Commentary

Building a majority coalition for progressive change in America

Wednesday, 16 September 2009 15:43 Dr. Ron Daniels

President Barack Obama began to get his "mojo" back when he addressed a joint session of Congress September 9th. Seeking to recapture the momentum in the health care reform debate, he articulated the most detailed outline of his vision for universal health care to date. The problem is that the vision, passion and leadership the President showed in his speech should have come much earlier in the debate. By nature, the American policy-making process is resistant to dramatic change. Disjointed incremental change is the norm.

Feel good policy

Friday, 11 September 2009 16:46 Joseph C. Phillips

The message began to pop-up all over my Facebook page: “No one should die because they cannot afford health care or insurance and no one should go broke or bankrupt because they get sick.” Let us set aside the fact that no one in need of emergency life-saving medical care is denied because they do not have insurance and that there are state and federal programs already in existence that provide medical coverage for those of lesser means. I agree with the sentiment. I dare say I know of no one that doesn’t agree. There is simply no questioning the potential calamity that awaits those without some form of medical coverage.

Healthcare action now!

Friday, 11 September 2009 16:45 Judge Greg Mathis

In his recent address to Congress, President Obama made what many consider his most passionate speech, urging law makers to put aside the ‘bickering’, to think about the American people and make a push for real health care reform. Despite the disrespect shown by South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson, a Republican, during the speech, the President was able to maintain his composure and his focus. He’s serious about changing the way health care is provided in this country.

Prison and jails lack adequate mental health treatment for inmates

Thursday, 10 September 2009 16:13 Dr. Henrie M. Treadwell

ATLANTA, GA- The goal of America’s correctional facilities is supposed to be punishing criminals for wrongdoing, and preparing them to reenter our society. But the successful transition of inmates back to their communities is severely hampered by many factors, including the poor quality of mental health treatment in jails and prisons and the inability of ex-convicts to obtain mental health counseling and medication once they are released.

Swine flu estimates differ

Wednesday, 09 September 2009 17:02 Judge Greg Mathis

Two leading government healthcare agencies recently presented differing opinions on the effects swine flu is likely to have this fall. One group believes it will lead to up to 90,000 deaths. The other thinks the number will be much lower. The confusion and different viewpoints aside, swine flu is a serious illness and we must work to control its spread.

Promising models for reforming Juvenile Justice Systems

Wednesday, 09 September 2009 17:00 Marian Wright Edelman

Nationally, one in three Black boys and one in six Latino boys born in 2001 are at risk of going to prison during their lifetimes. Although boys are more than five times as likely to be incarcerated as girls, the number of girls in the juvenile justice system is significant and growing. This shamefully high incarceration rate of Black youths is endangering our children at younger and younger ages and poses a huge threat to our nation's future.

Gates case: Teachable moment for U.S.

Wednesday, 09 September 2009 15:05 Rolland Robinson

We all saw what happened: facts of the case. Fact. Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. is photographed being led by police out of his own house in handcuffs. Fact. Policeman James Crowley in the line of duty encounters a belligerent man who is resisting arrest and considered a potential threat as more police are called for assistance. Mistaken fact. Breaking and entering was not the case, though a neighbor reported someone breaking in to Gates house. She did not know it was Gates, who had forgotten his key and a his driver who were trying to get into the house. Fact. Charges dropped.