I am marketer for an assisted living home.
It is black owned. It is set up like a bed and breakfast. There 7 bed rooms, 4 baths, 2 dens, 2 kitchens, 2 dinning areas, a work out facillity and is located on 3 land scaped acres. Telephones, cable, internet, trips, all nutritious meals and 24 hour preventative nursing care is provided. The owner allows only 5 residents at a time. This sister only charges 3k a month. This price works out to be about $4.30 an hour to provide all of this. She accepts medicare and private pay and works with her clients.

When I visit senior centers white folk see the value and want more info. However, my black brothers and sisters say that is too much money. It seems that they would rather send their parents to the bargin basement nursing home.

What is wrong with my people? We know the difference between the quality of a dollar store shirt and a Macy's shirt. We get what we pay for.

when it comes to careing for my elderly…it's all on me…as far as i can afford it…and really that shouldn't be too hard….if they become my dependents then they'll be coverd under my insurance right..at least i hope so…but so what…no body's going to care for my moma like i will…and if i have to hire help..it will be live in…but really who don't have realaives looking to lay their head somewhere…and as long as helping me is not too much on them…they'll have a place to rest at…i'll do what i can for as long as i can…that's it really…a home full of strengers don't sit right with me at all…

I am very sorry that I missed the majority of your show concerning planning for long term care, especially the part devoted to insurance. I am an independent insurance Agent, and I'm finding it difficult making a living. I think everyone should have life insurance at least because everyone is going to die, and it's really is affordable. Our people have not reached the level of maturity it takes to sit down and plan for the things we need in our lives. We haven't begun to plan for our communities. We need to grow up as a people, take time, and manage ourselves. Otherwise, we'll never prosper.

I caught your show for the first time and was glad to hear the topic of LTC being discussed. As a financial advisor this issue has the potential to destroy many families and retirements in the future. While we (as African Americans) must take the necessary steps ahead of time in planning for such occurrences, I think it is equally important that we "educate" ourselves as to the various planning opportunities available.

Our first step in education is to stop using conventional ways of thinking and to look at our own individual situations before accepting anyone's advice. Case in point, you mentioned an email in which someone spoke about NEVER buying whole life insurance because the coverage goes down or to ALWAYS purchase term insurance. Both pieces of advice are incorrect.

A properly structured whole life policy (whose premiums are paid on time..monthly, etc.) will NOT go down over time. Whole life is exactly what it sounds like…it covers you for your entire life. If you don't make the proper payments, just like a mortgage payment, you will lose the coverage. Also term insurance is not the answer to all. While I agree that term insurance is the CHEAPEST coverage to obtain the cost does RISE over time. What was not mentioned and is a huge factor is what takes place after a term policy ends. There are numerous times I get calls about policies from elderly persons where the $25 a month premium skyrockets to $250 a month at the end of the term. Who wants to pay that amount of money when you are 1. older 2. have a health condition that prevents you from obtaining more insurance and 3. are entering or in retirement. (Note: Less than 1% of term polices ever pay a benefit.)

I raise these issues to simply point out that everyone's situation is unique and therefore the advice should be specific per situation. Whole life insurance can be appropriate for some people. Term life insurance is appropriate for some people. Both term and whole life can be appropriate for some people. It all depends on the individual.

Last note…in discussing long term care you mentioned "transferring assets" before receiving care however I did not hear mention of the Medicaid "look back" period. I think that would be something worth explaining in future discussions.

Warren Ballantine,

While my husband and I were on our vacation in Mexico, we applied for a time share. It was stipulated in the contract that we had five days to cancel. Now they're telling me that we can be sued! Is this true since I sent a cancellation letter in three days?

I would like more information on the black owned assited living center

PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR E MAIL ADDRESS?

I listened to your show today; where you broadcasted live from Jena. As a matter of fact, I listened to you all week long. It seems you are hating on Mike Baisden. You talked about egos at Jena. The only ego that is apparent is yours. During this movement, it was in poor taste for you to mention the "egos" among the organizers/leaders and their inability to hold the movement at one venue. Your subtle jabs against Baisden are clear. Your ego is bruised because you are not getting the recognition you think you deserve. Every one is thanking Sharpton and Baisden, they're spotllighted on CNN as the organizers of the movement and no one is mentioning your name. You've referred to Baisden's show( indirectly) several times during your rantings about the six being free, the parties and events, and the only show relaying true information is your show and Sharpton's. And you say we should all come together and stop tearing each other down.

Dear Mr. Ballantine,

My name is Diane Latiker, and I am Founder/President of Kids Off The Block in the Roseland Community of Chicago. In July of 2003, I started this organization to give youth positive alternatives to the streets.

The reason for writing to you is because I'm sitting here with my daughter, Appreccia, who is a big fan of yours. She asked me to look you up because I was complaining to her about the lack of support we are receiving to help our youth. I too support the Jena 6, but I am outraged over the fact that no one is in an uproar over the "genocide" that is affecting our young black men here in Chicago.

I am aware that the youth hold a lot of the responsibility for the violence they are afflicting upon themselves. I am also aware of outside sources that add to the afflictions. My problem is that they have not received the resources nor the committment from the same communities who are in an uproar about the Jena 6.

Our youth are dying right before our eyes, and no one flinches. We march, rally, and meet to soothe ourselves, not to gain real solutions to real problems. The beauracractic, political postering is "old school" as the youth say. I beg, plead, kick, scratch and fight to draw attention to the plight of the teens we service.

Unless we change the mindset and environment of our young people, we will all be affected.

Thank you,

Diane Latiker - Founder/President
Kids Off The Block, Inc. (KOB)
11621 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60628
773-995-9077
www.kidsoftheblock.org
info@kidsofftheblock.org

Hello Warren: I am sick and tired of the abuse of people of
color. It seems like evil doers nationwide are throwing BRICKS, and hiding their hands! Blacks are treated worst for mistreating a dog, than whites for treating a black human being like a dog including being made to each dog feces. I was very sadden about the reincarceration of Mychal Bell and the manner in which it was done. It was a real tear jerker for me. When parents have to stand by helplessly and watch this mal- treatment of their child, is a disgraceful. It is like pouring gasoline on an open flame, and daring you to move!. We are told to pull yourself up
by you boot straps, and you have strapless boots!however
I stand on Col 3:25 "He who does wrong will be repaid for
what he has done, and there is no respect of person". Have
the records been checked of District Judge J.P. Mauffrey, Jr.
and DA Reed Walters, they are so venomous! I am a Truth
Fighter for JUSTICE.

In reply to JoAnna,
I listen to Baisden, Sharpton and Balentine prior during and after the Jena 6 issue. I must agree with Balentine. Here are the facts, as I understand them. Baisden did seem to get the ball rolling and started a good thing in getting people hyped about the Jena 6. On air Baisden got the word out. Rev Sharpton followed suite and got into the movement. They Balentine. They are all great men. But lets look at what the goals of each APPEAR in reference to the demographic they appeal.
1. Baisden appeals more to the party group. Like it or not he does. His show is tongue and cheek. He markets himself as the "Bad Boy of Radio" his words not mine. The tone of his show reflects a party neo soul tone. I'm cool with that. Thus he would and rightfully so may have some sort of attitude. It goes with his vibe. Heck he got the party started right? What better way to get people (black people) involved if there was a festive environment.
2. Sharpton appeals to the equal rights era and some liberal activist. Like it or not he does. His show raises topics along with blood pressure. He markets himself as "keeping it real" his words not mine. The tone of his show reflects getting people enraged enough to act. Sometimes his facts are wrong and but his heart is in the right place. Rev Al has been around and in the game for a long time. He is due proper respect one gives to an experienced elder. Thus he would think that someone should hold him in esteem. What better way to get people involved if he revived the 60's movement.
3. Balentine appeals to the younger (under 30) generation. Like it or not he does. His show is bare knuckles. He markets himself as "the truth fighter for justice" his words not mine. Balentine is educated and appears to want a united front for our people (black Americans). He put is actions heart and soul into his Jena efforts. Balentine admits that he does not have much money and is an every day guy. While both Baisden and Sharpton boasts on how many stations they are on. They both don’t seem to have problems getting sponsors. While conversely, Balentine has begged (I have heard him) for sponsors and got dissed on air. So should he have some bad blood? Yes. The young brother is trying to get something done. I appears He does not want to see the Jena 6 or future events turn into that episode of DA BOONDOCKS (yes I went there!). So the parties are great, but if we party we will lose focus on the true reason. Don’t believe me? Look what happened to Christmas….

Dear Mr. Ballentine:

My mother gave me this website. I'm trying to go public or least find a link to make my situation known so i can seek help and futher assistance from someone who can help. Now i was in the military (army) and had some personal issues whick led to me going AWOL for a while. but i was eventually apprehended and have returned back to the military and thats been taken care of ,all is forgiven and forgot. But i was arrested by a local policeman in KY By the name Robert Coomer. The situtation is he was an undercover narcotis officer and i didn't know and when i seen his vehicle in my complex he was driving crazy and i thought he was trying to catch up with my friends. who were on motorcycles like me and so i went in the house but he kicked in my door and chased me out side my back door were i then relized or assumed he was a police officer cause he had a taser on his hip. but he didn't have a gun or badge out to indicate it nor did his vehicle have lights or siren. But at that point i didn't run i put my hands up and turn my back to him thinking he was just going to put cuffs on but instead he speared me in my back , knocked me to ground and then put his knee in jaw bone. At that point i was trying to put my hands behind my back so he could put on cuffs and get off my face cause i couldn't breath, he started punching me in the back of my head, and i started yelling "whats wrong with you, and stop i'm not trying to resist." but he continued for a short while and then put cuffs on and stood me up and walked me to the front were all of my neibors were out side watching now and he cursed my girlfriend and neibors out and i was sitting on the curb in hand cuffs and my neibor came to speak to me and told my motorcycle was ok and the officer cursed him out and said F**K that motorcycle and drop kicked over.. it also hit another car next to it. At that point i was furious but didn't want no further abuse so i just sat there. Finally back up had arrived and i knew he presumed i had drugs thats why i went in the house so they searched it and took dogs in there. I'm not a drug dealer just a young family man and father who had some issues about deploying back to iraq. when i got to jail that night He charged me with Felony fleeing, Aggravated Assault on a policeman 1 degree, 1st degree felony crimnal mischief,1st degree felony wanton endangerment, resisting arrest and reckless driving. Now i have an attorney now but i had just felt like he over charged me cause in arrainment court they gave a 50,000 bond for the assault, and assault1 is with a dealy weapon and the only thing that happened was he hurt his finger beating me up. so i was classified as a violent crime offender and put in a cell with murder cases. also while i was in there i didn't have attorney yet and the officer came there and threaten me that if i didn't take his deal for a year in prison for wanton endangerment, that he was going to indite me to the grand jury and ADD new charges. but i still didn't take it.. i knew i was innocent.. My family was able to come up with 10% of the bond and paid it so i was realeased and they army dropped the awol thing and i went back to the army and took care of my business and wheni came back to court for my next court date on leave from the army the judge to decided to lock me back up. so now i'm on Home incarceration and army has now discarged me cause of that and i dont understand why the court has done this to me.. cause so far i have complied with all there rules, and my family paid a lot of money to get me out so my life wouldn't go down the drain and they lock me back up. I am writing this cause i felt like weather i get locked up or not i felt the officer was wrong especially to kick my motorcycle over, cause he did it out of anger and its more damage than i can afford to fix. and thats a crime.. If a civillian would have done it, it would have been a felony but because he an officer he feels like he can do what he wants.
I was writing cause i was seeking help or to be pointed in the right direction to make an issue of the situtation in hope that if someone makes stand against crooked police that maybe it wont happen as much.

I would appreciate any useful information anyone has to offer. My name is john campbell and my contact info is
Home: 502-290-5328
cell; 502-408-0546
E-MAIL:JOHNCXXL21@YAHOO.COM