Limitations of Technology...in Scotland

Scotland.  Voice activated elevators.  The limitations of technology.

Find all about it here.

Liberalism, Neoliberalism and other Topics

It's no wonder people are confused.

Liberalism, Neoliberalism, Conservatism, Neoconservativatism, Left, Right.... Too many labels.

Following the Republican wins in late 2016, there has been a fair bit of finger pointing regarding the reasons for the Democrat loss.

As in this article: "Just as Neoliberalism is on its knees, So too is the left."

One self-described liberal traveled across parts of America interviewing Trump supporters.

Another writer described the receptive audience for Trump-style messages this way.

Neoliberalism is currently receiving the blame for much of what's happened, not just in America, but in parts of Europe as well, including taking some of the blame for the Brexit vote in 2016.

It seems to have started with Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, back in the 1970s, although it's real start was during the 1950s, with Friedman and Hayek.

The problem, of course, is that for most, neoliberalism hasn't worked.  The rising tide of increasing wealth has not lifted all boats.  More and more are still languishing on the tidal mud flats, as this set of graphs illustrates:

The full article that goes with this graph can be seen here....

There is a concerted effort by some to kill neoliberalism.  Naomi Klein talks about Neoliberalism here.  The flawed notion of "trickle down economics" needs to die with it.

Another YouTube video from Tony Benn has a 10 min history lessons for Neoliberals

If you want to watch a good movie that's related to all of this, watch Noam Chomsky and Requiem for the American Dream.  It's on Netflix.

Chemtrails. Finally Recognizing Their True Worth

A recent tongue-in-cheek article flitted across my screen yesterday.  Made me laugh.

The article finally shows us how to move from conspiracy to medically necessary.

I can't wait to see where the vaccine/autism/chemtrails saga goes next.

How Much is American Healthcare Worth?

This is one of those times when Canadians can appreciate where we live.  I don't think we should be smug about this, but if you want to have a reason to appreciate what we have in our country (and what we don't have....), this would be one of those reasons.

Most people would remember the difficult negotiations, the partisan bickering and the hyperbole surrounding the Affordable Care Act (commonly known as Obamacare) a few years ago.  Our Canadian system was mentioned, and for America, that's saying something.

For reasons that are difficult to understand, most Republicans opposed this plan, despite the fact that most of it was modeled on a system introduced in Massachusetts by Republican governor Mitt Romney.  Despite the fact that it made affordable healthcare available to millions more Americans.

Now that the Republicans control the Oval Office and both houses of Congress, they have vowed to repeal or modify the ACA.

This seems to have the effect of costing a lot of Americans a lot of money.  Money that many will not be able to afford.  So they are back to this:

One Republican congressman, Jason Chaffetz, was quoted recently saying that perhaps people should forgo buying that new iPhone they wanted and instead go shopping for a healthcare insurance plan.  His comments have unleashed a storm of comments.

As I said, there's no reason for Canadians to be smug.  We should remember that our previous Prime Minister refused to meet with provincial Premiers to discuss healthcare for 10 years.  Members of his party and others sharing his ideology made it fairly plain that they wanted to defund Medicare and allow the intrusion of more for-profit components to the existing system.  

Our system has challenges and there are definitely aspects that could be improved.  One good discussion of this can be found here

A short summary can be found here.  I'm just happy that our discussion can be about these issues rather than those consuming our neighbours to the south.

Money = Power. Politics in Our Times

Dark Money - The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right

by Jane Mayer

There are many reviews available of this comprehensive account of the role of BIG money that is fueling the political right, mostly in America, but not entirely.

• This review from The Guardian
• Or, this review in the New York Times
• The Financial Times has some concerns but doesn't argue with the accuracy of anything the author has written.

Many other reviews are available on-line.  The best idea would be to get the book from your library (you know, that tax-supported, socialist, book place found in the towns and cities of most advanced and civilized countries?).

While reading this, it occurred to me to wonder if those people frustrated with their stagnant financial situation understand that the policies of the Republicans and those even further to the right do nothing to help them.  Their policies seem designed entirely to benefit the rich, the obscenely rich, the politically connected.  

This article also addresses the agenda of the very rich.  

If you want to know how the political landscape is being perverted by BIG money, you need to read this.

You Don't Know What You've Got Till It's Gone

It's amusing (yes, I've decided that levity is the best way to view the current era) to read how the current occupant of the Oval Office, and his many supporters, feels the need to blame the ills of the world on the previous occupant.

The current occupant of the Oval Office many already be messing with government data

The White House's spokesperson can't seem to open her mouth without saying things that can only be described as lies.

The President has made many statements about deporting "illegals"and building a wall.  Has anyone making the decisions actually looked at the numbers?  Just one article here about how nutty reality would be for these projects.

A former State Governor who has sued the EPA and railed against it for years is now its administrator.

Dedicated anti-science lobbyists are still trying to discredit science in general and the science of climate change in particular.  

Battle lines have been drawn.  Even as Trump supporters start to question what they elected.

Trump bans a number of media outlets from press briefings.

And this is just the tip of a very large iceberg.

Despite all this, some have been heard to claim that "...they suffered for 8 years under Obama".  Huh.  As if.

More Neo-Liberal Smoke & Mirrors Policies in BC

On February 21st, the BC "Liberal" government brought forward its budget.

One "highlight" of the budget was a proposal to cut Medical Services Plan Premiums by 50%.

That would be nice, IF it was completely true.  There are a number of devils in the details.

I have some records here in the file cabinet.  They show that we had to pay $96 per month for health care coverage back in 2006.  It's now 2017 and it costs $150 per month for the two of us.

Roughly, that is a 50% increase in premiums in about 10 years.

Now the government is proposing to reduce this a bit, but not until after January 1st, 2018.  And you have to apply for this reduction by completing an on-line form.

I understand that BC is the last province to charge such health care premiums.  On the one hand, having to pay these premiums each month does serve to remind everyone what health care costs and that it isn't "free".  On the other hand, sending out invoices each month must be one of the more inefficient and costly ways of handling the whole issue.

Years ago, in Saskatchewan, where health care costs were handled directly by the province, we occasionally received a statement showing us what our use of the medical system cost each year, just to remind us what we were getting for our taxes.

My concern is that the government, having spent the past few years raising the fees and rates for most things while pretending taxes are low, is engaging in more smoke and mirrors.

Over the past decade or more, funding has been taken away from the public education system.  Following a recent court decision, money is being put back in.  I'm just not sure that the government should be bragging about it.