Entrecard Politics Newsletter for June 2012

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Entrecard Politcs monthly newsletter.  Here you will find a sample of the work provided by the active Entrecard members during the month of the edition.  If you are not yet a member of Entrecard, I highly recommend that you check out the service.  It is a great way to drive webtraffic to your website, and it is completely free (no gimmicks).

Economy

I think our friends over at Our Dime and Self Deprecate Political Humor need to get together and collaborate on a joint article on economic theory.  In June, both authors wrote great pieces that covered similar topics that you should take a moment to read.

Our Dime wrote Happy B-day to 2 Misunderstood Men: Adam Smith & J.M. Keynes:

There is something else about Keynes.  He shows that, because of money, the state must play a role in the economy to maintain full employment. This has spawned two common misconceptions:  One is that conservatives demonize Keynes as the second-coming of Karl Marx.  The other is that in a recession, the government should spend money all willy-nilly until the recession is over.

Self Deprecate Political Humor wrote The Nuance of Karl Marx: One of the most Misinterpreted Political Writers:

Despite the massive amount of writings that Karl Marx left behind, he is often misquoted and misconstrued–not only by his ideological objectors, but his own followers, as well. It is not uncommon for Marx to be included on many people’s shortlist of their most despised ideologues. On the other hand, it is not uncommon for Marx to be included on many people’s shortlist of influential thinkers. Marx is often falsely accused of promoting a future utopia, a charge that he is easily acquitted of once one reads Marx’s own words.

Two articles about the misconceptions of economic theorists in one month.  It was meant to be.  I hope the two authors decide to collaborate on a future project.

In other economic news, let’s turn our attention to our friends overseas.  Remember, Entrecard Politics members span the globe, and as such provide us with a great perspective on what other nations are doing.  This gives us something to compare against our local political and social issues.

My Economic Opinion wrote UK interest rates and economic growth:

Austerity reduces government spending in the economy, which directly reduces the demand in an economy. It also leads to a potential reduction in consumer spending as benefits or public sector wages are reduced. This reduction in demand and other factors such as low confidence counteract the increase in demand that should be seen due to the low interest rates. In addition since interest rates are low but have not really increased demand in the economy to a sufficient level, they will have to stay at this record low for the foreseeable future, while different monetary devices are used such as quantitative easing.

Low interest rates are in demand, especially when you are shopping for a home.  Our next author touches just on that point.

WeOp-Ed wrote Loans Provided By a Mortgage Lender Can Be Fixed Rate:

Who are these mortgage brokers communicating with that will not supply you the loan straight? Of course you can simply transport yourself from bank to bank proposing the loan and expecting for your wish to be granted. Choosing this path would carry countless days to journey to every neighboring bank searching for the ideal prices. In reality, a lot of the best provides will not even be in the state you reside in. Mortgage brokers have the relationship you want to speak directly with lenders, stopping you from getting into banks with a track history of smacking on unbelievably steep costs to your loan. You will stop losing a lot of time and losing money by permitting the agents seeks the banks for you.

The last article under the Economy section has a wonderful idea.  Not only can this help lower expenses, but it could also provide theraputic aspects as well.  Take a look.

The Lie Politic wrote Organic Gardening To Reduce Government Debt:

The government could assist those on EBT if they required every store that accepts EBT to clearly label all items (maybe not individually, but at least within a department) that can be purchased with the food benefit. Gardening and growing ones own organic food stuffs could reduce the expenses of those that require government aid and provide them better nutrition via their own efforts.

Gay Rights

This is a topic that often stirs up passions on both sides of the debate, but I think through exposure and discussion, both sides can come together to discuss their differences calmly, logically, and respectfully.  This month we have two entries from our members.

PolitEkon wrote UNDP Addresses Homophobia and Transphobia:

Despite these developments, a number of countries still have laws that criminalize same-sex relations between consenting adults. In the Philippines, while the society may appear tolerant towards LGBT, stories of stigma and discrimination among members of the community still persist. According to the NGO Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch, it is estimated that over 160 LGBT-related hate crimes have been documented since 1996. The prevailing stigma associated with homosexuality and sexual diversity drives members of the community to situations that place their physical, mental and social well-being at greater risk. This cannot be better illustrated than by the escalating epidemic of HIV among men having sex with men (MSM) and transgender persons in the country. As reported by the Department of Health, about eight out of ten reported cases of HIV each day are acquired through same-sex transmission. Experience has shown that when people are stigmatized because of their sexual orientation or identity, they are less likely to access the HIV services they need. Therefore, this leads to new HIV infections and AIDS deaths.

All That Is Necessary wrote Gay Pride Month at St. George’s Starts With Forum for Former Leader of GLAAD:

Not through the time-honored defense mechanism of blending into the background.  “Gay and lesbian people walk this really fine line, right? We want folks to know the realities, we want to tell stories, but we want to fit in. We want to be treated like anyone else…. but in order to get the rights we deserve, we have to talk, we need to tell our stories, and we need to stick out.”

Health Care

Another controversial topic as late has been the Affordable Care Act (also referred to as Obamacare).  The Supreme Court ruled on the Constitutionality of the law the last week of June.  As people digest the nuances of the Courts opinion on the law before posting articles on the topic, two authors were quick to publish initial reactions on the ruling.

People Political wrote The People Win in Today’s Healthcare Supreme Court Ruling:

That’s right the People won today. Not Republicans, not Democrats, not Independents, not your neighbor’s dog, the People. The People of the United States of America won today. Soon we will not have to worry about going bankrupt, having our lives destroyed or even dieing because we can’t afford to care for the disease we get, the cancer that sneaks up on us or a drunk driver in a pickup that runs red lights.

Flap’s Blog wrote ObamaCare: Only a Third Favor Obama’s Health Reform Law:

President Obama and then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi forced this law down the throats of the American people.
Remember ObamaCare passed with NO Republican votes in the House or Senate.

Nobody and I mean nobody fully understand all of its provisions. The uncertainty has stifled employment and cost projections of the law’s impact scares business already slammed with the economic recession.

Before the ruling came out, our long-time friends over at the First Door on the Left provided a possible scenario of what the nation might experience if the Affordable Care Act were to be overturned.

First Door on the Left wrote Texas Health Care:

I encourage you to click on the link at the beginning of this post and read the full article. Texas isn’t doing so well. If the ACA is invalidated, neither will the rest of the country.

Women and Gender

Sometimes when reading multiple websites, you come across a general theme in articles from time-to-time that you might not expect.  In June, there were many articles written dealing with gender issues.  I narrowed the topic down to just three entries this month, but there were at least six that I recall reading.

Politically Incorrect wrote Gender Bias:

Great, but in all this we forget that Sania Mirza has her own standing in the game. She is not A ‘looking-for-an-opportunity-to-play’ girl. To cap it, she has her own mind and doesn’t hesitate to voice it should the need arise. If she refuses, and she very well can, what is the association going to do? Didn’t the association realize, even for common
courtesy, if nothing else, to ask Sania if she was willing? But here again “She is a woman and will do as told” mentality coming to the fore.

The Axis wrote Breastfeeding in Uniform:

Now that having been said, obviously there are times when the uniform will be partially removed when participating in some necessary activities such as changing in or out of uniform or using the head (bathroom). And while these activities are necessary and unavoidable, it is not a normal nor acceptable part of the routine to photograph the process. So let’s take a look at this from a slightly different perspective. Let’s suppose these women had photographed themselves with their trousers around their ankles while they sat on the can dropping a log. The same defense would apply. It’s a natural thing to do, after all. It certainly is healthy to pass along your waste products. They shouldn’t be made to feel shame or embarrassment for having to use the bathroom, right? But there is something else that these two occasions should share, and that is privacy.

A Slice of Life wrote Lingerie football: Y-front football would provide balance:

Perhaps we should be more surprised that anti discrimination laws in this country don’t cover this type of exploitation.  While there might be women queueing up to join the Lingerie Football League in Australia, there is no telling how far this type of spectacle sets back the cause for the status of women.  Commentators on programs such as 9′s
Wide World of Sports might assure us that players in the lingerie league go through a rigorous selection process and that football prowess and athletic ability are the most important selection criteria; but they aren’t even fooling themselves let alone anyone else. Players are reportedly contractually obliged to accept ”accidental nudity”; we need not be in any doubt about the motives behind lingerie football (not that anyone actually was).

Communication

Communication is a major function of our daily lives.  From talking with friends and family, to interacting with our coworkers, to listening to the news on the radio and television, we define our world in a large part through communication.  Two entries this month (one by myself) highlight the good and the bad of communication.

Tony Briley wrote End of Social Networking?:

Also, as more people begin to once again value their privacy, I see a departure from social networking services. Why leave your privacy and shared content in the hands of Google or Facebook, when it is so easy to
create your own website, which can host your blog, updates, and pictures? With your own website, you can control exactly who sees what, and it’s much easier than trying to navigate the beast known as Facebook’s privacy settings.

U.S. Common Sense wrote Decorum? What Decorum?:

He may have felt that, but that doesn’t excuse the interruption.  In the
normal practice of an address, the President (if accepting) will turn over the meeting to the press to ask questions.  It is a clear defining line in the process, of which Munro crossed.  However, the President ended up not having a question-and-answer period, so by breaking decorum, he was able to get his question out and have the media outlets ask the question repeatedly during the day.

Miscellaneous

Sometimes, there are good articles that I just can’t seem to group with other topics.  With the belief of “No Blogger Left Behind,” I group these remaining articles under the Miscellaneous section.  You never know what you might find here.

Politix Cartoons wrote Roots of American Liberty:

Internation Musing wrote Day Opening:

Politika-et-kultura wrote The Treachery of Emilio Aguinaldo:

Preguntaver wrote Before The Pirates, Let’s Take On Syria:

If the government doesn’t do anything beyond bombarding civilian homes in enemy territories, it will soon be firing directly on the houses of their neighbors. Pretty soon, some of the soldiers will be aiming for the houses of  relatives of their comrades. People have relatives scattered all over  their countries and the way the artillery units are firing, they are bound to kill relatives of their comrades and eventually, their own. Because of that, more soldiers will join the rebellion and runaway chaos might erupt.

America in Prophecy wrote The Chronicles Of Riddick – by director David Twohy – is a futuristic tale depicting: Very Real and Unfolding Events!

In: ” The Chronicles Of Riddick ” – A 2004 Film directed David Twohy and starring Vin Diesel – its main character, Richard B Riddick [ which means: " The Strong And Powerful Ruler - Became - The One Amidst The Reeds " ] clearly illustrates to everyone, that The Right Man Can Make A Very Big Difference! You see, dear brothers and sisters, that: ” Strong and Powerful Ruler ” – is none other than Michael The Archangel… and: ” The One Amidst The Reeds ” – is Your Own Long-Awaited Prophet, being referred to scripturally as Jeshurun. In fact, the truly fantastical tale of: ” Riddick ” – is yet another, very interesting, Prophetical Allegory.

Solomon’s Conservative Wisdom II wrote Recent Health Issues

This article by the author links you to another site that he operates.  In that secondary site, the author mentions his current medical condition and his lack of financial resources to seek the aid he needs.  I typically do not promote my readers to donate to people or organizations that I do not personally interact with (a way for me to validate the request for funds), but if you wish to contribute, please follow the link to read up on his story.