Rocking The Boat

 There are a number of reasons as to why boating accidents continues to rise each year across America.  According to the US Coast Guard, the number one cause of boating accidents is operator inattention, followed by improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed, alcohol or boating while under the influence.  But with everything in life and with boating being no exception, there is more to boating than just what it looks like on the surface.

Boating of course is far different than driving or owning a car, SUV, truck, recreational vehicle or motorcycle.  Some boats are powered by speed motors, wind sails, rowing, paddling or a combination.  They also come in various sizes, lengths and heights in mass.  In boating, there are no driving lanes, mile markers, open water speed signs, speed bumps or traffic lights.  Of course there are rules on water safety, equipment, repairs and life jackets.  And there are classes offered to teach people how to have a positive boating experience.  Other than that, if you own a boat “you are the captain of your ship” and you can go boating when the harbor is open and the season is right.  

   

For those boating enthusiast, they can’t wait to get the boat out and onto the lake each year.  There is nothing like the open waters, relaxing, feeling the breeze and enjoying nature.   For some, their boat is a part of who they are and it’s a part of the family tradition.   These boaters go fishing, skiing, swimming, travel, tour the harbor or just take family and friends out for the day to enjoy time together. 

At last count, boating involves work, knowledge and acquiring some seaman skills of navigating and tying knots.  It also details responsibility, patience and taking water safety seriously.  The proper operation of a boat involves making sure that its “sea worthy” before casting off and getting underway.  Weather it’s the maiden voyage or just a routine adventure; it takes work to get any boat ready to sail before leaving the dock.  Besides get underway, there must also be a plan on what to do when taking on water, man overboard, collision with another boat or running aground. And when you think about the ongoing issues and crisis in urban America, it’s comparison to boating has so many parallels for it takes a lot to ensure that each adventure has “fair winds and following seas.”   

The Doctor will see You Now!

Each year a number of people try to avoid, if they can help it, going to a number of professional services in medicine.  All the while knowing that each of those services are necessary in order to improve the quality of life for them and that of their family.  With a growing need for medical services, an aging population and preexisting conditions, the list of unique specialties is also growing.  These days, it is hard not to find someone who is not going on annual trips to see one or many medical doctors, the dentist, optometrist, cardiologist, neurologist, dermatologist, podiatrist, specialists, clinicians, a dietitian and/or a practitioner.  And let’s not forget the physical therapist, psychiatrist and the pharmacist.    

  

The ongoing debate for affordable healthcare spans more than half a century and it remains the same… how can all Americans receive and afford quality healthcare? This debate has by far been the more contentious at every level of our government and during political campaigns.   And this debate will continue well into the foreseeable future.   

The most interesting thing is that medical coverage across the nation is so splintered as to it’s accessibility, availability and affordability.  This includes within both public and private sectors.  Those who work at the various levels of federal, state and local governments see huge differences in plans.  For those who work in the private sector, private payers and the like, see a healthcare market place of competing plans and options. However, the greatest challenge is how to cover those without healthcare and what kind of plans are available to those who are not employed, underemployed, self-employed, between jobs, and others who are not covered at all by an employer.       

For certain our journey to this point has been hard fought and there will be other battles to come.  Overall the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare, although not perfect by any means, has helped to saved many lives, extended coverage for parents who have children in college and to stop the practice of being denied coverage due to a preexisting condition.  The most amazing thing about it all, is that regardless of one’s socioeconomic status…you can be covered.  The question now is how do we sustain and improve the quality of what is being offered for those most in need?      

Looking for Leadership

There is much that can be said, looked at or experienced in terms of those who seek out various positions of leadership in our modern society.   At every level of our social endeavor, there are and will always be positions that require some form of leadership.  The titles of leadership vary from one business, firm, industry, government or community.  But the clear facts remain, there is a need for someone to be in charge or responsible for ensuring that things are operating efficiently.     

Without question, we all admire seeing good and effective leadership.  We also appreciate when individuals aspire to positions of leadership with greater responsibility.  On the other side, we expect people in positions of authority to take their duties seriously, be a person of great character and integrity.  We also like to witness our leaders rise to perceived expectations and that no moment is “too small” or “too big” in which they cannot be effective.   It’s just part of the job. 

We have no problem pointing out when our leaders let us down or when things do not turn out positive.  And we also will give them credit, when credit is due for making a good decision. Some of our leadership models have been created to deal with great challenges, to shoulder greater responsibilities, to lead by example or to charge into battle when it is required.  Leadership is at times without easy answers, it’s not for the faint of heart or for those that lack the courage to face mounting issues.  It is not for title seekers and those who seek out honors or awards.  True leadership is for those who see themselves as making a difference when moments matter and the lives of others are at stake.   

What is so concerning these days is that so many people do not understand the real value of leadership and why it is so important to us for our modern society?  A clear example today is the fact that a large number of our military veterans, who have served the nation in times of conflict, find it hard when looking for employment after service.  Our veterans bring so much to the table in terms of leadership, discipline and skills, but are too often ignored or shut out for various reasons of backroom politics, prejudice, ignorance or indifference.  Instead of grand parades, allocates for military service, salute or slap on the back, why not take advantage of what they really bring home…leadership.   Just a thought!    

Broken Pipes

In recent years alarm bells have been sounding off all across the nation about the rising levels of lead coming into homes, businesses, daycare's and schools through the water lines.  Without a doubt and with medical research and doctors backing up the findings, lead in the water system is a danger to the general public and especially for young children.  This has been an issue in the making for decades, impacting several generations and now has become critical.  We have all become aware that the consumption of lead at any level has a long term impact upon little children and their cognitive development.  This is unquestionable a serious problem. 

It’s always has been a problem and the more we have learned about the long term effects of lead, the more we have grown skeptical about how it is used in business, industry, construction and for storage.  For years lead has been a key component in paints, pipes, manufacturing and construction.  Trying to find alternatives and replacing lead piping in aging infrastructure projects and communities continues to be a tall order and expensive.  Regardless of what the financial cost are to replace or upgrade, it pales in terms to the long term physical and mental health of residents. 

The water crisis in Flint, MI helped to raise the issue and gave voice to other cities and states struggling with the same issue.  Additionally, the Flint situation helped us all to understand how serious a problem can grow if not addressed in time.  It also helped us to review processes, policies, adjusting budgets and to take a serious look at what we should be doing now before matters get worst.  In addition, the Flint water crisis became a flash point that stirred a national outcry for change in governmental accountability, water management and environmental stewardship. 

Perhaps the more interesting aspect of any national crisis is not just what happen, but what has been the response to the crisis.  In some cases we witness broken pipes in terms of communications, follow through and clean-up.  And now as we moved on to the next national crisis, we must become aware of the importance of not only dealing with the situation at hand, but also to make sure that our lines of communication are also not broken.  

Treading Water

Don’t you just love it when summer officially comes in Wisconsin, I certainly do.  Although short lived, it does make us feel good to enjoy the warmer weather, if only for a few months.  It’s a time to take advantage of doing a number of outdoor activities including going to the beach, listening to a summer concert in the park, boating on the lake, running in a distance race, family reunion, gardening or just going on a meaningful day trip or vacation.  Without question, it is a time we all look forward to each year.    

On one hand, we see people who are making more than a livable wage or higher incomes.  For them these are great times.  It’s a time to invest in stocks, bonds, housing, and a business startup, become an adventure capitalist or just sit back and enjoy the fruits of one’s labor.  There seems to be no limit on what can be done, the sky is the limit, for these are some of the “best” days of their lives.  It is certainly a time of personal enrichment, renewal, expansion and to “ride the waves until they stop.”       

On the other hand and regardless of what each season brings, a lot of people living in urban America see little to no change at all in terms of their socioeconomic status or living condition.  Today, there are many more people who lives only consist of a daily grind to ink out a simple living and nothing more.  Without a break, each day they find it quite difficult to see any potential opportunity in the midst of just getting by.  Even when working a second or third part time job, they can only do the basic bare medium and yet feel trapped by the reality of real life experiences. 

The one sure thing about treading water in life is the fact that you have to be able to stay afloat, all the while trying to keep your head above water.  It is much harder than you think and to accomplish.  And when you do not have a certain level of education, training skills nor the opportunity, the next incoming wave can take you under.  It is one thing to keep your hands moving and legs kicking, it’s another to see your way forward when all around you looks and feels the same.  

Boots On The Ground

For a lot of people Memorial Day is often confused with Veterans Day in terms of importance and meaning.  As a grateful nation we take out considerable time each year to honor those who have served or are currently serving in one of the five branches of the military.  Memorial Day (last Monday in May) is a time to honor those lost during wars and combat, while Veterans Day (November 11) celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.   Regardless of how one feels about these two special days, we should not forget that many of the liberties we enjoy today are because of those who defended and serve to protect those freedoms.

These times are not just about honoring those who so bravely served to defend the rights of us all, but these are also times to refocus on what is so important in life...freedom, family and faith.  Without a doubt these times help us to gain some insights into what real sacrifices look like and that each day there are military service-members in harm’s way around the world.  And in the words of Colonel Nathan Jessup (played by Jack Nicholson) in the movie ‘A Few Men’... “You want me on that wall and you need me on that wall.”  Nothing says it so clearly about the ongoing commitments of so many during these times of shifting politics, conflicts and terrorism.    

Too often we do not treasure what we have until it is gone, challenged or becomes questioned.  It takes a lot to keep a strong military going, to keep things safe and to maintain peace.  The one thing that has been the backbone of our great nation has been the ability to advance US values, interests and objectives.  In addition, our military defends the values of human rights, restore peace and to guard against tyranny.  It’s a tall order and the mission is ongoing... “to defend the Constitution of the United State against all enemies, foreign and domestic...” 

Now that is the hard part, where the rubber meets the road.  Not only do we need boots on the ground to defend our freedoms globally, we also need social and economic boots on the ground to turn around many of our most challenging communities.   We are in dire need of support from a new wave of community foot soldiers who will help take on restorative justice, economic empowerment, and holistic healing.   So, I say... It’s time to strap them up!  

The Twilight Zone!

They say that there is nothing new under the sun and if you live long enough you will see things from the past reemerging.  Well…the past just showed up.   For those of us who have seen it before this new “old stuff” just has a new set of clothes on, a haircut or designer nails.  But at the end of the day…it’s the same old stuff that projects prejudice, injustice and discrimination.  To a younger generation this “old stuff” is new and has them on edge and asking…“what gives?” 

It reminds me of a television show series from the late 1950’s to 1964 called the ‘Twilight Zone,’ created by Rod Serling.  This series achieved popularity and critical success while introducing us all to science fiction and to new ways of envisioning things.  Each episode focused on a particular genre, including horror, fantasy, science fiction, suspense or a psychological thriller; and often concluded with an unexpected twist and moral lesson.  What made this weekly series so interesting to me were the unique introductions, including…“You are about to enter another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land of imagination.  Next stop, the Twilight Zone!” 

Weather the “zone” is real or not, people are feeling out of sort these days.  And with so much going on and taking all the headlines it is no wonder people are on edge, looking for some relief and better times.  People are upset at all the empty rhetoric, broken promises, repeal and replace of Obamacare, filling the swamp, political posturing, fake news stories, false allegations and ongoing investigations.  And just wait; there is more coming that will impact our climate, financial systems, retirements and education. 

What seems to be missing in all of this, overlooked or not talked about during these days is the growing rate of poverty, increased drug use and overdoses, expanding prison incarceration, lack of reentry programs, escalating gun violence, rising mental health challenges and finding affordable housing.  We can all agree that these are interesting times in our American discourse and for a number of us we are just waiting for the next headache, shoe to drop or subplot to appear.  How we move forward and what we expect to happen next is anyone’s guess.  Of course, we do not know the ending of this saga, but it is going to be one for the ages.  Perhaps we have already arrived at our… next stop!