Nonsense News on Steroids

Nonsense News already gorged on the Spritzer & Blagoyavich scandals, then went on to Sanford, Michael and now Palin. With eager fingers on keyboards, they let 'er rip - with glee!  If only all of them - politicians and news media alike - could just say, "NO!" to their demons... poor souls.

In the meantime, I received a safety recall for my 11-year-old Oldsmobile from General Motors.  I've become so cynical that I naturally assumed it was GM's newest marketing technique to get rid of inventory.  With 110,000 miles on the odometer, I expected a pitch to trade it in for a new Buick (they don't make my beloved Olds Intrigue anymore).  Checking recall information with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - a useful government resource - it was legit after all!  Frayed spark plug wires & leaking oil gaskets was a match made in hell... a potential disaster waiting to happen just as I was preparing to drive across 9 states the end of May.  GM's local dealership took care of it right away - no charge - on a car they no longer even make.

I took it back to my old trusted mechanic who opened his own business, Road Runner Auto Sales & Service, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa last September.  I had him replace the leaking gaskets, plenum and intake valve, and the water pump, steering wheel pump, hoses and brake pads, too - all at a very reasonable cost.  He vouched for the Intrigue's 3.8L V6 engine, saying it was now good to go another 100,000 miles.  My fuel efficiency effort consists of driving only when absolutely necessary, which averages about 5-6000 miles/year.  Hummm.... my Intrigue (really love that car!) should last just long enough for the industry to finally get its act together to produce new batteries and electric cars at a reasonable price.  Check out GM's Re-Invention Plan - they're answering questions in a live chat on July 13 at 1:30pm.

I might have made a totally different decision had I been able to wait until July 23rd - when the final rule is issued for the new Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) that President Obama signed into law on June 24th.  CARS is part of the stimulus package designed to help people trade in less fuel efficient cars for new, more fuel efficient cars.  Click here for more details: Frequently Asked Questions - or call the CARS Hotline: 866-CAR-7891.

Meanwhile, driving along on Interstates 20, 24, 55, 57, 70, 75, 80 & 85 - over 3 weeks - I couldn't help but notice the tremendous numbers of cars and 18-wheel trucks - coming and going - on the highways.  Family vacations despite a surge in gas prices from $2 to $2.50 and loaded shipping containers?  It sure looked like our economic engine was in "good to go" mode, too.

It is past time to focus on the "half-full" - instead of "half-empty" - cup because 91% of American citizens are gainfully employed.  Do what Warren Buffet does - turn off Nonsense News, get out of the house, take a little drive & look around!  We may be spending less... meaning buying less unnecessary "stuff" to stuff in our homes... but as a nation, we are saving more.  In the long run, that's a good thing.

TOOTHTELLING: Economic Facts

Check Facts Here:  VoteSmart- FactCheck- OpenSecrets

TOOTH TELLING:  News flash about deregulation of the banks... can't pin that one on Clinton.  Bank deregulation was one of the first big pieces of legislation the Republican leadership pushed through beginning in Jan. of 1995 - when the GOP took over the majority in both House & Senate - that bill wasn't Bill's!  Both House & Senate outflanked Clinton (Oxford Rhodes Scholar in economics) - in office only 2 years & a pragmatic centrist politician (and flagrant philanderer!).  The rest of the story is here

Now for a bit more economic history. The US financial system has been operating for almost 30 years on Reagan's "trickle-down" economic plan (mid-1980's), and NAFTA was another of his plans carried out later by GOP leadership in the mid-1990's - with Clinton's blessing.  Our economic system weathered the following:

• collapse of the country's immense savings & loan industry, 
• Chicago's Continental Bank in 1984 (largest until now), 
• fallout of the Asian financial implosion in 1997, and
  
• bailout of hedge-fund Long-Term Capital Management in 1998. 

Now if that doesn't give you some confort in these trying times, then stop watching NonsenseNews, take long walks, and then ck out US exports & big box profits from the last 3 mo.  Our country has gone global folks... get used to it!

McCain downplays his proposed tax on employee healthcare benefits while touting his $5000 tax credit ($2500 singles).  Now his tax on benefits that grow at 10-20% per year will soon swamp a tax credit growing at only 3-5% per year.  Well, you do the math & get a clue.

Notice how NonsenseNews bleats on & on about silly distractions while failing to discover & inform the public about the fallout on Wall Street?  Where were their investigative reporters while Swedish officials were briefing our Treasury & Federal Reserve chiefs on the outcome of Sweden's bank bailout from its similar implosion 10 years ago?  Had they informed the public, people would've had some warning to move out of stock funds before getting burned so badly.

Are you tired of hearing McCain can go any minute?  Another news flash!  Either candidate could have a short life span from natural or unnatural causes.  Carefully evaluating the VP candidates is very important because the VP is needed to help govern - whether advising the Cabinet or casting the lone deciding vote to break a Senatorial tie.  Ck those dudes out - Bridges - More Bridges

Don't know about you, but I am also SO tired of hearing about change, reform, maverick, or getting government on the side of the people (as opposed to off our backs or out of our bedrooms).... Need I go on?  You're tired of it, too???  We need to keep in mind that regardless what either party/candidate says now, their promises will go by the wayside once in office what with that bloated budget, bailout & a war soon to surge into Afghanistan.

Financing our government will be the war we fight over the next decade.  Hopefully voters will consider - very carefully - which candidate & VP, along with their team of Cabinet members, has the smarts & capability to deal with ALL of those problems AT ONCE!  The rest on NonsenseNews is best left behind....

An better informed electorate makes a better nation!  ~  MomsHugs

Whaaa's Up Wall Street?

Perhaps the investment banking debacle will force the political chatter off-stage for awhile until it gets digested by the Chattering Masses on NonsenseNews. Reagan's trickle-down economic theories (voodoo economics) that have dominated markets & regulations for 28 yrs. are much like Rev. Wright's "chickens coming home to roost."

McCain's good buddy, Phil 'Nation of Whiners' Gramm of TX led the Republicans to sponsor & pass the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999. It passed on a vote of 54 (GOP) to 44 (Dem) w/2 present. [S. 900 An Act to enhance competition in the financial services industry by providing a prudential framework for the affiliation of banks, securities firms, and other financial service providers, and for other purposes. Ck out the Roll Call Votes]

These "trickle down" economic policies were bound to get on that "free market" slippery slope leading to this mortgage/derivative debacle. So, now Wall Street's 'Welfare Kings' cry, "HELP US!" - maybe we do need regulatory babysitters after all.

McCain has indicated he will appoint Phil Gramm as Treasury Secretary! BIG reason to support Obama - smarts, resilience & demeanor attracts the best brains in the country to work with him.