Michael1942's Blog

Each day there is someone with knowledge who is able to have some plainly worded explanations about our constitution printed. Not many us of know or remember that the founders created a document that is live and evolving. The current Congressional group has lost sight of what their jobs entail. Each of these folks have themselves in mind daily, they are looking to grab headlines that enhance themselves and their political future. Look at the salary, pension and benefits that have been added to the job. These are all things that Congress has enacted for themselves, for instance their “COLA” is a law enacted by them. There are no term limits unless we (voters) impose them and even then we fail to see the forest for the trees due to the media blitzes and other distractions when elections roll around. We as voters have become jaded, faded and downright tired of the political games but we vote based on a point of bias that has nothing to do with the candidate but will garner a vote. The incumbents and aspirants use our fears and biases to stay in office. Simply put: if a candidate learns that a majority of his constituents are of one religion, they use that to get votes, if a part of their voting base likes a certain color, they use that to gain votes. If you see a pattern then you get it, if you do not see a pattern then you need to step back and take another look at the people you have voted for and what they have done for you or to you. Congress was never meant to be a lifetime job, the founders were all part timers who had income from their primary occupation. They were paid expenses required to travel to the capital for meals and lodging. These current officials are living large on funds that we pay them, that they provided for themselves through laws they enacted. We all need to pay attention to who represents us and not by the party (and the sub groups) they are associated with.

Most of us are familiar with the “Star Wars” saga. I have observed an activity which parallels the Star Wars story in some part. A Non-Profit in Springfield, IL hired a retired state worker to administer one of its many programs. This person, through some machinations much like those of the Senator from “Naboo,” rose to the position of COO within six months. Once in that position, the real personality emerged in the form of the “Dark Maiden”. This new seemingly omnipotent entity has almost singlehandedly gutted the Head Start Program. This has been accomplished by firing tenured teachers and other seasoned workers. There are also the cases of health issues in the buildings that have caused grievous harm to teachers and　children. Unfortunately, the “Union (Freedom Fighters)” does not have a hero to lead them, and the fear of the “Dark Maiden” lays heavily over the Head Start program like a blanket. The underlying problems are as deep and pervasive as gas leaking from a broken line. The costs to run the program have been subverted to legal fees to fight the Union instead of using those same funds to improve the program and services to its clients. To date, over 30 workers have been eliminated with one poor excuse or another while the Non-Profit is still racking up huge legal fees to the detriment of the program. The general public is unaware of the extent of the problem as the “Evil Empire” has taken great pains to contain all information that would illuminate their process. Yet, there are still other forces at work that might at some point expose the true nature of this beast. To date the regional Head Start office has begun to look into allegations of mis handling funds and underserving the clients of Head Start. What will it take for the client base to resist this “hostile” takeover of a vital program?

Apparently someone is listening. Recent airing of the mold problems in Head Start locations have surfaced. One local station asked some questions and got the usual half truths from the C.O.O. of the Springfield Urban League. These half truths and a lot of outright lies have been used to stop , curtail and derail the Unionizing efforts of the workers. This spokesperson is referred to (in a “Star Wars” reference) as “Dark Maiden” as evil as a villain as you find anywhere! This is a small part of the overall picture unknown to the general public and hidden from the parents of their clients. There is a former teacher who was ill for months with an undiagnosed illness and began to improve after not being in the So. 12th street location. There has been a mold problem at the Cook street site for as long as 3 years and it took a full year to get something done as management sat on the proposals to seal the windows where the moisture was entering between the walls. These problems are ongoing because management turns a blind eye to doing what is required to make a safe place for their clients and workers. The money for these repairs is available but not for these projects. The Springfield Urban league is spending thousands of dollars to fight the Unionization effort but very little to safeguard the health of future generations of children and their teachers. I would ask the question, what is being done with the Head Start operating funds and where is the money for the legal fees coming from? This situation requires a closer examination as there is a pattern of behavior that affects all of the clients (children) in Head Start. It seems that this all about $ and how not to spend it as mandated by the regulations of Head Start. Why is it that a flurry of activity occurs when a problem is uncovered, much like the scurrying of household pests when the lights come on.