Fwd: The Marxist in the audience who challenged me

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Tom Woods

It's almost like he'd never heard the arguments against him.

March 1, 2018 View this email in your browser As I told you yesterday, I spent Tuesday night talking to students at UC Santa Barbara about the true record of communism – a chunk of history a rather substantial portion of Americans know nothing about. Toward the end of my talk I said: even if some Marxists out there try to claim that none of the regimes I've discussed tonight constitute true Marxism, I can nevertheless show that their so-called pure Marxism would still be a disaster. So I discussed the socialist calculation problem, as explained by Ludwig von Mises. If the factors of production are owned by a single entity – whether the state or "a vast association of the whole nation" (whatever that means), as Marx put it – then they can have no prices. You don't buy things from yourself. You don't sell things to yourself. Likewise, the entity that owns all the means of production wouldn't be buying or selling them, and therefore prices never arise. Without prices, there is no way to decide between production processes involving incommensurable factors of production. There is no way to decide, among a practically infinite array of resource combinations, which one satisfies consumer preferences at the lowest cost and the least waste. There is no way to calculate profit or loss, and therefore no way to know if a firm is adding value (making us better off) or subtracting value (squandering resources). After I finished, a Marxist stood up during the Q&A and challenged me. Some of the challenges were trivial: he defended Lenin against the charge of oppressing Ukrainians, when I had in fact blamed that on Stalin. But he thought he really got me when he said, "Marx did talk about prices" in Das Kapital. Evidently he took "there can be no prices of the factors of production under pure Marxism" to mean "Marx didn't talk about prices." Certainly Marx did talk about prices, particularly consumer prices. That has nothing to do with it. The point is, his system cannot have meaningful prices of the factors of production. This means that any economy based on Marxist ideas will yield hideous results – and we hardly need to stretch our imaginations to think of how Marxist regimes might try to deal with these results. For Lenin the answer was generally the firing squad, and I see little reason to expect anything different from any other Marxist. Today's episode of the Tom Woods Show builds on yesterday's, and walks you through the Bolshevik Revolution – not the romantic, sanitized version you hear from Marxists, but the real thing in all its terrifying brutality. A noble experiment? You have to be kidding. Listen:   https://tomwoods.com/ep-1105-dont-pine-for-the-original-principles-of-the-bolshevik-revolution/ And by the way, I was very glad to hear so many people at that event say, "I'm a member of the Tom Woods Show Elite!" Thanks for being out in force. Not yet part of our cool group? Entry here: http://www.SupportingListeners.com Tom Woods Share Tweet Forward to Friend Copyright © 2018 Tom Woods, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Tom Woods PO Box 701447 Saint Cloud, FL 34770

Fwd: More on Russiagate

---------- Forwarded message ---------

From: John H

I realize that I have sent out numerous missives concerning the so-called 'Russian attempt to destroy our democracy'. However this has become the political scandal of the decade and it warrants as much clarity as possible. The sheer volume of McCarthyite paranoia that has accompanied this mainly media manufactured mania is almost beyond reasonable understanding and it has almost totally overwhelmed any rational discussion of far more important issues with which we are all confronted. The disturbing thing is that there appears to be no there, there. Any in-depth examination of the facts, including Muller's indictments of thirteen Russian Trolls working for the IRA (Internet Research Agency) in no way establishes any kind of effective distortion of U.S. 'democratic processes' (this assumes, of course, that the U.S. really does have democratic election processes beyond the chimera of voting); nor does it establish any real connection with the Russian government. Whatever it is, it is not as one Congressman asserted the equivalent of Pearl Harbor or 9/11. As far as anyone has been able to determine, contrary to mainstream media panic attacks, whatever these trolls did during the 2016 election, it had no impact whatsoever on the outcome.

It is, I believe, extremely important to look at what really happened from a different perspective and the attached articles do just that. It is also vitally important that, whatever the Russians might have done or might do, be examined against what the United States has been doing for the last seven decades in the way of interfering in the elections and political stability of other nations around the world – including Russia. I have argued repeatedly that we Americans cannot form any reasonable opinion about 'Russiagate' in the absence of assessing our own liability and responsibility for establishing a basis for other nations interest in subverting our processes and practices. The sad fact is that the United States is rightfully no longer regarded as 'a shining light on the hill' or even as a good neighbor and partner. When surveyed, most of the world regards us with fear and disdain, listing the U.S. as the most dangerous nation on earth because of our long history of committing murder and mayhem all around the globe. Contrary to popular belief here in the U.S., we are neither exceptional nor admired – just feared.

It is extremely difficult for those of us raised on the belief that our nation was a good nation. A nation endeavoring to promote positive values, democracy and assistance to other nations not so blessed as ours. But sometimes it is necessary to take a step back and reconsider just what it is that we have become before there can be any hope that Americans can once again regain control of the handles of power to attempt to force our nation to bring real and meaningful change in this country – change that will permit other nations to see us as a valuable partner in making the entire planet a safer and more reasonable environment for all peoples. All of us are now facing a global climate catastrophe and yet all the U.S. is doing is engaging in ever more wars of aggression, which are by international rules we established following World War II, international crimes for which our leaders could and should be condemned to death. But we, of course do not recognize the International Court of Justice when the crimes involved are those we commit. Such is the terrible state of this nation at this sad time in history.


Please do read the three articles in the two attachments. They are very good and reasonably thorough. Two by Paul Street which are somewhat long and one by Eleanor Goldfield. Also, for those of you with no aversion to strong language, please watch the episode of the Jimmy Dore Show on this subject which is linked below.


John

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN-tf3HM9ao
2. 
   
3. Link 1
4. 
   
5. Link 2

Organizational tools

Nice article:

https://www.process.st/organizational-tools/

Fwd: Russian election meddling

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: John H

Watch this brief 4-minute video the next time you are tempted to become hysterical about Russian interference with the 2016 election by trolling Facebook and Twitter on social media.  U.S. interference goes back way further and has been far more destructive and bloody than anything Russia has ever attempted.  Furthermore, our interference has virtually always been in support of fascistic right-wing dictators working hand-in-glove to support American corporate interests in the impacted countries.  And, don't forget our direct involvement in supporting the takeover of post-Soviet Russia by our puppet Boris Yeltsin as well as our direct support of the overthrow of an elected government in Ukraine (of course it was corrupt, as is the government we helped to replace it with).  We need to worry about the interference we can actually control, the interference our government continuously employs to make "our world" safe for corporate and financial exploitation.  And, remember, the incidences shown in the video are but a small fraction of our interventions in other nations' political processes.

http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=21203%27%20style=%27color:#000;

  John

Fwd: What to say and what to fear

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: John H

If the left is ever to prevail in the battle of ideas we will have to develop better framing and a simpler means of communication of our ideas that is currently the case.  The first attachment delves into this issue.  While the article itself in not, in my opinion, very dispositive the comments to the article which are attached are quite interesting.  The second attachment should be very frightening for anyone in the workforce.  The technologies discussed in the article will no doubt be first applied to blue-collar workers, then moved to white-collar workers and finally to professionals.  We will all then be monitored and controlled every minute of the day by our employers and ultimately by our rulers.

  John

Links

1. https://drive.google.com/open?id=0ByN94c3Pp4BpT2gtZ0dtSzBQYzZHZGliTTlsR1VTRjk4TnR
2. https://drive.google.com/open?id=0ByN94c3Pp4BpZ1U4aVpsSUkwaWZmd3ZKZUJmVGVOX1FUeXh3

Fwd: Fw: UPMC Sports Medicine workshop March 3 & 10 for current 9-12 graders living in 15213/15219

Hello Athletic staff,

 

I hope all is well. Would you mind giving this flyer to your 9-12 grade students that might be interested in sports medicine/athletic training?  This free workshop is available for youth that live in Hill District and Oakland communities.

 

Workshop information: Dates are Saturday March 3 and 10, 2018.

Get a glimpse of Sports Medicine and Athletic training careers from Professional Licensed and Certified Trainers from world renowned  UPMC Sports Medicine staff!  Learn about the exciting careers, injury prevention, evaluations and how to treat specific injuries.  Dress comfortably to allow for movement during the hands-on activities.

 

Applications must be received in our office by Feb. 28, 2018, space is limited.

If you have any questions, please contact me.

 

 

 

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Ta.


Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
Swimming and Water Polo Coach, Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, PA
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell

Public comment to PPS Board from Mark R

http://cloh.org/wp/archives/2002

Also in a PDF, https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sq9OUxW7NpULSOSLky0WYzs9BmYk9AX7

Fwd: Invitation - Strategic Plan Community Update Sessions

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Pittsburgh Public Schools <superintendentoffice@pghboe.net>
Date: Wed, Feb 21, 2018 at 3:15 PM
Subject: Invitation - Strategic Plan Community Update Sessions
To: <mark@rauterkus.com>

Please join us for an update on the Strategic Plan.

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

Special Invitation 2017-2022 Strategic Plan: Expect Great Things Community Update Sessions Thank you for your participation in a Look, Listen & Learn tour. Your input contributed to the development of our District's five-year Strategic Plan: Expect Great Things. As an engaged stakeholder, we are writing to extend a special invitation for you to join one of our Strategic Plan Community Update Sessions. In these sessions, there will be a gallery walk led by the District leaders of key work in the Phase I initiatives. Topics will include: assessment, curriculum, community schools, professional learning communities, Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS)/restorative practices, and teacher pipeline.  Session Information: All sessions will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Light refreshments will be provided. If you require an interpreter, please contact the English as a Second Language Department at 412-529-3620. Dates and Locations: Thursday, February 22 at Pittsburgh Allegheny K-5 Tuesday, February 28 at Pittsburgh Milliones 6-12 Thursday, March 1 at Pittsburgh West Liberty K-5 Wednesday, March 7 at Pittsburgh Sterrett 6-8 Thursday, March 8 at Pittsburgh Langley K-8 We will keep you informed if the schedule of events changes for any reason. We hope to see you at one of our strategic plan update sessions. See below for the postcard that was sent to all families and staff.

Pittsburgh Public Schools, 341 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Forward this email | Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by superintendentoffice@pghboe.net in collaboration with Try it free today

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Ta.


Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
Swimming and Water Polo Coach, Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, PA
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell

Fwd: Mark Rauterkus, important updates to your access to the YouTube Partner Program

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: YouTube Creators <no-reply@youtube.com>
Date: Wed, Feb 21, 2018 at 10:21 AM
Subject: Mark Rauterkus, important updates to your access to the YouTube Partner Program
To: <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>

Hi Mark Rauterkus, As you probably heard, we recently announced updates to the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). We made these changes to address a spike in abuse on YouTube by bad actors like spammers, impersonators, and re-uploaders. Our goal is to ensure a healthy ecosystem where original creators can grow and thrive. As of today, your channel, Mark Rauterkus will no longer have access to monetization tools associated with YPP because it doesn't meet the new threshold of 4,000 hours of watch time within the past 12 months and 1,000 subscribers. If you meet the new threshold at some point in the future, you'll be automatically re-evaluated for YPP. The reviews typically take 1-2 weeks. We understand that you may have lots of questions right now, so we've put together some FAQs that can help. TOP QUESTIONS ABOUT THE YPP CHANGES Hear directly from the Creator Academy what the answers are to your most asked questions on the YPP changes. WATCH THE VIDEO If you have more questions, join us on the YouTube Help Forum or take a look at the Help Center FAQs. We'll keep listening! The YouTube Team © 2018 YouTube, LLC 901 Cherry Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066 You have received this mandatory email service announcement to update you about important changes to your YouTube product or account.

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Ta.
 
 
Mark Rauterkus       Mark@Rauterkus.com
PPS Summer Dreamers' Swim & Water Polo Camp Executive Coach

Varsity Boys Swim Coach, Pittsburgh Obama Academy

Recent Head Water Polo Coach, Carnegie Mellon University Women's Club Team
Pittsburgh Combined Water Polo Team

http://CLOH.org

412 298 3432 = cell

Fwd: Is Russia a threat?

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: John Hemington <jehemington@verizon.net>
Date: Tue, Feb 20, 2018 at 7:40 PM
Subject: Is Russia a threat?
To: John Hemington <jehemington@verizon.net>

There is little doubt that, given the wall-to-wall coverage of the Mueller investigation on CNN and MSNBC, hysteria has broken out in the nation concerning the supposed Russian interference in the U.S.  At this point there is little question that there was some effort on the part of Russian internet trolls to support the candidacy of Trump over Clinton by posting partisan arguments on Facebook and Twitter, but it is far less clear that these efforts had any impact whatsoever on the outcome of the election.  Since almost anyone anywhere can make such postings, whether they accurately identify themselves (few really do), one has to wonder just why this is such a 'big deal'.   One can also understand why Russia, prior to the election, would have preferred a Trump victory.  Clinton has been an implacable foe of Russia as far back as we can look; and, in his campaign rhetoric, Trump argued that the best policy the U.S. could undertake would be to work to coexist with Russia, cooperating where it made sense.  The fact that no promise by Trump can be counted for much doesn't change the fact that his message was far more attractive not only to many Americans but also to the Russians.

 

As Rob Urie says in his attached article, "...what is striking is that the Russians aren't charged with creating social tensions.  They are charged with exploiting and exacerbating them.  It is their personas that are deemed to be false, not the familiar chatter of quasi-anonymous voices on social media.  The point is that the social tensions preceded the chatter."  Few have denied that Russians might have engaged in this type of interference, but the idea that it somehow served to throw the election is ludicrous on its face.  These days social media is little more than ubiquitous noise hosting every form of bizarre nonsense imaginable as well as much useful information, yet millions of Americans remain fixated Facebook, Twitter, etc. for information.  If we are to worry about a few Russian trolls compromising an election by the use of social media, we should be even more worried about the millions of actual Americans out there busily distributing fictitious memes over these same outlets – and perhaps think about shutting down such services as terminally unreliable fake news sources.  But clearly we are not going to do that as the Internet serves the interests of Power far too well.

 

What is most important about Urie's article is his assertion that, in the wake of Hillary's unexpected loss, the liberal left has moved from wariness of the FBI and other U.S. intelligence agencies to a full-on love fest of endorsement and support.  This is quite surprising and potentially very dangerous as it further serves to enable long-term efforts by these agencies to surveil, infiltrate and discourage dissent and protest by American citizens.  As far as interference in the elective process, the only effective interference we know about came in the form of Hillary and the DNC's successful efforts to derail a very promising run by Bernie Sanders in the primaries – but this type interference in 'free and fair elections' is deemed to be OK by the powers that be.  So be cautious about jumping on the bandwagon of the 'Russian menace' when the real danger may well be lurking much closer to home.

 

A very good summary of the Russian threat is contained in the Real News Network interview linked below:

 

Is Russia a Threat?  http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=21172

 

  John

 

Why is it easier to imagine the total destruction of mankind, from nuclear war to a climate catastrophe,

than to work on changing the system of relations spawned by neoliberal capitalism?

 

Pepe Escobar

 

 

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Ta.
 
 
Mark Rauterkus       Mark@Rauterkus.com
PPS Summer Dreamers' Swim & Water Polo Camp Executive Coach

Varsity Boys Swim Coach, Pittsburgh Obama Academy

Recent Head Water Polo Coach, Carnegie Mellon University Women's Club Team
Pittsburgh Combined Water Polo Team

http://CLOH.org

412 298 3432 = cell

Fwd: 5 Ways to Make Real World STEM Connections

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: EVERFI K-12 Team

1 Connect to Student Interests 2 Connect to Student Experiences 3 Demonstrate Work & Life Skills 4 Connect to Current Events 5 Create Images of the Future

To view this email as a web page, click here

                                                           

5 Ways to Make Real World STEM Connections 1  Connect to Student Interests "Do you have a favorite sport or hobby?" 2  Connect to Student Experiences "Have you ever gone to a pro sports game? What do you think it took to set up the rink/field/court?" 3  Demonstrate Work & Life Skills "Who's working behind the scenes in sports? Are they using any STEM skills to do their jobs?" 4  Connect to Current Events "Are you following any pro sports this winter? What interests you about them?" 5  Create Images of the Future "What careers exist in sports off the field or rink?" Are you making these connections in the classroom? Hockey Scholar can help make these connections for you: Hockey Scholar leverages highly interactive gameplay and the sport of hockey to connect STEM to the real world. Through self-assessing digital activities, students are exposed to foundational STEM concepts, scientific thinking and career exploration. Login and get started EVERFI | 3299 K Street NW, 4th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20007  (202) 871-9292 | info@everfi.com Copyright 2017 EVERFI. All rights reserved. Click here to update your email preferences.

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Ta.


Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
Swimming and Water Polo Coach, Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, PA
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell

Speaker outline for Rotary in Kittanning

Outline: Rotary in Kittanning
- Introduction
    - Mark Rauterkus
- Swim cap
    - Mind's that have been expanded do not return to their original size and shape
    - Eagles
        - Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Broward County Public School District, Parkland, Florida
        - #MSDStrong
    - School sports are in a terrible place today
    - Interactive discussion points, test questions.
- Pittsburgh
    - Our authentic touchstone  include
        - Ideas?
        - A standard or criteria by which something is judged or recognized.
        - A fundamental or quintessential part or feature
        - Historic importance
    - Mine
        - Sports town
        - River town
        - Parenting Mecca
    - Favorite sports?
    - Favorite team(s)?
    - Concept maps of sports
        - Concept map advantages
            - Examples:
                - Review ecology of San Francisco Bay
                - Map all the members
                - Map all the guests and topics
                - Map all the interests and energy
    - Sports ... Definition?
        - Games of time, space and relationship.
            - Games
                - Rules
                - Leagues
                - Records
                - Standards
                - Play, fitness, recreation, sports, athletics.
                - Games of chance
                - Gambling
            - Time
                - Races timed
                - Basketball, buzzer beater
                - Baseball
            - Space
                - Strike zone
                - End zone
                - Course boundaries
            - Relationships
                - Self
                - Rules
                - Team
                - Officials
                - Fan
                - Coach
                - School
                - Sponsors
                - Opponents
                - Equipment
                -
            - Athletes, masters of managing their time, space and relationships
                - Wellness matters
                - Being responsible
                - Being an adult
                - Make better decisions
                - Grip on sportsmanship, teamwork
                - Goal setting
                    - Next time*
        - Life.
            - MMA
            - Boxing
        - Entertainment
            - Movie of Rocky
            - Super Bowl replay
            - America Ninja Warrior tv show
            - Emotion, time shifts.
    - Bad sports
        - Hurtful?
        - Football concussions
    - My sport, swimming
        - Aquatics
        - Concept map
- Coach Mark's Mission
    - Lesson helpers
        - 1 word, T
        - 2 words, TA
        - 3 words, CYL
        - 4 words, FLAB
            - Much of sports coaching is body position.
                - Planks
                - Core
                - Court awareness
                - Footwork
    - You miss a foul shot, no big deal.
        - Death. Lots of paperwork.
        - Drowning stats.
    - Listening
        - Communication nightmare.
        - Learning lab for the discovery of personal and group excellence.
    - Jobs
        - Lifeguard
    - Whole community
        - Boy / girl
    - Whole body
        - Steve Lunquist
    - Fins
        - Prize
- Literate
    - Course, Get Your Feet Wet
    - Quizzes, SKWIM Levels 1, 2, 3, 4
- Swimming has a downfall
    - 33% of adults can swim.
    - We might be able to change the world if we teach everyone to swim. But I am not going to hold my breath waiting for that to happen.
    - We will change the world, playing SKWIM.
        - Water Polo
        - SKWIM
- Rotary challenge, invite
    - Visit Saturday Swim School, on your own
    - Clinic at Saturday Swim School with a group trip
    - Sponsor a SKWIM SYSTEM at a local pool
        - Buy disks for members / rotary promotions
        - Buy 3-10 disks for lifeguards
        - Hold a one day clinic and learn the game
        - Play pick up all summer long
        - Upgrade with some pool fins
        - Upgrade to a sport and play another team. Come to or host a squad from Pittsburgh
    - Get a couple of existing swim teams to extend their summer programs with August SKWIM
- Wish, we need more keels.

Fwd: Finally someone gets it . . .

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: John Hemington <jehemington@verizon.net>
Date: Fri, Feb 16, 2018 at 8:29 PM
Subject: Finally someone gets it . . .
To: John Hemington <jehemington@verizon.net>

Halleluiah, halleluiah someone in the greater commentariat gets how sovereign money should work in a rational system (unlike, of course, the one we really have) and actually writes about it.  Thank you Kate Aronoff!  Unfortunately, Kate is writing for In These Times and not one of the major sources of neoliberal propaganda such as The Washington Post or The New York Times.  I guess we'll have to be satisfied with what little truth we can get until more people wake up to the fact that government spending into the economy actually benefits the economy and balanced budgets work to crash the economy.  But this is difficult for people who have been fed the devious myth that the federal government's budget is just like the one each of us has to live with in our daily life. 

 

This fact may be the single most important idea to be communicated to the citizenry in this country in order to break through the neoliberal lies that claim that austerity is the only way to save the nation.  Somehow most folks don't seem to catch on to the neoliberal scam that austerity needs only be applied to those not lounging in the privileged 1%.  I don't recall that austerity was applied to the bankers in the 2008 great financial crash, or to the military/industrial/security complex and their myriad of private contractors to sustain endless wars all around the world, or to the corporate and financial titans who can't survive without enormous tax concessions.  It just applies to the rest of us because, you see, in a neoliberal world we are all undeserving.

 

I have included this video before; but, if for some reason you have decided not to watch Dr. Stephanie Kelton's talk about sovereign money systems, do yourself a favor and give a listen, it's really quite good, and also listen to the Q&A at the end for her answer about explaining this reality to politicians – it is quite enlightening.

 

Stephanie Kelton on Money and the Economy, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1SMjeuyF-Y

 

  John

 

Why is it easier to imagine the total destruction of mankind, from nuclear war to a climate catastrophe,

than to work on changing the system of relations spawned by neoliberal capitalism?

 

Pepe Escobar

 

 

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Ta.
 
 
Mark Rauterkus       Mark@Rauterkus.com
PPS Summer Dreamers' Swim & Water Polo Camp Executive Coach

Varsity Boys Swim Coach, Pittsburgh Obama Academy

Recent Head Water Polo Coach, Carnegie Mellon University Women's Club Team
Pittsburgh Combined Water Polo Team

http://CLOH.org

412 298 3432 = cell

Fwd: Money & Markets

---------- Forwarded message
From: John H

This evening's missive deals with money (i.e., government deficits and debt) and markets (i.e., the financialization of the world).  The first attachment deals with one of my pet peeves, the disheartening fact that very few Americans have any real idea about how our government money works – or, perhaps more accurately, should work – if more people understood that it is no longer a commodity-backed (i.e., gold) currency.  The article deals primarily with the bi-polar attitude of Congresscritters who will one minute lament the overwhelming burden of debt on the American taxpayer and the very next vote for massive federal deficits and astronomical increases in the federal debt. 

People need to understand that there is absolutely no level of federal debt (as long as it is denominated in dollars) which the federal government cannot pay instantly without ever increasing the tax burden on the people.  Furthermore, much, if not most, of the federal debt is owed to us, the American people – think Social Security 'Trust Fund' and Treasury Bonds.  This is the very nature of a sovereign fiat currency which the United States, of course, has.  Until large segments of the American public come to understand this our neoliberal political parties (and yes, they are both equally neoliberal austerity mongers, one is just a bit nicer on the surface than the other) will continue passing off the myth that we cannot afford social safety-net programs while, at the same time, we can easily afford endless wars and bailouts of corporate and financial interests.  Folks, this is a very BIG deal and if you understand it please let your friends and neighbors know how money should be working for them and not against them.  Also included is a link below to an excellent video presentation by Dr. Stephanie Kelton (mentioned in the article) explaining money and debt in a fiat money economy.  If you have not as yet seen it, it is very good and well worth passing on.

The second attachment is for those who really want to understand how financialization has impacted worldwide financial and equity markets and in the process created enormous risks for calamitous, even catastrophic, financial crises which could break out at any time.  These are mostly unregulated operations encouraged by the world's central banks which are a primary source of instability and inequality in our world today; next to, that is, the U.S. predilection engaging is apparently endless elective wars of aggression (in itself a war crime) and decades-long efforts to destabilize and overthrow governments which do not favorably respond to demands to subvert their own national interests to those of global neoliberal corporate and financial capital.

This article is somewhat long and rather technical piece which provides a good preliminary overview of how neoliberal financialization works.  I have also included the usually excellent comments for this article found at the Naked Capitalism site since they in some ways amplify the points made in the piece.  For those interested in some more depth and background, I recommend reading two books by economist Michael Hudson, Finance as Warfare (2015) and Killing the Host: How Financial Parasites and Debt Destroy the Global Economy.

Stephanie Kelton on Money and the Economy, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1SMjeuyF-Y

Happy Valentine's Day!

  John

Why is it easier to imagine the total destruction of mankind, from nuclear war to a climate catastrophe,

than to work on changing the system of relations spawned by neoliberal capitalism?

Pepe Escobar

Link 1

Link 2

Rant to PureReform @ Roosevelt Era

Around the world, cities are booming with major increases in population. The advantages of the urban lifestyle with neighborhoods, density, variety, and proximity to goods and services has an upside that most of the world's regions and cultures have discovered and are leveraging for higher quality of life. But not in Pittsburgh, sadly.

The boom in population isn't happening in the city of Pittsburgh. Nope. The circle of life isn't so round here.

The number one reason for the lagging city's growth is the struggling public school system. 

I heap a great deal of blame onto the tenure of Mark Roosevelt. He tried. He failed. He pulled many of the wrong levers. There was and still is a lot of heavy lifting to do. He didn't get enough of his skin into the game to make a positive difference. And, mostly, the King's horses and Kin's men didn't get the citizens, taxpayers, guardians and real-game-changers involved. He did flirt with some foundation types. They pissed in the wind together. He did swap spit with the teachers union brass too. The break-up came quickly, but mostly with retirements. The fall-out is yet to come with the looming teachers' strike of 2018.

The only saving grace from my judgement of Mark Roosevelt tenure is the fact that his follower was Linda Lane. She make Roosevelt look like a genius. The Linda Lane years accelerated the decline. 

Now Pittsburgh is in a pickle. The cadre of people that could have put Humpty together again are long gone and not coming home. This next generation has to scratch and crawl for crumbs. The capacity and talent -- and mindful leadership needed to educate our kids while reforming our process is not going to materialize any time soon, sadly, in this city. 

The legacy of the Roosevelt reforms linger as nothing but deforms to a once robust system with countless highs and lows. 

Suburban districts don't mind that the city is in such a funk. Most of those that can, vote with their feet and depart PPS. 

Turning the tide will be epic. May that day come soon, and with gusto, for the sake of the youngsters in our city.