Choice? Health Care Reform, Cars, and Freedom
Well, Oklahoma is still abuzz with discussion about the new health care bill. Many say they are outraged about the concept of people being forced to purchase something. And, besides health insurance companies, what other company do you know with a guaranteed market—a market where participation is required by the government?
Of course, there are other purchases not required by the government that afford little choice. Electricity and natural gas are examples of companies that more or less have a monopoly market granted by the city government. We can argue that people have a “choice” not to purchase gas or electricity, but I don’t think many of us believed that last winter when it was 20° outside. But, these utilities are regulated. The books are audited, and rates are set by the Corporation Commission.
Car insurance is another similar situation mentioned often. Anyone who wishes to operate a car has to purchase liability insurance or face the long arm of the law. I have not seen any Oklahomans crying their eyes out over drivers being forced to buy car insurance. Some have even suggested that the car insurance situation is drastically different from the health insurance situation in that no one has to drive a car.
So, Oklahoma, here’s a challenge. Park your car for a month. Okay, not a month. How about a week?
Can’t make it through a week? Three days?
One day?
Okay, so how much “choice” do we have
when it comes to owning, maintaining, operating, and insuring cars? We have not invested in public transit. We haven’t planned neighborhoods, schools, libraries, grocery stores, or anything for pedestrian access. We built our state on cheap oil. A car-free Oklahoman is a very marginalized citizen.
This article is not meant to support or oppose the new health care bill. I only hope a few people will think twice about the arguments surrounding “choice” and “coercion.”
Teens and Texting: They’ve Grown up Just Like Me
Many Oklahomans have their gripes about the most prevalent teen habit right now—texting. Kids sit staring at their cell phones, punching buttons, and managing to convince us all that by the time they’re 25, they will be a gold mine for the carpel-tunnel-surgery-industrial complex.
In Our Day It Was Phones
The basics are not new. Texting is a way to say to everyone around, “You are not as important as the person receiving my text message.” For those of us who grew up in the pre-cell-phone world, there was the telephone. We could attept to ignore parents who wanted us to do homework by spending hours on the phone. In the 50’s there were songs about letters from boyfriends and girlfriends. Maybe someone out there can envision such a thing… that’s too far back for me.
So, Where Do Kids Get Ideas Like This?
Of course, we all feel we’ve taught our kids good manners and set a good example. And we know that kids learn more from what we do than what we teach them through our words. And there is a certain degree to which we all have to learn a little from our own mistakes even though parents and teachers try to save us from the most devastating mistakes.
I was reminded of the rudeness of teen texting just recently. I walked into the office of a co-worker, not uninvited—we were involved in a joint project—and saw a little too late that he was on the phone. He covered his other ear; as if I would make such a ruckus that he would be unable to hear. He was very dismissive toward me, even though (as far as I know) my contribution to the project was needed.
It reminded me of an earlier discussion of office etiquette years back when voice mail was new (now there would probably be no such discussions). I was in a minority of one when it came to insisting that physical people in one’s office took priority over those calling on the phone. (Maybe I’m weird—what’s voice mail for?) Someone who has taken the trouble to come by the office of a co-worker to accomplish some project, pick up forms, or whatever doesn’t take priority over someone who is too lazy to come by and calls on the phone? Of course, trips around a workplace can become a source of inefficiency, and a trip for every little question would be silly. Anyway, I think I was out-voted.
Here’s an Old Song
The whole thing reminds me of an old song from the 70’s, “Cat’s in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin. The song relates the story of a dad who is proud of his son, but always has work to do and cannot be present for much of the little boy’s life. The last verse is the clincher; dad’s retired and calls to say he’d like to visit. The son is too busy, but when he can find time—won’t it be great to get together. The father then realizes, “He’d grown up just like me; my boy was just like me.”
Next time you are tempted to complain about a teen and texting, listen to the song.
Check out lyric to this great song:
http://www.lyricsdepot.com/harry-chapin/cats-in-the-cradle.html
Arden Rea lives in Oklahoma City.
Thought on Corporate “Persons”
Since corporations are people deserving the right to free speech, let’s just give them the right to vote! One corporation, one vote.
That leaves us wondering who should cast the vote for any particular corporation? Since the executives’ time is worth SO much money, let’s not distract them from their busy schedules to have them cast votes on behalf of their respective corporations. Why not just find the lowest-paid employee to cast the vote? The employee (probably a janitor or receptionist) can cast a vote in her own behalf, then take an additional few seconds to vote on behalf of her corporation.
This would allow corporations to minimize expenses and maximize profit-making and at the same time enable our dearest fellow citizens to exercise their right to vote. It would also save them from spending all that money on television advertising during political campaigns. And we wouldn’t have to listen to it! It’s a “win-win” as they say in the business world.
Pottersland: Where We Are Now
Move over, George Bailey. We’re all in Pottersland now.
In the classic movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) received a wonderful gift. He got the chance to see his beloved community of Bedford Falls, as it would have been if he had never lived. It turned out that George and George alone had saved the charming community from a dreadful fate—the fate of being re-made into Pottersville—a terrible and cruel place fashioned after the designs of the evil (and very wealthy) Mr. Potter.
Of course, in real life, no one person could have saved Bedford Falls, and the movie isn’t about Bedford Falls anyway. It’s about George.
So, what will it take to save our nation from being transformed into Pottersland? Today’s Supreme Court ruling gets us nearly there—to Pottersland that is. The Court, in a 5-4 decision, ruled that laws forbidding corporations from buying political advertising are unconstitutional. The reason? The rights of a corporation to “free speech” would be violated if the corporation were not permitted to buy all the political advertising its cold, dark, profit-maximizing heart desires.
Crying an Ocean of Tears
Breaks your heart doesn’t it? Seeing the rights of Northrop Grumman, Monsanto, or AT&T trampled underfoot! No doubt, this has been weighing heavy on your mind—well, fret no more!
Now your favorite corporations can speak their minds about politics. The makers of Vioxx, Celebrex, bisphenol A, and PCBs can let us know what’s on their minds. The organizations who brought us the sub prime mortgage, liar loans, mortgage-backed-securities, credit default swaps, and collateralized debt obligations can freshen our airwaves, enlighten our minds, and lift our spirits with advice aplenty. We can count 
on the makers of high-fructose corn syrup for their collective wisdom on the school lunch program. In case you were wondering whether or not Texaco would want more legislation limiting air pollution, now you will be able to hear right from the oil company’s mouth!
Perhaps you share my worry that our Supreme Court has neglected our corporations’ other rights. Why focus so narrowly just on freedom of speech?
Doesn’t Goldman Sachs deserve the right to bear arms? What about Lockheed Martin’s need to be protected from unreasonable search and seizure? Does Blackwater (now Xe) need protection from being forced to join a state church? Shouldn’t HealthSouth have protection from excessive bail? Alas, so much to do for our corporations and so little time.
But, what if you want to hear from George Bailey?
He has a right to free speech too you know. There’s just one small problem. Remember that the financial deck was stacked against George. He was not a rich man. He could speak his mind, but his audience would be extremely limited, even if quite a crowd did gather in his living room about the time that little bell rang on his Christmas tree. So, George’s ability to exercise his right of free speech is severely limited by his modest means.
George doesn’t count. And that’s pretty much where you and I are too. Here in Pottersland.
Arden Rea lives in Oklahoma City.
OK, I Know What Jesus Would Drive
A few years ago, some well-meaning people started a sort of a campaign to ask the question, “What would Jesus drive?” Their aim was to nudge Americans to think about their transportation choices, since our country burns so much fossil fuel in the process of getting from here to there. Would Jesus drive a Hummer? A BMW? A Volkswagen? I have always maintained Jesus would ride the bus.
Bus Riding Memories
A friend mentioned Jesus and hybrid cars just a few days ago, and that made me remember some of my bus rides here in Oklahoma City. Most people tell me they wouldn’t ride the bus, and that I shouldn’t either. They believe only chain-saw murderers ride the bus. Sometimes there are scary people on the bus, but I think Jesus would ride anyway.
Once, my grade-schooler and I were catching the bus in mid-afternoon. It was about a week before Christmas, and we were at a corner where we did not normally catch the bus. Not seeing a designated bus stop, we stood at the far corner of the intersection.
The bus stopped and the driver growled, “Well, I guessed right!” I gave him a puzzled look and said, “We need transfers please,” as I pushed my Easy-Fare ticket into the machine. He said, “I guessed right—you wanted to ride the bus—I thought maybe you were waiting to cross the street.” It was then I noticed that there was a sign (not a bench, not a shelter) designating a bus stop about 30 yards from where we were. There was a speed limit sign in between, at eye level, and this particular speed limit sign not being transparent and all, I did not see the bus stop sign.
He stopped for more passengers, and was grumpy with them too. My child and I played a game and tried to ignore it all. At Penn Square Mall, there was quite a scene. A man boarded the bus with a walker. He was having a terrible time getting to a seat with his packages. The bus driver was very angry with a lady in a green coat. He kept yelling, “Lady with the green coat” repeatedly. He made her come from the back of the bus, climbing over several people (with her packages) and come to the front (nearly tripping over the man with the walker) to show him her bus pass. He said she had not shown it to him the first time.
At N.W. 23rd and Penn, I got out, grade-schooler in tow, to transfer to the eastbound #23. The green coat lady got out too. We were behind schedule, partly because of the big scene at Penn Square Mall. Just making casual conversation, I said to the green coat lady that the bus driver was a big grump. She said, “Oh, girl, he be jus’ EVIL!” I couldn’t argue with that. She then said, “Did you see what he did at the mall?” I answered that I saw he demanded to see her bus pass. She said that wasn’t all. One problem for the man in the walker was that the driver refused to kneel the bus! She repeated, “He be an EVIL man.” She then added, “I be prayin’ for him—my church be prayin’ for him—my friend’s church be prayin’ for him.”
I have to admit; praying for the man was not the first thing that came to my mind.
Things Take a Turn for the Better
Next, the green coat lady said she believed Larry would be driving the #23. If we had been on time, our driver would have been Mike. Sure enough, Larry pulled up in a few minutes. Larry greeted the green coat lady warmly; it was obvious she was a regular. He was very friendly to us too. The bus was very full, but there were seats left at the front.
At 23rd and Classen, a young girl (about 14 or so) got off the bus. As she crossed the street and the bus waited at the light, Larry said, “I’m so proud of her—she’s a good kid; she rides this bus every day to get home from school.” He went on, “Do you know what she did the other day?” He explained that she had taken on a leadership role in a service project at her school. The kids raised some money to benefit a senior center. The green coat lady chimed in, “I know some wonderful teenagers; people think teenagers are all gangsters and drug dealers, and it’s jus’ not true.”
The atmosphere of this bus was a night-and-day difference from the one we had left. Larry’s bright attitude and the cheerful green coat lady made me feel like a menacing fog had lifted. Even though this bus was not filled with millionaires, the feeling was comfortable, several conversations going on, laughing and joking.
Jesus does ride the bus.
Sometimes, Jesus is the green coat lady. Sometimes, Jesus is the man who digs for some extra pocket change for someone who boards the bus but doesn’t have enough money to pay the fare. Sometimes Jesus is the lady who yells “STOP” as the bus is about to pull away from a stop because the passenger who just boarded left a briefcase behind. Sometimes Jesus is a man who finds an umbrella and gives it to the driver to be taken to lost and found as he leaves the bus, stepping out into the rain with no umbrella for himself.
So, hop on a bus. Someone will be there—someone you’ve wanted to meet.
Stories are all true, though names have been changed.
Arden Rea lives in Oklahoma City.
Book Review—How Markets Fail: The Logic of Economic Calamities
How Markets Fail: The Logic of Economic Calamities
by John Cassidy
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 400 pages
0374173206
Wow, what a book!
The author analyzes our recent economic meltdown in three parts, each well-written, and packed with information.
The first section, with eight chapters, describes what Cassidy terms “utopian economics.” We find a short history of economic thought, not absolutely complete, but leaving little to quibble over. Adam Smith, Leon Walras, Alfred Marshall—they’re all there plus other economists who are not quite so well known. Cassidy describes microeconomics as it is taught in most schools today—the theory of perfect competition. We hear about the impressive mathematical analysis that accompanies all this, but we are spared any detailed mathematical nomenclature. This is very readable.
From there, we move to Part Two, “Reality-Based Economics.” Here we encounter the many economists who have, in one way or another, pointed out small and large inconsistencies in utopian theory. These ideas are NOT new. Some date back to the 19th Century. Many of the ideas have been ignored, neglected, or thought to be unimportant and have not gained the widespread level of understanding they deserve. So, a reader who is not extremely familiar with history of economic thought may find many new and challenging ideas here.
“The Great Crunch” concludes the book. Here we find an account of the late 2008 economic crash, now accompanied by our understanding of how economic thinking contributed to it. We see our country, largely believing and formulating policy as if we are in free-market utopia, when we actually live and buy and sell in reality. Not a pretty picture.
The book is worth the read for anyone wishing to understand The Great Crunch, as well as for anyone interested in the history of economic thought or even the policy debates we continue to hear today.
This is my first encounter with Cassidy’s writing. His research is excellent. I did find his format for notes to be strange, but that does not detract from a GREAT book.
When It Comes to Family Values, We Brag a Lot
Oklahomans are fond of “family values.” We feel we place family relationships at a much higher priority than heathen movie stars in California or liberal East-Coast crazies. Sometimes, I wonder just how much we value families–our talk rings more than a little hollow.
I have recently heard from some distraught single moms. These ladies are making heroic efforts to care for kids and keep body and soul together. Sometimes they feel like they may lose the battle in an instant because they are so close to the edge. They worry about poor decisions their latch-key kids might make while Mom is still at work.
It is so odd that in the age of the Internet, we can’t offer more jobs that allow telecommuting.Isn’t it just a little bit puzzling that many U.S. companies have “telecommuting” employees in Mumbai or Bangalore, but struggling single moms, even in the family-values-valuing Bible Belt cannot have any such opportunity.
(If the Econ-O-Nomaly staff is mistaken and there is a plethora of telecommuting choices here in Oklahoma, our readers will surely bring this to our attention.)
Taxes Are Bad Except When We Like Them
Oklahomans can be mysterious. Ask an Oklahoman what she thinks about taxes, and you’re likely to get an earful. Oppressive, unnecessary, unfair, government pickpockets, incompetent bureaucrats… That’s why it’s a little surprising that just over a week ago, Oklahoma City residents voted to continue a tax they could have ended.
Odd, isn’t it? Generally, Oklahomans will tell you that if they have to pay taxes, they don’t want to support any boondoggles and pork-barrel projects. So, you might expect this sales tax to go towards something guaranteed to be successful, a bread-and-butter project. So what have we voted for?
A convention center — now there’s something all of us need for our family reunions. Several thousand of your nearest and dearest can gather for a weekend.
Then, we will somehow turn our small river into a whitewater rafting area? Now this is one thing we’ve all been needing desperately!
There’s more, but the smallest project–$10 million (that’s less than the $17 million contingency fund) is sidewalks. At last, one thing we need!
Time will tell about the wisdom of this project. We’ll all be watching.
One More Thought on MAPS 3
Our city, and Oklahoma in general, has very low taxes by world standards, and even by national standards. We also have inadequate public services. It takes tax money to address these needs.
We are told, however, that rather than address one huge need, public transit, we should settle for building a convention center and a first-rate streetcar system around the convention center area. Then, after eight years or so, we can think about another MAPS election to fund transportation for the rest of town.
This does little to help the older gentleman I saw last weekend attempting to travel in a motorized wheelchair along Northwest Highway.
Here’s just one thought for our city planners. Of course, scrap the convention center. But rather than consider the downtown area as a “down payment” on future transit needs, let’s start with 23rd Street or Northwest Highway or both. The Crosstown 23 bus is a heavily traveled route (putting an end to the objection that “people never really use public transit”) and speeding up transit along the 23rd Street route could be fantastic. This area includes the state Capitol and various state agencies, as well as intersecting numerous other bus routes.
Or how about Northwest Expressway? There is virtually no transit along NW Expressway save for two bus routes that cross it (#8 at Penn Ave. and #10 at Portland Ave.) and a small area between Brookside and MacArthur, eastbound on the #8 bus. Oh excuse me, #7 crosses NW Expressway at May (a highly accessible intersection for a passenger getting off a bus!).
Downtown has sidewalks all over the place, walk signals at virtually every intersection, and three trolleys. Yet, job seekers can forget about seeking employment along NW Expressway unless they are willing to risk their lives daily.
Best tell them to keep looking. Maybe Scrooge & Marley is hiring.
One other way to look at MAPS 3
This pie chart puts things into perspective. Pie chart shows proposed MAPS 3 expenditures. We can see where the money is going!
Projects included in downtown total are: convention center, river enhancements, park, streetcar.
Supporting data available at www.okc.gov.