This past week, thousands of people, state workers, protested in Madison, WI because the newly-elected governor there wants to take away the ability fo workers to bargain for their rights. Among those people are state workers (deaf and hearing) at WSD (The Wisconsin School for the Deaf). There are other deaf workers throughout the state who will suffer if the governor gets his way.
In New York, the newly elected governor wants to save money. How? By closing all nine state schools for the deaf, the two schools for the blind, and "mainstream" all the students into regular schools. What about all the deaf peopele who work in these schools, will they be "mainstreamed" too?
In Illinois last week, the newly-elected governor gave his "budget" speech. he said that the State of Illinois has money problems, and he needs to save money. So, he proposed:
a) Eliminating the Circuit-Breaker program for Senior Citizens and people with disabilities;
b) Eliminating the RX Prescription Drug Plan for Senior Citizens and people with disabilities;
c) Reducing Medicaid paymennts which will hurt agencies, schools, and organizations that serve people with severe disabilities.
I cannot do much about Wisconsin (though I have relatives/friends there who are teachers and are suffering). I cannot do much about NY, even though I know some good people who live and work there. I can, however, try to do something about Illinois and its plans to "balance the budget" by hurting senior citizens, deaf and disabled people. I intend to do whatever I can to oppose these plans from the State of Illinois to hurt poor senior citizens and people who are deaf and/or disabled. This proposal is unjust and clearly wrong. Poor senior citizesn and deaf/disabled eprson do not have much "power". So, the politicians feel they can do anything they want and no one will notice. WE HAVE TO NOTICE THE POOR! WE MUST NOT IGNORE OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO ARE WEAK AND SUFFERING. In the coming days/weeks, we will gather people together to do what we can to keep programs for those who are "the least of our brothers and sisters." HOWEVER.......
.....in the Gospel reading from yesterday, Matthew 5:38-48. Jesus reminded us that we are NOT to become hateful, mean, or vengeful even against those who hate and hurt us. Jesus said quite clearly, "Love your enemies; do good to those who harm you." Even when Jesus was dying on the Cross,and people were mocking Him, Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them." We must fight very hard to protect people in need and those suffering. Yet, it is not right or Christian for us to insult, hate, or wish pain and suffering on those politicians who do not care about us.Our Lord and Saviour, jesus Christ, wants us to be His followers, not become like those people we oppose. Therefore, we need to focus on protecting our poor and suffering brothers and sisters; this is what the Lord commands us to do. However, we will do it God's way, not the way of people who are selfish and do not care.
I will do my best to keep you informed about what is happening with this issue.