Thought for the Day

Special Seasons

With Thanksgiving Day just past and Christmas and New Years approaching, this is the Holiday Season. Whether it is a spiritual or religious season is purely up to each of us. With or without that underpinning this is a special time of year.

The Holidays remind us that this time of year we remember our roots, who is important to us, what is important to us, and how we can move forward into the future with our past intact, and our present in gratitude for our very lives.

Other holidays remind us of veterans defending our nation, of forefathers founding our nation, or peace crafted from end of wars, of births of significant people in our culture – and so much more. Most holidays came to being from spiritual or religious practices. Whatever their source we take time to consider that which is larger than ourselves.

Holidays remind us we are not the center of the universe but part of it.

May that ease us through the demands of this season for each of you.

November 29, 2014

Getting to Know You

The tune popped to mind. “Getting to Know You” from “The King and I” Broadway musical. The lyrics are pulled from a very old saying but made famous by the theatrical treatment.

Just the same, getting to know you is part of what makes life so interesting. Each of us different from the other. Each with different customs, traditions, cultures, thoughts…you know the drill here – we are all unique and worth knowing. That’s as true for you as it is for me.

I do hope others get to know me. That enriches my experiences. In the process I can only hope that I enrich others and their experiences. That’s the way of it. Life. Sharing it, exploring it, consuming it to taste it, feel it and enjoy it.

Sitting in a corner by oneself is an impoverished experience. Very little external stimulus gains access to you. You are thus cut off. Alone.

Worse yet is you alone do not have an effect on others. Their life is absent your essence unless the life experiences merge and interact.  Both you and others are impoverished at the same time.

But together, much is to be gained.

Sound sappy? Sound as giddy and goofy as the lyrics to the song? Or rather, does it strike a chord within you that lifts your spirits?

Hopefully so.

A young child giggles. She is noticed by others. A smile breaks out on the faces in the room with the giggler. Soon all are smiling and maybe giggling, too!

What is happy or sad comes from within but becomes defined in the presence of others. Their reactions and emoting are part of our experience of happiness or sadness, and all the emotions we feel and express. We may think we are feeling the emotion by ourselves but in reality we are doing so communally. It is the group feeling that gives richer meaning to the moment.

Getting to know you is a primal act necessary for getting along in the world. It is not ‘getting to know me’, but you. You are the important factor in the equation. Being open to the experience is all that is required.

Yesterday we gave thanks for all the blessings in our lives. Large and small blessings. Maybe that included your family, or your dishwasher or garbage disposer, or the blessing of bird song in early morning. Maybe it is the sound of a snow plow making your neighborhood streets safe in a stormy wintery season. The blessings abound even when we feel deprived of money, health or freedom. Blessings remain a part of our existence. It is up to use to discern them, there very presence in our lives.

In the face of suffering it is not always easy to find joy or happiness let alone blessings. However, they are there nonetheless. Some days it is difficult to spot them. That means we have to work harder to see them. We already feel them; we just don’t know it.

Home is a blessing – a feeling of proper place for my being. It will change throughout life but the blessing of being at home or feeling at home is real just the same. A significant other in your life is so special we often lose sight of him or her. That ‘other’ is what makes our life much more whole. Wholeness comes and goes as we experience so many ups and downs but if the special ‘other’ is present, even in memory of a past loved one, wholeness is revived.

And health – a very basic blessing. Even aging bodies have health that feels good and reassuring. Yes we will each die in our time. We do not define that. While alive we can feel, we do feel. Best we make the most of it while we can. Take a deep breath (if you can!), sense the humidity in the air, the oxygen as life-giving and sustaining, the purity and freshness of the air. Smell the aromas of life – food, spices, flowers, fresh air, and essence of others in your life. Taste the foods you place in your mouth. Remember them from old or experience a new set of flavors. Listen to sounds amid our busy lives. The music, the voices, the lilt of language, the lyrics of music, the throb of rhythm, the sonority of chordal structures.

These are all blessings. They are the most basic. They are not simple. But they are all there for the taking and sensing.

The joy of life is all around us, each and every one. Do we truly take the time to notice them? How hard is it really to do this?

Sit back. Close your eyes. Sense your pulse. Smell the air in the room. Calm the inner you. Be in the present.

Now! You are ready for ‘getting to know you’, and you, and you, and you!

November 28, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!

I know we take this Holiday for granted. I rarely did because it was very special to me. It screamed of family, connections, home and hearth, warmth and comfort. It was a day of good spirits and fabulous food. It was an indoor holiday that focused on togetherness and security. Snugness.

When sated with food there were always the quiet times of sitting in a recliner and watching a football game. The roar of the crowd sounded over the TV’s speaker. Family members oohed and aahed over the plays both made and missed. Attention was on the game and relaxing.  For me the game didn't matter but the focus on the game by others provided me the ‘space’ to escape, relax, even catch a nap no one would notice.  Sports are not my ‘thing’.

In other cultures around the world many do not have a holiday like our Thanksgiving. Some do, of course, taking a timeout in busy lives to give show thanks and gratitude for all the good things we have in life. Blessings they are often termed, blessings in our lives that we did not provide ourselves but were given by others or a higher power. Dare we say God in these days? I will. But my definition of God may be unlike yours and anyone else’s.

Gratitude. Truly feeling gifted by some external power for good in my life. Abundant food. Secure housing. Loved ones near and far. Reliable transportation. A sense of smell and taste to better appreciate the food available. Interesting and challenging culture. People who are willing to share their time and ideas to improve the common good. Doctors and nurses who truly know their medical stuff and deliver time after time. School teachers who care about their students and there future. Churches who reach out the communities beyond their walls and borders to make a difference in the lives of others.

Thanksgiving is more than celebrating financial success. It is in fact much different than that! Thanksgiving is knowing the small details in life matter and we get it, and can use those details to enhance lives of other people. Because we want to. Because we sense we need to.

Thanksgiving is about forgetting the self in favor of other people. Thanksgiving is knowing we are grateful for the lives we have. And that we have the strength and means to help others who have much less.

I could go on but I won’t. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. For good reason. But also it is good to cut to the chase and let everyone have more time to give their thanks. So from all of us here, to all of you wherever you are, Happy Thanksgiving!  Enjoy each other. Enjoy the peace and security. May it last all year round.

November 27, 2014

Commenting on Ferguson

I have these random thoughts about the situation in Ferguson, Missouri.

First, I understand the frustration of discrimination and the distrust it foments. That frustration is real. If you are a woman in America, a teen, and elder, a gay, transgendered, immigrant, Hispanic or a member of any group that is ‘different’ then you know in some manner how it feels to be treated differently from others. Mostly that treatment is negative in tone and intent.

This comes from being human – both the feeling of differentness and being treated differently, as well as the person who treats others as different. At some time or other we have all felt the pain of discrimination. And at other times we have delivered the discrimination. Few are innocent of this.

Second, public policy is difficult to create, write and implement. Everyone has an opinion on the policy. Too many oversimplify the issues involved. Public policy, however, is central to how organizations and government treat people and deliver fair and just service. Public policy also shapes how society follows through on its moral statements. It is easy to find fault. It is easy even to complain and not suggest reasonable, workable solutions.

Common sense is not always a reliable justifier.

Third, police departments are servants of the public for public service, safety and good. Most departments ascribe to these words as a public face to their organizations. But do they understand how quickly the public views a stance, swagger, smirk or action as one of power over the citizen?  Probably not.

For years I wondered about fairness and justice within the ranks of police forces. Coming out of the civil rights and anti-war eras of American history, my worry over police power was understandable. Maintaining public peace is one thing; being the unit of force for political manipulators is a totally different thing. And that’s where trust enters the picture.

The police are people and fellow citizens. They should mirror the make up of the population they serve. They need to maintain constant interaction with those same people to earn trust and reliability. When the chips are down the police will be in a better position of trust.

We must constantly ask, “Are our police working for trust and fairness in the eyes of the public? Or are they assuming it exists?” I believe police are in the position automatically of distrust and must work to be otherwise. In the eyes of the policed citizen, this is a necessity of our public servants.

Fourth, having served on public bodies I have learned to appreciate the efforts and challenges of public servants. They too are human beings. They too have feelings and wish to serve and protect. I have more trust in them today than I did when I was much younger.  Yet I still realize that public servants must continually work on their public image to be well received as a partner in the community they serve. This task is never done.

Fifth, Ferguson is a community with a population of poor black Americans. They will automatically distrust the police and other public power centers. It is up to the police and public power holders to prove they are working in the best interests of their citizens. They have to work to earn trust and respect within the community.

It is obvious there is much to do in this regard in Ferguson. Much to do.

Sixth, when public distrust is present it is easy for it to grow out of control and attract other trouble makers from outside to join in the chaos. Riots are the result. Property damage is bad enough, but the damage to people is enormous and lasts for generations. Public safety, calm and justice come from within each of us. And it ought never be taken for granted. It takes work to get it and maintain it.

Seventh, those people outside the sphere of Ferguson, Missouri ought to keep their minds open and their mouths shut. They cannot possibly understand all the details of the situation. Let the locals do the hard work of healing and building a better tomorrow. Let power centers work to give Ferguson the room and time as well as the tools to allow this to happen.

Eighth, let the rest of us step back and let the good work happen. Then we can observe how well it works, how well the task is completed, and the results can be trumpeted.

We are the beneficiaries of Ferguson’s struggle. May we learn from their work and success what we must do in our own communities.

Meanwhile I hope and pray that the people of Ferguson gain understanding and hope from their current travails. And peace.

November 26, 2014

Bill Cosby

I don’t know if Bill Cosby is guilty of rape or not. I know and you know he has been accused of this crime for many years. The case has been engaged over the years by the criminal justice system and found lacking in evidence. Yet voices still cry out.

I still don’t know if Bill Cosby is guilty as charged. The fact remains that no actual, formal charges are active in the criminal justice system. No prosecutor’s office is pursuing the case. No court action has been entered to the system. The case does not exist. It is nowhere.

And thus, in our American system of justice, a crime has not been recognized as committed. There is no known victim. There is no known criminal. There is no known guilty person.

Enough. Rather than trying Mr. Cosby in the court of public opinion which has often, almost always, been proven wrong, Mr. Cosby should be held innocent of all charges.

I don’t know the truth. You don’t either. Evidently the parties who feel wronged have no way of proving their allegations. It is time for them to be silent, or failing that, for us to stop listening.

And the media needs to learn the same lesson.

November 25, 2014

Immigration Reform

Well finally someone did something! President Obama followed through on yet another of his campaign promises. Immigration reform. Twelve million immigrant aliens estimated in our country. Everyone seemingly complaining about it. Every politician whining about it. No solutions offered by over half of them. Any time one of the minority politicos offers up a solution it gets slammed by the rest of the politicos. So nothing gets done on this issue.

For Decades.  I repeat, For Decades.

How’s that for defining dysfunctional government?

After 6 years of asking for suggestions and solutions and receiving only suggestions from the democrats, the President finally stepped in and did something. Five million unregistered immigrants stuck in limbo will finally get some resolution. Not perfect resolution, but movement that will help resolve a lot of questions in their lives, and hopefully find lasting citizenship and productive lives as new Americans.  Hurrah!

Confetti falling from on high in the streets? Throngs of people cheering and celebrating you expect?  No; this is Divided America where nothing much gets done unless it is by the selfish for the selfish.

Republicans, you see, have threatened to shut down the federal government yet again over the President actually daring to do something and actually doing it! It is movement in the broad scale of things. It is governing by exercising authority granted by the US Constitution. Yes; it is governing, something the repubs have forgotten about. All they know is NO! No suggestions. No productive solutions. Just complaining and No! Don’t help good things happen; just stand in their way.

This is what Americans are sick of. No solution to any problem is likely to be perfect. But it can be better if more people get involved and help design solutions together. You know, Teamwork!  It takes a village to raise a kid, to care for a veteran, to plow the streets, to educate a generation. It takes a village to make peace in the global village. It takes teamwork to run a nation and rise to the standards once proclaimed by American History.

But no. Republicans with a small minority of voters have found a way to stop American government. Shame on the voters for allowing this to happen in the first place. Shame on republicans for stubbornly hanging on to a break-down mentality. Shame on democrats for not supporting their own to get things done.

Yes. It takes a village. It takes cooperation and collaboration.

Rather than complaining about a President who has continually and consistently asked for help from both sides of the congressional aisle, it is time for those same blokes to finally help.

This means you John Boner, and you, too, Mitch McConnell.

For decades America’s immigration policies and laws have not worked very well. They need to be overhauled. They needed tweaking along the way. But no one wanted to take the responsibility to make it happen. Some tried. But then changed their minds when the going got rough. Even George W. Bush tried. So did John McCain. Both got booed for their efforts. So they both changed and took the coward’s way out. Did not lead. Just moved back into the crowd of booers and raised their voices in opposition yet again.

This is the picture of stagnation. This is the picture of America paralyzed by ideology.

Shame!

We are a nation of immigrants. Our history is solidly immigrant. It is what has made us strong and flexible. Not even our forefathers were legal immigrants  by today’s Orwellian standards. In fact, our pioneers were all immigrants, everyone of them except the American Indian. And those we killed off and pushed onto reservations where they have been dying a slow death ever since.

We didn't fix it then. We haven’t fixed it now. It is still broken. And the people responsible for it are 535 elected office holders in the House and Senate. Every one of them. Pro or Con. Each of them have not compromised enough to find a better solution. Only the courageous President has. And look what it is earning him!

Shame. Shame. Shame!

November 24, 2014

Thought for the Day

“Experience teaches us much. Time exists to share our lessons with others.”

May your weekend be filled with experience and lessons. And sharing.

November 22, 2014

Yawning in the Holidays

I don’t know whether to make this a humor column today or remain serious. From where I sit the Holidays bring no great joy. It appears those days are gone.

Several years ago I was appalled when my parents told me they were not decorating their home for the Holidays. They said it was just too much trouble, work and bother. There were little things they could do like decorating a table top with festive candles and sparkly dried flowers. Maybe a Christmas card or two and a ribbon bow! 

That seemed a bit drab to me at the time. But now a few decades later I understand where they were coming from. In fact I’m there as well. We gave away our fake Christmas tree last year and all the ornaments. We have a mechanical Santa that plays music and waves a Coke bottle to a mostly empty room.  Whoopee. How unexciting!

Cold weather, a bit of snow (now mostly gone – blown into the next country) and suddenly the Halloween decorations are removed and Christmas décor is abundant. The drug store has carols playing and sales displays of Xmas themes abound. Egad!

Thanksgiving approaches quickly. The family is scattered but near. So we have decided to gather for an hour or so and share some hor dourves and chat. Then we take off to our several destinations, all family ones but now more extended.

This is a good development and inevitable. Families age, grow and become more diverse. This is a good thing and enriching. It does pull old bonds askew logistically but only in that mien; the emotional bonds remain solid.

Now we go to new family attractions and bonds. That is healthy. And Thanksgiving is celebrated and shared among a much wider audience. And the food! Let’s not forget the food.

With Thanksgiving addressed Christmas and New Year’s are just around the corner. In the old days it was all about family and young children. Today it is mostly about adults and much more subdued. There are still children involved, even new ones! But the toll of time creates its own agenda, too. And it will not be denied.

At the time my parents decided not to celebrate the Holidays very much, they were living in an elder community. It is easy to understand how that affected their perception of the festivities and toned down their activity.

We now live in an apartment. Our neighbors are of diverse ages with young children. Many of our neighbors, however, are retired, and we relate! Then too we have medical issues being attended to – eye surgery next week, three MRIs at the end of the week, spinal diagnoses await and treatment to follow. Meanwhile the existing ailments of age remain and their attention demanded.  So Holidays compete for time in busy schedules.

At the end of the season we will wonder how we did all of this without being retired. Now I’m beginning to understand the need for the golden years!

November 21, 2014

Being Subdued

Mr. Putin escaped early from the Big 20 conference recently held in Beijing and when he arrived home in Moscow he uttered these words: “America will never subdue Russia.”

Well that’s a picture I never conjured in my mind! But I guess it does follow in Putin’s thinking that he has to see America as his enemy and vice versa. Only I don’t, and I doubt most Americans view Russia as an enemy.  But you see, America doesn’t get its ‘power’ (whatever that is, and how it is measured) by making enemies of other nations.

Perhaps Russia does in Putin’s mind?  Then it would also follow that Russia gains power by making other nation’s its enemies.

That seems to be over simplistic. But then let us not jump to conclusions.

If there were a poll taken of American sentiment about Russia versus America, I think Americans would report disappointment that these two international powers are not on friendly terms and working toward shared goals. I think both the American and Russian people would agree on this point. Why?

Because our histories are intertwined, our cultures as well, and our yearning for intellectual freedom and creativity appears similar. Scientific breakthroughs, educational achievements, and entrepreneurial hunger appear to be robust in both cultures. So too music and literary leaps. Russia and America have similar public feelings about the pull of the future. Neither really sees itself as the master over the other. Rather both peoples I think see ourselves as partners in meeting global challenges.

The leadership of the two nations appear locked in a competition not supported by their people. This is especially true of America’s Congressional leaders and Putin. Or maybe it’s Putin’s insistence in finding an American villain and Congress responds. Obama is a peacemaker. Not a stooge. A partner in peace. It is his very nature.

I still feel Putin senses a weakness in himself and makes a show of bravado to convince others he is strong. That’s too bad for the rest of us. His self perception of weakness may lead to acts to prove otherwise. And those actions may lead other nations to acts of defense that may appear non-peaceful! Accidents do occur in such circumstances. Accidents none of us want!

I don’t want Russia subdued. I want Russia and other nations as well to be strong competitors in the world of ideas, invention and vital economic development. Those are all good traits that build a strong global community. Don’t let us waste valuable resources on defense and military hardware. Be strong to defend but not to build power.

Each nation needs to tend to their own problems and challenges to be as strong and viable a country as possible. That is good for them. That is good for the world, too. Only then can international relations work for the common good of the planet.

On that plane there is much to do.  All the other concerns are man-made and divert our attention from the real tasks needing to be done.

Proud, Mr. Putin. We want you and your people to be proud. Not subdued.

November 20, 2014

 

Positive Politics?

Placing politics and positive in the same phrase or breath seems like an oxymoron. Why is that? Why do the words ‘political’ or ‘politician’ carry a negative connotation? Why are all elected officials considered politicians by many people?

First, a definition: from a Google search, politician refers to a person who is professionally involved in politics, especially as a holder of or a candidate for an elected office. Synonyms include legislator, elected official, statesman, stateswoman, public servant and more. A further definition is offered: “a person who acts in a manipulative and devious way, typically to gain advancement within an organization.”

Second, a definition of political found on Google is: of, relating to, or dealing with the structure or affairs of government, politics or the state; relating to involving, or characteristic of politics or politicians; relating to or involving acts regarded as damaging to a government or state; interested or active in politics; having or influenced by partisan interests; based on or motivated by partisan or self-serving objectives.

From these two definitions the weight of the terms appears to be leaning toward the negative. Insert the word ‘manipulative’ or ‘self-serving’ and you get my meaning. And theirs.  Sad but true, or maybe you don’t agree with me.

I don’t have a better word to suggest at this point. I do think matters of government and public policy are important arenas for public thought and action. But logic is very much a part of this arena, too.

A lot of data is needed to make good decisions about anything. In the public arena such as government, a clear objective is important to have in mind when doing the public’s work. The public ought to be involved in defining those objectives. They also should be conversant about the operations of government. Government needs to work transparently as well if the public is to have confidence in it.

Confidence. In the government, their government. I think this is an important point.

I have confidence in government in general. At times it is difficult to maintain that confidence because some decisions, policies and programs seem poor or sloppy. Each time that is encountered confidence is reduced. Overall, though, I have confidence in government.

This is especially true of local government. It is easy to observe in most of its workings. A public record exists and complications are rare. It takes time to observe local government operations. I do that frequently and thus the source of my confidence.

I trust as well that the operations of the local Fire District and Library District are doing as well. Having served for several years on the Park District board I have full confidence that it is working very well and in the interests of its public.

Moving up the governmental chain to county, state and federal levels, operations become much more complex to watch all the time. That’s where the news media enter the picture. To be effective in their jobs, however, two things have to happen: first media personnel must be stationed and assigned to keep watch over the operations of those government levels, enough so that they fully understand what they are observing and reporting on. Second, consumers of the news need to read what the reporters have written and comprehend their reports fully.

Obviously it is hard work to both report on the happenings and keep up with those reports. If it is to be done well on both parts the media and public must share a partnership. Both parties have work to do if the operation is to be successful.

In the past news media were plentiful and supported by large news organizations. Their product was reported and printed in major newspapers and news journals throughout the nation. Today that is not true. News organizations are much smaller and much weaker. Their reach is much smaller, too.

In its place is electronic news media. Much more scattered and much more competitive with the other electronic news outlets. Rather than increasing coverage is lessening. Without the depth and breadth of coverage observations of government operations are scant, incomplete and disjointed. It is questionable whether the public has access to a solid understanding of how well the governments are working in the public interest.

With fading observation and understanding, two things result. The first is a growing distrust in government overall. The second is self reliance of government doing the right thing when not observed. The latter is not guaranteed and needs a watchdog. The former leads to nonsensical beliefs of skullduggery in government and an irrational belief that all government is bad.

In the wake of this dissolution of news media is the formation of fringe reporters and pundits who create news by reporting non factual material. Thus Rush Limbaugh thrives. So do Glen Beck and Bill O’Reilly. These three alone have become an industry unto themselves.

Is government doing poorly? I don’t know if any of us can answer that accurately. News reporting has grown so scant as to preclude knowing the answer to that question.  And that’s the public’s bad. It is we who need the news organizations, but we also must be smart consumers of their product, not accepting everything they say just because they say it.

I have confidence in my local government entities. That’s because I've working within them and observed their operations closely. The other government levels I do not profess a close understanding. That is something we need to address. It will take a professional news organization and a well-read consumer to make it work at a level in which we can have confidence.  Then and only then can we expect government to be of the quality we  demand, expect and support.

You see, it is not only government that needs a watchful eye; it is the media. And you and I should be watching. Only then can we remove the ‘manipulation’ from ‘politician’.

November 19, 2014

I Wonder?

From time to time is pays to pause and wonder about things. These are the moments in which we merely ask a question and don’t yet bother with an answer. Perhaps they are powerful ideas getting ready to surface? Or maybe they are enigmas to unravel? Or just maybe they represent the tantalizing mysteries that remain in life. Like the far corners of the earth? when a corner cannot be found in a spherical object?

Here are some things that escape answers for me:

1. Why do most people delay seeking help? When they finally do they find ready assistance, most at no cost. Why do they dilly dally in the beginning? 

2. Why is it difficult to say ‘I’m sorry’? Am I angry with myself for making a faux pas? 

3. What is the barrier to forgiveness? Is it because I remain resentful toward the other person or is it because I can’t forgive myself in the transaction? 

4. Why do people insist on comparing their checkbook problems/personal wealth issues, with that of the nation’s economy. The two issues are related but they don’t work they way most people think they do. 

5. Why are credit rules and loan granting synchronized with the laws? If a bankrupt person cannot go bankrupt for 10 years, why are loan requests denied when debt load, income adequacy and personal character are all superlative? 

6. Why do many people (a majority or near-majority?) over simplify current events and issues as ‘political’ when they most likely are not? 

7. Are most instances of personal discrimination actually an attempt for the discriminator to feel superior to salve his/her own ego? 

8. Is it fair or accurate to label a nation a democracy when less than half the eligible voters vote? Or when evidence indicates powerful interests have ‘bought’ voter support? 

9. How are yin and yang reconciled? Sexuality and sex? Love and marriage? Justice and fairness? Logic and politics? [the list goes on and on and on….] 

10.  Why are sibling love and caring so difficult to maintain over the years? 

11. Why are we suspicious of the word ‘free’ while ‘steal’ is a clear cut negative? 

12. Why are we suspicious of the helper or collaborator? Is it because we wouldn't agree to help someone without pay so why is he? 

13. And then, when someone does offer to help for an hourly fee, why do we hesitate? 

14. Why are negative political ads so powerful? They do gather voter support. 

15. Why are positive political ads not effective in gathering votes? 

16. Why do conservatives attack the Pope when he advocates love of all people who seek solace in the church?

   17.  Why do some cultures support long histories of tyrannical rule rather than democracy?

18. Why is religious faith a hard sell until a life threatening event occurs? 

19. Why does change threaten people as much as it does? 

20. Why don’t ‘new horizons’ and ideas excite wonder and support for change? 

These are just a few puzzles to ponder. Perhaps the biggest one of all is:

            If I could rule the world, how would I change it for the better?

Maybe all the other wonder statements come down to just that one?

November 18, 2014

Ukraine Again?

While national powers hold a leadership confab in Beijing Russia’s Putin postures for the cameras once again while his troops occupy Ukraine, finalize trade agreements with China to stabilize Russia’s oil market and income stream, and a nuclear deal with Iran destabilizes the middle east yet again.

What is the world’s bad boy up to? Just that: imaging of a naughty kid making trouble on the school yard. But if anyone thinks this is a solitary game, they need to think again.

Russia is not about cooperating with the global community. Putin sense’s his nation’s frustration with a collapse of both national operations as well as world influence. Its image is tarnished. Too bad, too. Russia has an intriguing history and a cultural richness that ought to bring wonder to the artistic souls throughout the world.

How did things go so wrong? Well we might try wondering how well Russian culture allows diversity. It doesn’t do well in this department of life.

Closed media. Controlled news outlets. Political mind control. Follow the line of thought or be nobody, be ostracized, be silenced, be dead.

That’s the dark side of Russian contemporary culture, and its long past. Inventiveness, artistic expression, personality development, and freedom seem to be doomed for the time being. Why? Until when?

The why is easy: power of the state is believed to be on par with political leadership and allure. For his home audience Putin smiles and puts on the charm. For the world stage he glowers and menaces, unless he is trying to appear charming and pleasant.

Putin shows all the evidence of having failed his elementary school education: he does not play well with others. And he gloats over it.

Long ago he learned that he could control others and accumulate what he believes is respect. Rather it is fear and he doesn't care. If others fear him he feels respected. It is an upside down affair, you see. Just like a kid to get it wrong.

No; getting along with others and earning respect is being a member of a team and helping to make good things happen. Putin does not do this. And the nature of Russian historic political leadership rules power is more important than teamwork.

For other national leaders who understand that peace, global progress and economic equality are the products of getting along and collaborating, it is frustrating to have to put up with the bad boy persona of Putin.

The reality is they don’t and ought not to. Tell it like it is and Putin needs to get with the program. His people’s well being and peace will be the results. If not his people will suffer from deprivation caused by their leader as he seeks personal power at the expense of peace. Ukraine is not power in and of itself. It is a symbol of power to Putin. And an expense for Russia to maintain. There go the roads, agriculture and infrastructure again!

You’d think by now Russian citizens would understand how this works. And insist that changes be adopted. But that takes their willingness to stand up to the play ground bully. In their own minds they seem to think making the bully a friend, at least in name only, is a short term safe bet. 

It is not. Soon they will discover this if they don’t step up to their duty.

November 17, 2014

Thought for the Day

From Maya Angelou I give you this quote to think upon over the weekend.

“You can’t forgive without loving. And I don’t mean sentimentality. I don’t mean mush. I mean having enough courage to stand up and say, ‘I forgive. I’m finished with it.’”

We will all be the better for following Maya’s admonition. Ponder well this weekend and enjoy!

November 15, 2014

Estate & Other Thoughts

Twenty three months ago today a friend of mine died. From suicide at the age of 61. He had warned me he would probably ‘do it’ but he wasn't yet ready. For nine months I watched his behavior wondering when the ‘do it’ was a done deed. Ghoulish duty.

He had told me his intentions in confidence because he wanted me to act as his estate’s executor. To that end he had drafted a final letter to friends and family members telling them what his troubles and pains were and that he was going to manage those problems himself and decide when to go. In the letter he indicated who was to receive which possessions and financial benefits if his assets proved adequate for those purposes.

My friend and I had met in AA meetings in town. He chose local AA meetings so he could walk from home or bicycle to them in good weather. I chose mostly the same meetings because I was active in town and wanted to be honest with myself and others about my recovery from alcohol abuse. Steve and I became fast friends and discussed many topics in and out of AA. A PhD psychologist and massive music expert, Steve was a fascinating person to know. He had been married four times and had a roving eye so our mutual interests were not of a sexual focus! As a psychologist he was interested in my being gay so we had some pretty interesting discussions.

Why bring all of this up now? Because at long last Steve’s estate matters are winding down toward a final conclusion. Twenty three months of fussing with household, financial, legal and relationship issues are nearing an end.  Although Steve’s adieu letter was sent to family and friends, it proved not to be of legal standing as a will. Thus my first duties focused on disposition of Steve’s body, family notification, and finding an attorney to guide me through legal estate formation, appointment of an executor, and all the rest that follows.

Turns out the attorney petitioned the probate court to appoint me estate administrator. Those steps consumed three months and by March of 2013 I had set up the banking relationship and begun the process of determining taxes, bills, real estate values and the extent of tasks needed to liquidate all the elements of the estate in order to satisfy the protocols of the probate court. This was not to be a short term process!

I won’t bore you with all the details. However, this week the attorney and I mailed papers of notice to the four heirs (mother, father, brother and sister), paid the attorney his final fees to close the estate in court, and cleared my expense and hourly fees reimbursement. We wait for a 30-day period for questions and challenges from the heirs; hearing none the estate will go to court for final disposition with a 42-day waiting period for public objections after that. If none are received the court declares the estate closed and I send checks to the heirs and ship small personal items such as photos, diplomas, dissertations, and class rings to the family.  All the other possessions have been sold at auction, donated to charities, or tossed out. Lots of gleaning through possessions to determine what held value and what did not. Sentimental value holds no value on a balance sheet. But family cares about these matters. And so friends helped me sort through a life-time of possessions in order to clear out the house and ready it for sale.

This process was arduous but a fitting close to a friendship. Friends gathered to do this work and we celebrated Steve’s life in ways not possible at a memorial service. There were many points of closure. Losing a friend by suicide must be dealt with by each of us who cared for Steve. Up close and personal to the facts of the case impelled me forward through a mass of issues related to managing the estate. The work gave me an appreciation of life and death I doubt I would have gained in any other way. Philosophical discussions internally raged for months. Still do. But in the end I’m good with Steve’s decision to take his own life. Anything after that point is just managing things and dollars.

It has been a long good bye. There is less than 70 days to go for the final legal process. However, the real good bye has been accomplished. It is bitter sweet.

November 14, 2014

Keeping Faith

Immediately after winning mid-term elections republican leaders claimed they would work hard on finding the points of agreement among democrats and republicans. That was a major statement by Mitch McConnell, majority leader of the Senate come January. Speaker of the House John Boner said something similar.

Within 24 hours both of these guys made statements that they would now begin work to dismantle Obamacare and reform the tax code so wealthy citizens and corporations would pay lower tax rates.

Both of these things are red flag actions to rally support from conservatives and slap the face of democrats.  Not conservatives and liberals, mind you, but party hacks.

These two actions are fatal steps for the future of America. Here’s why.

First, Obamacare is the first major effort for the nation to reform its terrible healthcare funding and insurance scheme. Health insurance companies hold all the cards and make all the profits that make individual executives in those firms wealthy, and build wealth among the shareholders of those same companies. The insureds are left in the dust. Their claims are not paid, or underpaid. Orwellian rules and regulations are invented to frustrate insureds. And ordinary Americans are impoverished.

Second, medical providers are left frustrated as well, but at least they can continue to raise their prices and hope that insurance reimbursements will rise accordingly; not in full, but at least rise. Again, the patient is left in the lurch in this arrangement.

Third, private insurers need to be eliminated from the transaction base. They may remain as vendors but only receive strictly regulated cost reimbursements. They don’t make the rules; only the federal government will make the rules similar to Medicare and social security. The American free enterprise system was broken over this subject and will either disappear from this area of business or participate as reimbursed vendors as a contractor with Medicare.

Fourth, thus the patient, the medical provider and the single insurance payer (government because they are the only ones we can trust in this industry) are the only survivors in the health insurance industry. Congress need not apply for this job. They are the ones who screwed it up in the first place to ensure their pals in and out of government got wealthy off the patients and taxpayers. Shame on them!

Fifth, our economy is in distress now for several years because banks, investment companies, real estate industry leaders and congress screwed up the economy by deregulating these industries and lowering taxes for the wealthiest among us. The combined cost of two wars, the mortgage/housing industry collapse, and the ongoing reduction of taxes on the wealthiest 5% of taxpayers has created trillions of dollars of debt the rest of us will have to pay off. On top of that the republicans think the wealthy need even more incentive for their greediness, PLUS they wish to lower tax rates for all corporations. The collapse of our economy is imminent if this happens.

Again, the collapse of our economy is imminent if this happens.

Sixth, these issues indicate massive disagreement among the voters and citizens of our nation. Focusing on these two issues at this time is exactly the opposite actions to take.

And McConnell and Boner understand this perfectly.

No, the mid term elections gave republicans the opportunity to govern the nation with few checks and balances. Obama is the only check. And he can be outvoted on any vetoes he issues.

The fact of the matter is this: governing is hard work. It is based on fairness and justice and intelligence. Feeding special interests and private greed is not governing.

I have faith that McConnell knows this and will be tempered in his actions. I do not have the same faith in Boner.

The time to step up to the plate of decency in government affairs is now. Will we witness such? Or will we observe more damaging attacks on the foundation of our nation?

November 13, 2014

Testing Putin

Submarines, military jets and diplomatic mission statements at odds with past standards.  The submarines moving mysteriously about the world ostensibly snooping on ports of call unannounced and in silence. Just like the cold war days.

Military jet flights testing civilian aircraft in foreign territory well outside of Russia. High flights entering protected NATO airspace and American space, too.

Troop movements throughout the old Soviet territory and along bordering nations uncomfortable with such movement.

Military troop training maneuvers close to disputed geography.

Sound like an old spy novel? Or an old Cold War documentary?

No these are all the latest presence of Russia’s Putin demonstrating to his people that he is in charge and will make the world alert to Russia’s presence. He is testing the global village.

What he doesn't understand is the simplicity of the global village: we are all participants and understand how the balance of power and peace exists in the global village.

Putin does not get this. He thinks he is testing the world. In actuality we are testing him. And he has failed.

A global village requires participation and compromise. That is how peace is built and maintained. It is also how it is expanded upon. Do it differently and peace constricts.

In Putin’s case his fragile nation will be buffeted by these reactions by the global community:

            -Economic sanctions

            -Need for more military materiel and weaponry

            -Need for more military personnel

            -Need for more spending taken from domestic matters

            -Growing need and deprivation of the civilian population

            -Political repercussions within Russia

            -Loss of esteem and historical significance of Putin

Why does this scenario work? Because we are all members of the global community. No man is an island, remember? Russia’s economy relies on global markets, global currencies, global resources and minerals. The entire standard of living of Russia internally relies on global cooperation. Not contention and aggravation. On this score Putin has already lost the battle.

As economic sanctions take their toll Putin is likely to dig in and be more stubborn. This will lead to the false need of military defense. More weapons, materiel and personnel will be required to keep this pose believable. Trouble is Russia’s resources are not unlimited. His nation’s systems of education, transportation, agriculture, manufacturing and human resources are deeply flawed. Any dislocation of resources in one will make for catastrophic shortages in others. People will suffer. Economic shortages, pricing and loss of wages and pensions will slowly paralyze the nation. People don’t like that. Leaders will either find better solutions or become more dictatorial to maintain discipline. In a time of plenty worldwide, why should Russian citizens be deprived?

This message will grow throughout his land and Putin will be tossed out in favor of calmer leaders and ones who seek compromise and collaboration – so that all may prosper.

With increasing belligerence Putin will find himself increasingly isolated. And his nation as well.

That is not the Russian mindset. They are people of art, feeling and romance. They

understand the sensibility of mankind over the millennia. They know history is

about how well the peoples of the globe get along, not how they press hegemony over

others. That’s likely to get them isolation and poverty. Outcast status is not comfortable.

History books are filled with the story of despots and egomaniacs who wish a greater

name for themselves. Those stories, all of them, did not end well for them and their people.

It’s about time Putin understood this before he invites disaster upon his very own people!

November 12, 2014

Ideologue?

I have been accused of being an ideologue. In some discussions I would agree and happily so. In some instances I disagree with the appellation. Here’s why.

First of all, an ideologue to my way of thinking is a one sided thinker stuck in synchronization with stagnant positions on most issues. That does not describe me at all.

Second, Google defines ideologue as “an adherent of an ideology, especially one who is uncompromising and dogmatic.” Anyone who knows me understands that my political belief system is open to discussion, continual re-examination, and especially compromise. If open examination and compromise are part of an ideology, then that’s mine but it doesn't fit with the Google definition!

Third, I do think seriously about most issues encountered in life and I sort through them with a mind toward aligning them with many elements of my belief system. “Does this fit, or doesn't it?” are the questions I continually ask myself. This is the process, by the way, that keeps me examining my beliefs and challenging my earlier conclusions. As time passes my thinking accommodates changing conditions and issues. As a result my thinking becomes more expansive and earlier conclusions are altered to keep pace.

Fourth, my entire attitude swings from frustrated fellow citizen to clear thinking position taker. The latter means I think about an issue and come to a workable conclusion on it. My frustration with fellow citizens comes when their comments and arguments and attitudes demonstrate they have not thought carefully enough about an issue yet hold forth on ludicrous descriptions of their considered opinion! I don’t care that they may not think as I do. I do care that they think and have evidence of it.  Hello!

Fifth, having an opinion on many issues does not mean a person is opinionated. It means he or she has taken the time and energy to think about an issue and researched it well enough to form a solid conclusion or opinion. When additional information is encountered that may challenge the opinion or conclusion, the person entertains that possibility and accommodates the new information.  I think the term opinionated should be used to describe a person who has arrived at a conclusion on an issue and then won’t consider new information at all and acts stubbornly as they know it all on that issue!  That does not describe me at all.

Now, why I would agree that I may be an ideologue.

First, I think about things a lot.  A very lot! Ask my family and close associates. I’m always noodling and doodling. About many topics. Far and wide they range. My mind is working away most of the time. When I awake in the middle of the night my mind goes right to a topic or two and ruminates over them until I tire and go back to sleep.

This process of ruminating over many topics continually is my way of integrating information – old and new – so I more fully understand an issue. It is not a process that automatically settles on conclusions in a consistent manner. Indeed, the process requires old conclusions to be tested for the need of change.

Rumination tends to find inconsistencies. These become puzzles to be solved. And thus the thought process continues on to a new point of equilibrium. A conclusion is newly formed or an old one amended.

Second, I gladly meet new people and consider their inputs to my considerations and conclusions. This keeps my thinking fresh. Otherwise it is boring to me as well as to others. I don’t like being bored. I hope you don’t either!

Third, I write my thoughts down often and give witness to them before a broad audience. I do this in the local paper via articles and columns. I do it as well with this blog. I am involved in many venues of volunteer pursuits. In each I am fully conversant and participative. My thinking is thus tested over and over again. I receive reactions to some of my thoughts. I get feedback on newspaper copy and the blog. I am not existing in a self-appointed vacuum.

I think I am in the real world. I expect others to do the same. If they have ideas they ought to share them. Even more they ought to welcome the intellectual challenge of mixing their ideas with those of other minds. It is fun and challenging. And we all learn from it as well.

‘No man is an island’, wrote Jon Donne. And he was so right!

Seems to me an opinionated ideologue is a crusty, immovable thinker who refuses to accommodate those who think different from himself. I honestly doubt that term describes me in that meaning.

If you disagree please let me know!

November 11, 2014

Election Judge

Tuesday, November 4^th was Election Day. Once again I served as an election judge. Today I want to focus on that day and what thoughts came to mind during and after the day’s events.

First of all, four precincts were included in our polling place. Over 3000 registered voters were assigned to our location. Eleven election judges staffed the site and we needed every one of them! Two were young, a high school junior, and a recent high school grad awaiting entry to college. The other nine judges were retired citizens, mostly from our immediate area. All were trained, some were new to the role, and half of us were experienced.

Fifteen voting stations were set up including one electronic voting machine. We were located in a banquet hall and the dining room contained many dinner tables with 8 chairs each. All the voting booths were in use much of the time and spill over traffic used the dining tables.

Of the 3005 voters eligible to vote at our site, 1232 cast their ballot. That is a turnout of 41%. Of course there are voters in the 3005 number who have moved or died. Probably as many as 8% fit that category. Adjusting the registered voter count for these our turnout was nearly 45% of eligible voters.  That is too low for a major election. 

In our precincts the normal voter turnout is 55 to 70%. That voter participation rate is well above national averages, but we can do better still. Democracy is both a duty and a responsibility. If the governance system is to work properly it needs voters to vote. Pretty simple.

Now comes the more complicated part: voter preparation and understanding of the candidates and issues contained on the ballot.

In our case each voter had two ballot pages with both sides of the ballot filled with candidates, offices and propositions. It took a long time to vote each ballot. Had we had more voters, voting lines would have been much longer and closing the polls much more difficult. Each voter spent at least 5 minutes actually voting while some took 15 minutes!

The usual culprit in voting complexity existed: voting for judges, and voting to retain judges in the court system. This area of democracy is so complex that only practicing attorneys active in the local court system would understand the candidacies and retention issues. The average voter simply cannot prepare adequately for these election questions.

Then again we had two state constitution amendment propositions and at least four advisory referenda on the ballot. Reading through these items is chore enough. Understanding them is more taxing. Having a good workable opinion on the issues is not likely and of course one has to have that to vote appropriately. Most don’t; on these issues most voters take a wild stab at a choice and move on.

The offices and candidates running for them in township and county positions provide a long list. In a weak two party area like ours (mostly republican, weakly democrat), republican candidates are slated for every office. Most of those offices do not have a democrat challenger. If you are a democrat you most likely didn’t vote for those offices. You just skipped over them. If you are a republican you most likely voted for each and every one.

Voting for governor was a more direct issue. Same for many state offices. As usual we had the normal contested positions and most voters understood who they were supporting before entering the polling place.

Congressional offices were also well known. Each congressman is elected every two years. If voters feel the incumbent performed well, he or she was likely retained. If an issue were at contention for the position, the voter generally understood that well before entering the voting booth. The federal Senator position was up for re-election in our state this year. Again, voters were pretty well schooled on the candidates and knew who they were going to vote for before parking their cars.

Here are some comments I heard during the day that gave me pause to consider how well the voters prepared for their duty:

-Why is part of the ballot printed in Spanish? Shouldn’t it be all in English? After all we are in America!

Answer: because we have citizens who have varying degrees of fluency in language; they are more adept in their native tongue and it is best for all to understand the issues and candidates they are voting on. Besides, it is the hospitable thing for America to do for their newest citizens!

-Raise the minimum wage? Why? Who has to pay for that?

Answer: Oh please! We all pay for the minimum wage whether it is raised or kept artificially low. Too low and public aid services are relied on to make up the difference in income. Too high and those who want to work can’t find a job. Then we all pay for unemployment benefits for those individuals.  The more who work the more taxes are collected, the more retail sales are supported, and the more jobs of other people are supported. The minimum wage is a no brainer. It is a non-issue. A family of two cannot be supported on $10/hour let alone $15/hour. It will take two workers and perhaps a third wage earning position part time to earn enough to pay the bills for a two person household. Imagine the need for a four person household! Either we are serious that our system works and supports our people adequately or we are not serious about it. Not caring means what we say publically about our religious beliefs is also a lie. Think about it.

-I voted George and cancelled out your vote!

Answer: well that’s how the system works. For years my wife and I cancelled each other out on many votes. We didn’t divorce over that! At least I don’t think so.  Hmmm. I wonder?

-Thank you volunteers for making the polling place functional!

Answer: we are not volunteers. We are paid. Considering the number of hours we worked and the hours of training we received, the pay is less than the minimum wage! But then we don’t do it for the pay. We do it because it matters that ordinary citizens get involved and care enough to help the system work openly and freely for everyone’s benefit. That alone is reward enough. And then we get a check a couple of months later!  Just in time for Christmas in this case!

Not heard at any time during the day: why are the lines so long?  No, our voters came for the duty and stayed to complete it. They recognized the task as important and welcomed the lines as an indication that others cared as much as they do. That’s important. And that’s what counts in our country whether you agree with each voter or not. It is all of us doing the right thing in the best manner possible.

Congratulations for a job well done, voters. Now for the rest of you…

November 10, 2014  

Thought for the Day

Here’s a thought I've been saving for a day like today!

“I will no longer allow the negative things in my life to spoil all of the good things I have. I choose to be happy.” ~Anonymous

You need to read this several times, pausing between repeats until the significance of the thought takes hold. Then let it guide you through the weekend and beyond.

Especially the beyond!

November 8, 2014

PS: A special shout out to my daughter Elizabeth on her birthday today!!  Yay Liz!!

New News 2015

With the mid term elections just completed what are the likely news stories for two key periods?  The first is the balance of 2014 while the incumbent congressmen and senators remain in office. The second period is after taking office by the newly elected. 

The first era is termed the ‘lame duck’ session because incumbents who lost their elections still have time to vote on bills for which they do not have to worry about voter backlash. So here are some issues that will likely be in the spotlight until January.

1. Keystone Pipeline Project: this is the pipeline designed to carry petroleum products mined from shale deposits in Canada. The pipeline route will cut south through the upper plains states, across croplands to the south toward the gulf. Fears of the pipeline are two-fold: probable oil spills despoiling rich agricultural soils; and continuation of the nation’s reliance on oil as a primary energy source. Although soil contamination is always a possibility to be feared, I think the real problem with Keystone is the short term extension of the oil standard in our energy policy. America must invent its way towards energy market independence and that means non-oil sources. Oil and its cousin products will cease to exist when this fossil fuel is exhausted. Besides, it contaminates water, soil and air all living things rely on to survive.  We must conserve energy, find new energy sources, and do so with the least damage to our environment. 

2. Gay Rights: this includes marriage equality as well as employment non-discrimination and other related rights and privileges enjoyed by the rest of the population. The issue is constitutional tied to inalienable rights and pursuit of happiness. It is also an issue complicated by homophobes who insist on pressing their religious views on the rest of the population. That makes this a double constitutional issue and all the more reason for Gay Rights to finally find its way home to equal footing with straight citizenry. 

3. Abortion Rights: this issue is another rooted in religious and philosophical interests. As such it does not belong in governance circles. It belongs in the churches, synagogues and mosques. Abortion rights are a health issue and patient rights trump that of religious rights. So choice is an inalienable right and a pursuit of happiness issue. It is also a personal responsibility item that ought not be controlled by the almighty hand of government. 

4. Global Climate Change: this is a global village issue and one for which America needs to raise a strong voice. Environmental quality should maintain sustainable living standards for soil, water and air. Anything we do as human beings that threaten those three threaten long term survival of the planet and its inhabitants. We must take action now to be responsible citizens of the world. 

5. International relations: this issue will always need to be managed. America has staked its reputation on fairness, strength, and willingness to be involved. We need to learn how to both lead and collaborate without controlling the world debate on who is right and who is wrong at any given time. The United Nations and NATO are key partners we must learn to work with while not controlling. At the same time other nations must step forward to demonstrate their mature understanding of the issues and willingness to take responsibility for leadership. America should not always be relied on to do the heavy lifting. This is a global village issue and not a republican democrat party ideology thing. 

6. Economics: the wealth gap between the haves and have-nots is a critical issue. Tax laws must not continue to kill off the middle class. Economic policy needs to support the middle class. It is the key segment of the population in America that supports consumption, savings, investment and educational product. Without this segment of the population there is little else than a medieval economy that presaged the Dark Ages. The tide of legislation needed now to safeguard the economy for many decades to come is now. The dilly dallying of the past 6 years of congressional inaction must come to an end. The academics who understand this arena need access to the halls of congress to guide sensible policy. Political ideology ought not have a role in this discussion and solution. 

7. Student Loan Mess: this issue will not go away. It is impoverishing the very people we need to encourage to invest in their own future for the good of our entire culture. My opinion supports free education for life for everyone who needs it and will make good use of it. I realize we are not ready for this sweeping change yet, but for the short term, reduce student loan interest to zero and increase the ways students can earn their way to debt forgiveness. 

The second period is 2015 and beyond. The issues involved ought to be those which both affect and effect the long term future. Here are the issues that will face the republican controlled congress (both house and senate):

1. World Health: The WHO (World Health Organization) needs global cooperation to have an effective result against health problems which can spread to the entire globe. Infectious disease is just one (AIDS, Ebola, etc.). Another is clean drinking water for all. Global responses to these issues are needed.
2. Global Economics: we are a world community not just a competitive arena of all nations. As such we need to find ways to cooperate and collaborate with one another. This is a keystone of international peace. Its day needs to come sooner rather than later.
3. Housing Access: this issue needs key policy focus to invent effective and efficient housing solutions for our nation and the world population. Too many people suffer from inadequate housing. That’s true in America as well as throughout the world. We can engineer sustainable housing systems for both competitive markets as well as low income markets. So let’s do it.
4. Education access: our nation, our culture, and our future require a well-educated population. Although people are of different capabilities and interests, their educational supports ought to be freely adaptable to their needs and interests. This will require a systemic re-engineering of both educational process and educational administration. All education needs to be free to those who will use it for the benefit of humanity. So let’s get this job done.
5. Campaign Finance Reform: governance must be fair and just. It therefore must not be bought and paid for by the highest bidder. If this area cannot be controlled by the market, then it must be strictly enforced by government. The most likely solution will be campaigns financed totally by the appropriate government unit seeking the elected representatives. With much fewer dollars present the focus of the campaigns should fall on ideas and programs supported by the candidates. The temper of campaigns needs to be positive and not negative attacks. 

This is a start on peeking into the near term and long-term future based on recent election results. How many of these will be attempted and completed?  Only time will tell. Stay tuned!

November 7, 2014

The Aftermath

Election Day was Tuesday. I worked it as an election judge, have for many years now. Great turnout but still less than 50% of eligible voters. We can do better than that. And we must.

Results of the election are not fully known yet as vote tallies struggle toward completion in many areas of the nation. Not all election commissions are created equal in the land! But they do valiant work with the resources at hand. And volunteers!

It will take some days, even weeks for me to better understand what happened in the elections and why. And then, of course, we must assess the impact of the elections.

For the moment I continue to have faith in the American system of governance. I am not unaware of its problems and inabilities. It is a complex of complexes but the American voter generally has wisdom that is not readily understood by merely reading the election results.

For now it appears that nationally the republicans control both the House and the Senate. That is a lamentable fact. But now the republicans have a duty to do some work. The problems they have papered over – indeed created much of in the first place – have the responsibility to solve those same problems. They have made them much worse in the past six years. So repairing the damage will not be easy. They have created a more difficult enigma to manage than they are currently aware of. In time they glimpse the enormity of the problem.

Meanwhile, America’s trusted partners all over the globe are scratching their heads and wondering how they can trust America as a partner in foreign affairs, shared military commitments and economic management. 

Republican leadership simply has lost its trustworthiness among world leaders. They have squandered America’s shining reliability. It must now be rebuilt.

Recall George W. Bush’s dismantling of the Foreign Service? That has yet to be fully rebuilt. And solving world problems without the team in place only makes that effort more difficult.

The debacle of the global economic meltdown from 2007 to present was a gift of America to the rest of the world. We did that to other nations’ economies. Oh sure we felt the pain at home. But we transported it to every corner of the globe. Misery loves company? Well we all had plenty of that. Trouble is the issues are extremely complex and putting Humpty Dumpty back together again will take time, patience, ingenuity and brilliance. I’m not confident republicans have that kind of talent pool to call upon. So progress will be very slow.

The trouble as I see it is the American voter is lazy. They want their news digestible and in bite size bits. Life is not like that, however. It is much more complex. It needs to be worked at. It requires patience, cooperation and yes, even collaboration.

It has been said that Americans agree on more than they disagree on. Unfortunately, they are not disciplined enough to understand the nature of the problems as well as the solutions. It takes sacrifice to acquire the most important things in life. And from my vantage point I don’t see American’s willing to make the necessary sacrifices.

That’s a travesty. It is such because too many of us are selfish and self centered. We want the good but don’t wish to feel any pain of the sacrifices to be made. We want that pain to be felt by others. It is a very human trait.  It is call hubris.

Hubris. Look it up. We will not mend our fences until we both know what hubris is and how to overcome it. We can do it. But more than half of us have to be pulling in the same direction to make it work.

What direction are you pulling in? Which alternate directions interest you? Care to work with others willing to invest in the country to build a better future? And perhaps the world’s?

More on this struggle in future months. For now let us take a deep breath and not assume too much. Important thinking is called for. Not blame.

uH

November 6, 2014

Admonitions to Consider

We are each met daily by statements from others asking us, beseeching us, to do or think something different than what we might.  For example, Pope Francis recently stated:

            “I ask you to ensure that humanity is served by wealth and not ruled by it.”

I think this is a very good thought to live by. Wealth ought to serve human needs, not the other way around. We often work hard to earn income and wealth, amass it even, then parlay it to even greater heights of wealth. For what purpose? Lavish lifestyles? Influence? Power. Wealthy to serve humanity or humanity to serve wealth?

In America we have allowed wealth to do both. The problem is wealth is gaining ground on ruling humanity as opposed to serving it. Wealth buys influence in legislative circles. It buys candidates and gets them elected. Those with less cash are less powerful in electing people to positions of authority in which the needs of humanity are considered primary.

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) provides another admonition, quite similar to our first quote:

“I think that across the board, whether you’re a conservative or whether you’re a progressive, if you’re in the middle class, you know that there’s something wrong when 95% of all new income has gone to the top 1% since the Wall Street crash. People think that’s not right.”

I agree with him. It is not right that the wealthy continue to gather more wealth while others are losing theirs.  Those losing financial strength are the backbone of the nation and the economy. They are the educators, the laborers, the thinkers and scientists. They are the doers. And lest we forget it, they are also the consumers with buying power that ensures the wealthy continue to hold onto their wealth and gain even more. It the middle class – the doers – are ill paid and humbled with continuing waves of unemployment, then the goods and services produced by the owner class will find their own despair in time. It is common sense, common logic. We would do well to invest in the middle class and strengthen it for the good of all, especially the wealthy.

From a website known as GrammarlyCards, comes this advice:

“If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.”

When combined with the previous citation the strength of the learner excels. First because someone is providing the opportunity to learn and he/she takes that opportunity on, and second that not doing so only continues the person in the depths of wherever they are. Personal ambition is a good thing. It motivates individuals to exercise all of their strengths for their own good and for those around them. A scientific breakthrough or discovery aids the person finding it, but also the users who benefit from it throughout society. Simply consider the advancements of American culture and society from the efforts of the space industry. Higher standards of living through chemistry, engineering, electronics, and much more. Think of the medical breakthroughs allowed by the advancements pioneered by the space industry! And the educational systems and studies revamped because of those advancements.

Patrick Stewart, actor extraordinaire, and also a gay icon, gives us this quote:

            “What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived.”

Amen to that! Life contains much to explore and to value. To understand and grow in appreciation of life is another facet worth our efforts. We are not perfect in any manner of thinking, but we are more perfect if we honestly pursue who we are individually and who we are as a culture and society. It is not automatically given or understood. It must be worked at and for.  Only then do we grow appreciation for what we are capable of.

It is that that constructs all the hope we can harbor for the future. Only we can do that. No one else, wealthy or not!

November 5, 2014