Anyone who works deserves a living wage. When private businesses do not pay a living wage, the difference is paid by the tax-payer. If you work, your wage should allow you a living that is not dependent on the government. For example, in Allegheny county where I live, the living wage for an adult is…
The ‘other’ sexism
I always called myself a feminist because I believe women are equal to men. To me that's what the word symbolized - equality and fairness. There are countless traditional/religious/cultural expectations of women which aren't equal and which a lot of women complain about, and rightfully so. Expectations to be obedient, 'beautiful and thin', housewife, child-bearer,…
Religious exemption from healthcare
In the United States under the new health care law, large corporations are required to provide health coverage to their full-time employees. Except many businesses with religious owners/founders are seeking exemption from providing contraceptive coverage because it violates their religious beliefs. So if I have my own corporation, would I be able to ask for…
Tie the minimum wage to the cost of living
I just have a single idealism about wages and income - anyone working 40 hours a week should be able to support himself or herself and a child. If the richest nation cannot do that now, we should strive to be that. No one who works full time should be living in poverty. No one…
Coming out of the closet
Possibly the best video I have watched all year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSR4xuU07sc
What does it mean to “be a man”?
An extremely pervasive cultural thing that will require a generation or two of self-reflection to refine what it means to "be a man". It is not a gender thing because this definition of "manhood" isn't present everywhere. Heck, even women here tell a guy to "be a man" which makes me want to scream "so…
Courage of a 11 year old girl
Witness the courage of a 11 year old girl who speaks out against forced marriage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3Yx7Yizxdc
I dream a world…
Imagine a world if we removed just one sentence from our existence - "My _____ is better/True-er/Right-er/ compared to yours". Such a simple sentence, with so much power. That blank could be anything - nationality, ethnicity, religion, race, gender, and even sports team. Imagine how much hatred, prejudice, bigotry, and violence would go down with…
Just say NO to oppression
Sometimes it is up to the oppressed to stop the oppressor...by just saying NO. Whether it is a stranger, whether it is your father, whether it is your husband...just say NO. Say that you won't tolerate it anymore. Say that no relationship is worth if it is oppressive. Just say NO.
Urban folks vs rural folks
New York metropolitan population - 19 million. In big cities like this, you cannot survive without government. It is needed everywhere - from security to sanitation to public transportation to education...you name it. Try libertarian-ism in these cities and you will have anarchy. On the flip side, take the case of Wyoming - population half…
The Philosopher-Scientist 