Last night I went to La Mirada to hang with one of my roommates from ASP. Good times.
Except for the awful movie we watched: Envy.
If you have heard of this or seen it, please join my support group.
The cast included: Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Amy Poehler, Rachel Weisz and Christopher Walken. Supposedly it was a comedy about envy, but I have yet to figure out what it was really about or what they wanted the audience to walk away with besides the feeling of wasted time.
DO NOT SEE THIS FILM. I do not know why those actors signed on to it.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
One of the best years in review I have read.
By Dave Barry here
Below is an excerpt:
By Dave Barry here
Below is an excerpt:
DECEMBER . . .
the National Bureau of Declaring Things That Make You Go "Duh" declares that the nation has been in a recession since December of 2007. The bureau also points out that, according to its statistical analysis, "for some time now, bears apparently have been going to the bathroom in the woods."
The CEOs of the Increasingly Small Three automakers return to Washington to resume pleading for a bailout, this time telling Congress that if they can reach an agreement that day, they will throw in the undercoating, the satellite-radio package and a set of floor mats. "We're actually losing money on this deal!" they assure Congress. Finally, they reach a multibillion-dollar deal under which the car companies will continue to provide jobs, medical care and pension benefits, but will cease producing actual cars. The restructured operation will be overseen by the federal government, using its legendary skill at keeping things on budgetSunday, December 28, 2008
Articles
I love articles apparently.
This one I found on the Drudge Report: "2008 was the year man-made global warming was disproved."
I had a short conversation with a Greenpeacer at a local mall a week or so ago while shopping for Christmas gifts. He was a cool guy. He was standing there with his buddy and they were trying to get people to sign up and become members of Greenpeace. It was $15, so I didn't join up. I was hip with most everything he was telling me that they were doing, saving old trees in the Northwest, whales and stuff, until he told me about some bill they were sponsoring in Congress: a mandate for all energy production to be renewable energy by 2020. Ewww. First of all, that would be intense government meddling, hoisting expensive technologies onto companies and citizens where the ultimate price would be paid by the consumer. Well no, my Greenpeace friend would say, the government will help make it cost effective. Where is the government getting this money? From the oil company subsidies they won't be giving out anymore. Ah hah! I've been looking for figures on how much we subsidize oil companies, but haven't found any. If anyone knows it, I would love to be hooked up with that info. Second, the very fact that we are able to worry about most environmental issues is thanks to the free-ish economy we have now and any legislation hampering it even more will put environmental issues further on the back burner because more people will be poor. Emerging markets and third world countries do not worry about environmental issues like we Westerners do with all our money. They more often than not worry about eating and ensuring their family's basic material well being, not sending out expensive boats to harass Japanese whalers. (Discovery Channel's Whale Wars, check it. It's a funny time. I'm not sure where exactly they get their funding, it's got to be a lot though with the equipment they use. If consumers enjoy it enough to pay for it, that's cool. But where are the Saving Children from Slavery shows?).
In sum: Greenpeace as a grass roots organization getting people/consumers to petition for Kimberly Clark to stop using ancient trees for Kleenex is cool with me. I think they honestly try to fulfill humankind's Divine mandate to care for the earth. However, backing legislation at the federal level which would force policy the market has not deemed cost effective or has not been properly incetivized will mean reduced freedom and will only result in adverse, unforeseen effects. Poor people would pay the biggest price if energy is more expensive.
This one I found on the Drudge Report: "2008 was the year man-made global warming was disproved."
I had a short conversation with a Greenpeacer at a local mall a week or so ago while shopping for Christmas gifts. He was a cool guy. He was standing there with his buddy and they were trying to get people to sign up and become members of Greenpeace. It was $15, so I didn't join up. I was hip with most everything he was telling me that they were doing, saving old trees in the Northwest, whales and stuff, until he told me about some bill they were sponsoring in Congress: a mandate for all energy production to be renewable energy by 2020. Ewww. First of all, that would be intense government meddling, hoisting expensive technologies onto companies and citizens where the ultimate price would be paid by the consumer. Well no, my Greenpeace friend would say, the government will help make it cost effective. Where is the government getting this money? From the oil company subsidies they won't be giving out anymore. Ah hah! I've been looking for figures on how much we subsidize oil companies, but haven't found any. If anyone knows it, I would love to be hooked up with that info. Second, the very fact that we are able to worry about most environmental issues is thanks to the free-ish economy we have now and any legislation hampering it even more will put environmental issues further on the back burner because more people will be poor. Emerging markets and third world countries do not worry about environmental issues like we Westerners do with all our money. They more often than not worry about eating and ensuring their family's basic material well being, not sending out expensive boats to harass Japanese whalers. (Discovery Channel's Whale Wars, check it. It's a funny time. I'm not sure where exactly they get their funding, it's got to be a lot though with the equipment they use. If consumers enjoy it enough to pay for it, that's cool. But where are the Saving Children from Slavery shows?).
In sum: Greenpeace as a grass roots organization getting people/consumers to petition for Kimberly Clark to stop using ancient trees for Kleenex is cool with me. I think they honestly try to fulfill humankind's Divine mandate to care for the earth. However, backing legislation at the federal level which would force policy the market has not deemed cost effective or has not been properly incetivized will mean reduced freedom and will only result in adverse, unforeseen effects. Poor people would pay the biggest price if energy is more expensive.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Thomas Sowell
I liked this quote from one of Sowell's article: "Wal-Mart has done more for poor people than any ten liberals, at least nine of whom are almost guaranteed to hate Wal-Mart."
I would perhaps change "liberals" to "liberal politicians" or "liberal policies." Because I know some liberals who do some things for poor people. Conservatives too. Even some libertarians.
But have any of us done as much for poor people as Wal-Mart? That's a good discussion question.
For the full article, go here. There are other such nuggets within.
I would perhaps change "liberals" to "liberal politicians" or "liberal policies." Because I know some liberals who do some things for poor people. Conservatives too. Even some libertarians.
But have any of us done as much for poor people as Wal-Mart? That's a good discussion question.
For the full article, go here. There are other such nuggets within.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Government spending boosts the economy, right? Adding liquidity into the market spurs people's spending, thus driving production, providing work and getting the economy rolling again. Can't go wrong. Maybe.
A most excellent video.
A most excellent video.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The Gap
There is an historical gap between my post about the conference and when I actually left DC. That period was paper writing and saying goodbye to people from Koch and one of my other friends in the city. Doug and I also spent time hanging out with one of his friends from the Dept of Labor. During the course of that evening, we were able to share our faith with him, talk about evil and suffering, the historicity of the resurrection and other such topics. It was sweet.
The actual end of the program was sort of anti climactic because we all left at such different times. At the final banquet on Thursday, most were of the mentality that there would still be time to say goodbye. But not really. I hardly said goodbye to any of the Journalism program people and maybe a 1/4 of the ASP students. Comparing those goodbyes to the ones at the end of Ireland, this one was completely different. At ASP, we were not nearly as tight as a group since our time was spent at internships and doing our own thing with small groups of friends, rather than mobbing around a country in a bus. There were a few people I wanted to say goodbye to and was unable to, but on the whole, my world hasn't ended because I missed others. We are all on our own journey's and just happened to meet for 3.5 months in DC to learn more about what those journeys would look like.
There was a final banquet on Thursday where certificates were handed out, food was eaten and final words were said. The certificate ceremony was a good time. When they called our names we sat in a chair at the front and people would just say encouraging words to you or tell a story from the semester. There were also informal awards given out designating people "Most likely to be..." or "Brightest smile at ASP", etc. I got the "Adam Smith 2.0 Award." I was honored to be compared with the father of modern economics.
The actual end of the program was sort of anti climactic because we all left at such different times. At the final banquet on Thursday, most were of the mentality that there would still be time to say goodbye. But not really. I hardly said goodbye to any of the Journalism program people and maybe a 1/4 of the ASP students. Comparing those goodbyes to the ones at the end of Ireland, this one was completely different. At ASP, we were not nearly as tight as a group since our time was spent at internships and doing our own thing with small groups of friends, rather than mobbing around a country in a bus. There were a few people I wanted to say goodbye to and was unable to, but on the whole, my world hasn't ended because I missed others. We are all on our own journey's and just happened to meet for 3.5 months in DC to learn more about what those journeys would look like.
There was a final banquet on Thursday where certificates were handed out, food was eaten and final words were said. The certificate ceremony was a good time. When they called our names we sat in a chair at the front and people would just say encouraging words to you or tell a story from the semester. There were also informal awards given out designating people "Most likely to be..." or "Brightest smile at ASP", etc. I got the "Adam Smith 2.0 Award." I was honored to be compared with the father of modern economics.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Home
Well, I am home. It is good to be back.
My semester in DC flew by faster than all get out. It was an experience I will remember for a long time and the things I learned there, along with the people I met, will probably impact decisions I make down the road.
As far as this blog thing goes, I'll still use it to rant about politics, economics, major life decisions, etc. So if you are at all interested in that (for some reason), keep tuning in. I'll probably change the title since I am no longer in DC. Ideas are welcome.
My semester in DC flew by faster than all get out. It was an experience I will remember for a long time and the things I learned there, along with the people I met, will probably impact decisions I make down the road.
As far as this blog thing goes, I'll still use it to rant about politics, economics, major life decisions, etc. So if you are at all interested in that (for some reason), keep tuning in. I'll probably change the title since I am no longer in DC. Ideas are welcome.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
It
Alright dudes, I caught up on the readings, a missed lecture and I finished the final paper. Now I have some time to recount what all went down last week at the ALEC conference.
A bunch of stuff. Fasten thy seat belts, this may be a long one.
Last Tuesday, my time at the CGK Foundation wrapped up. We got a little certificate of completion even. After that, since I had packed all my stuff for the week, I went straight to the ALEC office to collect stuff and help out with some final prep for the Tax Academy we were having the next day. Once we arrived at the crazy hotel (huge place, super nice), we met some state legislators and speakers for dinner at a very nice steakhouse in the hotel. Since I had just gotten over some stomach issues, I was reluctant to get the $40 fillet, but hey I thought, when else am I going to have this paid for? Eating across the table from the Utah state senate majority leader was intimidating. At first I had the feeling of lowliness. But worry not, they are just regular people after all. Regular people who think they know it all, mainly because they have to. Still very nice. Others at the table included a state senator from Indiana and our very intelligent speakers who are influential in their own right. After that dinner, we went to work preparing for the next day and finally finished with that around 2 AM.
3:30 hour nap.
The Tax Academy was a whirlwind of speakers, lunch, speakers and then dinner at the City Tavern Club. This club was built in 1796 and played host to the Adams' before they moved into the White House as well as other historical things. Also, for night number 2, I had a perfect fillet. The highlight of that day and night was getting to talk with different state legislators. Most were really friendly and down to earth and it was sweet hearing about how they got involved in politics. At dinner, the former president of the Dallas Federal Reserve spoke. But during his speech, a state senator was passing notes to some women at our table and they were laughing uncontrollably the whole time. The legislator on my left leaned over to me and said "See? High school never ends." Ah hah!
More sleep than the night before.
Thursday marked the beginning of the real conference, where everyone comes. We may have had around 600 in attendance, people from the public and private sector. The Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force hosted a few meetings this day. Lunch was steak, quality below the ones I'd had the nights before, but good. So much steak. So much politics. Beautiful.
My tasks for this week were typically passing out materials, making copies, courier, sit at the front table or guard doors into the ballroom at mealtime so people did not enter prematurely. In between times I was able to talk with cool people.
In the evening, there were a couple of receptions. The first was for the state chairs of ALEC and my friend and I met the one from Rhode Island. He told us that Rhode Island has the most coastline in the nation. Figure that one out.
After that reception, there was another one for everyone and their friend. This one blew our minds. Multiple open bars (couldn't drink though), beef tenderloin stations, pasta stations, turkey slice stations, salmon, veggies, desserts, coffee, live jazz (you couldn't eat those guys).
Friday morning Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels spoke at the breakfast on state reform. If there is anyone to talk on that, it is he. Afterwards I went up to say hey and was able to talk with him for a couple of minutes. Good guy. More meetings this day, although not nearly as busy as the days before, so I had some time to chill. That day for lunch Amity Shlaes and Newt Gingrich spoke. I was able to get Amity's book signed by her. It was cool hearing from them.
Saturday was intense with our task force meeting in the afternoon. We expected some intense debate since there was a controversial model bill being voted on regarding taxation equality for cable and satellite broadcasting. There were various interests involved with representatives from each industry there as well as public sector members with their constituent's interests to protect. All the other model bills passed easily, one was voted down, but this one was intense. A huge amendment was proposed, made and then the issue was tabled until the spring. The meeting went way longer than it was supposed to due to that one. At 6 PM that night, after saying goodbyes to all my intern friends, I was out the door, ready to just mellow.
In sum, that conference was revelatory because I had spent much of my time at ALEC preparing for it. I was also able to meet a lot of legislators and business leaders, hear their perspective on key issues as well as get a little advice. Walking and talking with them took some getting used to at first, but after a day, I was no longer intimidated. Being in public office is a fascinating life.
A bunch of stuff. Fasten thy seat belts, this may be a long one.
Last Tuesday, my time at the CGK Foundation wrapped up. We got a little certificate of completion even. After that, since I had packed all my stuff for the week, I went straight to the ALEC office to collect stuff and help out with some final prep for the Tax Academy we were having the next day. Once we arrived at the crazy hotel (huge place, super nice), we met some state legislators and speakers for dinner at a very nice steakhouse in the hotel. Since I had just gotten over some stomach issues, I was reluctant to get the $40 fillet, but hey I thought, when else am I going to have this paid for? Eating across the table from the Utah state senate majority leader was intimidating. At first I had the feeling of lowliness. But worry not, they are just regular people after all. Regular people who think they know it all, mainly because they have to. Still very nice. Others at the table included a state senator from Indiana and our very intelligent speakers who are influential in their own right. After that dinner, we went to work preparing for the next day and finally finished with that around 2 AM.
3:30 hour nap.
The Tax Academy was a whirlwind of speakers, lunch, speakers and then dinner at the City Tavern Club. This club was built in 1796 and played host to the Adams' before they moved into the White House as well as other historical things. Also, for night number 2, I had a perfect fillet. The highlight of that day and night was getting to talk with different state legislators. Most were really friendly and down to earth and it was sweet hearing about how they got involved in politics. At dinner, the former president of the Dallas Federal Reserve spoke. But during his speech, a state senator was passing notes to some women at our table and they were laughing uncontrollably the whole time. The legislator on my left leaned over to me and said "See? High school never ends." Ah hah!
More sleep than the night before.
Thursday marked the beginning of the real conference, where everyone comes. We may have had around 600 in attendance, people from the public and private sector. The Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force hosted a few meetings this day. Lunch was steak, quality below the ones I'd had the nights before, but good. So much steak. So much politics. Beautiful.
My tasks for this week were typically passing out materials, making copies, courier, sit at the front table or guard doors into the ballroom at mealtime so people did not enter prematurely. In between times I was able to talk with cool people.
In the evening, there were a couple of receptions. The first was for the state chairs of ALEC and my friend and I met the one from Rhode Island. He told us that Rhode Island has the most coastline in the nation. Figure that one out.
After that reception, there was another one for everyone and their friend. This one blew our minds. Multiple open bars (couldn't drink though), beef tenderloin stations, pasta stations, turkey slice stations, salmon, veggies, desserts, coffee, live jazz (you couldn't eat those guys).
Friday morning Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels spoke at the breakfast on state reform. If there is anyone to talk on that, it is he. Afterwards I went up to say hey and was able to talk with him for a couple of minutes. Good guy. More meetings this day, although not nearly as busy as the days before, so I had some time to chill. That day for lunch Amity Shlaes and Newt Gingrich spoke. I was able to get Amity's book signed by her. It was cool hearing from them.
Saturday was intense with our task force meeting in the afternoon. We expected some intense debate since there was a controversial model bill being voted on regarding taxation equality for cable and satellite broadcasting. There were various interests involved with representatives from each industry there as well as public sector members with their constituent's interests to protect. All the other model bills passed easily, one was voted down, but this one was intense. A huge amendment was proposed, made and then the issue was tabled until the spring. The meeting went way longer than it was supposed to due to that one. At 6 PM that night, after saying goodbyes to all my intern friends, I was out the door, ready to just mellow.
In sum, that conference was revelatory because I had spent much of my time at ALEC preparing for it. I was also able to meet a lot of legislators and business leaders, hear their perspective on key issues as well as get a little advice. Walking and talking with them took some getting used to at first, but after a day, I was no longer intimidated. Being in public office is a fascinating life.
Monday, December 8, 2008
I cannot believe the Washington Post: Dear Congress, please make gas more expensive.
Adding a permanent tax to artificially raise fluctuating prices is so dumb. I laughed out loud at this quote: "Not only that, [higher prices] would reduce traffic, curb urban sprawl and, by giving drivers an incentive to drive more slowly, improve highway safety."
Look, cheaper gas means driving is a more accessible option for a great number of people. If Congress was to do the bidding of the Post and triple the gas tax for the sake of curbing urban sprawl, it would significantly reduce many people's freedom to drive.
OPEC wants to lower their output because oil is getting so cheap. Most of those countries get most of their revenue from oil sales. So when those governments made long term plans for programs based off of the high oil prices from the summer, of course they will want to raise the price of oil. They want to pay for their stuff.
All this meddling...
Gah!
Adding a permanent tax to artificially raise fluctuating prices is so dumb. I laughed out loud at this quote: "Not only that, [higher prices] would reduce traffic, curb urban sprawl and, by giving drivers an incentive to drive more slowly, improve highway safety."
Look, cheaper gas means driving is a more accessible option for a great number of people. If Congress was to do the bidding of the Post and triple the gas tax for the sake of curbing urban sprawl, it would significantly reduce many people's freedom to drive.
OPEC wants to lower their output because oil is getting so cheap. Most of those countries get most of their revenue from oil sales. So when those governments made long term plans for programs based off of the high oil prices from the summer, of course they will want to raise the price of oil. They want to pay for their stuff.
All this meddling...
Gah!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
21st Century New Deal
Obama's new plan to revitalize the economy.
I appreciate his plan to measure the effectiveness of his plan, because that is essential. Part of effective measurement is to discontinue wasteful processes. However, governments are not known to do that, especially our own.
The government cannot create jobs. It is merely a redistribution. If people are working on new roads or whatever, that means they are not looking or working on a different job in the private sector, where they would be creating real value and not be being payed from tax dollars which were taken from individuals in the private sector in the first place.
Two questions:
1. How are we going to pay for this, especially in light of our massive debt, bailout, market unease? Watch this film I.O.U.S.A for some crazy information.
2. Why do we expect the president to fix all our problems?
I appreciate his plan to measure the effectiveness of his plan, because that is essential. Part of effective measurement is to discontinue wasteful processes. However, governments are not known to do that, especially our own.
The government cannot create jobs. It is merely a redistribution. If people are working on new roads or whatever, that means they are not looking or working on a different job in the private sector, where they would be creating real value and not be being payed from tax dollars which were taken from individuals in the private sector in the first place.
Two questions:
1. How are we going to pay for this, especially in light of our massive debt, bailout, market unease? Watch this film I.O.U.S.A for some crazy information.
2. Why do we expect the president to fix all our problems?
Monday, December 1, 2008
Gnarly
The break was sweet. Except for the part where I got sick. Nothing like experiencing a great thanksgiving dinner in reverse, if you know what I mean. Shout out to Marvel, Ruth and all you Johnsons and Van Pelts! It was great seeing you! Thank you for taking care of me.
I was worried I'd be lacking strength and stomach power for this upcoming crazy week, but Providence has deemed it, for which I am grateful. Koch wraps up tomorrow and Wednesday through Saturday I will be at ALEC conferences meeting all sorts of people from the public and private sector. ALEC is putting us interns up in the hotel, so it'll be nice to have someone make my bed for me and pay/prepare my meals. As you know, that is a major plus in my book.
The first conference is on tax policy that the Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force that I intern for is putting on. That one lasts all day Wednesday with the likes of Stephen Moore speaking, amongst others. He's a good guy.
Thursday through Saturday is their States and Nations Policy Summit. This is one of the big three they have per year with members from legislatures and corporations coming together to network and learn stuff. Some of the speakers include Mitch Daniels and Newt Gingrich. It's a pretty sweet opportunity.
I was worried I'd be lacking strength and stomach power for this upcoming crazy week, but Providence has deemed it, for which I am grateful. Koch wraps up tomorrow and Wednesday through Saturday I will be at ALEC conferences meeting all sorts of people from the public and private sector. ALEC is putting us interns up in the hotel, so it'll be nice to have someone make my bed for me and pay/prepare my meals. As you know, that is a major plus in my book.
The first conference is on tax policy that the Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force that I intern for is putting on. That one lasts all day Wednesday with the likes of Stephen Moore speaking, amongst others. He's a good guy.
Thursday through Saturday is their States and Nations Policy Summit. This is one of the big three they have per year with members from legislatures and corporations coming together to network and learn stuff. Some of the speakers include Mitch Daniels and Newt Gingrich. It's a pretty sweet opportunity.
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