Monday, October 27, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
The Truth About Banks
Let's not let banks off the hook.
It can be argued that people that got us in this mess are the individuals that didn't pay off their mortgages.
But the truth about banks is: THEY WANT PEOPLE TO GET BLIND-SIDED. I just got a credit card offer for my business. The offer is from National City (who coincidentally was just bought out by PNC bank yesterday - but whatever)
The offer promises 0% APR on balance transfers for over 1 year! And no annual fee. These are lures to get me to use the card, of course. The stuff is blatanly IN BOLD when it is "good". The bad stuff is in fine print.
Anyway, so this all sounds pretty good -
they want me to switch DEBT onto a card with their bank (or PNC bank now I suppose).
Reading teh non-bold type reveals that after the introductory period, the APR ranges from 7.99% to 20.99%. That seems like a pretty significant window to leave open eh?
So I read a little more: "Payments will be applied to low APR balances before paying off higher APR balances, which means if you make purchases the may accrue finance charges". WOW - thanks for telling me! IMAGINE if there were no laws telling them they needed to disclose this - WOULD THEY?
My point is this: Banks make some of their money by using the naive judgment calls of otherwise sane people. They would like people to be in debt and paying interest.
A mortgage is a great example of this. Anyone who has a mortgage is in debt and owes the bank money. This is the most accepted an politically correct debt to have because you can write off interest on your taxes. Unfortunately for home buyers, the interest they pay ends up costing them more that the house itself. I'm not saying this is bad or wrong or the people don't know this - but it's what makes banks and their CEO's rich.
So I'm not a money whiz or an ex-banker … but teh very nature of banks is one that instills a sense that borrowing from banks is NORMAL and "the right thing to do". From an early age we hear "put your money in the bank …" but little did we know, the banks are not our friend.
The banks are our "dealers." The drug is debt.
It can be argued that people that got us in this mess are the individuals that didn't pay off their mortgages.
But the truth about banks is: THEY WANT PEOPLE TO GET BLIND-SIDED. I just got a credit card offer for my business. The offer is from National City (who coincidentally was just bought out by PNC bank yesterday - but whatever)
The offer promises 0% APR on balance transfers for over 1 year! And no annual fee. These are lures to get me to use the card, of course. The stuff is blatanly IN BOLD when it is "good". The bad stuff is in fine print.
Anyway, so this all sounds pretty good -
they want me to switch DEBT onto a card with their bank (or PNC bank now I suppose).
Reading teh non-bold type reveals that after the introductory period, the APR ranges from 7.99% to 20.99%. That seems like a pretty significant window to leave open eh?
So I read a little more: "Payments will be applied to low APR balances before paying off higher APR balances, which means if you make purchases the may accrue finance charges". WOW - thanks for telling me! IMAGINE if there were no laws telling them they needed to disclose this - WOULD THEY?
My point is this: Banks make some of their money by using the naive judgment calls of otherwise sane people. They would like people to be in debt and paying interest.
A mortgage is a great example of this. Anyone who has a mortgage is in debt and owes the bank money. This is the most accepted an politically correct debt to have because you can write off interest on your taxes. Unfortunately for home buyers, the interest they pay ends up costing them more that the house itself. I'm not saying this is bad or wrong or the people don't know this - but it's what makes banks and their CEO's rich.
So I'm not a money whiz or an ex-banker … but teh very nature of banks is one that instills a sense that borrowing from banks is NORMAL and "the right thing to do". From an early age we hear "put your money in the bank …" but little did we know, the banks are not our friend.
The banks are our "dealers." The drug is debt.
Friday, October 24, 2008
OK Back to reality
One of my top priorities considered when voting is the environment. Some people think McCain is green-tinted, but that is just his recent self-marketing.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Will it EVER be OVER?
I'm so sick of the election. Given, I'm completely obsessed with it for some reason. But I hate it.
"The Media" of course loves it. It gives them stuff to talk about: What did John McCain say about what Joe Biden said?
PLEASE END!!!
And, please don't let me have to listen to that chick from Alaska for 4 years. PLEASE! She's like Bush but 69X worse.
Back to work.
"The Media" of course loves it. It gives them stuff to talk about: What did John McCain say about what Joe Biden said?
PLEASE END!!!
And, please don't let me have to listen to that chick from Alaska for 4 years. PLEASE! She's like Bush but 69X worse.
Back to work.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Why we need a 3 (or more) party System
Let's face it, we have a 2 party system. Yes, there are other parties but we don't see them at the debates. I think the great majority of Americans would agree that if you can't be part of the debates, you don't have a shot at winning - or truly influencing change.
The 2 party system forces each party to attempt to acquire a majority of American votes, which in turn gives us fewer ideas and options from our nominees. The math is simple here - but if you add a third party, or fourth, fifth, etc., we can have some real conversations.
Think back to Ross Perot.
Even look back at the primaries where Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich brought up topics that many Americans feel strongly about.
If we add a third legit party, we all win. While we're at it, add instant runoff voting.
The 2 party system forces each party to attempt to acquire a majority of American votes, which in turn gives us fewer ideas and options from our nominees. The math is simple here - but if you add a third party, or fourth, fifth, etc., we can have some real conversations.
Think back to Ross Perot.
Even look back at the primaries where Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich brought up topics that many Americans feel strongly about.
If we add a third legit party, we all win. While we're at it, add instant runoff voting.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Why? Bush Tax Cuts!!!
McCain FLIP-FLOPPED regarding the "BUSH" tax cuts.
He should be SLAMMED on this! Meanwhile we are hearing the media give McCain traction on the socialism topic. What tha?
He should be SLAMMED on this! Meanwhile we are hearing the media give McCain traction on the socialism topic. What tha?
Why I should Gamble on the Election …
I make no secret of where I stand politically. So it is likely that you know that I am a strong proponent of the Democratic ticket this year.
However, wouldn't it be wise for me to put a little money on McCain with a bookie? Here's the rationale: On most issues, I am in-line with those that are referred to as "left". The support for Dems this year has actually put the odds on McCain winning at 1-4 … meaning if I put $200 on him, I would win $800. If Obama wins, my taxes will be reduced by roughly $800 compared to McCain.
Calculate your taxes
So I would "win" either way (given this very small model of greed and financial reward).
I also feel that trickle-up economics has been proven to work - and more people prosper under the democratic economy.
We all know this 1
History says so 2
And, of course, the world will be a better place under Obama so who give a sh!t about a little extra coin in my return. For me, it's not about money at all - it's about happiness and the future for my family-
and God certainly knows, McCain's future is not one I want my family / offspring etc. to experience. Obama's future is actually about a positive future - that we already know we must tread - which is nice.
However, wouldn't it be wise for me to put a little money on McCain with a bookie? Here's the rationale: On most issues, I am in-line with those that are referred to as "left". The support for Dems this year has actually put the odds on McCain winning at 1-4 … meaning if I put $200 on him, I would win $800. If Obama wins, my taxes will be reduced by roughly $800 compared to McCain.
Calculate your taxes
So I would "win" either way (given this very small model of greed and financial reward).
I also feel that trickle-up economics has been proven to work - and more people prosper under the democratic economy.
We all know this 1
History says so 2
And, of course, the world will be a better place under Obama so who give a sh!t about a little extra coin in my return. For me, it's not about money at all - it's about happiness and the future for my family-
and God certainly knows, McCain's future is not one I want my family / offspring etc. to experience. Obama's future is actually about a positive future - that we already know we must tread - which is nice.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Over night …
I have to admit that this is becoming anti-McCain. But perhaps that is my point. We should be scared of the "Country First" rhetoric that is strictly for "ambition" and not based on any true vision for the country.
OK …
So I woke up in the middle of the night and posted these videos. They may help people see "The Real McCain". The same guy that dumped his dying wife because she was no longer of value to him. Biased, maybe, but McCain needs to be exposed for the character he is.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Joe the Plumber was a "Plant"
We met Joe the Plumber (not to be confused with Bob the Builder) in Wednesday night's debate. To me, it is obvious that he was planted (by Republicans) at the Obama rally to appear as the "Average Joe".
I mean, how funny is it that his name is Joe. Joe six pack the Plumber. How appropriate (and a remarkable coincidence, yes?).
No.
He doesn't make $250,000, which means his tax cut under Obama's plan WILL be larger than McCain's - but that's not his point or McCain's point. He wasn't at an Obama rally without reason. He was McCain's attempt to reconnect with the American people. The campaign actually thought that was a secret weapon they could use in the debate.
Ask YOURSELF: Is this a campaign strategy?, How did this guy just happen to go to an Obama rally, than be recruited to a McCain rally, then become a centerpiece of the debate?
Of course, it doesn't matter. People can attend a rally despite their intentions and whom the support.
But I'll tell you this: If you listen to this guy or read about what he says, you'll find that he won't say he'll vote for McCain, but he is truly a supporter … and a PLANT … a Six-pack-filled secret weapon of choice (for McCain).
Edited to add this LINK wow!
I mean, how funny is it that his name is Joe. Joe six pack the Plumber. How appropriate (and a remarkable coincidence, yes?).
No.
He doesn't make $250,000, which means his tax cut under Obama's plan WILL be larger than McCain's - but that's not his point or McCain's point. He wasn't at an Obama rally without reason. He was McCain's attempt to reconnect with the American people. The campaign actually thought that was a secret weapon they could use in the debate.
Ask YOURSELF: Is this a campaign strategy?, How did this guy just happen to go to an Obama rally, than be recruited to a McCain rally, then become a centerpiece of the debate?
Of course, it doesn't matter. People can attend a rally despite their intentions and whom the support.
But I'll tell you this: If you listen to this guy or read about what he says, you'll find that he won't say he'll vote for McCain, but he is truly a supporter … and a PLANT … a Six-pack-filled secret weapon of choice (for McCain).
Edited to add this LINK wow!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
I'm a Brownie shaped like a turd!
It looks like the blog is no longer SPAM. Now I just need to write something worth sharing and let the hoards of followers find their way ;P
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
The World is Watching
They think I'm SPAM … day 2.
Anyway, I think people in the U.S. are starting to believe in this guy we call Obama. I am getting a warm, tingly feeling – that maybe the reputation of the U.S. can be restored with a simple victory for this man. He represents what America represents: Succeeding from a background of little means … and being able to exceed expectations.
He has his finger on much of the frustrations of the American people. Th policies of "W" and his comrades have not been over-stated. Across the board, the nation has declined.
Contrary to my understanding of the "Joe six pack" of 2000 and 2004, I think we are waking up and realizing that we are not the only country with actual humans residing on it.
Anyway, I think people in the U.S. are starting to believe in this guy we call Obama. I am getting a warm, tingly feeling – that maybe the reputation of the U.S. can be restored with a simple victory for this man. He represents what America represents: Succeeding from a background of little means … and being able to exceed expectations.
He has his finger on much of the frustrations of the American people. Th policies of "W" and his comrades have not been over-stated. Across the board, the nation has declined.
Contrary to my understanding of the "Joe six pack" of 2000 and 2004, I think we are waking up and realizing that we are not the only country with actual humans residing on it.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Blogger.com thinks I'm SPAM
If you're reading this, I'd be surprised. But perhaps this will be my political diary. I'm not sure why it was marked as SPAM but it is most certainly gourmet vegan loaf.
Monday, October 6, 2008
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