America - Mediocre or Exceptional?

I guess the country is content where we are… mediocre, depressed, indebted, underwhelming, and just downright miserable!  With the exception of a group called the Tea Party, American’s don’t seem to be too concerned with finding answers to our problems.  We can’t just sit back and let the career politicians solve the problems for us, they clearly don’t have any answers!  This country was founded on “We the People”.

Now what does that mean?  We the People means that we don’t just sit on our laurels and wait for those in Washington to get their collective heads out of the sand and make a decision that is good for the country and not just good for their career and popularity.  It took many great and concerned citizens to create the wonderful, prosperous and ingenious country we call the United States of America, NOT a bunch of politicians.  They are simply the avenue we as citizens control to create our end destination. 

This country would not be what it is today without citizens like: Captain John Smith (an early advocate of “tough love” and my favorite), Anne Hutchinson, Roger Williams, Benjamin Franklin, Paul Revere, Dred Scott, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Thomas Paine, Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and so many others I just cannot possibly name them all.  All of these individuals had two things in common: they were all citizens NOT politicians and they all created a better society for our citizens instead of just waiting for it to happen.  How did they “create” a better society you ask?  Well, they created enough inspiration, collaboration and ingenuity to force our “politicians” hands and create the end destination they desired and we as a country desperately needed. 

Wake up America!  Don’t just rest while we allow the politicians to slowly destroy the country we love and value and that so many have given their lives to protect!  American's are not content to be just mediocre, we have always aimed at being exceptional!  We teach our children to always strive for their best.  We tell them never to "just settle".  We also teach them that actions speak louder than words.  Well now is the time to put up or shut up America!

For more history facts please visit www.ushistory.org or the Heritage Foundation at www.heritage.org .

FL Gov. Scott Vetoes Bill That Would Weaken Background Screening

Florida Governor Rick Scott vetoed a bill on Thursday that would have allowed some volunteers with in-home social service groups to avoid background screenings.  The bill, SB1992, passed unaminously by the Florida Legislature, would have waived background checks for mental health personnel who had less than 15 hours per week of direct, face-to-face contact with patients, along with nursing assistants and "law enforcement officers who have a good moral character."  Gov. Scott contends that the negative aspects outweigh the positives on this bill.  "Volunteers who work with social service organizations to provide state-funded services can have unresticted access to seniors, children, and persons with disabilities.  I am vetoing SB1992 because it will allow certain volunteers to work directly with vulnerable Floridians without first submitting to a background screening.  That is a risk that is not worth taking."

Background screening is critical in any work or volunteer environment.  Anyone working with vulnerable people must be screened – ask the daughter of the parent battered by the care giver, or the mother of the child molested by the Sunday School Teacher. Whether they are working or volunteering for 40 hours or 4 hours it makes no difference.  Those with the intent to do harm, need only a few minutes to cause irreparable damage to our most vulnerable citizens!  FAILING TO BACKGROUND SCREEN INVITES ALL THE WRONG VOLUNTEERS OR WORKERS! 

If we exempt these people they will just volunteer for less hours to get their evil way.  Our duty is to protect the innocents – NOT the perverts.  Hats off Governor Scott!    How can AARP abandon their people like this?

For more information on conducting affordable background screening in your work or volunteer environment, contact a proven background screening company at  www.SingleSourceServices.com or www.hr4nonprofitorgs.com if you are a church or non-profit organization.