2016 is officially in the history books, the new year is already a few days old. The new year began ominously, with a terrorist attack in Turkey, and a performance flop by Mariah Carey in Times Square. Woof. Many, myself included, see a rocky road ahead. Perhaps I am wrong. I hope I am. But I believe in 2017 we will need to be the best versions of ourselves if the year is not to be an ugly one.
Still, we have 361 days of opportunity stretch before us. May we make the best of them, improving ourselves, our communities, and our world.
As always, happy Wednesday and happy reading.
This Day in History
1999 - The Euro debuts, and for the first time since the rule of Charlemagne, Europe has a common currency. The Euro represented an attempt to bring European countries closer together socially as well as economically. Although the experiment of European unification has prevented violence in much of the continent, it has shown signs of deteriorating in recent years, both because of nationalism, but also because of financial crises brought about by the fact that nations with different spending policies were using the same currency.
An Economy for All?
Not at all, actually. In fact the American economy isn't even working for most. It only works well for the very few. In fact the top 0.1% of Americans have almost as much wealth as the bottom 90% (from Politifact). Think about that for a moment, and let it sink it. A small handful of families have nearly as much as basically everyone else combined. Economic inequity is so staggering it may destroy our country - if other forces don't destroy it first. A nation cannot exist when many of its citizens have no stake in its well-being, and yet this is the situation in which America finds itself economically. We've created a permanent underclass that has little or no chance of achieving the (basically extinct) American dream.
How Bad Is It?
Bad. Legally bad (from the NYTimes). One thing it seems Americans of all political stripes can agree upon is that the economy is rigged. And not just rigged, for many of us navigating all the economic concerns of adulthood - living expenses, insurance costs, retirement savings, etc - is like navigating a big financial obstacle course with so many booby traps that one will inevitably be legally swindled at least a few times along the way. The American economic model isn't inherently flawed, but it is perhaps irredeemably corrupted.
Solutions on the Right
Both liberals and conservatives have ideas for how to address economic stagnation, and both sides bring ideas with merit to the table. However, neither side presents a cure all, and we'd all be better off if they would cooperate - one of the MANY reasons America would have been better off under the prudence of Hillary Clinton.
But that political point aside, many conservatives believe the power of the free market is the best way to spread wealth equitably, and that it has been remarkably successful in doing so historically (from the National Review).
Conservatives are right that the central economic planning is disastrous, and that we must respond to the needs and demands of the market, and they are also correct that open economic policies have spread wealth globally at an historic, positive level. However they also place too much faith in the power of the market to alleviate poverty, particularly because of all the non-market factors that contribute to poverty. Furthermore, not every endeavor can - or should be - private, and of course a totally unregulated market creates the type of wealth disparities that lead to social collapse.
Solutions on the Left?
Though this proposal isn't part of Democratic policy, it is an idea popular among the political left, albeit - ironically - a brainchild of many famous classic liberal (we'd call them Conservatives) thinkers. For example Friedrich Hayek was an advocate of universal basic income. There are many reasons I think universal basic income may be a good idea, though admittedly, there are also many potential downsides, but that may be irrelevant, as such a solution to poverty may be inevitable given the extremely dire conditions in which many Americans find themselves (from Medium). The logistics of such a move - let alone the politics - are enormous hurdles, but if our country cannot find a way to invest its citizens in an economic future, then the political and social futures will soon become much darker.
Romping with Ringo
Somebody is looking for friend to wrestle with, and that somebody is Ringo! Hailing from Syracuse where he lives with his human Maria, Ringo is rambunctious and rascally. He enjoys tug-o-war, fetch, and the game where he chews on all his toys. Despite his wild ways, Ringo is very friendly, and always invites new friends to play when they visit. Big thanks to Maria for sharing Ringo!
Will's Weekly Trivia - Spread the Word!
My goal in 2017 is to increase readers by 100. If you know someone who you believe might enjoy the digest, the dogs, or the trivia, please be sure to share Willful Intent's new opt-in form! And don't forget to submit any thoughts and dog pics via the feedback form!
With a new year comes new trivia! Congratulations to last season's champion, Matt, as well as the top five, listed below. The new leaderboard is empty, so everyone has a chance!
1. Matt, DC
1. Alexa, NY
3. Bill, MS
4. Kevan, Ecuador
5. Katrina, DC
IF you choose to answer the question, respond to staton.will@gmail.com with your answer. Please note that by competing you are giving me permission to publish your first name in the trivia leader board each week.
Last Week:
1. Which ancient civilization developed the sculpting style "contrapasto" in which the sculpture's hips are cocked? ONE POINT
2. Who is the most well known Cubist painter? ONE POINT
3. What prestigious annual award is given to the best musical? ONE POINT
Answers:
1. The contrapasto style was developed by the Greeks.
2. Picasso is the most famous Cubist.
3. The award for musicals is called the Tony.
This Week:
1. Which ancient civilization developed the sculpting style "contrapasto" in which the sculpture's hips are cocked? ONE POINT
2. Who is the most well known Cubist painter? ONE POINT
3. What prestigious annual award is given to the best musical? ONE POINT LEADER BOARD Check out the Leader Board! Is your name on it!?
