Tag Archives: economics

Are you a free rider?

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A dead willow tree blocks my driveway after a storm in Tulalip, June, 2014

A dead willow tree blocks my driveway after a storm in Tulalip, June, 2014

by Daniel Arthur J., July 6, 2014
arthbuus@gmail.com

There really isn’t a free ride in many market failures – just a short term gain with serious long term problems.

I was paid off by politicians and their financial supporters for years. They gave me tax cuts along with millions of other Americans. However, the debt still needed to be paid. It grew with every tax cut. It would now. Also, the shortage or rationing of government services was harming our nation’s infrastructure, environment and the economically less advantaged. I was paid off. Those short term tax rebates were intentional. They were designed to pacify the voter – to make me feel like everything was a-okay.

Things were not a-okay. They are not today. We need to pay our taxes to improve on what has been neglected and/or denigrated by the right wing, super free riders. It’s time to robustly improve our basic government goods and services. It’s time to make sure that all people are treated fairly and like they would like to be treated. It’s time to have real comfortable and safe housing communities for everyone, excellent transportation, an environment that is getting healthier at a faster and faster rate and healthcare for all that includes complete, holistic goods and services.

Market failures dominate our society, our nation and our world. Market failures poorly managed create super wealth for some and struggles for the rest. We need healthy markets. To be healthy markets need excellent regulatory conditions – not neglect. But, just like we need markets, we need government run by people that believe that it is not just important, but essential for our success. It’s time to help the economically less advantaged to increase their wealth much better and more securely than it has been. It’s time to make communities healthy all across this land. We can and should help others, too.

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Read, interact, think and create.

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The World Cup football tournament has been fascinating, but more than imperfect. While there are many talented and hard working athletes and officials involved, it has been much less than it could be. I have noticed that there are many other competitions and performances that are worthy of our attention. From gardening shows to horse cutting competitions to ballets and symphonies, there are many wonderful cultural activities to attend and/or lend my support. I am there.

You Are Amazing

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Kensington Palace, London, England, October, 2013

Kensington Palace, London, England, October, 2013

by Daniel Arthur J., January 1, 2014
arthbuus@gmail.com

Life throws you some tough stuff at times, but you should really know how amazing you are. Just keep moving forward.

I can see you are making progress in your life. It hasn’t always been easy for you to say the least, but you have come a long way. You are where you are. You have the options you have. I know that you have a lot to offer, and there is no telling how valuable your contributions will be. They will be valuable.

You are amazing. That there is no doubt. People get beat up in life and easily forget how wonderful and spectacular they are. Of course you can get better, learn more, be more effective and find better ways to contribute. However, remind yourself that you are truly amazing and you will be even more effective.

Be good as well. No one is going to be perfect no matter how hard they try. Realize that trying your best is more than good enough. It will be necessary to make adjustments at times as some things don’t go as planned. There will always be problems to solve and opportunities to make things better and better. Just keep trying.

Yes, the world can be better. And, you make it better. It wouldn’t be the world without you. It might not feel like you are succeeding, but most likely you are. You will be even more successful if you but try. No matter where you have been or what you have done, try now to do your best doing good. That’s all that is expected of the truly amazing entity that is you.

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Find something you like to read, and create something, too.

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Get involved in your government today. Only you can make it better (for you and yours). And, vote “yes” on the Boeing contract. You can change your mind later . . .

It’s Okay to Return a Gift

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by Daniel Arthur J., December 25, 2013
arthbuus@gmail.com

You know, it was really nice to get a present – this healthcare. I tried it on, and I liked it, but it didn’t fit just right and some of the features were problematic. So, I’m taking it back, not for a refund, but to get something better.

Flowers along a stream in Pembrokeshire, October, 2013

Flowers along a stream in Pembrokeshire, October, 2013

Government really does not serve the people well by having power concentrated in the hands of a few, and it does not help to have a rigid system that ignores human needs and desires. Our democracy needs to evolve to empower the people, each and every individual of voting age, with real access to decision making, rule making and idea submission on a regular basis. These decisions and rules should be relatively concise with elected representatives charged with attempting to carry out the expressed wishes.

Is it possible to have a super-congress with every individual having a vote and an opportunity to submit ideas and debate them? Sure it is. We have the technology needed to do it, and the ability to verify results at any level. And, we can allow people of different cultures to participate how they feel best. A sometimes stifling and technocratic Robert’s Rules of Order approach is not necessary and/or could be modified. Idea submission and debate can be almost infinite, yet, it need not interfere with meeting deadlines. Eliminating the manipulation of decision making by special interests like the coke (on purpose) brother’s, corporations and others can happen, while still allowing them to lobby or try to influence people without creating unnecessary restrictions on freedom of speech.

And then, a more complex House of Representatives can operate as elected by the super-congress. People are basically giving proxy power to the House for working out legislation in detail, but I believe, though they are not part of the House process in general, that they should retain their own vote on any legislation or proxy it to their representative.

Yes, there would be many more parties with this process, not replacing the big two, but adding many more opportunities to bring about positive change to the nation. One thing that needs to change is trust. People need to trust their government at all levels. Involvement and more rapid problem solving where no one gets hurt will help to restore trust.

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Think about the ability to pay principal and how that can work.

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Get involved in your government today. Only you can make it better (for you and yours). And, vote “yes” on the Boeing contract. You can change your mind later . . .