Can We Avoid Disaster?

 Why do we allow ourselves to be distracted by politics when no leaders, reall none of them, are even talking about the BIG problems. The kind of problems that put the very existance of humanity in the balance.

Chief among the concerns that most leaders avoid discussing is Climate Change. This is a multi-directional problem that involve MUCH more than just the burning of fossile fuels. It is so serious, that in a mere 20 or 30 years, the human race may not be able to survive on planet Earth.

Look at this graph, which shows that not only is the mean global temperature increasing, it now shows an exponential curve that is accelerating.

If this trend continues, the "tipping point" of a 2.5 degree Celcius will be reach much sooner that originally expected. And much like many other things that have momentum, there is likely to be an overshoot of the target before things go back to normal.

At present, it looks like the tipping point will be reached in the next 5-10 years instead of 25. Of course, many of our leaders will be out of power or even dead by then. But, do they not have any concern for their legacy, the people wh o will outlive them, their children and grandchildren. Is business so short sighted that they don't care what happens beyond the profit from the next quarter?

Climate change is a huge problem that involves many social and economic sectors. Here is a graph that shows how many different factors are all contributing the the changes. They ALL must be addressed - NOW!

I believe that the signs are clear - DOOM awaits humanity if we do not reverse these treands. I urge all citizens to appeal to their political leaders to STOP fostering popular and political divisions and come together to solve one of Earth's most urgent problems.

The window of opportunity is closing rapidly. There is still a very slim chance that we may avoid catastrophy.

The End of the Industrial Revolution

One might say that the purpose of the industrial revolution was to relieve humanity of the need for labor by introducing machines. The epitome of the revolution then will come when robots replace all humans in whatever jobs they might do.

Looking at thr rapid improvements in the state of artificial intelligence and robotics, I believe that we are very near the end of the industrial age. Probably within the next 10 to 15 years, robotic androids will be able to do everything than humans might do. it is estimated that by 2036 there will be more robots in total number than humans. Robots to cook meals, clean the house, baby sit the kids, plough the fields and reap the harvest... The list is endless. Robots will even be able to replicate themselves. In a limited way, they already can.

So what will us humans do?

If I were 25 years old today, I would be terrified. Huge obstacles are in their way such as global warming, devaluing of the dollar, real imcome being diminished, real expenses being inflated, jobs replaced by robots, etc. It's rerally scary!

Fixing these thing require leadership that has view for the future; not the past, despite how "great" our country may have been. After all, the future is created by the actions and choices we make today. However, I do not see any leaders (anywhere in the world) who are actually trying to focus on the results of their actions upon  the future of mankind. Rather, they continue to look backward saying things like "We'll make America great again". In actuality, America cannot ever again be "great" in the way it was in previous years.

Going into the future without competant leadership means that the future will be chaos and humanity will pay the price. We might even become extinct.

Do We Love Our Children

I would say that we probably don't. We have left them an environment destined for disaster.

Looking at the past several generations, I am seeing some alarming trends. Looking back several generations at age 25 and adjusted for inflation, we see 

There is a widening gap from one generation to the next in these and other dimensions. 

Basically the younger the person, the more they lack opportunity and prosperity. Today's 30-year-old is no longer doing as well as his or her parents did when they were 30. This is a fundamental breakdown in a society that should be making things better for the next generation.

People over the age of 55 feel pretty good about America. But 

less than one in five people under the age of 34 

feel good about America. Young people are pissed off and angry because they aren't receiving the same opportunity and prosperity that was available to their parents.. Many feel despondent and hopeless because they know they aren't getting anything near what their parents got. Some give up and become complacent while others turn to resistence, outbreak and even violence.

How much do we value youth labor when we've kept the minimum wage very low? If adjusted by inflation, it should be almost $25 per hour. 

Housing costs have skyrocketed when compared with the avertage personal income. Mortgages have risen from aroung $1000 to over $2500 due to rising interest rates and the inflated costs of the dwellings themselves. An average $250,000 home has risen to well over $500,000.

In only a few short years wealth has been transfered from young to old. In 1989 people under the age of 40 controlled over 12% of the household wealth. In 2023 that share was nearly cut in half to a mere 7% while those over the age of 70 nearly doubled their wealth. 

Every year botaining higher education becomes more difficult. Generally it has become more difficult to gain admission and , once admitted, the costs have increased dramatically. In 1987 The Ivy league schools on average admitted between 16 and 20 percent of the applicatants. Today the average is less thn 10%. According to the College Board the costs have skyrocketed for both Sate and Ivy League institutions.

Todays students are at a definiate disadvantage both in gaining admittance and payimg significantly higher costs.

More to come...

King Donald

 Donald Trump's behavior often reminds me of King George back in colonial days. As the Declaration of Independence outlined the wrongs committed by The King which led to the founding of our nation, so Mr Trump could be accused of similar wrongs.

The Declaration of Independencs says, "He [King George] has endeavoured to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass otherds to encourage their migration hither; and raising the conditions of new Appropriation of Lands". That sounds to me how Mr Trump has tried to obstruct immigration; especially over our Southern border.

The Declaration also says, "He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries". Mt Trump fired the inspector general who was responsible for the oversight and accountability of ther congress. Her fired several attorney's general who disagreed with him. He also failed to appoint any members to the Federal Merit Systems Protection Board; thus denying employees and whistelblowers the protection under the laws. He has loaded the Supreme Court with justices that hold his ultra-conservative views.

The Declaration says.'...for cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world". Mr Trump has turned US trade policy upside down. He has engaged in trade wars between the United States and China, Europe, South Korea, Japan and even Britain itself as well as other random nations. He has railed against the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the North American Free Trade Agreement. He has broken alliances with other nations and withdrawn from numerous treaties.

The Declaration goes on to say, "He has excited domestic insurrection amongst us". Mr Trump supported (if not ordered) the January 6th rebellion and has suggested that he would use federal troops to quell demonstrations. He has made statements and remarks that have actually inflammed said demonstrations.

The bottom line is that Mr Trump is not a King, but he has behaved much like one. He has actively supported division amongst the people. He has violated the Constitution by writing Presidential Orders which are not sanction by the Constitution. Writing laws is the job of the Congress (albeit currently horribly divided). His job is merely to execute them. He cannot have it "his" way. He does not own the country like he owned his businesses. He cannot simply say "you're fired" when thing don't go his way.