President Obama’s Job Plan supports Children

President Obama’s plan includes $30 billion to modernize school buildings, and $35 billion to cities to prevent layoffs of teachers and first responders.

Many of our school buildings are very old and dusty places damaging the health of our children. I saw a school in Hyde Park, MA with gym that was closed down. The children had PE classes in the narrow hallways outside their classrooms.  The rooms themselves were old, and as a result, dusty places. I am sure there are many similar school buildings in urban and rural USA that need replacement or renovation.

Posted by Sue Kirby on 09/12/11  •  Permalink  •  Comments 0   •  

Missing Servant Leaders on Corporate Tax Responsibility

Reprint from Sojourner’s God’s Politics

We’re sorely missing the servant leadership of America’s CEOs on matters of corporate taxation.

As Congress contemplates trillions in budget cuts that will worsen poverty and undermine the quality of life in America, consider these findings from a new report that I co-authored, “Massive CEO Rewards for Tax Dodging,” by the Institute for Policy Studies.

Last year, the compensation of 25 CEOs at major profitable U.S.  companies was larger than the entire amount their company paid in U.S.  corporate taxes.

These 25 include the CEOs of Verizon, Boeing, Honeywell, General Electric, International Paper, Prudential, eBay, Bank of New York Mellon, Ford, Motorola, Qwest Communications, Dow Chemical, and Stanley Black and Decker.

Posted by Sue Kirby on 09/07/11  •  Permalink  •  Comments 0   •  

Stop Political Lions from Attacking Our Children: Join the Rescue Posse

One of the most-watched videos on YouTube a few years ago showed the struggle of a water buffalo family and herd to save a child. It’s called the Battle at Kruger Park. It begins with a buffalo mother, father, and child meandering peacefully ahead of the herd unaware that a pride of six lions is stealthily easing up to attack them. Sensing the danger too late, the water buffalo parents and calf immediately turn and run away. The child cannot keep up. The six swift lions lunge and overpower this slowest and most vulnerable family member, tumbling with him into a river.

As the lions attempt to pull the buffalo calf from the water, a crocodile grabs one of the child’s legs, eager to share the bounty. The tug of war between the lions and crocodiles over the young buffalo prey seems to last a painful eternity. As the lions win and drag the buffalo child onto land and surround him, ready for the kill, you realize, joyfully, that the child is still alive, but are horrified that he now is going to be devoured.

Posted by Sue Kirby on 09/07/11  •  Permalink  •  Comments 0   •