Up until recently I would have said no, but today I'm not so sure. Neither are some others who have a better handle on this than I do. Starting a few decades ago the armed forces started becoming its own class that has different goals, values, and loyalties than the rest of the population. A bad omen to be sure.
Showing posts with label class analysis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label class analysis. Show all posts
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
The real motivation behind the Occupy Wall Street movement: The rage of the elite wannabes
The Occupy Wall Street movement's ire is mostly the result of the lower elite revolting against the upper elite claims economics writer Megan McArdle at The Atlantic. Why all the outrage?
".. [W]hether or not you think their [OWS] reaction is empirically correct, it certainly isn't surprising. To them it looks like a bunch of greedy, stupid bankers stole the jobs that they were entitled to. And why the hell do a bunch of thieves get to drive around in BMWs while I take the bus?"
Read the rest here.
".. [W]hether or not you think their [OWS] reaction is empirically correct, it certainly isn't surprising. To them it looks like a bunch of greedy, stupid bankers stole the jobs that they were entitled to. And why the hell do a bunch of thieves get to drive around in BMWs while I take the bus?"
Read the rest here.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Confirming the obvious
After a decade long (and counting) recession a US Census Bureau study finds that Michigan is now much poorer.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Sign of the times: When the well dries up everbody's dry
Obama as FDR Gorbachev: Trying to preserve a dying system (Richard Miniter, Forbes)
Bottom line up front: The trouble with living off government handouts is that eventually the government runs out of other people's money to tax and spend.
Contra the main stream media propaganda fluff President Obama is not the new FDR or LBJ but is actually a man trying like crazy to prevent the demise of a political system he desperately loves and wants to preserve.
"This week’s fight over raising the federal debt limit", says Miniter this week in Forbes.com/, "exposes a key weakness in the warfare-welfare state that has bestowed power onto the Democratic Party: Without an ever-growing share of the economy, it dies. Every vital element of the Democrats’ coalition — unions, government workers, government contractors, 'entitlement' consumers — requires constant increases in payments, grants and consulting contracts. Without those payments, they don’t sign checks to re-elect Democrats."
True that. And the GOP has it's parasites who seek the same sort of stuff when they're in power too. In fact minus out the unions and add the so-called "defense" contractors and it's the same list. Whatever. The point here is that the pie itself is shrinking. And that particular reality is bi-partisan.
Contra the main stream media propaganda fluff President Obama is not the new FDR or LBJ but is actually a man trying like crazy to prevent the demise of a political system he desperately loves and wants to preserve.
"This week’s fight over raising the federal debt limit", says Miniter this week in Forbes.com/, "exposes a key weakness in the warfare-welfare state that has bestowed power onto the Democratic Party: Without an ever-growing share of the economy, it dies. Every vital element of the Democrats’ coalition — unions, government workers, government contractors, 'entitlement' consumers — requires constant increases in payments, grants and consulting contracts. Without those payments, they don’t sign checks to re-elect Democrats."
True that. And the GOP has it's parasites who seek the same sort of stuff when they're in power too. In fact minus out the unions and add the so-called "defense" contractors and it's the same list. Whatever. The point here is that the pie itself is shrinking. And that particular reality is bi-partisan.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Observations
Why statistical measures of GDP don't accurately measure real well-being
"Declining standards of well-being are politically destabilizing, and lead naturally enough to sweeping support for regime change. In Egypt and Tunisia the regimes happened to be despotic, and the call for change came as a commitment to democracy, an end to corruption, and demands for civil liberties. But within democracies, declining standards of living can have the opposite effect. Open and institutionalized systems of regime change—voting—will absorb the discontent for a time, but if the decline lasts too long, or can’t successfully be blamed on a particular party in power, pressure grows for stepping outside established parties for new, radical, revolutionary approaches."
Lenin predicted that fascism (rather than communism) could emerge in industrially developed countries with liberal democratic governments if their economies faltered badly enough. And that's what happened too, first in Italy, then in Spain and finally in Germany and which resulted in a world war.
"Declining standards of well-being are politically destabilizing, and lead naturally enough to sweeping support for regime change. In Egypt and Tunisia the regimes happened to be despotic, and the call for change came as a commitment to democracy, an end to corruption, and demands for civil liberties. But within democracies, declining standards of living can have the opposite effect. Open and institutionalized systems of regime change—voting—will absorb the discontent for a time, but if the decline lasts too long, or can’t successfully be blamed on a particular party in power, pressure grows for stepping outside established parties for new, radical, revolutionary approaches."
Lenin predicted that fascism (rather than communism) could emerge in industrially developed countries with liberal democratic governments if their economies faltered badly enough. And that's what happened too, first in Italy, then in Spain and finally in Germany and which resulted in a world war.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
weblog
Tate has had enough of of Michigan football. Look for DR to follow.
The reformist left is starting to lower their rose-colored glasses and see Obama for what he is - NY Observer
"The left is not even at the table, and they don't even realize it. You can't blame the voters. [for being cynical] In 2006 they voted out the party of endless war and corporate bailouts. In 2008 they voted out the party of endless war and corporate bailouts. And in 2010 they voted out the party of endless war and corporate bailouts."
Teaching your children to how sword fight - Tor.com/ (Richard Fife) (via BoingBoing)
After the Collapse of Marxism: Is There an Alternative to Capitalism Today? - Anarchist Library
"Social-Democratic policies (the “welfare state”) were only possible while capitalism was going through an economic boom. Once the boom ended in the 1970s, the bosses tried to keep up profits by lowering taxes, privatising companies, and pushing down wages. And it was the Social-Democrats who led this “free market” attack on workers..."
Friday, December 17, 2010
weblog
The brothers Levin (Sen. Carl and Rep. Sander) &; Gov. Granholm try to mediate DSO strike - Det News
Because Detroit has no bigger problems than the recreational pursuits of Detroit's ruling class?
US Attorney says "Detroit's 'culture of corruption' is over" - MLive
Referring to the recent indictment of the Kilpatrick Mob. Whatever. We'll see. Just because you flush a toilet doesn't mean it will stay clean.
How political clout beat the public interest: The new Detroit-Windsor Bridge monopoly of Matty Moroun - Det Metro Times
When the ruling class wants something, the stars align themselves to make sure it happens. Qui bono?
Book review: Mao's Great Famine: The History of China's Most Devastating Catastrophe, 1958-1962
"Mao’s famine was a consequence of a fantastical initiative, a “Great Leap Forward” into Communism, that he believed would turn China into an economic powerhouse, catapulting over its rivals in the Communist and non-Communist blocs. The idea was to use (and abuse) the country’s massive population—its most awesome resource—to boost agricultural and industrial output. The masses were stripped of private possessions, their homes and villages destroyed, and they were coerced into 26,000 giant “people’s communes” that were organized into military units." - TNR
"You need to break a few eggs to make an omelet" the old saying goes. We saw a lot of "broken eggs" over the years from the Marxist-Leninists but we never saw any omelets. Go figure?
Microsoft forms a patent bloc with Apple, EMC, and Oracle: A monopoly is born!- bNet
Damn "limousine liberals" send their kids to private schools - (Chip Johnson) SF Chron
Because Detroit has no bigger problems than the recreational pursuits of Detroit's ruling class?
US Attorney says "Detroit's 'culture of corruption' is over" - MLive
Referring to the recent indictment of the Kilpatrick Mob. Whatever. We'll see. Just because you flush a toilet doesn't mean it will stay clean.
How political clout beat the public interest: The new Detroit-Windsor Bridge monopoly of Matty Moroun - Det Metro Times
When the ruling class wants something, the stars align themselves to make sure it happens. Qui bono?
Book review: Mao's Great Famine: The History of China's Most Devastating Catastrophe, 1958-1962
"Mao’s famine was a consequence of a fantastical initiative, a “Great Leap Forward” into Communism, that he believed would turn China into an economic powerhouse, catapulting over its rivals in the Communist and non-Communist blocs. The idea was to use (and abuse) the country’s massive population—its most awesome resource—to boost agricultural and industrial output. The masses were stripped of private possessions, their homes and villages destroyed, and they were coerced into 26,000 giant “people’s communes” that were organized into military units." - TNR
"You need to break a few eggs to make an omelet" the old saying goes. We saw a lot of "broken eggs" over the years from the Marxist-Leninists but we never saw any omelets. Go figure?
Microsoft forms a patent bloc with Apple, EMC, and Oracle: A monopoly is born!- bNet
Damn "limousine liberals" send their kids to private schools - (Chip Johnson) SF Chron
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
weblog
Class warfare in explained in a paragraph - Center For A Stateless Society (Kevin Carson)
"Injustice is at the heart of our economic problems. By making capital and land artificially scarce and expensive, the state forces workers to sell their labor in a buyer’s market and thereby reduces the bargaining power of labor. The owners of land and capital are thereby enabled to collect scarcity rents."
"Injustice is at the heart of our economic problems. By making capital and land artificially scarce and expensive, the state forces workers to sell their labor in a buyer’s market and thereby reduces the bargaining power of labor. The owners of land and capital are thereby enabled to collect scarcity rents."
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
weblog
BP oil spill proof that libertarianism is untenable - Wall Street Journal (Thomas Franks)
Peak Wood: An ancient obsession - MillerMcCune (John Perlin) (via Slashdot.org/)
The condition of today's English working class the future of America's? - New Geography (Joel Kotkin)
Acupuncture works by inducing body's own painkiller response - Ars Technica (Yun Xie)
Is Steve Jobs becoming Big Brother? - NY Times (Robert Wright)
Colton Harris-Moore beware - Seattle P-I
The locals have engaged the services of a professional bounty hunter. Hmm...we'll see.
Peak Wood: An ancient obsession - MillerMcCune (John Perlin) (via Slashdot.org/)
The condition of today's English working class the future of America's? - New Geography (Joel Kotkin)
Acupuncture works by inducing body's own painkiller response - Ars Technica (Yun Xie)
Is Steve Jobs becoming Big Brother? - NY Times (Robert Wright)
Colton Harris-Moore beware - Seattle P-I
The locals have engaged the services of a professional bounty hunter. Hmm...we'll see.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
weblog
Michigan's gift to Texas - Detroit News
"The IRS data can actually be broken down by county. The gross outflow from Michigan's three biggest counties to Texas appears to have increased dramatically. For example, the number of people moving from Macomb County to Texas increased from approximately 200 between 2003 and 2004 to 748 between 2007 and 2008, a 274 percent difference. Their most frequent destination was the Dallas/Fort Worth area. For people from Oakland and Wayne Counties, the Texas county of Harris, which includes Houston, was the most popular." (emphasis added)
More funny (but heartbreaking) propaganda art from North Korea - io9
DARPA’s Beady-Eyed Cameras Aim to Spot the "Non-Cooperative" Amongst Us - Wired
"The IRS data can actually be broken down by county. The gross outflow from Michigan's three biggest counties to Texas appears to have increased dramatically. For example, the number of people moving from Macomb County to Texas increased from approximately 200 between 2003 and 2004 to 748 between 2007 and 2008, a 274 percent difference. Their most frequent destination was the Dallas/Fort Worth area. For people from Oakland and Wayne Counties, the Texas county of Harris, which includes Houston, was the most popular." (emphasis added)
***
Craig Venter and mad science - Bloggingheads.tv (video)More funny (but heartbreaking) propaganda art from North Korea - io9
DARPA’s Beady-Eyed Cameras Aim to Spot the "Non-Cooperative" Amongst Us - Wired
Monday, May 10, 2010
weblog
CEO Beauty contest: The winners get the most money - Economic TimesIf you look the part of a competent CEO you get more money whether in fact you are competent or not.
Blue states have Red families - National Journal
"The postindustrial economy puts a premium on skill and cognitive ability. A high school education or less no longer offers very good prospects. Blue-collar wages fall, so a factory job no longer cuts it if, that is, you can even find a factory job."
The Welfare State's Death Spiral - Real Clear Politics (Robert Samuelson)
In defense of Pit Bulls - Lewrockwell.com (Matt Robison)
In praise of militias - New American (Becky Akers)
"Militias, i.e., armed citizens, don’t go adventuring. They don’t fight phantoms either, no matter how many 'wars' politicians declare on drugs or terror. Instead, they defend their homes and neighborhoods from attack — genuine, physical assault — then return to earning a living."
Ancient comet fragments found in Arctic ice - Cosmos
The Lost Tribes of Radio Shack: Tinkerers Search for New Spiritual Home - Wired
The Shack used to be a cool place to hang out and meet up with techo-geeks and DIY electronics people. Then in the 80's they started asking for your name, address, and phone number when you bought stuff (even if you paid cash) and which was probably the most ham handed and blatant attempt to data-mine their customers in American business history. Didn't like that at all. Now they are trying to go upscale and forget all about their core client base of DIYers and tinkerers. That's what is gonna finally kill off RS. They should have moved outta the big malls too, because the high rents there tend to discourage the mom & pop type proprietors RS shops in favor of the corporate owned ones
where the sale staff don't know shit about the stuff they sell.
In praise of militias - New American (Becky Akers)
"Militias, i.e., armed citizens, don’t go adventuring. They don’t fight phantoms either, no matter how many 'wars' politicians declare on drugs or terror. Instead, they defend their homes and neighborhoods from attack — genuine, physical assault — then return to earning a living."
Ancient comet fragments found in Arctic ice - Cosmos
The Lost Tribes of Radio Shack: Tinkerers Search for New Spiritual Home - Wired
The Shack used to be a cool place to hang out and meet up with techo-geeks and DIY electronics people. Then in the 80's they started asking for your name, address, and phone number when you bought stuff (even if you paid cash) and which was probably the most ham handed and blatant attempt to data-mine their customers in American business history. Didn't like that at all. Now they are trying to go upscale and forget all about their core client base of DIYers and tinkerers. That's what is gonna finally kill off RS. They should have moved outta the big malls too, because the high rents there tend to discourage the mom & pop type proprietors RS shops in favor of the corporate owned ones
where the sale staff don't know shit about the stuff they sell.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
weblog
Ex-LAPD chief and the man who invented the SWAT Team concept Daryl Gates is dead.
Why do so many crack-pots happen to be engineers? - Bloggheads.tv
John Horgan and George Johnson discuss.
What your deer rifle says about you - American Hunter (Ben O'Brien)
What your hunting style is. Or how much money you have to spend. Or what you inherited from your grandfather. Or something. An interesting read anyhow. (Via The Daily Caller)
A cogent analysis of the disgruntled white working class - Song Writers Notebook (David Rovics)
"If the so-called progressives of this country can't snap out of their Obama-induced slumber, take to the streets and vocally break ranks with both corrupt parties that are driving this country into the ground – if the left can't offer a serious, grassroots, anti-elitist alternative to rightwing populism, but insists on maintaining the ridiculous illusion that we live in a democracy, then the future will indeed be bleak, and ugly, and filled with 'patriots'. ”
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