Bailout Fever

Go Hank!

The bailout.  Love it or hate it, it's likely going to happen my friends.  Ok, so now we live in a socialist country.  Washington, Adams, Jefferson, etc. probably didn't have this in mind but hey what did those guys know about sub-prime mortgages and credit default swaps?  

They also couldn't have possible predicted the over indulgent masses coveting the newest furniture scheme at Crate & Barrel or traveling to Europe on a Discover Card that has an interest rate that the most egregious loan shark wouldn't charge (Hey! But I get cash back!).  

So now, our duly elected representatives in DC have worked all weekend and hammered out a plan.  WHEW!  You know, in times of crisis it's good to know that these people, who failed to warn us about the impending doom, are more than happy to buy up a bunch of worthless assets to help these poor unfortunate banks.

Everybody talks how we need to turn the economy around.  Why?  So that people will continue spending money they don't have on things they don't really need?  That sounds like a great idea.  We've only got a handful of banks left.  Let's try and bring them down too.

$27 Gas?

Sort of...

Ok, so gas is expensive, that's pretty obvious. What's not so obvious is why it is so expensive. Petroleum, you say? Ok, that's pretty obvious too but why is oil so expensive? It's anybody's guess. Some say it's because of China and India's unquenchable demand and others say it's speculators (i.e. futures traders) pumping up the price. Maybe it's a combination of the two.

Then again, maybe it's due to the hot air coming out of Bill O'Reilly and Keith Olbermann. The point is, no one really knows. Oh sure, people say they know but there's just as many people arguing against that particular point of view (whatever it may be).

What's the point of all this you ask? Should we all pick a date on the calendar and refuse to buy gas on that day in order to bring the mighty oil companies to their knees?

SIDENOTE: If anyone reading thinks that this is a good idea, please explain to me how this will work.

The only thing we can do is consume less. Is this going to do anything to the price of gas? Probably not but at least it will ease our individual pain a little bit. Buy a bike, take the bus (whenever reasonable), walk, carpool. I don't know but do something besides complain about it. "Gas is so expensive". You think so? Buckle your seatbelts. Hopefully in a hybrid...

I'm continuing with the jokes until I run into major resistence:

What did one casket say to the other casket?

Is that you coffin?

Perfect Timing!

Irony is funny.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/12/hoping-the-swedish-meatballs-hold-out-in-red-hook/index.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Temptation and Ikea

I am going to resist the urge to talk about the election today since we have more than five months to droll on about how high our taxes will be under a Barack Obama presidency and why under a John McCain adminstration that our troops will still be in Iraq after Manhattan is under water.

Let's move on to a different urge. Over the weekend I made my first every trip to the Swedish paradise known as Ikea. Yes, I know it's unbelievable but I had not ever set foot inside an Ikea before Saturday afternoon.

As I walked amongst the copious shapes and sizes of furnishings and looking at the corresponding prices, I'm thinking to myself, this is best utopia of capitalism EVER!

Everything is sleek and hip and inexpensive. I'm sure there are many homes throughout Scandinavia, North America, and countless other homes all over the world that are adorned entirely with Ikea products.

But questions remain: 1) is this a temptation to delve into mediocre, unoriginal, and omnipresent interior decor? 2) Should we reject temptation and attempt to strive for more originality and character? 3) Does a large multi-national corporation offering mass-produced furniture and other accessories just have it's roots ground in making billions of dollars?

The answers are as follows: 1) Perhaps 2) Maybe 3) Indubitably

Regardless of other peoples' or corporations' motivation, I live in New York and am currently a marginal employee at a Big 4 Accounting firm so I'll be caving to temptation for the time being.