Paradise ... is it where you are or

who you are with? Waking up on a foggy morning while on a camping trip with my grandson was special. I don't know that it was paradise but I will never forget those days of riding dirt bikes together, roasted hot dogs, and telling secrets. It made me feel like we were growing up together. :=)


A trip that was more like paradise was spending the cold winter months in Key West. My wife and I spent two winters in that tropical paradise. This image illustrates it nearly perfectly.

Actually, home isn't such a bad place. We're not wealthy. Our home isn't impressive. Life here can be boring. But, we so enjoy these golden years. Especially when loved ones - read our grandson - visits us here. I guess paradise is really when you are where and who you are there with. :-)

L8r

Who Do I Pay?

The Outstanding Public Debt as of 17 Sep 2006 at 07:36:58 PM GMT is:

8.5 trillion dollars!!!

The estimated population of the United States is 299,521,300, so each citizen's share of this debt is $28,487.27.

I've said before that I don't understand economics. This is something that leaves me even more baffled than my general lack of knowledge should allow. Who do we owe? Somebody holds that loan. Is it the Federal Reserve? Is it Exxon/Mobil? Is the stock market supported by investments in the national debt? My lack of knowledge sent me on a search for more information.

Did you know that Alexander Hamilton invented the National Debt? Yep! While Ben Franklin was saving pennies, Uncle Al was blowing it faster'n a college student with a new credit card.

The real reason for the national debt

Following text is excerpted from the link:
A lot of folks presume that a national debt is just sort of an accident of poor management, that it results simply from the fact that politicians can't control themselves, and like children with a bag of Halloween candy will gorge themselves until they hurl. And they would be exactly right in that assumption except for one little word: accident. National debts are not accidents, they are designed for a specific purpose.

Alexander Hamilton, first Secretary of the US Treasury (and architect of the first national debt) wrote: "A national debt, if it is not excessive, will be to us a national blessing."

Why would Hamilton, political genius that he was (he was one of the co-authors of the Federalist papers) say such a thing? Because in his case and in his time, it was true. In 1790, the new US government had very little legitimacy and even less support. The British were all but ignoring the Treaty of Paris, a course of action that would eventually lead to the War of 1812. The French, our major ally, were in the midst of a revolution. Continental paper money had become worthless, yet there was little gold or silver in circulation. Little sagebrush rebellions (like Shay's) were starting to pop up. The government needed support.

In line with Jesus' admonition that, "where your treasure is, there will your heart be," Hamilton reasoned that if the national government took on the states' war debts and borrowed money from wealthy citizens to cover it (a 2-part plan known as "funding" and "assumption") the wealthy would suddenly have a vested interest in the success of the United States, just like a shareholder has a vested interest in the success of a company he owns. By creating a national debt, he could get the rich and powerful "on board," with a central government.

Of course, he understood that he who pays the piper calls the tune, meaning that the government would also never do too much that was not in the interest of those who funded it. The practical effect of a small national debt was a small wealth transfer from poor to rich. The rich paid taxes, but because they were paid by government in interest for money previously borrowed, they were net gainers. The poor paid taxes only to see a portion of that money siphoned off by the rich who had lent in years past.

The larger effect was that the rich and powerful gradually lost the incentive to undermine their own investment. The new government was stabilized and eventually established.Unfortunately, there can be too much of a "good thing," thus Hamilton's caveat that a national debt not be 'excessive.' A small national debt, started for the purpose of binding leading citizens to a new form of government, has in our day become a large national debt. Because the rules of interest do not change, the same transfer - borrower to lender, poor to rich - takes place.

There is another rule that remains the same: he who pays the piper calls the tune. And therein lies the danger of today's poor management. Those with tuppence to lend always receive a return from the pockets of the citizens, yet today they are not individuals who must also live under that government, but more often foreign governments who are in competition with it.

Are you beginning to see the light? Our founding fathers found a way from the get go to keep themselves wealthy at the expense of the less fortunate. At least, that is my take on Hamilton's idea. I wonder if our present-day leaders view our national debt "as a good thing?"

Thomas Jefferson's was a different take on debt:
"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. Already they have raised up a moneyed aristocracy that has set the government at defiance. The issuing power should be taken away from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs,"
And….
"The Central Bank is an institution of the most deadly hostility existing against the principles and form of our Constitution… if the American people allow private banks to control the issuance of their currency, first by inflation and then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them will deprive the people of all their property until their children will wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered."

I don't know what to believe. Being the cynic that I am, you can bet my trust is not in the people who are making the rules ... or spending our money. It seems there is a need to let that huge tax reduction for "big business" expire. Unless there is no desire to clear the national debt. Afterall, what we owe China and the Mid-East is probably owed to American investors who have placed their bet on the Global Economy?

Maybe I am just confused. I guess I just don't "get it."

L8r

I love Andy Rooney

Maybe he reminds me of Scott (Dilbert) Adams, or Mark Twain, or Will Rogers, or .... you get the idea; he's a humorist. I missed his piece on 60 Minutes last night but saw it online this morning. He was VERY serious for a change. I thought this video clip would give me ammo for attempting my first link to something "moving." Check it out ... if the link works?

Well, CRAP! It's there but there is not a smooth transition. I was trying to link to Andy's piece on "The War in Iraq." I have some learning to do.

I've written to my representatives today. They all are Republicans. I don't especially want them to continue being my representative, but used their ambition to remain in office as leverage to inspire their assistance in an issue that is really bothering me. The situation in Darfur is an international disgrace. How can anyone who professes to champion human rights continue to ignore the suffering? Following is an excerpt from a letter to all three of my representatives. If you feel the same, perhaps you will take a few minutes to request the help of your representatives.

Dear Congressman Conaway,
The situation in Darfur is an international disgrace. The Republican Party needs a shot in the arm. I propose that an effort to champion a humanitarian effort in support of these poor people could not hurt Republican efforts to maintain control. Please do whatever is necessary to relieve the suffering in Darfur. Any effort there could only help improve our reputation in this world of strife ... and corruption.

Respectfully,
Warren Price, Master Sergeant, US Army (Retired)

L8r

Going Places...

I've been fortunate enough to see a lot of the world; not nearly as much as I would like but more than many folks. This picture is looking across Lost Lake at the western slope of Mt. Hood in Oregon. I traveled there in the fall of 1990, I think? It may have been 1989? When I took this picture, I thought I was at the most beautiful place on earth. It still ranks pretty high, if not at the top, of beautiful places I have seen. The time of day and lighting made the scene simply breathtaking.

I've been remiss in maintaining the blog. I'm still working my way thru the recovery after a major malfunction of my computer. I've just this week managed to complete my DSL installation. Restoring all the lost files, especially my photos, will take much much longer. I may never find some of them.

But, recovering can be good. I'm seeing things I haven't looked at in years. It is a diversion that slows down the system recovery process. I love looking at the old stuff and reminiscing. Sort of slow down and smell the roses? Guess you can't have your cake and eat it.

L8r

Importing Produce Could Eliminate Illegal Immigration

Even though I quit drinking many years ago, I signed a petition to boycott wines produced by the Charles Krug -Mondavi winery. I even added a statement in the petition that "rather than have the Krug and Mondavi families import illegal immigrants to replace the fired workers, I would be importing my wine." They don't know that I don't drink. :=)

That was after reading about their firing of all employees rather than negotiate with the United Farm Workers Union. Further contemplation on the issue brought me to determine that all produce should be imported. Why not? We're importing nearly everything that can be made cheaper in another country. Think about it. Eliminating jobs that no self-respecting American wants should eliminate jobs that illegal immigrants are flocking to our country to accept. And, it would keep the landowners from breaking the law by willfully employing illegal immigrants.

Of course, it would eliminate another major industry; trafficking in human indignity.

It would also eliminate the congressional stalemate in Washington and relieve George Bush of disgracefully referring to slavery as "guest worker program." It would lessen the burden on social programs, as well, negating the need to spend MediCare/MedicAid dollars that employers nor employees have paid into. Perhaps, without jobs the flow of illegal immigrants would be reduced.

And, the poor farmers could sell their interests in the land and agricultural equipment for enough money to become filthy rich by investing in the stock market ... buy stock in foreign countries, Of course. For that matter, maybe they could invest in Mexican agriculture. Wouldn't it be cool if our poor and depressed found jobs in Mexico?

L8er,

Monarch Migration...

The butterflies are back. The live oak next to our house is blanketed with monarchs. It is the first time in seven years that the annual pilgrimage to their winter home in the mountains of Mexico has drawn the monarchs to our tree. The last time they were here, I think, was in 1999. Of that, I am not certain. I am sure the migration is an annual affair. Another thing that I am not sure of is how they decide when and which tree to use for their layover. I think the occasion calls for a second photo.

We made our weekly excursion into the "Big City" for groceries and to complete our list of errands. Gas at WalMart was down to $2.09, using the prepaid card. I hope it continues to drop but can't believe it will last long after November 7.

Dilbert's latest was good. He has developed a plan for defeating the terrorists. Following is a breif excerpt leading up to his "Plan." :=)

Grand Talipoobah

Have you noticed that there are two basic types of terrorists? There are the smart, educated ones with engineering and medical degrees, for example. And then there are the Taliban who are essentially monkeys with guns. I think we need different strategies for dealing with them.

Now before you go and accuse me of racial insensitivity, remember that the Taliban are my race (Caucasian). They are simply uneducated. What I’m about to say will seem unkind, but it’s an objective fact that almost everything the Taliban do can be taught to a chimp, e.g. ride motorcycles, shoot rifles, eat, wear pajamas, poop.

If you make a list of all the things monkeys do NOT do, then compare it to the list of things the Taliban likewise do NOT do, you’d find a lot of similarities. Monkeys don’t read and write, don’t use computers, don’t play Scrabble, don’t invent anything, and so forth. To be fair, the Taliban do have language skills whereas monkeys can only use sign language. But the point is that we shouldn’t use the same strategy with the Taliban that we use with the smart terrorists. We’ll have to kill the smart terrorists. We can outsmart the dumb ones.

Dilbert's plan is simple and seems effective.

Look around your house. There is always something exciting happening. So much to make you wonder ... and THINK! I didn't even mention the fire ants that chewed holes in my knee. That was very exciting. I'll save the story for ...

L8er

The Hypocrisy is Astounding...

Can you believe that Donald Rumsfield sat on the board of directors of the company that sold nuclear reactors and technological support to North Korea? Check this link. The Clinton administration initiated the action as a "carrot" to entice North Korea's peaceful co-existance. Rumsfeld, at the time, had no objections.

And, the Bush administration approved 3.5 million dollars in 2002 to continue the project. I think this was about the time he declared North Korea a member of the "Axis of Evil." Following is an excerpt from the referenced link.

The Clinton package sought to defuse tensions on the Ko rean peninsula by offering supplies of oil and new light water nuclear reactors in return for access by inspectors to Pyongyang's atomic facilities and a dismantling of its heavy water reactors which produce weapons grade plutonium. Light water reactors are known as "proliferation-resistant" but, in the words of one expert, they are not "proliferation-proof".

The type of reactors involved in the ABB deal produce plutonium which needs refining before it can be weaponised. One US congressman and critic of the North Korean regime described the reactors as "nuclear bomb factories".

North Korea expelled the inspectors last year and withdrew from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty in January at about the same time that the Bush administration authorised $3.5m to keep ABB's reactor project going.

North Korea is thought to have offered to scrap its nuclear facilities and missile pro gramme and to allow international nuclear inspectors into the country. But Pyongyang demanded that security guarantees and aid from the US must come first.

Mr Bush now insists that he will only negotiate a new deal with Pyongyang after the nuclear programme is scrapped. Washington believes that offering inducements would reward Pyongyang's "blackmail" and encourage other "rogue" states to develop weapons of mass destruction.

It is disheartening to read about such dealings. Has the Global Economy made our country and our morals available to the highest bidder?

Let's Be Friends...

A friend linked me to this hilarious blog, written by the author of Dilbert (the cartoon). It is serious in a very entertaining way. Enjoy.

L8er

Who Knew What When?

There is a lot being made of how long Congressman Foley's "questionable" behavior was known by whom. I think our recent congressional legislation on Agressive Interrogation could be applied to a few of our congressman. I wonder how long it would take to identify those guilty of terrorizing the "kids in congress" and who was aware of and covered up this disgraceful behavior.

Or, would torture be legal? I say waterboard the entire do nothing bunch of them.

L8er

Whoa! It has been a bumpy ride.

I have a nice new computer after a discouraging hard disc malfunction. This computer is much faster and far more advance (technologically) than the old one. But, I've lost my wireless access. I'm back on dialup. That sucks! Certainly emphasizes the advantages of DSL and wireless.

I'll continue to study my options. I think the choice will be DSL. I was previously wireless but, for some strange reason, I can't seem to connect to the previous hotspot I was using? I'll defer further blog updates until I have a bit more speed.

L8er