Reaction Is Not Response

  You know those commercials where if you need something you can just push the Easy Button?  I wish they were real!

  Newtown CT. School shooting is tragic and horrifying to all of us.  It is important after the normal process of grieving  outrage, and reaction, to take a step back and talk about tragedies like this with a calm rational perspective.   Not the usual talking that takes place during the event, which is talking at each other.

  Shouting over one and other to be heard and not listening is a normal part of dealing with such incomprehensible actions.  But we often forget an important part of the healing process, which is to listen.  This is probably the most important part of the healing process, arguably anyway.

  For example, Sussex County Delaware has to decided to put Guards in all it's schools to combat any future such events.  What they failed to do is take a step back and discuss the problem in an intellectual manner.  Which is ironic because all School systems in America are supposed to be based in intellectual thought.

  The words Guard and Combat should never be used as a solution for Schools.  Delaware has a created it's own reputation of putting metal detectors, guards, and police officers in it's High Schools, and as a result they have grown increasingly more violent.

  Yes, as a result!  A Schools intent is to develop and shape young minds.  And that's just what Delaware has done.  By treating Students as inferiors through searches, threats and constant scrutiny, we have developed in them a prisoner mentality.

  Walking through metal detectors and being searched does not make anyone feel safe.  We know it makes us safer because we are rational adults with the ability to discern the proper coarse needed to be safe.  But we don't feel it, we discern it.  Yet we expect children to be able to do the same.  They can't. Not yet anyway.  Not without experience.  And experience is what separates the men from the boys so to speak.

  I don't know what the correct answer is for making our Schools safer and no one person does either.  That will take rational adult conversations with as many people as possible, and the most important ingredient of all "listening".

  What I do know is, a child does not see the world as adults do.  Daily exposure to guards, gates and detectors will never inspire creativity.  Which is something else Schools are meant to do.  You can't open minds by locking doors.

  We don't currently have an answer for tragedies like Newtown, and we are not likely to have one any time soon, until we stop Reacting and start Responding.

Joe is Joe

  All kidding aside, Joe Biden does care about America. Not just voters, it bothers him when Americans of all walks of life are in trouble, and rejoices when they are doing well. It may be hard to believe that a career politician cares, but he does. Take it from someone who knows Joe. No I have not had dinner at the Bidens,  he doesn't even know my name, but growing up in a small State like Delaware you get to know a guy without being his best friend, you can't hide secrets in this State. In Delaware we have a saying, when someones says "I know you from some where but I can't place it" we say, ''You do, this is Delaware after all". And that's true, talk to someone you don't know long enough and you will find someone in common, I guarantee it. Any way we see Joe all the time. Not just on the campaign trail, but around town. You know how during his campaigning he always says something about talking to people at stores or on the street. That is all true. I've talked to local politicians before, but Joe is the one that looks you in the eye, and you know he's listening. Tell him something happy or sad and he reacts like a human being would. I saw his eyes tear up when told a tragic story, and throw his head back and laugh hardily at a joke. Most other politicians just give you a fake frown and say that's a terrible story and I will change that when I get elected. He says silly things from time to time or makes gaffes, but we are used to that here, because we've seen Joes actions speak louder than his words. In fact they speak volumes. You may know about his career achievements, but most likely you don't know about his achievements outside Washington. Using his friends and influence to make a difference where it matters most, helping people. Getting Business' to donate equipment for volunteer organizations and professionals to freely give their experience to train Hot line Operators, are just some of the things he has done. If you think he's a goof or ill qualified, take the time to look up what he has done in and out of Washington. Like I said we are used to his verbal mistakes because he talks to you, and we value that more than being talked at. That's where we all end up eventually saying the wrong thing, because when your honest you are bound to offend someone. Like the saying goes "you can't please all the people all the time". As we say here in Delaware, "That's Joe"

Bill McLaughlin

We are the Government

    We have been hearing a lot lately from Politicians about who is right, who's wrong, who's doing a better job than who, and who is killing the Country. I still believe that anyone who goes into politics is doing it for honorable reasons, with the full intent to better the society in which they live. Sometimes they lose their way, some more than others, some end up selling out all together. But fundamentally they all start out meaning well. A radical change is sweeping America with a polarizing effect never before seen. Even during the Civil War our Nation was not as divided as we are today. Far Right Conservative Extremists and Extreme Left Liberals have stalemated National as well as Local Politics. Leaving no room for rational thought. Moderates both Republican and Democrats have lost their positions in Government. Knowledgeable , intelligent minds, capable of bringing this Country back on track, are gone or soon will be. The day President Obama was elected, the Tea Party publicly announced it will block every proposal the President puts forward. Going so far as to publicly threaten sitting Republicans to vote their way or face being voted out. And Liberals have sworn to stop Tea Party backed Republicans at every turn, tho not publicly as far as I know. So far both sides have done just that, very effectively. This is no way to run our Nation, be it on a National or Local level. As we have seen, America is dead locked, still suffering from our worst recession since the Great Depression. The jobs are not there, prices on everything from gas to milk is skyrocketing, and soon everyone's Taxes will be going through the roof if we don't decide on Bush era Tax cuts set to expire in January. John Adams once said "The essence of a free government consists in an effectual control of rivalries" which simply put means no two people completely agree with each other but that doesn't mean we can't work it out. If open debate is the back bone of American politics, then compromise must be its savior.

Labor Day Parade

Wilmington, Delaware Labor Day Parade September 3, 2012

went off on time without a hitch. A light drizzle of rain started the

the Parade increasing as the participants marched on, ending

in showering downpour that did not dampen the spirits of those attending.

Among the Marchers were the AFL-CIO, Longshoremen, United Steel Workers,

University of Delaware Marching Band, as well as the Poly-Tech Marching Band,

just to name a few.

Among the Marchers were the AFL-CIO, Longshoremen, United Steel Workers,

University of Delaware Marching Band, as well as the Poly-Tech Marching Band,

just to name a few.

Also in attendance was Senator Tom Carper, always willing to ask questions

as well as answer them. Congressman John Carney was out talking easily with

everyone about the future of Delaware and Labor.

Dennis Spivack Candidate for Delaware Insurance 

Commissioner, talked about working with Labor, and Unions,

as well as Insurance coverage for women.

Everyone seemed to enjoy it so much, that it didn't look like they 

even were aware of the rain.

HYPOCRISY

The Tea Party has publicly announced they wish to return America back to the 1950's where it was strong and prosperous. An era in which every American citizen lived in fear of total annihilation  from tyrannical zealots and minorities were considered to be a burden on society and had no right to share in the American dream. Job well done Tea Party.

The Tea Party

When the Tea Party was first founded it was a grass roots organization with high ideals, and principals. I think that if you looked into it you'd see for yourself that it was admirable. That being said, it seems to have lost its way. Many of the day to day supporters and volunteers are good hard working people who still believe in the ideals of the organization, but the organization no longer believes in them. Tea Party leaders, and their donors have a new agenda. Money and Power...and lots of it. Secretly backed by billionaires, bankers, monopolies, and other Big Money. These powers behind the scene like it that way. The less you know the better. These Big Money backers are throwing millions at the political scene hoping to buy seats in Congress, the Senate, and even the Presidency. If they get their way all business in the U.S. will be deregulated, and they'll get to do what ever they want with no consumer protection. They will throw open the borders and have an endless supply of disposable labor, eliminate minimum wage, overtime pay, maximum hours worked in day, paid holidays, earned vacation, simply put Federal Labor Laws put in place to protect you. Not to mention the advancements in Women's rights. They have already threatened enough honest Republicans to vote their way or face being voted out. Subsequently they have managed to block almost every proposal our President has made to end the Recession and bring the American economy back on track. The stage for Big Money getting Bigger has been set. The Tea Party with their Puppet Masters pulling the strings have created the biggest division between Americans this Country has ever seen. Bigger even then the Civil War. I know this sounds like a conspiracy theory but you have to realize, I grew up in an America that was Free and United and nothing like the one we live in now.

Governor Christie

Well Governor Christie did it again. another speech all about himself. It's amazing how great he is. If you listen to him, he is always right and never wrong. It never ceases to amaze me how he's never to blame, it's always someone else' fault, no matter what it is. He was chosen to be the key note speaker at the Republican National Convention to tout the virtues of Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney. But instead spent that time touting himself...as usual. What's it called when you compliment and insult at the same time? anyway he has a talent for it. Governor Christie repeatedly told the convention goers how he accomplished deeds that couldn't  be done with willing bi-partisanship, followed by a statement like, because we (Republicans) are better than Democrats. I don't think he gets what bi-partisan means. And the lies he spouted were just appalling. He said he cut Taxes. Truth is if you made a million dollars, you got $40,000 more back and if you made minimum wage you had to pay an extra $300. Christie bragged about how his Grandmother had to take three buses to get to work, just to put food on the table. Is that why he cut NJ Transit to the bare minimum? His father went to a publicly funded school on the GI Bill. So that explains why he cut public funding to schools. Christie proudly proclaimed how he took on the Teachers Union, and made the education system better. What he really did was promote teachers that promote children whether they learn anything or not, and punish educators who believe a student should learn to do the work required or face failure. I'm curious if this is the lesson the Governor's mother taught him when he said "my mother taught me hard work leads to success." Well Mr. Christie this may come as a surprise to you, but it won't to most, you are a Bully. You call people names, you shout at them instead of talk to them, and intimidate your way through everything you do. Society has put endless effort into eliminating Bullies, and people like you make that task almost impossible. Almost but not entirely, if a child can stand up to a bully, so can we.

BIDENISMS

    Here in Delaware we are used to Joe Bidens war on words, or what has been more recently coined 'Bidenisms'. Even here we have our own way of describing such gaffes, "Joe is Joe". That's not our way of brushing off or making excuses for such flubs, it is more an explanation that action speaks louder than words. Because what we are more accustomed to is results, and Joe gets it done.

    Joe Biden helped to craft the Comprehensive Crime Control Act, the Violent Crime Control and Enforcement Act, the Violence Against Women Act, to name just a few. He wrote the law that created the U.S. Drug Czar position. And was instrumental in getting all these passed. He follows up on all the legislation he passes by getting local business and community involved by donating equipment and expertise. How many Politicians can say that? How many of you can say that?

    Joe Biden was outspoken about not putting U.S. troops in harms way overseas. But once the troops were deployed he was on the ground with them making sure they had what they needed to get the job done. He worked not only with the Legislature but again with Businesses, communities, fundraisers, and donations to help our troops.

    No one is perfect and we should stop expecting them to be. I'm not perfect and I don't expect you to take my word on any of this. Look up the facts. This is all public record. I would, however challenge you to find a person that is more successful and a hire achievement rate than Joe Biden, and if you do, vote for that person. That is who we need running for office. When we elect someone to political office we are putting our lives into his or her hands.

    Don't stop asking questions until you get an answer. Maybe that's why Joe makes so many Bidenisms, because he gives answers instead of rhetoric. He doesn't stop at "we are going to create jobs" he tells us how he's going to do it.

New Castle County Diversity Commission

New Castle County Council has appointed Marcus Montejo to the County Diversity Commission. Marcus grew up in Delaware and graduated from Brandywine High School. He has been a practicing attorney in Delaware for 6 years, and is the president of the Delaware Hispanic Bar Association.

Bill McLaughlin

EMS Station

New Castle County Council discusses spending over $600,000 on a new EMS Station in Middletown for the surrounding area, and lower New Castle County. If approved it will to be built by Christiana Care on the planned site of their new Emergency room, and leased to the County. Ground breaking could begin September 2012 with an estimated completion by March or April of 2013. Council is considering leasing rather than buying due to predicted population shifts expected in lower New Castle County. The site is to be built on Brick Mill Rd. in Middletown, adjacent to 299, in close proximity to Routes 1 and 13. Issues were raised about using Local Contractors and Minority participation. Under State Law if Government money is used to build then the Responsible Contracting Act must apply. Which requires local Contractors, Minority participation, and prevailing wage. If Christiana Care is building it and the County is leasing it, does State Law apply?

Bill McLaughlin