Getting In On "The Deal's Deal"

The harvest season is here and, along with it, many of the nation's farmers have found themselves a little light on labor.  Because of the new immigration laws and their effect on the willingness of illegal immigrants to come forth for "honest work", we may see an increase in our grocery tab because fewer products will make it to the shelf.

This is a situation that we, as Americans, have gotten ourselves into.  It is not breaking news that farmers and construction companies across the nation have spent millions on "cheap labor".  They were aware that they were crippling the American economy by cutting corners and saving costs as opposed to hiring American citizens at minimum wage.  Now, because we have decided to deal with an ongoing issue, we will see the immediate effects of our own greed.

Georgia's governor, Nathan Deal, has proposed that parolees fill the void.  This is a great way to have people who need a job to also do something that will help to keep the rising cost of food down.  Although the idea has not "gone over well" with many voters in the area, it is a way that we can begin to resolve our own issues and lower the high rate of unemployment here as well.

The Campaign Trail Starts Here...

After listening to the many parallels in this speech, it is obvious that President Barack Obama is on the campaign trail.  Strategically, he used points of interest that would resonate with the 50,000 attendees and the millions of worldwide listeners who heard this speech during the MLK Dedication ceremony.  Full of the same determination that he shared with the world over four years ago, President Obama spoke on a dual platform; weaving his policies and his current struggle into the life teachings of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  

The only sad part of this occasion was the obvious absence of media attention.  I found myself with a group of friends hovered around the radio because there was minimal television coverage of this great day and this great speech.  Applauding at poignant points and shaking our heads in unison at others, we all wondered why we felt like it was 1960 all over again as we had to envision what the masses saw while we were huddled in silence.

Fifty years may have passed, but the obvious lack of attention placed on this momentous day - and the blatant disregard for our nations President - only brought back dark images of the days when civil rights were challenged and human rights were fought for.  In one of the most memorable points of his speech, President Obama states that change took time and the great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. never lost focus.  He saw a nation brimming with potential - if only it would live up to the very principles that it speaks of in its Constitution.  

Today, the struggle is still the same.  The fight has moved from the streets and into the corporate boardrooms.  The lines which separate us are no longer just black and white, but also brown and yellow and blue and red.  I encourage you to take twenty minutes out of your day and listen to the words and identify the struggle.  

But, then again, this is only ONE Man's Opinion... Yours could be very different...     

Beijing Restaurant Founded On American Racism

Never in the history of these United States has a President been so ridiculed and scrutinized.  It seems that no proposed "change we can believe in" can ease its way through both the House and the Senate.  

Although, congress was elected to represent the voice of the people, it appears that personal bickering has trumped the purpose of voting on matters that will help America (as a whole) to rebound from a recession.  The constant filibustering and public arguments has created a wave of negativity that has crossed the globe.

I stumbled across an article that caused me to shake my head and wonder how the world views America now.  We were once a land to be marveled; but now, we appear as divided a country as we were in the  pre-Civil war era. We, as Americans, have done such a great job of trying to publicly correct and humiliate our own President, that we have opened the doors of ridicule to the entire world.  

When I ran across this article, I was appalled by the imagery and blatant racism, but still, I could point the finger of blame back to our own Congress.

But, then again, this is just ONE Man's Opinion...  What is yours?