A Letter to the Democratic Party Regional Director

Portions of the Letter and several Names have been edited.

...

Now there are many People who are far smarter than I am and I have no Idea how Things have been worked out or are going to be worked out on this Budget Thing.  All I know, as they used to say, is what I read in the Papers.  And what I read is that there is going to be a super bloody Fight over the next Sixth Months about these Cuts, and then something about a Constitutional Amendment and on and on and on.

We, when I say we, President Obama and all of us who voted for him inherited Two Wars from President Bush and they were both funded outside of the Budget by Mr. Cheney and, I suppose, Mr. Bush must have signed off on it.  But these Expenditures are being continued and they are huge and I do not sense any Urgency about the Money being spent, or as one might put it, wasted, on this.  I doubt that The Department of Defense can afford to get three competitive Bids every time they have to airfreight Drinking Water to Afghanistan.  Yet, that Money is coming out of somewhere and somebody is getting rich, very rich out of it.  That is just an Example.  And that is a Lot of Money.

Someone just acquiesced when Mr. Bernanke spent, I am not sure how much, they say, $ 6 or 7 Hundred Billion; that sounds like a Lot of Money to me, on ‘Quantitative Easing’ and for the World of me, I never heard that Phrase when I went to College nor ever since.  I just wonder whether President Wilson is rolling in his Grave when he hears Mr. Bernanke talk like that, wondering what has become of his beloved Princeton University.

Equally, a Lot of People are concerned about the Things that Mr. Geithner is doing in Office, including the Fact that he is spending more Time, the Way one hears it, talking to Wall Street People and Bank People each Day, than talking with Government People and, just intuitively, that doesn’t sound right either.

I am sorry that President Obama appears, some say, manœvered by People like this, after all, these People are not Tea Party Republicans, they work for the President and we all pushed for an Agenda when working to elect the President and overcame nearly astronomical Odds in order to prevail.

Moreover, it is disingenuous for both Mr. and Mrs. Clinton to trumpet that they have balanced the Budget when they took all of the Entitlement Funds, that includes Medicare and Social Security and dumped them in the General Fund.  Even my Cat, had I had one, would have known how to balance the Budget that Way.

One should perhaps lament not having President Bush, not George W. Bush, that other President Bush, to come out and say a few Words today, as he did to President Reagan, when he called this Type of Behaviour that President Reagan wanted to institute and instituted ‘Voodoo Economics.’  But President Reagan succesfully managed to kick the Can forward and now we all have to deal with it.

To this, one should reflect, perhaps, that the Republican Party was the Party of Abraham Lincoln, a Man who towers as a Beacon in the Annals of History throughout the World as someone who stood for Justice and Equality and paid with his Life for it, yes, Abraham Lincoln and not Ronald Reagan, as some of our Republican Friends would have us believe today and that the Democratic Party, the oldest Political Party in America and one of the oldest Political Parties in the World is the Party of Thomas Jefferson, who found his Inspiration in the Jewish Philosopher Baruch Spinoza and his Writings about Ethics, yes, Thomas Jefferson and not Bill Clinton.

The Budget Impasse

While Congress and the White House are struggling with the Debt Ceiling, Taxes and Expenditures, with so many Accusations being thrown in every which Direction, this Writer makes a modest Suggestion for a new Approach:

Under this Approach:

- President Obama would stop by Presidential Decree (no Congressional Approval needed), all Military Expenditures outside of the United States, except those needed to protect Diplomatic Missions and Government Officials travelling Abroad

- President Obama would fire Mr. Bernancke and Mr. Geithner, without appointing any Replacements for them

- By Executive Order, President Obama would direct Attorney General Holder to investigate any Allegations of Fraud and Mismanagement in any Government Expenditure of over $ 1 Billion

- By Executive Order, All Appointed Government Officials who earn in Excess of $ 100.000,00, would be required to study the Writings of Thomas Jefferson and pass a Course Completion Exam, in order to maitain future Job Tenure.  Those wishing to be considered for Promotions, should also be required to take Courses on Kant and Spinoza.

- President Obama would request Mrs. Clinton to return to the Air Force the Jetliner made available exclusively for her Use; however, she would continue to be free to travel anywhere she wishes internationally, via Military or Commercial Flights.

- Mr. Carter, at the frail Age of 86, would be called out of Disgrace and respectfully requested to conduct a Course on Zero Base Budgeting to all Members of Congress who wish  to receive future White House Invitations.  Mr. Carter is without Doubt going to accept this Responsibility.  Which Members of Congress would choose to attend, remains to be seen.  Side Bets on such Things would be allowed.

- The White House may consider reminding both the Republican and Democratic Congressional Leadership, but especially the Republican Leadership, that the Father and Shining Beacon of the Republican Party was Abraham Lincoln and not Ronald Reagan, that Ronald Reagan, who succeeded President Carter was the First to allow the Federal Deficits to explode to this insane Level of Magnitude, in no small Part through Military Expenditures for Things which have never been used and will never be used and that it was a Republican Senator from Pekin, Illinois (not China), to whom the Saying is attributed:  '...a Billion Dollars here, a Billion Dollars there and pretty soon you are talking about real Money!...'*

- Then, President Obama would sit in The White House and await for both Mr. Boehner, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Kantor and whoever else might be on their Side, to fold their Tent.

- A Re-Election Celebration Committee made up entirely of Volunteers should also be set up, should this Strategy be implemented.

Upon the Tent being duly folded, President Obama would request Congress to implement the following Legislation:

- Eliminate Social Security and Medicare Tax Ceilings which, have been drastically lowered while People collect Millions of Dollars in Bonuses, Tax Free, while at the same Time, People earning under $ 100.000,00 have no such Benefit and, the Medicare and Social Security Funds are underfunded.  See, Spinoza, Kant and Jefferson.  This would also be a good Time to ask Mr. Clinton to explain himself, not that it would do any good, why he proposed the intermingling of these Funds with the General Budget, thus showing a Surplus, whereas had this not been done, there would have been no Surplus and possibly, irresponsible Expenditures in subesequent Years could have been avoided.

- Propose a Value Added Tax of a Percentage to be determined, on all Luxury Goods Purchases over $100.000,00. 

- Tax Unearned Income at a Different, higher Rate than Earned Income, as it was done previously and as everyone prospered under the System, did not have to deal with Mortgage Derivatives, Countrywide Bank of America, AIG, Goldman Sachs nor all of the Goldman Sachs Employees who have infiltrated the Government and who do not give a Hoot about Thomas Jefferson, Immanuel Kant or Baruch Spinoza.  As far as they are concerned, who the Hell did Baruch Spinoza think he was, anyway?



____________

* The Quote is attributed to, although disputed as to its exact Form to Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen, Republican, Illinois, 1896 - 1969.

Air France 23 New York to Paris on Saturday 14 May 2011 - First Class

The Sexual Charges stemming from the Arrest of Mr. Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who was, apparently, unceremoniously removed from the First Class Section of Air France just about as the Plane was about to pull away from the Departure Gate at JFK Airport, are something that the New York Authorities and Mr. Strauss-Kahn's Lawyer(s) are going to have to deal with.

As a Matter of Public Policy, however, some of the Questions arising from this Incident which this Writer has, are the Following:

§ As Head of the IMF and in charge of supervising, coordinating and solving financial Problems of immense Complexity with Public Funds, what was Mr. Strauss-Kahn doing flying Air France in First Class?



Would an Economy Class Ticket not have sufficed?  OK, OK, so maybe he was tired (tired?) and headed for a Business Meeting the following Day; would not a Business Class Ticket have sufficed?  Also, given that Mr. Strauss-Kahn was supposed to go and be at a Meeting in Germany, why would he have detoured via France and add to his Jet Lag?

§ What was Mr. Strauss-Kahn doing staying at the Sofitel Hotel in New York in a Suite for $ 3000.00 a Night?  Would the Holiday Inn not have sufficed?  Surely the Holiday Inn has a Business Centre.  OK, OK, so maybe the Sofitel Hotel has French Speaking Staff which would make Things more convenient for Mr. Strauss-Kahn, although he knows English well enough; but the Sofitel has Regular Rooms, too, which are not shabby by any Stretch of the Imagination and the Sofitel has a Business Centre, too and it must be every bit as good and then some when compared to the one at the Holiday Inn!

§ Who is responsible for approving Mr. Dominique Strauss-Kahn's Expense Account?

§ Are the poor People of Greece supposed to sustain and pay for this Level of Expenses?

§ Are the poor People of Portugal, Spain, Ireland and Iceland, not to mention from a few other Countries as well, supposed to sustain and pay for this Level of Expenses?

§ Is the Government of the United States, or for that matter, the Governments of other Countries as well, some of which are going through horrendous Financial Constraints, with possibly more to come, suspposed to sustain and pay for this Level of Expenses?

§ Is there room in the Public Sector for 'Caviar Socialism' even though most people won't dispute that the Caviar on Air France in First Class is, may we be permitted to say, no doubt 'First Class?'

§ Is this Kind of Level of Expenditures which is attrributable to Mr. Strauss-Kahn an Aberration, or sypmtomatic, or better said, epidemic, of numerous public, quasi-public, publicly funded and Tax sheltered so called 'Public or International Aid and/or Charitable Organisations?'

§ As a Footnote, the one Organisation which apparently needs not be put under Scrutiny, for this Kind of Behaviour is The Salvation Army.  According to the Information this Writer has (even though not confirmed), the Salvation Army, despite its reported US$ 14 Billion in Assets, has its People travel Economy Class.

Ask and Tell

Germany’s Junior Coalition Partner (Conservative, at that), is headed by Guido Westerwelle, a Homosexual (‘Gay’ in current 'Modern' or 'Politically Correct' Parlance) who has also recently gotten ‘married.’  Mr. Westerwelle is also, by German Political Tradition, Germany's Foreign Minister.  Although a Number of salacious Rumours and Episodes have surfaced from Time to Time about Mr. Westerwelle, he has managed to fend off most of them and has survived.

Westerwelles Zukunft Die Partei hat das Sagen
Redakteur Jens Kiffmeier, Berlin

Artikel vom 29.03.2011

Nach dem Wahldesaster richten die Medien über die politische Zukunft des FDP-Vorsitzenden – und degradieren die Parteimitglieder zum belanglosen Stimmvieh. Das ist nicht gut. Denn warum sollte man sich dann noch engagieren?

Well, the Junior Coalition Partner (FDP), which is an illustrious and highly intellectual Political Party with a long Tradition has gone down the Toilet in recent German local and regional Elections and, in the most recent ones, deeper down the Toilet than previously.  Mr. Westerwelle's Leadership of the FDP has been questioned before with a fairly high level of Intensity but this Time, the Criticism is relentless and furious; after all, the very survival of the Party is at stake.  Whether Mr. Westerwelle has to go, is no longer an 'if' Question but has become a 'when' Question.  Whether the Damage which the FDP has suffered, Mr. Westerwelle or not, is fatal is another Question which only the Future can and will answer.  Worse yet, this Morass might possibly draw the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel (i. e., Prime Minister, equivalent to U. S. President: Germany like a Number of other Countries has a ‘Ceremonial’ President), a highly respected Figure internationally, down the Toilet along with it.

It is, therefore, a legitimate Question, it would appear, to ask if some People in the Democratic Party of the United States are not paving the Way for the Republicans and the Tea Party Goers, with what some may describe as the Appeasement of Homosexuals that is going on, on Issues such as 'Repeal of Don't Ask, don't Tell,' or the furious Debate on the Issue of 'Homosexual Marriages' whatever that is supposed to mean.

Regrettably, it would seem, little is being written in the Press in the United States about what is going on in Germany with Mr. Westerwelle and the FDP.  It should be noted, there is a Constitutional Doctrine on 'Chilling Effect' which advances the Theory that sometimes Speech or Advocacy becomes supressed.  People are simply too scared to write about Things like this.

Equally regrettable, it would seem, is the Lack of Debate on some Issues, such as, for Example, the Theory that the State recognises Marriage and accords certain Benefits to Married Individuals, because, in Theory at least, Married Individuals have the Potential to provide a Benefit to the State.  'Married Individuals' of the same Sex are, by Biological Imperative, incapable of overcoming that Obstacle.

More important, perhaps, could be the Fact that the Progressive and forward thinking Objectives, Goals and Aspirations of the Democratic Party of the United States are being endangered and imperiled not just with the Preoccupation with this Issue, but also by the Fear of those who would want to look at the Issue from a critical Perspective, that they would be ostracised or castigated.

Dancing Elephants - Continued - The New York Times

Jeffrey R. Immelt? Ain't this the Fellow at GE with the Dancing Elephants who was chosen by The President to head the Council of Economic Advisers?

Now, Boys, shouldn't he also be given a Hefty Raise or be paid a Huge Bonus by GE? And, given the Expertise of John Samuels, who formerly worked for The Treasury and now works for GE, it should not be too difficult, if at all, to claim either Payment as an Expense Deduction for GE. No Social Security Withholding Taxes need to be paid to The Treasury for this, either, since the additional Compensation would be over the Threshhold. What the Heck! Give'm both the Raise and the Bonus! There would be no Adverse Impact on GE's Earnings if you do this, Boys; the Money will come from the U. S. Treasury! Oh, lest we forget; no Social Security Withholding Taxes to be taken from Mr. Immelt's Compensation for his 'Services' to the Government as an 'Economic Adviser.'

The earlier Reference to 'Dancing Elephants' in this Forum appears to be corroborated by the Article which appeared on 24 March 2011, in The New York Times (Link below). The New York Times also makes Reference to GE's Slogan in the 'Dancing Elephants' Ad: 'Imagination at Work!' NO KIDDING!!!

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/25/business/economy/25tax.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2

The Fundamentals of Voodoo Economics

The Financial Crisis continues to play out in Wisconsin and other Mid-Western States. The Standoff between Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and the Teacher's Union continues with no End in Sight. In Ohio, Governor John Kasich is also preparing for Battle with the Public Sector Unions. Iowa and other States appear to be ready to follow suit in not too long a Time. In New Jersey, Governor Chris Christie has already implemented major Financial Changes and Reforms and now has his Hands full denying that he would consider a Presidential Bid. Governor Christie has not yet invoked the Statement made by General William Tecumseh Sherman well over a Century Ago, 'I will not accept if nominated and will not serve if elected,' but we shall see.

It must also be said that with non Higher Education Student Performance Levels in a Dismal State throughout the Nation (see, 'Universities' elsewhere in this Forum) Teacher Salaries and Benefits should come under Scrutiny. Many Surveys indicate that Public Sector Workers are not only paid better but also have infinitely better Job Security when compared to Private Sector Workers. This Fact corrupts the Standing of Public Sector Workers as 'Civil Servants,' i. e., performing out of Dedication rather than Financial Benefits and Gain.

However, the Argument that balancing State Budgets can be done simply by this, without imposing an additional Tax Burden on Higher Income Brackets or, indeed, as done by Governor Walker, cutting Higher Income Taxes, qualifies for what Two Decades earlier President George Herbert W. Bush described as 'Vodoo Economics.'

At the Federal Level, we see a Course not all that different. 'Tea Party-ers' and many Republicans in the House are clamoring for various Cuts, much of it directed at Federal 'Entitlement' Programs and, some, attempting to reduce waste. However, all this cutting, if combined with continued uncontrolled Expenditures in Afghanistan and Iraq is totally useless. The Federal Budget consists of 3 Major Line Items: Social Programs, Military Expenditures and Interest on the Federal Debt, which add up to about 90% of what the Federal Government spends. So, even if everything else were to be eliminated completely, which, realistically it cannot, that would only add up to 10%.

In this Context, the Republican Argument that the Federal Budget can be brought under control, with these enormous Burdens, while reducing Higher Income Personal Tax Levels is, again, nothing less than what President Bush described as 'Voodoo Economics.'

Where the Republican Counter Argument that cutting Higher Income Tax Brackets 'creates Jobs' has germinated from is, to this Writer, a Mystery. There is no Evidence to show that the Billions doled out to Banks and Financial Institutions, or the 'Quantitative Easing' Cash have created any significant Number of Jobs, actually, rather, the Contrary Argument seems to be more persuasive, that they have not. To use a Cliché, the Obscene Bonuses on Wall Street have not created any Jobs.

The Challenges to balancing the Federal Budget (and, by Implication, States need to follow a similar Course in their Affairs) are:

If the War in Afghanistan (or in Iraq, or anywhere else) is necessary, fund first, fight later. Do not do what President George W. Bush did, fight first and let somebody else worry about the Funding by kicking the Can forward.

If the Social Programs have merit, fund and do not divert Funds to other Expenditures, as it was done previously with Social Security.

To cover the Federal Debt Interest Payments, one of the largest Items in the Federal Budget, obtain Funding, not by increasing the Debt Ceiling and cutting Taxes which are Voodoo Economics at its most sublime, but by assuring a Progressive Level of Taxation which covers them and, at the same Time, pray and pray hard, that somehow Mr. Bernancke will be succesful in keeping the Interest Rates low because, if he fails doing that, the Interest Payment Portion of the Federal Budget would explode.

And the Fundamentals of Voodoo Economics would not apply, should that happen.

From 'Quantitative Easing' to Wisconsin

As the Teachers' Protests continue in Wisconsin, the Tea Partiers march into Madison. So far, Governor Scott Walker has dug in his Heels and Democratic Legislators in Wisconsin have taken 'Refuge' out of State; thus, by depriving the State Legislature of a Quorum, they have, in Effect, dug in their Heels too, Toe to Toe with the Governor. Some Observers have gone so far as to proclaim Madison the Epicentre of the Financial Crises sweeping, some say, as many as 45 out of 50 States.

The Issues, however, may be too systemic to merit a simple Explanation. On the Side of the Governor, is not only the Argument that the Wisconsin State Budget needs to be balanced but that generous Teacher (and other Public Sector) Salaries and Benefits, not only in Wisconsin but elsewhere as well, have corrupted the Meaning of the Phrase 'Public Servants' so much more so when taking into Account inadequate Public Education Test Scores (see Justice Souter's Comments elsewhere in this Forum). This, at a Time when those who earn their Living in the Private Sector are having to make do on comparatively less, or much less or nothing at all.

In this Case, however, it may be helpful to take a Look at New York City, the Financial Epicentre of the United States and the World, where the Problem may be into somewhat clearer Focus.

5000 Teachers in New York City are not only in Danger of losing their generous Salaries and Benefits but their Jobs altogether. New York City is just flat out of Money and its Revenue Outlook is bleak. The Inequity comes more sharply into Focus there, when paragonating the Situation against the obscene Bonus Earnings continuing to be paid to various Echelons on Wall Street. Some may still remember the huge Bonuses that were paid on Wall Street at a Time when several Institutions on Wall Street which paid those very same Bonuses were 'Bailed Out' by the Federal Government. All but forgotten has been the Proposal to institute a 90% Federal Income Tax on those Bonuses paid by Institutions which had received (whether paid back or not) Federal Bailout Money.

Such horrific budgetary Straits at the State and City Level in New York, Wisconsin and elsewhere, not to mention the Federal Deficit Dilemma which has yet to be dealt with, continue against a Backdrop of a Policy of 'Quantitative Easing' being pursued by the Federal Reserve Bank through its most ardent Proponent, Mr. Bernancke.

Just where precisely all this Money is flowing remains a Mystery. However, with Teachers demonstrating in the Capitol Building in Madison, the Tea Partiers marching on them, 5,000 Teachers in New York about to march to the Unemployment Office while Stock Market Averages are catapulting to New Highs, that Question seems to merit being looked into and soon.

Lady Ga Ga...Wait, wait my Dear Lady...

Now that Lady Ga Ga has proclaimed herself to be the Best Singer we can all take a Sigh of Relief. The Long Standing Question has definitively been answered. The Deck can be cleared of Madonna, Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, to mention just a Few. Actually, this Writer had thought that the 'Artistic Concept' of Dynamic Boobies had been brought into Vogue by Madonna and that the Original Concept, complete with Whirling Tassels had perhaps belonged to someone named 'Blaze Starr' of Burlesque Theatre Fame.

But, or course, all this was a long, long Time ago. On the other hand, it must be said, the Name 'Ga Ga' has an original Scent of an-Alphabetismus to it; or perhaps, one could even move the Hyphen from the First to the Second Syllable and thus let the Phabetismus bring almost everything else into Synch.

Unless...one happens to run across something from over a Century and a Half Ago, where two Voices can be heard singing over and over again, 'Ga-Ga, Ga-Ga,' or something very close to it.

Oh, my Dear...or are they saying, 'Oh my Dear Lady' before 'Ga-Ga, Ga-Ga?'

Uncharted Waters

One Week after Mubarak's Departure from Cairo to the Sea Side Resort of Sharm el Sheikh, the Demonstrations in Tahrir Square and elsewhere in Egypt continue unabated. Strikes abound. The Egyptian Economy is in Ruins. Sketchy Reports notwithstanding, only the Ancient Egyptian Deities know for sure just how much Damage has been done and how much has disappeared from the Cairo Antiquities Museum just like a few Years earlier, irreplaceable Artifacts of the Messopotamian Æra had disappeared from Baghdad, never to be found again or, in any Case, not for a long, long Time. It is difficult to envision what the Future holds for Egypt.

Additionally, the Proponents of the Domino Theory appear to have gained further supporting Arguments. Earlier, Unrest had spread to Jordan and the Palestinian Territories. Now, fullblown Unrest appears to be underway in Libya, Bahrain, to a lesser Extent in Iran and even in Morroco, which had been considered to be 'Moderate' or 'Safe.' Yemen, where an increasing Number of Terrorists have taken refuge, is on the Edge of exploding. In Libya, Demonstrators are being mowed down with Machine Guns and some Reports indicate that Benghazi, Libya's Second Largest City, has fallen.

Most of us may not have even known where exactly Bahrain is; thus, we may be surprised if we were to find out that the tiny Oil Producing Island is only 200 Miles or so from Riyadh, the Capital of Saudi Arabia and that, unfortunately, there is actually a Bridge connecting Bahrain to the Arabian Peninsula Mainland; the Road leads straight to Riyadh.

After earlier offering to supply the now failed Mubarak Regime any U. S. Military and other Aid which Egypt may have lost from the United States, now the Silence from Saudi Arabia regarding the spreading Unrest is deafening. No less deafening is the Silence from Mrs. Clinton, who earlier all but pulled the Oriental Rug from under Mubarak.

As this Writer earlier noted, in the Days preceding Mubarak's Fall, Wall Street minimised Egypt's Importance to the Turmoil in the Mid-East, Suez Canal and all. Now, while North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, which together produce an indispensable Proportion of the World Oil Supplies, are experiencing Seismic Challenges to Stability, Wall Street appears to be 'concerned' with Wal-Mart Earnings.

This Forum previously suggested that the Linkage between The Fed's Policy of 'Quantitative Easing' and the Flow of Capital into Wall Street needed to be examined. It would seem to make Common Sense, at a Time when the Federal Government is being confronted with Massive Deficits and how to manage them, that Congress look into 'Quantitative Easing' and establish if this massive Outflow of Federal Funds, which Mr. Bernancke, an Economist and a distinguished one at that, found a Way to 'spend' without having it appear on the Books as a Deficit and without the Need of Congressional Approval, is flowing to re-energise the Economy or to re-energise Wall Street.

If President Reagan's Theories of 'Trickle Down Economics' are being adopted by Mr. Bernancke, having forgotten that President George Herbert W. Bush had described them as 'Vodoo Economics,' perhaps we can at least remember an Observation attributed to another Distinguished Republican, who was quoted to have said: 'A Million Dollars here, a Million Dollars there and pretty soon you are talking about Real Money!' However, we would now have to correct the Late and nearly forgotten Senate Minority Leader Everett McKinley Dirksen and add 3 Zeroes at the End of his Numbers. After all, we are talking about Billions here, 600 of them, and more, if 'needed,' according to Mr. Bernancke.

Dancing Elephants

Jeffrey R. Immelt is the Chairman of GE. He succeeded the legendary Jack Welch, who opened new, unprecedented Visions for GE; to this Day, Mr. Welch remains a deeply respected Figure both inside and outside of the Business Community. Just recently, Mr. Immelt was also selected by The White House to head The Economy Advisory Panel, previously headed by Paul A. Volcker, a towering Figure who had steered the Fed during very, very troublesome Waters more than a Quarter of a Century ago. Earlier, Mr. Volcker, a crusty, No Nonsense Individual, had been fired by President Reagan because, among other Reasons, he had not been an avid enough 'Deregulator' and we all know what 'avid Deregulation' has brought the Economy to.

Mr. Immelt's Company, on the other hand, is fast becoming known as the Company which is bringing to us Entertainment in the Form of TV Ads featuring Dancing Animated Elephants, People dressed in funny Costumes who, instead of working, are dancing and singing on GE Factory Floors and, just now, a 500 Million Dollar GE Capital Loan to Borders Book Stores, which has just filed for Chapter 11.

One could well wonder, what Ideas Mr. Immelt is going to be suggesting to President Obama but Things like Dancing Animated Elephants are not likely to be of much use.

Duel - Obama v. Clinton Teil 2 - Part Two - Deuxième Act

One little Item went nearly unnoticed over the News Wires a few Days ago; Mrs. Clinton said, she would not (Emphasis added) commit to serving as Secretary of State in a Second Obama Administration. For that, obviously, the Implication is that Mr. Obama would be re-elected for a Second Term but, the Implication also is that Mr. Obama would be re-nominated by the Democratic Party for a Second Term; an almost universally shared Assumption. However, one should not assume that almost universally shared means that Mrs. Clinton shares in that Universe. Not too long ago, Mrs. Clinton had also stated in various Interviews that she loves her Job as Secretary of State, that it is such a great Job and that it gives the Opportunity to deal with so many Challenges on the World Stage.

Last Weekend, The New York Times broke with the Story regarding the Rift between 'The White House' and 'The State Department' (on the Issue of the Transition in Egypt, with Mubarak staying Short Term or Longer Term) which, translated into English means, the Rift between President Obama and Mrs. Clinton. There have also been Suggestions that the Leak(s) regarding the Rift came from The White House, which, if true, would absolve Mrs. Clinton of any Attempts to undermine the Authority of the President. Only The New York Times knows that for sure. However, before going too far inside that Suggestion, it might be useful to make a few Observations.

When the Demonstrations in Egypt broke out, the First Hawkish Statements came from Mrs. Clinton herself. In her inimitable Albrightesque-Cojonesque Style, Mrs. Clinton declared, with a menacing Voice, that the Leaders of Egypt (i. e., Mubarak) have no Choice but to listen to the Voices being raised in Tahrir Square. The White House bought into the Argument and, as the Demonstrations proceeded and gained Intensity, Mr. Obama came out on Television and through Statements issued by The White House and his Press Secretary, for a Rapid Transition in Egypt, accusing Mr. Mubarak of not moving fast enough, which of course he was not.

When, for all Intents and Purposes, Mubarak's Fate had been sealed, then the State Department became engaged into an Effort of lobbying for a Longer Transition, with Mubarak continuing to play a Role. That, in Effect, as we say, pulled the Rug from under the White House Statements, or, as I think somebody said way back during the Nixon Administration, left the White House 'twist slowly in the Wind,' without full, active and unqualified Support from The State Department.

Thus, one may ask the Question: 'Why?' One possible Answer is that Mrs. Clinton may be eyeing 2012. Many think that Mrs. Clinton would not attempt such a Thing until 2016. However, Politics today seem to dictate, 'Sooner is better than later,' in every Circumstance except when it comes to Budget Cuts and raising Taxes. Additionally, many of us, including Mrs. Clinton, could not help but notice the meteoric Rise of Sarah Palin who has literally come out of nowhere and who, many think, is going to make a Run for the White House, no matter what. Virgil said, 'Audentes Fortuna juvat.' With a little Bit of Luck, there may even be some Palin v. Bachmann Republican Primaries or even Palin v. Nikki Haley Primaries, in the South. Most astute Observers think that Palin is not very likely to be nominated by the Republican Party and, if she were, she would lose badly against President Obama or, any other possible Democratic Nominees and there aren't that many other 'possible Democratic Nominees' except, of course, for Mrs. Clinton. However, the very Fact of a Palin Candidacy in the Primaries, would raise the Awareness for a Woman Presidential Candidate.

For Mrs. Clinton to make another Run for the Democratic Nomination, the Stars would have to line up not just right, they would have to be perfectly lined up. That would mean, for the Budget, Deficit and Economy Issues to continue to run South; those, Mrs. Clinton knows she has no control over; they are on Automatic Pilot but the Automatic Pilot is steering a Course favourable to Mrs. Clinton; so, a few Foreign Policy Misalignments would not hurt.

Mrs. Clinton received a Total of 18 Million Votes in the last Series of Presidential Primaries; that is a formidable Achievement, particularly because she ran against a formidable Opponent and this Time, if it were that even the Possibility arose, that the First Woman President of the United States could be elected, the prevailing Wisdom would very likely be: No! Not Nikki Haley, not Michelle Bachmann and Heaven forbid Sarah Palin; Clinton!

And President Clinton would no longer have to go to the Pulpit in a Black Church and have to ponder outloud, how to solve the Dilemma of an 'Abundance of Riches' when it comes to making up his Mind regarding who would be the best Presidential Candidate this Time; there would now be only one logical Choice.

Nicollò Macchiavelli's Book, 'Il Principe' may have finally come to deserve a Sequel...'La Principessa.'

A Message for Valentine's Day

Today is Valentine’s Day and all the Inspiration that it can be for what it represents for Joyfulness, Tranquility, Sincerity and Love.

There is a huge Commercial Hoopla which surrounds this Day. Actually, the real Meaning of Valentine’s Day comes from St. Valentine, who happens to have been a Christian Saint. The Name Valentine means Strength or Courage, as in 'Valour' and it is associated with Strength of Love, not with cheesy Lovemaking. More interestingly, the Word also means Value, or Worth. The Name ‘Valentinus’ was derived from the Word Valens/Valentis (Value, Worth – as in, for Example, Equi-Valent – same Value/Worth – intentionally hyphenated here). Whatever Meaning one chooses to put in it, is, for each, his or her own Business. However, even when letting Imagination, trivial Romanticism or Commercialism, anything from Chocolates, to Flowers and beyond, extending as far as Diamonds, run unbridled, perhaps one should set back and ponder for a Moment that Valentine stands for Strength and Courage for one’s own Beliefs (Values). It can, it should therefore, it can be said, also represent the Strength and Courage needed for Love, when one loves another or is in love.

Egypt - Nothing to worry about?

It has become clearer and clearer in the last few Days that Mubarak's Departure is imminent. Whether he leaves Today, or Tomorrow or the Next Day, those are the only Things which various Observers and others are debating or seeking to influence. It is also evident, at least to some of us that Egypt is entering Uncharted Waters. Nobody really knows, even if they claim to know, just what a Future Egypt will look like, next Month or next Year.

It is interesting in this Context that numerous Financial Analysts dismiss the Turmoil in Egypt and describe it as being inconsequential, in Terms of the Effect in might have on International Trade and thus, the World Economy. Various Arguments are submitted in support of this Thesis: The Egyptian Economy is very small, Egyptian Trade with the West is limited, there are no huge Egyptian Mega Banks. Thus, the World Stock Markets have continued unaffected, indeed, generally advancing, totally dismissing the unfolding Turmoil in Egypt.

One wonders how many of these Analysts have taken into Consideration the Suez Canal. Acts of Sabotage have been reported both in the Canal Zone and the Suez Pipeline, which is adjacent to it. To the Extent that the Political Instability in Egypt might influence the Safe Operation or, indeed, the very Operation of the Suez Canal, some of these very same Financial Analysts would do well to take notice that the Suez Canal carries, according to some Estimates, nearly 10% of the World Shipping and a very large Proportion of the Oil produced in the Arabian Peninsula. When the Suez Canal had to be closed as a result of the 1967 War, it remained closed for 8 Years; the Consequences on World Trade, particularly Oil Trade were enormous.

The other Danger, which these Financial Analysts appear to ignore and pay no Attention to or indeed, even discuss, is the much spoken 'Domino Effect' which transferred from Tunisia to Egypt and may be headed elsewhere, to places such as Jordan or Yemen. While neither Jordan or Yemen are Oil Exporting Nations, the simple Likelihood of Instability, however slight, in the Arabian Peninsula Region is something which perhaps should not be too easily dismissed. Finally, nothing is known about what Effects all this may or may not be having on Saudi Arabia, a Giant Oil Producer and also a Country where, according to some Reports, a certain Form of Slavery is still legal.

The Question behind this Article is to ask what Kind of Logic is driving the Positive Outlook of the Stock Market Averages, in view of this Onslaught of very worrying News. The underlying Question to that Question is, that if one assumes the Obvious, that Financial Markets can only be driven by Money, i. e., more Money flowing in than flowing out, then to what Extent the Policy of the Fed's 'Quantitative Easing' is fueling all this. It has been noted many, many Times before; Markets only go up when more Money flows in than flows out; that particular Law of Mathematics has not yet been repealed.

This should bring us down to taking a Look at some other Fundamentals: Jobs, Housing/Mortgages and Health Care. Mr. Bernanke testified before Congress on 9 February and spoke about the Dangers of the horrendous Federal Deficits but seemed to be little concerned about 'Quantitative Easing' which, although it carries a different Mathematical Symbol than the Federal Deficits before the Numerals, it has the same Effect as Deficit Spending, meaning, Cash Out. It would be useful to know, it would seem, therefore, just how much of this 'Quantitative Easing' Cash Out is finding its Way into Financial Markets, whether managed or coincidental and what the overall Effect on the Economy that would produce, if indeed that is the Case.

'Universities'

Most of us have an eMail Account of one Sort of another and, as Time goes by, our eMails get 'mined,' sorted, given away, sold and eventually used by eMailing Lists of all Sorts. One of the more Interesting Classes of Lists that is out there are the Lists used by 'Universities.' Let's flash back for a Moment. Traditionally in the United States we have had Public Universities and Colleges as well as Privately Endowed Universities and Colleges. 'Public' meant owned and financed by the State, ´Private,' meant, 'Privately Endowed' by a Founder, Charity, Institution or a Combination of these and similar Entities. To that, a more recent Development has been the 'Junior College' System which, some us understood to be a 'Bridge' for Underprivileged or Underachievers to eventually reach a College or University. There are also a few Special Situation Institutes of Higher Education. What one normally did not associate with a 'College' or 'University' was a Private, for Profit Business, similar to a Factory, Insurance Company, Advertising Firm, etc., a Business of any Type. Yet, if one looks under the Core of some of the 'Colleges' and 'Universities' which actively and aggressively recruit Students, through Advertising and on Line, with Names like de Vry, Strayer, University of Phoenix and many others, that's what they all seem to be, Businesses. One wonders how much the Federal Student Loan Program has contributed to the Development of such Business and just what the overall Benefit they render to Society is.

It might be good to keep in Mind a very interesting Observation which was recently made by former retired U. S. Supreme Court Justice Souter, speaking at a Symposium at Yale University. Citing a Study that he had read, he noted that, on average, the Academic Level of a High School Graduate in the 1990's was about the same as the Academic Level of a High School Dropout in the 1940's. He also noted, again, citing the same Study, that the Academic Level of a College Graduate in the 1990's was about the same as the Academic Level of a High School Graduate in the 1940's. What Justice Souter did not mention is the Fact that in the 1940's, it did not cost $25.000,00 a Year to get a High School Diploma.

Saturday's Matinée Performance at The Met - La Traviata

Over the years, 'La Traviata' (Music by Giuseppe Verdi, Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave) has been the most performed Opera by The Met. Thus, The Met has a rich Hertiage to uphold, every time it stages this performance. Sad to say, Sunday's Matinée Performance, described in such glowing terms by Margaret Junkwait and Ira Siff, fell far, far short of such standards. Not that the singers were not good. They were. Poplavskaya can sing Violetta well and the conducting by Noseda certainly showed a thorough understanding of the Score. But the presentation of the Willy Decker production, with Act 2, 3 and 4 all compressed into a non-stop/'let's get this over with' tempo left the listener uninspired by the deep emotion and meaning that Verdi or, for that matter, Alexandre Dumas fils had in mind. Perhaps one should remind The Met, if anyone is 'listening' that less is more can sometimes be deceiving and that sticking to basics may not be, after all, 'passée.'