I will forever be mystified at the way mainstream American “progressives” have come to believe that blasting up equities amounts to a boon to all citizens. The only people this helps are those who are already heavily into the market, that is, those who are relatively rich!

Back in March, all the hardworking young folks were getting a reasonably good deal whenever they contributed to their retirement accounts. But with stocks up over 50% in only a few months, people still socking money into their 401ks could be underwater for many years. Over their lifetimes, they will realize nothing like the gains their parents did.

But never mind all that, the retiring baby boomers get to cash out now and live high on the hog. Who cares if the bag-holders are their own children? And when those destitute children have no choice but to move back in with their parents, the boomers will have indentured servants to care for them in their dotage. Truly, they are the greatest generation.

Not-Cash for Labor = Labor Time for Needs = a dimension of S’ism

Things Rationing System = Time + Difficulty + Dangerousness

Things (able to produce with existing factory base + available raw materials) :/: (divided) by Eligible People (& animal pets)

Things Rationed via Computerized Release System in a balanced manner

WHY Bother and Change:
1- Diminish the arms race
2- Allot time to environment cleanup activities
3- Allot time to research and development without cost restrictions
4- Mutual aid across the board
5- Unsavory activities curtailed due to need-loss

MAJOR Problem:
1- same as now .. Laziness and Gluttonous Behavior
2- Humpty Dumpty and attitudes

ALTERNATE Blend:
Use computers to balance the Capitalism system better. Remind the “Haves” that they lose if the “Have Nots” can’t buy what they manufacture for the .. lets use “Man .. System”.
____

I’ve posted on this subject before .. jessica posts (and others – big thread – got me going) on “knowledge-centered economy” here in TBP Feb 1st ’09:
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2009/01/the-big-fix/#comment-143093

but generally (lol at the dig a hole fill it no tree story) .. there are these sentiment out there because of the system
1- use it or lose it
2- slow down – job security
3- don’t build it to good – job security

and a version of them from policy shaper / maker types:
fight it – make em look bad – job security

I mean with more definition .. if things work to well here .. we will not be put back into power .. so fight it stealthily .. and in context .. a corporate oriented firm affraid of losing power to an administration that puts people first .. in generalized terms GOP vs Dems .. corporate welfare vs people welfare .. Left vs Right (or is it Right vs Left) .. or the dreaded F’ism vs S’ism terms

I have decided the whole health care debate is another sham- I was on the fence and willing to accept some form of single payer system-

however- enriching big pharm and strengthening insurance companies is absolutely not how to do it-

reject, reject, reject-

Obama has turned out to be a sellout and a lackey for the banking industry, big pharm and the insurance companies

“Is America going the way of Rome? Lee brought in former commerce secretary Carlos Gutierrez, who believes the country should focused on dealing with its massive debt instead of thinking of ways to spend more government dollars …”
http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1222844283&play=1

and the worded wrap up on the street page 3 (last para into pg4):
http://www.thestreet.com/story/10587468/3/fast-money-recap-dealing-with-a-freight-train.html

take a cast iron skillet- put it on medium high- turn on the fan for the hood over the stove- possibly open some windows-

when skillet is very hot- put in some course sea salt- throw the steak on- sear on each side-

eat

I agree with all your (& other comments), on the benefits of wood over propane…

The only problem is, for 90% of the people it is impractical to use wood (no time, no facilities, etc.)…

One “work around” I found to the problem was something I discovered on a cooking show…

As you mentioned, it’s HEAT related…It’s very hard to get a “medium-rare” steak done just right on a grill…So essentially, if you’re just using propane, you can just toss it on there to sear & seal it…Then, take it off & put it in a cast iron skillet and stick it in the oven for about 10 minutes on 450 degree heat…

Time & actual temperature can depend on thickness, so you need to experiment a little…

Anyway, that’s a “work-around” for getting a juicy “restaurant style” steak, if you only have propane at your disposal, and you like that combination of the marinade flavor, with a buttery semi rare interior…

BTW – I’m new to that idea so I’m still working on it…If there is anyone else around that has tried something similar, I’m all ears…

Obama Administration to Increase 10-Year Deficit Estimate to $9 Trillion

The 2010-2019 cumulative deficit projection replaces the administration’s previous estimate of $7.108 trillion

….OK…let’s see if I can get the math right….say we enter 2010 with a deficit of 13 Trillion. Add 9 Trillion by 2020. Stir well. That get the total deficit to 22 Trillion. @5%, 22 Trillion gets you 1.1 TRILLION with a T, payment of interest yearly.

…..Looks like we need more ink……

“that doesn’t sound like a WVaDOT worked project – sounds like a capitalist awarded contract …”

—

Well Greg…Whatever it “sounds” like, it LOOKS as what I described…

Furthermore, as you drive up to it (and your two hour traffic delay commences)… There is this huge sign on the side of the road that READS…

“Project Funded by the AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT”

That one is green…On top of it is an orange one that says “putting America to work” (with one of those roadsign guys sticking a shovel into the ground…It SHOULD say “Putting America to work eating sandwiches” (and the symbol should be someone stuffing their face)…

My favorite (or least, as the case may be), is the little “O” symbol on it…The one that recovery.gov uses…Someones way of reminding us of “his worshipfulness”, (being that we’re in our cars at the moment, and can’t get to a TV to see his sermon).

So unless it’s Oprah’s private capital feeding these guys lunch, or you Greg have something in mind that “sounds” even better, I’m inclined to go with my first instincts…I’ve had 4 weeks to cultivate the sentiment on a project that was supposed to take 4 days…

Note: I-340 encounters heavy traffic during the summer. It encounters hardly any during the winter. So these clowns have decided to shut down traffic during the the peak time in terms of commerce. I can’t wait to see them fix the potholes in Times Square on New Years Eve!