viewpoints » S end letters to: letters@thejewishnews.com Ask Attorney Ken Gross about... for starters Aim For The Stars A few years ago, when my son Binyamin “graduated” from nursery school, his teachers put together a yearbook. There was a “What I want to be when I grow up” section, and most of the little boys and girls answered they wanted to be mommies and daddies. (I suspect that kids so often give that answer because they think that their parents get to stay up as late as they want. Rochel Burstyn Then they grow up and discover that actually parents don’t want to stay up late at all; it’s just that there aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything that needs to be done, especially when there are these little ankle-biters pulling at you all day, wanting snacks and attention and to play with your phone.) One ambitious little girl in Binyamin’s nursery class had answered she was hoping to be a cleaning lady, but Binyamin took the cake by stating that his goal in life was to one day “turn into an elephant.” (I was a bit concerned that he was choosing unat- tainable goals, but a friend reassured me that it’s entirely possible to develop huge floppy bits as you get older …) A few weeks later, Binyamin decided he didn’t want to turn into an elephant after all. Apparently their diets don’t contain enough sugar and ketchup or something. He decided he’d rather turn into a giant chocolate chip cookie. Hesitantly, so as not to crush (crumble?) his ambition (and originality), we told him that was not necessarily the best way to live a long and fruitful life. Someone was bound to come along and eat him, and even if he had an exciting trip through the digestive system, the aftermath was sure to be a bit of a flop. He seemed to get our point. These days his future goals involve remaining a human being, something we’re quite pleased about. The thing is that the world is full of end- less possibilities, and it’s a balancing act for parents to find the right words between the supportively cheerful, “You can do any- thing you want to do!” and the fearful, “Oh, please, have your heart set on something that will actually earn you some money so you’re not dependant on us into your 60s …” I tell Binyamin (and my other kids): Aim high, try hard, be nice to everyone, stay positive and brush your teeth. (Not necessarily connected, but it’s something that kids always need reminding. Proof: A kid said, ‘The dentist asked me, ‘When was the last time you brushed your teeth?’ and I told him ‘You don’t remember? You were there!’”) Sometimes, the best tip is to fake it till you make it. But if you’re doing that, be careful you aren’t faking it in front of the wrong person. Don’t be like the stranger who crashed my son’s bar mitzvah and then, evidently trying to blend in, approached me and asked casually, “So, how do you know the family?” Mazel tov to all local graduates — and all the proud parents, grandparents and teachers — on this milestone! * guest column America Must Stop Ceding Ground to Iran’s Terrorist Ambitions I n recent months, the Iranian regime agreement “was largely manufactured for test fired several ballistic missiles— the purpose of selling the deal.” It’s a stun- one of them had the words “Israel ning admission from the White House should be wiped off the Earth” spelled out that its selling of this agreement to the on it. These missile tests have American people was a work of all come following the Obama fiction. administration-brokered nuclear While the president tries to live agreement with Iran last year. up to his Nobel Peace Prize, his This misguided and poorly nego- agreement will make the world tiated deal offers Iran billions less safe by paving the way for Iran in aid and leaves the door open to develop nuclear weapons. After for the radical regime to build 10 to 15 years, the limits on Iran’s nuclear weapons in the future. Rep. Dave Trott enrichment program will end, and Despite the numerous conces- we will have little to rely on but a sions made by President Obama promise from the Ayatollah that he in crafting the nuclear deal, new reports will behave. over the past couple months continue to The administration’s nuclear deal was show the administration is pursuing even poorly negotiated from the beginning. more giveaways to the Iranians. First, the President Obama came to the table with American people learned the president was the misguided mindset that the United eyeing the possibility of giving Iran access States and Iran are equals. But nothing to the U.S. dollar and our financial sys- could be further from the truth. Iran is the tem. Then came the news that the Obama world’s leading sponsor of terrorism and Administration purchased $8.6 million of has repeatedly made its intentions crystal “heavy water” from Iran — a key chemical clear — the regime wants to wipe Israel off ingredient in nuclear reactors. This move the face of the map. will directly subsidize the regime’s nuclear President Obama knowingly forged this plans. deal as an executive agreement rather than And the most disturbing new develop- a treaty so that he could bypass Congress ment came via a New York Times story and not allow the representatives of the about President Obama’s Deputy National American people to have a say in this Security Adviser Ben Rhodes and how the debate. In response, I’ve been working with administration’s description of the nuclear my colleagues on both sides to do what we can to stand against this misguided deal and block the president from making fur- ther concessions to Iran. Recently, I authored legislation to pre- vent the administration from giving Iran access to the U.S. financial system. The fact that the Obama administration won’t definitively rule out offering Iran access to the U.S. dollar is unacceptable. There can be no hedging or political games with this issue — Iran must not be given access to the U.S. financial system, either directly or indirectly. A bipartisan majority in the House has already stood against this disastrous agree- ment, but President Obama has ignored the will of Congress and pressed on with his plans. But it’s not too late to change course. In November, Americans will have the opportunity of making their voices on Iran and other issues heard at the ballot box. In the meantime, I believe it’s impera- tive that Congress continues to hold the Obama administration accountable on these continued concessions to Iran and advance solutions that strengthen our national security and protect America and our allies. Your Your Legal Financial Issues Issues Do NOT use your IRA or Retirement to Pay Credit Card Debt. Elderly clients often come to our office seeking help with their debt situation. In almost every case, before they have come to see us, they have withdrawn retirement funds - IRAs and 401ks - to pay bills. I cringe at this. It is a terrible mistake. Retirement funds are there to provide the supplemental income beyond social security that is needed to cover living expenses through retirement. When we stop working – our income is capped but inflation and our lifespans are not. You must make sure retirement funds are used wisely. IRAs and retirement funds are protected in bankruptcy – which means you can keep that money and eliminate the credit card debt. Another little known fact is that a normal creditor cannot garnish or levy on your social security income. These two facts – combined – mean that you should NOT use your retirement funds to pay down debt. If you’re retired and in this situation – you should come see us right away. If your parents are in this situation – you need to take action now. When their funds are exhausted, providing for their support is on you. “You can’t just keep paying until you’re broke.” THAV GROSS has been solving problems since 1982. Be sure to tune in to Law and Reality – Sunday mornings at 11 AM on TV20. * U.S. Rep. Dave Trott, 11th Congressional District, (Troy, Birmingham, Commerce) is Michigan’s only member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. thavgross.com ‡ lawandreality.com 30150 Telegraph, Suite 444 Bingham Farms, MI 48025 May 26 • 2016 5