The American Political Science Association released a poll today describing who Presidential scholars think were the greatest president in American history. The question I have is, what are they smoking? How is it that people could as a group place Andrew Jackson, who destroyed the American economy, killed thousands of Native Americans, and messed up our entire foreign policy along with Reagan's complete mishandling of monetary policy (because the division between the executive branch and Federal Reserve wasn't very strong before Clinton) lands both of them above LBJ who signed most of our civil rights legislation and led over a period of excellent monetary and fiscal policy while negotiating a peace treaty with Vietnam which that son of a bitch, pardon my patriotism, Richard Nixon sabotaged? HW Bush's lack of accomplishments (unless if dealing weapons to Central American terrorists counts as an accomplishment) lands him above Obama who has led this country with grace with unprecedented obstruction pushing our social policies forward on numerous fronts. For some reason William Howard Taft has over 50% approval, for reasons unknown to me. John Quincy Adams who was the last President of the Era of Good Feelings also is below Jackson. Missing from the list includes Benjamin Harrison who fought for civil rights to the extent of his ability, Harding who tried to end lynching, and Ulysses S. Grant who oversaw Reconstruction.
Political Scientists need to think more when they rank Presidents, because this list makes absolutely no sense if one were to look at what Presidents actually did. I would expect political scientists would be more likely than normal to take into account the political conditions of the time when ranking Presidents to come up with a ranking of who they really were and what they really did, but apparently I am wrong in thinking that. It is just a rehash of popularity that is similar to what average people with no education of history (because in order to be a good political scientist you have to know history) would select, even if it includes a genocidal maniac who destroyed the economy in the top 10.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2015/02/16/new-ranking-of-u-s-presidents-puts-lincoln-1-obama-18-kennedy-judged-most-over-rated/
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Media and Refugees
I read an article from Der Spiegel today which claimed Angela Merkel has gambled away her power with her compassion for refugees. (They do not deserve a link) Only compassionate policies receive this type of hatred from the press and calls for referenda. I never heard people call for a referendum when the US invaded Iraq, when Southern Europe was devastated by austerity (which performed exactly as all economic theory predicts), or to push anti-gay laws in Eastern Europe onto the ballot. Only policies which try to make the world a better place get such attention. The way the media talks about such issues makes it sound like refugees from Syria in Europe or Mexico in the USA are causing all of our problems, when any accurate analysis proves that this is not true, and in fact a majority of Germans approve of these actions. 40% is a majority according to the media when the policy which has 60% approval makes the world a better place.
Europe has the resources to help the refugees from the Middle East, and frankly Europe owes it to the Middle East after standing idly by as religious extremists have destroyed Middle Eastern Culture in the Arab states after colonizing the world, particularly Britain. Germany didn't have colonies in the region, but Germany has the resources (and need for labor) to help people from the Middle East. If we show compassion towards those whose homes have been destroyed we could build a better world where all people see our common heritage as humankind to build a more peaceful world. Instead of punishing 4 year old girls whose homes have been bombed out by Wahabbi extremists and teach them to never trust the West (a lesson which fascists have taught them far too many times) by sending them back to the meat grinder we should show them compassion and give them a sense that we are good people and grow trust between our lands. This will reduce the threat of terrorism across the world for mutual benefit. If we choose instead to send them back to the meat grinder of Syria and continue invasions of their homelands what little trust and respect there is between our peoples will be eroded even further, and we will continue to see repetitions of the Crusades of the Middle Ages.
The media needs to stop making it sound like 10 year old boys are trying to kill everybody, and be more accurate in their reporting. We are seeing the media manufacture consent over this issue, and it is killing innocent people every day. The same media which makes it sound like 10 year olds are going to bomb the Kölnerdom then turn a blind eye to Saudi Arabia's abuse of women, the genocide in Darfur, Apartheid, the chaos in Israel/Palestine, and actual real problems which create the animosity and hatred which destroyed the Twin Towers, Pentagon and almost destroyed the Capital Building. I believe they want liberalism to fail.
There is a better path than this. It isn't hard if you try.
Deutsche Welle
Europe has the resources to help the refugees from the Middle East, and frankly Europe owes it to the Middle East after standing idly by as religious extremists have destroyed Middle Eastern Culture in the Arab states after colonizing the world, particularly Britain. Germany didn't have colonies in the region, but Germany has the resources (and need for labor) to help people from the Middle East. If we show compassion towards those whose homes have been destroyed we could build a better world where all people see our common heritage as humankind to build a more peaceful world. Instead of punishing 4 year old girls whose homes have been bombed out by Wahabbi extremists and teach them to never trust the West (a lesson which fascists have taught them far too many times) by sending them back to the meat grinder we should show them compassion and give them a sense that we are good people and grow trust between our lands. This will reduce the threat of terrorism across the world for mutual benefit. If we choose instead to send them back to the meat grinder of Syria and continue invasions of their homelands what little trust and respect there is between our peoples will be eroded even further, and we will continue to see repetitions of the Crusades of the Middle Ages.
The media needs to stop making it sound like 10 year old boys are trying to kill everybody, and be more accurate in their reporting. We are seeing the media manufacture consent over this issue, and it is killing innocent people every day. The same media which makes it sound like 10 year olds are going to bomb the Kölnerdom then turn a blind eye to Saudi Arabia's abuse of women, the genocide in Darfur, Apartheid, the chaos in Israel/Palestine, and actual real problems which create the animosity and hatred which destroyed the Twin Towers, Pentagon and almost destroyed the Capital Building. I believe they want liberalism to fail.
There is a better path than this. It isn't hard if you try.
Deutsche Welle
Monday, March 14, 2016
Pay by mile is flawed
A large number of states are planning on switching from a gas tax to a pay by mile with the advent of electric cars and higher efficiency which is eating into state revenues. The issue with this is it bypasses the major issue. Pay by mile is a regressive tax, because a millionaire is not going to drive 20 times more than the average person, and doesn't address the issue of our lacking mass transit infrastructure in our country. People are not going to reduce the amount they drive significantly due to such a tax, because people need to get to work. (Economists call this inelastic supply)
To reduce the wear and tear on our roads we should make traveling by mass transit free, increase the cost of parking in dense areas, increase the number of park and rides on the outskirts of cities for rural people (which would be well served by free mass transit), and then we will see the amount of people driving decrease.
We should match the lost revenue from gas taxes etc. with a more progressive income tax which treats capital gains as regular income which will be a much better society. Pay by mile however is not the right answer to our crowded streets. Roads would be paid out of the general fund if gas taxes do not make up enough to take care of our infrastructure.
http://www.king5.com/story/news/traffic/2016/03/14/pay-mile-new-transportation-tax/81777292/
Obama has 50% approval
Proof that Americans love competent government, and with the Iran deal and other major accomplishments this doesn't surprise me. On top of this, Congress continues to be the least popular Congress in history. If the Democrats would capitalize on this they could take over government.
http://politi.co/1piu0bL
Thursday, February 25, 2016
2016 election, late February 2016
It is the end of February and the current status is that Hillary Clinton is picking up most members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and is currently leading the Presidential election by far. She is likely to beat Donald Trump in the general election under almost any probable outcome.
So the big question now is that who will be Clinton's running mate? My personal favorite would be Bernie Sanders actually. It would help win over a lot of current Bernie Sanders supporters, and if he accepted the nomination would all but guarantee a victory. The biggest advantage to this is that campaigning together Sanders could rile up his crowds, all but guaranteeing them supporting the ticket, and Clinton will fulfill the lifelong dream of many feminists of having a woman as president (as I have seen far too often on-line). Sanders will help Clinton from drifting too far right on many social issues as her Vice President, and Clinton will hopefully help make sure their economic policies have a chance that people will vote for them. This is the best possible ticket at this point in time, it will keep the Executive Office from drifting too far right (like happened with Clinton's husband) and make sure the policies have a chance of actually passing Congress with Sanders as VP. While I wish for a more inspiring team overall, as I wrote about several months ago, and it is by no means a dream ticket, I think this is the best possible ticket at this point in time. I see it as a choice between someone who is hyper idealistic who doesn't consult advisors and doesn't propose anything with a chance in hell of passing, and someone who is too quick to run to center trying to appeal to as many people as possible. As a team together hopefully they will balance each other out like the Earth and Moon.
I will not be voting in the primary this year, but I will be voting for the Democratic Nominee in the General Election no matter who wins.
So the big question now is that who will be Clinton's running mate? My personal favorite would be Bernie Sanders actually. It would help win over a lot of current Bernie Sanders supporters, and if he accepted the nomination would all but guarantee a victory. The biggest advantage to this is that campaigning together Sanders could rile up his crowds, all but guaranteeing them supporting the ticket, and Clinton will fulfill the lifelong dream of many feminists of having a woman as president (as I have seen far too often on-line). Sanders will help Clinton from drifting too far right on many social issues as her Vice President, and Clinton will hopefully help make sure their economic policies have a chance that people will vote for them. This is the best possible ticket at this point in time, it will keep the Executive Office from drifting too far right (like happened with Clinton's husband) and make sure the policies have a chance of actually passing Congress with Sanders as VP. While I wish for a more inspiring team overall, as I wrote about several months ago, and it is by no means a dream ticket, I think this is the best possible ticket at this point in time. I see it as a choice between someone who is hyper idealistic who doesn't consult advisors and doesn't propose anything with a chance in hell of passing, and someone who is too quick to run to center trying to appeal to as many people as possible. As a team together hopefully they will balance each other out like the Earth and Moon.
Click the map to create your own at I will not be voting in the primary this year, but I will be voting for the Democratic Nominee in the General Election no matter who wins.
Monday, February 15, 2016
Universal Basic Income
In the United States today there are a total of about 125 million households. These people range from unemployed high school dropouts to billionaires with Ivy League education, and everywhere in the middle. 15% of these people live below the poverty line, which depending on the nature of the household ranges from about $10,000 to $26,000. umich They live all over the country, even though there are various places which have higher rates of poverty than others. The poorest counties in the United States are primarily located in South Dakota (primarily Indian country), across the Old Confederacy, and Appalachia with a few exceptions. wiki The clustering of poor counties vs. rich counties makes a poverty trap of the lack of jobs and few other opportunities cluster in regions, as can be easily seen using this map in detail.
Poverty is also highly correlated with race, with African Americans and Native Americans extremely disadvantaged when it comes to opportunities their families can provide which white people (like myself) frequently take for granted. wiki African Americans and Native Americans are left behind significantly at $38,806 for Native Americans and $35,341 for African Americans while White Americans are make an average of $54,857. Alaska Natives are particularly disadvantaged at an average household income of $17,843. This gap is so wide the number of people who are able to jump the gap and get into college is significantly lower for minorities versus their white and Asian American peers.
This only exacerbates the inequality we see in the United States today, keeping the racial inequality gap particularly wide.
This is clearly a problem, and we need to have a system which works for all people. The perpetual poverty in communities destroys lives and those of us who have had the opportunity to get educated have an ethical imperative to expand the opportunities we have had to our fellow Americans as much as we can.
Solutions to poverty obviously start with ensuring that education is available for all people, which could easily be done by expanding Pell Grants to people from low-income households. There will be a disproportionate number of minorities who receive the program because of centuries of discrimination. Past college however there is another idea which has caught my attention over the last year or two which would quickly remedy the issue of low income, and that is Universal Basic Income.
The idea is simple, every household receives a certain amount of money every year which they can use however they want or need. With 125 million households, the cost of $20,000 per household would cost us $2.5 trillion total. Even with my tax code as I refer back to often, this will still leave the government with a surplus of money, particularly when taking into account the programs that will no longer be necessary, like Social Security, Food stamps, etc. and the reduced burden on state governments for providing many different programs to support people. This also includes the negative income tax which will reward work for middle class families as opposed to taxing it, and still give the government hundreds of billions of dollars as a surplus to help cut the debt in good times or just give people an extra refund once we stop paying interest on bonds. I have already roughly calculated the effects here based on data from the Census bureau. It is an extension/modification of the tax code I shared a while ago.
Coming back to the original point, which is regional and racial inequality, this is a very easy way to quickly address the issue of poverty in these communities. With money to spend it will be worth it to create businesses where there will be an influx of money to spend, and this will create jobs and get local economies growing. No American will live in poverty, since $20,000 is close to the federal poverty line anyways, and we will be a better nation overall. Inequality will be reduced, which is correlated to numerous social ills, such as gun violence, health in general, school segregation leads to slower economic growth overall, and overall economic instability. Parliament of Australia Improving America's health will significantly lower government health expenditure which is a ticking time bomb.
If someone knows they are going to get their UBI no matter if they work and then they work as well, they are probably still going to go out since they can use that money for whatever they want, plus under my full plan low and middle income households will actually get a negative income tax which will create an even bigger incentive for people to work. Since I am not taxing people at low income levels the total earned income will increase no matter how much you work. This study of UBI basically explains as well as possible why UBI is not going to have a significant impact on employment.
The issue is that since I am not changing the amount of income you get from working for how much you get, there will never be a point where the UBI alone will make you worse off than working less (since the tax rate is exogenous, the real question is whether at the margin people will make more money if they work an extra hour, as long as the answer is yes, which it always is under this plan, they will work the extra hour. This is why people still work in practically every country in the world which starts to tax people for the first dollar they make. If people stopped working when they start getting taxed than nobody would work in any country today, which is obviously not true. We need to look at the margin to find the reality and under UBI and my tax plan without UBI the marginal income for an extra hour of work is always positive, so most people will work more, in fact the only people who will pay anything are already making millions of dollars) This is why I agree with Ed Dolan that UBI is not going to significantly reduce the amount of work done in an economy.
There is no reason for us not to do this, given the low costs and very large potential benefits. Before you declare it as socialism, remember that one of the greatest advocates of cash as social welfare was Milton Friedman. America needs to have a serious discussion about Universal Basic Income today, and we need to start doing it soon. This is something everyone could get behind.
This is clearly a problem, and we need to have a system which works for all people. The perpetual poverty in communities destroys lives and those of us who have had the opportunity to get educated have an ethical imperative to expand the opportunities we have had to our fellow Americans as much as we can.
Solutions to poverty obviously start with ensuring that education is available for all people, which could easily be done by expanding Pell Grants to people from low-income households. There will be a disproportionate number of minorities who receive the program because of centuries of discrimination. Past college however there is another idea which has caught my attention over the last year or two which would quickly remedy the issue of low income, and that is Universal Basic Income.
The idea is simple, every household receives a certain amount of money every year which they can use however they want or need. With 125 million households, the cost of $20,000 per household would cost us $2.5 trillion total. Even with my tax code as I refer back to often, this will still leave the government with a surplus of money, particularly when taking into account the programs that will no longer be necessary, like Social Security, Food stamps, etc. and the reduced burden on state governments for providing many different programs to support people. This also includes the negative income tax which will reward work for middle class families as opposed to taxing it, and still give the government hundreds of billions of dollars as a surplus to help cut the debt in good times or just give people an extra refund once we stop paying interest on bonds. I have already roughly calculated the effects here based on data from the Census bureau. It is an extension/modification of the tax code I shared a while ago.
Coming back to the original point, which is regional and racial inequality, this is a very easy way to quickly address the issue of poverty in these communities. With money to spend it will be worth it to create businesses where there will be an influx of money to spend, and this will create jobs and get local economies growing. No American will live in poverty, since $20,000 is close to the federal poverty line anyways, and we will be a better nation overall. Inequality will be reduced, which is correlated to numerous social ills, such as gun violence, health in general, school segregation leads to slower economic growth overall, and overall economic instability. Parliament of Australia Improving America's health will significantly lower government health expenditure which is a ticking time bomb.
If someone knows they are going to get their UBI no matter if they work and then they work as well, they are probably still going to go out since they can use that money for whatever they want, plus under my full plan low and middle income households will actually get a negative income tax which will create an even bigger incentive for people to work. Since I am not taxing people at low income levels the total earned income will increase no matter how much you work. This study of UBI basically explains as well as possible why UBI is not going to have a significant impact on employment.
There is no reason for us not to do this, given the low costs and very large potential benefits. Before you declare it as socialism, remember that one of the greatest advocates of cash as social welfare was Milton Friedman. America needs to have a serious discussion about Universal Basic Income today, and we need to start doing it soon. This is something everyone could get behind.
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Why Americans drive so much
If we built the interstate highway system as fast as we build mass transit, it wouldn't be finished yet.
The issue of livability of cities is a central question for local governments around the world. In order to cut down on congestion many cities are choosing to increase the cost of parking.
I expect that this will increase revenue for cities but it won't reduce the overall carbon emissions. The central problem is there are no alternatives to driving in many cities, and once you have a car it makes no financial sense to ride mass transit which costs more per trip than driving. This makes driving less expensive on a day to day basis for many so people choose to drive. What buses we do run are mostly unnecessarily slower than driving which reduces demand and means more people drive. Given the ineffiency of most bus routes people in under served areas drive which creates congestion. With no substitute people choose to drive and parking necessarily becomes very expensive or there will likely be a shortage from a price ceiling.
The solution is to remove price controls for parking and significantly increase availability of mass transit. This will solve the congestion crisis in most American cities.
http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2016/02/03/cities-try-hourly-parking-to-cut-congestion-pollution
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