Sunday, December 4, 2011

Today, I'm starting the subjects on the Social Uplift topic.  These are very important in today's discussions of governmental spending and budgeting, as you will see!

I'm embarrassed that I, the philosopher, haven't done conceptual analysis of this current issue.  I can only say that doing analysis is far different than simply listening to the pros and cons of various positions on the notions of Big Government and governmental spending.

The first subject is The 'Entitlements.'  The subject includes social security, medicare and medicaid. 

(P.S. Today starts the first real blasts of Omaha winter--including ice and snow and low temperatures.)

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Settling in at Omaha has taken up most of the past month!  Not easy.  I've had to put aside Social-Uplift writing for most of it.

The difficulty is in finding a place I can afford.  I like where I'm at on 39th Street, if I can afford to stay.  Also, by hunting around the town, I've found an excellent Senior Center, Bill Norton, Manager at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Dodge Street.  I'm making use of two food pantries--one at First Presbyterian Church on Farnam, and one at First Baptist Church on Park Avenue.  And, I've returned to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (Dean Hurley remembered me from the last time I was here), where Mass is really divine and where there's a good adult group meeting before the choral service at 10:30.

I'm taking advantage of free meals, as always!

The difference between settling in this time and times before is that I'm really making use of the services provided for the poor and  indigent; and to this point my landlord has been understanding, too.  We'll see.

So, herein is a precis of my personal progress.

P.S.  I had 2 operations on my right ankle in Reno earlier in the year performed by Dr. Althausen.  He did a magnificent job.  I thought for sure I'd need a walker, a cane--maybe both--or a wheelchair (the condition when I entered the hospital looked so serious), but so far, as Althausen had said, I wouldn't need anything but to exercise it by walking! 

Sunday, October 2, 2011

--Have finished up the topic of social change in the Social-X series.

--The last topic (I think) in this series is that of social uplift.  This concept is an evolved, considered improvement on the social contract thesis that began the series.  When the social contract was stated, theorists did not append the notion of improving the welfare of persons who entered into contract nor overall, the social good that was assumed would also improve.  These notions came about as science began to make improvements on the way things were ordinarily done.  This lack of fully understanding the value of the social contract is a serious flaw in its typical statement.

John Dewey, the American philosopher in the early 20th Century developed the notion of social and cultural progress based on an analysis how science and technology were improving mankind's lot.  I studied under Dewey's illustrous student, Professor Sidney Hook of New York University.  I became convinced that the social contract indeed was just a simplistic, primordial idea in itself that could not explain cultural progress by positing mere contractual relationships among persons.  And so, I believe the notion of social uplift, as indicative of how mankind is improving his lot, is essential to understanding the dynamics of social interaction--certainly, in today's society.

--Well, I'm trying to adjust to being back in Omaha once again.

--I did enjoy writing about aspects of social change that still lie before us.

Are the corporations paying for world services?

It's come to my attention that while the multinational corporations are benefitting from the US military presence around the world, they may regard the benefit as a gift from Uncle Sam.

Surely, they realize not only the necessity for military bases in foreign lands for them to conduct financial and consumer business, but the cost-liness of this service rendered by the US.

What's been their contribution to date for lo, these many years?  I dare say nothing.  I argue, it's time for them to pay up in this period of near-economic collapse of the federal government.  MILITARY, (YOU SHOULD) COLLECT!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

I moved back to Omaha.  Rented a place I hope I can afford.  It's on a month-to-month, so I should be alright.

I neglected to include the Meta-elements for some social change items.  Will back up.

China's Solution to Unemployment

Not being a capitalist state, China has no corporations with stockholders as such.

Nevertheless, it does need to confront the problem of unemployment.  The way it handles the problem is by having people, as a resource to make use of, do the work of machines. 

What's happened in Western societies is that machines do the work of people with even greater efficiency.  So, either these countries must live with more unemployment but large profit margins for the stockholders to reap or must encourage companies to hire people do work that machines might do with greater productivity.

In China the individual is motivated to go to work (or to school) because his primary meal is served there.  I've seen construction workers delight in the interaction among them as they handle construction materials.  I've seen, too, clerks in stores, howbeit there's many more than actually are needed, enjoy each other's company!  The point is, there's much to be said for an oversupply of workers in the workplace. 

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

--Updates: completed Social Change Item "Harassing Austerity Programs Lead to Anarchy";
                    WHACK-O Theory VI  on US Secret Financials;
                    WHACK-O Theory VII on Iran and Turkey relations;
                    Rumination on Class Warfare.

(--Foot-left ankle-much better and I've getting around.)

--Have been using the Cracker Barrel current events discussion group at University of Nevada, Lifelong Learning Center, as a sounding-board for some of the ideas in these Blogs; and I hope to be able to continue to do so.  This group is the best I've encountered at the universities' Lifelong Learning Centers I've attended.

--Working again on the Demise of Western Dominance in power politics.  

Theory VII: Turks join with Iran

The Turkish military leadership has just voluntarily "resigned."  I think they haven't actually resigned, though its administrative Government may believe so.  I think they've been elevated to work out any extant deal with Iran.

It is known in some circles that Iran has an ally in China.  Iran is really the winner in the Iraqi War, recently completed, in that it is very likely that al-Sadr will come to rule Iraq.  I think China is approving of this-- Iran's--success.

In any event, the Middle East is coming out as being Muslim!  And, I think the militaries of Turkey, Iran and Egypt are to be reckoned with as its dominating force.  Altogether, they comprise the core of the new resurgence of the Muslim faith.

I understand that NATO is aligned with the Arab League to resolve the Libyan statemate.  The area's military might is the necessary ingredient.  Incidentally, Yemen appears to be folding; and Syria's President appears to be capitulating, i.e., on his way out.

I'm beginning to think all the former major powers are WHACK-O, too!

Theory VI: US Secret Expenditures and Revenues

Just a theory; just a theory!

Many years ago, I heard one of my high school teachers tell how he was in Military Intelligence in WWII.  He said his job was cataloging paintings from the Nazi booty that presumably were to be shipped to the US as part of its share.  I doubt the list he created was widely distributed.

Then, at the last discussion meeting of current events at the Lifelong Learning Center, the presenter of the group I was in mentioned that President George Bush, the 43rd, would really run up a deficit of over a trillion dollars in a period of time, but would make it seem it was only $ 300 billion.  The gimmick was, he kept some items--possibly, the two war costs and the tax cuts for the rich, even items of Medicare Part D--off the books."  So, there's an apparent way to keep some federal expenditures "secret."

MSNBC on Friday was explaining where some of the Clinton surplus came from.  Apparently, there were revenues brought about by the US' initializing NAFTA, possibly involving a corporate windfall, which also added to the federal government coffers.  The report I heard further appeared to claim that it was this pool of federal infusion that Bush felt would pay for the wars and the tax cut for the rich (which was to last the decade), etc.  If so, other secrets, only on the revenue accounting side of the ledger.

Then too, I wonder whether the US bases, over 714 worldwide, in some 170 countries, are not really profit centers.  The countries where US bases are located obviously benefit from the modicum of stability the presence of US troops brings about.  Perhaps, the US might be receiving monies from grateful governments.  Another secret?

Or how about Iraq?  Might the US financially benefit from its 2 victories there--either in direct payment or from the oil companies who are developing Iraq's wells?  After all, the saying goes, "To the victors go the spoils!"  If so, more secrets.

I met some tourists from England on a bus recently; and we got talking about the golden days of the English Empire--which prompted me to ask, "Okay, where has England stashed its wealth from those glory days?"  Their reply: "Our government isn't blabbing!"

It just stands to reason that a major power won't show openly its real accounting books, simply because there are many enemy nations who would love to peruse them.              

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

--I've been incapcitated with a broken ankle for the past 3 months.  Getting back to the blogs now.  Sorry for the temporal hiatus.

--Note that in my blogs "Moslem"="Muslim"--no connceptual difference between these words. 

March 31, 2011 Thursday

--I had an unexpected move from El Paso, Texas back to Reno, Nevada on the 15th of this month.  I just couldn't cope with the need to speak Spanish there.  I've been to El Paso many times over the past 10 years, but this time it became a necessity to speak Spanish--at my downtown residence, at my downtown Senior Center, where I ate, and generally, about town.  I encountered El Paso as a Mexican city!  And my Spanish is lousy, though I tried.

--I've been working on the item "The Demise of the Western World" under the Social Change topic.  So far, I've put together three themes within the scope of the item: A. Regional Dominate Nation; B. Outsourcing; C. Ecological Edicts' Compliance.  The item is complex, to be sure; but very important.  I think these themes cover the dynamics of the item; and as the item focuses upon a world-wide change (hopefully, for the better), I don't think I should look for further themes, though I'm certain they exist within its range.  Comprehendez?  Now, please explain what I've just written to me, the author!   

al-Sadr, where are you?

Well, I attended a lecture on the Middle East, speaking Professor Robert Wren.

I came away convinced by the things he said and by my own deliberative processes, that Iraq needs a strong leader.  The country is a hodgepodge of diverse cultural elements, for too many years at each other's throats.  The central government in there now is practically non-functional in such ways as supplying electricity and clean water; keeping the streets clean.

I think England would admit it simply pieced elements like in a jigsaw together to form a nation; but a nation at odds with itself.

So, al-Sadr, where are you? 

Purpose of the EU

I started attending the lecture series offered through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, University of Texas at El Paso.  I use the lecture and the QA afterwards as a way to stimulate my thinking on a topic.

On February 14th, Professor Kruszewski talked on the European Union.  The points he made got me thinking that the EU was established to facilitate travel among member nations--by persons desirous of visiting relatives in some nearby country and by persons in need of a job!  This apparently was an early attempt at contemporary globalization, whereby workers flow from country to country, thereby keeping wages lower than they otherwise would be.  Business is always looking for the cheapest labor that will do the job it intends.

I think the Professor mentioned that Germany was hoping more would come from the organization.  After all, a currency was put into circulation, one in which the United Kingdom still  has reservations, preferring to back the English pound.  No wonder poorer countries in Eastern Europe and in Northern Europe want to join the Union.  But I think the Europeans, e.g., France, were disappointed when their countries became flooded with Moslems from all over!  Clearly, as I mentioned in the QA session, the EU will never accept Turkey as a full-fledged member for that reason.  

US Defense Budget, 2012

I note that certain countries are cutting back on their 2012 budget appropriations for military expenditures, e.g., the United Kingdom.

I interpret this to express their profound appreciation for what the United States Military has done around the globe in recent years, sustaining some 740 military installations in nearly 150 countries.  This global effort seeks Congressional approval, too.

I am led to think that the world's indebtedness to the United States Defense Department is demonstrated more than by words of thankfulness and by cooperative endeavors, helpful those these are, but with substantial commitment to the US Military objective to maintain world peace.

February 1, 2011 Tuesday

I'm busily doing the research for Social Change item #4.

I got side-tracked today!  What I had read two or three years ago about the manipulations of international financiers to increase their rates-of-return on investments to the fullest haunted me as I continued reading about current international economics.  I'm beginning to think there might be something to the idea!

Anyway, back to reading for item #4--I'm about half-way through.

Theory V: Moving around globally investment capital

Actually, this isn't my theory (I read it a few years back in a book), but in studying globalization once again, I find the theory isn't that bad.

It goes as this: Financiers, usually in conjunction with other members biologically related, want their investments to yield the greatest amount of return.  Accordingly, they sponsor or support a particular government, call it "favored,"  that has certain advantages to aid them.  Once they determine that the government no longer is of much use to them, they work to effect its fall upon hard times.  But meanwhile, they have found another government which can take its place.  The point is, they want to assure that they are in control of virtually the entire flow of wealth in the world; and that no government, even the one they have favored, will become so powerful as to dictate to them or control or regulate their activities.

This story has been repeated in world history several times since the Renaissance.  I think these financiers in the beginning were connected with the rise of banks in Italy; but they certainly represent in any age the commericial class of wealth in contradistinction to the traditional, indigenous landowner class. 

Spain in the 15th Century, I think was designated "favored."  Then through the Spanish Hapsburgs, the status fell to the Calvinist Dutch in the 16th Century.  Spain acknwledged the independence of Northern Netherlands.  War between the Dutch defeated the English ended with William III established as King of England.  Pooling their resources, the Dutch and the English defeated Louis XIV of France.  The Dutch could not overcome the drain on its finances caused by the war with France; specifically, the Dutch navy could no longer sustain its superior position.

And so slowly the English navy came to rule the seas.  Meanwhile, the English obtained the spoils of the war with France including some former Spanish colonies.  They also expanded in Canada--Nova Scotia and Newfoundland--and in the Mediterranean area including Gibraltar.  This abundance of new lands meant new markets for trade and commerce through English merchants.  Peace with France heralded a protracted period of peace.  Importantly, the Bank of England had been established at the turn of the 18th Century, making possible a commercial culture throughout England that led to the Industrial Revolution.

As ruler of the seas, Britain aspired to new political heights, reaching out as an imperial power into the 1890's, particularly establishing stronghold in India, colonizing new markets and protectorates across the globe.  England's stature as the world's foremost banker and financier was unquestioned.  This meant those who invested in English markets amassed great fortunes.

But the financiers' problem with England was its political greed.  It heralded Queen Victoria as the Empress of India.  It saw its wealth and prestige as something it had accomplished, not that which was bestowed by its commercial dominating class.

What I think then happened is merely my conjecture.  I think the financiers backed the development of Germany's navy to rival that of England.  Further, I think they anticipated that the rivalry would lead to WWI principally between these two seafaring nations.

These financiers, I surmise, thought Germany would win.  They could not anticipate the US involvement in a European War.  But so they had to make an adjustment, bringing the US into their investment portfolio.  It is thought that Germany appealed to these investors shortly before WWII broke out to back a German victory  ( I read that in a novel a few years ago).   These financiers would not monetarily support Hitler; and it's thought that as a result, Roosevelt started building airplanes for the English just prior to the War.

Thus, the United States emerges as the favored nation; and its fast-growing economy as well as those trading with it, becomes the markets for world-financier investments.  These financiers (and their families) make a bundle!  It's too bad that currently, the GDP of the Western nations, including the US, isn't growing at breakneck speed as is occurring in the Asian countries, for example.  Time for another favored nation!

Time for another way out to force a decline in the nation that's achieved the status of 'favored.'  That meant in this case, the introduction of derivatives and the use, once again, of leverage--the lack thereof--as a way to bring down the US economy via the housing industry.

Their schemata for economy disaster may work, but I think there's two factors mitigating against it:   
1) the world itself has changed such that it's not driven anymore by purely economics--vs. Karl Marx.  As seen in Egypt, today and in Russia since the 1990's, people strive for being themselves, maintaining a modicum of independence.  2) the US Military has over 700 installations across the world in instant contact with their command centers; and they not only patrol the seas, but outerspace.  This military, I believe, is not subject to the fluctuations in GDP and investment turns.

Well, this is just a Whack-O Theory revived per my readings once again into the globalization literature.  
        
      

      

January 22, 2011 Saturday

--I'm working on the Social Change concept in the Social-X series.  Just completed the Globalization item and am now unto the item "The Fall of the Western World."  Essentially, the Western countries, which from the Renaisaance to virtually this very decade, have held political and dominance, but now must make room for another modality, namely,  a confluence of major power brokers around the globe.  The US typically has handled the emergence of power factions by attempting to join their organizations.  But these factions are so powerful as to preclude penetration from the West.  As such, I think I'll be arguing, they must be met as equals, recognizing that their presence "signifies no harm" to the West.

And, withal, the US Military is a strength equal to none.

Isn't this exciting!  The times we're living in.

--continuing the ruminations items as they come to mind.  Hopefully, I'll be starting classes at the Lifelong Learning Center of the University of Texas, El Paso, in February, so I look forward to writing on matters that come up in those classes.

P.S.  I apologize that my editing, such as it is, must span over some days, but less than a week, after I post an item.  I use library computers; and some libraries have better computers and better computer ambience  than others!!