberal...I'm not politically active...
I'm also not religious, though I have studied multiple religions in order to understand the beliefs and how it directly related to the aspects of cultures that I worked with...I don't have an “ulterior motive”...I may personally benefit more if nothing is done to correct the path humanity is on...
Because of, or in spite of, all the things I'm not ; what I am is worried...
I'm worried that we may have the solutions within our grasp, but refuse to see the obvious...
I'm very worried that there actually could be (or could have been at some point) a God...
I'm worried that we may watch as our world is destroyed, without even trying to save it...
I'm worried our world may not survive our ignorance and arrogance...
Most of all :
I'm really worried that my son may not have a world to grow-up in...
I don't like all this “Doom and Gloom”...I don't like feeling like I have to write about, what we should all already know...I want to discuss possible solutions...I want to talk about all the things that CAN be done...I'm worried that “denial” may be more paralyzing than fear itself...
I'm not asking anyone to believe me ; I'm asking everyone to look into all this for yourselves and follow where the facts lead...
“Making things confusing” :
Those who do the most talking ; politicians, so-called intellectuals and the media are all making things more confusing than they need to be...It has been said many times that, “there are no quick solutions”, which really means “they” have no clue what to do that won't also piss-off “special interest groups”...Once a topic is raised in the media, even if only briefly, those topics are considered to have already been “covered” and it is assumed that “everybody” knows about that topic...Thus if any of these topics are raised again, they are ignored as irrelevant...This itself prevents connections from being examined, discovered and exposed...Solutions are found by examining the connections, not by ignoring them...Some in the media, specifically Sean Hannity with FOX, have actually down-played the concept of there being connections when it's suggested...
I'm not an adoring fan of the media...The one who really pisses me off more than any other is Glenn Beck...With his personal experiences (including being a father of a “special needs” child, having worked for CNN (with access to what they knew), working now on FOX (with access to their information) and having a radio program,where he is in contact with regular people (IF the guy answering the phones will let you talk to Glenn), I expect more of a true understanding...The 912 project is a great concept and the show Mr. Beck did on FOX was interesting, however ; it appears to be a glaring example of his own “active ignorance” regarding the events, the time line and the misinformation being impressed upon the public...Looking back is important, but in doing so, we must look back with the clarity that hind-sight provides...We must look back far enough to actually see, not just when the problems we face today started, but to when the “causes” began...9/12/2001 was not just a beginning, nor was it an end...
Looking back to 9/12/2001 is a start...We all know about the attacks, the thousands of lost lives and the global impact of September 11th, 2001 and for many, that day will never be forgotten...But what else is so important about 9/10, 9/11 and 9/12? Are there connections between what happened on 9/12/2001 and what is happening today? Are there connections to what was happening before 9/11? If the attacks on 9/11 had not happened, what would have been the “news of the day”? What about the “recession” of 2000/01? What about the “dot com crash” of 2000? What about the rise of the “dot coms” during 1999/2000? What about the “inter-net boom” of 1999/2000? What about the businesses and “lives” destroyed during that same period? Wasn't this when the government made it's biggest push to advance consumer credit to purchase homes? Didn't President Bush tell the public masses to “go shopping” and stimulate a severely ailing economy?
There is so much that was happening at the time, so much that is directly connected to what is happening today, so much more to the “untold story”...I ask that everyone read my next post, the “Untold Story” and pass it on, especially to the survivors, families and friends of those lost on 9/11/01...Great pride should be felt for those who lost their lives on 9/11/01...We should also feel great outrage at the opportunities their blood paid for that have been squandered...I can only speak for myself and I can promise you this : “I Will Never Forget”...
Since 2001 ; only two people have bothered to ask me what I had to say...One was a local County Supervisor (I was referred to by Sen. Barbara Boxers office) and an FBI agent...Both stated I needed to be in touch with Federal Government officials and maybe the CIA, DHS or NSA, but couldn't (or wouldn't) help me get in contact...ALL others ; Federal, State, Local government officials, local and National Medias (including CNN, FOX, NBC, CBS & ABC) have all blocked contact (at the secretary level) without knowing anything at all about me or what I had to say...The list of those I have attempted to contact is extensive and the means I used to attempt contact left no stone unturned... My frustration never caused me to give-up...The issues are too important, but more importantly, “MY” country and “MY” sons future are too important...If I'm wrong, great...Nobody hopes I'm wrong more than me...But “what if I'm right”? What if the information I can offer could expose realistic, actionable solutions? My blog posts barely scratch the surface...I only ask to be heard and to have the information examined...
Fact : The “Global War against Terror” CAN be won, but not by traditional political or military means...There is (1) historically proven effective technique that has not been tried and I don't believe it's even been considered or examined...
Fact : Both Federal Government officials and the media have done virtually everything they could do, to ensure our failure, not only with the ongoing military conflicts, but with the survival of our country as an Independent Sovereign Nation...
Fact : The “American Public” has been and is being purposely misinformed, misguided, desensitized to actual events, while having the most dangerous aspects of “political correctness” shoved down our throats...(I would refer you to the description of an “ostrich” in my first post)...
Fact : The “economy crisis” CAN be stopped and reversed...It's not rocket science...It seems the only people who don't know how to fix the problem are those continuing to benefit...
Fact : The single most dangerous person in our country today is Nancy Pelosi...She is overtly abusing the authority she thinks she has and is challenging President Obama for control...Nancy Pelosi is taking advantage of “her support for Obama” and using it now to “push” her own agenda, at the peril of our country...There is a lot more to pay attention to than her use of military aircraft...Has anyone noticed just how much the plane she uses looks like “Air force One”? Does anyone pay attention to her when President Obama is making a speech? Does anyone pay attention when “she” is speaking about “foreign policy”, “immigration policy”, “domestic legal policy” and more?
Fact : I was definitely not a Bush supporter, however ; even Congressional and Senate officials state plainly : “The crisis we are now faced with began in December 2007, during the Bush administration”...Ah, excuse my ignorance, but wasn't the Senate and Congress already under the control of those in office today? Political affiliation means nothing to me...“Politics” should not interfere with keeping our country safe and prosperous...
Fact : Each new age in our worlds history have provided technological advancements and serious problems as a result...We are in a new age and we must make adjustments in order to both take advantage of the opportunities, as well as survive the ensuing problems this new age has brought to our attention...
Even today, during what could turn out to be the worst combination of global threats mankind has ever faced ; attempts to deal with the military conflicts, economy, energy, education, social security, health care, medi-care, medi-aid, global climate change and many more, are being discussed as if they are all separate issues...These are not only connected and inter-related, but any continued attempt to separate them will ensure continued failure...President Obama is ridiculed for trying to deal with all the issues at the same time, rather than focus on just one or two...Most of the “intellectually elite” trying to treat these as separate issues have helped to cause the problems we face now and were caught unaware of the consequences of their own actions...They have no “Real Solutions”, or a “clue” what to do next, even for the specific issues they have a vested interest in and supposed experience with...
The problems we face ; not just as a country, but as humanity, are being “made” more confusing and complex than they need to be...The “intellectually elite”, who have been advisors for decades, are part of the network both causing the problems and causing the misdirected confusion as to how complex the problems are...It's called “job security”...
Example : An entire village ; including farms, homes and people are being threatened by boulders coming from where a rich man is having a statue of himself built...An average Joe is hired to clear debris...This average guy sees a way to use the rocks to build a barrier to protect the village and invents the wheel and shortly after, a cart... A politician recognizes that the invention of the wheel and the cart will change the world as it's known of at the time and wants to take full advantage of the inventors future ventures...An engineer (friend) is brought in to draft in-depth design plans and to provide functional requirements that the landscape might need to provide to allow movement, a mathematician (friend) is brought in to come up with a mathematical equation to explain the properties and possible trajectories of rotational movement and an economist (friend) is asked to provide an in-depth analysis of the cost factors and need for financial assistance from the government...An environmentalist opposes the building of the wall, any roads that would facilitate the easier use of more carts hauling away debris and claims that these will not only harm the topical landscape, but it will also cause vibration that would damage underground tunnels of field mice...A skeptic of the new inventions claims the wheel is just a fad...The politician then uses pieces of the information gathered to explain to the villagers how complicated all of this is and to justify hiring more “intellectually advanced” (friends) to perform research on each of the various issues...The average Joe knows how easy this was in the beginning to come up with solutions for problems they all faced and the villagers just wanted their homes, food source and their very lives protected...The villagers were also told that only the “elite” could come up with solutions and only the government could afford to fund such monumental tasks...The villagers were also made aware that they could be forced to “relocate” and that others, who wouldn't complain about “low risks” and higher taxes, could be given their homes, farms and businesses...
Simplistic example? How about a simplistic solution : Everyone can make as much as they desire from the various ventures, but, those who stand to profit should fund the inventor and villagers, who already know what needs to be done, who can solve their own problems with a little help and who would be willing to pay higher taxes in return for benefits they would see in their “everyday lives”...The government simply needs to “encourage private investment in the development of real solutions”, by offering to fund, or guarantee partial funding for socially desirable and beneficial ventures, thus exposing profitability to the private industry...
At this point, the “world” knows the problems we all face...We all know we need to develop clean, renewable energy : We already have the technologies for solar to light and heat our homes and businesses...We already have the technology to use natural gas and ethanol to power our transportation...We already have the technology to build better roads and bridges...We already know that our natural resources (that produce the oxygen we breath) needs to be replenished (replanted)...We all know that we need the financial markets to thaw, in order for businesses at every level to remain or become profitable again...We all want better access to medical care and education...We all want to feel some sense of security in our “everyday lives”...
We have the available manpower to do the work...The money is available in the “private sector”...All that is really needed at this point is “direction”...It is my contention that if “profitable investments” are revealed ; those industries, companies and individuals with the means and desire to invest and profit, WILL...I have already offered a few specifics in previous posts ; such as : government offer to partially fund (loan) the development of solar energy systems for all homes and business structures, which would give the energy industry profitable encouragement to invest in the production of these systems...”Solar Farms” could make good use of desert areas, unusable for much else and could produce large amounts of clean energy with little environmental impact...Ethanol refined from alcohol could expose a profitable venture in becoming part of our renewable energy source for vehicles...Increased production of natural gas resources could give oil companies a profitable means to survive as an energy supplier, as humanity weens itself from the addiction to oil...Decreased use / abuse of alcohol will reduce the “funding needs” of some current “social programs” over time and allow those involved to refocus on other issues, as well as increase our societies “organic brain capacity” to absorb information through education, thus produce less mentally impaired children and reduce the future costs of “entitlements”; such as Social Security, Medi-care and Medic-aid...Reinvestment in production capabilities to produce, transport and install various products referred to above will increase employment opportunities...
“Greed” is the single biggest reason why we face the problems we have today...”Greed” is what keeps the economy frozen and “Greed” is what can be taken advantage of in a way that will solve these issues...As a result of providing focus and inspiring greed, millions of jobs will be created...Putting average Americans back to work will give us the ability to pay our bills, buy homes and bring our country back as a leader in the world...What we do will also be seen by the rest of the world and provide inspirational solutions by example...
There is much more to all this...Virtually every single day there is more information and more connections that go unrecognized and unreported...The 24 hour news cycle and short attention spans (or short memories) cause the lack of informational connections to be examined...What I'm trying to offer is not new information that nobody knows about...It's more about the connections that people, even or especially the intellectually elite seem to be unaware of...I am only offering “some” of what I see as simple solutions to what the “politically and intellectually elite” want you to believe is so complicated that none of it can be done now...There are some issues I haven't even touched on, because in doing so, I would be violating my own personal belief that, the public exposure of the specifics would constitute a violation of “national security”...I will say, once again ; there IS a historically proven, effective and relatively safe way to deal with “radical theologically based” threats that could result in the destruction of humanity if allowed to escalate...
I am publicly challenging the appropriate authorities with the CIA, DHS or NSA to contact me and listen to what I have to offer...You might just find this information useful...I don't take such a “challenge” lightly and unless I truly believe this information is verifiable and actionable, I wouldn't be putting myself and my young son in a position that could result in contact with undesirable consequences...
In closing this post I will again state clearly ; I have no ulterior motives and would not benefit directly from the adoption of any of what I am trying to offer...I am not an activist or affiliated with any group or company of any kind...Actually, I would likely benefit personally from nothing being done...I don't drink, I don't own a vehicle (other than my bike), I don't own a home, I have no investments of any kind and my financial situation is not currently in danger...
I do however have a young son (almost 5)...I feel it is my responsibility to him to speak out, because “his survival” may very well depend on the direction our world takes...If “WE” don't stop talking about all the things we “can't do now” and start “doing what we CAN do”, my son may not have a world to grow-up in, or at least not a world I would recognize or be able to prepare him for...
I am not asking for anyone to believe what I have said...I am hoping however, that you will all research aspects you don't already know about...I am hoping you will all do everything you can to “disprove” me, not merely disagree...I don't personally “like” some of the solutions I propose and I have tried to be my own most active opponent...I am now asking each of you to put personal feelings aside and consider what could be “Real Solutions” to what we don't want to accept as “Real Dangers”...IF, after your own research, you believe these actions might have merit, then I ask you to help my voice be heard by adding yours and passing this on...I'll gladly take the heat and I would love to be “proven” wrong...I'm asking you to help me be heard...
Those who do the most talking ; politicians, so-called intellectuals and the media are all making things more confusing than they need to be...It has been said many times that, “there are no quick solutions”, which really means “they” have no clue what to do that won't also piss-off “special interest groups”...Once a topic is raised in the media, even if only briefly, those topics are considered to have already been “covered” and it is assumed that “everybody” knows about that topic...Thus if any of these topics are raised again, they are ignored as irrelevant...This itself prevents connections from being examined, discovered and exposed...Solutions are found by examining the connections, not by ignoring them...Some in the media, specifically Sean Hannity with FOX, have actually down-played the concept of there being connections when it's suggested...
I'm not an adoring fan of the media...The one who really pisses me off more than any other is Glenn Beck...With his personal experiences (including being a father of a “special needs” child, having worked for CNN (with access to what they knew), working now on FOX (with access to their information) and having a radio program,where he is in contact with regular people (IF the guy answering the phones will let you talk to Glenn), I expect more of a true understanding...The 912 project is a great concept and the show Mr. Beck did on FOX was interesting, however ; it appears to be a glaring example of his own “active ignorance” regarding the events, the time line and the misinformation being impressed upon the public...Looking back is important, but in doing so, we must look back with the clarity that hind-sight provides...We must look back far enough to actually see, not just when the problems we face today started, but to when the “causes” began...9/12/2001 was not just a beginning, nor was it an end...
Looking back to 9/12/2001 is a start...We all know about the attacks, the thousands of lost lives and the global impact of September 11th, 2001 and for many, that day will never be forgotten...But what else is so important about 9/10, 9/11 and 9/12? Are there connections between what happened on 9/12/2001 and what is happening today? Are there connections to what was happening before 9/11? If the attacks on 9/11 had not happened, what would have been the “news of the day”? What about the “recession” of 2000/01? What about the “dot com crash” of 2000? What about the rise of the “dot coms” during 1999/2000? What about the “inter-net boom” of 1999/2000? What about the businesses and “lives” destroyed during that same period? Wasn't this when the government made it's biggest push to advance consumer credit to purchase homes? Didn't President Bush tell the public masses to “go shopping” and stimulate a severely ailing economy?
There is so much that was happening at the time, so much that is directly connected to what is happening today, so much more to the “untold story”...I ask that everyone read my next post, the “Untold Story” and pass it on, especially to the survivors, families and friends of those lost on 9/11/01...Great pride should be felt for those who lost their lives on 9/11/01...We should also feel great outrage at the opportunities their blood paid for that have been squandered...I can only speak for myself and I can promise you this : “I Will Never Forget”...
Since 2001 ; only two people have bothered to ask me what I had to say...One was a local County Supervisor (I was referred to by Sen. Barbara Boxers office) and an FBI agent...Both stated I needed to be in touch with Federal Government officials and maybe the CIA, DHS or NSA, but couldn't (or wouldn't) help me get in contact...ALL others ; Federal, State, Local government officials, local and National Medias (including CNN, FOX, NBC, CBS & ABC) have all blocked contact (at the secretary level) without knowing anything at all about me or what I had to say...The list of those I have attempted to contact is extensive and the means I used to attempt contact left no stone unturned... My frustration never caused me to give-up...The issues are too important, but more importantly, “MY” country and “MY” sons future are too important...If I'm wrong, great...Nobody hopes I'm wrong more than me...But “what if I'm right”? What if the information I can offer could expose realistic, actionable solutions? My blog posts barely scratch the surface...I only ask to be heard and to have the information examined...
Fact : The “Global War against Terror” CAN be won, but not by traditional political or military means...There is (1) historically proven effective technique that has not been tried and I don't believe it's even been considered or examined...
Fact : Both Federal Government officials and the media have done virtually everything they could do, to ensure our failure, not only with the ongoing military conflicts, but with the survival of our country as an Independent Sovereign Nation...
Fact : The “American Public” has been and is being purposely misinformed, misguided, desensitized to actual events, while having the most dangerous aspects of “political correctness” shoved down our throats...(I would refer you to the description of an “ostrich” in my first post)...
Fact : The “economy crisis” CAN be stopped and reversed...It's not rocket science...It seems the only people who don't know how to fix the problem are those continuing to benefit...
Fact : The single most dangerous person in our country today is Nancy Pelosi...She is overtly abusing the authority she thinks she has and is challenging President Obama for control...Nancy Pelosi is taking advantage of “her support for Obama” and using it now to “push” her own agenda, at the peril of our country...There is a lot more to pay attention to than her use of military aircraft...Has anyone noticed just how much the plane she uses looks like “Air force One”? Does anyone pay attention to her when President Obama is making a speech? Does anyone pay attention when “she” is speaking about “foreign policy”, “immigration policy”, “domestic legal policy” and more?
Fact : I was definitely not a Bush supporter, however ; even Congressional and Senate officials state plainly : “The crisis we are now faced with began in December 2007, during the Bush administration”...Ah, excuse my ignorance, but wasn't the Senate and Congress already under the control of those in office today? Political affiliation means nothing to me...“Politics” should not interfere with keeping our country safe and prosperous...
Fact : Each new age in our worlds history have provided technological advancements and serious problems as a result...We are in a new age and we must make adjustments in order to both take advantage of the opportunities, as well as survive the ensuing problems this new age has brought to our attention...
Even today, during what could turn out to be the worst combination of global threats mankind has ever faced ; attempts to deal with the military conflicts, economy, energy, education, social security, health care, medi-care, medi-aid, global climate change and many more, are being discussed as if they are all separate issues...These are not only connected and inter-related, but any continued attempt to separate them will ensure continued failure...President Obama is ridiculed for trying to deal with all the issues at the same time, rather than focus on just one or two...Most of the “intellectually elite” trying to treat these as separate issues have helped to cause the problems we face now and were caught unaware of the consequences of their own actions...They have no “Real Solutions”, or a “clue” what to do next, even for the specific issues they have a vested interest in and supposed experience with...
The problems we face ; not just as a country, but as humanity, are being “made” more confusing and complex than they need to be...The “intellectually elite”, who have been advisors for decades, are part of the network both causing the problems and causing the misdirected confusion as to how complex the problems are...It's called “job security”...
Example : An entire village ; including farms, homes and people are being threatened by boulders coming from where a rich man is having a statue of himself built...An average Joe is hired to clear debris...This average guy sees a way to use the rocks to build a barrier to protect the village and invents the wheel and shortly after, a cart... A politician recognizes that the invention of the wheel and the cart will change the world as it's known of at the time and wants to take full advantage of the inventors future ventures...An engineer (friend) is brought in to draft in-depth design plans and to provide functional requirements that the landscape might need to provide to allow movement, a mathematician (friend) is brought in to come up with a mathematical equation to explain the properties and possible trajectories of rotational movement and an economist (friend) is asked to provide an in-depth analysis of the cost factors and need for financial assistance from the government...An environmentalist opposes the building of the wall, any roads that would facilitate the easier use of more carts hauling away debris and claims that these will not only harm the topical landscape, but it will also cause vibration that would damage underground tunnels of field mice...A skeptic of the new inventions claims the wheel is just a fad...The politician then uses pieces of the information gathered to explain to the villagers how complicated all of this is and to justify hiring more “intellectually advanced” (friends) to perform research on each of the various issues...The average Joe knows how easy this was in the beginning to come up with solutions for problems they all faced and the villagers just wanted their homes, food source and their very lives protected...The villagers were also told that only the “elite” could come up with solutions and only the government could afford to fund such monumental tasks...The villagers were also made aware that they could be forced to “relocate” and that others, who wouldn't complain about “low risks” and higher taxes, could be given their homes, farms and businesses...
Simplistic example? How about a simplistic solution : Everyone can make as much as they desire from the various ventures, but, those who stand to profit should fund the inventor and villagers, who already know what needs to be done, who can solve their own problems with a little help and who would be willing to pay higher taxes in return for benefits they would see in their “everyday lives”...The government simply needs to “encourage private investment in the development of real solutions”, by offering to fund, or guarantee partial funding for socially desirable and beneficial ventures, thus exposing profitability to the private industry...
At this point, the “world” knows the problems we all face...We all know we need to develop clean, renewable energy : We already have the technologies for solar to light and heat our homes and businesses...We already have the technology to use natural gas and ethanol to power our transportation...We already have the technology to build better roads and bridges...We already know that our natural resources (that produce the oxygen we breath) needs to be replenished (replanted)...We all know that we need the financial markets to thaw, in order for businesses at every level to remain or become profitable again...We all want better access to medical care and education...We all want to feel some sense of security in our “everyday lives”...
We have the available manpower to do the work...The money is available in the “private sector”...All that is really needed at this point is “direction”...It is my contention that if “profitable investments” are revealed ; those industries, companies and individuals with the means and desire to invest and profit, WILL...I have already offered a few specifics in previous posts ; such as : government offer to partially fund (loan) the development of solar energy systems for all homes and business structures, which would give the energy industry profitable encouragement to invest in the production of these systems...”Solar Farms” could make good use of desert areas, unusable for much else and could produce large amounts of clean energy with little environmental impact...Ethanol refined from alcohol could expose a profitable venture in becoming part of our renewable energy source for vehicles...Increased production of natural gas resources could give oil companies a profitable means to survive as an energy supplier, as humanity weens itself from the addiction to oil...Decreased use / abuse of alcohol will reduce the “funding needs” of some current “social programs” over time and allow those involved to refocus on other issues, as well as increase our societies “organic brain capacity” to absorb information through education, thus produce less mentally impaired children and reduce the future costs of “entitlements”; such as Social Security, Medi-care and Medic-aid...Reinvestment in production capabilities to produce, transport and install various products referred to above will increase employment opportunities...
“Greed” is the single biggest reason why we face the problems we have today...”Greed” is what keeps the economy frozen and “Greed” is what can be taken advantage of in a way that will solve these issues...As a result of providing focus and inspiring greed, millions of jobs will be created...Putting average Americans back to work will give us the ability to pay our bills, buy homes and bring our country back as a leader in the world...What we do will also be seen by the rest of the world and provide inspirational solutions by example...
There is much more to all this...Virtually every single day there is more information and more connections that go unrecognized and unreported...The 24 hour news cycle and short attention spans (or short memories) cause the lack of informational connections to be examined...What I'm trying to offer is not new information that nobody knows about...It's more about the connections that people, even or especially the intellectually elite seem to be unaware of...I am only offering “some” of what I see as simple solutions to what the “politically and intellectually elite” want you to believe is so complicated that none of it can be done now...There are some issues I haven't even touched on, because in doing so, I would be violating my own personal belief that, the public exposure of the specifics would constitute a violation of “national security”...I will say, once again ; there IS a historically proven, effective and relatively safe way to deal with “radical theologically based” threats that could result in the destruction of humanity if allowed to escalate...
I am publicly challenging the appropriate authorities with the CIA, DHS or NSA to contact me and listen to what I have to offer...You might just find this information useful...I don't take such a “challenge” lightly and unless I truly believe this information is verifiable and actionable, I wouldn't be putting myself and my young son in a position that could result in contact with undesirable consequences...
In closing this post I will again state clearly ; I have no ulterior motives and would not benefit directly from the adoption of any of what I am trying to offer...I am not an activist or affiliated with any group or company of any kind...Actually, I would likely benefit personally from nothing being done...I don't drink, I don't own a vehicle (other than my bike), I don't own a home, I have no investments of any kind and my financial situation is not currently in danger...
I do however have a young son (almost 5)...I feel it is my responsibility to him to speak out, because “his survival” may very well depend on the direction our world takes...If “WE” don't stop talking about all the things we “can't do now” and start “doing what we CAN do”, my son may not have a world to grow-up in, or at least not a world I would recognize or be able to prepare him for...
I am not asking for anyone to believe what I have said...I am hoping however, that you will all research aspects you don't already know about...I am hoping you will all do everything you can to “disprove” me, not merely disagree...I don't personally “like” some of the solutions I propose and I have tried to be my own most active opponent...I am now asking each of you to put personal feelings aside and consider what could be “Real Solutions” to what we don't want to accept as “Real Dangers”...IF, after your own research, you believe these actions might have merit, then I ask you to help my voice be heard by adding yours and passing this on...I'll gladly take the heat and I would love to be “proven” wrong...I'm asking you to help me be heard...
DESPERATE PLEA for HELP...
I'm a 51 year old single father...I'm just trying to do the right thing by standing by and taking care of my “special needs” son...There are no services for single fathers, who are involved with the system through no fault of their own...If I can't find a “hand-up”, my young son will be placed into foster care (paid for by taxpayers), I will be forced to become homeless (relying on services supported by taxpayers) and quite possibly needing “mental health services”, after the loss of my son (who has been my sole focus for his short 5 year life), again adding to the burden on taxpayers...I'm desperately trying to not let any of this happen...
My son and I are examples of some of the root causes that are in turn, causing many of the big issues we face today...Circumstances for us have become desperate...My young son was born with “Full Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder”, a form of “organic brain damage” with visible physical malformations (medically correct term for deformities)...My son was receiving Social Security Disability and to help save Social Security, individuals like my son should be receiving support from another source, funded by the industry responsible for poisoning our society...Reducing the “need for services” must come before the elimination of funding for vital assistance...Yet again, we are an excellent example...
My son will be (5) on May 7th...After finally obtaining a court order for child support at age (4), waiting almost seven months before actually receiving our first check and receiving child support for four months ; I received a phone call on April 3rd stating that my sons child support case was being closed...I was informed that my sons mother died on March 30th...With her death, we naturally lost the $292 monthly child support and the $220 support supplement from Social Security...After contacting our local Social Security administration office, I was informed that my son will begin receiving Social Security Survivors Benefits of $813 per month...I was also informed that this is considered to be “income” that disqualifies my son from receiving his own disability assistance...We lost an additional $593 and his medical coverage...On top of all this ; I was also informed that I was losing the $340 AFDC support (as I am required to care for my son at home 24/7 due to his disability and extreme behavioral issues), the $155 in food stamps and my medical coverage...
Together we were receiving $1445 cash aid plus $155 in food stamps and our medical coverage...My son now receives $813 per month...We no longer qualify for any other assistance...We have no family to turn to, my son lost his mother (at age 43) and he is now likely to lose his father and sole caretaker since birth, because we simply can't live on $813 a month...At age 51, with our current economy/employment crisis, no transportation and living in a small northern California town, I have no hope of finding employment...I am being forced into the position of having to give up custody of my son and placing him into the State Foster Care System...We can't even turn to the local “Mission Shelter”, as single men with young children are not allowed, though separate facilities are provided for women with children...Without a vehicle providing transportation of our own, we have no means to move elsewhere, such as a larger city with medical services specific to my sons disability...
How much are we expected to take before we “snap”? The media talks about parents and other individuals who perform some irrational and unspeakable acts, but nobody talks about the extreme pressures that lead up to such acts...Few try to help before things get to an explosive point...I understand the struggles of being a single parent and a single parent of a “special needs child”...I'm tired of assistance and media attention being made available to women and single mothers, but nothing for single fathers...I'm tired of fathers being demonized...Is it any wonder why men don't “step up” as so many say we should? Is it any wonder that the news covers acts of desperation by men, but rarely from women? There is no support for men who do try to do the “right thing”...
I'm not asking for a “hand-out”...I could really use a “hand-up”...Prior to losing my business (owned and operated for over 26 years) due to the “inter-net boom”, my lack of computer knowledge and the ensuing recession during 2000/01, I was self-sufficient and self-reliant...I could have survived one or the other, but not both...I used cash, not credit, for all my purchases and expenses...I could easily restart my “recession resistant” business with $15,000 and make $35k to $65k per year...If someone has the ability to donate a “toy hauler” trailer and a truck to tow it with (or arrange the donation of), I could provide a basic and stable “home” for my son and I, no matter what happens with our economy and housing crisis ; as well as be able to manufacture my products in the “garage area” of the trailer...Most importantly, I would be able to continue caring for my “special needs” son on my own, without any further need for outside assistance, that is not available to us anyway and keep my son out of a foster care system, which would do nothing to help my son, but create one more dependent on our “entitlement system”...
The alternative to helping us with a “hand-up” is simple : My son (almost 5) will be turned over to the State of California and become a further burden to the State and to the tax payers until he turns 18...I will become literally homeless and quite possibly develop a mental illness and become a burden to the State and tax payers...WHY? This doesn't need to happen and “you” shouldn't have to support us...
My son and I have managed to survive the effects of becoming “homeless” twice...My son and I have lost everything (including clothes and toys) and rebuilt from scratch, twice...My son has lost his mother and has nobody else but me and now faces losing me as well...We have been through a lot already and we have made a great deal of progress with many of my sons “issues”...I'm not willing to give-up on my son...
I am well aware that there are many tens of thousands of people in need of help in our country and I am well aware that many don't think they should support others who can't support themselves...Most are in need of homes and jobs...My son and I have much the same needs...I used to be a small business owner, self-reliant and did not use credit...I didn't create our situation through my own mistakes...My son most definitely had nothing to do with creating his part...We aren't “deadbeats”...The difference is I am asking for items that can be “donated”, which can then be claimed as a deduction from increasing taxes and the assistance requested to re-start my business would allow us to become self-sufficient, for (2 to 3 years), no matter what happens with our economy...We also need to become “mobile”, to allow me to take my son to where there are “Fetal Alcohol” specific medical services and research...
Begging doesn't come easy to me, but at this point, I have very little pride left...We're DESPERATE...I'm now pleading for HELP...
I'm a 51 year old single father...I'm just trying to do the right thing by standing by and taking care of my “special needs” son...There are no services for single fathers, who are involved with the system through no fault of their own...If I can't find a “hand-up”, my young son will be placed into foster care (paid for by taxpayers), I will be forced to become homeless (relying on services supported by taxpayers) and quite possibly needing “mental health services”, after the loss of my son (who has been my sole focus for his short 5 year life), again adding to the burden on taxpayers...I'm desperately trying to not let any of this happen...
My son and I are examples of some of the root causes that are in turn, causing many of the big issues we face today...Circumstances for us have become desperate...My young son was born with “Full Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder”, a form of “organic brain damage” with visible physical malformations (medically correct term for deformities)...My son was receiving Social Security Disability and to help save Social Security, individuals like my son should be receiving support from another source, funded by the industry responsible for poisoning our society...Reducing the “need for services” must come before the elimination of funding for vital assistance...Yet again, we are an excellent example...
My son will be (5) on May 7th...After finally obtaining a court order for child support at age (4), waiting almost seven months before actually receiving our first check and receiving child support for four months ; I received a phone call on April 3rd stating that my sons child support case was being closed...I was informed that my sons mother died on March 30th...With her death, we naturally lost the $292 monthly child support and the $220 support supplement from Social Security...After contacting our local Social Security administration office, I was informed that my son will begin receiving Social Security Survivors Benefits of $813 per month...I was also informed that this is considered to be “income” that disqualifies my son from receiving his own disability assistance...We lost an additional $593 and his medical coverage...On top of all this ; I was also informed that I was losing the $340 AFDC support (as I am required to care for my son at home 24/7 due to his disability and extreme behavioral issues), the $155 in food stamps and my medical coverage...
Together we were receiving $1445 cash aid plus $155 in food stamps and our medical coverage...My son now receives $813 per month...We no longer qualify for any other assistance...We have no family to turn to, my son lost his mother (at age 43) and he is now likely to lose his father and sole caretaker since birth, because we simply can't live on $813 a month...At age 51, with our current economy/employment crisis, no transportation and living in a small northern California town, I have no hope of finding employment...I am being forced into the position of having to give up custody of my son and placing him into the State Foster Care System...We can't even turn to the local “Mission Shelter”, as single men with young children are not allowed, though separate facilities are provided for women with children...Without a vehicle providing transportation of our own, we have no means to move elsewhere, such as a larger city with medical services specific to my sons disability...
How much are we expected to take before we “snap”? The media talks about parents and other individuals who perform some irrational and unspeakable acts, but nobody talks about the extreme pressures that lead up to such acts...Few try to help before things get to an explosive point...I understand the struggles of being a single parent and a single parent of a “special needs child”...I'm tired of assistance and media attention being made available to women and single mothers, but nothing for single fathers...I'm tired of fathers being demonized...Is it any wonder why men don't “step up” as so many say we should? Is it any wonder that the news covers acts of desperation by men, but rarely from women? There is no support for men who do try to do the “right thing”...
I'm not asking for a “hand-out”...I could really use a “hand-up”...Prior to losing my business (owned and operated for over 26 years) due to the “inter-net boom”, my lack of computer knowledge and the ensuing recession during 2000/01, I was self-sufficient and self-reliant...I could have survived one or the other, but not both...I used cash, not credit, for all my purchases and expenses...I could easily restart my “recession resistant” business with $15,000 and make $35k to $65k per year...If someone has the ability to donate a “toy hauler” trailer and a truck to tow it with (or arrange the donation of), I could provide a basic and stable “home” for my son and I, no matter what happens with our economy and housing crisis ; as well as be able to manufacture my products in the “garage area” of the trailer...Most importantly, I would be able to continue caring for my “special needs” son on my own, without any further need for outside assistance, that is not available to us anyway and keep my son out of a foster care system, which would do nothing to help my son, but create one more dependent on our “entitlement system”...
The alternative to helping us with a “hand-up” is simple : My son (almost 5) will be turned over to the State of California and become a further burden to the State and to the tax payers until he turns 18...I will become literally homeless and quite possibly develop a mental illness and become a burden to the State and tax payers...WHY? This doesn't need to happen and “you” shouldn't have to support us...
My son and I have managed to survive the effects of becoming “homeless” twice...My son and I have lost everything (including clothes and toys) and rebuilt from scratch, twice...My son has lost his mother and has nobody else but me and now faces losing me as well...We have been through a lot already and we have made a great deal of progress with many of my sons “issues”...I'm not willing to give-up on my son...
I am well aware that there are many tens of thousands of people in need of help in our country and I am well aware that many don't think they should support others who can't support themselves...Most are in need of homes and jobs...My son and I have much the same needs...I used to be a small business owner, self-reliant and did not use credit...I didn't create our situation through my own mistakes...My son most definitely had nothing to do with creating his part...We aren't “deadbeats”...The difference is I am asking for items that can be “donated”, which can then be claimed as a deduction from increasing taxes and the assistance requested to re-start my business would allow us to become self-sufficient, for (2 to 3 years), no matter what happens with our economy...We also need to become “mobile”, to allow me to take my son to where there are “Fetal Alcohol” specific medical services and research...
Begging doesn't come easy to me, but at this point, I have very little pride left...We're DESPERATE...I'm now pleading for HELP...
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