The Big Mistake?

Has America gone down the wrong path? Have we opted for greed over justice, profit over compassion? Have we given away our country's heritage to a capitalist moron? Are we in severe danger of becoming our "worst possible selves" in the next few years?

Is America in danger? Yes. Are we at risk of losing everything? Yes. Can we still stand up and resist the malevolent forces of selfishness? Can we rise above our base instincts, as our forefathers did, and continue to hold up the torch of freedom and justice for all the world to see?

We must be watchful; we must survive; we must take care of those who need our help. We are America, in spite of our mistakes.

What's Wrong With the Business Model -- for Everything!

There is no compassion in the business model -- refugees of war are simply "unintentional damages"; "collateral deaths." People and property are put at the same level -- with the edge going to "property": after all there are stockholders to consider!

My rights are always more important than your rights, particularly if I have the bigger pocketbook to defend my rights. You, just because you are at odds with me, are somehow deficient, wrong, strange, stupid, "a loser," or even just insane. How can you resist my plans -- they are "most" important.

Government exists to smooth the way for business -- it is kind of a meta-business, and certainly should make only decisions based on the business model -- after all "what's good for _____________
(substitute any business or corporate name for the traditional 'General Motors') is good for the USA!"

The world is too small for there to be competition -- but if there is competition; I must win! Why? Because it is my plan that is superior; I am smarter than all the others who do this! All dissent and competition must be crushed.

In individual families -- only the bottom line is important. Is it cost effective? Forget about "learning for learning's sake" (why learn anything if it doesn't make me some cash!). Why indeed?

Momentous Time for Me, and the World

We are nearly into the "Age of Trump." May we all survive and learn to think through it, and prosper.

I have passed the ten-year anniversary of my wife's unfortunate and unfair death -- and I may be making the next step in my "life change." My house may actually sell this time. (Don't jinx it!)

And life is fricking strange.

Cry for Aleppo

Will no one "cry" out in anger for the murdered citizens of Aleppo? Will no one mourn the millions of refugees on the road from ruthless dictators and their armies of deluded soldiers? Will no one think about the millions of Americans disenfranchised by the cyber lies and "fake news" of the trolls from Russia (and the American henchmen)?

Does anyone really care about the loss of the American Democratic system to the "halls of high finance" and "backroom economic deals"? China says "the one-China policy is not for sale"! Is there anything in American government, American politics, American ideals -- that is NOT for sale?

Do we live in a country "of the people, by the people, and for the people" or has it been rephrased as "of the one, by the few, and for the rich?" What has happened to us? I for one "cry for Aleppo" and its innocent people slaughtered for no reason -- attacked by all for no reason -- living in constant fear of death --- for no reason --- except senseless, barbarous and insane stupidity? Will anyone "cry for us" when we are going? Anyone?

Projected: FEAR

Fear for my country; fear for my retirement; fear for my job; fear for my social security; fear for my future; fear for all the poor and underprivileged out there; fear for anyone on any kind of government assistance; fear for women; fear for immigrants; fear for Muslims; fear for anyone non-white; fear for the smart and the open; fear for the stupid and the unknowing; fear for colleges; fear for students; fear for young women; fear for older people; fear for seniors; fear for pets; fear for all Americans; fear for all non-Americans; fear for Democrats; fear for Independents; fear for Planned Parenthood; fear for the immediate future/present; fear for the stock market; fear for the middle class; fear for progress; fear for the progressives; fear for people who can think; fear for all of us!!!!!!!

Capitalism Versus Democracy

Sometime each semester I tell my students that we live in a democracy in the US. Capitalism is an economic system that details the relationships involved with buying, selling, consumerism, supply and demand, stock markets, bonds, financial matters of all types, and the various ways that people earn, are taxed, and shape their own economic futures.

Now however the lines between capitalism and democracy have been blurred by our President-elect; now called the Real Estate President. He will be trying to run a political system as if it were an economic one -- something he should have better understood as a graduate of Wharton. And we will have to adjust or be taken up and compromised on a balance sheet somewhere.

Welcome to Idiocracy II.  

President Donald J. Trump

For better or for worse, the businessman with the limited vocabulary and the huge ego will be the next President of the United States -- as of Jan 21, 2017. Will he be a good President? No one can really predict.

Because of his ego, narcissism, and the variety of advisers he will have -- the future is hard to predict. Will he make mistakes? Certainly, every President does. Will he lead us into war, or diplomatic difficulties, or wild internal struggles -- almost certainly, because of his peculiar ego and his unrelenting desire to be right.

Is the United States of America "in decline" with this President, I would like to think "not" -- but the real answer is still out there.