DAnneMarc...(and Aliceinwonderland), this is a genuinely interesting conversation, for which many thanks. Obviously a few of us remain awake.

That said, there is one grave fallacy in DAnneMarc's thinking, specifically that the population of the U.S. was less educated in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries than it is now. While quantitatively that may be true -- people are surely taught more facts and alleged facts today than in yesteryear -- qualitatively that is absolutely false. Study after study has revealed the present-day U.S. population to be the most ignorant such population on the planet, with an alleged leadership that is scarcely better educated than the masses. Indeed today's USian citizenry reads fewer books than any people on earth. By contrast the founders were amongst the most educated people of their time, Lincoln was surely no ignoramus, and FDR was a product of the best private schools in the nation. While probably a third of the colonial citizenry was illiterate -- more than half when you factor in the non-citizen slaves (who were by law prohibited any education) -- there was also from the earliest days of the republic a consistent effort toward education, such that by the early 20th Century, the U.S. had achieved, in all parts of the nation but the South, literacy rates comparable to the most civilized nations of Europe. Not only that; based on existing test papers and textbooks, an eighth grader of the 1930s was expected to know more history, geography, science and math than a college graduate today. This knowledge gap between the relatively learned electorate then and the hopelessly ignorant electorate now no doubt explains why during the 1920s and 1930s the Communist Party rose to be the third largest political organization ever in U.S. history and why today the average citizen cannot reliably spell "socialist," much less grasp its meaning. In this same context, the dumbing-down I have witnessed in my own life is itself breathtaking. I graduated from high school in 1958. When I was in third grade (1948-1949), we were required to memorize the Preamble to the Constitution and to be able to explain its meaning; in fifth grade (1950-1951), we were required to memorize and explain the first stanza of The Concord Hymn, the recitation of which still to this day brings tears to my eyes; in eighth grade (1953-1954), we were required to memorize and explain the Bill of Rights; in grade 11 (1956-1957), we were required to memorize and explain Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. None of these requirements exist in the U.S. public schools today. Indeed, what in my school days were called civics, history and American government are now effectively taboo subjects -- a direct reflection of the fact the Ruling Class is so terrified we will (re)discover our hard-won rights, it has diminished education accordingly.

As to campaign finance reform, I agree it is a worthy cause, surely worth working for, but because I believe it is utterly impossible within the present system, I prefer to direct my efforts elsewhere -- at this point working in my very small way to help people like Chris Hedges awaken us to the absolute hopelessness of our present-day circumstances. Only then, with that lesson learned, will we be able to formulate successful resistance.

DAM -- Thom himself talked about the TPP on June 13, 2012 blog. The title include the words Free Trade Kool Aid.

P.S. Marc's letter is an excellent option. Should you choose to use a shorter version of mine, I won't be offended. Or you can write your own. Most importantly, do something! - AIW

Aliceinwonderland ~ Great job, Alice! Excellent letter! Please allow me to offer an alternative. Some Representatives sites only allow shorter comments. This one is simple and straight to the point. Again, everyone feel free to write your own.

Dear

I am writing you today to express my concern about TPP legislation. From what I understand this agreement would set up international tribunals that would negate the national sovereignty of member countries. If this is true I demand that you firmly oppose this agreement. This agreement would nullify your authority in domestic matters. That is not why you were elected and I insist that you do not surrender the authority that We the People have entrusted you with.

Sincerely,

You can use this link to find your Representatives:

http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

Use this link to find your Senator:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Use this link to write the President:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments

Good luck everyone!

Aliceinwonderland ~ Sorry to hear about the gibberish problem. I imagine it is very annoying. I understand you are using a Mac. The first thing I would try is to update my operating system. If that doesn't work try to update your browser. If that doesn't work, I'd consider investing in a PC.

(PS Investing in a PC wouldn't be a bad idea anyway. Especially if you own a business. Having both platforms available makes your equipment much more versatile. Also, it gives you the opportunity of familiarizing yourself with both operating systems. Most important of all, you have a backup system readily available in an emergency.)

Kend and Kend's wife ~ 90% tax on over a $1M profit is not only a good idea; but, essential for business regulation and the economy. Can you imagine anyone taking home $1M in profit annually? That's 20 X what the average worker makes; or, roughly 20 jobs. By forcing companies to reinvest that revenue you force the companies to spend that money to create those jobs in itself, raise the wages of current workers--who deserve that by the way because it was their sweat that earned it in the first place--or by upgrading it's equipment--which creates jobs and revenue for other companies. This isn't about taking your money away, it's about forcing you to invest it in the wisest most productive way for society. Obviously, the wealthy if left to their own devices are not capable of making that necessary choice on their own. And no, this has nothing to do with their "freedom of choice." That begins and ends when they decide what God to believe or not to believe in, how to pursue happiness, who to marry, and how to vote. "Freedom of choice" has nothing to do with how much money you think you deserve to extort from your employees and horde to yourself. When your actions begin to affect the good and well being of others your "freedom of choice" goes out the window and We the People decide for you. We call that Democracy!

As far as education is concerned I believe your stories. It makes sense. Thirty years ago it was a different world. A high school diploma went a long ways. People I used to work with in my profession many years ago had no formal education. However, I had to have at least an AA degree to get my position when I applied 20 years ago. Today, to get the same position one needs an AA degree and to be IT certified. You see my friend the world is constantly changing. Imagine that? Most of my non-educated coworkers had to be sent back to school just to keep up. That was at the Companies expense. Do you really think our Company wants to spend that kind of money for new employees?

Kend, you've mentioned that your employees all have a college education. Is that just a coincidence and had nothing to do with you hiring them? Can you do all their jobs without any training? How many employees have you hired recently without any education? Finally, would you have hired yourself today as you were when you were twenty?

The statement that people don't need a college or technical degree to do their job is erroneous at best. Companies are responsible for taking care of new employees basic training; however, they do need a formal education in order to be trainable. Many entry level positions today require basic understanding of various technologies and principles that weren't necessary 30 years ago. Technicians, mechanics, and engineers need to be familiar with basic industrial technologies and computer networking. Secretaries and office workers need to understand computer operation and the use of programs such as mail clients, word processing and EXCEL. Even simple sales clerks need to be familiar with basic computer operations and printer maintenance. Even someone working at McDonald's or at a Seven Eleven needs to know how to read and write. You can't tell me that you don't measure an applicant's potential for training and advancement without considering their prior experience and education. We both know that you do. To what extent you do is irrelevant; but, the mere fact that you apparently are aware of all your employees previous education states that you have asked and considered that information at one time.

As far as your question is concerned:

Quote Kend:I think today there is way to many "A" students working for "C" students. That's not the way it's supposed to be. I look at the people who work for me and wonder why these bright intelligent people working for me. Why don't they go on there own. As you can tell by this blog I am not that bright. It must be our education system that holds them back. What else could it be.

I would assume that these "bright educated people" chose to work for you for the same reason I chose to work for my employer--I've learned enough about business management to know that I don't want to complicate my life doing it. I studied business management as a minor and know full well what it entails. Call me lazy and unambitious if you want, but I see no happiness waiting for me at the end of a 16 hour day. To me happiness is coming home fairly early, leaving all my problems at work, spending time with my family, relaxing on this blog and talking to you, and getting a solid 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night. I wouldn't trade that for the world; and, I suspect that all your "bright educated young workers" might just feel the same way. I know it takes very long hours and complete dedication to make a business work. Aside from that, you have all the headaches and responsibilities that go with it. Kend, not everyone is cut out to own a business. In that respect--and many others--you are very special.

No where in the Federal Legal System is there a law which grants the authority to the IRS. No lawyer has found it, the ones who find this out, quit the IRS and never pay taxes again. The IRS is an extention of the Federal Reserve which is not a government insitituion but a bank designed to produce major profits at all costs. The Federal Reserve group starts, maintians, and continues to use any means to increase their profits. If this means using lies to create wars in which we then engage in and then use laws to maintain, that is the plan. Any means, means any means. This group has been operating for what could be eons, for sure for the entire history of America.

The creation of systems of thoughts are not above this control of those who seek more money. All religions at their base have this ability to make those involved feel that their way is the only way, which then sets up the base for wars. Wars equal profit, no better way to create wealth then war. Religion creates violence by disclusion of others, which is not what they tell you they are teaching you, it is a by product of belief itself. some how every religion has a guy born on dec 25, became a teacher at 30, was cruicfied and rose three days later, but we base the western religions on just one guy at the exclusion of the worlds history, why? more wars, conflict, I mean profits.

Why, seems a comet comes around every 333 years and causes problems. Thats the big secret which is covered up and keeps those who know in power. last time it was here Newton "Discovered" Gravity, the great comet of 1680 was used to conduct experiments, it was not an apple as we are told in our white washed school system bent on creating more customers who do not question.

Well Marc... still scratchin'?

The Republicans demanded that the start of the Affordable Care Act be delayed for a year after they failed to repeal or otherwise destroy it. Why didn't ANYONE in opposition to that remind them, much less repeatedly and relentlessly throw it in their faces, that every year 47,000 people die for lack of medical care due to lack of money to pay for it or the medical insurance which would, so their delay would literally cost another 47,000 precious human lives, many of which would end in terible suffering? I listen to/watch all the liberal programs as well as C-Span and never heard anyone challenge any Republican to accept responsibility for the 47,000 lives their demand would cost. Nor was this brought-up when today Speaker Boehner demanded that "Obamacare" be repealed so that we could go back to "the greatest healthcare system in the world" so that we can go on indefinately losing 47,000 people every year in perpetuity because, according to him and his minions, our economy does not have the money to save them (while we have trillions to wage endless and useless wars and then repair and rebuild what we've blown-up in one thankless backwater after another). These suffering people are others' husbands, wives, children, parents, grandmas and grandpas, brothers and sisters who don't see them as faceless casualties of Republian politics. Neither are they all the old, the poor, or otherwise considered worthless by Republicans.

Our entire, extended family, (God forgive us) once Republican and conservative, has one such person to be concerned about, so we were very troubled about the demands for a delay as a year's delay would cost us the rest of what we all have and then some. After being decimated by job losses, investment and savings losses, and home-value losses inflicted by the economic crash enabled by the deregulating Republicans, we were faced with a medical crisis nightmare. At 33 years old one family member, an educated professional who had lost her job as her husband had before her, directly as a result of the crash, and along with that her health care insurance, had a cardiac event while pregnant which left her UNINSURABLE. Medicaid which covers children and uninsured pregnant women, paid the medical costs incurred at that time, and COBRA (extended insurance from a prior employer, paid for entrely by the x-employee) has been paying her medical bills since. But COBRA, which is extremly expensive, and in this case has a huge deductable plus co-pays anyway, expires soon. Then what if the ACA isn't available? She and her husband, unable to aquire jobs which offer even half what they were earning, have become self-employed with the prospect of building a service which will provide a family-sustaining income. But, without the ACA one of them at least will have to find a job which offers a good healthcare benefit regardless of salary or we will all face the prospect of near poverty maintainig her medical care or the prospect of actually not having the money to pay for treatments which may become necessary in the future.

We can not express the contempt in which we hold the entirety of elected Republicans, the crazed leaders and the cowards who know better but cower in coners afraid to speak the obvious truth: The Republican health care plan is non-existent except to return to what existed prior to the ACA. As Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) described it, "Die soon, and die quickly," but most importantly, try not to cost us anything while doing so.

Kend, I never said you didn't earn what you've got. And you're missing the point. A system that makes healthcare a privilege, not a right, keeps people down by sucking away hard-earned assets they could be using to improve their situations, like starting a business or buying a house. Healthcare is a major factor in social mobility. And our "uniquely American" for-profit healthcare system is one reason jobs are being outsourced. By moving to other countries where healthcare is nonprofit, regulated and government-run, businesses eliminate a major liability and financial burden impeding them here. American workers can't compete under the status quo.

Beyond that, what you're overlooking is the importance of many professions one could never enter without a college education. The fact that you made it without college is fine and dandy; but where would we be as a society without engineers, teaches, scientists, architects or doctors (to cite just a few examples...)? Just as it can be argued that not everyone is cut out to be a scientist or engineer, not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur either. And I think it's silly to claim that just because you made it without higher education, this somehow proves higher education is a non-necessity. The hell it is.

Long as for-profit healthcare continues to be the culprit behind more than half the bankruptcies in this country, and long as higher education remains a debt trap, we will continue sliding deeper into the ditch; more and more of us languishing in poverty, having no bootstraps with which to pull ourselves up.

Frankly, Kend, I question whether healthcare is the only thing different about Canada. Is student debt a problem in Canada like it is here? I've heard some rumblings of unrest in this regard; aren't Canadian students making a stink about the rising cost of tuition there? But I haven't heard anything about Canadians graduating from college $80,000 or $100,000 in debt.

Anyway that's enough for now; I rest my case. - Aliceinwonderland

As I do most evenings, I'm listening to

ken talk about this blog and the varying difference of opinions.

Most evenings I am content to listen, confident that ken explains whatever

topic satisfactorily. Tonight however, I also needed to share my thoughts.

ken and I were 20 & 21 when we got married. we both worked hard, with long hours

and many nights away from home to try to get ahead. We paid more than our fair

share of income taxes. We were middle class at best.

A number of years ago, through much hard work, dedication, and to be honest,

kissing ass of an employer ken was offered the opportunity of a lifetime!

an opportunity to become a dealer for western canada!

We have literally had and continue to have many sleepless nights and many

times where we had no idea how we were going to make it.

there were many times when our employees got paid and we didn't.

and now i hear that you want to tax 90% of our income? after the very difficult

and tough challenges, the worry, the risks we took, and someone

thinks its reasonable to tax 90% of it! my apologies but if that

was the case, i can guarantee we never would have risked our

home, our peace of mind and our marriage for that. I hhave always

belived we are the picture of the

"American dream". A chance where someone so not likely to

succeed...actually succeeds. And succeeds with compassion, kindness and honesty.

I honestly believe this opportunity is still there in both Canada and the US,

it's just disguised as hard work.

Alice, Alice, Alice where do I start. for the record first of I want to be very clear, . I have said many times here I was married 30 some years ago and when we got back from our honeymoon we where worth $60.00. we where lucky nobody gave us anything. We earned every penny.

I get the health care part but I don't get the education part. my wife and I never received any post secondary education and did just fine. Some times I thing that education gives you a false sense of security. I think today there is way to many "A" students working for "C" students. That's not the way it's supposed to be. I look at the people who work for me and wonder why these bright intelligent people working for me. Why don't they go on there own. As you can tell by this blog I am not that bright. It must be our education system that holds them back. What else could it be.

As far as Canada goes we are exactly the same as you. With the exception of our health care system.

I wish everyone from this blog could all get together face to face over a beer and debate this stuff it would be fun. I am sure we would all thing differently about each other. I think we all what the same thing I just think we don't agree on how it should be paided for .