OUR DESERT ADVENTURE

A change of scenery always provides a new prospective.  Our trip to Southern Arizona not only erased every ache and pain of this aging boomer, it also provided a different view of our pluralistic society.  In the desert below Tucson, in Patagonia Az., where we were guests at a ranch, the green border patrol vehicles appear every half mile.  The National Guard is out in full force with the same armor seen on the nightly news in Afghanistan .   In Nogales, that town half in Mexico, half in the States, a fence stands 30 feet tall and is grounded by a six-foot deep concrete slab.  Ranchers talk of when to use deadly force in protecting their homes and livestock.  Clearly we were as close to a combat zone as has existed in our country since the Civil War.

 The Latino residents seem resigned to and mostly supportive of this show of force against their southern neighbors and in many cases, extended family.  They know the problems of drugs, smuggling and illegal immigration are real.  They also know that Arizona has been their home for many generations.  Almost every Anglo resident I met was from somewhere else.  Every Latino was born in Southern Arizona.  They are proud of their heritage and proud to be Americans. Moreover, boarder security is a big business and provides thousands of direct and indirect jobs for the locals.  Latino citizens want fair immigration policies, not a sieve at the border.

From Tucson to the border, everyone had a Gabby Giffords story to share.  Before the shooting and her retirement, she was truly a new breed of politician.  She saw her role as facilitating projects for her district, not prolonging her tenure in Congress.  Giffords embodied the Latino mindset, pragmatic not ideological.  In the next election, the ever more important Latino vote will go to the presidential candidate who tells it straight and does not pander. ( In a recent poll, 60 percent of likely Latino voters believe the Democrats will help them achieve the American Dream, while only 10 percent said the same for Republicans.)

Until recently, South Western Pennsylvania has not seen the influx of Latino families that the North East has experienced.  Drilling ventures with new workers from the West will slowly change this equation.  We should welcome Latinos as hard working, family oriented individuals who will bring a young and vibrant population to our aging communities.  Like the Irish and Italians before them, Latinos will change and enrich our local culture.  One can only hope that this will include an eatery with a decent tamale and mole sauce.

EDUCATION IS UNDER ATTACK

If the Republicans have their way education in America is in deep trouble.  We can forget about the educational reforms needed to relieve high employment, close the science gap, and to provide equal educational opportunities.  I am talking about basic education and simply keeping the buildings open, with someone in front of the classroom, and pencils in the supply room.

Governor Corbett has proposed a new state budget that slashes 1 billion dollars, mostly out of education and social services.  Rick Santorum hit the morning talk shows after winning three primary contests.  He proudly reminded listeners of his family value positions and that funding education is not the answer.  The Santorum solution is to give education back to the parents and get fathers back in the home.  Locally, Tea Party taxpayers attack fair assessments and mileage increases desperately needed to make up for some of the short fall from lower federal and state contributions.

 Republicans want to “untax” our country back to the third world.  The view that families with fathers can educate their young may be true in a simple village existence.  In our complex society, where literacy is a must and specialization is a given, public dedication to education defines who we are as a people.

The parents of Asian immigrants make deep financial sacrifices to educate their children.  Norway values its teachers as professionals and pays them on par with its physicians and lawyers.  In many countries public education is a twelve month endeavor that receives the highest priority from public funds.

Republicans love to lambast the President and his party for degrading America’s standing in the world.  In fact, their attack on funding education will do more to place us at the bottom of the industrialized world, than any other single factor.

THE REPUBLICAN REALITY SHOW

I cannot stop watching the republican debates and endless chatter that have defined the primary contest.  It is the best reality show on television. We are served up a daily combination of The Amazing Race and Survivor without the international locales. Each candidate makes alliances, breaks alliances, changes policy positions, twists sound bites and trades ear muffs for summer wear as they race from northern to southern states. No television producer could invent such a scenario.  

Each candidate has had their turn on top, subsequently been attacked by the pack and vetted by the media, has fallen behind and been compelled to shift strategy.  Some are gone due to past indiscretions.  Some are gone because of gaffes that even the tea party found too bitter to drink. Some stay in the race only to attack other candidates.  The themes of lust, revenge, betrayal, rejection, triumph and rebirth from political obsolescence are everywhere.

In the middle of this drama, several elements of substance have become apparent to this observer.  First, the libertarian label does not equal conservative republican.  The former are liberty anarchists and the latter require an element of Dick Cheney neoconservative blood when it comes to defense issues.  Second, the republican definition of job creation is really wealth creation, with jobs as a long shot by-product.  Unfortunately under this approach, as productivity increases, cash is hoarded by businesses, and costs must be lowered to create wealth, jobs are more likely to be lost than gained.

Third, like the game reality shows, being clever and showing endurance are more important than intellect and leadership. Fourth, like game show contestants, the candidates do not like unpredictability.  For example, the super PACs, that act like uncontrollable third party assassins and attack without warning are considered unwanted interference with the best laid plans. 

Lastly, as the republicans cannibalize their own, I find little worth saving from this 2012 “Survivor” stew pot.  Four years ago the democratic primary debate was an honorable discussion over whether this country’s first woman or first candidate of color should be elected president.  Both candidates were moderate on policy positions, yet transformational because of whom they were.  This year we have candidates operating on the ideological fringes who offer little of what voters want or need.  The best hope the republicans can offer is more George W. Bush.  The alternative is worse, much worse.  Remember that reality show winners do not do well in the real world.

FIXING INEQUALITY IN WASHINGTON COUNTY

As we enter the New Year Washington County is at the center of the greatest political and economic debate of the new millennium.  Our County has the perfect DNA to test the theories of either libertarianism (less government) on the one hand or social equality (more government) on the other.  I believe we are about to become an experiment that will decide which of these divergent policies is the blueprint of the future. Washington County has emerged from the recession ahead of most of the country.  Accordingly, we have the opportunity to become a model for economic and social planning and development.

Through a combination of location, open spaces, low taxes, a business friendly environment, a thriving gambling venue and Marcellus Shale, Washington County is in a sweet spot on a very sour if not rotten economic map.  Very few areas can match our growing employment coupled with proximity to two major inter-states, a large city/metropolitan area and an international airport.  Once gas drillers get the economic ball rolling, other business concerns will take advantage of the infrastructure build-out to make Washington County their home.  Support businesses will flourish, home values will increase and public revenues will soar.

Before these developments, Washington County was like most of the rust belt, a demonstration of how everything economic and social could go wrong.  Things were bad even before the recession.  Older and minority citizens stuck in decaying coal and steel towns, surrounded by middle class suburbia. The poor residing in these broken down towns, including the City of Washington, have little or no transportation, little or no health care before age 65 (except for the emergency rooms),  little or no access to area wide cultural events, parks and entertainment venues and are stuck with public schools with limited resources.  The more well off suburbanites have access to all of the above.  This wide resource divergence has been the perfect storm for social and economic inequality and the deterioration of the civic common good.

With new found funding streams, the issues that Washington County must address are monumental and have kept political and economic theorists up at night for ages. Should we encourage unregulated wild-west capitalism or the helping hand of the government?  Should outlays on public services and investment be squeezed or expanded?  Should we build institutions and programs that promote equality and civic pride for all residents, or let rich and poor drift further apart?  What basic rights does a Washington County resident have, when the economic pie is large enough to accomplish some serious social engineering? Must we follow Congress and Harrisburg in ceding our leadership in education, infrastructure, mass transit and the arts, or try a different path?    How much vision does our medium size County, on the edge of Appalachia have, to seize the moment and develop a master plan for all its residents?

The tea party philosophy would be easy enough to envision and apply in this new age of increasing public-private wealth.  The libertarian demand would be to keep government helping hands, even local oversight, at arm’s length.  Let the free market determine the outcome, with minimal regulation of drilling and other industries. (after all, tremors related to fracking, will promote earthquake insurance salesman)  Seek to lower taxes whenever possible, with little view toward the future.  Permit a few resident landowners and businesses to acquire wealth, while the poorer, older and minority citizens receive some benevolent scraps from the well stocked community table.

Democratic socialism and equality theory offer a better model.  One that is truly revolutionary.  One that could renew hope and make a difference.  One that could bring residents from different economic groups together, not wall them apart.  All it would take is a decision by the County’s political leadership to break through the barrier of inequality.  To develop systems, programs and organizations that build up rather than hollow out the public sector.  Services that are so beneficial that the well off, middle class and poor would all take advantage of them.  Services based on tax revenue that is collected to provide the most benefit and not cut at the first sign of a surplus.

What would these services look like?  Mass transit would be a good start.  More subsidized travel to Pittsburgh, to the Airport, to the malls, to the entertainment venues, to the parks.  More assets for the libraries and the established arts and sports programs, shared by all residents.  Free health clinics for any resident. Progressive public school programs in music, fine arts and sciences (both classes and after school) open to all students residing in the County.  College stipends for County students attending County colleges and universities.  Free adult education classes for all citizens, using our County colleges and universities as a resource.

The possibilities for an environment of civic renewal and citizen equality are endless.  The results would be priceless.  Washington County will soon have the means to make it a reality.

It has been pointed out to me that Washington County has a long and successful history of nonprofit philanthropy which has helped many residents in many different programs.  My proposals are in no way intended to disparage these efforts.  My point is that the outlays and programs needed for education, infrastructure, family support and transportation are better left to the public sector.  I agree there is also room for local public-private cooperation on many fronts. 

Should the federal and state governments be taking the lead? Absolutely.  But they will not and Washington County can and should.

YEAR END REFLECTIONS

December 23, 2011

This holiday season has been a sad and reflective one for this resident of East Washington.  Like Happy Valley, events proved that our idyllic community is not immune from the under belly of social dysfunction.  Earlier this year our community was surprised and angered when one public servant that we trusted with our children and safety apparently abused that trust.  Last week, like The City of Pittsburgh and several other Southwestern Pennsylvania communities, we lost one of our own police officers, in a senseless act of gun violence.

I will make two resolutions for the coming year.  The first is to offer all the financial and volunteer support I can to the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.  This group is a composite of 48 National Organizations dedicated to pushing back against the NRA and developing rational gun laws. 

The second is to express my admiration and support for our local East Washington Counsel and Mayor.  These individuals perform an exhausting and thankless function in the best of times.  These have not been the best of times.

THE FORGOTTEN 13%

The Occupy Wall Street movement has achieved two important goals by compelling us to confront both growing economic inequality and decreasing participatory democracy.  The two are linked because as wealth becomes more concentrated in fewer institutions and individuals, the capacity for the middle class (not to mention those of even lesser means) to participate in the political process becomes problematic.  This problem was exasperated when the Supreme Court saw fit to classify corporations as individuals when making campaign contributions.  Now there is no limit to wealth influencing political decision making.  There is also little opportunity for the poor to have their voices heard.

            Occupy Wall Street needs to add another category to its “99% vs. 1% slogan.  This would be the 13%.  Just over 39 million Americans live in poverty in this country.  These citizens are struggling so hard to provide food and shelter that participating in our democratic process becomes an afterthought. While the recession has widened the gap between the 99% and the 1%, the 13% are in crisis mode.  My fear is that the 99% will forget about the 13% while they protest against the 1%.

            Recently I received an e mail solicitation from Michelle Obama asking for a campaign contribution in return for the chance to dine with the Obama’s at the White House.  I sent a check.  I also gave the name of the Washington City Mission and suggested that if I won the invite, that two residents attend in my place.  The mission residents need a good meal and some participatory democracy more than me.

WATCHING OUR FUTURE UNFOLD ACROSS THE POND

The financial crisis in Europe does matter.  It is much more important to each American than the Arab fight for freedom or our own daily political theatrics.  While the media churns out stories on guns, freedom fighters and political buffoonery, our economic future is being played out across the Atlantic.  Mark Twain once noted that while history does not always repeat itself, it does rhyme.

 The financial markets often make judgments on corporations.  It is a given in a capitalist economic system.  When performance is good, corporations flourish. When performance is sub standard, the stock goes down, products go unsold, bankruptcies are filed and executives fired. 

In normal times, sovereign countries do not undergo the same scrutiny as corporations.  However, 2011 will be remembered as the year when financial markets judged countries as often as corporations. Established western nations, are no longer too big to fail. Questions on the liquidity and the credit worthiness of sovereign countries have come into play.  Market forces have eclipsed elections, international organizations and parliamentary debate.  It is now the determining factor on what the political economic and social future of the oldest, most revered European nations will hold. 

Italy and Greece have lost political leaders to failed governments and replaced them with economic technocrats.  The same has happened in Spain through an election.  All of this to please the financial markets and to stop the run on each country’s debt.  The slightest hint of good or bad news from Europe, sends the markets up or down by hundreds of points.

What was once only a whisper in European capitals is now a given. Political and fiscal power will be relinquished at the national level so that the Euro Zone can survive.  Polish leaders, in a country where fear of Germany is legendary, are practically begging the Germans to seize the moment and direct Europe away from the precipice.  Legal and economic scholars are seeking shortcuts around laws, treaties, constitutional provisions and parliamentary procedures in order to impose stop gap measures.  Preserving a credit rating trumps the slow business of democratic process.  This top down decision making feels more like China than that of a western democracy. 

The United States does not have the problems of Europe.  We make our own through partisan brinksmanship.  Our inability to reach a compromise between raising revenue and cutting the deficit has permitted the idiosyncrasies of financial markets to run the country in the absence of rational decision making.  Our credit rating is lower, our President is stone walled and our Congress is a laughing stock.

            A lesson to be learned from Europe’s dilemma is that there is very little time to spare between a plan of  “just in time-just enough” and the inevitable “too little- too late.”  As policy makers get further from the former and closer to the latter, the only course of action left becomes: “too much- right now.”   This first lesson is exasperated by a second, that helps explain the escalating crisis in Europe.  In global economics, changes take longer than anyone expected and then happen faster than anyone thought they could.

            If the United States is to avoid Europe’s fate, we must act quickly.  Policy makers that continue to take the minimal commitment to avoid immediate disaster will soon be behind the curve and forced into “too much- right now.”  Whether the cause is lack of political will or an overriding political partisanship does not really matter. Without a decisive plan things will get worse, much worse. Finally, we will act from self preservation and possibly be forced to sacrifice democratic principles. The shame will be that only a short time earlier, action would have been clearer, more effective, not as expensive and less of a hardship on our citizens.