The world we know

It is hard to get through a day without being confronted with the problems the world, American, and even Tennessee itself is facing. Our national debt has doubled this year, now well over 11 trillion dollars. Jobs are disappearing faster then they are appearing, and the economy is shrinking at a rapid rate. I suppose it was some experiences I encountered this weekend that brought it into sharp focus for me.

I got up early Saturday, with the intent of doing some car shopping. Jim Cogdill Dodge ran an add Friday night and had some cars on it I was interested in. I arrive in west knoxville a little after 10, and they were closed. I figured they would open up maybe around noon, so I decided to drive around a bit and look at other cars. First thing I noticed, was kingston pike was all but deserted. If you live in knoxville, you understand how rare this is. Second thing I noticed was more car lots were actually closed then open. On a saturday, and a holiday! I didn't expect them to be open all day, in fact I assumed most would close around 3 or 4. To be met with closed lots, no drivers on roads, got me thinking.

Are we as Americans giving up to our fate? Have we decided to roll over and wait for the government to bail us out? Cars gone, jobs gone, homes gone, gas up, food up, people pinching pennies every chance they get. Do Americans honestly believe that bigger more controlling government is the option? I hope not. It was just sad to see so few people out and about on independence day. Nothing like past independence days.

Its time to wake up and take back control of our lives. Don't wait on the government, they will keep spending and sending money to the rich and wealthy, middle class and below wont be seeing a dime. The sooner Americans realize this, the quicker we can recover.

Sarah Palin Gone?

Among all the hype and publicity of Michael Jacksons death, there was other news in well, the news. Sarah Palin has resigned from her post as governor of Alaska. This is a very surprising move, especially by somebody who was rumored to have presidential hopes.

Of course internet sites are filled to the rim with rumours and speculations about this. Only time will tell what the real reasons were. I do find it suspiciuos that this is the second Republican governor who has recently drew attention. South Carolinas governor is expected to step down soon as well.

Gay Excorcism

I was totally taken back this morning when I came across this article. A church performed an exorcism on a 16 year old male, to remove the demons of homosexuality from him. The child is seen writhing in pain and agony as church members manhandle him to remove his "evil homosexuality".

Did I sleep and go back in time to the dark ages? What next? Witch hunts? Stoning in the streets? Why was fox news the one to cover this? CNN was too happy seeing a republican governor to go down in flames to report on this. They may pick up on it if enough outrage is sparked. Obviously a dirty republican is much more entertaining then this.

One nation under god. Obviously its not the same god.

Youtube and copyright

I am sure many of you are like me, and getting frustrated as hell over youtube removing songs and videos because of copyright infringement.

Artist, musicians, companies, let me explain something to you. Something you may not and obviously don't get. The fact that somebody takes the time to create a well done, artistic video, (something a lot of artist can't do)with your song as the backdrop means they like the music. These people have done more to turn me on to more songs and artist then any other means. And by you having them removed, it turns me off. You are getting absolutely free advertising of your music. A lot of people like me will see a good video, go straight to itunes and purchase the song.

Does it hurt you that somebody uses your song in a video and post it on the web? No, not in the least. Are you afraid somebody will hold up a tape player and record a fuzzy version of your song and get it for free? Most would rather pay $0.99 through itunes and get the high quality version.

Its free advertising, it gets your song out there, and it causes you no harm. So stop doing it already!!

Planting season!

Planting season is upon us now. Unfortunately due to a back injury to me, and a broken foot on my wife, we are lagging behind. We have the garden tilled, but still have to get the weed/grass killer in, fertilize it, and retill it before we can plant. And sadly, this week is going to be a lot of rain we are missing out on.

With the economy the way it is, we decided to go with a small garden to keep ourselves in veggies for the coming year and winter.

We are putting in the ground corn, carrots, green beans, lettuce, cabbage, onions, cucumbers, watermelon, canteloupe, a pumpkin or two, potatoes, green peppers, and some tomatoes. Hopefully we will be able to grow them, as this garden space hasnt been used in some time. Its been a struggle to get it prepared as much as we have.

In addition to that, we have had to buy a car, renovate the house, work on the yard, get flowers down, re-organize the storage buildings, and various other things.

No wonder I dont get to update much.

Bartering

The act of trading, or bartering fills some people with extreme excitement, and others with extreme dread. However, in the current economy, people are turning to trade as a means to acquire what they need. One mans junk is another mans treasure. Food for labor, labor for materials, material for material, cars for trucks, etc etc. If you have it, somebody wants it.

All items, services, thoughts, have a value to them. For instance, I can do basic web design, and also have my own hosting service. I can trade my ability to design a website and maintain it for a vehicle, dental work, food, or whatever based on what my client needs or wants. A lot of people want money, but when a lot of people dont have money, maybe its best to go back to a trading means?

One thing people have confusion over is how to place a value on their items/services for barter. And not wanting to get shorted, or short somebody else. For cars, look around and find a trade value or dealer value, these are good indicators of what your car could barter for. Cash price would be less, usually by 20% or so.

The best place I have found for bartering is craigslist. I usually get emails within minutes of putting something up for trade. Also a lot of areas have started a bartering website for the communities. Look around online to see what you can find.

Stimulus time again

Ah that time of year, when the stimulus package is working its way through congress. Such a happy time, expecting so much help from the government.

Only to find out it is the equivalent of getting cold coal for Christmas as a kid. Nothing in there is going to help anybody out, except the ones who have lost their jobs. I am beginning to believe nobody has a clue on how to fix the economy, other then throw money at it like a monkey flinging poo. And if it keeps up, that's pretty much going to be the equivalent of our money, a big pile of stinking monkey poo.

As I am writing this, the DOW is down a couple hundred points again. Overseas markets were all tanked again over night.

Foreclosures and job loss is up again. How is the stimulus going to help? Where is that money going to go to help them? Well, to be honest, no where. Where is the help for schools? So many school districts are facing shortfalls, there is more job losses coming.

The auto industry needs help. I know, its on the books right now, and I know as well most Americans just think screw em, let them fail. Take a minute and think about how catastrophic this will be to the economy, and the job industry. Think of your neighbors who work at that plant down the road. Now try and remember what they said they do there. Yeah, auto parts manufacture. Not for napa, or autozone, but for GM directly. What happens to those plants when the big three fail. They will lose their job as well.

The economy is getting worse, nose diving and bellyfloping on the pond of life. Only suggestions I have is to plan ahead. If you can afford an extra couple cans of non perishable food, or find a deal on buy one get one free deodorant, grab it. Keep what you can built up, it could be your job gone tomorrow.