Snowy Hell

Hey Barry:

With the New Year coming up quickly, there will be some major issues on your plate. I know this is not news to you, but I want to remind you of the major problem underlying most other issues. Hopefully, you'll keep it in mind as you work.

That problem is the control that RICH people have over our nation's resources. It isn't just that they make a lot of money with that control; that is bad enough. No, it is that they actively deny life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to the rest of us.

Just in case you think I am over stating, please read this column by David Sirota: 'A snowy glimpse of America's future' at this link: http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/12/a_snowy_glimpse_of_americas_fu.html

Looks like that's where we are headed Barry.

I'd like it to be different and I know you would too.

So, Barry, please tell us what can WE do to get a different future.

Happy New Year.

Your pal,

Reflections

Hey Barry:

This time of year is a reflection time for me with lots of family and friends gathering. I hope it is the same for you.

So, this is a reflective note about the background for my comments in this space.

I have read about economic theory and current events since 1960 with a focus on the interaction of national government policies and economic growth. In the early 1990's I created a set of 34 national economic policies which affect growth in just about any political structure. Beginning in 1995 I have published student analyses of how well various national government policies promote economic growth. Each study is written under my direction by a native student of the country about which she or he writes.

Clicking on the link above takes you to MIEPA's home page which contains links to each of about 40 country analyses as well as some other studies published there.

LIST OF 34 ECONOMIC POLICIES

The link titled 'INTRODUCTION AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS' [http://www.mkeever.com/intro.html] presents a description of all the policies and some background on the site.

INDIVIDUAL COUNTRY STUDIES

Each economic analysis of a country is linked to the country name. For example the study of the USA written in May of 2010 is titled UNITED STATES OF AMERICA [http://www.mkeever.com/usa.html]

Some of the studies were written a few years ago; they remain on the site until another student writes an update. Some students fear for their lives and families and so choose to remain anonymous.

MANUAL ON WRITING COUNTRY ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

Some folks may be interested in exactly how the policy studies are written. This link gives a complete methodology: 'POLICY ANALYST APPLICATION - JOBS GROWTH THEORY' [http://www.mkeever.com/apply.html]

ECONOMIC SYSTEM ALTERNATIVES

I sponsored an essay contest in 2000 for expositions of alternative economic systems. The market based, capitalistic system which is widely used is not the only effective method of organizing economic behavior.

Several very interesting ideas and case studies were submitted and the winning essays are published under the link titled: 'THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES (T.A.A.) PROJECT' [http://www.mkeever.com/taa.html].

BALANCED TRADE

I wrote an essay on an alternative international trade theory titled: 'BALANCED TRADE: TOWARD THE FUTURE OF ECONOMICS' which is published at this link: [http://www.mkeever.com/essay.html]

It is worth considering for the United States. Since publishing that essay, I have provided some limited assistance to Ian Fletcher in his efforts to suggest alternative trade theories as published in 'FREE TRADE DOESN'T WORK: WHAT SHOULD REPLACE IT AND WHY' [www.freetradedoesntwork.com]

MORAL ECONOMICS

Sadly, economic theory does not address the social implications of market actions. Under economic theory, you as a consumer do not know or care who produced the products you use. They may have been produced by unionized workers with health insurance and a pension or they may have been produced by tubercular children working 10 hours per day for starvation wages.

The essay titled 'MORAL ECONOMICS' is an attempt to reconcile economic theory with morality: [http://www.mkeever.com/moral.html]

BANK REGULATIONS

Here's my take on the subject: 'BANK REGULATION IN THE UNITED STATES' February 2009 [www.mkeever.com/bank_regulation_usa.doc]

PREDICTING DISASTERS

Lastly, I am concerned that there appears to be no systematic attempt to predict future economic booms and busts. I made a video about a method to create such a mechanism and the scripts and links are in the site: 'ECONOMICS 2.0, DODGING DISASTERS, PART 1 AND PART 2' [http://www.mkeever.com/dodgingdisasters.html]

Thank you for your attention.

Happy New Year!

Your pal,

Super Shopper Obama

Hey Barry:

Sometime ago I asked that you shop for us very carefully with the RICH tax cuts you had to fund.

Is jes a cryin shame that we have to use cash to buy something good for the country from the BILLIONAIRES. Not what the Founding Fathers had in mind. Not by a long shot.

But Barry, you a Super Shopper. Holy cow. You bought a whole lot of very good things for the country. Y'all made the Reps squirm and cut a very good deal for us. Thank you.

There are so many things y'all did that nobody has published a list that I can find. Seriously, the main stream media is just overwhelmed.

Even the kid sponsored web site list [ http://whattheheckhasobamadonesofar.com/?q=29] can't keep up.

Anyways, we all thank you for the good things.

Keep up the good work in January.

Your pal,

Putin Sings Fats

Hey Barry:

Y'all gotta see this - Vladimir Putin singing Blueberry Hill.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV4IjHz2yIo

The Russians are definitely winnning the courage race.

Merry Christmas.

Your pal,

New Science: Teleportation May Be Real

Hey Barry:

Seems that Physicists Andrew Cleland and John Martinis from the University of California at Santa Barbara created a gadget that may make 'Beam me up Scotty' a reality someday.

Along with some other exciting new science, you can read it here: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/12/17/beam-teleportation-years-biggest-breakthrough/

Maybe our grandkids can live in the Star Trek world.

Merry Christmas,

You pal,

PS: The comment below is so interesting, in a tongue-in-cheek way, that I am appending it to the original post:

Cisco2035 has left a new comment on your post "New Science: Teleportation May Be Real":

Possibly some of us may be able to use it by the 2030s.

http://cisco2035.wordpress.com/2010/11/16/facts-about-teleportation/

Bad Man McConnell

Hey Barry:

Let's be clear about this: McConnell is just plain bad for the country.

Cynthia Tucker nails it here: http://blogs.ajc.com/cynthia-tucker/2010/12/20/republicans-unpatriotic-resistance-to-new-start/?cxntfid=blogs_cynthia_tucker

Nothing more to say.

Your pal,

Rough Ridin Estate Tax

Hey Barry:

Sometime the REPS forget where they came from.

Here's what Theodore Roosevelt had to say about big fortunes and the need for an estate tax, as quoted by Tim Rutten in the LA Times: 'Like many thoughtful Americans of his era, he believed the disproportionate accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few would make a mockery of our meritocracy and, ultimately, of our democracy. In 1910, he summed up those feelings.

"We grudge no man a fortune in civil life if it is honorably obtained and well used," Roosevelt said. "It is not even enough that it should have been gained without doing damage to the community. We should permit it to be gained only so long as the gaining represents benefit to the community.... The really big fortune, the swollen fortune, by the mere fact of its size, acquires qualities which differentiate it in kind as well as in degree from what is possessed by men of relatively small means. Therefore, I believe in a graduated income tax on big fortunes, and … a graduated inheritance tax on big fortunes, properly safeguarded against evasion, and increasing rapidly in amount with the size of the estate." '

Your pal,

Get It While The Gettin's Good

Hey Barry:

Y'all on a roll. That's good.

Get everything you can while you can.

Come January, even blowing your nose will be a battle royal. I'd love to think the Reps will actually put the good of the country ahead of the RICH - but, I'm a pessimist.

Merry Christmas.

Your pal,

Carried Interest

Hey Barry:

There is a thing in the tax revisions that did not get changed. It is a killer.

Read it here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/12/15/BUSR1GQ3CI.DTL

I'm not talking about the estate tax, which is bad enough.

It is the carried interest provision which lets the super rich treat income as capital gains.

According to columnist Andrew Ross, here's what folks say about it: '"hyperconcentration of rewards at the top" (the top 1 percent and up), and a corresponding "hyperinequality" with the rest of the nation.'

We really need to do something about this one, Barry. We need more income equality and less capital formation - capital fomation is another word for the RICH getting richer. Too much capital fomation and too little wages is a problem for us right now.

Your pal

Let rich pay to fix deficit, say Americans

Hey Barry:

A new Bloomberg poll has reported that most Americans want the rich to pay more taxes to help with deficit reduction.

Read it here: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/insight/stories/2010/12/12/let-rich-pay-to-fix-deficit-say-americans.html?sid=101

I don't think there are many mysteries in DC - no secrets about economics. We all get it.

Your pal,

Richard Holbrooke: R I P

Hey Barry:

Sadly, Richard Holbrooke passed yesterday.

May he rest in peace secure in the knowledge of his contribution to peace and saving lives.

He will be very hard to replace.

Your pal,

The WashBeltBox

Hey Barry:

We love you and we need you. You're the only one we have and we are not going to let you go.

Yes I know we can be a pain sometimes, but you have heard the saying: "You only hurt the ones you love." Well, that's us.

So, here's the thing. You are locked in some struggle with the BILLIONAIRE's lap dog known as the Reps.

But Barry, that struggle is taking place inside a paper box - I'll call it the WashBeltBox - that is sinking into a very deep tidal pool.

What we want Barry, is for you to break out of that box and kill the SOB who is holding the box under water. Here's an idea about how to do it: raise the income tax to a 90% marginal rate on taxable incomes over $1 million and the estate tax to 100% on any estate over $100 million.

We know it's a job for Superman and that you ain't Superman, but like I said, you are all we got.

We are hurting and we are afraid that we will drown inside the WashBeltBox unless you break out and save us.

It is not about what you can pry from the Reps, it's about saving our country from drowning.

Your pal,

BILLIONAIRES: Open Letter

Hey Barry:

Here's an open letter to our BILLIONAIRES; please read ahead.

DEAR BILLIONAIRE:

I am writing you because you are very RICH.

To see whether you are RICH, click on this link.http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/10/billionaires-2010_The-Worlds-Billionaires_Rank.html

If your name shows up anywhere on the Forbes web site or your net worth exceeds One Billion Dollars, you are RICH. You are not RICH if you are worth less than One Billion Dollars.

Your money gives a special place in the world, a place that is different from just about everyone else. You probably don't even notice how different you are because you don't have much contact with people who work for a living. Most of the people you see are either just like you or people who make a living by telling you how wonderful you are. It is no surprise that you have a different world view than most people.

There are some issues that arise from your wealth. These issues are not about your intelligence, looks or personality; they are about your impact on us. They exist for every RICH person regardless of personal circumstances.

As a background to my comments, my family history includes several Presidents and goes back to the early 1600's in this country. Of course, it also includes some undesirable folks as well, just like any family. If you'd like some details, I will put you in touch with my cousin Bev who keeps track of all that.

So, I will put on my Uncle Sam Yankee Doodle Dandy Top Hat and I will try to speak to you as the voice of the soul of America.

Our country was founded in a Revolution against tyranny and aristocracy. It was an attempt to allow average people a good life, including material comforts as well as freedom from control by powerful people.

Now, I am pretty sure you think that you embody the best characteristics of that revolution. After all, you gained your wealth by following the rules. And, you achieved the American dream of doing well in a free country.

But, you are dead wrong if you think that. Here's why you are wrong:

Your extreme wealth gives you the ability to change the rules to your benefit. You do not play fair by the nature of your ability to change the rules. And, it seems that most of the rules changes you support serve to make you even richer. You have the means to hire very good people to help you gain influence. Perhaps you even make political contributions and have the ear of Senators and Representatives. That alone makes you special.

Surely you can see where this is going, but just in case you do not, here it is: As a RICH person, you are PERSONALLY AND DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ILLS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Most of the ills anyway, not all of them, but most.

You have the means and influence to change our country for the better or the worse. And you have used those means to make our situation worse while making your fortune bigger.

Over the past 50 years or so, you have systematically dismantled most of the rules and regulations that protect average working Americans from economic misfortune.

You have taken our livelihood and self respect. Now you are trying to take away the dreams of our grandchildren by borrowing to give you a tax reduction.

The United States of America is like a big, welcoming and forgiving family. We extend forgiveness as much as we can. But, that forgiveness has limits.

When we are pushed too far, we react by withdrawing our support. Eventually, we create rules to prevent bad behavior. When someone breaks the rules, we punish them.

Now it comes that you as the RICH among us have gone too far. You have broken the rules and we will punish you.

As the people who make the things we need to live life, you poison us with your products, you foul the air we breathe and the water we drink. You steal from us. You take away our financial security. You borrow from our grandchildren to pay for your sailboats and villas. Your employees work diligently to corrupt our political system so we cannot get a fair shake. You act like a bad wife and treat us like a wallet. You take our money and scold us when we do not give you more. You show no respect for our country while our sons and daughters, sisters and brothers die to protect our country.

We are tired of you and we are ashamed of you.

You are the bad relatives we shun.

We will be happier if you leave our country, you are not welcome here.

Here's how Andrew Carnegie puts it: 'The man who dies rich dies disgraced.'

You are disgraced.

Wonderful: Warren Workin Wonders

Hey Barry:

I am really happy that Elizabeth Warren is on the job. Your appointment of her is one of your best moves so far, ranking up there with health insurance and financial reform.

Read it here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/12/03/MNPF1GL4FR.DTL&type=politics

One of her first moves is to coordinate the States' Attorneys General actions in enforcing consumer protections regulation in financial matters.

The next step will be giving her some real authority, but huzzahs for the first step.

Your pal,

Big Chill in China

Hey Barry:

Some folks are sayin that China's economy is heading for the tank and that we will follow.

Read it here: http://www.zerohedge.com/article/why-chinas-leading-indicators-are-big-flashing-warning-light-albert-edwards-tripple-dip-head?

There are even graphs - they look kinda like a roller-coaster.

What a time to be the President - the Reps is throwin a tantrum style hissy fit and the world's economy is looking for the toilet.

Stay steady Barry, don't panic on us. Y'all doing the right things.

Your pal,

Schakowsky's Budget Plan

Hey Barry:

Rep Jan Schakowsky D-IL wrote a budget plan that saves Social Security and stabilizes the middle class.

Y'all can read it here: http://schakowsky.house.gov/images/stories/1202_Schakowsky_Deficit_Reduction_Plan.pdf

Here's what it proves Barry: fixing the budget problem is not accounting or rocket science, it is politics.

Specifically, it is the politics of RICH taking too much and giving back nothing.

We need you here Barry, don't let the Reps sell out the country for a ribbon from the BILLIONAIRES.

Positively depressing.

Your pal,

Warming For Real - Arctic Methane

Hey Barry:

Hoping y'all get serious on global warming in the Cancun meet.

Seems that the warming happening already is about to release lots of methane into the air. Ice and permafrost have kept the gas trapped in ice for thousands of years, but it's about to be released.

When the gas is released, we'll warm up faster.

Read it here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/11/28/MNAN1GCV8F.DTL

Your pal,

Trash Talkin the Reps

Hey Barry:

Been thinking about what exactly the Reps want. Not an easy question, but I have an idea.

Here it is: The Reps is playing a game. They want to score points with voters and win elections. If they win, then the team owners - da BILLIONAIRES - will give them a ribbon.

They score points by sayin stuff that voters seem to like. Of course they don't believe a word of what they say - they are just actors for hire playing a part.

The BILLIONAIRE owners have a clear vision of the end game: each one gets a government guaranteed monopoly on some critical product or service and the employees work for less than minimum wage. The Rep employees will create laws and policies that will give the BILLIONAIRES those things when they win power.

The Reps practice their chops all the time, after all they need lots of work to be able to say their lines convincingly.

So, Barry, you a player. Do what do you do in a game: y'all trash talks the opposition to take away their concentration. Take away their focus and you win. The team wins which has the most focus.

Should be real easy to mess up the Reps focus because all of what they say makes zero sense in the real world. Jes call them on it, point by point.

Here are some areas to trash talk the Reps:

JOBS - Reps dont know jack about jobs. All they know is that the owner BILLIONAIRES tell them to say that cutting taxes creates jobs. It does not - it just makes the owners richer.

NATIONAL SECURITY - Reps think that means to give BILLIONAIRES more favors. Any time you do something to help real people in the country, the Reps is gonna holler about 'National Security'.

FREEDOM - When they talk about Freedom, Reps mean that there should be no government interference in the markets. Let the owners do whatever they want, then the owners will be FREE. Free to pay less than minimum wage is about as far as that argument goes.

FREE MARKETS - See Freedom above. The classical economic theory of 'laissez faire, laissez passer' was thoroughly deconstructed by Keynes. But, it still hangs around because the owners like the idea.

I am sure you have the idea here. Remember that as soon as you call the Reps on any one of their talking points they will just make up another one, so y'all need to be nimble. Call em on each and every one of their lines. Make em explain each idea.

Underlying point here is this: there will be zero bipartisanship on areas of national interest as long as the Rep owners think the Reps can score points with voters by saying their lines.


Your pal,

For the Immigrants

Hey Barry:

This is not for you, but read ahead.

Sometimes I hear about something that I cannot forget and am compelled to write about. In this case I cannot repeat the exact information, but can only expand on the general theme.

These thoughts are directed toward the men in the many communities that immigrate to the US of A.

I think it is important to try to communicate some ideas about our country on some sensitive questions. I do not intend to castigate all immigrants since the vast majority are decent law abiding citizens. And, there are many Native born Americans who fall into these errors; it is worse for the Americans because they know better.

We welcome you here and we are glad that you have chosen to honor us by coming here with your families. We have some knowledge of the hardships that you have endured to make the journey. We are a nation of immigrants, after all.

In America, all religious faiths are free to worship in their own way. There is no government or state religion and we make it a matter of law that no religion is favored over any other religion. Even those with no faith are free to follow their conscience without censure or restriction.

Having said that, we do not tolerate any violence from members of one religious faith toward members of any other faith. We consider that a hate crime and the perpetrators will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

These practices apply equally to people of different races and national origins.

Regardless of your faith or custom, women are considered absolutely equal with men in every aspect of life. If she chooses, your wife is free to leave you at any moment. You are not allowed to make any effort of force or violence to make her stay with you if she wishes to leave. If you do so, you will be arrested and prosecuted for criminal acts. This is so regardless of your immigration status.

If your wife is afraid that you may beat her and your children, a private, non-governmental organization composed entirely of women may help your family leave you; the organization also will prevent you from finding out where is your family.

If you persist in tracking them down you will be prosecuted as a criminal.

The age of consent for sexual relations is 18 years of age. If you engage in sexual relations with any child under that age, you will be considered a criminal and also a person unworthy of civilized society. When you go to prison, the other prisoners will probably kill you.

This is especially true if the child is a member of your family.

There are many other areas of life in which the government has the right to interfere in your family life if the government has evidence that children are not being treated properly.

Although our ideas are still evolving on the subject of homosexuality, the majority of Americans share the belief that homosexuality is not a choice or a lifestyle but a biological imperative as strong as a heterosexual's desire to have children.

We do not tolerate violence directed toward homosexuals or people who 'appear' to be so.

Your pal,

78 Supremes Kill Usury Laws

Hey Barry:

Seems the Supremes have been seizing our money for a long time.

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2010/11/12/supreme-court-ruling-killed-usury-laws-credit-card-rates/?cmpid=prn_baynote-js_How_a_Supreme_Court_Ruling_Killed_Off_Usury_Laws_for_Credit_Card_Rates

OK, OK, it aint all the Supreme's fault - they are just following the Constitution about keeping national business out of the State's hands.

But in this case the effects of that practice have hurt us all.

Of course, the Consitutional remedy is for the Congress to pass a national usury law.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.........

I needed a good laugh Barry.

Your pal,

Aint No Free Lunch

Hey Barry:

Looks like the BILLIONAIRE water boy REPS are demanding a tax cut.

Well, allrighty then.

Surely the BILLIONAIRES know one thing: there aint no free lunch.

If you spend some $40 Billion per year of our money for the BILLIONAIRES, we want something for it.

In fact, we want at least four things for it.

Here's my particular wish list, Barry; but, you probably have your own.

Use my list or use yours, but y'all gotta tell us exactly how you made them sweat after the deal is made.

1. New law letting unions organize and strike.

2. Controls on money leaving the country administered by the FED.

3. Easing of mortgage loan requirements

4. Prohibition preventing commercial banks from buying equity in companies

All of us out here know xactly whas goin on with the REPS. Is NOT a secret. And, we are totally on your side, Barry.

If they want something from us, they gotta pay for it, Barry.

Its your job to make them pay and then tell us about it, so we can laugh a little. We need a laugh, Barry.

Your pal,

Stuck in Misery

Hey Barry:

In the world's economy today, we are all one. What happens in Japan happens in Germany and the USA too.

If the experience of Japan is relevant to the US, then it is likley that property values will continue to fall for several years.

Here is how the Global Property Guide puts it in 2009 [http://www.globalpropertyguide.com/Asia/Japan/Price-History]:

"In Japan, land prices serve as a proxy for home prices..... Land prices are used as a measure of residential property values partly because Japan is earthquake-prone, making the value of land more significant than the houses built on them.

On a national level the price of land has been falling since H2 1991. Since the second half of 2007, land price decreases in Japan have accelerated. Land prices slid 3.4% (4.9% in real terms) in H1 2009 from the previous year."

See also: http://www.imes.boj.or.jp/english/publication/edps/2003/03-E-15.pdf, a Bank of Japan study of Japan's asset values by Shigenori Shiratsuka* in 2003, especially graph of falling land values on page 20.

If the whole economy is based on property values, then we in the USA face a long term decline. I think that the economy is based on property values.

Our reaction to the housing crisis has been to make it more difficult to borrow on houses. While this reaction has been well intentioned in order to overcome past exuberant and fraudulent practices, we face a continuing property value decline until lending practices are made easier.

Think about it, Barry, the only thing that will turn around the housing price decline is to make borrowing easier.

Y'all know I am NOT saying we go back to 2003, but we stuck in misery until borrowing gets easier.

And, Barry, ya just gotta make them banks focus on lending and get out of the stock market. Holy cow, this is not rocket science here.

Your pal,

W T F, Barry

Hey Barry:

Some kids have put up a web site that lists some of the things you have done so far.

It's kinda cool, but a little obscene, so use the link above and be warned.

Your pal,

REPS are LYING

Hey Barry:

Let's be clear about something.

Tax cuts do NOT create jobs.

When the REPS say that tax cuts create jobs, they are LYING.

It is really hard to get some truth into the fog machine the REPS keep running.

Here's the truth: businesses create jobs when businesses have a lot of sales.

Tax cuts when there is no increase in demand just save the owners money, and then they buy a yacht - see Larry Ellison - they do NOT hire people because they pay less taxes.

The REPS keep repeating the phrase that tax cuts create jobs. It is a LIE.

It was Lenin who said that a lie repeated often enough becomes accepted as truth.

So, the REPS are repeating Communist propaganda because they are following Lenin.

Do not be fooled by the rhetoric, Barry.

Your pal,

Winter is icumen in

Hey Barry:

Supposin we actually have a deflation.

It will feel like a big freeze - you won't be able to move. You will be stuck where you are. You will have only what you have and no more.

If you can survive on what you have you'll be in good shape, but some of us will freeze to death - in reality and metaphor.

Here's how Ezra Pound puts it:


Winter is icumen in,
Lhude sing Goddamm,
Raineth drop and staineth slop,
And how the wind doth ramm!
Sing: Goddamm.
Skiddeth bus and sloppeth us,

Freezeth river, turneth liver,
An ague hath my ham.
Damm you; Sing: Goddamm.
Goddamm, Goddamm, 'tis why I am, Goddamm,
So 'gainst the winter's balm.
Sing goddamm, damm, sing goddamm,
Sing goddamm, sing goddamm, DAMM.

Your pal,

Buckle Up, Folks

Hey Barry:

Watched your newscast after the mid-term elections yesterday. Understand that you're down a little. But, don't be. Your are fighting the good fight and results will come - just not as fast as right now.

Besides, the DEMS drop off is not that different from earlier elections and completely expected.

There are one or two things I think you should take care of soon, before the new Congress is sworn. And there is another huge problem looming on the horizon.

Extending unemployment insurance and ending the Bush tax cuts are two things you should accomplish soon.

But, the big problem is a deflation that may be coming. Benny and the FED are shoveling money out the door as fast as they can. They are concerned about a Japanese style deflation and also concerned that the new Reps will hamstring any effective action by the Federal Government to restore aggregate demand.

The current recovery is fragile. It still needs some help. The help can come from additional consumer demand, business investment and/or federal stimulus.

CONSUMER DEMAND

Increasing consumer demand requires more jobs and more income for consumers. I know you are totally all over that. You have consistently called for keeping the middle class tax cuts - which will support demand.

BUSINESS INVESTMENT

You probably remember that Keynes called the spirit which moves businesses to invest 'animal spirits'. By that he meant that businesses move in a herd - like sheep. It just takes one firm to make a move, then the rest will follow. Maybe you can jawbone some CEO into making a big investment - can't hurt.

STIMULUS

If Bernanke is right that Congress will not approve any more federal stimulus spending, we may be looking at a deflation and continued high unemployment.

RADICAL SOLUTION

In my radical moments, I think the solution is to empower unions to strike for higher wages, prohibit commercial banks from investing in businesses, break up all the monopolies and oligopolies, enact a 90% income and 'death' tax on the RICH, restrict the free movement of capital out of the country and create a tariff wall so that businesses cannot move all our jobs to China and Malaysia.

And then I wake up.

So Barry, where does that leave you and me?

I think we keep on fighting the good fight and recognize that some events are too big to change; we take our small victories where we can.

It's gonna be a hell of a ride, Barry, buckle up them seat belts.

Your pal,

California is NOT For Sale

Hey Barry:

I'm proud to be in a state where we don't sell out.

Meg tried to the tune of $160 million - no sale.

Go home and roll around in your money, Meg.

Leave us be.

Your pal,

USA: Top Heavy and Fallin

Hey Barry:

So, exactly where are we as a country today? It's a big question. And, the answer is not good Barry.

Basically we are a two class society, Barry.

The top 20% of RICH folks own 93% of the USA's financial wealth - total wealth less value of the house.

Read it here: http://sociology.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power/wealth.html

Let me repeat that: the RICHEST 20% own 93% of total wealth.

Barry, most of the time 93% means ALL OF IT.

You an me - we aint got squat.

Let's look ahead and see what is likely to happen.

This condition cannot continue as it is.

Something's gotta give. We gonna tip over.

Where will we be after we fall, Barry? That's the question.

As an indication, I'm going to quote Kevin Phillips from his book WEALTH AND DEMOCRACY, 2002. Let's see if you can guess what country and time he is describing. Oh, I will change a few words here and there:

The country had "...come to be an extreme contrast of rich and poor...Our condition is one in which we have rich who loll at ease, or poor who beg, and we a lack middle class whom neither wealth nor poverty prevents their pursuing the rightful kind of business...."

This could describe San Francisco yesterday. Or England in the 1900's.

But it actually describes Spain in 1600 [Martin Gonzalez de Cellorigio]. Shortly after that was written Spain ceased to be an international power and was relegated to second class status as a country.

That's our future Barry.

The only way out is to change the income and wealth distribution so that we have a middle class.

Your pal,

Supremes Keep Disclosure

Hey Barry:

While they did not exactly acknowledge a mistake or make amends, the supremes just upheld disclosure rules for political actors.

Read it here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/11/01/national/w070520D46.DTL

Now you can have Attorney General Holder enforce the rules aggressively.

It's something we need Barry.

Your pal,

Marketing the Presidency: Obama - Stewart

Hey Barry:

Caught your talk on the Daily Show.

Here's a link: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/10/about-late-last-night-jon-stewart-presses-president-obama-on-the-daily-show-1.html

Overall great job on the show. And, overall great job on the Presidency - I agree with your assessment on the actions you have taken so far.

But, the discussion last night brings up a question: Why is the public perception of the accomplishments behind the reality?

The answer last night seemes to be that folks have expectations that the actions will happen in 18 months. That is why there is a drop in your popularity and approval.

That's OK Barry, as far as it goes, but I just don't think that's good enough.

I think part of your job is to manage expectations. And it seems that you have done a mediocre to poor job at that.

A related example can be found in marketing cars. In the 1980's people had low expectations of a car, so the poor 'quality' cars produced then matched the expectations and sold reasonably well.

Today, car buyers have much higher expectations when they buy a car. If a car does not have all the features buyers expect today, they judge it as a poor 'quality' car, although it may be ten times better than a car from 30 years ago.

The market's expectations of car 'quality' have moved a lot.

It is similar to people's expectations of a 'quality' Presidency. Those expectations have moved a lot since 2008. And that is due in large part to you, Barry Obama: you have raised people's expectations of what it means to be a 'quality' President.

The reason that I place quotation marks around the word 'quality' is that I believe that 'quality' is an elusive concept. The best way to measure 'quality' IMHO is to measure what are the expectations about the subject and to compare how the product - or the Presidency - compares to the expectations.

If I am correct in my belief that your raising expectations of your Presidency has contributed to the current lower approval ratings, then there are at least two possible approaches you might take.

One approach would be to lower expectations. This is what Bush was so good at. He created the expectation that he was a complete klutz; nobody noticed what he was doing because they were all marveling at the idea that he actually was able to walk and chew gum at the same time.

I think this would be a mistake.

Another approach would be to sell the positives more aggressively while noting the difficulties you had to overcome to achieve each positive.

For example, you might say this: 'My administration has successfully overcome fierce Republican resistance to increased government regulation and has created and passed financial reform that is really helping people. As only one example, today we are looking carefully at each bank's home mortgage foreclosure process to ensure that each bank follows the new regulations. This will have the effect of preventing many unfair and/or illegal foreclosures. It will also help prevent a second, more severe recession - the Double Dip that many of you are concerned about. And make no mistake, if we did not have the new legislation, we would have a double dip recession.'

If this approach makes sense, then it seems likely that your administration will need some more aggressive Public Relations people who specialize in marketing your Presidency.

One of the reasons that the financial regulation legislation passed is that you and your staff made it a priority, as compared to some other legislation which you did not make a priority and which did not do as well as a result.

Bottom line is this Barry - you gotta sell yourself harder. And, it won't hurt to get some professionsl PR folks on the team - market your Presidency the same way General Motors sells Cadillacs or Chevys.

We need you to do that, Barry.

Your pal,

The Rent Is Too Damn High

Hey Barry:

Jimmy McMillan wants to be Governor of New York.

He calls his party: The Rent Is Too Damn High Party

Website: http://www.rentistoodamnhigh.org/

Why, because The Rent Is Too Damn High.

If I lived in New York, he'd have my vote.

Here's his message: Too many homeless vets and families - somthing is wrong in our country.

He is fighting the good fight.

Your pal,

Plutocrats March On

Hey Barry:

In case you don't know, the secret billionaires who are helping Rove are having an impact in the California Senate race.

Read it here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/10/26/MNLI1G1P3G.DTL&type=politics


Sitting Senator Barbara Boxer is being hurt by negative ads funded by secret, outside groups. If she loses, the Senate will gain another RICH ex-CEO - Carly Fiorina.

The plutocrats march on.

Your pal,

No Insurance - Too Bad Sucka

Hey Barry:

Now I don't know if your health plan will fix things like this or not. I surely hope so.

Friend of ours owns a small store selling imported specialty items after a career in retail in her home country. She has no health insurance.

Last week she felt very ill and went to the nearest hospital. Turns out she had acute appendicitus and nearly died.

A surgeon performed the operation.

The hospital discharged her after two hours in the operating room and no recovery time and is now suing her for $60,000.

Makes ya wanna puke.

Your pal,

Beaner and the Reps: Not Pretty

Hey Barry:

I have been thinking about Beaner and the Reps.

[First off, I don't mean to insult any folks of Hispanic heritage - the word is just too good a play on 'Boehner' to pass.]

My thinking is not pretty, Barry.

I don't know if you'll like it - after all you are a bi-partisan soul if ever there was one.

But Barry, the Reps is simply bad for the country. And, you are the President of all the United States and your job is to watch out for all of us.

I have been trying real hard to understand where they are coming from. And you know that is NOT an easy job Barry. That is something you know real well.

So anyway, here's what I come up with: the Reps want to kiss up to the billionaires.

God knows why, Barry, kissin up won't do them no good. No good at all. Never does.

If you kiss up to a billionaire, you won't get anything except a dirty mouth.

You will NOT get RICH.

First rule of being a billionaire - nobody gets RICH except a billionaire.

OK Barry, if you're squeamish, better pass up the rest of this right now. Y'all warned......



Let's say you are tongue rimming a billionaire because you think you will get RICH.

Think on it cousin: the best you will get is that the SOB does not let a big fart.

That's the best you can do.

So, I gotta ask Beaner: what y'all doin anyway? Yo is sellin out our country for a chance to kiss some billionaire's ass.

It just does not make any sense Barry.

No sense at all.

Let's move along to the elections.

And, let's suppose there is a whole bunch of folks who think that kissin up to the billionaires is a good thing for some ridiculus reason.

That will mean that you, Barry Obama, will have a Rep majority in one house or the other.

So Barry - what y'all gotta do is to stop them Reps from destroying the progress you have made. You have done some good things and now you will need to protect them.

It's not sexy Barry, it's politics down and dirty. But that's the hand you got Barry.

Please play it well.

Your pal,

Let's Help RICH Create Jobs!

Hey Barry:

The RICH keep on sayin they'll create some jobs real soon now and that's why they should stay RICH.

You and I know thas jes a crock.

But, maybe we can help them out a little.

After all, they will feel so much better when they have really created some jobs instead of just talking about it.

Here's some history on how we can do that: when we look back at the 1950's we see that there were a lot of infrastructure jobs around - we were building roads and schools and bridges and airports like there was no tomorrow.

OK, that was a long time ago, but how did we get the money back then?

Simple answer - we put a 90% tax on high incomes and a 70% tax on estates. With that money we created the infrastructure that we still use today - except it's a little worn round the edges and needs some patching.

That's how the RICH can help create jobs and make our country better - we will tax them to get the money to pay for what we need.

And, we can help the Federal deficit as well - which is running about a trillion a year: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/10/24/national/w051643D79.DTL

After all, it only takes a taxing a few of the RICH to help balance the budget.

And, Barry, if the RICH don't like it, they can take their money and move to someplace where they will be welcome like Mexico or Somalia. [I don't mean any disrepect to those countries, but I'm guessing that RICH folks' money and sense of entitlement might actually help out there.]

We surely will NOT miss them here. Please encourage them to leave Barry. It's like Dear Abby says: 'It's time for a divorce when you'll be better off without them than you are with them.'

Your pal,

Failing Banks: Who's Next?

Hey Barry:

As a rule, I don't publish links to commercial sites, but this site really caught my eye: http://web.investinganswers.com/land/is-your-bank-in-danger.asp?TP=665&ref=GAW&gclid=CP2E-uD24aQCFRxqgwodJSg7KQ

I don't know how good the information is, but the topic is very timely. If your deposits exceed the FDIC guarantees, then you will really want to read this report to see whether your bank may fail.

Your pal,

Hittin the Fan

Hey Barry:

Looks like the fan is becoming unsightly.

Read it here: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-10-20/fed-s-weight-joins-mortgage-investor-bid-for-relief.html

Mortgage investors - who actually bought the paper behind the loans - want some action from banks. It could cost those banks which did not proceed carefully up to $180 billion.

Watch HUD Secretary Donovan address the issue on 10/20/10 here: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/63870482/

If itsa choice between the banks and the economy - bye bye banks.

Hang in there Barry, we need you.

Your pal,

Gettin Round the Supremes

Hey Barry:

Maybe there's a way around the Supremes decision that allows corps and unions to spend money in elections without disclosure.

Here's a method to require better disclosure of who actually pays for ads by enacting a state rule. Read it here:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/10/19/EDQ01FUCH4.DTL

My memory is that the Reps voted down the law requiring disclosure, but maybe the states can do it on their own.

Your pal,

Don't Sell Us Out

Hey Barry:

Part of your job is to keep track of things that can change our future. And, here's one right now: seems some big Chinese companies want to get into the middle of our telecommunications business.

And, Barry, mebbe its jes me, but there aint no such thing as a Chinese company that does things internationally without the direction of the government - they jes do NOT let any company mess around in foreign policy or military strategy. We could learn a lesson there, ya think?

It has the potential to be a bad idea and ya gotta watch it real careful. There are some things that are just bigger than economics.

Read it here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704300604575555121880239064.html

Your pal,

Big Oil Goes To College

Hey Barry:

Seems a lot of big universities are just a little too cozy with big oil.

Read it here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/10/15/BAHR1FSR2B.DTL&type=newsbayarea

Exactly what we dont need - big corporations dictating research topics at our famous schools: Stanford, UC Berkeley, etc.

Y'all probably caint do nuthin, but itsa fact worth rememberin.

Your pal,