It may seem too early to begin planning for life after the recession since so many Americans are still unemployed, but it’s never too early to secure a plan. Part of the problem with how quickly we slipped into this recession resulted from our collective inability to plan and properly manage our money.

When the real estate market was at its peak, with millions of wannabe flippers and novices selling any and every available home, only to reap exorbitant profits, greed and a bit of naiveté set in. We believed that the money would last forever, that homes would always retain their values and that the next five or six figure check was just a flip away.

As we know, however, this was far from the truth. In planning for life after the “Great Recession” we not only have to learn better methods for saving our money, we have to learn to change how we view success.

One can be successful and not be a millionaire.
One can be successful and not live in a mini mansion.
One can be successful and not own a home.
One can be successful and not have graduated college.

BUT one cannot be successful and unhappy.

Life after the recession should be marked with an insistence to increase our collective happiness. Rather than investing so much time and effort into making money, into keeping up with the Joneses, we should look inward not outward.

Real happiness comes from within. It can’t be bought and it’s not for sale. Were we to expend the same level of energy on attaining happiness and living a happier life, we would quickly realize just how successful we are.

To be successful is to be happy. Planning for life after the recession should begin with a desire to attain and maintain personal happiness. Otherwise, we’ll face exactly the same pressures and temptations that got us into this recession in the first place.

The media is saturated with discussions and commentaries surrounding the debate over healthcare reform. Camps have chosen their sides and are fiercely defending their territories. There are those that support universal healthcare and those that don’t, but little if any attention has been paid to educating the public.

I find it interesting that so much time and money has been spent discussing universal healthcare and so little time has been spent engaging the American public in an in depth discussion on how to prevent illness and simple lifestyle changes that can dramatically improve one’s health, fitness, and mental wellbeing.

The question, then, I am left to ask is, “is it more profitable to have a nation of sick people?” Granted, this question is supposed to evoke a certain degree of skepticism, but given how little advertising dollars are spent in educating the public as opposed to the media saturation of prescription medications and OTCs, one is left to seriously question the importance our government and pharmaceutical companies place on our overall health.

 As the old adage goes, “put your money where your moth is.” If the government is expecting the American people to buy into the notion of universal healthcare, then it would be to their advantage to make a concerted effort to educate the public on preventative measures, which can improve our quality of life and lead to a happier and healthier public. Otherwise, one is left to question the motive of universal healthcare.

I remember receiving the Presidential Physical Fitness Award in middle school and the pride I took in being recognized for my achievements. I had that award for many years and only recently lost in during a move. I remember feeling that Ronald Regan, who was the president at the time, had a vested interest in my physical fitness. Because of that simple fitness award, I decided to join the track team. I would eventually get a scholarship for track and field at the University of South Florida, and I am still running today.

My point is simple. That gesture of recognition set me on a path to physical fitness and I understood even in middle school the importance of health and fitness, something I treasure until this day. One is never too young to learn of the many benefits of health and fitness and our government must equally focus on educating and retraining the public to live a healthier and more active lifestyle. Universal healthcare is important to many, but understanding how to prevent disease is important to us all.

As has been widely discussed throughout the media, Rep. Joe Wilson has been reprimanded by House Democrats for interrupting President Obama’s health care speech as he shouted, “You lie!” After the incident, Rep. Wilson apologized to the President and all was forgiven.

A larger debate arose however, a debate concerning civility and respect for the presidency. Much of the anger directed at Rep. Wilson’s comments stemmed from his lack of respect, not for Barack Obama, as a man, but for the position and symbols of power that he holds as President of the United States of America.

Some argue that such a display of insubordination undermines the global perception of power and authority that the President wields. Others suggest, however, that though Rep. Wilson’s comments were inappropriate, he was within his constitutional rights to voice his opinion. Further, many have stated that this outburst hasn’t been the first of its kind. 

It is purported that U.S. global dominance is weakening as a result of the war in Iraq and the economic fall initiated by a shoddy real estate market. Many are now arguing that America’s presence as the global superpower is slowly being dwarfed by China the U.K. and the EU.

Within politics, perception is reality. If the U.S. is perceived to be weakening from our inability to complete our military objectives in Iraq, and the global economic crisis has it’s origins in the United States real estate market, and, furthermore, our President is being openly disrespected by a subordinate, at what point will our enemies decide our weakness is their advantage?

The president of the United States holds the most powerful office in the United States and some would argue the free world. It’s not simply that Rep. Wilson challenged the President but that he disrespected the President by calling him a liar. Certainly, the U.S. isn’t a totalitarian state and individuals should express their disagreements, but to interrupt the President and call him a liar in front of an international audience of observers send a dangerous message. It says that we are weak. 

Below are the videos of my presentation, "On the Legal Status of Genocidal Intent" presented at Nova Southeastern University on September 10, 2009. The panel discussion focused on the events in Darfur and the legal implications of states that endose or foster acts of genocide.

Part I of My Discussion

Part II of My Discussion

A public health option (PHO) is government-introduced competition into the marketplace, wherein the government provides health benefits and health insurance as any private company might. Introducing this level of competition into the marketplace encourages rate reduction because to remain competitive, private insurance providers would need to compete with the plans offered by the U.S. government. Furthermore, in some states, private insurers have a near monopoly on the industry. If the Public Health Option were introduced into those markets, such insurers would have to lower their rates to compete with the government’s PHO.

There are, however, some concerns with the PHO. First, some argue that the federal government’s nearly limitless access to taxpayer dollars give it an unfair advantage in the market, as traditional providers cannot subsidize their revenues and services with arbitrary appropriations of taxpayer dollars. For private insurance companies, their costs, and ultimately the cost of our premiums and copays, are regulated by a complex ratio of claims and capital generated by new and existing plans.

Those who argue against a PHO for these reasons suggest that the federal government would detract from their ability to gain new customers by offering alternative plans, premiums and policies. The response to this critique, however, is that that’s precisely what the federal government intends to do. For private insurers to remain competitive, they would have to reduce their rates, which could be problematic because some argue that the federal government is partially immune to market conditions since its access to taxpayer dollars serves as a source of revenue outside of the market.

There are others who suggest that a PHO would encourage doctors to provide their services through the government’s PHO rather than through a traditional private insurer’s PPO or HMO, and as such, the government would encourage private doctors to become government doctors. Though the previous argument has some basis, this argument lacks any real validity. First, one should note that a doctor, as with any health care plan, retains his/her private practice. What the doctor does agree, however, is to provide that service either as an in network or out of network provider. Depending on the plan you select, you will either pay lower rates and deductibles (if any) for in network providers and slightly higher rates for out of network providers. Though I haven’t read anything specific to this point, I would imagine that the same would hold true for a PHO.

For example, if I have a PPO with a leading insurer, and the government PHO is offering a similar PPO, which is $50 less per pay period, I would have to wait until the end of my enrollment and then I could switch to the PHO PPO. If, while I am on the PPO I decide to visit an obviously out of network PHO provider, I would expect to pay the same rates I would were I to visit any out of network provider. In my understanding, all PHO providers would be considered out of network providers, which already exist in the insurance marketplace. Thus, there is no threat that all doctors will become government doctors, rather they would simply provide their services through the government PHO. Those with traditional PPOs could still visit these doctors as out of network providers.

I agree that there is a lot that is unclear in a proposed PHO but if the President were to fully explain its structure, there may be much less resistance. Some of the questions President Obama should be prepared to answer are (1) How will in network and out of network designations affect rates for non PHO policy holders? (2) Will the government institute similar in network, out of network plans, and if so how will that affect deductibles and copays? (3) Finally, can doctors offer their services through the PHO and private insurers or is that inherently a conflict of interest?  

Originally Published at Blogcritics.org

I’ve been listening to Jay-Z since Reasonable Doubt and his new album, The Blueprint 3, is some of the best work he’s done. I bought an early release from Rhapsody and it’s been playing on a consistent loop since last night. The overall tone of the album is inspirational. Jay’s sound is more mature and certainly unapologetic. He’s beyond the commercialism and flash of mainstream Hip-Hop and throughout the album harkens to a career filled with the efforts of his labor. It’s not just that he’s the best, but that a new generation of rappers should aspire for the same.

In a track titled, “Already Home,” featuring Kid Cudi, my favorite track on the album, Jay speaks on his place in Hip-Hop. He rhymes:

“I’m in the hall already 
On the wall already 
I’m a work of art, 
I'm Warhol already 
On another level, on another plane already
H-O-V 
I got my own lane already (already)”

Clearly, at this level of mastery, Jay’s competing with himself. It’s not about the money or the fame it’s about His place and His legacy. Interestingly, for those who might have forgotten, Jay sets the record straight as he brandishes his accomplishments in “Reminder” He rhymes:

“10 number 1 albums in a row, 
who better than me? 
only the Beatles nobody ahead of me, 
I crush Elvis in his blue suede shoes, 
Made the Rolling Stones seem sweet as Koolaid 2”

LOL!! You gotta love that line!! I love Jay’s vibe on the track. You can disagree with his approach to Hip-Hop, you may even dislike his style, but there’s no denying his place and his influence.

As a Black Academic, I’ve always been torn, because, on the one hand, I’m Hip-Hop through and through, but on the other, I’m also an academic and that’s just taboo in Hip-Hop. Jay’s seen beyond these petty differences and fake thuggery of mainstream Hip-Hop. He rhymes:

“And now that that's that Lets talk about the future 
We have just seen the dream as predicted by Martin Luther 
Now you could choose ta Sit in front of your computa 
Posin' with guns Shootin YouTube up 
Or you could come with me to the White House get your suit up 
You stuck on being hardcore I chuck the deuce up.”

GENIUS!! It’s all good to be Hip-Hop and rock the 3 piece. Who said you couldn’t be tatted and be proud to be intelligence. For too long Hip-Hop has been conditioning young Black boys that to be “real” is to have a criminal record and posing on Myspace and Youtube with fake guns. Jay rejects all of it and he gets ultimate props for having called out the hypocrisy. I’ll be going to the White House with Jay and getting my suit up!

And as far as lyrics and the intricacy of Jay’s mind and flow, as far as rhyming for rhyming sake, “Hate” is ridiculous. Jay rhymes:

“Hoova, HOVA, both of(a) 
American gangstas you choose whose, colder(a) 
Rappers get nasty in the booth, 
but im grossa, i cant even stomach myself 
im so, more in it cause im closer 
had girlies in girldles weighing more than they suppose to(a), 
poser(a), No Sir(a),my hustle, so Russell, 
i stretch work, yoga 
you know i got it down dawg, 
Al Roker, i used to knock pounds off 
it aint nothing for me to knock nouns off, 
but these MCs are prayin for my downfall, 
they just.. Haters 
i wave at you, im so player, 
ill never be done im so ra(y)re”

Masterpiece. Great Album!!

The recession can be a bit of a drab. In times of surplus it’s easy to find ways to entertain yourself, you can catch a movie or head to a nightclub, but in a recession your choices are limited. With little or no money there are still many things you can do to entertain yourself.

1.  Throw a Block Party (under $100)

Why not throw a block party? Get out of your house or apartment. Speak with your neighbors and plan a block party. Buy some burgers and dogs, maybe some chicken and you’ve got yourself a block party. It’s more important that you interact with members of your community, people who are also desperately in need of entertainment, than it is to become fixated on what it’ll cost. A block party is an inexpensive way to meet new people and organize an event with your neighbors.

2. Start a Nonprofit Organization (under $100)

Why not start your own nonprofit organization? In most states you can start your own nonprofit organization for under $100. How is this entertaining? If you’re not motivated by money, then you’ll be motivated by your passion for a cause. If you’re into the environment or the arts, if you’re into music or fashion, starting a nonprofit organization can be an easy way to find a bit of purpose during a recession. Sometimes our drive to achieve money and amass wealth is the very cause of our impoverishment. So focusing on a good cause can give your life meaning and occupy loads of time.  

3. Invite your Friends over for an Open Mic Night (under $100)

Why not invite your friends over for an open mic night? To host an open mic night all you need is a mic, a mic stand, and a speaker, all of which can be purchased for under $100 dollars. Encourage your friends to come over and play their acoustic instruments or recite their poetry. Open mic is a perfect way to vent one’s frustration with the economy and the difficulties of life. It’s also a great way to spend time with friends. The recession is the perfect motivation for open mic nights. Not only will you entertain yourself and your friends, you’ll discover new ways of interpreting the recession. There will certainly be interesting interpretations discussed during your open mic night.

4. Volunteer (Free)

Why not volunteer your time to a cause you believe in. There are usually people that are suffering much more than you are. Why not offer them a bit of help, a bit of comfort? The recession is a perfect excuse to give back. Since most of us have so little, sharing should be easier because there’s so little that we can be attached to. After you’ve pawned the dvd for a meal or put gas in the tank with the loose change you’ve collected around the house, sharing becomes easier. It’s okay to let go of things, they don’t have anymore value in them than we attribute to them anyway. So why not give your own time to a cause? Your time is the best gift you can give.

1. George Washington never told a lie.
2. Honest Abe freed the slaves.
3. George Washington Caver found many uses for the peanut.
4. Native Americans taught the pilgrims how to be thankful.
5. It was a good idea to have young Black children read the word “nigger” in Twain’s canonical text, Huck Finn.
6. Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas
7. There’s a separation between church and state.
8. “In God we Trust”
9. “One Nation Under God”
10. The food pyramid is a source for unbiased, daily, nutritional facts.
11. Art and music aren’t as important as math and science.
12. Everything concerning Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride.
13. Betsy Ross designed the American flag.
14. Liberty and justice for all (but not members of the LGBT community or drug dealers caught selling crack rather than cocaine).

The point is simply that President Obama is speaking with the nation’s children for a few minutes next week. Collectively, our children’s teachers and curriculum committees, our tendency to mythologize the mundane and overlook the extraordinary is the real source of indoctrination. We have fallen in love with commemorating and celebrating, but when it comes to working hard and making a change in our respective communities, “hey, that’s somebody else’s responsibility!”