Michigan's budget plan

Here is the letter that I wrote for the class and am sending it to Governor Rick Snyder tomorrow. I could have easily wrote pages and pages but am happy that it is concise. I am only posting it here because I am proud of its contents.

February 24, 2011

Mandy Cox




The Honorable Rick Snyder
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, MI 48909


Dear Governor Rick Snyder:

I am an undergraduate student at Western Michigan University and will graduate with a degree in social work in April of 2012. I would like to respectfully address the 2012 and 2013 Executive Budget Recommendation.

In the proposed Michigan’s Budget Overview it states that, “Jump-starting the Michigan economy requires all citizens to play a role in the reinvention” (Overview, A-8). I understand that this is rationalized as fair practice and judgement. However, what about the citizens that do not have the opportunities and additional resources to help Michigan reinvent? If the K-12 funding is cut further, it will reduce the already scarce resources for many people of this state. This will ensure that families who already struggle in the current economy will not be able to improve their detrimental conditions. Merging existing financial aid programs into a single Pathway to Higher Education could further perpetuate this effect (Overview, A-9).

I accept that Michigan desperately needs a budget reinvention. I believe that this can be achieved successfully without compromising the resources of those who need them the most.

I was born and raised in the state of Michigan and presently, do not plan on staying in the state after I complete higher education. Unfortunately, I do not visualize the future of Michigan as being the best state for me to raise a family. I know that I do not stand alone in this point of view. Please make us want to stay in this great state of Michigan.

Thank you for your respectful consideration of my words.


Sincerely,


Mandy Cox

Dr. Weil Interview

In David Kupfer's interview (Vital Signs, 2011) with Dr. Andrew Weil, he investigates Dr. Weil's approach and thoughts on integrative medicine. I found the article very interesting as it reinforced beliefs I already had. In the interview, Dr. Weil talks about the "human need for altered states of consciousness." I remember learning about this in introduction psychology class. As a student with an alcohol and drug addictions (ADA) minor, in the past I have been interested in the contradictions between psychology and treating addiction. Dr. Weil mentions how the "strategies to eliminate illegal drugs are getting worse and worse." Obviously there is a problem with the current approach to controlling people using mind altering substances. We have been criminalizing people for a need that might be as important as love or safety. This current system is failing miserably. Legal practices and medicinal practices of our country need to change to better serve the people. I envision a successful nation that embraces an integrative approach to medicine.

I am eager to read Dr. Weil's books.

Historical Health Care

The industrial revolution in the United States helped shape the health care policies and values that we enjoy (or don't enjoy) today. The American Medical Association (AMA) that was established in 1847 created a schedule of drugs that organized prescriptions and narcotics according to their medical use and potential for abuse. This is an ever-changing list because social values change over time. This initiation of the schedule of drugs laid the groundwork for the capitalization lobbying of and for prescription drugs. The lobbying that takes place in congress and in hospitals is a scary thing for the American people. We might not be getting appropriate care if there is enough money backing an opposing solution. However, I do recognize that these items require classification in order to establish and maintain regulations.

When hospitals began to emerge during the industrial revolution they were concentrated in large cities and towns. Thinking about this fact, not much has changed. The majority of the U.S. health care takes place in more densely populated areas. This poses a problem for people in rural environments who might not have the means to travel. These same people might not have health care anyway. So, why should they care about getting to a hospital if it means that they will have a hospital debt that they might not be able to pay later anyway? Think about it. Seriously.