Have you seen this?

[Charles]

Well, I didn't watch the whole thing, but I already know where it's headed.

The Federal Reserve probably is unconstitutional, but what ain't? And it wouldn't be the first time we've had a central bank, or the first time one of them has been shut down. Inflation probably has destroyed 95% of the dollars purchasing power, but the only way that anyone has been hurt by that is if they buried their currency in fruit jars. Gold is a commodity, and it appears to me that it is way oversold at the moment. For one, there isn't that much gold, people are buying paper gold. And the price will most likely collapse once again.

Probably, the basic premise of this piece (like I said I didn't watch the whole thing) is that the system is rotten to the core. And if I'm correct on my assumption, I would tend to agree.

But it's the only rotten game in town. The dollar, or even gold, is backed only by the faith that it has some value. And while faith may not be one of my strong points, I only HOPE that everyone else has plenty of FAITH.

If not, we're all gonna be in a world of hurt.

Chas

[BlueStreak]

Jesus Christ.

Like the panel discussion I watched on Fox last night.....would someone please just hand these assholes a box of razor-blades?

Is the dollar declining? Yep.
Should I buy gold? F**k no. The price of gold is so artificially inflated right now.........
The only people making money in the transaction would be the people who are selling it.
Probably the guys in this video.

Dave

[MikeCh]

I had about the same reaction as many of you.....but it did make me wonder a little.

Perhaps I should have asked this question instead:

Are you concerned about inflation-issues given what is happening within our elected/appointed "leaders' " control?

[BlueStreak]

Yes, but I am also concerned about the devaluation of work. For the first time in years---I got no COLA increase, no bonus, and even more transfer of benefit costs to me and my fellow employees through deduction and co-pays. We're getting burned at both ends. Still, I realize I'm fortunate to still have a job. Knowing that keeps me going.

Dave

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by MikeCh

I had about the same reaction as many of you.....but it did make me wonder a little.

Perhaps I should have asked this question instead:

Are you concerned about inflation-issues given what is happening within our elected/appointed "leaders' " control?

I am concerned about inflation yes given that the government was forced to pump so much money into the economy to keep it from failing. The most alarming aspect of all of this is that no one is being prosecuted for there illegal actions and instead we are still paying bonuses to the same thieves that did this.

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

Yes, but I am also concerned about the devaluation of work. For the first time in years---I got no COLA increase, no bonus, and even more transfer of benefit costs to me and my fellow employees through deduction and co-pays. We're getting burned at both ends. Still, I realize I'm fortunate to still have a job. Knowing that keeps me going.

Dave

Yes you are. My cousin just lost his job after 25 years. Not sure if any pension is left either.
It's a terrible catch 22. You need unions to insure a living wage yet if you pay a living wage you cannot keep your costs competitive.
Yeah all you loud mouth folks on the right explain why this is good.

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by noonereal

Yes you are. My cousin just lost his job after 25 years. Not sure if any pension is left either.
It's a terrible catch 22. You need unions to insure a living wage yet if you pay a living wage you cannot keep your costs competitive.

Can you say tarriffs? Why do we need to compete with slave labor in China, or workers in India. Have you called customer service lately? You get this veddy nice lady in Bangalore who has all your creditd info at her fingertips and you worry about identity theft? It isn't theft when they give it away, or is it?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by MikeCh

I had about the same reaction as many of you.....but it did make me wonder a little.

Perhaps I should have asked this question instead:

Are you concerned about inflation-issues given what is happening within our elected/appointed "leaders' " control?

What happens when a bubble pops...it deflates.

I think that deflation is more of a concern at the moment. Helicopter Ben said something to the effect that deflation was not a problem, and he would drop money out of helicopters if necessary...which is precisely what they are doing.

Long term, I would expect to see inflation. For one, we have a history of inflation, and for another, how else will we ever get a handle on the national debt? Not that it is meant to be paid.

But what do I know? A few years ago, the "smart money" guys were saying that only a fool would pay off their house. Make the minimum payments and invest the rest of your money as you would realize bigger returns on your investments than what the interest rates on your mortgage were.

Thank God I didn't listen to them. And I ain't buying paper gold either.

Chas

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by merrylander

Can you say tarriffs? Why do we need to compete with slave labor in China, or workers in India. Have you called customer service lately? You get this veddy nice lady in Bangalore who has all your creditd info at her fingertips and you worry about identity theft? It isn't theft when they give it away, or is it?

It's not that simple.
In my cousins case the firm was effectively no longer competitive not because of foreign competition but because of cheaper non unionized competition.

[BlueStreak]

And in time the non-union people lose their jobs because it can be done cheaper yet in other countries. Then our politicians, at the behest of business owners and corporate executives, turn around and tell us that the only way to bring work back into this country is to be even cheaper than the foreigners. And the wing-nuts cheer because Rush has old them American workers are "Lazy and Overpaid", and they say, "See, Rush was right! We are lazy and overpaid, haha! Dittos, Rush! Fuck the American worker!"
Disregarding the fact that they are American workers themselves, of course.


This is whay I always say, "Go ahead, Skippy. Be the first to work harder for less money than a Chinaman. Show us the way, Bud." When I hear this stupidity.

Dave