Before we tackle any of the problems you have enumerated above, we must first ask ourselves V.I. Lenin's question: "What is to be Done?"
I submit that none of the problems listed above can be solved or even partially ameliorated by the perpetuation of the current system - it has simply gone on for so long that absent the massive application of force it cannot reform itself.
Any system, whether nominally capitalist or nominally socialist, that ceases to have as its main goal the welfare and well-being of the bulk of the population
will lose that population's allegiance and cease to exist.
The Soviet Union ceased to exist the day the people
decided that they would no longer fight to preserve the current system. When even the army and state security forces quit, it was game over.
Even China realizes that the day they can no longer
provide an improved standard of living for their population,their days will also be numbered.
So - as to "What is to be Done?" there are four steps:
1) Broad-based revolt, either peaceful or not, characterized by mass non-participation in the "system", precipitated by a "tipping point" event;
2) An attempt by "The Powers That Be" to suppress
dissent, at first through propaganda, and then through violence;
3) The rejection by the mass of the population of any compromise measures or negotiations with "The Powers That Be" - rather, an insistence that FIRST those "Powers That Be" must yield power before any negotiations can take place;
4) The emergence of new systems and political structures in areas "liberated" by "revolutionary" activity. A key activity in "liberated" areas will be the speedy trial and public punishment of those members of TPTB unlucky enough to fall into revolutionary hands, thereby providing an inspiration to others still fighting.
Revolution could succeed here - we have a well-armed, mechanically inclined population, sufficient natural resources and arable land to support the population,
reasonable literacy, and well-organized means of transport and communication. We are far better prepared and equipped for "transformational revolt" than Egypt, Tunisia, Libya or even Greece or Ireland.
And when it is all over, we will be surprised at how easy it was.
Many would fight and die for their country, families, and way of life - no one in his right mind would give his life for Goldman Sachs.
This is highly pertinent news. GS must be a big surprised that various government entities are going after the firm.
As you said,
This ... is the biggest crime in recent history and, it seems, not only it is being swept under the rug, most of the vehicles which were used to perpetuate this glorified mobster gambling casino are still in place, running amok, unfettered, lurking behind even more too big to fail financial institutions.
The vehicles for the big scam are still there, as are the cheerleaders (although they're wearing different jerseys).
I'd highly suggest anyone reading this stay away from degrees in the advanced sciences. There is a massive (maybe 10 year) glut of PhD and MS students in physics/biology/chemistry etc.
This is due to degree overproduction by greedy academics who want the labs flush with future hobos.
They get tenure and you get the shaft.
A PhD is a one way ticket to poverty.
5yr yr undergrad+5 yr PhD + 5 yr postdoc => poverty
I was looking at that figure the other day. It's ripe for the picking. Drive up that figure, scare them, and then start the benefits and salary attack. More efficiencies from the crony capitalist imagineers.
So I guess the U.S. won't be able to utilize a pay for delete like many Americans are resorted to? This country is going to pot! What happened to the surplus we experience under Bill Clinton? Oh yeah, that's right! WAR!!! Au revoir America. It was nice knowing you!
That actually goes under wholesale trade and also investment, capital goods in other reports, whereas retail is just business to consumer, not business to business...
Still, those are some great numbers. I'll have to do up the wholesale trade report to see if they match.
Love it when I see any breath of life in manufacturing.
There were also signs of manufacturing increases. According to Thomasnet News, demand for machine tools and other related parts increased in March. Some of their findings are mentioned below:
Manufacturing technology consumption increased among U.S. manufacturers in all major regions in March, with demand for machine tools and related equipment rising on both a month-to-month and year-over-year basis.
The combined value of machine tool and related equipment consumption by United States manufacturers rose to $511.15 million in March, up 57.6 percent from February, according to the latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Consumption (USMTC) report, released Monday. In addition to the monthly gain, the March total was also up 99 percent from the $256.88 million reported for March 2010.
With a year-to-date total of $1.2 billion, 2011 manufacturing technology consumption is 118.6 percent higher than in the same period last year.
March machine tool consumption increased in all five of the major U.S. regions tracked by the USMTC on both a month-to-month and year-over-year basis.
The largest gains were in the Midwest, with manufacturing tech consumption rising to $214.18 million in March, 94.2 percent above the February total and 174.8 percent above the March 2010 figure. So far this year, the Midwest's consumption has climbed to $436.75 million, 175.1 percent more than the total for the same period last year.
Machine tool consumption in the Western region rose to $48.7 million in March, a 79.3 percent gain over February and 37.3 percent above the March 2010 total. In addition, the year-to-date total of $118.97 million is 68.6 percent higher than in the same period in 2010.
At $76.41 million, March machine tech consumption in the Northeast was up 39.9 percent from February and 112.6 percent from March 2010. The year-to-date total of $180.84 million is 104.3 higher than the total for the same period last year.
In the Southern states, machine tech consumption increased to $45.68 million in March, a 33 percent gain over February and a 3.1 percent year-over-year gain. So far this year, Southern manufacturers have purchased $133.62 million worth of manufacturing technology, 45.8 percent more than during the same period in 2010.
Machine tech consumption in the Central region rose to $126.18 million in March, 28.9 percent above the February total and 99.7 percent above the March 2010 figure. Year-to-date consumption has climbed to $333.38 million, 136.4 percent more than the total for the first three months of 2010.
[ ***** Based on data from member companies of the Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT) and the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association (AMTDA), the USMTC report provides regional and national consumption data for manufacturing machine tools and related equipment. *****]
What these elites want to do next is oversaturate the job market for people with college degrees. Their unemployment rate is only 4.5% and they generally receive better wages and benefits than other workers. So the next logical step in driving this country into a banana republic is to get everybody to have a degree so that there are more workers than jobs and then the wages will fall like coconuts.
Also, if all those unemployed thought that their ticket to wealth was a degree, then they will take out vast sums of money in student loans to get that degree and then spend that money on 12% inflated tuition. Which then goes to build fancy buildings and gets donated to other elites.
Yes, the entire system has to be changed, and quickly. It's obvious that the present system is broken and working against us. Instead of constantly talking about our miseries and economic pains, we should be talking about what to do to fix the problems. It seems to me that we're in a rut talking about jobs, debt, unaffordable health care, taxes, wars, deficits, corruption, bankruptcies, home foreclosures, high food and energy cost, illegal immigration, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid fraud, the rising cost of higher education, rising poverty and homelessness, our import and energy dependency, the injustices in our judicial system, white collar crime, the failed war on illegal drugs, government no-bid contracts, subsidies to rich farmers and big oil, and campaign financing.
I'm sure that we all know and understand the many problems, but how many know what to do about them? How many are willing to discuss the solutions? All of us should not only write about the problems, but spend equal time writing about solutions. The problems are obvious to most of us, and the solution is equally obvious.
You're talking about it intelligently, the paper comes out on May 11, EPI handled it well in September as did Dollars and Cents... so why does anyone even mention 'structural' unemployment? Because it's in the official hymnal of The Money Party, everyone sing along as we walk off the cliff.
The nation is filled with highly motivated, intelligent and creative people. The nation's workers are highly productive and dedicated.
What's the problem. I like my solution - Treasury Swaps. That's better than the solution offered by Peter Kropotkin.
Rosie the Riveter is a great example. I meant to include a comment on training in the original post. I think I'll go back and add it. Reference this proof by sign. Originally, I was oging to reference some tech companies who do nothing but untrained, capable people who are taught the systems sold, used. etc. They do quite well, as do the employees. The one's I've seen don't care much about appearance either;)
It is to completely replace the system. Paris 1789, St. Petersburg 1917 and Beijing 1949 come to mind.
As long as the current system can perpetuate itself, nothing will change - those who benefit from the "Disemployment Of America" have the money and the influence to buy whatever legislation and regulation they wish to accomplish this goal.
Right now times are NOT HARD ENOUGH - but let U-6 unemployment breach the 30% level and you will see fifty Cairos simultaneously. At that point, the armed forces should take over, with a mandate to make full employment and national self-sufficiency matters of national security and survival.
Through the miracle of arbitrary arrest,trial and punishment of guilty banksters, CEOs and politicians
not only can the economy be saved but the national spirit as well. Televised show trials and executions
will go a long way toward this goal.
How did Rosie the Riviter ever manage to build B-17's? No structural unemployment if the job really has to get done no matter what. No requirement for exactly 3 to 5 years experience and the right image and the right color socks.
this never ending lobbyist spin machine, presented as fact takes another blow. It's like the terminator, spewing misinformation to anyone willing to take 30 pieces of silver.
The interesting thing is the "skills gap" was obviously debunked around the time it popped up but nobody in corporate media carried it. It's too self-serving plus it blames us, the unskilled masses. Mike Konczal really nails it, without wasting too many words.
I do think my idea of Treasury Swaps after confiscation is a good one;)
Yes, you and I, and almost everyone else can clearly see the problems, their adverse effects, as well as their economically devastating results. But how many of us are willing to take the next step? How many are willing to point fingers at the villains, name names, and vote accordingly? How many see the problems, actually feel the harsh effects, but continue to re-elect the anti-America egotistical self-serving crooks to office?
Please note: John Q. Public doesn't vote on the floors of Congress. John Q. Public doesn't legislate and pass harmful laws and policies. John Q. Public doesn't sign and enact anti-America foreign trade agreements and policies. John Q. Public doesn't have the money or resources to hire full-time Lobbyists. John Q. Public didn't vote to send our jobs to foreign labor markets. John Q. Public didn't spend us into astronomical and rising debt. John Q. Public didn't create a society almost totally dependent on government assistance programs for its' survival. In summary, John Q. Public is NOT at fault here, rahter it's the U.S. government that must shoulder the blame for what has happened to this country.
Yes, it's great and informative to report the economic news. Yes, it's great to be able to show the misinformation and obvious bias. But, at the same time, we should show and explain the "who" and the "why". Remember, our present economic "near collapse" didn't happen by chance, nor by accident, but was planned and engineered by the United States Government.
The next step is to oust every single member of Congress, and elect pro-America representatives. Otherwise, re-electing those already in office, will only serve to further our economic downfall. Their agenda is set, their greedy backers are in place, and we don't have the money or power to fight them on their turf. Our vote is our only weapon, and we must use it to our benefit, and not to the benefit of those hell-bent on our destruction.
Yes, this is good news. Toledo is like mini detroit. BUT, in Lansing Michigan in 1980, there were 28,000 GM employees (not just line workers, remember. Engineers, Accountants, etc., etc.). Today, there are 3500 in the city and another 3500 in a new plant just outside the city limits. Instead of using the hundreds of acres that GM owns in the city that are basically empty parking lots, GM chose to tear up pure untouched farm land to build a new polluting plant to build SUVs. GM had 5 different locations in the city that they could have refurbished to build this new plant and not have to tear up that land and also to revitalize parts of Lansing that are otherwise wastelands of concrete. But thanks to good old tax breaks and some political insider deals, they get to abandon inner city Lansing for its suburbs. Heaven forbid they have to clean up the messes they have made in the city.
I pick Lansing because I am from here. But I only have to travel an hour Northeast to see the disaster that is Flint. Or I can travel to Pennsylvania to see all the steel towns that are decimated by this attitude.
Sonny:
Before we tackle any of the problems you have enumerated above, we must first ask ourselves V.I. Lenin's question: "What is to be Done?"
I submit that none of the problems listed above can be solved or even partially ameliorated by the perpetuation of the current system - it has simply gone on for so long that absent the massive application of force it cannot reform itself.
Any system, whether nominally capitalist or nominally socialist, that ceases to have as its main goal the welfare and well-being of the bulk of the population
will lose that population's allegiance and cease to exist.
The Soviet Union ceased to exist the day the people
decided that they would no longer fight to preserve the current system. When even the army and state security forces quit, it was game over.
Even China realizes that the day they can no longer
provide an improved standard of living for their population,their days will also be numbered.
So - as to "What is to be Done?" there are four steps:
1) Broad-based revolt, either peaceful or not, characterized by mass non-participation in the "system", precipitated by a "tipping point" event;
2) An attempt by "The Powers That Be" to suppress
dissent, at first through propaganda, and then through violence;
3) The rejection by the mass of the population of any compromise measures or negotiations with "The Powers That Be" - rather, an insistence that FIRST those "Powers That Be" must yield power before any negotiations can take place;
4) The emergence of new systems and political structures in areas "liberated" by "revolutionary" activity. A key activity in "liberated" areas will be the speedy trial and public punishment of those members of TPTB unlucky enough to fall into revolutionary hands, thereby providing an inspiration to others still fighting.
Revolution could succeed here - we have a well-armed, mechanically inclined population, sufficient natural resources and arable land to support the population,
reasonable literacy, and well-organized means of transport and communication. We are far better prepared and equipped for "transformational revolt" than Egypt, Tunisia, Libya or even Greece or Ireland.
And when it is all over, we will be surprised at how easy it was.
Many would fight and die for their country, families, and way of life - no one in his right mind would give his life for Goldman Sachs.
This is highly pertinent news. GS must be a big surprised that various government entities are going after the firm.
As you said,
The vehicles for the big scam are still there, as are the cheerleaders (although they're wearing different jerseys).
I'd highly suggest anyone reading this stay away from degrees in the advanced sciences. There is a massive (maybe 10 year) glut of PhD and MS students in physics/biology/chemistry etc.
This is due to degree overproduction by greedy academics who want the labs flush with future hobos.
They get tenure and you get the shaft.
A PhD is a one way ticket to poverty.
5yr yr undergrad+5 yr PhD + 5 yr postdoc => poverty
http://www.thenation.com/print/article/160410/faulty-towers-crisis-highe...
I was looking at that figure the other day. It's ripe for the picking. Drive up that figure, scare them, and then start the benefits and salary attack. More efficiencies from the crony capitalist imagineers.
Very good point.
So I guess the U.S. won't be able to utilize a pay for delete like many Americans are resorted to? This country is going to pot! What happened to the surplus we experience under Bill Clinton? Oh yeah, that's right! WAR!!! Au revoir America. It was nice knowing you!
That actually goes under wholesale trade and also investment, capital goods in other reports, whereas retail is just business to consumer, not business to business...
Still, those are some great numbers. I'll have to do up the wholesale trade report to see if they match.
Love it when I see any breath of life in manufacturing.
There were also signs of manufacturing increases. According to Thomasnet News, demand for machine tools and other related parts increased in March. Some of their findings are mentioned below:
Manufacturing technology consumption increased among U.S. manufacturers in all major regions in March, with demand for machine tools and related equipment rising on both a month-to-month and year-over-year basis.
The combined value of machine tool and related equipment consumption by United States manufacturers rose to $511.15 million in March, up 57.6 percent from February, according to the latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Consumption (USMTC) report, released Monday. In addition to the monthly gain, the March total was also up 99 percent from the $256.88 million reported for March 2010.
With a year-to-date total of $1.2 billion, 2011 manufacturing technology consumption is 118.6 percent higher than in the same period last year.
March machine tool consumption increased in all five of the major U.S. regions tracked by the USMTC on both a month-to-month and year-over-year basis.
The largest gains were in the Midwest, with manufacturing tech consumption rising to $214.18 million in March, 94.2 percent above the February total and 174.8 percent above the March 2010 figure. So far this year, the Midwest's consumption has climbed to $436.75 million, 175.1 percent more than the total for the same period last year.
Machine tool consumption in the Western region rose to $48.7 million in March, a 79.3 percent gain over February and 37.3 percent above the March 2010 total. In addition, the year-to-date total of $118.97 million is 68.6 percent higher than in the same period in 2010.
At $76.41 million, March machine tech consumption in the Northeast was up 39.9 percent from February and 112.6 percent from March 2010. The year-to-date total of $180.84 million is 104.3 higher than the total for the same period last year.
In the Southern states, machine tech consumption increased to $45.68 million in March, a 33 percent gain over February and a 3.1 percent year-over-year gain. So far this year, Southern manufacturers have purchased $133.62 million worth of manufacturing technology, 45.8 percent more than during the same period in 2010.
Machine tech consumption in the Central region rose to $126.18 million in March, 28.9 percent above the February total and 99.7 percent above the March 2010 figure. Year-to-date consumption has climbed to $333.38 million, 136.4 percent more than the total for the first three months of 2010.
[ ***** Based on data from member companies of the Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT) and the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association (AMTDA), the USMTC report provides regional and national consumption data for manufacturing machine tools and related equipment. *****]
http://news.thomasnet.com/IMT/archives/2011/05/machine-tech-consumption-...
What these elites want to do next is oversaturate the job market for people with college degrees. Their unemployment rate is only 4.5% and they generally receive better wages and benefits than other workers. So the next logical step in driving this country into a banana republic is to get everybody to have a degree so that there are more workers than jobs and then the wages will fall like coconuts.
Also, if all those unemployed thought that their ticket to wealth was a degree, then they will take out vast sums of money in student loans to get that degree and then spend that money on 12% inflated tuition. Which then goes to build fancy buildings and gets donated to other elites.
Yes, the entire system has to be changed, and quickly. It's obvious that the present system is broken and working against us. Instead of constantly talking about our miseries and economic pains, we should be talking about what to do to fix the problems. It seems to me that we're in a rut talking about jobs, debt, unaffordable health care, taxes, wars, deficits, corruption, bankruptcies, home foreclosures, high food and energy cost, illegal immigration, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid fraud, the rising cost of higher education, rising poverty and homelessness, our import and energy dependency, the injustices in our judicial system, white collar crime, the failed war on illegal drugs, government no-bid contracts, subsidies to rich farmers and big oil, and campaign financing.
I'm sure that we all know and understand the many problems, but how many know what to do about them? How many are willing to discuss the solutions? All of us should not only write about the problems, but spend equal time writing about solutions. The problems are obvious to most of us, and the solution is equally obvious.
I totally agree with your take on this matter.
is really good, add him to our glorified blog roll?
You're talking about it intelligently, the paper comes out on May 11, EPI handled it well in September as did Dollars and Cents... so why does anyone even mention 'structural' unemployment? Because it's in the official hymnal of The Money Party, everyone sing along as we walk off the cliff.
The nation is filled with highly motivated, intelligent and creative people. The nation's workers are highly productive and dedicated.
What's the problem. I like my solution - Treasury Swaps. That's better than the solution offered by Peter Kropotkin.
Rosie the Riveter is a great example. I meant to include a comment on training in the original post. I think I'll go back and add it. Reference this proof by sign. Originally, I was oging to reference some tech companies who do nothing but untrained, capable people who are taught the systems sold, used. etc. They do quite well, as do the employees. The one's I've seen don't care much about appearance either;)
That lead me to the paper released on the same day. The blog post is quite good.
New Paper: What Does the Dramatic 2009-2010 Revisions in Job Openings Tell Us About Structural Unemployment?
The Next Step is obvious.
It is to completely replace the system. Paris 1789, St. Petersburg 1917 and Beijing 1949 come to mind.
As long as the current system can perpetuate itself, nothing will change - those who benefit from the "Disemployment Of America" have the money and the influence to buy whatever legislation and regulation they wish to accomplish this goal.
Right now times are NOT HARD ENOUGH - but let U-6 unemployment breach the 30% level and you will see fifty Cairos simultaneously. At that point, the armed forces should take over, with a mandate to make full employment and national self-sufficiency matters of national security and survival.
Through the miracle of arbitrary arrest,trial and punishment of guilty banksters, CEOs and politicians
not only can the economy be saved but the national spirit as well. Televised show trials and executions
will go a long way toward this goal.
A true Vampire Squid
Excellent post
How did Rosie the Riviter ever manage to build B-17's? No structural unemployment if the job really has to get done no matter what. No requirement for exactly 3 to 5 years experience and the right image and the right color socks.
this never ending lobbyist spin machine, presented as fact takes another blow. It's like the terminator, spewing misinformation to anyone willing to take 30 pieces of silver.
It was in a comment on another thread.
The interesting thing is the "skills gap" was obviously debunked around the time it popped up but nobody in corporate media carried it. It's too self-serving plus it blames us, the unskilled masses. Mike Konczal really nails it, without wasting too many words.
I do think my idea of Treasury Swaps after confiscation is a good one;)
Yes, you and I, and almost everyone else can clearly see the problems, their adverse effects, as well as their economically devastating results. But how many of us are willing to take the next step? How many are willing to point fingers at the villains, name names, and vote accordingly? How many see the problems, actually feel the harsh effects, but continue to re-elect the anti-America egotistical self-serving crooks to office?
Please note: John Q. Public doesn't vote on the floors of Congress. John Q. Public doesn't legislate and pass harmful laws and policies. John Q. Public doesn't sign and enact anti-America foreign trade agreements and policies. John Q. Public doesn't have the money or resources to hire full-time Lobbyists. John Q. Public didn't vote to send our jobs to foreign labor markets. John Q. Public didn't spend us into astronomical and rising debt. John Q. Public didn't create a society almost totally dependent on government assistance programs for its' survival. In summary, John Q. Public is NOT at fault here, rahter it's the U.S. government that must shoulder the blame for what has happened to this country.
Yes, it's great and informative to report the economic news. Yes, it's great to be able to show the misinformation and obvious bias. But, at the same time, we should show and explain the "who" and the "why". Remember, our present economic "near collapse" didn't happen by chance, nor by accident, but was planned and engineered by the United States Government.
The next step is to oust every single member of Congress, and elect pro-America representatives. Otherwise, re-electing those already in office, will only serve to further our economic downfall. Their agenda is set, their greedy backers are in place, and we don't have the money or power to fight them on their turf. Our vote is our only weapon, and we must use it to our benefit, and not to the benefit of those hell-bent on our destruction.
Yes, this is good news. Toledo is like mini detroit. BUT, in Lansing Michigan in 1980, there were 28,000 GM employees (not just line workers, remember. Engineers, Accountants, etc., etc.). Today, there are 3500 in the city and another 3500 in a new plant just outside the city limits. Instead of using the hundreds of acres that GM owns in the city that are basically empty parking lots, GM chose to tear up pure untouched farm land to build a new polluting plant to build SUVs. GM had 5 different locations in the city that they could have refurbished to build this new plant and not have to tear up that land and also to revitalize parts of Lansing that are otherwise wastelands of concrete. But thanks to good old tax breaks and some political insider deals, they get to abandon inner city Lansing for its suburbs. Heaven forbid they have to clean up the messes they have made in the city.
I pick Lansing because I am from here. But I only have to travel an hour Northeast to see the disaster that is Flint. Or I can travel to Pennsylvania to see all the steel towns that are decimated by this attitude.
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