Category Archives: Back Asswards Thinking

#461 Students Should Be Forced to Repay Loans Because…Well, Just Because!

09 Friday Sep 2022

Posted by in Back Asswards Thinking, Common Sense Policies, Education Issues, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US. Entry #430 was the most recent “sense check.”

BEGIN ENTRY #461. President Biden has proposed a program to reduce outstanding student loans by up to $20,000 for many middle- and limited-income families. Surprise, surprise, this proposal has many Republicans up in arms.

Before addressing the merits of such a program, let’s take a look at what’s available to companies and individuals who have too much debt relative to income, other than debt from student loans.

Companies with too much debt compared to income have an option called Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The cause of why the company has too much debt can range from bad luck to bad economic times to bad management, which is usually the cause.

While the cause of too much debt might influence whether existing management remains in place, the cause does not prevent the company from filing for debt relief under Chapter 11.

One company that seems to be quite familiar with Cha11 is the Trump Organization.  Trump has filed for Cha11 SIX (6) times.  For Republicans opposed to forgiving some portion of student debt, Trump’s bankruptcies somehow must be different.  Think about it. How could a business genius like Trump be forced into bankruptcy? Someone else must have been the cause since the Donald never makes mistakes. 

OK, I’ll stop the sarcasm. But the facts are straightforward – companies and individuals can file for bankruptcy, have debts significantly reduced or eliminated and start fresh.  Companies and individuals get debt relief even if an individual or management has made incredibly unsound financial decisions.  There’s only one exception – student loans are not relieved/eliminated under the bankruptcy laws.

That’s right. Student debt cannot be reduced or eliminated by bankruptcy.  Even if all other personal debts are excused, student debt remains.  Further, interest rates charged by the lender – usually a 3rd party and not the government – are often substantially above market rates.  Student borrowers have little or no recourse against unscrupulous lenders.

Who are the major players attracting prospective students to take on debt for “education“?  I’m sure you’re shocked but often the most aggressive are for-profit “universities.” Some examples include ITT, University of Phoenix and, of course, Trump University, which is now defunct after a being forced to close for fraud.  There are other for-profits as well – cosmetology schools, for example. 

The for-profits are not alone.  Some not-for-profit academic institutions have aggressively pursued students needing loans.  However, for-profit universities have a major incentive to attract prospective students with limited knowledge and/or marketable skills, keep students in school as long as possible and provide as little staff support as possible.  And why not? Students can increase ROI and the risk to the for-profit university is minimal. Once a student takes on debt, the for-profit university has created an annuity.

In what has become true Republican fashion, discussions about the merits/drawbacks of student debt reduction program (not complete debt relief for most), have been directed at blaming the student for the entire problem.  After all, the student signed the paperwork.

Is the student to blame? Partially but blaming the student for the entire problem is like blaming someone for a car accident who has never been taught to drive.

If we, societal we, want to retain Chapter 11 bankruptcy for businesses in Chapter 7 for bankruptcy for individuals to relieve debt, then we need to make some provision to relieve a portion of student debt. END ENTRY #461

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#460. Republicans Nominate Charlie Manson for President.

21 Sunday Aug 2022

Posted by in Back Asswards Thinking, Causes of the Revolution, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US. Entry #430 was the most recent “sense check.”

BEGIN ENTRY #460. This entry might seem like a variation of recent entries. Just hear me out. The issue is too important to discuss just once or twice. I think, without fear of exaggeration, that our democracy rests on addressing this issue satisfactorily.

Since starting the blog in late 2013, the purpose has been to discuss issues that might contribute to/diminish the likelihood of a 5th US revolution.  Blog topics have ranged from those of personal interest – the impact of macro and micro-economics, e.g. – to cultural issues – the impact of religion on attitudes toward government, e.g. 

During the last nine years, what has been most surprising to me is how a large segment of the population has become swayed to believe in and enthusiastically support ideas that are completely bogus, and often 180° from reality.  One would like to believe that more education would help people avoid this seeming brainwashing. However, apparently not the case.

A substantial portion of those “believers,” – let’s assume 50% to minimize the error – is relatively well educated, including some with advanced degrees. Why are supposedly more knowledgeable people falling into the liars den?  Why are people who supposedly have more understanding of the process of critical thinking continuing to believe claims that are so outlandishly false that they would punish their children for saying something similarly false?

Who are these people? Do they have a certain profile?  Yes, most are white, descendants of western Europeans, and overwhelmingly Christian, especially fundamentalist, and virtually all Republicans.

The world according to Garp – growing ascension of radical protestants – is one where “My religion is the only answer. Government must be based on my religion. All education needs to be based on my religion. If you are not a believer in my religion, you must be punished.“

The religious right seems to support any candidate for political office who promotes their religion. The candidate can be corrupt, living in a way counter to the basic tenets of their religion, and even can be promoting that democracy be abolished. All those traits are OK as long as “my religious beliefs are forced on the population.“

 Based on demonstrated behavior, most Republicans in 2022 would seem to support even Charlie Manson for president, as long as Charlie promised to continue to change laws and pack the courts to ensure that fundamentalist Christian beliefs are implemented.

One might argue that the example of supporting Charlie Manson is too extreme. However, if you think too extreme, I ask you to consider why Republicans enthusiastically support Trump, who has a long history of lying and corruption, over the FBI, the whitest and most conservative agency in the federal government.  In addition, every director of the FBI under every administration, Republican and Democratic, has been a well-established Republican.  (Read the last sentence again.)

Why do Republicans enthusiastically support Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lindsay Graham, Mark Meadows, Ron DeSantis and a host of known liars and then chastise Liz Cheney for having the temerity to uphold her oath to Constitution?  Support the US Constitution rather than Trump?  How dare she!

Republicans have repeatedly demonstrated they would rather flush logic down the toilet and continue to support the religious cult. When cults conquer logic, the only solution to restore logic, and the solution is never pretty, is to squash the cult. END ENTRY #460.

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#459. Are Republicans Really that Stupid or Just Brainwashed?

14 Sunday Aug 2022

Posted by in Back Asswards Thinking, Causes of the Revolution, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US. Entry #430 was the most recent “sense check.”

BEGIN ENTRY #459: Let’s see, this past week the FBI raided Trump’s club/residence in Florida, Mar-a-Lago, and recovered at least 11 boxes of material that were illegally transferred from government property. Earlier in 2022, Trump returned to the government 15 boxes of material that had been illegally transferred from the White House. The return of the material occurred only after an injunction forcing Trump to do. One of Trump’s lawyers signed a letter indicating the 15 boxes represented all information that needed to be returned. Oops.

Some of the boxes, how many to be determined, contained files marked “Confidential,” “Top-Secret” and “TS-SCI,” which indicates files are only to be viewed in a preestablished security location.

Without any evidence, Trump claimed all the information held at Mar-a-Lago had been “declassified.“ As a result, he had a right to possess. Some Trump staffers and supporters claimed Trump had a standing order to “automatically declassify any documents that left the White House.“ 

I hate to inform Trump and supporters but there is a procedure for declassifying documents.  Part of that procedure includes “restamping” each page of the document as “Declassified” and providing other documentation.  In typical Trump fashion, no support was provided for the claim that all documents were declassified.

In parallel, Trump and supporters blamed Attorney General Garland and the FBI, which is headed by a Trump appointee, of either continuing the long-standing “witch hunt” against Trump or setting up the raid to keep Trump from running for office again. In either case, the AG, DOJ and FBI are all corrupt and according to some Trump supporters, should be tried for treason.

Other Trump supporters, Jim Jordon (R-OH) being one, asked, “What’s the big deal about Trump having the documents? All the documents were declassified.“ Jimmy you’re such a hypocrite and a liar to boot.

The radical right began to spout that anyone connected with the raid – the judge who signed the order, the FBI agents who conducted the search, and AG Garland, who personally signed off on the raid – should be assassinated.

Where were Republican members of the US House and Senate once the raid became known? Spineless, of course, save Liz Cheney and a couple of others. The so-called leaders of the country were afraid of the great wizard of Mar-a-Lago.  Some spineless Republicans were concerned that efforts to prosecute Trump for any one of several crimes connected with material would just aggravate his followers and upset little Donnie.

Unless I’ve been asleep for the last 50 years, appeasing Trump won’t change behavior. He’s always been a liar, a jerk and thought he was above the law.  Being elected president exaggerated the behavior, especially disregard for the law. Among his many inane comments are, “Where is my Roy Cohn,“ and “Why aren’t my generals more like Hitler‘s?“ 

Sill Republicans in the House and Senate continue to bow to the great con man. Republicans, I hate to tell you, Trump is a real estate developer.  Trump doesn’t care one iota about you or the Republican Party. The Donald focuses only on two things: (i) stoking his ego; (ii) making more money. Every interaction is viewed by Trump as a transaction that can stoke his ego and make more money.

Republicans, you have been and continue to be mere chattel in a series of transactions. Like chattel, you will be discarded when no longer needed for the transaction.

I’ve heard people say, you can’t expect others to change if you insult them. That might be true. However, anyone who still believes what Trump says and believes he is being unfairly targeted by DOJ and the FBI, or whatever this week’s claim is, deserves to be insulted.

If you still support Trump, you are either brainwashed and/or incredibly stupid. Go look in the mirror and ask yourself, if a close relative or close friend behaved the same way as Trump, would I continue to support that person? And forget the save the sinner comment. Trump has been and will continue to be scum who has no regard for other people, for the law or for any tenets of most religions. END #459

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, what it was like to work day-to-day with Lee Iacocca and an array of other topics? Visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/

#458. Dear Grandkids: Here’e Why I Hate You.

08 Monday Aug 2022

Posted by in Back Asswards Thinking, Post Trump Presidency, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US. Entry #430 was the most recent “sense check.”

BEGIN ENTRY #458 — The US Senate voted to approve legislation that will take a major step toward addressing CO2 emissions and climate change. The effort will help the US reduce overall GHG emissions about 40% from 2005 levels. While additional steps will be necessary to achieve a zero-emission economy by 2050, the legislation is a major step forward. 

How many Republicans in the Senate voted for the legislation aimed at avoiding a climate catastrophe? Wanna guess? Start at zero and count no more.

By voting “no,” what Republican Senators are saying to their children, and especially grandchildren, “Yes, I hate you. I want you to ruin your lives and want you to die early. Now, aren’t you happy with grandpa/grandma?’

Apparently what matters to Republicans in the Senate, is not family, is not country, is not duty to uphold the constitution. What matters to Senators is allegiance to the Republican Party and its de facto leader, the Donald.

If you don’t think Republicans believe allegiance to party is more important than commitment to family and mankind, then why vote against the climate change legislation? In addition to addressing climate change, the legislation helps reduce drug prices and cuts the deficit. Republicans, what do you want in the legislation?

Obviously, Republicans don’t know what they want. To help provide some guidance, during the August recess go home and ask your kids and especially your grandkids if they would rather live in a world that’s reasonably unpleasant or a world in which there are even more droughts, floods, fires and record-setting temperatures? I suspect they’ll provide some guidance to you. Then, make an appointment with a proctologist and get yur head repositioned properly on our body. END #458

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, what it was like to work day-to-day with Lee Iacocca and an array of other topics? Visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/

#450. Letter to School Children from CPAC.

29 Sunday May 2022

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Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US. Entry #430 was the most recent “sense check.”

BEGIN ENTRY #450 Dear school-age children:

We at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) want you to know how much we admire you and how much we are looking out for your future. To make sure your lives will be cut short, we are opposing any legislation to address global warming that would reduce the use of fossil fuel.

We want you to know that continuing to use fossil fuel will help increase the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and help make the earth even warmer. And a rapidly warming earth will be such benefit to you.

A warming earth will be such a benefit that those of us who are a bit older are jealous. With a warmer earth, you’ll be able to vacation in the Arctic. With a warmer earth, the ice caps will melt, and the oceans will rise so much that a new shoreline will be created. No more will rich people be able to keep you from accessing beachfront property.

And for those of you who live in the upper Midwest, there’s another benefit. You’ll be able to get rid of those oak and maple trees and grow palm trees instead.

Plus, everybody will experience more exciting weather. You’ll have a chance to experience more hurricanes, more tornadoes.

You’ll get a ringside seat for all those weather disasters. No more having to watch the Weather Channel to see all the disasters happen. Experiencing those disasters firsthand will be more fun than going to Disney World.

The weather disasters will also add excitement to the food supply. Climate-change caused disasters will ruin lots of farmer’s crops and result in food shortages. Not knowing if you’ll be able to get food and eat should add another layer of excitement to your life.

Some people might get upset when these disasters happen. And they might not act very nice. So, to help you protect yourself from “those people,” we’re going to make sure every school-age child has an assault rifle. As a bonus, we’re going to give you extra high-capacity magazines.

We know that when everyone in school has a weapon, no one will shoot anyone else. Just think about all your classmates having guns. Wouldn’t that be exciting?

Who would want to go play with some cap gun, BB gun or even a 22-calibre rifle or pistol when you could have an AR-15 to play with? And that AR-15 will help to protect you from those evil pointy-headed liberals.

We think you and your friends deserve as warm a planet as possible – like the dinosaurs had – and you deserve to have as many guns as you can carry around. We hope you appreciate all of what we’re doing for you. Enjoy your shorter, weather-disrupted, dangerous life.

Signed your Republican friends at CPAC. END ENTRY #450

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, what it was like to work day-to-day with Lee Iacocca and an array of other topics? Visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/  

#432. Say It Ain’t So, Joe

19 Sunday Dec 2021

Posted by in Back Asswards Thinking, Common Sense Policies, Societal Issues, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US. Entry #430 was the most recent “sense check.” 

BEGIN ENTRY #432:  My computer is having an extremely bad hair day so while it’s attempting to get ready for work, I thought I might draft another blog entry.

Early Sunday, 12/19/21, Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia announced on Fox that he could not support the “social components” of president Biden’s Build Back Better legislation. Excuse me, Joe, where have you been that it has taken so long to decide?

Were you out soliciting more funds from the coal industry? How about soliciting funds from some countries that want to see the US fail?

You don’t need to conduct a lot of in-depth analysis to decide whether to support legislation that expands infrastructure as well as eliminates some glaring social inequities.  I realize it’s hard to see over the transom of your yacht, but your constituents in West Virginia don’t have a yacht and need help.

Say what you want or maybe even pray what you want, but the coal industry is DOA for any climate-change plan designed to save the planet from self-destruction.  You might not want coal to die but everyone under age 30 is going to kill it.  Besides coal-mining jobs in West Virginia have been declining for decades.

The problem for your West Virginia constituents is how to migrate quickly to and become competitive in an ever-increasing digital economy. West Virginia currently ranks 44th among states in the level of education, #50 in infrastructure and #50 in healthcare. Pretty good ratings, huh?  Obviously, the current approach is not working and many of your constituents lack access to good health care and good Internet services.

Your logic is a bit different.  Rather than help your brethren in WV, I’ll make up some excuse why key parts of the Build Back Better legislation can’t be supported.  I’ll claim, “I can’t support because the legislation will add to the Federal deficit.”  BS, Joe.  The legislation pays for itself by simply rescinding the Trump tax legislation that transferred even more wealth to the already wealthy.  What world are you living in?

Did I hear you say, “You know, we can’t have those social programs that reshape society. The programs like childcare, more schooling, a cleaner environment. Not only do those kind of programs cost too much but the programs are un-American.  The same goes for welfare, Social Security and Medicare.  Oops, I wasn’t supposed to mention those last three.“

The world understands that Republicans, other than Liz Cheney and the guy from Michigan, have no balls. Well, you know what I mean.  But, don’t you claim to be a moderate Democrat, not some wimpy Republican?  

Here’s what you need to do. Go ask your constituents in WV whether they want expanded infrastructure, cleaner air, cleaner water and better healthcare. And, do they want a chance to get a job that won’t kill them so early in life?

If the majority of West Virginians say they don’t want those programs, then vote no on the social part of Build Back Better. If the majority of West Virginians want those programs, then vote to support the scial part of Build Back Better. Joe, deciding how to vote is not complicated. Besides, you already committed to vote support. Reneging on your promise negates whatever credibility you might have left.

It is Manchin’s kind of thinking, or lack thereof, that contributes to the likelihood of a 5th US Revolution, which seems aptly labeled as the “Revenge Revolution.” END OF #432.

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, what it was like to work day-to-day with Lee Iacocca and an array of other topics? Visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/

#429. Stupid Is as Stupid Does.

12 Friday Nov 2021

Posted by in Back Asswards Thinking, Post Trump Presidency, Societal Issues, Stupid Is as Stupid Does, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US.  Entry #400 was the most recent “sense check.” 

ENTRY #429: The past couple of entries I’ve tried to move beyond the irrationality of certain members of Congress and irrationality of certain voters. Why bang your head against the wall trying to understand their logic?

Well, I’ve been unable to move on so one more entry addressing irrationality. This time, however, it’s not just members of Congress. We pretty much know where they stand, other than Senator Krysten Sinema (D, AZ).

What has baffled me the past week or so has been the “rationale” of voters in the Virginia gubernatorial election.  According to a number of interviews published in different media, voters in Virginia were frustrated with the Biden administration because not all promised legislation has been passed, gas prices have increased and there are some supply chain hiccups that might affect Christmas shopping. 

OK, so you’re frustrated. What’s the solution? Elect a Republican governor who is a former investment banker and who is supported by Trump. Forget that the underlying causes of most of your frustrations were not the fault of the Biden administration but occurred under Trump and even under some earlier administrations. 

For example, the shortage of truckers can be traced to efforts beginning during the Nixon administration to deregulate the trucking industry.  The shortage of long-haul truckers can be linked, in part, to consumers ordering more on line rather than buying at the store.  If you’re a long-haul trucker, why go on the road sometimes for weeks at a time when you can work regular hours delivering packages locally, make probably the same amount of money and be home at night? And, you’re surprised there’s a shortage of long-haul truckers?

And, Virginia voters, what about your frustration with you just electedthose products being produced overseas rather than the US?  Forget that many investment bankers, like the incoming governor, have encouraged companies to relocate manufacturing overseas, which exacerbated the supply-chain problem.

Just for reference, the voters frustrated with Biden need to ask themselves exactly what did the Republicans and Trump do for you and most voters during the four years in office? Well, the Trump administration’s biggest piece of legislation, the tax cut, transferred substantially more wealth to the already wealthy and reduced the amount of income tax corporations pay.   The net result of Trump’s major legislation?  Reduced revenue to the Federal government so the federal deficit ballooned.  And the other result was the tax cut transferred the responsibility for paying that debt to you, the other 98% of the population.  Good deal, huh?

Then Trump implemented trade policies that helped create the foundation for inflation. Remember those tariffs that Trump promoted?  Trump made sure that tariffs were put on many products, including those from our neighbors with whom we trade the most – Canada and Mexico.  Virginia voters who do think pays those tariffs?  The tariffs are not paid by the exporting country.  The tariffs are paid by the importers and then passed on to you, the consumer.  I guess the Trump administration never mentioned that.

The icing on that piece of “illogical cake” the Virginia voters ate was Trump publicly and emphatically proclaiming that Covid was not a problem.  Hey, only 15 people got sick and it’s just like the flu.  The “ala mode” for the cake was Trump and his minions claiming that climate change was a hoax.

You say, “Aside from all you just said, Biden has been in office long enough to solve all those problems.  He’s been in the White House almost 10 months.”

Let’s put 10 months in perspective.  When those criticizing Biden as taking too long are asked about fixing problems in other organizations, say rebuilding a college football team, the time horizon is quite different.  According to the Biden criticizers, to turn the fortunes of a football team is incredibly complicated and the head coach needs a minimum two years and usually 3-4 years.  Fans need to be patient.”  Mmm, I guess a football team is more difficult to manage than the Federal government. 

Another example of Republican back-asswards thinking occurred during the recent vote on the legislation to upgrade and repair significant portions of the US infrastructure.  Every state and likely every Congressional district will benefit from this legislation.  The legislation will make the US more competitive and address many of the frustrations expressed by Virginia voters.

The legislation passed the Senate a couple of months ago with strong bipartisan support.  Even Mitch McConnell voted for it.

So what was the reaction of House Republicans to the infrastructure legislation?  Don’t vote to help constituents!  Don’t vote to help make America more competitive internationally!  Don’t vote to create jobs! The legislation passed with 13 Republicans voting in favor and all but a handful of Democrats, who opposed the legislation to show support for the Build Back Better legislation.  

What was the response from Republican leadership in the House? Threatening to yank any committee assignments from Republicans who supported their constituents. Some Republicans who voted for the legislation were labeled as traitors.

Traitors to whom?  All elected representatives whether Republican, Democrat or independent take an oath to uphold the US Constitution.  Republicans please explain to me why voting for legislation that directly benefits the people you represent is being a traitor.   The logic displayed by Virginians voting for a Trump-supported Republican and the Republican leadership in the House punishing members for helping their constituents confirms the saying, “stupid is as stupid does.” 

Next entry I’ll try to move on to a different topic.  

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, what it was like to work day-to-day with Lee Iacocca and an array of other topics? Visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/

#427 Excuse Me Senator. Is Your Name Manchin or Manson?

20 Wednesday Oct 2021

Posted by in Back Asswards Thinking, Gov't Policy, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US.  Entry #400 was the most recent “sense check.” 

ENTRY #427:Senator Manchin has been in the news a lot the past couple of weeks. Late the week of 10/11/2021 he publicly stated he would not support taxpayer funding for the development of zero-carbon electricity generation. OK, Joe, what about billions and billions of taxpayer subsidies for coal extraction and oil-and-gas drilling? Tell me what’s the difference?

Not all readers believe that if CO2 emissions continue unchecked, the earth could begin to begin to become uninhabitable by 2100. There’s lots of science and data to support such a statement but some don’t believe in science.

Clean electricity had been a key element in president Biden’s Build Back Better program and a major step toward the US dramatically slowing the growth of CO2 emissions. The Biden administration’s plan would have given the US a good chance of doing its part to limit global warming to 2oC by 2100. Given the unfathomable level of denial of science by Republicans, Joe Manchin might be able to take credit for singularly causing the world to speed up the path to catastrophe.

For you climate-change deniers, remember how Trump claimed COVID-19 was under control? “We’re very, very ready for this,” Trump said, adding that only 15 people had contracted the virus in the U.S. and that all were expected to recover. A mere 700,000 deaths later and COVID-19 is still not under control. Deniers – who ya gonna blame?

Given the severity of the potential consequences of doing nothing to address climate change, I thought an open letter to Senator Manchin might be appropriate. Yes, the letter is sarcastic and a bit edgy but I think Senator Manchin deserves this type letter.

The salutation evolved from a comment made during a recent call about climate change. One person on the call accidentially referred to Senator Manchin as “Manson.” That led to a few chuckles. However morbid the circumstances that made Charles Manson famous, Senator Manchin’s decision to refuse to recognize the need to address global warming will have far worse consequences.

Dear Senator Charles Manson:

Thank you for taking a strong stand against generating clean electricity, thereby intensifying the effects of global warming. All the children in the neighborhood and in the family appreciate your efforts to make the earth uninhabitable and shorten their lives.

The children asked if you could share some of the payoff money you received from the fossil-fuel industry. They want to buy some candy before it’s too late.

We also appreciate your efforts to make the US look like a third-world country that has a non-functioning government. President Biden especially appreciates your efforts to diminish his credibility with other countries at the upcoming conference to address global warming.

Rarely in US history has a single senator had such a widespread negative impact on mankind. You should be proud of your accomplishments. (End of letter)

Where the negotiations in Congress go to try and save the provision to fund generation of clean electricity, I don’t know, although I do understand some progress has been made. When thinking about how to solve the problem with the holdout Senators, I was reminded of a scene from the movie, “Patton.” In the scene Patton’s troops are marching through Sicily toward Palermo. The terrain is hilly, the road narrow and the troops are strung out for probably a mile.

The journey is high risk because enemy aircraft can easily strafe the column and there is little protection along the road. Then the column stops. Patton drives to the front and finds a cart with two donkeys blocking a critical bridge. The farmer tries to get the donkeys to move but no luck. The solution was a bit inelegant but effective.

Patton shoots the donkeys, dumps them off the bridge and the march proceeds. When trying to persuade Senators Manchin and Sinema, president Biden might do well to take a lesson from General Patton. Too much is at stake for the US and the world to let a couple of people get in the way.

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, what it was like to work day-to-day with Lee Iacocca and an array of other topics? Visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/

#425. Republicans: “I Get to Buy but You Have to Pay.”

02 Saturday Oct 2021

Posted by in Back Asswards Thinking, Societal Issues, Stupid Is as Stupid Does, Uncategorized

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Welcome to the some discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US.  Entry #400 was the most recent “sense check.” 

For many years, Republicans have promoted the idea that the government should be run like a personal household. Don’t spend more than you earn.  In that ideal Republican household, if you pay your debts on time everything will be OK.

Despite the assertions, even most Republicans don’t live in their ideal household.  For example, the vast majority of people buying a home don’t pay cash.  Rather they secure a mortgage for 3-4x their annual income and then repay the mortgage (loan) over 25-30 years.  If home buyers were required to pay the cost up front, very few people would own homes. 

“But home buying is different,” you say, “because buying a home is an investment. And you still have to pay back the loan, even if it takes 30 years.”

True. So why do Republicans insist that government expenditures for infrastructure — roads, bridges, transit, airports, etc. – have to be paid for out of this year‘s budget? Isn’t a road that will last at least 50, if not 100 years, with some maintenance, an investment, just like the house?

Now, let’s turn to paying for purchases. If a household buys groceries, some computer equipment, office supplies, maybe some clothing and puts the purchases on a credit card, the household still owes the money.  And the credit card company still has to be paid, right?

Apparently Republicans don’t think so.  During the Trump administration, Republicans deliberately decided to reduce household revenue – income to the government – by reducing taxes on the wealthy.  Then, rather than reducing expenditures because income was less, the Trump administration continued to buy lots of stuff and put those purchases on a credit card.

Now it’s time to pay off the credit card. And guess what? Republicans in the Senate and the House are saying, “Nope, the credit card debt is not our problem.  Even though we ran up the debt, we Republicans refuse to pay.“

What if everyone ran their household like Republicans?  Cut your income, continue to buy goods and services on a credit card, then refuse to pay the credit card company (lender)?  How much more credit do you think the lender would be willing to provide?

The approach taken by Republicans is pure Trump.  Anyone who has lived or worked in New York sometime in the last 40-50 years is likely familiar with how Trump operated his businesses.  Trump ran up debts, blamed the vendors and then refused to pay. 

After getting stiffed by Trump, lenders in the US refused to do business with him.  As incoming president, from all indications, his primary sources of capital were from Deutsche Bank and the Russians. 

Republicans, now the party of Trump, have adopted the same mantra – “Screw you. Not my fault.  I’m not paying. The debt is your problem.”  Mitch McConnell seems to be first in line kissing the Almighty Donald’s screw-the-creditors debt ring. 

The Republicans, who claim to be the party of savvy business people and fiscal responsibility, seem willing to allow the US to default on its debt for the first time in US history.  “Relax,” you say, “You’re blowing any debt default out of proportion.” 

If you are a Republican and support the actions of Trump and/or Mitch McConnell, why don’t you go ask someone how easy it is to get credit after they’ve defaulted on their debt? If someone who’s defaulted can get credit at all, the loan comes with lots of restrictions and a stiff interest rate.

So why are the Republicans behaving so irresponsibly? My only conclusion, as I’ve stated the number of times in various blog entries, is the Republicans have been brainwashed.

If they’re not brainwashed, why would Republicans pay debts they incurred while Trump was in office, then not pay debts incurred while Trump was in office after Biden became president? Trump’s debts are Trump’s debts.  You just can’t ignore then, unless, of course, you’re a Republican.    

Ok, let’s assume the Republicans are just playing politics by refusing to raise the debt ceiling. You’d think if someone was taking such a stand, they’d ask for something in return.  But like Trump, who has demonstrated repeatedly to be one of the world’s worst negotiators, Republicans are not asking for anything in return.  Rather Republicans are willing to put a gun to their heads of all Americans and fire away for no particular reason.

Republicans are so brainwashed, apparently they think only Democrats will suffer if the US defaults on its debt. Republicans are taking the same approach to addressing climate change. The rise in the earth’s temperature will only affect Democrats. 

From the beginning of the Obama administration, Republicans have categorically opposed whatever the Democrats proposed, no matter how many Republicans might benefit and no matter how much the proposal would protect US interests.  The answer to every idea from Democrats has been “No!”

Republicans ask yourself, “With a response of ‘no’ by Republican leadership regardless of the proposal, whose best interests are Trump and McConnell supporting? The best interests of US citizens?”  If you said “yes,” you’ll believe almost anything.

The behavior of Trump and McConnell is not benefiting the US but benefitting the Russians and the Chinese. “That can’t be,” you say.  Well, I say, take another hard look and then follow where Trump and McConnell are getting their money.

The Trump businesses (and thereby the family) have been funded by the Russians for some time. Mitch McConnell, through marriage to Elaine Chao – Secretary of Transportation in the Trump administration – is tied to Chinese money. You keep thinking about the connections and follow the money.

More later, especially how the behavior increases the likelihood of a 5th US Revolution, the Revenge Revolution.

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, what it was like to work day-to-day with Lee Iacocca and an array of other topics? Visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/

#418. Republicans, Patriots or Parrots?

06 Tuesday Jul 2021

Posted by in Back Asswards Thinking, Causes of the Revolution, Societal Issues, Uncategorized

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Readers: The entries in this blog are built around the assumption there will be a 5th revolution in the US — the Revenge Revolution. More about the Revenge Revolution, a list of earlier revolutions and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US.  Entry #400 was the most recent “sense check.” 

I continue to be struck by how the Republican Party has only one answer to any proposal. “We can’t do that,” sometimes phrased as “That won’t work!”

Like a parrot with a very limited vocabulary, the “can’t”/”won’t” response is never followed by a suggestion how to correct what is perceived to be the problem with an idea.  No Republican seems to have any meaningful ideas on how to solve problems.  Pardon me, the “Republicants” do have one recommended solution no matter what the problem is.  The solution is, “Cut taxes for the wealthy because…”  Why would cutting taxes fix the problem?  Oh, it doesn’t matter why.  And it doesn’t matter to Republicants there is ZERO empirical evidence to support their logic.  For Republicants, the answer is, “Just cut taxes.”

A few days ago I watched a hearing held by the House Select Committee on Climate Change. My interest was twofold. One, I’ve spent much of the last 30 years focusing on developing practical solutions to help reduce emissions, primarily CO2 emissions.  A current project is working with a group of fellow MIT alumni on that very issue. The second reason I watched was one of the people testifying has been a longtime colleague and wanted to view his testimony.

Of the three people testifying that day, two had real-world experience in implementing practical solutions to reduce CO2 emissions.  While their party affiliation was not discussed in the testimony, because they were working to reduce CO2 emissions, some Republicans on the committee, maybe all Republicans, apparently thought the two were some of “those liberals.”

The third person testifying was a climate-change denier.  Ironically, in his remarks he actually raised a couple of valid points about issues that need to be addressed. But like most every Republicant inside the Beltway, he offered no solutions.

One Republicant House member decided no serious questions were necessary and instead used his 5 minutes to put on a good show for his right-wing constituents. Some of his diatribe included, “We can’t afford the Green New Deal. The Green New Deal won’t work! Instead, we need to build more roads to reduce congestion.”

Building more roads is not a solution to climate change. Whether or not you believe in science, burning gasoline creates CO2.  CO2 is a major contributor to climate change and global warming.  Climate change is real and no amount of denial, diversion or blaming someone else will stop the impact.

I’m sure many climate-change deniers don’t care, but the Green New Deal is a set of ideas and not any legislative proposal. From a Republicant perspective, I guess the country cannot afford to even discuss new ideas.  Why?  Yikes, discussions might lead to answers.   

Republicants claim to be objective and fiscally responsible, well at least when a Democrat is president.  So let’s just look at the cost of addressing climate change.  The cost of climate change maybe can best be described by a commercial from the 1970’s/1980’s for FRAM oil filters, “You can pay me now or pay me later.”  Except the payment for climate change will be exponentially greater the longer we wait.

In addition, the cost of waiting will also include excessive loss of human life, excess loss of wildlife, and may result in an uninhabitable earth. But no, let’s not discuss climate change.  Let’s deny climate change and pretend it doesn’t exist. 

While we’re pretending climate change doesn’t exist, let’s pretend the FBI or some liberal group, you know that Antifa group, stormed the Capitol 01/06/21 to make Trump look bad.  Since someone else was responsible, let’s investigate it.  No, no, I really meant to say “Let’s not investigate the Capitol insurrection.  Well, I’m not sure what I mean other than “no.’”   (Republicants have a selective memory problems as well.  Saying “no” to examining the cause of the insurrection seems a bit different than the wild enthusiasm by Republicants to investigate Benghazi.  Jim Jordan, cat got your tongue?)   

“Quit trying to confuse me.  Here’s what I know.  Instead of spending money on addressing climate change, America should spend more money on roads and drill for more oil.  Our politicians should start acting like real Americans should act and quit acting like a bunch of liberal wimps.  Stay tough and keep saying no, just like we did when Obama was president.”

This kind of “Always say no” mentality is a major contributor to why the US is headed for a 5th Revolution and why I’ve labeled the revolution the Revenge Revolution.  Always saying “no” and never offering ideas inhibits progress.  Always saying “no” would have resulted in America not taking the lead in the development of the automobile, aircraft, space exploration, communications, computers, the internet and a host of other technologies and large-scale projects, including the interstate highway system.  FYI, Republicants interstate highways are roads. 

Just saying “no” is a strategy for decline.  And the decline affects more than climate change.  Republicants continue to say no to having more people vote, to examining acts by the Trump administration that compromised national security and to a host of other important issues.  And Republicants claim to be patriots.  Mmm, Republicants seem more like parrots. 

Booklets you might find interesting:

  • Revenge Revolution — description of what form the revolution might take, 20 01 07 Start of Revolution

  • Who took out the Donald?  Who/what groups are most likely to “take out” Trump? The booklet was written early in the Trump administration but still worth a read. Who Took Out the Donald Entries with Update

  • Working with Lee Iacocca after he left Chrysler, 2019Q3 Iacocca Personal Observations. 

  • GM EV1 — behind-the-scenes events affecting development and introduction of the GM EV1, the first modern electric vehicle. 2020Q1 GM EV-1 Story Behind the Story Booklet  Note: in January 2021, GM announced that by 2035 all light-duty cars and trucks sold by GM worldwide will be electric. “Automotive News” had a special section published Earth Day 2021 about the GM EV1. Lots of celebration about the engineering accomplishments, and rightfully so. Little, if any insight why the GM EV1 was cancelled.