RoR: Forum

Oh, yes, I agree full with you on the unaccepetability of that Czar bullshit, if you will forgive my unmannerliness. I remember objecting strongly back in The Bill Bennett Drug Czar days. And of course we now have Obama appointing a "Pay Czar" to override contractual obligations to employees of companies that take (or are forced to take) TARP loans.

(Edited by Ted Keer on 6/06, 12:12pm)

Post 21

Sunday, June 7, 2009 - 4:11am

Over the course of ones life time a modest ambition is to earn a cumalitive sum that approximates a million dollars. This day in age that is considered eeking out a living as ones fiscal responsibilities out pace ones earnings.
In this day in age macroeconomics has/is taking its toll and is devouring the microeconomics of mundane life. Every one is so worried about a government that is 'to big to fail' that they have forgotten that money is only a symbol of ones wealth that is issued by the assessor not the assesee.
To classify an arbritrary agent as tsar or an inspector general is coining a new 'buzz word" perhaps a vice in itself.
Has anyone taken into consideration the amount of moneys that slip through the cracks in lost pocket change. the moneys put out of cirulation by the purchase of illicit drugs, the monies that had a venue that have been confiscated for new blue laws?
Guess what lets all feel like millionaires you only pass this way but once. In the vicinity where I was raised has a location that is called the boot jack. They call it the boot jack cause you drive in and you winch your way back out. Nicest place you will ever visit.

Post 22

Sunday, June 7, 2009 - 11:00am

It's "in this day and age."

Post 23

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 8:30am

I'm not concerned in the least with others' greed, unless it is the greed associated with running skins not their own.

Why isn't that ever classified as 'greed?'

When it comes to owning skins, we generally all just get the one. Isn't that apparent?

Else, we'd need a Czar of Greed.

The definition of 'greed' has been politicized.

When risk takers take risk to build beast out of nothing but their vision, that is politically based on 'greed.'

When parasites and carcass carvers demand their unilaterally arrived at 'share' of beast after all the risk has been weighed and borne, and the beast builders balk, their balking is called 'greed.'

But, being a parasitic carcass carver, with nothing but demands, is not greed. Why, no, it is a virtuous and wonderful thing. Green, even.

Any questions, kids?

OK, there are your two doors, kids: 'Riders' to the left and 'Ridden' to the right.

So who's still volunteering to prepay their own ransom in the new quicksand federally ruled 'The Economy' game?

Hey, those pumps are primed, the credit card is maxed, and well, never mind. It will be what it will be.

Enjoy the Green summer.

Post 24

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 8:21pm

The office of "inspector general" is entirely inappropriate for a free society. However, there is another closely related subject that bothers me more: the mind set of Laura Chick, and of many other Americans.

The disturbing thing about Laura Chick is the primitivism of her thinking. Like many other people, Ms. Chick believes that she can identify what is real through her feelings. Facts and evidence do not concern or inhibit her; if they did, she would refrain from making reckless unfounded accusations.

This primitivism is the scariest phenomena of our times--to me, at least. I see variations of this theme everywhere: in economics, in medical science, in climateology, in history, and psychology. This statement probably sounds arrogant, but I mean it sincerely.

People usually do not bother to think things through carefully, especially concerning subjects that inflame their feelings.

I think this habit of mind reflects the idea that no one knows anything with "certainty".

(Edited by Mark Humphrey on 6/10, 8:28pm)

Post 25

Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 7:49pm