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

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