1. National economic situation: The stimulus package passed in early 2009 undoubtedly salvaged the economy from the brink of collapse.

However, need to work on policies to produce quick results in job growth and economic recovery. The legislative actions are encouraging and the public satisfaction is dependent upon their experience in job search and security as well as the overall economy.

The Democrats’ determination and diligence in passing several life- saving legislations deserve attention and re-election in November 2010.

Congratulations! To President Barack Obama, the Democratic Congress and the three Republican members on the financial regulations. Continuous monitoring to improve the housing market and the credit crunch would expedite the economic revival.

2. National Health care reform: Health care reform is historic and will be beneficial to the millions uninsured upon the legislative measures being effective in 2014 and 2019 respectively.

Meanwhile, the average Americans are still hurting especially the patients with pre-existing illnesses are currently denied medical access.

The year 2014 might appear around the corner but not to the people battling with life and death as they desperately seek immediate health care.

Interim health care assistance through legislative enhancements and pressuring health insurers to refrain from health coverage denial including the premium hikes in particular is quintessential to gain public acknowledgment.

The nomination of “Health Care Director,” to oversee Medicare and other federal health care programs is a sound approach to the status quo anomalies.

3. Energy Policy: The legislation in motion for review and debate is a monumental challenge considering the energy industry lobbying power.

As highlighted earlier, the offshore drilling is a proven disaster. Focus on clean renewable energy sources away from fossil fuel and nuclear energy to avoid not only environmental catastrophes but also restraining the nuclear proliferation is the only viable option for energy independence and environmental protection.

4. Immigration: Passing the immigration bill with amnesty for the estimated 12 million immigrants in the country besides strict border patrol to curb drug and arms trade is no longer an option but a necessity.

5. Education: Federal Grants and state funding are impressive in promoting quality education to prepare the American workforce for the competitive global economy. Again, the reality is not reflective of the generous provisions as the school districts struggle to maintain the regular academic standard. Therefore, oversight in the appropriate use of federal funds is vital.

6. Improving Race Relations: The recent legislation by Congress against the discriminatory rule in drugs and substance abuse among different racial groups is a progressive change.

Similarly, it should be extended to the abuses in the court rooms towards the ethnic groups that are simply not a matter of discussion or concern, since racial prejudice is presumed to affect only the prominent minorities.

The inherently flawed legal decisions due to judicial authorities’ predisposition against the ethnic members suggest the lack of diversity in the judiciary to serve the overwhelming immigrant population with fairness at the state and national level.

Contrarily, dispute resolutions and Ombuds Programs by the county are highly recommended as the first choice because of its excellent merits such as the individuals’ objectivity, patience and listening skills.

The free service is offered by professionals who volunteer to help the community on a range of issues. The mediators offering their valuable time to help society in itself speaks volume about their commitment and dedication to serve in the best interests of both parties. They are reasonable and result oriented apart from saving costs for everyone involved.

7. Foreign Policy: Tremendous input through peaceful negotiations and diplomacy is a priority in resolving disputes. The President’s efforts in the beginning following the inauguration raised international hope. Then understandably the administration time is largely devoted towards national issues.

Nevertheless, the major international on-going conflicts require momentum viz. Israeli Palestinian peace process not barring freedom for Tibet, Burma, Iran, North Korea…enduring oppression and persecution.

A. United Nations Security Council expansion is paramount in dealing with global crisis. As suggested earlier, the present U.N. Security Council permanent membership is inadequate and do not reflect the twenty first century economic, political and social environment.

B. Allowing neutral global partners like Japan, Brazil, India, Germany, South Africa, Turkey and United Arab Emirates with veto power would fairly represent the multidimensional world in solving the deepening regional problems.

8. Afghanistan: Preparation for troop withdrawal and deploying forces to improve Afghan lives in addition to empowering them to form an efficient government is urgently desirable at the national and international front.

9. Iraq Responsibility: Adhering to the U.S and Iraq time line withdrawal would ease the economic burden on the U.S. taxpayers.

At the same time, pressuring the Iraqi government led by Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki to honor the democratic mandate in the March 2010 elections by allowing the secular political power with the Shiite leader Ayad Allawi is critical in addressing the political stalemate. It’s a serious national security crisis for Iraq while the U.S and allies are faced with an economic liability from it.

Political stability and not U.S. military presence is the response to the Iraqi quagmire.

Unequivocally, U.S. withdrawals from Afghanistan and Iraq would contribute to national deficit reduction.

10. Job creation, housing market and the economy are imperative for most Americans.

Finally, despite vigorous opposition the legislative achievements by the Democratic Congress members in the House and the Senate and President Barack Obama’s administration are phenomenal.

Evidently, the law makers instrumental in the successful legislation have earned re-election opportunity in November 2010 to lead the nation towards prosperity.

Good Luck! to President Barack Obama and the Congress members in their future endeavors.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Dear Governor Kaine,

Thank you for your letter.

The responses to the requests were promptly sent by priority mail with return receipts and I’ve the delivery confirmation for all of them.

Perhaps, the delay could be at the mail distribution within the headquarters or at the White House and advising them to forward the urgent deliveries to the concerned parties without any delay would be helpful.

However, I’m sending you the information again for the President’s personal attention.

Hopefully, there will be no confusion this time.

Sincerely,

Padmini Arhant

The Caribbean nation has been through many political and social challenges in the past three centuries. Beginning with colonization leading to revolutions, military coups and the unfortunate communist rule prevalent until today, the 11 million Cuban population continues to suffer in silence without any hope on the horizon.

From the Cuban revolution, Bay of Pigs invasion to Cuban Missile crisis and Guantanamo bay, Cuba has remained a significant Latin American nation.

With the political system modeled after the former Soviet Union and China the three nations’ paradoxical images in the new millennium are striking.

China as a Communist nation is regarded the emerging economic power with extraordinary privileges prominently – permanent membership at the U.N. Security Council, ‘Most Favored Nation’ status renewed regardless of the Republican or Democratic administrations at the White House. China is also a WTO, G-20 and ASEAN member.

Russia shares equivalent position with China among the international community and currently has the United States endorsement for WTO membership at the Toronto G-20 meeting held in June 2010.

Cuba, on the other hand is isolated with various sanctions particularly the economic embargo crippling the island nation in the Western Hemisphere.

Under the previous U.S. administration, there were restrictions on foreign remittances and travel by the Cuban expatriates. However, President Barack Obama reversed it in 2009 along with the resolution adopted in June last year to end the exclusion of Cuba from OAS (Organization of American States). Cuban leaders apparently expressed their lack of enthusiasm in the OAS readmission.

Cuba’s isolation is attributed to the appalling human rights abuse from the international standpoint and nationally the political oppression combined with the state controlled failed economic policies having a drastic impact on the once prosperous middle class in the society are the reasons considered for the Cuban exodus.

The parallels and the ironies between Cuba and other nations in this context are noteworthy.

Haiti – Another Caribbean nation and Cuba’s neighbor on the east was systematically deprived of self-sustenance and economic success during the currently exiled democratically elected President Jean Bertrand Aristide due to the U.S. imposition on Haiti to allow imported crops over the national rice production and other consumer goods resulting in Haiti’s status quo.

Whereas Cuba as a Communist authority holds direct control over two-thirds of the economy with the private sector functioning under federal governance on capital investments approval to hiring policy and wage distribution.

With the exception of public education and universal health care, the state’s macro management of the economy proved to be inefficient on various accounts such as food rationing and inadequate housing for the growing urban population.

Cuba is reported to have found large oil reserves through the environmentally devastating “oil exploration” in North Cuba Basin.

It’s time for nations to realize that the planet sustenance is dependent upon the clean renewable energy resources viz. solar, wind, bio-fuel, hydrothermal projects. Pursuing other sources despite the catastrophic damages to the economy and the environment is denying reality.

On Cuba’s foreign relations – Strong ties with China and Venezuela in the aftermath of the Soviet Union collapse seemingly eased the economic sanctions impact.

National health care in Cuba guarantee free medical aid to all in the rural and urban areas.

Therefore, the infant mortality rate and maternal care are either comparable or better than some developed countries.

The trade embargo affecting the core services like the health care facilities is reportedly deficient in latest medical equipments, drugs and essential supplies undermining the expected standards.

Mandatory education at the basic and higher levels including vocational training appears to be beneficial for Cuba with the highest per capita medical personnel available to serve within and outside the country.

Notably, Cuba is acknowledged for the medical professional help in the disaster relief programs – witnessed recently to Haiti earthquake victims.

Human rights violation is not uncommon in any form of government. If not towards the majority, it is often directed against the minority or the ethnic groups in a society.

Arguably, the repressive governments’ conspicuous abuse of power against their nationals is well known.

Cuba is believed to rank only second to the People’s Republic of China in the imprisonment of journalists voicing their concern against government agenda.

Per Wikipedia.org – Thank you.

“The Cuban government has been accused of numerous human rights abuses including torture, arbitrary imprisonment, unfair trials, and extrajudicial executions (a.k.a. “El Paredón”).

The Human Rights Watch alleges that the government “represses nearly all forms of political dissent” and that “Cubans are systematically denied basic rights to free expression, association, assembly, privacy, movement, and due process of law”.

Cuba was the second biggest prison in the world for journalists in 2008, second only to the People’s Republic of China, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an international NGO.

As a result of computer ownership bans, computer ownership rates are among the world’s lowest.

Right to use Internet is granted only to selected people and these selected people are monitored.

Connecting to the Internet illegally can lead to a five-year prison sentence.

Cuban dissidents face arrests and imprisonment.

In the 1990s, Human Rights reported that Cuba’s extensive prison system, one of the largest in Latin America, consists of some 40 maximum-security prisons, 30 minimum-security prisons, and over 200 work camps.

According to Human Rights Watch, political prisoners, along with the rest of Cuba’s prison population, are confined to jails with substandard and unhealthy conditions.

Citizens cannot leave or return to Cuba without first obtaining official permission.”

Upon viewing the economic and political conditions in Cuba, it’s clear that the real beneficiaries in the economies under authoritarian rule and the democracies run by Corporations are not the average citizens, instead the ‘selective-powerful’ focused on self-interest rather than national interest.

Yet another irony is the statehood declaration as the “Republic” –

Whether it’s Republic of Cuba, Republic of North Korea, Islamic Republic of Iran, or People’s Republic of China and those not truly representative of the republic in the electoral and legislative process confirm the connotation.

A nation’s progress is measured by the political freedom, economic opportunities and social equality.

All are born to be free and economic prosperity in the absence of freedom is life without a purpose.

In the twenty first century, the people of Cuba and others facing persecution for their freedom quest deserve international support.

Liberty especially the freedom of expression is the inalienable human right.

Leadership is honorable when committed to celebrating life and not suppressing it.

Democracy is imminent with a bright future for the people of Cuba.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Congratulations! To the millions of Unemployed citizens whose jobless benefits expired in June 2010, now have the means to support them while they are looking for work.

Job search is a stressful experience in a tough economy with millions competing for fewer jobs in the job market.

The extension revival by the Democrats and two Republican Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins is a saving grace for the Americans out of work and the slow economic recovery.

An estimated five million people is expected to be relieved through this measure for they will receive allowances up to 99 weeks averaging $309 a week.

The long fought legislation survived the filibuster threat despite the majority in the opposition along with a lone Democrat, Ben Nelson from Nebraska voting for it.

It appears that the newly sworn in West Virginia Democrat Senator Carte Goodwin’s vote was crucial to move forward for the final Senate approval.

The contentious issue was the $34 billion benefit extension cost being added to the $13 trillion national debt instead of being provided for with cuts in the $3.7 trillion federal budget.

Although, the national debt is a legitimate concern with a valid proposal for funding the legislation, the Republican Senators could have identified the reallocation from the $3.7 trillion federal budget if they were seriously committed in helping their unemployed constituents and the people across the nation.

However, it’s never too late to review the federal budget to eliminate wasteful spending and prioritize economic activities such as this legislation over less important or extravagant budget expenditures.

As stated earlier, job creation and sustenance is an immediate requirement and the unemployment benefit is a catalyst to stimulate consumer spending that would promote the retail industry and the small business sector, the two most significant bases contributing to the ripple effect on the manufacturing, wholesale and the service industry in the economic recession.

Expediting job growth in the retail industry and small businesses is vital for long-term economic progress.

The argument about the out-of-control spending is more appropriate in the alarming defense budget with no auditing or accountability factor. Moreover, the extraordinary investment has not delivered the desirable results thus far.

Ironically, the ‘deficit’ is not an issue in the bipartisan legislation to increase defense funding for the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Yemen including the U.S. military bases around the world.

Whereas in the economic aspect the mere existence has been challenging for many and with the opposition blocking funding to the struggling states, the current federal aid is a lifesaver besides being an economic stimulus.

Even if the economic prospect is downsized, any improvement in people’s daily life enables them to endure hardships without losing hope.

According to the latest reports, the unemployment rate in many states is on the decline.

Any attempts to jumpstart the economy would restore consumer as well as investor confidence.

Jobs, housing market and economy have a major impact on the electorate anytime more so in the election year.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

July 4th is a glorious occasion for all Americans. On this day, the native and the naturalized citizens come together to cherish the individual freedom that still remains a far-fetched dream for many around the world.

Independence Day is an opportunity to commemorate the nation’s birthday. It honors the founding fathers’ wisdom, resolve and vision for the country they pledged to serve not only during their lifetime, but also beyond the foreseeable future.

“All are created equal and born to be free,” – the natural law has been discarded by human race since evolution and the dominance of some over others is exercised as an “entitlement.”

Liberty is an inalienable right of every life on earth. Yet, freedom is seized from the weak and forced to pay a price through sacrifice and prolonged struggle to regain the fundamental right.

For the unfortunate, the oppression continues without a ray of hope in the lifelong battle that spans over generations.

The minority that controls the majority justify their actions through various interpretations, despite the evidence proving otherwise.

The complacency to the territorial annexation, occupying lands for economic benefits and denying equality to fellow human beings has promoted injustice against the vulnerable population resigned to the reality as the destiny.

Throughout history, human behavior is consistent in the invasion, occupation, persecution and annihilation in the extreme events. From Stone Age to Digital Era, the pattern is maintained with the variation in imperialism evolved into totalitarianism.

United States and other nations’ contribution in restoring sovereignty during the twentieth century world wars is significant and saved humanity from tyranny.

Subsequently, such involvements have yielded unsavory results due to the mission lacking in clarity and purpose.

The courageous troops in harm’s way diligently serve the nation to protect the freedom rejoiced by the people on this Independence Day. They are always in our thoughts and prayers.

Human suffering is brought upon by excess greed for wealth and power. It has led to perpetual warfare with serious economic and political ramifications.

Regardless of the tremendous human progress, peace is not an overwhelming choice in resolving disputes.

Aggression and violence precedes diplomacy and peaceful measures indicating the lack of patience.

Defense spending consuming the major proportion of the budget is given priority and the society’s economic needs rejected on the ‘national debt’ criteria.

United States was envied for being the model democracy and lately the civil liberties has been compromised under “FISA and Patriot Act,” with wiretapping, monitoring private communication, NSA warrantless surveillance…rendering freedom a privilege at the authority’s discretion.

Global security is threatened by terror. Terrorism is a revenge for the bad elements.

Sadly, the groups are emboldened by the failed policies of the corrupt political powers depriving the local population from the economic and political freedom to live and thrive in their domain.

Terror recruitments would decline sharply, if the people in the impoverished regions have access to necessities such as clean drinking water, health and education, agriculture and industrial growth at the least.

Instead, the economic and political powers have maximized military intervention with minimal or zero investments in the social and economic development, transforming the environment into a war zone for a decade and longer from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Freedom is the natural gift for the living.

History is testimony to the fact that none shall ever remain in eternal foreign rule.

The declaration of independence by the United States on July 4, 1776 followed by several other nations exemplifies the inevitable success to the oppressed.

Happy Fourth of July!

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

The Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to confirm the Supreme Court Nominee – Solicitor General Elena Kagan is in process.

Solicitor General Elena Kagan upon confirmation would succeed the retired Supreme Court Justice, John Paul Stevens to the United States Supreme Court.

Notably, the appointment would strengthen the female representation to one-third on the current bench.

While it still remains a minority. it’s a significant social progress made in recent years to the highest court on land.

President Barack Obama’s commitment in this respect is praiseworthy.

Since the hearing commencement, the Solicitor General Elena Kagan has responded patiently and diligently to most if not all of the issues raised by the distinguished panel.

The Solicitor General’s disposition conforms to the previous appointees for similar position.

Therefore, it’s not unprecedented in the Senate confirmation hearing.

Although, departure from such tradition would benefit public confidence in the potential lifetime appointee entrusted with judicial duty on life and death matter.

The Senate members posed many important issues to ascertain the nominee’s position. Some were politically motivated and the majority relevant to the cause.

Solicitor General Elena Kagan’s background and credentials has been under scrutiny from the early introduction to until now.

The Supreme Court nominee is profiled for better understanding and in some instances caricatured to place the aspirant in spotlight depending on the critics’ “ethical” standard.

Solicitor General Elena Kagan stellar academic and career achievements have rightfully earned the recognition leading up to the Supreme Court nomination.

The buzz about the nominee from the beginning was her lack of experience in the capacity as a ‘Judge,’ despite the precedence set by the Supreme Court predecessors, the latest being the former Justice William Rehnquist nominated by the Republican President Ronald Reagan.

During the Senate hearing, the nominee, Elena Kagan had to address diverse issues ranging from:

The executive power, Congressional deference, corporate influence, political activism – a common attribute towards the democratic nominee by the opposition, past incidents linked to,

The military recruitment on college campus including clarification on personal statements and memos to determine adaptability to the existing judicial view.

Solicitor General Elena Kagan maintained throughout the session that she would strictly adhere to the Constitutional law and not attempt to interpret it differently for political or any other reason.

Further, the Solicitor General elaborated on personal humility and pledged to respect the precedential settings on historic hearings notwithstanding the Supreme Court recent ruling safeguarding the second amendment.

In addition, some Senate members sought assurance from the nominee on the denial of Habeas Corpus to detained terror suspects apprehended from civil or combat environment.

The nominee in agreement with “battlefield law, including indefinite detention without a trial, could apply outside of traditional battlefields.”

International law was extensively discussed against the Constitutional law to establish the nominee’s priority pertaining to the academic period as the “Dean at Harvard Law School.”

In other controversial social issues such as abortion, gay military personnel and the “Don’t ask, don’t tell,” policy, the Solicitor General confirmed the published views.

Protecting women’s health and highlighting the drawbacks from depriving the gay members to serve the nation on equal basis.

However, in the related subjects the nominee Elena Kagan reportedly stated the following:

Source: Wikipedia.org – Elena Kagan

“ 1. From 1995 to 1999, Kagan served as President Bill Clinton’s Associate White House Counsel and Deputy Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Council.

While serving in that position, Kagan co-authored a May 13, 1997 memo to the President urging him to support a ban on late-term abortions stating that, “We recommend that you endorse the Daschle amendment in order to sustain your credibility on HR 1122 and prevent Congress from overriding your veto.”

2. In 1996, she wrote an article in the University of Chicago Law Review entitled, “Private Speech, Public Purpose:

The Role of Governmental Motive in First Amendment Doctrine.” Kagan argued that government has the right, even considering the First Amendment, to restrict free speech, when the government believes the speech is “harmful”, as long as the restriction is done with good intentions.

3. During her solicitor general confirmation hearing, she said that “there is no federal constitutional right to same-sex marriage.”

Also during her solicitor general confirmation, Kagan was asked about the Defense of Marriage Act, under which states don’t have to recognize same-sex marriages from other states. She said she would defend the act.”

In due fairness to the nominee’s statements, the approach to defend the constitution is a primary judicial responsibility.

At the same time, if exercising empathy in the decision-making is characterized as ‘social activism,’ then similar considerations to the authorities in the executive and legislative branches not barring the corporations exceed the judicial power granted within the confines of the law.

Unfortunately, it’s a growing trend hindering justice particularly on ethical misconduct in the democratic system.

Again, the Solicitor General perceptions on the basic human rights – women’s health, freedom of expression superseding the second amendment in the Bill of Rights, and gay rights is lacking in candor consequentially the clarity on the fundamental law that –

“All are created equal and hence qualify for the equal application of law.”

Social injustice based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender discrimination, economic status…are explicitly prevalent given the human progress in other tangible fields.

The political, economic and religious institutions intrusion in justice has the ‘average’ human life hanging in balance with the hope that justice is served by taking into account,

Obedience to the law as well as the facts and evidences authenticated by the conscionable action to be impartial.

Solicitor General Elena Kagan is regarded for her intellect, consensus building, hard work and thoughtfulness, the valuable assets that would not only contribute to the enriched Supreme Court representation, but also empower the nation’s highest court with additional perspective.

If confirmed, Solicitor General Elena Kagan would have the opportunity to be a superb Supreme Court Justice.

Best Wishes to the Solicitor General Elena Kagan in all her endeavors.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant