Depressed Wages

I think this Truthout article is insightful and it relates to Obama's comments on the nature of the economy in the U.S.

Real wages have been declining when adjusted for inflation for several decades. The Truthout article talks about the productivity gap. Overproduction leads to recession.

I recently read an article in the April issue of Harper's magazine called Infinite Debt which explains how high profits in the finance sector brought about by deregulation created the economic incentive to shift capital away from manufacturing which ultimately had the effect of depressing wages.

Obama is trying to address the real, long-standing problems.

Ban Lifted on Funds

Obama reversed the Bush Administration's ban on Embryonic stem cell research, effectively freeing Federal funds for experiments that use them. There is a list of grave ailments; including Diabetes, and neurological conditions; including paralysis, that now may one day be cured because of this legislative victory.

McCain, the Republican presidential candidate in 2008, opposed this type of research.

The embryonic stem cells, or, (ES) cells, that originally came from humans, were banned. They were obtained from embryos; hence the term embryonic. The cells are of critical importance to researchers due to their ability to be grown indefinitely without losing their property of pluripotency.

Pluripotency is the ability to differentiate into cells of all three germ layers.

According to an article in Cell, it is possible that the human (ES) cells could some day be used to treat Parkinson's Disease and spinal cord injuries and diabetes.

Link to article in Cell.

"Embryonic stem (ES) cells are derived from totipotent cells of the early mammalian embryo and are capable of unlimited, undifferentiated proliferation in vitro." -Science.

Family Guy

Family Guy

I recently saw an episode of Family Guy. The cartoon, I think, demonstrated the sad state of politics in the USA. Lois is elected Mayor of the town of Quahog by dumbing-down every issue the town faces; this to match her opponent's skill in lowering the bar in discourse.

In Lois' campaign, she offers quick-fix solutions. The answer to every question is a sound-bite. The undecided voters, (described as either idiots or apathetic), are enthusiastic in receiving her answers.

Lois' campaign approach, combined with some chicanery on the part of her family and friends, bring her to power. (See the show for the resolution).

Here we have described the stampeding herd that must be tamed with something short of the truth. The herd has no appreciation for the truth. Nor does it have the desire to gain an appreciation.

A large group wishing to follow each other and stick together for the sake of survival without regard to the destination they are bringing themselves to is a dangerous model for governing a country as vast and powerful as the USA.

I would suggest a different approach.

I have heard it said that the government cannot "run" anything. I would disagree.

It is much easier to make something NOT work, than to make it work.

Especially if your agenda requires that it not work.

If you accept a sound-bite in place of careful reason, it will NOT work.

It isn't working.

Rick Warren

Much controversy ensued when it was announced that Rick Warren was to give the invocation at Obama's inauguration ceremony. It my opinion, pandering to the Religious Right is necessary to ensure Obama's reelection in 2012. Obama won with an electoral landslide. He did not win, unfortunately, with a popular-vote landslide.

I would like to point out that I received an official invitation to Obama's inauguration. I worked very hard volunteering for the Obama campaign.

I am simply pointing out a sad fact of American Politics.

Pandering is necessary.

Welcome

I am creating this blog to enter my thoughts on Washington Politics.