Ramblings of a Sane Man - Financial Crisis Writings - Peace Writings - Economic Crisis Advice

A Woman Dies In Baghdad

2012-01-28T11:13:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, as a funeral procession passed through a busy intersection, a suicide bomber triggered an explosion that killed 32 men, women and children and injured 65 more. Among those who were killed was a woman, no-one special to the world, just a street vendor selling fish from a cart, to make money to help feed her family in a disastrous economy. If she was a wife and mother, her husband and children, like other members of her family were devastated. How does one tell a child her mother is dead? How does one tell a mother her daughter is dead?

But this morning, with her gone, who fixed the family's breakfast? Who will shop for groceries tomorrow? Who will replace all the hugs and kisses she gave? Who can look at her picture without sobbing?

One witness to this horrific scene said that water used to put out the fires caused by the bomb, turned red from all the blood on the street. Rescuers did everything they could but in the end, all they could do for this woman who only moments earlier had a life, was to put her in her cart and role it to a nearby hospital, which had also been severely damaged by the blast.

To the world, she was no-one. To her family, she was vital and to you and me, she was our brethren, a being deserving of our care and of our love and respect, for she was a child of God. War brings out the madness in mankind and causes some people to blindly destroy that which is invaluable and irreplaceable to a family, the life of their loved one.

Dick
To learn more, please see http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/01/27/2369526/suicide-bombing-at-baghdad-funeral.html

Additional Comments on "Why I Believe In A Better Tomorrow"

2012-01-24T14:59:00.000-08:00

Dear Reader, My friend and webmaster Jon Barnes raised some compelling questions that caused me to revise an earlier version of "Why I Believe In A Better Tomorrow." The following is my reply to him, which I hope you will find useful.

Hi Jon,

There you go again, using your logic to require a better written piece. Because of you, I rewrote those two paragraphs you referenced. Thank you.

What America faces is horrific. In the best case, if the economy bounced back based on its current structure of the military industrial complex vast spending of taxpayer money, Wall Street financial engineering and consumer spending (70% of the economy and most of it on foreign made goods) the U.S. will be setup for a collapse so great, people would long for the Great Depression.

But I know the American people can do far better than to allow this to happen and I believe (hope) they will. When Bernard Baruch issued his optimistic piece in 1953, the U.S. had come out of the Great Depression, World War ll (and the Holocaust) and was fighting the Korean War and was threatened by a massive Communist paranoia led by Senators Joe McCarthy and Richard Nixon as the Cold War and nuclear threats took center stage. As Baruch did, you and I must find some basis for optimism and offer our readers hope as we seek solutions in the face of massive government corruption, endless wars and an economy that no longer has a viable foundation.

Dick

Why I Believe In A Better Tomorrow

2012-01-21T12:27:00.000-08:00

The world today is confronted by the U.S.'s horrific attempt to build a global empire for its corporate leaders ("The War on Terror") with the U.S. military and all of its weapons of mass destruction at the forefront. To make matters worse, the U.S. is so deeply in debt and sinking into such a vast crevasse of overwhelming borrowings, it will never repay the people across the globe who in good faith loaned this money believing it was safe.

As an adjunct of this, the U.S. government is thoroughly corrupted by corporate lobbyists, the only ones whose voice matters. If that wasn't bad enough, the U.S. Supreme Court in "Citizens United" (2010) ruled that corporations are people and are free to inundate the political system with all the money they want. Now in their new "Super Pacs," they secretly spend huge undisclosed sums as they extend their ownership of the two party political monopoly that rules the nation.

In recent years, led by American companies, we witnessed corporate wrongdoing on a scale the world had never before seen. Instead of suffering the consequences, the result was record level government bailouts of corporations, many of whom are now deemed "too big to fail," record corporate bonuses and no-one held accountable for any of this wrongdoing. Nor have there been significant rule changes or oversight to prevent it all from happening again.

So in the face of this dismal summary of events, how can I believe in a better tomorrow? I see it in the faces of immigrants and their children. Hard working, determined people who often left everything behind in their old countries to build a better future in the U.S., often doing jobs most Americans won't do and pursuing a dream many Americans have forgotten. They don't seem to know success is a thing of the past and ultimately they aren't going to be denied.

I see a better tomorrow each time I visit the Silicon Valley, the San Francisco Bay Area's gift to the world. This incredible collective brain trust, with money from investors worldwide, spawns new companies that employ vast numbers of people in constructive endeavors. Apple, Cisco, eBay, Facebook, Hewlett-Packard, Intel and Oracle are but a few examples of major taxpaying companies that provide numerous people with jobs and employee benefits, which in turn support massive numbers of small businesses that serve them. It is these prosperous ventures that provide people the money to pay for housing, shopping and other joyful enterprises while also paying for schools, hospitals, parks, police, fire protection and other perquisites that benefit people. For in the end, we all want to live a happier, better and safer life.

I also believe that America will start to produce top quality products again, much as it did in the past for it has thousands of tiny U.S. based manufacturing businesses seeking a chance to develop. For this to happen, it would take a President to actively promote buying "made proudly in the U.S.A." to the American people, while also explaining the connection to buying homemade products with jobs many Americans so desperately seek. This would create demand and with that demand, U.S. retailers would carry far more U.S. made products in their stores. I say this with compassion for Chinese and other low cost workers, many of whom work under sweat shop conditions with little or no health care and no consideration by their employers for labor or environmental laws that would be enforced were they to produce in the U.S. I ask for global understanding for until the U.S. produces vastly more of its own goods, it won't get back on its financial feet.

I also believe Americans will take back their political system. I see it in the fits and starts of the Occupy Movement, see it in an organized effort to recall a Wisconsin governor who attempted to end public employee collective bargaining and I see it in the public's emotional involvement in presidential and congressional races in which their vote currently means nothing. But they won't admit they have no voice because each of us needs to feel our voice matters. And our voices do matter for collectively, we could take control and determine the direction of our nation, while also instituting Constitutional Amendments requiring only public funding of elections, which will squeeze out the lobbyists, and sharply reduce political campaign times to 45 or 60 day periods to control campaign costs.

Men and women are incredibly clever and resilient and given the opportunities, can overcome the horrors of poverty, sickness and war to uplift the world. There is no acceptable reason today that children should starve to death or die of sicknesses long conquered in other parts of the world. And war is based upon men's greed and desire for power, however it is sold to the people who fight it. We as mankind can overcome this terrible tendency that has plagued us for ions if we are determined to do so, especially as television, computers, cell phones and other technology shrink the world and show us how much alike we all really are.

I grew up in a deeply segregated U.S. and as a young man witnessed the civil rights movement succeed. As a young man with little money, I was given educational opportunities by taxpayers who willingly sacrificed so my generation could attain more than any generation which preceded us throughout history. Now it is up to us to take control of our corrupt government, end our wars and to sacrifice some of our resources as well so future generations can rise from our shoulders and not from a rut in the road in which we placed them. I believe that after a time of turmoil, that is exactly what is going to happen.

Dick
This piece was partly inspired by "Why I Still Believe in the Future," by Bernard Baruch (1870-1965), which he read on CBS radio in 1953 and was reprinted in The Wall Street Journal on 11/20/10 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703326204575616882853314688.html?mod=WSJ_topics_obama

5 Of The Most Important Questions You Will Ever Ask Yourself

2012-01-19T10:48:00.001-08:00

Why are these 5 questions so important? Because as you answer each question, as a result of those answers, if you adjust your thinking and your conduct, they will uplift your life and bring it far greater meaning.

1) What did you learn today that made you wiser?

2) What did you do today that made you laugh?

3) What did you do today to help someone else and bring a little joy into their life?

4) What did you do today to bring love, happiness, encouragement, forgiveness and reassurance to the people around you?

5) What did you do today to improve your health so you will be here for your loved ones?

Dear Reader, if you are displeased today with your answers, please take heart. It is all part of your personal growth and you will have another opportunity tomorrow to answer those questions better than you did today for this is a test you can never fail. You can only get better.

Dick
Thank you to my friend Mary Ellen for her ideas in the preparation of this piece.

Are You Ready To Pay Far Higher Taxes?

2012-01-15T16:16:00.000-08:00

Throughout America, cutting government spending and tax cuts for the Middle Class are very popular concepts. In South Carolina (SC), for example, in the current Republican primary campaign, crowds are wowed by those concepts as politicians promise to deliver on them. Yet for each tax dollar SC pays, it gets back $1.35 and the people love that as well because there is plenty of money to pay for 7 military bases and all the military contracting, which employs thousands of people. SC people favor a "strong defense," and many of them support more military spending.

SC has many people receiving Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and/or other entitlements. Many of them support even more spending for those programs and money as well for those in need, including to help the unemployed. Yet Republican presidential candidates are receiving tremendous support by promising to "cut government spending" (without defining which gigantic spending programs will be cut and by how much) and to provide a "strong national defense" (as military spending continues to grow).

Yet everyone knows the government is running staggering deficits. It is only still afloat because of its borrowing capacity, something it can't indefinitely do. So without cuts that equal the $1.5 annual deficits the government is running, with greater deficits to come from increased military spending, are you ready to pay far higher taxes? Government spending is like the real estate market a few years ago when most of America and the world assumed values could only go up. Then real estate crashed and continues to this day to fall. That's because there was no Fantasyland in real estate and there is no Fantasyland in government spending. We can't have it both ways. We must either dramatically slash government spending or prepare to pay 50% - 60% of our income to federal taxes and another 15% to 20% to state and local governments to make up for their lost revenue from the federal government. Anything else is political nonsense and you and I are too smart for that.

Dick
To learn more, please see, "In South Carolina, a discrepancy on federal spending," The Los Angeles Times http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-south-carolina-federal-spending-20120114,0,698798.story

Why Is The U.S. Suddenly Building Close Ties With Repressive Myanmar?

2012-01-14T11:13:00.000-08:00

For many years, the U.S. government criticized the Myanmar military run government as being brutal and repressive. Now, although that government became "civilian" last March and has only slightly eased restrictions, suddenly everything is different as the U.S. moves to reestablish diplomatic relations and end trade sanctions. What happened? Cheaper labor from a compliant government happened.

The U.S. and China are looking for cheaper labor sources, as the cost of labor in China is rising. And what better place to find it than the former British colony of Burma, now known as Myanmar, where much of the labor force will gladly work long hours for as little as $2.60 a day. It is a capitalist's dream as giant multinational U.S. and other companies can readily create jobs there rather than in more expensive and environmentally sensitive areas such as in the U.S.

Hopefully, Myanmar will be encouraged to treat its citizens better, providing education, housing and medical care and hopefully not child labor but for now, this is about U.S. and other corporate exploitation of very poor people, but with a far better media spin on it.

Dick
To learn more, please see "Washington Resumes Full Myanmar Ties: Release of Political Prisoners Responds to a Key U.S. Demand; Focus Turns to Congress Over Future of Sanctions," The Wall Street Journal, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204409004577157753489304474.html and "U.S. Restores Full Ties to Myanmar After Rapid Reforms," The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/14/world/asia/united-states-resumes-diplomatic-relations-with-myanmar.html

Economic Downgrades Hit Europe

2012-01-14T10:15:00.000-08:00

Global credit rating agency S&P on Friday (1/13) cut the credit ratings for France, Austria and 7 other European nations, further endangering the rescue funds several of them desperately need as investors grow more scared. Other than from the two World Wars, the magnitude and depth of this massive European Economic Crisis is unprecedented and its impact will ultimately be felt all over the world.

Why? Because starting with Greece, these nations will begin to default on their debt obligations, forcing the investors in them to take huge write offs. Those investors are banks, sovereign funds, hedge funds and other vehicles whose money comes from citizens across the globe. It may be money from your retirement account or from my savings as those who manage our money were seeking the highest rates of return for our money by placing it in supposedly safe investments.

In response, the global banking system will begin to freeze up as banks and investors panic. They will cry out for taxpayer funded bailouts but the magnitude of the bailouts will be too big to pay as the situation falls apart. Some thriving export oriented nations such as China, South Korea and Brazil may assume they won't be affected but if so, they will be wrong for they will suffer a sharp reduction in exports to Europe and their economies too will get hit.

Some people will assume the U.S. with all of its resources will come to the rescue. But they will be wrong for the U.S. is by far the biggest debtor nation in the world and its government stays afloat now based only on its gargantuan borrowings.

Please take protective action. Pay down your credit cards if you can for the interest alone on those cards can eat you alive. Sell off any costly assets you no longer need such as a motor home, an extra car, boat or motorcycle. If you have a home to sell, consult with a local real estate professional but sell it now before prices drop further. At work, protect your job by cross training and by helping others to do their jobs better.

And don't lose hope. Together we will get through this economic Armageddon by helping one another as people did during the Great Depression. Eventually, as has happened throughout history, we will resurrect our economies and come into far better economic times.

Dick
To learn more, please see "Europe Hit by Downgrades: S&P's Ratings on France, 8 Others Are Lowered, Sparking Fresh Worries," The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204542404577158561838264378.html

As to why I am so confident the global economies will resurrect themselves, please see "This Time Is Different: Eight Centuries of Financial Folly," by Carmen M. Reinhart & Kenneth S. Rogoff.

In The U.S. Afghan War: Is Pissing On Dead Taliban Obscene?

2012-01-13T14:17:00.000-08:00

Many thousands of men, women and children have been killed or maimed in the U.S.'s Afghan War, and thousands of children have been orphaned. It is part of the U.S.'s 10 year old and seemingly endless "War on Terror," as people continue to be killed, maimed or orphaned. This is what is obscene.

But a Youtube video of 4 U.S Marines pissing on the bodies of alledged Taliban they have just killed has offended a lot of people, many of whom otherwise seem to have little interest in this war. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcrLJRbuJU0

These young Marines, they could be your or my sons, have been put into an insane situation of killing and more killing. While the American people, including its government that sends them off to war, go on with life as normal and the U.S. media gives this war little coverage, as our sons and daughters are fighting and dying for reasons many of them don't understand. Those in outlying bases seldom have hot meals, they poop in outhouses or worse, stink from heat, sweat and dirt all over them and never know when they will suddenly come under fire. They bear the stress of serving tour after tour of duty and they see their brothers and sisters in arms being killed or maimed, people that have become extended members of their families.

So in this madness, 4 of them piss on the dead fighters America claims is their enemy. It's not what they did with their urine that's obscene, it is what we as Americans allow to continue that's obscene and we should be ashamed of ourselves and instead we should bring our soldiers home safely to their families.

Dick
P.S. Thank you to my friend Mary Ellen for sharing her ideas which are also reflected in this piece.
To learn more about this incident, please see "U.S. Attempts to Stem Video Outcry: Karzai, Taliban Condemn Desecration; Military Questions Pair of Marines," The Wall Street Journal, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204409004577156434037860096.html

German Economy, Europe's Savior, Suddenly Starts Sinking

2012-01-12T11:03:00.000-08:00

The German economic powerhouse suddenly slipped in the 4th quarter ended December 31st. This at a time when Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain will need a massive financial bailout and the U.S. will need German investment..

To learn more, please see "German Economy Heads Downward: Fourth-Quarter Slump Spurs Worry Over Strength of Euro Zone's Engine," The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204124204577154041654838990.html

Unfortunately this is as we have anticipated for the global economy. Germany financially is far stronger than the U.S. government which is dependent on immense borrowings to stay afloat. The U.S. and much of the world need German investment but under these circumstances, the German people may need those resources more as their economy contracts. If so, it will shake the global economy to its foundation. But whatever happens, we can help one another through this financial collapse to come, eventually to much better economic times.

Dick

Was The U.S. Defeated In Iraq?

2012-01-07T11:26:00.000-08:00

On December 14th, 2011 President Obama proclaimed the Iraq War over. Speaking from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, he told people all over the world "everything that American troops have done in Iraq - all the fighting and all the dying, bleeding and building, training and partnering - all of it had led us to this moment of success." While in downtown Baghdad on Sunday, January 1st, 2012 a Shiite group held a victory parade celebrating its role in "defeating the U.S." Who is right? How successful was the U.S.'s nearly nine year Iraq War?

Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi men, women and children were killed, a far great number of Iraqis maimed, tens of thousands of children orphaned, 2 1/2 million Iraqis have fled their nation, a nation in which death and destruction continues at a horrific pace. The Iraq economy is in shambles and in Baghdad, they have electricity just 3 -4 hours a day, meaning little or no air conditioning in a climate that hits 120 degrees in summer. It also means limited computer, television and night lighting. Fear of violence or kidnapping keeps Iraqis living on edge. Meanwhile, medical care is limited, their water is contaminated, sewage treatment is largely non existent and trash pickup is sketchy.

The two story blast walls and barbed wired check points remain throughout Baghdad and with the rampant government corruption, police protection is an iffy proposition. Of course the exception to this is the Green Zone, a city within a city and one inaccessible to most Iraqis. It is heavily protected by U.S. "contractors."

What price has America paid for this "success?" 4,487 soldiers dead, 32,200 severely injured and many thousands more suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, with thousands of them now living homeless on the streets. Thousands of U.S. military families are devastated by this starting with the families that buried their sons or daughters. Measured in money, the war cost about a trillion dollars, but we are just getting started for in the decades to come, our Iraq veterans are going to need extensive care.

In a parting ceremony in a heavily secured U.S. military base near Baghdad, in which no Iraqi officials participated, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who arrived "unannounced" (sneaked in and then out) praised the U.S. troops for being a“driving force for remarkable progress.” and he said they were leaving “secure in knowing that your sacrifice has helped the Iraqi people begin a new chapter in history, free from tyranny and full of hope for prosperity and peace.”

So did the U.S. "win" its Iraq War? Or did the Shiite militias win? The answer is obvious. No-one wins a war, as blood is spilled en mass and civilization is devastated not only by its losses but by all the resources that could have been used to make the world a better place for all of humanity. Did the U.S. learn a lesson from all of this bloodshed it set-off? No, it continues its wars in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Dick
To learn more, please see "As Iraq Ignites, Cleric Seeks Gains: Amid Conflict, ex-Militant Sadr, Shiite Leader and Ally of Iran, Aims to Climb to Top of Fray as Peacemaker," The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204331304577140633371615966.html

Thank you to Jessica Barnes and her dad, Jon Barnes for sharing "It's time to admit defeat" by Tom Engelhardt on http://www.salon.com/2012/01/03/its_time_to_admit_defeat/ which was very helpful in writing this piece.

Will U.S. Citizens Need To Be Saved From Their Own Government?

2012-01-06T12:26:00.000-08:00

During his Hawaiian vacation, President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act which allows the U.S. Military to seize and jail U.S. citizens indefinitely, with no charges, no lawyer, no due process. This Act is supported by 93 of the 100 U.S. Senators and by a large Congressional majority.

Why? Because they believe this is necessary to fight Al-Qaeda and other terrorists, including U.S. terrorists in the U.S.'s "War on Terror." President Obama originally said he would not sign this bill but ultimately signed it after expressing his reservations in a "Signing Statement" and assuring the U.S. public they would never be jailed and held without due process as long as he was president. But however long he is president, this is now the law of the land.

History tells us this is a horrific mistake, as people always naively belief it could never happen to them, only to terrorists, yet now it only awaits a president who uses it against anyone he chooses. Because the U.S., which spends more on its military than the rest of the world combined is somehow under siege, peaceful protesters or dissenters of any type are subject to it. In stages, we are watching the sun set on what was once a great democracy.

Dick

Will The Tightening Global Banking Squeeze Crush Your Economy?

2012-01-03T11:46:00.000-08:00

As the Euro Zone confronts a possible Depression with governments in Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain slashing spending and hiking taxes, lenders are facing huge write offs and are tightening credit standards and in some cases calling in lines of credit. This credit tightening is also taking place in Britain and in the U.S. where in the U.S. some giant lenders are calling in lines of credit or sharply raising fees and interest rates to small businesses. Small businesses are the U.S.'s job engine and if they don't prosper, neither will the U.S.

The result in these nations will be layoffs and non-hiring. As that happens, consumers will cut-back on their spending. In addition, people will buy fewer homes and cars and not spend lavishly on restaurant meals, jewelry, vacations and other non-necessities. Meanwhile, they face the rising cost of medical care and higher education. In the U.S., which has the world's biggest consumer market, 1 in 6 people now receive food stamps and/or go to food banks and that number will rise. Export giants like China, Japan, Germany, South Korea and Brazil are going to find fewer buyers for their products. What does all this tell us? That 2012 is going to be a very tough year wherever you are.

Please take protective action. Payoff or pay down your credit cards if possible and also if you can, set aside some savings for a rainy day for that rainy day is coming. If you have a home to sell, check with your local real estate professional but sell it now before prices drop further. If you have a car, boat or motorcycle or some other expensive item you no longer need, sell it now for its value is declining but its cost of maintenance and insurance are not. And at work, cross train and help others to do their jobs better, for these things will make you more valuable to your employer. Together we will eventually get through the brutal economic times to come but now is the time to take preparatory action and if you can afford to, please be generous with offerings to food banks and other charities.

Dick
To learn more, please see "Austerity Reigns Over Euro Zone as Crisis Deepens," New York Times (1/2/12) http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/02/business/global/in-euro-zone-austerity-seems-to-hit-its-limits.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2 "Car Sales Fall Sharply In France and Spain - The Wall Street Journal" http://www.supercars.com/news/car-sales-fall-sharply-france-and-spain-wall-street-journal and "Bank of America abruptly severs some small business credit lines," Mail Tribune (1/3/12) (from the Los Angeles Times) http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120103/BIZ/201030303

Can The U.S. Economy Be Resurrected?

2012-01-03T09:27:00.000-08:00

The U.S. government and the Fed have tried everything they can to save the economy. Huge corporate bailouts, multiple massive stimulus plans, interest rates near zero for banks, cash for clunkers and tax incentives to buy homes, yet other than stopping a collapse, it's not working, as the economy is stumbling and ready to fall. Home prices are dropping and foreclosures are mounting, while the job market is a disaster. What will resurrect the U.S. economy?

My Uncle Gene, a successful businessman, with more than 60 years of business experience and who at 84 continues to run a multi-million dollar business, has the answer. It is a "Buy American" program in which whenever possible every American would buy at least some U.S. made products rather than foreign made goods. This would put millions of Americans back to work and through the products and services they in turn would buy, it would put millions more Americans back to work, all in taxpaying firms, which would help to get our government back on its financial feet.

Walmart, Target and other major retailers would offer far more U.S. made products if they thought Americans would buy them. Home Depot already offers a list of made in the U.S. suppliers and my son Kyle, who runs a substantial property management firm now asks his managers to buy made in the U.S. through Home Depot and other suppliers.

It is also easy for you and me to do. If we go online or check with retailers, we can buy made in the U.S. products. Nearly all my jeans, socks, jackets and some of my shirts were made in the U.S.. For a list of U.S.suppliers, please click on http://www.madeinusa.org/ or Google "Made in the USA." We are sympathetic to the Chinese and other low cost workers but we remind them if the American people don't resurrect their economy, Chinese and other low cost suppliers will sell far less to their largest market and China and other governments and lenders will lose much of the money they have loaned to the U.S. government, which is already desperate for tax revenue.

How bad is the current situation for Americans? As my Uncle Gene said, "Now our leaders stimulate major corporations who in turn create jobs in China, Pakistan, India and even Burma who start with a $2.60 per day labor rate." Many giant U.S. firms are flush with profits but reinvesting those profits elsewhere to hire low cost workers to multiply their profits, while U.S. workers languish. If our workers don't have jobs in sufficiently large numbers, eventually neither will you and I. The most effective way we can deal with this is to help create a huge market for U.S. made goods, starting with our next product purchases.

Dick

Will The Global Financial Crisis Get Worse?

2012-01-01T16:48:00.000-08:00

The Euro Zone is desperate to avoid massive debt write offs that could endanger national banks and other major financial institutions and Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain are taking drastic cost cutting and tax hiking actions to accommodate them. The problem is those actions if implemented are so severe, their people will never allow it. Yet if they did allow it, their economies would face a Depression, something which is likely to happen anyway.

While in the U.S., with the exception of producing weapons of mass destruction, fighter jets, drones, ships, tanks, etc. there no longer is the greatest manufacturing powerhouse the world had ever seen. Much of it has been shipped to China. The government's strategy to revive the economy is for consumers to spend vast sums of money they don't have on foreign made goods they can't afford. That strategy is not viable, so along with its overwhelming military industrial complex expenditures at taxpayer expense, the economy is troubled and it will get worse. The only thing preventing a collapse is the rush of cheap panicked money not going into Europe.

While export driven nations such as China, Germany, Japan, South Korea and Brazil face huge exposure with their European and American customers in deep trouble. Protect yourself from the deteriorating situation if you haven't yet done so by paying down your credit cards and selling off overhead you may no longer need such as an extra car, motorcycle or boat. Cross train at work to protect your job, offer your employer ideas to generate revenue or cut costs and help others to do their jobs better, for these things will make you more valuable to your employer. And don't give-up hope. Together we will eventually get through this mess.

Dick
To learn more, please see "Austerity Reigns Over Euro Zone as Crisis Deepens," New York Times (1/2/12) http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/02/business/global/in-euro-zone-austerity-seems-to-hit-its-limits.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2

How Sharply Is The Income For The Top 1% Of U.S. Households Rising?

2012-01-01T15:15:00.000-08:00

According to the bipartisan Congressional Budget Office, between 1979 and 2007, adjusted for inflation, income for the top 1% jumped nearly 400%. By comparison, they report the income of the middle 60% of Americans rose by just over 33 1/3%.

A big part of the sharp rise in income for the top 1%, the financiers and corporate titans, came from working class Americans becoming far more productive. How? Profits rose sharply which has meant big bonuses and dividends for the richest Americans. Why haven't workers gained more benefits from their increased productivity? Competition for their services. More workers are flooding into the U.S. workforce and most production has been shifted overseas to press wages down in America and to increase profits in general.

Under these circumstances, how has Middle Class America sustained its prosperity? It's an illusion. They did something that was uncommon in the 1970's and before, they began using credit cards en mass. If you can't afford something you need or want, put it on your credit card. Of course all those interest charges meant bigger profits to corporate giants and bigger payouts to their leaders, as the rich got richer. That vicious circle compounded until now, with Americans buried in debt.

What happens next? The discussion between the President and Congress and Republicans and Democrats has been about protecting tax benefits for the top 1% and continuing some tax benefits for the Middle Class why slashing vital services the Middle Class depends on. Not a word about slashing the military industrial complex because at taxpayer expense, they provide millions of jobs and huge corporate profits. As is apparent, we have an untenable situation and some tough decisions will have to be made but those will be postponed as long as America can keep borrowing money to pay its bills.

Dick
To learn more, please see "Presidential campaign needs to get real on salvaging middle class," by Los Angeles Time Pulitizer Prize winning writer Michael Hiltzik http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hiltzik-20120101,0,180296.column

What Is To Become Of America's Youth?

2012-01-01T11:55:00.000-08:00

In the 1960's and 70's when I was young, America offered magnificent opportunities to gain a higher education and a growing job market with many high quality, good paying jobs. I didn't have much money but Community and State Colleges were readily affordable thanks to the generosity of America's vast Middle Class taxpayers and I like millions of other young people took advantage of it to build a better future for myself, for my family and for my nation.

Later as a taxpayer and as an employer providing jobs and health care coverage to my firm's employees, and services to our customers, I gratefully paid those educational opportunties back and much more, while also providing educational opportunities to a new generation with my taxes. But today that system is breaking down.

Young people, whether high school dropouts or college graduates are finding jobs in short supply, especially jobs that pay well. Many of these young people are moving back in with their families because they can't afford to keep a roof over their heads, while many of the college educated are also struggling to pay their student loans.

This has terrible implications for America's future. If America's young don't good jobs that pay well and provide promotional opportunities, they don't buy homes, cars and appliances as they cut back on their spending and cut back on doctor and pharmacy visits they also can't afford. As a result, the U.S. economy creates fewer jobs and in what becomes a vicious circle spirals downward.

As a nation, we owe them and ourselves far better than this. Instead of wasting our money on the military industrial complex and its wars, we must reestablish our manufacturing base. We can do this if each person buys more U.S. made goods and pressures retailers and the U.S. government to encourage U.S. production. Many of those jobs will pay well, offer promotions and pay taxes, which in turn will offer the kind of upward mobility that was the American Dream. I also ask foreign readers for their support of U.S. production for if we don't get our financial house in order, we won't be able to afford your goods and services, nor afford to pay back the money we have borrowed from you.

Dick

What Is To Become Of America's Middle Class?

2012-01-01T10:49:00.000-08:00

When I was young in the 1960's and 70's, the U.S. was a much different place. Those years brought us the great Civil Rights movement and its implementation, the vast Women's Rights movement and its implementation, Medicare, Medicaid, huge funding for public education, widespread infrastructure projects and a greatly expanded safety net for all Americans. People wanting jobs usually got them and the American Dream was meant for everyone.

But today any of these grand plans that cost money, along with Social Security, are under attack. As America expands its military machine, borrowing heavily to do it, we are told that America can no longer afford to take care of its people. As America extends its tax breaks for its wealthiest citizens, its "job creators," the Middle Class is left to struggle, confronted with unemployment, under-employment and for millions more people no longer being counted for being out of work too long, as the "job creators" create jobs overseas but not here.

While the government bailed out 100 cents on the dollar Wall Street and other giant firms, the Middle Class has seen an explosion of home foreclosures and a major and continuing drop in housing values. Nearly 1 in 4 mortgages in the U.S. is now higher than the home is worth and for most Americans, their home is much of their net worth.

Who in government represents the interest of the Middle Class? Both political parties claim to represent the Middle Class even as the Middle Class is becoming poorer and the economy is on the edge of collapse. Yet lobbyists on behalf of giant corporations and the wealthiest citizens deliver campaign contributions to protect their interests, while the Middle Class life style is falling apart. If this is to change, we as Americans must get actively involved in our political system and raise our voices loudly for it is clear that simply casting a vote is meaningless and the system that serves its moneyed constituency so well will not fix itself. But together, we can fix this mess and build a better future for our children and grandchildren. If you are a foreign reader, you too have a vested interest in what happens to the American Middle Class for we are the biggest buyer of your products and services and we will need your support.

Dick

Are U.S. Soldiers Responsible For Their Actions If they Are Just Following Orders?

2011-12-26T14:28:00.000-08:00

No political leader, in the name of God or country, and however charismatic can rightfully order the killing of men, women and children. Some leaders claim their intent is as President Obama says, to cause "to leave the field," men they deem as evil. All the other deaths are attributed to "colateral damage." But as we learned from the Nuremberg Trials, to carry out those orders makes the perpetrator a murderer and puts a horrific burden on one’s soul. If you doubt that, notice from the current wars the high rate of post-traumatic stress disorder, the many divorces and all those ex-soldiers charged with violent crimes.

Note the many drug addicted and homeless soldiers in desperate need of help sleeping under your bridges and along your roads and alleys. And note all the suicides from soldiers who can no longer live with themselves, haunted by the horrors they participated in. As long as we allow politicians to demonize widespread numbers of people and order them killed or maimed and their nations forcibly occupied, this is what those who carry out those orders face, and we. although not having to witness it, are responsible for it as well.

Dick

The Coming 2012 Global Economic Crisis

2011-12-25T11:17:00.000-08:00

U.S. stock markets are surging because somehow our economic problems are behind us. Don't get caught up in this illusion for our massive problems are not being resolved and unless we as a people throughout the world change economic direction, the impact on us will be profound. These 5 brutal factors are confronting us:

1) The European Economic Collapse. It has already begun. European bankers and politicians tell investors the problems are under control even as they grow worse. For example, part of what drove up stock markets recently was the European Central Bank suddenly offering 3 year loans to help banks get through tough times. Unfortunately a mind blowing 523 banks rushed in to grab that money, yet in amounts not nearly enough to solve their problems.

To attract bond investors, European politicians are promising to slash spending and vital services and to hike taxes. In many nations their citizens will never allow it and mass rallies and strikes are already taking place. As the weaker economies are unable tor raise money and default on their prior financing obligations, their collapse will take down the economies of export driven powerhouses such as China, Japan, South Korea and Germany including their job markets, real estate markets and financial markets.

2) A staggering backlog of foreclosed homes with more to come. This will force housing prices and sales down and limit new construction while reducing real estate related jobs.

3) A job market on life support. In the U.S., Europe and elsewhere, many millions of people are unemployed or underemployed or no longer counted for having been out of work too long. And many of the jobs being offered are at lower wages than what jobs paid just a few years ago. This drains family finances and is bankrupting many families. This means millions of families are not spending big money on new cars, vacations and other luxuries that would have stimulated widespread economic activity.

4) Consumers buried in debt. Americans, Europeans and other consumers are choking on their debts, much like many of their governments. In the U.S. the government strategy is to build consumer confidence so consumers will buy foreign made goods they can't afford with money they don't have, all of it charged on their credit cards. To see what this silliness leads to, wait until consumers get the bills for all their Christmas spending and for those who did buy new cars, appliances and jewelry, the monthly payments and higher insurance rates.

5) Military spending. The U.S. is the global poster boy but many nations are also spending vast sums of money they don't have because military spending boosts employment and feeds the egos of political and military leaders, while scoring huge profits for military contractors. It is beside the point that it endangers the world and drains desperately needed resources from health care, including from the disabled, and from education, police and fire protection. We see it across much of the U.S. as even cash strapped states, counties and cities are slashing employment and much needed government services.

These are but 5 of the Mt. Everest sized problems confronting us. What can you do to protect yourself? At work, cross train and propose revenue generating or cost cutting ideas to make yourself more valuable to your employer. Outside of work, develop your income producing skills, whether with computers, electronics, cars or anything else that is legal and people will pay for. At home, slash your overhead. Sell costly items you no longer need such as an extra car, motorcycle, or boat. This might generate some cash and will get rid of monthly payments, maintenance and insurance costs. If you can afford it, pay down your credit cards. Those high interest charges alone will eat you alive.

It is human nature to be in denial of our problems hoping they will somehow go away. We all do it, as do our governments, which try to kick this ugly can down the road for as long as they can. But for us it is the time to act before the brunt of the storm hits. The good news is that economic crises are cyclical, people are resilient and they help one another through them.

Dick

You Must Be Sold To Support War

2011-12-21T12:33:00.000-08:00

This salesmanship is fear based and requires a massive media push. The other guy intends to destroy you and your family if he is not stopped by force. And make no mistake, he is nothing like you and hates you for everything you have. If you are American, the Twin Tower films and its related horrors will do the job.

Why else would you allow your children to be sent off to fight and die? Why else would you let so much of your money be spent on weapons of mass destruction, fighter jets, drone, ships, tanks, military bases and other elements of war? But in case you notice that President Bush didn't send his war age daughters to fight and that President Obama is highly unlikely to send his daughters when they are old enough, you get a pass. Instead of sending your children, the children of others often less fortunate than you are sent. "Contractors" are also hired.

But war is Hell and what your nation is doing with your tax money and all of the money it can borrow against your future taxes will sicken you. So you will not be shown most of the death and destruction. The stories humanizing the enormous pain of mothers, fathers and children of "your enemy" will be almost non-existent, nor will there be many stories humanizing the suffering of your own soldiers and their families.

No, you will be spared all of war's horrors as your government takes action to protect you while not even bothering to ask for your comments. In fact the U.S. Senate, which seldom agrees on anything without extensive political party-line bickering just voted 93-7 to fund the military and its industrial complex with barely any debate and no public discussion. Your job is to shop and go on with life as normal, trusting your government to do the right thing. But as a matter of conscience, if you were to raise your voice for humanity and demand an end to this insanity and all this violence, as with the Vietnam War when people raised their voices, you could bring it to an end.

Dick
To learn more about how Americans were sold the Iraq War, please see even a few minutes of the remarkable film, "Leading To War." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OMI_rNWDrs

Why Must We Fight?

2011-12-21T10:11:00.000-08:00

Everything is a battle. The U.S. conducts endless blistering wars as it fights an empty abstraction it calls "The War on Terror," while launching Hell on earth against anyone in its way. While within the U.S. politicians often insult each other and refuse to cooperate on anything except bigger military spending and giant corporate bailouts.

In the Middle East, Israel and some of its Arab neighbors are constantly at each other's throats,and even our Arab brethren sometimes kill each other over being a Shiite or a Sunni Muslim. Meanwhile drug wars rage, killing men, women and children, all to supply a market the U.S. says is forbidden to them. The U.S. says Iran is a "threat" and must be dealt with on the U.S.'s terms, while in Africa, several nations fight or threaten to fight civil wars over political factions or tribal history, as their children and infants die from malnutrition and disease. And the list is endless of current strife and more to come.

Why must all this fighting continue? Don't we have better uses for our financial resources? Don't all major religions condemn warfare, offer the premise of "do unto others as you would have done unto you" and encourage love and charity for mankind? Each of us is on this earth for but a brief time and whether we fight over money, over land, over control of others or whatever else our egos dictate, in the end, it all gets left behind, other than the Karma each soul will bear.

So please, let us end all this war and all this bickering and instead, offer one another love, kindness and a helping hand. If only we will do that, we will witness the miracle of peace on earth, the thing everyone says they hope for.

Dick
"Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust and hostility to evaporate." - Albert Schweitzer (Morning Mantra, 12/21/11)

Did Europe Solve The Debt Crisis Threatening To Crash The Global Economy?

2011-12-12T11:25:00.000-08:00

On Friday, it seemed so as the Dow Jones Industrial Average skyrocketed 186.56 points. But its sharp rise won't last for long, for what was far more important is the government bond markets barely responded. These bond markets fund the staggering and rapidly mounting debts of these European nations.

Most bond investors are already frightened of all of Europe, including Germany, which is very strong financially but heavily exposed to the huge losses of its European neighbors, which are pleading for money and importing German made goods. Meanwhile, Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain are paying very high rates for whatever money they can raise. Despite all the supposed good news, last week the only thing Europe's leaders committed to was a financial penalty system for nations whose deficits are too big and a rule that all nations must pass balanced budget laws to go into effect in the future. But if nations are penalized for having their deficits too big, how will they pay the penalties? With more deficit spending? As for balanced budget laws, when? What enforcement?

What Europe really wants is for the European Central Bank (ECB) to bail them out. But with what? The ECB is them. To gain massively more bailout resources would require the ECB to print Euros, which will only inflate the currency and crash their economies. But in any case, to take major action requires all 27 EU members to agree, a near impossibility. In the meantime, desperately cash strapped nations will try to borrow money in a market growing more fearful and charging them ever higher rates. At the same time, those nations are confronted by downgrades from rating agencies determined not to miss the pending collapse as they did 3 years ago, that led to all the bailouts.

For 2 1/2 years, we've received European assurances that their financial problems are behind them and each time stock markets skyrocket and then plummet when those financial problems grow even worse. And what effects Europe will soon impact all of us, for our finances and economies are all inter-connected. If you haven't already done so, please prepare yourself for tougher times to come by cross-training to make yourself more valuable at work and by selling costly assets you no longer need such as an extra car, motorcycle or boat. Pay down your credit card balances for the interest charges alone can eat you alive. You will be thankful you took these protective steps. And please rest assured that as happened in the Great Depression, we will unite to help one another.

What is the real problem? It is as Gordon Gekko said in "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" (2010), the severe financial troubles confronting the world are "systemic, malignant and global." And thanks to the gargantuan greed that overran the world in recent years, there is no painless way out of this mess.

Dick
To learn more, please see "Questions Plague EU Pact," The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203413304577087562993283958.html

Should The 10 Biggest U.S. Banks Be Broken-Up?

2011-12-11T12:55:00.000-08:00

Because of the massive multi-billion dollar government taxpayer funded bailouts, the 10 biggest U.S. banks now control 77% of all U.S. banking assets, an ironic reward for these banks nearly taking down the global economic system. But as a result, they have been deemed "too big to fail" by the U.S. government, which means they have huge leverage over U.S taxpayers and these banks make a mockery of the capitalistic system, as they can divide the spoils with the support of the U.S. Fed, which hopes to see them grow stronger so they can weather additional financial shocks to come such as from the European debt crisis and the home foreclosure fiasco. To ensure the support of the government and the Fed continue, these banks pay lobbyists big fees to give to politicians.

But if they are "too big to fail," they are too big to exist. Over a century ago, the U.S. government used to have "trust busters," led by President Teddy Roosevelt and others to break up monopolistic entities. Today the giant banks compete largely in theory but often have the same pricing for products and services and pay virtually zero for depositor's money. They are notoriously unresponsive to the home foreclosure crisis and they readily add more customer fees to the very people who bailed them out.

Given that the giant banks and their lobbyists have huge leverage and that the politicians won't soon take any action to break up these "too big to fail" institutions, I suggest customers consider taking their business to local community banks. While these community banks don't have comparable resources to the giant banks, at least they will value your business and will more readily listen to what you have to say.

Dick

Is Iran A Nuclear Threat To The US?

2011-12-11T11:51:00.000-08:00

Estimates of the U.S. nuclear arsenal range from 12,000 to 22,000 weapons and the U.S. produces jet fighters, drones, ships, tanks and other armament far beyond the rest of the world combined. It has over 1,000 foreign military bases across the globe and military spending through the ceiling, even as other necessities such as education, medical care, police and firefighters are being slashed.

Iran is rumored (but not substantiated) to be building its 1st nuclear weapon. I hope that is not so, just as I wish the U.S. and other nuclear powers would disarm. But because the U.S. claims Iran is a nuclear threat, it is prepared to take whatever military action it deems necessary against Iran's 78 million men, women and children. It is also rumored that Israel, which does have a nuclear arsenal and the latest in fighter jets, is prepared to make a preventative strike against Iran. This is all madness, but not illogical considering the vast U.S. government spending on its military industrial complex and that the U.S. is now in perpetual war. And Israel has been at war off and on since its modern day founding in 1948.

Here is an alternative approach to Iran. Sit down with them and talk out our differences. Everyone could meet at Camp David, the United Nations or venues across the world. Peacefully resolving one's differences is not profitable to the U.S. military industrial complex but it could help to restore peace and sanity among humanity, all of whom dream of better, happier lives for themselves and for their children.

Dick

Jack Abramoff: What Did He Do That Many Other Lobbyists Don't?

2011-12-09T11:50:00.000-08:00

The Government in Washington, DC is overwhelmed with lobbyists making "campaign contributions" to buy influence for their powerful clients. The Military Industrial Complex, Wall Street, Big Banks and many other organizations domestic and foreign pay lobbyists huge fees. As a result, the U.S. is by far the biggest producer of fighter jets, drones, tanks, ships, guns and weapons of mass destruction and has 10 huge bailed out banks designated "too big to fail," that now control 77% of U.S. banking assets.

So what did Jack Abramoff do that many other lobbyists don't do? Super Pacs and other Pacs shower money on all 435 members of Congress and on major presidential candidates, including the president, who is raising one billion dollars to conduct his campaign. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that money equals free speech, and that corporations are people, which opened the floodgates of money even wider.

In a politically corrupt system that stinks to high heaven, it would appear Jack Abramoff's biggest crimes were being too arrogant and too successful at his profession. His absence only opened the doors of greater opportunity to other potent lobbyists who filled his void. If we Americans want to change this system, we must take control of it, for voting for the two choices lobbyists offer us will only continue a system that serves them and their clients extremely well.

Dick

U.S. Agents Launder Drug Cartel Money

2011-12-05T17:39:00.000-08:00

Can anyone explain the U.S. War on Drugs to me? For years the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has been laundering and smuggling millions of dollars of drug money for Mexican and other violent drug cartels anticipating someday making arrests. In effect the DEA is now allied with the drug cartels, a blatant violation of U.S. law and the sovereignty and laws of other nations.

What has this money laundering accomplished aside from facilitating the distribution of drugs? The drug wars are as widespread and violent as ever, costing thousands of lives. The U.S. is waging its War on Drugs in 50 countries. Have there been major drug busts and arrests and prosecutions of kingpins? Apparently not, but even if there were, on products this profitable, those kingpins would soon be replaced by others in their organizations. Meanwhile, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in their "Fast and Furious" program helped the Mexican cartels to buy and sell U.S. made weapons and to transport them. The ATF lost track of many of the weapons but they later turned up on both sides of the border and one of them was used to kill a U.S. Border agent.

While in the U.S. this 40 year War on Drugs has cost the taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars and billions more are being spent with little to show for any of it. Drugs are everywhere in America including in heavily secured U.S. prisons. Meanwhile 50,000 Mexicans are winding up in body bags and thousands more people in body bags elsewhere. The U.S. War on Drugs is a horrific failure yet it continues endlessly.

Dick
To learn more, please see "U.S. Agents Launder Mexican Profits of Drug Cartels," New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/04/world/americas/us-drug-agents-launder-profits-of-mexican-cartels.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2

Did The Dramatic U.S. Fed Action Rescue The Global Economy?

2011-12-01T13:56:00.000-08:00

The U.S. Fed moved quickly with its banking partners the European Central Bank, and the banks of Canada, England, Japan and Switzerland to expand a program providing emergency cheap U.S. dollar loans to European and other banking institutions to try to prevent a collapse of the global financial system. In response, global stock markets skyrocketed. But did this solve the severe financial problems?

No, it was a desperate act to confront a pending state of financial chaos. Wednesday (11/23) when Germany, a nation with strong finances, couldn't sell 40% of its bonds, it told everyone how grave the situation really is. Possible defaults, contagion and collapse starting with the falling dominoes of Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain which are no more able to meet their financial obligations now, than before the dramatic U.S. Fed and bank partner intervention.

To bail them out, the European Central Bank (ECB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) demand those nations' governments layoff thousands of people, raise taxes, slash salaries and cut retiree incomes. This when those nations are already sinking into severe recessions and suffering from high unemployment. The people won't stand for it and have rioted in the streets. Further cuts will never happen and governments that pursue them will fall.

All the dramatic U.S. Fed and banking partner actions did was buy time to keep the global financial system functional for now. As for calming investor fears, that will be brief when they realize insolvent nations are simply creating the illusion of bailing out other insolvent nations. Ultimately the ECB, the IMF and the giant corporate banks and mutual and hedge funds are going to have to take huge write offs on their European debt and they will plead for massive bailouts from nations no longer able to provide them.

So please take actions to protect yourself from the very tough times to come. Cross train to become more valuable to your employer, add skills that will generate income and pay down your credit cards and other debt. Sell off any unused items such as an extra car, motorcycle or boat, things you can convert to cash. You will be thankful you did these things.

Dick
To learn more about this dramatic financial intervention, please see "6 Central Banks Act To Buy Time in Europe Crisis," The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/01/business/central-banks-move-together-to-ease-debt-crisis.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2

Are U.S. Housing Prices Beginning To Rise?

2011-11-30T13:09:00.000-08:00

No, with few exceptions, they are continuing to fall. Some housing analysts, builders, economists and pundits became optimistic when during the prime summer selling season, in some markets prices edged slightly higher. But many of those sales were foreclosures, while vast numbers of additional foreclosures were held off the markets by lenders still getting their paperwork in order.

Now one of the most important indexes, Standard & Poor's Case-Shiller index of 20 major U.S. cities has shown prices falling again in most of them. http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/la-fi-home-prices-20111130,0,3352737.story And I believe prices will continue to fall for months to come, despite interest rates as low as 4% for 30 year fixed rate financing.

Please, if you have a house or condo to sell, consult your local real estate professional but price it to sell and get it sold now, before prices fall further.

Dick

For Americans, What Is Freedom?

2011-11-30T10:54:00.000-08:00

From appearances, it is "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday," Americans' right during the holiday season to buy foreign made goods they can't afford, with money they don't have and to charge those purchases on credit cards with the hope of being able to pay those credit card bills. Somehow, freedom became consumption at any price.

To build consumer confidence, the government is encouraging the news media to assure Americans that their holiday shopping will lift us from the crumbling economy and back to prosperity. It won't happen for we haven't been prosperous in many years, instead depending upon credit and cheap money to keep consuming, until now we've reached the point of being overwhelmed by debt. Some pundits even claim that the U.S. consumers' massive credit card defaults last summer are a good thing because they paved the way for new credit and more buying of consumer goods. This is how crazy it has become. Meanwhile, 1 in 4 American children live in poverty: 16 million children!

America, what is freedom? What do we stand for? The right to fight endless wars? The right to invade and occupy nations anywhere America chooses and the right to kill anyone there who oppose it? Is it the right to build as many jet fighters, drones, tanks, ships and weapons of mass destruction as we want? Is freedom our right to pollute the planet? Where is the compassionate nation we all hope for, one that takes care of its people and offers a helping hand to peoples across the globe? Do you recall the America earlier generations of your family came to, to have a voice in their government and economic opportunity the rest of the world did not offer? Do you recall the America that used to be the greatest manufacturing machine the world had ever seen and from its profitable bounty created America's vast middle class and helped to rebuild other nations destroyed by war? That was a demonstration of our freedom and it became the American Dream. Where is the American Dream now, the one we promised our children and generation after generation honored until now?

Dick

Oh God America, What Happened To You?

2011-11-30T10:29:00.000-08:00

1 in 4 American children now live in poverty! That's 16 million children, living in cars, cheap motels, homeless shelters and other makeshift housing, some of it on the streets. And those numbers are growing. Meanwhile the U.S. Military Industrial Complex (MIC) is flooded with money, as it builds fighter jets, drones, ships, tanks, weapons of mass destruction and sends "contractors" to help fight endless wars and military occupations.

The War Business and all the jobs it provides is now America's top priority as the U.S. lays off teachers, police and fire fighters and looks to slash Social Security, Medicare, and the safety net for a rapidly growing number of people. But war is extremely profitable, for the MIC firms are flush with bonuses for top management and big dividends for shareholders. Politicians are collecting campaign contributions and in many cases, when their political careers end, they land jobs with or lobby for those same companies. In fact, it's great for everyone but the U.S. taxpayer that pays the bill, the military families whose sons and daughters are being killed, severely injured or emotionally traumatized and the peoples of the nations being occupied for they too pay in blood and in destroyed economies and dreams.

Meanwhile the U.S. job market is a disaster as so many factories have been shipped overseas leaving Americans to buy foreign made goods they can't afford with money they don't have so they use credit, hoping they can continue to pay their credit card bills. While housing values have collapsed and keep falling in most of America.

Oh God America, What happened to you? What are you going to do about this mounting disaster? Surely it will be more than simply casting a ballot because as you can see, that doesn't work no matter how charismatic the politician. Are you going to take control of your political system as is happening in some parts of the Middle East? Or will you teach your children to dream small, think small and act small. You have the power to do something about this if only you will take action.

Dick
The statistics in this piece are from the television show "60 Minutes," story "Hard Times Generation: Families living in cars," 11/27/11, http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7389750n&tag=contentBody;storyMediaBox Another measurement of what is happening to children and their families is "Lines Grow Long for Free School Meals, Thanks to Economy," The New York Times, 11/30/11 http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/30/education/surge-in-free-school-lunches-reflects-economic-crisis.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2

Is It Wise To Punish And Isolate Iran?

2011-11-26T10:00:00.000-08:00

Because the U.S. alleges Iran may be building its 1st nuclear bomb, which Iran denies, the U.S. answer is to unleash strong economic sanctions against Iran. Those sanctions may be crushing to Iran's 78 million men, women and children. Is this really wise?

The U.S. has thousands of nuclear weapons and the means to quickly explode them anywhere in the world, which makes the U.S. a huge hypocrite. Also, Iran is the world's 3rd largest oil producer and its response to U.S. sanctions could disrupt global oil markets. Strategically, Iran borders Iraq on the west, Afghanistan and Pakistan on the east, the Persian Gulf on the south and Turkey on the northwest. Its cooperation could help to ensure regional peace.

So instead of trying to punish and isolate Iran, why not sit down with them to attempt to peacefully resolve issues. And include Israel as a participant, thus allowing those two Mid East neighbors to establish rapport and dissipate their mutual threats against each other. Wouldn't it be far wiser for the U.S. to explore peaceful resolution of issues than continuously seeking to intimidate and even attack an ever growing list of enemies?

Dick
To learn more, please see: "U.S. Will Take Further Steps To Isolate Iran," The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204443404577051061458557058.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

As I Grow Old I've Learned:

2011-11-25T09:48:00.000-08:00

1) The outcome of sports events don't matter. Few people remember them for long, forgotten among the hustle-bustle of life.
2) Family does matter. They will be there for you even if no-one else is for they care the most.
3) Friends matter. Not those who claim you can count on them but those who regularly show up over an extended period of time.

4) A child in need matters, wherever in the world that child is. Our role as adults is to protect him or her and to ensure there is food, love and medical care and to offer hope. If we fail a child, we have failed our spiritual selves.
5) Mankind matters regardless of religious affiliation. We are all brethren and in the end, religious beliefs all have the same fundamental concerns and will lead us to the same place. We don't realize it because of some self-righteous religious leaders and our own egos dividing us.
6) Arguments don't matter. Seldom is anyone persuaded by anyone else's argument and they serve to hurt our feelings and to divide us. The wise person sets arguments aside and strives to understand the other person's perspective.
7) Gentle hugs, kisses and sincere words of encouragement could uplift the entire world, a world so desperately in need of love.
8) Forgiveness is as important as love. Carrying anger only destroys the well being of the carrier and is the basis for retribution. Lack of forgiveness and understanding leads to ignorance and fear and leads to wars, such as those being fought today and those fought throughout history.
9) A kind word and a smile can uplift the life of anyone who receives it.
10) Don't wait until someone is dead to praise them. Do it now while they can appreciate it. They may not be here tomorrow and neither may you.
11) Most elections don't matter. They are often an illusion held to give the vast number of powerless the belief they actually have a voice. What does matter is when people unite in a common cause for that scares those in power and often compels them to change and become responsive, at least for a period of time.
12) Non-violent, love and respect driven demonstrations are the most powerful of all. Gandhi was right.
13) Others don't take you nearly as seriously as you take yourself and few will remember most of what you said.
14) The words and actions of most historic figures join the results of wars and other major events in being forgotten by most people. If you doubt that, ask them to tell you about Julius Caesar, Jesus Christ or Martin Luther King, Jr. But ask them about their own lives and those of their families and they can recite it in depth, for this is what really matters to them.
15) Aside from the jobs they provide or cost, or vital services they provide or dividends they pay to those in need, the work of most corporations is meaningless, largely based on the egos of those who run them. That's why most corporations fade away with time.
16) Laugh and laugh often, including at your own mistakes. It will relieve stress and give you a more joyful life
17) Focus on the now. Live this moment. And appreciate what you have while you have it. Most people take for granted there will be tomorrows and the essential people in their lives will always be there. But those of us who have seen death take loved ones know better. Don't live for tomorrow assuming there will be one.
18) Don't take your health, your vision, your hearing or any other vital function for granted. These things are precious and in a heart beat you could lose any of them.
19) Don't treat celebrities as role models. Their lives and actions as you see them are largely the creation of public relations firms meant to sell images of them and other products they endorse You are the role model for everyone you come in contact with starting with your children. Live your life accordingly.
20) Be the living embodiment of how you believe God would treat others. You will never live up to that embodiment but as you strive to achieve that remarkable task each day think of how you will inspire the world one person at a time. In the words of Mother Teresa, "Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile."
21) Every person is your equal. Don't let poverty fool you. They may just have not received the advantages you have in this life.
22) Animals are beings too. Treat them with love and respect. I wish I had come to this realization sooner for I didn't become a vegetarian until I was 56 years old. And if you can no longer give a pet a good and loving home, find another good and loving home for that pet. Don't abandon a being who loves and needs you and may not survive without you.
23) If you believe a cause is true, take action to support it, even if it is unpopular or you are the only one who believes in it. As Gandhi said, "Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is still the truth."*
24) Each day, take 10 minutes, lay down and close your eyes and relax. It is a marvelous stress reliever for your body and it is your body that houses your soul.
25) Feed your soul every day. Do something kind for another, read or listen to inspiring words and literally smell the roses or inhale another scent that tingles your senses.
26) Whatever you do in life, be sure and have someone to share it with. One really is the loneliest number.

These are some of the truths I've learned in my 66 years of life and I hope they will serve you well dear reader.

Dick
*This quote may be approximate but it is one I've kept in my heart in conducting numerous peace vigils over the U.S.'s Iraq and Afghan Wars, when sometimes there was no-one else but me visible during the vigils. I stand along busy Pacific Coast Highway in the Los Angeles area firmly believing those wars are a tragic mistake and appealing to peoples' consciences to help stop them.

Has A Southern European Bank Run Begun?

2011-11-23T11:28:00.000-08:00

Yes a huge bank run has begun as the European financial crisis is quickly growing worse. Fearful businesses, institutions and individuals are pulling their savings out of banks in financially troubled nations such as those in Italy and Spain, the 3rd and 4th largest European economies. This bodes badly because these nations desperately need to attract money to pay their bills especially at a time when bond sales are so weak and interest rates to attract that money are soaring. Banks that suffer a run on their deposits will have trouble loaning to governments or to businesses, which will help sink their economies.

It also means to rescue those economies will take far bigger bailouts than were projected only a short time ago. But from whom will those bailouts come? Germany? China? European Central Bank? IMF? They don't have enough financial resources. But even if those bailouts arrived, these financially troubled nations are struggling to pay the interest on the debt they already have. How can they pay the additional interest on new debt? It is with heart felt concern for our European brethren I share this terrible but important news with you. And what hits them will soon hit the rest of us for our banking systems are interrelated and the financial markets will freeze, as they began to do in 2008 when Lehman Bros. went bankrupt. But this time the problems are of a far greater magnitude and governments don't have the resources to come to the rescue.

Dick
To learn more, please see "EU Banks Struggle to Lure Deposits: Key Funding Source Is Imperiled; Ronaldo's 4% Rate Pitch," The Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203710704577052301603861304.html

Will The Euro Zone Recover Or Collapse?

2011-11-22T14:17:00.000-08:00

It will collapse. Why? 22.6% of Spain's workers are unemployed and that number is growing. Spain is Europe's 4th largest economy yet 1/2 of Spain's young people are out of work! To put this in perspective, at the height of the 1930's Great Depression, U.S. unemployment hit 25%.

Unemployment is soaring as well in Portugal, Ireland, Italy and Greece and in Britain, the latter of which is not part of the Euro Zone. Scared investors are demanding higher interest rates to buy the bonds of those nations and in Greece, it is very difficult to sell bonds at all. These nations are so deeply in debt, they will have trouble even paying the interest on the bonds they already have. While the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Central Bank are demanding that they slash their spending if they are to receive any further bailouts. Yet from the last spending cuts, their citizens are furious and taking to the streets, as their economies plummet. How bad is it? Europe is in its "most difficult hours since World War ll," stated German prime minister Angela Merkel.

What happens to the U.S. if the Euro Zone economies collapse? Giant European and U.S. banks are closely linked and if collapse comes on one side of the Atlantic, it will come to the other. Only unlike 2008, this time, as we are already witnessing in Europe, the magnitude of bailouts necessary are too great for governments and the Washington based IMF to absorb. These economies will sink and potentially take with them peoples' savings. Although most Americans are not yet aware of the full impact of a European financial collapse, they will become aware when their savings are jeopardized. We and our European brethren are in this mess together and we must do everything we can to help one another.

Dick
To learn more, please see: "Turmoil Spreads in Europe, Bond Market Selloff Hits Nations Seen as Healthy, Raising Specter of Contagion." http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204323904577039490200567620.html

Is This The Coming Of The Next Great Depression?

2011-11-21T09:47:00.000-08:00

Yes it is, for we never even escaped the 2008 collapse. What is happening? To make bigger profits, U.S. multi-national firms aggressively shipped U.S. factories overseas along with their middle class jobs. Those jobs were replaced with lower wage retail jobs selling foreign made goods. In fact, U.S. wages adjusted for inflation are exactly what they were 33 years ago. Yet the cost of housing, cars, education, medical care and other middle class necessities kept rising.* So how did U.S. wage earners keep paying for them? They went deeply into debt like never before in U.S. history.

For awhile, everything appeared to work out well. Borrowing money was easy and the middle class thought it was not only doing well but had hit the jackpot, first in the dot com boom and when that collapsed, it seemed to be rich in housing values, riches it quickly borrowed. Then the housing market collapsed. Meanwhile, Wall Street made wild and greedy speculations and in 2008, that collapsed as well but unlike the middle class, Wall Street got bailed out, ironically at the expense of the middle class.

Meanwhile, the U.S. government keeps spending huges sums it doesn't have and puts it all on the U.S. taxpayer credit card. So no surprise, since 2008 the U.S. economy is floundering and sinking, taking the jobs market with it. Even as its deficits and debts soar, Washington answers with no new taxes, as it expands its military spending and wars, in part because that military spending employs millions of Americans, ironically also at taxpayer expense.

Americans are frustrated and angry. Public surveys show a 9% approval rating for Congress for example. Yet the huge campaign contributions still pour in because the elite are well served by the current system and they refuse to share in any significant sacrifices. While at the same time, the Euro Zone is crumbling and will take numerous European and U.S. banks with it, as they will again line up for bailouts this time from governments that won't be able to provide them. As they crumble, so will the export dependent Asian economies.

So what can you do to protect yourself from the coming Depression? Lighten your load by paying down your credit cards and selling off anything you no longer need, such as an extra car, boat or motorcycle. If you have a house to sell, sell it now before prices drop further. At work, cross train and offer ideas that generate revenue or save money, for these things make you more valuable to your employer. And as happened during the last Great Depression in the 1930's, we must unite to help one another through the difficult times to come. When those times end, we will hopefully rebuild with a U.S. economy no longer based upon bringing military Hell to the world but one based upon medical, educational, social and environmental advancement that can make this world a far better place.

Dick
*According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the urban Consumer Price Index is 3.5 times what it was in 1978. http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/data/CPIAUCSL.txt. But as bad as this is the prices for some essentials such as housing, cars, education and medical care have spiked much more.

Bradley Manning Has Already Waited 1 1/2 Years For A Trial

2011-11-16T16:17:00.000-08:00

US Army Private First Class Bradley Manning, who was arrested on May 26, 2010, is doing hard time at Leavenworth for allegedly sharing classified material with WikiLeaks. Whether he is guilty or not awaits to be seen but for now, like many a Guantanamo prisoner, he is being held indefinitely and away from the media spotlight.

Why does his case matter so much to you and me as Americans? Because someone leaked a quarter million secret U.S. government documents to WikiLeaks which released them to the world news media so that Americans and others could learn what the U.S. government is actually doing in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thank goodness. How else can any people hold their government accountable when those people are kept in the dark by a government that keeps so much of its activities secretive.

That government accuses Manning of "aiding the enemy" which is a capital offense, punishable by death, although prosecutors have indicated they won't seek the death penalty. At first he was held in solitary confinement from July, 2010 to April, 2011 at the Marine Corp brig in Quantico, VA but Amnesty International and many legal scholars claimed his treatment was harsh, punitive and in violation of the U.S. Constitution. The government then moved him to Leavenworth, placing him among hardened criminals. Meanwhile 23 year old Manning waits to present his case. Is this what the U.S. now stands for? Is this rule of law or a vendetta meant to scare anyone else who might go public with secret U.S. government actions?

I believe the reason he has been locked away indefinitely without trial is the U.S. government is concerned that as part of his defense, Manning's lawyers will put the Iraq and Afghan Wars on trial, as well as the secretive actions the government takes to keep its citizens in the dark. This case may well even examine the huge and costly, non-competitive contracts given to the military industrial complex so understandably, the U.S. government wants Manning silenced.

Dick

Dick

For Job Security: Should You Start Your Own Business? (3 Final Tips)

2011-11-15T10:57:00.000-08:00

The job market is a disaster. If you are unemployed, underemployed or fearful you may get fired, you would be wise to consider starting or buying your own business. But if traditional business is not right for you, pursue some other avenue that might allow you to become highly successful. For example in 1925, a 23 year-old African-American poet had huge dreams but faced a highly segregated system that made it almost impossible for him to succeed. But one day while working as a busboy at the Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC, he saw one of America's most famous poets, Vachel Lindsay having breakfast there.

This young man found the courage to approach Lindsay and set some of his poetry in front of him and quietly walked away. After reading those poems, Lindsay was so impressed by this young novice's writings, that he shared the poems during a reading that night, and when the young poet came to work the next day to start his shift, a throng of reporters greeted him and he was on his way. That young man, Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967) went on to become a famous poet and a novelist, playwright and columnist, so as this story illustrates, depending upon your skills, there are many ways to break out of a bad job market. As a former founder and CEO of a sizable company, I offer you 3 final tips to weigh carefully in whatever action you consider taking:

1) Are you energetic? Your energy level will not only determine how much you accomplish but it will effect how much those around you achieve for they will follow your lead. An energetic person, a "go getter" will inspire others to work at peak level while someone sleepwalking through life won't long have a business however great the business concept. Ross Perot built two outstanding companies by in part lighting a fire under everyone around him with his intensive energy.

2) Are you willing to learn? You will be confronted by many new experiences and you will make many mistakes. So as not to repeat those mistakes, you must learn and adjust as you go. No matter what, President Bush demanded the U.S. "stay the course" in Iraq. What a disaster. In business, if you "stay the course" rather than learning and making changes, you won't have a business.

3) Are you persistent? Business and every other aspect of life has its disappointments. The deals you thought you had that a competitor wins, employees who steal, new products that fail, banks that don't honor their commitments to you, etc. You must be resilient and persist through whatever adversity occurs. It is a frame of mind. And if you persist and adjust to what you learn, eventually you are likely to triumph and over time build an outstanding business or a successful creative career.

Dick
Note: Thank you to reader Ariel Feir for sharing the story of Langston Hughes in "Ariel & Sandi AbodeNews" (November, 2011)

For Job Security: Should You Start Your Own Business? (3 More Tips)

2011-11-14T12:08:00.000-08:00

"I've been out of work for a year, who is going to hire me?" "I'm over 50, are there any jobs for me?" "Will I still have a job in 3 months?" If you've been asking yourself questions like these, you may want to seriously consider starting or buying your own business. Speaking to you as a former founder and CEO of a major company, I would encourage you to become your own boss but taking business risk is not right for everybody. Here are some crucial points to consider:

1) Are you a risk taker? To start or buy a business may require you to risk some of your nest egg. And you may also not receive a paycheck for weeks or months. Assuming you have adequate savings, are you willing to take this risk? Will you be able to sleep at night?

In 1974, when I launched my computer leasing company, for 9 months there was no income, just expenses. Each day I would make numerous cold calls seeking new accounts, and at other times I called on accounts that said they would do business with me but initially didn't. Anne and I had 3 small children to support and our savings paid the bills. Many a time, I sat up at night wondering if I had made the right decision. But 9 months in, deals began to close and my company began making money. It was a fantastic feeling, one I hope you one day can share in.

2) Can you sell? Without sales, there is no business. If you don't have sales talent, either you must partner with or hire someone who does have that talent. Successful businesses are built all the time by pairing people who can sell with people who can create a great product or service. Consider Apple. Steve Jobs was a great salesman and an extraordinary technology visionary. But he also recruited outstanding technical people that could create the products of which he dreamed and build the quality in them he demanded.

3) Are you well organized? To succeed in business requires being well organized to make the most of your time. In building Wal-Mart, Sam Walton had an incredible vision but he was not well-organized. He overcame that disorganization by having a superb executive assistant who was extremely well organized, understood his needs and could free him to focus on what he did best, while she did everything to support him including setting his schedule, booking his travel to locating brief cases he would misplace.

Dick

For Job Security: Should You Start Your Own Business? (4 Tips)

2011-11-14T10:23:00.000-08:00

With so many people unemployed, underemployed or who may be fired and good jobs so scarce, it makes sense to consider starting or buying your own business. But because of the bad times, you may be scared. The following story about a couple that bought a business during the the Great Depression may be helpful to you. In 1930, Ruth Graves Wakefield and her husband risked their savings to buy the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Mass.

Ruth did the cooking and she served the Inn's guests. One day she was baking chocolate cookies and saw she was out of baking chocolate. In place of that baking chocolate, she grabbed a Nestle semisweet chocolate bar and broke it into pieces assuming the chocolate would melt into her recipe. It didn't. Instead, she had created the 1st chocolate chip cookie and it became a huge hit, making their business an enormous success. When you're in business, you never know when such a great thing could happen to you. A lucky break as happened for the Wakefields or a burst of your creativity and you too could become an enormous success. But is taking the risk of going into business really right for you? Speaking to you as a founder and former CEO of a major company, the following will help you decide:

1) Do you love your business idea enough to risk your time, your reputation and your nest egg in it ? The answer had better be yes because if you don't love it, you won't stick with it and potentially all that you will have invested will be lost. This is a question you must weigh from the heart. In 1974, before I started what later became a major computer leasing company, I sat in a botanic garden with pad and pen weighing this very question.

2) Is there a market for your product or service? How do you find out? Talk to potential customers and ask them under what circumstances they would do business with you and what price they would be willing to pay. In 1974, I knew many computer users and discussed my prospective computer leasing company with them. If you don't have those connections, run some advertising to attract those potential customers. In the late 1990's when I had another business idea, I ran an ad and after speaking with potential customers, knew it was not a good idea and saved my time and money by not pursuing it further.

3) What are the costs to start your business and when will it make money? You don't need a computer or a CPA to do this unless you must raise funding. Do as I did in 1974 at that botanical garden. On a sheet of paper write down all the expenses you will incur and over what time period. Then project when sales will kick in. Be very conservative. Expenses in real life are often far more than expected and sales usually take longer than planned.

4) Is there an easier, less risky approach? Yes. For example, if you want to repair computers or cars, find out what the opportunities are by speaking with those already in the field. Maybe they would even hire you part-time and if that goes well, employ you full-time eventually making you a partner. You can also buy an established franchise, such as a Subway or a Taco Bell, if you have the savings to make the down payment but before you do, speak with those who bought that franchise to learn if they are pleased with their investment and why.

Dick

Would You Buy Products Made In The USA?

2011-11-08T12:01:00.000-08:00

If you were a buyer of Fighter Jets, Drones, Tanks, Ships, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Guns and "Contractors," you would buy Made in the USA because that is what the U.S. still does best, even if it is all at the U.S. taxpayer's expense. But it may surprise you to learn there are large companies such as Honda and Toyota which build some car models nearly 100% in the U.S. from parts made in the U.S. And there are many small U.S. manufacturers who make everything from toys to socks to shirts that need your business. Start this Christmas by giving those American firms at least some of your business.

We wish our Asian brethren continued success but if we are going to resurrect U.S. industry and all of its jobs and avoid defaulting on all of our debts, we Americans must start buying Made in the USA as often as possible. This Christmas for example, what follows is a list of some U.S. toy manufacturers: http://www.toysmadeinamerica.com/ At http://www.madeinusa.org/ is a list of other U.S. firms that still manufacture here, including electronics firms: http://www.americansworking.com/electronics.html and firms that make home appliances: http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/appliances.html As I write to you, my shirt (purchased in a specialy store), my jeans (www.allamericanclothing.com) and socks (purchased at Big 5) were made in the U.S.

But even if they could find U.S. made products in the stores, most Americans wouldn't buy them because they are often more expensive. With shipping costs, my jeans cost a little over $50 and I could have bought Chinese made Levis or other jeans for half that price or less. But I received a top quality product that U.S. workers made and they too have families to support. It was worth the extra $25 to help employ them, even if I have fewer jeans in my closet. About 10 years ago, China's president came to Chicago and while there he took the U.S. media on a walking tour with him, saying he wanted to buy U.S. made goods to bring home to his family and friends. By the time he finished shopping and found nearly nothing made here, he pointed out that China didn't shift the jobs overseas, the U.S. multinational firms did. As Americans, we can and must do something about this and now is our chance.

Washington hasn't and won't solve this problem for us. Wal-Mart and Target will carry very few U.S. made products unless they see there is a demand for them. Some of Sears' Kenmore and Whirlpool products are still made in America but what giant retailers see is the demand is for cheap and cheaper as American consumer product plants continue to close. Let's reach out to U.S. small businesspeople, America's jobs engine, and give them our business. What would start small now, like a group of tiny seedlings, could grow into a huge forest of redwoods if only we would support them. And "we" begins with you and me.

Dick

Is The U.S. Still The Global Financial Leader?

2011-11-06T12:07:00.000-08:00

Long led by the U.S. which used to be by far the most powerful nation in the world, the G-20 global conference of the world's most powerful financial nations recently concluded, with the U.S. as little more than an afterthought. Aside from the European financial crisis, China and Germany were the focus of attention. Before the G-20 conference, my son Kyle made his own comments and shared with us a New York Times article anticipating the U.S. playing a minor role but it turned out the U.S. played an even smaller role than the Times thought would be.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/02/us/americas-waning-influence-has-a-silver-lining.html?_r=1

Sadly we are becoming a paper tiger. We are the guy living in the biggest house on the block and in foreclosure, yelling at all of the others in foreclosure to get their houses in order. And yes, we just bought another new car (or billion dollar airplane) on credit. Meanwhile the guy who has been saving big time for years and has a growing stack of money is also going to the others on the block. Guess what, they are taking him far more seriously than Big Deadbeat!

Our power has fallen financially and morally. While we certainly still wield a massive military, our days are numbered before that goes away since economics won’t allow it to continue forever (see every other fallen empire in history). Also, when it comes right down to it and pensioners (don’t touch my money), social security recipients (don’t touch my money), medicare recipients (don’t touch my money) will go bananas (see Greece) when all of the interests are fighting for the future budget which will be 25% of what it is today. UGLY times coming as our train wreck steams ahead full steam!

Kyle

Is The U.S. Really In Decline?

2011-11-05T13:09:00.000-07:00

No, it is not in decline, it has begun to collapse. Through its productivity, the U.S. once had the world's top living standard as well as being the greatest manufacturing powerhouse ever. But most of that manufacturing is gone and after six decades of taxpayer paid massive stimulus to the military industrial complex, the U.S. is now largely a "consumer nation," meaning 70% of its economy is now dependent upon its citizens borrowing money to buy largely foreign made goods they cannot afford. To sustain itself the U.S. government must borrow money from everywhere including from Social Security, borrowings it can no longer afford.

Adjusted for inflation, U.S. wages are the same as in 1978 and U.S. citizens are tapped out. They were actually tapped out in the 1990's until the Dot Com bubble created the illusion of prosperity, all of it on borrowed money. When that bubble burst in 2000, rather than face a Depression, the U.S. Fed made vast sums of cheap money available which started the real estate bubble, that has now burst. So the government bailed out corporate giants and issued stimulus, largely with borrowed and printed money, while also paying for weapons and wars. This time the "Recovery" is floundering and the government doesn't know what to do next.

When a collapse comes, it comes fast. The Roman Empire didn’t slowly decline. It fell within a few decades during the fifth century, through poor leadership and a vastly overextended military that no longer generated the income to support the Empire. The barbarian invaders finished the job and Rome's giant marketplace and its great centers of learning, along with its superb roads and aqueducts were history. The U.S. is in a far bigger crisis than its politicians acknowledge and the time for bold and sacrificial action such as dramatically slashing the U.S. military overhead is now, while there are still wheels on the American bus.

Dick

Will The U.S. Military Leave Iraq?

2011-11-04T12:50:00.000-07:00

President Obama said the U.S. military will leave Iraq by 12/31/11 less than 2 months from now. But except for Vietnam where the U.S. was driven out, it doesn't leave as thousands of U.S. soldiers remain in Germany and Japan 66 years after World War 2 and thousands more U.S. troops remain in Korea 58 years after the Korean War. Now leading Iraq Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr is warning the U.S. it better leave Iraq. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/03/us-iraq-politics-sadr-idUSTRE7A27ZE20111103

Currently 33,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq and thousands more military "contractors" remain as well. The U.S. will station thousands of troops in Kuwait, just south of Iraq, in easy striking distance and some people believe the U.S. will keep thousands of "contractors" in Iraq as well. The Green Zone, the Basra oil port, "Camp Victory" near the Baghdad International Airport and other key sites the U.S. may continue to occupy, using "contractors" and U.S. troops termed "advisers" or "trainers." In any case, if the U.S. continues to exert its control, a dangerous and volatile situation in Iraq will continue.

Dick

The Story Of An Injured U.S. Soldier

2011-11-03T14:11:00.000-07:00

Nearly every Wednesday since January, 2006 I have held a candlelight vigil to remember all those who have paid a severe price in the U.S.'s Afghan and Iraq Wars. In summarizing last night's vigil, I'd like to tell you the story of 19-year-old U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Jorge Ortiz, a combat photographer. On January 15th, 2011, Jorge was in Afghanistan photographing captured weapons when he stepped on a hidden explosive.

The explosion blew off his legs above his knees, caused a traumatic brain injury and ripped off four fingers on his left hand and the thumb on his right hand. Despite the severity of his wounds and the intense bleeding, Jorge survived. Ultimately, he was taken to the Polytraumatic Rehabilitation Center at the Veterans Hospital in Palo Alto, California to begin a lengthy and painful rehabilitation, in which he will be fitted for prosthetic legs and be taught to walk. Because of the intense pain he suffers, doctors give him strong medications that leave him groggy and don't always relieve his pain.

But the situation gets worse. Like many other U.S. soldiers who have suffered severe brain trauma, Jorge has trouble with his memory and his responses are slow. The powerful pain relievers only make it harder. To support him in his brutal personal battle, his mother and 7-year-old sister have relocated from their home in Fresno to the Fisher House across the street from the VA Hospital, where the military provides free housing. As Jorge faces a long term battle, his sister has enrolled in school.

But despite his horrific injuries there is hope. In March, a determined and joyful Jorge wrote on his Facebook page, "Damn, today was the first day I walked since January 15th this year. I can still remember that day as if it was yesterday. The future is bright for those who try. I guarantee you that because I'm witnessing it myself."

At 19, when many young men are enrolling in college or starting their careers, as they pursue active social lives and chase their dreams, Jorge is left to live a nightmare, including flashbacks that will last his lifetime. And whatever plans his family had are dramatically altered as they valiantly help him to overcome his physical and emotional trauma and build a productive and rewarding life. With Jorge's attitude he will make the most of what is a very special life.

But I share this story with you, because tens of thousands of U.S. and allied soldiers and hundreds of thousands of Afghans and Iraqis and their families live with potentially life shattering injuries for this is what war does. That's why it is not being shown to the American people, otherwise they will not support and pay for these wars. But Jorge is an exception for the Los Angeles Times told his story, a part of which I shared with you. To read more about Jorge, please see http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jun/05/local/la-me-trauma-20110605/2

It is for Jorge Ortiz and his family and the millions of others who have been victimized by these wars that John Fortier and I conduct vigils. This is why we are peace activists seeking to end this horrific blood drenched madness before any more men and women must bury their children and before others join them in suffering a lifetime of personal Hell.

Dick

We Must Learn To Nurture Instead Of Declaring War

2011-11-02T13:56:00.000-07:00

Dear Reader, This insightful piece was written by my friend Kathleen Jacoby under the title, "Nurturing Nature." She speaks of mankind seemingly always "fighting," whether among itself or with nature with frequently disastrous results.

One morning as I was having my breakfast and listening to the news, the statement came over the air waves that we must fight global warming, and I thought, “here we go again”. The same attitude that got us in to this mess is the same one being touted as the way out, i.e. “fighting”.

The human species, and most often those in power, are hell bent on fighting against something. Their attitude is framed in opposition rather than collaboration, and we see again and again the results of this narrow frame of reference that always sets up a good guy and bad guy scenario.

In the case of nature, we were always fighting it in the past to tame it, to show our dominion of it, etc. etc. This attitude has finally put us into a deep adversarial position with the source of sustenance that provides for our life on the planet. As we continue the attitude of fighting, there is always a loser. Yet, when we nurture nature, everyone wins, and everyone is included in a process that honors and respects our earth, oceans, and the air we breathe.

Nurture is about inclusion, and about sharing. Fighting is about weaponry and alienation and dominating. That isn’t going to work anymore. We’ve done enough dominating of people, place, and things long enough – and all we’ve done is to create hostile environments, rape the land and resources, and treat our fellow human beings with enmity because their view or beliefs differ from ours. There is no nurture in this, and there is no quality of life with this attitude. So, it’s time to take a different approach.

Let’s band together to nurture nature. We can start in our own homes and gardens. We can ask ourselves if the way we use resources is helping our planet or hurting it, and we can recognize that we are co-creators with the earth in the process of housekeeping – or planet keeping. We are not here to show how much we can devour or take away from anyone else. We are here to exchange our views and abilities and to do the best we can to uphold a vision of life that celebrates everyone and everything in its God given purpose. None is better or worse – all are equally valuable and play different parts, regardless of appearance. So…let’s start nurturing and stop fighting. And while we’re doing that regarding our planet, let’s also include ourselves in the process and begin to love who and what we are as well. Novel idea, isn’t it?!

From Seasons of the Soul print edition, Autumn 2008 http://www.kathleenjacoby.blogs.com/

3 Valuable Tips To Help You Keep Your Job And Get Ahead, No. 4

2011-11-01T14:08:00.000-07:00

This brutal economy is already the worst since the Great Depression and it is crumbling. As the former CEO of a major computer leasing company that had 300 employees, and a company that did business with numerous Fortune 500 companies, here are 3 further valuable tips that could revolutionize your career as well as to help you keep your job and get ahead:

1) Forgive. As long as you live, some people will do you wrong. The common approach is one of endless anger and to try hard to get even. All this will do is hurt your health from carrying that animosity and as you try to get even, the other person will respond accordingly as the situation sinks to "an eye for an eye." You both look bad in front of others who will distance themselves from you, while your employer may choose to be rid of both of you. There is no way this benefits your career or your well-being.

The wise person forgives. You don't have to like or approve of what that person did but you don't want to hold on to resentment. Forgive, wish the other person well, even if only in your own mind, then smile and get on with your life. As Gandhi said, "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."

2) Be On Time. This is a sign of respect. Others have set aside their other activities to be there and if you show up late, it tells them they and their time are not as valuable as other things you are doing. It also tells them you are disorganized, for "the freeway was backed up" or another excuse will sooth no-one. Be on time and there to greet everyone, as you make them feel special.

3) Have A Positive Attitude. Every person emits energy: good, bad or indifferent. It's like radio waves. Although you cannot see those waves, when the radio is on, you hear them emit sound. It's the same way with your energy. People can feel it. The more positive energy you have to share, the more uplifting it is to be with you and the more support you will get. I can't say this strongly enough to you: This is a crucial factor in whether people will want to be with you and in how successful you will become.

Dick

3 Valuable Tips To Help You Keep Your Job And Get Ahead, No. 3

2011-11-01T11:43:00.000-07:00

This brutal economy is growing worse. As the former CEO of a major computer leasing company that had 300 employees, and a company that did business with many Fortune 500 companies, here are 3 additional valuable tips that could revolutionize your career as well as to help you keep your job and get ahead:

1) Breakout Of The Rut. Most people are bored and often just go through the motions at work, doing only what is necessary. Instead you be the ball of fire that not only tackles your job well but willingly helps others to succeed in theirs. Your enthusiasm will uplift others and your help, especially if you claim no credit for it, will make you a big favorite of theirs. And those who rise the highest are usually those with the biggest following of supporters.

2) Offer Sincere Compliments. Did someone get a raise or a promotion or win an award? Did someone celebrate a birthday, an anniversary or have a baby? Did someone lose weight, get a good doctor report or adopt a puppy? Did someone get a new outfit, shoes or haircut? In each case, these events or developments are important to them, and as a caring person, make them important to you. Kind words of acknowledgement or congratulations are very much appreciated. If you express your words in writing, do it in a handwritten card instead of by computer because it makes it more personal and people tend to save cards to be savored again and again. By doing this, you show people you sincerely care for them.

3) Don't Be A Know-It-All. Let others make their points without correcting them and don't top their stories. To do either of these things is to injure their self-esteem, which is compounded if you do it in front of other people. Let them have their moments in the sun. And if they have a political or religious or sports perspective other than yours, so what? Just acknowledge their position, which helps to validate them as people. The world won't change if they have it wrong but if you correct them it will change for you when they think of you as a blowhard. Your goal is win their respect and their support which you can do by being kind and thoughtful.

Dick

3 Valuable Tips To Help You Keep Your Job And Get Ahead, No. 2

2011-11-01T10:33:00.000-07:00

Prior to becoming CEO and founder of a major company, I too worked for others and understand how unpleasant some of those employers can be. But so much of what happens to us in life is attitude and early in my career I lost my job or quit a job because of how I was treated. Sometimes there was no choice. But ultimately I succeeded as an employee by building rapport with people I worked for, starting with being respectful and then by being a good listener so I could help them attain their goals as I attained mine. By doing this and by learning from their mistakes as well as by my own, I became an effective leader for 20 years. Now in a brutal economy, from those many years of business experience, I offer you dear reader a helping hand.

1) Don't Gossip. I know sharing rumors and inside information momentarily gives you a sense of importance and makes you interesting to others but it will bite you on the touche. It is amazing how fast that information can travel and ultimately can be tracked back to you, with negative implications for your personnel file, your career and even potentially a law suit. You become a liability and companies can do without liabilities. In addition, no-one will trust you because they will fear the gossip you may spread about them. Instead, be someone people can trust through your compassion and discretion.

2) Don't Procrastinate. To succeed, you need people to depend upon you. So when you commit to something, get it done when you promised otherwise they will stop relying upon you as they find ways to work around you. And if they can work around you, you are not needed and can be fired.

3) Don't Criticize. When was the last time you enjoyed hearing someone tell you what you are doing wrong? And how did you respond to their criticism? With anger? With sarcasm? With tears? Did it make you a better person to hear it? Did you change your behavior as a result?

If you have criticism for someone, reduce it to one key point and weigh carefully how to express it for it could destroy your relationship. Try the "oreo cookie" approach, which is to find something in that person to sincerely praise. Then make the critical point as gently and positively as possible, explaining to the person how he or she will benefit by making a change. Then conclude with another point of sincere praise, along with a handshake or a hug and words of encouragement, to help the person to know you have their best interest at heart. To do this well comes from the heart and if it is done well, it will bring you greater appreciation by those who become more productive and thankful to you for your help.

Dick

3 Valuable Tips To Help You Keep Your Job And Get Ahead, No. 1

2011-11-01T09:33:00.000-07:00

This is a very tough economy and it is growing worse. As the former CEO of a major computer leasing company that had 300 employees, and a company with a business relationship with many Fortune 500 companies, I would like to offer you 3 valuable tips that could revolutionize your career as well as to help you keep your job and get ahead:

1) The More You Know, The More Valuable You Are. Cross train which will make you someone your firm is more likely to depend on. And keep adding to your professional skills by taking classes, attending seminars and most of all by reading as you expand your knowledge, your vocabulary and in the process you will also develop new ideas to offer.

2) Learn Your Boss' Expectations For You. Don't assume you already know them. Sit down with this person and find out his or her objectives and where you fit in. Come prepared with a smile, a handshake, a gracious attitude and a list of questions, as you listen carefully and take notes. At the end of the session, summarize what you heard and ask if there is anything else you may have missed. Then show respect by asking for this person's advice as to how you can achieve at a level beyond what you have ever done before. Think of it as a singer consulting with a top voice coach or an athlete listening to a top coach. Why shouldn't you receive top flight advice from the person who is judging your work.

3) Speak With Passion And Have Positive Things To Say. Passionate people attract others to them because everyone craves positive energy and enthusiasm and they avoid those who are negative because it drains them. Tomorrow when you go into work, think how fortunate you are to have a job and a paycheck and be thankful for the good things in your life. Then put some energy in your step, a big smile on your face and conduct yourself with gratitude. You will generate a positive aura around you and you will discover a new found self-respect.

Dick

Why You Care That Spain's Jobless Rate Just Hit 21.5%

2011-10-30T15:28:00.000-07:00

As Europe fights to avoid a financial collapse in Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain, on Friday, Spain, one of Europe's biggest economies announced its jobless rate hit 21.5% and it is rising. How bad is this? At the peak of the Great Depression in the 1930's, the U.S. jobless rate hit 25%.

Yet Europe and bond investors are telling Spain they must slash more of their expenses by laying off public sector employees, cutting the wages and benefits of the remaining public sector employees and capping the retirement income for Spain's fixed income retirees. As the jobless toll mounts, Spain is loath to cut jobless benefits and job retraining, yet that may be necessary to get a European bailout if one ever happens. What will become of Spain's needy, including their children, who knows? Meanwhile Spain's economy continues to crumble.

Why do you care? Because some U.S. and European financial institutions likely have substantial financial exposure there. If Spain can no longer pay the interest on its debts, those financial institutions may demand bailouts from their governments, meaning from taxpayers. If they don't get those bailouts and some of your money is in those financial institutions, you could lose some of that money. But it also shows you the European bailouts are unlikely to succeed despite European government assurances in the media, which send stock prices skyrocketing upward. We offer our compassion to our Spanish brethren in their suffering and hopefully we will also offer a helping hand.

Dick
To learn more about Spain's financial crisis, please see, "Benefits Run Out for Spain's Jobless," The Wall Street Journal, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204505304577003864242042958.html

U.S. Plans To Add Thousands Of Middle East Troops

2011-10-30T14:57:00.000-07:00

After nearly 9 years of U.S. war and occupation of Iraq, a war supposedly winding down, the U.S. military is planning to place thousands of troops just south of Iraq, in Kuwait. There is no word on how many U.S. soldiers would be located in Kuwait nor how many U.S. "contractors" will remain in Iraq, nor how many "contractors" will be deployed to Kuwait, nor is there word about how the U.S. will pay these massive expenses..

To read more about this, please see "U.S. Planning Troop Buildup in Gulf after Exit from Iraq," the New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/30/world/middleeast/united-states-plans-post-iraq-troop-increase-in-persian-gulf.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2

"With an eye on the threat of a belligerent Iran, the administration is also seeking to expand military ties with the six nations in the Gulf Cooperation Council — Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. While the United States has close bilateral military relationships with each, the administration and the military are trying to foster a new 'security architecture' for the Persian Gulf that would integrate air and naval patrols and missile defense." So dear reader, brace yourself for a much bigger U.S. military presence in the region.

In Bahrain earlier this year when the people tried to peacefully overthrow their government and replace it with a democracy, the U.S. quietly helped to put down the demonstrations. Financial considerations aside, Bahrain plays too important a military role for the U.S. to allow the people to bring in a government other than one acceptable to the U.S. military.

Dick

Dick

"Replacing the God of War with the God of Peace"

2011-10-28T12:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Reader, What follows is a deeply insightful piece published by my friend Kathleen Jacoby that I think will move you as it did me:

Replacing the God of War with the God of Peace by Kathleen Jacoby

Crime and Punishment in America is based on the God of War concept – and it leads to the same recidivism over and over again, just as the middle east is engaged in the same eye for the eye engagement because they are wedded to the God of War. What does this mean, the God of War? It is the old testament judgmental deity who elevates one group over another and inflames them to war against all that defile its identity or grip of power. This is a relentless “god” who never rests until vengeance is extracted.

And the problem is that this God is viewed from several different perspectives- each claiming to be the only true inheritor of its divine stamp of approval. Yet there is no pleasing this god. Its lust for revenge is legendary. All one need do is read the bible or other religious texts. A never ending fear based loyalty is demanded and extracted. The penalty for disloyalty is death – often through torture.

When one strips away the indoctrinated level of fear, one has to ask – “how could this god have created the universe?” And the answer is…it did not. This is a subservient god to the Ego based identity of the tribal hierarchy. There can only be one king, one dominant figure, and the rest is subservient to that figure who rules by force and innuendo. Instilling fear and holding ruthless justice over one’s head can hold a tribe together – but it leads to resentment, bitterness, disregard for life, and it stifles the true potential inherent in all humans – the divine gift of creativity, love, and compassion.

As long as we worship at the feet of the God of War, the earth will continue to go through the ravages we see of one group against another “in the name of God, Allah, Justice” As long as we allow this patriarchal view of god to lead the way, our road is filled with slings and arrows, because that is the only way this god controls.

As we move into a new millennium, we move into a new vibration – and the possibility is to depose this warrior deity and replace it with the force of life, light, and forgiveness. This is the creator God that Jesus spoke of…the one who asks us to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies as ourselves, to forgive them - for they know not what they do. This is the Creator that Gandhi exhibited in his non-violent protests against the British.

This God seeds life abundantly. This is the verdant green God that brings the lilies of the field and the rich forests and meadows. This is the God that clothes and feeds the earth in light and love. This is the One who holds us in the palm of hand and comforts us in times of trouble. This is a compassionate God – the only one who could forge creation into the living beauty it is. And until we claim and acclaim this Creator God, we will continue to extract an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth until the world is littered with the corpses of an insatiable war god who knows no peace.
From Seasons of the Soul print edition, Autumn 2006 http://www.kathleenjacoby.blogs.com/

Why The New European Bailout Will Fail

2011-10-28T11:34:00.000-07:00

After the dramatic new European bailout announcement, and despite few specifics, stock markets skyrocketed. But they are in for an ugly awakening. Europe will beg China for money, but their financial problems are so great, even China joining Germany can't solve them. Yet there is a far greater problem:

The economies of Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain are in a vicious tailspin and as they sink, their money needs soar. Yet to comply with the loan covenants, far more public sector people will be laid off, wages will be cut, retiree pensions will be slashed and taxes will rise. This will kill any potential economic recovery as it impacts the private sector as well. Already in Athens for example 40% of their youth are unemployed, one in four storefronts are vacant and over 100,000 people have repeatedly protested on the streets, while their strikes have shut down the country, including tourism, a vital part of the Greek economy. There are already calls to get rid of the Socialist government that just agreed to these bailout terms.

European unemployment rolls, home foreclosures and credit card defaults will soar and home values will fall. European governments are trying desperately to convince their citizens the severe economic problems are being solved as they Band-Aid them. Brace yourself for tough times, for their problems will have global impact, and please willingly help others as together we will eventually triumph over the world economic collapse.

Dick
For more information, please see "No Bounce for Greek Spirits," The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203554104577001773720092842.html

The Global 5 Year Financial Flatline Has Begun

2011-10-25T10:31:00.000-07:00

In 2008-09 this meltdown began with the huge unaffordable government bailouts and stimulus, which were done to avoid a global economic crash and supposedly to reestablish global prosperity. They succeeded in avoiding that crash by bailing out the giant banks and corporations and their investors, but there was no bailout for the public, which was left to flounder in joblessness, home foreclosures, mortgage and credit card debt, medical bills, layoffs of teachers, police and firefighters and a huge tax burden for all of the bailouts and stimulus. And governments did not solve the underlying problems of unregulated corporate greed and massive fraud that caused the near crash, nor have they reestablished prosperity for anyone but the giant banks and corporations and the wealthiest people. Now as the cost of the bailouts, stimulus and unsolved bank problems are overwhelming those governments, they are creating Band-Aids to postpone the inevitable economic crash to come, for a few more years if possible.

So what actions are they taking? Picture it this way: A long fleet of Rolls Royce limousines take exquisitely dressed politicians from the U.S., Britain, Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Greece to a Ritz Carlton where they are staying. Waiting to meet with them are China, South Korea, Germany, Switzerland and OPEC. After the limos arrive, everyone sits down together.

"We're here to borrow vast sums of money," says the U.S. "For how else could we continue to enjoy our high standard of living?" "Do you have collateral," asks China. "We have something better than collateral," boasts the U.S. "We have IOUs." "We already have a Mt. Everest sized bundle of IOUs from you all," China angrily replies. "And you are all already struggling to make the interest payments on those IOU's. What else can you offer?" "Something you are going to love," answers the U.S. "We and the European nations will guarantee each others debts." At that point Germany momentarily chokes and then composes itself.

"If you are already struggling to make the interest payments now on your current debts," Germany asks, "How will you make even bigger payments on new loans?" At that point, all the debtor nations look at each other quizzically, unable to answer. Then the U.S. spoke up. "I'm America," it said, barely able to control its aggression. "I have long had the highest standard of living in the world and I will continue to have it!" "It's a shame," whispered Switzerland to the other surplus nations. "They used to be by far the richest nation in the world. Now like a giant con man they are trying to pass and print bad paper to maintain their lifestyle."

This is the stage we are now in and as has happened many times in history, we will have an economic crash. Out of the ashes will hopefully rise a better financial system but in any case, it will be up to us as brethren to help one another through this difficult time.

Dick

Did The U.S. Liberate Or Destory Iraq?

2011-10-24T10:35:00.000-07:00

The U.S. War in Iraq ended Saddam's ruthless dictatorship. But hundreds of thousands of Iraqi men, women and children have been killed or maimed and thousands more children have been orphaned. 2 1/2 million Iraqis have fled their nation, a nation so war torn, pictures of Baghdad, Fallujah and other major Iraq cities are seldom shown in the media. The government is largely dysfunctional and corrupt and Iraq is arguably no longer a viable nation.

How bad is it? Baghdad has electricity just 3 or 4 hours a day, meaning businesses are severely limited and there is little computer or television use, little air conditioning in 110 degree seasonal temperatures and no clean water or sewage treatment. Among those who have fled Iraq are doctors, nurses, lawyers, professors, teachers and businesspeople, the core of any advanced society and medical care, education and business opportunities are in short supply. Unemployment is nearly 50%, twice that of the U.S. during the Great Depression of the 1930's. Meanwhile as the Iraqi people suffer, the U.S. built and maintains its Green Zone, a tightly secured city within a city in which all services are readily available to those allowed to enter and where the Iraq government resides.

As for security, military and police protection are unreliable and explosions and gunfire, death and destruction are every day occurrences as families bury their loved ones. So assuming all the U.S. soldiers and U.S. "contractors" actually leave Iraq, you will understand why the Iraqis don't celebrate the nearly nine year U.S. war and military occupation as well as why some Iraqis harbor deep bitterness for America. This is the U.S. legacy in Iraq after paying so high a price in dollars yet a price that pales in comparison to the one paid by America's soldiers and their families, and America's allied soldiers and their families.

Dick

The U.S. War On Drugs Grows Worse

2011-10-23T12:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Reader, my son Kyle, a successful businessman and former police officer has provided an insightful look at the U.S. government's latest drug war actions in California, the nation's biggest state. These actions are being taken at a time when the U.S. government is sinking in its own insolvency and California is struggling to pay its bills.

Dad, I admire you for speaking out against insane policy (the wars) which are killing and maiming people every day. Even though I want to end another failed policy (the drug war), citizens of this state (which includes those owed entitlements from CA taxpayers) and nation will get what they deserve when we go bankrupt. Sadly at that point, it will be fighting for scraps.

American Real politic below:

SFBG › Politics Blog ›

Why are Harris, Newsom, and other pols silent on the federal pot crackdown?

10.12.11 - 3:19 pm | Steven T. Jones |

Why has Kamala Harris said nothing about her buddy Barack Obama's crackdown on California's marijuana industry?

kamalaharris.org

As I worked on this week's story about the federal crackdown on California's marijuana industry, I tried to get a statement from California Attorney General Kamala Harris. After all, it's her job to defend California's medical marijuana laws, which she was fairly supportive of as our district attorney. And she was an early Barack Obama backer who could probably get him or U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder on the phone to say, “What the hell are you guys doing? Please, for your own sake and California's, just back off.”

After all, as I reported, this multi-agency federal crackdown could destroy a thriving industry that is pumping billions of dollars into California's economy and employing tens of thousands of people – at a cost of many millions of dollars in enforcement costs to simply destroy the state's top cash crop, ruin the lives of people working in the industry, and strain our already overtaxed court and prison systems.

“It's a policy with no upsides and all downsides,” Steve DeAngelo of Harborside Health Center correctly told me.

But when I finally got Harris' Press Secretary Lynda Gledhill on the phone, she said Harris had nothing to say on the issue. “Nothing?” I asked, “Really?” What about off-the-record, I asked, how does she feel about it and might she make some statement in the future. Again, nothing to say, no comment.

So I tried Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, another San Franciscan who as mayor helped oversee the creation of the city's widely lauded system for regulating the dispensaries, which by all accounts has made it a legitimate and thriving member of the business community. Given Newsom's current obession with job creation and how hungry he's been for attention, surely he'd have something to say in defense of the good jobs that this sustainable industry has created in California. Again, nothing. I haven't even gotten a call back yet from his press secretary, Francisco Castillo.

Also, no public statements have been issued by Mayor Ed Lee, David Chiu, or the other mayoral candidates who have put “jobs” at the center of their agendas – or from the SF Chamber of Commerce or other business groups that regularly deride bad government actions as “job killers – despite this move by the Obama Administration to destroy an important industry in California.

The only major politician from San Francisco to come out strongly against the federal crackdown was Assemblymember Tom Ammiano, author of measures to legalize and tax marijuana, who put out the following statement: “I am bitterly disappointed in the Obama Administration for this unwarranted and destructive attack on medical marijuana and patients’ rights to medicine. Today’s announcement by the Department of Justice means that Obama’s medical marijuana policies are worse than Bush and Clinton. It’s a tragic return to failed policies that will cost the state millions in tax revenue and harm countless lives. 16 states along with the District of Columbia have passed medical marijuana laws - whatever happened to the promises he made on the campaign trail to not prosecute medical marijuana or the 2009 DOJ memo saying that states with medical marijuana laws would not be prosecuted? Change we can believe in? Instead we get more of the same.”

But from most of the politicians who claim to support both jobs and the right of patients to access medical marijuana, we also get more of the same. They pander to people's economic insecurities in order to give corporations and wealthy what they want – tax cuts, deregulation, union-busting, corporate welfare -- but aren't willing to risk any political capital defending the rest of us.

Wal-Mart Cuts Medical Care Coverage

2011-10-21T09:32:00.000-07:00

Working class America, already deeply in debt and struggling to survive in a bad economy just got worse news. Wal-Mart, the U.S.'s largest corporate employer with 1.4 million employees is slashing or eliminating medical coverage for new part-time employees and setting much higher deductibles and higher charges for many other employees and their families.

The reason they are doing this Wal-Mart explained is health care costs keep rising and Wal-Mart competes with firms that offer little or no such coverage. But this isn't just about Wal-Mart, it's about other employers as well who will follow Wal-Mart's lead to eliminate or cut their employee medical coverage as times grow harder. The New York Times reported this story and to learn more please see: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/21/business/wal-mart-cuts-some-health-care-benefits.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha25

"Barbara Collins, a sales associate at the Wal-Mart in Placerville, Calif., said that the premiums for the H.M.O. plan for herself and her 5-year-old son would rise to $18 every two weeks from $10. Her big concern, she said, was that her deductible would jump to $5,000 a year, from $1,000 — a daunting amount considering she earns $19,000 a year. 'I don’t know how I’ll be able to afford it if I go to a doctor or to physical therapy,' she said." Nor do many other Americans including the 50 million of them that have no health care coverage at all. It is no wonder the U.S. economy is sinking.

Dick

America: You Are Better Than This!

2011-10-21T08:51:00.000-07:00

America commonly uses lethal force, the U.S. Constitution, the Geneva Convention and the U. N. Charter be damned. Bomb in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Libya and elsewhere in the Middle East and Africa, no problem.

Create and disperse "Kill/Capture" squads such as the one that murdered Osama bin Laden. No problem. Use a drone strike to kill a U.S. born Yemen based cleric and then kill his teenage son and his friends the same way, no problem. Support the killing of Moamar Kadafi, no problem. If innocent men, women and children are killed by drones in pursuit of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, no problem, they're just ancillary damage. To indefinitely occupy Iraq and Afghanistan, using lethal force to enforce U.S. control, no problem. Spread the "War on Terror" to 4 more Central African nations last week, using drones and "Kill/Capture" squads, no problem.

Create a secret U.S. government death panel that can authorize the killing of Americans anyplace at any time, no problem. http://www.december212012.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=12383. What has America become? We respect no rule of law, we unleash our military, our "contractors," and our C.I.A. to kill, torture and secretly imprison anyone we choose. This is not the America of 10 years ago that made us proud, nor the America most of the world used to admire. It has become an imperialistic brutal monster that operates by its own rules and will attack as it chooses, in the process of seizing and controlling the resources of others.

Dick

A European Paradox That Will Impact You

2011-10-20T10:17:00.000-07:00

Greece and other financially troubled European nations are overwhelmed by their debts. That is why other European nations and the International Monetary Fund may come to their rescue. But to rescue them would require lending them far more money. But if they can't pay their current debts, how will loaning them more money rescue them?

The supposed answer is to have these troubled nations slash their overhead to pay their old and new debts. But if they do, it will collapse their economies. If their economies collapse, where will they get the money to pay any of their debts? The only real answer is for those who loaned them money to forgive much of the current debt. But this would mean the giant banks, hedge funds, mutual funds and insurance companies that loaned that money would have to take massive write offs, write offs most of them can't afford to take.

This means they will appeal to their governments for huge bailouts, bailouts the taxpayers of those countries can't afford. This will impact you as a taxpayer and may impact your savings if some of your money was invested in those troubled nations to get a higher rate of return. Your job may be impacted as well as write offs are taken and European economies shrink. As they shrink so will other economies also shrink. It is a vicious circle that will impact us all and hopefully encourage us to work together to solve the enormity of our problems.

Dick

How You Can Accurately Forecast The Financial Future

2011-10-19T10:11:00.000-07:00

Since 2007 when we published "How To Protect Yourself From The Coming Financial Crisis," when the U.S. and global economies appeared to be booming, we have kept making scary but accurate predictions. As the economic reality from these predictions will have a powerful effect on you, I would like to offer you some of the tools I use so you can do this for yourself:

1) Take a critical look at what any government tells you. The government may make a huge splash on television, radio, print and online journalism but it doesn't make their words true. For example, since the 2008-09 financial meltdown, the U.S. government and the media have heavily promoted the "economic recovery." But there is no recovery, the economy is actually crumbling. Their hope was to reassure consumers so they would spend again. But consumers are scared and most are spending only on necessities.

2) Selectively read. The New York Times today published, "Goldman Loss Offers a Bad Omen for Wall Street," which tells us this top global financial power broker lost money last quarter for only the 2nd time since 1999. The reasons Goldman lost money and why other "too big to fail" financial institutions, despite paying huge executive bonuses and shareholder dividends are actually struggling will tell you a great deal about what is likely to come. http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/10/18/goldman-loss-offers-a-bad-omen-for-wall-street/?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2

3) Think carefully. The Wall Street Journal Friday published, "Bleak News for Americans' Income," in which pay fell 7% in the last 10 years, after being adjusted for inflation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This is the worst result since the Bureau began keeping these records in 1967. If real U.S. household income is falling, what do you think will be the impact on the U.S. Economy? What do you think will be the impact on real estate values, jobs, salaries for new college graduates and on tax revenues that support all levels of government? http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204774604576628981208827422.html

4) Analyze. The Wall Street Journal Friday published "Widening U.S. - China Trade Gap Fuels Currency Battle." In August the U.S. trade deficit with China set a new record. How did this happen? And will it keep happening? As U.S. corporations continue to shift production (and jobs) to China the answers become obvious. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203914304576628702220717090.html

5) Think beyond your own borders. European economies are supposedly going to bail one-another out but Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain, as well as Great Britain are insolvent. Is the magnitude of their problems so great, even rich countries like Germany can't save them? And if so, how will they bail themselves out? And what will be the impact of their collapse on your economy? To learn more please see "Ratings Firm Warns on French Debt," and "Spain Hit by Downgrade, Falling Home Prices" from The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204346104576638411453105984.html, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204346104576638473880156108.html and "UK inflation rate surges above 5%," The Financial Times http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/ba3755d6-f96a-11e0-bf8f-00144feab49a.html#axzz1bFRJicDE

If you will take these 5 simple steps, it will amaze you, your family and friends how often you accurately predict the financial events to come. And by doing that you can also take steps to protect yourself and to advise others how to protect themselves as well.

Dick
Note: If you can't afford these publications, please visit them online or visit your local library.

Is The "War on Terror" Really About Ego, Power and Profit?

2011-10-18T15:50:00.000-07:00

As the U.S. aggressively expands its "War on Terror," killing and maiming ever more men, women and children, the government no longer makes a serious effort to tell the American people why. Instead it encourages the media to show 9/11 film to scare Americans, while politicians speak of being "tough on terrorism" without discussing all the wars America is now in and their cost in lives and dollars. Why?

Because this War on Terror is a financial bonanza for the military industrial complex, including Haliburton, Blackwater and several hundred other firms. It is as if 9/11 allowed them to win a multi-trillion dollar lottery. And don't overlook Wall Street which helps the government borrow ever increasing amounts of money to fund the skyrocketing but never discussed costs of these wars. In fact there is never any intelligent discussion or debate on the subject of the War on Terror.

But if you are a U.S. President, you command weapons, soldiers, "contractors," jet fighters, drones, tanks, ships and weapons of mass destruction in some respects far beyond anything the world had ever seen. And you're no longer encumbered by Constitutional limitations, nor the Geneva Convention or the U.N. Charter, as you would have been before 9/11. The President is answerable to no-one except the military industrial complex which keeps him in power.

Dick

"I Don't Want To Sell At A Loss"

2011-10-18T09:20:00.000-07:00

In the U.S. and in much of the world, housing prices keep falling. But in some cases, when owners would be best off selling, they don't for fear of losing money, even though they still have equity in their homes. The following is a New York area example of a common dilemma:

"I don't want to sell at a loss," said a woman in her early 80's. But it turns out she bought this 2nd home many years ago for $275,000 and five years ago, the home was worth $700,000. Now it's worth $450,000 its price continuing to sink. But she won't sell at today's price even though it costs her $3,000 a month in overhead to own this home, which she no longer uses, because she wants the profit that existed five years ago, an emotionally driven bad decision.

By contrast, in the Los Angeles area, a home that sold for $700,000 five years ago, recently sold as a foreclosure or short sale to investors for $355,000. Those investors put an estimated $20,000 to $30,000 to improve and beautify the home and as of last week have it for sale for $495,000. They can make money even if they must under price other comparable homes for sale in the area. Sadly, this approach will become common once the lenders finally sell off their vast mountain of foreclosures and foreclosures to be, as the U.S. economy continues to crumble. But it is also the vehicle to put foreclosed homes back on the tax rolls so local governments can get tax revenue to help pay for schools, police and firefighters, while also improving neighborhood appearances as unmaintained homes often become eye sores.

These are examples of the U.S. housing market today. If you need to sell, consult with a local real estate professional, but get your home sold before prices drop further. If you want to buy but can wait, don't be in a hurry. Given the terrible job market and all the foreclosures, with more to come, prices are falling in most areas and if you are patient, you are likely to make a better buy.

Dick
Note: Thank you to my Uncle Gene Kazan for sharing these two examples with me.

A Thank You To The Bank of America

2011-10-17T14:36:00.000-07:00

Recently the Bank of America, the U.S.'s biggest bank announced a new $5 a month debit card fee and set off an explosion of anger among already overwhelmed U.S. consumers. But the B of A actually did consumers a favor.

What their ill-timed action did was to tell their customers and prospective customers they should shop elsewhere for a banking relationship. Some small banks and credit unions would welcome this business and not charge this fee nor other fees that may soon come. So please don't get angry but instead see it as an opportunity to explore building banking relationships elsewhere where your business is appreciated.

Dick
For more information please see http://bankloansandrates.com/2011/10/17/oh-bank-of-america-we-never-knew-ye/

Why The U.S. Is Spreading Its Wars Deeper Into Africa.

2011-10-15T12:11:00.000-07:00

The U.S. government is spreading its Central African Somalian War into Uganda, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to South Sudan, the latter nation being one the U.S. military ignored while widespread genocide was being committed in Darfur. President Obama issued a brief letter to Congress saying U.S. involvement will be minimal and is triggered in response to a bloodthirsty militia. There was no discussion about any attempt to settle this dispute nonviolently.

The President's letter said nothing about what price those nations will pay for U.S. military support or whether the U.S. plans to ever withdraw its troops and if so, when. What is clear is these nations have plentiful natural resources that could be freely plundered by giant U.S. companies, as those resources are secured by the U.S. military and its "contractors," in what the U.S. calls the "free market."

The President said the U.S. would only send "about 100" soldiers. 100 U.S. soldiers could not even secure South Central Los Angeles, let alone the thousands of miles comprising these nations. So how many more U.S. troops and "contractors" will also be sent has not been disclosed, nor how the U.S. government will pay for them. Nor was it disclosed what happens if this latest undeclared war spreads far beyond those borders as often happens, nor what happens to all the men, women and children who are in the line of fire.

Simply said, this and the other U.S. wars are about building a U.S. empire on behalf of the corporate giants whose campaign contributions fund U.S. elections and the politicians who quietly put the war bills on the U.S. government credit card, one the U.S. taxpayer can no longer afford.

Dick
Thank you for my son Kevin for sharing the inital information with me.
For more information, please see "U.S. to Pursue African Rebels," The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204774604576631223688817698.html

An Historic American Revolution Has Begun

2011-10-14T11:37:00.000-07:00

Americans are sick of having no voice in their government, angry at the crumbling economy, the home foreclosures, the lack of jobs, the gutting of schools, and the slashing of other vital services people desperately need such as medical care and Social Security. It's something the bailed out financial institutions, corporate CEO's, and the lobbyists and politicians who serve them still haven't grasped. Nor has the U.S. media which provides endless political sound bites.

Meanwhile the American Middle Class income, adjusted for inflation has slipped to 1970's levels while giant company CEO's are making record salaries and shifting evermore jobs overseas. And the U.S. spreads its "War on Terror" everywhere, no longer even bothering to justify it as its Military Industrial Complex receives a financial bonanza.

Americans know they are being had. Occupy Wall Street brought thousands of people to the streets of New York City and thousands more have taken to the streets across the U.S. and now it is spreading across the globe.* Rather than arrest those on Wall Street responsible for pillaging the nation's assets however, police are instead cracking down on the peaceful protesters. But in fits and starts and led by the young, by the vast number of unemployed and by those whose unions are being crushed Americans are beginning to take to the streets. As the U.S. and other economies grow worse, there will more protests, more demands for change and even louder demands that politicians become answerable to the people.

Dick
Note: Thank you to my friend Mary Ellen who encouraged me to publish this piece. Also, please note that an excellent case could be made that this revolution began in Greece with that nation's vast protests and in the Middle East as the people in several countries are trying to peacefully overthrow their governments.

* To learn more, please see "Buoyed by Wall Street Protests, Rallies Sweep the Globe," New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/16/world/occupy-wall-street-protests-worldwide.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha22

How Does One Win A "War On Terror?"

2011-10-13T12:13:00.000-07:00

The "War on Terror" has killed hundreds of thousands of men, women and children, maimed millions more people including children, orphaned more children while destroying economies and even basic living standards in Iraq. It has cost U.S. taxpayers trillions of dollars and it is threatening to destroy the U.S. economy and its Republic. So what is a "War on Terror" and how does a nation "win" it?

10 years ago, 5 days after 9/11, President Bush declared the U.S.'s "War on Terror." He didn't define it. But whatever it is, it continues and Congress funds it, although Congress never declared war as is mandatory under the U.S. Constitution. It has led the U.S. to torture and to the creation and rampant spread of numerous U.S. "Kill/Capture" squads, secret killing units dispersed any where the U.S. president authorizes, using "emergency" war powers justified by this war, regardless of the Geneva Convention and the United Nations Charter.

It has also led to using vast numbers of military "contractors" for the first time in U.S. history, which are mercenaries paid premium rates to fight for the U.S. and with little disclosure to the American people. It has led to a suspension of Constitutional Rights whenever presidential zeal secretly dictates. The U.S. government's widespread censorship, including declaring much of its actions "Top Secret" in violation of the 1st Amendment and illegal search and seizures in violation of the 4th Amendment are examples. Now the British news agency Reuters reports there is a secret U.S. death panel that can authorize the killing of U.S. citizens, anywhere, any time.* How did we as a nation ever sink to this?

U.S. military spending has doubled since 2001 and the nation's debt has nearly tripled, while leaders of both political parties propose raising military spending while slashing "entitlements," including Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, education and police and fire protection. So how does one "win" a "War on Terror." Americans need to know before they lose everything they have worked so hard for in a fiery Hell of endless war.

Dick
* http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/05/us-cia-killlist-idUSTRE79475C20111005

What Does It Mean To "Win" A War?

2011-10-10T12:01:00.000-07:00

This is a vital question because the U.S. is fighting wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and "covert" wars in Somalia and Yemen and likely elsewhere and its War on Drugs is immersing Mexico, Columbia and Brazil in bloodshed.

World War 1, "the war to end all wars" killed much of an entire generation of European men. And its devastating aftermath led to World War 2 just 20 years later, a Holocaust not only for Jews but for many millions of men, women and children. Within 2 years of that war ending in 1945, came widespread calls to attack the Soviet Union and its Eastern European allies, leading to a Cold War that on several occasions took mankind to the brink of nuclear disaster that could have destroyed the planet.

Meanwhile, the U.S. and its allies fought the Korean War (1950 - 53) largely against China, and then the Vietnam War (1964 - 75), both wars killing millions of men, women and children. Then the U.S. fought smaller wars followed by the Gulf War in Iraq (1991) and a Serbian War later in the decade. All of these wars were but preludes to the current ones that in Iraq and Afghanistan are endless brutal military occupations.

So what does "winning a war" mean? And what price in lives and in devastated survivors, and in orphanages, cities left in ruin, people fleeing their homes and nations, and in religious sacrilege and money must be paid for whatever constitutes a victory? How many more people must be without jobs and medical care and in some cases left homeless to justify a "win?" And how does war make anyone safer?

It's also as my friend Mary Ellen says, "The only thing we know for sure that has happened are the number of funerals of loved ones, wrecked marriages from mentally ill soldiers returning from their experiences, children growing up without parents who died going overseas, young brides caring for maimed soldiers who were returned to their waiting arms- young brides who have their entire life dreams of a full life with their beloved dashed to smithereens."

And incidentally, how does war "defend" a democracy? Despite all the wars and more military spending than all the other nations of the world combined, in the U.S. lobbyists have seized the democracy on behalf of their clients and most Americans have no voice in their government. Those lobbyists did it without firing a shot.

Dick

The Unending Disgrace Of The U.S. Afghan And Iraq Wars

2011-10-08T12:35:00.000-07:00

On this day of Yom Kippur, "Day of Atonement," one of the holiest of Jewish holidays, as a Jewish man, I apologize to the Iraqi and Afghan and Pakistani men, women and children for the role my U.S. tax dollars have played in the vast Hell of death and destruction wrought upon your nations.

Throughout the Afghan War, the killing of Osama bin Laden Americans were told by their government was supposed to be the key to destroying Al Qaeda and their Taliban allies. Bin Laden was killed over 5 months ago (5/2/11) and the War continues as before. General John Allen, is the 4^th Commander of the Afghan War since Mr. Obama’s Presidency began in January, 2009, which is indicative of how bad that War is going. About three weeks ago in Kabul, the Taliban attacked the U.S. Embassy, NATO headquarters and the Afghan Police Headquarters and it took 20 hours to repel them. That sent the message to Afghans and the world that after 10 years of U.S. War, no place in Afghanistan is safe from the Taliban.

Yesterday, on the 10^th anniversary of the Afghan War, President Obama quietly issued a paper statement on that War, one filled with omissions and falsehoods. Attached is that statement for all to see: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/10/obama-we-are-ending-afghanistan-war-responsibly/1?csp=34news Why didn’t the President hold a national news conference on Afghanistan and answer questions about the U.S.’s objectives, time frames and projected expenses there? Where was any reference to U.S. “contractors?” Where was any reference to “Operation Enduring Freedom,” as President Bush termed the Afghan War. Is this War still supposedly for the freedom of the Afghan people? What do the Afghan people get for all the death and maiming of their men, women and children and the orphaning of many more of their children? What affect has the Afghan War had on the U.S. Drug War? Where is there any exploration of ideas and results with the American people from the President and Congress who authorize and fund this War all on the U.S. taxpayer credit card? Instead, the Presidential statement was sneaked out, much as the bodies of the dead U.S. soldiers from Afghanistan and Iraq are sneaked in. What a disgrace!

Dick

What Has Happened Since The U.S. Killed Osama bin Laden?

2011-10-07T09:53:00.000-07:00

On May 2, 2011 in Pakistan, the U.S. killed Osama bin Laden, in a war the U.S. launched 10 years ago today. With great fanfare, President Obama proudly proclaimed this killing in a speech to the American people. But what has happened since then? What difference did it make?

None! This endless war and occupation continues as does the killing and maiming of men, women and children, as President Obama with funding from Congress escalates the violence. Nearly 1,700 U.S. soldiers have been killed, at least 12,000 soldiers have been severely injured, all with devastating impact on their families. The families of U.S. "contractors" and allies in smaller numbers are also bearing the loss of their loved ones. While tens of thousands of Afghans have been killed or severely injured and thousands of Afghan children have been orphaned. And for what?

The financial cost of the Afghan War to Americans is approaching a $1/2 trillion and that doesn't count the financial cost U.S. taxpayers will bear for decades to come taking care of the severely injured and establishing programs for those who will otherwise homelessly wander the streets. All of these people could otherwise have had productive lives.

What will it take for the U.S. to end this war and occupation it launched 10 years ago? How much longer does the U.S. intend to fight in and occupy Afghanistan? What are the U.S.'s objectives there? And what are the consequences to U.S. safety when some Afghan families seek revenge for the horrific losses the U.S. has caused them?

Dick

The European Financial Death Spiral Grows And It Will Impact YOU

2011-10-06T12:06:00.000-07:00

This is a death spiral with no way out. From a real estate bust that began in the U.S., the European economies are now crumbling in stages as we predicted 1 1/2 years ago. Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain are insolvent and so are the U.S. and England. Soon after, the strong economy of Germany will fall and so will the economies of China, Japan, South Korea. Not only will nations have trouble paying their bills, so too will companies as they default on their obligations, causing other unpaid companies to default.

Take Greece for example. To get another bailout, the government is to lay off 30,000 people, raise taxes and slash other overhead such as retirement benefits including to those senior citizens already collecting them, all to raise money to pay its creditors, such as giant banks. What do you think will happen to Greece as unemployment mounts and spending is slashed? Their economy will tank. Panicked creditors will demand even tighter budgets that will never materialize as Greek citizens replace their government and possibly withdraw from the Euro. Yesterday, Greek workers held a nationwide strike shutting down the country. The next such strike is scheduled for October 19th.

The spreading contagion will hit banks, mutual funds and other big financial organizations which will have to take huge write offs. Some will even seek new government bailouts, U.S. banks among them. But the situation will quickly grow worse as more European nations go bust. Please, if you haven't yet done so, slash your overhead, cross train to protect your job and develop your marketable skills. We are in for a financial tsunami of epic proportions.

Dick
To learn more, please see http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/05/business/global/europe-finds-slope-ahead-is-growing-ever-steeper.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2 and http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203388804576612261343333114.html

The Fall Of A Great Nation

2011-10-06T11:19:00.000-07:00

Dear Reader, I would like to share with you my reply to my friend Ben Haney who said I was harsh on President Bush about the wars and about the economy but have been far less critical of President Obama:

I view President Obama much as I did President Bush, both guilty of extensive illegal actions and wish one would be impeached and the other who is out of office be indicted. But I’ve come to understand it doesn’t matter who is elected President or who serves in Congress, the system is bought and sold. Until the people take to the streets, this won’t change, up to the time we go bankrupt. It is my hope that the Occupy Wall Street movement or another movement becomes widespread and continuous, involving Americans across the nation in huge numbers to take constructive, non-violent action to seize control of their government and restore the Republic it was.

As for the wars, I take to the streets EVERY Wednesday and nearly every Friday and host http://www.candlelightvigils.blogspot.com/ and http://peacedemonstratins.blogspot.com/ in an attempt to fire up people. I’ve also written letters to the editor of the Daily Breeze to reach thousands more. But the combination of no military draft, widespread U.S. government censorship on news coverage and people scared about the economy, keeps them honking horns of support but not getting involved. Ironically, if they got involved in large numbers they could stop these wars.

It breaks my heart to see this nation, once the greatest nation in the world, fall apart. But it is falling apart and for now my solutions fall on deaf ears. But it won’t stop me from fighting the fight because humanity is worth it and I refuse to sit in silence while American drones and “Kill/Capture” squads conduct widespread murder in the name of peace. I refuse to be silent while America borrows and prints money to the point of insolvency to support the military industrial complex by building endless numbers weapons of mass destruction, fighter jets it doesn’t use, drones, tanks, ships and other weapons, all to employ people in U.S. based manufacturing and all at taxpayer expense.

I refuse to be silent while America’s soldiers and their families pay an enormous price. Soldiers are killed and maimed and their families bear the brunt, invisible to the U.S. public because the government doesn’t want to show the human price of war, not even the price paid by those who answered the call to arms issued by U.S. politicians, few of whom would ever send their own families to fight. I refuse to be silent while the military industrial complex provides hundreds of thousands of “contractors” all at taxpayer expense, while making huge profits for themselves as additional blood money to that they already make on weapons. The number of contractors is unknown to the American public for as usual with everything surrounding the military, it’s a secret and the U.S. news media doesn’t pursue it.

I refuse to be silent as the U.S. elite builds an American Empire, occupying or fighting in countries at will, despite it being illegal under the U.S. Constitution, the Geneva Convention and the United Nations Charter. And I refuse to be silent when the many victims of those wars including dead or orphaned children have no voice. I raise my voice for them and encourage others to as well, for we are all brethren and they are your and my extended family. We will all be impacted by the suffering we cause them.

Thank you Ben for your comments and questions.

Dick

To Some Hungry People: An Empty Dinner Plate

2011-10-05T11:09:00.000-07:00

Many houses of worship join with food banks and missions to help feed the hungry. But as the economy is crumbling, the demand for food is growing greater, while there is less food to donate. As part of his Billion Dollar reelection campaign President Obama is crisscrossing the U.S. on Air Force One hosting expensive and lavish private dinners for giant campaign contributors.

Recently, he hosted a private $17,900 a plate dinner here in Los Angeles. Given the mounting hunger in America, may I suggest the President take but 1/10 of 1% of what he is raising, $100,000, and donate it to help feed the hungry, many of them poor and destitute. If that is unacceptable to him, perhaps he could cut back what the taxpayer is spending for him to fly Air Force One to these private dinners and donate that money instead. As an added bonus, the leftover food from those dinners could also be donated.

My intent is not to pick on President Obama. Political big wigs of both parties privately collect campaign contributions from wealthy donors and their lobbyists seeking favors. It's how America's political system operates. But in these hard times growing worse, surely the President and other top officials could part with a small percentage of the money they raise to help others in desperate need.

Dick

You Will Face Many More New Bank Fees

2011-10-05T10:22:00.000-07:00

Many Americans are outraged that the Bank of America, a recipient of multiple multi-billion taxpayer bailouts, will be charging a new $5 monthly fee for the use of debit cards. Other giant bailed out banks such as J.P. Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo will soon do the same. But brace yourself for they will have many more fees coming. Why?

Because most of them, despite big CEO bonuses and generous shareholder dividends are in poor shape. They have huge losses hidden among their Financial Statements for some of them haven't even begun to take the write-offs from foreclosed and soon to be foreclosed real estate holdings for example. It's no wonder Fed Chief Ben Bernanke is nervous and keeping interest rates near zero to savers, some of them retirees living on fixed incomes, so giant banks can make a lofty return on that money.

What is the big bank response? "The free market should decide whether that was a smart move by [Bank of America] or not," said Camden Fine, president of the Independent Community Bankers of America. "The president and politicians should stay out of it." What "free market?" Since the 2008-9 bailouts the giant banks are working together closer than ever. And they didn't hesitate to demand bailouts from the "president and politicians" when it suited their purposes. It is a "free market" only for them and they make big campaign contributions to keep it that way.

Whether you are an American or European, brace yourself for many more new fees, most of them not publicly announced. The combination of European and U.S. defaults and write-offs will trigger a need for them, along with demands for new bailouts. What can you do? Seek out smaller, well managed community banks and financial institutions that value your business and have never needed bailouts.

Dick
To learn more, please see "Partisan Fight Flares Over New Bank Fees," The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203791904576611280523269082.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

The U.S. Economy Continues To Crumble

2011-10-01T15:20:00.000-07:00

It's becoming a slow motion train wreck. U.S. households are increasingly squeezed by rising prices and shrinking incomes. According to the U.S. Commerce Department, disposable income adjusted for inflation fell another 0.3% in August. Wages also dropped as businesses kept laying off employees or slashing their hours.

As a result, Americans saved just 4.5% of their incomes in August vs. 5.6% a year earlier. U.S. family budgets are tight and growing tighter. People are scared and they are not going to go deeper into debt to buy foreign made goods they can't afford. They are using their savings to help pay their bills. If you are an American and haven't been cutting your overhead, please do so now so you don't become overextended. And if you are a foreign investor seeking safety in U.S. government bonds, think again for the government is sinking in its vast and rapidly rising debt.

Dick
To learn more, please see "Americans Tap Savings To Keep Up With Prices," The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204226204576602534216317712.html

"2 Broke Boys"

2011-09-30T09:19:00.000-07:00

CBS has a new show, "2 Broke Girls" a series bout two young waitresses struggling to make it in New York City, one with an advanced degree from one of America's most prestigious business schools. Yet both are termed "girls" and neither can get her life in order, moving from silly situation to silly situation. Using that logic, there should be a show about two young African American men struggling to make it in the big city called, "2 Broke Boys."

Our plot is simple and strictly for laughs. These "boys" are waiters that put up with insults heaped upon them as they blunder from situation to situation. Yet despite one of these "boys" holding an advanced degree from one of America's most prestigious business schools, he is still a "boy," not a man, and apparently not able to secure a job other than as a waiter and neither is able to put his life in order. This could be the funniest sitcom since "Amos 'n' Andy." We can call these young African American men "boys" for that can't be discriminatory or insulting any more than calling adult women "girls" is.

Of course words have meaning and can reinforce stereotypes. MSNBC published a 30 year study that found in 2004, a typical U.S. black family had just 58% of the income of a typical white family. That was down from 63% 30 years earlier. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21759075/ns/business-stocks_and_economy/t/income-gap-between-black-white-families-grows/

Black men are rarely referred to as "boy" any more but suffer from discrimination anyway. Electing a "Black" President didn't change that. African American unemployment is America's highest and for those with jobs, promotions to the top are rare. While women make just 77 cents for every dollar a man makes doing the same job and women are regularly passed over for promotions as well. If we as a society want to end discrimination against African American men and against all women, we must start by recognizing them as the adults they are and giving them the respect they deserve.

Dick
Thank you to my friend Jon Barnes for pointing out the logic in these discriminatory practices.

Will The U.S. Government Create Desperately Needed Jobs?

2011-09-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

Economist John Maynard Keynes (1883 - 1946) had a profound affect on governments by strongly encouraging them to spend heavily to jump start their economies battling Recessions or Depressions. How he would advise the U.S. government given its stunning magnitude of mounting debt I can't say.

But with compassion, I would love to see the U.S. government hire the unemployed en mass not only to let them earn a paycheck to support their families but to rebuild their self-esteem and prime the economy. But unlike the 1930's, the U.S. government is now insolvent. Yet it could use the vast resources it now spends on wars, 1,000 global military bases and on the military industrial complex to build weapons, jet fighters, etc., to instead stimulate the economy by hiring the unemployed.

But the problem is the military industrial complex has been receiving vast stimulus every year since World War ll and to slash its expenses, something the President and Congress don’t have the backbone to do, would require laying off millions of well-paid people who are employed by military sub-contractors, all at taxpayer’s expense. So if that is not an option and it must not be because neither political party discusses it even in our time of economic crisis, then maybe our military industrial complex should hire the 14.5 million unemployed and the 10.5 million underemployed and the unemployed not counted for being out of work too long. That would certainly put America back to work but at what price?

Dick

The Cost To Women Of "2 Broke Girls"

2011-09-27T12:14:00.000-07:00

The new CBS television show "2 Broke Girls" about two waitresses struggling to succeed in New York City is an unfortunate choice of titles, for it reinforces the old stereotype that women are less than men. As my friend Jon Barnes pointed out, if this was a show about two young African-American men trying to make it in the big city, would they call it "2 Broke Boys?" The CBS show that follows "2 Broke Girls" is "Two And A Half Men," where even the boy counts as half a man.

This is an important issue. According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau figures, women earn just 77 cents for every dollar a man is paid to do the same job. But this may seem fitting for she is comparatively a child in the minds of men. In the movies and television, a woman marries or dates a man, a man marries or dates a "girl," not a woman, and who by definition is a child and treated as less than him as an adult.

In the workplace, a man or woman works for a man, not a boy but he or she may on occasion work for a "girl." So not only are women paid less, but promotions over men are scarce. In giant corporations the senior management are almost always men, the "girls" serve as their "executive assistants." To end this discriminatory process, we must rid ourselves of the stereotype of women being girls and extend to them the respect men receive, and along with it, the promotions and the paychecks.

Dick
To learn more about "2 Broke Girls," please see http://www.cbs.com/shows/2_broke_girls/

What Falling Gold Prices Mean To You

2011-09-27T11:03:00.000-07:00

If you are worried about your financial future, the reason gold prices are falling may frighten you. They are falling because European banks anticipating defaults in Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain are selling gold to raise desperately needed cash. While some giant hedge funds are selling to meet bank margin calls on the declining value of their portfolios and some large investors are selling to cover stocks and other parts of their portfolios that are dropping sharply.

Last week global stock markets fell hard. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted 6.4%, its worst week since the markets nearly collapsed in October, 2008. While gold on Friday had its biggest one day drop in five years, losing 5.8% of its value measured in U.S. dollars to close at $1,637.50. For the week, it was down 9.6%, gold's worst performance since 1983.

Global economic leaders are warning of a a financial "Red Zone," but they don't have the tools left to do very much about it. While in South Korea, where the economy has been strong, the government closed seven deeply troubled banks last week. Panicked depositors swarmed those locked branches to angrily demand their money. Their government will reimburse their losses up to 50 million won ($42,900) but some savers will suffer shortfalls and it sets the tone for fearful savers to trigger bank runs on other South Korean banks.

Like the 1929 Market Crash, events are beginning to overwhelm government officials and a global Depression is coming. So if you haven't already done so, please protect yourself. Slash your overhead by paying down your credit cards if you can afford to, sell unnecessary costly items such as an extra car or a boat and cross train at work so you become more valuable to your employer. And to the extent you can, be giving to those in need, for this is how people got through the last Depression in the 1930's and it is how we will endure this one.

Dick
To learn more, please see: "Market Rout Claims New Victim: Investors Dump Gold, Silver to Pay for Losses; All Eyes on IMF This Weekend," The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903703604576589210888153064.html, "Economic Leaders Warn of a 'Red Zone:' Ammunition to Tackle Crisis Largely Spent, Finance Ministers, Central Bankers Face Lack of 'Clear, Coordinated Position,' " The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904563904576588830101878562.html and "Depositors Swarm Korean Thrifts," The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903791504576588453692287010.html

This Is No "Double-Dip" Recession

2011-09-25T09:59:00.000-07:00

What we face is far worse. The global economic system is crumbling and it will take down governments with it. Each of us will be impacted. "Taxing the rich" as the answer to U.S. problems won't happen. Rich and powerful people and their corporations control the government and fund the politicians who only raise it as an answer to get the support of voters who will never see it brought to realization. And it is only a distraction from confronting the real issue, which is the U.S., much of the Euro Zone and Britain are insolvent from their wasteful spending and their generous contracts with and bailouts of giant corporations. And as they fall, they will take Asian and other markets with them.

Is there a more optimistic scenario? Yes but it would take enormous backbone politicians have not shown. The U.S. for example would have to end all its wars, close its 1,000 global military bases and slash its military spending. It would also have to ask its people not to borrow and spend money they don't have to buy foreign made goods they can't afford but instead ask the cooperation of China and other creditors to help America reestablish U.S. production.

The likelihood of this happening is nil. So governments and Central Banks will continue to offer assurances, but as we just saw with the new pathetic U.S. Fed stimulus, they are out of good options. So in their insolvency, they make empty promises. The situation is so desperate, some large investors are buying U.S. T-Bills for their "safety" because they don't know where else to put their money.

The jobs and real estate markets will continue to tumble and social services will keep being slashed. If you haven't already done so, please take protective actions such as paying down your credit cards and reducing your overhead by selling whatever you don't use that costs you money to keep, such as a boat or an extra car. And if you still have a full-time job, cross train so you have more to offer your employer.

Dick
For more economic information, please see "Markets Swoon on Recession Fears," The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903791504576587150257111860.html

How You Will Be Affected By The New U.S. Fed $400 Billion Stimulus

2011-09-22T11:21:00.000-07:00

Unless you are a giant company borrowing long term U.S. money or a U.S. home owner with huge equity in your home, have a big mortgage and strong personal credit and want to refinance your mortgage, it will have little effect on you. The economy is crumbling and the Fed wants to show it is taking action. Unfortunately for most people that action is meaningless and it shows us the Fed is out of good options.

Dick
For details of the Fed's announcement, please see "Fed Will Shift Debt Holdings to Lift Growth," The New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/22/business/fed-to-shift-400-billion-in-holdings-to-spur-growth.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper

A U.S. Financial Paradox

2011-09-20T12:23:00.000-07:00

Why is the U.S. government borrowing money to deposit in European banks that are going to fail?

The answer from the U.S. perspective is that making those deposits will help to prevent them from failing and by giving them money, they will loan it to one another, thus preventing the global financial system from freezing up, as it began doing last week. Unfortunately Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain are insolvent and these deposits will only slow the inevitable.

The U.S. was joined in making those deposits by the Banks of England, Japan and Switzerland and ironically, like England, the U.S. is also insolvent. But for now, the U.S. still has vast borrowing and printing capacity and is conducting itself as if it were still the world's wealthiest nation rather than its biggest debtor nation.

Dick
Note: Thank you to my wife Anne for posing the question raised in this piece.

The Global Economic Death Spiral Has Begun

2011-09-16T09:20:00.000-07:00

Greece is just the beginning of the collapse and despite all the assurances in the news media for the last 1 1/2 years that Greece's problems were being solved, and all the run ups in the stock markets with those assurances as is happening in the markets now, Greece will fall. So will Portugal, Ireland, Italy and Spain for they are all insolvent. England is also insolvent and it too will fall. Many of Europe's and the U.S's biggest banks will need new bailouts for they are all interlinked in the huge magnitude of financing they conduct and without those bailouts or government guarantees, a credit crunch is coming, as happened in 2008-09.

The Euro Zone is appealing to Germany, France and to China for gargantuan bailouts but the Germans don't have the resources for such a bailout and the German people would never allow it, knowing they would have to bailout a group of nations. France is no pillar of financial strength, its banks have huge European exposure and their credit ratings are already being sharply downgraded. As the industrial world's economies decline, so will China's manufacturing boom and China's economy will also be impacted by a domestic real estate bubble.

Meanwhile, the U.S., by far the biggest debtor nation in the world, has bought time because some panicked investors seeking "safety" are buying Treasury Bills. But the U.S. has no economic policy, its job market and home foreclosures are disasters growing worse, its government and trade deficits are mounting and its biggest bank, the Bank of America is reeling and will layoff 30,000 people. In addition to all of its corporate bailouts, the U.S. had two huge stimulus programs. Some say the bailouts and stimulus programs prevented another Great Depression, while others argue they failed to rescue the global economy. But in any case the bailouts and stimulus were extremely expensive and the U.S. and other nations didn't have the money to conduct them. They wound up printing and borrowing the money, hence the debt crisis of today, which has left Washington in gridlock as to what to do next.

The President's proposed "jobs program" is just more stimulus and the Democrats and Republicans can't agree on that. But while they dither, the U.S. economy is rapidly falling. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, average family income has fallen to 1996 levels and the average man earns what he did in 1978, adjusted for inflation. And 22% of America's children now live below the poverty line. In fact the number of U.S. poor has jumped to 46.2 million people, the worst since the Census Bureau began tracking those numbers in 1959.

In another sign of how desperate the situation is becoming, on Thursday (9/15/11), the U.S. Fed, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan and the Swiss National Bank all rushed U.S. dollar deposits to panicked European banks so they would continue to loan money, rather than start a credit freeze. This desperate approach was last used during the 2008-09 global financial crisis, the worst since the Great Depression.

So yes, the death spiral has already begun and the economies as we've known them will crash and burn. But do take heart. This is a natural cycle, repeated many times over the centuries and out of the ashes a rebirth always takes place, a Renaissance. In this case, hopefully a rebirth without all the U.S.'s wars and its military industrial complex behind those wars, which have drained so much of America's financial resources, its moral integrity and its compassion for humanity.

Dick
To learn more, please see "This Time Is Different: Eight Centuries of Financial Folly," a 2009 book by Carmen Reinhart and Kenneth Rogoff. "Census 15.1% of all Americans live in poverty," the Daily Breeze http://www.dailybreeze.com/latestnews/ci_18887429, "Income Slides to 1996 Levels," The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904265504576568543968213896.html, "Europe Lending Woes Deepen," The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904491704576570913474242974.html, "Economy Clips Factories: Growth Prospects Shrink for U.S. Manufacturers Whose Profits Powered the Recovery," The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904491704576570900742148500.html and "Central Banks Pour Dollars Into Europe," The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904060604576572442555810356.html

Osama bin Laden's Final Message

2011-09-14T11:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Reader, From ABC News is a report of Osama bin Laden's last video and it is powerful: "A day after Americans observed the tenth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks by al Qaeda, a new video featuring the terror group's now-deceased leader surfaced in which Osama bin Laden warns the American people not of coming attacks, but of the dangers of capitalism and the military-industrial complex."

"Appearing thin and with a very black beard, bin Laden says major corporations -- the "undeclared kings" of America -- ignite wars on purpose for profit and wield the power over elected officials."And it seems that the path to stop the hegemony of capitalism is to carry out a real radical change that will help you liberate -- not to liberate Iraq from Saddam Hussein -- but to liberate the White House so that Barack Hussein will be liberated and with him, everyone else from the hegemony of these corporations.," he says in the approximately six-minute address. "Peace be upon those who head the advice." "

To read more, please see: http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/osama-bin-laden-video-terror-threats-warns-capitalization/story?id=14507258

Dick
Thank you to my son Kyle for sharing this with us.

Jobs Are Not The U.S.'s Biggest Economic Problem

2011-09-09T11:10:00.000-07:00

The jobless and underemployed are the clearest manifestation of the real problem, which is no coherent economic policy. Jobs continue to be shifted overseas because the U.S.'s tax policy makes no sense, while the government debt skyrockets and home foreclosures and potential foreclosures rapidly mount as many Americans are buried in debt.

Meanwhile, the U.S.'s wars are burning through lives and enormous amounts of cash, but that's not even a topic of conversation. Yet the President and his challengers are already attacking each other over jobs and making empty promises about providing jobs as each candidate claims to be the biggest job provider, except the President who blames the Republicans for the fact he hasn't provided them.

This nonsense must stop and we as a people must unite to confront financial and military problems so severe, they risk bankrupting our already insolvent nation and costing us many more jobs. Instead, what we have now is plenty of theatrics but politics as usual at a time when we desperately need "change" and a clear vision for how to attain a much greater future for ourselves and for people across the world who are directly effected by our actions.

Dick

9/11, Was The U.S. The Only Victim?

2011-09-09T11:00:00.000-07:00

Nearly 3,000 people were killed during 9/11 and their families have suffered enormously. And some 1st responders were among those victims and many since have died or are dying horrible deaths because of their exposure to all the toxic substances at Ground Zero. The U.S. media is telling heart rendering stories of some of the victims. But what about the other victims?

What about the million or more Iraqi men, women and children who have been killed or maimed since the U.S. invasion and occupation? Where are their stories? What about the tens of thousands of Afghan and Pakistani men, women and children who have been killed or maimed? Where are their stories? What about the way Iraqis are now forced to live, often with minimal electricity and medical care, no security, no clean water or sewage treatment and an economy far worse than the U.S.'s during the Great Depression, where are those stories?

What about the 4,474 U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq and the more than 30,000 who have been maimed? Where are their stories and those of their families? What about the 1,760 U.S. soldiers killed in Afghanistan and another 10,000 who have been maimed? Where are their stories and those of their families? Or the U.S. allied soldiers killed or maimed in these wars, where are their stories and those of their families? Or the stories of the U.S. "contractors" who have been killed or maimed?

As horrible as 9/11 was, the U.S. response to it has caused incredible amounts of suffering far beyond the numbers of people directly effected by 9/11. Why doesn't the U.S. news media share those stories?

Dick
U.S. casualty numbers are from http://icasualties.org/

The Real Cost Of 9/11

2011-09-08T12:07:00.000-07:00

Nobel laureate and preeminent Columbia University Professor Joseph Stiglitz published a remarkable piece entitled "The price of 9/11." It begins, "Ten years after 9/11, al-Qaeda has been greatly weakened, but the price paid by the U.S. was enormous and unnecessary." What he wrote I believe will grab your attention, much as it grabbed mine:

"The September 11, 2001, attacks by al-Qaeda were meant to harm the United States, and they did, but in ways that Osama bin Laden probably never imagined. President George W Bush’s response to the attacks compromised the United States’ basic principles, undermined its economy, and weakened its security.

"The attack on Afghanistan that followed the 9/11 attacks was understandable, but the subsequent invasion of Iraq was entirely unconnected to al-Qaeda - as much as Bush tried to establish a link. That war of choice quickly became very expensive - orders of magnitude beyond the $60bn claimed at the beginning - as colossal incompetence met dishonest misrepresentation.

"Indeed, when Linda Bilmes and I calculated the United States' war costs three years ago, the conservative tally was $3-5tn. Since then, the costs have mounted further. With almost 50 per cent of returning troops eligible to receive some level of disability payment, and more than 600,000 treated so far in veterans’ medical facilities, we now estimate that future disability payments and health-care costs will total $600-900bn. But the social costs, reflected in veteran suicides (which have topped 18 per day in recent years) and family breakups, are incalculable."

To read more, please see: "The price of 9/11" http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/09/20119572556433850.html?utm_source=Al+Jazeera+English+List&utm_campaign=828a7dad99-Newsletter&utm_medium=email

Dick

What You Should Know About The U.S. Labor Force

2011-09-05T12:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Reader, To gain insight into the U.S. Labor Force, the following is a snippet from John Mauldin's Weekly E-Letter. John quoted Rob Arnott, founder of Research Affiliates and what Rob had to say is quite interesting as we gage what is to come next in the U.S. jobs market and in the economy. As you read this please keep in mind the vast number of manufacturing jobs the U.S. has shipped overseas.

“John, I looked at the composition of the labor force, men and women. Look at the graph below. From 1948 until 1980, men who considered themselves to be ‘in the labor force’ (working or wanting work) equaled roughly 98% of the male population ages 20-64. [Wow. What a quaint concept. If you could work, you wanted work.] From 1980 to 2005, this proportion fell steadily, from 98% to 92%. Then, in six years, it fell again by half this margin, to 89%. As for male employment, it averaged 94% of the population age 20-64, until the 1975 recession. Today, it’s 81%. Let’s assume that the old labor force ratio of 98% could, in fact, work. That means that male unemployment – including those who have given up on the idea of gainful employment – is over 17%, and is roughly tied with the levels of mid-2009.

“For women, society evolved from predominantly ‘homemaker’ employment to a point, about a decade ago, where women in the labor force equaled about 82% of the female population aged 20-64. The women in the labor force have dropped from 82% to 78% in ten years, with most of that drop in the past two years; that’s 5% of the female workforce that’s simply given up in two years. Using the prior peak of 82%, as the roster who would want to work, the current 71.6% who are working implies that female unemployment is roughly 13%, and is much higher than it was two years ago."

Dear Reader, This snippet paints an ugly picture about long term U.S. employment. If you would like to know more about these labor statistics and review the charts, please see John Mauldin's newsletter: http://www.johnmauldin.com/frontlinethoughts/its-all-about-the-jobs-and-gold But also remember, the situation is never hopeless and if we as Americans unite, we can take strong action to change this trend.

Are Your Savings Safe In The U.S., England Or The Euro Zone?

2011-09-05T09:33:00.000-07:00

U.S. government debts are skyrocketing, Washington is gridlocked and the U.S. is borrowing money as quickly as possible to cover its debts. Fortunately for the U.S. it bought some time from the latest financial panic as some big investors put money into U.S. Treasury Bills thinking they're safe. Meanwhile, England is floundering in debt, the latest Greek bailout has stalled and behind them will come Ireland and Portugal for 2nd bailouts if Spain and Italy don't get there first to receive their 1st bailouts.

What nobody wants to say is the U.S., England and the Euro Zone are insolvent and the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank don't have the money to bail them out. So are your savings safe in the U.S., England or the Euro Zone? They are if they are guaranteed by the government of each nation where they are held. That may seem contradictory considering their insolvency but what nations typically do as they go broke is to print more money, which then drives down the value of their currencies. So what will happen is you will be reimbursed but in money losing its value. While that's unpleasant, it's better than losing your money completely.

Dick
To learn more, please see the following Wall Street Journal articles: "Talks on Greek Bailout Are Stalled," http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904583204576545811058225074.html, "Berlusconi Under Fire for Dawdling on Austerity Plan," http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904583204576546403497996510.html, "Spain Is Closer To Controls On Budget," http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904583204576546101414263340.html or just Google this topic and you'll see how dismal the situation is.

U.S. Leadership, An Empty Podium

2011-09-05T08:27:00.000-07:00

Last month, America and the industrial world waited for President Obama, who was scheduled to make a nationwide television address to inform the world what the U.S. would do to uplift its economy and restore global confidence. But in the gym, as I did aerobic exercise while watching a bank of televisions, news shows repeatedly flashed to a White House podium, which stood empty for 53 minutes.

When the President finally arrived he said the U.S. is and "always will be a Triple-A country." He alluded to the need for jobs but had no specific actions, nor was there any economic strategy or time frames. Soon after the speech, President Obama did as Congress had already done, he left for vacation.

It is not my intent to criticize the President or Congress, Republicans or Democrats but to encourage them to take the nation's ills seriously and work together to solve them. In the last four months alone, the U.S. lost between 900,000 and one million jobs. 25 million people are now unemployed, underemployed or dropped from the jobless rolls for being jobless too long. Home foreclosures are mounting, the U.S. debt is skyrocketing and there is no bold strategy to address these issues. Meanwhile, the 1st of the 76 million U.S. baby boomers hit 65 this year and began receiving Medicare and will soon draw Social Security. In all, this is an unfunded liability of between $55 trillion and $60 trillion. While at the same time the U.S.'s wars rage on draining what is left of its moral and financial resources. This is disgusting. It is long past time for us as a people to unite to solve our severe problems and lift our nation back to the high stature it once held.

Dick
To learn more, please see "Obama and the 'Competency Crisis'," The Wall Street Journal, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903327904576526611297517664.html Some of my numbers vary slightly for I've used different sources.

Dear Reader: Please note that today, 9/8/11, I corrected the typo addressing the magnitude of the U.S.'s unfunded liability, thanks to my son Kyle (beachfnt).

How To Protect Yourself As The Economy Crumbles

2011-09-03T09:46:00.000-07:00

Across the world, manufacturing is slowing or declining and unemployment is mounting as are home foreclosures. In Washington we have skyrocketing debt, a falling dollar and political gridlock while in Europe, the debt crisis threatens the European Union as the economies of Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain are already crumbling. Japan is struggling to recover from the earthquake and tsunami while even in China, manufacturing is slowing and a real estate bubble is brewing. If you haven't yet taken protective action, please start now. And if this piece offends you, I apologize for its intent is not to upset you but to help you. Here are 7 steps you can take:

1) Slash your overhead. Pay down your credit card balances for the interest costs can eat you alive. If you are already buried in credit card debt, contact those credit suppliers and negotiate a payment plan and possibly even a forgiveness of some of that debt. And if you own a home, contact your local government to reduce your property valuation, which will drop your taxes. If you must sell that home, consult a real estate professional but price it to sell now, as in most areas, prices are falling. Run a yard sale to convert to cash things you no longer use. What doesn't sell donate to charity, which will help someone else get cheaply something they need and it will give you a tax deduction.

2) If your credit is still strong and you own a home with equity in it and a mortgage on it, and intend to stay, if you haven't yet done so, please refinance that mortgage on a 30 year fixed rate basis taking advantage of the lowest mortgage rates since the 1950's. If on the other hand, you must leave your home, perhaps you can move in with family or friends and pay them some rent. This is not a pleasant choice but it will slash your costs and provide income to someone near and dear to you.

3) Set up a part-time business to make money on the strongest of your skills. This will not only give you extra income but a paycheck in the event you lose your job. One such business, especially for underpaid or unpaid mothers could be to become licensed in childcare and offer a childcare service.

4) If you are fortunate enough to have a full-time job, cross train so that you have more to offer your employer. And take classes to enhance your job skills.

5) To cut your food bill, become a coupon clipper, join store clubs and also shop the discount giants like Costco and Sam's Club. And locate your nearest food bank. To reduce your medical costs, join a pharmacy discount club at Wal-Mart, CVS, etc. or negotiate lower prices with a small druggist. Negotiate as well with your doctor and your local hospital. In hard hit areas, hospitals will often provide a huge discount if you pay cash at the time of your treatment.

6) Barter. For example, if you grow fruits and vegetables, trade some of your bounty for what you need such as to compensate someone to paint, fix or do other handyman work for you.

7) No matter what happens, please enjoy each day of your life. It doesn't cost anything to smell a rose or to feel the sunshine or to check out a good book or movie from a library. And offer others a smile and a helping hand. That too costs nothing and will help to uplift the world around you. Together we will eventually get through this financial mess engulfing us all.

Dick
Thank you to my friend and webmaster Jon Barnes for his suggestions, which were incorporated into this piece.

Protect Yourself As Even Global Manufacturing Is Now Crumbling

2011-09-02T11:18:00.000-07:00

In an ominous sign, factories around the world are slashing production in response to the darkening global economy and cutting jobs as well. U.S. production was barely break even as U.S. businesspeople join other Americans in losing confidence in the economy, as unemployment and foreclosures remain high.

While in Asia, South Korea and Taiwan cut production and China's expansion grew faint. In parts of Europe, manufacturing declined for the first time in two years as the financial turmoil gripping Greece, Ireland and Portugal is threatening economies in Spain, Italy and France. These are precarious times and people are scared as staggering sized debts mount in the U.S. and Europe with no answers in sight. Now we see the troubles spread to the global manufacturing sectors, the jobs engine of recent times.

Despite the optimistic statements from the U.S. White House, if you haven't yet slashed your overhead to protect yourself, please do so now. And if you have a house you need to sell, consult with a local real estate professional but price it to sell now and get out from under its financial liability. It is crucial that you batten down the hatches in the face of the storm already starting to come.

Dick
To learn more, please see "Global Gloom Buffets Factories," The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904583204576544243092319856.html

Who Will Reap The Oil Spoils In Libya?

2011-09-01T12:39:00.000-07:00

The U.S., Britain, France and other NATO nations have spent billions of dollars in waging the Libya War. Under the UN resolution, NATO's purpose was to use an air campaign supposedly to protect endangered civilians. But it's an "open secret" NATO has also sent troops as its mission somehow became "regime change."

And the "rebels" have been armed, trained and advised by NATO. Now that it appears Qaddafi will soon be overthrown as Libya's leader, who will replace him? Will there be a democratic process? What voice will the Libyan people have and when will they have it? Who will keep Libya safe and when will NATO forces leave?

As luck would have it, Libya is one of the world's biggest oil producers and with some of the highest quality crude. How will the "rebels" pay back NATO nations for their support? What rights and what voice will the Libyan people have in their most valuable financial resource? Was this war really about oil for regime change?

Dick
To learn more, please see "NATO nations set to reap spoils of Libya war," Aljazeera http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/08/201182511546451332.html?utm_source=Al+Jazeera+English+List&utm_campaign=2b8c9e2d34-Newsletter&utm_medium=email

$8 Trillion In U.S. Military Spending Since 9/11. Is The U.S. Safer?

2011-08-31T11:52:00.000-07:00

Americans were stunned by the hell of 9/11. In response the U.S. subsequently invaded and continues to occupy Afghanistan and Iraq and is fighting "covert" wars elsewhere. It is producing military weaponry and delivery systems at a staggering pace. And it set-up and operates the Dept. of Homeland Security at great expense as well.

In the last 10 years, the U.S. Pentagon spent nearly $8 trillion and it will race right by that massive number without slowing down. And it is all at U.S. taxpayer expense. If you are an American did you get your money's worth? Are you safer?

Dick
My source for this piece is: "Pentagon spending: Just how safe are you? What almost $8 trillion in national security sending bought you." http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/08/2011821115810791585.html?utm_source=Al+Jazeera+English+List&utm_campaign=60410c9e14-Newsletter&utm_medium=email

Is The U.S. Political System Less Corrupt?

2011-08-31T11:30:00.000-07:00

In the mid-term elections of 2010, "change" was in the air and voters enthusiastically voted for Congressional candidates who promised to bring "change" and to reign in out of control government spending and earmarks.

USA Today published an investigative piece and as you'll see, as with the "change" promised by candidate Obama when he ran for the presidency in 2008, the more things change, the more they stay the same. http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2011-08-30/House-freshmen-push-bills-that-benefit-big-donors/50196680/1.

That's because the system works great for those who pay to play. A campaign contribution can bring huge benefits for big donors, a staggeringly large return on their investment and all at taxpayer's expense. If we as Americans want "change" we will have to get actively involved in our political system, for casting a vote every two years means nothing. And it is we who must strongly advocate for public financing of elections in place of huge private donations for anything less will leave this corrupt system in place.

Dick
Thank you to Sandi Pinio for sharing this USA Today piece with us.

Re: Bank of America, Which Would You Prefer?

2011-08-31T06:41:00.000-07:00

Regarding Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway rescue of Bank of America from financial collapse, some people are upset because Berkshire received super dividends and special stock options that could make it the bank's biggest shareholder. But which would your prefer?

Having Berkshire or the taxpayers bailout B of A? Even though the bank already got one huge taxpayer bailout and is designated by the U.S. government as "too big to fail," investors were actively selling off its shares as the bank was sinking in its troubled real estate and in its other financial problems. Either way, it was going to get a bailout. I would rather it be from private investors led by Berkshire than from you and me as taxpayers.

But Warren Buffett will also do something else. Because it's Berkshire's money, he will make a concerted effort to hold B of A management accountable for their performance, something the U.S. government has been ineffective at doing.

Dick

Why Are The U.S. Wars Being Fought?

2011-08-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

Men, women and children are being killed or maimed and children are being orphaned. 150,000 U.S. families are on pins and needles, each day and night wondering if their young soldier will be the next casualty? Surely no one believes in "Operation Iraqi Freedom" or "Operation Enduring Freedom" any more for both wars are U.S. military occupations with governments it keeps in power.

The U.S. no longer even markets those phrases or justifies the wars to the American people. Yet the financial costs of those wars and paying the staggering costs for the military industrial complex behind them is draining what is left of America's financial resources. So why are those wars being fought?

Dick

Would You Willingly Pay More Taxes?

2011-08-29T11:28:00.000-07:00

The U.S. and several major European nations are going broke and desperately need to raise money. For most people in America the answer is for the rich to pay more taxes but that isn't happening.

By "off shoring" profits, by routing them through off shore subsidiaries, relocating corporate headquarters into mail drops in Switzerland, the Cayman Islands and other tax havens, and constructing tax code benefits such as "oil depletion allowances" and subsidies and depreciation for "gentlemen farmers," and other tax avoidance devices, the rich are not stepping up to pay more taxes. They, like everyone else, don't want to pay taxes and with few exceptions, will not willingly do so. And with lobbyists at their side, will likely not have too, at least for now.

Dick
To learn more about a prominent tax haven, please see "Tax Haven's Tax Haven Pays a Price for Success" The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904875404576528123989551738.html

Buffett Rescues Bank of America

2011-08-26T12:13:00.000-07:00

In a stunning development, Warren Buffett invested $5 billion of Berkshire Hathaway money, a publicly held company he controls to rescue America's biggest bank, Bank of America, previously rescued by the U.S. government as "too big to fail." Despite all the help it received, B of A needed another massive government bailout without which its troubles could have led to a replay of the 2008 global financial system meltdown for giant banks are dependent on one another. That's how serious this development is. Although it will disappear from the news, be aware of how fast our fragile financial system could collapse.

For the B of A, it isn't just Berkshire's money that matters but Mr. Buffett's outstanding reputation, which will now attract or retain investors, investors who no longer had confidence in B of A's top management and were aggressively selling its stock for various reasons but most notably for the B of A's mounting black hole of real estate exposure. But B of A will pay a heavy price for Berkshire's funds and for Mr. Buffett's reputation. In return, Berkshire is to receive a special dividend stream and the option of buying more shares at prices near the bank's two-year low, which would make Berkshire the bank's biggest shareholder. In 2008, using Berkshire funds, Mr. Buffett rescued General Electric and he rescued Goldman Sachs. Like B of A, Goldman had been deemed "too big to fail" by the U.S. government, which also bailed them out.

With bravado, B of A's Chairman and their CEO both claimed they didn't need the money but their Board of Directors immediately accepted it. While Mr. Buffett would not invest in anything he didn't believe in, I believe we will later find that he received strong secret encouragement from the U.S. Fed and the U.S. Treasury Department to make this investment, as they feared making a 2nd taxpayer bailout.

If you are a taxpayer, shareholder, bondholder, vendor or have money deposited in the B of A, Berkshire's investment is very good news. But if you are an employee, we'll see if this is good news for the bank is already laying off 3,500 people and preparing to lay off 10,000 more. If you are not one of those 13,500 people, that money may save your job, but likely, more layoffs are coming.

Dick
For more information, please see "Buffett to Invest $5 Billion in shaky Bank of America" http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/26/business/buffett-to-invest-5-billion-in-shaky-bank-of-america.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2

Is Another Depression Coming?

2011-08-22T10:33:00.000-07:00

The global economy led by the U.S. and Europe is already crumbling. To save the Euro Zone from collapse will require Germany to bail it out, something neither it or the International Monetary Fund have the money to do. Meanwhile Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain are sinking and England is right behind them, which means European banks and other lenders have huge but undeclared losses and may need massive bailouts.

While in the U.S., the job market is a disaster and it is growing worse. And there is no such thing as "a jobless recovery." Small business, the U.S.'s primary "jobs engine," in many cases is struggling to keep its doors open. Wherever you live, failing businesses are all around you as are "For Lease" signs. With the falling job market, many buyers can't qualify for mortgages, home foreclosures are mounting and the real estate market is sinking. And from the Fed having pumped so much stimulus money into the economy, inflation at 3.6% is growing, which reduces the buying power of a paycheck. The U.S. economy is 70% consumer consumption yet consumers are overwhelmed in debt and not buying goods other than what they need.

Meanwhile, the U.S. government, by far the world's biggest debtor nation is drowning in deficits, yet still spending staggering sums it doesn't have on wars and on its military industrial complex. While the Washington politicians are in gridlock, even as our economy is crumbling. It's no wonder the Dow gyrates wildly up and down. There is so little confidence in the U.S. dollar, investors prefer owning Swiss Francs, the Japanese Yen, Gold and other valuable commodities rather than the U.S. dollar.

So where is the foundation for an economic recovery? If you have an answer, please share it. But in the meantime, you would be wise to slash your overhead and cross train, as you further develop your skills so that you have a better chance to keep your job if you are fortunate enough to have one. Because this is the U.S., it is hard to believe the U.S. government would default on its debts but that is exactly the path it is on. As the government takes in just 61 cents for every dollar it spends and is in gridlock, don't fool yourself to think it won't default. And when it does, we will need each other more than ever, for we will all be effected.

Dick
If you would like to know more about the economy, please see "Economy Sinks Markets," The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903639404576516054025747710.html and "A Shaken Europe Looks for Bolder Fixes," The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903596904576516663024370704.html

A Staggered Bank of America Is Slashing Jobs

2011-08-22T10:10:00.000-07:00

The U.S.'s biggest bank, the Bank of America is getting hit by giant mortgage write offs and lawsuits and has heavy exposure to the falling U.S. economy. So it is doing what many cash strapped U.S. households are doing, slashing its costs.

By September 30th, it will have fired 3,500 employees and it plans to fire at least 10,000 thousand more. After declaring banks such the Bank of America "too big to fail," the U.S. government bailed them out with billions of dollars of taxpayer money. Those banks were supposed to be back on their feet by now.

But Bank of America's shares are down 47% year to date, with the stock closing at $7.01 on Friday. This is a vote of no confidence from investors. And B of A is not the only giant "too big to fail" bank under fire, as Citibank, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo are also feeling investor pressure. This is unfortunate because the U.S. needs them to hire more people, not fire them and it needs them to offer attractive rates for credit cards and other debt, not raise its prices and reduce its service to consumers.

Dick
To learn more, please see "Bank of America To Slice Jobs," The Wall Street Journal, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904070604576516813395283964.html