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

[Hilly]

There is only ONE reason for this "stimulus" package, and that ONE reason is to increase the size of government. Period. The government could care less about any one of us posting here, or our financial situation.

[rawhide1]

Well here in Ks. they were talking about not giving tax refunds that were owed. Because the state didn't have the money. So since I owe every year I'm going to send them a note saying I'm I'll pay them later because I don't have the money now.

Mike

[rhall]

I heard there was aproposal in Kansas to charge everyone 1/4 cent for every mile you drive! I am ready to take back my country when the time comes!The Socialists are now in charge!

[esantoro]

I think it is very important in times like these, and then keep up the habit in the future, to try to connect all the dots in examining how power works in society. While it does take time, it ends up becoming like a game, like playing cards or tennis or chess or backgammon. Its payoff is sanity in knowing how the tectonic plates of economics, politics, and power are shifting, which allows one to hop to the other foot when needed in the smallest and most mundane of everyday decisions that must be made -- as the personal is political.

Though I am doubtful of the Internet's utility in the long run, there are still windows of opportunity for it to aid in shedding light on the fissures and cracks in the Matrix. All the dirt is right out there in plain sight; it just takes time to research and organize the information, and it is being done.

Grab a big bottle of hard liquor of your choice and connect the dots below. When you're finished, never look back and never watch mainstream news again. Keep track of the names of the folks who really do have their eye on the walnut shell with the pea underneath and always search for their take on the issues:

This ride requires a Double-E ticket and no seat belts will be provided:

-------------------------

The Rabbit Hole: "All hope abandon ye who enter here"

Your main conductor for this ride is the British journalist and agent provocateur Adam Curtis.

1. Click on this You Tube link to Adam Curtis' "The Century of the Self. There are four episodes (The Century of the Self), each about an hour long. Each episode is broken into about six 10-minute files.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Kp24ZeHtv4

2. Then go on to the next film: "The Trap"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIXDMycMYsw...feature=related

This doc is also segmented into four parts, which are segmented into parts themselves.

3. If you can still stand the pain, take in Curtis' "The Mayfair Set"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yWY8IGczQE

If you're still on board, then there is no going back, so you might as well keep it up.

4. "Status Anxiety":

Now drive it all deeper into muscle memory:

5. Any number of Bill Moyers' interviews of the past two years, but this one will do fine: "Are we chumps?" "We might be."

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/02132009/watch.html

6. Thomas Frank:

7. Rick Shenkman:

8. Interview with Adam Curtis:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/11/20/ad...rtis_interview/

9. For good measure, Dante's "Divine Comedy"

Through me you pass into the city of woe:

Through me you pass into eternal pain:

Through me among the people lost for aye.

Justice the founder of my fabric mov'd:

To rear me was the task of power divine,

Supremest wisdom, and primeval love.

Before me things create were none, save things

Eternal, and eternal I endure.

All hope abandon ye who enter here.

Such characters in colour dim I mark'd

Over a portal's lofty arch inscrib'd:

Whereat I thus: Master, these words import.

---------------------------------------

Now, if you're still conscious but writhing on a bile-puddled floor in pain without the will to go on, you are then in THEEEEEEE perfect place to read Henry Miller's "Tropic of Capricorn." It will lift you up and make you right and put you back together in a way you never thought possible, a Phoenix rising from the ashes.

Someone asked a while back why I've given the name "Maverick" to my bags. I had wanted to reply but was unable to encapsulate the exact reason why -- until now -- and I wanted to make sure that any explanation I gave be perfect.

Well, if you've taken in all these links, including Miller's "Capricorn," and you put together all the disgust, pain, laughter, sadness, despair, joy, hatred, love, lust, and desire that you encounter throughout the journey, shake it and stir, and then start punching your way back to sanity stitch by ing stitch, you have a "Maverick."

Edited February 18, 2009 by esantoro

[kiwidownunder]

Hello there folk. I feel like ranting about life a little, as I have no where else really to go but here, so here goes. I am getting so feed up trying to find a job, having enough money to eat, and stay happy at the same time, while watching others who it seems, are struggling too, but doesn,t stop them from doing all the normal things. I have worked so hard, for years, at horse jobs, and still struggle to put shoes on my feet.

Now do not get me wrong , I do not dislike those folk, or hate them, but just wish that I could do the same thing. Watching others going off to family gathering gets depressing , you know. Every where I have gone, no sorry no work going,another one today, and you know that is finally starting to wear me out. I am a fairly strong person, but these days I am becoming weaker with all the doom and gloom on TV and Radio. I was wishing for the leather to help me a little, but again that does not seem to have worked either. Maybe I should not have listened to my friends at the time. I guess the lord has other plans for me,just wish I knew what. OH well too late now.

On the bright side I have posted a few things on EBAY, thanks to what you folk said here, and hope that the lord will pull out a miracle for me.

So how many of you others, need to GET IT OFF YOUR CHEST like I just did. I feel way better now. Seems we all need to release our feelings good or bad ,now and then, don't you think.

Wow What a rant, sorry . Think I have beat him enough. Thanks all you leather friends for having this site and having a ranting post.. Next time I will be happier. Happy carving to you all.

Kiwi.

[Hilly]

<snip>

:wtf:

[Hilly]

Hello there folk. I feel like ranting about life a little, as I have no where else really to go but here, so here goes. I am getting so feed up trying to find a job, having enough money to eat, and stay happy at the same time, while watching others who it seems, are struggling too, but doesn,t stop them from doing all the normal things. I have worked so hard, for years, at horse jobs, and still struggle to put shoes on my feet.

Now do not get me wrong , I do not dislike those folk, or hate them, but just wish that I could do the same thing. Watching others going off to family gathering gets depressing , you know. Every where I have gone, no sorry no work going,another one today, and you know that is finally starting to wear me out. I am a fairly strong person, but these days I am becoming weaker with all the doom and gloom on TV and Radio. I was wishing for the leather to help me a little, but again that does not seem to have worked either. Maybe I should not have listened to my friends at the time. I guess the lord has other plans for me,just wish I knew what. OH well too late now.

On the bright side I have posted a few things on EBAY, thanks to what you folk said here, and hope that the lord will pull out a miracle for me.

So how many of you others, need to GET IT OFF YOUR CHEST like I just did. I feel way better now. Seems we all need to release our feelings good or bad ,now and then, don't you think.

Wow What a rant, sorry . Think I have beat him enough. Thanks all you leather friends for having this site and having a ranting post.. Next time I will be happier. Happy carving to you all.

Kiwi.

You can have my job.

[Casey Jordan]

You can have my job.

Mine too. I'm about fed up with all the ! See, it could be worse, you could have my job.

Having a job is not what it is all cracked up to be.

[Hennessy]

Hello there folk. I feel like ranting about life a little, as I have no where else really to go but here, so here goes. I am getting so feed up trying to find a job, having enough money to eat, and stay happy at the same time, while watching others who it seems, are struggling too, but doesn,t stop them from doing all the normal things. I have worked so hard, for years, at horse jobs, and still struggle to put shoes on my feet.

Now do not get me wrong , I do not dislike those folk, or hate them, but just wish that I could do the same thing. Watching others going off to family gathering gets depressing , you know. Every where I have gone, no sorry no work going,another one today, and you know that is finally starting to wear me out. I am a fairly strong person, but these days I am becoming weaker with all the doom and gloom on TV and Radio. I was wishing for the leather to help me a little, but again that does not seem to have worked either. Maybe I should not have listened to my friends at the time. I guess the lord has other plans for me,just wish I knew what. OH well too late now.

On the bright side I have posted a few things on EBAY, thanks to what you folk said here, and hope that the lord will pull out a miracle for me.

So how many of you others, need to GET IT OFF YOUR CHEST like I just did. I feel way better now. Seems we all need to release our feelings good or bad ,now and then, don't you think.

Wow What a rant, sorry . Think I have beat him enough. Thanks all you leather friends for having this site and having a ranting post.. Next time I will be happier. Happy carving to you all.

Kiwi.

if a sparrow does not fall,without HIS knowing,and the lillies of the field are clothed finer than anything solomon ever wore,how much better are HIS plans for you, press in and be of good cheer one day at a time luv pete

[Hennessy]

:wtf:

the mayans were a blood thirsty bunch their history i know little of,they too built pyramids with stones larger than any of todays cranes can lift.they had a stone calandar,so accurate that modern man has only equal'd with the advent of the computer.that calandar runs out on dec 22 2012.i am a born again christian[raised a catholic in australia] but saved in texas,when i got into the bible i started at the back of the book[revelation] it tell's of the end times, hard to follow and mind boggleing,when the world has completely been offer'd a chance to hear the gospels of christ[?tv or internet missions are there]then will the time be ripe,armageddon is but a drive from iraq n afghanistan n israel.my gut feeling is the ducks are lineing up the times they are a changin pete

[TexasJack]

I still hold out hope that we may secede and put things where they should be - at least for a small corner of the world.

I suppose every generation thinks the world has gone insane. You'd have to work pretty hard to convince me that it hasn't gone insane now.

Looking back at my ancestors, they had some pretty rough spells to get through. Depressions, food shortages, wars - and I mean close up and personal wars, not just those on the other end of the planet. Sometimes surviving is all you can really hope to do.

I must tell y'all that the one thing that scares me more than anything else right now is that the government can use the term "nationalize" and no one but me seems to understand that means giving up a piece of our freedom. They can spend trillions of dollars and no body seems to care that we'll have to pay that all back with interest. (Well, they care, but only about whether or not they can get in line for the handout.) Billions of $$ disappear, and no one in the government - regardless of party - is calling for investigations. (Tells me that when you throw back the sheets, you'll find a few Congressmen in bed with the bad guys!) If nobody is scared about what power is being turned over to a handful of people, how easy will it be for them to destroy us??

The country has voted to become socialist. Please remember that 'Nazi' is short for National Socialist Party. When you give the government control of everything, they can decide to do whatever they want with you.

e.e. cummings wrote, "This is the way the world will end, not with a bang but a whimper."

[TexasJack]

"Who by worry can add one minute to his life?" (Matthew 6:27)

"Gettin' by on gettin' by's my stock in trade

Livin' life day to day

Pickin' up the pieces wherever they fall

Just lettin' it roll, lettin' the high times carry the low

Livin' my life easy come, easy go." (Jerry Jeff Walker)

Hang in there, amigo.

[celticleather]

It's the same the whole world over

It's the poor what gets the blame;

It's the rich what gets the gravy

Ain't it all a bleeding shame?

[whinewine]

e.e. cummings wrote, "This is the way the world will end, not with a bang but a whimper."

"This is the way the world ends, not with a bang but a whimper"

'The Hollow men' by T.S. Eliot, not e.e. cummings

[rdb]

I'm old. I get to put my two cents in, whether or not you want to hear it...lol

There seems to be a lot of "Woe is me", and "They all suck" around here. There are some many billions of humans on this planet, and it can be pretty complicated to make things run on an even keel. Everyone has their druthers. You've got the Conspiracy people, the right and lefts, the center, and you can break that down into even more thousands of little tribes.

Tough times, and Good times, come and go. If you have some sort of belief you would be able to survive a Mel Gibson post apocalyptic world, forget it. We either work together, or we all hang together ( someone famous said that). Obstruction, doom and gloom, them vs us, has never, and will never accomplish anything but the destruction of those who purport it. It doesn't even make you feel better, you just end up wallowing it, and making everything look worse.

Personally, I can only do my little part. Making a belt that lasts a little longer than the time it takes to leave the store, or making any little accessory to put a smile on someone's face. Somehow, I think that adds a positive to the whole mix. When people add positives, instead of negatives, it just seems to make the world a little brighter, and better. It's not delusional...it really does work. Look at any snowstorm up North, and watch people who don't normally get along with each other, and how they help each other get through it.

Take this Forum, for another example. We are all learning, sharing, getting along for the most part. I have not seen this kind of positive relationships on ANY board out there. I hope that continues for many, many years.

Remember the old adage: "Never talk religion or politics in a bar".