Hurricane Sandy Relief Bill Was Filled With Pork

Not justification For A Bill Filled With Pork!

Memories of the 2013, Hurricane Sandy relief Bill that was filled with pork has started a new debate to form. People are already beginning to wonder if something similar will come out of Washington to help those paddling around Houston,Texas. Back then a great deal of criticism was thrown at the politicians for partisan politics and the delay in getting the bill through. The three articles below focus on the pork and why some lawmakers voted against it.

1. Ted Cruz: 2013 hurricane relief bill 'filled with pork'

   News 4 Jax1 day ago

   On Monday, Sen. Ted Cruz defended fellow Republicans who voted "nay" on a 2013 Hurricane Sandy relief bill -- calling the legislation a "bill filled with pork."

2. Obama Sandy aid bill filled with holiday goodies unrelated ...

   nypost.com/...sandy-aid-bill-filled-with-holiday-goodies-unrelated...

   Dec 15, 2012 · WASHINGTON — President Obama’s $60.4 billion request for Hurricane Sandy ... Obama Sandy aid bill filled with holiday goodies unrelated to ... pork ...

3. Sen. Cruz on Sandy Relief Package: 'Filled With Unrelated ...

   www.newsmax.com/Politics/ted-cruz-hurricane-sandy-relief-package...

   Aug 28, 2017 · ... after snubbing Hurricane Sandy disaster ... rejecting a bill to aid those hurt by Sandy, ... bill that was filled with unrelated pork.

My reaction to what was passed back then was the article below that I published on Saturday, January 5, 2013. The article was originally written right after Congress had rolled over and passed a pork filled permanent tax relief package. At the time I expected that they would draw a line in the sand concerning this wasteful bill but the big ugly $60 billion pig passed. This only proves that even as America suffered under the weight of a massive deficit the only thing you can count on is for our Congress to do the wrong thing, and spend more than necessary. Do not be surprised if the same thing occurs when it comes to Texas today.

   Delayed "Sandy Aid Bill" is A Porker          January 2013

Much like the big mouthed Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey, the aid bill coming out of the Senate was massive. Claims by the media that Christie's criticism of Congress for delaying a pork filled bill resonated with voters may have been exaggerated as the super-sized claims that Republicans are still engaged in a media stimulated love fest with Christie. The fact is Christie is just another flawed politician that the media has tried to paint as the "savior" of the Republican party, in this case by honing in on his plan spoken style and tendency to call it "as he sees it"

The Governor said it was "disappointing and disgusting" to watch Congress postpone Sandy relief legislation. "There's only one group to blame for the continued suffering of these innocent victims, the House majority and their speaker, John Boehner." Christie said he called Boehner four times on Wednesday night to urge action, but the call wasn't picked up. He went on to say "National disasters happen in red states and blue states." he claimed history shows that "We respond to innocent victims of natural disasters, not as Republicans or Democrats but as Americans – or at least we did until last night."  Christie failed to acknowledge that much of the problem is because House Republicans proposed a bill of only $27 billion in aid rather than the $60 billion plus bill passed in the Democratically controlled Senate.

Many Republicans in Congress said that the Sandy aid bill contained billions of dollars in spending on projects unrelated to damage caused by the storm or for long-term infrastructure improvements that should compete with other discretionary spending. Among expenditures criticized was $150 million to rebuild fisheries, including those in the Gulf Coast and even in Alaska, thousands of miles from Sandy's devastation, and $2 million to repair roof damage that pre-dates the storm on Smithsonian Institution buildings in Washington. As usual, there are few details on which expenditures must be considered immediate disaster needs and addressed. Senate Republicans tried to shrink the $60.4 billion package to $24 billion for near-term projects, but this was defeated in the Democratic-controlled chamber.

The problem is the bill brought before the House was a porker, full of fat gifts that America cannot afford. At a time that America is sporting a deficit of close to 1.5 trillion dollars, we don't need this. Simple math shows that the 60 billion dollar price tag on this legislation means 180 dollars for every man, woman, and child in America. For a family of four that comes to 720 dollars. We all know that the 47 million Americans on food stamps will find coming up with the money to pay their share as somewhat daunting. Our lawmakers in Washington and Gov. Christie should do the math, while a small part of the overall budget, yes every 60 billion dollars does matter!

Houston, You Have A Problem!

Flooding In Houston Leaves Many With Few Options

The catastrophic flooding triggered by Tropical Storm Harvey inundating Houston in early estimates is expected to tally between 25 and 50 billion dollars, it could go much higher. Sadly, many people will find their insurance doesn't cover much of the damage to their property. In all reality, the Federal government will prove to be relatively ineffective and not much help in this crisis that covers a large area and affects tens of millions of Americans. Anyone who has even experienced the frustrations caused by a bad storm with power outages and such will tell you most help comes from nearby and government is not the answer. People who adopt the attitude that they are a victim following a real disaster and then simply wait for the government to arrive to set things straight risk should be prepared for disappointment. 

 

High profile incidents covered by the media often reassures the public that the government stands ready to rush to our aid in case of a national disaster. Following a tornado or hurricane in the news, we often see FEMA workers spread out and moving from door to door offering help to Americans in need. This reassuring media coverage is misleading. Be prepared that in the case of a major crisis or disaster if you find yourself in a large area of devastation the government will not rapidly arrive as your savior. This means if and when a really large Armageddon event does occur people will quickly become acutely aware that God helps those who help themselves.

During A Real Disaster, Help Will Be Hard To Find

The trend of pandering to victims that we have seen develop over the years may be a result of the battering former President Bush took in opinion polls following Hurricane Katrina. The pictures that the media posted following a slow response in handling Katrina haunt his administration and paint Bush as being insensitive and out of touch with the plight of poor Americans. At what point did government become responsible for dispensing sorrow and grief?  With the bar to show concern set at its current level little gets done in Washington.

Somehow the President has in a media driven world mistakenly adopted the role of consoler in chief and is expected to pour forth sympathy and cast out concern for every American following incidents of destruction or violence. It does not matter if it is an accident, shooting, or some natural disaster, in recent years all this has reached new heights where even in the case of a few deaths it is not uncommon to see the President leaping upon Air Force One and rushing to the scene to sympathize with families and friends. In this politically correct world, it has even gone so far as to the President being expected to weigh in as to minor tragedies that occur throughout the world.

It should be noted that much time is wasted performing these acts that could be better used and focused on solving many of the real and pressing problems that face America. In reality, this pandering is a major disservice to Americans in that it fosters the impression that government will be there for you if you ever get into a pickle or jam. While reassuring to many the false illusion of a competent and effective government ready to come to your aid comes at the cost of raising unrealistic expectations. I suspect that with the formation of the massive Homeland Security Agency this may be a case of reassuring the masses that their tax money has not been wasted.

A perfect example would be the government's reaction to the Boston Marathon bombing. It was overwhelming but in the end, it was a homeowner checking the tarp on his boat noticing a spot of blood and not the thousands of law enforcement officers that brought the manhunt to an end. No matter how much planning is spent it is silly to think someone can quickly rush to an area they are totally unfamiliar with and institute actions to efficiently solve massive problems. Do not be fooled, in the case of a real disaster the government is generally not very effective, the real help will come from your neighbors, this has been the case throughout history. The bottom-line is that if you are waiting for government help you may be dead before it arrives.

Economic Growth Does Not Equal Economic Strength

Today Projects Are Being Built That Are Destined To Fail

It is very important people understand that economic growth does not equal economic strength. Quantity simply does not make up for poor quality, we are talking about two totally different animals. While economic growth appears robust and a solid GDP number can result in a feel-good moment that builds consumer confidence it can also mask growing weakness in various parts of the economy. We should be careful we are not sold a bill of goods or mislead by those promoting a message that "all is well" and using the term “economists say” implying these people are experts but at the same time failing to give greater details or even mentioning their names.

Recently while grabbing a handful of junk newspapers for recycling I could not help but notice the headline, "Indiana Needs Immigrants For Growth." It should be noted the publication in which the article appeared was one of those small pesky unprofitable government supported rags distributed to spread propaganda on the local level. These can be easily recognized by the fact you receive them for free as a service to you rather than by subscription and they are filled with ads from quasi-government entities and nonprofit organizations receiving government grants. Another commonality is all the articles within are focused on putting a positive spin on current and planned boondoggles in the area. The fact is when money is plentiful and interest rates low economic growth is fueled by projects that never should of, or would never have been conceived during normal times.

Getting back to the article that claimed we need immigrants for growth, the problem I had with it is that it was based on two myths. The first being economies are held captive to population growth, part of the quantity argument that more is good. More troubling is the second myth which is built around the idea the average immigrant is a plus to the community and country rather than a drain on social services. This is often based on claims they are needed in the work force and have skills that will allow them to rapidly be assimilated into the community. This can be spun into a more people more demand for goods and services scenario or bigger is better way of viewing the economy. I feel we should look deeper and be troubled when this growth is created by money flowing from the government in the way of entitlements, however, immigration policy is a subject for another article.

Money Poorly Spent Becomes A Negative Over Time

The false narrative that simply growing the size of an economy even by using deficit spending undercuts the importance of a solid economic and the long-term stability of the financial system. We must question whether the numbers work in the long run and whether when people retire the money will be available to fund their pensions and fulfill other promises made to them by society. It is dangerous to confuse the notion that getting bigger will balanced budgets and that financial restraint can simply be cast aside. In fact, austerity has been given a bum rap in that it is merely the medicine for out of control spending. The recent trend has been to blame austerity for the pain it causes, however, it doesn't make sense to blame the medicine taken after someone gets sick for the discomfort the illness has caused. In fact, if a government runs its business in a proper austere and responsible manner the issue of cutting or tightening should never surface.

This article is to highlight the fact that not all economic growth is equal. This becomes apparent when we look at a failed project versus a successful one that cost the same to build but pays dividends for many years. Sadly, much of the money being spent in the American economy flows into the area of greasing the wheels of commerce rather than creating real growth. By not properly directing more of our spending into areas that return long-term benefits and maximizing prior investments we are squandering our resources. To make matters worse we have even gone to embracing an attitude of borrowing from future growth by financing current projects by a series of Ponzi schemes that delay paying for them until some future date. This kind of financing has disaster written all over it. When all is said and done this will not end well.


Footnote; Several projects proposed in the city where I live reflect what is happening across much of America. Financial restraint is being cast aside to create the illusion of growth with projects that have little hope of ever becoming profitable. An example of such spending can be found in the article below.
 http://brucewilds.blogspot.com/2016/07/an-example-of-local-government-run-amuck.html

Capital-preservation Remains job-one.html

The Loss Of Savings Reduces Our Options

A key first step towards achieving financial security is to take measures that ensure capital preservation. An investor and anyone that has worked hard to save and build a nest egg does not want to face having to start back at square one or even worse dig their way out from under a pile of debt, and I mean ever! Sadly, it is far easier than you might think to lose your wealth or have it ripped away by crooks because you invest in a scheme that turns sour or a slew of other "bad luck" scenarios. Governments and banks have entered this game by instituting laws allowing for "bail ins" where they can seize depositors accounts when an institution fails and expanding clawback rules. Capital preservation should be high on our list of priorities when it comes to financial planning and even higher as we move closer to retirement.

Capital prevention goes beyond retaining the same number of dollars, the concept extends to retaining the same amount of buying power and options. In a world where the value of things are constantly changing and being affected by outside factors, this means we cannot just bury our money in a hole in the ground. Obtaining financial knowledge and showing the discipline to take action when necessary are key ingredients in achieving this goal. Also, a little good luck goes a long way in keeping us out of trouble in this dangerous world of baffling and confusing economic theories that are full of loops that feedback upon themselves or unexpected pitfalls. 

Many of the "modern monetary theories" in use today have not been proven over time but reflect an attitude that we can control economic cycles better than in the past. The basis of the economy we have today is unsustainable and because it has been able to exist for so long does not mean it can continue.  The fact the system muddles through does not guarantee that we will not suffer financial harm as individuals. The policies being put forth by central bankers have massive implications for both investors and society, this is more than a game and it directly affects the lives of people everywhere. The crux of this article is not to present a recipe for achieving a safe financial future but to remind you how important capital preservation is and urge you to elevate it as a priority.

While reading my blog or that of anyone who feels the need to express an opinion remember nobody is right all the time, but they can be wrong all the time. I have had the good fortune of doing far better than most people in building what appears to be a solid base and reasonable future but this is no guarantee of how I will fare going forward. The road ahead often takes twists and bends that we can neither foresee or predict. One thing has become crystal clear over the last few decades and that is the economic landscape is constantly changing this means we really are no safer today than in the past. One day you can be a hero and the next day a goat.

A term that I absolutely despise that has come into use by television moderators and the financial media in the last few years is "risk on and risk off day."  I do not feel the world is that simple or that we should try to change direction so quickly.  The world has grown far more complex and interconnected opening up new risk of contagion with "debt bombs" capable of reeking destruction hidden often just out of sight. For a long time, I have been saying "debt does matter" because when debts are erased from one column or entity it is often instantly reflected somewhere else as a drop in net worth.

One of my largest reasons for concern is that I feel the numbers being presented to us do not make rational sense, the "numbers don't work." Newly formed entitlements mean an American born in 1945 can expect nearly $2.2m in lifetime net transfers from the "state" and far more than they pay in. A study by the International Monetary Fund in 2011 compared the tax bills of what citizens pay over their lifetime with the value of the benefits that they are forecast to receive. When you realize if a person toils for forty years earning twenty-five thousand dollars a year they only make one million dollars then the numbers become both frightening and surreal. This leaves all of us vulnerable if the current financial system breaks down and has to be rebooted or restarted under a new or drastically different set of rules.This is why we should all remember that even if we wish to continue working in our later years and are fortunate enough to be able to, that work is much more likable if you do it by choice rather than necessity,

Footnote; Your comments are welcome and encouraged. If you have time please check out the archives for another post that may be of interest. Below are two posts that still remain relevant, one deals with how getting paid when someone owes you money can turn into a nightmare, the other is on the subject of inflation.

 http://brucewilds.blogspot.com/2014/05/debt-mirage-always-moving-into-distance.html
 http://brucewilds.blogspot.com/2014/02/when-will-inflation-strike_1.html

"Its The Economy Stupid" and this means, "Good jobs"

The Future Is All About Jobs, Jobs, Jobs!

Americans don't just want jobs, they want "good jobs" and this means full-time work that pays well and has benefits. A phrase "The economy, stupid" was coined by James Carville when he was a campaign strategist for Bill Clinton's successful 1992 presidential campaign against sitting president George H. W. Bush. Directly linked to this phrase is the idea of job creation. Today the fear of being replaced by a robot or seeing your job being outsourced or eliminated is on the rise. Few occupations are totally secure from the wave of labor saving technology currently in the pipeline. This means it is the job of those we have sent to Washington to create or paint a vision that shows how America can integrate labor saving devices into a job creating bonanza or at least an economy that is sustainable going forward.

After facing decades of stagnating or falling wages when adjusted for inflation little wonder exist as to why the average American feels insecure or downright betrayed. Several new technologies headed in our direction scream more economic disruption ahead. One writer I follow has pointed out on more than one occasion how self-driving vehicles is a game changer. Self-driving semi rigs able to safely maneuver and fill the nations interstate highways during the night when traffic is light will reduce daytime congestion but also greatly reduce the ranks of a major occupation that pays relatively well. The ramifications of self-driving vehicles will extend into areas such as taxi jobs and potentially change the relationship most American's have with their automobile. Currently, the automobile is thought of as a mainstay of modern life in this country. Imagine not having to own a car or reducing the number of automobiles in your family because a safe and secure ride is available at the push of a button.

Amazon Boast, It's Moving Towards A Robot Workforce

This returns me to the subject of the economy and jobs. Much of the angst Americans have directed at Washington is in some way or another related to how government policies have allowed jobs to flee the country and sometimes even encouraged this trend. Recent reports signal and makes it increasingly clear that automation is not going away. Increasing wages will only accelerate and drive the trend of replacing expensive human workers with robots. Amazon the behemoth retailer known for cutting prices and exploiting brick and mortar retailers that have higher overhead because they are located in our communities often boast of its cost saving move to utilize more robots and cut human jobs.

The fact is in my area while we continue to hear about unemployment at sixteen-year lows many people remain under employed and are struggling. The average American has good reason to worry not only about their job but the future opportunities available for their children. Let me make it clear, robots taking our jobs will bode poorly for the huge majority of society. The idea that those ultimately left with the decision as to how to divide the economic pie will be generous or fair is a little naive. History shows the ruling class tends to tilt the rules in their favor. Soaring economic inequality is already a major issue and the divide is most likely going to grow ever wider. When it is pointed out that entitlements are about to explode the deficit in coming years logic dictates the nation can no longer delay addressing this issue. While very important to voters creating good quality sustainable jobs is an area where Washington has failed to excel.

Soon Robots Will Be Coming For Your Job

Rest assured when push comes to shove those displaced from the job market or only able to scrape by will find they are only given enough to insure they remain docile and behave. If it ever comes to the point where these people filled with angst hit the streets in angry protest it is very likely they will be beaten into submission for the greater good. It should be pointed out that going forward those on the government dole or a guaranteed income may find they are at the mercy of a system where at any time benefits are canceled or cut.

Tied into Trump's solution to create new jobs and energize America's economy is the strong message that we must demand from other nations fairer trade policies that level the playing field. We cannot compete when other nations pay their workers little, degrade the environment, and often subsidize exports in various ways. This is a stand Trump shares with Bernie Sanders.  Like many backseat political strategist, I have grown weary of politicians failing to fulfill their promises or for that matter accomplishing much of anything. Even while we are told unemployment is at a sixteen year low and we hear companies are clamoring for workers something is definitely wrong and a series of polls indicate that a focus on job creation and the economy is where the attention of those in Washington should be.

Many people voted for Trump because as a businessman they hoped he would have a strong real life advantage over politicians in understanding how to create jobs. To be great a country must be economically strong. The key to any policy geared to creating jobs is getting the foot of government off the neck of small business. This means reducing the regulations strangling the nations most vibrant creator of jobs and where workers gain valuable work skills is a must. Tax reform and laws governing business must reduce the advantages mere size gives big business and its ability to destroy competition by mass alone. As it is big business will benefit most by adopting more automation and robot workers and this bodes poorly for most workers and society if it is not handled in a way that minimizes the damage to our culture. 

Wealth Redistribution Is Not The Answer To Inequality

Redistribution Of Wealth Is Not the Answer

Dealing with inequality by redistributing wealth puts society on the slippery slope to socialism. More and more we are hearing things like a guaranteed annual minimum income for all individuals is the answer to achieving a society that is more fair and just. We are constantly being told that people deserve their "chicken done right" and how dignity and respect are key to our culture and the linchpins of a great society. The problem with all this is that at some point the rights of one individual begin to impact the rights of another. Simply taking the wealth from one person and giving it to another is theft and not a long term solution to what ails our economic system.

Socialism is a political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole. Deny it as they might those advocating such a system are talking about "more government" when they are talking about the "greater good." A powerful central government controlling the economy for the "greater good" is the central driver of such systems and while the theory may sound appealing it has proven to be rather inefficient when put into practice. Economic systems tied to socialism tend to be unresponsive to changing supply and demand because they lack the proper incentives that cause people to excel and reach their potential.

Shifting global, political and economic tides tend to cause people to forget the failed states of the past as they focus on today and the future. Even communism a relative of socialism is currently looked on with less disdain than in previous decades. This is because the memories of the failed attempts of several countries to create what is often viewed as a fair or better way of distributing the fruits of our labor have faded over time. As inequality grows those clamoring for an answer as to how we might achieve a more just and fair society are again slipping into this trap. Getting something for nothing has a great allure and is a strong reason for many people to line up behind a politician like Bernie Sanders but the flaws of such systems are rapidly apparent in countries like Venezuela that has now fallen into chaos. 

By focusing on how the economic machinery in China has had the effect of improving the lives of hundreds of millions in the last several decades a case can be made that their system is not so bad. This argument ignores several facts and one of the most important is that China's economic growth has been made by and is a product of America. Ironically it was the shift of American jobs to that distant shore and other countries that are responsible for growing inequality here in America. It is baffling that many economists have chosen to ignore the ramifications of China's policies and how they affect the world. When all is said and done the financial missteps in China that have continued over the years will be recognized and the growth fueled by the Chinese government expanding the money supply will come to an abrupt end this has distorted markets across the world.

How We Tax, Key To Why Inequality Continues To Grow!

After a decade of central banks flooding the world with newly created money and super low-interest rates a series of what would have at one time been considered outlandish ideas has surfaced. These include a war on cash, forgiving debt through a debt jubilee, giving everyone a guaranteed income, and even injecting money into the economic system by dropping it from a helicopter. These ideas have all found their way into conversations as not only the best way to reset the economy but as answers to the problems before us. Easy answers such as these may give those suffering from inequality hope and extend their belief those in charge really care, however, this also creates the false illusion that the system is stable.

It should be immediately apparent that wealth redistribution can take many forms and has many faces. Any real attempt to address the issue of inequality must have true incentives to create new wealth and promote the kind of growth that is both sustainable and gives the average person opportunity or in a very short time the money will again flow back into the hands of a few. Taxation is and always has been a major tool for social engineering and that is why it is so important we do not underestimate how tax policies feed back into the economy. Of course, taxation can also be used to redistribute wealth but its main function should be to fund necessary parts of the government. Sadly, while almost everyone agrees the tax code is broken almost no one can agree on how to fix it. If you feel Washington failed miserably in addressing America's healthcare woes be prepared for more of the same when it comes to the issue of tax reform.

Nuclear War Moves Up List Of Worlds 10 Worst Problems

Threat Of Nuclear War Grows Larger

Generally, we see little movement in the list of the "Worlds 10 Worst Problems" when they are counted down from least to most crucial. In fact little has changed until now from late 2013 when this list was first composed, however, we would be remiss or negligent not to do some serious reshuffling to reflect the drumbeats of war flowing out of Washington and the capitals of other nations. Please note, the leap from fourth to first place for "Weapons of war and mass destruction" is very significant because it can be very difficult to get this particular genie back in the bottle once it is out. Of course, when composing this list the term "most crucial" is very subjective, meaning that it depends greatly on an individual's interest and priorities.

Like many people, I do not find what is known as the concept of Mutual Assured Destruction, or MAD to be reassuring. What the world would look like following a nuclear war is very murky, yet today it seems many people consider nuclear weapons as just another tool or option for us to use in our defense if we are attacked. The nuclear deterrent America holds is a hundred times larger than needed to stop anyone sane or rational from attacking America, and for anyone else, an arsenal of any size will be insufficient. The sad fate that conventional warfare has unleashed upon Mosul and Aleppo where death and destruction have turned once proud cities into rubble stands as a monument of man's inhumanity towards man, however, pales to the devastation a nuclear attack would wreak.

Future Generations Depend On Us

The greatest problems faced by mankind impact the shape of our lives' and our very existence. Most of these are issues that center on our sustainability which means we must begin to address these many problems with long term solutions. Sadly, politicians do not deal well with such things leaving mankind without a great deal of direction. As we look at the human condition we can let fate take us where it may choose or we can take control of our future by proper planning and by guiding it as best we can.

Below is a list of the world's ten most crucial problems. Remember the position a problem holds on this list can shift from time to time as events take place, but expect most of them to remain on the list. Unless a black swan event such as a meteor heads our way this is what you have. Some problems have been grouped with the collateral issues associated with them, this may include the current "buzz words" used to describe their importance. Different people would group these issues in a variety of other ways and move about their priority. As always your comments are welcome.    

10.   Demographics of an aging population;   As the population grows older euthanasia and the quality of life will become an issue. This must be handled in a fair, honest, humane, and compassionate way. The alternative is to simply let many older people wither and die hungry while existing in pain and squalor.

9.  We must create an environment that allows and encourages people to develop fulfilling lives;  This means improving the educational system and having an opportunity to find fulfilling work, seek happiness and express their individuality. It also means ending corruption and extending equal protection and fairness under the law.

8.   Hunger and starvation;    Severe malnutrition can make life unbearable and because of it many people only go through the motions of being alive. People that are starving cannot learn and take a role in society. Starvation and addressing the need of basic sanitation must be addressed.

7.   Income inequality and economic stability;   The uber-rich should not become exempt from all common woes and untouchable. The uber-rich and political elite should not comprise a special class who are immune and able to ignore the rules of society. Nor should the masses be placed into a situation where they are deemed deserving of what fruit society creates merely by being born. Fairness in handling the world's economic systems and currencies that allow for a solid way to exchange goods and services is necessary or other world support systems will suffer or fail.

6.   Man's inability to take control of his future by creating responsive and responsible governments;   The masses have been lulled into complacency, in many ways we are all slaves, this is not a new role for man. But we can think and should make an effort to do so, we must push our chosen leaders to do the right thing and make long-term plans that are sustainable. We must shape our future and the values of the society in which we live.

5.   The last few years stand as proof of man's cruelty to man. Strife between religions and tribes must end;   We need to develop a new tolerance that allows people to live in peace. A safe place to live for a person and their family is one of man's most basic needs. The political elite must not be held harmless for the grief and death they cause over large swathes of mankind. War crimes cannot be tolerated. While this is easy to say deciding exactly who is responsible for these crimes is often easier said than done.

 4.    Wasting Earth's limited natural resources by not conserving and the continued destruction of our environment;   I contend that many of the "green solutions" being proposed such as ethanol fuel are not a solution at all and just ways for business to profit. A solution is not truly green unless the environmental cost of "maintaining" it is very low.

 3.    Pollution and the resulting climate change it may bring;   This is showing up in oceans that are sick and being depleted of life. This also may result in rising oceans and crop failures. Either scenario will mean massive suffering across the world and could tear the social fabric and alter our day to day lives.

 2.    Overpopulation;   This is the overriding problem facing Earth and the most difficult to address. If the problem of overpopulation is not addressed all the other problems on this list will most likely become much greater. Many people still rejoice in the idea that we should be "fruitful and multiply" ignoring or oblivious to the problems it creates in the long-run. The quality of life in many ways is more important than quantity.

 1.    Weapons of war and mass destruction;   This not only includes nuclear bombs and chemical weapons but drones and the killer robots now being developed. One big mistake or going down the wrong path in developing new weapons could change life as we know it!

While people and their families go about life each day having children and doing the things we all associate with our day to day existence most people concede that something is wrong with a world where many people lack even basic sanitation and watch their children die before the age of five. I'm not saying developed countries should give everything away or bring all the people of the world up to an American standard of living. It is not our responsibility to do so and probably impossible.

In my book, Advancing Time I highlight and bring focus to the massive changes that have taken place over the last two hundred and fifty years. History viewed in the framework of man's time on Earth forms the crux of my perspective. The oldest fully developed humans based on DNA research supports the theory that Africa was the area man first inhabited between 200,000 and 140,000 years ago. In 1800 the population of the world was around 900 million, by 1900 it had soared to 1.6 billion since then it has exploded to over 7 billion.     

When you chronicle the journey from the beginning of man to our current state it becomes clear that the world has never before experienced such rapid change. This perspective helps us make sense of our fast changing chaotic world while illuminating and clarifying the responsibilities society faces. It is important we recognize this ever-quickening pace of change and keep in mind that if these problems are not addressed there may be no future for mankind or it may be much shorter and difficult than many people expect.

Relationships 101 - And Your City Park

If you are wondering about relationships and the glue that binds people together a good place to learn more about them is at a city park. As a society, we function better and achieve a higher level of productivity when couples are not poorly matched. Observing the actions of people at a public park is equivalent to taking a class in basic human interaction and can lead us to question the very nature of relationships or just as important the motivations behind them. You could call this learning experience "Relationships 101" and while it differs only slightly from watching people at a mall or other locations it is unique in that it often strips away much of the human facade making it harder to mask the truth by creating false purpose or diversions.

A Far Too Common Sight Is Couples Not Connecting

Observing people might give us a better clue as to how our culture and society might be failing in highlighting the importance of choosing a proper life partner. This also extends into how people choose to interact or why they take the path of solitude or loneliness. We should remember getting to a park often takes at least a little effort and most people with a park destination have given at least some thought as to what they will do when they get there. Weeks ago a small sign was placed near a favorite wedding spot for an event telling people to turn off their phones, it has since been removed, however, it might better have been left in place because in a park putting aside your phone does have merit or in the least garners some consideration.

A subject that is very interesting is what people do in parks, sadly in a world where people seem tethered to their phones far too many bring them into the sanctuary of nature. In parks, people scroll through their phones even while walking their dog, a baby or child even riding a bike. At times you see a couple and both of them are busy fondling a phone and not to take pictures but what appears as an effort to ignore the person they are with or escape the moment. Needless to say, some activities are based on two people having a romantic or close one on one connection and sadly some of these people seem rather unconnected or sporting a connection of convenience that gives off a vibe that screams neither love or even like. This underlines the idea that some "mismatches" should never occur and prove harmful over time.

Some Couples Appear "Mismatched"

The direction I have chosen to spin this article towards is the all important area where most of us go to chose a love interest of the opposite sex, however, it might also apply in cases where a "partner" of the same sex is determined to be a better match. While pondering relationships and what constitutes a real life attraction between the various couples wandering through the park I noticed many appear to have little in common with the person they were with. This of course was based on things like their interaction or body language and while opposites are said to attract these same "opposites" may be signs of an unhealthy union and eventually unite only to generate unhappiness. The bottom-line is relationships can be very difficult.

As I sat on the park bench with the person I considered my significant other what I saw caused me to wonder whether these couples had simply settled or were brought together by some other force or consideration. This question also arose when talking about a dysfunctional couple I had the misfortune of knowing that was heading towards marriage, in this case, I wondered which of the misfits was getting the worse of the deal. Even before tying the knot the man was voicing concerns his wife to be was overbearing and controlled every dime he earned, and he saw these as only two of her many unendearing qualities, to me these served as a red flag indicating it was a relationship forged in hell. I understand people become involved with others for many reasons but the motivation or pay-back from such a union does not seem promising.

Women May Be More Willing To Settle

The key question I found myself asking is who holds most cards in a relationship? We live in a world where men and women still have different cores and values and even as these get blurred by modern morality, people born at different times have different ways of viewing events. Are men or women more inclined to settle and accept a mediocre partner that is middling or unremarkable so they won't be alone? While the situation varies greatly from person to person my conclusion, unscientific or backed up by any polls, is that women are more prone to resort to simply take a partner because they are likely to be inflicted with the need to not be alone or desperate to not come across as unwanted.

Historically for men sex has generally rated high as a driving force in relationships. As they age men seem to be less social than women and the sexual motive tends to diminish as they find other interest to occupy their time, the fact that men are less social tends to feed into their ability to seal off emotions. Women on the other hand still are viewed by not only themselves but others as being more nurturing and caring in a way that ties them to their feelings and the desire to share those feelings with others. In the need not to be alone it is possible women win hands down, the bonus for all the miserable and flawed men who roam the earth it should allow them to rejoice in that it still leaves hope that somebody wants, or at least will be willing to settle for them.