Nani Notes Newsletter » February 10, 2005

Oh, Nani,

How the world needs to read your words!
Exquisite and timeless expressions of truth.
Thank you for sharing your light with the world.

Aloha,

Burt Dubin, President Speaking Success Institute

I have lived in many parts of this country, and have seen and heard those who
showed prejudice towards others. We have all seen it over the years and it
continues to this day. I do think that it is idiotic to believe that just
thinking that using the in thing now, "Political Correct"
words will suffice. It takes more than words, it takes believing in your
fellow man, showing respect, and seeing the face of Jesus in their faces. For we
all are children of God.

God Bless, love from Rose

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Nani, I'm addressing what I wanted to write to you about my feelings regarding your Newsletter. Some of the feelings this elderly third generation Polish woman had are feelings she's not proud of...whether they're just echoes of bigots among whom she was raised or just the fact that her lack of confidence made it so much easier to "join in" rather than stand her ground. Funny, it took a little girl who was put in day care 23 years ago, so that her mother could return to work, to teach her mother to "look beyond skin color" or "look beyond a less than perfect mastery of the English language" to accept the differences in others as assets rather than negatives. It's too bad that there are too many of us bigots in various pockets throughout the US who would rather join in instead of stand their ground. Your sister was witness to this. I've been bothered by the hurt you portray in your Newsletter. I wanted to ignore your message but found myself thinking and rethinking about what you said. I've come a long way from who I was. God bless you, Nani, for the good message you send out to us. Again, yours is such a simple wisdom that if we'd just stop looking so hard, we'd see the answer. I'm so happy to be among those that you consider as true friends. Love and hugs, Barbara from Pa.

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"Nani's gift of straight talk mixed with compassion is part of what makes her such a powerful woman of hope. She commands a room with her presence. She interacts and facilitates an ongoing, open dialogue. I have yet to walk away from her without being profoundly moved by our interaction."

Deb Barnes, Co-Founder

Woman's Summit

Spokane www.thewomensummit.com

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Dear Barbara, Burt, Mary, Rose, Yvonne, Deb and the countless others who responded to previous newsletters. Mahalo for your kind thoughts, I applaud your courage in sharing your mana'o (thoughts) your kindness is noted and appreciated. Nani

Some Thoughts on the Social Security Debate
By: Nani Aki Linder - White Raven

Goodness the air permeates with debate on Social Security. Will it be there for younger generation? Who will get hurt the most? What are personal accounts anyway? It's "ye old pit one class of people against another trick." I am disappointed with all the bickering by our elected officials. With your permission I will share first hand knowledge on part of what the President is speaking about as far as Personal Savings Accounts. Federal employees are offered this opportunity as a choice.

My husband Ron spent 36 years (with his Military time) in Federal government service. They started what was called TSP accounts for employees and we were allowed to put in 2-4% of salary every month as well as either social security or civil service and Medicare. The TSP (personal savings account) is voluntary and we had choices of low-medium risk stocks, annuities etc. When Ron was given early retirement, his retirement plan began. For women worried that they will get left out as a spouse, the government sent me a letter explaining that the lumpsum TSP (separate from Ron's retirement) would not be turned over to Ron with out my signature because I was his spouse with rights of benefit. They told me my options. I chose to sign a release and Ron rolled his TSP into an IRA of his choice with myself as beneficiary. It is building today separate from his retirement. So when organizations come out and say women will be left out or suffer the most, that is not my experience. Indeed it is the exact opposite.

Don't let anybody tell you this can't work. Its been in the Federal System for about 20 + years now and every Senator and Congressman knows this. Its been working for a lot of federal employees, including congress, so there is no reason the proposal set by our President can't work for all citizens if that is what you choose.

It doesn't take rocket science to know Social Security is headed for a train wreck. It is going to take courage to fix it. Better to fix it now before our grandchildren will have nothing, don't you agree?