If we turn to those restrictions that only apply to certain classes of society

“If we turn to those restrictions that only apply to certain classes of society, we encounter a state of things which is glaringly obvious and has always been recognized. It is to be expected that the neglected classes will grudge the favored ones their privileges and that they will do everything in their power to rid themselves of their own surplus of privation. Where this is not possible a lasting measure of discontent will obtain within this culture, and this may lead to dangerous outbreaks. But if a culture has not got beyond the stage in which the satisfaction of one group of its members necessarily involves the suppression of another, perhaps the majority---and this is the case in all modern cultures,---it is intelligible that these suppressed classes should develop an intense hostility to the culture; a culture, whose existence they make possible by their labor, but in whose resources they have too small a share. In such conditions one must not expect to find an internalization of the cultural prohibitions among the suppressed classes; indeed they are not even prepared to acknowledge these prohibitions, intent, as they are, on the destruction of the culture itself and perhaps even of the assumptions on which it rests. These classes are so manifestly hostile to culture that on that account the more latent hostility of the better provided social strata has been overlooked. It need not be said that a culture which leaves unsatisfied and drives to rebelliousness so large a number of its members neither has a prospect of continued existence, nor deserves it.”

Finally somebody is letting a banker have it - love that woman!

Finally somebody is letting a banker have it - love that woman!  

Shown  below, is an actual letter that was sent to a  bank by an 86 year old woman.  (This lady must be an attorney or an extraordinarily gifted debater!)

The  bank manager thought it amusing enough to have  it published in the New York  Times. 

----------------

    
Dear  Sir:

I  am writing to thank you for bouncing my check  with which I endeavored to pay  my
  plumber  last month.

By  my calculations, three nanoseconds must have  elapsed between his presenting  the
  check  and the arrival in my account of the funds  needed to honor it..

I  refer, of course, to the automatic monthly  deposit of my entire pension, an  arrangement
  which,  I admit, has been in place for only eight  years.

You  are to be commended for seizing that brief  window of opportunity, and also  for
  debiting  my account $30 by way of penalty for the  inconvenience caused to your bank.

My  thankfulness springs from the manner in which  this incident has caused me to  rethink
  my  errant financial ways.

I  noticed that whereas I personally answer your  telephone calls and letters, --- when  I
  try  to contact you, I am confronted by the  impersonal, overcharging,  pre-recorded,
  faceless  entity which your bank has become.

From  now on, I, like you, choose only to deal with a  flesh-and-blood person.

My  mortgage and loan repayments will therefore and  hereafter no longer be  automatic,
  but  will arrive at your bank, by check, addressed  personally and confidentially to  an
  employee  at your bank whom you must nominate.

Be  aware that it is an OFFENSE under the Postal Act  for any other person to open
  such  an envelope.

Please  find attached an Application Contact which I  require your chosen employee to complete.

I  am sorry it runs to eight pages, but in order  that I know as much about him or her  as
  your  bank knows about me, there is no  alternative.

Please  note that all copies of his or her medical  history  must be countersigned by  a
  Notary  Public, and the mandatory details of his/her  financial situation (income,  debts,
  assets  and liabilities) must be accompanied by  documented proof.

In  due course, at MY convenience, I will issue your  employee with a PIN number which
  he/she  must quote in dealings with me.

I  regret that it cannot be shorter than 28 digits  but, again, I have modeled it on the  number
  of  button presses required of me to access my  account balance on your phone bank service.

As  they say, imitation is the sincerest form of  flattery.

Let  me level the playing field even  further.

When you call me,  press buttons as  follows:

IMMEDIATELY AFTER  DIALLING, PRESS THE STAR (*) BUTTON FOR  ENGLISH

#1.  To make an appointment to see  me

#2. To query a missing  payment.

#3. To transfer the  call to my living room in case I am  there.


#4  To transfer the call to my bedroom in case I am  sleeping

#5. To transfer the  call to my toilet in case I am attending to  nature.

#6.  To transfer the call to my mobile phone if I am  not at home

#7. To leave a  message on my computer, a password to access my  computer is required.
       Password will be communicated to you at a later  date to that Authorized Contact
         mentioned earlier.

#8.  To return to the main menu and to listen to  options 1 through 7.

#9.  To make a general complaint or inquiry.
       The contact will then be put on hold, pending  the attention of my automated
         answering service.

#10. This is a second  reminder to press* for English.

       While this may, on occasion, involve a lengthy  wait, uplifting music will play  for
          the duration of the call.

Regrettably,  but again following your example, I must also  levy an establishment fee to
  cover  the setting up of this new arrangement.

May  I wish you a happy, if ever so slightly less  prosperous New Year?

Your  Humble Client

And remember:  Don't make old People mad.
We  don't like being old in the first place, so it  doesn't take much to tick us  off.

Harry Truman was a different kind of President

Harry  Truman was a different kind of President.  He probably  made as many, or more important decisions regarding our nation's  history as any of the other 42 Presidents preceding him. However, a measure  of his greatness may rest on what he did after he left the  White House.

The only asset he had when he died was the  house he lived in, which was in Independence Missouri . His  wife had inherited the house from her mother and father and other than  their years in the White House, they lived their entire lives  there.

When he retired from office in 1952, his income was a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a  year. Congress, noting that he was paying for his stamps and  personally licking them, granted him an 'allowance' and,  later, a retroactive pension of $25,000 per  year...

After President Eisenhower was inaugurated,  Harry and Bess drove home to Missouri by themselves. There was  no Secret Service following them.

When offered  corporate positions at large salaries, he declined, stating,  "You don't want me. You want the office of the President, and  that doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the American people and it's not for sale."

Even later, on May 6, 1971, when Congress was preparing to award him the Medal of Honor on  his 87th birthday, he refused to accept it, writing, "I don't  consider that I have done anything which should be the reason  for any award, Congressional or otherwise."

As president he paid for all of his own travel expenses and food.

Modern politicians have found a new level of  success in cashing in on the Presidency, resulting in untold  wealth. Today, many in Congress also have found a way to  become quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their  offices. Political offices are now for sale.  (sic.   Illinois )

Good old Harry Truman was correct when he  observed, "My choices in life were either to be a piano player  in a whore house or a politician. And to tell the truth,  there's hardly any difference!

I say dig him up and clone him!! 

This is not sent for  discussion..        

If you agree, forward it.   If you don't, delete it. I don't want to know one way or  the other.  By me forwarding it, you know how I feel. 

Plutonomics

It’s well known that the rich have an outsized influence on the economy.
The nation’s top 1% of households own more than half the nation’s stocks, according to the Federal Reserve. They also control more than $16 trillion in wealth — more than the bottom 90%.
Yet a new body of research from Citigroup suggests that the rich have other, more-surprising impacts on the economy.
Ajay Kapur, global strategist at Citigroup, and his research team came up with the term “Plutonomy” in 2005 to describe a country that is defined by massive income and wealth inequality. According to their definition, the U.S. is a Plutonomy, along with the U.K., Canada and Australia.
In a series of research notes over the past year, Kapur and his team explained that Plutonomies have three basic characteristics.
1. They are all created by “disruptive technology-driven productivity gains, creative financial innovation, capitalist friendly cooperative governments, immigrants…the rule of law and patenting inventions. Often these wealth waves involve great complexity exploited best by the rich and educated of the time.”
2. There is no “average” consumer in Plutonomies. There is only the rich “and everyone else.” The rich account for a disproportionate chunk of the economy, while the non-rich account for “surprisingly small bites of the national pie.” Kapur estimates that in 2005, the richest 20% may have been responsible for 60% of total spending.
3. Plutonomies are likely to grow in the future, fed by capitalist-friendly governments, more technology-driven productivity and globalization.
Kapur says that once we understand the Plutonomy, we can solve some of the recent mysteries of the American economy. For instance, some economists have been puzzled (especially last year) about why wild swings in oil prices have had only muted effects on consumer spending.
Kapur’s explanation: the Plutonomy. Since the rich don’t care about higher oil prices, and they dominate spending, higher oil prices don’t matter as much to total consumer spending.
The Plutonomy also could explain larger “imbalances” such as the national debt level. The rich are so comfortably rich, Kapur explains, that they have started spending higher shares of their incomes on luxuries. They borrow much larger amounts than the “average consumer,” so they have an exaggerated impact on the nation’s debt levels and savings rates. Yet because the rich still have plenty of wealth and healthy balance sheets, their borrowing shouldn’t be a cause for concern.
In other words, much of the nation’s lower savings rate is due to borrowing by the rich. So we should worry less about the “over-stretched” average consumer.
Finally, the Plutonomy helps explain why companies that serve the rich are posting some of the strongest growth and profits these days.
“The Plutonomy is here, is going to get stronger, its membership swelling” he wrote in one research note. “Toys for the wealthy have pricing power, and staying power.”
To prove his point, he created a “Plutonomy Basket” of stocks, filled with companies that sell to the rich. The auction house Sotheby’s is on the list, along with fashion houses Bulgari, Burberry and Hermes, hotelier Four Seasons, private-banker Julius Baer and jeweler Tiffany’s. Kapur says the basket has risen an average of 17% a year over the past year, outperforming the MSCI World Index.
Of course, Kapur says there are risks to the Plutonomy, including war, inflation, financial crises, the end of the technological revolution and populist political pressure. Yet he maintains that the “the rich are likely to keep getting even richer, and enjoy an even greater share of the wealth pie over the coming years.”
All of which means that, like it or not, inequality isn’t going away and may become even more pronounced in the coming years. The best way for companies and businesspeople to survive in Plutonomies, Kapur implies, is to disregard the “mass” consumer and focus on the increasingly rich market of the rich.
A tough message — but one worth considering.

The Intolerance of Tolerance

Do we need an ethical bailout to go along with the financial one?

Do we need an ethical bailout to go along with the financial one?

Let us discuss the need for honesty and integrity as the basic principle of leadership. Defines quality leadership as a process beyond technical competence. Successful leaders continually demonstrate honesty and integrity as an essential element of their professional fabric; a lack of commitment to the principle renders all other skills meaningless. Depicts honesty and integrity as essential elements of human behavior that promote and support quality relationships. Defines honesty and integrity in the context of building trust and maintaining credibility. Provides a sound philosophy that increases the probability for long-term success and professional fulfillment.

The matter raised "legitimate and genuine concerns", adding: "My concern ... is that without integrity and legitimacy and honesty, and then Government cannot function. This must now be settled, otherwise it saps at the very heart of what is the highest office – and the highest office-holder."

Is honesty for suckers?

— A worldwide recession sets in when it turns out that a vast subprime mortgage system was built on a foundation of fraud.

— Government officials are convicted of fraud and misappropriation of funds and backdoor deals.

— Cheating is rampant in high schools and colleges.

— And in sports? The same deal. Doping scandals, cheating, chemical and otherwise, pervades football, baseball and other sports.

— Wall Street is being manipulated by corporate America bilking investors out of billions of dollars.

If so many people are cheating, how can honest people play by the rules and not be at a disadvantage — in school, at work, in sports, in business?

Do we need an ethical bailout to go along with the financial one?

Are you a chump if you play by the rules?

Compiled by: YJ Draiman for Mayor of Los Angeles

is abandoning, or even overlooking, the great significance of its domestic policies

is abandoning, or even overlooking, the great significance of its domestic policies

But it is important that those who hear and read this message should in no way confuse that approach with any thought that our Government is abandoning, or even overlooking, the great significance of its domestic policies. (This seems to be the case)
The social and economic forces which have been mismanaged abroad until they have resulted in revolution, dictatorship and war are the same as those which we here are struggling to adjust peacefully at home.
You are well aware that dictatorships--and the philosophy of force that justifies and accompanies dictatorships--have originated in almost every case in the necessity for drastic action to improve internal conditions in places where democratic action for one reason or another has failed to respond to modern needs and modern demands.
It was with far-sighted wisdom that the framers of our Constitution brought together in one magnificent phrase three great concepts--"common defense," "general welfare" and "domestic tranquility."
More than a century and a half later we, who are here today, still believe with them that our best defense is the promotion of our general welfare and domestic tranquility.
Our constitutional rights are abused and ignored - it seems money is KING and the hell with everyone else.
But Special Interests and Corporate America has taken over our great nation.
We are in the worst economic crisis since the depression and a diminished world power with dire consequences to our citizens.
Why are we not exercising our rights "Government by the people for the people" and not the select and privileged.
 by: YJ Draiman

Complete loyalty and fidelity to the United States of America

Complete loyalty and fidelity to the United States of America

The prosecutor argued that petitioner owed this country his complete loyalty and fidelity, but that he had betrayed the American people.

Relationships may be accompanied by obligations of good faith and fair dealing, even in arms-length transactions. These and similar duties are quite unlike, however, the duty of loyalty and fidelity to purpose required of public officials. For example, "[e]mployee loyalty is not an end in it self, it is a means to obtain and preserve pecuniary benefits for the employer. An employee's undisclosed conflict of interest does not by itself necessarily pose the threat of economic harm to the employer."

US law states clearly that to obtain US citizenship one must support the Constitution of the United States; renounce all loyalty and fidelity to any state.

In order to implicate the policymaking employee exception, must take a form from which a failure of loyalty and fidelity can reasonably be inferred as a strong probability

The Flag

RED -- Courage, Valor and Strength

WHITE -- Purity, Light and Peace

BLUE -- Truth, Loyalty and Fidelity

The STRIPES signify Unity of Purpose as exemplified by the Thirteen Original States

The STARS represent our Fifty States Dedicated to Freedom and Democracy.

Defendant alleges that it is entitled to summary judgment on its counterclaim because plaintiffs violated their obligations of loyalty and fidelity.

Loyalty and Fidelity Against Treason and Copperheadism.

Truth, Justice, and the American Way

Intellectual activism in defense of the American way of life.

Rebuilding Trust in Our Government (R)

Rebuilding Trust in Our Government (R)
One of Americas statesmen stated “government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.” His presidency ushered in an era of disdain for government and a widespread cynicism that government could be effective in addressing our challenges.
Today, as we confront a crisis that has shaken confidence in our financial system and economy, we have an opportunity to restore public trust and confidence in the legitimate role of government. Indeed, to effectively tackle our economic challenges and to implement the reforms we need in our healthcare, education, energy, and environmental policies, our government will need to garner strong public support.
However, rebuilding public trust will not happen in the face of a pervasive perception that government is not transparent and accountable, cronyism is rampant, and public officials are more interested in helping themselves than in serving the public good.
Taking strong, swift, and decisive action to address abuses and begin to rebuild public trust should be the first priority for our city, state and federal government in the new legislative session.
Create a Task Force on Public Integrity with a mission to develop a comprehensive proposal for ethics and lobbying reform in our city and state. Which addresses reforms in three areas: (1) strengthening enforcement of ethics, campaign finance, and lobbying laws; (2) strengthening civil and criminal penalties for abuses; and (3) improving awareness and education for public officials.
Reinforce honesty, integrity and transparency by government officials as the core requirement to be and stay in office, any violations of these core tenets will cause the removal of the public official and the loss of "all benefits" retroactive. I think we should consider putting public official on a base salary plus commission based on performance.
While the many of our elected officials and government employees are honest, dedicated public servants, the actions of a few create a dark cloud over all.
Taking strong, swift, and decisive action to address these abuses and begin to rebuild public trust should be the first priority for our city, state and federal government in the new legislative session.
Compiled by: YJ Draiman

PS

We need honest government with integrity.

“Good leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion”
Public confidence in the integrity of the Government is indispensable to faith in democracy; and when we lose faith in the system, we have lost faith in everything we fight and spend for.

As citizens of this democracy, you are the rulers and the ruled, the law-givers and the law-abiding, the beginning and the end.

Change is inevitable. Change for the better is a full-time job.

Action speaks louder than words.

Every age needs men who will redeem the time by living with a vision of the things that are to be.

Freedom is not an ideal; it is not even a protection, if it means nothing more than the freedom to stagnate.

Action speaks louder than words.

An Independent is someone who wants to take the politics out of politics, a person with principles.

Trust in government

The ability of governments and the global community to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, ensure security, and promote adherence to basic standards of human rights depends on people's trust in their government. However, public trust in government and political institutions has been declining in both developing and developed countries in the new millennium. One of the challenges in promoting trust in government is to engage citizens, especially the marginalized groups and the poor, into the policy process to ensure that governance is truly representative, participatory, and benefits all members of society. Where governance processes are exclusionary and basic services are not accessible, intrastate conflicts and violence within the country can negatively impact national and global security and peace. Weak systems and processes of governance tend to erode trust in government. Within this context, the issue of how to build trust in government and trust between socio-economic actors has emerged as an increasingly important issue in both developed and developing economies.

Rebuilding Trust in Our Government

One of Americas statesmen stated “government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.” His presidency ushered in an era of disdain for government and a widespread cynicism that government could be effective in addressing our challenges.

Today, as we confront a crisis that has shaken confidence in our financial system

and economy, we have an opportunity to restore public trust and confidence in

the legitimate role of government.  Indeed, to effectively tackle our economic

challenges and to implement the reforms we need in our healthcare, education,

energy, and environmental policies, our government will need to garner strong

public support.

However, rebuilding public trust will not happen in the face of a pervasive
perception that government is not transparent and accountable, cronyism is
rampant, and public officials are more interested in helping themselves than in
serving the public good.
Taking strong, swift, and decisive action to address abuses and begin to
rebuild public trust should be the first priority for our city, state and federal government in the new legislative session.
Create a Task Force on Public Integrity with a mission to develop a comprehensive proposal for ethics and lobbying reform in our city and state. Which addresses reforms in three areas: (1) strengthening enforcement of ethics, campaign finance, and lobbying laws; (2) strengthening civil and criminal
penalties for abuses; and (3) improving awareness and education for public
officials.
Reinforce honesty, integrity and transparency by government officials as the core requirement to be and stay in office, any violations of these core tenets will cause the removal of the public official and the loss of "all benefits" retroactive.
While the many of our elected officials and government employees are honest, dedicated public servants, the actions of a few create a dark cloud over all.

Taking strong, swift, and decisive action to address these abuses and begin to
rebuild public trust should be the first priority for our city, state and federal  government in the new legislative session.
Compiled by: YJ Draiman