Civil Liberty(less)

If you have been paying any attention to the news lately you would have either seen the current distress in Ukraine or Justin Bieber's DUI but ill be talking about the former.

Within the past week, a drastic change has taken over in Kiev, Ukraine, the capital of the Eastern European country. The truth about what is going on in Kiev spawns from a  choice the Ukrainian government made not to long ago. Instead of declaring its trade allegiance with the EU (European Union), they have decided to strengthen ties with Russia, upsetting the general population immensely. (Here is an article for a more in depth overview if you are interested.) 

In the foreground of the picture embedded (source: google images), you can see two soldiers. One is lighting a Molotov cocktail (make shift explosive) for the other in preparations to ward off protestors in the city of Kiev. In the background, a line of soldiers blend into one wall of metal, all wielding riot shields and black protective gear. The reason the photographer took this photo? Most likely to show the world whats going on, and to show the extent to which the government employed soldiers are using vicious tactics to hurt and potentially kill protestors.  

At first glances, Im happy to say that i'm able to sit in a safe home where none of this type of apocalyptic/war type protesting is going on but then again there might be. There is a lingering thought in my head regarding what would really happen if something like this would develop in the United States. In terms of Civil liberties at stake, the Ukrainian government has put in specific laws to make protesting, marching, being openly anti-government and some internet privacy laws in place. Another controversy related to the laws passing is that that specific votes went uncounted and machine were "broken" when legislation was up for vote. Although this chaos isn't occurring in the United States, in past wars and times of conflict the US has suspended civil liberties in order to “win the war”, or that’s at least what they say.

According to Ariel Cohen, a Ph.D holder with an expertise in Eurasian studies, "the law bluntly violates the basic human rights of the Ukrainian citizens, such as freedom of speech and freedom of association, turning Ukraine into one of the most authoritarian regimes in the post-Soviet space". Protestors aren't getting to say what they really want. They are being oppressed and rightfully fighting for their rights. Laws put in place are unconstitutional in regards to the Ukrainian constitution and I believe that the protestors are doing the right thing. If you don't think something is right, stick up for yourself and your people until you believe that it is right. Mr. Cohen is absolutely correct. This new legislation is wrong and oppressive. I think this Ukrainian government should be replaced and become more of a democratic state, instead of turning authoritarian, like Cohen says. 

 In our current state in the US, civil liberties are being put at stake in a war most Americans are unaware we are still fighting; the War on Terror. The War on Terror has opened up phone records of civilians, allowed for warrantless wiretapping, and other still unknown violations of constitutional rights, right here in America. People in Ukraine are in the early stages of a possible country wide revolt due to compromised civil liberties but in the US, we seem to not even know that our OWN civil liberties are being taken right under our noses. With that in mind, why do you think that is? Why are Americans so much less eager to flood the streets and stand up for what they believe is right and for rights that they deserve.

Side note: here are some really fascinating pictures from the current situation in Ukraine. Here

Isn't it called minimum wage for a reason?

This week, Republican Governor candidate, Bruce Rauner (of Winnetka) spoke out on the topic of minimum wage in Illinois. Currently the national minimun wage is $7.25/per hour but Illinois has a $8.25/per hour, a dollar increase. Rauner stated that Illinois should shed off a dollar to its hourly wage in order to, "be competitive here in Illinois". Rauner adds that this decrease in wage salary would create jobs and improve the economy, while minimum wage increase advocates believe this would end up with too many people in poverty from such a significant decrease in their pay.

The problem I see with Rauner is that he seems to view the whole situation as a game for Illinois to meet some type of criteria to be a more successful state. He states that Illinois needs to be, "competitive" but what does that actually mean? I understand he is talking in context of salaries but competitive could mean both working harder, working more efficiency, or what ever interpretation of "competitive" you can think of. The way I saw what Rauner was saying was the fact that he doesn't seem to care about what these families really have to deal with this proposed decrease and only seems to care about what Illinois looks like to both voters and other state leaders. This is an election year (2014) for Governor and Rauner definitely wants to sway voters to his side by saying that he wants to make Illinois a better State because, to the ear, that does sound like an  appealing argument. The reasons using a word like competitive is so BAD is because it shows that he is looking at the state as a whole rather than the specific group of people to be affected; people working minimum wage jobs. What are the odds minimum wage will drastically increase the economy, job market and happiness? Its possible but its not the key to the US getting back on its feet and saving the day.

Living with less money is a huge problem for these families at risk of losing money via a minimum wage decrease. He neglects that these families of workers are losing around $2000 per year which is HUGE for people who live pay check to pay check supporting themselves or families . In the end, Is the competitive approach to minimum wage good or bad for Illinois?




*** A few years ago, a report at an Oregon Walmart showed that panhandlers outside of the store were making more money that the workers inside. This isn't really relevant but I found it fascinating in terms of minimum wage throughout the country in modern times.