Salty Ginger Talk Newsletter

December 30, 2024

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SGT
December 30, 2024

Salty Ginger Talk Newsletter

December 30, 2024

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CURRENT EVENTS

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President, has passed away

Our take: 

Jimmy Carter, who rose from humble beginnings as a peanut warehouse owner from Georgia to become the 39th President, has passed away. Carter, who lived longer after leaving office than any US President, was 100.

Many consider Carter’s administration to be one of the least productive and tumultuous in US history, highlighted by several high-profile failures, including historically high inflation, gas shortages for passenger vehicles, and the failure to negotiate the release of Americans held hostage at the US Embassy in Iran for over a year.

But many also (and correctly from our view) would argue that Carter was more effective as a leader after his presidency than anyone in US history. A staunch supporter of peace and humanitarian causes such as Habitat for Humanity, Carter worked tirelessly to do good work not only in the US but around the world. A man of devout faith, Carter was a shining example of living what he preached. His wife of 77 years, Rosalyn Carter, passed away in November of 2023.

Although his presidency was marred with significant failures, it is hard to fault Carter as a man or a human being. The article we linked below dives deep into Carter’s life, including his unlikely long shot run that won him the White House and the countless good works he did in the 40+ years he had after he left office. We wish his family peace and condolences on the loss of a great father, husband, and leader. He will be missed.

COURTESY: USA TODAY

Washington DC sanitation department, mayor’s office denies creating sign calling Trump supporters garbage

Our take: 

Washington DC’s District Department of Transportation denounced a transit ad that was spotted near the Capitol that likened MAGA hat wearers to garbage.

“Keep DC trash free,” reads the incendiary ad spotted by Capitol Hill Baptist Church pastor Caleb Morell.

The ad featured a red circle with a line through it over an image of a MAGA hat wearer holding a book labeled “Project 2025.”

The bottom of the ad includes the logo for the District of Columbia Department of Public Works and the Mayor’s Office of the Clean City program.

DDOT DC quickly denied any role in the creation of the politically charged ad.

“This image was not created, funded, or authorized by the DC government, and our teams are currently working to remove them,” DDOT DC wrote on X in response to Morell’s post.

“If you see additional images like this, we encourage you to report them to 311.”

Alrighty then! I guess we need to wait to see who this will be pinned on. The mayor, the sanitation department, and anyone in DC politics is denying any involvement in the creation or installation of the advertisement. Maybe it was Elon Musk playing 3D chess when everyone else was playing checkers. We find it hard to believe any politician or city department could be this stupid. But we then think about all the stupid things we have seen government officials do in our lives, and it becomes much easier to believe.

COURTESY: NEW YORK POST

Paper argues income inequality is largely a result of people who work more hours developing skills than those who work less

Our take: From our view, this article could have been more controversial if it said “Sun to rise in East, set in West tomorrow. We don’t know when common sense became so uncommon, but this feels like more evidence.

A working paper published last month by the National Bureau of Economic Research used survey data on hours worked to conclude that some people like to work more hours than others. In another shocking discovery, the people who worked more hours developed skills and abilities to a higher level than those who worked less, and were compensated more for these skills and abilities. Duh.

First, this is by no means a robust study that can be used to definitively state any conclusions. The paper, while well reasoned and based on a significant data set, is not peer reviewed, scientific, or conclusive.

With that said, anyone who has eyes and knows people will find these conclusions easy to accept. Some people like to work a lot. Some people don’t. Some people like country music. Some people don’t. Some people like to eat broccoli. Most don’t. When it comes to income inequality, a small but vocal group like to attempt to paint the disparate income outcomes on one of the two boogey men: racism or misogyny.

Unless the income distribution is equal, there must be some nefarious reason it is skewed. It can’t be left to basic human nature and market forces. We hate to break it to socialists and communists - most people don’t have a problem with those who build a better mouse trap being rewarded for their risk and efforts. We would also argue that if companies could simply hire minorities and women and pay them less, there would be many less white men in the workforce.

Unfortunately for the virtue signalers, this is simply not the case. It turns out the market rewards hard work and commitment, so much so that many people will incorrectly sacrifice personal relationships, family, and their own health to try and earn more money. Either way, people are free to choose what approach they take. It should not be up to a government bureaucrat to put their thumb on the scale and reward people less committed because they don’t like free markets.

COURTESY: MSN

TIP OF THE DAY

When you have conversations with people, listen with the intent to understand their point of view, not so you can respond. There will be plenty of time during the conversation to express your views and get your opinions on the table. If you truly listen to someone, it will greatly strengthen your relationship with them.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” - Ernest Hemingway

SOURCES: