What are they doing? I never ceased to be amazed at their actions. Do any of them know how to balance a check book? I am speaking of congress of course. Does anybody remember the House banking scandal of 1992? 450 members of congress and other House officials wrote checks on the house bank that they did not have funds to cover. The house bank would honor them with the understanding that the member would pay them - - - sometime. No fees, no penalty, no responsibility. For some it was hundreds of checks that were effectively overdrafts outstanding for Years!
Most of us can not withstand the temptation that comes with the ability to write our own rules. For many generations it was the press who stood as the guardian against abuse. We know longer have the luxury of a press that is a true watchdog. They have become so biased in their own agenda that they can not speak out when they see corruption for fear of harming their own agenda. So it falls to us the citizens of this great country to be vigilant and hold our officials accountable.
The "Government" is out of control and lacks the ability to govern itself. While the rest of us are tightening our belts and our companies are laying off employees, the Government is spending and has added 25,000 new jobs since the first of the year. The only problem is, it's our money, and our children's money and our grand children's money.
The president says "he can not just kick the can down the road". He says that we must address these "problems" now. That sounds all well and good, but we are kicking the bill for all of this down the road. No one who is in congress now, has any expectation of being in congress when we start to pay for this. Think about it they are spending our grand children's money because they know they won't be there to answer for it. They will be at home with generous pensions and benefits guaranteed for life - - -by the rest of us.
Their are countless programs available (many sponsored by the government) that council people on how to get their financial house in order. As far as I know, not one of them, has ever advocated borrowing your way to financial well being. You pay down your debt and then you buy if you have a need.
By the way, for the record, this is not a Democrat or Republican issue, it is a political leadership issue, or lack there of. Our political leaders think we can't handle honesty and reality. I think we can. I think it is the lack of faith that our political leaders have in us that is the crime here. The citizenry is grounded in reality. We must pay our bills every day, we have to make hard choices and set priorities. We are used to it. Most of us shoulder our personal responsibility quite well. Our elected leaders are simply not grounded in the real world. They pander to our base nature, and we let them get away with it.
I think we have lost faith in our leaders. I think that is why we have taken the position that these folks are never going to do the right thing, so I might as well get "mine". We are better than that. We are better than those who seek to lead us!
Stand up, speak out, demand that that congress be responsible for their actions. It is not to late, we can make a difference. Just because congress doesn't get it, doesn't mean we have to act like we don't. Don't let them cower you down with talk of fairness. We cannot make everyone equal. We cannot make life fair for everyone. Where did we ever get that notion, and where does it stop? Everyone deserves a house, everyone deserves healthcare, everyone deserves a Cadillac, every kid deserves $200 Nikes. If we don't have lifeboats for everyone, do we all drown in an attempt to be "fair".
What if it is to late you say, well I would still rather go down swinging. I have to look my grandchildren in the face, and explain why my generation stood by and did nothing to save theirs. I don't want to do that, do you?
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Letters
Few of us are fortunate enough to have know a good "letter writer" in our life times. Most of us tend to be better communicators in either the spoken work or the written word, but seldom both. Let's be honest most of us are "talkers". Most really good written communicators tend to come up short on the verbal side, but it appears to me that written communications carry more weight. The era of writing a good letter or memo for that matter have just about passed. We tend to jot a few words in an email or pick up the phone and bam- we are done.
I don't know why I found myself musing about this today, but it was on my mind and I reflected back on people that I have known with a great skill for writing. I don't think I have it by the way, as a matter of fact I know I don't, it is a real gift that few are blessed with.
I have known 2 or 3 really good written communicators in my lifetime. Amazing really, I am nearly 58 years old and have only know 2 or 3. Several years ago there was a regional manager with a company that we worked for that had the "gift". His name was Tom. Tom was a moody guy, whose verbal skills were lacking and he tended to really irate people with his manor whenever he was in the room. In fact he was down right easy not to like. But when he wrote a letter, (we used to do that back then), it was powerful. Every word seemed to have weight and value. It was like he was building something of lasting value with each communication. They were never ambiguous or vague, and no matter what the subject matter, they left you feeling satisfied. You felt as if he had shared something intimate of great value, even if he was dressing you down about something you had failed to do.
There is a good chance that you have never crossed a "writer" in your lifetime, they are rare. If that is the case, then this may all sound a bit strange. There are many sources out there and they are worth finding just so that you can have the experience. When Ken Burns did his epic on the Civil War for public television, it was the letters form soldiers that he laced in, that kept us spellbound for hours. Most were short with amazing clarity and feeling. That kind of communication is hard for us and nearly lost.
I Googled "How to write a letter" and got 57,300,000 hits. Must be tough if there are that many results on how to do it. Next time you get the chance pick up a book of letters. It helps if they were written at least 50 years ago. (more people knew how back then) Read a few, and I think you will agree we have lost a lot when it comes to communicating with our fellow man.
Maybe we can do better.
I don't know why I found myself musing about this today, but it was on my mind and I reflected back on people that I have known with a great skill for writing. I don't think I have it by the way, as a matter of fact I know I don't, it is a real gift that few are blessed with.
I have known 2 or 3 really good written communicators in my lifetime. Amazing really, I am nearly 58 years old and have only know 2 or 3. Several years ago there was a regional manager with a company that we worked for that had the "gift". His name was Tom. Tom was a moody guy, whose verbal skills were lacking and he tended to really irate people with his manor whenever he was in the room. In fact he was down right easy not to like. But when he wrote a letter, (we used to do that back then), it was powerful. Every word seemed to have weight and value. It was like he was building something of lasting value with each communication. They were never ambiguous or vague, and no matter what the subject matter, they left you feeling satisfied. You felt as if he had shared something intimate of great value, even if he was dressing you down about something you had failed to do.
There is a good chance that you have never crossed a "writer" in your lifetime, they are rare. If that is the case, then this may all sound a bit strange. There are many sources out there and they are worth finding just so that you can have the experience. When Ken Burns did his epic on the Civil War for public television, it was the letters form soldiers that he laced in, that kept us spellbound for hours. Most were short with amazing clarity and feeling. That kind of communication is hard for us and nearly lost.
I Googled "How to write a letter" and got 57,300,000 hits. Must be tough if there are that many results on how to do it. Next time you get the chance pick up a book of letters. It helps if they were written at least 50 years ago. (more people knew how back then) Read a few, and I think you will agree we have lost a lot when it comes to communicating with our fellow man.
Maybe we can do better.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Bubbles
I was in Cracker Barrel Saturday morning and they were having a porch sale. It is really hard for me to pass up a sale, especially a porch sale! I spotted some children's battery powered bubble blowers, and decided I could not pass them up. I was filling a small hand basket when the smooth talking sales lady saddled up to me and said "Hey buddy, I got 3 or 4 cases of those in the back if you want." She obviously spotted me as a man with vision or as an easy mark! I told her I would take 2 cases, and a man standing behind me piped up and said "I will take 2 cases as well". He wife immediately called him out on that and said "What are you going to do with 2 cases of bubble blowers?" He pulled himself up and in his best man tone said; " Oh yea, what do you think he is going to do with 2 cases of bubble blowers." Made perfect sense to me!
As we were waiting at the check out with our bubble machines, we caused quite a stir. His wife was still questioning the wisdom of his purchase, meanwhile folks were trying to get close enough to see what was so great that these 2 old dudes were buying them by the case. Needless to say Cracker Barrel sold out of bubble machines in record time - - -and all the customers were men like myself who saw the vision.
I raced home to award my neighbors on the river from my new found larder. They all acted excited, but the trail of bubbles I expected to see floating down the river never really materialized that lazy Saturday afternoon.
I guess some people just outgrow bubbles. I hope I never do! I choose to believe that the other guy had better luck. I bet somewhere there was a whole neighborhood awash in bubbles. I bet his wife was even telling people it was her idea - - and that would be OK. I think I will try again next week!
As we were waiting at the check out with our bubble machines, we caused quite a stir. His wife was still questioning the wisdom of his purchase, meanwhile folks were trying to get close enough to see what was so great that these 2 old dudes were buying them by the case. Needless to say Cracker Barrel sold out of bubble machines in record time - - -and all the customers were men like myself who saw the vision.
I raced home to award my neighbors on the river from my new found larder. They all acted excited, but the trail of bubbles I expected to see floating down the river never really materialized that lazy Saturday afternoon.
I guess some people just outgrow bubbles. I hope I never do! I choose to believe that the other guy had better luck. I bet somewhere there was a whole neighborhood awash in bubbles. I bet his wife was even telling people it was her idea - - and that would be OK. I think I will try again next week!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Chapter 2
I went for my official pre-op (that's doctor talk) consult this past Thursday. I still have not made up my mind as yet, but all signs still point that way. There are a few roadblocks in the way yet. One big one is my insurance does not cover the surgery. Turns out, Blue Cross offers 5 different plans in the State of Alabama. Apparently 4 of them cover the surgery. Guess which one we have! I guess we don't have one of those "Cadillac" plans Obama is always taking about. The insurance-rep was very nice, but just to make sure I understand, she said I will be getting a letter from a Blue Cross attorney. No joke a letter from their attorney - - -I guess they want to make sure there is no misunderstanding. I am pretty sure I get it already. The good news is that since Barb is one of those retired Chrysler employees, I may be covered under her Blue Cross plan. Maybe being the key word here. I think it is one of those "Dodge" or "Ford" plans but again no "Cadillac" plan here. We will see.
At any rate I am proceeding with all the formalities to get myself prepared. Barb went with me for moral support, and the first think she noticed in the smallish waiting room was that it was furnished with small settees. I was standing since the room was full and I could not fit on her "settee" with her. I explained, as quietly as I could, that these were bariatric chairs. It was then that she realized we weren't in Kansas any more Toto. She eventually had to leave for another appointment, and I was left to bond with my own kind.
We laughed, we cried, we told stories. Big people bond well! Turns out 2 of the small group had gotten this far before only to decide to do it on their own. It was amazing, between the 2 of them they had lost 150 pounds, at least before they gained 175 pounds back. Two of the folks had already had the surgery and were back for check-ups. They had lost a lot of weight, but were not there yet. (their words) I took a little informal pole as post surgery patients came and went. (They were easy to spot) They all said without exception that they were glad they did it and would do it over again in a heart beat. I will confess I did not see anyone with "six pack" abs, but they may use a different door.
After 2 hours I finally got in to see the doctor. I got my official BMI number on a print out suitable for framing. The doctor is very matter of fact, but I was impressed with his demeanor. He said I would be a difficult surgery since I have previously had a colon resection. He said he was up for it if I was. They gave me 10 pages of instructions on things I needed to get done before surgery. Number one on their list - - find out about that insurance! They said they would do all they could to help. Number two - - no more cigars, none, nada, zip. He said I would be tested for nicotine, and he would not do the surgery if I tested positive. I did not have my customary stogie this weekend, but I choose to consider this a negotiation tactic on his part for now.
I asked if he thought it would be easier if I waited for "Obama Care". I got the distinct impression that if "Obama Care" does go through he will become an auto mechanic. ( BMW and Mercedes only) He said he had practiced in India and England, and that Americans will be very unhappy under those systems.
His office emailed me an 80 page PDF file on life after surgery. Now that my friends is a fun read! Can you say pureed peas - - -yum! That is just until I can handle pureed potatoes. In no time I will be up to a thimble of food that I chew on my own - - -60 times.
Next week I wrestle with Blue Cross of Michigan and go to the Heart Center for a stress test. I hope skinny is worth all this!
At any rate I am proceeding with all the formalities to get myself prepared. Barb went with me for moral support, and the first think she noticed in the smallish waiting room was that it was furnished with small settees. I was standing since the room was full and I could not fit on her "settee" with her. I explained, as quietly as I could, that these were bariatric chairs. It was then that she realized we weren't in Kansas any more Toto. She eventually had to leave for another appointment, and I was left to bond with my own kind.
We laughed, we cried, we told stories. Big people bond well! Turns out 2 of the small group had gotten this far before only to decide to do it on their own. It was amazing, between the 2 of them they had lost 150 pounds, at least before they gained 175 pounds back. Two of the folks had already had the surgery and were back for check-ups. They had lost a lot of weight, but were not there yet. (their words) I took a little informal pole as post surgery patients came and went. (They were easy to spot) They all said without exception that they were glad they did it and would do it over again in a heart beat. I will confess I did not see anyone with "six pack" abs, but they may use a different door.
After 2 hours I finally got in to see the doctor. I got my official BMI number on a print out suitable for framing. The doctor is very matter of fact, but I was impressed with his demeanor. He said I would be a difficult surgery since I have previously had a colon resection. He said he was up for it if I was. They gave me 10 pages of instructions on things I needed to get done before surgery. Number one on their list - - find out about that insurance! They said they would do all they could to help. Number two - - no more cigars, none, nada, zip. He said I would be tested for nicotine, and he would not do the surgery if I tested positive. I did not have my customary stogie this weekend, but I choose to consider this a negotiation tactic on his part for now.
I asked if he thought it would be easier if I waited for "Obama Care". I got the distinct impression that if "Obama Care" does go through he will become an auto mechanic. ( BMW and Mercedes only) He said he had practiced in India and England, and that Americans will be very unhappy under those systems.
His office emailed me an 80 page PDF file on life after surgery. Now that my friends is a fun read! Can you say pureed peas - - -yum! That is just until I can handle pureed potatoes. In no time I will be up to a thimble of food that I chew on my own - - -60 times.
Next week I wrestle with Blue Cross of Michigan and go to the Heart Center for a stress test. I hope skinny is worth all this!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Gastric Bypass
I went to a seminar last night hosted by a highly respected surgeon. The purpose was to educate us about our options for weight reduction through surgery. The Doctor decided to give seminars because he is literally flooded every day by calls from people who want to know about the procedures. It was a very serious presentation with life altering implications. As you might guess those of us there are desperate for help. The seminar was very informative, and I for one intend to proceed with the procedure. It is no small undertaking, and cannot be taken on without serious thought and commitment. I have to go through 6 months of diet, testing, psych evaluation, and red tape to be eligible for the surgery.
All that said I could not sit there in that room and not see the humor in the situation. At 6 ft. and 300 pounds, I felt rather svelte in this group! Here we were 50 or 60 seriously overweight people trying to sit in an auditorium with seating designed for 150 pound people. It was explained that all the seats had swivel desk tops so that we could take notes. The only problem being that anyone was small enough to work that swivel desk top around our middles, would not be here in the first place.
There was a big sign on the door that said: "No Food or Drinks Allowed" OK so it is 5:00 PM, about the time most of us are starting to think about a little snack before dinner and here we are in a 2 hour seminar - - "No Food or Drinks Allowed" The women had some serious advantage here since most of them were carrying a purse that would hold a weeks rations. As a "Large Boned" person, I have an ear that is tuned to the sounds of various snack food wrappers. I am pretty sure I heard a Hostess Cup Cake, Doritos, Snickers, and a Bit-O-Honey being consumed during the presentation. I was pretty sure I picked up the sound of a Klondike Bar, but it was midway through, and unless someone had an insulated purse, I guess that would not be possible. By that time I was getting a little weak myself so my ears may have been playing tricks on me.
The lady in front of me whipped out a Diet Dr. Pepper and a hand full of mints before the seminar started. I told her straight up that unless she wanted to start a stampede were innocent people could get hurt, she better put it away. She gave the room a careful scan to make sure it was not too late and then eased it back in her purse. Crisis averted!
The doctor talked a lot about "morbidity" and "morbidity factors". I never was sure exactly what that word meant (I have since looked it up) but it sounds gross and generally scares the hell out of me. Turns out I am morbidly obese and have 3 morbidity factors, you know that can't be good!
He showed us charts that show the death rates for obese people. Based on the make up of that crowd, death had to be close at hand. Maybe that is what I mistook for the sound of that Klondike Bar. Maybe it was the grim reaper trying to trick us into coming over.
All I know for sure is that the line at the Burger King around the corner sure was long when the seminar was over - - -not that I was in it mind you. I just sorta kinda noticed on my way home.
All that said I could not sit there in that room and not see the humor in the situation. At 6 ft. and 300 pounds, I felt rather svelte in this group! Here we were 50 or 60 seriously overweight people trying to sit in an auditorium with seating designed for 150 pound people. It was explained that all the seats had swivel desk tops so that we could take notes. The only problem being that anyone was small enough to work that swivel desk top around our middles, would not be here in the first place.
There was a big sign on the door that said: "No Food or Drinks Allowed" OK so it is 5:00 PM, about the time most of us are starting to think about a little snack before dinner and here we are in a 2 hour seminar - - "No Food or Drinks Allowed" The women had some serious advantage here since most of them were carrying a purse that would hold a weeks rations. As a "Large Boned" person, I have an ear that is tuned to the sounds of various snack food wrappers. I am pretty sure I heard a Hostess Cup Cake, Doritos, Snickers, and a Bit-O-Honey being consumed during the presentation. I was pretty sure I picked up the sound of a Klondike Bar, but it was midway through, and unless someone had an insulated purse, I guess that would not be possible. By that time I was getting a little weak myself so my ears may have been playing tricks on me.
The lady in front of me whipped out a Diet Dr. Pepper and a hand full of mints before the seminar started. I told her straight up that unless she wanted to start a stampede were innocent people could get hurt, she better put it away. She gave the room a careful scan to make sure it was not too late and then eased it back in her purse. Crisis averted!
The doctor talked a lot about "morbidity" and "morbidity factors". I never was sure exactly what that word meant (I have since looked it up) but it sounds gross and generally scares the hell out of me. Turns out I am morbidly obese and have 3 morbidity factors, you know that can't be good!
He showed us charts that show the death rates for obese people. Based on the make up of that crowd, death had to be close at hand. Maybe that is what I mistook for the sound of that Klondike Bar. Maybe it was the grim reaper trying to trick us into coming over.
All I know for sure is that the line at the Burger King around the corner sure was long when the seminar was over - - -not that I was in it mind you. I just sorta kinda noticed on my way home.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Who pays?
Government does not, and can not, create wealth. Wealth is only created in the private sector by leveraging capital with productivity, innovation and risk. The result in a successful enterprise is profit, and accumulated profits generate wealth. We may not all agree with this, but it is the way I learned it in school, so we will run with it. After all, it is my blog.
Our government has been in the business of redistributing wealth for years. Since the time of Johnson's "Great Society" programs of the early 60s, we have been working hard at it. President Johnson, to be fair, did not invent redistribution of wealth, but he did put it on steroids. We fund this redistribution through our "progressive tax" system. The more you make the bigger the percentage of each dollar you pay in taxes.
You with me so far? OK, so how do these 2 fit together in my mind? Well it seems to me that the government has decided open the gates of the Great Society wide open, as a matter of fact it looks like we have removed the gates entirely. Banks can't make it on their own, Uncle Sam will put you on the dole. Insurance companies, sure come on in. Car companies, steel factories, newspapers, the Stat of California - - -the list seems endless. Borrowed money you could not afford to pay back to buy that big house, doesn't seem fair to Uncle Sam. "Free" health care for everyone - -why not. Government always thinks it has the answers to our problems. That generally translates into throwing fistfuls of our earned money at any problem that arises. Maybe the government intervention can do for all these groups what it did for the Post Office! Now there is a model of success.
If Johnson's vision of the Great Society had worked, maybe I could see it working on this grand scale. The fact is it did not, and will not. The government can not make unproductive companies productive. It can not keep us as individuals from making stupid financial mistakes. It can't make us all smart or productive. It can't make us willing to take the risks required to accomplish great things. In short Uncle Sam can not deliver us from the hard cold facts of life, or the realities of free markets.
The only way that the government can level the playing field for us, be it on a corporate level or personal, is by lowering standards for everyone not raising the masses up.
For a while, the government can print money to try and cover up the problem, but it can't fix it . The government can not create wealth. So the question remains, who pays? I think in our heart of hearts, we all know the answer. One way or another we all do. It is easy to say "sock it to the rich", but the truth is more and more that "the rich" is anybody holding a job in the private sector.
Some of us will see our tax rates go up. I believe that every one's taxes will have to be raised to pay for this frenzy of spending. I don't think anyone really believes otherwise. But even if I am wrong about that, the inflation that every economist agrees is coming because of all the money that was printed out of thin air, well that will savage all of us equally.
So in the end who pays? Every single one of us! So much for "sock it to the rich."
Our government has been in the business of redistributing wealth for years. Since the time of Johnson's "Great Society" programs of the early 60s, we have been working hard at it. President Johnson, to be fair, did not invent redistribution of wealth, but he did put it on steroids. We fund this redistribution through our "progressive tax" system. The more you make the bigger the percentage of each dollar you pay in taxes.
You with me so far? OK, so how do these 2 fit together in my mind? Well it seems to me that the government has decided open the gates of the Great Society wide open, as a matter of fact it looks like we have removed the gates entirely. Banks can't make it on their own, Uncle Sam will put you on the dole. Insurance companies, sure come on in. Car companies, steel factories, newspapers, the Stat of California - - -the list seems endless. Borrowed money you could not afford to pay back to buy that big house, doesn't seem fair to Uncle Sam. "Free" health care for everyone - -why not. Government always thinks it has the answers to our problems. That generally translates into throwing fistfuls of our earned money at any problem that arises. Maybe the government intervention can do for all these groups what it did for the Post Office! Now there is a model of success.
If Johnson's vision of the Great Society had worked, maybe I could see it working on this grand scale. The fact is it did not, and will not. The government can not make unproductive companies productive. It can not keep us as individuals from making stupid financial mistakes. It can't make us all smart or productive. It can't make us willing to take the risks required to accomplish great things. In short Uncle Sam can not deliver us from the hard cold facts of life, or the realities of free markets.
The only way that the government can level the playing field for us, be it on a corporate level or personal, is by lowering standards for everyone not raising the masses up.
For a while, the government can print money to try and cover up the problem, but it can't fix it . The government can not create wealth. So the question remains, who pays? I think in our heart of hearts, we all know the answer. One way or another we all do. It is easy to say "sock it to the rich", but the truth is more and more that "the rich" is anybody holding a job in the private sector.
Some of us will see our tax rates go up. I believe that every one's taxes will have to be raised to pay for this frenzy of spending. I don't think anyone really believes otherwise. But even if I am wrong about that, the inflation that every economist agrees is coming because of all the money that was printed out of thin air, well that will savage all of us equally.
So in the end who pays? Every single one of us! So much for "sock it to the rich."
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Citizen of the World
My dictionary (dictionary.com) defines the word citizen as follows:
"a native or naturalized member of a state or nation who owes allegiance to its government and is entitled to its protection (distinguished from alien )."
Webster defines it as follows:
"a native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to protection from it"
I have heard our president speak of being a "citizen of the world". Like many of you it bothered me on some gut level when he said it, but I could not put my finger on why. It bothered me , but not enough so that I did any research. At the time I did not sense the broader picture of where we might be headed with such attitude.
As I was driving to work today, I heard a story on the radio about Italy turning away boat people from Libya. It seems they have adopted a new policy that says if they do not reach shore they will be towed back to Libya. This is not unlike our policy on boat people approaching our shores. The commentator was saying that this was unjust, because as "citizens of the world" they were entitled to unrestricted immigration! I was taken aback by this statement, and wonder if this was part of the new political correctness of the 21st century. If it is I am about to be politically incorrect yet again!
I do not feel like a citizen of the world. I am a really good citizen with my neighbors, I think I am a good citizen in my city and state. I hope I am a good US citizen, but beyond that - - no thanks.
Looks like to me being a citizen of the world is cover for complete open immigration with no responsibility of allegiance to anything. I am a big tent kind of guy, and I favor a fairly liberal immigration policy for our country. I believe all that want to come here and become Americans are welcome. I define an American as someone who has allegiance to this country, learns to speak it's language, and is willing to invest in it through hard work and taxes. You have to be willing to be part of the mix that is America, and not a subculture who happens to reside on the same Continent. We pledge allegiance to the flag for a reason. If you can not do so in good conscience, then you should be a citizen in another country. If they will have you that is.
We the citizenry have a right and an obligation to defend our borders and our way of life. There are always those that want to blur the lines on what is right. Our citizenship in this country is our greatest treasure. Let us not blur it into something that no longer has value. If being a citizen of the world is any real value, why is so much of the world trying to get here?
I think we should be good neighbors to the world. We always help when other are in trouble, as good neighbors should. We should keep our "neighborhood" tidy and not make trouble. We should be friends and coexist, but that is about as far as it goes in my book.
Me a citizen of thew world - - -not so much. How about you?
"a native or naturalized member of a state or nation who owes allegiance to its government and is entitled to its protection (distinguished from alien )."
Webster defines it as follows:
"a native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to protection from it"
I have heard our president speak of being a "citizen of the world". Like many of you it bothered me on some gut level when he said it, but I could not put my finger on why. It bothered me , but not enough so that I did any research. At the time I did not sense the broader picture of where we might be headed with such attitude.
As I was driving to work today, I heard a story on the radio about Italy turning away boat people from Libya. It seems they have adopted a new policy that says if they do not reach shore they will be towed back to Libya. This is not unlike our policy on boat people approaching our shores. The commentator was saying that this was unjust, because as "citizens of the world" they were entitled to unrestricted immigration! I was taken aback by this statement, and wonder if this was part of the new political correctness of the 21st century. If it is I am about to be politically incorrect yet again!
I do not feel like a citizen of the world. I am a really good citizen with my neighbors, I think I am a good citizen in my city and state. I hope I am a good US citizen, but beyond that - - no thanks.
Looks like to me being a citizen of the world is cover for complete open immigration with no responsibility of allegiance to anything. I am a big tent kind of guy, and I favor a fairly liberal immigration policy for our country. I believe all that want to come here and become Americans are welcome. I define an American as someone who has allegiance to this country, learns to speak it's language, and is willing to invest in it through hard work and taxes. You have to be willing to be part of the mix that is America, and not a subculture who happens to reside on the same Continent. We pledge allegiance to the flag for a reason. If you can not do so in good conscience, then you should be a citizen in another country. If they will have you that is.
We the citizenry have a right and an obligation to defend our borders and our way of life. There are always those that want to blur the lines on what is right. Our citizenship in this country is our greatest treasure. Let us not blur it into something that no longer has value. If being a citizen of the world is any real value, why is so much of the world trying to get here?
I think we should be good neighbors to the world. We always help when other are in trouble, as good neighbors should. We should keep our "neighborhood" tidy and not make trouble. We should be friends and coexist, but that is about as far as it goes in my book.
Me a citizen of thew world - - -not so much. How about you?
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Green Jobs
There is a line in the movie "It's A Wonderful Life" that goes something like this: "The teacher says every time a bell rings, and angel gets it's wings"
It was a catchy line that has survived the test of time. I am afraid the term "green jobs" may not. It was great for an election, but I am afraid that it was mere cannon fodder for the masses.
A little history lesson here. Forty years ago electricians started putting in resettable breakers panels instead of throw away fuse panels. It was a pretty big technology change and most electricians had to learn how to do it. Once they had mastered the task, we called them "electricians". Thirty years ago ground fault interrupters were introduced by companies to keep us safe in our bath rooms and other wet places where electricity was present. Electricians had to learn how to wire them and what circuits needed to be on them. Once they learned how to do this task, we called them "electricians" This is how it has been through history, and not just with electricians, but with plumbers and other trades as well.
As I was driving to work today, I was listening to NPR and they were interviewing some bureaucrat that is running a $40 billion dollar green jobs program for the current administration. I don't remember his name and it is just as well since he is likely to be remembered just about as well as the guy that ran the bomb shelter program for government in the 1950s. At any rate this wizard explained that when an electrician had been trained to install a solar panel, that a green job had been created. What! That is right, and when a plumber learns to install a solar hot water heater what do you think happens? That's right we just created another green job. And a carpenter that learns to install thermopane windows, you guessed it another green job. Sounds like our government caught a big sell on Easy Buttons at the Staples store doesn't it.
Green jobs are important to us. It sure would be nice if our politicians could be honest about it. It is in the same vane as when a politician tells us he is cutting a programs funding or other spending, when what they are really doing is cutting the rate of growth increase. In my house when we cut spending, we actually spend less money.
We sure could use some straight talk.
It was a catchy line that has survived the test of time. I am afraid the term "green jobs" may not. It was great for an election, but I am afraid that it was mere cannon fodder for the masses.
A little history lesson here. Forty years ago electricians started putting in resettable breakers panels instead of throw away fuse panels. It was a pretty big technology change and most electricians had to learn how to do it. Once they had mastered the task, we called them "electricians". Thirty years ago ground fault interrupters were introduced by companies to keep us safe in our bath rooms and other wet places where electricity was present. Electricians had to learn how to wire them and what circuits needed to be on them. Once they learned how to do this task, we called them "electricians" This is how it has been through history, and not just with electricians, but with plumbers and other trades as well.
As I was driving to work today, I was listening to NPR and they were interviewing some bureaucrat that is running a $40 billion dollar green jobs program for the current administration. I don't remember his name and it is just as well since he is likely to be remembered just about as well as the guy that ran the bomb shelter program for government in the 1950s. At any rate this wizard explained that when an electrician had been trained to install a solar panel, that a green job had been created. What! That is right, and when a plumber learns to install a solar hot water heater what do you think happens? That's right we just created another green job. And a carpenter that learns to install thermopane windows, you guessed it another green job. Sounds like our government caught a big sell on Easy Buttons at the Staples store doesn't it.
Green jobs are important to us. It sure would be nice if our politicians could be honest about it. It is in the same vane as when a politician tells us he is cutting a programs funding or other spending, when what they are really doing is cutting the rate of growth increase. In my house when we cut spending, we actually spend less money.
We sure could use some straight talk.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
$100 million
That my friends is a lot of money! No question about that, so why am I so outraged that the President has called for his cabinet to save $100,000,000? It is simple really, it is a disingenuous effort whose sole aim is to sooth an outraged electorate with a mere token of an effort.
Let's put this in perspective. Let's say your family spends $60,000 a year on "stuff". Things like your house, cars, clothes, food, you know stuff. Now, as the head of the family you announce that things are really tough. We have to make sacrifices and cut back. We are going to go through our budget "line by line" and come up with some savings. We are going to target wasteful spending. We all know we have some wasteful spending, right? Now here is our goal, $6. That's right we spend $60,000 a year on stuff and all I am looking for in savings is $6!
Based on the Federal budget that the President has submitted, and passed, that is what we are talking about. Congress this year gave themselves an additional $400 million to run congress. Are we so naive that we can accept this as a real effort to curb spending. I hope not, but I wonder. I guess when the Cabinet members come back in 90 days that they will give us way more than was asked for, and they will be lauded for their efforts. Let's say they come up with $250 Million. Our politicians will slap themselves on the back , march on TV and tell us what a great job they are doing for us "the people".
When that happens, just remember that is like taking 15 bucks out of a $60,000 budget.
The President has just asked for 100 BILLION dollars for the International Monetary Fund. He said the funding "does not represent a budgetary expenditure or any increase in the deficit since it effectively represents an exchange of assets." The last time I heard this kind of garbage, somebody was trying to explain to me how a "credit default swap" was a good tool for financial institutions. The only thing I got out of that was the "default" part. We all know how that worked out, right!
This money is to loan to countries in "Emerging Markets". You know what an emerging market is don't you? It is a country with bad credit that can't borrow money form anyone who expects to get it paid back. Kinda like a sub-prime home loan! As I remember, didn't that turn out bad for all of us? You think we could take a billion or two out of that "asset exchange"?
If we don't wake up, will will qualify for one of these loans from the IMF ourselves. Maybe we can take them our budget where we saved the $6 as proof that we can be trusted with their money.
I love my country, and I want to support our President. We all need for him to be successful. It disappoints me to see him play these kind of games aimed at a public which he believes can be manipulated so easily. Such action is beneath the dignity of the office, and speaks volume about what he thinks of our intellect. I guess he has a right to expect us to be naive, after all we elected a first term senator with less than a years experience before he started his run for the presidency. I don't think I would go to a heart surgeon that had only been to medical school for only 1 year before he hung out his shingle. But then again that is an important job.
For the sake of your children and grand children, hold your elected officials responsible. Let your voice be heard before it is to late!
Let's put this in perspective. Let's say your family spends $60,000 a year on "stuff". Things like your house, cars, clothes, food, you know stuff. Now, as the head of the family you announce that things are really tough. We have to make sacrifices and cut back. We are going to go through our budget "line by line" and come up with some savings. We are going to target wasteful spending. We all know we have some wasteful spending, right? Now here is our goal, $6. That's right we spend $60,000 a year on stuff and all I am looking for in savings is $6!
Based on the Federal budget that the President has submitted, and passed, that is what we are talking about. Congress this year gave themselves an additional $400 million to run congress. Are we so naive that we can accept this as a real effort to curb spending. I hope not, but I wonder. I guess when the Cabinet members come back in 90 days that they will give us way more than was asked for, and they will be lauded for their efforts. Let's say they come up with $250 Million. Our politicians will slap themselves on the back , march on TV and tell us what a great job they are doing for us "the people".
When that happens, just remember that is like taking 15 bucks out of a $60,000 budget.
The President has just asked for 100 BILLION dollars for the International Monetary Fund. He said the funding "does not represent a budgetary expenditure or any increase in the deficit since it effectively represents an exchange of assets." The last time I heard this kind of garbage, somebody was trying to explain to me how a "credit default swap" was a good tool for financial institutions. The only thing I got out of that was the "default" part. We all know how that worked out, right!
This money is to loan to countries in "Emerging Markets". You know what an emerging market is don't you? It is a country with bad credit that can't borrow money form anyone who expects to get it paid back. Kinda like a sub-prime home loan! As I remember, didn't that turn out bad for all of us? You think we could take a billion or two out of that "asset exchange"?
If we don't wake up, will will qualify for one of these loans from the IMF ourselves. Maybe we can take them our budget where we saved the $6 as proof that we can be trusted with their money.
I love my country, and I want to support our President. We all need for him to be successful. It disappoints me to see him play these kind of games aimed at a public which he believes can be manipulated so easily. Such action is beneath the dignity of the office, and speaks volume about what he thinks of our intellect. I guess he has a right to expect us to be naive, after all we elected a first term senator with less than a years experience before he started his run for the presidency. I don't think I would go to a heart surgeon that had only been to medical school for only 1 year before he hung out his shingle. But then again that is an important job.
For the sake of your children and grand children, hold your elected officials responsible. Let your voice be heard before it is to late!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
It's Only The Census - -So What?
Most of us a vaguely aware of the federal census taken ever 10 years, but we don't think much about it. We should think about it, a lot! In 2000 we the tax payers spent $4.5 Billion to count the people residing in the United States. Please note I did not say citizens residing in the US. More on that in a minute.
The census is a very important undertaking. It's impact is far reaching and profound. The government makes decisions on allocations of funds based on the census. We make social policies based on the census. But the most important thing we do with the census is reapportion each states representation in the House of Representatives. Every ten years there is a jockeying for position as sates fight the census over whether or not they will gain or loose representatives in congress. Some states go up and some go down. As a result of the 2000 census 12 seats changed from one state to another.
Money and power will always will generally start a good cat fight every time, right?
In 2000, we spent $4.5 Billion to do the census, that is $15.99 for every man women and child in the US. That's right is cost the Federal Goverment (you and Me) $32 to find out there were 2 people living in my house. As a reference we, in 1970 we spent $1.22 per resident to get the job done. Also don't forget that the vast majority of us are counted by a form we receive in the mail. So where is all that money spent you ask. It is spent trying to prove that the census is wrong! Politicians everywhere are saying wait you missed some of our people, we need to do outreach. Homeless and illegal immigrants are afraid to be counted, we must go to them and make hem understand.
Did I say illegal immigrants? Yes I did. You see there is no place on the census form to say whether or not you are a citizen. We are making representation decisions and deciding where our tax money should be spent based on the head count of illegal immigrants in our country.
Am I the only one that sees a problem here? Oh this is wrong in so many ways!
The census is a very important undertaking. It's impact is far reaching and profound. The government makes decisions on allocations of funds based on the census. We make social policies based on the census. But the most important thing we do with the census is reapportion each states representation in the House of Representatives. Every ten years there is a jockeying for position as sates fight the census over whether or not they will gain or loose representatives in congress. Some states go up and some go down. As a result of the 2000 census 12 seats changed from one state to another.
Money and power will always will generally start a good cat fight every time, right?
In 2000, we spent $4.5 Billion to do the census, that is $15.99 for every man women and child in the US. That's right is cost the Federal Goverment (you and Me) $32 to find out there were 2 people living in my house. As a reference we, in 1970 we spent $1.22 per resident to get the job done. Also don't forget that the vast majority of us are counted by a form we receive in the mail. So where is all that money spent you ask. It is spent trying to prove that the census is wrong! Politicians everywhere are saying wait you missed some of our people, we need to do outreach. Homeless and illegal immigrants are afraid to be counted, we must go to them and make hem understand.
Did I say illegal immigrants? Yes I did. You see there is no place on the census form to say whether or not you are a citizen. We are making representation decisions and deciding where our tax money should be spent based on the head count of illegal immigrants in our country.
Am I the only one that sees a problem here? Oh this is wrong in so many ways!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
The Villian has a face- -well sort of.
We should all be happy now that we have someone on which to focus our anger. These guys are the perfect scape goat. We don't know them, they are obviously well off, and they work for an insurance company that took government money. They are the absolute perfect patsies to take all of our wrath. Tax them at 90%, out them in public, haul them before congress and humiliate them.
Sounds like a screen play for a movie doesn't it? All we need is a hero to stand up and bring us to our senses about what is really going on. Jimmy Stewart would have been the perfect actor. Don't hold your breath. Our elected officials have appealed to our base nature calling for revenge. Never mind that these same public officials also took money from AIG at the same time. Chris Dodd and Barack Obama took over $225K for there election campaigns in 2008. The same Chris Dodd that put in the provision that let them keep those bonuses in the first place.
I don't know any of these villains, and I suspect you don't either. My guess is that they are not evil people. Overpaid, maybe, but I don't know that either. What I do know, is that most of them were losing their jobs. What I do know is that AIG needed them to work for a while longer and paid them a bonus not to leave. I also know that that is a fairly common practice. I also know that if most of us found ourselves in the same circumstance, we would take that money without a moments hesitation. With no shame or guilt attached. Indeed most everyone around us would feel sorry for us because we were loosing our jobs in a tough economy.
These folks were served up to us on a silver platter by the very folks who were their best friends a year ago, our elected officials.
There is a lot of guilt to go around in this mess. There was a lot of money sloshing around in the economy, and we all benefited at least in the short term. Our home values went up dramatically. In a sense we were all making the dreaded "windfall" profits that congress likes to tax. We had easy credit to buy anything we wanted whether we could afford it or not. We were all lined up at the same feeding trough and living high, at least for a while.
Now we face the day of reckoning, and we are angry. We need a face on which to target that anger, and now we have one. How convenient.
When I was a kid, I used to go to the movies and watch westerns. Seems that more often than not some innocent loser was always about to get lynched in those movies for some crime that he did not commit. As I recall, the real guilty party was always at the front of the mob leading the lynching. He was the guy always screaming to "hangem high". Once somebody is hung we generally quit looking for the real crook.
Kind of makes you wonder doesn't it?
Sounds like a screen play for a movie doesn't it? All we need is a hero to stand up and bring us to our senses about what is really going on. Jimmy Stewart would have been the perfect actor. Don't hold your breath. Our elected officials have appealed to our base nature calling for revenge. Never mind that these same public officials also took money from AIG at the same time. Chris Dodd and Barack Obama took over $225K for there election campaigns in 2008. The same Chris Dodd that put in the provision that let them keep those bonuses in the first place.
I don't know any of these villains, and I suspect you don't either. My guess is that they are not evil people. Overpaid, maybe, but I don't know that either. What I do know, is that most of them were losing their jobs. What I do know is that AIG needed them to work for a while longer and paid them a bonus not to leave. I also know that that is a fairly common practice. I also know that if most of us found ourselves in the same circumstance, we would take that money without a moments hesitation. With no shame or guilt attached. Indeed most everyone around us would feel sorry for us because we were loosing our jobs in a tough economy.
These folks were served up to us on a silver platter by the very folks who were their best friends a year ago, our elected officials.
There is a lot of guilt to go around in this mess. There was a lot of money sloshing around in the economy, and we all benefited at least in the short term. Our home values went up dramatically. In a sense we were all making the dreaded "windfall" profits that congress likes to tax. We had easy credit to buy anything we wanted whether we could afford it or not. We were all lined up at the same feeding trough and living high, at least for a while.
Now we face the day of reckoning, and we are angry. We need a face on which to target that anger, and now we have one. How convenient.
When I was a kid, I used to go to the movies and watch westerns. Seems that more often than not some innocent loser was always about to get lynched in those movies for some crime that he did not commit. As I recall, the real guilty party was always at the front of the mob leading the lynching. He was the guy always screaming to "hangem high". Once somebody is hung we generally quit looking for the real crook.
Kind of makes you wonder doesn't it?
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Taking Stock
I guess I am in a "high road" state of mind these days. That may be a natural defense mechanism to keep me away from sharp objects! At any rate I do find myself focusing on the positive aspects during these troubled times.
To that end I have been "taking stock" of late, of all my blessings, and there are many. It is awfully easy to look at the mess around us and despair at our plight, but that yields little fruit.
I am going to try to take a minute each day to do a little inventory of what really matters. For me that would be family, friends, health, and happiness. I started to put pets in there, but I was afraid it would make me sound somehow shallow and needy, so I will leave them out of this - -but you get my drift.
I am going to try and remember to tell those I care about how much they mean to me. It is good exercise, and I clearly need that. Speaking of that, for me health is a big issue. That is one area where work needs to be done, big time. I was always concerned that I would outlive my financial resources. After all $328.52 is not that much money! Now I worry that my money will outlast me by at least $250.
I suggest we all take stock each day. I think our treasure may be much greater than we think. It is really good exercise for the heart, and may well lift the days burdens from our shoulders. By the way, if you see me with a big old cheeseburger going toward my mouth, slap it out of my hand and tell me you love me. We will both feel better!
To that end I have been "taking stock" of late, of all my blessings, and there are many. It is awfully easy to look at the mess around us and despair at our plight, but that yields little fruit.
I am going to try to take a minute each day to do a little inventory of what really matters. For me that would be family, friends, health, and happiness. I started to put pets in there, but I was afraid it would make me sound somehow shallow and needy, so I will leave them out of this - -but you get my drift.
I am going to try and remember to tell those I care about how much they mean to me. It is good exercise, and I clearly need that. Speaking of that, for me health is a big issue. That is one area where work needs to be done, big time. I was always concerned that I would outlive my financial resources. After all $328.52 is not that much money! Now I worry that my money will outlast me by at least $250.
I suggest we all take stock each day. I think our treasure may be much greater than we think. It is really good exercise for the heart, and may well lift the days burdens from our shoulders. By the way, if you see me with a big old cheeseburger going toward my mouth, slap it out of my hand and tell me you love me. We will both feel better!
Friday, February 20, 2009
"I'm Blessed"
I rolled into the drive up window at McDonalds this morning at 5:30. When the lady opened the window, I asked "how are you today". With a big smile on her face, she responded "I'm Blessed". From the looks of her, she had been up a lot longer than I had. From all the flour on her shirt, I am guessing that her work day started about 4:30 making biscuits for me.
She neglected to tell me that her 401-K was now a 201-K as we so often say, or that she was worried about the market. She never mentioned the unemployment rate, or the stimulus package.
With all the doom and gloom we are hearing today, we often forget just how blessed we really are. Shoes on our feet, food in the pantry, roof over our head, and clean water to drink, I guess that about covers it. Most of the world can not say yes to all of the above.
This lady, who I dare to say, does not have a job that most of us would trade for, made me stop and take stock this morning.
I'm blessed today, how about you?
She neglected to tell me that her 401-K was now a 201-K as we so often say, or that she was worried about the market. She never mentioned the unemployment rate, or the stimulus package.
With all the doom and gloom we are hearing today, we often forget just how blessed we really are. Shoes on our feet, food in the pantry, roof over our head, and clean water to drink, I guess that about covers it. Most of the world can not say yes to all of the above.
This lady, who I dare to say, does not have a job that most of us would trade for, made me stop and take stock this morning.
I'm blessed today, how about you?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Stepping off the path
Most of us go through life saying that we would like to learn how to (insert your interest here) water ski, weld, learn Spanish, play the banjo, whatever. When you reach 55 or so your realize that you never did most of those things things, and worse yet, you never will. I am pretty sure at some point in my life, I could have learned to play a mean banjo. Heck, I already own the banjo. I had really good intentions.
So what happens to us that we don't go for it? We all have lots of excuses, the job, the family, money pressure, peer pressure, and the list goes on. For most of us it turns out that it is just a basic law of physics - - inertia! We all learned it in school, Sir Issac Newton defined it, the resistance of an object to change its state of motion. That explains why it is so hard for me to get out of my recliner!
Most of us never step off the path and make that first step in a new direction. It is clearly our loss and leads to many regrets.
I have always admired those that don't seem fettered by the same chains that seem to bind me whenever I think about doing something different.
Take my buddy Rick. He does not seem to be bound by the same rule of physics that gets me all bound up. His feet move toward new things effortlessly, while mine seem stuck fast in clay. Rick is an engineer who quit a good job to go back to school to become a teacher! He learned to make beautiful furniture. He wanted to restore an old pick up, so he learned how, and is doing it. Metal casting, camping, cooking, welding, and metal machining are just a few of the things he is into actively.
All that said, that is not what makes my buddy Rick stand out. What makes Rick stand out is the fact that he encourages others to take the journey with him. He prodded me into welding last year. I had always wanted to learn welding, but I would never have done it. I talked about attending a class for years, but never overcame the inertia and actually signed up.
I encourage each of you to step off the path, and try that thing that you have always talked about doing. It is most likely worth the effort, and even if it is not, it will help you get rid of the "if onlys" and the "I wishes". You know "if only" I had takent the time, I could have - - - or "I wish" I had made that trip to Spain when I was younger.
Stepping off the path is hard. If you can't make yourself do it, then I hope you have a buddy like Rick with a cattle prod to help you along the way. I will warn you now, a buddy like Rick is hard to find, so you might want to try a little harder on your own to take that first step. If you do find that you can do it on your own, then maybe you could be somebodies Rick and help them make that step.
Now where did I out that banjo?
So what happens to us that we don't go for it? We all have lots of excuses, the job, the family, money pressure, peer pressure, and the list goes on. For most of us it turns out that it is just a basic law of physics - - inertia! We all learned it in school, Sir Issac Newton defined it, the resistance of an object to change its state of motion. That explains why it is so hard for me to get out of my recliner!
Most of us never step off the path and make that first step in a new direction. It is clearly our loss and leads to many regrets.
I have always admired those that don't seem fettered by the same chains that seem to bind me whenever I think about doing something different.
Take my buddy Rick. He does not seem to be bound by the same rule of physics that gets me all bound up. His feet move toward new things effortlessly, while mine seem stuck fast in clay. Rick is an engineer who quit a good job to go back to school to become a teacher! He learned to make beautiful furniture. He wanted to restore an old pick up, so he learned how, and is doing it. Metal casting, camping, cooking, welding, and metal machining are just a few of the things he is into actively.
All that said, that is not what makes my buddy Rick stand out. What makes Rick stand out is the fact that he encourages others to take the journey with him. He prodded me into welding last year. I had always wanted to learn welding, but I would never have done it. I talked about attending a class for years, but never overcame the inertia and actually signed up.
I encourage each of you to step off the path, and try that thing that you have always talked about doing. It is most likely worth the effort, and even if it is not, it will help you get rid of the "if onlys" and the "I wishes". You know "if only" I had takent the time, I could have - - - or "I wish" I had made that trip to Spain when I was younger.
Stepping off the path is hard. If you can't make yourself do it, then I hope you have a buddy like Rick with a cattle prod to help you along the way. I will warn you now, a buddy like Rick is hard to find, so you might want to try a little harder on your own to take that first step. If you do find that you can do it on your own, then maybe you could be somebodies Rick and help them make that step.
Now where did I out that banjo?
Monday, February 9, 2009
I am very sad
I am very sad this morning, and I think I know why - - I have lost all confidence in our elected officials. What a mess! Would you ever say "it is not as important what we do, it is only important that we do it fast" WHAT! I sometimes tell the joke in the car, "that I don't know where we are going , but we are sure making good time". It generally gets a chuckle because it is a joke, if it were true nobody would be laughing. Our elected and appointed officials made the rounds Sunday on the talk shows and made just that argument. "We are in uncharted water", "we are not sure what to do, but we must do something fast", "we don't know how much money is needed, but we know it has to be bold". They don't know where we are going but they sure are in a hurry to make good time.
What would you think of a doctor who told you he was not sure why your thumb hurt, but he was going to be bold and cut off your arm in hopes that it fixed the problem? I think you would say wait a minute let's talk about this, I need to understand what is going on. If he then told you there was no time to discuss it, you had to be bold and act right now, you would. Only your action would be to get up, walk out of his office, and call the American Medical Association to report the quack!
The one thing that all the economist seem to agree on is the fact that the mess we are in was caused by our collective determination to live above our means. We bought houses that were to big for our needs, we bought cars that were impractical, and we did it all with easy money loans that clearly we could not afford to pay back. We were borrowing to support a lifestyle we could not afford. And what is the answer now? The government will borrow several trillion dollars, that we can not afford to pay back, to buy "things". Buying "things", or "investing" in them as the politicians like to say, will stimulate the economy. I suppose that is true. The politicians argue that if they gave us the money, we might save it and not spend it as needed. Interesting that saving has become evil. I suppose it is true that most Americans are concerned (see scared) and might want to hold on to some of their money, of course if we had been doing that for the last few years, we would not be here today. Non the less we need to spend, we need to buy cars and houses and shoes and TVs to get our economy rolling. I would be willing to do that if I had any confidence that our government was not driving us toward a real depression.
It is also true that a big part of this financial mess was caused by greedy charlatans on Wall Street, and they are being dealt with - - -by giving them several hundred billions in bailout compliments of the tax payer!
There are those that argue that government spending is more effective than spending in the private sector. That argument generally comes from those folks who are living off the taxes of the private sector and are not the least bit worried about losing their jobs. You and I would never pay $1000 for a toilet seat or spend millions of dollars to study the sex life of badgers.
We are looking for answers without pain, and I am not sure there are any. I don't know the answer. I know that the problem is very complex, and the solution is even more so. I also know that whenever someone tells you that they don't have time to explain the solution or discuss it, that is a bad sign. We all sign legal papers all the time that we don't understand. Not a good practice but we do it anyway. We are usually comforted by the fact that we are invited and encouraged to read the documents, and to ask questions about anything we do not understand. What if you sat down to sign those same documents and they were covered up? What if you wanted to read them and you were told there was not time? What if you protested and were told, "just trust me, I am looking out for you." Would you, or would you say wait a minute you have some explaining to do, I am not signing anything.
The economy will not collapse if they take time to explain the "stimulus package" to the American people. One trillion dollars explained in 800 pages of legislation. At a cost of a little over one billion dollars per page, that might be worth reading.
They cried wolf and we gave them 700 billion dollars without any idea of what it was being used for, or accountability of where it went. We have a new president and he said the 700 billion was handled irresponsibly, I will do better. He is now crying wolf for a trillion more dollars. Don't ask any questions, just hurry and give it to me where I can save you. (with your own money I might add)
"Change we can count on" - - if "count on" means the same old pigs at the trough getting what they want, looks like we got it. I have children and grandchildren who will never see this money paid off. I was hoping for more.
What would you think of a doctor who told you he was not sure why your thumb hurt, but he was going to be bold and cut off your arm in hopes that it fixed the problem? I think you would say wait a minute let's talk about this, I need to understand what is going on. If he then told you there was no time to discuss it, you had to be bold and act right now, you would. Only your action would be to get up, walk out of his office, and call the American Medical Association to report the quack!
The one thing that all the economist seem to agree on is the fact that the mess we are in was caused by our collective determination to live above our means. We bought houses that were to big for our needs, we bought cars that were impractical, and we did it all with easy money loans that clearly we could not afford to pay back. We were borrowing to support a lifestyle we could not afford. And what is the answer now? The government will borrow several trillion dollars, that we can not afford to pay back, to buy "things". Buying "things", or "investing" in them as the politicians like to say, will stimulate the economy. I suppose that is true. The politicians argue that if they gave us the money, we might save it and not spend it as needed. Interesting that saving has become evil. I suppose it is true that most Americans are concerned (see scared) and might want to hold on to some of their money, of course if we had been doing that for the last few years, we would not be here today. Non the less we need to spend, we need to buy cars and houses and shoes and TVs to get our economy rolling. I would be willing to do that if I had any confidence that our government was not driving us toward a real depression.
It is also true that a big part of this financial mess was caused by greedy charlatans on Wall Street, and they are being dealt with - - -by giving them several hundred billions in bailout compliments of the tax payer!
There are those that argue that government spending is more effective than spending in the private sector. That argument generally comes from those folks who are living off the taxes of the private sector and are not the least bit worried about losing their jobs. You and I would never pay $1000 for a toilet seat or spend millions of dollars to study the sex life of badgers.
We are looking for answers without pain, and I am not sure there are any. I don't know the answer. I know that the problem is very complex, and the solution is even more so. I also know that whenever someone tells you that they don't have time to explain the solution or discuss it, that is a bad sign. We all sign legal papers all the time that we don't understand. Not a good practice but we do it anyway. We are usually comforted by the fact that we are invited and encouraged to read the documents, and to ask questions about anything we do not understand. What if you sat down to sign those same documents and they were covered up? What if you wanted to read them and you were told there was not time? What if you protested and were told, "just trust me, I am looking out for you." Would you, or would you say wait a minute you have some explaining to do, I am not signing anything.
The economy will not collapse if they take time to explain the "stimulus package" to the American people. One trillion dollars explained in 800 pages of legislation. At a cost of a little over one billion dollars per page, that might be worth reading.
They cried wolf and we gave them 700 billion dollars without any idea of what it was being used for, or accountability of where it went. We have a new president and he said the 700 billion was handled irresponsibly, I will do better. He is now crying wolf for a trillion more dollars. Don't ask any questions, just hurry and give it to me where I can save you. (with your own money I might add)
"Change we can count on" - - if "count on" means the same old pigs at the trough getting what they want, looks like we got it. I have children and grandchildren who will never see this money paid off. I was hoping for more.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Just in case you did not understand lastime!
Ok Ok so you did not follow yesterdays post on the bailout. Let's try it one more time and I will keep it simple.
Case in Point: Bank of America
1) The government gives Bank Of America 25 billion dollars and says go forth and lend. Being prudent bankers, they are not about to loan that money to anybody. After all they may not pay it back.
2) B of A now has $25 Bil. burning a hole in it's pocket, and goes looking for a bargain to buy. Yes this is the same money they were supposed to be lending to their customers.
3) Merrill Lynch is in trouble because of poor business practices and can be bought for a mere $50 billion.
4) B of A knows a good deal when they see one, so they buy Merrill. I mean in reality who could resist, that Merrill logo of a big raging bull is really cool.
Now don't get the wrong idea, B of A did not take the check Uncle Sam gave them and write their own check to buy Merrill. After all they were still 25 billion short right. No like any good company they just issued more shares and exchanged those shares for Merrill shares, so they got Merrill and still have the 25 billion we gave them. Now that is one smart deal.
5) The deal closes 12/31/08. Somebody deserves a big bonus!
6) January 14, oops we did not look at Merrill close enough. Turns out in the last 14 days we have discovered they are losers.
7) Hello Uncle Sam, can you please send us a few more billion dollars, we are a little short. We need to keep that balance sheet strong.
8) Uncle Sam says sure, we got your back on this deal, who could have seen this coming. You guys sorta messed up here so somebody needs to be punished, at least a little.
9) B of A says sure, we understand. How about we all keep our year end bonuses but we cut the dividend of all of our unsuspecting stockholders by 50%?
10) Uncle Sam says, it really hurts me to get tuff, but we must. That dividend reduction may not be enough punishment, you acted irresponsibly.
11) B of A says we understand we are willing to sacrifice more in the way of dividends to our stockholders if we have to. We understand somebody must be made to pay.
12) Uncle Sam says, call me if you need more, my pocket is always open!
I am sure no in the government or anyone at Bank of America sees it this way. I am sure both would say this is way to simplistic, and that I just don't understand. I will confess that I truly do not understand, do you?
All I know, is if the president of B of A or somebody from the Treasury had to got to Mrs. Jones 3rd grade class and explain this deal, and he wasn't directly involved - -I think explain it like I just did.
Buy the way, the porn industry has a lobbyist asking for several billions to save jobs in that industry. I am sure that in Washington it will sound perfectly reasonable, and may even be considered.
I just think if you can't justify it to a 3rd grader, it may not be a good deal for the taxpayers.
Case in Point: Bank of America
1) The government gives Bank Of America 25 billion dollars and says go forth and lend. Being prudent bankers, they are not about to loan that money to anybody. After all they may not pay it back.
2) B of A now has $25 Bil. burning a hole in it's pocket, and goes looking for a bargain to buy. Yes this is the same money they were supposed to be lending to their customers.
3) Merrill Lynch is in trouble because of poor business practices and can be bought for a mere $50 billion.
4) B of A knows a good deal when they see one, so they buy Merrill. I mean in reality who could resist, that Merrill logo of a big raging bull is really cool.
Now don't get the wrong idea, B of A did not take the check Uncle Sam gave them and write their own check to buy Merrill. After all they were still 25 billion short right. No like any good company they just issued more shares and exchanged those shares for Merrill shares, so they got Merrill and still have the 25 billion we gave them. Now that is one smart deal.
5) The deal closes 12/31/08. Somebody deserves a big bonus!
6) January 14, oops we did not look at Merrill close enough. Turns out in the last 14 days we have discovered they are losers.
7) Hello Uncle Sam, can you please send us a few more billion dollars, we are a little short. We need to keep that balance sheet strong.
8) Uncle Sam says sure, we got your back on this deal, who could have seen this coming. You guys sorta messed up here so somebody needs to be punished, at least a little.
9) B of A says sure, we understand. How about we all keep our year end bonuses but we cut the dividend of all of our unsuspecting stockholders by 50%?
10) Uncle Sam says, it really hurts me to get tuff, but we must. That dividend reduction may not be enough punishment, you acted irresponsibly.
11) B of A says we understand we are willing to sacrifice more in the way of dividends to our stockholders if we have to. We understand somebody must be made to pay.
12) Uncle Sam says, call me if you need more, my pocket is always open!
I am sure no in the government or anyone at Bank of America sees it this way. I am sure both would say this is way to simplistic, and that I just don't understand. I will confess that I truly do not understand, do you?
All I know, is if the president of B of A or somebody from the Treasury had to got to Mrs. Jones 3rd grade class and explain this deal, and he wasn't directly involved - -I think explain it like I just did.
Buy the way, the porn industry has a lobbyist asking for several billions to save jobs in that industry. I am sure that in Washington it will sound perfectly reasonable, and may even be considered.
I just think if you can't justify it to a 3rd grader, it may not be a good deal for the taxpayers.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Just say no! Stop the borrowing!
Act I
It seems widely accepted that we are in this financial mess for 3 reasons: One, we allowed people to borrow money that they could not pay back to buy houses that they could not afford. Two, house prices had become inflated because anybody could borrow all the money they wanted, credit worthy or not. Three, we allowed wild speculation in the financial market with the creation of financial instruments that nobody understood or regulated. "Credit Default Swap" The very name should have raised regulators eyebrows. Trading bad debt for bad debt is good business somehow? I think most high school students would have questioned that one!
Act II
The government told us that if we did not spend $700,000,000,000 right now (not next week), that the world as we know it would end. Total financial melt down. No one would be able borrow money, we would all lose our jobs, we would all be eating out of garbage cans, if we could find one.
Act III
90 days later, $350 billion spent by TARP, and additional trillions of dollars pumped into banks, mortgage house, and insurance companies by the Federal Reserve. (the Fed can spend all they want with NO approval so I am not sure why we needed TARP's $700 Billion) You still can't borrow money, big bonuses are still being paid to the people who blew the deal in the first place. Unemployment is 7%!
ACT IV
In comes the new president and says please release the other $350 billion so that I can make things better, and save our citizens. I know how to spend it "wisely", and we will keep a ledger of where we spent it so we will be accountable. What!
Act V
Who actually got the money? I didn't get any of it, and I am sure that you did not either. But somebody had to have gotten it right? Our 401K got killed, my wife who worked for 35 years is likely to lose her pension and insurance benefits. Our political leaders now call that a "legacy cost" that must be abandoned by the automakers for them to survive. Beware of ever being branded as a "legacy cost". Once that occurs you are no longer a human being. It is much easier to cast aside a legacy cost than a human being.
Act VI
50 years in the future- Our children and grandchildren are still trying to pay off the debt we left them. Their standard of living is not close to what ours is because their tax burden to pay off this debt is huge.
The question is: If this mess was caused by excessive borrowing by un-credit worthy people, how can an un-credit worthy government (we the people) borrow our way back into propriety?
The answer is simple, and every body knows it in their heart of hearts - - -you can't. We just don't like the answer so we turn our heads and let it continue.
Albert Einstein gave the following definition: Insanity- doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Einstein was no economist, but I think all the economist have already left the building!
It seems widely accepted that we are in this financial mess for 3 reasons: One, we allowed people to borrow money that they could not pay back to buy houses that they could not afford. Two, house prices had become inflated because anybody could borrow all the money they wanted, credit worthy or not. Three, we allowed wild speculation in the financial market with the creation of financial instruments that nobody understood or regulated. "Credit Default Swap" The very name should have raised regulators eyebrows. Trading bad debt for bad debt is good business somehow? I think most high school students would have questioned that one!
Act II
The government told us that if we did not spend $700,000,000,000 right now (not next week), that the world as we know it would end. Total financial melt down. No one would be able borrow money, we would all lose our jobs, we would all be eating out of garbage cans, if we could find one.
Act III
90 days later, $350 billion spent by TARP, and additional trillions of dollars pumped into banks, mortgage house, and insurance companies by the Federal Reserve. (the Fed can spend all they want with NO approval so I am not sure why we needed TARP's $700 Billion) You still can't borrow money, big bonuses are still being paid to the people who blew the deal in the first place. Unemployment is 7%!
ACT IV
In comes the new president and says please release the other $350 billion so that I can make things better, and save our citizens. I know how to spend it "wisely", and we will keep a ledger of where we spent it so we will be accountable. What!
Act V
Who actually got the money? I didn't get any of it, and I am sure that you did not either. But somebody had to have gotten it right? Our 401K got killed, my wife who worked for 35 years is likely to lose her pension and insurance benefits. Our political leaders now call that a "legacy cost" that must be abandoned by the automakers for them to survive. Beware of ever being branded as a "legacy cost". Once that occurs you are no longer a human being. It is much easier to cast aside a legacy cost than a human being.
Act VI
50 years in the future- Our children and grandchildren are still trying to pay off the debt we left them. Their standard of living is not close to what ours is because their tax burden to pay off this debt is huge.
The question is: If this mess was caused by excessive borrowing by un-credit worthy people, how can an un-credit worthy government (we the people) borrow our way back into propriety?
The answer is simple, and every body knows it in their heart of hearts - - -you can't. We just don't like the answer so we turn our heads and let it continue.
Albert Einstein gave the following definition: Insanity- doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Einstein was no economist, but I think all the economist have already left the building!
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