Chip ACT 2022 Passes: Now Lets see What Happens...Innovation Pedal 1/2 Down

 Senate passes Chip Act 2022. You can Read Chip Plus HERE and a pretty good summary in NBC HERE. We have seen positive movement on a number of bills. It seems like our leaders have a conception of what the Digital Era will look like and how choices today lead to positive and negative changes in our economic situation. If we want to maintain our leading edge we will want to push the envelop for First In advantages that include increased FDI.

You will want to put the information into an environmental context. You will also want to read Innovation Act , Infrastructure Bill , Not out of Woods, US Can Beat China Human Capital

My cluster theory is about putting the right resources in the right places (i.e. Delta County Model) but as these pieces move into place on a national level lets see what could happen. If we get lucky we could have economic synergy where the inputs are much less than the outputs and investments have bigger returns that lead to increase investment and national growth. 

Infrastructure + Human Capital (i.e. fair and equitable society) + Policies Designed to Increase Innovation could = Synergy. My projection is that we see a little of that in the 23'/24' transition as digital strategies kick in more fully at a time when there is a receptive economic environment with the proper underpinnings.

Michigan GOP Seeking Governor Candidate-Centralists Should be Considered

The GOP in Michigan has been hit pretty hard over the past few years. Centralists candidates are needed to be successful. That will allow someone to draw in the most amount of people. The only problem is that the person must appeal to the far right and the central right as well as independents. 

You can read the following article to gain more insight. Whitmer’s race moves from ‘toss-up’ to ‘lean Democrat

Whitmer's the leading Democrat candidate and I see why. While I'm a light right republican that doesn't agree with all of her policies I think she could someday be a VP if her cards are played right. Hold on before you call me a RINO (Pot calling Kettle Black. I'm more of an old guard Republican.)

Now, I believe the GOP should find their best candidate and give her a run for her money. That doesn't mean should or should not win but that people are best when they compete. If the GOP has a strong candidates it will force both of them to be better. That is where the magic is supposed to happen when good candidates come forward to take positions of leadership (Not interconnected members of society that have detracted from our possibilities through chronic nepotism.)

We may also find all types of new policies pondered as people work to put forward plans to solve important problems. Democracy works through this debate where each party adjusts, shifts, and changes based on the open-mindedness of debate. On the flip side democracy weakens when far right and left radicals refuse all compromise unless they get 100% of what they way (The cray cray fringed that has become increasingly central).

If you got the skills maybe you should apply for the job....just not sure where you would put in your application. (Yes I know its a social process) 🤔

The Belief in Justice: Ensuring Value in Our Insitutions

 Justice is an important thing. It seems like a game to many attorneys and people but it has a serious part to play in national growth and development. It is the way in which we deal with conflict, hold account criminals (prince or pauper), and uses wisdom to find the right tool for the right job. Our justices must learn to fuse wisdom, law and moral conscious into one through a universalized outlook. 

What does that mean? It means that all people are treated with dignity within the system. Some don't get a free pass because of the right religion, skin color, social connection or ideology. They shouldn't get to walk because we don't want to acknowledge the inappropriateness of behaviors (This seems to be a growing concern for most Americans and yet we struggle with grasping its fundamental nature to our long term national health. Clanship is growing and cutting across our institutions and there are very few things more dangerous for trust than this. . Hindsight is usually wiser than foresight.). 

Turning the blind eye creates risks for hate group targets. It is a pass that the perpetrators of such values feel they have the right to engage in these behaviors in the future. They have learned them from the past (likely other victims) and are willing to use them as tools as an avenue of future power. The law should not encourage such distortions as it risks the foundations of society and the inherent protections codified within (Bill of Rights and Constitution. These should hold our primary national loyalties.). 

Its a tricky dilemma in some's minds. If we start holding people in our social networks accountable we might experience a level of discomfort as that social network reacts. Likewise, if we do nothing even though the grotesqueness of the behaviors are apparent, we look like we are supporting and placating such behaviors. Thus, the system must stand for a higher moral cause beyond our, or our networks, needs. 

Where is the middle road? Sometimes you know that the perpetrators are acting out of mental health issues. While they may not recognize it themselves, they are destructive, toxic, and dishonest creating problems not only for their blind followership but any person they are jealous enough to coordinate aggression against. (i.e. contrary to this groups opinion slavery isn't race related. Its their mental capacity to not blindly follow the rumor mill and act on it. Told who they can talk to and who they can't based on the distorted/dishonest viewpoint of their leadership.)

Add to that a few law enforcement members in their group who appear to know all the "tricks of the trade" and you find yourself in a difficult situation. You can't let them walk because if it happens again and its obvious it happens again and/or documented in the past (i.e. video capture, witnesses, historical records, multiple community complaints, etc...) you have a big problem with circumventing the purpose of the justice institution (i.e. justice and not third world clanship.)

If we want to be strong then we need to act with integrity with all of our institutions (i.e. that local college that said I'm more than qualified but then retracted because they found out I was the "Muslim" guy one of the manger's friends hated. While it is illegal its not held to account. I could mean aspects of the system are breaking down or it could mean there is much I don't know.). We must live by that integrity and develop that integrity throughout our systems. Our initiations should be universal to reflect the differences in our society and yet tie our beliefs to its capacity to be fair. While good and bad are often associated with institution in modern times (i.e. meaning lower than necessary social trust through inconsistency of justice) we have a responsibility to build and foster trust of our institutions through wisdom. 

I have my opinions on what the balance between accountability and empathy lay but they are just my opinions and as we have learned that when you have a Muslim sounding name you are highly discounted in life. Very few things you say are going to be seen as worthwhile even though they may be the most reasonable comments in the room. Even though for the most part history has shown that such opinions have merit, even when the winds change. So...we start wondering if the dog is chasing the tail or the tail is chasing the dog. Let us see what fate brings.....

Why Escanaba Should Not Be Ignored as a Shipping Spot: Great Lakes Shipping Up

 We have ignored many of our assets and the development of opportunity where it is increasingly obvious that such development is necessary. Escanaba holds a deep sea port for larger businesses, rail, land, and road. It is ripe for investment and ready to make change. Lots of different assets such as large plane cargo airports and relatively low cost investments. The problem is that our Michigan and Federal partners should start thinking about utilizing the assets in front of them but that takes a wider look at national development. 

Could Great Lakes Solve Shipping Problems

I have wrote two pieces that I think have value both as a development of higher innovation through clustering and the use of infrastructure. Maybe its not a good idea but it seems like it has sort of fit with the general trends. Delta County Shipping and Innovative Cluster Theory

Poll Indicates that 1 in 5 Americans Believe Political Violence Can be Justified: Our Leaders Keep Their Eyes on the Big Prize!

The scary polarization of the nation is continuing. A new poll indicates that an increasing number of people are willing to use violence to get their political way. Likewise around 1/2 of people feel that a civil war with occur. They even said a high percentage of people felt that a strong leader is more important than democracy (I am completely lost. It should be the opposite. Democracy is about the art of compromise. Something our leaders should think about deeply.)You should read the two articles below to gain a better perspective. 

1 in 5 Americans think political violence could be justified, according to UC Davis study You may also want to read Political violence and the future of democracy: Take a look in the mirror, America

I'm not going into detail but what we are experiencing is completely unwise of our leadership. We as a people are integrated and live in each other's neighborhoods. The amount of devastation that could occur because people have "legitimized" violence would be unprecedented in history. Our leaders need to think about how their mouths and inability to compromise is causing these problems for everyone else U.S. Biggest Threats. 

Interestingly, you will also notice a growing number of White people feeling as though they are being discriminated against (In the poll). That is likely to increase as we become a nation of minorities (sociology and market demographics). One of the reasons why I advocate for universalism in our institutions and the use of (not conjecture/conspiracy) science to think through the logic of universal application. In other words treating each person as a valued member of society goes a long way (Not just our own race, occupation, religion or any other. That is why free pass is never truly free. It just becomes added to the collective conscious. {sociology/philosophy}). 

There must be an end game and that to me is universalizing our system as a method of taking away the most important grievances. 

That is our torch. Each generation did the right thing and advanced their society for the next generation until recently we slipped and barely caught ourselves. We have to stand for the ideal of American society and give up old ways of looking at the world. We can have American values that are central to everyone, respect differences, and treat each other equally. Violence should be discouraged at all costs and interconnecting people even more important (Let us calm down the hype and restore trust.)

Our system is an adaptable system built around our Constitution and Bill of Rights. That is where people's loyalty should focus as that is our social contract. All of the political arguments and social networks are secondary to that loyalty (The pledge and oaths we take).  The system allows for people to debate and come to a type of consensus. Moving outside that agreed network without changing them legally in almost all situations is immoral and dangerous. Ideological battles that seek to to make breaks in our society are similarly unwise (There will be some politicians that have and likely will continue to pitch issues as based in these grievances to gain support). Now that two societies have shown their face (i.e. recognizing it as a possibility/threat), we need to pull each other back to the center (Why I encourage centralists in politics. Its not easy. If you don't repeat the same poo poo exactly the same way someone higher in the party wants you to say it, you will be moved out of central circles "group think". That will likely change as well. ). 

Of course what I say isn't going to mean much as I have a Muslim sounding name.🤷 However, I would think in general we would want to see the possibility of a trend and sort of start hedging our weakness and find ways to reconcile the most important pressing issues. Anyone trying to exploit those grievances is not thinking about the long term health of the nation. 

The problem is the details.....

Pope Visits Canada: You can't apologize but you can pray for a better world.

 The Pope came to Quebec and apologized for behaviors of others (The religious workers that harmed the native populations.). It is important to remember that religion is to help us be better but we as people who follow any particular religion (Muslim, Catholics, Christians, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, etc...) know that it is more of a guide to something better. It doesn't give us the right to be "better than others" or disrespect the lives of others.

Deeper than all of the recitations and memorizations is a meaning behind the prayers that lead to thought and thought leads to positive actions that improve our world (Its great if you have a religion but half of prayer is about self-reflection. Formally or informally and that is where the hypothetical miracles occur. When we look inward in prayer to understand the outward {self reflection that gains insight. Needle in camel of eye because of the distractions of life.}.) 

Each religion has its own wisdom and each religion leads to insight of life and the nature of the universe. The apology of the Pope (I like this pope because he is trying) is an attempt to recognize the pain caused during an era where we didn't respect all of the flavors of man/woman that God (Intelligent Design) created (I'm thinking more spiritually here based on my own subjective but well thought out beliefs.). 

As a wiser people (In some of the population's case) we have come to accept that these changes do not define the value of people and that our ultimate goal is a universal respect for all people and their inherent right to exist/thrive (i.e. as written in our cultural artifacts such as "life, liberty and pursuit of happiness"). We must respect difference in order to respect the inherent truth of each religious vantage point that leads to greater knowledge. Knowledge as awareness that creates insight/wisdom (Different roads but the same end goals. See All Faiths).

I say that as a person who respects all the world's religions (At least the one's that make us better and bring something positive) that you can learn something from each. I may be a cultural Catholic but believe aspects of different religions that have inherent truth within them. This may be the reason why some religions resonate with some people and don't resonate with others. It is often based in how they were socialized to think about religion and subjective "truth". There is depth and wisdom that move beyond the "practice"/routine of worship and that leads to greater awareness and acceptance of what is "to be". (Its a little like that saying "We can't control the winds but we can adjust our sails". Religion is about adjustment to life's rough and tumble.) 

"To be" are those things we don't understand and we are not able to control. It is a kind of belief/"faith" that there is some purpose in life and some pattern to the world. Religion creates order out of the chaos of the unknown. "To be" is the hope of some future end positive state. (Dang....we in the philosophy now!!!!) One could make an argument that the goal of all religions is to create inner peace and belief in the purpose of our existence (our lives, happenings, events, histories, etc...)

(Ok I know its kind of spiritual. Its sort of interesting to think of how we create reconconcile with each other after horrendous acts of history. Constant arguing just leads to more conflict and arguing. As in all bad acts there is a time to argue and a time to put down one's grievances. That is why hindsight is often more accurate than foresight. The people who did these bad things seem to be lacking that awareness and insight into the inherent beauty of life. Some have changed many years later.)

Yikes the article wasn't supposed to have a spiritual/religious bent to it. I say that as not a particularly religious person. I have my beliefs and I kind of am not as rigid as many about them. Sometimes that is good and sometimes that is not so good. Depends on how you look at it. To me religion, science, social understanding, philosophy, etc. are all  reaching to describe and understand those central things that make us essentially human (Our ability to think abstractly and self reflect. BTW this is just sort of philosophy of religion from my perspective. Its not an advocation of any particular religion but how different religions also have value in understanding our world.)

The Danger of Placating Bullies, Bigots and Corruption in Society

Sometimes we feel like if we don't acknowledge something it will all go away by switching our focus (Sometimes it does if it is a minor issue and unrepeated.). That isn't always the case. Small mistakes made in earnest are different than intentional mistakes done with malicious intent. When we are able to differentiate between intentional and unintentional we make a small step forward in knowing how to put our society back on a healthy track. Placating bullies, bigots and corruption doesn't do anyone any good as it encourages unhealthy adaptations to personal (individual choice) and societal (collective choice) that leads to repeat of such behaviors (Perhaps on a national level...oops sorry...that would never happen! 🤷). 

There is an appropriate amount of legal/enforcement/social pressure that obtains the highest immediate and long term results. Too light and it looks like a wink and nod and too heavy it looks like political anger. Using the right tools at the right time is called wisdom and having a moral conscious is standing up for larger and more important things because we live in a collective. We know that society must continue forward through learning and development thorough the prism of good values. People sacrifice because they believe in something greater then themselves and that is what adapts each generation.

I'm not going into all the details why some aggressive behaviors should be illegal (Depends on what we think the purpose of law is), have malicious intent and are rooted in distortion and bigotry. As a basic value system children should be protected, religion sacrosanct under the law, and coordinated aggression with a mixture of corruption worthy of disdain. We have options to walk the talk in our values while recognizing some of the mistakes we have made. We are imperfectly perfect through our ability to learn and change.

We are no longer in a position as a people and nation that we can accept bullies, bigots and corrupt behaviors in a way that we hope would lead to reasonable outcomes. It is a sign of moral decay and ignorance spread among those who struggle with independence of thought. It is an old stain that we never took the time to clean. As time goes on it looks worse, collects more dirt, smells more and becomes increasingly embarrassing against the shroud of gleaming white purity we shrouded ourselves in (i.e. lack of self reflection, casting stones, and wrong orientation in intentionality.).  

These were the lessons we should have learned from society, our past, and our possibilities to make ourselves a stronger people. We cannot afford to give free passes to bullies, bigots and corruption at least they someday become common practice and impact the viability of our national unity and trust in our institutions to live by a higher moral code. It is more than the seemingly insignificance of each of our lives/incidents (even more seemingly insignificant if your wrong type of person). 

I have no doubt our towns and nations will overcome challenges like this. We will because we know what the right path forward is but we are too afraid to believe in it and stand up for it until it is common knowledge to do so (Mocks at our self interest). As a society we can change, learn from our histories, develop something new, reconcile the differences, and heal our wounds. Mostly, we can give to our grandchildren and finish the business passed (passing the baton...don't drop it.) from our parents of developing something bigger than us (or our generation) where the streets are again paved with gold and every man/woman earns based on their own merit. 

Of course we can choose to do the opposite and the jury is still out on that one. 😏