Bits and Pieces

Taxes – Federal and Others: Government services and benefits are everywhere. Social Security is one. So are disability benefits funded through Social Security. Medicare and Medicaid are other examples of tax dollars at work. So too, are sidewalks, streets, highways, bridges, dams, stormwater sewers. Of course public water and sewer systems, public schools, libraries, parks and a host of other amenities we likely take for granted. Police and fire protection are a huge presence in our lives and they are funded by tax collections. A property owner pays property taxes. A renter pays rent to a landlord who is a property owner and property tax payer; the rent collected goes in part to those tax payments. Sales taxes, excise taxes on goods and services, and other government fees are all forms of taxes. Car registration fees, gasoline taxes and a host of other user taxes all go to pay for government supplied goods and services. We all pay them. Some of us pay more than others, but then they enjoy a much higher standard of living than the rest of us do. They have received more benefit than the rest of us, thus they pay more and we pay less.

Hardly anyone has a free ride in our society. We all pay if we breathe air. Taxes are built into our economic model and the wealthy know this. Complaining about high taxes is a common game played by the favored few. But it remains only a game. Do not fall for their whines. Of course Congress knows they can gain campaign dollars from these folks for doing their bidding. That is another game common to our form of government. Pity that; shameful, too.

Racism-White Privilege: When I was growing up, I felt at ease in most neighborhoods and surroundings. I did not know what it was like to be singled out and questioned by others. I belonged where I was and had freedom of movement. Later, I made friends with a lot of schoolmates and their diversity taught me a few lessons. One was that a black kid was not free to move in just any neighborhood. He was clearly in view if he was in a white neighborhood. He stood out. Just like I would have stood out if I walked through a black neighborhood. But there were none anywhere I lived. Our town was mostly white.

Arrive now in today’s world, a black driver is in clear view of a policeman and quite likely to be stopped for small driving infractions. From there the situation can escalate rapidly out of control. Switch the circumstance of a white driver and note the lack of worry or concern for being stopped. Most likely none. That difference is white privilege. We whites do not experience it, so it is not on our radar screen.

That difference is racism. Whether it is mine or yours, a white person simply does not experience life the same way a black person does. For whites it is very subtle and goes unnoticed. To claim we are not racist is a falsehood, one many don't realize they are making. But....

Manchin of West Virginia: He claims not to be a blockade to President Biden’s agenda. But he is. He takes his agenda points directly from Republicans because he is one of those oddities in the southland – he is a democrat on the national public stage from a conservative republican district. He is a renegade that sassies up to his constituents so he has the votes to remain in office. What he accomplishes is another story.

Joe Manchin knows what he is doing. He gets power and funding for his district just by being ornery. To earn his vote in a very divided chamber, Joe normally gets what he wants. Once again, this is an example of the squeaky wheel getting the attention, and the money and power. Shameful but effective. Yes, Manchin is a blockade to Biden. And he knows it.

April 30, 2021

 

Border State Politics

Several years ago, my mother, a resident of Arizona, wrote about the problems of immigrants roaming across the Arizona boarder from Mexico. She was deeply worried that this traffic of illegal aliens was the primary source of burglaries, robberies, physical attacks on unsuspecting pedestrians, and car thefts. Home invasions, too; oh yes, she worried they would come in the middle of the night and do whatever to her!

I asked mom why she thought Arizona was plagued with this problem. And were these problems documented with frequency and numeric data? She did not know about the data part, but she claimed that this was a unique Arizona problem because of its border with Mexico. I asked if California, New Mexico, and Texas might suffer the same problem? She thought that might be true, but the immigrants stayed mainly in her state and created a mess of unemployment, crime and what not.

I continued to question her about the semi-trucks found loaded with illegal immigrants being transported from Mexico and through Arizona to other, northern states like Nebraska, Iowa, the Dakotas, and Illinois. She did not know anything about that, oddly. It did not seem to matter to her that many if not most immigrants entering Arizona illegally were merely passing through. I informed her the immigrant issue was shared by most states, not just the border ones.

I also suggested that most immigrants did not cause unemployment among existing state populations but did work our own citizens simply did not want to do. And in fact, if they were working, why would they be robbing others? They had their own money.

She did not know of these matters. She only read what the newspapers reported about crime stories. Anecdotal items such as these did not provide the full picture. Only threats of upset and fear were the result of the stories. The fact that immigrants made it to population centers throughout the United States was interesting to her. And she did admit that her gardener was Mexican and was a swell guy. Had a family and all; the kids were doing well and going on to college and everything. I thought mom should have concluded that her gardener’s story was proof that her fears were unfounded, but no, that was not the case. He was the exception.

Media stories properly formed would state the immediate issue or subject of the item, then go on to explain how this fits into the rest of the reality of immigration and social issues particularly related to immigrants. Following the stories of the immigrants would be enlightening. Moving through the state to a future life in other parts of the nation. Work life and family life would be of interest, too. Putting a human face on these stories would help readers understand the full dimension of the involved issues. Were these issues problems? Or were they crises? Or opportunities? Or what?

Border stories do not belong only to the border states. They belong to all our states. Kindly turn your attention to coastal states and transportation methods of immigrants. Not all crawl from desert origins. Not all wash upon our shores in dinghies. Most fly in from distant lands. Legal or illegal, immigrants are everywhere.

Just like our own origin, we all come from immigrant stock. Whether in the last few months or 400 years ago, immigration is the only way our families came to this land. Oh, there is an exception: Native American Indians. Even those can be claimed as immigrants if we consider their Asian/Alaskan route of entry when once the land masses were bridged during the Ice Age.

I get the fear side of this story. Publishers sell their product with fear. Too bad they don’t tell the rest of the story. That’s the real moral of the tale. And it is our story. Our origin. That’s what makes us all American.

April 29, 2021

 

Blog draft April 29 21

Border State Politics

Several years ago, my mother wrote about the problems of immigrants roaming across the Arizona boarder from Mexico. She was deeply worried that this traffic of illegal aliens was the primary source of burglaries, robberies, physical attacks on unsuspecting pedestrians, and car thefts. Home invasions, too; oh yes, she worried they would come in the middle of the night and do whatever to her!

I asked mom why she thought Arizona (her state of residency) was plagued with this problem. And were these problems documented with frequency and numeric data? She did not know about the data part, but she claimed that this was a unique Arizona problem because of its border with Mexico. I asked if California, New Mexico, and Texas might suffer the same problem? She thought that might be true, but the immigrants stayed mainly in her state and created a mess of unemployment, crime and what not.

I continued to question her about the semi-trucks found loaded with illegal immigrants being transported from Mexico and through Arizona to other, northern states like Nebraska, Iowa, the Dakotas, and Illinois? She did not know anything about that, oddly. It did not seem to matter to her that many if not most immigrants entering Arizona illegally were merely passing through. I informed her the immigrant issue was shared by most states, not just the border ones.

I also suggested that most immigrants did not cause unemployment among existing state populations but did work others simply did not want to do. And in fact, if they were working, why would they be robbing others? They had their own money.

She did not know of these matters. She only read what the newspapers reported about crime stories. Anecdotal items such as these did not provide the full picture. Only threats of upset and fear were the result of the stories. The fact that immigrants made it to population centers throughout the United States was interesting to her. And she did admit that her gardener was Mexican and was a swell guy. Had a family and all; the kids were doing well and going on to college and everything. I thought mom should have concluded that her gardener’s story was proof that her fears were unfounded, but no, that was not the case.

Media stories properly formed would state the immediate issue or subject of the item, then go on to explain how this fits into the rest of the reality of immigration and social issues particularly related to immigrants. Following the stories of the immigrants would be enlightening. Moving through the state to a future life in other parts of the nation. Work life and family life would be of interest, too. Putting a human face on these stories would help readers understand the full dimension of the involved issues. Were these issues problems? Or were they crises? Or opportunities? Or what?

Border stories do not belong only to the border states. They belong to all our states. Kindly turn you attention to coastal states and transportation methods of immigrants. Not all crawl from desert origins. Not all wash upon our shores in dinghies. Most fly in from distant lands. Legal or illegal, immigrants are everywhere.

Just like our own origin, we all come from immigrant stock. Whether in the last few months or 400 years ago, immigration is the only way our families came to this land. Oh, there is an exception: Native American Indians. Even those can be claimed as immigrants if we consider their Asian/Alaskan route of entry when once the land masses were bridged during the Ice Age.

I get the fear side of this story. Publishers sell their product with fear. Too bad they don’t tell the rest of the story. That’s the real moral of the tale. And it is our story. Our origin. That’s what makes us all American.

April 29, 2021

 

Biased News Outlets

More often than not biased news outlets spew their misinformation, primarily via headlines that grab attention. Reading the accompanying articles broadens the details but does not change the trajectory of the piece. It intends to mislead and continues to do the job. Which print news outlets might these be? Here’s a short list. Some might surprise you.

·        Wall Street Journal: a Rupert Murdoch publication. Enough said. The WSJ has mostly been a conservative news source because of its homage to economic power on Wall Street. That power is not always in the best interest of the American people. Under Murdoch the power is manipulated.

·        Washington Examiner: the leftover news organization begun by the Rev. Moon of cult fame back in the 80’s and 90’s. Today the Examiner is a conservative, far-right rag that makes news rather than reporting it.

·        Newsweek: this used to be a highly trusted news magazine that fairly competed with Time Magazine. Newsweek, however, could be trusted to take the conservative line on any issue most of the time. Today that is still true. Headlines do not make the story, but they use headlines to steer emotional response to their bias.

·        Fox News: Rupert Murdoch owned and controlled. Their public record is clear. Enough said. Totally biased.

·        Chicago Tribune: has a long history of conservative/Republican bias. Normally more sedate and genteel so headlines are not incendiary. However, the long term bias is not just legendary. It is current as well. Not a reliable news source on national or international news. It has earned this reputation doggedly. It even toys with local Chicago news along the same lines.

·        Los Angeles Times: better than the Chicago Tribune, the LA Times is more balanced but still skewed toward republican politics and conservative views. The DNA explains it: it has long been a member of the Chicago Tribune publishing family.

This is a short list. A longer list would find national television networks shading themselves. NBC News is one. In their attempt to appear balanced they often do not tell the whole story, just the bits that make it interesting and attract viewers. The full story must be carefully told if the American people are to understand the what, who, why of any story. CBS does its homework but that is best explained by their star news program – 60 Minutes. A news magazine at its base, 60 Minutes does a good job explaining what has occurred, who is involved, and why it matters. That should be the hallmark of every news item.

Past American journalism tried to be fair all the time. sometimes their excitement over breaking news skewed their data checking, but in the main they tried to do the right job. With cable news competition coupled with the free-wheeling internet and social media commentaries, network news has less time to get the story right the first time. They also have fewer and fewer news staffers to do the research and double checking to keep the details straight. This is a lesson where more really does mean less.

If I were king of the universe, I think I would establish hard and fast rules on journalism and fund it heavily so it has the resources and time to do the job right. Like the role of a public university, expanding the boundaries of the known world and its facts is a sacred duty to remain faithful to facts and data. The what and who is mostly correct. It is the why that is in default these days.

The why. So many want you to see the why their way, their biased way.

How can we correctly fix this without becoming biased ourselves?

April 28, 2021

 

 

Wasting More Time

Republicans are at it again. Biden asks for an infrastructure plan worth $1.9 trillion and they counter propose with a $600 billion plan. Never mind the definition of ‘infrastructure’ is so scaled back as to question the entire proposal.

Do these same people not understand that infrastructure is not manufactured by the government anywhere? It is bought from private firms who do that work. The money used comes from tax collections or revenue bonds, or other financial instruments. Backed by the good faith of the US Taxpayers, of course, but the work of all of us is accomplished with all of our resources. Owners and corporations still make the money from this work.

So, what is the reasoning behind the republican strategy? Simple, they don’t want Biden or Democrats getting credit for accomplishing something good for the nation. Politics as usual. Ugly and selfish as usual.

Republicans should remember their basic economics: investment in self and means of production yield returns far more than the original investment. Economics 101.

Can inflation come from over investing by the government? Yes. How? If the investment is not needed and is a whimsical play for public support. That is wasteful spending. The $1.9 trillion plan is none of that; it aims to replace aging and dangerous infrastructure which has outlived its useful life; it aims to create infrastructure needed in new locations that follow the pattern of growth of the population and movement of the economy in new directions.

Wi-fi for everyone connects everyone and equalizes the playing field for people of all means and household incomes. It also makes the population accessible to businesses and public agencies needing to connect with the people who need it. Opportunity comes in the form of new and better educational methods, acquisition of better understanding and gaining new job skills, employers find more willing and prepared potential employees, and the list goes on.

We The People benefit from improved and expanded infrastructure. We should pay for this. We all benefit from it.

Increasing taxes on the super wealthy? Oh please! They got fabulously rich from special treatment from the government for decades, and especially by trump. The 1% is over the top in wealth, so much so they have few outlets to use it except to gain even more power and wealth. That is not healthy for the nation.

So, use the new taxes (not confiscatory ones) to pay for infrastructure, cheaper access to higher education, expanded health services to the masses and all the other no-no’s of the past. This is a positive investment in We The People. It is not socialism or communism.

And shame on all those who claim it is socialism or communism. Those folks only show their ignorance on the issues. They are protecting their own. They are shielding their minority status with majority power. Shameful.

What a waste of time to enjoin this meaningless struggle. Propaganda in its purest form.

April 27, 2021

Bits and Pieces

Drop in Vaccinations: The mad dash to distribute the COVID 19 vaccine to everyone has done well. Over 200 million vaccinations in the arm. If everyone in America gets vaccinated with a two-shot serum, the shots in the arm would be 640 million. We are only one third the way. Still, vaccine supplies are good and still growing. World supply is being addressed as well. Soon nations will share their oversupply with nations in need, until manufacturing catches up equally around the globe. It is not likely to happen that way, but we can hope it does.

Meanwhile, naysayers continue to spout their opinions. Just yesterday someone told me if I believe in the vaccine and I’m vaccinated, why should I care if he doesn’t get the shot? My reply: because COVID continues to mutate and my vaccination won’t last forever because of that reality. Second, because your vulnerability makes us all vulnerable, especially those not vaccinated like young children and others still not eligible to receive the vaccine. The shot does not hurt and it is free. It is also widely available for adults. So why not do your community duty and be a part of the solution rather than the problem? He had no answer.

Planet Protection: Like a vaccine against a pandemic, reducing the stress on our plant is good to do. Reducing green house gasses helps. Recycling helps. Reducing wasteful consumption helps. All such actions help with the problem while scientists and entrepreneurs figure out how to solve the problem on a larger scale. We each have a role to play. The question is, are we all doing it? If not, why not? Don’t believe in global warming? You don’t have to. Just lessen your pollution footprint to help everyone else, including your kids, grandkids, etc.

Cost of Cars: Product pricing bubbles happen in short terms. Cars seem to be the focus of such a bubble at this time. Seems silly to me. The pandemic taught us driving less was not a hardship but a natural result of finding other means of shopping, delivery of goods and increasing productivity by communicating remotely via electronic pathways. That means our cars have been used less. That means they will last longer. That means the buying demand is less not more. New cars are not needed as much; yet manufacturing blockages exist (electronic chip shortages) reducing the supply of new cars. Hmmm. But the demand for new cars is lower now, too. So why are car prices rising?

Seems illogical to me. I’ll just hold onto my car longer. One day I won’t need it anyway. Same with everyone. Think about it.

Policing: The Chauvin verdict has sounded the alarm that police personnel will be held to a higher standard of performance. Conforming to that will require teamwork and team training. And team supervision. Rooting out bad apples from the team is the team's duty, not the public's. Nor should it be the job of prosecutors and judges. By then tragedy has struck.

Law and order begins in legislatures. It ends in the streets with commonsense and justice meted out by wise police personnel. A hard job it is but rewarding if done well and fairly. Risky yes; but more risky if done poorly.

Re-imagine community policing to gain high performance policing.

April 26, 2021

 

 

Shootings

We live in dangerous times. Fear. Insecurity from disease, economic failure, failed relationships, faltering careers, aging, the unknown. Fear. The unknown. The abyss of…….?

Add to that frustration. Then anger. What to do with the fear? What to do about the frustration? And, Oh God! What do we do with the anger?

Facebook is a tool for venting. So are blogs. That is if you use them. Honestly use them. Ask for help in understanding the fear, frustration, and anger. Do not rail against these things with wide open mouths spitting venom and attack. Talk about your frustration. Talk about the pain. Let it seep out of your core. Let it lessen its hold on your emotions.

Blogs are good tools that seek understanding and logic. It displays your brain on full view. Making sense of the unknown and often the unknowable. This blog does that often. It is a mechanism that helps me cope. It serves as my circuit breaker box. The fuse.

Leaving fear, frustration and anger simmer is not good. It produces emotional distortions. It breaks down resistance to urges for revenge. To hurt others in payment for whatever they have done to me.

In America, guns are everywhere. At least one third of households do not own a gun. It might be two thirds. Whatever the portion, the remainder own several guns. 330 million guns for a national population of 320 million. That is horrifying if only a tiny fraction of those gun owners is over the top with anger and frustration.

The thin line of reason is not enough to hold back such people. They take the gun to the perceived enemy. A lover gone sour. A spouse as enemy. A bad boss or co-workers. A government agency deaf to personal need. Whatever. The anger. The gun. The mayhem.

Death. Death by gun. Death by a misunderstood constitutional freedom.

The right to bear arms was the means to gather a civilian militia when needed. Meanwhile, the individual could use the gun to protect themselves and family from wild animals, snakes, marauders, Indians and other perceived threats. They were rampant back then.

Today the threat is 330 million unregulated guns.

I doubt the authors of the constitution intended this. I think they intended a well-regulated militia.

It is time to bring commonsense back to our nation. Regulate gun ownership strictly. Meanwhile, control the sale of ammunition in whole or in part (homemade ammo makers). Remove all AR type weapons from private ownership; these should belong to the military or policing agencies and their personnel only.

In the longer term, conduct necessary discussions that lead to this outcome: zero mass shootings in our nation. Gun deaths reduced from 40,000 annually in the USA to a number of 1000 accidental gun deaths. Make those goals happen. Figure it out. No one wants to confiscate guns with the exception of AR’s.

That is it. Now do it. Include all who wish to be included in the discussion. Start with the NRA. And Congress, of course. And State legislatures. Remember the goals: no mass shootings, and 1000 accidental gun deaths annually.

Now, get to it.

April 23, 2021

 

Gay Bachelor

So, Colton Underwood, 29, of The Bachelor TV program has come out as gay. That is fine with me. He is handsome, cute, and very attractive to most people. Me included, but then I am gay, and don’t we all have some fantasies?

For discussion purposes I am aware that most people will agree that being gay in America is not easy. Not today or in the past. Especially in the past. When I was growing up the topic was not spoken of in the household. The word ‘gay’ was not in use to substitute for homosexual. That came later. Role models were not present. The only thing that meant gay then were private, mysterious stirrings in the body suggesting something was different with me. I did not see it in others. So, I kept it secret.

Keeping that secret defined my life for a long time. I protected myself from others finding out. I self-isolated to lessen the fear. My personality grew but at a different pace than other kids. My interests developed by way of other paths. My life was different. And all because I did not know what it was that made this so.

That was in the 1940’s and 50’s. By the 1960’s things had changed but remained secretive and violent. One did not let anyone else know they were gay. By the 1970’s society was making noises that they were more enlightened, but then the AIDS pandemic appeared, and religious zealots claimed this was God’s revenge on gay people. Too many believed that or at least remained silent about it. The damage to the gay community continued.

In 2021 we are much wiser. We are more experienced with the social phenomenon of gender orientation. More research done and followed. More teaching and understanding. Our society has accommodated this awakening to facts. Even their behaviors have changed toward gays.

But not for everyone. Gay bashing continues. Violence and death remain a reality for the gay community. Discrimination, shunning, and stigma still plague the community. Generations must learn this all over again while others who have not changed their mindset fuel an obstinate stigma against gay people.

Maybe Colton Underwood’s experience will help others understand. No one is asking another person to be gay. It does not work that way. Others are asked to accept the reality of gender orientation for what it is, an unchosen way of life that harms no one and is as natural as apple pie.

Recruitment is not a thing. Now fantasies are another thing. I have mine. And you? Let us have this little secret among ourselves, eh?

April 22, 2021

 

 

 

Afghanistan Troop Withdrawal

Of course, it is time to withdraw our military personnel from Afghanistan. The job we went there for is done. Osama Bin Lama is dead. Hunted down and killed ignominiously. Just as he killed 3000 Americans on September 11^th.

We worked through some crap in Afghanistan to do the job. Our job was not to save Afghanistan. But true to our nature we bolstered the current ruling body, brought in advanced medical facilities and services to their suffering people, built up their economy, built up their defenses to their common domestic enemies (Taliban) and tried to leave Afghanistan better than we found it.

Good intentions did not have the desired effects. Historically the nation is a class ridden culture that is greedy and violent. The Taliban is not the only force of thuggery in Afghanistan. There are many. And a trillion dollars of American military, economic and social relief has gone into private pockets. The people still suffer. Violence still flares. Death and destruction continue unabated.

We have learned we cannot build nations. We have also come to know that we cannot change cultures in foreign lands. All we can do is help. But then that help must be well thought out and be of mutual agreement. In Afghanistan that has not been the case.

The military job is done. The Mahujadeen and Taliban remain in place. They are cultural. They are allowed to be by their society. If society wanted them gone, they would rise and make that so. They have not. Therefore, it is allowed. That is their choice. That is not America’s business to do.

So yes, it is time our military withdrew from the region. Will something uglier move in to take our place? Probably. Almost always has in that region. But then, it is allowed by their people. That is on them.

Enough is enough.

April 21, 2021

 

Commonsense COVID Policies

Keeping one’s distance while in public, wearing a face mask in public, washing hands, taking vaccines when available. Taking precautions in any gathering whether it is at the doctor’s office or in a classroom. For those who can avoid those situations, they communicate and transact business remotely over the internet, phone or Zoom. They avoid contact.

The results? Spread of COVID has dropped. Common colds have dropped. Instances of the flu have dropped. Even allergies from springtime plant growth have lessened. The policies and actions suggested by the CDC work.

There are those who believe such policies and directives are interfering with their lives. Well, they do not. The COVID disease is interfering with their lives. Trying to lessen that impact is what the directives are all about. It is simple logic.

If a person simply cannot abide by the directives, then they ought to isolate themselves from others so they can avoid the sense of others controlling them. Oh? Is isolation an impact caused by others? Is this one of the controlling impacts?  Well, truly it is not. No; it is the disease that is providing the impact.

Spring break witnessed huge gatherings of high school and college students. They got sick. They came back home and spread their sickness to others. Those people spread it to still others. Same with Easter gatherings that overtook too many households in the family. COVID spread. Hospitalizations grew. The numbers proved the results of gathering too readily.

And now, the airline industry is opening its reservation desks full bore. Middle seat configurations are open for business. Public policy tells them not to, but they flaunt those restrictions to make money. Forget the fact that their national government slathered billions of dollars of aid to the industry to ‘save’ it. It is saved, but for what purpose? Irresponsible return to business as usual too soon will only destroy the progress we have made.

The pandemic has been ugly for all of us. Some more than others. But the length of the disease’s impact is up to all of us. Take common precautions that are effective to beat the disease. Keep doing that until the disease is a tame annoyance. That day will come. Sooner if we use commonsense.

The naysayers are being foolish. And childish. Stubborn. Even selfish. I get it. I understand their frustration. But the rest of us are doing our part. Now it is time for you to do yours.

April 20, 2021

 

Thugs and Bullies

They are always with us. Thugs and Bullies. They are the people who just do not feel good about themselves unless they are making others uncomfortable. Glowering. Sneering. Pressing close to you, invading your space. Threatening physical harm. Suggesting retaliation for any grievance they perceive you may do to them.

This is personal. Surely you have felt the stress of this in your lifetime. If not, you are lucky. Most of us have had such experience. Even anxiety and fear. We tend to avoid such people and the places associated with them.

Then there are nations who act this way. China does in some manner, mostly military or diplomatic actions. But Russia? As a nation Russia has been bellicose much of their history. Bellicose – warlike. Overbearing and threatening in their posture. Moving troops on the border of a nation they want to intimidate, like Ukraine. Or any of its past USSR partner nations. Of course, flying warplanes low and menacing over Scandinavian countries is provocative. So too their incursions in Syria, flyovers throughout the Middle East, and especially, buzzing American military planes and ships at sea. They send their signal of disrespect. They bully their way on the global stage.

Now they hack our computers and national defense systems, banking systems, whatever. We know these happened. The investigations are certain. Russia denies it. They tell us we had better not impose sanctions on them, yet they deny all of this to our face.

Of course, we will impose sanctions. And there is really nothing they can do about that. Well, yes there is something they can do about it: apologize for their actions and cease and desist. But they will not. They will insist on bullying their way. Just another excuse to act like a thug.

Most of our diplomatic work with Russia has failed over the centuries. They do not seem to understand that. Nothing good comes from nasty relationships. Why not attempt another approach?

Problem is we do not trust them. They have spoiled the atmosphere surrounding all of our relationships, past and present. How to build something better?

Seems obvious to me. But will Putin and his cohorts truly shift focus and behavior long and well enough to convince the world that they have changed? Probably not. That is the problem with bullies. They do not understand the consequences until their nose is bloodied.

Is that what you want Putin? Are you prepared to contend with the global community’s response to your threat of war? Hmmmmm?

Childish behavior begets childish behavior. Until it doesn’t.

April 19, 2021

 

Normal?

We have been through a lot in the past 13 months. The pandemic of course, and its toll on life and death, as well as norms that have shifted mightily. Commute? Office job? Retail shops? Restaurants and bars? Church attendance? Zoom as a noun, verb, and vocation?

Grasping how life has changed during the changes has been revolutionary to each of us. We not only see the world differently, but our villages, too. And…we see ourselves differently as a result. Inescapably life has changed in so many big ways that the little things sometimes go unnoticed.

So, GM, Ford and Chrysler-Fiat-Whatever have interrupted their manufacturing of vehicles. Supply chain interruptions have stuttered awaiting receipt of  vital parts, so they have shuttered their plants. This is a big deal to the companies and to their employees. For the rest of us it is not a big deal. Cannot get a new vehicle? Poor baby! We have endured other hardships that pale against your difficulty getting a new car. New car? Some of us need to get a newer used vehicle! Let us not complain about interrupted supplies of new vehicles. We can live through that inconvenience for a bit while more important new normals are vetted.

I am hoping for a new normal in Congress. With their return to Washington, they have much to do. Most importantly, getting along with each other and seriously sorting out the problems that need their attention in priority order. It will help if they abandon their party loyalty pledges and remember they serve all the people of the nation. If they don’t wish to do that, please stay home. Resign. We will cope with the inconvenience of finding your replacement.

Meanwhile, if you do not like wearing a facemask while the virus mutates to another threat level, please stay home and do what you can to earn a living over the phone or Zoom. The rest of us would appreciate your cooperation while the nation recovers so the rest of us can return to socializing face to face. If you cannot do that, please consider moving to a rural area with less density of population.

We all have experienced loss of one kind or another, one level of pain or more. We have adapted and survived. We ask the rest of us to have patience to do the same. One day we will look back on this ordeal and wonder how we survived it. Better if we looked back and saw how well we all cooperated to lessen the pain and loss.

Unfortunately, too many did not cooperate. The commonweal suffers when the selfish are present. That questions how and when the new normal will finally arrive.

April 16, 2021

Biden’s or Our Problem?

Will Biden give you another stimulus check? Will Biden tax the rich and the corporations to pay for improved social services and replace crumbling infrastructure? What about this border crisis of Biden’s?

Well, enough. This is not Biden’s. This is political propaganda.

In our country we do for ourselves. We make decisions about our future. We take charge of what’s going on around us. And yes, our government is doing our work for us, whether we agree with some of the methods or not. It is the outcomes we are aiming for that matter.

And our form of government does not belong to Biden, Trump, or McConnell. It belongs to us, We The People. Stop calling anything that the government works with as belonging to one person.

Under Biden’s current watch, the southern border is experiencing a large influx of unaccompanied children from Central American nations. They are escaping horrible living conditions and, in many cases, certain death. We would escape those conditions, too. Under Trump’s watch the border situation was worsened. The situation under Biden’s watch will continue to be bad until our whole government gets its act together and solves the problem holistically. 80 years and counting is a long time to let any problem fester. But that is Congress for you!

And stimulus checks? They were not Trump’s nor are they Biden’s. They are the result of our government realizing the need for stimulus actions to help people horribly affected by the pandemic. All of us suffered in many ways, some much worse than others. Stimulus action was and is necessary to bring the economy back into full balance. That will take some time. Some industries will continue to fail and be replaced by others. Employment patterns will decline in some arenas and improve in others. This will take more time to train people for career shifts.

Continually manufacturing an ‘Us versus Them’ dichotomy is false and time wasting. And dangerous.

Please Congress, get down to business for the American people. Not for your power or influence, but for the good of the American people. Such behavior is long overdue. Shame on you for dragging this out for so long.

April 15, 2021

 

Living Potential

Your potential is real. Mine as well. Living as though potential is a resource to use and build upon is the point of this posting today.

Walk down a street and observe people. Sit in an airport and watch people. Go to a mall, find a comfy bench, bring a book and then periodically watch people go about their business. What do you see?

No doubt you will see people with purpose attending to errands. These folk will walk with energy, longer strides, and follow a path they seem to know well. Others will meander, gaze slowly at window displays and wander into a shop or two. What are they doing? Killing time? Searching for an idea of what to buy someone as a present? Maybe they are checking out what they like and do not have at home; a possible purchase to round out the décor?

Other people tag along with family and friends. They really don’t want to be there. You can tell. Wandering eye, lagging behind their group, a frown or scowl on their face.

Of course, there are those of us sitting on a bench watching others! Or killing time while the group I’m with is done spending money in the stores.

In a restaurant, watch fellow diners. See who is enjoying the food, the taste, the treat of eating out. See if you can tell if someone is doing a chore of getting a meal, not truly tasting it, but just getting by until the next duty calls them out. Some diners in pairs do not even talk with their companions. Why? Are they mutually mute? Or deaf? Or do they not care much about what they are doing?

Now, people with potential are everywhere. Even the disabled or seriously ill. We all have our potential, something to grow with and into. You would not know this by watching others go about their lives.

Yes, there are those who are very aware of their potential, and they grasp it, use it, and are empowered by it. They flit from one task to another, they study possibilities and options, then choose and act. They dream of possibilities and work toward making them happen. They see others in need and help them when they can. They share. They act. They think. They do.

Some of these very same people have problems, huge problems – pending job loss, troubled marriage, sick child at home, challenging expenses – and many more. You would not know this by watching them. They are actively pursuing something else, potential. Their potential.

This is not a distraction, but living into potential does take the mind off of other matters that trouble us. If we cannot do anything about the problems, at least we can do something positive. With potential.

I wonder how many people think about this? I did this morning in the wee hours. Awoke and pondered. Fell back to sleep. Got up at 5 and started my day. And wrote this blog.

Whose potential are we talking about? Yours. Mine. Ours. Best we pay it some attention.

April 14, 2021

 

Cancel Culture?

No. Culture is not being canceled, unless you count country music nearly suffocating classical music! Is that what you mean? If not, then kindly stop the disinformation campaign.

I am concerned about a lot of issues. All are important to our commonweal. Campaigning for special interest groups just because they will gain or be hurt by pending legislation on a matter is propaganda. Take voting rights. In my view, Georgia overstepped its power by restricting voter rights in the name of protecting against voter fraud. The elements contained in the Georgia voting rights bill have been researched and discussed many times over the past many decades. Each has proven false. But the sound bites sound logical. Therein lies the mischief of disinformation.

For that Georgia deserves to feel some consequences. Governor Kemp was horrified when he and his republican officials were condemned for not overturning election results that did not favor Trump. But now they are buying favor for creating the very platform and election fraud they were accused of avoiding. Huh?

Look, the people of Georgia also welcome economic giants and corporations like Coke, CNN and many others. People work for those corporations. People vote. Corporations do not vote. However, corporations feel the benefits of friendly legislation they lobby for in the state’s capitol and Washington D.C. If those corporate giants are going to benefit from this favored status, then they have to stand up for the basic building blocks of our democracy. If they don’t, they should suffer the consequences.

Blocking fairness and access to voting should earn a response from those businesses. If not, they should be punished in the marketplace. Boycotts are the only way consumers can ‘vote’ with their dollars to send a message to giants for sitting out important discussions from which they benefit. Coca Cola, where are you on voting rights in a major southern state like Georgia? Let us hear from you and learn what you intend to do about it. Doing nothing is the same as remaining silent on slavery or any other historical wrong allowed to happen and fester.

Same with airlines, sports teams and all the rest. Major League Baseball did the right thing by moving the All Star Game out of Georgia.

Actions have consequences. It is about time everyone played by the same rules, the same game book.

Texas, Arizona, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi take note. Your actions should feel the burn from the rest of the American citizenry. No one in our land lives on an island free from consequences.

April 13, 2021

 

Rogue States

Ours, here in the US of A.

Next door to Illinois Iowa has declared open carry of personal firearms. They also were slow to adopt face masks during the pandemic and are a region of open choice regarding face mask wearing during the remainder of the pandemic.

Also, next door to Illinois Indiana has statewide policies against gay people. A stigma is the official sanction of the Indian state of mind.

Across the Ohio River from Illinois Kentucky continues its rogue policies concerning homosexuals, people of color, immigrants, and a host of other issues.

North of Illinois Wisconsin continues its war against liberals, gays, voting rights for people of color and many other issues too.

The states of Arizona, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida all have voter rights suppression high on their to do list if it isn’t already a done deal.

What most of these states have in common is their fear that the world is changing faster than they can cope. Mostly, the big worry is minority status of white people. So they gerrymander voting districts, make it hard for immigrants and people of color to vote. If legislation favors white people, they are all for it. If minorities are inconvenienced or debased, it is OK.

The big question I have for these folks is simple. What do you suppose will happen to you and your family’s future generation when you are in the minority? Do you expect to be treated kindly, fairly? What makes you think so? Why would minorities treat you better than you treated them when you were in the majority?

Think about that.

The smart people are working towards diversity and equality. They have been working on this for decades. There is a reason for that. Several, in fact. First, population shifts have steadily trended toward white minority for several decades. That is not going to change. Second, we cannot live without new immigrants and people of color. We have never been able to live well without these talented and blessed people. Third, holding them back is holding us back. The lowest common denominator never worked in society’s favor; it has always debased the entire society. Better that we raise up all people to better enjoy the fruits of our effort.

Meanwhile, what do we do about these rogue states? Reason does not move them. Open and free markets do not impress them unless it is in their favor. What do we do? Starting a trade war among the states is not the answer. Legislating decency and fairness will not likely work. So, what do we do?

One answer that keeps coming to my mind is reducing states’ rights. Under this view election laws would change to cover these elements: no gerrymandering voter districts; no voter suppression laws; well regulated election finance program to diminish big money; legislation and constitutional protection that eliminates corporations or businesses being consider real people. They do not have legal voting rights. They do not create the common infrastructure we all rely on. We all pay for that. Why should corporations get favorable rights and tax favors?

If states are eligible for disaster funds, they must prove they have done all they can to reduce the effects of disasters that are known in their region. Building homes on coastal plains is insane; why should we bail out those flooded during expected hurricanes and rising tides due to global warming? Why should our insurance premiums include those who build despite known risk factors? Why should we all bail out states who have done boneheaded management of their power grids, transportation systems and education programs?

All of us are American citizens. We stand together against common disasters and challenges. But when some citizens take the easy way out and place the burden on the rest of us to save a little money and popularity locally, then we should all call foul.

If Arizona wants federal dollars for anything, let them prove they are citizens enough to deserve such largesse. Same for Florida, California, Texas, and the rest of them. Georgia? Good grief. What will it take to wake these states up to their responsibilities? They have obligations. The rest of us do as well.

What one state does regardless of effect on the rest of the states should be labeled what it is: irresponsible, immoral, and illegal. Perhaps states’ rights have lived beyond their value?

April 12, 2021

 

Bits and Pieces

Open Carry and Concealed Carry: Entering a diner or café, a man wearing a holstered gun makes me nervous. If he (or she) were uniformed, I might rest easy. But the gun toter is not sheathed in a uniform. I have no way to trust his intention or stability. Why does he need a gun? Why didn’t he leave the gun in his vehicle? More to the point, why does he feel it is necessary to have a gun near him at all? Concealed or in the open, the presence of a gun is not protection. It is tragedy waiting to happen. It even is prepared for, on the mind.

Why does Iowa, Texas or any other state need open carry or conceal carry legislation at all?

Voter Suppression Onslaught: The land of the free and the home of the brave. This is the land of freedom, of liberty and where pursuit of happiness is celebrated. Yet the system that guarantees all this is democracy which relies on voters voting.

Apparently, some politicians worry that too many people may not vote for them, or worse, they might vote against them. The solution? Voter suppression legislation. Make it difficult to vote. Discourage people from voting. 

We the people elect representatives to do our work and speak our minds. If they are not doing that, we must remove them. Of course, that means voting them out. If we are not allowed to vote or have unreasonable barriers erected against that action, then the politicians are safe.

What do we do about this? Seems obvious to me. And you?

Mass Shootings: It is catching. One shooting begets another shooting. Killing more than one person in one event is defined as a mass shooting. They beget other mass shootings. This is a behavior. Yes, it often yields to copycat behavior. But one thing is present in all of these shootings – guns. If guns were not present, shootings would not happen. Maybe mass stabbings? Mass bombings? Mass terror by automobile? All of these have occurred but then they are more difficult to pull off. Their numbers are few. But with guns? They are many and the shootings are over the moon in number. What is wrong with this picture that we allow it to go unchecked?

Violence: We are a violent nation. Mass shootings. Guns carried in public. Police authority rebuffed openly. Angry voices in public, demonstrations, on Facebook, in private and public places. Wherever we gather, voices are raised.

It doesn’t take much to move from angry voices to violent action especially if guns are present. More and more guns are present. 340 million guns or more in a nation of 320 million. More than one gun for every man, woman and child. Yet this is not a militia. It is not a well-regulated militia, and yet many believe this is our right – to own and bear arms whenever, wherever we please. The prelude statement in the constitution in Article II is ‘to maintain a regulated militia…’. Enough said. We are not permitted or guaranteed unlimited firepower in our homes or in our barns. Certainly not our cars or covered wagons. A time date is showing. We don’t need a militia today as we did when the constitution was written. We have police, national guard and the military.

Beware, freedom in America evidently does not mean peace of mind or safety. Think about that when you are out and about next time. And when you vote.

April 9, 2021

 

Loyal Opposition?

Competition in the marketplace produces several benefits. For the consumer: lower prices, better products and services. For businesses, motivation to produce the best products and services while doing so for a fair price that still covers their costs and labor. For the economy competition produces motivation for innovation among entrepreneurs and producers, innovation that advances applied technology and science, meeting more consumer needs that previously had gone unattended, and creation of new methods, efficiencies and more jobs.

Similarly, competition in the marketplace of ideas creates benefits. Rubbing ideas against each other causes deeper thinking, better articulation of meaning, and a swelling of value of the ideas themselves. Crossing ideas with one another produces remarkable new ideas as well. Think of engineering and medicine, then realize medical advancements in treating so many diseases. Manmade blood that cross matches more easily among blood types improves hospital blood supplies available in emergencies. Fake bone material that grows in place and is accepted by the receiving body without rejection is another advancement. Three-D printing that helps create replacement body parts that avoids rejection by the host recipient is yet another miracle of new ideas. And much more; just think of replacement body parts, valves, organs and what all.

Study of any academic discipline yields benefits. Society gains understanding, businesses discover new needs and products, institutions uncover new vistas to analyze and find new potential of discovery.

Competition is good for us.

Sometimes not for some. When people fear competition and seek power to to block competitors, that leads to blocking progress like in legislatures and Congress. Raw numbers of votes among the players are used not to perfect anything. They are used to manufacture power, influence, and favor. If these yield benefits for the people and society, then it is OK. Most often it is not OK because it thwarts discussion, discovery and potential.

The current attempt to renew public infrastructure is an example. Mitch McConnell and other voices of the Republican Party claim the infrastructure proposal is too expensive, potentially creating too much demand for goods and services that will spark inflation and economic chaos. If that is true, let the discussions begin and use experts in the various fields to guide the discussion. Sound bites entice but logic is more stable and informative. Power is heady but power to create is desired as opposed to power to destroy or frustrate.

The marketplace of ideas is not a debate. It is not argument. Rather it is reasonable, logical finding of fact and producing broader understanding that leads to innovation, discovery, and improvement of quality of life. This is worthy of our attention. And our discipline. Games are neither. Sheer politics is a game dressed up as something else.

It is time for logic, fact, discipline - and commonweal - to guide the work of our legislatures and Congress. For too long they have been up to shenanigans that have wasted time and resources. We have neither to waste.

Get on with your duty.

April 8, 2021

 

 

Desperation

I was at the UIC Scholarship dinner (University of Illinois at Chicago). I forget the year, but it was most likely 1985. My wife and I were asked to host a scholarship recipient at the dinner. We met her when we first sat at table. She was a straight A student, a Junior, and a young woman from Viet Nam. My role later was to introduce her to the gathering as she received her scholarship.

We asked her many questions during dinner. We asked her of life in Viet Nam, how the war had tortured her family’s life, what led her out of her native land and how she came to America. We learned of her current academic interests and her career aspirations. In all these discussions, the theme for her that evening, the theme I would use in her introduction, was resolve. Resolve to survive hardship. Resolve to survive chaos and death. Resolve to find a way forward. Resolve to be herself in all the potential that lay ahead for her.

Her story was gripping. Just the telling of it held me and the audience in rapt attention.

Her family was from a small village where they were farmers. War visited them early and pushed them to a crowded village with other displaced Vietnamese families. Together they scraped together food to feed one another, shelter to protect them from storms and privacy to protect their dignity. War kept them on the move until they were located to a Laotian prisoner of war camp.

In desperation the men planned their escape. They found a beat-up boat, small but able to carry 18 people. The plan was to cross the water from the camp to an island 3 miles or so away, away from the enemy and toward friendly American troops.

The night began with storms which gave them cover. However, soon after they had left shore, their captors discovered them missing. They searched nearby waters and spotted them. The small boat was awash, over laden and about to sink. Two of their number went overboard and drowned. Captors quickly reached them and returned them to camp and punishment.

Two months later they tried again to escape. This time the boat was a little larger but they crammed 30 people into it. They shoved off in the dark of night. Nearly capsizing, a few passengers volunteered to leave the boat but trail it closely. That saved the remaining passengers, but the three who left were never seen again. 

Paddling with makeshift oars, the band of now 27 people (men, women and children) slopped their perilous way toward friendly fire. Three more passengers slipped over the side of the boat and drowned. Finally, an American patrol boat spotted them and pulled them to their boat. The now 23 escapees were safe. Among the dead - our student's mother and father.

Later they were evacuated by American military to San Francisco where they were processed and sent to foster communities in the Midwest. Our guest of honor had worked hard to survive, to keep her focus on possibility, and committed to building a life that matters.

With a degree in Engineering, her career remained ahead of her.

I have often wondered what became of her, where she found her career, what she accomplished and what her unfolding family life would be like. I never learned any of this.

But what I learned that evening was courage to be, resolve to accept the resources at hand, and the dedication to make the best of it no matter what. She taught me that.

Her example informs us of how fortunate we are in this land of plenty and freedom. We forget the lives of desperation others endure just because of their place of birth. Today it is not Southeast Asia in the spotlight. Today it is central America and the wanton death and destruction done by gangs, marauding militias and despotic rulers. We do not know what that is like.

They do. They plot their escape. They dare a perilous journey. They risk life and health of themselves and loved ones. Finally, they reach sanctuary.

The least we can do is grant them an open door and safety. Their courage will strengthen us.

April 7, 2021

 

Commonweal

You and I make a society of two. A public. Add others and our public swells. Keep reaching until it embraces everyone in the village, town, city, county, state, region, or nation. You and I and they together form the commonweal, the public.

And it is our well being that pulls us together. Tighten those bonds and our wellbeing improves. We work together for common goals. Discussing those goals broadens our common understanding of the issues involved. More discussion helps us articulate what we anticipate as potential outcomes. Sometimes those outcomes are viewed negatively; if so, we have warning of work to do to avoid the problems to come. When we view the outcomes as positive, then we may adopt a plan to make those outcomes happen the way we envision them.

Deciding what is or is not a desired outcome is the result of our working together. It is we the people endeavoring to do the business of the people, the public. For what end? For the common good of the people, or commonweal.

We may believe the United States of America was formed with this concept firmly in mind. I hope it was, but human beings being what they are, the route demonstrated a messy journey. We have argued, fought, struggled and demonized those who do not agree with our thinking. Thus the public act of governing is disrupted today in the Congress. The commonweal is lost in the struggle for hegemony of thought and power.

The current need for renewal and upgrade of public infrastructure is a case in point. The infrastructure is used by most of us, or it is used by significant institutions that provide benefit to us all. That subject matter is certainly appropriate to the commonweal. Why then must arguments be made that speak nonsense?

The simple answer is the perpetrators of this travesty are those who demean cooperation and collaboration.

Investing in our nation’s infrastructure benefits us all. Can we afford it? Over time we can afford it. In fact, that is the nature of investment. We place resources in common to accomplish projects that will benefit the whole of society. The benefits come from improved efficiency, cost savings and expansion of abilities to accomplish more economic activity that pay even more dividends. More activity of this sort increases commercial interests which increase jobs, household incomes, careers and private savings, investments and consumption of goods necessary for quality of life.

The investment is repaid over time as well, much like the mortgage on our home. This is our mortgage on our homeland to fund a better quality of life.

Both political parties have supported projects over hundreds of years to protect and advance the commonweal. Both parties have understood the stakes of this work. One party claims to be the party of commerce and financial responsibility. The other party claims its commitment to the people. Both are major portions of our commonweal. Each party need not claim veto power over planned actions that will benefit the commonweal. No; in fact, they are called upon to work together to make the good things happen.

This is not an argument for or against conservatism or liberalism. Rather, it is an argument for the middle ground to get good things – necessary things – accomplished. Why? For the common good.

Now that’s a good working definition of commonweal.

April 6, 2021

 

Political Misfits

Matt Gaetz, Lindsay Graham, Mitch McConnell, Cruz, Rubio, McCarthy, Trump, and deSantis.

What do they have in common? Republicans, uncontrolled tongues, mixed messages, conflicting loyalties, and so much more. Bizarre actions and reaction, too. 

They talk values yet are observed breaking them. They speak of protecting and serving the American people yet keep progress from happening that would benefit the people. They support suppressing voter rights. And, not surprising, they are all male, all white, and against immigration.

How can a party that allowed the free-wheeling sexual adventures of Trump be against Gaetz’s dalliance with underage girls? How can all of them be supporters of the sanctity of marriage yet live in unannounced open marriages? How can they all be advocates of core family values yet tear kids and parents apart at the border, families that are being tortured and murdered in the streets of their native lands?

How can they espouse patriotism in one breath and immediately repudiate it in action the next breath?

Some of these are immigrants. Some of them married immigrants. Some of them helped immigrant family members join them in the US. But now that they are here they block entry to others? Even call them nasty names?

Lost in all of this flimflam is a focus on what is good and right for the American People. Who are we? What are we? What do we believe in and aspire to? What is our society – individuals like you and I, and our institutions, government entities and values – doing to support the society in which we believe? That is the discussion that needs our attention.

Instead, we have politicians involved in egos, power, money and influence ripping off taxpayers for their own good and not the people.

Lincoln said it best: Government of the people, by the people and for the people. He did not say government of, by and for the politicians.

Grab onto that reality and make it mean something. Dump the pols who clearly do not speak for us and our way of life. It is that simple.

America is a land of, by and for its people. It endows all of us the freedoms to pursue our dream. We have to work hard. We have to earn what it is we want. No one owes anyone anything except respect, nurture and freedom to breath and aspire.

Taxes and government services are not to detract from those aspirations. However, we all need to pay for what we need in common that the free market cannot supply well. Move beyond that argument and restore America to its promises.

We get the type of government we allow though inattention and ignorance. Don’t let that happen. This is our watch. We must take responsibility for it. Each of us. Me. You.

April 5, 2021

 

 

Where Is the Middle Class?

Indeed, who are the middle class? What are its numbers? Definitions are needed here. Who is writing them?

The questions are important. Over the past 20 years the middle class has dwindled as poverty has risen and the wealthy have become wealthier. Trickle down economics has not worked as witnessed by income distribution among American households.

If manufacturers and retailers need to sell their products to the public, then the public must be able to afford those purchases. The public comprises 70%+ of the labor pool. Labor must be properly compensated if the economy is to perform adequately for all. It is commonsense.

From this logic we come to understand the need for the middle class. It is the needed ingredient if we expect economic outcomes sufficient to keep the economy healthy.

Defining the middle class is a reasonable starting point. A quick internet search provided these alternate definitions:

·        About half of Americans, 52% of U.S. adults, are considered “middle class,” according to analysis by the Pew Research Center. Pew defines the middle class as households that have an annual pre-tax income that is at least two-thirds to double the national median. That ranged from $48,500 to $145,500 in 2018.

·      The economic group between the upper and lower classes, including professional and business workers and their families.

• Those in the middle class have enough disposable income to afford minor luxuries like vacations or restaurants, but also rely on borrowing for big-ticket items like homes and cars.
• The middle class constitutes a slim majority of the U.S. population (around 52%), but that is still the least it has been as it has declined over nearly half a century.

Improving purchase power of the middle class will strengthen retail markets. It will also increase retirement investing and saving for college costs for their kids. Automobile and housing markets rely on the middle class heavily. Boost the middle class and you boost not only the economy, but you also actually boost hopes and dreams of everyone. The wealthiest will see healthy returns on their investments, too. Poor people will find more opportunity to climb out of poverty if they are educated and work hard.

The model presented here is ‘trickle up’ and should replace the trickle down nonsense. Actually, it takes all economic classes working together for the whole to function properly. We don’t need the poor. We need to pull them out of that circumstance. They would serve all of our purposes if they joined the rest of society in the middle class.

Let’s help each other to solve this problem. Rebuild the middle class to a healthier standard. Now!

April 2, 2021

 

Infrastructure Projects

Fighting over budget in state legislatures and Congress has left public infrastructure in bad shape. Maintenance is one part of this issue, but in the main maintenance dollars are available to keep infrastructure healthy and in reasonable shape. However, the larger issue is reshaping or replacing infrastructure that has outlived its usefulness. Bridges in the wrong place as traffic patterns shift to other areas. Highways needing one or two lanes added to carry increased traffic loads. New technology that shifts use patterns of once standard infrastructure is yet another cause for infrastructure replacement or vast redesign.

Dams, power grid expansion, technology adoptions in power grids, stormwater management systems, are yet other examples of infrastructure demands. Population growth, industrial relocations or creations, demand yet other changes to our infrastructure.

People move households. Whether those moves are caused by career changes, retirement, health, or whimsy is not the concern. Population shifts are the point and infrastructure must be ready or able to change to properly support the added demands of population growth in a region.

The pandemic caused infrastructure use patterns to change. Working from home is the prime example. Highway systems, public transit, and wear and tear on these systems declined greatly. A question looms whether work from home will continue to be a standard of office routines. If it continues, office structure demand will decline, traffic patterns will change, and flow rates will be altered. Wear and tear on infrastructure will be a keen consideration in budget battles of public agencies.

Corporations invest in facilities and infrastructure on their own property. However, they rely on the public to supply needed infrastructure for their success in most cases. These include streets, sanitation, water and sewer, power grid, police and fire services, bridges, stormwater management, and an educated public to provide a talented labor pool. They do not pay for these elements of infrastructure. Yes, they pay local property taxes that defray the cost to the public, but the primary funding responsibility falls on the public. Is your municipality and county investing enough in this infrastructure to attract new employers to your region? Is your area retaining its major employers?

Infrastructure is a critical component of economic stability, growth, and innovation. Who pays for it is generally shared by public and private sources. How it is paid for has options: property taxes, income taxes, public revenue bonds, excise taxes and a host of others. Corporate income tax rates have been lowered greatly in recent years. This move has starved both local and national governments for investment dollars in infrastructure. Corporate taxes will need to be increased to help government afford the investment.  Revenue bonds are a healthy choice to employ now. Properly designed and needed infrastructure will pay for their own creation over time by increased economic activity. Taxing authority makes this possible to guarantee bond buyers will be repaid.

Quality of life in a region makes it attractive in selecting household location. The same is true for employers choosing sites for their placement and long term investment. Infrastructure is needed for both the public and the corporate citizens of a community. It is up to the community to make intelligent choices if the quality of life is present in the first place and retained for the long term.

Investing federal dollars in infrastructure is a critical need now. Support such efforts. Our needs have shifted and make infrastructure changes a necessity. Think internet, electronic communications and financial systems, commuting patterns and public use demands. The pace of change has quickened. Adaption to those changes has slowed.

Let’s build better for a healthier, sustainable future. For us all!

April 1, 2021