Sasha's Commentary for November 14, 2013

As I argued last night in a Facebook post (which I'll later regret), the nation's anti-union mentality has gotten to the point where our nation's well-being is at stake. Even after-school activities are only exacerbating the problem. I'm glad there are groups that fund after school activities in lower income areas, as these groups are crucial in helping youths avoid making bad decisions that might cause their futures to turn sour. But in general, being a youth in today's generation is as hard as anything. I'll agree that being a youth has always been a financial nightmare, but I've heard horror stories about friends having to move out of the area to find work. I don't have money up front to do such an endeavor. I'll still argue that something needs to be done with corporate pay and wealth inequality before more people lose their jobs. For instance, Heinz is closing a plant in Canada. We need processing and manufacturing jobs in the Western Hemisphere. 740 jobs is a lot.

I must say, Janet Yellen's move to be the Fed Chair might be good. Although inflation should ALWAYS be a concern, I learned in macroeconomics that it's good to have low interest rates when the economy is good and higher interest rates when the economy is on full cylinders. Her view has been full employment is more important than inflation. Even if it does take ten years for the economy to continue to recover, it might be worth it if financial regulations can return AND job growth is slow and steady. No more financial roller coasters. But as I've said earlier, I'd rather have Paul Krugman or Robert Reich serve as Fed Chair. Or even head of the Treasury.

Part of the bigger problem (and I think this is a global issue) is that population growth is outpacing job growth. No one needs to have a thousand kids (why I'm no fan of the Duggar's) and to parents out there who are begging their kids, who don't want to have kids, have kids of their own? Don't nag. Your childless children are doing the world a small favor, as extreme as that sounds. My argument is like a few others: more people are scrambling after fewer jobs.

Mother's right: the soft sciences are still important. Good science also involves a little bit of good writing. Even the late Steve Jobs got it:

Focusing our educational resources toward any one endeavor in narrow isolation creates a destructive imbalance. We must correct this imbalance now, before it is too late.
This, then, is a critical "teachable moment" and we as a society must embrace it. We must enthusiastically support and fund the study of the arts and humanities as the building blocks of a successful global future. And for everyone concerned with how this translates into a sound economy and a sound financial future, simply recall what Steve Jobs told graduates of Stanford University in 2005: One of the most influential experiences in his brief time at Reed College was his exposure to the fine art of calligraphy. It taught him the important lesson of the relationship between discipline and creativity.

If it weren't for that calligraphy class we wouldn't have clean computer interfaces like we do today. And when "The National Assessment of Educational Progress test shows that less than a quarter of eighth- and 12th-grade U.S. students are proficient in reading, writing and civics", I am concerned. Civics are important, as we need an electorate that is at least well-informed and making sound judgements at the polls.

And it is indeed worrisome that our nation's union membership is declining. Unions are why we have a forty-hour work week, that holiday that marks the end of the summer season, safer work environments. I still believe substitutes aren't quite cutting it. I do applaud companies that do treat their employees fairly, like Starbucks or even Southwest Airlines. Blame this nation's fear of socialism? Yeap.

Stupid question on this one, but is this contraption homebirth friendly? The Odón device seems cool, but will it do more damage, like cut off air to a newborn taking his/her first breath? At least they've done safety tests, and everything checks out. Here's another tip: if it's safe enough to, have a child at home, if you can.

I don't think it's a bad thing for twenty-somethings to get married. I'm even more glad that there are good reasons to get married in your mid-twenties.

Speaking of the twenty-something, some of the recommendations in this article I should really take up. I'm going through a quarter life crisis, no doubt about it. Number 8 is a big one for me: "Approaching your life from a “one day at a time” perspective will keep your sails blowing longer than if you’re fretting about what you’ll be doing five years from now."

While I'm at it, I should bring fresh blood to Sullivan County, as it turn it into another Ulster County. What does Ulster County have that Sullivan doesn't? And if that doesn't work, there's always either Columbia County or somewhere else near Albany!

Note to self: take personality test.

And on a funnier note: Chuck Lorre is hilarious!