|
Again, I hate to interject here but the Fed raises rates
to check inflation because BUSINESS wants them to, not because government wants
them to. 99.9999% of the people in the world do not know that inflation
is TAX. It is not discussed by politicians and media because a) it is over
the head of most media people and b) it is over the head of nearly all attorneys
and our politicians are all attorneys.
Inflation is the systematic devaluation of a currency.
When you see the "national debt" number, what is not discussed is to whom that
debt is owed. The fact is, the debt is owed almost entirely to American citizens
(and their pension plans, IRAs and 401ks) in the form of US Treasury bills
and notes and bonds (among which is the ubiquitous Savings Bond). Inflation
benefits "net debtors", that is, people or countries or companies who owe more
money in debt than is owed to them by others. The government is the biggest "net
debtor" by a gigantic margin. Thus, inflation HELPS the government because it
allows them to pay YOU back with dollars that have been "devalued"...that is,
they are worth less than the dollars you loaned them when you bought the bond,
T-bill, T-note, etc.
All you Vietnam era vets and citizens might remember
that at the end of the Vietnam War the national debt was staggering. In fact,
the US could not pay it off so the government, then under Richard Nixon,
devalued the currency 25% in one day. And this was on top of inflation rates
that ranged from 12% to 20% over the preceeding three or four years. Folks, this
is "inflation" gone mad. Some of you might also remember stories about the
inflation rate in Brazil being 100% per month and things like that. That, too,
is just the government in power "devaluing" the currency. It happens all over
the world, all the time.
If you really want to see true change in this country,
demand that your schools teach people two things: The "time value of money"
(also called "discounted cash flow" and how to figure it out) and the difference
between "progressive" and "regressive" tax systems. If ordinary people
understood these two things, every politician in office would be thrown out on
his or her fat behind - Repulicans and Democrats alike. In fact, I'll go
farther than that - if people understood the concept of regressive taxes alone
every politician in office would be arrested and charged with sedition. The old
saying "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer" exists not because rich
people screw poor people but because the government screws poor people. They do
this because they can - you see, the rich people "get it". They understand how
the tax system works and how to circumvent the system. Poor people don't have
the knowledge so they get screwed. It isn't a big conspiracy, it is your elected
representatives creating a tax system that enables them to tax the people with
the smallest voice - and that is you and me.
Finally, permit me to say that, I can teach ANYONE
who graduated from high school these two ideas and the fact that our high
schools do NOT teach these things is, IMHO, nearly criminal. I was taught these
ideas in the first accounting class I took to become a CPA. Every CPA
understands this stuff which is why all CPAs hate taxes. But that doesn't mean
only CPAs "get it". This stuff is pretty easy when it is taught
properly.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 11:47
AM
Subject: Re: [Chevelle-list] Anyone
home?
I'm going to have to respectfully
disagree. Like I said, if the media tells people an economic indicator
came in "worse than expected" it's perceived as bad. Even if an
indicator may be trending downward, it still can be very strong. GDP has
been clipping along at above 3% for several quarters in a row &
unemployment is low at 5%. If the economics of the US are so bad, why
would the FED continue to raise interest rates? Fact is the economy is
doing well, so they are raising interest rates to prevent inflation.
Believe it or not, the post-Katrina effect is going to be positive for the
economy. Construction, building materials, etc. Of course, all
this building is being fueled by government spending. The negative
effect of Katrina will be inflation which the FED hopes to prevent and higher
deficits. The deficit is being funded by foreign investment at a pace of
$100 Billion a Month. So, the US is screwed when other countries won't
fund our spending.
At 04:54 PM 11/22/2005, Clint Hooper wrote:
Germany's
reunification with Combloc East Germany is the main reason for their
struggles,at the moment. It's certainly not us kicking their butts. As for
France,who the heck cares? <G>
I'm an optimist but the US economy
isn't doing that well,Matt. Most of the economic indicators are trending
downward. However,disasters like Katrina sure haven't done us any favors.
Even though I support what we're doing in Iraq and Afghanistan,the cost is
hurting us,bigtime.
Clint Hooper
H&H Custom,owner
1969
El Camino ProTourer
2001 H-D FLHR custom bagger
http://dalesplace.com/misc/friends/clint/clint_hooper.htm
- ----- Original Message -----
- From: Matthew Post
- What people fail to see and what the media fails to report is how well
our economy is actually doing. Europe and Asia cannot keep up.
With the exception of China, who has to revert to unfair trade practices
to succeed, we are doing better than anywhere else. Japan has
been in a decade long depression (wonder it that's why they don't buy
American products), Germany has been in a recession, unemployment is over
10% in France..........We've become a country of pessimists and the media
just fuels that belief.
- At 04:28 PM 11/22/2005, you wrote:
- You guys can buy foreign cars all you want..
It's your right to do so. I own two GM vehicles and one Harley
Davidson.
- However,unfair trade with the Chinese is what's killing our economy.
Just look at ChinaMart's success.
- Clint Hooper
- H&H Custom,owner
- 1969 El Camino ProTourer
- 2001 H-D FLHR custom bagger
- http://dalesplace.com/misc/friends/clint/clint_hooper.htm
- ----- Original Message -----
- From: James Strunk
- my bottom line,,,when ANYONE owns a japanese
product,even if it's your right,,,,you ARE supporting a country that attacked and brutally
killed american solders, such as my grandfather,,, that refuses to
allow our products to be sold in their country,,,that's
right,,exercise your right,,buy from a race that will not buy from
US!!!!
- ----- Original Message -----
- From: Marlon Hanson
- To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; The Chevelle Mailing
List
- Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2005 3:20 PM
- Subject: Re: [Chevelle-list] Anyone home?
- I think the big picture is that too many of us our looking at
our own short term benefit, just as GM and Ford did in the 80s when
they let the Japanese take over the auto market. They went for short
term quarter to quarter gains profits so everyone in upper
management could earn fat bonuses and and stock would go up. Now we
have in essense been "taken over" and more ownership of what used to
be OUR country is gradually slipping completely out of American
hands. Long term, this COULD prove to be a significant problem for
our grandchildren. We can't be sure, but I do seem to recall that
the brutality of every country we now buy from during past wars. Our
"prisoner abuses" are nothing compared to what was done to our
soldiers who were captured were subjected to in World War II and
since. And... Now that our funds are gradually funneling into the
middle east for gas and oil we know what their attitude toward
personal liberties are. All that money goes toward buying Ame! rica
... good for us today. For our children? for our grandchildren?
- I am a bit obstinate, but I carefully look at what I'm buying
and try to stay as American as possible. From Cars to Wal Mart, I
must admit it is getting harder and harder.
- Marlon.
- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
- I agree with all of you; but you're missing the big picture.
James is right. The Japanese do not open their trading borders,
not just for Autos but all products, with the same open arms that
we do. Bottom line; follow the money. Where do those profit
dollars really go after the cars are built in America?
-
- BTW, GM is closing 9[i think] plants and laying off some
30,000 employees.
-
- Rich
- -----Original Message-----
- From: Matthew Post
- Sent: Nov 22, 2005 4:12 PM
- To: The Chevelle Mailing List , The Chevelle Mailing List
- Subject: Re: [Chevelle-list] Anyone home?
- Are there any vehicles that are ENTIRELY American built
anymore? And by that I mean without Canadian or Mexican
parts/assembly etc.? I doubt it. Larry makes a good
point, but I believe those Japanese cars assembled here are made
with mostly Japanese parts. They are assembled here to avoid
the customs duties associated with finished goods, but GM and Ford
do the same thing in Europe.
- I guess my point is that the lines are very blurred.
People can say "Buy American" and I'm all for it, but you have to
wonder how much of the product is really American. Besides,
the Japanese automaker pays taxes to Uncle Sam for selling their
ca! rs here, same as GM or Ford.
- Matt
- At 12:32 PM 11/22/2005, Larry Shouse wrote:
- I'm not ashamed of owning a Japanese
vehicle. As far as I'm concerned it's our right as an American
to buy what we feel to be the best fit and value for our given
situation. Besides, many "Japanese" cars and trucks are
assembled here in the United States, while many of our American
vehicles are assembled in other countries. Same goes for parts.
You want to buy strictly American? That's your right and I will
defend your right to do so, but good luck accomplishing your
goal.
-
- Larry Shouse
- ----- Original Message -----
- From: James Strunk
- To: The
Chevelle Mailing List
- Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2005 1:17 PM
- Subject: Re: [Chevelle-list] Anyone home?
- I have an idea,,no a suggestion,get rid
of that japanese car,,anybody should be ashamed to own
japanese cars,they restict owr big three automakers to a
specific # of cars that can be sold in japan,, FAIR TRADE ??? I've said
before,,If you see me in a
japanese car or truck,,call the law,,I've been
kidnapped !!!!!
- ----- Original Message -----
- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
- To: [email protected]
- Sent: Monday, November 21, 2005 9:46 PM
- Subject: Re: [Chevelle-list] Anyone home?
- ok
ok somebody has got to step and be the expert
......somebody? anybody ? gezzzzz maybe all of us together
are the experts lol
- Darin
Bailey
|
