Save the Post Office

The US Post Office needs help. We need to help it by signing petitions to not close any more offices. The post office is part of our history. The post office helped build this country. It kept our country together and communicating. Small offices in small towns helped create our identity. Small offices were a meeting place and place to gather. The post office creates jobs and it is the second largest employer in US. The jobs are good paying and the workers do a good job. The mail gets delivered by mule, parachute, boat, car and plane. The Post office is not designed to make money but to deliver the mail. FEDEX and UPS use the Post Office when they do not deliver to an area. The cost is cheap and it helps our country. Go to the website, sign the petition. Save our Post Office. http://www.savethepostoffice.com/

Learn from the Win

Democrats need to learn from the Payroll tax holiday. The Democrats need to stand their ground on issues and force the Republicans to play ball. Many of the issues: health care, taxes, jobs, unemployment, social security, medicare are all winning issues for Democrats. The Tea Party wants to get rid of unemployment and social security. The reason they were against extending the payroll holiday is that they want to see these programs die. The people need to know their views. People need to see these politicans and what they stand for-the 1%. Democrats can change the discussion and can win the issues. The President has to go on the attack, force his views and let public support deal with the Republicans. Good job this week. Love seeing the Republicans cave in and be on the wrong side again.

Change to Believe in-Promises by Obama

President Obama needs to be re-elected for a second term. He has had so many successes and can do more with a really Democratic Congress. Not just 60 in the Senate-the 60 need to be liberal and not conservative members. Republicans have to go. Here are the facts about his presidency. From Politifact http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/ The Obameter Scorecard: Promise Kept 159 Compromise 49 Promise Broken 56 Stalled 66 In the Works 176 Not yet rated 2 Here are major accomplishments for President Obama RECOVERY ACT AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WALL STREET REFORM ENDING COMBAT OPERATIONS IN IRAQ NUCLEAR ARMS CONTROL MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUTS CREDIT CARD REFORM FAIR PAY FOR WOMEN REFORMING STUDENT LENDING REPEALING DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL KILLING OSAMA BIN LADIN LIBYAN WAR-WITHOUT LOSING A SOLDIER-HELPING THE REVOLUTION Without Republican help payroll tax decreases, extending unemployment insurance and keeping the needed social net. Keeping Medicare, Social Security as a part of American society. Stopping the tide of privitization. We need the Democrats and Obama for a second term.

Bush versus Obama

I keep reading the President Obama is the worst President in History by Tea Party members, Republicans and the lot. From Congressman Quale to others, they say President Obama is the worst. I have liberal friends that say President Bush is the worst. I am just going to compare the two on two issues. Think for your self. President Bush states he was a war time President and with 9/11 the two biggest items for him was the War on Terror with Bin Ladin and the Iraq War. How to take down a dictator? Forget the reasons for war? Create a democracy or fight for oil, fight because a hit on your dad or any reason. Iraq versus Libya? The Iraq War was over 8 years long with 4500 US troops killed and over 30,000 wounded. Iraqi killed over 110,000. Cost of war in dollars $800 Billion. Now we have other costs of health care and unemployment of vets and other types of costs-world view of US, increase in number of terrorists against the US. Libya, $10 B spend, 7 months long and not one US death or wounded. We were in the background of a NATO/UN coalition that was a mission to protect citizens and help the anti Government forces. George Bush had 7 years to get Osama Bin Ladin and at one time was close in grasp but he escapted. After 2003, the President no longer cared about the number one terrorist. President Obama in less than 3 years killed the terrorist in a surprise raid in Pakistan. How in the world with these two facts can President Obama be worse than Bush? Costs of war and effects. Two hugh wins for Obama. How can one of these wins make him the worst President in history. The worst has no wins and these were major.

Should Democrats support Libertarians and Ron Paul?

Ron Paul is doing well and could win Iowa. I see bloggers and posts saying he is fantastic. He is great and that Democrats should support him. I do agree with Ron Paul on the wars and losing constitutional rights. We never should have fought the Iraq War or Afghanistan war. I am against all wars and do not see any good in them. He is against waterboarding, torture, the Patriot Act and our loss of fourth and fifth amendment rights. So, that is good. His view on Civil Rights, minority rights, worker rights and the economy are horrible. We would be going back to 1800's with no laws or rules. No Medicare, No Medicaid, No public schools, No Social Security, No Civil Rights laws at all, No Child Labor Laws. I cannot see any way these ideas are sound. The government does not regulate the economy but markets do. His world view is so off the path and wrong. There is no historical evidence that free markets self regulate since we have market concentration not competition. He is not for breaking up companies so there cannot be competition. He said that we need to get rid of FEMA and that people can help their neighbors. He is so out of touch. People are working 2 and 3 jobs to survive. We can't breathe let along build someone a house. I know Americans do help each other but as a policy, no government and let people do it. We can't afford to lose a days work or we will get fired. Free makrets had slavery and still do in parts of the world. Free markets exploit workers and people and without government regulations, people suffer, incomes decrease and people cannot survive. Ron Paul is not even close to an answer. He still talks and is a member of the John Birch society. That is where he belongs on the right fringe and away.

The Walmart Heirs Have The Same Net Worth As The Bottom 30 Percent Of Americans

The Walmart Heirs Have The Same Net Worth As The Bottom 30 Percent Of Americans: pIncome inequality in the U.S. is currently the highest its been since the 1920s, with the 400 richest Americans (who are all billionaires) having as much wealth as the bottom 50 percent of Americans combined. And as it turns out, just one wealthy family has managed to amass a fortune equal to that of the [...]/p

Between 2008 And 2010, 30 Big Corporations Spent More Lobbying Washington Than They Paid In Income Taxes

Between 2008 And 2010, 30 Big Corporations Spent More Lobbying Washington Than They Paid In Income Taxes: pToday, thousands of 99 Percenters will march on K Street in Washington, D.C. as a part of an action called “Take Back The Capitol,” taking aim at the lobbying firms that corporate interests use to influence the federal government. A report released this month by Public Campaign demonstrates just how important it is for Americans [...]/p

Department Of Justice Says No One ‘Lacks Confidence’ In Its Ability To Prosecute Financial Crime

Department Of Justice Says No One ‘Lacks Confidence’ In Its Ability To Prosecute Financial Crime: pLast night, 60 Minutes aired an investigation into the epidemic of financial fraud by big banks and other Wall Street institutions that engaged in practices that helped cause the Great Recession. The show probed the abuses at Countrywide Financial, which engaged in widespread lending fraud, persecuting whisteblowers and enriching its own executives at the expense [...]/p

Senate Vote on Terrorism

President Obama has to veto the bill that the Senate passed if it gets to him. It breaks the 5th amendment, 14th amendment, the idea of innocent until proven guilty, right to fair trail, writ of habeus corpus and knowing the charges against you. Fighting terrorism is important but not by losing our Bill of Rights. Having detention camps with people with no trials is unAmerican. We have to fight this bill. How can anyone be for this bill? It is insane. Teaching students about due process and then talking about this in the news..my students thought we were crazy-Congress is on this one.

Different Universes

Democrats and Republicans have such different world views. Reading papers from students show such different persectives.

One side wants small government, little government interference, low taxes, no regulations and believes people will do right. They believe people will not make mistakes, discriminate or hurt people. One side thinks business will always do right and help people. This side says there is no climate change, the environment is fine and abortion should be illegal. Gays should not marry and the military should be used even more.

The other side believes in climate change and that people can make their own decisions on abortion and that gays should marry. The military is used too much. They want regulations, higher taxes for the rich, more regulations to stop abuses. People do wrong and government has to enforce laws to make sure people are stopped from doing wrong. Corporations do not work for people but can hurt people.

Pick an issue, both sides are opposite and do not want to compromise. Compromise is a dirty word. People get into fights and call names over these issues. People threaten each other over these things.

Are we at the point where we cannot get along? Should we think of dividing the country? Will I ever agree with people from the South? Will people in the Midwest ever agree with the Northeast? We are so different, maybe it is time for the ulitmate States rights-divide up the country or let states secede.

What do you think?

Vote with where you Shop

Vote with your money. Stay away from large department stores, large retailers and large companies. I know it is very difficult to do, but we consciously need to make good choices. Going to Del Taco on Thanksgiving, on a drive to Tempe, I asked the worker if he was paid extra for working on Thanksgiving. The answer was no. They do not get any overtime pay. This is a crime. I bet others, the same is true. We need to support local businesses that pay better, are local people that support local programs. Local farms, local stores must be our answer. We need to go to local/small fast food places, mom and pop stores and buy locally. We all benefit when we do. The Black Friday deals with large retailers need to be avoided. Send a message. Vote with your decisions and money.

Ideas for Occupy Wall Street

Taken from Michael Moore's website and great ideas. What are others ideas? Thoughts.

10 Things We Want
A Proposal for Occupy Wall Street
Submitted by Michael Moore

1. Eradicate the Bush tax cuts for the rich and institute new taxes on the wealthiest Americans and on corporations, including a tax on all trading on Wall Street (where they currently pay 0%).

2. Assess a penalty tax on any corporation that moves American jobs to other countries when that company is already making profits in America. Our jobs are the most important national treasure and they cannot be removed from the country simply because someone wants to make more money.

3. Require that all Americans pay the same Social Security tax on all of their earnings (normally, the middle class pays about 6% of their income to Social Security; someone making $1 million a year pays about 0.6% (or 90% less than the average person). This law would simply make the rich pay what everyone else pays.

4. Reinstate the Glass-Steagall Act, placing serious regulations on how business is conducted by Wall Street and the banks.

5. Investigate the Crash of 2008, and bring to justice those who committed any crimes.

6. Reorder our nation's spending priorities (including the ending of all foreign wars and their cost of over $2 billion a week). This will re-open libraries, reinstate band and art and civics classes in our schools, fix our roads and bridges and infrastructure, wire the entire country for 21st century internet, and support scientific research that improves our lives.

7. Join the rest of the free world and create a single-payer, free and universal health care system that covers all Americans all of the time.

8. Immediately reduce carbon emissions that are destroying the planet and discover ways to live without the oil that will be depleted and gone by the end of this century.

9. Require corporations with more than 10,000 employees to restructure their board of directors so that 50% of its members are elected by the company’s workers. We can never have a real democracy as long as most people have no say in what happens at the place they spend most of their time: their job. (For any U.S. businesspeople freaking out at this idea because you think workers can't run a successful company: Germany has a law like this and it has helped to make Germany the world’s leading manufacturing exporter.)

10. We, the people, must pass three constitutional amendments that will go a long way toward fixing the core problems we now have. These include:

a) A constitutional amendment that fixes our broken electoral system by 1) completely removing campaign contributions from the political process; 2) requiring all elections to be publicly financed; 3) moving election day to the weekend to increase voter turnout; 4) making all Americans registered voters at the moment of their birth; 5) banning computerized voting and requiring that all elections take place on paper ballots.

b) A constitutional amendment declaring that corporations are not people and do not have the constitutional rights of citizens. This amendment should also state that the interests of the general public and society must always come before the interests of corporations.

c) A constitutional amendment that will act as a "second bill of rights" as proposed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt: that every American has a human right to employment, to health care, to a free and full education, to breathe clean air, drink clean water and eat safe food, and to be cared for with dignity and respect in their old age.

Thanksgiving

I am thankful for a wonderful family. I am thankful for my wonderful wife Angel and our two beautful children, Chase and Evan. I am so thankful for parents, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and all my near and extended families.

I am thinkful for my health and that my family is healthy without any major issues this year. I am so appreciative that I have two wonderful jobs, SUSD and Progressive that allows me to make a living. I am thankful for my students and what they teach me daily. I am thankful for my co-workers and bosses and people at work that keep me occupied and entertained. I am very thankful that we have money in the bank, can pay our bills and have things to take care of our lives.

I am happy that we have Path and DC, Roxy, Crystal and Lakai (spelling off, my ask Evan). I am thankful for my condominium, cars and living area.

I am thankful for living in the United States as we are blessed with my joys and freedoms. The freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, to have a job, to make money and so much more.

I count my blessings every day but this holiday makes me see it more. I am blessed in this world. At 51, I have so much. I am thankful for anyone that listens to me, talks to me and hears me. Bless you all. With Love.

Corporations are NOT people

Mitt Rommney has it wrong saying that corporations are people. Yes people run corporations and involved but their structure and organization is like a unit. Laws giving corporations rights, benefits but no responsibility. If a corporation breaks a law there is no jail, a fine maybe but not significant. Corporations do not do jury duty, military service or in many cases public service. They do not help people build a home, make something for a person. Corporations have the right to be sued and sue in court, buy and sell property. These are not bad things but they add to the idea that corporations are people. Corporations do not have souls, have a heart, or have a conscience. We need to get money out of politics and not allow corporations buy elections, buy politicans or issues. We need to control corporations, change the rules and laws. If a corporation has to lose its charter, so be it. Take our country back. We need to be a country of laws, of people, and reject corporate power.

Rep. Deutch Introduces OCCUPIED Constitutional Amendment To Ban Corporate Money In Politics

Rep. Deutch Introduces OCCUPIED Constitutional Amendment To Ban Corporate Money In Politics: pIn one of the greatest signs yet that the 99 Percenters are having an impact, Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, today introduced an amendment that would ban corporate money in politics and end corporate personhood once and for all. Deutch’s amendment, called the Outlawing Corporate Cash Undermining the Public [...]/p

Ideas for Election Reform-add to the list

What are the best ideas for election reform in the US? Limits to contributions to $100 with no contributions by corporations, trade unions or non profits including churches. Tight regulations on lobbyists with any bribes or breaking of regulations requiring jail time. Limits on spending for each campaign. Public funding of campaingns or with public providing campaigns support. Limit of campaign time to 8 weeks. Free television time for participants in election, free space for newspapers, magazines and online. The partipants should have equal access and time. No third party advertising with eliminating PACS and interest group advertising.

Are there any others? What limlits would be best? Thoughts on real regulations and getting money out of politics. We need our government back and responsive to people and not corporations or lobbyists. Comment or email.

New Mission-Remove Money From Politics

My new mission is to work on the effort to remove money from politics. Any solution to help this country has to start here. If there is to be Wall Street Reform, Banking Regulations or Reform like Glass-Stegal, health care reform plus all of the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations, there must be election reform. We need Corporations to be realed in and regulated as they are the dominate organization in this country and way too powerful. Election reform and getting money out of politics is the only way to do this. This has to be done.

The goal has to be public financing of elections. With money out of elections, the lobbyists power is reduced. Politicans are free to vote according to voter will not business or lobbyist will. There can be no meaningful change from the right or left without taking money from politics. We need our leaders, our politicans, our elected officals back-representing voters, citizens and this country. We MUST act now.

Should students use phones in the classroom?

The big debate in schools is should students use technology in the classroom? I have meetings monthly on the problems of students texting, playing games in the class and not being on task. Should a student bring their laptop, Ipad or other technology to the class? The goal of the school is learning. I want my students to learn the concepts and have skills to succeed in the workplace. I want my students successful in college. How can technology be used as a positive force in the classroom?

I have my students use their phones as a calculator, for research looking up economic statistics and notes online. I have students answer text polls with other people. I will be giving students apps for android to use in the classroom: edmodo, diigo, and sites from NCEE. I want students to use their phones to take pictures of notes, assignments and what is done in class. The next step is to have students use their phone pictures in class. To have them discuss and use the information that they have.

I want my students to use twitter and blogs in the classroom. They will use outside of the class but inside the class can work wonders. Having students collect and find information on topics and sharing the information will help all students.

I am learning to use more technology in the class. I am engaging students in personal finance and politics and technology can help in many ways.

Any comments or thoughts?

Republican Talking Points Wrong

It should be noted if a Fox News personality, a Republican GOP member, member of Congress, GOP officeholder makes a statement, it is incorrect. Is it a lie? Does it make a difference, the intent is to mislead the public. From the War in Iraq and weapons of mass destruction, to Uncertainty is hurting jobs, to tax cuts stimulate growth, the debt is hurting the country. On and on and on any talking point for the Republicans is one for the 1% and corporations. I have not seen any talking point which is based on reality and facts. Climate change and unions, each statement is wrong. The Republicans are good at propaganda and misleading the public. What we need to know is that every statement thay make is wrong. Make them prove it with actual facts. They must provide the facts before another word is said, another statement is made. Then Fox News would be silent or just covering Hollywood.

Why do Republicans love torture?

Why the love affair with torture? From Cheney, Bush, McCain, now Herman Cain and Michelle Bachmann. All Republican leaders endorse waterboarding and torture. Yes, waterboarding is torture so if you are for the enhanced techniques, that is code for torture. Why?

Torture does not work. George Washington was wrong? Dwight D Eisenhower was wrong? Current Generals like Colin Powell are wrong? Really? It does not work, and if it did, why did we torture Sheik Kaleid Mohammend 275 times in 1 month? Wouldn't it make sense one time would work? In our interrogations we have prisoners admit they were Osama bin Laden...that was successful.

Can anyone tell me why you are for torture? There is no rational, reasonable reason except you do it for pleasure.

AZ ranking and Education

Arizona, a Republican state, that supports vouchers, school choice is one of the worst states in education. Arizona seems to be trying to do the Republican idea of destroying education so much it must be privatized. The goal of Republicans are to private the school system like social security, the military and all government run health care.

How good is Arizona? The odds of a Freshman making it through high school and going to college and graduating is 9 out of 100. Arizona ranks 45 in
number of students going to college. In many years we fight with Mississippi for worst ranking in education.

Our educational record is proof vouchers and school choice hurt education. Our State is proof that reducing money to education, it does not perform well. Money does not equal performance, but when we spend 48-50th in education spending, the lack of funding is seen in our performance. Arizona's ideas on immersion of spanish speaking students will teach these students a new language but they will not help the student in the subject matter. Arizona is wrong on education. Things need to change.

Single Payer for All

Health care reform was really health insurance reform. The US has five systems in health: government run (British/Military), single payer (Canada/Medicaid/Medicare), employer provided, (Germany/employers), buy your own (Switzerland/Blue Cross et), or use the hospital or Urgent care on your own. All can be good on their own with more regulations like everyone is in the system-all people have to be part of the system. No limits to coverage or services, no prexisting conditions or denial of service allowed.

The best is single payer. We have experience using with Medicare and it works. WHile costs are going up, the system is for the most expensive patients that use the system and are living longer. In 1960's the elderly were living shorter lives so this system has worked-people getting care and living longer-yeah.. Now everyone can use it and costs will be spread out. You use your own doctor, hospital. You will have service. Canada pays less than US and has better service. We aviod long lines or wait times by cutting people out. This is not good solution. This sytem will save money and lives. Good for the economy and people.

Note taking in the classroom

What should be done with notes? Do students turn them in? Taking pictures is the newest method. If I want a student to study they need notes. The phone works, but should I collect the notes? Jigsaw with notes? Are pencil and paper notes finished?

Why do people defend those against them?

Why are people defending corporations that move jobs overseas or reduce your pay or lower your benefits? Why do people defend the rich that have stolen money from pension funds, 401k plans and lost trillions? Why do people defend those that will never help them, care for them, or even think about them? It makes no sense. We have millions of people that are defending healthcare companies, Walmart, "the rich" or just the 1% and the 1% have shown time and time again they could care less about you. You lost your job well it was your fault. It makes no sense.

We need to begin to change our ways. Moving money to Credit Unions is a start. Boycotting companies, protesting, and most of all do not purchase products from companies like Walmart, GE, Exxon, Bank of America and others that hurt our country and our people.

100 Ways to Use Your iPod to Learn and Study Better | OEDb

100 Ways to Use Your iPod to Learn and Study Better | OEDb

Technology in the Classroom

I use a smart board, webpage, sound system and blogs. I have students use my website for grades, announcements, blogs, calendar, notes, etc. Will Skype help? Youtube? Facebook groups? Are these worth using in class? Students do not use Twitter with me. What works? How to get students to study and use technology. Suggestions?

Do people count?

Libertarians are just so different. They want freedom, the right to live and have no government. No FEMA, no military, and as Ron Paul wants $1 trillion cut from the government. We are going back to the 1800's when we had slavery. Not a large leap mind you. Rand Paul, his son said that Civil Rights legislation was wrong, and Congress overstepped their boundaries. No matter that the necesary and proper clause allows it and when Rand states business would never discriminate against blacks, since they would lose customers. How can he say that when history proves him totally wrong-Jim Crow laws and slavery prove him wrong. Cutting a Trillion dollars? A student said this and said it would be great! What about people? Cut health care for people? Does any libertarian know they will die or get sick or cost us more money? What insurance company would insure a 70 year old with cancer, or any other illness? NONE. Just destroy the economy by cutting $1 Trillion. What business? What sales? What will people do? Ron Paul says we need a strong dollar. The dollar is more important than people? Fringe is not the word for libertarian. Dumbfounded? Let people die, get sick. Ron Paul says your neighbors will help you? When? You are working 3 jobs and living paycheck to pay check. When can you help? I want these priviledged people to live on an income at Walmart and have no connections and no help from anybody. Live life as an immigrant Mexican-see how that works?

The Government is Us

The narrative in the US is that the government is evil, incompetent, horrible. There are people that feel that the government watches you and follows you and takes your freedom. We are the government. I am a teacher. The government. My neighbors are police, firefighters, the government. My relatives are in the military, the government. I have friends that work in the post office, the DMV, all government. Why the hate? Why think your friends and neighbors are this horrible mess of humanity?

Let's not forget our success stories. The government planned and executed wins during World War I and II. The government made the goal and executed our mission to the Moon. The government has reduced poverty when it was a goal. We had the post office deliver mail two times a day. The government provides health care to seniors when NO company would do this. Social Security is a success story. Glass Stegal was a perfect regulation that stopped bank failures. The list can go on.

Does government make mistakes? Yes, people make mistakes. People are not perfect. Our government can change. We can change. We have power as we are the government.

Blogging About The Web 2.0 Connected Classroom: Cool Classroom Projects With Skype

Blogging About The Web 2.0 Connected Classroom: Cool Classroom Projects With Skype

Tax The Rich

I keep hearing, "The rich worked for the money and will stop", "It is punishing the rich for being successful." There are so many quotes people buy into-the poor are lazy, the rich successful and why hurt the job creators. On and on, the falsehoods keep going. A flat tax while easy will make the poor and middle class pay more in taxes and reduce taxes on the rich. We keep redistributing income-now it is upward from the poor to the rich. 275% increase in income for the top 1%. The tax cuts are increasing the debt, transferring wealth to the rich and hurting jobs and the poor. The answer, tax the rich..Next up...why the rich get the benefits of the government.

Income inequality

As I talk to people they do not think income inequality is a big deal. We can make it. We can move up. Why is it easier in Brazil to move up to a higher economic class than the US? Most of Europe today is more upward mobile than the US. We have our dream and it is just that. Reality is that we will start life and end life in right about the same income/economic class. Yes our genius, creative people can move up-the Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerburgs, Larry Paige etc that are exceptional creative people. Our country allows the genius class to move up. What about the middle class? A hard working average intelligence, can that person be a millionaire? Can a poor person, work really hard and be a billionaire that just works hard, but has no special skills. I work 80 hours a week, have a master's degree and think of things to make money and to improve. Where does my hard work get me? One missing paycheck from poverty. When 400 families have more wealth than 155 million people, there is a problem. When the rich are destroying unions, when people have to work off the clock, when people can't get health benefits, this inequality is a problem. We need to bring back the middle class. We need to reduce the gap.

Protect our Jobs

We need regulations from the government to protect our jobs. This means government needs to support workers complaints against companies that cut overtime from paychecks, make people work off the clock, people's hours getting cuts. When Walmart, McDonalds and other companies have their employees on State Health Insurance plans, the companies should be charged the cost. Companies that threaten employees their job if they complain or want to unionize should be fined where it hurts. We need government to support 40 hour work weeks, benefits and worker rights. We need government to support US workers and bring jobs home. We need regulations so companies do not send jobs overseas. Apple products can be made in the US. A great idea is to have every price tag list the price and company cost. We need transparency to see the profit margins of the companies. Workers need support. People need support. We can't go back. We need to have good jobs, good pay and good benefits. I am scared that colllege graduates will only have retail or food jobs.

Spending is income

For every dollar spent in the economy it is income on the other side. If you spend money at Walmart it is income to Walmart. If government spends money for teachers and police this is income to the teacher and police. When a teacher gets income the teacher then spends money at stores and then more people spend money. If government spends $1 the multiplier is 4 depending on peoples propensity to consume. A multiplier of 4 is conservative and there is no crowding effect. Spending creates jobs and can increase income..this is basic economics..many Republicans need to know..

Banks and deregulation

Bank do not create anything. The purpose of a bank is to lend money and make loans. Deposits are liabilities and loans are assets. Before deregulation banks comprised about ten percent of GDP. After deregulation banks comprise Over 35% of GDP. Banks do not create anything. Since 1980 banks have been bailed out two times a cost of $1 trillion. Banks have created no income no asset no credit verication loans. Banks sell loans to make more loans to hide risk and Not be responsible for bad loans. Banks are not looking out for best interest of borrower like in the past they are looking For the loan fee. Fraud by bank occurred throughout the past crisis..fraud with loan documentation about customers Assets and income. Fraud was done so people could qualify and the bank could make the loan. The bad loan Was sold to reduce the risk and make another bad loan. When the banks were bailed out they were given money if people foreclose. Banks do not have the incentive to help People stay in their homes. Banks have begun to use standards again but are not lending to qualified people. Banks need either more regulations, Glass Steigel or more good regulations,or banks need to be public. Why is profit in something like banks? Banks are needed but will function better state run...see Bank of North Dakota or every foreign first world country.

Keynesian Economics

Keyesian economics still works. The formulas, the ideas are still true. Remember that spending to one person is income to another person. For the economy as a whole, spending equals income. GDPis the income of the United States.  Consumer spending is 70% of GDP and people are not spending.  Business are making record profits, but they are not spending due to consumers not spending, or it could be they want more record profits. Net exports have been improving but the country as a whole is importing too much and we are not making anything. So, what do we do?

Government spending is the best way.Government spending is the answer. Now, it is not government by itself. Government gives money to local and state governments, to business, contracts to build roads, fix bridges, create broadband networks, to fix pipelines, to create a high speed rail system. If government contracts business, these are high paying, long term jobs. A school is a long term job. Firefighters, police are long term jobs, just as the military is a long term job. Creating a rail road system will take years to complete across the country. It is not a five year job but 20 and 30 year jobs. If demand is stimulated, income and
jobs will increase. Increased demand will increase sales at retail stores, resturaunts, gas stations. Increased demand will increase other private jobs and increase incomes of people to go shopping. When consumers have no confidence and business is not spending, the government can help. It can work. It has to be large. The New Deal during the Great Depression helped but it was not large enough. World War II was large and did the trick. World War II was a planned econonmy where the government took over and set prices, set wages, created jobs, drafted men and had bonds, propaganda and controlled the entire economy. This piece is not advocating a takeover of the economy but for a large 21st Century New Deal, big, strong and with new jobs to create a better US economy.

National Debt

National Debt:
The national debt is over $14Trillion. It is large and most of the money is owed to US citizens, US pension funds, US mutual funds, cities, counties and other US entities. Now, some debt is owed to China, Japan and Saudi Arabia. The debt is large but as a percent of GDP it is low compared to when we WON World War II and other times in history. It is not unmanageable as our payments of $300B are about 3% of GDP. Now, I can think of a lot of things to do with $300 B. The argument against the debt is that it is approaching our income and we can't afford it. Well, think of your mortgage of $200,000 and your income is $50,000.
Can you afford the mortgage? Yes you can afford it if your payment is under 28% of your income. You can afford the mortgage even though the outstanding balance is more than your income. It is the payments that you have to be able to pay and maybe pay extra to pay off your debts. The Debt issue is something Democrats used when George Bush was President and Republicans ignored. Republicans are using it to hurt President Obama and make sure he is one term President. The National Debt does not affect your life. Interest rates have not risen. Prices have not risen and if some have it is not due to debt of the Federal Government. You are not getting loans due to the debt of US government. It is really a non issue at this time. Or, it is the Republicans way to make sure President OBama does not succeed. Republicans are putting their interest before the interest of the country or the people.

The Economy and Sports

Bill Maher one time on Real Time gave a talk about the economy and talking about NFL and Baseball. I am an economics teacher and for about 5 years have been working on explaining the economy to my students using sports. I use baseball and football.

Free Market Capitalism does not exist even in Adam Smith's (the founder of capitalism) world. The government would break up monopolies to create competition. From most of my conservative friends, their idea of capitalism is having no rules. Let the markets work and have no labeling, no EPA, no taxes etc.

Have you ever played a game with a child? They change the rules all of the time. They cheat, or switch rules or tatics. Have you ever played any game with out rules? Can you image football without a referee? Rules to agree upon? In the least, there have to be rules in capitalism. There have to be rules for fairness, for small companies to be able to compete and people can be protected. The government is the umpire, the referee. The government can set the rules and the boundaries.

Baseball can be a form of capitalism. There are rules in baseball with umpires, commissioner etc. The money goes to the big market teams like the Yankess, Phillies and Red Sox. Now, money does not buy championships like many fear, these big market teams have the stars, get the best players, get the television contracts and make the most money. There is no revenue sharing, there are no maximum payrolls or even the important minimum payroll. This past year, small market teams did much better, like Arizona, Milwaukee and Pittsburgh. In general, in most years, most small market teams have lost all hope in July. Most teams do not have a chance to win the World Series, like Washington (formerly Montreal), Pittsburgh, and others.

Football is socialism. Parity is the word. Many of the teams end up being 7-9, 8-8 and 9-7. At the end of the year, many, many teams are fighting for a play off spot. Every team, every year can make a turn around and make the playoffs. The worst team gets the first pick in the draft. Every team has a team maximum salary and minimum salary to pay the players. The teams split the revenues earned by the league. While there are teams that are at the top for a long time like the 49ers of the 1980's, they are replaced by other teams. Successful teams are rewarded with championships and winning. Sharing makes the sport better. There is more competition as more teams can improve and have a chance to win. This year, the Detroit Lions are having a great year. A few years ago, the Arizona Cardinals went to the Super Bowl. Managment, coaches, owners do make a difference. There is no guarantee you will win. There are no easy wins. There have been bad teams for years. The league tries to protect the quarterbacks and make rules in the game. Sometimes the rules are too much-over-regulation and sometimes they change the rules to help the offense and sometimes to help the defense. Rules are changing but everyone knows the rules and there are rules.

While baseball is exciting to me and we have exiting pennant races and the playoffs are great. Baseball is losing fans and has lots its national prominence.  I would take baseball over no rules or a child's game. I want rules and fairness. In general most people in the US love football and find that it is their favorite sport.  For our economy the NFL is a great example of success. It makes money for all teams and the sport in general. The players make money, the coaches, the office people make money. Football is a success in all ways.

I would love to see this type of success in our economy. One where the owners(business), the players (us) and all participants are working and making money. With rules, with fairness, with everyone working together, we can achieve this sucess. Regulations are not the enemy. They help everyone know how to play, what to do and how to succeed.

American Values Network :: Ayn Rand & GOP Budget vs. Judeo-Christian Morality

American Values Network :: Ayn Rand & GOP Budget vs. Judeo-Christian Morality

Union Bashing-why?

Union bashing is in style through out the country. It makes no sense to me. It goes against people's best interests. While there might be abuses in the past, most of the comments and reasons just go against reason. If anyone has a Saturday or Sunday off (two days during the week) thank your union representative. If you get paid overtime, thank your union. If you get sick pay, vacation pay thank a local union. The list goes on and on that most worker benefits come from union activity. Union workers make more than 30% of non union workers and get better benefits. So, the idea is to bring unions down? In a country that celebrates people making more money and getting rich, why do people want to bring people down? Government workers make too much money? No way, I say non union workers make too little money. Non union workers have poor benefits. Instead of bringing others down, we need to bring all workers-private, government up and make more money, have better benefits. Yes, I pay dues-$592 a year and that is probably not enough. Can I negotiate as well as my union alone? No way. Do I have time and resources to get more salary, more benefits, no I would just take what the boss offers. If the offer is too low, what are my options. A union provides options and numbers on your side.The benefits of a union are so much, but the press is so negative. People are negative with unions. It makes no sense to me. Support unions today. Hug a union member. Join a union. Ask others at work about a union.

Thoughts on the Killing of Bin Laden

Watching last night, I was struck by the young people cheering for the death of Bin Laden. While I am happy he was killed an a chapter is now over in our war with terrorism, this action can come with consequences. Bin Laden was the target, the symbol, the master mind of terrorism in our world. He was an enemy of the US and needed to be captured. In a perfect world I would want bin Laden put to trial and in jail as an example to the world showing we care about human rights, do not torture, do not put aside our values and ideals of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. I worry about the attacks to come. I worry about new terrorists signing up since he has died. What would young people in the Middle East say when they see the pictures of our young cheering and yelling, celebrating his death? We have started two wars and killed thousands of people. War is wrong. Killing one person is wrong but in this case it is better than starting another war? Do we now target world leaders? Do our enemies target our President? Lots of uncertainty to come. Lots of warnings and terror alerts. I salute those that did this job-it was precision. From a liberal point of view, Obama can move past the Carter analogy. He can be seen as decisive, action oreinted. He said he would do this action to get Bin Laden. It is over. We now wait. Relax and ponder. Think about our actions. I want our country to be the best it can be.