The blog 'Breaking Bread' is for a civil general discussion, like you might have at the dinner table with guests. The posts 'Economics Without the B.S.' are intended for a general audience that wouldn't have to know the difference between a Phillips Curve, a Laffer Curve, or a Cole Hamels Curve.
Vic Volpe was formally educated at Penn State and the University of Scranton, with major studies in History, Economics and Finance, and Business; and, is self-educated since by way of books and on-line university courses. His practical education came from sixty years of work experience in the blue-collar trades as well as a white-collar professional career -- a white-collar professional career in production and R&D. In his professional career and as a long-haul trucker, he has traveled throughout the lower forty-eight. From his professional career alone he has visited many manufacturing plants in the United States, Europe and China. He has lived in major metropolitan areas and very small towns in various parts of the United States. He served three years with the U.S. Army as an enlisted man, much of that time in Germany.
Milton Friedman said, "A society that puts equality before freedom will get neither. A society that puts freedom before equality will get a high degree of both."
Thomas Jefferson said, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is interesting how people respond to this quote from the Founding Fathers' documents. Several values are stated. They are neither defined, delineated, or ranked in order.
Mrs. Gianelli, who has been in America for 40 years and has raised a very big family, has been constantly urged by her children to apply for American citizenship. Finally, in her 60s, she applies and is ready to take the test. She appears in court. The judge sits high up in the bench overlooking the proceedings. The clerk of the court stands to the side and is ready to administer the questions to Mrs. Gianelli.
Question Number 1: "Who wrote the Declaration of Independence and was the 3rd President of the United States?" Mrs. Gianelli speaks right up, "Thata woulda be Mista Tomas Jeffersoon."
2nd Question: "Who was the President during our great Civil War and kept the nation together?" Mrs. Gianelli responds, "President Abee Lincoon."
The clerk looking sternly at her asks Mrs. Gianelli, "And who was the first President and is called The Father of His Country?" Mrs. Gianelli starts, "Georga Washinton...Your honor, my English notta very good butta I wanna tell you datta I want very much to be American citizen anda I love thisa.. " The judge interupts her, leans over the bench and says, "Dont'ta youa a worry. Youa a doin justa fine!"
