The Underpinnings of Expectations in National Human Capital Development

Much of our lives we live based on the impressions our social world gives us and in turn we embed those concepts to determine the way we should act and how we should navigate our world. When we are treated with respect, fairness, as valuable, prompted to be special, and treated with justice we will become more than what people would expect and when we are treated with disrespect, less valuable, prompted as low value, and treated with injustice we will internalize those values and act as expected in society.

In other words, sectors of society may underperform because our environment prompts them as to their perceived inherent societal value. That spells significant lost human capital for our nation at a time when we need it most. It is also why free pass for hate crimes and behaviors are not really free as they are added to a collective understanding that leads to national success or failure. Justice helps create a level field where all Americans can advance (i.e. holding to account intentionally destructive and bigoted behaviors is necessary for long term performance and providing the right prompts of value.).

These two studies help highlight why we are loosing some of that capital......

Blue Eyed Study: Treating other races and people as less than because of superficial external differences emboldens some to take aggressive position over others (Its not specific to any race or religion.). That becomes even more likely when there is no accountability or if our institutions default to enforce these erroneous beliefs (i.e. free pass for the "sports players" who turned themselves into a pseudo hate group. I tried to help them but they have devalued the targets to a point they were not willing to take good advice. ). If we treat each person as special we will find people performance better throughout different sectors of society.

Looking Glass Self: Discrimination and racism prompt people as to their value and they internalize those distorted reflections form society. Very few people within the "wrong" races or religions can step outside the embedded perception of a lifetime of poor treatment. We can make great headway within a lifetime but we can't undo the pain and poor social programming from prior distortions. However, adjustments today are quickly exponential as people become more engaged in societal development as they see the inherent value for themselves, community and offspring (In other words, people can forgive but only when adjustments are made and they are heartfelt. i.e. my call for positive training and adjustments for any enforcement agency that didn't think before acting. It looks like at this moment one but the others could certainly learn from the default.).

At this moment in history many of our leaders are confused as to what it takes to develop a strong unified democracy that can compete on a global scale. They are often still fighting, arguing about, and promoting people who are underqualified because they are using the wrong selection criteria (i.e. the local college who hires off of race, religion and good old boy networks.).  The selection criteria beyond race, religion and blind party affiliation is necessary for putting the right people in the right places.

As a light right Republican I actually don't care what religion or race you are as long as you are a good person and capable of fulfilling your duties to the highest standards (The same can be said for party affiliations as long as they dont bend into political fanaticism where reasonable and rational thought is squeezed out.). As we develop into the next level of advanced democracy we will need to move beyond superficial perspectives and into something more capable of encouraging higher functioning across our populace. Its a different management style based on ability and not nepotism.

For example, people often ask questions such as "Are you a good xxxxx?" (Christian, Jew, Muslim, etc...) None of that makes a difference to me. That would not be my concern in running a modern nation. Ethics and values as drawn from religion is important but the specific religion is not important. I would want people with values and that can come from multiple sources.

 Religion should be a positive and encouraging influence. Ethical frame works and genuine religious practice can be positive but judgmental exclusionary values are not based in the teachings of religion but the needs of man. Religions are expected to be prosocial and helpful aspects of society that encourages us to be better, more forgiving, and more insightful. They are about insight and growth (i.e. wait to understand before you throw a stone kind of concept. Forgive versus retaliate, find solutions versus create problems, be kind to your neighbors, don't steel/embezzle/waste taxpayer money, etc....)

Likewise, the knowledge one gains from living within a certain racial perspective is important but the specific race is not important to me. Sharing, understanding, and integrating that perspective into our collective knowledge banks provides another diverse vantage point to master national challenges. When used well diversity can help us see problems in perspectives that other less diverse nations cannot.

In other words, we are taking what we saw as a point of contention in society and turning it into an important human capital advantage our adversaries cannot claim to have. We are thus hedging our uniqueness as a diverse American society to enhance our capacities. That can only come through treating our fellow Americans fairly and equal (i.e. justice).

A couple of important questions that utilize similar expectations of values and capacity but don't make one falsely contingent on another.

1.) What I want to ask our leaders is "Do you respect the different races and religions in our society as valuable?" (I would look for people who have a more universal expectation of ethics and respect for what religion does for people.)

2.) The second question I would like to ask, "What makes you qualified to do this important role in our society?" ( I would look for people with specific skills, abilities, and traits as they relate to these important roles. Checking blind boxes at the polls and pointing fingers at the other side really isn't a qualification for much but blind followership and toxicity.)

Now if they respond that they only respect their religion as valid or that they are qualified because they voted specifically party line then I would have concerns over their capacities.  Their race and religion doesn't make them better than another and blind party affiliation makes them more a liability in a complex world where sophisticated decisions must be made. 

A universal society will be based on the skills and merits of the person without regard to their religion, their race, or blind political affiliations. Our society needs the most qualified to take leadership roles and that includes promoting the best and brightest to grow and take their rightful places. We allow people to develop as they naturally should and move them up the responsibility ranks when they are ready.

We need to compete as a nation and that comes from enlightened views, democratic rule, and fair capitalism where people can rise based on their merit.  We can't afford free passes for bad behaviors and we can't afford blind political adherence. We will overcome our challenges because all the other paths will lead to lots of pain and poor outcomes (Try convincing some of our leaders this and you will see confusion in their eyes.). While I'm disappointed in some of our decisions at various times and places in the past I have confidence they lead us to this point in history where we have an opportunity to learn from and master our current challenges. Modern nations need modern universal thinking. As an American/"American" I will continue to fulfill my oaths the best I can....even when others dont understand or find such values unfashionable. 

The Financial and National Value of Classified Documents

Information is worth money and information will buy you global friends. That is even more true when those friends are not best buddies with the U.S. and/or ideologically opposed to democracy and what we deem the free world. Politics as usual stops at the door where national security and interests are harmed. I mean, at least it should. 🤷

(As a side note. I have been kind of grossed out lately by politics. ) 

Whether you vote for your conscious, actually represent the needs of people in your districts, or just plain want to look awesome having your name associated with "big players" and/or government positions (Which actually have duties associated with them. I know I know few expected elected officials to actually do their duties. Not to mention the qualifications issue as we don't think much about when we vote.) I think there should be some limits. 

If classified documents were sold, moved like chess pieces, or transferred intentionally (or through willful incompetence) in a way where one would have known they were damaging their own country that would be beyond the grossest of all Benedict Arnolds behaviors in history. 

Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. What I can say is that lots of smoke from all over the place. So most likely lots more to the story. Let use see what happens next. 

P.S. this is another good reason why we need to elect the best and brightest regardless of their race or religion (Something we are still struggling with but don't have to if we universalize our system for the digital era.). We could be the full and high performing democracy we were destined to be.

Moved and Hidden Classified Documents

Ukraine Fights Back: Russia on Run?

It appears the Ukrainian troops are pushing to retake land. New equipment, new support, new strategies, and an initiative. The key was that they allowed Russia to expend significant resources trying to take protected ground with ROC techniques and once they have stretched out their supply lines striking back at just the moment the troops would have consolidated their ground (their weakest point.)   Can Ukraine win war? 

Russia is not done and the counter initiative will take time. The Ukrainians will need to put in place some defense lines that will slow down a return push by Russians. This is where kill zones during a mad frenzy of reckless Russian effort might be helpful. Set them up in advance, move back a little over these lines and let the Russians walk right into them and then push them back out with chopped up numbers. 

Push forward, receive tough resistance, set up kill zones, back up over these lines, let the Russian advance into the kill zones, and then push them back out when they are weaker, broken up and demoralized. I haven't seen that in the history books in exactly that way but it would make sense in quick paced battlefields where log jams need to be broken.

I suspect that would occur if Russian resistance gets to high in response to Ukrainian push ....where the Russians don't have defensive positions to fall back on and must move forward of have a full retreat. 

When Free Passes for Coordinated Hate Should be Criminal

In this country we have a problem. We have allowed those who commit crimes against others a free pass and there is no justification for it. While we may make up 100s of distorted reasons why we have done so it comes down to a fundamental issue; institutional acceptance of bigotry and hate (Of course there is always the possibility they were not given a free pass but what I have seen it looks like those who have harmed me and my family where given wink and nods for their behaviors.). 

If so, that means Americans of the "wrong type" are targets in other places and the courts struggle with understanding our civil rights and standing up for them. That creates a long term existential risk to half the population and to the nation as a whole (Actually the whole nation as different groups can pick and choose the rights ands wrongs of justice). Its not the place I remember as a kid and its not the America I read about in our history books. 

I'm not going into the many reasons why a free pass for targeting parents and kids is immoral. I'm also not going into the political and legal games people play across our nation. I'm going to say we should know the difference between right and wrong. If we don't, we need new leadership across our institutions and country to protect the "undesirable" half of society; depending on which group you belong.

I have no fear anymore challenging the acceptance of criminal and coordinated hate by some members of society just because they were socialized to accept that hate and knew prior to beginning they were "immune" for such behaviors (That is what happens when you can coordinate with corruption and the system breaks down.).  So much I'm posting my address for any hate group that feels they want a "clean" society. 

5233 18.9 lane Gladstone, MI. 49837. (I would give you my number but I really don't want to deal with the annoying hate calls that most other people who disagree with something have had to deal with.)

It is my protest against the acceptance and lack of accountability for hate groups and the supporting connected few officers that put us in harms way. We should be better than this. I will not call 911. I'm sure they would do their duty but you can't take back what happened without a correction to ensure it doesn't happen again.

 (Mostly good officers and I applaud their work but I have seen what I have seen by a small minority of "connected" officers to that group and what appears to be a lack of local courts ability to stand up for the Constitution. I have asked only that 1.) the initial people who launched their hate network to have a mental health check and follow up to ensure they are no longer a risk; 2.) A review of the financial audit of incentives; 3.) a review/investigation of community complaints and 4.) adjustments in policy to ensure there are checks and balances in place. Not a single person needs to go to jail unless more is discovered then what I'm aware of. These are reasonable duties of our court system if it is focused on truth, justice, and moral values.)

Why? Because sometimes our courts fumble with fair and equal treatment in our society and in the modern century its no longer acceptable (Its a sign of decay of democracy). We have far right extremists gaining power, and we have politicians unable to stand by their American values, and we have people tired of free passes. We went through an era of massive protests that are likely to come back and really give us a bit if we don't start doing the right thing (I have always encouraged these groups to peacefully get their point across and work within the system. Likewise, I tell them they are wrong when they are wrong or too quick to judge. I don't see that changing.). There are no/few protections for the wrong type of Americas and there seems no desire to have values or codes when it comes to them.

Let me add an easy justification. I'm a light right Republican but believe Trump lost the election and whether or not he knows it many of my fellow Republicans are aware that such widespread fraud is implausible, the transference of classified document to foreign groups is a possibility (As an unsubstantiated theory but could be "willful" negligence. I felt that way about 2 hours after the riots started when I first thought it was a constructed coup and people were running wan ton through offices. See Capital Upload and Classified), and that half of Republicans (About 1/3 able to stand for democracy and truth and about 1/3rd shuddering in fear of standing up for their nation and 1/3 of the vocal ones bullying the others and the rest of the nation.) have long given up their ability to decide things independently for themselves (I guess that is the same for Democrats for their specific issues.)

If we were going to do the right thing we would have already done it. It's simple. All life has value regardless of how we apply the law or misuse the law to support our social networks. My plan was always to be polite but not passive. We owe it to our futures, and our kids futures to build a better America. Assuming there is a future for people like me I will be polite and engaging but I will not support "normalization" of hate nor the legal acceptance of damaging the "wrong" types in our society. There are no words that can describe the growing social and legal acceptance of violence and hate.

As a single parent I'm drawing the line that even protecting your kids from harm by telling aggressive community members "no" is too much for the system to handle and justification for all ill becomes "normalized". I have supported that system in many ways (...and at this moment supporting that system to learn and develop.. Telling our short sighted judges and leaders there is more to this country then its skin color or political bent.) and have helped officers and people throughout my life (I'm not a perfect person but I'm a pretty good person and deemed by much of society as having less worth or value. That Muslim sounding name many in our country bonkers. Something I went out to test 20+ years ago for my dissertation and only recently have received a more definitive answer. Its still a mixed bag with more loyal and wise Americans getting it while some rage unrepentantly. I teetered for a long time seeing both good and bad. It was always just a little too close for comfort but didn't know what to do with it. Maybe this is the path forward now.)  

That is my fear, that we have normalized these behaviors and there is almost no one to stand up to do the right thing (Could be a sign that there are just too many justifications for the wrong things.). What kind of American/"American" would I be if I willingly accept demise of the one thing that made our country great. Making American Great is about ensuring the Constitution (and the actual application of that Constitution) maintains its value and that maximizing our most precious resource as national human capital can flourish (not just our politicians, specific races/religions, the wealthy or "connected" groups.).

Let's see what direction our institutions turn, toward the Torch of Enlightenment or the darkness of social sanctioned cleansing and felonious hate. There is more to our oaths and responsibilities than making perpetrators feel good about their behaviors. Freedom should not be a dirty word even though some of our leaders made it unfashionable. There will be people like me who say no matter the consequences our country and what it stands for must always align over the horizon to the highest possible standards. We have responsibilities to ourselves, to society, to democracy, and to the world. A free pass is derelict in those responsibilities and smacks in the face of all those souls who died protecting our rights that SHOULD define our country (That includes my grandfather and great grandfathers despite my Muslim sounding name. While some may not agree based on their own bias I'm doing the American thing and what many of our leaders are afraid to do....stand for something more than themselves.)

The Dangers of Institutional Default and Lack of Accountability on a Local and National Level

Institutional default occurs when the systems in place that are designed to protect the population don't work as they should. Instead of ensuring the primary law of the land is upheld they become mechanisms by which law and its protections can be warped. In general the concept of Federalism and shared governance should be bulwarks against such defaults but it doesn't always function that way and there are a few reasons why. 

First, let us highlight why such defaults are dangerous. What separates the U.S. from third world nations is the application of law and the use of wisdom in that application. No race, religion, or ethnic group should get special treatment under the law or have the law warped for their benefit (Except in the case of politics where politicians regularly seek to politicize and warp our institutions. Of course it's still a problem we need to fix. Prince or pauper we should be under the same system with the difference being the merits of their case.)

Once we begin to allow certain races, religions, ethnic groups, or social groups to have special treatments we begin to see cracks forming in our system. We mirror those third world nations where ethnic conflict is common and systems cannot be trusted to uphold the fabric and shared perspective of society. In essence, they have conflict because the laws are different for different people and the value of institutions becomes minimized.

Now, in my life when I have seen extremism and criminal activity forming and I have monitored and reported such behaviors when it was appropriate. I didn't make a difference to me their race, religion or social group. It was their intent to harm other people that was my primary concern. That also included turning in larger groups of people who have corrupted cities and their institutions through organized criminal activities. 

The problem we face as a nation is that there are different laws in place for different types of people. Defaulting of institutions becomes much more acceptable if they are against the "wrong" type of people. Holding people to account for these behaviors is more difficult if the perpetrators are the "right" type of people with the "right" support. Its an indication that some institutions have role and duty confusion (Some officials functioning in fear and afraid to stand for their values. A further indication that decline has already got headway.).

That creates a type of disparity that heightens the dangers such institutions are not functioning with their duties in mind but with their ethnic, racial, religious and social preferences at the forefront. As a nation we must be universal in our values and that requires institutions that are also universal in their orientation. Long stemming disparities in society have become increasingly highlighted in the digital media world and they will become global phenomenons.

Cleansing communities should be something we look upon with disdain in the U.S. in much the same way as we look upon it with horror in Kosovo, Timor, Darfur, Rwanda and the many other places where unfair group treatment started on a local level and then grew to a wholesale national conflict based on shared pain. That danger becomes highlighted in ethnically diverse nations like the U.S. where civil unrest and protest against unfair treatment is one video away from reemergence (In many ways encouraged by both sides of our political spectrum. One side encouraging people to attack police and the other to attack FBI. I feel a universal obligation to protect both. If we need to adjust something we do so within the system but don't encourage violence against the many good officers and administrators that are trying desperately to keep our communities safe! It's a sign of that some of our leadership don't have the character to be in their roles and are successfully manipulating blind support.). 

We do have risks if the wrong group comes to power and encourages institutions to blindly support a certain ethnicity, racial, religious, or social group over the rights of others. It doesn't take much to light a match when we have people openly calling for civil war and seeking to violate as many of the Constitutional protections as they can. The wrong people in the wrong institutional positions can lead to all types of chaos when institutional trust levels are already at all time historic lows. 

I have experienced this some in my life where a homogeneous group of ethnically similar people coordinated with a few officials to use local institutions to try and forcibly remove and harm me and my family for being the "wrong" type in "their" community (It didn't happen because there are still good people out there who believe in our Constitution and our American values. Our genetic footprint has been there longer than most of theirs but "local" is defined by social group, racial and religious similarities.). Yet it was enough to down at least two institutions (possibly three) and "normalize" hate to a larger group of people who knew before they got started they were "immune" for their behaviors (Most of the people in the community did the right thing and are warm and welcoming people. Some are not and continue on with their behaviors because of that immunity.).

I have forgiven such people for their dangerous bigotry but I cannot forget their behavior nor stand idly by as the risks to these institutions are still present. As of today's date, it appears that such risks are percolating just under the surface waiting to reemerge if one of the members picks an argument with a minority/"outsider", can profit from hate, has a mental health issue, wants to "save" America, or just wants to be plain old destructive. 

As we move into the next election cycle I want people to think about the real dangers of such groups that are given a national forum and capable of impacting national institutions. Think of how quickly people line up to support hate and how the system struggles to hold them to account if they are from the "right" religion, race, political party, "connected" network, or background. These existential risks are long term dangers. 

If we truly hope to be a first world leading nation we must universalize our systems and ensure there are protections from local defaults. We will also need to ensure that we maximize our human capital across different ethnic, racial, religious and social groups in a way that leads to prosperity and a shared sense of purpose of the benefits of pushing our democracy forward.

Free passes are not free! I have said that many times to deaf ears. They only change and morph into other risks and paths. To me being a patriot and being a Republican means encouraging universalization of our institutions and ensuring that our nation begins to develop into the next stage of democracy where we have a shared sense of purpose and clear goals to increase our global competitive position (The Digital Era and innovation). 

I understand that concepts of moral conscious and fairness isn't going to be popular with some of our leaders (judges, politicians, officials, etc.) who hope the "right" group gets the most opportunities but I think we owe it to ourselves and the next generation to give them the best shot at a healthy democracy. Many of our politicians are not on board with a free and fair universal society. They have not looked deep enough into their grandchildren's eyes and contemplated how our failure to correct our path could lead to generations of pain and sorrow for them (shame!).

Now let us see what our leaders and the institutions they manage decide is the best course of action. Some doors open and some close.

Rep. Adam Kinzinger Discusses the Needs of Republicans and Paths Forward

Some people I respect because they are unapologetic for standing up for their country (Even If I don't believe in all their policies or perspectives.). Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R) encourages Old Guard Republicans (I would add Liz Cheney to that group of genuine Republicans. Btw she is not done...she will likely be an even more powerful player soon.) to reclaim the party's central values.

There are a few others as well but most have zipped their lips in fear even though we know most are just repeating what they think will get them elected/reelected. To me if you support destructive behaviors and then it becomes unfashionable you don't get to redo a mistake in hindsight.

(Its one thing to be confused with misinformation but another to be a blind supporter. We must always decide what is the best path forward and that is for democracy, equality, and national development.).

I'm a light R and while I share similarities with many Republicans my family and I have been targeted for my Muslim sounding name and mixed race kids which justified open "normalization" for hate based coordinated activities and the difficulty to understand or hold it accountable as inappropriate.

 (There are people who openly talk about civil war and encourage cleaning their communities on a local and national level with impunity. We struggle with what it means to be an American and why we should encourage a spirit of togetherness. If you don't believe me, read the news.)

If we are going to survive as a nation we have to stand for our shared American principles and not our blind party politics (of any side), ethnic-racial groups (Of any background), distorted social networks, or specific religious affiliations (Its about the right to practice religion freely and that is why it was written that way. The specific religion isn't important.). We as a people are better than this and we need to start focusing on rebuilding our nation and its central values.

The idea of America is based on freedom for all our members and that keeps the Torch of Enlightenment on for those who come into her Bay (Except this generation where confused values and hyper focus on self enrichment have crept in to nearly smother that light. If we can keep the ship from being commandeered and likely intentionally sunk the next diverse generation will pick up where we stalled.) . 

 Sometimes, many times, we are failing to stand for our basic values simply because it takes the work of thinking through the options and the moral courage to fulfill our duties (Of course at the time we need to compete the most! We have growing threats from Russia and competition from China. Patriotism is about those central American values and supporting our national togetherness and competitiveness.)

To me RINO is someone who hijacks the Republican name in an attempt to support inappropriate values and growing radicalism in politics that includes ever more acceptance of political violence. The crueler you are, the more people vote (support) without consideration of the needs of the rest of society or the next generation.

Judges, politicians, minorities, FBI, IRS and just about anyone else have been a target of extremist groups and some sit silently saluting their efforts (Some R, Some L, and some just messed up.). I know first hand the dangers and don't really care about consequences when free pass for moral failures are passed out like candy at a parade (I think I owe it to my kids and my fellow Americans to have an opinion that strengthens our nation and opportunities for the most amount of people.).

We are not doing well seeing, understanding or thwarting this type of extremism (Politics give it a shield and I believe in many ways its a type of manipulation that will come back to haunt us.) Some people are encouraging it so I appreciate people like Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney much more than those who give lip service to their values, their oaths and their moral conscious.

I encourage the silent majority of Republicans to reclaim their party or otherwise we not only risk a serious split within the party (perhaps the nation) but also a deep dive for the prospects of democracy as a viable self governance system for our youth.

We have serious responsibilities to our nation and people as we get no redos if we make a major mistake (We can't look back and say "Yikes...I'm sorry can I try again".). Think long and hard what your leaving behind. Peace and prosperity are just over the horizon....just waiting on the rest of America to decide they would like that more than the other paths open to them. 

(I once thought about politics but I just don't see how I can say I hate my fellow Americans that much just because they differ in opinion or follow a different philosophy or have different ideas. I want to talk to them and listen and share my specific Republican values but I don't want to make up things to embarrass, harm, punish, or encourage others to attack the other side. I would also prefer they don't do that to me. Like many people who first entered politics I suppose I would have loved to solve problems; that is not what it has become. Been evaluated three times a genius and I feel pretty dumb as I don't think I know much compared to the confidence by which many of our politicians speak. Such confidence and ability to sell that confidence better than any salesperson I ever met. They all know the answers and I haven't heard one say they are working on figuring it out; even when the problems are complex. I don't think entering politics or helping others is really possible in the way in which I envisioned it. I'm fearful that the divides between R and L will keep growing and there will be less and less middle ground thereby making future solutions even less likely. Perhaps to the point where there are irreconcilable difference similar to what I have with those who hated me and my kids and the distance that was created for safety. I'm also fearful that any bad behavior against people in our country is justified if its against the right/"wrong" people, for money, the right conspiracy/rumor for politics, in support of a specific race/religion, for social acceptance or just to be plain destructive. I also have some fear, as I have seen a version of this, that we could have institutional defaults that could raze what generations have built. It could also be that we get bested by other nations simply because we didn't care enough about our own and I wouldn't want that to happen on my watch. I think in modern times, seeing what I have seen in this world, that these are legitimate concerns; I think others may think them as well. My idealist hope is that the opposite is true....and that doesn't come with a high probability....except in a few scenarios. That idealism has been mocked throughout my life and I suppose now in later years I have come to accept the silliness of hope and wishful thinking.)

Time answers all questions. Let's not let the needs of our kids and grandchildren slip through our fingers because we do what is in our own best interests.

Kinzinger says GOP in trouble ahead of midterms: "We have no leadership

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell speaks at Jackson Hole

 I don't really have many comments at the moment but just watch for yourself.  We do need to seriously think about ways to develop our advanced manufacturing to meet world demand and raise our position at the center of the global supply chain. China's growth was based in part on our greed and inability to produce things in the U.S. (That's not necessarily against China who are naturally going to work in their own interests but it does mean that we have to beef up our own competitive position. We can better do that as soon as our leaders in both parties focus on solutions instead of all the other distracting things many enjoy more than national building.) We should maximize any limits in labor through the use of greater productivity brought through the development of wearable tech, innovation, drawing FDI and strong management.