The saga unfolding around Greater Southeast Community Hospital (GSECH) has, once again, ignited a debate about corporate profits vs. quality health care. Councilmember Catania has justifiably caused a stir by accusing the corporate owner, Envision, of putting profits ahead of patient care. What is happening at GSECH mirrors the healthcare crisis going on around the country. Unfortunately, it's in our home town, and the neediest of District residents are the ones suffering.
Quality health care is a right, not a privilege for only those who can afford it. Our leaders must find a way to ensure that DC residents have access to health care without first being frisked by corporate number crunchers. Governor Schwarzenegger has a far-reaching plan in California that guarantees coverage for every Californian. DC residents deserve coverage as well.
As long as the federal government continues to avoid dealing seriously with the nation's out-of-control health-care crisis, local leaders must lean heavily on Congress and the White House to make necessary changes and improvements while, at the same time, protect local residents from corporate profiteering. I applaud David Catania's efforts to stand up to a large corporation and to champion the cause of those who need our help desperately--too many struggling residents of the District of Columbia in need of medical attention.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
Effective Curfew Enforcement
The attempt by Councilmember Tommy Wells to move the curfew for teens up an hour to 10 PM was blocked when another member of the Council changed her vote at the last minute. I support curfews because they have the ability to keep our children and streets safer at night and to allow our police officers to focus on our other pressing enforcement needs.
During curfew hours, youth on the street are either taken home or taken in by officers on duty, but curfews are difficult to enforce. MPD is already understaffed, and combing every street and alley for kids out after curfew is challenging. Sure, most teens will obey the law and stay inside, but many will just ignore it. A curfew is only as good as MPD's ability to make it work.
When sudden crime spikes occur, as we are currently experiencing in The District, curfews must be enforced. But we must also think long-term. Later hours for recreation centers, teenager-targeted events and midnight basketball are all options that will allow our youth to stay up late, yet also be productive. Curfews are important, but let's all think about what we can do to create long-lasting stability in our neighborhoods.
During curfew hours, youth on the street are either taken home or taken in by officers on duty, but curfews are difficult to enforce. MPD is already understaffed, and combing every street and alley for kids out after curfew is challenging. Sure, most teens will obey the law and stay inside, but many will just ignore it. A curfew is only as good as MPD's ability to make it work.
When sudden crime spikes occur, as we are currently experiencing in The District, curfews must be enforced. But we must also think long-term. Later hours for recreation centers, teenager-targeted events and midnight basketball are all options that will allow our youth to stay up late, yet also be productive. Curfews are important, but let's all think about what we can do to create long-lasting stability in our neighborhoods.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Gun Control Takes Center Stage in Ward 8
Last weekend, I went to the Ward 8 Democrats debate on gun control. In attendance, were representatives from the city, the NRA, the Brady Center and the Million Mom March DC. It was a spirited debate, but I came away pessimistic about finding a true solution to the problem, at least as far as DC is concerned.
The problem was eloquently summed up by Ladd Everitt in his email following the event. Ladd is from the Million Mom March and was one of the panelists:
The problem was eloquently summed up by Ladd Everitt in his email following the event. Ladd is from the Million Mom March and was one of the panelists:
I told people in my remarks that I found it sad that we point fingers at each
other and are duped into criticizing DC's gun laws when traffickers from VA, MD
and elsewhere EVERY DAY are channeling illegal guns to our kids and profiting
from the ensuing bloodshed.
Ladd has a great point. Without secure borders, how can our small city really control its own destiny when it comes to keeping guns off the streets? It is so easy to go into a gun store, buy a gun and then sell it in DC, completely undetected. The answer really lies in the strengthening of federal gun laws and also in better enforcement of the laws in MD and VA. Even the strictest gun laws in DC won't prevent gun violence in our city. Nevertheless, DC residents must have the right to determine the gun laws in the District. Gun violence in Washington is just another example of how District residents are affected by the decisions of others.
Monday, June 18, 2007
An Old School Fathers Day
All around the country, fathers and their kids celebrated their unconditional love for each other on Fathers Day. Unfortunately, for many in the District of Columbia, children are without fathers. In some cases, dads are in jail or were murdered. In other cases, they simple choose not to be a part of their kids' lives and upbringing. No matter the reason, Fathers Day should remind us that many youth of this city desperately need our help.
The government cannot create fathers. All the money in the world will not create never-formed or broken bonds. But several groups of courageous and dedicated black men in the District have come together to create organizations that mentor children and steer them away from violence and crime. Yesterday, two such groups, Peaceoholics and Cease Fire, held a special Fathers Day cookout and baseball game for kids whose fathers are not there for them.
The baseball game featured my team, the "new school" Peaceoholics, coached by co-founders Jauhar Abraham and Ronald Motten, against the "old school" Madness, coached by Cease Fire founder Al-Malik Farrakhan. We were sure we were going to win, but at the end of the game, we were beaten by the "old school" brothers 20-0!!! I have never been so surprised, but Al-Malik fielded an amazing team.
Today, I was reminded again of two things:
1) There are great people doing great things in this community, doing everything they can to save and support our youth.
2) Respect our elders. Not only do they have the ability to make a difference in our community, but they are very good at baseball!
The government cannot create fathers. All the money in the world will not create never-formed or broken bonds. But several groups of courageous and dedicated black men in the District have come together to create organizations that mentor children and steer them away from violence and crime. Yesterday, two such groups, Peaceoholics and Cease Fire, held a special Fathers Day cookout and baseball game for kids whose fathers are not there for them.
The baseball game featured my team, the "new school" Peaceoholics, coached by co-founders Jauhar Abraham and Ronald Motten, against the "old school" Madness, coached by Cease Fire founder Al-Malik Farrakhan. We were sure we were going to win, but at the end of the game, we were beaten by the "old school" brothers 20-0!!! I have never been so surprised, but Al-Malik fielded an amazing team.
Today, I was reminded again of two things:
1) There are great people doing great things in this community, doing everything they can to save and support our youth.
2) Respect our elders. Not only do they have the ability to make a difference in our community, but they are very good at baseball!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
The Art of Risk Taking
Our mayor now has the future of more than 55,000 school children in his hands. We knew all along that this new governance structure was not going to support the status quo, and on Tuesday we were proven right. As soon as he could, Clifford Janey was sacked in favor of a seemingly untested 37-year old who started a non-profit whose mission is to improve urban public schools with out-of-the-box thinking. Questions have arisen about Michelle Rhee's qualifications, but DC has had "qualified" superintendents for the last 20 years, and look where that has gotten us, in a race to the bottom.
Mayor Fenty is certainly taking a risk by appointing Ms. Rhee, an accomplished and successful professional, but one who has never run a school system. But to the naysayers, I urge DC stakeholders to give her a chance and to do everything possible to support her success. Her success will be our success, for our children will get the education they deserve.
I don't have a crystal ball, but I applaud the Mayor for taking the road "less traveled by," and for pushing change. This appointment is certainly symbolic of the transformation of this city. New blood, energy, creative thinking. All hallmarks of success. We will all be watching to see if the execution is as good as the idea.
Mayor Fenty is certainly taking a risk by appointing Ms. Rhee, an accomplished and successful professional, but one who has never run a school system. But to the naysayers, I urge DC stakeholders to give her a chance and to do everything possible to support her success. Her success will be our success, for our children will get the education they deserve.
I don't have a crystal ball, but I applaud the Mayor for taking the road "less traveled by," and for pushing change. This appointment is certainly symbolic of the transformation of this city. New blood, energy, creative thinking. All hallmarks of success. We will all be watching to see if the execution is as good as the idea.
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