Financial Rape and Plunder of the World

[TwinOaks]

Rant on:

Lots of interesting thoughts here. I agree a lot with Marlon, in that many people put themselves in bad situations. However, not everyone has, and the recession has lots of companies laying off workers. So what should they do? How about displace all the illegals by taking all the low paying jobs?

Here's a crazy idea: Quit outsourcing all the jobs to foreign countries! Not only do you keep the money at home, but anyone calling customer service would actually be able to understand what the H is being said. (Can you hear the ads? Buy our product: our service dept. speaks English)

I don't think that it's the end of the world just yet, but things are going to get uglier. As folks lose jobs, homes, etc., I'm expecting to see a corresponding rise in crime- petty at first, like a former banker shoplifting canned food, and getting progressivly worse with the economy. I'm fortunate enough to be in a good place to ride it out, too. In fact, looking at the course of events that led me and my family here, it's too much to be coincidental.....and to think I griped about all the little things when they popped up. Through several minor events, like almost getting killed in an industrial accident, and having a family member tell you they're selling the rental house you live in out from under you (in a month), we wound up here.

I'm on a private drive out in the county, with well water (can be hand pumped if needed), septic tank, lots of game, and a large lake full of fish nearby.

My neighbors include former military, mechanics, (another) electrician, farmers, carpenters, etc. This neighborhood has most of the basic trades covered. There's even a heavy equipment operator at the end of the main road with two dozers. I imagine parking them across the road would do a fair job of limiting trespassing. Oh, and everyone here knows how to hunt, farm, etc. We've got the makings of a nice little outpost.

So what?

My faith leads me to believe that God makes good on his deals- he said he would give us what we need ........not every little thing we think we want.

We as leatherworkers have a useful skill, and this forum has provided MANY of us with opportunities that we didn't know we had. Did anyone join this board with the FULL EXPECTATION to meet so many friends, learn so many things, and develop your skills? I joined because I thought that some leather items would be pretty cool to make as gifts. Now I've met people I call friends from at least 8 countries, have learned more about leather (among other things) in just over a year than I thought possible, and am seriously considering starting a business- yes, even in these times. I didn't get bitten by the leather bug because I wanted to....I think I needed to.

Has it occured (and I'm not thumping my Bible here) that the current crises are exactly what we need? Maybe this will move the country away from the 'gimme gimme gimme' ideology. Maybe, once folks figure out that roast chickens won't knock on their door anymore, they'll give up a lot of the vices that have turned this nation into a reincarnation of Sodom and Gomorrah. Apparently Katrina (bad ass huricane) wasn't enough of a clue.

Perhaps all the doom and gloom, naysayers and lunatics, politicians and false promises need to just implode. Take things back to a simpler way of life when honor meant something, a man's (woman's too) word was binding, and a handshake was better than any stack of papers a lawyer could produce.

At least two states have passed or are passing resolutions that essentially tell the Fed. where to get off. We may well be on track to a fracturing of the U.S.A. I hope it isn't the case, but I plan to be well prepared regardless. For anyone of a similar mind (TrooperChuck ) I recommend obtaining the Foxfire books, and listening to Bocephus' "Countryboy can survive". Finally, there's been some recent hoopla about repealing the 22nd amendment (term limits).....we don't need limits, we just need people to wake up and vote the bums out. Poor people have been voting for democrats for 50 years and they're still poor (how many times have I said that???) and a slap in the face may be needed to rouse them from their stupor.

Re: 12/21/12 or the end of the Mayan calender, i-ching, numeroloy, and any other "prophetic" means by which they get attention about the "end of days"....

(somebody help me out with the scripture citation, here) Weren't we told that "[no man knoweth the hour of my coming]", and ""?

I don't know about any of you, but if God says "Nobody (human) knows when I'm gonna pull the plug", I wonder how anyone on TV or Youtube can claim to?

Btw, I think the above date will most likely be a swapping of our poles -north becomes south.....kinda like the sun does every 11 or 12 years.

My fingers are cramping now, so I need to stop or I won't be able to tool a straight line....well, straight- ish line.

Y'all keep your knives sharp, your eyes and ears open, your powder dry, and never forget that God works in mysterious ways.

G'night.

Rant off:

Edited February 20, 2009 by TwinOaks

[wildrose]

TwinOaks was reading my mind...I'm with him!

[Ian]

Good stuff TwinOaks. We might not think we could survive catastrophy, because we've never been there, but we'll find out how strong we are when we have to. In a way I've had a taste of that all my life, so, as sick as it sounds, I'd like to find out how I would deal with the worst case senario.

Katrina was an example of people who have never developed a concept of self sufficiency - and that's where the real danger will come from when the government can no longer support it's non-contributing citizens.

To veer back into the spiritual/religious. The people who jumped out of wall street windows in the first depression were people who had made money their God and put all their faith in their portfolios. I can understand not having a reason to live once you've lost your God.

And an even more extreme thought: There would not have been a single surviving Jew in Europe if Hitler had had today's technology. Everyone in the Western world is on file today, and no matter how under-the-radar you try to live, your information is stored in hundreds of computers. It would just take the right set of circumstances to give the government reason to access it all. There is no place to hide anymore - just ask Randy Weaver.

And speaking of computers, I was watching a show about Chinese citizens who consider it their patriotic duty to learn how to shut down the world's internet systems. How about THAT for armegedon?

[TrooperChuck]

This has been a great thread, and I'm so glad the people who created this forum included a section for Off-Topic discussions.

There's been some great comments, ideas, and information here. From Johanna's anecdotal information about tough times in Small-town America. To Marlon's premise that the current situation is a result of our society's addiction to out of control spending and failure to save for hard times. To rdb's advice that we can, in small ways, help by doing positive things for others. These, and all the other postings, have been fascinating to read.

One of my favorite postings has been by TwinOaks... "Has it occured (and I'm not thumping my Bible here) that the current crises are exactly what we need? Maybe this will move the country away from the 'gimme gimme gimme' ideology... Take things back to a simpler way of life when honor meant something, a man's (woman's too) word was binding, and a handshake was better than any stack of papers a lawyer could produce."

It might just be wishful thinking, but I would love to live in that kind of society. Until that happens, I'm going to keep hoping for the best, preparing for the bad, and (as rdb suggested) try to help where I can.

[TwinOaks]

BTW, Chuck, thanks for your comments about guns and food buried in the backyard....I'm glad to know I'm not the only one.

[rhall]

As I have read this entire post I have been wondering how many Tens of thousands of folks who are standing back watching this parade of Clowns in Washington and feeling the same way we do.What the hell is carbon credits? and how does it help anyone except Al Gore?As God is my witness I am Scared to Death for our Country and My Grandchildren.I will Stand and Defend Her still today!

[TrooperChuck]

rhall:

I'm wondering the same things. Here's another example of government idiocy... Last year, here in WA state, they wanted to have meters installed on people's private wells so they could tax us for the water we take out of the ground. (Luckily, that didn't go anywhere, but there are still legislators who think it's a good idea.)

This year, our kind-hearted representatives in Olympia are introducing a bill to tax people who use studded tires in the winter time! Their idea is that studded tires cause more damage to the roads, so you will have to obtain a $100 permit in order to use studded tires! My question is this... if this law passes, some people will opt not to use studded tires in the winter because they can't afford the $100 permit, so how many vehicle accidents (and deaths) will be caused because people can't use the proper traction-tires?

I am sooooooo sick of these money hungry jerks contantly looking for ways to milk more and more money out of little guys to support their out-of-control government spending.

[Ian]

In Taxachusetts they're getting ready to raise the gas tax to the highest in the nation. The governor tells us that it will amount to one large coffee a week per person. Does this goof realize that that amounts to the equililent of 6 1/2 million cups of coffee that some small business will not be selling? Every dime they drain from the local economy puts small businesses out of business.

I am so sick of these mealy mouthed idiots justifying the plunder of our incomes. Oh no, there goes my serenity for the day. I have to realize that our sole purpose on earth is to serve the government and that they are the true owners of the fruits of our labor. Until I am beaten into line with the rest of the sheep, I'll never have a minute of mental peace, so I'm going to stop reading this thread.

[Go2Tex]

rhall:

I'm wondering the same things. Here's another example of government idiocy... Last year, here in WA state, they wanted to have meters installed on people's private wells so they could tax us for the water we take out of the ground. (Luckily, that didn't go anywhere, but there are still legislators who think it's a good idea.)

This year, our kind-hearted representatives in Olympia are introducing a bill to tax people who use studded tires in the winter time! Their idea is that studded tires cause more damage to the roads, so you will have to obtain a $100 permit in order to use studded tires! My question is this... if this law passes, some people will opt not to use studded tires in the winter because they can't afford the $100 permit, so how many vehicle accidents (and deaths) will be caused because people can't use the proper traction-tires?

I am sooooooo sick of these money hungry jerks contantly looking for ways to milk more and more money out of little guys to support their out-of-control government spending.

So, just opt out of studs and use chains. They're worse on the roads. Just put 'em on with the first snowflake and don't take 'em off until Easter. bwahahahaha

[Hennessy]

So, just opt out of studs and use chains. They're worse on the roads. Just put 'em on with the first snowflake and don't take 'em off until Easter. bwahahahaha

in social australia their tryin to get a toilet tax thru,every time you flush you pay,water shortages i think ,also you have to get a permit to cut down a tree,i like this one,when you register your car the govt also 3rd party insures your car pete