Socialism

With all the talk about the oncoming age of US socialism, I think it's only fair to state that Socialism is entitled to its day in the Sun. Capitalism has failed the working class miserably at this point with its shameless greed. There is absolutely no reason why people have to make more than Ten Million Dollars a year. The money being paid the Czars of Capitalism is obscene and without moral justification. We are not talking about the Henry Fords and Thomas Edisons of the world who create entire new industries which elevate the standard of living for millions of people. We are talking about people who's only claim to fame is using mirrors to make it appear that the economy is growing and there are millions of dollars floating around for everyone when in fact it's the same dollar floating around just at a very fast speed, a speed so fast no one can actually catch it. Yes, it's time for Socialism with all its ambition killing principles to have a go at keeping this country afloat for another generation. I don't think it will work, but fair is fair. The Capitalists don't deserve another chance to steal from the poor and give to the rich.

The best Health Care Plan

The best health care plan is a well paying job with benefits. It makes you feel secure, reduces stress and allows you to see a doctor with minimum financial consequences. While the number of unemployed citizens is unacceptable, it should not detract from the unemployment problem. This country needs new industries with well paying jobs. Employers need to be encouraged to provide health insurance for their employees and Doctors and Hospitals need to reduce costs. Three problems, each with a separate solution:
1. Government funding has to be poured into energy related industries in the US. Solar, Wind, battery technologies, etc., with emphasis on jobs physically located within the US.
2. Employers should not only be allowed to deduct the cost of employees' health insurance premiums but an additional percentage to cover overhead and incentive. Maybe start with 10%. No less than 5
3. Medical malpractice laws have to be changed. We need a system that works better for the injured party than Workman's Comp but costs less than our present litigation system.
The above three pronged attack would be much better than just pouring money at the health care insurance problem to win votes.

Obesity

Study after study is saying Obesity is a problem in America. It's time for America's intercessors to pray against the new "strong man" that rules over America. It's not murder, it's not lust, it's not even Greed (at least not exactly). No it's gluttony. Spell that Gluttony with a capital G. It's greed on the level of food. Or maybe greed is just another form of gluttony. Maybe they're the same thing with the only difference being how they manifest themselves. Regardless, prayer is needed to bind the strongman. The problem is that Gluttony is the trojan horse of Christianity. It disguises itself as "fellowship" and once it gets inside the church it reveals itself as brownies and bagels. It bribes the Christian Pastors and probably a Rabbi or two along the way to look the other way: to denounce cigarette smoking, dating and dancing while ignoring the gluttony that has made the older seats in the church obsolete because they are too small for the rear ends of today's christian soldiers. Before the Church can bind the strong man it needs to repent of its sin. It is time to for His people, who are called by His name to repent of gluttony and then He shall heal their nation(s) because it's not the rum that has done us in but the crumbs on our face.

Mass Transportation

It has been years since I have had to commute into NYC from my Long Island home but there are members of the family who still do. The recent talk of a fare increase on the LIRR shows the basic inequity of a blanket fare increase across the board for commuters of varying incomes. It's time to resurrect the idea of a tax credit for mass transportation expenses. It could be phased out at higher income levels but that probably would just result in the richer folks who can afford parking fees to drive their cars into the less than pristine air of Bloombergville. Why give a government subsidy to the Railroad when we can give it to the commuter. Than the railroad can raise the fares as they need the money and the commuters can deduct the fare from their tax bills. A five year trial program in which the results of the first three years could be analyzed and used as a basis for recommending the continuation, cancellation or modification of the credit is a worthwhile attempt at fairness to lower income commuters, decreasing auto usage and the demand for gasoline, and improving overall air quality.

Political Entitlement

The present discussion on Caroline Kennedy's "entitlement" to become the next NY Senator is not about qualifications but an attempt by the less "entitled" to avoid being blocked by the more "entitled". As an attorney in the State of NY for over 40 years I have seen lawyers move up the political ladder until they reached a point where they either did not have the money, "entitlement", or intelligence to go any further. Obviously it is a good thing to be limited by your lack of intelligence, but there is nothing wrong with being stopped by your lack of "entitlement". The first time I saw this happen I was appalled at what I at first thought was a complete lack of respect for the hard work the "passed over" individual had accomplished in his career. However, I quickly remembered that it was "entitlement" that had given him his start. So it seemed more like poetic justice that his career should hit a brick wall because a more "entitled" individual came along. Caroline Kennedy is not replacing Daniel Moynahan. She is replacing the "entitled" Senator Clinton. New York is an important state. It needs intelligent leaders. But it also needs the highest level of "entitled" people as its public face. There doesn't seem to be any indication that Caroline Kennedy isn't bright. With the help of her political family and money she can learn anything she has to to properly represent the people of the State of NY. She probably would not be a goood choice for Governor. But Senator is another story.

Citizen bailout

Rather than spend an uncountable amount of money bailing out companies which will use too much of the monies they receive on disproportionate salaries for higher level administrative positions, why doesn't the Obama government create a new tax deduction for rent and mortgage payments below a fixed amount and then index the amount to inflation? Not just the interest on a mortgage but the entire payment! A side benefit would be that landlords would have to declare the rent as income. Everyone would be able to be free of tax on that amount of money they spend to put a roof over their head. At least a reasonable roof. It would also put renters in the same boat as homeowners and eliminate a subliminal reason for otherwise contented people to overextend themselves by buying a house they cannot afford. Couple this with a "fair tax" system and April 15th could become just another day for most of us.

Deflation

Economists are telling us that deflation is worse than inflation. The theory is that inflation is a friend to the borrower allowing him or her to pay back money borrowed today with cheaper money earned tomorrow. However, most Americans have been faced with inflationary costs and lower salaries. As well paying manufacturing jobs have been sent out of the country, most of the displaced employees have had to find jobs in the "service" sector (Can you say Walmart?). Service sector jobs are on the low end of the wage scale in this country and hardworking employees can find themselves in the $30K to 50K range at best. There are just to many people who are qualified for these jobs, and supply and demand dictates the wage. The problem isn't inflation vs. deflation. It's an unnatural demand for products that are unnecessary. If companies make necessary products people will buy them. If they have to borrow to buy them they will. Then companies can hire more help to make the necessary products. American auto companies know this. They used to make cars that only lasted 3 to 5 years before they would start falling apart. Then foreign companies started making cars that last 5 to 10 years before they start falling apart. Americans started buying better made cars from whomsoever would make them and now they don't need to buy new cars every 3 to 5 years and have discovered that they can't afford the luxury of supporting the American auto industry. The cell phone users will eventually make the same discovery. Then the personal computer users, video game users, music fans, etc. It's like grandpa said: "If you make a better mousetrap, America will beat a path to your door!", but if your mousetrap works it doesn't need a new coat of paint every time it catches a mouse.