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