Sent to Congresswoman Melissa Bean, Senator Dick Durbin, President Obama
I am pleased that it looks as though the pending health care legislation has very promising chances of passing.
It is my most sincere hope...in fact it is my expectation that the legislation that seems likely to pass will be considered an initial step.
The health care journey began on the premise that all Americans deserve access to quality health care. Access to health care is not only a moral issue, it is a practical issue—a society cannot thrive without a healthy populace. I still believe deeply in this premise.
Although I see some positive aspects of the current legislation, it must be viewed as a first step. I do understand that governing requires compromise. Necessary compromises have been made and smaller compromises will still be required. However, we cannot pass this legislation, declare a victory and move on.
The outcomes/results of the legislation—both successes and failures—will need to be evaluated. Future legislation will most certainly be required to improve various aspects.
Of greatest concern to me is that there seems to be little included in the legislation to restrain rising costs. In fact, given that insurance companies will no longer be allowed to deny coverage based on preexisting conditions, the cost of health coverage may rise. This uncertainty will need to be monitored and future legislation required.
The reality is, the only way I see to restrain rising costs is to reduce the tremendous inefficiencies and wasteful areas within our health care system. Given the fact that the system is not making improvements on its own, the government will need to step in. The process of bringing wastefulness in line will take enormous political fortitude and will require thoughtful support of the American people.
Hopefully, the current legislation will pass and you will continue to fight for the full scope of the needs of the American people.
Thank you for your service and I wish you and your family a very happy holiday season.
Sincerely,
Tonia Becker VerShaw
Grayslake, IL
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Much Thanks Senator Snowe
Sent to Senator Snowe via e-mail.
Dear Senator Snowe,
I am writing to thank you for your support of the Senate Finance Committee’s health care reform bill.
Your courageous decision to break from your party and to play a key role in continuing the critical work of health care reform is admirable and for this I am grateful.
In recent years I have become increasingly concerned by the extremely divisive “party line” politics that has consumed Washington. The American people deserve more from our elected officials than the playing of high-stakes games in which self-interests, party-interests and special-interests come before the welfare of the people.
Disagreement and debate as we work as a people to steer our nation is good and vital to the health of United States of America. However, earnest disagreement and debate is quite different than the manipulation, game playing and meek conduct that far too often pervades our system.
Senator Snowe, you are a patriot and a servant to our nation.
With Much Thanks and Gratitude,
Tonia Becker VerShaw
Grayslake, IL
Dear Senator Snowe,
I am writing to thank you for your support of the Senate Finance Committee’s health care reform bill.
Your courageous decision to break from your party and to play a key role in continuing the critical work of health care reform is admirable and for this I am grateful.
In recent years I have become increasingly concerned by the extremely divisive “party line” politics that has consumed Washington. The American people deserve more from our elected officials than the playing of high-stakes games in which self-interests, party-interests and special-interests come before the welfare of the people.
Disagreement and debate as we work as a people to steer our nation is good and vital to the health of United States of America. However, earnest disagreement and debate is quite different than the manipulation, game playing and meek conduct that far too often pervades our system.
Senator Snowe, you are a patriot and a servant to our nation.
With Much Thanks and Gratitude,
Tonia Becker VerShaw
Grayslake, IL
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Healthcare Ideas for Your Consideration.....Please Keep "Us" First
For thoughts and ideas on the current healthcare debate, please access the full blog post.
Sent to:
Congresswoman Melissa Bean
Senator Dick Durbin
President Barack Obama (via www.whitehouse.gov)
Huffington Post
CNN
When permitted, I sent entire blog post. When not permitted (too many characters) I sent a portion of the post, then referred to the URL.
Sent to:
Congresswoman Melissa Bean
Senator Dick Durbin
President Barack Obama (via www.whitehouse.gov)
Huffington Post
CNN
When permitted, I sent entire blog post. When not permitted (too many characters) I sent a portion of the post, then referred to the URL.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: We Must Actively Support a Two-State Solution
E-mailed 4/5/09 via whitehouse.gov
Dear President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton,
I truly admire the work you are doing during these extraordinarily challenging times. Thank you.
As a humanitarian and one who dreams of peace, I am greatly disturbed by the on going Israeli-Palestinian tensions.
An Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement is not a luxury, but a necessity for hope of peace in the Middle East. I see no other viable path than a two-state solution in which Israel withdraws to its 1967 borders, true recognition of Palestinian autonomy, shared governance of the holy sites within Jerusalem, and Arab/Muslim states recognition of Israel's right to exist within its legal borders.
Israel has a right to exist in peace within its legal boundaries, as does Palestine. Palestinian extremists have committed horrible and indefensible acts. These acts are well publicized in our press and, I believe, well known to the American people.
However, the atrocities which have been committed by the Israelis against the Palestinians for now decades are not well known to Americans. Yes, the Israelis are our most loyal and closest allies in the Middle East. Judeo-Christian religions and cultures which are in the majority in the United States, share a special reverence for Israel. Finally, there is still, with justification, a sentiment that the Jewish people suffered horribly during the Holocaust and deserve their ancient homeland.
The Jewish people have suffered horrible, inhumane treatment at the hand of the Nazis as well by numerous other regimes throughout the centuries.
However, this painful and tragic history does not justify similar treatment of the Palestinians. Can a people with deep and still all too fresh memories of walls being build around its communities, justify the building of walls? Can a people who were starved to death and slaughtered justify this treatment toward their neighbors? I think not.
Despite the U.S./Israel relationship, the U.S. cannot continue to turn a blind eye to Israel's offenses any more than we can ignore unprovoked attacks by Palestinians.
I pray that the political courage can be mustered to address this truly situation. Resolution is vital to peace in the Middle East and it is vital to security and peace for many nations outside of the Middle East.
Sincerely,
Tonia Becker VerShaw
Grayslake, IL
Dear President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton,
I truly admire the work you are doing during these extraordinarily challenging times. Thank you.
As a humanitarian and one who dreams of peace, I am greatly disturbed by the on going Israeli-Palestinian tensions.
An Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement is not a luxury, but a necessity for hope of peace in the Middle East. I see no other viable path than a two-state solution in which Israel withdraws to its 1967 borders, true recognition of Palestinian autonomy, shared governance of the holy sites within Jerusalem, and Arab/Muslim states recognition of Israel's right to exist within its legal borders.
Israel has a right to exist in peace within its legal boundaries, as does Palestine. Palestinian extremists have committed horrible and indefensible acts. These acts are well publicized in our press and, I believe, well known to the American people.
However, the atrocities which have been committed by the Israelis against the Palestinians for now decades are not well known to Americans. Yes, the Israelis are our most loyal and closest allies in the Middle East. Judeo-Christian religions and cultures which are in the majority in the United States, share a special reverence for Israel. Finally, there is still, with justification, a sentiment that the Jewish people suffered horribly during the Holocaust and deserve their ancient homeland.
The Jewish people have suffered horrible, inhumane treatment at the hand of the Nazis as well by numerous other regimes throughout the centuries.
However, this painful and tragic history does not justify similar treatment of the Palestinians. Can a people with deep and still all too fresh memories of walls being build around its communities, justify the building of walls? Can a people who were starved to death and slaughtered justify this treatment toward their neighbors? I think not.
Despite the U.S./Israel relationship, the U.S. cannot continue to turn a blind eye to Israel's offenses any more than we can ignore unprovoked attacks by Palestinians.
I pray that the political courage can be mustered to address this truly situation. Resolution is vital to peace in the Middle East and it is vital to security and peace for many nations outside of the Middle East.
Sincerely,
Tonia Becker VerShaw
Grayslake, IL
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Oppose Elimination of Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP)
Sent to Congresswoman Melissa Bean, Senator Dick Durbin, President Obama
Dear Congresswoman Bean,
I am greatly concerned about President Obama’s outlined elimination of the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) program within the budget proposal he unveiled today.
I share the belief of President Obama, you and many members of congress and the current administration. There are few priorities more important that improving our education systems and assuring that more of our citizens complete higher levels of education.
The current cost of a college degree and other secondary education programs force many students and families to secure student loans, Plus loans and other financing. What is the best way to improve the loan system, reduce costs if possible and assure that financing is available to fund this critical need? This is a vital question.
I do not have the innate aversion to government that many on the right side of our political spectrum seem to. Government—federal, state and local—have their places. However government, by design, is bureaucratic and is generally not all that efficient at the administration of large programs. Our federal government does not have competitive pressures forcing efficiencies like the private sector does. In addition, at times, political factors can and do impair efficiency improvements.
From my understanding of President Obama’s position, the elimination of the FFELP program would have the following adverse effects:
1. Elimination of student/family choice—there will be only one viable resource for student loans—the federal government.
2. Colleges and universities have not embraced the Direct Lending (DL) program as it exists today due to terrible customer service, bureaucratic problems and other implementation issues. The contractor, ACS, currently handling administration for the Direct Lending program has caused horrendous quality control and customer service issues. From what I understand, they won the contract in large part due to being the lowest bidder. My hunch is that they probably cut deeply into their service capabilities in order to afford this low bid. In fact, few years ago the government fined them $2 million for not meeting minimum standards and private institutions have pulled contracts from them due to horrific quality levels.
3. Bureaucratic mistakes relating to loans can have terrible consequences for an individual’s credit. I believe that we can ill-afford this risk.
4. FFELP is “stable” business for a banking sector in crisis. Pulling this business from the industry would help to undermine the current efforts to stabilize the banking sector.
5. The current crisis aside, the responsible members of the banking sector have historically been quite proficient at the innovation of new systems, solutions and products. Our government, due to necessary checks, balances and compromises, moves much slower and end results are often watered down. We call ill-afford the slightest risk that solutions for funding the education of our citizens will be watered down.
6. There have been FFLEP program abuses amongst a small minority of the banking community. Although the total of these abuses were not great in comparative monetary value, they were catastrophic in political damage. These abuses make it very difficult for you or other members of congress to support the current public/private system. It will take political courage for you to oppose the dismemberment of the program, but I urge you to muster this courage. We cannot forget that government is far from immune to waste and abuse either—as citizens of Illinois; this is a very embarrassing reality. Abuses within either the public or private sectors cannot be tolerated, but we must implement the best solutions, not the most politically convenient solutions.
7. Independent studies have virtually eliminated the argument that the Direct Lending program is less costly to administer. In fact, it may be more costly. From the evidence, it seems reasonable to conclude that from a cost standpoint FFLEP and DL are pretty even. Therefore, the primary questions are ones of customer service and quality of program implementation/administration.
The banking sector is in crisis, yes. Some members of the banking and mortgage industries were irresponsible and our entire citizenry is paying a severe price.
However, I do not believe that elimination of the private banking sector from the important work of funding higher level education for our citizens is the answer.
Although it is currently popular to demonize the banking sector (and some institutions deserve it) I urge you to muster the political courage it will take to probe this important issue and to challenge the private banking sector to come to the table with solutions to improve student loan programs and implementation of the programs.
With deepest thanks for your service to our state and to our nation,
Tonia Becker VerShaw
Grayslake, IL
Dear Congresswoman Bean,
I am greatly concerned about President Obama’s outlined elimination of the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) program within the budget proposal he unveiled today.
I share the belief of President Obama, you and many members of congress and the current administration. There are few priorities more important that improving our education systems and assuring that more of our citizens complete higher levels of education.
The current cost of a college degree and other secondary education programs force many students and families to secure student loans, Plus loans and other financing. What is the best way to improve the loan system, reduce costs if possible and assure that financing is available to fund this critical need? This is a vital question.
I do not have the innate aversion to government that many on the right side of our political spectrum seem to. Government—federal, state and local—have their places. However government, by design, is bureaucratic and is generally not all that efficient at the administration of large programs. Our federal government does not have competitive pressures forcing efficiencies like the private sector does. In addition, at times, political factors can and do impair efficiency improvements.
From my understanding of President Obama’s position, the elimination of the FFELP program would have the following adverse effects:
1. Elimination of student/family choice—there will be only one viable resource for student loans—the federal government.
2. Colleges and universities have not embraced the Direct Lending (DL) program as it exists today due to terrible customer service, bureaucratic problems and other implementation issues. The contractor, ACS, currently handling administration for the Direct Lending program has caused horrendous quality control and customer service issues. From what I understand, they won the contract in large part due to being the lowest bidder. My hunch is that they probably cut deeply into their service capabilities in order to afford this low bid. In fact, few years ago the government fined them $2 million for not meeting minimum standards and private institutions have pulled contracts from them due to horrific quality levels.
3. Bureaucratic mistakes relating to loans can have terrible consequences for an individual’s credit. I believe that we can ill-afford this risk.
4. FFELP is “stable” business for a banking sector in crisis. Pulling this business from the industry would help to undermine the current efforts to stabilize the banking sector.
5. The current crisis aside, the responsible members of the banking sector have historically been quite proficient at the innovation of new systems, solutions and products. Our government, due to necessary checks, balances and compromises, moves much slower and end results are often watered down. We call ill-afford the slightest risk that solutions for funding the education of our citizens will be watered down.
6. There have been FFLEP program abuses amongst a small minority of the banking community. Although the total of these abuses were not great in comparative monetary value, they were catastrophic in political damage. These abuses make it very difficult for you or other members of congress to support the current public/private system. It will take political courage for you to oppose the dismemberment of the program, but I urge you to muster this courage. We cannot forget that government is far from immune to waste and abuse either—as citizens of Illinois; this is a very embarrassing reality. Abuses within either the public or private sectors cannot be tolerated, but we must implement the best solutions, not the most politically convenient solutions.
7. Independent studies have virtually eliminated the argument that the Direct Lending program is less costly to administer. In fact, it may be more costly. From the evidence, it seems reasonable to conclude that from a cost standpoint FFLEP and DL are pretty even. Therefore, the primary questions are ones of customer service and quality of program implementation/administration.
The banking sector is in crisis, yes. Some members of the banking and mortgage industries were irresponsible and our entire citizenry is paying a severe price.
However, I do not believe that elimination of the private banking sector from the important work of funding higher level education for our citizens is the answer.
Although it is currently popular to demonize the banking sector (and some institutions deserve it) I urge you to muster the political courage it will take to probe this important issue and to challenge the private banking sector to come to the table with solutions to improve student loan programs and implementation of the programs.
With deepest thanks for your service to our state and to our nation,
Tonia Becker VerShaw
Grayslake, IL
Friday, January 30, 2009
Task Force on Middle Class Working Families
Sent to Jan 30, 2009 to Vice President Biden via www.strongmiddleclass.gov CC: President Obama (via whitehouse.gov), Senator Dick Durbin, Congresswoman Melissa Bean, Congressman John Boehner (House Minority Leader), Senator Mitch McConnel (Senate Minority Leader), Congressman Steny Hoyer (House Majority Leader), Speaker Pelosi, Senator Harry Reid (Senate Majority Leader)
Dear Vice President Biden,
Congratulations on your appointment to lead the Task Force on Middle Class Working Families.
I too firmly believe that a strong middle class is the only future for America’s long-term prosperity. The middle class is the “consumption engine” of the U.S. economy; therefore there is no hope for sustained economic strength without a strong middle class.
I have been in management roles for the last eight years of my career and I know from first-hand experience that the middle class has been going backwards. A 3% annual raise has not kept up with the cumulative effects of inflation, rising energy prices, rising healthcare costs and rising education costs. The middle class has, indeed, been going backwards.
As you have pointed out, the most recent economic expansion did nothing to help the standing of Middle America. Despite strong productivity increases, record corporate profits, healthy dividends and ballooning executive compensation, the middle class continued to go backward.
This letter addresses four topics: definition of middle class, the productive role of organized labor, supporting the non-union middle class, needed cultural changes within corporate America.
1. Definition of Middle Class
Most politicians talk about the importance of the middle class, but none define what “middle class” means. I feel that the establishment of a working definition of “middle class” is essential for the effective function of your Task Force.
The problem with the term middle class is that is encompasses so many Americans: construction works, law enforcement, sales professionals, middle managers, accountants, factory workers, university professors, journalists, warehouse managers…the list of potential professions and families that comprise the middle class is endless.
This economic classification includes the most, as well as the least educated Americans. The middle class includes Americans with strong upward mobility potential, as well as Americans whose futures look less promising if current career paths are continued. The middle class includes families and individuals who are quite effective at personal/household financial management, as well as individuals and families who live dangerously beyond their means.
For the sake of reasonable policy creation, I believe that a working definition of “middle class” must include a computation of household size and the geographic location of the household. Geographic consideration is an absolute necessity as a reasonable household income in the Chicagoland area (where I live) needs to be considerably higher than the household income of a family living in rural Kansas for example.
Without a reasonable definition of “middle class” no one will know what the Task Force’s discussions and purposes are really about. A definition is also necessary for the transparency you seek to achieve.
2. Productive Role for Organized Labor
In many ways the labor movement and labor unions themselves have gone horribly wrong. Labor unions are businesses just like any other and have gotten greedy and self-interested over the years. The purpose of labor unions, in my opinion, should be to ensure safe and fair working conditions and to promote employment security for its members.
There is an important distinction between job security and employment security that unions (and too many Americans) don’t seem to understand. Many unions, particularly the UAW, have focused on job security and have worked to try to ensure continued pay checks for labor that is no longer needed. Within an environment of global competition, no company can successfully and profitably operate with the burdens of job pools and other mechanisms that do not allow for efficient labor resource management.
A focus on employment security, on the other hand, calls for assuring that workers have current and ever expanding skill sets. A focus on employment security is the difference between having or not having a job and having a career.
Too many Americans and labor unions have focused on having jobs, not on building careers. The skill sets of many Americans are out of date and the reality is that they are not needed in the job market of today. On the other hand, I know of many companies that cannot find workers with the skill sets they now require.
Labor unions have the organizational structure to facilitate the dissemination of continuing education—either directly providing these education services and/or providing the infrastructure for other organizations to provide the needed education.
Labor unions will be relevant and productive in today’s labor market if and only if one of their top priorities is ensuring that their members have the skills needed today—not the skills needed 20-30 years ago.
Labor unions also need to be reasonable. Given ever increasing life expectancies, today’s workers cannot reasonably expect to retire at 48, 58 or 62 with full benefits. No pension system (social security or corporate pensions) was designed to support a 20-30 year retirement. Workers with physically demanding jobs likely cannot perform these jobs as they age. Therefore, unions need to be a key resource and conduit for establishing worker-union-corporation partnerships to redirect workers’ for needed purposes.
Although unions have provided productive outcomes in recent years, the negative light in which managers and executives view unions is much deserved.
I question whether or not you would bristle at the necessity to pay a union electrician (Teamster) $150.00 to plug in a light at McCormick Place in Chicago. No, not skilled electrical wiring that can only safely be done by a licensed electrician—just plugging a light into a power strip. If there is a prayer for organized labor and corporations to have effective partnerships, this kind of nonsense must be forced to stop.
3. Supporting the Non-Union Middle Class
As you well know, there are millions upon millions of non-union middle class Americans. These Americans are also grappling with stagnating and regressing standards of living. The three keys for these Americans, I believe, are fair taxation policies, affordable education and affordable healthcare (these three areas are key for union employees as well).
Within this discussion I would like to focus on education. I believe that it is vital for our pre-school and K-12 education systems to be overhauled in order to assure America’s continued competitiveness on the world stage. The simple fact is that our education system is in disarray, is inefficient/ineffective and we are falling dangerously behind.
Our universities continue to be the envy of the world, but are becoming less and less affordable for many Americans. Without a college education, most of our youth have little chance for a prosperous life. I have an 11-year-old stepson. I recently calculated that it will cost approximately $130,000 to fund his Bachelors degree at the University of Illinois (an in-state school). This is ridiculous. The two questions that surface in my mind are: Are we funding state universities properly AND are state universities managing their money properly with the proper priorities?
Finally, we need affordable adult continuing education programs and education outlets. The world is changing too quickly to permit adults to graduate from high school or college and never step foot in a classroom again. Community colleges can and do fill some of this need, but I believe that this is an issue that needs to be studied carefully. The current programs at many community colleges are part of the answer, but not a complete answer.
4. Needed Cultural Changes in Corporate America
This is the toughest issue to tackle. The reality is that corporate America has become greedy. Attractive quarterly earning statements and annual reports are far more valued that quality corporate management. Corporate America is solely rewarded for today, next month and next quarter. These pressures make good people do really unproductive, and in some cases, bad things.
As a society, we must learn how to celebrate and reward long-term interests and sound business practices. In my view, sound business practices include fair treatment of employees—allowing everyone to enjoy the fruits of a successful team effort.
Vice President Biden, I hope that some of my insights are productive and are considered as you steer the directions of the new Task Force.
I wish you the best of luck on this most important journey.
Sincerely,
Tonia Becker VerShaw
Grayslake, IL
www.toourleaders.blogspot.com
Dear Vice President Biden,
Congratulations on your appointment to lead the Task Force on Middle Class Working Families.
I too firmly believe that a strong middle class is the only future for America’s long-term prosperity. The middle class is the “consumption engine” of the U.S. economy; therefore there is no hope for sustained economic strength without a strong middle class.
I have been in management roles for the last eight years of my career and I know from first-hand experience that the middle class has been going backwards. A 3% annual raise has not kept up with the cumulative effects of inflation, rising energy prices, rising healthcare costs and rising education costs. The middle class has, indeed, been going backwards.
As you have pointed out, the most recent economic expansion did nothing to help the standing of Middle America. Despite strong productivity increases, record corporate profits, healthy dividends and ballooning executive compensation, the middle class continued to go backward.
This letter addresses four topics: definition of middle class, the productive role of organized labor, supporting the non-union middle class, needed cultural changes within corporate America.
1. Definition of Middle Class
Most politicians talk about the importance of the middle class, but none define what “middle class” means. I feel that the establishment of a working definition of “middle class” is essential for the effective function of your Task Force.
The problem with the term middle class is that is encompasses so many Americans: construction works, law enforcement, sales professionals, middle managers, accountants, factory workers, university professors, journalists, warehouse managers…the list of potential professions and families that comprise the middle class is endless.
This economic classification includes the most, as well as the least educated Americans. The middle class includes Americans with strong upward mobility potential, as well as Americans whose futures look less promising if current career paths are continued. The middle class includes families and individuals who are quite effective at personal/household financial management, as well as individuals and families who live dangerously beyond their means.
For the sake of reasonable policy creation, I believe that a working definition of “middle class” must include a computation of household size and the geographic location of the household. Geographic consideration is an absolute necessity as a reasonable household income in the Chicagoland area (where I live) needs to be considerably higher than the household income of a family living in rural Kansas for example.
Without a reasonable definition of “middle class” no one will know what the Task Force’s discussions and purposes are really about. A definition is also necessary for the transparency you seek to achieve.
2. Productive Role for Organized Labor
In many ways the labor movement and labor unions themselves have gone horribly wrong. Labor unions are businesses just like any other and have gotten greedy and self-interested over the years. The purpose of labor unions, in my opinion, should be to ensure safe and fair working conditions and to promote employment security for its members.
There is an important distinction between job security and employment security that unions (and too many Americans) don’t seem to understand. Many unions, particularly the UAW, have focused on job security and have worked to try to ensure continued pay checks for labor that is no longer needed. Within an environment of global competition, no company can successfully and profitably operate with the burdens of job pools and other mechanisms that do not allow for efficient labor resource management.
A focus on employment security, on the other hand, calls for assuring that workers have current and ever expanding skill sets. A focus on employment security is the difference between having or not having a job and having a career.
Too many Americans and labor unions have focused on having jobs, not on building careers. The skill sets of many Americans are out of date and the reality is that they are not needed in the job market of today. On the other hand, I know of many companies that cannot find workers with the skill sets they now require.
Labor unions have the organizational structure to facilitate the dissemination of continuing education—either directly providing these education services and/or providing the infrastructure for other organizations to provide the needed education.
Labor unions will be relevant and productive in today’s labor market if and only if one of their top priorities is ensuring that their members have the skills needed today—not the skills needed 20-30 years ago.
Labor unions also need to be reasonable. Given ever increasing life expectancies, today’s workers cannot reasonably expect to retire at 48, 58 or 62 with full benefits. No pension system (social security or corporate pensions) was designed to support a 20-30 year retirement. Workers with physically demanding jobs likely cannot perform these jobs as they age. Therefore, unions need to be a key resource and conduit for establishing worker-union-corporation partnerships to redirect workers’ for needed purposes.
Although unions have provided productive outcomes in recent years, the negative light in which managers and executives view unions is much deserved.
I question whether or not you would bristle at the necessity to pay a union electrician (Teamster) $150.00 to plug in a light at McCormick Place in Chicago. No, not skilled electrical wiring that can only safely be done by a licensed electrician—just plugging a light into a power strip. If there is a prayer for organized labor and corporations to have effective partnerships, this kind of nonsense must be forced to stop.
3. Supporting the Non-Union Middle Class
As you well know, there are millions upon millions of non-union middle class Americans. These Americans are also grappling with stagnating and regressing standards of living. The three keys for these Americans, I believe, are fair taxation policies, affordable education and affordable healthcare (these three areas are key for union employees as well).
Within this discussion I would like to focus on education. I believe that it is vital for our pre-school and K-12 education systems to be overhauled in order to assure America’s continued competitiveness on the world stage. The simple fact is that our education system is in disarray, is inefficient/ineffective and we are falling dangerously behind.
Our universities continue to be the envy of the world, but are becoming less and less affordable for many Americans. Without a college education, most of our youth have little chance for a prosperous life. I have an 11-year-old stepson. I recently calculated that it will cost approximately $130,000 to fund his Bachelors degree at the University of Illinois (an in-state school). This is ridiculous. The two questions that surface in my mind are: Are we funding state universities properly AND are state universities managing their money properly with the proper priorities?
Finally, we need affordable adult continuing education programs and education outlets. The world is changing too quickly to permit adults to graduate from high school or college and never step foot in a classroom again. Community colleges can and do fill some of this need, but I believe that this is an issue that needs to be studied carefully. The current programs at many community colleges are part of the answer, but not a complete answer.
4. Needed Cultural Changes in Corporate America
This is the toughest issue to tackle. The reality is that corporate America has become greedy. Attractive quarterly earning statements and annual reports are far more valued that quality corporate management. Corporate America is solely rewarded for today, next month and next quarter. These pressures make good people do really unproductive, and in some cases, bad things.
As a society, we must learn how to celebrate and reward long-term interests and sound business practices. In my view, sound business practices include fair treatment of employees—allowing everyone to enjoy the fruits of a successful team effort.
Vice President Biden, I hope that some of my insights are productive and are considered as you steer the directions of the new Task Force.
I wish you the best of luck on this most important journey.
Sincerely,
Tonia Becker VerShaw
Grayslake, IL
www.toourleaders.blogspot.com
Monday, January 26, 2009
Please Vote No--Digital Television Deadline Extension
Also e-mailed to President Obama and Senator Dick Durbin
Dear Congresswoman Bean,
I am writing to urge you not to vote for extension of the digital television conversion deadline.
1. More than 94% of households in the U.S. are ready for the conversion.
2. If the deadline is extended, what plans are in place to influence or to help the less the 6% who are not ready? If these households have not yet acted, will another four months evoke action?
3. Televisions networks have invested heavily to prepare for this transition. In these times when many networks are struggling (along with so many businesses in general) asking them to operate two transmitters for another four months is unreasonable and in some cases may prompt or contribute to additional layoffs.
4. Television is not a necessity of life. The poor, elderly and others thought to be slow responders to this transition cannot be without food, heat and other life necessities. They can, however, live without a television and a non-operating television will be, possibly, the best catalyst for action.
Congresswoman Bean, you know that these are difficult times for America and many of your constituents. We need to spend our energies and resources fulfilling the true needs of the afflicted. Let’s spend our time, energy and resources to restore our economy and to provide appropriate emergency relief for life’s necessities.
Thank you for your consideration and thank you again for your service to our community and to our nation.
Sincerely,
Tonia Becker VerShaw
Wildwood, IL
cc: President Obama, Senator Durbin
Dear Congresswoman Bean,
I am writing to urge you not to vote for extension of the digital television conversion deadline.
1. More than 94% of households in the U.S. are ready for the conversion.
2. If the deadline is extended, what plans are in place to influence or to help the less the 6% who are not ready? If these households have not yet acted, will another four months evoke action?
3. Televisions networks have invested heavily to prepare for this transition. In these times when many networks are struggling (along with so many businesses in general) asking them to operate two transmitters for another four months is unreasonable and in some cases may prompt or contribute to additional layoffs.
4. Television is not a necessity of life. The poor, elderly and others thought to be slow responders to this transition cannot be without food, heat and other life necessities. They can, however, live without a television and a non-operating television will be, possibly, the best catalyst for action.
Congresswoman Bean, you know that these are difficult times for America and many of your constituents. We need to spend our energies and resources fulfilling the true needs of the afflicted. Let’s spend our time, energy and resources to restore our economy and to provide appropriate emergency relief for life’s necessities.
Thank you for your consideration and thank you again for your service to our community and to our nation.
Sincerely,
Tonia Becker VerShaw
Wildwood, IL
cc: President Obama, Senator Durbin
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Economic Recovery Plan Comments
Posted 1/10/208 to http://change.gov/agenda/economy_agenda --"Submit Your Ideas" portion of the site.
Dear President-Elect Obama, Vice President-Elect Biden and Economic Policy Transition Team,
I am excited, hopeful and thankful that such a dedicated and intelligent group has been assembled to lead our nation in these very challenging times.
However, as President-Elect Obama stated within his election night speech, there will be times when we disagree and/or question each other viewpoints. Overall, I believe that the stimulus plan, as currently outlined, is a strong strategy. I strongly believe that infrastructure investment will create jobs and help to get the economy moving again. I love the proposed investments in building the renewable energy industry, education and modernizing healthcare information management.
If managed and structured properly, I believe that these investments will move our nation forward in terms of managing the crisis in the short-term and for long-term prosperity.
In terms of the proposed $3,000 tax credit to businesses for each employee hired, I do not know whether this plan component will work. The arguments on both sides of this issue make sense to me, but I believe that this plan component is worth a try. It may not work, but we cannot progress without some level of experimentation.
I do have strong reservations about the $500 individual, $1,000 family tax credit. This may be a necessary political concession to the Republicans, who as a generalization seem to embrace this type of approach. If this program component is necessary for Republican support to get the rest of the plan through, so be it. However, I strongly question the merit of this program component as it is currently being discussed. Don’t get me wrong, from a selfish standpoint; I will take the gift—what household would not like to have an extra $1,000? However, my household is currently lucky enough to earn a comfortable living, but is below the $200,000 household income level being proposed. I consider us blessed. Frankly, an extra $20.00 in my bi-monthly paycheck is not going to impact my spending habits. As a household, we are not going to rush out with our extra $80.00 per month to buy additional goods or services.
The following are my ideas for reallocating the proposed spending for this portion of the program:
- Reduce the household income level qualified to receive the credit and increase the credit to those qualifying households. It is my suspicion that a struggling family of four with a household income of $60,000-$70,000 would benefit from an extra $80.00 - $150.00 per month in their pockets. Republicans are going to scream that this is socialistic income redistribution, so maybe this idea would not work in practicality.
- Structure payment of the credit so that it has to spent on goods and services (I see no way for this to work in practicality).
- Use the funds in a manner that would help families stay in their homes—restructuring mortgages, etc.
- Use these funds to further fund infrastructure, education and renewable energy investments.
I certainly do not have “crystal ball” ideas for improving this crisis, but possibly there is some merit to my thoughts.
Sincerely,
Tonia Becker VerShaw
Please Step Down
E-mailed 12/30/08 (day of the Burris appointment)
Dear Mr. Blagojevich,
As a resident of the great state of
Given the circumstances, I don’t believe that you could possibly be more unfit to serve effectively as
Within this environment, your appointment of Roland Burris is incredible. Although I believe that President-Elect Obama’s seat could have been filled with a more dynamic individual, I have nothing against Roland Burris. However, the fact that scandal has engulfed you and every decision you now make, makes it impossible for you to fill the vacant Senate seat without serious consequences. I believe that you made this appointment not because you felt it was the best decision for the
Mr. Blagojevich you either have serious psychiatric problems or are one of the largest crooks to ever step foot in the state of
If you had any care at all for the people of
If there is a decent bone left in your body, I implore you to step down.
Sincerely,
Tonia Becker VerShaw
**P.S. Please pardon my breech of propriety by addressing you as “Mr.” rather than “Governor.” Given your conduct, I cannot address you with the honorable title of Governor.
cc: President-Elect Barack Obama, Senator Dick Durbin, Congresswoman Melissa Bean, Larry King
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