Financial Rape and Plunder of the World

[Jordan]

Is it just me? or are there others that are getting glimpses of how the uberriche are manipulating the planets economies to gut everything for personal gain and open the door to meglomaniacs that will usher in the "New World Order"? Strikes me odd that no one is speaking out about any of these possabilities. Used to be at least a few were able to get media access and speak a little common sense in an increasing irrational world. Most of course are dismissed as crackpots but that never stopped them before. Now, it seems those voices have been silenced. Are the worlds populations being led to a finacial abyss, like sheep to slaughter while the puppeteers of these fiascos are laughing all the way to the bank? In my opinion we are some of the lucky ones, meaning at least after the total collapse of things, we will have the skills to make things people will need. How many moguls will be able to make thier own shoes, accessories and clothing? Oh well I guess my rant is over. Just wanted to post a few thoughts and questions to ponder.

[HorsehairBraider]

Hardly ever does a person in a position of power do something for the common good (although it DOES happen at times) - no, they do things for *THEIR* good, and everybody else can just go eat cake. I think this is human nature and will never change.

But as to your other point... I've had people come here and say "When society collapses, YOU'll be OK! You _________ (raise rabbits, weave, spin, know how to milk a goat etc.)" OK. You do realize that if society collapses, you will no longer have access to tanned hides - right? Unless of course you tan your own... and I won't be able to buy rabbit pellets, for example, so I'll be just as screwed as everybody else... We all rely on each other to a degree I think many do not realize. It's nice to have "stone-age" type skills, but I think life would really suck without good boots.... or toilet paper... or coffee... or electricity. So I for one am hoping that society does NOT collapse, and that things will hobble along more or less as "normal". Whatever that means.

[Bree]

Is it just me? or are there others that are getting glimpses of how the uberriche are manipulating the planets economies to gut everything for personal gain and open the door to meglomaniacs that will usher in the "New World Order"? Strikes me odd that no one is speaking out about any of these possabilities. Used to be at least a few were able to get media access and speak a little common sense in an increasing irrational world. Most of course are dismissed as crackpots but that never stopped them before. Now, it seems those voices have been silenced. Are the worlds populations being led to a finacial abyss, like sheep to slaughter while the puppeteers of these fiascos are laughing all the way to the bank? In my opinion we are some of the lucky ones, meaning at least after the total collapse of things, we will have the skills to make things people will need. How many moguls will be able to make thier own shoes, accessories and clothing? Oh well I guess my rant is over. Just wanted to post a few thoughts and questions to ponder.

Another day in the world of politics. It's happened before and will no doubt happen again. Keep carving to keep your mind off of it.

[Hilly]

If BO has his way, there will be no more uberrich, just lots of frisbee golf courses and abortionists on every corner. Sheesh.

[jbird]

I can't comment on this at all I might lose my mouth and sence, so I just think and don't say but I don't like any thing that's happening.

Josh

[TrooperChuck]

I don't like what I'm seeing, either. The state of California is pretty much bankrupt. What happens if the whole country goes the way of California? There have been thousands of lay-offs in the past couple months. What happens if more and more people get layed off and how desperate will they become when they can't feed their families or keep their homes? The two tactics our government is using to combat the financial crisis are printing more money (can you say "inflation!") and borrowing money from other countries (sorry kids, YOU are the ones who are gonna have to pay off those loans someday).

I'm not one of those "The World Is Gonna End. I'm Burying Guns And Food In My Backyard!" type of guys. But, I live a lifestyle where I can grow my own food if necessary. I can heat my home and cook without electricity. I've got a year-round source of fresh water. My wife keeps at least 6 months of staple foods in the pantry. My vehicles are old enough that they don't have any computerized components. I typically keep a store of gasoline and diesel on hand for emergencies. When I buy hay for my horses, I buy a year's worth at a time. And, I have the tools, training, and experience to defend my home and family from thieves and marauders (assuming they don't come at us in large numbers!).

(Gee, after reading the above, it sounds like I AM one of those survivalists! I didn't mean to be. I just always wanted to be as self-sufficient as possible. Within reasonable limits.)

But, having said that, I REALLY hope and pray there's enough wise people left in the world to head off a total collapse of our society.

Edited February 18, 2009 by TrooperChuck

[Bree]

I don't like what I'm seeing, either. The state of California is pretty much bankrupt. What happens if the whole country goes the way of California? There have been thousands of lay-offs in the past couple months. What happens if more and more people get layed off and how desperate will they become when they can't feed their families or keep their homes? The two tactics our government is using to combat the financial crisis are printing more money (can you say "inflation!") and borrowing money from other countries (sorry kids, YOU are the ones who are gonna have to pay off those loans someday).

I'm not one of those "The World Is Gonna End. I'm Burying Guns And Food In My Backyard!" type of guys. But, I live a lifestyle where I can grow my own food if necessary. I can heat my home and cook without electricity. I've got a year-round source of fresh water. My wife keeps at least 6 months of staple foods in the pantry. My vehicles are old enough that they don't have any computerized components. I typically keep a store of gasoline and diesel on hand for emergencies. When I buy hay for my horses, I buy a year's worth at a time. And, I have the tools, training, and experience to defend my home and family from thieves and marauders (assuming they don't come at us in large numbers!).

(Gee, after reading the above, it sounds like I AM one of those survivalists! I didn't mean to be. I just always wanted to be as self-sufficient as possible. Within reasonable limits.)

But, having said that, I REALLY hope and pray there's enough wise people left in the world to head off a total collapse of our society.

This is a public forum Trooper. Now that you gave away all your survival and stability secrets people will come from the Fed to nationalize your assets!!

[Washroad]

California can go bankrupt and I won't notice a thing! In fact, it'd be nice to have a bit less govmint for awhile. Currently, the state legislature is looking for just one more vote to pass the budget that Governor Schwarzenegger Shriver is willing to sign. Thursday, they threaten to layoff 10,000 people feeding at the public trough. I'm like, so? Maybe they can go out and get a real job.

Several years ago, Orange County (where I live, not in the "county" but in an incorporated city) went bankrupt. The news acted like it was a BFD. I didn't notice a thing. The courts were still open, the sheriff was still on patrol.

The thing that is making me angry about the California budget is that were have too much govmint and they won't cut back on govmint but they want to increase taxes to pay for their crap!

I already pay a lot of taxes. After filing, the state of California keeps 9.5% of my gross income, not counting property taxes (over $2500), sales tax (currently 7.75% but going up to at least 9%), ad infitum, ad nauesum. I haven't even gotten to the federal yet.

So, yeah Jordan, I'm upset too.

I wish I was as self-sufficient as Trooper!

[Johanna]

I live in small-town America, where people are just upset because things have gone so horribly wrong when they were trying to do everything right. Investments have declined, the price of everything but Income has gone up. There is a company in our county with 7 big plants. My mother-in-law and stepfather took early retirements after 40+ years, my cousin with 30 years and my husband with 25 are still there...but the company cut pay and benefits, and slashed a quarter of its workers from the payroll, and everyone says "At least some of us still have jobs!" Because the entire county has been dramatically affected by the cuts at the plant. The plant's owners can't help that they can't sell enough product, and they are trying to survive. The government isn't going to bail them out if their business fails. They had to prudently trim costs wherever possible- but the whole local economy is broken with these folks out of work. Houses aren't selling. Restaurants and gas stations are feeling the pinch. Sales are down to "I am only buying what I absolutely must!" We are conservative, and we've been punched in the stomach financially. The evidence is everywhere- we German-Americans like our towns to be neat and orderly, but we couldn't afford the salt we needed this winter for the roads to be safe. Projects are getting postponed or killed if there isn't a direct economic reason to make improvements. No one is repairing the little damages the wind did last week- money is tight. Wallets have been snapped shut, but for as much as we are not spending, we're not getting ahead in our"savings accounts. Go figure. And this in the heart of Conservative America. We're reeling, many other communities are struggling, too. Nobody here thinks the Stimulus Plan is going to do anything to help, either, just get us into a debt we won't see paid in our lifetimes. Sorry kids. We were supposed to be increasing our value in the world, but we dropped the ball. Meanwhile the waiter or the cashier has a Masters Degree. There are no jobs. We are waiting for Spring, time to plant gardens and grow flowers. It's too hard to think beyond that.

Johanna

[TrooperChuck]

Maybe someone from California can confirm or deny this... I recently heard that CA is in such bad shape that they've issued IOU's to pay some of their bills. Is this true, or is it some type of "The Sky Is Falling!" propaganda?

Johanna: My dad is a perfect example of the type of hard times you're describing. He's retired from a construction company, and last month he got a notice in the mail that said his retirement pension will be cut by $700 per month. They cited tough financial times as the reason for the cut.

Bree: Dang it! Now, you've given me one MORE thing to worry about... I hope the black helicopters don't start showing up! LOL

Edited February 18, 2009 by TrooperChuck