Friday, February 22, 2008
Wildlife Watching in Utah
This morning I went for a 3.5 mile hike, from where Currant Creek and Red Creek meet, to Highway 40. It was fun to watch at least 49 deer scamper about. There is still about 2 feet of snow at this location (6000 feet above sea level). Last night we watched 6 bald eagles soar over the rock ledges above us. They seemed to be enjoying the beautiful sunshine and the gentle canyon breezes, as they would soar high into the sky, and then come back towards us. At the bottom of Daniels Canyon, on our way up to Red Creek, there was a young cougar lying along the side of the road. It must have been hit by a car. Unfortunately, there were a lot of deer, elk and even a couple of moose, that had been hit by vehicles as well. We also watched a beaver eat the bark off some willows. It must be time for the animals to start coming out of hibernation. Also at the bottom of Daniels Canyon was a herd of elk. They appeared to be having a good time as well, as it seemed that they were teasing each other. Hopefully, spring is not too far away.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Sovereign Wealth Funds
It seems to me that the concept of a Sovereign Wealth Fund might be worth considering for Social Security. Why not establish a fund, managed by the best advisors in the world, to grow the Social Security assets. It seems to me that the Sovereign Wealth Funds of Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, Norway, etc. will eventually have a competitive advantage over our entitlement based obligations. With the economies of scale that Sovereign Wealth Funds will enjoy, these funds will be able to grow their assets by incentivising the best advisors in the world and have an advantage over a system that is trying to find tax dollars to pay for social security entitlements. It seems to me that Sovereign Wealth Funds will be having a lot more fun funding their obligations than will be the entitlement programs who fund their obligations through taxes. Should'nt we be planning for such an advantageous position?
Granted that our trade deficit will be huge again this year; probably on the order of $700 billion; and granted that foreign interests will need to invest their dollars in dollar based assets; but it seems to me that a position of equity, even if we have to start it by debt, is stronger than a position of entitlements based on tax receipts.
As part of the American Experiment, it seems to me that it is time to consider starting a Sovereign Wealth Fund, owned by the people, whereby everyone has an interest.
Granted that our trade deficit will be huge again this year; probably on the order of $700 billion; and granted that foreign interests will need to invest their dollars in dollar based assets; but it seems to me that a position of equity, even if we have to start it by debt, is stronger than a position of entitlements based on tax receipts.
As part of the American Experiment, it seems to me that it is time to consider starting a Sovereign Wealth Fund, owned by the people, whereby everyone has an interest.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Healthcare Reform
Friday afternoon at the State Capitol in Salt Lake City, the State Legislature heard arguments supporting an update to the State's healthcare program. Bascially, what I heard was that additional tax credits or incentives would be made available to those who are self-employed, or to those who need to buy their own health insurance. This was to help make the cost of insurance more equal with those who get some of their insurance costs covered by the groups or corporations that they work for. Secondly, the bill provided funding to cover additional studies and ideas to find health insurance alternatives for the many individuals, especially children, that are not insured.
The bill passed with zero no votes.
The bill was consumer incentivized. That means to me that the consumer would be able to choose the cost and the amount of services that would be covered by those costs.
The bill still begged the question, however, about those individuals who are trying to minimzize their healthcare insurance costs and about those individuals that are not insurable; those who may have pre-existing conditions. Since the risk of good or bad health is still uncertain, and since the need and the goal of the consumer is to minimize costs, then many consumers may still underinsure themselves, or health insurance companies may not be willing to insure them.
It was also interesting to read in one editorial about Hillary Clinton's healthcare proposal. I believe that I read that Hillary is proposing a mandated healthcare cost, whereby, if the consumer does not pay it, it will be enforced by such methods as garnishing wages. It was also indicated that Hillary would provide preventative medications for promiscuous behaviors, paid by the taxpayer if the consumer could not afford them.
It looks to me like there is still a lot of work to do. I applaud the Utah State Legislature for a step in the right direction.
The bill passed with zero no votes.
The bill was consumer incentivized. That means to me that the consumer would be able to choose the cost and the amount of services that would be covered by those costs.
The bill still begged the question, however, about those individuals who are trying to minimzize their healthcare insurance costs and about those individuals that are not insurable; those who may have pre-existing conditions. Since the risk of good or bad health is still uncertain, and since the need and the goal of the consumer is to minimize costs, then many consumers may still underinsure themselves, or health insurance companies may not be willing to insure them.
It was also interesting to read in one editorial about Hillary Clinton's healthcare proposal. I believe that I read that Hillary is proposing a mandated healthcare cost, whereby, if the consumer does not pay it, it will be enforced by such methods as garnishing wages. It was also indicated that Hillary would provide preventative medications for promiscuous behaviors, paid by the taxpayer if the consumer could not afford them.
It looks to me like there is still a lot of work to do. I applaud the Utah State Legislature for a step in the right direction.
Winterfest
Last Friday, Pam and I went to the BYU's International Folk Dancer's presentation of Winterfest. It was spectacular. It was held in the Little Theater of the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. The place looked full, which held about 500 people. Several cultural dances were presented, including tap dancing from Ireland and Canada, a swing from Slovakia, street dancing from America, and several others. The highlight of the program for me was the small orchestra, including fiddling, guitars, box drums, viloins, banjos, and singing. It reminded me a little of the Celtic presentations that I've seen over the years. This group is planning perfromances on a trip to several eastern european countries this spring. If anyone gets a chance to see them, we highly recommend it.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Eagles, Deer, Elk, Beaver, Rabbits
Yesterday afternoon I drove to Red Creek Road, just north of Strawberry Reservoir in Northeastern Utah. The temperature was about 40 F and it was beautiful. There were a lot of people out and about on snowmobiles, and out on the ice fishing. It was a day to see a lot of wildlife. Right at the junction where Currant Creek meets Red Creek, there were about 30 deer. One of the 30 was a very nice 3 or 4 point buck. It's antlers had not yet dropped. In the sky overhead were 3 bald eagles, diving at each other, and just having a good time. Darting across the county road was a little cottontail rabbit. No wonder the eagles were nearby. Farther west on Highway 40, about where the Currant Creek Road meets Highway 40, there many more deer, including two small bucks. Sitting on the ice, next to one of the few openings in Red Creek, just below the junction with Currant Creek, was a rather large beaver, knawing on some willows. Farther west, going down Parley's Canyon, just before Salt Lake City was a herd of elk, enjoying the scrub oak. It looked like everyone and everything was out enjoying the beautiful weather.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Musings about Positive Energy
As I caught a glimpse of the Oprah Winfrey show yesterday, I was impressed with the message that positive energy overcomes fear and leads to success. It was uplifting and inspirational to listen to the account of one couple, where the husband had lost his job, and instead of worrying about the fear of the unknown, the couple, under the leadership of the spouse, celebrated the new opportunities that lay before them with a glass of wine. They continued their celebration by going to work and finding another job that was more enjoyable and that paid more.
Several years ago, as I was giving a seminar in Slovakia about the positives that could occur from embracing capitalism, it was surprising to me, that the fear of the unknown kept most of the people from voting for capitalism. The results were very slow economic growth.
As I have reflected on that experience, I remember one individual telling me how nice it was that they didn't have to worry about the future, because they had been guaranteed a flat (apartment), a skoda (small car), an education and a job under the previous communist leadership.
This guarantee, however, had sapped drive and energy from the country. This was evident in the decay of many structures and of the loss of much of the country's historical heritage. Thankfully, they have slowing embraced capitalism, and the positive energy that accompanies more personal freedom, and it is benefiting their country and their economy.
Today, as a world economy, we get to worry about global warming, energy costs, healthcare, terrorism, poverty and immorality. When God looks down on us from heaven, what does He think? What would properly motivate us to be better stewards of Earth and to do it with positive energy?
That positive energy, I think, is still Work, Faith, Hope and Charity. Larry H. Miller, a local business leader in Salt Lake City, at one time offered this advise: He said, "I get up early, I go to work, and good things happen."
As we continue our preparation to elect a new President in the US this fall, and with Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain leading as potential candidates, which one of these candidates will contribute the best stewardship of our country and of the world? Which one has the most positive energy? Which one can channel that positive energy into successful resolutions of the great issues that confront us? I guess I have'nt come to a conclusion yet, but my hope is, as Abraham Lincoln suggested, that the people will choose wisely.
Several years ago, as I was giving a seminar in Slovakia about the positives that could occur from embracing capitalism, it was surprising to me, that the fear of the unknown kept most of the people from voting for capitalism. The results were very slow economic growth.
As I have reflected on that experience, I remember one individual telling me how nice it was that they didn't have to worry about the future, because they had been guaranteed a flat (apartment), a skoda (small car), an education and a job under the previous communist leadership.
This guarantee, however, had sapped drive and energy from the country. This was evident in the decay of many structures and of the loss of much of the country's historical heritage. Thankfully, they have slowing embraced capitalism, and the positive energy that accompanies more personal freedom, and it is benefiting their country and their economy.
Today, as a world economy, we get to worry about global warming, energy costs, healthcare, terrorism, poverty and immorality. When God looks down on us from heaven, what does He think? What would properly motivate us to be better stewards of Earth and to do it with positive energy?
That positive energy, I think, is still Work, Faith, Hope and Charity. Larry H. Miller, a local business leader in Salt Lake City, at one time offered this advise: He said, "I get up early, I go to work, and good things happen."
As we continue our preparation to elect a new President in the US this fall, and with Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain leading as potential candidates, which one of these candidates will contribute the best stewardship of our country and of the world? Which one has the most positive energy? Which one can channel that positive energy into successful resolutions of the great issues that confront us? I guess I have'nt come to a conclusion yet, but my hope is, as Abraham Lincoln suggested, that the people will choose wisely.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
World History
I find the history of our world humbling to reflect on.
Beginning with Adam and Eve at about 4000 BC, I believe that it is worthwhile to ponder about the various events and individuals that have shaped our history. What were the personalities of these individuals like, and how did their environment influence their actions? It is so interesting to examine the learning and development of man.
For example, taking a very simplistic view of world history (these dates are very approximate in many cases), there have been many individuals that have had dramatic impacts on our world's history. It will be fun to see who impacts world history as we proceed through the next 1000 years. For example:
4000 BC Adam and Eve began the human family, according to Biblical accounts.
3300 BC Enoch was born, and at about 3100 BC, his city of Zion, being righteous, was taken up to God.
3000 BC Noah was born, and the flood occured about 2300 BC. Writings of the Summerians is believed to have begun about this time.
2000 BC Abraham was born. Mathematical tables and the names of heavenly bodies (stars and constellations) started showing up at this time among the Chaldeans and the Babylonians.
1500 BC Moses freed Israel at about this time. The city of Troy was founded at about this time.
1000 BC David and his son Solomon established a strong Israelitish Nation.
600 BC Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem.
500 BC Buddism was founded in India. Confuscious was expounding wisdom.
400 BC Socrates, Hippocrates, Plato and Aristotle were expanding knowledge.
300 BC Alexander the Great was conquering kingdoms, and Euclid was establishing mathematics.
200 BC The Great Wall of China was built, and the Roman Empire began.
The Meridian of Time - Christ was born; was crucified; and was resurrected.
300 AD Constantine accepted Christianity, and the Nicene Creed was established.
500 AD Attila the Hun ravaged Europe. Clovis I conquered the Gauls (France). Rome fell to the Germanic tribes.
600 AD Muhammed founded the Islam religion, and the Muslim empire began.
800 AD Charlemagne united Europe and was crowned King of the Holy Roman Empire.
1500 AD Joan of Arc drove the English from France. Johann Gutenberg invented moveable type. Martin Luther started the Reformation. William Tyndale translated the Bible into English. Columbus sailed to America. Copernicus put the Sun at the center of the Universe.
1800 AD America gained it's independence from England. Worldwide, experiments in freedom and liberty began.
2000 AD The greatest level of technological advance and prosperity that the world has ever known has been established.
So, what will the next 1000 years look like? I hope that we the people of the world will continue to embrace the values of history that have created peace and prosperity; namely: preparation, work, freedom, liberty, faith, hope and charity.
Beginning with Adam and Eve at about 4000 BC, I believe that it is worthwhile to ponder about the various events and individuals that have shaped our history. What were the personalities of these individuals like, and how did their environment influence their actions? It is so interesting to examine the learning and development of man.
For example, taking a very simplistic view of world history (these dates are very approximate in many cases), there have been many individuals that have had dramatic impacts on our world's history. It will be fun to see who impacts world history as we proceed through the next 1000 years. For example:
4000 BC Adam and Eve began the human family, according to Biblical accounts.
3300 BC Enoch was born, and at about 3100 BC, his city of Zion, being righteous, was taken up to God.
3000 BC Noah was born, and the flood occured about 2300 BC. Writings of the Summerians is believed to have begun about this time.
2000 BC Abraham was born. Mathematical tables and the names of heavenly bodies (stars and constellations) started showing up at this time among the Chaldeans and the Babylonians.
1500 BC Moses freed Israel at about this time. The city of Troy was founded at about this time.
1000 BC David and his son Solomon established a strong Israelitish Nation.
600 BC Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem.
500 BC Buddism was founded in India. Confuscious was expounding wisdom.
400 BC Socrates, Hippocrates, Plato and Aristotle were expanding knowledge.
300 BC Alexander the Great was conquering kingdoms, and Euclid was establishing mathematics.
200 BC The Great Wall of China was built, and the Roman Empire began.
The Meridian of Time - Christ was born; was crucified; and was resurrected.
300 AD Constantine accepted Christianity, and the Nicene Creed was established.
500 AD Attila the Hun ravaged Europe. Clovis I conquered the Gauls (France). Rome fell to the Germanic tribes.
600 AD Muhammed founded the Islam religion, and the Muslim empire began.
800 AD Charlemagne united Europe and was crowned King of the Holy Roman Empire.
1500 AD Joan of Arc drove the English from France. Johann Gutenberg invented moveable type. Martin Luther started the Reformation. William Tyndale translated the Bible into English. Columbus sailed to America. Copernicus put the Sun at the center of the Universe.
1800 AD America gained it's independence from England. Worldwide, experiments in freedom and liberty began.
2000 AD The greatest level of technological advance and prosperity that the world has ever known has been established.
So, what will the next 1000 years look like? I hope that we the people of the world will continue to embrace the values of history that have created peace and prosperity; namely: preparation, work, freedom, liberty, faith, hope and charity.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Globalization, Competition and $6.2 Trillion
What is to be done? The February 11th issue of Business Week Magazine has several interesting articles concerning globalization and competition, and how that is impacting Americans.
Over the past 200+ years of the American Experiment, fear of the unknown, angst in all of it's forms, has driven both good and bad decisions regarding our country.
One of the articles in Business Week that caught my eye was the number $6.2 Trillion. This number, by the McKinsey Global Institute, based on their assumptions, is the suggested amount of petrodollars that a group of OPEC members will have available to invest in US based assets over the next 14 years. That is about half of this year's GDP. It is also about 10% of the wealth of Americans today.
This begs the question as to who will really own this $6.2 Trillion of Capital and will they administer it appropriately?
A second article worried about globalization and whether that was contributing to the loss of income and purchasing power among middle-class Americans.
Globalization and competition are interesting paradoxes. They can be both good or bad, depending upon the actions of all of us, and depending upon the actions of our leaders.
My own experience is that competition is good when it help us to become better. It is bad when it takes advantage of someone less able or less informed.
Globalization, or the concept of comparative advantage, is good. We can all be better off when we specialize and then trade with each other. It is bad when fear and angst prevents civility among nations.
I can't help but wonder about the big industries of capital, energy and healthcare. There seems to be so much waste within these industries. How often does capital take advantage of those least able to afford debt? How often does big oil enjoy excess profits in the name of finding new reserves? How often is healthcare denied to those that have pre-existing conditions?
Paradoxically, how do we encourage competition and globalization to benefit all mankind?
I think that the answer lies within the verses of chapter 25, in the Book of Matthew of the New Testament. If we prepare; if we go to work; and if we will serve each other, we will be blessed; we will find peace and joy; and we will maximize our prosperity.
To me that means that Globalization is still an important solution to world prosperity.
Over the past 200+ years of the American Experiment, fear of the unknown, angst in all of it's forms, has driven both good and bad decisions regarding our country.
One of the articles in Business Week that caught my eye was the number $6.2 Trillion. This number, by the McKinsey Global Institute, based on their assumptions, is the suggested amount of petrodollars that a group of OPEC members will have available to invest in US based assets over the next 14 years. That is about half of this year's GDP. It is also about 10% of the wealth of Americans today.
This begs the question as to who will really own this $6.2 Trillion of Capital and will they administer it appropriately?
A second article worried about globalization and whether that was contributing to the loss of income and purchasing power among middle-class Americans.
Globalization and competition are interesting paradoxes. They can be both good or bad, depending upon the actions of all of us, and depending upon the actions of our leaders.
My own experience is that competition is good when it help us to become better. It is bad when it takes advantage of someone less able or less informed.
Globalization, or the concept of comparative advantage, is good. We can all be better off when we specialize and then trade with each other. It is bad when fear and angst prevents civility among nations.
I can't help but wonder about the big industries of capital, energy and healthcare. There seems to be so much waste within these industries. How often does capital take advantage of those least able to afford debt? How often does big oil enjoy excess profits in the name of finding new reserves? How often is healthcare denied to those that have pre-existing conditions?
Paradoxically, how do we encourage competition and globalization to benefit all mankind?
I think that the answer lies within the verses of chapter 25, in the Book of Matthew of the New Testament. If we prepare; if we go to work; and if we will serve each other, we will be blessed; we will find peace and joy; and we will maximize our prosperity.
To me that means that Globalization is still an important solution to world prosperity.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
President Gordon B. Hinckley
As I reflect today on the life of President Gordon B. Hinckley, 15th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, whose funeral will be this morning, my heart warms to the thoughts of the wonderful work that he accomplished.
As a young missionary for this church in Stuttgart, Germany during the fall of 1973, I recorded some of the thoughts of Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, who was then a special witness of Jesus Christ, and who came to visit us. He told the missionaries to be humble and prayerful. He told us to preach Jesus Christ to the people of the world. He wanted us to know that the Lord had sent us to succeed, and that if we would pray and be faithful, the Lord would help us.
I love the book that President Hinckley wrote called "Standing for Something". I have listened to it on CD over and over again. It has such a wonderful message of virtue within it's work.
The ten virtues as espoused by President Gordon B. Hinckley are:
1. LOVE
2. CIVILITY
3. LEARNING
4. MERCY
5. FORGIVENESS
6. THRIFT
7. INDUSTRY
8. GRATITUDE
9. OPTIMISM
10. FAITH
The guardians of virtue as espoused by President Hinckley are:
1. MARRIAGE
2. THE FAMILY
A quote attributed to Aristotle about virtue goes something like this: “VIRTUOUS BEHAVIOR FOSTERS GOOD RELATIONSHIPS, INCLUDING COURAGE, GOOD TEMPER, FRIENDLINESS, TRUTHFULNESS, WIT, JUSTICE AND MAGNIFICANCE. IT IS THE ABILITY TO DO THE RIGHT THING IN A BOLD WAY.”
As I think about President Hinckley, I can't help but marvel at his ability to do great and good things in a bold way. He seemed to have the skills and the ability, somewhat inherent, but I believe also learned, to coach, guide, and counsel others, partly by his example, in a bold and kind way. He was simply marvelous.
He truly lived by the example of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as recorded in 1st John of the New Testament:
“We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
As a young missionary for this church in Stuttgart, Germany during the fall of 1973, I recorded some of the thoughts of Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, who was then a special witness of Jesus Christ, and who came to visit us. He told the missionaries to be humble and prayerful. He told us to preach Jesus Christ to the people of the world. He wanted us to know that the Lord had sent us to succeed, and that if we would pray and be faithful, the Lord would help us.
I love the book that President Hinckley wrote called "Standing for Something". I have listened to it on CD over and over again. It has such a wonderful message of virtue within it's work.
The ten virtues as espoused by President Gordon B. Hinckley are:
1. LOVE
2. CIVILITY
3. LEARNING
4. MERCY
5. FORGIVENESS
6. THRIFT
7. INDUSTRY
8. GRATITUDE
9. OPTIMISM
10. FAITH
The guardians of virtue as espoused by President Hinckley are:
1. MARRIAGE
2. THE FAMILY
A quote attributed to Aristotle about virtue goes something like this: “VIRTUOUS BEHAVIOR FOSTERS GOOD RELATIONSHIPS, INCLUDING COURAGE, GOOD TEMPER, FRIENDLINESS, TRUTHFULNESS, WIT, JUSTICE AND MAGNIFICANCE. IT IS THE ABILITY TO DO THE RIGHT THING IN A BOLD WAY.”
As I think about President Hinckley, I can't help but marvel at his ability to do great and good things in a bold way. He seemed to have the skills and the ability, somewhat inherent, but I believe also learned, to coach, guide, and counsel others, partly by his example, in a bold and kind way. He was simply marvelous.
He truly lived by the example of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as recorded in 1st John of the New Testament:
“We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
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