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mwdabose

User Profile Image mwdabose
Member since : May-22-2009 (Verified)
1 Ideas, 19 Comments, 44 Votes

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Ideas Posted

1)Committment - if the project, program, or whatever is not going to be funded, fully, for the length of time necessary, then do not fund it at all. Stop spreading "peanut butter" as nothing is really accomplished.
2) As a planner / manager / technologist, when I request X dollars, I need X dollars. I know that my budget request will be automatically cut in half - at least, so therefor I must request double what is really needed to receive what is actually needed. What kind of logic is this?
3) If at the end of the fiscal year I have left over budget - I executed the program for less dollars than anticipated, why am I penalized for returning the money? I am almost required to spend spend spend on often worthless garbage. I should be rewarded for coming in under budget.
4) Why do I need to hand hold a government sponsor - at great excess, often up to 1/3 of the budget - personal face time, or lose my budget in overnight sweeps to support a favorite pet project, or real emergency.

The idea is not to complain, but highlite common practices which must change as they cost this country many dollars, lost time, and departure of real talent.
Bring realism and integrity to the budget / planning process.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 4205 Ideas
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Comments Posted

mwdabose 9 months ago
Good ideas
As for US only parts - many of the parts, and technologies are no longer available from US sources. We sold our technology + R&D for short term profits. The Japanese, Toshiba specifically, can help. Third world countries must learn to be humble.
mwdabose 9 months ago
We have the basic tools, not the mature technology - yet. It's one thing to conquer the DARPA Grand Challenge, it is another to mature this technology and integrate into a coordinated global grid.
I support the idea, but implementation is still decades away.
mwdabose 9 months ago
The big problem I have noticed with all the mass transit proposals to date is how do we bridge the first and last mile? The implementation needs to be clean, reliable, and cheap. Riding mass transit over distance is a no brainer. However, I still need a way to get from my home to the station. Once I arrive at the station, or nearest stop, I need a way to get to the office, or shopping, etc. Walking, riding a bike are not practical, as in most cases the nearest stop is miles away. As for the bus system . . . I would like to get to the office in a reasonable time, not a 3+ hours commute each way - transfers + waiting for the next bus + walk to the destination from the nearest drop.
If we can solve the first and last mile problem, mass transit could be a big hit.
mwdabose 9 months ago
I agree with the intent, but there is much more to this issue. This would not happen overnight and would not be cheap. To proceed, a focused plan of attack is necessary. Otherwise allot of money would be spend with nothing to show in the end.
mwdabose 9 months ago
It's not that simple. Power production, distribution, storage, architecture, modular, redundent . . .
I agree with the intent, but a full understanding of the technical issues are necessary.
Once the understanding and design (technical, not political) is in place, then committment can follow.
mwdabose 9 months ago
The title sounds good, but the technology is more intrusive than ever. A system should not automatically assume you are a criminal - hear that IRS. Instead it should be a helper. Technology is always a double edge sword which can be used for good (radiation treatment for cancer) or bad (nuclear weapons). Unfortunately, and historically, most technology development is funded for military application first, then potential other use is examined. It is a case of who is paying the bill. In this case the suggested application / technology can very easily be used for really bad ends.
mwdabose 9 months ago
Legalization is not likely as long as those making the laws have a vested interest in not legalizing certain drugs. There is allot of money at stake - DEA, Justice, the criminal organizations themselves. Legalization would essentially greatly reduce their income / political clout, if not wipe them out financially.

It's hard to make someone understand a problem when their livelihood depends on their not understanding a problem.

It is ironic that the drug cartels themselves are probably the governments strongest supporter in keeping drugs illegal.
mwdabose 9 months ago
The only thing I might add is the nuclear plants must be constructed, operated, and maintained independent of profit motives for reasons of safety. Nuclear power, including breather technology, can be safe. France has been 100% nuclear since the 1970's. It is not the perfect answer - what is - but it can fill the gap until new technology allows and alternative. In conjunction fully fund / accelerate alternate power production technology. Not just any technology, but power production independent of external variables such as weather. Fusion shows promise. Tidal needs closer attention. Wind and solar offer additional capacity, but are not reliable over time due to external influence beyond our control.
mwdabose 9 months ago
For consideration - long term investment. This mainly applies with research and large programs that will not complete in a single year. Time limits may sound good, but a sound execution plan, and adequate funding, would probably work better and cost far less.
mwdabose 9 months ago
I agree with the statement on principle, but why should I be honest with someone I consider criminal and do not trust? I'll be as honest with the politicians as they are with me. How is that for double speak?
mwdabose 9 months ago
The Electorial College has long outlived it's purpose. Originally established to vote for the president in a day before electricity, automobiles, telephones, etc. It often took months for the representatives to travel to the actual gathering.
Times have changed, there is no legitimate reason to continue this outdated and no longer needed institution. The people should directly vote for the President and all elected officials.
mwdabose 9 months ago
Sounds good on the surface but how can representative government work when only the rick can afford the luxery of participation in such a government. One has to make a living.
One of the big issues I see with elected officials is campaign contributions. Gaining political office is very expensive. The last presidential election (2008) cost the winner well over $500 million dollars. Where did that money come from?
Our politicians owe their benefactors upon entering office. Who will they be loyal to - "We the People", or "money talks". Can not get elected or re-elected without lots of cash.
This cycle must be broken before we can even hope for real representative government.
mwdabose 9 months ago
Search an Seizure without due process, it has become the American way, and very profitable.
Those participating in such illegal activities are criminal. Criminals need to be confronted and stopped using whatever force is necessary. In these cases, badges, office, etc., mean nothing as they were abandoned in the commission of a crime.
mwdabose 9 months ago
To be effective, such a council would need access to all classified information. Need to know, and many other "issues" will surface effectively blocking this effort. It is common practice for government to hide sensitive information, programs, you name it, under a classification label.
Without such access, any council would be ineffective at best.
mwdabose 9 months ago
I like the idea, but I have witnessed many similar campaigns in the past ultimately fail. Unfortunately there needs to be follow up and follow through.
Unchecked, this costly effort will result in hand waving, talk, meetings all over the place . . . and that is all. It will die a slow death in some neglected corner.
Now if we could change government's mind set, such that your idea became a way of life . . . that would be great.
Unfortunately government is ruled by vested self interest. Inside the beltway in Washington DC, very little, if anything, is based on reality or need - my personal 20+ years of experience + opinion. My guess is the same could be said for state and local government across the nation. "We the people" is simply a catch phrase with no real meaning anymore. I am not sure how to peacefully get back our republic. The culture change would be large indeed.
mwdabose 9 months ago
Reply to Robert David
Yes, in addition - I deal in what used to be research - it is now all located in China;
Invention usually does not happen on a schedule. I can account for most variables, and best guess, based on experience, the rest. I can have excellent weeks of progress, and terrible months overcoming technical problems. Real breakthroughs can, and do, pay large dividends. Virtually no program / project are fixed. Stuff happens - more so in research areas - no not tech spin such as directed energy.

In this context, the budget game, is, in my opinion, skewed to produce dubious results, waste on monumental scales, and penalizes those who would like to see better - efficient use of taxpayer funds.
mwdabose 9 months ago
Agree. People who report fraud, waste or abuse ARE sanctioned (all unofficial of course)- first hand witness. On the other hand protections must be in place to protect government (I can't believe I said that) and people from targeting and false accusations.
mwdabose 9 months ago
Totally agree, however if history is a teacher, government simply ignores a law(s) when convenient. Laws need teeth and accountability. On the other hand laws also need protections to keep personal gain as a motive for unfounded prosecution. Remember the Duke University rape case several years ago. The DA used very "questionable" / illegal tactics for personal political gain (and lost).
mwdabose 9 months ago
I agree with what you are saying, but . . .
As I understand
1) The Federal Reserve is a private company and not part of the U.S. Government.
2) The government does not own the currency - the Federal Reserve does.
3) US currency, since 2003?, has no assets backing the value of the dollar. It is worth whatever the market will support. It is only a piece of paper.
While I want to know just who is raping me at this moment (financially), the FED can pretty much do whatever it wants and is not answerable to the government.
The FED is the tip of the iceberg and the beginning of the domain of real power. Governments are just their puppets of convenience. The president listens and obeys when the FED speaks.
I was amazed when I read the history of the International Banking System, which the FED is a part of.
Please correct me if I am mistaken - just the facts, I'll form my own truth. Unfortunately, I don't think so.