Three Children and a Mother try to make it

I heard on the radio a talk show host describe a situation in which a single mother with 3 children, earning $14,500 a year (which he said was about minimum wage) could amass in disposable income $34,000 per year.  That would be equivalent to what a family (presumably, 2 adults and 3 children) making $60,000 could claim in disposable income.

The working mother of 3 could amass such a "fortune," by taking advantage of tax breaks and credits, getting food stamps, living in Section-8 housing, receiving a stipend for child care, and benefitting from similar grants.  Now, getting Section 8 housing is problematic, for one.  But assuming all goes well for her, the point is she might qualify but only if she's a single mother.  The system just doesn't encourage marriage and family, too.  Likewise, the system, I found (I don't know if the system is the same today), treats a woman with child in ways dissimilar to a single woman and no children.  That's why, I believe, when you go to the welfare office, you see so many women carrying their offspring!           

China's Path toward Asian Hegemony

In a recent talk show airing of the Rusty Humphrey's program, Tom Rhodes substituting, Rhodes made an important point about China's policies in Asia.  He contended that China's military might enables it to show the rest of Asia that it can indeed lead the nations of that continent.  Its vision is to establish what I call the "Asian Mind," a style and procedure of doing things distinctive in the world, its origin dating back thousands of years. ( I wrote a ruminations piece on this a few years back.)  Japan had taken on the same project, but its attempt led to WWII, Western Theater.  Japan did not succeed; but I believe it gave back the cudgel to its dominant neighbor to the north.

"Government by fiat." Hooray!

I heard on the Rusty Humphrey's Show, Tom Rhodes substituting, the opinion expressed that Obama is, in some measure, governing by fiat, i.e., ignoring the will of Congress in the administration of federal departments and agencies.  Rhodes claimed the government regards itself so strong as to do what it wants!  Surely, this is an exaggeration.

Nevertheless, in his recent recess appointments Obama is demonstrating his commitment to sound governmental policies, developed and administered by technocrats in the public sector.

The alternative procedure of letting Congress, even the Tea Party, set priority and policy in the months ahead place the US in a situation of being cast into a well of international isolationism.  Countries around the world share a common belief, ever since the banking debacle, that the US should go its way, while the rest of the world establish its own trade pacts and globalized rules and regulations: "The US goes its way; and we go ours."  The US simply can't rely on un-tutored political entities to initiate strategies that overcome distrust of American leadership.

President Obama, I salute you!

Footnote:  Rhodes was, I think, the former editor of the Jerusalem Post, an outstanding international newpaper; and he makes a wonderful radio talk personality, currently holding forth in Indianapolis--better than most of them!    

December 30, 2010 Thursday

--The Pithy topic will include quick items as responses to what I've heard over the mass media or read in newsprint.

--I'll be creating a new blog called "Remembering-X," the first topic of which will be 'Remembering living on welfare.'  I lived on welfare from 1990-1999.  The reason for this additional blog is in response to my ruminations dealing with present living conditions in Washington, DC that I encountered on several recent trips there during which I tried to establish residence.  I feel some of my experiences were of benefit in alerting others to its deplorable racial strife; and may have added to voices calling for the replacements of the mayor and the superintendent of schools.   

The Cost of Just Living

There's a cost to just about everything!  There's a cost to living in Malibu, California; and if you can't afford it, you must live someplace else. Similarly, there's a cost of living in Honolulu, Hawaii; and if you can't afford it, you must live somewhere else.  In general, there's a cost of living anywhere in the US; and as a citizen you're entitled to live here.  Now the minimal cost of living in the States, it is assumed, any citizen ought to be able to afford.  But, if you can't, you're not thrown into debtor's prison,  like in England in yesteryear; you can apply for welfare (as I did in 1990, when I ran out of unemployment insurance!).  Of course, if you commit a minor crime, you will be jailed and receive food and housing there for a time.

For you see, society doesn't want even to think of more crime, so it's willing that government, acting on its behalf , provide a welfare dole, believing those receiving it will live peaceably.

Note: The Clinton proviso: Those on welfare should enroll in a back-to-work program administered by the county's social services department.    

No--Redistribution of Wealth

To my way of thinking, the Conservatives are arguing against a straw man: relatively few progressives argue for redistribution of wealth anymore, according to which "from the rich, to the poor."

That argument is supplanted by the argument for supporting social programs:  Each individual ought to pay his fair share to support social programs, as an involuntary contribution to a non-profit organization, viz., the government, so as the financial obligations of the working poor and the impoverished, regardless of fault, are managed.  That is, a civilized society recognizes the need for a safety net, so that all might live within its realm of care. (Hume's concept of empathy.)

December 24, 2010 Friday

The topic of social change is started today in the Social-X blog. This series is philosophical by nature and represents a significant departure in the way philosophical activity and concepts is generally handled.  Because of the primordial status of doing philosophy in the way that the Social-X series represents, I may have to revamp certain items as I learn from handling other items.  Please bear with me; and try not to become confused if there need to be changes in the format and discussion in the Social Change conceptual schemata.

Anyway, for me this is an exciting beginning on the topic, Social Change.    

December 22, 2010 Wednesday

I just finished an action item in the "John's 'What's Up?'" series.  I contend that the US Deficit Crisis is solved already!  It's an action item in the hopes that I've given the direction for proper action!  Note it's an action item, not a WHACK-O Theory!!

Now, back to my studies in Social Change in the Social-X series!

US Debt Crisis Solved! Means Testing

I'll be addressing two areas in this action item where there can be significant expense savings--just to get started in an deficit reduction effort: social programs and military expenditures during peacetime, i.e., when there's no major war. Certainly, more areas could be enumerated.  I aver that even in these two areas cost savings per year should be enormous!

Social Programs
1. Medicare
The late Senator Ted Kennedy advocated means testing as a way to control Medicare costs.  In this I believe he was following what many hospitals already use, viz., some ability to pay evaluation.  A patient submits some financial statement of his net worth, including income.  On that basis the hospital charges him.

Currently, Medicare operates as an insurance policy where the member pays a monthly premium.  The premium is not tied to the actual costs of the member's medical care as projected.  Obviously, many members can afford more toward their medical care under the system than what the premiums they pay would suggest.

 2.  Social Security
They say the social security system will bellly-up by 2040,  This can readily be avoided by raising the limit of  taxable income that's subject to FICA.  Indeed, there really ought to be no limit of income that's not social security relevant.  The same could be applied to income from dividends and properties, which may not always be the case now.  Wallah, the system becomes solvent!

I detect that several Congressmen are already thinking along these lines.  May I encourage them to do the obvious!

3.  Senior and school cafeteria programs   
Typically, a participant in these programs pays nothing, though there's the caveat that it would be nice if he doled out a fraction of the cost of the meal.

Participation in these food programs could be also means tested.

4.  Medicaid 
Now here's a  program that's got it right.  I know because I participate in the program, if the state I'm in has it.

If accepted into the program on the basis of need, the member signs a  contract that upon his death, the government can recoup from the deceased's estate as much as the government's costs incurred, outside of Medicare coverage, for his healthcare benefits while living.

In many states, I understand, the welfare system is so structured, too.

The Military       
By extension, the same line of thinking can be appplied to the military.  In peacetime, the military budget should reflect the situation of peace.  Specifically, the question, 'how important is a particular military project to the country's defense, as a peacetime measure?' should be a guiding principle.

The current treaty with Russia, being debated this very day, conforms to this principle.  There's no reason for countless missles and nuclear armaments in Rusia or the US when no war exists, even a cold one.  However, I know there's a lot of people in the US who wish we'd make Russia our enemy once more!

Another glaring phenomenon reflected in the military budget is a politician's desire for aggrandizement of military contracts to benefit his state or his activities.  A Congressman may insist that there be several bases in his state, for example---though it's very unlikely there will be a military strike there, even if hell freezes over!


An afterthought: I've heard recently that Italy doesn't use means testing.

.

December 12, 2010 Sunday

Completed two items in the ruminations series: 1) on the role of technocrats in a technocracy.  Ever since 1972, I've been interested in the concept of a technocracy, where technocrats both administer programs and projects and at the same time are really doing research that adds to some scientific knowledge base.  In education the publication known as the ERIC Clearinghouse does yeoman service in permitting the sharing of problems and solutions persons in administrative positions can draw upon and learn from.  I did some coursework at the University of Chicago, and they coined the term "action research" to this endeavor--occurring in industry, government and education.
                                                                         2) 3 Purposes or functions of a healthcare system.  These need to be separated out, especially when discussing such criticisms made against a healthcare provider as "I couldn't see my doctor soon enough," or "I have a tumor; but they say it will be a year before they're going to operate!"

Tea Party, only the beginning of a citizen revolt

The Tea Party phenomenon simply heralds a bitter citizen revolt in the offing.  Wait till the citizenry must sacrifice their hard earned money to pay off the government's debt incurred by companies fraudulently ripping off homebuyers.  Significantly, the CEOs of these companies in most cases have come off scot-free:  no fines, no jail time!  Just business as usual. 

Citizen complaint: "Why should I make sacrifice to rectify a financial situation that business created?"

December 8, 2010 Wednesday

Here is a list of my blogs:
John's "What's Up?"  http://john-oastler.blogspot.com/
ruminations http://oastlero.blogspot.com/
Social-X http://renoastler.blogspot.com/
Studiies in Interplay  http:://oastlerp.blogspot.com/

I'm trying to develop a new topic in the "What's Up?" series named "Pithy" to deal with short, very short thoughts that come to mind.

I have been moving from one residence to another in El Paso, so I'm a bit behind.  Recent items in the "What's Up?" series are two, maybe three WHACK-O Theories and an item in the ruminations series on CEOs' decrying capitalism.  

Theory IV: Mentally Communicating

Another WHACK-O Theory...are you ready for this?

When I was in Russia some years ago I heard an extraordinary theory or tale about mentally communicating, even 'dialing' the number of the person you want to call--dial in your mind only, that is.

After World War II, I understand the Russians took German physiologists and psychiatrists back to Russia, while the Americans took physicists back to the US.  It is well known that the German psychiatrists and physiologists were experimenting on the brain to discover its properties prior and during the War.

In Russia, the German scientists were enjoined with Russian psychiatrists, who also were doing significant brain work.  Out of that the joint effort was developed the function of communcating simply through brain neural activity--so the theory goes.  I presume some altering of brain states would be introduced from some inanimate conveyance inserted into the brain.

Well, I didn't take much stock of that idea until recently, when I saw on TV that a person without the ability to use his limbs could nonetheless communicate with a computer program such that screen images were altered.  That being just as far out as what this theory of telepathic communications, I heard while in Russia, purports.

The world's a strange place, isn't it?   

Theory III: A True American Shrine--Sedonna, Arizona

Please remember that a WHACK-O Theory is just that!

Well, this is about the magnetic power of crystals.  I was introduced to New Age Philosophy and the book A Course on Miracles in the mid-80's.  Some people who were devotees told me about the healing power of crystals and their magnetic energies.  They urged me to go to Sedonna to experience the properties of magnetic energy for myself; and advised me to stay at the motel on the plateau, where the airport is. The experiences I had when I went to Sedonna and stayed at that very motel these devotees cited have lasted lo these many years since!  I made several trips there; and discovered that private planes carrying movie stars land nearly daily to come into contact with the said energies of the area--actually in four different locations.

Then, in 1989, thereabouts, I became mentally drained and found it hard to concentrate.  I felt exhaused; and attributed it to computer burn-out.  I turned to the crystals, keeping one in my bed where I lay spawled out for hours on end!  I went to doctors, complaining of a lack to stay focused; though I was able to stare at the crystal in a relaxed state.  By 1995, I no longer had the focusing problem. It simply disappeared.  I got rid of the crystal; and I've not had a crystal since.

Is there anything to the crystal theory of energy potency--I want my crystal back!    

December 2, 2010 Thursday

Having completed a ruminations item, I'm beginning a Social Change Study in the Social-X series.

As a social phenomenon, change represents disturbance in the interactions among people in unpredictable ways.  Importantly, change in a cultural setting divides sharply those "in the know" of change from those following the rules and protocols of how things were done in the past.  It is chaos; it is social upheaval; it can lead to a cultural war between those threatening tradition and those being threatened by the change.

Typically, those of the New Way and those of traditional ways attempt to cope by simply living side-by-side; but society itself must integrate the change or the subgroups will separate into independent cultures..

I might expound more fully on the meaning of social change in a society as an item itself in the Study near the end.  Suffice it to point out that in America, the sharp dicotomy between the political Progressive and the Conservative is just such a breach brought about by Social Change.