Written by LaShawn Encarnacion aka The Dark Knight of Sports
The Roman Empire, the Greek Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the Russian Empire, the Nazi Empire. All of these societies were once dominant but during their reigns, all fell susceptible to uprising from within their own governments, causing their society to become a free-falling society and eventually overthrown. Bad decisions, bad leadership, people not caring about what’s best for their country ended these empires for selfish rulers rule alone. In today’s world, there is a country/empire that is looking this same fate in the eyes … and its one no one would ever expect for how young of a country it is.
The United States of America is the country that is staring this fate in the eye. The current GOP is going out of its way to make bad decision after bad decision that impact its constituents. Continuing cuts to key programs like Medicare and Medicaid/Medi-Cal are forcing unhealthy and poor citizens to look elsewhere to get healthcare for themselves and their children.
In San Diego, a woman goes to Kaiser Permanente for her son’s alarming flu and asthma symptoms flaring up. Doctor says it will pass and not to worry. Her son’s develop a much higher fever to add to the elevated symptoms, so the mother goes across the border into Mexico to get a second opinion. Doctor there prescribes antibiotics and within days the son is back up and heading back to school. A government that is suppose to protect its citizens could not even provide a proper diagnosis? All the while our neighbor to the south has zero reservations about treating this young kid so he can get better.
This is just the latest in MANY cases by doctors within the U.S. Borders that because of the current rules and limited funds provided by the government and current GOP that has doctors handcuffed. People with serious health issues are left untreated and terminally-ill patients end up dead when if they were taken more seriously, could have been treated and living today.
This is just one thing wrong in the GOP vs the Citizens of the United States.
The minimum wage issue continues to get momentum year after year but for only some states. The national average for minimum wage is $7.25. In some states it has increased in recent years as high as $10.50 to as low as $5.15 and even lower in places with little residency like Alaska. For a complete list of all minimum wages and for the current minimum wage in your area, click on the following link for more information:
In the state of California, the state that has been proven to be the second most expensive state in the country to live in (New York being number one), the minimum wage is currently $9.00 per hour. Beginning January 1st, the amount will be raised to $10.00 per hour as its average. Unfortunately for the residents of this state, it is still not enough for a person who makes minimum wage to live a decent life and by decent that means food on the table for the whole month, clean clothes and linens while paying for rent, utilities and other fees linked to a person who rents. This does not even get into if you are looking to buy a home at minimum wage, which is likely to not happen at all as the sole income.
According to “My Apartment Map” the latest studies show that for a studio apartment in California, it costs $1,071 per month to rent. For a person making the current minimum wage, that is well over half of their salary into rent along (69%). Most of these rentals do not include some if not all utilities, so figure those costs in and you are staring into starvation mode. People potentially losing pieces of your good health to processed foods, extra stress and possibly taking on second and third jobs or worse if you become that desperate. All just so that you can keep a roof over your head and food on the table. So easy to get into debt and become drowning in debt. Whether it be through personal loans, payday loans, and other forms of borrowing, does more harm than good for the individuals living in California. For more information about pricing of rental properties in your area click on the following link:
When the issue is brought up, most would say; “Why don’t you just move then,” and its a valid question. But for those who are in jobs that move a great deal for their work, or even simpler, just travel a lot for work, can answer that question. Its takes money, time and stress just to be on the move constantly, let alone pick up and move your entire life. Yet the GOP continues to fight within its walls about prices on food, gas, oil, and other items that transition to higher priced items in grocery stores, gas pumps and retail stores for us … the consumers.
Federal restrictions and ill-managed programs lead to even worse state restrictions and even worse ill-managed government programs like EBT/Food Stamps and Housing Programs. Veterans who should be getting aid from the government fall through the cracks (some by choice and some not by choice). People who are on these government funded programs continue to abuse the privileged while those genuinely need the aid get turned down. People who need and fully qualify SSI/SSDI from Social Security are being denied and forced to appeal for years. The suffering never ends for the citizens of the United States.
Yet, the GOP live large with huge salaries, never having to worry about paying for housing or transportation, during AND after their terms are over. So much creating a new nation in which all men can be equal? And this does not even get into current government policies dealing with immigration and business practices. That is for another time. This is focused on the people, for the people and by the people. Its time for the people to rise and take a stand.
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