Happenings

Happenings is an always bunch of things. But lately, what's happening is not normal bunches of things, because the political world has become controversial to the nth degree. All of a sudden, it isn't platforms, it's people- and now the two are so enmeshed that the most awful hatreds are manifesting. I can't say that the Donald is lily-white, nor can I say that Pelosi/Schumer are any better. But I feel that the country is suffering and dividing and polarizing to such a degree that recovery is going to be tough, and may not even happen after the 2020 elections. Issues abound- how can there be any question that illegal is illegal? And morality works in the following way- if a thing is illegal and you don't like it, then change it legally. Don't start in with this aren't these good people? Of course most are, and on that basis funneling them through the immigration procedure, which starts at validated border check points, then requests for entry or asylum, are certainly valid methods. But sneaking over, under, around, and through are not what a sovereign country can accept. So let's get it resolved through diplomatic mind-set as opposed to political appeal to emotion. Forget about the names, and look at the platforms. Recognize that a platform consists of a large number of subjects, and the chances are high that you might approve of most, but not necessarily all. Then recognize that when you support a party, you support all of it, and you have joined mob mentality if you blindly accept even the 1% that you do NOT agree with. Use logic, use thinking, funnel emotion into positions that are tenable. Don't just say "no or heck no", say "let's have an adult conversation about this and see if we can come to a compromise. Politics is power compromise, diplomacy is win-win conversation. Let's do it.

Looking Ahead

I am looking straight ahead at this moment, and I see political turmoil in the US, mainly due to the Trumpster. He is an enigma, because he has the acumen to do a good job but the ego to allow him to totally destroy himself. His hirings and firings may work well in industry because he is beholden to none, but in the world of diplomacy and politics, his shenanigans make you want to vomit. So unless and until he surrounds himself with the right stuff, he will continue on as a flounder. I want him to succeed in getting us back on track- away from a strong nanny-state, as a viable international competitor, as a robust economy, and as a respected world leadership country. Are my goals too high? I hope not.

I Care

Do care how many people read this blog? Actually yes, but the reality is that I do it as much for myself as for the interactions. Not a lot of people know about me, manoconcern, or my books and thoughts. On the other hand, that is not a big deal, because I am not championing any cause. I do try to get out my thoughts and feelings, and I would in fact enjoy the fact that others look and respond, hence my caring if someone takes the time to read this. I am thinking about communication, and the various aspects and criteria for good conversing. I am starting a book on the subject and will be delving within my own perspective to flesh out my thoughts. As this progresses, i will pop it up here. Joe

Aftermath

Two items are worthy of discussion. The first is the fact that new Pres. Trump is learning the hard way that bluster is not enough. He needs consensus, and within his own "adopted" party, he sees people with a mind of their own. That is is really good, because a despot cannot rule. So now the man and the party need to recognize that their baselines need to remain in place, but shaped by the ubiquitous factor of compromise. After all, the country consists of various percentages of ideologies and beliefs, political, social, moral......so the answer has to be a well crafted platform that is acceptable to all. The second is that I have opened a web-site identified as https://www.manoconcern.com and this places four of my books in full view of any interested audience. These four have a common theme, it is AMERICA. Each book explores a different aspect- one covers international interfaces, one covers internal economics, one covers rule of law, and the fourth looks at the aspects of the environment and the effect on your ego, thus looking ata how you were formed. These are all relevances to what our country is, what we are, and where we are going. So take a look, because all the issues, all the topics, no matter when the books were written, are relevant today.

The Next Four or More Years

Amazing, the 2016 election is over and the underdog took it. Well, now this in-your-face political neophyte needs to become the US First-Diplomat. He is surrounding himself with people with business acumen, and I hope and pray that also means people who know when they need help, and will staff up accordingly. The plate is over-flowing and consists of tangles, threats, legacies. The instability and vulnerability scare me somewhat, but now that he is elected, I must sublimate and give the guy a chance. There is no doubt that he has the best interests of the country in mind and will do what he does and how he does it to the best of his ability. So far he has acted rashly and brashly, he is definitely a hard-liner and uses non-diplomatic skills to say what he has to say. This is scary, because his premise is hear me and accept it because I may not back off. So far he has offended many with his proclamations through Executive Order, and that will have repercussions. He's gone wihtin and without. The immigration control that will force vetting of people from certain countries is probably OK on the bais of safety, and guess what, if there is an incident of extremists coming in here, that will justify his concern and his order,especially if it on puts a temporary halt to things and then gets a new system up and running. the thing with the Mexican wall is OK too, but touting that Mexico will pay is wrong. If he invokes tariffs, he's only costing US consumers to pay more, he needs to force US business to reduce costs and then he can slowly remove the tariff. He needs to think that way and to state things that way.

What's Happening in 2016 Election?

Holy Smoke, but there is surely some big mess going on. No hero, only anti-heroes, and to be honest, they are all minimal. The political process has gone deep south, no one surfaces, except that each has major baggage. This is a democracy, and free choice appears at the forefront. As far as the Democrats go, Hil-Billy and her baggage represent a continuation of Obama's agenda, which in my opinion is marginalizing our nation. Bernie is a no doubt at all slide into the mediocre. We started the Republican side with 17 starry-eyed contenders, and they worked their inimitable way down to the one-and-only. Notice I did not say inevitable, because their was choice. But no one shone, and mostly it was brashness they dimmed the thinking cap. So we've got this situation now where the theory of false alternatives works best- who do you want- the broken arm party or the broken leg party? Ding-it, this is a real mess. The big unknown is whether the Trumpet is a bull in a china shop, or can he settle down to fill the position- can he temper his financial bent with a careful look at the isolationist slide that might occur.. Not clear at all, because all his brash life he has been in the forefront, and no checks and balances. The Democrats have both laid out their agendas and we see the left and the socialistic tendencies of both. So I worry, and I fret, and I feel like the will of the people no longer has much to do with the Constitution or the founding ground rules of the country.

What's the goal??

Time is amazing, because not only does it go on, but it is really trendy. Take a look at the world today, the trends are the same as last year, last century, last whatever. What is going on is varying levels of concern and threat to human existence, things just keep escalating, but they are basically the same. Special interest, consisting of ethnics, businesses, private and personal goals, name it and it is a driver. But now, we can really impact each other in the biggest way. Isn't that great, we can actually damage ourselves with unbelievable force multiplication. And why do we want to do this?? We make our own goals, even altruism is our own private goal. We accomplish and pat ourselves on the back, but if you look back in time rather than at the patted back, you see the awful devastation that has been wrecked in order to accomplish.

We need to stop, we need to individually re-examine, we need to formulate. And to what end---to pride in self, to personal accomplishment, to allowing others to do as they will, to leave others to their own accomplishments if that is what they want. More-no more coercion, no more "there oughta be a law". When we finally see that respect of each other and respect for property are a key, then we will be cooking.