It comes from the history of the Ford Motor Company...
The Ford Monetary Infusion
As I understand it, Ford, the founder of the Motor Company, wanted his workers to afford buying a Model T Ford off his assembly line. To make that possible, he dramatically increased their take-home pay!
Lest that sound too bizarre an answer to today's flat wage scale, certain European countries are toying with plans to pay their "unemployable" citizens (so-deemed by applying relevant social criteria) a living stipend, e.g, through the social security system. Their point being automation and AI decision-making have made "hard-work" no longer a highly-prized human value.
Now, it is already apparent that workers who have remained behind in geographical areas where there's just no jobs today--though at one time there were--are just the right candidates to receive the living stipend.
And lest the reader think that the concept violates a well-known adage that implies a worker's hands must be busily employed or society would be harmed, the "employable" could help out by doing good--cleaning up city streets and parks, working at day-care centers and soup-kitchens, and creating works of art for display around town.
Back to the Main Ford Idea!
What if corporate associations were to create a fund to supplement their workers' salary? Obviously, the workers would come to rely on the added amount and come to spend it, thereby increasing each nation's GNP.
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Ms. Yellen of the Fed Reserve points to climate change as added reason for spike in US-GDP
In reviewing the current tone of meetings of the Fed Reserve, Ms. Yellen, its chairwoman, added yet another reason for the lack-lustre performance of the US-GDP: the costs to the economy of climate change.
She mused, the crumbling of the US infrastructure, particularly, bridges and roads, due to a marked increase in floods and the need for repairs of many river levees are just indicators of the effects in our climate, as floral carbons collect above the earth's surface at alarming speeds. This, addition to, automation and worker homogenization.
Of course, in years ahead, Europe will suffer even more as the ice caps melt, sending a spectacular rise in the seas.
And, we are depending on the Army Corps of Engineers to protect our shores. Can they do it alone?
She mused, the crumbling of the US infrastructure, particularly, bridges and roads, due to a marked increase in floods and the need for repairs of many river levees are just indicators of the effects in our climate, as floral carbons collect above the earth's surface at alarming speeds. This, addition to, automation and worker homogenization.
Of course, in years ahead, Europe will suffer even more as the ice caps melt, sending a spectacular rise in the seas.
And, we are depending on the Army Corps of Engineers to protect our shores. Can they do it alone?
Ukrainians speak up on behalf of their fight for independence!
C-Span carried an evaluative report by Ukrainian leaders about the up-turn in fighting in their country. They are truly battling the Russians who represent a return to subservience under Russian domination. May God bless them!
Nevertheless, Putin has a valid point: until 1956(?), Crimea was Russian. Then, suddenly, Ukraine was ceded the province. Putin, on behalf of Russia, is calling for it back. Since, it's composed unanimously of Russians, his reasoning makes a lot of sense.
Had Putin only presented his case to the United Nations, I don't think there would have been a war; but he didn't.
What is more important, no former Russian state wants to return to a condition of servitude to Russian rule. A pox on Russia and Putin on its behalf, for thinking otherwise! NATO's strengthening its strategic place in Europe by shoring up its Polish defense is something courageous and bold. Hooray for them!
Nevertheless, Putin has a valid point: until 1956(?), Crimea was Russian. Then, suddenly, Ukraine was ceded the province. Putin, on behalf of Russia, is calling for it back. Since, it's composed unanimously of Russians, his reasoning makes a lot of sense.
Had Putin only presented his case to the United Nations, I don't think there would have been a war; but he didn't.
What is more important, no former Russian state wants to return to a condition of servitude to Russian rule. A pox on Russia and Putin on its behalf, for thinking otherwise! NATO's strengthening its strategic place in Europe by shoring up its Polish defense is something courageous and bold. Hooray for them!
US public brought up-to-date re: Afghanistan
Through a series of recent broadcasts on C-Span. the US military command in Afghanistan and members of an evaluative committee to report on the current status of the war between the Taliban and the US-backed government in Kabul have provided a pretty consistent picture that the war is at a stalemate after nearly 16 years of US troops fighting there!
Meantime, I think the Chinese are still mining minerals on the eastern edges of the country, quite independent of being drawn into the stalemated conflict.
But to my mind, the draw declaration by those familiar with the country only bespeaks the real reality: viz., the country is abundant with poppy seeds; and there's plenty of distributors--including former US military--who supply the drugs upon which those addicted to heroin, etc. survive. These distributors are the real determinants of the local affairs conducted by independent kingpins and regional war lords. In short, the money of the Kabul government isn't enough to control any one province let alone the whole country; and so the Afghans are left in limbo to make whatever deals they can with those representing poppy-seed processing and drug distribution worldwide.
Meantime, I think the Chinese are still mining minerals on the eastern edges of the country, quite independent of being drawn into the stalemated conflict.
But to my mind, the draw declaration by those familiar with the country only bespeaks the real reality: viz., the country is abundant with poppy seeds; and there's plenty of distributors--including former US military--who supply the drugs upon which those addicted to heroin, etc. survive. These distributors are the real determinants of the local affairs conducted by independent kingpins and regional war lords. In short, the money of the Kabul government isn't enough to control any one province let alone the whole country; and so the Afghans are left in limbo to make whatever deals they can with those representing poppy-seed processing and drug distribution worldwide.
Friday, January 27, 2017
President Trump wows the PM of Great Britain this past weekend
Apparently, making a trade deal with Great Britain was easy for Trump, while he was also scoring big over the beleaguered President of Mexico. He is showing his skills at making deals on the job!
His major problems are financial. The US debt quagmire and a looming inflation balloon are in the offing; and should reach crisis proportion before the next election of 2018. The looming signs of going protectionist are causing the large international corporations to be weary of bringing large amounts of cash back onto US shores. Plus, they're aware of a surplus capacity of industrial productivity available in the States without much monetary infusion on their part,
Trump's insistence to follow Reagan in an economic time far more complicated than what his mentor had lived through simply bespeaks a mistake in embracing protectionism in a fluid financial market. He's simply philosophically naïve and outmoded; and the US will become a relic, if Congress embraces his charming enchantment. Did Reagan ever conceive of the effects of AI intelligence upon governmental and private transactions? Did Reagan know of the Internet and of cybernetic systems? Come on, times are significantly different from the 1980s, But Trump and Putin, too, are apparently unaware that in today's marketplace there's no "Again" only a creative "Newness and Wonder" over what is evolving into an uncharted tomorrow.
His major problems are financial. The US debt quagmire and a looming inflation balloon are in the offing; and should reach crisis proportion before the next election of 2018. The looming signs of going protectionist are causing the large international corporations to be weary of bringing large amounts of cash back onto US shores. Plus, they're aware of a surplus capacity of industrial productivity available in the States without much monetary infusion on their part,
Trump's insistence to follow Reagan in an economic time far more complicated than what his mentor had lived through simply bespeaks a mistake in embracing protectionism in a fluid financial market. He's simply philosophically naïve and outmoded; and the US will become a relic, if Congress embraces his charming enchantment. Did Reagan ever conceive of the effects of AI intelligence upon governmental and private transactions? Did Reagan know of the Internet and of cybernetic systems? Come on, times are significantly different from the 1980s, But Trump and Putin, too, are apparently unaware that in today's marketplace there's no "Again" only a creative "Newness and Wonder" over what is evolving into an uncharted tomorrow.
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
The Role of the US in today's march-on toward Globalization
Since the world's commitment to the Globalization project dating from the 17th Century Europe, when the Netherlands took up the cudgel, at least two other nations have provided leadership to the project: England in the 18th and 19th Centuries and the United States--currently--but dating back to the American naval efforts to retain open sea lanes for trade in the 19th Century.
The US has always supported the mercantile and commercial interests, even before the country was declared a sovereign nation, e.g., during the Tea Party fiasco in the New England colonies. But that is precisely the heart of Globalization: promoting trade and commerce internationally.
What does embracing the goals of Globalization and assuming the major leadership role commit the United States to? That is to say, what are its responsibilities qua major player for today?
US Leadership Responsibilities
1. Assure a steady and free-flow of goods and services among all nations to the extent possible.
Indeed, the US military must be stronger than any other on earth and its presence felt the world over.
2. Promote trade agreements such that each nation is to seek meaningful participation in some trade association where rules and regulations are enunciated and adhered to by each member. Then too, there must be an agency or arm of the association to insist upon their enforcement. Each member must lower its trade tariffs among the association's members. Specifically, rhe US has been running around the globe establishing and encouraging the trade associations--currently, the TPP for Asian countries.
Now, to get nations to join a trading group is not easy, primarily because the larger and more prestigious nations tend to dominate by cajoling the others to accept rules they dictate. So it looks like the associations are favoring the strong, though the US has done much to support the weaker and less prestigious.
3. Back commercial interests and big-business militarily and diplomatically for the sake of international trade. The US must enable commerce and trade worldwide forcibly, if necessary. One could argue that the wars in the Middle East and the changing of the guard during the Muslim Spring was to accomplish this aim.
The Qualities of a nation that the US has had to underplay as Statesman-Leader:
Primarily, the US has foregone the right to pursue a ME-FIRST and let all others take what they can get for themselves! attitude. That is to say, the US, as the leader in the free trade movement, must be magnanimous for the sake of bringing others along to join and participate in the project.
But along comes President Trump!!!
He claims that the US is losing jobs--which is a claim clearly in dispute (it depends on what jobs he's talking about). He claims the US must maintain a ME-FIRST national posture among the nations of the world--get what you can take and let the other nations fall in line. Well, that line of thinking will result in simply passing the baton of big business and commerce to some other nation. And, China is standing in the theater's wings, waiting. Note: the Chinese moguls of today have been educated in the US colleges.
The US has always supported the mercantile and commercial interests, even before the country was declared a sovereign nation, e.g., during the Tea Party fiasco in the New England colonies. But that is precisely the heart of Globalization: promoting trade and commerce internationally.
What does embracing the goals of Globalization and assuming the major leadership role commit the United States to? That is to say, what are its responsibilities qua major player for today?
US Leadership Responsibilities
1. Assure a steady and free-flow of goods and services among all nations to the extent possible.
Indeed, the US military must be stronger than any other on earth and its presence felt the world over.
2. Promote trade agreements such that each nation is to seek meaningful participation in some trade association where rules and regulations are enunciated and adhered to by each member. Then too, there must be an agency or arm of the association to insist upon their enforcement. Each member must lower its trade tariffs among the association's members. Specifically, rhe US has been running around the globe establishing and encouraging the trade associations--currently, the TPP for Asian countries.
Now, to get nations to join a trading group is not easy, primarily because the larger and more prestigious nations tend to dominate by cajoling the others to accept rules they dictate. So it looks like the associations are favoring the strong, though the US has done much to support the weaker and less prestigious.
3. Back commercial interests and big-business militarily and diplomatically for the sake of international trade. The US must enable commerce and trade worldwide forcibly, if necessary. One could argue that the wars in the Middle East and the changing of the guard during the Muslim Spring was to accomplish this aim.
The Qualities of a nation that the US has had to underplay as Statesman-Leader:
Primarily, the US has foregone the right to pursue a ME-FIRST and let all others take what they can get for themselves! attitude. That is to say, the US, as the leader in the free trade movement, must be magnanimous for the sake of bringing others along to join and participate in the project.
But along comes President Trump!!!
He claims that the US is losing jobs--which is a claim clearly in dispute (it depends on what jobs he's talking about). He claims the US must maintain a ME-FIRST national posture among the nations of the world--get what you can take and let the other nations fall in line. Well, that line of thinking will result in simply passing the baton of big business and commerce to some other nation. And, China is standing in the theater's wings, waiting. Note: the Chinese moguls of today have been educated in the US colleges.
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Workers: Get with it--and get a viable job!
To my mind, Trump is doing a dis-service to the American worker: when there's no work or unsatisfactory work, YOU MOVE ON!
I was dissatisfied in thinking that I would be a college teacher the rest of my life, when I was 41, so I got with the program--I trained for another career and entered the computer field, where I was much appreciated and had a fun career.
But what is Trump doing? Well, for one, he's telling the coal worker, don't worry, I put you back to work in the coal industry. Now, just about everybody knows coal as a fossil fuel is on the way out. Early in my teaching career, I lived in Athens, Ohio. The county was dotted with abandoned homes, where coal miners and their families once lived. The migration from the coal mines has taken over 40 years and is still continuing--now in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The point is, it's time for the coal miners to move on.
The country has always been a "starting over point" for Europeans driven out by famine and mis-fortune. That's why it's so strange that anybody would be trying to resurrect the past as a promise for the future, especially, that it should be the President of the United States.
Over the past few years, I ran into un-employed persons in search of a good-paying job. Every one of these had been considering moving to North Dakota to join in the oil fracking explosion. Plenty of work up there, I reminded them, as if they needed a reminder!
Well, I don't know if Trump will be successful in his bid to return to the past and to convince others, most unemployed, to follow his dream. But I do know that the day of coal-mining is fast coming to a close.
So, former miners get with it! With the help of your close family and friends, find something you can do that has a viable future to it! Quit trying to return to the dreamy past; and importantly, learn to face reality! The world keeps changing and you need to change with it. Let the coal remain in the mine shaft!
I recommend to MOVE ON! (and, take your family with you! I did.)
.
I was dissatisfied in thinking that I would be a college teacher the rest of my life, when I was 41, so I got with the program--I trained for another career and entered the computer field, where I was much appreciated and had a fun career.
But what is Trump doing? Well, for one, he's telling the coal worker, don't worry, I put you back to work in the coal industry. Now, just about everybody knows coal as a fossil fuel is on the way out. Early in my teaching career, I lived in Athens, Ohio. The county was dotted with abandoned homes, where coal miners and their families once lived. The migration from the coal mines has taken over 40 years and is still continuing--now in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The point is, it's time for the coal miners to move on.
The country has always been a "starting over point" for Europeans driven out by famine and mis-fortune. That's why it's so strange that anybody would be trying to resurrect the past as a promise for the future, especially, that it should be the President of the United States.
Over the past few years, I ran into un-employed persons in search of a good-paying job. Every one of these had been considering moving to North Dakota to join in the oil fracking explosion. Plenty of work up there, I reminded them, as if they needed a reminder!
Well, I don't know if Trump will be successful in his bid to return to the past and to convince others, most unemployed, to follow his dream. But I do know that the day of coal-mining is fast coming to a close.
So, former miners get with it! With the help of your close family and friends, find something you can do that has a viable future to it! Quit trying to return to the dreamy past; and importantly, learn to face reality! The world keeps changing and you need to change with it. Let the coal remain in the mine shaft!
I recommend to MOVE ON! (and, take your family with you! I did.)
.
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