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11 Things Wrong With #Congress … There Are Only 11?

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“America needs to rally. Jobs are scarce, incomes are falling, and prosperity seems to be slipping away. Congress could help, but instead of bold new bipartisan ideas, the nation’s legislators have done little lately except argue. Here’s why Congress is so out-of-touch.”

-Rick Newman

The above quote taken from the article 11 Things Wrong With Congress by Rick Newman originally appeared on usnews.com on January 5, 2013. To view this article in its entirety please click this link.

http://www.usnews.com/news/slideshows/11-things-wrong-with-congress

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Paying It Forward … #PEN Pals For Children Of Incarcerated Parents

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Olivia Joy Stinson

MAKERS PROFILE

FOUNDER, PEN PALS BOOK CLUB FOR CHILDREN OF INCARCERATED PARENTS

Olivia Joy Stinson, Founder of Pen Pals Book Club For Children of Incarcerated Parents, talks about her incredible single mom, her love of books, and how she came up with the idea for Pen Pals Book Club.

BIOGRAPHY

HOMETOWN: Charlotte, North Carolina
WHAT SHE WANTED TO BE WHEN SHE GREW UP: Pediatrician, then fashion designer
THE FIRST BOOK READ IN PEN PALS: ”Forged by Fire” by Sharon Draper
FUTURE GOAL FOR PEN PALS: To expand all across the nation

Olivia Joy Stinson is the Founder and President of PEN Pals Book Club & Support Group For Children of Incarcerated Parents, an organization she started at the age of 14 to provide support and motivation for children of incarcerated parents in her home state of North Carolina. Five years later, the Charlotte-based organization has grown to include 25 volunteers and serves 3,500-4,000 children and 700-900 adults in the southeast region of the US.

Olivia is currently a sophomore at Winston-Salem State University, studying business administration and planning to minor in non-profit management. The ambitious teen was also an honors student at Mallard Creek High School and was recently recognized as a 2012 L’Oreal Paris Woman of Worth. Olivia aspires to become Editor-in-Chief of her own fashion magazine and grow PEN Pals Book Club into a nationwide program.
(This article/video originally appeared on makers.com on January 4, 2013.)
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Refreshing Honesty…Chris Christie Blasts His Own Party

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“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak.”  ~ Winston Churchill

The following excerpt was taken from Enraged Chris Christie Blasts Boehner, House GOP Over Sandy Aid by Paul West and appeared on latimes.com on January 2, 2012. To view this article in its entirety, please click link below. 

WASHINGTON – Enraged over Congress’ failure to approve disaster relief for victims of Superstorm Sandy, Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey unloaded Wednesday on House Speaker John A. Boehner and Republican lawmakers in Washington for putting “palace intrigue” ahead of their official responsibilities.

Washington politicians “will say whatever they have to say to get through the day,” Christie said, adding that, as a governor, he had “actual responsibilities” — “unlike people in Congress.”

Christie, a potential 2016 GOP presidential contender, reserved his most blistering words for the Republican House speaker.  He described Boehner, variously, as selfish, duplicitous and gutless for reversing course at the last minute on Tuesday night and refusing to allow a vote on a $60-billion aid package before the current Congress adjourned.

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-chris-christie-sandy-aid-congress-20130102,0,4385141.story

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Do Our Children Believe Violence Is As American As Apple Pie?

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“What broke in a man when he could bring himself to kill another?”  ~ Alan Paton

The following excerpt taken from Looking Beyond Sand Hook: Do Our Children Believe That Violence Is As American As Apple Pie? by Burke E. Strunsky was originally posted on huffingtonpost.com on 12/27/12. To read this article in its entirety, please click on the link below.

We only have to look at the disproportionate amount of violent crime in the United States compared to other advanced industrial nations to realize that something is going horribly wrong. In 2010, there were 14,748 homicides in America, nearly seven times more than any other industrialized country, and the firearm homicide rates were nearly twenty times higher. This stark contrast should compel us to ask, What does this pervasive violence in America say about us? Is it a reflection of who we really are, or a clarion call to change?

Our earliest influences have the strongest impact on whether we’ll commit a violent crime. While there are a number of factors to why someone acts out violently, the home of a child is the least discussed, and in my opinion the most important, arena for stopping the cycle of violence. Studies show that when a child is abused, witnesses domestic violence, or is emotionally neglected and abandoned, the chances of that child acting out in a violent way dramatically increase.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/burke-e-strunsky/looking-beyond-sandy-hook_b_2366411.html

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The Importance of Reflection at the New Year #2013

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“The unexamined life is not worth living.” ~ Socrates

The month of January was named after the Roman god Janus. Janus was the god of gates, doors, beginnings and endings. He is pictured with two faces, one looking back to the past and the other into the future. In honor of Janus it seems appropriate that before we begin making resolutions for our New Year that we should reflect on the one just past. – Patricia Lantz

This excerpt from The Importance of Reflection at the New Year by Patricia Lantz originally appeared on examiner.com on January 1, 2012. To read this article in its entirety, please click on this link.

http://www.examiner.com/article/the-importance-of-reflection-at-the-new-year