Early last century, our government came to the conclusion that financial institutions needed a watchdog. Thus they created the SEC. It seemed a reasonable thing to do. The SEC watched the financial industry and ensured that they played by certain rules. However, the financial industry came up with ways to skirt the SEC. We have now seen that they are not to be trusted as greed is a terrifying motivator. We need something greater than the SEC. We need to reform that entire sector of our economy.
So, after being given a few chances to reform and perhaps... do better for others, the financial institutions have proved they cannot and should not be trusted. Merrill-Lynch paid benefits early, in December, in order to avoid oversight from Bank of America. In so doing, they took some funds from American taxpayers to reward themselves for running a company into the ground. Now, Bank of America is asking for more money to right the wrongs of Merrill. And where is this money coming from? Taxpayers. Hard-working Americans that understand what it is to do real, actual work. And the government's handing cash out in the billions.
But, with the economic pinch, other areas are having to suck it up and tighten their belt. Here in Iowa, one of the departments that will struggle- Veteran Affairs. Our government is willing to give these corporate vagabonds billions despite the fact that their bank accounts are well-padded and they are doing nothing to help the average American. On the other hand, the people who have valiantly served their country in its times of need have to make do with less. That's fine though, corporate fat-cats deserve more money than those that have lost limbs for the safety and freedom of Americans. Thain should go ahead and continue buying $70,000 rugs for his office, while that would serve more than two years worth of what many of our soldiers make in salary.
So, to me, it seems that the financial sector should be nationalized. There should be solid salary caps on all executive positions. These people should not be rewarded for what amounts to little more than outright theft. Where did the money banks "made" go? Into accounts of CEOs and other such foolish people that don't understand that if they take all the money from the people who generate real income for the country, the economy collapses. So, they're doing fine, but all that money is not coming back into our economy. Take the SEC one more step and nationalize banks. It's not communism. It's not socialism. It's realism. This is the only way the people of America can be heard by the financial sector. Force them to obey the laws by taking away their power. Put people into these positions that have to answer to the public.
I may not be the most knowledgeable person when it comes to the economy and the financial sector, but I understand quite a bit about it. If you have a better idea than nationalizing banks, go ahead and provide a link to your outline. Remember, I studied History, so what I say is based on the past looking toward the future. Also, this was written hastily at work after I discovered that our veterans were going to have to take cuts because of what these @%*^ing bankers have done.
Peace.
P.S. I am currently reading The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, so I apologize if I tend to see corporate ass-bags as some kind of Dark Lord.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
America's Special Relationship with Israel
It has long been established that the United States have a special relationship with the state of Israel. How this state of affairs came into being, how it has developed after the fall of the Soviet Union, and how it continues into today's world are subject to debate. What role should the US play in Israeli affairs? How should we react to their invasion of Gaza? How do we balance their intense fear of Iran with diplomacy? But, my main question, how does this special relationship persist?
A little background on how this relationship came to exist. After World War II, the sense of guilt at allowing the Holocaust to happen sent Europe and America into a bit of a tizzy. Zionist groups took advantage of this guilt to further their ends. The history of Zionism has been pretty well covered, from the Balfour Declaration to the found of Eretz Yisrael. The war of Israeli independence, which uprooted Palestinians and caused the scorn of Arab nations to befall the small Jewish country was manipulated from the start by Britain and the US to a lesser extent.
Israel was able to fight for its very existence against it's Arab enemies. This it did admirably, creating the image of the scrappy underdog. Since then however, it has been aided greatly by the United States. Why? Israel was seen as the toehold the US had in the Middle East against Soviet encroachment. The Soviet Union was making inroads in the Northern Crescent and with Egypt, and the States needed a counterbalance. Given the long history of American's interest in Zionism and the Biblical land of the Israelites, it is no wonder that they backed the new state.
Many presidents since the founding of Israel have tried to take a firm stance against the Israeli treatment of Palestinians. Something always came up though. Be it anything from the Cold War to the Iranian hostage crisis. No one ever got around to dealing strongly with Israel. Administrations constantly had to lend aid to the country in order to maintain a strong ally in the region. This is especially true after the Iranian Revolution. Now, with the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and the spawning of terrorist groups in the area, US administrations are stuck yet again.
Will Obama be able to take a stronger line against Israel? They have a strong grip on American politics through the Jewish Lobby in the States. And we really can't be too hard on a strong ally. The situation is precarious, but something different needs to be done. Too much time has been lost already. The right of return for Palestinians is now nearly laughable. They've been gone too long for many even to acknowledge a right of return.
Baby steps. The US needs to work with Israel towards granting Gazans and West Bankers some pretty basic rights. We need to utilize our special relationship with them to get them to adhere to international law. The first step there is to adhere to it ourselves. Obama promises change in that regard, and we can hope (sorry) for the best. Still, what will make him different?
Recently, Defense Minister Ehud Barak has proposed a tunnel between the two Palestinian territories. It would be a 48 km tunnel going under the state of Israel. This can only be described as madness. How would anyone feel safe using it? Not to mention how much it degrades the humanity of Palestinians. They can come through the land that was once theirs... underground, hidden from the light of day. The Israelis would maintain sovereignty over the tunnel, but allow the Palestinians to control traffic. Thank God for that trade-off, right? This is hardly a freedom of movement proposal.
The Palestinian leadership is hardly helping things. By allowing, or ordering, rockets to be fired into Southern Israel, they are making legitimate peace talks nearly impossible. Also, they are further alienating any Western sympathizers by appearing to most as nothing less than another terrorist cell. While many can tell the difference between idiot hate-mongers (Bin Laden) and legitimate freedom fighters (no example,) Hamas blurs the line for the majority of people. Sometimes even I can't tell what side to root for.
Oh well. The most I can hope for is the literate society in America to stand up and demand that something different be done. And for the same to happen around the world. Not like these silly little protests where angsty, wanna-be revolutionaries in Che t-shirts go around throwing rocks at police officers, but a legitimate protest. Write your Congressperson. Write Obama, I understand he has a web-page for that.
Also, do not take what I say as a hatred of Israel. The country is amazing and has brought us many amazing things. It is much like a miniature United States. It is full of promise, but it runs the risk of letting its leadership squander these promises. That cannot happen. Most important, get out there and read something other than the Twilight series. Don't forgo the entertainment lit, but don't neglect the important stuff either.
Peace.
For more info:
Power, Faith and Fantasy: America in the Middle East, 1776 to the Present by Michael B. Oren
Sources in the History of the Modern Middle East compiled by Akram Fouad Khater
A History of Modern Palestine by Ilan Pappe
A History of the Modern Middle East by William Cleveland
The Super Powers and the Middle East by Alan Palmer
A little background on how this relationship came to exist. After World War II, the sense of guilt at allowing the Holocaust to happen sent Europe and America into a bit of a tizzy. Zionist groups took advantage of this guilt to further their ends. The history of Zionism has been pretty well covered, from the Balfour Declaration to the found of Eretz Yisrael. The war of Israeli independence, which uprooted Palestinians and caused the scorn of Arab nations to befall the small Jewish country was manipulated from the start by Britain and the US to a lesser extent.
Israel was able to fight for its very existence against it's Arab enemies. This it did admirably, creating the image of the scrappy underdog. Since then however, it has been aided greatly by the United States. Why? Israel was seen as the toehold the US had in the Middle East against Soviet encroachment. The Soviet Union was making inroads in the Northern Crescent and with Egypt, and the States needed a counterbalance. Given the long history of American's interest in Zionism and the Biblical land of the Israelites, it is no wonder that they backed the new state.
Many presidents since the founding of Israel have tried to take a firm stance against the Israeli treatment of Palestinians. Something always came up though. Be it anything from the Cold War to the Iranian hostage crisis. No one ever got around to dealing strongly with Israel. Administrations constantly had to lend aid to the country in order to maintain a strong ally in the region. This is especially true after the Iranian Revolution. Now, with the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and the spawning of terrorist groups in the area, US administrations are stuck yet again.
Will Obama be able to take a stronger line against Israel? They have a strong grip on American politics through the Jewish Lobby in the States. And we really can't be too hard on a strong ally. The situation is precarious, but something different needs to be done. Too much time has been lost already. The right of return for Palestinians is now nearly laughable. They've been gone too long for many even to acknowledge a right of return.
Baby steps. The US needs to work with Israel towards granting Gazans and West Bankers some pretty basic rights. We need to utilize our special relationship with them to get them to adhere to international law. The first step there is to adhere to it ourselves. Obama promises change in that regard, and we can hope (sorry) for the best. Still, what will make him different?
Recently, Defense Minister Ehud Barak has proposed a tunnel between the two Palestinian territories. It would be a 48 km tunnel going under the state of Israel. This can only be described as madness. How would anyone feel safe using it? Not to mention how much it degrades the humanity of Palestinians. They can come through the land that was once theirs... underground, hidden from the light of day. The Israelis would maintain sovereignty over the tunnel, but allow the Palestinians to control traffic. Thank God for that trade-off, right? This is hardly a freedom of movement proposal.
The Palestinian leadership is hardly helping things. By allowing, or ordering, rockets to be fired into Southern Israel, they are making legitimate peace talks nearly impossible. Also, they are further alienating any Western sympathizers by appearing to most as nothing less than another terrorist cell. While many can tell the difference between idiot hate-mongers (Bin Laden) and legitimate freedom fighters (no example,) Hamas blurs the line for the majority of people. Sometimes even I can't tell what side to root for.
Oh well. The most I can hope for is the literate society in America to stand up and demand that something different be done. And for the same to happen around the world. Not like these silly little protests where angsty, wanna-be revolutionaries in Che t-shirts go around throwing rocks at police officers, but a legitimate protest. Write your Congressperson. Write Obama, I understand he has a web-page for that.
Also, do not take what I say as a hatred of Israel. The country is amazing and has brought us many amazing things. It is much like a miniature United States. It is full of promise, but it runs the risk of letting its leadership squander these promises. That cannot happen. Most important, get out there and read something other than the Twilight series. Don't forgo the entertainment lit, but don't neglect the important stuff either.
Peace.
For more info:
Power, Faith and Fantasy: America in the Middle East, 1776 to the Present by Michael B. Oren
Sources in the History of the Modern Middle East compiled by Akram Fouad Khater
A History of Modern Palestine by Ilan Pappe
A History of the Modern Middle East by William Cleveland
The Super Powers and the Middle East by Alan Palmer
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Hate to be a Doomsayer, but...
Seriously, can things get more screwed up? Take stock of the world around you, your car, your job (if you're lucky enough to have one of those) and all your material possessions. Go ahead, I'll wait...
Got it? Good, now imagine all of those sitting on a curb as you watch a foreclosure sign get thrown up in your yard. Imagine that sweet little ride getting repossessed. Now, you have to sleep at your friend's house and take the bus to work with all of the "crazies." Then, one day you come to find out the company you work for is struggling to get the loans it needs to survive. You'll have to go. Sorry pal. So, take stock of the world around you at this point. No job, no car, no home. Sounds pretty rough doesn't it? Well, it is. But, you just have to remember you live in America and that as bad as things get here, it's still a heckuva lot better than in a lot of places. Here are a few examples.
Gaza- Even before the recent Israeli invasion, life in Gaza was a day-to-day struggle for many people. Remember that house you lost? How would you feel if you were evicted from your country? Still, with the Israeli invasion things have managed to get worse. The use of white phosphorous devices is causing civilian casualties of a horrific nature. The searing gas travels surprisingly well in tight, over-populated spaces, leaving hundreds horribly burned. If Israel manages to destroy Hamas and come up with a better system for Gaza, this war could have a semi-happy ending. There are a lot of things that could still go awry though, such as war with Iran in the interim. In the meantime, innocent Palestinians will starve, be injured with little hope of medical care and huddle in groups in dilapidated buildings. It is largely Hamas's fault for being an unintelligent group of rocket-launching morons, and Israel has the right to destroy them. They just need to be careful.
Somalia- The Ethiopians have finally withdrawn their troops from Mogadishu. The African Union is leaving a small contingent of peace-keepers to defend against all the Islamist radical factions that are vying to fill the void. It is predicted that they will do little to halt further onslaughts of violence. On the coast, pirates are living lavishly with their stolen booty. Inside, children roam the streets with old Kalashnikovs, rocket-launchers and camouflage clothing. Civil war has torn this country apart for decades, leaving it the most war-torn country in all of Africa, which is no small recognition. The US is trying to get the UN involved more intensely, but everyone is concerned that they will be there too long if they go in now. They're basically cowards, allowing innocent civilians to die, children to be raised as outright thugs and erasing this country's future before it's written.
Balkans- Riots and protests clog the streets in several of these countries over everything from police brutality to poor governance to lack of pay for police officers. Kosovo is struggling to remain independent in an angry world. Serbia is trying to convince the world that it's people in Northern Kosovo are being mistreated. All of the Balkans are struggling with the row between Gazprom and Ukraine. Factories are shutting down, leaving many jobless. Millions are without heat. And now, the worldwide economic slowdown is starting to trickle down to this region. Even more jobs are being lost or threatened. The threat of war from Serbia is a constant threat, even though it does seem unlikely at this point. Meanwhile, these countries are expected to enact serious reforms so they may join the European Union. They are severely hobbled but expected by the EU to make record leaps and bounds. Hopefully, the Balkans don't get to hot any time soon.
Mexico- Druglords are becoming more and more of a threat and power in Mexico as more of their products are consumed at home. They have gained power as their countrymen have turned to drugs as an escape from poor conditions. Kids are growing up as drug dealers because it pays more than working in a maquiladora. Would it be greatly beneficial if the US forced companies setting up shop just across the border to follow the same rules they follow here? Maybe, or they might just move again, leaving a more severe void in the workforce. The point is, we have a third world neighbor to our South. We are still the most powerful economy on the face of the world. Do you see the paradox?
Now, go back to the beginning. Take stock of what you have around you. Even if you don't like your job, consider yourself lucky to have one. Even if your house isn't furnished like a palace, just be glad you have access to heating elements. We live in America people. Our lowest standard of living is still far and beyond other regions standards. We are lucky to have been born here. Do not squander that opportunity. And for the love of god stop watching tv and read a freakin' book!
Peace.
Got it? Good, now imagine all of those sitting on a curb as you watch a foreclosure sign get thrown up in your yard. Imagine that sweet little ride getting repossessed. Now, you have to sleep at your friend's house and take the bus to work with all of the "crazies." Then, one day you come to find out the company you work for is struggling to get the loans it needs to survive. You'll have to go. Sorry pal. So, take stock of the world around you at this point. No job, no car, no home. Sounds pretty rough doesn't it? Well, it is. But, you just have to remember you live in America and that as bad as things get here, it's still a heckuva lot better than in a lot of places. Here are a few examples.
Gaza- Even before the recent Israeli invasion, life in Gaza was a day-to-day struggle for many people. Remember that house you lost? How would you feel if you were evicted from your country? Still, with the Israeli invasion things have managed to get worse. The use of white phosphorous devices is causing civilian casualties of a horrific nature. The searing gas travels surprisingly well in tight, over-populated spaces, leaving hundreds horribly burned. If Israel manages to destroy Hamas and come up with a better system for Gaza, this war could have a semi-happy ending. There are a lot of things that could still go awry though, such as war with Iran in the interim. In the meantime, innocent Palestinians will starve, be injured with little hope of medical care and huddle in groups in dilapidated buildings. It is largely Hamas's fault for being an unintelligent group of rocket-launching morons, and Israel has the right to destroy them. They just need to be careful.
Somalia- The Ethiopians have finally withdrawn their troops from Mogadishu. The African Union is leaving a small contingent of peace-keepers to defend against all the Islamist radical factions that are vying to fill the void. It is predicted that they will do little to halt further onslaughts of violence. On the coast, pirates are living lavishly with their stolen booty. Inside, children roam the streets with old Kalashnikovs, rocket-launchers and camouflage clothing. Civil war has torn this country apart for decades, leaving it the most war-torn country in all of Africa, which is no small recognition. The US is trying to get the UN involved more intensely, but everyone is concerned that they will be there too long if they go in now. They're basically cowards, allowing innocent civilians to die, children to be raised as outright thugs and erasing this country's future before it's written.
Balkans- Riots and protests clog the streets in several of these countries over everything from police brutality to poor governance to lack of pay for police officers. Kosovo is struggling to remain independent in an angry world. Serbia is trying to convince the world that it's people in Northern Kosovo are being mistreated. All of the Balkans are struggling with the row between Gazprom and Ukraine. Factories are shutting down, leaving many jobless. Millions are without heat. And now, the worldwide economic slowdown is starting to trickle down to this region. Even more jobs are being lost or threatened. The threat of war from Serbia is a constant threat, even though it does seem unlikely at this point. Meanwhile, these countries are expected to enact serious reforms so they may join the European Union. They are severely hobbled but expected by the EU to make record leaps and bounds. Hopefully, the Balkans don't get to hot any time soon.
Mexico- Druglords are becoming more and more of a threat and power in Mexico as more of their products are consumed at home. They have gained power as their countrymen have turned to drugs as an escape from poor conditions. Kids are growing up as drug dealers because it pays more than working in a maquiladora. Would it be greatly beneficial if the US forced companies setting up shop just across the border to follow the same rules they follow here? Maybe, or they might just move again, leaving a more severe void in the workforce. The point is, we have a third world neighbor to our South. We are still the most powerful economy on the face of the world. Do you see the paradox?
Now, go back to the beginning. Take stock of what you have around you. Even if you don't like your job, consider yourself lucky to have one. Even if your house isn't furnished like a palace, just be glad you have access to heating elements. We live in America people. Our lowest standard of living is still far and beyond other regions standards. We are lucky to have been born here. Do not squander that opportunity. And for the love of god stop watching tv and read a freakin' book!
Peace.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Can the Balkans serve as view toward Europe's Future?
Southeast European Times article
The recent row between Gazprom and Ukraine has led to a debilitating lack of oil in the Balkans. It has taken on many forms, factories shutting down, schools closing, radiators in housing complexes turning off and so on. 96% of Bulgaria's oil comes from Russia. So far, they have been the worst hit. The state is shutting down without the lifeblood that pours through Ukraine from Russia. Russia supplies 25% of Europe's gas, 80% of which flows through Ukraine.
The current conflict is somewhat of an annual fixture in Eastern Europe. However, 2008 was a very complex year for the region. The Balkans gained a new state in Kosovo, new advances (and setbacks) in the FYROM name debate, riots in Greece, Bulgarian police strikes, and now this. The burgeoning states of this region are struggling to conform to the laws of the EU in order to brighten their national futures, and a simple conflict between Russia and a former satellite are turning it all to dust. Can this be a harbinger of Western Europe's future?
The oil and natural gas that come out of Russia are very crucial to the sustainability of Western Europe's standard of living. What happens if the cordial relations with Russia fall apart? People in Germany, France and other countries face a set of dire consequences. If they lose a crucial source of heating oil, who suffers? France had better not let it's society's outer fringes suffer again, lest they ignite a new set of rioting. Germany's industrial core requires vast amounts of fuel to sustain itself, despite what they have accomplished with alternative fuels. Switzerland of course derives all of it's power from hot chocolate, so they have no worries.
This is a Europe only twenty-some years removed from the most devastating non-war war humans have ever experienced. Their sworn enemies were Russia, and now they rely on that country for a large portion of their fuel. What if the pipeline through Belarus is stopped up? There goes most of Russia's oil and natural gas. Will we see BMW factories forced to close, as we have seen factories in Macedonia close? Will there be statements from the leaders of these nations stating that they only have ten days of reserve fuel, as we have seen in the Balkans?
I have long believed that the most effective barometer for Europe exists in the Balkans. Despite its reputation in the US, it serves as an insight to all of Europe's problems. There are ethnic tensions, economic woes and a precarious reliance on foreign fuels. What can we learn from the situation in the Balkans?
Reliance on foreign fuels can be debilitating. It's a lesson that should be learned by Europe and the US in kind. The world would change suddenly if the US lost its friendship with oil producers. We would no longer be concerned with our children's international educational standings, but concerned with heating their schools. The fear of our national unemployment rate hitting double digits would be but a trifle if we had no fuel for any of out factories, the unemployment rate would skyrocket.
It's a doomsday scenario that we can see being played out in the Balkans, and hopefully, we sit up and listen this time.
The recent row between Gazprom and Ukraine has led to a debilitating lack of oil in the Balkans. It has taken on many forms, factories shutting down, schools closing, radiators in housing complexes turning off and so on. 96% of Bulgaria's oil comes from Russia. So far, they have been the worst hit. The state is shutting down without the lifeblood that pours through Ukraine from Russia. Russia supplies 25% of Europe's gas, 80% of which flows through Ukraine.
The current conflict is somewhat of an annual fixture in Eastern Europe. However, 2008 was a very complex year for the region. The Balkans gained a new state in Kosovo, new advances (and setbacks) in the FYROM name debate, riots in Greece, Bulgarian police strikes, and now this. The burgeoning states of this region are struggling to conform to the laws of the EU in order to brighten their national futures, and a simple conflict between Russia and a former satellite are turning it all to dust. Can this be a harbinger of Western Europe's future?
The oil and natural gas that come out of Russia are very crucial to the sustainability of Western Europe's standard of living. What happens if the cordial relations with Russia fall apart? People in Germany, France and other countries face a set of dire consequences. If they lose a crucial source of heating oil, who suffers? France had better not let it's society's outer fringes suffer again, lest they ignite a new set of rioting. Germany's industrial core requires vast amounts of fuel to sustain itself, despite what they have accomplished with alternative fuels. Switzerland of course derives all of it's power from hot chocolate, so they have no worries.
This is a Europe only twenty-some years removed from the most devastating non-war war humans have ever experienced. Their sworn enemies were Russia, and now they rely on that country for a large portion of their fuel. What if the pipeline through Belarus is stopped up? There goes most of Russia's oil and natural gas. Will we see BMW factories forced to close, as we have seen factories in Macedonia close? Will there be statements from the leaders of these nations stating that they only have ten days of reserve fuel, as we have seen in the Balkans?
I have long believed that the most effective barometer for Europe exists in the Balkans. Despite its reputation in the US, it serves as an insight to all of Europe's problems. There are ethnic tensions, economic woes and a precarious reliance on foreign fuels. What can we learn from the situation in the Balkans?
Reliance on foreign fuels can be debilitating. It's a lesson that should be learned by Europe and the US in kind. The world would change suddenly if the US lost its friendship with oil producers. We would no longer be concerned with our children's international educational standings, but concerned with heating their schools. The fear of our national unemployment rate hitting double digits would be but a trifle if we had no fuel for any of out factories, the unemployment rate would skyrocket.
It's a doomsday scenario that we can see being played out in the Balkans, and hopefully, we sit up and listen this time.
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