House Bill 151: The Reasoning Boggles the Mind

I don’t even know where to start with this one.

A new law goes into effect on July 1^st in Mississippi. It requires health care professionals to work alongside law enforcement with the goal of lowering teenage pregnancy. Well, sort of – actually, it requires medical professionals to collect DNA after a girl under the age of 16 gives birth. “It’s designed to deter teenage pregnancy by causing men who are engaging in this conduct to think twice before they get a young girl pregnant,” said Republican state Rep. Andy Gibson.

So, really, it has little to do with preventing these young pregnancies. The DNA, which will be collected from the umbilical cord, will be sent to a state law enforcement agency. From there, the DNA (which has the mother’s and baby’s DNA) will be compared to a state database to ensure it doesn’t match an adult male. For these purposes, an “adult male” is any male over the age of 21. Any male whose genetic material is already in the system and who’s found to be the father of the child will face serious repercussions, specifically, statutory rape charges. Sounds reasonable, right? We want to protect our daughters and we never want to see them fall victim to anything, and most certainly when it includes sexual crimes committed against them.

Once you come to terms with those simple truths – those seemingly common-sense realities, only then does it dawns on you that this is a massive catastrophe waiting to blow up in lawmakers’ faces – and you know it’s bound to at some point.

DNA

I have a huge problem with any government having my DNA. I’m not a conspiracy theorist and I don’t subscribe to some of the more aggressive mindsets many folks display proudly for the world to see. But what I do know is that if there was ever any doubt in my mind that our government is being run by idiots, these latest scandals over the past few weeks have only cemented the belief that indeed, we’re in big trouble with these clowns.

Let’s face it – our government has been plundering through our phone records, medical histories and no telling what else. For the most part, at least up until recently, I didn’t care. I had nothing to hide and if they wanted to go plundering around my finances, have at it. Hell, maybe I could even convince them to pay those bills they’re scrutinizing, right?

Then, the Justice Department’s admission that it secretly collected data through the Associated Press made many of us very uncomfortable. It’s a huge invasion. If that alone doesn’t strike fear in you, you’re crazier than I am. Remember – neither Ukraine or China respect freedom of the press and in fact, those country leaders (and several others) will actually kill journalists if they feel threatened by what they believe the journalists know.

So no – clearly, there’s no trust for our government. All of the hoarding of various documents along with new revelations every day, tells me that the DNA won’t be destroyed after running it through the various databases.

And, let’s take a look into the future and see how that could shape up. With Obamacare being shoved down our throats, states collecting DNA because they want to (and really – that’s what this comes down to), can anyone say “pre existing condition”? What happens if during the course of all of this DNA testing a genetic marker is found and somehow makes its way to the insurance companies at some point? There are two things the government, these days anyway, can’t keep: its word and a secret.

Number 1

Mississippi is at the top of the list for teenage pregnancies. That means there’s going to be a lot of DNA testing going on. It’s going to cost $1,000 a pop, according to reports. Uhm…where’s the money going to come from? And by the way, how big is the ego of the lawmaker who decided that lassoing the DNA from all teen mothers was a good idea and an economically sound decision? In 2005 (and those are the latest numbers I’ve been able to find), there were right at 6,200 teen girls under the age of 16 who gave birth. Do the math.  It’s not enough for the family to insist that there was no statutory rape and that instead, two sixteen year olds just got caught up in the moment – those tests are going to happen no matter what – because our government demands it.

No Stats – How Can Numbers be Right?

And here is another very relevant fact: There are no statistics on statutory rape. None. According to the Department of Justice, “…the incidence of statutory rape is relatively unknown. The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR) maintains national data on forcible rape and other sex offenses but does not isolate statutory rape crimes…” You can see the report in its entirety here.

That brings us to the next realization – there are other crimes that are being committed, arrests being made, cases being put together and all the while, the justice system in Mississippi is functioning with less than the basics from a monetary stance. I’m not suggesting that statutory rape isn’t a real crime. What I am saying, however, is that the state has absolutely no right to stand by and collect DNA from teens hitting the hospital to give birth, only to use that DNA to see if a crime was committed. Not prove a crime was committed, but rather, looking for the possibility of a crime being committed. The differences may seem subtle, but in this country, that subtle difference is what defines us. It’s what makes this nation the go-to place for every other country. It’s the core of who we are. Since when is that no longer enough?

Mississippi made a bad call (and other states will likely follow). It was incredibly short-sighted, invasive and frankly, infuriating.

Finally – here are a couple more facts that can provide even more perspective:

Mississippi unemployment for May 2013: 9.1% (it’s been above 9% for a very long time)

Mississippi is ranked number one for the highest number of families on food stamps, coming in at 20.8%

 

Taking a Stand – and Then Sticking by It

This past week, we’ve heard a lot of the media pundits go on and on about how Obama is as bad/worse/not quite as bad as former President Nixon. I’ve been hit with a lot of emails from some readers about my stance on it. Two months ago – almost to the day – I actually wrote a post on the Nixon/Obama comparison. Interestingly enough, this particular blog has been the most read since starting the blog several years ago. Go figure. The comparisons are there – but the point of the blog was to show that Nixon at least had something positive to contribute, unlike his modern Democrat counterpart. And no – I’m not saying history is being unfair to Nixon; just saying there will be at least a few positive aspects that people will be able to mirror to his criminal activities. I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of a single quote Obama’s made that has brought our country together.  Let’s face it – there are a lot of quotes, beliefs and definitive actions we equate to past presidents – regardless of whether we’re pubs or dems or believe or don’t believe in any particular president’s motives:

President George W. Bush – October 7, 2002  Remarks about  9/11/01, Cincinnati Museum Center – Cincinnati Union Terminal, Cincinnati, Ohio (Read it in full here)

America must not ignore the threat gathering against us. Facing clear evidence of peril, we cannot wait for the final proof, the smoking gun that could come in the form of a mushroom cloud.

President Obama – October 18, 2012 Remarks about 9/11/12, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. His reply when asked about the “confusion” around the Benghazi attack. (Read it here)

(We) weren’t confused about the fact that four Americans had been killed. I wasn’t confused about the fact that we needed to ramp up diplomatic security around the world right after it happened. I wasn’t confused about the fact that we had to investigate exactly what happened so it gets fixed. And I wasn’t confused about the fact that we’re going to hunt down whoever did it.

Note that a year after 9/11/01, President Bush was still speaking of the attacks in a present tense while Obama, one month after the 9/11/12 attacks, speaks in a past tense – suggesting he was already past it and ready for the world to be as well.

At any rate, my stance is the same now as it was in March. Here’s the link. And yes – Obama needs to go. But some people still believe impeachment means automatic “firing”. It doesn’t. Bill Clinton was impeached, but not forced out of office. So yeah – impeachment’s fine, but useless unless he’s actually escorted off the taxpayer-funded White House lawn.

 

Three Years In: How Long will BP Spill Haunt Coastal Residents?

I have caught a lot of flack over the past couple of years over the BP oil spill. In fact, I’ve lost friends because of my stance (and this one too).  What I’m more worried about, though are the long term repercussions of the massive oil spill that annihilated the Gulf of Mexico and took 87 days to cap. That’s nearly three months of oil that poured into the waters that still feed countless Americans.

From the tumors found on several fish species to the questionable decisions of the EPA, NOAA and Coast Guard to support continued consumption of the seafood out of the Gulf, there’s not a time I’ve wondered if maybe I need to bite my tongue. These days, I’m even more convinced.

Remember, the Coast Guard allowed BP to continue dumping millions of barrels of those chemicals – Corexit – that were supposed to disperse the oil. That was insanity at its finest. Basically, BP was allowed to dump poison (dispersants) into a body of water with the support of the American government – that then encouraged people to eat from that well of poison.

Soon, though, BP had managed to buy some folks off. Many politicians and “everyday citizens” took to the airwaves to provide a degree of legitimacy to the claims that Gulf seafood was safe. From the then-governor of my own state, Haley Barbour, to business owners who’d lost nearly everything and were trying to rebuild, BP had ripe pickings of those willing to sell out. And yes – Barbour sold out.

This past January, a three day meeting of the minds was held. The Gulf of Mexico Spill & Ecosystem Science Conference was pulled together in an effort of better understanding the effects of the oil spill – both on humans and the delicate ecosystem in this region of the country. Robert Dickey, who is the director of the FDA Gulf Coast Seafood, continued to insist that the tests revealed following the spill shows commercial seafood is safe to eat, “The bottom line is that the seafood is as safe to consume now as it was before the spill,” Dickey said. “We’re back to background levels. We were in the fall (of 2010) shortly after the spill dissipated.”

Sounds fine, right? Well – only if you’re OK with that one bit of input. Consider this:

One month ago, Dr. William Sawyer, a Louisiana toxicologist, provided quite the argument that Corexit is deadly to both people and sea life. “Corexit components are also known as deodorized kerosene,” Sawyer said in a written statement for the Gulf Oil Disaster Recovery Group,   “With respect to marine toxicity and potential human health risks, studies of kerosene exposures strongly indicate potential health risks to volunteers, workers, sea turtles, dolphins, breathing reptiles and all species which need to surface for air exchanges, as well as birds and all other mammals.” He then explained that Corexit, when broken down, changes the makeup of crude oil and makes it “bioavailable”, meaning it’s easier to absorb by any living things.

Sawyer then conducted tests on much of the seafood we all consume – shrimp, snapper, crab and others – in an effort to see just how much PHC had been absorbed by this sea life. He then compared the results to samples taken before the oil spill. Before the spill, there was “no measurable PHC”. Following the spill, he found tissue concentrations of up to 10,000 parts per million, or 1 percent of the total. This, explained Sawyer, “shows that the absorption was enhanced by the Corexit.”

Here’s what’s so troublesome today and it’s what got me focused on this once again. First, though, take a look at this quick quote from James H. Kirby, III, director of the Department of Geology at the University of South Florida. The report, Findings of Persistency of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Residual Tar Product Sourced from Crude Oil Released during the Deepwater Horizon (and note the very last sentence):

Oil range organics (ORO) tests were done on 23 samples. Compared to the Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) or carcinogenic exposure limit for PAH analytes listed as coal tar derivatives, 90% of the positively identified analytes exceeded the IDLH limit. The use of ultraviolet light equipment in the field showed distinct fluorescent responses to illumination by a 370nm UV light source. UV light equipment was found to be very efficient in identifying tar product on the beach for evaluating the visual level of contamination on the beach. Fluorescent responses from tar product found in the field and laboratory created tar product were measured by fluorometry equipment. The collection area was between Waveland, MS and Cape San Blas, FL. Most sampling efforts centered on the AL and NW FL coasts.

Today, an article was published in our local newspaper. It reads, in part:

Two people have died and five more remain hospitalized after experiencing flu-like symptoms from a respiratory illness in Southeast Alabama, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health. The department, along with the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, are investigating the illness, which they described as a “cluster of respiratory illnesses of unknown origin.”  Among the symptoms displayed by the patients are fever, shortness of breath, and cough.

I am NOT saying the two are connected – what I am saying, though, is there’s a reason and until and unless we’re willing to explore the possibilities, we’re serving no purpose whatsoever for those who could be affected in the future due to an unwillingness to accept certain truths right here and right now.

In April 2012, lesions and deformities described as “grotesque” were being reported by Louisiana State University’s Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences. In fact, millions of shrimp and crabs were turning up with no eyes and the belief of many is that it’s all due to the dispersants and oil. And did I mention the ONE media outlet that covered it was Al Jazeera? Meanwhile, BP – in yet another incredible act of stupidity – said  “such deformities were “common” in aquatic life in the Gulf” and that it was caused by bacteria or parasites, even as studies showed it’s all due to the spill. Read it here.

Finally, there are a couple of quotes in recent weeks that bear repeating:

This (read it here):

Six months after the spill ended, anglers began pulling in red snapper with ugly lesions. Tests by University of South Florida scientists verified that chemicals from Deepwater Horizon oil had clogged their livers, causing immune system problems.

And this (read it here)

David Hollander, a chemical oceanographer with USF, “Everywhere the plume went, the die-off went,” Hollander said. The discovery by USF scientists marks yet another sign that damage from the disaster is still being revealed as its third anniversary looms. Although initially some pundits said the spill wasn’t as bad as everyone feared, further scientific research has found that corals in the gulf died. Anglers hauled in fish with tattered fins and strange lesions. And dolphins continue dying. The full implications of the die-off are yet to be seen.

 

 

TX Congressman Jeb Hensarling Needs to Go – NOW

It’s no secret the way politics really work in this country. There are those tell-tale signs that show even the most removed soul where the priorities are. Right or wrong, it’s what drives this country we call home. In recent years, though, there have been decisions, actions and changes that have left many simply speechless. The latest move, courtesy of a Texas Republican, has even this die-hard Republican furious. It’s time for Jeb Hensarling to rethink his career options.

New Banking Laws

When the Obama Administration announced it would be taking steps to rein in the nation’s biggest banks, many were skeptical, but hopeful that any changes would finally shut those arrogant and narcissistic personalities down. Those like Jamie Dimon come to mind. He’s the outspoken, controversial and egotistical soul that runs JPMorgan Chase. Anyone who’s read anything I’ve written in the pat few years knows just how deep my distaste for this man runs. He is absolutely infuriating – but he’s just one of many.

Soon, Obama signed into law new financial rules that even Dimon was forced to play by. The laws were then – and are still now – controversial. Some I agree with, some I don’t, but there’s no denying the decision to put into place a consumer watchdog group will likely be the one good thing Obama will be remembered for (and y’all know how I feel about the Obama Administration). Soon, the Republicans cried foul and were adamantly opposed to the laws and the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Obama stood his ground though and while the Dodd Frank Financial Laws fall significantly short of serving their purpose, the 2010 CARD Act, which provides for the founding of CFPB, was a home run.

Congress refused to acknowledge CFPB Director Richard Cordray, even after Obama appointed him. Days following the swearing in by Obama, a federal appeals court ruled that the process used to swear him in was constitutionally invalid. This means Cordray has been going about the business of running CFPB without the legalities (albeit suddenly defined legalities) that make it proper. Now, Hensarling has latched onto that like a starving vegetarian who’s just discovered rib-eye steak.

This week, as Cordray prepared to testify in front of Congress about the state of his agency, Hensarling piped up and complained, “The court’s unanimous ruling makes it clear that there is no legally-appointed director of the CFPB at this time.” He went further and said, “By law, the committee can receive this testimony only from a director who is appointed in accordance with the Constitution and the Dodd-Frank Act, which created the bureau.”

Meanwhile, had Cordray been given the opportunity, he would have testified on a number of events that his agency – and his agency alone – has put into place to protect you and me and every other American consumer.

Among the accomplishments in the past six months:

• CFPB has secured $425 million in relief for more than 6 million consumers (and this the one agency that actually refunds consumers instead of calling them “fines” and adding them to government coffers)
• CFPB is successfully addressing more than 130,000 complaints on anything from credit card billing practices and banks to overpriced payday loans that often have interest rates of 300% annually
• CFPB also just announced new laws on how consumers will be treated when it comes to buying a house. Several of the nation’s biggest banks and insurance companies are gouging homeowners on private mortgage insurance (PMI). The banks are taking financial kickbacks and CFPB is the one kicking back – and putting a halt to it. There are already lawsuits being filed – and federal judges are allowing those homeowners to sue. It’s all because of Cordray and CFPB.

So why would Congress be opposed to an agency that protects its members’ constituents? I’ve asked that question a million times. It all comes down to the same thing:

The new financial laws prevent bankers and politicians from padding their pockets. The new laws mean oversight and that means the banks must follow by ethical and legal rules. They don’t like it.

Here are just a few of the ridiculous actions/comments Jeb Hensarling’s made in recent days:

“The committee intends to continue to conduct rigorous oversight of the CFPB’s activities, and will expect the CFPB’s cooperation in those efforts, including making other employees available to testify at committee hearings and responding fully to committee requests for documents and information.”

(It’s clear he wants complete control of CFPB so that he can put a lid on it. He has no interest in hearing from Cordray, but Hensarling wants CFPB employees to appear when he commands.)

Hensarling sent a letter to the lawyers for CFPB and said Obama’s appointment was invalid because Senate was in recess. He says that the laws dictate the only way he and his fellow politicians can hear testimony is if it’s “from a director who is appointed in accordance with the Constitution.”

(Cordray has testified numerous times in the past – and no one complained.)

Earlier this week, he sent Cordray a letter as well, in which he stated:

“Absent contrary guidance from the United States Supreme Court, you do not meet the statutory requirements of a validly-serving director of the CFPB, and cannot be recognized as such,”

Finally, remember that Senator Elizabeth Warren also caught hell from Republicans and has since taken a step back until it’s all hashed out. That’s a shame because she came with guns blazing, ready to work alongside Dems and Pubs – and CFPB. Instead, the Senate again refused to confirm her.

At a minimum, Hensarling needs to be stripped of his title as chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. It’s clear his priorities are not in line with the same folks who elected him into office. He has ulterior motives and appears to be doing very little to hide them.

 

 

 

Invasion of the Lifeless, the Psychos and the Brits

So much to trouble to stir – it’s been brewing for months now. The networks, the “must-see” shows that are more potent than a handful of Tylenol PMs and why the British rule when it comes to sarcasm. What’s not to love?

Music and Reality (or a Lack of)

There are some things that just don’t belong on reality shows that include singers and celebrity judges/coaches. Those things are Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera. I know, I know…those are fighting words. Really, though, how many times can you watch Mariah Carey sit there, staring down at a non-existent note card, hands petting her hair extensions, doing little more than mumbling some nonsense and stopping long enough to look off to her left in an effort to delay actually having to say something worthwhile? At least little Miss Firecracker from the UK – or Nicki Minaj to some of y’all – will actually stir a bit of trouble from time to time. I’m the first to admit – I had no idea who Nicki Minaj was before the latest season of American Idol. But dang that girl doesn’t skip a beat and yes, she’s controversial, but she’s about the only thing that has a pulse these days out of the AI camp.

And speaking of the absence of a pulse…Christina Aguilera. The Voice was a hit coming out of the gate three seasons ago. Despite Aguilera’s pettiness and frankly, what I can only define as bitterness, the show gained its audience and was one of the few sure things for NBC. She was quick to dismiss those who found the courage to stand before her and the other judges in hopes of seeing their own dreams come full circle, especially if there was some strange Mickey Mouse Club history she had with them. Her co-coaches, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine and CeeLo Green were the heart of the show. So bad was she that she made deliberate efforts to sabotage a few of the contestants by giving brutal and untrue critiques.

The Golden Tickets

When it was announced Aguilera would be sitting out the fourth season followed by Green’s own announcement, NBC was handed a golden opportunity – and it used it to strike gold. And then Shakira and Usher arrived. It’s not until you see the authenticity that Shakira and Usher display that you realize just how drab Aguilera is. Shakira especially provides a startling contrast to her predecessor – and it’s one I hope plays a role in the network’s coaching choices for next season. When Aguilera and Green said they’d skip season four, they also said they’d be back next season. It would be a loss for NBC if it opted to not bring back the two personalities that blend seamlessly with the two seasoned coaches. The crazy thing is I couldn’t figure out why folks like Mariah Carey and Christine Aguilera bothered me until I saw Shakira – she’s a beautifully talented singer who’s actually happy with her life. She’s bubbly, genuinely nice and has the ability to put the other judges at ease because they’re not walking on eggshells around her.

A Little Telly and Tea

And speaking of walking on eggshells – never underestimate the cutting humor that comes from our friends from the UK and Australia – Gordon Ramsay and Tabatha Coffey are two examples of why TV is so much fun. If you’re not Bravo fans or if you don’t watch a lot of reality TV, you may not know who they are – but you should. I’m just waiting for the day Ramsay discovers grits and realizes he’s not lived until he’s had some southern grandma whip him up a pot.

Love a Good Psycho – or Cannibal

Really, though, we’re heading into May sweeps before long and even with the Shakira and Usher punch and the British/Aussie talent – there’s still one thing more that’s bringing more characters we love to love – or hate – and those are the psychos. Whether it’s Norman Bates on A&E’s Bates Motel or Joe Carroll (played by James Purefoy, another UK favorite) on The Following (and by the way – am I the only one who can’t erase from memory Kevin Bacon’s Footloose character, Ren, dancing to Kenny Loggins’ “I’m Free”?) or the latest addition, Hannibal, who’s being played by Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, there’s something to be said about a few psychological disorders and psychopaths – especially when you toss in a bit of Hollywood unpredictability. All three are fascinating and they deliver just the right amount of skin-crawling ickiness. If you didn’t see tonight’s premiere of Hannibal, complete with the good doctor gobbling down one woman’s liver, followed by another woman’s lungs – beautifully arranged on fine bone china and a good wine, you missed something…weird. But fascinating.

Usually, Hollywood taints any sense of realistic efforts of those trying to create believable insanity, but fortunately, at least with these three made for TV shows, they’re not doing half bad. As long as they keep Mariah Carey out of the mix, anyway. On second thought….

 

In Hindsight

Ever notice how hindsight can educate you? How many times have we said to ourselves and others, “If I’d known then what I know now…”? Plundering through some old issues of LIFE Magazine, there was no shortage of those moments for me. It got me to thinking about how much things have changed – until I realized that when it gets right down to it, not much has changed at all.

I was reading an interview with Richard Nixon right before voters put him back in office. Soon, Watergate would emerge and it would annihilate not only Nixon, but several others as well. Before then, though, he had support that crossed party lines and more importantly, he had the respect of a nation. I know – that’s a hard sell in retrospect, but stay with me here -

In the September 1972 issue of LIFE, you’ll find this:  

For the U.S. to play a proper role in world affairs we must, in the President’s view, not only be strong militarily, but strong in spirit, strong in self respect. We must be able to govern ourselves if we are to help govern the world. The U.S. does not maintain its strength in order to push people around. It does so in order to play a role which only the U.S. can. We must maintain the strength of our military establishment, and of our economy and we must show that we can govern ourselves.

Nixon then goes on to speak of his disappointment in himself for not being able to accomplish as much as he’d wished during the first four years. He explained that an American president “can do things in foreign affairs and then ask to be judged on his performance. In domestic matters, he can only propose to do things.” In three years, he continued, Congress didn’t reject his bills, but instead, they simply did not act on them. He ended that aspect of the interview by saying these kinds of failures, to him, mean as a country, we faced a crisis in our ability to govern and then suggested that the machine of the government is obsolete.

Any of it sound familiar? I searched out the text from Obama’s 2008 Strategy to Promote Global Development and Democracy. It was interesting to see the contrasting beliefs, word choices and overall sentiments of the two. Here’s part of what you’ll find in that presentation:

Barack Obama will restore America’s standing in the world by providing a new American leadership to meet the challenges of a new century. American leadership is urgently needed. This century’s threats are as dangerous as and in some ways more complex than those we confronted in the past… weak states that cannot control their territory or provide for their people; from extreme poverty and repressive governance that can foment instability; and; from a warming planet that would spur new diseases, spawn more devastating natural disasters, and catalyze deadly conflicts.

The point is to mirror the two references in order to gain a different perspective, especially when you consider the various recent decisions that have come out of the Obama Administration.

Finally, take a look at these two comparisons. The first one highlights the mindset of Americans from the early 1970s (from the same LIFE issue) regarding the union’s growing influence. It also mentions poverty and unemployment.

Reese Orlosky worked in a knife factory and put himself through college. It took eleven years, but he graduated in 1971 with his psychology degree. By then, he’d married and both he and his wife had accepted jobs as teachers as it was difficult to find a job in his chosen career. He discovered that both he and his wife made, in combined salaries, just $600 above the national poverty line. He returned to the knife factory and accepted position on the assembly line earning $4.78 per hour just to earn a living.

OK – so jump ahead more than three decades later -

Millions of college graduates who saw a degree as their ticket to a good-paying career and a secure life are working in jobs that do not require their education or even a high school diploma, sometimes leaving them with small wages to pay thousands in student loan debt, according to a new study.

About 48 percent of all working college alumni – not just recent graduates – were underemployed in 2010 as the United States began a slow recovery from the Great Recession, including 5 million graduates in jobs that require less than a high school diploma, according to a study from the Center for College Affordability and Productivity. (See the entire Denver Post story here)

Also, in an October 2012 report titled, America’s near poor: 30 million and struggling the number of those living at or just below the poverty level has grown by 10%. For those who are officially living in poverty, those numbers have skyrocketed a whopping 24% in the past couple of years. Interestingly enough, there’s even a label for these families; the ones who are doing all of the right things, but still are unable to to climb out. They’re referred to as “the missing class”. These are the families that lawmakers and policymakers dismiss and they’re also the ones who are probably not going to be able to afford things like medical insurance, especially once Obama Care kicks in. In fact, many have already had to drop previous policies because their employers could no longer pay the premiums.

Did I mention those in this missing class group include teachers? In other words, if you transplanted a 1972 Orlosky into current day, he and his wife would likely face the same problems they did three decades ago.

The times were different, the motives were different and society as a whole was different, until, of course, you dig a bit deeper.