Hey everyone, I understand that "if it bleeds, it leads" and all that; but christ on a crutch! WIVB has a "Continuing Coverage" section, like it's the War in Afghanistan (Which is still ongoing), or a presidential election or something.
This is a pretty simple case: Drunk driver kills skateboarder, standing trial.
Anyone else would be in bars already. The only difference I can see: Coristanti is wealthy, and a "respected doctor". Wait, this sounds like another case already: Matthew Barnaby. Maybe Corisanti should have taken a queue here: Admit to drunk driving.
But, the judicial system isn't what I'm ticked off about (It's screwed up, trust me), it's the immense news coverage of the event. WIVB has a constant news banner running since it happened. WKBW has at least two stories on the front page of their site daily. The Buffalo News has at least one front page article daily. WGRZ also has their "Corisanti Coverage" banner on their site.
How about covering news that matters?
You guys know we still have soldiers in the Middle East, right?
You do realize we are still facing record unemployment, right?
You do realize the housing market is still on shaky ground, right?
You understand Paladino is laughing his way to the Bank of Smaller Government (Funded by Government Checks), right?
You have gotten your tip-offs about the under aged sex trafficking here in WNY, right?
You do know we now have over 50% of Americans in favor of legalizing Marijuana (For the first time since prohibition started)?
You guys know that our prison system is currently in shambles, right?
Come on WNY News Outlets! Cover the real stories, not the ones that just generate page views!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
Free Money for Everyone! A Liberal and Conservative Dream: Part 3
In the past two parts, we went over Dr. Milsted's "Free Money For All" plan, which started with the overview, and then onto the "How Much" part. This part is going to go over the justifications, from all sides of the spectrum that Milsted offers. From the Liberal down to the Libertarian, over to the Progressive, and then onto the Conservative viewpoints.
The Progressives and Liberals
Progressives feel a desire to improve society as a whole, through regulatory constructs (Such as taxes) and proverbial "social safety nets". And, with these two tools, every problem looks like a nail or a screw, and never a rivet, or a cold weld.
In other words, the more regulation you add, the more people find a way to get around the regulatory construct of taxes with "special" programs, such as various tax breaks, incentives, etc etc. As Dr. Milsted points out, when everyone has their own little special loophole, nobody is really all that special. Just some people are better at sniffing out the loopholes, which then Progressives and liberals respond with new taxes, new tax laws, and more loopholes. It's a never ending, self-compounding problem. And people always move faster than laws, so some people will always pay less in taxes than they should.
The other tool: Social safety nets, sounds good on paper, but when implemented, exhibit certain problems, such as rewarding those who choose no work over work. Or, punishing people for obtaining work to try and better themselves. A perfect example of such a thing is when I was speaking to a friend about opening a savings account to create an emergency fund and first month/last month of rent to get their own place. She is on welfare, and she told me,"If I do that, they'll cut me off of welfare, and I'll have nothing." I was incredulous. The first step to clawing your way to fiscal security is an emergency fund. She would have been punished for trying to work out of needing the social safety net.
So, this plan accomplishes both goals (Ensuring everyone pays their fair share in taxes, and providing a social safety net) without adding new taxes, without adding new loopholes, and without creating new subsidies. Everyone is going to get the same citizen's dividend, no matter how much they earn at a job. It would exceed current benefit levels. There are no more loopholes, no more subsidies, no more punishing those who are trying to do the right thing, and no more rewarding those for not doing the right thing. It's about as egalitarian as we can get.
The Conservative Side
If there is anything that rails on a conservative more than giving handouts to those who choose not to work, it's government largess.
Nothing in our government is more convoluted than our tax code. Nothing promotes nepotism and lobbying more than our tax code. And, it's all because of both sides trying to get the tax code to benefit one group more than another. Conservatives feel that business should get the advantage, and progressives feel as though individuals should get the advantage.
With this plan, nobody gets the advantage, and the free market has an easier time to working as it should, due to lack of distortions from our tax code.
Conservatives also get a shot at implementing what they've been wanting for year now: Flat tax. When you create a bottom floor with the citizen's dividend, you already get a progressive tax system, without the complications.
Conservatives will also get to rejoice at downsizing government: No more welfare. No more social security. Hell, maybe even get rid of Medicare/Medicaid. We've eliminated for sure two entire large arms of government, in one fell swoop.
The ramifications of this program could also affect the ability to remove the minimum wage, since we've already built in a bottom level of income for all people. The free market will just work as it should, since labor would be mobile enough to move from job to job, as they pay better. Business will be unshackled from FICA and SS withholding reporting and compliance.
By simply implementing this program, we can downsize government, nearly eliminate our tax code, and give more freedom to all people. People are encouraged to work, in order to get ahead. This is a conservative's wet dream here.
With this plan, nobody gets the advantage, and the free market has an easier time to working as it should, due to lack of distortions from our tax code.
Conservatives also get a shot at implementing what they've been wanting for year now: Flat tax. When you create a bottom floor with the citizen's dividend, you already get a progressive tax system, without the complications.
Conservatives will also get to rejoice at downsizing government: No more welfare. No more social security. Hell, maybe even get rid of Medicare/Medicaid. We've eliminated for sure two entire large arms of government, in one fell swoop.
The ramifications of this program could also affect the ability to remove the minimum wage, since we've already built in a bottom level of income for all people. The free market will just work as it should, since labor would be mobile enough to move from job to job, as they pay better. Business will be unshackled from FICA and SS withholding reporting and compliance.
By simply implementing this program, we can downsize government, nearly eliminate our tax code, and give more freedom to all people. People are encouraged to work, in order to get ahead. This is a conservative's wet dream here.
To conclude...
This plan, of course, will not appeal to anyone on the extreme fringe of either the left or the right. It would, of course, appeal to 90% of Americans however. To make any leeway here, we would need to divorce our political parties from their respective extreme fringe elements. They wont like anything but ideological purity. They are an obstruction to any sort of progress.
With the current political climate, I'm positive nothing can get done. We might need to hit rock bottom before any substantive change can occur. Hopefully, I'm wrong.
But, at any rate, next, up: The justifications for this "redistribution of wealth", that neither progressives, nor conservatives will want to hear.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Testifying in Court
Wednesday, I had to testify in court. Had to, isn't quite the right phrase. I wanted to, but if I didn't, I would have gone to jail.
The Assistant District Attorney seemed like a tool to me. He kept objecting to most everything, including reiterations of my own testimony, repeated by my lawyer. He called that "Leading the witness".
I was on the stand for about an hour total, including a recess that the judge ordered while I was on the stand.
Oddly, I swore in on a bible. Meh. Everyone else seemed to want to abstain from it. I didn't care, my goal was to have my testimony be credible, and to get a journalist off the hook for being arrested for recording a police officer performing official duties. More details can be found here: Murphy's Law (Many articles there, start at "Murphy's Law", and work up to VII).
Needless to say, I am pretty sure I knocked it out of the ballpark. I gave a list of the security clearances I've held in the past, all the jobs I've held (Some rather impressive ones), to include being an Iraqi War vet. How in the hell are you supposed to impeach testimony offered by someone with that credentialing?
I'm pretty sure, since it's a jury trial, the state will lose it's case. And, hopefully, Donna Donavan will lose her job on the Buffalo Police force, to allow room for cops who won't lie to toss someone in jail.
Speaking of this whole thing (Arresting people for videotaping LEO's), it seems Buffalo has a horrible record of it. There's this video (From My Unbalanced Opinion)
And, this case (From The Buffalo Beast):
Hey! CoB! Mayor Brown! Tell your cops that it's totally fine for citizens to record them. It's called "Watching the watchers". It's like I told Joe Golombek: If you wonder why citizens wont work with cops, it's because they don't trust them. I don't. And, I'm a law-abiding, upstanding (If progressive) citizen, who loves this city.
The Assistant District Attorney seemed like a tool to me. He kept objecting to most everything, including reiterations of my own testimony, repeated by my lawyer. He called that "Leading the witness".
I was on the stand for about an hour total, including a recess that the judge ordered while I was on the stand.
Oddly, I swore in on a bible. Meh. Everyone else seemed to want to abstain from it. I didn't care, my goal was to have my testimony be credible, and to get a journalist off the hook for being arrested for recording a police officer performing official duties. More details can be found here: Murphy's Law (Many articles there, start at "Murphy's Law", and work up to VII).
Needless to say, I am pretty sure I knocked it out of the ballpark. I gave a list of the security clearances I've held in the past, all the jobs I've held (Some rather impressive ones), to include being an Iraqi War vet. How in the hell are you supposed to impeach testimony offered by someone with that credentialing?
I'm pretty sure, since it's a jury trial, the state will lose it's case. And, hopefully, Donna Donavan will lose her job on the Buffalo Police force, to allow room for cops who won't lie to toss someone in jail.
Speaking of this whole thing (Arresting people for videotaping LEO's), it seems Buffalo has a horrible record of it. There's this video (From My Unbalanced Opinion)
And, this case (From The Buffalo Beast):
Hey! CoB! Mayor Brown! Tell your cops that it's totally fine for citizens to record them. It's called "Watching the watchers". It's like I told Joe Golombek: If you wonder why citizens wont work with cops, it's because they don't trust them. I don't. And, I'm a law-abiding, upstanding (If progressive) citizen, who loves this city.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Shopping for a Sustainable Home... In the City!
Of all the things you look for when home shopping (Nice kitchen, updated fixtures, etc etc), many progressives look for one other thing: Sustainability. And, if they don't, then they are just talking the talk, and not willing to walk the walk.
A huge source of carbon emissions from our society is trucking food from farms, to processor, to grocer, and then to our table. A single head of lettuce will usually travel 250 miles total to get to your table. One of our goals as progressives should be sustainability. Hell, even conservatives should be looking into this, as they always seem to think society is going to blow up tomorrow.
There is no better time to buy a home than right now. One of the key things I was looking for in regards to a home was small footprint (No 2000 sq ft home for me), and a large plot.
I was able to find a large plot (It's a city double), but there are a couple of properties for sale right now that are triple city lots right here in Buffalo! Take that Suburbia!
As the Massachusetts Avenue Project showed us, empty lots in the city could be one of our most valuable resources in the CoB! Mid-scale co-op style farming, or small scale individual subsistence farming can bring the cost of living in the city to an extreme low! Imagine, $50 a month in groceries!
The CoB (As well as surrounding areas which are already well situated for this type of endeavor) should encourage this trend in whatever way is possible. City funded workshops, city sponsored co-ops, police cooperation with security around the urban farms, tool closets, etc etc.
And, as much as I know many progressives want to save every old building in the city, it's just not feasible to have so many empty buildings, hoping they can get rehabbed, and sold. It just ain't happening. Demo these buildings, split the lot with the neighbors, and grant a 10 year tax assessment exclusion for the extra land. Rinse, and repeat. Eventually, the city lots will grow from an average of 2000 sq ft, to hopefully, and average closer to 6000 sq ft.
If we want to encourage the urban farming concept, make the land gifting contingent on starting a farm, or do lease farming: A farmer leases the land to work, and pays X% of the produced crop(s).
Bottom line is: We can make this work, we just need more support to groups like MAP, Buffalo in Bloom, GrowWNY, or any of the many groups working towards this goal, relying only on menial private support.
A huge source of carbon emissions from our society is trucking food from farms, to processor, to grocer, and then to our table. A single head of lettuce will usually travel 250 miles total to get to your table. One of our goals as progressives should be sustainability. Hell, even conservatives should be looking into this, as they always seem to think society is going to blow up tomorrow.
There is no better time to buy a home than right now. One of the key things I was looking for in regards to a home was small footprint (No 2000 sq ft home for me), and a large plot.
I was able to find a large plot (It's a city double), but there are a couple of properties for sale right now that are triple city lots right here in Buffalo! Take that Suburbia!
As the Massachusetts Avenue Project showed us, empty lots in the city could be one of our most valuable resources in the CoB! Mid-scale co-op style farming, or small scale individual subsistence farming can bring the cost of living in the city to an extreme low! Imagine, $50 a month in groceries!
The CoB (As well as surrounding areas which are already well situated for this type of endeavor) should encourage this trend in whatever way is possible. City funded workshops, city sponsored co-ops, police cooperation with security around the urban farms, tool closets, etc etc.
And, as much as I know many progressives want to save every old building in the city, it's just not feasible to have so many empty buildings, hoping they can get rehabbed, and sold. It just ain't happening. Demo these buildings, split the lot with the neighbors, and grant a 10 year tax assessment exclusion for the extra land. Rinse, and repeat. Eventually, the city lots will grow from an average of 2000 sq ft, to hopefully, and average closer to 6000 sq ft.
If we want to encourage the urban farming concept, make the land gifting contingent on starting a farm, or do lease farming: A farmer leases the land to work, and pays X% of the produced crop(s).
Bottom line is: We can make this work, we just need more support to groups like MAP, Buffalo in Bloom, GrowWNY, or any of the many groups working towards this goal, relying only on menial private support.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Community Organizations Highlights - May 2012
The flavor of this month's COH are the city's neighborhood housing services. These organizations work to get people into home, and keep people in homes, thereby stabilizing the markets and neighborhoods. These organizations do great things for the city, and help prevent the spread of blight.
If you look for strong neighborhoods, you'll see strong NHS's. This is because of a well known fact: Owner occupancy is what creates a strong neighborhood, not high rates of rentals, or absentee land lords. The National Association of Realtors agrees: "Importance of Home Ownership"
HomeFront of Buffalo is a home ownership counseling, and assistance organization that serves the entirety of the City of Buffalo (Unlike the other two organizations here that service individual neighborhoods).
They offer home buying counseling, first time home buyer financial assistance, and basically cater to the entirety of the home ownership lifetime.
Their stated mission:
This organization aims to get all of Buffalo stabilized. For better or worse, I feel this is too scatter-shot of an approach, but nevertheless, when the rubber hits the road: They are doing something to aid this city's outlook.
Every home sold creates two full time workers... So, for every $5000 grant they hand out, we get a direct ROI of two newly employed people. I call that a win-win for everyone!
They offer grants and loans to help with closing costs and home improvements, and home buyer education services. They also offer services to help keep homeowners in their homes (Foreclosure counseling, etc).
From their site:
This organization is also one of the longest living organizations like this in Buffalo, and I believe it was used as the model for the city-wide plan to implement the various neighborhood services. And, they also have 3 years of their annual statements on the website as well for all to review.
NHS of South Buffalo focuses on stabilization of the neighborhood(s) it covers, which I think is a great plan for that area. Blight hasn't hit those areas nearly as hard. They really just need to keep the areas stable.
They accomplish this by offering loans for rehab, commercial facades, and manage eight rental units. They also offering a swath of various counseling programs such as financial counseling and workshops. And, if that's not enough: Weatherization audits and other services, such as Lead Assessments.
The mission they are working towards:
Thankfully (I'm not one to snub my nose at those doing well), this group is the best positioned (In my opinion), since they just have to work to keep the blight at bay, not to reverse decades of blight.
Now, their website was just redesigned, so there may be more on there that I missed.
They actually show results.
If you look for strong neighborhoods, you'll see strong NHS's. This is because of a well known fact: Owner occupancy is what creates a strong neighborhood, not high rates of rentals, or absentee land lords. The National Association of Realtors agrees: "Importance of Home Ownership"
HomeFront of Buffalo
HomeFront of Buffalo is a home ownership counseling, and assistance organization that serves the entirety of the City of Buffalo (Unlike the other two organizations here that service individual neighborhoods).They offer home buying counseling, first time home buyer financial assistance, and basically cater to the entirety of the home ownership lifetime.
Their stated mission:
Welcome to HomeFront, Inc.’s HomeOwnership Center of Buffalo on-line office. The HomeOwnership Center of Buffalo’s website is a convenient one-stop shop for information and services related to relocating to Buffalo, purchasing and maintaining a home as well as an excellent resource for consumers seeking an advocate and advisor as they make their way through the homeownership process. Our goal is to strengthen neighborhoods, increase homeownership in the City of Buffalo and to increase awareness and knowledge of the home buying process.We achieve this by guiding you through each step of the home buying and home ownership process by addressing the following topics through our programs: managing personal finances, pre-purchase education classes, individual counseling, down payment and closing cost assistance, post purchase education and counseling, acquisition and rehabilitation programs and owner occupied programs and services.
This organization aims to get all of Buffalo stabilized. For better or worse, I feel this is too scatter-shot of an approach, but nevertheless, when the rubber hits the road: They are doing something to aid this city's outlook.
Every home sold creates two full time workers... So, for every $5000 grant they hand out, we get a direct ROI of two newly employed people. I call that a win-win for everyone!
West Side and Blackrock/Riverside NHS
WSNHS is an organization that I've dealt with in the past. Didn't have to end up using their services, but the staff there are very helpful, and really hard working folks looking to change the West Side/Riverside/Blackrock neighborhoods.They offer grants and loans to help with closing costs and home improvements, and home buyer education services. They also offer services to help keep homeowners in their homes (Foreclosure counseling, etc).
From their site:
Mission We are private, not-for-profit corporations dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of Buffalo's neighborhoods by providing safe, affordable and sustainable housing opportunities for all.
Programs We are full-cycle lending agencies, with programs carrying customers through the entire process of buying a home--from financial fitness education before purchase, to closing cost assistance, to post-purchase education and home improvement loans.
By focusing on successful home ownership, these programs build and protect assets in low-income neighborhoods, making those neighborhoods stronger by encouraging investment and improving confidence.
This organization is also one of the longest living organizations like this in Buffalo, and I believe it was used as the model for the city-wide plan to implement the various neighborhood services. And, they also have 3 years of their annual statements on the website as well for all to review.
NHS of South Buffalo
They accomplish this by offering loans for rehab, commercial facades, and manage eight rental units. They also offering a swath of various counseling programs such as financial counseling and workshops. And, if that's not enough: Weatherization audits and other services, such as Lead Assessments.
The mission they are working towards:
To aid and assist in the preservation, stabilization and revitalization of economic and aesthetic conditions of residential and commercial zones as to promote a higher quality of life and social existence.
NHS of South Buffalo's Service Area
Thankfully (I'm not one to snub my nose at those doing well), this group is the best positioned (In my opinion), since they just have to work to keep the blight at bay, not to reverse decades of blight.
Now, their website was just redesigned, so there may be more on there that I missed.
Conclusion
These organizations are working day and night to keep these neighborhoods viable, and livable. They are also members of the NeighborWorks America network, which providers for the underlying resources (Such as training, instructors and such). By allocating $1000 dollars in funding for any of these organizations, we would reap a better return on investment than handing Paladino a tax check of $1.4 million...They actually show results.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Obama or Romney?
So, the election for President is down to Romney and Obama. What a shocker, seeing as Romney has been the media darling for quite some time now.
Now, what is shocking, is Paladino rubbing elbows with Gingrich. I do know, that was a shocker for me, until a rep from Mike Madigan's campaign showed up at my doorstep. We were discussing candidates, and how the GOP has fallen from the conservative values they espouse.
But, back to the subject: Romney or Obama?
Well, you might be shocked: I am still split. I'm waiting until the VP is official. I was a McCain supporter up until Palin was selected (More on that in a later post, maybe).
Biden is a "meh" VP. He does no harm, and has little chance of needing to step up to the presidential seat. Now, if Romney picks a strong, solid VP like Huntsman, I might consider him. But, that's only because when the rubber meets the road, I don't think there's much difference between Obama and Romney, to be honest. Now, if Romney picks someone like Rubio, yeah, I'm running towards Obama like a sailor runs for the nearest dive bar when their ship docks.
So, as it sits now: Undecided. If I had to pick right now, I'd say Obama, because Obama's track record is pretty clear: Slightly left leaning centrist. Romney is a wild card. One moment he says X, then he says he is supporting -X (In math terms, the opposite of X).
InTrade, however, has Obama leading by a very comfortable lead. So, if you a betting person, bet on Obama (For now). Intrade has been quite reliable in the past. If you want to take a long shot, bet on Romney.
This could all change. I don't see it happening, as Romney is doing what all GOP'ers to: Pander to the extreme fringe, driving voters to the most centrist, Obama.
Now, what is shocking, is Paladino rubbing elbows with Gingrich. I do know, that was a shocker for me, until a rep from Mike Madigan's campaign showed up at my doorstep. We were discussing candidates, and how the GOP has fallen from the conservative values they espouse.
But, back to the subject: Romney or Obama?
Well, you might be shocked: I am still split. I'm waiting until the VP is official. I was a McCain supporter up until Palin was selected (More on that in a later post, maybe).
Biden is a "meh" VP. He does no harm, and has little chance of needing to step up to the presidential seat. Now, if Romney picks a strong, solid VP like Huntsman, I might consider him. But, that's only because when the rubber meets the road, I don't think there's much difference between Obama and Romney, to be honest. Now, if Romney picks someone like Rubio, yeah, I'm running towards Obama like a sailor runs for the nearest dive bar when their ship docks.
So, as it sits now: Undecided. If I had to pick right now, I'd say Obama, because Obama's track record is pretty clear: Slightly left leaning centrist. Romney is a wild card. One moment he says X, then he says he is supporting -X (In math terms, the opposite of X).
InTrade, however, has Obama leading by a very comfortable lead. So, if you a betting person, bet on Obama (For now). Intrade has been quite reliable in the past. If you want to take a long shot, bet on Romney.
This could all change. I don't see it happening, as Romney is doing what all GOP'ers to: Pander to the extreme fringe, driving voters to the most centrist, Obama.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Free Money for Everyone! A Liberal and Conservative Dream: Part 2
So, now for part 2: How much money are we talking about?
For this, Dr. Milsted himself isn't so sure. He mentions $1000 per month. However, he also states that it would require cutting the budget to $0, and spending all of the money, which is not feasible (He says so himself).
However, when the income taxes are increased (To a flat rate), coupled with elimination of the entire welfare and social security system, I think $1000 a month is feasible, and possibly a bit low.
Right now, many on welfare get about $1500 in benefits per month. So, somewhere in the machinations of our system, we somehow afford $1500 a month in benefits. But, since it's $1500 per family, perhaps $1000 per person is doable. Maybe even a bit lower? $750 per person each month, would equal $1500 per family (Married). Or, with a tax paying child (Yep, they're there, summer jobs, part time, etc etc), the family gets more.
And, he makes an incredible point: With the current welfare system, there is a motivation to not improve your situation. You can stay on welfare, or take a minimum wage job making less. Who would do that? Many do, but it inflicts quite a bit of pain on the family. With Dr. Milsted's plan, you want to make more than the pre-bate? Get a job. You don't lose anything, you'll only gain.
According to the poverty guidelines, $1500 a month is far an above the poverty level in the US (Which is about $10,000/year for a single person). Maybe Dr. Milsted is on the money here: $1000 per month is ample to meet poverty level, and a married couple ($2000) a month is more than above the poverty level for a 2 person household. Getting married raises a couple out of poverty, and doesn't encourage women getting knocked up for a bigger check (It happens, not that I think it's very common, but it does happen).
What it wont help, is with the times where a couple does have a child, but not financially secure enough. It also, however, removes the huge burden of poverty from the system, and might actually allow private charity to pick up the remainder, without expecting either private charity or the government to bear the full load.
So, how much free money for everyone? Is $1000 enough? Too much? $1500? Comment here, and have your say :)
For this, Dr. Milsted himself isn't so sure. He mentions $1000 per month. However, he also states that it would require cutting the budget to $0, and spending all of the money, which is not feasible (He says so himself).
However, when the income taxes are increased (To a flat rate), coupled with elimination of the entire welfare and social security system, I think $1000 a month is feasible, and possibly a bit low.
Right now, many on welfare get about $1500 in benefits per month. So, somewhere in the machinations of our system, we somehow afford $1500 a month in benefits. But, since it's $1500 per family, perhaps $1000 per person is doable. Maybe even a bit lower? $750 per person each month, would equal $1500 per family (Married). Or, with a tax paying child (Yep, they're there, summer jobs, part time, etc etc), the family gets more.
And, he makes an incredible point: With the current welfare system, there is a motivation to not improve your situation. You can stay on welfare, or take a minimum wage job making less. Who would do that? Many do, but it inflicts quite a bit of pain on the family. With Dr. Milsted's plan, you want to make more than the pre-bate? Get a job. You don't lose anything, you'll only gain.
According to the poverty guidelines, $1500 a month is far an above the poverty level in the US (Which is about $10,000/year for a single person). Maybe Dr. Milsted is on the money here: $1000 per month is ample to meet poverty level, and a married couple ($2000) a month is more than above the poverty level for a 2 person household. Getting married raises a couple out of poverty, and doesn't encourage women getting knocked up for a bigger check (It happens, not that I think it's very common, but it does happen).
What it wont help, is with the times where a couple does have a child, but not financially secure enough. It also, however, removes the huge burden of poverty from the system, and might actually allow private charity to pick up the remainder, without expecting either private charity or the government to bear the full load.
So, how much free money for everyone? Is $1000 enough? Too much? $1500? Comment here, and have your say :)
Monday, May 14, 2012
Can one really live Car Free (Or, Car-Lite)?
Here in Buffalo? I would give a resounding "YES!" to this question; "Car Lite" being only owning a single automobile. Buffalo has a rather decent mass transit system. If you live in the city proper, and work within the city, there should be no reason one can not live car-free here.
However, there is much work to do to get us there. Buffalo's "Complete Streets" project is getting a whole lot of work done in this area. Main Street towards downtown (The last block before the train comes back up) is considered a model for what it could look like. As a side note, go down there, and check it out. That single block is gorgeous.
However, the NFTA needs to take up some work as well. Finish putting those bicycle racks on the buses. Add some circulatory routes ringing the first-ring suburbs, so people don't need to go from Amherst, to downtown, and then back out to Depew.
But, for those who doubt it, check out this article: "How to Go Car Lite". It has series of steps to going car-lite, along with "Micro Steps" to see if it works for you.
I can tell you one thing: By merely commuting to work by bus as often as I can, I save about $150 a month after the price of a monthly pass. When I can, I take my bike to the store, instead of driving there. With the cost of gas being what it is, it can add up to some hefty savings. And, to boot, I get some exercise (You'd be shocked at how many calories you can shave merely by biking to the store for quick runs).
But, I'll assume many people don't want to ride a bicycle, or take the bus, here's another great way to cut a gas bill: Motorcycle, moped, or electric scooter.
So, do you can be car-lite? If you did, how much do you think you'd save yearly?
However, there is much work to do to get us there. Buffalo's "Complete Streets" project is getting a whole lot of work done in this area. Main Street towards downtown (The last block before the train comes back up) is considered a model for what it could look like. As a side note, go down there, and check it out. That single block is gorgeous.
However, the NFTA needs to take up some work as well. Finish putting those bicycle racks on the buses. Add some circulatory routes ringing the first-ring suburbs, so people don't need to go from Amherst, to downtown, and then back out to Depew.
But, for those who doubt it, check out this article: "How to Go Car Lite". It has series of steps to going car-lite, along with "Micro Steps" to see if it works for you.
I can tell you one thing: By merely commuting to work by bus as often as I can, I save about $150 a month after the price of a monthly pass. When I can, I take my bike to the store, instead of driving there. With the cost of gas being what it is, it can add up to some hefty savings. And, to boot, I get some exercise (You'd be shocked at how many calories you can shave merely by biking to the store for quick runs).
But, I'll assume many people don't want to ride a bicycle, or take the bus, here's another great way to cut a gas bill: Motorcycle, moped, or electric scooter.
So, do you can be car-lite? If you did, how much do you think you'd save yearly?
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Public Wifi
So, after thinking about some of the things that Buffalo is lacking in, which contributes to our ongoing population shrinkage, I've noted a few things that are really low-hanging fruit.
For starters, Wifi in Downtown.
There is some access in Niagara Square, but have you ever tried to use it? If you are not seated in 3 of the benches down there, you're shit out of luck being able to connect. It seems as though we again used the modus operandi for Buffalo: Do something half-assed (Like the bike racks on NFTA buses). We should aggressively blanket downtown with Public Wifi. Does it need to be free? While, it would be nice, it mustn't need be. Maybe, work with the businesses downtown, where if you have a receipt, you can log into the wifi with a code printed on the receipts.
This way, it brings in customers who buy things, and increases foot traffic as a whole. We also can take the burden off of small businesses who try to compete with larger box stores offering the same service: We place all businesses on equal footing.
However, I don't see the City of Buffalo actually getting off of their derrieres and doing it. So, we need another "Massachusetts Avenue Project" type group to get in, and do it. Software and hardware is already there, and it's cheap. A project like this is in the works in Portland, Oregon (https://personaltelco.net/wiki).
Maybe, the Buffalo Niagara Technology Partnership will step up? Or a grass-roots effort, managed by individuals?
Me? I'd prefer to see it as a grassroots effort. The amateur radio community has done some work getting a similar project started. Personal Telco in Portland has as well. A grass roots effort could replace corporate control of the internet, and phone systems.
What do you think is the better route: Grass roots or business community? City, or Private Citizens?
There is some access in Niagara Square, but have you ever tried to use it? If you are not seated in 3 of the benches down there, you're shit out of luck being able to connect. It seems as though we again used the modus operandi for Buffalo: Do something half-assed (Like the bike racks on NFTA buses). We should aggressively blanket downtown with Public Wifi. Does it need to be free? While, it would be nice, it mustn't need be. Maybe, work with the businesses downtown, where if you have a receipt, you can log into the wifi with a code printed on the receipts.
This way, it brings in customers who buy things, and increases foot traffic as a whole. We also can take the burden off of small businesses who try to compete with larger box stores offering the same service: We place all businesses on equal footing.
However, I don't see the City of Buffalo actually getting off of their derrieres and doing it. So, we need another "Massachusetts Avenue Project" type group to get in, and do it. Software and hardware is already there, and it's cheap. A project like this is in the works in Portland, Oregon (https://personaltelco.net/wiki).
Maybe, the Buffalo Niagara Technology Partnership will step up? Or a grass-roots effort, managed by individuals?
Me? I'd prefer to see it as a grassroots effort. The amateur radio community has done some work getting a similar project started. Personal Telco in Portland has as well. A grass roots effort could replace corporate control of the internet, and phone systems.
What do you think is the better route: Grass roots or business community? City, or Private Citizens?
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Yes, I am alive!
Yes, I am still alive (Hence, the last post). Lot's of things going on, and Progressive and Liberal things had to take a back burner for a bit.
My goal? Two blog posts each week. But, I'll need your help: Let me know the things you want to hear more about, and I'll cover them. I'm jumping back into the politics of the area, so I'll have my thumb on the pulse more now!
If you want to hear about something now? Leave a comment!
My goal? Two blog posts each week. But, I'll need your help: Let me know the things you want to hear more about, and I'll cover them. I'm jumping back into the politics of the area, so I'll have my thumb on the pulse more now!
If you want to hear about something now? Leave a comment!
Free Money for Everyone! A Liberal and Conservative Dream: Part 1
This is going to be a multi-part series on a concept that will be able to eliminate our federal deficit, simplify the tax code, appeal to both conservatives and liberals, eliminate the entirety of the welfare system, and create a humane society.
Let me guess? You're a bit skeptical? I know I was, until I read more about the FreeMoneyForAll.org website. The site is ran by Dr. Carl Milsted, a self ascribed "Dr. Evil", and a Libertarian of 25 years.
His proposed system is based on the idea of tax "pre-bates". And, the pre-bate is based on the wealth of the nation. He admittedly doesn't have an amount for the pre-bate, but most things are pretty clear. There are few restrictions to who gets a pre-bate: Any citizen who filed a tax return. This same system is discussed in the book "In Our Hands : A Plan To Replace The Welfare State
" by Charles Murray
.
So, let's just assume (For this series) that the pre-bate is in the amount of $1500 per month. I believe this is the top end for what you can get in welfare benefits each month. By sending each citizen a monthly check in the amount of $1500, we can in one fell swoop, eliminate the welfare system.
Will we still need to keep around the Medicare/Medicaid system? Maybe.
The first question is,"Well, how do we pay for handing everyone a monthly check?" That right there is the "devious" part of it. We can eliminate the following programs by doing this:
Conservatives should be happy, and consider it a win because we now have smaller government. No inspections of your tax return to check every loop hole. No more special consideration. Flat tax is now in place. This is a huge win for conservatives!
It's a win for everyone, because now we can reasonably balance our budget, without unduly shifting the burden to anyone, wealthy or poor.
Next up: How much money exactly?
Let me guess? You're a bit skeptical? I know I was, until I read more about the FreeMoneyForAll.org website. The site is ran by Dr. Carl Milsted, a self ascribed "Dr. Evil", and a Libertarian of 25 years.
His proposed system is based on the idea of tax "pre-bates". And, the pre-bate is based on the wealth of the nation. He admittedly doesn't have an amount for the pre-bate, but most things are pretty clear. There are few restrictions to who gets a pre-bate: Any citizen who filed a tax return. This same system is discussed in the book "In Our Hands : A Plan To Replace The Welfare State
" by Charles Murray.So, let's just assume (For this series) that the pre-bate is in the amount of $1500 per month. I believe this is the top end for what you can get in welfare benefits each month. By sending each citizen a monthly check in the amount of $1500, we can in one fell swoop, eliminate the welfare system.
Will we still need to keep around the Medicare/Medicaid system? Maybe.
The first question is,"Well, how do we pay for handing everyone a monthly check?" That right there is the "devious" part of it. We can eliminate the following programs by doing this:
- Welfare - Without the overhead of people applying for, and being evaluated based on need, we eliminate the entire welfare system, and we do no harm to it.
- Tax loopholes and Subsidies - Since we are already handing a monthly check of $1500 to every citizen, we can also eliminate every tax loophole and subsidy.
- Social security - As with welfare, this will replace it, and usually increase benefits by quite a bit
- Tax System - Since we are already creating a bottom floor, we can now implement a flat tax system of something in the neighborhood of 30%.
- Eliminate the SS and FICA taxes - We can do this, since SS is being eliminated, and FICA, well, we can pay for it with the increased tax rate.
Conservatives should be happy, and consider it a win because we now have smaller government. No inspections of your tax return to check every loop hole. No more special consideration. Flat tax is now in place. This is a huge win for conservatives!
It's a win for everyone, because now we can reasonably balance our budget, without unduly shifting the burden to anyone, wealthy or poor.
Next up: How much money exactly?
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