Congressman Moran thinks members of Congress are underpaid

According to a Thursday interview, Congressman James Moran, from Virgina, thinks that $174,000 (that doesn't include any of the benefits...) isn't enough to live comfortably.

Mr Congressman, may I point out some other salaries for you:

Active Duty E5 (Sgt) with 4 years in service: $30,661.20
Active Duty O3 (Captain) with 4 years in service: $62,013..60
Active Duty O6 (Colonel) with 18 years in service: $110,163.6
http://www.dfas.mil/dms/dfas/militarymembers/pdf/MilPayTable2014.pdf

Starting salary for a Police Officer (In DC, since he referenced the cost of living in the city): $53,300

Salary for a firefighter: $48,270

Salary for a firefighter, supervisory position: $72,670

Salary for an EMT/Paramedic: $34,870

(Police, Firefighter, and EMT combined = $136,440, that's nearly $40,000 less annually than the salary of a Congressman)

Salary for a political science professor: $84,110

 Salary for a teacher: $48,750

 Salary for an RN: $68,910


Now, these are all national averages unless listed otherwise, and, in the case of EMT/Paramedic, they really should be two separate listings as they are differing training levels and pay, but it gives you a general idea.

Mr Congressman, may I suggest that, especially when you factor in the added benefits, such as retirement and healthcare, that you are incredibly out of touch with Americans as a whole?  May I suggest that we do not have much sympathy for your "plight"?

For some more perspective:
UK House of Commons: £74,000 ($122,677.20)
Canadian House of Commons: $163,700.00 Canadian ($149,068.89 USD)

You might be surprised who has armed law enforcement

I can understand a few of these listed, park police and rangers for instance, although personally, most law enforcement should be handled by state, county, and local entities. I can understand the reasoning for having some amount of federal enforcement, if nothing else to coordinate efforts between state agencies, but the Department of Education? NOAA??

How many federal law enforcement agencies do we need? Is this really a wise use of federal funds (aka, tax dollars...)

http://newmexico.watchdog.org/20977/under-attack-depth-of-federal-arms-race-should-surprise-shock-citizenry/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_law_enforcement_in_the_United_States

Crazy idea here, if the Dept. of Education happens to uncover fraud or crime related to education, couldn't they, I don't know, inform the police, or the FBI?  I mean, the existence of the Dept. of Education is constitutionally tenuous at best in the first place...but for them to have armed agents with arrest power?  Really?

Does your local school board have any say in your local pd? I guess maybe they should...

Agree to disagree? Or comply?

Imagine with me, a hypothetical scenerio: An individual has an opinion, and donates some of his private money to a cause supporting that opinion. Let's imagine he wants to give some of his own personal money to a cause supporting gay marriage. And lets say he is the CEO of a well known company.  Lets pretend he was forced to resign for his personal beliefs, even though he forced them on noone he worked with, and kept his private beliefs completely separate of the work place, he was still forced to resign from the company. 

Outraged? Wondering what company this is so you can write them a letter, or boycott them, or protest their headquarters, or at least post a facebook update about how intolerant they are?

What if I switched the issue on you, and told you it was a group opposing gay marriage, and he donated 6 years ago? Still outraged? If you aren't,  your understanding of tolerance is a tad off kilter.

Why is it perfectly acceptable to scream "tolerance" while being intolerant of dissent?

You don't have to agree, really, it's ok for people to have differing opinions, worldviews, and perspectives, and it is downright hypocritical to demand others accept your views and be tolerant of others if you will not do the same.

I do not demand that you change your opinions, views, or morals to meet mine, so long as you are not harming another,  do your thing

Yet I must change mine, because even disagreeing offends. That is liberal America, and thats a damn shame.

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/04/mozillas-gay-marriage-litmus-test-violates-liberal-values/360156/

Autism and EMS

Today is autism awareness day. If you work in EMS check out the  link for some good info on autistic patients. I work and volunteer as an EMT, and have family members on the spectrum. I have yet to encounter someone on the spectrum as my patient, but the experience can be a terrifying one for anyone, strange sounds, pain, fear, add to that being unable to tune out those sounds, difficulty communicating under "normal" circumstances, sensory overload.....it's overwhelming, and we as providers have a responsibility to do our best for our patients, that includes understanding conditions such as autism that will greatly impact care.

In addition to the above list, as with any pediatric case, try to involve the parent or caregiver in treatment as much as possible. Failing that, if possible, someone they know and are familiar and comfortable with.

Routine is a big BIG deal. An emergency situation is far from routine, but anything that can be done to try to maintain the familiar will go a long way. Imagine, you are in pain you can't explain, people you don't know are holding you down and asking you questions. Seeing mommy, daddy, your teacher, etc, it won't make things better, but it may be the difference between a terrified meltdown and safe transport to definitive care.

Speak slowly, calmly, and clearly. It's important to remain calm as the provider on any scene, but more so with an autistic patient. Yelling will not make you heard.  You stay calm, mommy stays calm, your patient stays calm.

Finally, always remember, "When you've met one person on the spectrum, you've met one person on the spectrum" they are just like everyone else, each unique. Some may communicate well, some completely nonverbal, some won't be bothered by lights, but that loud siren comes on and it's over, meltdown time.  And if they are rocking, or moving their arm, whatever, if it isn't going to exacerbate an injury or put them in danger, let it be, it is a coping thing, and it's a good thing.

Whether you work in EMS, fire, police, or you are a caregiver or parent, read the above link, its a helpful list.

considerations for ems response to autistic patients and undertanding autism challenges in emergency situations