Draw on the State Funds

1st September 2024

Dear Governor Newsom,

In light of the current draw on the state funds from unemployment benefits it comes to me that more should be done to get the worker to the job. I can tell you that over the years I have gotten more and more certified and yet suffered more job instability.

In high school I was trained as a printing tech, and I got my guard card. After college I got two more certifications in security and this year I got my license to carry a firearm. None of these have provided me with either lucrative or stable employment.

At my last job I met a man who had been through an emergency training as an auto mechanic, and yet he was working as a security guard. Unable to pay his rent with one job he worked as a delivery driver on the side but couldn’t find employment swinging a wrench.

Employment counseling has never helped me. I once asked the Employment Development Department for help and was just laughed at. I was offered no advice or direction on the subject. One job counselor advised me to chase my dreams but could offer me no real world advice. The next job counselor I spoke to just kept saying “take it” over and over again no matter how bad or suspicious the job I was interviewing for.

Every now and then I look into more vocational training, but education has always failed me. When I was a young man they said “get a degree” and by the time I got one they were near useless. My last job was degree or military experience preferred, and it paid less than working at a fast food restaurant.

Optimally, the unemployed should become more employable by gaining some kind of training. Maybe we should have a program where the unemployed can start vocational training and spend time on the job. If that fellow had is emergency auto tech program and spent a day every week changing oil at a mechanic he could have found a job working on cars.

It is in the best interest of the state and the worker for better days to be ahead with more stable work and higher pay. When I worked with the homeless our goal was to get them off the street for life and the state should want me never to be unemployed again.

If I wanted to look into vocational training I‘d have to do research to find out what training would be useful, find a program that would train me, then look for a job after the training with no experience. The state could do all that for the unemployed and as soon as they file a claim offer them vocational training as an option.

The state could offer an incentive of additional weeks of benefits to complete vocational training. Job placement and referral services would strengthen this program and having new skills would make it easier to find a job.

Just a thought,


Richard Leland Neal

Transylvania - Făgăraş

Făgăraş is a small city located in the foothills of the Făgăraş Mountains. Less than a mile southeast of the city centre lies the geographical centre of Romania. North of the city flowing west is the Olt River, the longest river running exclusively through Romania.
 

In the city centre, surrounded by a moat is the 14th century Făgăraş Citadel. Built on an earlier fortification made of wood and earth ramparts that was most likely destroyed during the Mongol invasion of 1241, the new citadel was reinforced by doubling the thickness of its walls. A worthy effort since subsequent sieges failed and the citadel was never captured again.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the citadel served as a princely residence, mainly for the wives of the Transylvanian princes until it was repurposed to serve as a garrison. One such princess was Kata Bethlen who was one of the earliest Hungarians to write memoirs. Married and widowed twice, Kata had a difficult relationship with her in-laws and children and poured her thoughts and emotions into her writing, producing a number of works. As the carer of her late husband’s estate, she was also very involved in the community, encouraging her tenants to develop better farming practices, established nurseries on her lands for improved stock propagation, and employed artisans to work in her papermill and glassworks factory. She taught herself medicine and pharmacology so she could help her community and set up scholarships and schools with particular interest in educating girls.

At the end of WW2, the citadel was once again repurposed as a prison for dissidents of the newly formed communist regime. Restored in the 1970s, it now serves as a museum displaying historical artefacts and travelling exhibitions.

Feeling like a taste of Hungarian cooking, I’m in search of a restaurant that may serve goulash, or gulyás, a soup-stew that dates back to the 9th century when it was eaten by the Hungarian shepherds. Traditionally the stew was slow cooked in a cauldron over an open fire by first browning beef and onion in lard, then adding vegetables and a good dose of potatoes. It was then topped with water and flavoured with sweet or hot paprika and a pinch of caraway. Since paprika was only introduced into Europe around the 16th century, flavouring was completed with plenty of pepper. Fresh baked bread helped to soak up the juices. Now where to find such a place?

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Assistant Cover Letter

20th April 2023

Hi (Art Person),

It looks to me like you’re looking for something of an assistant. Rather a few of them I guess. I’m just looking to pay my bills. (A family) passing left me with some bad legal business and it’s costly. I have a night job and need a day job.

So, about me, well, I’m a man of Irish continence and having that very Irish ability to talk for hours without making people want to leave I will never bore you. People have said that my head is a vast store of off facts. Still, I’m normally the fellow your dog is always happy to see. We share a love of film and museums and I would be happy to accompany you to every film I haven’t seen. When I used to cook for (family) I always made a point of making balanced meals while trying new things. People say I’m patient, knowledgeable, and artistic.

In any case, you’ve never met a man like me. In my working life a good number of people have commented on how much they enjoyed running into me. If you give me an interview I can promise that you’ll want to hire me but I can say you’ll remember the experience.

Best,



Richard Leland Neal

ASVAB for the Unemployed

2nd September 2024

Dear Governor Newsom,

In my last letter I advocated for more aggressive vocation training for the unemployed. Today I would like to suggest that all persons of military age who apply for unemployment benefits take the ASVAB. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is a test used by the military to place people in jobs and there is no reason it couldn’t be used for the unemployed.

I would have to start this with the obvious that when someone is unemployed the military would be a solid option. Taking the ASVAB would be a step in that direction and it would fall under applying for a job. Further, with twenty six weeks of unemployment many people could become physically fit enough to join the military. The state may even be able to recoup some losses with a referral program.

In the modern day when a job doesn’t get you a bed military service would mean the job seeker would no longer need other state services. They would have food and housing. They would be a contributing member of society rather than a burden to the taxpayer. I’m not advocating for a draft but we should open the door to this option.

Further, the state could use ASVAB results to indicate where a person should be looking for new jobs. Maybe we could use test to send them in the right direction. It’s established, it works, and the military will pay for it, the ASVAB looks like a good option of addressing our unemployment situation.

The truth is that collecting unemployment is becoming more socially acceptable, and becoming unemployed is more and more common. People are more likely to stay unemployed for longer and draw more money from the state. Getting the worker to the job is just going to be more and more important.

Best,



Richard Leland Neal

Coal in 2016

4th September 2024

Dear Madam Vice President,

A point that should be made in regards to the 2016 election is that Trump told the mining community that they will have jobs and Clinton told the world that coal mining companies needed to close. It gave a large part of the voting public the idea that Trump meant jobs and Clinton meant unemployment.

Trump lied but Clinton’s point was just as wrong. Companies need to evolve to live in the future not die. A company that made typewriters can make other things. Royal was a big typewriter company back in the day, and it was founded in 1904 but it still makes things today even as it was founded to make typewriters.

The point is that we need a plan for Coal Country America. We need a plan for hope in the small towns who view Donald Trump as the man who will save their way of life. The economic engine of the coal mine is at its end and we need to find a new engine to fuel small town America.

Much as the coal furnaces that once powered our turbines have given way to solar panels so must the mines give way to a new form of power. What that may be I couldn’t say. I would encourage a green future, but I don’t know what would work in this situation.

What I do know is that innovation often brings humanity into the cities and away from the small towns which breeds poverty and homelessness. The loss of the steam engine in trains left many a small rail stop as a ghost town.

The important thing is that small town America needs to know that you’re on their side. The people need to know that you are here to make the transition away from coal as painless and beneficial as possible.

God Bless America,


Richard Leland Neal

 

Transylvania - Feldioara

 During the medieval era, fortifications were a typical form of protection against raids and invasions. At a time when conquering and waging war was a way of life, kingdoms would build great walls around their cities. Yet when the Mongols tore their way through the Kingdom of Hungary in the 13th century decimating villages and populations, it was clear that the fortifications in place were insufficient to hold the Mongols at bay.

The Transylvanian Saxons did their best to fight against the Mongols and hold their position but to no avail and subsequently many of the settlements were completely destroyed. Anticipating another invasion, the Saxons proceeded not just to rebuild but to fortify their territories. As such more than 300 villages were fortified. High curtain walls were built around the more important towns, as seen in Braşov, whereas smaller ones were built around the church, adding defensive buildings and storehouses to help the villagers withstand extended sieges.

With time many of these fortified villages fell into ruin and only about half of them continue to exist. Of these, seven of them throughout the region were classified UNESCO sites such as Prejmer’s fortified church just north of Braşov. A little further from Prejmer, I passed the fortified church of Hărman with its 20ft (6m) thick walls. The chapel has an extensive collection of antique knotted carpets and textiles, and the walls are adorned with highly detailed 15th century murals.

Having arrived in Feldioara, I stopped at the former headquarters of the Teutonic Order, a fortress built in 1225 and assumed to be the oldest in the area. Very little is left of the interior, but the curtain wall and its four towers have been fully restored. Strategically located, the fortress offered views over the landscape, the village of Feldioara and the spire of St Mary’s Church.

Wrapping up my meanderings, I pulled up at a local dining spot to indulge in another traditional dish that is usually served during special celebrations called Sarmale, stuffed cabbage rolls. Made of minced pork mixed with caramelised onions and rice, it is then rolled into pickled sauerkraut leaf and pressure cooked with cuts of pork belly. The cabbage rolls are served with a dollop of sour cream on the side. While cabbage rolls have Turkish origins, they are a traditional Romanian dish with regional differences.

PS. Experience our virtual challenges in real life - The Conqueror Adventures

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Military Recruitment Crisis

31st August 2024

Hey McBeth,

Just a note on the military recruitment crisis you mentioned in one of your videos. I would have to say that you have a point about the positive stories of the military being in short supply in the modern day. I would still have to say that the G.I. Bill isn’t as attractive as it once was which is a big factor. Mental health is also an issue in the modern time.

WWII was the “greatest generation”, as we now call them, and almost all media depicting military service was heroic and positive. The Vietnam Conflict showed a change in perception of the military with vets coming back scared and broken but for nothing. I looked after a WWII vet on his death bed back in the 90’s and my old man went to Vietnam.

I had a close friend in Iraq. He was the first Striker Unit, Army Intelligence, and the man who came back was insufferable. He always thought he could get his way by yelling at people, and that just doesn’t fly with civilian life. A good deal of what happened in the Middle East is now a national embarrassment. I could say that right now I know about a dozen vets and none of them are really advertisements for the military unless I include you, and I think I should just call myself a fan.

Much like military recruitment college attendance is falling. Why go to college if it doesn’t mean you’re going to get a good job? My last job that wanted a college degree paid seventy five cents above the non college positions and my BA in Psychology doesn’t open a door for any better paying jobs in mental health.

A modern American seeking to rise out of poverty has little reason to join the military, get the G.I. Bill, go to college, and find themselves poor. Add in the fact that college loans are being forgiven and it’s just a formula for bad recruitment numbers.

Homeless veterans have been a national scandal since the 30’s but things are worse now. A man who joins the army is likely to find himself on the street with mental health issues when it’s all over. Look at films like the 2017 “Thank You for Your Service”. It was a horror story for the military that showed Americans that the country didn’t care about them. You’ll find no films of this nature about the Second World War.

The final point that needs to be made is that the youth of today come from a more mentally ill nation. They’re parents spend more time working and less time looking after them. Depression and other forms of mental illness are common in a nation where the average person working as hard as they can can’t get ahead in life.

Basic training is designed to be hard so that soldiers will react without thinking. This can save your life in the war zone but really do damage in the blue zone. There was a welding class for Vietnam Vets to get them back in the workforce, but the machines would often make a popping sound.

When this happened often times a Vet would have a bad reaction and they would curl up under the desk and need to be dragged out. What happened to them after that I don’t know. I guess a stay in the mental ward, but a job in welding wasn’t in their future.

That was PTSD and the problem has only gotten worse. We as a nation have failed to address the this, and many enlistees going into the military already have mental problems that will only get worse.

To be honest, you probably know all this, and your video wasn’t about getting more people in the army, but I figured it was worth mentioning. You may have some inside into this that I don’t have.

Best,



Richard Leland Neal

Make Hate Un-American

31st August 2024

Dear Madam Vice President,

If there is one contribution I would like to make to your campaign and the American zeitgeist it is the slogan “make hate un-American”. Hatred has been on the rise since 2016. Hatred in America has become a fire fueled by ignorance and fanned by poverty burning away at the integrity of this nation.

I’m a Jew, under Trump they were vandalizing our temples and we lived in fear. I had a lawyer who volunteered as an armed guard at a Jewish temple before he died. Some temples even canceled there services if Trump rallies where happening nearby.

Now things have only gotten worse for my people. Angry mobs now hunt Jews in America. Violence against any group should be seen as un-American, but this world of hate is known to be the product of ignorance. Humanity hates because hate is part of our instincts. It was normal in prehistoric times to hate the other tribe, but now we need to move past that.

Now we should be more civilized and embrace the diversity that makes America so wonderful a nation. I like living in a world where I can have Mexican food for breakfast, Greek for lunch, and Italian for dinner.

Let’s make hate un-American. Let’s make hate the idea of the enemies of democracy and let’s remind this nation that we are all here to lead a better life and lead a free world.

God bless America,



Richard Leland Neal