My 2010 New Years Resolutions

I'm never the type to pledge a brand new me at the beginning of every year. Instead, I think it's more appropriate to reflect on what's taken place over the year and draw from it to learn what worked and what didn't work. This year, like any year, teaches us a number of things about the world we live in, our peers and ourselves. Here's what I think I need to pay more attention to come 2010:

More Networking - I've learned more about networking than I've ever realized this year. I never knew how important networking is in this world; both in the social world and in the professional world. This upcoming year, I hope to meet more and more influential people that shape who I will become over the years. It's not what you know... It's who you know..

Career Plans - Everyone knows what they ultimately WANT to become; it's the road in getting there that should be more and more emphasized by us all. I want to become an expert in constitutional law; now I've got to focus on getting to graduate school to get a doctorate in constitutional law. I want to eventually run for office; now I've got to figure out how to get experience in campaigning and understanding the dynamics of what currently works for our political system and criticizing and doing away with what doesn't. I want to run a business; now I've got to make my business plans for 2010-2011.

Nicaragua - I've missed Nicaragua and it's been years since I've gone to visit my family there. The beaches, the people, the culture, the food, the weather; everything. Last time I went, I was in 11th grade. I turn 21 in May and it'd be great if I could visit Nicaragua to soak in everything I missed when I went in the past. I've always wanted to look into doing non-profit work there and like anywhere in the world, there's plenty of work to be done.

Time away with the Family - it's one thing to be at home with the family but it's much different to be away and have little to worry about. Like so many people out there, our family hasn't been able to afford a REAL vacation for quite some time... Some time spent with the family away from our troubles would serve us all well.

See; I'm a man of simple taste. I don't ask for or need much. I don't make a long extensive list of new years resolutions with cut off dates 52 weeks later. Lists of things to get done in just one year might not work well. At our age, we shouldn't talk about who we're going to become over the next year; we should already be who we want ourselves to be right now. If you tell yourself you're going to go under a renewal over the next year because it's your new years resolution to; chances are you won't. A new year of course brings forth new things in life, new people and new ideas. Best of luck over the next year to us all and Happy New Years.

- David Javier Solis

Home

So I've taken a hiatus from blogging for a while since I've come back home and haven't really reflected on what's gone on with me lately. To wrap most of it in a nutshell though, I'm back from D.C. and now trying to figure out my next thing step in my career. I'm looking into law school, grad school and opening a small business. Besides that, I guess I've really just been enjoying my time here at home with my family; the people that I enjoy spending time with most. With New Years coming up, I gotta figure out what 2010 has for me and what I hope to get out of the next year. New Years resolutions don't really do much for me like for most people. Hope Christmas went well for everyone. Take care and Happy New Years.

- David

Back to the Drawing Board

I came to Washington, D.C. with my own set of ideas and while some have changed and some have been reinforced, I find it a great privilege to base much of the political awareness I possess on my experience here in this city and on Capitol Hill. I've taken courses that dealt with the workings of Congress, the functioning of interest group politics, urban issues and the role of arts in a democratic society. These courses have taught me the details of how our political systems work and though there is much more to learn about our political world, I can't begin to express the value of the insight and knowledge I've attained in the course of 4 months.

I've seen much of what Washington D.C. offers; whether in museums, monuments or in the Congressional offices I've worked in through my internship. Retrospectively, I can look back and say to myself that although I could've done a few things differently (i.e. seen more of the D.C. nightlife), I truly believe I've done much of what I came into D.C. to do. I've learned much of what I've wanted to learn and have come to the conclusion that there is yet more to learn. In a professional environment like Capitol Hill, the more you know, both socially and intellectually, the better your prospects down the road are. Networking has been major for me and sure; I don't have a long list of names of people I can call for a favor, but I'm comfortable with the extent of networking I've done in D.C; whether it was speaking to ambassadors, field experts, legislative assistants or members of Congress.

I love this city. I'll miss this city.

In a matter of 4 months, I've taken in an invaluable amount of information and knowledge. Nowhere else in the world would I have been granted the opportunities I was granted here. Washington D.C...

I've had a 'to do' list since high school...

Capitol Hill was the last on that list.

Time for a new List..

Back to the Drawing Board.

On the Rise,
David Javier Solis

End of a chapter; start of a new one

On December 18th, 2009; I'll be concluding my time here in Washington DC. It feels like yesterday that I just got here and here I am wrapping up my internship. Time flies when you're learning and having fun. I've learned a good chunk of what the political process looks like and while I have so much more to learn, I feel it's only appropriate I take time to acknowledge what I've learned.. Come December 19th. Here's a little bit of what I've seen firsthand; some good, some bad and some ugly:
- The influence of special interests
- The benefits of seniority
- The pros and cons of not legislating along party lines
- The myths from the realities of representation in Congress
- The norms in Congress concerning ethics
- The methods which work and don't work for constituents and their issues
- Constituency outreach
- Office Organization
- Prejudice
- The way wealth can determine someone's outlook on the world
- Compromises in politics

I'll have plenty to talk about once the internship is over; trust me when I say there's no shortage of material I'd be discussing. Come Spring semester, I'll have to get back to the drawing board though and chart out my next bigger move; HOW can I top my experience here? Good Question; I'll get back to you when I've got an answer.

Patiently waiting,
David Javier Solis

Business is Booming.

This is my junior year of my undergraduate college years. Spring Semester of 2010 is coming up and I've yet to decide what I want to do post-college. I can go into the workforce, I can stay in school, I can go for Teach For America or I can do something I've always wanted to do: start a business. Each has their own set of drawbacks but I've never been someone who was too concerned about risk. More often then not, the fear of risk and failure keeps us from maximizing our potential. I've always thought life was too short to worry about what we can or can't do. In order to be a man of rewards, I've got to take risks in order to accumulate those rewards. I have to be able to look at a situation and remind myself that I can put a lot on the table but get even more in return. I personally don't feel it appropriate to live my life with an obsession on what CAN go wrong when in reality, I get what I put in. I'll pay the price for what I want to gain in life. We live in a world of opportunity and I'd go against everything I believe in if I don't jump on every opportunity I possibly can. Of course, I've got to be careful of collapsing under the weight of my own goals; but that's the last thing on my mind. I've got PLENTY of ideas that need to just materialize into results. I'm sure I can go forward with at least ONE and make decent earnings from it. Don't believe me? I'd encourage you to watch me do so.

On the rise,
David Javier Solis

"Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded." - Hebrews 10:35

100 Things to do before I pass

Life is short, so each day I tell myself the saying "Carpe Diem". Time in this world is never promised, so I figured I'd compile a list of things I want to do before I Pass. Let me know what you all think. I'd urge everyone reading this to come up with their own individual lists for the sake of it. Of course my list is incomplete but I thought 100 things is enough for one list. Don't limit yourself either; I've learned in life, dreams accompanied by hard work become reality. Life is for dreamers, anyway.


1. Buy a house
2. Travel to every continent
3. Go hot-air ballooning
4. Build a school
5. Adopt a child
6. Produce an album
7. Write a hit record
8. Publish a best selling autobiography
9. Run for office
10. HOLD an office seat for my career
11. Get a doctorate in constitutional law
12. Become a teacher
13. Raise my family with everything I never had
14. Attend all my children's school events
15. Take my loved ones on a shopping spree
16. Assemble a major rally for a cause
17. Make my family tree dating back to my great great grandparents
18. Design my home with my wife
19. Throw a dream wedding for my wife
20. Start a record label
21. Personally fund an entire museum
22. Get a speech to a crowd of 100,000 strong
23. Personally get a pair of Air Forces designed for me
24. Learn to paint
25. Publish an editorial in a major newspaper
26. Establish a 3rd major political party
27. Start a clothing line
28. Start a film production company
29. Serve on an interesting court case in jury
30. Study abroad
31. Volunteer at St. Jude's
32. Do Humanitarian work overseas
33. Head the efforts of a successful city renewal initiative
34. Learn to play piano
35. Hit one million views with my blog
36. Spend a whole day taking pictures everywhere with a top class camera
37. Go scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef
38. Be an actor for a film
39. Get baptized in the Jordan River
40. Be my own Boss
41. Stay out partying til the sun comes up
42. Party in Rio for Carnival
43. Be in Times Square for New Years
44. Drive and visit every state in the country
45. Drive the autobahn in a Ferrari and do 150!
46. Enjoy my career so much, I never work a day in my life
47. Grow a HUGE garden
48. Win big in Vegas
49. Go deep sea fishing
50. Learn to bartend
51. Run and FINISH a marathon
52. Learn to fly a plane
53. Figure out the mechanics of a car
54. Invent something of good use
55. BECOME COMPLETELY DEBT FREE
56. Always remember the difference between concern and worry and never do the latter
57. Fly in a helicopter over the New York City Skyline at night
58. Skydive
59. Go horseback riding through the countryside (no brokeback!)
60. Ride an elephant in Africa or India
61. Volunteer with an indigenous people
62. Climb to the summit of a mountain
63. Go on a safari
64. Buy a boat and learn to sail
65. Spend a day in the jungle
66. Attend Latin American music festivals
67. See Che Guevara's birthplace; since I can't see his burial place because no one knows there that is!
68. Smoke a real Cuban Cohiba Cigar
69. Bury a time capsule
70. Witness a miracle
71. Have a long conversation with a beggar
72. Own a gun collection
73. Hunt, prepare and cook an animal myself
74. See the northern lights
75. Build my own comfortable and sturdy furniture
76. Be hypnotized
77. Look at the planets and stars through a powerful telescope
78. Go on a roadtrip with no destination
79. Buy every video game I want
80. BEAT every video game I have
81. Sip margaritas at a tropical beach and have no worries
82. Learn to photoshop
83. Give a wad of money to a homeless mother with children
84. Spend a week on an isolated island with the wife
85. Be on the cover of all major newspapers
86. Be the best kind of friend/husband/son/father/colleague to everyone I know
87. Inspire someone who's inspired me
88. Find a church I can settle in
89. Watch my children fall asleep every night I possibly can
90. Develop my own video game
91. Create a best selling app
92. Build a house and unconditionally give it to someone in need
93. Bring good Hip Hop Back
94. Host exquisite events for various causes
95. See my Grand-children graduate college
96. Walk my daughter down the aisle
97. Teach my son the meaning of hard work like my father taught me
98. NEVER forget where I come from
99. Change your life.
100. Change the world.

Thank You All

http://www.newstimes.com/ci_13744323

I want to first thank everyone who's stuck beside me through the past few years; even more importantly, the people that have stuck beside me for nearly my entire life like my family and my friends I've known since elementary school. At 8:00 this morning, I woke up to a phone call informing me of the piece the Danbury News Times released about my internship with Congress in DC and have been receiving congratulations from everyone through Facebook and text messages. Thank you all again. I'm sure you know how important it is for someone to have the support of family, friends and colleagues and I want to make sure I convey my gratitude to everyone for everything. I've been here in DC for about 2 months now and while I wish I could blog all my thoughts and events away, they really are keeping me busy down here; both academically and professionally. Again, thank you all for everything. In about 5 weeks, my internship will be over and I'll be heading back to Danbury for winter break than back to UConn for Spring Semester. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again and catching up on time lost. See you all soon.

- David Javier Solis

Hopelessness in Poverty

I was speaking with a colleague the other day on the issue of poverty and what can be done to curtail the devastating effects of it. Unfortunately, he like so many different groups of people believes that there can be nothing done for those in poverty because 'they' want to be like that. Upon hearing this, I was shocked to realize that there are people out there like this but kept my composure. I asked them what measures should be taken and they went on to say "there's nothing you can do; they want to be like that." Growing up in the environment they were referring to, I can genuinely say there is nothing desirable about that type of life.

Unfortunately, I feel that there are too many people in this society who not just condone the status quo, but in fact support and embrace policies which leave certain inequalities as they exist today. This needs to change and it's up to our generation to fulfill the dreams of our ancestors and past leaders in their attempts to rid society of poverty. If we tell ourselves we can't do it; nothing productive will get done and we'll forever turn a cold shoulder to those on the streets and the families living in poverty. We'll never progress our communities if we tell ourselves we can't.

We don't need giveaway programs. We need programs that help the impoverished fend for themselves and initiatives that get them back on their feet so they can stand for themselves. Billions of dollars are spent on costs associated with poverty every year; why doesn't it make sense to allocate these funds and expenses on programs that lift these families; some born into poverty, some not. Let's stop pointing fingers. Let's stop pretending the issue doesn't exist. Most importantly, let's stop telling ourselves in our communities that there's nothing we can do about it. There are far too many families without a voice depending on those of us privileged enough to do something about it.

PLEASE READ: Stop The Violence; RIP #6

Over the weekend, my school community was dealt an emotional blow by the loss of Jasper Howard; slain by a violent stabbing during an altercation. There was no need for the loss of life, no need for the violence and no need for the mourning going on back on campus now. The closest friends and teammates of Jasper Howard's will never forget the day they found out their friend's life was taken away. Even throughout the University of Connecticut, the student body will always remember how they felt after the news of the Jasper Howard's death. This has affected me in a number of ways and although I did not know Jasper personally, I know his closest friends and mourn the loss of his life and what that means for his unborn child and family back home. Had I not been here in Washington D.C on an internship, I would most likely have been at this WISAO party; as I had frequently done in previous years. Although I'm grateful I was nowhere around for that altercation, I will never forget that morning. One of my best friends had called me early Sunday morning to tell me Jasper had passed away. What really hit hard for me was that my best friend was a teammate of Jasper's and when he had called me, he was clearly shaken and distressed over the loss of his teammate. This killing could have been avoided and the need for violence; fatal violence at that, was unwarranted and unnecessary.

If we are to progress in society; how can we hold within ourselves such hatred for our fellow man? If we are to progress as a people, we must value the meaning and sanctity of life; not end it. Everyone on this Earth have people who love and care for them and it's imperative that we never forget that. My heart goes out to the closest friends, teammates and family of Jasper Howard's. Most of all, my heart goes out to his unborn child who will unfortunately live their lives without their father by their side to raise them, protect them, love them and watch them grow.

Anyone reading this, if there's anything to take from this, it's this; Love One Another. Regardless of your faith, religion or creed, it can be said that we were put on this Earth to live amongst each other in harmony. Never take your friends and loved ones for granted; no one forecasts the day they leave this world and while he is in a better place where we all hope to one day be, let us live our lives to better the world we live in now. Best of wishes to all. My Prayers and condolences to all.

- David Javier Solis

A Timeless Speech in 'The Great Dictator'

"I'm sorry, but I don't want to be an emperor. That's not my business. I don't want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone if possible - Jew, Gentile - black man - white.

We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other's happiness - not by each other's misery. We don't want to hate and despise one another. In this world there's room for everyone and the good earth is rich and can provide for everyone.

The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way. Greed has poisoned men's souls - has barricaded the world with hate - has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed. We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in. Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical; our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost.

The aeroplane and the radio have brought us closer together. The very nature of these inventions cries out for the goodness in man - cries for universal brotherhood - for the unity of us all. Even now my voice is reaching millions throughout the world - millions of despairing men, women, and little children - victims of a system that makes men torture and imprison innocent people. To those who can hear me, I say: 'Do not despair.' The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed - the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress. The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish.

Soldiers! Don't give yourselves to brutes - men who despise you and enslave you - who regiment your lives - tell you what to do - what to think and what to feel! Who drill you - diet you - treat you like cattle, use you as cannon fodder. Don't give yourselves to these unnatural men - machine men with machine minds and machine hearts! You are not machines! You are not cattle! You are men! You have the love of humanity in your hearts. You don't hate, only the unloved hate - the unloved and the unnatural!

Soldiers! Don't fight for slavery! Fight for liberty! In the seventeenth chapter of St Luke, it is written the kingdom of God is within man not one man nor a group of men, but in all men! In you! You, the people, have the power - the power to create machines. The power to create happiness! You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful - to make this life a wonderful adventure. Then in the name of democracy - let us use that power - let us all unite. Let us fight for a new world - a decent world that will give men a chance to work - that will give youth a future and old age a security.

By the promise of these things, brutes have risen to power. But they lie! They do not fulfil that promise. They never will! Dictators free themselves but they enslave the people. Now let us fight to fulfil that promise! Let us fight to free the world - to do away with national barriers - to do away with greed, with hate and intolerance. Let us fight for a world of reason - a world where science and progress will lead to all men's happiness. Soldiers, in the name of democracy, let us unite!


Sources: 'My Autobiography' by Charles Chaplin and 'The Great Dictator' on Fox video

Concerns on congress

Washington D.C. has been an experience all its own. I've learned in a short two months that in order to enter the world of politics and hold prestige, networking is key. If one hopes to make a ripple in the political ocean, one must know the fundamentals of what it takes and who to get there with. I've seen that the senate is not so much a chamber of 100 individual mentalities; it is a handful of allegiances. The House of Representatives is a chamber where 435 representatives come together and engage in groupthink; ideas are brought forward and succeed depending on how much the rest of the body of representatives stand to gain from passing it. It is not true that congress is a place full of representatives who don't care. There are a few people who just happen to care much more than the next guy. Congress is a forum where great ideas can become diluted with greed, watered down through procedure and tainted by the interests of a few. Some justify this by pointing out these actions as being democratic processes. While this may be true, there is no saying certain ways and means of congress cannot be changed. The obstacle with doing so, is that congress itself, dictates what congress can and can't do. There are checks and balances yet congress, since its inception, maintains an atmosphere where unethical actions are not only permissible; they are sometimes encouraged in the pursuit of partisan politics. This fact should in effect, serve as a rebuttal to the 'democratic process' legitimization of what happens in congress. Again, this does not go to say all members of congress are illegitimate and unsuitable for representation; they have, for the most part, demonstrated that they can advocate on behalf of the causes they believe. Let's just hope that these causes are honorable ones.

Our Nation's Priorities

When we look all around ourselves in this country, we see groups of people and communities that we don't always belong to. That's the beauty of diversity. When we read and hear certain opinions of different people, we sometimes feel that we can never agree with the ideas they value. When we look to our friends, we wonder why they act the way they do and say things they do. That's the one thing about our society that makes it so unique; we have groups of people from all avenues of life, all levels of education and backgrounds. We are in the struggle of finding ourselves. We know who we are as individuals, we know who we are as racial groups... but do we know who we are as a people? One might say, "We're Americans". While that might be true, the struggle in our quest for a universal identity is that we have in our minds this idea that the label 'American' means one entity; we're not one single entity and we're not one united people with one uniform set of values and principles. To some, family is the overlying number one valuable thing in their lives; to others, it might be their educations or their careers. Each of these things encompasses its own set of things to maintain and with different people holding different priorities, there is much to be debated over. A $1,000,000 dollar grant to a poor rural town is not at the first thing many people think about. Likewise, violence in the urban communities isn't something many people would initially want to address head on. These issues which affect the most isolated groups of people are the ones which aren't thoroughly discussed in all areas of the nation. We seldomly read or hear the stories about the other side's struggle. In our country, we give too much power to the phrase 'Out of sight, out of mind'. We know that which we can see and that with which we're familiar. Who you know that starved today in America? Who do you know that got evicted today? in America? Who have you talked to today that has more than enough intelligence to succeed in college but can't because they can't afford it? These are injustices to those in society. Anytime you succeed, anytime you do well, anytime you achieve an aspiration; know that there is always someone who less fortunate than yourself. What if it was you?

Open and Enjoy, my fellow 80's Babies!

My blog is becoming too uptight for a lot of people who don't necessarily enjoy politics like I do. So what I'm doing is compiling a whole batch of songs that take us 80's babies back. Way Back. BACK INTO TIME. Good music is getting harder to find nowadays so I got a lil bit of everything for yall. Every now and then I'll make compilations of more of these throwbacks over time. Hit me up on the comments to let me know what you all think; hope you all enjoy!

P.S. I don't own ANY of these videos, folks. Please don't sue me. Thanks.

LL Cool J - Loungin


G Dep - Let's get it


DMX - How's it going down


Mary J. Blige - Mary Jane


Sammie - I like it


Soul 4 Real - Candy Rain


Bel Biv Devoe - Poison


Montell Jordan - This is how we do it


Nelly - Ride with me


Method Man & Mary J. Blige


Wu Tang Clan - M.E.T.H.O.D. Man


Dru Hill - How Deep is your Love


Ginuwine - Pony


Next - Too Close


Wayne Wonder - No letting go


Ja Rule Ft. Vita & Lil Mo - Put it on me


Jay-Z Ft. Amil & Ja Rule


Fabolous - Can't Deny It


Cam'Ron - Hey Ma


Cynthia - Dream boy, Dream Girl


Tupac - How Do You Want it


Outhere Brothers - Boom Boom Boom


Blackstreet - No Diggity


Q-Tip - Vibrant Thing


Inoj - My Boo


Limp Bizkit - Nookie

Life on Capitol Hill

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 3 days out of the week where I see firsthand what the political process is all about. Since September 8th, I've been fortunate enough to work on a congressman's staff here in Washington, D.C. I see the congressman everyday and although we haven't yet had a heart to heart, I've seen enough to give me impressions about the office, but I'm choosing to talk about all that sometime in January. For now, I'll talk about what I see on a daily basis outside of just the office I work.

Sincerity

Call me naive or fickle, but I can truthfully say that I believe these people I see everyday are very involved and hope to change the world we live in; contrary to what many people might believe as living for the status quo. The people I speak with don't come off to me as wanting to keep the world the same. Some people may look at our U.S. Capitol with scorn because they believe the people in power aren't trying to get anything done and quite frankly, I've seen otherwise. Yes, some people may not agree with these ideas, but there are a diverse set of ideas nonetheless and to say that no one on Capitol Hill cares is a misconception. Again, I haven't met everyone on congress but I've met and spoken with enough people to get the impression that people typically care for the condition of society and the country. The fact that everyone has their own set of concerns for the community is an indication to me of that. There are a few things I have reservations about but again, I'll talk about that come January.

Expertise

The people here on Capitol Hill are, needless to say, very intelligent and it's something I'm glad I'm able to be a part of. Unlike casual conversations between people, there is a wide amount of competence shown in people here and if you just like to hear the sound of your voice, Washington D.C. is not the city for you. You will be called out and made a fool out of. I enjoy being challenged through debate here and even if I'm wrong about something, I value the conversation's ability to better shape my own ideas. If you're the person who shows more intellect in the debate, let it reinforce you. If you're the one on the wrong end of the spectrum time after time, maybe it's time to revamp the way in which you view politics. The fact alone that I can change someone's whole perspective about something means more to me than just the title that comes along with working for a congressional office

Networking

Everyday I go to work, I am surrounded by people who will one day contribute significantly to the political process; either as lobbyists, legislative directors, representatives, senators or chief of staff's. In one way or another, the group of people I speak with frequently are either already in a prestigious spot or are well on their way to becoming that. There's a quote that goes by "It's not what you know, it's who you know." I give great respect to that and because of it, I make sure I never burn bridges with anyone and take it upon myself to really make an impression on everyone that lasts and serves as a positive way of allowing them to open up. In the world of politics, it's all about who you know and how they can help you with whatever you're trying to pursue; sometimes this can serve to the advantage of corruption and greed. More often than not though, it's a matter of resources and knowledge. In politics, You don't have to be a cronie to maintain a form of friendship with people in power; it's a matter of what you do with that ability that makes all the difference.

I wish I could put this all in one summary but I've been here about a month and I can't compile all I've learned in one sitting so I hope you're looking forward to coming back and reading more about what it is I do and what things I've seen, learned, despised, loved, ridiculed and complimented here on Capitol Hill. Here are a few things I've eventually get around to talking about:

- Racism on Capitol Hill
- Impact of money (Greed and Corruption)
- How lobbyists can affect political process
- 'Average Joes' involved in politics
- Capitol Receptions
- Background of ppl I see everyday
- Conversations I've had with big name people
- Constituencies and their opinions
- Congressional hearings + what you see (or don't see)
- Impressions on the Hill
- Institutions surrounding congress

The Start of Something Truly Remarkable

August 30^th, 2009; the start of something truly remarkable. I came to here to Washington D.C. with my girlfriend, two parents , youngest sister, niece and nephew. We drove in my mother’s Nissan Quest and even with that size, I’m sure my family thought it was pretty crammed in the back. Regardless, we were here and after about 6 and a half hours, we finally got into the city of politics. I remember the look on my mother’s face as we drove into the city and saw the poverty. Coming from civil-war era Nicaragua, I was surprised to see the reaction on her face and I knew in her head that the poverty really made an impression on her; negative as it may have been. “David, this is worse than Nicaragua” she said to me. I just laughed and shrugged it off believing in my head that she was just exaggerating and not yet able to come to terms with the fact that this city was where I’d spend the next 4 months of my life. After seeing the poverty stretch on and on, it hit me like I ran into a brick wall; all these agents of “advocacy” and “representatives” in this city of Washington D.C., and no one here to stand for the men in the cardboard boxes or the families in the rundown buildings. This city radiates opportunity and power and yet no one seems to mind the lack of opportunity or power among the communities we saw on our way up. And I thought MY poverty was bad growing up; these people truly were the ‘have-nots’ in this country. They had NOTHING but clothes on their backs and their families by their side.

I figured that we leave Thursday night so that we get to D.C. Friday morning and have plenty of time to sleep and tour the city come Friday night. My parents weren’t major fans of the city on Friday so they opted to just stay in the hotel and watch after the girls and my nephew in the hotel pool. It was a beautiful hotel, I must say; far more illustrious than what we’re used to. The area the hotel was in wasn’t bad; it was in downtown D.C. and one or two blocks from Chinatown so there was plenty to do and see. My girlfriend Jeanelle and I got dressed to go site see. Little did I know that this night would bring me motivation I’d never experienced and inspiration I’d never known. There was something glorious about everything I saw that night; the lights, the buildings, the Potomac, the statues, the memorials, the nightlife; everything gave off an aura that I had only vaguely imagined in the past. I was like a child in a toystore; I wanted to see everything. Everything was much more beautiful than in the textbooks. Photos didn’t do them justice.

Come Saturday morning, we were up and out. My parents had realized that this part of the city wasn’t all that bad; it was actually beautiful and exemplified a side of American culture that they had never known in Danbury, Connecticut. My nephew, Isaiah was a grumpy little one that day, he didn’t want to do ANY walking and had we brought a stroller, no doubt in my mind he would’ve been in it all day. We saw the Lincoln memorial which really made an impression on my mother and I. Those words written in stone had me thinking all day and reinforced the idea of liberty. I couldn’t make out an impression from my father; he tends to keep his thoughts to himself and as great of an impression he might have attained from the Lincoln memorial; he kept it all in his head and just decided to soak it in and keep it in. My sister Sheyla, even at 13, was too young to understand the significance of political figures like Abraham Lincoln and the significance of historical events like the civil war or slavery. Even today, I’m not sure what went through her head. She has an imagination all her own. My niece Natalya on the other hand, enjoyed it and marveled at just how big the Lincoln Memorial was.

From there, we went to the Vietnam Memorial. Of all memorials I had seen on this day, none came close to how much of an impact the Vietnam Memorial made on me. I got there and as we were walking up, it hadn’t looked very large in size but as we got closer, we saw how big this was becoming and what really blew my whole family away was how we worked our way from the outside in and realized how big the wall was and how small the names were. The small sized names bothered me; not because they were small but because even at its size, it needed a large space to get all the names of the men and women who died. These weren’t just names or casualties of war; these were real people with real lives and real families that they left behind; never to live or see again. An old teacher of mine that I kept in touch with had a roommate who passed away during the Vietnam war. He told me once that ever since he passed, he felt guilty over his death. I wasn’t sure if he had his closure but I wanted to do something for him since I was in the area and visiting the memorial myself. Jeanelle told me that the park rangers give out Vietnam Memorial letter-headed papers and graphite for visitors to sketch over the names of the fallen men. I found the man’s name on the wall. Thomas Carothers. I never knew the man; I’ve never even seen a picture of him or a story about him. I just know this man, Thomas Carothers, existed and people like Mr. Scalzo truly missed him and remember him to this day. I sketched the name and gave it to Jeanelle to give to Mr. Scalzo for me.

After the Vietnam Memorial, we all walked around the city for a little while just seeing what we came across. We eventually got to the Air and Space museum. Now my child-like fascination with the city on Friday night was nothing compared to my father’s fascination and admiration for what he saw there. This wasn’t a family event for him; he wasted no time and ran off without us to see all the planes, spaceships and machinery the museum had to offer. He didn’t want to take any pictures of us but he was quick to ask us to take a picture of him with the Apollo module or a spy plane behind him. What a nerd. When I told him I found out there were flight simulators in the museum, he ran like we didn’t have 2 hours before the museum closed. I decided I’d fly and he’d control the turrets. That day, I realized I have no business even thinking I could become a pilot. I flew horrible. It was fun until my dad kept going back and forth about how he would have done better. I stood my ground and told him I’d pay for us to do it again and we’d switch places. So we did and needless to say, he did worse than me. Of course he wouldn’t admit it though, we’re talking about my father here.

The night came to an end and before I knew it, Sunday morning was here and it was time that I finally moved into my apartment. It went by fast. Too fast. I didn’t get a chance to put my thoughts together and come to the realization that this was going to be home for 4 months. Regardless, as soon as everything was put into the apartment, that was that; we said our goodbyes, good lucks, see ya soon’s, and love you’s. That moment, although I had not known it at the time, was the moment I had waited for my whole life. I’d been waiting for this my whole life. My dreams had become my reality. The American Dream is alive; maybe not alive and well, but alive nonetheless and I am living testament to that. I’ve worked so hard to get here to have this opportunity. My parents have worked endlessly to grant me opportunity and I’ve worked tirelessly to make something of myself and get my foot in the door. Now that I had done just that, I thought to myself, “Now What?” August 30^th, 2009; The start of something truly remarkable.

Can we sustain?

We are in a time of political, social and economic turmoil. That much is clear. What is more evident is the need and demand for a resolution to the problems which we are dealt. Forget the political affiliation one poses; an effective idea is neither blue nor red. If we want to fix our issues in this country, we must first LISTEN. Someone once told me that God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. Sometimes you must speak in support of the very policies being proposed; sometimes you must speak out against the lies being fed to the people. Before you decide to speak though, it is imperative that one listens. Don't just hear what your opposition has to say; Listen to what they have to say.

We come to a point in the maze called politics where we decide which path leads to a dead end and which leads us to the way out. With that being said, we need a way out of our deficit and debt. The problem with this predicament is the one solution comes with it's own complex set of details. Here's an idea folks; why don't we offset the tax cuts with spending cuts? If we're going to stimulate the economy, why don't we spend hundreds of billions of dollars in helping the American families with their debts and mortgages as opposed to writing off the "toxic assets" of the banks? This way, these very families wouldn't have the anxiety of wondering if they can afford a home or say, healthcare. Healthcare as we all know, is the major theme in this great city of Washington D.C. If it's not the intentions of the government to overhaul healthcare and nationalize the industry, let's talk about making health care cheaper. Here's some simple math:

Public Option + Tort Reform + Right to purchase health insurance across state lines =
CHEAPER HEALTHCARE

There it is Folks. I just solved the American mystery of effective healthcare reform.

Some of you might say "Oh no, what about the unfair advantage government is going to have in a public option" or "Gee golly, that means I can't sue my doctor for 100 million dollars if there's tort reform". Guess what? Too Bad.

Some of these companies can make it through depressions and recessions; they'll be fine. These trial lawyers won't be out of a job either; they'll survive. These opposing barriers to Universally accessible healthcare in the United States is the reason for the millions of families medical and financial hardships.

A few paragraphs up I mentioned the deficit and the national debt. First; let's stop making money out of thin air through the Federal Reserve. We CANNOT spend our way to profit; I don't care WHAT the Keynesian theory says. Second; let's stop borrowing money from foreign countries for the time being; it's as if we're spending away our national sovereignty and American way of living.

In conclusion, our country should be very careful of becoming the very thing we've passionately condemned; a feckless nation.

- David Javier Solis