My mom passed away 6 years ago, last Saturday. Since then, I have wondered what is out there for us after death. I waiver between the Heaven, Hell, Purgatory concept beaten into me by the nuns and the Baltimore Catechism when I was young, and the "nothingness" theory that I hope is not the case. I guess that I am an agnostic. However, I do not know if I really know what that word means.
I think that there is something after life, but I don't think it is the pearly gates or the fires of Hell. I have seen a "medium," but I look at that session with the same skepticism that I look upon mainstream religion. I think that if I was just dumb and faithful, I would be much happier, and content with my lot. As a wise man once said, "Religion is the opiate of the masses."
In India, the Hindu caste system is used to keep the poor schmucks who are born into a life of cleaning up the filth of others from changing their position in society. Islam uses the Koran to keep women second class citizens. Christianity is the bastard child that is twisted and muddled into a strange mix. All the way from Mother Theresa, who took care of people without any reservations, to the fire and brimstone preachers who try to scare the "hell" out of people.
The sect of Christianity that amuses me the most is the "prosperity" gospel. God wants everybody to be prosperous and happy. The way you can achieve this prosperity is to make the pastor prosperous and happy. If the pastor is prosperopus, and you are not, then you either are not a true believer, or you haven't given enough. Where is the snake oil?
Now I have to figure out whether my mom is in heaven, or if I talked to her at the session with the medium. ----------- or both. Life is tough, but death --- who knows?
Monday, February 23, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
EEK!!!!!onomics
Okay, let's say that I am broke, there is no credit available, and I rely on the kindness and generosity of others for my sustenance and available cash. Is it possible for me to spend my way our of debt? No! Unless I have the ability to print money. Aha!!
The US cannot spend its way out of recession. Japan tried it, and the next ten years was called the "lost decade." George Bush screwed up an economy that could have been fixed, if it was left alone. The "sub-prime" mess was possible because of a policy proposed by the "great legislator," Jimmy Carter; and instituted under Bill Clinton. Someone thought that owning a home was a right, and not a privilege. Legislation was passed that urged credit to be given to people who could not afford it and wouldn't pay anyway.
This led to a fake boom. After a boom comes a bust. It is a natural cycle. The cycle was aborted by Bush when he would not allow certain businesses to fail. If the natural cycle would have been allowed, there would be no recession, just a lean and mean economy. Survival of the fittest.
When you allow a floor to be placed under bad businesses, then you erect a ceiling above fundamentally sound businesses. If you allow the economy to work, then great businesses will end up paying much more in taxes than it would cost to keep bad businesses afloat -----even with a tax cut, which is what is needed.
When give-away programs are instituted, the multiplier effect on the economy is about 1:1. Tax cuts effect about 3:1.
One more thing. Limiting salaries of executives in companies who have received TARP money -----------------DUMB!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Goldman Sachs, and others who received no tax money, or gave it back, can now take the cream of the crop from Bank of America, Citi, and others. Leaving them to be run by lessers and politicians.
I KNOW A GUY WHO ALSO GOT INTO TROUBLE FOR MAKING BIG MONEY -------- IT WAS ABOUT A QUARTER-INCH TOO BIG ON ONE SIDE.
WHERE'S THE PRINTING PRESS?
The US cannot spend its way out of recession. Japan tried it, and the next ten years was called the "lost decade." George Bush screwed up an economy that could have been fixed, if it was left alone. The "sub-prime" mess was possible because of a policy proposed by the "great legislator," Jimmy Carter; and instituted under Bill Clinton. Someone thought that owning a home was a right, and not a privilege. Legislation was passed that urged credit to be given to people who could not afford it and wouldn't pay anyway.
This led to a fake boom. After a boom comes a bust. It is a natural cycle. The cycle was aborted by Bush when he would not allow certain businesses to fail. If the natural cycle would have been allowed, there would be no recession, just a lean and mean economy. Survival of the fittest.
When you allow a floor to be placed under bad businesses, then you erect a ceiling above fundamentally sound businesses. If you allow the economy to work, then great businesses will end up paying much more in taxes than it would cost to keep bad businesses afloat -----even with a tax cut, which is what is needed.
When give-away programs are instituted, the multiplier effect on the economy is about 1:1. Tax cuts effect about 3:1.
One more thing. Limiting salaries of executives in companies who have received TARP money -----------------DUMB!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Goldman Sachs, and others who received no tax money, or gave it back, can now take the cream of the crop from Bank of America, Citi, and others. Leaving them to be run by lessers and politicians.
I KNOW A GUY WHO ALSO GOT INTO TROUBLE FOR MAKING BIG MONEY -------- IT WAS ABOUT A QUARTER-INCH TOO BIG ON ONE SIDE.
WHERE'S THE PRINTING PRESS?
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