A Parable For Our Times.

       Here's a modern day parable. There were two companies, each with a CEO for their time. The mid-20th century company CEO was approached by his R&D department . They told him that by making certain changes they could produce their product for 5% less. The CEO said "Do it and reduce the price of the product by the appropriate amount. We'll sell more product, thereby increasing our profitability and the value of the company."
       The other company was a late-20th, early-21st century company. The R&D department approached this CEO and offered the same option of changes providing the same 5% savings in production. This CEO said "Do it but keep the price the same. We'll make more profit with less production thereby making our company more profitable and more valuable with fewer people."
       The question is, which CEO was more responsible to his workers and to his customers? The first CEO will claim he is. The second CEO will claim he's more responsible to his shareholders. So, which is correct, the one who was responsible to his workers and customers or the one who was more responsible to his shareholders? Remember, both CEOs increased profits and company value.
       The real question is who was more responsible? The first CEO kept more workers and saved his customers on the costs of his products and yet remained responsible to his shareholders. The second was more responsible to his shareholders. So who is more important, the workers and customers or the shareholders? The answer is, this is the difference between then and now. This is the difference between the disparity of wealth then and now. This is the reason for lower paying jobs and jobs going overseas. Because nobody cares about the workers or customers like they once did.
      

It's Whopper Time At FOX.

       Have you heard the news? The FOX News? Well, in Colorado, the governor signed into law the right for any voter to print out a paper ballot on their home printer and then "turn them over to collectors." Yes, right from the mouth of Megyn Kelly to heaven above. You know that if Megyn says it, it must be true. right? After all, she's a nice, young, attractive woman. How could she lie?
       Well as it turns out, the whole story is made up. Nobody can print out a ballot except military personnel who could do it long before this story got cooked up. Now Megyn could have checked her facts by calling any election supervisor or Secretary of State office and would have found out the story is untrue. But hey, where's the story in that? Almost immediately news sources in Colorado called out FOX News for this lack of truth. FOX News has not retracted the statement.
       Now what would make a newscaster make up such a story? Or if it was told to her, why would she not first check out the story to make sure it's true? Perhaps truth isn't all that important at FOX News. Or perhaps the truth is not important to Megyn Kelly. Or maybe she never learned how to verify a story. Let's face it, there is a certain amount of work involved in checking out a news story. You have to call somebody who should know if it's true. You know, like somebody involved in actually counting the votes or setting the rules.
       On the other hand, if the truth is only an inconvenience to getting out a gotcha moment, then why would you bother? It's sortta like telling somebody that the jet engines are shut off so it's okay to climb inside it to see how it works. I mean, wouldn't it be wise to check with the pilot first? Or maybe the ground crew? If you want people to trust you, shouldn't you first prove you're trustworthy? Well, apparently not at FOX News. They work on the principle that if you say a lie often enough, it becomes the truth. That's why FOX News viewers are so misinformed. In fact FOX News viewers are the least informed viewers in the country. That's not to say there aren't a lot of misinformed FOX viewers in America. Some folks prefer to hear lies, so long as they agree with those lies.

Round And Round.

 Wanna know what's wrong with America nowadays? No, I don't mean jobs or the economy, but that's exactly what I mean. What's the number one important need we have right now? No I don't mean a cure for Ebola or a new secret weapon to defeat ISIS although they would be great. No, I'm talking about infrastructure. Industry is screaming for it, but we won't spend a dime on it or anything else. Other than what we're already spending our treasure on.
       That's the problem? Infrastructure? Do I think that's the biggest problem America faces? In a roundabout way it is. See, the big problem is both the economy and jobs. Now I know lots of people think jobs and the economy are up to the private sector. And that's fine, except the private sector is unwilling to do anything because the economy is so sluggish. The economy is sluggish because of the lack of good paying jobs.
       It's a vicious circle. But this is where the government can actually help. And as it happens the economy can actually help the government help the economy,  job seekers and industry and business all at the same time. Right now there's a lot of people who need good paying jobs, right now interest rates are at an  historic low of 0.4%, and right now our country desperately needs it's infrastructure repaired and/or replaced. Why? Because industry is screaming for it for one reason, and safety concerns for another.
       So, cheap money, lots of labor ready to work and a great need that only the government can meet. So what's the problem? Why haven't we already started? Because too many folks in Washington are convinced that government is not meant to attempt to create jobs. Because creating jobs is the business of the private sector. But the private sector won't touch infrastructure because it believes that's the responsibility of the government.
       Do you understand why we have this big problem? You do? Then please explain it to me, because it just doesn't make any sense. And the worst part is that these people who don't get it, are mostly going to get reelected in one week. That's what's most confusing to me. You're voting for who? Why?

When Is A Joke Too Much?

       When it comes to the Ebola scare, the Republicans had a really good point. They demanded that all flights to or from any west African country be banned. It was a smart and efficient way to protect America from the dangers of this dreaded disease. Or at least it was a brilliant idea until it was pointed out to the world that no such flights existed. Anyone who wanted to travel between America and West Africa had to first travel to a European country and then transfer to a flight heading to America.
       But it was a good idea, at least it was until they found out that they didn't do their homework. the Republicans didn't first find out if there were flights too and from West Africa. It's a lot like Chicken Little running around in fear of the sky falling. Now they're doing the same thing with the National Science Foundation. We've now got Congressmen and their staff members, none of whom are scientists reading old grant proposals to make sure the NSF isn't wasting money on "frivolous Research. You know, like research on climate change and stuff like that.
       To be sure, the NSF, as a matter of policy, has every proposal read by acknowledged scientists in the specific field to make sure the grants go only to the most deserving, about 20% of all proposals. As you might imagine the proposals are very technical and did I mention the Congressmen, or actually their staff members, have no training in the fields they are reading? Hrmpf, there's a blue ribbon panel for ya.        
       It may be that you don't believe in climate change. That's your privilege, but wouldn't it be nice to know for sure? What if you're right and these scientific research projects can actually prove you're right? Wouldn't that be better than looking like a nutcase? Well, that won't happen if these Republicans on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, chaired by Lamar Smith (R-Texas) get their way. And the thing is, the total amount of these questionable (?) research projects comes to 0.37% of the NSF budget. Were talking about 47 proposals out of 49,000.
       Rep Lamar Smith is spearheading this investigation. Of course he's getting help from the Director of the NSF who is trying to teach him Science 101. Really! Now I understand this committee has a responsibility to oversee the NSF, but if they feel the need to look into such things as these grant proposals, shouldn't they ask someone who at least is a scientist?

Ebola. Don't Ya Get It Yet?

       What in the world is wrong with our response to the threat of Ebola? America is on the cusp of a major outbreak of this murderous invader of our country. Wait a minute! This is exactly the kind of hysteria that's causing much of the trouble in America over Ebola. We seem to be at odds with ourselves. Americans are good at that.
       There are problems that could endanger many if not resolved. There is a problem with leadership. But it's not centered only within the CDC, or our hospitals. It's not even just with the Administration. If you want to know why there is such a threat, it's because all of the above haven't clearly convinced the people they know what they're doing and how to do it correctly.
       But it's not for the lack of instruction. A good part of the reason for the problem is that people, being humans, don't actually believe it can happen to me. Everyone and especially healthcare workers KNOW it can happen to me, but subconsciously, they don't think it can happen to me.
       A nurse calls the CDC and explains she has some symptoms of Ebola after treating an Ebola patient. She calls to ask if it's alright for her to board a plane and fly. Really? She has to ask? If she had listened to the training, and used common sense, she'd have known she should have gone to the hospital. And what about a CDC staff person who answered the phone and didn't have the common sense to direct her to the nearest hospital.
       Then there's a Congress that cut funding for the CDC, didn't approve a candidate to be Surgeon General and instead of getting good sound recommendations from people who actually know what should be done, get their cue from a media that has already become frenzied, with glazed eyes and salivating over increased viewership; and are feeding the hysteria.
       Situation normal. Everyone is looking to profit from this threat including the media and Congress. Yes, Congress. They want to profit from Ebola. Not financially, but politically. And then healthcare around the country who have been instructed, and have taken it seriously, but not really, not quite seriously, because It Can't Happen To Me. But fear not, because at some point in the not too distant future, everybody will finally "GET IT." Not Ebola. But the correct way to handle the threat.

Every Spoonful Helps.

       Did you know that in Germany, anyone who wishes to attend college, at any college in Germany, can attend for free? And here's another interesting fact. Even foreign students can attend college in Germany, at any college in Germany, for free. They can even get a discount, or for free, on transportation, food, clothing and events. So what? Well it seems that Germany has come to realize just how important a good education really is. And they realize that it's important to more than just wealthy families. In fact they realize it's actually AS important to poor students as rich ones.
       But then that's Germany. So what about America? We keep claiming we want our poor to get out of poverty. And we even acknowledge that a good education will likely benefit that movement from poor to middleclass. We say it, but the question is, do we believe it or do we even care? A poor student who wants to go to college is at an extreme disadvantage as compared to a wealthy student. Even if he or she is smarter than that rich kid.
       But of course, if all we're doing is talking about it to make us look and feel good, then nothing's gonna happen except more and more poor kids are gonna be left behind. And that means that more and more will live in poverty. Of course the advantage to the rich is that there will be a good supply of folks to flip their burgers and mow their lawns.
       Long ago, America saw the need to educate it's population in order to fill the ranks with educated workers for the Industrial Revolution. That's how we came to have free K-12 for everyone. We led the world in that effort. Well, this time Germany is kicking our butt. I truly am surprised that America would allow any country to whip us like this. The rest of the industrialized countries in the world are making us look like a third world has-been. Seems like a good time to get off our duff. Of course that would require Washington to get off their duffs. Hmm, like shoveling snow with a teaspoon.

Remember The Bill Of Rights?

       We Americans pride ourselves on our rights, given to us in our Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. But we also have the right to give up any rights we wish to give up. By signing contracts we can give up some rights and that's a good thing. We can also give up some rights by simply ignoring them. In the Huffington Post this morning an interview of Edward Snowden, remember him, he talks about the right to personal privacy.
       He makes one good point, he said people who claim they have nothing to hide, a claim I've heard people state, so let em look all they want, those people are giving up that right and once it's gone they, or we, can't get it back. The thing is, "the government has to justify it's intrusion into your rights." But these folks who say they don't have anything to hide are giving up a right without considering whether or not they may someday want to hide something. Maybe not even illegal, but just unpleasant or uncomfortable, or financially harmful.
       Soooo, if you're to lazy or timid, or unsure of yourself, then you lose. Now if the government has a legitimate reason to invade your privacy, they won't be too timid or lazy or unsure, they can justify it. And if their justification doesn't measure up, then they don't get to do it. But if you've once lost that right and the time comes when you'd like it back, to whom will you turn to get it back? The government? Your Congressman or Senator? You do know they only have time to speak to major donors, don't you? Even if one would see you, the whole time he'll be wondering how much you can contribute. How far will that visit get you?
       Anyone who willingly gives up their rights for no particular reason is asking to get plucked and I can put you in touch with people who would be pleased to do the plucking. They'll even smile and be gracious and thankful while doing it, unlike the government. You don't have to wimp out on this issue to be patriotic. Protecting your rights is patriotic.

The Problem With Washington.

       You may gather that I'm somewhat 'DOWN' on "elected officialdom", that is to say the breathless atmosphere of  The Washington Elect. You may gather that because it's true. It's not that I don't like these folks, many I think would be interesting diner guests, then again some are stinkers and would be no matter where they might be.

       The reason I'm down on these fawned over elected officials is that they rarely do anything that would make me fawn over them. What I mean is, these days, they rarely do much of anything. If I had a business and a former (or present) Senator of Congressman applied for a job, I'd have definite reservations about that person. I'd want to know if they did anything to deserve a job. Did they accomplish anything of importance? Did they actually do what they were elected to do? Really? WHAT? Because as far as I can see, neither the Democrats nor the Republicans, and not even the Independents, have done very much at all. Well, except for making America the laughingstock of the world. In fact if I were a Senator or Congressman, and I was applying for a job at your company, I'd probably leave that fact off my resume.
       Ya know, things weren't always like this. There was a time, mostly anytime before the new century, when our elected officials were respected, respectable and worthy of respect. It was extremely seldom that a member of the 'Hill' brotherhood was considered dimwitted or of low moral  character. Hmm, well maybe that's giving them too much credit, but if they weren't of good character , at least they had the good manners to keep it to themselves. And mostly they did their jobs. Oh yes, even then they grubbed around for funds to get reelected, but they still listened to the people, or at least did a better job of pretending to.
       Maybe that's the problem. Maybe the guy in charge of teaching them how to pretend to care better just simply retired and in order to reduce the size of government, they didn't bother to replace him. What they didn't realize was that his was the most important job in Washington. You know, like the underfunded CDC. Ya don't realize what you gave up until you need it.

The Trouble With Washington.

       Here are some interesting statistics I picked up from an editorial by Tom Friedman and one of the commenters in the New York Times today. Did you know that in Washington, Congress worked a total of 126 days in 2013? Now an average worker, after two weeks off for vacation works 250 days. So Congress works, on average, half time. Yep that would amount to a twenty hour week. But compensation, on average, for our folks in Washington is $250,000 per year. That works out to about $248 per hour.
       Now I don't mean to complain, but I just wonder why they begrudge an increase in the minimum wage for some of our poorest citizens, to $10.10 and hour. Congress is only making 24.55 times as much. And ya know it wouldn't be so bad if they were actually working for us during those 126 days they supposedly worked for us. But then when you consider that most of the time they spent voting to repeal the Affordable Care Act or shutting down the government or trying to defund agencies. And my guess is that about half that time was spent raising money for reelection time. Which means they were actually doing the job for which they were elected about 30 days a year.
       When you look at it that way, then they were earning about $1042 per hour. Now that puts them in the rhelm of Fortune 500 company CEOs., but they only work about a fourth as many hours. And if you think Fortune 500 company CEOs have golden parachutes, consider these guys have healthcare for life, a huge pension plan and offers from the companies, banks and Wall Street who they were overseeing, for millions $$$. Or at the very least a big job with big paychecks as lobbyists.
       And do ya want to know what the strangest thing is? The strangest thing is we keep electing them to keep doing the same thing, which is......what? Not much, that's what. Now I know, I know, if you're a Republican you're gonna take exception to what I said about wasting time on some of my examples. So okay, in fairness, the Democrats spend just as much time arguing against anything the Republicans do that might be construed as being useful to Americans. And they keep getting elected too. And in less than four weeks, nearly all will get reelected. So I ask you, is that dumb or what?

Who Cares About History?

       So what's the big deal? So what if some states or school boards don't like the recommended history books? Let em publish their own history books. That way they can twist history around to fit their likes and dislikes. After all, isn't it true that local control of education is best for all students? That way your kids can learn a completely different history from the kids in other schools around the country. If you ask me, it would lead to more, and more confrontational, discussions.
       That way, your kids can learn about the totally benevolent America, while the other kids can learn about the, well, the truth. Like the fact that, in it's westward expansion, it didn't treat the Native Americans, the Indians, very benevolently or that America did in fact participate in the  Slave Trade voluntarily, but didn't give up Slavery voluntarily. It took a Civil War to make that happen. The point is, there is lots of good things to say about America, but unfortunately, there are some not very good things to say about America too.
       It's really important for our kids to learn the truth about the good and not so good that is America. Why do I think that? Because, as the saying goes, when it comes to history, if you don't learn from your mistakes, you're gonna make the same mistakes again. And the problem with allowing local and even state complete control over curriculum is that there's always the chance that some moron will decide that it's more important to teach their kids to have an unrealistically rosy outlook about their country than it is to teach them the whole truth.
       There's some things we really can't or shouldn't be proud of. But if future generations don't know it or won't believe it, then the future of our great country is in for a very bumpy ride. It's not a question of respecting our country, it is about respecting those who teach us about our past. Mistakes and all. Imagine how those kids will see us if we lie to them.