America has always been a welcoming country. We are a nation of immigrants. We came here for many reasons, but most often in search of freedom. Whether that "freedom" was one of religion; both "of" or "from", or freedom of opportunity; to pursue one's ambitions. It may be freedom of associate with or from other individuals or groups. The choice was ours. All we asked of government was to be left alone; to keep to a minimal its intrusion on our lives. Our Founding Fathers were in complete agreement.
We came here speaking many languages and of different economic strata, but mostly poor. Most had little more than the clothes on their backs. Shoes were often optional. We knew life would be a struggle, but if we scrimped and worked hard, somehow the lives of our children might be better than ours had been. Most succeeded, though not necessary in the way they had envisioned. A few failed. But their success or failure was largely of their own making and not imposed on them by accident of birth.
Despite our teeming diversity, we were all linked by one thing; to be Americans. In whatever far off land we came, it was the common dream we shared. We often freely lent a hand to the newcomer. After all, we weren't that far removed from them. We never asked nor expected government to do what neighbors do freely for neighbors. A nation of which valued the individual was also the nation which came together as one.
What has changed? Have we become jaded? Perhaps arrogant or selfish with our freedoms? Certainly we are more cynical people than our forefathers. We learned not to trust our most trusted institutions; school, church, our employer, our employees, and most of all, our government. Skepticism, it seems, doesn't have a minimum daily dosage. It is true that we believe that our nation is second to none. Perhaps in our arrogance we've tried to force feed our values to the world. Many among us believe that we are a unique people chosen by God to be the "light of the world". Our national sense of freedom compels us to believe that everyone has the right to believe as they choose, even if imposed. Yes, we are indeed selfish of our freedoms, but America has never been a selfish country. We have give more to others than any other nation in history. If anything, we are a deeply compassionate people.
Perhaps then, what changed was not us, but the nature of the immigrant. We do not see today's "unwashed masses" seeking to become "American". In the name of compassion, we've embraced multiculturalism. We've encouraged immigrants to keep their customs, costumes, cuisine, religions, and the thread that binds, language in our misplaced compassion. In doing so, we lost the evolution of "becoming". The cure for freedom was worse than the disease of freedom. Once, we engaged in the "becoming" by accepting all that others brought with them. The national act of "becoming" was called the "Great Melting Pot". What was more "American" than a hamburger; hotdog; pizza; chow mien or everyone being Irish on St. Patrick's Day or German during Oktoberfest? We freely mixed and explored each other's religions and tradition, while in the Old World, they chose slaughter instead.
What stirred this "Great Melting Pot" was a simple ingredient. It was our common language. No matter where we came from; from what social class, we succeed because we could talk with each other. We even incorporated each other's words and expressions in to our everyday vernacular. It came known as "American English". It was our very mother tongue. Today's immigrant keeps their own language. By doing so, they remain a separate people. Not truly of their homeland. Not truly American.
Our governments mistakenly deepened the divide by making it easier to remain separate by encouraging immigrants to maintain their native language by creating multi-lingual documents. Businesses picked on this too. Short term profits over long term national oblivion. Once it was necessary to learn the host nation's language to survive and interact. Even the required tests to become a US citizen can be offered the language of your choice.
When we first came to these shores, we knew America was to be our new home. We severed our old loyalties. For today's immigrant, that is not necessarily true. Many routinely travel back and forth to their homeland; send money and other items back to the homeland. Their national loyalties remain afar, and it's reinforced down through the generations. Their ties still bind. They develop no attachment to the land that now supports them. Theirs is solely economic. As a result, they never accept the validity of our culture or our laws. Someone will always to defend them. Separate but more than equal is the new political reality.
What does it mean to be an American? That's a question we each must address; individually and as a nation. I believe there can be no divided loyalties. I believe that we are Americans by choice. In the land of the free, we are free to leave anytime we want to. We welcome those who want to add their uniqueness to ours. If you expect us to adapt, you may have a long uncomfortable wait. And while you're waiting, please learn our language. It's called English. It will help you blend in. Don't expect us to learn your language unless you're willing to learn French, Italian, German, Russian, Yiddish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic, and every other language on this planet because that is what America represents; the best the world has to offer, and the only way we can continue to achieve is by being able to speak to each other.
Americans are a religious people. That doesn't mean we always attend a church, temple, mosque, synagogue, or a sacred grove. It does mean that we respect all religions equally. Even the right to no religion at all. If you can't accept that, you might want to stay where you're at.
There is no "honor" in "honor killings". Women contribute as much (if not more) as men. We are our equal partners in all things, so don't expect American women to bear your guilt and hide behind closed doors...or veils. And don't expect to hide behind your religion to impose your version of a second class status. We as a People respect religion, but we won't tolerate the intolerance of a caste system imposed in name of any god or social class.
Americans reserve the right to say what we want when we want about what we want. We will also write what we want about what we want. In short, it's our God-given right to freedom of expression. We'll also hang out with whomever we want too. That's called freedom of assembly. Wanna know more? Read the Bill of Rights. We realized there are certain restrictions. It's something else Americans tend to do well. We call it taking responsibility for our actions. When we don't, well, there are recourses for that too.
So, as hard as it is to believe, Americans will support your right to criticize us. But with that right, comes our right to respond in kind. And, so, with that, I will close this edition of Another Opinion. But in doing so, remember that being an American means being part of the many. Perhaps, then, it's no wonder that our defacto national motto has been "E pluribus Unum" or "Out of many, one."
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Thursday, September 01, 2011
The Super Committee/Death by China: A Review
With its approval rating the lowest in history (around 12% at the time of this writing), Congress has put together a so-called "Super Committee". So, what's so "super" about it? Well, let's first look at why our elected representatives felt the need to create this committee; who's on it; and what it is supposed to accomplish. Finally, we'll examine the long term repercussions of having a "Super Committee", whose actual name is Joint Select Committee for Deficit Reduction.
As I said above, the approval ratings for Congress are dismal, and they've been that way for a some time. Long enough for even the arrogant thick headed politicians in Washington along with their K Street paymasters to realize that it may be an angry mob coming to Washington rather than another idealistic Mr. Smith. The latest, and so far most disastrous example of Washington's failure was the debate over the raising the debt ceiling. With the public's mood becoming darker as each day of economic chicken played out, the leaders in both parties came to the conclusion that the only way to save their worthless hides was to create a political body to deflect future blame.
It's really an interesting idea if you think about it. Under their agreement, party bosses selected three individuals from each party and both the upper and lower chambers of Congress for a total of twelve individuals (a brief biography of each member is included below). Originally called a "Super Congress", the name was quickly abandoned since it gave the "wrong" impression that a new entity was being created outside of Congressional parameters (never mind the fact that both the Executive, Judicial, and Congressional branches have long over stepped their respective boundaries decades ago). Now called a "Super Committee", these twelve individuals would meet behind closed doors to attempt to draft a deficit reduction bill.
This is a tough job, and they will certainly earn hazardous duty pay, especially when you consider their job is to find 1.5 trillion dollars to be cut over the next 10 years ( I strongly suspect that number will increase by at least half long before then). That means dealing with highly protective issues like the military, Medicare, Social Security, Obamacare, illegal immigration, and veterans to name just a few. If seven of the twelve members vote in favor of a specific proposal, it gets "fast tracked" through the House and Senate. The pressure on these 12 individuals will be unbearable.
The Super Committee derives its authority from the Budget Control Act of 2011 (or BCA for short). The committee will act as a select committee, meaning that once its object is meet (in this case, finding 1.5 trillion dollars) and drafting a deficit reduction bill, it will be dissolved. The bill gets the unusual benefit of a up-or-down vote in the House and Senate. No filibusters, and no amendments to the bill can be added (and for the record, I oppose adding non-relevant "pork" amendments to bills. I also support line item vetoes to help curtail this form of political pandering).
Joint and/or select committees are not unusual. Its how things get done in Congress, and while this one does have a few unusual characteristics like no filibustering and an up-or-down vote, it may prove to be the only way the federal government can accomplish its goal of finding and eliminating 1.5 trillion dollars. America is in deep financial trouble, due largely to mismanagement, a lack of leadership, and the creation of a society of special interest entitlements. There can be no failure here. Everything is at stake. If it takes a super committee or a Superman, then so be it.
Suggested Reading:
http://www.christianpost.com/news/what-is-a-super-committee-53423/
http://money.cnn.com/2011/08/11/news/economy/debt_committee_members/index.htm
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/0811/Who-s-who-on-Congress-s-debt-super-committee/Sen.-Max-Baucus-D-of-Montana
Book Review: Death by China
Written by Peter Navarro and Greg Autry
Lenin once famously remarked that Communism would sell Western Capitalism the rope that would be used to hang them with. Well, as it turns out, that rope is made in China. How many of us have sat in dazed anger watching the news about another US plant closing while hundreds or even thousands of jobs...our jobs...were being sent to China? How many of us remember Wal-Mart's slogan about everything they sold being made in America? Nowadays, just try and find something made in America in Wal-Mart. If you're like me, you've often asked yourself how did America, and American jobs end up some 5000 miles away. I found the answer. It's in "Death by China", written by Peter Navarro and Greg Autry.
This totally engrossing book explains in everyday language how America lost its competitive edge to its ideological enemy, China. The authors detail how China has been so successful in exporting shoddy and often dangerous products like poorly made electrical tools, baby cribs, or children's toys painted with toxic lead base paint, not to mention food stuffs grown in contaminated soil and irrigated with polluted water. Exposed too is how China bypasses regulations and product inspections, often with the tacit support of inspectors; how China ignores various free trade agreements; creates a "devil's bargain" with the likes of General Electric, Caterpillar, and Microsoft, which often includes giving away proprietary technology while, at the same time, allowing a Chinese majority stake in any operation set up on Chinese soil. Often these "devil's bargains" promise access to the Chinese consumer market, does in reality the exact opposite.
Globally, China has launched a war of conquest. It's aim is nothing less than acquiring resources, be it in Africa, South America, or the Middle East, for the sole purpose of crippling the economies of the West, Japan, South Korea, India, and Southeast Asia. At the same time, China continues to manipulates its currency, while buying up US debt; in effect, making it the banker that allows this country to continue to function. Can you imagine your biggest competitor or worse enemy controlling your checkbook?
China has openly declared global war, and on America in particular. They are in this for the long haul. Their goal, as trite as it may sound to Post-Cold War ears, is world domination. This war is not one of guerilla insurgencies or vast armies. It's one of economics. It's being fought on every level in every country. It's a war we should be winning, but we've bought the rope instead.
Authors Navarro and Autry have done an exemplary job of explaining the new rules of engagement. The final chapter, "Life with China: How to Survive and Prosper in the Dragon's Century", brings it all together with their suggestions on how to level out the playing field, and start winning while there's still time. To paraphrase former Speaker of the House, Tip O'Neill, in a global economy, everything is local. If you're concerned about your job, you need to read this book.
As I said above, the approval ratings for Congress are dismal, and they've been that way for a some time. Long enough for even the arrogant thick headed politicians in Washington along with their K Street paymasters to realize that it may be an angry mob coming to Washington rather than another idealistic Mr. Smith. The latest, and so far most disastrous example of Washington's failure was the debate over the raising the debt ceiling. With the public's mood becoming darker as each day of economic chicken played out, the leaders in both parties came to the conclusion that the only way to save their worthless hides was to create a political body to deflect future blame.
It's really an interesting idea if you think about it. Under their agreement, party bosses selected three individuals from each party and both the upper and lower chambers of Congress for a total of twelve individuals (a brief biography of each member is included below). Originally called a "Super Congress", the name was quickly abandoned since it gave the "wrong" impression that a new entity was being created outside of Congressional parameters (never mind the fact that both the Executive, Judicial, and Congressional branches have long over stepped their respective boundaries decades ago). Now called a "Super Committee", these twelve individuals would meet behind closed doors to attempt to draft a deficit reduction bill.
This is a tough job, and they will certainly earn hazardous duty pay, especially when you consider their job is to find 1.5 trillion dollars to be cut over the next 10 years ( I strongly suspect that number will increase by at least half long before then). That means dealing with highly protective issues like the military, Medicare, Social Security, Obamacare, illegal immigration, and veterans to name just a few. If seven of the twelve members vote in favor of a specific proposal, it gets "fast tracked" through the House and Senate. The pressure on these 12 individuals will be unbearable.
The Super Committee derives its authority from the Budget Control Act of 2011 (or BCA for short). The committee will act as a select committee, meaning that once its object is meet (in this case, finding 1.5 trillion dollars) and drafting a deficit reduction bill, it will be dissolved. The bill gets the unusual benefit of a up-or-down vote in the House and Senate. No filibusters, and no amendments to the bill can be added (and for the record, I oppose adding non-relevant "pork" amendments to bills. I also support line item vetoes to help curtail this form of political pandering).
Joint and/or select committees are not unusual. Its how things get done in Congress, and while this one does have a few unusual characteristics like no filibustering and an up-or-down vote, it may prove to be the only way the federal government can accomplish its goal of finding and eliminating 1.5 trillion dollars. America is in deep financial trouble, due largely to mismanagement, a lack of leadership, and the creation of a society of special interest entitlements. There can be no failure here. Everything is at stake. If it takes a super committee or a Superman, then so be it.
Suggested Reading:
http://www.christianpost.com/news/what-is-a-super-committee-53423/
http://money.cnn.com/2011/08/11/news/economy/debt_committee_members/index.htm
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/0811/Who-s-who-on-Congress-s-debt-super-committee/Sen.-Max-Baucus-D-of-Montana
Book Review: Death by China
Written by Peter Navarro and Greg Autry
Lenin once famously remarked that Communism would sell Western Capitalism the rope that would be used to hang them with. Well, as it turns out, that rope is made in China. How many of us have sat in dazed anger watching the news about another US plant closing while hundreds or even thousands of jobs...our jobs...were being sent to China? How many of us remember Wal-Mart's slogan about everything they sold being made in America? Nowadays, just try and find something made in America in Wal-Mart. If you're like me, you've often asked yourself how did America, and American jobs end up some 5000 miles away. I found the answer. It's in "Death by China", written by Peter Navarro and Greg Autry.
This totally engrossing book explains in everyday language how America lost its competitive edge to its ideological enemy, China. The authors detail how China has been so successful in exporting shoddy and often dangerous products like poorly made electrical tools, baby cribs, or children's toys painted with toxic lead base paint, not to mention food stuffs grown in contaminated soil and irrigated with polluted water. Exposed too is how China bypasses regulations and product inspections, often with the tacit support of inspectors; how China ignores various free trade agreements; creates a "devil's bargain" with the likes of General Electric, Caterpillar, and Microsoft, which often includes giving away proprietary technology while, at the same time, allowing a Chinese majority stake in any operation set up on Chinese soil. Often these "devil's bargains" promise access to the Chinese consumer market, does in reality the exact opposite.
Globally, China has launched a war of conquest. It's aim is nothing less than acquiring resources, be it in Africa, South America, or the Middle East, for the sole purpose of crippling the economies of the West, Japan, South Korea, India, and Southeast Asia. At the same time, China continues to manipulates its currency, while buying up US debt; in effect, making it the banker that allows this country to continue to function. Can you imagine your biggest competitor or worse enemy controlling your checkbook?
China has openly declared global war, and on America in particular. They are in this for the long haul. Their goal, as trite as it may sound to Post-Cold War ears, is world domination. This war is not one of guerilla insurgencies or vast armies. It's one of economics. It's being fought on every level in every country. It's a war we should be winning, but we've bought the rope instead.
Authors Navarro and Autry have done an exemplary job of explaining the new rules of engagement. The final chapter, "Life with China: How to Survive and Prosper in the Dragon's Century", brings it all together with their suggestions on how to level out the playing field, and start winning while there's still time. To paraphrase former Speaker of the House, Tip O'Neill, in a global economy, everything is local. If you're concerned about your job, you need to read this book.
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