The bad things in life

I've never taken drugs. I don't plan on taking drugs. I don't own a gun and, God willing, I won't have to. But you know what, I'm okay with all of the rest of you indulging. Freedom is a terrible and wonderful thing. It often puts us in very odd places. It often finds me at odds with my fellow citizens. That is the beauty of it, right? The freedom of argument (without being shot, I hope!) is a wonderful thing.

Over the last few days, a couple of things have gotten under my skin. Eleven people died in Alabama and another 15 died in Germany. Both were pretty senseless. My heart goes out to the families of the injured and slain. On the other hand, we appointed a new drug czar here in the United States of America. Awesome. Billions - BILLIONS - of dollars will be wasted trumpeting one ill (guns) and outlawing another (drugs). Just leave them be. Regulate, yes. Outlaw, no. (Tax the hell out of them both? Not sure about that). That's the price of freedom. It's not about some poorly worded amendment to the Constitution. It's not in deference to those hoping to cure cancer through cannabis.

For those on the right that seek to shelter your right to guns, you've got to part with the other freedoms that bother you - drugs, abortion, stem-cell research. Get over it and move on. For those on the left, guns are a way of life. Outlawing them will not cease to quell the violence, voluntary or involuntary. Free markets should not be outlawed either. For those of us squarely in the middle, and I believe the luckier bunch, we simply must continue to guide our wayward friends in their respective corners and help them understand that they are moving forward no time soon. We are never going to stop the bloodletting that comes from drugs, guns,and yes, free markets, by simply outlawing them.

The law governs what we can and cannot do. I'm so glad that we, as a civilized society, have laws to outlaw the "freedom" of rape, murder, incest, embezzlement, and the like. Of course, in the past we have, because of our lack of common ethos, sought to ignore certain laws, bend others to meet the needs of our donors, or simply repealed them altogether. Therein lies the ultimate problem - the degradation of our common ethos. If we can ever come to grips with the fact that freedom requires a strong moral fiber, then perhaps we can all live peacefully - armed or unarmed, high or low - together. But ethos should not involve the legislation of morality and the banning of all the bad things in life.

So, no more drug czars, no more NRA boneheads, and no more stimulus packages. Let's get on with the more important items - growth, innovation, search for fine cuisine, and, most importantly, serving one another. Let freedom ring!

As always, be thankful for what you have, buy only what you need, and work diligently for peace. I shall try to do the same. From the home office in Cincinnati, OH, I bid you and your family all the best.

In the fish bowl

"We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl...year after year." - Pink Floyd

Our very existence here on planet Earth is exactly as Mr. Pink described it. We are in fact tied to our fish bowl, forced to live with one another, or perhaps as some would have it, live off one another. So, the fish bowl serves as great context for how we should manage our world, manage our relationships, and stick to a plan.

The burning question for me is: if there is just the one fish bowl, with God looking in on his floating fanatical fishes, how can we not manage to work things out amongst us? Ah, you see, God inadvertently put fish that eat one another in the bowl together. I'm not blaming God. I'm questioning the rationale and I'm also beginning to understand that God too practices laissez-faire economics.

People - and this is not a rant about the environment or helping the common man or even your neighbor - this is it! This is all we got (I heavily discount the ridiculous and bloated excess of the space program as totally bogus). If we start there - if everyone can agree on this simple fact - perhaps logic and reason will prevail. Just use common sense, put your politics aside for a moment, and think about these three words: this is it.

So, just a few more comments about the fish bowl for the practical fish bowl owner:

1. The water has to be changed every once and a while. It's true people. Just admit it. If not, the fish, you guessed it, die.
2. There must be enough food, but not too much. Again, death ensues.
3. All the fish should have access to the food. A bunch of dead fishes just make life, well, fishy.
4. Fish that want to eat other fish should not be entered into the fish bowl environment.

I think if we all worked together - free markets and all, values laden and all - I believe we can truly overcome the first three. Number 4 is the tough one. See, there are some groups of people (or "schools of fish" if we elect to keep with our metaphor) the world over that simply are not content with the food they have, the car they drive, or the homes they own. Others are simply jealous of those that have all those things. Others are just hell bent on destroying the fish bowl at any expense. How do we change them? Can we change them? Should we change them?

I believe that at some point we must christen a new era - buy a new fish bowl, if you will - where there are simple rules to engender simple, yet fulfilling outcomes. That will take discipline, a long term commitment to rational behavior (yes, we will all have to go to school, learn a skill or craft, and feed ourselves and our families), and a focus on more important things - family, community, and, of course, a clean fish bowl. It will also take a firm approach to those that disrupt the general welfare of others. It will take, most of all, trust.

As I look back on this entry, I admit that much of it is idealistic (Idealistic? Sure, why not? It's a free country) and perhaps a bit silly. What is not silly, and in fact very real, is the self-inflicted complexity of life itself. Out of our own sheer greed, desire, or compulsion, we've bloody fallen into the deep end (of the fish bowl?). Simplify, folks. The economy will, in grand elastic fashion, mold itself to our new found freedom. The politicians will have fewer throngs to pander to. I promise you we will all be much happier.

Now, that's a fish bowl worth swimming in every day.

As always, be thankful for what you have, buy only what you need, and work diligently for peace. I shall try to do the same. From inside the murky fish bowl right beside you, I bid you a good night and a wonderful Friday.

A new design

move forward slowly
to a time where the shade tree cools our tempers
and its fallen splinters serve as kindling for new fires

see it through gently
to an empire where the people rein in fear and greed
and its many fallen angels who stood to be kings

dream it aloud soulfully
while my heart beats, the drums of new warriors speak
and our prayers are answered, and our sons and daughters
are not left broken, not left weak

this is a place i want to share
this is a design i want to trace

adt
cincinnati, oh

Copyright 2009 all rights reserved arpit d. trivedi

Gordy speaks

"Values free." The two strongest terms in Gordy's speech today. That's right, Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister of Great Britain, spoke to a joint session of Congress today and, quite frankly, did a fine job. First of all, it was an absolute pleasure to simply listen to him speak. As I have stated before, we have drifted too far from our language, plain old English, and Gordon Brown again accentuated the need to uphold it each day in our schools and our companies (http://spotonwithtrivedi.blogspot.com/2008/11/return-of-kings-english.html). Second, the common heritage that we share, us and the Brits and so many others in the Commonwealth, is undeniable and unbreakable. Third, Mr. Brown asserts throughout his speech, both directly and indirectly that we can live free - markets, nations, and peoples - but we cannot and shall not live "values free." Finally, Mr. Brown, similar to Mr. Obama (Mr. Obamer?) positions the multi-pronged investments in energy, education, and human talent (by extension, health care/welfare) front and center in his global New Deal. Banner fine idea, lads. Who is going to pay for it? That comes later, of course. Regardless of the painful realities, it was a fine speech - a speech that still leaves me with a bit of doubt. Read on.

This common heritage, and indeed this common language, should be utilized to lift us out of our murky and sordid economic woes. Tied to this common heritage are many other peoples and languages. From the islands of the West Indies to the peaks of the Himalayas, in times of world war and fleeting peace, the Americans and the Britons have influenced a great many peoples. What I heard in Mr. Brown's polemic was that all this is quite good and certainly deserves the recognition. He goes on to say that "we must build tomorrow today" and that the events of the day "have forced us all to think anew." I agree.

What bothers me is that the common heritage of our two countries had been mired in imperialism, rogue influence peddling, and, finally and most recently, supporting incalcitrant and disingenuous war mongers. So, in thinking anew, we must seek out a values-based commonality. The almighty quid or dollar is not our Lord and Savior (in this house, we say "paisu maro parmeshwar ane hoon enu das" - Money is my God and I his Servant). I have a great deal of hope but I lack faith in these words.

Can we move ahead towards freedom and free markets girded by core values? Can we truly, as Mr. Brown suggests, invent our way of this chasm? Can we do so without always being led by money? Can we distance ourselves from our history in such a way that we do not repeat its most expensive mistakes? For all of our convictions, our piety, and our words, we often -I often - do "pass by on the other side." Our values-free approach has done much to dampen the hearts and minds of our peoples. Has it gone too far?

Mr. Brown, in his attempt to serve as an inspiration, did give me hope. In our renewed desire to better education, preserve our environment, and invest in our general welfare, we must show leadership. We must not get so absorbed with who pays what (though necessity will demand that debts be repaid). Environmental dominion - our reign over the earth - requires leadership. Who gives a rat's ass whether or not there is global warming? Taking care of the earth should be tantamount to anything else! Taking care of her people comes next.

I'm slowly changing, folks. Many know me as a pretty strong advocate of laissez-faire economics and bold initiatives in taxation. And to a great degree, I still am that advocate. But, there is more to life than economics. Thank you, Mr. Brown and friends alike, for continuing to show me a different perspective.

As always, be thankful for what you have, buy only what you need, and work diligently for peace. I shall try to do the same. From across the pond and by the river, I bid you a good night and a glorious Thursday. Cheers.

Can't sleep, little brother

can't sleep, little brother
put my head back on the hay
golden, the chaff of my life

can't sleep, little brother
where is my soul, in rest or in motion
can't sleep, little brother?
did you see my house of cards?
did you dream of a better place?

can't sleep, little brother
is it too late to borrow a bottle
or a movement from Brahms
the rhythm stokes my embers
and the fire keeps me awake

can't sleep, little brother
is life this grand?
it is in my heart, brave but worn
the comfort calls for me
i'm so torn

sleep, little brother, sleep

adt
cincinnati, oh

Copyright 2009 all rights reserved arpit d. trivedi

Burden of our fears

settled down, inside the window sill
can't hope for anything better tonight, dear
except the dewdrops of you in passing
here i sit, hear me now
one last time

turn it off, outside the prison walls
can't look for anything bigger today, dear
except the smile on your face in the rain
here i sit, hear me now
one last time

cradled, minuet lilts and fades, keeps me warm
saddled, hate spills from the damper like a drum
and my heart breaks
one last time

for those of us that have lost the gain of our lives
i'll carry you on my shoulders, wipe your tears
it just steals away the night, this burden of our fears
but for me
i'm settled down, inside the window sill
dazed yet sobered by her love
one last time but forever
one last time and forever

adt
cincinnati, oh

Copyright 2009 all rights reserved arpit d. trivedi

“Art of the long view”

Amazing words were uttered by our President today – “long-term perspective.” Good night!

No, really, I can’t leave you hanging like that. When questioned about the stock market today, President Obama remarked, correctly I think, that he cannot allow himself to be frustrated by the day-to-day, hour-to-hour fluctuations of life’s biggest poker tournament – the free market and all its brood – the Dow, the NASDAQ, the FTSE. You get my drift, right? Long-term thinking has been completely missing from our modern dialogue, with the last eight, nay sixteen years, completely devoid of thinking about a practical future for us all.

Instead, President Obama suggested that one take a long term view of the market, and encouraged the market to invest given such cheap prices (Unfortunately, Mr. President, the market is not yet done with the losses it has been facing for the better part of a year). But it is not out of knee-jerk fashion that we should invest. On the contrary, Mr. Obama suggests we should go long. That would indeed be a very new concept for many of us that can’t look past the next ten tasks in our planners.

Many years ago, I read a fantastic book entitled The Art of the Long View: Planning for a Future in an Uncertain World by Peter Schwartz. It continues to have an influence on me in that it discusses the concept of scenario-building, something I do every day in my work. It's titles seems to have influenced our fearless leader. Though I do not agree with all of Mr. Obama’s policies and aims, I do understand and agree with his long-term perspective. The devil will always be in the details. Ultimately, it will be a little art, a little science, and a little dance.

As I listen to Mr. Obama, it is clear that an overwhelming shift of the burden in this country is taking shape. The rich, who I daresay have had it pretty nice, will have to pay more for their position in society. On principle alone, I cannot accept this. We should all pay the same percentage, plain and simple. We should all pay on the top line and kill all the lawyers and accountants. I digress or do I? Science will play a major role in revamping the current tax system. Our collective future cannot be sustained by a progressive tax system – it is unfair and it is unwieldy. Proportional taxation must move front and center in our long view.

Art, or artfulness, seems to be one of Mr. Obama’s key strengths. He is erudite, articulate, and positioned as a man of the people. Though many of his foes in Congress see through the “man behind the curtain”, he has had an almost unthinkable impact on the general public. To some extent, I’m intrigued by his cult of personality as well. Will this be enough? Will the long train ride of energy, education, and healthcare carry the very long day ahead of us? Will we make it over the hill to the Promise Land? The ultimate answer from this lowly writer is “I don’t know.” And that’s downright scary.

But let us take Mr. Schwartz’s thinking to heart. Let us understand several possible scenarios that lie waiting in the darkness for all of us. Let the dance begin.

First, there is Scenario A, which I will call “The Chilling Afterglow”. In Scenario A, we continue down the same pathway on which we currently tread – individualistic greed driving unchecked consumption which in turn is accompanied by academic endangerment (I regret all the big words…I was on a roll). We will continue to look at the short view, mesmerized by its lofty returns and hope that somehow our kids will have a better future. Not all bad, but certainly not all good from my vantage point.

Second, there is Scenario B, which I call “Kumbaya”. Kumbaya is the ever present specter of socialism and collectivism. Though no modern free market country is currently free of all socialist accoutrements, they sure would like to be. Maybe the term “they” is too strong a term. Perhaps the term “we” best summarizes my point. But this is a little more than just some socialistic aspects. There are aspects of Mr. Obama’s long view that begin to reek of government takeover. There is too much Keynesian politic for my taste and at no income level do I want to be a burden to society. I should always pay my fair share.

Third, is Scenario C, which I call “Practical Governance”. Practical governance imagines a time when government truly lives up to its initial premise – of, by and for the people. It also means that the people must better govern their behavior and understand their ultimate place in the cycle of life. It neither contemplates complete government control or the chilling afterglow imagined above. Is it naïve to think we can make this journey, find the Promise Land? I think it is. Truly, I am concerned not only about my daughter and her generation but I worry about my own.

So, Mr. Obama, I am buoyed by your call to action and your long-term view of things. It is an amazing time to be an American. It is my hope that all of us should live long to dance to another song. But let us be careful not to invoke one single song on the masses, or worse yet, charge outrageous fees to play the song at all. Dance away!

As always, be thankful for what you have, buy only what you need, and work diligently for peace. I shall try to do the same. From inside the window, I bid you a good night and a fantastic Wednesday.

Stumbling into misconceptions

The deliberate and wrongful articulation of our country’s construction of government belies everything taught to me. The foundation upon which we live and govern ourselves is not, as many on the Hill would lead you to believe, a democracy. In the strictest sense, we are a true and rich republic. For the sake of political hegemony, the Left has continued to charge that no we are indeed a democracy of, for, and by the people. Hogwash!

We are, ladies and gentlemen, a representative form of government. We always have been, from those sultry days in Philadelphia to the point at which my morning paper was delivered today. Inevitably, we continue to stumble around, falling into misconception and outright misrepresentation of this fact. So what? Who cares? I do. You should.

Before you begin prejudging this entry, let me concede that the following paragraphs take shots at both sides of the proverbial Aisle. All sides will have their share of love and war. What is more important is the preservation of our Union, the betterment of our way of life, and the continued operation of our republic form of government. In the hands of the people, our country will recede into misfortune and lawlessness. In the hands of a democracy, Robespierrean turmoil will ensue and a revolution like none we have seen will be our comeuppance. In the hands of Republicans, we are doomed to continue a cycle of greed/boom and greed/bust. Patience, oh Dems and Pubs, patience - you shall have your share!

Our way of life

What is “our way of life?” Let’s examine this. I start with history and work forward. Though the time of our forefathers were certainly not perfect in any country or at any time throughout the ages, there were standards of living, decorum, and discipline. There were certainly acts of duplicity and corruption that ensued in all the epochs before ours. But, I will assert, the people had a sense of duty, a commitment to valor, and a preservation of tradition and social custom. Recently, and not much different to prior inaugural addresses, President Obama spoke of “our way of life.” Mr. Obama has had a tremendous impact on the nation. His appreciation of the language, his dress, and his conduct in public has inspired many young men and women in our country. That is good. But our way of life – crime, abuse, corporate greed, and even presidential usurpations – have little left in them to be admired. We, I, curse like sailors. We put academics after the booster club and professional/collegiate sports affairs. Is this the way of life we seek? Okay, I’m on my high horse. I am not perfect. No one is perfect. But the goals we set should inspire us to a new way of life.

In terms of the republic versus democracy argument, what does this matter? There are a couple of things. First, the American people are not yet prepared, even after two hundred plus years, to self govern. We must be beholden to the elite, and sometimes corrupt, group of elected officials to help us navigate the waters of high stakes politics. However, life is not simply an activity that continues unchecked and misguided. Therefore, we must have limitations on those that govern – balanced budgets, term limits, and campaign finance, to name a few. Earmarks should be a thing of the past. Ultimately, the public informs its representatives of these limitations. Of course, good luck getting any of this passed. Remember, they’re criminals and thugs, all of them.

The Union will become more perfect if we set forth policies and practices which look at all of our ills logically and set about vetting each one based on need. I’m sure the states will have a field day with this. I can imagine there is a ranking or priorities of projects – bridges, levies, schools, etc. Based on the need of each local jurisdiction and in fact the level of deterioration of the asset should drive the need for funding. We must work hard to preserve our Union – its foundation, its roads, its schools and the like. However, we must do it critically, with an eye to frugality and indeed to better project prioritization and management.

As we continue to operate our republic, we must do so with a sense of obligation and duty. Every dollar should be accounted for at each turn. Every dollar, I say. This last round of stimulus was an absolute farce, as I’m sure many other spending attempts before it were also farcical. (Don’t kid yourselves, Republicans, there’s been just as much waste on your side of the aisle and just as much “redistribution”). I believe term limits and other limitations on the career-minded elected body will do much to curb this. Perhaps it will enhance the greed (“let me get as much as I can while I can” mentality). It will likely be a cold day in hell when such limitations past, but a boy can dream, right?

The congressional cartel, the cornerstone of our republic, is broken. Until we fix it, I can understand why so many want to utter the word democracy. Let the people rule! The saving grace is that right now there are only 538 idiots running the country. If the people were running it, we’d have millions of idiots. I hate to say it, but we’re doomed, doomed I say.

More to come…tonight even!