Utah Death Squad

You may be tired of me harping on this, but it’s important. It’s important because people are being killed. People are dying.
The GOP members of the Utah Legislature continue to “do business” behind closed doors, regarding Medicaid in our state. They do a lot of business this way, maybe so they can sequester themselves against the actual will of the citizens, as they are wont to do. Alos, the vote is secret, so unless your legislator discloses this/her vote, you won’t know if they are representing our wishes, as they are elected to do.
Once again, they were unable to unite on a partial Medicaid expansion plan, having rejected the generous full expansion plan offered by the Federal Government through the Affordable Care Act (ACA),over two years ago. Two plans proposed by Gov. Gary Herbert have failed to gain the support of his own political party.
Depending upon who you believe (Speaker Hughes or Rep. King), Utah taxpayer money has been lost to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.
That’s what they always discuss when addressing this, and other social service issues: What’s it gonna cost?” Every time the state and federal governments want to cut costs, it is to the detriment of the elderly, poor, and disabled. Rarely do we hear of the individuals, the people, the families, that are ion need and suffering because they make too little, but just enough to not be eligible for Medicaid help. Legislative decisions have human consequences.
Please. This is about people. Sick people. People in pain & distress. People who are dying. Can’t you remove the dollar signs from your eyes long enough to see that?
Governor, Speaker Hughes, those who voted against and the dozens who refuse to disclose their vote: PLEASE! Admit your mistake and take the federal ACA deal. The crosses planted yesterday on the south lawn of the capitol show you how many people have died waiting for insurance coverage they can afford. Your continued resistance to helping the poor and needy of Utah will cause more deaths. You are the Utah Death Squad.

One big obstacle to healthcare access, perhaps the biggest, is insurance companies. I was recently denied an MRI ordered by my neurologist. Once I complete 4 weeks of physical therapy, they may reconsider if there is no improvement. (I have already undergone physical therapy for the problems I’m experiencing, but my insurance co. doesn’t know that because they were not my provider at the time.) Medicaid/Medicare gets billed for those visits, and then will get billed for the MRI. Great money making scheme,  Arches (not my insurance co.) is increasing some of their insurance premiums by 300%! This is according to KUTV’s feature, “Get Gephardt.” 
Well, I guess we get what we deserve in a capitalist society that turned medical care into a business rather than the social service it ought to be.
Contact your legislators. Ask how they voted on full Medicaid expansion, Healthy Utah, and Healthy Access Plus. Ask that they support full expansion. Let your voice be heard. Most of them, sadly not all, will listen and reply.
Stay well
---RGR
RGR on Facebook 
More on this blog’s topic:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/state-medicaid-report-kaiser
http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/7374-
http://kutv.com/news/local/rehab-instead-of-prison-will-be-difficult-after-utah-rejects-medicaid-expansion
http://www.sltrib.com/home/3088326-155/advocates-keep-up-pressure-for-medicaid

Technorati Tags: Rio Grande Reporteport,homelessness,Medicaid,heath care,medical care,medical insurance,Utah,Salt Lake City,Utah Legislature,Governor Gary Herbert,Speaker Greg Hughes,poverty,Affordable Care Act

Photo credit: Salt Lake Tribune
Cartoon by Pat Bagley

"My Kind Of America" With Jack Black

As politicians insist upon copyright infringement of incensed artists...

A bit of humor from Jack Black and Stephen Colbert on The Late Show.

Access Denied

Yesterday, in a closed door vote (again) Utah Governor Gary Herbert’s new Medicaid Expansion plan, Healthy Access, was defeated by a 56-7 vote.

Our governor, and our legislators, and the dominant Utah GOP keep saying that they want all people of Utah to have health care, but three years after the Affordable Care Act (ACA), our state still hasn’t been able to come up with an alternative to proposed full expansion offered by our federal; government. Millions upon millions of dollars, Utah tax money, has gone to states which did expand under ACA.
Why can’t the dominant party even approve the plans they put forth? Why are poor working Utahans still without basic insurance?
Early in the argument whether to take the federal option, one argument against was that Utah already had plenty of charitable organizations to pick up the slack, or as the phrase has been coined, “Cover the Gap.” The largest organizations mentioned were churches, along with some other service providers. So it seems the legislature and leadership of Utah don’t believe it is the job of government to care for its people. It is the job of churches and charities.
Exactly who do they think has been taking up the slack in the past? Providing medical treatment and drugs for the homeless, indigent, poverty stricken, and the working poor is an expensive endeavor, and most service providers are strapped for cash to run essential programs as it is. Most of these orgs are volunteer oriented, that is to say most workers don’t receive a dime for their work. Any added burden to these efforts would be difficult.
Governor, I would love to live in a world where, because everyone realises their duty to their fellow people, and so everyone is taken care of. We could. But we don't. So we have government programs for that.
And the last time I sought help from the dominant religion through the SLC Ninth Ward, I ended up on the street again, so I suggest caution, unless you have no problem with converting to the dominant religion. Besides, the UT GOP aren’t finished thumbing their nose at our president yet.

Latest news reports say the issue is tabled until the 2016 Legislative Session. Meanwhile, people wait, grow sicker, and die.
That there is even a question about healthcare access being granted to all citizens surprises me in such a “moral” environment.
In other news, those of us (such as myself) who depend upon Social Security Income of some kind, will get no cost-of-living increase in January. Major reason cited? Low gas prices. How many people living on social security income/disability even have the means to owns a car?
So, as wars rage on (President will not pull Afghanistan troops now as promised) and prices of everything go up, the elderly, poor, and disabled get screwed. The rich, and corporations, continue to run The USofA, and our leaders at all levels give us the finger.
Election next year. Vote wisely.
Political cartoons by Pat Bagley.
Meeting at SLC Public Library tonight:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1069177716425871/
Click the links to READ MORE:
http://kutv.com/news/local/republican-caucus-votes-56-7-not-to-expand-medicaid-in-utah
http://fox13now.com/2015/10/14/utah-lawmakers-agree-to-revisit-medicaid-expansion-alternatives-in-2016-legislative-session/
Rio Grande Report on Facebook

Technorati Tags: Rio Grande Report,blog,Salt Lake City,Utah,health care,Utah legislature,medicaid expansion,Affordable Care Act,Healthy Utah,Healthy Access

I Can’t Save Anyone

After a few days passed beyond last week’s writings, I started to feel that my last post might be construed as self-righteous, self-serving, and self-centered. This feeling grew as the week went on. I conceded that the post could be perceived as shameless self-promotion, but averred that this was not my intent.
How to damage control, then? A disclaimer, perhaps?
Not at all. I remain unapologetically compassionate.
I did find a Tedx Talk by my former associate at Fourth Street Clinic, Dr. Joel Hunt. Joel reminded me that nothing is about me, and that I have no power to save anyone. I may be able to help them; I can certainly love them. I cannot save them.
How Can I Bring Dignity to the Homeless?

I see nothing wrong with doing all I can to love, and to help. I see nothing wrong with me relating those efforts to you here, as it is an appropriate venue to do so. I do not put my efforts above the efforts of any other person or groups. It just is. It is true. It is how I do what I do. It is who I am. 
On another note, the clock continues to tick away, people continue to get ill, and people die, as Utah Governor Gary Herbert and the Utah Legislature fail to come up with a state healthcare plan and close the coverage gap known as The Donut Hole.This gap is made up of working people who make too much to qualify for Medicaid, Medicare, or any Affordable Care Act premium tax subsidy, have no insurance through their work and cannot afford private insurance.
These two short films document the Utah tragedies, and make an excellent case for healthcare reform, in any form other than gutting social services altogether.
Entitled to Life 
Donut Hole: Life in the Utah Coverage Gap 

There are two sides to every argument. Here are some recent alerts I have received via my Gmail.
Ten Things You Need to Know for Friday Sept. 11 
Two Ways Medicaid ACO’s Can Overcome 
Utahans Are Split 
Taxing Doctors 
Redd Concerned 
Utah Doctor Group Opposed 
Obamacare Effect: Fewer Uninsured
Utah Falling Behind in Coverage 
My View: Say no to Medicaid expansion by Jonathan Johnson for Deseret News
Doctors Oppose “Provider Tax” 

My view: Medicaid expansion in Utah responsibly helps poor, needy by Ray Ward for Deseret News

Poverty Data Released by Census Shows Mixed Results for Utah’s Poor 
Op-ed: Medicaid expansion is not the Utah way of helping poor by Evelyn Everton for Salt Lake Tribune

My view: Provider tax good way to expand Utah’s health insurance by John Grima For the Deseret News

Don’t forget your place for complete Homelessness News from a variety of sources
Rio Grande Report on Facebook 
My sincere apologies to anyone who was offended by thinking I was just loudly tooting my own horn. Perhaps I was; perhaps not. In either case, the desired outcome was, as always, to inform & entertain. Nothing more.
Next post I’ll try to get back to suggesting/exploring solutions to homelessness that we can all get behind. The issues of poverty we face in Salt Lake City is not just about homeless people. We are below poverty. There are so many people to help out. Please, can you try to find your way?
---RGR

Technorati Tags: homeless,healthcare,Rio Grande Reporteport,bigrivwerreport,blog,homeless people,homelessness,news,opinion,Medicaidedicaid,expansion,poverty,poor,shelter,dignity,op-editorial,my view,deseret News,Salt Lake Tribune,Salt Lake City,Salt Lake County,Utah

How I Help Today

For the past two weeks, I’ve had guests staying at my apartment. A couple of homeless young men I know are in a pinch, and I decided to help them out. My apartment is small, and they are in my way. They are in my bathroom more than I am, and usually before I can get in there, so I often have to wait. They drink coffee like it’s going out of style, spooning so much sugar into each cup; it’s nauseating to behold. They leave their things laying about. I cook for them, and clean up after them, endlessly it seems.  Dishes and laundry have doubled. To be fair, they have brought take and bake pizza home to help..
My guests are  utter nuisances, and having them here is against subsidized housing rules, and property rules. We are pushing it. I can’t throw them out, though. I wouldn’t feel good about that, in spite of the risks to myself and my home security that I am taking now. I would rather chance getting kicked out of my own apartment than refuse those who need my help. If the shit hits the fan, I’ll deal with that when and if it happens.
There are at least two more homeless young men that I could take in. If they asked me, I could not refuse. I couldn’t turn any of them away. I cannot deny my fellow human beings their fair share of my compassion, often to my detriment. If I were to be unkind, and turn my head to anyone in need, especially friends, I wouldn’t be able to look at myself in the mirror.

Why? Why do I stick my neck out for others? Because it’s right. Because helping other people makes me feel great. Because I hope that if the roles were reversed, there would be many who would reach out and help me, lift me up to level ground, where I can get my bearings, then get things back together.
Help others. Help homeless youth today. Help them every day.
---RGR

The Day the Sky Did Fall

A Special Edition of Rio Grande Report 

I was sleeping on the couch in the living room of an ex-lover. I rose early, went to the bathroom to piss, started a pot of coffee, plopped myself back down on the sofa to wait for the java to brew, and turned on the morning news.
I don’t remember which network I was viewing. I can’t remember the name of the anchor, even though she is well-known, blonde, and very professional.
As she cheerfully recited to us a news item of the day, or set up the tag for the next segment, I saw an airplane move slowly on the screen behind her, which showed the New York City Skyline.
I was surprised by this. I had assumed the backdrop was a fake. You know, like Letterman’s and Leno’s? When I overcame my initial amazement, I began to cover my mouth to hide a gasp. It looked like the plane was going to hit one of the buildings.
And then, it did, exploding, dropping flaming debris, and probably body parts, onto the sidewalks below.
The anchor continued her recitation from the screen in front of her for a few more moments, her smile unwavering. Suddenly she stopped short, put her hand up to her earpiece. She turned to look at the view out the window at her back, frowned, then took a deep breath before telling us that a plane had hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
No shit, I thought. I just saw that.
While she kept us updated, repeating what little information she had on the matter, another airliner entered the screen.
Before it even happened, I knew. I believe then, we all knew. We did not want to know, and we wanted what we knew to be untrue. Our intuition served us well that day, unfortunately. Tears and silence fell across our country as that second plane crashed into the other tower.

Then came The Pentagon. Then a plane headed for The White House crashed in a field. We would learn later that a group of brave passengers thwarted the terrorists.
To me it felt like the start of WWIII, the end of our country, the end  of the world. They, whoever they were, would just keep dropping planes, and/or whatever else they chose to, on us until we descended into chaos. It wouldn’t take long. I suddenly regretted not owning a gun. I suddenly regretted many things, done and undone.
After the field crash, things seemed to level off. We wondered whether we could breathe a cautious sigh of relief now, rescue those in the burning buildings, get to work cleaning up, take time to grieve-individually and across the globe, get an investigation underway to find out who we would have to bomb later, just move on with our lives as we had before.
Everyone knows the climax of this tale, and the entire episode plays out in my mind as I write to you about it. I cannot elaborate, or my mind goes dark. Suffice it to say that the icons of an establishment fell, and thousands of good people’s lives were snuffed out. It was an act of anger, perhaps of misdirected revenge. It was an act of war. It was an act of mass murder.
Never forget that. Forget instead the pointless wars and federal lies and  jihadist or political rhetoric. Remember the human lives these things cost, that they have always cost. This is how we endure, by keeping memories alive, and discarding the darkness. We may not be able to eliminate evil, but we can disperse it.

I would not describe myself as a religious person. Yet, I often quote The Holy Bible.
Thou shalt not kill.
Pretty straightforward, isn’t it?
Remember those lost. Remember the heroes. Remember the fathers and brothers and sisters and mothers, lost or abandoned, and the children left behind. Remember with loved ones, in a place of your choosing. :Leave flowers, burn candles, and just love one another. And tell each other that you do.
Blessed be.

Technorati Tags: 911,9-1-1,9-11,Nine Eleven,nine eleven

---RGR

“Best Practices”

 

A couple of posts ago, I promised you we would explore some effective ways to reduce homelessness.

I try to keep posted about what is happening on the homeless people’s services front, as it is a big mayoral campaign issue. However, at times I get tired of all the statistics and formulas thrown around when we talk about a human issues. I know numbers, usually in the form of dollars and cents, are important for evaluation, but can we throw numbers around to solve the problem of men, women, and children having no place to live?

Of course, money helps. It is a necessary element of life in these times. So it’s good that we have both the Salt Lake County Collective Impact Steering Committee and the Salt Lake City Homeless Services Evaluation Committee exploring the most efficient ways to provide services homeless people need every day. There are numerous stakeholders represented on these committees. I have said that I feel the CISC more fairly represents everyone. I stand by that. I  also said that I don’t think we can totally eliminate homelessness. I stand by that statement as well, with the addition that in order to reduce homelessness noticeably, we need to look at prevention. We simply need to make sure that individuals and families do not fall inot homelessness in the first place.

How might this be accomplished?

 

1) Raise the federal minimum wage.

Many of our homeless brothers and sisters work, approximately 40%. The problem is the type of work and pay available to unskilled, homeless workers, and those just starting out in the job market. If you are looking to move out of Mom and Dad’s, save money for college, or lack experience and education, the current minimum wage just does not cut it. $10/hour would be a good start.

2) Guarantee education for everyone.

President Obama recently stated that he would like to see every citizen receive 2 years of free community college. For those interested in trades, this is an excellent idea.

3) Work closely with national & local organizations that remodel old buildings, or build new homes.

Habitat for Humanity is a well-known entity that provides homes for those willing to help build them. There are college student programs to rehabilitate blighted residences. I look around our valley and see so many empty buildings and homes that could be used in any number of ways to house homeless people, or a homeless service provider in need of a better locale.

So there are three ways to start alleviating the shame, pain, and struggle that too many our fellow human beings endure daily. It’s possible some of these solutions are already being explored or enacted.

Most importantly, I want to impress upon leaders, providers, businesses, volunteers, and anyone who wants to truly make an impact, that the best way to know what a person needs is to ask them. Treat each “case” as an individual, a human being, a neighbor.

The aforementioned committees are finalizing recommendations. It was good to hear both Mayor Ralph Becker and challenger Jackie Biskupski say that they do not favor moving services. Get to one of the meetings, or both, in October, learn about the process, meet the people who are shaping policies regarding homeless people, possibly for years to come.

---RGR

LEARN MORE. GET INVOLVED

No Shelter/Services Relocation or Renovation without a Plan for Uninterrupted Shelter/Services 

Rio Grande Report on Facebook 

Technorati Tags: Rio Grande Report,Salt Lake City,Utah,homelessness,homeless people,policy,Collective Impact,homeless services,homeless news,street news,homeless solutions,blog,blogger,bigriverreport

Life in the “Donut Hole.”

 

I saw one of the most real, powerful and heart-wrenching films earlier this week. I took the Trax up to the University of Utah, and, after wandering around the old building for 15 minutes (Doh!), entered the new Quinney Law School Building. Impressive. I joined a large crowd in the moot court room.

The film is entitled, Donut Hole: Life in the Medicaid Coverage Gap. It’s the work of two U of U medical students, Spencer Merrick and John Sanchez.

I had the pleasure of speaking with the film makers, who did this for a class project with their own funds. I got to meet some of the brave people who told their stories of frustration and loss.

Thanks to Reps. Brian King and Rebecca Chavez-Houck, for accepting the invitation to view the film, which was sent to all Utah legislators. Thanks to all legislators and others who have fought for basic health care for the most vulnerable Utahans.

Thank you, Spencer and John for your excellent work. Thanks to all of you with the courage to tell your story, and put a human face to the healthcare problem in Utah. That can't be easy.

Thanks to two fine organizations that are full of tireless, dedicated people who believe in health care for all, and helped make this documentary possible: Utah Health Policy Project and Alliance for a Better Utah.

 

People are dying while our legislature and Governor thumb their noses at the federal government & the president, and pass up $50 million a month of our Utah tax dollars that could be returned to fund healthcare expansion.

Your inaction has caused the death of many fine people, Gov. Herbert and friends. There is blood on your hands. Every day more Utahans, and Americans all over the country, die waiting for basic healthcare. This is something that citizens of every other industrialized nation in the world provides for all of its citizens.

SHAME ON GOV. HERBERT! SHAME ON THE UTAH LEGISLATURE!

A solution is needed now, or actually, yesterday, and for some, as we saw in this film, it is too late.

LEARN MORE:

Recent Salt Lake Tribune article 

More from Local Media:

Utah lawmakers set for special session August 19, 2015 8:30 am  •  The Associated Press on the Herald Media website

While Medicaid debate drags on, Utahans are dying  By ROBERT GEHRKE | and Kristen Moulton The Salt Lake Tribune 

Utah's Medicaid expansion proposal unfairly taxes caregivers By Dan Liljenquist, For the Deseret News 

Op-ed: Medicaid, “Healthy Utah” and “Frail Utah” by Rep. Brian King

Utah Health Policy Project 

Alliance for a Better Utah 

Find and write your legislator 

Contact Governor Gary Herbert 

Contact Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox 

LIKE, SHARE, and Follow RGR Facebook Page 

Technorati Tags: Rio Grande,Rio Grande Report,bigriverreport,Salt Lake City,Utah,homelessness,homeless news,homeless people,Medicaid,Gov. Gary Herbert,Utah legislature,blog,Blogger,Donut Hole,coverage gap,documentary,Joihn Sanchez,Spencer Merrick,University of Utah,S. J. Quinney School of Law,Utah Health Policy Project,UHPP,Alliance for a Better Utah,Basic Healthcare Is Not a Luxury

Can We End Homelessness?

I came across an interesting post on Facebook today. It was from the L.A. Times. It reported a survey of 9 million public assistance recipients of Los Angeles County, coming to the conclusion that 13,000 of them descend into homelessness each month. The article also states that there was a 12% increase in overall homelessness in the county over the last two years. 


A homeless encampment underneath the 110 Freeway. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

That is an unbelievable number, right? As one homeless service provider expressed it, “It really brings home, just the sheer numbers. We're talking about 13,000 a month. Even me who works in the field had no idea those numbers were out there.” For those of us who have been homeless, however, this number may not seem so incredible. 

The good news is that 10,000 people were housed over the past three years. Unfortunately, that statistic is shadowed by a 37% rise in chronically homeless people, according to the latest official count. 

I have the privilege of serving as a homeless representative on our county’s Collective Impact (on homelessness) Steering Committee. I’ve learned a lot, and hope I have taught a few people a few things about what homelessness is truly like as well. 

Those co-committee members who may still have a less clear idea of the who?, what?, where?, when?, and why? of homelessness say that we can completely eradicate this social ill. 

Now you know I’m going to tell you what I think of that. 

I would like to say that I believe that we can eradicate homelessness. That would be a lie. Although I’m ever hopeful that we can help as many people as possible who want to be helped, we will always have the poor and unhomed. Here’s why: 

1) Just do the math. 13,000/month x 36 months (3 yrs.) = 468,000 – 10,000 housed = 458,000 left unhoused. Of course I know it’s not this simple. Many people move in and out of homelessness very quickly. Still, you get the general picture. 

2) There are those who do not want to be housed. I can say this is true from personal experience while I was homeless. 

3) There are too many paths into homelessness, and not enough paths out. Lay off/termination, jail, addiction, major illness... All the pitfalls are intertwined, while all the woefully inadequate services function independently for the most part.
Those are my top three reasons I believe the “homeless problem” is here to stay. There are dozens more. 

Still, I also believe there are solutions to drastically decrease the problem, and alleviate the suffering of those who must live on the streets of our cities. 

I’ll present some of them in next week’s blog. 

Please share this post, and comment with your thoughts below. 

Keep your chin up 

RGR 

Visit the Rio Grande Report Facebook page 

Read the entire LA Times article By GALE HOLLAND 

100,000 Homes  

Counterpoint: The Push to End Chronic Homelessness is Working By David Bornstein MAY 28, 2014 11:40 AM from Community solutions via The New York Times 

Technorati Tags: homelessness,L A Times,L A County,Utah,Salt Lake City,Rio Grande Report,blogs,blogspot

U. S. Department of Justice Speaks on Boise Sleeping Ban

Technorati Tags: homeless,homelessness,homeless people,anti-homeless laws,United States Department of Justice,poverty,criminalization,Rkio Grande Report,Utah,Salt Lake City,news,commentary,opinion,editorial

 

Frustrated by the growth of “The Homeless Problem” since the last recession, many cities have passed laws, often under the guise of public and/or individual safety, banning activities such as panhandling, sleeping, or merely lying down, in public places, including but not limited to sidewalks, storefronts, benches, and even parks. I suppose city leaders’ thinking was if they couldn’t ban homeless people, they could drive them off by making their lives even more uncomfortable than it may already be.

Last Thursday, the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) ruled that a Boise, ID ban on sleeping outdoors/camping (except in a designated campsite, we’ll assume) is unconstitutional.

While this will hardly halt attempts of criminalization of homelessness in their tracks, it seems like a step in the right direction. More progressive cities have taken the higher road, treating homeless people with more compassion and empathy. Here in Utah, both the City and County of Salt Lake have undertaken a yea-long endeavor to evaluate all services for homeless people, and discover the best practices to improve and maintain them. This writer is not completely convinced that the well-being of our homeless neighbors is the first priority of either of these municipalities, but transparency and inclusion have been above par so far.

To paraphrase what the USDOJ said in a nutshell, In the absence of suitable shelter, Boise’s ban on sleeping deprives people of a basic human need, and is “cruel and unusual punishment,” prohibited by the Eighth Amendment to the U. S. Constitution.

Boise is not the only city which has taken drastic measures to discomfit homeless people, nor is the U.S. the only country to attempt far from sympathetic measures to shoo them away. Denver, Colorado City, and Boulder all enacted similar ordinances. “Homeless Spikes,” similar to those used to deter pigeons from roosting, have popped up in U. S. and European cities, most notably London.

  

Cities across America are likely to be nervously watching for challenges to any law which might be perceived as “anti-homeless.” Here’s hoping this ruling moves everyone toward more compassionate solutions to homelessness, and more kind, less cruel treatment of homeless people. Please feel free to call, e-mail, or write your legislators about issues affecting homeless people in your communities.

read more:

“Anti-homeless” laws have risen rapidly in U.S. cities. Finally, Washington responded.

by Robbie Couch, Upworthy

Anti-camping ban suit in Boise draws in feds; Colorado has like bans

By Kieran Nicholson The Denver Post 

It’s unconstitutional to ban the homeless from sleeping outside, the federal government says

by  Emily Badger, Washington Post 

visit the Rio Grande Report Facebook Page

Gone, but not forgotten?

 

Well, here we go again.

Some of you may have wondered, “Whatever happened to the blog that was related to this page?”

A valid question, with many answers. Short version: My Windows Live Writer seems to be communicating with Blogger once again, I like Blogger because it’s simple to set up and a simple place to write. Simple is good. What I try to do here is simple: To inform you of the plight of those experiencing homelessness, and suggest ways, with the help of the many fine organizations and people who LIKE the Facebook page, you can get involved and help.

Homelessness is everywhere, and the problem is increasing. Nationwide, and locally, leaders & peers are creating solutions that are helping families and individuals access the services they need, find them shelter & housing, and improve the over all quality of life in our United states.

So, I’ll post, and comment upon local, regional, national, and international news related to homelessness and homeless people, their suffering and triumphs, successes and failures, along with the same items from, for, and about those of us who step up to alleviate the suffering of our fellow humans. The news is not always good, but I feel that it is all important.

 

 

So Rio Grande Report is back. I was gone from Blogger for a while, but I hope I wasn’t forgotten. I hope those we choose to serve were not forgotten as well. Please, read comment, and share vociferously. I’ll try and make the blog more current, and interesting, pictures , videos, news...let me know what you like to see. Except for breaking news, we start this weekend, and are scheduled to post weekly.

Welcome back

---RGR

Technorati Tags: homelessness,homeless people,news,Salt Lake City,Utah,blogs,writing,Rio Grande Report,rio,grande,report,rio grande

World War III

Greeting, my fellow humans and others.

World War Three is upon us.

Now I know that people have been predicting an end to our world since there was such a thing as people. But I truly believe this, and I am far from an alarmist.

Everyone and everything is telling us there are more jobs to work, more houses to live in, more money to be earned and spent. When I look around, however, this is not what I see.

I am still unemployed. I try to work as hard as possible, but do not collect a paycheck. Not for lack of trying. I still send out one resume each month for jobs for which I believe recent experience qualifies me and which I deem suitable. Most of my friends who work hold minimum wage jobs that are far from adequate to meet their needs. Families are finding it necessary to work multiple jobs to feed their children and make their house payment, with very little if any, money left over. There are thousands of people who are homeless right here in my city, millions across the country.

Ebola ravages Africa. Measles mount a resurgence in the world (Ironic that most U.S. cases trace back to "The Happiest Place on Earth."). Honey bees are dying. Kids would rather sit in front of a computer than ride a bicycle. We don't sit down to dinner together anymore. A world leader with a possible neurological condition wages war on his neighbors, igniting a new Cold War. Other dictators in North Vietnam and China oppress millions and threaten security. Religious fanatics wage war upon their brothers and sisters. Eastern Europe and The Middle East are in a state not seen since before WWI and the creation of Israel. since WWI, we have been in a perpetual state of war at all times somewhere in the world. We don't take care of our citizens' health, most especially our veterans. Our own country is as divided as it was during our U.S. Civil War.

I don't believe one single thing will bring about our demise,  but a combination of many things, stemming from something that isn't happening as often as it must.

We are losing our love and compassion for one another. We are losing our value of human life. We are losing face to face time. We look upon the suffering of our brothers and sisters with at best a feeling of powerlessness, at worst with apathy.

If you want to talk about the demise of the "nuclear family" and "core values," some of the things above certainly contribute to their decay. Nothing says "I hate you" like an all-out invasion, occupation, or a simple air strike. War has definitely done more to harm families around the world than any human rights issue, weather, disease, and all other factors combined. As an avowed secular humanist, I will say the same of religion. Environmentally, our hunger for energy makes us physically and mentally ill, while it kills other inhabitants and greatly damages our planet. Most "food" in our stores does the same. Medicine and health care are big business, instead of the noble icons they used to be.

I think it was Albert Einstein who said something like, "I know not with what weapons WW III will be fought, but WW IV will be fought with sticks and stones. Somebody's finger is on "The Button," and it may not especially set off a nuclear device. I guess one could say we have all been pushing each others buttons over petty shit for my entire lifetime now.

In the month of Valentine's Day, I challenge everyone to become more loving, accepting, caring, empathetic and sympathetic. Share more. Do with less. Reach out. Don't wait for a tragedy. Make everyone you know aware of how you feel about them. Find something positive about a person you don't like. Do something nice for a stranger.

If WW III isn't already inevitable, if we aren't in fact already waging it, this is the only way any of us will survive.

Stay safe and stay loving ---RGR

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Your Voice Matters

Greetings, my homeless friends and neighbors, and others:

RGR was privileged to be at two important events this Saturday morning. One was the official announcement of Jackie Biskupski's intent to challenge incumbent Mayor Ralph Becker for Salt Lake City Mayor in 2016. The other was Clean Air No Excuses 2 at the Utah State Capitol. I estimate about 1,000 people were there, which is, unfortunately, about 1/3 the number who attended the 1st rally last year.

I feel fortunate to have the time and energy to support and attend these kinds of things. I know many of you don't for various valid reasons. But so many others don't for the wrong reasons.

"What will my friends think?"

"What will my co-workers think?"

"What will my boss think?"

"What will my bishop, or other religious/spiritual figure think?"

"It won't make any difference."

"I don't get involved in politics."

"I don't vote. My one vote doesn't matter."

As a person who has been involved in politics, advocacy, and activism for several years, in one capacity or another, I tell you, all those excuses are fallacies that a lot of politicians and religious leaders are very comfortable, even glad, having most of us believe. The truth is that these things are only true if we refuse to get involved.

Now, my homeless friends and neighbors can say, and with good reason, "I can't register and vote because I don't have an address." Some of my friends with felony convictions feel they are at the same disadvantage.

While these are valid concerns, as far as homeless people are concerned I believe that you can. It's my understanding that as long as you have somewhere other than a PO Box to receive your mail, you can register to vote. In fact, I think you can just put an intersection and a zip code on you voter registration application!

I am not sure about the law pertaining to felons and voting. No one can vote while incarcerated, of course. If a person convicted of a felony serves their time, however, I see no reason why they shouldn't reclaim their right as a citizen to vote. If it is indeed the law that felons cannot vote, it needs to be changed, and only felons can change it, by speaking up and advocating.

RGR will be checking with the Salt Lake County Clerk's Office on Monday, and will report back to you about your rights to register and vote.

Your opinion, your voice, and your vote  do matter.

Stay active and Stay involved ---RGR 

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SPECIAL REPORT: Are We Doing Enough?

Greetings my homeless friends and neighbors and others: 

Your editor helps with outreach for a local free clinic every week in the Rio Grande neighborhood where he used to, and all of you still, unfortunately, live. I feel privileged to do so, love doing so, and wish I could do so more frequently. It is one of the most effective outreaches this formerly homeless man has ever participated in, reaching a couple dozen people every week, helping them receive better access to healthcare, and better treatment when they must see a medical provider.

But, I received some sad news yesterday, in fact, I watched as it happened.

A man in his forties was found dead in a port-a-potty by the entrance to the men's side of The Road Home. 

I was told that this man's name was Gino. I was told that he had very recently been released from jail. I was told he had a drug use problem. I was told he had lived on the streets of Salt Lake City for a long time.

I don't think I knew or ever met Gino, but I would not want my worst enemy to die like Gino died.

I think we should all hang our heads in shame that this can happen in our city, our state, and The United States of America.

At last year's Homeless Candlelight Vigil, we honored 70-80 people who died on the streets of our city. Although this was fewer than last year, it is still too many. This year, I am aware of five people, including Gino, who have already died homeless and alone right here in SLC. ONE is too many. Gino is too many.

Rest in peace, Gino. I am sorry that we did not do enough to help you, our brother.

Stay clean and stay alive ---RGR

PS: I was unable to find anything in our newspapers about this, nor did I hear anything on today's news so far. 

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Related Links: 

Operation Safe Winter Video 

Bill Moyers: How Many Homeless People Will Freeze to Death This Winter? 

Spare Change or Real Change?

Greetings, my homeless friends and neighbors and others. 

Well as far as I can tell, there are no "Homeless hate bills" being proposed during the 2015 Utah Legislative session. That's good. Last year, panhandling was restricted in certain areas, and I'm sure there are still people who would like to banish it from our city and state altogether.

What I want to ask people is, "What is so bad about another person asking you for money that bothers you so much?"

And in the same breath, I would answer that question, "It is our shame that in this city, state and nation that anyone should have to resort to standing on the street corner and ask strangers for money to eat, and to simply survive."

We should be ashamed. We should be uncomfortable.

I could never swallow enough of my pride to panhandle, even in five long years experiencing homelessness. I applaud anyone who can do so, and think that most of the people we see panhandling truly need to do so.

There are better ways to help homeless people than giving them money, however.

If you are in the downtown Salt Lake City area, look for bright red parking meters that look like the old-fashioned meters our city has recently replaced. Put your change in them every time you see one. The money in these meters goes to a program called HOST, which stands for Homeless Outreach Service Team. 

Although this image is one from the holidays, the HOST program operates year-round, and is still a program of the Sal Lake City Police Department. It was originally operated by Sgt. Michelle Ross, and took quite a different and more personal form. Sgt. Ross convinced representatives from several homeless service providers to come together and speak face to face with homeless people about their challenges and needs. Now it is these meters and certain police officers in a specially marked patrol car working to rapidly get homeless people ID, housing, and other things and services they desperately need. 

Please, rather than giving your money directly to panhandlers, some of whom may not be homeless at all, "Turn spare change into real change." Give to the charity of your choice, and to HOST.

Stay honest, and stay hopeful ---RGR 

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Related Links:

HOST Website : Information about which organizations benefit from HOST, and a short video.

Police: HOST is a better way to help Salt Lake City's homeless

By Bob Mims The Salt Lake Tribune 

SLCPD HOST Page 

Salt Lake City Corp. info on HOST 

It's About This and Not about That

Greetings, friends and neighbors: 

I had the privilege to sit in on a meeting of SLC Mayor Ralph Becker's homeless commission yesterday at Salt Lake City Public Library's Main Branch. I only heard about it at the last minute, by complete chance. Thank you Kerry Steadman of Salt Lake County.

The Road Home's Matt Minkevich gave an excellent presentation. I want to say to the "Homeless Advocate" named Anne, "Thank you for sharing your homelessness experience story, but you painted a very unfair picture of 'the Homeless.' " "Homeless people," for the most part, are just like anyone else you might meet in your work, church, grocery store... ." Perhaps it's because you chose to become homeless (by your own admission, to have money for dental care), that you view things the way you do.

Everyone involved at the "higher level" insists this is about how to best serve our homeless brothers and sisters, say this is about how to help them, and not  about moving or not moving The Road Home, but the media insists on making this the issue. I again want to say that moving shelters and/or services is simply not the best option, for a number of reasons.

One thing I am not hearing in this conversation, nor in anything I have read about it is, whatever is decided, where do our homeless friends live while the shelters are being re-located? Where do these people go for services while they are being moved or revamped? 

This what should be first and foremost in our minds as we consider solutions to help those who need our help. 

Hi Debbie! Oh, and to the gentleman who says it's so easy to live at The Road Home day in and day out: What are you smokin'?" 

Stay in motion and stay hopeful. ---RGR

Related story links:

http://www.sltrib.com/staff/?ID=52 

http://www.sltrib.com/news/2088723-155/city-council-skeptical-of-mayors-homeless

http://fox13now.com/2015/01/26/homeless-shelter-commission-conducts-first-meeting/ 

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620459/Study-of-location-of-citys-homeless-services-providers-a-courageous-conversation.html 

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One Size Does Not Fit All

One size never fits all. 

America has always been lauded as the country of rugged individualism, and teamwork. The two ideas seem to contradict one another, but there is no limit to what can be done when a group of visionaries put their heads together. That's the USA I grew up in, and the one that I love. 

I also feel that it is one that is fast disappearing. Everyone wants to dress the same, with the same hairstyle. The buildings all look the same in the same neighborhoods. Even all the new cars look a lot alike to me. 

Now I hear some of you saying, "You're just becoming old and jaded." Nothing could be further from the truth. Right now my life is better than it has been in a mighty long time. 

So why this unease about the current and future state of our nation? 

Because, even though many people are good at identifying our social issues, and some may even want to do something about them, most  embrace a one size fits all approach. This is especially true with homelessness and related societal ills, such as substance use/abuse, mental illness, health care and medicine, housing models, judicial, penal, and law enforcement systems. A homeless person is a homeless person, right? they are all addicted, crazy bums who need to be punished and locked up! 

Nothing could be further from the truth. Just as each of us is an individual, perhaps part of a family, so it goes with every single homeless person you see (or don't see, depending on how you position your nose). They are men, women, teens, and young children who were and/or are someone's baby, spouse, brother, sister, mother, father. They are human beings, stuck on the same twirling, speeding pebble as the rest of us. Most of them became homeless because the help they need is not available to them, or they were preyed upon by another person, place, or thing. Some of them continue to be victimized and suffer because of a system that either traps them in place, or has let them down completely. 

I began to care about myself again, and work toward stability and self-sufficiency because a few individuals made me feel like I was no longer invisible, was not an animal or a number, but a person who needed their help. I know that I wasn't the only person they helped, but they made me feel like I was, and that made all the difference in the world. It got me where I am today, and thinking about where I want to be tomorrow. 

Now each and every day I get closer to the person I always wanted to be. Because someone cared for me as an individual. 

We will never eliminate homelessness. For every person we help, another comes along that needs our compassion. 

But, if we start looking at people, instead of problems, individuals, instead of groups, and start applying healing to them holistically and personally, we will make greater progress toward a just and equitable society than we ever have in the history of humanity. 

It is up to us. No one else can do it.

Stay cool, and stay you. ---RGR

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