Page 4 April 17, 2014 One Man’s Opinion Another Man’s Opinion GOP Continues to Promote a Culture of Inequality By Gerry Chong The man with the slicked-back hair, the mustache and goatee, and the glowing red eyes knows a great deal about the human condition. Knowing today’s popular leaders don’t use their names--just their initials--he goes by BLZ-Bub. He knows too that to retain his popularity, he needs a stage or platform where members of the social media can find him 24/7. So he created a comedy club painted completely black--a place where performers can reflect the theater of the absurd that is required to live in Obama’s America. Beginning his shtick, he begins: “Hey, hey, folks, did you hear that the Exalted One issued another Executive Order? He proclaimed that it is illegal for companies doing business with the U.S. government to discriminate against women by paying them less than men. Moreover, he encouraged women to rise up and openly oppose discrimination by those Simon Legrees, those exploiters of women. So far, so good, right? Only problem is that the Obama Administration pays its female employees only 88 percent as much as men. So since this declaration is now the law of the land, should female government employees demonstrate, assemble and compare their salaries and benefits to their male counterparts? His voice rising, BLZ exhorted, “Rise up, you women! Throw off those yokes of tyranny, just the way Community Organizers dating all the way back to Saul Alinsky have begged you to do.” Covering his mike to keep from losing his composure, with tears of laughter rolling down his cheeks, BLZ continued, ”Know how Obamacare got to 7.1 million signups? Easy, they cancelled 4.7 million private policies, so that when enrollees ‘re-upped’ under Obamacare, they were counted anew. That’s like running a 26-mile marathon and being spotted just nine miles from the finish line. The first 17 miles were a ‘gimme.’ Cool, no? “Then, “continued BLZ, “Obama crowed that since last October Medicaid enrollment grew by three million. But isn’t that too few? Given the fact that, under Obama’s economic policies there are 46 million living below the poverty line, shouldn’t even more people be enrolled under this healthcare version of welfare? In Obama’s America, an economic tragedy is a welfare victory. To thunderous applause, BLZ hits his performance peak: “Here’s Obamacare’s news of the week. Since the initial sign-up period ended on March 31, most people cannot buy health insurance until the next sign-up period begins in January 2015! That’s right, unless you experience a life-changing event, like you were hit by a truck, you are frozen out of the government insurance marketplace. So much for reaching the goal of universal health insurance.” As BLZ-Bub reveals, life in Obama’s America is a tragicomic place. Government rules don’t apply to government. Finagling statistics is normal. Freezing insurance enrollment is a way to encourage enrollment. Up is down, left is right…literally and figuratively. So come one, come all. Giggle and cry at the BLZ-Bub Comedy Club, Obama’s America in microcosm. • By Cristian Vasquez Once again members of the GOP, in all their infinite wisdom, decided that a certain segment of the population should be treated different for reasons that only make sense to people within their ranks. On April 9, Senate Republicans blocked Democratic Sen. Barbara Mikulski’s Paycheck Fairness Act. The act sought to reduce workplace discrimination against women specifically with regards to equal pay. Democrats are claiming that Republicans oppose the bill and equal pay for equal work while Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell argues that the bill has more to do with the opposition pandering to the left than with providing equal pay for women. The truth is that the bill would make it difficult for employers to pay women less than men through additional regulations. In addition, it would make it easier for wronged workers to sue. Sen. McConnell and his Neanderthal Republican colleagues can try to paint the Paycheck Fairness Act as no more than an attempt by the Democratic Party to satisfy the left, but their opposition to this act is proof that the right appreciates some good old-fashioned discrimination. That is very frustrating coming from a group that prides itself in working hard to earn one’s share without special treatment. Yet, they are absolutely fine with having men earn more money for the exact same work that women complete. It is evident that any form of special treatment only disturbs these Republican Senators when it does not benefit their best interest. In the end, 44 Senators refused to allow a dialogue to take place. Every voting Republican was against all efforts to continue working on the measure. The message to women from the right is clear: no matter how hard they work, or how good they are at their jobs, women do not deserve the same pay as their male colleagues. During the past three election years, the Democrats have addressed the issue of equal pay for women and Republicans have opposed the idea each time. It is hard to understand why a group of well-educated individuals think in such a manner. It is unfortunate that such misogynistic attitudes within the right continue to thrive, despite the significant amount of successful women in the Republican Party’s ranks. Not even the possibility that such a law would benefit fellow GOP members was enough for these Senators to take the time to discuss the merits behind the act. I understand that we all think of the past fondly, but the Republican leaders have a fascination with only the bad elements of the past such as denying everyone equal access. These Senators are a disgrace to our modern society and they are committing a disservice to the voters. I hope that the younger Republicans rising through the party’s ranks don’t carry with them these same attitudes. As a country, we will only move forward at a much slower pace if we continue to allow for such discrimination thrive. • “Only problem is that the Obama Administration pays its female employees only 88 percent as much as men.” Seniors Boomers: 5 Daily Tactics to Defy Aging in 10 Minutes or Less (BPT) - Determined, vivacious, passionate – a lot of words describe America’s estimated 78 million baby boomers. This spirited group is redefining their golden years, staying active by working, traveling and enjoying the great outdoors. They know that in order to live life to the fullest, they must make their health a priority, and many are dramatically affecting their personal well-being with a few key activities that take 10 minutes or less a day to complete. Tavis Piattoly is a sports dietitian, expert nutritionist and co-founder of My Sports Dietitian. He stresses that small daily activities can have a cumulative effect on health, and therefore encourages baby boomers to consistently stay active and eat well. He suggests five ways boomers can keep their health on track in 10 minutes each day: 1. Quick Exercises “Exercise should be enjoyable, so whether it is a brisk walk, strength training or participating in a sport, enjoying what you do will increase your chance of sticking with that activity,” says Piattoly. He recommends boomers incorporate strength training into their workout routine to prevent loss of muscle tissues – a concern that increases with aging. Here are three simple exercises: Chair squats – Use any chair and perform 10 to 12 repetitions standing up and sitting down. To increase difficulty, hold a light dumbbell to add resistance. Wall push-ups – Place arms against a wall and perform 10 to 12 push-ups. If this is too easy, get into the push-up position on the floor, using your knees for support. Dumbbell curls or soup-can bicep curls – Use a light to moderate weight dumbbell (2 to 10 pounds) and perform 10 to 12 bicep curls. Don’t have dumbbells? Substitute soup cans. 2. Nutrient-Dense Foods It takes only minutes to eat a snack or a meal, and what’s on your plate fuels your overall health. Piattoly recommends starting with an emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables. “As we age, our immune system is not as strong as it once was to fight off infections and illnesses, and fruits and veggies could play a big role in fighting off heart disease, cancer and age-related diseases,” he says. Next, Piattoly recommends eating lean protein like farm-raised eggs, extra lean beef or omega-3-rich salmon at every meal. “Since we lose muscle mass at a rate of around 1 percent per year starting at age 35, a diet rich in protein may minimize the rate at which we lose muscle,” he says. Piattoly also suggests a balance of healthy fats. “Focus on a mix of healthy fats from sources like olive oil, avocados, almonds, sunflower seeds, pistachios and natural peanut butter.” 3. Select Supplements “Omega-3 fatty acids, especially from fish oil, are beneficial for both brain and cardiovascular health,” Piattoly says, noting that multiple research studies have demonstrated that fish oil supplementation is linked with lower levels of beta-amyloid protein, which may lower your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, research shows fish oil supplementation can reduce arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death, improve triglyceride levels, and increase HDL (good cholesterol). “I recommend taking between 2000 and 3000 mg per day of triglyceride-based fish oil. I personally take and recommend Nordic Naturals. They’re the leading manufacturer of omega-3 supplements and all their products are tested for purity and safety.” Additionally, because between 50 to 75 percent of the population has a vitamin D deficiency, Piattoly recommends a vitamin D supplement. “Optimal levels of vitamin D may reduce your risk for cancer and heart disease, as well as improve bone health. Shoot for 2000 IU per day but be sure to speak with your doctor to determine how much you should take,” he says. 4. Embrace Technology Numerous applications for smartphones and tablets make it easy to track your exercise progress, stay motivated and eat healthy. Best of all, most apps are free and only take a few minutes a day to use. “I’m a big fan of MyFitnessPal, a nice fitness and nutrition app where you can track your activity and what you eat. You can visit www.myfitnesspal.com or download the app to your smartphone.” 5. Be Social “One of the best things boomers can do is form a social network of friends who enjoy living a healthier lifestyle,” says Piattoly. “Surrounding yourself with active people increases your opportunities for healthy activities. Habits are contagious, so associate with people who enjoy regular exercise.” •
Lawndale 04_17_14
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