The Value of a Functioning Code of Conduct for Judges

The Allegory of the Clan is a hypothetical philosophical thought experiment exploring what happens when justice fails. In this learning story, certain religions, races, and political perspectives are treated with disdain, even when their values align with constitutional principles, oaths, and important philosophical traditions. Minorities are targeted, friends are rewarded, and prejudice becomes normalized.

The judges disregard broader laws and allow partisanship, corruption, and unwritten rules to influence their decisions. Victims seeking to protect their families, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion are intentionally disregarded for political ideology, while those responsible for misconduct are protected.

The story raises an important question: What can we do to improve the system? One starting point is reducing political influence within the judiciary and ensuring that judges uphold the law impartially. When public trust declines and wrongdoing continues without accountability, institutions risk losing their legitimacy-trust. Trust cannot be easily restored once it has been broken. Justice requires doing what is right, consistently, even when it is difficult. Most judges want to do the right thing but when they wont or if they are afraid of doing the right thing we have a much bigger problem under the surface. The proof in pudding outcomes. Worse if they don't know what the right thing is and they are deciding over such principles. 

Code of Conduct for United States Judges

• The code establishes ethical standards for federal judges to promote integrity and public trust.
• Judges must perform their duties fairly, impartially, and independently.
• Ethical guidelines address conflicts of interest and outside activities.
• Judges are expected to maintain professional conduct in their personal and official roles.
• The code provides a framework for responsible judicial decision-making and public confidence.

Judicial Conference of the United States. (n.d.). Code of conduct for United States judges. United States Courts. https://www.uscourts.gov/administration-policies/judiciary-policies/ethics-policies/code-conduct-united-states-judges 

The Power of Being Present: Focus, Goal Achievement and Less Stress

Imagine you want to increase your productivity and focus while reducing stress. Sounds great, right? But how do you actually do it without turning your life into one giant productivity seminar?

(Illustrative Only)
Live in the moment
while living your
blueprint plan.
Peace brothers
and sisters.

One way is to focus more on the present. That means spending less time worrying about everything that happened yesterday or everything that might go wrong next Tuesday. You have a plan, you know what you need to accomplish, and that's fine. Just don't let your brain run a 24-hour news channel featuring every past mistake and future disaster.

Being present can help improve focus and reduce unnecessary stress. It also creates room for innovation. Innovation isn't just about stuffing your brain with more information. It's about learning, stepping back, and allowing some mental space for your brain to connect the dots. Sometimes the best idea shows up when you're taking a walk, enjoying a hobby, or staring out the window—not when you're aggressively staring at a spreadsheet.

This doesn't mean you should ignore the past or stop planning for the future. The past can teach you, and the future needs some preparation. But today is where you actually live and where you get things done.

If you enjoy what you're doing, whether that's spending time with family and friends, working on hobbies, or pursuing your goals, being present can help you feel more satisfied with your life. And when you're more satisfied, you may find a little extra pep in your step when you head to work or tackle your next challenge.

Of course, life changes are sometimes necessary. You can reflect on the past, plan for the future, and still enjoy what's happening right now. The key is not allowing your future to consume your present or your past to constantly send you an invoice for things you can't change.

Ultimately, long-term success requires more than focus and good ideas. Diligence and grit matter. Showing up, doing the work, and sticking with your goals can make a significant difference over time. Just remember that success isn't only about how much you accomplish. It's also about whether you're actually enjoying the life you're working so hard to build.

Being Present and Life Satisfaction

• A 2017 study examined whether people are actually focused more on the past and future than on the present, as is sometimes suggested in mindfulness research.
• Using experience-sampling methods over one week, researchers found that participants were focused on the present about 66% of the time.
• Greater present-focused attention was associated with improvements in life satisfaction over time.
• The relationship appeared to work partly through reduced negative rumination—repetitive thinking about negative experiences or concerns.
• Importantly, being more present was associated with greater life satisfaction but did not produce a measurable improvement in happiness, suggesting that feeling satisfied with life and experiencing momentary happiness may operate differently.

Felsman, P., Verduyn, P., Ayduk, Ö., & Kross, E. (2017). Being present: Focusing on the present predicts improvements in life satisfaction but not happiness. Emotion, 17(7), 1047–1051. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000333

Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Survey – September 2026-Expanding, Labor Constraint, Rising Inputs, Expect Growth

September 17th 2026

ESCANABA-The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia recently released its September 2026 Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey, which examines manufacturing activity and economic conditions in the region.

The Philadelphia Fed reports that manufacturing activity expanded overall in September, with employment remaining positive, higher input costs, labor constraints and businesses continuing to expect growth.

(Just as a side note we are talking about human capital and labor a lot on this blog because skill sets are shifting and human capital will be needed.)

Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Survey – September 2026

• Manufacturing activity expanded in September, with the general activity index declining from 47.4 in August to 37.8. New orders remained positive at 29.2, while the shipments index held steady at 27.7.

• Employment continued to increase overall, although the employment index declined 16 points to 11.8. Most firms (77%) reported no change in employment, suggesting relatively limited hiring activity among respondents.

• Price pressures increased, with the prices paid index rising to 48.6 and the prices received index reaching 31.3. This indicates that manufacturers continued to experience increases in input costs and the prices of their products.

• Production growth was reported by 68% of firms during the third quarter, compared with 16% reporting a decline. Labor supply was a constraint on capacity utilization for 72% of firms, highlighting workforce-related challenges.

• Businesses continued to anticipate growth over the next six months, although the future general activity index fell to 52.9. Future prices paid and received remained elevated, suggesting that manufacturers expect ongoing price pressures alongside continued expansion.

Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. (2026, September 17). Manufacturing business outlook survey: September 2026 report. https://www.philadelphiafed.org/surveys-and-data/regional-economic-analysis/mbos-2026-09 

Unemployment Claims Decline, Pointing to Steady Labor Market For Week Ending Sept. 12th, 2026: California and Michigan

September 17, 2026

ESCANABA, MI.-New unemployment insurance claims fell by 10,000 for the week ending September 12, offering a modest sign that the U.S. labor market remains relatively stable and may be showing some improvement.

The decline in claims suggests that fewer workers filed for unemployment benefits during the week. However, the figures provide only a partial view of employment conditions because they cover people participating in the unemployment insurance system and do not include those who have stopped searching for work or are otherwise not counted in these measures.

State-level results were mixed. California reported an increase in unemployment claims, pointing to a rise in layoffs, while Michigan recorded a decline in claims.

Overall, the latest figures provide a somewhat positive indication of labor market conditions. Still, economists and policymakers must look beyond weekly unemployment claims to understand the broader employment picture, including workers who remain outside the unemployment insurance system.

Unemployment Insurance Claims Decline in September 2026

• Initial unemployment claims fell by 10,000 to 196,000 for the week ending September 12, 2026. The four-week moving average declined to 203,250.

• Insured unemployment decreased by 39,000 to 1.73 million, while the insured unemployment rate fell to 1.1%.

• Total continued claims declined to 1.69 million for the week ending August 29, below the 1.83 million recorded during the same period in 2025.

• Michigan reported 5,802 initial claims for the week ending September 5, down 2,075 from the previous week, while California reported 37,388 claims, an increase of 1,967.

• The decline in claims indicates reduced unemployment insurance activity, although weekly data can fluctuate and should be considered alongside other labor market indicators.

U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. (2026, September 17). Unemployment insurance weekly claims: Seasonally adjusted data (Release No. USDL 26-1529-NAT). https://www.dol.gov/ui/data.pdf 

Delta County Board of Commissioners Meeting 9/15/2026-Spooktacular Halloween Event and other stuff!

The county recently held a meeting that included several interesting discussions and updates. One county member is leaving after making valuable contributions to the community. The meeting also covered the upcoming Spooktacular Halloween event, along with other local activities that residents should be aware of and support.

(Illustratyive Only)

Additional topics included purchasing and bill payments, a firewood processor, an investor RFP award, budgetary matters, and other county business. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about county meetings and local events to better understand ongoing developments in the community. A discussion on exit from MERS and financial investment advising.

Opening & Administrative Approvals

• Roll Call: Commissioners Milner, Johnson, Williams, VandeVusse, and Jensen were present.

• Meeting Minutes: Minutes from the September 1, 2026 meeting were approved as amended to correct a typo ("Human Services").

• Agenda Additions: The agenda was approved with four added new business items concerning airport RFPs, LEO reimbursement, the ACIP project list, and dynamic aircraft display repainting.

County Clerk Retirement & Farewells

• County Clerk & Register of Deeds Nancy Prusi gave her final report, marking her upcoming retirement after nearly 26 years in office.

• Career Highlights & Stats:

  • Elected in 2000 as Delta County’s first female County Clerk.

  • Longest-serving clerk in county history (25 years, 9 months; 7 four-year terms).

  • Attended 784 county board meetings (missed only 42).

  • Officiated over 600 weddings, handled 50+ elections, and saved local jurisdictions ~$100,000 by programming elections in-house from 2005–2022.

  • Acquired high-capacity rolling filing cabinets at no cost, adding 25+ years of filing space.

• Departmental Request: Expressed an urgent plea for the board to add a third staff member to the understaffed clerk's office, noting the office generates an extra $120,000/year.

Departmental Updates (Parks & Maintenance)

• Upcoming Projects: Preparation for the Spooktacular event, gravel hauling for county forest roads, park bathroom renovations, campsite graveling, and MSU extension building remodels.

• Staffing: Publicly noted a need to hire a building trades worker.

Financial & New Business Approvals

• Payment of Bills: Approved total claims/bills of $1,231,500.96 and commissioner expenses of $1,621.40.

• Emergency Management: Approved the Chair to sign the FY 2027 M-EMPG Local Emergency Management Work Agreement.

• Firewood Processor Purchase: Approved purchasing a skid-steer-mounted firewood processor (via a budget amendment from maintenance to parks) to automate campsite firewood processing and save money.

• Legal Engagement: Approved a letter of engagement with Foster Swift Legal Counsel to assist with evaluating an exit from the MERS defined benefit plan.

• Policy Adoptions: Approved County Policies 1.7, 3.4, 5.6, and 6.2 as presented.

  • Policy 2.1 Amendment: Approved policy updates to clarify board oversight over both the County Administrator and the County Controller per state statute (MCL 46.13b).

• Brownfield Authority: Appointed Wendy Holesenamp and Steve (last name unstated) to open seats.

Tabled / Deferred Items

• October Meeting Schedule: Tabled a proposal to cancel the October 20th meeting until the first meeting in October.

• Investor RFP Award: Tabled awarding the financial investor contract to allow the County Controller time to review and provide input on the two proposals received (Delta Financial Inc. and Manor Wealth).

Budget & Fiscal Year Motions

• Approved routine year-end housekeeping motions, including line-item budget transfers, chart of accounts updates, remonumentation per diem/mileage settings, and recording residual equity interest earnings in the general fund.

• Approved adopting the amended FY 2026 budget and general budget resolution with corrections to millage tax rates.

• Personnel Posting Discussion: Debated a clause regarding required board approval for replacing vacant staff positions; discussed balancing administrative efficiency with board financial oversight.

Federal Reserve Economic Projections Setember 2026 (The Crystal Ball)

The Federal Reserve recently released its September 2026 economic projections. GDP growth is expected to be approximately 2.3% in 2026, followed by moderate growth through 2029. Unemployment is projected to remain relatively stable, while inflation is expected to gradually decline toward the Federal Reserve's 2% target.

(Illustrative Only)

Looking into the crystal
ball of forecasting. 
Part data and
part art.

However, these are projections, not guarantees. Unexpected economic developments could change the outlook. Overall, the projections suggest an economy that is relatively stable, with moderate growth rather than particularly strong expansion.

Federal Reserve Economic Projections: September 2026

• Economic growth: GDP growth is projected at 2.3% in 2026, with moderate growth through 2029.

• Unemployment: The unemployment rate is projected at 4.1% from 2026 through 2029.

• Inflation: PCE inflation is expected to decline from 3.7% in 2026 to the Federal Reserve's 2% target by 2029.

• Interest rates: The federal funds rate is projected to gradually decline from 4.1% in 2026 to 3.6% in 2029.

• Economic outlook: Projections reflect policymakers' expectations and remain subject to economic uncertainty.

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. (2026, September 16). FOMC projections materials. https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/fomcprojtabl20260916.htm 

The Allegory of the Clan: Justice, Corruption, and the Social Contract (The Good and the Bad of Choices)

The hypothetical Allegory of the Clan is a philosophical thought experiment designed to explore how hatred, corruption, institutional power, and personal incentives influence society. Its purpose is not to establish who is right or wrong, but to examine how institutions can either support or undermine justice, public trust, and human development.

When Justice Becomes a Tool of Targeting

(Illustrative Only)
One asks you only to 
kiss the ring for riches, 
a fast career, and 
self-enrichment. The
other offers nothing 
but your soul and upholding
human freedom for everyone else.
A man who embraces
the animal nature or
a man that embraces
a higher moral conscious.
We each must
decide what we believe
is the best for everyone
else. 
Englightenment

Imagine a society in which a minority group is targeted by institutional leaders and denied equal protection under the law. Constitutional rights are selectively applied, misconduct is ignored, and individuals who benefit from corruption face little accountability.

From the victims' perspective, this represents a betrayal of justice and the social contract. From the perpetrators' perspective, such actions may be rationalized through beliefs about superiority, loyalty, religious rightness or who deserves to belong.

The thought experiment highlights how individuals can construct moral justifications for harmful behavior. When personal gain, social status, and institutional influence outweigh shared principles, corruption can become embedded in systems that are supposed to protect the public.

Intimidation and the Normalization of Hatred

The hypothetical misconduct extends beyond the courtroom through intimidation, surveillance, harassment, and retaliation against whistleblowers. When institutions fail to respond, fear and distrust can spread (....if it is supported by stats it could be a bigger problem).

Repeated dehumanization and negative narratives may normalize discrimination and create conditions in which more serious harm becomes possible. History demonstrates the dangers of allowing these patterns to continue without meaningful reflection. In some places in the world the normalization of hate and misuse of narratives leads to genocide.

Checks and balances, ethical leadership, and the protection of those who report misconduct are essential to maintaining institutional integrity. Dissent against corruption can serve a constructive purpose when it seeks to uphold equal rights and strengthen public institutions.

The Social Contract and Leadership

Many people within institutions may perform their duties faithfully, yet leadership, incentives, and institutional culture can influence their decisions. When money, political influence, fear, and loyalty reinforce one another, doing the right thing may become more difficult.

Silence can contribute to institutional failure when it allows misconduct to continue without accountability.

A Positive Moral Outcome

The Allegory of the Clan is ultimately about the possibility of learning and change. Societies can strengthen public trust by confronting wrongdoing, protecting individual rights, and encouraging leaders to demonstrate integrity through their actions.

The central question is not whether every person is good or bad. It is whether institutions can be designed to encourage ethical behavior, discourage corruption, protect dissent, and preserve human dignity.

When societies learn from their mistakes and uphold shared values, they create stronger conditions for human capital, participation, and economic development. The torch of liberty is sustained not only by laws, but by the moral commitment to apply those laws fairly.

*The Allegory of the Clan is a philsophical, theoretical, thought experiment designed around Plato's Allegory of the Cave that tried to bring people to enlightenment of self and society. Take with a grain of salt and fee free to discard. There is no right or wrong answer. 

Asch Experiment: Group Pressure and Conformity

• Solomon Asch conducted a series of experiments in the 1950s to examine how peer pressure and group opinion could influence individual judgment.
• Participants were asked to compare the lengths of lines, a task with an obvious correct answer, while other people in the group deliberately gave incorrect answers.
• More than one-third of participants sometimes agreed with the incorrect majority, and at least 75% gave an incorrect response at least once.
• The research showed that conformity increased when individuals faced a unanimous majority, while having even one person disagree with the group made it easier for participants to resist social pressure.
• The experiment demonstrates the power of social influence and raises an important question about whether people change their beliefs or simply comply publicly to avoid standing apart from the group.

Shuttleworth, M. (2008, February 23). Asch experiment. Explorable. https://explorable.com/asch-experiment