Friday, May 15, 2020

He Can't Get No Satisfaction



Covid 19 is the story about public health, Trump’s re-election’s economics. On one hand, we receive scientific information about the virus and techniques for protecting ourselves from the doctors, scientists and certain governors.  On the other hand, we receive information from Trump and his flunkeys with a divisive political economic slant that downplays the virus threat, lies about the numbers, dismisses the expendables, and getting back to normal. This essay is about Trump and his quest for power.
There are numerous authorities that provide data on the pandemic. From public health ;the World Health Organization; CDC; Dr. Fauci ; Bill Gates; Gov. Gavin Newsom and others that is factual and contrary to the false information given by Trump, Pompeo, Limbaugh, and his Fox news henchmen. These  public health first individuals give science, data and public health information  about the threat  of the virus ; it’s transmission; the mortality statistics ; the populations and areas most affected; the danger for the front line medical workers; the limited amount of PPE, ventilators, tests etc. available; personal safety steps; and detailed steps for reopening the economy.  Gov. Gavin Newsom stated “This is about public health first.”  Although Newsom, with his executive order, was the first governor to order mail in voting, as an option, for the November election, Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah and Washington  can already vote  by mail.  Trump and the Republicans are spending at least $20 million to squelch mail in voting by the states for November.  Trump continues to peddle false information about mail in voter fraud. Trump is a master of and at fraud.
Various health scientists provide data and admit how much they do not know about the virus. In fact, the coroners in Cook County Illinois, are taking a second look at individuals who have died beginning November 1, 2019. They admit that perhaps some of those deaths might be related to Covid 19. They acknowledge they could even go back earlier for additional data. There’s been tremendous amount of research looking for a cure and/or vaccine. Estimates, by those that know, believe that a vaccine might not be here for another 18 months. On top of that, it is predicted that were going to have a second wave of Covid 19 in the upcoming fall- winter season.
A friend of mine considers Trump smart. With that in mind, what’s been motivating Trump in his dealing with Covid 19? In 2015, Bill Gates at a Ted Talk, warned about another virus. In 2017, Trump cut funding for the CDC, appointed Dr. Robert Redfield, a researcher, as director, without significant managerial experience. In January 2020, there were 19 intelligence briefings for Trump related to the seriousness of the virus pandemic. In late January, one of Trump’s advisors-Navarro wrote an in-depth article spelling out the dangers of the pandemic. The WHO also in January labeled this virus a pandemic. No one can say, that the “intelligent “Trump did not know about the seriousness of this virus.
Even though Trump knew about the seriousness of Covid 19, he presented to the public a very different view. We have it covered; no problem; it’s going to go away once the weather changes; it’s totally under control, the numbers are inflated, not accurate and countless other lies. A lie is not telling the truth. What motivated Trump to downplay and lie about this worldwide pandemic?
It didn’t take too long to know when we heard, from scientists and medical personnel, that we didn’t have the tests for diagnosis; we didn’t have PPE equipment for medical staff; we didn’t have ventilators and dialysis equipment; we didn’t have enough hospital beds etc. it was a real scary mess.  We still do not have enough testing. Then a few governors got into action and closed down their workforce.
There was an initial government stimulus package that totaled over $2 trillion. Most of the money went to the large corporations without oversight. These corporations had the flexibility to use the money as they wanted. That was a neoliberalism subsidy. Along the way, Inspector Generals were fired. In addition, Trump,   with his briefings, gave false and anti-science messages. Neither Trump nor his team wore facemasks or practiced social distancing. Even Pence, when visiting the Mayo Clinic, was the only one in the room without a facemask.  Minimizing the health risk and opening up the economy was the message. Flunkey Republican governors followed the Trump message.
Although most of the public does not believe the Trump propaganda that he has done a great job, he still brags, blames Obama, WHO, China, democratic states and suggested using a disinfectant etc. to solve this problem. Unlike the polio vaccine, when the government took the lead and provided funding for that cure, Trump holds the government back. What would his motivation be not to nationalize various businesses to provide the equipment that we need? Why do we have to import medical equipment and supplies from China and India? Don’t forget neoliberalism is about profits for the corporations and the means to weaken the federal government. However, when the automobile industry was in big trouble, they went to the government to bail them out. There are always exceptions to the rule.
Further efforts to put economics in front of public health include blocking Dr. Fauci’s House testimony and removing the whistleblower leadership role at the Department of Health and Human Services. According to AP, a 17 page report by scientists from the CDC Prevention  team titled “Guidance for Implementing the Opening Up America Again Framework,”  was directed to assist faith leaders, business owners, educators, states and local officials  but was stopped by Trump’s flunkey team. According to CDC, they were told the article would never see the light of day. CDC director Redfield also has been kept quiet.
Statistics, of the 86,000 deaths so far present the following profile for contracting the virus: being at least 55 years of age; being obese; having diabetes; having cancer; having heart disease; having asthma and/or respiratory diseases; having autoimmune diseases; and being economically poor and black. For example in Louisiana, blacks account for 70% of the deaths with 33% of the population. In Alabama, they cover 44% of the deaths and 26% of the population. Chicago and Milwaukee also have high infection and death rates. They are the expendables. Their life doesn’t matter. Jerome Adams the Surgeon General “avoid alcohol, tobacco and drugs” was a message to blacks and other communities.
Turning to reelection, blacks have been discriminated from voting for over 150 years. There have been polling taxes; ID restrictions; gerrymandering; limited number of voting stations; restrictions as to when to vote or where to vote notably if your college-age; and using a criminal record to disfranchise are racist policies used by red states. The minority party has been creative and sneaky and have even called mail in voting fraudulent. Trump has already called mail-in voting fraudulent. By the way, he has voted by mail as well. This year in Wisconsin the Republican controlled state government made the voters vote in person during the pandemic regardless of the request to postpone the election. Trump is the fraud.
It’s clear that Trump wants to be reelected. His tax cuts for the wealthy, $2 trillion subsidy for the wealthy corporations, and his opening up the economy while downplaying the Covid 19   are part of the neoliberalism policy that guarantees unlimited money contributions for his reelection campaign.
 The underlying psychological quest for power helps to explain Trump’s caustic verbal and written behavior. The quest for power is psychologically-based on an attempt to obtain reassurance against the uncomfortableness of anxiety. The quest for power is born out of anxiety, hatred and feeling insecure and inferior. It’s simply an attempt to reduce the dreaded feelings of anxiety. Unfortunately while exhibiting these counterproductive or aggressive behaviors, it interferes with his ability to receive needed affection, warmth, love and closeness from significant others.  Who wants to be close to him? Not surprisingly, therefore, he has to purchase affection, but only in the dark.
Striving for power also allows Trump to express his repressed hostility.  It serves somewhat as a protection against his vulnerability of unconsciously feeling helplessness/or weakness.  Any form of perceived helplessness or weakness is countered by disrespecting and humiliating another by written or verbal expression. To illustrate he has been described as refusing to read intelligence reports, receive advice from staff and even boasts that the knows more than the general’s. His aggressive verbal baseless threats and written words are his image of power thus avoiding any resemblance of weakness. He bragged and flaunted about his victory in the so-called impeachment sham, likewise in the trade wars with China. Verbal boasting, for him, serves as an irrational show of his strength. Bragging and blaming others for him also serves as a protection for feeling or being regarded as insignificant. He goes on as if he’s the master or king no matter how difficult the situation. He has to be the master and be in control because if not, it’s a personal disgrace.
Striving for power also explains Trumps motivation to control, dominate and exploit others. His celebrity talk show was a perfect match for him. As president, he can threaten, dismiss and does dismiss people at will. The employee turnover in his administration is unprecedented. He claims to be right all the time and is irritated and expresses his hostility with words and threats passive aggressively. He’ll say something at a press conference one day and the following day when a reporter reads back his words with quotes, he denies saying what he said with sadistic comments to humiliate and embarrass the reporter-male or female alike.  He babbles about everything and even invents the subject matter with makeup folk science and paranoid conspiracy ideas. Furthermore, Trump has to have his own way and is easily irritated with others if they don’t do exactly what he expects at the time he expects. His repressed hostility gets expressed daily with tweets, press conferences and tantrums. He’s a spoiled brat. He also is withholding as he never gives in nor can admit he’s wrong because that’s considered for him a weakness.
His quest for power is the underlying drive for reelection .The people that die are expendable, and don’t count .Re-election comes first. Trumps downplaying the virus is consistent. You never see him wearing a mask. It’s been reported that those around him get tested with 15 minute results. He states there’s no problem with testing. Yes, that’s only accurate for him and his staff.  What a phony. However, he reportedly went nuts when his valet tested positive for the virus. He will still continue to lie about the seriousness of the virus, criticize Pelosi, Fauci, and others, have temper tantrums and provide campaign like tweets. Trump’s quest for power neurosis is in full bloom. His craziness will only get worse. He can’t get no satisfaction.

Friday, May 8, 2020

Misery , Suffering and the Human Condition



Watching and/or hearing the news on the major networks or listening to NPR for the past few months, the major theme has been misery, unhappiness, not feeling well, pain and anxiety. It’s about the Covid-19 pandemic. Today’s news is similar. Recently, there were individuals carrying automatic weapons, dressed in military gear, with armored protected vests and wearing face covering masks in a group at the state capitol in Michigan.  Did they have ammunition? These individuals did not look like they were going hunting. Would these individuals have automatic weapons on Halloween? Do these individuals walk around the house looking like they do?  Do these individuals walk around their neighborhoods dressed this way?  If they were sound psychologically, they would not be flaunting. They certainly didn’t seem happy or feeling good. This essay addresses man’s misery, suffering, pain and anxiety.
We had had pain, misery and suffering in the past. For example, the Native Americans; the Civil War; the 1918-1919 Pandemic ; the Coal Strike of 1919; the Great Depression ; Pearl Harbor; the McCarthy hearings; the Cuban missile crisis; the assassinations  of the Kennedys and Dr. Martin Luther King; Watts; 9/11; Columbine and Sandy Hook; Katrina etc. Worldwide  also has had its share: World War I; World War II; the Holocaust; Nagasaki , Hiroshima and Dresden ; Balkan Wars; Ottoman Empire wars; Kosovo; Vietnam; Iraq; Syria; Chernobyl etc. The list goes on and on of man-made exploitations of misery and sufferings.
Turning to today’s news are major discussion of predictions about potential vaccines, treatments and according to Bill Gates how much we don’t know about this virus without accurate, reliable and quick testing results with scientific-based contact tracing numbers. There’s discussion on what and when various business are to reopen; and what to do about the education of children. There is concern that remote learning does not take the place of classroom learning and that the children are going to fall further behind in reading and math. Governor Gavin Newsom has a program in place for legitimized and safe child care for those families that are returning to work. There is even discussion using the cabin fever excuse that people have to leave their homes.  Cabin fever is folk science nonsense. One medical Dr. stated that all he can do is provide medical facts to his patients about the contagious and the seriousness of Covid 19. He also stated that he realizes that patients are going to do what they are going to do.
Let’s take a look at the biological design of Homo sapiens. In doing so, it’s not surprising that many experience, at different times during their life cycle, significant periods of unhappiness, dissatisfaction, and lack of contentment, uncomfortableness, not feeling well, pain and anxiety. Because of these life experiences, man engages in many techniques in an attempt to modify, reduce, and even change his psychological state.
In man’s brain, there are many neurotransmitters that affect pleasure and/or pain. Man becomes easily addicted to sugar, fat and salt substances. Obviously, when we look at the people, in our communities, we see the results of improper nutrition. They’re too many of us that are obese coupled with physical complications of heart, diabetes, respiratory diseases etc. This observation suggests why we have the numerous health problems that we do and perhaps one reason why we lead the world in Covid-19 cases and deaths per capita. It’s also easy to become addicted to alcohol and nicotine. These habits also bring misery, pain and suffering to those unfortunate individuals. Don’t forget about drugs prescribed and non- prescribed. Initially, we know that it can be shown that food, alcohol, nicotine and drugs are initiated to deal with man’s desire to chemically change his physical and psychological reality. Unfortunately, the consequence of these behaviors bring additional psychological and physical health misery and suffering.
We also know that natural disasters like floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, fires and viruses also bring misery to those affected. In fact, I’m unable to purchase homeowners fire insurance from the major companies. They say I live in a highly vegetative zone with too much surrounding fuel that can cause fire. When I run on the trail, I’ve encountered two mountain lions. Once, I followed a mountain lion’s snow tracks. Roughly at the 16 1/2 mile marker on the Western States trail, I pass a monument for Barbara, a woman killed by a mountain lion. I make sure that I don’t run alone early in the morning or late in the evening. I’ve encountered bears and even rattlesnakes while running. Yes there is danger. Yes, I have felt exhaustion, pain, suffering, not feeling well with psychological and physical pain and discomfort on numerous runs. But they were self-inflicted. On the positive side I have not been attacked or injured by critters as of yet.
Biologically and psychologically we have drives based on needs which propel and direct our behavior in search of satisfaction and to avoid unpleasure. For example, the Abasement need is related to seek punishment, illness and/or misfortune; the Achievement need is related to rival and surpass others; the Aggression need is to fight, to attack, injure or kill another; the Autonomy need is related to resist coercion, to be a responsible and to defy convention; the Dominance need is to direct the behavior of others by command; and the Sex need is related to have sexual intercourse. In essence, man is self-centered or narcissistic in reference to his need structure. That suggests that he wants what he wants when he wants what he wants. Unfortunately, with the development of civilization we have rules and regulations going back over 10,000 years or so per the Hammurabi code. Rules, restrictions and regulations interfere with fulfilling our needs. Unfulfilled needs lead to anxiety, frustration and the expression of aggressive verbal and physical behavior. Thus, too much restriction leads to antisocial behavior, unhappiness, dissatisfaction, pain and misery. Religion was imposed, in part, to control the masses and to give hope to the daily misery. There were told that their misery and suffering would end on earth but when reunited with God they would be in heaven and/or with many virgins.
Civilization with advanced stage of social and cultural development and organization has created. According to the Doomsday Clock, the end of the world because of the threat of nuclear devastation and climate change is a matter of seconds. Man, in his society, cannot help but create misery, suffering, pain and anxiety for self and others.
Biologically, we develop and then die. There is no immortality of the body as we age. Physically, I was able to do things in my teens that I could not do in my 60s and certainly not today. I’m not happy when a young woman passes me on the trail and may rationalize and distort the reasons like just wait until she reaches my age. My first book was titled “It Has Nothing to Do with Age.” Today I would modify that title. One of the dangers in our biological design is our mind.
Unfortunately, we know very little about the mind. We do know that what goes on between our ears is constant and doesn’t seem to rest. It can even interfere with falling asleep. In our mind, are our secrets accompanied with various illusions and false beliefs that influence and motivate our behavior .These are substitutes in seeking pleasure and avoiding non-pleasure. The illusions are a displacement, a reduction of tension that allows for some satisfaction or temporary satisfaction of a need or needs which, at the moment, are unattainable in reality. It’s no wonder that we make the same mistakes over and over again and this is called the repetition compulsion. In our mind, we hold and chase many foolish and irrational ideas such as: Is there really a perfect or all wonderful mate, a perfect employment, a perfect home or location, a perfect possession, a perfect hobby or even a perfect sport? Are my parents the blame for my unhappiness, Trump has done a good job in tackling Covid 19, Trump’s wall will keep out the rapists and murderers, Trump is trustworthy, Trump won the trade war with China, the earth is flat, climate change is a hoax, we live in a democracy, subsidies to the farmers and the fossil fuel industries are not socialistic economic practices,   we don’t have a pandemic.
 We seek and follow money, fame, objects, prestige, power and possessions. Do they bring happiness or misery? We also follow and believe foolish folk science, irrational and prejudicial beliefs with pain and suffering around the corner. A better deflections allows us to make light of our misery .Read great literature; produce music and/or art and get involved in scientific activities. These are substitute satisfactions. Another poor deflection is using intoxicating substances which makes us insensitive to our misery.
Last night, Linda and I saw on TV “The Legend of Bagger Vance.” This is a feel-good story with a happy ending. However, the main characters experienced unhappiness, dissatisfaction, not feeling well, psychological pain and misery. During the depression, Matt Damon or Junuh was a decorated hero in World War I. Unfortunately, he experienced survivor guilt as a rest of his squad was killed. Prior to the war, he was the greatest golfer in Savanna, Georgia and perhaps was on his way to becoming the greatest golfer over. Returning to Savanna, after the war, he was a bum, depressed, PTSD, and an alcoholic.
Socialite Adele played by Charlize Theron was his love but Junuh rejected her when he returned. She also lost her father who put a bullet to his head. In the story, young Hardy played by J. Michael Moncrief called golf the greatest game. This was a game that could only be played and not won. In one scene, young Hardy saw his father, who once owned the hardware store, with a broom sweeping streets. Hardy was embarrassed and quickly took his two friends in another direction so they wouldn’t see his father. On a positive note, one of Bagger Vance’s clever life’s wisdom’s “Everything that is becomes one. There is a perfect shot out there trying to find each and every one of us. All we’ve got to do is get ourselves out of the way and let it choose us.”
After World War II, with all its destruction and negativity, psychologists like Erich Fromm, Rollo May, Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow and others were labeled as Humanistic Psychologists. They believed, researched and wrote about man’s nature. They stated, when fully functioning, man is constructive and trustworthy. In other words, when man is freed of  his defensiveness and open to experience, his reactions may be trusted to be positive,  forward moving and constructive. Man then will be able to socialize optimally because of his needs to affiliate and communicate with others. In fact these few individuals who become fully functioning were called self-actualizing.
Specifically, Abraham Maslow’s theory incorporated 15 concepts in arriving at his understanding of man. His research was creative in that he studied individuals like Wagner, Van Gogh, Huxley, Spinoza, Keats, Whitman, Goethe, Renoir, Byron, Lincoln, Jefferson, Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt, Einstein and other’s. Briefly, he developed a hierarchy of needs-starting with the physiological, the safety, the love-belonging, the esteem and finally the self-actualization. If one was able to reach self-actualization, not many did, Maslow described a number of characteristics. Maslow also admitted that people were not perfect, they had ordinary human failings and on occasion can be ruthless, alienate others, detached and so forth. He also argued that man’s happiness is dependent on satisfaction of his needs-especially his lower needs.
Per Maslow’s Motivation and Personality, these individuals can experience misery and hardships. They can tolerate uncertainty and ambiguity. They are able to overcome trauma despite their shortcomings and be loving, and protective. They can easily experience solitude and they respect people regardless of birth, blood, skin color etc. They are creative, original and life centered. On the contrary, they would not associate, be in a group with others that carried automatic weapons and display themselves at a state government building in a so called protest. These acting out miserable are not self-actualized but neurotic. Neurosis is associated with misery, suffering, unhappiness, pain and anxiety.
Maslow researched outstanding and productive individuals from all over the world. Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic model, had a different take regarding the outstanding achievements of the individuals in Maslow’s research. Freud views man as seeking pleasure and avoiding unpleasantness. The external environment provides barriers and restrictions that interfere with the satisfaction of his libidinal drives. Even though man employs illusions, drugs, alcohol etc., these mechanisms do not result in happiness but can result in more misery and suffering. The term displacement which is displacing the energy with an attachment to a more appropriate object explains how the individual chooses essentially a substitute in an attempt to fulfill satisfaction or pleasure. Freud believed that a displacement would be more pleasurable and not frustrating like the harsh reality in the external world. Substituting a wife for a mother would be an example of a displacement. In addition, individuals identify with others throughout a lifetime. Identification helps to fulfill one’s deficits by identifying with an object that has more of what he lacks.
An artist employs fantasies and imagination which are displacements from libidinal components like narcissism, aggressiveness and erotica to create works of art with the result that it is more socially acceptable. Likewise, a scientist, with displacements can solve problems or discover other truths. Other intellectual work can also be displacements that in essence are indispensable for the preservation and justification of the existence of society. Einstein, Jefferson, Spinoza, Goethe etc. all experienced some form of misery and suffering but, had  the ability to sublimate their instincts or drives thus resulting in pleasure thereby avoiding some of the frustrations that come from the external world . In doing so, they went on to provide for the betterment of society.
Because of all the misery and suffering from the external world or society, how much satisfaction and pleasure can be long-lasting? Money, power, possessions, drugs, alcohol, objects are illusions and diversions but do not provide long lasting pleasure.  For the few, displacement and sublimation assist in the betterment for society.  In essence, no man totally escapes misery and suffering in our society.
PS
Tony just gave me an update on our friend Tom a former ride and tie, runner and endurance athlete. Tom has ALS and currently has difficulty eating, drinking, breathing and talking. Our hearts go out to Tom and Laura.

Friday, May 1, 2020

Two Myths



The Covid- 19 pandemic exposes the vulnerability of living in our country. This natural disaster is without boundaries, it does not discriminate between religious, political, prejudicial or folk science beliefs and moreover highlights man’s fear of helplessness, insecurity and inability to control his environment. Specifically, this essay addresses our economic and health care weaknesses brought by Covid -19.
Roughly 80% of our workforce live paycheck to paycheck. With the elimination of many jobs; the economic shutdown; and the risk of contracting the virus add to our misery.  Also, the economic disparity of wealth in our country more than likely will increase and we may be headed for a depression.
After World War II, we had robust union participation and membership, worker friendly corporations, a significant middle class, and a tiny socio-economic wealth gap.  University of Chicago economist Milton Friedman, in the 1970s, pushed for neoliberalism policies. He believed that neoliberalism policies would protect us from another depression. Reducing government’s significance and privatizing ownership of capital were fundamental. Because of this policy, we now have significantly less union membership, capital centered corporations, a dwindling middle class and the largest wealth gap ever.
The $2 trillion stimulus legislation was for the corporations. There was talk about providing aid to small business, independent contractors, and to low-wage employees. Let’ take a look at minimum wage.  First, a few facts: 1.Paul Krugman in 2013 advocated raising the minimum wage for these reasons: A. The minimum wage was below its 1960’s purchasing power despite a near doubling of productivity B. The great preponderance of evidence indicated there is no negative impact on employment for moderate increases and C. A high level of public support specifically by Democrats and Republican women. 2. As of October, 2016, there have been 29 states with the minimum wage higher than the federal minimum. 3. Beginning in January, 2019, Washington DC had the highest minimum wages in the country at $14 per hour. 3. In California, minimum wage increased to $13 for businesses with 26 employees or more; $12 for businesses with 25 employees or fewer effective January 1, 2020. 4. At last count, 27 California cities had a minimum wage higher than the state minimum as of January 1, 2020.
One folk science belief used by Republican lawmakers, to justify their disdain, is the idea that workers are lazy and that if you pay them stimulus money, they won’t ever return to work because they are takers. We also know per past research that 44% of 50 manufacturing executives believed that money alone was the answer for increasing workers productivity. In another survey, with a 1021 sample of employees of manufacturing companies, 65% of them stated that incentive pay increases output while only 22% stated that hourly pay makes for higher production. Of this group, 65% of them said that they preferred hourly pay and only 29% of them favored incentive pay. The author of this study believed that incentive pay as far as raising output does not in itself solve the problem of workers cooperation, meaningful employment, and increased worker wellbeing.
 One major point to consider centers with how to deal with boredom, alienation and job dissatisfaction. A second point to consider is the degree of physical and psychological illness associated with employment in an unsatisfactory working environment. Specifically, we know that high blood pressure, ulcers, insomnia, nervous tension, and fatigue are physical symptoms of health characteristics while absenteeism, satiation, dissatisfaction, apathy, boredom, sense of futility, drug and alcohol use, job turnover, repression of anger and being dependent and being scared are psychological factors. Alan Greenspan, former Chair of the Federal Reserve, stated that keeping workers insecure was necessary for capitalism to thrive.
 We also know that money, prestige and power are main incentives for a large part of the working population. How can working for wage slavery be realistically associated with a significant desire to work? Economist Greg Mankiw stated that 79% of economists agreed in his survey that a minimum wage increases unemployment among young and unskilled workers. Even with minimum wage, how many Republican government folks are motivated to work in the fields and pick the crops? They must be lazy.
More about laziness. Simply put, laziness as a motivational opinion not to work is actually folk science. Folk science means there’s no hard data to support the belief or opinion. Four of my male friends are in their 60s. Three of these males are currently working and making wages that far exceed minimum dollars with significant benefits. Aside from being in their 60s, all three of my friends actually count the number of days to their retirement. Their desire for retirement has nothing to do with laziness but with their desire to escape their employment slavery.  A fourth friend retired a number of years ago. He liked the work but did not like the various supervisors that were simply barriers that interfered with his working. He also was not lazy and looked forward to his release from his sentence. I concluded, from this limited sample, that money alone was not the most important motivation for them to continue working beyond retirement. They all worked to financially support their unions. Perhaps, to call another person lazy is simply a distortion, a bias and a projection. It’s true that wages are necessary to function in this consumption driven capitalistic economy and as a result, keep us enslaved. Advertising, consumption and capitalism are united in this regard.
 Capitalism is dependent on the consumption of goods, services etc. The idea is to buy, buy and buy. Advertising, which is psychological conditioning, does not provide rational information about the products but instead creates emotional desire and wants. Emotional wants become a strong motivating factor for the purchase of a necessary or unnecessary product. Advertising slogans like the importance of home ownership; buying your dream home; man with the biggest toys wins; and keeping up with the Joneses , reinforce capitalistic consumption. The winner in the slogans are clear. Since when does debt bring happiness? Since when is happiness dependent on consumption of newer and better commodities?  Bankruptcies are not the answer. It’s obvious that advertising messaging does not give hard factual data about the value but instead provides folk science opinions related to emotional, irrational desires and wants. Advertising started in the1920s, and continues to work. What is the cost for a 30 second commercial on any Super Bowl? These corporations are not stupid but smart.
More than likely we are headed for a Depression, further economic divide, greater worker insecurity, and more frustration with repressed and non-repressed anger. At the moment, it doesn’t appear that the economic policies of Neo liberalism will be the barrier to combat a depression. The virus exposed its economic weakness. Are we really the wealthiest country? Or, do we have many or most of the wealthiest individuals in the world?
Our private for profit health care system has also been challenged by this nasty pandemic. Our unprepared hospital system and drug oligarchy is set up for profit with just the right number of beds; just the right number of ventilators; just the right number of PPE equipment; just the right number of profitable meds and just the right number of personnel to handle regular run-of-the-mill healthcare. For example, a US company that manufactured high-quality-low-cost ventilators decided that even turning them into high cost-low-quality ventilators was not profitable enough. With the pandemic, doctors are now in the position and decide who to kill based on their limited resources. Drug companies don’t initiate research. Let’s face it, much of the products they sell don’t cure but just treat or mask symptoms with unsafe side effects. Sometimes the side effects are more deadly than the existing disease. Because of our Neo liberalism policies, we are dependent on other countries for the manufacture of necessary drugs, vitamins, and important medical supplies.
Our health care and government system cannot even and does not want to provide accurate and reliable data as to the number of Covid -19 cases. Nor do we have enough accurate, quality and safe testing for diagnosis as well as personnel to track {contact tracing} to identify the depth and widespread degree of this pandemic. Where does it say in the Constitution that employers are responsible for healthcare? When the Affordable Care Act was initiated, how many employers cut the hours of their workers so they didn’t have to pay healthcare benefits? How many in our society believe that health care is a human right and in the Constitution?
On the other hand, the private for profit health care complex does all that it can to keep its power. It may say that everyone loves their health care. Instead it’s more accurate to say that people like their medical providers. The system says that government healthcare is not efficient but they don’t define it. What about their creative ability to deny service? They wanted to deny because of preexisting issues. They make money when they do not have to provide service. Back in the 1990s, I was providing psychotherapy service. When the referrals stopped and I asked why. I was told that they found somebody else with a lesser license that they could pay less. One would think that if healthcare systems in countries like Canada, Great Britain, Finland, Germany etc. were inefficient, that there would be out cry and change would follow. None follows our model. That certainly challenged the credibility that our high-cost, inefficient and health care system is the best. We are best at discriminating and providing profit for the few.
It’s also clear by now, that the inefficiency of the Trump administration is in full force. Trump continues to falsify about the threat of the virus: does not mobilize national resources; deceives about testing availability; pushes off responsibility to the states; lies about the statistics and withholds financial monies to the states.

Friday, April 24, 2020

Love and Hate



With the Covid-19 pandemic there have been contradicting and erratic behavior from individuals, governors and the president. Even though we lead the world in the number of cases and the number of deaths, not surprisingly, many take this virus seriously and too many take it less seriously. Sigmund Freud provided a psychoanalytic model of man. This essay applies the broad categories of Freud’s life and death instincts thereby providing insight into man’s rational and irrational Covid-19 behaviors.
Sigmund Freud has a comprehensive model explaining man’s psychodynamic mental functioning. Briefly, Freud originally postulated about the biological instinct Eros under the life preserving umbrella. Eros was related to life instincts, sexual gratification, genital love, the pleasure principle, reality principle, the creation of the family and the community, happiness, the necessity or compulsion to work, productivity and artistic creation. In other words, generally speaking, the self-preservation instincts were the driving force in man. Then, Freud experienced World War I with man driven by destructive cruelty. Freud, the scientist, wasn’t convinced that man’s destructive quality was adequately explained by Eros. As a result, Freud postulated a second biological drive-the death instincts or impulses that have been called Thanatos or destrudo. The death instincts, destructive instinct or death wish relates to man’s aggressiveness, sadomasochism, repetition compulsion principle, cruelty, hatred, murder, narcissism, sadistic and self-destructive and self- mutilation tendencies. In other words, this drive can be directed inward toward self or outward toward another or object. These two instincts interact with and against each other. Thus, they may fuse, neutralize each other, replace one another which results in many combinations of effects. In essence, as man develops he proceeds towards his death.
Our country leads in the number of guns, murders, aggression towards spouse and children, and incarceration rates. We also spend the most money on defense far exceeding other countries. We have weapons of mass destruction and have the best fighting force in the world. This means we have better trained killers than anyone else. With tax breaks and subsidies to the fossil fuel industry we are racing and expediting toward the destruction of our planet. One might argue that our country is rapidly heading towards destruction and death.
Currently, the United States has over 850,000 Covid-19 cases and about 45,000 deaths and these numbers are rising. These numbers far exceed the number of Covid-19 cases in other countries. For example, we have more cases confirmed than Spain, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, France and Turkey combined and more deaths than Spain and Italy combined. Let’s give gratitude to individuals like Bill and Melinda Gates, Mike Bloomberg, Anthony Fauci and to the many scientists and researchers in our country and all over the world. They work round-the-clock to come up with a vaccine or cure for Covid-19. There are numerous organizations and agencies like CDC and the World Health Organization that also deserve respect and gratitude for their service. Scientists from other countries have also shared their knowledge about this deadly virus with ours.
Do not forget all the doctors, nurses, technicians and other allied medical personnel also in this fight. They put their health at risk daily. Even past retirees have entered this fight. There are countless workers in the food industry that also put their lives at daily risk so we can have food available. There are many that deserve our thanks. We know that there are not enough PPE equipment, ventilators, all forms of testing and other medical supplies currently available. However, this does not stop them or impede their efforts to help others. We can help the process by staying away from others and making our own facemasks to reduce the contagion risk. Furthermore, there are number of governors like   Jay Inslee, Gretchen Whitmer, Andrew Cuomo, Larry Hogan, Gavin Newsom and other elected officials that have put in place social distancing, shutting down state parks, requiring facemasks etc.   These many individuals in the fight against Covid-19 suggest by their character the drive for self-preservation.
In contrast, we have others that express oppositional behaviors suggesting a different character development with emphasis on aggression for the death instinct. When traveling to the market or pharmacy, there are many that wear a facemask and a number who don’t. Driving down the road, there are many who seem to ignore social distancing and do not wear a facemask. On television, there have been scenes of the numerous people congregating and not wearing a facemask while either visiting a Florida beach or other venues.
This past week there have been protests against social distancing orders rising up from many parts of the country. These white protesters, according to Yahoo News, carry non rational signs as well as firearms. These demonstrations have largely been organized by conservative activists. The Republican governor of Georgia announced that his state would be opening up fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, barbers, Hair and nail salons, and massage therapy businesses on Friday followed by theaters and restaurants on Monday, April 27. The protest in Michigan was organized by the Michigan conservative coalition, a group cofounded by a GOP state representative and his wife. She’s on the advisory board for an official Trump campaign group. At another event, the promoter is a longtime political advisor to the Betsy DeVos family. These are just two examples of Trumps conservative Republicans. It doesn’t appear to matter that according to Yahoo news/you government poll, 60% of Americans oppose protest while just 22% support them. The same poll found that 71% respondents were more concerned about opening things up too quickly versus too slowly which is in line with other polls. In fact one state GOP Rep stated “Unfortunately some people have lost their lives to the virus. My heart goes out to every one of those people. My heart also goes out to the 1.5 million in Pennsylvania out of work. Equating death to being out of work is what?  Furthermore, some right-wing commentators and right-wing economists have urged Trump to reopen the country despite warnings by epidemiologists that it could result in a wave of additional infections and deaths and another potential wave this winter.
Unfortunately, one can ignore medical advice and exhibit behaviors that hurts self. There is no law that restricts one from eating or drinking too much. It is only against the law to commit suicide. Exhibiting or turning inward self-destructive behavior generally affects others as well. In the case of a virus easily transmitted, when one becomes contagious, one also can transmit the virus to others. Although one can’t yell “fire” in a crowded theater, there is no law or commandment that prohibits infecting others. Our healthcare workers and healthcare system do not need more to treat during the pandemic. In other words, these sadistic, lying and hateful individuals by potentially infecting themselves and others are also putting us and our health care system in jeopardy. The sadomasochistic character development and the displayed degree of aggression, in these individuals, is unhealthy and dominates the Eros life force of  care, protection, respect, assistance and nurturance with the result that it puts the rest of us in jeopardy.
Let’s take and use Washington, the state, as an example of life maintenance. On January 20, 2020 the first Covid-19 patient was diagnosed in Washington. These medical and health individuals in this state were prepared for this epidemic. They had earlier put in place procedures from A-Z in how they would handle a positive diagnosis individual. All individuals that came in contact with this patient had protective gear and covering. In essence, from pickup to hospitalization was handled appropriately as far as health procedures. Gov. Jay Inslee, Bill and Melinda Gates and Jeff Bezos were pleased and proud of their state government. Clearly, competent government with an Eros dominated personality can and does work.

Friday, April 17, 2020

Our Plagues



We learned from Albert Camus’s novel The Plague. This historical, classical and award winning work was published in 1947.The story takes place in a French Algerian city called Oran. The inhabitants, of the city, were portrayed as money centered, bored, inauthentic, superficial, and non-loving. This work has been considered existential. Camus raised questions regarding life and death. The Plague also provided an allegorical treatment of French resistance to Nazi occupation during World War II. An article titled” Camus on the Coronavirus “in the March 22, 2020 Edition of the New York Times was timely. This essay foreshadows Camus’s insights with today’s inept handling of Covid-19 and further suggests that our plague are the political policies of” neoliberalism.”
In Camus’s work, the protagonist, Dr. Bernard Rieux, was a man of about 35. He treated the first victim of the plague and used the word “plague “to describe the disease. Initially, he was uneasy and had difficulty in confronting the grave danger facing the town.  As a consequence, Dr.  Rieux minimized the risk. Shortly afterward, he acknowledged the gravity of the situation. He warned the authorities that unless steps were taken immediately, this epidemic would kill off half the town’s population of 200,000 within a couple of months. He was initially met with denial and resistance by the town’s authorities. They were unwilling to take the necessary steps in shutting down the town by employing “social distance,” or by quarantine. Additionally, the doctor viewed the townspeople people as stupid, pitiful with dupes of illusion.
In the Plague, Camus foreshadows the denial of death and destruction, Camus’s character The Prefect was a perfect example. The Prefect, the chief magistrate, at first, believed that the talk of plague was fake news. He’s a self-deceiver, a coward, and quibbled over the health information provided. He used optimistic language and downplayed the seriousness of the threat. But eventually, on medical advice, he authorized limited measures to combat it. The death toll rose and the country’s emergency medical reserves were depleted. This inept character did everything he could in falsifying information. He refused to take responsibility for the deaths. Another Camus character, Grand spoke with empty phrases, clichés and generalities. Camus’s characters are like Trump.
We know that Trump was given early medical input. His early apparent denial or disregard, downplaying its severity, flip-flops, Covid -19 testing fiasco, promoting a drug in which he has interests, talk about the early opening of the government, limiting deployment of military health personnel resources suggests that his reelection is more important than death to the elderly with their diabetic, immune and respiratory diseases. Some might say, what about the sanctity of life? The sanctity of life for whom? We have been at war for over 20 years and have the highest incidence of gun deaths. The wars have accomplished what other than death and more hate? Soldiers, death, maimed with high suicide rates are not heroes. Soldiers are victim’s .The second amendment has facilitated death as well. These Covid- 19 patients are expendable.
Other examples of Trumps propaganda supported by biased news coverage has attacked Covid- 19 for the singular purpose of supporting this president and his policies in order for him to be reelected. Some of their false claims have included: 1. The Democrats were overhyping Covid- 19 in order to hurt Trump 2. The cure of shutting down the government was worse than the disease of Covid- 19 3. The statistics on the death toll of Covid -19 were exaggerated. Yes, fake news is alive and perpetuated by Trump’s media for those in power.
The federal government’s response to Covid -19 has been appalling. At one time the government was the Arsenal of democracy, mobilized the country with its resources and won World War II. The government also faced a terrible infectious disease that attacked the immune system named poliomyelitis and called polio for short. With the expertise and government assistance for virologist Hilary Koprowski, Dr. Jonas Salk and Dr. Albert Sabin an inexpensive oral polio vaccine was developed with the assistance of the NIH. This vaccine became the only polio vaccine used worldwide. Trump’s federal government had shipped 11.7 N95 masks and 79,020 ventilators but for some reason are now stockpiling or withholding these necessary supplies.
While Trump’s federal government response has been inept and criminal, state governors such as Andrew Cuomo, Jay Inslee, and Gavin Newsom have been spectacular in their knowledge, organization, planning, and helping other states in dealing with Covid -19.  Social distancing works; retired healthcare workers rejoined the battle; and plans to disinfect N95 masks and send additional PPE resources were heartwarming to see. Dr. Bernard Rieux in Camus’s novel stated that he wasn’t a hero “the whole thing is not about heroism,… It may seem a ridiculous idea, but the only way to fight the plague is with decency. Decency is doing my job.”  Presently, my friend Paul is a driver who transports warehouse food to the supermarkets. He works many hours of overtime and does his best to stay safe by disinfecting the truck’s that he drives. He doesn’t consider himself a hero but is doing a necessary and vital job of providing food and supplies for all of us.
Neoliberalism, our virus, has assaulted the majority by weakening the role of government while increasing the power of corporate and private wealth. The negative propaganda regarding the federal government was labeled as too large; to ineffective; and hampered by bureaucracy. The idea, in place, was that private enterprise was more efficient and the model to be followed. This propaganda was expressed by Ronald Reagan’s claim in the 1980s that “government is the problem.” Unions were attacked as being the enemy; privatization of prisons became the norm; wage stagnation and inequality for 90% of the population was initiated; infrastructure spending was hampered; limited manufacturing ability and outsourcing of manufacturing; and the nonsensical war on drugs accompanied by privatization of prisons and imprisonment of the poor are a few examples of discrimination, maximizing wealth and power for the few. Additional illustrations included rigging the tax cuts and tax code for the elite; dismantling regulations for the banking industry and Wall Street; maximizing the importance of lobbyists in writing favored legislation; and hobbling revenue for the federal government while increasing the national debt. For those that remember, the increased national debt worked in World War II.
Pandemics, as a threat, was presented by Dr. Fauci in 2017 and CDC funding was subsequently reduced. Trump has weakened the federal government by numerous firing of those called “disloyal;” hiring incompetents to cabinet posts per Betsy DeVos, Rick Perry, and Dr. Ben Carson. Other illustrations of a weakened federal government include the Senate impeachment sham ; attacks on the media; employing fake news propaganda; and the  disinformation and humiliation  of presidential news conferences  while attacking legitimate questions of reporters as to Trump’s competence and responsibility are more of the same.

Albert Camus struggles with man’s existence of life and death. Man is aware of his vulnerability, helplessness, dependence and that he’s going to die. With God being dead, so is man’s immortality. How does one face the absurdity of life? How can man face the paradox of life and death? In the past, he relied on the illusions of democracy, freedom, capitalism, religion etc. How can man lead an authentic life, not become robotic and fight the power and influence of propaganda and advertising? Advertising simply creates a desire for some product, generally not needed. It’s simply about consumption and profit.
Man’s initial test is to admit and accept his existential existence. Man must realize that he is going to die, has strong irrational forces within him, and come to realize that he can’t be comforted by religious, political, scientific or other illusions. According to Camus, suicide is not a viable option. One of his characters, Cottard contemplated suicide but with recovery of the plague, succeeded in living.
Man has to deal with the frailty, contradictions and the absurdity of living with the many natural and man-made viruses affecting existence. According to Camus, the plague is within us. With that being said, we are more than likely transmitting primitive beliefs, false idols, folk science, fairy tales, illusions, mythology, political stupidity, irrationality, rationalizations, paranoid hate along with sadomasochistic interactions. As a result, we have to deal with our dark side which Jung refers to as our “Shadow.”  Hopefully, solidarity, reason, wisdom, and sublimation can prevail. Past religious prophets have provided the road map.  If actually followed, we can create meaning for ourselves, combat behaviorally the ongoing man made and biological virus’s {neoliberalism, climate change, nuclear war, Covid-19, hate etc.} and threats as well as interacting with others more humanely.   Thank you Camus for your insights.

Friday, April 10, 2020

A Smile


Despite all the doom and gloom facing us there have been bright spots . I just got off the phone with Tony who told me that he wasn’t running today because of the rain. We both laughed at that excuse. Then he asked if we needed any groceries as he was in Auburn? Linda and I provided him with a list. This was the second time that he has gone shopping for us. Thank you Tony, again. Another bright spot was when my temperature read 98.6. I had nine days of a low grade fever that finally broke .What a relief. The third bright spot was the title in the March 22, 2020 edition of The New York Times-The Perfect Sport for a Pandemic. With smile, this essay addresses running as the perfect sport.
There are many advantages to running. Despite the numerous park closures, there are many places and trails to run. Location is not a problem for a runner. Running gear can be shirt, tights, running shoes and a water bottle. Equipment is simple and not a problem for a runner.  We all know the aerobic activity of running is beneficial to one’s mental and physical health as evidenced by numerous research studies.
Tony, my running partner, and I have not partnered up for quite a while because of the pandemic. It’s certainly not as much fun running alone but certainly potentially healthier. When on the trail, Tony, Dale and I spend much of our time laughing while talking about important and unimportant matters. The friendship gets nourished during and after our runs. Traditionally, after the run ,`Tony gets to drink a beer with maybe a cookie. This routine has gone on for years.  I miss the routine. In many ways, the mental, emotional and intellectual components are nourished in a greater dimension than the physical side. In any event it’s a good combination for my wellbeing.  I like this sport.
In essence, I am blessed. 1. I have a long-term friend like Tony 2. I have a 98.6 temperature reading 3. I have the ability to run. 4. I have a supportive and solid union. These blessings bring a smile to my face.

Friday, April 3, 2020

American Exceptionalism


American exceptionalism is on my mind. This idea was coined by Joseph Stalin in 1929. It is the perception or belief that our peoples, country, society, Democratic Republic, health care system etc. are extraordinary. I have no difficulty thinking about various Americans that excel and have made extraordinary accomplishments. People like  Curry,  Durant,  Lee,  Sorkin,  Jackson,  Friedman,  Krugman,  Bezos,  Gates,  Buffett,  Chomsky Sanders and  Fauci easily come to mind. This essay challenges “American Exceptionalism.”
The Covid- 19 pandemic exposes the “exceptionalism” of our American healthcare system.  Our country, at start, looked good as we had not done testing. This meant we had the absence of diagnostic criteria. Then we learned that we had to test for a diagnosis and that we didn’t even the tests.  We took care of that little problem and we now lead the world statistically in cases and deaths per population.  We still hear from the governors that their hospitals do not have enough PPE gear, respirators, beds and other supplies. The Defense Production Act could be used to reduce PPE shortages and the government could step in and eliminate the bidding by FEMA and the 50 states on the purchase of ventilators. Trump’s capitalistic exceptionalism in action .Hospital personnel get sick. Schools have graduated nurses early and other healthcare workers have come out of retirement and returned to work to deal with the shortages.
Unfortunately, there are a number of red states without stay-at-home orders. These states are adding to the numbers of the Covid-19 statistical model that suggests we’re going to lose over 200,000 to this deadly virus. How does contributing more disease thus increasing the death rate dovetail with the religious right notion of the sanctity of life, love thy neighbor and not kill thy neighbor? We place our war hero dead with medals at the Arlington National Cemetery. Where will we bury our Covid-19 victims? We will have to come up with some storyline like they died to save Trump’s capitalistic economy.
 The expertise and leadership from the governors has been impressive while our top guy is inept, flip-flops, and says one thing to our public and another thing to various governments. One can’t keep track of all that comes out of his mouth. In fact, he denies what he says. And at times it’s difficult to determine, from his words, what is a lie, from a non-lie, or just ignorance. He’s exceptionally incompetent and sadistic and an example of the Peter Principle.
Our exceptional democratic republic process continues to be hampered by divide, pettiness and dysfunction. We live in political exceptionalism. Yes, there was a $2 trillion government “socialistic” bailout. It’s okay to print money as long as the majority of it goes to the corporations, pharmaceuticals and big business. The lobbyists made sure of where to send the money. Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich said that 80% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. These 80% do not have any lobbyists working for them and the credit card companies still charge interest or late fees. Will this handout, save the economy for the big and powerful or will it further divide the haves from the have-nots; keeping wages low and stagnant? Time will tell. Having a dysfunctional and incompetent person in the White House leading an exceptionally dysfunctional Senate seems a perfect fit.
We the people, at one time were labeled the “melting pot. Detroit, in the 50s, was no melting pot then nor is it now. In fact I can’t remember, when our country could have been called a “melting pot.” Despite our exceptionalness, we don’t seem to get along very well as evidenced by the divorce rate, physical abuse, and child sexual abuse statistics. We could lead the world in these categories too. We do lead the world with a number of owned guns, with the number of deaths, the number of hate crimes, and the number of incarceration rates. How does our God, in our God loving country, explain? We are the home of the brave in the land of the free. I’m not sure what is meant by in the land of the free. Free from what?  Are we really better than other countries?  What is our definition and our measuring tool? Regardless, we are exceptionally exploitive among our own.
We’ve also been told, that we have the best educational system. Inner-city statistics with its low graduation rates quickly challenges that idea. Moreover, our students can attend college and then they can pay off their massive student debt with exorbitant interest rates. I’m not sure that we want to compare our education system to Singapore’s, Hong Kong’s or Finland’s.  But we are dumbing down; many question the validity of science; and many legitimize creation beliefs. We are exceptionally ignorant.
Yes, we have exceptionally talented people that have achieved within our unbalanced society that favors the rich and powerful. For America to become exceptional, which means for more to benefit, would require a different functioning society. The society would favor the individual over the corporation; favor opportunity over discrimination; favor union over alienation and aloneness; favor significance over conformity; favor wisdom over prejudice; and favor education over ignorance are a few examples. Hopefully, the society would reinforce the development of creativity and artistry so that more could have a better opportunity to develop their potential .More than likely that would promote better and more productive human interactions.