Imagine being covered with tons of rubble and debris, waiting for rescue workers to arrive and get you out. As you're waiting, you can hear distant voices discussing how best to remove the rubble and debris without harming you further, or causing more damage to structure and foundation. The talk you hear coming from above, sounds more like indecision, fear of failure, and lack of real concern, than it does about positive plans and actions to rescue you.
After several hours of darkness, pain, fear, anxiety, and much hope, you hear new voices criticizing those that have procrastinated, and failed to work together in an effort to save you. Again, hours pass, and the new voices are telling the crowd that has gathered, “trust us, we'll rescue every single one buried”. The crowd watches, and cheers as each piece of debris is removed. More time passes, with very little “real progress” made. Because of egos, personal agendas, and obviously, the thirst for recognition and fame, real help is slow coming, or never comes at all. Thus, the story of our economy.
We're presently experiencing an “economic earthquake”. A severe one, that has buried us beneath tons of debt debris and political rubble. Our financial institutions are sinking deeper under the debt debris as each hour passes, with no end in sight. This 10.5 ( or higher ) magnitude economic earthquake has shaken world economies, some worse than others. A sound plan to rescue the badly shaken economies, is nowhere to be found. We hear the talk about plans to dig us out, but, in the end, talk is all there is.
This earthquake was predicted decades ago, but few, if any, listened to the reasons and logic behind such talk. Now that we're buried beneath the rubble and debris, without a hint of daylight coming through the cracks, many are claiming to have rescue plans and workable solutions, but haven't told the general public exactly what those plans are. So, we're still in the dark, and still buried under the debt debris of this very serious economic earthquake.
Although some claim that this “world shakening” event occurred primarily because of bad lending practices on home mortgages, the truth is, bad mortgages were just the straw that broke the camel's back. Many factors contributed to this economic tremor and collapse, not the least of which was, and still is, the rapid decline of our industrial base. This has lead to the widening gap between real wages and the cost of living in many areas of the country. This effect, coupled with higher energy cost, higher medical cost, higher food cost, and “run-away” personal debt, greatly influenced the bad lending practices that has caused a “panic mode” within financial institutions around the globe.
Primarily, what we're seeing now, are mere “band-aid” fixes for the severe wounds, which in reality, require major procedures to close. Without re-establishing our industrial base, demanding balance foreign trade, cutting wasteful spending and give-aways, and addressing the illegal immigration issue, our economic tremors and quakes will continue for a long time to come.
This country is running on tremendous personal, corporate, and government debt. The economic debris and rubble will continue to have us buried, until we demand real change from those responsible for the decisions that govern the well-being of this nation. This latest economic earthquake may not be the worst, or the last, but it sure has us buried deep under debt debris and political rubble.
Sonny Clark
Monday, March 17, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Campaign Hype
With the campaigns nearing an end, what have we heard so far? From a personal viewpoint, I've heard more mud slinging, misquotes, empty promises, plans without means, and the same ol' tired rhetoric that we hear every four years, than I've heard platforms with real substance. What real meaning are we to take from what we've heard so far? Do we assume that each candidate can make good on their intentions for a better America? If we look closely at the facts, and admit to ourselves that we are indeed, an America in serious trouble, which of the candidates can we really trust to bail us out?
Without going into great detail as to the why, the fact is that the president alone can not solve our many problems. But, if we listen carefully to each candidate running for the White House, the Oval Office has the power and means to right the sinking ship called America. This boastful and self-assured rhetoric has the nation tuned-in to various media, reading articles, scanning the Internet, and listening to radio talk shows. The campaign hype is drawing more attention than normal, and certainly more than we've seen in recent history. Could this campaign hype be blamed on the fact that a woman and a dark skinned man are at the center of attention?
Putting our feet back on the ground, and away from the campaign hype for a moment, by the time one of the candidates take a seat in the Oval Office, this country will need more than any of them have expressed so far. It'll take an extraordinary effort on the part of the U.S. States Senate and House of Representatives, working together for the common good, to start the rebuilding process necessary, if we're to re-establish the foundations for a strong and prosperous nation. Corporate influence has taken its' toll on our social and economic well-being, all done by-way-of several decades of dictating legislation.
Before we get too carried away with a candidate, their many promises and good intentions, lets remember that America depends on the collective effort of almost six hundred elected and appointed members of government to guide this nation. One person, a president, can not dictate every law and policy on behalf of all citizens. In my opinion, campaigns have gotten to the point of being very very expensive popularity contests, with little in the way of real substance, as far as solving problems and securing America's future.
Present day campaigns make excellent fodder for the news media, water-cooler conversations, and ammunition for political junkies, but lack any real guidance when it comes time to vote. Most of us know the path we want this country to take, but, so far, the campaigns haven't given us a plan to get from point A to point B. The political frenzy taking place in America at present, is nothing more than non-productive hype, campaign hype.
Sonny Clark
Without going into great detail as to the why, the fact is that the president alone can not solve our many problems. But, if we listen carefully to each candidate running for the White House, the Oval Office has the power and means to right the sinking ship called America. This boastful and self-assured rhetoric has the nation tuned-in to various media, reading articles, scanning the Internet, and listening to radio talk shows. The campaign hype is drawing more attention than normal, and certainly more than we've seen in recent history. Could this campaign hype be blamed on the fact that a woman and a dark skinned man are at the center of attention?
Putting our feet back on the ground, and away from the campaign hype for a moment, by the time one of the candidates take a seat in the Oval Office, this country will need more than any of them have expressed so far. It'll take an extraordinary effort on the part of the U.S. States Senate and House of Representatives, working together for the common good, to start the rebuilding process necessary, if we're to re-establish the foundations for a strong and prosperous nation. Corporate influence has taken its' toll on our social and economic well-being, all done by-way-of several decades of dictating legislation.
Before we get too carried away with a candidate, their many promises and good intentions, lets remember that America depends on the collective effort of almost six hundred elected and appointed members of government to guide this nation. One person, a president, can not dictate every law and policy on behalf of all citizens. In my opinion, campaigns have gotten to the point of being very very expensive popularity contests, with little in the way of real substance, as far as solving problems and securing America's future.
Present day campaigns make excellent fodder for the news media, water-cooler conversations, and ammunition for political junkies, but lack any real guidance when it comes time to vote. Most of us know the path we want this country to take, but, so far, the campaigns haven't given us a plan to get from point A to point B. The political frenzy taking place in America at present, is nothing more than non-productive hype, campaign hype.
Sonny Clark
Thursday, March 6, 2008
A Forgotten Country
America has found herself abandoned, neglected, without over-sight, and certainly without governance. It's difficult, almost impossible, to read news, listen to broadcast news, or get on the Internet without exposure to the "Bad" situations this country is experiencing. We face social issues, we're at war, our economy is in the tank, and for all practical purposes, our foreign policies aren't working to the benefit of Americans.
Recently, there has been much talk about the campaigns for president. Americans are being exposed to more promises of a "better America". While these promises are being echoed across this country, the present administration seems idle, and without concern. We're now five years into a war that is sucking our economy dry. The resulting debt is astronomical, and growing at an alarming rate day by day. The present administration has dropped the ball on domestic issues, and now many Americans are barely keeping their head above water. After seven years in office, the Bush administration can not claim credit for a single "up-grade" to our standard of living.
As evident by the housing and credit crisis, along with the devaluation of our dollar against foreign currencies, the Federal Reserve appears to be holding hands with the present administration and congress. The past seven years hasn't been kind when it comes to energy cost, especially gas prices at the pump. Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a report telling us what we were already aware of, the cost of food has soared. On the campaign trail, candidates are promising Americans better and cheaper healthcare, education, and a fairer tax structure. Why were these issues not solved before now? Have we been abandoned?
Without listing each unfavorable situation, each crisis, each valid concern, I think it's safe to say, "America has been neglected, forgotten, and abandoned, by those we've entrusted to legislate, administer, and protect our best interest". It would not be difficult to reason that Americans have been living off of promises for decades, with little to show for it. While we hope the next administration is more pro-America than the ones in the past, we're given very little assurance that it will be. While we hope and wait for a better America, we continue to live in a forgotten country, forgotten by those that we've entrusted with our well-being.
America's future depends on an awakening to reality. Those gifted with the ability to influence people with their tongue, don't always speak the truth. Those that promise a better tomorrow, don't always have the means to fulfill those promises. Those that swear allegiance to America and her citizens, often become weak, and give in to self-gratification, self-gain, and egotistical behavior.
It's time for Americans to look past rhetoric and empty promises, and focus on the future of this country. Future generations depend on the decisions we make today, lets not let them down. It's up to you and I, to ensure America is no longer a forgotten country.
Sonny Clark
Recently, there has been much talk about the campaigns for president. Americans are being exposed to more promises of a "better America". While these promises are being echoed across this country, the present administration seems idle, and without concern. We're now five years into a war that is sucking our economy dry. The resulting debt is astronomical, and growing at an alarming rate day by day. The present administration has dropped the ball on domestic issues, and now many Americans are barely keeping their head above water. After seven years in office, the Bush administration can not claim credit for a single "up-grade" to our standard of living.
As evident by the housing and credit crisis, along with the devaluation of our dollar against foreign currencies, the Federal Reserve appears to be holding hands with the present administration and congress. The past seven years hasn't been kind when it comes to energy cost, especially gas prices at the pump. Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a report telling us what we were already aware of, the cost of food has soared. On the campaign trail, candidates are promising Americans better and cheaper healthcare, education, and a fairer tax structure. Why were these issues not solved before now? Have we been abandoned?
Without listing each unfavorable situation, each crisis, each valid concern, I think it's safe to say, "America has been neglected, forgotten, and abandoned, by those we've entrusted to legislate, administer, and protect our best interest". It would not be difficult to reason that Americans have been living off of promises for decades, with little to show for it. While we hope the next administration is more pro-America than the ones in the past, we're given very little assurance that it will be. While we hope and wait for a better America, we continue to live in a forgotten country, forgotten by those that we've entrusted with our well-being.
America's future depends on an awakening to reality. Those gifted with the ability to influence people with their tongue, don't always speak the truth. Those that promise a better tomorrow, don't always have the means to fulfill those promises. Those that swear allegiance to America and her citizens, often become weak, and give in to self-gratification, self-gain, and egotistical behavior.
It's time for Americans to look past rhetoric and empty promises, and focus on the future of this country. Future generations depend on the decisions we make today, lets not let them down. It's up to you and I, to ensure America is no longer a forgotten country.
Sonny Clark
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Global Economy
Fair competition (among all countries) in a global market is a complete fallacy, by any logic. Thoughtful considerations must be given to such social and economic factors as standard of living, cost of living, geographical location, raw material availability, environmental considerations and restrictions, labor laws, and import/export restrictions. Without fair and balanced foreign trade, some countries win, and some countries lose. The truth to those words are playing out on the world stage of foreign trade.
Labor cost has to be figured into the equation, as well as maintaining an adequate work force.
The reason that jobs disappear from the US to Mexico is that the latter's annual minimum wage is set at $1,557-1,658 International Dollars. [a unit of monetary measurement corresponding to the purchasing power of the $ USD in the US at a fixed point in time. (It is, also, know as the Geary-Khamis dollar.)] It is, likewise, the reason that these same jobs, eventually, disappear from Mexico to other countries, such as China, wherein annual income expectations are even lower. (In 2006, officials in Guangdong Province set minimum wage according to five classifications with the highest being comparable to approximately USD $0.60/ hour and the lowest being roughly USD $0.25/ hour. In other words, there is no way that Mexico workers, and especially not American ones, can reasonably compete in the global market.) [ http://www.countercurrents.org/spence030308.htm ]
What we've seen resulting from present global trading, is low-cost goods and services undermining economic stability in many countries. As consumers practice thrifty spending, domestically produced goods become too expensive compared to imports. This holds true in the labor market as well. Out-sourcing jobs to foreign labor has become way too common. Together, imports and out-sourcing of jobs has become an economic disaster for countries such as the U.S.
The EU (European Union) and the U.S., the two major world economies, are both experiencing the ripple effects of low-cost imports and job out-sourcing, Countries such as China and India, are seeing tremendous economic growth due to their relatively low labor cost, minimal operational restrictions, lax labor laws, and government support.
Fair competition in a global economy just wont happen, and can't happen. There are just too many variables that favor one exporter over another. Low cost and high profit will win every time over economic stability. Economic equalization, world-wide, is taking place right under our noses. At the present rate of world market progression, in the not so distant future, world economies will equalize to the lowest level. Is this part of the “New World Order”?
Sonny Clark
Labor cost has to be figured into the equation, as well as maintaining an adequate work force.
The reason that jobs disappear from the US to Mexico is that the latter's annual minimum wage is set at $1,557-1,658 International Dollars. [a unit of monetary measurement corresponding to the purchasing power of the $ USD in the US at a fixed point in time. (It is, also, know as the Geary-Khamis dollar.)] It is, likewise, the reason that these same jobs, eventually, disappear from Mexico to other countries, such as China, wherein annual income expectations are even lower. (In 2006, officials in Guangdong Province set minimum wage according to five classifications with the highest being comparable to approximately USD $0.60/ hour and the lowest being roughly USD $0.25/ hour. In other words, there is no way that Mexico workers, and especially not American ones, can reasonably compete in the global market.) [ http://www.countercurrents.org/spence030308.htm ]
What we've seen resulting from present global trading, is low-cost goods and services undermining economic stability in many countries. As consumers practice thrifty spending, domestically produced goods become too expensive compared to imports. This holds true in the labor market as well. Out-sourcing jobs to foreign labor has become way too common. Together, imports and out-sourcing of jobs has become an economic disaster for countries such as the U.S.
The EU (European Union) and the U.S., the two major world economies, are both experiencing the ripple effects of low-cost imports and job out-sourcing, Countries such as China and India, are seeing tremendous economic growth due to their relatively low labor cost, minimal operational restrictions, lax labor laws, and government support.
Fair competition in a global economy just wont happen, and can't happen. There are just too many variables that favor one exporter over another. Low cost and high profit will win every time over economic stability. Economic equalization, world-wide, is taking place right under our noses. At the present rate of world market progression, in the not so distant future, world economies will equalize to the lowest level. Is this part of the “New World Order”?
Sonny Clark
Monday, March 3, 2008
Election Choices
In November of this year, many will go to the polls and elect our next president. As it stands now, the choices will be slim. The front-runners are Hillary, Obama, and McCain. After listening to the many campaign speeches, seeing the ads, watching the debates, and reading the media hype, America is left without a real leader and citizen advocate on the ballot. For the most part, America has heard the usual campaign rhetoric, worn-out speeches of promise, and the infamous line, "we can do it", from all three candidates.
What has been absent from all that we've heard from the candidates, is a sound workable doable plan to solve our many problems. Sure, we've heard how each would like to do things, make changes, correct non-working programs, implement new programs, and end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. We've heard about their desire to make health care accessible to all citizens, tax restructuring, and adopting foreign policies favorable to American interest. But, after all is said and done, not a single one of them has given us their detailed plan to address those issues, and ensure a positive, as well as a beneficial solution.
The president is not a dictator, though our present president thinks he is, and in some instances, acts as though he is. The president does not make the laws, pass legislation, nor does the president act alone on matters such as health care, taxation, and domestic programs. Therefore, our next president will have to work with congress on many issues. It doesn't really matter when it comes to intent, wishes, and dreams, the next president will need the cooperation of congress in order to implement their agenda for America.
As many already know, congress is controlled by the rich, influential, corporate America, and the elite power brokers. The next president will need to deal with that element of government if they're to accomplish any, or all of their goals for a better America. If the sinking ship (America) is to be rescued, the new president will need the help of all citizens, working as one, and unified in a common cause against the "Washington Brotherhood". Otherwise, it's sure to be business as usual in Washington, at least for four more years.
So far, not a single candidate has asked for America's help, other than ask for votes. None have said that they would lead protest, demonstrations, initiate re-call petitions, nor have they said that they would be the biggest snitch Washington has ever seen. All of the candidates are professional politicians, which basically says it all. Professional politicians are loyal to their sponsors (donors), debtees, and those that assisted them on their climb up the political ladder. As we've seen over the past half century, those serving in Washington are not loyal to America, nor to her citizens.
The bottom line is simply three bad choices. We can do as usual, and elect one of the professional politicians, or write-in a candidate of our choice, or finally, don't vote at all. All three choices are terrible choices, and will do no good for America, or her citizens. Once again, America has been left out of the mix. It looks as though it'll be more taxation without representation, and a continuing selling of America. Realistically, America doesn't have a good choice this November, only a choice between the pretenders.
Sonny Clark
What has been absent from all that we've heard from the candidates, is a sound workable doable plan to solve our many problems. Sure, we've heard how each would like to do things, make changes, correct non-working programs, implement new programs, and end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. We've heard about their desire to make health care accessible to all citizens, tax restructuring, and adopting foreign policies favorable to American interest. But, after all is said and done, not a single one of them has given us their detailed plan to address those issues, and ensure a positive, as well as a beneficial solution.
The president is not a dictator, though our present president thinks he is, and in some instances, acts as though he is. The president does not make the laws, pass legislation, nor does the president act alone on matters such as health care, taxation, and domestic programs. Therefore, our next president will have to work with congress on many issues. It doesn't really matter when it comes to intent, wishes, and dreams, the next president will need the cooperation of congress in order to implement their agenda for America.
As many already know, congress is controlled by the rich, influential, corporate America, and the elite power brokers. The next president will need to deal with that element of government if they're to accomplish any, or all of their goals for a better America. If the sinking ship (America) is to be rescued, the new president will need the help of all citizens, working as one, and unified in a common cause against the "Washington Brotherhood". Otherwise, it's sure to be business as usual in Washington, at least for four more years.
So far, not a single candidate has asked for America's help, other than ask for votes. None have said that they would lead protest, demonstrations, initiate re-call petitions, nor have they said that they would be the biggest snitch Washington has ever seen. All of the candidates are professional politicians, which basically says it all. Professional politicians are loyal to their sponsors (donors), debtees, and those that assisted them on their climb up the political ladder. As we've seen over the past half century, those serving in Washington are not loyal to America, nor to her citizens.
The bottom line is simply three bad choices. We can do as usual, and elect one of the professional politicians, or write-in a candidate of our choice, or finally, don't vote at all. All three choices are terrible choices, and will do no good for America, or her citizens. Once again, America has been left out of the mix. It looks as though it'll be more taxation without representation, and a continuing selling of America. Realistically, America doesn't have a good choice this November, only a choice between the pretenders.
Sonny Clark
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