Worker Wellness Blog: 2024 Presidential Election
Date Posted: July 30, 2024
Posted In: Discussion, Workforce,
by Dr. John Gaal
Editor’s Note: Each week, Dr. John Gaal, director of worker wellness for the Missouri Works Initiative, a non-profit workforce formed by the Missouri AFL-CIO, collects and comments on news and trends in workforce wellness and life balance. Construction Forum carries the Worker Wellness & Well-Being Blog as a regular feature.
The MO Works Initiative focuses on creating healthy and recovery friendly workplaces; connecting laid-off workers with job-search or upskilling resources for future employment; and collaborating with community partners to offer innovative points of entry to traditional apprenticeship opportunities.
This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog offers you a look at how a high-ranking Mexican drug kingpin (think Fentanyl) duped another into being arrested in the USA; to the importance of pool safety (drowning is the #1 killer of children between 1-4 years old); to how a lab at Virginia Tech is applying its focus on studying football helmet safety to the role safety helmets now play in the construction industry.
This week I would like to take a closer look at this year’s presidential election. By now, most of us know that President Joe Biden removed himself as a candidate this November and soon thereafter went on to support VP Kamala Harris.
Since then, a lot has been said from both sides of the political spectrum. However, nothing more important than the unsubstantiated/immature comments coming from her political opponent and his running mate.
This blog is not about voicing political viewpoints. It is about wellness and well-being. However, when it comes to vying for the most important position in this country (and possibly the world), isn’t it about time we focus on the issues versus name-calling? After all, are we in 3rd grade (my apologies to 3rd graders)?
We as a nation should demand better. In my opinion, supporting candidates who wish to lead this nation when they use demeaning language against their opponent — like “bum” and “childless cat ladies” — is a means of harassment (as in Hostile Environment) that negatively impacts our society’s well-being.[1]
Which brings me back to an issue I reported on a few weeks ago…US Supreme Court ethics. Yes, it sounds like an oxymoron. In what world do we allow people to police themselves and expect transparency?[2]
These are not merely common people amongst us but rather those who have lifetime appointments to the highest court in this country, and are making judgement calls that impact our daily lives.
Whether you are for or against serious issues like abortion, climate change, and workers’ rights, this court has recently made decisions that are sure to effect the world around you. Most importantly there is the issue of conflict of interest.
At least one of those on this bench who is passing judgement has accepted (substantial) gifts from his longtime (political) supporter and, until recently, failed to report such transactions. Meanwhile, he was the leading influencer on matters that recently threatened the future of unions.[3]
So, as I said last week, with this being an election year, one must weigh the importance of the choices before us. How will YOUR vote this November impact the future for your kids and grandkids?
Please check out the rest of this week’s blog: https://moworksinitiative.org/category/worker-wellness-news/
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