Economic Security

I don’t really know what Middle Class is. As far as I can tell it is this wide sea of individuals and families between those that qualify for food stamps and those that live in mansions with enough financial wealth to have their children look forward to their death. I may be somewhere in that sea.

Both my wife and I have been employed full time for the major part of the last decade. Between us, we have a comfortable house in a comfortable part of town, two cars, and three beautiful children. Every now and then, we close our eyes, damned the budget, and indulge a family vacation. We give to charity, we go out to eat just because we don’t feel like cooking, we send money back home…few dollars in a money market account, college savings, 401K plans…you get the idea. My wife doesn’t go to church much, and I have hardly been to a mosque since coming to America, but every day we thank our gods for this life we live. (more…)

By: Ibrahima (IBé) Kaba
This year I am going to vote, regardless whether or not I am a US citizen. Whether you have a green card, here on a visa, or here “illegally”, you can too. And you should. For the sake of disclosure, I must inform you it is illegal for non-citizens to vote. You could be deported for impersonating a citizen. But still I say you can and you should vote. Especially in this election. And that is not even because of the candidates. Yes, there is history on both sides. Come November 5th, America would have elected its first Black president, or first female vice-president. That is beside the point. America is at a crossroads; this election is about going left or right (no pun intended). The economy is on the line, healthcare is on the line, social security is on life support, there is the war in Iraq, the one in the inner cities; and yes, when it comes to education, your child’s name must be “no child” because he/she is being left behind. (more…)