An Economic Philosophy maintained through Democratic Demise

The Eagles Long Road out of Eden --Is the US Empire building?

This week I’m traveling from Indiana to Arizona for business. It’s amazing the massive amount of building and economic progress that has taken place especially in our major cities. Two of the most expansive from a visual perspective, which I traveled through are Little Rock AR and Dallas TX. Like so many major cities keeping the infrastructure to accommodate the many people living and working in areas around the cities is a challenge Local and state governments who are challenged to find creative ways to fund all the necessary programs and projects.

The question: Why when things look so good are there any questions about supply side economics (Reaganomics) espoused by the Shawn Hannitys’ and Rush Limbaugh’s of the world. Do these commentators represent a smaller number of people who want to maintain the status quo by pointing to these great successes or are they the actual representations of America? The housing crunch is a perfect example of people acting upon the dilemma’s put before them. If I want to be part of the new greater America I must learn to get my piece of the pie out of a belief in an all or nothing philosophy. Today there has been an explosion in entrepreneurship, who were and also are more likely to go bankrupt. Entrepreneurship requires us to spend more for start up and take in a lower income than may be expected or perceived. This scenario of spending first, budgeting later has spread to all sectors of our economy starting with government spending, to corporations and to individuals.

The founders of the constitution did not have to be concerned with today’s media. Had the King of England possessed such power he may have reacted by constantly bombarding the colonists with his points of view to maintain his royal splendor. This would include protecting his supporters (health care and large corporations) who benefited from government regulation and government inaction. If one believes the US is in Iraq to protect our oil and financial interests then we must also conclude that we are indeed empire building.

Why Michael Moore is right about Health Insurance

Why Michael Moore is right about Health Insurance!

Today some 50 million Americans are without Health Insurance. Just as important are the millions of Americans who pay for Health Insurance that has outrageous premiums and high deductibles. Having worked for several major insurance companies during an eight year period there is no doubt in my mind that Americans are paying to much for to little and the future is only going to get worse without change.

Michael Moore covers the issue in his film “Sicko”. Why aren’t Americans demanding more from their insurance carriers, hospitals, doctors and government while they are paying so much more than our neighboring Canadians?

Most Politicians are afraid to demand real reform for fear of losing support. Don't allow yourself to be intimidated by fear of change. These reforms will give better health care to more people and save the American people billions even trillions. Don't allow yourself to be held captive any longer. Today more people than ever are being diagnosed with Diabetes, Cancer and numerous other ailments. Don't allow you, your children or their children to lose everything for no good reason. Please at least take a look at the facts.

Click on the link Mikes Health Insurance Information

Go Colts

Its that time of year again and we might see another Colts / New England Matchup.

Great Americans Can Oppose Right wing Media

(Photo: Hall of Fame Inductee John Mellencamp :courtesy INDYSTAR.com)

Today is like any other day in America. This is the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. Lately I’ve been hearing the right conservative guru’s toss around accusations calling people who oppose their ideas communists and socialists. This is absurd. In fact the current administration has managed to increase the power of the federal government, the military and large corporations. This doesn’t sound like power to the people. Oh and don’t forget the mafia has also grown in influence. The winners of our policies are those who support globalization, which doesn’t in anyway mean they support the USA. Sure many of us are doing great, but this doesn’t mean we should accept foolish policies that leave our nation and its citizens vulnerable to major problems in the future.

Just because Patriots like myself support a balanced government that wants to protect individual liberties over the power of a few who control more and more of our media, government and military, doesn’t mean we hate the free market. I’ve now been self employed or at least on commission for most of my adult life. (Not including my service in the military) My point to the pundits of the right is that they are pushing us faster towards a world government by increasing our servitude through massive debt, unfair trade practices and supporting illegal immigration. They always come back to that tax thing and avoid cutting spending because none of them seem to be able to address the key issues for fear the truth will cause them to lose political clout. They call us communists yet they are most supportive of governments such as China, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Venezuela. They oppose Health Care Reform and continue to support major inefficiencies and massive overspending. They fail to act, yet bailout all their problems by giving many of their citizens more credit and less real ownership. They are more concerned about preserving the 3 percent of people who will be affected by an estate tax yet fail to ask why the other 97% have no estate to be taxed.

They fool people into believing they have no media power, yet they control the media. They pretend to want the best for all, but spend all their time cutting down and destroying the opposition which is anyone that dares ask the questions they cannot and will never answer. They say get a job, but they know that many jobs are controlled by large corporations, unions, mafia and experience that cannot be attained. They educate us to think and then want us to accept their discrimination. They see the opposition and they manipulate and use these powers to overwhelm and eliminate those who do not see it their way.

I Love my country because I know the ideas upon which it is founded. We escaped the rule of a tyrant monarchy not to produce a land of Lords and Kings, but to produce free people who are ruled by a democracy. I will cry out to God for mercy and wisdom and I will not accept the statements of these powers as honorable when I know they will not include me within the realms of their guarded opportunity and that they will eventually condemn us to low income and poverty in old age. I am a blessed American and I have been given the obligation and opportunity to preserve these opportunities for my children and their children. God Bless America!

The Will of Man and Sheryl Crow

Did you ever stop to think that we are products not of just our own destiny, but the destiny of others. If we take the verse Mark 11:22-23 to heart then we must believe that nothing is impossible. Even the tower of Babel is a good example of God’s free will given to mankind. Proposing that if men came together with similar ideas then nothing would be impossible for them.

Recently I picked up a copy of a CD by Sheryl Crow. Her songs express views that many people may agree with but would never admit. . Her new song Shine over Babylon is a display of the thoughts and feelings of many people in the US and around the world. (the album with this song not released yet) Many of the words play upon the feelings of an end times philosophy that is all to prevalent in the minds of most members of the human race. A few lines read:

"walked the heat of seven hills
Endless talk of losing wills
Great highways in a constant melt
Men and women and children all have overbuilt

Buying bread and paying for none
Creatures of a waning sun
Teacher's hands are overrun
Clowns and gypsies have all but gone”

Mankind does seem to be on a high speed train bound for somewhere, without brakes or a destination.

The question is not can everyone have everything his or her way, but where does this process of everyone believing they can have everything his or her way end up. Also extrapolated even further is the idea that the will of one man or woman could be so strong enough to outweigh the will of many other people. Thus lies the dim reality of the future of the world of contending wills and objectives. When two wills collide someone eventually is a more dominating force of will. The media often serves not to discuss the truth, but to create or convince for a particular outcome or opinion. Ultimately the face of the very strong will takes the face of just one man or woman.

Take for example World War II brought about by an evil dictator whose will was so strong that he destroyed million of lives and property. (Adolf Hitler’s will was apparently developed in large part because of not being accepted to a particular school.) To counter this evil required the combined will of many other men and nations, which eventually created an even greater will to stop Adolf Hitler. The Jewish state and the nation of Israel were established once again as a direct result of the evil actions taken against the Jewish people. The theory of the atomic bomb was developed by a Jewish scientist Albert Einstein . The will of man is both a spiritual and scientific reality. These were acts of will brought on by perceived necessity.

Once again a new "counter will" emerged to the state of affairs. That is that muslim nations and the Palestinian people felt they were cheated by the giving of their land. Men bring together nations to promote a unified goal, but this seems to always end up producing an even stronger opponent, who feels that his or her goals are thwarted. Ultimately the "strong will" creates the need to dominate others in the quest for their goals, which means of course to mistrust or detour threats to power described in the words of Shakespeare in “ Julius Caesar” “A piece of work to make sick men whole, but are there some men whole we must make sick.” The US and the war in Iraq is a display much about George Bush and his reaction to the 911 attacks. The question of a just war is somewhat irrelevant, but is more about perceived will to have war. The concept of annihilation of the enemy is not new, but is primarily to reduce the response of the counter will.

The unseen hand of course is the unpredictable events such natural disasters or disease. Even these unknown events are seen to those in power as threats. These events are often what has changed the course of history even destroyed civilizations. Currently we hear much talk about Global warming, but issues such as these produced strong concerted "wills" all aiming to produce a solution, but with much less certainty to accomplishing the task or how to do it.

It seems with each "will" there is a "counter will" to overcome and with each success there are even greater difficulties that cannot be overcome. The very things which create the "strong will" are the things which create a sort of "counter will". This suggests that the fate of the world is ultimately balanced with each successive "will" producing the potential for even greater reaction. This may be why many see the world is doomed accept of course for the unseen hand, which we say is the intervention of God.

Warren Buffet: Doing What He Believes is Right: Thank God.

Warren Buffet is currently the third richest man in the world. His accomplishments are admirable, but his humility, honesty and responsible attitude set him apart in a nation that seems determined to protect him from his own wisdom. Yahoo’s Larry Elder today along with numerous other right wing journalists seem appalled at someone mentioning that the tax system is geared towards the rich. This isn’t news to people who are willing to look closely, however not since George Washington refused to be King has someone shown their willingness to be more concerned for others than their own accumulation of more wealth.

Why does this attitude that Buffet displays bother reporters such as Troy Neff of the Toledo Free Press?

For two decades the new media moguls have been able to avoid most controversies by continually waving the flag and talking about supporting the war. They looked around and couldn’t find any politicians who could seem to continue the unbridled passion of rhetoric brought on by decades of wealth and debt accumulation. President Bush’s popularity plummeted most from his reliance on policies of old and commitment to a War that seems to have little chance of clear victory. Suddenly they needed to criticize his tactics, but found little if any new blood to carry the now bruised banner of conservatism. President Clinton provided enough personal disgrace to satisfy their appetite for ridicule while actually implementing many policies that could be considered conservative.. Now they see a new left coming stronger than ever with the issues of the War in Iraq, Health Care, Immigration and Housing woes demanding answers.

Warren Buffet the son of a republican congressman and friendly with Libertarians now supports Hillary Clinton. He understands the power of money and unbridled wealth. He has nothing to lose and speaks a few fearful words about a tax structure that may be unfair. This is more than the Right wing media moguls are prepared to handle. Is it possible their words are now falling on more and more deaf ears?. Is it possible there are enough of their so called losers and doubters that the big winner and his wisdom will lead to changes in leadership, even Health Care and or an end to the War in Iraq?

American Politics,the Power of Greed and War on the Middle Class

The middle class American should simply state a pledge to give all they can to the less fortunate. Why, because under the current administration most policies have become part of the policy of denial. The main objective in spite of all dressings to cover it up the objective to keep the Rich healthy and employ whatever means to keep the game going.

The current trend of many Americans falling into credit card debt and many going into foreclosure has been met with the same fate which gives the pundits of the Right a sense of closure on the issue. A closer look shows us why this is such a contradictory stance from a party that has placed its fate and the fate of world on the so called trickle down economics philosophy.

After the Great Depression era President Roosevelt implemented a new deal with numerous plans to put people back to work and redistribute income opportunities. This of course employed large taxes on the wealthiest Americans. Today Credit Counseling has been implemented and evolved as part of a plan by banks and credit giving entities to keep people from overusing and abusing credit card opportunities. Banks like to provide incentives to use the cards, but are left out in the cold when people see the ability to pay is thwarted when cards lose their teaser rates and payments skyrocket. Many people could refinance these debts by borrowing on the equity in their homes as home prices have moved constantly upward for decades. Today many people have found themselves suddenly unable to get more value for their homes and see these assets are no longer worth the large payments. They either refinance or they allow foreclosure to take place. Unless they suddenly have large increases in income eventually they will most likely sell or declare bankruptcy even if there homes have doubled or tripled in value.

Credit Counseling and banks agreeing to lesser terms to meet obligations for unsecured debt is therefore the political means to avoid placing the responsibility on financial institutions for collecting on their bad debts. This of course is nothing less than a social program in that it promotes a pecking order for interest rates that constantly insures the interests of financial institutions without the risks. Let’s remember that the High School senior has now become a target for credit cards. The idea to place him or her in the game of entrapment has already begun in a large part because banks have lobbied for and received the right to fight for the economic assets of all Americans at an ever younger age. College Loans have now been handed over to large banking institutions who can ask for Parents to pay higher rates starting at 8.5% based on of course their ability to pay. This means that many parents may be asked to take on 50000 to 200000 of debt if they want their child to attend college at a rate that is much higher than it has been in the past. Sadly this also is a social program in that students with parents of little or no income receive much better deals or even grants to allow them to attend college. The pecking order for social progress has once again been implemented to assure the demise primarily of the middle class to provide the rich and the large institutions with closure on their right to amass their millions with good conscious.

The concept the trickle down economics would assure the kind of opportunity based upon efforts and God given talents becomes extremely skewed if not outright invalid.


This type of bias for the policies to protect the rich goes on and on.

President Bush has taken hands off approach to the economic political landscape especially in the areas of regulation and immigration. Under his administration illegal immigration has skyrocketed because among other things a lack of oversight and policing of borders. Bush has openly contended in the past that these workers were needed to fill jobs that Americans don’t want to fill. This is true; however this provides employers of illegals great competitive advantages when social security tax, workmen’s compensation and other tax disadvantages to the small business person are applied.


Another example of the skewed and biased tax policies involved the mother of expenditures which is Health Insurance. When the average insurance policy for a family of four costs between 10-15000 dollars a year in premiums the cost is in effect a tax for those who must have protection from the possibility of a large medical bills. For many Americans, the type of money that must be paid for Health insurance comprises a larger percentage of income than does their taxes. Even social security which taxes the small businessperson at a current 15.3 federal tax rate in addition to normal taxation is protecting the rich whom do not have to pay after their incomes reach the max around $90000. Although the government does give relief as a percentage of gross income (as well as this deduction requires more proof) this pales in comparison to the relief that is given to someone making million dollars a year who pays $10000 for their health insurance and taxes for social security on the first ninety thousand dollars.

The concepts of Reaganomics or even Libertarians are acceptable if they were only able to regulate and implement them fairly, but the facts disclose a disturbing trend towards an elite protectionism geared to save their own at all costs. Our constitution has mandated the concepts of individual abilities as endowed by our creator as a basis for opportunity. The USA has clearly been able to create a great environment by our political will to overcome biased even discriminatory constraints on progress for individual opportunity, however the current power, will and economic realities suggest the wealthy and our politicians are failing to constrain themselves from employing their power of men through politics, the media, the military our financial institutions from taking advantage and destroying liberty and freedom for the masses.

PS: Note the picture of Lou Dobbs who has written and discussed many of the viewpoints concerning the War on the Middle Class.

The Reasons or “Reason” for War in Iraq

Have you stopped to seriously consider the reasons our soldiers are still in Iraq. Originally if you remember we went to War to rid ourselves from the threat of Saddam Hussein and weapons of mass destruction. We now know they did not have weapons of Mass Destruction. What do we fear from Iraq?

Another reason given by the Bush administration is that we are there now to prevent a civil war and promote a smooth transition to a democracy. This of course is another reason for war that seems to contradict itself with reality. Why? Because our biggest supporters in the region outside of Israel are Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Do we ever mention Democracy in these regions? Especially does George Bush dare to offend by suggesting Democracy to these nations with no democracy, strict adherence to a monarchy form of government?

Then of course there is the Axis of Evil. These are the three countries ( Iraq, Iran and South Korea} President Bush tagged as threat nations that are seeking nuclear weapons. This of course is just another reason for going to war. Is it really possible that Iraq could possess such weapons of mass destruction. Not likely, since it’s obvious that the US has won the war of arms with this nation. Do you ever see Iraq’s tanks. Secondly our historical roots in the regions never support anything democratic. First we supported the Shah in Iran, who was ousted by the Ayatollah Khomeini an Islamic extremist who delivered threatening speeches against the US which lead to the taking of 66 hostages and further deterioration of relations with The United States. In turn the United States helped arm Saddam Hussein in his war with Iran.

The Iran-Iraq war of course in which he used mustard gas or other gas against Iran. The US also unofficially helped arm Iran by selling arms for cash through Iran-Contra to fund a war against the Sandinista government in Nicaragua. Is this War in Iraq preventing or promoting Iran or South Korea from developing Nuclear weapons?


Today we are supposedly in Iraq to help the Iraq people get freedom and rid their country of insurgents. Just who are the insurgents? Since our Military does not really know who is for us or against us in Iraq making the situation all the more dangerous. Do we really expect people who may have lost loved ones at the expense of the US to now support our efforts? The Iraq people are confused now more than ever. Who do they trust? They are not being asked they are being told. Thus it appears to be true that the Iraq people have all the reasons in the world to question the American form of diplomacy and democracy. What about our troops trying to determine who is good or evil. Is it possible our Troops are also confused about whom or what they are protecting? What and who’s interests are being protected when it seems no one is winning?

The real reason that we are in Iraq is simple and probably the true reason for the War and our presence in this country. The President and Vice President refer to this reason as American interests in the region. Both President Bush and Vice President Cheney have gained personally and financially from this war. Cheney the former President of Halliburton and Bush the Oil man from Texas. Those interests are of course are “Oil” interests. We never mention the monarchy governments of the Saudi’s or Kuwait’s or others, but discuss the hatred of West and the radical Islam who support acts of terror. This of course suggests that all Muslims are threats because of religious reasons hateful of the United States. This also suggests the Saudi nation was not involved when we know the original 911 attack was comprise of thirteen Saudis’ The backwards non western ways suggest that all are oppressed and the US military is positioned in Iraq to prevent these nations from hurting their own or others. We therefore overlook our humanitarian ideologies and fears of Islamic terrorist because it is in our interests to do so. What therefore are our interests in the region?

This leaves only “Oil interests” as the reason for war.

TAXES! HEALTH CARE! WAR!

Many mornings I make a commute from Monroe County near Bloomington Indiana to the metropolitan area of Indianapolis Indiana. If you are in a service business such as myself there is much time spent channel surfing the car stereo to find something interesting that goes along with your desired listening experience. Indiana is dominated by conservative AM radio stations, which I can sometimes agree with. These stations have learned to capitalize on their market power and drive the faults of the left wingers into my mind, while preserving the need for low taxes on the rich and the need for the war in Iraq.

It’s difficult for me to accept all that I hear having been raised by a grandmother whom I would characterize as a Roosevelt Democrat. Secondly the right seems amiss of my own experiences as a veteran and the only of one of my father’s ten children to attend or graduate from College. Ironically I married a right winger whom carries the banner for the Republican Party as a sort of code of ethics. She’s for the party without question, while I seem to question everything coding myself as an independent.

Tax time is here. Guess what I had a descent year, unlike the past several years, primarily because the weather or God brought a great hailstorm down on Indianapolis in late April 2006. This brings me to the main point of my story the contrast between two American political powers, Ted Kennedy and George Bush, both representing their family party politics with the strongest of conviction.

For a moment please forgive me for looking past the banter of the sins of the past but, Ted Kennedy has always been a favorite politician of mine, primarily because he chose to enlist in the arm services as an enlisted man in spite of his wealth and family background. His campaign for Health Reform is one that cannot be easily overlooked or minimized for the future of the American Agenda. This year our family will probably pay ten percent of our adjusted gross income towards Health Care. I consider our family to be average middle class Americans. Ironically, if Health care was part of normal taxation I would probably pay no more while the rich would pay considerably more. This concept of course is Taboo from the political right who know that these benefits would cost the wealthy a considerable amount of money if added to normal tax reform. The medical establishments of Doctors and Large Pharmaceuticals and their political allies view these concepts as something close to treason. Ironically if health care was part of normal taxation, we could go to a flat tax and actually see an increase in taxes for the richest Americans. Americans and Politicians would also have to consider more carefully the problems of illegal immigration and benefits provided to millions of undocumented aliens.

For now though we must worry about the war in Iraq and who is going to protect the interests of the United States. Just who are these troops enlisting to go overseas? Probably people like me twenty plus years ago who were willing to throw caution to the wind looking for the sense of accomplishment, adventure and opportunity that the military can sometimes provide to the less fortunate in this country of great wealth.

Go Colts

I watched the Fox Friday Sports Net Show and all four of the hosts picked the colts to lose. This would really bother me accept that the combined records of all four is less than 50%. In fact the best game picker had a record of 19-15. This is almost a good omen. I'm going out on a limb and picking the Colts 37-16. This may be overly optimistic, however one of the Hosts is Eddie George who swears to never pick the Colts-- No matter what.

Go former IU quarterbackTrent Green-- But not tomorrow!

Conspiracy Debunking

Popularity combined with mystery and death certainly make for good reading and speculation. Lady Di, JFK, OJ are common acronymns which more people around the world recognize than anything else. What is necessary to create such interest? Genuine people placed in public eye and of course disaster. Personally, Politicians and Expert Historians can lay all the blame or credit to the the drunk Body Guard and or the Loan Gunmen, but the amazing thing is this displays their inadequacies to ever find the mystery. It's like where is Osama Bin Laden? Primarily the Powers that be feel more comfortable letting us know they've really looked into the situation very carefully and come up with nothing--- meaning there is no conspiracy?

A brief submission we wrote a few years ago

How should I vote.

We the American people have been deliberately, maneuvered, trapped, tricked, deceived and even enslaved by our own political ideologies, agendas and parties. Somehow through all of this we are still the undisputed champion at producing much of the best of almost everything. If we can’t make the best, we buy the best even if it means selling ourselves out to do it. We are more dependent now on foreign countries, companies and illegal immigrants than ever before. The one thing we are promising to provide the world is protection. We own approximately half of all nuclear armaments in the world and American companies control almost half of all privately held highly enriched uranium. Most certainly we trust ourselves more than anything else. We’ve borrowed close to 29, 000 dollars for each and every American and there is no sign of change. We have by far the most billionaires and provide them with some of the lowest tax rates and the highest standards of living. We even look the other way as they avoid taxes and place their money in tax free havens around the world.

Sorry if I sound so cynical, but I’m somewhat concerned about many Americans. The middle class, lower class and ever increasing elderly citizen base all dependent on the nation to aspire to its great heritage of strength and giving. The government can’t say no to spending and our corporate corruption is shameful. It is no longer just a few, but a way of life. I doubt if President Lincoln, Jefferson, Grant or Washington imagined the millions other Presidents would receive for their books, memoirs and speaking engagements. I wish they could be here now to give Americans some advice. Undoubtedly they would be Proud and even Impressed at the accomplishments and greatness of this Great Country. What would they say about our morality? Our decisions? Our Future? I don’t know? I do know that many Americans have given their lives and lost their fortunes through the generations and certainly deserve a country that maintains its heart and its identity. This is indeed a battle with globalization, internet pornography, weapons proliferation and most of all political corruption and gluttony. The strength of our democracy depends on the voting American to promote change and direction.

The question of whether We The People can discern, be brave enough to demand through the ballot box necessary change that confronts all of our demons will indeed determine our ability to maintain the nation and claim the freedoms given by our Declaration of Independence and God inspired constitution.

A note about this site

Its been quite some time since I've posted to this site. The UT site is still not fully operational. The site was almost dismantled completely but is now up accept the links to the powerboard work occasionally. Believe it or not I was able to get thousands of hits per day, but the site did not generate any revenue. I still believe the etattle site has some potential, but until some kinks are worked out and I find the time, the site remains as is.

Recently I went to a soccer game between Chelsea and the US Allstars near Chicago with my two sons. Click here for an AMYVILLE song

Mark Cuban Vs Bill Gates

Recently I read an editorial (A billionaire who knows alot of things)about Mark Cuban vs Bill Gates by sports columnist Tim Dahlberg and I beg to differ with his conclusions. First of all Mark Cuban went to Indiana University and actually got a degree. He started as a salesman and has in fact billions. Ironically he has a website which is open to the public. Unlike Mr. Bill Gates whom has basically no means to contact him including his company Microsoft without going through some major beauracratic process.

Yes, Bill Gates has given away thirty billion dollars or has he. It seems to me that only about ten percent of the money is actually being given to charity that goes into this tax haven for the rich. Guess what most of us have no control or say so over the money we give away, but not Mr Gates who’s foundation is neatly controlled by his spouse and father. Don’t get me wrong I admire Bill Gates in that he notably is trying to do the right thing and suck up to the intellectual liberal media, however WHO IS Bill Gates and would he allow you to respond openly to him on a website—I think not. Mark Cuban openly discusses his thoughts and feelings about things he does know about or has ideas about.

Last time I looked Bill Gates was getting away from what he knows best—Microsoft and going after the power and glory of giving that ten percent of his foundation which in one gift became four times larger than the Rockefellers or the Ford’s. Honestly I hope he decides to give away all those Billions and end the plight of starvation and malnutrition worldwide, but time will tell. Meanwhile, Just be careful what you say regarding this master of intrigue who's name is Bill Gates.

Mark Cuban on the other hand might actually offer you a few pointers on what he thinks about basketball, getting rich or what coffee he likes best.

Universal Tattletale site down

The Universaltattletale.com site and the etattle.com site may be down temporarily due to us changing servers. Please try again later or feel free to send us an email from this blog.

New Slavery Coming for many Americans

On January 1, 2006 banks were ordered to charge at least one percent of credit card balances plus interest to assure that credit card loans were paid down. Recently a rash of consumer complaints became evident when many banks for apparently little or no reason increased interests rates from the low teens to high 29.99 percent or higher. Banks took advantage of some discreet language buried deep in their disclosure documents, primarily that you can have your interest rate increased if you have even one late payment with any financial institution even if it’s not the one raising the rate. Banks were in essence deregulated from charging whatever they wanted, because they are now guaranteed income because individuals can no longer walk away from unsecured debt as easily through a bankruptcy filing. What was once unsecured debt has now become secured unsecured debt to major banking institutions

Believe it or not the Governments run up of debt and the changing of bankruptcy laws could be the beginning of the end for the United States of America. Many democrats and others point to moral and ethical changes as a sign of the major problems if not the end times. Raising taxes to excess or placing excessive debts on the constituency can lead to financial chaos, increased poverty and political turmoil. This type of economic scenario requires countries to look outside their own country to finance their increased spending. Remember the Louisiana Purchase. American Ports, Roads and Corporations are being turned over to foreign interests primarily to sustain the American Dream. During the current President Bush’s tenure the national debt has actually increased more than all other Presidents combined. (This debt is not currently as high in real terms if compared to post World War Two)

For the past several years many people have financed and refinanced to take advantage of increasing home values and pay off excessive debt. Ironically recent economic data shows that average incomes are actually dropping compared to inflation. Recognizing the problem with large numbers of bankruptcies the government changed the rules to avoid allowing many people to walk away from their debts. Many Americans are accustomed to being able to run up debt and pay it off, but this new system is going to create new realities that will test the will of the current Republican congress to avoid a constituent backlash, which could reverse the trend to a new deal not seen for seventy five years.

How did this happen? Quite simply banks and Congress came up with the trickle up philosophy which means that someone would have to pay in case things really get nasty. The trickle up philosophy meaning place much of the responsibility on the lower and middle class allowing people to spend what they want, but they will be made to pay the price through mandatory payment systems and credit counseling. The top 3% of Americans have not only enjoyed the largest tax advantages but, they have also enjoyed the luxury of avoiding carrying responsibility of the debt load as their income is divested across national borders worldwide.

The government could have been wiser by making credit card issuers at least maintain reasonable interest rates, but this is not the case. Banks are now allowed with little or no reason or notification to raise interest rates at will. If you currently have a 10,000 dollar credit card balance at 10% the bank if it desires can change the rate to 29.99 percent. If you are like many people you may not read the disclosure and in one month’s time you would lose 200 dollars and increase your payments by $200 dollars a month on that one card.

Truly men could be enslaved to debt for life if Congress finds a way to mandate repayment of a parent’s debts by a child. This would truly be the last hurdle in taking away individual freedoms at conception and enslaving a person from birth.

Port Authority or Presidential Authority

Dear President Bush:

As an American citizen I am concerned as I recently heard your considering vetoing legislation because of Congress not agreeing to let the UAE owned company run six US Ports. Quite honestly your priorities seem to be getting out of line. Personally I’m not certain about whether the UAE should be allowed to administrate activities and personnel at the Ports, however I am certain that there is a war going on in Iraq. I am also certain that there are thousands of people needing homes and assistance still in Louisiana and Mississippi not to mention atrocities throughout the known world. What’s the big deal with this company losing its Port’s contracts?

Please read my previous blog and click on the link to Ben Franklin's " The Art of Virtue.

Sincerely

Randy

United States Plagued by Lack of Virtue

The lack of virtue allows politicians and the media to accept and use information they otherwise would question. One of the major difficulties with employment opportunities for many prospective students (young or old) in the United States today is recognizing what to learn which will be regarded enough to provide ample economic opportunity. This is not a new problem but one which has existed for hundreds of years. In H.W. Brands book, “The First American” he quotes Ben Franklin from his book “The Art of Virtue”

Many people lead bad lives that would gladly lead good ones, but know not how to make the change. They frequently resolved and endeavored it; but in vain, because their endeavors have not been properly conducted. To exhort people to be good, to be just, to be temperate &c. without shewing them how they shall become so, seems like the ineffectual charity mentioned by the Apostle, which consisted in saying to the hungry, the cold, and the naked, be ye fed, be ye warmed, be ye clothed, without shewing them how they should get food, fire, or clothing.

Today, politicians including President Bush, economists and reporters have displayed their lack of virtue when understanding trends in the United States. They tend to view education as a means in itself to employment. The rhetoric about all the new jobs relies heavily on people actually understanding how to accomplish these new tasks put before them. It also ignores economic realities that exist for many people who work for much less money. Many of the jobs now provided to illegal immigrants or sent to Mexico require less knowledge, but are still being taken away from Americans who in turn have little to offer that provides adequate income. We raise interest rates when we could raise taxes on the rich which would promote more competition. The rich and powerful must give to promote the cycle of opportunity to others. Virtue must be a part of the repertoire of the powerful and the rich or we continue to take from the have nots to give to the haves. In the words of Franklin:

It is as properly an art as painting, navigation, or architecture. If a man would become a painter, navigator, or architect, it is not enough that he is advised to be one, that he is convinced by the arguments of his advisor that it would be for his advantage to be one, and that he resolves to be one; but he must also be taught the principles of the art, be shewn all the methods of working, and how to acquire the habits of using properly all the instruments. And thus regularly and gradually he arrives by practice at some perfection in the art.

This lack of sharing or virtue is not an intentional consequence of actions of the past administrations, but the result of a continual pattern of abuse of debt instruments, media conglomerates and corporate excesses through lobbyist in congress and greed at the expense of the masses in the United States. Currently the 8 trillion dollar deficit is the elusive creature that allows all this excess to go unnoticed. The new policies adopted for bankruptcy are just a precursor to bigger problems that are arising concerning individual rights. More power to fewer and larger banks who lend money with less risk to people with less freedom and ability to repay the higher interest loans. More drugs, more casinos, more mafia mean more prisons and jails are needed to maintain and protect this new found wealth of the elite bankers, drug lords, politicians and large corporate owners as they continue this ongoing policy of abuse which Franklin described as “LACK OF VIRTUE”

Day after superbowl a Holiday?

Indiana Grumblings

Most of the past 40 plus years of my life accept for a brief stint in the military has been spent in Indiana. Many of my ancestors have lived here close to the inception of the state in the early 1800’s. Like many lifelong Hoosiers I’ve grown up working on farms, playing basketball, ice skating on ponds and attending a small town country church. Home-made Sunday dinners were a must. Dwindling downtowns have been replaced with sprawling suburbs and Wal-Mart Super Centers. The high income manufacturing jobs are being and have been replaced by lower paying service jobs.

One thing for certain change is inevitable. As a child, like Mellencamp’s “ Pink Houses” I may have felt becoming the President was possible. Now I realize a roadmap and luck have much to say about success. The trials and failures of my parents in Indiana have become all too real. Like so many this dream of success was never realized and my responsibilities and security has kept me here long enough that roads and opportunities to other places have drifted away.

Ironically, I live in a nice home in one of the most beautiful places that Indiana has to offer. I like this place with serenity, beauty and access to so many places all year long. Technology has made this place nestled between Morgan-Monroe and Brown County even more attractive for living and retirement.

I would like to tell my children move away because I couldn’t make things happen here economically like I wanted to. Guess what? I know how dangerous the rest of the world can be without a plan. Sure it would be nice as a young man or woman to travel around the world and live in Hostel’s, but sooner or later reality sets in and we have to find a place to call home. (Have you seen the movie Hostel-not recommended?) I’ve traveled and stayed a little in Australia and Hostel’s are the way to travel for less. In fact it wasn’t near as dangerous as traveling around Texas where it seems everyone carried a gun.

The Indiana roadmap I have followed has lead me to become what Indiana has reserved for so many like me. A fear of the Lord and the granting of advanced education and degrees for jobs that required much less education. Just like many parents I like the idea of pushing our children to do better than me or at least not make the mistakes I made.

Indiana can be a great place to live, however, Economic reality has made life more difficult in many areas of Indiana. For instance according to Forbes Indiana is one of only a handful of states that does not have a top 300 privately held company. To often change is necessary for personal growth and career advancement. For many young men and women leaving Indiana may be a necessity; however the values, good times and the feeling of home will not be forgotten. But my advice to many is Go West Go South Go North.