Deceit and debauchery: The Road to Perdition

A fifty million dollar inauguration party? Oh brother. Once again I am in complete agreement with the folks at The Automatic Earth in that we should NOT be spending such a sum, on an inauguration, in these times. Not that we EVER SHOULD spend such a sum on something of this nature.

But then the powers that be, never assess what the middle and lower classes are feeling when they look at - details such as this expenditure. The monies spent on the election cycles are nauseating too and also, we need to put an end to this sort of fracas...because that is, all it is. There is so little "honesty" in any of our processes now.

When we nominate a man such as Timothy Geithner's to be Secretary of the Treasury - and find he is behind in his tax payments - much less claims he did not UNDERSTAND what he had to pay? Come on! I've paid estimated taxes for years and years, even though I was unemployed by my medical problems and my only income comes from the sale of my home - my only asset...having lost jobs for over a decade due to outsourcing: I ended with no pension or 401k. Sooo...I've paid those taxes faithfully - and I don't have a college degree, yet I "understand" that estimated, is due? And yet the Obama people still seem to be supporting this man. And supporting Summers and Rubin too despite their nefarious backgrounds.

Long ago things spun out of control in the land of the brave and home of the free. Free? hmmm If I did not pay my estimated - and my taxes properly on time - I would have people following me and probably be prosecuted. I too will NOT be watching the inauguration. I barely watch any news these days because the corruption - at all levels - is only addressed in the most cursory fashion...and generally not even prosecuted. What kind of a country has this become?

Last week I did see a PBS program entitled "The Ascent of Money" -- which delineates the timelines of the deregulation of the banking and financial markets and gives an overview of how the various fraudulent "instruments" in the form of subprime mortgages to hedge funds, were established and setup. Excellent show - if only every American watched it. Sadly I feel no optimism about the future when our new "change" President - doesn't see that change should encompass putting THIS $50 million dollars of the taxpayers money - elsewhere than into a PARtee.

An unconscionable legacy

Once again we are forced to listen to the complete nonsense of the man in residence at PA Ave. Naturally - lodestar journalist Helen Thomas hit the description of his legacy, on the money, when asked about that legacy today on Democracy now ... Thomas said, "unconscionable".

Sadly the lack of real journalistic oversight, coupled with nothing but fluff on the boob tube, is in good measure responsible for the misinformed, or uninformed public at large. What can be done about that in a society were upwards of 14% are unable to read - I have no idea. Once again I am just happier that I am older and in the last tier of my own life since I suffer the thought of the future.

Today, another of my journalistic idols at The Automatic Earth - have turned me onto the "Bird and Fortune" video clips (see below). Through very erudite satire this duo has hit all the nail-heads regarding our financial crises. This is perhaps made even more humorous by the fact that I may actually still know folks who could listen to their machinations and have the dialog go over their heads. I do hope they take on B. Madoff. Oh woe is me.

In closing let me say Ms. Thomas has again made the most succinct and accurate remark regarding her expectations of the Obama presidency -- that is that "he needs to develop more courage". Somehow I am always, in agreement with Helen. And anyone not reading The Automatic Earth might want to take up the habit for 2009 since it is a great summation of day to day events.

Bird and Fortune - Subprime Crisis

Sticks N' Stones

With fiscal disarray at every corner of the globe, one might "think" that perhaps men would start to reconsider their very very terrible decisions about going to war!! The financial costs of the war in Iraq definitely ARE a huge part of the national bankruptcy here in Amerika... if only all our populace understood how the OUR government only "accounts" for - on it's balance sheets - CURRENT expenditures... nothing else shows up, or is mentioned!!!

Globally everything is about "that's Mine!! gimme that!!! you have no right to live there!! get off my land!!"... and "If I can pay for it, I can own it". Since my teens are now fifty years behind me, my disgust rises like bile in my throat watching things deteriorate even further in one grand military adventure after another. Our planet is glowing from pollution and climate change rapidly eroding our potable water resources, bleaching or flooding our lands, killing off species - and, as such, our ability to feed our over-populated planet diminishes monthly.

So more killing is the way to solve the land grabs and religious and political differences and to make everyone else - fearful ... keep us all in our "place" while a very few - in each country - hold all the wealth and cards? The world has gotten every so much worse, since this idealist grew up. The legalized killing should all stop - and we should all be working on ways to
help our limping environment recover in whatever ways are possible - for the sake of future generations. We need food, housing, health care for all, work at a fair wage, and to keep our imperial noses out of everyone else's affairs.

If we must meddle, let it be through positive diplomatic measures and helping hands - not war. How long have I been thinking, feeling and saying things like this. Do I believe it is possible? - events of this past week indicate I am farting in a windstorm.