Head In The Sand or Nose in The Air?

Have you been paying attention, or have you just been watching the establishment media for your information. Well today is your lucky day because for whatever reason you landed here, you have the opportunity to put your nose in the air and take a good waft of the fumes coming off the excrement being touted as the negotiations to avoid the fiscal cliff.

What we have going on in Washington is nothing more than political theater. Of course it’s been going on for a century or more, but right now it’s time for some adults to stand up and say “Enough, enough of this grandstanding, political maneuvering and posturing for the next election. All of which may be meaningless unless we find some real leadership on the issue of the fiscal cliff.

Now if you have had your head in the sand … particularly all of those who voted for Obama this time around … you don’t have a clue as to what is about to occur. You no doubt think that he’s going to magically fix things by making those evil rich people pay more in taxes. News flash … he could confiscate every penny of their wealth, and then some for the next decade, and it would only run the federal government for 9 days. So let’s just get off the notion that taxing the rich is going to fix anything.  So, if you do have your head at least partially out of the sand, let me enlighten you as to what is likely to happen even if we solve this so called “fiscal cliff” challenge. 

1. Our currency is going to collapse. It’s already a done deal. It’s no longer a matter of if it will happen, it’s now a matter of when it will happen.  Bruce Porteus, Head of Financial Risk with Standard Life Bank in Edinburgh, Scotland, writes: “The $US has declined 40% against the Euro over the last 2 years, and during this time America's trade deficit has continues to deteriorate. There is now nothing the USA can do to prevent the collapse of its currency, and its economy. It has no reserves to support its value, and has the most indebted country in the world, is dependent of the credit from America's former enemies.”

He’s not the only one raising the flag. “… foreign countries own $5 trillion in U.S. debt (as of December 2011). If China, Japan or other major holders started dumping these holdings of Treasury notes on the secondary market, this could cause a panic leading to collapse. China owns more than $1 trillion in U.S. Treasuries. That's because China pegs its currency, the yuan, to the dollar. This keeps the prices of its exports to the U.S. relatively cheap. Japan owns more than $800 billion in Treasuries, also keeping its currency, the yen, low to stimulate exports to the U.S. Japan is trying to move out of a 15 year deflationary cycle, and the 2011 earthquake and nuclear disaster hasn't helped.” Kimberly Amadeo, About.com. Time and space will not allow me to list the number of experts and economists that are trying to warn us of the coming crises. Funny … none of them are being invited to tell their story in the establishment media. 

2. We, Americans, have already spent the wealth of the next two generations. It will take another generation to recover from this calamity. Our culture has grown far too dependent upon government.  According to research by Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, Jeff Sessions, the number of Americans on welfare has increased from 97 million to 107 million since President Obama took office,. The number of Americans on food stamps during the president’s term has risen by more than 14 million. The Heritage Foundation found that on average, Americans who depend on federal assistant received $32,748 in annual benefits, which is more than an average American worker makes in a year. In 2011, the median annual paycheck was reported as $26,364. You don’t have to be an economist for those numbers to trouble you. If those numbers don’t trouble you, you do have to be something other than smart.

3. Social Security and Medicare are in serious trouble.  Medicare, which will provide health insurance to more than 50 million elderly and disabled Americans this year, is expected to start operating in the red in its largest fund in 2024, according to the annual assessment by the trustees charged with overseeing the programs.  And the Social Security trust fund, which will provide assistance to more than 45 million people in 2012, will be unable under current trends to fulfill its obligations in 2033, three years earlier than projected last year. My prediction is that if something isn’t done now, SS will  go the way of the dodo bird before this decade ends.

So what does all this have to do with the fiscal cliff?  Well, unless we stop spending more money than we earn, we will go bankrupt.  Specifically for 2011, the projected spending is $10.46 Billion per day. This is based on the projection of Federal Spending of $3.818 Trillion for the year. "Thanks to Washington’s addiction to spending, the federal government now borrows $4 billion a day," We don’t have a revenue problem in America, we have a Federal Government with a spending problem, and it’s going to impact you and your family in ways you cannot imagine. But let me give you some help.

When the dollar collapses:

• Your 401K or IRA will be worthless, unless you’ve converted to hard assets like gold or silver.

• Gas will increase as much as 3000%.

• Grocery store shelves will be empty within 12 hours.

• Electricity may or may not be reliable, I’m guessing not.

• Water and sewer services will eventually have to stop working for lack of energy.

• No one will have a job, and even if they did, they couldn’t get to it for fear of being hijacked or run out of gas.

• Gangs will start systematically looting high-end neighborhoods and then start working down the economic ladder. Your neighborhood will not be immune.

• Police and fire departments will be tasked beyond their capacity to assist.

• Then it will get worse.

Got your head out of the sand far enough to start sniffing yet?  Good. Now, do what you have to do to get ready. 

Click the link below for some other ideas.

http://www.karatbars.com/?s=84064

The American Values Test

Choose the answer you most agree with.

Which of the following should be illegal?

1. A teenager having an abortion without her parent's consent.
2. A teenager setting up a lemonade stand in front of her house.

Which of the following should NOT be allowed?

1. Computers in a public library with access to pornography.
2. A display of a nativity scene on public property.

Which of the following makes the most sense?

1. Allowing illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses.
2. The enforcement of immigration law by individual States.

Which of the following should NOT ever happen?

1. The use of U.S. tax dollars to create jobs in other countries such as France, Italy, Russia, and Mexico.
2. Corporate executives laying -off workers, while themselves collecting bonuses.

Which of the following should NOT be allowed?

1. People getting  free cell phones and cellular service at taxpayer's expense.
2. An unemployed man offering a shuttle service for tips at a National Park.

Which of the following should NOT ever happen?

1. Government officials denying business permits to businesses that espouse a Biblical world view.
2. Preachers telling their congregations that it’s wrong  for same sex couples to marry.

Which of the following is the task of government, as specified in the constitution?

1. Feeding, clothing and housing people.
2. Defending national interests and providing security for the citizenry.

Choosing answer number 1 for a response to any of the questions is indicative of any or all of the following: Stage one thinking, moral depravity and/or a total misunderstanding of American values.

Life Sucks? Do Something For Someone Else

Sometimes life sucks. You know exactly what I mean. Not one of us living on God’s green earth has led a life without pain, disappointment, suffering or loss. Yes, sometimes life sucks, but there are some things that I have done over the years that have helped me get through some of those times when life sucks.  I could offer a list, but right now I just want to talk about one thing. It has worked for me, and it has worked for others, so if you’re at a moment in your life when it truly does suck, try this: Find some time to do something for someone else. Now I’m not talking about spending 20 or 30 hours a week doing this. I’m talking about just a few minutes a day … if it turns into 20 or 30 hours a week then good for you, but that will be a personal choice.  Here are some ideas that can help you get out of your “life sucks” right now mode, and can make you a more productive person.
Trim your neighbors lawn when they aren’t at home. Don’t tell them you did it unless they ask.
If you have access to it, take your neighbor’s garbage can to the curb on trash day. Yeah, you might have to get up a little earlier than usual.
Call a friend to just say hello. Don’t tell them how your life sucks. Don’t vent. Don’t ask them for a favor. Just tell them you were thinking about them and that you appreciate their friendship.
Give one of those solicitors at the store on on the street a dollar.
Write a post card to someone you’ve not seen in a while.  Follow the rules of the phone call above.
The idea here is to get your mind off of you and your situation; to help you gain new perspective. I’m not talking about changing the world here. I’m talking about changing you. While your pondering the list of things you can do, follow this link that could also help when life sucks.

 http://www.empowernetwork.com/weirdmarketingtricks.php?id=russellwilliams

Suggestion Number One When Life Sucks

Sometimes life sucks. You know exactly what I mean. Not one of us living on God’s green earth has led a life without pain, disappointment, suffering or loss. Yes, sometimes life sucks, but there are some things that I have done over the years that have helped me get through some of those times when life sucks.  I could offer a list, but right now I just want to talk about one thing. It has worked for me, and it has worked for others, so if you’re at a moment in your life when it truly does suck, try this: Learn something new.  It doesn’t have to be monumental or difficult, or even particularly challenging. Just find something of interest that you don’t know about and learn how to do it.  Let me offer a few suggestions.
Learn a new recipe
Learn how to use a new computer application
Learn how to sew
Learn how to brew beer. (This is one that I did, and it has been immensely rewarding.)
Learn how to manage your diet.
Learn how to better manage your finances.
Learn about a part of history that interests you.
Learn about a person, place or event that interests you.
It doesn’t matter what you learn, the fact is that the process of learning will give you a new perspective on life.  Yes, sometimes life sucks, and I’ll be sharing more about how to deal with these times in later posts.  For now, be good to you, and visit the links below.
rrw
/almostasecret.php?id=russellwilliams

 http://www.empowernetwork.com/almostasecret.php?id=russellwilliams

An Ode to Election Day

So, we reelected the man
The charismatic BHO
How exactly that happened is
Just hard to know
But there are some things I wish to portend
Starting with this; 
It's the beginning of the end

Our money will be worthless, say, in less than a year
Gas prices will rise, that's more than clear
The stock market will crash following the dollar's demise
And the liberals will blame Bush 
With their pathetic reprise

Unemployment will crush any hope of  expansion
Hard working Americans will give up
"What's that ... owning a mansion?"
Rights will be dictated from the house painted White
And the eyes of justice will no longer be blind
The doctor you loved will tell you good bye
And children will ask
"Why did grandma have to die?"

The houses we own will be worthless to sell
The businesses we built
Might as well be in hell
The UN will dictate what we eat, drink and drive
The rights we once knew will no longer survive
Alas our great country, 
Chose a man with no vision
But truth be revealed ...
Chose a man with no wisdom

They Cut Quarterbacks, Don't They

I'm familiar with a team that has a beloved QB. He was highly recruited and especially admired by enthusiastic new fans, people who didn't know the game and  even the referees. The front office thought for sure this man was the one who would bring their struggling team back to the place it had been for many many seasons ... #1. Alas, after several seasons some in the front office began to have their doubts. The team wasn't winning, and the truth of the matter is the team was just getting stomped on a regular basis. This QB would hand off when he should have  passed and he would pass when he should have run with the ball himself.  Seldom would he even get the team close enough to kick a field goal.  Between games, he wouldn't communicate with his team mates, and when he did, it was often at his own convenience and in vague or misleading terms. The perception of some in the front office was that he would rather play golf than be in a team meeting. He was often seen fraternizing with rival team members, and was even overheard giving assurances to one rival team that he was going to help them win in the next season. I mentioned before that the refs really liked this guy ... often ignoring his flagrant rule violations.

Well, in about 50 days,  the front office has to make a choice; renew his contract or cut him from the team. I'm praying that the front office has enough insight and where-with-all to cut Barak H. Obama from the team. Like an old familiar actor recently said ...and I'm paraphrasing ... We own this team, and  If somebody can't do the job ... you have to let them go.

Job Description

The national debt and the budget deficit is a threat to your security.  High oil prices are a threat to your economic well being. America's economic situation, particularly the unemployment rate, demands a reasoned and structured approach to return to normalcy. Call me wrong? Anyone? No, these facts are without debate. So, I want to know, "Where is the President's plan?" Isn't it the President's job to offer solutions, or to at least suggest initiatives that might solve problems of national interest?  I mean, don't we elect a president to lead, inspire and rally solutions to problems. If a president can't do those things, what good is he/she? 

No, I don't think this president understands his job description, and his rhetoric offers us a bit of insight into how misinformed he really is:
His plan to stimulate employment - Tax the rich.
His plan to fix Medicare - Tax the rich.
His plan to fix Social Security - Tax the rich.
His plan to reduce our dependence on foreign oil - Tax the rich.
His plan to hold the deficit in check - Tax the rich.
His plan to reduce the national debt - Tax the rich.
His plan to restore America's credibility in the world community - Tax the rich.
The problem with this plan is that the rich don't have enough money to do all that, even if the government took every penny. Don't believe me? Then go do the math.

To be sure, he has a more detailed plan to get re-elected. Simply look at his campaign advertisements and listen to the lame stream media. It's obvious that he's pinning his hopes for re-election by engaging in the following strategy:
Convince women that the Republicans are waging a war on women.
Convince Latinos that Republicans hate minorities.
Convince the working class that Republicans want the the "fat cats" to get richer at the expense of the middle class.
Convince seniors that Republicans want to steal their Medicare and Social Security.
Blame Bush for the mess he inherited.

Now, someone please tell me how any of that adds up to a plan to address the critical issues that face our country? What I observe is a President engaging in the tactics of class envy and fear mongering. But what else can he do? He has no record of success to run on.

I suspect that most Americans, at least the one's that vote, understand what a president is elected to do. One thing we expect from a president is to refrain from fear mongering, and class warfare. We also expect accountability and a measure of forthrightness. So, here's the challenge to you Obama supporters: Please offer us a single instance where he has been either; accountable or forthright in regards to the critical issues facing our country. Secondly, offer us a single campaign speech where he didn't engage in some form of class envy, or fear mongering. Then lastly, please articulate the President's plan to address the looming problems facing all of us: Joblessness, the price of gas, inflation, the growing national debt and out of control Federal Spending. Do that and we will have some room for honest debate. Until then, dear Obama supporters, I don't want to hear your unsubstantiated claims about how Romney and Ryan only want to empower the rich, and steal government entitlements. I don't want to hear how Republicans hate women, minorities and gays. Until Obama articulates a game plan to stabilize the economy, reduce unemployment, reduce deficit spending, pay down the National Debt and suggest a cohesive energy policy, you should think long and hard about why you're planning to vote for someone who doesn't understand the job description.