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Scott Baker is a Senior Editor and Writer at Op Ed News, a Writer for Daily Kos and Huffington Post, and is the author of Neitherworld - a two-volume novel blending Native American myth, archaeological detail, government conspiracy, with a sci-fi flair.
He has a blog: http://newthinking.blogspot.com/
He is President of Common Ground-NYC, a Geoist group focusing on achieving social justice and economic growth by untaxing production and taxing the abuse and use of the natural resources of the commons.
He is also NY State Coordinator for the Public Banking institute, which seeks to promote Public Banking, along the lines of the best-known American example, the Bank of North Dakota. The PBI is chaired by another OEN blogger, Ellen Brown.
Scott has several progressive petitions on Change.org:
A new form of capitalism: Geonomics
http://www.change.org/actions/view/a_new_form_of_capitalism_geonomics
and
Let NY fund its budget gap with a State Bank - change.org/actions/view/close_the_gap_2
www.change.org/petitions/view/let_the_empire_state_finance_its_own_budget_gap
Scott was an I.T. Manager for New York University for over two decades, where he initiated computing, developed databases, established networks for two major departments and earned a Certificate for Frontline Leadership. He had a video game published in Compute! Magazine.
Scott now chooses to use his computer for the greater good.
He is a graduate and advanced student of the Henry George School of Social Science in New York City and has published articles in the Georgist newsletter - Groundswell - put out by Common Ground.
Scott is a modern-day Renaissance Man with interests in economics, astronomy, history, natural sciences, psychology, philosophy, Native American culture, and all future-forward topics; he has been called an adept syncretist by Kirkus Discoveries for his novel, NeitherWorld.
Scott grew up in New York City and Pennsylvania. He graduated with honors and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University and was a member of the Psychology honor society PSI CHI.
Today he is an avid bicyclist and is active in several Green and Progressive organizations.
Scott is a strong proponent of the Georgist Single Tax: "Tax the use (and abuse) of natural resources, not wages or capital," which would dramatically reduce use of finite resources - which, rightfully, belong to all of us, and increase productivity in Earth-saving ways, while virtually eliminating unproductive Speculation (by taxing away the fuel for it) and decrease poverty and Social Injustice.
Technorati code: a72h4zxgud
Friday, May 4, 2012 Economic Liberty From Philadelphia (3 comments)
The First Annual Meeting of the Publice Banking Institute in Philadelphia provided a chance for people to examine economic solutions, network, and just maybe, pave the way for a new paradigm of economic justice and opportunity.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012 Economic Reform: Left Forum, Abandoning debt-money, Learning Geoism online, Upcoming Events
Subjects covered: Left Forum Panel at Pace University, Greenbacking, Modern Monetary Theory, new research papers, economic reform videos, State Banks, Local actions - good and bad, Learning Georgism online, Eric Holder's conflict of interest, CAFR updates, Debt reduction leads to depression throughout history,
Thursday, March 8, 2012 The Left Forum: Monopoly, the Land Bubble and the Financial Crisis. Tactics to Fight the 1%
A unique phenomenon in the U.S. and the world, Left Forum convenes the largest annual conference of a broad spectrum of left and progressive intellectuals, activists, academics, organizations and the interested public. Conference participants come together to engage a wide range of critical perspectives on the world, to discuss differences, commonalities, and alternatives to current predicaments, and to share ideas...
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 The Final Inspection (3 comments)
As an atheist, this is an unusual posting for me. But it moved me, and I think it will move you too.
Monday, January 23, 2012 A winning Strategy For Iran, and for the World (18 comments)
This kind of desperate escalation, coming on the heals of so many other recent military entanglements, makes us look weak and unimaginative.
Also, sanctions won't work unless the world -- especially China -- is willing to stop buying Iranian oil, and stop shipping them refined gasoline. Iran has proven to be immune to any other kind of sanctions.
We need to have a new beginning, a new framework for discussion...
Sunday, January 1, 2012 Economic Reform Newsletter: The Biggest bailout in history just got bigger; The People vs. Geithner (lawsuit) (3 comments)
This issue:
- The biggest bailout in history just got much bigger - $29 Trillion cumulatively
- News from Common Ground-NYC
- A new lawsuit against Tim Geithner has been filed for fraudulently stating the false equivalency of U.S. Notes and Federal Reserve Notes.
- Libertarian Presidential candidate Bill Still says why returning the money creation power to the Federal Government MUST occur.
More...
Thursday, December 8, 2011 The Occupy Theme Song?
This is getting over a quarter million hits and sums up the Occupy Movement nicely in a 6 minute song:
We Are The Many
Lyrics and Music by Makana
Makana Music LLC - 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011 Economic Reform Newsletter: Derivatives; A Call to Professors!; New Videos; pres. cand. Bill Still; Bombs away in USA (2 comments)
Many of you are new to this Newsletter, some by way of the Occupy Movement. In honor of that, and to bring those of you who haven't experienced what we* support at your particular Occupy encampment, here are some recent Occupy site presentations that support what we are aiming for in Economic Reform; Greenbacking; Bill Still for president; Water rights; Bombing SW USA; Global Warming
Friday, November 11, 2011 Occupy Portland's Statement of Solidarity
Thursday morning Mayor Sam Adams announced that he was issuing an eviction notice for Occupy Portland , effective at 12:01 AM Sunday . While our Mayor has been largely supportive of our protest and our rights to free speech, the business interests and other associated lobbying groups were able to exert enough sustained political pressure to create our coming stand-off with the city. We have about 600 occupiers...
Wednesday, October 19, 2011 Economic Reform Newsletter: Occupy Everything Movement, What Is Money?, A Banker-Led Lincoln Assassination?, Iceland (1 comments)
The latest newsletter covers: Occupy Wall Street (with pics), State Banking, Land Value Taxation, CAFRs reform, Greenbacking, Modern Monetary Theory.
Local funding options for NYC.
What is Money?
Henry George
Was Lincoln Assassinated by the Bankers?
The biggest economics group in the world - online.
What if we're NOT broke?
Iceland update.
Perry's economic non-miracle
Friday, October 7, 2011 Update from OTHER occupation sites (1 comments)
OWS isn't just confined to Wall Street, or even just to the U.S. Local and global updates herein show a movement that's vibrant, growing, coalescing around common goals, and a threat to the power system.
Monday, September 19, 2011 The UMKC Buckaroo- A Currency Model for World Prosperity
Do we still need more proof that money should exist in sufficient quantity to meet the productive capacity of the people who use it? Here's a local currency model that fills the gap and holds its value far better than the dollar.
Sunday, August 14, 2011 Talking to Regular People Regarding Economic Reform (5 comments)
People who have taken some alternative economics classes, read some alternative economics books (e.g. Henry George, Ellen Brown, Stephen Zarlenga etc.), often ask me, "now that I've read/learned there are better ways to do things, how do I broach the subject with people? I am eager to get the good news that there are solutions out there, but I don't know how to do it!"
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 The H.Y.P.O.C.R.I.S.Y. Act: Making politicians mean what they say, or else...
The H.Y.P.O.C.R.I.S.Y. Act - making politicians who talk the talk against government agencies, walk the walk, and not accept money from them, or be "burdened" by their regulations. Their constituencies will love them for it!...or will they?
Tuesday, August 9, 2011 U.S. Notes: The debt-free, no tax, no borrow, no inflation, jobs program (9 comments)
Now is the time for bold moves to save the economy, and maybe even the country. We need something big, immediate, debt-free, and effective to pull us out of our economic depression. U.S. Notes are the answer.
Friday, July 29, 2011 Economic Reform Newsletter: Ways Forward Against the Opposition (6 comments)
Issues discussed: The Tea Party, Greenbacks (United States Notes, including a new petition), paying for desperately needed infrastructure, Darwin, the latest Census, A political third party, the hacking of Ohio results in the 2004 presidential election, a Junk Food Tax?
Saturday, July 16, 2011 Economic Reform Newsletter: A Way out of the Debt-Ceiling Default? (1 comments)
Items considered: Forgiving ourselves our own debt; Printing debt-free United States Notes; State Banking; Is the Fed a branch of government?; What is Money?; How many people are really in "Tea Parties?"; A REALLY big progressive movement just 3 months old, from Spain; Voter disenfranchisement
Thursday, June 30, 2011 Economic Reform Newsletter: Is the Debt Ceiling Constitutional?
Is the United States even Allowed to Default?
As the debt ceiling holds the country hostage to the draconian and ultimately economically self-defeating demands of the Tea Party crowd to cut spending at all costs (including the country itself), a number of scholars are debating whether the United States is even permitted to default on its obligations. Section 4 of the 14th Amendment reads:
The validity of the public debt...
Saturday, June 4, 2011 Defend The Clean Air Act
The Clean Air Act and EPA's enforcement of it, are under attack like never before. Please stand with environmentally conscious groups like: The Alaska Wilderness League, Center for Biological Diversity, Earthjustice, Earthworks, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, The Wilderness Society, and Common Ground-USA AGAINST amendments on otherwise unrelated bills that would weaken the Clean Air Act.
Monday, April 18, 2011 Solving the debt crisis without raising taxes or cutting spending: U.S. Notes (32 comments)
I sent the following email off to a couple of reporters at CNBC - that right-wing in-the-box bastion of capitalism. It had to be short, pithy and succinct. If we even get the solution mentioned in the email on the air, even to be ridiculed, it'll still be a major victory over what passes for solutions right now to our twin revenue shortfall/debt increase disaster.
Friday, April 1, 2011 Banking on the Poor (1 comments)
Are the poor also poor credit risks? Since 1976, Professor Muhammad Yunus, Head of the Rural Economics Program at the University of Chittagong, has said an emphatic "NO!" through his creation of micro-credit Grameen Bank. Now, that same model that has worked so well in Bangladesh, and other third world regions, comes to America.
Sunday, February 20, 2011 Zero Reserve Banking? (6 comments)
Last March, Ben Bernanke wrote:
"The Federal Reserve believes it is possible that, ultimately, its operating framework will allow the elimination of minimum reserve requirements, which impose costs and distortions on the banking system." Is this a bad thing? What are the root causes of the crash, beyond insufficient regulation & what can be done?
Sunday, January 2, 2011 My Interview with Green Party of Ontario Politicians: Erich Jacoby Hawkins & John Fisher
Not all the answers to our political and economic difficulties will come from the Democratic or Republican parties.
They do things differently in Canada, where third parties have more influence. Herein are a series of answers from my interviews of two of the leading figures in the Green Party of Ontario.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010 Lessons from the Radical Somewhere: Part 2 (1 comments)
We are really talking a tale of two economies here. The official line is that there are strapped states and cities, taking them at their word that this is so. I say it is not only not so, but that there is money, and then some to spare. Find out here where it's been hiding in plain sight.
Monday, December 20, 2010 Stephen Zarlenga's American Monetary Act: A Review (3 comments)
Is there a way to eliminate all debt by replacing it with actual money. Author/economist Stephen Zarlenga says "Yes!" His proposal, the American Monetary Reform Act, is now coming up before Congress, sponsored by Dennis Kucinich. Here is a review & comparison to similar proposals.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 Lessons from the Radical Somewhere (2 comments)
These days, Economic Reform groups have replaced Stock Investment clubs as the trendy thing to join. After two 50% crashes in the three major indexes (Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq), it is unsurprising that people burned by stagnant employment, opportunities, and wages for years would rise to the occasion by promoting radical reformation of the most complicated thing ever invented by Man - the economy.
But we are.
Sunday, November 21, 2010 Do Human Rights Exist? (10 comments)
Do Human Rights exists at all? Sometimes you have to wonder, in a world where they are so often denied or suppressed. But, yes, Virginia (or whatever your name is), they do...
Tuesday, November 16, 2010 Honey, I balanced the Federal Budget! (and you can too) (1 comments)
I took the New York Times interactive "Budget Puzzle: You Fix the Budget" challenge, thinking it would give me a host of draconian choices between tossing widows and orphans on the street and abandoning needed infrastructure fixes etc. No, nothing of the sort. You can see my results and take the test yourself. How would YOU balance the budget?
Friday, October 22, 2010 The Environment be Dammed! Full Speed (drilling) Ahead! (1 comments)
Today, in a move that can only be described as brusque as it was ill-founded, Pete Grannis, "the commissioner of the
state Department of Environmental Conservation since 2007, was fired Thursday by Gov. David Paterson for what a state source ascribed to "poor performance and insubordination.""
Who will guard the environment when the guards have all been fired?
Friday, October 15, 2010 No Drama Obama just caused a Dramatic Shift in Control of both House and Senate to the Republicans (3 comments)
Between failing to follow Federal Judge Virginia Phillips' orders - and to be fair, Obama asked the judge to stay her order, he didn't appeal the ruling - and tomorrow's announcement of the second year in a row of trillion+ deficits, Obama has just cost the Democrats both the Senate and the House, and doomed his Administration to 2 years of paralysis, at BEST - and probably his own chances at re-election in 2012.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010 My Presentation to the New York Trilevel Task Force on Jobs (1 comments)
On October 8, 2010, I responded to an invitation to speak to members of the New York Trilevel (city/state/federal) Job Creation Task Force, in Borough President Scott Stringer's office, along with other community organization leaders.
Monday, September 20, 2010 Newsletter Writer Larry Edelson's plan for America's Economy based on natural resources (3 comments)
Investment newsletter writer Larry Edelson proposes a radical new economy, based on commodities, not on debt. In these times when our leaders and mainstream economists seem to have no clue, it's worth reading and discussing.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010 The Results are in! The New York Voting Machines Stink! (1 comments)
I'm writing this before the evening crush of after-work voters, but already there are problems being reported with NY's new government-mandated voting machines.
The NY Times Blog reports:
On the first day a new voting system was unveiled in New York City that was supposed to be speedier and more accurate, the process was plagued with problems with some polling places opening as much as four hours late...
Wednesday, September 8, 2010 Will November 2 turn out record numbers of Election Frauds? (5 comments)
What will decide the elections this Fall, voters or hackers? The opportunity for election fraud has never been so great as in this all-electronic voting season.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010 The myth of a bankrupt Social Security Trust Fund (10 comments)
Social Security is sound, even if we don't eliminate the cap, though we should. The looting of the (un)locked box can be easily replaced, by following the Constitution and "coining" our own money, without inflation. Don't believe the lies from the self-serving Central Bank and the ignorant MSM.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 The Political Math Of The Geoist California Tax Reform Initiative (4 comments)
Attorney and activist Frank D. Walker makes the case for radical tax reform in California. See how the Single Tax could alleviate wealth inequity, and create prosperity forever, fairly and simply. California's Legislative Analyst and Department of Finance estimate that the new tax on land rent will generate revenues of $130 billion to $160 billion annually.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010 Review of American Monetary Institute's "The Blueprint for Prosperity for All" (3 comments)
As we celebrate the 4th of July, it's worth asking "what have we achieved Independence from?" Have we become independent of a foreign power only to become dependent on monied interests here at home (AND internationally)? What can be done? The American Monetary Institute has an answer.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 Let the Empire State Finance its own budget Gap!
Don't trust our leaders in Albany. They either don't know what is going on, or don't want us to know. There IS money. The state is NOT broke. We do NOT have to cut draconian cuts. And all of this even before we talk about reforms like the Single Tax on Land Values and untaxing production....
Saturday, June 5, 2010 Did U.S./South Korean Naval Exercises sink the Cheonan? (8 comments)
While everyone is pointing fingers at North Korea in the sinking of the South Korean patrol ship, the Cheonan two months ago, a new and highly disturbing possibility has just arisen, implied by a new Associate Press article.
North Korea may be paranoid, belligerent and unpredictable. They may also be innocent...this time, and we, or South Korea, may be covering up one of the greatest naval mishaps in history.
Friday, May 21, 2010 The fate of the EU (6 comments)
What will happen to the EU if - as predicted - Germany votes to guarantee Greek debts? Would the world be better off without the Euro? Is this what American Bankers wanted all along as it would end pricing oil in alternative currency by Iran & other unfriendly nations?
Tuesday, May 18, 2010 War milestones: 1,000 dead in Afghanistan, 4,300 in Iraq & 1 Trillion spent (4 comments)
Today, we passed 1,000 dead U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, and a Trillion spent directly on both wars since 2001 (half the lifetime for our newest recruits). See what else we could have had instead of War Everywhere, and Always.
Monday, May 17, 2010 Response to Thomas Friedman's column: a Linked World (1 comments)
Today, I wrote the following in response to Thomas Friedman's column, "A Question From Lydia." I'm not so naive as to think I will get a personal response form one of the most popular leading columnists of the New York Times, but if you agree with what I say, you can forward it, or something like it, to Friedman yourself. Who knows, maybe the power of numbers will tilt his thinking just enough...
Friday, May 7, 2010 Up from the depths comes a bubbling crude (7 comments)
Unlike the Beverly Hillbillies, BP's 'shot in the ground' - in this case a mile below the surface of the gulf - will not lead to a destitute family living in a mansion in Beverly Hills, happily ever after. That was fiction. In real life, shrimpers and fishermen, living catch to catch will lose the livlihoods as the shrimp and fish lose their lives in a thick gooey mess, whose surface presence understates the enormous damage.
Thursday, May 6, 2010 Audit the Fed (3 comments)
The Federal reserve has taken unprecedented steps to bailout banks, spending, or at least guaranteeing, trillions of dollars to...well, to whom, exactly? We don't know. Because Bernanke has steadfastly refused even Congressional demands to open the Fed's books to reveal where the money went, or even if the recipients were American institutions.
Thursday, April 15, 2010 Senator (D-NY) Charles E. Schumer on the Afghanistan War (16 comments)
Chuck Schumer (D-NY) weighs in on the reasons for continuing the Afghanistan War.
What is the cost of the wars? It's worth remembering that while local, State and Federal Governments "fight over crumbs" the largest single outlay - over half - of the Federal Budget goes to the military, more than every other country in the world, combined. Some figures to consider on Tax Day.
Saturday, March 27, 2010 Natural Gas Drilling in Catskills: Both Unnecessary & Dangerous (3 comments)
Once we lose our water supply to Natural Gas drilling, it will be almost impossible to get it back. We will have to spend billions to filter water from the Catskills - our main source of NYC water - or to
clean toxic chemicals directly out of the reservoir.
Friday, March 19, 2010 Have Conditions in the Laboring Class improved from Henry George's Time to our Own? (2 comments)
Labor conditions were indeed often appalling in the nineteenth century, but are they any better now? Let's start with a specific example and broaden our findings from there. A comparison of Labor's life from a hundred years ago to today. Have things improved...or been offshored?
Friday, March 12, 2010 Ending the War in Afghanistan on Our Own Terms (Updated) (1 comments)
I published this article nearly two years ago, then republished it again February 13, 2009. Tragically, things have only gotten worse, and my hopeful addendum paragraph now seems woefully naive.
Saturday, March 6, 2010 We CAN Have it all, Part II (17 comments)
We have the resources - both natural and human - to rebuild America, to achieve great, world-leading Green technology. There IS enough to go around. Scarcity only exists because some have far more than they need, while others have far less. Both extreme poverty and extreme wealth are unnatural and manmade conditions of a faulty economic model.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010 Let the Sun Shine on a State Bank in Florida
To balance its budget, fund its obligations and keep from having to raise taxes, Florida should follow the model of North Dakota and Charter its own state bank.
Sunday, February 28, 2010 Why Bankers Love War (22 comments)
War is profitable for Bankers. It's the best investment they can make.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 We CAN have it all (11 comments)
We CAN balance the budget, put people back to work, have a green 21st century economy, eliminate almost all poverty and vast wealth inequity, and grow at a 5% non-inflationary rate per year. A macroperspective set of solutions.
Saturday, February 20, 2010 The Least Productive People in the World (33 comments)
Productivity, as determined by labor output, has been measured for decades, or longer. But, while it's important to look at who, or what, is the most productive person or enterprise, shouldn't we also look at the least productive people, that is, the least effective laborers?
They are not who you might think...
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 Palestine in Bloom? (4 comments)
We've all been subjected to an endless litany of how bad things are in Palestine. But, is it possible things are complex enough that two realities can exist - for different groups of people in different places at different times? Today, an article came out in the Wall Street Journal, and repeated with more extensive photos (22) that seems to show a thriving, even bustling Palestinian territory, even in Gaza.
Monday, January 4, 2010 I Declare Myself a No-Fly Zone (21 comments)
I've had it. I'm done flying until both the Government and the Airlines regain their sanity.
Saturday, January 2, 2010 The Center of America IS Progressive (6 comments)
The majority of votes come from the Center of America. We're just too afraid to show it and the Corporatist Politicians are too cowed to provide it.
Thursday, December 31, 2009 High CEO Pay = Low Company Performance
Looking for a good company to invest in? Look for one where the CEO makes LESS than average.
Friday, December 11, 2009 Clearing the Air: Support the Carbon Tax Bill HR 1337, not Cap and Trade Bill 2454 (6 comments)
Cap and Trade is Cap and Steal for the same Banksters that ripped us off in Subprime. Now they have an even bigger scheme, one that's both unenforceable and won't do a thing to lessen carbon pollution (even if that was the only reason for Climate Change).
Friday, December 11, 2009 The Top 10 Reasons for Energy Independence have Little to do With Global Warming (14 comments)
Don't waste your time trying to convince Climate Change Deniers of the error of their thinking. Instead, use these reasons to convince them that we need to get off foreign oil and create jobs in America.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 Creating a Geonomic Political Party in New York State (6 comments)
The political two party system is like Tweedledum and Tweedledee, two similar parties going up and down in popularity - neither solving the urgent problems of wealth inequity, natural resource depletion and resource abuse, corruption at every level of private and public institutions, and vast sums of money being devoted towards unproductive activities. We need a new political party.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 Nationalize Money Creation: Taking back Money Creation from the Federal Reserve (2 comments)
It's time - near the 100th anniversary of the Federal Reserve act of 1913 - to seriously question what this institution is doing for us. We can re-nationalize the power to create money and make it a sovereign right and obligation, again, as it is in the Constitution and ought to be. Support the American Monetary Act.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 Dealing with Anti-Semitism from a Jewish Perspective (29 comments)
A number of readers, and even some editorial staff, have pointed out the rise of anti-semitism, both in American society, and even here on Op Ed News. To counter that, I went to one of the leading Jewish Pro-Israel Groups, Facts And Logic About the Middle East (FLAME) for another side.
Monday, November 2, 2009 My Personal Offer to the Financial Robbers: Prepaid Banishment (2 comments)
I will personally pay for a one-way flight to anywhere in the world for anyone who made at least $100 million in the financial industry last year - first come, first serve - IF they will will sign an agreement promising never to return to America, or to work for an American headquartered company, ever again. I will even pay First Class, because you know, such Titans can't be expected to fly in a manner they aren't accustomed
Monday, October 19, 2009 A Balanced View of Global Warming (3 comments)
There's been a shift in Global Warming from denial being the mainstream view, to acceptance being mainstream, and denialists finding themselves suddenly as the minority gadflies looking in. Both extremes are probably wrong.
Friday, October 16, 2009 How now, DOW? The true meaning of DOW 10,000 - again. (2 comments)
The DOW hovering around 10,000 again is nothing to get excited about - unlike 10 1/2 years ago. Here's a realistic look at what's changed, mostly for the worse.
Saturday, October 10, 2009 A Georgist Review of Michael Moore's “Capitalism: A Love Story” (14 comments)
Moore is at his muckraking best again in “Capitalism: A Love Story,” a series of selective (to be fair, there's a lot to select from) jabs at what he calls Capitalism. This time, however, his target is so big – bigger than even the health care industry in his last, and better-focused opus, “Sicko” – that he misses the target at times.
Sunday, October 4, 2009 Making our own money: Returning to the constitution (4 comments)
It will be interesting to see what finally happens when the U.S. - the largest member nation of the IMF - defaults on its loans, or else tries to inflate and devalue the dollar enough to repay them. The ways to end this debt-cycle - which only serves the holders and sellers of the debt, the banks - however, are clear.
Monday, September 28, 2009 Clearing the Air: Support the Carbon Tax Bill HR 1337, not Cap and Trade Bill 2454 (1 comments)
If you are concerned about Global Warming, AND want a bill that can actually pass the Senate, & is not regressive, you should support HR 1337, which taxes polluters directly for their carbon emissions. The alternative currently favored by the Administration, Cap and Trade HR 2454, would issue permits to companies in a complicated exchange scheme whereby they would get some permits for free to continue polluting.
Thursday, September 24, 2009 Are You a Progressive or a Conservative? Are You Sure? (12 comments)
Take the test to see whether you are what you think you are, then give it to a friend of the opposite persuasion. You may find you agree on more than you thought.
Monday, September 21, 2009 Bike Ride to Close the Greenway Gap in NYC Sunday 11/8 at 11:00am!
The Vanderbilt YMCA's America On The Move initiative and Transportation Alternatives' East Side Committee would like to invite you to a Close the Gaps in the East Side Greenway bicycle ride. The ride will take place on Sunday, September 27, 2009.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 We Get the Government we deserve - NO, We DON'T! (10 comments)
I strongly reject the statement that we "get the laws and government we deserve." This is the same radical-right blame-the-victim mentality that allows people who simply work hard and buy into the American dream to be trampled and then left shaking their heads wondering where they went wrong.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 Health Insurance: Pay Up or We'll Make You Sick (3 comments)
Instead of fixing healthcare, Congress is proposing to put the fix on the poor taxpayer by fining him/her for not taking out healthcare. That's like fining someone for being the victim of a crime.
Friday, August 28, 2009 Space Dreams: Keeping America from being Grounded and outa Space (9 comments)
It's time to refocus the Space Station and Space Shuttle on a new mission, one that will reach for the planets, and beyond. A mission that will boldly go where no one has gone before, and that will be achievable in 10 years, inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers, and still be relatively inexpensive.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 FLAME Hotline: Sweden's blood libel accusation represents a new low, even by European standards (5 comments)
Yesterday, I quicklinked several, frankly, anti-Zionist articles. In the interest of fair response, I am copying a rejoinder of sorts, from FLAME (Facts and Logic About the Middle East). There are enough out-of-balance sites on this issue already.
Monday, August 24, 2009 Senator Gillibrand's Position on Health Care for all (3 comments)
Today, I received this email form my Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, of New York. The Senator is pushing for a Medicare type insurance for all, mirroring what a lot of Progressives, including those here on OEN, are asking for (see my article: How to fix Scarecare). Those of you who believe this is the solution, should sign her petition.
Saturday, August 22, 2009 How to fix Scarecare (10 comments)
What is really behind the fear-mongering blocking healthcare reform. It is not cost, Death Panels, or any of the other straw-men. It is ideology.
Thursday, August 20, 2009 A modest proposal for the settlements on the Israeli West Bank (5 comments)
Israel, whether it chooses to acknowledge it or not (or we do), is heading toward a one-state solution.
Here's an alternative that no one has proposed, which will end the bloodshed and produce positive change for both sides, and for the world.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 How to Fight Like a Republican and Win like a Progressive (2 comments)
The President needs to take off the gloves, fight back, name names, draw lines in the sand with the VETO, and stop being so damned rational. If he loses this health care debate, he will lose his base, which is all the opposition cares about.
Monday, August 10, 2009 Live Global Oil Consumption/CO2 Emissions Clocks
From looking at the price of oil, you might think consumption varies all over the place. It doesn't. Eliminate the speculators from the picture with these consistent Oil and CO2 clocks.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009 Exposing the Fiction of Low Tax States
Governor Rick Perry of Texas seriously misleads the public with his editorial as to why his state is able to balance its budget and high-income tax states like California and New York State are not. Hint, it's not just about the oil in Texas.
Sunday, August 2, 2009 Why God Condones Torture (16 comments)
God supports the policies of the state. Isn't that a divine coincidence? Why torture is practiced has nothing to do with its effectiveness and more to do with fear of Hell on Earth.
Friday, July 31, 2009 The end of the Bubble Economy (2 comments)
Modern day capitalists, and other uniformed apologists for the Bubble economy will say there is no other way if we are to have progress and growth, but to put up with booms and busts, aka "The Business Cycle."
This is wrong, wrong, wrong.
There is another way and it's been known for 130 years. You can have both Progress and Social Justice without compromising either. There IS a free lunch.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009 Healthcare Reform is dead: So Says Wall Street (1 comments)
To pay for Healthcare, you'd better invest in the stock market. All other options are "off the table," says the charts and Reuters.
Thursday, July 9, 2009 Senator Gillibrand moves forward on White-Nose Syndrome in Bats (2 comments)
A previously undescribed, cold-loving fungus has been linked to white-nose syndrome, a condition associated with the deaths of over 100,000 hibernating bats in the northeastern United States. "Bats are also critically important pollinators. Without immediate action, several bat species within the United States may face extinction" - Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Saturday, July 4, 2009 Petition to Help the Terminator save California (1 comments)
To balance its budget, fund its obligations and keep from having to raise taxes, California should follow the model of North Dakota and Charter its own state bank.
Sign the Petition to Save California!
Thursday, July 2, 2009 How the Terminator Can Save the World (19 comments)
California has the 12th largest economy in the world - bigger than all the BRIC economies except China. It's not only true that "As goes California, so goes the nation," it would not be hyperbole to say that, "...so goes the world, too." A crisis is a terrible thing to waste. Here's how Arnold could Save the World.
Monday, June 29, 2009 Geonomics and the true cost of poverty (7 comments)
The real reason for poverty has nothing to do with labor, or even with (true) capitalists, it has to do with monopolists. This was recognized in 1879, by political philosopher Henry George. An updated form, Geonomics, provides the way out of our mess - before it is too late.
Monday, June 29, 2009 Geonomics: what ever happened to the movement Henry George started?
The good news: Georgism, under the new name of Geonomics, lives on, through schools, writings, and promoters. The bad news, George's old enemies have corrupted economics to the point where people don't even agree on the terms with which to have a debate.
Sunday, June 28, 2009 Senator Gillibrand's position on Healthcare for all (1 comments)
Senator Gillibrand's position on Healthcare for all, expressed in an email to me and other supporters of Single Payer healthcare.
Sunday, June 28, 2009 A new form of Capitalism: Geonomics (8 comments)
Let's make a deal with all the fossil fuel companies, CAFOs, mining companies, and all other resource-intensive industries. We'll untax their profits IF they agree to pay true costs for resources (which, rightfully, really belong to all of us; Exxon didn't make the oil in the ground, did it?), as well as pollution, land use and whatever else they don't actually produce, but merely take from nature.
