ESG - A ‘WokeJoke’ or What?

 

ESG - A ‘WokeJoke’ or What?

The stock market and the Bond Market, the world of money management and investing has been invaded by the Woke Folk.  Individuals invest, directly or indirectly, via pension funds or mutual funds, and seek companies or bond offerings of quality enterprises who can earn money and when it comes to bonds, those that have the expectation of paying off the debt.  Quality companies are growth or dividend paying and can be attractive.  The strength of their balance sheet is important.  Demand for products and services propels businesses to succeed.  And when they borrow, the ability to repay is important.  When we lend we want to be paid back.  Historically interest rates for borrowers reflected their ability to repay.  Rating agencies, such as Standard and Poors, rate bonds for quality, a scale that reflects highest to lower expectations of continuous repayment of obligations.  AAA is the highest.

"For years now, the cult of ESG economic activists has been working overtime to infuse unwanted, woke ideology into the American economic system because they know their social policies wouldn’t pass the sniff test from voters," Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said on July 27, 2022. "It’s anti-American, anti-freedom, a deliberate attempt to subvert our democracy and not in the best interest of Florida businesses (ant business), retirees, or investors."

The Woke crowd, a minority in my opinion, has been able to introduce, with adoption by the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and Standard and Poors, an additional standard.  Thus ESG. This rating is based on qualitative factors, not quantitative. An issuer’s ESG rating is determined by researching and documenting answers to a number of qualitative questions (or inputs) for each of the three pillars (E, S and G). There are hundreds of potential inputs, some subjective, some objective and some simply estimated. 

What is ESG?  E is for Environmental issues. S is for Social issues.  And G is for Governance issues.  This is where the Woke Folk are let loose to not only introduce and suggest factors to be considered, but also to influence investment management groups. The focus appears to favor environmentalists, diverse staffing and hiring practices, to include race, sex and sexual orientation, pay structures and work environments.  The more diverse receive higher ratings.  Those who provide more benefits to their employees receive higher ratings. The lower the carbon footprint, the higher the rating.  High CEO pay may cause downgrades.  You can start to paint your own picture.  A company with high demand for its products with attractive profit margins is important, but now can, having a lower ESG rating, find fewer buyers, a lower price-earnings ratio, and higher rates on its debt securities. If deserving of a high standard on the ESG scale the capital markets are more attractive. 

The term ESG was popularly used first in a 2004 report titled “Who Cares Wins.”  There is an ESG Institute.  They define ESG - Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) is an approach to evaluating the extent to which a corporation works on behalf of social goals that go beyond the role of a corporation to maximize profits on behalf of the corporation's shareholders. Typically, the social goals advocated within an ESG perspective include working to achieve a certain set of environmental goals, as well as a set of goals having to do with supporting certain social movements, and a third set of goals having to do with whether the corporation is governed in a way that is consistent with the goals of the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) movement. (Yes, there is such a movement.)

Joel Makeower, Chariman and co-founder of the Greenbiz Group, said this, “ESG ratings are first and foremost an independent opinion about the environmental, social and governance risks facing a company and its shareholders, not the risks to people and the planet. And the ratings can also have value as an information resource for capital.”  

There is a S&P 500 ESG Index.   Tesla was recently removed from the index; its ESG rating considered too poor.  This arose from multiple deaths involving Tesla cars, racial discrimination concerns and questionable working conditions at manufacturing facilities.  Tesla makes an environmentally favorable electric vehicle, but arbitrary concerns bounced them from the S&P ESG deck. In reaction, Musk tweeted that the move came, “Despite Tesla doing more for the environment than any company ever!” He also called ESG investing a “scam.”  Oddly enough many energy, fossil fuel companies, are still rated favorably by ESG rating agencies. 

The intent of credit ratings are to value those who access the capital markets.  S&P explains that ratings are “an independent opinion of your organization's overall creditworthiness and financial strength.” So what value is added or subtracted when ESG is considered?  Is this an attempt at valuing a real world impact being made by businesses, even when it impacts their bottom line?  Are the financial rewards/costs to be ignored?  The bottom line - it is about what businesses are doing about the environment and their communities.  Are they good citizens, good managers, good employers, good to their people, et al and this now requires a rating.

Aniket Shah, managing director and global head of ESG at the investment banking firm Jefferies Group, said. "What ESG has done, and done it more well than poorly, is that it has socialized and educated the financial and business worlds on a bunch of topics that they weren't knowledgeable about before. And maybe it's because I am a part-time academic that I think that education is really powerful.”  ‘Socialized and educated,’ part one, and a ‘bunch of topics,’ part two. ESG is making companies aware and investors of their role as a responsible provider, not just to the markets they serve, but to our water, our air, our dignity and our world. Does that need to be rated?

You be the judge, is that enough to justify businesses having large ESG departments engaged year around to complete and comply with the paperwork needed to provide those that rate the data requested/needed to provide their ESG quotient?

Right now the balance is more to the ‘woke’ left than wholly practical.  Being a good citizen is just part of business and in my view does not need a cast of employees to find data, provide data, analyze data, more qualitative than quantitative, that can result in an evaluation by either a conservative or a liberal analytical team to yield a rating that can effect the cost of doing business and investors willingness to invest.  Beware protestors too can be alerted of those for whom ‘cancel culture’ applies if the ESG rating is low. 

After the Minnesota and Portland protests/riots many gave to BLM, including Bank of America, which did not make me happy, which many have called ‘white guilt.’  Did this help their ESG ratings? And now, looking at the real picture, are they more fools for being scammed?  Much of the justification for the evidence, the data, that comprises the ESG rating is to make companies, the executives, appear more accepting, more embracing of a racial mix, intersectional hiring, and provide evidence of a work environment, product standards, and how they handle their waste materials as being responsible and compliant.  A good company does all this without the need for ESG.  In hiring best practices suggest employing those that meet the needs for the job at hand, creating a meritocracy, and not hiring to comply with standards. Look what that has done for our Federal Government.

This is just another way businesses and agencies are burdened with superfluous staff and costs than only aide in further inflation and the cost of goods and services to consumers. It is a WokeJoke. 

Thoughts.

by

Thomas W. Balderston

Author and Blogger

 

Politics Out - Sensibility In

 Politics Out - Sensibility In

We are alive today and living in a Nation mired in the mud of politics.  To free us to enable everyone to move on, to be civil, and to think independently there must be a solution.  Americans are in the majority on so many issues, such as border control, common sense energy policies, abortion/pro-life, election integrity, free speech, respect for others opinions (especially in areas of religion, marriage and gender identity), love of Country, free enterprise, a government engaged in excess and inefficient spending, parental rights in establishing education standards and curricula for their children, and voter IDs. There is more to be sure, and concerns over inflation and the cause have become a focal point of many discussions.  The American majority is neither a Republican nor Democrat majority; it is a societal, cultural and environmental majority,

Energy is an essential in everything we enjoy.  It is what is needed to produce electricity needed to grow and process the food we eat, the items we buy and enjoy, from clothing to handbags to cell phones and the internet, in addition to fuel for cars and travel, heating and air conditioning. Environmentalists are hell bent to transition from fossil fuels to solar and wind and other alternatives, as well as to have electric vehicles become the dominant passenger form of transport. That is all well and good.  Consider the following.  To make wind turbines and solar panels requires fossil fuel. To make electric cars requires fossil fuel.  To produce the majority of electricity to power our nation requires fossil fuel.  When you limit its supply without a sufficient volume of the alternative inflation results. Environmentalists overlook the fact America’s fossil fuel extraction practices are the least polluting in the world, our refineries disburse very little carbon, to include industrial and utility plants using coal, and yet when these resources cannot meet the demand, instead of looking here, the Biden Administration looked elsewhere; Saudi Arabia and Venezuela for more fossil fuel.  Why?  Similarly with pipelines, for environmental reasons and to limit the use of oil and natural gas, pipeline construction was halted, yet the resources still arrive if not otherwise shutdown.  They arrive by rail, or truck, consuming fuel while their emissions are polluting at the same time.  This form of delivery also increases the cost of energy, along with more harm to the environment, demonstrating also the hypocrisy in the current thinking at the Federal level.   

We were energy independent, and politics entered the picture.  A collective body of practical minds could have worked together to transition to less fossil fuel and more electric vehicles, more solar and wind, in a way that did not have a critical impact on the economy, by insuring there was always enough of the clean fossil fuel to meet the demands as the alternatives  became more available.  

Free enterprise is to be contrasted with socialism.  There are many facets to be reviewed on each topic.  Free enterprise as defined is “an economic system in which private business operates in competition and largely free of state control.”  Defining Socialism we have, “a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.”  In America the free enterprise system has made our Nation what it is today, a leader in the free world. But when ‘state control’ or that of the Federal Government weighs in, and politics rises to the surface, the independent nature of the free enterprise system is often attacked.  

The alternative is not socialism per se, but a form of largesse by the Government that exceeds common sense, a burden on the tax-payor, to distribute wealth for political gains. Regulation to control and dictate to businesses, making it more difficult for new entities to form and compete, even to drill or lend money, burdens economic growth and opportunity to the determent of community.  Government wants to control, to regulate, to dictate practices, not always with best practices considered, but for political reasons.   A free enterprise system does not suggest a dependent society, dependent that is on government for their sinecure, but one incentivized to work, be productive and be more than competitive with other nations.  A socialized system wants citizens more reliant on the government, and the government bigger with more bureaucrats employed and engaged to oversee and judge their needs.  

Free enterprise seeks an efficient government, standing aside (less regulation) to allow business to succeed.  The role for government is to insure the playing field remains fair, more as an umpire.  But with politics government can dictate wages, or mandate union employees, or enforce hiring practices, and even limit production of goods, resources and agriculture products.  When done for political reasons, favoring one political party over another, and not for common sense, rational and reasonable reasons, the social contract becomes politicized.  Subsidies by the government of various businesses, farmers, even car manufacturers, et al ,is intended to aide what the government in power wants people to use or buy.  It is an attempt to alter human nature and habits in favor of what the government prefers its citizens accept.  

We are a Nation of immigrants and immigration has been important to us since our founding as a Nation.  Between the Federalists and the Republicans of the era’s of Adams and Jefferson, and after, immigrants were aliens and until residency was established they could not become citizens.  At one time the Naturalization Act required 14 years of residency and today it is 5, which occurred in 1798, and until 1952 remained.  There are requirements to immigrate, such as extraordinary abilities, critical skills, even informants from other Nations, financial status, and more, with annual limits (675,000 permanent Visas).  The limits exclude U.S. citizens' spouses (once immigrants), parents, and children under the age of 21.  Today politics has made our borders more porous as established laws are ignored. A common question is to members of the legislatures, ‘Why, when there are laws in place, written and passed by the legislature, can they be so easily ignored or dismissed when it suits the objective of a Party in power.”  And is this habit peculiar to one Party more than another?  

Details of other areas where politics has become a cry to ignore the Constitution or change established laws, regulations and practices, would make this article far too long. The fever pitch, heated rhetoric and emotional toll on citizens whose mindset has been trained to lean only one way, as defined by being ‘woke,’ is disturbing.  Research on the source of this lack of independent thinking, rational thought, respect, and common sense finds its roots in our education system today, in the media, many pundits being graduates of a liberal education having a political purpose, and progressives who champion extreme causes with little regard for opposing ideas or ideals. There is sufficient evidence to support this conclusion in not just Education, but in large Corporations (the Disney controversy over gender neutral verbiage requirements), in Entertainment (a disproportionate racial allocation of actors in advertisements and movies), and in race relations in general (the reality of the progress minorities have enjoyed in America since founding and continuing too often ignored).   This did to occur overnight, and has been slowly put into place in our schools, colleges and universities for decades.  But now parents are beginning to realize the impact.  They are seeing their rights trampled upon and their children subjected to views they do not regard as proper.  Changes to history by the 1619 Project effort and to attitudes regarding faith, family and persons under the guise of Critical Race Theory can be found in math texts, english reading, literature requirements and testing demanding politicized results.  Truth is being subjected to lies taught and recorded often enough to be considered a new truth.  Yet it is not the truth. The Millenials are awake and want to see changes.  America is being a-‘woke’-ened!

Growing up in a family environment with strong parents, believers and achievers, is a blessing for those so fortunate.  They learn from their parents, grandparents and siblings.  But for the working class, those not home everyday, for everyone, the school system is to teach them the basics, reading, writing and math, and not the political favorite topics.  Just the facts.  But the fact is that today it is not just the facts being delivered.  It is almost universal in America that our school children are subject to the views of their teachers and professors, their political preferences laid out and to be a component of indoctrination into a less free, more subjective, and a ‘woke’ nature.  The liberal wants have been infused in texts on almost all subjects. Teachers and professors are not the voice of the majority of Americans.  They are a minority, but their politics has become far too similar, and they teach the majority of children.  We have let the brainwashing begin, but now must cleanse the system of this bias in education, business, corporate cultures, the media and entertainment.  How?  By insisting these dominant platforms of learning and working become de-politicized, or politically free.  

Insist teachers, professors, teach and keep their opinions to themselves. Have curriculums without politics.  Where you work should focus on the job or duties to be performed, without any requirement to give a portion of your paycheck to a political Party or show Party loyalty to progress.  Freedom to work as you prefer, in a Union or not. It is a right to work, not a requirement to only work as a member of a union. That is political. We need less cancel culture and more open minds. We need the freedom to listen to opposing views and audience participation without fisticuffs or protests by the close minded. We need places for our children to be fun and happy, not efforts to subject their minds to controversial viewpoints or bias. Banks and large enterprises should avoid spending their money, our money, on political action entities, such as Black Lives Matter, or Planned Parenthood, even proclaiming a work place where travel to have an abortion will be paid, or taking sides in any political issue.  

Many businesses today want to seem ‘woke.’ or socially responsible, but doing so can be accomplished leaving politics to the Politicians. Focus on the task at hand, not a compliant human resources department burdened to meek socially minority ‘woke’ demands, as if that will make a business better.  That should be the goal anyway. Leave opinion, and personal politics to the individual, to the voter, to the politicians themselves.  Equip the individual with the facts, not corrupted by opinions, other than those of the politicians themselves.  

We need an environment that insures all of us are independent thinkers.  Most people know well politicians wear their prejudices on their banners, express them in their speeches, they attack their opponents, they alter the truth, they lie and they blame others. Leave those habits to the politicians, and let the truth be heard by our educators and business leaders. Teach every citizen to be honest, respectful and truthful. They will then be able to discern, understand and make sensible judgments, especially when they vote.  Today too many do not think for themselves, they react and often do so without knowing the full extent of an issue. We have been made aware of the many times politicians seek passage of new laws based on emotion, and not the content of the bills themselves.  It is the issue they want passed, not the law; that will be left to others to work out, staff members, interns, and recent college graduates with the prejudices the legislatures prefer already instilled in their nature.  An example is the SCOTUS expected decision on Roe v. Wade.  It does not eliminate abortions.  It takes such decision out of the Federal Government and leaves each State to decide. There was even an attempt, thankfully failed, that sought to Federalize abortions even before the actual decision of the Court was released. 

Is it the millennials that are making waves, working and paying taxes, having children, that see what is happening?  They want change and are wiling to speak up.  They may be the silent majority that now talks, along with the generation X’s as they evolve. Individuals are a powerful collective.  Keeping them at bay is the objective of the politician.  Freeing them should be the objective of our education system. But if the education system continues to be structured and taught by disciples of a progressive minority, and not the national majority, then we may be doomed.  The family, the parent, the achiever, the entrepreneur, and the religious will be reduced to units seditious to those in power.  We may see the rise of the Federalist wanting a modern Sedition Act, a Disinformation Bureau, that can judge truth and speech, and suppress that which they, those politicians, deem unworthy or personally offensive.  I made a note recently from an article, “truth hardly reigns supreme in our political discourse.  It’s full of half-truths, non sequiturs, spin, even outright lies. There is an entire industry within politics dedicated to propagating this - they’re called the communication teams, and they work for our elected lawmakers.”  Are members of these teams to be trusted in monitoring truth?  Can they be responsible content monitors, neutral in any way? I say no. What is a valid comment, or not,  in their view is culturally, economically and socially biased for sure. 

In the investment world there are rating agencies, such as Standard & Poors (S&P). Politics in ratings that influence buyers is wrong, but indeed there is a movement afoot. Adding ESG (environmental, social, and governance) to rating of State’s bonds, even businesses. This is a skewed number with no reflection on the ability of a borrower to repay debts. It relates to hiring practices (race and sex), air quality (carbon emission practices or laws), and liberal or conservative views in government. This is a clear example of the ‘woke’ going too far, influencing or distorting investors awareness of the true quality of their investment or borrower. Attempts to pressure pension funds, et al, to only invest where ESG is high.  But ESG has nada to do with a borrowers ability to pay.  That is the point.  Politics in this area is senseless.  What it is, a form of cancel culture that will raise the cost of borrowing, doing business, for those not sufficient ‘woke,’ that is with low ESG. 

Rid politics from our everyday life-learning venues.  Leave it to the town square, the soap box orator, the TV politicians to spew their diatribe, their distortions, their lies, and equip yourself, insure your children are equally equipped, to think for yourself, be objective, and respectful.  The world will be a better place, and we will all feel better about our Constitution, the First Amendment, the freedom of speech and the freedom of assembly it guarantees. Let not the lectern be a bully pulpit for harmful ideas.  Take the politics out of our institutions and return sensibilities and common sense. Turn the mud-pit of politics into a garden free of distortions effecting our growth and prosperity.

by

Thomas W. Balderston

Author and Blogger

The Best Program for Every Politician - CSP

The Best Program for Every Politician - CSP

Popularity, good decisions, great ideas can improve opportunities for politicians to be elected.  A platform that would please the vast majority of voters is a target of every campaign.  Find the target that matters most and victory will be practically guaranteed.  There will always be objectors, but if they are in the minority, then feel confident your government office will be made ready for you. 

What is it, you ask?  What will appeal to the greatest number of citizens.  It is a plan which I leave another to put a label on, but for simplicity sake I will refer to it as the CSP.  It is not novel but has been avoided as a first step on any agenda. 

The CSP offers citizens what they would never expect, but will find delightful.  Since FDR few have even mentioned this concept by itself. It has been suggested as a follow-on to another promise. Promise #1 has happened only to find promise #2 ignored, resisted and never implemented.  This has a negative impact on us all. 

Radically different, but not radical, this program will make every elected official more able to function efficiently. It requires dramatic policy changes and a team willing to collaborate in concert.  Divisiveness may require installing charismatic like minded energetic persons, yet humble, in joint sessions with a common goal. Knife throwing, throat cutting, will be reduced to darts aimed at the center of the CSP and an atmosphere of nation healing.  It will satisfy objectives of FDR, and Reagan and Trump.  It will fulfill the promise so many have made historically, but failed to deliver. 

A full boat of passengers with the same objective can pass legislation that will put more food on our tables, more money in our pockets, and more smiles on our faces.  

This is not a long verbiage proclamation that will result in you buying pills to make you smarter, thinner, or able to see better.  There is nothing for you to buy.  There is no cost to anyone. All you need do is find the politician having this platform, or encourage your local politician to embrace it, Primary those who do adopt it, support their campaign and elect them.  Citizens will benefit, in the short and long run.  What is it you ask?  What is the CSP?  The economy will boom and the rewards to citizens will become obvious. 

OK, I will tell you very soon.  CSP offers ‘more.’ The CSP simply put is a make America better, our Federal Government more functional, the job of the President more manageable, the government operations more efficient, and every State and citizen closer to decision making in our great Nation.  Opportunities will increase, independence will be embraced, the work ethic enhanced, and parents emboldened.  Americans can imagine this, but needed are elected officials with a shared imagination in concert with the voters. Once in office ignoring the wants of the people should put that officials future in jeopardy.  We will prosper with good government.  We will thrive with great leadership.  Great leaders make the hard choices, the right decisions, and do what is best and proper.  Only great leaders can implement the CSP.   What we are dealing with here is a vital national interest.    

Simplicity personified and a task historically harder for politicians than necessary, what can happen, can indeed happen with willing hearts, a love  and respect for We The People, and strength of character.  Needed are others that believe in America as they do. Responsibility can be delegated, volunteers encouraged, and businesses left to attract employees with programs they offer, not burdened with government requirements.  The work ethic will become a lighted candle to guide our Nation to greater productivity and prosperity. Families will be made essential, and faith based institutions revitalized.  It is as good as it sounds.

You need to climb aboard and write your local, state and national representatives to join the coalition all in for the CSP.  The alternative is they be replaced with others more attuned to the needs and wants of the voting majority. Everyone will know intuitively this is the best idea for our Nation. This is not a discussion about remaking the government, but refining and improving essential services that make life better, increase hope and make the machinery function as it should.  It is a hurdle that can be jumped, a traffic cone that can be avoided, an obstacle that can be pushed aside, and a hole that can be filled.  Your representative must do the work needed, and you must elect those than can and will make the promise and keep it.  

This CSP is what will make US all better in so many ways.  Beware of the resisters, the resistance, and the reticence. They are the selfish, social justice warriors that pave the way for the elitists more than the working family. The impediment to quality government comes from ideals contrary to those which make our government an aide to its citizens.  We need helping hands, not controlling fists in our faces.  Freedom is the bulwark of our democracy.  The CSP will shore up our foundation, repair our cracked walls, and make our house like new again. 

Are you ready for it. This will take dedicated servants and commitment.  But the benefits are real.  CSP.  The Cut Spending Plan.  Got it.  Cut government expenditures.  There are so many areas that can be made smaller.  Departments overburdened by bureaucracy and inefficiencies can be reduced or eliminated.  Let the states do more, be more involved, in charge.  Find those areas in Washington, the hidden offices, forgotten over the years that they even exist, the buggy whips as it were, and take them off the books. Those functionaries created to serve a purpose at a time before can now be eliminated as not needed, the emergency over.  Have more disciplined providers dispense funds as needed to avoid criminal activity that results in billions being lost, never received, or put in the hands of the wrong recipient.  More savings are available to the Federal government by avoiding mis-used, mis-handled, and mis-directed disbursements than any expenditure for additional IRS policing and watchdog powers.

Reduce congressional staffs by questioning how many people are needed to serve a given member of the legislature.  When there are too many it is a natural tendency to have them look for things to do, or legislation to write, ways to make the representative look better, or even working at all. Impose a percentage reduction program, reducing department staffs, all departments by some number, let’s start with 10%. Have those elected agree to a line item veto for the President.  Cut the pork.  Make members of Congress less piggish, less subject to bribes, and/or unnecessary funding for their districts to have them join poor legislation being offered up by their Party.  Good legislation should not need in-house contributions, specific spending offered for districts, to garner support. The prize should be to all Americans, not to politician’s constituencies just for their vote. 

The greatest gift America can give its citizens is a less costly government, a more efficient government, a helpful, caring government, serving the people, not dependent citizens, but independent, productive citizens than can and will make everything we mean to the world a sign of what all peoples can do when not on the dole, under socialism, and free to choose. 

Making America first can result in savings too.  When is enough enough in providing money to foreign nations, climate control programs in places like Paris, Iran, Russia or Asia, even military subsidies to nations that may not really love America?  What about America first when it comes to aide for illegals, or any aide for law breakers at all?  Are we to pay for family leave for the unemployed, or incentive programs for businesses that they can do themselves?  There are interventionist programs by the Federal Government that are not helpful, thus not necessary.  

We need programs that encourage hope, incentivize everyone, create competition to learn, and make starting businesses, keeping businesses, easier.  Less regulation makes America work better, perform better, compete better, produce more at home. Keep the elitists, the major contributors to politicians seeking preferences, under control.  To be for the people our government must not be against the people.  Overburdening us with taxes is not right.  But to avoid that, spending needs to be cut.  It only makes sense to do the right thing and reduce wherever possible.  We need representatives that think on our behalf, not their own.  We need politicians whose mantra is headlined with a CSP.   

Endorse the CSP.  Call for your congressperson to lead their campaign with a CSP promise.  Ask your senators to acknowledge the need and intent to exercise CSP programs.  Elect a President that proclaims CSP above all else.  Make known a desire for government support far exceeding government control.  What is made smaller in Washington DC can only make bigger what is in your wallet. 

With CSP first, above all else, what can follow naturally is RIT.  CSP then RIT.  Who is against that?  Historically it has been proven you cannot have one without the other.  When RIT preceded CSP, failure to implement CSP resulted in HND.  And it is the tax-payer that pays.  

Cut spending (CSP), then comes Reduced Income Taxes (RIT).  With steps taken in that order, it is possible to avoid Higher National Debt (HND).

We need passengers on board the train to prosperity, calling for all conductors to lead the way, and have as the commander in chief, the engineer in the engine’s cab, take us to the next stop of America as the beacon to the world of what is possible. Democracy good.  Socialism bad.  Restore America.  All aboard the CSP coast to coast Express.

A smaller puzzle, with less pieces, is easier to assemble. Less expensive too.   CSP for you and me. 

by

Thomas W. Balderston

Author and Blogger

Requirements/Considerations for GOP Victory in 2022 and 2024

Requirements/Considerations for GOP Victory in 2022 and 2024

To win back the Senate and the House in 2022, and the White House in 2024, Donald Trump is the least likely person to lead the turn around. The Republican Party needs more who can do what Glenn Younkin did in Virginia,  form a coalition of rural Counties, people who voted for Trump, people who didn’t vote for Trump but like to vote Republican, suburban moms, female, male, white, black, and Hispanic.  The focus needs to be on capable people, being color blind at the same time.  A focus on issues that matter.  Make it an Americans for America race.   The left’s penchant to call out racism and white supremacy constantly is wearing thin, and seriously questioned, and the Covid crisis is over.  We are recovering our freedom, our economy, in part thanks to the vaccines, but also because Americans are realizing Covid will be with us.  Yet, we can live with it, as we do the flu, and continue to be careful and free. We are capable, to use an ole adage, to walk and chew gun at the same time.  Trump need not be on the scene; he can be toxic.  His policies are welcomed, but his personality is not.  We are not in the habit of embracing those who constantly see themselves as the achiever, even with good ideas, but more the team effort, less “I” and more “We.”

Hidden in the rural enclaves, the valleys and the mountains, are many patriots, citizens, that are disgusted with events in our economy, to enumerate:

• rising gas prices, 
• ignoring our oil independence, while calling upon OPEC and Russia to produce more oil to import.
• false claims of a majority of racists, 
• education being corrupted by ideologues seeking to indoctrinate our children with:  
• Critical Race Theory (CRT), which engenders division and hatred. 
• re-constituted history (1619 Project), 
• allegations of white supremacy making guilt by caucasian children a requirement, 
• a disregard for parents views or preferences for their children’s education
• a lack of school choice
• the failed Afghanistan pull-out
• a callous disregard for Americans and loyalists left behind in Afghanistan
• illegal immigration run amok, 
• payments to illegals for health care, education, even family support, far in excess of what is available to citizens, and especially properly vetted immigrants seeking and attaining citizenship legally, 
• inflation, 
• an elderly compromised President with weak leadership qualities and communication skills, 
• a concern for who is really in control of our Federal Government,
• questionable choices by the Biden Administration for the head of various departments and Cabinet positions,
• a questionable choice of VP as back-up for the Oval Office, 
• officials in the Administration more focused on prioritizing sexual preferences, the climate and social justice, than issues that matter to the majority,  
• excess government spending with no apparent desire, all factions at fault, to reduce spending
• the push by progressive Democrats seeking a broad socialist agenda for the entire nation, to include items as reparations, medicare for all, payments for illegals,
• socialist spending plans without fiscal responsibility,
• burdening tax-payers for the pet projects of elected officials.
• a troubling increasing Federal debt,
• so much of the Main Stream Media voicing opinions that do not reflect the majority of our citizens
• the apparent collaboration between the majority of Main Stream Media and the Democratic Party,
• a push for unions and unionization, not for a better work environment, but for increased funding from unions to support liberal political candidates that cater to their demands.  
• unions being used as a force against business, education, and healthcare, more for themselves than those they serve.
• affirmative action gone to far, weakening education standards, impacting productivity, and effecting decision making.
• campaigns to defund the police, or limit police activities and the ability to remove criminals from our streets, while the elitists then use campaign funds or tax-payor dollars for private security.
• falsifying fears of impending climate changes and diverting funds from matters more essential, higher in priority, that impact all Americans and our economy,
• the hypocrisy of many politicians doing for themselves what they tell their constituents not to do,
• a criminal control system that is releasing dangerous perpetrators without bail and with little consequence,
• and more….

The list is in no particular order of priority, but each issue is important.

Inputting a personal concern, with an emphasis on the size of government and the habitual nature of elected officials to talk about spending cuts, but doing nothing once elected.  Our Federal Government is too big and more interventionist than helpful.  With no critical emergency to deal with more can be relegated to States, reducing departments, agencies and Czars that occupy Washington DC offices.  That is an opportunity to cut spending.  And with spending cut, first, taxes can then be reduced.  To reduce taxes, first, and not cut spending did not work for either Reagan or Trump.  Consider how much staff is needed by each Senator, each Congressman, how large need the EPA be, how long a motorcade to a climate control conference is justifiable, and on and on and on.  Then consider welfare or entitlement programs that put government before parents and faith as guides, confidants, and care givers.  Such programs also take away self-esteem, incentives to work and the need to better oneself.  They are costly and often a tool of politicians to incentivize dependent persons to vote for those promising to satisfy their wants and desires.  That make’s our Nation weaker and lazier. 

Power, to many politicians, becomes their drug and they seek to control, as made clear by McAuliffe in his race for VA governor, suggesting that parents should have no say in the curriculum the system generates and the teachers are ordered to teach. This is not how Americans want to be led. 

If Democrats want to mirror FDR then adopt his desire for small government, manageable, that helps our citizens, not a big government, unwieldy, that intervenes and creates impediments to progress. 

Trump can love America, as he does, but he should not be the face of the Republican Party going forward, ‘a’ face, yes, but not ‘the’ face.  

by

Thomas W. Balderston

Author and Blogger

Remembering FDR

Remembering FDR

Depression

It was during the Depression.  America was still trying to recover.  The depression had spread to Europe, as payment of debts to America for WWI could not be met. Germany (Hitler) was getting active in Europe.  It was 1932.  The sitting President was Herbert Hoover, running for reelection against Franklin Delano Roosevelt.   38,583,702 votes were cast.  FDR received over 59% to become the 32nd President of the United States. More than 13 million were out of work. FDR sought to restore the spirit of our Nation and a hope for a better future.  Hoover’s term began with American prosperity at an all time high, and ended at just the opposite.  FDR was elected because the population wanted more from the Federal Government. Improved social conditions and improved job and business opportunities was a campaign pledge, with the Federal Government doing more. Hoover valued individualism and minimal government involvement in the affairs of business, a respected position, but at that time FDR saw a need to get America back to work, back on track, and in the process revive that individual zeal to learn and achieve. It was to be the New Deal.

First 100 Days

The first 100 days were active, with Bank reform, a Federal Reserve, a reduction in government employee pay that went to relief functions ($500 million), and jobs provided in large scale infrastructure and works projects. The Federal worker pay cut was 15%.  He restored confidence in the Federal Government. He worked with Republicans and Democrats appointing them to various positions, established a minimum wage and a work week. He expanded the executive powers of the office and communicated well using fireside chats (radio), many speeches and frequent press conferences.  

WWII

It was not until 1941 that we entered WWII.  Leading up to that point FDR was aware of the need, at the same time the reluctance of the American people, providing alternative means of support for Great Britain until the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and Germany declared war on us.  FDR was an excellent deal maker, as well as communicator.  He was able to bridge party lines in times of crises. However, once improvements became obvious his intent was not to make the Federal Government the piggy bank, or the control center, for all areas of the government. He recognized an independent person, properly incentivized, was critical to America’s overall prosperity.  He saw a stalled engine of progress, sought to give it a push downhill, until restarted, and then it was to be on its way.  

After FDR

What happened to FDR’s ideas after WWII and after his death, besides Truman, then Eisenhower, and the subsequent Presidents?  America did come alive. The New Deal ended when WWII began and our industry was effectively nationalized for the war effort.  Employment boomed, bringing with it women in droves into the work force. An Act was passed that prevented discrimination in defense plants. Truman ended the war when two atomic bombs were dropped over Japan. With the war over, soldiers with reserves of cash anxious to spend, and bank accounts growing, industry returned to making decisions for themselves and goods to satisfy demand. Battleships, tanks and jeeps, become washing machines, typewriters, automobiles, and other home luxuries. The broad authority FDR assumed was needed then, to combat the depression and the axis of evil in the world. Confidence in the American economic system was invigorated and made even better. But are the powers of government to be used at all times, now, to address our country’s problems?  What has happened to States Rights?  It has become a policy of the Democrats to control, in the spirit of FDR, while ignoring the concept of small and efficient government and independent free people from all corners of our nation.  

Welfare once a purview of States, under FDR, became an instrument of the Federal Government.  I believe his intent was to eventually return such oversight to governors.  Certainly the Great Society President 36, LBJ, did not see it that way.  Ignoring the progress minorities, especially blacks, were making in our Nation, as family units, as strong religious factions, LBJ created a welfare system that since its inauguration has done less to lift the poor, the minority poor, out of poverty and more to destroy the family unit and a love for God. Trillions have been spent.  We have become a nation seeking, under the banner of progressivism, more entitlements, less independence, more children born out of wedlock, and fewer two parent (and two biological parent) homes.  In the 60’s 90% of babies were born to married couples.  Today 40% of children are born to unwed mothers. 52% of children today live with their birth parents. Children raised in a cohesive two biological parent home are 25% healthier,  and more likely to graduate high school and college. The chance of such children living in poverty is reduced by 82%. Ronald Reagan on the Great Society called it, “a bundle of expensive and failed initiatives that contributed to rather than alleviated, suffering.”

Realities

The realities for Presidents after FDR, after the war ended, were never as grave or dark as during FDR’s tenure.  Yet they seemed to continue to preach as if that was not the case.  Power and control became their objective, not We The People.  Reagan was alone in his effort to reduce spending and restore sanity, especially after Jimmy Carter continued bringing State departments into the Federal chambers, such as Education and Energy in 1979.  The Federal Education bureaucracy now consumes over $80 billion of tax revenues to cover their annual operations.  From a recent article to be published on this site soon (The Office of the Commander in Chief is Too Big for Any Britches), “Reagan saw the problem, with a focus on government officials, both parties, when Departments are instituted, agencies formed and Czars created, the government gets larger, remarked, ‘They have forgotten that when you create a government bureaucracy, no matter how well intended it is, almost instantly its top priority becomes preservation of the bureaucracy.’”  

Parsing FDR’s 1933 inaugural speech, he noted, “Only an optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment….Our greatest primary task is to put people to work….It can be helped by insistence that the Federal, State and local governments act forthwith on the demand that their cost be dramatically reduced….Our international trade relations … (are) secondary to … a sound national economy….(We are) a stricken nation in the midst of a stricken world….” FDR sought from Congress, and received, “broad Executive power to wage war against the emergency….”  But in order of magnitude since WWII there has been no similar emergency, stricken nation in a stricken world, dark reality, or need for jobs.  The government could indeed be smaller, less costly today and less invasive.  More can be delegated to State governors, such as health, education, energy, even welfare.  Executive power need not be as great, either. However, take the power ball out of the hands of the President, Congress too, and as noted by RR there will be great resistance, as, “preservation of the bureaucracy” becomes paramount.  This needs to stop!  When did Biden ever propose during Covid, or Trump for that matter, “that the Federal, State and local governments act…that their cost be dramatically reduced.” They were never asked to suffer as were the non-public service employed citizens.  Where was the shared focus? 

Time and Purpose

Greatly admired and capable FDR was the right President for his time, and our times.  Since then the importance of the position, the reason for intervention by the government has been ignored.  It is to help Americans keep our nation great, productive, safe, and prosperous.  Tax and spend was not a goal. The government was never intended to be a burden on the people. The government is not our parent.  

The Federal Government is not to control our schools and industry to indoctrinate children and employees to honor a political code; the basics are to take precedence, reading, math, writing, and history.  I refer to actual history, not recreated or politicized history (such as 1619 or CRT).  History has leaders on both sides to be understood. 

The family unit is essential to being prosperous, healthy and having a less needy society. A dependent element less likely to care for children is not worthy.  A less needy society is less costly to every tax payor. 

We do need to trust in God. 

Remember FDR

Remember FDR.  Do not forget the challenges he faced.  Not necessary today are the programs and the powers he assumed during this dark time, a critical emergency in our history.  Government has become too large and can be made smaller.  A supersized American Federal Government was never FDR’s intent.  We are healthy; we are robust, and we are capable.  We are today what FDR desired; he helped us to achieve.  

Since FDR our Presidents have lost the meaning and purpose of their Office.  And Congress has fallen in love with an excessive overburdened and unneeded bureaucratic empire.  

We, as Americans, are the ones that need to strike back against this empire by voting for the change that is needed.  Make your vote count.  Even Republicans liked FDR, but we can never forget.  “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” rings so true, and that fear is too often trumped up by those seeking power and making promises they cannot keep.  What we do need to fear is a government that is too, too big, with too many departments.  More responsibility can be delegated to States, where it once was, to better serve us all.  

And no matter how hard he tries Joe Biden will never be an FDR, nor should he attempt to position himself as FDR.  The only crisis we have today is that of the fear being instilled in most Americans of the threat of socialism, and the indoctrination of our children by the left, and the incompetence demonstrated to date by President Joe Biden, his Vice President Harris and far too many members of his Administration.

by

Thomas W. Balderston

Author and Blogger

 

Our Liberty Ship - Lost at Sea

 Our Liberty Ship - Lost At Sea

Americans are fickle beings. We are experiencing a crisis in leadership. However we are so divided it is a conundrum as to how to resolve the issue. The Office of President is vital to America’s success in both domestic and foreign affairs. Essential to both is balance, expectations of strength and a unifying voice followed by acceptable actions. The primary beneficiary must always be the citizen. As a nation we are defined by our borders and what is achieved within bounds.  A common analogy is as the captain of a ship, the ship of State. Where it is steered, towards safe ports or troubled waters, will reflect on the one at the wheel. All those on board are the responsibility of the captain. Right or wrong the final decision is theirs. Those chosen by the passengers to take the helm are charged with their care, and that of the crew as well. The captain “will be judged by the fulfillment of his duties to the people as a whole,” quoting the author Jeremi Suri, his book, The Impossible Presidency: the Rise and Fall,of America’s Highest Office. 

Weak Joe

We now have a weak Captain. When we have a strong President the citizenry is often divided. Defining ‘weak’ is to be confused, unfocused, less than transparent and inept at being decisive and correct regarding critical matters. Style is less important, but likability can be beneficial. Defining “strong” suggests the opposite of weak, but historically has been problematic for the citizenry.  Too strong suggests a tyrannical authoritarian, reminiscent of historical monarchies from which evolved America formed by those who escaped. After several hundred years we are sufficiently educated as to the conceptual foundation of our Founders to distrust dominant leadership. Even though the people benefit and prosper, they remain skeptical. Without corruption can the executive be ‘for real?’ Maybe it is only history and a reflection on the past, years into the future, when we will know or realize the truth. In the meantime citizens remain critical and demanding, with expectations outside the realm of reality, and ignorant of cause and effect. How difficult is it to accept that which is working? Why is it too frequent that we become victims to the whims of political power struggles? 

In a recent Quinnipiac University survey (10/5/2021) the majority (over 53%) of those surveyed said the Biden administration is not competent in running the government. The captain is derelict in his responsibilities, some believe demented. Approval was just 38%. His “good leadership skills” was measured at 41%. 

In 2020 Trump’s overall approval rating experienced significant monthly drops, to as low as 36%, mostly due to Covid as well as main stream media leftists tirelessly contriving a fake narrative or dismissing accomplishments of Trump and important truths about Biden and family. Trump lost the Presidential 2020 election as a result.  

Election Fraud

Many believe, supported by recent reports (PA & AZ), that far too many fraudulent votes for Biden were counted, and votes for Trump trashed by unsavory poll workers or manipulated voting machines (Dominion).  Another view, less than a conspiracy, is a Democrat led fusion into the voting process, as a bully elbows wide pushing into the center of a room, altering voting laws to allow untold quantities of mail-in votes, door-to-door solicitations for mail-ins, and extended hours to collect and to count votes, with an emphasis on the Democrat ballot.  There was possibly more ballot harvesting than fraudulent voting. Either way, such practices need to be curbed, or balanced, to be fair to the whole of the voting populace. 

Another concern.  Was Biden properly vetted by the voters? It was the main stream media that should have been more open and truthful in their representation of Biden, completely ignoring the Hunter Biden scandal, which did involve Joe Biden as the ‘boss.’ In addition he hardly made appearances, referred to as ‘basement Joe,’ while Trump hosted crowds of 15-25,000 regularly. This raises two concerns. One is the unmitigated bias of main stream educated liberal journalists, more opinion-ists than true reporters. They hid information, that is, ‘not just the facts’ were put on air and in the press, facts important to voters in helping them decide, choose, whom to vote for; a wanton disregard for important information that affects all Americans by the leftist media who seem to dominate the airwaves. The second is the voter, failing to see through the disinformation campaign, and allowing bitterness to a strong, yet less than humble, sitting President boil into rage and hatred, blinding far too many to the reality of the times. 

Media with a Left Foot

The leftest media, showing no patriotism or love for America, chooses what they want to say, when to say it, they repeat fabrications, and dismiss that which is critical to their narrative. Do they not want America to be great? Are they more globalists than Americans? Do they seek a Ship of State adrift? Why would they not want our borders secure and immigrants, no matter the numbers, properly vetted. We have a whole world to choose from, so why let just anyone come. They know we can do a better job with immigration, yet allow hundreds of thousands of illegals to flood our southern border. They use guilt and contrived compassion to criticize those that want our borders closed, as if Americans do not care. But ask them if they want untold hoards of unknowns being relocated to their neighborhoods? I think you know the answer; that is the hypocrisy of the left. It is their self-identified nature as social justice warriors, while at the same time exhibiting personal standards or prejudices as those they, often, falsely accuse. 

Examples are labeling parents terrorists for passionately opposing school boards that promote and defend leftist ideals. Ideals, mind you, that attack God, show disdain for the family unit, and encourage deviant behavior as if it is the norm. Then there is mandating masks and vaccinations, using oppressive tactics such as being fired for non-compliance, all while those vaxxed are supposed to be protected.  The Covid pandemic today is of the non-vaccinated; the vaccinated are less likely to become a statistic.  Another is criticism of Trump’s border policies, when those of Biden are decisively worse. A third is defending Biden’s Afghanistan exit, blaming Trump (who would have listened to his generals and left troops to maintain stability and access to intelligence in the region) who also said he wanted our troops out and the war ended. And for good measure, encouraging harassment of those opposed to progressive leftist objectives, even following a female Senator into a public bathroom, without objection (dismissing it as normal), while parents are subject to DOJ and FBI punishment for speaking out against Critical Race Theory and sexual references, even positions, in texts of their elementary and junior high schoolers. One final example, that of allowing the burning and pillaging of cities like Portland and Minneapolis, seen as a form of reparations, justified, the stealing and arson, for those oppressed by the white supremacists, even black white supremacy, and police. This then leads us to the defunding of police (mostly in Democrat run cities), lying that the conservatives were behind this action, while seeking personal protection using campaign or tax-payor funds (the Cori Bush tactic). 

And it is not mean, or selfish, to want our government to balance the Federal Budget, to make decisions that keep inflation at a minimum, to incentivize people to work, to learn, to achieve and not just cast dollars, print dollars, about as a daily safety net for underachievers. After all that is what every family, every individual must do.  Excess spending, building up credit card debt, always leads to problems. Saying no to ‘entitlements’ is neither racist nor supremacist. Allowing parents to campaign for how their children are educated is neither an act of terrorism, nor a willful attempt to destroy school board members. Americans generally want what is right and good for their families. Being free to choose not to be vaccinated when protection is offered is a personal choice. There are good reasons for many. 

Conservative Nature

In general the more conservative, the so referenced ‘white’ supremacists, whether white, black, brown or otherwise, are not as vocal as the left, and maybe that needs to change. But such change to Biden tends to bring out the DOJ (using a could-have-been Supreme Court Justice - Garland) to quiet the silent majority as soon as they speak up. 

Being fickle is not being stupid. Maybe it is more indifference. But Biden and the progressives are awakening American citizen’s minds to the ideals of our Constitution and the rationale that went into it. They want national security, communities preserved, prosperity and liberty, as nationalists. This means our borders are ours, not Biden’s, not the Democrats, but America’s. Our sovereign nation needs to be protected for the welfare of our citizens, not that of the world.  Our ‘right’ is to be protected by our Constitution with a person at the wheel that can do that for US all.  And our economy needs to be strong. Causing inflation without regard for the middle class, the cost to our prosperity and competitive status, is an error in judgment. What was wrong with energy independence under Trump? 

What the Progressives, and Nancy Pelosi, want is not what the majority of America wants. Billions for liberal news. Unions granted privileges in hiring, Higher taxes on married couples than singles. Support for Critical Race Theory in education. IRS watchdogs over bank accounts, cash flows in and out. Many construction projects to nowhere under the guise of infrastructure. Socialism hidden under the bridges, more fodder for the ghouls wearing Social Justice warrior badges while living in penthouses and dining on caviar. The progressives need the blacks, the poor, the compromised and oppressed minorities, not for what they can do for them, but for what they suggest they need and might do for them, all while having them do for the progressives what they want - their votes.  The Democrats are elitists, as would be socialist leaders, as Russian leaders living in dachas while the masses enjoy the socialism they provide. All for the good OF THE PARTY.

Nanny, Nanny, Nanny

The Demcrats want a nanny state, believing the people cannot do for themselves what they need to do. Ronald Reagan said it well, “From time to time we’ve been tempted to believe society has become too complex to be managed by self-rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by, and of the people.  Well, if not one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else?”  Biden cannot even do his own checkbook, he needs his son Hunter to do that (and keep it full too, I presume). 

Our ship needs a new captain and crew. We need passengers that are attentive and care. We are capable people.  Do not let the liberals tell you otherwise. 

By

Thomas W. Balderston

Author and Blogger

Note:  Cover Picture: SS John W. Brown, one of four surviving Liberty ships, photographed in 2000 - from Wikipedia

By

Thomas W. Balderston

Author and Blogger