,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Scary power of cognitive dissonance

I COULD NOT HAVE SAID IT BETTER GOOD JOB BRUCE!

​Why in the world would millions of people post — or broadcast, text, tweet, view, or forward — things like hurricanes are "weather weapons"? The tempting answer is that these people are nuts. But if we say that we are missing the chance to better understand ourselves and the political mess we are in. -​bruce peterson U of M Law-

A mismatch between our actual conduct or beliefs and our fictional self-image is so painful that we do whatever it takes to preserve the fiction.

According to misinformation researcher Mike Caulfield of the University of Washington, people spread conspiracy theories neither to persuade anyone nor to trigger action. Their purpose is more profound — to sustain beliefs that can't stand up to actual facts.

Atlantic staff writer Charlie Warzel has explained that hurricane conspiracy promoters are desperate to debunk global warming and justify their distrust and grievances.

We are seeing the latest example of the scary power of the phenomenon of cognitive dissonance to distort our thinking.

Though I am outraged at the harm done by misinformation — death threats to meteorologists! — I have come to see it as a sad product of our universal human fallibility.

We are like a figure skater on a pond, trying to look good but not knowing where the ice is thin. We desperately want to believe — and for the world to see — that we are rational, competent and honest, that our lives are coherent because our actions match that selfimage.
But the foundation of mind and emotions that underlies our rosy self-image is too frail to support such lofty aspirations. Unchecked emotions swamp our reason. Cognitive biases bedevil us. We overrate our intelligence and integrity.

So at best our skater will sometimes get his feet wet. A mismatch between our actual conduct or beliefs and our fictional self-image — cognitive dissonance — is so painful that we do whatever it takes to preserve the fiction. We change the facts, we change our memories, and we even change a picture of airplane contrails into a sure sign of government hurricane manipulation.

Recognizing the power of cognitive dissonance can help us appreciate why people so often seem immune to obvious facts — and maybe help us become more open-minded ourselves.

In their fascinating book "Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me)," psychologists Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson show how self-justification fueled by cognitive dissonance has stopped police and prosecutors from accepting compelling new evidence that they got the wrong man and economists from admitting that their predictions were bad.

"I am a skilled professional. This annoying new evidence is obviously wrong."

All of us fall prey to cognitive dissonance. My cheerful wife occasionally offers me, shall we say, suggestions for improvement. And after 50 years I have learned that she is usually right. How I wish I could have listened more to what she had to say instead of leaping to the defense of my virtuous self-image.

Solomon was blunt about it:
"Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but whoever hates reproof is stupid." (Proverbs 12:1, World English Bible).

Avoiding the discomfort of cognitive dissonance shapes politics. Donald Trump is overwhelmingly supported by the people who voted for him in 2020 despite his encouraging an insurrection, being found liable for sexual abuse and civil fraud, threatening revenge against political opponents, and refusing to commit to accepting the result of the 2024 election. The greater the evidence of his misconduct, the stronger will be the need of his supporters to dismiss it.

Before Donald Trump's New York conviction on 34 felonies, only 17% of Republicans said that a convicted felon should be allowed to be president. Immediately after the verdict, that portion rose to 58%.

"I am a good citizen. I wouldn't vote for a true felon. But this case was just a political witch-hunt."

Am I just lecturing Trump supporters to wake up and smell the coffee?
​Well, yes, but there is plenty of cognitive dissonance to go around. New York Times columnist David Brooks cites it for extremism on the left.

I remember the message of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as hopeful and welcoming. He had a dream everyone could share: White and Black people could partner in creating an America that lived up to its beautiful ideals. All of God's children, Black and white, could be free at last.

Sure, Southerners resisted, but overall the message was so compelling that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 passed with huge majorities of both parties.

Sixty years later there is ample cause for frustration, but instead of building on what has been accomplished, some messages about race from progressives today are only condemnatory. America is hopelessly stained by structural racism. White privilege is a character blot.

Why so little perspective? A tenet of the progressive left is that the world consists of oppressors and the oppressed, and the oppressed are the good guys.

But loud leftist voices often come from students and faculty at privileged universities and journalists at elite publications, i.e., card-carrying members of the oppressive system.

Enter cognitive dissonance. Brooks suggests that the way to reconcile the internal conflict between one's identity as a progressive enemy of an oppressive system while enjoying privileged membership in that very system is to be its most shrill critic.

It is no surprise that the political opinions published by student newspapers at elite schools are much more progressive than those at other schools.

So are we fated to blunder around in the fantasy we create of our own perfection? No.

Tavris and Aronson highlight a powerful inner resource: self-compassion. If we remember that no one is right all the time, and we still don't let ourselves off the hook too easily, we can work on a more genuine self-image: "I was wrong. My mistake caused harm. I can accept this and remain a smart, decent person who tries to do the right thing."

Our nation is freighted with rigidity. The human tendency is to dig in just when we should be opening up to new, challenging information. If ever there was a time to take a hard look at ourselves, this is it.

Bruce Peterson is a senior district judge and teaches a class on lawyers as peacemakers at the University of Minnesota Law School.

Q - What does this mean "by the people for the people"

"By the people for the people"

is a phrase that often signifies a government or system that is directly controlled and governed by the citizens it represents.
​It implies:

Democracy:
The people have a say in how they are ruled, typically through voting and other forms of participation.

Equality:
All citizens are considered equal and have equal rights and responsibilities.
​
Representation:
The government's actions and policies should reflect the will of the people. This phrase is often associated with democratic principles and ideals, and it can be found in various contexts, such as government documents, speeches, and slogans.
​_________________________________

 Q If it is the will of the people, is it considered democratic to support those less fortunate?

Yes, supporting those less fortunate is considered a democratic principle. Here's why:

Social justice:
Democratic societies often strive for social justice, which means ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities and is treated fairly. Supporting those less fortunate is a way to promote social justice.

Compassion:
Compassion and empathy are often valued in democratic societies. Supporting those less fortunate demonstrates compassion and a willingness to help others.

Collective good:
Democratic societies often believe in the idea of the collective good, which means that the well-being of the entire community is important.

​ Supporting those less fortunate can contribute to the overall well-being of the community. While there may be different approaches to supporting those less fortunate, the principle of doing so is generally considered to be consistent with democratic values.
​_____________________________________________

Q What is Fascism?

Fascism is a far-right political ideology that emphasizes the importance of the nation or race above individual rights. It is characterized by:

Authoritarianism:
A strong, centralized government that controls all aspects of society.

Nationalism:
A strong sense of national identity and pride, often accompanied by xenophobia.

Militarism:
A focus on military power and preparedness.

Corporatism:
A close relationship between the government and businesses.

Suppression of dissent:
The suppression of opposition and criticism. Fascism often involves the use of propaganda, censorship, and violence to maintain power. It is a totalitarian ideology that seeks to control every aspect of people's lives.

Examples of historical fascist regimes include:
Nazi Germany
Fascist Italy
Francoist Spain
​
It's important to note that fascism is a complex ideology with varying interpretations and manifestations. However, the core characteristics outlined above are generally considered to be essential elements of fascism.
​___________________________________________________

Q what is liberalism 

Liberalism
is a political philosophy that emphasizes individual liberty, equality, and consent of the governed. It is characterized by:

Individual rights:
The belief that individuals have fundamental rights and freedoms, such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly.

Limited government:
The idea that government should have limited power and should not interfere with individual liberties.

Rule of law:
The principle that everyone is subject to the same laws and that no one is above the law.

Economic freedom:
The belief that individuals should have the freedom to pursue economic opportunities and accumulate wealth.

Social progress:
​A commitment to social justice and equality, including the promotion of human rights and the elimination of discrimination.

Q what does the word "government" mean

Government refers to the organization or system that governs a country or state. It is responsible for making and enforcing laws, providing public services, and protecting the citizens. Governments can take many different forms, such as democracies, monarchies, dictatorships, and republics. In essence, a government is the institution that has the authority to rule over a society and make decisions that affect the lives of its citizens.

YOUR CHOICE MATTERS!  WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE WANT TO BE GOVERNED. OR, WE MAY FIND OURSELVES
(AS STATED BY ONE POLITICAL CANDIDATE),
​
"YOU'LL NEVER HAVE TO VOTE AGAIN"

​THINK - VOTE

’25 Social Security COLA to be 2.5% Moderating inflation tempers monthly payment increase. By DANIELLE KAYE The New York Times

​
Tens of millions of Americans receiving Social Security benefits are poised to see a 2.5% increase in their monthly checks next year to keep pace with inflation, the Social Security Administration said Thursday, an uptick that’s on a par with average annual increases in recent decades.

The average monthly benefit for retired workers is set to increase by $49 to $1,976 starting in January, up from the current average of $1,927. While retirees and their dependents account for a majority of the more than 72 million Social Security beneficiaries, millions of others will also see their checks go up, including disabled workers, survivors of deceased workers and people with low incomes, as part of the Supplemental Security Income program.

“This adjustment means older Americans will receive needed relief to help better afford essential items from groceries to gas,” Jo Ann Jenkins, chief executive of AARP, said in a statement.
The cost-of-living adjustment is in line with the 2.6% average annual increase over the past 20 years, but it’s modestly lower than the 3.2% rise beneficiaries received this year.

And it’s significantly less than the 8.7% uptick for 2023, when pandemic-related disruptions and supply shortages drove up inflation sharply. At that time, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate to its highest level in decades and has only recently started to cut it as inflation has cooled.

The 2025 Social Security adjustment, known as the COLA, reflects the slowdown in inflation.

“The COLA is meant to replace what people lost in buying power because of price increases,” said Teresa Ghilarducci, an economist at the New School who specializes in retirement security. “So we want that COLA to go down.”

Social Security calculates the adjustment using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, taking the average inflation readings from July, August and September of the current year and comparing them with the same period from a year earlier.

But the index tracks a range of goods and services that are purchased primarily by younger working people, not by retirees, who often spend more of their income on housing and health care. The costs experienced by Americans over age 62 tend to outpace the index, Ghilarducci said, making the annual adjustment fall short of what retirees actually need.

The adjustment is often mostly eaten up by the increase in Medicare Part B premiums, which are automatically deducted from Social Security checks. Some experts, including Ghilarducci, say Social Security beneficiaries also need an increase in their baseline benefits to maintain their buying power.

Social Security is largely funded through payroll taxes, which are split between employers and employees. This year, they each paid 6.2% of wages (self-employed workers paid 12.4%), up to a taxable maximum of $168,600. Next year, up to $176,100 of earnings will be subject to these taxes.

Any potential cost-of-living adjustment is incorporated into benefits at the start of the new year, meaning beneficiaries receive raises after they have already been facing higher prices for the goods and services they buy.
​
“The COLA is so important to people because it is a reliable source of getting some extra income, and that is something that is highly valued in retirement,” said Mary Johnson, an independent Social Security analyst. “But at the same time, seniors are in a situation where it’s not going to be enough.”

OWNER VICTIMIZED IN CHECK-THEFT SCAM Thieves are increasingly stealing checks from the mail and then altering or counterfeiting them. Story by MIKE HUGHLETT Photo by RICHARD TSONG-TAATARII ​The Minnesota Star Tribune

The check wasn't in the mail — it had been stolen.

But by the time Jeremy Dohm learned his $5,752.87 check to a Michigan supplier had been purloined and counterfeited, his New Prague car wash equipment business was out $55,752.87, the amount printed on the sham check.

"It was a stunning moment," he said.

He thought his bank, Minnwest, would cover the loss. But the bank claimed it wasn't responsible. The bank that accepted the counterfeit check in Michigan, JPMorgan Chase, finally ponied up his $55,753, after three tense weeks.

Dohm learned the hard way that check theft via the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has surged in recent years. While some thieves still simply plunder checks from residential mailboxes, the illicit trade has grown more sophisticated and uglier.

The robberies of mail carriers have increased, and thieves also have targeted master keys that can open up collection boxes. And criminals have improved their game, using better technology to alter, counterfeit and market stolen checks.

"We are talking about organized crime," said David Maimon, a Georgia State University professor who specializes in cybercrime and has documented the burgeoning market for stolen checks on the dark web.

When Maimon started his stolen-check research in 2020, he found about 400 checks on the dark web per month. Now, that number is around 7,000. The dark web is a marketplace for criminals, including peddlers of stolen identity and financial information.

A nationwide surge in check fraud targeting the U.S. mail started during the pandemic, according to the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Center (FinCEN), a division of the U.S. Treasury Department.

From March 2020 through February 2021, USPS saw a 161% increase in mail thefts, with criminals generally looking for checks, according to the division. And from 2020 through mid-2023, bank reports of check fraud soared, FinCEN reported last month.

"Check fraud is at a scale we have not seen in the past," and mail theft is the "number one" cause, said Paul Benda, executive vice president of risk, fraud and cybersecurity at the American Bankers Association, a trade group. "The amount of money that can be made is staggering."
Thieves more inventive

The rise in check theft comes paradoxically as checks have been increasingly supplanted by electronic payments. Still, many companies, including Dohm's, use both payment systems.
"Some vendors just prefer a check," Dohm said.

His business, Autowash Systems Inc. (ASI), builds, repairs and services car wash systems, ringing up just north of $20 million in sales annually and employing about 50. The company focuses on the Upper Midwest, but has suppliers across the country.

ASI's pilfered check was headed to ABC Wash Systems in Rochester Hills, Mich. It was one of 15 checks picked up by a postal worker at ASI's office on Aug. 20. The other 14 checks arrived at their intended destinations.

Dohm said he discovered the missing check after ASI's controller, Stephen Mueller, received a call on Sept. 5 from a PNC Bank branch in Texas. PNC had been presented with a $5,753 check from Dohm's company, made out to a woman in Manvel, a city 25 miles south of Houston.

PNC asked for verification of the payee's identity. Mueller had never heard of her, but the check carried the same number and dollar amount as the check ASI had written to ABC in Michigan. PNC did not honor the bogus check.

After the PNC call, Mueller rushed to scrutinize ASI's checking account.
He found that another bogus check with the same number as the ABC check had been honored on Aug. 30 — but for $55,753. It was made out to a man in Harper Woods, Mich., a Detroit suburb about 30 miles southeast of ABC's location.

Dohm called his bank, Redwood Falls-based Minnwest, to figure out what happened.

He said the bank, which has a branch in New Prague, told him the check was cashed by JPMorgan Chase in Michigan. Dohm said Minnwest also told him that the checks presented to Chase and PNC were counterfeit versions of the check originally made out to ABC.
Minnwest told Dohm it was not responsible, and he would have to recover his stolen money from Chase. On Sept. 5, Minnwest sent an indemnity request to Chase.

Dohm reported the incident to the New Prague Police Department, which is investigating. He also filed a report with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which has been plenty busy in recent years dealing with the huge increase in check thefts.

Robberies of U.S. postal workers and property increased sevenfold between fiscal years 2019 and 2023, according to a May report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

Besides the surge in stealing "arrow keys" — the master keys that open collection boxes — postal inspection audits have also turned up lax security for arrow keys at post offices around the country, including in Minnesota. A Postal Service audit released earlier this year found that 17 arrow keys were missing at an Eagan branch.

Banks push prevention to customers
Dohm said he was dumbfounded that the $55,753 check was cashed in the first place, particularly since it was a fairly large amount originating from a business.

"We don't write checks often to individuals, if ever," he said.
The phony ASI check was deposited into a Chase account at an automated teller machine, the bank said, declining to disclose the ATM's location.

Suspicious the check could be fraudulent, Chase said it "restricted" the depositor's account the day after the deposit was made. That means the depositor couldn't access the funds, though the check was still debited from ASI's account at Minnwest.

Chase declined to comment further on the fraud's particulars.
On Sept. 20, Minnwest informed Dohm that Chase had recovered his $55,573 and the money had been credited to his account. The bank told Dohm he got his money back only because Chase still had access to the illicit funds on deposit.

Dohm said he wasn't too happy with Minnwest's response to the incident. "The attitude was, 'I'm sorry and it's too bad that it happened, but there's not much we can do,' " Dohm said.

The bank, in a statement, said that "in any attempted fraud situation, Minnwest Bank prides itself on making every effort to remediate the impact to our customers, and to help educate our customers on how to best protect their operations against future fraud attempts."

Minnwest told Dohm that ASI was liable for the loss. That's because after an attempted check fraud earlier in 2024, ASI had declined a $35-a-month service from the bank called "positive pay," which individually reconciles each cleared check against the original.

Dohm said Minnwest didn't make it clear that he would be liable for check fraud if he didn't sign up. ASI did upgrade to a higher security check paper. But the new check paper didn't stop the counterfeiters.
Now, he's signed up for Minnwest's positive pay.

Banks "would really love to get people off checks," said Denda of the banking trade group. "Checks are an inherently insecure form of payment."
​
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