WAR, BUFFETT AND TAXES

Many think there is a war going on between the haves and have nots.
Many, including Warren Buffett, think the rich should pay more taxes.  At least equal to the middle-class.
Those of us that remember the second World War remember 90% excise profit taxes.
MY THOUGHTS
     +The value to society of the profits being made has by passed the point of diminishing returns.
     +Congress should have put an excess profits tax on bank and brokerage firm salaries + fringe in       
return for bail out money, if not on all such firms.
     +Congress should consider the same type of tax on all financial firm salaries + fringes.
     +The social value of earnings in this sector of our economy has past the point of diminishing returns.
     +Such steps should shift the attractiveness of work to more productive areas. 
   

TECHNOLOGY MOVING TOO FAST?

Seems to me that all through out history technology of one kind or another created great opportunities for advancement and betterment of mankind. Even wars have had long lasting advantages in some cases.
Look at today.  The great advancements in banking and brokerage technology has far outpaced the ability of the average citizen to absorb it.  Highly sophisticated compute formulas have allowed intelligent traders to make money hand over fist and to keep making it with the further technology allowing the settlement of trades and the development of packaged investment vehicles.
Think about the super smart men and women who have the very sophisticated degrees in engineering, actuarial science, physics, etc. that have opted for Wall St. because 'THAT'S WHERE THE MONEY IS'?
Would the attention of these super bright folks to the development of new products,improvement in existing products, and the formation of new enterprises added more to our over all well being as against the value
added by their trading in securities.  I think the point of no return has been reach in the business value of  this sophisticated trading and that it's just settled into the category of 'GREED'.
We won't change it until it becomes less attractive to sit trading securities all day for money than it is to put that super knowledge back into the efforts and purposes for which it has always been intended.
Lack of knowledge of what the transactions mean and their transparency are basic to helping the average person catch up to the technology.
THINK ABOUT IT! 

BREAK A WINDOW - CREATE JOBS

Some one once said: Break windows and create jobs.
Someone else then said: It's a zero sum game for the
capital required to repair the windows means a lose
of capital to create other jobs.
That makes sense,  except the capital used is not
being utilized now to create other jobs so why don't we
break a lot of windows?  I'd like to hear some counter
arguments.

THINK ABOUT IT! 

TIMESHARING; NOW CLOUD COMPUTING; FULL CIRCLE

In the sixties it was TIMESHARING.
You paid to be connected to a large room full of servers in another place.
All  users were also connected and it was 8 seconds in, 8 seconds out, etc.
Today we now have CLOUD computing.
Seems to me the only diffence is you are always in, never out.
Interstingly enough, with time sharing you never noticed the in and out delay.
Is that progress or history just repeating itself.

THINK ABOUT IT!

AN OVER SIMPLIFICATION, BUT!

We have our work cut out for us. 

     Under employed due to financial crisis, trade agreements, foreign competition.

     Over consumption and under savings compared to China, India, Brazil.

     Disfunctioning political system.

     Over governmental spending and failure to make necessary revenue and expenditure changes

However, the most important problem we have is the failure to communicate with others about Religion, cultural and environmental differences.  Look how it effects everyone in every way in their daily lives.  Team members must thoroughly understand the signals each member sends.  Partners in a bridge tournament must know what the other partner's bid means.  I can go on and on.  We know it is true in every aspect of personal and business life.  If we don't work hard at really understanding different societies, and I mean really listening to them, and their thinking, our great country will be in serious danger of decline. 

THINK ABOUT IT!   

NBA AND NFL MANAGEMENT/LABOR BATTLE

Will there be a walk out in either sport?  What are the chances? How does it net out?
The NBA and NFL are in season stopping labor negotiations. 
Management won't open their books and complain they are losing money.
They are demanding cuts in salaries and benefits from players.
It's the old story.  If the boss isn't making the money expected and if he hasn't been making the right decisions to do so, he cuts expenses but turns to labor for the major concessions.
O.K. but, can you get concensus when they refuse to produce the facts by opening their books?
Maybe the fans should have a negotiator and go on strike to get both sides to the table.
I tend to side with the players, until I see all the facts.  After all, they have a very short work span
and are subject to life threatening disabilities as well as long term discomforts.

THINK ABOUT IT!

MORTGAGE HELP

Banks should have been forced to reduce principal on mortgages to get bailed out.

     They finally are starting to do it. Why? I guess the executives figured out that whether they do It or not they still lose. Write off principal now or write It off when the loan defaults. By trying to kick it down the road hoping for a better deal They only succeeded in passing the ownership along to speculators who are standing in line to take the ownership of foreclosed homes away from the original owners at about the same market based price they would have been worth to the original owners if the principal had been reduced to reasonable levels. It’s simply a business decision to wait and see. Especially since the government has bailed them out so they are not in danger.

     Now they see that reducing the principal as a business decision has boiled down to about the same result. Sadly, the home owner has paid the price and the speculator (perhaps investor) has gained the profit.

     I have a hunch, that without the Government bailout they would have been only too happy to reduce the principal on mortgages in trouble to avoid the hassle and maintain good customer relations.

THINK ABOUT IT!

TWO STEPS FORWARD - ONE BACKWARD

Advancements in productivity and new ideas often overwhelm the ability of people to absorb and benefit from them.  That can cause economic disruptions resulting in a step backward before progressing.

FAULTY REASONING

Often people tend to reason from the particular to the general
i.e. "It didn't happen to me therefore it should not happen to you"
Unfortunately this results in a narrow minded approach to serious problems
such as welfare, medical needs, joblessness etc.

THINK ABOUT IT!

THE UNCONSCIOUS MIND

MIND BENDING BEHAVIOUR
Just today the news about Strauss-Kahn, the head of IMF and also ahead in the polls to become the next President of France has been accused of sexual harassment with a cleaning lady in a New York City hotel. 
Now, pair that with the sexual problems of Tiger Woods.  Although not harassment, equally perplexing when you think about how it could happen.  Both men were at the top of their careers.
Tiger Woods considered the best golfer of all times and already worth over $100 million dollars and Strauss-Kahn already considered a world wide figure in finance and politics.

Why, why, why would they be involved in such problems. Tiger Woods admits his guilt and has paid a big price both in terms of money and his family.  Strauss-Kahn, although not proven guilty at this writing has a reputation as a "womanizer".

It is my feeling that the situation they both find themselves in stems from a basic insecurity experienced  in childhood.  Those experiences tend to be pushed down into the sub-conscious mind,
but are still there.  They are a sleeping volcano, and now: BOOM! 

THINK ABOUT IT!

EVENTUAL PEACE

HOW CAN WE HAVE PEACE
It starts with trade, What do you think about this?
.First individuals.
.Next personal groups.
.Then comes clans.
.Followed by Villages, Towns and Cities.
.Then Countries and Continents.
.Fed by increases in populations and then,
.THE REST FOLLOWS.

THINK ABOUT IT!

PREDICTIONS FOR THE FUTURE

I PREDICT:


1. "Right to die" will become legal and common as population grows and
    medicine advances.
2. Solar energy will be major source in cars, airplanes, homes, businesses.
3. Hydrogen energy will become more useful as time goes on.  
4. The ability to send electricity thru the air will gradually eliminate all wires.
5. Body parts will become more commonly available at reasonable prices.
6. Women will play an ever increasing role in politics, military and business.


THINK ABOUT IT!

SPECULATING WITH SOME OF YOUR MONEY

. Buy a stock you are willing to own. Sell a call against it. If it gets called from you buy the stock again and sell a new call against it.

You get hurt in a down market but remember, you bought a stock you were willing to own.You have to set up a good discount brokerage account or buy big enough lots so that you don't get whipsawed with the in and out spreads and the commissions.

THINK ABOUT IT!

AROUND AND AROUND IT GOES

HISTORY CAN BE A MYSTERY
How they wonder how they moan
now that they have lost their throne.
How they plotted in that pain
to get it back again.
Could the iconography mean
have possibly been foreseen?
But not for them,
poor mortals of men.

THINK ABOUT IT!

WHAT IS IT?

Is it religion, race, sex, greed, education or all of the above?
I think it all starts with religion. Wasn't reasons for religion originally focused folks really in the wilderness looking for answers What about me?  What's going to happen to me? What will happen when I die?
Let's accept that for a moment. To what extent that is true, doesn't it explain all the other challenges?
Aren't race, sex, greed all part of that feeling and isn't education a way out of that morass?

There is some serious thought here that I keep thinking about.
If it all starts with religion why is there not a bigger effort to get different religions at the table to agree on what they have in common and what their difference are.

HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS?

Just finished listening to the CNBC special about health care. A 5 star panel if there ever was one.

My conclusions about their points of view:
It will be difficult to solve it when very prominent  and expert people in the field disagree so much.
There seems to be some consensus:
.Prevention/wellness $ subsidies to doctors hospitals, patients, and providers.
.Create a universal data bank of medical records. In other words socialize the medical records of everyone.
.Mandatory inclusion of all sick and well folks. You must spread the risk.
Other than that the solutions seem to shoot off in many different directions.
One thing seems clear. Our open door policy toward immigration over the years has lead to a much more diversified population that is more difficult to assimilate into a health care plan than it is in other countries.

Another clear point. To do nothing, as we have been doing for years, will only make the problem worse.
If such experts can argue so vigorously then how can the average person come on board to make a consensus.

I think President Obama must take the bull by the horns and lay out a plan, in no uncertain terms, that he is willing to sink or swim with.

THINK ABOUT IT.

TWO CLASS SOCIETY?

According to a segment on the PBS News Hour some interesting statistics were discussed:
     .The top 10% of the population have 50% of total earnings.
     .The top 5% control 65% of total net worth while:
     .85% of the population have experienced lower net worth.
And, to my mind this one is scary:
     .For every three workers there is one engaged in protection, such as:
          .Security guards, police, prison guards, etc.
Does this mean the rich are getting richer thus providing more jobs for the lower middle class to protect the wealth they are not sharing in?
Does this lead to a further divide between the haves and have nots?
Does history show that this behavior leads to more and more greed, insecurity and resentment?


THINK ABOUT IT!
  

OUR UNCONSCIOUS MIND

David Brooks, the commentator and writer recently published a book called "Animal Society".
The primary thrust of which is how our sub-conscious mind affects our lives.  It seems like Deja vu
to me, with one caveat.  I didn't get the feeling that Mr. Brooks knew of Karen Horney's work.
I went through psychoanalysis in the late forties and early fifties.  It was the Karen Horney school of analysis.  She was a disciple of Freud but put much less emphasis on sexual derivations in favor of our early life's teaching and our environment.
I learned that in the very early years we suppressed unpleasant experiences and built a shell around them in our sub-conscious mind. This resulted in conflicts and neurosis as we grew older.  The job of the analyst, in my case a man named Dr. Paul Lussheimer, who came to this country from Germany with Karen Horney during the late 30's to escape Nazism, was to probe those deep hidden conflicts and bring them from the sub-conscious mind to the surface.  In that way they could be resolved and no longer cause neurotic pain or behavior.  When I had that kind of insight it was explosive and hurtful for a while until I truly understood it.  
The net result is that you become acutely aware of your actions and where they come from and what they mean.  It may sound spooky but the better you are at it the more aware you become.
Any one interested should google Karen Horney.  She has two books, of many, that I found particularly helpful.  "Our Inner Conflicts", "Self Analysis".
THINK ABOUT IT!

WEIGHT PREJUDICES

When I was a young man I used to be prejudiced against folks who were overweight.  We would tease them and call them names.
As I matured and undertook psychoanalysis I learned to tolerate them and remember that it could be a sickness such as thyroid gland trouble.
Now in my 80's I again am starting to become prejudice, although perhaps not as bad as when I was young.
I still realize the illness possibilities and the difficulty some folks have dieting and keeping the weight off.  However, with the epidemic of obesity in the world, the incidence of diebetes, clogged arteries, heart trouble, and the ever present campaign of food companies and franchises to lure us with unhealthy, fatty, sugary foods.

THINK ABOUT IT!

YOUNG REVOLUTIONS

WOW! I am so enthralled with Egypt, Tunisia , and that part of our world that I admit I have been behind the curve except, perhaps for the teaching of  movies such as "Gunga Din" and "Lawrence of Arabia", as well as others.


I am apologetic for that lack of knowledge, compassion and understanding.


However, I am very excited about what is happening. Where it started I know not nor do I know how it will develop for the courageous folks that are putting their life on the line to get freedom, dignitey and self expression, much less jobs, opportunity, and hope.


My feeling is we must ask countries like China, Japan, India, Brazil, and others with homogeneous populations that don't have to struggle with diversity yet.  We can learn from them. They can help in this struggle.  In the end game we are all human beings regardless of any thing else.  It  is  important for Religion, and I include Atheist,  to have a seat at the table.  I say that with particular emphasis on
the insignificance of any political philosophical at this time. 


THINK ABOUT IT! 

POWERFUL COUNTRIES

I am encouraged with the latest developments in United States
and China relations.  The visit is positive.


There is one question I would like to ask the Premier.  "Is your
military budget increases in cinque with what you think ours are?
THINK ABOUT IT!

UNITED STATES AND THE WORLD

A FEW THOUGHTS ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS.
    Our country spends 700 billion on national defense.
    China spends about 70 billion on national defense.
        Our country patrols off their coast.
        Their country is not off the coast of, say, San Fransisco.
    I know why and so do you.  We have been powerful in 
     keeping world peace and our need to do it.
    It's often, in history, that an unpopular government gets
    aggressive to promote Nationalism and maintain power.
    Our proven Democracy has prevented that, pretty good.
    Less military and more talk is important to preserve it.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?

SAD BUT TRUE

HUMAN EVOLUTION


   The
      . individual
      . partner
      . family
      . group
      . tribe
      . village
      . town
      . city
      . Nation
      . Country
      . Next, the World
Each level is difficult but ordained in the mind of all people.
THINK ABOUT IT! 

ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS IS........

An African American
An American Indian
From another religion
From another political party
     IS THAT LIP SERVICE OR?
THINK ABOUT IT!

LAME DUCK SESSION

WOW! Seems like United States got a lot accomplished, 
and I think we did.  More across the isle than in a long time.
What I wonder is why, all of a sudden?
I have three theories:
    1. The Congress finally knows we have to compromise
to get things done.
    2. The left realizes that the Holiday's are here and they
are going out of power so let's give in.
    3. The right sees an opportunity to plant seeds so that
when they can't get the left to agree next year they can
say. "Look, we met them and now they won't meet us",
thus, laying the groundwork for 2012.
     The hope of mine is that #1 is right.  
THINK ABOUT IT!

WHAT IS IT?

Is it religion, race, sex, greed, education, or all of the above?
I think it all starts with religion. Were not the beginnings of religion
that originally focused on folks in the wilderness looking for
answers?  What about me?  What's going to happen to me?
How do I help my family?  What will happen when I die?
Let's accept that for a moment.
To the extent that is true, doesn't it explain all the other
challenges?
Aren't race, sex and greed all part of that feeling and isn't education
a way out of that morass?
There is some serious thought here that I keep thinking about.
If it all starts with religion why is there not a bigger effort to get
different religions at the table to agree on what they have in common
and what their difference are.  More important - They must then be able to
communicate those finding to everyone?
It shouldn't be that tough.  Agree, drop some leaflets from planes, where
there is no internet, and then get on with it.
Come on - Let's get it started.
THINK ABOUT IT.

THE KNOWLEDGE OF LOVE AND ROMANCE

WHEN  YOU’RE  LATE  IT’S  GREAT

Men should know why women glow.

Go slow.

It’s not dysfunction as it is with men,

who often can’t wait to begin again.

It’s love and affection

that welcomes an erection.

Not a desire for perfection.

INTERESTING COMMENTS.

I heard these two recently and don't know who to credit them to but thought you would enjoy them:
     If someone asks what religion you are, what do you say?
          I say God gave humans the truth, and the devil came
          and said, "Let's organize it, we'll call it religion."
     Who do you want to be reincarnated as?
         "When I die I want to come back as one of my children."
Here are a few others heard along the way:
     .Every action has its consequences.
     .Right and wrong are like a train travelling along tracks that 
      never met.
     .The past is the epilogue to the prologue of the future.
     .You make my jagged edges smooth.
     .The primary function of the word is to interrogate silence.
      If silence is silent; propaganda takes its place.
     .Don't wait for the ladder of success to be replaced
      by a moving stairway. 
     .The largest room in the world is the room for improvement.
     .Combine labor and love.
     .I think Newt Gingrich said: Everyone is entitled to his own
      opinion but not his own facts.

     .If you love what you do you'll never work a day in your life.
Andrew Sullivan, Sr. Editor for The Atlantic magazine, and the
originator of the Daily Dish blog, celebrating its tenth anniversary
during his interview on the Charlie Rose program today was most
impressive. I was especially in tune with practically everything he said.

THINK ABOUT IT!

MOVING TOWARD, AWAY OR AGAINST PEOPLE

THREE HUMAN INSTINCTS TOWARD ONE ANOTHER
Psychiatrists tell us that we either move toward, away, or against other people.  They say we should do all three in balance.  It is my feeling that President Obama is having a difficulty with this.  He probably understands but intellectually finds it somewhat difficult. 
He seems at ease moving toward his immediate family and  people he knows and likes.
He may on occasion move against people,  like the police officer in Cambridge leading to a White House beer meeting .  There may be other incidents that are not too obvious, or known.
However, I think he has a flaw that causes him to move away from people, albeit unconsciously. 
It may be his deep intellect, his innate desire not to offend anyone, perhaps even the understanding of racial discord still embedded in the psyche of many.  That is the problem.  What is the answer?
I think he needs some professional guidance on how to "get down and dirty" with the common man.  Take the risks, walk the streets and let the people know he is one of them.
THINK ABOUT IT!


  

WHAT IF?

WHAT IF:
   =The French and Indian War was lost.
   =The Revolutionary War was lost.
   =The War of 1812 was lost.
   =The Civil War was lost.
   =The First World War was lost.
   =The Second World War was lost.
Do we live in a great country or what?
THINK ABOUT IT!


   

THE KNOWN VS. THE UNKNOWN

My feeling is that human behavior is not always influenced by our genes.  I don't think it is possible to understand how people reason, react, interact, or just plain think, by their genes.  I know there are areas where genealogy is promising and I am all for it.


There are still times when the advances in science out paces the facts of life.  When that happens, as it did during the technology bubble, it becomes apparent that there is a need to try to pace things so that the ability of most people to understand can catch up to the technical progress, to avoid the problems.


In a way it's like the sailor eating the tulip bulb, not realizing it was an onion, and suffering the consequences because of the tulip craze in Holland during the 19th century.  It may very well be that is the  price of progress and we have to learn how to adjust to it.  


More and better education should help.
THINK ABOUT IT! 

COLOR AGAIN - OH NO, SAY IT ISN'T SO.

SAD BUT TRUE
It may be true that President Obama never really gets down and dirty into the depths of black fright and mistreatment, to put it mildly, because of color.  In many ways it may be that he really can't believe it and somehow tends to overreact when it comes. Example: the incident in Cambridge with the white policeman and the black professor.
I also think that it is probably the reason the far right, and the fractured spin-offs are all over the race issue.  Not only may they be prejudiced to begin with, but they are smart enough to see how they can GIN up the rhetoric to their advantage.
It may also be true that the members of the administration have sub-conscious prejudices against blacks and over compensate to protect themselves, thinking they are protecting President Obama from a racial backlash.
You have to hand it to the far right fringe.  They know exactly how to turn the screws to their advantage, whatever the administration does.
It is my opinion, the answer is: Fight back with aggressive, new thinking ways, that will resonate with the public as being honest and true. It's a tough battle.  It's up to you.
THINK ABOUT IT!  

WORLD PEACE

RELIGION AT THE CORE?
  Ultimate world peace depends on coming to grips with religious and racial prejudice.
The problem is it lies below the surface of any, and I mean any, intelligent discourse. 
Top leaders, commentators, analysts, and other important contributors dodge it.
Listen to conversations between news analysts and important world figures.
When ever the question is even approached it is neatly dodged.
     .People in United States are worried that white will disappear as a color
      (how many times do you hear that mentioned out loud?)
THINK ABOUT IT!

COMPLAINING, COMPLAINING

Instead of always complaining about the media politicians should be able, in their heart and mind, to give out factual information instead of always worrying about getting re-elected.
Reminds me of the story of the middle manager who had two boxes on his desk.  An in-box and an out-box.  He would take something out of the in-box; read it.  Ask himself the following question. "If I answer this will it affect my career?"  If the answer is yes the next question he asks himself is: "Who do I route it to?"  Can you imagine elected officials being that insecure?
THINK ABOUT IT!

HISTORY NOW, ACCORDING TO ME, OR?

Is it possible that Jim Baker, and President G.W.Bush finally got into the mix and convinced President G. Bush to marginalize Vice President Dick Chaney in order to start a new strategy in Iraq.  I want to give the Bush family credit for doing that.  It will be interesting to see what history tells us.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

BANKER'S HOLIDAY

Did we miss the boat?
Did the financial experts not understand the effect of zero interest rates.  We needed low rates to stimulate credit but the unintended consequences of allowing banks and hedge funds and wall street firms the ability to borrow at next to zero % and, if nothing else, invest in US Government bonds yielding upwards of 4%, for a quick profit seems to have been overlooked.  We could have prevented it.

PERSON TO PERSON

YOU AND YOUR WORLD
It’s good to talk with a person you like
while, you tell another to go take a hike.
Sometimes you wish to be alone;
then you simply turn off your phone.
(In life you should move toward, against or away from people
from time to time to keep things in balance)

LEADERSHIP ELECTED

LEADERSHIP DEFINED
A leader watches out for you.
That’s why he’s looked up to.
He’s fair and disarming!
He’s firm, yet charming!
He understands your position
for he surely knows how to listen.
He is respected and cheered
held accountable; yet feared!
This we want in President Obama,
for everyone knows he certainly has Karma.

CLEAR, BEAUTIFUL RUNNING WATER

I AM THE RIVER OF LIFE
I am a life giver.
I am a clean river.
Where do I run?
Where do I flow?
Why am I always on the go?
What do I really have to show?
I give you a fresh stream
Healthy plants, healthy bream.
What hurts are unnatural intrusions.
Chemical wastes and other infusions.
Can’t we all get along
before hearing death's song?

SORRY ABOUT THAT.

NOT UNTIL:
  We understand that the world's problems are based on color and religion.
  Consider this:
       That is the hidden agenda. No one is willing to say it right out.
       Why?  No one is willing to take it on so it's a loser politically.
  If we ever get over that problem we can solve all the world's problems.
  I am perhaps smart enough to understand the problem but not solve it.
  Hopefully there are enough other folks in the world who feel the same way.

BUBBLES AND TROUBLES


BUBBLES AND TROUBLES
We all know a bubble
ends up causing trouble.
Some players get wealthy.
Some end up unhealthy.
Try to remember from the past
what happens when they crash.
South Sea, Tulip craze and now sub-prime
come plummeting down in their own time.

GREED AND ENVY

             
GREED AND ENVY 1
Envy is as powerful as greed.
Each feeds on it’s own need.
They bleed into each other
like they know one another.
Together, they compete
to see who’s accomplished the greatest feat.


GREED AND ENVY 2
You can have greed without envy
and envy without greed.
One often provides the seed
on which the other feels compelled to feed.

HEALTHCARE

A DOCTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY

Doctors must get tougher
or everyone will suffer.
If after counseling and understanding
a patient thinks you’re too demanding
let them know the bottom line!
You can make better use of time.
If you can’t help them get started
 it’s time you departed
to see if your help can
extend another’s life span.
THINK ABOUT IT!

SELF PRESERVATION CAN BE DEADLY

THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE
Are we facing a danger in life today
that self preservation will have it’s way?
When we find things that are tough
reactions get very rough.
Families fight with one another.
Father against his son.
Brother against brother. 
Sister against mother.
All become centered on self preservation.
This leads to wars, nation against nation.

A RETREAT FOR REGROUPING

CAPE SPEAR LIGHTHOUSE - NORTH AMERICA’S MOST EASTERLY SPOT.

If you lived in that lighthouse in that easterly spot,

what would you do with all the time that you’ve got?

If I wanted to write a book, or if under stress

that would a peaceful place 

To watch the view;  get out of the rat race.

That ‘s where I would want to be

To determine what’s inside of me.

That surely would be my guess.

before returning to civility.

I’d want to meet  who’s living there

To compare our life and daily fare.

I wonder, would I learn a lot?

Some things I’ve probably forgot?

Things that are important in life’s scheme.

Things coming to me in my nightly dream.
THINK ABOUT IT!

HILLARY CLINTON

I think Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will go down in history as a woman of character, courage, understanding and deep conviction of the value of Democracy and our Country.  She will be considered a "woman for all seasons".  She will be known as one of our most effective Secretaries of State.  I take my hat off to her now.
THINK ABOUT IT!

SNIPERS

There are snipers in war.
There are snipers in business.
Snipers in war fill a need.
Snipers in business fill a need,  for greed.
THINK ABOUT IT!

A FUN CONSPIRACY THEORY ABOUT THE FINANCIAL CRISIS

These CDO lawsuits almost sound like another "Pelican Brief" movie plot.  Although it's not possible get these cases before the Supreme Court soon enough, and no one can be killed, the conspiracy theory would be to spend mega bucks (under the recent ruling about Corporations being able to donate money to candidates) to get a conservative back in the White House so that the new President can make sure to appoint justices to give the oil companies the edge.  There certainly is enough  money and enough time. 
THINK ABOUT IT!

DEMOCRATIC GRIDLOCK

    Why not form a small 6/8 member committee of an equal amount of conservative and liberal Democrats challenged with the proposition to seriously debate their major differences; report to a larger caucus of their group for agreement of each item they agree on until a firm understanding of each item is at hand and all the Democrats can vote as a block?

MY TAKE

History will show that President George Bush's father and James Baker finally were able to get to him to stop listening to Vice President Cheney and to develop the surge in Iraq.  Our best chance of recouping the losses and misdirections up until that point.  
It's also important to recognize that President Obama was smart enough to understand that approach and to continue that strategy.  I hope it works, but from a political point of view I take my hat off to both of them.  Hopefully one day they may collaborate, writing about that.  
THINK ABOUT IT! 

THE HOUSING BUBBLE

Everyone got a piece of the pie But the pie wasn't evenly cooked.
The baker's cronies got the slices that were hot and sweet
while those less knowledgeable got the crumbs to eat. 
THINK ABOUT IT!

GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS

It's the Governments job to make the playing field level.
It's the entrepreneur's job to maximize capital return.
Why can't we do better understanding that?
THINK ABOUT IT!

POLITICAL PARTY UNDERSTANDING

The conventional wisdom is:
Republicans understand money and Democrates understand people.
The division between them boils down to how to protect what they stand for.
Democrates want to protect people and Republicans want to protect wealth.
Neither seems to understand the importance of the other.
Protecting wealth too much can lead to greed and revolution which in turn can lead to socialism to protect people.
Protecting people too much can lead to laziness and possessivness which in turn can lead to greed and we are right back where we started from.
It behooves both parties to work together to understand the importance of both.
THINK ABOUT IT!

IT'S JUST THE POET IN ME

THE WONDERFUL CYCLE OF SEASONS

Why do I like rain and a warm breeze?

   It thaws the freeze.

A crocus in bloom, a sunny room.

Nature is waking.

My heart is aching.

Spring is breaking.

Why do I like the sun's heat?

 The steam on the street. 

 A nice rocking chair while

   a/c cools the air.

  I enjoy that pair.

  Summer’s everywhere.
What about a cool afternoon?

 A late evening moon?

 The colors are changing.

  Autumn's re-arranging.

Why do I like winter's coldness? 

 Saying good-bye to the oldness?

 The dying leaf weeps

 In winter all sleeps.

Why do I like changing seasons?

I give you many reasons.

ENJOYING LIFE

HOW TO ENJOY LIFE
How to enjoy life
and minimize daily strife.
At the start of each day
be happy at what you do.
It should always be that way,
so that good things can come to you.
At night it will feel like life is a game
and tomorrow it will be more of the same.
If your job doesn’t provide that
don't take a pill.
Throw in the hat!
Get one that will!
THINK ABOUT IT!

PUBLIC FOLKS THAT IMPRESS ME

CABLE
   Charlie Rose (for one on one interviews)
  Farek Zakaria (for international interviews) 
   Shepard Smith (for even handed news)
  WRITERS
    Any author writing
intelligently about any
subject that makes me
want to read it.
COLUMNIST
   Arthur Friedman
INVESTOR
    Warren Buffett
PHILANTHROPIST
    Bill Gates
THINK ABOUT IT!

SPRING GREETINGS

MY GOOD LUCK

I Have a picture of an orange daisy

with a background kinda hazy

peaking out of a blue bottle vase

With water at its base.

I found it in a trashy field

near this settled urban city.

It was in a place that shouldn’t yield

a flower quite so pretty.

Imagine my surprise for

it made me realize

that nature offers no disguise

that is easy to recognize.

PREDICTIONS - JUST FOR KICKS

Predictions are not too trustworthy but they are fun. So I predict:
   .The President will sign a healthcare bill before election recess and subsequent polls will show that the public is happy that congress finally got something done.
   .Dow Jones will hit a new high by Christmas after taking a good downward hit. Also, by then or perhaps further down the road: 
   .The economy will really start growing; China, India, South America and United States will lead.
   .The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will start to show good results and Russia will support them.
   .China will be very instrumental in solving the North Korean nuclear problem.
   .North and South Korea will start the healing process to reunite. 
   .Further down the line we will really start to see major improvements in healthcare and longevity.
THINK ABOUT IT!           
           

PESSIMIST OR OPTIMIST?

Different polls have indicated we are pessimistic about our children having a better life and that we think our country is in decline.  This is about the same as polls in the late 70's and early  80's.  Here is one possible answer: Our technical and economic advances out pace our ability as a people to understand and absorb them.  Is it possible that the better educated and more talented people do better than the rest of us thus creating a greater divide between the have's and have not's that leads to an economic downturn thus creating the pessimism before another up turn.

If so, what will be the primary drivers of another up turn in optimism?  I suggest the following:

     .Rapid increases in medical science and related technology vastly increasing our lifespan and a much broader concensus across all political spectrums for signifcantly better healthcare for all people as we come to realize we will live that much longer and good health is important for all,  to serve all.

     .A more progressive understanding and application of the three factors of production: land, labor, and capital in such a way as to diminish the inequalities existing today.  For example, other countries have much higher tax rates for citizens than we do yet it doesn't seem to stifle inginuity or technical advances.  Look at Nokia and Airbus.  (By the way I believe studies have also been made concluding that individual income tax rates do not affect productivity until they exceed 70%)

     .An increased importance of the environment, in large part do to a longer lifespan, will create another industrial surge as all levels of society come together to participate.

THINK ABOUT IT!  

     .

     .  

  

CALCULATE YOUR BMI INDEX FOR FUN AND GOOD HEALTH

BODY MASS INDEX (BMI)
   Multiply your weight, nude, by 703 and divide by your height in inches squared. 
        18.5 to 24.9 is normal
        25 to 29.9 is overweight
        30 to 34.9 is obese
        over 35 is just too high.

GOOD FOOD

GLYCEMIC INDEX, SUGAR SPIKES AND WEIGHT GAIN.

   Is it hard to get away from white potatoes, no matter how cooked, white rice, white bread and regular pasta? 
   White potatoes is easy.  Just forget potato chips.  If it's a baked potato just eat the skins. I really like them and use to trade the skins for the potato with my three sisters when much younger.
   White rice is also easy.  How about buying black wild rice?  You can cook it with either beef or chicken powdered broth then freeze it in reasonable portions.
   Pasta is another no-brainer.  We all feed on pasta, macaroni and cheese.  Most of us like pasta and sauce (also called gravy).  We all know athletes load up on it for marathons, long swims, and bike events. You might try whole wheat pasta.
   Now for bread. This is my biggest problem.  How senseless is it to load up on bread, rolls and butter at a restaurant while waiting for the meal?  I am trying different whole wheat breads (not enriched wheat) and so far find them unappetizing.  The best way for me to enjoy it is to let the bread get pretty stale and crunchy then toast it.
   If you are interested in more on Glycemic index and Glycemic load try the following web sites:
:www.mendosa.com
:www.mendosa.com/common_foods.htm
THINK ABOUT IT!

POLITICAL DISAPPOINTMENTS

GIVE A GUY A BREAK
A little over a year into his Presidency Barrack Obama is getting a lot of criticisms from all spectrums of the political arena.  Folks complain he's not accomplishing things promised and others complain that he is trying to do too much.  Seems hard to have it both ways.  It reminds me of a ditty I wrote for my grandchildren:

OUR POINT OF VIEW

I hear your point of view

and I think it is right.

Then I hear the opposite point

and I think that is right.

Someone says can they both be right

and I say that’s also right.
Someone also said everyone is entitled to their own opinion
but no one is entitled to their own facts.

THINK ABOUT IT! 

TIGER TEXT

Tiger text.
What comes next.
Now you can have sex on the net.
But, don’t worry you can forget
it with the hit of a button
and in an instant it will be forgotten.
It will be erased so know one can see.
Will it still be in your memory?

THOUGHTS FOR ECONOMIC EXPERTS

Are political parties tearing apart our country for selfish reasons?  Their own narrow benefit?
I am phrasing it as a question with the hopes feedback will come my way after checking out the facts.
Someone said: Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but not their own facts.  Please - facts!
Here we go:
   .Why are grades one through twelve in school so lacking in the capitalistic principles of:
      :Land, labor, and capital?
         /Own a home - Teach us when it is ready and affordable.
         /Work habits - Teach us to work hard but under fair employers
         /Accumulate - save & safe. Teach us to avoid bad debt at credit card rates.
   .Why are we falling behind other countries in beginning education,  health and health care?
   .Is there a glass ceiling?
      :Women vs. men
      :Upper class vs. everyone else.
   .Are we still minority prejudice and if so why?
      :Ingrown growing up.
      :Middle protecting standing against lower groups
      :Upper enterprenurial class protecting their status:
         /Provide enough education so that the people will buy products.
         /Provide enough pay for that purpose but no more.
I don't know the answers but am posing the questions I hear asked.  Facts will be great.
THINK ABOUT IT!


         
         

THE GOODNESS OF GREED AND CORRUPTION

IS DEMOCRACY ALIVE?
Democracy will survive 
when there is a complete reduction
in non democratic greed and corruption.
I don’t think I will be alive.

SPEECH CRUTCHES

I admire actors.  It is amazing to me how they can memorize their lines, although even they have cribs and other devices to help them sometimes.  The more I think about it the more I realize that that is their business and their main responsibility.  
Now, you can always admire a politician who is a gifted orator, and there have been many.  However,  I find it hard to criticize them if they read from a prepared manuscript or if they use a device like a teleprompter.  My feeling is that the politician's business is to serve the people providing the  proper tools for safety, budget management, and what ever is considered the government's responsibility to help with just good old living.  So, if the President feels he does not want to spend precious time memorizing speeches so as to have more time to spend on the important things, I have no objection.  Anyone that does is being somewhat sillly in my judgement.  They should stick to criticizing actors who are not learning their lines properly.
THINK ABOUT IT!

AFGHANISTAN - THE NEW WAR

Inspection, detection, ID's hide in the weeds.
Afghanistan, where it is hard for any man to understand this new kind of war as we have been able to understand wars before.  Hopefully we will with General McCrystal's model of clear, hold and build.
THINK ABOUT IT!

BOND HOLDINGS AND DEBTS

So far China is not being unreasonable - look! they could really start liquidating their US bond holdings and cause havic for the world economy.  Why would they do that?  Perhaps there is common ground, for in the long run growth of all countries springs from the principle of absolute and competitive advantage.  Each country will tend to produce those things where they have an absolute advantage and each country will tend to produce those things where they have a comparitive advantage.  This is the foundation of free trade and trade is the essence of world prosperity and the advancement of peace on earth.  Perhaps the Chinese Government understands these principles very well and wants to make sure all the apples stay in the apple cart.
THINK ABOUT IT!

REGRESSIVE TAXATION AND HEALTH

Most folks, from any political persuasion, are not happy about regressive taxation.  Sales taxes, usage taxes and taxes on basic commodities that take a much bigger chunk, percentage wise, of a lower or middle class budget.  However, the discussion about taxing sugar in drinks really hits me as sensible.  First of all sugar drinks do add to the increase the incidence of diabetes, overweight, heart and blood pressure problems as well as overall good psychological wellbeing. 
So, I am in favor of taxing sugar in any reasonable way but if we don't make the tax high enough it will do little to help solve the health problem and bring down healthcare costs.  It didn't work with tobacco until the tax got big enough to get everyones attention.  It really hasn't had much of an effect on liquor. I'm afraid the businesses involved will not fight a small tax too much but a large one will run into all kinds of lobbying with all kinds questionable reasoning.
THINK ABOUT IT!

INTERESTING FOLKS

David Brooks was on Charlie Rose on Tuesday February 8th.  He talked about the power of the unconscous mind and how important it is and how little we know about it.  I liked the interview.  My thought is: Who knows? Maybe the mysteries that psychoanalysts work so hard to help people solve will eventually be solved with the understanding of the brain making it much easier for the analyst to help you understand your unconscous mind.   If you are interested maybe you can get a copy of the interview  from the Public Broadcasting Station.
THINK ABOUT IT !


I heard Amy Walters, the editor and chief of the Hotline, the other evening for the first time and was most impressed with her straight forward and articulate discussion of the issues.  No Um's and Ah's and a non committed discussion.  I will watch for her.
THINK ABOUT IT !

WINTER OLYMPICS ARE HERE

Michael Ignatieff has written a wonderful article about the winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia starting next week.  I highly recommend it.  It appeared in the New York Times on Sunday February 7th. and I would assume you can read it on line.   

WHAT SHOULD A YOUNG PERSON DO IN LIFE?

My grandson came to visit.  He is in his young twenties, an excellent student, has been accepted into a good training program with a well known company, is working hard on his masters, and is not quite sure what he wants to do in life:
 I gave him my best two ideas:
     .Take a course in speed reading to help you cover a lot of material about everything.
     .Whatever you decide make sure you enjoy getting out of bed every morning to do it.

A COMMON BLIP TO THE FUTURE

Many times in the past world progress has been slowed because the advances in all sciences, including social, economic and psychological, have progressed faster than the average person has been able to absorb it.
This may be true today for it seems possible that President Obama's view of our capabilities to absorb all this change, especially when the electorate, and most of the people from many countries, have been so supportive of his mandates, including yours truly, has been overly optimistic.
So, we may have to take a step backwards before taking more steps forward.  
It is sad that many people who should understand people would rather take advantage of it in order to stall progress for their own selfish reasons.  Let's hope everyone understands this so we can quickly get back to furthering the world's future destiny.
THINK ABOUT IT!

HAITI

Why can't we get together a consortium of countries in our continent to really do a long lasting job of putting Haiti on it's feet. After all if it wern't for the Haitian Revolution and Napoleon's lost interest in an Empire in our part of the world we never would have had the opportunity for the Louisiana Purchase which created the middle of the country and double the size of United States.  Let's really work on getting a group of countries together to do it.
With that thought in mind here is an outline for starting long range plans:
HAITI-REBIRTH: MY TAKE ON PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE.
     LAND, LABOR AND CAPITAL
 I. LAND:
A. Stop deforestation
B. Select land for small farms
C. Move Capitol out of maximum danger from weather
D. lay out plans for living units on suitable land.
II. LABOR
A. Teach engineering, farming, building and manufacturing to
      locals.
B. Use Haitians for practically all work with supervision by 
      locals and others where necessary.
III. CAPITAL
A. Plan and organize business ventures: Manufacture, 
      healthcare, farming, tourism etc.      
B. Raise seed capitol
1. Appropriate division of profits for land, labor and capital.
C. Excellent budget, expense, cost controls and periodic reviews.
IV. POLITICS
A. United States plays minimum role in background
B. Heavy involvement by western hemisphere countries such as:
1. Canada, Brazil, Columbia, and others.
C. Involvement of United Nations for security and peace keeping.
THINK ABOUT IT!