Upstate-New-York-Great-Lakes-Bob Davis Podcast 1006

Upstate New York Great Lakes

First of all welcome to Upstate New York and the Great Lakes region. Above all the back roads on these shores are great. Learn more in Upstate-New-York-Great-Lakes-Bob Davis Podcast 1006.

Links For Travelers

Secondly while these are not purely travelogue podcasts I do make an effort on this blog to provide resources for travelers. Check out the links.

Heard The Stories

Above all I’ve heard all the stories about urban decay and the rust belt in Upstate New York.

Captivated

However as you drive along these lakes you’re captivated with the region.

History

Certainly the history. I’ll talk about some in Upstate-New-York-Great-Lakes-Bob Davis Podcast 1006.

In addition there’s a whole twentieth century story in this part of the Empire State.

Finally I am enjoying this ‘Industrial Revolution In Reverse’ part of the trip.

That is to say I am moving East against the path of the industrial revolution rather than west.

Small Towns and Lake Shores

But the small towns! Rivers! Lake Shores and more.

Moreover what happens when you get lost in cities like Rochester.

Getting The ‘Feel’

Meanwhile as I travel through this part of the country I can’t get over the feel of it.

Of course winter up here is cold. A lot of snow.

But in the summer and fall it comes alive.

History. Again.

Most importantly there’s so much history you could stop in almost any town.

Native American History. America’s Revolution. The war of 1812. Industrial development. Even more the growth of these great New York Cities.

To sum up I’d never been here before. I didn’t know what to expect.

From the wineries to the small towns Upstate is worth the trip.

Heading East

In conclusion I’m headed to the Adirondak Mountains and then east from there.

Three states I’ve Never Been

Vermont. New Hampshire. Maine.

Therefore I have a lot of driving to do and can’t stop at all these great places.

But I’ll Be Back!

Sponsored by Privacy Post

Upstate-New-York-Great-Lakes-Bob Davis Podcast 1006

 

 

Plan Beats No Plan-Bob Davis Podcast 828

Political Winners Need A Plan

The 2020 presidential campaign is already underway. Democrats are already touting their plans from free health care to free college. Thing is, a plan beats no plan when it comes to politics these days. We’ll talk about it in Plan Beats No Plan-Bob Davis Podcast 828.

Calling Someone A Socialist Is Not A Plan

Certainly this week attention has been focused on the president’s statements regarding unions. Meanwhile lesser known state and local ‘conservative’ republicans attack democrats for being ‘socialist’.

The US Is Already Socialist

Especially relevant is whether this approach will work.

Come to think of it, doesn’t the United States increasingly have a “controlled market economy” meaning the government already ‘controls the means of production’?

Trade Protection and Government Built Infrastructure – Capitalist right?

Moreover President Trump touts trade protection, and lately government appropriation of 5G wireless technology. It’s also a republican president pushing for ‘infrastructure’ development. Republicans even have their own ‘Single Payer‘ health plan where big insurance companies implement the federal program. This is capitalism? Learn more in Plan Beats No Plan-Bob Davis Podcast 828.

…People In Glass Houses

State republican representatives and senators who are real estate agents, housing developers, doctors and lawyers find themselves voting for ‘socialist’ ideas from MAO Clinic funding to laws regarding how you use your cell phone while driving.

Moreover from TR to Trump, republicans have been advocating for ‘progressive’ and socialist policies. Would you believe German Socialists actually supported Abraham Lincoln back in the day?

GOP Voters Hate Democratic Socialists But Don’t Take Their Social Security Away

In addition rank and file republican voters rely on government pensions, social security, ObamaCare, Medicare, Veterans Benefits and all kinds of tax breaks for their businesses. Good republican ‘capitalists’ take every legal tax benefit they can get from real estate to Tesla’s in the driveway. Rural farmers who voted for Trump love their subsidies. But socialism? God no!

Capitalism Is Radical

Seems to me that a real Capitalist Agenda would be seen as quite radical these days. Most Americans haven’t experienced true Capitalism. The means of production, from stock trades to light rail, have indeed been controlled by local, state and federal governments for a long time.

Where’s The Plan, Stan

Finally if republicans are against socialism they’d better get busy designing a capitalist plan.

Name Calling and MAGA

In conclusion, sadly a republican capitalist plan will never emerge. Much easier to call democrats socialists and shout ‘build the wall’.

That’s a plan, right?

Sponsored by John D Scott Personal Injury Attorney and Reliafund Payment Processors

Plan Beats No Plan-Bob Davis Podcast 828

 

Are We Getting Dumber-Bob Davis Podcast 813

These days you have to wonder if people are getting dumber. A study done in Norway is the source for much of this discussion. We’ll talk about it in Are We Getting Dumber-Bob Davis Podcast 813.

IQ Down Eight Points

The Norwegian study says IQ scores of young men have been decreasing for three generations. IQ scores in this study are down as much as 8 points. More in Are We Getting Dumber-Bob Davis Podcast 813.

‘Merica Below Average

A recent study to assess adult competencies places Americans below international averages. Moreover the study shows Americans have problems problem solving in a technology rich environment. For example, making change and sorting email.

Why Are We Dumber?

Especially relevant is the discussion of what the decline in IQ scores is due to. Is it the environment? Our diet? Technology? Should we be measuring intelligence differently? Grading on a curve? We’ll talk about it in Are We Getting Dumber-Bob Davis Podcast 813.

Flat Earth, Sovereign Citizens and Vegans

I take a look at some features of our society that make me wonder. From Flat Earther’s to Sovereign Citizens, Vegans and people who are convinced the world has 12 years of existence left. (Big fun to be had watching Sovereign Citizens getting owned. Click here.)

Social Media Makes You Dumb. Among Other Things.

The most noteworthy example of lower intelligence is social media. Certainly this is one of my favorite punching bags. Furthermore one needs only to spend half an hour scanning Twitter or FaceBook to become convinced of the demise of Western Civilization.

Cause Science, Dude

Finally Science is usually the go to defense for almost any assertion. Truth is, science is often wrong, and for decades. I was surprised by the number of smart people fooled by ‘science’ and the findings of ‘scientists’.

How Do We Get Smarter?

In conclusion the real question is how do we get smarter? I did some research and certainly diet and exercise are big factors. So are certain activities including community, working with others and being open to new ideas. For men, raising testosterone levels can’t hurt either. I’ll give you a list to think about in Are We Getting Dumber-Bob Davis Podcast 813.

Sponsored by Organo. Change Your Coffee Change Your Life and Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul.

Are We Getting Dumber-Bob Davis Podcast 813