Quote of the Day
I have no special talent.
I am only passionately curious.
Albert Einstein
Liberty Thought of the Day
Nanny of the Month: Aug. 2013
Baby, You Can Drive Your Car--Just Don't Sleep in It....
Reflections on MLK's Speech
One indisputable fact is that King was a spectacular orator. I think that I myself have considerable skills, although I have not done much public speaking. I am very articulate and can be passionate about what I'm talking about. In contrast with the animated inflections of many Protestant preachers, most Catholic priests I've encountered delivered sermons as dry as whole wheat toast with no spread; they just as well might have read my dissertation out loud. Now, granted as an IT professor, it was tough to present a subject like programming language syntax with emotion, but I usually tried to work some humor into the discussion. A classic example is the old dictum 'It's not a bug; it's a feature.' There's an anecdote I know about that that will make a nerd shoot milk out his nose. But I know how to vary my tone and cadence, use a pregnant pause--I've been in business meetings where I've been in the zone and knew that I had everyone's attention in the room--that everybody was waiting to hear what I said next. It's not hubris; you simply become aware of it. Not that I'm comparing myself to MLK; he was far more experienced no doubt having delivered hundreds of sermons and public speeches at rallies. But I have to marvel at the sheer artistry of his delivery--and to think in the process that he departed from prepared remarks at points: that takes confidence. Whereas Obama has decent speaking skills, he's simply not on the same level.
Whereas I'm sure that King spoke from first-hand experience of blacks in the Old South with unjust public policy that arbitrarily excluded blacks from state and local institutions, it was clear that King had to deliver a message that went beyond the 13% of the population which is black. He had to connect with a universal message--parents all around the globe relate to the hope of a better world and a better future for their children. He was not going to win friends and influence people with finger-pointing, intimidation, and divisive and judgmental rhetoric; instead, he was calling us to be consistent in and faithful to the truths and principles upon which this republic was founded.
Obama today spoke of unfinished business in King's dream. I have an alternative perspective. I think part of the problem was an unconstitutional restriction on individual rights: government was part of the problem, not the solution. But "inclusive" political participation, access to state/local institutions and resources is only part of the solution; I have gone to school and worked with people of color (even reported to one on a government contract); there are prominent people of color in both political parties and at the highest level of government. But I argue what King referred to was individual rights, not collective or class-based ones. I think that treating of blacks as victims is itself unconscionably elitist and condescending, that fostering a dependency on government largess is morally corrupting. Government programs undermine the integrity of the family, increase a sense of entitlement and undermine self-reliance and other virtues. We see failed public policy and schools. I would argue it's not enough to have a vote when elected politicians impair the economy with misguided domestic policies. I think King would have found problems with government barriers to entry like occupational licensing. Excessive government regulation does not win hearts and minds or compel virtue; it exacerbates class conflict. So I see the key message is King's ending reflection on liberty--and one has to ask--what has happened to liberty (across all races) under decades of failed "progressive" policies. I would like to think King would see the need to liberate the individual from government intervention.
Dr. Ben Carson Reflects On Some Shortfalls Towards the Dream
The epidemic of black-on-black violent crime indicates that there has been a significant deterioration of values in the black community. Not only are the lives of their fellow blacks and others being devalued by street thugs, but the lives of unborn babies are being destroyed in disproportionate numbers in the black community. Another area of great concern would be the fact that 73 percent of black babies are born out of wedlock. King was a huge advocate of education and would be horrified by the high dropout rates in many inner-city high schools. If he were alive today, he would have to witness people turning their backs on those open doors and choosing to pursue lives of crime or dependency. Perhaps the biggest disappointment for King would be the wholesale adoption of a victim mentality that makes people feel that they are entitled to being cared for by others rather than working tirelessly to create wealth and opportunities for their progeny.Next JOTY Nominee: Marty O'Malley
It's like they're coming out of the woodwork; I can barely keep up. The term-limited Legal-Plunderer-in-Chief of Maryland and potential 2016 candidate engaged in contemptible race-baiting, speaking in front of an underwhelming crowd commemorating the golden anniversary of the March on Washington: "O'Malley said there is 'too much apathy' in America 'when the lives of people of color are too often valued less than the lives of white people.'"
On the Pension Front
A couple of interesting stories, including a follow-up on the San Bernardino bankruptcy filing:
- Judge approves San Bernardino bankruptcy filing. This was fought by Calpers, which does not want any reduction in full contribution payments for troubled municipalities:
Calpers argues that it should not be treated like other creditors and must be paid in full because California state law says the fund must always be fully paid, even in a bankruptcy. Bondholders argue that federal bankruptcy law trumps state statutes and say Calpers should be forced to fight with other creditors over how much they are paid under an exit plan.
I think there's no question that the bondholders are correct, that there has to be cost-sharing of austerity on equal protection principles. In other words, it is inevitable Calpers will see a haircut; the only question is how much. It's clear why Calpers is in a state of denial; taxpayers will ultimately have to make any shortfall in pension payouts. California and NY enacted similar "reforms" which don't touch Baby Boomer/older distributions which are causing near-term, not longer-term issues with younger, new state/municipality employees in lower-cost pension plans. All they are doing is deferring the day of reckoning: it's just a matter of time before more municipalities are forced to file; taxpayers will balk at the corrupt bargain between government and crony unionists, by their feet if nothing else which will increase the burden of those left behind.
- New York Comptroller CUTS Public Employer Pension Contributions. This was welcomed by government entities and certain businesses, worried about additions to already sky-high property taxes to finance pension costs, clearly unsustainable in the long run:
In 2011, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature created a new, less expensive tier of pensions for new hires to reduce the future cost to governments and schools. The state constitution prohibits lowering the pension benefits of workers and retirees already in the $158 billion pension system.... Those pension costs, along with dwindling populations and tax revenues, are driving some local governments toward insolvency, although none has declared bankruptcy as have some municipalities in other states.
Whereas I empathize with Unshackle Upstate's concerns with anti-economic growth effect of tax increases, the real enemy is unsustainable pension obligations with a shrinking tax base. All Cuomo and his partisan cohorts did is kick the can down the road; the time to fortify pension finances is when we are not (yet) in recession. I feel it's just a matter of time before you see New York municipalities follow San Bernardino and Detroit... Sooner or later the unions will have to make necessary concessions, or even more Draconian ones will be forced on them.Political Humor
The state attorney general of New York is suing Donald Trump for $40 million, claiming that Donald Trump University is not a real university. The state claims it's not a real college because students get very little education and were unable to find jobs after they graduated. Sounds like a real college to me. - Jay Leno
[Students complained that they didn't know if their graduation certificate was authentic.]
The treasury secretary has now asked Congress to raise the debt limit for borrowing more money as soon as possible. The secretary of the treasury said if Congress doesn't act soon, the government will have to work with only the money it has now. You know, like the rest of us do. - Jay Leno
[Assuming China, Japan and other investors approve raising our credit limit, knowing we'll never pay them back and what we do pay back is in debased dollars.]
This is Like Me Calling on One of My Former Students
Political Cartoon
 |
| Courtesy of Glenn McCoy and Townhall |
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough"
