Do you mean history in terms of a salable product or in terms of containing history?
You know, I can't tell you how many times a customer has come up to me with old books hoping I would buy them and they would walk away with a lot of cash. More often than not I have to let them down gently by telling them that simply being old does not necessarily give a book great value. Someone has to care and want them (unless it something REALLY old like my little leather bound 15th century French religious book). And condition is a huge factor as well as retaining the dust cover if it was printed with one. And as I'm sure you are aware, there are several other factors related to a books value.
And surprisingly, some of my better sales have been book that seem inconsequential at first glance. I sold a mass market paperback dual language biography of Juan Marichal printed in the 70's by a common publisher for $75.00 at a book fair several years ago. Tho woman who bought it was thrilled!
But it's not always about just making money of course. I basically gave away an unusual Richard Brautigan thee-books-in-one hard cover to a friend recently. The book is unusual because the cover photo is one that did not appear on any of the three original printings. I let the guy have the book for a lot less than I could have gotten it but there is a great deal of satisfaction to be gained when the right book goes to the right person. It's really the sweetest kind of win/win. I'm sure you know what that is like.
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
Universal Healthcare - increase taxes. Why would it work? I would point out that each and every US citizen pays MORE money via insurance companies, co-pays and out of pocket costs than increasing taxes ever would. Truth.
Get money out of politics. Not sure how else to do this than to go dismantle lobbying altogether, outlawing all special interest money funneling to politicians. Reinstitute Obama ban on contributions from federal lobbyists, something the DNC just rolled back, and firing and sending to jail all crooks in politics, including GWB and Dick Cheney for war crimes from 10 years ago.
Universal Healthcare - increase taxes. Why would it work? I would point out that each and every US citizen pays MORE money via insurance companies, co-pays and out of pocket costs than increasing taxes ever would. Truth.
Get money out of politics. Not sure how else to do this than to go dismantle lobbying altogether, outlawing all special interest money funneling to politicians. Reinstitute Obama ban on contributions from federal lobbyists, something the DNC just rolled back, and firing and sending to jail all crooks in politics, including GWB and Dick Cheney for war crimes from 10 years ago.
Free for president!
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
Probably get rid of reelection altogether so politicians can finally start thinking of how to benefit the country and not themselves
So how would you go about doing that?
Simple, Obama is going to appoint a liberal justice whether or not the republican senate wants to admit it or not. Odds are during my presidency another justice will die and I'll appoint another liberal justice, and we'll have the majority in SCOTUS. I will then executive order a law stating that government officials cannot strategize together for means not pertaining in any potential or existing bill. Once this law is unavoidably broken by every politician in congress, a public out cry will ensue, creating the perfect opportunity to present a plan that seems rushed and shocking to the general population, but circumstances will be so rough that the public will support anything their leader does with the right propaganda presented to them (Iraq *clears throat*). The plan will be to amend the constitution and take away reelections for government officials. The liberal SCOTUS will rule in my favor and bam!
I would dismantle the federal Department of Education. Nothing good has come from this department that couldn't come from a state if a locality wanted it.
Not sure what the legal proceedings of this would be. I've never understood how it came into existence to begin with. Did some president just say, "I want to control the minds of every American" and then Congress wrote a bill allowing it? Biggest group of lunatic idealogues in America and the biggest waste of federal tax money.
Sincerely, A 23 year teaching veteran who has had enough
I'm Canadian, but I'd say the same thing as Prime Minister here. We've forgotten how to empathize in North American society, and part of that is simply never being exposed to different lifestyles. This perpetuates self-serving actions and having a narrow body of knowledge to attain and then teach.
I would work to incentivize living in and housing businesses in typically-deemed 'lower-class' regions, alongside increasing access to better facilities and places of education. If we can teach people about lifestyles other than our own, we can break down the fear of 'difference', and much of our wealth distribution based anger, our race and religion based aggression and distrust, can be reduced. This would without a doubt create humanitarians out of many, increase unity necessary to solve global and regional issues, and certainly could induce some well-needed empathy in governments. If this could lead to increased global assistance in ways of bringing about global education and human right minimums, it will have all been worthwhile. Basic probabilities suggest there must be numerous geniuses with radically bold ideas which could further humanity, but because of where they are born, they will die having had to perform back-breaking tasks, with no option to pursue anything else. The opportunity cost of not having these people help us make advances in how we live is immeasurable (literally), but also terrible.
'05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
Healthcare. I would do everything in my power to create a universal healthcare system, minimize if not eliminate private clinics and hospitals, and eliminate private health insurance companies. I would Socialist the fuck out of healthcare, lol.
(Runner up: as diplomatically as possible, pull all American interests out of the Middle East ASAP. This would necessarily require me to also consider all the issues surrounding America's oil dependence/alternate energy technology).
Post edited by PJ_Soul on
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
1. Change electoral system to something that allows for minority representation in gov't ... probably some form of proportional representation that likely delivers coalition minority gov'ts
2. Transparency Act - declassify as much stuff as possible ... only stuff that may put a person's life in danger would I redact ...
3. Create a referendum vehicle so that each citizen is able to voice opinions on issues
Healthcare. I would do everything in my power to create a universal healthcare system, minimize if not eliminate private clinics and hospitals, and eliminate private health insurance companies. I would Socialist the fuck out of healthcare, lol.
(Runner up: as diplomatically as possible, pull all American interests out of the Middle East ASAP. This would necessarily require me to also consider all the issues surrounding America's oil dependence/alternate energy technology).
I'm all for the Healthcare issue too.
As for oil, the good ol USA snow produces more than what we take in for the last 5 years running now.
The shale oil fields have been producing very nicely.
I am not sure if this was brought up, but I feel one of the United States' biggest mistakes was the in completion of the 22ND Amendment. The amendment should of included term limits for members of Congress. I feel that is a mistake that needs to be fixed. As POTUS I am not sure how it can be corrected, perhaps just putting a bigger spotlight on it and letting the people know. Hopefully that would gain traction an we can amend the amendment.
96 Randall's Island II
98 CAA
00 Virginia Beach;Camden I; Jones Beach III
05 Borgata Night I; Wachovia Center
06 Letterman Show; Webcast (guy in blue shirt), Camden I; DC
08 Camden I; Camden II; DC
09 Phillie III
10 MSG II
13 Wrigley Field
16 Phillie II
I would dismantle the federal Department of Education. Nothing good has come from this department that couldn't come from a state if a locality wanted it.
Not sure what the legal proceedings of this would be. I've never understood how it came into existence to begin with. Did some president just say, "I want to control the minds of every American" and then Congress wrote a bill allowing it? Biggest group of lunatic idealogues in America and the biggest waste of federal tax money.
Sincerely, A 23 year teaching veteran who has had enough
I would dismantle the federal Department of Education. Nothing good has come from this department that couldn't come from a state if a locality wanted it.
Not sure what the legal proceedings of this would be. I've never understood how it came into existence to begin with. Did some president just say, "I want to control the minds of every American" and then Congress wrote a bill allowing it? Biggest group of lunatic idealogues in America and the biggest waste of federal tax money.
Sincerely, A 23 year teaching veteran who has had enough
What about kids unlucky enough to be born in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, etc They will be taught creationism and that climate change is BS and that Christopher Columbus and GWB were heroes. Too bad for them I guess?
I would dismantle the federal Department of Education. Nothing good has come from this department that couldn't come from a state if a locality wanted it.
Not sure what the legal proceedings of this would be. I've never understood how it came into existence to begin with. Did some president just say, "I want to control the minds of every American" and then Congress wrote a bill allowing it? Biggest group of lunatic idealogues in America and the biggest waste of federal tax money.
Sincerely, A 23 year teaching veteran who has had enough
I would dismantle the federal Department of Education. Nothing good has come from this department that couldn't come from a state if a locality wanted it.
Not sure what the legal proceedings of this would be. I've never understood how it came into existence to begin with. Did some president just say, "I want to control the minds of every American" and then Congress wrote a bill allowing it? Biggest group of lunatic idealogues in America and the biggest waste of federal tax money.
Sincerely, A 23 year teaching veteran who has had enough
What about kids unlucky enough to be born in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, etc They will be taught creationism and that climate change is BS and that Christopher Columbus and GWB were heroes. Too bad for them I guess?
Students learn state written curriculum already as it is. The federal government doesn't write curriculum. It just makes stupid laws that require tons and tons of paperwork that prove we have followed mandates that have no impact on children. I swear to God, I have signed papers that state I have signed other papers. Not exaggerating. There's a new regulation that if a kid bullies another kid in my classroom, even if I don't see it or hear it happen, I'm the guilty one responsible for it and can lose my license. People not in it have no idea. I'm as liberal as they come, and I tell you, the Republican party is completely right on this one.
If the federal government actually did anything to help kids, I would be all for it. Right now they mandate shitty free lunches that make poor kids fat, special ed regulations that render students helpless, teacher evaluation laws that reward robotic, scripted behaviors (Obama's Race to the Bottom) . . . It's a bottomless pit of bad policy.
Tell me one good thing the federal government has done to help education. They certainly haven't stopped Texans from teaching creationism, and you know what? If families don't like it, they can leave Texas.
Healthcare. I would do everything in my power to create a universal healthcare system, minimize if not eliminate private clinics and hospitals, and eliminate private health insurance companies. I would Socialist the fuck out of healthcare, lol.
(Runner up: as diplomatically as possible, pull all American interests out of the Middle East ASAP. This would necessarily require me to also consider all the issues surrounding America's oil dependence/alternate energy technology).
I'm all for the Healthcare issue too.
As for oil, the good ol USA snow produces more than what we take in for the last 5 years running now.
The shale oil fields have been producing very nicely.
Well right. No need to keep any interests in the Middle East at all. But oil will still run out eventually and is bad for the environment. Shrinking and eventually ending oil dependence, and the rapid growth of clean technologies, is still a big must.
Post edited by PJ_Soul on
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
Comments
I would bOMb Every launch n kores does.
Knock those pre-icbm out of the sky
Also, I would build a wall to protect my border (and all those who are USA)
You know, I can't tell you how many times a customer has come up to me with old books hoping I would buy them and they would walk away with a lot of cash. More often than not I have to let them down gently by telling them that simply being old does not necessarily give a book great value. Someone has to care and want them (unless it something REALLY old like my little leather bound 15th century French religious book). And condition is a huge factor as well as retaining the dust cover if it was printed with one. And as I'm sure you are aware, there are several other factors related to a books value.
And surprisingly, some of my better sales have been book that seem inconsequential at first glance. I sold a mass market paperback dual language biography of Juan Marichal printed in the 70's by a common publisher for $75.00 at a book fair several years ago. Tho woman who bought it was thrilled!
But it's not always about just making money of course. I basically gave away an unusual Richard Brautigan thee-books-in-one hard cover to a friend recently. The book is unusual because the cover photo is one that did not appear on any of the three original printings. I let the guy have the book for a lot less than I could have gotten it but there is a great deal of satisfaction to be gained when the right book goes to the right person. It's really the sweetest kind of win/win. I'm sure you know what that is like.
www.headstonesband.com
I guess it doesn't matter that the current numbers are actually at an all time low for illegal immigrants?
Get money out of politics. Not sure how else to do this than to go dismantle lobbying altogether, outlawing all special interest money funneling to politicians. Reinstitute Obama ban on contributions from federal lobbyists, something the DNC just rolled back, and firing and sending to jail all crooks in politics, including GWB and Dick Cheney for war crimes from 10 years ago.
Not sure what the legal proceedings of this would be. I've never understood how it came into existence to begin with. Did some president just say, "I want to control the minds of every American" and then Congress wrote a bill allowing it? Biggest group of lunatic idealogues in America and the biggest waste of federal tax money.
Sincerely,
A 23 year teaching veteran who has had enough
I would work to incentivize living in and housing businesses in typically-deemed 'lower-class' regions, alongside increasing access to better facilities and places of education. If we can teach people about lifestyles other than our own, we can break down the fear of 'difference', and much of our wealth distribution based anger, our race and religion based aggression and distrust, can be reduced. This would without a doubt create humanitarians out of many, increase unity necessary to solve global and regional issues, and certainly could induce some well-needed empathy in governments. If this could lead to increased global assistance in ways of bringing about global education and human right minimums, it will have all been worthwhile. Basic probabilities suggest there must be numerous geniuses with radically bold ideas which could further humanity, but because of where they are born, they will die having had to perform back-breaking tasks, with no option to pursue anything else. The opportunity cost of not having these people help us make advances in how we live is immeasurable (literally), but also terrible.
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
(Runner up: as diplomatically as possible, pull all American interests out of the Middle East ASAP. This would necessarily require me to also consider all the issues surrounding America's oil dependence/alternate energy technology).
1. Change electoral system to something that allows for minority representation in gov't ... probably some form of proportional representation that likely delivers coalition minority gov'ts
2. Transparency Act - declassify as much stuff as possible ... only stuff that may put a person's life in danger would I redact ...
3. Create a referendum vehicle so that each citizen is able to voice opinions on issues
4. Free internet for everyone
As for oil, the good ol USA snow produces more than what we take in for the last 5 years running now.
The shale oil fields have been producing very nicely.
98 CAA
00 Virginia Beach;Camden I; Jones Beach III
05 Borgata Night I; Wachovia Center
06 Letterman Show; Webcast (guy in blue shirt), Camden I; DC
08 Camden I; Camden II; DC
09 Phillie III
10 MSG II
13 Wrigley Field
16 Phillie II
They will be taught creationism and that climate change is BS and that Christopher Columbus and GWB were heroes.
Too bad for them I guess?
If the federal government actually did anything to help kids, I would be all for it. Right now they mandate shitty free lunches that make poor kids fat, special ed regulations that render students helpless, teacher evaluation laws that reward robotic, scripted behaviors (Obama's Race to the Bottom) . . . It's a bottomless pit of bad policy.
Tell me one good thing the federal government has done to help education. They certainly haven't stopped Texans from teaching creationism, and you know what? If families don't like it, they can leave Texas.