President Obama could have put in place austerity measures after the 2008 bank disaster, but he chose to work with his economic advisers to lead us back from the brink. Prime Minister Cameron initially placed austerity upon the Brits, but following Obama's lead, chose a better path.
But the International Monetary Fund got hold of Greece; and because of their financial needs it was able to institute austerity with a vengeance. I am hopeful that the IMF wasn't able to do their number on the Ukraine and other eastern bloc nations, that I am told the agency was supposed to help. I know the World Bank doesn't make nations it deals with go into servitude. I just don't keep up with that issue--there's too many pressing problems I must deal with.
You go to South American countries, mention the IMF, and they'll throw you out! They don't even want to hear the name, after the antics the IMF pulled on them, the debtor nations there.
So, I want to encourage Greece to resist dealing with the IMF, and its pay back schedule. I'd suggest Greece work with the US banks, especially the World Bank to re-structure its loans from the IMF and EU Bank. Above all, don't give in to austerity measures that will cripple your nation and place in bondage your people! NO MORE AUSTERITY!
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Putin's aggressiveness being tamed?
That Putin has had so much difficulty taking the Ukraine I thought would lead him to find another satellite to invade or further provoke. I think NATO's surprise bolstering of forces in countries formerly under USSR domination has had a profound effect in that neighborhood. Hooray.
All he could muster to appease the Russian mobs is a promise to upgrade its weaponry! Now come on. Nothing threatening in that!
6/25/15
The BBC is reporting that Estonia is getting worried over possible uprising of Russians in their country. However, I understand that many Russians in Estonia are moving further west into other countries of the EU in search of work. Apartments that housed Russians in Estonia are simply going vacant.
All he could muster to appease the Russian mobs is a promise to upgrade its weaponry! Now come on. Nothing threatening in that!
6/25/15
The BBC is reporting that Estonia is getting worried over possible uprising of Russians in their country. However, I understand that many Russians in Estonia are moving further west into other countries of the EU in search of work. Apartments that housed Russians in Estonia are simply going vacant.
Why unions have so much trouble getting members
The BBC recently carried an interview with a union leader from England. The message was right-on, but there's a fundamental problem that the unions haven't addressed in soliciting new members.
Corporate management has greatly benefitted from the scientific study of worker needs, as conducted in the field of psychology. Note that nearly every university has a psychology department, and corporations give money for (psychological) research. Ever since Maslow's study of needs, psychology has been investigating the motivations and needs of workers on-the-job. The research over the years has clearly shown that money, i.e., earnings and monetary compensation, is not the tantamount need in the hierarchy of worker needs! They want good working conditions, co-workers they like to socialize with, etc.; and these other needs are far more important and motivating to achieve worker satisfaction.
But the quest for more money is what need unions can satisfy--it's been demonstrated time and time again. Indeed, that's the primary reason a worker joins a union--to increase his pay check.
To bargain for a company's bowling league probably is not something a union would go on strike for, anyway!
And in general, what these psychological studies declare is the worker does not have his own best interests in mind when he deals with management. Simply, the worker is irrational, when it comes to knowing what's good for him! Unions need to come up with a plan to get the worker on-the-job to better prioritize what's in his best interest. And good luck!
A step further. There's a department in the company virtually working to keep the employee happy and content with the benefits package he negotiated himself with management. That department is usually called "Human Services" or "Human Resources." It's in the company's administrative domain; and it sends out emissaries to circulate among the manifold of employees every working day. The message heralded boils down to "Isn't it just grand for you to be working here!"
Where's the union steward? Working in some department on the floor? Does he even exist?
Corporate management has greatly benefitted from the scientific study of worker needs, as conducted in the field of psychology. Note that nearly every university has a psychology department, and corporations give money for (psychological) research. Ever since Maslow's study of needs, psychology has been investigating the motivations and needs of workers on-the-job. The research over the years has clearly shown that money, i.e., earnings and monetary compensation, is not the tantamount need in the hierarchy of worker needs! They want good working conditions, co-workers they like to socialize with, etc.; and these other needs are far more important and motivating to achieve worker satisfaction.
But the quest for more money is what need unions can satisfy--it's been demonstrated time and time again. Indeed, that's the primary reason a worker joins a union--to increase his pay check.
To bargain for a company's bowling league probably is not something a union would go on strike for, anyway!
And in general, what these psychological studies declare is the worker does not have his own best interests in mind when he deals with management. Simply, the worker is irrational, when it comes to knowing what's good for him! Unions need to come up with a plan to get the worker on-the-job to better prioritize what's in his best interest. And good luck!
A step further. There's a department in the company virtually working to keep the employee happy and content with the benefits package he negotiated himself with management. That department is usually called "Human Services" or "Human Resources." It's in the company's administrative domain; and it sends out emissaries to circulate among the manifold of employees every working day. The message heralded boils down to "Isn't it just grand for you to be working here!"
Where's the union steward? Working in some department on the floor? Does he even exist?
Sunday, June 7, 2015
FBI's "Fast and Furious" A Successful Approach
Because I am told that the FBI no longer uses "Fast and Furious" strategy in its conduct against the drug trade, I simply am talking about that approach. I take it the method is to well equipment one cartel to enable it to become king of many others in the same underground business.
The idea of working through one bad apple to control a major illicit activity to bring about a greater good for society is what I take to be the essence behind "Fast and Furious." (After all, I don't believe society will ever be rid of drug-trafficking.) It is to be contrasted and compared with the policy of decrying the evil guy and playing only with the good guys. For example, Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel won't negotiate with Hamas, one of the Palestinian groups in power currently, because he says it's wrong to deal with a group that overtly urges the destruction of Israel!
But I think there are many times throughout history that some wise leaders have entered into negotiations with detestable and heinous leaders, each of whom might be considered the incarnate of the Devil himself! And I believe that at least in some instances control of groups engaged in nefarious activities has been achieved so as to bring about a greater net good in society. That's what is my overall impression after these many years of my adult life.
In the case of the Palestinian Hamas, I have held that Israel should actively engage in working with Hamas--to train them to act responsibly and to exhibit better moral conduct on the international stage. It is clear that the territory Hamas controls must be rebuilt. No better opportunity for training its leaders than to work together in this project.
Much same argument could be made in the US' negotiations with Iran over the latter's nuclear armaments. That is to say, aim at disarming the Devil of his pitchfork!
The idea of working through one bad apple to control a major illicit activity to bring about a greater good for society is what I take to be the essence behind "Fast and Furious." (After all, I don't believe society will ever be rid of drug-trafficking.) It is to be contrasted and compared with the policy of decrying the evil guy and playing only with the good guys. For example, Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel won't negotiate with Hamas, one of the Palestinian groups in power currently, because he says it's wrong to deal with a group that overtly urges the destruction of Israel!
But I think there are many times throughout history that some wise leaders have entered into negotiations with detestable and heinous leaders, each of whom might be considered the incarnate of the Devil himself! And I believe that at least in some instances control of groups engaged in nefarious activities has been achieved so as to bring about a greater net good in society. That's what is my overall impression after these many years of my adult life.
In the case of the Palestinian Hamas, I have held that Israel should actively engage in working with Hamas--to train them to act responsibly and to exhibit better moral conduct on the international stage. It is clear that the territory Hamas controls must be rebuilt. No better opportunity for training its leaders than to work together in this project.
Much same argument could be made in the US' negotiations with Iran over the latter's nuclear armaments. That is to say, aim at disarming the Devil of his pitchfork!
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Iraq crumbling toward resolution!
I can't but piece together the news coming from Iraq that spells a permanent rift of the country into 3 parts along cultural and religious differences: Shia, Sunni, and Kurd.
It's plain that the Shia military units are reluctant to defend protect Sunni lands. And it seems, while not welcoming the ISIS terrorists, Sunnis are aligning themselves with them. The Kurds are already a distinct nation within the Iraqi borders. Finally, with Iran openly helping the Shia faction, virtually for the past 8 years, there's no point to regarding Iraq as a unified country.
The Islamic State that is emerging, despite its current use of hysterical violence and bloodshed to claim rightful existence on the Near-East stage, could indeed play a role in resolving the Syrian chaotic political situation with Bashar Aassad and become a recognized caliphate under al-Baghadi from northern Syria to the city-limits of Baghdad. Its presence, I am led to believe, could have fruitful results, if its aims were tamed, i.e., were to become realistic. Indeed, it could be that the Iraqi Sunnis might influence ISIS in re-directing its Islamic fervor.
It's plain that the Shia military units are reluctant to defend protect Sunni lands. And it seems, while not welcoming the ISIS terrorists, Sunnis are aligning themselves with them. The Kurds are already a distinct nation within the Iraqi borders. Finally, with Iran openly helping the Shia faction, virtually for the past 8 years, there's no point to regarding Iraq as a unified country.
The Islamic State that is emerging, despite its current use of hysterical violence and bloodshed to claim rightful existence on the Near-East stage, could indeed play a role in resolving the Syrian chaotic political situation with Bashar Aassad and become a recognized caliphate under al-Baghadi from northern Syria to the city-limits of Baghdad. Its presence, I am led to believe, could have fruitful results, if its aims were tamed, i.e., were to become realistic. Indeed, it could be that the Iraqi Sunnis might influence ISIS in re-directing its Islamic fervor.
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