I did an appearance last night on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 to discuss the issue of Health care reform. This has been heavy on the mind of our president for his entire first year in office and has led to quite a few political battles on Capitol Hill. Health care is in serious jeopardy, as the cost of entitlement programs such as Medicaid/Medicare and Social Security threaten our nation's economic security. Our national debt has risen to unprecedented and frightening levels, and our politicians have little incentive to do anything about it.
One additional problem that we are running into on the issue of health care is the fact that our nation doesn't have enough Primary Care physicians. These doctors are incredibly important, since they are the first line of defense against illness in America.
Over the next 10 years, our nation is expected to have a shortfall of 40,000 Primary Care doctors. By 2025, that number is expected to balloon to over 120,000. To make matters worse, our population is aging, implying that there will be a greater demand for these doctors in the future.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Shortage of Primary Care Doctors Threatens Our Nation
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
News: Tiger Woods Speaks to the Press – Well, Sort of
Today, Tiger Woods finally did what everyone expected him to do: He spoke out on his own behalf. The world waited for months to hear a peep from the man who has decided to do one of the greatest disappearing acts the sports world has ever seen. When there was no Tiger, there was no professional golf.
The press conference was starting on the wrong foot, as there was buzz of a boycott from golf writers, who felt that Tiger was not giving proper respect to media by refusing to allow them to ask questions. There was also the ire communicated from his fellow golfers, such as Ernie Els, who called Tiger "selfish" for giving his press conference on a Friday, during a tournament sponsored by Accenture.
What Ernie Els failed to remember is that Accenture is the company that dropped Tiger when he was being embarrassed by the media. There is no reason that Tiger should be the least bit hesitant about stealing the headlines away from their golf tournament. Perhaps had Accenture not decided to abandon Tiger, he might not have abandoned them.
His mother was there, the PGA Commissioner was there, and one of Tiger's roommates from college was in attendance. What was missing from the press conference? Well, the press. I'm not sure if you can actually call this a press conference when you've chosen to exclude the media. The other glaring absence from the room was Tiger's wife, Elin.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
The Latest in Black News – 2/18/10
NATION
Obama Spokesman Robert Gibbs Tweets For Posterity
By News One February 18, 2010 11:13 am
Read more about Obama Spokesman Robert Gibbs Tweets For Posterity
TAGS: Barack Obama, Obama Administration, Robert Gibbs, social media,technology, Twitter
OBAMA
Obama Looking To Hire Social Media Manager
By News One February 18, 2010 11:08 am
Read more about Obama Looking To Hire Social Media Manager
TAGS: Barack Obama, Obama Administration, social media, technology,Twitter
NATION
Duke Rape Accuser Charged With Trying To Kill Boyfriend And Arson
By Associated Press February 18, 2010 10:15 am
Read more about Duke Rape Accuser Charged With Trying To Kill Boyfriend And Arson
TAGS: Arson, domestic violence, Duke, North Carolina
SPORTS
Shani Davis Wins Gold In Men’s 1,000 Speedskating
By Associated Press February 18, 2010 9:10 am
Read more about Shani Davis Wins Gold In Men’s 1,000 Speedskating
TAGS: Olympics
NATION
8 Missionaries Freed By Haitian Judge Return To U.S.
By Associated Press February 18, 2010 8:58 am
Read more about 8 Missionaries Freed By Haitian Judge Return To U.S.
TAGS: Haiti
JUST CURIOUS
JUST CURIOUS: Is Motherhood A Valid Excuse To Ditch The Army?
By News One February 18, 2010 1:50 am
Read more about JUST CURIOUS: Is Motherhood A Valid Excuse To Ditch The Army?
TAGS: Army, black families, black soldiers, Single Mothers
SPORTS
Tiger To End Months Of Silence With Press Conference Friday
By Associated Press February 17, 2010 4:18 pm
Read more about Tiger To End Months Of Silence With Press Conference Friday
TAGS: sex scandals, Tiger Woods
NATION
Haiti Judge To Free 8 Of 10 U.S. Missionaries Accused Of Kidnapping
By News One February 17, 2010 4:10 pm
Read more about Haiti Judge To Free 8 Of 10 U.S. Missionaries Accused Of Kidnapping
TAGS: Haiti
Dr. Michael Fauntroy Speaks on Felon Voting
“I don’t want everybody to vote. Elections are not won by a majority of the people. They never have been from the beginning of our country and they are not now. As a matter of fact, our leverage in the elections quite candidly goes up as the voting populace goes down.”
– Conservative activist Paul Weyrich, at a 1980 training session for Christian conservatives
While there are a number of very worthy issues that need to be addressed in this area, I propose that we include the issue of felon disenfranchisement in our deliberations. Felon disenfranchisement is critical as it impacts the outcomes of elections throughout the country. Too often, conservative, anti-minority candidates are elected because of the disproportionate removal of African Americans and other minorities from the election rolls. As the policies that disenfranchise felons disproportionately impacts African Americans (both those caught up in the criminal justice system AND the larger Black public which does not get the policies that it could because supportive people are not elected to office), we must understand it undermines the policies that we believe to be helpful to our community.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Dr. Boyce: Russell Simmons Rants on Banks
Hip hop mogul Russell Simmons seems to feel that banks are not treating the poor in a proper fashion. This week, in a rant on his site, “The Global Grind,” Simmons had this to say:
“They trick customers into doing things that are not good for them through lack of transparency, and surprise them with new fees when they can least afford it. I’m learning an important lesson about ethics or lack of ethics in this industry. In fact, I’m fighting with a bank right now that doesn’t know what kind of ass whipping they are going to get when I expose them for the abusive practices and exuberant fees they are charging the poor. What they are doing is trying to double their already outrageously high fees in exchange for providing absolutely nothing to my customers.”
Simmons went on to try to create a “movement” by adding a call to action:
“Let’s start the biggest public discussion ever about how banks treat us and expose these banks for their unequal treatment and unconscionable conduct. The time is now.”
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Does the CBC Need to Be Fixed?
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University, Your Black World Coalition
From left are, Rep. Donald Payne, D-N.J., Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., Rep. Edolphus Towns, D-N.Y. and Rep. Charles Rangel D-NY. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)
Does anyone think that the Congressional Black Caucus works for the interests of the African-American community? Well, think again. It appears that, according to a scathing report in The New York Times, African-Americans don't have the money to buy the CBC's loyalty. At the very least, they do not appear to be the top priority for a legislative group that has allowed dollar signs to complicate its priorities.
The New York Times article details a highly suspicious network of foundations and charities that seem to funnel money to CBC members in exchange for influence in Washington. The political and charitable wings of the CBCtook in $55 million dollars between 2004 and 2008, with only $1 million of that coming through their political action committee; the rest came through their unregulated network of foundations, which are allowed to escape campaign finance laws designed to keep legislators from being bought by corporate America.
While the CBC argues that the funds are used to support charitable causes in the African-American community, it seems that the foundation spends more time "big balling" with elaborate corporate events than it spends actually doing work for the community. Federal tax records show that the CBC Foundation spent more money on the caterer for its annual dinner, $700,000 dollars, than it spent giving out scholarships. As my mama used to say, "That's just trifling."
Even more disturbing are the relationships that the Congressional Black Caucus has formed with industries that clearly do not have the interests of the black community at heart, including the Internet poker industry, cigarette manufacturers, alcoholic beverage producers and rent-to-own companies. Many rent-to-own companies operate in predominantly black neighborhoods and are effectively electronic drug dealers: They give consumers a quick high today in exchange for unethically high fees and massive amounts of debt. Well guess what? The CBC is one of the reasons that the rent-to-own industry has been allowed to expand its operations in urban communities where CBC members don't even live.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
African American Politics in America – 2/14/10
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Holder may abandon civilian trial for 9/11 mastermind
By theGrio
1:14 PM on 02/12/2010
WASHINGTON (AP) - Attorney General Eric Holder is leaving open the possibility of trying professed Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed before a military commission...
-
Some blacks back Tea Party, despite movement's racist reputation
7:52 AM on 02/11/2010
A small but increasing number of black conservatives and libertarians are getting involved in the protest movement...
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Blacks have endured a decade-long jobless recovery, leaders say
By Adam Howard
6:31 PM on 02/10/2010
In a meeting that many in the African-American community considered a long time coming, President Obama met with black leaders today ...
-
Leaders leave real black issues out in the cold at White House
6:16 PM on 02/10/2010
OPINION - Black leaders still insist the president's travails are born of process and not of substance...
-
Obama invites black leaders to White House for economic talks
By theGrio
3:05 PM on 02/10/2010
WASHINGTON (AP) - African-American leaders grappled with how to improve economic opportunities for blacks...
-
Former Va. governor urges DNC chairman's firing
By theGrio
12:29 PM on 02/10/2010
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Democratic former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder is urging President Obama to fire DNC Chairman Tim Kaine, another former Virginia governor...
-
Obama welcomes crowd to White House to honor civil rights music
By theGrio
9:46 AM on 02/10/2010
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Obama welcomed an all-star lineup of performers to the East Room of the White House yesterday to pay tribute to the music of the civil rights era...
-
NY gov battles rumors of womanizing and drug use
By theGrio
4:54 PM on 02/09/2010
ALBANY, NY (AP) - David Paterson, New York's first black governor, has cited as fabricated a report that he was caught by state police in the governor's mansion cavorting with a woman other than his wife...
-
Fox News contributor Angela McGlowan to run for Congress in Mississippi
By theGrio
3:07 PM on 02/09/2010
Her candidacy puts the House GOP campaign committee in a bit of a jam...
-
First lady fights child obesity: 'That's the legacy I want'
By theGrio
12:42 PM on 02/08/2010
WASHINGTON (AP) - The first lady's goal is ambitious: to put America on track to solve the childhood obesity problem in a generation...
-
Obama to GOP: Let's talk about health care - live
By theGrio
9:20 AM on 02/08/2010
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Obama says it's time for Republicans who have attacked his health care proposals from the sidelines to step before the cameras and present their own ideas...
-
Move over Ray Nagin, New Orleans has new mayor
By theGrio
9:12 AM on 02/08/2010
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Four years ago, Mitch Landrieu narrowly lost to Ray Nagin in a racially divisive election for mayor of Katrina-scarred New Orleans...
-
NY Gov. meets with fellow Dems amid scandal rumors
By theGrio
8:45 AM on 02/08/2010
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Gov. David Paterson met privately with key Democratic leaders about his re-election plans as questions swirl around the state...
-
Obama's decline reflects the perils of democracy
8:17 AM on 02/08/2010
OPINION - Obama has been given the simple, yet impossible task of improving the economy while being given no resources in order to get the job done...
-
Senate likely to be less diverse after elections
By theGrio
9:41 AM on 02/05/2010
CHICAGO (AP) - That historically all-white club known as the U.S. Senate is likely to lose what little diversity it has after November's elections...
-
Justice Thomas: Some questioning of Supreme Court 'irresponsible'
By theGrio
4:25 PM on 02/04/2010
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Questioning the Supreme Court and other government branches needs to stay within the range of fair criticism or "run the risk in our society of undermining institutions that we need to preserve our liberties," Justice Clarence Thomas said Thursday...
-
CA National Guard gets first black, female leader
By theGrio
3:22 PM on 02/04/2010
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Brigadier General Mary Kight was sworn in Tuesday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at a former Air Force base outside Sacramento...
-
Obama calls for civility in Washington
By theGrio
10:35 AM on 02/04/2010
WASHINGTON (AP) - "You can question my policies without questioning my faith. Or my citizenship," Obama said...
-
Obama's aunt tries second asylum bid
By theGrio
8:19 AM on 02/04/2010
BOSTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama's African aunt is going before a Massachusetts immigration judge for a second time to argue she should be allowed to stay in the United States...
-
Attorney General Holder: I made decision to charge Christmas terror suspect
By theGrio
2:41 PM on 02/03/2010
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Attorney General Eric Holder said Wednesday he made the decision to charge the Christmas Day terror suspect in civilian court rather than the military system...
Friday, February 12, 2010
Black News: University of Alabama Huntsville Shooting
U. Alabama Huntsville is confirming that three people were killed in a campus shooting. The suspect was a female. Another student was injured, and the woman is in custody. Another student was injured as well. The shooting took place in the science building.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Your Black Politics on TheGrio.com – 2/11/10
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Blacks have endured a decade-long jobless recovery, leaders say
By Adam Howard
6:31 PM on 02/10/2010
In a meeting that many in the African-American community considered a long time coming, President Obama met with black leaders today ...
-
Leaders leave real black issues out in the cold at White House
6:16 PM on 02/10/2010
OPINION - Black leaders still insist the president's travails are born of process and not of substance...
-
Obama invites black leaders to White House for economic talks
By theGrio
3:05 PM on 02/10/2010
WASHINGTON (AP) - African-American leaders grappled with how to improve economic opportunities for blacks...
-
Former Va. governor urges DNC chairman's firing
By theGrio
12:29 PM on 02/10/2010
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Democratic former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder is urging President Obama to fire DNC Chairman Tim Kaine, another former Virginia governor...
-
Obama welcomes crowd to White House to honor civil rights music
By theGrio
9:46 AM on 02/10/2010
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Obama welcomed an all-star lineup of performers to the East Room of the White House yesterday to pay tribute to the music of the civil rights era...
-
NY gov battles rumors of womanizing and drug use
By theGrio
4:54 PM on 02/09/2010
ALBANY, NY (AP) - David Paterson, New York's first black governor, has cited as fabricated a report that he was caught by state police in the governor's mansion cavorting with a woman other than his wife...
-
Fox News contributor Angela McGlowan to run for Congress in Mississippi
By theGrio
3:07 PM on 02/09/2010
Her candidacy puts the House GOP campaign committee in a bit of a jam...
-
First lady fights child obesity: 'That's the legacy I want'
By theGrio
12:42 PM on 02/08/2010
WASHINGTON (AP) - The first lady's goal is ambitious: to put America on track to solve the childhood obesity problem in a generation...
-
Obama to GOP: Let's talk about health care - live
By theGrio
9:20 AM on 02/08/2010
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Obama says it's time for Republicans who have attacked his health care proposals from the sidelines to step before the cameras and present their own ideas...
-
Move over Ray Nagin, New Orleans has new mayor
By theGrio
9:12 AM on 02/08/2010
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Four years ago, Mitch Landrieu narrowly lost to Ray Nagin in a racially divisive election for mayor of Katrina-scarred New Orleans...
-
NY Gov. meets with fellow Dems amid scandal rumors
By theGrio
8:45 AM on 02/08/2010
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Gov. David Paterson met privately with key Democratic leaders about his re-election plans as questions swirl around the state...
-
Obama's decline reflects the perils of democracy
8:17 AM on 02/08/2010
OPINION - Obama has been given the simple, yet impossible task of improving the economy while being given no resources in order to get the job done...
-
Senate likely to be less diverse after elections
By theGrio
9:41 AM on 02/05/2010
CHICAGO (AP) - That historically all-white club known as the U.S. Senate is likely to lose what little diversity it has after November's elections...
-
Justice Thomas: Some questioning of Supreme Court 'irresponsible'
By theGrio
4:25 PM on 02/04/2010
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Questioning the Supreme Court and other government branches needs to stay within the range of fair criticism or "run the risk in our society of undermining institutions that we need to preserve our liberties," Justice Clarence Thomas said Thursday...
-
CA National Guard gets first black, female leader
By theGrio
3:22 PM on 02/04/2010
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Brigadier General Mary Kight was sworn in Tuesday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at a former Air Force base outside Sacramento...
-
Obama calls for civility in Washington
By theGrio
10:35 AM on 02/04/2010
WASHINGTON (AP) - "You can question my policies without questioning my faith. Or my citizenship," Obama said...
-
Obama's aunt tries second asylum bid
By theGrio
8:19 AM on 02/04/2010
BOSTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama's African aunt is going before a Massachusetts immigration judge for a second time to argue she should be allowed to stay in the United States...
-
Attorney General Holder: I made decision to charge Christmas terror suspect
By theGrio
2:41 PM on 02/03/2010
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Attorney General Eric Holder said Wednesday he made the decision to charge the Christmas Day terror suspect in civilian court rather than the military system...
-
Obama to Democrats: We must lead
By theGrio
11:42 AM on 02/03/2010
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Obama implored Senate Democrats on Wednesday to stay aggressive in pushing their agenda despite the loss of one vital seat...
-
Republicans' fear of a black president reaches new heights
9:03 AM on 02/03/2010
OPINION - The deceitful lies and illogical rants that drive the GOP right now are simply mind-boggling...