Without accepting some changes in consumer expectations, changes at the top have little support.

When gas prices go up due to environmental regulation and taxes, it seems like more working people turn to the right both in USA and parts of Europe. Yellow Vest protests in France and populist support for Trump in USA.

Now that Trump's war on Iran is pushing up gas prices, the opposite may be happening, working masses turning to the left.

Grassroots dependency on fossil fuels means that politics at the top has a big effect. Regulations and taxes, from the top, are passed along in higher prices and more inconvenience to average people. This is a big reason why I believe that changes in lifestyles, at the grassroots level, needs to be there also. Not just top down down solutions, such as taxing the oil industry.

When fossil fuel production gets restricted, people, who are still dependent on fossil fuels, tend to turn to the right advocating lower taxes and less regulation. Today, however populism's swings has brought us Donald Trump with his war on Iran and higher gas prices.

Grassroots changes, rather than just top down solutions, are needed. One grassroots solution is for ordinary people to turn out and vote.

Even if people dismiss the power of lifestyle changes, a lifestyle that includes voting is needed to create the top down solutions anyway. We can't rein in the power of the super wealthy and large corporations if voters don't consistently support those kind of solutions.

For decades, it seems like we have oscillated between top down Republican ideas of deregulating business and left leaning ideas of regulating and taxing business. Both are top down ideas.

The people's personal lifestyles creates power in mass also. It moves mass markets and influences government with voting. That tends to be more what I talk about. Lifestyles make a difference as well as just how the top is arranged.

One of my recent posts got lots of views on Facebook which is still a useful tool.

My Facebook post from September 5 about various map projections has seemed to go, at least somewhat, viral. It's been forwarded 25 times and seen by around 15,000. At least that post is getting out and about. I set my preferences on Facebook so people, beyond just my friends list, can see what I share.

I also put things on this blog for a few more viewers not using Facebook and for archival use. I sometimes call Facebook the McDonalds of the internet. Hard to beat it's continued convenience and popularity. Nothing is perfect, but it can be a good tool. Some people don't like Facebook, but people also use oil companies and claim they don't like them either. I don't drive.

If the US wants to look at the world using a Mercator map, here is the US using a Mercator map.

Besides just the name of a lake, maps are making more news. The UN has adopted a new map, versus the "old standard" Mercator Projection map.

The US government, under Trump, has rejected the new worldview. Ironically, the US (lower 48) is usually not depicted by Mercator in most maps. They use yet another projection.

If the lower 48 were shown by Mercator, the northern states would look much larger than the southern states.

Another projection that most Americans are used to for the lower 48; not the Mercator.

Mercator maps tend to make things look larger near the poles while things closer to the equator look smaller.

Mercator map of the world distorts sizes near the poles and usually cuts off Antarctica completely. This map shows Mercator sizes versus actual sizes.

Showing the round earth on a flat map isn't easy. I learned about map projections, as a geography major in college. Nothing depicts the globe accurately, except a globe itself which is harder to carry around.

Mercator projection showing Antarctica.

Another style of map showing more equal areas, but less accurate shapes.

The new world map the UN is adopting.

Maps I found searching the web.

My other blog entry about Mercator Projections and the Cold War.

Violence and anger are usually counterproductive.

I often think that if the October 7th 2023 Hamas attack against Israel that killed so many civilians had not happened, maybe Trump would not be president today.

That attack led to Israel killing many more people as it retaliated against Gaza. Moderate Democrats, in USA such as Biden and Harris, lost votes for not taking stronger action against Israel. Many people, on the left, did not vote in the 2024 election feeling there was little difference between the candidates.

This allowed Trump to get back into office with his even more unfriendly policies toward the Palistinians.

Trump's extreme executive power given by this Supreme Court and this Congress.

It's too bad how much executive power Trump has taken advantage of. This, because the Supreme Court has almost given him dictatorial powers when it over rides lower courts that have tried to restrain him. Congress hasn't done much either due to Republican majority.

Normally geographic names are handled, in the US, by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN): Established by Congress in 1890. Trump's executive orders can override that so things can be named by his whims.

Names within the US aren't necessarily accepted internationally. In some cases, countries disagree, like in 1982 during the Falkland Islands conflict between UK and Argentina. The UK called that territory the Falkland Islands while Argentina (which was trying to take it by force during the Falkland Islands War) called it Islas Malvinas.

Google Maps is following it's normal protocol off the cliff, so to speak. Google Maps determines geographic names based on local laws and official government mapping sources within each country. For disputed territories or bodies of water with varying names, Google follows a long-standing policy to display local, legally recognized names to users residing within those specific jurisdictions.

Other mapping entities, such as MapQuest and Apple Maps do it differently. New York State and many other public and private entities can it differently as well.

One person, Trump, is exerting lots of executive power over what has normally been decisions made within the US by community via entities, such as the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. Before a recent Supreme Court ruling, these parts of the US government have had more independence and were less dependent on the whims of one person.

When I start a conversation about Lake Ontario, hardly anyone notices.

Anything Trump says starts worldwide discussions. I hate to add to that process, but I'm falling for it also. I decided to share some pictures of Lake Ontario, a focal point of discussion in today's news since his plans to rename it Lake America.

Here's some of my memories which will, at least, be seen by a handful of people. Memories from my longest bicycle trip across the country in 1991. Going east by bicycle, in two months, and back home on Amtrak in 3 days.

Looking out over Lake Ontario from Fort Niagara, NY. during my 1991 bicycle tour.

By the way, this was built by the French in 1727, then became British after French Indian War. Then became American after Revolutionary War. Fought over in The War of 1812. Now a peaceful New York State Park.

Niagara Falls between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

Lake Ontario from CN Tower in Toronto, Ontario. I crossed part of southern Ontario, Canada on my way east. Took a transit side trip into Toronto for one day from my 2 night campsite at Confederation Park near Hamilton, Ontario.

From CN Tower's outside screened deck. Better pictures from inside deck through the glass.

The view from the CN tower is spectacular. It casts a long shadow.

Not the best picture. My bicycle and Lake Ontario in the background from around Rochester, NY.

Yes, a real politician in Upstate New York, back in 1991. I had to put this in for laughs. I can think of jokes about Trump and outhouses.

Years later, Rob Outhouse wrote me a nice letter when he found this on my trip website. My photography does make small waves.

Should Canada put a surcharge on oil it sends to US and call it a carbon tax?

I've been listening to the news from both sides of the US Canadian border about the tariffs. Trump gone rouge as usual.

We do get lots of oil, natural gas and electricity from Canada. Maybe Canada could add a surcharge to the oil they send? Call it a carbon tax? That would really make Trump mad.

Maybe I shouldn't suggest it even though I don't drive. It would be a double tax to us in the Northwest as we get some of our oil from Alberta through Trans Mountain Pipeline. Washington State already has cap and trade which is kind of like a carbon tax so it would be like a double tax for Washingtonians.

We get much of our natural gas, here in the Pacific Northwest, from Canada also. Yes, the building I live in uses natural gas in its boilers for heating. My little studio apartment, nestled in a big building, is pretty efficient.

Eastern Canada gets some of their oil and gas from the US, as there aren't pipelines from Alberta to Eastern Canada that don't at least run part way through the US.

We're shooting ourselves in the foot and China is likely laughing, or feeling sorry for us.

Europe means well, but still suffers from climate change, as in the good guy finishes last.

I often hear that third world countries suffer more from climate change that is caused by first world countries. Still, all that shaming of first world countries doesn't seem to move the needle toward transformational change.

Meanwhile many, in third world countries, are struggling to build first world economies, including the mistakes that the first world has made. Conservative religious values that push procreation versus alternative lifestyles were prevalent in the first world of the 1950s. They are still being promoted in much of the third world.

Automobile based transportation systems are still being built in much of the world. Even where people, in the third world, do better than USA for use of public transit, many still say they would rather drive if only they could afford a car.

Military spending, as a large percent of national budgets, is huge in many poor countries. Yes, the US tops the list in total military budget, but as a percent of GDP it's down in the list. There are wars all over the world, including a civil war within Sudan that is often under the radar of US media.

Europe has done a good job with public transit, alternative energy and social freedoms, yet due to climate change being a worldwide problem, it may be suffering more than just about any other part of the world. I think of the phrase, "the good guy finishes last."

Still, it seems like just about everyone, in the world, wants to progress toward prosperous, technological societies. European countries offer some good examples of greener societies that are still considered livable and prosperous.

China seems to be doing well in making a green transition, though it's not such a shining example of human rights.

The US still has great innovations happening in many corners, but the right wing mentality, controlling our government, is pushing the other way. I think the right wing mindset is rebelling against criticism of our consumptive economy.

If I lived in Michigan, after the Senate primary election.

Whether far to the left, or moderate, I would still vote Democrat as Democrats just about all vote, in Congress, to curb Trump nearly running everything by dictatorial means, such as executive order.

Too bad the far left does win in primaries due to the danger of Republican's far right more likely winning in the general under those circumstances. There are lots of disagreements over things like support for Israel that can fracture a party, but one Senator is only one voice. All the Democratic voices should stand together to put limits on Trump's executive power at least.

Can US society become more nimble for transformational change and remain less authoritarian?

China's economy is going green at a fast pace. Things are turning around from the time when it's large population pushed it toward high coal consumption. Now it's leading the world in renewable energy and electric vehicle development.

In some ways, a less democratic society has the ability to be more nimble at making transformational change. Populism and process can hamper transitions in USA due to various forms of NIMBYism.

Still, I like USA's freedom of speech for innovation. It's just that people, in USA, lookout too much for narrow self interests, versus the big picture. People lack patience and they often fear change.

We can't "have it all," but we can do it better, even in a democracy - that is if we are still a democracy.

The Second Amendment can be stretched too far. How about drones?

The Second Amendment of USA's Constitution, about the right to keep and bear arms, was written long ago when guns were a lot different than today.

These days drones are becoming weapons of war, in the Russia Ukraine conflict as well as the Middle East. Is it likely that interpretations of the Second Amendment could be stretched toward the right to keep and bear drones?

Yes, I guess there isn't the right to keep and bear bombs, but where do we draw the lines? Certain drones could just be sophisticated guns if not including a bomb, I guess. There are so many kinds of powerful guns these days, compared to the 1700s when the Constitution was written, that the original intent has been stretched anyway.

Lust for wealth and retribution are major factors driving Trump politics. Plus there are a few slightly better motivations for it's rise.

It seems like two major things drive the Trump movement. A lust for wealth and prosperity and the desire for retribution. Getting back at one's perceived enemies.

There are other somewhat more positive, but less prominent things. Some folks feel that he's an out of the box innovator. His candidness may be refreshing, compared to normal politicians. Quite a few people are frustrated with "process," regulation and the slow pace of progress. There's a desire to "just get it done." Reliance on simple answers and sound bytes in a society that seems to lack patience.

Yes, our large complex society is gridlocked with the demands from contradicting interests among the public.

The traditional left also has it's desire to increase or maintain the material standard of living, plus there is also resentment among many people's who feel they have been shafted by others, so to speak.

I still tend to lean left, but negativity infects the entire political debate.

The right wing seems to be better, much of the time, at marketing the politics of resentment.

Riding bikes to shoebox-sized apartments can still be a prosperous vision of the future.

Some Trump supporters might think my vision of the future is riding bikes to shoebox-sized apartments and eating crickets, to quote a DOT spokesperson interviewed on NPR.

Except for the crickets, some of that is correct, but my vision of the future also involves chatting with AI, following the news from space telescopes. Biking around town following the progress of construction projects. Enjoying the sight of new construction. Looking forward to technological breakthroughs like hydrogen fusion. Having lots of friends who are millionaires (these days, just being a homeowner can mean being a millionaire).

I've experienced riding in a Rivian all electric truck, it was fun and interesting. I've also been on all electric buses and the Skytrain in Vancouver, BC. I look forward to the days of safer, self driving cars. Among my favorite travel destinations are the observation floors of tall skyscrapers.

Part of my view from observation deck of Columbia Tower in 2025 during a transit / bike trip to Seattle.

My vision of the future seems bright and prosperous to me. I still find biking a friendly way to follow the construction sites and serendipitously meet up with friends along the way. It's a more interesting way to stay in shape than working out in a gym.

As bike information is being removed from Trump's Department of Transportation, a DOT spokesperson told NPR in an emailed statement, "This is a common sense approach despite the Left's belief that everyone should ride a bike to their shoebox-sized apartment to eat crickets to achieve a phony climate agenda." <

If the vote is close gerrymandering will likely keep Republicans and Trump running national government.

I hope for nearly a landslide vote for Democrats this November. If it's a close vote, I fear that gerrymandering will maintain Republican and Trump's total control of the national government.

Maybe Republicans should advocate an income tax increase to pay for their war.

The Defense (or the War) Department wants more more money due to the war with Iran and spreading to other areas. I wonder when and if Republicans would ever say that there needs to be an increase in income taxes? People sacrificed during WWII when they thought that was necessary.

I remember the phrase "Guns and butter" during the the Vietnam War.

A microcosm of climate change in the Washington DC reflecting pool.

The problems with the reflecting pool, on the Mall in Washington DC, makes me think of climate change. Both problems seem to relate to warming and science denial.

I've been having talks with AI about this. I did have an idea that if the algae can be blamed on sabotage it would be someone dumping fertilizer into the water. Not alleged cutting of the painted surface.

AI agreed and apparently Trump did come up with a similar idea, it just hasn't gotten as much publicity. Still, there isn't evidence of that; from cameras and so forth.

Much more likely, the heating of the pool from a darker surface absorbing sunlight has an effect; like climate change on a small scale. Seems like the problem can be blamed on poor planning; something I find more common among Republican rulers, so I believe.

It looks like Trump is still forging ahead with more expensive plans to prevent algae growth while insisting on keeping the pool blue. It's your tax dollars at work from a party that talks about efficiency in government.

In spite of science, I fear that the Supreme Court could side with presidential power over the folks who hope and file lawsuits, in lower courts, for another, more efficient strategy to manage the reflecting pool; like going back to its original color.

Yes, lots of dirty nutrients get into the pool all the time anyway, according to AI. Bird droppings storm runoff and so forth. I'd also add my own thought -litter. Yes, people can be part of the problem, but conspiracy theories about sabotage seem typical of Trump's populist tendency to blame someone.

A problem with populism.

It's a relief that Maine Senate Democratic candidate Graham Platner has stepped out of the race due to the allegations he faces.

I tend to be critical of populism on either the left or the right. I sometimes think "the people are the enemy" even though I do like most people. That is just my political idea of why we end up with so many political problems. Of course Trump is also a populist. Campaigns driven by anger and passion.

Unfortunately passion can motivate the masses and the fundraising, on both sides, but passion can often lead to trouble.

I hope the Democrats can find a viable candidate to run in our push to take back at least something in national government. I tend to think that incremental change usually works better than revolutionary change.

Is Social Security an entitlement? It is under the first connotation of the word, but this gets conflated with another connotation of the word.

There are two connotations to the word entitlement. One is that it is something you are entitled to that you paid into and / or has been promised to you. The other is the attitude of "entitlement," like the concept of being spoiled. The two are different. The two connotations get conflated in discussion.

It was just a rumor, back in the 1980s.

When I worked for Pizza Haven, there was a rumor that the owner of the chain was Mormon. Turns out that long persisting rumor wasn't true. He was not LDS.

I did an AI search which I assume is accurate that explained how that rumor got started. Long story, but here is a shorter story about me.

That company did an anonymous survey of employees and I filled it out saying good things about the company. They treated employees quite well. The only negative thing I wrote was that it was too bad the owner had donated to an anti gay cause.

Turns out I was following false news, back in the 1980s.

The reason I'm thinking about this now is another controversy in today's news about Alaska Airlines. Apparently Alaska fired two employees after they shared concerns about the company's Equality Act in an internal employee forum. In this case, the company had an inclusive equality act that the employees were not as liberal about, I guess.

Turns out responses in that forum were not anonymous so company management could see who was writing what.

I'm on the side of gay rights, but I also understand that employees, within an organization, will have various personal opinions. Not everyone thinks like the company line.

When I filled out the survey, at my pizza company, I did feel, a bit, like I was biting the hand that fed me. Still, it was an anonymous survey. This many years later, I find out that the rumors, about the owner's politics, were false anyway.

Republicans say cut government spending, but it's harder to be specific. Meanwhile there's still lots of money at the top of the wealth spectrum.

Washington State is facing a budget shortfall due to lower than expected state revenue. This news is met with the typical Republican response that spending needs to be cut with no specific cuts mentioned, so far in the news. What cuts to schools? What cuts to state salaries, parks and so forth? It's easier to just say spending is out of control than to really say what needs to be cut.

On the revenue side, there is good news that the state's capital gains tax is bringing in more revenue than expected. It's one bright spot in the otherwise weak revenue picture. This is due to the rising stock market and the continued rising fortunes of the very wealthy.

If the stock market takes a hit, however, it's seen as a volatile source of revenue that would be difficult depend on.

These issues face governments nationwide.