I'm still a wee bit cranky. I wish I could have gotten these thoughts in better order. Since these are not coherent enough to try to submit to somewhere like TechCentralStation, I will post them here.

These economic woes are truly and utterly idiotic. A herd that is in panic does not make rational decisions. Alas, this is what American economic life has devolved into being: herd panic.

A couple investment banks are tanking. The feds are having to bail them out. This is all part of the system that has been built up since the 1930s. Why have a backup plan if it is never to be used? I don't want "feel good" plans on the book wasting paper but want results.

With the "economic stimulus" checks, quite a bit of problem exists. The money was supposed to be put into flow in the nation's economic life. Putting those checks into savings accounts really defeats the intended purpose. With extra liquidity out there in the system, it was intended to keep businesses more afloat by allowing commerce to continue on a somewhat steady pace. Using those funds in that way would help keep the system going by keeping funds flowing to operate business, keep people employed, and keep the cycle moving. Throwing the funds in those checks blindly into savings was outright insanity.

I understand gas prices are rising. In my case, they are just the cost of doing business. I have to budget accordingly to make sure I can continue to do what I need to do. Gas prices are not likely to ever fall especially if there is a "gas tax holiday". All such a "holiday" would do would be to increase gas station profits as there would be no compelling business reason to lower prices after the taxes pop off.

What is the root cause of economic decline right now? Cultural rot is the biggest. Focusing on the here and now instead of the long term results in decisions being made like those sub-prime mortgages. Making profit now while not worrying about potential downsides in the future can be a recipe for disaster. We are seeing that now.

What is making this worse? Twitter, Pownce, FriendFeed, and a whole lotta other tools. Social networking tools are powerful ways of accelerating a panic. The 24/7 news cycle inaugurated by CNN was a precursor to this. As our world gets smaller, the ways to pass bizarre "wisdom" grows exponentially to the point of causing real danger. In some respects, this is almost akin to the phenomenon the World Health Organization describes as "penis panic" or the fears of RF danger. Note what is said under public perception of risk at http://www.who.int/med... . Social networking tools can far too easily reinforce falsehoods and odd beliefs of danger when there is in fact nothing to be afraid of. This is not the cause of cultural rot as it is merely an accelerant.

Out of the presumptive presidential candidates, we don't need either of the two on offer. A President has to not only be an administrative leader and a military leader but must also be a spiritual leader. The President's biggest job is to be our national cheerleader in addition to those other roles. If the nation's spirits are lagging, the President's job is to try to lift them up. With our national political discourse being what it is due to the leadership of the Senator from Searchlight, Harry Reid, and Speaker Pelosi in opposing President Bush it is little surprise that we cannot lift our collective spirit. Having charisma while standing for seemingly nothing does not endear Senator Obama to me. Lacking in charisma and standing for nothing concrete similarly does not endear Senator McCain to me.

Why is this time dangerous? In many respects, karma is coming back to bite folks on the buttocks for greediness over the past few years. In too many economic indicators we are actually doing fine. Public perception is fairly crappy as the narrative presented by the media appears fixed on decay and failure. People are confused, dismayed, and seeking leadership. Even though we have multiple indicators showing that we're going strong, the lack of confidence and more is what is causing folks to think we are moving toward a depression. Depression era confusion, desperation, and dismay helped propel to power strong men who promised everything but only delivered war.

Are we facing a time akin to Italy after a failed invasion attempt in northern Africa in the 1930s? If so, who then might be our new equivalent to Il Duce? I don't think the premise advanced by either question is valid. Our biggest problem now is the need to get over pain, anguish, and psychiatric issues over eight years of President George W. Bush. Our societal goal seems to become as unhappy as possible. On the scale of an individual human, that leads to very nasty consequences.

What hope does Obama bring? What hope does McCain bring? What hope does Bob Barr bring? What hope does Cynthia McKinney bring? I don't see them bringing hope. For most of them, I only see anger and rage. The biggest thing we need now is definitely not that.

How are your spirits? Is there more you could be happy about? Why are your compelled to be so dismayed by the way life is going?

Forward

4 months, 2 weeks ago by Stephen K.