Get Ready! A Cashless Society Is Close At Hand

     The headlines seem to come more often and from varied sources.  Bloomberg Businessweek featured this headline: Bill Gates Hates Cash. Here's Why.  Or how about this one?  Cashless Society and Fingerprint Payments on the Horizon.  This headline appeared in an article from Africa's Mail & Guardian.  I know what you're thinking .... I am, too.  Revelation 13:17 comes easily to mind: ... "they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark...".

     The reasons for promoting this new technology are always presented as positive and forward-thinking.  In Bill Gates' case, we all know that his desire comes from his deeply-held humanitarian beliefs, right?  Excuse me, while I control my gag reflex.  You see, he is mainly concerned that those on the low end of the economic spectrum --- the poor and unbanked (get ready to hear that term a lot!) ---- are made to feel ostracized and left out of the system.  If we could just create a money system that made everyone feel, well .... equal .... then poor Mr. Gates could sleep at night.

     To that end, he and his wife Melinda helped finance the Better Than Cash Alliance, whose goal is to accelerate the shift from cash to electronic payments.  This would include disbursements of salaries, payments to suppliers, pensions, social welfare stipends, cash-for-work programs, emergency relief payments, and others forms of payments by governments and development communities.  It sounds like another way to control people and restrain personal liberties to me.

     Of course, the official goals of the Alliance are stated as: 1) Less corruption and theft; payments can be easily tracked.  2) Security; the money gets where it’s supposed to go.  3)  Inclusion for the poverty-stricken; Unbanked people can establish a record, or credit, and be able to qualify for future loans.  4) Less costly; moving "electronic" money is cheaper than moving physical cash.  5)  Access to new markets; This benefit is mainly for providers of financial services (and coincidentally, creates a whole new class of indentured slaves to the Wealthy Elite who will control this new monetary "system".)

     So e-payments will soon become the mandated form of monetary transferral and your hard-earned money will only exist in the cloud.  But that's not the only method that's on the horizon.  The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology has partnered with Nexus to come up with a biometric program.  Biometric identifiers are the distinctive, measurable characteristics used to label and describe individuals, and could be used not only as a form of identification, but of access control.

      The patented technology, which is being developed, would turn each finger scan into a series of valueless numbers that change every time the finger is introduced before a scanner.  To get even more detailed, this technology goes beyond a fingerprint to read multiple layers into the skin and detect hemoglobin in the blood.  Now that's getting pretty darned specific!

     Here's how it works:  Consumers deposit money into an account, with which they associate their biometric data.  Consumers would then pay for goods with a simple scan of the finger; no cash, credit, debit or ID cards or pin codes necessary.  All the obvious benefits are touted:  convenience, security, speed of transactions, etc.  

      But it still screams of invasion of privacy to me.  I'm afraid that, as a society, we have bought into "the latest technology" mindset hook, line and sinker.  Less than 20 years ago, it took a computer the size of a large microwave, a scanner, a Selectric typewriter, a push-button phone, a bulky camera, and an alarm clock to do all that one Android phone the size of a deck of cards can do by itself.  We have been told that it was all for our own good; it was inclusive, convenient, faster and needed.  But now we no longer even hear each other's voices when we communicate.  It almost feels as if the Powers That Be have succeeded in molding us into compliant little robots that create their super-wealth.  We have forgotten to think for ourselves because a machine does it for us.  We have abdicated our responsibilities as consumers and free-thinking citizens to "systems" that know better than we do what is best for us and our families.

     And then there is that whole warning in the Book of Revelation.  It is not clearly defined what the "mark" will be, but it involves buying and selling, and these new technologies seem to be coming ever closer to fulfilling that prophecy.  Stay alert, my friends, and know what you're signing up for!

Proverbs 14:8     "The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception."

China And The World's Oil (That Means Ours, Too!)

     I have heard it said that the oil boom in Texas is single-handedly keeping our economy going, and it is largely responsible for propping up Wall Street.  But it seems that the good ol' USA is not the only country benefitting from the massive Eagle Ford oil field in South Texas.  World Net Daily recently published an article that says China has been allowed to quietly buy major interests in the Eagle Ford and other oil and natural gas resources across the U.S.

     As the article suggests, I guess it's one way our government can keep the Chinese appeased in regard to the money we owe them.  If they have a vested interest in our economy, then they will most likely continue lending us the money we need to help offset our $1-trillion-plus annual federal budget deficits.  Of course, it doesn't hurt that China passed the U.S. in their consumption of oil.  It is no secret that China is looking to make deals with anyone they can, in order to feed their appetite for oil.  Their economy continues to grow, while ours flounders, and they need this valuable energy resource to continue their expansion.

Allowing China to buy into U.S. energy production is a reversal of the previous Administration's policy, which viewed such a practice as a threat to national security.  I can understand that.  But what I don't understand is this .... if we are seeking to become energy independent, and we have this incredible reserve of oil within our own borders, why would we invite a foreign country (and one that obviously doesn't have our best interest at heart) to partake of our riches?  Since we currently import 60% of our oil, wouldn't it make sense to keep this valuable resource for ourselves?  Is the end result going to be that we end up buying our own resources back from China???

     World Net Daily further reported that Beijing has been developing a proposal in which real estate on American soil owned by China would be set up as “development zones” to establish Chinese-owned businesses and bring in its citizens to the U.S. to work.  With unemployment in the U.S. hovering at the  "official" level of 8%, does anybody think it is a good idea to create autonomous foreign economies within our own country? 

     And Texas oil companies are not the only U.S. interests China has acquired.  The Wall Street Journal reported these acquisitions:

•  Colorado: CNOOC gained a one-third stake in 800,000 acres in northeast Colorado and southwest Wyoming in a $1.27 billion pact with Chesapeake Energy Corporation.

•  Louisiana: Sinopec ( a Chinese state-owned super-large petroleum and petrochemical enterprise group) has a one-third interest in 265,000 acres in the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale after a broader $2.5 billion deal with Devon Energy.

•  Michigan: Sinopec gained a one-third interest in 350,000 acres in a larger $2.5 billion deal with Devon Energy.

•  Ohio: Sinopec acquired a one-third interest in Devon Energy’s 235,000 Utica Shale acres in a larger $2.5 billion deal.

•  Oklahoma: Sinopec has a one-third interest in 215,000 acres in a broader $2.5 billion deal with Devon Energy.

•  Texas: CNOOC acquired a one-third interest in Chesapeake Energy’s 600,000 acres in the Eagle Ford Shale in a $2.16-billion deal.

•  Wyoming: CNOOC has a one-third stake in northeast Colorado and southeast Wyoming after a $1.27 billion pact with Chesapeake Energy. Sinopec gained a one-third interest in Devon Energy’s 320,000 acres as part of a larger $2.5 billion deal.

     So let me get this straight ... if China buys one-third interest in all these companies, and the U.S. economy flatlines and these companies go broke, guess who will be ready and willing to buy out their interests?  See how my conspiratorial mind works?

     But China has not limited themselves to the U.S.  In December, Forbes Magazine reported that the Canadian government approved China’s biggest overseas energy acquisition, a $15.1 billion takeover of Nexen Inc. by CNOOC Ltd., China's state-owned and largest offshore driller.  In case that doesn't impress you, Nexen is the second-largest oil producer in the U.K. North Sea.  But lest you think China has limited their acquisitions to the North American continent, let me point out that China has invested in 49 of the 54 countries that make up the African continent.  They haven't limited their business deals to strictly oil and natural gas, however; they have bought sizable interests in a Metal Mining company in Zambia, and a cement plant in Nigeria.  An estimated 2,180 Chinese companies, many of them privately owned, are doing over 7,800 projects in Africa currently.

     So if you were skeptical about China's long-term goals before, I'm betting you've had a change of mind after reading these statistics.  You won't see these moves being touted in your local newspaper, but make no mistake --- China is playing this chess game to win.  And our government doesn't appear to give a damn.

Exodus 15:9     "The enemy boasted, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.’ "

     

     

   

The Controversial Subject of Fracking

    I overheard an interview with documentary filmmakers Phelim McAleer (UK) and Ann McElhinney (Canada) that piqued my interest.  These two filmmakers have a history of tackling controversial subjects and fearlessly questioning the core premise of a position.
     Their 2006 documentary Mine Your Own Business, examined the Roșia Montană mining project in Transylvania, Romania.  Environmental groups such as Greenpeace opposed the project, and the documentary asserted that opposition by such environmental groups was unsympathetic to the needs and desires of the locals.   They further maintained that opposition prevented industrial progress, and consequently locked the people of the area into lives of poverty. The film claimed that the majority of the people of the village supported the mine and the investment in their hometown.
     They produced a similar documentary in 2009, titled Not Evil Just Wrong, that challenged Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth, by suggesting that the evidence of global warming is inconclusive and that global-warming legislation will have a negative impact on industry, resulting in more harm than benefits for the human population.

     McAleer and McElhinney have now been joined by Polish documentarian Magdalena Segieda, in a new film, titled FrackNation.  The project began as an answer to the anti-fracking documentary Gasland, by Josh Fox.  Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) is a process by which oil and natural gas are extracted from the ground; it has been around for decades.  Fracking makes it possible to produce natural gas extraction in shale plays that were once unreachable with conventional technologies. Recent advancements in drilling technology, such as three dimensional imaging, helps scientists determine the precise locations for drilling.  Highly pressurized water and fracking fluids are injected into the shale areas, creating new channels within the rock from which natural gas is extracted at higher than traditional rates.  The well is then cased with cement to ensure groundwater protection.
     In Gasland, Josh Fox asserted that this process was so dangerous, that it was poisoning the water, even making it flammable.  In the making of their documentary, McAleer and his partners confronted Fox on this position, pointing out that water has been lit for centuries (the French explorer La Salle was shown the "Burning Springs" by Seneca Indians in 1669).  Mr. Fox was momentarily able to censor this information from the internet, by having the subsequent video of this confrontation removed first from YouTube, and then Vimeo.  But the law was on the side of McAleer and the video is once again up on YouTube.
     The object of FrackNation, as in their previous videos, is to show both sides of the argument.  Environmental groups never show the opinions of the locals that are most affected by these issues. And to be honest, the environmentalists always seem to have a hidden agenda behind their viewpoints.  I am just as concerned as the next person about approaching drilling and the new technology with an eye on how it will affect our environment and lands for future generations.  But the hypocrisy of such "protectors of the environment", as actor Matt Damon, is laughable.  He recently made a film, called Promised Land, which purportedly explored the alleged damage fracking caused both the environment and local communities.  But how can you trust his opinion after discovering that he received funding from the United Arab Emirates, who stand to make billions of dollars in oil if fracking is banned here in America.

     On the other hand, locals who are making hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of dollars themselves from leasing portions of their lands to the oil and gas industry, are subject to suspicion, too.  I have personally seen the favorable impact on families who were on the brink of losing their family farms.  Once, they felt forced to sell their land to housing developers to avoid bankruptcy; now they are the beneficiaries of an economic boom that could allow the US to be energy self-sufficient.  Fracking holds the promise of ensuring cheap energy for generations to come.  Obviously, the locals might have a prejudicial opinion, considering the positive economic impact drilling has brought to their families.
     It is hard to know who is telling the truth.  Environmentalists have a visceral hatred for the oil and gas industry, wanting to enslave us to the UN and Agenda 21-style "sustainable energy programs."  But who would that benefit?  "Green energy" sources such as solar, electrical and wind will simply not sustain our economy.  Is this agenda being pushed just to make money for those individual such as Al Gore and Jeffrey Imelt (GE) who have so heavily invested in what they thought would be "the next big thing"?
     I have heard it said that the explosion of Natural Gas exploration in the US is what is keeping Wall Street and our economy afloat.  I tend to agree with that.  Millions of jobs and billions in revenue have been the result.  And it just seems natural to exploit the stupendous reserves we have within our own borders.  Why would we want to pay some Arab sheik for oil, when we have a cheap source of energy right here at home?   And just maybe, the Good Lord in His role of Creator of the Universe, allowed all that natural gas to form for just such a time as this.
     Yet I can't seem to find answers to questions such as "How does fracking affect our levels of underground water?" I'm not so much concerned about pollution of the water (that problem seems to be eliminated), as I am about the volume of water needed to reach the natural gas.  Seeing the country all around me suffering from a debilitating drought makes this a sensitive issue for me.  But I will admit to ignorance on the actual impact and perhaps someone else can enlighten us.
     In the end, I am happy to see documentary filmmakers such as McAleer and friends, who are willing to probe both sides of this important issue.  The one thing I know for sure is that we can't trust the EPA or the UN for honest appraisals.  Our economy and our energy needs will benefit greatly from fracking and the natural gas industry.  We just need to make sure those rewards are balanced by sound conservation policies and protection of water supplies.

FrackNation, the documentary, will appear January 22, at 9 pm ET, on www.axs.tv.  Dish Network and DirecTV will also carry it.

Psalm 85:11-12        "Truth springs from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.  Indeed, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its produce."

The Power Of The Unions ... Is It On The Decline?

     Recent history has seen a rise in the conflict between public sector unions and the private sector work force, while the membership in unions is declining at a steady rate.  I confess that I do not entirely understand the climate of this conflict, other than knowing that costly pensions and health plans for union workers were cited as part of the reason GM and Chrysler were forced to accept bailout money from the Federal Government, and ultimately us, the taxpayer.
     Oftentimes, due to extravagant labor agreements, these union workers were expected to earn more during their retirement years than they had earned during their entire working career.   The payout on these labor agreements made it difficult for the automakers to remain competitive with foreign companies.  The other side of this argument is that the United Auto Workers felt they had made extensive concessions over the last couple of decades in order to help the automakers stay competitive, and were therefore due these entitlements.
     But it is a fact that union workers make anywhere from 10-30% higher wages than workers in the private sector, and that difference is subsidized by we, the taxpayer.  Now, I'm not sure which side of the fence you fall on, but with the union battle we witnessed in the state of Wisconsin last year, and the controversial "card check" and "right to work" legislation that is at the forefront of the news, it is obvious that this issue is escalating. Anyone willing to propose change in the union environment, comes under attack.  These attacks have now progressed from verbal to physical.  Where is this headed?

     I will agree that the idea behind the creation of unions is a worthy one.  The American worker should be protected from unscrupulous employers.  They should receive a fair wage, and have the ability to bargain for better benefits.  But when those benefits become so costly that the average American taxpayer can no longer afford to foot the bill for so-called "cadillac plans", while they, themselves, are struggling to make their own modest salaries stretch to cover health plans and retirement ..... then, something's got to give.
     I can testify to just how much better the benefits are for Federal workers than for you or me.  After struggling for a few years to raise a young family on a teacher's salary, my father went to work as a Civil Service employee for the Federal government.  He didn't make great money, but was able to retire with a comfortable pension and, I later learned, an incredible health benefits plan.  At the time of his death, my family received the Explanation of Benefits from his short hospital stay.  The cost was $80,000 --- paid in full by his High Option Blue Cross insurance plan.  I dare say, none of the Blue Cross plans that I've been offered include 100% coverage.
     There are approximately 2.8 million federal workers at this date.  If everyone of them receives this same health care plan, it is simply unsustainable.  Include the cost of pensions, and you can see that the numbers just don't add up.
     I know that teachers and police and firefighters do not receive enough pay for the valuable work they contribute to society.  But the country is going broke and it is a reality that we must make some changes to bolster our economy; encourage and develop new industries that will result in new jobs --- and not necessarily union jobs.
     It is obvious that unions have wielded much power throughout their history, and many have gotten used to the "automatic ride" they receive through their union benefits.  They are a natural target vote for politicians, which naturally leads to corruption.  And threatened with declining numbers and state governments who want to become more inviting to industries and prospective employers, the unions have turned to disruptive tactics, if not outright violence, to hold on to their power.
     I know it must be difficult to face the realization that what you've come to expect, to count on, and even to feel you deserve, might be coming to an end .... but do they really feel they should be paid for accumulated unused vacation and sick time during their career?  The state of Florida has reported that since 2007, they have paid out over $22 Million in such benefits.  And the rate of that unused vacation pay is oftentimes at the rate they retire at, not the rate it was earned; so that rate could be 2, 3, 10 times what they started with.
     It is not my intent to vilify public workers, but to point out that these elaborate contracts can no longer be sustained.  There is a huge divide in this country: between people retiring at 50 and enjoying these extravagant benefits, and the millions of non-union workers who are simply seeking any employment.  We must be able to have a civil dialogue and come to a mutually agreeable conclusion.  Violence is not the answer!

Isaiah 1:31     "The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire."
   

"Welfare" Has Become The Norm

     Did you know that the government spent approximately $1.03 trillion on 83 federal welfare programs in fiscal year 2011 alone, making this the government's largest expenditure?  Did you also know that Federal welfare spending has grown by 32 percent over the past four years; increased through stimulus spending and by the growing number of Americans whose economically damaged incomes now qualify them for public assistance?  Before you accuse me of being cold-hearted or indifferent, I believe in the Christian principle of helping those who need a helping hand.  Unexpected illnesses, the death of a head-of-the-household, and unforeseen tragedies or loss of income can all devastate a family's finances.  But  I think we can all agree that the Welfare State has gotten out of control and will be our ruin if we don't get drastic reform.  But it might also surprise you to learn that historically, social welfare has been a part of the United States since its inception.
     In the early days of our country, the colonies imported the British Poor Laws. These laws made a distinction between those who were unable to work due to their age or physical health and those who were able-bodied but unemployed. The former group was assisted with cash or alternative forms of help from the government. The latter group was given public service employment in workhouses.
     As our country grew, social welfare apparently began to become a problem, and in the 1800's social caseworkers tried to help the poor move towards work, rather than continuing to need assistance.  The Civil War Pension Program was passed in 1862 and provided aid to Civil War Veterans and their families.  As the turn of the century approached, reformers urged caseworkers to train the poor in morals and to encourage a work ethic.

     The history of welfare as we know it began in earnest during the Great Depression in the 1930's.  More than 25% of the population were out of work and families were suffering.  President Franklin D. Roosevelt raised the bar for government assistance by signing into law the Social Security Act and the Aid to Families and Dependent Children (AFDC) Program.  Of course, you can't have massive government programs without agencies to oversee them, right?  Hence, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Departments of Agriculture, Labor and Education were born.
     Then in 1964, LBJ and his "Great Society" programs sealed the deal.  The massive entitlement programs that flowed out of Washington damaged the soul of the American spirit.  The segment of the population that it was designed to help the most, became the most broken.  The family unit was abandoned in favor of receiving money from the government,  and this resulted in fatherless families, rising abortions and generations locked in the prison of poverty.
     I remember when being on Food Stamps and accepting Welfare from the Government was something one hid from the public.  If your family received government assistance, it was not something that you wanted others to know; you were humiliated and ashamed.  It was not a situation one sought or desired.  People accepted this aid as a last resort, and only until they could get back on their feet and supply their own means of income.
     When I was three-and-a-half years old, my father supported his young family by selling insurance.  My mother stayed home to care for me, and my younger brother and newborn baby sister.  One day, my mother received the phone call that changed our family's life.  My father's car had been T-boned by a cement truck, completely demolishing it.  He had been pulled out of the wreckage just moments before the car exploded by a kindhearted and anonymous bystander.  The accident resulted in my father being in a body cast for over a year and obviously out of work for much longer.
     They could have easily qualified for assistance, yet it wasn't even a consideration.  Family members stepped in and supplemented what the insurance settlement didn't cover.  My mother provided all of Dad's after-hospital care while he recuperated at home, and continued to maintain the home and the responsibilities of three small children.  It was a very difficult time for them.  But my dad instilled in me how families help each other out in times of need, and how one was never to expect or accept help without paying it back.  I know it was years before he repaid the debt to his older brother, but it was important to him that his family not get trapped in the government system.
     What happened to that kind of attitude?  I stood in line behind a woman at the grocery store yesterday, who had no qualms about buying a huge shopping cart of food on her Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which is what they call Food Stamps now.  It even looks like a regular credit card!  She confidently indicated which items she would pay cash for, and which she wanted applied to her EBT.  There was absolutely no stigma attached to using this form of a government handout.  I just wanted to gently remind her that I helped pay for her food, as well as purchasing my own.

     I guess what disturbs me beyond the trillion dollar price tag, the growing number of recipients, and the routine use of entitlement programs is the lack of pride.  We have generations of Americans who see no dignity or honor in succeeding on your own; they see no purpose or motivation for success, and instead opt for failure because it's "free".  How do you re-instill self-respect and self-worth when the government now openly runs TV ads inviting people to apply for welfare.?
     You can call it "benefits", "supplemental assistance", SNAP cards, Medicaid or whatever you wish.... it's all the same .... these programs are free financial support provided by the workers of this nation.  And the numbers show us that it cannot be sustained.  It's a sad state of affairs when the Welfare State has become the Provider for millions of Americans.
    We're a long way from the mindset of what this country used to stand for.  Ponder this statement by Benjamin Franklin and then ask yourself, "How did we get so far off track, and how do we find our way back to virtue and respectability?"
     "I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion of the means. I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it. In my youth I traveled much, and I observed in different countries, that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer." --- Benjamin Franklin, 1766.
   
Isaiah 32:7      "Scoundrels use wicked methods, they make up evil schemes to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just."

Have You Faced The Giant?

     My husband and I had a chance encounter with an old friend the other day; a man who, by all appearances, sees the big picture and is wide awake.  He has firearms training down to a science, and has done reasonably well on storing extra food and life's necessities.  But try talking to him about a global economic collapse and what that could mean or look like for us, and he fixes us with a baffled stare.  I'm afraid that there are millions of Americans that are just like him.
     Maybe it's too complex to understand how the economies of once-sovereign countries are now co-mingled and interconnected.  Let's face it:  terms like "Quantitative Easing" and "Global Currency Exchanges" aren't in the usual lexicon of your average American.  I can understand the desire to turn a deaf ear to all the duplicitous and circuitous ramblings coming from power-hungry politicians and the crooks on Wall Street.

     But I want to scream, "Look around you, man!"  How many empty store fronts do you see?  When was the last time you bought something made in the USA?  Do you see any new developing industries in this country?  How many people do you know who have lost their job or taken a pay cut?
     ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION???
     I fear that we, as a country, are refusing to face reality.  We are caught in a downward spiral of worldwide debt, international political unrest, and a combustible economic situation right here at home.  We don't see that all the maneuvering by the Federal Reserve is just a pretense.  We can't see that the economy is being propped up by printed money and promoted wars.  It's all a ruse to convince us that nothing has changed in America.   We will always rebound and always prosper.  The headlines proclaim The Housing Market is Up and Jobless Claims Go Down.  And we believe it!
     Here's the truth:  IT'S A FAKE ECONOMY!  American households have less money to spend, and what viable US companies that still exist are reporting falling profits.  Our economy was once in a slow decline; now it appears to be gaining speed towards a full-on collapse.  Add to that the fact that our position in the world has taken a drastic nose-dive, and you've got all the ingredients for a dismal US future.  The world has lost its confidence in the US, and the global stage is set for a major economic conflagration.  But have Americans REALLY thought about what that might be like?  Have they considered that we may be too far over the cliff to regain our footing?
     I get it .... We've never been here before and, therefore, it's hard to imagine.  But if you've got your finger on the pulse, you have to feel that the heartbeat is fading.  Our infrastructure is deteriorating; businesses are laying off and cutting back; our education system is failing our kids; doctors are threatening to leave Medicine; our energy needs are held for ransom; and manufacturing has left our shores.
     I'm sure that many people feel they have vaccinated themselves against a recession/depression.  They have plenty of stored food, can adequately defend their households, and propped up their 401Ks with gold and silver.  But they haven't gone far enough in their thinking.
     God forbid, if there is a true global economic collapse, it won't be for a few months while "things get straightened out".  The comfy lifestyles we are used to will be unsustainable.  It will be a long, tortuous slide into societal decay.  The stored food WILL run out; there won't be reliable infrastructure to supply electricity to homes, hospitals or grocery stores; repairs to buildings and roads will be abandoned; systems to deal with sewage and garbage will be lacking.  Just think New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and Haiti after Tropical Storm Isaac.
     I know it must sound like I am a Doomsday Prophet.  Believe me, I'd rather be a Pollyanna.  But there are no indications that we have any intentions of changing our course.  We can't keep pretending that things aren't getting worse, or that world events point to a brighter day.  At some point, we have slipped too great a distance to recover.  At some point, we've gone too far over the cliff and are hanging in mid-air.   My question is this:  are we being sucked into a black hole?  Are our preposterous economic policies combining with our dangerous foreign policies and non-existent energy policies to guarantee that America will be changed forever?  If that is the case, then I suggest that the sooner you face that Giant, the better.  If we lose America, all the gold in China won't bring her back.  And our world will change forever.

Lamentations 5:1-2        "Remember, Lord, what has happened to us; look, and see our disgrace.  Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our homes to foreigners."

Do You Understand The Implications of Unlimited QE3?

     For just a moment, I'm going to take my eyes off the pandemonium that currently defines the Middle East, and take a quick look at the economy.  There's not an American alive that should not be aware that Ben Bernancke and the Federal Reserve just implemented QE3.
     If you are like me, you instinctively know this is not a good thing, but maybe don't quite understand all the implications.  So I've done some cursory research, and I'd like to share with you what I've learned.  My explanation is two-fold --- to clarify the formal definition and actions of Bernanke and the Fed; and to look behind the curtain and see another possible pretext.  

     First of all, I learned that Quantitative Easing is a form of monetary policy that central banks use to stimulate the national economy when conventional monetary policy has become ineffective. I think we can all agree that whatever our policy has been, it has been ineffective.  What constitutes monetary policy?  Definition: that is the process by which the monetary authority of a country controls the supply of money, often setting a low interest rate to promote economic growth and stability. The hoped-for goals of this policy would be relatively stable prices and low unemployment.  (So how's that working for us?)  A central bank is a private institution that manages a state's currency, money supply, and interest rates.  In the case of the United States, our central bank is the Federal Reserve.  So far so good?
     What I also learned was that Quantitative Easing is considered unconventional.  I think traditional economists would interpret that as meaning "a last ditch effort."  Remember that this part of my explanation is taking the viewpoint that QE is meant to stimulate our economy.  With that in mind, what is involved in Quantitative Easing?  A central bank implements QE by buying financial assets from commercial banks and other private institutions (mortgages, for example) with newly created money (read that to mean "printed money"), in order to inject a pre-determined quantity of money into the economy. (That would be $40 Billion per month under QE3!)  Quantitative Easing is designed to control deflation (an unhealthy decrease in the price of goods), but there is a risk that the policy could become more effective than intended in acting against deflation – leading to higher inflation (a destructive rise in the price of goods), or of not being effective enough if banks do not lend out the additional reserves.  In short, QE involves the Federal Reserve artificially controlling the value of the dollar.  I think it's pretty apparent that in spite of all the maneuvering by the Fed, the strength of the dollar has been mortally damaged.  Instead of allowing our economy to self-correct, the Powers That Be have something much more deceptive in mind.  It's the same old "bait and switch".  Let's watch Bernanke continue to promote "stimulus" to prop up the economy.  While he promises that "indefinite Quantitative Easing" is on the table to ease our pain, the other hand is working to destabilize our economy.  That's the second part of my explanation.
     And here's where I proceed to put on my conspiracy hat.  Sorry, folks, but I just don't think we are being told the truth, so my mind always takes me to other motivations.  The most obvious and glaring question to me is this:  if QE1 and QE2 didn't solve our economic woes, the policy isn't working.  So what else could be behind the adoption of QE3?

     Let me refer you to our old friend, George Soros.  Here is what he said in 2009:  "An orderly decline of the dollar is desirable ... in order to compensate for the fact that the U.S. economy will be a drag on the world economy ...  We need a managed decline."  Let me be plain:  THE GOAL IS TO ACHIEVE GLOBAL ECONOMIC EQUALITY; AS LONG AS THE DOLLAR REMAINS STRONG, THIS GOAL CANNOT BE ACHIEVED.
     It all comes back to the One World Order.  In order to level the playing field, there needs to be a global economic collapse, so "They" can manage a reset and redistribute the world's wealth.  The Central Banks of Europe have added $10 Trillion to the balance sheets of their countries.  As I mentioned, the Federal Reserve just added $40 Billion/month to ours with QE3.  It is all unsustainable; that is the plan!  If the dollar can be devalued, America is no longer a great investment for the world.  Until recently, we have been the main obstacle to the idea of a "just order" in the world's economic picture.  We are the fly in the ointment.  And our decline must be "managed".
     No one can deny that our dollars buy less.  Since 2008, health insurance costs have risen 23%.  College tuition has increased 25%.  There has been a 46% increase in food stamp recipients.  The saddest statistic of all:  We have dropped in our Global Competition standing from 1st to 7th .... in just 4 short years.
     Is Quantitative Easing working?  It depends on your reasons for enacting it.  If you ask us freedom-loving, entrepreneurial, unapologetic Capitalists ..... NO!  But if your goal is to destroy the individual and independent economies of sovereign countries in order to establish a "just and equitable" world economic system, then you are probably applauding.  It looks like you're winning.
     But I promise you that I will not go down that road in an accommodating manner.  I will never believe in "the collective".  I embrace a doctrine that those who work hardest, deserve the most reward.  I believe in being a lifeboat to those who are in danger of drowning... until they are able to swim on their own.  God gave each of us the same innate ability to succeed.  It is up to each of us to determine how much we are willing to work to achieve success.   And when you consider that definition of success, you have to ask yourself, what is the Federal Reserve really trying to accomplish?  To me,  it doesn't look as if the Fed is really interested in promoting economic growth.  All their Quantitative Easing policy seems to be accomplishing is the destruction of our currency's purchasing power.  But could it be .... that is their ultimate goal?  Unfortunately, yes!

Psalm 9:15-16        "The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. The Lord is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands."
   
   
   

Meanwhile, Back In Europe .....

     I have been guilty of being so focused on the collapse of America, that I have taken my eye off of the European landscape.  As you know, I do not claim to be an expert on economics, but I know enough to recognize that the economies of the world are interconnected, and we show a serious lack of judgment if we ignore the alarm bells going off across the Atlantic.
     Here is what concerns me and how I think it might affect us .... I picture the economic situations in Europe (which centers around Greece) and the United States like two fat kids on a seesaw.  I warned you I'm not an economist!  But let me see if I can explain what I see.

     The Eurozone is very much on the brink of a complete breakdown, very much like our own economy.  Over the past weekend, political leaders and bankers throughout Europe continued their painful discussions to try to come up with a solution about Greece.  Here's the problem: Greece's economy is still going down the tubes.  Its unemployment rate hovers around 25% and the Greek GDP looks like ours did in the Great Depression.  In short they need another bailout from the European Central Bank in order to avoid declaring bankruptcy.  BUT, in order to receive that much-needed shot in the arm, the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank and European Commission are demanding that the Greek government follow through with the strict requirements for receiving more printed money.  In other words, the rescue plan comes with strings attached.
     This trio of "regulators" wants rigorous Greek reforms, in the shape of privatization of industries, changes in the labor unions, and long-run economic policy revisions -- or the next installment of 33.5 billion euros to assist the Greek economy will not materialize.  The Greek Prime Minister knows his countrymen are not in favor of these strict reforms, so he is asking for more time to implement them, and a relaxation of the terms.  So the question is, who is going to blink first.  The citizens of Germany and France, and their corresponding leaders, are not backing down.  German Chancellor Angela Merkel is holding a hard line, and insisting that Greece be made to meet their obligations.  On his part, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has threatened abandoning the euro and returning to the drachma as Greece's currency.  Obviously, this would cause great chaos in the Eurozone and further destabilize the entire European economy.
     And interestingly enough, our own economic fiasco may be strengthening the euro.  How so?  There is speculation that the possibility that our Federal Reserve might once again employ quantitative easing has driven the U.S dollar lower, and driven the euro up.  Keep in mind that the European market might also be elevating the value of the euro out of the sheer hope that they can muddle through this Greek (and Italian and Spanish) financial crisis and stabilize their own shaky foundation.  In any event, the economies of both Europe and the United States offset each other, resulting in a tenuous balancing act .... hence, the image of global economies teetering on the brink of disaster.
     With both Europe and the United States turning on the printing presses and bailing out governments that are fiscally unsound and running on empty, it is easy to see why noted economist, Jim Rogers says, "The world is drowning in debt."  Rogers goes on to say, "What would make me very excited is if a few people [in the government] went bankrupt."  I'd like to add "governments", plural.  Perhaps there are also those in Europe that could stand to fail.  And is it just me, or does it seem easy to figure out that we should stop spending when we have to create the money to pay our debts? You've heard it before --- the solution to too much debt is not more debt!
     It's like we're part of a nightmarish global pyramid scheme .... and when George Soros and other billionaire investors are dumping all their financial holdings and buying gold, something is going on! But wait --- everything is fine; leaders in both Europe and America keep telling us so, right?  But eventually the bill is going to come due, and everyone will discover that it has all been an illusion.   We've just been one step ahead of the wolf at the door .... and the crack in the middle of the seesaw is deepening and threatening to dump us both.  Get ready for a hard fall!

Isaiah 30:10     "They say to the seers, “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions."
   

Did You Really Build Your Business?

     I don't know about you, but I was deeply offended by the recent remarks of our President.  In the midst of a speech where he argued that successful businesses rely on public resources funded by the government, Mr. Obama stated,  "If you've got a business -- you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen... ".  Now I know he had to immediately regret that remark.  He had to know that the millions of small businesses across the country would be insulted.  And I'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt, but somehow I think he truly believes that without the Federal Government, Mom and Pop could never succeed on their own efforts.
     This was spoken by a man whose entire career has been on the backs of the taxpayer.  And because of that, I have to believe he has never known the satisfaction of success that is due to creativity, initiative, and self-sacrifice.  He has never dreamed of being his own boss; of taking a risk, setting a goal, and achieving something that no one else has attempted in quite the same way.  You see, building a business is an individual accomplishment.  Your business, no matter what it is, is like no other.

     It contains your unique fingerprints; what you've given up to make a go of it --- the lost sleep, the hours of research and preparation, the anxiety over decisions to be made, the careful attention to profit and loss.  And need I point out that the Federal Government seems to have none of these attributes when it comes to doing their job?
     For the last 17 years, PLW and I have maintained our own business.  He "makes his own widget", as he likes to describe it; creating individual works of art.  I help to support and maintain the business, wearing all kinds of hats --- office manager, website designer, bookkeeper, secretary, gopher and errand girl.  We sometimes laugh that when we had "conventional" jobs, we worked 8 to 5, with an hour off for lunch, and all holidays.  Now we begin at 7:30, stop for a 20-minute lunch break, consistently work until 6 or 6:30, and never know what day it is.  Labor Day a holiday?  For us, it's just another work day.  And Saturdays?  We might sleep a little later, and work at a slower pace, but when you have a business, every day is an opportunity to create.  Every day but Sunday, that is.  That day is dedicated to our Creator.
     But unlike true government-funded programs, our time is productive, and every day yields a sense of accomplishment.  And from day one, we have done it on our own.  No business loan, no government grant.  If the profit wasn't there, we did without.  And that reality is beginning to hit home more than it has in a long time.
     You see, until recently we had the confidence that we could succeed as business owners.  That we had succeeded.  We have a 17-year history of success, and there was no limit on where our resourcefulness and ambition could take us.  But we no longer have that conviction that nothing stands in our way.  For the first time, we sense the very real possibility that we might go backwards.
     There's a real disconnect between our lawmakers and representatives, and the citizens of this country.  No longer do we admire the "self-made" man, or respect the efforts of any businessman who manages to beat the odds and end up at the top of the heap.  Today, it's all about "equality".  We all have to be the same; no one can achieve more than another.  We all have to receive a ribbon or trophy.
     We .... no, our government! .... seem to have forgotten that enterprise and entrepreneurship is what made America distinctive.  It's what drew the dreamers and the visionaries to our shores.  You could become anything and secure real wealth in this country.  That is, until "wealth" became a dirty word.  "Rags to riches" used to be celebrated.  Now we just glorify every new entitlement.   And I fear the plan is to make "Government" the only job in town.
   
Proverbs 14:23      "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."

What Will Our Future Hold?

     My days are occupied differently than they were just a few short years ago.  Today I spend more time educating myself and staying on top of issues that will affect my little piece of this earth.  That means figuring out exactly what the LIBOR scandal means, keeping track of the latest antics of the U.N., and trying to gauge how Russia's interaction with China and Iran will ultimately impact us.  I don't want you to think that, for one minute, I have it all figured out.  I don't.  But I no longer want to rely on a 2-minute "nightly news" clip to sum up world events.  And I definitely know I can't trust the talking heads to be straight with us on what our own Government is doing behind our backs.  That means I have to do my own homework, and it calls for seeking out multiple sources in order to arrive at the truth.

     And I have to tell you that there are days it is downright discouraging.  There seems to be no "good" news on the horizon.  From "Jobless Claims Surge" to "Fukashima Radiation Now Detected in U.S. Food Supply" to "U.S. Navy Increases Presence in Strait of Hormuz" -- none of it is conducive to a positive attitude.  So I stay busy.  I try to keep my mind and my body occupied with things that provide some sense of accomplishment; things that are productive and beneficial.  Like learning how to pressure can the harvest from my garden; or begin the raising of chickens; or taking the steps to become more proficient in defending myself.
    Learning new skills and becoming more informed gives me a certain level of confidence and belief that we are temporarily secure, but the difficult questions are never far from my mind.  What will the future look like?  And how do I plan for it?  It has become obvious that we can take nothing for granted.  Our nation's healthcare system is in a state of turmoil.  Will Obamacare be upheld in its entirety, or will it be repealed?  And how will that affect the quality of care we receive and how we receive it?  With many in the medical ranks claiming they will leave the profession if the Affordable Health Care Act is maintained, what is that going to look like?
     And we've all heard that dreaded word "Taxmageddon".  Due to the $1.2 trillion in automatic spending cuts, which will cost the American taxpayers $310 billion in tax increases next year,  Congress is facing a year-end "fiscal cliff".  And will we find ourselves careening over that cliff, as well?  As small business owners, I can tell you that PLW and I will be among the millions of casualties of our government's failed fiscal policy.  So how do you plan for that?  We have reduced our debt, bought only things that will help us endure a sustained economic downturn, and tried to position ourselves to ride out the storm.  But if our income has fallen, and our taxes are expected to sharply rise, there's no way to make that equation balance.

     And what about those families who have children to send to college?  Or retirees who are trying to figure out what the future looks like for them?  The Washington Post reported a statement by the Federal Reserve that the net worth of American families fell by nearly 40% from 2007 to 2010.  They further claimed that this recession has wiped out nearly two decades of Americans' wealth!  That 40% represents the nest eggs for retiring Seniors, or college educations for a whole generation of kids; never mind the rest of us just trying to keep our heads above water!
     Americans are doing what they can ..... reducing credit card debt and living below their means for the first time in decades.  But with less income, the loss of value in our homes, and rising prices on everything from a jar of peanut butter, to the gas we put in our cars, our standard of living is taking a hit.  And no one knows where it will stop.
     The economists paint a gloomy picture.  They predict that it is only a matter of time, before this global economic house of cards comes tumbling down.  So how do we respond to that?  What should be our mindset?
     I find myself, more and more, picturing myself living my grandmother's life.  It was considerably harder and more rigorous than what we've come to feel we deserve.  We modern Americans often compare our affluent lives with their simpler existences, and think we have it so much better.  But do we?  Is it better to feel cheated and depressed because we're losing all the material things that this Society tells us we need to be happy ..... or would we be more content to expect less and be grateful for every good thing that God provides?
     I'm not sure my grandmother ever mapped out her future.  I'm not sure she looked beyond the next growing season or expected she would ever stop working.  She didn't have a maid, and if she sat still for longer than an hour, she felt lazy.  There was always "work" to do:  clothes to wash by hand, and hang out on the line; three meals a day to cook, and food to store for the winter; church activities to be involved in and the less fortunate to visit.  The "Future" didn't necessarily mean you would have more; "more" wasn't something you expected or felt was your due, but if it happened, you were mighty grateful.

     Now, I know that we are supposed to have "progressed" beyond this kind of menial lifestyle.  Our standards of living have excelled far beyond what our grandparents envisioned.  But I think we need to realize that we are faced with a new kind of "future", and those days of relaxing and enjoying the fruit of our labor just might be gone.  Everyone is going to have to tighten their belt and be satisfied with less.  Instead of expecting more and taking for granted that it will be there, we need to be grateful for what we receive; no matter the portion.  So, how do we plan for the future?  Concentrate on making your life meaningful, simpler, and less complicated.  Save as much as you can, and learn to live less extravagantly.  The way I look at it is this:  If whatever hardships are coming makes me appreciate people more, and things less, then perhaps I will gain much more than I've lost.  And that's a future that has true value.

Job 17:11-12         "My days have passed, my plans are shattered.  Yet the desires of my heart turn night into day; in the face of the darkness light is near."

Home, Sweet Home

     Lately, I have noticed more and more of my fellow Americans discussing the possibility of leaving this great land of ours, should tyranny reign.  John Price, in his book The End of America, offers biblical warnings of why you should flee America.  A local Republican Committee Chairwoman has stated she and her family have plans to relocate to Costa Rica, if things deteriorate.  And still others across the blogosphere enthusiastically extoll the virtues of becoming an expatriate.

     Before you decide to jump ship, you might want to read the following article that appeared on Survivalblog.com.   This well-written and researched post cites several different scenarios where people, who thought things were getting too restrictive here in the U.S., decided to pick up roots and move to another country, where they thought they could live a more free life.
     Inevitably, they found otherwise.  Don't get me wrong, there are lots of things about the direction this country is headed which I find troubling, if not downright terrifying.  But I still maintain that it is the best place on earth to make your stand.
     I often hear Canada, Singapore and Belize mentioned as possible destinations.  But in each of those countries, it is far too easy to find yourself running afoul of their restrictive gun laws.  And if you're even thinking that relocating diminishes your need to own firearms, well...... let's just say you probably don't understand the real concept of why you should be a firearms owner in the first place.
    But back to this excellent article --- it gives several good examples of people who thought they would live better lives outside the reach of the United States Government.  But they found otherwise.  Canada's gun laws are actually more restrictive than ours; and while it may seem confusing to keep up with the different gun laws in each of the 50 states, if you don't like the statutes where you live --- just move.  At least you're not subject to an overall national regulation; you do have choices.
     There are other liberties to consider besides the right to own firearms.  Take economic liberties.  The foundations of economic freedom are personal choice, voluntary exchange, and open markets.  While it's true that the U.S. has fallen into 10th place of the countries that offer the most economic freedom, according to the Cato Institute --- Hong is first, followed by Singapore, New Zealand, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Chile, the United Kingdom, and Mauritius --- there are still trade-offs, most importantly to me being the aforementioned right to bear arms.  And yes, our exorbitant government spending and borrowing have helped our decline in the standings, along with concerns over assaults on legal and property rights issues.  You might be able to make millions in Singapore, and avoid our tax situation, but it seems to me that a rich American immigrant would be an easy target.  And their strict gun laws would make me more than a little nervous about defending my wealth.
     So, as you can see, it still comes back to the Second Amendment for me.  These other nations might be doing better economically than we are, but don't think for a minute that they are immune from the global economic ramifications of our financial problems.  The world's economy is a house of cards, and we are at the center of it.  When it all falls apart, which citizenry stands the best chance of defending itself from a global tyranny?   Your preservation of wealth in a foreign country will not be as easy as you think.  Just consider the story of John MacAfee, the anti-virus software pioneer.  He recently found out that donating $1.2 million to the Belize Coast Guard, among other charitable "donations", did not keep him from being charged with gun violations after local police raided his fortified compound.

     Like I said, if you're an American in a foreign country, I think it's going to be assumed you have emigrated to protect your wealth, which puts a big, fat target on your forehead.  And if their gun laws are stricter than ours, how do you think you're going to protect that wealth, or not become a victim of some government scam?
     Nope, as for me, I'm staying right here.  The way I figure it, God placed me where he wanted me.  There's a reason I was born an American, and a purpose to my being here.  He has work for me to do right here, where I stand.  This country may not be all it used to be, but it won't stand a chance to return to its greatness if I don't stand and fight for her.  She deserves my loyalty and my unwavering commitment.

Revelation 3:2        "Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God."

U.S. Bankruptcy 101 - And It's More Than Financial

     Here are the facts:  The U.S. is the world's third largest exporter, after China and the European Union (Source:  CIA World Factbook).  Two-thirds of our exports are material goods; computer equipment, semiconductors, industrial machinery (including plastics, chemicals and petroleum products); a small portion is automotive; an equally small portion is food.  One-third of our exports are services, such as intellectual property including royalties, license fees, travel and financial services.

     But here's the real kicker:  We import more than we export.  And we are the world's largest importer.  We import more industrial machinery, oil and consumer goods (food, beverages, automobiles, drugs, electronics, clothing, household goods, furniture) than any other country.
     So how do these facts affect our economy?  It's this simple:  when the U.S. imports more goods and services than it exports, this results in a trade deficit.  And here's the number:  In 2011, the total U.S trade deficit was $559,956,000,000.00 (that's BILLION - I think it makes more of an impact to see all the zeroes, rather than $559.9565 Billion, don't you?)  And an ongoing trade deficit hurts our economy because it is financed with debt.
     How does that work?  The U.S. is able to buy more than it makes because the countries it buys from (China, Mexico, Japan) are lending it the money.  About.com explains it this way:  It's like a party where you’ve run out of money, but the pizza place is willing to keep sending you pizzas and put it on your tab. Of course, this can only go on as long as there are no other customers for the pizza, and the pizza place can afford to loan you the money. One day the lending countries may decide to ask the U.S. to repay the debt. On that day, the party is over.
     So how did we get ourselves into this mess?  The way I see it, we no longer find worth or value in manufacturing our own products.  Innovation is nearly a thing of the past.  There was a time we Americans took pride in our skilled trades, and the quality of our manufactured products, made by hand.  Today there is a profound and genuine lack of creation, invention and original wares with the "Made in America" stamp engraved on them.
     After WWII, we celebrated what we had to offer the world: the Hubble Space Telescope, the Defibrillator, the Artificial Heart, WD-40, the Zipper storage bag, Air bubble packing, hand-held calculator, string trimmer, polar fleece, Post-It notes, Gore-Tex and the Heimlich maneuver.
     Today, what we have to offer the world is an excessive supply of bling, Lady Gaga, TV shows like Glee, and video games like World of Warcraft.  It all means nothing.  Because you see, not only are we financially bankrupt, but we are spiritually bankrupt.  We are storing up "things" that offer nothing to the world, instead of storing up godly principles in our hearts.  We have become empty vessels, with nothing to give back to the world.

     When I hear stories of an Elementary School principal pulling the song "God Bless The USA" from her students' graduation ceremony in favor of a Justin Bieber song with strong sexual undertones, I shudder at what we've become.  Or the news report of the Principal who felt it was necessary to explain oral and anal sex to her 5th grade students in a sex education class.  These are 11-year-olds, for God's sake!  What in the world has gotten into us?!
     We've robbed our children of their innocence and turned them into consumers of empty, meaningless, worldly garbage.  Our educators don't want them glorifying their country or their God.  And we are paying the price.  We no longer make things with our hands, grow our own food, write a hand-written "thank you" note, or walk to the corner store for a soda pop.  Our kids are perpetually glued to a computer screen, and their communication is oftentimes limited to how fast they can text.  I've actually seen members of a visiting family sit in my living room and text each other on their laptops, rather than speak to one another!
     So is it any wonder that we are bankrupt in so many ways?  It is time we got back to living meaningful lives, filled with good, hard, honest labor - and making that labor result in something tangible and real.  We need to make our lives about something more than how much money we make, or our latest Facebook post.  If we don't reclaim the resourcefulness and the beliefs of our ancestors, our future lies in certain ruin.  And that will be truly shameful!
       
1 Timothy 6:9      "Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction."

Update On Greece And More

     Just because I haven't talked about Greece lately, doesn't mean the state of its economy and culture no longer has any consequences for us and the world.  In reality, things have deteriorated rapidly and we must look upon their situation as a potential forecast for ours.
     There is a worldwide loss of confidence in Greece's economic policies.  Their recent elections are proof of that.  Greeks, who are reeling from two years of austerity amid their country’s vicious financial crisis, punished the two formerly main parties, the conservative New Democracy and socialist PASOK at the polls, turning instead to radical smaller parties to the right and left of the political spectrum.  It remains to be seen if these new elements in the Greek Parliament bring some stability, or just more chaos.

If the recent display on live television during a Thursday morning political show is any indication, I think Greece is headed for further destabilization.  A spokesman for Greece’s extremist, far-right, Neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party can be seen causing an uproar after he physically assaulted two left-wing deputies (both women!)  A public prosecutor ordered his immediate arrest.
     Golden Dawn, which vehemently denies the neo-Nazi label, has been accused of being behind violent attacks against immigrants.  But when your spokesman throws a glass of water in the face of a fellow Parliamentarian, and then proceeds to hit her around the face three times, with right-left-right slaps to the sides of her head.....well, what else are we to think about the character of your political party?  At least, thank the Lord, we haven't descended into this kind of political theater here in the States..... yet.
     But what I am concerned about is the possibility of a rise in similar and extreme political factions because of desperation in this country.  We aren't as far gone as Greece, but it's not hard to imagine that we could find ourselves in their shoes very quickly.
     As revealed on one of the blogs I frequent, SHTF Plan, Greece is facing a collapse of their natural gas and electricity systems, due to their debt problem.  And they are having problems providing critical medicines to hospitals and pharmacies due to a shortage caused by a lack of credit from manufacturers to distributors to patients.  In fact, the credit system of the entire country is in chaos.  There are now reports of food shortages and hunger within the Greek prison system.  Their unemployment rates are now higher than 50% among those in their twenties, and no one is coming to the rescue.
     There have been runs on the banks, and talk of switching to the Greek drachma if they decide to abandon the Euro.  Company bosses are quietly making preparations to shutter Greek stores and close them in the short term, if the much-anticipated civil unrest occurs.  Needless to say, they are expecting riots this summer.  So all of Europe is watching.  And we should be taking note, too.

     And if you don't want to hear it from me, then please listen to Jim Rogers, the highly successful American investor who has moved his family and business to Singapore.  That's how much faith he has in our economy!  But listen to his latest advice:  Be very worried about 2013 and be very worried about 2014, because that’s when the next slowdown comes. In 2002 we had a recession and in 2008, it was worse because the debt was so much higher. The next time is going to be even worse because the debt is so staggeringly high now. So if you are not worried about 2013, please — get worried.
     Believe me, I'm hoping that somehow, some way, we can avert the crises we are seeing around the globe.  But we need to understand that between our oil and gas vulnerability, and our own debt crisis, we are just one catastrophe away from devastating our entire commerce infrastructure.  If you still doubt me, just read the article Just In Time: When the Trucks Stop, America Will Stop. 
     So, now that I hopefully have your attention, I urge you to just stay calm, and keep with your Preparedness Plan.  Reduce your debt as much as you can, store extra food, think like your grandparents did, develop community, and trust in a God who knows every hair on your head and has a Plan to give you hope and a future.  It's the only way!

Psalm 25:12     "Who, then, are those who fear the LORD? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose."  
   
     

Greeks Feeling the Pain; Are We Far Behind?

     Last week the news outlet Reuters printed one of the saddest stories I've read in the aftermath of the Greek economic free-fall.  A 77-year-old retired pharmacist, Dimitris Christoulas committed suicide, leaving a note that said he preferred to die rather than scavenge for food.  I quoted a statistic in a recent post that said suicides were up 40% in Greece, but now that statistic has a name.  The reports of middle class people scrounging through garbage cans for food is not just an exaggeration of some field reporter.
     Dimitris's death has become symbolic of the dire circumstances that many Greeks are facing.  His death has also led to demonstrations and clashes with riot police, complete with clouds of tear gas.
     It's not only the retired that are being affected by the worst economic crisis in Greece since World War Two.  Financial troubles are affecting the younger generation, too, who fear that there businesses will be seized by the bank for failure to pay mortgages and loans.

     And the Greeks are in the middle of a contentious election season..... you have pro-bailout parties embracing socialism and battling anti-capitalist Communist parties; while smaller parties are cropping up demanding that someone answer for the repeated rounds of wage and pension cuts that have seen the economy shrink by 20% since 2008.
     We keep being told that what is going on in Greece is a sign of what will happen in our own country if we don't get our runaway spending under control.  It's easy to dismiss this as many sheeple tend to do.  But the evidence is right before our eyes.  Political instability and a discontented populace, unwilling to "feel the pain", are only digging a deeper hole for Greece to climb out of.   Do you recognize us yet?
     Massive austerity cuts are being blamed for lengthening Greece's economic recession....and this is true --- BUT NECESSARY!  The problem is, the citizen's of Greece are not willing to bite the bullet; they have never embraced the fact that they need to suffer through a difficult and unpleasant, but temporary, phase in order to reset the clock and give their economy a chance to recover.

     We hear these same arguments here in the US: cutting entitlement programs will only hurt the poor; Wall Street is to blame (along with capitalism), whose time has come; more government spending is the answer.
    Greek politicians, who promote increased tax collection, privatizing public enterprises, and taking over health spending, say that these measures would give Greece more time to shore up its economy and finances.  REALLY?  And in the meantime, what do you do?  Why, more bailouts, of course!  Which deepens the debt and lengthens any real recovery.
     And isn't that exactly what we're hearing here in America?  "We need to collect more tax revenue" ..... "Unions are the answer" ..... "Health care costs are out of control, and would be better run by the government."
     I'm afraid we need to swallow the same bitter pill as the Greeks.  We need to stop the hemorrhage before we, the patient, bleeds out.  Higher taxes, more bailouts, and government take-over of private businesses are not the answer!  We need to stop whining, and take our medicine like a man (and woman)!  Putting it off only makes the anticipation of the pain more acute.  Just rip the bandaid off!  Because that bandage, which was intended to protect the injuries we inflicted on ourselves, is only serving to create more infection.  And thanks to the gutless politicians, they're going to leave that dirty bandaid on until our limb rots off!

Hebrews 12:11    "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." 

There For the Grace of God......

     This morning I woke to more depressing news of what most reliable journalistic sources say is the barometer of the world -- Greece.  According to an article in the New York Times, titled The Way Greeks Live Now, things are unraveling at a rapid rate.  (I know, I know.... the New York Times?  But the fact that they didn't sugarcoat reality piqued my curiosity).  As I read the article, it was unnerving; a Greek reporter was expounding upon the state of his country ....."the insidious ways in which the upper echelons of Greek media were intertwined with the political structure, which prevented reporting of financial mismanagement, and also clouded any hope for resolving the crisis."  Substitute US media for Greek media, and could you tell the difference?

     The reporter goes on to describe the average Greek's existence -- it seems everyone talks incessantly about the economy, but everyday life goes on; the citizens in a trance.  One-fourth of all Greek companies have gone out of business since 2009, and half of all small businesses can't meet payroll.  The saddest statistic was this:  the suicide rate increased by 40 percent in the first half of 2011.
     He goes on.  A barter system has evolved as people try to figure how out to survive when their economy is so broken.  The article goes on to say that people are hiding money under their mattresses because they don't trust their banks; decently dressed Greeks are discreetly rummaging through garbage bins for food; and a new book about how the country survived the Nazi occupation, titled Starvation Recipes, has become a popular hit.
     There was a poignant, almost comic relief, to the article.  A Greek couple who admitted that "the Greek way of life is to spend and then overspend", admitted that austerity cuts were necessary.  They had lived for a short time in America and then returned to their homeland, only to find it much more difficult to live than they expected.  But they have an escape plan.  They became American citizens while living in the U.S.  And when the husband turns 62 in two years, they plan to come to America and apply for Social Security benefits!
     As the government adds new taxes upon new taxes, the Greek population handles it the only way they can -- they protest and evade.  But protests lead to ugly confrontations and businesses are burned, as the young, who are heavily unemployed, act out in anger.  The older Greeks, choose to evade the oppressive taxes by ignoring them.  Toll plazas are erected along busy thoroughfares, and the citizens just lift the toll arm, amid bells and alarms, and drive off.  When an additional income tax was passed in 2010, (in effect, retaxing that year's income) the populace refused to pay, so the government added a new property tax to their electric bills, which you could evade only by having your power cut off.
     The solution?  Return to the mentality of their ancestors, the Spartans.  Get mean and lean and smart!  Quit borrowing money and spending unwisely.  Sound familiar?  Think we could learn a thing or two?  Are you listening America?

     What concerns me is that too many of my fellow Americans don't see our own reality.  They think it could never happen in America; we are too successful, the world relies on us, and they still have their jobs and eat out every other night, so how could things be so bad?  But I challenge you.  Have you noticed the rising prices at the grocery store?  At the gas pumps?  Are you out of debt, so that, heaven forbid, IF our economy falls off the cliff, could you make your mortgage payment... car payment .... kids' college tuition?
     I have been ridiculed for my "doomsday" outlook, and laughed at when I bought a few more items at the grocery store for "a rainy day".  But as I always answer my critics, "I would rather have a few additional items for a crisis and not need them, than encounter a crisis and be sorry I didn't think ahead."  It's that simple!  I don't need to make it about politics, economic or social philosophies, although I'm happy to debate that, too.  But for me, it's just using the good sense God gave me, and knowing that if this nation does not wake up and get back on track, there for the Grace of God.....

Psalm 13:18     "Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored."