Politicians, the Elite and Social Engineers, Part 3

Capitalism - I love it, and I hate it.  I love it because it creates competition to assure that people continue to provide the best possible products and services at the best possible price.  I hate it because, unregulated, it leads to monopolies and 1 in 6 people living in poverty.  Socialism is supposedly the opposite of capitalism, but countries that are strictly socialistic are often frought with greedy/selfish politicians.  So, how do we get the best of both worlds?  I like to call it regulated capitalism.

Here in the U.S. we've been doing quite well with capitalism combined with Social Security and welfare.  That is, as long as there has been plenty of tax revenue provided by a good economy.

Economy - let's consider that concept.  A good friend of mine once went to a seminar.  In this seminar, the leader had the people form a circle.  He gave one person in the circle a dollar and had that person give the person next to them that dollar in exchange for a shoulder-rub.  Then, the person giving the shoulder rub would repeat the pattern with the next person in the circle.  Well, of course, the dollar was supposed to get all the way around the circle.  It's a nice idea.  Everyone gets back what they put into the system, right?  However, in capitalism, one of those people would be smart enough to haggle and get that back rub for half-price and invest the savings in something that gets them more money down the road.  And this is where the imbalances in society begin.  Let me be clear, I'm not suggesting that the haggler is an evil-wrongdoer.  I have a retirement fund and I do what I can to save money.  This is simply the world we've been born into.

So, how do we keep a balance without going completely socialistic?  I know some will disagree, but I believe it means "soaking the rich" and "death" taxes.  If the wealthy were keeping more people gainfully employed, maybe this wouldn't be necessary.  Even some of the wealthiest people support this idea:  Warren Buffet and the Gates family.

Some are afraid of taxing the rich because they may leave the country or stop 'investing.'  If I were making $200K a year, and paid half that to taxes, I would still have at least $20K to expand my portfolio!  If I didn't want the government to get so much of my money, I simply donate some of it to non-profit organizations I believe in.

I don't understand the resistance to Estate taxes.  People think they somehow deserve an eliteist life just because they were born into an elite family?  Aren't those who have worked all their adult lives more deserving of their Social Security benefits?  Aren't children living in poverty, who have done nothing to deserve poverty, deserve a good meal provided by food stamps?  I say we increase taxes on the wealthy before we cut these programs!

I'm not saying that the poor don't deserve some of the blame for the problem in the U.S. (I say "in the U.S." because I know the recession is global).  If anything, the recession is forcing the U.S. labor workers to be willing to work for a more competitive wage.  I mean, why do you think companies have gone off-shore so much?

And, at the same time, I know people in our government agencies deserve some of the responsibility too.  They seem to operate like many Americans operate with their credit cards and mortgages!  But how do we keep these people accountable?  Maybe that'll be another post...

Politicians, the Elite and Social Engineers, Part 2

After reading Part 1, I imagine many of you were thinking "Sounds great John, but find a way to pay for it all."  It's a question that's been thrown at Obama during his entire campaign and he never had a satisfactory answer, in my opinion.

I like the saying "how can we afford it?  How can we afford to *not* do it?"  In the U.S. we don't seem to have a shortage of human resources, just misdirected.  By misdirected, I mean that people are practically being rewarded by being on unemployment, welfare and in prison.  I realize that many of you think I'm crazy by saying prison, but I've heard plenty of stories of people doing things to get themselves back into prison because it is easier than being outside.  At least there, they get fed, clothed and sheltered.  I mean, have you seen how many homeless are sleeping in illegal places in Seattle?  Heck, if they get arrested, the worst that will happen to them is that they get fed, clothed and sheltered for a night or two for trespassing.

So, how do we remedy this?  Convince our legislature to re-direct unemployment, welfare and prison funds to creating jobs.  This can be done in many ways.  One can be by opening government jobs.  One can be by offering more contracts for contractors.  One can be by providing more small-business loans.  These jobs, however, would have to provide better take-home pay then unemployment or welfare.  Some jobs would be created just in the process of administering the programs.

I realize this sounds like bigger government, but it's really just redirection of funds and energy.  Heck, reducing unemployment, welfare and prisons would mean that people would have to be laid-off from the jobs that support those programs!  Or, the prison guards could be redirected as police and supervisors of those that get the jobs that the would-be prisoners would get; for instance.

On a similar subject, I feel the need to support our bus systems.  Here in Washington State, the buses are losing funding due to the drop in local purchasing (sales tax revenues).  There was a proposal to create an income tax, but that was killed.  King County instituted a $20 car-tab hike to make up the difference, but Snohomish County couldn't make the same happen.  I think people fail to recognize the value of buses, even if they do not ride them.  If there are fewer buses, there will be:
- more illegal and underage drivers on the road,
- more road and gas-station congestion,
- more bicyclists,
- more smog,
- higher gas prices due to higher demand.
Even if I weren't a regular rider, I would definitely pay the $20.  I would pay more for the bus, but higher bus rates may deter riders as well.  If it's cheaper to ride the bus, more people will ride them.

Politicians, the Elite and Social Engineers, Part 1

In the history of the United States, our forefathers (and mothers) have established laws for equal rights.  These equal rights include, but are not limited to, the right to vote, employment, housing, etc.  I think it's time for another big step:  equal opportunity for education.  Of course, I would like to see equal access to all the resources this planet has to offer, but that's a utopia that will have to wait (first things first).

Capitalism has served the U.S. well.  The greatest and largest amount of inventions and performers have come from the U.S. due in large part to capitalism.  Now, while I know some of those great stories are from people that were born into poor families, I do believe the majority are due to people born in wealthy families.  Would Steve Jobs and Bill Gates have been so successful without having had access to excellent education?

I know people don't want to support "other people's kids," however, are they really other people's kids?  Or, are they everyone's kids?  Ever watch Idiocracy?  If we don't support ALL of our kids, I don't care how good your retirement account looks, we have a pretty dismal future!

Now, the question is, how do we pay for it?  Well, that's something I may discuss on another post.  The point is, support education any way you can.  If you don't have money, volunteer and vote!