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
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
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
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
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
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
Friday, September 10, 2010
AGREEING WITH GOD IN OUR THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS
AGREEING WITH GOD IN OUR THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS
Regardless of our political affiliations, nationalities, race, creed or color, one thing identifies us as humans beyond everything else. Regardless of public opinion or the results of recent elections, make certain that when your vote is counted, that you have voted on God’s side. If you aren’t sure how God would vote, then you need to familiarize yourself with the Bible as much as possible. Then ask yourself how God would feel about the issues and candidates being considered. Humanism can have a positive or negative connotation, depending on the circumstances involved. Choosing God’s way is always best for us, even when we cannot see the benefits. As the Divine Humanist, God created us in His Image, sustains us and will provide for our future joys more than any human method ever devised. Mankind’s best humanistic efforts always fall short of the Divine standard. Does this mean that we should abandon our efforts? Rather, we should adopt God’s standards of excellence, which alone will bring us into fellowship with Him. How is this possible? God’s Holy Spirit is given to us to bring about this transformation. Tell God today that you want to conform yourself to the image of His Son and ask Him to grant you fellowship into His kingdom. He will enable you to agree with Him in your thoughts and actions, and will one day usher you into His presence for evermore.
Mark Overt Skilbred
Regardless of our political affiliations, nationalities, race, creed or color, one thing identifies us as humans beyond everything else. Regardless of public opinion or the results of recent elections, make certain that when your vote is counted, that you have voted on God’s side. If you aren’t sure how God would vote, then you need to familiarize yourself with the Bible as much as possible. Then ask yourself how God would feel about the issues and candidates being considered. Humanism can have a positive or negative connotation, depending on the circumstances involved. Choosing God’s way is always best for us, even when we cannot see the benefits. As the Divine Humanist, God created us in His Image, sustains us and will provide for our future joys more than any human method ever devised. Mankind’s best humanistic efforts always fall short of the Divine standard. Does this mean that we should abandon our efforts? Rather, we should adopt God’s standards of excellence, which alone will bring us into fellowship with Him. How is this possible? God’s Holy Spirit is given to us to bring about this transformation. Tell God today that you want to conform yourself to the image of His Son and ask Him to grant you fellowship into His kingdom. He will enable you to agree with Him in your thoughts and actions, and will one day usher you into His presence for evermore.
Mark Overt Skilbred
Monday, July 26, 2010
THE CLEANSING DIET
THE CLEANSING DIET
It has been nearly four months since I began a serious attempt to reduce my weight and improve my overall diet. Although I have been walking for 2-3 hours, five-days-a-week on a regular basis and have been on the low end of beef and general meat-consumption, I had trouble losing weight and I struggled with my overall wellness. I began at 220 lbs and lost weight rapidly, utilizing the Atkins reduced-carb approach. I successfully reduced to 186 lbs using a combination of Atkins and through gradually increasing my walking from 2 to 4 hours, 5 days-per-week, but was dissatisfied with the amount of meat, cheese, eggs and salt that is typically eaten on this diet. Seeking guidance, I have read more than 20 diet and health books since beginning this regimen, and most of them recommend a more-or-less vegetarian approach.
Natural Hygiene is explained in one of these books as another way to cleanse and reduce weight, so I began this cleansing diet after remaining on Atkins for 40 days. Basically, the Natural Hygiene diet is a method in which nothing but fruit is eaten upon arising and after that, eaten freely until lunchtime. Then after an hour or so, in the afternoon, you discontinue eating fruit and begin eating fresh salads, garnished with unprocessed, unroasted, unsalted, fresh seeds and nuts and olive oil, and you continue eating these small fresh salads freely until 8pm. Other vegetables are also permitted, but they should be eaten as fresh as possible, including fresh sprouts and other uncooked varieties, being careful to avoid adding salt and harmful commercial supplements. Because I began on the Atkins Diet, I had already eliminated bread from my diet, but I have now slowly begun to add in unprocessed whole wheat and sesame flatbread as well. I have found that I am not nearly as thirsty as I was on the Atkins diet, and that I have more energy.
Natural Hygiene is a vegetarian diet which had its origins in Europe several centuries ago and began to be spoken of and written about in this country beginning in about 1830. This diet plan has many adherents in this country, including physicians, health practitioners and educators. I am particularly interested in the cleansing aspect of this diet, as well as the improved energy which it provides. By eating fresh, living, vegetarian foods, which have about 70% water content, your body is able to cleanse itself beginning with the digestive tract and proceeding through your system at the cellular level and continuing to cleanse the liver, kidneys, intestines and colon. The more closely you adhere to this diet program and avoid meat, eggs, dairy and salt, the more quickly you will see beneficial results. After beginning this diet, I continued to lose about 3 lbs per week for 3 weeks to 177 lbs, and then I slowly regained to 186 lbs, where my weight has stabilized for the past 3 weeks. I plan to write more about this program later, when I have more information to share with you, but so far I am pleased with what the Natural Hygiene diet has done for me. If you are feeling run-down, have elimination problems, are seeking to lose weight, or are otherwise confronting other wellness issues, I recommend that you try the Natural Hygiene dietary approach.
Mark Overt Skilbred
It has been nearly four months since I began a serious attempt to reduce my weight and improve my overall diet. Although I have been walking for 2-3 hours, five-days-a-week on a regular basis and have been on the low end of beef and general meat-consumption, I had trouble losing weight and I struggled with my overall wellness. I began at 220 lbs and lost weight rapidly, utilizing the Atkins reduced-carb approach. I successfully reduced to 186 lbs using a combination of Atkins and through gradually increasing my walking from 2 to 4 hours, 5 days-per-week, but was dissatisfied with the amount of meat, cheese, eggs and salt that is typically eaten on this diet. Seeking guidance, I have read more than 20 diet and health books since beginning this regimen, and most of them recommend a more-or-less vegetarian approach.
Natural Hygiene is explained in one of these books as another way to cleanse and reduce weight, so I began this cleansing diet after remaining on Atkins for 40 days. Basically, the Natural Hygiene diet is a method in which nothing but fruit is eaten upon arising and after that, eaten freely until lunchtime. Then after an hour or so, in the afternoon, you discontinue eating fruit and begin eating fresh salads, garnished with unprocessed, unroasted, unsalted, fresh seeds and nuts and olive oil, and you continue eating these small fresh salads freely until 8pm. Other vegetables are also permitted, but they should be eaten as fresh as possible, including fresh sprouts and other uncooked varieties, being careful to avoid adding salt and harmful commercial supplements. Because I began on the Atkins Diet, I had already eliminated bread from my diet, but I have now slowly begun to add in unprocessed whole wheat and sesame flatbread as well. I have found that I am not nearly as thirsty as I was on the Atkins diet, and that I have more energy.
Natural Hygiene is a vegetarian diet which had its origins in Europe several centuries ago and began to be spoken of and written about in this country beginning in about 1830. This diet plan has many adherents in this country, including physicians, health practitioners and educators. I am particularly interested in the cleansing aspect of this diet, as well as the improved energy which it provides. By eating fresh, living, vegetarian foods, which have about 70% water content, your body is able to cleanse itself beginning with the digestive tract and proceeding through your system at the cellular level and continuing to cleanse the liver, kidneys, intestines and colon. The more closely you adhere to this diet program and avoid meat, eggs, dairy and salt, the more quickly you will see beneficial results. After beginning this diet, I continued to lose about 3 lbs per week for 3 weeks to 177 lbs, and then I slowly regained to 186 lbs, where my weight has stabilized for the past 3 weeks. I plan to write more about this program later, when I have more information to share with you, but so far I am pleased with what the Natural Hygiene diet has done for me. If you are feeling run-down, have elimination problems, are seeking to lose weight, or are otherwise confronting other wellness issues, I recommend that you try the Natural Hygiene dietary approach.
Mark Overt Skilbred
Sunday, July 11, 2010
SOLUTIONS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT
SOLUTIONS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT
A well-known politico commented recently that she did not know any economists who are against continuing extension of benefits to the unemployed. This is because there is historical evidence of the efficiency of this particular form of economic stimulation, which pumps money into the system quickly and avoids the greater harms caused by allowing the unemployed to slip closer to the edge of economic and health disasters such as bankruptcy, malnutrition and exposure. There has been some question about the logic of the Senate’s rejection of the most recent unemployment benefits extensions. Perhaps they are concerned that any efforts to relieve the suffering of the unemployed will be viewed by some as an unnecessary increase in the national debt. It is more likely that Republican senators are more concerned about reelection than about anything else. Still other economic voices argue that without this crucial economic stimulus, we will enter a secondary phase of recession which diminishes our recovery efforts and further prolongs the misery and frustration of those who are most in need.
In an effort to stimulate job creation, banks have been given access to $15 billion in funds to make cheaper loans to small businesses who will agree to the creation of more jobs in exchange for lower interest rate loans. This is a step in the right direction, but will take longer because of the reluctance of small businesses to incur debt in such an uncertain business climate. Another approach which could be tried is to reduce payrolls nationally by 10%, and use that same 10% savings to hire the unemployed, which now represent about 10% of the nation. Employees who complain about the reduction of their income to 90% could be encouraged to show the same compassion for their unemployed neighbors as they would like to be shown to them under the same circumstances. If this logic fails to convince them, perhaps offering them an opportunity to exchange places with their less-fortunate neighbors would be more appropriate.
Whatever solutions ultimately prevail, this continues to be a learning experience more keenly felt by those recipients who have had the least to gain and the most to lose, through no fault of their own, since the Great Depression. Rather than bemoaning our sad fate as a nation, why not find a practical way to move forward and turn our dilemma into a fair solution which works now and sets a good historical example for generations to come?
Mark Overt Skilbred
A well-known politico commented recently that she did not know any economists who are against continuing extension of benefits to the unemployed. This is because there is historical evidence of the efficiency of this particular form of economic stimulation, which pumps money into the system quickly and avoids the greater harms caused by allowing the unemployed to slip closer to the edge of economic and health disasters such as bankruptcy, malnutrition and exposure. There has been some question about the logic of the Senate’s rejection of the most recent unemployment benefits extensions. Perhaps they are concerned that any efforts to relieve the suffering of the unemployed will be viewed by some as an unnecessary increase in the national debt. It is more likely that Republican senators are more concerned about reelection than about anything else. Still other economic voices argue that without this crucial economic stimulus, we will enter a secondary phase of recession which diminishes our recovery efforts and further prolongs the misery and frustration of those who are most in need.
In an effort to stimulate job creation, banks have been given access to $15 billion in funds to make cheaper loans to small businesses who will agree to the creation of more jobs in exchange for lower interest rate loans. This is a step in the right direction, but will take longer because of the reluctance of small businesses to incur debt in such an uncertain business climate. Another approach which could be tried is to reduce payrolls nationally by 10%, and use that same 10% savings to hire the unemployed, which now represent about 10% of the nation. Employees who complain about the reduction of their income to 90% could be encouraged to show the same compassion for their unemployed neighbors as they would like to be shown to them under the same circumstances. If this logic fails to convince them, perhaps offering them an opportunity to exchange places with their less-fortunate neighbors would be more appropriate.
Whatever solutions ultimately prevail, this continues to be a learning experience more keenly felt by those recipients who have had the least to gain and the most to lose, through no fault of their own, since the Great Depression. Rather than bemoaning our sad fate as a nation, why not find a practical way to move forward and turn our dilemma into a fair solution which works now and sets a good historical example for generations to come?
Mark Overt Skilbred
Friday, June 18, 2010
NBA STANDINGS FOR JUNE 17, 2010
NBA STANDINGS FOR JUNE 17, 2010
Well done, Lakers! Well done, Phil! Congratulations to Lakers fans everywhere on your 16th NBA Championship! As you enjoy your celebration and a much-deserved rest, take time to count your blessings and give yourselves a chance to heal from all of your many injuries. We look forward to another championship in 2011, and the only way that can happen is by having plenty of recovery time. Thanks for a great season, and we’ll see you again in the fall!
Mark Overt Skilbred
Well done, Lakers! Well done, Phil! Congratulations to Lakers fans everywhere on your 16th NBA Championship! As you enjoy your celebration and a much-deserved rest, take time to count your blessings and give yourselves a chance to heal from all of your many injuries. We look forward to another championship in 2011, and the only way that can happen is by having plenty of recovery time. Thanks for a great season, and we’ll see you again in the fall!
Mark Overt Skilbred
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
NBA STANDINGS FOR JUNE 8, 2010
NBA STANDINGS FOR JUNE 8, 2010
As we look forward to game 3 of the finals in Boston, it is safe to say that all of those doom-and-gloom predictions about the Lakers were undeserved. I’ve been a Lakers fan for 33 years and I haven’t seen the Lakers play better basketball than game 1 against the Celtics. All of you played like a team, with the hearts of true champions, and I am confident that you have what it takes to bring home Championship #16. So here is wishing you all a great and successful road trip in Boston, and we look forward to the Lakers closing out the Celtics here at home when you return!
Mark Overt Skilbred
As we look forward to game 3 of the finals in Boston, it is safe to say that all of those doom-and-gloom predictions about the Lakers were undeserved. I’ve been a Lakers fan for 33 years and I haven’t seen the Lakers play better basketball than game 1 against the Celtics. All of you played like a team, with the hearts of true champions, and I am confident that you have what it takes to bring home Championship #16. So here is wishing you all a great and successful road trip in Boston, and we look forward to the Lakers closing out the Celtics here at home when you return!
Mark Overt Skilbred
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
NBA STANDINGS FOR MAY 10, 2010
NBA STANDINGS FOR MAY 10, 2010
WESTERN DIVISION
Round 2
Lakers swept the Jazz in 4 straight.
Suns swept the Spurs in 4 straight.
EASTERN DIVISION
Round 2
Magic swept the Hawks in 4 straight.
Celtics and Cavaliers all tied at 2-2.
As the divisional playoffs move toward their final round, things are all tied up between Boston and Cleveland as game 5 opens in Cleveland tomorrow night. Some are already saying that we may see a repeat of last season in several ways. In the meantime, the Lakers, Suns and Magic are enjoying a welcome break before round 3 begins. It is looking as though all that worrying about the Lakers was not really necessary after all, and that all will finally be well again in our Lakers universe. Here is wishing all of you players, coaches and fans the best of everything as we wrap up another season! Be safe in the games that still remain and have a great summer!
Mark Overt Skilbred
WESTERN DIVISION
Round 2
Lakers swept the Jazz in 4 straight.
Suns swept the Spurs in 4 straight.
EASTERN DIVISION
Round 2
Magic swept the Hawks in 4 straight.
Celtics and Cavaliers all tied at 2-2.
As the divisional playoffs move toward their final round, things are all tied up between Boston and Cleveland as game 5 opens in Cleveland tomorrow night. Some are already saying that we may see a repeat of last season in several ways. In the meantime, the Lakers, Suns and Magic are enjoying a welcome break before round 3 begins. It is looking as though all that worrying about the Lakers was not really necessary after all, and that all will finally be well again in our Lakers universe. Here is wishing all of you players, coaches and fans the best of everything as we wrap up another season! Be safe in the games that still remain and have a great summer!
Mark Overt Skilbred
Thursday, May 6, 2010
THIS POOR MAN CALLED
THIS POOR MAN CALLED
Have you noticed how the Psalms are great summary statements for the issues of the heart? They express our inmost thoughts, teach us thankfulness and praise and they contain some of the most wonderful promises anywhere in the Bible. Some of our best moments are spent absorbing God’s Word as expressed in the Psalms. Read some of them every day!
PSALM 34
I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Come, my children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry; the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems His servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him. NIV
Mark Overt Skilbred
Have you noticed how the Psalms are great summary statements for the issues of the heart? They express our inmost thoughts, teach us thankfulness and praise and they contain some of the most wonderful promises anywhere in the Bible. Some of our best moments are spent absorbing God’s Word as expressed in the Psalms. Read some of them every day!
PSALM 34
I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Come, my children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry; the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems His servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him. NIV
Mark Overt Skilbred
Friday, April 30, 2010
DIETING FOR HEALTH--Where Is All Of This Leading Me? Many Questions Remain...
DIETING FOR HEALTH—Where Is All Of This Leading Me? Many Questions Remain
Now that I have initiated lipolysis using the Atkins approach to reduce my carb intake below 20 carbs per day, in fact just slightly above 8 carbs per day as a 21-day average, I ask myself whether to continue on this low-carb flush-and-purge juice fast until I am at my target weight of 180, or should I continue well past that first goal to match my marriage weight of 160, or still further to 155, to match my high school athletic weight, or even further on a cleansing fast to surpass by one pound my previous adult low of 139? And what is accomplished by each of these objectives? At 180, I equal the weight I most recently reached in 1993, but only maintained briefly. Although the charts say that with my 6’3” height and medium frame, my ideal weight is 180, I tend to dispute that figure because I still had a slight potbelly at that weight that couldn’t be accounted for by lack-of-tone alone. At 160 I would at least equal my marriage weight at age 35 and be able to wear my wedding suit for the first time in 25 years. To attempt to complete my cleansing by finishing at 138 seems a bit ambitious for a 59-year-old, given that I completed that fruit fast when I was 33. There have been greater accomplishments than these, I am sure, but right now nothing comes to mind. I have begun to settle into a workout routine that incorporates walking and jogging into the same workout, with jogging gradually replacing walking by Christmas Eve, one-minute-at-a-time. If I am able to accomplish that, it will be my first time to consistently run since I was 31. Once the goal of jogging for 3 hours is accomplished, I will set my sights on improving my pace from a slow jog to a medium and then a fast jog. If all goes as planned, I hope to run for 3 hours per day, five days a week. Today I jogged for the second time in 28 years and was surprised how out-of-shape I felt to be running. Even after walking 2-3 hours 5 days per week for the past 27 months, I was still not prepared for the extra effort involved in jogging. I was feeling pretty down about it until I remembered that I was attempting the equivalent of jogging 2 city blocks while carrying a heavy suitcase. I am still over 200 lbs and attempting to regain my former training weight of 155 pounds. In high school I ran the 100 yard dash in 11.6, not fast enough for a medal. In the 220 yd dash, I ran a 25.1 in the relays and won a couple of medals. In the quarter-mile I did a little better, running the first lap of the mile in 56 seconds. I did still better in the half-mile, running a 2:06 when I was 25. I haven’t dared to dream of regaining those accomplishments, but it would be fun to try and see what I can do with a little determination, effort, and a closely and carefully-constructed incremental workout plan. My wife just bought me a membership at LA Fitness, which will encourage me to limber up, improve my overall posture and weight training, and offer me welcome relief from the hot sun of midsummer and some of the cooler and wetter days of winter. I cannot emphasize enough how important it will be to maintain a constant vigilance on my weight and fitness regimen, if I am to accomplish this ambitious plan by Christmas. I encourage myself by realizing how far I have come so far in toning and improving my overall conditioning. It does take a long time, just as it took a long time of inactivity and poorly-regulated diet to reach the bottom. Now, a slow, steady and sustained effort is needed to counteract the negative results of poor health choices. Once begun, however, every day becomes another day of improvement that brings me closer to vibrant health. Every improvement builds on the next one and is vital to the entire program. This mountain can definitely be moved, even if it has to be one spoonful at–a-time. The hardest thing of all is still the daily choice to keep moving forward or to allow myself to do nothing at all but maintain the status quo, which is the same thing as moving slowly backwards.
Mark Overt Skilbred
Now that I have initiated lipolysis using the Atkins approach to reduce my carb intake below 20 carbs per day, in fact just slightly above 8 carbs per day as a 21-day average, I ask myself whether to continue on this low-carb flush-and-purge juice fast until I am at my target weight of 180, or should I continue well past that first goal to match my marriage weight of 160, or still further to 155, to match my high school athletic weight, or even further on a cleansing fast to surpass by one pound my previous adult low of 139? And what is accomplished by each of these objectives? At 180, I equal the weight I most recently reached in 1993, but only maintained briefly. Although the charts say that with my 6’3” height and medium frame, my ideal weight is 180, I tend to dispute that figure because I still had a slight potbelly at that weight that couldn’t be accounted for by lack-of-tone alone. At 160 I would at least equal my marriage weight at age 35 and be able to wear my wedding suit for the first time in 25 years. To attempt to complete my cleansing by finishing at 138 seems a bit ambitious for a 59-year-old, given that I completed that fruit fast when I was 33. There have been greater accomplishments than these, I am sure, but right now nothing comes to mind. I have begun to settle into a workout routine that incorporates walking and jogging into the same workout, with jogging gradually replacing walking by Christmas Eve, one-minute-at-a-time. If I am able to accomplish that, it will be my first time to consistently run since I was 31. Once the goal of jogging for 3 hours is accomplished, I will set my sights on improving my pace from a slow jog to a medium and then a fast jog. If all goes as planned, I hope to run for 3 hours per day, five days a week. Today I jogged for the second time in 28 years and was surprised how out-of-shape I felt to be running. Even after walking 2-3 hours 5 days per week for the past 27 months, I was still not prepared for the extra effort involved in jogging. I was feeling pretty down about it until I remembered that I was attempting the equivalent of jogging 2 city blocks while carrying a heavy suitcase. I am still over 200 lbs and attempting to regain my former training weight of 155 pounds. In high school I ran the 100 yard dash in 11.6, not fast enough for a medal. In the 220 yd dash, I ran a 25.1 in the relays and won a couple of medals. In the quarter-mile I did a little better, running the first lap of the mile in 56 seconds. I did still better in the half-mile, running a 2:06 when I was 25. I haven’t dared to dream of regaining those accomplishments, but it would be fun to try and see what I can do with a little determination, effort, and a closely and carefully-constructed incremental workout plan. My wife just bought me a membership at LA Fitness, which will encourage me to limber up, improve my overall posture and weight training, and offer me welcome relief from the hot sun of midsummer and some of the cooler and wetter days of winter. I cannot emphasize enough how important it will be to maintain a constant vigilance on my weight and fitness regimen, if I am to accomplish this ambitious plan by Christmas. I encourage myself by realizing how far I have come so far in toning and improving my overall conditioning. It does take a long time, just as it took a long time of inactivity and poorly-regulated diet to reach the bottom. Now, a slow, steady and sustained effort is needed to counteract the negative results of poor health choices. Once begun, however, every day becomes another day of improvement that brings me closer to vibrant health. Every improvement builds on the next one and is vital to the entire program. This mountain can definitely be moved, even if it has to be one spoonful at–a-time. The hardest thing of all is still the daily choice to keep moving forward or to allow myself to do nothing at all but maintain the status quo, which is the same thing as moving slowly backwards.
Mark Overt Skilbred
WHEN POISON TASTES GOOD--The Shortcomings Of Food Businesses
WHEN POISON TASTES GOOD—The Shortcomings Of Food Businesses
The reasons that food businesses have kept themselves aloof from the verbal challenges that call for a change from a high carb-and-salt dietary nightmare to more healthy and wholesome natural juices, snacks and meals is that they are more concerned with flavor, packaging and marketing than about consumer health. As most of us have probably noticed, the food industry uses a lot of advertising and taste-testing to be sure to produce the most delicious and in-demand food. Food companies are more concerned about surviving the current recession than they are about offering us the most healthy snacks and foods that are available. Fish in its basic form has no carbs, but when breaded in a tasty batter can increase to over 20 carbs per fish fillet. Similarly, chicken in its basic form is carbless, but when glazed, breaded and cooked with high carb ingredients, can soar to as many as 60 carbs per portion. All of these unnecessary and harmful ingredients are contributing mightily to our national obesity epidemic. Food makers respond that they are only satisfying consumer demands for more delicious and satisfying meals, but the truth is that manufacturers have created demand through clever ads that appeal to taste buds instead of to our nutritional needs. This is not surprising when you consider that food companies’ primary motivation is their bottom-line profit margin. I am convinced that without firm limits set on carbs and salt, that companies will continue to create demand for even more unhealthy food than they currently create, hiding behind the excuse that they are only supplying the public’s demand for tasty food. If poison could be made delicious, would food manufacturers sell it to the public? I am afraid that all-too-often the answer is yes, so long as it increases corporate profits for the stockholders. Where this all leads ultimately is that manufacturers cannot be trusted to supply us with the basic foods that our bodies need to properly function. They have become so out-of-control regarding their manipulation of the facts regarding basic food, that their marketing techniques have created demand for food which is unfit for human consumption, despite its flavor, and is creating a huge national healthcare crisis due to their unwillingness to police their own nutritional policies. Rather than competing with other companies to produce the healthiest food possible, nearly 100% of their efforts are devoted to advertising, packaging, deceptive ads, flavorings, etc. Without government directives and supervision to reign-in these tactics, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other health emergencies will only continue to worsen. When companies fail to police themselves and when government fails to respond to the obvious need for supervision, the responsibility falls on healthcare providers and the public to sound the alarm. Some organized boycotting might be the best way to move forward, but unless we agree on our tactics, nothing will happen and we will continue our downward trend towards an even greater healthcare crisis. This is all-out war and the stakes have never been greater. To do nothing is not an option if we are to rescue ourselves from future misery. The effects of this national decline in nutrition will have far-reaching implications for future generations who are depending on us to restore sanity to the market place. We cannot allow Wall Street to dictate healthcare policies, nor can we depend on a lobbyist-controlled congress to look out for the health of the average citizen. What is needed is for major healthcare organizations, agencies and providers to educate the public about the dangers of high-carb, high-sodium diets. The next step is to boycott those food manufacturers who refuse to police themselves until they produce and market healthful products to the public.
Mark Overt Skilbred
The reasons that food businesses have kept themselves aloof from the verbal challenges that call for a change from a high carb-and-salt dietary nightmare to more healthy and wholesome natural juices, snacks and meals is that they are more concerned with flavor, packaging and marketing than about consumer health. As most of us have probably noticed, the food industry uses a lot of advertising and taste-testing to be sure to produce the most delicious and in-demand food. Food companies are more concerned about surviving the current recession than they are about offering us the most healthy snacks and foods that are available. Fish in its basic form has no carbs, but when breaded in a tasty batter can increase to over 20 carbs per fish fillet. Similarly, chicken in its basic form is carbless, but when glazed, breaded and cooked with high carb ingredients, can soar to as many as 60 carbs per portion. All of these unnecessary and harmful ingredients are contributing mightily to our national obesity epidemic. Food makers respond that they are only satisfying consumer demands for more delicious and satisfying meals, but the truth is that manufacturers have created demand through clever ads that appeal to taste buds instead of to our nutritional needs. This is not surprising when you consider that food companies’ primary motivation is their bottom-line profit margin. I am convinced that without firm limits set on carbs and salt, that companies will continue to create demand for even more unhealthy food than they currently create, hiding behind the excuse that they are only supplying the public’s demand for tasty food. If poison could be made delicious, would food manufacturers sell it to the public? I am afraid that all-too-often the answer is yes, so long as it increases corporate profits for the stockholders. Where this all leads ultimately is that manufacturers cannot be trusted to supply us with the basic foods that our bodies need to properly function. They have become so out-of-control regarding their manipulation of the facts regarding basic food, that their marketing techniques have created demand for food which is unfit for human consumption, despite its flavor, and is creating a huge national healthcare crisis due to their unwillingness to police their own nutritional policies. Rather than competing with other companies to produce the healthiest food possible, nearly 100% of their efforts are devoted to advertising, packaging, deceptive ads, flavorings, etc. Without government directives and supervision to reign-in these tactics, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other health emergencies will only continue to worsen. When companies fail to police themselves and when government fails to respond to the obvious need for supervision, the responsibility falls on healthcare providers and the public to sound the alarm. Some organized boycotting might be the best way to move forward, but unless we agree on our tactics, nothing will happen and we will continue our downward trend towards an even greater healthcare crisis. This is all-out war and the stakes have never been greater. To do nothing is not an option if we are to rescue ourselves from future misery. The effects of this national decline in nutrition will have far-reaching implications for future generations who are depending on us to restore sanity to the market place. We cannot allow Wall Street to dictate healthcare policies, nor can we depend on a lobbyist-controlled congress to look out for the health of the average citizen. What is needed is for major healthcare organizations, agencies and providers to educate the public about the dangers of high-carb, high-sodium diets. The next step is to boycott those food manufacturers who refuse to police themselves until they produce and market healthful products to the public.
Mark Overt Skilbred
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
SAN ANTONIO HEIGHTS--DOWN THE MIDDLE CLOCKWISE (2 Hour Walk)
SAN ANTONIO HEIGHTS—DOWN THE MIDDLE CLOCKWISE (2 Hour Walk)
Beginning from Mountain View Park in Upland, California, go E on Mildura Ave and TL on Mountain Ave. Go N on Mountain to the N side of San Antonio Park, where Mountain Ave bends to the R and Mtn Lane continues N. Follow Mountain Ave as it bends E and TL on Mesa Ter. TR and go E on 25th St, crossing Mountain Ave, Euclid Ave, and continuing to Vista Dr. You will continue straight E on 25th St, following the small path on the RS of the cul-de-sac straight ahead. Continue going E on 25th, crossing Cliff Rd and continue E on 25th to the end of the cul-de-sac. Pass through the entrance to Cucamonga Creek Trail and then TR and follow the trail down to the 24th St pass-through. TR and go W on 24th, crossing Campus and Euclid and TL on San Antonio Ave. Go S on San Antonio to 23rd St and TR. Go W on 23rd, cross Mountain and continue W on Mildura Ave to Mountain View Park.
Mark Overt Skilbred
Beginning from Mountain View Park in Upland, California, go E on Mildura Ave and TL on Mountain Ave. Go N on Mountain to the N side of San Antonio Park, where Mountain Ave bends to the R and Mtn Lane continues N. Follow Mountain Ave as it bends E and TL on Mesa Ter. TR and go E on 25th St, crossing Mountain Ave, Euclid Ave, and continuing to Vista Dr. You will continue straight E on 25th St, following the small path on the RS of the cul-de-sac straight ahead. Continue going E on 25th, crossing Cliff Rd and continue E on 25th to the end of the cul-de-sac. Pass through the entrance to Cucamonga Creek Trail and then TR and follow the trail down to the 24th St pass-through. TR and go W on 24th, crossing Campus and Euclid and TL on San Antonio Ave. Go S on San Antonio to 23rd St and TR. Go W on 23rd, cross Mountain and continue W on Mildura Ave to Mountain View Park.
Mark Overt Skilbred
NBA STANDINGS FOR APRIL 4, 2010
NBA STANDINGS FOR APRIL 4, 2010
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. Lakers .714
2. Dallas .649
3. Denver .649
4. Phoenix .649
5. Utah .649
6. Oklahoma City .632
7. San Antonio .618
8. Portland .610
9. Memphis .513
10. Houston .500
11. New Orleans .449
12. Clippers .351
13. Sacramento .312
14. Golden State .303
15. Minnesota .195
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. Cleveland .779
2. Orlando .701
3. Atlanta .645
4. Boston .632
5. Miami .558
6. Milwaukee .553
7. Charlotte .526
8. Toronto .500
9. Chicago .487
10. Indiana .377
11. New York .355
12. Philadelphia .342
13. Detroit .303
14. Washington .303
15. New Jersey .143
COMBINED STANDINGS
1. Cleveland .779
2. Lakers .714
3. Orlando .701
4. Dallas .649
5. Denver .649
6. Phoenix .649
7. Utah .649
8. Atlanta .645
9. Boston .632
10. Oklahoma City .632
11. San Antonio .618
12. Portland .610
13. Miami .558
14. Milwaukee .553
15. Charlotte .526
16. Memphis .513
17. Houston .500
18. Toronto .500
19. Chicago .487
20. New Orleans .449
21. Indiana .377
22. New York .355
23. Clippers .351
24. Philadelphia .342
25. Sacramento .312
26. Detroit .303
27. Golden State .303
28. Washington .303
29. Minnesota .195
30. New Jersey .143
As we move into April, the Western Conference has sorted themselves out with 8 teams already clinching playoff positions. The Eastern Conference is still up for grabs with only 4 teams clinching. Dallas, Denver, Phoenix and Utah are tied for second in the West and tied for 4th place in the overall NBA Standings, with Atlanta, Boston and Oklahoma City right at their heels, so it should be an interesting playoff. The Lakers are still on top of the West, and look to remain there, despite sporadic springtime play. Orlando is right at their heels, with Cleveland comfortably in the top spot in the overall standings. It’s anyone’s guess what will develop once the playoffs start, with so many able teams ready to make a run for the division championships. I always look first at overall bench strength to predict the winning team. Teams that have overlooked bench development in favor of win/loss standings during the season are now facing severe shortcomings with starter injuries and bench inexperience. With conventional wisdom still awarding the starting positions with
more than double the minutes given to the bench, the NBA as a whole still has not fully embraced the team concept of basketball, to their own detriment.
Mark Overt Skilbred
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. Lakers .714
2. Dallas .649
3. Denver .649
4. Phoenix .649
5. Utah .649
6. Oklahoma City .632
7. San Antonio .618
8. Portland .610
9. Memphis .513
10. Houston .500
11. New Orleans .449
12. Clippers .351
13. Sacramento .312
14. Golden State .303
15. Minnesota .195
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. Cleveland .779
2. Orlando .701
3. Atlanta .645
4. Boston .632
5. Miami .558
6. Milwaukee .553
7. Charlotte .526
8. Toronto .500
9. Chicago .487
10. Indiana .377
11. New York .355
12. Philadelphia .342
13. Detroit .303
14. Washington .303
15. New Jersey .143
COMBINED STANDINGS
1. Cleveland .779
2. Lakers .714
3. Orlando .701
4. Dallas .649
5. Denver .649
6. Phoenix .649
7. Utah .649
8. Atlanta .645
9. Boston .632
10. Oklahoma City .632
11. San Antonio .618
12. Portland .610
13. Miami .558
14. Milwaukee .553
15. Charlotte .526
16. Memphis .513
17. Houston .500
18. Toronto .500
19. Chicago .487
20. New Orleans .449
21. Indiana .377
22. New York .355
23. Clippers .351
24. Philadelphia .342
25. Sacramento .312
26. Detroit .303
27. Golden State .303
28. Washington .303
29. Minnesota .195
30. New Jersey .143
As we move into April, the Western Conference has sorted themselves out with 8 teams already clinching playoff positions. The Eastern Conference is still up for grabs with only 4 teams clinching. Dallas, Denver, Phoenix and Utah are tied for second in the West and tied for 4th place in the overall NBA Standings, with Atlanta, Boston and Oklahoma City right at their heels, so it should be an interesting playoff. The Lakers are still on top of the West, and look to remain there, despite sporadic springtime play. Orlando is right at their heels, with Cleveland comfortably in the top spot in the overall standings. It’s anyone’s guess what will develop once the playoffs start, with so many able teams ready to make a run for the division championships. I always look first at overall bench strength to predict the winning team. Teams that have overlooked bench development in favor of win/loss standings during the season are now facing severe shortcomings with starter injuries and bench inexperience. With conventional wisdom still awarding the starting positions with
more than double the minutes given to the bench, the NBA as a whole still has not fully embraced the team concept of basketball, to their own detriment.
Mark Overt Skilbred
Saturday, March 6, 2010
2010 WINTER OLYMPICS--WHO OWNS THE PODIUM?
2010 WINTER OLYMPICS—WHO OWNS THE PODIUM?
First of all, congratulations to Canada on hosting a wonderful Winter Olympics! I grew up just across the border and have been across Canada several times. You have the friendliest people, wonderfully-maintained cities and you have a lot to be proud of in your beautiful country. It is a pleasure to have you as neighbors! You also have set a new Winter Olympics record for gold medals--so you own the podium, after all!
Country G S B T Population (2000) % of Combined Pop.
1. USA 9 15 13 37 281,421,906 12.096%
2. Germany 10 13 7 30 82,351,000 3.528%
3. Canada 14 7 5 26 31,902,000 1.356%
4. Norway 9 8 6 23 4,525,000 .177%
5. Austria 4 6 6 16 8,170,000 .334%
6. Russia 3 5 7 15 144,979,000 6.223%
7. South Korea 6 6 2 14 47,963,000 2.048%
8. China 5 2 4 11 1,279,161,000 55.038%
9. Sweden 5 2 4 11 8,877,000 .365%
10. France 2 3 6 11 59,925,000 2.563%
11. Switzerland 6 0 3 9 7,302,000 .297%
12. Netherlands 4 1 3 8 16,068,000 .674%
13. Czech Republic 2 0 4 6 10,257,000 .424%
14. Poland 1 3 2 6 38,625,000 1.646%
15. Italy 1 1 3 5 57,927,000 2.477%
16. Japan 0 3 2 5 127,066,000 5.452%
17. Finland 0 1 4 5 5,184,000 .206%
18. Australia 2 1 0 3 19,547,000 .824%
19. Belarus 1 1 1 3 10,335,000 .427%
20. Slovakia 1 1 1 3 5,422,000 .216%
21. Croatia 0 2 1 3 4,391,000 .171%
22. Slovenia 0 2 1 3 1,933,000 .066%
23. Latvia 0 2 0 2 2,367,000 .084%
24. Great Britain 1 0 0 1 59,912,000 2.562%
25. Estonia 0 1 0 1 1,416,000 .043%
26. Kazakhstan 0 1 0 1 16,742,000 .703%
Combined Totals 86 87 85 258 2,323,444,241 100.000%
There have been 21 Winter Olympics since they first began in 1924. Germany has won the overall medal count 9 times, Norway has won the overall medal count 7 times, Russia has won 3 times, the USA has won twice, and Sweden and Switzerland tied with Norway in 1948.
WINTER OLYMPICS THROUGH THE YEARS
YEAR WINNER MEDALS GOLD MOST GOLDS EVENTS
1924 Norway 11 4 Norway—4 17
4 Finland—4
1928 Norway 15 6 Norway—6 14
1932 USA 12 6 USA—6 14
1936 Norway 15 7 Norway—7 17
1948 Norway 10 4 Norway—4 22
Sweden 10 4 Sweden—4
Switzerland 10 3
1952 Norway 16 7 Norway—7 22
1956 Russia 16 7 Russia—7 25
1960 Russia 21 7 Russia—7 28
1964 Russia 25 11 Russia—11 34
1968 Norway 14 6 Norway—6 35
1972 Germany 19 7 Russia—8 36
1976 Germany 29 9 Russia—13 37
1980 Germany 28 9 Russia—10 38
1984 Germany 28 11 Germany—11 39
1988 Germany 33 11 Germany—11 46
Russia—11
1992 Germany 26 10 Germany—10 57
1994 Norway 26 10 Russia—11 61
1998 Germany 29 12 Germany—12 69
2002 Germany 36 12 Norway—13 80
2006 Germany 29 11 Germany—11 84
2010 USA 37 9 Canada—14 86
Although there have only been 6 countries that have won the overall medal count in the 21 Winter Olympics, there have been 39 countries plus a unified team which have won a total of 2570 medals since the first Winter Olympics began in 1924. The 6 winning countries have won more than 56% of all Winter Olympic medals, the top 10 countries have won over 80% of the medals, the top 14 countries have won over 90% of the medals, the top 18 countries have won over 95% of the medals, and the top 20 countries have won over 97% of the medals.
WINTER OLYMPIC OVERALL MEDAL COUNT SINCE THE BEGINNING
COUNTRY MEDALS PERCENT COUNTRY MEDALS
1. Germany 358 .139299610 21. Australia 9
2. Norway 303 .117898832 22. Belarus 9
3. Russia 285 .110894941 23. Liechtenstein 9
4. USA 253 .098443579 24. Estonia 7
5. Austria 201 .078210116 25. Slovenia 7
6. Finland 156 .060700389 26. Bulgaria 6
7. Canada 145 .056420233 27. Hungary 6
8. Sweden 129 .050194552 28. Kazakhstan 6
9. Switzerland 127 .049416342 29. Belgium 5
10. Italy 106 .041245136 30. Ukraine 5
11. France 94 .036575875 31. Slovakia 4
12. Netherlands 86 .033463035 32. Yugoslavia 4
13. South Korea 45 .017509727 33. Latvia 3
14. China 44 .017120622 34. Luxembourg 2
15. Czech Republic 41 .015953307 35. North Korea 2
16. Japan 37 .014396887 36. Spain 2
17. Unified Team 24 .009338521 37. Denmark 1
18. Great Britain 22 .008560311 38. New Zealand 1
19. Poland 14 .005447470 39. Romania 1
20. Croatia 10 .003891050 40. Uzbekistan 1
WINTER OLYMPICS GOLD MEDAL TOTALS SINCE 1924
COUNTRY GOLD MEDALS
1. Germany 128
2. Russia 114
3. Norway 107
4. USA 87
5. Austria 55
6. Canada 52
7. Sweden 48
8. Switzerland 44
9. Finland 41
10. Italy 37
11. Netherlands 29
12. France 27
13. South Korea 23
14. Unified Team 10
15. China 9
16. Great Britain 9
17. Japan 9
18. Czech Republic 7
19. Australia 5
20. Croatia 4
21. Estonia 4
22. Liechtenstein 2
23. Poland 2
24. Belarus 1
25. Belgium 1
26. Bulgaria 1
27. Kazakhstan 1
28. Slovakia 1
29. Spain 1
30. Ukraine 1
31. Uzbekistan 1
Total 861
WINNERS OF THE GOLD MEDAL COUNT
1. Russia 8 times
2. Norway 7 times
3. Germany 5 times
4. Canada 1 time
5. Finland 1 time
6. Sweden 1 time
7. USA 1 time
In a top-to-bottom comparison of medal counts based on population vs. actual medals awarded, Norway has over 56 times the number of per-capita medals as China. Although the forerunner of the Winter Olympics was the Nordic Games, over 100 winters and 21 Winter Olympics have come and gone since that time, and yet Norway’s consistent and unique dedication to Olympic excellence is still unmatched by any other country. Although the USA won the overall medal count in 2010, they only received a 19% higher medal count than the expected total that their population would indicate, while Canada received 846% more actual medals than the number of medals which could be expected based on their population. Canada also earned the largest number of gold medals ever awarded in a single Winter Olympics—over 1366% more gold medals than the expected total that their population would indicate. This is a job well done!
PER-CAPITA SUCCESS IN THE 2010 WINTER OLYMPICS
COUNTRIES MEDALS % EXPECTED MEDALS ACTUAL MEDALS
1. Norway +4331 % .531 23
2. Austria +1577 % 1.002 16
3. Slovenia +1515 % .198 3
4. Switzerland +1010 % .891 9
5. Sweden +1005 % 1.095 11
6. Canada +846 % 3.074 26
7. Finland +809 % .618 5
8. Latvia +794 % .252 2
9. Estonia +775 % .129 1
10. Croatia +585 % .513 3
11. Czech Republic +472 % 1.272 6
12. Slovakia +463 % .648 3
13. Netherlands +461 % 1.737 8
14. Germany +333 % 9 30
15. South Korea +280 % 5 14
16. Belarus +272 % 1.104 3
17. France +157 % 7 11
18. Poland +150 % 4 6
19. Australia +141 % 2.124 3
20. USA +119 % 31 37
21. Russia -7 % 16 15
22. Italy -20 % 6 5
23. Kazakhstan -81 % 1.812 1
24. Japan -280 % 14 5
25. Great Britain -700 % 7 1
26. China -1291 % 142 11
This medal count serves to point out what a tremendous achievement it is for countries with relatively low populations to accomplish so much, relative to average expectations based on their size. Where there is a will to excel in competition with other nations, population does not seem to be the leading indicator, but rather their dedication and long-term commitment to the goal of athletic greatness.
Questions answered in this analysis:
Q: Who won the 2010 Winter Olympics based on overall medal count?
A: USA—37 medals
Q: Who won the 2010 Winter Olympics gold medal count?
A: Canada—14 gold medals
Q: Who has won the most Winter Olympics based on overall medal count?
A: Germany—9 times
Q: Who has won the most Winter Olympics based on gold medal count?
A: Russia—8 times
Q: Who has won the most Winter Olympic medals since the beginning?
A: Germany—358
Q: Who has won the most Winter Olympic gold medals since the beginning?
A: Germany—128
Q: Who has achieved the greatest per-capita success in the Winter Olympics?
A: Norway--+4331 %
Q: Who owns the podium based on these 7 answers?
A: Germany x 3
Canada x 1
Norway x 1
Russia x 1
USA x 1
Mark Overt Skilbred
First of all, congratulations to Canada on hosting a wonderful Winter Olympics! I grew up just across the border and have been across Canada several times. You have the friendliest people, wonderfully-maintained cities and you have a lot to be proud of in your beautiful country. It is a pleasure to have you as neighbors! You also have set a new Winter Olympics record for gold medals--so you own the podium, after all!
Country G S B T Population (2000) % of Combined Pop.
1. USA 9 15 13 37 281,421,906 12.096%
2. Germany 10 13 7 30 82,351,000 3.528%
3. Canada 14 7 5 26 31,902,000 1.356%
4. Norway 9 8 6 23 4,525,000 .177%
5. Austria 4 6 6 16 8,170,000 .334%
6. Russia 3 5 7 15 144,979,000 6.223%
7. South Korea 6 6 2 14 47,963,000 2.048%
8. China 5 2 4 11 1,279,161,000 55.038%
9. Sweden 5 2 4 11 8,877,000 .365%
10. France 2 3 6 11 59,925,000 2.563%
11. Switzerland 6 0 3 9 7,302,000 .297%
12. Netherlands 4 1 3 8 16,068,000 .674%
13. Czech Republic 2 0 4 6 10,257,000 .424%
14. Poland 1 3 2 6 38,625,000 1.646%
15. Italy 1 1 3 5 57,927,000 2.477%
16. Japan 0 3 2 5 127,066,000 5.452%
17. Finland 0 1 4 5 5,184,000 .206%
18. Australia 2 1 0 3 19,547,000 .824%
19. Belarus 1 1 1 3 10,335,000 .427%
20. Slovakia 1 1 1 3 5,422,000 .216%
21. Croatia 0 2 1 3 4,391,000 .171%
22. Slovenia 0 2 1 3 1,933,000 .066%
23. Latvia 0 2 0 2 2,367,000 .084%
24. Great Britain 1 0 0 1 59,912,000 2.562%
25. Estonia 0 1 0 1 1,416,000 .043%
26. Kazakhstan 0 1 0 1 16,742,000 .703%
Combined Totals 86 87 85 258 2,323,444,241 100.000%
There have been 21 Winter Olympics since they first began in 1924. Germany has won the overall medal count 9 times, Norway has won the overall medal count 7 times, Russia has won 3 times, the USA has won twice, and Sweden and Switzerland tied with Norway in 1948.
WINTER OLYMPICS THROUGH THE YEARS
YEAR WINNER MEDALS GOLD MOST GOLDS EVENTS
1924 Norway 11 4 Norway—4 17
4 Finland—4
1928 Norway 15 6 Norway—6 14
1932 USA 12 6 USA—6 14
1936 Norway 15 7 Norway—7 17
1948 Norway 10 4 Norway—4 22
Sweden 10 4 Sweden—4
Switzerland 10 3
1952 Norway 16 7 Norway—7 22
1956 Russia 16 7 Russia—7 25
1960 Russia 21 7 Russia—7 28
1964 Russia 25 11 Russia—11 34
1968 Norway 14 6 Norway—6 35
1972 Germany 19 7 Russia—8 36
1976 Germany 29 9 Russia—13 37
1980 Germany 28 9 Russia—10 38
1984 Germany 28 11 Germany—11 39
1988 Germany 33 11 Germany—11 46
Russia—11
1992 Germany 26 10 Germany—10 57
1994 Norway 26 10 Russia—11 61
1998 Germany 29 12 Germany—12 69
2002 Germany 36 12 Norway—13 80
2006 Germany 29 11 Germany—11 84
2010 USA 37 9 Canada—14 86
Although there have only been 6 countries that have won the overall medal count in the 21 Winter Olympics, there have been 39 countries plus a unified team which have won a total of 2570 medals since the first Winter Olympics began in 1924. The 6 winning countries have won more than 56% of all Winter Olympic medals, the top 10 countries have won over 80% of the medals, the top 14 countries have won over 90% of the medals, the top 18 countries have won over 95% of the medals, and the top 20 countries have won over 97% of the medals.
WINTER OLYMPIC OVERALL MEDAL COUNT SINCE THE BEGINNING
COUNTRY MEDALS PERCENT COUNTRY MEDALS
1. Germany 358 .139299610 21. Australia 9
2. Norway 303 .117898832 22. Belarus 9
3. Russia 285 .110894941 23. Liechtenstein 9
4. USA 253 .098443579 24. Estonia 7
5. Austria 201 .078210116 25. Slovenia 7
6. Finland 156 .060700389 26. Bulgaria 6
7. Canada 145 .056420233 27. Hungary 6
8. Sweden 129 .050194552 28. Kazakhstan 6
9. Switzerland 127 .049416342 29. Belgium 5
10. Italy 106 .041245136 30. Ukraine 5
11. France 94 .036575875 31. Slovakia 4
12. Netherlands 86 .033463035 32. Yugoslavia 4
13. South Korea 45 .017509727 33. Latvia 3
14. China 44 .017120622 34. Luxembourg 2
15. Czech Republic 41 .015953307 35. North Korea 2
16. Japan 37 .014396887 36. Spain 2
17. Unified Team 24 .009338521 37. Denmark 1
18. Great Britain 22 .008560311 38. New Zealand 1
19. Poland 14 .005447470 39. Romania 1
20. Croatia 10 .003891050 40. Uzbekistan 1
WINTER OLYMPICS GOLD MEDAL TOTALS SINCE 1924
COUNTRY GOLD MEDALS
1. Germany 128
2. Russia 114
3. Norway 107
4. USA 87
5. Austria 55
6. Canada 52
7. Sweden 48
8. Switzerland 44
9. Finland 41
10. Italy 37
11. Netherlands 29
12. France 27
13. South Korea 23
14. Unified Team 10
15. China 9
16. Great Britain 9
17. Japan 9
18. Czech Republic 7
19. Australia 5
20. Croatia 4
21. Estonia 4
22. Liechtenstein 2
23. Poland 2
24. Belarus 1
25. Belgium 1
26. Bulgaria 1
27. Kazakhstan 1
28. Slovakia 1
29. Spain 1
30. Ukraine 1
31. Uzbekistan 1
Total 861
WINNERS OF THE GOLD MEDAL COUNT
1. Russia 8 times
2. Norway 7 times
3. Germany 5 times
4. Canada 1 time
5. Finland 1 time
6. Sweden 1 time
7. USA 1 time
In a top-to-bottom comparison of medal counts based on population vs. actual medals awarded, Norway has over 56 times the number of per-capita medals as China. Although the forerunner of the Winter Olympics was the Nordic Games, over 100 winters and 21 Winter Olympics have come and gone since that time, and yet Norway’s consistent and unique dedication to Olympic excellence is still unmatched by any other country. Although the USA won the overall medal count in 2010, they only received a 19% higher medal count than the expected total that their population would indicate, while Canada received 846% more actual medals than the number of medals which could be expected based on their population. Canada also earned the largest number of gold medals ever awarded in a single Winter Olympics—over 1366% more gold medals than the expected total that their population would indicate. This is a job well done!
PER-CAPITA SUCCESS IN THE 2010 WINTER OLYMPICS
COUNTRIES MEDALS % EXPECTED MEDALS ACTUAL MEDALS
1. Norway +4331 % .531 23
2. Austria +1577 % 1.002 16
3. Slovenia +1515 % .198 3
4. Switzerland +1010 % .891 9
5. Sweden +1005 % 1.095 11
6. Canada +846 % 3.074 26
7. Finland +809 % .618 5
8. Latvia +794 % .252 2
9. Estonia +775 % .129 1
10. Croatia +585 % .513 3
11. Czech Republic +472 % 1.272 6
12. Slovakia +463 % .648 3
13. Netherlands +461 % 1.737 8
14. Germany +333 % 9 30
15. South Korea +280 % 5 14
16. Belarus +272 % 1.104 3
17. France +157 % 7 11
18. Poland +150 % 4 6
19. Australia +141 % 2.124 3
20. USA +119 % 31 37
21. Russia -7 % 16 15
22. Italy -20 % 6 5
23. Kazakhstan -81 % 1.812 1
24. Japan -280 % 14 5
25. Great Britain -700 % 7 1
26. China -1291 % 142 11
This medal count serves to point out what a tremendous achievement it is for countries with relatively low populations to accomplish so much, relative to average expectations based on their size. Where there is a will to excel in competition with other nations, population does not seem to be the leading indicator, but rather their dedication and long-term commitment to the goal of athletic greatness.
Questions answered in this analysis:
Q: Who won the 2010 Winter Olympics based on overall medal count?
A: USA—37 medals
Q: Who won the 2010 Winter Olympics gold medal count?
A: Canada—14 gold medals
Q: Who has won the most Winter Olympics based on overall medal count?
A: Germany—9 times
Q: Who has won the most Winter Olympics based on gold medal count?
A: Russia—8 times
Q: Who has won the most Winter Olympic medals since the beginning?
A: Germany—358
Q: Who has won the most Winter Olympic gold medals since the beginning?
A: Germany—128
Q: Who has achieved the greatest per-capita success in the Winter Olympics?
A: Norway--+4331 %
Q: Who owns the podium based on these 7 answers?
A: Germany x 3
Canada x 1
Norway x 1
Russia x 1
USA x 1
Mark Overt Skilbred
Friday, March 5, 2010
NBA STANDINGS--MARCH 2, 2010
1. Cleveland .770
2. Lakers .754
3. Orlando .672
4. Dallas .656
5. Denver .650
6. Atlanta .644
7. Boston .638
8. Utah .633
9. Phoenix .613
10. Oklahoma City .610
11. San Antonio .586
12. Portland .571
13. Toronto .525
14. Chicago .517
15. Houston .508
16. Milwaukee .508
17. New Orleans .508
18. Memphis .500
19. Miami .492
20. Charlotte .483
21. Clippers .417
22. Philadelphia .373
23. Washington .368
24. Detroit .350
25. New York .339
26. Indiana .333
27. Sacramento .333
28. Golden State .288
29. Minnesota .230
30. New Jersey .102
As March begins, the Cavaliers struggle to maintain their position atop the NBA. As Lebron James pointed out so clearly, basketball is a team effort, and it takes more than one great player to win a championship. The Lakers appear to have stabilized their offensive and defensive strategies well enough to maintain their position behind Cleveland. As both teams near the ¾ mark, the ability to maintain the discipline and concentration necessary to survive in the playoffs becomes more obvious to everyone. Championships are not maintained or won by wishful thinking, but by a determined team effort. Spring is almost here, so let’s try to get and stay healthy for the playoffs!
Mark Overt Skilbred
2. Lakers .754
3. Orlando .672
4. Dallas .656
5. Denver .650
6. Atlanta .644
7. Boston .638
8. Utah .633
9. Phoenix .613
10. Oklahoma City .610
11. San Antonio .586
12. Portland .571
13. Toronto .525
14. Chicago .517
15. Houston .508
16. Milwaukee .508
17. New Orleans .508
18. Memphis .500
19. Miami .492
20. Charlotte .483
21. Clippers .417
22. Philadelphia .373
23. Washington .368
24. Detroit .350
25. New York .339
26. Indiana .333
27. Sacramento .333
28. Golden State .288
29. Minnesota .230
30. New Jersey .102
As March begins, the Cavaliers struggle to maintain their position atop the NBA. As Lebron James pointed out so clearly, basketball is a team effort, and it takes more than one great player to win a championship. The Lakers appear to have stabilized their offensive and defensive strategies well enough to maintain their position behind Cleveland. As both teams near the ¾ mark, the ability to maintain the discipline and concentration necessary to survive in the playoffs becomes more obvious to everyone. Championships are not maintained or won by wishful thinking, but by a determined team effort. Spring is almost here, so let’s try to get and stay healthy for the playoffs!
Mark Overt Skilbred
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
NORTH-CENTRAL EUCLID WALK (3 Hour Walk)
NORTH-CENTRAL EUCLID WALK (3 Hour Walk)
Beginning at Mountain View Park in Upland, California, go E on Mildura Ave to Mountain Ave. Cross Mountain and continue E on 23rd St to San Antonio Ave. TR and go S on San Antonio to McCarthy Park. TL and go E on 20th St to Euclid Ave. TR and go S on Euclid to Foothill Blvd (Route 66). Return N on Euclid to 24th St and TL. Go W on 24th to San Antonio and TR. Go N uphill on San Antonio until it splits, and take the LH fork on San Antonio Crest W to where it intersects with Mountain Ave. TL and follow Mountain W to San Antonio Park. Follow the perimeter sidewalk W at the N end of the park and then go S through the parking lot to 24th St. TR and go W on 24th to Deakin Ave. TL and go S on Deakin to Mountain View Park.
This is probably Upland’s favorite walk, with many hikers of all ages to be seen enjoying the weather and beautiful scenery every day and at any time of the year.
Mark Overt Skilbred
Beginning at Mountain View Park in Upland, California, go E on Mildura Ave to Mountain Ave. Cross Mountain and continue E on 23rd St to San Antonio Ave. TR and go S on San Antonio to McCarthy Park. TL and go E on 20th St to Euclid Ave. TR and go S on Euclid to Foothill Blvd (Route 66). Return N on Euclid to 24th St and TL. Go W on 24th to San Antonio and TR. Go N uphill on San Antonio until it splits, and take the LH fork on San Antonio Crest W to where it intersects with Mountain Ave. TL and follow Mountain W to San Antonio Park. Follow the perimeter sidewalk W at the N end of the park and then go S through the parking lot to 24th St. TR and go W on 24th to Deakin Ave. TL and go S on Deakin to Mountain View Park.
This is probably Upland’s favorite walk, with many hikers of all ages to be seen enjoying the weather and beautiful scenery every day and at any time of the year.
Mark Overt Skilbred
LAKERS MIDSEASON DOLDRUMS
LAKERS MIDSEASON DOLDRUMS
Sometimes it is more than just the fans who are bewildered when a great team begins to struggle midway through the season. This is especially true when the team in question is long on talent and short on injuries, has a good mix of older and younger talent, and excellent playoff experience. When you add in the Lakers’ great record on the road, there just does not seem to be a good explanation for these midseason doldrums. Watching last night’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies, I couldn’t help feeling that the Lakers were allowing their opponents too much response-time, as if politely waiting for their answer to the latest maneuver. Normally when the Lakers are in attack mode, there isn’t much time for their opponents to respond effectively, and by the time they have it figured out, it is already too late for them. Maybe what is missing in our offensive game is the element of surprise. Does the NBA have us figured out to the extent that they are now anticipating our offense effectively and defending against our triangle system? Should we experiment with alternating systems of pick-and-roll, give-and-go, alley-oop and motion offense, making better use of our big men in the center post? It seems that our inside game has been rather inconsistent, as though we aren’t sure that our big guys can handle the assignment. I am of the opinion that we will never know for sure until we make the attempt. What better time than now to discover our strengths? I’m confident that Pau, Andrew, Lamar and Mbenga can handle whatever we throw at them. Sometimes in order to shake out of the doldrums, it becomes necessary to shake up the lineup a little with some different match-ups, as well as alternating style-of-play. But whatever we decide, let’s not wait much longer to make the needed changes. Let’s not wait until the playoffs to make good use of them.
Mark Overt Skilbred
Sometimes it is more than just the fans who are bewildered when a great team begins to struggle midway through the season. This is especially true when the team in question is long on talent and short on injuries, has a good mix of older and younger talent, and excellent playoff experience. When you add in the Lakers’ great record on the road, there just does not seem to be a good explanation for these midseason doldrums. Watching last night’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies, I couldn’t help feeling that the Lakers were allowing their opponents too much response-time, as if politely waiting for their answer to the latest maneuver. Normally when the Lakers are in attack mode, there isn’t much time for their opponents to respond effectively, and by the time they have it figured out, it is already too late for them. Maybe what is missing in our offensive game is the element of surprise. Does the NBA have us figured out to the extent that they are now anticipating our offense effectively and defending against our triangle system? Should we experiment with alternating systems of pick-and-roll, give-and-go, alley-oop and motion offense, making better use of our big men in the center post? It seems that our inside game has been rather inconsistent, as though we aren’t sure that our big guys can handle the assignment. I am of the opinion that we will never know for sure until we make the attempt. What better time than now to discover our strengths? I’m confident that Pau, Andrew, Lamar and Mbenga can handle whatever we throw at them. Sometimes in order to shake out of the doldrums, it becomes necessary to shake up the lineup a little with some different match-ups, as well as alternating style-of-play. But whatever we decide, let’s not wait much longer to make the needed changes. Let’s not wait until the playoffs to make good use of them.
Mark Overt Skilbred
A GROUNDHOG'S DAY LAKERS FORECAST
A GROUNDHOG’S DAY LAKERS FORECAST
Punxsutawny Phil saw his shadow, predicting another 6 weeks of winter. As Lakers fans have watched their 1st place lead dwindle and have watched Cleveland steadily move ahead in the standings and into 1st place, they feel a bit like Phil, when it is revealed that winter will continue for at least a little longer. So we have stored our celebration plans on the shelf for now, awaiting the spring thaw, anticipating that all will be well at last in our Lakers universe.
NBA STANDINGS FOR FEBRUARY 2, 2010
1. Cleveland .780
2. Lakers .755
3. Denver .688
4. Orlando .673
5. Boston .652
6. Atlanta .638
7. Dallas .625
8. Utah .617
9. San Antonio .587
10. Phoenix .580
11. Portland .580
12. Oklahoma City .563
13. Houston .542
14. Memphis .542
15. New Orleans .542
16. Toronto .531
17. Charlotte .511
18. Chicago .500
19. Miami .500
20. Milwaukee .447
21. Clippers .438
22. New York .383
23. Indiana .347
24. Detroit .340
25. Philadelphia .340
26. Sacramento .340
27. Washington .340
28. Golden State .277
29. Minnesota .224
30. New Jersey .085
Mark Overt Skilbred
Punxsutawny Phil saw his shadow, predicting another 6 weeks of winter. As Lakers fans have watched their 1st place lead dwindle and have watched Cleveland steadily move ahead in the standings and into 1st place, they feel a bit like Phil, when it is revealed that winter will continue for at least a little longer. So we have stored our celebration plans on the shelf for now, awaiting the spring thaw, anticipating that all will be well at last in our Lakers universe.
NBA STANDINGS FOR FEBRUARY 2, 2010
1. Cleveland .780
2. Lakers .755
3. Denver .688
4. Orlando .673
5. Boston .652
6. Atlanta .638
7. Dallas .625
8. Utah .617
9. San Antonio .587
10. Phoenix .580
11. Portland .580
12. Oklahoma City .563
13. Houston .542
14. Memphis .542
15. New Orleans .542
16. Toronto .531
17. Charlotte .511
18. Chicago .500
19. Miami .500
20. Milwaukee .447
21. Clippers .438
22. New York .383
23. Indiana .347
24. Detroit .340
25. Philadelphia .340
26. Sacramento .340
27. Washington .340
28. Golden State .277
29. Minnesota .224
30. New Jersey .085
Mark Overt Skilbred
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)