I don't pretend to know much about the macro economics of health care. I can't imagine there are more than a handful of people who do. After all, an industry which consumes hundreds of billions of dollars of our national economy by definition is complex beyond human comprehension.
What I do know is that OB and his band of Chicago political animals are making claims which they either know to be false, or have no intelligent reason to believe to be true. In other words, they are lying. What is OB's interest (and when I say "OB" I am referring to him, his administration, and Democrats in general)? The interest is expansion of government. These people don't give a hoot about health care. Why should they? They already have the best coverage and will continue to have it no matter what happens to the rest of us. These people simply want to expand government. It's their business. They want to increase their market share, the same way a utility wants to sell more electricity, or a flower shop wants to sell more flowers.
This is the way it always has been and will always be. The ONLY thing which could possibly slow down this perverse trend is term limits - and of course revolution.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Ninety Two: Small Government
Yesterday I received the receipt for my 2009 property tax payment from the Rural Municipality of Souris Valley No. 7, Saskatchewan, Canada. The tax payment is for land which my grandfather, "Original Tom" homesteaded in 1904. Not only was the receipt hand-signed by the Administrator, Jo Ann Larsen, but Jo Ann also included a 400 word "note" filling me in on her surgery, her new grandchild, and the centennial anniversary party for the RM last summer. Obviously, my family's ownership of the land predates the organization of the RM government. Many of the original settlers (O'Donnell, Sampson, Forrester, Ordahl, Bloor), still have descendants on the land.
This transaction with our local government is a stark and shocking illustration of how completely disconnected our modern governance has become from its original conception. The idea that government is supposed to "serve" the people has been turned upside down. Our governments now exist to be "served by" the electorate. Governments are now malevolent bodies which foster ill will and malice. They harm the people. They are arrogant and self-serving. Can this trend be reversed? I think not.
This transaction with our local government is a stark and shocking illustration of how completely disconnected our modern governance has become from its original conception. The idea that government is supposed to "serve" the people has been turned upside down. Our governments now exist to be "served by" the electorate. Governments are now malevolent bodies which foster ill will and malice. They harm the people. They are arrogant and self-serving. Can this trend be reversed? I think not.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Ninety One: Chrisopher Dodd Is A Liar
It was my unfortunate luck to see Senator Dodd blathering on TV this morning about what I think and how I feel about my health care. He also expressed the debt of gratitude I owe to Harry Reid for forcing the largest expansion of government in 40 years down my throat. Dodd also told me that heretofore, only a "precious few" had access to health care (of course Dodd being one of those precious few). And finally, Dodd told me that now, he and Harry had made access to health care a "right."
If ever there was a poster child for term limits, it's Dodd.
If ever there was a poster child for term limits, it's Dodd.
Ninety: BO's ADD
Does Prez Obama suffer from a titanic case of attention deficit disorder? It certainly appears so. And it also is being fed by an overactive ego, which apparently makes him think he can solve any problem, or achieve any result by simply plopping himself at the epicenter of the issue (Chicago Olympics bid; Copenhagen environment conference; jobs summit; financial re-regulation; and of course, health care), and expecting all parties to submit to his superior intellect and moral suasion. Nice try. It worked to get elected, but it won't work to govern.
If politics is "the art of the possible," then BO and his band of merry liberals have sorely missed an opportunity to achieve something useful. With his party majorities in Congress, not to mention his support from the hugely Democratic federal bureaucracy, unions, and academia, he could have stuck to his campaign promise of "post-partisanship" and achieved something historic in any one of the big issues like health care or the economy. Instead, he is flailing around like an Asian carp.
If politics is "the art of the possible," then BO and his band of merry liberals have sorely missed an opportunity to achieve something useful. With his party majorities in Congress, not to mention his support from the hugely Democratic federal bureaucracy, unions, and academia, he could have stuck to his campaign promise of "post-partisanship" and achieved something historic in any one of the big issues like health care or the economy. Instead, he is flailing around like an Asian carp.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Eighty Nine: Golf Without Woods
Back on April 2, 2007, I voiced my long-held belief that Tiger Woods has not been good for the game of golf. Not that he has been necessarily bad for the game, but the nauseating hero-worship by the media of this golfing great to the detriment of the other players and the game itself has been just that - nauseating.
Now we see that while heroic (and often completely devoid of any gentlemanly qualities) on the course, Mr. Woods is a serial adulterer, a woman abuser, a liar, a cheat, and as my 94 year old Aunt Helen refers to him, scum. My Aunt Helen by the way, has been a golf devotee for about 75 years. While she no longer plays, she still watches, knows the players, and enjoys the game.
Of course I wish no ill will to Mr. Woods or his family. But I will soooooo look forward to golf without him, or rather without media circus which follows him. Actually I rather like watching him play, at least when he's not acting immature.
Maybe the interesting dynamic to watch will be whether Woods handles his personal challenges better than, say, David Duval.
Now we see that while heroic (and often completely devoid of any gentlemanly qualities) on the course, Mr. Woods is a serial adulterer, a woman abuser, a liar, a cheat, and as my 94 year old Aunt Helen refers to him, scum. My Aunt Helen by the way, has been a golf devotee for about 75 years. While she no longer plays, she still watches, knows the players, and enjoys the game.
Of course I wish no ill will to Mr. Woods or his family. But I will soooooo look forward to golf without him, or rather without media circus which follows him. Actually I rather like watching him play, at least when he's not acting immature.
Maybe the interesting dynamic to watch will be whether Woods handles his personal challenges better than, say, David Duval.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Eighty Eight: Health Care Legislation And The Economy
The last watershed piece of health care legislation was the enactment of Medicare in 1965. After that, the economy was in the doldrums, including a couple of recessions, for the next twenty years. The post-Medicare economic malaise was the amount of time required to digest the tremendous inefficiencies and burden of a huge increase in the size of government. In 1985, the Reagan tax cuts kicked in and created the the economic expansion which lasted essentially until 2007.
Now BO and his band are about to enact another round of generational government expansion. In addition to health care, financial, insurance, and industrial meddling by government, in the name of consumer safety or economic stabilization, is going to suck capital out of the private sector and paralyze economic activity for at least as long as the post-Medicare period.
In 1996, Clinton declared that the "era of big government is over." Of course this is not what Clinton philosophically wanted, but he did recognize that the only way to stay in the oval office for another term was to jump on the band wagon of public sentiment which had finally tired of oppressive government intervention in their lives. While government growth never actually decreases in real terms, the rate of growth did slow down during Clinton's reign. Much of this was due to Clinton's inability to do much of anything on account of his constant personal crises. The result however, was the legendary economic expansion of the late 1990s. Reagan tax cuts + Clinton scandals = economic success.
BO and the Dems are doing exactly the wrong thing at the wrong time. Government should be doing everything it can to shovel capital into the private sector. Instead, they are diverting it away from productivity, which will create wealth, and building huge government incinerators to waste resources.
We'll just have to wait for another Reagan.
Now BO and his band are about to enact another round of generational government expansion. In addition to health care, financial, insurance, and industrial meddling by government, in the name of consumer safety or economic stabilization, is going to suck capital out of the private sector and paralyze economic activity for at least as long as the post-Medicare period.
In 1996, Clinton declared that the "era of big government is over." Of course this is not what Clinton philosophically wanted, but he did recognize that the only way to stay in the oval office for another term was to jump on the band wagon of public sentiment which had finally tired of oppressive government intervention in their lives. While government growth never actually decreases in real terms, the rate of growth did slow down during Clinton's reign. Much of this was due to Clinton's inability to do much of anything on account of his constant personal crises. The result however, was the legendary economic expansion of the late 1990s. Reagan tax cuts + Clinton scandals = economic success.
BO and the Dems are doing exactly the wrong thing at the wrong time. Government should be doing everything it can to shovel capital into the private sector. Instead, they are diverting it away from productivity, which will create wealth, and building huge government incinerators to waste resources.
We'll just have to wait for another Reagan.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Eighty Seven: Little Timmy And The Big Banks
The WSJ today reports what everybody already knew: Little Timmy Geithner, is the world's worst negotiator. While president of the New York Fed, LTG agreed to make whole every bank which which entered into deals with AIG, including of course Goldman Sachs (LTG's most likely future employer) and Merrill Lynch. The "deals" were essentially private insurance contracts wherein AIG agreed to insure the banks against losses from bad investments made by the banks. The "deals" of course were made by the best and brightest investment bankers and insurance execs, and were reviewed by the smartest lawyers money could buy, probably $1,500 an hour guys. Now none of these really smart guys ever bothered to think about whether AIG actually had the money to make good on the insurance claims (AIG didn't have the money, which led to Little Timmy's grand plan).
Instead of saying to the banks, "You guys made some bad moves, now you need to live with it," LTG said, "Gee, you guys wouldn't be willing to take a little less than you're owed, would you?" to which the banks said, "up yours Little Timmy," whereupon LTG said, "OK, I'll make sure you get all your money, but please remember me when I'm in the job market, OK?"
Really makes you feel good about paying taxes, doesn't it?
Instead of saying to the banks, "You guys made some bad moves, now you need to live with it," LTG said, "Gee, you guys wouldn't be willing to take a little less than you're owed, would you?" to which the banks said, "up yours Little Timmy," whereupon LTG said, "OK, I'll make sure you get all your money, but please remember me when I'm in the job market, OK?"
Really makes you feel good about paying taxes, doesn't it?
Monday, November 16, 2009
Eighty Six: More Merrill
OK, so this is my third ML post today, but geez, you can't get away from this Sallie K advertising blitz. Now I'm wondering who is benefiting from this ocean of advertising dollars. Agencies, production houses, buyers of pages, air time, pop ups, billboards, all are garnering ML payments. "help2" is obviously the brainchild of some addled ad account exec who has convinced Sallie K that this campaign will polish her otherwise spectacular career failures. Good luck.
Eighty Five: Sallie Krawcheck, The $27 Billion Woman
My name is Sallie Krawcheck, and I have a proven track record of helping Citigroup lose $27 billion. That's why I was selected to run what's left of Merrill Lynch at BAC. You see, ML also lost $27,000,000,000 in 2008, so it's not exactly a stretch for me. I mean, I think I've got this down. Here are some of my advertising ideas:
I lost it before, and I can lose it again.
We lost $27 billion of our own; now we want to lose yours too.
27 billion reasons to invest your life's savings with us.
Seriously, we really think we can lose less than $27 billion this year.
Don't you think I'm cute? Please give me your money.
I lost it before, and I can lose it again.
We lost $27 billion of our own; now we want to lose yours too.
27 billion reasons to invest your life's savings with us.
Seriously, we really think we can lose less than $27 billion this year.
Don't you think I'm cute? Please give me your money.
Eighty Four: Merrill Lynch
I have an idea for an ad headline for ML: "Give Your Money To Us Because We Lost $27,000,000,000 Of Our Own Last Year." Sallie Krawcheck, who most recently helped to drive Citigroup into the ground, is now the head cheerleader for ML sales. They call it "wealth management," but of course it really just a sales team. The people who bring in the dough don't manage anything, as I can personally attest to. My financial advisor, Mark Thorndyke, out of the Chicago office, presided over a 54% decline in my account and actually tried to shift the blame onto me. In reality, of course he doesn't have a clue why investments go up or down. From my infrequent discussions with him I get the sense that his reading is limited to the daily sports page. A deep thinker he is not.
ML of course is not alone in seeking to be rewarded for failure. The list is pretty impressive - GM, Motorola, UAL - all companies which should be in the grave, but because governments, customers, shareholders, have given money to these losers, they do not die. Then there are companies like Cisco, a company which currently makes money, but also makes incredibly stupid decisions, such as hiring the former MOT IT chief whose steadfast belief was that touch tone phones would never catch on. This is a sure sign that CSCO has passed the tipping point, and is likely to become another MOT or GM.
ML of course is not alone in seeking to be rewarded for failure. The list is pretty impressive - GM, Motorola, UAL - all companies which should be in the grave, but because governments, customers, shareholders, have given money to these losers, they do not die. Then there are companies like Cisco, a company which currently makes money, but also makes incredibly stupid decisions, such as hiring the former MOT IT chief whose steadfast belief was that touch tone phones would never catch on. This is a sure sign that CSCO has passed the tipping point, and is likely to become another MOT or GM.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Eighty Three: The New MOT
Over the past 15 years I have sued MOT a few times, and negotiated many exit packages for MOT employees. In that same time period, I have dealt with probably 25% of the Fortune 500 doing similar deals. I must say that when it comes to handing out cash, MOT is one sweet target. MOT also always had (and probably still has) more human deadwood than any other firm I've ever come across. One of the problems at MOT is the terminal influence on corporate culture by HR. I mention all of this as a kind of reinforcement for my urge to short MOT during its temporary uptrend with the Droid announcement. And it will be temporary, because nothing, and I mean nothing, can turn around the decades of terminal decisions made at MOT, to wit:
allowing Nokia to get the original AT&T Wireless business
putting HR in charge of corporate culture
having a CTO who was stone deaf to technology trends (Padmasree)
being unable or unwilling to recognize the corporate arrogance within the company
refusing to give customers what they want
All the technology in the world, and MOT has mountains of it, cannot stop the downhill slide at MOT. It's just a matter of time.
allowing Nokia to get the original AT&T Wireless business
putting HR in charge of corporate culture
having a CTO who was stone deaf to technology trends (Padmasree)
being unable or unwilling to recognize the corporate arrogance within the company
refusing to give customers what they want
All the technology in the world, and MOT has mountains of it, cannot stop the downhill slide at MOT. It's just a matter of time.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Eighty Two: Back in Office
After five days away, including the weekend, arrived back in office this past Thursday. By the end of the day yesterday, it felt like I had been chained to my desk for a full week, not the paltry two days I actually was there. Real estate, bankruptcy, business formations, personal injury, divorce, Budget collections, not to mention personal portfolio management concumed all of my available time for business.
Then there was the Michael Breslin funeral, a very sad and sobering affair. While I am not personally close to the family, I do have connections and interests to wit: The decedent, Michael, who I never met, was the subject of a several conversations between Mike (the grandfather) and myself. Mike and I talked about both Michael and my son, Andy. Mike and I have been acquaintances in AA for almost twenty years, and he has been a frequent attendee at the Blahs (the Thursday night men's group I co-founded with Jack Hall) for the last couple of years. Michael's father, John, and I have also crossed paths for fifteen years in business and AA. And of course there is Sandi, Michael's mother, who has been performing (extremely well) of counsel duties for my firm. Whether she will continue in that role is uncertain.
Tonight we have a dinner party to attend at Vijitha and Svetlana's.
Then there was the Michael Breslin funeral, a very sad and sobering affair. While I am not personally close to the family, I do have connections and interests to wit: The decedent, Michael, who I never met, was the subject of a several conversations between Mike (the grandfather) and myself. Mike and I talked about both Michael and my son, Andy. Mike and I have been acquaintances in AA for almost twenty years, and he has been a frequent attendee at the Blahs (the Thursday night men's group I co-founded with Jack Hall) for the last couple of years. Michael's father, John, and I have also crossed paths for fifteen years in business and AA. And of course there is Sandi, Michael's mother, who has been performing (extremely well) of counsel duties for my firm. Whether she will continue in that role is uncertain.
Tonight we have a dinner party to attend at Vijitha and Svetlana's.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Eighty One: Solitary Meetings
15F at 6AM at Ham Lake.
Did the Hazelden 24 Hour a Day reading, now trying to do some honest self-appraisal regarding my current contribution to AA. The reading itself advises newcomers to get past the assimilation stage and into Twelve Step work as soon as they are ready. In my case that was about 4 to 6 months into the program. By that time I was secretary of the Monday night meeting at St. Mark's in Barrington Hills, and sponsoring at least two guys I can remember (Tom M. and Keith W.). I must give credit to my sponsor at that time (Vince O.) for pushing my into those activities. Of course the opportunities also came along because I was totally immersed in the program, going to as many as 10 meeting per week.
But I digress. The point of this was to evaluate what I am doing NOW to contribute to the program that gave me the life I have today, and allowed me to appreciate and be grateful for all the wonderful folks who have helped me to have an abundant life, to wit: Mom and Dad; Claudia, Andy and Peter; Judy and Larry; Aunt Helen; Kurt, Al and Horst; and over the years in AA (in no particular order), Vince, Mike, Larry, Dane, Joe, Jack B, Doug, Al, Tom R, Hank, Jim, Jack H, Kevin, Ken, and others too many to recall at one time. And the result of that evaluation is not enough. As occurs to me so often when I am up here at the lake, I need to start a local AA meeting, but it is not prudent to do so until I can attend it regularly. And therein lies another blog entry.
Did the Hazelden 24 Hour a Day reading, now trying to do some honest self-appraisal regarding my current contribution to AA. The reading itself advises newcomers to get past the assimilation stage and into Twelve Step work as soon as they are ready. In my case that was about 4 to 6 months into the program. By that time I was secretary of the Monday night meeting at St. Mark's in Barrington Hills, and sponsoring at least two guys I can remember (Tom M. and Keith W.). I must give credit to my sponsor at that time (Vince O.) for pushing my into those activities. Of course the opportunities also came along because I was totally immersed in the program, going to as many as 10 meeting per week.
But I digress. The point of this was to evaluate what I am doing NOW to contribute to the program that gave me the life I have today, and allowed me to appreciate and be grateful for all the wonderful folks who have helped me to have an abundant life, to wit: Mom and Dad; Claudia, Andy and Peter; Judy and Larry; Aunt Helen; Kurt, Al and Horst; and over the years in AA (in no particular order), Vince, Mike, Larry, Dane, Joe, Jack B, Doug, Al, Tom R, Hank, Jim, Jack H, Kevin, Ken, and others too many to recall at one time. And the result of that evaluation is not enough. As occurs to me so often when I am up here at the lake, I need to start a local AA meeting, but it is not prudent to do so until I can attend it regularly. And therein lies another blog entry.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Eighty: Pontoon
Columbus Day. 26F, party cloudy, light wind, 40% waning crescent moon at 5.30AM at Ham Lake (not the town close to the Twin Cities, but just the lake southwest of Akeley and southeast of Nevis).
Yesterday, Claudia went shopping/visiting with her friend, Mary Hanson Hammer Stilmacher. Evidently they went to the Brainerd area. I worked mainly outside bringing wood in for winter, clearing the area north of the garage for a possible parking area for the pontoon, and securing the doors on the Mule.
Today's big event is scheduled to be the arrival of our pontoon, due at noon. The seller, Ryan Restad, from Fargo, is bring the pontoon from a place called "Ice Cracking Lake," which is between Park Rapids and Detroit Lakes. Roger and Karen are here (Rog is retiring in a few weeks; more about that later), and I think Roger is more excited about P-Day than I am. We were at dinner at R&K's last night, and much of the conversation was about whether to put in the P today, despite for forecast of a high temp of 35F and snow. Consensus was "yes" but today could be a different story after seeing what is involved.
I had a dream last night about the P's arrival. Two couples, perhaps in their 60s, showed up towing the boat. None of them were friendly. The guy in charge (probably RR) was insistent on parking the pontoon at a storage facility, rather than at our house, or even launching it in the lake. I found later (in the dream) that this was all a plan to disguise the fact that the P didn't float. Hopefully, my habit of dreaming the future with mostly accurate foreseeability will not hold true to form.
Tonight or tomorrow we will have R&K over for pot roast. They are fantastic people, and we couldn't ask for better neighbors. As mentioned above, R is retiring soon from the USPS. Karen will work for perhaps another 3 years. In the meantime, they are planning to build a house on one of the lots south of us. Their first plan was to build immediately south of us. However, Claudia suggested that we buy the lot south of Roy's place, then swap with R&K so they could build there (their previous first choice). That way we could expand our lake property. The idea was met with some agreeable opinion.
Yesterday, Claudia went shopping/visiting with her friend, Mary Hanson Hammer Stilmacher. Evidently they went to the Brainerd area. I worked mainly outside bringing wood in for winter, clearing the area north of the garage for a possible parking area for the pontoon, and securing the doors on the Mule.
Today's big event is scheduled to be the arrival of our pontoon, due at noon. The seller, Ryan Restad, from Fargo, is bring the pontoon from a place called "Ice Cracking Lake," which is between Park Rapids and Detroit Lakes. Roger and Karen are here (Rog is retiring in a few weeks; more about that later), and I think Roger is more excited about P-Day than I am. We were at dinner at R&K's last night, and much of the conversation was about whether to put in the P today, despite for forecast of a high temp of 35F and snow. Consensus was "yes" but today could be a different story after seeing what is involved.
I had a dream last night about the P's arrival. Two couples, perhaps in their 60s, showed up towing the boat. None of them were friendly. The guy in charge (probably RR) was insistent on parking the pontoon at a storage facility, rather than at our house, or even launching it in the lake. I found later (in the dream) that this was all a plan to disguise the fact that the P didn't float. Hopefully, my habit of dreaming the future with mostly accurate foreseeability will not hold true to form.
Tonight or tomorrow we will have R&K over for pot roast. They are fantastic people, and we couldn't ask for better neighbors. As mentioned above, R is retiring soon from the USPS. Karen will work for perhaps another 3 years. In the meantime, they are planning to build a house on one of the lots south of us. Their first plan was to build immediately south of us. However, Claudia suggested that we buy the lot south of Roy's place, then swap with R&K so they could build there (their previous first choice). That way we could expand our lake property. The idea was met with some agreeable opinion.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Seventy Nine: Blog Change
Since no one apparently has ever read this Blog, I am going to change it from something which is written to be read, to something which I write simply to write. Also, it occurs to me that Google will almost certainly do a better job of filing and saving these thoughts than I can or will. Currently, I have journals, both electronic and handwritten, in several different locations. If anyone ever wanted to use these for whatever reason, I would be quite a chore to collect and organize them.
I am at Ham Lake, which is just outside of Nevis and Akeley, MN. This morning it is 28F at 6AM, and cloudy. Although earlier it must have been somewhat cloudless, because I was awakened at 4.40AM by the mooning in our bedroom window.
Compared to yesterday, this is starting out much better, weatherwise. Yesterday was 22F at 6AM with 25-30 mph winds. The night before that we had a snowstorm which left everything snow-covered. Lake is still open.
I just realized that yesterday was the fourteenth anniversary of Mom's date of death. One of the biggest regrets I have in my life, is not being a better son. Both of my parents were wonderful, and I failed to a large degree at both returning their love and affection, and also at developing the potential which they gave me. This is something to remember in my relationships with Andy and Pete. When I am gone from this earth, the only potential last effect of my existence will be the memories those boys have.
I am at Ham Lake, which is just outside of Nevis and Akeley, MN. This morning it is 28F at 6AM, and cloudy. Although earlier it must have been somewhat cloudless, because I was awakened at 4.40AM by the mooning in our bedroom window.
Compared to yesterday, this is starting out much better, weatherwise. Yesterday was 22F at 6AM with 25-30 mph winds. The night before that we had a snowstorm which left everything snow-covered. Lake is still open.
I just realized that yesterday was the fourteenth anniversary of Mom's date of death. One of the biggest regrets I have in my life, is not being a better son. Both of my parents were wonderful, and I failed to a large degree at both returning their love and affection, and also at developing the potential which they gave me. This is something to remember in my relationships with Andy and Pete. When I am gone from this earth, the only potential last effect of my existence will be the memories those boys have.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Seventy Seven: Ted Kennedy
Here is a dispassionate eulogy to Ted Kennedy:
My heartfelt condolences go out to his surviving family members. The loss of a loved one is hard, no matter what the circumstances or age of the loved one who is lost. And when the one who is lost has personal failings (alcoholism, criminal activity, male chauvinism, morbid obesity), the loss is often more acute.
Like most human beings, Mr. Kennedy's life included inconsistencies, or as some would say, hypocrisy. He has been hailed as a champion of national health care and civil rights, and an advocate of the poor. This from a man who has never paid a dime for his own health care, did not associate with minorities (except as servants), was born with multiple silver spoons at his disposal, and never worked a day in his life, unless you count his various political welfare jobs. I am always amazed at how society (primarily influenced by eastern media types) worships people like Mr. Kennedy who essentially squander their talents and heritage, but nonetheless manage to be likable.
Mr. Kennedy made enemies. Chief amount them would be any American who appreciates the institution of the Supreme Court. Mr. Kennedy single-handedly, by lying and fear-mongering, prevented one of the most qualified and talented legal minds ever from sitting on the Court. And in the process, Kennedy permanently demeaned and degraded the nomination and confirmation process.
As far as I can tell, the Kennedy family has been a blight on American public life.
My heartfelt condolences go out to his surviving family members. The loss of a loved one is hard, no matter what the circumstances or age of the loved one who is lost. And when the one who is lost has personal failings (alcoholism, criminal activity, male chauvinism, morbid obesity), the loss is often more acute.
Like most human beings, Mr. Kennedy's life included inconsistencies, or as some would say, hypocrisy. He has been hailed as a champion of national health care and civil rights, and an advocate of the poor. This from a man who has never paid a dime for his own health care, did not associate with minorities (except as servants), was born with multiple silver spoons at his disposal, and never worked a day in his life, unless you count his various political welfare jobs. I am always amazed at how society (primarily influenced by eastern media types) worships people like Mr. Kennedy who essentially squander their talents and heritage, but nonetheless manage to be likable.
Mr. Kennedy made enemies. Chief amount them would be any American who appreciates the institution of the Supreme Court. Mr. Kennedy single-handedly, by lying and fear-mongering, prevented one of the most qualified and talented legal minds ever from sitting on the Court. And in the process, Kennedy permanently demeaned and degraded the nomination and confirmation process.
As far as I can tell, the Kennedy family has been a blight on American public life.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Seventy Five: Madoff Sentence
It occurs to this writer that 150 years for BM is ridiculous to the point of providing grounds for appeal. BM didn't murder or maim anyone. He didn't commit any crime which has ever justified capital punishment, which for him, 150 years certainly is. BM essentially gave greedy people what they wanted - comfortable double digit returns on their investments without doing much homework, or any other type of work for that matter.
If BM's victims has been mostly middle class people, like Bernie Ebbers or Jeff Skilling, Madoff would be doing 15 to 20 at a Club Fed. Bernie's real crime was making a lot of influential rich people look stupid.
If BM's victims has been mostly middle class people, like Bernie Ebbers or Jeff Skilling, Madoff would be doing 15 to 20 at a Club Fed. Bernie's real crime was making a lot of influential rich people look stupid.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Seventy Four: Olberman the Entertainer
In the bad old days when my personal and professional habits were, shall we say, undisciplined, I would often watch Jimmy Swagert, the Gonzo evangelist, for entertainment. There was absolutely nothing believable about him, and I always wondered about the people in Swagert's audience (I later learned they all became Clinton voters). Since Jimmy's fall from grace, I have missed the occasional viewing of a pseudo-intellectual/actual idiot, until I discovered Olberman.
When I first saw the KO show, I thought it was a rerun. Then I realized that a full seven months after BO won the election, KO is still obsessed with what he perceives to be some kind of Bush political conspiracy foisted upon the American public which can never be undone. KO seems to be a rather harmless idiot, unless you count the advertising sponsors as victims, but they should know better.
When I first saw the KO show, I thought it was a rerun. Then I realized that a full seven months after BO won the election, KO is still obsessed with what he perceives to be some kind of Bush political conspiracy foisted upon the American public which can never be undone. KO seems to be a rather harmless idiot, unless you count the advertising sponsors as victims, but they should know better.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Seventy Two: BO The Great
So BO goes to Notre Dame to be the Great Concilliator and avail both sides of the Great Conciliator's Great Wisdom. Doesn't the Great One have enough to do without wading into a moral/religious/health issue which should have nothing to do with the government in the first place?
We all know that it takes a Mount Rushmore size ego to run for and be elected President of the U.S. But this Great Ego takes the cake among the ten or eleven presidents I have obseved. The astonishing part (at least to me) is that the only really Great discernible feature of BO is attitude.
Still, I have to keep reminding myself that I owe him one thing: The Clintons are off the front page.
We all know that it takes a Mount Rushmore size ego to run for and be elected President of the U.S. But this Great Ego takes the cake among the ten or eleven presidents I have obseved. The astonishing part (at least to me) is that the only really Great discernible feature of BO is attitude.
Still, I have to keep reminding myself that I owe him one thing: The Clintons are off the front page.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Seventy One: Dead Newspapers Walking
The demise of the newspaper business has been a long time coming, and the current recession is probably saving a lot of folks money by accelerating the death throes of the biz. A rally in newsaper advstising will just prolong the agony by a few months, or at best, a year for many papers.
The latest sign of the "times" is Dow Jones attempts at renewing WSJ subscriptions. I'm a long time subscriber, and I apprciate the ease and familiarity of perusing the paper most mornings. However, this, like all products and services, is only attractive up to a certain price. When DOW contacted me by mail and telephone telling me how much I would lose if I didn't ante up the 350% increase for what appears to be "news according to Rupert," I knew the writing was on the wall.
In the past few months, newspapers have gone under in Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Boston, New York, Minneapolis, and other cities. Readership is down, so advertising is down, so profits are down. Anybody watching the demographic under thirty knows that newspapers are anathema to this class. Magazines will last a little longer, but only because of glossy pictures. As soon as portable divices like the Kindle are able to reproduce these images in color, the mags will be dead too.
The latest sign of the "times" is Dow Jones attempts at renewing WSJ subscriptions. I'm a long time subscriber, and I apprciate the ease and familiarity of perusing the paper most mornings. However, this, like all products and services, is only attractive up to a certain price. When DOW contacted me by mail and telephone telling me how much I would lose if I didn't ante up the 350% increase for what appears to be "news according to Rupert," I knew the writing was on the wall.
In the past few months, newspapers have gone under in Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Boston, New York, Minneapolis, and other cities. Readership is down, so advertising is down, so profits are down. Anybody watching the demographic under thirty knows that newspapers are anathema to this class. Magazines will last a little longer, but only because of glossy pictures. As soon as portable divices like the Kindle are able to reproduce these images in color, the mags will be dead too.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Seventy: Legalize Drugs in New York
In today's Chicago Tribune, there was yet another feature about the debate over legalizing drugs - marijuana, cocaine, heroin. I read most of both sides of the argument. It was pretty predictable. The pro-legalize guy (a liberal Yale law professor) talked about the money which could be raised through taxation, and how removing the profit motive would reduce criminal participation in the drug distribution business. The anti-legalization guy (a former Bush drug war dude) talked about how the war on drugs is succeeding, and how the countries which have easily accessible drugs have been inundated with drug addiction.
Here's an idea. Politicians and academics are always talking about how the the United States is a collection of "fifty laboratories." Okay, so take one state and legalize drugs. Presumably, it would likely, although not necessarily, be a state with a liberal, Democratic bent, such as New York. Let's assume it's NY. Let's see how NY deals with the influx of drug users, drug suppliers, drug treatment facilities and professionals, and of course drug regulators. Let's see how much NY brings in with drug taxation, and how NY uses the proceeds (like states which have legalized gambling to finance schools). Make the chief NY drug dude somebody like Bill Clinton, or Chuck Schumer, or Al Sharpton. Let's see how they do.
Here's an idea. Politicians and academics are always talking about how the the United States is a collection of "fifty laboratories." Okay, so take one state and legalize drugs. Presumably, it would likely, although not necessarily, be a state with a liberal, Democratic bent, such as New York. Let's assume it's NY. Let's see how NY deals with the influx of drug users, drug suppliers, drug treatment facilities and professionals, and of course drug regulators. Let's see how much NY brings in with drug taxation, and how NY uses the proceeds (like states which have legalized gambling to finance schools). Make the chief NY drug dude somebody like Bill Clinton, or Chuck Schumer, or Al Sharpton. Let's see how they do.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Sixty Nine: WSJ Price Increase
Has anybody noticed that the WSJ increased its delivered subscription price by 300%? Has anybody not noticed that the WSJ has taken on a tabloid patina since Rupert took over? Does anyone really care about the WSJ anymore? I can't decide if the Journal is smart to max out its revenues before the inevitable (the end of print journalism) hits the fan, or if the Journal is run by oafs who are inadvertently and incompetently accelerating the process.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Sixty Eight: BO Overseas
By all accounts, the most pressing problems confronting this country today and for the foreseeable future, are economic and domestic. So why is BO on a two vacation to Europe? I suppose that his political handlers have decided that in order to advance his unprecedented expansion of the federal government, BO needs to maintain his popularity. And as we were relentlessly reminded, BO popularity and “approval” ratings peaked in the period just prior to his taking office in January. Once BO started to actually be the CEO and to have legal responsibility for his decisions (or failure to make same), his popularity at home inevitably began to erode. Thus the only place to recreate the fawning crowds of the young and the ignorant, he sprinted off to Europe. Why these Euro-trash crowds will pack themselves into spaces to witness the BO phenomenon is beyond me. I suppose if they have a choice between working on the one hand, and heading off to a drunken rally on the other, there is no much choice.
But the questions must be asked: With trillions upon trillions of dollars being printed and flushed into government programs, shouldn’t the CEO be expected to be minding the store? If Jeff Immelt, or Ken Lewis, or some other beneficiary of government largesse spent two week in Europe polishing his image at a HUGE taxpayer expense, what would be the reaction of BO and Barney Frank?
Once again, BO is demonstrating his complete dearth of executive experience.
But the questions must be asked: With trillions upon trillions of dollars being printed and flushed into government programs, shouldn’t the CEO be expected to be minding the store? If Jeff Immelt, or Ken Lewis, or some other beneficiary of government largesse spent two week in Europe polishing his image at a HUGE taxpayer expense, what would be the reaction of BO and Barney Frank?
Once again, BO is demonstrating his complete dearth of executive experience.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sixty Seven: Entertainment
Rush Limbaugh. Jim Cramer. Garrison Keilor. Any network "news" anchor. Geraldo Rivera (who used to be Jerry Rivers). So many listeners and viewers mistake these folks for philosophers, social/political informed commentators, or experts. In fact they are all just entertainers. They are personalities paid to attract an audience which advertisers (mistakenly) believe are buying their goods or servces.
People love to be entertained, which is another way saying that people seek distraction from whatever else they should be focusing on. Dissatisfaction, disenchantment, disapproval, discomfort are all states of mind which require fixing, but which most people seeks answers for externally rather than introspectively. This never works.
We all have exactly the same capacity for success and self-improvement. One's resource for improving one's lot lies inside.
People love to be entertained, which is another way saying that people seek distraction from whatever else they should be focusing on. Dissatisfaction, disenchantment, disapproval, discomfort are all states of mind which require fixing, but which most people seeks answers for externally rather than introspectively. This never works.
We all have exactly the same capacity for success and self-improvement. One's resource for improving one's lot lies inside.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Sixty Six: An Honest Speech
Today, President BO issued the following prepared remarks:
"Frankly, I don't have a clue what is going on with the economy. And neither does anybody else. The plain fact is that for way too long, way too many people and companies, borrowed way too much money, with way too little proper underwriting being done by lenders. For those borrowers who have defaulted on their loans, they should rightly lose their credit cards and their houses. They can live in apartments until they have saved enough money to have a reasonable downpayment on a new house.
For those lenders who are holding bad paper with insufficient collateral, they should rightly be forced out of business. Yes, innocent people will lose jobs, but that's the way it goes. These people should have been saving money while they were working at employers who business model was shaky at best.
For those investors who bought securities in companies who have fared badly in the recession, they should (and have) rightly lose their investments.
For those politicians who encouraged or forced lenders to make dubious loans to unqualified borrowers for purely political reasons, and which same politicians are now grandstanding for the cameras, they should rightly be held up to ridicule and shame, and should (but probably will not) lose their elected offices.
For those CEOs who have presided over companies losing billions of investor and taxpayer money, they should rightly lose their jobs.
And when all of this has happened, whoever happens to be president at that time, will be declared a good and great leader.
Thank you, and good night."
"Frankly, I don't have a clue what is going on with the economy. And neither does anybody else. The plain fact is that for way too long, way too many people and companies, borrowed way too much money, with way too little proper underwriting being done by lenders. For those borrowers who have defaulted on their loans, they should rightly lose their credit cards and their houses. They can live in apartments until they have saved enough money to have a reasonable downpayment on a new house.
For those lenders who are holding bad paper with insufficient collateral, they should rightly be forced out of business. Yes, innocent people will lose jobs, but that's the way it goes. These people should have been saving money while they were working at employers who business model was shaky at best.
For those investors who bought securities in companies who have fared badly in the recession, they should (and have) rightly lose their investments.
For those politicians who encouraged or forced lenders to make dubious loans to unqualified borrowers for purely political reasons, and which same politicians are now grandstanding for the cameras, they should rightly be held up to ridicule and shame, and should (but probably will not) lose their elected offices.
For those CEOs who have presided over companies losing billions of investor and taxpayer money, they should rightly lose their jobs.
And when all of this has happened, whoever happens to be president at that time, will be declared a good and great leader.
Thank you, and good night."
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Sixty Five: Governing By Feel
President BO has the distinct feel of a guy who has never actually managed or run anything in his entire life. I mean not even a lemonade stand. Oops, I guess that's because he has never managed or run anything in his entire life! This is a guy who has less executive experience than any president in my memory, which goes back to JFK, who while he never had an executive position in government before the presidency, at least he commanded a few guys in the Navy in WWII.
BO appears to not have a clue about how to use executive authority because in fact HE DOESN'T HAVE A CLUE ABOUT HOW TO USE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY. So what else can he do? He's afraid to hire competent manager for fear his own shortcomings will be exposed. Instead, he's running around the country trying to impress people with his "cool." Well I for one don't want cool. I want a guy who knows how to run things and make decisions. I want a commander-in-chief, not a ditherer.
BO appears to not have a clue about how to use executive authority because in fact HE DOESN'T HAVE A CLUE ABOUT HOW TO USE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY. So what else can he do? He's afraid to hire competent manager for fear his own shortcomings will be exposed. Instead, he's running around the country trying to impress people with his "cool." Well I for one don't want cool. I want a guy who knows how to run things and make decisions. I want a commander-in-chief, not a ditherer.
Sixty Four: My Bargain with Melissa Bean
I have a bargain with my country. I pay my taxes. I am a patriot, and support (with time and money) every orgainization I can which defends us and our way of life. I vote. I fly the flag. In exchange for all of this, and for paying a hugely exhorbitant salary to Melissa Bean and the rest of the welfare recipients in Congress, I think I have a right to expect my U.S. Representative to answer one of my wirtten queries to her office. I have offered to pay her to respond. But nothing ever comes, save for one lame resposne from a sychophant staffer.
My bargain is representative of that which so many millions of AMericans have, or thought they had. We ask to have our borders defended, some roads and brdges built, to get some of our Social Security money back at some point. But instead, what do these knckleheads do? They take our money, our children's and grandchildren's money, and give it to deadbeats, losers, MBAs whose only qualification is that they have all collectively demonstrated the ability to fail. And all the while they also keep building their little kingdoms papulated with lazy and inefficient bureaucrats. I guess it's just human nature. Which is why nothing will ever change until we have term limits in the House and Senate.
My bargain is representative of that which so many millions of AMericans have, or thought they had. We ask to have our borders defended, some roads and brdges built, to get some of our Social Security money back at some point. But instead, what do these knckleheads do? They take our money, our children's and grandchildren's money, and give it to deadbeats, losers, MBAs whose only qualification is that they have all collectively demonstrated the ability to fail. And all the while they also keep building their little kingdoms papulated with lazy and inefficient bureaucrats. I guess it's just human nature. Which is why nothing will ever change until we have term limits in the House and Senate.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Sixty Three: Finding The Bottom
Six months ago the price of oil was $140. BAC stock was $35. Today, oil is $45, BAC is $4. The same illustration could be done with GE, GS, JPM, C, the list goes on. To say the chickens are coming home to roost is an understatement. Our federal government's response to this day of reckoning is to print money and spend it through government agencies at a rate never before seen in history. For what purpose and to what end is this mad spending spree for? Evidently, we are trying maintain a standard of living which by definition is unsustainable. Whether we like it or not, whether we admit it or not, we need to let prices and markets find a level (bottom) which will attract buyers. To the extent that government continues to artificially prop up prices, will be the extent to which the inevitable process of bottoming will be delayed.
BO and Mr. Geithner appear somewhat like children learning to swim without instruction, but with the knowledge that their parents are standing close by ready to pluck them out of the water. The children haven't a clue what they are doing, but neither are they as terrified as well they should be.
BO and Mr. Geithner appear somewhat like children learning to swim without instruction, but with the knowledge that their parents are standing close by ready to pluck them out of the water. The children haven't a clue what they are doing, but neither are they as terrified as well they should be.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Sixty Two: Save Versus Spend
Everyone I know who has any money is watching their pennies and taking steps to preserve capital and cut back spending wherever possible. This is partly how we came to have money. In addition to working hard, we were careful with our money.
Now we have Melissa Bean, Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank, and Christopher Dodd, pulling strings for BO and spending gargantuan amounts of our money on whatever hair-brained schemes and boondoggles they can dream up. All of this because the Democrats don't want any of their backers to feel any pain from any of their stupid decisions. And I guess the way to ease this pain is to take money from those of us who were prudent, and give to those who were stupid. Thanks Melissa.
Now we have Melissa Bean, Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank, and Christopher Dodd, pulling strings for BO and spending gargantuan amounts of our money on whatever hair-brained schemes and boondoggles they can dream up. All of this because the Democrats don't want any of their backers to feel any pain from any of their stupid decisions. And I guess the way to ease this pain is to take money from those of us who were prudent, and give to those who were stupid. Thanks Melissa.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Sixty One: Lincoln On The Stimulus Act
"The legitimate object of government, is to do for a community of people, whatever they need to have done, but can not do, at all, or can not, so well do, for themselves - in their separate, and individual capacities.
In all that the people can individually do as well for themselves, government ought not to interfere."
The foregoing was written by Abraham Lincoln sometime around late September of 1854.
Applying Lincoln's standard of legitimate governance, I wonder how much of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed into law by BO today, would measure up.
In all that the people can individually do as well for themselves, government ought not to interfere."
The foregoing was written by Abraham Lincoln sometime around late September of 1854.
Applying Lincoln's standard of legitimate governance, I wonder how much of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed into law by BO today, would measure up.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Sixty: Throwing In The Towel
All these years, I have clung to the core belief that ordinary people are essentially intelligent and decent creatures, and therefore know best how to allocate and spend their respective resources. This belief is espoused to varying degrees by Libertarians, Independents, and Republicans. Then there are Democrats, who believe that ordinary people (i.e., those not elected to public office) are ignorant, self-destructive, and unable to make even the most basic and simple decisions without the guiding hand of government to help the poor dolts.
I now freely admit that my core belief about people has been wrong. The Democrats are right. People are as dumb as posts. And on top of that, people even know they're stupid, and so gladly accept government handout after government handout, each handout coming with the inevitable quid pro quo, and dashing what little bits of independence and free will remain untouched by government.
Since coming to my senses and realizing that we citizens would fall into an absolute stupor without our government masters, I can now understand that even when Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi and Barney Frank and Christopher Dodd all lie through their teeth and tell us how much they cherish the Constitution and its principals, wen in fact they are turning the Bill of Rights into dust, they are doing it for my own good. I am just too simple minded to understand how lucky I am to have such benevolent government minders.
As the saying goes, "ignorance is bliss."
I now freely admit that my core belief about people has been wrong. The Democrats are right. People are as dumb as posts. And on top of that, people even know they're stupid, and so gladly accept government handout after government handout, each handout coming with the inevitable quid pro quo, and dashing what little bits of independence and free will remain untouched by government.
Since coming to my senses and realizing that we citizens would fall into an absolute stupor without our government masters, I can now understand that even when Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi and Barney Frank and Christopher Dodd all lie through their teeth and tell us how much they cherish the Constitution and its principals, wen in fact they are turning the Bill of Rights into dust, they are doing it for my own good. I am just too simple minded to understand how lucky I am to have such benevolent government minders.
As the saying goes, "ignorance is bliss."
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Fifty Nine: Melissa Bean Promotes "Spending"
The following quote comes from Melissa Bean's official website.
“This bold action is necessary to preserve and create jobs and spending.”
The "bold action" to which she is referring is the $819 billion so-called "Stimulus" bill passed by the US House of Reps last week. As I read Melissa's quote, she wants to create spending. How does one "create spending" you may ask? Well, in government-speak, I guess you just turn on the printing presses and print money and give it to people who are likely to spend it, i.e, Democrats. What will Democrats spend this money on? Who cares, Melissa says, just spend the bloody stuff. Spend it on Chinese crap. Spend it on campaign contributions. Spend it on producing more MBAs who can dream up things like "collaterlized debt obligations." And most importantly, spend it on increasing the size of government, which Melissa says is answer to the problems which government has created.
“This bold action is necessary to preserve and create jobs and spending.”
The "bold action" to which she is referring is the $819 billion so-called "Stimulus" bill passed by the US House of Reps last week. As I read Melissa's quote, she wants to create spending. How does one "create spending" you may ask? Well, in government-speak, I guess you just turn on the printing presses and print money and give it to people who are likely to spend it, i.e, Democrats. What will Democrats spend this money on? Who cares, Melissa says, just spend the bloody stuff. Spend it on Chinese crap. Spend it on campaign contributions. Spend it on producing more MBAs who can dream up things like "collaterlized debt obligations." And most importantly, spend it on increasing the size of government, which Melissa says is answer to the problems which government has created.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Fifty Eight: Not Enough, Too Little
Not enough farmers.
Not enough good teachers.
Not enough family reunions.
Not enough used book stores.
Not enough good deeds.
Not enough silence.
Not enough stay at home parents.
Not enough saving for retirement.
This list was much harder to write than the "Too Much" list. I think that's because the "too much" stuff gets in the way of seeing what's missing, or the "not enough" stuff. How can people understand there is not enough silence when they are so inundated with TV, internet, and ipod noise twenty four hours a day?
I submit that this concept of "too much" is really what our current economic situation is all about. We have too much of everything unimportant, more than we could ever digest, and the natural state of equilibrium is regurgitating the excess. The system has puked up Bear Stearns, Lehman, and Merrill Lynch. The Stimulus Bill enacted by congress yesterday is now trying to soak up the puke with freshly printed dollars, which may eventually neutralize the smell, but not the sickness.
Not enough good teachers.
Not enough family reunions.
Not enough used book stores.
Not enough good deeds.
Not enough silence.
Not enough stay at home parents.
Not enough saving for retirement.
This list was much harder to write than the "Too Much" list. I think that's because the "too much" stuff gets in the way of seeing what's missing, or the "not enough" stuff. How can people understand there is not enough silence when they are so inundated with TV, internet, and ipod noise twenty four hours a day?
I submit that this concept of "too much" is really what our current economic situation is all about. We have too much of everything unimportant, more than we could ever digest, and the natural state of equilibrium is regurgitating the excess. The system has puked up Bear Stearns, Lehman, and Merrill Lynch. The Stimulus Bill enacted by congress yesterday is now trying to soak up the puke with freshly printed dollars, which may eventually neutralize the smell, but not the sickness.
Fifty Seven: Too Much, Too Many
There is too much of almost everything.
Too many cell phones.
Too much internet.
Too much food.
Too much room in too many houses caused by too much easy money.
Too many cars.
Way too much Obama (he may have some good ideas, but he really needs to hang back and let things play out before he starts reinventing the world).
Too many "breaking news" stories on too many news outlets.
Too many Starbucks.
Too many lawyers.
Too much advertising pushing too many goods and services.
Too many prescription drugs.
Too many banks.
Too many health insurance providers.
Too many Goldman Sachs guys involved with running too many bail out plans for companies enabled by too many Goldman Sachs invented dodgy financial schemes.
Too much media of all kinds, which has only become too much noise.
Too much government, with too many bureaucrats, enforcing too many regulations, enacted by way too many professional politicians.
Too many computers.
Too many blogs.
Too many cell phones.
Too much internet.
Too much food.
Too much room in too many houses caused by too much easy money.
Too many cars.
Way too much Obama (he may have some good ideas, but he really needs to hang back and let things play out before he starts reinventing the world).
Too many "breaking news" stories on too many news outlets.
Too many Starbucks.
Too many lawyers.
Too much advertising pushing too many goods and services.
Too many prescription drugs.
Too many banks.
Too many health insurance providers.
Too many Goldman Sachs guys involved with running too many bail out plans for companies enabled by too many Goldman Sachs invented dodgy financial schemes.
Too much media of all kinds, which has only become too much noise.
Too much government, with too many bureaucrats, enforcing too many regulations, enacted by way too many professional politicians.
Too many computers.
Too many blogs.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Fifty Six: The Anointing of BO
Here we go. I guess today is something between a royal coronation and religious installation, except that our Constitution is supposed to proscribe both of those types of practices in our politics. But since we are now governed by opinion polls instead of by laws, and since the mostly liberal media stands in judgment of us instead of our judiciary, a royally reliegious political ceremony is probably just about right.
Although he certainly doesn't need it, I actually have some pity for poor BO. As I said in an earlier post, he's got nowehre to go but down. He had his best days as president before he ever became president. My liberal friends always bring up JFK as an example of a president popular at the beginning and remaining so. But of course they miss the point that if JFK had not been assasinated, who knows what would have happened. I think, and many agree with me, that his popularity would have tanked.
BO is a bubble, just like the the dot-com bubble and the housing bubble. When the media finds out that BO is human, that he is not superman, that he has no discernible management skills, that he is not imbued with special ethics, or insights, or honesty, or morality, they will rush to condemn him as they now adore him. Poor guy.
Although he certainly doesn't need it, I actually have some pity for poor BO. As I said in an earlier post, he's got nowehre to go but down. He had his best days as president before he ever became president. My liberal friends always bring up JFK as an example of a president popular at the beginning and remaining so. But of course they miss the point that if JFK had not been assasinated, who knows what would have happened. I think, and many agree with me, that his popularity would have tanked.
BO is a bubble, just like the the dot-com bubble and the housing bubble. When the media finds out that BO is human, that he is not superman, that he has no discernible management skills, that he is not imbued with special ethics, or insights, or honesty, or morality, they will rush to condemn him as they now adore him. Poor guy.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Fifty Five: Obama's Peak
Here is another first for BO: He has reached the peak of his popularity and political power before ever taking the oath of office. The lions of TV journalism (viz. Campbell Brown types) have noted with appropriate amazement the positive approval ratings of a president-elect who by definition has never carried out an official act. This kind of pre-coronation euphoria might be expected or rationalized in a leader who has demonstrated proven leadership abilities in running a major state or corporation or other large entity. But what has BO done to justify this irrational and misplaced confidence? What are his credentials? I almost pity the poor guy. He's got nowhere to go but down.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Fifty Four: The Oblackama Senate Seat
Politicians are such incredible toadies, and in this case I'm referring to Harry Reid. After taking a very clear stand that he would not seat any nominee coming from Blago, when confronted with the prospect of declining to seat a black candidate, he crumpled like a cheap suit. The junior senate seat from Illinois has now become a "black seat," much the same as the Cook County board president is now a default black position.
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