Posted on July 14, 2009 by John Uebersax
As promised, here is a graph showing the disparity between general cost-of-living inflation and inflation associated with college tuition and fees (if the student I promised this to reads this, please let me know if the post is clear):
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics and the College Board.
The figure compares inflation over the last 30 [...]
Filed under: College tuition, Economics | Leave a Comment »
Posted on June 10, 2009 by John Uebersax
This post follows up on an earlier one concerning the value of mathematical models, computer simulation, and operations research in dealing with pandemic and inter-pandemic (seasonal) influenza.
There’s a lot that can be done to control flu, once its known to be spreading. We can shut down a school, for example. But the key is [...]
Filed under: Economics, Public health | Leave a Comment »
Posted on April 27, 2009 by John Uebersax
Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself – 2009
The famous words, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” come from the first inaugural address of Franklin D. Roosevelt (March 4, 1933). These comments, of course, were made in the midst of the Great Depression. The parallels between those times and [...]
Filed under: Cultural psychology, Culture of peace, Economics, Grassroots, Media brainwashing, News, News bias, Politics, Renewing America, Values | Leave a Comment »
Posted on March 13, 2009 by John Uebersax
The Irony of Jon Stewart’s Diatribes Against Wall Street
Lately Jon Stewart, dean of cable television comedy and host of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, has been sanctimoniously criticizing Wall Street for their role in the economic meltdown. Technically, he’s right: greedy financial speculators supported a climate of easy mortgage lending, made loans, [...]
Filed under: Cultural psychology, Economics, Media brainwashing | Leave a Comment »
Posted on December 31, 2008 by John Uebersax
Will Europe Run the 21st Century? – Not With High Taxes!
Recently I went to a shop in Brussels that specializes in English-language books — seeking recommendations for new works on Europe’s political outlook. Someone suggested a book, “Why Europe Will Run the 21st Century“, by Mark Leonard. Unfortunately, the book looks to me like [...]
Filed under: Cultural psychology, Economics, Europe, Flat tax, Libertarian, Politics | Leave a Comment »
Posted on July 13, 2008 by John Uebersax
One nice thing with living in Brussels the chance to meet interesting people.
For example recently I met and spoke with someone who worked for a Non-governmental organization (NGO) that advises the EU government on policies that benefit young people (children and young adults). The conversation was most informative and uplifting, even to a degree [...]
Filed under: Cultural psychology, Economics, Libertarian, Urbanization | Leave a Comment »
Posted on June 21, 2008 by John Uebersax
It is a privilege to be an American living in Europe during this important phase of European history.
In one sense, what happens here is none of my business. I may observe, but it isn’t my home continent and it’s not ‘my fight’, so to speak.
But in another sense I have a responsibility to at least [...]
Filed under: Cultural psychology, Economics, International Affairs, Libertarian | 4 Comments »
Posted on March 6, 2008 by John Uebersax
As of March 5, 2008, Ralph Nader’s campaign has now placed a preliminary platform online. You can find it here: http://www.votenader.org/issues/
Let’s review the items one by one.
1. Adopt single payer national health insurance
As I understand it, this would work by having, in essence, a single, national, government-run health insurance agency. There are two [...]
Filed under: Ecology, Economics, Election 2008, Flat tax, Politics, Renewing America, Third parties | Leave a Comment »
Posted on March 5, 2008 by John Uebersax
Here’s an example of how corporations can help renew society:
Google Expands Free Phone Number and Voicemail Project
San Francisco Chronicle
February 28, 2008 4:40 PM PST
Google is partnering with homeless shelters in San Francisco to distribute free phone numbers and voicemail accounts to those without homes, the company said Wednesday…
Since the acquisition of Grand Central last [...]
Filed under: Cultural psychology, Culture of peace, Economics, Renewing America | Tagged: Renewing corporations | 1 Comment »
Posted on February 15, 2008 by John Uebersax
Let’s continue to hammer away at one of the core problems with the current presidential race: Republicans and Democrats are both part of the status quo; part of the System that wants to keep people distracted, divided, oppressed, and afraid. They want to keep attention away from ideas that would promote real [...]
Filed under: Cultural psychology, Economics, Election 2008, Flat tax, News bias, Renewing America | Leave a Comment »