High Truths and Low Lies

Updated 9/23/22

There are too many false articles on the Internet regarding income and racial disparity. Here is the truth!

Education is the key to income. For 200 years in the US and almost all developed countries, people with the best education earn the highest incomes.

Harvard economist, Richard Freeman, compared Black and white families whose homes included newspapers, magazines and library cards and who had the same number of years of schooling. He concluded there was no difference in average income between the two.

In Charlotte, the average income for Black families is lower than white families. That is a fact. However, Black families are 78% single mother families, thus one income. Majority of white families have dual incomes. Both parents work! That alone explains the income gap! It is not racial injustice or oppression.

And-white adults have significantly better education levels than Blacks. Black kids dropout out of high school at higher rates than white kids. But that gap has narrowed. That is great news. Education is the key. Over the last 30 years, Black adults have enrolled in college at lower rates than whites, but recently that gap has narrowed, again good news. There is no racial injustice or oppression. Also:

Research shows that Black women with the same job title as white women earn more income.

College educated women, not married, and without children, and who work full-time earn 10-15% more income than men.

Top celebrities earn 2X the pay of the top CEO”S. Check out Snoop Dog’s income!!!

Often, your income depends on what other people are willing to pay you! I am willing to pay a landscaper $150 to aerate my lawn once a year.

The government is not as efficient in handling other people’s money as is the private sector. In the private sector, mismanagement of financial resources ends in bankruptcy. The US Post Office lost $11 billion in one year! People with merit should get the loans, not people selected by skin color.

I believe there exists huge differences in skills and achievement among people. Skills and achievement create wealth, and this accounts for the disparities in income levels. Regrettably, our current government wrongly believes racial or ethnic oppression is the cause. The data says otherwise.

One last comment: under no circumstances should Black high schools be “war zones” or under-achieving. Black children deserve a fair chance. If I were the Governor of NC, I would “attack” that problem.

Gun ownership is protected by the US Constitution. There are about 200 million guns in the US. The number of guns owned by private citizens started to drastically rise during the Obama years. Same with ammunition. Criminal justice reform scares the hell out of people. Hardened criminals are being released back into our communities.

Violent crime rates are at historic levels in most major cities. Detroit, Houston, St. Louis, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Milwaukee, LA, New York, etc. all have record high murder rates. Why? Violent criminals are not being imprisoned. Too many of the murders, car jackings, rapes, etc. are being committed by repeat offenders. Everyone knows that!!!!!

People are scared. They are looking to protect themselves. So, the US is seeing record levels of gun purchases and concealed carry permits. Makes sense to me. Violent crime rates in the US are highest in cities with the strictest gun laws. Chicago has the highest number of murders, yet the tightest gun control laws. UGH!

I believe criminals will always be able to find a gun.

Gun violence is often stopped by people arriving on the scene with guns, law enforcement and/or private citizens. logically, violent crime drops immediately when communities pass laws allowing citizens to carry concealed guns. Just one time I would like to see the national press to cover crimes that were prevented by a private citizen carrying a gun.

Lastly, for many of the recent years, I have noticed that the same national/local leaders that promote “criminal justice reform” and “defunding the police” are also the same people demanding tighter gun controls for private citizens. The result has been historically high crime rates. People are scared!

Postscript-New York City just published guidelines for walking in the city. Some of their “suggestions” are to avoid wear expensive clothing or jewelry in public.

Postscript-2-If our leaders want to control guns in the US, start with closing the southern border.

Many people with little or no talent are quite successful. This is true in the sports world, industry, entertainment and especially our political scene. Now I am not saying talent is not hugely important, I’m saying not all people possess talent. Yet, many of these folks go on to have highly successful careers. And I know why!

The successful, low talent people tend do the following things:

1. They show up on time
2. They have a strong work ethic
3. They work hard
4. They often possess high energy
5. They display a positive attitude
6. They demonstrate passion toward the work
7. They are coachable (very important)
8. They always do a little more than required
9. They are prepared

Make room on your team for some of these people!!

Some teachings from Dr. Thomas Sowell

“The most basic question is not what is best, but who shall decide what is best.”

What a better way to sum up this week’s political drama than to offer some astounding quotes from Professor Thomas Howell. All of the below comments are direct quotes.

1. “Affordable” is another popular word that serves as a substitute for thought. To say that everyone is entitled to “affordable housing” is very different from saying that everyone should decide what kind of housing he or she can afford. Government programs to promote “affordable housing” are programs to allow some people to decide what housing they want and force other people-taxpayers, landlords, or whoever-to absorb a share of the cost of a decision that they had no voice in making.
2. People who fail to meet the standards for anything from college admission to a mortgage loan are often said to have been denied “access” or opportunity. But equal access or equal opportunity is not the same as equal probability of success…. if everyone is allowed to apply for college admission, or for a mortgage, and all applications are judged by the same standards, then everyone has the same opportunity.
3. Those blacks with less education and less job experience-the truly disadvantaged-have been falling further behind their white counterparts under affirmative action, during the same years when blacks with more education and job experience have been advancing economically, both absolutely and relative to their white counterparts.
4. Amnesty is not some esoteric concept. It means that you are not going to be punished for breaking the law-and that simply brings laws into contempt. Denying citizenship is not a punishment because crossing the border illegally does not entitle you to citizenship. Providing a legal status short of citizenship is not punishment either.
5. The Constitution cannot protect us and our freedoms as a self-governing people unless we protect the Constitution.

Updated 7/8/22 and 8/3

The Sports World blames pay inequality!

And “gender issues”

Griner pleaded guilty to drug charges in Russia. She could face 10 years in prison. This week the Russian court sentenced her to 9 years in prison!!! I hope Biden can get her home.

Brittney Griner is a 32-year-old Black lesbian. She is an outstanding athlete and plays basketball for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA. She was the number 1 draft pick in 2013. She has a net worth of $5 million.

Her career in the WNBA has been outstanding! She has made the All-Star Team many times, led the league in scoring and blocks and won the WNBA championship in 2014. She also holds 2 Olympic gold medals.

Over the last 9 years, Griner has played professional basketball in China and Russia during the WNBA off-season.

Her personal life has been a little rocky. In 2020, she failed to take the basketball floor during the playing of the US National Anthem as a protest over racial injustice. In 2015, Griner was arrested on assault charges and disorderly conduct. She got into a fight with her partner, Glory Johnson. Both were injured. The WNBA suspended Griner for 7 games and ordered her to take 26 weeks of domestic violence counseling. Griner married her partner in May 2015. On June 8th, Griner filed for a marriage annulment citing fraud and duress. The judge denied her request. In October, Johnson gave birth to twin girls. Eight months later the couple got divorced. Griner was ordered to pay child support.

Griner is now in big trouble!

In February 2022, Griner was arrested on drug charges in Russia. Apparently, she arrived at the Moscow airport with hash oil in her carry-on luggage. Russia has a zero-tolerance policy regarding drugs. She could get 10-15 years in prison. What the hell was she thinking! I hope this situation is not true.

Of course, many pundits in the sports world blame pay inequality as the reason for Griner’s arrest. They claim she is under-paid in the WNBA, thus “forced” to play basketball in China and Russia to make ends meet! What a complete crock! I think Griner wanted to make $600,000 playing basketball in Russia. She has played there many times. She knows Russia and the laws. She made a huge mistake. Period!

This week the WNBA players association president said “gender issues” was the reason Griner was arrested in Russia. Griner was in Russia to play basketball and earn $600-$700K. My wife is a BS degreed nurse and would have to work 6 years full-time to earn that amount of money.

Professional sports should never make excuses for the bad behavior of players. Gender issues my ass!

PS-Every year thousands of Americans are arrested and jailed in other countries. Places like Hong Kong, Tijuana, the Bahamas, UK, and Toronto have hundreds of Americans locked up. Almost every one of these people broke local laws. The US Dept. of State has on their website warnings to Americans traveling aboard. Obey local laws!!!! The site also says the State Dept. cannot get Americans out of jail in a foreign country!!!

In a recent court ruling, about 184,000 NC residents can have their driver’s license restored. Originally, these people had their license revoked for failure to pay fines, court fees and other related costs. Most did not even show up for their court date. All of these people committed traffic violations like speeding, failure to yield, driving while impaired, running a red light, etc.

Apparently, these people argued that they could not afford to pay the traffic fines. Recent articles in the Charlotte “fishwrap” showed that majority of the violators are minorities. Thus, a new term has been created, “Driving Injustice.” Yes-the real problem is racism. Really? Reports show that many minorities do not show up to court nor pay the traffic fines. Many claim they did not know about the court date. Hmmm?

In a study released in 2019 covering the years 2013-2017, the data showed that Blacks accounted for 47% of the license suspensions, while only representing 21% of the population. Majority of these suspensions were for lack of payment.

Perhaps these violators do not have $180 to pay for a speeding ticket, but what exactly should the law require? It seems reckless to me to “forgive” fines due to income problems. What then is the penalty? Pictures shown in the newspaper show these violators reading their $800 cell phones……

The NC DMV has agreed to better inform these drivers as to their court dates, then they can appear in court to argue their lack of funds. I hope that is a “high bar.” And-not applicable to repeat offenders. Tickets issued to traffic violators show court dates and court location.

And another point-one local DA says the courts should separate financial debt from driving eligibility. Exactly what does that mean or lead to! Does that mean a low-income speeder does not have to worry about tickets and fees??? That sounds crazy! What then is the downside to breaking the law and endangering others??

The first priority of the government of NC is the protection of its citizens. I do not believe this action will protect our safety.

Just got back from a long weekend at the beach. Stayed in Cherry Grove, SC. Weather was great and so was the surf fishing.

On Friday night we dined at Snooky’s. That restaurant is located about 4-5 miles north of Cherry Grove in Little River, SC. We had an outstanding dinner! Period. And the restaurant was crowded.

The seafood was excellent. Absolutely no negative comments. Plentiful serving of fresh flounder, scallops and pan seared shrimp. Wonderful! The sweet potato fries and cole slaw were great, too!

The servers, Chella and Nicole were all over it! The restaurant was short of staff, but all employees were really hustling and “pitching in” to help each other. Somehow, the restaurant manager John, orchestrated the whole place. He kept everyone focused and also provided help himself. My compliments and thanks to John and to the Staff!

Since I teach Operations Management in college at the graduate level, I intend to use this restaurant as an example of how to run a small service business.

Well done Snooky’s!!

Lack of affordable housing is not the problem. The problem has always been income!

Over the last 20 years the city of Charlotte has spent $215 million on 139 housing projects for low-income people. More recently, the mayor and other city leaders have raised an additional $200 million for “affordable housing.” The city council has approved many new parcels for development.

But the housing problem has not improved. The cost of land, construction materials, labor, taxes, utilities, etc. has increased. According to our local “fish wrap” after 20 years and mega $$$$$’s, the overall problem is worse.

The county’s medium income is $68,000. Using the rule of 30% of gross income for housing expense, the average family can afford rents of $1700/month. The average rental rate in Charlotte is $1400. So, what’s the problem?

Blacks earn an average of $40,000. That means they can only afford to pay $1,000 in rent. That is the problem! Only 1-2% of rental units in Charlotte have rents at $1,000 or below.

There is not a major city in the US. that can fund inner city housing to meet the demand! The problem is not “affordable housing.” The real problem is income!

If a dam is leaking water and flooding the city, you do not spend money building boats!

The city has too many single parent families with low incomes. It is not realistic to expect the local government to provide housing for all these families, especially when the number of low-income families is growing. The price of land and construction materials is high and not expected to decline. Lenders and investors cannot “make this happen.”

There is a better approach!

A large portion of $$$’s must go toward education. Income is the real problem. City apartments are not affordable to a single parent making $15/hour and never will be! The working parent(s) needs at least $50,000 in annual income. Education is the surest path to a higher income and multiple wage earners in a family also helps. There are plenty of job openings. Two wage earners in a family each making $20/hr. will have an income of $83,000 per year. That should be the goal!

Our city leaders must direct funds to better educate the adults in low-income families. That is the only sustainable solution to the “affordable housing” problem.

ONE FINAL THOUGHT: Illegal immigrants coming to Charlotte seeking housing also hurts low-income families. Illegals also need education. The average illegal has the equivalent of an 8th grade education. Education $$$$’s are spent on their education. And-illegals need low-income housing. I cannot understand why Black leaders do not speak out against illegal immigration!

About 3 weeks ago, the NC State Superintendent of Public Education, Catherine Truitt, wrote an article in our local “fish wrap” about the major problem in NC schools. She called it “diploma integrity.”

What the hell does that mean???? Why can’t she use common language? Maybe that is the problem?

The entire article was filled with “loopy” words and sentences. One sentence was 49 words long. But, after reading the article 3 times here is my effort to decipher her word salad in common language:

NC public education is not preparing kids for college or jobs. Education is the surest route to prosperity, (we all know that). She does not like end of course tests. I guess tests are racist!

She is proposing more flexibility in teaching and curriculums focused on workforce skills. Seems like a good idea to me. But she includes “durable skills” like persistence, collaboration, and creativity in the list of job skills. What about math? Computer skills? Reading and writing? Science?

And-of course she is proposing a “new accountability system that is more than grades.” How will she measure creativity or persistence?

What is wrong with testing students in K-12 to determine math and English skills? Same with reading comprehension? Keep the approach simple. If a 6th grade math class has 30 students and 10 can’t pass a simple, one-page, year-end math exam, then those students need summer school, tutoring, or extra help. And one last thing, that 6th grade teacher should know within the first month of class which students need help. It should not be a surprise which students fail the end of year test, but if 1/3 of the students fail the exam, shame on the parents, the teacher and the school.

FOOTNOTE: Professor James Heckman from the U. of Chicago, won the Noble Prize in Economics for his work on racial inequality data analysis. He has published many studies. One of his major conclusions regarding racial disparity centers around minority family structure and parenting skills. His massive research reveals these 2 areas as the major cause of inequality amongst the races in America. Of course, education, especially K-6 is extra important to give the child a good start. This too, is an area of deficit among minority groups, especially Black families. This is an area of his specific research, and one that is not improving. Schools alone cannot fix this problem.