SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
November 16, 2017
Sullivan’s
Salvos 11/21/17
In this edition:
*Happy Thanksgiving!
*National Adoption Month
*ACA Navigation Available
*Roy Moore
*Charity Versus Justice
*Define “Progressive”?
*Did You Know?
*Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy
Thanksgiving to Salvos readers! In many ways, Thanksgiving is my favorite
holiday. (Imagine that coming from a fat guy, huh?)
Actually,
I love the idea of giving thanks. It is a simple act that does not happen
enough.
While
I am at it – thanks to all of you who read Salvos each week. And a special
thanks to those of you who follow up by sharing your thoughts. I appreciate it!
Happy Thanksgiving!
*National Adoption Month
November has been named National
Adoption Month and November 20th National Adoption Day.
The
need out there is tremendous. In Johnson County alone, there are between 100
and 150 kids in foster care every day. There are nowhere near enough foster and
adoptive homes to meet the need.
As many of you know, Melissa and I are the parents of three
adopted children. We also continue to serve as foster parents.
It has been a life full of tragedies and triumphs. It has not
always been easy, but it has been indescribably fulfilling. Along with marrying
my wife, it is the best decision I ever made.
If
you or someone you know is interested in foster care and/or adoption, please
let me know. I am always happy to speak with prospective parents.
*ACA Navigation Available
Due
to recent federal funding cuts there is no longer an Affordable Care Act (ACA)
navigator working to assist Johnson County residents with health coverage
enrollment through the Marketplace. Through a collaborative agreement, Johnson
County Public Health (JCPH) and Iowa City Free Medical Clinic are sponsoring
services to be provided by a Certified Application Counselor (CAC) to address
this loss of assistance.
During
the Marketplace open enrollment period (November 1 - December 15, 2017), a former
ACA navigator, Karen Wielert, will be working with county residents as a CAC.
She will assist with enrollment and re-enrollment in Marketplace insurance
plans. She will offer office hours at JCPH and Iowa City Free Medical Clinic as
well as the Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty Public Libraries.
To
take advantage of this service, individuals should contact Ms. Wielert directly
by phone 319-535-2679 or email johnsoncountycac17@gmail.com to make an
appointment. Individuals may also view the calendar of office hours on the
Johnson County, Free Medical Clinic, and United Way websites. Appointments are
encouraged but not required and those without appointments will be accommodated
on a first come first serve basis.
*Roy Moore
Let’s
be honest. Half of the people in Alabama are willing to forgive pedophilia if
it means they keep a Republican in the US Senate. Iowa’s Republican Senators
and Congressmen have nothing to say on the matter. And that tells you all you
need to know about the state of the GOP today.
*Charity Versus Justice
About 1600 years
ago, Saint Augustine said: “Charity is no substitute for Justice.” Truer words
have never been spoken.
In
the past City Council campaign, I spent a lot of time talking with various
people about the difference between charity and justice. You can donate a bunch
of pies to a nonprofit (charity) or you can help raise the minimum wage
(justice). You can donate money to the Shelter House (charity) or you can
advocate for inclusionary zoning (justice). Charity is GREAT, but it is not
nearly enough. To really fix our problems, we must strive toward justice.
There
are many types of justice. Social, racial, economic, and environmental are just
a few of the types of justice too often denied to our fellow travelers.
Most
people in Johnson County are charitable people. Many give generously of time
and talent. And they should. That is charity, and charity is great. Necessary,
even. Necessary, because we lack true justice.
Again,
“Charity is no substitute for Justice.” No amount of charity can make up for
justice denied. We need a world that strives toward justice of all kinds. We
need governments at all levels that strive toward justice of all kinds. It is
the only answer.
*Define “Progressive”?
In
the recent City Council election, all 5 candidates claimed to be “progressive”.
Unfortunately, the media never asked any of them exactly what that meant.
Trust
me – this issue is not going away. There are clearly different definitions of
“progressive” at play, and this will be an important discussion in the 2018
Democratic Party primaries. So perhaps we should all begin working on some
definitions.
In
my mind, it is easier to talk about certain positions on certain issues as a
way to a definition. What issues define “progressive” for me? Locally, those
issues would definitely include affordable housing funding, affordable housing
policies, minimum wage, TIF, labor union negotiations, police practices,
sustainability, drug reform, and much, much more. Nationally, there are issues
such as peace, health care, mental health, civil rights, LGBTQ issues, income
inequality, fair taxation, reproductive rights, and much, much more; each of
which CAN have important local implications.
Are
my lists better than your lists? Maybe, maybe not. But you have to put your
list forward for us to know. It would certainly be interesting to hear what
candidates feel about this list of issues! If we knew where they stood on even
half, we’d be doing well.
Is
a local candidate progressive? How does she or he feel about the items on my
list? Obviously, you can choose to say each of these items is a litmus test –
agree 100% or you are not progressive. I think that would be a mistake,
frankly. On the other hand, you can say that these issues are just guidelines
that really don’t matter. That would be even worse.
I
don’t want campaign rhetoric; I want results. I want to see progressive votes,
not labels. I’m not going to quit fighting on these issues. We need a truly
progressive government right now. We can get closer to justice on these topics,
and we must. So let’s keep talking about what each of us sees as the
progressive course of action.
*DID YOU KNOW?
25 million Americans who were previously uninsured gained coverage under
the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.
Anyone
interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the
County website-
"Sullivan’s
Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief
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As always,
feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to
serving you!
---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 8:48 PM
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