Just want to get an idea where every one stands!
Just want to get an idea where every one stands!
Gone but not forgotten: 2004 Tacoma/2006 Fourwheel Camper<br /><br />ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ<br /><br />"Tyrants mistrust the people, hence they deprive them of arms."<br />- Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)
Trouble is that until we know the composition of the new govt., we can't predict the direction of the economy and how far it will go. That is a destabilizing factor which exponentially leverages chaos against the markets. I can say this...the more socialist the govt. remedies and ideological tendencies, the longer and more severe will be our decline.
The whole reason we are here is because socialism has been parasitically poisoning our democratic capitalist economy until it became too toxic to fuction. A perverted captialist economy is every bit as unstable and unsustainable as a socialist model. The only real answer is to take the chemo-therapy long enough to evicerate socialism from within us while not OD-ing on it. If we consume too much of the chemo, it will finish us off.
I'm afraid the bailout is necessary, but also am concerned that it's socialist nature will further convince us that socialism is the model to adopt. While it will provide immediate relief, it ultimately destroys everything it touches.
SI VIS PACEM PARABELLUM
It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I came across this in the European newspapers this morning.
From http://uk.reuters.com/article/topNew...BrandChannel=0
U.S. will "lose financial superpower status"
By Noah Barkin
BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany blamed the United States on Thursday for spawning the global financial crisis with a blind drive for higher profits and said it would now have to accept greater market regulation and a loss of its financial superpower status.
In some of the toughest language since the crisis threw Wall Street banks into financial disarray earlier this month, German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck told parliament the turmoil would leave "deep marks" on both sides of the Atlantic, but called it primarily an American problem.
"The world will never be as it was before the crisis," Steinbrueck, a deputy leader of the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), told the Bundestag lower house.
"The United States will lose its superpower status in the world financial system. The world financial system will become more multi-polar," he said.
Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose conservatives rule in coalition with the SPD, and Steinbrueck both pushed the Group of Eight (G8) to agree measures to boost financial market transparency during Germany's presidency of the G8 last year.
But their drive collapsed amid opposition from Washington and London. Merkel criticised their stance at the weekend, saying the days of laissez-faire capitalism were over.
Both Merkel's conservatives and SPD leaders are keen to claim credit for Germany's push for more transparency and show leadership on the crisis ahead of a federal election in 2009.
The German views were echoed by leaders of governments from around the world meeting this week at the United Nations in New York. Many sharply criticised the George W. Bush administration's financial record and warned that U.S. financial mistakes now threatened the global economy.
The crisis has put the Bush White House, which has long advocated a hands-off approach to markets, on the defensive, forcing it to rethink its financial policy.
At the same time it has emboldened voices in Europe, Latin America and elsewhere, of those who are uncomfortable with American-style capitalism and who want tighter regulation of markets.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, has called for a global summit to overhaul a "crazy" financial system.
BONUSES AND PROFITS
The collapse of U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers and financial woes at other financial institutions like insurer AIG have prompted the U.S. government to propose a $700 billion (377 billion pound) rescue package for the country's financial sector.
The U.S. Congress appears close to approving the rescue, whose fate has kept international markets on tenterhooks.
Steinbrueck, in one of the harshest attacks on U.S. policies from a G8 ally, denounced what he called an Anglo-Saxon drive for double-digit profits and massive bonuses for bankers and company executives.
"Investment bankers and politicians in New York, Washington and London were not willing to give these up," he said.
He proposed eight steps to prevent a recurrence of the turmoil, including an international ban on "purely speculative" short-selling, new rules to hold individuals accountable for financial missteps and an increase in capital requirements for banks in order to offset credit risks.
2006 4Runner Sport Edition V8
2011 4Runner SR5
Belize, wasn't it?
"All I know can be shown by your acceptance of the facts that are shown before you..."
I'd like to see us go on a diet, an austerity program that would not be much fun, but over the course of 10-20 years could restabilize the US. Unfortunately all I hear about is more spending, new programs, new governmental agencies etc.
I know in my own life I've made some changes that will help me in case we do hit a really rough patch. Not extreme - holed up waiting for 2k type stuff, but my finances are in order, and the bare minimum I could survive on is quite low if it gets that bad. I think there is quite a bit of that going on. I know several families who looked at our house we just sold were financially well off but looking to downsize.
but yeah thook, worst case we all pitch in - http://www.privateislandsonline.com/...vous-point.htm
Brian
I always thought I was a bit off the deep end, most of my friends have no idea what is going on...
Glad to see I have some company down here. Any room for one more?
Gone but not forgotten: 2004 Tacoma/2006 Fourwheel Camper<br /><br />ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ<br /><br />"Tyrants mistrust the people, hence they deprive them of arms."<br />- Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)
We're making preperations for more self sufficiency. We've always been inclined that way anyway, so not like it will be that much different. Electricity and fuel would be a real issue, though, were things to eventually get waaaayyyy disturbed. I could've easily done pioneer (probably did) in another lifehood. Hell.....the power went out a little over a week ago for 2 1/2 days and hauled my water from the storage tank and cooked over a campfire. Food going bad started to become a reality on the 2nd day, but my neighbor loaned me his generator (he had power....different elect. comp.)But, food storage without electricity.....were you set up to do so.....bury old freezers in the earth up to the lid. Drop water tight containers in the cold spring. And, of course freeze goods in the winter (due to temps) and learn to can, dehydrate, pickle, etc. Have a garden and keep your own seed stock...hunt or fish....know wild edibles....one could live healthily and well.
We've got 10 acres of woodland surround by much more woodland. We're in the Ozarks. So, we've actually begun considering if necessary accommodating for a few like minded/trustworthy persons to hold up out here with us. Be forwarned! It's actually work...lol!
Oh....and you'd have to get used to A LOT!!! of animals around you 24/7.
"All I know can be shown by your acceptance of the facts that are shown before you..."
I'm jealous!Originally Posted by thook
I've got everything but the land at my access.
Gone but not forgotten: 2004 Tacoma/2006 Fourwheel Camper<br /><br />ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ<br /><br />"Tyrants mistrust the people, hence they deprive them of arms."<br />- Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)
My wife bought the place over 20 yrs ago. and had it paid off before we even met. (Still have land taxes...f'g robbery!). She went with the highest/short term payments so as not to pay much to interest. She live dirt poor for a long time, scrimping and saving (lots of corn flakes..haha), and working her ass off cleaning houses, offices, and taking care of the animals. Managed to get a few donations here and there. We're much better off now, though, considering my presence. She doesn't have to work outside the home as a result. I can go to my little job on the weekend and be the manly man of manual labor the rest of the week. Keeps me in shape!...lol
It's much harder now for anyone to pull that off, though. Land prices are just atronomical. Good luck to anyone who'd attempt to do it. My only suggestion would be to learn to live on very little....only the necessities....to pay off the principle with minimal interest. And! Get ALL the rights to the land!
The only things that we don't have that would prevent us from being entirely self sufficient is electrical generation (wouldn't need much), gasoline alternative, and food source for the lot of animals. Not really worried about it. When it comes down to it, things always work out even if it seems real tight. The universe doth supply if we allow for it....scary as it may be sometimes.
"All I know can be shown by your acceptance of the facts that are shown before you..."
I do believe things are going to get rather tricky. It may take this for corruption to be overturned and wealth and power to be redistributed back to it's rightful recipients. Everyone! The good thing I see is that it will force people to awaken out of their ruts and learn to live together peacibly if we are to even survive as a race.
"All I know can be shown by your acceptance of the facts that are shown before you..."
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