Dear Mr. Schaefer,
Thank you for contacting me regarding childhood hunger in the U.S. I appreciate hearing from you, and I share your concern.
Combating hunger is an essential part of the struggle to end poverty in the U.S. Despite living in one of the most industrialized countries in the world, too many Americans still lack basic necessities, such as food and shelter. In Wisconsin, over 14 percent of children live in poverty. I have long supported nutrition programs, including Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps).
You specifically mentioned your support for S. 2749, the Access to Nutritious Meals for Young Children Act. As you know, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced S. 2749, which would increase reimbursement rates for free, reduced price, and paid meals and snacks served under the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) at nonresidential child care centers and family or group day care homes. I will keep your support in mind should the Senate consider this or similar legislation.
You may be interested to know that, on July 21, 2009, I joined Senator Kohl in introducing S. 1480, the Student Breakfast and Education Improvement Act. This legislation would authorize the Department of Agriculture to award competitive grants to state or local educational agencies to establish or enhance school breakfast programs in schools where at least 65% of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price school lunches.
As you may know, Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the economic stimulus package, in early February and the President signed it into law on February 18, 2009 (Public Law 111-5). I am pleased that the bill included a 13.6% increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, formerly known as Food Stamps. Many economists cite increasing SNAP benefits as one of the most effective means of stimulating the economy, generating about $1.70 in economic activity for every $1 the government spends. The bill also provides $500 million for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program and $150 million for the Temporary Emergency Assistance for Needy Families program.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Letter from Senator Feingold- "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,"
Dear Mr. Schaefer,
Thank you for contacting me with your concerns regarding health care. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me.
On November 21, 2009, the Senate voted to allow debate to begin on the Senate health care bill, "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," by a vote of 60 to 39. I voted in favor of allowing debate on the health care bill to begin because this allows the Senate to address the number one issue raised at my annual listening sessions - health care.
The bill before the Senate is not perfect, but it contains some good reforms while expanding coverage to more than 30 million Americans who currently go without insurance. I am pleased that the bill will decrease the deficit by $130 billion over the next ten years, and by another $650 billion in the ten years following that. And, while it is not as strong as I would have preferred, I support the inclusion of a public health insurance option, as well as provisions rewarding physicians for the quality of care provided rather than the quantity of care, and ending the denial of coverage due to preexisting conditions. I look forward to the opportunity to strengthen the bill during Senate consideration. I will evaluate the bill after the amending process is complete, and decide at that point whether I can support this legislation, or whether it is health reform in name only. You can find the text of the bill at http://democrats.senate.gov/reform/patient-protection-affordable-care-act.pdf.
As the Senate debates the health care reform bill in the month of December, I want to continue hearing what Wisconsinites think of the bill, the amendments, and the whole process. On my website, you will find a form that allows you to leave your thoughts, concerns or questions about specific issues that come up during the debate. The form is available at http://feingold.senate.gov/healthcarereform/.
Again, thank you for contacting me. I am committed to improving access to health care and making health care more affordable for the people of Wisconsin. You can learn more about my work on health care reform, including updates about my work relating to the Senate bill, at my website at http://feingold.senate.gov/healthreform.html. I look forward to hearing from you in the future
Thank you for contacting me with your concerns regarding health care. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me.
On November 21, 2009, the Senate voted to allow debate to begin on the Senate health care bill, "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," by a vote of 60 to 39. I voted in favor of allowing debate on the health care bill to begin because this allows the Senate to address the number one issue raised at my annual listening sessions - health care.
The bill before the Senate is not perfect, but it contains some good reforms while expanding coverage to more than 30 million Americans who currently go without insurance. I am pleased that the bill will decrease the deficit by $130 billion over the next ten years, and by another $650 billion in the ten years following that. And, while it is not as strong as I would have preferred, I support the inclusion of a public health insurance option, as well as provisions rewarding physicians for the quality of care provided rather than the quantity of care, and ending the denial of coverage due to preexisting conditions. I look forward to the opportunity to strengthen the bill during Senate consideration. I will evaluate the bill after the amending process is complete, and decide at that point whether I can support this legislation, or whether it is health reform in name only. You can find the text of the bill at http://democrats.senate.gov/reform/patient-protection-affordable-care-act.pdf.
As the Senate debates the health care reform bill in the month of December, I want to continue hearing what Wisconsinites think of the bill, the amendments, and the whole process. On my website, you will find a form that allows you to leave your thoughts, concerns or questions about specific issues that come up during the debate. The form is available at http://feingold.senate.gov/healthcarereform/.
Again, thank you for contacting me. I am committed to improving access to health care and making health care more affordable for the people of Wisconsin. You can learn more about my work on health care reform, including updates about my work relating to the Senate bill, at my website at http://feingold.senate.gov/healthreform.html. I look forward to hearing from you in the future
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
My Letter to Senator Russ Feingold on Health Insurance Reform
Mr Feingold,
I appreciate your working for us in the spirit of Battling Bob. Even if I were not from Wisconsin you would be the senator I respect most. I feel that the American people have been duped again. This health care ruse was never about us, it was always about making more money for the insurance companies. The secret deal made by Reid and company prove it. When are you Democrats going to get some intestinal fortitude and do the right things for the American people. I urge you not to vote for any health insurance reform that does not include a government run option. My trust in the government is hanging on by a thread and that thread is call Feingold. I served 20 years in the US military and have health benefits. As I served so others were protected I still fight for those who do not have health care. Do you?
I appreciate your working for us in the spirit of Battling Bob. Even if I were not from Wisconsin you would be the senator I respect most. I feel that the American people have been duped again. This health care ruse was never about us, it was always about making more money for the insurance companies. The secret deal made by Reid and company prove it. When are you Democrats going to get some intestinal fortitude and do the right things for the American people. I urge you not to vote for any health insurance reform that does not include a government run option. My trust in the government is hanging on by a thread and that thread is call Feingold. I served 20 years in the US military and have health benefits. As I served so others were protected I still fight for those who do not have health care. Do you?
Monday, December 7, 2009
Feingold Letter on Veteran's Health
I received the following letter from Sen Feingold on December 7th- a day to remember all Veteran and civilians especially those who were taken from us and were injured and fought for us at Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941.
Dear Mr. Schaefer,
Thank you for contacting me regarding mental health care for our service members and veterans. I appreciate hearing from you.
The American people are indebted to our military personnel and veterans for their selfless service to our country. Our nation's veterans and military personnel deserve access to good health care and other benefits.
An increasing number of Wisconsinites are informing me about issues of great concern to our military personnel and their families regarding the mission of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is imperative that the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs work together to identify troops showing symptoms of mental illness, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and carefully evaluate and provide appropriate treatment for these service members during their transition back to civilian life.
You may be interested to know that in 2007 and 2008, I led a Wisconsin congressional delegation effort requesting additional Vet Centers for Wisconsin. I'm pleased that the VA responded by providing two new centers in different parts of the state. The second new Vet Center will be in La Crosse County and is expected to open in 2010. As you know, Vet Centers provide counseling to veterans in non-clinical settings that are more welcoming for some veterans. They are critical to helping service members deal with post traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues.
You may also be interested to know that the Senate approved an amendment of mine to the Defense Authorization Act of 2010, S. 1390. The amendment was based on my Wounded Warrior Transition Assistance Act of 2009 and will help ensure wounded members of the Guard and Reserves, who are returning from overseas, are not discharged before their injuries, including mental illnesses, are evaluated. President Obama signed this bill into law on October 28, 2009.
I will continue to work to ensure that our service members are provided the best possible care. For more information on what the Department of Veterans Affairs is doing to help service members with PTSD, please visit: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/.
Thank you again for contacting me. For more information about my work on behalf of Wisconsin, you can subscribe to my monthly e-newsletter by visiting http://feingold.senate.gov/newsletter.cfm. I look forward to hearing from you in the future.
Dear Mr. Schaefer,
Thank you for contacting me regarding mental health care for our service members and veterans. I appreciate hearing from you.
The American people are indebted to our military personnel and veterans for their selfless service to our country. Our nation's veterans and military personnel deserve access to good health care and other benefits.
An increasing number of Wisconsinites are informing me about issues of great concern to our military personnel and their families regarding the mission of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is imperative that the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs work together to identify troops showing symptoms of mental illness, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and carefully evaluate and provide appropriate treatment for these service members during their transition back to civilian life.
You may be interested to know that in 2007 and 2008, I led a Wisconsin congressional delegation effort requesting additional Vet Centers for Wisconsin. I'm pleased that the VA responded by providing two new centers in different parts of the state. The second new Vet Center will be in La Crosse County and is expected to open in 2010. As you know, Vet Centers provide counseling to veterans in non-clinical settings that are more welcoming for some veterans. They are critical to helping service members deal with post traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues.
You may also be interested to know that the Senate approved an amendment of mine to the Defense Authorization Act of 2010, S. 1390. The amendment was based on my Wounded Warrior Transition Assistance Act of 2009 and will help ensure wounded members of the Guard and Reserves, who are returning from overseas, are not discharged before their injuries, including mental illnesses, are evaluated. President Obama signed this bill into law on October 28, 2009.
I will continue to work to ensure that our service members are provided the best possible care. For more information on what the Department of Veterans Affairs is doing to help service members with PTSD, please visit: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/.
Thank you again for contacting me. For more information about my work on behalf of Wisconsin, you can subscribe to my monthly e-newsletter by visiting http://feingold.senate.gov/newsletter.cfm. I look forward to hearing from you in the future.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Bull Party
Has any US president ever switched parties while serving as president. I mean officially switched parties not by appearances by the decision he made. I know Teddy Roosevelt formed the Progressive or Bull Moose party when he lost the Republican nomination to Taft. Maybe there is a need for another Bull party. Any nominations?
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Senator Feingold Listening Session -Marengo, WI
On August 19 I left Rice Lake to go 100 miles northeast to the small village of Marengo WI in Ashland County. My mission was to attend the listening session sponsored by Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI). The session was to start at 11:00 AM. I arrived at about 10:50 Am and found the meeting already in progress. Why would Russ Feingold hold sessions in small counties in northern Wisconsin hundreds of miles away from the major Wisconsin population base in south and southeast Wisconsin? Feingold made a promise when he ran for the Senate in 1992 that he would hold listening session in all 72 counties every year. Feingold has kept that promise. It was Ashland’s counties turn to be given the opportunity to be heard.
I know there has been some talk about areas with small populations being represented equally –in the Senate in this debate, i.e. Max Baucus in Montana and Kent Conrad in North Dakota. That is the way the Senate is set up. Should Senators from small states not be given chairs of senate committees? Remember that the Representative s in the House are distributed by population.
Upon arriving an aide gave each participant a brochure explaining the listening sessions and how to contact Mr. Feingold. We were also given a sheet of paper to write down our name, phone number, address and a topic or question for Mr. Feingold. Since there were about one hundred people there Mr. Feingold had time to answer each person’s question, although comments were asked to be held to a minimum by the question askers as the session proceeded.
The group, even though small, covered the topics that are affecting all of us nationwide.; health care, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, military presence in Africa, education, and even bringing guns to public listening session. By the way there was one individual with a gun at the meeting and that was the Ashland County Sheriff.
Mr. Feingold made it clear there is no bill yet in the Senate. He will not vote for any Senate healthcare bill unless there is a plan to pay for it. He was asked if he had read the House bill. His answer was that it was out in the van right now and he has been reading through it. He reminded us that this was a House bill and he of course, would not be voting on it.
Besides not giving a blank check for the health care bill he would not give his vote for another stimulus bill. His view is that there was not much choice the first time around with the stimulus spending. However, the executive branch would need to look somewhere else for any more stimulus money. Mr. Feingold said, “The stimulus was not dumb but it is dumb to keep doing it.”
There were about a half dozen signs that read “Public Option= Affordable Health Care. When someone mentioned that she would like to see support for Medicare for everyone about 90% of the crowd applauded.
A business man was concerned about Worker’s Compensation insurance and that a single injury could devastate his business. Feingold assured this man that he would add this concern to his list and would see that workers comp is addressed in any health care bill.
A teacher expressed concern with ‘No Child Left Behind” and how unrealistic many of the provision in that law are to implement. Mr. Feingold said he was one of 10 senators to vote against “No Child Left Behind.” He made a small poke at the law citing a section that said “All kids will be above average.” The teacher asked Feingold to fix the law or get rid of it. This statement drew much applause.
Mr. Feingold supports the right of citizens to bear arms. This is a good position in Wisconsin where hunting is very popular and for some boys it is close to being seen as a rite of passage. Wisconsin recently passed a law where it is legal for 10 year olds to ,not only accompany a hunting party, but also carry a gun. The youngster has to be supervised at all times and the adult accompanying the child and the child can only have one gun between them. The ten year old is not required to attend a hunter’s safety course. But I digress. Mr. Feingold preferred that citizens refrain from bringing guns to listening sessions but it is definitely in their rights to do so.
A Medical doctor, with 50 years experience, spoke about how he was in favor of universal health care. One of his concerns is the unavailability of doctors, nurses and other health professionals to provide health care services. There is a scarcity of health care professional in the Northwoods of Wisconsin now.
A young woman spoke of her condition that kept her head tilted to one side. The cure for this condition is Botox. Since Botox is usually considered a cosmetic treatment her insurance would not cover it. Senator Feingold asked for permission for his office to call her and if she was willing to work with his office on this problem with him. Another woman’s autistic son can’t get the treatment he needs. His family is underinsured and is debating whether to sell their home to get the money for the treatment her son needs. She pleaded that something be done to get universal health care passed as things for her son need to be done now or the time frame in which they can help their son will pass with no help for him.
One speaker mentioned that with the scare tactics and fabrication of so-called facts such as “death panels” that the Republicans do not deserve a place at the adult table. This comment got a chuckle from Feingold but he also talked about how the conversation needed to be ratcheted down a notch or two. We need to continue to seek bipartisanship. Feingold will continue to talk with Republicans to try to convince them that health care reform is needed. Mr. Feingold backs a public option.
A gentleman brought up how he was with Feingold from the beginning and was pleased with his stances. However, he had only one problem with Mr. Feingold. When in Green Bay early in the Feingold for Senate campaign he said Mr. Feingold had shaken everyone’s hand at the end of the event except his. Mr. Feingold said he didn’t remember not doing that but why did the person think that he snubbed him. The gentleman said “Because I asked you the hard questions.” Feingold asked the man to come forward and met the man half way from the front table and shook his hand and apologized for appearing to snub him. This got a round of applause and some chuckles.
An Ashland landlord asked help for financial help for renters. About half of his renters were behind in their rent payments and the landlord could not carry the much longer. This situation is a n ongoing problem in Northern Wisconsin which has been experiencing a depressed economy for years. The current economic downturn has exacerbated the loss of jobs and the default rate on rent.
One woman asked about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan She asked Mr. Feingold to do what he can to bring the wars to an end and bring the troops home. Mr. Feingold said that this was the first time this year that anyone at these listening session had brought up the wars. He was thankful for her question and said we can never forget that our young service men and women are risking their lives. Feingold admitted he voted for the Afghanistan War but things have changed. He believes that Mr. Obama is listening too much to his military advisors. If Gen. McChrystal wants more troops he gets them. There is no clear plan for the Afghanistan War and right now we are playing right into the Taliban hands. We are creating more problems by driving the Taliban into Pakistan.
Cheers and applause went up when Mr. Feingold mentioned that global warming was a problem that needs to be addressed now. Those who are denying the existence of global warming are doing all of us a disservice.
Assisted living and nursing homes are becoming bigger issues everyday as the population ages. “What are you going to do about long term care?” Mr. Feingold said that long term care must be addressed in the health care reform bill. A Viet Nam veteran praised the care he is getting from the Veterans Administration and the VA facilities are getting busier and busier. The vet asked Mr. Feingold not to forget the veterans.
I mentioned to Mr. Feingold that I believe that the Congress had abdicated too much of its war powers authority to the executive branch. I also asked him how many more fronts the military was going to open. I asked this because of the relatively new AFRICOM (United States African Command) that is becoming more and more active in Africa. As a senior non-commissioned officer in the Air Force I studied in our Senior NCO Academy courses some 25 years ago that Africa and the Middle East were the next places we would be fighting wars because of the resources there. Now it has come true. Mr. Feingold put it differently. He said that Africa is vital for our national security interests. I had written Mr. Feingold about this new command about a year ago. Here is a quote from Mr. Feingold’s August 6, 2008 response to me, “I am supporting efforts to make sure that the new military command supports U.S. policies towards Africa and advances continued diplomatic, development, humanitarian assistance, and regional initiatives led by the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), national and international non-governmental organizations (NGO's), and African political and military leaders. If implemented with this approach and mission, AFRICOM will enhance the rule of law in Africa, and advance our strategic interests throughout the region.” Mr. Feingold, at this listening session told us that he is rethinking his stand on AFRICOM as many African nations are concerned with increased interference in the region. This was my concern when I wrote my letter a year ago. Perhaps senior NCO’s in the trenches know what they are talking about!
Another area of concern is the issuers of credit cards and the unjust interest and fees they charge. When Mr. Feingold was in the Wisconsin Senate he made sure that credit companies could not charge these outlandish rates. Since he has left for the US Senate, Republicans in the Wisconsin Senate have made sure the protections he help set up on a state level are gone. Mr. Feingold agreed that more has to be done in this area.
The session had a small turnout compared to many around the country. However, this group of people surfaced the many concerns that are concerns for many across the country whether they live in New York, rural Alabama, Kansas City, Los Angeles or any other part of the United States. The people were very respectful and were respected by Senator Feingold and his staff. It was a very informative session. Senator Feingold’s honesty was very apparent as he asked if his office could contact the people with questions and needs that he could not meet or answer right then. He always asked if he could contact these people and ask for their help with the problems they surfaced. I feel that Senator Feingold will contact these people because he has never failed to answer any letter I have ever sent to him.
I know there has been some talk about areas with small populations being represented equally –in the Senate in this debate, i.e. Max Baucus in Montana and Kent Conrad in North Dakota. That is the way the Senate is set up. Should Senators from small states not be given chairs of senate committees? Remember that the Representative s in the House are distributed by population.
Upon arriving an aide gave each participant a brochure explaining the listening sessions and how to contact Mr. Feingold. We were also given a sheet of paper to write down our name, phone number, address and a topic or question for Mr. Feingold. Since there were about one hundred people there Mr. Feingold had time to answer each person’s question, although comments were asked to be held to a minimum by the question askers as the session proceeded.
The group, even though small, covered the topics that are affecting all of us nationwide.; health care, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, military presence in Africa, education, and even bringing guns to public listening session. By the way there was one individual with a gun at the meeting and that was the Ashland County Sheriff.
Mr. Feingold made it clear there is no bill yet in the Senate. He will not vote for any Senate healthcare bill unless there is a plan to pay for it. He was asked if he had read the House bill. His answer was that it was out in the van right now and he has been reading through it. He reminded us that this was a House bill and he of course, would not be voting on it.
Besides not giving a blank check for the health care bill he would not give his vote for another stimulus bill. His view is that there was not much choice the first time around with the stimulus spending. However, the executive branch would need to look somewhere else for any more stimulus money. Mr. Feingold said, “The stimulus was not dumb but it is dumb to keep doing it.”
There were about a half dozen signs that read “Public Option= Affordable Health Care. When someone mentioned that she would like to see support for Medicare for everyone about 90% of the crowd applauded.
A business man was concerned about Worker’s Compensation insurance and that a single injury could devastate his business. Feingold assured this man that he would add this concern to his list and would see that workers comp is addressed in any health care bill.
A teacher expressed concern with ‘No Child Left Behind” and how unrealistic many of the provision in that law are to implement. Mr. Feingold said he was one of 10 senators to vote against “No Child Left Behind.” He made a small poke at the law citing a section that said “All kids will be above average.” The teacher asked Feingold to fix the law or get rid of it. This statement drew much applause.
Mr. Feingold supports the right of citizens to bear arms. This is a good position in Wisconsin where hunting is very popular and for some boys it is close to being seen as a rite of passage. Wisconsin recently passed a law where it is legal for 10 year olds to ,not only accompany a hunting party, but also carry a gun. The youngster has to be supervised at all times and the adult accompanying the child and the child can only have one gun between them. The ten year old is not required to attend a hunter’s safety course. But I digress. Mr. Feingold preferred that citizens refrain from bringing guns to listening sessions but it is definitely in their rights to do so.
A Medical doctor, with 50 years experience, spoke about how he was in favor of universal health care. One of his concerns is the unavailability of doctors, nurses and other health professionals to provide health care services. There is a scarcity of health care professional in the Northwoods of Wisconsin now.
A young woman spoke of her condition that kept her head tilted to one side. The cure for this condition is Botox. Since Botox is usually considered a cosmetic treatment her insurance would not cover it. Senator Feingold asked for permission for his office to call her and if she was willing to work with his office on this problem with him. Another woman’s autistic son can’t get the treatment he needs. His family is underinsured and is debating whether to sell their home to get the money for the treatment her son needs. She pleaded that something be done to get universal health care passed as things for her son need to be done now or the time frame in which they can help their son will pass with no help for him.
One speaker mentioned that with the scare tactics and fabrication of so-called facts such as “death panels” that the Republicans do not deserve a place at the adult table. This comment got a chuckle from Feingold but he also talked about how the conversation needed to be ratcheted down a notch or two. We need to continue to seek bipartisanship. Feingold will continue to talk with Republicans to try to convince them that health care reform is needed. Mr. Feingold backs a public option.
A gentleman brought up how he was with Feingold from the beginning and was pleased with his stances. However, he had only one problem with Mr. Feingold. When in Green Bay early in the Feingold for Senate campaign he said Mr. Feingold had shaken everyone’s hand at the end of the event except his. Mr. Feingold said he didn’t remember not doing that but why did the person think that he snubbed him. The gentleman said “Because I asked you the hard questions.” Feingold asked the man to come forward and met the man half way from the front table and shook his hand and apologized for appearing to snub him. This got a round of applause and some chuckles.
An Ashland landlord asked help for financial help for renters. About half of his renters were behind in their rent payments and the landlord could not carry the much longer. This situation is a n ongoing problem in Northern Wisconsin which has been experiencing a depressed economy for years. The current economic downturn has exacerbated the loss of jobs and the default rate on rent.
One woman asked about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan She asked Mr. Feingold to do what he can to bring the wars to an end and bring the troops home. Mr. Feingold said that this was the first time this year that anyone at these listening session had brought up the wars. He was thankful for her question and said we can never forget that our young service men and women are risking their lives. Feingold admitted he voted for the Afghanistan War but things have changed. He believes that Mr. Obama is listening too much to his military advisors. If Gen. McChrystal wants more troops he gets them. There is no clear plan for the Afghanistan War and right now we are playing right into the Taliban hands. We are creating more problems by driving the Taliban into Pakistan.
Cheers and applause went up when Mr. Feingold mentioned that global warming was a problem that needs to be addressed now. Those who are denying the existence of global warming are doing all of us a disservice.
Assisted living and nursing homes are becoming bigger issues everyday as the population ages. “What are you going to do about long term care?” Mr. Feingold said that long term care must be addressed in the health care reform bill. A Viet Nam veteran praised the care he is getting from the Veterans Administration and the VA facilities are getting busier and busier. The vet asked Mr. Feingold not to forget the veterans.
I mentioned to Mr. Feingold that I believe that the Congress had abdicated too much of its war powers authority to the executive branch. I also asked him how many more fronts the military was going to open. I asked this because of the relatively new AFRICOM (United States African Command) that is becoming more and more active in Africa. As a senior non-commissioned officer in the Air Force I studied in our Senior NCO Academy courses some 25 years ago that Africa and the Middle East were the next places we would be fighting wars because of the resources there. Now it has come true. Mr. Feingold put it differently. He said that Africa is vital for our national security interests. I had written Mr. Feingold about this new command about a year ago. Here is a quote from Mr. Feingold’s August 6, 2008 response to me, “I am supporting efforts to make sure that the new military command supports U.S. policies towards Africa and advances continued diplomatic, development, humanitarian assistance, and regional initiatives led by the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), national and international non-governmental organizations (NGO's), and African political and military leaders. If implemented with this approach and mission, AFRICOM will enhance the rule of law in Africa, and advance our strategic interests throughout the region.” Mr. Feingold, at this listening session told us that he is rethinking his stand on AFRICOM as many African nations are concerned with increased interference in the region. This was my concern when I wrote my letter a year ago. Perhaps senior NCO’s in the trenches know what they are talking about!
Another area of concern is the issuers of credit cards and the unjust interest and fees they charge. When Mr. Feingold was in the Wisconsin Senate he made sure that credit companies could not charge these outlandish rates. Since he has left for the US Senate, Republicans in the Wisconsin Senate have made sure the protections he help set up on a state level are gone. Mr. Feingold agreed that more has to be done in this area.
The session had a small turnout compared to many around the country. However, this group of people surfaced the many concerns that are concerns for many across the country whether they live in New York, rural Alabama, Kansas City, Los Angeles or any other part of the United States. The people were very respectful and were respected by Senator Feingold and his staff. It was a very informative session. Senator Feingold’s honesty was very apparent as he asked if his office could contact the people with questions and needs that he could not meet or answer right then. He always asked if he could contact these people and ask for their help with the problems they surfaced. I feel that Senator Feingold will contact these people because he has never failed to answer any letter I have ever sent to him.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
"Love is All Around" by The Troggs
My favorite song of all time is "Love is All Around" by The Troggs. I know that this song is about human love between two people. However, we often make connections with a writer's original work that the writer would never had thought of when the writer first wrote the song, poem, story or whatever the work may be.
"Love is All Around" definitely is a love song that the singer feels all through his person-his bodily person as well as his spiritual person. This love is directed toward another person. In Ken's Konnection for today I will attempt to explain the connection this song makes between me and the spiritual essence that is with me, in me, about me, and through me. I call this spiritual essence not the Spirit alone, not Ken alone but the Spirit-Ken Konnection.
"I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes."
The Spirit permeates me from and to every extremity of my being.
"Well love is all around me, and so the feeling grows."
The Spirit is not only in me but about me causing love to grow.
"It's written on the wind, it's everywhere I go."
Ruah is a Hebrew word for spirit or wind. The wind blows where it may. The Spirit is everywhere and the Spirit-Ken Konnection is everywhere I go.
"So if you really love me, come on and let it show."
The Ken part of the Spirit-Ken Konnection is weak. I need reassurance from the Spirit that she is really there and I pray that I remain open to seeing and feeling the Spirit as my lack of faith is the only reason that at times I may not see or feel the Spirit as well as I do at other times.
"You know I love you, I always will."
A statement of hope not a statement of cockiness. A statement of vision, a yearning.
"My mind's made up by the way that I feel,"
This is a heart-head connection. Everything I decide to do, say or be is because of this connection. What I decide to be, do, or say, must be out of love and reason. I always must act out of love but my actions need to be reasonable.
"there's no beginning, there"ll be no end"
The Spirit is eternal. It always was and it will remain forever. Love is eternal.
"cause on my love you can depend."
The Spirit that is also Love is dependable. The Spirit is with me through thick and thin.
"I see your face before me as I lay on my bed"
When I am still and laying on my bed before I go to sleep or if I wake up during the night I immediately and intensely feel the presence of the Spirit. I remain quiet and.......
"I kinda get to thinking, of all the things you said."
....... I think (head , reason component) how the Spirit communicates with me now and during the past day or through some happening days, months, years ago. How have all the things I heard from the Spirit (heart experience) help form me into who I am right now? How will who "I am" be of significant use for the betterment of myself and others tomorrow?
"You gave your promise to me, and I gave mine to you."
This is a spiritual covenant. A promise between the Spirit and me. The Spirit will never let go of me as long as I don't let go of the Spirit.
"I need someone beside me in everything I do."
I can do nothing alone. Sometimes another human spirit, another human being or many human beings are physically here to be my companions on our journey. However when they are not physically here they are with me in Spirit as the connection really is not a Spirit-Ken Konnection but a Spirit-Ken-friends Konnection.
You know I love you...........(etc)
It�s written on the wind..........(etc)
come on and let it show
come on and let it show
come on and let it show
You can listen to "Love is All Around"
Does this song make a connection or bring back a memory for you?
"Love is All Around" definitely is a love song that the singer feels all through his person-his bodily person as well as his spiritual person. This love is directed toward another person. In Ken's Konnection for today I will attempt to explain the connection this song makes between me and the spiritual essence that is with me, in me, about me, and through me. I call this spiritual essence not the Spirit alone, not Ken alone but the Spirit-Ken Konnection.
"I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes."
The Spirit permeates me from and to every extremity of my being.
"Well love is all around me, and so the feeling grows."
The Spirit is not only in me but about me causing love to grow.
"It's written on the wind, it's everywhere I go."
Ruah is a Hebrew word for spirit or wind. The wind blows where it may. The Spirit is everywhere and the Spirit-Ken Konnection is everywhere I go.
"So if you really love me, come on and let it show."
The Ken part of the Spirit-Ken Konnection is weak. I need reassurance from the Spirit that she is really there and I pray that I remain open to seeing and feeling the Spirit as my lack of faith is the only reason that at times I may not see or feel the Spirit as well as I do at other times.
"You know I love you, I always will."
A statement of hope not a statement of cockiness. A statement of vision, a yearning.
"My mind's made up by the way that I feel,"
This is a heart-head connection. Everything I decide to do, say or be is because of this connection. What I decide to be, do, or say, must be out of love and reason. I always must act out of love but my actions need to be reasonable.
"there's no beginning, there"ll be no end"
The Spirit is eternal. It always was and it will remain forever. Love is eternal.
"cause on my love you can depend."
The Spirit that is also Love is dependable. The Spirit is with me through thick and thin.
"I see your face before me as I lay on my bed"
When I am still and laying on my bed before I go to sleep or if I wake up during the night I immediately and intensely feel the presence of the Spirit. I remain quiet and.......
"I kinda get to thinking, of all the things you said."
....... I think (head , reason component) how the Spirit communicates with me now and during the past day or through some happening days, months, years ago. How have all the things I heard from the Spirit (heart experience) help form me into who I am right now? How will who "I am" be of significant use for the betterment of myself and others tomorrow?
"You gave your promise to me, and I gave mine to you."
This is a spiritual covenant. A promise between the Spirit and me. The Spirit will never let go of me as long as I don't let go of the Spirit.
"I need someone beside me in everything I do."
I can do nothing alone. Sometimes another human spirit, another human being or many human beings are physically here to be my companions on our journey. However when they are not physically here they are with me in Spirit as the connection really is not a Spirit-Ken Konnection but a Spirit-Ken-friends Konnection.
You know I love you...........(etc)
It�s written on the wind..........(etc)
come on and let it show
come on and let it show
come on and let it show
You can listen to "Love is All Around"
Does this song make a connection or bring back a memory for you?
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