Leadership: Is A Call To Action

John Quincy Adams said, " If your actions inspire other to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more--you are a leader."  In other words leadership is a call to action.

How many people have never faced a single challenge or obstacle in their lives?  The answer is assuredly no one.  Why? It's obvious that ignorance is bliss and unless you are completely ignorant with no opposition to your ignorance...well you faced something!  In life we all face obstacles and it our actions the define our leadership abilities.  The great thing about our lives is that we each have the opportunity to be a leader.  It does not matter your age, social standing, or beliefs, we are all in a position to be extraordinary leaders.

Sometimes leadership can come from the most unlikely circumstances.  It can start by a refusal to work with someone accused of sexual harassment like Gal Gadot's refusal to work with Brett Ratner on the Wonder Woman sequel.  Perhaps it starts with the dumping of the tea in a harbor to symbolize unjust taxation or it was a defiant Audrey Hepburn who risked it all during WWII with the resistance against the Nazis. Maybe it starts with a little act of compassion like that of my Aunt Becky Carroll who co-founded the #standwithaleppo movement for Syrian refugees.

There are a million other examples around the world.  What they all have in common is action?  What we don't see enough of is positive action in the world.  Someone told me a general principal is that what you put out to the world, you get back--basic law of karma.  Today my karma is telling me that we all need to take action.  It can all start simply!

When my son was young he was very ill and lethargic.  I truly did not understand how ill he was.  I had noticed that he had a flu or something and asked his dad to take him to the doctor since I had just started a new job.  The doctor told my husband to take my son to the emergency room after he examined him.  Well, I knew that when his dad told me that he was taking him the ER after the doctor saw him, new job be damned, I was heading there too.  By the time I got the ER, my son's condition deteriorated.   He was on 100 percent oxygen.  I walked in to the ER like a mad woman.  I think my theatrics probably put even Kramer to shame.  He needed to be medivaced to Children's Memorial Hospital.  He was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

That same night as I stayed in the hospital with my son, my husband called and said that my four year old daughter was ill.  He brought her to the ER at Children's.  She was admitted to a regular hospital bed on the 9th floor.  The next couple of days, I spent a lot of time on the elevator at the hospital with my son still being in the PICU on the 2nd floor.  Luckily for us, we were able to take turns getting some rest at the Ronald McDonald House.

My children are probably tired of hearing me tell this story because I used it for my Toastmasters International Speech competition in 2017.  Two years later, I welcomed my third child and she too has heard the story too many times.  She knows all about my appreciation for the Ronald McDonald House.  One day while at McDonald's (a  treat for her), she saw the collection box.  She asked me if that is where I stayed when her brother and sister were in the hospital.  I told her it was.  She asked for my change and put the money in the collection box.  Now she could have stopped there, but instead she reached into her little purse and pulled out her own money to put in the collection box.  I knew right then that I had another natural born leader.  A simple call to action!

Why you may ask is this a call to action?  Because it was her first step in realizing the inequalities of the world and the need for compassion.  That day showed me that she was going to go above and beyond just like all of my children.  She has served on her student council, volunteers at the Food Bank, and she turned 12 only a couple of weeks ago!  My son and daughter have volunteered to get people out to vote in the last election even though my oldest daughter was only 17 during the 2016 election.  My children have taken the call to action!

Leadership can come from simple things like leading by example or being the change that you want to see in the world.  Today, my call to action is this blog letting you know that regardless of age, gender, religion, sexual preference, country of origin, or socio-economic status you have the opportunity to make a difference.  Simon Sinek, the author of How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action said, "Leadership is not a license to do less.  Leadership is a responsibility to do more."  Every day is an opportunity to be a leader.  Hone your leadership skills and with the leader that resides in the core of each of us stand up to answer the call to action.  Aspire to be a great leader, a better leader, someone you would be willing to fall.

As John Wooden, the basketball player and coach who won 10 NCAA championship in a 12 year span said, “Don’t measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability.” As my children continue to do for me, may you inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more!

Failing: Dreamers, DACA, and Decisions

"Give me your tired, your poor...," written on the very statue, a symbol of our great nation as sign to welcome people to this country.  After World War I, my family came from all different areas of Europe looking for this American Dream.  I have to say that I am lucky that they did.  I looked at the birth certificates of my grandparents.  The one thing that they had in common was that there parents were all immigrants.  I am third generation American, and strapped of course with First World problems.

I was lucky that the four generations back, my great-grandparents did the hard work and left everything that they had known to come to country.  Coming here after one of the hardest and most devastating times in history.  Imagine trying to survive as new immigrant having only been in this country a few years to have to live through the Great Depression.  They didn't return to their countries despite the hardships that the nation faced...no they stayed for the promise of the American dream for themselves and their children.

Dreamers..that is exactly what my great-grandparents were.  Many of them came here as young children.  My great-grandparents didn't have a choice in where they came or when, anymore than children have choice in the hideous outfits they wore as children.  (Where were the fashion police when I was kid?)  What is a "Dreamer?"  It is just someone looking to achieve the American dream.  The land of opportunity--where a college drop-out can become a billionaire, where one person refusing to move on a bus can start a movement, where one man can have a dream for his children to not be judged by color of their skin, where all people are endowed with inalienable right--this is the dream.

Many people seem to forget that the Dream Act, in which we get the title Dreamers, was actually introduced by then President George W. Bush.  In 2001, Congress was unable to pass the Dream Act - Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors - to allow those people who were brought here as children to have a path to permanent residency.  These are children whose crime is being brought to a foreign country as a child often with little belongings and leaving behind everything that they know.  Some of these children are brought here so young they can't remember any other country than this one.  When I was 4, my father was stationed on a military base when orders came that he was being transferred to a different one.  One day I lived in one state and the next day I lived in another.  I was not given a choice or consulted.  Why? Because I was a child!  The only difference for me, I am lucky enough to be born in this country.

With the failed Dream Act and no prospects of coming to a bi-partisan resolution, then President Barak Obama created DACA - Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.  Here are few things about DACA:

• Must be under 31 years old as of June 15, 2012
• Must have been brought to the United States prior to 16 years old
• Must have continuously lived in the United States since 2007
• 100% of recipients have not criminal record
• 91% are employed or going to school
• It cost MONEY!!!

According to statistics, there are 1.9 million eligible Dreamers who could have applied for DACA, but less than 800,000 did.  One of the greatest barriers to applying for DACA is the money it costs.  The fee was $465 for initial and renewal applications.  Another great fear for the children is the family members in the household that did not meet the qualifications to apply for DACA and declaring their place of residence.  With DACA these Dreamers are/were able to temporarily live in this country, work, and get an education.  What did that mean to the American people?  More payments to the federal government, collected taxes, and a thorough background check on every Dreamer's application.

In 2017, President Trump decided to end DACA.  These Dreamers are no longer offered the protections that the DACA programmed offered.  Once their permits expire, they will no longer receive the protection from deportation from a country that they consider their home.  What does that mean? We as a society, as a nation, as rational human beings are failing.  We are failing to consider basic human decency, failing to protect top talent and educated people, failing to put aside political views, and most importantly--failing to provide hope to the next generation.  The Dream Act failed, DACA failed, and no decisions have been reached.

What can be done?  Congress has six weeks to come to some decisions.  Can they put aside their own agendas to make sure that we don't fail?  Can they stop pointing fingers long enough to look into the eyes of the families that will be ripped apart? Can they stop holding the lives of over a million young people hostage for the sake of an ill-promised wall?  I guess if history has taught us anything is that people in power do not always represent the will of the people they are supposed to represent.  I encourage each of your to reach out to your Senator and Congressman, let them know that you do not want to fail our Dreamers again.  Many of us are still out there searching for the American dream. #defenddaca #istandwithdreamers

To find your congressman or state senator's contact information visit: https://contactingcongress.org/

As I Lie - A Poem

When I was younger, I thought one day I would be an author.  Later on life happened, but this site gives me an opportunity to share with anyone my writing.  Below is a poem I wrote years ago.  I hope to write more soon.

As I Lie
by Liz Sachnoff

The gentle zephyr whispers
Calling me ever closer. Come
And bide your time with me
For summer's spoils have left one.

In harmony the duo seemed
Inseparable. A reality entwind
Within a gracious melody
Moments etched within the mind.

She caresses me softly
Like a mother's gentle care
Summoning me with a kiss
Taunting my soul as a dare.

For when a union so perfect
Greek deities would desire
Even cupid's arrow couldn't
Have caused such internal fire.

A flame contained in ones soul
Kindling ever more bright
One she dared to extinguish
On that despondent night.

Abruptly our joining halted
His tender touch nevermore.
For Hades, perhaps of jealousy,
Has plunged my very core.

For in my unrest, I lie
The wind carries desperate pleas.
Return to me he cries
Falling on aching knees.

Feminism: The End of Feminity?

It's 2017!  Yet somehow I get the distinct impression that certain politicians and others are trying to pull us further back in time.  I equate the words strong, independent, and willful to myself and many of my fellow women.  This can be both the career woman, the young student, and the stay-at-home mother.  Somehow I feel that some people think of it as a radical way that went well beyond what the suffrage movement intended.  I quite frankly am very glad that women's movement has continued to evolve generation later into something bigger than just the right to vote.

All too often people equate feminism with the women trying to be manly.  Is that feminism?  Yes and No is the short answer! I currently sit in front of my laptop typing away in a skirt.  Does this mean that I am not a feminist?  I will answer this question later.  Feminism by definition according to www.merriam-webster.com is:

"1. The theory of political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.

2.  organized activity on the behalf of women's rights and interests."

So in other words, feminism is aligned with the equality of the people from all genders.  Yes, I know that there are now 50+ genders according to LGBTQIA, but I am referring strictly to women.  Do I believe in fighting for women's rights?  The issue is the fact that now more than ever, I feel like I have to.  You would thing that in the almost 100 years since women have had the right to vote the issue wouldn't be so difficult.

Let's take the atmosphere of the most recent election which has made the idea of a feminist movement more front and center in the minds of everyone in the US.  I believe that comments made by 45 (aka "Grab them by P***y) have reignited women to organize and stand up for their fundamental rights.  But is that enough!  No, we had just the other day the example of James Green who wrote a letter to the editor in which argued that women making less than men is a matter of simple economics.  He goes on to discussing how if women make as much as men it would mess up the traditional family dynamic.  If women are paid more, men would have to be paid less.  I am not sure about his use of simple economics, but he needs a few math lessons to say the least.  Luckily he has since resigned from his station in Utah.

I wish that I could say that these are the only 2 examples.  When I was in my 20's I received a bit of wisdom from an inspiring woman who is now a VP of company.  She told me that women have to work twice as hard as men to be thought of as half as good.  I wish I could say that this has not been the case in my experience.  Sometimes it has and sometimes it hasn't.  I am lucky right now that I work in area predominantly with working mothers who understand the hectic schedule of all the kid activities.

Feminist? I personally don't label myself as a feminist.  I like to consider myself an equalitarian. Here's why.  I think that men and women can do the same job for the same pay.  I also believe that there needs to be the same qualifications for men and women should they choose to do the same job.  Take for instance a firefighter.  Why would there be different entry requirements for a man and a woman.  I have seen where a man is required to lift 250 pounds, but the women entry requirement is 180 pounds.  Personally if I get caught in the fire, they both better be able to lift me out.  So equality.  The same holds true when men and women have different requirements in the military.

Is feminism the end of femininity? In my opinion, no!  If you think that it is not feminine to stand up for yourself then that is your problem.  This women here is just as girly as the next make-up wearing, accessorizing, and massive shoe collecting women.  Just because I believe that I can work, be a mom, and still stand up for my rights does not make me a feminist, it makes me a woman in 2017!

Why I March - The Women's March 2017

Let me start first by saying - wow I've been meaning to get back to blogging!

The Women's March on Chicago has inspired me more than the political climate of this past election to make sure that I get more passionate about everything.  Let's start by saying some thank you's:
- To the organizers of the Women's March on Chicago

Picture taken at the Women's March on Chicago

- To all the nasty women who came out not only in Chicago, but also all around the country and around the world!
- To our  US Bill of Rights 1st Amendment right to free assembly (and free speech!)
- To my family for letting me be AWOL for a day
Thank you!

I am by no means a feminist which may upset a few people who read this blog.  I have had many debates about equality.  I believe in equality and let's leave it at that.  I did attend the Women's March on Chicago yesterday.  I was surrounded by a sea of a thousand pink hats.  No, I did not wear one.  I saw many posters directed at this country's new president.  I did not have one of those either. Why?  Because I did not go to the Women's March to be an anti-Trump supporter.  No one man can destroy my rights.  My friend and I went there because we are supporters of women's rights and other's rights.  After all, women's rights are human rights. (There can be no argument in mind about that point!)

On an important tangent - I have also seen quite a few posts on Facebook and other social media from women who said they were embarrassed by the march or those women don't represent me.   This I do not understand.  I can say the new administration has not enacted policies that have taken away any abortion rights or women's rights yet. Are a lot of women upset about the platform and attitude that President Trump has expressed about women - again yes!  Have I heard personally heard worse comments than "grab them by the p****!," of course I have.  Please keep in mind that this is not from anyone that is to serve as the Commander-and-Chief of this great nation.  Some women have expressed that they are not a disgrace to women because they did not attend.  NO - they are not!  This is their own personal choice.  If you attended any march - that is your personal choice.  It is a personal decision and women need to stay united for their rights no matter how this was expressed.  And just as we need not slut shame women, we need not shame women who did or did not attend a march.

So to those women who did attend the march wearing pink hats and/or anti-Trump posters, I support your right to do so.  I still consider myself a nasty woman. I understand there is nothing that can change the outcome of the election, so I need to work within the establishment to make sure my voice is heard.  Have you ever agreed with every single decision or enactment of a political leader? I haven't!  If you want a politician who shares every view point that you do, run for office!  Even then, with all the fat that has to go into a bill to get passed, you may still not agree with everything in your own bill.  Nature of the beast, I guess.  Again, this is why I marched.  I did so for several reason.  #whyImarch

The spirit of the march to me was to show unity with the world about some of the social and political issues that we have and need to protect.  This is non-partisan, in my opinion, and simply about being decent human beings. "All men [people] created equal.  They are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness," Declaration of Independence 1776.  While I may stricken men and inserted people, it is true to this day that we are all equal.  Unfortunately, equality seems to mean different things to different people.  What is your definition of equality? My definition of equality means that we protect rights of: Women, Minorities, LGBTQ, Christians and non-Christians, Children, Disabled, and more! I wanted my voice to be heard and I chose the march to do it!

First of all the Affordable Care Act (ACA) better known as Obamacare has made it that more Americans are insured than ever before.  Is the ACA perfect?  No!  Does it need some changes? Yes! To all politicians, don't take it away without providing an alternative.  It's like giving someone food and then deciding that the food isn't good enough.  The food might be edible, but not cavier, so let's give them no food at all?!? I don't follow the logic.  So I marched!

Secondly, my body = my choice! Whether you agree with abortion morally or not, it is not for me to tell you what to do.  Stare decisis is a legal term meaning "standing by things already decided." Come on, Roe v Wade was decided before I was even born. De-funding Planned Parenthood that provides services to women simply because it has abortion services does not make sense.  What about all of the other services it provides? According to the 2013 Planned Parenthood Annual Report, only 3% of its 10.6 million services were abortions.  I don't eat pork, but I don't boycott restaurants that have it on the menu.  So I marched!

- Gay marriage! Even Trump stated that the matter is settled.  I don't plan on having a gay marriage, so I should tell others not to? So I marched!
- Muslim registry - the founding of this great nation was separation of church and state.  I'm Jewish!  The Nazi's registered my people and no religion should face that again.  So I marched!
- Immigration - I'm 3rd generation here on every side of my family.  My children's father is immigrant.  This nation was built by immigrants and is so diverse.  So I marched!
- Exercising my 1st Amendment. So I marched!

There are many more reason, but I mostly I did it for my children - 2 daughters, 1 son.  My bi-racial children from a Jewish mother and an immigrant Christian father.  They are my heart and the future. This country is so great because we are a melting pot.  For my son who gets profiled because he looks Indian and gets stopped at the airport for "random" searches, I wanted to support him.  So I marched! For my oldest daughter who one day hopes to grow up and be a civil liberty's lawyer, she wanted to attend the march but was at her speech competition.  She was with me in spirit,  So I marched! Lastly for my youngest daughter who has a heart of gold and much younger than the rest, she embraces and understands the freedoms of this country and the importance of protecting them far beyond her years. She inspires me with her old soul to do the right thing.  So I marched!

Some women have posted why not march for the rights of people in other countries who do not have the same freedom's as I do in the US.  Great - let's go do that too!  #standwithaleppo Write your congressman, senator, or call them!  There is so much more to do. But what we should not do, is ever stop challenging the establishment, protecting the rights of others, or being decent human beings.  Regardless of your opinion about the march or political affiliation, we need to stand united to let both sides of the political spectrum hear our voices.

Thanks Mitt! Open Mouth, Insert Foot



From About.com Political Humor



Still trying to get a grasp on the upcoming election.  Luckily I have completed my voter registration because I definitely need to make sure that I cast a vote.  It still feels like the election comes down to who will do a better job representing the American people and not always who I would like to lead this great nation.  So, I would like to start by thanking Mitt Romney!

Over the course of the last few weeks, Governor Romney has successfully put his foot in his mouth to make us start forgetting about some of the Bushisms.  Let me start by saying that not only have his comments infuriated me, but also help many Americans realize how out of touch with most of us Mitt really is! There are so many instances over the course of this campaign to even write about., Probably the most telling sign of Mitt's unfiltered errors is the amount of Republicans distancing themselves from the candidate.

First, my deepest sympathy to the families of the four US diplomats killed in Libya.  It was also a great loss to the foreign policy relations with the country.  It was NOT a time to direct blame or to use the situation to try to garner political support.  But, thank you Mitt for opening your mouth and trying to show that you have no idea about the complexity of foreign policy.  After your statements directed at the Obama administration, it is clear that you lack both experience with foreign policy and tact.  To express that the current White House sympathizes with the attackers is gross misrepresentation of the facts and down right political opportunism.  The Obama administration condemns not only the attacks on the US embassy in Libya but also the horrendous representation of the Muslim prophet Mohamed which incited the attacks.

Moving on two prime example two.  In perfect political timing, a  tape of Romney was released in which condemned Americans who do no pay taxes.  In the governor's own words, this represents 47%  of Americans.  As to not obscure what Mitt Romney has said, let's use his own words.

"There are 47 percent of people who will vote for the president no matter what.  All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon the government, who believe they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility for them, who believe they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, you name it.That that's an entitlement.....These are people who pay no income tax.  47 percent of Americans pay no income tax..."

What governor Romney has failed to realize that a large chunk of people who do not pay income tax are senior citizens and military personnel.  These are a part of the Romney base.  So I hope that the voters are savvy enough to understand that this is a dig directed at the have nots.  Romney explains that this is why people are opposed to giving taxes to the rich because they don't pay taxes.  Well, thank you again Mr. Romney for once again showing the American your contempt for 47 percent of us and how out of touch you are with the average American.

During the W. Bush era, I thought that we couldn't get a presidential candidate or president who could express themselves so badly.  It just goes to show that I can be proven wrong.  As part of the 99%, I thank you very much Mr. Romney for lack of compassion, your total disregards for your supporters, and most of all for helping many undecided voters see your true colors.

Welfare: Reform, Overhaul, Status-Quo?



What too many people think about when they think welfare!

 Another hot topic during election season is welfare.  I can't recount how many times I have heard or seen the picture on this blog on facebook or other media sites.  As the picture shows, too many people believe that welfare is just a government hand-out to people who don't want to work.  So is that really the case?

The answer is YES, NO and MAYBE SO...

You might be scratch your head and saying, "Huh?" It's politics, there are no clear cut answers. Where do you think the term politically correct came from? Politicians!  There can be a wide debate on welfare, but there are also some hard truths that both conservatives and liberals  need to face.

Are there people on welfare who know how to "work" the system?  Absolutely!  Are there people on welfare who really need assistance?  Most definitely!  Is there a grey area? That's a rhetorical question.  The right question to ask is why is the system that way.  Simple answer...inherent design flaw.  In all reality, the system works best for those who don't help themselves.

You might be asking what do I mean? Well great strides were made to the TANF program (the one that grants money) when recipients were required to work to be able to collect cash benefits.  Supporter or not of welfare, you should see this as a win-win.  So small businesses and charities were able to put unemployed workers in the workforce.  Think of it as a free trial run for the employers.  The goal was for the employers to hire the employees who worked well.  This was suppose to alleviate some of the burden to small business and give valuable work skills to those who need it.  The SNAP, EBT, or Food Stamp program as it is more widely know as does not have the working requirements.  Unfortunately, the new changes are giving the states more leeway in the working requirements like when they can be waived.

Why don't they have a requirement? Simple answer again...people need to eat.  I am not going to talk about people who have cash paying jobs, or illegal activities that subsidize their income.  This will always be a way to "work" the system that can have little governmental oversight.  There are also people who will always find ways around the system.  I know many states are trying to crack down on people who sell their food stamps for cash.  Before you condemn them, think that only food is covered on the program.  So items like toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, feminine products, and diapers are not covered.  I am not saying that this is right, but I could understand why someone does it.  Then there is the flip side where people sell them for cash in exchange for illicit purposes like drugs.

So with all the bad things that can happen, when is this not a case of abuse?  When the system works as many thought of it was originally made to work then we have the proper welfare.  A perfect example would be a single mother who does not have a job or works for minimum wage and needs to make ends meet.  If you think that minimum wage can pay the bills for a small family, I am not sure where you live in the United States, but please let me know.  Some think that this case never happens, but it happens more often then many want to think. One of our largest employers is a good example--Walmart!  This large conglomerate receives tax breaks for creating jobs...jobs for which many of the employees are on public assistance or qualify for it.  Some savings there!  So these individuals are being taxed to pay for their own assistance.

I talked about grey area, which is pretty much every other case.  Take for example a mother working for $16 hour in large expensive area like New York City.  For some $16 an hour may seem like a lot, but not if that is the only money a family of four receives.  So before taxes, the family brings home $640 a week.  The family is no longer eligible for food stamps, TANF, and in many states medical coverage.  In reality, the family will have approximately $467 take home a week.  If you take into account, the family should have medical and dental coverage, you are looking at about at least $80 a week for insurance for a family.  Now the take home is $387.  I believe the calculation is 4.2x the weekly rate which mean the monthly income is $1,625.40.  It would be hard to pay rent in a decent neighborhood with that amount of money.

So hear is where is works best not to help yourself.  If mother did not work, she would receive approximately $800 per month in rental subsidy, $668 per month in food, over $400 a month of cash assistance with free medical.  I didn't mention that her $87 a week medical also has deductibles for everything where as the government is free for children and minor charges for adults.  So her net with aid is over $1,868.  This doesn't include other assistance out there for low-income families.  She may qualify with $16 an hour for some of them since she is still below the poverty line, but not at the same rate as if collecting public aid.  So the system is not designed to help those who try to help themselves!  It actually works against you while you are in this grey zone between cap limits and getting over the poverty line.  But as a mother, wouldn't you do what is best for your child?  Some may argue that it is by leading a better example and scrapping by, but financially it is more sound to do nothing. 

With everything said, does anyone else see the inherent flaw in welfare?  Don't argue about your taxes when many of the people on welfare are paying taxes for their own assistance.  It seems like a good time to go back to the drawing board.  Reform, Overhaul, or Status-quo...you decide.