Sunday, December 9, 2018
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Friday, December 7, 2018
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Monday, December 3, 2018
Saturday, December 1, 2018
Friday, November 30, 2018
Thursday, November 29, 2018
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Monday, November 26, 2018
Sunday, November 25, 2018
Saturday, November 24, 2018
Wisdom, Wealth, Health, Taste of Wealth, Experiences, Temptations of Luxuries, Fame, Failure in Life, Victory is not Immediate
Wisdom is a key to wealth, health, and happiness. A person gains wisdom by learning from the past and applying its lessons to the decisions they make every day. In turn, this is why you learn about toxic people, fanatics, extremist, isolationist, con artist through your experiences. People make people, but it is the ones who learn from bad and good experiences and diversify their beliefs, goals, in ever ending enhancement, who know how to deflect bad things and bad people to create there own journey and not someone else's that use you for their purposes.
But a person does not need to learn solely from their own experiences. By examining the words of presidents, philosophers, billionaires, and thought leaders, any person can bridge the gap between where they are and where they are meant to be.
But a person does not need to learn solely from their own experiences. By examining the words of presidents, philosophers, billionaires, and thought leaders, any person can bridge the gap between where they are and where they are meant to be.
|
Friday, November 23, 2018
Trump on Trade: EU 'Almost as Bad' as China, WTO Must 'Shape Up'
Trump on Trade: EU 'Almost as Bad' as China, WTO Must 'Shape Up'
Freedom of the Press in a Muslim Society, 2011 and the Arab Spring
The Arab world was ripe with hope during the spring of 2011, and the Arab Spring. Journalists, academics and the general population were brimming with expectations of a bright and free Arab society within their respective countries. They expected to be emancipated from the hegemony of their governments and the consistent interventions and censorship of information. These expectations were quickly shattered; these societies either fell back to the old status and endorsed by the USA. In Egypt, it was replaced by a military coup and general put in over a free elected individual.
The Egyptian government’s seizure of the entire print run of a newspaper, al-Masry al Youm, did not enrage or provoke a reaction from colleagues. These actions no longer carry the consequence of a backlash from the international community. Instead, these actions may trigger condemnation quickly followed by silence.
As a result, Arab governments have been given free rein to continue silencing the media at an increasing rate. There was a time when journalists believed the Internet would liberate information from the censorship and control associated with print media. But these governments, whose very existence relies on the control of information, have aggressively blocked the Internet. They have also arrested local reporters and pressured advertisers to harm the revenue of specific publications.
The Arab world is facing its own version of an Iron Curtain, imposed not by external actors but through domestic forces vying for power. During the Cold War, Radio Free Europe, which grew over the years into a critical institution, played an important role in fostering and sustaining the hope of freedom. Arabs need something similar. In 1967, the New York Times and The Post took joint ownership of the International Herald Tribune newspaper, which went on to become a platform for voices from around the world.
The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events. More important, we need to provide a platform for Arab voices. We suffer from poverty, mismanagement and poor education. Through the creation of an independent international forum, isolated from the influence of nationalist governments spreading hate through propaganda, ordinary people in the Arab world would be able to address the structural problems their societies face.
The Egyptian government’s seizure of the entire print run of a newspaper, al-Masry al Youm, did not enrage or provoke a reaction from colleagues. These actions no longer carry the consequence of a backlash from the international community. Instead, these actions may trigger condemnation quickly followed by silence.
As a result, Arab governments have been given free rein to continue silencing the media at an increasing rate. There was a time when journalists believed the Internet would liberate information from the censorship and control associated with print media. But these governments, whose very existence relies on the control of information, have aggressively blocked the Internet. They have also arrested local reporters and pressured advertisers to harm the revenue of specific publications.
The Arab world is facing its own version of an Iron Curtain, imposed not by external actors but through domestic forces vying for power. During the Cold War, Radio Free Europe, which grew over the years into a critical institution, played an important role in fostering and sustaining the hope of freedom. Arabs need something similar. In 1967, the New York Times and The Post took joint ownership of the International Herald Tribune newspaper, which went on to become a platform for voices from around the world.
The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events. More important, we need to provide a platform for Arab voices. We suffer from poverty, mismanagement and poor education. Through the creation of an independent international forum, isolated from the influence of nationalist governments spreading hate through propaganda, ordinary people in the Arab world would be able to address the structural problems their societies face.
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Monday, November 19, 2018
Meditation, Balance, You Are the Balancer, Though Collection
It is your choice and your freedom to do so and is respected. There are many or Gods, or it is the way people want to see them and worship them or one kind. I am more universal in thought. When I go to a church sermon, I listen to what only pertains to me in that sermon. Here the main theme is balancing is crucial in your life, and you are the creator of the imbalance. In such, only you can correct it but one day at a time. We get caught up in the fast pace world, and lose control of thought collection and meditation, meditation comes in many forms, to me, it is just having my time alone to collect thoughts, being retired I have lots of time for that, self-reflection, prayer and meditation is all of this.
Sunday, November 18, 2018
Saturday, November 17, 2018
Friday, November 16, 2018
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
What Nationalism, Fascism, Isolationism and Protectionism Can Lead to Again
“I know, the old demons are reemerging, ready to finish off their work of chaos of 2 worlds wars and death. New ideologies of fascism and nationalism manipulate religions, push a contagious false prophecy and propaganda to the desperate, the gullible, the greeds Sometimes, history threatens to retake its tragic course and threaten our heritage of peace that we believed we had definitively settled with our generations and we thought had died, but now they are back, history will repeat itself for those who do not remember history as a lesson that has long been forgotten and those who lived it are now dead and cannot tell.
For two world wars, Europe almost committed suicide. Humanity had sunk into a hideous idea of national tribalism of merciless battles, in a hell that engulfed all fighters, whichever side they were on, whatever nationality they had.
“These wars, with its senseless bloodshed, showed where nationalistic foolish pride, dangerous overconfidence, arrogance, these militaries could lead. It made clear what disastrous consequences a lack of compromise in politics and diplomacy can have.”
The World Wars showed us what kind of ruin isolationism can lead us into. And if seclusion wasn’t a solution 100 years ago, how could it be so today?”
For two world wars, Europe almost committed suicide. Humanity had sunk into a hideous idea of national tribalism of merciless battles, in a hell that engulfed all fighters, whichever side they were on, whatever nationality they had.
“These wars, with its senseless bloodshed, showed where nationalistic foolish pride, dangerous overconfidence, arrogance, these militaries could lead. It made clear what disastrous consequences a lack of compromise in politics and diplomacy can have.”
The World Wars showed us what kind of ruin isolationism can lead us into. And if seclusion wasn’t a solution 100 years ago, how could it be so today?”
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Monday, November 12, 2018
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Saturday, November 10, 2018
Friday, November 9, 2018
Spend a Trillion on a War, But They Cut Social Security and Healthcare, Military Complex
Twelve nations and the Taliban are set to embark on peace talks in Moscow to end ongoing violence in Afghanistan. But it will go nowhere. Why are these nations negotiating with the Taliban. An organization that feeds and protect the opium fields and the devastating amount of overdoses in the US. They surpress their women brutally and are partially responsible for the deaths in 911. The money we spent in this country, fighting this war, they should be eradicated or negotiating with us and not the rest of the world. But then again, our government wants to cut social benefits, maintenance of US human capital. The US is notably absent from the table. The war in Afghanistan has cost American taxpayers more than $1,000,000,000,000. What is the real war in the world? It is for us to fight and resist any kind of fanaticism, extremism, no matter what force and religious fascism or corporate fascism.
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Monday, November 5, 2018
A vicious new breed of gangs has taken over Central America causing people to flee -- Society's Child -- Sott.net
A vicious new breed of gangs has taken over Central America causing people to flee -- Society's Child -- Sott.net: https://www.sott.net/article/399959-A-vicious-new-breed-of-gangs-has-taken-over-Central-America-causing-people-to-flee
Sunday, November 4, 2018
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Friday, November 2, 2018
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
The Repeat of History and Rebooting of the World Geopolitical System, Wars, OIl Addiction, Human Capital Maintenance
Of course, expectations that another global economic collapse will happen among the general population are probably low right now, but the reality of the matter is that we are probably closer to a new one erupting than at any point since the last economic collapse and stock market crash in 2008. Since the last financial crisis, our long-term debt problems have just continued to grow, and there are many that believe that the next economic crisis will actually be far worse than what we experienced ten years ago. What is odd is the wars we fight, when diplomacy is cheaper than war and conflict. Not working through the United Nations and coalitions to solve world problems. Our addiction to oil has cost us more in budget expenditures than prices we pay at the gas pump. Why cut human capital maintenance in the form of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Welfare to a Universal Income that would prevent homelessness which should happen to no one. Oh, but we do not have enough people paying into the system, well that is where immigration and not promoting population controls come in to build the domestic programs back up.
An economic collapse is essentially a severe version of an economic depression, where an economy is in complete distress for years, or possibly even decades. A total economic collapse is characterized by economic depression, civil unrest and highly increased poverty levels, something we are seeing today from greed and having no compassion for fellow human beings. The Great Depression in the United States is a prime example of an economic collapse. The 1929 stock market crash brought on a collapse that lasted for many years and saw high levels of poverty. Like the Fed and the President, tariffs were placed on many foreign products and the dollar was kept high by the Fed with interest rate hikes, something Trump wants to keep down and do away with all tariffs around the world, but trade wars are not the way to go. Well-known economist John Maynard Keynes claimed this was from the total lack of government involvement in the economy or the financial markets. Maybe an argument for the VAT and doing away with the income taxes. A stock market crash is a sudden dramatic decline of stock prices across a significant cross-section of a stock market,brung on by decades of population controls, anti immigration, protectionism, tariffs or keeping the dollar down long enough controlled by interest rates policies and income inequity. Crashes are driven by panic as much as by underlying economic factors. They often follow speculative stock market bubbles. A world consumer driven, free trade, no tariff, unsubsidized, supply and demand without over regulation is the right formula.
An economic collapse is essentially a severe version of an economic depression, where an economy is in complete distress for years, or possibly even decades. A total economic collapse is characterized by economic depression, civil unrest and highly increased poverty levels, something we are seeing today from greed and having no compassion for fellow human beings. The Great Depression in the United States is a prime example of an economic collapse. The 1929 stock market crash brought on a collapse that lasted for many years and saw high levels of poverty. Like the Fed and the President, tariffs were placed on many foreign products and the dollar was kept high by the Fed with interest rate hikes, something Trump wants to keep down and do away with all tariffs around the world, but trade wars are not the way to go. Well-known economist John Maynard Keynes claimed this was from the total lack of government involvement in the economy or the financial markets. Maybe an argument for the VAT and doing away with the income taxes. A stock market crash is a sudden dramatic decline of stock prices across a significant cross-section of a stock market,brung on by decades of population controls, anti immigration, protectionism, tariffs or keeping the dollar down long enough controlled by interest rates policies and income inequity. Crashes are driven by panic as much as by underlying economic factors. They often follow speculative stock market bubbles. A world consumer driven, free trade, no tariff, unsubsidized, supply and demand without over regulation is the right formula.
What is Democracy?
Democracy means many types, many meanings. Basically is a free electoral system with an array of political parties to choose from. Not America, Russia or China where the political system either controlled by its leaders, monopolized or controlled by corporations and a 2 party system. We are not a democracy by a long shot when only two parties control both chambers, In many countries, such as European. Italy, for example, had 33+ parties in its parliament. The president has to form a coalition party and does not get to pick his cabinet. He is forced to compromise according to how the vote comes out in the parliament.
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Monday, October 29, 2018
Sunday, October 28, 2018
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Tariffs and Trade Wars with China, Why Not Do The Same to them?
A tariff is a tax levied on the import and exports of goods in international trade. The U.S. currently trades over $590 billion in goods with China every year. In 2015 China exported $466 billion worth of goods to the U.S. and imported $123 billion worth of U.S. goods. The 2015 China - U.S. trade imbalance of 344% is a new world record. During the 2016 Presidential race, Donald Trump proposed levying a 45% tariff on China and any other U.S. trade partner which violates trade deals through currency manipulation and illegal export subsidies. So I ask why not us do the same here, we can manipulate our dollar though lowing interest rates, instead of a trade war? Why cannot we make our products desirable to other countries? This is where government and business must work together to compete in a global economy, Tariffs and trade wars do not solve the problem. Most of America's low income brackets shop at Walmart, Target and Dollar Trees. Proponents of tariffs argue that China breaks trade rules by subsidizing its exports, manipulating its currency and stealing intellectual property from the U.S. and other western countries. Opponents argue that tariffs will cause a dramatic rise in the cost of goods, create inflation and raise interest rates. But again, it might destabilize China into a new revolution in breaking up communism, if things get bad in China.
Tax You Until You Die, The Estate Tax Explained
The estate tax is a tax that is levied on all property that is declared in a deceased person’s will. The tax is also known as the “inheritance tax” or “death tax.” In 2016, the estate tax rate is 40% and only applies to estates with a value greater than $5.45 million. In 2015 5,300 estates in the U.S. were subject to the tax and paid $18.4 billion in taxes, this tax harms the businesses that employ others which has an impact on those employees and families, it should be abolished altogether, why should they tax you for dying? Proponents of the tax, including Hillary Clinton, argue that more estates should be subject to the tax and the threshold should be lowered from $5.45 million to $3.5 million. Opponents of the tax, including Donald Trump, argue that people who have paid income taxes their entire life should not be subject to another tax when they die.
Should Government Intervene in Recessions With Economic Stimulus Packages or Acts
An economic stimulus is a monetary or fiscal policy enacted by governments with the intent of stabilizing their economies during a fiscal crisis, but this was only done for big corporations, not small businesses and the common citizen who got holding the bag with losses in their properties and 401K investments.. The policies include an increase in government spending on infrastructure, tax cuts and lowering interest rates. In response to the 2008 financial crisis, Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Act included increased spending on energy, infrastructure, education, health, and unemployment benefits. The Act will cost an estimated $787 billion through 2019.
Taxes on Stocks, Bonds and Properties, Increase or Decrease or Abolish
Capital gains are the profits earned from the sale of stocks, bonds, and properties. Investment managers pay a 15 to 20 percent capital gains tax on profits earned from their customers’ holdings. Investing in an economy or you trying to make a better retirement for yourself or family, should not be penalized. Supporters of the increase argue that capital gains should be taxed like any other income and should be raised to at least 31.5% (the average U.S. tax rate). Opponents of an increase argue that taxing capital gains will discourage investments in the U.S. economy and prohibit growth.
Off Shore Banking Accounts of the Rich
An offshore (or foreign) bank account is a bank account you have outside of your country of residence. The benefits of an offshore bank account include tax reduction, privacy, currency diversification, asset protection from lawsuits, and reducing your political risk. In April 2016, Wikileaks released 11.5 million confidential documents, known as the Panama Papers, which provided detailed information on 214,000 offshore companies serviced by the Panamanian Law Firm, Mossack Fonesca. The document exposed how world leaders and wealthy individuals hide money in secret offshore tax shelters. The release of the documents renewed proposals for laws banning the use of offshore accounts and tax havens. Proponents of the of the ban argue they should be outlawed because they have a long history of being vehicles for tax evasion, money laundering, illicit arms dealing and funding terrorism. Opponents of the ban argue that punitive regulations will make it harder for American companies to compete and will further discourage businesses from locating and investing in the United States.
Protecting American Jobs and Taxes, Dollar Manipulation
In March 2016, the Carrier air conditioning company announced it would move 1,400 jobs from the U.S. state of Indiana to Mexico. In November 2016 U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Carrier announced a deal which would keep 1,000 jobs in Indiana in exchange for $7 million in tax breaks. Proponents argue that the deal prevented jobs from moving overseas and will help grow the U.S. economy. Opponents argue that the deal will encourage more private companies to make threats about job losses in exchange for tax breaks. Reducing corporate tax rates, business taxes and the Fed reducing interest rates would fix this in bringing down the dollar so companies would stay in the US.
Farm Subsidies, Good or Bad and for Whom?
A farm subsidy is a form of financial aid paid to farmers by the government reducing the farmer's ability to determine how much should be produced, bad idea. The purpose of the aid can be to supplement their income or influence the cost and supply of agricultural products. The U.S. government pays farmers more than $20 Billion a year in farm subsidies. Proponents argue that the subsidies are necessary since net farm income has declined by 32% between 2014 and 2015 do to global competition. But if this changed, you would see high inflation in food prices. Opponents argue that the farmers should fend for themselves and point out that 2,300 farmers who do not grow crops receive annual subsidies.
Tariffs, Inflation, Dollar Manipulation, Zero Tariffs and the Value Added Tax
In February 2018, President Trump pledged to impose a 25% tariff on steel imports and a 10% tariff aluminum imports into the U.S, which creates inflation on many products, but especially on the construction sector of the economy. A tariff is a tax on imports or exports between countries, in fact, it is protectionism. The proposed tariffs would increase the cost of aluminum and steel imports into the United States. In promoting the plan, Trump predicted that the tariffs would revive the U.S. steel and aluminum industries which were heavily concentrated in the industrial Midwest. Supporters of the tariffs argue that U.S. steel and aluminum manufacturers have been wiped out due to low-cost competition from foreign manufacturers. Supporters note that governments in countries like Japan and China provide subsidies to manufacturers, but how can they afford to sell and dump it in the USA, the all mighty dollar, manipulated by interest rates controlled by the fed. These subsidies, they argue, allow the manufacturers to then undercut the price of U.S. manufacturers. Supporters include Republicans and Democrats from the Midwest and unions who represent factory workers. Opponents argue that the tariffs will hurt U.S. based manufacturers who need aluminum and steel to produce their products. Manufacturers of cars, boats, beer, chemicals, and oil pipelines stated that they would be forced to raise prices in order to absorb the higher costs imposed by the tariffs as on any tax businesses figure in on business taxes. Tariffs should be zero all around the world. VAT consumption tax would be better. In that way, it would make government and business work closer together for each other's benefits.
Time and Half, Good or Bad
In May 2016, the Obama Administration announced new regulations that would increase the number of American entitled to receive time-and-a-half overtime pay. Salaried workers who earn up to $46,476 per year are now entitled to earn time-and-a-half pay when they work more than 40 hours per week. The previous regulations, issued in 2004, set the threshold for overtime pay at $23,660. The Labor Department estimates that 4.2 million workers will become newly eligible for overtime pay under the new regulations. Proponents argue that the rule is necessary due to inflation and note that only 7% of salaried workers currently qualify for overtime pay in 2015, down sharply from 60% in 1975. Opponents argue that the new rules will hurt employers and incentivize them to cut their employee’s hours. Actually, there should be no limitations on how many people a company holds or time and a half they give them. Time and a half stagnates hiring of other people who should not be unemployed, in saying the unemployment rate should be 0 and maintained at that as much as possible.
Unions, Hurt or Help Economies
Labor unions represent workers in many industries in the United States, in keeping wages high and sometimes infiltrated by teamsters or mafia. A form of nationalism per say. Their role is to bargain over wages, benefits, working conditions for their membership. Larger unions also typically engage in lobbying activities and electioneering at the state and federal level.
More or Less Spending on Welfare?
In 2011 the level of public spending on the welfare state by the British Government accounted for £113.1 billion, or 16% of government. By 2020 welfare spending will rise to 1/3rd of all spending making it the largest expense followed by housing benefit, council tax benefit, benefits to the unemployed, and benefits to people with low incomes. But then I have to argue, what happens to maintain human capital and giving others a jump start back in life. Welfare competes with churches in taking care of the poor or converting someone their way. $$$$. How about reduce military spending and bring more of the money back home in our addiction to keep oil supported and promoted. How about looking at government expenditures and inefficiency in spending the taxpayer's money?
Mergers, Increased Prices, Inflation, Oligarchies and Monopolizing Economic Sectors
In October 2016 AT&T announced that it intended to buy Time Warner Cable for $84.5 billion. The merger would create one of the biggest media companies in the history of the U.S. The announcement sparked criticism from Congressional Democrats and Republicans who argued that huge corporate mergers create monopolies which prevent competition. Competition is what drives economies and businesses to do better in a global economy, these type of mergers should not be allowed and rationed to a percentage of the market in the national economy in which it is in. Since President Obama took office his administration has prevented several mega-mergers from taking place including Sprint and T-Mobile, AT&T and T-Mobile and Allergan and Pfizer. In 2015 $3.8 trillion dollar’s worth of mergers and acquisitions occurred which made it the largest year for corporate consolidation in the history of the U.S. Mergers are only created to raise prices on the consumer, driving up inflation and scarcity to those who should be able to afford the service or product within that economic sector. Free trade should not be stifled in this effect with foreign competitors. Consumers should have access to any world product at a competitive price according to world supply and demand. Proponents of mergers argue that the government should not interfere with corporations and the free market should be allowed to run its own course.
The Universal Basic Income, The End of Homelessness and People on the Streets, Enhancement of State Competition
A Universal Basic Income program is social security program where all citizens of a country receive a regular, unconditional sum of money from the government, in which would be a deterrent to homelessness in which no human being should have to suffer. The funding for Universal Basic Income comes from taxation and government-owned entities including income from endowments, real estate, and natural resources. Several countries, including Finland, India, and Brazil, have experimented with a UBI system but have not implemented a permanent program. The longest running UBI system in the world is the Alaska Permanent Fund in the U.S. state of Alaska. In the Alaska Permanent Fund, each individual and family receives a monthly sum that is funded by dividends from the state’s oil revenues. Proponents of UBI argue that it will reduce or eliminate poverty by providing everyone with a basic income to cover housing and food. Opponents argue that a UBI would be detrimental to economies by encouraging people to either work less or drop out of the workforce entirely. So then, encourage immigration, well vetted and quoted of course and don't support a population control agenda. It could be determined by the states as Alaska does to where people might choose to live, the greedy vs the needy.
Corporate Taxes, World Competition, Foreign Investment in the US and the Manipulation of the Dollar
The U.S. currently levies a 35% tax rate at the federal level and an average tax of 4% at the state and local level. The average corporate tax rate worldwide is 22.6%. Opponents of argue that raising the rate will discourage foreign investment and hurt the economy. Proponents argue that the profits corporations generate should be taxed just like citizen’s taxes. Corporate tax should be determined in comparison to other countries since now, we are in a global economy and competition with other countries. On top of this, the other competition is the currency. In the US, we keep our dollar propped up with interest rate manipulation from the fed and through it being tied to oil. If countries cannot afford to buy our products, how will manufacturing come back to this country?
Wage Determinations According to Gender
In 2014 the U.S. Senate blocked the Paycheck Fairness Act which would make it illegal for employers to pay unequal wages to men and women who perform the same work, but this should not be based on sex origin, it should be based on the determined quality of the worker, achievement and productivity. The goals of the act were to make wages more transparent, require employers to prove that wage discrepancies are tied to legitimate business qualifications and not gender and prohibiting companies from taking retaliatory action against employees who raise concerns about gender-based wage discrimination. Opponents argue that studies which show pay gaps don’t take into account women who take jobs that are more family-friendly in terms of benefits rather than wages and that women are more likely to take breaks in employment to care for children or parents. Proponents point to studies including a 2008 census bureau report that stated that women's median annual earnings were 77.5% of men's earnings.
Should Welfare Recipients Be Tested for Drug Use
5 U.S. states have passed laws requiring welfare recipients to be tested for drugs. Proponents argue that testing will prevent public funds from being used to subsidize drugs habits and help get treatment for those that are addicted to drugs. plus gangs and drug dealer and the drug cartels would profit from a government subsidy at your expense the taxpayer. Opponents argue that it is a waste of money since the tests will cost more money than they save. See recent welfare drug tests news
Paid Maternity and Childcare Leave
Several major U.S. companies including Netflix, Chipotle and Microsoft recently began offering their employees paid sick and maternity leave, which is all well and good, if the company can afford it and still be able to compete with its simular competitors in the same economic sectors. The U.S. is currently the only industrialized country that doesn’t require companies to provide sick leave to their employees, but in these countries, the sectors are very heavily subsidized and in these countries, there are very high sales taxes. 35% of American workers do not receive any type of paid sick leave in the US.
Debate Over Federal Minimum Wage
The federal minimum wage is the lowest wage at which employers may pay their employees. Since July 24, 2009, the U.S. federal minimum wage has been set at $7.25 per hour, but in debating this case, wages should be determined by supply and demand for those services, products, and economic factors. In 2014 President Obama proposed raising the federal minimum wage to $10.10 and tying it to an inflation index. The federal minimum wage applies to all federal employees including those who work on military bases, national parks and veterans working in nursing homes.
US Government Public Debt and Deficit, Reduce Spending or Cuts to the Public Sectors, Social Security as a Slush Fund
Proponents of deficit reduction argue that governments who do not control budget deficits and debt are at risk of losing their ability to borrow money at affordable rates. But if would take away our dependence on oil, become self-sufficient in our energy sectors, stop trying to be the world's policemen and an empire, maybe we can cut back on this, instead of cutting on the backs of the poor and elderly. Take a deep look at how efficient our government is spending money through departmental audit, maybe instead of cutting spending, we could save money at looking for ways to spending the taxpayer's money better. An example is that the Social Security that all of us put into, and is used to purchase 30-year treasury notes, you are buying debt, an investment, that the government uses as a slush fund, why cut that? Opponents of deficit reduction argue that government spending would increase demand for goods and services and help avert a dangerous fall into deflation, a downward spiral in wages and prices that can cripple an economy for years. Anyway, if any cuts are made, it should be across the board thought all departments.
Fracking, Underground Water, Alternatives to Fracking
Fracking is the process of extracting oil or natural gas from shale rock. Water, sand, and chemicals are injected into the rock at high pressure which fractures the rock and allows the oil or gas to flow out to a well. While fracking has significantly boosted oil production, there are environmental concerns that the process is contaminating groundwater. This is all and good, but it can be substituted in many ways in allowing drilling on federal land and in that case, any activity that would increase a resource for the American economy. Fracking has been known or blamed for many small earthquakes throughout the US and damage aquafers. In the case of oil, this is OK to wean ourselves off the dependence of OPEC oil. In the case of natural gas, methane, which can be abstracted from garbage dumps, swamps and melting permafrost, fracking is not necessary.
Drilling for Oil and Gas Off America's Coastlines
In 1990 President George H.W. Bush passed an executive order banning all offshore drilling in U.S. coastal waters. Smart move. NOT! The reason we are fighting a war in the Middle East and paying high gas prices at the pump is one of these reasons. Offshore drilling should be permitted to extend in US claimed waters so as to become oil independent. This should include any resource any deposits of energy and minerals to include fish. In response to rising gas prices in 2008, President George W. Bush lifted the ban, guess we learned something here? Currently, there are 3,500 offshore oil rigs, 79 of which are deep
Subsidized Energy, NOT!
As of July 2013, nearly 4% of all electricity generated in the U.S. is produced by wind turbines. By installing wind turbines on their properties farmers can earn up to tens of thousands of dollars per year in tax credits. Since 2008 these tax credits have amounted to more than $14 Billion. No energies should be subsidized by the government that stifles competition in the world marketplace. Let the world consumer have a choice in the energy market determining price, supply and demand determine this factor.
Dakota Pipe Line, American Indian Land, The Need for Oil
The Dakota Access pipeline is a 1,172-mile oil pipeline that stretches through North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and southern Illinois. The pipeline would allow oil companies to transport crude oil from North Dakota to oil refineries along the Eastern Seaboard. The pipeline’s construction was permitted by the participating state governments under eminent domain. Opponents of the pipeline (including several Native American tribes, which could have gone around the reservations, I mean has not enough land been taken from the American Indian? The debate is that the pipeline has the potential to pollute their water supply and destroy Native American burial sites. Proponents argue that the pipeline is necessary for the U.S. to achieve energy independence, which is. Brings to the thought, why not a water pipeline from Alaska and Canada to the breadbasket of the USA?
Paris Climate Accords, Fairness in the System Across the Board in Requirements, Carbon is a Tree and Plant Food Etc
In June 2017, President Trump announced that the U.S. would withdraw from the Paris climate accord in an effort to boost the nation’s industry and energy independence, in saying this, I hope a market based on consumer choice in energy products without subsidies to prop up the fossil fuel companies, discouraging alternative energies. Price, world free market, supply, and demand should determine any market and the world energy market should be no exception to this. Mr. Trump argued that the climate accord was unfair to the U.S. since the agreement imposed easier restrictions on China and India who lead the world in carbon emissions, plant a tree, grow some plants, increase biofuels etc. Opponents of the climate agreement argue that it unfairly penalizes U.S. energy companies and consumers by imposing restrictions on domestic energy production. Proponents of the climate accord argue that exiting it sets back decades of diplomatic efforts by the U.S. government to reduce worldwide. If anything if big oil had competition from other energy forces, we would not have to fight expensive Middle East Wars, and we would not have to cut Social Security or welfare of human capital at home etc. Oh........yeah, the dollar was tied to oil and taken off the gold standard in 1973, funny at the time, he was in China opening up diplomatic relations.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)