(Los Angeles, Calif.) — Over 510,000 children are in foster care nationwide and of those children, about 81,000 are in California. In Los Angeles County, we have more than 37,000 children living in out-of-home placements. For years, Americans have said children are our most valuable resource, our future. Based on recent events that demonstrate the value in which we hold our children, the impact of America’s future is bleak.

A lawsuit was filed in the State of California, on behalf of foster children, because of the poor reimbursement given to foster parents to care for them. Children continue to be the largest segment of our population that lives in poverty. In addition, President George W. Bush vetoed a bill that would make health care available to all children living in America.

Foster parents have been under-funded. In particular, California’s reimbursement rates to foster parents are embarrassing and fall far short in providing the financial resources necessary to give foster parents the ability to provide adequately for our children’s needs. According to a recent report released by Children’s Rights, the National Foster Parent Association, and the University of Maryland School of Social Work, California’s current foster care rates must be increased by up to 61 percent in order to cover the real costs of providing care for children.

As the executive director of Hillsides, a Pasadena-based foster care children’s charity that provides care to children at risk and their families, I have seen families struggle to meet the financial obligations to care for their own children. What agencies are beginning to see now is a decrease in the number of foster parents willing to open their doors to children who have been abused, abandoned, and neglected.

Inadequate foster care rates negatively affect foster parent recruitment and retention, potentially increasing the likelihood that children will be placed in institutions or shuttled from one foster placement to another-and decreasing their chance of finding permanent homes. At Hillsides and in other similar residential treatment centers, we see the devastating affects that multiple foster care placements have on children.

As a society, we are challenged to solve children’s issues and make sound policy. Too often we talk about the problems, but never quite find positive solutions. Or the pen never makes it on the paper to sign sound legislation into law. Or policies are never put into practice. When will we begin to hold elected officials, government administrators, and government agencies responsible for bettering the future of America’s children?

Keeping silent perpetuates this cycle of political ping pong and furthers the abuse these children must endure. In one way or another, society’s silence fosters this atmosphere which greatly devalues our children. I see a society that has misplaced its priorities of caring for our children and is no longer a focus.

Most schools, particularly in the large urban areas, are under-funded and failing to provide educators with adequate tools to teach students. Teachers, caretakers, and childcare workers are poorly paid and not given the tools they need to be successful with their charges. We have not wanted to pay higher taxes to improve children’s situations. We have argued for years about the cost of universal healthcare without considering what the denial of such a program does to the children and families in need of it. We protect the gun lobbyists, while our children are shooting each other on the streets. We ignore the devastating affect of drugs and alcohol on children and families without making rehabilitative programs available to all that need it.

The fact remains that child protective services started in New York at the turn of the 20th century using Humane Society regulations designed to prevent cruelty to animals. Even today, kennels receive more money to board pets than foster families who care for children, according to reports citing the lawsuit filed in California. As a society, we have not come very far in the last one hundred years.

When will we say, “It’s time to consider what is in the best interest of all children living in America and let’s do what it takes to accomplish that?” As a society, we can put a stop to political ping pong. We can vote for Presidential and Congressional candidates who talk the talk and walk the walk when making policy that is in the best interest of American children. We can communicate to our elected officials and hold them responsible for placing children first. If we do this, we will begin to see hope in the future of our children.

By: John Hitchcock

About the Author:

Business Marketing

By: phsiungus

About the Author:

Marketing Strategies

The statistical data and actuarial records relating to aging population trends and profiles throughout the United States are not only credible but astonishing.

The statistical data and actuarial records relating to aging population trends and profiles throughout the United States are not only credible but astonishing.

http://www.volunteeraberdeen.org/2010/09/the-relationship-between-science-technology-and-society/ http://www.volunteeraberdeen.org/2010/09/the-relationship-between-science-technology-and-society/#comments Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:39:20 +0000 admin http://www.volunteeraberdeen.org/2010/09/the-relationship-between-science-technology-and-society/

Science and technology is the best thing society could ever ask for. Since the industrial revolution in the 18th century science has been in progress. Some sectors that have been boosted by science and technology are energy, physical sciences, information and communication. The society has greatly gained with the invention of technology.

Infrastructure in the society has grown with the help of science and technology. Modes of transport like electronic railway lines were realized and these actually benefited the society by offering them a better means of transport. In the past, almost everything was analog but thanks to the science and technology we are now being digitalized by the day. The invention of the telephone and radio services has broadened human communication.

Without society then there would be no science and technology and that is why the invention of certain tools and equipment have helped achieve big things. Society can not do without the industries we have today. The society needs science and technology. The creation of computers is work of art by individuals was a milestone that would come a long way in helping the society. A computer helps us to leverage ourselves by gaining valuable information that we can use to enrich our lives. The impact of science and technology can seriously be recognized. Many people around the world take for example scholars in colleges and universities have taken the lead examining the relationship between science and technology.

The evaluation of this relationship has emerged as an important area of research. Public interest groups and academic organizations throughout the world are recognizing the importance of STS. The reason is that people need to recognize that there are people who are affected by the science and technology. Controversies such as modified foods, stem cell research are the issues that have brought policy makers and scientists together to have a way forward on this.

Science and technology has actually largely contributed to the vision of man about himself. Science has been modified the opinion about the origin of man and place of origin too. Through the results of scientific discoveries the perception of man about his behavior and his place of origin has been modified diversly. Experiments in science today are in one way or another affecting the society.Take for example the experiment on cloning a human being. The experiment brought a lot of controversy since the society was skeptical about it.

How is science and technology related to society: The developing world has a long tradition of participatory action research, popular education and community organization joining up to solve some science and technology issues that affect the society. How is science and technology related to the society is something that is calling even for the government intervention. Science and technology related issues are actually been discussed worldwide today. Progress in this has resulted to the ability to produce diverse types of material items. Answering the question how science and technology is related to society.

By: Danish Muzaffar

About the Author:

marketing business

The Watchtower Society (Jehovah’s Witnesses) and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons)

False doctrine comes in many forms and from many different people. The biggest problem is, that those that teach these things are deceiving themselves and those that they teach.

The W.T.Society, denies the Deity of Jesus, as the Son of God. This is very sad concerning those that teach this, and to those that agree with this doctrine. Not being content with the True Word of God, the Society, has written their own version of the Bible.

Removing those things that they do not believe in and, or, refusing to believe. One of their main teachings is about those that will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. They believe that only 144,000 will enter. If that is so, then how many of their past and present congregations will be, or are, lost?
This question they will not answer. Where did this doctrine come from? The misunderstanding of the Book of Revelations.

Rev 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. The Bible is very easily understood, when the Holy Ghost leads you into the truth. The 144,000 are sealed Jews from the 12 Tribes of Israel and not as a number to only be allowed into the Kingdom of Heaven. So according to their doctrine, none of the 144,000 will be Jews, only from The Watchtower Society. Which is contrary to the Gospel.

Most false doctrines, denie a connection between the Jewish House of Israel and salvation. The Children of Israel, are, the Chosen people of God. They will be saved, as a Nation, in accordance with the Promises of God. Another proof of this is also in the Book of Revelations. Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

Rev 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Ref. a great: Gen_49:10; Psa_2:8, Psa_22:27, Psa_72:7-11, Psa_76:4, Psa_77:2, Psa_98:3, Psa_110:2, Psa_110:3, Psa_117:1, Psa_117:2; Isa_2:2, Isa_2:3, Isa_49:6-8, Isa_60:1-14; Jer_3:17, Jer_16:19; Zec_2:11, Zec_8:20-23; Rom_15:9-12 no man: Rev_5:11, Rev_11:15; Gen_13:16; Hos_1:10; Luk_12:1; Rom_11:25; Heb_11:12, Heb_12:22 The WT Society Bible, called the New World

Translation (NWT) is a conglomeration of changed verses and false teachings. Lets take John 1:1 as an example.
(NWT)1. In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. This shows that, they do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, also that Jesus and God are not one as the Bible States.
(KJV)John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. As you can see, the teachings from this book cannot be used because they have again used one letter to change the meaning of the verse. The word and God cannot be separated because God and His Word are the Same.
Another example is John 1:5 (NWT)And the light is shining in the darkness, but the darkness has not overpowered it. To overpower, crush; to subdue; to destroy,to suppress
(KJV)John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. Comprehended;This word means “admitted” it not, or “received” it not. The word “comprehend,” with us, means to “understand.” Again as you can see changing the word Comprehended to overpower, changes the meaning of the verse.
This is unacceptable. In the Old Testament book of Zechariah, chapter 12 verse 10. Jehovah God is speaking and says, “they shall look upon me whom they have pierced” .
The Watchtower Society has changed this verse in the NWT to read “they will certainly look to the One whom they pierced through,” thus eliminating another reference to the deity of Jesus Christ. The Society made similar changes to many other verses relating to the deity of Christ

(Colossians 1:16-20; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8). They have also altered verses that expose the WT Society’s false teaching on subjects like the reality of eternal punishment (Matthew 25:46), and the personality of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:14-16; 1 Timothy 4:1; Jude 19).
In this way the Watchtower Society gives Jehovah’s Witnesses and potential converts the illusion that the Bible supports its erroneous doctrines.

Some references from; Institute for Religious Research. Copyright

By: Fran L

About the Author:

Marketing Strategy

As I was contemplating on today’s topic for an article, a small business man, that I had the privilege to know and who is the best example of self rule in business, came to mind. His name was Constance Palubicki, my Dad. Today there are many problems both in business and society as a whole. By using my Dad, I think I can share with you the core of where the problem lies. If business and society would adopt his approach, it would solve the problems we see today.

My Dad had a small farm in West Central Minnesota where I grew up. He has had the most influence on me in recognizing the true values in life. He was a man of strong character and very much respected by all those that knew him.

My Dad was a man of great integrity both in his personal life as well as in business. His greatest strength was his honesty and was the cornerstone of his character. In all of his business dealings he never demanded more than he had coming but expected every penny he had earned.

I see four corner stones in his character that are essential to self rule. They are as follows.

1)honesty, we must be committed to honesty in all of our dealings including our self

2)vigilance, always on guard against those who would try to take advantage of us

3)hard work, anything of true value is only acquired through diligent effort

4)kindness, willingness to help others but not be taken advantage of

My Dad lived by these principles. People recognized this and that is why he was so respected. But that is not why he did it. He understood that the greatest value in life is when you can look in the mirror and say I respect myself and who I am.

These corner stones are not automatic to anyone. They have to be developed. It first takes commitment.

Then it takes discipline and hard effort. But in the end it is worth all the effort.

If our politicians in Washington and Sacramento had and applied these principles things could be different. If business was operated on these principles we probably would not be in a recession. And if society as a whole could adopt these principles, we would not have the problems of stealing, cheating, and killing that we see today. The world today could be a much better place. We will not acquire these corner stones in our life by going to church or by passing laws. There is only one way it can happen, by looking in the mirror and making a commitment to our self and to exert the discipline and effort necessary to make them part of our life. The only way this will happen is on an individual basis. That is what self rule is all about. We must guard them diligently as part of our domain. I truly believe this is the only way that we can guard our self rule (freedom).

It is important that each and every one of us take a look in the mirror and make a commitment to honesty and integrity, it is our only hope.

By: Thomas Palubicki

About the Author:

increase page ranking

By: fiksiraha

About the Author:

Business Marketing