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I've been a poster on HuffPo since November 2005, but had to change my username after the moderation policy became so draconian. It was tit for tat, but some of us got more tat. Many of the most poignant contributors to the dialogue have long since deserted this site for possibly the same reason. I miss that access to an education.
Born in rural western Washington State, I turned 61 in 2009. B.A. in Finance (Credit Management). I was formally educated and lived in the UK for many years following service in the U.S. Navy as a SeaBee (E-4). Two tours (18 mos) in Vietnam 67-68. For the most part, I served with 3rd Marines on the DMZ at Cua Viet and later at Phu Bai near Hue.
Business owner for close to two decades, where I discovered I had finally found a boss I like. Sold the business - made some money. Now I'm semi-retired, working the weekends for a little extra "fishing" money.
Aside from course work forty years ago, I know just enough about economics to be considered armed and dangerous. But in actual fact it would appear I have about as much credibility as most modern economists regardless. Get 50 economists in a room and you'll have 51 differing opinions. Nevertheless, I completely accept the Keynesian approach to social economics, whereby the highest priority of a society of citizens (as opposed to corporations) is to maintain its structure.
Politically - socially progressive, while being fiscally conservative. I like to spend money. I just don't like to spend it foolishly. I'm a strong supporter of the middle class concept in that it represents a dispersion of wealth, even though I've had my ups and downs with trade unions. I believe in limited socialization of services and goods, i.e. food, shelter, transportation, energy, complimented by a sprinkling of capitalism for incentive and innovation. The necessities of life should not be subjected to the whimsy of corporatism.
I have almost nothing (fiscal responsibility excepted) in common with conservatism. I nearly always err on the side of personal choice. The conservative gene is a bane to mankind, and as often as I've (seemingly) joked about its eradication, I believe its discovery is critical to the social growth of humanity. Conservatism always spells doom for the people. I have on file a dissertation on the true meaning of conservatism as it pertains to aristocracy. Really hits the nail on the head.
Global climate change is real, and I have been predicting for years (it's true, years) that we've already crossed the threshold. Each week some new article is published supporting that supposition. When my granddaughters become adults, they will become the inheritors of a very different world, and that really ticks me off.
