PAIN LINKED TO STRAIN, NO FINANCE, NO CHANCE

There is an old song that goes, “ain’t nothing going on, but the rent….you gotta have a J. O. B. , if you wanna be with me……ain’t no romance w/o finance…” This is in response to an article I read that said financial strain is linked to physical pain. Interesting, basically the premise is that access to capital determines the well-being of a relationship. To be sure, we all know that, but what if that same rule applied to your physical relation with yourself.

‘Princeton economist Alan Krueger, who co-authored the study, said, “Those with higher incomes welcome pain almost by choice, usually through exercise. At lower incomes, pain comes as the result of work.”

 This is a startling revelation, though one that makes absolute sense. Poor people don’t welcome pain in any form. For one their to busy trying to plan the next, prepare for the next days work. Fewer opportunities relegate one to a certain lifestyle, whereas, more income affords one more opportunities.

“The study, first released in a British journal, found Americans in households making less than $30,000 a year spend nearly 20 percent of their lives in moderate to severe pain, compared with less than 8 percent of people in households earning above $100,000. High school drop outs were susceptible to twice the amount of pain as college graduates.”

Startling, the more I make the healthier I am. Seems to me thats the best incentive to be wealthy, although what about those who earn less. Factor in that most low income earners might not have the skill set or education level to break through the “glass ceiling.” What we see are cycles of poverty perpetuated over many generations. No wonder the more things seem to change, the more they stay the same.

“Richer persons tend to be wiser when it comes to seeking out medical attention before its too late,” says Nettie Muhammad, a licensed professional counselor.

This raises another critical issue, and alludes to another proverb: “an ounce of prevention is worth its weight in gold.” The best health remedy is preventitive, that is fighting the illness or pain before it becomes malignant. In reality, this can only be achieved if you have health care coverage primarily. Secondarily, you have PTO time (paid time off) from your job to get a regular checkup or physical examination.

Believe it or not, a simple practice of just going to get a check up can be a real chore for lower income earners. In fact, everything is exacerbated as a result of lower income. Which leads me to believe its by design, and not coincidental.

‘In 2004, nearly $2.6 billion was spent on over-the-counter medications and another $14 billion on outpatient analgesics. Research conducted in Michigan showed disparities in access to pharmacies in neighborhoods was a major pain management issue.’

“Those (pharmacies) in White zip codes were more than 13 times more likely to have sufficient supplies,” says Dr. Carmen Green, who lead the Michigan study. “I have patients who have to drive 30 miles or more just to get their pain medications.”

Unbelievable, the pharmicist in some areas are less likely to have the medications that sick patients need for wellness. Just one more reason African Americans have higher mortality rates, high blood pressure, hypertension and a host of maladies that we lead the nation in. We must be the cash cow that FDA uses to meet its bottom line. $$$

Why are the resources in certain areas historically negligible? Why is it the same across the board: education, healthcare, environment & housing?

 

I KNOW A CHANGE IS GOING TO COME…..

Since when has expressing critical analysis looked upon as unfavorable? Why is voicing dissent looked upon as unpatriotic, or divisive? If Black voters offer critique of the Obama campaign why can’t that be a favorable thing? Especially, if those same dissenters are, in fact, Obama supporters. In order to improve this union, or to make it more perfect than it is, then we need critical analysis, not yes men who agree without thought.

Its like everyone must play a game of appeasement, and expediency because no one wants to isolate anyone else, meanwhile, pertinent issues are thrown to the way side. People are afraid to stand up for key issues with fear of alienating “the other side.” Indeed, I am a believer in inclusion, not exclusion. One day I hope someone has the heart & soul to speak truth to power, if not then we will have even more pessimism, cynicism & apathy.

With the realization that candidates must appeal to a wide array of constituents, the squeaky wheel always gets the oil. Keeping this in mind its incumbent for all independent thinkers to keep up the pressure of adding, the little man’s issues, and keeping our fight in the political arena. If we don’t who will?

As a student of history, I can tell you personalities like Patrick Henry who said, “Give me Liberty or Give me death” had an enduring impression on my psyche. To think someone believes in a tenet so fervently they would risk life & limb to see it accomplished. The founding fathers of America voiced dissent against Englan for “taxation without representation!”

As an African American citizen in America I voice my dissent with statutory, de facto laws designed to keep us “in our place.” Redlining, the practice of institutions drawing a red line around particular communities so as to cahrge higher premiums for services. It’s an illegal practice, however it goes on inner-cities across America everyday.

Things must change, for to stay the same is equivalent to death. In life, there is only one constant and that is change. So, life is full of the living, and those that want to live fully, and not just survive as many do languishing in poverty of the spirit. Poverty is spiritual because you can’t even think about spirituality if your concern is where your next meal is coming from, on the other hand, with the luxury afforded by material success one can take time to heighten their soul.