The American War Machine

We are using the wrong strategy in our Afghanistan battle.  United States armed forces along with international armed forces and Afghan security forces and police are now reported by the Associated Press to outnumber Taliban rebels by 12-1.  There are currently about 104,000 international troops in Afghanistan, including about 68,000 Americans.  Americans are dying at an alarming rate thanks to IEDs.  Our fight ought to be with Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups that threaten the United States.  They are the group that was responsible for 9-11.

The American army is made up of volunteers.  As a consequence most American families are not affected by the injuries and loss of life.  The military-industrial complex couldn’t be happier because the war is making money for military manufacturers and the commanders have a cause that is difficult to dispute.

My contention is that the United States needs an alternate strategy that uses an undercover, quick deployment methodology that will deter attacks on the United States and its allies.  We cannot bring Jeffersonian democracy to people who have no conception of our way of life.  Many of the people in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan are living in a 12^th century world.  Our occupation of Iraq proves that we cannot contain terrorists.  Our final success in that country remains in doubt as proven by the latest bombings in Baghdad that have killed 153 people.

Like the continued manufacture of C-17 aircraft, the industrial complex that manufactures war materiel will lobby Congress to support the McChrystal request for more forces.  I fear that Obama does not have the backbone to say “no” to those who love war.        

The Lowest Cost Means the Highest Net Income

The average hourly pay rate in the state of Washington is $22.32.  The average hourly pay rate in South Carolina is $17.33.  So Boeing Company has decided to build their new 787 Dreamliner in a North Charleston facility in that Southern state.  Of course there is also an incentive package by South Carolina that sealed the deal.

The lesson learned is that free enterprise always looks for ways to lower its cost of doing business.  The state of Washington does not own Boeing.  There is no pact that requires their allegiance to that state’s population.  Lockheed moved from Los Angeles to Atlanta.  Technicolor has moved its CD and DVD manufacturing facilities that was located in Virginia and California to Mexico.  Many companies have outsourced their manufacturing to other countries. 

Let me put this another way.  Stock holders are not interested in providing welfare.  They are interested in net profit.  This too is part of America Incorporated.  Any questions? 

America Incorporated

The United States is borrowing a page from Red China.  China has adopted a model that includes both free enterprise and government control.  Red China actually is copying the American model that was partially implemented by the United States until President Ronald Reagan said “government is the problem.”  Ronald Reagan was wrong.

Reagan’s impact lasted until the election of Barack Obama.  The dismantling of many laws put in place after the Great Depression has caused the Great Recession.

The economic model that works best is one of both government and private enterprise working in unison to provide for continued moderate growth without creating a super wealthy class and reducing poverty.

Republicans and conservatives will fight the intent of this course because they believe it will destroy the nation.  They are wrong.  The United States is a consumer driven economy that is based upon the purchase of product.  It cannot thrive without employment of most people at salaries that enable that continuing purchasing power.  The public correctly objects to CEOs earning 200% to 300% more than the average wage earner.  

The government’s investment in companies like Fisker Automotive is the kind of step that the Chinese government makes to improve society by employing thousands of people.

Why Not Los Angeles?

Thanks to my father my family moved from Philadelphia to Los Angeles after WWII.  There are many reasons for not bringing your family to Los Angeles.  Most of them are poor arguments. 

Metropolitan Los Angeles spreads across five counties. Traveling north to south it spreads across a distance of about 75 miles and from the beach to inland cities and towns and spreads east about 50 miles.  Many people travel a distance of 30 to 35 miles just to go to work.  For most people a car is necessary for the commute to work.

Homes are relatively expensive.  Even with the downturn in housing prices for a home of 1700 to 2000 square feet will cost at least $350,000.  Those least expensive homes are in lower income neighborhoods.

What makes the city desirable are the following features:

1. Total annual rainfall averages 16 inches.  Snow is a rarity.  Temperature today reached 87ºF/30ºC at my home (October 26, 2009).  Winter temperatures drop below freezing at night for about a week every January.  How far below freezing?  One to three degrees.    

2. The entertainment facilities are second to none.  Live theater is in neighborhood venues, the Hollywood Bowl, L.A. Live, Staples Center, Disney Hall, comedy clubs, etc.

3. Medical facilities include UCLA, City of Hope, Cedars Sinai Hospital, etc.

4. Universities are too numerous to list but include UCLA, USC, California State University has four campuses.

5. Beaches include Santa Monica, Malibu, and Laguna.

6. Amusement parks include Universal City, Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Magic Mountain.

7. The largest port in America and the entertainment industry brings lots of job opportunities.

8. There is also the zoo, museums, gardens, and wonderful shopping malls.

What’s wrong with this picture?  The people are too liberal, many races and ethnic groups are intermixed throughout the city.  West Hollywood is an internationally known gay and lesbian community.  You may have to wait an hour and a half to be seated at Miceli’s and parking at the Beverly Center is always a challenge.    

AARP is Just Another Business

The good news is that more businesses than ever before are trying to appeal to the over 50 crowd.  I never thought that being over 50 years old as being part of the senior generation.  That is the age when AARP starts sending out their membership packets.  I through them in the trash can for five years.  Then one day someone in a video rental store said he thought I was entitled to a discount due to my age.  Hmm, did I look that old?  Oh well, they gave me a 25% discount on VHS rentals so why not accept this opportunity?  That is when I joined AARP.

AARP does send out an entertaining magazine and newsletter so there is a benefit.  AARP did work with President Bush on the drug plan for Medicare and that seems to have lowered the cost (at price to the government) so perhaps they do help seniors.  I do obtain lower rates at hotels when I travel thanks to AARP and used the “AARP Travel Center powered by Expedia” to get a good deal on our trip to Toronto last June. 

A little investigation showed that my Auto Club insurance is cheaper than insurance offered through AARP and the Auto Club’s life insurance is much cheaper too.  That is the case in California.  Now I found this article published by Bloomberg that confirms my worst concerns about the organization.

AARP is not a bad or dishonest group.  They are just not as good as they want all the older Americans (Canadians too) to believe.

Getting Happy with the Future

America has finally obtained what so many of us has wished and hoped for, the success of countries all over the world.  It’s not just European nations that have become prosperous.  Even China and India have become nations with growing middle class societies that can afford homes, cars, and wide screen television. China has been documented on television in the United States about its growing middle and upper classes.  Fareed Zakaria reports in Newsweek that China “will spend $200 billion on railways in the next two years, much of it for high-speed rail”.  The Los Angeles Times reported on October 21, 2009 that China’s growth is at 8.9% thanks to their stimulus and lending programs. BusinessWeek reported on the growing middle class in Turkey.   

The bad news is that their prosperity impacts our prosperity.  Why? If those other nations prosper they will compete with the United States for the sales of many of the products we export to the rest of the world.  Most other nations have lower labor costs than the United States and that affects our competitiveness.

For the United States to continue its economic dominance will require at least two occurrences. 

First there will have to be a new advance in part of our economy that will be a show stopper.  It will need the next new thing.  It will be something that everyone realizes is a “must have.”  The federal government is trying to motivate this idea with talk of the new “green” environment and the possible development of new energy sources. 

Second, the cost to produce this something new will be accomplished in the United States at a competitive rate with the rest of the world.  That evolution is already happening with the lower trade value of the American dollar.  Americans may not like this outcome because the cost of oil, cars, televisions, and cameras will be higher.  The cost of traveling to another country will be higher.   

Just as buggy whips and newspapers are part of the past, new ideas are part of the future.  Our inventiveness will make Americans happy with the future.

Illegal Aliens Have Rights in America!

In the 14^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Section 1 reads in part “nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”  That one statement requires that everyone in every jurisdiction must be counted in the census.  I am not happy about this but that requirement is written into our basic law.

Reverend Miguel Rivera, Chairman of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders, has been pushing lawmakers to address immigration reform that would make illegal aliens into legal residents.  He is threatening a boycott of the census if there is no action by Congress.

I feel sorry for those who came to the United States by any means possible to make a better life for themselves.  I might have done the same thing.  However, our first concern ought to be for those who entered the country legally.  Generously this country does provide for the protection of illegal aliens.

If the reverend’s boycott campaign is successful the Federal government ought to pass even more stringent laws that would expedite illegal resident deportation.

The President’s Vision

President Obama has already made history by being the first non-White to be elected to the presidency.  That was a significant accomplishment.  However, it is not enough for our new president.  He wants to make significant changes to our relationship with the rest of the world and wants to re-make parts of the American economy.  The changes he wants to accomplish are dramatic.  Given his lack of experience, his objectives seem unrealistic.  After all many Democrats as well as most Republicans hold historical views that are contrary to his ideas.

Obama’s allies are operatives who seem to see everything through a political spectrum.  Those associates are driven by political motivation.  They understand that their best opportunities to change America and its relationship to the world must be accomplished in the earliest part of the Obama presidency.  That is the reason for the hard push for health care reform and the very aggressive foreign policy.  It is not clear that his closest supporters even understand his vision.

I am not saying that his ideas are wrong.  They are just views that do not conform to historic philosophy.  It appears he may be correct in his views of the 21^st century.

In foreign affairs Obama wants the United States to step down from its position of supremacy.  His calls for greater participation of other countries in resolving international issues is a view that was actually started by President George W. Bush.  There is a good reason for this change of philosophy.  This country currently has 300,000 soldiers in 150 countries and 820 bases in 39 countries.  The U.S. military budget is approximately $500 billion.  Starting with George Washington there has been an idea that the country would be better off with limited foreign entanglements.

In domestic affairs Obama wants to involve the federal government in more of the things that impact most citizens.  Reform of health care is just the first step of his agenda.  He wants the federal government to become more involved in the educational systems and the industrial system of our nation.  I believe his objective is U.S.A. Incorporated.  He sees this as the avenue to competition in a global economy.  His list of books to read in 2009 includes Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas Friedman.  The recent decline in the value of the American dollar is a good thing when you are trying to compete with the low cost nations of the world.

It’s a scary set of objectives.  I think I can see where he wants to take this nation.  Many people will fight him because they are living in the past.  The problem is too few have taken a really good look at where the nation is right now.  Those resisting his ideas could easily stop him.  The question is what is their vision?

A Political Conservative

the right wing are a hysterical name calling group

President George W. Bush was no conservative.  Conservatives are those who stand for the status quo, do not spend more than they earn and don’t want the government to spend more than its income.  They view the bible and the constitution as documents to be both respected and honored.  They are the group of people who are the accountants, bankers, business owners, and others who make decisions in a calm and deliberative manner.  George W. Bush met only some of those expectations. 

Is a political conservative the same as a member of the right wing of the Republican Party?  In my view the answer is no.  William F. Buckely Jr. offered his views in this statement from his National Review magazine.  Those of the right wing are a hysterical name calling group who have become a gang of gun totting haters that are praying for Obama’s failure and his early death.

In the current battles in Congress, Republican conservatives are living up to their standards when they say no to changing the health care system, no to new climate change regulations, and no to war when have not been attacked.  OK, they have it right on two out of three.  It is President Obama who is taking a deliberative approach to committing more troops to Afghanistan and conducting talks with Iran before attacking.

As a Moderate with both Liberal and Conservative views it is impossible to actively participate in any political party.  I do understand how someone can be part of one party.  Those people have to accept the idea that the majority rules and besides so many people in the party are their friends.  Perhaps I am not part of either party because neither party has been friendly enough.  Perhaps I am just too conservative for any party.

The End of the World in 2012?

Over 200 predictions and counting!
Yes the end is coming, but all human predictions are wrong!

Mathew 24:35-36 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Jesus Christ.

Finally something Christ said that makes sense. Only God knows when the end of the world will happen.  Perhaps there will be no end.

Nostradamus is said to have had the most success in forecasting future events.  The problem is that the observations of his accuracy are made after the events happen.  That is said to be the result of his complicated style of writing that was done to keep his ideas a secret from the Catholic church.  His forecast of the end is the year 3797.  That means the end will not be 2012 as the Mayans predicted.  After writing this piece I have learned there is a movie “2012” being promoted at a really fun web site titled “who will survive 2012.”  It offers great computer graphics and sound.

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October 17, 2009 Update: The Los Angeles Times has an article saying that scientists are trying to calm the ‘2012’ hysteria.  What hysteria?  The article itself is a great advertising piece for the movie.

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We all thought everything would stop when the calendar turned to the year 2000.  Remember?  So many people said nothing would function because computers were programmed with only two digits for the year.  Either all the systems were fixed or we were very lucky or the computers were smarter than we thought.   

Perhaps none of this is real.  Perhaps “I think therefore I am” is just a line in a script?  My theory is we are just too small and too inconsequential in this universe.  It’s a great disappointment to those who thought the Earth is the center of the universe.