The Command Economy

It's been a while. Here's a good read:

http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/the-command-economy/

The Good and the Bad

Here's the bad news. There is lots of misinformation out there. Here's a great article that highlights some of the bad information: http://www.moneyandmarkets.com/six-egregious-lies-2-33419

Here's the good news. In the coming months and years we will have increased opportunities to learn more fully the values and morals taught in this video:

At What Price?

I do not like what I see on the political front. Leaders at the highest level of our government seem to be looking at the current economic crisis as an opportunity to do what they were not able to do when times were better. And it also seems that many US citizens will let them do it expecting government to provide economic security perhaps even in exchange for their liberty.

We have allowed government to reach too far into our daily lives. This reach has extended to such a degree that many citizens of the United States of America feel a sense of entitlement to the american dream instead of a responsibility to make it happen.

The current economic crisis is a perfect example. The american dream has become, over the years, embodied in visions of large homes decorated with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, surrounded by lush green parks in well planned out communities. This "dream" should be made available to all regardless of income, ethnicity and... ability to pay? That's exactly what happened as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loosened lending standards at the urging of certain members of congress, primarily during the Clinton administration and not curtailed during the Bush presidency, allowing those that could not pay to buy homes that they could not afford. This is a large factor that directly resulted in the housing"crisis" we see today. The same government that is supposed to "fix" the crisis is the same one that got us into it? Yep, that's what we're supposed to believe folks.

But can we really lay all the blame on politicians that we elect? Over the last few years US citizens everywhere became complacent rolling in the good times throwing common sense out the window. As equity grew so did the our mortgages. Where did it go? RV's, vacations , a second home, swimming pools, plasma TV's, bad investments, and the list goes on. We abandoned the tried and true common sense of saving for a down payment, buying a home and paying it off and jumped on the frenzied bandwagon of self deceipt and fanatical materialism. Did we really think this could go on forever? The credit boom cycle is busting and so are those that jumped on board.

So, what to do from here. Will we expect and let government provide what we have neglected to provide for ourselves? Nothing is free. For everything there is a price. The question is what is the price? We are in the midst of pivotal moments in the history of the United States of America.

More for your reading and viewing pleasure:

http://www.whiskeyandgunpowder.com/an-unsustainable-way-of-life/

http://www.whiskeyandgunpowder.com/the-power-to-tax-is-the-power-to-destroy/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdF5TQIv1fU&feature=related

Obama Has No Clothes

Once again, why write what another already has, and much more elegantly...

http://www.financialsense.com/editorials/casey/2009/0220.html

Worried about a depression?

If you're worried about the potential for a depression I'd stop worrying and start preparing. It's almost inevitable that if Obama gets what he wants we will be looking one straight in the face in no time at all. Hopefully our country's leaders will come to their senses sooner than later and just let things that should happen happen. As for me, I'm thinking about how I can be one of the entrepreneurs Dan Denning mentions in his blog today:

http://www.whiskeyandgunpowder.com/the-real-causes-of-depression/

Don't get depressed. Start looking for the opportunities.

Nathan

Unless they've lost their job most people don't understand how economic circumstances really affect them. I think there are short term pains on the horizon that even now most people can't imagine. Here's an article that might help get you thinking about how economics can really affect you:

http://www.whiskeyandgunpowder.com/road-trip-through-montgomery-the-collapse-of-consumerism-and-suburbia/

For more articles like this try this website:

http://www.whiskeyandgunpowder.com/

I know this is a blog where the blogger is suppose to write occasionally but why spend all that time writing when so many other writers have already given plenty of material to get the gears turning. I don't necessarily agree with it all but it does make you think, critically.

Nathan

Ditto

Ditto this Mr. Schiff:



http://www.europac.net/externalframeset.asp?from=home&id=15192