The Disaster Files: Concerns for The Future #2

Congress:  All "Locked Up" by The House
Posted by Wiley, 08/12/14

 According to Alvin Toffler, in his book "Future Shock" (p. 3), "Change is the process  by which the future invades our lives"...and "consequences of contemporary events radiate instantaneously around the world". 

If the future "invades" the lives of the American people through "change" created by the dysfunctional, myopic, Republican  majority in the  United States House of Representatives, it will be an UGLY FUTURE.  In that future, the Republicans pick up their marbles (tax cuts for the wealthy 2 percent), put them in a box (to deny funding to upgrade and improve the nation's power grid and transportation systems), and go home!  Many, if not most, of their members believe Climate Change is a hoax, and major Immigration Reform does not require some form of amnesty for 11 million people already in the Country.  What is clear is that the Republican members of the House of Representatives are so ideologically opposed to what they view as liberal legislation, they are willing to put the future of the Country at risk!

A "Lock" on  The Door

To this end, they have locked all the doors to the House and halted the production of
legislation. The White House and the Democrats have tried to open talks through the FRONT DOOR of the House of Representatives, but no change to date. The doors remain locked. The Republicans  have circled the wagons, and declared that they WILL NOT BE MOVED AS LONG  AS THIS PRESIDENT IS IN OFFICE, and any legislation without majority Republican support such as Immigration Reform will not be moved! The side door with the “White Flag” of “compromise” is no longer a road to resolution.  The consequences of not passing NEEDED legislation can only be imagined at this juncture, but in all likelihood it will radiate around the world!  

After all, if you don't believe the Government can do anything right, why not shut it down.  They have done it before, and if they can win control of the Senate in the 2014 elections and keep the House, the "private sector" may indeed be the next  U. S. form of Government (Corporations already have "religion").

So what is changing?  It could be the Republicans have a new way to "privatize" the Government: ''Sue The President" when they disagree with him (or her), especially on legislation they dislike such as Immigration Reform, and win the battle in Court -- not by the vote!

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The Disaster Files: Concerns for The Future #1

A Supreme“ Court “Change” 

Posted by Wiley, July 12, 2014

 According to Alvin Toffler, in his book "Future Shock", 1970, New York, Random House, (p. 3), "Change is the process  by which the future invades our lives"

"Hold Back The Future" seems to be the wish of the far right in the Congress as they seek to slow the social advances by women and minorities in the United States.  They have attacked voting rights laws and health care laws that are designed to help prevent discrimination against minorities and women and provide better access to health care insurance for the uninsured.   Recent rulings by the Supreme Court and new policies and laws at the State level will clearly hinder, and could even stop the forward progress of many people!  The Hobby Lobby decision is a case in point.  Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, 573 U.S. ___ (2014), is a landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court allowing closely held for-profit corporations to be exempt from a law they religiously object to if there is a viable and least restrictive means of furthering the law's interest. The case is the first time that the court has recognized a for-profit corporation's claim of religious belief, but it is limited to closely held corporations under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).  The decision was described in the dissent as  one of "startling breadth", meaning the full ramifications will likely be greater than expected. The  important point here is that the Holly Lobby and voting rights issues cannot hold back the future.  The following scenario envisions a post Holly Lobby  “Benefits Meeting" between an employee and an administrator.

Active Affordable Care Act (AACA), Case NO.  350,000 

Young woman (all dressed in black): I want child support!

Young Conservative Bureaucrat:  Who and where is this baby Daddy?

Young woman (all dressed in black):  The “XYZ” Corporation is this baby Daddy.

Young Conservative Bureaucrat:  A Corporation can’t be a Daddy.  Corporations just make money!

Young woman (all dressed in black):  That was before they got religion, outlawed contraception, and gave me this baby through immaculate conception.  It was all blessed by 5 Gods called Justices of the Supreme Court!  I am in mourning  for their very souls!

Young Conservative Bureaucrat: Can I get back to you later?

                           

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THE WIDENING DIVIDE: T-PARTY IMAGINATION

Posted by Wiley,  02/15/2014

He had come to the airport on Saturday morning in June, 2017, to just ride along on a skydiving flight with a friend.  He was early, so he decided to take a short nap in the hanger.  As he was falling asleep, he heard someone say, “Look! look!  They're boarding the plane!"  

"That's good, but we have time", he heard a skydiver say.  "Skydiving opens up a new world to you.  There is a great rush as you head for the ground!"  Soon, it seemed, the voices faded, the airplane took off, and he fell into a deep sleep.

Somewhere down there (on the ground), a television news broadcaster tells the world a Senate Staffer is going along with the skydivers who are trying to set a record for the fastest descent to the ground.  The broadcaster calls in one of the many reporters on the network who excitedly reports that a note has been found in a bathroom at the airport.  The note says, "I am one of the skydivers and I plan to use my leap from the plane to change the world".  

The press thinks it's from the Senate Staffer! Why? Because if he (or she) is a Democrat, the world has already changed!  Long established laws and regulations were revised or repealed by the T-Party after they won control of Congress in 2016 (they also won the Presidency).  The T-Party led the way, absorbing the Republican Party into its ranks with the simple edict: choose us or lose all!  Elections do HAVE CONSEQUENCES! 

The T-Party came in locked and loaded!  Their mission was clear: balance the budget.  They sold Alaska to the Russians, Puerto Rico to the Mexicans, and off shore drilling rights to the Saudis. They downsized every Government agency/department except the Department of Defense (DOD). The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) was hit with a 50 percent reduction in force.  The T-Party had buy out, opt out (just leave), and layoff plans for  nearly all Government workers.  They   restructured Homeland Security (e.g., moving border security to DOD);  eliminated the EPA, HUD, and the Departments of Education, Commerce, and Transportation.  Layoff was the word of the day.

The elimination of the Department of Transportation led to the privatization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the 2017 sale of the Interstate Highway System to the Chinese. Signed into law by Republican President, Dwight David Eisenhower, the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956) played a key role in the growth of the American economy. The Chinese upgraded the roads, bridges and railways by setting up tolls at every logical and not so logical location before the year  ended.

The International Space Station shown over Miami, Florida.
                                                           Photo Credit: NASA

In their drive to balance the budget, they sold the Mars Rovers to the Chinese; leased the Weather Service to the Chamber of Commerce, and now have a ”For Sale” sign on the International Space Station.  They considered selling the Global Positioning System (GPS),  but DOD wouldn’t stand for it. Their simple, but hard  nosed challenge to each entity: choose us, or lose all!     

It seemed as if nothing mattered more to the T-Party than balancing the budget.   Shortly after the T-Party President was sworn in, legislation was introduced that revised or repealed all of the remaining policies of Presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson.  Chief among the items revised or repealed: the Social Security Act of 1935, which established Social Security and provided economic security for the elderly and those no longer able to work;  the National Labor Relations Act which established the federal rights of workers to organize unions, to engage in collective bargaining, and to take part in strikes; and, the Fair Labor Standards Act(FLSA) of 1938, which created the minimum wage.  The T-Party called FLSA and all such Acts "Socialism" or "Communism", and they want to raise the eligibility age for Social Security to 70!  

Back at the airport, an unauthorized person has been discovered passed out in one of the hangers.  The on-the-scene reporter rushed out to get this possible “Breaking News”.                         

FORGET President Lyndon Baines Johnson!  The T-Party made Medicare a Voucher Program and Medicaid a Welfare Program.  The Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Voting Rights Act also bit the dust. In their eyes, those policies represent THE EVILS OF BIG GOVERNMENT!   The T-Party solution: cut it to the bone! The layoffs in the Government were drastic

To help the T-Party celebrate their victory, the zero point one percent (0.01) wealthiest Americans are offering $100,000 bonuses to any Black or Latino family wishing to immigrate to any place in Africa or South America. 

Surely, there are Republicans around who will oppose these actions...perhaps a silent , but voting minority, (no?).  

Meanwhile, there is a report from the on-the-scene reporter: "I think I’ve found the missing member of the skydiver group.  He appears dazed.  He is looking at me now.  "Sir, are you all right?” 

Man: “I came to take the ride up with the sky divers, but I was early so I decided to take a short nap. Apparently, I slept through the whole thing!   I also had a bad dream, a very bad dream.  Can you tell me who is the president of the United States?”

Reporter: ”The president of the United States is Elizabeth Warren!

Man:! “So, the T-Party is not running the Country!  Thank God!  I still have a job!“

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THE REPUBLICANS PLAN A PARTY FOR THE ACA

They will be coming from all directions:  hundreds of thousands of Republicans (GOP) and their friends, hoping to be at the right place at the right time to PARTY over the "TRAIN WRECK" officially known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA)!  According to sources, the ACA is about to run off the tracks, and the GOP plans to celebrate!  The ACA has been called President Obama's most significant legislative achievement to date.  It was developed to improve access to and performance of the health care system in the United States where there are 48,000,000 uninsured Americans.  The Republicans hate it!  They CALL it a Government  takeover of the health care industry. The "Train Wreck" description  of the ACA was provided by a Democrat (Senator Max Baucus) shortly after it became law.  THE GOP quickly adopted it as their "number one" talking point.   They loved it!
    
 The "Train  Wreck"" analogy was ENHANCED when the ACA website for enrollment got off to a really rotten start with a series of glitches and down times that prevented use of the system.  This frustrated many applicants and added fuel to the notion that the ACA should be delayed.  Now, with the President having to make several changes in the  implementation schedule due primarily  to the web-site problems,  the Republicans smell blood in the water.  They now have an action plan!

The  GOP Plan begins with rallies near AMTRAK stations to highlight the "Train Wreck" analogy and to show their dislike of the Government's  Amtrak subsidy (inconsistent with Republican ideology?).  Large banners,  colorful posters , and ads on cable "news" shows will  "trash" AMTRAK and encourage people to just say "NO" to the ACA!   Don't worry; the GOP Plan provides training that will teach you how to BARTER WITH YOUR DOCTOR.  The first lesson will cost 2 chickens!  You will need that training because a "WRECK" of the ACA will require a new/different approach to health care.  Significant changes that could be very expensive AFTER the "Train Wreck"!  The GOP Plan will encourage Republicans to stay at home  until  the private sector is back in the saddle again!  Barter Training will continue via electronic media at the new low rate of just 4  CHICKENS PER LESSON!

However, according to the  Democrats,  There are a few holes in the GOP PLAN,  such as:

1.     The GOP Plan seems more about rubber-necking for the "Train Wreck" than how to help the passengers.     

2      Will the GOP be able to override a Presidential veto of a bill to "WRECK"  (REPEAL) 
        the ACA?  

3.    What happens if the ACA is not a "Train Wreck"?  Will the GOP climb on board? 

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THE ROLE OF "NO"

It would be helpful to know that those who are advising people to just say "NO",  and  "Don't sign up for health care under the Affordable Care Act" (ACA) are also going without health care insurance.

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The Widening Divide - Phase II

What’s New?
Posted by Wiley, 09/27/13

There are anti-Government groups and individuals who believe the worst rumors, gossip, and outright lies about the President  of the United States and his policies.  Such beliefs reflect the growing divide in the United States in this 21^st Century between Democrats and Republicans (the ”Left” and the “Right”), the rich and the poor; and the rich and the middle class. The disparity between the rich and the middle class has increased the most: the richest Americans (90th percentile), went from making a median of $85,800 in 1967 to $138,900  in 2010– a 62 percent increase. Median income households went from $40,800 in 1967 to $49,400, just a 21 percent increase!  The middle class is hurting! 

What’s new is really old: the racial divide. When the White woman at the town hall meeting in 2011 said, “I want my Country back!”, she was making in essence the charge leveled in the trial of the Scottsboro Boys in 1931: a Black man took it from me!   Does “race” make “compromise” more difficult, or does race and compromise become words to avoid if you are trying to force people to accept your anti-Government views? 

Under the anti-Government agenda, there is no room for compromise because in their view, they are right and all others are wrong.  People in the T-Party are urging their elected members in the Congress to shut down the Government unless the Government agrees to their demand to defund the Affordable Health Care Act, a new law designed to help the poor and the middle class.

Posted by Wiley, 09/27/13

Surely, the threat of a Shutdown will induce the President and/or his Party (the Democrats) to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act (AHCA); surely, repealing the AHCA will reduce the disparity in income between the rich and the middle class. 

SURELY NOT because the T-Party members have a higher goal: they want their country back!  Damn the cost! In the meantime, many anti-Government advocates are circulating petitions to secede from the U. S. A.  The T-Party is taking the Republican Party back to the 1948 South and the States Rights Dixiecrats!

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DEBT CEILING DEALINGS...A NEW BEGINNING?

Prologue   

In a chess match of the imagination in the movie Star Wars, R2-D2 (Artoo), the round little genius droid was about to win the match with the giant Wookiee, Chewbacca, aboard the spaceship Millennium Falcon when the pilot, Han Solo, says to the effect: Wookiees can’t take losing to an entity they consider to be inferior. When Wookiees lose they’ve been known to turn violent and proceed to dismember the opponent – tearing off arms and legs!  Hearing Solo, Artoo's droid pal C-3PO advises him to “Let the Wookiee win!”

          

Hostages & Ransoms 

          After losing the 2012 political elections, the Republican majority in the House of Representatives  began threatening to HOLD THE RAISING OF THE DEBT CEILING  HOSTAGE to force the Democrats in the

Table 1.  Shows Wiley's view of the hostage and ransom goals of the GOP.                                      

 Government to agree to GOP RANSOM DEMANDS for reducing the debt.   Refusing to raise the DEBT CEILING prevents the Country from being able to pay its debts.  The GOP talks about the debt as if it was the  "Death Star" from "Star Wars", crying out that the debt and spending are out of control; yet they are prepared to allow the Country to really lose control if it defaults on paying its debts. The United States has a nearly 100-year history of debt ceiling and budget fights which include 18 federal government shutdowns between 1976 and 1995.  However, none of these prior episodes produced chaos in the financial markets (Short History...) or any speculation of  default. What is different today?

         WHAT IS DIFFERENT TODAY is the number of GOP members who have signed a “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” (219 in the House) against increasing taxes and for whom COMPROMISE APPEARS OUT OF THE QUESTION.  The new mantra is BALANCING the Federal Budget in ten years by CUTTING Government spending.  For many in the GOP, a shutdown of the Government is not out of the question.  In addition,  IF early GOP forays into HOSTAGE TAKING ARE SUCCESSFUL, they will attempt to "DISMEMBER" the Executive Branch by eliminating (repealing) or weakening those components and laws with missions they do not support:  for example, The Environmental Protection Agency, The Education Department,  the Dodd-Frank Financial Law,  and The Affordable Care Act Health Law.  The GOP will attack with FILIBUSTERS, ADDING UNLIKELY TO PASS AMENDMENTS and DENYING FUNDING to reduce their capabilities.

       There were CHEERS from the GOP when the SEQUESTER CUTS were implemented; however, if not stopped, those cuts will begin to create problems in GOVERNMENT contracts with PRIVATE INDUSTRY.  The problems will occur primarily where there are changes in purchase orders, as well as production and delivery schedules which will adversely impact costs and personnel (jobs).  Both the House and the Senate recently passed the Continuing Resolution that keeps the Government funded for the next 6 months and removes it as a possible hostage. The Debt Ceiling (delayed until May, Washington Post) may be a problem.

         Here is Wiley's question: How will the Government accomplish anything if Hostage Taking becomes the primary operational strategy of the minority in the Congress to prevent the majority from governing?  Wiley is hopeful that such a strategy will not become the norm, and that persuasion will prevail.  If not, majority rule itself would be challenged --- leaving everyone wishing it was just a chess match they were watching in a galaxy far, far away!

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