Economics

Recently Iceland's government has collapsed, as I'm sure you've all read in the news.

This article in the New York Times says some 62,000 jobs were lost on January 26. I've heard the number stated even as high as 74,000, but definitely 62,000.

This article in the Seattle Times says the U.S. lost over 281,000 jobs in December of 2008, co-King George's last month on the job.

As a produce fella, I no longer make 40 hours a week. I make around 34 hours a week.

I was told yesterday a person whose workplace had a bonus program had it cut.

Listening to analysis of Obama's bailout plan on KBOO radio on Monday during an economics special, his plan is basically printing more money which means it will lead to inflation with the likely outcome of the same result we are having now. At best it would be a bandaid solution. However, what real solutions might their be.

Yesterday, I explained all of this to our daughter Felicia, 13, who has a severe lack of interest in her education. I gave her an education she didn't quite expect, nor, I'm sure desired, but she needs to know the reality behind the situation. If she doesn't graduate, her likelyhood of getting a job and being able to take care of herself in this style of economy will be severely limited. If she graduates, she'll have a better chance. If she goes to college, she'll have a better chance. Education, however, is no guarantee either.

With all this glorious information, I also informed her that I believe the most important thing is that we help each other.

Thus, I am reading "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck for the first time.

I am not hopeless. In fact, I personally Love the idea that the U.S. government and basically this alleged "civilization" stands on a ledge with no where to go. Kinda like an economic "Highway of Death." This, of course, will force us to have to help each other. Where else can we go? Does anyone out there have any suggestions? Does anyone want to talk about this?

Gaza has been a horrific action indeed. With the U.S. economic collapse, will this lead Israel to a collapse as well? What then?

Lots of things to ponder and discuss.

Oh, and one more thing gleaned from Life After the Oil Crash who got this article off of the Internation Herald Tribune of the New York Times, "U.N. crime chief says drug money flowed into banks." Basically, the banks have not been saying no to drugs because the illegal drug trade is making them a lot of money. Remember when co-King George stated he was "allowing" Afghanistan to produce poppies for the drug trade to help finance their country's economy?

And Another Thing: Also gleaned from LATOC, Banks are fearing an unprecedented default of loans of people with previously good credit ratings. Why? The massive amounts of layoffs happening across this country. "It's the end of the world as we know it. I feel fine!"