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What if you got reward points for good citizenship?

Many businesses offer “rewards” points for their repeat and valued customers. But what about California? In the end, this state is a type of business. We are in the business of protecting and creating a nice place to live for California citizens and visitors.

One problem that we have in the Golden State is that not everyone uses our National Parks system and California Parks. Going on hiking trips and taking a visit to a State Beach can increase comradery between citizens, and also provide an exercise opportunity for a generally sedentary population. So what if there was a voluntary “California Rewards” program which allowed citizens to acquire Rewards Points and then use them to get discounts and fun benefits at National Parks?

How would a citizen acquire California Rewards points? The process would be simple. Citizens would be allowed to register at a quasi-government website such as the DMV or perhaps the Post Office site and register their identity for the rewards program. If the citizen does not commit any crimes over a set amount of time, then he or she would acquire points and/or vouchers for things like free parking at the beach, a free camp-site rental for an evening or maybe a discount for a fire-pit rental in a forest preserve area.

Another concept that could be implemented which many people who already do voluntary community service might enjoy is this: Imaging if you are part of an organization or an individual that does voluntary community service that is recognized by the state like the cleaning of roads/highways and other services such as volunteering as a counselor for youth or perhaps a forest ranger/support volunteer. Under a program like California Rewards, these people would receive

This concept would do several interesting things:

First, it would add incentive for people to stay out of trouble. Why risk getting a parking ticket if you’re so close to getting that free camping trip parking pass?

Secondly, it would give a tiny bonus to people who are already nice enough to do community service with their specific groups or as individuals. My friends at my group are planning to clean some roads and I’ll get some California Rewards points so why not?

Thirdly, California Rewards could motivate people to get outside and enjoy their physical environments more. I’ve had enough points to redeem a free parking pass to the Ocean Preserve forever…I guess this weekend would be the perfect time for a romantic date!

I know this kind of concept may seem odd for a State Government to implement. But a program like this could add fun and benefit to something positive…exploring the out-doors and helping the community.

-Tyler

Flashmobs are now being used as a form of group shoplifting - This could affect our freedom to assembly if it continues

Flashmobs, they were and still are interesting aspects to our ever growing society. Last year, we saw how flashmobs could be used as a form of group expression. Sometimes this expression took the form of organized dancing, and in some rare cases…it took the form of group violence. But now, flashmobs are being used as a way for youngsters to engage in rapid shoplifting.

Groups of young people are wearing concealing clothing and are shoplifting at convenience stores, and now even at retail department stores. This is a serious problem, not because of the clothing used or the age groups involved…but because of the effectiveness of group crime. Increased numbers of perpetrators means that more loss prevention staff will be required to prevent such group shoplifting. This raises the cost of doing business, because store-owners have to worry more about security. I

But aside from the financial implications, there are societal implications for this development in flashmob evolution. Up until now, flashmobs have been in a gray societal area. They weren’t considered gangs because they can be used for good or bad things. They weren’t considered charities for the exact same reason. But with flashmobs being activated for the sole purpose of shoplifting, a new concern must be addressed. That concern is how flashmobs used for shoplifting directly affect property rights and how this could be used as a way to affect freedom of assembly rights.

Do you remember the film Robocop from the 1980’s? There was a scene at the last third of the film where Robocop tried to arrest a senior member of the OCP corporation. Do you remember what happened? Since Robocop had his 4th “Directive” which said he couldn’t arrest and OCP executive and also since he had the 2nd directive to uphold the law…he suffered a sort of seizure or systems malfunction. Directives in that film can be analogous to our freedoms which are protected by the Bill of Rights.

The two conflicting rights I see here in this case are the First and Fifth Amendments. The first deals with the freedom of assembly and the second amendment deals with general property rights. And although someone might say, “Well the 1st amendment is first so it must be the best!” that doesn’t necessarily mean it overrides all the facts in this flashmob issue. Most importantly, one must understand that the United States of America is a business. And as a business, it’s primary objective is to create wealth and prosperity. That’s why petty theft and rioting is dealt with so harshly here, it is just too expensive to have security watching every window and guarding every bookcase. Every guard, every police officer, every weary employee who has to be “on the lookout” for thieves is diverting resources away from customer service opportunities and other money-making job duties.

Groups of young people may enjoy the “thrill” of shoplifting, but what they don’t realize is that they are affecting the system far more deeply than just “pwning” a local business. Society today observes everything and if flashmobs are used as an effective tool for systematic shoplifting, new levels of scrutiny may be exacted on people who travel in groups. This could create a more tense atmosphere for everyone involved, authority figures and customers alike. Imagine if any group of young people of 5 or more could potentially be a hostile flashmob ready to steal a companies products? The level of tension could directly affect businesses and this usually translates to more security, more tense shopping experiences where you need to wear fancy clothes just to buy a pair of shoes. Eventually, the end result of this type of societal tension escalation is usually greater separation between social groups. But in an environment where the economy is still struggling to get back on its feet, everyone should be treated as a potentially excellent customer. Therefore these flashmobs which are doing group shoplifting should reconsider their actions and community resources should be implemented to create fun and engaging opportunities for young people to feel fulfilled and also acquire status items which make them feel good as a consumer in a very competitive world.

-Tyler

"Home of Our Own" is probably going to be the next hit single on the radio!

Everybody knows about the bank foreclosure situation. It is serious but it also is causing many people to re-think their lives. This can be a very good thing because it puts the individual back into a place where they feel they are less “weighted down” by possessions and responsibilities.

In the video below, you will see people from the Occupy Wall Street movement (OWS) do a sit in at a bank. They are singing a song, “We need a home…home of our own…” and it is sung with an uplifting sense of ironic humor that it sticks into one’s mind like chewing gum to a car seat.

The lady who is the employee at the bank looks so perturbed by the men and women participating in the sit in. Yet at the same time she is almost ready to bust out laughing. The juxtaposition of the couch, carpet and even a table top strategy game gives the whole environment that “Living Room” feel.

What makes the video even funnier is how the faux living room that the occupiers set up actually attracts more customers into the bank. They probably had record numbers of new checking account sign-ups that day because the OWS people seemed to add a sense of fresh energy to the bank.

Check out the video below, it is serious too funny.

-Tyler