Health Care Reform Must Become a Reality – Now

With more than 45 million Americans uninsured, health care reform must become a reality. No matter what the obstacle, Americans deserve access to adequate affordable health coverage. Conservatives are trying to scare everyone into thinking the health care reform issue is dead. However, now more than ever, Americans all across the nation need to contact their elected representatives and demand health care reform now. No matter how difficult or challenging the process, health reform must pass. People with severe medical conditions should not have to worry about possibly declaring bankruptcy because of an unforeseen accident or ailment. Others should not be denied access to necessary care because of a pre-existing condition. Insurance companies should not pick and choose which Americans get health coverage and which do not. Hospitals should not be allowed to charge $50 for an aspirin. Much work and discussion has already gone into trying to resolve the health care issue and it would be stupid and irresponsible for politicians to turn back now. Americans, of all political preferences, deserve a reasonable, working, and fair health care system. If the topic is taken off the table now, Americans may never see another opportunity for positive health care reform.

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Congressman José E. Serrano

José Enrique Serrano, a New York politician who has represented Bronx residents and Boricuas for more than 35 years, is presently the most senior Member of Congress of Puerto Rican descent. As one of only two Puerto Rican-born members of the House of Representatives, Serrano has long been known to take the lead on Puerto Rican-related issues.

Serrano has long pushed for more federal support for Puerto Rico and considers Puerto Rico to be a colony of the U.S. He has repeatedly offered bills calling for a referendum in Puerto Rico to change its political status. The last time the question was put to a vote, Puerto Ricans narrowly voted against statehood and for keeping their status as a commonwealth. “I’m against the colony and I can live with whatever replaces it, either statehood or independence,” Congressman Serrano was quoted as saying in 2006.

In 2007, Serrano introduced a bill entitled the Puerto Rico Democracy Act. The bill would provide for a referendum that would give Puerto Ricans living on the island the choice between maintaining their present political status or choosing a new status. If a new status is chosen Puerto Ricans would have the option of being admitted as a U.S. State “on equal footing with the other states,” or becoming a “sovereign nation, either fully independent from or in free association with the United States.”

For more on U.S. Congressman José E. Serrano you can read the current political column at El Boricua.

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Posted in latino, new york, politics, puerto rico | Leave a comment

From Sotomayor to Social Media: 2009 Year in Velez’s View

Looking back on my blog posts for 2009, two distinct topics highlight the year: Sotomayor and social media. The year began with great excitement for our new national leader and finally some serious hope for political change. Posts also concentrated on blog development and social media in general, with focus on the enormous increase and recognition of Latino audiences online.

Prior to Barack Obama’s nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the highest court of the land, the President appointed the former Bronx Borough President to a high level administrative position at the White House. The Puerto Rican quarter officially debuted this year and the territory’s political and economic status were the subject of blog posts. I wrote entries about my experience with Twitter and my attendance at the first conference of Latinos in Social Media.

Overall, 2009 was an excellent year for Latinos and social media. I look forward to 2010 and am certain that both will continue to be influential.

Happy New Year!

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Google Wave

I was recently fortunate enough to be offered a Google Wave invite. As an avid Google product user, I had been patiently waiting for a direct invite from Google for a few months now. Finally, the wait is over. Google Wave has been called the next big thing in online revolutionary technologies. The Internet communications platform aims to provide an unprecedented real-time interactive experience. Google Wave was introduced back in May of this year and only several thousand invites were initially assigned. Google Wave just took the first ranking in Twitter’s Top 10 Tech Trends of 2009. It is sure to become an incredible online force in 2010. I’m just catching the wave and will need some time to feel it out. I hope you get an invite soon. For now, check out the short video below for more info on Google Wave.



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Posted in social media | 2 Comments

Blog Update

Last January I really started promoting this blog online. Before that time it was mainly just a place for my personal writing. It has sure come along nicely. Thanks to everyone that follows it and has left a comment or two along the way. Every now and then I am asked, “What do you blog about?” I used to answer anything and everything, which was and still holds true. However, within the last year this blog has concentrated on a few solid topics: politics, Puerto Rican/Latino culture, and social media. I still want the freedom to write about what ever is on my mind, but those three subjects will remain the focus of this blog for now and well into 2010.

If you have not visited in some time, please check out my Best Blog Entries, the Blogroll/Link Exchange, and the Blog List, which are updated occasionally. I have also recently revised the blog’s subtitle and added a few new social networking communities.

I hope to continue creating some good content, however if you have anything you’d like me to blog about please feel free to contact me via any social medium. Your support and continued readership is greatly appreciated. Thank you for stopping by.

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Posted in blogging | 3 Comments