POLITICAL: Price support and price ceilings are just hidden taxes on a free market

Friday, July 8, 2011

FROM FACEBOOK

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Seems to me that it’s a spectacular leap of illogic to assume that allowing employers to pay subsistence (or worse) wages to all would somehow help with the problem of youth unemployment.

*** end quote ***

Well, I’m just a fat old white guy injineer, but Austrian economists don’t seem to see it as such a big leap. If all labor rates have a floor, then the inexperienced, who can’t present a value equation greater than the artificial floor, will go unemployed. If I’m a shop owner and have a dirty floor that is worth 4$ to clean, I can hire the local kid to sweep it without falling a foul of the Gooferment diktat. The work goes undone, or the shopkeeper does it himself. And, the local kid loses an opportunity to learn critical skills — show up on time, do a good job, and be polite to all. And, that’s how you get 40% minority unemployment. A diktat precludes a free marketplace for labor. If you’re still unconvinced I can tell you about my cousin the elevator operator.

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Anytime the Gooferment creates a “price support” (i.e., minimum wage, milk prices, sugar tariff, tobacco subsidy) or a “price ceiling” (i.e., rent control, financial interest rates, ATM fees) they are screwing the little people and enriching their political contributors. Support for milk farmers means that poor people pay more than they have to. Why is a gallon of milk cost as much as a gallon of gas? Just visualize the effort into gas versus the effort for milk. Rent control ensures that rental units are in short supply and “hogged” by politician like Rangal who had 4 rent controlled apartments. Why do people get to inherit a rent controlled apartment? Guess poor people don’t need good affordable housing. Argh! The politicians and bureaucrats have done a great job fooling “We, The Sheeple”.

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Price support translate to being forced to pay more than you should have to. It’s a transfer of wealth from the buyer to the seller. The seller can sell as many units as they would with out interference. The buyers have less to spend. And, at the margins, there are people who can’t afford the product at the higher price.

Price ceiling translate to being unable to buy what you want (i.e., shortages). Rent controlled apartments are NOT offered as they would in a free market because the owner can’t recover their true costs.

Seems obvious in both Keynesian or Austrian economics.

We have prosperity because of capitalism, the division of labor, and the free markets. The invisible hand of the market assures tht everyone gets an equal amount of “happiness” with the minimum of overhead (i.e., Buyers and sellers don’t trade unless both are better off. Non-buyers and non-sellers don’t trade because neither would feel better off. The free market is an immense calculator that uses price to balance supply and demand. It’s a beautiful “thing” that makes us cooperate to everyone’s betterment. Until the Gooferment gets in and messes things up.)

Argh! Sigh!

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MONEY: Rollover 401Ks and carefully consider being in one today

Thursday, July 7, 2011

http://www.doughroller.net/investing/rollover-401k-to-ira

Should You Rollover a 401(k) to an IRA

by DR
in INVESTING

*** begin quote ***

I quit my job last month. After more than six years investigating the financial audits of public companies, I’ve decided to go back to the private practice of law. So after a summer sabbatical, I’ll be returning to my old firm in August. And that raises one important question—should I rollover my 401k to an IRA.

*** end quote ***

I’d suggest that the GENERAL rule of thumb is ROLLOVER. The SPECIFIC rule is you better have a superior reason for not doing it.

Rationale:

(1) 401Ks have sponsors (your old employer) and providers (e.g., Fidelity; Vangard; others) rarely does this relationship not have its conflicts. The literature is replete with examples of often illegal activities. You have to be very skeptical of what decisions are being made for you.

(2) Fees. You don’t know all the fees and guess who pays them.

(3) Investment options. Always limited by comparison. I’m a perma bear! (Have you seen what the US Gooferment has done to the money, the debt, the deficit, the spending, and the entitlements? And, you think this is going to be good!) Try and put your retirement money into gold. You can in certain IRAs.

(4) As a bear, I am interested if my retirement savings retain their value. A nice account denominated in Swiss Francs or Chinese Yuan would be comforting. How sure are you that you’re going to keep your wealth?

(5) If you have multiple accounts, and you have multiple mutual funds labeled GROWTH and or VALUE, how in heaven’s name will you diversify. They could be investing in the same stuff wildly increasing your risk. They could be even taking opposite sides of the same bet. So you’re paying fees to bet both red and black.

(6) Underlying the whole proposition is the trustworthiness of the “casino”. At least with an IRA, you’re picking your poison.

As a bear, I think the days of “invest in anything cause it all appreciates” are over. I remember the Sixties bear, and have grandfolks who lived through the Great Depression. They were scared. And so should we be.

BTW did I mention I like the Tea Party and “vote the bums out” strategy. Cutting Gooferment drastically is the only way to save the economy and our retirement money. We need more producers and less drones / vampires in DC.

imho ymmv fwiw

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Maybe you shouldn’t be in a 401K in the first place? Heresy!

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RANT: Israel, “terror sponsor”?

Thursday, July 7, 2011

http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/obama-admin-lists-israel-as-terror-sponsor/

OBAMA ADMIN LISTS ISRAEL AS TERROR SPONSOR
By Dick Morris And Eileen McGann 06.30.2011

*** begin quote ***

Israel? Yes Israel is one of the thirty-six SDCs that “promote, produce, or protect” terrorists, according to the Obama Administration. With splendid equality, they manage to list the world’s biggest victim alongside the globe’s leading perpetrators of terrorism. Israelis coming into America get the same high level of scrutiny that Iranians do!

*** end quote ***

You have to be kidding me?

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MONEY: $278,000 per job, all at taxpayer expense

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

http://www.sovereignman.com/expat/get-your-hands-on-the-governments-playbook

GET YOUR HANDS ON THE GOVERNMENT’S PLAYBOOK
by SIMON BLACK

*** begin quote ***

Sure enough, in the “Seventh Quarterly Report” that President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisors released on Friday (right before a long weekend, naturally), the numbers show that the administration’s Keynesian stimulus spending has saved 2.4 million jobs at a cost of $666 billion. That’s a total of $278,000 per job, all at taxpayer expense.

In the world of Keynes where debt does matter and inflation doesn’t exist, this number is completely acceptable, right comrades? In the real world, it’s further evidence of how horrific misallocations of capital are bankrupting the economy.

*** end quote ***

When does the insanity end?

Stop the Gooferment from spending future generations into poverty.

It’s all funny money!!!

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MONEY: Think about “guarantied” in one’s 401k

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

http://dailyreckoning.com/bear-traps-in-the-bond-market

Bear Traps in the Bond Market
By Bill Bonner

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This is probably the trap Mr. Market is setting. The Great Correction will prove to be more bad news for investors – except for those who have put their money in ‘safe’ US dollars…and US treasury debt. Gradually, investors will move more and more of their money out of ‘risky’ assets and into bonds. Then, Mr. Market can spring his trap. As Lindsey warns, that is when they will stop worrying about debt ceilings and Congressional budget talks. That is when they will realize that it is too late. That is when bond yields shoot up and bond prices fall. That is when investors regret having lent money to Washington.

How far ahead will that be? We wish we knew. But Bill Gross, who famously sold US bonds, could turn out to be years early.

Then, Mr. Market – the joker – will have such a laugh. All those people who tried to get away from risk…by moving to the dollar and US Treasury bonds…will get whacked.

*** end quote ***

Bonds are the “guaranteed option” in 401ks. A bear trap can make it a 201k real quick. With the current climate, you have to question if one should be in a 401k in the first place.

401Ks have SIGNIFICANT risks in today’s climate imho.

(1) “Your” 401K really isn’t yours. There are a few hands in it. Some that you might not even be aware of. The company and the plan provider have an interesting relationship to your money. Some of “yours” will become theirs in the process.

(2) Open and supposedly above board, there are fees and commissions in “placing” your investment into the 401K.

(3) Under the table, and possibly, illegal things happen around your 401K. Read about front running, shadowing, and past posting. Just a few of the things that can happen.

Add to the mix: inflation, or maybe hyperinflation, changing tax laws, tax rates, … etc.

And, throw in the wild card trial balloon that keeps coming up out of DC: the exchange of 401Ks and IRAs for an “enhanced social security benefit”. (Would that bring folks out into the street?)

So after all that, I’m no longer sure that automatically recommending 401K participation is such good advice.

Maybe a silver round per week is a better choice.

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GOVEROTRAGEOUS: Illinois steals from charities

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=318537

Democrats stealing from poor, sick
Roger Hedgecock
Posted: July 04, 2011

*** begin quote ***

Apparently “this type of scam” is not only tolerated in Illinois, by a vote of the Democrat-controlled state Legislature and decree of the Democrat governor, charity fraud is the law of the state.

According to the Illinois Times, “Over the last two years, the state of Illinois, in order to pay its bills, has seized more than $1.6 million from at least 15 different ‘charity’ funds to which Illinoisans voluntarily donate for causes like feeding the hungry and helping the homeless.”

In the Illinois News-Gazette, state Office of Management and Budget spokeswoman Kelly Kraft stated that $434,000 of that $1.6 million will never be repaid but promised that the balance will be repaid within 18 months.

In the Obama national media, a well-worn story line has the Republicans taking food from the mouths of hungry children and denying medical care to the sick whenever there is discussion of the federal budget deficit or raising the debt ceiling. For Democrats in Illinois, taking food from the mouths of hungry children and denying medical care and disease research funding by embezzling charitable donations is the law of the state.

*** end quote ***

This is an absolute disgrace.

How to prevent it? Stop allowing them to take power and certainly don’t give them any more money!

Argh!

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SOFTWARE: Cloud update breaks app; flaw with the logic of the Cloud

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

NYT Update Breaks iPad App, Annoys Subscribers

by timothy

jbrodkin writes “The New York Times, which recently started charging iPad readers $20 a month, has a lot of angry digital subscribers after an update broke the NYTimes for iPad application. The update was designed to make it easier for readers to subscribe to the Times through iTunes (irony!) but instead left readers unable to access any articles. Worse, the Times didn’t bother to fix the app over the long weekend or reply to users who complained on Twitter. It’s not the first time developers have broken an iPad application with a poorly constructed update, but reader complaints noted that the size of the New York Times and the high price it charges make this gaffe particularly galling. Angry users have driven the app’s rating down to less than two out of five stars.”

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IT Pros know the problem. How do you run “production” when you have no change control process?

Answer: You don’t.

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MONEY: $1 Billion Worth of Unused Coins

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

http://moneyland.time.com/2011/06/29/inside-the-fed’s-vault-1-billion-worth-of-unused-coins/

THE ECONOMY
Inside the Fed’s Vault: $1 Billion Worth of Unused Coins
By JOSH SANBURN | @joshsanburn | June 29, 2011 | 50 COMMENTS

*** begin quote ***

In the basement of a Baltimore vault the size of a soccer field, 1 billion dollar coins are just sitting there. Thanks, Congress.

NPR’s Planet Money reporters recently investigated the $1 presidential coin program, which was a Congressional effort to get more $1 coins into circulation while also trying to be educational.

The problem is that nobody really wants them.

*** end quote ***

Only the Gooferment can lose money making money!

Argh!!!

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INSPIRATIONAL: Celebrate Independence Day; bring ALL the girls and boys home

Monday, July 4, 2011

http://gimundo.com/videos/view/kids-unwrap-worlds-best-present/

Watch this video and see if you don’t agree. Then, tell your politicians and bureaucrats. Vote Ron Paul, the true peace candidate.

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Credit to Gretchen Rubin for finding this video.

http://www.happiness-project.com/happiness_project/2011/07/how-is-your-happiness-challenge-going-asking-again.html

*** begin quote ***

I loved this video of two children who unwrap a big gift — not knowing that their father, who just finished his deployment, is hidden in the box. One child bursts out crying, and I absolutely understand that emotion. Too much to take in.

*** end quote ***

I agree; to me, it spoke volumes.

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JOBSEARCH: Official notice that the employment model has changed

Monday, July 4, 2011

http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=2&entry_id=4342

GE, Coal Operators Latest to Eliminate Pensions
POSTED AT: SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2011 03:26:14 PM
AUTHOR: CLAYTON SINYAI

*** begin quote ***

The pension was a good fit for the dominant business model of the postwar era. Blue-chip firms like GM and IBM assumed long-term employment relationships. They competed less by downsizing than by drawing more value out of their existing workforce – by upgrading their skills and improving productivity. Corporations could afford to invest more in worker training and development only if they knew the worker would be around long enough for that investment to pay off. Hence the pension, a benefit that was more valuable the longer one stayed with the company.

Today’s firms don’t want a long relationship with their workers; they want to show stockholders that they are cutting payrolls NOW, not developing human capital for some future decade. Holdouts who tried to preserve the old model became goats in the market, panned as stagnant and inflexible. High labor costs put them at a disadvantage against competitors who declined to offer an expensive pension benefit. IBM began a controversial pullout from the defined benefit pension in 1999; GM shifted new hires into a 401k beginning in 2007.

The disappearance of the pension is a catastrophe for working families whose full effects won’t be felt for years; many of the boomers are retiring with a pension benefit, but few of their successors will. But the past few decades have already shown that personal retirement accounts are no substitute for pensions. Hard-pressed workers are seldom able to put enough into a retirement account for reasonable security in old age. And while a properly funded defined-benefit pension plan can spread risks across decades, an individual retiree needs to cash in when he retires – whether the market is up or down.

*** end quote ***

For the “clueless”, that need a memo to tell them that the “gold watch” era is over, then let this serve the purpose.

An AT&T actuary in the mid Seventies disabused me of the value of the pension and the purposes of it. Wow, was that I an eye opener! I was stunned at how little the Biz put aside for “my” pension. Pennies! I was ever stunned further when the rationale for pensions was explained; the concept “involuntary servitude” came to mind! In my MBA Accounting classes, I learned about diversification and “sinking funds”.

And, have you ever wondered why folks get “fired” before the five-year vesting period?

Social Security is the mandatory Ponzi scheme. Pensions are cut from the same bolt of cloth.

One thing that “workers” need to learn quickly is that “There’s no one to depend upon but oneself”.

Pensions are history.

The Social Security fraud pays off at the pleasure of the Congress. Not something I’d recommend to depend upon.

401Ks and IRAs are systematically “looted” by Wall Street and their accomplices in Congress. Either blatantly by outright theft or surreptitiously by “fees”, commissions, or compromised fiduciaries.

So what does this translate to for today’s workers?

(1) ruthless financial discipline — no bad debt;

(2) save big bux; it’s your version of a pension or Social Security;

(3) a blue collar skill for hard times — never saw a poor plumber;

(4) one or more internet based businesses — your store is always open; and

(5) a free time hobby that generates income.

Fore warned is fore armed!

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GOVEROTRAGEOUS: Six days for middle finger in court; free speech?

Sunday, July 3, 2011

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2010172/Casey-Anthony-trial-Matthew-Bartlett-jailed-6-days-middle-finger-gestures.html

Man jailed for six days for middle finger gestures at Casey Anthony trial

By DAMIEN GAYLE

Last updated at 12:43 PM on 1st July 2011

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Free speech?

The Gooferment shall make no law …

Yeah, right.

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POLITICAL: Gooferment inventories the supply of docs

Sunday, July 3, 2011

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/27/health/policy/27docs.html

U.S. Plans Stealth Survey on Access to Doctors
By ROBERT PEAR
Published: June 26, 2011

*** begin quote ***

In a recent study, the Massachusetts Medical Society found that 53 percent of family physicians and 51 percent of internal medicine physicians were not accepting new patients. When new patients could get appointments, they faced long waits, averaging 36 days to see family doctors and 48 days for internists.

*** end quote ***

Argh! Just now that they figured out that they need doctors?

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ADMINISTRIVIA: Blood drive results

Saturday, July 2, 2011

The blood drive scored 22 pints. Applause to all involved. I’m told that this draw results in 66 pints of whole blood to patients, and an unspecified amount of platelets (minimum 22 bags) depending upon “yield”. So, all in all, a great “birthday”. Thanks to Jacki for setting it all up. Thanks to Meg for chasing the signs. And, thanks for all the folks who tried or wanted to try. It’s much appreciated. Just cause you couldn’t make it today, doesn’t mean that you can’t donate tomorrow or some day when it’s more convenient. Donna Nobis Pacem

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Sunday 01 July 2012 is already scheduled. (At least with “us” and NJBC.)

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LESSONS LEARNED

(1) Start earlier. Sooner is better than later.

(2) Personal visit to the Church offices to get publicity.

(3) Personal visit to radio personalities to get publicity.

(4) Signs out in better locations earlier.

(5) Qualifications know earlier (i.e., aspirin for 48 hours tripped up several potential donors)

(6) “Clown” outside donation site?

(7) Better signage.

(8) Personal visits to local biz for publicity.

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INTERESTING: Apple skins

Saturday, July 2, 2011

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2000392/Apple-peel-helps-build-muscle-control-weight.html

An apple a day keeps the doctor away… as long as you eat the peel

By FIONA MACRAE

Last updated at 10:22 AM on 8th June 2011

*** begin quote ***

An apple a day really could keep the doctor away – as long as you don’t throw away the peel.

The chemical behind the apple skin’s waxy shine is being credited with a host of health benefits from building muscle to keeping the lid on weight.

Ursolic acid also keeps cholesterol and blood sugar under control, meaning an apple a day could do wonders for all-round health.

*** end quote ***

Wow!

Reminder to self: buy a bag of apples.

It’ll offset the cold corned beef hash?

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GOVEROTRAGEOUS: CA GUV signs tax; Amazon leaves state. Corelation?

Friday, July 1, 2011

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/amazon-306409-affiliate-california.html

Published: June 29, 2011
Updated: June 30, 2011 5:00 a.m.
Amazon ends deal with 25,000 California websites
Jan Norman Orange County Register

*** begin quote ***

Gov. Jerry Brown has signed into law California’s tax on Internet sales through affiliate advertising which will immediately cut small-business website revenue 20% to 30%, experts say.

*** and ***

Board of Equalization Member George Runner blasted Brown for signing the law. “Even as Governor Jerry Brown lifted his pen to sign this legislation, thousands of affiliates across California were losing their jobs. The so-called ‘Amazon tax’ is truly a lose-lose proposition for California. Not only won’t we see the promised revenues, we’ll actually lose income tax revenue as affiliates move to other states.”

*** end quote ***

Corelation?

Nah, how could there be. Aren’t “We, The Sheeple” stupid?

Like when MD taxed “millionaires” and the next year there were ⅓ less millionaires around to be taxed.

Now you might say “counterproductive”. I’d say “educational”.

Like stereotypical drug addicts, politicians are addicted to “spending other people’s money”. They feather their nests admirably during their time as “public servants”. Do you feel “serviced”? Like the stallion put out to stud and the taxpayers the mare getting <past tense synonym for the act of procreation>!

Now, think about the crooks in DC, who need trillions, and lo and behold what does their wandering doth see? But all your IRAs and 401Ks just ripe for the plucking. (Or are we back to the stallion and the mare again?) All they have to do is pass a diktat and strong arm about 2200 “custodians”.

With that be the last straw?

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ADMINISTRIVIA: Join us in New Brunswick

Friday, July 1, 2011

Today would have been Frau Reinke’s 64th birthday. (Last year, I gave her 63 baby pink roses. Who of guess it would be the last birthday.) We’re celebrating with a blood drive. Her neice in law had a great idea. Can’t help Frau Reinke, so we’ll help others. Hope you’ll join us. If not in New Brunswick New Jersey, then where ever you are. Summer time holiday weekends are the worst for donations. And, if you need it, you’re depending upon the kindness of strangers. As she did 175 times. It’s truly the gift of life.

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ADMINISTRIVIA: Give blood today!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Blood Drive
in Memory of Evlynn Reinke,
July 1, 2011 (her birthday)

The Blood Drive will be held at Midco Waste – 5 Industrial Drive- New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Hours – 12:00 to 6:00 Please call to sign up- 732-565-5880. Prize drawing for attendees.

In her last year, Ev was given more than 125 pints of blood an 75 bags of platelets. There was never even a hint that they wouldn’t be made available. Although they often came from strange places. Let’s pay those donations forward so some one else has a change. It’s truly the gift of life. If you can’t get to New Brunswick, then give in her name locally.

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GOVEROTRAGEOUS: The FDA kills people with its costs and delays

Thursday, June 30, 2011

http://www.downsizedcfoundation.org/fda.html

How the FDA helped kill my Dad
A case study in government harm
by Jim Babka

*** begin quote ***

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a noble purpose — to protect you from dubious drug claims and toxicity. Most government programs are created for high-minded or compassionate reasons.

But the FDA probably kills more people than it saves.

*** end quote ***

I wouldn’t say “probably”.

I wonder personally how, if the FDA had it’s head out of its collective <synonym for donkey>, then perhaps a drug or treatment might have been available to save her.

I have no details. No specifics. But, just a lingering nagging doubt that if the politicians and bureaucrats were not “helping” or “protecting” me and mine.

Just imagine all the good that could be done if all the expense of unnecessary overhead was wrung out of the process and put to better use.

Imagine “Consumers’ Reports” for medicine?

I’d subscribe!

And, what about all these “charities” that seek to cure stuff but never go out of business. The March of Dimes cured polio and then shifted on to “birth defects”. And United Way pays their CEO millions; how much does the Salvation Army pay its troops?

Sorry, but we could be better served by “simplifying” the Gooferment out of all these processes.

imho

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MONEY: Gold standard; can’t get there until after the crash!

Thursday, June 30, 2011

http://dumpdc.wordpress.com/2011/06/24/dreams-of-the-gold-standard/

Dreams of the Gold Standard by Linda Brady Traynham

*** begin quote ***

Chances are we’ll do better solving that problem than wriggling out of the financial messes caused by corruption, vote-buying, deliberate waste, and pretty fairy tales that everyone can lead a nice, safe middle class life like the Cunninghams on “Happy Days.”

What we really want is a stable currency along with a stable interest rate, traditionally 4%. What are developing are panics, lengthy recessions, stagflation, and growing fright and anger. I pledged to think of something “nice” that could happen, and I can only think of two. First, I could be wrong. Who am I to think I know better than the self-proclaimed “best and brightest?” Well…to be brutally blunt, I think I’m a very nice lady who has had a long, pretty priveleged life who is concerned about the future and usually calls a pig a pig, although I do know how to concoct sentences such as, “As always, it is not the case that stochastic analysis can compensate for human variability.” Meaning that in a world of random chance and individuals anything could happen.

*** end quote ***

Interesting?

How does one get back to a “gold standard”?

First, if you’re going to save, you have to save in metals; not dollars.

Second, you’re going to change your thinking. Buying stocks and bonds; price it in gold. IRA or 401k, evaluate it in ounces of something.

Third, you’re going to have to go back to basics. No debt. Pay “cash”. Stock up what you need for the hyper-inflation.

Fourth, think like our depression era forefathers, the Amaish, or the Mormans. Batten down the hatches, we’re in for a rough ride.

Fifth, try your hand at barter, your own business, or anything that you can think to earn wealth.

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HARDWARE: Free up tour guides to do other wealth building activities?

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-hopes-ipod-can-bring-silence-to-romes-churches

Vatican hopes iPod can bring silence to Rome’s churches

By David Kerr

*** begin quote ***

Rome, Italy, Jun 24, 2011 / 06:10 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Vatican has introduced a new way of keeping silence in their churches while also informing tourists – the iPod.

Today is the first full day of a trial which sees pilgrims to the basilica of St. John Lateran given the audio-guide with a special app explaining the 1,700-year history of the church, which serves as the Pope’s cathedral.

“I can easily say that in Italy there are no examples of experiences like this in religious contexts, probably not even those in museums,” Jelena Jovanovic said to CNA. Her company, Antenna International, created the handheld device.

*** end quote ***

Think about the poor guides out of work.

Technology marches on.

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SERVICE: Text message delayed as needed

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

http://ohdontforget.com

schedule text messages

Text messages queued up with Ohdontforget.com will be delivered at the date & time specified, unless you specify “now”, which will send the message instantly.

creative uses

Remind anyone about an event at a specific day & time queue up birthday reminders for the next several months have your to–do items sent to you throughout the day.

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TECHNOLOGY: “Driverless” in compared to the Gooferment’s “High Speed Rail”

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/driverless-nevada

Driverless Nevada
Posted by Randal O’Toole

*** begin quote ***

The introduction of true driverless cars will significantly expand personal mobility because anyone—not just people over 16 who can pass a driver’s test—will be able to use them. Driverless cars will reduce congestion and improve safety. The new mobility will significantly change the way we live. And the cars will render obsolete any and all rail transit and moderate-speed rail lines now being planned or under construction long before taxpayers finish paying the heavy debts incurred to build such lines.

*** end quote ***

Having just driven recently for 8 hours from NJ to NH and a week later the reverse, I’d love to have had one!

Perhaps, if the car execs didn’t have their heads so far up the Gooferment’s <synonym for donkey>, then yhey could see that they are not in the “car biz”. They are in “satisfying people’s need to move” biz!

Argh!

I haven’t gotten around to a Segway yet. Looked on the website and you can’t even tell how much they cost.

Do people really try and do anything to make stuff easy for commerce?

Argh!

You’d think these people would be falling over people to sell ANYTHING that a buyer wants.

Sigh! If marketing is a conversation, then these folk have their listening ears closed.

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Posted by reinkefj

JOBSEARCH: Fake jobs from supposedly “reputable” firms

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

There is a new comment on the post “The Skinny on Fake Job Postings”.

http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2010/01/08/the-skinny-on-fake-job-postings/

Author: American Express fake jobs

Comment:

American Express is repeatedly posting the same positions month after month. It then says they choose not to fill the position via email.  

# – # – #

Just about the worst press possible for an employer. Certainly ignore anything from them. Their loss; my time.

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Jun-28 @ 15:11

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Posted by reinkefj

MONEY: Were financial markets EVER “fair”?

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

http://www.smartmoney.com/invest/stocks/are-financial-markets-still-fair-1307902907446/?cid=djem_sm_dailyviews_t

STOCKS

Are Financial Markets Still Fair?

*** begin quote ***

As exchanges let high-speed traders move in, what it means to the little guy.

*** end quote ***

What makes anyone think that they have been getting a “fair shake”?

Front running, commissions, fees, hidden incentives to anyone in the money stream, and out and out fraud.

Bullion coins make sense if the “casino” is rigged!

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Posted by reinkefj

HARDWARE: Apple’s perfidy continues

Monday, June 27, 2011

http://www.tuaw.com/2011/06/25/time-capsule-torn-asunder-no-server-grade-hard-drive-inside/

Time Capsule torn asunder, no “server grade” hard drive inside
by Victor Agreda, Jr.Jun 25th 2011 at 4:00PM

# – # – #

Headline says it all. Caveat emptor.

Must be time to move to Linux.

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Posted by reinkefj

ADMINISTRIVIA: Jasper Louis S. [MC1957] Petrone mentions Reinke’s blood drive globally

Monday, June 27, 2011

http://www.keywestlou.com/2011/06/sunday-yesterday-i-was-up-early.html

My Life in Key West
MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2011

*** begin quote ***

I am a Manhattan College graduate. Manhattan men are known as Jaspers. After the founder of the College, Brother Jasper.

Jasper lives some where in New Jersey. He is a bit younger than me, but not my much I suspect.

So a blood drive in Evelyn’s honor has been planned for July 1. It will be at the Micro Waste facility , 5 Industrial Drive, New Brunswick, NJ. From noon to six in the evening.

Telephone 732-565-5880 to sign up. If you give elsewhere, remember to say it is honor of Evelyn Reinke.

*** end quote ***

Petrone, Louis S. [MC1957]

[JR: It’s nice that “Key West Lew” used his global blog to mention Frau Reinke. She’d be so embarrassed by any “fuss”. In the grand scale of things, all we can do is try. Just put one foot in front of the other. That she’d insist on. Thanks to my fellow Jasper, Key West Lou.]

# – # – # – # – # 2011-Jun-27 @ 09:27

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Posted by reinkefj

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