I cannot express how irresponsible it is for the Pope to preach that condoms are not effective in HIV / AIDS prevention. His solution, as always, is abstinence. Sure, that is a more effective prevention but it requires that people actually are celibate.
The Pope, who likes to think that he is the authority on Life, clearly doesn't understand it. Sexuality is as much a human need as water, food, and shelter. Is the solution to spoiled food not to eat anymore? Of course not. It is a fact that no matter how much you preach abstinence, people will have sex. If your message is that condoms don't work - then you have their deaths on your hands.
The Pope is wrong on this issue - Dead wrong.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Sunday, March 08, 2009
E.R. for Health Care
Everyone was outraged when they learned that the government may have paid $200 for a hammer. Yet the $100 box of Kleenex in the hospital is commonly accepted. We are all mad that the CEO makes over a million dollars a year, but is it OK for the Doctor to do so? We have a big problem in the health care industry because hospitals, doctors, and insurance companies have quietly been allowed to charge whatever they want for their goods and services. This is one of the "other bubbles" that is about to (or should be ) burst.
Because insurance pays for a lot of our health care costs, we don't really need to shop around for the best prices - we are more concerned about getting a doctor that knows how to fix our problem. Therefore health care really isn't a capitalistic business - it actually runs more like a monopoly, even in markets where there is competition. Therefore, the health care industry can't be expected to police itself the way the free market does (or should).
When I watched Michael Moore's documentary called "Sicko" the solution was so very clear and entirely possible. In fact it is working well in many other countries. "Nationalized" health care shouldn't be a dirty word just like nationalized police and fire fighters aren't. This is exactly the type of thing that tax payers should be paying for and the government controlling. It is also the only likely way to get healthcare costs down. At the same time it would put doctors, not insurance companies, in control of how we are treated. Yes, nationalized health care does have its down side too, but I think the positives outweigh the negatives.
If you haven't seen "Sicko" yet, please watch it as soon as you can. We can't afford to keep letting our health care costs go unchecked.
PS - In my opinion, the health care "bubble" will burst with or without government intervention. It is likely to be much more devastating without.
Because insurance pays for a lot of our health care costs, we don't really need to shop around for the best prices - we are more concerned about getting a doctor that knows how to fix our problem. Therefore health care really isn't a capitalistic business - it actually runs more like a monopoly, even in markets where there is competition. Therefore, the health care industry can't be expected to police itself the way the free market does (or should).
When I watched Michael Moore's documentary called "Sicko" the solution was so very clear and entirely possible. In fact it is working well in many other countries. "Nationalized" health care shouldn't be a dirty word just like nationalized police and fire fighters aren't. This is exactly the type of thing that tax payers should be paying for and the government controlling. It is also the only likely way to get healthcare costs down. At the same time it would put doctors, not insurance companies, in control of how we are treated. Yes, nationalized health care does have its down side too, but I think the positives outweigh the negatives.
If you haven't seen "Sicko" yet, please watch it as soon as you can. We can't afford to keep letting our health care costs go unchecked.
PS - In my opinion, the health care "bubble" will burst with or without government intervention. It is likely to be much more devastating without.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
My TV Sukz Monkey Butt
Feb 17th approaches tomorrow and some over-the-air TV broadcast stations will start to disappear eith rest to follow shortly for folks with older TV sets. I have a tiny Casio TV that I have used at work for probably 10 years - just to watch the evening news and for Hurricane updates when needed. Soon it will be useless, so I went out and got a very cool USB device that brings digital TV right to my PC. Reception inside this building is not great at best but the digital picture is fantastic - when it works.
The problem is that with digital TV - the picture is "all or nothing". Most of the time it is perfect, beautiful and sometimes even in High Definition! But, quite often it just - stops. When I was watching the tiny TV and the picture wasn't perfect - at least I could still follow the program with the fuzzy sound and picture. Now I get nothing. I can't tell you how much more irritating it is to have the picture and sound just stop until the signal is restored. It really gives me a headache.
Poor me - right? I get a headache while trying to watch TV at work. Well yes, I am irritated, but I'm not worried about myself - in fact, we have a TV in our data center that I could watch too - I just can't see it from my desk. The real problem is with all the people who are watching over-the-air broadcasts because they don't have enough money to afford cable or satellite TV. Now, not only are they being forced to buy new equipment to get what they had before, they will also have to deal with the blank screen and headache that goes with it.
While I don't think they should extend the deadline again (it only causes confusion) I strongly believe that it is way too early for this transition to be forced on people - and I'm thinking by at least a decade. When color TV came out - folks still had the option to use their black and white sets if they couldn't afford a color one - and some are still using them. This transition is for one reason only - to open the airwaves for other (more profitable) uses. The poor are the only ones really affected by this change. Tell me how that is fair - or even ethical.
The problem is that with digital TV - the picture is "all or nothing". Most of the time it is perfect, beautiful and sometimes even in High Definition! But, quite often it just - stops. When I was watching the tiny TV and the picture wasn't perfect - at least I could still follow the program with the fuzzy sound and picture. Now I get nothing. I can't tell you how much more irritating it is to have the picture and sound just stop until the signal is restored. It really gives me a headache.
Poor me - right? I get a headache while trying to watch TV at work. Well yes, I am irritated, but I'm not worried about myself - in fact, we have a TV in our data center that I could watch too - I just can't see it from my desk. The real problem is with all the people who are watching over-the-air broadcasts because they don't have enough money to afford cable or satellite TV. Now, not only are they being forced to buy new equipment to get what they had before, they will also have to deal with the blank screen and headache that goes with it.
While I don't think they should extend the deadline again (it only causes confusion) I strongly believe that it is way too early for this transition to be forced on people - and I'm thinking by at least a decade. When color TV came out - folks still had the option to use their black and white sets if they couldn't afford a color one - and some are still using them. This transition is for one reason only - to open the airwaves for other (more profitable) uses. The poor are the only ones really affected by this change. Tell me how that is fair - or even ethical.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
That which goes up - somehow stays up.
It occurs to me that if every business who raised their prices to match the increased fuel prices last year were to now drop them to match the now lower prices, then everyone would have hundreds of extra dollars a month. Wouldn't that be stimulating.
Skeptic
I still think the best way to deal with the economy right now is to not mess with it too much. I'm just not convinced that throwing a bag of sand down the Grand Canyon will stop the water from flowing. Hopefully the economists who are advising the President have more information than I do. And speaking of information, I really wish that all the details of this bailout package were made publicly available so that if we object we could contact our Senators and have our voices heard. But, I suppose that would only open the door for more lobbying and further delay the process. Lets just pray the "stimulus" works!
Friday, February 06, 2009
Where is the FDA?
No prescription drug should be advertised if one of the possible side effects is death. And, in my opinion, no prescription drug should be advertised at all - especially if the possible side effects are worse than the condition, or takes more than one page in the magazine to list. Furthermore, the phrase "ask your doctor if blaz-x is right for you" is absurd.
We need to get back to a place where Doctors decide what we need and then inform the patient, about any possible side effects. Instead, what the pharmaceutical companies have created is a society of hypochondriacs. It is a very profitable situation for them but very unethical if you ask me.
Advertise the over the counter drugs all you want - supposedly they are safe enough to be sold without a doctors advice. But prescription drugs by their very nature should only be advertised and distributed to the physicians. And, the drug should be properly tested, safe, and approved by the FDA before it can ever be an option.
We need to get back to a place where Doctors decide what we need and then inform the patient, about any possible side effects. Instead, what the pharmaceutical companies have created is a society of hypochondriacs. It is a very profitable situation for them but very unethical if you ask me.
Advertise the over the counter drugs all you want - supposedly they are safe enough to be sold without a doctors advice. But prescription drugs by their very nature should only be advertised and distributed to the physicians. And, the drug should be properly tested, safe, and approved by the FDA before it can ever be an option.
Housing Crisis Solution
Politicians are thinking of ways to fix the housing crisis and most are focusing on the interest rates the home owners are paying. I don't think that lowering the interest rate is going to solve much. These people are in trouble because they are "upside down" on their homes - meaning they over paid for them and now their homes are worth a lot less than what they paid. I have a drastic solution that would be the perfect way to spend the "stimulus" money.
Home owners in a serious "upside down" situation should be able to pay for a reputable appraisal of their property. The lenders should then be able to determine what the real value of the property is. They would then offer a new loan for the true value, plus an added margin -maybe 10% (because people who make bad decisions shouldn't get off scott-free) and perhaps offer a fixed rate if they previously had a variable interest rate. The stimulus money would help the banks finance these transactions that would ultimately help the tax paying home owners.
This way, the home owner will no longer be so far upside down so as to be hopeless enough to abandon the property, and the lenders will not be stuck with a foreclosed property. This should also help stabilize the housing prices more quickly than waiting for the foreclosed properties to sell at drastically reduced rates and then slowly raise up to what should be a normal level.
Done correctly it would be a "win" situation for everyone involved.
Home owners in a serious "upside down" situation should be able to pay for a reputable appraisal of their property. The lenders should then be able to determine what the real value of the property is. They would then offer a new loan for the true value, plus an added margin -maybe 10% (because people who make bad decisions shouldn't get off scott-free) and perhaps offer a fixed rate if they previously had a variable interest rate. The stimulus money would help the banks finance these transactions that would ultimately help the tax paying home owners.
This way, the home owner will no longer be so far upside down so as to be hopeless enough to abandon the property, and the lenders will not be stuck with a foreclosed property. This should also help stabilize the housing prices more quickly than waiting for the foreclosed properties to sell at drastically reduced rates and then slowly raise up to what should be a normal level.
Done correctly it would be a "win" situation for everyone involved.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Early (Temporary) Retirement
I learned a lot from my Dad. As a kid I used to be the one holding the flashlight while he tinkered with the engine or fixed something around the house. As a teenager I was employed at the plumbing shop he owned and learned many things that helped me in my own life. My Dad was an inventor and could fix or build almost anything and I learned as I watched him. But the most important thing I learned from my Dad he never showed me.
My Dad worked very hard his entire life and managed to raise 7 children who were all comfortably fed, warmly dressed, and always returned from a visit with a few extra dollars in their pocket. He worked long hard days in bitter cold and blazing heat digging ditches with is backhoe. When he got home he worked on a multitude of projects that kept him busy late into the night. Some might call him a "workaholic".
Don't get me wrong, he was a good father and he enjoyed his family. He took us fishing, boating, camping - he even built us a swimming pool which is quite rare in South Dakota. Still I knew that he was waiting to retire so he and Mom could enjoy some real relaxation. He couldn't have known that cancer would end his life at the early age of 60. He was still on his backhoe a week before he died. He never got to retire.
The important lesson I learned is that you must take time to enjoy today. You can't put your dreams off because tomorrow is never guaranteed. I live my life this way. I too work hard at my job and on projects at my house. But I always take time to enjoy the beach when the weather is nice and not feel guilty about it.
Soon I will embark on a grand adventure that my family and friends are concerned about. True, I may be a bit crazy to voluntarily (and hopefully temporarily) quit my job - especially in this economy. Perhaps I should wait until things improve, or until I have more savings, or this reason or that. Well, the lesson I learned is that sometimes waiting can get you in a box six feet underground rather than across the country on a bicycle. A little voice inside me keeps saying "go now" - and I think it sounds like my Dad.
My Dad worked very hard his entire life and managed to raise 7 children who were all comfortably fed, warmly dressed, and always returned from a visit with a few extra dollars in their pocket. He worked long hard days in bitter cold and blazing heat digging ditches with is backhoe. When he got home he worked on a multitude of projects that kept him busy late into the night. Some might call him a "workaholic".
Don't get me wrong, he was a good father and he enjoyed his family. He took us fishing, boating, camping - he even built us a swimming pool which is quite rare in South Dakota. Still I knew that he was waiting to retire so he and Mom could enjoy some real relaxation. He couldn't have known that cancer would end his life at the early age of 60. He was still on his backhoe a week before he died. He never got to retire.
The important lesson I learned is that you must take time to enjoy today. You can't put your dreams off because tomorrow is never guaranteed. I live my life this way. I too work hard at my job and on projects at my house. But I always take time to enjoy the beach when the weather is nice and not feel guilty about it.
Soon I will embark on a grand adventure that my family and friends are concerned about. True, I may be a bit crazy to voluntarily (and hopefully temporarily) quit my job - especially in this economy. Perhaps I should wait until things improve, or until I have more savings, or this reason or that. Well, the lesson I learned is that sometimes waiting can get you in a box six feet underground rather than across the country on a bicycle. A little voice inside me keeps saying "go now" - and I think it sounds like my Dad.
Friday, January 23, 2009
They Walked
President Obama's inauguration was a day to remember. One of the things I found most significant was the fact that the new President and First Lady got out of the car and walked several blocks along the parade route. I'll tell you why I think it was so important.
Ever since 9/11, the Bush Administration has had America living in fear. This fear has proven very profitable for them as people who live in fear will allow things they would normally object to in order to feel safe. Using the constant fear of another attack, they were able to convince Senators, and the American public that the war in Iraq was justified. Fear allowed them the power to change laws to further their financial agenda. And fear allowed them to take away basic rights of privacy and liberty that this country was founded on.
Had President Obama stayed in the car, it would have sent a continued message of fear. It would have justified all the people who worry that this president is an assassination risk. But by stepping out of the car and walking freely down the street with his beautiful wife, waving to the crowd, it displayed a very positive message. President Obama does not live in fear. He trusts that his staff and the secret service are doing their job to keep him and the American people safe. And, I'll have to admit, since it was his first day on the job - it also shows some faith in the Bush administration as well.
I think we will find President Obama will be able to promote his agenda by giving us facts not fears. He has already taken steps to restore some of the civil liberties taken by the previous administration. These returned rights will not compromise our safety but rather secure it. The government will continue to exercise needed investigations - but with due process. That is the way our founding fathers intended and President Obama knows this is important to our country.
They walked tall and proud that day - and now we as Americans can all do the same.
Ever since 9/11, the Bush Administration has had America living in fear. This fear has proven very profitable for them as people who live in fear will allow things they would normally object to in order to feel safe. Using the constant fear of another attack, they were able to convince Senators, and the American public that the war in Iraq was justified. Fear allowed them the power to change laws to further their financial agenda. And fear allowed them to take away basic rights of privacy and liberty that this country was founded on.
Had President Obama stayed in the car, it would have sent a continued message of fear. It would have justified all the people who worry that this president is an assassination risk. But by stepping out of the car and walking freely down the street with his beautiful wife, waving to the crowd, it displayed a very positive message. President Obama does not live in fear. He trusts that his staff and the secret service are doing their job to keep him and the American people safe. And, I'll have to admit, since it was his first day on the job - it also shows some faith in the Bush administration as well.
I think we will find President Obama will be able to promote his agenda by giving us facts not fears. He has already taken steps to restore some of the civil liberties taken by the previous administration. These returned rights will not compromise our safety but rather secure it. The government will continue to exercise needed investigations - but with due process. That is the way our founding fathers intended and President Obama knows this is important to our country.
They walked tall and proud that day - and now we as Americans can all do the same.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Proud of the USA
We don't get to choose where we are born or where we grow up, but we do get to choose were we live as adults. I live in the United States by choice and I've always been very happy to live here. But today, for the first time in 8 years, I am also proud to be an American. The inauguration literally brought tears to my eyes and I, like so many others, was overwhelmed with hope for our future and pride for the good man who beat the odds to become the 44th President. His speech hit home to so many across the globe offering a fresh start and a message of peace. God bless this man and this country as we begin again.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Save Internet Shopping!
They want to tax all of the Internet? Now I'm starting to get pissed off.
First the states raised our property taxes to match the unrealistic appraised value of the over priced homes in our neighborhoods. Then they based the states budgets on these ballooned tax revenues and now that prices are falling their budgets are falling short. To make up for it they want to start taxing all purchases on the Internet. I don't agree.
Tax free shopping is one of the main reasons most folks shop online, especially if they can also get free shipping. We already have to pay taxes to those business who have a physical store in our state. Adding to that will only hurt the economy more as folks choose not to shop online.
There is also the problem of what rate will virtual sites be taxed at? And who will they pay it to - the state? The Feds? Me? Do all online merchandisers need to get a business license? If so - from what city, state, or country? It will be a big mess - no doubt.
Like the rest of us, States need to adjust their spending to match the lower revenues. And please stop the scare tactics of saying you are going to have to cut education, police and fire budgets. There are lots of other places to cut budgets. Just look back at the budgets of 5 years ago and see how you managed back then.
First the states raised our property taxes to match the unrealistic appraised value of the over priced homes in our neighborhoods. Then they based the states budgets on these ballooned tax revenues and now that prices are falling their budgets are falling short. To make up for it they want to start taxing all purchases on the Internet. I don't agree.
Tax free shopping is one of the main reasons most folks shop online, especially if they can also get free shipping. We already have to pay taxes to those business who have a physical store in our state. Adding to that will only hurt the economy more as folks choose not to shop online.
There is also the problem of what rate will virtual sites be taxed at? And who will they pay it to - the state? The Feds? Me? Do all online merchandisers need to get a business license? If so - from what city, state, or country? It will be a big mess - no doubt.
Like the rest of us, States need to adjust their spending to match the lower revenues. And please stop the scare tactics of saying you are going to have to cut education, police and fire budgets. There are lots of other places to cut budgets. Just look back at the budgets of 5 years ago and see how you managed back then.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
The Mirror is Your Friend
One more New Year fitness tip: As part of your new healthy eating, more exercise, and weighing yourself daily as I mentioned before, there is one more thing you should do daily and that is to look at yourself in the mirror - naked if possible. The reason this is important is because fat and muscle weigh differently - a little muscle weighs the same as a lot of fat on your body. As you start to tone up with your new healthy lifestyle, you may not notice your weight dropping very quickly because hopefully your fat is being turned into muscle. But you can see changes in your body - good or bad - by simply looking in the mirror. If you have a lot of weight to lose, you may not enjoy this part very much in the beginning but you still need to do it - just as you need to weigh yourself daily.
I have found that a full length mirror in your bathroom or bedroom is perfect for this. If yours is in the bathroom, you will need to take a moment before you shower or bathe (when there is no steam) to just look at yourself - all the way around. The second benefit of this practice is that you will gradually gain body acceptance (no matter what you look like). Body acceptance goes a long way to the mental part of getting into - and staying in shape.
When you reach your goal weight, I'm certain you will actually enjoy the mirror which is good because you need to continue to see yourself each day. As with the scale, you will notice when things are starting to turn for the worst before it gets too far out of control.
I have found that a full length mirror in your bathroom or bedroom is perfect for this. If yours is in the bathroom, you will need to take a moment before you shower or bathe (when there is no steam) to just look at yourself - all the way around. The second benefit of this practice is that you will gradually gain body acceptance (no matter what you look like). Body acceptance goes a long way to the mental part of getting into - and staying in shape.
When you reach your goal weight, I'm certain you will actually enjoy the mirror which is good because you need to continue to see yourself each day. As with the scale, you will notice when things are starting to turn for the worst before it gets too far out of control.
Friday, January 09, 2009
I Sure Miss Rosie
Over the last several years I have very much enjoyed reading Rosie O'Donnel's Blog and I felt like part of her family as I watched the kids grow up. Rosie has decided to go "unplugged" in 2009 and that is certainly her prerogative. But, when she reads my blog (ha!) I hope she knows how much we miss her on TV and the Internet. I know she will be back on one or both soon, but until then I wish her some peace and rest in 2009.
Rosie - no matter what you choose to do - you will always be my heRO!
Rosie - no matter what you choose to do - you will always be my heRO!
Very Happy Holidays
Well I had a fantastic Holiday season. For the first time in my adult life since college, I had 2 weeks of vacation in a row - during the actual Holidays!!! However, I didn't have any extra money to do any traveling. But that is not a problem when one lives in S. Florida! I can't think of a better place to be "stranded" during a vacation. I did a lot of bike riding, became a professional beach bum, and of course drank a few beers. Fantastic!
Happy 2009!
Well this year is off to a fast start - it's already January 9th!
I've mentioned in past years the hoards of new folks at the gym (for a limited time only) so I won't re-hash that. But I do have several January fitness points to make. First, I want to address something I hear a lot. Whenever I tell people that I want to lose 5 pounds I always hear the same thing - "you are so thin! Why would you worry about 5 pounds?" My answer to that is simple: It is much easier to lose 5 lbs that it is to lose 10 lbs or more. Once you let yourself get past a point where it becomes a very difficult task to get back to a normal weight, things start to get hopeless. My advice is weigh yourself DAILY if possible. Most grocery stores I go to have a scale for customers and of course there is that one at the gym (you do go - right?). You might not even feel like you have gained any weight until you have gained way too much so the only way to know is by checking it daily. What I do is pick a target weight zone and try to always stay within that zone. You should always allow at least 5 pounds within this zone because your weight will change that much for a variety of reason. But, once you start to go over that upper limit, you must take action immediately and that action is very simple - eat less and exercise more. That's it!
My next point is that you cannot get enough exercise in your home unless you are doing serious cardio work like a treadmill (for longer than 10 min.) I've noticed a disturbing trend recently that people actually think playing a video game like the Wii is good enough exercise. WRONG! Let me say that again because it is very important - WRONG! I don't care how much you swing your arms with virtual bowling, you are simply not getting a good cardio workout that your body needs. Please, do yourself a big favor and turn off the video game, or the football game and go outside and actually move your entire body to the point of heavy breathing. This is the only way you will help yourself lose weight and stay healthy. I understand it is cold in other parts of the world and it is hard to get motivated, but you must do it. Go to a mall or a school gym and get yourself moving. When you get back home - play the Wii! You can't get too much exercise.
OK - I'm done with my yearly rant on personal fitness. Why do I rant? Because it is so very important. You get one and only one body - take care of it and it will take care of you.
May your 2009 be extra fine!
I've mentioned in past years the hoards of new folks at the gym (for a limited time only) so I won't re-hash that. But I do have several January fitness points to make. First, I want to address something I hear a lot. Whenever I tell people that I want to lose 5 pounds I always hear the same thing - "you are so thin! Why would you worry about 5 pounds?" My answer to that is simple: It is much easier to lose 5 lbs that it is to lose 10 lbs or more. Once you let yourself get past a point where it becomes a very difficult task to get back to a normal weight, things start to get hopeless. My advice is weigh yourself DAILY if possible. Most grocery stores I go to have a scale for customers and of course there is that one at the gym (you do go - right?). You might not even feel like you have gained any weight until you have gained way too much so the only way to know is by checking it daily. What I do is pick a target weight zone and try to always stay within that zone. You should always allow at least 5 pounds within this zone because your weight will change that much for a variety of reason. But, once you start to go over that upper limit, you must take action immediately and that action is very simple - eat less and exercise more. That's it!
My next point is that you cannot get enough exercise in your home unless you are doing serious cardio work like a treadmill (for longer than 10 min.) I've noticed a disturbing trend recently that people actually think playing a video game like the Wii is good enough exercise. WRONG! Let me say that again because it is very important - WRONG! I don't care how much you swing your arms with virtual bowling, you are simply not getting a good cardio workout that your body needs. Please, do yourself a big favor and turn off the video game, or the football game and go outside and actually move your entire body to the point of heavy breathing. This is the only way you will help yourself lose weight and stay healthy. I understand it is cold in other parts of the world and it is hard to get motivated, but you must do it. Go to a mall or a school gym and get yourself moving. When you get back home - play the Wii! You can't get too much exercise.
OK - I'm done with my yearly rant on personal fitness. Why do I rant? Because it is so very important. You get one and only one body - take care of it and it will take care of you.
May your 2009 be extra fine!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
This Is It - Get Used To It
So the housing market bubble broke and the stock market crashed. Now folks are waiting for things to get back to where they were. I'm afraid that isn't likely - at least in the near future and here is why. For whatever reason, the markets were out of control. Housing prices were way higher than they should have been and the same is true for prices on Wall Street. Both markets are going through a correction, but that doesn't mean that prices will go back to those unreal high points. Rather a correction means that prices will drop to where they SHOULD be.
People who are waiting for the stock market to go over 10,000 are basically waiting for the market to get out of control again. In reality, the market will make adjustments and find a new level of "normal" - the correct level.
And don't expect your house price to reach $400k again when clearly that price was false. Now your house is maybe worth $250k and that is the new "normal" price. To expect more is to expect a new out of control market. If you bought that house at $400k then I'm afraid you way overpaid and you will not likely get that money back for a long time.
We must look at the economy realistically. The prices of the past were not real. The terribly low prices we now have are probably not real either. Sometime soon (hopefully) the markets will find their new "normal" and we will all have to adjust to that.
People who are waiting for the stock market to go over 10,000 are basically waiting for the market to get out of control again. In reality, the market will make adjustments and find a new level of "normal" - the correct level.
And don't expect your house price to reach $400k again when clearly that price was false. Now your house is maybe worth $250k and that is the new "normal" price. To expect more is to expect a new out of control market. If you bought that house at $400k then I'm afraid you way overpaid and you will not likely get that money back for a long time.
We must look at the economy realistically. The prices of the past were not real. The terribly low prices we now have are probably not real either. Sometime soon (hopefully) the markets will find their new "normal" and we will all have to adjust to that.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
I Wish You Well.
Our company, like so many others right now, just layed off a whole lot of folks - just in time for the Holidays. It has been a very scary couple of weeks as groups of terminations came through not knowing if mine was next. Thankfully I survived this round - but many I know did not. My heart goes out to them and I wish them all the best of luck finding new careers.
Price Drops?!
Well I honestly never thought it would happen, but today I saw a gas sign where all the numbers started with a 1. Of course my previous posts always suggested that there was no shortage (yet) causing the massive price increases and I guess this proves me correct.
But many folks are taking note that although gas prices are thankfully dropping, the cost of other goods like food are not. Prices have gone up sharply in recent months and blamed on fuel costs for transporting goods. Stores of all sorts must be seeing huge profits now as transportation costs go down. They need to pass the savings on to consumers just as fast as they raised the prices.
I think price drops to match lower transportation costs is unlikely due to greed. But, I was wrong about gas prices dropping - lets hope we see price drops elsewhere too.
But many folks are taking note that although gas prices are thankfully dropping, the cost of other goods like food are not. Prices have gone up sharply in recent months and blamed on fuel costs for transporting goods. Stores of all sorts must be seeing huge profits now as transportation costs go down. They need to pass the savings on to consumers just as fast as they raised the prices.
I think price drops to match lower transportation costs is unlikely due to greed. But, I was wrong about gas prices dropping - lets hope we see price drops elsewhere too.
Words That Irritate Me
There are several words or phrases that irritate me for some unknown reason:
- "Reach Out" as in contact the person and see if you can get more information.
- "Synergy" It seems whenever this word is used - there isn't any.
- "Brick and Mortar" as in a physical store or building. Isn't physical a shorter word?
I guess I'm a minimalist. I'd rather "call" someone than "reach out" to them. Forgive me if I choose to use the shorter words.
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