Tuesday, September 13, 2011

SOCIALISM RE-VISITED

SOCIALISM RE-VISITED
Although we are used to finding the USA on the top of GDP lists, followed by China, Japan, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Brazil, Italy, Canada, and India, why not have a look at another list that measures much more than economic output based on per-person production which is heavily-influenced by mechanization and ignores other more informative economic indicators.
On first inspection of a 2011 global quality-of-life-index, we aren’t surprised to find Scandinavia on the top of the list. We are also not surprised to find Afghanistan and Somalia at the bottom of the list, nor are we too surprised to find that the USA has fallen to #31 this year, considering the economic crisis. The overall list becomes a bit more uncomfortable, however, when we discover our place on the lists which include health, education, wealth, democracy, peace and environment. Here our rank falls to 39th in health, 22nd in education, 20th in wealth, 15th in democracy, 81st in peace, and 52nd in environment.
Of course, Scandinavia far outranks every country on every list, but now the British Commonwealth nations outrank the USA on every list, (remember that we gained our independence from them over 200 years ago, as any tea-party member will quickly point out to you), 24 European nations outrank us, we rank in the lower half of all western trading partners in overall quality-of- life, and Cuba outranks us in the areas of health, education, peace and environment. (Nation Ranking)
Although we claim to offer the most opportunity, democracy and wealth to our citizens, the facts just do not support this assertion. If we truly are the last best hope of the world, a bastion of freedom, a shining city on a hill, etc., why are we increasingly unsure of our position in the world?
Our overall world ranking is even more dismal when comparing the world’s most-livable cities. On a list of the top 21 best cities to live: Vienna, Melbourne, Vancouver, Sydney, Helsinki, Auckland, Zurich, Munich, Toronto, Calgary, Perth, Adelaide, Geneva, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Bern, Copenhagen, Tokyo, Stockholm, Paris and Madrid, the USA doesn’t even have a city on the list.
Congress and President Obama say that jobs need to be our top priority. You think? Lately all you see and read concerns jobs and unemployment. One list says that if you lose your job today, there’s a 70% chance you won’t find another job in the next month, that if you’ve been unemployed for a year, there’s a 91% chance you won’t find a job in the next month, that by the end of 2011 over 6 million people will have exhausted their 99 weeks of unemployment benefits, that there was 0% job growth in the past decade—the worst in U.S. history, that 1 out of 4 jobs added last year was only temporary, and that when you count the unemployed and underemployed, less than half of the nation’s work force is fully employed. How bad does it have to get before our leaders learn to cooperate? Or as the Chinese have been saying for some time, is our government too dysfunctional to be saved in its present form?
So what are our options? What is to be done? Have you grown weary of hearing the same old, tired recipes that have not worked, but have added insult to injury? After World War II, The Employment Act of 1946 sought to head off rampant unemployment as a result of millions of soldiers returning from the war. (Sound familiar?) This act mandated in its original form that our government do everything in its authority to achieve full employment as a right guaranteed to the American people. The conservative coalition of Northern Republicans and Southern Democrats (Sound familiar?) controlling Congress objected to the guarantee of full employment and the order to engage in compensatory spending, so they amended the bill to remove these mandates, essentially making the bill nothing more than a set of suggestions. (Wikipedia)
In 1978, the Humphrey- Hawkins Full Employment Act instructed the nation to pursue full employment, price stability, balance of trade and budget through cooperation with private enterprise. Over time, Humphrey-Hawkins has in practice become little more than a semiannual report to Congress by the Federal Reserve Chairman. (Wikipedia)
Both The Employment Act of 1946 and The Humphrey-Hawkins Full Employment Act of 1978 were steps in the right direction, but fell short. We’ll never know the results of these bills, since they were never fully implemented.
However, we do know that through an unwritten commitment between business and labor, relationships were formed which helped us to expand and thrive, despite the government’s failure to act. This was the result of nothing more or less than a willingness to cooperate between employer and employee at the grassroots level. It is essentially the “If you want something done right, then you must do it yourself” concept.
I think that time has now come in our national life. Since we are broken, and since none of our elected officials have a clue how to fix us, I suggest that we fix ourselves. We have over 28 million businesses, both small and large, which are already functioning. We have nearly 10% of our workforce who are unemployed. If every business in America with 10 employees or more would commit to increasing the number of their employees by 10% or more, we could solve this problem. Where would the money come from to accomplish this? With our government’s failure to agree on anything, much less on funding, the last thing we need is to suggest that we or our grandchildren pay for it. Instead, if tax incentives aren’t strong enough to spur the necessary hiring, reduce paychecks nationwide by 10% to cover this expense. Sharing this burden from top to bottom, from CEO to janitor, from President, Congressman and Judiciary to clerk and secretary would create the empathy, solidarity and optimism that will propel us out of this depression.
Wouldn’t lowering everyone’s pay by 10% cause another lag in spending? No--quite the opposite would occur, because the newly-employed would eagerly spend their checks, setting an example for the rest of us to fuel our economic recovery. The increase in production and new employee/customers that are created would fuel domestic demand, increase revenues, address infrastructure and other public needs, and buoy public, private and national interests in our economy. There is, however, one more necessary ingredient in this recipe for economic growth—the willingness to cooperate—between business and labor, between business and government, and between our fellow citizens, recognizing that what is good for the unemployed is also good for the rest of us, who are badly in need of a more vibrant economy and country.

Since there has already been one Republican speech suggesting remedies for our ailing economy, to be followed today by eight more nostrums, plus one more from President Obama tomorrow, maybe it’s time to observe some of our more successful fellow nations—the friends and neighbors who share this planet with us.
We often hear the word “socialism” derided as a poison which endangers free enterprise. If socialism is poisonous, then Scandinavia must be in great danger. But anyone who has been to Scandinavia knows that this is just not true. Rather than stifling the free enterprise system, socialism has strengthened and enhanced their quality-of-life, encouraged foreign investment and fostered an environment which is conducive to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. (Or did you think that the U.S. has a monopoly on these?)
In short, Scandinavia is on top of every list of superlatives for a very good reason—she belongs there! Why not send our politicians to Scandinavia to practice their speeches before trying them on us? They’ll discover they have a small audience for what they are selling. Why not pay closer attention to what actually works in the Scandinavian systems of government, instead of spouting our capitalist rhetoric to a world and nation that has grown weary of empty promises? Where is the proof that our governmental approach is superior? Our nation’s credibility is being questioned by all people everywhere who pay attention and have an ounce of common sense.
Scandinavian governments, as constitutional monarchies, are the most stable form of socialism the world has ever known. As such, they exemplify the best of the spirit of cooperation in the way that they care for and about each other. In doing so, there is no dilemma regarding private vs. public ownership or private enterprise. In fact, private enterprise is encouraged, is successful and has far fewer impediments than the U.S. does. Yet everyone is provided for, and Scandinavia has consistently ranked at the very top in surveys of citizen’s individual satisfaction for many years. There is national pride in Scandinavia which is based on actual quality-of-life rather than rhetoric.



MARK OVERT SKILBRED

SECOND-WORLD NATION STATUS FOR THE U.S.IS IMMINENT

SECOND-WORLD NATION STATUS FOR THE U.S. IS IMMINENT

Just going by the numbers, the recent downgrade in ranking of the United States to the 31st position in the 2011 Quality-Of-Life Index recently released by Nation Ranking puts it dangerously close to 2nd World nation status. The 137 nations listed, when you divide by 4, shows the U.S. has fallen to within 5 positions of Second-World nation status. Currently 2nd World nation status begins with Costa Rica at #36 and ends with Paraguay at #69. Even this rating is controversial, since not everyone would agree that Costa Rica deserves 2nd World nation status more than the U.S., for example. On the same listing, 3rd World nation status begins with Botswana at #70 and ends with Equatorial Guinea at #104 and 4th World nation status begins with Kenya at #105 and ends with Somalia at #137. With the latest jobless figures and other economic indicators pointing south and an ongoing lack of cooperation in the U.S. Congress, it is increasingly likely that the 2012 QOL Survey will show that the U.S. has fallen into 2nd World nation status for the first time since quality-of-life data has been compiled and indexed worldwide.

Mark Overt Skilbred

A REALISTIC SOLUTION FOR UNEMPLOYMENT

A REALISTIC SOLUTION FOR UNEMPLOYMENT

Everyone seems to agree that high unemployment is the most important item on the agenda in order to get our economy rolling again. This would increase production, income and tax revenues, as well as improve our national outlook. As we look forward to welcoming more of our military home later on this year and next year, as we consider the historically high unemployment figures, and as we look ahead to an election year full of promising and hopeful candidates, what could be more appropriate than focusing on job creation?
These jobs need not be created out of thin air, as if there were not already established businesses which are capable of increasing production, expanding internal and external infrastructures, and developing and promoting the goods and services which originate here. Provided positive business incentives, American business ingenuity would discover ways to create, develop and transform themselves to afford an increased labor force capable of accomplishing these goals.
Since overcoming inertia on a business, political and personal level has become a problem of epic proportions as this recession has continued, we will need to move out of our comfort zone, seize the bull by the horns, stop stonewalling and finger-pointing and stop waiting for someone else to do something about it. Let’s begin boldly with a requirement that every company with 10 employees or more in the U.S. increase their employees by 10%. Those who are able to do so within the first 6 months without reducing employee compensation should be offered investment incentives. Those who are unable or unwilling to continue paying employees at their current level may reduce their level of compensation in order to cover the increased costs of the 10% hiring increase. Those who are unable or unwilling to comply with this requirement within 12 months should either be assessed a penalty or have their equivalent tax deductions withheld until the terms of this requirement are met.
I am confident that as patriotic and compassionate Americans, we will find a way to accomplish the goal of full employment for those who have lost the means to participate in our economy. In doing so, many of our stagnating problems will disappear like a swamp which has been drained. The usable land which is then made available through this process will support and enrich our lives.

Mark Overt Skilbred

A FAILURE TO AGREE-ON DYSFUNCTIONAL GOVERNMENT

A FAILURE TO AGREE—ON REPLACING DYSFUNCTIONAL GOVERNMENT
We are facing some tough and pertinent questions regarding the form and function of our federal government. Some questions that come to mind include: Is the U.S. suffering from too much government? Should the U.S. government get out of its own way? Have we become our own worst enemy? Shall we sacrifice our nation in order to preserve the status quo, or should we instead save our nation from itself? Is it really just a case of choosing a new President in November of 2012, whether a Democrat, Republican or Independent candidate, or does the root cause lie much deeper? Is it now time to choose a more effective form of government? Shall we choose a Scandinavian, European or Canadian model? After all, this is the country of we the people, and so we have a right to choose the form of government that best meets our needs.
What is the most effective form of government? Is more and larger government the answer to our predicament? How does our form of federal government compare with the rest of the world? Can our government change, and should our government change at this time? Can we just eliminate the federal government altogether? Can we continue to function as separate states? Going further, can we function as independent counties? Can we function as independent cities or city-states? Is it wise to do so? How independent are we really? Who would be hurt by independent states, counties and cities? Who is most helped by federal government? Who is least helped by federal government?
Why do we insist on crediting the federal government as the source of our supplemental funding when in reality we the people are the source of the wealth of our nation? If we the people really are the nation, and we are also the government by inference, does it really matter whether the government we support is at the city, county, state or national level, as long as it remains a viable, functional form of government? Why is it necessary to send our money off to Washington D.C., only to have it earmarked for the pet projects of those in Congress, who may or may not send some of it back to us? Aren’t we capable at the local level of choosing more necessary and appropriate uses for our own money? Isn’t it obvious that the reason cities, counties and states increasingly depend on the federal government as this depression deepens is that we have given them so much of our money in the first place, expecting them to provide quality goods and services in exchange for our trust and support?
If we hired a contractor and gave him money to build us a wonderful house that would stand up to scrutiny, protect us from the elements, provide comfort, safety and warmth for our inhabitants and not fail to impress the neighborhood with its design, functionality and hospitality, we would then expect to pay top dollar. But in return, we would expect him to build us a house that was worthy of our high expectations. Fellow citizens, we have a right to expect a decent house in exchange for our investment. What we have instead, for comparison’s sake, is an unkempt and dysfunctional, unsightly shack, with a leaky roof, backed-up plumbing and a broken-down fence that is an eyesore and an offense to the neighborhood. Given the circumstances, what should we do with the contractor we hired with our money and with the house that he built for us?
We have delegated OUR AUTHORITY to the federal government and trusted that they are good stewards of our money and resources. Well guess what? Since we the people ARE the government, it’s time to remind the federal government that we the people no longer will place our trust and finances under their control, and in fact are considering dissolving our less-than-perfect (to put it mildly) federal union in favor of more responsive and functional government.
Now for some practical suggestions: Instead of bankrolling the federal bureaucracy, let’s keep our revenues in the states, counties and cities where they can do the most good for all of us. (By the way, do you have any idea how much money could be saved and used to run local, state and city governments if we didn’t have to finance the federal government with its duplication of services, inefficiency and overlapping of jurisdictions? Our projected federal budget is $3.7 trillion per year. (Wikipedia) Our projected total state budgets are $1.7 trillion per year. (Deltek Information Systems) If that money were appropriately kept in state, county and city treasuries, what could they accomplish in terms of building infrastructure, training and preparing their citizens, and responding to our current economic challenges? The $3.7 trillion could be wisely and fairly apportioned, ensuring that all of our state, county and city governments would be able to meet budgets and there would still be plenty of money left to provide for national defense, emergency management and a rainy day fund.
Since we the people already own the properties, resources and the truly vast real estate holdings that make up our federal government, we can decide how best to use, protect and preserve our property. We can greatly improve our international diplomacy, revenue-share our military, concentrate on our national guard, coast guard, and first-strike capabilities, improve our existing defenses, technology, testing, satellites, aircraft, improve our information gathering as much as possible, do it better than anyone else, and keep a close watch on the world around us and here at home, too. We can keep plenty of boots on the ground here at home and far fewer boots abroad. By building stronger relationships and using better diplomacy with our neighbors both in this hemisphere and throughout the world, we will have ready, willing and able allies when they are most needed.
Let’s concentrate on improving our own domestic infrastructures, better-educating our citizens and creating larger markets for our goods and services here at home and abroad. Instead of exporting our ideas to countries with cheap labor, let’s create, produce and service our own technologies right here at home. Let’s improve the lives of all of our citizens by providing jobs and increasing wages and opportunities.
Unemployment, poverty and crime go hand-in-hand. Why would any nation perpetuate these evils by failing to act? Why should we here in the U.S. allow this to continue? We’re an accident just waiting to happen, unless we make some serious progress in these areas soon! If you want your own family to fail, a sure way to make that happen is to stop taking care of it. Why would it be any different for cities, counties, states and nations? We need to do more than cater to the wealthy and special corporate interests. We need to stop ignoring the problems and do the tough things necessary to improve the lives of American citizens so that they can in turn help to improve this country.
It is far cheaper and easier to fix a situation before it becomes a problem than to wait for a catastrophe. The time to prepare for a hurricane is while it is still developing. Once it arrives, it’s too late! All that can be done then is to save those who are still living, to run, swim or drive away, if that is still possible, and deal with the cleanup when the hurricane is finally over. (If there is still any money left to do that.) Standing around wringing our hands and crying won’t prevent the hurricane from coming, and ignoring it and pretending that everything will be okay won’t work either. The time for action is now, while cooler heads can still prevail. Leadership must stop fiddling while Rome burns, instead of acting now to prevent a disaster.
If leadership cannot agree and make a plan that will move us forward, it is time for new leadership, and probably time for a sea change in the way that we organize our federal government. The federal government is the most dysfunctional government in our country. Our most functional government begins at the local county level, followed by states and then cities. The degree to which any level of government is dependent on another level of government for its support and function, to that same degree is its level of dysfunction shown. Counties, states and cities which cannot survive independently should take steps to disband their present form of government in favor of smaller, stronger and more functional government. (As we know from hard experience, larger does not always mean stronger and more functional!) And just as this principle applies to smaller governmental units, so it also applies to the larger and more federalized versions.
If any form of government proves either by its misdeeds or inaction that it cannot be functional and productive, then it does not deserve to be a government at all. Leadership must discuss their failings openly with the citizens they represent and reach an agreement to remain as the smaller, more independent and functional units that they already are, or join together with other more capable forms of government. Why should we be satisfied to allow failure and mediocrity in government to be perpetuated?
Our constitution begins with “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union”…. In saying these words, we are saying that our goal is perfection, and I have to tell you folks, we sure are a long way from there! Why should the form of, or for that matter, the fact that a federal government exists blind us to the necessity of change? If the federal government is incapable of functioning in its present form, and if reasonable change is either rejected or found to be inadequate to the challenges we are facing, then it is time to dissolve the federal government and function as independent states, counties and cities. It’s time to decide whether to fix the roof or replace it! Better to have functional government at some level than to have dysfunction and chaos at the national level.
The inevitable questions arise: How about our national security? Who will speak on our behalf to the world community? Remember that we are still the same people with our city, local and state governments still in place, and we are still capable of taking action. We are probably also better-able to work together as properly-functioning governmental units than as a dysfunctional whole. You can believe that I personally hope it doesn’t come to this, although some would say that it already has! I hope that our federal leadership can prove itself worthy of existence.
If the elected and appointed leaders in federal offices cannot meet the current challenges and respond appropriately and in a timely fashion, then it is time to defer their authority to those who have proven themselves capable of leadership. You can lead, follow, or just get out of the way, because you are only holding up traffic and several other things at this point! Since we the people ARE the government in this nation at the local city, county, state AND national levels, and since our elected and appointed officials are merely our representatives, LET’S LET THEM KNOW THAT THEIR DAYS AS OUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE COMING TO AN END. We are better off without a federal government than with this dysfunction. It’s embarrassing and an insult to this great nation!
If the federal government cannot speak with one voice, then it is up to the American people to do it for them. We know how to get it right, even if our national leaders do not! It is the people of the United States speaking with one voice that will be heard above the noise of failed national government. And that one voice is calling out loudly for a fully-functioning and vibrant government which is capable of accomplishing the peoples’ will.

Mark Overt Skilbred