Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Sowell's Thoughts

The eminent writer and economist, Thomas Sowell, comes out with these pieces every once in a while entitled "Random Thoughts." They always contain succinct proverberbial blurbs about economics, politics or whatever. His latest one is quite good.

Check it out, kids.

And adults.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

W On Power and Christianity

An interesting bit from an interview of George W. Bush done by Hugh Hewitt.

HH: This is a God-drenched book, Decision Points. He’s not in the Index, but He’s pretty much in every chapter, and on almost every page.

GWB: (laughing)

HH: I’m curious as to what impact, having been the most powerful man in the world, has had on your understanding of Christ and your faith?

GWB: That’s a very interesting question. I think what you realize, at least when you’re in the position I was in, it enabled me to better understand the need for a loving God’s strength and comfort. I guess the more power you had, the more it accentuated the fact that you needed help.

HH: I know you’re not a theologian. Neither am I. But in Philippians...

GWB: You sound like one. You’re doing a pretty good job of it.

HH: No, I’m not (laughing). In Philippians, when it talks about Christ emptying himself to become that, that’s giving up all power. And power is a worldly thing. Was it, did it ever crop up to you that being president is just not consistent with Christian theology, and you have to kind of take a different look at Christian theology as a result?

GWB: You know, it’s interesting, and Tim Keller helped me understand this, that if you allow power to become your god, then it is corrupting. If you allow fame to become your god, it is corrupting. If you allow money to become your god, it is corrupting. And what religion helped me was to understand that that was those truths. And so power can be used effectively to help people, or it can be intoxicating, in which case it is difficult to have a proper relationship, if you’re a Christian, with Christ.

HH: Did you, in all the reading that you did, and you did a lot of reading when you were president. Did you think any of the previous presidents had become intoxicated with power? Did anyone stand out? I mean, you obviously admire Lincoln, and of course, your father. But was there anyone out there that you marked out as someone who just fell prey to all those intoxications?

GWB: Interestingly enough, not American presidents, because it’s hard to become so totally intoxicated with power when you’re responsive to the people. But the people that became intoxicated by power that affected me were like those idealistic souls that convinced others that their vision for the future was the right one, whether it be the folks who led the French revolution, or those who bought into Mao, or those who corrupted the Leninist movement in Russia. These are people that became so intoxicated with power that they ended up being murderers.

Monday, December 6, 2010

A Necessary Conversation

Robert Samuelson, in a recent article, highlights some important points that need to be discussed as debate rages about government budgets, like what should be cut and what should be retained.

"Modern democracies have created a new morality. Government benefits, once conferred, cannot be revoked. People expect them and consider them property rights. Just as government cannot randomly confiscate property, it cannot withdraw benefits without violating a moral code. The old-fashioned idea that government policies should serve the "national interest" has given way to inertia and squatters' rights."

Also: "The social contract will be rewritten either by design or, as in Europe, under outside pressures. If we keep the expedient morality of perpetual programs -- so that nothing fundamental can ever be abandoned -- then Europe's social unrest could be a prelude to our own."

He brought up an issue I have been thinking about but haven't been able to articulate. Mainly that the general public lacks a clear understanding of what the role of government actually is. Or rather, the role it is perceived to have is much too broad, bordering on the fantastic. All the while, the public has a clear idea of what role firms play in our society. Like McDonalds serves hamburger things, Quicksilver makes clothes and the government does everything. A dialogue about the role of government seems like it should be a necessary conversation in a democracy.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Random Thoughts

Today at Starbucks, there was an elderly, stooped gentleman with a cane sort of wandering around after he had ordered his drink. Since I was standing right there I asked him if he needed help finding anything. He said he was just "nosing around," and that he would just "nose around as long as I can walk." Let us all talk advantage of our ability to walk independently, for it does not last forever.

I am reading George W. Bush's new book, "Decision Points." It is a page turner, as all the reviews said it would be. One interesting tidbit was in his chapter about Afghanistan. I have often heard his policy in Afghanistan criticized because the Afghan people usually kick out conquerors/occupiers. People say that Bush was stupid because he obviously didn't know about Afghanistan's history of repelling occupiers, and that's why the US should not have invaded. Whether we should have or not is beside the point. What Bush said in his book was early on he wanted to avoid a quagmire because Afghanistan's history was known by both he and his staff. He knew about that side of Afghan history before it was hip to know about that side of Afghan history.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Well Done, Mr. President

Usually I have something to be down about on this blog. In honor of Thanksgiving I wanted to do something different. Offer a point of encouragement about our government. At first I didn't know what to do, but then the headlines offered something.

Obama Freezes Pay for Federal Workers


It was a hard decision to make, no doubt. And a worthy gesture (at the very least) that he is serious about our government's over spending. "“The hard truth is that getting this deficit under control is going to require some broad sacrifice and that sacrifice must be shared by employees of the federal government,” Mr. Obama said at a White House news conference"

So, some good news from the White House.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

When is Enough, Enough?

There seems to be a stink being raised nationwide about the new TSA airport security measures. At least the Drudge Report is all over it. A member of the House spoke on the floor about it. The New York Times talks about it too.

As a government formed by the people, our leaders are in place because, directly or indirectly, we the people had some say in them getting where they are. This government was designed (I believe as evidenced by the Constitution) to be in existence as only by consent of the governed. Simply, the gov is there because we put it there.

Back to this TSA invasiveness issue: when we feel a government entity is overstepping its bounds, even in the name of keeping us safe from terrorists, can our opinions as citizens be overridden by the "expertise" of a Security Agency? I also read that Germany raised its security level based upon evidence of a suspected terrorist attack. It is the experts taking care of the normal people.

Of course I don't think it inappropriate for government to be involved in national defense. That is one of the enumerated roles of government. But can our voices be overridden in the name of security? Will we be subjected to safety procedures of which we have no say in? The names of Safety and Security have been used before-good intentions or not-to grow the power of the government and shrink the influence of the people. There is a reason to be suspicious and I am glad there is a national outcry against the TSA methods. We will see what happens.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Is Obama Keynesian?

I'm glad someone did this. It was done at the Jon Stewart rally that recently happened.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

A Tea Party

This excellent article by a writer for the British Telegraph contains this enlightening quote:

"There is a classic of the genre in today’s Guardian. George Monbiot describes the Tea Party as “one of the biggest exercises in false consciousness the world has seen”, and goes on to explain that the poor, deluded saps who turn up to its meetings are puppets on the strings of two wealthy industrialists, Charles and David Koch.

A telling phrase, that, “false consciousness”. It was coined by Friedrich Engels, and became a mainstay of Marxist theory. Marx argued that, because proletarians didn’t always understand their true interests, democracy was open to abuse. Reactionary and bourgeois elements could make the workers think that they wanted one thing, when what they really needed was something else. It was the doctrine of false consciousness which Lenin and, later, Stalin, used to justify their tyranny."

And here's an article from the Washington Post with an opposing view of the Tea Party which I think gets its historical and economical citations all mixed up.

"In the worldview of the American right -- and the polling shows conclusively that that's who the Tea Party is -- the nation, misled by President Obama, has gone down the path to socialism. In fact, far from venturing down that road, we've been stuck on the road to hyper-capitalism for three decades now."

Whoa doggies. "Hyper-capitalism"? I disagree. Hyper-capitalism would be near elimination of government, a rejection of all regulation: no health department, not rent control, no taxes (!), etc. I can sort of see what he's getting at with maybe the lofty, hard to understand high finance stuff, but I think that phrase hyperbole.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Global Warming is Upon Us

It's an endless debate that will probably be renewed with each generation since no one person will be alive long enough to follow up on the various theories, for or against. Therefore, since research is generally inconclusive, I think government policies aimed at "preventing" it will mostly do more harm than good and could be an excuse for specific pet policies to get through whatever branch of government wherever in the world. Any legislation/ruling can slip down the chute greased by fear.

That's just my two cents worth.

What prompted that thought were two interesting tidbits I heard and saw recently about global warming.

1. NPR News reported on a study done by some smart people at some smart university who said a reduction in the world's population would lower greenhouse emissions. Duh. People drive cars, eat stuff, consume resources, it seems like a very obvious answer but a scary proposal. Of course they didn't recommend genocide or extermination, just the usual birth control stuff.

2. A bumper sticker I saw on a pickup truck today: Global Warming is Caused by the Sun. That gave me a laugh. The same truck also had a Don't Tread on Me sticker so one can easily guess their political persuasions.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

The True Size of Africa

It's huge, man.

This cool map demonstrates.

I just drove from Indiana to CA and that took awhile. I can only imagine how long it would take in Africa.

Also, there's some room to spare between CA and IN if any of you are looking to settle somewhere.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Thoughts on CA Election

Both CA Republican candidates are behind in the polls during these last days of the campaign. Fiorina has lost ground to Boxer and Whitman is behind Jerry Brown. Of course it would be consistent with CA for dems to win this one and I could accept a Brown win, but Boxer?

All these campaign websites pretty much say the same thing: We are in a mess and this Candidate's experience and ideas will get us out. There is something they all agree on at least.

It is interesting how in both races there is a career politician (Democrat) up against a career businesswoman (Republican). In the business world there are measurable consequences, good or ill, for decisions that are made. That skill they have equips them to make the radical decisions that must be made in this state and nation. The Republicans' leadership potential can be measured by the success and operation of the companies they lead at one time: Ebay and Hewlett Packard. Not slouch companies. Boxer and Brown's success is much more difficult to measure. Boxer will be more of the same and that's not what we need. Brown might be alright, but he'll let stuff fly by his desk that the trigger happy legislature here comes up with. Whitman may be mean, but I think she'd put her foot down.

As always, it's not the end of the world if the "wrong side" wins. However, things would be nicer if the right side takes it this time.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

All You Metal Fans

There is a 4 day cruise in the Caribbean this January with 40 metal bands performing during the course of the cruise. I can only imagine the kind of atmosphere that will inspire...

I'd go. I think.

7000 Tons of Metal

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Redesign

Everyone does this at some point, and it was time for me to join in.

Here is the new layout. Enjoy!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Think About the Kids

Obama really secured the younger vote in 2008. Yet this NYT article talks about how fewer college types are identifying themselves as democrats.

This Pew poll demonstrates: "The Democratic advantage over the Republicans in party affiliation among young voters, including those who "lean" to a party, reached a whopping 62% to 30% margin in 2008. But by the end of 2009 this 32-point margin had shrunk to just 14 points: 54% Democrat, 40% Republican."

We young people can be fickle I guess when it comes to identifying with a party and maybe that's how it has always been. Perhaps limited responsibility-no owned homes, low taxes, generally no children, etc-allows us to take a more middle of the road type approach with no firm allegiance one way or the other.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Mandatory Recycling

Everyone loves recycling, right?

Not so.

This dude puts into some perspective the cost of recycling and there will be an upcoming article on whether it really helps the planet or not. He writes for the Boston Globe, so I assume he's not a loon. Although some will think him a loon because his opinion goes against the grain.

I must say I hold his opinion as well.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Fast Food Lies

Like most people, I have a strong interest in fast food. It tastes good, it's cheap and the social commentary surrounding it is nearly endless.

My eye really caught on this Huffington Post article on Fast Food Lies: Meals That Don't Live Up to Their Ads. It's the question we have all asked ourselves when seeing a billboard or commercial about the latest hamburger: Is that really what it will look like? The journalist of that article put some pictures up to help answer that oldest of post-1950 era conundrums.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Friday, August 27, 2010

We Love Them Trains!

The Transcontinental Railroad was a railroad contructed from 1863-1869 and funded by the government. You know, the one with the famous golden spike photograph? It made travel across the country much quicker than being pulled across by animals and I am assuming it changed many things about settling in the west.

Thanks to a friend of mine, another railroad project has been brought to my attention. And it is ambitious. Promising to connect multiple cities along corridor routes, it would allow travelers another means of going between Chicago and St. Louis other than by plane or car, for instance. Or Amtrak?

Where is the line drawn for the limitations of how many modes of transportation a government should provide? That's something I'm still thinking about.

Trapped Until Christmas

A very interesting video explaining the situation of 33 men trapped in the Chilian mine collapse since August 5. They may be there until rescuers can reach them as late as Christmas. Thank the Lord the rescuers are able to send them provisions through a tube network.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Venezuela Beats Iraq

In this very sad disparity, Venezuela had nearly 4 times more murders/civilian deaths than Iraq during 2009.

It just goes to show, there is injustice everywhere, no matter what happens to be making headlines.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Oh, the Debt

So much debt. (Although not as much, percentage wise, as there was during WWII).

Thomas Sowell provides a nice, brief article highlighting the consequences and fallacies of our federal government's spending practices.

"The CBO [Congressional Budget Office] report points out that the national debt, which was 36 percent of the Gross Domestic Product three years ago, is now projected to be 62 percent of GDP at the end of fiscal year 2010-- and rising in future years."

That Congressional Budget Office usually churns out figures that bring to light the danger of government over spending, but often the figures aren't widely reported. Surprise. Check them out though.

A little self-criticism: My objection to Sowell's or even my own warnings would be We made it fine after WWII's gigantic debt, this won't be any different. What's the big deal?

First, debt in itself isn't necessarily a bad thing. Businesses and individuals go into debt to invest in goods and services so a higher return may be made in the future. However the circumstances of the debt are what matters and what is done in follow-up. In WWII, our country went into debt to finance a war against multiple enemies. It was a limited time investment in an endeavor that few people want to repeat (Of course, boatloads of money have been spent on wars since then, but that's a different post). The modern government is instead wracking up debt by pouring money into programs, companies, bureaucracies that set the precedent for increased government spending, very few of which create value or serve their purpose and then disappear. State bureaucracies are Frankensteins kept alive by wishes and false money. But as Ludwig Von Mises says, "The culprit is not the bureaucrat but the political system. And the sovereign people is still free to discard the system."

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Embarassed Into Paying Taxes



An interesting video on a different tax culture than our own. One of the state officials who tried to pay his taxes, got his check returned, which I thought was a little different from the US.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Who Doesn't Like YouTube?

Free is never really free. An important, universal (?) fact to keep in mind.

This dude talks about how YouTube consumes a ton of money in order to keep up with the servers required for it to stay in operation. "Free" is dependent upon some company's willingness to subsidize what is offered. It has changed our perception of internet videos, but it's not resting upon an unshakable foundation.

I tried to find out who the guy is, but I assume he is not a loon, since Steve Forbes is interviewing him. Also, on principal I agree with him. We have all placed our expectations on the fact that internet videos will always be free. But that could easily change depending on rising costs of bandwidth, the business environment, and effective competition/undercutting with Google, for instance.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Well Rounded Truths

Recently, I was reawakened to the practicality and greatness of two books of the Bible: Ecclesiastes and Job. No matter what your notions of the existence of God or whatever are, they address real topics of life that we all face sometime in our lives.

Ecclesiastes asks the question: What's the point of it all? A very worthy question. After all, we are each fleeting flashes of creation in a vast cosmos with little to no hope of being remembered more than one generation out. But wait! There is a God who Cares. It's an especially poignant book because it was written by a man who had literally done it all and life still felt hollow until he came to his conclusion about what life is about.

Job clearly presents the problem of evil, with relevant, commonly asked questions throughout about why suffering exists and what can be done to end it. Then, towards the end of the book, God answers Job's questions. Hasn't everyone wanted the answer to the why's of life? Well, there it is in Job. God puts the universe into perspective for Job, citing the created order primarily, emphasizing His care for us as His creation despite evil in the world.

I like both books a lot because they emphasize the contradiction of our worthy puniness. Absent the supernatural, the books are excellent examples of the existential crisis, which is reality, but only part of the reality. While we are teenier beings on a teeny planet, we are also loved by an infinite God who made Himself manifest in history through Christ. It's the complete package.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Clinton Knows Best

RealClearPolitics - Video - Clinton Defends Byrd's KKK Ties: "He Was Trying To Get Elected"

"There are certainly no perfect politicians." Well said, President Clinton, well said.

If you're on the right side, all can be forgiven.

The Monkey Theorem

I recently read a very good book by Antony Flew (who passed away this April) called "There Is A God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind."

Flew was a foundational thinker for modern atheism but in 2004 became a deist. His book is an excellent overview of atheism and even philosophy for a non-philosophy student like myself, I thought. There were some new angles to the argument for the existence of God that I hadn't thought of before. Some criticized the book saying Flew was too old when he wrote it (81) and therefore his mind was molded by Christian thinkers. Perhaps, but Flew acknowledged those arguments as mere ad hominem, and I think the same.

One of the highlights of the book for me was an expounding on the "monkey theorem." You know, that famous hypothetical situation that if you left a roomful of monkeys with a typewriter, eventually the works of Shakespeare would show up, thus emphasizing the point that given enough time and random events, order can come from chaos. Like, the universe and us for example.

In Flew's book, he tells of this situation being experimented by the British National Council of Arts. Six monkeys were left in a room for a month with a typewriter and produced 50 pages but not one word. Words even include "a" and "I", which need spaces on either side of them to be considered words. In another example, the Israeli scientist Gerald Schroeder crunches the numbers for the odds of monkeys typing out "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" and it comes out to 26^488th power or 10 to the 690th. As a matter of scale, there are 1 to the 80th particles in the universe-electrons, protons, neutrons. 1 to the 80th has 80 zeros after the 1 and 1 to the 690th has 690 zeroes after the 1. Huge numbers. Imagine picking the right particle out of the universe at random. What are the odds you'll get the right one? 1 in 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00

Those numbers right there got me. Of course, to read the whole explanation, get the book. Or find Schroeder's numbers online regarding the monkey theorem. It goes to show, random chance is not on the side of created order, let alone conscious life.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Google Street View Link

Thanks to Drudge for this interesting link.

Mysterious "Horseboy" caught on Google Streetview camera.

Other funny photos too.

Check it out.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Forget the Summer Job

I feel like this article addresses many issues that may contribute to the bad summer job market for teens, but fails to mention anything about the minimum wage, which I think is the real culprit.

There is a broad consensus among economists that the minimum wage is a form of price control and in fact leads to higher unemployment, especially among the least skilled (teens, immigrants) workers among us. The above article tells of the effects, but I don't gives the whole story.

Also, check out this letter from a business owner to his employees addressing the link between the minimum wage and their cutback in work hours.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Hmmm

"The left flunks Econ 101."

An interesting article, no doubt.

Monday, May 24, 2010

For All You Losties

This article has a nice summary of the blogosphere's reaction to the Lost finale.

Personally, I vacillate between satisfaction and frustration. My question is still Why? I wanted to feel resolution, knowledge, why it all happened. It's almost as if we need a spiritual book explaining the meaning of the characters' alternate reality in Los Angeles and why it was created by/for them. Even if "Lost" was never meant to refer to the island but to their lives it doesn't make much sense of the alternate reality in Los Angeles.

Sigh. It was fun while it lasted though and gives us something to discuss, which is all we want to do with Lost in the first place.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Too Good to Pass Up

This article about despotism serving a purpose is "enlightening."

It is the natural progression of republics: freedom and prosperity shrink unless guarded.

Time Well Spent

Good to know what the House is up to these days, beer is pretty important.

My family recently drove to the Bay Area of CA for my aunt's wedding. I wish I could have been in attendance, but was honored to be in my roommate, Matt's wedding the same weekend in New Mexico. It was great.

But while my family was driving home on Sunday I was talking with them on the phone, and my dad said he had trouble hearing me due to the poor condition of the roads. This was along a major interstate highway, the famous I-5. He made the (I would say correct) connection between the poor road conditions and the state's budget crisis. California is a case in point of what happens to governments that do not operate within the realm of economic reality. Things simply cannot be doled out or consumed without some cost. Pretty soon governments must face reality, usually in the form of recessions, inflation, collapse of the state, etc. The Federal government has a little more time to delay the inevitable due to their ability to print money, unlike states. If a state does it, it's illegal. But somehow the Federal Government can do it through the Federal Reserve which is overseen by congress. The Fed produces a valueless paper rather than a valuable coin. The Constitution permits congress to coin money and fix the standard of weights and measures but prohibits states from coining money. Illusions rarely remain illusions for long.

Monday, May 10, 2010

A Few Interesting Links

The Atlantic has a video posted of a drug bust of a nice looking suburban home. The article has an interesting take on it. I wonder if it's real and what the real back story is on the perpetrator. Either way it's intense. Be aware that it is a little jarring.

Also, this dude has survived for 70 years without food and water?

Obama doesn't like Xboxes. They are bad for democracy.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Understanding the Conflict in Afghanistan

If you want to comprehend what exactly is going on, simply reference this crystal clear Powerpoint slide which was presented to military commanders.

No problem.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Wage at the Minimum

I am a minimum wage guy. Well, almost. I get 10 cents more per hour ($7.35) than the federal minimum wage requires.

The default opinion on minimum wage laws seems to be Higher! One major reason being for those who are supporting children, single parent homes especially. Also the mystically defined "living wage."

Every so often I think about the mandated minimum wage and it makes my stomach turn a little. There are faulty, yet well intentioned lines of thought wrapped up in the issue.

The first one I think of is why stop at $7.25 an hour? If we want people to have full lives with all opportunities available to them, let's hike it up to $50 or $100 an hour. I feel it would be difficult to find someone who believes that would work out well for more than a month. Companies cannot pay that much. So why think they can pay $7.25 an hour or any other "low" rate? How many firms close because of this unaffordable price control? It merely creates shortages, nothing else.

Allowing companies to pay a rate they determine to be affordable would not be a bad thing. Entry level jobs would be more plentiful, there would be more firms thus increasing competition, not only in product or service pricing but in wages as well, which would be beneficial for workers. Benefits would increase as well.

It's an issue that is easily sold to voters by politicians because of its assumed value, thus making it popular to say one is for raising the minimum wage.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

It's Been Too Long

Internet may be back for me. The verdict is still coming...

Thought this was a fun little article: Zimbabwe, Iran and North Korea a little triangle of friends. It looks like the global version of the uncool kids club.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Obama Modeling Bush

I don't consider myself a particularly creative political mind. I like to hear about other people's opinions rather than create my own.

But I did have this mildly creative idea about the big health care bill. Maybe someone else has thought of it, I don't know.

Here it is:

Remember back-when to the Bush v. Kerry election? Remember how Bush is thought by some to have started the Iraq war when he did so as to guarantee a second term? I don't know enough to deny or support whether or not that was his motivation. Obama's team knows their electoral history, no doubt and perhaps took a lesson from Bush on this one, because I think it worked for him. Most of the big health care benefits in the new bill won't take place until around 2014 and a lot of the stimulus money from the various bills will kick in over the next couple of years. So here's the pitch: these "time release" policies all kick in just before the 2012 election or right after it, in the case of health care. Just like Bush, Obama-Team can play the card that beats out most, even if the current climate surrounding your office is poor: "Elect the office that is bringing us out of the recession, not some new administration that will have to catch up to what is going on and probably mess things up again." I don't think using catastrophic events for political gain is an ethical thing to do though, because it is at the expense of others.

Just an idea. But no doubt one the powers that be then and now have at least thought of.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Some Weekend Reading

The Purposes and Functions of the Federal Reserve.

Enjoy!

And it's all for free too. In case you were wondering.

Jk, actually it's not free, you paid for it in some capacity. That makes it more fun though, right?

Thursday, March 25, 2010

""I don't ever use the word 'deal,' "

Need a good jolt? Read this article: Republicans Hate Pelosi Because She Is Effective.

Maybe I don't read enough of her stuff, but I have yet to be encouraged by anything she says. Just because she's an effective leader does not make her a good leader.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

It'll Be a Close One

The Hill has a sweet Whip Count on the way members of Congress will most likely vote in the Health Care bill coming up soon.

"If every member votes and all GOP lawmakers vote no, the maximum number of Democratic defections to pass a bill is 37, which would result in a 216-215 tally."

Looks like there are 37 "Firm No, Leaning No, Likely No" votes. Imagine the pressure those reps are getting.

Check out all those undecideds too: 55.

As they said in times past when we all had hats, "Hold on to your hats."

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

No Time for News

There are people out there who are far more Google savvy than I. But I recently discovered Google Fast Flip in the News section. It rocks.

Also, the New York Times has a new feature: the Times Skimmer.

Both of these offer cool ways to see what's up. And, of course, there's always been the Drudge Report for fast, condensed news reporting. It seems these other sites are trying to innovate off of its concept since it is one of the most visited news sites (maybe internet sites?) on the web.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

A Poll for the People

In honor of Al Gore's newest Op-Ed, I made a poll thanks to a website for I am no programmer:

Global Warming?
It's happening and we CAN fix it.
It's happening but we CAN'T fix it.
It's not happening. Stop whining.
Who cares?
pollcode.com free polls


I suspect these poll things will show up again here. They look fun.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

A Huge Whale

Found this on Dave Barry's 24 blog and thought it was crazy enough to share. It was his picture for Edgar.

As you can see it is quite large, probably from some bloating.




Monday, February 22, 2010

Presidents Have a Difficult Job

And this being one of them: A History of Obama Feigning Interest in Mundane Things. Imagine all the crazy, boring information you'd hear as president with people so excited to tell you about it, because after all, you are the President. There are some funny pictures, like Obama inspecting a giant bolt.

It was brought to my attention by one, beautiful, Carly. Our favorite photo is the one of Obama and Biden lost amongst the rooftop solar panels.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Proverbs from Franklin

"Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." Such is the quotation attributed to Benjamin Franklin, through Poor Richard.

I was thinking about this proverb the other day. What if the principle is in the amount of sleep you get? Let me explain: In order to live your life according to his wise words, you go to bed at 9 and wake up at 5. A cool, 8 hours of sleep. Now, what if you go to bed at 1 and wake up 9? A cool, 8 hours of sleep. But if you live your life by this schedule, you are late to bed, late to rise, but have stayed up for the same amount of time and gotten the same amount of sleep had you followed BF's proverb to the T. If amount of sleep is the principle, then "Go to bed whenever, get up whenever, (but make sure it's at least 8 hours) and you'll be healthy, wealthy and wise" could easily be the proverb.

However, Ben was not telling us we had to get a certain amount of sleep. I think implicit in the quotation is Discipline. Ewww. It's hard to go to bed early and it's hard to get up early. But if you are one who does those things, you are a disciplined individual. And discipline is an attribute which leads to health, wealth and wisdom.

Maybe you all figured this one out in the 1st grade, but I just got it.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Nothing New Under the Sun

In reading The Creature from Jekyll Island, a book about the history of the Federal Reserve, I have become aware of a few other government bailouts in our history. If one looks closely enough at political economic history (international and domestic), one can find that most any "new" policy has been tried before in some fashion and just been forgotten by us. It works out conveniently for some ambitious politicians though. Relabeling also helps cut down on recognition.

For example: This site contains a handy graph demonstrating the size of US government bailouts since 1970. Of course, TARP is the largest, but it's not the first of its kind. A look into how these arrangements turned out is a fun trail of investigation. Lockheed is an interesting one because they appealed to the government for a bailout on the terms that jobs would be lost, well being of the economy, etc. So the government did and then Lockheed started turning a profit. But the profit came from defense contracts commissioned by the government. To that I say hmmm.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Reason TV Health Care Video

8 minutes of your time.

Also, was anyone else aware that Jack Murtha had passed away? He was a huge player in Congress. I guess I just missed that news line. Condolences to his family and friends.

Monday, February 8, 2010

If You Like Interesting Ideas...

Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin here offers a compelling way out of our current federal financial swamp. Of course, it's one idea of many. But I am attracted to it for its clearly stated ideas, limited reach and reduction of the state. He goes off of the assumption that things are wrong with the government and we cannot keep spending like we are. Especially cool is the proposed revamping of the Federal Income Tax way down in the document, if you want to check it out.

An excerpt from the introduction:

"This plan is not simply a slimmer version of the “progressive” ideology. It is a true alternative, and a complete legislative proposal consisting of specific policies supported by Congressional Budget Office estimates of its fiscal and economic consequences. More important, it is based on a fundamentally different vision from the one now prevailing in Washington. It focuses government on its proper role; it restrains government spending, and thus limits the size of government itself; it rejuvenates the vibrant market economy that made America the envy of the world; and it restores an American character rooted in individual initiative, entrepreneurship, and opportunity – qualities that make each American’s pursuit of personal destiny a net contribution to the Nation’s common good as well. In short, it is built on the enduring truths from which America’s Founders established this great and exceptional Nation.

This proposal does not attempt to abandon commitments Americans established over the past century, or to dismantle government. It recognizes that government has a necessary role in supporting the institutions through which Americans live their lives, and in providing a safety net for those who face financial or other hardships. But it rests on the conviction that government’s principal role is to maintain the freedoms through which individuals can pursue their own destinies. As Jefferson put it: “A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government.”

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Lost

Who is not excited about tonight?

Although, if I had been in a coma during the period between season 1 and season 6 and am now viewing the previews for season 6, it would be baffling how the show got to where it is right now. Even having watched it from season 1 I am baffled how we got here. However, I am more than ready to get my Lost back on.

Monday, February 1, 2010

For all you budget fans out there...

The New York Times has this sweet interactive graphic of Obama's proposed federal budget. It looks like modern art too.

The Little Guy

For those of you unaware, I recently started a job at Starbucks here in the northern part of Indianapolis. It's a fun job for the most part. It was tough getting back into working an schedule after being off of everything for three months, but the swing is returning. In telling a few people I work for Starbucks, there has been the remark about how Big Corporate Starbucks is ruining neighborhoods by killing the opportunity for the Smiths to start their own family run coffee shop. This sentiment echoes with that common noble purpose, to work at the local coffee shop, to buy from the local coffee shop, as if they are the only real people in the mix. I argue that buying a coffee from your local Starbucks is just as beneficial to real people.

Reason 1. Local people work there, just like at the small time place. The money you spend goes to their paycheck too. If their store goes out of business, which many Starbucks stores have in the past year, they lose their jobs.

Reason 2. Starbucks began as a local coffee shop, now it just has more stores. Thanks to ambitious business planning, they are where they are today and a lot of people like what they get there.

Reason 3. Large corporations are able to provide more benefits, like health insurance after only working 20 hours a week. Also opportunities for scholarships, non-profit foundations, etc.

Conclusion: Go to wherever you enjoy getting your coffee. I'm not advocating only buying from Starbucks. Local places often have a better atmosphere and better fare. Starbucks is not necessarily better, but it's not necessarily worse than your local family owned joint. Either way you go though, your money ends up in the hands of regular people, like me. Thank you.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Haiti

I share the thoughts of most when I read about the earthquake in Haiti, thoughts of "this is the last thing they need."

I found this article on why all the problems in Haiti? At the beginning of the article this interesting sentence is placed: "That's because of a killer combination of geography, poverty, social problems, slipshod building standards and bad luck, experts say." (Emphasis placed by me).

Experts are citing bad luck now, I guess. Must all truths be scientifically verifiable then?

Debate At It's Finest

Rev. Al Sharpton and Ann Coulter discuss Reid's comment about Obama.

This is like baking soda and vinegar mixed together in result.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Time for Action. Psh.

"White House wields health report." Within which, the official declares "action," the time for reform is "now" and other rallying cries.

I ask, why does the change have to be so drastic? The reason people are spending so much on insurance is because of the bloated system it already is. I have only scratched the surface in my knowledge of governmental restrictions/laws in the health insurance business, but there is no doubt at all that government policy has constricted the industry into what it is today. An expansion of Medicare would only mean more government intrusion into a system it has already screwed up. "Reform" just means turning the knob up one more time, until we hit 11, adding more and more in the blind hope that the people before our time didn't do the "right thing" or didn't have enough funding. I would like to see a true reformation and stream lining of the system. Now there's a New Years wish for you.

This whole health care bill thing is merely demonstrating that congressional democrats view themselves as our philosopher kings. We know best, they say, Just leave it to us. Self interest no doubt plays a role as well and it can only do that in a system such as the one we have and more so in the one most of our representatives hope to create.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Death Tax Holiday

There is no Estate (Death) Tax this year. No matter how much you make, you can give it all to your benefactors if you die this year, unlike last year or next year when, say, you leave $10 million to the kids, the government will take at least 40%. Just like that. BAM. Not as much money.

Granted, the Estate Tax applies to roughly 1% of the American population. But that then makes them a minority and we love minorities, right? The typical argument for the Estate Tax uses that figure and says, What's the big deal? It's only like a couple of people? Hmm, let us not confiscate property because it only affects a small number of people.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Dave Barry's Year in Review

Can't miss this.

Update: It's dang long. But definitely worth at least a skim.