FINANCIAL CRISIS FIGURED OUT!!!

I believe that I have figured this Financial Crisis stuff out at last.

The latest figures suggest that the "bailout" here is only a few percent of our GDP. The other countries' "bailouts" were 6x to 30x more than ours as a percentage of their GDPs. They are pissed and talking $hit.

The energy states had jacked up prices beyond competitive levels by indirect and political means over the last several years. This gave them a lot of dollars. Many of these dollars went into so-called sovereign wealth funds or their equals. Guess where they were invested?

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been costly. International participation in these efforts has not been up to par.

Russia invaded and controlled Georgia to give us a bloody nose. We sent humanitarian aid in response.

The artificially inflated mortgage markets needed correction.

This is payback.

The rest of the world has now been forced to "pay" their fair share of costs to the global hegemony. The dollar remains king. We will not have reduced standards-of-living here in America. That may happen elsewhere though. We will have reduced standards-of-spending.

Despite some rhetoric to the contrary, energy independence with respect to hydrocarbons is technically achievable but not immediately and it will not last forever. There would be large monetary, societal and environmental costs. A mixed but maximized approach to conventional hydrocarbon recovery methods and alternative energy sources is necessary as a matter of national security.

New opportunities will be created for Americans and their neighbors as the United States rehabilitates and creates its 21st century infrastructure system across the country.

Life is good after all.


John

McCain Turns the Ball Over to Obama

Blurbs in today's news reports are indicating that the McCain campaign is pulling out of Michigan and has cancelled several future events here. Too bad for Michigan. For all practical purposes, Michigan now has no realistic alternative to Obama. Apparently WE have spoken via the polling organizations. This all seems so odd given that Obama did not campaign here in the primaries and did not appear on the primary ballot (except notably as "Other"). Therefore, we can only HOPE that Obama will CHANGE things enough for Michigan to become successful again. Does anyone remember that he previously told us that he WOULD NOT HELP the auto industry here? Does anyone remember that he wants to INVEST in alternative vehicles here? Can you say MASS TRANSIT?

Frankly, I am disappointed that McCain is giving us short shrift. It is in the interplay between the candidates that we would get something for MIchigan out of all this campaigning. Now, as in the past, we will get little or nothing. No one cares about MIchigan anyway due to the on-going financial crises nationally, just ask Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow. So, as long as you have cash you will have access. The rest of us little guys can only hope for some scraps.


John

Swing State or Just Swingers?

The composite look at recent Presidential polls for Michigan at www.realclearpolitics.com shows an uptick in support for Obama to a 5% advantage over McCain. Personally, I have noticed HUGE Dem advertising efforts on radio, television, dozens of letters to the editor in the local papers, yard signs and bumper stickers. As for me, I can now recognize Obama's voice almost instantly, even without visuals. However, many local households that have been consistently Dem sign-bearers in past elections are not sporting any signs this time. Huh? In response, it seems that the Dems are trying to "shame out" the vote by accusing the less than full-throated among themselves of being racists. This is a different kind of campaign? Future administration? Give me a break. It seems like the more Dems we elect in Michigan, and attempt to elect (can you say John Kerry?), the worse our economy becomes. This includes US Senators and on down too. Now don't entirely misunderstand me here. We have some all-time great Dems from this state: Conyers, Dingell and C. Levin to name three. Love them or hate them, it doesn't change their greatness. Unfortunately, the rest of the tag-a-long Dems (can you say Debbie Stabenow?) haven't had a single creative thought their entire tenure in office. Is it possible that the national Dem issues are no longer good for Michigan? Apparently, our tremendous mix of skilled work force, high-tech manufacturing, engineering, and international accessibility are no longer desirable. The car companies are on the brink. The arsenal of democracy has been used up and spit out. Our business climate certainly improves with greater Republican numbers in office and/or voted for. Unfortunately, the state party is often quite an offensive, arrogant bunch who are not very united at all and do not have effective leaders. They present good candidates who do not have a coherent state-wide party organization behind them. I guess that makes them unworthy of being elected in and of itself. I wonder if McCain is going to spend the money in Michigan that Obama has? As far as my perceptions, it sure seems like I am seeing and hearing Obama waaaaaayyyy more than McCain. I hope he does, so that a contrast between the two men can be readily made without being "nuanced". In past presidential primaries and contests I have not been a McCain supporter but never formed a negative opinion of him (other than the Keating Five....is that all?). With Obama, I have formed an opinion of him that is decidedly no opinion whatsoever. He talks good. He should be a radio broadcaster. But what are his policy positions? What are his fundamental values and judgement system based on? Does he even have fundamental values and a judgement system? Where has he been and what has he done? I have listened for over a year now and I cannot answer those questions. Is Obama different somehow than the party that backs him? His handlers? Somehow I do not think that is possible. Will Michigan elect a great unknown? John

Michigan’s Problem & Political Self Interest

I find it interesting how the political blame games progress over long periods of time. Here in Michigan, we presently have perhaps the worst economic conditions in the United States.

Our elected State government is now largely Democratic and led by Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm. During her initial and subsequent campaigns for office, Granholm repeatedly blamed the prior Republican administration of Governor John Engler for problems with the State budget and economy and as our collective memories of Engler fade, we now hear that it is in fact the Republican Bush administration in Washington that is the root of our statewide problems. I guess that the earlier Clinton administration had no fault in contributing to the economic mess that ensued toward the end of the Engler years.

Now, I have been around and paying attention the entire time. The Democrats control nearly all aspects of State government, and we have two Democratic US Senators. Yet, we still receive less than 90% return of federal monies for each dollar sent to Washington.

Would someone please explain to me why the Republicans are still at fault and why we should continue to elect Democrats to represent us in Michigan?

The Michigan Democrats ranging from local county commissioners to Governor have savaged our State and wreaked havoc with the business environment and consequently JOBS. The auto companies are nearly ruined. The first and second tier suppliers to the auto companies are in horrid shape. The suppliers to the suppliers are going out of business. Not relocating mind you, going out of business and ending JOBS forever.

These JOBS are not going to India and Mexico as some would have you believe, and it is neither NAFTA nor globalization causing these Michigan-specific problems. The problem is this: if government makes business creation and operation too difficult or too burdensome, investors and wealth creators simply will not choose to do business and create JOBS in that environment.

Michigan is rated last among the States relative to business environment. This is no statistical or demographic accident. I think there is a direct parallel with the early 1980s exodus of workers from Michigan during the Democratic Governor Blanchard era and the current Governor Granholm era.

Let's face it, politicians crave power not results. Politicians seek to control us. We should be the ones doing the controlling of them. Until the people of Michigan quit whining and instead speak truth to power (i.e. Michigan Democrats) we will not be "represented" but we will continue to be "controlled".

As long as constituents are placated by high falutin' language such as protecting our resources, being green, government provision of safety nets, outreach, ad nauseum, there will be no new JOBS except in civil service and guess who will pay those salaries and benefits.

It really is time for the people of Michigan to see the bigger picture for what it really is and stop going along with the blame games, and silly antics of self indulgent interests.


John

A Dangerous Situation for Europe

September 8, 2008

Oh look! Medvedev just told Sarkozy he would withdraw troops from Georgia within a month. Are we to believe this for the third or fourth time? To be blunt, Medvedev is looking quite similar to that guy...Baghdad Bob?...who told the world about Saddam's intentions when the U.S. invaded Iraq.

So ultimately, Putin would separate Europe from the U.S. Knowing that the historical european rivalries would, again, reduce each other to helplessness against his onslaught...properly timed, of course, and not necessarily militarily either. There sure seem to be an awful lot of old cold warriors and their next generation running about. It should be fairly simple for the rest of us to get back into thinking geo-strategically like the old days. NOT.

John

Barack & Joe vs. John & Sarah

Welcome to Speaking Dangerously.

So the dust from the conventions has settled a bit. It now appears that the race is Barack & Joe vs. John & Sarah. A recent poll showed Palin as the most popular politician amongst the contenders. What is going on here? Most people I know do not have a clue who she is. Perhaps that's her appeal.

Meanwhile the beloved Mayor of Detroit has apparently had a come-to-Jesus moment and plead guilty to multiple felonies.

All of this really does make TV more interesting. Reality-based indeed.

John