Thursday, May 26, 2011

Strict Arizona immigration law gets Supreme Court blessing - Political Hotsheet - CBS News

Image by hey skinny via FlickrStrict Arizona immigration law gets Supreme Court blessing - Political Hotsheet - CBS News: "The Supreme Court gave its blessing today to one of the strong immigration control laws passed by Arizona, a law that has served as a model for similar measures in other states.

Arizona requires businesses to use the national eVerify system to check workers immigration status. Licenses are revoked when illegal immigrants are intentionally employed.

The Chamber of Commerce and labor groups formed a powerful coalition to challenge the law. They argued it steps on the federal government's broad immigration powers.

Conservatives carried the day in the 5-3 vote. Chief Justice John Roberts said while federal law bars states from imposing civil and criminal penalties for immigration violations, Arizona's license revocation statute doesn't fall into the category."

At last, some common sense from the Supremes. Having struck down state enforcement of federal immigration law and state law to enforce existing federal immigration law by logic that defies common sense, the Supreme Court will allow states to enforce state laws when illegal immigration is an underlying factor. The law at issue allows the state to deny/revoke the business license of those companies that break immigration laws.

Common Sense is concerned about illegal immigration, as we all should be. Immigrants come to the US seeking a better life as did the families of almost all Americans. That's as it should be. But when businesses take advantage of illegal immigrants as they often do subjecting them to low pay and substandard working conditions that's simply wrong. When businesses use illegal workers denying jobs to US workers that's simply wrong. Laws that deny such businesses the right to operate just make good common sense. They help remove one of the principal motivations for illegal immigration and protect jobs for those who are in the US legally.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Honesty in a political candidate - will wonders never cease

WAUKEE, IA - MARCH 07: Potential GOP presiden...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Raising Cain’s Honesty | Logarchism: "Former Godfather’s Pizza CEO and radio talk show host Herman Cain announced over the weekend that he is running for President. Cain has never held political office before. Rather than discussing the gentleman’s positions, I want to look at the man’s character."

Never mind that on the face of it, Mr Cain isn't really much qualified to be president. Can you believe that when a) asked about the "right of return" and obviously NOT knowing what it was about, then b) being interviewed on a subsequent day on national TV and asked again Mr. Cain actually admitted to not previously knowing. So huge common sense points for honesty. Not so many common sense points for being reasonably informed. Common Sense isn't so sure that he should run for president but Mr. Cain might be a real breath of fresh air during the election cycle and might make a decent Congressman, at least as good of some of the stunningly dishonest current members.

House Republicans to hold vote on debt limit increase – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeHouse Republicans to hold vote on debt limit increase – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs: "Washington (CNN) – House Republican leaders have scheduled a vote next week to raise the debt limit without any spending cuts attached in order to demonstrate that a so-called 'clean extension' preferred by President Barack Obama and some congressional Democrats cannot pass in the GOP-majority chamber.

According to several aides, GOP leaders announced the move Tuesday at their regular weekly meeting with rank and file Republicans.

The Republican proposal, sponsored by Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp, would raise the Treasury's borrowing authority by $2.4 trillion, which is the same amount in Obama's proposed budget, and would give the Treasury Department the authority to continue paying its bills through December 2012.

The vote is not expected to get any Republican support, dooming its chances of winning House approval."

The politics of grid lock is clearly in full sway. So lets get this straight, under Congressional rules in the House, the speaker, in this case Mr Boehner, controls what can come to a vote. He also controls the Republican caucus and can influence, often to the point of controlling, how elected representatives vote. You remember the notion of elected where voters elect someone that is suppose to represent the will of the electorate as distinct from the will of Mr Boehner or the Republican party. So Mr Boehner having instructed the Republican caucus NOT to vote for this measure even knowing full well that not extending the debt ceiling is a non starter brings this measure to a vote. Why? This is political theater at its worst. It's not about the debt ceiling. It's certainly not about good governance. One thing it clearly shows is that the two party system and Congressional rules are seriously broken.

Here is a common sense notion, perhaps we shouldn't pay Congress when they engage in this sort of political theater since they are clearly not working for the American voters.

Democrat Kathy Hochul wins House seat in New York special election - CNN.com

Democrat Kathy Hochul wins House seat in New York special election - CNN.com: "(CNN) -- Democrat Kathy Hochul swept to victory Tuesday night in a closely watched Congressional election in New York state, which turned into a proxy battle on a House Republican proposal on Medicare. The race in New York's 26th Congressional district was to fill the seat of former Republican Congressman Chris Lee, who resigned over pictures and e-mails of him trying to find a date on Craigslist. The seat had been considered safe for Republicans, who had held the district for more than four decades. Democrats claimed the victory 'had far reaching consequences around the country' over Medicare, while a top Republican warned trying to 'predict the future based on the results of this unusual race is naive and risky.'"

It seems that at least occasionally even money doesn't trump the will of voters and common sense. It also seems that the mandate for the radical right is, well, not so much a mandate as say an expression of voter frustration with a profoundly broken political system, Congress, and both political parties.

Common Sense says good for New York and common sense.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Newt Gingrich’s dubious claim of a ‘normal’ no-interest charge account at Tiffany - The Fact Checker - The Washington Post

Image via WikipediaNewt Gingrich’s dubious claim of a ‘normal’ no-interest charge account at Tiffany - The Fact Checker - The Washington Post

Speaks for itself. Would the G know 'normal' if it bit him? Would he know 'common sense' if it knocked on his door? Seems unlikely.

Comcast - get a clue

Image via CrunchBaseSomething happened a few weeks ago that was, well, rather irritating. Comcast, our cable provider, decided to disable fast forward for On Demand content. Now, that must seem and is in the greater scheme of things really rather trivial. Still it's irritating. At any event, Common Sense called Comcast to complain and ask that fast forward be restored for On Demand content. I didn't expect to get very far and didn't. Comcast says "the broadcasters made us do it."

Now, I know better and told Comcast so. The broadcasters don't send the disable code, Comcast does. So passing the buck is just, well, a lie! I explained this notion to comcast. No effect expected. None occurred.

Here Comcast made a mistake. They think that they still have a lock on high speed service to my house. As it happened, last week a Verizon contractor pulled cable pipe for FIOS down our street! I explained this to Comcast and noted that when Verizon came around asking if I'd like to switch they were rather likely to get to yes. No effect expected. None occurred.

All of this leaves Common Sense wondering. How is it that Comcast thinks that eliminating useful functionality that their customers previously enjoyed is a good business decision? Really, Comcast, get a clue. All that's really going to happen is that I'll turn off the sound and go get a cup of coffee. Later, when Verizon sends a promotion I'll say yes then call Comcast and fire them.

Now, I'm just one customer so I don't expect Comcast to particularly note my departure. But if enough people leave then it will matter.

All of which has got Common Sense wondering why it is that large companies so often become so arrogant that they start ignoring the customer's interest? Common Sense has seen it fairly frequently of late as companies try to maximize profit. As often as not all they really end up doing is loosing customers. That's just bad business and, frankly, dumb. So here's a clue for Comcast and other large companies -

The money starts in the customers hand. If you want the money to get to your hand you actually have to satisfy the customer! The customer was fine before doing business with you and chances are will be just fine after firing you.

Just a common sense POV.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Piracy of Intelectual Property is Illegal and Has Consequences

Feds Seize 8 More Domains in Piracy Crackdown | Threat Level | Wired.com:

By David Kravets Email Author
May 23, 2011 |

The Department of Homeland Security seized at least eight website addresses over the weekend, bringing to 128 the number of domains confiscated as part of a government piracy crackdown.

The government is taking the sites with court approval, under the same civil seizure law the government invokes to seize brick-and-mortar drug houses, bank accounts and other property tied to illegal activity.

Common Sense says about time. Copyrights matter and illegal is illegal. That's just common sense.

Lightbulbs common sense and wingnuts

Image showing both a fluorescent and an incand...

Image via Wikipedia

PolitiFact | Conservative group claims new law would require people to throw away existing light bulbs and replace with more efficient ones

A fundraising letter making the rounds from a conservative political action committee draws a political line in the sand over light bulbs.

The letter, circulated by AmeriPAC, a political action committee that largely supports conservative Republican candidates, claims President Barack Obama is "banning" incandescent light bulbs in favor of compact fluorescent lighting. It includes a lengthy letter purported to be written by Ron Arnold of the Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise Action Fund.

"A silly little light bulb is merely a small piece of the larger puzzle of global socialism that he feels is his agenda to enslave the American people -- and to choke Americans from a free enterprise system!" the letter states.

Ok, lets try some common sense. Choice 1 - you can buy a bulb that doesn't last very long and uses lots of electricity while energy prices continue to climb ever upward. Choice 2 - you can buy a bulb that last much longer, doesn't use as much electricity, and is somewhat more expensive. Lets see, what would Common Sense do. I know something sensible like buying an energy efficient bulb that is only somewhat more expensive and last several times as long.

Some years ago Common Sense had an energy audit done. It was sponsored by the gas and electric companies in Massachusetts. Nice chap came out and said things looked good save for a door that needed better weather stripping. He also GAVE, that's for free, several cases of compact florescent bulbs. Nine, that's right nine, years on we are still using the ones he gave us and still have several dozen bulbs left.

There are some negatives with compact fluorescent bulbs though. Some of the early ones took a while to reach full brightness. That's no longer the case with newer bulbs. Also, you have to buy a special cold weather bulb for use outside or in other cold environments since the regular ones don't light properly when it's really cold outside. Finally, you have to buy a special bulb to work with dimmers. Other than those rather minor issues Common Sense has had nothing but good luck with compact fluorescent bulbs.

BTW, it's worth noting that from the power companies point of view it's much cheaper to give away efficient light bulbs than it is to finance and build a new power plant!

Common Sense to wingnuts - get a grip. Using energy efficient bulbs is just common sense. It is certainly NOT the stuff of the decline and fall of America.

Image by electric vehicle fan via FlickrWhile we're in the neighborhood, does anyone out there remember all the moaning about CAFE (millage) standards? Couldn't be done, remember. Well we now have cars that get 35 MPG on gasoline or diesel and hybrids that are much more efficient than that. Then there is the automotive X prize for a real car that gets OVER 100 MPG. These are small but none the less real cars.

It is just common sense that setting standards can help drive development. Wingnuts notwithstanding this one is a win for common sense.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Birth Certificate Mug

Donate | Donate: "Get your 2012 Made in the USA mug

Stay caffeinated for campaign events (and everything else) with a limited-edition Made in the USA mug. Donate $15 or more to get yours."

What can Common Sense add? Pure American kitsch. Now if we could only get Vince from Shamwow to promote them this bit of nonsense would be perfect.

Of course you'll also need your copy of "Where's the Birth Certificate?: The Case that Barack Obama is not Eligible to be Presidenthere's the Birth Certificate," really!

Who says politics isn't fun! That's just common sense.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Poll: Americans as unhappy as ever with Congress - USATODAY.com

Citizens registered as an Independent, Democra...

Image via Wikipedia

Poll: Americans as unhappy as ever with Congress - USATODAY.com: "WASHINGTON — Americans voted to turn over control of the House of Representatives to Republicans last fall, but a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds they remain as unhappy as they have ever been with Capitol Hill."
By more than 2-1, voters say most members of Congress don't deserve re-election, matching a historic low reached last spring. Twenty-eight percent say most members should get another term in office; 63% say most should be replaced.

Feverish discontent with Congress last year fueled the conservative Tea Party movement and cost Democrats their hold on the House. The levels of dyspepsia are higher than they were just before elections in 1994, 2006 and 2010, all years when control changed hands.

So what do you think, do the Tea Party congressmen have a mandate? How about the Republicans or Democrats? Guess not.

Common Sense has frequently commented on our dysfunctional Congress and continues to believe it should be replaced, preferably with citizens that have some common sense and are neither Republicans or Democrats. Those fools have had plenty of chances to govern reasonably and have failed rather stunningly. Makes a fair bit of common sense that a different way should be tried.

Sharing Information Corrupts Wisdom of Crowds | Wired Science | Wired.com

Sharing Information Corrupts Wisdom of Crowds | Wired Science | Wired.com: "When people can learn what others think, the wisdom of crowds may veer towards ignorance.

In a new study of crowd wisdom — the statistical phenomenon by which individual biases cancel each other out, distilling hundreds or thousands of individual guesses into uncannily accurate average answers — researchers told test participants about their peers’ guesses. As a result, their group insight went awry.

“Although groups are initially ‘wise,’ knowledge about estimates of others narrows the diversity of opinions to such an extent that it undermines” collective wisdom, wrote researchers led by mathematician Jan Lorenz and sociologist Heiko Rahut of Switzerland’s ETH Zurich, in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on May 16. “Even mild social influence can undermine the wisdom of crowd effect.”"

Ever wonder why the birther idiocy had such traction? How about ancient aliens or the Bermuda triangle? Gives one to wonder if we will all become stupid when subject to a steady diet of doubtful surveys, misrepresentations and outright lies from politicians, and sundry other foolishness from the Internet and TV. It might be a good common sense idea to actually think about things before forming opinions. Just a common sense thought.

Sexual Revolution Cited as Cause of Priest Abuse - NYTimes.com

Sexual Revolution Cited as Cause of Priest Abuse - NYTimes.com:

"Church Report Cites Social Tumult in Priest Scandals
By LAURIE GOODSTEIN
Published: May 17, 2011

A five-year study commissioned by the nation’s Roman Catholic bishops to provide a definitive answer to what caused the church’s sexual abuse crisis has concluded that neither the all-male celibate priesthood nor homosexuality were to blame.

Instead, the report says, the abuse occurred because priests who were poorly prepared and monitored, and were under stress, landed amid the social and sexual turmoil of the 1960s and ’70s.

Known occurrences of sexual abuse of minors by priests rose sharply during those decades, the report found, and the problem grew worse when the church’s hierarchy responded by showing more care for the perpetrators than the victims."

If the Catholic Church wants to know why Catholics are leaving it need only look at this sort of nonsense. The report wants to say that the real problem wasn't in the church. Oh no, it was in the sexually liberal external society. Our priest weren't trained well enough. The church hierarchy didn't pay enough attention to the victims.

Common Sense thinks there is a far far more likely explanation. First a patently corrupt hierarchy actively participated in a coverup of clearly illegal, never mind immoral, actions by its priest. The Catholic church denied the crime. Second, in many cases even after knowing of this action the corrupt hierarchy simply shuffled criminal priest around. Left them free to abuse other children. Third, a religious faith persist in asking it's clerics to deny one of the most fundamental of human drives. When you ask many thousands of men to do something contrary to their nature you can depend on many of them failing. Fourth, caught in this illegal and immoral activity the church did and continues to do whatever it can to avoid and minimize ethical responsibility and legal liability for its actions and those of its employees. And finally, after being dragged kicking and screaming to face the issue, the church spends five years to create a stunningly ineffectual excuse for itself.

Ethical standards derived from religious faith or elsewhere matter. That's just common sense. When a faith purporting to represent not just an ethical standard but the will of God engages in such illegal, immoral, and clearly unethical activity Common Sense thinks it no longer deserves respect.

xxx

In Japan Reactor Failings, Danger Signs for the U.S. - NYTimes.com

"In Japan Reactor Failings, Danger Signs for the U.S.
By HIROKO TABUCHI, KEITH BRADSHER and MATTHEW L. WALD
Published: May 17, 2011

TOKYO — Emergency vents that American officials have said would prevent devastating hydrogen explosions at nuclear plants in the United States were put to the test in Japan — and failed to work, according to experts and officials with the company that operates the crippled Fukushima Daiichi plant."
...
American officials had said early on that reactors in the United States would be safe from such disasters because they were equipped with new, stronger venting systems. But Tokyo Electric Power Company, which runs the plant, now says that Fukushima Daiichi had installed the same vents years ago.

Which makes Common Sense wonder about this recent news item:

US power plants would be 'kept safe' after 'extreme' events: NRC

Washington (Platts)--16May2011/413 pm EDT/2013 GMT
US nuclear power plants "would be kept safe" even in the event of "extreme events" like those that struck Japan's Fukushima 1 nuclear plant, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said based on the findings of recent inspections.

The agency Friday said it is in the process of releasing reports documenting its inspections of the plants' "abilities to deal with power losses or damage to large areas of a reactor site following extreme events."

Common Sense has commented previously about nuclear power and safety. Here we have those with a vested interest in nuclear power saying "don't worry be happy" we're safer and those that have just experienced a level 5 nuclear disaster, the most serious kind, noting "hey guys we made those changes and they didn't work." So who do you think common sense suggest we believe, the people who have studied the problem or the people trying to clean up after the problem occurred? Common Sense thinks that the reality of experience trumps paper every day.

Netflix, Piracy, and Network Traffic

Netflix Passes Piracy in U.S. Net Traffic | Epicenter�| Wired.com
France Halts ‘Three Strikes’ IP-Address Collection After Data Leak | Threat Level | Wired.com

Juxtaposed in the news! So what do we know? Honest people behave honestly. There are technical solutions to dishonesty. Dishonest people are as clever as honest people. That's just common sense. P2P is down, sure, but not by much. What isn't clear are the actual traffic levels given the continued growth in internet traffic.

France has a fair idea with their HADOPI law. Perhaps others might consider this common sense approach to piracy.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Energy policy - NOT

In a groundbreaking decision that some say will usher in a new era of clean energy, U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said today he was approving the nation's first offshore wind farm, the controversial Cape Wind project off of Cape Cod.

"This will be the first of many projects up and down the Atlantic coast," Salazar said at a joint State House news conference with Governor Deval Patrick. The decision comes after nine years of battles over the proposal. "America needs offshore wind power and with this project, Massachusetts will lead the nation," Patrick said.

The decision had been delayed for almost a year because of two Wampanoag Indian tribes' complaints that the 130 turbines, which would stand more than 400 feet above the ocean surface, would disturb spiritual sun greetings and possibly ancestral artifacts and burial grounds on the seabed, which was once exposed land before the sea level rose thousands of years ago.

Salazar said he had ordered modifications to "minimize and mitigate" the impact of the project that would "help protect the historical, cultural, and environmental resources of Nantucket Sound." He said his approval would require Cape Wind to conduct additional marine archaeological surveys and take other steps to reduce the project's visual impact.
…

US Senator Scott Brown criticized Salazar's decision, saying it was "misguided."

"With unemployment hovering near ten percent in Massachusetts, the Cape Wind project will jeopardize industries that are vital to the Cape's economy, such as tourism and fishing, and will also impact aviation safety and the rights of the Native American tribes in the area. I am also skeptical about the cost-savings and job number predictions we have heard from proponents of the project," Brown said in a statement.

Green Car Congress: Bill requiring use of coal-derived fuels introduced in US House: "Bill requiring use of coal-derived fuels introduced in US House
14 May 2011

US Congressman Mark S. Critz (PA-12) announced that the “Clean Coal-Derived Fuels for Energy Security Act of 2011” was introduced in the House of Representatives; Critz is a an original co-sponsor of the legislation. The legislation was introduced by Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). This bill would require that certain fuels in the nation’s fuel mix contain a minimum volume of clean coal-derived fuel."

...
From comments:
Follow the money people, Congressman Mark S. Critz is from Coal Country.
In april 2010 he was endorsed by the United Mine Workers of America, a labor union best known for representing coal miners and coal technicians.
One month later he wins the special election.

Lets see ... Big Oil, the most profitable corporations in world history, gets $4 billion per year in tax breaks. Gasoline prices are hovering around $4 per gallon with oil prices around $100 per barrel. Coal country wingnut wants government to require inclusion of coal derived fuel in gasoline. US has next to no renewable energy policy.

Clearly NOT common sense. Rather more likely just the usual wingnut politics of energy politics driven by big money and its purchase of Congress.

Green Car Congress: UK proposes Fourth Carbon Budget for 2023-2027; emissions to be cut by 50% from 1990 levels; indicative target of 60% reduction by 2030; >1% of GDP

It seems some governments can actually act with common sense. While the US refuses to deal with carbon emissions some in the developed world do. Hardly seems like it makes the US great. Most people, including Common Sense, would like the world they leave to their children, grand children, and the future to have a sound environment. That's just common sense.

Deception is clearly independent of left and right

Deceitful Attacks from the League of Women Voters | FactCheck.org: "Deceitful Attacks from the League of Women Voters

May 11, 2011
Bookmark and Share

New ads accuse two senators of endangering children’s lives by voting to allow asthma-causing 'emissions' to be released from smokestacks and tailpipes. But in reality, all that the senators voted to curb was the government’s attempt to regulate carbon dioxide and other 'greenhouse' gasses, which have no direct connection to asthma, and an indirect connection that is a matter of debate in the medical community.

The League of Women Voters said April 29 that it would put at least $1 million behind its 'ad blitz' and a related Internet campaign. The ads feature a child struggling to breath and accuse Republican Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts and Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri of voting to allow 'smokestack and tailpipe' emissions responsible for thousands of hospital visits and serious asthma-related illnesses."

Common Sense has written often about political deceptions. That's a polite way of saying lying.

There is certainly enough around, particularly on the right. It's worth noting, however, that distortions and lies are not limited to the right. The left has plenty to answer for as well.

In this case the League of Women Voters, who should know better, has decided to lie about positions of a couple of Republicans.

While Common Sense doesn't agree with those positions, greenhouse emissions are widely recognized as a threat to humanity and civilization, what the League has done is both reprehensible and simply a lie.

It's just common sense and common civility to tell the truth when opposing a political position. We all deserve better from our political parties, our politicians, and the League.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

What's wrong with having two political parties

It's easy to find fault with both Democrats and Republicans. Their often ridiculously nonsensical political posturing got Common Sense to thinking about political parties in general and the United States' unusual notion of having only two.

We have a long history in the United States of having only two political parties. Today we have the Democrats and the Republicans. In years past we had parties with other names. While there have been a few efforts at starting other political parties, for the most part the only parties that matter are the Democrats and Republicans.

This two party notion is not part of the US constitution. But it is enshrined in Congressional rules. That somewhat extra-constitutional arrangement gives political parties a good deal of extra-constitutional power!

Consider the current committee system. Congressional committees have extraordinary power when it comes to deciding what is in proposed legislation and even what legislation reaches a vote. We often hear about bills languishing or 'bottled up' in committee. Committee chairman are appointed by political party leaders. They aren't elected by voters or even members of congress. They are appointed by people most citizens didn't vote for! Common Sense wonders if Congress would be a different and better governing body is committee chairmen had to be elected by members of Congress not appointed by one party or another?

Aside from the committee system the leader of the House and Senate exercise almost dictatorial control over what bills can come to the floor for a vote. Common Sense didn't vote for House Speaker Boehner. Indeed, unless you live in the 8th district in Ohio you didn't even get a chance to vote for him. Unless you were one of the 139, 118 people that voted for him you have no say in what bills the House votes on! Common Sense doesn't think that's much of a democracy. Common Sense wonders if Congress would be a much more representative body of leadership was elected by the Congress as a whole, not just one party.

Consider that almost all votes in congress are along party lines. Does it make sense that 80% to 90% of the time an independently elected representative thinks the same as his party? Are there no independent thoughts among our elected representatives? Of course, it makes sense that a Republican or Democrat would often reflect the same values as his party. But 9 times out of 10 rather stretches credence and common sense.

Aside from a system of running Congress that is on its face very undemocratic, the two party system has other serious flaws.

Consider the question of how political parties nominate candidates. Most nomination processes are determined by primary elections or caucuses. Relatively few people actually vote in these elections. Indeed the percentage of eligible voters that turn out to vote in even national nomination process is remarkably small often well below 20%. The result is that the nomination process is controlled by a very small number of voters. These voters tend to be very vocal. One might even say rabid. They tend to be people with a serious issue to drive or voters from the political extremes. The net of this is that political parties don't nominate people that represent the overall ideas of the party but people who can pass muster with the parties extremes! Not especially democratic in Common Sense's view.

The two party system leads to a "winner and loser" mentality. Politics has deteriorated into a sort of tribal game where points are scored independent of any semblance of real concern for effective governance. One need only look at the recent budget bill idiocy where government was brought to the brink of shutdown so that actual spending for the current fiscal year could be reduced by $353 million and budgeted (authorized) spending by $20 billion over the next few years. Clearly that particular bit of foolishness wasn't about money as about scoring points in a game that is bad for the country and inconsistent with good governance. Common Sense notes that while games are entertaining they aren't democratic.

The two party system denies representation to the center. Party affiliations are telling. Neither Republicans or Democrats represent the majority of American voters. Here are the results from recent Gallop polls as a point of reference.

	Republicans	Independents	Democrats
	%	%	%
2011 May 5-8	29	37	32
2011 Apr 20-23	31	36	32
2011 Apr 7-11	26	42	30
2011 Mar 25-27	25	40	32
2011 Mar 3-6	29	39	29
2011 Feb 2-5	28	40	31
2011 Jan 14-16	28	42	28
2011 Jan 7-9	29	37	31

Who, if anyone, represents the political center? It doesn't look especially democratic to Common Sense.

Current events and history teach that the two party system doesn't work very well. It is not democratic and for much of the last decade has not provided very good government. That's just common sense. Perhaps there needs to be a third party. A party that represents the center not the left or right. Perhaps then we can have common sense government.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Georgia governor signs controversial anti-illegal immigration law – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs

Georgia governor signs controversial anti-illegal immigration law – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs

Immigration reform taking center stage in Texas – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs

Arizona takes controversial immigration law to Supreme Court - CNN.com

Immigration continues to be much in the news. As one might expect the discourse, such as it is, borders on the bizarre. Thee are many sides to the discourse. There are the "legalize the illegal immigrants that are already here/pass to citizenship" promoters. There are the "serve in the military and we'll legalize you" folks. Increasingly there are the "the Federal Government isn't enforcing existing laws so the states will" proponents.

Some of these notions make a kind of sense. Others not so much.

Consider the legalize proponents. The US has had several previous rounds of legalization. The proposal goes something like "we'll legalize the people who are here then have stricter laws that we'll actually enforce." It sounds good. It's humane since we'll not be deporting lots of people. at the same time it's tough on illegal immigration. Of course when it comes to the enforcement side, the Federal government simply doesn't effectively enforce immigration law. The fact that there are so many illegal immigrants that the issue arises speaks to that as does the move by states to enforce existing Federal and new state laws. The common sense bottom line for this approach is that absent enforcement, the proposal amounts to little more that open borders with no control of emigration.

Common Sense finds the "serve in the military" proposals offensive and immoral on their face. The notion that if you are willing to risk your life in military service we'll make you a citizen is in Common Sense's view patently wrong on several grounds. It begs the question of national loyalty. It begs the question of real commitment. It is little more than a crass attempt to meet military requirements by taking advantage of a desperate population.

The "state enforcement" notion is really just a response to states being invaded by illegal immigrants while the Federal government does not actually enforce existing laws.

Common Sense wonders why existing laws aren't enforced? The most likely reason is that it's in someone's economic interest to have a poor disadvantaged underclass that can be taken care of. That speaks to an unjust society, one in which the haves take advantage of the have-nots. That hardly seems American. Moreover, it doesn't make good sense. What happens as the number of have-nots grows as it is doing now. Does it make sense that a country with a significant disadvantaged segment is stable? Is it more likely that such a society would deteriorate to look like many of our troubled South American neighbors? Common Sense thinks so. Common sense dictates that when you when you allow social structures that mirror unsuccessful countries you will soon have an unsuccessful country to live in. It bears thinking about. That's just common sense.

Cui bono and climate change

Green Car Congress: US National Research Council reiterates need for action in US to limit magnitude of climate change; final volume in Americas Climate Choices: "US National Research Council reiterates need for action in US to limit magnitude of climate change.

Warning that the risk of dangerous climate change impacts is growing with every ton of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere, a US National Research Council committee reiterated the pressing need for substantial action to limit the magnitude of climate change and to prepare to adapt to its impacts."

Climate change is in the news again, as well it should be. Common Sense wonders Cui bono? Why when humanity is threatened, that's all of us, Democratic, Republican, Independent, do we through our government continue to pretend that climate change doesn't matter, isn't real, or is so far in the future that it can be ignored? Common Sense has children and grand children as do most of us. Clearly the future does matter to us.

So the obvious question is Cui bono, who benefits? Its Common Sense and its you. The benefit, such as it is, is convenience and profit. It's convenient to burn carbon to generate electricity, power industry, provide transportation, and grow our food.

Image via Wikipedia

Global annual fossil fuel carbon dioxide emiss...

Image via Wikipedia

But the benefits are short term. Fossil fuels are rapidly being depleted. One can argue how long they will last but the fact remains they are finite and will be effectively gone within a few generations. While one can argue the reasons; inefficiency, population, etc.; the fact remains that what we are doing is unsustainable. Even if climate change doesn't diminish or destroy civilization, humanity will soon run out of carbon fuel. Humanity doesn't need only a greenhouse gas policy, we need a real sustainable energy policy. We need both now! Not tomorrow or in some indefinite future. That's just common sense.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Elections for sale

Image via WikipediaMore money flows into New York special election – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs: "More money flows into New York special election
By: CNN's Gabriella Schwarz and Paul Steinhauser

Washington (CNN) - The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced a $250,000 TV ad buy Wednesday for the special election in New York's 26th district, according to a Democratic source, one day after the conservative group American Crossroads announced a $350,000 ad buy in the same district."

Common Sense recently noted that the US Supreme Court in its "money is speech" decision legitimized the sale of US elections. Here's a current example.

Some $600000 of big money from outside interest can only distort the election process in Common Sense's view. Neither the DNC or American Crossroads can vote in this election. Neither represents the 26th congressional district. Neither derives its principal funding from within the 26th district. Both seek to influence the election not in the interest of the voters in the 26th district but in the interest of others.

In a representative democracy it is essential that elected representatives actually reflect the views of their constituents. That's just common sense. By allowing large sums of money from outside the district to distort the election the Supreme Court effectively legitimized the sale of elections. Does anyone really believe that a representative who owes his election to outside big money interest actually has the best interest of the electorate in mind? Surely not Common Sense!

It's time to get serious about election reform. To insure that elections aren't for sale. To insure that elected representatives actually represent their electorate. That's just common sense.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Cairo, the US, and hatred.

Clashes in Cairo Leave 12 Dead and 2 Churches in Flames - NYTimes.com: "A night of street fighting between hundreds of Muslims and Christians left at least 12 people dead and two churches in flames on Sunday in the latest outbreak of sectarian tensions in the three months since the revolution that ousted President Hosni Mubarak."

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Darwin award candidate

By now I'm sure that most of you have heard about the Florida woman who caused a two-vehicle wreck because she was shaving her bikini area while driving.

Guess that makes the time you drove with your elbows while eating a Whopper seem downright virtuous, doesn't it?

Florida Highway Patrol troopers said the car Megan Barnes was driving crashed into the back of a pickup truck at about 45 mph. Her reaction time was slowed down because she was too busy grooming her hoohah to pay attention to the road. Oh, like that's never happened to you?

Ms. Barnes told the investigating officer that she was on her way to a date and "wanted to be ready for the visit."

Yes, she wanted to look her best. All over. Except, well, we've seen Ms. Barnes' mug shot and she appears to have a face that would stop a clock and raise hell with small watches, bless her heart. To be blunt, I don't think a perfectly groomed love rug could possibly make that much difference.

It could've been worse, I suppose. Ms. Barnes could've been waxing her bikini area as she drove along in her T-bird (Yes, fun, fun, fun till the po-lice took her T-bird awaaaaaayy) on those scenic bridges. Imagine the horror if she'd tossed the used wax strips out the window. The manatees might have tried to adopt them.

Hons, I've driven on this particular stretch of highway between Miami and Key West and it's flat-out beautiful with crystal blue water, gorgeous mangroves and cloudless skies.

Not once have I been so bored that I decided I'd rather drag a sharp blade over my nether regions just to have something to do.

There are so many "You might be a redneck if" elements to the story of Megan Barnes, but my favorite is that, while performing this extremely personal grooming ritual, she asked her EX HUSBAND to steer the car so she could concentrate ("Help me out, Buford, I'm gonna make it look like a LIGHTNING BOLT!")

What a guy! Not only did he hold the steering wheel so she could concentrate on primping for her big date with ANOTHER MAN, but when the cops arrived, he tried to switch places and claim he'd been driving.

Trouble was, he had burns on his chest from the airbag that had deployed on THE PASSENGER SIDE ONLY. Oops.

To no one's particular surprise, the Highway Patrol quickly discovered that Ms. Barnes didn't have a valid driver's license. Oh, and, the day before, she'd been convicted of DUI and driving with a suspended license. Oh, and her car had been seized and had no insurance or registration. Oh, and she was on probation. Oh, and SHE'S A FLIPPIN' LUNATIC!

Albeit an impeccably groomed one.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Not common sense and definitely not American

Muslim group: two imams pulled from plane bound for North Carolina

Atlantic Southeast Airlines removed

two imams from a flight headed to North Carolina, ostensibly because passengers felt uncomfortable with their presence of the pair -- both clad in Islamic attire according

to CNN news. Facts:

Ostensibly the men made passengers "uncomfortable" according to the pilot.
The men were screened twice prior to boarding
After the men boarded and the flight left the gate, it returned and the pilot requested TSA to remove the men. TSA did so.
The men were screened again by TSA.
Officials tried to get the men back on the plane but the pilot absolutely refused to fly with them aboard.
Initial news reports said the TSA boarded the plane and asked the passengers if anyone was concerned. No one responded.

Would this have happened to a rabi, orthodox jew, or Catholic priest? Common Sense thinks not. These men were singled out not because they posed any threat. They clearly did not. But because they were dressed differently, dressed as Muslim clerics.

Common Sense is proud to be an American. There are many many reasons for this pride, not the least is America's committment to human and civil rights. Common Sense is disgusted by the behavior of the pilot and Atlantic Southeast Airlines. Both should be ashamed and charged with civil rights abuses and held financially liable for what is clearly an abridgment of these men's civil rights. The pilot ought to be fired. America is better than this. We need to start acting like it.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Gas prices spark partisan debate in Congress – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs

Gas prices spark partisan debate in Congress – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs:

"The GOP bill, which passed 266-149, is named the 'Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act' and directs the Obama administration to move forward with leases for drilling in areas in the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Virginia that were already approved but were suspended after the BP oil disaster last year. 'Let's send a signal to the international markets that America is serious about becoming less dependent on foreign oil,' said Washington Rep. Doc Hastings, who sponsored the bill."

Crude Oil Falls Below $100 a Barrel - NYTimes.com:

"After four months of surging higher, oil prices plummeted by almost 9 percent as traders worried that American drivers were beginning to balk at paying nearly $4 a gallon of gasoline."

OK, lets try some common sense.

New leases and gas prices - How long does it take between signing of a new lease and oil production? Common Sense does not know. That said, it's not days or weeks but rather months or years. A new lease will have no effect on gas prices.

New leases as a signal - Someone needs to explain how increasing oil availability and thus consumption signals less dependence. Consider that the US consumes roughly 18 to 19 million barrels of oil per year. The US produces roughly 9 million barrels of oil per year. About half of consumption. Production has varied between 7 and 9 million barrels per year for the last 10 years. Over that same time US oil consumption has varied between 18 and 21 million barrels per year. The US consistently produces between 1/3 and 1/2 of consumption. The common sense point is that it's consistent. It doesn't much impact imports.

If the goal is to signal less dependence on foreign oil, perhaps reducing oil consumption and increasing renewal energy is worth a common sense thought!

Think not. Note that oil prices went down as oil consumption went down. Isn't there this common sense thing about supply and demand?

Thursday, May 26, 2011

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