Closing the gap ?

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Michaela

By Dani Rodrik

Perhaps for the first time in modern history, the future of the global economy lies in the hands of poor countries. The United States and Europe struggle on as wounded giants, casualties of their financial excesses and political paralysis. They seem condemned by their heavy debt burdens to years of stagnation or slow growth, widening inequality, and possible social strife.

Much of the rest of the world, meanwhile, is brimming with energy and hope. Policymakers in China, Brazil, India, and Turkey worry about too much growth, rather than too little. By some measures, China is already the world’s largest economy, and emerging-market and developing countries account for more than half of the world’s output. The consulting firm McKinsey has christened Africa, long synonymous with economic failure, the land of “lions on the move.”

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It’s just words

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Michaela
By STANLEY B. GREENBERG

BARACK OBAMA can’t catch a break from the American public on the economy, even though he prevented a depression and saved global capitalism.

Perhaps the president finds solace in knowing he’s not alone. During this period of economic crisis and uncertainty, voters are generally turning to conservative and right-wing political parties, most notably in Europe and in Canada.

It’s perplexing. When unemployment is high, and the rich are getting richer, you would think that voters of average means would flock to progressives, who are supposed to have their interests in mind — and who historically have delivered for them.

During the last half-century or so, when a Democratic president has led the country, people have tended to experience lower unemployment, less inequality and rising income compared with periods of Republican governance. There is a reason, however, that many voters in the developed world are turning away from Democrats, Socialists, liberals and progressives.

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A democracy crisis

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Michaela
By JACOB S. HACKER and OONA A. HATHAWAY

OUR nation isn’t facing just a debt crisis; it’s facing a democracy crisis. For weeks, the federal government has been hurtling toward two unsavory options: a crippling default brought on by Congressional gridlock, or — as key Democrats have advocated — a unilateral increase in the debt ceiling by an unchecked president. Even if the last-minute deal announced on Sunday night holds together, it’s become clear that the balance at the heart of the Constitution is under threat.

The debate has threatened to play out as a destructive but all too familiar two-step, revealing how dysfunctional the relationship between Congress and the president has become.

The two-step begins with a Congress that is hamstrung and incapable of effective action. The president then decides he has little alternative but to strike out on his own, regardless of what the Constitution says.

Congress, unable or unwilling to defend its role, resorts instead to carping at “his” program, “his” war or “his” economy — while denying any responsibility for the mess it helped create. The president, on the defensive, digs in further.

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The president surrenders

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Michaela

By Paul Krugman

A deal to raise the federal debt ceiling is in the works. If it goes through, many commentators will declare that disaster was avoided. But they will be wrong.

For the deal itself, given the available information, is a disaster, and not just for President Obama and his party. It will damage an already depressed economy; it will probably make America’s long-run deficit problem worse, not better; and most important, by demonstrating that raw extortion works and carries no political cost, it will take America a long way down the road to banana-republic status.

Start with the economics. We currently have a deeply depressed economy. We will almost certainly continue to have a depressed economy all through next year. And we will probably have a depressed economy through 2013 as well, if not beyond.

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Stop screwing around

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Michaela

From the Economist

MAYBE everything will turn out all right. One shouldn’t forget that possibility. As each day passes, however, frustration grows. Leaders in America and Europe are dallying with failure on an epic scale. They are constrained by dysfunctional institutions, it’s true. In Europe, the architecture of the currency union is far too underdeveloped to weather a crisis of the current magnitude. In America, the creaking machinery of the legislature is ill suited to settlement of big questions on a short time frame amid divided government. But it’s no longer sufficient to blame inadequate policy responses on institutions alone. America and Europe are flailing because their leaders are failing. They seem to be too small for the tasks at hand, too petty, and too myopic.

The challenges facing Europe and America are big, but they’re not mysterious. In Europe, the issues are sovereign debt, vulnerable banks, and a poorly designed currency area. It’s not tricky to see what must be done. Peripheral debts should be addressed through austerity, sure. But unsustainable debt loads need to be written down. Banks should be recapitalised to prevent trouble in financial markets. Emergency funds should be bolstered to fight sovereign and banking contagion. And substantial fiscal integration must take place, including fiscal transfers to support peripheral economies while they get their budgets in order. The central bank should also stop fighting the phantom of accelerating inflation.

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Women of Peace

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Michaela

In Brazil's shantytowns, a new community radio station discusses abuse, unemployment, and environmental issues.

By Fabiana Frayssinet

Local women’s voices have begun to be heard over a community radio station now broadcasting in Complexo do Alemao, a clump of favelas or shantytowns on the north side of this Brazilian city that were ruled until recently by armed drug gangs.

Gender issues, social and health matters, local environmental problems, employment and women’s rights are the focus of Radio Mulher, or “women’s radio station”, which began to broadcast this month.

Before going on the air, the participants received a year of training about the workings of a radio station, including general courses for all, as well as specific training in different areas depending on each woman’s role in the station, as determined by each individual’s strengths and talents.

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The World’s Library

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Michaela

Bookcrossin.com is such a neat idea….

This site does away with the idea that books are inanimate objects that become useless once read. Dusting away in a bookcase is no longer  the fate of a book…They are meant to be read, inspire and connect people.

At Bookcrossing you can register a book that you want to give away, then release it. The finder can enter the code on the website and s makes it possible to follow the journey of a book. There are also options to connect with the community and many more.

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Make new from old

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Michaela

Dear friends and visitors,

The overarching theme of the Living Room is ” How to live a life based on Truth”

This blog exists since 2010 and reflects my own journey, as well as featuring the contributions of many souls that I met along the way. What an exciting, surprising and fulfilling time it has been and now, almost 4 years and hundreds of postings later, I can honestly say – what a trip and we have not seen anything yet !

So come in and take a look around. You will find a comfy sofa to sit on and chat with friends, a cosy armchair to tell your story, an inviting window seat for contemplation and a pretty mirror for reflections. There are books, magazines, music and many other items to be found on the coffee table and you can withdraw to the kitchen, everybody’s favorite place;

Check out the themes and different collections, like “Listening to Orpheus” or ” Means of Life”, or ” Michaela on Medicine”, or enjoy the Original Poetry.

Please comment and share your own thoughts and experiences. As always, if you have a an idea, perhaps a subject that raised your interest or  a question you wish to explore, and of course  if you would like to contribute, please send me an email.

Enjoy the Living Room, share with your friends and return any time you like !

Posted in Make new from old | 8 Comments

LoL

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Michaela

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The old order of things

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Michaela

I am silently watching as the current world events take their course.

It is becoming so clear that we all have been living in an illusionary bubble of gargantuan dimensions – and we are are still deeply entangled in it’s lure. However, it is also becoming clear that all events – those on a global scale, but also those that affect our personal world, are being shaped by what has happened in the past and at the same time what will happen in the future. The present moment is the place everything is happening and it is the place to address the cause, in order to influence the effect.

It is an absolutely fascinating time to be alive and to watch all the different trends, events and dynamics unfolding. To be able to observe with ” a cold eye”, one that is only interested in the truth, but no longer in lies, explanations or even safety, is a great gift. Not only does it lead to a recognition of a spiderweb of untruth to be found on the outside, it also points to a plethora of white lies and little comforting schemes inside.

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