MN Progressive Project

If you are a Conservative and want to become frustrated, please checkout the MN Progressive Project Blog.  Jeff Rosenberg who wrote for MNPublius writes there now, he typically takes the view that Conservatives are out to squash everyone.

Here is a link to an example.
MN Progressive Project Demonizing Public Employees

I obtained a login so that I can participate in their discussions. I find it enjoyable to comment with people that think differently than me. I'll keep you up to date once in awhile.

Thoughts on MPP or the Demonizing?

Rolling Stone, Romney and Bain

Here is the article Hiram noted in the last post. It will be interesting if FactCheck checks this one out.
Rolling Stone Saving of Bain

Maybe Romney can negotiate away some of our $15 Trillion in debt.  That would be nice and it sounds like he is skilled at it.

Please remember as you read this that it is actually a failed bank that started this chain of events.  If FDIC had not been pulled in, Bain would have been working exclusively with Bankers.  Then the Liberals wouldn't have cared because they don't like Bain or Banks.

Thoughts?

Ann Romney and Paul Ryan Speak

Okay she sold me that Mitt is human, has experienced "normal life" and would make an excellent President.

What did you think?

YouTube Ann Romney's Speech

Klobuchar vs Bills

Well if the race for President is already over in MN, what about the race for the Senate.  It must be a quiet race since I had to look up who was running against Amy.  I assume this bodes poorly for Kurt.

Ironically, my Parents were at this Farm show in Redwood Falls.  Like most farmers they are somewhat frustrated by what gets piled into the "Farm Bill"...  If you don't understand why, look at the 2nd and 3rd links. (ie 80% goes into Food stamps and 6% goes into Conservation)

Maybe moving all the welfare and social programs into the same department would be a good way to start aligning the 185 programs...  And actually understanding the real cost / effectiveness.

Twin Cities Klobuchar Bills Spar Over Farm Bill
Wallowa Farm Bill Passes
Powerline Farm Bill

Klobuchar For Senate
Bill for Senate

Thoughts on the Senate race or the Farm Bill?

Electoral Calculators and Maps

I was wondering what Blue and Red meant on the CNN Map until I saw MN was Blue and the states West of us were Red.  At least Fox has us as a light Blue.

Thoughts on these and which other sources should we watch?

CNN Map

Fox News Map

RAS Goals and Results

The results seem mixed to me.  What do you think?

RDALE MCA Results
RDALE Goals Presentation

Dependent Independent Interdependent

Somehow all this talk of Goverment, People, Programs, Incentives, etc reminded me of some concepts I learned awhile back.  I believe they mostly came from the work of Stephen Covey, however they have been reinforced through many other experiences and studies.  These random search results do a good job of summarizing the issue, so I'll jump to my thoughts.

Polyamorous Misanthrope D/I/I
Quick MBA 7 Habits Summary
Psychology Today Continuum
Harvest OKC Stronger

The concept is that we ALL start out as Dependent humans.  ALL babies are physically, emotionally and even technologically dependent.  There is simply no denying this reality.

Another reality is that you have to develop independence in each area before you can operate in an interdependent way. (ie in each area)  If you do not mature, develop your capabilities, develop your sense of self worth, etc in an area, you are doomed to exist in a Dependent state in that area of interaction.  This will often promote various problems, especially if being reliant on other people bothers you. (ie co-dependency , double binds, low self esteem disfunctions,etc)

With this in mind, I would like to propose that the Government and it's programs do not make anyone Dependent.  However they may remove some of the incentive to become Independent.  I mean if people are provided with a living space and food, some will find this an acceptable state and not truly strive for more. (ie kid living in Parent's basement)

I would definitely argue though that co-dependency and double binds abound in this system.  Kind Liberal folks feel that they must provide for the Dependent, instead of showing the tough love that may encourage them to become Independent.  Programs that encourage Independence while rewarding Dependency.

Thoughts?

Ryan Not Bad For Women?

This an interesting perspective with a twist.  Anita seems to think that Ryan's economic policies will make up for his anti-Choice (ie ProLife) beliefs.  I can't argue that if he can save the USA way of life and reverse the National Debt trend, she may be right for many women.  However, I am pretty sure the single Mothers with dependent children, and those that want an abortion won't feel very supported as he is cutting their supports systems and rights.  CNN Not Bad for Women

Now the twist is that apparently the author and Ryan both were beneficiaries of the Social Security death benefit.  Which I perceive as one of those Government programs that would go away if Social Security was privatized.  I mean normal Conservative folks buy life insurance, they don't rely on Government insurance.

Since I picked on Obama about his skimpy giving in the past, it appears that Ryan may have been even worse.  He may need to confess his stinginess the next time he goes to church now that it is public record.  Reuters Ryan Returns  He definitely tarnishes the concept of charitable Conservative Christians.

Thoughts?

Best of G2A II

Well folks, I am celebrating my 600th post today.  I got started almost 4 years ago in order to help promote a local School District referendum.  Thanks to my long time and more recently started readers.  It wouldn't be the same without your interest and comments.

Here are some of my favorites:
G2A First Things First
G2A Marbles in a Jar
G2A Peace Activists Confuse Me
G2A Abortion and Conservatives
G2A What Percent are You?
G2A Could I be Mistaken?
G2A Whose Children Left Behind?
G2A Blame vs Contributions
G2A Conservatives Stumped?
G2A 2 & 7 School Model
G2A Correlation vs Causation
G2A Right, Left, Up or Down?
G2A Why are Poor People Poor?
G2A Value of a Human Life?
G2A Pay Grades and Tenure Stress
G2A: Tale of 2 Economies
G2A FICA: Income vs Benefit
G2A God and Variation
G2A Debilitating 5 C's
Best of G2A 8Apr11

Please feel free to send your Friends this address:
http://give2attain.blogspot.com/2012/08/best-of-g2a-ii.html

Let Your Voices Be Heard !!!

According to Google Analytic's tracking data, G2A has quite a few hits per month.  Yet we hear from so few of the readers.  I would like to encourage you to take a chance and post a comment.  We may disagree, but at least we have heard and considered your point of view long enough to argue against it.  Some of your views may even stick with us.  Or even more important, you may learn more about why you believe what you believe.  It takes some thought to make a valid argument.

And to the regular commenters, thank you very much.  It would be very boring and uninformative talking to myself.

 
 

Paul Ryan, Ayn Rand and Christ?

CNN Paul Ryan for or against Ayn Rand
Being a huge fan of Ayn's work, especially Atlas Shrugged, I thought this opinion piece was an interesting read.  It seems to imply that belief systems are black and white, and never criss cross.  Which of course is rarely the case unless one becomes a close minded zealot.

The following seems like a much more balanced perspective of the situation.  Though it is interesting that Ryan seems to be trying to distance himself from his past comments and the beliefs that he does have in common with Ayn.  Maybe he is worried about the next time he has to go to confession...
US News Paul Ryan is Far from Ayn Rand

If you haven't read Atlas Shrugged, you really should, it is an enjoyable and informational.  Though it is incredibly long !!!
G2A Atlas Teaches
G2A Fountainhead
G2A Capitalism, Fascism, Socialism, Communism

Thoughts?

Paul Ryan: Benefit or Detriment

Romney announced Saturday that Paul Ryan is his running mate.  It seems like a poor idea to me given my view that 80% of the voters are already committed to their candidate (40% L, 40% R), and that only the 20% in the middle are up for grabs.  My rationale is that the very Conservative Catholic Ryan will scare a lot of those undecideds into the Obama camp.

Ryan definitely is anti-choice (ie prolife), pro tax reduction for wealthier people, pro social program cuts, etc.  It seems to me that many moderates will run away very quickly from this ticket now.  It even has me spooked... Where as Romney's more moderate stance seemed to be able to pull them over.

The question is will Romney/Ryan get enough additional Conservatives to come out and vote?  Will this be a larger number of votes than the number of Moderate votes it cost?
Forbes Everyone Happy
Sacramento DFL and GOP Agree

It seems both the DFL and GOP are happy with the choice.  Who do you think this choice will help the most?  What is your rationale?

Romney / Obama: Charitable

I think I'll give the character points to Romney on this one.  The idea that Obama gave almost nothing before people were watching concerns me.  My family makes less than he was in 2004 and we give significantly more.  I am happy he has been giving more lately, I hope he finds the joy it brings, and I hope he keeps giving after the camera is shut off.

Here is the rationale for my viewpoint:

Mark 12:41-44 ESV
"And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Washington Post Fact Checker
Swampland Giving
Open Bible Tithes and Offering

Unfortunately Biden and Obama (pre-publicity) seem to support the belief that Liberals like to give to the needy, as long as it is someone elses's money.  The rapid increase in giving when the visibility was increased raises character questions for me.  I would have been more comfortable if he had not changed his percentage so extremely.

Thoughts?

Obama / Romney: Open and Honest?

It is ironic that a President that refuses to share his personal records would make an issue of Romney's personal tax records.  And how can it be relavent to the election?  I mean the IRS has determined them to be accurate and lawful, otherwise they would be pursuing legal remedies.  Where as if Obama has fibbed on his resume, that would be pretty important. (ie qualifications, character, etc)

On the other hand, why do these gentlemen continue to refuse transparency?  Should anything be PRIVATE when applying for the office of President?  Thoughts?

CNN Romney Tax Disclosure
Obama Release Your Records

Obama: You Didn't Build That

I posted some comments over at Speed's site, and thought I would repost them here to see what my readers thought.  Also I posted a link to the video of what Obama actually said. 

He seemed to be doing a good job of saying that "you didn't build that by yourself", which I actually agree with. (see comments)  Then at the end he screwed up and said "you didn't build that", which I disagree with.  Since, I believe it takes a very bright, determined and hard working person in the right circumstances and society to make something very special happen. (there are some rare exceptions of people overcoming severe adversity, yet it is more unlikely)

Therefore a very bright, determined and hard working person may end up destitute or dead if the circumstances do not support their greatness.  Yet even in the right circumstances and society, many will fail due to foolishness, indifference and laziness.  Thus my support of  "you didn't build that by yourself" and my dislike for ""you didn't build that".

Speed Gibson Bought and Paid For
YouTube You Didn't Build That

"I should probably listen to Obama's comments before commenting, however just taking a shot may be more fun.


I wonder what the life of Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Andrew Grove, Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers, Bell, etc, etc, etc would have been like had they been born in Sierre Leone or some other back woods politically unstable third world country? Of course they probably would have had lower taxes, however they probably would have been lucky to live to 30... Let alone seeing any of theirs dreams realized.

To say these men made the "wealth and inventions" on their own is incredibly naive. The reality is that our society, wealth and stability enable people to pursue their dreams and maximize their potential.

Now when someone wins big because of the chance we provided them, what should they give to continue this society and support future dreamers?

It seems that the debate over tax rates is simply an on going negotiation over this exact thing. The GOP speaking for the winners and the DFL speaking for the enablers.

Look at Egypt, Libya, and Syria if you want to see what happens if the Winners get to keep all the rewards and the Enablers too little. I think the Rich would be happy to pay some more for the chance to keep making more.

I wonder what Paul and Bill would have discovered from a hovel in Sierre Leone with no computers in their city, let alone school and local college.  Free Info Society Bill Gates

Along those lines. LA Times Who Invented the Internet"

 Thoughts?

Olympics USA China Medal Race

FOX Sports China Angry After Ye Questioning

NBC Olympics Medals

After reading this article, I started wondering what are the factors that enable countries and athletes to attain medals. Here are my thoughts on it.
Genetics - Some ethnicities may thrive in certain sports. This may give Team USA a benefit since our population is about as diverse as one will find anywhere.
Population size - Because if you are looking for 1 in a million, you will have ~1350 of them in China and only 315 of them in the USA. A benefit for Team China.
Athlete selection - Some of the USA civilians likely have more resources available to pursue the dream of Olympic Gold, on the whole we are wealthier. However, many of our potential best athletes likely never make it to the Olympic ranks because their parents could or chose not to afford that life of travelling sports, coaches and dedication. Whereas my belief is that China watches for students with athletic potential and funnels them into the program. (could be incorrect) A benefit for China since they cast a wider net.
Coaching & Facilities: I assume once one makes the cut and is placed in the ranks of potential medal winners, both countries ensure that the athletes are well taken care of and pushed. No benefit to either.
Based on this totally uneducated analysis. It seems that China can and will earn more medals than the USA. So I find it funny that people may find that frustrating. Ego is an interesting thing.
Thoughts?