Housing Bubble.

So President Obama wants to help the housing market. Many people are now upside down on their mortgages and the only solution people want to hear, is that we have to get prices back up. Hello people. Getting things back to the way they were just recreates the problem. The reason these people are upside down on their loans is because they paid more than they should have and got a loan from a corrupt banking system that we just bailed out. For the most part these people were taken advantage of, and we should have bailed them out instead. Now it's too late to go back and fix the bailout fiasco, and we just have to realize that these people are going to have to deal with their loses on their own. But we cannot go back to having the prices back at the levels that they were. That is not a solution, it's just making the same mistake again.

Now we could maybe save these people by dissolving these banks and using the money to get these people back on their feet. What do you think about that? Maybe that would send a clear message to the banks.

Does this matter.

Is there a problem with democracy?

I read an article yesterday about how the youth in so many countries are disillusioned with democracy now. Basically, they feel that the politicians are corrupt and work for the banks and other corporations, rather than the people who vote them into office. I admit, I've been feeling this way myself for quite a while now. Some of the remarks being made in the article mention how even in countries that had dictators, they are no longer happy with the democratic method. Their parents say they are happy to be able to vote, but the youth see past this to the new issues that exist.

There is a tone in the article that suggest trying to come up with another option to democracy all together. "Increasingly, citizens of all ages, but particularly the young, are rejecting conventional structures like parties and trade unions in favor of a less hierarchical, more participatory system modeled in many ways on the culture of the Web."

I love this creative thinking and can hardly wait to see what comes out of it. Unfortunately, I feel that America may become the last dinosaur of democracy. I say unfortunately, because I foresee things having to get a lot worse, before enough Americans are willing to make the radical changes necessary. We could of course, try things like opening up our democracy to more than just the two party system we have now. But I just don't see it happening soon enough. But maybe we need to hit bottom, so that we are willing to make real changes in the long run, and not just settle for half way measures that are still susceptible to corruption.

Does this matter?

Wall Street Protest

So, I just read an article about the protestors on Wall Street, and then read some of the remarks. There seemed to be a huge disconnect. I'll start with the remarks, which seemed to focus primarily on the idea that the protestors were against the rich, and that they believed that everyone on Wall Street is rich. That's not what I get out of reading about the protestors. From what I can gather, and this may be because it's more like how I feel, the protestors are fed up with things like bailouts, and corporate loopholes that allow them to corrupt our democracy, and damage the environment. They're fed up with the people who are causing the problems not only getting away with it, but getting rescued by our tax dollars. Many of them getting rewarded for doing a good job through bonuses, after we had to bail them out.

As the people in the remarks said, the average worker on Wall Street, isn't rich, and worked hard to get where they are. But Wall Street itself, unfortunately, is a symbol of many of the problems with our government and politics. All of our democrats and republicans are owned by big business, with the exception of a very few. (That's why I support the Green Party. But I do feel that Ron Paul is an exception and our best choice, and chance for a good president.) So I feel the protestors got it right. They picked probably the best symbol for what they think is wrong with this country, and it's unfortunate that many can't even slightly understand what it is they are protesting. Makes me wonder if they even looked into it before they made their remarks. And, it made them look ignorant, in my opinion.

Is this important, or just extremist being extreme?

Attitude

As some of my friends and family know, I've been in management, had my own business and been my own boss, and now work as a cashier at a local grocery chain. At first, I was embarrassed and felt that this job was beneath me. I thought I would move up quickly, especially after I started getting a lot of positive feedback from my supervisors and customers. But that didn't happen. This began to effect my attitude, which is usually very positive. I am a spiritual person though, and so I rediscovered prayer and asked for guidance. The result is that I learned that my attitude should not be brought down by my situation, but that I should use my attitude to bring me up. I've believed this for years, but now it is really being tested. Now I feel that I am where I am meant to be, at least, at this time of my life. Everyday, I have customers tell me how they see me smiling all the time, even when dealing with difficulties. And that I make their day.

Many people ask at some point in their life how they can make a difference. I think the answer can be as simple as having a positive attitude, and sharing a sincere smile with people around you. With the state of our economy right now, it may be the only thing some of us can to do help. In fact, I am beginning to believe, it is a big part of what we need to learn to get through this crisis. Economist, politicians, and big business want us to believe that the solution is more spending. Even the media is telling us this. Well, that never rang true with me, and less so now. I think the proof is in the pudding, and if you look at history, it has been proven time and time again. I won't assume that I know the answer, although I do have some ideas. But I believe, regardless of what the solution is, we need to remember that attitude is something we can control and can make a difference. I once heard that life is ten percent objective, and ninety percent attitude. In other words, you can't always control what is happening around you, but you can control how you decide to handle it.

Does this matter?

Household cleaning and the environment

It should be a no brainer by now, but it isn't. Using commercially produced cleaners in your home is harmful. Most of those cleaners are harmful poisons, that are not necessary. All you really need to clean your home is vinegar. It does just as good a job, and cost a fraction of what commercial cleaners do. So why are people not catching on? Are we really that easily manipulated by these companies? Well, lets see... we buy what they want, we vote for the candidates they want, and we protect them with laws that they want. I guess the answer is "Hell Yes!"


Does this matter?

Politicians and public schools

So, it looks like our politicians don't believe in the schools system that they are responsible for providing us. (see this link) Some conspiracy theories believe that our school system is purposely getting worse, and that the elite want to dumb Americans down. Then they can have a dumb, unquestioning workforce, and they can stay at the top. But even if this isn't intentional, why is it so? Is education just not that important, or do politicians not concern themselves with it, because they can afford alternatives? And regardless of all of this what is the solution?

As Nelson Mandela said, "Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that a son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation."

Of course, if the majority of our good education is only going to those who can afford it, then that makes a statement like this null and void. Doesn't it?

Does this even matter?

New Blogger

Dear Friends, I constantly have ideas in my head and wonder how important other people think they are. For example, with the Presidential race going on, I noticed right away that my favorite candidate, Ron Paul was doing much better than I expected, but that nobody in the media was talking about it. Of course, once I noticed this, I started to find that others noticed it too, including some pretty well known media sources, so I felt much better. (see this example The Daily Show with Jon Stewart ) Now, if only the mainstream media would do it's job and do some unbiased reporting. But that would be asking too much, I guess.

Does this matter?