Tick-Tech-Toe

I am constantly called deranged by members of my family and even some friends. When I ask why they feel that way, they say it’s because of my beliefs and a severe case of TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome, though I think it’s Trump Delusion Syndrome—potato, potahto). When I ask what beliefs they think I have, they don’t give a clear answer. Instead, they claim that because I don’t agree with the current administration’s policies and believe the current president is bad for the country, I must be brainwashed by the liberal echo chamber of where I live and the news I consume.

For the record, I expose myself to a wide range of news sources, from Fox News to CNN, WSJ, Politico, Axios, Bloomberg News, The Washington Post, and The New York Times, among others. Next week, I’m taking a break from it all.

While I acknowledge that liberals don’t have all the answers and have implemented their share of flawed policies, and that Republicans (conservatives) have contributed some valuable ideas, I believe that the current Republican approach is not making our country great. It’s important to recognize the merits and shortcomings of both sides, but the direction taken by Republicans today seems to be leading us away from the values and progress that truly benefit our nation.

To clear up any ambiguity, let me put some thoughts in writing. I would be interested in discussing any of these with you. I miss the days when the USA was a pluralist society where ideas could be discussed and then we could move on. I hope we can return to those days, but I don’t think it will happen anytime soon.

To start, I don’t believe we should be rounding up suspected undocumented immigrants and sending them to torture prisons (and paying $6 million to do so) without any due process. Remember, I said due process! If they are guilty take them back to their country and drop them off. Don’t take them to a torture prison. You will see more about my views on the border and immigration below. Contrary to others, I don’t believe the president should be able to point his finger at an individual (or group) and make them disappear. I also don’t believe we should have to carry papers to prove we have a right to be in this country. This isn’t Russia, is it? I know this plays well in MAGA land, but it will lead us down a dark road.

Note: The current uproar regarding Kilmar Abrego Garcia might not be the best case but maybe it is. This person is certainly not a model citizen but he did have a court order protecting him from deportation. He was never given a hearing. Why didn’t a court a law get a chance to view the evidence and render a decision? Why is the government trying so hard and spending so much money to defend its actions?

The actions taken by the US government against universities like Harvard have significant implications for academic freedom, research, and the overall integrity of higher education – and our society. Here are some key reasons why these actions should be reconsidered:

1. Universities must maintain their independence to foster an environment where diverse ideas and research can thrive. Government interference, such as demanding changes to governance or hiring practices, undermines this independence[1][2].

2. The freezing of billions in funding can halt critical research projects, including life-saving medical research[2]. This not only affects the university but also has broader implications for public health and scientific advancement. It also needlessly causing chaos for hundreds of faculty and students.

3. The government is exceeding its lawful authority and infringing on university’s constitutional rights, such as the First Amendment[1][2]. Upholding these rights is essential for the integrity of educational institutions and the country.

4. Threatening to revoke tax-exempt status or the ability to enroll foreign students will diminish the quality and diversity of education offered[3][4]. This can have long-term negative effects on a university’s ability to attract top talent and provide a comprehensive education.

5. If you feel that government funding research at universities, studies have shown that government funded projects have build the economic powerhouse that the United States is today[5] [6]. Many products, medicines, and technology that we take for granted today are because of government funding studies and project that are beyond the capabilities of corporations, foundations and private donors to take on. Such projects include:



We’ll just start with the Internet: The internet, a foundational technology, emerged from government-funded research at universities and military labs. This has been the greatest economic growth the US has seen since the industrial age. I’m not saying it has brought it’s own set of issues but …


• Microchips: The development of microchips, crucial for modern electronics, was significantly influenced by government funding. 

• Doppler Radar: This weather forecasting tool was a direct result of funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF). 

• MRIs: Magnetic Resonance Imaging technology, used in medical diagnostics, was also a product of government-funded research. 

• Flu Shot: The development of the flu shot, a crucial preventative medicine, benefited from government research funding. 

• Advanced Manufacturing: Government agencies like NSF have supported breakthroughs in advanced manufacturing techniques, including nanomaterials, CAD, and 3D printing. 

• Nanomaterials: NSF has funded research into nanomaterials, opening doors to new materials and processes. 

• Computer-Aided Design (CAD): NSF funding has also contributed to the development of CAD systems, which have revolutionized product design and manufacturing. 

• 3D Printing: NSF-funded research has also played a role in advancements in 3D printing. 

• Economic Growth: Government funding for research has significantly contributed to economic growth by creating jobs, increasing GDP, and driving innovation. 

• Job Creation: University-based research, especially when licensed to companies, has led to the creation of numerous jobs. 

• Increased GDP: The economic impact of university research has been substantial, with estimated GDP increases and increased industry output. 

• Spin-out Companies: University research has also led to the formation of new companies, creating further economic opportunities. 

• Modern Tires: Government research, specifically from the National Science Foundation, has led to advancements in tire technology, such as the development of modern Goodyear tires. 

• Wind Energy: Government-funded research has also played a role in the development of modern wind energy technology. 

• Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing: NSF funding has enabled the development of training programs and institutes for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. 

• Manufacturing USA Network: The Manufacturing USA network, supported by government funding, has fostered innovation in manufacturing. 

References
[1] Harvard won’t comply with demands from Trump administration
[2] Trump admin freezes billions in funding to Harvard University after …
[3] Harvard Sees ‘Grave Consequences’ as Trump Pushes IRS Action
[4] Will Harvard University stop admitting foreign students?
[5] 22 Examples of Major Technology Advances That Stem From Federal Research Support
[6] Federal R&D funding: the bedrock of national innovation (report)

This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many attacks occurring on our society and institutions. Including:

The administration seeking court backing to control who can access the White House for press events. This includes restricting Associated Press journalists and other wire services from attending certain events. Journalists and their outlets directly threatened or barred from attending official events. This includes barring the Associated Press from attending events after it refused to comply with certain demands (really petty to punish them for still calling the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of Mexico). New policies that sharply curtail access to President Trump by news agencies have been implemented. These policies give the press secretary significant discretion over which reporters can ask questions and attend events.

Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of democracy, ensuring that journalists can report on government actions without fear of censorship or retaliation. Restrictions on press access and reporting can undermine transparency and accountability in government

Denying security clearances to law firms because of cases they have taken on – especially if they are against the current government. This will hinder their ability to defend government employees or people suing the government effectively. This practice can be seen as a way to exert control over legal proceedings and limit the defense options available to individuals facing government scrutiny.

I’m not even going to go into the economic disaster that has been going on for the last few weeks. No one person has destroyed so much wealth in so short a time. The toll that it has taken on our country (especially small businesses) shows that the US is willing to destroy the decades of work that has been done to build a strong and prosperous economy with strong allies.

This list could go on and on. Everyday there’s another executive order, policy, law or statement that chips away at the foundations of what has made this country great. Yes our country is and has always been great. We don’t need to make it great again. We need to fix what needs fixing to keep it great.

As always I am will to discuss these matters with anyone. Just to be clear, although I believe the United States is heading in the wrong direction, I don’t think it’s solely due to the Republican Party. However, they are currently contributing significantly to the issues we’re facing.

For clarity, let me give a sprinkling of my beliefs (Spoiler alert: not every liberal is the same, though the majority of liberals (and a lot of conservatives) I know think along roughly these same lines:). Full disclosure, I’m using a lot of an essay that I read a while ago. While a lot of people credit this to Ron Howard, apparently the actual author was Lori Gallagher Witt. Thanks for the great essay.

1. I believe that the USA should take care of its weakest members. A country cannot call itself civilized when its children, disabled, sick, and elderly are neglected. PERIOD. If you feel social security, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, CHIP or whatever is broken – fix it! Don’t crap all over it and constantly try to kill it.
2. Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Somehow that’s interpreted as “I believe Obamacare is the end-all, be-all.” This is not the case. I’m fully aware that the ACA has problems, that a national healthcare system would require everyone to chip in, and that it’s impossible to create one that is devoid of flaws, but I have yet to hear an argument against it that makes “let people die because they can’t afford healthcare” a better alternative. I believe healthcare should be far cheaper than it is, and that everyone should have access to it. And no, I’m not opposed to paying higher taxes in the name of making that happen.
3. I believe education should be affordable. It doesn’t necessarily have to be free (though it works in other countries, I continue to be mystified as to why it can’t work in the US), but at the end of the day, there is no excuse for students graduating college saddled with five- or six-figure debt.
4. I don’t believe your money should be taken from you and given to people who don’t want to work. I have literally never encountered anyone who believes this. Ever. I just have a massive moral problem with a society where a handful of people can possess the majority of the wealth while there are people literally starving to death, freezing to death, or dying because they can’t afford to go to the doctor. Fair wages, lower housing costs, universal healthcare, affordable education, and the wealthy actually paying their share would go a long way toward alleviating this. Somehow believing that makes me a communist.
5. I don’t throw around “I’m willing to pay higher taxes” lightly. If I’m suggesting something that involves paying more, well, it’s because I’m fine with paying my share as long as it’s actually going to improve our country.

The government has economies of scale that allow it to fund roads, weapons, programs, research, etc. that might be impractical for individual corporations or institutes to take on. This is because the government can pool resources across various agencies and departments, enabling it to undertake projects with large upfront costs or those that may not have immediate, direct commercial applications.

I do insist that these roads, weapons, programs, research, etc. get funded and built and that there is transparency and accountability for all these. We have the ability to do this with the technology we have today.

6. I believe companies should be required to pay their employees a decent, livable wage. Somehow this is always interpreted as me wanting burger flippers to be able to afford a penthouse apartment and a Mercedes. What it actually means is that no one should have to work three full-time jobs just to keep their head above water. Restaurant servers should not have to rely on tips, multibillion-dollar companies should not have employees on food stamps, college professors shouldn’t be sleeping in their cars, workers shouldn’t have to work themselves into the ground just to barely make ends meet, and minimum wage should be enough for someone to work 40 hours and live.
7. I am a Christian. I have no desire to stop Christians from being Christians, to close churches, to ban the Bible, to forbid prayer in school, etc. (BTW, prayer in school is NOT illegal; compulsory prayer in school is – and should be – illegal). All I ask is that Christians recognize the right of other religions to live according to their beliefs. When I see laws trying to legislate Scripture into law, I’m offended that we’re ignoring the first ammendment and trying to force others to live by Christian rules. You know how you get really upset at the thought of Muslims imposing Sharia law on you? That’s how others feel about Christians trying to impose biblical law on them. Be a Christian. Do your thing. Just don’t force it on others.
8. I don’t believe LGBT people should have more rights than you. I just believe they should have the same rights as you.
9. I don’t believe illegal immigrants should come to America and have the world at their feet, especially since THIS ISN’T WHAT THEY DO (spoiler: undocumented immigrants are ineligible for all those programs they’re supposed to be abusing, and if they’re “stealing” someones job it’s because that employer is hiring illegally). I believe there are far more humane ways to handle undocumented immigration than our current practices (i.e., detaining children, splitting up families, ending DACA, etc).

There was legislation introduced in the last administration to make our immigration system better. While it may not have been perfect, it was a good start. Unfortunately it was killed in favor of rounding up suspected undocumented immigrants and sending them to a torture prison.

While there are a few advocates for open boarders (there will always be some – and they make some good arguments), I and the majority of the people I know advocate for strong border controls.

10. I don’t believe the government should regulate everything, but since greed is such a driving force in our country, we NEED regulations to prevent cut corners, environmental destruction, tainted food/water, unsafe materials or technology in consumable goods, medical equipment, Tesla cars, Boeing 737 MAX jets, etc. It’s not that I want the government’s hands in everything — I just don’t trust people trying to make money to ensure that their products/practices/etc. are actually SAFE. Is the government devoid of shadiness? Of course not. But with those regulations in place, consumers have recourse if they’re harmed and companies are liable for medical bills, environmental cleanup, etc. Just kind of seems like common sense when the alternative to government regulation is letting companies bring their bottom line into the equation.
11. I believe our current administration is heading towards fascism. Before you get all worked up about this, read the definition of facism. I do not say this lightly and it’s not because I dislike republicans, MAGAs, etc. or because I can’t get over an election, but because I’ve spent too many years reading, watching and learning about the Third Reich and other dictatorships to miss the similarities.
12. I believe the systemic racism and misogyny in our society is much worse than many people think, and desperately needs to be addressed. Which means those with privilege — white, straight, male, economic, etc. — need to start listening, even if you don’t like what you’re hearing, so we can start dismantling everything that’s causing people to be marginalized.
13. I am not interested in coming after your blessed guns, nor are most liberals or anyone serving in government. What I am interested in is the enforcement of present laws and enacting new, common sense gun regulations. Short and sweet.
14. I believe in so-called political correctness. I prefer to think it’s social politeness. If I call you Chuck and you say you prefer to be called Charles I’ll call you Charles. It’s the polite thing to do. Not because everyone is a delicate snowflake, but because as Maya Angelou put it, when we know better, we do better. When someone tells you that a term or phrase is more accurate/less hurtful than the one you’re using, you now know better. So why not do better? How does it hurt you to NOT hurt another person?
15. I believe in funding sustainable energy, including offering education to people currently working in coal or oil so they can change jobs. There are too many sustainable options available for us to continue with coal and oil. I do not advocate that it we stop using fossil fuels cold turkey but we should do everything in our power to wind down its usage.
16. I believe that women should not be treated as a separate class of human. They should be paid the same as men who do the same work, should have the same rights as men and should be free from abuse. Why on earth shouldn’t they be?

17 Believing in climate change is crucial because overwhelming scientific evidence shows that human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, are causing global temperatures to rise. This leads to severe consequences like extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and loss of biodiversity. Addressing climate change is essential to protect our planet, ensure sustainable development, and safeguard future generations. Ignoring it risks irreversible damage to our environment and the health of our communities. Even though you may not believe in it, your insurance company sure does.

Lastly, government is meant to be deliberative, effective, justified, and sustainable in its actions and decisions. To accomplish this, the government is governed by legislation and regulations. Legislation and regulations are not necessarily designed for efficiency, but are a result of compromise, interested party inputs, adequacy of funding for execution, and citizen requirements. All three branches need to do their job to ensure that our government is representative.

I think that about covers it. Bottom line is that I’m believe in liberal values because I think we should take care of each other. This doesn’t mean you should work 80 hours a week so your lazy neighbor can get all your money. It just means I don’t believe there is any scenario in which preventable suffering is an acceptable outcome as long as money is saved.

Lastly, treat you neighbor as you would want to be treated and some wisdom (some call it the 11th commandment) from Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, “There is only one commandment – don’t be an asshole.”

If this makes me deranged, I’ll still sleep well at night