Apparently, the Party of the Enlightened Wealthy is having a convention in Tampa.
Next week, the Party of the Wealthy Enlightened has it's convention in Charlotte.
Allow this post to demonstrate:
1) my complete apathy for both
2) the staggering numbers of f--ks I do not give.
I've said it before. They are the "left" and "right" arms of the same rapist.
All I advocate is the return to the rule of law, in a place where such an idea of "too big to fail" is met with derision.
Enjoy the bread and circuses.
Crazed American, out.
30 August 2012
25 August 2012
The Empire State Massacre
I know, I know. Two posts in one day.
So New York's finest, in the attempt to stop a murderer, end up shooting up a street full of people.
Video's out there. Nine people shot, two dead, seven wounded.
Most, if not all of the wounded are having doctors pull NYPD issued slugs out of them.
For the longest time, NYPD has been criticized for their officer's tendencies to shoot to slidelock against a threat. It's happened numerous times before.
Not to second guess the two patrol officers who responded to this threat and put down the murderer (well done) but ended up hitting seven times more innocent people than bad people in the process, but law enforcement agencies HAVE GOT TO increase their training. Triggger control and advanced marksmaship training is key! SIRT, simunitions, shoot houses (virtual or real - hell have them play a Call of Duty knock off where their pay is docked $100 every time they shoot an innocent avatar)... the tech exisits. Peace Officers have got to be trained better and to a higher standard with firearms. It is hopefully the tool they use the least, but it is the ultimate tool to be equipped with.
I'm not saying for a moment that police shouldn't have firearms. They should, and the Crazed American is of the mind EVERYONE should).
Also, New York, Detroit and Chicago, how are those gun laws working out for you? You've got the strictest gun control around and your gun violence rate is... The highest in the nation? Ah. You obviously need more gun control. If it ain't working? Do it harder, right?
I live in a smaller-sized "big" city in the intermountain west. We've got a population that is for lack of a better term, armed to the teeth. Liberal concealed and open carry laws. When's the last time we had a massacre? We had a shooting in a mall a few years back. Six people, including the shooter died that night. Kicker? The mall was a "Gun Free Zone". Thank G-d an off-duty cop (carrying concealed) was there to HELP stop the bad guy.
The Dark Night Massacre in Aurora, CO? Gun-Free Zone
Sikh Temple in Wisconsin? Although the President of the temple died like the Warrior-Poet he was, bloodied Kirpan in hand.
Virginia Tech?
Chicago (in general, some of the most draconian anti-gun laws in the nation), last weekend (13 dead in 30 minutes)?
Washington, DC (any day of the week - most restrictive firearms laws)?
New York (highly restricitve gun laws - permits to own only issues to celebrities or politically well connected), last week when hot dog vendors actually got into a firefight over selling hot dogs, or the Empire State shootings?
There's a common theme here, and I can go right on citing specific instances.
Allow me to sum up:
GUNS ARE NEVER GOING AWAY. Technology is progressing to the point where people can print firearm components and soon the ENTIRE FIREARM on a 3d printer. IN METAL.
In America, the easiest places for criminal murderers to commit murder is in places where they know the least amount of resistance will be encountered. People bent on murder are not all that concerned with having the felony trespass with a firearm added to their litany of criminal charges. The death penalties from the 14 murder convictions kind of out weighs the minor felony count.
People have always snapped, maniacs exist and have existed since the beginning of time. Like with the genius, the artist, the person of amazing abilities, sometimes people have (or get) their wiring messed up. They have or find a need to hurt and kill. They have a need to make others (sometimes strangers) suffer. As humans, not only are some models mentally damaged and need to kill, some are wired to figure out ways to end mayhem. In pre-history, predators like that were quickly dispatched with a buffalo jawbone to the skull. In Roman times, the Gladuis made quick work of the maniac. We have modern technology and the ability to allow a 93 year old woman to defend herself from violent rape and murder by killing her two, twenty year old assailants. Why do some of us fear tools?
You may not "like"guns, the mere sight of them might send you into a hoplophobic fit of pants-sh-tting hysteria. I know people like this. Some of us do not have your mental problem, some of us are trained and have the tools to stop a maniac bent on spilling blood. My guns are no more danger to you or any of my neighbors than the hammer or circular saw in your garage is to me. If you're not planning on murdering me, mine or innocents near me, what do you have to fear? I am trained, I am licensed, background checked, and I am held to a higher standard than most local, state and federal law enforcement officers.
Concealed Carry permit holders (at least in my state) are held to a higher background check level than police officers. We obey the law. So when there is a "Weapons prohibited" sign, who does that sign disarm? Not the f--khead with the shotgun and pipe bombs who wants to redecorate the inside of the IKEA into a symphony of blood, fear and death. It disarms his resistance. Creates a lovely environment of Swedish furniture and terrified, screaming, running, crying panicked people and a few of them trying to figure out how to fashion the leg of a Diksuk chair into a club to keep the maniac from putting rounds into his wife, child, or fellow man.
F--kery.
Crazed American, out.
So New York's finest, in the attempt to stop a murderer, end up shooting up a street full of people.
Video's out there. Nine people shot, two dead, seven wounded.
Most, if not all of the wounded are having doctors pull NYPD issued slugs out of them.
For the longest time, NYPD has been criticized for their officer's tendencies to shoot to slidelock against a threat. It's happened numerous times before.
Not to second guess the two patrol officers who responded to this threat and put down the murderer (well done) but ended up hitting seven times more innocent people than bad people in the process, but law enforcement agencies HAVE GOT TO increase their training. Triggger control and advanced marksmaship training is key! SIRT, simunitions, shoot houses (virtual or real - hell have them play a Call of Duty knock off where their pay is docked $100 every time they shoot an innocent avatar)... the tech exisits. Peace Officers have got to be trained better and to a higher standard with firearms. It is hopefully the tool they use the least, but it is the ultimate tool to be equipped with.
I'm not saying for a moment that police shouldn't have firearms. They should, and the Crazed American is of the mind EVERYONE should).
Also, New York, Detroit and Chicago, how are those gun laws working out for you? You've got the strictest gun control around and your gun violence rate is... The highest in the nation? Ah. You obviously need more gun control. If it ain't working? Do it harder, right?
I live in a smaller-sized "big" city in the intermountain west. We've got a population that is for lack of a better term, armed to the teeth. Liberal concealed and open carry laws. When's the last time we had a massacre? We had a shooting in a mall a few years back. Six people, including the shooter died that night. Kicker? The mall was a "Gun Free Zone". Thank G-d an off-duty cop (carrying concealed) was there to HELP stop the bad guy.
The Dark Night Massacre in Aurora, CO? Gun-Free Zone
Sikh Temple in Wisconsin? Although the President of the temple died like the Warrior-Poet he was, bloodied Kirpan in hand.
Virginia Tech?
Chicago (in general, some of the most draconian anti-gun laws in the nation), last weekend (13 dead in 30 minutes)?
Washington, DC (any day of the week - most restrictive firearms laws)?
New York (highly restricitve gun laws - permits to own only issues to celebrities or politically well connected), last week when hot dog vendors actually got into a firefight over selling hot dogs, or the Empire State shootings?
There's a common theme here, and I can go right on citing specific instances.
Allow me to sum up:
GUNS ARE NEVER GOING AWAY. Technology is progressing to the point where people can print firearm components and soon the ENTIRE FIREARM on a 3d printer. IN METAL.
In America, the easiest places for criminal murderers to commit murder is in places where they know the least amount of resistance will be encountered. People bent on murder are not all that concerned with having the felony trespass with a firearm added to their litany of criminal charges. The death penalties from the 14 murder convictions kind of out weighs the minor felony count.
People have always snapped, maniacs exist and have existed since the beginning of time. Like with the genius, the artist, the person of amazing abilities, sometimes people have (or get) their wiring messed up. They have or find a need to hurt and kill. They have a need to make others (sometimes strangers) suffer. As humans, not only are some models mentally damaged and need to kill, some are wired to figure out ways to end mayhem. In pre-history, predators like that were quickly dispatched with a buffalo jawbone to the skull. In Roman times, the Gladuis made quick work of the maniac. We have modern technology and the ability to allow a 93 year old woman to defend herself from violent rape and murder by killing her two, twenty year old assailants. Why do some of us fear tools?
You may not "like"guns, the mere sight of them might send you into a hoplophobic fit of pants-sh-tting hysteria. I know people like this. Some of us do not have your mental problem, some of us are trained and have the tools to stop a maniac bent on spilling blood. My guns are no more danger to you or any of my neighbors than the hammer or circular saw in your garage is to me. If you're not planning on murdering me, mine or innocents near me, what do you have to fear? I am trained, I am licensed, background checked, and I am held to a higher standard than most local, state and federal law enforcement officers.
Concealed Carry permit holders (at least in my state) are held to a higher background check level than police officers. We obey the law. So when there is a "Weapons prohibited" sign, who does that sign disarm? Not the f--khead with the shotgun and pipe bombs who wants to redecorate the inside of the IKEA into a symphony of blood, fear and death. It disarms his resistance. Creates a lovely environment of Swedish furniture and terrified, screaming, running, crying panicked people and a few of them trying to figure out how to fashion the leg of a Diksuk chair into a club to keep the maniac from putting rounds into his wife, child, or fellow man.
F--kery.
Crazed American, out.
Bonds
So, our glorious system is set up in such a way that municipalities (counties, cities, townships, towns, hamlets, villages, etc.) don't have the financial wherewithal to be able to function on their own.
Officially, these governments have enough revenue (taxes and fees) to pay all of the dog-catchers, cops, et al, least nominally, but for special projects they have to create bonds.
For the cheap seats, a bond is a financial device that has a nominal value (let's say $100). We sell them to people, at a discount and guarantee an interest rate over a time period. When the time period is reached, it is known that the bond has matured. You can then go to the issuing organization and turn the bond in, for which they will pay you the face value plus the interest that is owed.
All well and good, right? We have to have that new park, repave the sidewalk, plant some trees, build a stadium, provide all of our local workers with pensions and health care in perpetuity. All important instances of building for the collective good, right?
*Side note: The Crazed American is not against pensions or perpetual health care, the employer (private, governmental) had just be damn sure they can pay for it - especially when times get bad. If you can't pay for it, don't offer it. NO MORE UNFUNDED LIABILITIES (evidence? California, US Gov't)*
Problem is this: most cities and towns cannot meet their payroll without lines of credit and bonds in perpetuity.
Municipalities are starting to go bankrupt because 1) our money is a sham (different topic) 2) our cities and towns and counties are living FAR beyond their means.
Who to blame? The politicians? Nope, they're slime and we all know it.
Us. We did it. We think that we're entitled to this fairy tale government that can do everything for us and everything to us. The entire system is now gamed to vote us all as much from the (empty) treasury as possible. Are we evil, are we super greedy?
No.
We had the best of intentions, the best ideas. Then we handed it off to people who we now rail against accusing them of betraying some sacred trust.
Think I'm crazy? Warren Buffett, the Oracle of Omaha himself, just reduced his exposure in the hopelessly over-leveraged municipal bond market by half. He pulled $8,000,000,000 (eight billion) out of that mess. Granted, he's still got another $8,000,000,000 in there, but c'mon. The writing is on the wall. He'll be pulling as much as he can out of it as fast as he can without cratering the market entirely.
Think this is just some financial mumbo jumbo? What happens if it happens to your locality? How are you going to feel when the cops can't patrol, the street lights are out, no one landscapes the medians or parks, the libraries close and the utility services become unreliable? No doom speaking here, it's happening in California and Michigan.
The federal debt cliff is coming. The fools in charge and the fools in waiting aren't equipped, or capable of fixing the problems in front of us. The system is broken, and will be broken until the everyday man and woman stands up and rebuilds their small corner of the country. Once there are four rebuilt corners, that's a rebuilt room. Enough rebuilt rooms, and you have a rebuilt house.
Get to know your neighbors, get involved with local organizations and charities. Put down the goddamned electronic devices for a little while each day and plant a garden and share your bounty with your neighbors, with your fellow Americans. Rebuild community.
One Corner at a Time.
Crazed American, Out.
Officially, these governments have enough revenue (taxes and fees) to pay all of the dog-catchers, cops, et al, least nominally, but for special projects they have to create bonds.
For the cheap seats, a bond is a financial device that has a nominal value (let's say $100). We sell them to people, at a discount and guarantee an interest rate over a time period. When the time period is reached, it is known that the bond has matured. You can then go to the issuing organization and turn the bond in, for which they will pay you the face value plus the interest that is owed.
All well and good, right? We have to have that new park, repave the sidewalk, plant some trees, build a stadium, provide all of our local workers with pensions and health care in perpetuity. All important instances of building for the collective good, right?
*Side note: The Crazed American is not against pensions or perpetual health care, the employer (private, governmental) had just be damn sure they can pay for it - especially when times get bad. If you can't pay for it, don't offer it. NO MORE UNFUNDED LIABILITIES (evidence? California, US Gov't)*
Problem is this: most cities and towns cannot meet their payroll without lines of credit and bonds in perpetuity.
Municipalities are starting to go bankrupt because 1) our money is a sham (different topic) 2) our cities and towns and counties are living FAR beyond their means.
Who to blame? The politicians? Nope, they're slime and we all know it.
Us. We did it. We think that we're entitled to this fairy tale government that can do everything for us and everything to us. The entire system is now gamed to vote us all as much from the (empty) treasury as possible. Are we evil, are we super greedy?
No.
We had the best of intentions, the best ideas. Then we handed it off to people who we now rail against accusing them of betraying some sacred trust.
Think I'm crazy? Warren Buffett, the Oracle of Omaha himself, just reduced his exposure in the hopelessly over-leveraged municipal bond market by half. He pulled $8,000,000,000 (eight billion) out of that mess. Granted, he's still got another $8,000,000,000 in there, but c'mon. The writing is on the wall. He'll be pulling as much as he can out of it as fast as he can without cratering the market entirely.
Think this is just some financial mumbo jumbo? What happens if it happens to your locality? How are you going to feel when the cops can't patrol, the street lights are out, no one landscapes the medians or parks, the libraries close and the utility services become unreliable? No doom speaking here, it's happening in California and Michigan.
The federal debt cliff is coming. The fools in charge and the fools in waiting aren't equipped, or capable of fixing the problems in front of us. The system is broken, and will be broken until the everyday man and woman stands up and rebuilds their small corner of the country. Once there are four rebuilt corners, that's a rebuilt room. Enough rebuilt rooms, and you have a rebuilt house.
Get to know your neighbors, get involved with local organizations and charities. Put down the goddamned electronic devices for a little while each day and plant a garden and share your bounty with your neighbors, with your fellow Americans. Rebuild community.
One Corner at a Time.
Crazed American, Out.
12 August 2012
Spelled out...
Cogent, rational and accurate...
Fairly hard to argue the facts. Spread the word, 'mericans.
http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/capitalism-institute/2012/jul/28/ban-assault-rifles/
The best, rational explanation of what the Second Amendment means to a lot of people in this country...
Crazed American, Out.
Fairly hard to argue the facts. Spread the word, 'mericans.
http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/capitalism-institute/2012/jul/28/ban-assault-rifles/
The best, rational explanation of what the Second Amendment means to a lot of people in this country...
Crazed American, Out.
08 August 2012
401 BC
The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent events in Libya and have therefore raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved." Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross." The English have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to "A Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.
The Scots have raised their threat level from "Pissed Off" to "Let's get the Bastards." They don't have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.
The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide." The only two higher levels in France are "Collaborate" and "Surrender." The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capability.
Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and Excitedly" to "Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain: "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides."
The Germans have increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs." They also have two higher levels: "Invade a Neighbour" and "Lose."
Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.
The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.
Australia, meanwhile, has raised its security level from "No worries" to "She'll be alright, Mate." Two more escalation levels remain: "Crikey! I think we'll need to cancel the barbie this weekend!" and "The barbie is cancelled." So far no situation has ever warranted use of the final escalation level.
A final thought: Greece is collapsing, the Iranians are getting aggressive, and Rome is in disarray. Welcome back to 401 BC.
by John Cleese – British Writer, Actor, Tall Person and friend of an Irish saint
Deja Vu... all over again!
Gentle Reader,
I am again at a place where I am without a leader. I cannot vote for the freedom hating, deeper skin toned lackey of the oligarchs, nor can I vote for the lighter one...
What differences do they have?
One is all for the draconian restriction of civil rights (speech, surveillance, arms). The other is also for spending, spending, spending. They both LOVE the nanny police state.
There is no difference 'twixt the two.
I will not waste my vote, but I'm to the point where my vote does not matter. I will probably write in ChThulhu. If we're going off the deep end, why not go with someone who knows what it's like to live underwater?
Meh,
The Crazed American
P.S. This country is broke - the only reason it's still afloat, is that the rest of the world is MORE broke. Increasing taxes on the rich (or anyone else) will merely kill what little activity is left. Raise the taxes on the rich, cut spending, and lower the taxes on everybody else.
Not going to happen.
Great.
12 March 2012
Time flies!
Listen up, people!
Lest you think that the current crop of fools that wish to be our new supreme leader has made yours truly despondent and morose, you could not be further from the truth.
I am of the mind that the economy will not significanty improve. The slight improvemnt we have seen is despite our Deal Leader's and the Klepto-ligarchy in Congress actions, not because of them.
No systemic foundation exists for real improvement. We've spent our way into a deep, deep hole, folks. We need a new frontier and soon. The only thing that's going to get us moving again, is getting us moving.
Speaking of moving...
Mrs. Crazed American and I are about to take possession of new digs. The Homestead (aka BaseCamp Ponderosa) should be ours by the end of the week. Home-ownership.
Five bed, three bath, on .18 acre. Needs some cosmetic rehab. Tune in here for periodic status reports.
Lest you think that the current crop of fools that wish to be our new supreme leader has made yours truly despondent and morose, you could not be further from the truth.
I am of the mind that the economy will not significanty improve. The slight improvemnt we have seen is despite our Deal Leader's and the Klepto-ligarchy in Congress actions, not because of them.
No systemic foundation exists for real improvement. We've spent our way into a deep, deep hole, folks. We need a new frontier and soon. The only thing that's going to get us moving again, is getting us moving.
Speaking of moving...
Mrs. Crazed American and I are about to take possession of new digs. The Homestead (aka BaseCamp Ponderosa) should be ours by the end of the week. Home-ownership.
Five bed, three bath, on .18 acre. Needs some cosmetic rehab. Tune in here for periodic status reports.
18 January 2012
SOPA, PIPA... Baaaaad.
Hey, Congress.
F--- you and the horse you rode in on. You'll probably pass it anyway, but I'd like to take this opportunity to express my opinion that we officially have MORE THAN ENOUGH laws.
This'll probably qualify me for indefinite, uncharged detention under the recently passed NDAA, so in the immortal words of a Greek dude who lived a long time ago...
MOLON LABE. Come and get me. It's time to renegotiate the social contract.
Freedom and Liberty ain't free, easy or pretty, nor are they safe.
Crazed American, Out.
F--- you and the horse you rode in on. You'll probably pass it anyway, but I'd like to take this opportunity to express my opinion that we officially have MORE THAN ENOUGH laws.
This'll probably qualify me for indefinite, uncharged detention under the recently passed NDAA, so in the immortal words of a Greek dude who lived a long time ago...
MOLON LABE. Come and get me. It's time to renegotiate the social contract.
Freedom and Liberty ain't free, easy or pretty, nor are they safe.
Crazed American, Out.
13 December 2011
The Greatest Christmas Film of All Time
Die Hard. 1988 - stars Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia and a dude that looks like Huey Lewis. Directed by John McTiernan.
Older I get, the more life I experience, the more I love that movie, but I repeat myself.
Older I get, the more life I experience, the more I love that movie, but I repeat myself.
26 October 2011
Spinning - out of balance
Holy moly, kiddo's. We're having the ride of our lives.
One side says we're going to be just fine. We'll spend money we don't have into an archaic, corrupt system that can't sustain itself.
One side says, "DOOOM!" It's the other side's fault. We'll do the same thing, but re-arrange a few things and all will be hunky-dory!! :) LOL
Meanwhile, groups of Americans, are rallying together, some effectively, others not so much, all with the goal of propping up one side or another.
Folks, none of it matters. No tin foil hattery here, guys. A wise man once said, "You know the difference between the Republicans and the Democrats? They're nothing but the opposing arms of the same rapist."
Look at the demographic and economic makeup of the Congress of these United States. Majority of them are millionaires. Even the ones championing the "99% ers". Strange.
Who holds the real reigns of power here in the US of A? Damned if I know, but right now I'm damn sure they know just a little better what's coming. They're afraid, too.
This recession ain't - we are in the early stages of serious Depression. I have said it before, I will say it again. Our government no longer speaks for the people. It is a collection of plutocrats / oligarchs / bureaucrats / kleptocrats. It used to be that the governments of the "West" had a least a sliver of moral superiority over the governments of the Warsaw Pact and third world nations. No longer. Corruption and naked self interest are obvious in our system.
Our economic system (not just America - but the entire global enchilada) is falling apart. The EU is on the ropes. Rumors of printing presses in Munich and Bonn cranking out Deutsche Marks as fast as they can, are indicative that the Euro is pretty much screwed. Greece is for all intents and purposes a failed state. Italy's parliament is so stymied at what to do, that they've taken to fisticuffs. Portugal, Spain and Iceland, all circling the drain. "Globalism" is pretty much thrown in the dustbin with the other "-isms" of the 20th Century.
Another commenter (Jack Spirko) said something to the effect that the current trend in social evolution was trending toward a desired "Star Trek socialism". I agree with that assumption. We'd all love a world where we didn't have to work, unless we wanted to and every need or want was supplied to us at our whim. As any Trekker worth his or her Gold Pressed Latinum will tell you, that future was a) enabled by fantastic technological advancement, b) powered by effectively magical energy sources c) bought and paid for at horrific cost, and d) confronted by a limitless frontier and equipped . In the Star Trek mythos, don't forget, that right now humanity would be just emerging from the aftermath of the Eugenics Wars and setting the stage for the nuclear exchange of 2043 between the Northern Confederation and the Eastern Coalition.
Total cost between 600 million and two billion all told? Gene Roddenberry wanted to put forth humanity into the star with the baggage of the past behind us.
We ain't the Federation, folks. Not by a long shot. We're all still governed by petty greed and desire to impose our will. According to Roddenberry we haven't learned our lessons, and we are far too quick to repeat the mistakes of the past.
So what does the Crazed American think is going to happen?
Economic news is going to get bad - quickly.
Who the fuck knows? I mean, this is just a blog, that no one reads, written by a guy who went to college (and probably shouldn't have) that no one listens to. Cry for help? Nope. I am secure in my home and in my relationships. I have people that I love and that love me. Therapy? You betcha. I put it out there for all to see. My average is pretty good if you read the old posts.
Who can predict the future with any level of certainty? The insane, that's who. The rest of us can only rely on history and trends as a guide.
I wish there was someone who I could point to as a leader that I could follow. Too bad,'cause I ain't seen one yet. It is said that no "good"people would get involved in politics because of the crap that our modern society and media puts them and their families though. That's the rub, right there.
In a while, folks - and sooner than one might think - the "good" people will HAVE to. For if what transpires is similar to what history says will transpire, it is quite possible that anyone even remotely connected to our current system will not be allowed - or able - to participate in the governance of the future.
I see my part in the Star Trek Mythos. As a child I wanted nothing more than to command a starship. But as an adult I now realize I have to get humanity through the first half of the 21st Century, and into the future of liberty and freedom.
That's a far less glamorous, but no less important job. Such is the cross we all bear. We must strive to give our children and their children a brighter future than even Roddenberry could imagine.
Crazed American, Out.
One side says we're going to be just fine. We'll spend money we don't have into an archaic, corrupt system that can't sustain itself.
One side says, "DOOOM!" It's the other side's fault. We'll do the same thing, but re-arrange a few things and all will be hunky-dory!! :) LOL
Meanwhile, groups of Americans, are rallying together, some effectively, others not so much, all with the goal of propping up one side or another.
Folks, none of it matters. No tin foil hattery here, guys. A wise man once said, "You know the difference between the Republicans and the Democrats? They're nothing but the opposing arms of the same rapist."
Look at the demographic and economic makeup of the Congress of these United States. Majority of them are millionaires. Even the ones championing the "99% ers". Strange.
Who holds the real reigns of power here in the US of A? Damned if I know, but right now I'm damn sure they know just a little better what's coming. They're afraid, too.
This recession ain't - we are in the early stages of serious Depression. I have said it before, I will say it again. Our government no longer speaks for the people. It is a collection of plutocrats / oligarchs / bureaucrats / kleptocrats. It used to be that the governments of the "West" had a least a sliver of moral superiority over the governments of the Warsaw Pact and third world nations. No longer. Corruption and naked self interest are obvious in our system.
Our economic system (not just America - but the entire global enchilada) is falling apart. The EU is on the ropes. Rumors of printing presses in Munich and Bonn cranking out Deutsche Marks as fast as they can, are indicative that the Euro is pretty much screwed. Greece is for all intents and purposes a failed state. Italy's parliament is so stymied at what to do, that they've taken to fisticuffs. Portugal, Spain and Iceland, all circling the drain. "Globalism" is pretty much thrown in the dustbin with the other "-isms" of the 20th Century.
Another commenter (Jack Spirko) said something to the effect that the current trend in social evolution was trending toward a desired "Star Trek socialism". I agree with that assumption. We'd all love a world where we didn't have to work, unless we wanted to and every need or want was supplied to us at our whim. As any Trekker worth his or her Gold Pressed Latinum will tell you, that future was a) enabled by fantastic technological advancement, b) powered by effectively magical energy sources c) bought and paid for at horrific cost, and d) confronted by a limitless frontier and equipped . In the Star Trek mythos, don't forget, that right now humanity would be just emerging from the aftermath of the Eugenics Wars and setting the stage for the nuclear exchange of 2043 between the Northern Confederation and the Eastern Coalition.
Total cost between 600 million and two billion all told? Gene Roddenberry wanted to put forth humanity into the star with the baggage of the past behind us.
We ain't the Federation, folks. Not by a long shot. We're all still governed by petty greed and desire to impose our will. According to Roddenberry we haven't learned our lessons, and we are far too quick to repeat the mistakes of the past.
So what does the Crazed American think is going to happen?
Economic news is going to get bad - quickly.
- Civil unrest will get worse.
- Then, maybe a nice domestic and or international terrorist incident. That will get everyone's backs up.
- If we're lucky no natural disasters will occur for the next twenty years.
- When the Nanny Police State cracks down, it will be bad and a great number of people will wail and gnash their teeth. (If you doubt that - check out Occupy Oakland - oh, wait, you can't)
- If history is our guide, the next few years / decade will be rough, then it will get really rough, then, maybe some light?
Who the fuck knows? I mean, this is just a blog, that no one reads, written by a guy who went to college (and probably shouldn't have) that no one listens to. Cry for help? Nope. I am secure in my home and in my relationships. I have people that I love and that love me. Therapy? You betcha. I put it out there for all to see. My average is pretty good if you read the old posts.
Who can predict the future with any level of certainty? The insane, that's who. The rest of us can only rely on history and trends as a guide.
I wish there was someone who I could point to as a leader that I could follow. Too bad,'cause I ain't seen one yet. It is said that no "good"people would get involved in politics because of the crap that our modern society and media puts them and their families though. That's the rub, right there.
In a while, folks - and sooner than one might think - the "good" people will HAVE to. For if what transpires is similar to what history says will transpire, it is quite possible that anyone even remotely connected to our current system will not be allowed - or able - to participate in the governance of the future.
I see my part in the Star Trek Mythos. As a child I wanted nothing more than to command a starship. But as an adult I now realize I have to get humanity through the first half of the 21st Century, and into the future of liberty and freedom.
That's a far less glamorous, but no less important job. Such is the cross we all bear. We must strive to give our children and their children a brighter future than even Roddenberry could imagine.
Crazed American, Out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)