Now mass transit is asking for bailout money. This one's the worst, because mass transit's financial mess comes from their trying to cheat the government out of tax money. Yeah, these crooks sold their railroad cars to banks and then leased them. This let them avoid taxes and they and the banks split whatever was saved by this gambit. The Internal Revenue caught the irregularity and started questioning their little juggling act. Caught cheating, they became liable for a lot of money.
So these kings of chutzpah, after trying to cheat the government, are now asking the government to bail them out! What are they thinking? "Hey, if you hadn't caught us trying to cheat we wouldn't be stuck with this huge debt. You owe us!" So we're in the process of making a gift of the money these transit pickpockets were out to steal. I think this is as crazy as it gets. But we'll see, I thought the same thing when Bush was elected for a second time.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
HIDE YOUR CATS AND DOGS
Bush The Lame, stopped drinking years ago but is now drunk with power. He attacked Iraq because Cheney and Wolfiwitz thought it was a good idea, reduced human rights because God told him to, tortured people because...well, what else do you do with a terrorist except terrorize him? It's just pure logic. And if all the tortured weren't terrorists, well, they should've been, because not being terrorists meant they were tortured for no good reason, which is useless all around. But sometimes you have to burn good wood to get ashes, right?
And now, lame but game, our failed president is out to override the environmental laws and the endangered species act. It seems nature and animals are getting in the way of progress and our dimwitted dean of failure is going to push regulations that will stop the incoming administration, who seem to be a touchy feely crowd (ugh!), from trying to continue protecting the air we breathe and the animals dying to extinction. Damn liberals, it's all that caring about things besides money that's put our economy in trouble. These people are out of control, they even want to close Guantanamo. (Hey, I'm not kidding you, they actually do.) But our bush leaguer president is going to stop them cold before they occupy the drivers seat and ruin everything Bush has worked so hard to destroy. He believes in God, totally, but if God's creations get in the way of doing business, they have to go. God will understand. He's all forgiving. I just hope that when he finally meets his maker, God will do the right thing, and tell him to go to Hell.
And now, lame but game, our failed president is out to override the environmental laws and the endangered species act. It seems nature and animals are getting in the way of progress and our dimwitted dean of failure is going to push regulations that will stop the incoming administration, who seem to be a touchy feely crowd (ugh!), from trying to continue protecting the air we breathe and the animals dying to extinction. Damn liberals, it's all that caring about things besides money that's put our economy in trouble. These people are out of control, they even want to close Guantanamo. (Hey, I'm not kidding you, they actually do.) But our bush leaguer president is going to stop them cold before they occupy the drivers seat and ruin everything Bush has worked so hard to destroy. He believes in God, totally, but if God's creations get in the way of doing business, they have to go. God will understand. He's all forgiving. I just hope that when he finally meets his maker, God will do the right thing, and tell him to go to Hell.
HONK IF YOU WANT A BAILOUT
It used to be Brother Can You Spare A Dime? nowadays it's Brother Can You Spare Billions Of Dollars. The Big Three auto makers of Detroit are now on line behind Wall Street with a battered tin cup they hope to fill with billions of taxpayer dollars. They want $25 billion from the Treasury Department's $700 billion economic rescue fund. We've already filled the coffers of the mismanagers of Wall Street, who, of course, quickly mismanaged the tax payer money given them and now hope to mismanage more.
I'm no economist, but I think businesses fail for a reason, and until the reason is ferreted out, money isn't the solution. Greed was the reason for Wall Street's failure, yet our money was given to the greedy without restricitions, and look how well that's working out. Now we're to bail out the automotive industry on their word that they promise to do better in the future.
We're talking about an industry who after the last oil crisis thought gas guzzling SUV's were the way to go. The problems they're facing aren't new, these are problems that have been accruing for years. They're like Rip Van Winkle; they've been asleep for a decade and now they've awakened to find they've lost more than just time, they've lost money.
Businesses fail because people don't want to buy their product. Should we invest in a business that doesn't know why it's failing? The automotive industry says it's because of the tumbling world economy. I say it's because like Wall Street, and the Bush Administration, there's an arrogant disregard for any reality except their own egocentric point of view. All these institutions have to get their heads out of their you-know-whats before we all go down the toilet.
I'm no economist, but I think businesses fail for a reason, and until the reason is ferreted out, money isn't the solution. Greed was the reason for Wall Street's failure, yet our money was given to the greedy without restricitions, and look how well that's working out. Now we're to bail out the automotive industry on their word that they promise to do better in the future.
We're talking about an industry who after the last oil crisis thought gas guzzling SUV's were the way to go. The problems they're facing aren't new, these are problems that have been accruing for years. They're like Rip Van Winkle; they've been asleep for a decade and now they've awakened to find they've lost more than just time, they've lost money.
Businesses fail because people don't want to buy their product. Should we invest in a business that doesn't know why it's failing? The automotive industry says it's because of the tumbling world economy. I say it's because like Wall Street, and the Bush Administration, there's an arrogant disregard for any reality except their own egocentric point of view. All these institutions have to get their heads out of their you-know-whats before we all go down the toilet.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
IS OBAMA 'THE ONE?'
Oprah said she thought Obama was THE ONE, and now that he's been elected, others are hoping she's right. Let's face it, all of us are hoping she's right. The conservatives are, of course, disappointed that their messiah (msiah?) Sara Palin didn't get elected. Ms. Palin is in Alaska mourning the loss of the wardrobe she must return to the Republican Party. They offered her $75,000, she spent $150,000. OK, economics wasn't her strong suit, but it wasn't McCain's either.
Actually, after listening to the endless array of financial experts presenting solutions, and listening to another endless array of experts explaining why the first group is wrong, I've come to the conclusion the mess we're in is so complex and so deep that nobody really knows how to fix it.
First, the polititians went into panic-mode and started throwing billions of tax payers dollars at the problem. McCain flew down to Washington and sat for a day without adding anything to the discussion. He was tired and it all went over his head anyway. Greed being the main cause of the problem, our brilliant polititians decided throwing billions of taxpayer dollars into the greedy maws of Wall Street was the best solution. The banks took the money and sat on it, or invested it for themselves. They were suppose to help create a money-flow to stimulate the economy, this was after all a stimulus package, instead like the money-junkies they are, they kept it all . And the nefarious AIG threw excessive parties for themselves with our money. Now AIG had said it was fairly solvent and only needed, you know, maybe 84 billion or so to stay afloat. Well, those billions disappeared almost as soon as they touched AIG's outstretched hand, and now they're out there with a bigger tin cup. The suspicion is they lied about being close to solvent and the money disappeared into a huge debt they were trying to hide. So, the polititians who know nothing about economics except that it involves money are just throwing it right into the same hole we're trying to crawl out of. Paulson finally (!) realized this was stupid and has started putting some of the money where it might actually do some good. But it's only the beginning. If ignorance is bliss, our polititians are in nirvana. Somebody has to attack this crisis with intelligent action. Obama, if you are the messiah, it's time for your first miracle.
Actually, after listening to the endless array of financial experts presenting solutions, and listening to another endless array of experts explaining why the first group is wrong, I've come to the conclusion the mess we're in is so complex and so deep that nobody really knows how to fix it.
First, the polititians went into panic-mode and started throwing billions of tax payers dollars at the problem. McCain flew down to Washington and sat for a day without adding anything to the discussion. He was tired and it all went over his head anyway. Greed being the main cause of the problem, our brilliant polititians decided throwing billions of taxpayer dollars into the greedy maws of Wall Street was the best solution. The banks took the money and sat on it, or invested it for themselves. They were suppose to help create a money-flow to stimulate the economy, this was after all a stimulus package, instead like the money-junkies they are, they kept it all . And the nefarious AIG threw excessive parties for themselves with our money. Now AIG had said it was fairly solvent and only needed, you know, maybe 84 billion or so to stay afloat. Well, those billions disappeared almost as soon as they touched AIG's outstretched hand, and now they're out there with a bigger tin cup. The suspicion is they lied about being close to solvent and the money disappeared into a huge debt they were trying to hide. So, the polititians who know nothing about economics except that it involves money are just throwing it right into the same hole we're trying to crawl out of. Paulson finally (!) realized this was stupid and has started putting some of the money where it might actually do some good. But it's only the beginning. If ignorance is bliss, our polititians are in nirvana. Somebody has to attack this crisis with intelligent action. Obama, if you are the messiah, it's time for your first miracle.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
OBAMA ACES IT
McCain, with a backdrop of military men, declared that because of his military service and experience he was the better leader and protector of this country. That would've worked for me except for the fact that on the other side, with Obama, was (and is), Colin Powell. If this were a card game, McCain would be playing a king, but Obama has the ace.
HOW TO BECOME A POLITITIAN
Chisel down the facts until they say what you want them to say, (half truths are better than none), then repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat them, until you almost believe them yourself. Smooth out the details, until what you have is a good slogan, or tag line. Something to energize the fans. Have them shouting it, putting it on bumper stickers, T-Shirts, etc. It helps your campaign, and the merchandising helps the economy. A win-win situation. Repeating the same message over and over again, you don't even have to think about what you're saying, just look enthusiastic, feisty, determined, all the emotions that the words would make you feel if you had just thought of them. Of course, you didn't. You have a staff for that. They do everything but chew your food for you.
You're out to win, so don't worry if what you're saying is going against everything you actually believe. The political experts have carefully honed your image, you're a populist, and as you push and shove through the crowds of ordinary folk, glad handing, and grinning at them as if you're genuinely glad to be amongst them, be grateful that this will soon end and you'll be able to ignore this cackling carnival of clowns and relax with your own kind, your fellow poseurs, the powerful elite. You will take the people's hunger for change, their overwhelming need to be led, their endearing ignorance, and turn it into a formidable weapon. Power to the polititian. Amen.
You're out to win, so don't worry if what you're saying is going against everything you actually believe. The political experts have carefully honed your image, you're a populist, and as you push and shove through the crowds of ordinary folk, glad handing, and grinning at them as if you're genuinely glad to be amongst them, be grateful that this will soon end and you'll be able to ignore this cackling carnival of clowns and relax with your own kind, your fellow poseurs, the powerful elite. You will take the people's hunger for change, their overwhelming need to be led, their endearing ignorance, and turn it into a formidable weapon. Power to the polititian. Amen.
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