POLITICAL: The consequences of Obamacare

Monday, March 29, 2010

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2010/03/pelosi_proud_to_place_healthca.html

March 28, 2010
Pelosi proud to place healthcare reform beside two failed government programs
Anthony W. Hager

*** begin quote ***

One has to wonder if Speaker Pelosi realized what she was saying when she beamed about joining the creators of Social Security and Medicare. According to her own analogy Congress and the Obama administration have imposed upon America a program destined for high taxation, inadequate service, saucy bureaucrats, fraud, waste and future insolvency. If she was trying to boost public confidence in the healthcare bill she should’ve exercised greater care in picking her comparisons.

*** end quote ***

Interesting how economically unsound these programs — Medicare, Medicaid, and Obamacare — are.

Unfunded liabilities are a way of life for the congresscritters. By the time that the excrement hits the proverbial fan, the particular congresscritters who passed it are long on their way to a very comfortable retirement. Or their just rewards! And we are left holding the proverbial bag!!

To any one who was economically literate, the problem was almost immediately obvious:

http://www.ssa.gov/history/briefhistory3.html#idamay

*** begin quote ***

On January 31, 1940, the first monthly retirement check was issued to Ida May Fuller of Ludlow, Vermont, in the amount of $22.54. Miss Fuller, a Legal Secretary, retired in November 1939. She started collecting benefits in January 1940 at age 65 and lived to be 100 years old, dying in 1975.

Ida May Fuller worked for three years under the Social Security program. The accumulated taxes on her salary during those three years was a total of $24.75. Her initial monthly check was $22.54. During her lifetime she collected a total of $22,888.92 in Social Security benefits.

*** end quote ***

So it’s an intergenerational theft. A welfare program in disguise. An a wealth transfer, due to disparities in lifespan, from poor minority men to rich white women.

And, probably unintended, but could be a tin foil hat conspiracy, it destroyed the American family. Grandparents, now enriched with Social Security “retirement” checks, could abscond to Florida and abandon their families. Generations of grandchildren would be deprived of their grandparents thanks to this terrible law. This, combined with the high taxes that force housewives back into the work force, forced those grandchildren into childcare. It turns the schools into de facto all day daycare centers where the family bonds are destroyed. Which makes the uber-State very happy; remember the Prussian school model was to make soldiers for the army and factory workers to be led by “the elite”.

So what are the consequences of Obamacare — intended and unintended?

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GOLDBUG: But who owns it?

Monday, March 29, 2010

http://moneywatch.bnet.com/economic-news/article/is-there-gold-in-fort-knox/385523/

Is There Gold in Fort Knox?
by Constance Gustke
Jan 20, 2010

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The reason Fort Knox will remain a mighty fortress, however, may come down to something Alan Greenspan once told Paul. When Paul asked the former Fed Chairman why the Fed hangs onto its hefty gold reserves, “Greenspan said ‘just in case we need it,’” says Paul. “You hold onto it because it’s the ultimate in money.”

*** end quote ***

Yes, we should know what’s there. Otherwise, why are we paying to guard it? And, maybe we should be selling it to reduce the National Debt. Along with selling other things.

Do you think any one would buy Congress?

(That’s a trick question. We all know it’s bought and paid for already.)

More importantly, even if there’s gold in Fort Know, and possession is nine tenths, is it “ours”? Or has it been sold or mortgaged already?

We should know.

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TECHNOLOGY: Education is the key to getting benefits form technology

Sunday, March 28, 2010

http://techcrunch.com/2010/03/27/why-america-needs-to-start-investing-in-its-workforce-again-2

Why America Needs To Start Educating Its Workforce Again
by Vivek Wadhwa on Mar 27, 2010

*** begin quote ***

Ask any old-time IBMer, and you will hear stories of IBM’s legendary workforce-development practices. When a manager identified a manufacturing worker with promise, the company would teach him how to dress, how to speak to clients, and how to service products. These technicians would then be trained to be computer programmers, sales reps, or product managers.

*** and ***

If you do get hired, it’s up to you to stay current or get booted out with the first dip in sales. American corporations consider their workforce to be disposable — like ball-point pens and cigarette lighters. Gone are the days when a company would train a factory worker to become a computer programmer or offer lifelong employment. It’s all about quarterly revenue and profits now.

*** and ***

The Indian experience highlights what can be achieved by investing in upgrading the skills of the workforce. If workforce training can take the output of an education system as weak as India’s and turn its graduates into world-class engineers and scientists, imagine what could be done with a worker base that has received amongst the best education in the world, as is the case in the United States.

U.S. companies have long played the guru, developing and disseminating many widely adopted management and workforce practices. The time has come for the guru to learn from one of its disciples: India.

*** end quote ***

Once upon a time, AT&T was like IBM as well. One of my early achievements was proposing Computer Operators be trained as Programmers. I had “the Charter”. Took the project from: “We need programmers.” to graduating 21 of the initially 22. (Darn girl! Went and decided she’d rather have a baby. She shoulda waited; ruined my talking point. She came back from maternity leave and successfully tested. But, I didn’t get credit for her. Still don’t understand why?)

Vivek hits upon a key change needed in the American business meme. “Quarterly”! We, as a society, have to figure out how to change the meme of “company” from a short-term focused entity to a long-term focused one. A company is “eternal”; unlike human beings. And, it is a creation of the government, so it should be easy. It’s all rooted in the tax code. We see corporations as “paying taxes” when if fact they just pass them on to real people and hide the tax in the cost of the product. To change the company focus, several things have to happen: realign corporate management’s desire to the long term, change investor’s expectations to the long term, and — probably the hardest — change the government’s rules. Management annual salaries should be limited to less than POTUS (President Of The United States) makes; bonuses should be in the form of long term bonds. (That will cure that short term viewpoint in 30 minutes or less!) Investors, to encourage sticking for the long term, should get a real “capital gains” tax break — most of the time your “capital gain” is inflation; not a real gain — ZERO tax for investments held for say a decade. And, the government — well they are probably incurable — we need stable money, low taxes, and low spending. (Like that’s going to happen with out a revolution!)

We can start on “education” by ending “public education” as we know it. It took seven decades to get into this mess; probably take seven to get out of it. But parents should educate their children. They are the ones who had them, have their best interests at heart, and have the motivation from them to succeed. Education expense today has no ROI. It’s a mess.

We have a lot to do to recapture the American Dream!

[When I worked with Vivek, was he this smart? Didn’t seem so at the time. Maybe I’m the dummy.]

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FUN: by their limping

Sunday, March 28, 2010

http://www.irishcentral.com/saint_patricks_day/Irish-sayings-proverbs-and-prayers-for-Saint-Patricks-Day-88201577.html

May those who love us, love us.
And those that don’t love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn’t turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we’ll know them by their limping.

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INTERESTING: Two views; we need the third

Saturday, March 27, 2010

http://www.bspcn.com/2010/03/23/no-to-socialism/

*** begin quote ***

This morning I was awoken by my alarm clock, powered by electricity generated by the public power monopoly regulated by the US Department of Energy. I then took a shower in the clean water provided by the municipal water utility. After that, I turned on the TV to one of the FCC regulated channels to see what the National Weather Service of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration determined the weather was going to be like using satellites designed, built, and launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. I watch this while eating my breakfast of US Department of Agriculture inspected food and taking the drugs which have been determined as safe by the Food and Drug Administration.

At the appropriate time as regulated by the US Congress, and kept accurate by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the US Naval Observatory, I get into my National Highway Traffic Safety Administration approved automobile and set out to work on the roads built by the local, state, and federal Departments of Transportation, possibly stopping to purchase additional fuel of a quality level determined by the Environmental Protection Agency, using legal tender issued by the Federal Reserve Bank. On the way out the door, I deposit any mail I have to be sent out via the US Postal Service and drop the kids off at the public school.

After work, I drive my NHTSA bar back home on DOT roads, to a house which has not burned down in my absence because of the state and local building codes and Fire Marshal’s inspection, and which has not been plundered of all its valuables thanks to the local police department.

I then log on to the internet which was developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Administration and post of FreeRepublic.com and Fox News forums about how SOCIALISM in medicine is BAD because the government can’t do anything right.

*** end quote ***

http://www.csmonitor.com/Money/Mises-Economics-Blog/2010/0326/Samizdat-The-Libertarian-alarm-clock

*** begin quote ***

   “This morning I was awoken by my alarm clock built by the ingenuity of millions of individuals all working for their own gain, but whose efforts were coordinated by the prices for labor and materials and finished goods provided by the free market. I then took a shower in the clean water provided by the shower head, pipes, and sanitation facilities whose construction also involved the efforts of thousands of people acting in their independent interest. After that, I turned on the TV to The Weather Channel, whose owners include one of the largest multi-national corporations and private equity companies, to see the week’s forecast presented in a clear, informative (and even entertaining) manner. I watched this while eating breakfast of General Mills’ inspected food and taking drugs whose strong brand name gives me confidence in its safety.

   At the time which millions of people coordinate their activities to take advantage of each other’s knowledge and skills, I leave for work. I get into my Japanese-designed, Mexican-supplied, Michigan-assembled automobile and set out to work on the roads built by construction contracting companies and named after corrupt politicians, possibly stopping to purchase additional fuel that was shipped from the Middle East by an oil company at a per gallon cost many times lower than the price of having a letter delivered across the street by the government monopoly that loses millions of dollars each year. To make the purchase there is no need to leave the pump; I am able to slide a piece of plastic into a small slot and get credit extended to me by a bank who has never met me in person. On the way out the door, I put out the Fed-Ex envelope containing the documents I need to arrive across the country tomorrow morning and drop the kids off at the public school which is attended by only the best students, thanks to the high home prices in the area.

   After work, I drive my Japanese-Latino-Midwestern car back home, to a house which has not burned down in my absence because of materials developed in the research and development departments of hundreds of corporations and which has not been plundered of all is valuables thanks to the lock on the door and a sign advertising the security company whose services I employ. My piece of mind was not interrupted by the thought of these events anyway, as I have both fire and homeowners insurance through privately held insurance company.

   I then log on to the internet to watch and listen to artists who don’t appeal to a broad enough audience to make it onto one of the few channels that a government monopoly allows to be broadcast. I then log onto the democraticunderground.com to post about how DEREGULATING the medical industry is BAD because low-cost, quality health care can never be provided by greedy, self-interested people.”

*** end quote ***

It feels like there could be third one. What would it look like if humans weren’t deluded at all by the meme of government?

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TECHNOLOGY: What does Apple need to do for Mac OS X

Saturday, March 27, 2010

http://www.tuaw.com/2010/03/20/what-do-you-want-to-see-in-mac-os-x-10-7/

*** begin quote ***

It’s time again for another Dear, Apple letter from the readers of TUAW. In our first series (part one, part two, part three) you told us what you want to see in the next iPhone OS. Now we need your help again to tell Apple what you want to see in the next version of Mac OS X.

*** end quote ***

I’m a newbie MacBookAir who left windoze behind. I’m pleased but not ecstatic.

(1) MobileMe “backup” of contacts hasn’t worked in a year. A long series of Genius Bars and chat sessions (that mysteriously drop after we run through their script) hasn’t made it work.

(2) Mail sucks. It’s not as good as Outlook, or LookOut as I grumbled when it did something strange. It should handle private key encryption. And, better “smartboxes”.

(3) Time Machine backup is ALWAYS backing up and slowing the pig down.

(4) Airport is always scanning for a wap, even when it has MINE, and slows stuff down. And, for some reason, it ignores all of them, so I have to select MINE! Argh! Of course, while this is happening, performance goes to hell.

(5) iWeb is good for beginners who want to do a simple complete website. Publisher on Windoze is better. But no one does a great job.

(6) iWork reminds me of Window’s Word a while ago.

(7) iTunes is a performance and a functional disaster. Have nothing to compare it to, but it could be useful if it didn’t perform like a pig. A pig that needs a support staff to understand it’s uses.

(8) The helps on the Apple provided software are limited and lame. Like an intern threw up some initial stuff and that was good enough.

(9) Windoze is notorious for the way it “sludges” up over time. My macbookair is beginning to feel the same way. Could it be the same need to be “reborn” from scratch?

Needless to say, I’m not a fan of Apple. But then, I’m not a fan of Windoze either.

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Posted by reinkefj

FUN: I’ve always wanted to

Saturday, March 27, 2010

FROM MY FAVORITE LUDDITE WHO’S “OLD”

*** begin quote ***

Have You Ever Danced?

An old prospector shuffled into the town of El Indio , Texas leading an old tired mule. The old man headed straight for the only saloon in town, to clear his parched throat. He walked up to the saloon and tied his old mule to the hitch rail. As he stood there, brushing some of the dust from his face and clothes, a young gunslinger stepped out of the saloon with a gun in one hand and a bottle of whiskey in the other.

The young gunslinger looked at the old man and laughed, saying, “Hey old man, have you ever danced?” The old man looked up at the gunslinger and said, “No, I never did dance… never really wanted to.”

A crowd had gathered as the gunslinger grinned and said, “Well, you old fool, you’re gonna’ dance now,” and started shooting at the old man’s feet. The old prospector, not wanting to get a toe blown off, started hopping around like a flea on a hot skillet. Everybody was laughing, fit to be tied.

When his last bullet had been fired, the young gunslinger, still laughing, holstered his gun and turned around to go back into the saloon. The old man turned to his pack mule, pulled out a double-barreled shotgun, and cocked both hammers. The loud clicks carried clearly through the desert air.

The crowd stopped laughing immediately. The young gunslinger heard the sounds too, and he turned around very slowly. The silence was almost deafening. The crowd watched as the young gunman stared at the old timer and the large gaping holes of those twin barrels.

The barrels of the shotgun never wavered in the old man’s hands, as he quietly said, “Son, have you ever kissed a mule’s ass?”

The gunslinger swallowed hard and said, “No sir….. but… I’ve always wanted to.”

There are a few lessons for us all here:

* Never be arrogant.

* Don’t waste ammunition.

* Whiskey makes you think you’re smarter than you are.

* Always, always make sure you know who has the power.

* Don’t mess with old men, they didn’t get old by being stupid.

*** end quote ***

I just love a story with a happy ending, don’t you?

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Yes, I do!

LOL

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INTERESTING: Disputed Island Disappears

Friday, March 26, 2010

http://news.slashdot.org/story/10/03/26/1342258/Disputed-Island-Disappears-Into-Sea

Disputed Island Disappears Into Sea from Slashdot by samzenpus

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RawJoe writes “India and Bangladesh have argued for almost 30 years over control of a tiny island in the Bay of Bengal. Now rising sea levels have ended the argument for them: the island’s gone. From the article: ‘New Moore Island, in the Sunderbans, has been completely submerged, said oceanographer Sugata Hazra, a professor at Jadavpur University in Calcutta. Its disappearance has been confirmed by satellite imagery and sea patrols, he said. “What these two countries could not achieve from years of talking, has been resolved by global warming,” said Hazra.'”

*** end quote ***

Great, now that’s how to solve problems. Talk until they disappear. Wonder if it works with politicians?

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INITIALISMS: Four Tasks of Mourning TEAR

Friday, March 26, 2010

J. William Worden’s “Four Tasks of Mourning” as outlined in his book Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy, can be summarized by the acronym TEAR:

T = To accept the reality of the loss

E = Experience the pain of the loss

A = Adjust to the new environment without the lost object

R = Reinvest in the new reality

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POLITICAL: Add “Honest Politician” to the pantheon of imaginary things

Thursday, March 25, 2010

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=131249

Can pro-lifers ever support Democrats again?
Posted: March 24, 2010
Jill Stanek … …
… … fought to stop “live-birth abortion” after witnessing one as a registered nurse at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Ill. In 2002, President Bush asked Jill to attend his signing of the Born Alive Infants Protection Act. In January 2003, World Magazine named Jill one of the 30 most prominent pro-life leaders of the past 30 years.

*** begin quote ***

We all now know Nelson blinked fairly quickly, and Stupak blinked five months into it. There were others, but these were the front men. Both men betrayed the pro-life and Christian groups they had been working with. Nelson disallowed both Nebraska Right to Life and the National Right to Life Committee from viewing his 11th-hour compromise health-care language, and Stupak turned away from those whom he had just said he sought advice, the United States Council of Catholic Bishops, the NRLC and the Family Research Council. All three, as well as every other pro-life/pro-family group, urged him to reject the compromise pitched to him, a worthless executive order by the infanticide president.

*** end quote ***

This makes it obvious: (1) there’s no such thing as a “Democratic” pro-lifer; (2) there’s no such thing as a “Democratic” who is fiscally responsible; and (3) there is ALMOST never a politician who can tell the truth.

Forewarned is forearmed.

… … like jumbo shrimp, the Easter Bunny, and let’s add to the pantheon of imaginary things: the pro-life Democrat, the fiscally responsible Democrat, and an “Honest Politician”.

“Honest Politician” added with apologies to Ron Paul, and a few historical figures.

Argh!

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Seems wryly humorous and poetic to write about pro-life democrats on the Feast of the Annunciation!

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