Webs’ Random Ideas

So I frequently get into debates with people on issues of socialism.  Luckily many people I debate these issues with are past the whole socialism = communism point.  I think though I should start this post of the right way.  We are not living in a Capitalistic society.  In case you blinked while reading let me re-type that, WE ARE NOT LIVING IN A CAPITALISTIC SOCIETY.  Yes our economy is based off of a capitalist one, but the key word here is based.  If we were a capitalist economy then not raising the minimum wage makes sense.  But we are not a true capitalist society, so raising the minimum wage actually helps the economy, more than hinder it. 

As it currently stands, the Federal minimum wage is 5.15/hour.  Multiply that by 40 hours a week and you get $206 dollars a week.  Or roughly $824 a month.  Lets see how easy it is to live on that.  First of all, if someone is making minimum wage for full time work, we should assume they have no health insurance.  And for the sake of simplicity lets assume they have no kids (which for real life scenarios is a good thing, because affording kids would be impossible).  So lets assume an average amount of rent for one person is $500, which includes water in a gas, at an apartment complex.  For one person electricity will probably average about $50 a month.  Lets also assume they have cable and Internet, like most people do, which is about $55 at the least, depending on where you live it can be more.  The person also probably has a phone, whether it's a local or cell phone, will add about another $35 a month at the minimum.  Assuming this person lives in an area with decent transportation, and they take city transportation, leaves a lot more expenses out of the equation, not everyone is this fortunate.  If this person sticks to crappy cheap food that they get at the supermarket, which would be reasonable, they are probably looking, at a minimum, of $100 a month on food.  So, so far we have 824-500-50-55-35-100.  Which comes out to $84.  That is all this person has left for clothes, and anything else that might come up.  I hope my hypothetical person doesn't get sick.  Not because he would have to pay, no our tax dollars cover those that cannot pay, but because if our person misses one day of work, say goodbye to about half of that $84.  Oh wait, I forgot to add in one more thing to my example… taxes.

Well enough on the example, lets move to another issue.  Health care.  According to a fellow blogger that found some interesting statistics on health care, "41 million people in America had no health insurance in 2005."  And as I stated previously, who ends up paying for the health problems of these people, WE DO in the form of tax revenue.  So making the capitalist argument that having the government set up a free health care system would hurt our economy is again a weak point to make, since we already are paying for the health care of others.  What is my proposal on this issue, glad you asked.  If I were president, I would implement a free health care program where the government foots the bill.  You need to get a cast for a broken arm.  Simple, go to any hospital you want, show them your health care card, and if you do not have one a photo ID.  They will look you up to make sure you are registered in the USA Health Care program, and if you are you get the care you need.  Otherwise, sorry, you need to be registered.  If you are eligible for the program, but for whatever reason you haven't registered, then after you get the care needed (if it is an emergency or high priority) then you will register at the hospital.  If your injury is life or limb threatening, then appropriate care will be provided as your information is looked into.  This is just my preliminary idea, I am sure more intelligent socialists could come up with some better ideas, or ideas that improve upon mine.  I am trying to simply point out that as of right now there are people that have to make the choice of seeing a doctor, or dentist, or buy groceries.  No person in the wealthiest country in the world should have to make that decision.  I simply cannot fathom the decision of, "Do I feed my kids today, or take one to the hospital." 

Will free health care stifle innovation and hurt efficiency in the health care industry.  Not likely.  On the topic of efficiency, people will vote in politicians that know how to spend tax revenue efficiently in the health care system.  On the topic of innovation, programs on the side could be created to reward innovation, with lower business taxes to companies that spur innovation.  Or we could implement a capitalist measure to reward innovation through a credit system, so on and so on.  But to say that the money we are currently spending on health care with tax revenue does not out-wiegh allowing people to have free health care is ridiculous, as is not raising the minimum wage.

I would like to finish this post by saying THANKS to the US government for taking a shit on the poor, and those that cannot afford private health care. 

So when is WB gonna come out with the Animaniacs TV show on DVD.  I think if they did it would sell out in the first week it appeared on shelves.  I mean come on, it's only the greatest TV show ever made.

An Important Message From Al Gore!

It's what happens to computer techs when they don't do their normal tech work for awhile.  My job prior to the start of this summer was working as a computer lab technician at a Midwestern university.  Unfortunately my job is only budgeted for the fall and spring semester, so during the summer I don't have a job.  The guys I work with/for are nice about it, and offer me a lab monitor position, and they pay me a similar wage.  So unless they have computer work for me, I get paid to work on my website, and/or read. 

Now don't get me wrong, I have little beef with my situation as it stands, but unfortunately, with little computer work, I get anxious and rusty.  Most recently I was tasked with replacing a motherboard in one of the Dell systems, and I did the job as normal, in about 8 or 9 minutes time.  But when I tried to turn the system on I got nothing.  I opened up the computer, checked the cables, reseeded the memory and tried again.  But again the same issue.  Upon further inspection I noted that the power supply fan spins, and the motherboard LED is lit, signifying power to the motherboard and a working power supply,  but the system won't start up.  So I left the computer with my boss, seeing how I didn't want to leave the lab post I normally sit at.  The next day my boss tells me to call Dell.  After sitting on hold while the support tech is gathering info, I open the system up for one last look (this is consequently how all tech stories sound when they reach the end) and noticed the cable that interfaces the power LED and power switch with the motherboard is unplugged.  In 6 years of computer tech work I haven't made that mistake since my first year of work.  The most basic principle of replacing anything is to check that everything you unplug gets plugged back into it's original spot.  Since everyone in my field has made this mistake at some point, I just feel like a Dum Dum and laugh at my own error.

Kind of makes you think…  Video on Democratic Policy Committee that held a hearing on pre-war intelligence.  Another hat tip goes out to Crooks and Liars.

Just as a note to anyone using the DiggIt plugin.  Version 1 currently fails XHTML validation in several areas.  I found the errors and fixed them.  If you want a validated version feel free to email me below using the form, or check with the author to see if a new version of the plugin is posted.

These are some links from blogs that I check out every once in a while.  The first two and the last two are hilarious, the one in the middle is just sad. 

Wake UP!!!!!

Pillsbury Dough Boy Died?

Jon Stewart Hurting Democracy, or Stupid Fucking Idiot Writes Article With Baseless Claim

Doug Stanhope Joins the Rank of Americans That are Willing to Speak Out… I Mean, are a Terrorist 

Bill Hicks Does Drugs… Huh go Figure  

Last week in my Digital Evidence and Computer Crime class, we discussed a case on privacy, specifically Kyllo v. United States.  In this case the police did not have enough evidence to get a warrant to search Kyllo's residence.  He was suspected of growing marijuana.  So the police used a thermal imager to scan Kyllo's apartment from the passenger seat of the car.  After using the device the agents saw a great deal of heat coming from a specific area of the apartment, the garage roof and sidewall, and suspected he was growing.  Their suspicion also comes from knowledge from others in the area that he was growing marijuana, and his abnormally high electric bill.  Kyllo argued a warrant should have been necessary to scan is premise.  The State disagreed and the case went to the Supreme Court.  The Supreme Court disagreed with the state, stating that, "Using sense-enhancing technology to obtain information about the interior of a home that could not otherwise be obtained without physical intrusion constituted a search and was presumptively unreasonable without a warrant."  That quote was from Digital Evidence and Computer Crime by Eoghan Casey, the textbook used for my class.

So it was discussed by one student of the class that she does not care if the government uses a thermal imager on her premise, if they are trying to catch suspected terrorists, or those suspected of breaking the law.  For those of you that are uninformed, a thermal imager does not leave much to the imagination.  If someone is using it on you don't bother hiding yourself, because everything in your home, including your body, gives off a heat reading.  To get back on topic now, this issue to me is clean, cut, and dry.  If the Supreme Court upheld the state's decision, then there would be nothing stopping the government, from using those "sound catchers" you see on the sidelines of sporting events.  The ones that can pick up sound from hundreds of feet away.  And there would be nothing  stopping the government from creating an x-ray type device that can see through walls and use it to randomly scan houses.  Because once a thermal imager can be used to obtain a warrant, then so can other devices.  This is why the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Kyllo.  Your right to privacy within your home is only given up when you break the law and the police have a search warrant, or when you leave something in plane sight.

Now don't get me wrong.  I appreciate apprehension of criminals as much as the next guy, but just get a warrant when you want to see inside my house, unless my curtains are up.  I have nothing to hide, but I also like my privacy.  If a judge thinks I am worthy of a warrant, then so do I. 

Well the other day my roommate and I went to a local bar/pizza joint to get some food.  We had both heard good things about the place and since my roommate was paying, I was excited.  We got there and our server came up and ask us for our drinks, and if we wanted any appetizers.  We were a little indecisive, but it certainly did not take that long to decide what pitcher of food we wanted, and what kind of appetizer we wanted.  Then when we got our beer, the waitress proceeded to take our order.  At this point we had already noticed something about her attitude.  We were telling her what we wanted, and she interrupted and said hold on I need to write this down, and in a flustered way she got something to write on to take our order.  After she got our main course, she then brought out plates and then the appetizer.  And every time she brought something out she kind of just dropped it on the table, and seemed distant from us, not very talkative.  My roommate and I are both pretty good tippers, and I will give a deserving wait-staff 25% if I think they deserve it, usually I just give 20%.  But my roomie and I were both in a good mood, and since my roomie was gonna pay, he was ready to leave 25%, but we decided against.  The service was ok, but she had the wrong attitude towards us.  I don't ask for much, but being treated with respect when I am going to spend my money, would be nice.  And I do not think that is asking for too much.  So a note to all waiters and waitresses out there, treat your parties with respect, and good things will come.

New Features of Vista .  LOL this is pretty funny.  Click the link to the left to see how a MAC guy slams MS for the "original" features Vista will have, when in all actuality they are features MAC OSx had.  But either way, I am sure they will look great in Vista.