Watching all the uproar between Rush and sane Republicans reinforces the thought that the Republicans actually are becoming irrelevant. I think there are millions of people who vote Republican because they have always voted Republican and they haven't noticed that the Republican party has completely changed. They have gone from fiscal conservatives to anything-goes-as-long-as-it-benefits-big-business. They talk small government when it applies to business regulation (that worked pretty well huh?) but have no qualms about prying into your personal life. The party has careened so far to the right that anyone paying attention should see the shift to the dark side.
As the Republicans shrink there is a natural void to fill and that might be where a viable third party could come in. You're probably thinking the Republicans are on the right, Democrats are on the left, so the third party would be centrist. My idea is that the third party must be to the LEFT of Democrats. Let the Democrats run the middle, progressives need their own party and platform. The perceived center has been pulled so far to the right that is is actually where the Republican party was before Regan. Having a Liberal party will serve to yank the center back where it was. Having 3 parties will make governing even more give-and-take but it will give actual power to progressive ideas and Democrats couldn't automatically count on liberal support.
Liberals on the Left Dems in the middle Republicans on the Right
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
those 3 little words
today I heard those 3 little words I've waited 8 years to hear - "I screwed up."
President Obama said that today about some cabinet choices that had to withdraw. After 8 years of nobody being wrong or able to admit they were responsible, it is change that I've needed to hear. Let's hope for much much more change for the better.
President Obama said that today about some cabinet choices that had to withdraw. After 8 years of nobody being wrong or able to admit they were responsible, it is change that I've needed to hear. Let's hope for much much more change for the better.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
#43 --> #44
President Obama is now the President. George W. Bush stood on the platform and watched as his Presidency quietly ended and Barack's Presidency was quietly started. The peaceful transfer of power is the reason we outlive Communist countries and Monarchies. It is one of the overlooked features of our Constitution so take a moment and appreciate the genius of the men who crafted it.
I was worried that the Bush regime would ignore the elections and the two-term limitation on the Presidency. I was worried that the October surprise would be that a made-up national threat would 'appear' and W would be forced to suspend the elections for our country's safety. I'm breathing a lot easier today.
I was worried that the Bush regime would ignore the elections and the two-term limitation on the Presidency. I was worried that the October surprise would be that a made-up national threat would 'appear' and W would be forced to suspend the elections for our country's safety. I'm breathing a lot easier today.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Constitutional Control System
One of the major methods to control processes and manufacturing plants is the PID controller. PID stands for Proportional, Integral, and Differential control and these terms come right out of calculus and electronics.
The Differential control reacts fast to errors (but might react too much). The Proportional control reacts proportional to the size of the error and is slower than the differential. The slowest is the Integral control which reacts to cumulative errors.
I always thought the checks and balances were like rock-paper-scissors. Now I think our government is similar to a PID controller. The executive branch can react quickly, the Legislative branch ponders issues more than the executive, and the slowest of all is the Judicial.
The analogy isn't perfect but it has helped me think of how well crafted the Constitution is. The founders were very smart and very lucky.
The last 8 years should be a caution to us all of what can happen when our Constitutional control system fails.
The Differential control reacts fast to errors (but might react too much). The Proportional control reacts proportional to the size of the error and is slower than the differential. The slowest is the Integral control which reacts to cumulative errors.
I always thought the checks and balances were like rock-paper-scissors. Now I think our government is similar to a PID controller. The executive branch can react quickly, the Legislative branch ponders issues more than the executive, and the slowest of all is the Judicial.
The analogy isn't perfect but it has helped me think of how well crafted the Constitution is. The founders were very smart and very lucky.
The last 8 years should be a caution to us all of what can happen when our Constitutional control system fails.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Our long national nightmare is over
OK just like the zillion other blogs with that title, I'm amazed. Once again the brilliance of the Constitution shines forth. No, it's not just the vote, certainly not the Electoral College, that makes democracy work, it is succession. This is what beats all other types of governments - strong men die and leave countries to chaos, kings die and leave countries to relatives; often those times of change result in instability and the breakdown of civil society. In the United States (and lots of other countries too) Presidents live on but pass power on to others.
This Bush administration has pushed the limits of succession. Maybe it was just me but I have been worried that some October Surprise would 'force' the Bushies to suspend the election. Maybe a November, December, even January Surprise could delay the turnover but I think not. We the People expect a new President and we will get that.
This Bush administration has pushed the limits of succession. Maybe it was just me but I have been worried that some October Surprise would 'force' the Bushies to suspend the election. Maybe a November, December, even January Surprise could delay the turnover but I think not. We the People expect a new President and we will get that.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Commodity Futures Modernization Act
Last night, Sixty Minutes ran a story about the CFMA and how it essentially allowed gambling on stocks, commodities, real estate loans, etc. This is one of the prime reasons the economy failed.
If you look up Commodity Futures Modernization Act on Wikipedia, you'll find one of John McCain's financial advisors is former senator Phil Graham.
The House and Senate bills were included in an omnibus spending bill without any debate and I suspect many members didn't realize it had happened.
My question is: Can McCain fix the economy with advisors like that?
60 minutes:
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml
If you look up Commodity Futures Modernization Act on Wikipedia, you'll find one of John McCain's financial advisors is former senator Phil Graham.
The House and Senate bills were included in an omnibus spending bill without any debate and I suspect many members didn't realize it had happened.
My question is: Can McCain fix the economy with advisors like that?
60 minutes:
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Social Security
Looking at the financial mess happening around us now, aren't you glad President W wasn't able to fool us into putting our Social Security retirement funds in the stock market?
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