As of this month, I have signed on as an Electronic Notary for Pennsylvania. I can now remotely notarize your deeds, wills, mortgages, and other documents. That’s important is this era of social distancing-may is, please Lord, come soon to an end. Please cal me for your notary needs.
Today, March 16, 2020, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney ordered the shutdown of “non-essential” businesses in the city, as of 5:00 PM. Not affected will be gas stations, banks, post offices, day care centers, laundromats, dry cleaners, and groceries will be open; non-essential” government services will be closed; restaurants will only have take-out service and deliveries; no sit-down service. Courts will only hear non-emergency cases for the rest of the month. https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/philadelphia-shutdown-coronavirus-20200316.html
This is in response to the corona virus pandemic sweeping the world; local and state governments have stepped up to prevent further cases, which would overwhelm the health care system currently dealing with the virus. Soon after, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf ordered a statewide shutdown of all non-essential businesses. https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/03/pennsylvania-gov-tom-wolf-to-order-statewide-shutdown-over-coronavirus.html
Like many, I’m trying to cope with the situation; a lot of my favorite spots will be closed until-at least-the end of the month-but what about after?
The only things we can do right now is listen to the advice of the medical professionals-such basic stuff as washing your hands, not getting near people if they don’t feel comfortable, and staying home if they don’t have to go out.
It’s important to understand that we as a nation have been through some difficulties before in our history, and banding together and being for one another have seen us through the tough times; we will overcome this problem.
As a committeeman for my ward in South Philadelphia, and as an American, I urge you to get out there and VOTE in the general election. The last day for voter registration is October 9; the last day to apply for a civilian absentee ballot if October 30; and the election itself is on November 6. Here are the candidates I endorse:
US Senate from Pennsylvania, Bob Casey; and
Governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolfe.
Not only must we get out and vote, but we must do so in record numbers, to show the politicians of both parties that we the people are conscious of what is going on in our nation and in our communities, and we want to hold them accountable and not take us for granted.
Later on the Presidential elections will come up; and hopefully the Democratic party leadership will have learned not to cheat the progressive element of their voice or votes, that the progressives of the party are raising serious issues:
trade treaties that move manufacturing, and the jobs that go with them, out of local communities and cause unemployment for workers, with its accompanying sense of hopelessness;
gun violence that kills young lives;
banks receiving virtual welfare-such as grants from the Federal Reserve-while delivering perks to executives and buyout deals for incompetent CEOs;
tax benefits for corporations and the wealthy which, in spite of the myth, do NOT simulate the economy, but stay in the foreign bank accounts of billionaires;
and the racism crawling out of the woodwork, thanks to (sarcasm alert) the wonderful example set by our commander-in-chief. This list just scratches the surface.
Not only must you vote, but inform yourself of what goes on in the community an the world, so the politicians see you are paying attention to what is going on.
I will join members of my congregation, Leyv Ha-Ir (http://leyvhair.org), in a 100% School Funding Day of Action in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, sponsored by Philadelphian Organized to Worship, Empower, and Rebuild (POWER, https://powerinterfaith.org), here we’ll hold a rally in the State capitol Rotunda for equitable funding for schools in the state, through a “fair funding formula.” We ‘ll also march to Governor Tom Wolf’s office to pray for his support for such a funding plan. Our schools need funding for textbooks, building maintenance, teachers and other staff, libraries, computers-I could go on. Education is not a luxury, it is the great equalizer, the great source of personal and social empowerment.
The Philadelphia Unemployment Project (PUP, https://www.philaup.org), will hold its Jazz Fest at the first Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut Street, on Friday, June 22. They will honor my friend Jim Moran, veteran Labor activist and Executive Director Emeritus of the Philadelphia Area Project for Occupational Safety and Health (PHILAPOSH, https://philaposh.org), and Wilson Chang, senior IT consultant at the University of Pennsylvania, who has provided IT services for PUP at no charge. (No small service, with the internet being such a part of our lives.) Music will be provided by the Weez The Peeples Collective, led by percussionist Karen Smith. Please contact PUP for tickets to this event. This is a great organization, honoring two great activists.
Tomorrow, November 4, I will participate in the ultimate act of democracy, going to the polls and voting for candidantes I believe are best suited to run my state (Pennsylvania) and my nation. I will go and vote, and decide for my OWN self, and not have the commercial “news” media, owned by trillion-dollar corporations ownd by plutocrats, tell me not to bother, since “the polls” say our side is going to lose. Well, our side will lose only if we DON’T get out and vote, and not let some articifically concocted “opinion” tell us not to bother.