Income Inequality

On By scottpetersenIn Arthur C. Brooks, Income inequalityLeave a comment

CNBC recently had Arthur C. Brooks (President of the American Enterprise Institute) as a guest host on “Squawk Box.”  Mr. Brooks spoke on topics relating to America’s economy.  He feels the claims that income inequality cause our economic problems is a political distraction.  The real problem he said is the increasingly diminished opportunity for upward mobility of those in the lower 20% of the economic strata.   Without opportunity, comes stagnation.

What we have done is to gradually substitute social programs for upward mobility opportunities.  We are thus creating a culture of dependency on social programs rather than inspiring individual initiative.  And that culture of dependency is spreading to more and more people.  We are being told it is all the fault of the evil 1%.  And it’s just not true.     

When Bill Gates first came on the scene as one of the world’s most successful and richest men, a survey was conducted about how people felt about him.   Americans typically thought “my son or daughter can be the next Bill Gates.”  The French on the other hand were highly jealous and felt they should burn his house down “and take his stuff.”  It is the subtle and barely noticeable shift in the direction of the European ethos that has spawned a political environment of class warfare — the heroic and virtuous 99% versus the evil 1% (which is evolving into the heroic and virtuous 50% who pay no taxes against everyone else). 

The United States is the most heavily-taxed and heavily-regulated country in the world.  Our policies on dealing with the 20% are missing the point.   We should want people to succeed.  Want people to learn.  Want people to become entrepreneurs.   Want people to achieve.  Incentive and opportunity are truly liberating concepts and not a substitute for social programs.     

To see Mr. Brooks’ interesting comments, check out http://www.aei.org/media/economics/arthur-brooks-guest-hosts-cnbcs-squawk-box-the-road-to-freedom

Scoring Points. . . . Afterword

On By scottpetersenIn French martini, Scoring pointsLeave a comment

To further explain the acquisition of “points” in my prior post, I should explain that Donna and Lauren had been off shopping.  Donna arrived home at about 7:30 pm — tired and hungry.  Soooooooo, in addition to the 9-1/2 point meal that was so perfectly crafted, I had a Banyan Tree C.D. crooning some New Age stuff in the background, candles were lit, the splendid meal was on the table — appropriately hot (enchiladas), cool (avocado) and cold (mango).   Oh and did I mention the frozen French martini* that was waiting (and within quick grasp)? 

These are points that can be swept away in a heartbeat by some real or imagined misstep (such as not changing a light bulb).  But for now, they remain on the asset side of the ledger. . . .

*French martini — Chopin potato vodka; Chambord; and pineapple juice.

Scoring Points. . . .

On By scottpetersenIn Great recipe, Scoting points2 Comments

I made dinner on Saturday.   Donna gave me a wink and a 9-1/2 out of 10.  A great score for Dancing with the Stars and an especially superb score for the Renaissance Hombre. . . .

Simple.  Fun.  Delicious.  I used the usual La Banderita corn tortillas.  I grilled two chicken breasts — very plain — and sliced them thin and marinated the slices in superb olive oil direct from Italy from my friend Cristian.  I grilled onions (Vidalias – see post of November 4, 2011) and then laid out the tortillas and laid in the chicken, grilled onions and garlic cheddar cheese and rolled them up.  Sprinkle with more cheese and bake for 25 minutes at 350 in a pan brushed with olive oil.  I served with fresh sliced mango and for Donna – fresh sliced avocado (though I am normally partial to guacamole).   Some Frontera Grill Tomatillo salsa and black beans on the side (rice optional) and — mercy — a meal that got me some major points.  Oh – and a Catena cabernet (Mendoza, Argentina) to top off the meal. . . .  🙂

 

The Third Time Around

On By scottpetersenIn Foreign Policy, Of Paradise and Power, Robert Kagan, Walter LippmannLeave a comment

How often have you read a book twice?  Anybody for three times?  I just re-read Robert Kagan’s book Of Paradise and Power for the third time.  Wow! 

In my office at home, I have a shelf on my desk with those books that have inspired or moved me.   Robert Kagan’s National Bestseller (Random House 2004) has been there since I first read it. 

Europe has been involved in power politics for 300 years.  And it has brought them nothing but misery.  They have been warring and killing off whole generations of young men for centuries.  Finally, after World War II, Europe collapsed emotionally — and decided that (at least for now) enough was enough.  They formed a European Union and have moved in the direction of controlling and limiting the exercise of power.  It is for that reason that many Europeans (especially the French) now assail the U.S. for what they perceive as the use of power politics.  This attitude has accelerated since the collapse of the Soviet Union — the end of Europe’s strategic dependence on the U.S.

Thus, the U.S. and Europe have differing views on the efficacy of power, the morality of power and the desirabililty of power.  Since the end of WWII, Europe and the U.S. no longer share a “strategic” culture.  Thus the U.S. feels free to act — as needed — in the defense of its national interests. 

Kagan’s book is the best I’ve read on foreign dynamics since reading (also for the third time) Walter Lippmann’s 1943 classic Foreign Policy.   Both are worth a read . . . .or two or three. . . .

Occupy Chicago

On By scottpetersenIn Occupy ChicagoLeave a comment

I am sitting in my office – 30th floor – overlooking the Federal Plaza.  It is May 1st and it is 3:11 p.m.  The “Occupy Wall Street” (or “Occupy Chicago”) parade has just arrived at the Plaza and they are loud and boisterous.  One man is yelling through a michrophone and someone is banging on a drum.  I can’t pick out the signs but I can imagine what they say.   The media had touted the possibility of “thousands.”    I’m looking down there and see what is probably no more than a few platoons of people.  Tops.  And that doesn’t count the curious onlookers.    I’ve never been able to understand what’s driving this movement other than the angry dissatisfaction that some people always have.   Bell curve.   To be continued. . . . .    

The Four Bank Robbers

On By scottpetersenIn The four JacksLeave a comment

This is a great magical effect that anyone can do.   As a perspiring magician, I’ve gotten a lot of mileage out of this one. 

The Effect:  You ask for a deck of cards (or provide your own).  You remove the four Jacks and announce that the Jacks are bank robbers.  They are going to rob the “Bank” (the remainder of the deck) and scoot with the loot by helicopter.  After removing the Jacks, show them – fanned – and give the deck to a spectator to “make sure” there are no Jacks left in the deck.  There are none.  He/she returns the deck to you.  You announce that the Jacks will search the bank for safe deposit boxes, cash, negotiable instruments and bonds.   As you are saying this “patter,” close the fan and face down insert one Jack on the bottom of the deck (the “first floor”), a second Jack a third of the way up (the “second floor”), a third Jack close to the top (the “third floor”) and the fourth Jack on top (the “top floor”) and set the deck on the table.   Then – here comes the helicopter!  Move your hand as if flying toward the “Bank.”  The Jacks race to the top floor to catch the copter.  As the helicopter arrives, slowly turn over the top four cards and there are the four Jacks. 

The Secret:  When you take the four Jacks out of the deck, take three extra cards which are placed behind the Jacks.  🙂   As you take them, square them up carefully.  Handing the cards to a spectator gives you time and distraction to do so.   Keep them tightly squared as you insert them (the extra cards one at a time) into the deck.  For the last Jack on the top floor?  You have all four Jacks, tightly grouped and quickly but carefully placed on top.  The scenario can be played out as you wish. 

How to Build Strong Kids

On By scottpetersenIn Alice Virgil, Buildling resilient kidsLeave a comment

On April 15th, I attended a fascinating presentation by psychotherapist Alice Virgil on how to raise strong and resilient children.   Ms. Virgil described two diametrically opposed family dynamics:  the over controlled family (I will make sure no pain comes to you) and the hands off family (life is tough – deal with it).   Ideally, a family wants to be somewhere in between.   Here are bullet points for achieving that objective:

Relationships — It’s important to have them.  Develop empathy with others in the sense that we are all in this together;

Creativity — Help children stretch their thinking:  how to make a meal, how to play with a cardboard box, how to be occupied without an IPhone or television;

Awareness — Develop social awareness such that a child learns to “read” situations and social cues;

Initiative and courage — Learn to do the right thing at the right time.  Learn how to work hard and put in effort to achieve;

Morality — Develop a moral code.  Learn what is right – and what is wrong; and

Spirituality — Develop a sense of purpose.  Learn that we all have a reason to be in this world.  Say grace at meals.   

Praising a child?  Absolutely.  But never praise results or outcome.  Always praise effort.  

So what can parents and grandparents do to build strong and resilient kids? 

1.  Practice gratefulness — Discuss the best of the day – and the worst.  Teach joy and appreciation;

2.  Practice mindfulness — Give attention to the present moment with kindness, curiosity and compassion.  This helps children respond reflectively rather than reflexively;

3.  Emotion coaching — Help children understand their emotions;

4.  Develop a strong marriage and family home;

5.  Allow unstructured unsupervised free play — Forget the gimmicks, complex toys and oversight.

Ms. Virgil’s comments have been borne out by research and experience.   Ms. Virgil’s website is www.virgiltherapy.com 

Martin O-18

On By scottpetersenIn Corydon Trio, Martin Guitar, Scott & the Bookends2 Comments

In 1962, my parents bought me a guitar.  Not just any guitar but a Martin O-18.  A pristine, unused 1960 model.  It was an extravagence they could not afford — but did. 

My Martin traveled to college with me.  To law school.  I played in a group early on with two girls from my church — “Scott & the Bookends” (yes I know).   If we couldn’t get a gig as “Scott & the Bookends,” we went by the name “The Corydon Trio.”   For my daughter, I played every night when she went to bed — from the day we brought her home from the hospital and for years (see post of 8/14/11). 

I love my guitar and I still strum it nearly every day.  Usually the same old stuff (mostly the Blues) but sometimes new stuff to stretch my brain.   Ten years ago, I started taking lessons — every Monday until shortly before my daughter got married.   What a hoot! 

A few years ago, I called the Martin Guitar Company about doing a little fixup (tuning keys, frets, etc.) and they said that if I was the original owner, it was still under (lifetime) warranty.  I found the paperwork and got a “new” guitar back.  

I’ve told Donna that maybe I should try and get the Bookends back together and we could go on the road.  Her response?  “Don’t quit the day job, Elvis.”  (Sigh)  Rock on. . . . . .

Palindromes

On By scottpetersenIn Chicago Lights Tutoring, Earliest palindrome, PalindromesLeave a comment

Can you say “Anna backwards“?  The usual response is “Anna.”  But the real answer is “Anna backwards.” 

Anna is a “palindrome” (it reads the same forwards as backwards) just like Otto, Eve, Hannah and Elle.  “Anna sees Anna” is a palindrome.  “Did Hannah see bees?”  Sure she did – backwards and forwards.  One of the first palindromes I learned was “Madam I’m Adam.”  Then there was “A man, a plan, a canal – Panama.”  I began using palindromes for tutoring at Chicago Lights Tutoring (see prior posts).  “Read this backwards” I would say to the student.  And get blank stares.  And then suddenly – the lights (and smiles) went on.  🙂

Cigar?  Toss it in a can.  It is so tragic.

Enid and Edna dine.

Hey Roy!  Am I mayor?  Yeh!

My gym. 

Never odd or even. 

Now I won. 

Too bad I hid a boot. 

Was it a car or a cat I saw? 

Too hot to hoot!

Live not on evil.  

Mr. Owl ate my metal worm.

So Ida – Adios. 

Tuna roll or nut?

Stella won no wallets. 

The earliest palindrome dates to 79 A.D.  In Latin, it is “Sator Arepo tenet opera rotas” (“the sower Arepo holds works wheels“).   The longest palindrome?  17,826 (pretty random) words.   No I won’t repeat it here. . . . .

Baseball in Heaven

On By scottpetersenIn Baseball in heavenLeave a comment

Two very old men lived together.  They loved baseball.  Each morning they would get the newspaper and read the stories about the day’s games.  They studied the box scores, statistics and players.  In the afternoon, they would watch baseball games on television and occasionally go to the games when their team was in town.  In the evening, they’d talk over dinner about the games, the players and statistics.  And each night, they would dream — dream of baseball.

They knew their days were numbered and so they made a pact.  When one of them died, he would do his best to “come back” to let his friend know if there was baseball in heaven. 

One cold gray morning, one old man did not arise.  He had passed away in the night.  He was buried but his friend carried on.  Reading, studying, watching and dreaming about baseball.  

A few weeks later, the old man got up and shuffled into the kitchen.  Who should be sitting at the kitchen table — his old friend!   “My friend!  How I’ve missed you.  How are y. . . .is there baseball in heaven?”    The friend smiled — “I have good news and I have bad news for you.”  “Well what’s the good news.  Is there baseball in heaven?”  His friend responded “Is there!  I’m on a team with Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb.  We played yesterday.”  His friend smiled “What’s the bad news?” 

His friend looked at him “You’re pitching tomorrow.”