Pinboard Links

Flap’s Links and Comments for September 30th through October 1st

These are my links for September 30th through October 1st:

  • Economic protesters gather at Los Angeles City Hall – Several hundred people marched on Los Angeles City Hall on Saturday to protest the nation's economic climate and encourage political involvement.

    The event was organized by a group called Occupy LA, which models itself after the "leaderless resistance movement" Occupy Wall Street. The New York group has been holding a sit-in near Manhattan's financial district.  

    The Los Angeles protesters met in Pershing Square Saturday morning before walking to City Hall, momentarily causing minor traffic delays along Broadway. The event has drawn honks from passing motorists and no arrests.

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    European style austerity protests from the LEFT are just starting…

  • California and Bust – The smart money says the U.S. economy will splinter, with some states thriving, some states not, and all eyes are on California as the nightmare scenario. After a hair-raising visit with former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who explains why the Golden State has cratered, Michael Lewis goes where the buck literally stops—the local level, where the likes of San Jose mayor Chuck Reed and Vallejo ?re chief Paige Meyer are trying to avert even worse catastrophes and rethink what it means to be a society.
  • Poverty rate: Poor choices in Baltimore – Nevertheless, as Charles Murray pointed out in his landmark book "Losing Ground" (1984), even if all transfers were included as income and brought many people above the poverty thresholds, "latent poverty" would remain. That is, if welfare payments were taken away, people would return to poverty. Welfare alone cannot create wealth. Economic growth is the only sure way to reduce dependence and poverty.

    Just look at China. Since 1978, when it began its march toward the market, China has achieved the world's highest sustained rate of economic growth and allowed several hundred million people to lift themselves out of absolute poverty.

    Counting noncash benefits of those living in poverty in Baltimore would reduce "poverty" but not free people from welfare. A huge underclass has captured politicians for their cause of maintaining and increasing transfers rather than limiting the size and scope of government to make people more responsible and foster economic growth.

    No one could say that the poor in Baltimore today are less well-off materially than 50 or 100 years ago. Indeed, if one looks at personal consumption expenditures — a better measure of one's living standard than pre-tax money income — one finds that official figures significantly overstate the extent of poverty.

    Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that in 2009, consumer expenditures for the lowest fifth of income earners were more than twice as high as before-tax income (which includes cash transfers and food stamps). Average annual consumption expenditures were $21,611 for the lowest quintile, while income was $9,846.

    This disparity is due to underreporting of income, outside financial assistance, loans and other factors. If poverty is better measured by one's consumption rather than income, then Baltimore's 25 percent poverty rate is misleading.

    Most "poor" households now have a TV, air conditioning, enough food and medical care. Many have Internet access and a cell phone (subsidized by the federal government). What they don't have is a safe environment, two parents and choice in education.

  • @Flap Twitter Updates for 2011-10-01 | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – @Flap Twitter Updates for 2011-10-01 #tcot #catcot
  • Michael Lewis: California and Bust | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – An excellent read about Arnold and California's economic and governance problems:
  • t.co / Twitter – RT @FHQ: Final Presidential Primary Calendar Will Not Be Set Until After October 22: Nevada is the new Florida.
    Now that … …
  • CA-30: GOP Join the Clash of the Titans Rep Howard Berman Vs. Rep. Brad Sherman » Flap’s California Blog – California congressional races are already starting to heat up….
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  • Poll Watch: Two-thirds of Californians Support the Death Penalty » Flap’s California Blog – No Justice YET for Terri Lynn Winchell. Come on California enforce the law!
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  • Flap’s Dentistry Blog: Dental Patient Murders Dentist Over Treatment Dispute – Sometimes MORE customer service is better than less….:
  • President 2012 Poll Watch: Romney 44% Vs. Obama 42% and Obama 44% Vs. Christie 43% | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – Not a bad first poll for Governor Christie but is the GOP ready for another moderate?
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  • Dilbert September 29, 2011 – Talk to the Hand » Flap’s California Blog – Dilbert September 29, 2011 – Talk to the Hand
  • Day By Day September 30, 2011 – Brave Sir Robbin’ | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – Chris Muir's comment on Obama's "Spreading the Wealth Around"……:
  • Flap’s Links and Comments for September 29th through September 30th | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – Flap’s Links and Comments for September 29th through September 30th #tcot #catcot