Getting Along

Reading news headlines and reports once would get the impression that the world is at war everywhere. Well, in some cases that impression may be truer than not if you consider private fights, skirmishes and criminal violence. Just think of racism, anti immigration protests and riots, and the like in the US and you will get the point readily enough.

On a larger scale of course, we have the violence of the near past and modest breakouts of new skirmishes in Egypt. Rebel warfare in Libya. Rebel warfare in Syria made more complex with the addition of ISIS craziness – it is a religious war, it is not a religious war, it is malcontents being violently malcontented! – whatever it is, it is warlike and dangerous.  Even more dangerous because it is sweeping beyond national borders into several countries and threatens violence in faraway places all over the globe. They say it is religious retaliation; but it is not that and anyone serious about religion and the study of theology knows this. No, it is a war of cultural dissonance and actual and imagined slights.

Then there is Russia’s taking of the Crimea. Russia’s feigned rebel supporters taking Ukraine when everyone knows it is Russia trying to take Ukraine once again under its power umbrella.

We would be remiss if we didn't include China which covets Japanese islands, neighboring Tibet, and countless other small territories, all of which would gain it strategic advantage militarily and economically if the need arises. Who then can take China as a peaceful ally? One is naturally very wary.

So too with Russia. Putin has made it clear that he calls the tune and that alone makes him the aggressor and thus peace is failed again.  It really is that simple.

Getting along is also quite simple. One party exercises power over another without cause or invitation. The other either gives in or fights back. Either way the bully is the bully and the bullied is bullied.

Why can’t we just all get along? Why does any person or group, company or nation wish to upset power balances just so they can gain an advantage over someone else. What is the motivation? Do they feel powerless otherwise? Do they feel unappreciated? Are they poor, in ill health, or dependent on others that make them feel even more powerless?

If that is the case, why don’t they trust willing helping hands almost always nearby for help? Helpers are not all seeking an advantage.  America sends aid to many countries year after year to help them recover from natural disasters, health plagues, huge absences of education infrastructure, scarcity of potable well water, agricultural challenges and many other crises. This help is a cultural need of America to provide to others. It is not an advantage seeking strategy.

If two people were the only people alive and struggling to remain alive on an isolated island, they would naturally find ways of trusting each other and cooperating with the work and tasks needed. They would most likely collaborate on long term solutions to their situation as well. Expand this scenario out to a town or village in trouble. They would work together to improve their lot.

So would nations do this within their borders if they have the resources. Sometimes it is necessary that other nations step forward to help such nations with needed resources so they can be self sustaining in the future.

This sort of behavior among nations also builds peace. It takes time to build relationships, trust, cooperation and collaboration. That last term is a tough one. Collaboration. Two or more parties working together to achieve shared results working toward mutually shared goals. This may be finding water or energy supplies for the long term. It could be combating global warming to protect human life for the long term, and maintain and conserve quality of natural resources. It could also be the shared goal of peace. Simply that.

However, we all know it is not that simple. It takes work and trust to eliminate hostility and animosity among peoples of differing cultures.  Such are complex notions that require study to understand.  Trust takes a leap of faith that the partners will get along because in the long run it makes sense for both of them. So too the world.

Egos get in the way. Ideologies disrupt cooperation as well. Pride and hubris rear their ugly head. I guess it is the ugly part of mankind that some people simply have to feel superior to others. Why else the combat among religions, forms of art and music, politics, anti gay, anti women, anti immigrant…the whole anti brigade of issues and topics that otherwise sane people toss into daily living.  These are negative forces. They need to be avoided and neutralized in some way.

Getting along. I think it begins with the feeling that I’m OK and accept myself. It sure makes it easier to accept the other person and feel OK about them. So much can be accomplished after that point. So much.

Why then don’t the powers of good come together to silence the negative efforts of the spoilers? ISIS needs to be confronted and tamed. America alone cannot do it. And it should not. This is a global problem in need of a global community solution. Where is NATO, SEATO, UN and other power cooperatives in this matter? Will they step forward to aid the challenge of this crisis?

This is where the goal of peace resides. In the middle of the trouble spots. Where are the leaders when we need them?

Right now?

September 3, 2014

Corporate Inversions

So Burger King buys a Canadian coffee and restaurant chain for $11 billion dollars. What are the immediate thoughts that come to mind?

Well first, where’d they get the money? Burger King has had a tough time maintaining market share and keeps competitive by maintaining lower prices in their market. So profits are little iffy, right?  So again, where did they get the money?  They sure didn't borrow it. They had it in their balance sheet – idle cash earning very little on the investment market. So…

Point second, they could build new restaurants, or buy out some other chains to expand market, or… a lot of options. But they didn't. They bought a Canadian firm. Why?

They say they wanted to expand their ‘lock’ on the coffee and breakfast market niche. And they do that in America by buying a Canadian firm that they have no intention of building a presence for in the American market.  Exactly what niche are they referring to? And where is it physically located?

Point third, there has to be another advantage staring us all in the face because what the company shared with the press doesn't make any sense. Window dressing sense, yes; mathematical sense, no.

So a mention of moving their operating headquarters to cheaper space in Ontario, Canada combined with their newly purchased Canadian company, and voila! We now have the true reason for buying the company: cheaper corporate tax rates and avoidance of American federal taxes.

Essentially they are inverting their tax liabilities by relocating to foreign territory outside the USA. This happens more and more because the tax code has been shaped by corporate lobbyists who in turn finance election campaigns of senators and congressmen. This has been going on for years. And the tax code whole needs to be plugged.

Now!

It is not just tax dollars saved but it is a diversion of jobs and careers sucked from American families. That is the hidden cost of corporate inversions.

I've mentioned here in the past that corporations claim to be job generators, tax payers extraordinaire, and community partners in countless ways. Once this was true. Not so much any more.

I have served on a city council. I know what municipalities have to put up with – the demand for lower taxes and service fees, favored status in road repairs, softer water for their plumbing, better traffic controls for their properties, and of course speedy police and fire responses for their facilities.  All these cost huge amounts of money. And yes, they pay property taxes, but they also produce a lot of traffic, resultant traffic snarls and accidents, storm water retention/detention/flooding challenges, etc. All of these cost lots of money. And let’s not forget the cost of the initial installation of the infrastructure that is often overlooked and taken for granted. Streets, curbs, gutters, lighting and traffic control equipment is not free to build and buy. And the maintenance costs go on for an eternity.

Local services are paid from property and use taxes. Not income taxes. The infrastructure has to be in place to support daily routines of residents and the business community. Employment opportunities grow from these businesses but not very much for the local town. Lots of commuters paying taxes elsewhere and wearing out our streets add to the tax load of our community.

Corporations do not pay their full share of the costs for the infrastructure (building it or maintaining it). Federal dollars are used for some of these investments, and of course federal dollars are used for regulatory safeguards, national defense, education supports for a talented workforce, and so much more.

The Burger Kings of the world are simply dodging the costs they create only those costs are hidden in public infrastructure costs paid for by everyone else in their tax obligations.

Corporate inversions have become an economic liability and we should demand a congressional fix for the problem. Meanwhile we should boycott all companies who employ the inversion tactic to cheat on their community responsibility.

By the way, most oil companies are foreign last time I checked. Very few oil corporations are American anymore. Just think of the federal tax loss from that. And they claim to be working to benefit America!

Bosh!

September 2, 2014

Labor Day

Today is a holiday in America. It was solely created to celebrate the contributions to the nation’s security, prosperity and well being by American workers. It began at the behest of the labor union movement and later spread to recognize the benefits from all workers, union or not.

In 2014 the labor movement is a shrunken giant. It still has muscle and purpose but it is nothing as it was in the 19502’s or 1960’s. Historians will wrestle with the ‘why’ of this shrinkage of labor union power, but in the end it will still be a movement that had and still has great value to the American culture and economy.

Labor unions mightily helped improve working conditions. Then livable wages were targeted and won. Finally worker benefits were championed. Along the way holidays, seniority and work rules that improved worker training and productivity gained traction.

Today the American economy has transformed into several divisions of activity: first is services, second is manufacturing, third is micro markets for both products and services, and fourth is entrepreneurial thirst to build one’s own business from the ground floor up.

Each of these divisions in the economy fractures the hold that labor and separately, management, has had over the economy. Major corporate leaders no longer hold the sway they once did. Same for labor unions. At one time the nation would grind to a halt if management locked out its laborers. The unions had the same power: they could call a strike and shut down transportation, communication and other key industries that otherwise keep the country working.

Compensation for work performed has shriveled in recent years. There is too little work available and too many potential employees to fill the job openings that exist. This spells lower salaries.

Management mindsets began in 1992 or before to cheapened worker benefits. Health coverage was the first to move to complicated co-pay requirements, then higher premiums passed directly on to employees. Increasingly annual pay increases pretty much matched premium increases. This was the case for several years. So, first lower or stagnant pay, then lower health benefits, and finally pension benefits. Those are nearly gone. And even those that remain are being threatened for revaluation to lower benefits and higher premiums.

Compensation is a combination of pay and benefits including pensions. Lest we forget, however, the work is paramount. The companies need work performed well by a willing labor force. And the labor force deserves to have a meaningful career now and in the future. It may be the personal responsibility for each worker to prepare for their next step forward, but it is also incumbent on the employer to make career options open to those capable of filling the company’s needs. It makes good sense. It shares the responsibilities among the two parties.

Neither political party should have frown on either corporate or labor points of view. They ought to support what’s good for the economy and the nation. An impoverished labor force bodes ill for the nation’s future. Dickensian power over labor by the titans of industry is an hideous view back centuries. It wasn't good for society then and certainly wouldn't be a positive today.

We have vast untapped worker resources in the country. We have an economy finally facing up to the realization that it needs to reinvent itself in both manufacturing, labor movement practices, and benefit plan development. The ends of what we are all working for should be our focus. Not the means. Otherwise we get back to the old argument of the ends justifying the means.  No, no. In those days gone by more was destroyed than built.

America is a deep well of creativity and inventiveness. Unlock that and there are no limits to what we can do. The trick is how do we unlock that promise so we all can benefit?

A good question. Why are the answers not forthcoming?

September 1, 2014

Thought for the Day

Smart asses bother me! They swagger. They primp. They sneer. And then I read this anonymous quote on the internet:

            “If you are going to be a SMART ASS…

             FIRST you must be SMART

             Otherwise you are just an ASS”

Ponder this over the weekend. Either develop a defense against smart asses, or wean yourself from such behavior. Either way we all benefit!

Have a great weekend!

August 30, 2014

Hank - A Guy I know

Hank stuttered his way through the lunch meeting. His conversation was halting and unrelated to central topics. Rambling and bouncing from idea to idea would be a better description of his demeanor. I fed him relevant bits and pieces to tie phrases together and develop broader themes to the communication. But it was an effort on my part.

What was he trying to tell me? That was the key thought in my head throughout the ordeal. And an ordeal it was.

It turned out that Hank was sharing a mother lode of personal problems, all of which he wanted help to handle. The list of ‘issues’ was great.  Where to start?

First, he started and ended each day with Tylenol or aspirin. Was this an addiction, he wondered? Next, he outlined his daily routines – the most personal ones! – almost as obsessions. The morning toilet routine, shaving, teeth cleaning, pills to take and shower. Followed by dressing routines and all the rest. Obsessive compulsive disorder was the core of his telling me this. Was it normal to follow these routines each and every day?

And that was just the morning. There was the meal routine, the mid-day toilet regime, the afternoon exercise program worked into his work and study routines. Then there was the evening meal, the kitchen clean up protocol, the evening toilet routine and the undressing and going to bed schedule he followed to the T each and every time.

Obsessive compulsive? Or a self prescribed practice to fight attention deficit disorder (ADD)? It sounded more like ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive disorder). Or a combination of the two? And just who was I to make this observation as a diagnosis? I had no training whatsoever in these fields. 

This was a friend in need sharing his problems with me. Simple as that; but really?

Hank went on to tell me that his routine did include consumption of alcohol. At first it was not everyday drinking but lately it had taken a pattern of daily drinking, sometimes to excess by bedtime. Was he becoming an alcoholic? he asked! Yet another issue.

But wait there was yet another ‘issue’ to be shared: he thought about sex quite a lot but didn't do anything about it.  I mean, he made it clear that he was titillated by the idea of sex in many different manners, but he did not do anything to satisfy it.  He wondered if he was asexual or perhaps sexually dysfunctional?

And then there was his work. He hated it. He did as he was asked by his boss and his clients. He worked hard on their assignments and completed them on time. He hated the pressure of deadlines, yet he accepted the fact that he would underperform if he didn't have the discipline of deadlines. At the core of the work, though, he did not like the tasks. The work did not feed his interests one iota. He wanted to think about other matters that spoke to world issues and improving quality of life for millions of people.  He just thought that way.

So now I’m dealing with a sexually dysfunctional, possible alcoholic with ADD and possibly ADHD, an obsessive compulsive, with hate syndromes related to work. And now I add Utopian thinker, or possibly a visionary to be more charitable?

Hank is a friend. He is good looking, usually calm, insightful, normally a great conversationalist, he enjoys sharing music and literature with me, and we spend quality time in each other’s company. But he is exhausting at times! Surely you see why?!

To my knowledge Hank has a stellar academic record from kindergarten through high school, college and a master’s degree at a fine university. He earns a good income and avoids debt at nearly every turn. He drives a mundane car, dresses casually and without fanfare of style, and lives in a modest apartment close to public transportation that he uses to get to work. He is able to work from home much of the time, however, which gives him the opportunity to indulge in his exercise and toilet routines mentioned earlier.

Hank is 32, never married (of course!) and his parents and siblings live spread out on both coasts while he lives in Chicago. Very little family interaction has been reported to me by him. Besides me, however, I have learned of very few close friends he spends time with on a regular basis. So, perhaps we add ‘loner’ to the catalog of descriptors of him?

This information he has shared with me directly. I could add more detailed information but this would be based on my personal observation and experience with Hank.  Such as, his interest in music – mostly classical with an emphasis on the baroque, loves organ music in general, is partial to Italian opera arias, and has a special thing for choral music, again mostly classical.

Hank avoids live or recorded opera performances. He has attended a few but never felt a return visit was necessary. He does get a kick out of Broadway musicals performed live on stage. He likes the glitter (he says) but especially loves the vocals, choruses and dance routines. To my knowledge he has never attended a ballet performance, or any other kind of dance recital either.

Regarding literature he requires a steady diet of well written detective novels, but reads steadily the old classics. He dutifully wallows through Bronte and Jane Austen classics, but also likes Defoe and other early English writers. He has never strayed to foreign writers that I am aware of. He occasionally tests the waters of non-fiction but never on ideological or political topics. Historical themes, yes; and that will cover important thinkers and politicians of centuries past.

He seems to be a renaissance man – thinking on major themes of the intellect and trying to place these themes in logical order or symbiosis. How do they fit together? What do they mean when taken all together? Yes, this is Hank.

Quite a bit of background on one individual, don’t you think? And what kind of person do you take him to be? Does his type interest you? Do you wish to be his friend? Would you take him at face value – what you see is what you get? – or would you try to ‘fix’ him?

He remains an enigma to me because of that last question.  Who am I to fix anyone? Acceptance of the whole person is a gift I think. It allows us to value life more fully and to value our inner spaces as well. We have the Hanks of the world to help us see ourselves more clearly.

Neither Hank nor I are right or wrong. We are just two people in search of sharing meaningful time together.

And that’s not a bad thing!

August 29, 2014

PS: More about Hank in the future!

Getting Personal

I get to vent my frustrations here in my blog. There are those who read it faithfully every day and those that don’t. There are those who visit once and disappear forever. And then there are those who visit infrequently but read a lot of past posts. And then come back for more.

I fully admit to venting my irritation with political vampires in America. There are many who irritate everyone. That seems to be their job! How on earth can they be happy people?

At any rate pointing out a truth or fact that should matter in our life-long struggle to make sense of a chaotic world, should be a simple matter of communication. Trying to keep the language neutral is not always easy but it is necessary for good communication. Neutrality of emotion keeps the conversation open and functioning.

Taking sides isn't a problem as long as the emotion is reduced or eliminated.  Saying someone is stupid for thinking one way or another is such an emotion to be eliminated from conversation. That seems elemental to me.

I try to keep personality out of my writing when dealing with facts or arguments for one position as opposed to another. The logic should be the focus of the exchange of ideas.  Not the personalities.

There are personalities in the world and in politics that are nothing but personal. Putin is one such character. Obama is not. He is cool, calm, historically based, and mindful of finding solutions to problems and disagreements. He will not be bamboozled.  That’s what makes Putin transparent in his demeanor. He is a person of intentional power rather than peace.  Only his point of view is the one that matters.

That is not how the globe works when seeking justice and peace.

John McCain is another. He switches from personable to personal all the time. He has tried to solve big problems, but when he has not succeeded, he makes the problem a personal one and attacks other people who he views as enemies.  That doesn't work. That is why he is not President.

Sarah Palin is another politician built on the model of personal attack only. I wonder if she every truly governed?  I wonder if she every truly solved a social problem? I doubt it. Alaska is a state in a world of economic trouble and she quit when the going got tough. She tried to be a political mouthpiece and succeeded in that role but lost election after election. She truly needs to shut up. She no longer has credibility other than her nice smile.

When we think of how some presidents performed in their job, and how much time and effort went into countless things the public has no knowledge of, it amazes me that some did so well.

Clinton comes to mind. He was a short term performer in long-term problems and succeeded. Later, his short term performance turned into long term performance when his policy solutions worked better than anyone could have imagined.

Same is true with the first George Bush, (HW). He was a man of history, diplomacy and seasoned social policy. He was successful at it for his lifelong career until he made the fatal mistake of allowing right wing Christian conservatives to take over his republican party. That was doomsday for the party. It’s when I left it.

True to my prediction the republicans have not performed well with the exception of being naysayers and obstructionists in the houses of congress. A pitiful sight. And not one of historical significance in solving problems for this age or the future. And that does not even address global concerns!

Today the pundits fault Obama for everything they gave cause to. The deficit. The wars. The failure of world diplomacy. Chaos in economic markets. Education systems that are turning out too few critical thinkers who can and need to solve problems.

When I was in high school, then in college, I ached for the chance to get an opportunity to solve the world’s problems. Then when I was doing what I thought was right, I learned that others were making matters worse elsewhere.

I had hoped our generation would leave the world in a much better position of sustainable peace and harmony. Obviously that has failed. We now have larger problems than when I was young.  This means today’s younger generation has a lot of work to do.

It is not to be a personal attack on anyone. It is to be a selfless effort to make the world peaceful and a better place for all to live in. This is not a world of, for and by America, or Russia, or France, or any other country. This is a world where every country takes responsibility for doing the right thing for their people and the peoples of the world at the same time. If imbalances develop they need to be addressed.

I have been accused of being an idealist, utopianist, nerd and geek. I’d rather be called a visionary, a person who sees past the cluttered chaos of the present to what ought to be our goals. That requires us to think outside ‘the box’ and be creative. It also allows for sharing the problem, the resources and the credit for getting something done. Something that is worthwhile for us all.

Who will lead mankind out of this mess?  Surely not the republicans; they prefer war and dominance in all that they do. Not the democrats, either. They simply keep their eyes on their own voting districts. They need to focus on global needs and how America can help with those needs.

And diplomacy needs to be returned to its fine arts status. Under George W. Bush (much to his father’s consternation!) the diplomatic corps was decimated. Intentionally, I think, but possibly not. Bad policy drives good people out of organizations and careers. Even then, congress refuses to act responsibly and protect diplomatic missions with proper security. No, they prefer to make politics not solutions.

A fine mess we are in. Won’t someone with talent and credibility please step up and help us all out here?  We have such a person in Obama, but he is opposed at every turn by pure politics. It’s a shame, but the truth.  Who’s next, then?

We have a leadership problem and a vision problem in our nation. And in the world.

When will we get serious and live our principles rather than our ideologies?

A good question!

August 28, 2014

Dissonance 3

I’ll get this out of my system today. The last Dissonance article for awhile.

First quote:

“The corporations that profit from permanent war need us to be afraid. Fear stops us from objecting to government spending on a bloated military. Fear means we will not ask unpleasant questions of those in power.” ~Chris Hedges

You may not know that both the Afghanistan and Iraq wars were ‘off budget’ and off the annual deficit bean counter. Of course the expenditures were tallied up in the national debt figures. When Obama took over the White House following George W and Dick Cheney, the war expenses were placed back on the current operating budget. And yes those annual deficits were built by Bush/Cheney and paid down by Obama/Biden. Still have a long way to go, but talk about a bloated military budget.

Yet you’d think the squealing sounds from the republican camp indicates too little is spent by the Pentagon and more gruff stuff talk to the world is needed to keep Russia at bay, and the Middle East. Hogwash. The military budget in America is well over $600 billion annually. It needs trimming. The whole concept of smaller military task forces recommended by Don Rumsfeld was supposed to contain spending and provide faster, more flexible response from our military to hot spots around the globe.  Those suggestions didn't go very far!  Imagine the horror in corporate suites across the nation when they realized their sales were about to tumble!

Second quote, this one from Bernie Sanders, Independent Senator from Vermont:

“How is it that we can afford to allow one in four corporations to not pay federal income taxes, but we can’t afford to help our veterans?”

Yeah!  Answer that one for us all! Well, you sort of know the answer from quote #1, above.

Quote three is from Elizabeth Warren, Democrat US Senator for Massachusetts:

“How do Fortune 500 companies pay zero in taxes while college loans go up to 6%? This game is rigged.”

It sure is rigged! And if we finally lowered the military budget we could afford to pay college tuition for all students in America. Think of the dividends that would provide to the economy, culture, academia, research and development and so much more! But Congress has other ideas on its mind. They trying to discredit eight years under the first African-American president in history. They are trying to regain the White House for the republicans. Meanwhile, veterans go begging for medical benefits they earned and paid for. Congressional pay has continued its upward, regular spiral while the Minimum Wage Act grows dusty and pay level so low no one can earn a living on it. And while medical and other insurance benefits cost more for all Americans, Congressional benefits continue to rise in value without any premium cost paid by Congressmen. Or retirement benefits, either, for that matter.

Let’s see, there is more: the economy continues to slowly rebuild from the ashes caused by Congressional inaction and favored status for banks, mortgage companies and real estate barons, while all good solutions from the White House and academia are pooh poohed and ignored. Well, not ignored. The abusive nay saying and obstructionism is screamed far and wide over all media outlets.

Leadership? It takes more than one person to lead a nation. It takes collaboration and cooperation from every sector of our nation and its governments.

Quote four from an unknown author over the internet:

“The Wizard of Oz is 70 years old. Today, if Dorothy were to encounter men with no brains, no hearts, and no balls, she wouldn't be in Oz. She’s be in Congress!”

I’m still laughing over this quote. How true, how true.

Lest the reader think I’m picking on only republicans, I’m not. Congressional Democrats have abandoned their own President because they didn’t get everything they wanted.  Poor babies.  Life is rough all over. We all have to make sacrifices. But if you and your pals across the Congressional aisle would listen to one another and patch together some dynamic good compromises, a grateful nation would be at your doorstop.

Evidently that is a pipe dream of mine that will continue to go unserved.  To bad!

August 27, 2014