Comments for All Life Is Problem Solving http://kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving Joe Firestone's Blog on Knowledge and Knowledge Management Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:59:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 Comment on Past Time To Get Serious by Dotsconnectors http://kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving/archives/past-time-to-get-serious/#comment-369 Dotsconnectors Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:10:37 +0000 http://kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving/archives/past-time-to-get-serious/#comment-369 My comments regarding the scope of National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform emailed to the Commission follow: Introduction In June 1980 the broadcast of the NBC White Paper If Japan Can…Why Can’t We?; sent major U.S. corporations looking for W. Edwards Deming in his Washington, DC, basement office. The reason: many U.S. industries, measured by key matrix, peaked in the mid-late 1960’s and were increasingly challenged competitively by the Japanese. The NBC documentary asserted that America’s declining competitiveness and rate of productivity would make the United States’ “guns and butter” policies of the past unsustainable and our children will be the first generation of American to have a lower standard of living than their parents. For more information about If Japan can…Why Can’t We? - click the link that follows: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_Japan_Can..._Why_Can't_We%3F Deming’s spent the last 13 years of his life trying to prevent the United State from committing suicide. His blueprint for transformation was instrumental to the Japanese economic miracle after World War II and this same blueprint helped transform many American companies, including Ford, after 1980. Ford’s ability to thrive, without bailout assistance, is testimony to his sustainable framework. Deming networks exist in most countries; in fact, from 2001 through 2008 companies from India were awarded more Deming Prizes for quality (15) than all other countries combined. In addition to U.S. industries’ competitiveness peaking in the mid-late 1960s, the following were at levels that have not been seen since: The percentage of the federal budget funded by corporate taxes The level of employee post-retirement benefits funded by employers As wide a dispersion of annual income across the population Paradoxically, in spite of America’s declining competitiveness and rate of productivity, the 40 years through 2006 has resulted in: The percentage of the annual income accruing to the top 20% of the population (the special interest) reaching an all-time high The percentage of the federal budget funded by corporate taxes reaching an all time low The level of employee post-retirement benefits funded by employers reaching an all time low The aforementioned, have resulted in the bottom 80% (the common interest) bearing the brunt of America’s declining competitiveness and rate of productivity. The predominate reason corporate taxes were lowered and businesses justified freezing/terminating the funding of employee post-retirement benefits was to make America companies more competitive. Yet in spite of the lack of increased competitiveness, the percentage of the annual income accruing to the top 20% of the population reached an all-time high. Scope of National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform The scope of The Commissions work, perhaps more than anything else, will determine how history judges The Commission. Too many interest groups will want instant pudding and try to influence The Commission to focus more on the effects of the last 40 years, rather than the root causes. Over the 40 year period from 1969 through 2008, one major political party controlled the legislative branch of the Federal Government, 70% of the time; while the other major political party controlled the executive branch of the Federal Government, 70% of the time. As a result there is ample blame to go around. Unfortunately, there is a fine line between holding leaders accountable and being views as partaking in the blame game, but this should not deter The Commission from holding interest groups accountable. Self-interest partisans have over-promised and have set the stage for to gross under-deliver to the American people. The Commission’s work should above all be balanced and sustainable. Some interest groups have pointed to the follow deficits as being responsible for our current fiscal crisis: The Trade Deficit(s) The Saving Deficit The Leadership Deficit(s) The Budget Deficit(s) Based on the heretofore introduction, perhaps The Productivity Deficit(s) should be added. Trade deficit challenges may not be considered as compatible to the mandate of The Commission as other deficits, however, if The Commission determines that roots causes of trade deficits are also among the root causes of America’s current fiscal crisis, trade deficit root causes warrants disclosure. With globalization, addressing American’s saving deficit has special challenges, since policies designed to increase savings may not benefit our domestic economy/society; increased savings may benefit other countries more than the U.S. because these savings may result in increased investments by Americans abroad. The reduced dividend and capital gains tax rates, which are scheduled to sunset, did not result in increased savings, in facts savings rates reached all time lows. Perhaps savings targeted toward enhancing our domestic economy should be encouraged; this could take the form of individual investment, sovereign wealth fund investment or both. The leadership deficit(s) are not limited to public officeholders. All individuals in positions of authority have the primary responsibility for the system within which those that they lead and/or have authority over, operate. Budget deficit(s) have numerous moving parts. Often not discussed are tax discounts, tax credits and tax deferrals, which have been estimated to account for 25% of the U.S. Government’s total spending. The U.S. Federal Income Tax Code should be justified from a domestic economic and societal benefit standpoint. For example, the current U.S. Federal Income Tax Code provides substantial tax rate discounts on long-term gains from the sale of capital assets held for longer than 1 year; however not all capital assets provide meaningful economic and societal benefits. Some provide substantial benefits in terms of fostering entrepreneurship, creating jobs and economic growth, while others actually detract from domestic economic growth, e.g., commodity speculation (causing bubbles), investing in foreign stocks and exchange traded fund (ETFs) which are in substance speculative vehicles are among those that generally detract. Corporate obsession with quarterly earnings is to some degree influenced by the ability to achieve long-term capital gains treatment for holdings, as short as one year and one day. From 1934 to 1941, taxpayers could exclude: 20, 40, 60, and 70 percent of gains on assets held 1, 2, 5, and 10 years, respectively. This graded exclusion from taxation encourages genuine long-term investing and discourages hot-money investing which often results in bubbles. Respectfully, submitted by: My comments regarding the scope of National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform emailed to the Commission follow:
Introduction
In June 1980 the broadcast of the NBC White Paper If Japan Can…Why Can’t We?; sent major U.S. corporations looking for W. Edwards Deming in his Washington, DC, basement office. The reason: many U.S. industries, measured by key matrix, peaked in the mid-late 1960’s and were increasingly challenged competitively by the Japanese. The NBC documentary asserted that America’s declining competitiveness and rate of productivity would make the United States’ “guns and butter” policies of the past unsustainable and our children will be the first generation of American to have a lower standard of living than their parents. For more information about If Japan can…Why Can’t We? - click the link that follows:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_Japan_Can…_Why_Can‘t_We%3F
Deming’s spent the last 13 years of his life trying to prevent the United State from committing suicide. His blueprint for transformation was instrumental to the Japanese economic miracle after World War II and this same blueprint helped transform many American companies, including Ford, after 1980. Ford’s ability to thrive, without bailout assistance, is testimony to his sustainable framework. Deming networks exist in most countries; in fact, from 2001 through 2008 companies from India were awarded more Deming Prizes for quality (15) than all other countries combined.
In addition to U.S. industries’ competitiveness peaking in the mid-late 1960s, the following were at levels that have not been seen since:
The percentage of the federal budget funded by corporate taxes
The level of employee post-retirement benefits funded by employers
As wide a dispersion of annual income across the population
Paradoxically, in spite of America’s declining competitiveness and rate of productivity, the 40 years through 2006 has resulted in:
The percentage of the annual income accruing to the top 20% of the population (the special interest) reaching an all-time high
The percentage of the federal budget funded by corporate taxes reaching an all time low
The level of employee post-retirement benefits funded by employers reaching an all time low
The aforementioned, have resulted in the bottom 80% (the common interest) bearing the brunt of America’s declining competitiveness and rate of productivity.
The predominate reason corporate taxes were lowered and businesses justified freezing/terminating the funding of employee post-retirement benefits was to make America companies more competitive. Yet in spite of the lack of increased competitiveness, the percentage of the annual income accruing to the top 20% of the population reached an all-time high.
Scope of National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform
The scope of The Commissions work, perhaps more than anything else, will determine how history judges The Commission. Too many interest groups will want instant pudding and try to influence The Commission to focus more on the effects of the last 40 years, rather than the root causes. Over the 40 year period from 1969 through 2008, one major political party controlled the legislative branch of the Federal Government, 70% of the time; while the other major political party controlled the executive branch of the Federal Government, 70% of the time. As a result there is ample blame to go around. Unfortunately, there is a fine line between holding leaders accountable and being views as partaking in the blame game, but this should not deter The Commission from holding interest groups accountable. Self-interest partisans have over-promised and have set the stage for to gross under-deliver to the American people. The Commission’s work should above all be balanced and sustainable. Some interest groups have pointed to the follow deficits as being responsible for our current fiscal crisis:
The Trade Deficit(s)
The Saving Deficit
The Leadership Deficit(s)
The Budget Deficit(s)
Based on the heretofore introduction, perhaps The Productivity Deficit(s) should be added.
Trade deficit challenges may not be considered as compatible to the mandate of The Commission as other deficits, however, if The Commission determines that roots causes of trade deficits are also among the root causes of America’s current fiscal crisis, trade deficit root causes warrants disclosure.
With globalization, addressing American’s saving deficit has special challenges, since policies designed to increase savings may not benefit our domestic economy/society; increased savings may benefit other countries more than the U.S. because these savings may result in increased investments by Americans abroad. The reduced dividend and capital gains tax rates, which are scheduled to sunset, did not result in increased savings, in facts savings rates reached all time lows. Perhaps savings targeted toward enhancing our domestic economy should be encouraged; this could take the form of individual investment, sovereign wealth fund investment or both.
The leadership deficit(s) are not limited to public officeholders. All individuals in positions of authority have the primary responsibility for the system within which those that they lead and/or have authority over, operate.
Budget deficit(s) have numerous moving parts. Often not discussed are tax discounts, tax credits and tax deferrals, which have been estimated to account for 25% of the U.S. Government’s total spending. The U.S. Federal Income Tax Code should be justified from a domestic economic and societal benefit standpoint.
For example, the current U.S. Federal Income Tax Code provides substantial tax rate discounts on long-term gains from the sale of capital assets held for longer than 1 year; however not all capital assets provide meaningful economic and societal benefits. Some provide substantial benefits in terms of fostering entrepreneurship, creating jobs and economic growth, while others actually detract from domestic economic growth, e.g., commodity speculation (causing bubbles), investing in foreign stocks and exchange traded fund (ETFs) which are in substance speculative vehicles are among those that generally detract.
Corporate obsession with quarterly earnings is to some degree influenced by the ability to achieve long-term capital gains treatment for holdings, as short as one year and one day. From 1934 to 1941, taxpayers could exclude: 20, 40, 60, and 70 percent of gains on assets held 1, 2, 5, and 10 years, respectively. This graded exclusion from taxation encourages genuine long-term investing and discourages hot-money investing which often results in bubbles.

Respectfully, submitted by:

]]> Comment on OODA, the DEC, the KLC, and Recognition-Primed Decision Making by The recognition-primed decision model - Topic Research, Trends and Surveys http://kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving/archives/ooda-the-dec-the-klc-and-recognition-primed-decision-making/#comment-360 The recognition-primed decision model - Topic Research, Trends and Surveys Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:59:19 +0000 http://kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving/archives/ooda-the-dec-the-klc-and-recognition-primed-decision-making/#comment-360 [...] making process, the question you want answered, ... market research, surveys and trends OODA, the DEC, the KLC, and Recognition-Primed Decision Making Here I want to discuss the relationship of Recognition Primed Decision Making (RPD), a primary [...] […] making process, the question you want answered, … market research, surveys and trends OODA, the DEC, the KLC, and Recognition-Primed Decision Making Here I want to discuss the relationship of Recognition Primed Decision Making (RPD), a primary […]

]]> Comment on KM 2.0 and Knowledge Management: Part Twelve, KM 1.0 and John Tropea by Knowledge Management as an ecosystem - Topic Research, Trends and Surveys http://kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving/archives/km-20-and-knowledge-management-part-twelve/#comment-359 Knowledge Management as an ecosystem - Topic Research, Trends and Surveys Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:27:51 +0000 http://kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving/archives/km-20-and-knowledge-management-part-twelve/#comment-359 [...] participate (publish my ... Read More RECOMMENDED BOOKS REVIEWS AND OPINIONS km 2.0 and knowledge management: part twelve On March 17 and 18th John Tropea, one of the most active bloggers on KM 2.0 and social computing [...] […] participate (publish my … Read More RECOMMENDED BOOKS REVIEWS AND OPINIONS km 2.0 and knowledge management: part twelve On March 17 and 18th John Tropea, one of the most active bloggers on KM 2.0 and social computing […]

]]> Comment on KM 2.0 and Knowledge Management: Part Ten, E 2.0, McAfee, and Davenport by The New, New Knowledge Management? - Topic Research, Trends and Surveys http://kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving/archives/km-20-and-knowledge-management-part-ten/#comment-358 The New, New Knowledge Management? - Topic Research, Trends and Surveys Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:08:09 +0000 http://kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving/archives/km-20-and-knowledge-management-part-ten/#comment-358 [...] talked with that group about how blogs, wikis, and ... market research, surveys and trends KM 2.0 and Knowledge Management: Part Ten, E 2.0, McAfee, and ... a number of years back. So, perhaps, it’s to be expected that I might be critical of an [...] […] talked with that group about how blogs, wikis, and … market research, surveys and trends KM 2.0 and Knowledge Management: Part Ten, E 2.0, McAfee, and … a number of years back. So, perhaps, it’s to be expected that I might be critical of an […]

]]> Comment on Problems of Shifting from KM to “Knowledge Sharing” by Mining for Knowledge — Eric D. Brown http://kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving/archives/problems-of-shifting-from-km-to-knowledge-sharing/#comment-357 Mining for Knowledge — Eric D. Brown Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:46:40 +0000 http://kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving/archives/problems-of-shifting-from-km-to-knowledge-sharing/#comment-357 [...] Problems of Shifting from KM to “Knowledge Sharing” (kmci.org) [...] […] Problems of Shifting from KM to “Knowledge Sharing” (kmci.org) […]

]]> Comment on The Procrustean Democracy of AmericaSpeaks: Part Six by The Procrustean Democracy of Americaspeaks: Part Six http://kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving/archives/the-procrustean-democracy-of-americaspeaks-part-six/#comment-356 The Procrustean Democracy of Americaspeaks: Part Six Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:15:06 +0000 http://kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving/archives/the-procrustean-democracy-of-americaspeaks-part-six/#comment-356 [...] , or because they accomplished other things, rather than because of any money they saved. …Page 2 var a2a_config = a2a_config || {}; a2a_localize = { Share: "Share", Save: "Save", Subscribe: [...] […] , or because they accomplished other things, rather than because of any money they saved. …Page 2 var a2a_config = a2a_config || {}; a2a_localize = { Share: “Share”, Save: “Save”, Subscribe: […]

]]> Comment on Problems of Shifting from KM to “Knowledge Sharing” by Twitter Trackbacks for Problems of Shifting from KM to “Knowledge Sharing” [kmci.org] on Topsy.com http://kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving/archives/problems-of-shifting-from-km-to-knowledge-sharing/#comment-354 Twitter Trackbacks for Problems of Shifting from KM to “Knowledge Sharing” [kmci.org] on Topsy.com Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:04:15 +0000 http://kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving/archives/problems-of-shifting-from-km-to-knowledge-sharing/#comment-354 [...] Problems of Shifting from KM to “Knowledge Sharing” kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving/archives/problems-of-shifting-from-km-to-knowledge-sharing/ – view page – cached ? Knowledge Sharing Is Not As Transparent As It Seems Untrue Knowledge ? Tweets about this link Topsy.Data.Twitter.User['kerrieanne'] = {"photo":"http://a3.twimg.com/profile_images/958832545/84a3a052-3ee9-40a1-a307-29a888df4853_normal.png","url":"http://twitter.com/kerrieanne","nick":"kerrieanne"}; kerrieanneInfluential: “I was brought up on "know share" yet found it missed key KM RT @johnt: Probs of Shifting fr KM to “Knowledge Sharing” http://icio.us/ojmbqz ” 3 hours ago retweet Topsy.Data.Twitter.User['johnt'] = {"photo":"http://a1.twimg.com/profile_images/438474738/CMC_normal.jpg","url":"http://twitter.com/johnt","nick":"johnt"}; johntHighly Influential: “Problems of Shifting from KM to “Knowledge Sharing” http://icio.us/ojmbqz ” 15 hours ago retweet Filter tweets [...] […] Problems of Shifting from KM to “Knowledge Sharing” kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving/archives/problems-of-shifting-from-km-to-knowledge-sharing/ – view page – cached ? Knowledge Sharing Is Not As Transparent As It Seems Untrue Knowledge ? Tweets about this link Topsy.Data.Twitter.User[’kerrieanne’] = {”photo”:”http://a3.twimg.com/profile_images/958832545/84a3a052-3ee9-40a1-a307-29a888df4853_normal.png”,”url”:”http://twitter.com/kerrieanne”,”nick”:”kerrieanne”}; kerrieanneInfluential: “I was brought up on "know share" yet found it missed key KM RT @johnt: Probs of Shifting fr KM to “Knowledge Sharing” http://icio.us/ojmbqz ” 3 hours ago retweet Topsy.Data.Twitter.User[’johnt’] = {”photo”:”http://a1.twimg.com/profile_images/438474738/CMC_normal.jpg”,”url”:”http://twitter.com/johnt”,”nick”:”johnt”}; johntHighly Influential: “Problems of Shifting from KM to “Knowledge Sharing” http://icio.us/ojmbqz ” 15 hours ago retweet Filter tweets […]

]]> Comment on Money and Coercion by Joe http://kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving/archives/money-and-coercion/#comment-353 Joe Thu, 03 Jun 2010 02:09:58 +0000 http://kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving/archives/money-and-coercion/#comment-353 Hi Wil, I very much agree with the way you've put things. I don't know the details of the AMI proposal, but I agree 1) that State Banks can relieve some of the pressure on Main Street and should be widely instituted, and 2) that they alone won't solve our problems and that the US central Bank should be re-located within Treasury. I've always favored that because the great influence of the Bank on the economy needs to be subject to Democratic influences so that the President can be made responsible for the management of the economy Hi Wil, I very much agree with the way you’ve put things. I don’t know the details of the AMI proposal, but I agree 1) that State Banks can relieve some of the pressure on Main Street and should be widely instituted, and 2) that they alone won’t solve our problems and that the US central Bank should be re-located within Treasury. I’ve always favored that because the great influence of the Bank on the economy needs to be subject to Democratic influences so that the President can be made responsible for the management of the economy

]]> Comment on Money and Coercion by wilwon3 http://kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving/archives/money-and-coercion/#comment-352 wilwon3 Wed, 02 Jun 2010 22:08:37 +0000 http://kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving/archives/money-and-coercion/#comment-352 Thanks for dealing with these sorts of questions; I listened to the audio recordings of the Fiscal Sustainability Teach-in and recognized the quotes. Ellen Brown (resident of CA) has been doing a lot of writing recently pointing out the potential applicability of employment of state banks to relieve the pressures which have recently been imposed on 'Main St' because of private banking preferences. She has recently looked into the matter of the CAFR funds and has encouraged that states consider employment of such funds to provide capital for the initiation of state banks. Skipping to the currency issuance matters, my understanding of the proposals by the American Monetary Inst (AMI) is that state banks such as that in N D are not a satisfactory long-term solution as they will only exist within the current corrupt Federal Reserve-controlled system because of popular local preferences. My understanding is that the AMI contends the Federal Government currency issuance policy should be modified to include a Central Banking Control center within the Dept of Treasury so as to eliminate the private bankers from control of government currency. [As a non-professional economist/financial specialist, I may be slightly mis-stating the case; however, I am seeking a more enlightened understanding of the arguments.] While MMT deals principally with macro-economic design issues geared towards facilitating full employment, it seems that any bank-aid approaches such as those proposed by Ellen Brown will have only limited effects on the overall economy as long as the Federal Reserve exists in its present form and as long as those 'neo-liberal' economic strategies currently in vogue prevail. While it seems to me that the ideas being proposed by Ellen Brown for relief of certain current crises are reasonable, I really question whether such an approach is likely to have a significant effect on the current economic situation? Would one not expect the clever opportunists in the private banking system to facilitate corruption regardless of whatever micro-economic strategies/obstacles they may encounter? Any clarification/speculation would be appreciated. Thanks for dealing with these sorts of questions; I listened to the audio recordings of the Fiscal Sustainability Teach-in and recognized the quotes.

Ellen Brown (resident of CA) has been doing a lot of writing recently pointing out the potential applicability of employment of state banks to relieve the pressures which have recently been imposed on ‘Main St’ because of private banking preferences. She has recently looked into the matter of the CAFR funds and has encouraged that states consider employment of such funds to provide capital for the initiation of state banks.

Skipping to the currency issuance matters, my understanding of the proposals by the American Monetary Inst (AMI) is that state banks such as that in N D are not a satisfactory long-term solution as they will only exist within the current corrupt Federal Reserve-controlled system because of popular local preferences. My understanding is that the AMI contends the Federal Government currency issuance policy should be modified to include a Central Banking Control center within the Dept of Treasury so as to eliminate the private bankers from control of government currency. [As a non-professional economist/financial specialist, I may be slightly mis-stating the case; however, I am seeking a more enlightened understanding of the arguments.]

While MMT deals principally with macro-economic design issues geared towards facilitating full employment, it seems that any bank-aid approaches such as those proposed by Ellen Brown will have only limited effects on the overall economy as long as the Federal Reserve exists in its present form and as long as those ‘neo-liberal’ economic strategies currently in vogue prevail. While it seems to me that the ideas being proposed by Ellen Brown for relief of certain current crises are reasonable, I really question whether such an approach is likely to have a significant effect on the current economic situation? Would one not expect the clever opportunists in the private banking system to facilitate corruption regardless of whatever micro-economic strategies/obstacles they may encounter? Any clarification/speculation would be appreciated.

]]> Comment on Fiscal Sustainability Teach-In Counter-conference: A Funding Proposal by Activist Wednesday: What Is The Economy? « The Widdershins http://kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving/archives/fiscal-sustainability-teach-in-counter-conference-a-funding-proposal/#comment-346 Activist Wednesday: What Is The Economy? « The Widdershins Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:02:14 +0000 http://kmci.org/alllifeisproblemsolving/archives/fiscal-sustainability-teach-in-counter-conference-a-funding-proposal/#comment-346 [...] it’s the subject of a counter-conference being sponsored by bloggers from Correntewire, All Life is Problem Solving and Down With Tyranny. It’s got a location, an agenda, and some bigwig presenters. This [...] […] it’s the subject of a counter-conference being sponsored by bloggers from Correntewire, All Life is Problem Solving and Down With Tyranny. It’s got a location, an agenda, and some bigwig presenters. This […]

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