Happy New Year !!!

"Happy New Year, and may the world conform to your best wishes!" Jerry

I tried to find a funny light hearted comic to share, but found this instead.  

Happy New Year !!!

The Mystery of How Men Think

For a change from the norm. In a world of political correctness and everyone is the same, I found this site to be an incredibly refreshing look into reality.  11 Secrets Men Keep From Women

And for some science to go with that life style piece.
Scientific American How They are Different
The Nothing Box
The Brains are Physically Similar

I find the Nothing Box link most humorous and true... :-)  Thoughts?

MN Education in 2017

MP 6 Education Stories to Watch in 2017


I think another important area to watch is hopefully the end of Teacher Tenure, Steps, Lanes, etc and the other work rules that protect and over pay questionable personnel based only on their time served and degrees achieved. These also limit the pay and job security of younger Teachers who may be more effective, energetic, etc.


Let's change the Public Education system so that the Teachers who successfully take on the most challenging student bodies, full of the kids who need them the most, receive the highest wages and job security !!!


G2A Who is Selfish

The Most Charitable in MN

Well this map does not surprise me at all.  Thoughts?
MP Charitable Giving Map

Pre-Retirement Planning

Here is an interesting piece from CNN Money.  These 5 steps seem valuable.


And if you have not saved / invested enough, this one may help.


Any thoughts regarding this topic?

Conservative vs Liberal Intent

Well the Merry Xmas / Happy Holidays comments went quite far afield.


You will need to read the comments to catch up, but here were the last 2 comments from Jerry:

 I agree that good intentions are not enough, but we must acknowledge those good intentions exist. Both conservatives and liberals want to help the child, but conservatives believe in those parental good intentions and want to help these parents fulfill their willing obligation-- restoring the family structure if possible. Liberals seem to believe that THEY have all the good intentions, and insist that someone else pay for the paving job. They don't seem to care where the road goes.

I like your locution about 2 parents & 1 parents. It is even harder with government as the only parent.

Let me try to be more clear. Yes, people have kids who don't know how to raise them-- NONE of us do. Some people also lack the skills needed to succeed economically, so the question becomes why "we" do not help them to gain those skills, rather than handing them a government check and complaining that they lack those skills?  

My favorite liberal, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, said, "The greatest social change of the 20th century was the replacement of a viable economic unit, the two-parent family, with two non-viable economic units." and "The principal objective of American government at every level should be to see that children are born into intact families and that they remain so."

What amazes me the most about the whole exchange is that his plan seems very aligned with what I believe to be the Liberal plan.  Yet he believes his is very different.  Apparently you Liberals are fine with keeping these folks trapped in poverty, whereas the Conservatives care more and are somehow going to do the same things slightly differently and make a huge difference. Thoughts?


Here are some challenges I posed regarding Jerry's proposals.

Remember our favorite saying... The Path to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions...

I have no doubt that most people want the best for the sweet little baby that they are holding in their arms. This in no way means that they are mature, determined, capable, responsible, self disciplined and/or knowledgeable enough to provide it.

Especially when they have:
- few academic capabilities or skills
- low paying jobs, need to pay for daycare
- work strange hours/ short shifts / may not find child care
- only one Parent in household
- lack of consistent reliable birth control

As I keep saying, raising kids well with 2 Parents is hard. Doing it with one parent is very hard.

Useful Links from Xmas Comments:
Heritage Welfare and Single Parent Households
Guttmacher Unintended Pregnancies

• "Two-thirds (68%) of U.S. women at risk for unintended pregnancy use contraceptives consistently and correctly throughout the course of any given year; these women account for only 5% of all unintended pregnancies.
• In contrast, the 18% of women at risk who use contraceptives inconsistently or incorrectly account for 41% of all unintended pregnancies.
• The 14% of women at risk who do not practice contraception at all or who have gaps of a month or more during the year account for 54% of all unintended pregnancies. (see graph)."

 

USA Israel Politics

Now I know little about this topic, but it seems the Israeli Jews are just as crazy as many Islamic fundamentalists. It seems that they having been treating Palestinians as bad as we treated Native Americans...

Israel West Bank Barrier Wall
Jewish Journal UN2334
Times of Israel Netanyahu at War with World
CNN What Resolution Means
CNN Kerry to Outline Peace Plan
CNN Israel lashes out at Obama
CNN Trump picks Friedman
ET Trump Insults UN
CNBC Trump Criticizes UN
CNN Graham US should Defund UN

So 14 out of 15 countries agreed that Israel is violating the law. And for some reason Trump and Graham think they know better???  And not only do they know better, but they are willing to try and bully all the other countries to comply with their wishes.

It reminds me a lot of Russia's using it's power to protect Assad in Syria.  Thoughts?

Give2Attain

From Laurie:

Are you familiar with the work of this guy? The article made me think of your blog title.
Is Giving the Secret to Getting Ahead?

No I am not familiar with this individual, however I agree with his comments.  About 20 some years ago I set a simple set of goals for my work life:

1. Do my job.
2. Learn new things.
3. Help others to learn new things.

And to this day that is how my yearly performance plans are written.

A related concept that I whole heartedly support is Servant Leadership.  It is part of why I lost that job 4 years ago... An upper manager who was transferred in was a hardcore "Traditional Hierarchical Leader". (ie my way or the highway)  Needless to say that I did not mix well with a guy who set arbitrary goals and bashed employees when they were not met... Thankfully for my ex-coworkers he was retired soon after...  But too late for me.

Also, Arbinger Institute is one of my favorite author groups and I am reading their latest book. "The Outward Mindset".  This encourages similar concepts.

Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays

Jerry shared the following very important comment.

Merry Christmas, everyone! 

Also, safe travels for those of you who are going over the river and through the woods!!!

For your enjoyment from Jingle Bell Junction

Now Who Is Selfish?

Some comments from MP Never Trumpers

"Wanting to provide a safety net and wanting to live in a safety net are very different things. Again, you're assuming that liberals and democratic voters share your dystopic and selfish motivations. I don't vote for school levies because I have kids in school, I don't even have kids. I don't vote for safety nets because I think people want to live in safety nets, or because I want to live in one myself, I vote for safety nets because we live in a reality where people fall through a variety of cracks and need assistance. I don't want to live in Somalia, I don't want to live in a country where people starve and freeze to death or suffer an die because they don't have health care.

You can champion a society where people starve and freeze and die without health care if you want, but don't expect us to be impressed with your morality or "values"." Paul

"My goal is for the USA to eliminate the educational achievement gap and generational poverty problems. Maybe that is selfish since it would make the USA a much better and stronger country for my children and someday grand children.

The challenge of course is that to do so, many people who are lacking knowledge, have self limiting beliefs, lack self discipline, make bad decisions, etc will need to learn, change and improve which is not easy.

Think of a good Teacher who is facing a child who is struggling to be successful in class. Should the Teacher who truly cares for the student let them continue the behaviors that are causing them to struggle and just give them passing grade?

Or should the Teacher pressure / motivate the Child to learn, change and improve in order to earn that passing grade?

If the child fails to change and improve, thus failing to learn the material adequately... Should the caring Teacher just pass the student anyway? " G2A

So who is selfish:

1. the person who just gives the dysfunctional person the grade, money, service, etc that allows them to continue their unsuccessful life?
2. the person who knows they can learn, change and improve, and pushes them hard to do so?

You know my view... The welfare / war on poverty (#1) has just hid the problem and made it worse by reducing the consequences of making bad decisions.  Just like all those schools / teachers who were passing kids through the classes/grades because it was easier than pushing them to change. improve and learn. 


Personally I think the selfish folks are those who choose to enable bad behaviors rather than confront them.  Imagine a helicopter Parent who spoils and rescues their child often for their own personal happiness, pride, etc.  Instead of taking the time and effort to help their child to learn and become an independent adult. 

Testing Friendships

Some one close to me lost a friend when they casually mentioned that their day was going better because Trump had won?  Have any of you experienced any severe reactions like that?  Or ended any friendships because the other person had different political beliefs?


For better or worse, many people are upset with me as usual... The Trump supporters don't like me questioning his capabilities and honesty...  And the Clinton supporters don't like that I voted for Trump...  The good news though is that my friends are used to my behaviors and beliefs, and seem happy to still hang with me... :-)  Well as long as I buy them a beer once in awhile...

Moving Through Stages of Grieving

It seems Eric is moving into the later Stages of Grieving.

 

The 5 Stages... "The 5 stages of grief and loss are:

1. Denial and isolation
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance

People who are grieving do not necessarily go through the stages in the same order or experience all of them."


Here is the first of my Exchanges there:

Everyone I knew and those I argued with who voted for Trump didn't listen to him other than to pick out what they liked about what he said, then they ignored everything else. From that point on they gathered together to talk about what they thought was going to happen or should happen and didn't hear what they didn't want to hear.

They are going to be in trouble. Trump will blame it on the Democrats when he passes legislation that hurts them. They aren't going to be able to place the blame where it should go, Trump and his administration.

Most of these people are living on the edge now. Social Security and Medicaid, Unemployment insurance, etc. and getting help from the 'food stamp' (SNAP) program. They think that somehow it's going to get better for them when Trump produces the magic they believe in. But they are the first in line to be hurt. They don't know it.

Most of them are hugely undereducated when it comes to our own History. Most can't tell you the political leanings of the countries who fought in the first and second world war, and forget about the History of the World. Most of them have told me that the Nazi's were Socialists rather than the Fascists the Nazi's actually were.

Our educational system has already put us decades behind where we should be. It's going to get even worse." Jon 

"Took an hour to get here for this comment: Good heartfelt article: I still support HRC as the most qualified for the position. Would we hear the howling if the vote numbers had been reversed? we did in 2000! The majority can only be suppressed for a period of time, and per O'Reilly he thinks white supremacy is the law of the land.  

One day it will change, and if the Latino's, black etc chose to seek justice in a end justifies the means as the Republicans and Trump have, who is to blame them? Care of the seeds one sows. 

Per some above, true, it may take a tremendous crash and burn to shake folks of their fact ignorant stupor. For some facts/reality are to be ignored, Machiavellian is the answer, such appears to be the plight of man." Dennis

"You continue with the belief that these people want to be on the dole. (ie welfare, Medicaid, food stamps, heating assistance, etc) When the reality is these smart independent folks want good jobs. And as I mentioned before, Government, American History and World History are still required curriculum in all schools as far as I know.

As for the failures of our Social Services and Education Systems, it is possible that Trump etal may find a way to hold the parents, bureaucrats and public employees accountable for delivering excellent results that are aligned to the large amount of money we tax payers provide them to do so. I truly hope so since they have been leaving far too many kids behind for far too many years." G2A

I did leave a response to the Dennis comment, but it is not posted yet.  In essence I noted that African Americans seem to be the only minority group that is truly in the Democrat's pocket. I mean the GOP got ~30% from the other minorities. They own businesses, some of the them are pretty strong Christians, don't want job competition from illegal workers, etc.  I am not sure the Democrats can keep them as they become wealthier.  Also, I questioned if Liberals keep trying to label the opposition as racist to keep their supporters scared and in line?


One would think Urban Liberals would have learned to stop belittling and insulting the people who vote differently.  I kind of hope they keep it up, it makes getting Conservatives elected much easier. Thoughts?

Trumps Trade Council

CNN Trump Trade Council
Forbes Navarro Only Troubling Appt


It looks like we better get ready for some of our prices to go up on consumer goods...  Which will be good for manufacturing workers, but bad for many consumers. And especially bad for the low and fixed income folks.  Thoughts?

Guide Book to Stop Governing

Well I was out of ideas for a post, so I went to the Left Fringe for ideas.

Apparently some of the Liberals have created a guide book for fighting our soon to be President's agenda.  It seems I have heard some group complain that this behavior was wrong and terrible... Where was that again?  :-)

Oh well, apparently it is acceptable now that the GOP has the Presidency. Thoughts? 

Rebuilding Manufacturing

An interesting read. MP Rebuilding Manufacturing  Now for some reason folks like Matt here seem to think that Businesses are obsessed with paying rock bottom wages. Whereas I think they are a lot like most of us...  We want to not pay too much, however we want to pay enough to ensure we get quality work done, and the contractor / service provider will be agreeable to coming back if we need them again.

Or are there a lot of you out there who pay much higher than you need to? Three equally qualified roofing contractors give you quotes for the same work. (ie $7,000, $8,000 and $10,000) Do you go with the $10,000 contractor because that gives them a higher wage / profit?

"Would he just have typed: Please relieve our temporary labor shortage by funneling as many folks into the exact narrow niche we need to fill to meet our demand. Then when the supply of labor exceeds demand we can get our wages back where we really want them to be, rock bottom. Thanks! 

Seriously, how conservatives can be so adamant about applying capitalistic forces to every aspect of life, yet so blatantly obtuse in applying it to the labor market is befuddling. Why anyone in a lucrative career field would be excited about the prospect of wage deflation is a mystery to me." Matt

"The reality is that these jobs pay a lot better than most service industry jobs. Likely >$15/hr + benefits + career growth options. Now you can keep sending kids to Walmart, Target, McDonalds, etc or we can point them somewhere better. 

As for the growth or decline of the American Mfg industry, that is in our hands as consumers and citizens. If we are unwilling to pay more for American Made Products to support the higher paid employees, who will? And if we want more factories / jobs, how do we lower the cost of running them in the USA? (ie taxes, regs, paperwork, etc) 

Along those lines, I am absolutely fascinated by how many people my company has working in Human Resources, Finance, Compliance, Legal, etc. It is good that we employ these people, but they add almost NO VALUE for our customer. And adding value for the customer is what makes companies successful." G2A