Boycotting the Election

Well, for the first time since the bicentennial year, in which I turned 18, I'm not going to vote. It's like going through withdrawal. I've been saying for months, I'm not about to vote for the lesser of two evils, because even the lesser is still evil. I also made the statement that I thought it was already decided and with the price of gasoline, I wasn't going through the motions. Well gasoline prices have dropped, here I am looking at the last week-end before the elections, and I'm really not going to vote. I do still think it's already decided, so in the spirit of free elections, I have elected to not vote!
Although I am a libertarian at heart, and would love smaller government, I know that party has their own agenda, as well. Besides, the libertarian candidate has had little more media coverage than I have, and I'm not running for anything. Most of America doesn't even know the libertarian candidate's name.
I've been getting the "voter's guides" in my e-mail and frankly some of them I find quite offensive, the religious ones in particular. Vote the Bible, which means exactly what? I can't find a single election in Scripture, except for the occasional casting of lots. My religious beliefs basically amount to this, regarding politics. Mixing politics and religion amounts to idolatry. Let the empire run and pay the taxes they ask for and go on living by G~D's standard, that's what Messiah did. I'd think his followers would want to do the same.
As for war and economy, I can't hear much difference. John McCain said he'd stay in Iraq for as long as "it takes" whatever that means and Obama has changed his stand through the course of his candidacy, so my guess is, Iraq will be the one that decides when they want America out of there and whomever is sitting in the Oval Office will find themselves needing to accommodate the decision of Iraq. Besides, we'll be having to tend to somebody else's business by then, anyway. Now, as to the economy, although we are hearing two different things, semantically speaking, it's basically the same message. The government will need to be funded to determine what needs to be spent. McCain will take from everyone to give to the rich, in the promise of something trickling back down on the poor. Obama will take from everyone to spread it everywhere, except . . . the rich all have the best tax deductions and unless and until someone revamps the IRS, the rich will always have tax shelters. Tax shelters are pretty expensive to maintain, so the poor will just have to settle for the entitlement "spread." This man talking about spreading the wealth does live in million dollar mansion.
I'm just so very glad we aren't electing a President and Vice President like governor and lt. governor. The choices are bad enough, but I know I couldn't take four years of Obama-Palin.
Both candidates and the republican VP have been very clear that they will be expecting a lot out of "we the people" and "we the people" can expect them to be in charge. All I've heard out of the candidates is the cry to the people to either fight or serve, serve or fight . . . and let's not forget pay, Pay, PAY! I'm boycotting the election as a matter of principles and convictions, but even if I weren't, I still have no idea who I would want to see declare victory next Tuesday night!
If they say . . .Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: a Proverb of Holy Scripture

Mere Conjecture . . .

I've been thinking for some time now that the GOP was trying to throw this election, for a number of reasons. Today, I'm going to address a few things that could have gone differently if they hoped to win. Oh, and I know, I've been following the various poll reports that say John McCain is closing the gap. Well, to that I would applaud the eleventh hour drama. This should be real good if Pennsylvania is the "deciding" state this time. Between Murtha's comment and Pennsylvania's leaning history, it may involve the Supreme Court again! But I do think the GOP has this under control and has truly tried to throw the election, and if not, then they are just not as smart or strategic as I've given them credit for being. And I know, I read, now that Sarah has hit the national limelight, she's not going to fade back into the land of the midnight sun and six months of darkness. Oh, no, she's tasted the ultimate in attention and she's staying for more. Another big surprise from the GOP. Now back to a winning strategy, if there was to be one.
First, don't let all the pundits trash the one that will ultimately be the candidate. There were pundits praising Huckabee, Thompson, and Romney, but none were jumping for joy over McCain. Second, after a horrible hateful campaign against the fair haired boy of 2000, don't expect the die hard faithfuls to embrace the major contender. When a primary portion of the voting block are fans of an endorsing minister, don't let the candidate renounce his endorsement. Now, when all these bad ideas are already in place, the best solution would be to head for a moderate position, or better yet, combine the strengths of the party, but no, McCain went to the most distant state and found the farthest candidate from moderate and strategic; and chose her. Did this choice truly draw the undecided? I don't see how.
Here's the simple truth. Every republican, James Dobson included, was going to vote for McCain, regardless of what they had said through the primaries, for one simple reason. The republicans are convinced if you stay home on election day, that's the same thing as voting for Obama. I know, I've heard them say it. So, McCain already had the evangelicals, the neocons, and the NRA. Did Sarah gain him any other votes? Again, I don't see how. For the most part, if intelligent women want to be represented by another woman, they want her to be intelligent. For most of the moderates, Sarah Palin is anything but moderate, although really I don't know what she is all about except attention, but I digress. If the GOP wanted to win this, first, McCain would not be the candidate, then the VP would not be Sarah Palin, and there isn't a GOP candidate that would renounce the endorsement of the religious right.
I'm guessing, even if it is close, and I think that is just for dramatic effect, but I'll give the benefit of the doubt and say, even if it is close, the GOP doesn't want victory in 2008. I think the GOP has the brightest strategists in politics and these candidates and publicity statements are not the product of intellectual strategists, that is if winning is the objective!
The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. Ecclesiastes of Holy Scripture

What Happens Next?

Tonight is the big night for Obamamercials! So important is he, it's pre-empting the beginning of the World Series game! If I had a TV, I suppose I would be spending 30 minutes of my life watching him not tell us more. And I suppose if I had a TV I could be watching Sarah P. trash Obama while her supporters say she's being picked on. I guess if I had a TV I could be watching all sorts of things that would raise my blood pressure, increase stomach acid or affect my heart rate, but not to worry, last I saw of TV, there are plenty of pharmaceuticals advertised.
I read today that the banks are really accepting these governmental funds, not to loosen lending to help "we the people" but rather to have the funds to buy troubled institutions at a bargain rate. I just heard the interest rate has been reduced once again. What is this the 4th or 12th solution for home buyers facing foreclosure? Why not just declare a big "DO OVER?" Instead of starting on Wall Street and then spreading the wealth, why don't we just discount everything in America by 25% from the inflated loans to inflated stock values? Rather than more tax dollars thrown at things, after we declare a 25% deflation at the grocery store and the gas pumps, let's reduce wages and see if some of these small business owners can't keep their doors open without credit to pay their crew? Why don't we just declare America solvent at the value things should really be and dust ourselves off and really get started, rather than make another false bottom that is only going to give way? Whether it's a new resident in the White House or more credit at reduced rates, the problem with basing our solutions on remedies outside of our control is the fact that no one has to take ownership of the problem. More credit will not stabilize the economy. Credit is not the backbone of any economy and if it continues to be presented to be the solution, the economy will never be solvent. Gasoline prices have dropped dramatically! That is the best thing this campaign has produced, so far! I read that OPEC is thinking of cutting back production to increase demand. Big surprise, I was expecting prices to go up after the elections with our without OPEC doing anything.
Now that Wall Street is on welfare, what will America's class distinctions be based upon? The big banks are taking government funding to devour the smaller banks that are not eligible for the bail out and that is going to produce nothing but one centralized bank, ultimately. I'm sure that's a big surprise!
Basically when the term "tanked" is used to describe the economy, it means we are sunk. And as the USS Americredit sinks, next Tuesday we are going to decide which way we lean as we plummet.
A TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) a.k.a. "Corporate Welfare" won't help a sinking ship, and the Captain and Crew have already bailed . . . They've thrown our money and life savings at it, and as of November 4, many of them are about to abandon ship!
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall . . . a Proverb of Holy Scripture

I Find Myself Pitying Everyone Involved

As the election approaches, I find myself just wanting to suddenly be offered a completely different choice for America, but I'm guessing, short of the Second Coming, it will be politics as usual, one week from today. As I peruse the headlines, I feel sorry for everyone. The candidates all have issues, presently or in their past that truly do touch the heart strings. And, we the people, have had a rough several years. So first I'll address why I feel sorry for the constituents, that we are so willingly led and misled. We think we can blame the politicians, rather than accept responsibility, but we still pay the price of the mandates of the politicians. Americans are responsible for where we are and what we've become and we're responsible for the fact, we have reduced ourselves to such a choice. I still pity us, though. We got caught up in the scenery of the blame game and while we all thought a flag in the front yard made us a patriot, we forgot, the true patriots stood up against ruthless, expanding governments, and the patriots stood up, themselves, they didn't send someone else to fight the rich old men's battles. The true patriots of our early nation fought the rich old men . . .
I both respect and pity John McCain. He was a prisoner of war and stood against the present administration when it came to legislating terror. Hats off to John. His weakness for younger attractive women appears to be nothing new and for that I pity him. It's cost him respect, both when he pursued Cindy and left his first wife that waited for him through his POW years, and now that he's paraded Sarah.
I pity Obama. I'm sorry he grew up not feeling truly connected anywhere. I'm guessing that was what caused him to choose his associations later in life that he did. I'm sorry for what he went through. Although I don't agree with his views, I can understand where he thinks the world would be better if it were without economic class differentiation. I truly hope he doesn't exact too much vengeance.
I feel sorry for Joe Biden. I like him. I've said before, I don't agree with all of his politics, but I like his smile and even when he says too much, he is articulate and well spoken. I feel sorry in that I know he still must miss his first wife and little girl. That would be a horrible tragedy that one would carry for the rest of their life.
And I feel sorry for Sarah Palin, because she's Sarah Palin. She's pretty and she's powerful and I think she thinks that's why people don't like her, but I don't think that's the reason at all. I think she's more agenda oriented than Hillary, and I think she needs an awful lot of attention. And I pity that.
Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? New Testament

The Big Count Down

Can you believe it, this is the last week before the National Election? The campaigning will be over in 1 week and 1 day. I checked a few dates before I began this blog, just make sure I retained the proper perspective. Sure enough, we've had a presidential campaign going for nearly 2 years. I would think the candidates would be exhausted. I know, many of the constituents are. The way I understand elections, Senators are elected to a six year term, so now let me share this perspective. First we have Senator Hillary Clinton of New York announce her candidacy in January of 2007, just one year after she began her second term and just seven years after she arrived in New York to begin her first term. If memory serves, the Clintons bought a home in New York, while still living in the White House, so she could run in New York. Then Barack Obama, a junior Senator from Hillary's home state announced his candidacy in February of 2007, just 2 years and 1 month after being sworn into the National Senate, which calculates to serving 1/3 of his freshman term. I find both candidacies fascinating in that they maneuvered addresses and timing with amazing precision to accomplish the ultimate goal in record time! Unfortunately for Hillary and fortunately for Obama, the timing was metered in '04, not Hillary's year to garner national attention, but clearly by the DNC it was Obama's year to be "put in place." Why, we've received two calls just this evening from Obama's campaign to see where we stand, here in Missouri. Now, we go on to the Republicans. Near the beginning of the year of 2007, McCain, Huckabee, and Romney all announced their candidacies, while Fred Thompson waited until the more "respectable" time of the fall of 2007, to declare and go nowhere. I shouldn't leave America's mayor out. Rudy Giuliani put all his eggs in one Florida basket and then went home.
Back to the big countdown. I have no doubt that this is entirely orchestrated and from the sound bytes of John McCain's camp, they've all but conceded. Back to the current campaign. I like Joe Biden. I think some of his views are skewed, and I'm no longer a Democrat, but I just simply like the guy, so if I were going to vote, he'd hold some power to sway my vote. Sarah, now Sarah, she's a deal. The RNC has spent a ton of money to dress her for "polite society" claiming her frugality while she hit the state of Alaska for all kinds of expenses for her family. And I find it interesting that her term, "rogue," which she used to describe her ex-brother-in-law is being used now, to describe her. I've read that she is "despised" and "loathed" by some and I think those that loathe and despise her are simply jealous. I don't see her as that big of a player until 2012 and I don't see it so personal as to despise or loathe her based upon her personal life and her manipulation of the political game. She's an attractive woman that has the ability to use that to get everyone in place and then she is in charge. Unfortunately for her, she doesn't come across as an intellectual. What's to loathe unless you're jealous? She has no power without the people electing to give it to her . . . My thought is, if the American people can't see through that, then she will be elected in 2012. Still no reason to loathe or despise, just simply a statement of our values of women needing to control!
Back to the big count down. Now that I'm finishing this blog and realizing the election returns will be rolling in, in less than 200 hours from now, I think it will be a relief. I think it's time for at least one Senator to get back to Senate business and the American people to get back to the real issues at hand. Our current administration has arbitrated stock deals in banking and perhaps heading toward the auto industry and we attacked Syria. Just in case anyone is paying attention to anything besides Barack Obama's next promise and Sarah Palin's next inappropriate comment.
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with . . . the cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. New Testament

I'm Back and Things Appear About the Same . . .

I've been celebrating Sukkot, or Feast of Tabernacles. I love it. Religious camping! So, I've not been keeping up with radio or computer or anything to speak of for the past week, and it seems that things are about where I left off, anyway. I see the money gods on Wall Street are still needing to be propped up. Our present legislators and administration seems all too willing to sacrifice the offerings of "we the people." Our national politics and economy is a lot like a soap opera. You can miss a week or two and tune back into the same ol' same ol'. Now that I mention it, I wonder just how much influence prime time soaps have had on American politics. I mean, we've all lived "Dallas" for the last 8 years, even somebody shot, but it wasn't JR and we all know who did it, because it was an accident and everything is "off limits" when it comes to questioning Cheney! It does seem kind of odd, when I think about it and now with Sarah Palin in the mix, I keep thinking about that other soap in the early 90's, Northern Exposure. I didn't watch it, but I remember the bits and pieces. No wonder I haven't missed TV in 10 years, I still read the news. Who needs prime time programming when we have political headlines?
I do think, I'm not predicting, just observing. I think Obama will be our next president, and I think the republican party has promised Sarah the moon in 2012. My opinion is based on a few facts I've noticed. I've already blogged several times that the republicans truly do want to dump this mess for a bit. It hasn't even taken 2 years to have their constituents hollering about this Democratic Congress . . . even though it was a Republican Congress for 12 years prior. The American memory is amazingly short. I'm watching the revisionists revise right before our eyes. This next president cannot make the necessary changes without one of two things happening. One, we are too far gone to fix and he simply gets to be the Captain of this sinking ship, or two, he makes serious changes that will result in losing his popularity. Back to Sarah for a minute. I'm sure someone high up in the party has told her two things. One, nobody knew who Obama was in '04 and now look at him. And two, we've already aired her dirty laundry and her people love her. The pundits have already done the damage to McCain back before the primaries and that brings me to my last observation that makes me think Obama is in. The pundits and their accusations regarding the media. I guess TV media is liberal and Talk Radio media is primarily conservative or neoconservative. Doesn't Ted Turner own most of Montana? And wasn't Rush's new contract for $400M? The real financial power in this country is in broadcasting and so . . . the "liberal visual media" and the "conservative talk media" need each other and need viewers and listeners; and to maintain an audience, they need material. Obama is their man on both counts. The "liberal media" can continue to follow him like groupies and the "talk media" can circle and continue to pick like vultures. From night time soaps to talk radio to news headlines, and infomercials, media feeds and feeds off of our consuming society.
But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: a Prophet of Holy Scripture

New Terms and Redefinition

First the BailOut became a Rescue, then golden parachute became stability for the working class, and now I think we're about to behold an all new understanding of "National Bank." I remember, as a kid, banks all had catchy names like for the area and then there was National or State added. Savings and Loans often had what sounded to be creative names but included words like Federal so you knew they meant business. At any rate, Wall Street has rallied at the hope of being bailed and the Dow has rallied at the hope of more credit and our economy is saved because . . . the government is going to become shareholders in many of the banks. And all this sounds good, how? Wall Street went begging and as far as I'm concerned, is now Panhandler/Huckster Central! Who actually has any authority and comprehension of responsible money management? I realize there are plenty of people with authority, assumed or elected, but I've yet to see anyone actually willing to just stand up and say, "It's time to pay the piper, not borrow from Peter to pay Paul." The neo-cons are blaming the borrowers that can't repay their mortgages. Reality check! How long has it really been since the people trying to work their way up, had any sizable power at all? Oh, that's right, never. Now, some of this may be the result of over extending or trying to live large, but some of this could also be the result of American businesses tanking and what used to be a secure job has now been eliminated. Not everyone got over their heads intentionally or irresponsibly, some merely trusted their place of employment to continue and never imagined their government would become this huge, edacious, insatiable, unsustainable beast. While we are discussing irresponsibility and short sightedness, let's not forget the proposed cost of the Iraq war, when we were sold that bill of goods. And let's not forget about those lovely golden parachutes. I read the muckity-mucks of AIG had a half million dollar retreat after they received their $85B. Does it look like they are going to handle borrowed money any better than they handled invested money? Not to me, it doesn't. And I'm not going to just pick on the present administration. What does any politician really know about building, managing, or maintaining economically? They get well connected in college or some are even born into good connections. Next, they hone their "people skills" so other people invest in their popularity contest. Next, if they succeed, they have the opportunity to play with all kinds of money, called taxes for earmarks and pork barrel projects. Then, three to four years later, when the taxpayers have no idea what really happened to their tax dollars, it's time to start campaigning again and to do that, it's time for fund raising. I said three to four years later, except in the case of Barack Obama, who was clearly running for President before he was ever even elected to the Senate in '04.
There used to be colloquialisms about New York bankers and Philadelphia lawyers and now we call it political satire!
As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. a Proverb of Holy Scripture

Freedom Isn't Free and Neither are Entitlements

I believe I got some of the strangest advice I've heard in ages. This came from a religious right neo-con fan of the present administration. Let me tell you, those members of that twenty some percent think they are a pretty exclusive and cerebral bunch, and frankly I find them extreme. Today, as I was building the kid page at eingedi.us, the phone rang. This particular person loves to attempt to debate politics and religion with me. I don't know why, I've been very clear that I'm not a bit interested in being talked out of my faith and after the last 7 1/2 years of mess, I don't want to hear one more Bush-ite tell me something about Bill Clinton's sex life. If Hillary doesn't care, why should I? Even if she did, that is such old news, and I never knew how it made such huge news when it was current. Anyway, back to this brilliant idea. First let me qualify this with my beliefs. I don't believe in social security for two reasons. One, I believe, as a servant of G~D, I'm not supposed to plan to retire and when I can no longer work, I see no reason for the younger generations to exhaust their funds keeping me alive and unproductive. There is no Scriptural reference for retirement. Second, I don't believe in social secuirty, because I'm not a big fan of socialism and I continue to be amazed at the people who are so anti-communist and anti-socialist, but defend their right to their entitlements. And although I didn't mention a third reason, there is a very clear one and the example has been demonstrated so elaborately these last few years. Why would I want to trust a government to care for me financially, when this particular government has gone in the hole to the tune of trillions? So the idea that was presented was this. Since I have MS and my husband is now an amputee, we should go on disability and since we don't believe in collecting, give the money to our daughter. No, really, that was the suggestion. Now, let me also clarify this by saying, my husband wasn't employed when he became an amputee. He had already decided to semi-retire and publish. I am a writer and a minister, so MS hasn't really affected my work, either. I realize we could both get in line for our entitlements, but why? I wrote my first book while sitting in a wheel chair and my husband lost his leg, he still has both hands, and he always liked to sit to work anyway. Putting two more people on the government dole isn't really going to help the economy that has been sunk for the past 7 years. I saw the hand writing on the wall, when President Bush wanted the "younger work force" to start investing their own social security into Wall Street. That was the first attempt at a bail out and how long ago was that? Hummm . . . this money game has been in the works for awhile, eh?
So now that the economy is openly known to be a mess, getting more people to compromise their values is exactly what was prophesied to occur, in the coming apocalypse recorded in the Revelation. I just keep finding so strange that it's the religious right trying to get everyone to put their faith in the government. Daniel was faced with the same choice presented as an opportunity. Maybe if he'd have gone along with the government protocol, he wouldn't have spent a night saying, "Nice kitty," but then again, all the government officials would have thought they truly were more powerful than G~D.
Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his G~D.

Joe Sixpack for US Treasurer

Now that I've read the US Treasury is going to expand their "debt auctions," I realize our entire government is out of touch with reality. Buying and selling debt? No wonder we're broke. Sometimes life just brings a coincidence too good to not share. About the same time I was hitting the "publish post" button on yesterday's blog, I received a notice of new mail. It turned out to be a delightful message regarding our economy. I would suggest since the Big Wheels on Wall Street are having difficulty making the books balance and Wachovia has proven that a banker's handshake means nothing, they might benefit from the information I'm about to post. I now see why it will take those of us on Mainstreet to Bail Out those on Wall Street and provide the paper for the printing press in the Federal Triangle. I cannot take credit for collecting this particular data, but I would like to share it. Perhaps, instead of Sarah promising Joe Sixpack to take care of his needs, maybe she could be quiet and learn a thing or two.
Here you go Sarah, from Joe Sixpack . . . Darn good info, you betcha!

If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Delta Airlines one year ago,
you will have $49.00 today.

If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in AIG one year ago, you will have
$33.00 today.

If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Lehman Brothers one year ago,
you will have $0.00 today.

But, if you had purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the aluminum cans for recycling refund, you will have received $214.00.
Based on the above, the best current investment plan is to drink heavily & recycle.
It's called the 401-Keg.

A recent study found that the average American walks about 900 miles a year.
Another study found that Americans drink, on average, 22 gallons of alcohol a year.
That means that, on average, Americans get about 41 miles to the gallon!

Makes you proud to be an American!

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. a Proverb of Holy Scripture

What Sarah Said Was Just, Well, "Darn" Stupid

I didn't blog on the VP debate last week, because the financial fiasco was so reprehensible Friday. Not the meltdown, the bailout, but I won't go there today. I'm going to discuss the debate. First, let me say, I don't agree with all of Joe Biden's politics, but I sure like the guy. For a career politician, he seems pretty real. She walked out, extended her hand to shake his, and asked if he minded if she called him Joe. He referred to her as Gov. Palin, what a gent! Now, on to the "maverick," Sarah. Who by the way bills herself as a Washington outsider, but has held some political office since 1992. Granted, her political career has not been in Washington, but she's been successfully politicking since before she was 30. I was simply flabbergasted by her comment regarding being in touch with the average American, and making reference to "Joe Sixpack." To quote her well worn use of "darn" and "you betcha." "I found that darn offensive, you betcha!" I am not married to a Joe Sixpack, my father is not a Joe Sixpack, and I hope my sons-in-law are not Joe Sixpacks. I know a number of men that are concerned about the state of our nation and whether or not they'll have a job and be providers, that are not Joe Sixpacks, either. And what does that make all of us women that aren't pitbulls in lipstick or hockey moms or whatever? Wanda Winecooler or Myrna Minivan. I don't like the idea that someone making such a condescending caste statement would presume to identify with us and consider herself qualified to make decisions for us. She can't relate to what we are concerned about and neither can her husband. He doesn't have a worry in the world as long as she keeps running her mouth and running for some office. I first heard he was on an extended leave of absence, then I read he was a former oilfield worker. Either way, he doesn't have to worry about that Joe Sixpack label, but a few other labels do come to mind, as he does the bidding of his feminist wife. Next, she wants to argue with McCain about Michigan. She said she and Todd would go there. This brings me to two points. One, McCain is the candidate for president, not Palin, so who does she think she is. If McCain thinks she's going to quietly be the VP, he truly is out of touch with reality. My next point is regarding the fact she included Todd in the campaigning. So, who is raising all these babies she's so proud to bring into the world? Maybe more women would get into motherhood, if they had the best government nannies, money can buy. I read the Obama girls are spending a lot of time at their Grandma's. Just who is supervising the Palin children while mom is busy politicking and volunteering Todd? It's fine to be pro-life, how about outside of the womb, Sarah? Do the kids ever get as much attention as mom?
I'm not thrilled with the choice America is facing in November, but I know I don't want anyone making decisions for me that would have such disrespect for men.
I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. New Testament

Well they Did It

This is going to be fairly short today. There is no reason to beat this dead horse in the middle of the stream, anymore. With several "earmarks" or pork barrel projects or whatever one side of the aisle calls it when the other side attaches more expenses to get something passed, the Big BailOut is already signed! I did notice there were several interesting additions amounting to billions of dollars, with one being more mental health coverage for insured employees. Pardon my paranoia, but will this just be one more way to get what few people that are still employed, into the system or reprogrammed? I've ranted, I've raved, and now I'm just sorry that our entire government doesn't mind using my grandchildren to pay for poor decisions made by people that will never have one moment of wondering whether they can afford gasoline or milk. I have learned something that I just didn't want to see. When both parties quit bickering and finally agree on some bipartisan legislation, it's merely the power of the politicians against and over the will of the people, for the sake of the plutocrats.
But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you . . . New Testament

The Solution . . . Of Course

Now I understand the solution. It was just so very simple, all along. All financial balance sheets have a "bottom line." Our brilliant administration has discovered the temporary solution and a permanent new direction. Remove the bottom line! We will simply operate the American budget without a bottom line. Of course, this is so simple, why didn't we come up with this earlier? I heard my home state Senator McCaskill quoted this morning on the news, saying, " . . . the credit will flow . . ." Credit flowing is what got us to this point. I think this amounts to nothing more than socializing business and debt. Is it socialism if it's debt and fascism if there's a profit? I've heard all week that this bailout will cause banks that have not beein willing to loan money to keep the small businesses and independent businessmen going for things like payroll, etc., to loosen up and provide credit once again. Having been in business, and certainly small and independent, let me tell you something. If I can't buy inventory or supplies and I can't make payroll without a loan, I'm not making money, anyway. What's the point of being in business? This entire solution amounts to nothing more than nationalized counterfeiting. Making paper money to keep Wall Street and the big banks going is like playing Monopoly with one player getting to use the copier when "times get tough." Of course, it benefits all the players, right! What happened to the idea of the big guys just downsizing and paying their debt? Say, I have another idea, since this is going to happen, anyway. What if we divided that $700B or half of that amount and simply used it to actually bail out the people being foreclosed upon? Since the government is going into the banking business and has already entered the real estate mortgage business, why not just use the money directly on the problem? If the government is going to hold the deeds to the mortgages, simply catch up the foreclosures and let the real estate market balance itself back out? And I can't say this often enough. NO Golden Parachutes. When an independent small business man fails, he's lucky to get out with the shirt on his back. NO Golden Parachutes. If CEOs are going to run businesses into the ground and spend money like a teen-ager with their first job, then it's time they learned to live like the rest of us.
I admit I do not have a college math degree, but this I remember from basic Algebra. An equation with all variables and no constants has no justifiable solution OR, any desired answer can be declared . . . Adding more variables to a difficult equation does not help in the solving either. Here is the equation our government is offering if our economic crisis were an algebra problem.
x + y (z)to the -9th power - f = C
I'll now identify the variables.
x is the actual problem, not the meltdown, but what caused the meltdown.
y is the future generations
z is all the money that will be printed, but not backed by anything
f is what the government will do
C is the constant, which is credit.
Now, even with the variables identified, the only constant is the direction. . . down, so we removed the bottom line.
We have one other real problem with this solution. If D is debt, and C is credit, when D = C, or D > C, we are back to an absolute value of 0. Let us not forget that 0 times anything and everything is still nothing!
The only thing that will change with no bottom line, is the fact, we can and will fall far below zero.
And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. a part of the Revelation

Stepping Up to the Plate

I've been blogging along making political commentary for some time now, regarding this financial fiasco, but today, I'm going to tell it like it is, at least from my perspective. The problem is not all on Wall Street, therefore the bailout, will not help. The solution certainly isn't in Washington. We can see from Monday and Tuesdays stock drop and stock rally, that even with the bailout, they plan to run on credit, the direction will not change. I've spent my entire life listening to people talk about money and hard times and a couple of weeks ago I went to my Grandma's 90th birthday celebration and got a whole new perspective, just in time for Wall Street's Meltdown. I say "meltdown, shmeltdown!" Now, knowing that our fearless, thoughtless leaders are going to put this burden on the taxpayers if they can, I say it's really just a matter of which generation of taxpayers is stuck. My recommendation is this one! Somebody has to stop this insanity. Some generation has to just step up to the plate, suck it up and pay the piper, and I'm okay with it being mine. I'm 50 and I'd rather start over and live simply than prop up Wall Street and keep America's god on life support. It's time to lay the old idol to rest, once and for all. We've been running a long time on this present method, which amounts to little more than fast credit, payday loans for the majority of us. Taking down the mobsters in the 70's and 80's was the only way the government could tax the loansharking with those little "corner check-cashing" shops. This is what happens when an economy is based on the perpetual motion of credit. It's far worse than counting your chickens before the eggs are hatched. It's more like ordering omelettes and quiche before the eggs are laid. Now back to my thoughts. I grew up hearing how much everything cost! I mean everything! My parents were very money conscious and from appearance and knowing my dad, I'd say they are comfortable and debt free, and were that way long before they retired, and they still are not 70, so I think their money concerns have served them well. I remember when my Grandpa, who was a self accomplished man, also, explained to me about CDs and FDIC. He told me to never have more than 10 CDs in one bank, and never mature at the same date. And I still live by that advice, only now as an adult I understand those CDs must have been $10,000.00 each. He's gone now, he's been gone for most of my adult life and I still miss him terribly. I think my parents are set for their old age, which brings me to the real point. I have a grandma and I have grandchildren. My grandma has spent her entire life doing what she wanted or what she thought was best. She's 90 now and I think she's covered for life. In celebrating her birthday and looking at the scrap books some of my cousins had assembled I had a revelation! As you can probably glean from this blog, our family has close generations. I remember well, my Grandma's parents, my great Grandparents. As I looked through the scrap book and saw the pictures from days gone by, I remembered the story of my great Grandparents losing their farm in the Great Depression and building a house on a smaller acreage up the road that my Grandpa had inherited. I heard how they lived in the chicken house while he built the home I remember visiting as a child, years later. What caught me odd, though, was the number of professional pictures my Grandma had taken of herself through the 30's, already a young adult. I was amazed at the outfits and the, well, they looked like glamour shots. There were a number of them, a significant number. I know it was all through the 30's, as she married my Grandpa in 1940 and my mom came along in 41. She was a waitress in town in 1934 or 35 and when social security was first established, most of her income would have been unaffected. And from the pictures, I would say the hardships I heard about through the Great Depression appeared to leave those young adults unaffected, as well. Maybe she went to the big city in hopes of being discovered . . . I have no idea.
I made the decision years ago, to pay in to cover my generational obligation, but not to collect social security, because I didn't intend to retire, and I refused to apply for disability when I was diagnosed with MS, so I'm at peace with no expectations or entitlements from the government. I'm also at peace with knowing the young adult generation of the Great Depression that left the farm and didn't look back are taken care of, and their children that worked so hard to amass, probably won't lose most of their pensions, etc. So while the older ones are cared for and the younger ones are just beginning, I say, we'll still take care of the rebels of the Great Depression and the anti-establishment generation will put the brakes on and get this thing turned around without leaving the same burden we inherited.
In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge. a Prophet of Holy Scripture

Oversight for the Bail Out

I'm really confused about this mess. First the Democrats don't want to do it because it's a White House idea, then the Republicans don't want to do it, because the Democrats have added some stipulations. Then it was supposed to be a bipartisan agreement and a go ahead with Oversight! I checked the meaning of oversight, as I thought it used to mean an omission resulting in error or a mistake from not paying attention. Turns out, that is only one of the meanings. The other meaning is management of a situation. Wow! Who knew? But with our government, I'm guessing we can get both meanings out of the same circumstances. I'm sure there are many bureaucratic departments in which the oversight is caused by oversight, or the oversight is implemented as a result of oversight. At this point, I'm guessing there are actual meetings and tax dollars spent to come to some sort of "agreement on the wording" of just such circumstances.
Now to get back to our legislature. I read a headline that said, the Bail Out Bill Failed. I don't really think I'm unhappy about that, but I don't understand what I read about it. It would seem, 60% of the democrats did vote for the bail out, but the republicans were offended by Nancy Pelosi's comments just prior to the vote, so they changed their vote . . . Please! Excuse me, representatives, this isn't about you, remember! It wasn't about any one's partisan feelings when the other side was dragging their feet. It was about helping America! So what gives? Just how long does anyone in Washington think we are buying this? We on Main Street have to be careful about what we buy and invest in or try to be, we don't have anyone to legislate our bail out. As a matter of fact, we are expected to finance this one, so quit trying to sell us your nonsense. I, for one, am not buying it. Although, considering the value of the dollar, I don't know why I'm still being so careful with my money. I think it's time that Washington got back within reach of the people. This plan of not listening to the people and implementing huge expenditures is exactly why we became a country of our own, to begin with. Remember? This plan this week-end amounted to nothing more than sending the tea tax to England and being told the next move from the throne.
Now, if anyone is really willing to sink America over partisan pandering or being offended, I'm guessing those are the ones that are not up for re-election next month.
If the bill was bad, take credit for voting against it. If the bill was good or well it can't be good, but if you were honestly going to vote for it, before Nancy said anything, Grow up and be a representative! This sounds like bickering on the playground in elementary school. Representatives, you are there to represent the best interest of the people that elected you. I really don't care who likes you and who you don't like, just do your job for which you are overpaid and overcompensated. When I first read the headline about the bill failing, I though some of your consciences finally got the best of you and you decided to work for the people that sent you, rather than be bought. But then I read the rest of the story and realized it was just petty politics, as usual.
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want. a Proverb of Holy Scripture

The Show Must Go On

Senator Obama,
I realize you feel the debate takes precedence to actually tending to the task of your present position, which is Senator. I know you have your sites set on 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., but right now, your employment address is Capitol Hill and frankly, if you are going to call in "busy" and not even "present," I really don't think you should be drawing your Senator salary. Do you? You're not sick, and clearly you are absent more than you are "present." And oh, by the way, if you do end up with the Oval Office, when the red phone rings, "Present" will not be enough of an answer from our Commander in Chief. Which reminds me, I'd really like to know just a little more about what you really believe and where you really stand. I'm thinking that just might give me a clue as to where you intend to lead us. I'm not trying to get real personal, here, but you do seem to have a difficult time really saying what you mean and standing for specifics, and your wife. Let's just say, she seems aggressive, maybe frustrated. 'Nuff said there. Back to politics. I read briefly about your state Senate service. It seems, as soon as you were re-elected, you began running for another office, but that didn't work out, so you ran again for the state position, then you no sooner had it, you were setting your sites on national. I have to tell you. It really seems like a put on deal. I mean you were not much more famous than I was before the Democratic National Convention in 2004. Let's face facts, everybody can stir up scandal and most everybody has beaten Alan Keyes, who came in very late in the campaign to replace the guy ridden with scandal that was running against you. So your confident victory looks all but choreographed to me and I made that comment in '04 as you were introduced. Granted, G~D has given me the gift of discernment, so maybe everyone hasn't noticed this, but it is clear. You are where you are right now, and it is not simply from being in the right place at the right time with the right answer. I haven't heard any of your answers, but your wife says we all have to work, you are going to make us. Not to nag, but maybe you ought to see what you can do to calm her aggression or ease her frustration.
I am a Libertarian and to be honest I didn't intend to vote for either of you, but your comments regarding the debate and the urgent situation in Washington has certainly elevated John McCain, in my eyes. You should go to Washington for this major economic discussion and at least say "Present."
If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. a Proverb of Holy Scripture

Coming Attractions . . . but now Our Main Feature

It is so difficult to address just one issue, because so many are being thrown at us on a daily basis. Here I was planning to share my perspective on the latest news from Big Brother, a.k.a. Department of Homeland Security, and I will give just a portion. Here is the link: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,426485,00.html
and here are just a few of the highlights.
It would seem that our DHS has now managed a way to read our thoughts and they are just darned proud of that fact.
Coming soon to an airport near you . . .
I quote from various paragraphs in the article.
MALINTENT, the brainchild of the cutting-edge Human Factors division in Homeland Security's directorate for Science and Technology, searches your body for non-verbal cues that predict whether you mean harm to your fellow passengers. . .
This whole security array — the scanners and screeners who make up the mobile lab — is called "Future Attribute Screening Technology" — or FAST — because it is designed to get passengers through security in two to four minutes, and often faster. . .
If you're rushed or stressed, you may send out signals of anxiety, but FAST isn't fooled. It's already good enough to tell the difference between a harried traveler and a terrorist. Even if you sweat heavily by nature, FAST won't mistake you for a baddie. . .
"If you focus on looking at the person, you don't have to worry about detecting the device itself," said Bob Burns, MALINTENT's project leader.
FAST may also incorporate biological, radiological and explosive detection, but for now the primary focus is on identifying and isolating potential human threats.
And because FAST is a mobile screening laboratory, it could be set up at entrances to stadiums, malls and in airports, making it ever more difficult for terrorists to live and work among us.
Burns noted his team's goal is to "restore a sense of freedom."

Now, that we have this to look forward to, let's address the topic at hand.

The BIG Bail-out!
I don't like to be negative and just say everyone is wrong, without a solution, so here is my idea for handling this huge mess on Wall Street.
First, we are not just going to throw money at it. I started to type "good money after bad" but no standard for our currency isn't "good money" to begin with. Clearly the taxpayers will have to rescue this mess, we always do, but this time, we need to explain. Our money, our rules.
First, everyone will sit down and offer one logical, reasonable change they are willing to make in representing and governing, then . . .
We will bail Wall Street out, but the CEOs are under investigation and either they leave with hat in hand and tail between their legs and NO severance pay for failed leadership or they face criminal fraud charges! That seems pretty simple.
Now, on to Washington. There will be no more blank checks. We taxpayers know we are paying for all this, now we want some evidence of getting what we're paying for.
For every politician that wants to be re-elected or cares at all about their constituents, here's what needs to happen. You know all the gifts and fringe benefits of being representatives and all the lovely gifts from the lobby. Here's the plan. Do their favors, do their bidding, but all the pay-offs come to "we the people." And you know, it just wouldn't hurt for all of Congress to spend one year living like local City Council members, on a modicum of expense vouchers and a complete account of expenditures, if you want reimbursement . . . no automatic salary or expense account. Just for a year, the year of the citizen. Remember, constituents are also called voters and November is just a little over a month away.
That's it! I'm declaring 2009, The Year of the Citizen. Michelle or Sarah, just hold on til 2010, it's our turn first. The Year of the Citizen will involve this. We are no longer leaving our future in the hands of elected officials. All citizens must make one change toward independence and remove themselves from one area of dependence upon their government. Everyone that has a window, needs a window box with something growing in it. Everyone with a yard needs some project in the works. Everyone with a garage needs some project in the making. We have to get back to being a people that are not afraid of a new frontier, or even better get back to a people that made the frontier a wonderful place to live. The handwriting is clearly on the wall. It's time to do something about it.
They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver. . . In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote upon the wall of the king's palace . . . And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; G~d hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. a Prophet of Holy Scripture

What Lack of Experience for Washington?

I think the critics have underestimated Sarah Palin's readiness for Washington. She says she is prepared and ready to serve and I think her resume speaks for itself. Let's talk about her real experience in politics and ability to stand in leadership.
She already knows John McCain is counting on her and he'll do whatever it takes to keep her happy to keep the party rallied with those contributions and votes coming in. That seems like a simple example of "I'll scratch your back, you scratch mine." Clearly preparedness for Capitol Hill.
The town in which she served as mayor, became deeply in debt through her leadership, but they got a great ice hockey rink. I don't even have to draw any parallels to Washington on this example. The girl is a shoo-in. She already thinks like someone with a great deal of power and somebody else's money. Say WASHINGTON!
Next is this famous or now infamous "Troopergate." Although she welcomed the investigation in July, she is now free to not cooperate, as it is now deemed "partisan politics," and her staff and First Dude are free to disregard subpoenas regarding this Troopergate situation. Sounds like she knows when to holler "partisan" and she truly is exhibiting her right as a politician to be above the rules the rest of us have to live under. Sounds like Washington material, to me!
Then there's the "Open Record" rule in Alaska, for official state business to be available to the public. So she runs some state business through a personal yahoo account. I don't know any of the facts, except, her personal account has been hacked and posted. According to investigators, the account contains official State business, so the hacker is now wanted by the FBI. She is SO ready for Washington.
Sarah Palin seems to be the kind of person that receives pity where others are judged, praised where others would be criticized, and applauded where others would be tarred and feathered. If that doesn't scream Washington republican, I don't know what does!
With all the politicians getting caught and resigning in shame the last couple of years. She sounds to me like just the gal to bring reform to Washington. She can go there and teach them how to get away with it, even when they get caught!
That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. Ecclesiastes of Holy Scripture

My Two Cents Worth . . .

I realize I seem to be stuck on this banking, financial ruin this country is going through, but this morning the news is just "priceless." It hasn't been a month ago that our leader told us we are merely experiencing an economic slowdown, that didn't quite rally as they had hoped with the tax rebate plan. Now, I'm hearing the same old tired mantra from the White House, "if Congress doesn't hurry and act . . ." And oh, the whole world is watching. Well the whole world's been watching this complete farce for the last 7 1/2 years, and six of those years we had a republican Congress that was apparently just twiddling their thumbs or enjoying the wining and dining by corporate lobbyists. I really think our government saw this coming. I saw the real estate bubble ready to burst in 2005 and I'm just a small time minister/writer, hardly Wall Street or Washington material. In seven years, we've nearly doubled the national deficit and those of us that call attention to that fact are being labeled, unpatriotic. I think our government has done two things. I think they have weakened this entire nation and lost our credibility throughout the world. I can't blame all of this on the government. Even American religion has managed to self-sanctify greed.
This time, however; it would be nice if Congress stuck by their guns and didn't just bluster before handing the President another blank check! There is a fundamental flaw with this continual rhetoric of "not allowing these businesses to fail." The fact that the books don't balance and they've lost billions is failure. Even if they receive the billions upon billions over the 1/3 of the tax rebate they've already received, insolvency in banking is failure. Insurance companies that need a loan to keep operating, much less cover claims, is failure. And so our government has rewritten the rules for the last two investment banks. That's right, down to two. Now these two banks can receive deposits . . . Since banking is now a not for profit business, and receiving federal funding, will the deposits be tax deductible?
Our own government is taking us down and they want us to finance the conquest!
Even if the money gets printed and pumped into Wall Street, it's strength and power will not be restored and the government will have the assets held by the companies on Wall Street. If this present insane plan does pass Congress, it's lose/lose/lose for we the people. But hey, they're going to give us 4 shiny new pennies in '09!
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: New Testament

Dear Mr. President,

Why aren't you listening to the people? I'm not talking about the upper echelon corporates and suits around you, I'm talking about those people that are working every day or trying to, that you are supposed to be governing and more importantly protecting.
I answer questions regarding savings and budgeting. I even answer questions pertaining to self reliance and various rights afforded us here in the US of A. Let me share a basic foundational thought in dealing with budgeting and it applies to monetary sums ranging from 1st grade allowance to the national budget of a world superpower.
YOU CANNOT BORROW YOUR WAY OUT OF DEBT!
It's a simple, yet time honored fact. We are tired of hearing what is made to sound like the facts changing, depending upon the presentation. Some of us know better than that.
I'm sorry some of your friends mismanaged their businesses, but I don't want to bail them out. I don't understand why Wall Street, who is supposed to be handling the money for Main Street, needs to be funded and subsidized by many that can't afford housing on Main Street, much less to play the numbers on Wall Street.
This just isn't right and it doesn't set will. And it really looks bad that even more mess is happening on your watch. I realize your faithful few are still grasping at straws to blame the previous administration. Come on, you know you walked into much less mess in the Oval Office, than your successor will in '09.
You're not a grandpa yet, so you probably can't relate to what I'm about to say, but I'm going to share it anyway. I feel very strongly about leaving a heritage, not a debt. Our generation will not live long enough to even make a dent in the interest that is gathering on the debt you have led our nation into. It's bad enough my grandchildren will be paying for a war that was unprovoked and unnecessary, I hope my grandson is not called upon to fight in it. He's 6 right now, but he wasn't even a year old when you started this war. It's been over 5 years since you said Mission Accomplished, so we just don't know how long this mess will continue, do we? And no offense to all the seniors, but most of them have plenty of money and plenty of health care provided by your revision of MediCare, to live long enough to spend my generation's inheritance. That's fine, but I really do hate the fact that my hard working children are paying into a social security plan that is charted to be bankrupt the year I turn 60, much less for them to ever see any hope of return. Not only do you have family money to enjoy and inherit, you have a Presidential pension for life. Again, Mr. President, I implore of you to think about what you are doing. The more unbacked money you throw at a situation, the less America's assets are worth. And if the money you're throwing around is backed, it's borrowed. Please refer to the capitalized statement above.
I've been to Washington DC and New York City. I have to tell you, much of the rest of the country doesn't choose to live that way, therefore we don't care to finance it and subsidize it. And for those that would like to live extravagantly, they deserve the right to spend their money; I repeat, their money, no one else's.
This country is made up of strong hard working individuals. We've had some of the greatest inventors and entrepreneurs the world has seen in the last couple of centuries, and many of them didn't succeed the first time. We've had Presidents with failed business ventures, I'm sure you are aware, but many of them had nothing to fall back on and no one to bail them. They simply picked themsevles up, dusted themselves off and started again. It's what America plans to do in January of '09.
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children . . . a Proverb of Holy Scripture

Up in Smoke?

I awoke to more financial woes and unfortunately the promise that our President was looking into this matter. This isn't going to be a lengthy blog going over all the particulars and political elitist's concerns. This is simple and straight to the point. We, average citizens, can't afford our own lives, much less to bail out multi-million and billion dollar corporations in which the CEOs and Board of Directors will maintain their current standard of living. There is no reason to try to keep Wall Street"business as usual" while the rest of us finance their rescue. I keep hearing the term bail out because we can't afford for a particular company to fail. If it needs bailing out or bankruptcy protection, it already has failed. Our President is promising money he doesn't have and his generation, which is also mine, will not live long enough to earn or repay the loan.
If the Federal Reserve truly has the money and they are the financier for the government, why don't they pay down some of the deficit, instead of covering poor decisions made by the greedy and the wealthy?
The "much needed" bail out yesterday was at the top of the news this morning. The government had to bail AIG because the entire world was affected. The entire world was watching what our government would do with AIG and now all eyes are on WA-MU, which I think sounds like something the GOP VP should be hunting next month.
This American administration has already pumped $50 billion into corporate America, with the tax rebate incentive earlier this year and financed Chase to consume Bear-Stearns. Now owns Freddie, Fannie, and the Federal Housing Administration. They've taken just as much real estate from home owners as the original settlers took from the Indians. I never allowed my children to use the "F" word, but I'm thinking Federal is the new "F" word of the 21st Century.
So, as the world watches for the sake of the global economy, I just can't help but think of the apocalyptic passage regarding the demise of the Harlot of Babylon in the Revelation. I think the whole world is watching as we go up in smoke!
For in one hour so great riches is come to nought . . . And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning . . . the Revelation