Do it like the white boys do, although...

While at work today my girl, my homie, my dog Ms. GAPconsulting aka Divalutionary tweeted this quote from Junto Diaz. I retweeted it because I think this quote is AMAZING!!! As AFRICANS (yes I said it, AFRICANS) we must love and embrace not only the africa in our skin but also the AFRICA in our HAIR! For those of yall none twitteres here it is:

Run a hand through your hair like the white boys do, even though the only thing that runs easily through your hair is Africa. --Junot Diaz

Reverse Racism? Hmmm...... Really?

Not sure who did this cartoon but who ever did is a genious and demonstrates the mentality of several individuals of the "paler nation".

This Thanksgiving, Let America Be America Again

While sitting at my work station, a few thoughts about thanksgiving, the excessive amounts of food we shall eat in the name of America, the harvest, freedom and the pilgrims who raped the New World and killed millions came to my mind. Something about thanksgiving doesn't feel right, I love America and America loves me back. But is America truely mine? Is America yours? Is America ours? I have faced alot of adversity in America as an immigrant but I can still give thanks for life, and an opportunity to pursue my happiness. Although I don't celebrate the pilgrims or their oppressive actions, I enjoy the food of the season and at time even a little family company (most times I don't). I end this blog post with a poem from the great Langston Hughes Let America be America Again!!!!!!

LET AMERICA BE AMERICA AGAIN
Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be.
Let it be the pioneer on the plain
Seeking a home where he himself is free.

(America never was America to me.)

Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed--
Let it be that great strong land of love
Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme
That any man be crushed by one above.

(It never was America to me.)

O, let my land be a land where Liberty
Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath,
But opportunity is real, and life is free,
Equality is in the air we breathe.

(There's never been equality for me,
Nor freedom in this "homeland of the free.")

Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark?
And who are you that draws your veil across the stars?

I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart,
I am the Negro bearing slavery's scars.
I am the red man driven from the land,
I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek--
And finding only the same old stupid plan
Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.

I am the young man, full of strength and hope,
Tangled in that ancient endless chain
Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land!
Of grab the gold! Of grab the ways of satisfying need!
Of work the men! Of take the pay!
Of owning everything for one's own greed!

I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil.
I am the worker sold to the machine.
I am the Negro, servant to you all.
I am the people, humble, hungry, mean--
Hungry yet today despite the dream.
Beaten yet today--O, Pioneers!
I am the man who never got ahead,
The poorest worker bartered through the years.

Yet I'm the one who dreamt our basic dream
In the Old World while still a serf of kings,
Who dreamt a dream so strong, so brave, so true,
That even yet its mighty daring sings

In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned
That's made America the land it has become.
O, I'm the man who sailed those early seas
In search of what I meant to be my home--
For I'm the one who left dark Ireland's shore,
And Poland's plain, and England's grassy lea,
And torn from Black Africa's strand I came
To build a "homeland of the free."

The free?

Who said the free? Not me?
Surely not me? The millions on relief today?
The millions shot down when we strike?
The millions who have nothing for our pay?
For all the dreams we've dreamed
And all the songs we've sung
And all the hopes we've held
And all the flags we've hung,
The millions who have nothing for our pay--
Except the dream that's almost dead today.

O, let America be America again--
The land that never has been yet--
And yet must be--the land where every man is free.
The land that's mine--the poor man's, Indian's, Negro's, ME--
Who made America,
Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain,
Whose hand at the foundry, whose plow in the rain,
Must bring back our mighty dream again.

Sure, call me any ugly name you choose--
The steel of freedom does not stain.
From those who live like leeches on the people's lives,
We must take back our land again,
America!

O, yes,
I say it plain,
America never was America to me,
And yet I swear this oath--
America will be!

Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death,
The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies,
We, the people, must redeem
The land, the mines, the plants, the rivers.
The mountains and the endless plain--
All, all the stretch of these great green states--
And make America again!

Langston Hughes
retrieved from: http://www.poemhunter.com/langston-hughes/

The Obama Plan: Pros and Cons of a Public Option

Abstract

A public healthcare option is needed to provide better health services to the citizens of this country. Across Europe and Asia, numerous countries are providing their nation with a healthcare option that is sponsored by the government, and several individuals believe that the United States can do the same. Those who are opposed to this form of health care reform state that although the intentions seem noble, the plan would put a strain on the nation’s fragile economy. There are 46 million Americans that are uninsured, and a public option would make basic healthcare services available for these vulnerable individuals. Canada, France, and Japan demonstrate excellent examples of how the public option is serving their people. Americans can learn from them by examining their positive achievement as well as their systems short comings.


The Obama Health Plan: Pros and Cons of a Public Option

Torrey, T (2008), describes universal healthcare as a basic healthcare service that is provided for the citizens of a specific geographical location. Universal healthcare has been mistaken for a single-payer system funded by the government, which is an incorrect definition of the program. The countries that offer their citizens universal health coverage do so through public-private combinations. The United States is the only wealthy and industrialized nation that does not provide health coverage to all of its citizens. When discussing healthcare reform, the opponents of universal healthcare not only refer to it as a single-payer plan, but also as socialized medicine; none of which are accurate definitions.
In a 2008, an article, www.insurancespecialists.com, reports on the growing public support for a government administered healthcare system. Several individuals share the belief that if Canada, Europe, and several South American countries can provide healthcare for all, then America should be able to do the same. Critics of a universal program consider that the US government is not in a better position than the private sector to administer this country’s health needs. Opponents of a government healthcare option present a few negative issues that will develop from President Obama’s healthcare approach. Some of the claims against a public option state that people will be denied the right to choose their own physician. There are a few concerns about the proposed government plans, such as HMOs and PPOs being terminated, and a decrease in medical student enrollment due to a government involvement in healthcare. Those in favor of this type of reform state physicians salaries will not a decrease, and that reform will limit unnecessary incentives.
Without a public option, there is no actual reform to the United States Health care system. Providing health coverage through the government will benefit numerous amounts of individuals. Government must focus on providing the best possible benefits for its citizens instead of looking out for corporate interests and profits that are reserved for a few people in high ranking positions (Johnson, D. 2009). A public option will prompt private insurers, doctors, hospital and pharmaceutical companies to provide high quality care at a lower cost that they do now. No other issue in healthcare has been so heavily opposed; those who lobby against the public option fear major reforms that will consequently bring about heavy losses in their profits (Reich, R. 2009).
The California Nurses Association (2009) believes that the biggest problem of Pres. Obama’s approach to healthcare is not with his public option, but with private insurances that are responsible for the skyrocketing cost that oppress the American people. Nothing in the President’s plan will end the constant denial of coverage that people have endured from the insurance companies. Insurance companies are denying nearly one fourth of all medical claims filled in the state of California. The United States is the only wealthy nation that allows this type of injustice to be committed against its people.
Bobby Sage (2009) thinks timing and presentation will help Pres. Obama to pass healthcare reform. America has had some time to analyze the healthcare system, along with the out of control cost that seems to have no end in sight. Those that previously opposed a universal healthcare system have now reconsidered their prior point of view. Americans are very concerned that nothing is being done to fix this problem.
Klein, E. (2009) reports that France, Germany and Japan provide great examples of efficient public health options in industrialized nations. One prime example is in Japan; private policies are only used to decrease co-pays, and in France the government provides all basic care to its citizens. Germany has laws against insurers being able to make profits; laws that would make right wingers nauseous. He believes that these countries are proving that with more government intervention, the cost of healthcare is decreased, and treatment outcomes are being improved.
Cohn (2009) states that France has set up non-profit sickness fund for its citizens and individuals, who are allowed to purchase supplemental insurance of their own. The creation of a public-private healthcare system, along with government involvement in price regulation and budgeting keeps the French healthcare costs down. Opponents of the public option state that this type of reform will bring unwanted consequences such as long waiting period to see a specialist. The French health system contradicts this theory; in France individual seeking specialist care do not have to wait any longer than individuals seeking similar services in America (Cohn, J. 2009).
In a story for the Dallas morning news, Jim Landers relates the experience of Jennifer Hau and her husband; a Texas couple who had their first two children in their home town of Houston, and their last two in Paris, France. Mrs. Hau believes that the American healthcare system is too expensive and often very insecure; living in France has given them the access to excellent and affordable care. The health system that the French government provides encourages their residents to put their health ahead of their financial concerns. In France, people are able to seek immediate help when presented with an illness, in contrast to the US system where individuals often self medicate for fear of not being able to afford proper treatment.
Stephanie Brunner, shares some impressive figures of reimbursement and coverage in France. Patients can pay for healthcare services, and later get government reimbursement for their expenditures. Family visits to primary care physicians and specialists are reimbursed at a rate of 70%. Major surgery is reimbursed at 90% and minor surgery at 80%. Pregnancy and childbirth are reimbursed by 95-100% and finally, x-rays and routine dental care 70%.
Mr. Cohn conducted dozens of interviews with French citizens, which included politicians, patients, and healthcare providers and never encountered a person who would favor the American healthcare system over the French. The French are receiving what Americans want from health care, quality care without long waiting periods. Physicians are able to better practice medicine because they don’t have to worry about managing healthcare benefits. The French are not going bankrupt as a result of medical cost, and they do not avoid treatment in fear of unaffordable bills. The French have developed an effective system that cost far less than what the average American house hold pays for health coverage.
Shapiro, J. (2008) shares a study done by the World Health Organization in 2000. 191 countries were studied and ranked on the number of years people lived in good health, and whether everyone had access to good healthcare. France ranked first, providing the best healthcare in the world, the US was ranked 37th. In 2008 the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine conducted an investigation called “amenable mortality”, in simple terms the deaths that could be prevented with good healthcare. The research examined 19 industrialized nations; again France ranked at the top of the list, and unfortunately, the US found itself at the bottom. Experts in America are now convinced that there is a lot that the US government can learn from the French.
Wikipedia talks about how the Canadian government provides a publicly-funded healthcare system that is almost completely free. Our northern neighbors have found simple ways of keeping healthcare costs low. They strive to maintain private insurance involvement to a minimum, this way decreasing competitive practices, such as advertising and lobbying. Mainly, health care costs are paid through income taxes, and three provinces impose a fixed income based monthly premium; there are no co-pays or deductibles for basic care services. The Canadian healthcare system ensures that everyone gets the same level of care. There is no need for a variety of plans because basic care is always covered. Healthcare coverage is not affected by a loss or change of job, as long as premiums are up to date, and there are no lifetime limits or pre-existing conditions.
Japan, well known for its technological advances that have produced quality gadgets, is producing the world’s healthiest people (Reid, T.R., 2008). Although their life expectancy is higher due to diet and lifestyle, the public healthcare option has been significant in keeping the Japanese healthy. Everyone in Japan is required to have a health insurance policy; the government assists those individuals who are not able to afford health coverage. The Japanese government keeps cost low by tightly controlling the cost of healthcare to the smallest detail (Reid, T.R. 2008). In doing this, the government keeps the premiums at an average cost of $280 per month for the average Japanese family. Employers pick up half the cost of health care and losing your job does not cancel your insurance policy.
Yamamoto, A. (2009) states that the Japanese visit a doctor on average nearly 14 times a year; four times more than Americans. They are able to choose any doctor or specialist they want, and are able to receive same day care. The Japanese people benefit from laws that prevent insurance companies from denying coverage due to preexisting conditions. Insurance companies are obligated to ensure everyone, including individuals with chronic illnesses.
Reid (2008) also reports on some negative aspects of the Japanese healthcare plan. Several doctors express concerns and frustration regarding low profits that come from their hard work. Reid tells the story of a doctor found creative ways to make more money. The doctor had 4 vending machines in his practice, and charge $4/hr in a section of town where there’s free off street parking. According to Reid T.R. (2008), 50% of Japan’s hospitals are on the brink of bankruptcy, while the United States probably spends too much on health care, Japan may be spending too little. Japan has $10 a night hospital stays, which does not go far when trying to balance the books (Reid, T.R. 2008).
Several theories and ideas exist regarding this controversial topic, creating a mixture myths and facts. We can be certain of a few things, the benefits of a public option are far better than the consequences of doing nothing. Although our President assures us that the plan won’t add to the national deficit or raise taxes for the majority of Americans, the plan must received some form of substantial funding. According to the Seattle Post, Pres. Obama’s Health plan will cost about $1.5 trillion over 10 years, which has several Americans who view this plan as unaffordable worried (Zaldivar, A. 2009).
The high price tag of our President’s healthcare plan may be troubling Americans regardless of party affiliation. Pres. Obama’s plan may not be perfect, but it provides a blueprint which the government can use to create a better system over a few years. Citizens may benefit if the government is able to regulate the business practices of private insurance companies. France and Japan have been able to set laws that prohibit discrimination by private insurance companies regardless of a client’s health condition. If the government is able to pass healthcare reform that includes a public option, Americans will be able to better care for themselves, and have an increase in quality of life.
The health of the American public should be the priority of every senator and representative in congress. Government officials must work together to provide the reform that will provide affordable and quality of care for all individuals. There are 46 million Americans that are currently uninsured. Canada, France and Japan have demonstrated different ways of providing coverage for their entire population. Although these governments sponsored systems may not be perfect in nature, the United States can learn from them, and formulate a plan that will be more beneficial to Americans in the near future.

References

Brunner, S. (2004). The French Healthcare System. Retrieved October 3, 2009 from: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/9994.php

California Nurses Association (2009). America's Registered Nurses To Obama: Public Option Should Be Access To The Congressional Plan, But Best Solution Is To Expand Medicare To Everyone. Retrieved: 10/01/2009 from: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/163531.php

Cohn, J. (2009). Healthy Examples. Retrieved November 7, 2009 from: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2009/07/05/healthy_examples_plenty_of_countries_get_healthcare_right/

Dennis, T. (2009). Glance at a Public Option. Retrieved November 4, 2009 from: http://tkdennis.com/2009/10/11/glance-at-a-public-healthcare-option/

Growing Support for Universal Healthcare (2008). Retrieved October 1, 2009 from: http://www.insurancespecialists.com/industry-articles/universal-health-care/

Klein, E. (2009). Kent Conrad Hearts the French Healthcare System? Retrieved October 1, 2009 from: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2009/09/kent_ conrad_hearts_ the_french.html

Landers, J. (2009). Is French Health System a Model for US? Retrieved October 4, 2009 from: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/051709dnbusfrance.40cc221.html

Reid, T. (2008). Japanese Pay Less for Healthcare. Retrieved November 7, 2009 from: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89626309

Sage, B. (2009). The Obama Presentation May Just Give America the Health Care Reform She Wants. Retrieved October 1, 2009 from: http://personalinsure.about.com/od/health/a/aa041409a.htm

Shapiro, J. (2008). Healthcare Lessons from France. Retrieved October 1, 2009 from: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92419273

Torrey, T. (2008). What is Universal Healthcare Coverage? It’s Not the Same as “Single Payer” Healthcare. Retrieved October 3, 2009 from: http://patients.about.com/od/healthcarereform/a/universal.htm

Weisbrot, M. (2009). Health Care Reform Is Needed Now More than Ever. Retrieved November 1, 2009 from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-weisbrot/health-care-reform-is-nee_b_171210.html

Wikipedia (2009). Healthcare in Canada (2008). Retrieved October 4, 2009 from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care_in_Canada#The_beginning_of_coverage

Yamamoto, A. (2009). Universal Healthcare in Japan. Retrieved October 4, 2009 from: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2009/09/06/AR2009090601630_3.html?sid=ST2009090601646

Zaldivar, A. (2009). Experts Say Cost of Obama Health Care Plan Could Top $1.5 Trillion. Retrieved November 7, 2009 from: http://www.californiahealthline.org/Articles/2009/3/18/Experts-Say-Cost-of-Obama-Health-Care-Plan-Could-Top-15-Trillion.aspx

Dancehall Reggae "Pull up dat Selekta!!!

Dancehall reggae came on the scene in the 80’s around the same time hip hop was gaining popularity in New York City. This art form was seen as an upstart deviation from years of roots and culture music. The term “dancehall” was used because the crude or “slack” lyrics were not permitted on the Jamaican radio airwaves; consequently the only place where the music got its exposure was in the dance.
Poet Mutabaruka states that “if reggae was red, gold, and green then dancehall was greed and gold”. One of dancehall reggae early notable artists was Yellowman who was famous for lyrics that challenged what was acceptable to say on a record. Like hip hop dancehall reggae was promoted by the “soundman” the “selekta” a.k.a. the DJ, who would spin ’45 records at street parties in Jamaica. Furthermore, one hip hops pioneers Kool Herc, came from the Jamaican DJ scene.
This raw and uncut genre represents the poor, those who come from the slum, the ghetto, the gully. Artist such as Bounty Killer “the poor people’s governor” and Mavado “the real McCoy” “Mr. Casava Peace”remind listeners of the plight of the yut dem weh come from outta dih guttah.
Many individuals focus on the negative aspects of the art form. Critics reference excessively sexual lyrics, homophobic lyrics, and the glorification of the gangster lifestyle as reasons for banning or censoring dancehall music. Although those against dancehall are right about its some of its hatefull natures, dancehall continues to be the voice of many unheard individual and it bridges the gap between the uptown folk and the downtown folk.
I have always had a love and fascination with dancehall reggae, which could be compared to the love for hip hop expressed in the movie “Brown Sugar”. When thinking of music from my middle school and high school I can tend to get a little nostalgic. I remember dancing the peppa seed, the skettel riddim while singing “gyal from yuh born yuh nuh walk wid nuh moli arm wen yuh go walk di street yuh always smellin sweet”. I remember every Beenieman song being a hit, “ol dawg like we, we hafi have dem inna twos and threes”. Who can forget “gimme dih gyal weh got di wickedest slam di kinda gyal weh kno fi luv up she man”.
I cant talk about dancehall without showing love to the real stars of it all the DJ’s. Big ups to Fire Linxx, Stone Love, Tony Matterhorn, Renaissance sound, Adonai, Chinese Assassin, Black Chiney, Mighty Crown “the far east ruler”. Dancehall goes from the streets of Kingston to Flatbush NY to GA Ave in DC (bug up Crossroads, big up Red Gyal Prod. Big up Frenchie from the Setting and the Etheopians outside Citibank across from PG Plaza who sell CD’s), to Miami, Belize City, Panama City (big up Rio Abajo, Juan Diaz and SuperQ radio) to Africa , Japan, UK, Sweden, Toronto. Dancehall is everywhere. I love reggae in its rawest form. There’s nothing that compare to being in Mandeville Jamaica and asking the “cassette man” if he got last weeks dance. Who know maybe next time I’m in Jamaica me and the “cassette man” will light up a spliff and chill to the sounds of Capleton singing ganja! Ganja! Ganja! Ganja! That alone mi se mi want pon mi varanda ganja! Ganja! Ganja! Ganja! spring and summa and autumn and winta… kaboom…. BOMBOCLAAT STAR!!!!

Affirmative Action

The subject of affirmative action has proven to be highly controversial, because a strong case can be made to justify or contend with this procedure. I believe that it is not only a necessary tool, but also one that has proven effective. Although it can be argued not much can be done to help the poor, this project has opened doors for individuals that otherwise would have been possibly overlooked.
Today one is able to see woman minorities in positions that were previously dominated by Caucasian males. Many other positions have also been replenished by women and minorities, such as professional sports coaches, presidents of universities and corporate executives. Although one can say that these leaders have the knowledge and merit for their jobs, the individuals that paved the way for Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton and Tony Dungy needed affirmative action to be able to demonstrate that people of color and women can excel in America. Without affirmative action many individuals would not have been denied the platform to display their talents.
Affirmative action is not exempt from having negative effects, and at times undermines the efforts of minorities who obtain executive positions. Recently, in order to down play Justice Sonya Sotomayor’s credentials, conservatives in the government and media made implications that her appointment to the Supreme Court was from affirmative action. Situations like these, when outstanding intellect is not adequately given respect, give testament to various negative aspects of affirmative action on minorities.
The Hispanic community continues to grow in America at rapid rates, and it is expected by 2042, they will become the majority population in this country. This statistic has become alarming for many white males who ask if affirmative action policies would apply to them. The notion that Anglo-Saxon males would require such policies is absurd because it focuses on population size, and ignores the factors of wealth and power. Europeans, who had established colonies in Africa and the Caribbean, controlled most of the wealth and government, while being the minority. This proves that majority in numbers does not always constitute an advantage.
The problem of black poverty, wealth, and power will prove problematic to resolve. Affirmative action cannot completely solve the problems of black America, but it has helped people of color advance, and acquire economic stability. Dr. Cornel West sums it up best when he wrote, “if affirmative action disappeared from America, people of color would still succeed, but the message to the country would be lethal. It would suggest that the white majority has one less constraint, and black people have one more reason to lose trust in the promise of American democracy".

Negro y Orgulloso (I'm Black and I'm proud)

For years black latinos have had to deny african heritage to identify with their nationality. The problem for many afro-latinos is juggling their desire for common nationalisn and their african heritage. I'm not black I'm dominican puerto rican, colombiano, panameneo must end in 2009! Don't call me a spanish nigga I'm not from Spain! Cuando me hablas no necesito cariñitos de mi piel por que orgulloso soy, no sabias que todas las civilizaciones vinieron del Africa! Ta bien entoces? Mira! Yo no soy mulatito ni morenito, negrito, meztizo nada de esa vaina soy Afro latino afro-caribeño, antillano, mirame pero mirame bien! Has your black ass ever been to a latin restaurant or biusiness and gotten no service till you spoke in spanish. We have been 2nd class for to long!!! Latin america needs a civil rights movement NOW!!!!

Bluemoons, Red Stripes and Budweisers

As race continues being the center of attention I couldn't help but write some of my thoughts on recent events. While watching Larry King Live Mr. Larry Elder said "the Cambridge Sgt. should tell the President to take his beer and shove it". Mr Elder Mr. Elder... the President doesn't need to apologize or shove anything, Sgt. Crawley indeed acted stupidly. Folks this is not an issue of racial profiling its an issue of a civil servant abusing his power. Police officers, fire fighters, and other government employees must serve the community. The difference between a police officer and other civil servants is in the badge and gun. Yes the Sgt. Crawley was doing his job by responding to the emergency call, but the moment it was determined that Prof Gates was in his home his job was finished. Any person being disturbed at night and accused of breaking into his own home would be upset regardless of their ethnicity. The officer should apologize to Dr. Gates for the inconvenience and misunderstanding and left. Instead he expressed a common attitude of arrogance displayed by several members of law enforcement and arrested the professor who was later released with out a criminal charge. I call this POLICE BRUTALITY and FALSE IMPRISONMENT!!!! So now this is been called a teachable situation, and we have learned that u cant offend the police because it takes a President to take on a whole police force. Second even when you are a black Harvard professor you do not deserve respect in your own home, so sucks for me cause I'm young, black and speak with an accent oh yeah I didn't go to an Ivy league school. And last but not least the white establishments of this country have no remorse or empathy for these situation because we have black mayors, governors and a black president. So America cant be racist right? Officer Crawley take your badge and shove it!!!

Nursing and Public Policy

Involvement in politics is an important activity for nurses that advance our profession while improving the public’s health. Participating in the public health arena is key to achieving excellence in clinical practice, scholarship and education for nursing. Pres. John F. Kennedy once said "there are risks and costs to a program of action but they are far less than the long-term risks and cost of comfortable inaction,
All aspects of nursing education, practice and research are impacted by public policy. Hall-Long (2009) states that health care now consumes over 17% of the gross domestic product with 70% of expenditures on 10% of those with a chronic illness. This finding is evidence that it is critical for nurses to direct national and state health policy. State health policy includes the governments action or inaction addressing the well been of its citizens.
Public Policy is a field in which nurses must intervene and be stellar to advance the publics health. Direct public health issue may be varied and include nurse shortage, environmental threats, chronic illness, health inequality, the increase in the number of uninsured and threats to public programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Given today’s economy and several global threats, it is imperative that nurses provide guidance in domestic public policy matters.
In an April article (Hall-Long 2009) mentions the necessity for nurses to be involved in community organizing in order to make certain differences. Community organizing entails numerous levels of alliances, human and nonhuman resources, skilled communication, outreach, application of data, and working with the community, neighborhood leaders and policymakers for positive changes. Pres. Barack Obama (1990) stated in his book After Alinsky: Community organizing in Illinois "in theory, community organizing provides a way to merge various strategies for neighborhood empowerment. Organizing begins with the premise that the problems facing communities do not result from a lack of effective solutions, but from a lack of power to implement these solutions. The only way for communities to build long-term power is by organizing people and money around a common vision. Viable organization can only be achieved if broadly based indigenous leadership and not one or two charismatic leaders can knit together the diverse interests of their local institutions. This means bringing together churches, block clubs, parent groups and any other institutions in a given community to pay dues, hire organizers, conduct research, develop leadership, hold rallies and education campaigns, and begin drawing up plans on a whole range of issues jobs, education, crime, etc. Once such a vehicle is formed, it holds the power to make politicians, agencies and corporations more responsive to community needs".
Hall-Long (2009) reports that nurses are educated for a political journey. Example of this theory can be found in skill that most nurses hold such as communication, advocacy, listening and problem solving. Frequent mistakes that nurses advocates make are to be to over zealous in their political approach. Often nurses my underestimate the time amount of time it might take to get a bill passes or regulation changed.
Nurses are part of society on a personal level; therefore our economic and social values may occasionally conflict with certain political platform that our profession may support. It is important for a nurse to be aware of his or her values to avoid political and ethical conflicts.
As nurses we must consider that if no one speaks for nurses on issues who will? It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game. In politics how you play the game can determine the outcome of a specific issue. Nurses have great power in numbers and much to offer in crafting policy. If we stick together, "yes we can".
　 　
References
Hall-Long, Bethany (2009). Nursing and public policy: A tool for excellence in education, practice and research. Mosby Nursing Outlook, 57, 78-83.
Obama, Barack (1990). After Alinsky: Community Organizing in Illinois. Illinois Issues, University of Illinois at Springfield, Chapter 4, 35-40.

The Nursing Shortage

The nursing profession is facing a shortage; experts believe that it will reach a crisis level in the next 10 to 15 years. Many of our colleagues are preparing for retirement, while others leave the field for various reasons, making this a problem that requires a lot of attention.
The Journal of Nursing Administration states in an August 2008 issue that “Research clearly links baccalaureate prepared nurses to lower mortality and failure to rescue rates. The latest studies published confirm the findings of several previous studies which link education level and patient outcomes. Efforts to address the nursing shortage must focus on preparing more baccalaureate prepared nurses in order to ensure access to high quality, safe patient care.”
According to a 2008 study by Johnson & Johnson, when patients and families are affected by illness, they instill a great level of trust in nurses. Nurses are on the front-line of health care, providing the comfort, care, and support that families need to heal. By the year 2020, more than 500,000 registered nurses will be needed to meet the fast growing demands of the nation's health care system. Interest in nursing careers remains strong, but nearly 30,000 qualified applicants were turned away from more than 400 entry-level nursing programs in 2008.
How do we resolve this shortage issue? It can be agreed that addressing this healthcare problem and fixing it will result in better patient care. All objectives should be geared towards providing the best patient care to the members of our communities.
According to an article by Johnson and Johnson, enrollment in nursing programs is on the rise for the eighth consecutive year. While this increase indicates a positive trend, it is not enough to meet future nursing workforce demands. Although the enrollment increase is welcome, there are insufficient to meet the projected demand for nursing clinicians, educators and researchers needed for the future. Lack of faculty, clinical sites and classroom space, along with budget cuts at nursing colleges are recognized as the main reasons for not accepting qualified applicants. For nursing schools to effectively address the current and future nursing shortage, ways must be found to expand student capacity and accommodate all qualified applicants.
A collective effort is required to find resolve to the nursing shortage, including using the current workforce more efficiently, retaining RNs that are currently employed, and expanding the size of the future workforce by funding educational programs and recruiting diverse population.
Christopher Musillo Esq. of the Hammond Law Group states in his immigration blog that many have looked at immigration reform as a means of solving the nursing shortage. Foreign nurses are eager to come to the United States and pursue careers in this field. Currently the US government has placed a retrogression act, making work visas unavailable to foreign nurses. This law prevents foreign workers from being able to render their services across all areas of the healthcare system.
Mr. Musillo continues to inform that several individuals are concerned that employing foreign trained nurses will decrease the amount jobs available to nurses who are citizens of the United States. Statistic have proven that there should be no cause for alarm due to the rapid turnover rate of nursing jobs, along with the inability of nursing schools to accept qualified applicants, and the projected increase of the nursing shortage. The problems involving nursing and staffing is both a short term as well as a long problem, and foreign nurses can be used as one of the ways to resolve this issue.
In conclusion, there are several objectives that influence different types of legislature to provide a better quality of care for patients. Having proper conditions, as well as adequate staffing will increase hospital efficiency, and decrease countless mistakes that are made as a result of lack of personnel. Efforts must focus on the fact that there is nothing more important than the health of individuals.



References
American Association of Colleges of nursing (2009). Nursing Shortage Fact Sheet. Retrieved on July 12, 2009. From: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media/pdf/NrsgShortageFS.pdf
Hammond, John S., Keeney, Ralph L., Raiffa, Howard (1999). Problem. Making Smart Choices. Boston, MA, Harvard Business School Press, p. 15 – 28.
Hammond, John S., Keeney, Ralph L., Raiffa, Howard (1999). Objectives. Making Smart Choices. Boston, MA, Harvard Business School Press, p. 29 – 43.
Johnson & Johnson Servicing Inc. (2008). Nurses Shine as America's Most Trusted Profession. Retrieved on July 12, 2009. From: http://www.discovernursing.com/newsletter_view.aspx?id=77
Musillo, Christopher Esq. (2009). National Nurses Week. Hammond Law Group Blog. Retrieved on July 12, 2009. From: http://hammondlawgroup.blogspot.com/