I am so proud of my country and my fellow countrymen. What has happened in Haiti, almost a week ago now; has had me glued to television news reports. I have watched as my President rallied the “troops” of Americans from across the country with a simple news briefing. He called on all Americans, no matter what their political party, no matter what their beliefs or station in life to lead with our greatest strength…humanism. And as is so true for Americans, we responded in true Red, White and Blue fashion.
I heard on the local news last night that a six grader brought two dollars to the American Red Cross because he wanted to be a part of the healing. I listened as two emergency room nurses spoke about leaving their jobs, their houses and their families to go to Haiti because they are positive that emergency room nurses are needed. They spent a lot of time researching which organization would allow them to volunteer; they finally found one that needed them.
I have friends who are not in a position to physically travel there, nor do they have the skills that are needed right now. The greatest gift that these friends provide is to surround the people, all of them, with Divine Intervention, Divine Love and Divine Healing; there is no greater gift. This is something that each of us can do with a simple and even short prayer. Remember that what you send out is precisely what is multiplied and returned.
Cell phone companies are allowing their subscribers to donate ten dollars via texting to the American Red Cross and it will be added to your next phone bill. You don’t even have to go to the bank and check your balance; just donate. Verizon (I don’t know if the others are doing this as well or not) is not charging its subscribers a fee for texting the donation. The list goes on and on and the stories are heartfelt to say the least. No one is asking if you are Haitians, Muslim, Iranian, Mexican, or what the color of your skin is. The only question being asked is; “How can I help?”
I know that I find myself in tears of gratitude for all that our people are doing to assist others in real need. Please know that I am in no way discounting the courageous, sincere and overwhelming support from numerous countries around the world; however this article is meant to focus on the United States of America and her people.
There are only two people that I have heard speak out that are so cruel, so despicable, so self-centered and self-serving say that we as Americans should not be spending our money and our resources this way. One is Rush Limbaugh and the other is Rev Pat Robertson. My guess is that these individuals will be surprised when they cross over to the other side. You may not believe in a God or on “another side,” but I cannot imagine that any of you fail to believe in fairness, humanism and caring for your fellow beings.
When I think of caring for our fellow beings I am aghast at the everyday treatment that we, as Americans, allow for our fellow citizens that live right here in our own country. We are the wealthiest country in the world. We are the most powerful country in the world, and we can stop on dime to assist our neighboring countries, yet we can’t bend over long enough to pick up our neighbors across the street or down the block. We can find multiple millions of dollars to assist our neighboring countries and yet we can barely find enough money to support homeless shelters and soup kitchens.
Hundreds of us feel proud of ourselves that on Christmas or Thanksgiving we take the day to assist by serving the homeless dinner, yet the rest of the year we don’t even think about them. It is what the Christians call “CE Christians.” That means that they go to church only on Christmas and on Easter thinking that these are the most Holy and important days of the year. Going on these two days will definitely find Salvation for them!
We speak of how our country is broke, how we are in such debt to the Chinese and how our President is causing so much national debt, that our children’s children will be paying the price.
We so politicize the health care reform that millions of Americans, even if this new bill passes, will not see any difference or relief until the year 2013 or 2014 at the earliest; and then we haven’t got a clue what the price will be for them.
We have 534 people in this country that dictate the wealth and well being of an entire nation. This is our system of congress. It is a broken system and one that I promise is not what our founding fathers had in mind when they wrote the constitution.
As Americans many of us find it difficult to get out and vote, yet we easily turn our future and our children’s future over to 534 people. Many of them are so greedy and self-serving that the only ones they answer to are the lobbyists who line their pockets with gold, silver and real estate! And the Christians talk about Judas and his 30 pieces of silver! Judas had nothing on our legislators!
The reason that I am so upset is that while I heartily agree that we must assist those in Haiti, and in other countries as well, when they require it. I cannot fathom, for a minute, why we, the United States of America, the most wealthy and powerful country in the world, can allow 534 people to dictate and push the billions of us into poverty, illness, premature death and homelessness.
This should not even be a question. There is no reason on God’s Green Earth why everyone in America does not have a clean, safe and comfortable place in which to live. Every American has the right to ample food to eat; and healthcare that is not a privilege for the wealthy and the bureaucrats, but that is accessible for maintaining wellness. We are the wealthiest and treat our fellow citizens like one of the poorest in these arenas.
Keith Olbermann, news commentator for Countdown an MSNBC news program, called on his viewers to raise money for free clinics. The viewers raised millions of dollars to help the association for free clinics hold three FREE health clinics in the last quarter of 2009. Thousands of doctors, nurses, dentists and volunteers manned these free clinics; sometimes as many as 7000 per clinic. People stood in line for 5,6,7,8 hours or more just to see a doctor. Many had not seen a doctor in years…and these are our working people! The salt of the earth, the individuals who get up every morning go to work, sometimes to two or more jobs just to put food on their table and care for their families. Yet, our congress balks at the chance for our citizens to afford health care that is equal to what they have the luxury of having because they are one of the 534!
If as Americans we can do that in record time, why can’t we rise up and let our congress people know how we feel and what we as Americans demand from the ones that we elected to represent us? We elected them to represent us, not to line their pockets and feather their nests.
It was an impossible task; from 1775-1783 a few hundred revolutionists rose up, fought for and won our freedom. There is no way that they should have been able to fight the great British Army and win. Yet with sheer determination, a belief in a greater life, and perseverance they were victorious.
We tell the world that Americans do not lose and we do not quit, yet that is exactly what we have done to our own citizens. It is time to let our congressional representatives know who pays their salary and just who they work for.
If we want a better America and the ability to keep our homes and our livelihoods, use the very gift that our Forefathers died for. Get off of our comfortable posteriors and call, write, text, speak up. How much longer do you want to be the servant and let the kings and queens of congress rule? We must get back to our roots. Back to speaking up and living free. It is time to take control and we have the ability to do this peacefully, and with determination. Remember, where two or more are gathered, says all Great Books. Well, we are a lot more than that!
Forget Republican or Democrat, think AMERICAN.
That’s how we are doing it for Haiti!

Author's Bio: 

Dr. Jane Cundy has been a facilitator and instructor for over sixteen years and has had the privilege of teaching members from the: Isleta, Sandia, Navajo, Shoshone, Nisqually, Omaha, Jicarilla, Nez Perce, Thlopthlocco, Oglala Sioux, Ysleta de Sur, Yakama and Spokane Tribes and Nations. She has also taught Spanish, Chinese, Russian and Anglo participants. Clientele include private industry, non-profits and governmental agencies.
She is a Master of Neuro-Linguistics, International Mediator, Certified Master Negotiator and Doctor of Divinity. These skills combine to create an atmosphere of safety, openness, individual importance, listening and hearing for honest communication, focus of direction and collaboration. Dr. Jane’s clients always complete their process by obtaining mutual resolution.
In October 2002, Dr. Cundy was invited to speak at the 3rd Annual China-U.S. Conference on Women’s Issues in Beijing, China. Most recently she has been invited to present at both Western Regional Conferences in the non-profit arena as a keynote speaker and at National Conventions within private industry by presenting workshops and as a keynote speaker.
She has served the greater New Mexico business community for sixteen years as a keynote speaker, consultant, business coach, trainer, and facilitator. She was the Hearing Officer for Sandoval County’s administrative and employee disputes and served in that position for fourteen years.
Dr. Jane has authored two books that she self-published; “Lessons of the Rose…Six Steps to Personal Empowerment” and “Eating the Elephant Workbook” designed for building a small business from the ground up.