The American Welfare System: Reform or Conform?

Help me with my personal journey of completing a study on the American Welfare System and whether or not it needs to be reformed. Should we reform the system or conform to what has already been established? Answer the following questions and submit your answers.

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Blog Action Day October 16, 2013 Topic: Human Rights

Article title: A Nation of Immigrants

Picture found at edsitment.neh.gov

“We the people, in order to form a more perfect union,” acknowledge that most of us and/or our ancestors were not born in this country. Although it seems proper to say “American made,” have we really thought about our family lineage? Were we really “Made in America?” We, decedents of Africans, Britain people, Russians, and other cultures established outside of the United States of America; have to take a stance on who we are and where we are from. Though many of us may not be aware of our ancestral ties, we must still know that in “1492, when Columbus sailed the ocean blue,” many of our cultures found here today were not among those found in the area now known as the United States of America. With this being said, would this not make us a nation of immigrants? A nation of somewhat similar cultures who journeyed to the United States of America through various methods, to reap the benefits of what The Statue of Liberty exudes; “hope and opportunity for those seeking a better life in America.”

In being a nation of immigrants and having a statue that represents immigrants are welcome to the country, should not all those who want to live in this wonderful country be able to partake in some of the same human rights as those living here? This brings me to the topic of immigration reform and the rights of individuals under “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” Article 13 of this declaration states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.” This means that everyone has a right to migrate to another country if he or she chooses to do so. In researching various information, I came across S. 744. The bill is:

A broad-based proposal for reforming the U.S. immigration system written by a bipartisan group of eight Senators known as the “Gang of Eight.” Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY), John McCain (R-AZ), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) drafted S. 744 in the spring of 2013.

The bill is heavily supported by the “American Civil Liberties Union.” This organization was established 90 years ago with the duty of “protecting rights of all people, whether or not they were born in the U.S.” Some of the points within the bill are regarding: “Increasing the number of border protection officers at the border, reporting all uses of force used by personnel, and coordinating federal program and response to immigrant integration. Those are not all of the key issues at hand; however they are discussed within the bill. 

I challenge you to use this day (Blog Action Day) to learn and blog about something dealing with Human Right issues. You will be glad you did. 

Blog Action Day October 16, 2013 #BAD13

Love Expectations: Speaking from Experience

To love...

In the beginning
In the beginning of relationships, we as women and men have to acknowledge that we sometimes expect too much. Sometimes our expectations get in the way of true happiness. Our expectations have the ability of blinding us from what truly lies in front of us. I for one want to let down my guard and allow true happiness to knock at my front door and fill my house with love. That’s right folks. I said “Love.” Tell me this, what type of life would we live without someone to love, someone to hold, and someone who we could be ourselves around and he or she appreciate this? We are in a state of denial if we think that this type of stuff does not matter. Love matters.

My previous expectations:

In being inexperienced with love in my mid-twenties, I expected too much from love. I expected love to be honest and considerate, open doors, have no or one kid, be monogamous, only make me smile, and be available anytime I needed it. Some of my expectations were good things to expect; however the others were way out of line. The truth of the matter is that love could not live up to my expectations because love was not built to abide by a set of rules. A few years ago, I had a conversation with one of my male acquaintances about dating and love. He told me that he was going to aim low when dating because the females at his college expected too much from him. He stated that these young women at his school wanted him to buy them things, take then out to dinner, and spend money on them that he did not have. This young man stated that if he aimed lower, maybe he could find a female who did not expect so much from him. In taking in the information that I had just received, I could believe what I was being told. I am definitely not saying that all females are this way; however I could definitely relate to what he was stating. 

What I have learned though living:

Love taught me so much over the years. One thing I have learned is that what I expect from love is not always what I am going to get from love. I am definitely not in control over love and how it should work. I vowed to live my life “As is” and let love show me the direction it will take me.

To the person who showed me how to let my guard down: Thanks love!   

~Have you checked-in your expectations today?

Compassion International Ministry's Third Annual Anniversay

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending Compassion International Ministry's Third Annual Anniversary Event at Philadelphia Deliverance Church of Christ. I was excited to attend the event, but also to be listed on the program to read a poem called, "This is Temporary." The poem complimented the event title, which was called, "Healing & Restoration Program." The poem was about being in a temporary state of existence, which was less than legendary. It was about planning to never be in the same situation again by learning from lessons and progressing toward a better state of awareness and taking action. While attending the program, my niece and I felt the healing and restoration of the program by the testimonies of the ministry's members, praise dance for the lord, and skits regarding letting go of excess baggage. At some time in life, we have all been victims of wearing excess baggage that had the ability of holding us down and disallowing us from movement toward our purpose. Some of us are still victims of carrying unneeded baggage. What we must do is start the healing process for "A better you, better me, better us!"

I would like to thank the ladies of Compassion International Ministry for such a wonderful event. I would also like to thank them for such a wonderful gift.

Poetic Outlets

My reviews forPoetic Outlets.