It's A Big Effing Deal

May 5

The “Job Creator” Fallacy

Jobs, jobs, jobs.

Who creates them? Some Republicans say the wealthy. Some Democrats say consumers. Other Republicans say it’s businesses. Other Democrats say it’s the middle class.

Or whatever.

The fact of the matter is that there is no one job creator. Job creation is a byproduct of an exchange of goods/services. Therefore, you need all parts. The consumer, the producer, and the good/service. No one part is less important than the other.

So when we want to grow our economy and create more jobs, we shouldn’t just be looking at who deserves a tax break. Instead we need work to better aid (or remove inhibitors of) these economic exchanges.

Apr 5

The State Of Our Anemic Growth

Ben White:

The jobless rate dropped to 7.6 percent in March, but only because nearly half a million people stopped looking for work. The percentage of people in the workforce dropped to 63.3 percent, the lowest level since 1979.

As shown by the BLS Report, high-demand jobs such as finance and technology are approaching “acceptable” levels of unemployment at around 4-6%. Even mid to low ranged jobs like transportation and retail are around 7%, putting them a little bit lower than the national unemployment rate.

But all of that was the easy part.

Leisure and business services range from 9-11% unemployment. Agriculture has 13.5% unemployment. Construction sits at whopping 14.7% unemployment.

These are the industries whose markets were inflated during the boom from the late 90’s to 2007-08 and their unemployment rates will be the hardest to bring down. While they might experience a short term boost in employment due to other industries recovering, it is unlikely that demand for their products/services will ever reach the levels of the boom, thus leaving many unemployed.

Apr 2

Thoughts On: State of Rape Culture

While the above link and the whole topic might be considered “old” there was something I just wanted to comment on, and due to my busy schedule these past few weeks was unable to.

The following are some tweets/posts aggregated by Lauren Nelson:

“It[‘]s sad that those kids are being wrongfully accused of rape up in Steubenville. That slut was definitely asking for the D.”

“Lol I say I don’t feel bad for that chick in steubenville and all the sluts come out to defend the slut.”

“I have no sympathy for whores.”

For the sake of keeping this post focused, let’s ignore the fact that all these posts are Grade-A examples of slut-shaming and let’s just assume that this girl (or any girl in a similar situation) is indeed a “slut”.

So what?

How does being a “slut” in any way, shape, or form justify rape? Last I checked, a “slut” is used to describe a woman who has consensual sex with numerous partners, the keyword here being consensual. The idea that past consensual interactions somehow justifies nonconsensual interactions in the present and/or future is both morally and legally absurd.

Let’s take this a step further and say, for arguments sake, that she was dressed up in a way that gave the impression that she was wanting sex. Once again, so what? How does this in any way justify rape? The premise of going out for a one night stand (or whatever you want to call it) is that you go out, find someone you want to have sex with, and then go home with them. If you don’t find anyone, you go home. Once again, all consensually.

Defending rape is bad in itself. But to take this path riles me up even further. We live in a society based on consensual interactions. “Implied” consent or consent based on previous consent are just terms used to protect nonconsensual actions. In a capitalistic democracy, it is imperative that nonconsensual actions should not be tolerated, let alone defended.

Mar 19

Free And Open Internet Is Best Internet

Eric Schmidt via The Verge:

“Now is the moment for India to decide what kind of internet it wants for them: An open internet that benefits all or a highly regulated one that inhibits innovation.”

Schmidt is somewhat on a World Tour. And what he says is true; every country that supports a free and unregulated internet gains significant economic benefits from the services and solutions it provides to the country’s citizens.

Also, on a more political side note, I’ve started to notice a trend among businessmen who are also Democrats. Regulation of every other industry can be justified and is necessary. Regulation of their own industry on the other hand “inhibits innovation”.

“[Roger] Ailes, meanwhile, said of Maddow, “Rachel is good and she will get even better when she discovers that there are people on earth who don’t share every one of her beliefs.” True Facts of Life brought to you via Politico

Mar 16

Why I Don't Trust An "Energy Security Trust"

Christopher Helman at Forbes on Obama’s Energy Security Trust:

Then consider that the Department of Energy has in recent years built up an insanely terrible record of wasting taxpayer money by directing funds to private companies, many of which have simply gone belly up (but not before paying lavish bonuses to executives).

…

Robert Rapier, who makes the point that there’s nothing wrong with companies failing — the problem is that when bureaucrats pick winners and losers there is absolutely no accountability for broken promises and failed investments. We can’t have government agencies acting like venture capitalists, but with no skin in the game.

I have many problems with the government “investing” in industries (including oil subsidies), and this is one of the main ones. In my opinion, instead of spending 10 years siphoning cash from the oil companies to fund this, spend 10 years eliminating oil subsidies. The slowly rising prices will trigger massive private sector investments in green technology in order to provide consumers with low-cost energy.

Feb 4

Thoughts On: Rob Portman

I had the chance to meet the Senator last year in the fall when he visited my University. Going into the event, I thought because I had never heard of him, he might not have been that relevant.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Yes, he speaks softly. But when he does, he is firm and convincing. He also seems like a very “calculated” person. Like an architect.

Personally, I think Portman will play a huge role in the GOP evolution over the next few years.

Feb 1

Understanding Unemployment Math

“How can the unemployment rate rise if we added 157,000 jobs?”

It’s a fair question. Natural instinct would lead us to believe that if jobs were being created, the unemployment rate would decrease.

The problem is that new people are entering the job market at a faster rate.

So yes, jobs are being created, don’t let anyone tell you different. But the economy is not creating them at a fast enough rate to meet faster-growing demand for jobs.

Jan 30

The Worst Argument Against Immigration

“They’ll take American jobs.”

Sure. But what’s wrong with that?

We want the best workers in the world. We don’t want them going to UK, Germany, or China. And if they’re not the best workers, they won’t be “taking” American jobs. That’s the whole point of a meritocracy.

Furthermore, these immigrants will then spend the money they earn here on products and services in this country, thus creating more US jobs for everyone. The end result is a huge net gain for our economy.

TL;DR

A good immigration system is something we should strive for as it allows for more efficiency and growth in the American economy.

Jan 29

Thoughts On: Immigration Reform

The Senate’s Bipartisan Immigration Reform Plan

I REALLY like this plan.

While I have always understood the need to provide a solution for the 11 million illegal immigrants already here, I have disliked the ideas of immediate grants of amnesty or citizenship.

For me, it has never been a matter of not liking immigrants or thinking illegal immigrants are a detriment to this country. In fact, I think keeping them in a situation where they are illegal leads to more detrimental impacts.

No, for me, it’s always been about what’s fair.

Granting immediate residency (Green Cards/Visas/etc.) or citizenship to those who have come here illegally seems to me like a slap in the face to those who are waiting in line to come into this country by legal means. Many of my friends and family members wait months to come to this country. Some of them are flat-out rejected. I know many don’t see it this way, but to me (as an immigrant myself) it just doesn’t seem fair at all.

This plan sufficiently addresses that issue by allowing illegal immigrants to work here while they wait in line with everyone else. It essentially says, “Okay, we know you’re here, and we’re not going to just kick you out, but you need to go through the process like everyone else if you want to stay.”

The fact that it is indeed a bipartisan plan makes me hopeful.

(Additionally, Marco Rubio is part of another bipartisan group of Senators who today announced a bill to boost STEM immigration. So that’s cool.)