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Scott Spicer

http://spicersconsulting.com


Country: United States

Language: English

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Scott Spicer

Scott Spicer

Another response to a question on Facebook: Today's question: What issues related to immigration are you concerned about? This has been a topic of concern throughout history, yet in recent years many view immigration as a problem. If you do, tell us what you think or why we shouldn't look negatively upon this topic. Maureen De Nieva 1) DREAM Act 2) AB540 3) overall comprehensive immigration reform to unite ALL families.

Scott Spicer

Scott Spicer

This came from facebook friend and colleague Crystal: With Health Care, I agree that people who don't pay into the system should not have it, but will undocumented persons still be able to access affordable health care? (Like if they had travel insurance since they are from another country).

The Spicer Show  

Providing you with insights on public health, prevention and politics from the perspective of a young professional in the non profit industry and the hearts and minds of community organizers around the globe.

Show Notes

We're here to talk about relevant issues for people who have a compassion for community and want to be in the know on what it takes to make a difference.

  • On Demand Episodes

    Original Air Date:

    Healthy Alternatives

    As the holidays are approaching people may be thinking about weight gain and a new year's resolution. In the mean time, while many don't have healthcare, or may avoid the doctor because of high co-pays and deductibles, what can you do to stay healthy and well in an affordable manner? Let's talk about it.

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  • Date / Time:

    Culture of Excess: Scaling Back in Prevention

    From our blog: http://blog.spicersconsulting.com

    This is another one of our entries featured on the Kathleen Show blog

    Prevention not Prescriptions Tuesday program

    In previous postings I've talked about the impact of today's culture on American health, particularly in relation to such factors as stress, consumerism, quick fix solutions and the marketing and manipulation of dangerous products. I think this all relates to what we now see as a culture of excess. Americans are and have been living beyond their means, masking problems or compensating by acquiring "stuff" or using "things" as a way of achieving satisfaction. However, I think when we do this we often leave ourselves with the feeling of wanting more. There's no innate or lasting sense of comfort in material goods. They soothe, but we must get more to assure that they are always there, or as time goes by we must get the newest, best and coolest products. An appetite of destruction some may say. As I've mentioned before, all the luxuries of our modern world are relatively easy to access, whether it be one's ability to buy the highest quality and most popular items given the money  or "credit line" is available. Additionally as someone commented- if you can just choose a number when you order food and that usually costs less than $5, it may not matter how much money you have or don't have.

    As we've also heard a lot, Americans are being forced to tighten their belts, cut back on the unnecessary expenses and ultimately limit our needs and wants to the essentials. Is this revision of an appetite for destruction in fact a source for prevention? It could be, however we must go back to the notion of a quick fix culture. There is not a sustainable way to find a quick fix to our economic troubles. We can start with a plan, be willing to make changes and monitor progress over time. However, how do Americans come up with a plan when homes are being foreclosed?

    This is the big question, yet as a way of looking ahead, the lessons that we learn today will help inform the ways of living for tomorrow. As I've mentioned before we must teach our children from our own mistakes and find creative ways to deal with the current climate of forced change. In certain circumstances it may not be fitting to look at such things as lifestyle change in the ways we take care of our health. However, if a family can't afford to eat out every week or multiple times a week, home cooked meals can be healthier and create the opportunity to enjoy each other's company at the dinner table. If we can't afford a gym membership, we can still take a walk outside or find creative ways to keep active. Ultimately to survive the stress and anxiety of these times, we should allow ourselves to take a few moments, breathe deep and remember the simple ways of living that will help to bring us back down to a common ground. This may then seem like a source of prevention. Change now, sustainability  for next year, life long learnings for the future.

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  • Original Air Date:

    Social Media and Your Health

    On this weeks show we'll talk about how the new wave of social media is a tool for the greater good. We'll hear from a social media and public health expert who's working with folks to do just that. Address health and social issues through cutting edge technology with a much broader reach.

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  • Original Air Date:

    Family Issues

    In this week's show we'll talk about how the American family has changed in recent generations, what that may have done to the health and well being of people starting families now and a changing definition of family. This will include a discussion on marriage equality along with the issue of family values.

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  • Date / Time:

    Defining the American Family

    This came from an April 4th, blog.spicersconsulting.com post after Iowa legalized same sex marriage:

     

    Recent news of the State of Iowa Supreme Court rejecting a ban on gay marriage and determining this to be unconstitutional, has brought shock and suprise to many Americans. Most may have thought that a midwestern state would be the least likely to pioneer this legislation among two other states- Massachussets and New Hampshire. This is moving, especially amongst the controversy of California's proposition 8 passing and repealling the supreme court ruling that banning gay marriage is unconstitutional. It brings up an important question, and relates to my continued focus on denying or preventing access to basic rights and resources as a way of negatively impacting the health of Americans.

    The debate over gay marriage is multi-faceted, political and based on a history of opression and discrimination in this country. The 2008 Presidential election brought with it a response of mixed emotions amongst civil rights activists. A huge stride was made toward equality amongst African Americans and people of color, yet a continual (second time a proposition like this has passed in CA) step back for equal rights in California was evident. This in itself is ironic, given that in recent history inter-racial marriage was against the law. Thus as we move towards racial equality, we are regressing in the same direction in context with our history, particularly as it relates to marriage.

                                                                           



    Opposition to gay marriage is strongly rooted in religious views defining marriage as a sacred union between a man and woman. Yet, with a clear separation of church and state in this country, is it right to legislate these moral tenants? Personally, I believe this is simply unethical. This can be justified within the context of the laws of democracy and equal access to civil liberties. A ban on gay marriage prevents a same sex couple from attaining many rights and resources. These include: shared custody of children, coverage on health and life insurance benefits, shared ownership of property and the ability to save costs on mortgages, financial assetts and accounts and from what I understand tax benefits. Same sex partners can be prevented from making medical decisions on behalf of their spouse and even the ability to be present as a family member while the other is in the hospital, especially under critical care.

    Is this moral? Would denying Americans these rights be in support of the values and principles of Christian or other religious beliefs? This I believe, is what we must seek to answer. From the practical stand point, religious institutions have the choice as to whether they will recognize these unions and oversee a ceremonial same sex marriage. Yet, the provision that a state government has over marriage is entirely civil. Some say that using the term marriage as a way of also defining a same sex couple- will undermine their religious community. However, denying basic human rights to a large segment of our population (as much as 10%) is undermining, unjust and contradictory to our judeo-christian and overall theological world.

    In looking at this issue, we must force ourselves to view it from this stand point. Many politicians like Obama, Joe Biden and even Sarah Palin have said they do not condone gay marriage, yet they are not inclined to carry this view point over to the regulation of our government's law. This is where our democratic principles apply. Can we simply say that respect for others and allowing our neighbors to live their lives as they choose is at the core? Given this, shouldn't we allow our fellow citizens the right to equality? Most will anwer yes, and thus we must ask ourselves how we can acheive this as a democratic society. Let us not fool ourselves to believe that this is a one sided issue. It is human, civil, ethical and essential.

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  • Original Air Date:

    Immigration Real Talk

    In this show we'll try to cover as much as we can by sharing stories, opinions and engaging in open dialogue. This will be in context with the "Wars" on "Terror", drugs and cartel. Recent onslaught over Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and more. We'll talk about the good, the bad and potential for the even better. As always our focus will be on health, politics and today's culture.

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  • Date / Time:

    The Immigration Debate

    Visit this page to see our original post in April which has consistently gotten the most hits for "The Immigration Debate" entry: http://blog.spicersconsulting.com/page/2.aspx

    In a prior posting I talked about border control issues and the impracticality of building a wall along the US Mexico border, when currently only half of the border has an existing barrier. Recent problems, controversy and reports on violence and drug trafficking along the border as well as the continued debate on immigration has motivated me to comment  further on this subject.  As many well know, illegal immigration has been a heated political issue in recent years as the Latino population has continued to grow in the US and many have responded negatively to the increased presence of undocumented immigrants. These people have become a part of our communities, yet our history with Mexico goes back much further. As a result of the US Mexican war from 1846-1848, Mexico lost much of its territory along the current Southwest of the United States. Mexicans have continued to immigrate to the US since then and have deeps roots within our Nation's history.

    Current tensions around illegal immigration relate to individuals utilizing government funded resources such as schools and accessing healthcare primarily through Emergency Room visits without paying taxes. To state plainly before I go further, I am against many of the policies towards illegal immigration that our government has implemented. I do not see Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids leading to arrest and deportation and increased enforcement along the border as effective and sustainable methods for immigration control. Given that there is a long history of Mexicans in the US, we would be fooling ourselves to think that these methods are fair or just. 



                                                                      

    Recent surges in illegal immigration became opportunities for many in the labor sector to exploit these individuals for cheap labor. Yet, this is also a historical issue that goes back to farm workers in California and the civil rights movement against this type of exploitation led by Cesar Chavez. This makes me wonder whether a narrow interest in our economy and assuring all who live in this country contribute equally is actually pushing aside our history and ignoring the fact that in many ways our country has condoned illegal immigration. Commercial industries have capitalized on the Spanish speaking population here in the US by developing marketing materials and campaigns in Spanish and geared towards these populations. Our government and healthcare systems have made efforts to accomodate these populations among others, by providing information and services in their native language.

    However, when this seems to become too much or too difficult, we just decide to  seek out all undocumented individuals and send them back to Mexico? Who would work in factories, on farms and the many other industries where a large number of undocumented folks are currently working? What happens to the children of undocumented immigrants who were born in the US and are legal citizens? These are questions we must continue to ask and I hope that the new administration will consider.

    A practical solution is to give individuals who've been here for longer than 5 years a certain amount of time to gain permanent residency or citizenship. We can take certain measures to ensure that recent illegal immigrants, particularly those with a criminal record will face deportation. However, let's not discount the fact that Mexican and Latino culture and traditions are a large part of this nation's culture, history and richness that it exudes.

    Posted by spicersconsulting at 4/14/2009 12:01 PM | Add Comment


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