Uncle Ken is too quick to assume that the Old Dog has a clue about a brighter world; I just asked a couple of questions. But I have to agree with Mr Beagles in that we need better humans. Seems to me that the average citizens of most nations are pretty reasonable, but once they start climbing the ladders of political power something happens to their brains and they start acting goofy, getting power hungry to the point where all they care about is their perceived status in the hierarchy of movers and shakers. And once they reach the top they don't have a clue about their next move, like the dog chasing a car and is totally confused once they grab hold of the bumper. What next, Fido?
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I've been cutting back on my news inputs recently; too much noise and misdirection to suit me. But I get the impression that the current regime won't be happy until it goads North Korea into some kind of preemptive active which will give the short fingered vulgarian an excuse to lob some nukes, flatten them, and try to give the impression of decisive leadership. But then what? Is the destruction of North Korea of any possible benefit to the US? The only resource they have in abundance is a starving and desperate populace.
Sure, North Korea is a loose cannon, ruled by a loon but they are small potatoes, unlike the US, which is becoming a looser cannon, also led by a loon. Here's an unlikely scenario with the slimmest of possibility; the global community decides it has had enough and figures it can work things out without any involvement or participation of the US. So, they decide to shun the US, revoking all trade agreements and banning all trade and travel to the US. Until the US decides to grow up and act responsibly we will be the leper colony of the world. This will cause tremendous economic hardship and deprivation, but that is something other nations have been through before, and they will deal with it. Can we? If we can't play nice with other nations we won't be allowed to play at all.
What set me off on this rant is the recently announced 24% tariff of lumber products from Canada. Who the hell starts a beef with Canada? It isn't like they can't sell lumber elsewhere, or it will rot in the fields unless sold; it's a nice,sustainable product. And who pays that tariff? The US companies that buy that lumber, that's who, and the cost will be passed along to the US consumer. Such a deal, and I read about a similar problem with Mexico and US dairy products.
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Getting back to better humans, it might be easier to start with better leaders, most of whom are elected through the democratic process. But who are the power brokers in other nations? Do they have the same kind of lobbyists and PACs that we have, or do they rely on military strongmen or religious leaders? It seems that regardless of the nation there is a hidden force behind the curtain, pulling strings.
Suppose there was a new law in the US forbidding all donations to either parties or candidates, except those from individual citizens and there would be a cap, say $10K per individual. Think of all the commercials and ads you will no longer see! Think of all the time that will be saved, with candidates no longer having to pry the dough from some deep-pocketed fat cat. It's time our elected public servants showed a little more servitude.
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