Financial Madness

"Financial madness" is the only way to describe what is happening in Washington lately. I will not go into the details - anyone with a brain or the least bit of interest about what is going on in this country knows what the numbers are - trillions of dollars of "pork" spending leading to more future debt.

After the first half of the $720 billion "TARP" bill was distributed to banks, and later the government admitted they had "no idea how it was spent", it just confirmed my belief that our politicians are not just idiots, they are mostly incompetent managers who have no idea what economics are all about - the average small businessman in this country would make the average politician look like he failed ninth grade math. Since that first stimulus bill, additional trillions of dollars have been spent and when Obama makes his speeches about all this spending the crowds cheer. Financial madness is the only way to describe it and I would guess a large portion of the people that voted for Obama have no idea what the consequences of these spending bills are...in fact many look at it as "free" entitlements for themselves.

Since the country had a deficit to begin with, these trillions of dollars have to be borrowed. But that borrowing will soon come to an end as the rest of the world begins to worry about the USA's ability to pay it back. At that time our government will have only a few choices - raise taxes on everyone, or print money and let inflation reduce the debt. Both are losing propositions for main street Americans.

I am convinced that this is a power grab unprecedented in the history of this country, aimed at laying the foundation for a socialist government with hopes of securing power for the Democrats for years to come. These bailouts reward homeowners that made poor choices, they reward auto makers and banks that have mismanaged their companies, and they re-establish a broad welfare system in this country. Think about it - most of these programs support people that have "failed' and ask achievers to pay for that failure. It's just a way to redistribute the wealth of this country from the achievers to the non-achievers...classic socialism. Margaret Thatcher, former Conservative Prime Minister of Britain once made a very prolific quote:

"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money"

Unfortunately the Democrats have almost total control in Washington and Obama, the "pied piper of socialism" is leading his throngs like lemmings over a cliff. And I think he knows exactly what he is doing.

Priorities?

Any good manager will tell you that when there are serious problems, you work on the most important ones first and forget about everything else.

Obama's first executive orders included closing the Guantanamo prison in Cuba, bringing the terrorists to the USA for trials, and eliminating all harsh interrogation techniques. I'm sure terrorists around the world are running around like Munchkins singing "Ding dong the witch is dead".

And then last Friday evening during the 'slow news cycle' he quietly reinstates an executive order which provides for the USA to fund overseas "Family Planning Services" which we all know is code for supplying contraception and abortions around the world. It is estimated this will cost our country $400-500 million/year. Whether you are Pro Choice or Pro Life does the Obama administration remember this country is BROKE!

Our economy is in shambles, we are in debt over our heads, millions are out of work, we are involved in two wars, terrorism continues to loom it's ugly head, and Obama's first priorities are to lighten up on terrorists and lead the charge on international population control.

Good work Mr. President, we are pleased to see you and your administration have your priorities in order.

Our "no class" society

The inauguration today was impressive as it usually is. This country knows how to show the world that our democracy can change power in a very civil and impressive way. I did not vote for Obama but he is now my President and I wish him the best.

But two things turned me off about our country today. Obviously the attendance at the inauguration was mostly liberal folks; after all it is their victory. During the introductions the crowd applauded the Clinton's, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and all the other Democratic dignitaries...as they should...they won. But when first President George H. W. Bush and his wife were introduced, the crowd was quiet, and when President George W. Bush and his wife were introduced the crowd booed and some yelled obscenities. Whether you agree with his politics or not he was our President and should get the respect of his office. The reaction of the crowd shows the lack of "class" that many in our country have. I am a hard core Conservative who disliked Clinton and Carter with a passion, but I would NEVER boo a standing President. Whether you agree with our President or not they deserve our respect...another black eye for you Democrats.

And finally I must take exception to the Benediction especially the final paragraph:

"Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around ... when yellow will be mellow ... when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right."

I am a 69 year old white man that has always "embraced what is right". So Reverend Lowery I take offense with your prayer and on the day of the inauguration of the first black President, which is supposed to bring us all together, you have by your words kept the racial divide in this country front and center.

"Hope and Change"

I don't know why I have had writers block the past few weeks, perhaps it's the holidays or maybe in my excitement anticipating the inauguration I just can't wait for the "hope and change" coming this year - along with lots to write about.

Here is what I am "hoping" for...

I am hoping that we pack up and leave Iraq and let the Sunni and Shiite Muslims get on with killing each other off. Maybe the Iranians can recruit another 70 thousand Shiite suicide bombers (in addition to those selected for war against Israel), and they can go after the Iraq Sunnis. The Iraqi Sunnis can then go to Saudi Arabia and recruit 70 thousand Sunni suicide bombers and they can all meet in Iraq and have one big self-sacrifice. Allah will have to work overtime to prepare the virgins - but can you imagine the fun those martyrs will have when they get to heaven?

I am hoping the Israelis and Palestinians will finally have peace with each other. But we must have patience; after all they have only had 50 years to work out their differences.

I am hoping Barack sends us all a BIG check to stimulate the economy. Don't worry about where the money will come from or how big the deficit will become. I have heard from a very reliable source that the US Mint has already doubled their order for ink next year in anticipation of the Obama administration. Who knows, someday Barack Obama's picture may be on the $100,000 dollar bill that you will use to put a down payment on your new car.

I am hoping for a 20,000 point stock market in 2009.

But even more important is the "change" we have to look forward to...

Even though Obama has filled his cabinet with more than 50% of Clinton "retreads", obviously they must have learned from their mistakes or the "messiah" would not have selected them. No more corruption or special interests. Forget about Illinois and Blago - Obama had no connection with those corrupt Chicago politics. After all, he has disassociated himself from Pastor Jeremiah Wright and Louis Farrakhan. He has said his close relationship with convicted felon Tony Resko was a mistake, but assured us there was no wrong doing. He has said that his relationship with the terrorist Bill Ayers was just a distant "friendship" and that kicking off his campaign in Ayers house was not a big deal.

We need to give Obama a break - as he says "The days of old boy politics in Washington are over". Sure his staff dropped the ball in not finding out that Bill Richardson, his designate for Commerce Secretary was being investigated for corruption ("pay to play" - does that sound familiar).

And he is raising the CIA to a higher level installing Leon Panetta as Director - he promises no more harsh interrogations like those in the Bush administration conducted. We will now be a kinder gentler country and convince terrorists that they need to become good guys. No more Metallica playing 24 hours - they will get Lazy Boys, iced tea, and wind chimes. I am sure this gentle treatment will convince them to reject Islam and come over to our side.

If you have a business in these difficult times do not worry, the government will bail you out. Don't be a "capitalist slacker" and try to work your way through your problems...after all the government is there to help.

But the biggest change I look forward to is that finally I will have a government that will take care of me. I worked my butt off all my life and now a "messiah" has come along to tell me that "I do not have to work so hard, the government is there to help" - damn, and here I am retired. Those of you that are out there working for a living - how lucky you are - slack off, the government has arrived.

But if you have been on welfare all your life, what can I say - unfortunately you folks will not experience the exciting "changes" that the rest of us are looking forward to.

I can't wait.

Israel's "Barracuda"?

The recent terrorist events in Mumbai had a profound effect on the Israelis. Now that the details are revealed, the story of a young Rabbi and his wife that ran a local Jewish center is tragic. They volunteered to run a student center called the Chabad House in Mumbai which provided assistance to Jewish tourists and worked to help the poor in India. This young couple was in their late 20's and had a toddler son who thanks to an Indian nanny was pulled aside and rescued from being executed. His young parents were not so lucky. An autopsy revealed that the Rabbi and his wife were violently tortured before they were executed with a gun shot to the head. Four other Jews were killed the same way during that siege. The coroner that performed the autopsy said that he had never seen violence like that against a human being before, and never wants to even think about it again.

Jewish communities around the world are in shock and angry. And the Jews do not forget. The Mossad (Israel's CIA) is acknowledged to be the most competent intelligence agency in the world and anyone connected with this terrorist attack should consider updating their Last Will and Testament.

As a global political addict, and someone who has spent time in Israel, and for years conducted business with the Israelis, I have always been interested in the politics of the Middle East, especially since in many ways it is the root of Islamic extremism. Many conflicts involving radical Muslims lead back to Israel and the Palestinians. Starting with Jimmy Carter every President has cajoled, negotiated, shook hands, visited the holy land, signed agreements, and 30 years later here we are with zero progress - the Palestinians still hate the Israelis and vice verse.

Iran is now the major threat to Israel. They fund the terrorist groups Hamas in Palestine and Hezbollah in Lebanon and have openly advocated the extinction of Israel. With Iran now close to the development of a nuclear bomb I am sure the Israelis feel their backs are against the wall. Their unofficial national slogan is, "There will NEVER be another holocaust" so I am sure they feel they must make a decision on the Iran issue soon. This week we read about Israel preparing for a strike against Iran's nuclear facilities even without the USA. That is probably political bluster aimed at Iran and the incoming President Obama, but I believe this could be the next major world conflict and Obama's first real test as President. The truth be known, many Mideast countries are probably quietly in favor of an Iranian attack by Israel or the USA because they are afraid of Iran also.

Recently Ehud Olmert the Prime Minister of Israel has resigned while being investigated for corruption and his party elected Tzipi Livni as their leader and the new Prime Minister. Most Americans do not even know who Tzipi Livni is. She is not a career politician, but a former Mossad agent and she is a tough lady. Although she is called a "liberal", in Israel that has a much different meaning. Her mission is peace in a country that has been at war for 60 years. She has been the lead negotiator with Palestinians in the most recent peace negotiations and appears to be the first Israeli leader in many years willing to seriously compromise and do what is required to insure Palestine finally becomes an independent state.

But Israeli politics are different from ours, and she had to put together a majority coalition of other political parties in order to take charge, and she could not do that. Many "hard liners" are opposed to any concessions with the Palestinians, so new elections must be held in February, 2009. As a result, Obama does not even know who he will be dealing with as the Prime Minister of Israel. It appears to be a tossup as to who will be elected to the top spot in Israel next year. It could Livni and if so, we could see real progress towards peace in the Middle East for the first time in a half century. She will be fighting a "hard line" network in Israel and a "hard line" culture with Muslims who do not believe women are capable of anything.

Like Sarah Palin, Tzipi Livni could be a leader of the future. Who knows, maybe the women of this world can straighten things out - we men certainly do not have a very good track record.

Back to work

I have had writers block the past few weeks. Perhaps it's the holidays or a post election depression, but after a great Thanksgiving with my family it's time to get back to work.

Here are some random thoughts:

One of the liberal platforms in this country is gun control: "We need to keep those wacko militias in Montana from acquiring AK 47's". After the attacks in Mumbai how far do you think gun control legislation will go in our next Congressional session? I don't carry a gun, but we do have guns. You have to wonder if law abiding citizens in India were allowed to carry guns how much those ten terrorists would have accomplished. Here were ten terrorists that kept a city of 18 million frozen for almost three days. If just a few of those hundreds of innocent people had access to a gun what might have been different? It just continues to prove that guns don't kill people - criminals kill people. Do you think those terrorists would have followed gun control rules? Another comment on this thought - why is it politically "incorrect" to refer to Islam as a violent religion?

The day after Thanksgiving we all read about the poor Wall Mart "greeter" who was trampled to death because people wanted to be the first to get a plasma TV on sale. It was tragic and his family will be wealthy for life, since there is already a civil lawsuit underway. But what good is being wealthy if one of your loved ones is killed in such a violent way. This tells us more about our culture than anything else - greed and material possessions. Question: If you were charging into that store to get a great deal on a plasma TV and you stepped on a body on the ground, would you have stopped? It would probably have been impossible for you to stop, but would you have fought to do so? Those shoppers did not.

At Thanksgiving my kids asked for my advice on the economy and what to do with their 401Ks. With all of my experience as a chief executive, businessman, and small business owner I had to tell them, "I have no idea". "Bailout" was the Merriam Webster word of the year, but the process has become ridiculous; billions, even trillions to bailout individuals, companies, and state governments that were mismanaged (some criminally), and our Congress has no clue so they throw money at the problem. Throughout the past few months of this economic disaster a majority of the American public has been in favor of just letting the pain happen and if companies were mismanaged, let them go bankrupt. But our Congress knows better and has been issuing money at a rate that cannot be sustained - money the country never had in the first place. I feel sorry for our kids and grand kids and although I am not an economist, look for the possibility of hyper inflation in the future.

So far Obama has moved toward the center with many of his cabinet picks - who knows how he will govern. The economic disaster will probably limit his options with regard to all of his "socialist" intentions. I predict in a few years he will have budget deficit so large that both he and the Congress will have no choice but to raise taxes and cut spending. The future will be very interesting.

As for me, now I'm going to relax with a martini and listen to Christmas Carols - Merry Christmas everyone! It's hard not to feel good during this season.

The "Crossroads"

Yogi Berra, one of our national icons and a "philosopher" in his own right once said: "When you come to a crossroads, take it"

Putting Yogi's humor aside, there is little doubt that this country is at a crossroads and I fear we are taking the wrong road. In a previous blog I predicted that if Obama won the election, voters would eventually say to themselves, "What have we done?" I still predict that will happen.

I recently watched William Ayers being interviewed on "This Morning America" and cannot believe we give people like this a national forum. He had the nerve to say that the organization he founded; the Weather Underground, were not terrorists since they did not "target people". He was personally involved in bombing the Pentagon, the Capital, and New York police headquarters where people were injured. Three of his "associates" did die while preparing a bomb that was to be used against a military base, and he tried to bomb the family home of a judge he did not agree with. He has also been taped stomping on the American flag. And this is a person as a college professor teaches our children and was voted "Citizen of the Year" in Chicago in 1997...unbelievable.

Here is what I mean about the country being at a "crossroads":

- We tolerate individuals like Bill Ayers teaching our children;
- We accept irresponsible behavior and allow the government to bailout individual mortgage holders and financial institutions who made bad decisions;
- We consider "bailing out" major businesses like the auto makers, or state and municipal governments that got themselves into trouble because of poor management, while the small businessman works his 60 hours a week to keep afloat. We do these bailouts with taxpayers money and put our children and grandchildren in debt;
- We propose increasing taxes on hard working entrepreneurs and rich people so we can "spread the wealth" to help out less fortunate people, many of whom will get a free welfare check paid for by the working people of this country;
- We refuse to expand our vast energy resources and as a result have become more and more dependent on foreign countries that hate us. In my opinion one of the reasons for the failure of the automakers is the "controlled" high price of oil by foreign countries which killed US auto sales;
- We decide that in the interests of "humanity" we should allow our borders to be open so the "American dream" is available to everyone, even when the American people pay the bill;

Yes, we are at a crossroads. In addition to the Presidency, the Democrats will have control of the House and possibly a "filibuster proof" Senate. If that happens, Independents, Republicans, and Conservatives will be powerless during the next two years, and maybe longer.

Let's hope we do not get too far down that wrong road before the people of this country realize their mistake.