tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post1678148894938479457..comments2024-03-28T16:31:23.093-07:00Comments on Books in Northport: On My Mind Today: Again and Again, “Follow the Money”P. J. Grathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-52790748169265979202010-05-20T17:53:14.470-07:002010-05-20T17:53:14.470-07:00Steve and Karen, I have two more people reading DR...Steve and Karen, I have two more people reading DREAMS FROM THE MONSTER FACTORY, by Sunny Schwartz, which I reviewed last year, and as it's now out in paper I'm going to recommend it to the library group for their list of books to read this year. I do think that argument changes few, if any, minds. It's when people feel or at least see first-hand the dreadful effects of policies they thought were good that they begin to think beyond political posturing.P. J. Grathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-57876555307049770072010-05-20T13:08:24.846-07:002010-05-20T13:08:24.846-07:00Thank you Pamela for an insightful post on an impo...Thank you Pamela for an insightful post on an important topic. And I couldn't agree more w/Mr. G re the selfishness of many, perhaps most Americans. It is sad. Tax cuts may give us a couple hundred to go out to dinner a few times or buy a tv, but social programs suffer. Despite the difficulty that the cost of health care causes the poor these days, did you know that very needy people in Michigan--and qualified--cannot get on Medicaid because they are not accepting new people into the program at present? No matter what. But many people who have not experienced an issue w/health care turn a blind eye--what problem?Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02038437615680439554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-39607060282105819852010-05-17T09:43:44.629-07:002010-05-17T09:43:44.629-07:00There's always more to say, Steve, but you sai...There's always more to say, Steve, but you said a mouthful. Thanks for commenting, too, because it lets me know that at least one person read my post.<br /><br />I do have to remind myself that all of us, on one issue or another, fall prey to oversimplification. I have not read and reflected deeply on every social issue and doubtless hold some opinions that would not stand up under close scrutiny. As a philosopher and a bookseller, however, I feel an obligation to push myself and others to investigate further the issues that have such huge impact for society and for individual human beings. Prison sentencing is certainly one of those issues.P. J. Grathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-40079993952884144452010-05-17T07:43:55.994-07:002010-05-17T07:43:55.994-07:00This is a great essay Pamela. The "jail is to...This is a great essay Pamela. The "jail is too easy", “JITS”, crowd is taking the easy way out. They have no answers. The JITS people are being true to their up-bringing – every man for himself. No Social Security. No Universal Healthcare. No Minimum Wage. No Empathy! Period! I remember thinking, after 20+ years as a union steward, that we are are not really a union, but a collection of selfish individuals. That's how too many of us are raised. Selfish individuals have no empathy. Cut my taxes is the cry. Who cares about the impact on society and its ability to educate the population. I've got a few more bucks in my pocket. But education is an important part of the way out of this self-defeating morass! The answers are not easy. There is much more to say.Mr Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13478747018478879732noreply@blogger.com