Politics for the most part used to be pretty simple, who was likely to make our lives better was the better choice.
This was primarily measured in economic terms since for the most part we agreed on some fundamental social policies. Not everyone, but the mainstream believed in most of the same values, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Not universally but enough that we didn't see those values questioned openly.
A number of years ago, theories that used to be associated with fringe groups started going mainstream.
This coincided with the advent of cable and the internet, which allowed many more avenues for these theories to be publicized.
Whether it was simply an internal expansion or one fueled by external enemies trying to disrupt our society is something for the historians, but we started to see an us vs them set of values.
In fact one side was quick to argue that our values were under attack by forces and that "true" Americans had to stand up to those who wanted to destroy religion, patriotism, and ultimately America.
Many incidents, either real or imagined were highlighted to show how school prayer, gun rights, the Flag, and innocent unborn were under attack by mysterious forces.
Villains were identified, the liberal elite, the illegal immigrants, socialists, progressives and all those who didn't "fit" into their image of an American.
Our national soul was put in question. As a nation of immigrants we once celebrated out differences, at least some of us did. Now we started taking sides.
We need to restore our values and our national soul, however it doesn't seem like an easy task. The first step would be to reject anyone promoting hate and an us vs them agenda.
All Americans and all people should enjoy our American values, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. How they do that is not cookie cutter, its what they want.
Showing posts with label America. Show all posts
Showing posts with label America. Show all posts
Sunday, August 11, 2019
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Making America Second Rate
America has held a leadership position politically, economically and militarily for a number of years now. We are now seeing that dominance, in economics and politics start to diminish.
We clearly maintain the largest military structure and it doesn't seem like it is going to be reduced any time soon. However, we are seeing our economic leads and our political leads fading.
We are challenged to a large extent economically by rising economic powers as well as some older European ones. Clearly China has the second largest economy and is likely to surpass us in the not so distant future. To some extent this is simply due to the enormous population advantage they have so as they modernize the economy has tremendous growth potential. We on the other hand are not helping ourselves by starting to restrict some trade opportunities and focusing on old industries instead of the industries of the future.
We also spend more of our GDP on the military than any of our rivals. This is not the most productive use of those funds as it is not creating much in the way of new industries or opportunities.
Part of this dominance is tied to our leadership role in world. We are clearly seeing that slipping.
Our wild accusations, failure to live up to international agreements and our imposition of tariffs and sanctions that are seemingly arbitrary are causing more and more countries to reconsider their relationship with us. We have to some extent alienated our closest allies and emboldened our enemies. Our policies are proving ineffective and self defeating. In the areas we have initiatives, ongoing we seen effectively no positive results. North Korea, Venezuela, Iran, the Middle East, the Ukraine are all either the same or worse than they were a couple of years ago.
Our approach, as apparently inspired by conservative media, is to bully these countries into submission. There is no evidence that it is working and there is evidence that it is causing them to bypass some of our influence.
We are simply not in as strong a position today as we were two years ago despite propaganda on the right. Nothing is better and much is worse. Debt is soaring, our prestige has suffered and we are seeing attacks on our assets. The one area that seems positive is our attacks on ISIS but that started before the administration and their policies have simply ceded the area to Russia.
We clearly maintain the largest military structure and it doesn't seem like it is going to be reduced any time soon. However, we are seeing our economic leads and our political leads fading.
We are challenged to a large extent economically by rising economic powers as well as some older European ones. Clearly China has the second largest economy and is likely to surpass us in the not so distant future. To some extent this is simply due to the enormous population advantage they have so as they modernize the economy has tremendous growth potential. We on the other hand are not helping ourselves by starting to restrict some trade opportunities and focusing on old industries instead of the industries of the future.
We also spend more of our GDP on the military than any of our rivals. This is not the most productive use of those funds as it is not creating much in the way of new industries or opportunities.
Part of this dominance is tied to our leadership role in world. We are clearly seeing that slipping.
Our wild accusations, failure to live up to international agreements and our imposition of tariffs and sanctions that are seemingly arbitrary are causing more and more countries to reconsider their relationship with us. We have to some extent alienated our closest allies and emboldened our enemies. Our policies are proving ineffective and self defeating. In the areas we have initiatives, ongoing we seen effectively no positive results. North Korea, Venezuela, Iran, the Middle East, the Ukraine are all either the same or worse than they were a couple of years ago.
Our approach, as apparently inspired by conservative media, is to bully these countries into submission. There is no evidence that it is working and there is evidence that it is causing them to bypass some of our influence.
We are simply not in as strong a position today as we were two years ago despite propaganda on the right. Nothing is better and much is worse. Debt is soaring, our prestige has suffered and we are seeing attacks on our assets. The one area that seems positive is our attacks on ISIS but that started before the administration and their policies have simply ceded the area to Russia.
Sunday, June 2, 2019
Breaking Rules
One of the things that was that was part of the "American" way was good sportsmanship. The idea that you try as hard as possible to defeat an opponent, but at the end you follow the rules and treat the opposition with respect.
It might actually be something we borrowed from the Brits, who tend to exemplify it.
While it clearly is something that originated in the playing fields it was something that we treasured, at least we used to.
We even have rules for how to fight wars, the Geneva conventions
Americans mostly expect that you will abided by the rules, although sometimes a little cheating is acceptable, unless you get caught.
The question though, is caught by who?
In politics the rules are enforced by the voters, or at least they are supposed to be. Yes the parties and the legislative bodies, as well as the courts get involved, but ultimately it is the voters who decide what is and what is not acceptable.
They are falling down on the job.
We saw a significant change in how the rules are followed in 2016, and saw bullying and lying as well as involvement of a foreign power end up with the help of a not representative electoral college, give us a rule breaking President.
In some parts of the country it was felt that following the rules wasn't working especially in States where manufacturing had declined and those good paying high benefit jobs also vanished.
Still, they wanted the rules to be broken to change that and ended up with a reverse Robin Hood, taking from them and giving to the rich.
It might actually be something we borrowed from the Brits, who tend to exemplify it.
While it clearly is something that originated in the playing fields it was something that we treasured, at least we used to.
We even have rules for how to fight wars, the Geneva conventions
Americans mostly expect that you will abided by the rules, although sometimes a little cheating is acceptable, unless you get caught.
The question though, is caught by who?
In politics the rules are enforced by the voters, or at least they are supposed to be. Yes the parties and the legislative bodies, as well as the courts get involved, but ultimately it is the voters who decide what is and what is not acceptable.
They are falling down on the job.
We saw a significant change in how the rules are followed in 2016, and saw bullying and lying as well as involvement of a foreign power end up with the help of a not representative electoral college, give us a rule breaking President.
In some parts of the country it was felt that following the rules wasn't working especially in States where manufacturing had declined and those good paying high benefit jobs also vanished.
Still, they wanted the rules to be broken to change that and ended up with a reverse Robin Hood, taking from them and giving to the rich.
Sunday, May 26, 2019
Make America Better
One of the things Americans are know for is a lack of tact.
The idea of the Ugly American (behavior not looks) was and is a trait we have.
Part of this is due to our relative isolation as a nation, we are, unlike most of the world, fairly remote.
Of course the true ugly American doesn't accept that and thinks it is everyone else who is in the wrong place.
Which is the other characteristic of excessive pride just for being born in this country.
None of us had anything to do with who our parents were ore what country we were born in.
Some of act as if being an American is an achievement, which it is for an immigrant, but not for those born here. It is simply a fact.
Still we take pride in it, as do people born in other countries, but we seem to think everyone should simply agree we are the best.
If somehow the achievements we personally had nothing to do with are nonetheless credited to us in some general way, they should still be at least legitimate achievements of the country.
Many of the things we seem to take pride in didn't even originate here.
After all we are still a relatively young country and many of the things that define a country were imported from elsewhere. Our language, our form of Government and our religions are all immigrants.
America is a great country and we enjoy freedoms and prosperity here envied by much of the world. However are we the greatest country? It depends on how you measure that. We have the strongest military but trail many other countries on many measurements such as health care, income equality, equal rights. We have problems with gun violence and racism that are hardly areas of pride.
Celebrate America but it can be better and not realizing that is problematic.
Its not love it or leave it. Its love it and make it better!
The idea of the Ugly American (behavior not looks) was and is a trait we have.
Part of this is due to our relative isolation as a nation, we are, unlike most of the world, fairly remote.
Of course the true ugly American doesn't accept that and thinks it is everyone else who is in the wrong place.
Which is the other characteristic of excessive pride just for being born in this country.
None of us had anything to do with who our parents were ore what country we were born in.
Some of act as if being an American is an achievement, which it is for an immigrant, but not for those born here. It is simply a fact.
Still we take pride in it, as do people born in other countries, but we seem to think everyone should simply agree we are the best.
If somehow the achievements we personally had nothing to do with are nonetheless credited to us in some general way, they should still be at least legitimate achievements of the country.
Many of the things we seem to take pride in didn't even originate here.
After all we are still a relatively young country and many of the things that define a country were imported from elsewhere. Our language, our form of Government and our religions are all immigrants.
America is a great country and we enjoy freedoms and prosperity here envied by much of the world. However are we the greatest country? It depends on how you measure that. We have the strongest military but trail many other countries on many measurements such as health care, income equality, equal rights. We have problems with gun violence and racism that are hardly areas of pride.
Celebrate America but it can be better and not realizing that is problematic.
Its not love it or leave it. Its love it and make it better!
Friday, May 24, 2019
Memorial Day
This is Memorial Day weekend and its a good time to remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for this nation.
Not all of those who died always believed in the war they fought in, particularly in the Vietnam War, but they all answered their countries call to serve and fulfilled their ultimate obligation as a citizen.
We now have an all volunteer force and that might have its advantages but it also has some disadvantages, as it moves us closer to having an Army that isn't representative of us as a nation.
In many ways having a draft lottery applied to all for a certain portion of the military will engage the public, at least the more successful parts of the public in its issues and concerns.
Of course some people always found ways to avoid serving, even when there was a draft, i.e. our draft dodger commander in chief.
None of this takes away from the honor we should hold those who died for our country.
They served, they risked everything and they paid the ultimate price.
Take some time to remember them this weekend.
Not all of those who died always believed in the war they fought in, particularly in the Vietnam War, but they all answered their countries call to serve and fulfilled their ultimate obligation as a citizen.
We now have an all volunteer force and that might have its advantages but it also has some disadvantages, as it moves us closer to having an Army that isn't representative of us as a nation.
In many ways having a draft lottery applied to all for a certain portion of the military will engage the public, at least the more successful parts of the public in its issues and concerns.
Of course some people always found ways to avoid serving, even when there was a draft, i.e. our draft dodger commander in chief.
None of this takes away from the honor we should hold those who died for our country.
They served, they risked everything and they paid the ultimate price.
Take some time to remember them this weekend.
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Greatest?
What are the criteria of being a great county?
Some would say military power,
If you use that measure its pretty clear who is the greatest.
For much of human history being the strongest also led to economic benefits as countries who lost were looted and their people enslaved.
This led to economic benefits for at least some of the population as the spoils of war were brought back.
Not a common practice today so a strong military is generally a resource drain.
In many ways military expenditures are a gigantic income redistribution scheme, as taxes collected are spent on salaries for military and equipment, bought domestically that creates good paying jobs building that equipment.
If however the criteria is where people are happiest or healthiest, we have to look elsewhere.
In that type of list the US doesn't make the top ten generally. In the 2018 UN study the US came in 18th
Happiest Countries
The criteria here is perhaps something you might argue about but I don't think too many would argue that the US has the happiest people, we sort of keep shooting each other.
We still lead the world economically but that wealth is distributed more and more unevenly.
Of course chanting, we're number 18 is probably not about to catch on, so just stick with USA, USA, leave the numbers out.
Some would say military power,
If you use that measure its pretty clear who is the greatest.
For much of human history being the strongest also led to economic benefits as countries who lost were looted and their people enslaved.
This led to economic benefits for at least some of the population as the spoils of war were brought back.
Not a common practice today so a strong military is generally a resource drain.
In many ways military expenditures are a gigantic income redistribution scheme, as taxes collected are spent on salaries for military and equipment, bought domestically that creates good paying jobs building that equipment.
If however the criteria is where people are happiest or healthiest, we have to look elsewhere.
In that type of list the US doesn't make the top ten generally. In the 2018 UN study the US came in 18th
Happiest Countries
The criteria here is perhaps something you might argue about but I don't think too many would argue that the US has the happiest people, we sort of keep shooting each other.
We still lead the world economically but that wealth is distributed more and more unevenly.
Of course chanting, we're number 18 is probably not about to catch on, so just stick with USA, USA, leave the numbers out.
Monday, January 7, 2019
America First
I was watching a discussion show and one of the "conservative" panelists made a comment about how the current president at least always wants what's best for America.
Not sure that is true, think he is all about himself, but what struck me was how the other panelists didn't respond to this insulting comment that implies some of us don't want what's best for America.
This is unfortunately part of the problem I see in a lot of these discussions, a concession that somehow repressive and economically questionable policies are good for America.
Take trade. You can argue about the pluses and minuses of any articular deal but to contend they were negotiated to hurt America is insulting.
As a believer in free trade I believe it clearly is in America's best interests to trade freely with the world to the greatest extent possible. Such trade may hurt some Americans but benefit many more with lower prices, more efficient industries and the ability to focus on the areas we are best in.
We should of course help those who might lose their jobs because they work in non-competitive industries, but if you interfere with the economics, you effectively impose a tax on the rest of us to create inefficient jobs for a few. This is not in the best interests of America and is probably not even in the best interests of those you think you are helping since the situation is unsustainable and when it ends there will be less opportunities for them.
America needs to continue to progress and continue to thrive in the world economy.
It also needs to provide for the health and welfare of its citizens by protecting the climate, supporting its allies and opposing terrorism and tyranny.
Investments in those areas are in America's best interests, they will prevent tragedy in the future.
Its best for America to continue to celebrate its freedoms, such as free speech, but even when I disagree about a policy, I can accept the other side is promoting what they think is best for America.
Its insulting to imply anything else.
Not sure that is true, think he is all about himself, but what struck me was how the other panelists didn't respond to this insulting comment that implies some of us don't want what's best for America.
This is unfortunately part of the problem I see in a lot of these discussions, a concession that somehow repressive and economically questionable policies are good for America.
Take trade. You can argue about the pluses and minuses of any articular deal but to contend they were negotiated to hurt America is insulting.
As a believer in free trade I believe it clearly is in America's best interests to trade freely with the world to the greatest extent possible. Such trade may hurt some Americans but benefit many more with lower prices, more efficient industries and the ability to focus on the areas we are best in.
We should of course help those who might lose their jobs because they work in non-competitive industries, but if you interfere with the economics, you effectively impose a tax on the rest of us to create inefficient jobs for a few. This is not in the best interests of America and is probably not even in the best interests of those you think you are helping since the situation is unsustainable and when it ends there will be less opportunities for them.
America needs to continue to progress and continue to thrive in the world economy.
It also needs to provide for the health and welfare of its citizens by protecting the climate, supporting its allies and opposing terrorism and tyranny.
Investments in those areas are in America's best interests, they will prevent tragedy in the future.
Its best for America to continue to celebrate its freedoms, such as free speech, but even when I disagree about a policy, I can accept the other side is promoting what they think is best for America.
Its insulting to imply anything else.
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Vote Against Hate
With Halloween behind us we move into the holiday season with the two big holidays on the horizon.
Of course its often considered the happiest period of the year but a season of giving thanks and celebrating the spirit of Christmas is going to be marked by fear mongering about immigrants and racism
The racism message is clear enough, hidden as make America great again.
The so called great years weren't really that great for many Americans, but in a sort of Normal Rockwell way we have built them up to some idyllic vision, at least for some.
What is always appealing, to some extent, are the memories of our childhood, which good or bad made us what we are today.
That idea of family was often false but pervasive and for most of us at least somewhat true as we did celebrate the holidays as best we could.
The fact that the rest of the year was in fact a struggle was usually not something we talked about at Thanksgiving but instead celebrated that we had made it through.
I'm not sure this has changed as much as some think, but we do have the hate mongers who feel that they need to enforce some cookie cutter idea of how to live on everybody else.
Families today may look very different or very much the same as they once did, but to the extent they can celebrate the holidays together it isn't different at all
The message of the season is love and thanks, it is not that hard.
Some candidates are running on a platform of fear. Its not the message of the season.
Of course its often considered the happiest period of the year but a season of giving thanks and celebrating the spirit of Christmas is going to be marked by fear mongering about immigrants and racism
The racism message is clear enough, hidden as make America great again.
The so called great years weren't really that great for many Americans, but in a sort of Normal Rockwell way we have built them up to some idyllic vision, at least for some.
What is always appealing, to some extent, are the memories of our childhood, which good or bad made us what we are today.
That idea of family was often false but pervasive and for most of us at least somewhat true as we did celebrate the holidays as best we could.
The fact that the rest of the year was in fact a struggle was usually not something we talked about at Thanksgiving but instead celebrated that we had made it through.
I'm not sure this has changed as much as some think, but we do have the hate mongers who feel that they need to enforce some cookie cutter idea of how to live on everybody else.
Families today may look very different or very much the same as they once did, but to the extent they can celebrate the holidays together it isn't different at all
The message of the season is love and thanks, it is not that hard.
Some candidates are running on a platform of fear. Its not the message of the season.
Friday, October 12, 2018
Columbus Day
I realize we celebrate or don't celebrate the accomplishments of Columbus on a different day and I also realize that because we switched calendars since 1492 the day is somewhat deceptive it is still the calendar day that the original landings were made using the calendar of the time.
While once a celebrated event there is a lot of revisionist history indicating how this discovery led to the reduction of the native populations and the exploitation of the Americas by Europeans.
Of course the idea of the voyage was to find a way to exploit the lucrative spice trade with the East not to subjugate the inhabitants, and from that respect it was a tremendous failure, although it changed the world dramatically.
His belief that the world was round and that the east could be reached by sailing west was correct except for the barrier in the way.
It also was farther than he thought it was.
Was he a hero?
In some regards depending on how you define a hero. He was interested in exploiting a new way to make money in the spice trade so he is probably best considered an entrepreneur and opportunist.
Was he a villain?
Probably no more than other Europeans at the time.
Yes his actions led to the brutal death and enslavement of millions of native Americans but certainly that was never his intent. Much like Pandora, once the box was open the consequences were likely inevitable considering the attitudes and differences in technology of the time.
He was at the very least brave enough to lead the expedition and lead it successfully despite the uncertainty of the result.
The world would likely be a very different place without him, although you would think the discovery of the Americas would have happened at some point anyways.
While once a celebrated event there is a lot of revisionist history indicating how this discovery led to the reduction of the native populations and the exploitation of the Americas by Europeans.
Of course the idea of the voyage was to find a way to exploit the lucrative spice trade with the East not to subjugate the inhabitants, and from that respect it was a tremendous failure, although it changed the world dramatically.
His belief that the world was round and that the east could be reached by sailing west was correct except for the barrier in the way.
It also was farther than he thought it was.
Was he a hero?
In some regards depending on how you define a hero. He was interested in exploiting a new way to make money in the spice trade so he is probably best considered an entrepreneur and opportunist.
Was he a villain?
Probably no more than other Europeans at the time.
Yes his actions led to the brutal death and enslavement of millions of native Americans but certainly that was never his intent. Much like Pandora, once the box was open the consequences were likely inevitable considering the attitudes and differences in technology of the time.
He was at the very least brave enough to lead the expedition and lead it successfully despite the uncertainty of the result.
The world would likely be a very different place without him, although you would think the discovery of the Americas would have happened at some point anyways.
Sunday, September 30, 2018
Immigration Phobia
There are people who are concerned that the demographics of this country are changing and that in the relatively near future the majority of the country will consist of people we currently consider minorities.
Its a pretty silly concern since in one way or another this has been the history of the country and populations that were once considered "unAmerican" like Irish or Italians among others, are now as mainstream as any.
We are a country that is diverse by its nature and our origins as a group of mostly English colonies is foundational and ingrained.
Yet we consistently go through periods where we decide that immigrants are going to destroy our society.
As early as the 1840s we had the Know-Nothings who felt we had to stop immigration to salvage our values.
It became a political force but soon splintered over issues like slavery and was pretty much gone by the Civil War, although of course the anti-immigration issue never really went away.
It is probably safe to say that the America of the time underwent major changes, one of which was the end of slavery and of course the millions of immigrants who came here.
This idea that the values of a particular time should be preserved forever is fairly common and we see it in some religious sects that refuse to use modern technology.
Most of us consider them somewhat quaint but then many of us want to glorify a particular period of American history and freeze it in time.
It isn't going to happen, the world isn't going to stand still and neither is the country.
Its a pretty silly concern since in one way or another this has been the history of the country and populations that were once considered "unAmerican" like Irish or Italians among others, are now as mainstream as any.
We are a country that is diverse by its nature and our origins as a group of mostly English colonies is foundational and ingrained.
Yet we consistently go through periods where we decide that immigrants are going to destroy our society.
As early as the 1840s we had the Know-Nothings who felt we had to stop immigration to salvage our values.
It became a political force but soon splintered over issues like slavery and was pretty much gone by the Civil War, although of course the anti-immigration issue never really went away.
It is probably safe to say that the America of the time underwent major changes, one of which was the end of slavery and of course the millions of immigrants who came here.
This idea that the values of a particular time should be preserved forever is fairly common and we see it in some religious sects that refuse to use modern technology.
Most of us consider them somewhat quaint but then many of us want to glorify a particular period of American history and freeze it in time.
It isn't going to happen, the world isn't going to stand still and neither is the country.
Saturday, September 15, 2018
Make it Better
One of the problems people identify frequently in various interviews is that they feel the country is moving in the wrong direction. What they mean by this varies tremendously from moving towards a totally socialist society, a sharia law society, a dictatorship, fascism or an anything goes society.
The one thing in common is that they don't like where it is going.
This played well in the last election as we saw two quite diametrically opposite candidates, Trump and Bernie Sanders do better than expected against establishment figures. In fact, the election of Barack Obama probably was a result of this underlying American and World angst.
The world and America is changing and has changed dramatically. Human nature for the most part can't keep up.
Things that were totally taboo just a few years ago are now routine.
Our approach to sex seems to have gone totally haywire in that we see it everywhere in public ads that would have been the stuff of pornography once yet have adopted stricter rules about what is permissible without explicit permission.
I was recently at an amusement park and it was hot so I would take fairly frequent breaks sitting on benches. The outfits worn by young girls and slightly older women cover less and less of areas that used to be, well, covered up. Its hard when you're from my generation to figure out the appropriate behavior since I wasn't there to ogle, just to rest. It made me think of the movie Gigi where Maurice Chevalier would sit and admire the Parisian beauties strolling. Of course they were wearing many more clothes. The song "Thank Heaven for Little Girls" sounds a lot like a pedophile by today's standards.
So are we going to hell in a hand basket or are we becoming a nation of repressive accusers?
I think the problem really is that the answer is yes to both depending on your point of view.
The country is becoming more and more diverse every year or at least more and more exposed to the rich diversity we always had.
We always had major differences between say a city kid from the Bronx to a country boy from Alabama or a surfer dude in California or a coal miner in Kentucky to a rancher in Wyoming, or a farmer in Kansas. It was just that the diversity stayed pretty diverse, while the global communications network of today is making everyone aware of everything.
Are we more or less god-fearing? Well both. Are we more or less promiscuous? Once again both.
There is not single America and even from the days of the Pilgrims in Boston to the Settlers in Virginia, the Dutch in New Amsterdam, the Swedes in Delaware, the Catholics in Maryland, the Quakers in Pennsylvania and of course the slaves brought here in captivity, we have been a diverse nation. It helped make us great. There is no single "American: way, we are a recipe of many ingredients that together make one great American nation.
Enjoy it, its constantly changing. We need to make sure it gets better.
The one thing in common is that they don't like where it is going.
This played well in the last election as we saw two quite diametrically opposite candidates, Trump and Bernie Sanders do better than expected against establishment figures. In fact, the election of Barack Obama probably was a result of this underlying American and World angst.
The world and America is changing and has changed dramatically. Human nature for the most part can't keep up.
Things that were totally taboo just a few years ago are now routine.
Our approach to sex seems to have gone totally haywire in that we see it everywhere in public ads that would have been the stuff of pornography once yet have adopted stricter rules about what is permissible without explicit permission.
I was recently at an amusement park and it was hot so I would take fairly frequent breaks sitting on benches. The outfits worn by young girls and slightly older women cover less and less of areas that used to be, well, covered up. Its hard when you're from my generation to figure out the appropriate behavior since I wasn't there to ogle, just to rest. It made me think of the movie Gigi where Maurice Chevalier would sit and admire the Parisian beauties strolling. Of course they were wearing many more clothes. The song "Thank Heaven for Little Girls" sounds a lot like a pedophile by today's standards.
So are we going to hell in a hand basket or are we becoming a nation of repressive accusers?
I think the problem really is that the answer is yes to both depending on your point of view.
The country is becoming more and more diverse every year or at least more and more exposed to the rich diversity we always had.
We always had major differences between say a city kid from the Bronx to a country boy from Alabama or a surfer dude in California or a coal miner in Kentucky to a rancher in Wyoming, or a farmer in Kansas. It was just that the diversity stayed pretty diverse, while the global communications network of today is making everyone aware of everything.
Are we more or less god-fearing? Well both. Are we more or less promiscuous? Once again both.
There is not single America and even from the days of the Pilgrims in Boston to the Settlers in Virginia, the Dutch in New Amsterdam, the Swedes in Delaware, the Catholics in Maryland, the Quakers in Pennsylvania and of course the slaves brought here in captivity, we have been a diverse nation. It helped make us great. There is no single "American: way, we are a recipe of many ingredients that together make one great American nation.
Enjoy it, its constantly changing. We need to make sure it gets better.
Friday, August 31, 2018
Labor Day Thoughts
Labor Day is traditionally considered the end of summer as in most places school resumes around then and the weather starts to get cooler.
It used to signal the start of the election season but nowadays that never really ends.
Of course it wasn't really significant for working men and women for most of history, except of course the seasons used to signal the nature of their work, planting, harvesting etc.
As industrialization took over it didn't make much difference since the work stayed basically the same no matter what the season.
However, realizing the country owes its very existence to the workers who built it we dedicated an end of summer holiday to celebrate their accomplishments.
Labor, at least the type of labor we honor this weekend, isn't what it used to be.
Unions have lost much of their influence and while we see low unemployment numbers, the great factories that employed so many are really a thing of the past for most.
Unskilled heavy labor is now done by robots, which is a boon to humanity but most of the financial benefit is for the capitalist and financiers of the world.
It seems ironic that the reduction of work that was in fact back breaking and health threatening is lamented by many.
Skills were always important but now they are essential although laborers are still need for certain things.
We should honor the working men and women who built this country but also understand that the future is different than the past and we need to adjust to it.
Its not gong to return to the past, and the past was not that great, although the hard work and sacrifice of so many gave us the great country we enjoy today.
It used to signal the start of the election season but nowadays that never really ends.
Of course it wasn't really significant for working men and women for most of history, except of course the seasons used to signal the nature of their work, planting, harvesting etc.
As industrialization took over it didn't make much difference since the work stayed basically the same no matter what the season.
However, realizing the country owes its very existence to the workers who built it we dedicated an end of summer holiday to celebrate their accomplishments.
Labor, at least the type of labor we honor this weekend, isn't what it used to be.
Unions have lost much of their influence and while we see low unemployment numbers, the great factories that employed so many are really a thing of the past for most.
Unskilled heavy labor is now done by robots, which is a boon to humanity but most of the financial benefit is for the capitalist and financiers of the world.
It seems ironic that the reduction of work that was in fact back breaking and health threatening is lamented by many.
Skills were always important but now they are essential although laborers are still need for certain things.
We should honor the working men and women who built this country but also understand that the future is different than the past and we need to adjust to it.
Its not gong to return to the past, and the past was not that great, although the hard work and sacrifice of so many gave us the great country we enjoy today.
Sunday, July 22, 2018
Local Politcs
The vast majority of Americans don't really think about politics much.
They think about getting through the day, the week, the year.
How to save for a new car, college, a new home.
What's going on with the price of gasoline, food, the movies.
Is my job secure, are my kids going to have jobs, will I be able to retire.
If I get sick can I afford it? What about the rest of my family?
Are my parents OK, can they continue to live alone? Can they afford a nursing home?
Is Social Security gonna survive?
Are my children going to have to go to war?
Are my taxes going up?
And many other concerns.
Politics matters only in so much as it impacts these concerns.
If you look at America from the 50000 foot level, it is looking pretty good. We still have the strongest economy in the world. We are developing new industries and forging global ties.
However, on the ground real people are fighting for survival every day.
This has always been true, but over the last 20 or 30 years it has gotten worse.
We saw many "secure" jobs go away either because of technology or outsourcing.
Then we saw the financial world crumble and many people in "good" neighborhoods, lost their homes and their lifestyles.
We have seen the cost of medical care and college skyrocket.
These are the issues that we care about. Want to help refugees? Make sure we are OK first.
This was why a rich bully with a checkered sexual past and a penchant for lying was able to squeak by, he promised to worry about America first.
Of course, he was lying, but many fell for it. It was better than talking about idealistic things that sound good but are for other people. Help refugees? Sure after we are OK. Ensure equal pay? Sure, but give everyone more pay.
All politics are local, they simply are.
They think about getting through the day, the week, the year.
How to save for a new car, college, a new home.
What's going on with the price of gasoline, food, the movies.
Is my job secure, are my kids going to have jobs, will I be able to retire.
If I get sick can I afford it? What about the rest of my family?
Are my parents OK, can they continue to live alone? Can they afford a nursing home?
Is Social Security gonna survive?
Are my children going to have to go to war?
Are my taxes going up?
And many other concerns.
Politics matters only in so much as it impacts these concerns.
If you look at America from the 50000 foot level, it is looking pretty good. We still have the strongest economy in the world. We are developing new industries and forging global ties.
However, on the ground real people are fighting for survival every day.
This has always been true, but over the last 20 or 30 years it has gotten worse.
We saw many "secure" jobs go away either because of technology or outsourcing.
Then we saw the financial world crumble and many people in "good" neighborhoods, lost their homes and their lifestyles.
We have seen the cost of medical care and college skyrocket.
These are the issues that we care about. Want to help refugees? Make sure we are OK first.
This was why a rich bully with a checkered sexual past and a penchant for lying was able to squeak by, he promised to worry about America first.
Of course, he was lying, but many fell for it. It was better than talking about idealistic things that sound good but are for other people. Help refugees? Sure after we are OK. Ensure equal pay? Sure, but give everyone more pay.
All politics are local, they simply are.
Sunday, July 1, 2018
Trust Them
As a slogan it seemed to resonate with people who felt that the changes they had seen in their lifetime were somehow not so good.
These changes included improved diversity, more creature comforts, tremendous increases in technology but along with that there was a loss of certain jobs that used to pay well because they were outsourced, eliminated by technology or simply obsolete.
Opportunity in America has become something that you have to earn. It was always so, but for a time, a period in history where nostalgia (not reality) tells us we all were living in Mayberry RFD or in Springfield with a father who knew best and a mother who cooked best.
Generally reality wasn't much like that but people forget the drudgery of the factories where the first thing a lot of workers did when they got paid was hit the bar, with a decent chance they would hit the wife later if she asked where his paycheck was.
Yes more women stayed home, some happily, many not.
This glorious period supposedly existed in the 50s, 60s and 70s when we of course had a country torn by civil rights protests and Vietnam war protests assassinations and presidential corruption which led to a resignation.
The idea that America was greater than rests upon a nostalgic view of men earning a decent wage and a cookie cutter family in a little pink house.
It ignores the racism, bigotry, sexual predation and rampant growth in drug use that was going on.
Why did so many of these idyllic children flee to the big cities as soon as they were old enough?
The progress in America has been steady and for most Americans things generally got better, unless of course you lost a high paying low skill job to a robot or a foreigner.
Instead of learning some skills or becoming an entrepreneur, it was easier to turn to opioids, Fox and Trump who told you it wasn't your fault, you should blame anyone who did well in the new economy.
Trust them, they will make the rich richer but something might roll your way, maybe, although probably not. Just trust them.
These changes included improved diversity, more creature comforts, tremendous increases in technology but along with that there was a loss of certain jobs that used to pay well because they were outsourced, eliminated by technology or simply obsolete.
Opportunity in America has become something that you have to earn. It was always so, but for a time, a period in history where nostalgia (not reality) tells us we all were living in Mayberry RFD or in Springfield with a father who knew best and a mother who cooked best.
Generally reality wasn't much like that but people forget the drudgery of the factories where the first thing a lot of workers did when they got paid was hit the bar, with a decent chance they would hit the wife later if she asked where his paycheck was.
Yes more women stayed home, some happily, many not.
This glorious period supposedly existed in the 50s, 60s and 70s when we of course had a country torn by civil rights protests and Vietnam war protests assassinations and presidential corruption which led to a resignation.
The idea that America was greater than rests upon a nostalgic view of men earning a decent wage and a cookie cutter family in a little pink house.
It ignores the racism, bigotry, sexual predation and rampant growth in drug use that was going on.
Why did so many of these idyllic children flee to the big cities as soon as they were old enough?
The progress in America has been steady and for most Americans things generally got better, unless of course you lost a high paying low skill job to a robot or a foreigner.
Instead of learning some skills or becoming an entrepreneur, it was easier to turn to opioids, Fox and Trump who told you it wasn't your fault, you should blame anyone who did well in the new economy.
Trust them, they will make the rich richer but something might roll your way, maybe, although probably not. Just trust them.
Sunday, June 24, 2018
Land of Opportunity
One of the lures that America has always had to immigrants is that you can do better here then you can where you are.
America was the land of opportunity.
Its of course accepted that this was true and clearly for many millions of immigrants it did offer a better situation then starving because of a potato blight or being persecuted for religious beliefs.
Of course this varied by country and while we did have in many ways more opportunity here than a country with rigid social castes it wasn't like immigrants had won the golden ticket, they still faced tough conditions, bias and in some cases terrible living conditions and years of poverty.
However, we were a growing country and work was fairly plentiful so they were generally able to establish themselves and in fact build a better future for themselves and their families.
They contributed greatly to their new country and most would agree they added greatly to the fabric of this country.
Current immigrants are no different than their predecessors and to portray them as crime ridden hoards intent on destroying our way of life is just repeating things that were said about Irish, Italians, Poles, Russians and Cubans.
They are people looking for a better, safer life and they are needed here as we don't have enough willing workers to do many of the jobs they will fill.
There are issues with American workers who see less opportunity then there once was in our manufacturing sector, but the immigrants aren't displacing them, they were displaced by economic forces and automation.
To hear the dontard talk about immigrants is to hear the same old song and dance that has been said about previous immigrants, and it is just as wrong now as it was then.
America was the land of opportunity.
Its of course accepted that this was true and clearly for many millions of immigrants it did offer a better situation then starving because of a potato blight or being persecuted for religious beliefs.
Of course this varied by country and while we did have in many ways more opportunity here than a country with rigid social castes it wasn't like immigrants had won the golden ticket, they still faced tough conditions, bias and in some cases terrible living conditions and years of poverty.
However, we were a growing country and work was fairly plentiful so they were generally able to establish themselves and in fact build a better future for themselves and their families.
They contributed greatly to their new country and most would agree they added greatly to the fabric of this country.
Current immigrants are no different than their predecessors and to portray them as crime ridden hoards intent on destroying our way of life is just repeating things that were said about Irish, Italians, Poles, Russians and Cubans.
They are people looking for a better, safer life and they are needed here as we don't have enough willing workers to do many of the jobs they will fill.
There are issues with American workers who see less opportunity then there once was in our manufacturing sector, but the immigrants aren't displacing them, they were displaced by economic forces and automation.
To hear the dontard talk about immigrants is to hear the same old song and dance that has been said about previous immigrants, and it is just as wrong now as it was then.
Friday, June 1, 2018
Form vs Substance
The fundamental question facing Americans is what do they want?
In our age with statistical sampling and other tools you would think it was pretty clear, but while the country generally holds fairly progressive views, those views aren't fully aligned with those who vote.
We also have the issue of apathy and ignorance.
The people who vote in this country are overall older, whiter and more conservative than the population as a whole.
Not necessarily smarter.
I hear a lot about the failings of the modern educational system, and sometimes it becomes quite evident when you see "Man on the Street" interviews.
I hesitate to assume these interviews are fully representative of the public as a whole, but when you see surveys where a majority of people hated Obamacare but liked the Affordable Care Act, it makes you wonder.
We have a society and population that has become attuned to the form more than the substance of issues.
Look at the issue surrounding the second amendment.
I have never heard a real proposal that would seize everybody's guns, but to many, thanks to the propaganda of the gun lobby, that's the issue they think exists.
Similarly, we see the Republicans brand themselves as supporters of the working class, when all evidence indicates they really represent the wealthy class. Yet many working class Americans, concerned that the wealthy might pay slightly higher taxes fight socialism.
We also react without much sense to arguments about our weak defense when we clearly are able to obliterate any opponent and our need for conventional weapons is far outweighed by our need for counter terrorism.
How can we get rid of the apathy and ignorance?
Its not a shared goal, Many talk about voter turnout while trying to make sure only their supporters actually turn out.
Mob rule has been a concern of the elite in this country since its founding and certain institutions, like the Electoral College were designed to prevent it.
Suppress voting, convince the ignorant to vote against their own interests, and make elections about money and personality instead of issues.
Its sort of working.
In our age with statistical sampling and other tools you would think it was pretty clear, but while the country generally holds fairly progressive views, those views aren't fully aligned with those who vote.
We also have the issue of apathy and ignorance.
The people who vote in this country are overall older, whiter and more conservative than the population as a whole.
Not necessarily smarter.
I hear a lot about the failings of the modern educational system, and sometimes it becomes quite evident when you see "Man on the Street" interviews.
I hesitate to assume these interviews are fully representative of the public as a whole, but when you see surveys where a majority of people hated Obamacare but liked the Affordable Care Act, it makes you wonder.
We have a society and population that has become attuned to the form more than the substance of issues.
Look at the issue surrounding the second amendment.
I have never heard a real proposal that would seize everybody's guns, but to many, thanks to the propaganda of the gun lobby, that's the issue they think exists.
Similarly, we see the Republicans brand themselves as supporters of the working class, when all evidence indicates they really represent the wealthy class. Yet many working class Americans, concerned that the wealthy might pay slightly higher taxes fight socialism.
We also react without much sense to arguments about our weak defense when we clearly are able to obliterate any opponent and our need for conventional weapons is far outweighed by our need for counter terrorism.
How can we get rid of the apathy and ignorance?
Its not a shared goal, Many talk about voter turnout while trying to make sure only their supporters actually turn out.
Mob rule has been a concern of the elite in this country since its founding and certain institutions, like the Electoral College were designed to prevent it.
Suppress voting, convince the ignorant to vote against their own interests, and make elections about money and personality instead of issues.
Its sort of working.
Monday, May 14, 2018
Voting
It remains to be seen how the election are going to go in 2018.
A lot is going to depend on the candidates who end up running and on a promising note we are seeing more new candidates, including many more women contesting seats.
There should be no safe seats in this country, they should all be earned.
Safe seats lead to complacency where the interests of all the constituents are often ignored for the interests of the donors.
Some think term limits are the answer, and they certainly have some impact but the real solution is simply to get participation.
The people who don't vote in this country are clearly the losers.
Many of them don't vote because they think it doesn't matter, but it really does, and not voting means its going to stay pretty much the same.
If you look at Government and wonder why they don't seem to be anything like you, well that's because you didn't vote.
Each vote is valuable, even if the candidate you vote for doesn't win.
It expresses an opinion in the only forum that the politicians care about.
Having an opponent challenge an incumbent's positions is the best way to get those positions in front of the electorate.
Of course in many elections now the only communication is via paid media ads that tend to give you very little information about the candidates, except negative information about his/her opponent.
Challenge all incumbents, get the information about their positions and exercise your right to vote.
America should reflect all Americans, not just some.
A lot is going to depend on the candidates who end up running and on a promising note we are seeing more new candidates, including many more women contesting seats.
There should be no safe seats in this country, they should all be earned.
Safe seats lead to complacency where the interests of all the constituents are often ignored for the interests of the donors.
Some think term limits are the answer, and they certainly have some impact but the real solution is simply to get participation.
The people who don't vote in this country are clearly the losers.
Many of them don't vote because they think it doesn't matter, but it really does, and not voting means its going to stay pretty much the same.
If you look at Government and wonder why they don't seem to be anything like you, well that's because you didn't vote.
Each vote is valuable, even if the candidate you vote for doesn't win.
It expresses an opinion in the only forum that the politicians care about.
Having an opponent challenge an incumbent's positions is the best way to get those positions in front of the electorate.
Of course in many elections now the only communication is via paid media ads that tend to give you very little information about the candidates, except negative information about his/her opponent.
Challenge all incumbents, get the information about their positions and exercise your right to vote.
America should reflect all Americans, not just some.
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Republican Retirements
You see a rotation in the republican party where those who grew up in a party that believed in America are deciding they've had enough.
It should be noted that generally things in America continue to go reasonably well.
Of course we have problems, one of which is the amount of gun violence in this country, and we know that while companies are doing well the people at the top benefit far more than the workers, most Americans who want to be employed are.
Immigration isn't really any issue as much as some want to say it is, the great majority of documented and undocumented immigrants simply work and live like their neighbors to the extent possible.
We still have issues with our health care system and despite attacks on the Affordable Care Act, we see more people with coverage than before it existed.
Almost everything started under the last administration has helped the recovery along and the attempts by the current one to disrupt these initiatives are not very effectual, at least yet.
You see some of the uncertainty reflected in the way stocks have started behaving as potential trade and military conflicts cause uncertainty.
Of course we see that civil liberties for many Americans are taking a hit although the opposition of this administration to minorities and the LGBT communities isn't reflective of the broader views in America.
The real question is when will there be a tipping point?
Considering the expressed viewpoints of the millennial generation as well as the view of most of the rest of us, social progress in America is going to continue.
The last election was influenced by a series of events that will be unlikely to reoccur and the core supporters of our oligarch will be forced back under the rocks they generally live under.
They drove out the real republicans in so doing.
Good riddance, they mostly turned into hypocrites.
Forced to run an election supporting the ridiculous positions of the current administration is just too much to accept.
It should be noted that generally things in America continue to go reasonably well.
Of course we have problems, one of which is the amount of gun violence in this country, and we know that while companies are doing well the people at the top benefit far more than the workers, most Americans who want to be employed are.
Immigration isn't really any issue as much as some want to say it is, the great majority of documented and undocumented immigrants simply work and live like their neighbors to the extent possible.
We still have issues with our health care system and despite attacks on the Affordable Care Act, we see more people with coverage than before it existed.
Almost everything started under the last administration has helped the recovery along and the attempts by the current one to disrupt these initiatives are not very effectual, at least yet.
You see some of the uncertainty reflected in the way stocks have started behaving as potential trade and military conflicts cause uncertainty.
Of course we see that civil liberties for many Americans are taking a hit although the opposition of this administration to minorities and the LGBT communities isn't reflective of the broader views in America.
The real question is when will there be a tipping point?
Considering the expressed viewpoints of the millennial generation as well as the view of most of the rest of us, social progress in America is going to continue.
The last election was influenced by a series of events that will be unlikely to reoccur and the core supporters of our oligarch will be forced back under the rocks they generally live under.
They drove out the real republicans in so doing.
Sunday, February 25, 2018
Conservative Values?
If you are in favor of armed murderers using assault weapons, people going without adequate health care, increased Government spending while lowering Corporate taxes, restricting a women's control over her own body, opposing equal rights for people who have different sexual orientations, closing the borders and trying to deter people who don't agree with you from voting, I guess you call yourself a conservative.
Conservative is a term that represents someone who is generally opposed to change. At least that's what it meant at one time.
Now it has taken on a certain radical approach where it wants to make many changes, or as they might think of it, a lot or undoing changes, to make America into something it never was, a bigoted white enclave.
Yes, the founders of this country were in most cases "white", ignoring the slaves they imported, but they weren't all the same. You had your New Englanders, originally Pilgrims who had morphed into whalers and traders as well as farmers. Of course New York had the remnants of its Dutch Farmers and in Pennsylvania you had your Quakers.
Delaware had its Swedish heritage and Maryland was a Catholic refuge and Virginia and the Carolina's were peopled by English émigrés who left for various reasons. Georgia was originally a prison colony.
Much of the interior was still held by the French or Spanish and of course we had the Native Americans.
This was not an America that was terribly united but in general we tolerated our differences, at least until the Civil War.
The immigrants who came here for the first few hundred years simply had to get here, we didn't have a lot of restrictions,
This was a radical country that stood for opportunity and freedom, not narrow mindedness and hate.
We need to remember our roots and keep the American dream alive.
The real American dream, the land of opportunity that welcomes immigrants and promotes freedom
The real America has always been a diverse nation and it has made us a great one.
Let's keep it that way.
Conservative is a term that represents someone who is generally opposed to change. At least that's what it meant at one time.
Now it has taken on a certain radical approach where it wants to make many changes, or as they might think of it, a lot or undoing changes, to make America into something it never was, a bigoted white enclave.
Yes, the founders of this country were in most cases "white", ignoring the slaves they imported, but they weren't all the same. You had your New Englanders, originally Pilgrims who had morphed into whalers and traders as well as farmers. Of course New York had the remnants of its Dutch Farmers and in Pennsylvania you had your Quakers.
Delaware had its Swedish heritage and Maryland was a Catholic refuge and Virginia and the Carolina's were peopled by English émigrés who left for various reasons. Georgia was originally a prison colony.
Much of the interior was still held by the French or Spanish and of course we had the Native Americans.
This was not an America that was terribly united but in general we tolerated our differences, at least until the Civil War.
The immigrants who came here for the first few hundred years simply had to get here, we didn't have a lot of restrictions,
This was a radical country that stood for opportunity and freedom, not narrow mindedness and hate.
We need to remember our roots and keep the American dream alive.
The real American dream, the land of opportunity that welcomes immigrants and promotes freedom
The real America has always been a diverse nation and it has made us a great one.
Let's keep it that way.
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Government Shut Down?
You would think that knowing the money runs out on a certain day would enable the monkeys to do something about it.
I suspect they will avoid a shut down, although the argument seems to be over two weeks versus three weeks for an extension which seems inadequate.
Still they are still recovering from the celebration after they got a tax bill passed in the Senate although they have to get it reconciled with the House bill.
This shouldn't be that hard except they made promises to pass it that aren't what the House signed up for, at least not all of them.
Also, at some point the House members representing States with high tax levels may wake up and realize they are going to be screwing their constituents.
Assuming the constituents are paying attention.
Time will tell if enough representatives realize they are both hurting the public and driving up the deficit.
I doubt they will since they buy into the idea that somehow the technology is going to go away and millions of jobs will be created.
It was a little surprising to me how many Americans accept the lies about what is going on in this country, when they don't actually see it happening where they live.
Of course there are isolated incidents of things, its a big country, but one incident of say a school board doing something stupid only means there are stupid school boards out there. It doesn't mean that some great conspiracy is undermining American values.
The dotard buys into these theories and he got elected, so it goes to show that many people have a pretty tenuous grasp on reality.
I suspect they will avoid a shut down, although the argument seems to be over two weeks versus three weeks for an extension which seems inadequate.
Still they are still recovering from the celebration after they got a tax bill passed in the Senate although they have to get it reconciled with the House bill.
This shouldn't be that hard except they made promises to pass it that aren't what the House signed up for, at least not all of them.
Also, at some point the House members representing States with high tax levels may wake up and realize they are going to be screwing their constituents.
Assuming the constituents are paying attention.
Time will tell if enough representatives realize they are both hurting the public and driving up the deficit.
I doubt they will since they buy into the idea that somehow the technology is going to go away and millions of jobs will be created.
It was a little surprising to me how many Americans accept the lies about what is going on in this country, when they don't actually see it happening where they live.
Of course there are isolated incidents of things, its a big country, but one incident of say a school board doing something stupid only means there are stupid school boards out there. It doesn't mean that some great conspiracy is undermining American values.
The dotard buys into these theories and he got elected, so it goes to show that many people have a pretty tenuous grasp on reality.
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