Emily Keller-O'Donnell, Journalist

Foreword for "The Alter Ego" by Stephen A. Dantes

The Alter Ego

Amazon Book Description

Stephen A. Dantes presents a deep quest for meaning, identity and freedom in this 16-poem collection that chronicles issues of nationality, culture, family and independence. The author speaks honestly and eloquently about self-doubt and clarity, violence that is both physical and economic, and incarceration behind prison bars and inside an emotional “slave mentality.” He examines the meaning of opportunity in a land of inequality, and liberty that is both personal and political.

Dantes presents the story of a woman named Hope, the personification of a search for truth, love and stability. He describes emotion with vivid imagery, speaking of a broken heart as “glass hitting stone” and the desire to stop time as one to “erase shadows under historical suns.” His written words and performances are full of wit and intensity that speak to the essence of life’s fears, determinations and revelations.

Emily F. Keller
Journalist, Freelance Writer and Poet
Brooklyn, New York
www.emilyfkeller.com

Governor Cuomo’s Budget Receives Mixed Reactions

    New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has released his 2011-12 executive budget, cutting programs to eliminate a $10 billion deficit. Among the cuts is an $8.9 billion reduction in recurring costs, including a nearly $1 billion reduction in Medicaid funds.

    “This budget proposes gap-closing actions in almost every area of state spending and includes year-to-year reductions in the two largest drivers of state expenditures, Medicaid and school aid,” the governor said in a statement.

Republicans Seek to Repeal Health Care Reform

    Republicans in the House of Representatives are seeking a repeal of President Obama’s health care reform package that was passed into law one year ago.

    The Senate’s Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care bill (H.R. 3590) was followed by the House of Representatives’ Reconciliation Act of 2010 (H.R. 4872), which was passed last March.

City Introduces Taxi Pilot Programs

    In December, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced a pilot program for Access-A-Ride customers to take taxi rides for the price of a paratransit ride, but wheelchair users are not eligible for the program.

    Customers will pay $2.25 for the ride and the MTA will fund the remainder. The trips are expected to cost an average of $15 per trip, compared with $49 for an Access-A-Ride trip. Three-quarters of Access-A-Ride passengers are recorded as not needing a life-equipped vehicle to board.