Tuesday night, September 1, I attended the regularly scheduled meeting of the Sacramento City Council at City Hall. Topic I was interested in taking a stand on was Mixed Income Housing. I understood the Council had made changes to its current plan in effect and wanted feedback. Among these, a developer could opt out of the plan by paying a fine, as it were.
I am familiar to some extent with the Singapore Mixed Income Model that has been discussed around the world for some years. Two of its notable features are 1) enforcement of the provision that a developer must adhere to the plan and 2) the benefits accruing over those of other income housing models. One benefit is housing becomes available to all peoples, including the homeless. But the other is far more important and long range: it virtually ends the social issue of segregation populace-wide! This is because every culturally diverse group of the society is truly mixed in with every other within the same housing project. It is true that government has a strong say in where people will live, but that is simply regarded as an opportunity cost in solving a social problem that otherwise could have festered as it presently does in the US.
I am also apprised of discussions at the federal level of the Singapore Model. Indeed, Fareed Zakaria in his Sunday, August 31, edition of GPS on CNN made it his featured presentation. Moreover, as I tried to point out to the Council members, I believe much money could be garnered from Federal sources for instituting this model even here in Sacramento, should the Council take interest in it. It's that important to rid our society from the evils of segregation!
Indeed, a program that can solve the segregation issue as well as offer badly needed housing to the community, as does the Singapore Model (their government saw the need to create an integrated society and so came up with their housing plan),.has much to recommend it at the Federal level
I made my comments, which are housed on videotape beginning at the 7:30 PM mark, Tuesday, Sept. 1 and runs for two minutes to 7:32 P>M.
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Friday, September 4, 2015
Friday, August 28, 2015
Extraneous-1: Comments on Presidency of US, etc.
Here's some extraneous opinions I've got on the Presidency and the current race for the Presidency:
1. Donald Trump has held no political office that I'm aware of. To be President, the candidate must know the national political system from the inside. He doesn't have a major qualification.\
2. Sometimes, an individual becomes President and hands off major responsibilities of the office to one of his lieutenants. This is what I believe happened under the Second Bush. He handed off to Big Business, esp. Haliburton Corp., decision-making responsibilities in the housing sector and in Iraq and other areas in the Middle East, via Dick Cheney. That led to the financial crisis of 2008, I believe. I understand that the oil giants didn't even have to bid for the contracts awarded them.
3. It's true (I believe) that Hilary Clinton didn't do much as Secretary of State. But I believe that position is largely honorary in recognition for a statesman's job well done during his career. I don't think the Iranian Agreement has come this far due to Secretary Kerry's hard-work, but rather because the Pentagon is permitting it.
And should Biden become President, I would wonder when he would make a statement that puts his foot in his mouth akin to when the Russian President said some years ago, "We will bury you!"
4. I think that big-business is putting up several candidates for President in the 2016 election, even now during the Republican Party nominating process. Its aim is to control the country for several years to come, assuming one of them becomes President (as political parties have done in the past).And, if--all too often--some one of the big-business backed candidates were to become President, I think the poor and disenfranchised in the US will take to the streets--as in other countries --forcing unpredictable change in US society.
I still advocate regional government, splitting the US into 3 segments. The country is so divided now that a federation with 3 independent segments, similar to the UK Commonwealth, makes perfect sense. Be it noted that Scotland almost became an independent member of the UK Commonwealth in its recent elections.
1. Donald Trump has held no political office that I'm aware of. To be President, the candidate must know the national political system from the inside. He doesn't have a major qualification.\
2. Sometimes, an individual becomes President and hands off major responsibilities of the office to one of his lieutenants. This is what I believe happened under the Second Bush. He handed off to Big Business, esp. Haliburton Corp., decision-making responsibilities in the housing sector and in Iraq and other areas in the Middle East, via Dick Cheney. That led to the financial crisis of 2008, I believe. I understand that the oil giants didn't even have to bid for the contracts awarded them.
3. It's true (I believe) that Hilary Clinton didn't do much as Secretary of State. But I believe that position is largely honorary in recognition for a statesman's job well done during his career. I don't think the Iranian Agreement has come this far due to Secretary Kerry's hard-work, but rather because the Pentagon is permitting it.
And should Biden become President, I would wonder when he would make a statement that puts his foot in his mouth akin to when the Russian President said some years ago, "We will bury you!"
4. I think that big-business is putting up several candidates for President in the 2016 election, even now during the Republican Party nominating process. Its aim is to control the country for several years to come, assuming one of them becomes President (as political parties have done in the past).And, if--all too often--some one of the big-business backed candidates were to become President, I think the poor and disenfranchised in the US will take to the streets--as in other countries --forcing unpredictable change in US society.
I still advocate regional government, splitting the US into 3 segments. The country is so divided now that a federation with 3 independent segments, similar to the UK Commonwealth, makes perfect sense. Be it noted that Scotland almost became an independent member of the UK Commonwealth in its recent elections.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Former Pres Carter might not be using a relevant principle
Some years ago, a federal agency I've been associated with gave me what I think I know is good advice. They said: now that you're an old man, when in need of medical care, always be ready to go to where the outstanding doctor lives; don't expect the doctor to come to you!
Ever since receiving this advice, I've tried to live by it--when it's feasible to do so. I've come to recognize that the very rich in the world live by it too--going around the world, if necessary, to receive the best medical care from an outstanding specialist for which their physical condition can benefit. That includes the stinking rich of Qatar and Saudi Arabia!
I wonder whether, in his bout with cancer of the brain, former President Carter is abiding by this principle, important especially to the aged. He's receiving care, I understand, at Emory University, which is close to where he lives in Georgia. It's as if he's unaware of this principle's application in his case or doesn't think it applies.
Ever since receiving this advice, I've tried to live by it--when it's feasible to do so. I've come to recognize that the very rich in the world live by it too--going around the world, if necessary, to receive the best medical care from an outstanding specialist for which their physical condition can benefit. That includes the stinking rich of Qatar and Saudi Arabia!
I wonder whether, in his bout with cancer of the brain, former President Carter is abiding by this principle, important especially to the aged. He's receiving care, I understand, at Emory University, which is close to where he lives in Georgia. It's as if he's unaware of this principle's application in his case or doesn't think it applies.
Sunday, July 12, 2015
The Depressing Conditiions of Senior Centers in US
Recently, I have been attending on a regular basis a senior center here in Sacramento. It got so depressing, I was losing my mind! I got out of there and hope to never go to a senior center again! Being around just old people for hours on end 5 days a week is no fun; and it affected my psyche.
Then I reviewed my past history with senior centers and found I could stand them only on an occasional basis. I would go for a week or two intermittently. And I attended these other senior centers elsewhere around the country, preferring not to go to any of them more than an hour for lunch. Here in Sacto, I was going from 8:30 to 12:30 M-F. Help!
There's an easy solution to the problem: open up the senior centers to just anybody in the community--make each one into a community center. No problem, then.
Hospitals have a plethora of old people, but there's a difference in attitude--they're being helped and emphasis is in improving their health. They, i.e., the old, are not simply on display to be watched and pitied (by staff and visitors) as they waste away physically and mentally in a victimized setting!
Then I reviewed my past history with senior centers and found I could stand them only on an occasional basis. I would go for a week or two intermittently. And I attended these other senior centers elsewhere around the country, preferring not to go to any of them more than an hour for lunch. Here in Sacto, I was going from 8:30 to 12:30 M-F. Help!
There's an easy solution to the problem: open up the senior centers to just anybody in the community--make each one into a community center. No problem, then.
Hospitals have a plethora of old people, but there's a difference in attitude--they're being helped and emphasis is in improving their health. They, i.e., the old, are not simply on display to be watched and pitied (by staff and visitors) as they waste away physically and mentally in a victimized setting!
Greece can't meet repayment schedules!
The BBC has reported that not only is Greece saddled with debt to the EU Bank and the IMF, but that the country is inundated with fleeing refugees from Africa--some 55,000--at any given time over the last 2 years. These displaced persons must be attended to with food, clothing and temporary shelter. It is true that they are headed for countries to the north to settle in, but the fact remains that this is a terrible financial burden for a country in debt already to bear.
I don't see how the country can think of keeping to a repayment loan schedule under the burden to alleviate the emergency conditions of handling a constant flow of refugees over its land.
I don't see how the country can think of keeping to a repayment loan schedule under the burden to alleviate the emergency conditions of handling a constant flow of refugees over its land.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Foot Loose IMF!
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!
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!
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.
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