Change

Change is everywhere and more noticeable when it is not judged as good or bad. The establishment is showing its resistance as the final elections completed yesterday. What is reassuring is that the resistant energy is not strong enough to stop the change that is necessary, especially in our government. Ignorance, inexperience, and ineptness cannot stop it. Collectively, I think we have caught on that this country is in the hands of all of us; the individual, the average citizen. The incumbent of each party needs to go.

I enjoy looking at the details, at the root level to estimate how much longer this country and the world will continue to contend with more than a recession. That is why I focus on foreclosures and watch to see what is being done with Fannie and Freddie; two companies run by the government now that is a trough for most of the mortgages, and that have unlimited funding provided by the taxpayer. They are so big that there is concern that any change with how they are doing business would cause a major negative impact to the housing industry. What I see is no change in their direction and this feeds on itself. When homeowners are under water, they stop spending and begin looking at walking away. When they are behind in mortgage payments, they stop spending on other things, that which this country counts on to have a healthy economy. This kind of uncertainty leads to saving verses spending. Without strong leadership in this arena, I see the economy staying the course like it is for another two years. And I see banks having to go through another round of solvency review as the mortgages continue on the same path.

Is there any part of your life that is continuing on a path that you would like to alter, yet have chosen not to yet? Take a look at the health of the roots of your life and see if there is a step to take outside the normal groove. Individual change contributes to collective change that is reflected in our government and the world's too. Today, we have a birds eye view of the outer world and it points to the roots in each of us.

Big Bang

Did you hear about the successful experiment  on the Swiss border simulating how the universe was created called the 'Big Bang?'  It was a few days later when this energy hit our financial markets with Lehman going under and Merrill Lynch being rescued.  There is a ripple effect continuing to affect other banking and insurance companies.  The big ones are known, yet there are more in the subcurrents soon to surface.  I thought the U.S. stock market did well, absorbing the shock of the downfall of these institutions.  I was caught in the October 1987 crash , using margin, when the market lost 22% in one day.  Given only a 500 point drop, about 3%, all the hysteria, fear, and uncertainty, was quite contained.  So far resiliency seems strong. Yet the human condition is to act in emotional ways, so tomorrow may tell a different tale.

I look at life and reality using symbols to find the meaning or purpose to the experience or event.  And I am looking at the deterioration and failure of our big and mature financial companies to see what the big picture is.  We are overdue for a 'fall' given the republic has been around for over 200 years.  The last few years has been one of single focus on accumulation of money, real estate; all in the material arena.  It seems that the pendulum is swinging in the other direction now, taking away the material attachments.  Even Mother Nature is contributing to this through hurricanes.  Events seem to be running in parallel with each other, pointing in the same direction.  Perhaps it's time to shift life's perspective back to what is important; people and relationships.  When all the material is gone in one sudden change, what is left are those we care about.  Given what is happening at this time in evolution, we are out of balance.  It has reached a critical mass and change is being reflected in all aspects of our lives in a big way.