e-commentary

The Minimum Wage: The Market Solution (May 5, 2015)

Posted in Awards / Incentives, Economics, Economics Nobel, Health Care, Less Government Regulation Series, Market Solutions, Minimum Wage on May 5, 2014 by e-commentary.org

. . .

1 “And the private sector solution.”

2 “Without a minimum wage, the government is providing massive subsidies for the workers laboring at major corporations that only provide sixty or seventy percent of the minimum livable wage. The employees are required to subsist on food stamps and other government subsidies and programs. If the minimum wage is instituted, more of the cost of production is internalized by the corporation rather subsidized by the tax payer.”

1 “There may be some lost jobs. However, all the large corporations have deployed their most cunning technicians to find ways to eliminate as many human jobs as possible already.”

2 “Reducing monthly government payments requires some foresighted policy at the outset. It is a no-brainer, but it requires an extraordinary brainer to understand.”

. . .

1 “The great debate over national health care fails to acknowledge that the United States has implemented the most inefficient national health insurance program in the history of human kind in Title 11, the Bankruptcy Code, rather than in Title 42, governing Public Health and Welfare.”
2 “The solution is simple. The public shall receive the same health care coverage as the Congress.”

. . .

1 “The Norwegians will not reward that notion with their Nobel in E-con-omics. If they do not reward that notion, the professional e-con-omists will not propound the notion.”

2 “We should go to the International Court of Justice and seek an injunction against the Norwegians and use the Nobel money for some other virtuous public purpose.”

1 “I am on board. How could a concerned member of the public organize a public boycott?”

. . .

Bumper sticker of the week:

The Minimum Wage: The Market Solution And The Private Sector Solution

1 Comment »

Pay Your Bills, Bundy! (April 28, 2014)

Posted in Entitlements, Race, Sports on April 28, 2014 by e-commentary.org

. . .

C1 “Pay up and shut up.”

C2 “I agree. Pay his bill. It is that simple. There are too many freeloaders and dead beats in American today.”

C1 “This entitlement mentality is getting way out of control.”

. . .

C1 “Lincoln’s dad was one of the first real estate property developers who cleared land and put up rail fences for folks. Young Lincoln interned for his dad and helped with the work.”

C2 “The picture of him splitting rails was a crowd pleaser in his election campaigns.”

C1 “That experience shaped him as he moved with the land clearing business from Kentucky to Illinois. When he was President, Lincoln signed the Homestead Act right in the middle of the Civil War in 1862 also being fought in part over land. The legislation gave land taken from the locals folks without just compensation to immigrants who were given an opportunity to prove up the land. A guy like Cliven Bundy or his predecessors was given free land for a little healthy outside work.”

C2 “The Bureau of Land Management is the nation’s realtor and oversees the public land not dedicated to more specific purposes. Too many property owners who abut BLM property feel entitled to use our property for free.”

C1 “The Park Service still wears military uniforms that reflect the early days when they were engaged in combative confrontations with belligerent individuals who felt entitled to all the public land.”

C2 “If Cliven does not like BLM policy, he can write his congressman to change the law. Congress sets public land policy.”

C1 “Or he can run for Congress. Put up or shut up.”

. . .

C2 “Sterling revealed himself in private. The government cannot and should not be able to use in court any testimony obtained if an individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy. However, the public is free to evaluate any statement made by an individual in the court of public opinion even if the individual did not intend to be candid.”

C1 “Candid comments have the benefit of being candid. He could have shut up. Now he needs to ‘fess up.”

. . .

Bumper stickers of the week:

A sense of entitlement manifests itself in so many subtle ways.

Don’t judge me by what I say or by what I do

As we approach the post-O’bama era, America is still a pre-racial country.

Bundy / Sterling in 2016. For No Change

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Unionizing Athletes And Adjuncts (And Sherpas) (April 21, 2014)

Posted in Education, Occupy Movement, Pogo Plight, Schooling, Slavery, Sports, Unions, Wages, Work on April 21, 2014 by e-commentary.org

. . .

1 “They say you need three things to run a college: sex for the students, tenure for the faculty and football for the alumni.”

2 “That’s about it. The sex is self-executing. Tenure for the faculty is now tenuous with the adjuncts impressed to assume the laboring oar. That leaves the futball team – the sine qua non that justifies the existence of a college in America today.”

1 “The young gladiators are relieved of paying some of the lease payments for the classrooms they may not frequent and the coliseums they fill and toil in for the benefit of the ‘lums. Granting tenure might foster academic freedom and independence. Adjuncts can be underpaid and overworked along with the gladiators.”

2 “Today all the money is deployed for administrators who are bureaucrats with shiny pedigrees. Someone needs to develop a percentage formula to limit the amount spent on the administrators who exist to collect big pay checks and approve tuition increases.”

1 “Humans seek to enslave other humans. We need to resist our basic impulses. Unless the athletes organize and unless the adjuncts organize, they will be exploited. And the Sherpas too.”

. . .

1 “Kids who do not understand their own mortality do not understand that their student debt is immortal.”

2 “The solution is simple. After high school, youngsters are still engaged in the emancipation process from their parents or parent. A two-year break allows them to flirt with adulthood rather than go to college and extend their adolescence. A summer with the Civilian Conservation Corps, a stint in the military, a go at something out of their community or comfort zone provides critical perspective.”

1 “Even one year. The kids in college who took a year off before starting college were three years more mature than the others.”

. . .

2 “If fewer students attend college, the unused dorms can be used for housing of others in the community to allow students to interact with other members of the community and develop a sense of community.”

. . .

2 “We paid the lead Sherpa the equivalent of two year’s wages via a stack of Benjamins for our climbing fee. He paid his countrymen and women a few Rupees a day to do the work and carry the load.”

1 “Humans seek to enslave other humans.”

. . .

[See the “e-ssays” titled “Is College Worthless? (July 25, 2011)” and “Humanity’s Motto: To Enslave And To Colonize (January 27, 2014).”]

Bumper stickers of the week:

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.

I have let my schooling interfere with my education.

Occupy Namche Bazaar

Earth Day

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Debasing The Dialogue (April 14, 2014)

Posted in Federal Reserve, Foreign Policy, Greenspan, Journalism, Newspapers, Press/Media, Yellen on April 14, 2014 by e-commentary.org

. . .

C “Too much commentary today is an ‘elbow-jerk’ cut and paste operation. The citizen who questions whether the government should subsidize and encourage the crimes of the bankers and financial brigands is branded a ‘populist’ and a promoter of ‘populism’.”

D “Populist notions should be more popular. The dismissive missives also include a subtext that the person does not really understand economics, business and finance. Just trust that the emperor is sporting natty attire and doing good and go on your way.”

C “The blue serge suit hides the red devil. Time magazine published a fawning piece in February, 1999 about three brigands – Summers, Greenspan and Rubin – and failed to warn the reader let alone even acknowledge the fraud these characters were fomenting on the public.”

D “At least Yellen is a gal. God and others know that the boys just do not get economics, business and finance. They know how to exploit and plunder, but not how to contribute and develop.”

C “She is doing things the same old way without acknowledging the fundamental problems.”

D “The same old, same old is getting old.”

. . .

C “The citizen who questions whether the United States should be aggressively engaged in a variety of wars with no real goal or strategy is dismissed as an ‘isolationist’ and a promoter of ‘isolationism’.”

D “And of course not a realist or a highly coveted Realpolitiker. And not someone whose contentions should be considered by reasonable folks.”

C “Some people want to drop bucks and some people want to drop bombs.”

D “We dump bucks and bombs. Some folks are troubled that we finance dictators and then in time attack them.”

. . .

D “Kill ‘em all and let God sort ‘em out seems to be the policy.”

C “For some characters, blind ideology controls. The issue turns on whether God is in the public sector or in the private sector.”

D “Now there is one for you. God qua contractor. Miller Act bonds and Davis-Bacon wage scales would drive God batty. I can see the headline now: ‘God Overbills For Sorting Them Out: Congressional Inquiry Scheduled.’”

. . .

Bumper stickers of the week:

Kill ‘em all and let God sort ‘em out

Keep calm and panic

1 Comment »

Celebrating All Heroes (April 7, 2014)

Posted in Military, War on April 7, 2014 by e-commentary.org

. . .

L “Opening the season with a celebration of heroes with guts and guns is appropriate. Also acknowledging those with guts but no guns is appropriate but undone.”

M “There is much singing, but they are the real unsung heroes.”

L “Those who challenge the need for needless wars are never celebrated at public celebrations.”

M “They are the ones who would prefer that heroic deeds be done in stateside villages. Teach a kid to read, build a park, plant a garden.”

. . .

M “Those who may not acknowledge their quarrel with their prior military campaign often wear patches that proclaim: ‘All gave some; some gave all.’ They are less likely to carry a sign or sport a bumper sticker that observes: ‘There are no unwounded soldiers.’”

L “Those who gave some and are not unwounded occasionally snap.”

. . .

Bumper stickers and patches of the week:

All gave some; some gave all

There are no unwounded soldiers

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NATO: Nations Aggressively Taking Over (March 31, 2014)

Posted in Foreign Policy, Military, Pogo Plight, War on March 31, 2014 by e-commentary.org

. . .

1 “How about Nations Advancing Territorial Objectives.”

2 “Or Nations Aggressively Taking Offense.”

1 “Or Nations Aggressively Giving Offense.”

2 “That is it. NATO became NAGO.”

. . .

1 “When the Soviet Union collapsed, the United States was in the rare position of being able unilaterally to create some semblance of world stability. Expanding NATO was threatening and counterproductive. The United States should have concluded more trade agreements and created additional student exchanges.”

2 “Create more economic interdependence so that war is unprofitable. Foster student exchanges so that a leader is reluctant to attack a former beer drinking compatriot. Yet that is the underlying and overriding problem. War is so bloody profitable.”

1 “After the Christmas present in 1991, the United States transitioned from one of the superpowers not to the world’s policeman but in many ways to its bully. America undermined its and the world’s security and well-being.”

2 “War is so bloody profitable. And there are so few individuals and institutions with an economic incentive to speak the truth.”

. . .

1 “We need the good old days when NATO meetings assembled the French, British and Americans who could be condescending, dismissive, arrogant and petty toward each other and perhaps keep the Russians in the bay.”

2 “The French could be French, the British could be British, and we could be us.”

1 “And the Germans could be German.”

2 “We need to figure out who is us. Have we met the enemy.”

. . .

Bumper stickers of the week:

What if war became unprofitable?

Bombing may be a tactic, but it is not a strategy

If Bush can invade Iraq without any good reason, can Putin invade Ukraine without any good reason?

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The Tsunami Hits Shore (March 24, 2014)

Posted in Freedom / Liberty, Gay Politics, Less Government Regulation Series on March 24, 2014 by e-commentary.org

. . .

LS “The sea change that became a tsunami last year is now a groundswell and a ground march on First Street in Washington. Federal Circuit Courts are akin to military divisions. In the 10th Circuit encamped out West in Denver, a pair of cases from Utah and Oklahoma is hitting the trail back East. One from Texas is parading through the 5th Circuit in New Orleans north to the Big Uneasy in D.C. In the capital of the former Confederacy in Richmond, a case in Virginia is also marching north through the 4th Circuit to the capital of the Union. The 6th Circuit in Cincinnati will review a decision from Michigan that joins the marching orders issued by another District Court Judge.”

N “Seems to me that they should be more concerned about their finances in Michigan. And seems unfair to the folks in the Northeast.”

LS “The 1st and 2nd Circuits in the Northeast are left out in the cold. With all the Circuit Court Judges opining on the issue, there are likely to be inconsistencies. A dispute between the Circuits or a constitutional issue gives the Supremes an opportunity to visit an issue.”

N “As I understand it, the Supreme Court only works part-time and can decide what to decide. That’s the gig to have.”

LS “Despite the outpouring, the Supreme Court could still repudiate history.”

N “The libertarian in me seeks to keep the government out of our lives. The civil libertarian in me wants every individual to be treated equally. The taxpayer in me is tired of funding the foolishness and fear. This Republic has bigger problems.”

. . .

[LS: Law Student; N: Neighbor]

[See the “e-ssay” titled The Sea Change Is Now A Tsunami (March 11, 2013).]

Bumper sticker of the week:

Coexist, It’s Cheaper

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Texas Votes To Secede From U.S. And Join Mexico; Russia Blows Up World In Response (March 17, 2014)

Posted in Europe, Foreign Policy, McCain, O'Bama, Race, Russia on March 17, 2014 by e-commentary.org

. . .

1 “What did you expect.”

2 “You can’t really blame them.”

1 “They really deserved it.”

. . .

1 “Most national security issues are exacerbated by the personal insecurities of those in power who inflame the personal insecurities of the people who are powerless and frightened.”

. . .

1 “In last night’s special election, Texans voted overwhelmingly to secede and create a sovereign and independent nation heavily dependent on grants, welfare, kickbacks, foreign aid and transfer payments from the United States of America. Scholars are remarking that it was the first honest plebiscite in recent Texas history.”

. . .

2 “In related developments, Austin seceded from the seceding Texas and joined the People’s Republic of Portland. A concert is scheduled.”

. . .

1 “Remember the Monroe Doctrine. The policy viewed further efforts by European nations to colonize land or interfere with states in North and South America as acts of aggression requiring U.S. intervention.”

2 “The young United States of America issued the Monroe Doctrine at a time when the U.S. Navy had one row boat and the U.S. Army had one musket that was shared by underpaid and courageous patriots.”

1 “Remember the Monroevich Doctrine, the son of the Monroe Doctrine. Another American idea exported to the world without due credit. The policy views further efforts by European and American nations to colonize land or interfere with states in Russia as acts of aggression requiring Russian intervention. Even some Republicans insecure about their manhood admit that Russia’s Monroevich Doctrine clearly justifies Russia’s actions even if we do not like them.”

2 “The Russians or the actions?”

1 “Or the Republicans?”

. . .

1 “Just between you and me, Putin is as insecure and as dangerous as the Republicans who are having fun criticizing him, but Putin is more of a nasty thug and a nut job.”

2 “Throughout the decades, we have always relied on the Russians to be about as rational in a pinch as we are.”

1 “Most of the time.”

. . .

1 “A more measured response short of blowing up the world would have been so . . . lame.”

. . .

2 “Once again the Black Irishman is tasked with being the adult in the room.”

. . .

This article must be revised to reflect the following correction:

Texas did not vote to secede from the U.S. and join Mexico. Russia did not blow up the world in response. We regret the error.

[Have a peaceful St. Patrick’s Day and productive twenty-fifth anniversary of the World Wide Web.]

Bumper stickers of the week:

Free Texas. Take Texas. Pleas, please.

Keep Austin Weird. And free.

Remember The Monroevich Doctrine

Leave a comment »

“I Hate Obama.” The Trip Hammer Of Hate Tolls Without Toll And With Toll (March 10, 2014)

Posted in Journalism, Newspapers, O'Bama, On [Traits/Characteristics], Presidency, Press/Media, Race on March 10, 2014 by e-commentary.org

. . .

“I hate Obama.”

. . .

1 “That derision foments fifty percent (50%) of the journalistic product and by-product foisted on the public today.”

2 “The attacks long ago degenerated from puerile to juvenile to infantile.”

1 “The unrelenting trip hammer only tolls between tolls and takes a toll on the security and well-being of the Republic. The insecurities of the Carpers are actually undermining our national security by making the country look polarized, petulant and petty.”

2 “Some people repeat a statement to convince themselves. Think about Shakespeare’s frequently quoted observation on protests. These Haters are convinced and consumed. Some statements must be repeated five times to convince another person. The screeching screed is repeated five hundred million times to indoctrinate the populace.”

1 “It is a mantra and a motto and a motivating speech.”

2 “You cannot say ‘I hate Blacks’, so they do the next most effective thing.”

. . .

2 “If Obama offers some positive sentiments on Mother’s Day, the Haters scream that he hates fathers.”

1 “He should satisfy the Carpers because he has promoted national security over personal liberty at every opportunity, yet there is nothing rational or logical about the attacks on him.”

2 “And others who do not congenitally hate him contend that Obama is presiding over the fourth term of the Bush administration. Talk about being caught between a rock and a rock.”

1 “He is caught between a hard place and a hard place. The hard truth is that the American people will accept an attack by ‘the terrorists’ while a Republican is in the White House, but the American people will not accept an attack by ‘the terrorists’ while a Democrat is in the White House.”

2 “Especially because a Black is in the White House.”

. . .

1 “Historians trying to make sense of today’s politics need to account for a powerful cabal of politicians, commentators and corporate brigands who exist to hate and harass Obama at every opportunity all the time in every forum.”

2 “The hate is so vile, venal, virulent and visceral.”

1 “I thought that the disdain for the Irish was in remission with the election of the second Irish President, yet the revulsion is there in spades.”

. . .

[See the “e-ssay” titled On Respect, Fear, Admiration and Irreverence (December 17, 2007).]

Bumper stickers of the week:

I hate myself; I hate Obama

O’Bama: Fe8Au8?

License plate of the week [You only get six letters and/or numbers on a license plate]:

RSPECT

1 Comment »

Possibly Just Barely Maybe Hopefully Gettin’ Through The Day (March 3, 2014)

Posted in Economics, Freedom / Liberty, Markets, Minimum Wage, Personal Stories Series, Personal Story, Russia on March 6, 2014 by e-commentary.org

. . .

_________________ “I was up all night trying to figure out who to pay and how much to pay. Everyone wants to be paid everything right now. I tried to figure out who really needs the money. Everyone needs the money. I tried to figure out who was waiting the longest. Everyone has waited too long. I tried to figure who has been helpful and understanding. A few people have been nice about it. I tried to figure out who I would need in the future. I need most of them because they provide my basics in life. I didn’t have to try to figure out who has made threats and been mean to me. In my head, I took one dollar from someone and added two dollars to someone else. Then I added up the total payments and again had spent more money than I have again. I tossed and tried again and turned and tried again and tossed and cried again. Then I got up tired and went to my first job that will not provide enough money to pay my current bills.”

. . .

Bumper stickers of the week:

The real value of money is the freedom it provides to be generous

Colorado: All is fine; taxes are up; life goes on

When Texas threatens to secede, do the Russians threaten to attack?

U.S.A and Russia: When you have someone in a corner, you are also in the same corner

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e-commentary

The Minimum Wage: The Market Solution (May 5, 2015)

Pay Your Bills, Bundy! (April 28, 2014)

Unionizing Athletes And Adjuncts (And Sherpas) (April 21, 2014)

Debasing The Dialogue (April 14, 2014)

Celebrating All Heroes (April 7, 2014)

NATO: Nations Aggressively Taking Over (March 31, 2014)

The Tsunami Hits Shore (March 24, 2014)

Texas Votes To Secede From U.S. And Join Mexico; Russia Blows Up World In Response (March 17, 2014)

“I Hate Obama.” The Trip Hammer Of Hate Tolls Without Toll And With Toll (March 10, 2014)

Possibly Just Barely Maybe Hopefully Gettin’ Through The Day (March 3, 2014)

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