High Truths and Low Lies

Equal Pay Myth

September 24, 2023

Salaries and hourly wages are determined by many factors. These include: industry, location, function, experience, education, scope and complexity of job, performance, potential, and the financial strength of the organization. Please note that gender and race are not on the list.

Many companies have pay/salary bands and wage classifications. These are used for hiring and progressions and work well. But the aforementioned factors play the dominate role. You never want to work for an organization where everyone is paid the same. Just ask teachers. Many teachers have complained to me that strict adherence to pay bands leads to demoralization. Art teachers and gym teachers make the same pay as English teachers and math teachers, but do not have the homework and often tests to grade.

Equal pay for equal work is a myth. With the exception of the lower skilled hourly jobs, there is no such thing as equal work. Two accountants hired on the same day might begin work with roughly the same pay, but over time their pay will differ based on performance, job complexity, potential. etc.

Some studies have shown that men are paid slightly higher than women. But those studies do not reveal the reasons for that pay difference. Here are those reasons:

Men often work in the more dangerous and physically demanding industries like logging, energy, mining, construction, heavy manufacturing, steel, road and bridge construction, trucking, HVAC tech, etc.

Vultures and Diclofenac

September 21, 2023

Vultures are a protected species. They clean up dead animal carcasses. A group of vultures, which is called a “wake” can completely devour a dead cow in 40 minutes. In most countries vultures are considered a “keystone species,” one with significant impact on the ecosystem. Vultures have a highly acidic digestive tract which kills most germs left on dead meat.

However, in India as far back as the 1990’s cattle farmers were using the drug diclofenac (OTC called Voltaren) to treat cows. Diclofenac is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug poisonous to vultures (and other birds) and as a result the vulture population declined by 90%. Rotting carcasses were left to rats and feral dogs which spread diseases to humans. And the dead remains also leached into the water supply. The loss of human life in India approximated 500,000.

Vultures are very large birds with wing spans of 6-8 feet. They have very strong beaks to tear meat from bones. For most people, vultures appear to be nasty, smelly birds, but for our environment, they serve a very important purpose. They must be protected.

More Madness in Chicago-21,000 Stolen cars

September 18, 2023

The city of Chicago is suing the car makers Kia and Hyundai. In the lawsuit, Chicago alleges that cars made by Kia and Hyundai are “easy to steal.”

In 2022, the city of Chicago reported 21,000 stolen cars. Approximately 40% were cars manufactured by Kia and Hyundai. A TikTok video shows exactly how to break into the vehicles, partially destroy the steering column, and then jam a screwdriver into the ignition switch to turn on the car. So, the fools in Chicago blame the car manufacturer.

It gets worse. The leaders of Chicago claim these stolen cars are often used during the commission of crimes like drive by shootings and armed robberies. One expert says “you can’t do drive-bys without a car. ” Thus, the stolen cars are the “cause” of the recent rise in crime. These fools also argue that stealing a car can lead juveniles into a path of “criminology.”

Chicago had 797 murders in 2021. In 2022, Chicago had 2,600 shootings, an average of 7 each day and resulted in 695 murders. Chicago has a very serious crime problem.

Leaders are blaming Kia and Hyundai. More madness in Chicago!

Diversity in the Military

September 4, 2023

Biden wants promotions in the US military to be based on gender and race. So sorry for the experienced White servicemen. Whites make up 58% of the US. military, men equal 85% of the military.

Gender and race are not qualifications. Experience, knowledge, education and training are solid qualifications. In the military, physical fitness and strength are also required, especially in combat roles.

Diversity will always conflict with merit. I support equal opportunity for every qualified person to serve, but I will never support promotions based on gender and race.

Activists claim a diverse team makes better decisions. Better than what? There is no empirical evidence that shows this. Does an all-women team need a man? Does an NBA team need more Whites? Do all Black businesses perform better? Of course, this is nonsense.

If you are the leader of a start-up, international business, and you have invested a large part of your wealth, you should select people based on experience, knowledge and intelligence. I think you can find such people among Blacks, women, Hispanics, etc. No doubt. But race and gender should not be the goal. There is no evidence that women think different or better than men.

Do you want to have heart surgery performed by a Black surgeon? Or a woman? Perhaps, but only if that doctor is the most qualified and experienced. I would never select a doctor based on race. I saw a posting on social media from a small group of Black med students that claim White doctors discriminate against Blacks patients. It is true that Blacks have lesser health outcomes, but that stems from unhealthy lifestyles and perhaps lack of access to medical services. But not from racist doctors! Shame on these privileged Black med students.

Our US. military is a “force for good” and serves the world. It must remain a meritocracy.

My Weekly Highlights!

September 1, 2023

Visited a “weed dispensary” this week in Maryland. Quite an experience. Parking lot was jammed. Security everywhere. Had to wait under large tent just to get into the small building. Once inside, Line 1 was for advice/ordering. Huge selection. Line 2 was for paying and receiving little white bag. Total time was 1 hour 40 minutes! I observed 2 kinds of customers-about 1/3 senior citizens, 2/3 low income, poorly dressed “characters.”

Biden’s electric bus company, Proterra, filed for bankruptcy, after receiving millions from Biden. US Energy Secretary Granholm was a Proterra Board member prior to serving in Biden’s cabinet. She sold her stock 2 years ago, netting millions. Overall, buses did not work. The filing left 135 transport agencies with contracts not met.

Credit card debt in US has reached historical record of $1.1 trillion. Biden claims his economic policies are working.

Guidance to parents-closely monitor your children’s schooling. Radical concepts being pushed everywhere. Also, “Set the table. Eat at the table” as a family, not on the couch in front of the TV.

Some recent facts about California- population 41 million, 14 million on Medi-Cal costing state $35 billion, an increase of $8 billion from last year. Sanctuary state with 45% Hispanic. Highest gas prices in US. Contruction costs 8X the national average. School test scores ranked 45th of 50 states. One half of US homeless live in California. One third of US welfare recipients live in California. Very high crime rates in most cities. Democrats control State Legislation, Senate, and Governorship.

Biden is sending Cluster Bombs to Ukraine!

August 22, 2023

Our NATO allies are speaking out against the US. sending cluster bombs to the Ukraine. 120 countries have banned the use of cluster bombs. These bombs are dangerous to civilian populations. The “bomblets” hit the ground in wide areas and often explode well after impact, thus becoming land mines.

The detonation rate is about 70-80%, thus leaving as many as 40-50 bomblets hitting the ground and often exploding if stepped on or moved.

I can’t think of any reason why the US. would provide these bombs to Ukraine. Many countries consider cluster bombs as “morally inhumane.”

Biden’s decision is horribly wrong!

Additional news item-Chicago had 40 people shot last weekend, 7 died.

The News this Week

August 19, 2023

The fires in Maui killed 110+ people and 1000 are still missing. The photos showed total destruction. The cause was a wildfire started by faulty electrical power lines. Water to fight the fire was slow to be released due to “equity” conversation. Power company invested $$$$’s in green energy and not in maintaining electric grid. When asked about the fires, Biden said “no comment.” He is a national disgrace.

Transgender men a competing in women’s sports and setting new records. Everyone knows this is unfair. I worry that a young woman is going to be killed while competing against a transgender man. We might see men competing in the WNBA, or the LPGA. The power that the LBGTQ group has is incredible. Where are the Women’s groups????

The home mortgage rate hit 7.60% for a 30-year fixed mortgage. This is a 22 year high. The Fed has raised interest rates aggressively for about 12-15 months to slow inflation. This is called “Bidenomics.” Biden’s policies flooded the US economy with cash and demand for goods and services rose sharply. Student debt moratorium, rent pause, stimulus checks, the “Inflation Reduction Act” gave people $$$$’s. Many people quit working. Then, labor shortages forced businesses to raise wages. Prices shot up. The average American family is now spending $7,800 a year more to live. And-gas prices are above $4/gal. Biden caused all of this.

PA lawmaker has proposed “forcing” businesses to reduce workweek to 32 hours without loss of pay. The lawmaker is a fool.

White Privilege-My Ass!

August 16, 2023

I get very angry when I read an article written by a hate filled 25-year-old Black woman about “White Privilege.” These racial activists claim White Americans have an “unearned advantage.” How can they make such a nasty generalization about 235 million people?

There are more low income, poorly educated White Americans than Black Americans! Conversely, data shows that Whites reach higher achievement levels (education, income and net worth) than Blacks. As a White American man, the racial hate mongers believe that I did not earn my life’s successes. That belief is an insult.

I grew up in a low-income family, one of 6 children living in rural Virginia. My Dad worked in a chemical factory; my mother stayed home. She did not finish HS. Good grades in school were stressed in my family. My HS was integrated, and I had many Black friends, but none in the higher-level classes. Most Black students dressed better than me and had nice cars. My parents insisted that I take 5 years of math, science and 4 years of foreign languages. Somehow, my father saved $1,100 for my college expenses.

Beginning at age 15 I worked all the time. Bailing hay, cutting grass, shoveling snow, baby sitting, and tutoring, During summers I worked at the chemical plant, and during Xmas break, I worked at Sears. In college I earned a BS Degree and MBA (scholarship). During my graduate years, I worked 3 jobs. I finished college with student debt.

Upon graduation I mailed 93 letters to companies seeking a job. I heard back from 4. After 5 months of job hunting, I got a good job with a wonderful company and progressed through the management ranks reaching the Director/VP levels. Twice in the 80’s I was removed from management to allow an “affirmative action” person to get my job. Both times, the backfill person was unqualified and ultimately failed in the job.

I worked hard for 37 years and had to move my family from WV, to SC, to Del, and twice in NC. I worked for 5 different companies and got “downsized” twice.

So, don’t tell me about “unearned advantage” or White privilege!

Trudeau and Canada- NATO Weakling!

August 10, 2023

Justin Trudeau has been the Prime Minister of Canada since 2015. He is a liberal. His father was PM from 1968 -79.

NATO is an international military alliance made up of 31 countries, 29 countries in Europe and 2 from North America, US. and Canada. An attack against 1 country is an attack against all members. NATO requires member countries to spend at least 2% of GDP on its military.

Canada ranks toward the bottom of NATO spending as a % of GDP. Canada has a GPD of $2.1 trillion, 9th largest economy in the world. Canada is spending just 1.2% of GDP on its military. That is the same % amount spent by Slovenia! The requirement is 2% or higher. Canada’s spending must increase by $57 billion to reach the 2% target over the next 3 years. Trump confronted Trudeau in 2019 in an effort to get increased military spending from Canada.

Canada’s navy is 30-40 years old; its 4 submarines are 50 years old. The air force is not much better. Twice Trudeau has delayed the purchase of new fighter jets. Canada is also lagging in its spending on NORAD, the North American air defense system. Critics claim Canada feels the US. will defend Canada. US. taxpayers $$$$’s to protect Canada.

Trudeau is being very stupid. Russia and China have shown increased interest in the North Arctic Sea lanes (High North) right in Canada’s backyard. Canada must be prepared to protect itself. And to properly support NATO.

Trudeau would rather spend money on liberal social programs.

PS-Canada has an outstanding Special Forces unit.

Carjackings

August 2, 2023

Carjacking is a federal crime. Most states also have jurisdiction. Carjacking involves stealing a vehicle while the owner is in the vehicle, often with a weapon and/or threat of violence. Carjacking is a dangerous felony punishable with prison time, often many years especially if a weapon is used. Women are often the victims.

Carjackings are on the rise in the US, many committed by teenagers. Here are some examples and facts:

-Chicago leads the US with 2000+ carjackings last year. About 10% of the vehicles were recovered. Experts say teenagers and auto theft criminals commit most of the crimes. Notice the jump when Biden took office in 2020-2021.

-Philadelphia and NYC have experienced a quadrupling of carjackings over the last 4 years. One mother crashed her van while trying to escape.

-A 73-year-old woman was killed in New Orleans during a carjacking. She was dragged to death and had her arm severed during the crime.

-Detroit, Newark, NJ, Baltimore, San Francisco, Bakersfield, Ca., Modesto, Ca., and Milwaukee all have record levels of carjackings.

-In Pico Rivera, Ca. a 13-year-old-girl died during a carjacking. The thief entered the vehicle while 4 children were still inside. Two children jumped out, however, an 8-year-old boy and his 13-year-old sister remained in the car as the thief drove away. At a speed of 60mph the children were forced out. The girl died at the scene. The driver was named Jose Aquilar.

Experts say the “soft on crime” policies of these big cities is the reason for the increase. Prosecutors and judges use politics rather than the law and facts to punish violent offenders. It is not working!