---------------------------------------------------
The news has been quiet concerning any type of depression.
European countries have been trying to work through their economic problems.
The Mid-East has been at peace.
The price of gold has been dropping.
The United States Government been working it's way through the fiscal woes.
The stock market closed above 15,000 and is just short of the all time high.
Sounds good doesn't it?
NOT SO FAST!!!
European countries have resolved none of their economic woe and are still teetering on the edge of bankruptsy.
Great Britain is even considering withdrawing from the European Market.
Instability in Syria continues. Riots in Egypt and the attack on an Algerian natural gas facility have caused gasoline prices to shoot up 30 cents in the past three weeks.
In the United States, the 1% increase in payroll taxes on wage earners is just now beginning to be felt. Come the First of February when Christmas bills, home heating bills, rent, and car payments come due, there will be a slow down in the economy.
The US Congress passed a bill to raise the debt level which is only good for 3 months.
Watch closely for the signs of a depression!
---------------------------------
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Monday, April 16, 2012
The higher it rises, the harder it will fall.
The stock market is up at 13,000 now. While up and down, it mostly is tending to rise.
This is caused by several reasons.
One reason is the settlement of the European debt problem. Several of the European countries with debt problems passed budgets to bring their spending in line. This solves the problem of immediate bankruptcy, but does nothing to fix the deep recession, high unemployment rates, or poverty that exists in these countries.
One reason is the price of gasoline is moderating. Semi-stability in the Mid-East and a slowdown in the Chinese economy helps with the problem. There is no way to judge what effect the economies of India, Turkey, Pakistan, Mexico, and Brazil will have upon the price of gasoline.
Most financial experts recognize that a market crash is inevitable. It is just a matter of when and how far.
It is just a matter of time until the recession problem catches up with one of the European nations with debt problems. When the first one declares bankruptcy, the rest will follow. This will account for a thousand point drop in the market.
It is just a matter of time until the economies of China, India, Pakistan, Mexico, and Brazil all improve to a high level. This will cause a surge in the price of gasoline. American consumers will cut back on spending to shoulder the price of gasoline. This will account for a thousand point drop in the market.
The Boomer generation is heavily invested in the stock market. Presently at a retirement age, this generation has no place to which they can switch their investment to draw interest. When the market nose dives, the Boomer generation will withdraw from the market to maintain their equity. This will account for a thousand point drop in the market.
There are at least a hundred other factors which can cause a thousand point drop in the market, or indeed, can trigger a crash.
Be prepared.
Depression is coming!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
You saw the headlines. "Coming soon to New York City, El Quaeda".
Will El Quaeda try again? Oh, Yes!
Why? Because even El Quaeda recognizes the United States as being the leader of the Free World.
Freedom of religion. Freedom to vote, liberty, justice. Freedom to pursue success.
An organization, such as El Quaeda can only exist in a country where there is no freedom. El Queda can only exist where fear, terror, tyranny, and anarchy reign.
Why New York City? Because New York City is the symbol of world capitalism. Leader in banking. Leader in finance. Leader in stock markets.
One of the reasons El Quaeda targets New York City is because New York City has such a diverse population working together in peace and harmony.
The Twin Towers of the World Trade Center represented such a symbol of capitalism that the El Quaeda tried at least twice before they were successful in bringing them down.
"From the Ashes, the Phoenix did Rise".
The new One World Trade Center is being constructed. The El Quaeda will attack this new One World Trade Center because it represents El Quaeda failure. Failure to instill fear and terror.
From any attempt by the El Quaeda to destroy the new One World Trade Center, the phoenix will again rise.
The phoenix being the desire and resolve by all Americans to wipe terrorism from the face of this Earth.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Cure for Insomnia
Parents Know Best
Professional business people say that insomnia is caused by tension of problems encountered during the day. They say the best way to reduce the tension is to set down and write out a detailed examination of your problems, and then a methodical step-by-step approach to solving them.
Doctors say that one way to cure insomnia is exercise. Even a short period, 15-30 minutes of walking will reduce tension and stress levels.
Psychologists suggest that a period of playing with and petting your pet animal will reduce your tension and stress levels.
Our parents said the best way to fall asleep was to go to bed and count sheep jumping over a fence.
The best way to cure insomnia is to set down and write out a detailed examination of your problems, then take your pet out for a leisurely stroll.
When you get back, tear up the paper with the problems, because if you had any answers, they wouldn't be problems.
Then go to bed and start counting sheep. Trying to imagine those sheep jumping over the fence will take your mind off your problems, and the sheer boredom of counting will put you to sleep.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Stop the Lynch Party!
Stop the lynch party. George Zimmerman is not the culprit.
George Zimmerman should not be railroaded, just as Trayvon Martin should not have been shot.
Who is the culprit? A law, which allowed a non-law professional out on a crime beat such as a neighborhood watch patrol. Most people would not consider a neighborhood watch patrol to be a crime beat. It was that night!
Everyday, at sunset, hundreds of these para-policemen hit the streets on neighborhood watch patrols. These patrolmen are driving their own vehicles, with no identification. They wear nothing which identifies them as neighborhood watch.
And believe me, these people are armed. They fear for their lives, just as much as a policeman. They are armed with tire irons, billyclubs, tasers, mace, pistols, rifles, etc. The individual para-policeman arms himself with whatever he feels comfortable.
We now have an armed, unidentified, individual patrolling the streets, looking for criminals. It is just a matter of time before someone gets hurt. Will it be an innocent neighbor, or the patrolman?
In the case of Trayvon Martin, he saw an unidentified, menacing person and tried to flee.
In the case of a frightened George Zimmerman, he saw a menacing suspect in a hoodie, and fired. Whether he fired by accident, or on purpose, is something even he will probably never know.
Stop the lynch party! Do something constructive and prevent another tragedy from occurring.
Require that all patrolmen be in marked uniforms. These could be something simple as vests.
Require that all patrol vehicles be marked as "Neighborhood Watch". Simple magnet signs would work.
Require that all neighborhood watch patrolmen be trained.
There are only two items upon which these para-policemen need training.
#1. - Never leave your vehicle!
#2. - If the para-policeman encounters suspicious activity, CALL A REAL POLICEMAN!
A note to our professional police force, remember that it is better to have a thousand mistaken phone calls than one tragedy.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Economy Improvement Programs
The United States economy is still mired in high unemployment. The home foreclosure rate has improved very little. Now the price of gasoline is rising at such a rate that it will strangle the economy or cause high inflation.
The Republican Presidential candidates acknowledge these are problems, but are too busy bashing each other to consider how they would fix the problems.
President Obama also acknowledges these problems. He realizes, though, as long as he blames the problems on the Republicans, then he will get reelected.
When Herman Cain was campaigning, he came up with the 9-9-9 plan for taxes. The plan was flawed, but it was at least a concrete proposal. It did provide a starting point for discussion. What plan has Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, or Newt Gingrich put forth?
President Obama thinks he is safe. If the price of gas continues rising, it will stifle the economy resulting in higher unemployment rates. Voters will boot President Obama just to get a change of leadership.
How about some proposals?
How about 4-5-6.
Four years Presidency. Five percent annual Gross Domestic Product growth rate. Six percent unemployment rate.
These are attainable targets, and targets to which both the President, and Congress can be held.
These are admirable targets, but what about a concrete program to achieve them?
Enterprise Zones. Much of the United States is doing good economy wise. The biggest drag on the economy is in those manufacturing states where the jobs went overseas. Manufacturing jobs that it is said will not be returning to the United States.
Establish Enterprise Zones in those manufacturing states. Areas where any manufacturer moving jobs from overseas will be given a ten year exemption from paying corporate taxes. Perhaps the state itself could chip in the land and some tax relief, to get the jobs and put the land back on the tax roll.
Another item which is dragging down the economy is the number of foreclosed houses sitting empty. These empty houses not only cause other homes not to appreciate, they cause them to depreciate and result in lower property tax revenues.
Existing home owners use the appreciation of their homes to refinance debt such as credit cards. If there is no appreciation, then this debt can not be refinanced.
I propose a $1,000 federal tax credit to first time home buyers who purchased foreclosed homes. Perhaps the states could also add local tax credits to get the real estate market moving.
To reduce dependency on oil, I would propose a $100 tax on any new passenger car sold that did not have a hybrid or electric motor for power. A hundred dollars would not make or break a sale, but would speed up the design and development of passenger cars with more efficient hybrid and electric motors.
The hundred dollar tax would also put a FEW million dollars in government coffers.
Someone had better do something OR
Depression is Coming!
Monday, March 12, 2012
6 Reasons for a Depression
Total World Population: 7,000,000,000
China, Population 1,347,350,000
India, Population 1,210,193,000
Brazil, Population 192,376,000
Pakistan, Population 178,927,000
Mexico, Population 112,336,000
Turkey, Population 74,724,000
------------------ -------------
Total Population 3,115,906,000
That's right, these six nations represent almost half of the world's population. Their economies are primarily agricultural. Now, thanks to technology from the more industrialized nations, these nations are rapidly industrializing themselves.
The living standards of the citizens of these countries could best be compared to the living standards of the United States in the 1950s. In the 1950s, the larger cities had the conveniences of cement roads, inside plumbing, electricity, and natural gas for heating.
In the smaller cities and in rural areas, though, dirt or gravel roads were the norm, as well as water wells and outhouses. Coal was used for heating and kerosene lanterns or candles were used for lighting.
Compare this to the United States of twenty years later when we sent a man to the moon. Let me remind you that China is now developing a space program to put a man on the moon.
As I said, half the population of the world. The citizens of these countries now see how the citizens of the rest of the industrialized nations live, and they want electricity, running water, cars, refrigerators and computers. They will get these modern conveniences, too.
The governments of these nations have no large debt. The citizens have no personal debt to speak of. These nations will compete with the United States and the other industrialized nations for energy and natural resources. This competition will drive the prices higher, and will force the United States and the industrialized nations into what best could be described as bankruptcy.
Prepare now because:
DEPRESSION IS COMING!
Monday, March 5, 2012
Limbaugh - Too little - Too late
Contraception is a personal decision. There is no way the medical insurance industry should be required to pay for contraception measures.
Regardless of your religious beliefs, you should be opposed to this issue.
Regardless of whether your views are conservative or liberal, you should be opposed to this issue.
Medical insurance companies pay from a money pool. The money comes from the premiums of the policy holders. Why should all of the policy holders have to pay for those few who want to practice safe sex?
Contraception is not a screening measure for disease, sickness, or cancer such as mammograms, pap smears, prostrate exams, etc.
Paying for contraception means the insurance companies have less money in the pool available to pay for necessary screening measures, or they have to raise the health insurance premiums. Health insurance premiums are already too high.
Contraception is a personal decision. Any person that makes that decision should be prepared to pay that price.
In so far as Rush Limbaugh goes, what he said was totally uncalled for. His speech, his views are not conservative, ultra-conservative, or even American. His views could best be classified as radical. That speech was given strictly for the purpose of inflaming the listening audience.
Boycotting the program's sponsors is not enough. Turning off the radio is not enough. The network should drop his program.
Sound like censorship? Rush Limbaugh is still free to talk as he desires. We, the audience do not have to listen to him.
If a few more people would have turned off a radical named Hitler, we would never have had World War Two.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Fuel Mileage in the Trucking Industry
The good news is that the financial rescue package for Greece is being finalized and should be passed this week. The loan will allow the Greek government to avoid the immediate default on its financial obligations.
The bad news is that the cuts the Greek government made in its budget will serve to drive the Greek economy further into recession.
The good news is that other European countries are also working on austerity budgets to bring down their debt.
The bad news is that no one in Europe is doing anything to bring these countries out of recession, which is what is causing the debt problems
The good news in the US is that unemployment dropped some more.
The bad news in the US is the price of gas increased some more.
The good news is that the politicians now recognize the effect that the gas price increase has on the American public.
The bad news is that no politician has a workable solution to the problem.
The government's solution to the problem is to increase the fuel mileage of cars, which get 28 MPG. The problem is that is open road mileage. The majority of automobiles is driven in the city and gets maybe, two-thirds of that mileage.
Another problem that is not being addressed is Over-The-Road semi-trucks. These trucks get six and a half miles per gallon. The last thing done to increase efficiency of the trucks was to put a deflector over the cab to deflect air over the trailer. That was adopted back in the 80s.
Meanwhile the railroads have been working continually to increase the efficiencies of both their practices and equipment. Perhaps the trucking industry should look at the railroad industry and try to adopt some of their technology. If mileage on these trucks could be improved to ten miles per gallon, a million gallons of fuel a day would be saved.
Someone had better do something because:
Depression is coming.
Monday, February 20, 2012
United States Fuel Crisis
Depression is coming!
Analysts are predicting that the price of gasoline will hit the $4.00-$5.00 range by this summer. At present the price of gasoline in the Midlands is around $3.50 a gallon. It is already $4.00 a gallon in California and many major cities of the United States.
Consumers, when faced with rising gasoline prices, slow their spending. This causes a contraction in the economy. Actually the consumers don't stop spending. Now their discretionary spending money goes into their gas tanks.
If it was just gasoline that increased in price, there would be just a minor blip in the economy.
The price of diesel fuel runs 25 to 50 cents a gallon more than that of gasoline.
Farmers use diesel fuel in their tractors to plow fields, seed, cultivate, and harvest their crops. Diesel trucks haul the crops to market. Diesel trucks and diesel powered trains haul the crops to manufacturers. Diesel trucks and trains haul the finished product to merchants.
When the price of fuel increases, everything in the supply chain increases in price.
The price of diesel in Europe is already at its historic high. And much of Europe is in a recession.
In the lower right of this blog is a news widget producing news concerning, "diesel price". Most of the information being produced presently is news concerning the price of diesel fuel overseas. As the price of diesel goes up here in the United States, more US news will be produced on that widget.
Keep an eye on the stock market widget. As the price of diesel fuel increases, the stock market will drop.
An increase in the price of gasoline from four dollars a gallon to five dollars would be a twenty percent raise. Remember that in 1929, it only took a twelve percent drop in the stock market to start that depression.
Depression is coming!
Analysts are predicting that the price of gasoline will hit the $4.00-$5.00 range by this summer. At present the price of gasoline in the Midlands is around $3.50 a gallon. It is already $4.00 a gallon in California and many major cities of the United States.
Consumers, when faced with rising gasoline prices, slow their spending. This causes a contraction in the economy. Actually the consumers don't stop spending. Now their discretionary spending money goes into their gas tanks.
If it was just gasoline that increased in price, there would be just a minor blip in the economy.
The price of diesel fuel runs 25 to 50 cents a gallon more than that of gasoline.
Farmers use diesel fuel in their tractors to plow fields, seed, cultivate, and harvest their crops. Diesel trucks haul the crops to market. Diesel trucks and diesel powered trains haul the crops to manufacturers. Diesel trucks and trains haul the finished product to merchants.
When the price of fuel increases, everything in the supply chain increases in price.
The price of diesel in Europe is already at its historic high. And much of Europe is in a recession.
In the lower right of this blog is a news widget producing news concerning, "diesel price". Most of the information being produced presently is news concerning the price of diesel fuel overseas. As the price of diesel goes up here in the United States, more US news will be produced on that widget.
Keep an eye on the stock market widget. As the price of diesel fuel increases, the stock market will drop.
An increase in the price of gasoline from four dollars a gallon to five dollars would be a twenty percent raise. Remember that in 1929, it only took a twelve percent drop in the stock market to start that depression.
Depression is coming!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Nero watched as Rome burned. European countries are watching as Athens burns, and wonding if they will be next.
According to Reuters, Greece has been in a recession for the last four years, and things do not look any better for the upcoming year. The Greek economy shrank 6.8 percent in 2011, unemployment is at 19% and poverty at 20%.
If this is not a depression, then what is?
According to Reuters, Greece has been in a recession for the last four years, and things do not look any better for the upcoming year. The Greek economy shrank 6.8 percent in 2011, unemployment is at 19% and poverty at 20%.
If this is not a depression, then what is?
Monday, October 11, 2010
8 October Gold Price Assessment
The price of gold hit $1361 this past week. An increase of $40.00. One gold analyst suggested that gold would hit $1400 by the end of October. At the present rate, gold will hit that by the end of this coming week.
Other Events:
Home Foreclosures:
Bank of America suspended all home foreclosures. Bank of America now has so many homes in foreclosure its processors can not determine who is making their mortgage payments and who is not.
Unemployment:
Unemployment surprisingly continues at only 9.6%. This despite state and city governments continue to shed personnel to balance budgets. Cities continue to jettison teachers, police, firemen, and maintenance personnel, but cut no administrative personnel which is where most cuts need to be made.
On the political front:
No one is making any suggestions about resolving our present economic problems.
President Obama's answer to our economic problems is blame the Republicans.
The Democrat answer to our economic problems is blame the Republicans.
What is worse, the Republican answer to our economic problems is blame the Democrats.
No wonder everyone is jumping on the Tea Party bandwagon!
Another big rat jumped from the Obama ship this past week. At this rate, by the time President Obama comes up for reelection, the only one left of the original Obama administration will be Michelle Obama!
Dollar Strength:
The dollar did strengthen against some currencies, but overall continued its slide against most. This caused an increase in the price of oil, which eventually will trigger inflation.
Factor in all of the above and it is pretty obvious the price of gold will continue rising.
Factor in the rate of ascent of the price of gold, and it is pretty obvious that gold speculators are creating a bubble that will be pricked by someone.
Look for a market correction around $1550 an ounce. Remember that the primary cause of the rise in the price of gold has to do with dollar speculation by the overseas central banks. When those banks stop supporting the price of gold, it will drop one to two hundred dollars an ounce. This will drive out the gold speculators and the price of gold will continue to ascend more in line with other commodities and natural resources.
As a long term investment, gold will outperform the stock market and other investment vehicles. Expect the price of gold to hit $3,000 within two years.
Other Events:
Home Foreclosures:
Bank of America suspended all home foreclosures. Bank of America now has so many homes in foreclosure its processors can not determine who is making their mortgage payments and who is not.
Unemployment:
Unemployment surprisingly continues at only 9.6%. This despite state and city governments continue to shed personnel to balance budgets. Cities continue to jettison teachers, police, firemen, and maintenance personnel, but cut no administrative personnel which is where most cuts need to be made.
On the political front:
No one is making any suggestions about resolving our present economic problems.
President Obama's answer to our economic problems is blame the Republicans.
The Democrat answer to our economic problems is blame the Republicans.
What is worse, the Republican answer to our economic problems is blame the Democrats.
No wonder everyone is jumping on the Tea Party bandwagon!
Another big rat jumped from the Obama ship this past week. At this rate, by the time President Obama comes up for reelection, the only one left of the original Obama administration will be Michelle Obama!
Dollar Strength:
The dollar did strengthen against some currencies, but overall continued its slide against most. This caused an increase in the price of oil, which eventually will trigger inflation.
Factor in all of the above and it is pretty obvious the price of gold will continue rising.
Factor in the rate of ascent of the price of gold, and it is pretty obvious that gold speculators are creating a bubble that will be pricked by someone.
Look for a market correction around $1550 an ounce. Remember that the primary cause of the rise in the price of gold has to do with dollar speculation by the overseas central banks. When those banks stop supporting the price of gold, it will drop one to two hundred dollars an ounce. This will drive out the gold speculators and the price of gold will continue to ascend more in line with other commodities and natural resources.
As a long term investment, gold will outperform the stock market and other investment vehicles. Expect the price of gold to hit $3,000 within two years.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
1 October gold price assessment
The price of gold continued its rise this past week. Adding another $20.00. Even the gold bear short sellers are selling out and growing bull horns. One gold analyst predicted that the price of gold will hit $1400 by the end of October. It is pretty obvious that the price of gold will be dropping no time soon.
The US economy continues to struggle. Two more banks failed.
Harrisburg, capital of Pennsylvania, is approaching bankruptcy and is looking to the state itself for help with its budgetary woes.
Most major cities and large states are facing severe budget shortfalls. One in seven homes is now in foreclosure. Faced with declining real estate taxes, and declining sales tax revenues, these cities and states are now beginning to look to the federal government for help.
On the federal government side, the US House of Representatives adjourned for the reelection campaign. With the upcoming holidays and winter, it will be spring before anybody can agree that there is an economic problem that needs to be addressed.
On the executive side of government, senators and congressmen are distancing themselves from the President as his popularity fades. Aides and advisors to the President are jumping to other jobs while the popularity of the President still has some strength.
Overseas, the currencies of the European Economic Community did strengthen this past week. This will probably be short lived as the citizens of Ireland, Great Britain, Spain, and Greece, among others, protest the taxes and restrictions placed on them by their budgetary problems.
The dollar continued its slide against most of the major currencies.
Central banks continued buying up gold as it hit the market.
Gold price analysts have now come to accept that $1300 an ounce for gold is not some sort of fragile bubble which might burst momentarily. They are accepting that $2,000, $3,000, $5,000, even $7,000 an ounce is a possibility.
If the US continues its present rate of spending the dollar will become relatively worthless against other currencies. This will result in either a formal devaluation of the dollar by the US government, or an informal currency adjustment by other nations.
This devaluation will set off a round of inflation in the United States which will be completely unpredictable in its extent.
Gold price at $2,000, $3,000, $5,000, or $7,000 an ounce becomes a distinctive possibility. One blogger even suggested $25,000 an ounce.
Buy gold while the price is still cheap!
The US economy continues to struggle. Two more banks failed.
Harrisburg, capital of Pennsylvania, is approaching bankruptcy and is looking to the state itself for help with its budgetary woes.
Most major cities and large states are facing severe budget shortfalls. One in seven homes is now in foreclosure. Faced with declining real estate taxes, and declining sales tax revenues, these cities and states are now beginning to look to the federal government for help.
On the federal government side, the US House of Representatives adjourned for the reelection campaign. With the upcoming holidays and winter, it will be spring before anybody can agree that there is an economic problem that needs to be addressed.
On the executive side of government, senators and congressmen are distancing themselves from the President as his popularity fades. Aides and advisors to the President are jumping to other jobs while the popularity of the President still has some strength.
Overseas, the currencies of the European Economic Community did strengthen this past week. This will probably be short lived as the citizens of Ireland, Great Britain, Spain, and Greece, among others, protest the taxes and restrictions placed on them by their budgetary problems.
The dollar continued its slide against most of the major currencies.
Central banks continued buying up gold as it hit the market.
Gold price analysts have now come to accept that $1300 an ounce for gold is not some sort of fragile bubble which might burst momentarily. They are accepting that $2,000, $3,000, $5,000, even $7,000 an ounce is a possibility.
If the US continues its present rate of spending the dollar will become relatively worthless against other currencies. This will result in either a formal devaluation of the dollar by the US government, or an informal currency adjustment by other nations.
This devaluation will set off a round of inflation in the United States which will be completely unpredictable in its extent.
Gold price at $2,000, $3,000, $5,000, or $7,000 an ounce becomes a distinctive possibility. One blogger even suggested $25,000 an ounce.
Buy gold while the price is still cheap!
McDonald's Restaurant fast food VS diet food
When I go to a McDonald's restaurant, I do not order a salad. If I go to any fast food restaurant such as McDonald's, I do not order a salad. I order what made that fast food chain famous. In the case of McDonald's, I order a Big Mac, with all the trimmings, and an order of fries. Why else would I go to McDonald's?
I do not go to a full service place such as an Applebee's restaurant to order a salad. I might have a salad with my meal. I look at the entrees on the menu to see what looks good, and I look at the prices to see what I can afford, but I do not look at the calorie count to see what my diet will allow. If I am going out to eat then I am going to eat well and enjoy myself, or there is no reason to go.
There are some restaurants that offer "Salad Bar only" dining and have enough items in their salad bar to make a full meal. The problem with this "Salad Bar only" dining is that it normally costs as much as a good entree which comes with a salad. Who wants to pay steak price for lettuce?
There is no doubt that certain foods should not be attempted. Triple cheeseburger with bacon. Deep fried twinkies. Batter fried butter. Double chocolate cake with fudge frosting, ice cream, and whipped cream. Food items such as these are hard on your arteries, sugar levels, teeth, and many other parts of the body. You will pay for these items not just when you purchase them, but many times more in later life.
Fast food restaurants have been trying to raise their incomes by adding non-traditional items to their menu. Latte, milk shakes, and even ice cream.
Even the fast food pizza places such as Pizza Hut have gotten into this. Offering such as bread sticks, pasta, chocolate dip, and even ?cookies?.
If these pizza places want to raise their bottom lines, how about offering something more traditional that goes with pizza? How about a six pack of beer?
In short, if you go eat at a place like a McDonald's restaurant, or an Applebee's restaurant, eat, drink, be merry, and enjoy yourself.
For tomorrow you will pay the credit card and pay with a diet!
I do not go to a full service place such as an Applebee's restaurant to order a salad. I might have a salad with my meal. I look at the entrees on the menu to see what looks good, and I look at the prices to see what I can afford, but I do not look at the calorie count to see what my diet will allow. If I am going out to eat then I am going to eat well and enjoy myself, or there is no reason to go.
There are some restaurants that offer "Salad Bar only" dining and have enough items in their salad bar to make a full meal. The problem with this "Salad Bar only" dining is that it normally costs as much as a good entree which comes with a salad. Who wants to pay steak price for lettuce?
There is no doubt that certain foods should not be attempted. Triple cheeseburger with bacon. Deep fried twinkies. Batter fried butter. Double chocolate cake with fudge frosting, ice cream, and whipped cream. Food items such as these are hard on your arteries, sugar levels, teeth, and many other parts of the body. You will pay for these items not just when you purchase them, but many times more in later life.
Fast food restaurants have been trying to raise their incomes by adding non-traditional items to their menu. Latte, milk shakes, and even ice cream.
Even the fast food pizza places such as Pizza Hut have gotten into this. Offering such as bread sticks, pasta, chocolate dip, and even ?cookies?.
If these pizza places want to raise their bottom lines, how about offering something more traditional that goes with pizza? How about a six pack of beer?
In short, if you go eat at a place like a McDonald's restaurant, or an Applebee's restaurant, eat, drink, be merry, and enjoy yourself.
For tomorrow you will pay the credit card and pay with a diet!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
The High Price of Gold
Items concerning the economy noted this past week.
Home foreclosures at highest level since recession started.
Number of new applicants for unemployment rose.
Unemployment rate not dropping.
More people looking for work.
Credit unions are struggling to stay solvent. This from restructuring, writing down, or writing off home and consumer loans.
The government is arranging a large financial bailout for credit unions
The US economy is struggling.
The US government seems to have no idea about how to put any direction into the economy.
US debt growing at an alarming rate.
US dollar still dropping against all major currencies.
Gold hit $1,300 an ounce.
Central banks still buying gold even at $1,300 an ounce.
I saw an article from one analyst stating that the price of gold hit $850 in the 1980s before going into decline. That if that figure was adjusted for inflation, the price of gold would have to hit $3,000 an ounce to be equivalent. One pundit even suggested that gold will hit $7,000 an ounce.
One thing is obvious. The price of gold will not be moderating anytime soon.
Crops in Russia and China this past summer were damaged by floods and drought.
Farmers in America had a good year, but one third of all corn is now being used for ethanol. Indicating no moderation of prices in the supermarket.
Consumers have reduced debt by one third over the past two years. They are using debit cards rather than pay the high interest rates. This will cause the failure of more banks. Loss of jobs, and more consolidation in the financial industry. The economy will not be recovering before spring of 2011.
Most people think that the high price of gold is caused by investors and speculators. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The high price of gold is being caused by the central banks, dumping their dollars prior to a major devaluation.
By spring of 2011, the price of gold will hit $1,800 an ounce, OR BETTER!
Home foreclosures at highest level since recession started.
Number of new applicants for unemployment rose.
Unemployment rate not dropping.
More people looking for work.
Credit unions are struggling to stay solvent. This from restructuring, writing down, or writing off home and consumer loans.
The government is arranging a large financial bailout for credit unions
The US economy is struggling.
The US government seems to have no idea about how to put any direction into the economy.
US debt growing at an alarming rate.
US dollar still dropping against all major currencies.
Gold hit $1,300 an ounce.
Central banks still buying gold even at $1,300 an ounce.
I saw an article from one analyst stating that the price of gold hit $850 in the 1980s before going into decline. That if that figure was adjusted for inflation, the price of gold would have to hit $3,000 an ounce to be equivalent. One pundit even suggested that gold will hit $7,000 an ounce.
One thing is obvious. The price of gold will not be moderating anytime soon.
Crops in Russia and China this past summer were damaged by floods and drought.
Farmers in America had a good year, but one third of all corn is now being used for ethanol. Indicating no moderation of prices in the supermarket.
Consumers have reduced debt by one third over the past two years. They are using debit cards rather than pay the high interest rates. This will cause the failure of more banks. Loss of jobs, and more consolidation in the financial industry. The economy will not be recovering before spring of 2011.
Most people think that the high price of gold is caused by investors and speculators. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The high price of gold is being caused by the central banks, dumping their dollars prior to a major devaluation.
By spring of 2011, the price of gold will hit $1,800 an ounce, OR BETTER!
Home Based Employees
It has started. No more IT Help Desk on Saturdays. The IT people now have the option of working at home on a company laptop. I estimate that 40% of the office jobs here in the local area can be done by home based employees. If direct contact with a product or a customer is not required, then that job can be done by a home based employee.
40% of work being done by home based employees means 40% less office space required. Also 40% less desks, cabinets, etc. required to be purchased, 40% less office rent, utilities, and upkeep to be paid. Unfortunately, it also means that 40% fewer engineers, security guards, cleaners, and office support personnel will have to be paid.
What it means to the home based employees is no special office clothes required. They can work in their pajamas. It also means no auto required for commuting to work. No car payment, insurance, gas, or upkeep expenses to be paid. No outside food expenses either. And one real biggy, no more childcare expenses.
Over the course of the next 10 - 20 years you will see a large migration of employers to home based employee programs. It is not just the office space overhead that the employers will save. The home based employee will take less wages because he does not have as many expenses.
There are two things which serve as a deterrence to an immediate switch to home based employees. Bosses and the employees themselves.
Every worker knows the boss who is the attendance taker. He jumps you if you are a second late reporting to work, or leave a minute early for lunch. Everybody knows the office ogre. He exists just to make the lives of his workers miserable. Every worker knows the micro-manager. He is always bent over the shoulder of an employee ensuring that the work is being done EXACTLY the way the micro-manager wants. Absolutely no variation allowed.
Some employees are as bad as their bosses. Some workers do not have the initiative to even go to the office unless they know that a boss is there checking on them. Some employees have to be bullied and threatened into doing their work. Some employees have to have a boss standing over them or they turn out substandard work. Also some employees have doubts about themselves and require personal encouragement from the boss and coworkers.
The home based employee will be a new breed of worker. He has to insure that he has all information available with which to do his job. He must meet all time schedule and suspense dates. He must ensure that his work is accurate and formatted correctly. Just as if he was working for himself. Which, in effect he is. He is being paid for his results, not for being in the office.
When a company realizes that switching to home based employees will provide it with an edge over its competitors then it will begin a transition into a home based employee program. Other companies in the same industry will have to make the switch to home based employees to remain competitive.
Don't think it will work?
There are many bright individuals now, champing at the bit, saying, "Let me show you!".
40% of work being done by home based employees means 40% less office space required. Also 40% less desks, cabinets, etc. required to be purchased, 40% less office rent, utilities, and upkeep to be paid. Unfortunately, it also means that 40% fewer engineers, security guards, cleaners, and office support personnel will have to be paid.
What it means to the home based employees is no special office clothes required. They can work in their pajamas. It also means no auto required for commuting to work. No car payment, insurance, gas, or upkeep expenses to be paid. No outside food expenses either. And one real biggy, no more childcare expenses.
Over the course of the next 10 - 20 years you will see a large migration of employers to home based employee programs. It is not just the office space overhead that the employers will save. The home based employee will take less wages because he does not have as many expenses.
There are two things which serve as a deterrence to an immediate switch to home based employees. Bosses and the employees themselves.
Every worker knows the boss who is the attendance taker. He jumps you if you are a second late reporting to work, or leave a minute early for lunch. Everybody knows the office ogre. He exists just to make the lives of his workers miserable. Every worker knows the micro-manager. He is always bent over the shoulder of an employee ensuring that the work is being done EXACTLY the way the micro-manager wants. Absolutely no variation allowed.
Some employees are as bad as their bosses. Some workers do not have the initiative to even go to the office unless they know that a boss is there checking on them. Some employees have to be bullied and threatened into doing their work. Some employees have to have a boss standing over them or they turn out substandard work. Also some employees have doubts about themselves and require personal encouragement from the boss and coworkers.
The home based employee will be a new breed of worker. He has to insure that he has all information available with which to do his job. He must meet all time schedule and suspense dates. He must ensure that his work is accurate and formatted correctly. Just as if he was working for himself. Which, in effect he is. He is being paid for his results, not for being in the office.
When a company realizes that switching to home based employees will provide it with an edge over its competitors then it will begin a transition into a home based employee program. Other companies in the same industry will have to make the switch to home based employees to remain competitive.
Don't think it will work?
There are many bright individuals now, champing at the bit, saying, "Let me show you!".
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
No improvement in the United States economy
Items concerning the economy noted this past week.
Housing foreclosures in August rose to the highest level they have been since the current recession started. Six more banks failed. With the holidays and winter upcoming, indications are that neither the real estate nor the home construction industry will improve any before spring of 2011.
Gender pay difference. It was noted that women are now receiving 83% of the pay of a man, up from 76%. It was noted that there are more men than women looking for work. What was not noted is that this indicates that employers are jettisoning their higher paid workers.
Consumer price index up in August. Wage index down. Indicating that consumers are struggling to make ends meet.
Personal wealth on the decline. Caused by depreciation in home prices, a stagnant stock market, and interest rates so low that savings don't even come close to keeping up with inflation, even though inflation is low.
Poverty level up to 7% of American households. The highest level it has been since Lyndon Johnson was in office.
This article should not be construed to be a political statement. I hate political statements.
Barak Obama ran on a plank of "Change": when he ran for President.
His supporters must have believed that change was necessary.
After two years, though, the above items indicate that what change that has been made has been unnecessary or completely wrong.
President Barak Obama, if you can read this,
"MAKE A CHANGE THAT MATTERS!!!"
Housing foreclosures in August rose to the highest level they have been since the current recession started. Six more banks failed. With the holidays and winter upcoming, indications are that neither the real estate nor the home construction industry will improve any before spring of 2011.
Gender pay difference. It was noted that women are now receiving 83% of the pay of a man, up from 76%. It was noted that there are more men than women looking for work. What was not noted is that this indicates that employers are jettisoning their higher paid workers.
Consumer price index up in August. Wage index down. Indicating that consumers are struggling to make ends meet.
Personal wealth on the decline. Caused by depreciation in home prices, a stagnant stock market, and interest rates so low that savings don't even come close to keeping up with inflation, even though inflation is low.
Poverty level up to 7% of American households. The highest level it has been since Lyndon Johnson was in office.
This article should not be construed to be a political statement. I hate political statements.
Barak Obama ran on a plank of "Change": when he ran for President.
His supporters must have believed that change was necessary.
After two years, though, the above items indicate that what change that has been made has been unnecessary or completely wrong.
President Barak Obama, if you can read this,
"MAKE A CHANGE THAT MATTERS!!!"
Monday, May 31, 2010
Memorial Day 2010
The Senior Citizen and Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember our ancestors.
Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember those servicemen who died defending our country as well as those who defended our country and passed on in later life.
Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember those veterans who served in our armed forces and are now alive to explain why it was worthwhile serving.
Last but not least, Memorial Day is a time to honor and salute those servicemen who are now on duty in our armed forces, defending our country, and our ideology of "Freedom for All".
Sherman said, "War is Hell". Americans have been willing to tackle the horrors of war since they first declared their independence in 1776.
Americans believed in freedom and fought off many attacks upon our home land. Americans believed in freedom and fought many wars on foreign soil.
We are even now fighting in Afghanistan. We just surpassed a milestone. One thousand American servicemen have lost their lives fighting. This sounds terrible until you remember that over two thousand seven hundred innocent civilians lost their lives in the cowardly attack on the World Trade Center.
We will soon be passing another milestone in Afghanistan. The war in Afghanistan will become the longest war the United States has had to endure in its history. The length of this war is testing the resolve of the American people and the American government. It brings up the question of, "How long should we fight for freedom?". I am not talking about the freedom of the Afghanis, I am talking about freedom here in America. To withdraw from Afghanistan is to invite more terror attacks on American soil.
Many Americans think of the war in Afghanistan as being some sort of religious war where it is, "Us against them Islamics". They wonder why we should be engaged in such a war since we believe in freedom of religion.
The war in Afghanistan is a war on terror, and there should be no mistake about it.
The United States faces three primary foes in Afghanistan.
Al Quaeda - A loose group of terrorists who detest the United States because of our open society and freedoms.
Taliban - A loose group of drug lords who believe in ruling through force and fear.
Islamic radicals - A loose group of Islamic clerics who believe that you should worship the way they tell you or you should die.
The United States should have two main goals in Afghanistan.
1. Prop up a very weak democratic government. Until now, Afghanistan has been ruled by dictators or despots, when there was a government. The United States needs to support the government until it is strong enough to defend itself.
2. Eradicate the Al Quaeda, Taliban, and Islamic radicals. As you read this, one or more of these groups is plotting an attack upon the United States.
What does this have to do with you, the Senior Citizen?
Write your Senators. Write your Representatives. Write the President. Tell them you support the troops in Afghanistan. Tell them you support the war against terror in Afghanistan. Tell them to vote the funding for the Afghanistan war. Tell them to give our troops the equipment necessary to conduct their mission!
Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember our ancestors.
Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember those servicemen who died defending our country as well as those who defended our country and passed on in later life.
Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember those veterans who served in our armed forces and are now alive to explain why it was worthwhile serving.
Last but not least, Memorial Day is a time to honor and salute those servicemen who are now on duty in our armed forces, defending our country, and our ideology of "Freedom for All".
Sherman said, "War is Hell". Americans have been willing to tackle the horrors of war since they first declared their independence in 1776.
Americans believed in freedom and fought off many attacks upon our home land. Americans believed in freedom and fought many wars on foreign soil.
We are even now fighting in Afghanistan. We just surpassed a milestone. One thousand American servicemen have lost their lives fighting. This sounds terrible until you remember that over two thousand seven hundred innocent civilians lost their lives in the cowardly attack on the World Trade Center.
We will soon be passing another milestone in Afghanistan. The war in Afghanistan will become the longest war the United States has had to endure in its history. The length of this war is testing the resolve of the American people and the American government. It brings up the question of, "How long should we fight for freedom?". I am not talking about the freedom of the Afghanis, I am talking about freedom here in America. To withdraw from Afghanistan is to invite more terror attacks on American soil.
Many Americans think of the war in Afghanistan as being some sort of religious war where it is, "Us against them Islamics". They wonder why we should be engaged in such a war since we believe in freedom of religion.
The war in Afghanistan is a war on terror, and there should be no mistake about it.
The United States faces three primary foes in Afghanistan.
Al Quaeda - A loose group of terrorists who detest the United States because of our open society and freedoms.
Taliban - A loose group of drug lords who believe in ruling through force and fear.
Islamic radicals - A loose group of Islamic clerics who believe that you should worship the way they tell you or you should die.
The United States should have two main goals in Afghanistan.
1. Prop up a very weak democratic government. Until now, Afghanistan has been ruled by dictators or despots, when there was a government. The United States needs to support the government until it is strong enough to defend itself.
2. Eradicate the Al Quaeda, Taliban, and Islamic radicals. As you read this, one or more of these groups is plotting an attack upon the United States.
What does this have to do with you, the Senior Citizen?
Write your Senators. Write your Representatives. Write the President. Tell them you support the troops in Afghanistan. Tell them you support the war against terror in Afghanistan. Tell them to vote the funding for the Afghanistan war. Tell them to give our troops the equipment necessary to conduct their mission!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Senior citizens and the world of computers
It is assumed here that if a senior citizen is reading this article, then the senior citizen has computer access. Even with access, many senior citizens are loathe to use a computer because of vision problems. Vision problems which are easily corrected now-a-days.
There are magnifying plate glasses which can be placed over a monitor to enlarge screen images.
Perhaps the best solution to the vision problem is buy a larger computer monitor. The prices of flat screen computer monitors have dropped drastically, and a large monitor can be purchased for $150. During sale periods, they may go for less than $100.
In this digital age, computer monitors are nothing more than televisions without the channel tuning mechanisms. Vice versa, many modern digital televisions have a port for input from a computer. The connectors for data and sound can be purchased at any electronics store. It should also be noted here, that notebook computers have ports for external monitors.
Now, do you need any better reason for buying that 40" flat screen television?
There are magnifying plate glasses which can be placed over a monitor to enlarge screen images.
Perhaps the best solution to the vision problem is buy a larger computer monitor. The prices of flat screen computer monitors have dropped drastically, and a large monitor can be purchased for $150. During sale periods, they may go for less than $100.
In this digital age, computer monitors are nothing more than televisions without the channel tuning mechanisms. Vice versa, many modern digital televisions have a port for input from a computer. The connectors for data and sound can be purchased at any electronics store. It should also be noted here, that notebook computers have ports for external monitors.
Now, do you need any better reason for buying that 40" flat screen television?
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
The Senior Citizen and Surveys
You have heard the hype, got it in your SPAM box, in your inbox, and probably even got it from your internet service provider, or email provider.
"Make money taking surveys".
"Work at home taking surveys".
"We want your vote".
"We want your opinion".
Sounds like an ideal job for a Senior Citizen.
Can you really make money?
From those emails that are in your SPAM box you can expect to enter your creditcard number, and then bend over. The best that you can expect from these is a list of authentic survey companies.
From your internet service, or email provider, your name will be entered into a drawing for a monetary prize. Many of the surveys are concerning new products, and for those products that you express an interest in, you can expect to receive coupons in the mail. Many of the surveys are for services concerning such as house remodeling, window replacement, permanent siding. From the firms that are involved in these services, you can expect telephone calls from "Hard Sell" salesmen.
There are legitimate firms which do pay for taking surveys. They represent legitimate clients which are interested in polls concerning a variety of products, services, and information. The problem is the pay itself. Tenth of a cent for an email survey. A nickel for an extended online survey. And the survey companies normally have a high limit of fifty or one hundred dollars before they pay your accumulated earnings.
So you can make money taking surveys. Just don't expect a lot. Perhaps you are interested. Where can you find these legitimate companies? Search on line. Remember that if you are required to pay a fee, the firm is not legitimate.
You have heard the hype, got it in your SPAM box, in your inbox, and probably even got it from your internet service provider, or email provider.
"Make money taking surveys".
"Work at home taking surveys".
"We want your vote".
"We want your opinion".
Sounds like an ideal job for a Senior Citizen.
Can you really make money?
From those emails that are in your SPAM box you can expect to enter your creditcard number, and then bend over. The best that you can expect from these is a list of authentic survey companies.
From your internet service, or email provider, your name will be entered into a drawing for a monetary prize. Many of the surveys are concerning new products, and for those products that you express an interest in, you can expect to receive coupons in the mail. Many of the surveys are for services concerning such as house remodeling, window replacement, permanent siding. From the firms that are involved in these services, you can expect telephone calls from "Hard Sell" salesmen.
There are legitimate firms which do pay for taking surveys. They represent legitimate clients which are interested in polls concerning a variety of products, services, and information. The problem is the pay itself. Tenth of a cent for an email survey. A nickel for an extended online survey. And the survey companies normally have a high limit of fifty or one hundred dollars before they pay your accumulated earnings.
So you can make money taking surveys. Just don't expect a lot. Perhaps you are interested. Where can you find these legitimate companies? Search on line. Remember that if you are required to pay a fee, the firm is not legitimate.
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