thanks government,
its not even a cup of coffee

check me out at

http://www.buck64aday.blogspot.com

At this point, it is reasonable to expect that I’d say I was very worried, but I’m not. There is nothing that I can do that is going to stop the Titanic from going down and I have done all I can to build my own lifeboat and stock it for a long voyage - likely on my own. However, I would like to offer some observations on things that still frustrate me. My neighbors here in rural Oregon live day to day on minimal incomes and with zero curiosity about the world around them. In the closest city, there is a great deal of “green talk” and outrage at Big Oil, The War, etc. but very little practical planning. People both rural and urban seem to have a visceral sense that “things aren’t right” but have a childlike hope that the next election will set things right and/or technology will pull a rabbit from a hat, etc. but, to a man, have taken no concrete steps toward securing their future in an emergency, e.g. food, medicine, personal security, etc. Most, even if they talk the talk of emergency planning have little to fall back on if the banks close or the trucks delivering food stop running or the emergency services that they took for granted no longer respond. More serious problems like the electrical grid going down for a while or forever snap on the switch of “I can’t control that, so I don’t plan to worry about it.” And they don’t.

Having given away at least a dozen copies of THE LONG EMERGENCY (to very small effect) and having repeatedly bumped up against the walls of Denial and Willful Indifference, I’ve quietly retreated to my lifeboat and spend a lot of time planning my Victory Garden and tweaking my preparations.

It isn’t all about oil or natural gas. Now it’s about wheat rust, starvation, avian flu, water shortage (e.g. the Middle East and Atlanta); lack of leadership; an overindulged, uncritical and hedonistic US citizenry; the rise of nationalized oil; a failed economy and financial system; an unwillingness to confront many issues such as a very real threat from Islam’s core philosophy; a raped planet; climate change (Even George finally got it) and a host of other Horsemen who are already mounted and clattering down Elm Street and Wall Street.

I plan to take time out from paddling to vote for Ron Paul but then I’m back on the oars. The suction from a ship the size of this one is going to be huge.

Credit card debt - 45%
Auto loan - 33%
Student loan - 20%
Home equity loan - 16%

- Paul Edwards

David S.

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people

And the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics

And endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty;

To find others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by

A healthy child, a garden patch

Or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed

Easier because you have lived;

This is to have succeeded.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

To other countries, the U.S. is viewed as a nation that prides itself on the accumulation of wealth and success. In other words if you have enough money you are deemed a success, and with America’s addiction to celebrities, if you have wealth and “star” status you make the newspaper headlines. The pursuit of the “American Dream” however has become it’s worst nightmare. Check out the growth of rehab centres, the shrinking of the middle class, the foreclosures, the increased crime and violence, and the 47 million Americans suffering from illness and disease because they are too poor to have health insurance.

When Obama reached $25 million in campaign contributions, he made the headlines and was immediately elevated to the rank of a possible conteneder. Conversley if you have “star” power, and no money, you are still classified as a “loser”. What is broken in America is the political process, where money is equated to power and power is equated to success. Oprah has money and “star” status, so when she gets behind Obama he is suddenly elevated in the minds of the American people.

Other countries view America as a “narccistic”, spoiled child, and a bully who always gets what he wants. Bush Jnr. has spent the last 8 years proving all of the rest of the world right.

Make no mistake Obama and Clinton have both bought votes. Only 3% of American indivudals actually give to political campaigns, that leaves 97% to come from major corporate contributions and self interest groups. The truth is, and the truth hurts, Wall Street is in bed with the White Hous and the White House is in bed with Wall Street.

I do feel that it will take a fundamental shift in the way Americans are elected to congress and the white house. But that requires a tsunami of change to come from the middle class. The gap between the rich and poor in America has never been greater.

The poor have no money, therefore no power. The rich have money and the power. The middle class have a voice and a little money. The “Middle Class” revoltion is the only hope. This is America’s wake up call. Take the campaigns away from the candidates and their managers. Politicals strategists will alway advise candidates to say “what people want to hear them say”.

According to the Center for Public Integrity we are at the lowest level of trust of governments and companies since the 1930’s.

Americans need to start thinking about who they are and what they have become.

The middle class have become it’s greatest losers and subsequently “its’ greatest hope”. You have strength in numbers and a reason to be passionate about your cause. Start a “grass roots” movement that personifies truth, honesty and success measured in values, integrity, and compassion, rather than money and power. That is America’s only hope. The Dalai Lama has said that it will take 8-10 years for America to change, let’s hope it is within our lifetime and the lifetime of our grandchildren. Let the revolution begin!