California Free Press

Off the Top of My Head

Democrats Should Focus on the Economy and Forget the Woke Stuff

by John Lawrence

The only message that resonates for Democrats is the one of Bernie Sanders and AOC. Democrats should focus on this message and run as far as possible from cultural messaging. As far as possible neutralize Republican messaging by agreeing with them. For instance, regarding the border, this was a major Democratic screwup. The majority of American citizens did not want people illegally flowing across the border and then asking for and getting asylum. Regardless of the fact that that was acceptable in terms of international law, it just wasn't right, and most Americans did not accept it. This was a major factor of Trump's appeal. While entering the U.S. without authorization is illegal, individuals can still apply for asylum in the U.S. The legality of asylum applications is separate from the legality of entry.  If an individual is apprehended by immigration authorities after entering the U.S. illegally, they can apply for asylum as a defense against deportation. Individuals can also apply for asylum affirmatively, meaning before being caught by authorities.

Americans did not accept the part about entering illegally and asking for asylum as a way of staying in the US until some court procedure way in the future regardless of the legality. Trump was bold and seized on this, and no one has even spoken recently of this "law." Americans like "bold." Biden, on the other hand, being a good boy, followed the law no matter how unpopular it was. BIG MISTAKE. In a democracy it matters where the majority of the people are regardless of the law. Do the Democrats get this now? I think it was the fact that Trump was on the side of the majority of Americans while Democrats were on the side of the law, regardless of the fact that the law had been made a mockery of by the prevailing situation. It had been exploited by the traffickers and those who decided it was in their best interests to enter illegally rather than legally.

Democrats should start to realize that the major issues in this country are economic. This is their strong suit. Ignore the accusations about Bernie being too far to the left. They are irrelevant. This is the gilded age on steroids. Invoke the spirit of FDR and the New Deal. Consider best practices of other industrialized western countries - our former allies. Trump is a populist who promises everything to his base and then delivers for the rich. Democrats have to hammer on delivering for the middle class and rebalancing economic power so that the rich don't control everything with their money. A democracy can't continue to exist under those conditions. Take a second look at Biden's Build Back Better plan. Some of the bill's proposed provisions included extending free school meals, investing in affordable housing, and expanding access to childcare and healthcare. Eliminating student debt. Increasing social security payments for the elderly. Medicare for all. It's about the social safety net, stupid. It's not just about affordable housing; it's about home ownership because that's the way the middle class builds wealth. Democrats, ACT BOLDLY!

Off the Top of My Head

Technology Uber Alles

by John Lawrence

Ted Kaczynsky was right. The worship and fetishism of technology is leading humanity in the wrong direction. Too bad he chose the path of killing people to draw attention to his thesis. Nevertheless, he had a very substantial point. The latest prostration of the human race is bowing before the false idol of AI. Oh, AI, it's so all powerful that we poor little humans must kneel before it in awe. AI will do nothing to create a more peaceful world. In all likelihood the major applications will be military. So rather than AI itself taking over from human beings because it will outsmart us, the country with the most powerful military application will take over the world. Kaczynski's manifesto argues that technological advancement has led to the dehumanization of individuals, the erosion of personal liberties and the destruction of the environment. He might have added increased militarization of the world. The point is that technological advancement has done nothing to create world peace.

One could point to the increased demands for energy that AI portends. Yes, they are trying to make that renewable energy, but that's not a guarantee. Kacynsky points out that the advancement of technology has done nothing to alleviate Third World suffering. It also has had nothing to do with the prevention of war. It is an enabler for the continuance of war because it creates new forms of warfare that are seemingly so powerful that no country will rise up against the country that possesses them. Therefore, every country has to race to create these new destructive methodologies before a rival country does so first. So we spend all our time, if not actually engaging in war, preparing for it.

If we spent as much money on a peace establishment as we do on the military establishment, we might just be able to finally establish a peaceful world, something that has not occurred in the 5000 year sordid history of human civilization. It is hard to imagine that spending more money on peace and less money on war or the preparations for war could actually accomplish a better world. Or how spending more money on peace and less on war could do so, but that is due to the paucity of human imagination. It is similar to the situation that would ensue if everyone was healthy and doctors weren't able to make money. In a world where more money was spent on peace to the point that no money would have to be spent on war, war contractors would go broke. Would there be such a thing as a peace contractor getting large lucrative contracts from the Federal government? Unimaginable. The economy would collapse.