Page 8 June 13, 2013 One Man’s Opinion Another Man’s Opinion By Gerry Chong wine from a paper cup and travelling the world. By Cristian Vasquez States illegally, however compelling their reasons A few days ago, I received an email telling Professionally, he opened one of the few On April 25, of this year Rep. Karen Bass’ might be, it is a crime and they should be me of the passing of the father of a very dear public accountancy firms in Hawaii, and when H.R. 1732: Strengthening the Child Welfare prosecuted as such. Yet, when a child is taken childhood friend. My brother, my friend and I the time came to retire, he considered it for Response to Human Trafficking act of 2013 across international borders into America we spent our pre-teen and teenage years running the a few minutes before returning to work. He was assigned to a congressional committee. need to do what is best for the child, rather than neighborhood in what can only be described continued working five days a week until just The resolution, which seeks to “develop and simply processing and deporting them. When publish guidelines” to help “State, Indian tribe, children reach American soil it is more often “As the responsibility to ‘do more’ has passed from the and tribal organization child welfare agencies” than not the result of an adult’s efforts to bring individual to government, we have devolved from a nation of to better serve children who are victims of them here. Usually it is a parent bringing a child independent self-supporters to a people reliant on government largesse trafficking as well as any youth who are at-risk but in many instances children are brought here by – a people without the drive to fend for itself.” of becoming victims, is in the very early stages human trafficking rings to work in sweat shops or of becoming a law. In reality, many resolutions as sex slaves. These are two extreme examples of sent to committee rarely get passed that first children being brought to American through no now as an idyllic time. Frankly, I had not given before his passing. Through it all, he found time phase. Furthermore, www.govtrack.us gives the fault of their own but they are directly linked to much thought or consideration to his father, and for others. For 51 years, he was an honored resolution a 0 percent chance of getting past what Rep. Bass’s resolution seeks to accomplish. viewed him in passing as “just an ordinary man.” Mason and a member of the Lion’s Club. committee, let alone being enacted. While these minors are on American soil Slight of build, wearing his hair in an For nearly three-quarters of a century, he Whether Rep. Bass’ resolution becomes a law illegally, they were also brought here to be unfashionable crew cut, wearing glasses, a passed his values of hard work, perseverance or not it addresses the issue of child trafficking exploited and as victims of exploitation, they bow tie and a short-sleeved white shirt, he and dedication to his family of 25 children, and what to do with these victims. Rep. Bass, should be treated differently by the authorities. was every bit the epitome of an accountant… grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who from California’s 37th District, is bringing to I am not suggesting that any child that enters which he was. Mr. C lived a long and happy are all doing well. the forefront the issue of children being taken America through a human trafficking ring should life, having recently passed away at the age Somehow, over the last century, as the life of across international borders. The resolution seeks receive immediate permission to stay in the of 101. Now, as I read his obituary, I realize Mr. C illustrates, the responsibility for leading to include various federal agencies to address country. Nor do I agree with the resolution’s how extraordinary this “ordinary man” was and a good life was passed from the individual to this problem, which in California has been an intent to “establish safe residential placements how we as a country have changed over his the government. Mr. C accomplished all he ongoing issue throughout the state’s history. for foster youth who have been trafficked 101 years. His years spanned William Howard did without Food Stamps, housing subsidies, From the Department of Justice, the Federal (as so defined)” if the intent is to make this Taft to Barack Obama, taking him from a life unemployment compensation, disability Bureau of Investigation, the Department of permanent. Yet, we should do more to ensure of poverty and hard work to a satisfying and insurance, Medicaid, free cell phones and the Homeland Security, and the Trafficking in that the victim can go home and not fall into loving conclusion. myriad benefits of “Obamabucks.” Persons Office of the Department of State, Rep. the hands of similar human trafficking rings. As a child of immigrants, he was often As the responsibility to “do more” has passed Bass seeks to approach the issue in a more The main focus should be on prevention. hungry and walked to a church to get food from the individual to government, we have comprehensive manner. Traditionally our laws Our policy makers must find a way to curb from his uncle and aunt who cooked at the devolved from a nation of independent self- have dealt individuals crossing our borders human trafficking, especially when it comes church. He was a shoeshine boy, waiter and supporters to a people reliant on government through our criminal courts. For the most part, to children. Adults make conscience choices to self-taught bookkeeper. When he was only eight largesse--a people without the drive to fend anyone entering the country illegally should be cross a border illegally and take on low- paying years old, his father fell ill, so Mr. C took on for itself, as did Mr. C. held accountable in criminal court, but when it jobs. Minors have no say in that decision, for added responsibilities to care for his mother According to Hillary Clinton, “it takes a comes to children we need to take a different the most part. They are only criminals by and five siblings. An honor student, he loved village to raise a child.” But what if she’s wrong? approach and Rep. Bass’ resolution is a step definition but victims through the actions of music, including opera, and loved all genres of Maybe “it takes a child to raise a village.” in that right direction. others. As victims, our laws should do more literature. Later in life, he enjoyed drinking fine Thanks, Mr. C., and God speed. • When an adult decides to enter the United than process and deport them.• Seniors Finance Improving Family Connections Your Financial Life After Graduation With Better Hearing By Jason Alderman are available at such sites as the (BPT) - Does this sound familiar? You professional who can assess your hearing loss To the millions of college and high government-sponsored MyMoney. tell your spouse all about the aggravating and make recommendations for treatment. school seniors who recently graduated gov (www.mymoney.gov), the thing that happened at work today. He or she If you have hearing loss, you will probably (and to their parents, who weathered National Foundation for Credit seems to be nodding in agreement, until you be advised to purchase hearing aids. The the ups and downs of reaching that Counseling (www.nfcc.org), Mint. ask what you should do about the situation. good news is the advances in hearing aid summit): congratulations on a job well com (https://www.mint.com) and Your spouse’s response? “Um - could you technology will surprise you. Be sure to ask done. After the celebration dies down, Practical Money Skills for Life repeat that?” your hearing care professional about the latest you’ll no doubt be eager to embark (www.practicalmoneyskills.com), a Beyond the emotional impact hearing loss options, such as: on life’s next chapter, whether it’s free personal financial management has on you, there is the toll it takes on others •Virtually invisible hearing aids so that no finding a job, preparing for college program run by Visa Inc. in your life. Those who care about you would one but you and those closest to you will or enrolling in military or community service. Next, know the score, credit-wise. Many people probably make allowances for your hearing know why your hearing has vastly improved. Before you jump in feet first, however, let me don’t realize until it’s too late that a poor credit loss, but if they don’t know it’s an issue, your •Robust waterproof, dustproof, shock-resistant share a few financial lessons I learned the hard score can trash your financial future. After you’ve seeming inattention quickly becomes grating. hearing aids (like Siemens Aquaris (R)) that way when I was just starting out. They might missed a few loan payments, bounced some By trying to hide your condition, you only let you fully participate in sports and other save you a lot of money in the long run and checks or exceeded your credit limits, you’ll succeed in making family members not want events with family and friends. help you get closer to your life goals, whether probably be charged higher loan and credit card to talk to you anymore. This can quickly •Remote controls and streamers for hearing it’s buying a house, starting a family or even interest rates and offered lower credit limits (if escalate to your spouse making important aids that let you control the volume and retiring early – as far off as that may sound. not denied credit altogether), unless and until decisions without your input, extended family listen to TV and audio devices without First, pretend you’re still a starving student. you can raise your credit score. You may even not inviting you to events, and children not disturbing other listeners. After landing your first full-time job, the urge have to pay higher insurance rates and harm your calling. Soon you may find yourself alone in Once you can hear everyone, family, friends to go on a spending spree for new clothes, a ability to rent an apartment or get a cell phone. an increasingly silent world. and business associates will no doubt welcome better apartment and a car from this decade To know where you stand, review your credit •Ask yourself the following to learn if you you back as an active and engaged participant will be irresistible after surviving on ramen reports from each of the three major credit should be concerned: in their lives. • noodles for four years. 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To learn more about credit reports and •Does your family complain about the volume After you’ve factored in rent, car payments, scores, visit the CFPB’s “Ask CFPB.” level of your TV? renter’s and car insurance, credit card charges, Another good resource is What’s My Score •Have you stopped participating in the sports student loan balances and other monthly bills (www.whatsmyscore.org), a financial literacy and hobbies you used to enjoy? (not to mention payroll taxes such as Social program for young adults run by Visa, which If so, it may be time to get your hearing Security tax, which went up 2 percent this features a free, downloadable workbook called, checked. If you already know you aren’t year), your new salary probably won’t go as “Money 101: A Crash Course in Better Money hearing as well as you used to, then it is far as you’d like, especially if you’re trying Management,” and other free tools. probably time to buy a pair of hearing aids. to save for one of those life events. You worked hard to graduate. Just make sure Next steps That’s where a budget can help. Numerous free you don’t sabotage your efforts by starting out The first step is to contact a hearing care budgeting tools, including interactive calculators, on the wrong financial footing. •
Lawndale 06_13_13
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