The Rise of Autism and the Decline of Tolerance

A very good friend of mine whom I have known since kindergarten recently sent me an email.  To summarize he asked me why there is such a huge increase in the number of persons currently diagnosed with autism.

Indeed he raises an excellent question.  Approximately 15 years ago, I understand, the ration of autism diagnoses was something like 1 person in 2,000 or so.  Today the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 1 in 110 births in this country will experience an autism diagnosis.  Among boys the rate is even higher, equaling 1 in 70.  It is a staggering statistic.  It is also most disturbing.  Unfortunately I have no simple answer for my friend.  I'm not sure anyone really does.  From what I have read and based on my experiences, however, I think there are several contributing factors.  As I list them below please understand I am no expert on this subject.  I only offer my opinion and/or experience as it relates to the field of autism.  I am a parent of a son with autism.  I have served as a pastor to many families dealing with autism and I currently work in vocational rehabilitation with various disabled individuals including several with autism.  So what I am presenting here is not entirely scientific.  Nevertheless, I believe it to be accurate.

So here is a list of possible reasons why autism births are on the rise.

1. A huge number of people were at one time diagnosed with "mental retardation" and nothing further.  In the past 8 - 10 years these same people in many, if not most, cases would now be diagnosed with some form of autism. We may conclude, therefore, that a more accurate diagnosis has become available in recent years.  This may explain some of the increase.

2. It is important to remember that the term "autism" has become very broad and general.  For example, it can include a person with an IQ of 50 or a person with an IQ of 140 - - or anything in between.  A few conditions that are often included under the autism umbrella  are Rhett's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, and a host of Learning Disorders too numerous to list individually.  The individual can be non-verbal or may talk unceasingly!  A person with autism might by very shy and awkward in social settings.  On the other hand, they might equally be a true extrovert who may never know a stranger, so to speak.  Thus it is accurately labeled "The Autism Disorders Spectrum" (or ADS for short).  20 years ago or more autism was primarily thought of as "Autistic Savant".  The character of Raymond, played brilliantly by Dustin Hoffman, in the movie Rain Man is a pretty good portrayal of savantism.  When I was growing up this was the textbook definition of autism and even it was rare and almost unknown by the average person.  I must confess I do not remember hearing the word "autism" until my wife and I began suspecting that our son had some kind of disorder.  We did endless research on our own and began to suspect autism, but I did not know anything about it until we read up on it.

3. Many advocates believe either mercury and/or childhood vaccinations (more accurately, some of the ingredients in such vaccines) play a role in the increase.  The jury is very much undecided on this one!  I remain a fringe believer in this theory but I am not totally convinced.

4. Another hypothesis involves environmental concerns.  This has never really been indentified, however.  I would not at all be surprised to see this revealed in some future study, though!

5. I think, too, that medical schools are preparing doctors in a much more thorough approach to be aware of the early signs of autism and to recommend tests and early intervention.  This is related to Number 1 above as it relates to a more accurate diagnosis.

6. Insurance plays a huge role, too.  As recently as 12 years ago many health insurance plans would not cover anything for a person diagnosed as autistic.  I think part of the reason is that autism was not well defined back then and insurance companies run away from anything that is not cut and dry.  Even 7-10 years ago insurance companies argued among themselves as to who might cover the autistic person.  Let me explain:  most health insurance policies are actually a hybrid of sorts in that they involve a primary company to cover medical expenses and, frequently, a second company or subsidy to cover behavioral/psychological conditions.  These two companies would try to claim that autism was covered under the other part of the policy.  That is, the health division would claim that autism is a behavioral disorder and is covered by the company that provides such coverage under the policy.  The Behavioral administrators of course, claimed it was a physical health disorder and said they won't cover it because the company dealing with that aspect of healthcare should. 

I am speaking from personal experience here!  We actually were confronted with this dilemma for many years from a highly reputable insurance plan.  It was most frustrating as my wife would spend literally 6 hours a day or more on the telephone arguing with a vast host of people in her attempt to simply obtain approval for a counseling session or "wrap around services". 

Since then, there has been so much research and clarity that any insurance company has since been forced to provide coverage for the autistic community.  This, in turn, opened the door for an even greater number of more accurate diagnoses.

This only begins to scratch the surface.  The key to this discussion is exactly what many politicians refuse to admit - - that with the increase of persons on the Autism Disorders Spectrum comes a greater burden to society.  Services are both extensive and expensive.  Few households can afford them "out-of-pocket".  This is true not only for someone with autism but for virtually any disability that might hinder an individual.  Where does the funding come from?  Yes, as stated above, insurance companies will now pay for some such services.  Children under the age of 21 can often find some services available through the Department of Education.  But these all have strict limitations to them.  After the individual turns 21 the problem becomes more severe as now they no longer qualify for the services offered through educational avenues.  This is where government programs become a vital lifeline.  Programs like the Person-Family Directed Support Waiver (PFDS), the Adult Autism Waiver, the Adult Community Autism Program, or the Consolidated Waiver become  absolutely crucial.  However, in this age of budget reductions and ignorance on the part of many, including Tea Party members, we are facing a serious crisis.  Consider:

• Nearly all persons on the ADS are completely incapable of living on their own and supporting themselves.
• The number of such persons increases annually.
• For the past 10 years the greatest increase was found in the 8 - 14 year old bracket.  This age group is now or has recently turned 21 and are expected to be on their own.  Yet the fact remains they cannot exist that way.
• The overwhelming majority of people on the ADS receive health insurance through Medical Assistance (aka Medicaid).  Such funding is on the "hit list" for the Radical Right.
• In addition to medical coverage there is the question of therapeutic and behavioral services.  This is not part of Medical Assistance but does come under DPW (Department of Public Welfare).   It has become another target within the sights of the Right.
• Housing.  A huge issue.  The ADS population cannot provide for their own housing as they typically cannot compete for a job.  They are therefore at the mercy of parents or relatives who are willing to take them in AND PROVIDE ROUND-THE-CLOCK-CARE for them!  In this age of the need for two incomes in most families, who is left to do the care giving?  And if someone stays home to provide care, the added expenses of care giving defeats the goal of staying at home.  It is a vicious and merciless cycle.  Already public funds designated for the purpose of housing in group homes is being cut drastically.  Expect more to come.
• Employment.  The only way most of these people can be employed is through a sheltered workshop that pays little (usually based on piece work rates) or through supported employment (which is my area of specialty!).  But again, to get into most of these programs one needs funding to pay the per diem enrollment fee.  Again, typically this comes through DPW and the Mental Health/Mental Retardation Office.  As you can guess, this funding stream is already declining.  It, too, will shrink more in the future.

So here is the bottom line.  If the Radical Right gets its way I foresee an increase in homelessness.  More and more parents are going to burn out and give up.  This population cannot support itself and will turn to shelters or the streets.  Expect, too, an increase in petty crimes as a by-product in the fight to survive.  All of this translates into increased governmental expenses for police, jails, courts, homeless shelters, food banks, etc.  In short there is no way to avoid greater government spending.  The only question is this:  do we spend in preventive measures now and seek to preserve some essence of dignity or do we invest in cleanup measures after the fact?

As I said, it is a very complex issue.  It is not going to go away.  Rather, it will become increasingly troublesome.  In all honesty I feel the pressing question that needs to be addressed in not "Why is autism on the rise?  Rather, it is imperative to ask ourselves "What are we going to do about it?"  For at this point in history we have no control over the number of autism diagnoses.  We can, however, control our response to this crisis.

We claim to be fighting two wars today in the name of freedom and the protection of our Constitutional rights.  But whose rights are we concerned about?  Are not all citizens of this great nation privileged to the same rights?  Or is it only for those who are rich enough;  those who are smart enough; those who have the right connections?  What about the ones who cannot provide for themselves?  Who will take up the banner of those who are incapable of advocating on their own behalf?  What kind of society are we if we simply refuse to provide a small sense of dignity and value to an innocent person who has no desire to be disabled, but also had no choice in the matter?

The answer is obvious.  If we continue to ignore these issues we will become the mirror image of our so-called enemy.  We will become an intolerant, merciless, cold-hearted and cowardly nation who is unworthy to call itself "free".

gdg  09/20/2011

Comments are encouraged.  Please feel free to post your thoughts below.

New Book Looks At Challenges Facing Post-Hi's

its no secret that there has been a huge increase in the number of adolescents and pre-teens who have been diagnosed with autism during the past decade. Now, many of these are facing graduation from high school. This presents an altogether different set of challenges. How will my child ever find and keep a job? What options are available to him? Will she ever learn to live on her own? What will the future hold?

These are just a few of the many questions that surround a family that has struggled with the many facets of living with autism through the years. While each person's story is unique there is also a number of similarities. This makes the release of a new book on this subject most relevant. Click on the link below to learn more information about Life After High School.

http://www.autism-society.org/news/life-after-high-school.html

Ten Septembers And A Few Observations

It seems like wherever I look everybody everywhere is making reference to 9/11 this week.  Its understandable.  The events that occurred on that fateful day 10 years ago became the defining moment for the next decade and beyond.  Scarcely a day goes by that we do not hear the phrase "nine-eleven" or are confronted with a consequence of it in the form of airport security, news about Al-Qaeda, or updates on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

With the approaching tenth anniversary of the attack I admit that I was initially inclined to remain quiet on the subject.  To some degree I feel too much has already been made of this.  I clearly remember the days leading up to the one-year anniversary.  The local Clergy Association, of which I was a member, had decided to downplay the event.  They did not feel we should memorialize the actions of terrorists and make it into some kind of National holiday.  Yet that is exactly what has been done.

Well, no matter.  For whatever reason I have found myself reflecting on 9/11 and its effect on my life.  The terrorists attacks that forever changed the Manhattan skyline and shocked the world have undeniably molded me and all who have the image of the World Trade Center's destruction branded upon their mind.  So, allow me to offer some observations in this post-9/11 age.  Below are a few ways in which I feel I have changed as a result of that tragic day in history.

1.  A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF MY "PATRIOTISM".

I consider myself to be patriotic.  I love my country and I want the very best for it.  I pride myself to be an American and I never take this privilege for granted.  I have absolutely no desire to live anywhere else.  Having said all that, I know that I am an American by happenstance.  I was born in this country and I have neither the opportunity nor the knowledge of how to move into another country.  So here I am, not that I am complaining.

September 11, 2001 has helped me appreciate the United States and perhaps more importantly the Constitution in a deeper way.  The rights and freedoms guaranteed within the Constitution are powerful.  I am no expert on such matters but I cannot imagine any other document in the history of mankind (no, I am not including the Bible in this comparison, as it is the Word of God and not of man) that exceeds the Constitution of the United States in wisdom, dignity, value or purpose.  This is a timeless treasure.  It is what makes our country great.

However, I have an even greater sense of belonging and identity.  I am a Christian and I am one by choice.  I wasn't born a Christian.  No one made me become one.  It was a choice I made because I wanted to.  And no matter where I live, no matter what governmental rules I live under, no matter what uniform is worn by the soldiers that "defend" me, regardless of the rights I enjoy or are denied, I am and shall remain a Christian.  It is my first and primary identity.  All else comes after this.  Thus, my sense of patriotism is qualified by an understanding that I am in reality a citizen of heaven and not of earth.  While I respect the Constitution and accept the freedoms defined therein, if it were all to disappear in a moment I will be equally content.  This is because I fully embrace the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:38-39.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  (-New International Version)

In this I find courage to live for Jesus every day; to declare myself to be a Christian first and an American second; to grow in confidence that true patriotism means wanting the very best for one's country even if it means taking a stance against government decisions and popular issues that, in the end, are detrimental to the common good.

2.  A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO THE CAUSE OF PEACE AND RECONCILIATION.

By their actions the terrorists responsible for 9/11 have discredited their cause.  They proved themselves to be evil when they chose to massacre innocent, civilian victims.  Interestingly, their actions have not given birth to a spirit of revenge within me.  For if I choose the path of violence in retaliation how am I any better than they?

No, for me, such actions have instead strengthened my resolve to promote the cause of peace and to commit myself to paths of reconciliation.  We must build better modes of communication and understanding with the Muslim community worldwide.  We must accept the fact that even as there are violent and misguided individuals who promote destruction in the name of Christ, so too are there similar rogue elements who act recklessly in the name of Allah.  There is little difference between the 9/11 terrorists and the so-called Christians who have bombed abortion clinics and murdered doctors.  The scope may be different, but the principle is the same.  Destruction of property and the taking of human life - particularly in the name of religion - is never justified.  If it is wrong to kill 3,000 people in one attack, it is wrong to kill 3.  Jesus is clear on this point.  Read such passages as Matthew 5:1-12, 21-22, 38-48; 7:15-2018:21-22; 22:37-40; Mark 8:34-38, 9:33-37, 10:41-45;  Luke 19:41; John 18:36.  Such verses are only a sample of the teachings of Jesus and are supported by other passages in the New Testament as well.

The only answer to overcoming violence and hatred is an uncompromising commitment to peace and love.

3.  IDENTIFYING THE REAL TRAGEDY.

The real tragedy of September 11, 2001 was not the events of that day but the American response to it.  I am speaking of the shameful wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  In the case of Iraq I still can't believe that Congress and the American people were so blind as to believe the Bush Administration's blatant lies that led to the tragedy known as "Shock and Awe".   Remember the claims about weapons of mass destruction (WMD, for short)?  We were told that Saddam Hussein was stockpiling a mass arsenal of biological bombs that he was going to unleash upon the United States.  This was given as the justification for the war.  Of course, we found out once we invaded the country that there were no such weapons.  For a while the Bush Administration insisted the weapons were hidden.  Then we were told they were smuggled out of the country.  In the end, however, the truth was undeniable.  The weapons never existed.  In fact, Iraq wasn't even close to building anything that remotely resembled a threat to us.

This is a significant detail that cannot be overlooked.  Prior to the War in Iraq the United States declared war only in response to a direct attack at the hands of another nation.  A possible exception may be found in the Mexican-American War of 1846 - 1848.  In that instance Mexican troops fired the first shots but it could be argued that President James Polk provoked them into doing so by his annexation of Texas, including disputed territories to which Mexico still claimed sovereignty, and his pompous policy of Manifest Destiny which still influences American foreign policy to this day.  Still, however one views the foreign policies of Polk in the mid-19^th Century it is clear that the Administration of President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney took American intervention to a new and disgraceful level.  Who can forget the imposing images night after night of the "Shock and Awe" approach to annihilating Bagdad without provocation?   Saddam Hussein was not a nice guy by any stretch of the imagination, yet the truth remains that neither he nor Iraq had done anything to merit such an invasion of that magnitude.  Who were the barbarians?  Who were the aggressors?   As painful as it is to admit, we were.  And now, ten years later, we still have troops there and continue to engage in warfare.  The obvious question is: "Why?"

To this date no one has made a clear connection between 9/11 and Iraq.  So why not end this fiasco?

Afghanistan is a bit of a different story but, in my opinion, comes to the same conclusion.  This conflict began as a united effort between the United States, Great Britain, and the so-called Northern Alliance of Afghanistan.   As I recall, its purpose was to overthrow the Taliban and dismantled the terrorist activities centered within that country.  In that regard the effort has succeeded.  The Taliban was long ago toppled from power.  Terrorists within Afghanistan have certainly suffered great losses, including the death of their primary leader, Osama Bin Laden.  Yet we continue to invest roughly $6.7 billion per month (or $80.4 billion per year) into this war effort.  Perhaps the most tragic part of this is the government that replaced the Taliban is not a whole lot better than its predecessor.  President Hamid Karzai's regime is filled with corruption and deceit.  According to Transparency International the Karzai government ranks as the third most corrupt country in the world.

This begs the question of why we are supporting such a regime at the cost of over $80 billion a year, and having already accomplished our stated goals.

4.  HAVE WE WON THE BATTLE BUT LOST THE WAR?

I find it interesting, if nothing else, that there appeared to have been two primary targets in the terrorists attacks of 9/11.  The first, of course, was the World Trade Center which could be considered the symbol of economic power.  The second was the Pentagon, our symbol of military might.  Though both attacks were carried through as intended, the first one was far more extensive and tragic.

In response the United States took an aggressive, military approach.  In spite of the cost in dollars and in lives one could argue that we were successful.  Clearly our world appears to be safer now than it was 8, 9, or 10 years ago.

But what about the economic side of the issue?  Two Titan-sized towers in New York weren't the only thing that took a fall since the attacks.  Look at what happened to our economy.

·        Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc filed bankruptcy in 2008, the fourth largest bankruptcy ever.  This was just one of many financial companies that have failed since 9/11.

·        Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae highlighted the home mortgage crisis, which still haunts us.

·        Wall Street has been volatile and steadily declining.

·        Huge corporations are routinely failing yet mergers and takeovers continue while anti-trust laws seemingly are ignored.

·        Unemployment is stuck around 9% nationally in spite of everyone's effort to turn the tide.

·        Budget deficits are finally being looked at as school districts, local municipalities, States, and the Federal Government all stagger on the high wire of default.

·        The United States Government has its credit rating lowered in what may be the clearest signal to date that we are losing the economic war.

·        What seems to be an increase of natural disasters, both in frequency and intensity, has led to an unprecedented need for material and financial aid domestically and internationally, at a time when we can hardly afford it.

·        The European Union is straining to remain intact amidst its own financial crisis.  Specifically, Greece, Iceland, Portugal and Spain are near the point of financial failure.

·        The "Arab Spring" as resulted in a restructuring of the Arab world in a magnitude that no one could possibly have imagined a year ago.  Tunisia, Bahrain, Egypt, Syria, and Libya have either fallen or are on the brink of doing so.  All of these have succumbed to forces within their own borders, making it even more astounding.

The list just goes on and on.  I have only touched on a sample of the woes currently staring us in the face.

I am by no means a prophet of doom.  Such imposters really turn me off.  Yet I remember reading the 18^th chapter of the Book of Revelation in the aftermath of 9/11 and wondering:  Are the references here to "Babylon the Great" and the economic collapse described in such detail in any way connected to what we witnessed on that day?

At the time I dismissed it as fanaticism.  In the past five years or so, as our economy continued to deteriorate I confess that I revisited this passage many times over.  And I find myself asking the same question repeatedly:  Is Revelation 18 relevant for us today?  For those without a Bible handy let me quote just a small portion from that chapter.

"Fallen!  Fallen! Is Babylon the Great!.... For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries.  The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries."  (Revelation 18:2-3)

"Woe!  Woe, O great city, O Babylon, city of power!  In one hour your doom has come!  The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more."  (Revelation 18:10b - 11)

Who or what is "Babylon"?  Ancient Rome?  New York City?  Washington D.C.?  The United States?  The Western World?  The Arab World?  Some future power yet to be disclosed?

For the record I still believe that the entire book of Revelation has a far deeper purpose and message than the events of September 11, 2001.  The passages quoted above must be studied in the context of the entire book.  It is also worth noting that this is Apocalyptic literature and not prophecy.  I will even go so far as to say that pop eschatology is more fragile than the U. S. economy!

Nevertheless, I remain intrigued by what appears to be a playing out of these words in modern events.  The fact that ancient Babylon was located in modern Iraq, about 55 miles south of Bagdad, is just a coincidence.  Or is it?

CONCLUSION.

I do not have answers to the many questions that confront us.  Perhaps you do.  If so I would like to hear your thoughts.  I can tell you this, however.  The attacks that occurred ten years ago have indeed changed us and our world.  For me, it strengthened my faith in the Sovereignty of God.  It helped me define my life as a citizen of Heaven even while I journey as an alien on earth.  God's love and his grace have become more real to me than ever before.  And the victory of his Son Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord, gives me a peace I long to share with the world.

That is worth celebrating, after all!

Autism Awareness Notice

For the latest news in Autism-related issues click on the link below and sign up to receive notices. Are you aware of the Combating Autism Reauthorization Act? It is scheduled to be discussed by the U.S. Senate HELP Committee on Wednesday, September 7. Learn more now!


http://www.autism-society.org/news/in-the-news/be-the-first-to-know.html

-GDGehr

40 YEARS OF BROKEN DREAMS

                August has been an especially busy month for me and as a result I have been neglecting

                this blog sight.  So much has been happening in the world and among the disabled,

                however, in spite of our personal schedules that there certainly has not been a lack of

                material to write about.  I will attempt to catch up!

August 26, 1971.  I was preparing to enter my Sophomore year in High School.  Honestly, I can't remember anything from that time of my life.  Well, I do remember that I had hair then - - lots and lots of hair.  And I was pretty skinny, too.  Both features are little more than an illusion now, sadly!

Something far more significant took place on August 26, 1971, however.  It has nothing to do with me, yet it had a profound effect on my generation.  On that date the Pennsylvania Legislature approved a bill establishing the Pennsylvania Lottery.  Six and a half months later, on March 7, 1972, the first state-run lottery ticket in the Keystone State was sold.  It marked the beginning of our illicit love affair with legalized gambling.

I have long been an opponent of legalized gambling.  When Pennsylvania developed its own State Lottery I tried very hard to avoid any business that sold lottery tickets.  I knew persons who actually quit their jobs rather than sell lottery tickets as required by their employer.  I admired such persons for being true to their principles.

The Pennsylvania Lottery recently celebrated its 40^th Anniversary since the Legislature's decision.  To my knowledge no one celebrated, thankfully.  There is not much to celebrate as far as I am concerned.  Lottery proponents will try to convince us that it is has harmless as a cute, furry puppet named Gus.  (For those outside this State, the Lottery has created its own mascot in the form of a groundhog puppet named Gus whom they promote as "The second most famous groundhog in Pennsylvania."  Apparently he is runner-up to Punxsutawney Phil who has his own baggage to deal with in the form of a bunch of drunken old fools on February 2.)  For good measure they always tell us how funds from the sale of lottery tickets benefit older citizens within the Commonwealth.  So not only is it cute and harmless to buy a lottery ticket, it is also humanitarian.

I don't buy it!

Please do not misunderstand me.  I'm not saying that money hasn't been channeled into good programs for senior citizens.  Admittedly, it has.  According to Wikipedia, the Pennsylvania Lottery paid $915.7 million dollars toward such programs in fiscal year 2009-2010.  That represents nearly 30 % of all proceeds from the net sales of tickets.  Another $1.87 billion dollars (nearly 61 % of gross sales) was awarded in prizes.  The balance went toward vendor commissions and advertising and operating expenses.

So why do I have a problem with this?  There are several reasons.  One is theological.  The Church of which I am a member and an ordained minister has passed a paper detailing the effects of gambling on American society.  In summary, it plays on the poor by promoting the possibility of instant wealth.  People are led to believe that by laying down a dollar they will, someday, hit it big.  The sad reality is the odds are stacked drastically against them.  Back in the early days of the PA Lottery, before we were married, my wife worked in a convenience store that just started to sell lottery tickets.  She told me of the night she saw a family of 5 - - father, mother, and three young children - - enter the store to buy a gallon of milk.  At the checkout the man bought a lottery ticket.  It was the "instant" variety where you scratch off the coating and see immediately if you win.  He didn't, so he bought another one.  Then another.  And another.  This went on for a while until he emptied his wallet.  The lady had some money on her so they used it for a few more tickets.  They lost.  Finally, they put the gallon of milk back on the shelf because they had no more money left.  They walked out of the store with no money, no milk, and three hungry children.  That was the night my wife decided to quit her job because she could not stand to see such a tragedy as she had just witnessed.

Whether a person can or cannot afford a lottery ticket, or any form of gambling for that matter, is only part of the issue.  The larger question involves the morality of unearned wealth both large and small.  The Bible clearly admonishes us to work for a living and earn what we have.  Any form of gambling runs contradictory to this as it seeks to get something for nothing.

A second reason I oppose the lottery is a practical one.  It is the same reason I oppose tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs.  It is undeniably addictive.  Once "Gus" has desensitized us to the potential dangers of gambling we are free to move on to greater and more serious challenges.  This is where organized gambling in the form of slot machines and casinos comes in.  It took nearly 40 years for Pennsylvania to make the move from a State run lottery system to licensing casinos, but we have now done that.  Already the horror stories are coming in.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported a story on a man named Paul Vargas who pulled into the parking lot of the Parx Casino in Bensalem just north of Philadelphia at 10:16 p.m.  He went inside to play a little blackjack.  Unfortunately for him, Mr. Vargas left his two sons, age 12 and 7, and his dog (a pit bull, naturally) in his car while he played.  Oh yes, he also was driving with a suspended license from a past DUI offense. 

Mr. Vargas was caught before he was able to return to his car and charged with two counts of recklessly endangering the welfare of children.  In the end he spent 70 days in jail, was given 3 months probation, paid a $300 fine and was ordered to attend parenting classes.  He also did an additional 90 days on the suspended license violation.  By order of the State Gaming Control Board he is no longer allowed to enter Parx Casino.  Naturally, Vargas does not see himself as a gambling addict.  He claims the reason he was gambling is that he and his wife were having financial problems!  Did you catch that?  Financial problems!  I guess he didn't help his situation any when he was out of work for 70 days while he sat in jail.  And then there is the $300 fine that he would never have to pay if he wasn't trying to gamble his way out of debt.  Personally I am glad to see he had to attend parenting classes because at the heart of this particular case is the traumatic effect that this father's reckless behavior had on his children.  They were the innocent victims in it all.  Oh, by the way, for the record Vargas lost $80 at the blackjack table.  Add that onto the cost of the night, too.

This is not a solitary case.  Since then ten adults have been arrested at the same casino for leaving children in their cars or on the parking lot while they went inside to gamble.  It is not a proud statistic for our Commonwealth.  It is, however, a sad commentary on our society.  I suspect we are only beginning to see what the future holds for us.  Politicians are in a tight spot these days.  Budgets are spiraling out of control.  "Taxes" have become a curse word.  The greed of the people has led to everyone wanting something for nothing.  The quick and easy solution is to let someone else pay for the services we demand.  Rather than paying more in taxes why not legalize all kinds of formerly illegal activities and collect windfalls from the profits in the form of licensing fees and supposed economic growth.  With this kind of thinking we will soon legalize recreational drugs and prostitution, among other things, within my remaining lifetime for surely the people who engage in such activities will pay for them anyway and we can find a way to offset taxes by tapping into the lucrative revenues they create.

This line of reasoning is dangerously flawed.  There must be a higher ethic to which we will submit.  If not, we are doomed to a future governed by greed, corruption, irresponsible behaviors and increased criminal activity. 

Let's face it, when all is said and done, a groundhog is just a rodent - - a scavenger who lives in a hole in the ground and is quite vulnerable to predators.  And "Gus" is only a puppet who is completely under the control of someone else.  Maybe that is why he is the mascot for the Pennsylvania Lottery!

gdg September 4, 2011