SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
August 19, 2021
Sullivan’s Salvos 8/24/21
In this edition:
*UI Students Return
*Excluded Worker Fund
*Rights. We All Got ‘Em!
*There But For The Grace of God Go I
*Did You Know?
*UI Students Return
Over 30,000 UI students are descending upon Johnson County. Yes, this means no parking, longer lines, more litter, and late night hijinx. As a Johnson County resident, you need to alter your driving habits. You’ll need to allow more time for pretty much every endeavor. You’ll need to be more careful.
Those are a few of the downsides. But the upsides are too great to measure! We are blessed to live in an intelligent, caring, diverse community! The pros most certainly outweigh the cons! In addition, I love the rhythms that come from living in a university community. Go Hawks!
*Excluded Worker Fund
You have probably heard that Johnson County and all our cities have received generous funding from the federal government through the American Rescue Plan (ARP). In the case of Johnson County, we are getting $29 million dollars, half of which has arrived, and half of which is coming next May. You may also have heard that there are various groups pushing Johnson County to create an “Excluded Worker Fund.”
That fund already exists! Any low-income Johnson County resident who needs help can speak with someone in General Assistance (GA), part of the County Social Services Department. GA will not only help eligible people with bills, but also referrals when and where appropriate. Everything is confidential.
Taking advantage of GA services now does not necessarily prohibit a person from taking advantage of additional county or city assistance in the future. It simply gets help to those in need a bit more quickly.
The County and cities are still taking public input in terms of how to spend the ARP money. But needy residents should not wait! Just call Johnson County Social Services at 319-356-6090, or stop in at 855 S. Dubuque Street. Help for some excluded workers is available now!
*Rights. We All Got ‘Em!
There are a lot of people running around talking about their “rights” at this point in our history. I consider myself a pretty serious supporter of civil rights, so I take these discussions seriously. But it strikes me that many of the folks who feel aggrieved don’t fully understand the concept of individual rights.
For starters, individual rights can be limited. Let’s take the Second Amendment, for example. Do prisoners in jail cells get firearms? No, that right is limited in that case. Do people get to own nuclear weapons? No, that right is limited in that case. Other individual rights are similarly limited. You cannot beat up your spouse and call it freedom of expression. You don’t get to lie to a judge and call it free speech.
A surprising number of people seem to believe their individual rights are unlimited. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Every right has limitations. Many people today need a civics lesson. They are 100% certain that their right to do whatever they wish trumps their neighbors’ rights. I deal with this topic every day, and I find it to be a lot more complicated.
Here are just a few of the topics with which I deal regularly. In each case, a person feels he has a “right” to do something. In each case, his neighbors feel THEIR rights have been infringed.
Loud music, pesticide overspray, contaminating the water, shooting fireworks, target shooting, dogs running wild, letting thistles grow, letting water run off your property onto an adjacent property, service animals, open burning, motorcycle racing, jack brakes on semis, excessive traffic (resulting in excessive dust), animal infestations, bright lights, and yes, vaccines. I see cases every day where a person who claims a "right" to do (or not do) something that harms their neighbor.
In every one of those situations, rights are colliding. Whose rights prevail? Unfortunately, many of the people I speak with put their own rights above the rights of everyone else. In my mind, that includes taking vaccines.
These debates have been going on longer than America has been a country. They are going to continue. I hope more people will take an opportunity to actually learn about how rights actually work in this country.
Let’s finish this off with a few quotes from better writers than I:
"Begin with duties of a man and rights will follow as spring follows winter" ~ Mahatma Gandhi
"Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
"What goes around, comes around." ~ Willie Nelson
*There But For The Grace of God Go I
This ran in Salvos in September of 2020. I believe it is still quite relevant; look no further than the previous piece for evidence.
One of my best friends posted something on Facebook recently. He said (I am paraphrasing) that he was tired of working hard while others sit back and get something for nothing. You have probably seen the meme. I think we all have this feeling at times; I am concerned about how often I seem to hear it now.
I wrote him the following response. But in addition to this, I told him I loved him. Because I do. And I don’t want the culture wars to tear us apart. But it is hard, man. I wrote:
My Grandma Sullivan was a pretty religious woman. Staunch Catholic. In all the years I knew her, she almost never said a judgmental word. What she DID say, on some occasions, in a whisper, was, "There but for the Grace of God go I."
My Grandma was quiet and humble. I did not inherit those traits. But you know what? She got it. There but for the Grace of God go I. It's not my job to judge others, or to decide who is worthy. A couple seconds or inches here or there, and I would be dead or paralyzed. A few people giving me breaks along the way. The kindness of strangers. There but for the Grace of God go I.
I do agree with you that people should take personal responsibility. And I agree that people should work hard. But I don't get to judge who is taking responsibility and who is working hard. That is left to a higher power. I just need to recognize that I am a full-blown sinner who enjoys the fruits of this world *NOT* because I have worked hard or taken responsibility, but thanks to the Grace of God. There but for the Grace of God go I.
*DID YOU KNOW? The recently deceased Connie Champion served 10 years on the ICCSD Board, and 16 years on the Iowa City Council. Current Iowa City Councilor Susan Mims has also served on both bodies.
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 update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.
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As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan29@gmail.com. I look forward to serving you!
---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 1:15 PM
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