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Gratitude: Our Bodies’ Natural Anti-Depressant
If you look up the word gratitude in the dictionary you will find it is a noun that describes the state of being grateful, thankful, and appreciative. But research has found is when you turn that noun into an action, expressing gratitude on a regular basis, there are numerous mental and physical health benefits, including…
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Electoral College
In 1969, the House passed a constitutional amendment to establish direct election of the president by a bipartisan vote of 338 to 70. The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee by a vote of 11 to 6 and reached the floor in September 1970. There it met a prolonged filibuster from southern senators, who did…
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Punish the Institutions
After I watched the movie Spotlight, I was determined to do my part to prevent child sexual abuse. I was unable to imagine who would ruin a child’s life for their own selfish “pleasure.” But what was even harder to comprehend was the non-abusers who rally around to protect the abuser. It is not unique…
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Culture of Silence: Why Minority Victims of Sex Abuse Don’t Report
The culture of silence, an embedded cultural norm, in Middle Eastern, Asian and Black families, inhibits attempts of physical and sexual abuse victims from getting the help they need. The fear of retaliation and disownment is prominent in homes of many of these families where kids are abused. Family Shame Family shame, honor, and stigma…
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Cancel the Electoral College
Sign the Petition to Eliminate the Electoral College Thoughts from Barry about the Electoral College We feel that what is going on with all the protests will get attention, but we are not sure it will accomplish anything. I feel the Electoral College (EC) is obsolete and should be abolished in 2024. Only 12 other…
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Thoughts on the Third-Party Payer
Greed has a negative effect in this country. It seems to me that when you buy prescription drugs, there is a black hole called “the 3rd party payer”. Many people have tried to convince me that single-payer healthcare is a bad idea. But when I ask who the payer is under the current system, they…
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Child Sex Trafficking and the Hyper-Sexualization of Our Youth. Where’s the Line?
We have a complicated relationship with media and pop culture. While artists are shattering gender norms and empowering disenfranchised populations, more and more sexualized images are projected into the stratosphere, and young eyes are taking notice. The fallout from this phenomenon may be a factor that drives child sex trafficking, rape culture, and objectification of…
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Eating Healthy on a Budget During Covid
During a global, viral pandemic, most individuals share the same goal- keep themselves and their family safe and healthy. Proper nutrition is a vital component to staying healthy. A well-balanced diet helps you maintain optimal immune functioning and lowers your risk of chronic illness and infectious disease. Epidemiological studies find that those who are poorly…
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Rushing for a Cure: The Covid-19 Vaccine
Producing an effective and safe vaccine is laborious, and the risks taken in the race to discover a vaccine against COVID-19 are extremely high. With billions of dollars pledged globally, scientists are working to cut the development time of a COVID-19 vaccine. Studies suggest that it takes an average of 17 years for research evidence…
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The Cost of Firearms
When COVID-19 swept the nation into lockdown, gun sales surged. Amidst a pandemic, social uprising in response to police brutality, and a divisive presidential election, people are buying up guns largely for self-protection. Yet, research has found that more guns does not equal increased safety. The fact is, a gun is more likely to…
