There's debate as to whether the Democrats should lean left or toward the center in politics. I think, especially for the midterm election, they could do both depending on the region. Congressional and local races can play to the constituents of various diverse places. There doesn't have to be one standard bearer for the entire party.
This gets a bit more tricky for presidential elections, but still, the party of the big tent ought to be able to function with civility, given much diversity of opinion within.
Sunday, July 06, 2025
Keeping the big tent.
I would guess that the majority of Americans are worried about our possible slide toward more authoritarian; one party, one person government. Still, the Democratic Party alternative doesn't do well in the polls.
I hope Democrats can retake seats in Congress if, for nothing else, to preserve our system of checks and balances.
I still think deep cultural changes are needed before we can more effectively address problems; such as climate change and income inequality. The world as a whole, including USA, needs less population growth and less consumption. Things like over dependency on private automobiles are an example of our problems at the grass roots levels.
People in large urban areas, where space is more limited, are already living in somewhat of a different culture. A culture of more public transit and lower footprint housing, for instance. Urban areas tend to elect politicians that lean farther to the left, such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York City. There is worry that this brand of politics will not play well for elections across most of America where life is less urban.
More moderate Democrats still due better in polls across most of America, though some folks might disagree with me. Bernie Sanders has done fairly well in nationwide polling, I guess.
One solution to this problem is to have more autonomy for cities. The politics and culture of dense urban areas is different than that of rural areas. We are a large and very diverse nation so one size fits all solutions can't work across the entire nation. Cities often do tax themselves more to provide things like transit while the need for that is less evident in rural areas.
Still, we do need to figure out how to address things like climate change and inequality in diverse ways suited for each region. Technology is still a big part of the answer, but cultural and lifestyle changes are needed as well. These changes will be different, and in some cases only incremental, based on the differing needs of various places. We live in very diverse environments ranging from New York City to rural Wyoming.
I hope Democrats can retake seats in Congress if, for nothing else, to preserve our system of checks and balances.
I still think deep cultural changes are needed before we can more effectively address problems; such as climate change and income inequality. The world as a whole, including USA, needs less population growth and less consumption. Things like over dependency on private automobiles are an example of our problems at the grass roots levels.
People in large urban areas, where space is more limited, are already living in somewhat of a different culture. A culture of more public transit and lower footprint housing, for instance. Urban areas tend to elect politicians that lean farther to the left, such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York City. There is worry that this brand of politics will not play well for elections across most of America where life is less urban.
More moderate Democrats still due better in polls across most of America, though some folks might disagree with me. Bernie Sanders has done fairly well in nationwide polling, I guess.
One solution to this problem is to have more autonomy for cities. The politics and culture of dense urban areas is different than that of rural areas. We are a large and very diverse nation so one size fits all solutions can't work across the entire nation. Cities often do tax themselves more to provide things like transit while the need for that is less evident in rural areas.
Still, we do need to figure out how to address things like climate change and inequality in diverse ways suited for each region. Technology is still a big part of the answer, but cultural and lifestyle changes are needed as well. These changes will be different, and in some cases only incremental, based on the differing needs of various places. We live in very diverse environments ranging from New York City to rural Wyoming.
Thursday, July 03, 2025
Healthcare industry grows as populations age and more folks can access coverage. This could be in jeopardy however.
Healthcare spending has increased in the US and around much of the world. Aging populations, especially in wealthier nations, are part of the equation. Another big factor, in the US, is an increase in the percentage of population covered by insurance. According an article I saw in New York Times, 14% of US population had no health insurance in 2000. By 2023 that number had dropped to 8%; a benevolent trend.
Insurance coverage has increased mostly due to Medicaid expansion in most states due to Obamacare. The Obamacare exchanges and some other changes has increased coverage as well. Some of this improvement may be in jeopardy due to the budget.
Past growth of healthcare industry is reshaping the US economy. Below graphic I excerpted from.
What are the alternatives? Healthier lifestyles are part of the equation, but not all of the equation. The inevitable reality of death is also part of the equation. It may seem crude to say this, but here is a sound byte I recently thought of.
"Assisted dying is cheaper than assisted living."
Still, in spite of all this, my wish for people, including myself, is.
"May we have many more years."
Insurance coverage has increased mostly due to Medicaid expansion in most states due to Obamacare. The Obamacare exchanges and some other changes has increased coverage as well. Some of this improvement may be in jeopardy due to the budget.
Past growth of healthcare industry is reshaping the US economy. Below graphic I excerpted from.
What are the alternatives? Healthier lifestyles are part of the equation, but not all of the equation. The inevitable reality of death is also part of the equation. It may seem crude to say this, but here is a sound byte I recently thought of.
"Assisted dying is cheaper than assisted living."
Still, in spite of all this, my wish for people, including myself, is.
"May we have many more years."
Democrats and the public watches as Republicans struggle with the budget.
As I write this, who knows the fate of that Republican budget bill in the US House of Representatives?
Republicans tend to not listen to Democrats, but there is division within the house of Republicanism about this bill. Reservations ranging from it's Medicaid cuts to it's projected deficit increases related to the tax cut provisions.
Maybe Republicans, themselves, will delay giving Trump his victory of having the bill on his desk by the Fourth of July. The process may slow down so they can continue to refine the bill and hammer out compromises.
We'll see. We, the public and also the Democrats, watch from mostly being relegated to the sidelines.
Republicans tend to not listen to Democrats, but there is division within the house of Republicanism about this bill. Reservations ranging from it's Medicaid cuts to it's projected deficit increases related to the tax cut provisions.
Maybe Republicans, themselves, will delay giving Trump his victory of having the bill on his desk by the Fourth of July. The process may slow down so they can continue to refine the bill and hammer out compromises.
We'll see. We, the public and also the Democrats, watch from mostly being relegated to the sidelines.
Friday, June 27, 2025
In the quest for a more affordable city, does Zohran Mamdani have a needed perspective?
Since I have opinions about so many things, I can try venturing into New York City politics as well. Zohran Mamdani is making news a winner of the city's democratic primary. A fresh new face and energy. I look forward to learning more.
One reservation is some old ideas, I think he has for things like rent control. One problem is that rent control might just be pushing around the problem of expensive housing due to lack of supply. Some will say that "build, build, build" works better, but I see the need for deep thinking versus some of these simplistic discussions.
Rent control may mean less housing construction due to economics.
Here is yet another factor. Maybe the central city is already pretty dense so building a lot more could harm it's breathing room, however. How about densifying the suburbs? I tend to think that there may be a comfort limit to how dense San Francisco, itself can get. I know, I'm now talking about a different city. The city does work due to transit and so forth. To make things more affordable why can't we build out the suburbs more and connect things with less automobile based transit beyond just the central cities themselves? What I am advocating is happening, to some extent, but I think we need political slogans that look at the big picture. I know it may be hard to put the big picture into a slogan.
Another thing to think about. Cities tend to be more liberal than the countryside. A political divide. One way to address that is to provide more autonomy to cities as they tend to think different than more rural areas. Saying that, I realize, however that I am suggesting making the suburbs more like the cities. The suburbs at least.
One reservation is some old ideas, I think he has for things like rent control. One problem is that rent control might just be pushing around the problem of expensive housing due to lack of supply. Some will say that "build, build, build" works better, but I see the need for deep thinking versus some of these simplistic discussions.
Rent control may mean less housing construction due to economics.
Here is yet another factor. Maybe the central city is already pretty dense so building a lot more could harm it's breathing room, however. How about densifying the suburbs? I tend to think that there may be a comfort limit to how dense San Francisco, itself can get. I know, I'm now talking about a different city. The city does work due to transit and so forth. To make things more affordable why can't we build out the suburbs more and connect things with less automobile based transit beyond just the central cities themselves? What I am advocating is happening, to some extent, but I think we need political slogans that look at the big picture. I know it may be hard to put the big picture into a slogan.
Another thing to think about. Cities tend to be more liberal than the countryside. A political divide. One way to address that is to provide more autonomy to cities as they tend to think different than more rural areas. Saying that, I realize, however that I am suggesting making the suburbs more like the cities. The suburbs at least.
Labels:
planning,
politics,
publictransit,
transportation
Sometimes weapons used for violence do have to be destroyed.
I'm pretty much okay with the destruction of Iran's nuclear sites, if that is what has actually happened. That's also if Iran was actually planning to develop atomic weapons. International cooperation with inspectors on the ground in Iran would be better, however, if that was possible.
It takes more than just tax cuts to grow an economy.
Tax cuts are often advocated by people thinking they will grow the economy. In most cases that doesn't work as it takes more to grow an economy than just tax cuts.
Deregulation might do more, but again it takes more than just that. Economies grow from many things like abundant natural resources, innovation, education, infrastructure improvements and so forth. In some cases, reducing regulation harms the environment thus hurting the economy; for instance tourism.
Maybe repealing the 2017 tax cuts would be somewhat of a shock, but Republicans should not add more tax cuts on top of the already low taxes that are skewed mostly to the wealthy. Our system seems teetering on bankruptcy more than ever.
Greed is a big problem. We can never grow the economy enough to be totally satisfying. We need to strive for a sustainable economy instead.
Deregulation might do more, but again it takes more than just that. Economies grow from many things like abundant natural resources, innovation, education, infrastructure improvements and so forth. In some cases, reducing regulation harms the environment thus hurting the economy; for instance tourism.
Maybe repealing the 2017 tax cuts would be somewhat of a shock, but Republicans should not add more tax cuts on top of the already low taxes that are skewed mostly to the wealthy. Our system seems teetering on bankruptcy more than ever.
Greed is a big problem. We can never grow the economy enough to be totally satisfying. We need to strive for a sustainable economy instead.
Labels:
economics,
federal_debt,
politics
As US national governance slides more toward one person rule, people at local levels seem to be waking up more.
So far, my own life has been pretty good and hasn't changed that much in spite of growing gloom about the state of our national government. At the local level, here in Bellingham and hopefully across USA, alternative cultures still thrive including more LGBTQ people coming out of the closet than ever.
At the same time, national government is sliding more to one person rule without checks and balances. It seems to be sliding toward dictatorship; today's Supreme Court ruling reducing the ability of district courts to overturn unconstitutional executive orders as one more step to absolute presidential rule.
As time goes on, I think a growing majority of the American people oppose one party, one president rule. Still, we seem to now be sliding into some form of dictatorship at the national level. I hope the people can still save us from that fate.
In the past, I've tended to blame the people for the shape of our politics. The people as voters, or lack of voting and the people as consumers buying into mainstream culture have played a role in shaping things up till now. Power of corporations and government has also been part of the equation, but more recently we have crossed a line in which I think the people are not to blame as much as before. The national system is no longer for the people, for the most part.
As Democracy fades at the national level, the people seem to be waking up across the country and can still bring a better outcome. Culture does seem to be awakening in many ways including more enthusiasm for LGBTQ community, at local levels, as one example.
At the same time, national government is sliding more to one person rule without checks and balances. It seems to be sliding toward dictatorship; today's Supreme Court ruling reducing the ability of district courts to overturn unconstitutional executive orders as one more step to absolute presidential rule.
As time goes on, I think a growing majority of the American people oppose one party, one president rule. Still, we seem to now be sliding into some form of dictatorship at the national level. I hope the people can still save us from that fate.
In the past, I've tended to blame the people for the shape of our politics. The people as voters, or lack of voting and the people as consumers buying into mainstream culture have played a role in shaping things up till now. Power of corporations and government has also been part of the equation, but more recently we have crossed a line in which I think the people are not to blame as much as before. The national system is no longer for the people, for the most part.
As Democracy fades at the national level, the people seem to be waking up across the country and can still bring a better outcome. Culture does seem to be awakening in many ways including more enthusiasm for LGBTQ community, at local levels, as one example.
Thursday, June 12, 2025
The so called right to life politicians are pulling the plug on USAID thus increasing the death rate.
The so called right to life politicians are pulling the plug on USAID thus increasing the death rate.
Labels:
politics,
righttolifecontradiction
Monday, June 09, 2025
Cutting off foreign aid could be seen as a crude way to reduce world population.
It's possibly from the law of unintended consequences. I think much of the anti immigration push, plus the cutbacks in foreign aid are like a subconscious reaction to a crowded planet.
Support for birth control causes far less misery.
Support for birth control causes far less misery.
Labels:
immigration,
population,
righttolifecontradiction
Friday, June 06, 2025
Elon Musk foolishly supported and now gets burned by the MAGA cult.
Much of the MAGA world is having to eat it's own vicious medicine. I'm not surprised that there would be a falling out between Elon Musk and Trump.
Fire brand Steve Bannon, a media personality and former Trump aid, has also entered the fight. Without our government's checks and balances, Trump could, conceivably, seize, Musk's Space X company on national security grounds; as Bannon suggests. It's likely the courts would try to stop this, however; remember Trump's bullying of Harvard.
Space X has been a very important defense and space contractor. It's been the only reliable US provider for human space flight. Without it, astronauts would have no way to get back and forth from the International Space Station; except for riding on Russia's Soyuz capsules.
The US and Russia are no longer on friendly terms either, but scientists, on the Space Station, can still work together. If scientists can work together, why can't anyone else?
Religious fanatics, politicians, media stars and much of the public engages in nasty feuds. The volume of these feuds has been in high gear as folks like Trump, Musk and Bannon keep blathering.
I remember having quite a bit of respect for Musk with his reusable rockets, but more recently, it seems like he has bought the MAGA bug and gone off the rails; his Space X company still functioning thanks to calmer minded technical staff.
Maybe, if real scientists had more say in world affairs, we would be in much better shape.
Fire brand Steve Bannon, a media personality and former Trump aid, has also entered the fight. Without our government's checks and balances, Trump could, conceivably, seize, Musk's Space X company on national security grounds; as Bannon suggests. It's likely the courts would try to stop this, however; remember Trump's bullying of Harvard.
Space X has been a very important defense and space contractor. It's been the only reliable US provider for human space flight. Without it, astronauts would have no way to get back and forth from the International Space Station; except for riding on Russia's Soyuz capsules.
The US and Russia are no longer on friendly terms either, but scientists, on the Space Station, can still work together. If scientists can work together, why can't anyone else?
Religious fanatics, politicians, media stars and much of the public engages in nasty feuds. The volume of these feuds has been in high gear as folks like Trump, Musk and Bannon keep blathering.
I remember having quite a bit of respect for Musk with his reusable rockets, but more recently, it seems like he has bought the MAGA bug and gone off the rails; his Space X company still functioning thanks to calmer minded technical staff.
Maybe, if real scientists had more say in world affairs, we would be in much better shape.
Wednesday, June 04, 2025
Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) give some Republicans worry about their image. To be honest, the choices are difficult.
Warning: This mentions death.
As Republicans struggle with lowering the federal deficit, I think the biggest slice of the spending pie is Medicare, which I rely on. So far, it's off the cutting table, but Medicaid is another large pillar of life that could be on the table.
Like political "hot rails" politicians mess who these items risk committing "political suicide." These comments from Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) give some Republicans worry about their image. To be honest, the choices are difficult.
Other big budget items include things like interest on the debt, military, veteran benefits and Homeland Security. Beyond that it's many small slices of the pie that keep the country going; such as the Weather Service.
Link to article on Yahoo News.
As Republicans struggle with lowering the federal deficit, I think the biggest slice of the spending pie is Medicare, which I rely on. So far, it's off the cutting table, but Medicaid is another large pillar of life that could be on the table.
Like political "hot rails" politicians mess who these items risk committing "political suicide." These comments from Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) give some Republicans worry about their image. To be honest, the choices are difficult.
Other big budget items include things like interest on the debt, military, veteran benefits and Homeland Security. Beyond that it's many small slices of the pie that keep the country going; such as the Weather Service.
Link to article on Yahoo News.
Tuesday, June 03, 2025
While the Democratic Party seems better at protecting status quo than Republicans, many on the left want bigger change. There seems to be little consensus for the direction of change, however.
Some people want to make big changes in the Democratic Party as the same old party lost in the past. Problem is, it seems like there is little consensus, among the American people, for which direction to change. Many people want big change, but little agreement on what the big change should be.
I see voting for the Democrats as a way to protect democracy; somewhat like the role of a placeholder.
Transformational change is needed; especially to deal with climate change. Eventually, I hope that some clear consensus can emerge among the American people for strategies moving forward. I know what my own agenda would look like. In a nutshell; less emphasis on money and consumerism, but embrace technology and don't be too anti business. Encourage patience and healthier lifestyles. Encourage less automobile dependent planning and so forth.
I would love to see a consensus for this, but I don't see it so far. We do need some kind of consensus, if not this something at least, if we want to move the country in a new direction that sticks.
I see voting for the Democrats as a way to protect democracy; somewhat like the role of a placeholder.
Transformational change is needed; especially to deal with climate change. Eventually, I hope that some clear consensus can emerge among the American people for strategies moving forward. I know what my own agenda would look like. In a nutshell; less emphasis on money and consumerism, but embrace technology and don't be too anti business. Encourage patience and healthier lifestyles. Encourage less automobile dependent planning and so forth.
I would love to see a consensus for this, but I don't see it so far. We do need some kind of consensus, if not this something at least, if we want to move the country in a new direction that sticks.
Blaming the people for our society's problems can empower the people to act differently in the marketplace and to make better choices when voting.
I tend to blame the people for our society's problems. It's mostly the people. Institutions and business play a part, but I think the people, who make up the mass markets and the voting public, are the main problem.
I would hope that this thought could empower people as we can make the changes and I think institutions would still follow; for the most part.
Rather than blaming individuals, I blame culture in mass.
In 2024, US voters chose a path toward the US becoming an oligarchy where power becomes more concentrated at the top and in one person.
I'm hoping voters will make different choices going forward if they still have a chance.
I would hope that this thought could empower people as we can make the changes and I think institutions would still follow; for the most part.
Rather than blaming individuals, I blame culture in mass.
In 2024, US voters chose a path toward the US becoming an oligarchy where power becomes more concentrated at the top and in one person.
I'm hoping voters will make different choices going forward if they still have a chance.
Monday, June 02, 2025
Wrongful death lawsuit says Big Oil contributed to heat wave and woman's death.
I personally doubt that a law suite against an oil company would be up-held; especially given the many Republicans on Supreme Court. If an oil company were to be fined, however, it would be like a carbon tax, which I basically favor. Raising the price of fossil fuels that gets passed on to the consumer.
The Republican Party, itself, could be target of blame for climate denial. Below I excerpted this from article.
The current administration has been quick to disregard climate change and related jargon. Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. withdrew from the Paris climate agreement, again; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — an agency whose weather forecasting and research workforce has been gutted — will no longer track the cost of weather disasters fueled by climate change; and the Environmental Protection Agency has been called on to a rewrite its long-standing findings that determined planet-warming greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare.
Another one of my thoughts is how deadly cars can be that people drive everyday. Sitting in a car, even in shade, can be deadly on a hot day if the air-conditioning is not working. If driving, its better to try and find an air-conditioned business to stop at and walk into the cool space, I guess.
I wrote this blog post after I found an article in May 29, 2025 Huntingdon Daily News. About someone from Ferndale, near Bellingham.
Got a response like this where I posted somewhere else.
Carbon taxes put the burden on working people as the rich don’t notice it and big companies just pass it on. It’s a regressive tax.
We NEED to outlaw burning of Fossil Fuel with enough lead time before it goes into effect to change over to sustainable fuels.
My reply.
It does seem like many people rebel against laws. If we kick the can down the road and outlaw fossil fuels in 10 years, it would probably still be a hardship. We may need a 10 year plan, but folks would say it's like the 5 year plans under Stalin's Soviet Union.
Back in the 1970s, there was a law for gas rationing to try and allocate the short supply during the Arab oil embargo. The wealthy were not allowed to jump the cue like in more of a market driven system. When Reagan came along, deregulation and the market became more like a god, I guess. The market and higher prices brought more oil production from shale and so forth.
In some ways, I miss the days of odd / even gas rationing. Those were my college days. Back then, I remember somewhat smugly saying, I don't drive. I can still say that today.
The Republican Party, itself, could be target of blame for climate denial. Below I excerpted this from article.
The current administration has been quick to disregard climate change and related jargon. Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. withdrew from the Paris climate agreement, again; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — an agency whose weather forecasting and research workforce has been gutted — will no longer track the cost of weather disasters fueled by climate change; and the Environmental Protection Agency has been called on to a rewrite its long-standing findings that determined planet-warming greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare.
Another one of my thoughts is how deadly cars can be that people drive everyday. Sitting in a car, even in shade, can be deadly on a hot day if the air-conditioning is not working. If driving, its better to try and find an air-conditioned business to stop at and walk into the cool space, I guess.
I wrote this blog post after I found an article in May 29, 2025 Huntingdon Daily News. About someone from Ferndale, near Bellingham.
Got a response like this where I posted somewhere else.
Carbon taxes put the burden on working people as the rich don’t notice it and big companies just pass it on. It’s a regressive tax.
We NEED to outlaw burning of Fossil Fuel with enough lead time before it goes into effect to change over to sustainable fuels.
My reply.
It does seem like many people rebel against laws. If we kick the can down the road and outlaw fossil fuels in 10 years, it would probably still be a hardship. We may need a 10 year plan, but folks would say it's like the 5 year plans under Stalin's Soviet Union.
Back in the 1970s, there was a law for gas rationing to try and allocate the short supply during the Arab oil embargo. The wealthy were not allowed to jump the cue like in more of a market driven system. When Reagan came along, deregulation and the market became more like a god, I guess. The market and higher prices brought more oil production from shale and so forth.
In some ways, I miss the days of odd / even gas rationing. Those were my college days. Back then, I remember somewhat smugly saying, I don't drive. I can still say that today.
Labels:
bicycling,
carsafety,
energy,
global warming,
planning,
transportation
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Missed opportunities for meaningful dialog at Cal Anderson Park in Seattle.
In the news I read about an event and two protests in Seattle that went totally different directions than my thinking. The event was at Cal Anderson Park on Capital Hill. It was a religious rally related to the pro life movement, so I hear.
Counter protesters were pro transsexual and LGBTQ. My response to so called "pro life" is to point out the irony of pro lifers who support Republican policies of sending migrants back to dangerous countries and possibly kicking people off Medicaid. Wouldn't those policies be a threat to life?
The religious group is also, I'd guess, not friendly to us LGBTQ folks.
The religious folks sponsoring that event later held a protest at Seattle City Hall as they were upset with a message from the liberal mayor and the way the city handled the whole thing. There were arrests at both protests.
Disruptive and angry protests from either side are counterproductive. It's just people shouting past one another. Much of the protests were likely peaceful, but disruptive behavior soured the whole deal.
I still keep seeing the irony of folks saying they believe in the sanctity of life while livelihoods and healthcare are threatened for many.
Counter protesters were pro transsexual and LGBTQ. My response to so called "pro life" is to point out the irony of pro lifers who support Republican policies of sending migrants back to dangerous countries and possibly kicking people off Medicaid. Wouldn't those policies be a threat to life?
The religious group is also, I'd guess, not friendly to us LGBTQ folks.
The religious folks sponsoring that event later held a protest at Seattle City Hall as they were upset with a message from the liberal mayor and the way the city handled the whole thing. There were arrests at both protests.
Disruptive and angry protests from either side are counterproductive. It's just people shouting past one another. Much of the protests were likely peaceful, but disruptive behavior soured the whole deal.
I still keep seeing the irony of folks saying they believe in the sanctity of life while livelihoods and healthcare are threatened for many.
Labels:
gay rights,
peace,
politics,
religion,
righttolifecontradiction,
seattle
The rest of the world can't afford to catch up with consumerist USA as a prerequisite before making transformational changes to greener economies.
As much of the world rises out of poverty and becomes more consumerist, somewhat like USA, the US gets tired of being blamed for climate change; a big segment of US is tired at least.
US government now turning it's back on attempts to address climate change, but much of the rest of the world is realizing that first catching up to US consumerism can't be a prerequisite for addressing the problem.
China is taking big steps to make it's economy more green. China's over 1 billion people can't afford to catch up with US consumerism before transformative changes are made; such as a surprisingly large percent of cars, sold in China, are electric. US bans imports fearing decline it it's auto industry which changes more slowly.
Where the energy comes from is still a big question, but transformational changes are being made there as well, in much of the world.
I still like life in USA with it's freedom to differ from mainstream society, but that freedom also can lead to gridlock of plans for transformational change. Rail transportation, solar, wind and nuclear power stall, in USA, do to gridlock between special interests. NIMBY fears may have sunk USA's past attempts to transform to a greener future.
I still hope we can somehow figure out a good road to the future.
US government now turning it's back on attempts to address climate change, but much of the rest of the world is realizing that first catching up to US consumerism can't be a prerequisite for addressing the problem.
China is taking big steps to make it's economy more green. China's over 1 billion people can't afford to catch up with US consumerism before transformative changes are made; such as a surprisingly large percent of cars, sold in China, are electric. US bans imports fearing decline it it's auto industry which changes more slowly.
Where the energy comes from is still a big question, but transformational changes are being made there as well, in much of the world.
I still like life in USA with it's freedom to differ from mainstream society, but that freedom also can lead to gridlock of plans for transformational change. Rail transportation, solar, wind and nuclear power stall, in USA, do to gridlock between special interests. NIMBY fears may have sunk USA's past attempts to transform to a greener future.
I still hope we can somehow figure out a good road to the future.
Labels:
global warming,
peace,
population
Thursday, May 29, 2025
What I would like to see the Democratic Party stand for.
Policies to create more affordable housing. Talk about zoning, planning, building and so forth. Encourage local governments to reduce sprawl, less restrictive "single family" zoning. This also to address climate change.
Improve our transportation system. Try and reduce America's dependency on private automobiles. Maybe lower the percent of commutes, by car, to 75% versus the current approx. 92% by car (so I've read).
Increase use of public transit, bicycles, walking and telecommuting. This will reduce traffic congestion and the need to devote precious urban land to parking.
Continue to promote electric cars for those who still insist on driving. Try and figure out a cleaner fuel for air travel. Serve more locations with passenger rail. Provide more frequent train service to places, like Spokane, where the only passenger service arrives late at night.
Place less emphasis on the costly pipedream of high speed rail, in USA, due to lack of available rite-of-way in congested areas.
Low population areas (like Eastern Washington) often have rail corridors that are under used while high population areas (like Seattle to Vancouver, BC) don't have land for new rail lines; especially land free of road crossings. High speed rail is a catch 22.
Resist Republican efforts to dismantle affordable healthcare.
Promote healthy lifestyles, diets and exercise.
Discuss immigration as a population issue. It's related to 8 billion people on this planet with many seeking refuge from brutal situations overseas.
Try to promote more livable situations worldwide with democratic reforms, birth control, human rights, women's rights, gay rights and so forth.
Realize the benefits of immigrates as labor and talent, but also think about the burden of increasing population on affordable housing, infrastructure and so forth.
Support reproductive rights, but try and emphasize the ideal goal of abortion being rare. Every child should be wanted. We need good birth control to prevent unwanted pregnancy and good social services welcoming people into this world. Realize that population growth effects the environment.
Support the rights of LGBTQ people. Try to accommodate transgender rights, but have rational, non punitive, discussions about the costs of care (if that is a big factor) effects on sports and so forth. Recognize that understanding of gender is evolving given new science.
Place less emphasis on people fighting over who has been treated the worst. Avoid battles between various groups which one could call "resentment politics." Avoid calling for reparations over historic wrongs from past generations. Realize that life will never be totally fair, but try to continue incrementally moving toward fairness.
Try not to fall for the strategy of "divide and conquer" as those in power (for instance Republicans) often exploit resentments between groups to divide people.
As for the age issue (given talk about the age of many in government) I would reduce institutional reliance on seniority in Congress and other institutions.
Goals have been set, internationally, to reduce carbon emissions, but countries can't seem to find ways to follow the goals. Maybe we need to set goals that help us attain the bigger, more theoretical goals of reducing carbon emissions.
How about a goal to reduce private car commutes, in USA, to 75% versus 92%?
Yes, it might create some economic displacement, for instance in auto dependent industries. That is likely a big reason why national politicians don't touch it. Not only would it disrupt auto manufacturing companies and unions, but it would also disrupt drive-in businesses that depend on the way things have been done for the past few decades.
Improve our transportation system. Try and reduce America's dependency on private automobiles. Maybe lower the percent of commutes, by car, to 75% versus the current approx. 92% by car (so I've read).
Increase use of public transit, bicycles, walking and telecommuting. This will reduce traffic congestion and the need to devote precious urban land to parking.
Continue to promote electric cars for those who still insist on driving. Try and figure out a cleaner fuel for air travel. Serve more locations with passenger rail. Provide more frequent train service to places, like Spokane, where the only passenger service arrives late at night.
Place less emphasis on the costly pipedream of high speed rail, in USA, due to lack of available rite-of-way in congested areas.
Low population areas (like Eastern Washington) often have rail corridors that are under used while high population areas (like Seattle to Vancouver, BC) don't have land for new rail lines; especially land free of road crossings. High speed rail is a catch 22.
Resist Republican efforts to dismantle affordable healthcare.
Promote healthy lifestyles, diets and exercise.
Discuss immigration as a population issue. It's related to 8 billion people on this planet with many seeking refuge from brutal situations overseas.
Try to promote more livable situations worldwide with democratic reforms, birth control, human rights, women's rights, gay rights and so forth.
Realize the benefits of immigrates as labor and talent, but also think about the burden of increasing population on affordable housing, infrastructure and so forth.
Support reproductive rights, but try and emphasize the ideal goal of abortion being rare. Every child should be wanted. We need good birth control to prevent unwanted pregnancy and good social services welcoming people into this world. Realize that population growth effects the environment.
Support the rights of LGBTQ people. Try to accommodate transgender rights, but have rational, non punitive, discussions about the costs of care (if that is a big factor) effects on sports and so forth. Recognize that understanding of gender is evolving given new science.
Place less emphasis on people fighting over who has been treated the worst. Avoid battles between various groups which one could call "resentment politics." Avoid calling for reparations over historic wrongs from past generations. Realize that life will never be totally fair, but try to continue incrementally moving toward fairness.
Try not to fall for the strategy of "divide and conquer" as those in power (for instance Republicans) often exploit resentments between groups to divide people.
As for the age issue (given talk about the age of many in government) I would reduce institutional reliance on seniority in Congress and other institutions.
Goals have been set, internationally, to reduce carbon emissions, but countries can't seem to find ways to follow the goals. Maybe we need to set goals that help us attain the bigger, more theoretical goals of reducing carbon emissions.
How about a goal to reduce private car commutes, in USA, to 75% versus 92%?
Yes, it might create some economic displacement, for instance in auto dependent industries. That is likely a big reason why national politicians don't touch it. Not only would it disrupt auto manufacturing companies and unions, but it would also disrupt drive-in businesses that depend on the way things have been done for the past few decades.
Sunday, May 25, 2025
Protests against police may have brought the opposite of what was intended.
Today marks the 5th anniversary of the killing of George Floyd which sparked nationwide protests. I didn't participate in those protests though it was unfortunate what happened to Floyd.
In most cases, I felt, and still feel that police aren't as big a problem as some of the other problems we face in this country. Our culture has a lot of bro aggressive energy.
Since those protests, things seem to have slid more backwards away from the goals that most of the protesters advocated. We are now in the era of Trump.
Admittedly, I am speaking from my own experience, here in Bellingham which does, so I've heard, have a reputation for some of the kindest police in the country. Personally I tend to be a very cautious person anyway, so I haven't had problems with police. I notice much of American culture is driven by aggression and hostility; especially male aggression being dangerous: reckless driving, gun culture, domestic violence and so forth.
We do have lots of problems to address including a shortage of affordable housing. I would guess, from what I hear in the news, that there are some problems with policing, but I would put it pretty low on the priority list compared to many other factors that add to inequality, such as economic and political situations.
Fear of crime can create its own problems such as fear of strangers and a general lack of trust when people venture out in public. Increased fear of crime seems to have pushed society away from open hearts.
I also think that there are lots of good people and ideas that can prevail; especially as people are realizing what bad politics can do to a society. Populism can bring bad politics if politics is dependent on who yells the loudest. I feel that anger is usually a bad strategy for bringing a more humane society.
In most cases, I felt, and still feel that police aren't as big a problem as some of the other problems we face in this country. Our culture has a lot of bro aggressive energy.
Since those protests, things seem to have slid more backwards away from the goals that most of the protesters advocated. We are now in the era of Trump.
Admittedly, I am speaking from my own experience, here in Bellingham which does, so I've heard, have a reputation for some of the kindest police in the country. Personally I tend to be a very cautious person anyway, so I haven't had problems with police. I notice much of American culture is driven by aggression and hostility; especially male aggression being dangerous: reckless driving, gun culture, domestic violence and so forth.
We do have lots of problems to address including a shortage of affordable housing. I would guess, from what I hear in the news, that there are some problems with policing, but I would put it pretty low on the priority list compared to many other factors that add to inequality, such as economic and political situations.
Fear of crime can create its own problems such as fear of strangers and a general lack of trust when people venture out in public. Increased fear of crime seems to have pushed society away from open hearts.
I also think that there are lots of good people and ideas that can prevail; especially as people are realizing what bad politics can do to a society. Populism can bring bad politics if politics is dependent on who yells the loudest. I feel that anger is usually a bad strategy for bringing a more humane society.
Labels:
democraticparty,
peace,
police
Friday, May 23, 2025
If Trump had won in 2020, we would probably have a new president today; likely a better president.
Some people are still grumbling that the 2020 election wasn't fair and Trump should have won it.
I say maybe if he had won it, we would be done with Trump by now; unless he somehow finagled a 3rd term.
Incumbent presidents tend to become unpopular. People weren't that enthused with Biden at the end of his term. Trump's popularity is dropping. No one can satisfy the finger pointing American people. We do have to look at ourselves in the mirror.
A better scenario would have been a Harris victory, in 2024, after Biden's victory in 2020.
I say maybe if he had won it, we would be done with Trump by now; unless he somehow finagled a 3rd term.
Incumbent presidents tend to become unpopular. People weren't that enthused with Biden at the end of his term. Trump's popularity is dropping. No one can satisfy the finger pointing American people. We do have to look at ourselves in the mirror.
A better scenario would have been a Harris victory, in 2024, after Biden's victory in 2020.
Loss of international students likely to add to US economic downturn.
International students are now weary of coming to USA for college. As students leave for other, more welcoming countries, their money and talent will also leave USA; a loss to the US economy. Below reprinted from part of a story on NPR Morning edition (May 23 2025).
More than 1.1 million international students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities in the 2023-'24 school year. They do not qualify for federal financial aid, and so for many colleges represent a crucial financial lifeline.
Last academic year, international students contributed more than $43 billion to the U.S. economy, according to NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
This is one of many reasons why I think USA may be headed for an economic downturn.
More than 1.1 million international students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities in the 2023-'24 school year. They do not qualify for federal financial aid, and so for many colleges represent a crucial financial lifeline.
Last academic year, international students contributed more than $43 billion to the U.S. economy, according to NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
This is one of many reasons why I think USA may be headed for an economic downturn.
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Is the land acknowledgement for native peoples, at the start a meeting, or party, a waste of time?
It does remind people that this land was basically taken from people who lived here before modern USA or Canada. That could be worth something, but it does seem like just another ritual of going through the motions to appease the guilt.
If I had more artistic skills, I could draw a cartoon about the land acknowledgement.
It's at a meeting, or better yet, a party in a politically liberal setting.
The event starts with the land acknowledgement stating that land was taken from people who came before us.
Then the person at the microphone says, "Okay, time to party."
As the participants start in on the wine and cheese, someone has a thought bubble saying, "It's like going to church on Sunday and then going to the bars and drinking 6 days a week."
Sometimes I add other things to this idea, like the mic on the stage going live again and the host announcing that there was an accident closing the freeway so after the party, folks will need to leave by another route.
Basically, life goes on in its fun, or also its potentially destructive ways.
Life for the yuppies and others continues only to pause a moment to acknowledge some guilt and use some precious time, from participants who are there, for face to face networking.
Maybe it's a waste of effort since face to face, community networking can be rare in itself.
If I had more artistic skills, I could draw a cartoon about the land acknowledgement.
It's at a meeting, or better yet, a party in a politically liberal setting.
The event starts with the land acknowledgement stating that land was taken from people who came before us.
Then the person at the microphone says, "Okay, time to party."
As the participants start in on the wine and cheese, someone has a thought bubble saying, "It's like going to church on Sunday and then going to the bars and drinking 6 days a week."
Sometimes I add other things to this idea, like the mic on the stage going live again and the host announcing that there was an accident closing the freeway so after the party, folks will need to leave by another route.
Basically, life goes on in its fun, or also its potentially destructive ways.
Life for the yuppies and others continues only to pause a moment to acknowledge some guilt and use some precious time, from participants who are there, for face to face networking.
Maybe it's a waste of effort since face to face, community networking can be rare in itself.
51% worldwide commutes by car. Catching up with 92% in USA. Now over 8 billion people in the world. Likely a problem.
A new study of urban transport finds that most commuters globally are getting to work by car, fueling pollution, particularly in wealthier regions. Worldwide 51 percent of commutes are made by car, while 26 percent are made by public transit, 16 percent by bike, and 6 percent on foot. That's a big change since my college days.
In USA, I read that 92% is by car. It's been that way for decades, so in USA it hasn't changed that much compared to worldwide.
According to an article I found, electric vehicles are growing in popularity, helping to curb tailpipe pollution, but a study warned that heavy reliance on cars still contributes to urban sprawl, road traffic, and particulate pollution from wear and tear on tires. “The burden of cars in cities is huge and goes beyond the combustion of petrol,” said Prieto-Curiel. “It is also the parking space required, the driving infrastructure, the noise they produce, the toxic materials used in manufacturing and road pavement, the crashes they cause, and others.”
Interesting article that I excerpted from plus my own research about USA.
I'd like to see goals set for reducing car dependency. For instance in USA, maybe reducing car dependency to 70% from 92%. Just a small change could do a lot for relieving traffic congestion on I-5, for instance.
Goals like this at the local levels might mean more than setting worldwide targets for reducing carbon emissions. It seems like it doesn't matter where we set the carbon emission targets as they are not followed anyway. In USA, under Trump, the government has given up on carbon emission reduction goals anyway.
We need to figure out how to make these changes at our various grassroots levels in each part of the world. The various components which could add up to the large carbon emission number could be where the discussion needs to be focused.
Yale study I found at.
https://e360.yale.edu/digest/cars-commutes-study
E360 Digest, March 19, 2024, More Than Half of Commutes Globally Made by Car, Study Finds.
In USA, I read that 92% is by car. It's been that way for decades, so in USA it hasn't changed that much compared to worldwide.
According to an article I found, electric vehicles are growing in popularity, helping to curb tailpipe pollution, but a study warned that heavy reliance on cars still contributes to urban sprawl, road traffic, and particulate pollution from wear and tear on tires. “The burden of cars in cities is huge and goes beyond the combustion of petrol,” said Prieto-Curiel. “It is also the parking space required, the driving infrastructure, the noise they produce, the toxic materials used in manufacturing and road pavement, the crashes they cause, and others.”
Interesting article that I excerpted from plus my own research about USA.
I'd like to see goals set for reducing car dependency. For instance in USA, maybe reducing car dependency to 70% from 92%. Just a small change could do a lot for relieving traffic congestion on I-5, for instance.
Goals like this at the local levels might mean more than setting worldwide targets for reducing carbon emissions. It seems like it doesn't matter where we set the carbon emission targets as they are not followed anyway. In USA, under Trump, the government has given up on carbon emission reduction goals anyway.
We need to figure out how to make these changes at our various grassroots levels in each part of the world. The various components which could add up to the large carbon emission number could be where the discussion needs to be focused.
Yale study I found at.
https://e360.yale.edu/digest/cars-commutes-study
E360 Digest, March 19, 2024, More Than Half of Commutes Globally Made by Car, Study Finds.
Labels:
aspire,
carconsumption,
population,
transportation
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Violence is a bad strategy for overcoming oppression because oppressors usually have the biggest weapons and will win in the end.
Violence is usually a bad strategy for overcoming oppression because those with the most powerful weapons are the one's who usually prevail. The violence that Hamas brought against Israel was met by a far more powerful response from Israel killing many times more people.
There are better strategies. New inventions and economic conditions can disrupt established orders and bring big changes.
The gradual change that the gay liberation movement and feminism has brought in American culture, over the past few decades, is another example. These things are sometimes thought of as subversive ways to gradually erode and change an existing order.
There are better strategies. New inventions and economic conditions can disrupt established orders and bring big changes.
The gradual change that the gay liberation movement and feminism has brought in American culture, over the past few decades, is another example. These things are sometimes thought of as subversive ways to gradually erode and change an existing order.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Things seem to be improving in Syria.
I'm hoping normalization of relations between US and Syria is a good idea. Things seem to be better in Syria since the brutal Assad Regime was overthrown a while back. My information just from following news.
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