Category: Editorial

The world did not end as the Maya’s calendar predicted, but it sure felt like it during the last 4 years we have been dealing with this recession. Financial difficulties have hit every home in America, one way or another. The American dream has been rattle if not shatter with this financial Crisis. Now, in the days to come, we have to deal with the uncertain of a “Fiscal Cliff”. We lost the classification of Middle Class  and Upper Middle Class  for the average folks, like you and me.

The new trend is Poor, Rich and Filthy Rich. Instead of finding relief, compassion, brotherly love, and togetherness, we are now more apart, racism is high, compassion is non-existence and the love of humanity is gone, hope is a foreign word.

Violence has been at an all time high this past year, Domestic Violence, Random Killings, Senseless Killings and the safety of our children has been put to the test. Gun Control is not an issue is a reality. We need better laws on Gun, and the so call rational people who uses them.

Mental health is a not a new trend, is a fact. Depression, Anger and Mental stability needs to be evaluated, respect and treated before it become a catastrophe.

Mother Nature has also contributed to the chaos and she continued to deliver a wallowing punch as thousands are left homeless thru floods, earthquakes, tsunami, arctic weather conditions and so on.

On a brighter note, good things have come our way, jobs are starting to exist, real estate market is starting to see a positive rise, healthcare is now available for many, stock market is stabilizing, price of oil is also stabilizing, and we are all coming together and working on our differences.

2012 will be in the history book as one of the worst years in history, but it doesn’t has to be, if we let it. As American, human being, God’s people we all have a say, free will and the advantage of freedom and liberty to overcome these great obstacles.

From the staff and myself here at The Poor American Blog, we wish you a happy and prosperous new year, God Bless.

Cristina Roskoff-Harris

Editor-in-chief

As a parent of four incredible children, it makes me wonder at this point, if I was blessed on my first three children who use and survived the public school system with out a scratch. I still remember, getting them ready for school. Making sure, they eat their breakfasts, where dressed properly for the day, had their homework assignments ready and packed away in their book bags, brown paper lunches were ready as well and most important, they weren’t taking their favorite toy to school that day. Sometimes I was able to drive them to school if my busy schedule allowed me and sometimes I would have to use the school bus systems for their means of transportation to school. Always, always saying a silent prayer to God to please have my children safe and out of harms-way.

Now, two are in college, one who is handicapped, is always by my side, and my beautiful 3-year-old is getting ready to venture out into the system.  After this horrible and sad event that has happened in Connecticut, the senseless massacre of 20 young children and six adults from Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown last Friday, I am questioning the safety of the Public School Systems and looking very serious to the idea of home schooling my youngest child.

Is home schooling the best alternative?

I have spoken to many parents that stated their children are better off being home school. Their children learn more, they are challenge more academic wise. The children do not miss any fun activities or field trips and the parents are more involved in their education.

I have to admit that sound very appealing, I can understand my child would  be more “safe” with me, than anybody. But what about my child social skills and communication and even her interactions with other kids. Would I be secluding her because I love her or would I be doing her a favor by staying at my side?

So many questions to answer, and who has the right answers to any of them. It is my right as a parent to decide what is best for my child and to provided her with the best I can afford and give. In reference to cost, home schooling is free. The School Board System does supply you with all the necessary items you need for your child.  You can join other parents that are doing the same and have meetings with them once a week and share ideas and frustrations with them. You can even organized children activities in your home with other parents and their children, so that your child can socialized and not feel left out and alienated.

Yes, you would be giving up your free time and even your job and that second needed income that your family need in these hard time. Weighting the value of  feeling in control and knowing your child is safe vs, the feeling of pure agony and terror of not knowing minute by minute if your child life is in peril can be pure hell.

My question to you as a parent is, Are you ready to take action and insure your child is safe not only with you, but anywhere else you send him or her? What are your thoughts?

 

Cristina Roskoff-Harris

Editor-In-Chief

 

Editors Notes: From my loving staff and myself here at “The Poor American” blog, we  are very sadden by this event.  Our prayers goes to all the families that lost their children in this horrific event and for the families of the teachers and school employees as well.

 

 

 

 

 

In the last year or so, there has been more reports in the media about domestic violence than ever before. This has become a big silent deadly disease. Yes, I have said it a “Silent Deadly Disease”. More and more reports of domestic violence has been brought out into the light than ever before. Day in and day out we hear horrifying stories of individuals taking their rage on innocent victims. Awareness, and educational counseling needs to be implemented.

The latest one reported was the tragic lost of Kansas City Chiefs’ linebacker Jovan Belcher and his girlfriend, leaving a three-month old daughter, who has been left orphaned by this sad, sad tragedy.  It shows  this deadly disease can strike anywhere and everywhere and no one is immune from it.

On a personal note, I have been a victim myself directly and indirectly to Domestic Violence. I know and understand, how tragic and devastating it can be to the victims and their families.  We are all responsible in seeing the warning signs. No marriage, No friendship, No dating relationship is perfect.  There will be times that you will not agree with one another, situations and issues can and will become too much to handle.  You are not a failure, this fairy-tale idea of “happily ever after” doesn’t exist.  Expectations, beliefs need to be analyzed and find a middle ground where you both need to be.

Jealousy, mistrust, incompetence, and stubbornness has to be eliminated from this equation. If both parties feel that the love, understanding and compatibility is no longer there, then they should walk away from the relationship. You are hurting yourself, your mate/companion and your family and friends.  Seek counseling! That is your best decision that you can make. Things will not get better over night, but you can avoid tragedy. Your friends and family are always there to help. Go to your church, go to community, your school counselor, your mentor or even your employer.

The first step is to ask and seek help. Please you are not alone……

Thank you,

Cristina Roskoff-Harris

Editor-In-Chief

The Poor American

 

 

Fact: President Obama got re-elected by winning with 303 electoral votes.

Fact: President Obama got the popular vote as well.

Fact: Not even a horrible “Super Storm Sandy” deterred the election.

Fact: The Famous “Tea Party” are still scratching their head wondering what really happened.

Fact: The Republican got snow ball at their own game, and are dumb struck.

Fact: Governor Mitt Romney is dissolution and wants and needs to polished his imagine.

Fact: The majority of the voters, “The People” wanted to keep a good, honest, hard-working, “down to earth” man in office.

Fact: Florida is still counting their votes, why? Who knows! But their still counting!

Fact: President Obama got his “Four More Years”.

Fact: House and Senate has stay the same, are they going to play nice? Good Question.

Fact: Republican that voted for their candidate are mad as hell.

So what does this all mean: President Obama said it best at his victory speech. Lets continued to move forward, lets put our differences aside, lets work together, as one people, one nation. Lets restore the glory and the dream of what makes this country great.

That is what all American need to concentrate. Helping one another, assist and watch over their government  meet and exceed their expectation in creating jobs, better education, healthcare, taxation and defending equality because that is what makes this country great and encourages all of us in obtaining the famous “American Dream”.

In the end, lets work hard for one another, lets puts all our differences aside and let’s be united for ourself, the world and most of all our children and the future generations to come. No one party was a winner, we were all winners. We all want the same thing, to keep, maintain and to succeed a better form of life.

What’s your opinion?

Cristina Roskoff

Editor-In-Chief

In 2009, I began to experience personally, what many of us have called “The Great Recession” or “The Great Depression”. I was in total shock and dismay. I was one of the many, who had found themselves, jobless, no medical insurance and well in the path of being foreclose from their american dream, their home. I had fallen thru the cracks of Middle Class to the New Poor. Competing with The Joneses was no longer an option, The Joneses were there too with me. Our financial stability, dream of equality, and better life had been destroyed by poor management and trust…..

President Obama– The President-elect in 2008 did something, that no other President could do. He united the country when we were separated by our beliefs. He had a great vision and a great plan to help this nation be one again, and to restore it to its natural glory. President Obama, help those in need, help stable the economy from falling deeper thru the cracks and bring some kind of stability. The American Economy was falling fast, at a G-force rate and he was able to stop it. I know, not as fast as we would had like it to, not even close to what we had expected for him to accomplished. Yet, let’s be honest, no-one in congress had been kind, respectful or even fair. President Obama has had a long fight, in all his years as President of The United States. Despite all of this, his small wins and large defeats has not damper or deteriorated him for trying for four more years and help us and this nation get back on its feet and back to a healthy stable recovery, where we can all prosper.

Candidate Ex-Governor Romney: Mr. Romney with his one-two punch attitude and that famous five point plan (that you need to go to his website to read) for some strange reason has entice and motivated and confused a lot of American in believing that we should go back and not forward, praised the rich and damn the poor in order for this great nation to prosper and revitalized itself back to the glory days before The Great Recession. In his vision, the many, the (47%), who were not able to survive or sustain themselves or simple hang on the ride. Can be categorized as a small loss or casualty for the greater good of the wealthy to maintain their status quo and their millions.

What does it mean to us: It means, that we should all be vigilant, not believe in fairy tales, be aware and be patience. This situation did not happen over night and it will surely not resolve it self in the latter. You have an obligation and a civil duty to vote for whom you believe will be the best person to help our country prosper and continue to grow, and provide a better future for our children and generations to come. What we do not have is the right to manipulate, coerce, degrade, threaten, or even scheme and frighten other american citizens from voting and voicing their opinions, even if their are not your own.

This is wrong. This is biased. This is not a form of democracy. This is down right evil and selfish. Let’s show the world what a real american is and let’s show the world why this is the greatest nation in the world.

What It Means To Me: These last 4 years have been hell for me and my family. I have been part of the 47% and surely have been close, very close to losing it all. I have never in all my years have watch and study closely a presidential race as this one. It brings back the famous words of the late “President Kennedy” which stated….”….ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your  country.”

For the very 1st time, I voted early and I am sure the person I voted for will help all of us triumph in this situation.  This race should not be about race, creed or color. This race should not be about riches or poorer. This race should be about all of ‘us” .

“One Nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.”

C. Roskoff, editor.