March 23, 2011

Topics from the agenda committee:

1. Handouts with new motorist laws that took effect in Calif. on Jan, 1 2011.  Ref: AAA Westways..Jan/Feb 2011 see pg 14 of print magazine.
2. Should the gov't extend "Green Credits" as subsidies for U.S. industries?  Ref: WSJ Pg 14.  March 3,  2011..Tax Reform Exhibit A.
3. Should one have the option to either "privatize" a 401(K) or keep their social security contributions within gov't control?  Ref: "The Utah Pension Model"...WSJ... Jan, 19 2011.
4. Should we expedite Deep Water Oil Drilling in the Gulf of Mexico?  Ref: "Path clears for Deep Water Oil Drilling..WSJ...Pg3...Jan, 4 2011.

Meeting update:
We covered items 1 and 2, but also Libya and Japan.
My personal thoughts:
1. The President should not have interfered in the recent developments in the Arab world.  Especially, he should not have pushed military action in Libya.  Daily Show: America at Not-War - Obama's Communication Gap.  May 19 update - The President's speech re. the 'Arab Spring':

we must proceed with a sense of humility.  It’s not America that put people into the streets of Tunis or Cairo -– it was the people themselves who launched these movements, and it’s the people themselves that must ultimately determine their outcome. 

2. Despite all the safeguards, we see that nuclear energy, though much needed, is not risk-free, whether in Japan or the U.S. Why 'Plan B' often works out badly