1. 9/8/13 NY TIMES Gretchen Morgenson Find the Loan, behind the Loans. On line lenders who charge borrowers stratospheric interest rates are coming under pressure from state regulators ..and it’s about time. But to get to the root of the problem, the Regulators will need to dig deeper. Under this system, larger Banks and security firms circumvent the law, by funding dubious payday lenders. Would this system have existed if Glass Steagall was in effect? Would large financial institutions have been legally allowed to enable ” lenders of last resort”, as they provided funding to fuel the sub prime mortgage industry? We have a choice?
2.Just listened to 60 minutes 9/8/13 after watching the unbeatable Serena Williams win her 17 th Tennis Title? An EXTROADINARY athlete, a person, still vital and useful as a human being, but you wouldn’t consider her place in the Brave New World of Robotics, or would you?
Is our world so ” Elysium”, that humans have no place? I don’t think so? I don’t believe we’re living in the best of all possible World’s yet? Do we have the best transportation available for workers or pleasures? Is our infrastructure state of the art? Our health care, so sublime, we have no need of drugs or stem cells? Have we developed alternative fuels? Did we stabilize our financial system? Is our Education so comprehensive we have nothing more to learn? The $64,000 question is why manufacturers feel that the advent of new technology makes human beings superfluous ?
It seems to me that unless and until we make life better for the Humans on this planet, the Technocrats are short sighted. New technology is a tool for people, it should allow the rest of us time to create a better future. The case for human beings and gainful employment demands instant response. Why aren’t more people thinking how to use the Tools of the future to make life better for us on Earth?
We should have a choice, In fact many choices!
3.9/10/13 NY TIMES The lists of money gone astray continues. Farm subsidies for non farmers may continue as Lawmakers Deadlock again. 18,000 people in 24 of the Nation’s largest cities, received $24Million in farm subsidies and they are not actively involved in farming! The program costs the government $5Billion and goes to 2300 farms that grow no crops? These subsidies continue to protect farmers against failing crops which they don’t produce?
Where is the safety net to protect small businesses from the Financial Crisis created by Wall Street. Why couldn’t they get protection and reimbursement from other people’s mistakes? We have a choice.
4. Last night, on my way to The New School, I took the #1 train to 14th Street and was appalled by the decay and grime evident on the platform. On 14th Street a similar scene of dirt and decay was reinforced. That’s when I had my “Eureka Moment.” Why couldn’t we institute “an adopt a Street or a Subway Platform Program”. Big Business, could name their Street or subway platform and pay for it’s maintenance , similar to the signs I’ve seen on the LIE , it’s a thought. The city has much to do, this could be a start to employ many who are out of work. What do you think? We have choices.