Bicycle Programs Jeopardized

A Velib Bicycle station

In Europe there are a huge number of places that rent out bikes for a cheap price. It is a great way to encourage people to ride bikes rather than drive a car, or even take a bus. The bikes are wonderfully custom made and cost 3,500 each to make.

Used mainly for commuting in the urban core of the city, the Vélib’ ’
program is by many measures a success. After swiping a credit card for a deposit
at an electronic docking station, a payment of one euro per day, or 29 euro an
annual pass, gives the rider unlimited access to the bikes for 30 minute periods
that can be extended for a small fee.

Unfortunately, this program has hit a lot of problems. These rental bikes
are being stolen, sold on the black market, left on sides of roads, and
vandalized, costing the bike rental places thousands of dollars.

With 80 percent of the initial 20,600 bicycles stolen or damaged, the
program’s organizers have had to hire several hundred people just to fix
them.

The country and city has been paying a lot to keep the program going. I believe it is worth it if people start being more respectful of the bikes.

So, despite the increasing costs, the city and JCDecaux are pressing on. The
company invested about $140 million to set up the Vélib’ system and provides a
yearly fee of about $5.5 million to Paris, which also receives rental fees for
the bikes. In return, its 10-year contract allows it to put up 1,628 billboards
that it can rent.

I can't imagine something like this program working in San Francisco or Los Angeles. It seems the damage would be exponentially worse. Best of luck, France.

Save Small Shops

I am someone who really loves shopping at small independent and thrift stores. However, their prices are usually much higher than "big-box" stores such as Wal-Mart and Target. In places like Target, you can find everything you need in one place, and therefore it is much more convenient to just go there. But, if I'm looking for good, hand-made merchandise for gifts or for myself I love little stores. I've recently been trying more than ever to shop small-business. It would be a sad world if all my shopping had to be done at "big-box" stores. Sure Target is cheaper, but is it worth it to sacrifice quality for price?

Sometimes I Just Wonder...

What goes through people's minds sometimes?
Last Friday in Carroll, Iowa, police received a call about a robbery. They found a vehicle that matched the description of the caller and pulled the car over. And what they found in the car was a little bit ridiculous. They found the robbers, still in their disguises...

I am literally speechless. Apparently they were both under the influence of alcohol, which sort of explains it. However they also received drunk driving charges on top of the attempted burglary. I often see people and the phrase "Dumb as we want to be", comes to mind. In this case what comes to mind is the word "Dumb". It often saddens me how much people underestimate the intelligence and, well, common sense of law enforcement.

The Social Security Game

Today, the full retirement age for claiming Social Security benefits is 66. Anyone can start taking benefits at 62, but those who do will get a monthly benefit that is 25 percent lower than what the full benefit would have been at 66.Waiting longer than 66 increases the benefit by 8 percent a year.

It is a strange system indeed. The longer you wait, the bigger check you get (I guess because you're expected to croak sooner?). So people have been "playing" the game by going as long as they can without the check to get a bigger total when they do get it. I hate to imagine, though, peoples grandmothers and grandfathers who have serious medical problems trying to work for as long as they possibly can to get more money in the long run. 

Also, this just in, apparently social security won't disappear when the money is up.
There are financial shortfalls predicted, but the program is not going to disappear. Unfortunately nothing in the article specifically said what will happen.

Whatever happens, I just pray to the universe that me and my parents won't have to work until we're 80 years old. 

Capitalism is my Friend

Capitalism is an economic system that has been globally debated time and time again. Those against capitalism say it is a system based on greed, but looking deeper into the system, one sees how capitalism is beneficial.
Many say that in capitalism one man gains at the expense of another. However, man does not profit off the loss of his fellow men, rather he gains from helping and serving his fellow men. For example, a doctor would not make money if he consistently made mistakes at his practice, he would lose business and money. So, if someone is driven by greed, they will help those in need to get the disposable income they desire.

Disposable income can only exist in a progressive economy, such as capitalism. Ludwig Von Mises

As Ludwig Von Mises states "If one were to prevent doctors from occasionally earning high fees, one would not increase but rather decrease the number of those choosing the medical profession". What Von Mises is saying is that people are driven to pursue certain careers because of the good salary they know that they will earn. If doctors made the same amount of money as librarians, then many people wouldn't go through the extra years of schooling to become a doctor. Many will admit, such as Hank Reardon in Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, "I work for nothing but my own profit...". Capitalism allows what humans naturally long for, excess profit and material posessions. It allows for this because in capitalism, there is much competition. As competition increases, better and better products are made, which is why capitalism creates economic progress. In a system where government controls everything, there is no excess profit, and no competition, therefore motivation becomes scarce. It is important to have a free market economy so that Entrepreneurship isn't stifled. In a capitalist economy, one sees new ideas being proposed everyday, and more products being made. A government-heavy system doesn't allow for entrepreneurship, because the government decides who makes what, not the citizens.
During the Era of the free market, as Howard Baetjer Jr. says, "All some poor immigrant... had to do to get into it was beg or borrow a car, and pencil T-A-X-I on a scrap of cardboard in the window. Guess what it costs today just to go into the business? Around 60,000!". At the time, anyone could start their own business, the American Dream was alive. Now, Americans are not free to start their own businesses without complicated processes of acquiring permits and paying fees. It is more convenient to work at a minimum wage job than strive for something more profitable.
With the free market system, prices steadily decrease. In the United States, the Consumer Price Index in 1801 was around 50. The higher the CPI, the higher consumer prices are. By 1905, the CPI had steadily decreased to 25, with the exception of wartime inflation. The CPI would have continued to decrease, but the government began placing controls on the market, and the CPI was back up to 50 by 1919, and it rose another 50 over the next 24 years. It is clear that Laissez Faire, literally "let it be", is a good economic system because the market literally fixes itself.
Capitalism is an economic system where one sees low prices and motivation in businesses. Stifling capitalism is denying that humans want material things by nature. The founding fathers who wrote the constitution set up government only to make sure human rights are not being violated, and nothing more. A system full of government controls denies humans their most basic right, freedom.

PostSecret

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

If you haven't seen Postsecret.com, I highly suggest taking a look. Every Sunday a group of new secrets are posted on the site, and they're all anonymous. Some are funny, some are strange, but a lot are very touching. My favorite thing is when I see a secret on a postcard that is my secret too. It really makes you feel not so alone.

They Beat Me! Just Kidding.

In Virginia, in 2007, a 22-year old woman found in a trailer with cuts and bruises said she was badly abused by 6 different people.

She said she had been stabbed in the leg and beaten, sexually assaulted, forced to eat feces and subjected to a racial slur by her white captors.

That is really terrible, I can't believe anyone would do that! I wonder what she did to... oh wait, she just recanted her story. She is now claiming the entire thing was made up because she was "mad at her boyfriend". All six of those convicted were sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Why, all of a sudden, is this woman coming out and saying that she made it all up? Something seems suspicious to me. She hadn't said anything about it for almost 3 years and now feels the need to say that it didn't really happen. I feel like there must have been some other person encouraging, or pressuring her to do this. But perhaps that's because I don't trust Virginians... (just kidding, My grandparents are Virginians).
I just found this an interesting story, and pretty outrageous. It makes me wonder how many people are in jail for false charges right now...

Americans Have Possibly Overstayed Their "Welcome" in Iraq

In Kirkuk, Iraq, American Troops are silently continuing their work. Daily they search houses for weapons, and check peoples ID's. They have made a few arrests lately, all people believed to be in some terrorist group. So we may be helping keep things calm, but does the city really need us?

"If you compare the operations by terrorists in 2007 with 2009, you will see a decrease in the percentage of attacks by terrorists by more than 80%."

So, for whatever reason, attacks are decreasing greatly. Perhaps it is because of the U.S. troops present, perhaps not. I think it would be really interesting to see what would happen in Iraq as soon as all troops left. People certainly are irritated that the troops have said they would leave, and haven't yet, so clearly they think the U.S. doesn't need troops in Kirkuk.
To me, it seems to risky to just leave and let the Arabs and Kurds start fighting. America wants this place to be safe and calm. Whether it has to do with the people, or the oil under their feet... I'm just not sure.

1 Billion for 1 Billion

Now I am not one who is normally affected by these types of videos, but this one stuck out for some reason. Something about the thought that, in the time I was watching this, 10 children have died, just from hunger. I really have never thought of donating to these things, but I may consider this.
But the part of me that wonders "Why doesn't my president do it?", just wants Obama to develop some method of feeding the hungry all over the world, so I don't have to spend $5".It's something I've noticed. The public, myself including, don't volunteer or donate, but want the president to do it. Lately, there are more people willing to take charge and do things themselves.
Well, hopefully this video reaches someone who will also be moved by this, and we can find many who would donate.

Public Option Support

Three cheers for Polls.

The number of people who used to be in favor of a public option for health care seem to have grown in general. People who used to be against it, such as senior citizens and independent voters, have warmed up to the idea, but some of Obama's fellow democrats are becoming less supportive. The number of people who used to be in favor of a public option for health care seem to have grown in general. People who used to be against it, such as senior citizens and independent voters, have warmed up to the idea, but some of Obama's fellow democrats are becoming less supportive.

Twice as many see the plan as leaning toward too much government involvement, but since last month there has been a nine-point increase in the number who say government should be more involved.

People cannot seem to make up their minds about whether government involvement is good or not. I don't know why Americans fear being labeled socialist, it really is nothing like a Marxist society whatsoever.

57 percent of all Americans now favor a public insurance option, while 40 percent oppose it. Support has risen since mid-August, when a bare majority, 52 percent, said they favored it.

So public option support is growing. That is great, I'm in favor of it. But when it really comes down to it, how much does that really affect whether it gets on the bill or not? Not very much.

And the Award Goes to... Nobody

Mo Ibrahim, founder of the African leadership prize, at a press conference.

A $5 million prize to reward good leadership in Africa was dramatically awarded Monday to ... nobody.

I found this quote to be slightly comical, but the reality of it to be rather sad. The committee of deciders just thought that there really wasn't anyone worthy of the prize.

Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Anna chaired the prize committee, which also included last year's Nobel Peace Prize winner Martti Ahtisaari; Mohamed ElBaradei, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency and another Nobel laureate; Graca Machel, chancellor of the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and former minister of education and culture in Mozambique; Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and former U.N. high commissioner for human rights; and Salim Ahmed Salim, a former prime minister of Tanzania.

So we know that there are some brilliant people here, and they said that there were some credible people that were considered, but none were chosen. It seems like a whopping amount of money, so I would hope they would choose someone worthy, if there's no one worthy, better to just save the money I suppose.
Maybe people will be inspired to be better leaders knowing that no one was good enough this year.

Obama Receives the Peace Prize. Okay then..

So, Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize. He was actually nominated before he was presented and it was just recently awarded to him. My first reaction was, "what?". It didn't make any sense. But seeing this video led me to believe it isn't necessarily a bad thing.

If there is one thing that Obama is good at, its his overall demeanor. It is clear to me, and perhaps to others that Obama did not receive this because of something he did, and he knows that. He isn't parading around acting like he changed the world just because he isn't George Bush. He is extremely humble and recognizes his situation.

He seems just as confident as he always is, but clearly he is feeling very humble. Obama says he is going to treat this like "a call to action", which I believe he has begun to show already. He has already made a wonderful speech to human rights activists. Whether anything is going to happen is a completely different story, but it is apparent that B is stepping it up.

Sincerely,

A

Dow Hits 10,000

So today the Dow Jones market hit 10,000 points. This is noteworthy only because it's a milestone. The stock market has been working its way back up since around this time last year, and 10,000 is just a number. 

But it isn't as if the stock market is in the clear. More than likely Dow Jones and all other stocks will continue to fluctuate. If they continue to rose I would not only be surprised but I would be suspicious. We aren't back on our feet and it is going to take a long time before the global economy is back to a steady place.

NY State Court Hears Appeals on Gay Marriage

Mr. Raum argues that out of state gay marriages aren't legitimate in New York.

If you are a regular reader of my postings, (cough cough, seven subscribers) then you know that gay rights is something that I post about a lot because I feel strongly about it. Anyways, this particular article I read was specific to New York law. Basically, they're questioning whether the marriages of Gay Couples married outside New York should be considered legitimate once they're in New York. 

In one of the cases, opponents of same-sex marriage are challenging a 2007 policy, adopted by the State Department of Civil Service, that extended health insurance benefits to the same-sex partners of state and local government employees who married in states that allow such marriages. In the other case, opponents are seeking to overturn an administrative order issued in 2006 by Andrew J. Spano, the Westchester County executive, directing county officials to recognize same-sex unions performed elsewhere.

If I could address these people, I would say, "you shouldn't be able to take away the rights of someone because the make you uncomfortable. I'm willing to bet people with histories of spousal abuse get married daily, that makes me uncomfortable."
Which brings me to this quote, I got a kick out of this one:

In 2006, the court ruled 4 to 2 that gay couples had no right to get married under existing state law or the State Constitution, holding that limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples was based on legitimate societal goals, primarily the protection and welfare of children.

Oh don't make me laugh. Show me statistics saying that children are more likely to be abused or develop a drug addiction if they have two moms, or two dads. Until then, suck it up. Everyone needs to stop trying to play God by controlling everyone else's rights. Sometimes I just lose faith in mankind's ability to make any logical sense.

But the issue with these cases is that businesses and local government would be told they have to look at out-of-state gay marriages as legitimate. Doesn't really seem like a problem to me, but I guess some people just can't stand people that aren't like them

Sincerely,

A

Health Care Reform. No, Seriously.

You the man, Mr. Baucus.

Today Congress passed the "Baucus Bill", a bill for health care reform. What I found most exciting and interesting is that this Bill has some form of the Public Option, which I believe could be an effective system for health care companies.

Want to peruse the health care bill yourself?: Be my guest

A lot of points were made. Many say that the government shouldn't be given any more control, but some say it would benefit the public 

"The burden should be on insurance companies to make insurance affordable or else miss out on customers," Schumer said. 

True that, Schumer. People shouldn't be crushed by health care prices, in my opinion a market shouldn't work like that.

"This bill is already moving on a slippery slope to more and more government control of health care," Grassley said. 

I see where you're coming from, Grassley. However, I don't see how health care could get a lot worse than the current state it's in. I think the government controls will make sure citizens get a fair deal. There are still a lot of things to work out, and the bill still has to pass senate, but we are closer to health care reform than ever. 

Sincerely,

A

p.s. Did you catch the marble walls in the above picture? Classy.

Columbus Day: A Respectful Letter

Not knowing what Columbus day was really all about, I decided to turn to TIME magazine for the answer. After reading the article by Dan Fletcher I decided to write Columbus a belated letter, thanking him for the monday we all stayed home from school.

Dear Chris,

In 1942, you sailed the ocean blue, and ever since then kindergartners have known your name, and they won't soon forget it. Today was Monday, normally I would wake up at 8:30 and go to school, but not today, because today is a holiday when we celebrate your discovery of America by sleeping in. Now, truth be told, we all know that what you discovered was the Bahamas, not America, but I'm not complaining. And neither is the deceased Benjamin Harris, the president who first decided to acknowledge the day. Franklin Roosevelt and Richard Nixon were all for it as well. But come to think of it Christopher, you did reportedly enslave the Native Americans that you found where you landed. I guess you really didn't discover anything, because people already lived there. But you weren't the only one who did that, Columbus, 

even now America limits the land that belonged to the Natives originally. Many people don't think it should exist because of your behavior, such as people in South Dakota who rename it Native American Day. Personally I think the holiday is apropos considering the rest of American history. Anyways Columbus, thanks for sailing the ocean blue, and I'll write again next year. 

Sincerely, ArielThis is how most Americans picture Columbus, hanging out with the Native Americans. And that really skinny dog... probably an Italian Greyhound. 

Obama's address to Human Rights Activists

CNN.com describes Obama's speech as rousing, and I must agree. This speech has made me hopeful, but has not left me without skepticism. Ever since he has become president, nothing of importance has been done to help the LGBTQ (that is, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and questioning) community. 

In his speech, Obama promised to work toward repealing the "don't ask, don't tell", a policy that I find to be degrading and innaporopriate because it violates the right for Freedom of Speech. Obama also promised to pass a law that will include crimes against sexual-orientation in the definition of hate crimes. He also made it clear that he thought the 

I hope that Obama keeps his promises, and doesn't procrastinate in getting these things done. It's things like these that show Obama really cares about changing things here in the United States.

The president said he backed the rights of gay couples, saying they should have the "same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple in this country." He said he has urged Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and to pass the Domestic Partners Benefit and Obligations Act.

-CNN.com

I am impressed that he made a point of not approving of the "Defense" of Marriage Act. However, is urging congress going to get it repealed? I don't believe so. Obama will have to take initiative and pass a federal bill if he wants equal rights for all.

Are you convicted? Don't like jail? Try Drug Court, today!

Something that democrats and republicans have both supported is drug court. In simple terms, drug court is a program that non-violent convicted drug used can opt into instead of prison. This program involves multiple drug tests a week, weekly appearances in front of a judge, and counseling sessions. Personally I think this is an excellent program, and Obama is putting a lot of funding into it, about 118 million is planned to go to drug courts in 2010.
The courts were able to save around 1 million dollars in prison and law enforcement funds because of drug court. The only critique seems to be that there should be more drug courts, and a wider range of criminals should be included in the program.
They are also proven to work- approximately 13% of people that go through the program go back to using drugs. On the other hand, out of those who went to jail for similar drug related crimes, 32% started using again.

This is a wise funding choice on Obama's part because he is showing that he still pays attention to "the little things".

Retirement re-shmirement! Who needs it anyways...

Newsweek addresses something that I have been concerned about for quite awhile, social security, that is, retirement.
The Employee Benefit Research Institute estimates that "A couple retiring today would need to have $338,000 in reserve to be certain they could cover their medical costs..."
That is scary, because the biggest living generation right now is the one that is about to retire. So what happens?
There are plenty of people who are ready to retire well before they are 65, meaning they don't qualify for medicare, meaning they will pay for medical bills out of their pockets.
Citizens can no longer choose when to retire, because most will be forced to work until 65, it's really a sad fact.
The only thing that those who haven't retired can hope for is that their savings will cover them if they don't qualify for medicare. Unfortunately, there are so many pre-existing conditions that make you unqualified, its a gamble to see if they'll cover you.
All that I can say is that I am not sure what will happen, but if something doesn't happen with health care, a lot of people are in trouble.

New Jersey has got the right idea...

This video features one air conditioning company that was struggling with business. New Jersey at the time was pushing to weatherize homes. The video doesn't specify what weatherizing is, but I gathered that it is a type of insulation to keep houses cool in the summer and warm in the winter, using less AC and heat. This AC company profited from this by starting a new branch that was specifically for weatherizing homes. New Jersey was offering tax rebates for those who weatherized their homes, bothe consumers and businesses. In this case, the push by the state to "go green" created jobs, and profited both the business and the consumer.
This is something that all states should begin doing. By offering small tax cuts to people who drive cars with better mileage or use energy efficient appliances, we could really jump start the green movement in a new way that New Jersey has found to be successful.

A Time to Find Justice in Rwanda

The Rwanda Genocide is not recent news, but IIdephonse Nizeyimana is. Nizeyimana is one of the most wanted in Africa for being part of a tribe that committed mass murder in Africa.

"In the attacks that started in April 1994, Hutu militias and members of the general population sought out Tutsis and moderate Hutus, and went on a 100-day killing rampage. Civilians and children got incentives to take part in the atrocities, including promises of land belonging to their Tutsi neighbors."

A really disturbing fact was that Nizeyimana was part of the Rwanda Armed Forces, and exercised his power over troops to execute Tutsis and some Hutus.
This reminds me of those who shot Jews in death camps that later claimed they were simply serving their country, or that they would be killed if they didn't obey.
It is clear that not only were those involved in the rampages committing genocide, but civilians would see this happening and join in. I would guess that they did this to survive, rather than to simply be able to kill. Those dead number around 1 million, that is about 10% of the population of central Africa. It is wonderful that those who led the rampages are being specifically sought out, and two have already been arrested, but will the killings really stop because of it?
I imagine that millions of citizens are now corrupted and have completely different mindsets on how they must go about surviving.

Al Qaeda Threatens Obama

The second-in-command of Al Qaeda recently made of video in which he directly adressed Obama's denial of torture.

"Obama claims to respect human rights and condemn torture, and here I will not ask him about the expansion of the Bagram prison, and will not ask how he forgave the crimes of the CIA executioners. I will not ask him about his decision not to release the detainee abuse photos and will not ask him about the program to hand over detainees to other countries to be tortured, and will not ask him about the assassination teams that are deployed to assassinate anyone who is suspected to be an extremist," al-Zawahiri says in the message.

Now obviously I don't support terrorist organizations, but isn't there a point to be made there? America has repeatedly done the opposite of what it condones. It is understandable why countries are not only confused of what America's stance is, but angry, because we are hypocrites. This direct quote gave me the chills, "It will be about your blood and the draining of your economy until you stop your crimes, you arrogant tyrants,"

It is truly disturbing to know that there is someone who, if he could, would get rid of every single American.

So, my main question is, how will Obama respond to this, if at all?

Should he address things that were said in this video?

Who knows, but if there is a peaceful and reasonable way to calm terrorist organizations that are dishing out threats left and right, I would not hesitate a moment.

Secrets, Secrets, are no fun...

It has been revealed that Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, the Iranian president who has repeatedly attacked Jews, has a Jewish background. He has not only questioned whether Israel should exist or not, but he has denied that the Holocaust happened as well. I am suprised, yet I am not at the same time. It makes sense that if he wants to hide his past so badly from the public, he would openly curse Jews.

 

We saw the same thing with Hitler, he might have some Jewish ancestry as well. I want to say that it's ironic, but I think it is something much deeper than that. I don't know exactly what to think, but this man has something in common with Hitler that could definitely lead to violence. The world appeased Hitler and that seems to be happening with everyone's passiveness to Ahmedinijad. 

Frankly, it really frightens me: could another holocaust be attempted? Would the United States do anything?