Friday, May 28, 2010

Why does intelligence create dumb actions?

I returned from Nevada after spending a week helping my mom, who moved back from Maine, get situated at my sister's. I didn't use the internet for over a week and I was surprised to realize that I didn't miss it. Spending this time in the desert showed me how much of my focus is using the computer. I am rethinking my life in that context to see if it serves me.

A subject I have found fascinating throughout history and today is how individuals disrupt their lives over the most unintelligent actions. Today, the story was released that the president's head guy talked to the former democratic president, Bill Clinton, to persuade a congressman to drop out of a race and allow the other runner to win the primary. A high-level position was offered in exchange. Whether it was paid or unpaid is in question. Actions like this can topple a president. What I find striking is that they asked someone who was impeached for his own behavior. What is it that breaks free from the unconscious to change a person's life overnight? We all experience things out-of-the-blue, many which may be viewed as negative. It is more apparent with someone in public office.

This appearance of manipulation under the guise of 'politics' gives me an uneasy feeling, especially when I see that those in high office are ethically challenged. I think the Universe is pointing to a change that has originated with a couple individuals here for the rest of us to learn from. The quote, "absolute power corrupts" shows that people who act in this manner have convinced themselves that they are above it all. What catches up with them is the impartial justice of the Universe that is created by the actions of the individual.

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Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Coming to Terms with World Debt

The rescue of Greece provides a bailout for all the banks who have given that country credit. The U.S. is supplying billions also through the IMF fund. It is not as transparent as the rescue of the U.S. banks. There is no one in the driver's seat putting on the brakes to the growth of exponential debt here and worldwide. This will reach critical mass and then we will respond to the crisis in a reactionary way. We shall all participate in some form. It is unfortunate that we only act when force to instead of a creating an organized plan that can be executed to minimize the losses to humanity.

Fannie and Freddie need another $19B because of the toxic mortgages they continue to take from the banks at a loss. This is a reflection of the state of housing, along with the foreclosures and bank failures that continue without precedence. Standing back, it seems like every action the government takes with money is to keep the banks buoyant, regardless of the price to pay.

The past determines the present, and the present determines the future. History does repeat itself because no one stands up ready to face the truth and act accordingly.

Please be sure and vote your conscience. We who are classified as 'baby boomers' are responsible for what is passed down to our children and grandchildren. Each of us need to use that understanding to empower ourself into action.

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Friday, May 7, 2010

Debt Bubble Burst - It has begun.

The fall yesterday is reminiscent of what I experienced in 1987 when the market dropped 23%. I was fully invested, including on margin. The difference now is that it bounced back 2/3s the same day. What was missing yesterday was the market being put on hold, for a breather. This mechanism was set up as a result of what happened in 1987. Look at yesterday as a big earthquake and now there will be unpredictable tremors.

The stock market is so complex now with computers controlling 70% of the trades. There is no one behind the wheel. It's a collective setup that once in motion seems unable to be contained. For those of us individual investors, we must discipline ourselves to act opposite of the crowd. To do this, we must know our emotional selves well, so we do not blindly join the wave of self-destruction. I believe that we should be knowledgeable of what we are investing in even if we are paying an 'expert' to do it for us.

Europe is dancing on a financial tightrope as evidenced by the plunge of the euro, the equivalent of our dollar. What concerns me is the citizens of Greece are willing to force their country into bankruptcy rather than sacrifice anything for the benefit of the whole. I wonder if the government has the strength and determination to enforce the austerity programs that will be required to stem its debt burden.

Step back and look at the world. Notice all the uncertainty created by sudden changes, including those from Mother Nature; the latest being the worst flooding on record in Tennessee. We are in an energy of flux because we have reached critical mass and change will be the result of that. This is how the Universe works. We can act in fear or use this time to clean ourselves within so we can see the benefit of why it is necessary. It is heartening to see the grass roots efforts becoming more influential in directing our government; the latest being the reverberation from passing the Arizona illegal immigrant law. Change is all around us and we do have power in directing this energy as can be seen. We can change the federal government's priorities through our expression. As for Mother Nature, we can accept that she is a great teacher and does not discriminate against anyone. From her, we have the opportunity to learn what really is important. And it is not money and things.

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