Opinion

Eyes wide open

The COVID19 pandemic is still with us. I am hopeful that people will continue to help one another to continuously take the steps to reduce the spread of the virus. The wisdom of crowds will have to work in a way that actually reduces crowding and helps individuals to keep their distance while acting to protect others with masks, etc. While the economy is reopening and more opportunities to socialize emerge people can fall into old habits. I hope we can be gentle with one another and lead by example as we battle the spread of the virus. The current president will not lead and chaos lurks throughout our country; as President Obama said we will have to be the change that we seek.

Opinion

Government that leverages America’s strength

We need new leadership for the United States. It is not a mystery to people who believe that truth and facts provide the firm basis for our continued success. A government that searches for truth, shares it with the people, and develops strategies based on the synergy produced by smart people. The American Dream is based on average people reaching extraordinary achievement by working together under a social contract and sharing the rewards. Today the world and America is threatened by oligarchs who want create super citizens who gain status, privilege, and power through proximity to the leader. The leader typically gains and maintains power through lies, threats, and violence (ex. Putin in Russia). America cannot allow our strength to be destroyed by lies and conspiracy theories. We have to relentlessly pursue the truth, vote in 2020, and make sure those who threaten the republic are held accountable.

Opinion, Words to ponder

How do we proceed during the pandemic?

“You will know the truth and the truth will set you free” – Jesus. This quote tells us how to proceed in life or during a pandemic where the current president says one thing, while scientists and doctors say something else. Every real American wants the truth to make good decisions that free and enrich. The greedy and criminals want to lie so that people are deceived into doing what is not in their own interest; but someone else’s. I want to see life return to normal as quickly as possible with the risks minimized. I don’t know exactly what that looks like, but I know the truth is the fastest road back.

Opinion

Shooting in Georgia is revealing

The shooting of Ahmaud Arbery revealed systemic white supremacy battling truth and decency to rule America. It took almost 2 full months for law enforcement to do anything even though they had the video that has sparked so much outrage. District Attorneys, Sheriffs, and others sworn to defend all citizens decided that some citizens have more rights than others. They watched a man being pursued and murdered for no cause but felt unmoved to take a legal or moral stand. As the world saw the same video people were horrified to watch an unarmed man who had committed no crime confronted and shot to death. The judgement of the world sparked legal authorities to act almost two months too late when their colleagues were legally and morally silent. I think that there are more people of good faith who believe in God, will stand with the truth, and value their souls than not. Every confrontation between good and evil presents the same equation. I hope we do better this time than the Trayvon Martin case in 2012.

Opinion

Dark Side in control

America today is a nation with the darkness of the nation’s spirit in control. We are lost. The current administration represents the worst of the human and American spirit, but that does not mean everyone sees it that way. The vote coming in November will determine our future in more ways than we can imagine. Many people are afraid that the nation is being invaded by other cultures driving them to support Trump. Other people are afraid that their rights will be taken away if the current administration continues, or that foreign oligarchs will rule in America. The real issue is what happens to truth, justice, and decency. America will cease to be great and probably unravel as the climate and other issues attack modern civilization. Without America leadership toward a sustainable future; a string of dictators, strongmen, and wars will lead a drift to hell on earth. The three Ds of death, disease, and destruction may run rampant as the climate reduces the amount of people the earth will support. Most of the death will be caused by starvation, war, pestilence, and disease. All of the moves that could have been made to address climate and inequality but were not, will come back to haunt humanity. The 2020 vote is incredibly important and irrevocable.

Books, Review

Stress Test by Timothy F. Geithner

The book Stress Test (Reflections on Financial Crisis) by Timothy F. Geithner (former Secretary of Treasury) is a great source of information about the global financial system. I can say that I learned a lot by listening to the audiobook version. Mr. Geithner refers several times to the movie “Its a Wonderful Life” when people rush to pull money out of the Bailey savings and loan. That movie moment has always resonated to me as a way to understand the financial system. The system is based on trust and as Geithner says; “when trust disappears no one is safe” and that means especially the little guy. I have heard many people say that the bankers got away with murder, and the bailouts were unfair because only poor and working people were hurt. Geithner makes it clear that what he calls “Old Testament solutions” of punishment cause panic in financial systems(with lots more pain for the little guy). I would recommend anyone wanting to learn more about the financial system, the crisis of 2007-08 to read this book and “The Big Short” by Michael Lewis.

Opinion

America can do it

The United States has the expertise, manufacturing capability, and imagination to overcome any threat that we can accurately define. The problems come when we are dealing with issues that are beyond our understanding, politicians lie about, or the time it takes for us to learn about the threat. All three of the mentioned challenges to America dealing with the challenge of the pandemic exist now. Trump is lying, the threat is a previously unknown virus, and scientist are learning about the threat but the president will not allow them to speak. America will show the the world leading capability that it has after our leadership changes; until then the unnecessary pain will continue.

Opinion

Government repression in America

Recent reports of scientists at the Center for Disease Control not being allowed to speak, and now Dr. Fauci not allowed to testify to the House of Representatives are disturbing. A pandemic has hit the United States hard leaving many questions about how our government handled the threat. Our experts are being muzzled by the Trump administration. After losing tens of thousands of Americans we have a right to know what happened and how we will proceed. I hope that the United States begins to take advantage of our powerful institutions to defeat the COVID-19 threat, but we have not done so yet. Leadership makes the difference between potential and achievement. Vote in 2020!

Opinion, Review, Words to ponder

Forming and modifying good habits

The book Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg talks about being aware of our 1. cues (things that trigger behaviors), 2. routines (common behavior patterns we don’t think much about), and 3. rewards (the feeling, event, or praise we receive that reinforces the behavior). All of us fall into loops of behavior and activities that lead us to what we want in life, or further away from it. Duhigg talks about how powerful habits are in our lives and that we should try to control them. I agree with his conclusion. Lets make our journey through life one that is more of what we want by weighing our habits and whether they add or subtract from what we want to be.

Opinion

Hijacked medical supplies

I have heard many stories of states bidding against one another to purchase medical supplies which are suddenly taken by FEMA or other federal government agencies. Where are those supplies going? Several governors have alleged that the current administration is playing politics with medical supplies during this pandemic. The supplies are taken from states seen as politically hostile and sent to friendly ones. It is critical that accountability is restored to government by ensuring that the truth emerges, and we do not slide into a nation of shadows. In a nation of shadows rumors and corruption are rampant while truth dies of strangulation. It is critical that once the current administration concludes the truth is brought to light by hearings or trials.