Miscellaneous

A few topics to ponder today.

1. Norway versus American campaign finance differences:

            “In Norway, elections are 74% government funded, political advertising on TV 
            and radio is banned, and voter turnout is 81% (ranked 15^th highest in the world).”

           “In the US, elections are 80% funded by corporations and the super-wealthy, 
           much of it for negative TV and radio advertising, and voter turnout is 48% 
           (ranked 120^th out of 169 countries).”

I’m surprised American voter turnout is as high as 48%. It is much lower in most locations and for most elections. Still the parallel between Norway and the US is stark. I’ve suggested government funding of elections and no negative ads. The focus should be on ideas, programs and solutions to public problems. It the candidate cannot sell his/her ideas to the public, then they are most likely not leaders. It is leadership we need.

2. Seattle, WA suburban high school shooting death toll rises to 3; 3 more hospitalized in critical condition

These kids were known to each other. They were popular and several were related. Some were successful athletes and well respected. This is not a situation of a loner acting in secret. Emotional issues of course. Most likely a love interest or triangle of competitive feelings. Still, a gun was present in a location ill-suited for it. Death and violence followed.

When will common sense laws on gun ownership, placement and use be adopted to save lives? Living in an armed camp is not the answer.

3. Ebola deaths in the USA = 1; ISIS deaths in America = 2; gun deaths in America = 40,000 annually; auto accident deaths in America = 30,000+ annually.

A little perspective on these facts, please. We’ve accomplished much to reduce traffic deaths. It took a lot of effort and creativity was we are succeeding in spite of more cars, more people and more miles driven annually. The death toll continues to drop. Not so for gun deaths whether accidental, criminal or suicidal. We can do much better without eliminating the Second Amendment.

Then too we must strive to keep our heads from panic when considering ISIS and Ebola threats. Work at it but do not panic.

4. Freedom of speech and press in America

We have more press outlets, at least electronically, and we have more freedom to write and say what we wish. This has not raised the quality of thought, unfortunately. Each electronic outlet continues to be more strident and non-factual by the week. Ratings are king and the media becomes the news. Its contents becomes its brand. Still, it is not factual. The history this distortion is writing is hideous and an embarrassment to the American character.

Meanwhile, printed news outlets continue to struggle to remain in operation. Ad revenues have plummeted. Distribution costs have skyrocketed. And printing costs have become unsustainable. National attention is not on the printed word but on the electronic noise of partisanship and ideology.  Shameful.

5. Economic Recovery

This is an oxymoron. The economy is rebuilding and being redefined. It is not recovering. People are not going back to work to the jobs they lost. They are finding new careers, doing different kinds of tasks and recalibrating their household finances.  Housing is being redefined to smaller scale, more energy efficient physical plants, and more sustainable surroundings. Keeping up with the Jones is an emotional draw that is losing its allure. Finally!

Whole industries are being replaced with new ones, mostly electronic. Retail shopping is less accomplished in a retail storefront and more on electronic shopping sites. Automobiles are downsized, sustainable and safer. They are better engineered to save lives and last longer. American auto industry makes fewer cars in-country and builds more components and assemblies in foreign lands.

Shipping is an everyday thing moving from manufacture to home (Viva UPS and FedEx!) Moving cars from foreign suppliers to American markets is now more than domestic production. And if the latter shifts forward it will be done by foreign brands with American-based manufacturing plants.

Gone are the days of careers made at one or two employers for a lifetime. Current reality is for 15 or 20 employers in a lifetime career. And the career itself is becoming more adaptive to change and personal invention.

Employers no longer rule household finance. Available labor and talent rule the employment markets. Educational institutions need to pay attention to this fundamental fact.  Employers, too; wake up and realize your people are your most valuable asset and always have been. You need to attract them and retain their interest and willing productivity. This is not a master/slave relationship.

These are my two cents from my perspective. Nothing I have read recently has disputed these opinions.

You?

October 30, 2014