The blog discusses current affairs and development of national economic and social health through unique idea generation. Consider the blog a type of thought experiment where ideas are generated to be pondered but should never be considered definitive as a final conclusion. It is just a pathway to understanding and one may equally reject as accept ideas as theoretical dribble. New perspectives, new opportunities, for a new generation. “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.”—Thomas Jefferson
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen sent a letter to Honorable Kevin McCarthy the current House Speaker and other Congressional leadership on May 1st, 2023. She raised a few concerns about the time frames for potential debt-payment impasse around June 1 depending on tax receipts and other information (This basically gives notice that there could be an issue. I wonder if this happens regularly?)
Thinking about it because we are a little bit of a pickle. We can't really keep spending and we must also compete internationally. That means we need to use resources wisely in order to bump up the system. That often leads us to think about what is essential and what is not essential on a government level.
Of course we also need to allocate resources where they are needed and we can reasonably ensure that we are improving our bottom line. I think we need an overhaul of costs, focus, and practice. I'm thinking of how a change in economic and social fundamentals (remember that economics is actually social behavior) might also provide an opportunity to change our approach.
(In general, I'm an optimistic person who believes if we all put our heads together we could come up with a solution. That would require commitment to the health of the nation beyond the needs of any particular stakeholder or party.).
In general if we have time it might be helpful to consider the following....
(I'm well aware the devil is in the details and lots of people with lots of opinions. Just ideas...feel free to toss....).
1. Define what the big goals are. 1-3 principles both sides (make sure it is in alignment with the publics needs as a general societal collective. The collective perspective.) can agree with in principle (It develops focus in thinking).
2. Look at what is essential and what is not essential. Create a few categories that allow one to sort of break programs out into different categories.
3. Of what is essential focus on rethinking how it is done, its effectiveness, and its contribution to society. As you revamp effectiveness and efficiency should be on the forefront of our minds. (Sometimes we have existing research and sometimes we have to create new research to understand these bigger problems. Money well spent.).
4. Of those things that are not essential we would need to prioritize based on available left over budget. That should include effectiveness and efficiency. Some of these contribute to the general well being/life satisfaction growth environment and some of these contribute to the economic environment. They both are necessary for long term stability.
I guess one could go on and on and on about politics and money. The point is that these are complex issues but it might be possible to sort of figure out some way of looking at programs and thinking about the long term needs of the nation. We move the disagreements from just dollar amounts to an agreement that essentially if we can improve the system and take an honest look at where we want to go and what we need to be there we can find some lens to look at and improve our programs. Many times there is lots of fat, red tape, inefficient internal organizational/departmental information and resource paths, misappropriation, costly transactions and much more. blah blah blah
Let us say that this is a truly American meeting with all the debate, discussions, and decisions one would expect in an area that is becoming something anew. We are discussing everything from prayer in meetings, financial concerns, inappropriate texts and the search to restore artifacts. When I say that, I mean it in the sense that we can discuss just about anything in a small town microcosm. The same problems that plague the nation are also of concern in a nature oasis as well.
This influence of local to national and national to local concerns can be good or it can be bad. In this case, while national issues are important for environmental context we do not want to mimic or mirror national politics in our little town. This is why I say polite and truthful is the best bet forward for discussing issues.
We are also an area that is becoming something new and you can see that transition in the making. Older issues are being brought forward and discussed while new issues are emerging. Week after week, month after month, they are part of the process change. Resolving these issues successfully and expediently are helpful in the change process.
(This is also why I'm relatively neutral on most of these topics. I have opinions but they are based in long term strategies and/or moral sentiments. You can review 'Organizational Adaptation' study and one below which is in the process and unfinished designed around Escanaba and Delta County as model for other locations. I can explain why this is a unique place but that takes time. Theory of Innovative Transactional Clusters. Not that there is adaptability to the model but the model is built from the possibility of adaptation and where that could lead in terms of innovative hot spots and sparkers of greater community overall health. It delves into the economic and the social side of American communities. Its in process of being adjusted, written and constructs connected so don't judge prematurely. Lots of mixed up pieces but they are related/influencers and need to be written that way so the average person can understand. They call it a paper or work in process.)
A Few Points on Annexation
What I will say is that no matter if the community supports or doesn't support the annexation of parts of Escanaba Township to Cornell we can say that it should be done in a transparent way and one in which explores all of the options. It is a community decision and it is an important one to consider because there are some major benefits and there are some detractors. An informed public is the best, makes the decisions and lives by the positive or negative outcomes of a community choice. In other words, we should all share in the benefit and pain of our collective decisions.
A few thoughts and questions bubbled up. Do we need to split the townships? Could we make an agreement on the land in question and provide a type of shared service or is that too difficult? Could Billerud, the power farm and or other investors share in a first responder fund, support the most centralized fire department with more resources and/or do something else? The point being that by exploring all of the key concepts and talking about them we can better understand and find a strong path forward. Consider that all economics is based on time and choice. There are multiple developments in the area so first responder levels need to rise (Cross coordination between departments was another idea. Sorry I was slightly disrupted for a minute. I am still thinking about grants. Not everything I write is useless dribble; just some of it!)
Notes (I try and be accurate. I may be incorrect sometimes so please post a comment. Likewise, I don't need to write down everything but more focused on the important stuff. Like looking for patterns and potential opportunities. Understanding how rejuvenation works and operates on a local level.)
Annexation issue will not be discussed (Lots of conversations about this in the rumor mill).
-Conservation District (CD) and Delta County (DC) had 5 contracts of similar language since 2011 and charged fee versus exchange of office space. Instead they charged fee. 72K on top of cost appropriations 2022. 1 million+ cost. Concerns of inflated cost. Was this administrative fee or something else? Lack of accountability 1/2 million with no legal review. Questions process. Large clapping.
-Financial questions. $384 in addition for controller in addition of administrator salary.
-Concerned about open meetings act. MSP filing. Secular religion in board meetings complaint.
-Character discussion. Open Meeting Acts. 3rd Commissioner meeting attendance violates open meeting act after being brought to attention from county attorney.
-Another said the nature of comments were not in violation of opens meeting act.
-Call to prayer. Gentleman indicates that you can open with a prayer if it tradition. Cites 2014 Supreme Court Prayer.
-Second if the closed session and would like to witness if there are any closed sessions related to an attendance at a meeting.
-Court House. garage, heat, roof, etc... the local court house is getting an upgrade. Might need engineer drawings.
-Delta county issues for roads are being documented and no major concerns about river or roads.
-Job description for park manager seems ok.
-No issue of greenhouse.
-Stipend retroactive for airport manager. Some type of legal complaint and investigation. Tabled until May 2nd.
-Pay bills 30:30 1.3 mil to pay bills
-Marketing of our airport grant. (Maybe we could connect to Chicago and Detroit and increase the market value of the area as a start-up, vacation, and investment area.)
-Reenact 208
-Maintenance and department. Versatile to parks if needed. County and grounds
-Contract for Conservation District to be tabled and reviewed by prosecutor (Probably a good idea considering the controversies associated with the issues.)
-Countywide Boys and Girls Club. Talking to Packers and Lions. A steering committee. Likes the area.
-Closed session on open meetings access and legal counsel.
-Electric grid and solar system plan. Discussions on the Escanaba Twp. Some have raised concerned with property values, farm land, pollution. Didn't feel there are issues.
-Concerned about signatures. One commissioner may have extra interest. Doesn't like the idea. The fire department, town hall, and cemetery costs would need to be shouldered by 1/2 of twp.
-Question on benefits package for park manger. No benefits for district court admin position. Wants full time member. Concerned about private county attorney and lawsuits. Believes they are concerned lawsuits.
-Cornell trustee township. Doesn't believe Cornell Twp want it and Escanaba Township doesn't want it. Wants to have investigation of the board.
-Issues of ADA not yet resolved and concerned about free speech. A number of counties offers zoom meeting. Reinstate Zoom access.
-Compensation for airport manager was not added on committee of whole agenda. A raise of 5K was being discussed but it wasn't discussed at the appropriate meetings. Two qualified candidates but they withdrew because of concerns of board and politics. Felt one of the commissioners should recuse.
-Ex felt that one of the commissioners is doing a good job and that he has been unfairly treated. Was voted in and its what voters want. Stated some of the threats in messages. Ugly, physical threat, child r-pe, bullied, hung, etc. (I'm sort of embarrassed to repeat.I believe that no matter what some agrees or disagrees with, we should be polite and positive. Concerns should be voiced in a positive and constructive way. One thing we need to avoid as a nation is moving into the extremes on the far right or left where civil dialogue becomes challenging. We have freedom of speech but we don't have freedom to lie, intimidate or to bully. We must always seek to be as honest as we can and correct things if there are mistakes. If there is something more then we as a community can bring them forward for resolution.
However, it is not one's place to be intentionally disrespect or say things that would make a reasonable person concerned for safety. Its a democracy based no no and breaks down civil dialogue which is needed to adapt as a town and people. These are lessons in politicization we don't want to take from some of our national leaders. The benefits of small town life is that you know your neighbors so have some empathy and consideration over each other. On a national scale people often struggle with the consequences of their words. Let us not do the same and be good to each other.
Semi related here is a study on civility online and public trust. While the study does not conclusively show incivility changes trust it does show that civility can create additional trust. Low trust levels in government are common and we should consider how our behaviors signal others to trust or not trust in government. We are at this place in society where we need to get serious about building a great nation. As an initial study within a laboratory and not focused specifically on this phenomenon I believe follow ups would likely produce an incivility and lower trust statistically significant association. Causation might even be possible but that is hard to watch in a natural environment. 'Civility and trust in social media')
-Speaker discussed DAR monument in 1931 Pioneer Trail Park. Restoring plaque and other work. Here is something on the DAR of Michigan. (To go out and explore this artifact probably isn't as much fun as exploring the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull but I'm sure if you took the kids out there and went on a few hikes you might discover it or depending on how much fun and beverage consumption you have you may get lost on your way to the bathroom. Anyway, I think archeology, land marks, diving, museums, history, etc. are awesome. Your adventure starts with using the parks new online reservation system at 'Delta County Parks and Campgrounds.')
-Wants ADA in Zoom. Also is concerned that one of the commissioners should not be allowed to talk or vote on it. I think it is related to a potential conflict of interest.
-Child abuse prevention month. She discusses the use of drugs and lost parents. She mentions one general from one to the other. She talks about either under reported and/or is reported but nothing is done. Let us look at all the abuse and mental health. Would like the commissioners to prioritize the concerns for Delta County (DC). She is annoyed by the 2nd Amendment sanctuary when there are many other important issues to deal with. (Let me say that childhood abuse is disgusting and a total projection of one's distortion on the innocent and defenseless. It is often not seen as not particularly important in our society but those who are on the receiving end know very well that the only way to break from those patterns is to challenge them and not repeat them. Easier said then done when such things are embedded into the child at such a young age. It takes the exceptional person to ensure it ends in that generation. You want to know where strength comes from, deep in the human soul, as most people continue it from one generation to the next without intervention. As horrendous as it sounds, there are those who support child abuse as long as someone created a narrative of worthy of "blame". Yes, I also fight for children and the protection of children because they are our future. Not so easy when "the adults" want something. Much of what we do in this manner is ineffective and sometimes counter productive. We have a long way to go in this arena as a town, state, and nation. )
-29 families in Delta County lost children was stated. He called the court house and he said he couldn't get that information and that was private. So he was concerned about the conversation with a judge and/or the release of such information.
-States that if someone has a conflict of interest in land acquisition (see above) they shouldn't be involved in decision making. Also comment that no one should be harassing others but we can act within the law to curb these behaviors. (I was thinking about this saying, "Giving into hate is like salt water, the thirst only grows worse". Ron. I agree it all should be good Kharma. Love and peace Namaste. 🙏)
-One youth I would hope to do something fun. Boys and girls club is a good idea. Many kids are bored and there isn't a whole lot to do and hopes that the commissioners consider the idea. Is this the poet from one of the other meetings? I will need to go back and check. Something about social constructivism if I remember correctly.
-A commissioner indicates that he has some concerns. Doesn't know much about the land swap. MSU professor states that solar has a lot of information and he can talk about it with people via zoom or come up. He supports solar. Some are going to conference. Work on policy for public bullying. We should not be bullying so the policy would restrict. Humiliation, threats, aggression on email, etc. by some officials. (I was looking up stuff on solar panels. While its not related look at this roadway idea. Too bad we couldn't figure out a cheap way to make these things and use them on our main street. If we have a special event we could adjust the strips, etc. I would have to imagine this is super expensive but definitely something next gen. It would be interesting if somehow we drew prototype interest and companies could test their ideas for free in town. It would definitely bring in tourists and of course high tech interest. This is also why I like the proto-type start up ideas for town. We are sort of small enough to do that. Solar Frickin Roads. I think Edison tried out his experiments in towns. I would have to look this up to be sure. DC MultiCluster, DC Start Up, Smart City,Rejuvenation)
-Another commissioner said he liked zoom. He has video of the environmental meeting. Something about setting up stuff when he has information.
-One commissioner states a WWII comment, "If your not catching flak, your not over the target". The comment has to do with leadership, criticism and controversy. Taking Flak
-Public comment can be read in the meeting
-There was discussion by another commissioner on the ballet box is where you resolve issues, martial arts for many years, will have prayer, better things to argue about, looking for attorney. A recall effort has begun. Annexation came up and felt one of the commissioners should recuse himself. Indicates he knows him well and he would recuse himself. An apology to someone but I didn't catch who. Will not recuse himself from airport issue as it was an admission of doing (dipped out sound). There is an investigation but will not be involved in that. Support child abuse. Supports 2nd amendment. Likes Boys and Girls Club and steering committee. 'Effort on to annex part of Escanaba Township'
I'm not going to disagree but we need to jump two feet forward into the Digital Era and if we don't we will fall closer to parity with China. We still have some advantages culturally and technologically but we are suffering from the difficulty of compromise around long term solutions. There is additional request for funding and that makes sense considering we need to take a big look at things to ensure we have a secure digital grid.
Yes, more money, training, better education, more pay, etc. all are hejpful. To do those things we will want a balanced budget and it would be helpful to focus on what is most important (That would require a definition). Our leaders will need to make some tough decisions about what is likely to get us over the horizon and through our next challenges. Improving our budget and ensuring we have the resources where they are needed is going to be central to success (easier said then done.)
This is where budgeting issues become a bigger problem. Revamping and overhauling all programs to ensure they are #1 aligned to our national mission, values and goals as well as #2 ensuring they are functioning at the best capacity they can. Thoughtful improvements might free up some resources to help beef up our cyber capabilities across the board.
Of course, we also need to raise our revenue and that includes attracting new investments and creating environments that maximize those investment return through innovative development. We want our country to be innovative and a draw for FDI based on our universal rule of law and entrepreneurial culture based in furtile environmental mix (Ok its just an opinion.)
However, having the right resources allows us to think about where they can be helpful in the long run. Having resources puts us in a good spot. How do we improve our resource base is something small towns and on a national level I suspect we are thinking about. While government isn't a direct business it does have revenue and expenses. Putting those toward solving problems of the near and midterm future likely produces more fruit than focusing on the days affairs.
The "shadow" system exists as secondary but slightly weaker system within our official justice system. Where one is in the light the other works in the dark. They compete in many ways for influence and depending on who you talk to you will get different answers and support for each. The official laws are still more supported than the shadow laws and that is a good thing. However, the other system base in poorer assumptions still rears its head at various times and places. Having a better understanding of how the shadow application functions is important (Remember that all systems have a shadow but the strength of a nation is dependent on reducing these shadow systems to maintain effective management around core American values and goals. Also why I don't support corruption because of its short sighted focus but long term consequences. . i.e. shadow/black market for the economy.)
They are inherently two different systems. One is more universal with laws agreed upon by lawmakers to apply fairly to everyone (This is why we debate them and why over politicization of our justice system is dangerous as it can empower the shadow.). The shadow system is designed to circumvent and adjust those laws to either benefit self or to benefit those within a perceived group or clan. Clan as often defined in third world perceptions of race, religious, political, social affiliations or other issues that seeks to truth with some type of falsehood.
In today's world most people do believe that mistakes are sometimes made but an inability to correct mistakes and/or encourage intentional misapplication could create a coordinated shadow (One may say rarely happens and the other say often happens but that is a matter of frequency and not of existence). We have the written laws and we have the applied laws. The applied laws require a decision and those decision makers make choices. If they struggle with perceptual issues they will make choices that are inappropriate or destructive as they sometimes dip into the power of the shadow system (Its like a black market for the official system that seeks to misapply the laws for gain. Someone would have to study it to create greater clarity but I believe big data will show macro outcomes and some of the causes of this misapplication).
I'm a believer that the best way to develop our nation is with integrity and ensuring that what we set out as a collective people to create in our law passing and in our courts positive pro social and most rational values to be displayed and enacted (Its a general concept that applies across the board. I'm 100% for police and 110% for civil rights because one must work for the other or otherwise we have other issues that pop up from time to time.). There is no political agenda with this, it is only the awareness that when we are negligent in one area it continues to grow and morph like a parasite on our values and our shared sense of community. Every nation goes through transitions and this is a positive change that will lead to higher long term national performance (We are going to make an assumption that recent awareness of room for improvement will win out intellectually over other arguments. Generally, as a society truth wins out over falsehood but sometimes that is a fallacy of the just world view which seeks to find order in those things that appear initially to have no order.).
Without change, the targets will continue to be the targets, the law violators will continue to violate, society will lag, human capital will suffer and the nation will feel the sluggishness and it will continue until we make a commitment to that which draws us together and lets us be the best we can be. To me, when we are aware that such things are occurring the best way to maintain integrity is to stop it quickly and if necessary to hold to account (Often or rarely is a matter of debate and data availability.). Account should also be done with a level of wisdom but not be a further excuse to allow for further misapplication.
There is growing awareness that some of our justice systems are struggling and need support to become more effective in catching bad guys, doing so in alignment with our national values, and actualized justice. Our society either steps forward into the light or steps back into the shadows. It looks like we are coming to agreement that trust in our institutions is dependent on us doing the right thing regardless of race, religion, politics, or position. We are rebuilding integrity each time law makers, law enforces and the general will of the people are in alignment (That is any nation or people.)
Raising awareness of needed improvements is a form of patriotism as long as it has a beneficial goal ( As well as not just for one group, party, or other entity. This is why I believe in universalism of American values). Silence, indifference and or participation in the shadow system is the opposite. This article is really more about discussion that helps us think about and reflect on the need to ensure that our laws seek to fulfill our social contracts through concepts of truth and moral conscious (What is true and what is most just. As they say The whole truth and nothing but the truth. What is true to one may not be true to another. However, they all must share essential good will to society and themselves. The shadow system creates divisiveness in society. It is up to the wiser, more experienced, more just, and thoughtful people to correct lower order values and decisions.).
The National Institute of Justice is the research arm of the Department of Justice. They use science such as listen, learn and reform model to understand the greater functioning of justice in society. You may read 'Race, Trust and Police Legitimacy'
To me, its important to live a varied and interesting life. Some might see it differently but I think in hindsight I may have been right about a few things. First, I have a fitness and yoga trainer license, which I would like to consider using for hobby more, and engage in lots of different sports and activities. That includes things like surfing, kick boxing, rowing, bicycling, hiking, climbing and much more.
(I think I might consider fitness training others for fun. It helps me and helps them. Not sure of the venue.)
One of my most favorite activities is dance. A varied dance routine can improve coordination, cardiovascular health, reach, motion, endurance and much more. Matching that with kickboxing and yoga you find you have greater range and accuracy than most others. Different types of dancing have unique attributes but they all contribute in some way to overall health.
For example, I dance well enough to be on a stage sometimes but not so great to be professional (Depending on how you use the term. I'm part of a dance company so I guess that is lower level professional/upper amateur. I think a little lower and in need of work. Consider I had a crooked leg at birth and it was fixed that isn't bad. I have had few to no issues with it throughout my life.). I guess if I would have started young enough and was in the right environment there would have been multiple opportunities. Yet, I also get bored easily so I go to the point of lower level mastery of mechanics and I either keep with it or find something else more interesting.
When time permits I keep up with it. Believe it or not dance is a good thing. Consider some of the benefits.
Source: BEA Notice 2023 looks like 2019 Its sort of a benchmark with a Covid market interruption The question is, "Can a platform shift into a digital era improve the benchmark"?
The advanced numbers came out and its a mixed bag. It indicates some economic slowing but that should be expected I guess. The question remains how much and how long? Its a jumble because inventories have declined but spending increased so they will influence each other. Improvements in exports, structures and intellectual property are good signs.
It should be kept in mind that the goal is to increase investments and build a better system so that less government spending is needed (Its the info and policy guidance approach to govt.). Its a concept of hedging government spending with private industry to reduce costs as well as find ways to increase government revenue (Broadly as a system and not specific to any one company's abilities.).
There have also been some increase in income, savings rates, disposable income and other things. One must wonder what happens to money when its in the bank? Likely it gets reinvested somewhere as banks only need so much money in actual holdings. Do we have ways of encouraging investing in our country so that money isn't just sent somewhere else?
-Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 1.1 percent in the first quarter of 2023 and fourth quarter, real GDP increased 2.6 percent.
-increase state and local spending.
-non defense government spending increased.
-increases in structures and intellectual property products
-decrease in private inventory investment wholesale trade and manufacturing
-Increase in consumer spending and exports.
The video of Sonia Meskin, head of U.S. macro at BNY Mellon Investment Management, provides some key insights.
