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Thursday, February 28, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
A Thought: On Questioning Where Your Money Goes
Americans will raise hell over every penny the government wishes to take from them, regardless of the numerous necessary things for which it is used, but they will blindly and unquestioningly just shrug and shake their heads wordlessly while big business steadily increases the prices of basic necessities.
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Friday, February 22, 2013
America's Promise Deferred
There are few things in my life that regularly bother me as much as my student loans. I understand why so many in my generation feel so damned hopeless sometimes.
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Thursday, February 21, 2013
A Thought: On Comparing Apples to Tiny South African Marmots
I understand that one of the primary purposes of the news media has become to stir up controversy and dilute the truth so much that the American public is barely able to recognize fact from fiction, but there are some things that need to stop happening. For one, they need to stop squaring off Capitalism with Socialism, as though they are diametrically opposed political concepts, for a few reasons.
First, Socialism is a political system and Capitalism is, despite all evidence to the contrary here in America, an economic system. Here in the states, while our economic policy is Capitalist, in theory, we are, politically, a Republic. It's impossible to compare Capitalism to Socialism, as they're in two completely separate categories. I know, I know. It's just a nice way of calling your political opponents Communists, which is definitely not the same thing as Socialism to anyone who has any idea what in the hell they're talking about except that...
Socialism as a political policy, as its enacted by most civilized countries worldwide, is actually beneficial to Capitalism as a fiscal one, and here's why. Capitalism's driving principal, and one which we seem to have forgotten, is a form of mutually-beneficial selfishness. In its purest form, corporations care for their workers, compensate them well and reward them for innovation, all of which drive productivity which in turn increases profits, allowing said businesses to invest further in their workers care, which perpetuates the Capitalistic cycle. We've seen it work. It's why the U.S. was the economic leader of the last century.
Socialism, then, removes the burden of caring for the workers from the business. It does NOT take money from the rich and just give it to the poor in the hopes of making everyone equal. That's Communism. Instead, it provides for the basic needs of its citizenry, things like health care, education, etc., all of which improve productivity and, thereby, improve the nation's GNP. Almost every other first world nation does this right along side voting and having their democratic process remain unassailed.
So basically just...stop it, already. Stop trying to scare people. Stop trying to maintain a status quo that's dragging us down. Tradition is a heavy weight to which we have chained ourselves and its time to bite the bullet, get with the rest of the world and care for America.
Oh, and just so you know, if you do the math, taking away non-essential corporate subsidies and tax breaks alone would pay for every penny, and then some, of nearly every program that, under Capitalism, they're meant to be supporting but have long ago dropped the ball on, including universal healthcare. Which means that the wealthy, the middle class and even the poor who live in fear of their taxes going up and take it out on the politicians should be directing their anger at those who are spending all that money they could be using to fix the country on keeping it the same: big business.
Read more!
First, Socialism is a political system and Capitalism is, despite all evidence to the contrary here in America, an economic system. Here in the states, while our economic policy is Capitalist, in theory, we are, politically, a Republic. It's impossible to compare Capitalism to Socialism, as they're in two completely separate categories. I know, I know. It's just a nice way of calling your political opponents Communists, which is definitely not the same thing as Socialism to anyone who has any idea what in the hell they're talking about except that...
Socialism as a political policy, as its enacted by most civilized countries worldwide, is actually beneficial to Capitalism as a fiscal one, and here's why. Capitalism's driving principal, and one which we seem to have forgotten, is a form of mutually-beneficial selfishness. In its purest form, corporations care for their workers, compensate them well and reward them for innovation, all of which drive productivity which in turn increases profits, allowing said businesses to invest further in their workers care, which perpetuates the Capitalistic cycle. We've seen it work. It's why the U.S. was the economic leader of the last century.
Socialism, then, removes the burden of caring for the workers from the business. It does NOT take money from the rich and just give it to the poor in the hopes of making everyone equal. That's Communism. Instead, it provides for the basic needs of its citizenry, things like health care, education, etc., all of which improve productivity and, thereby, improve the nation's GNP. Almost every other first world nation does this right along side voting and having their democratic process remain unassailed.
So basically just...stop it, already. Stop trying to scare people. Stop trying to maintain a status quo that's dragging us down. Tradition is a heavy weight to which we have chained ourselves and its time to bite the bullet, get with the rest of the world and care for America.
Oh, and just so you know, if you do the math, taking away non-essential corporate subsidies and tax breaks alone would pay for every penny, and then some, of nearly every program that, under Capitalism, they're meant to be supporting but have long ago dropped the ball on, including universal healthcare. Which means that the wealthy, the middle class and even the poor who live in fear of their taxes going up and take it out on the politicians should be directing their anger at those who are spending all that money they could be using to fix the country on keeping it the same: big business.
Read more!
Sound City Players
Dave Grohl made a movie and got together a group of famous musicians to work together to do the soundtrack. This is one of the songs, with freakin' Stevie Nicks doing lead and sounding, as a friend of mine put it, like a long lost Sunny Day Real Estate track. Check this out. Right. Now.
The Sound City Players - You Can't Fix This Read more!
The Sound City Players - You Can't Fix This Read more!
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
We've got to stop doing this, Netflix....
A little while ago, you added in auto-play functionality, which was awesome. Now, though, you still have it, but you randomly interrupt playback to make sure people are actually watching. Do you see the problem here, Netflix? Hm?
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The Wheel Turns...
I first picked up The Eye of the World when I was a freshman in college, about twelve years ago. I was instantly wrapped up in Jordan's world and, as I made my way through the series, I anxiously awaited its conclusion. Like so many others, though, I eventually started to feel like it was a little long in the getting there, so I waited until it was finished to pick it back up. After more than a decade, though, I figured it was best to start over.
I've just finished reading the first book again and, while I don't feel the same magic I did the first time, I'm actually really enjoying it. Here's hoping that I'll make it through this time and, more so, that it's worth it, in the end.
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I've just finished reading the first book again and, while I don't feel the same magic I did the first time, I'm actually really enjoying it. Here's hoping that I'll make it through this time and, more so, that it's worth it, in the end.
Read more!
Monday, February 18, 2013
Pulling Myself Together
The last few months have been difficult, though in a way that I'm not sure I can properly identify. There's been the obvious stressors, things like the slow process of applying to graduate school and gathering everything necessary for that. But nothing overly specific. Things in life are going well, overall, better than they have in quite a while.
Still...I seem to have lost focus and much of the time I spend alone feels listless and lonely, unmotivated. I need to find some drive, something to get me going, to inspire me. I need to get moving, figuratively and literally. It's time to get back on track. Read more!
Still...I seem to have lost focus and much of the time I spend alone feels listless and lonely, unmotivated. I need to find some drive, something to get me going, to inspire me. I need to get moving, figuratively and literally. It's time to get back on track. Read more!
Saturday, February 16, 2013
A Thought: On the Upside of Ear Buds
I've finally discovered a positive side to the abominable things. When out and about, businesses can play good music for we older folks, as anyone young enough to complain will likely be wearing their ear buds the entire time, anyway. Hooray, technology!
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A Thought: On The Unfairness of Capital Gains
I think it's grossly unfair to tax capital gains in the same way that earned income is taxed. I don't believe we should do anything to give the impression that those drawing additional income from money they just had sitting in an account have done anything to earn it.
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Thursday, February 14, 2013
Ah, Valentine's Day
When we're all reminded that it isn't enough to show love in everything you do, unless at least a few of those things have high monetary value, that it's better to be with someone who treats us like crap than alone because life is a hollow, lifeless shell without someone to share it with (and
upon whom, as previously stated, we can shower expensive gifts) and, finally, that if we pretend hard enough that we don't care, maybe the people in our lives will be kind enough to pretend they believe us.
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Choices: Welfare and Minimum Wage
Okay, once again, you have to make a choice, people. You can't be against both raising the minimum wage AND welfare. Pick one. If you don't want people being on welfare, make it more profitable to work than not.
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A Thought: On The End of Days
I find that most who claim that the end of the world is nigh, citing all the chaos and degradation and greed as evidence, are generally using it as an excuse to keep from having to work against those things.
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Monday, February 11, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Good morning...
Terrible, nauseating headache pain. I'd like to say it's nice to see you, but, really, seeing anything right now isn't a whole lot of fun.
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Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Thoughts on the State of Our Political System
In an ongoing discussion with a friend of mine regarding the politics of the country, he asked, in response to a statement I made, whether I subscribe to Marxist or Communist beliefs. I spent a day or so thinking about it and came up with this response.
Would that it were that simple. Marxism is an economic theory and one which has never been implemented anymore than pure capitalism, and for the same reason: neither takes into account humanity. And the political Communism bears very little resemblance to Marx's theories anymore than conservative Republicanism actually embodies pure capitalism. When it comes down to it, though, it isn't an either/or situation. That's just something that we've been sold as a country so we'd have a united enemy that wasn't the actual enemy.
What I meant when I said what we have isn't working is just that. Our political system isn't working. It's product is a nation in decline. But saying that the system we're using now doesn't mean that I'm saying we should switch to the system that others are using, because there are flaws in all of those, as well. Chinese Communism does an exceptional job with prioritizing public education and social awareness, but allows for virtually no freedom of the press or personal expression. European socialism does an exceptional job of taking care of its people's health and well-being, but keeps them isolated from one another and, as a result, has led to flagging economic systems which are only interconnected enough to drag one another down. And American Republicanism allows for unprecedented levels of personal freedom, but limits those very freedoms by placing a higher priority on economic growth and the health of business now than it does on investing in the future. So, as with all things, there's no black and white. In order to grow and succeed, we need to learn from one another's successes and failures, take the good, leave out the bad and create a system that works, admitting when parts are broken, and fixing them.
The founding fathers intended the country's government and legal systems to be organic, to grow and change as necessary to reflect the needs of the country and technological growth. Hell, Franklin and Jefferson both speculated, pretty accurately, a lot of modern technology, but you can't base a government on speculation. Look what basing our financial system on speculation has done. Plato was right in that we ought to be governed not by politicians, but by top scholars and thinkers working as a council, for the betterment of the people, plain and simple. Read more!
Would that it were that simple. Marxism is an economic theory and one which has never been implemented anymore than pure capitalism, and for the same reason: neither takes into account humanity. And the political Communism bears very little resemblance to Marx's theories anymore than conservative Republicanism actually embodies pure capitalism. When it comes down to it, though, it isn't an either/or situation. That's just something that we've been sold as a country so we'd have a united enemy that wasn't the actual enemy.
What I meant when I said what we have isn't working is just that. Our political system isn't working. It's product is a nation in decline. But saying that the system we're using now doesn't mean that I'm saying we should switch to the system that others are using, because there are flaws in all of those, as well. Chinese Communism does an exceptional job with prioritizing public education and social awareness, but allows for virtually no freedom of the press or personal expression. European socialism does an exceptional job of taking care of its people's health and well-being, but keeps them isolated from one another and, as a result, has led to flagging economic systems which are only interconnected enough to drag one another down. And American Republicanism allows for unprecedented levels of personal freedom, but limits those very freedoms by placing a higher priority on economic growth and the health of business now than it does on investing in the future. So, as with all things, there's no black and white. In order to grow and succeed, we need to learn from one another's successes and failures, take the good, leave out the bad and create a system that works, admitting when parts are broken, and fixing them.
The founding fathers intended the country's government and legal systems to be organic, to grow and change as necessary to reflect the needs of the country and technological growth. Hell, Franklin and Jefferson both speculated, pretty accurately, a lot of modern technology, but you can't base a government on speculation. Look what basing our financial system on speculation has done. Plato was right in that we ought to be governed not by politicians, but by top scholars and thinkers working as a council, for the betterment of the people, plain and simple. Read more!
Monday, February 4, 2013
A Reminder to Those Who Seek Immortality Through Wealth and Power
They've just found the bones of England's King Richard III, arguably one of the wealthiest and most powerful men of his time, beneath a car park in Leicester.
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A Thought: On Half-naked Teachers on Twitter
While I am a proponent of free speech, believe it to be the cornerstone of any free nation, there is the inherent implication that we will be intelligent enough to censor ourselves in certain situations. As an educator, then, it appalls me to read another story about a young teacher posting pictures in a public forum, some sexually provocative and others of her partaking in open drug use.
In a profession that already struggles in this country for the respect necessary to do its work, where good people are struggling to find positions being filled by a flood of young people who enter the field with no real passion for it, nor a real willingness to do it, these people are evidence of how skewed our priorities and screening processes are when it comes to one of the most important service professions. Read more!
In a profession that already struggles in this country for the respect necessary to do its work, where good people are struggling to find positions being filled by a flood of young people who enter the field with no real passion for it, nor a real willingness to do it, these people are evidence of how skewed our priorities and screening processes are when it comes to one of the most important service professions. Read more!
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