Stop Pulling the Wagon

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY) Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA)

Rep. Ilhan Omar (Mn) and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI)

Designated by the Media as “The Squad” and in my opinion more appropriately referred to by Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana as “The Four Horse-women of the Apocalypse”.

If their agenda and rhetoric was not so hate filled, angry and anti-American, this group of four could almost be pitied and looked upon as some kind of failed third rate comedy routine from a skid row night club.

Fact is, they are also dangerous with a radical agenda that condones violence and racial division on the path to open borders and unfettered Socialism. Perhaps they would feel more at home in Cuba or Venezuela.

If anyone calls them to task for their obvious lies and hate speech they immediately fall back on the tired cry of “Racism” when racism has nothing to do with the subject under consideration.

Congresswomen, the subject at hand is Sovereignty and whether a nation has the right to control its own borders. You can agree or disagree with the concept of Sovereignty but it has nothing to do with racism.

Perhaps the word Sovereignty has too many syllables in it for you to understand or you just don’t have a valid argument against it, so you choose to just cry “Racism” as a fall back position for any subject you lack the intellectual capacity to discuss rationally.

Republicans can perhaps take some small solace that these Congresswomen are in the process of destroying the more traditional Democratic Party but it is small comfort indeed when one considers the damage they are attempting to do to the America most of us love and treasure.

It is a question to me why the media gives so much airtime to these practitioners of hate and division. They have no credible history of real public service to others.

I look forward to the day when they are yesterdays forgotten news and retire to the dustbin of failed politicians. They deserve no better.

Bob Bandy – July 2019

I see in the news that the City of San Francisco is going to spend Six Hundred Thousand Dollars to eradicate murals of George Washington’s life including scenes from Mount Vernon.

Rather than uniting us, sadly, such decisions and events serve more to divide us further as a people. I believe they mimic the actions of both the Taliban and ISIS in destroying treasured Historical Icons that are a reminder of where we have come from.

I am remembering an article I posted less than two years ago about what I can only describe as a “Pogram” at the time to remove all statues and other landmarks and public reminders of anything connected to the Civil War and slavery, to include destroying all historical tributes to Christopher Columbus and others.

Back then, in September of 2017, I began the article condemning the institution of Slavery in the strongest terms and believe that it was, is and will always be wrong. I don’t believe God intended for humans to live in slavery or to own slaves.

Having said the above I also wrote the following which is excerpted from that article and I believe we should all be mindful of:

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I am witnessing in our media and on our streets a form of mass hysteria and hate.  It scares me in the sense that I can see it ripping our society apart. I hear and read about “non-negotiable” demands to erase and tear down any relics of real or imagined links to slavery in our nation.  

It seems that anyone with any cultural, racial, or historical ties to slavery by any association or relationship in any way, is marked for removal from the annals of  our nations heritage.

The other day it was announced that ESPN removed a Sportscaster from the commentary at a Sporting event because the man, who had an Asian background, shared the same name as a Confederate General.

Let me share something with you.  I have a 60+ year fascination with history.

Don’t take my word for it, study for yourself.  When you study you will find that slavery in various forms was practiced by: The Carthaginians, the Romans, The Greeks, The Persians (Iranians), The Babylonians, The Chinese, The Mongols, The Huns (Europeans), England, The Vikings, The Russians, Southern Asian Peoples (including India), Egyptians, Middle Eastern and North African Islamic States, Native Americans (North, Central and South America), The People, Tribes and Nations of Central and South Africa.  Also, many Island Nations including Japan. And, I have probably missed naming a few.

Also keep in mind that the horror of slavery is still practiced in parts of the world.

I could be wrong but the only Continent that I am aware of that has no history of slavery in some part or way is Antarctica.  So, if you can firmly establish that all of your ancestors were Native Antarcticans you are stain free. Otherwise, join the rest of us in the cesspool.  

Virtually all of us have a skeleton or two in our closet if we want to dig a little and drag them out.

If it is decided to eradicate all statues, memorials, hospitals, schools, parks, highways, malls, airports, landmarks etc. etc. etc. with the names of anybody who has any ties in history to slavery, racism, a now despised group or family heirloom associated with such, you are going to be very busy.

Just one example:  Democratic Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia. Besides being a Senator, was a former Grand Wizard in the Ku Klux Klan.  I have heard an estimate, probably exaggerated, that perhaps half the airports, schools, hospitals, parks, highways etc. in the State of West Virginia are named after him.  You are going to need a lot of shovels, backhoes, “whitewash” and other equipment to eradicate his name and memory from the state.

But, not to pick on just the Senator.  Many, most or all of our great leaders, as well as us common folk, have historical skeletons we would probably just as soon not know about.  If we decide to eliminate everything and everyone who has ever had some trace of Slavery in their family history at any time ever, there won’t be very many of us left.

Slavery was abolished in the United States more than 150 years ago.  

The stain of racism is still with us and is practiced by people of all colors.  It will be with us until we all learn to love one another, forgive one another and be enriched by one another.  You cannot erase it by painting over historic works of art, law, edict, marching in the streets or hating one another.  Unfortunately, the latter is what I see being practiced in the media and on the streets.  Pity.

Bob Bandy – July 2019

Our Federal Government has no choice but to keep interest rates low.  Not because of choice but because of the growing National Debt.  It’s simple math really.

The Nations debt now exceeds 22 Trillion Dollars and it continues to grow, but for sake of this exercise lets just assume it is stagnant at 22 Trillion Dollars. 

Your Federal Government, in conjunction with the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Reserve Board determine the rate of interest paid on the National Debt.  This rate fluctuates from time to time and there are different rates charged depending on the borrower and the related “risk” involved.  The U.S. Government, because it can print money, is considered the “safest” borrower.    

Using our 22 Trillion Dollar debt figure lets do some simple math:

• At 2 1/2% Interest the interest for one year on the debt is 550 Billion Dollars
• At 5% Interest the interest for one year on the debt is 1.1 Trillion Dollars
• At 10% Interest the interest for one year on the debt is 2.2 Trillion Dollars

At one point in time during the Carter Presidency interest rates briefly hit 20%.  If that rate were current today, interest on the debt would be 4.4 Trillion Dollars.

The Government is considering a year 2020 budget of 4.75 Trillion Dollars.

If the debt continues to grow, and I see no “stomach” for fiscal restraint in Congress or among voters, at some point it would take all, or nearly all of the Federal Governments Budget just to pay the interest on the debt but of course our Government does not do that.  They just continue to borrow more money and increase the debt limit so they can pay the interest.  And the debt grows and grows.  The only solution, short of greatly increasing taxation and cutting spending,  is to devalue the Dollar through higher inflation.  Inflation devalues the debt but it also decreases the value of savings and hurts those on fixed income, the elderly and the poor.

Worst of all, inflation discourages investors who purchase debt bonds.  Who wants to buy debt bonds paying very low interest rates while the purchasing value of the Bonds become worth less and less through inflation?

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“Interest costs are expected to continue climbing beyond the next 10 years and are projected to be the third largest category in the federal budget by 2026 (after just Social Security and Medicare), the second largest category in 2046, and the single largest category by 2048.” –  Source: Peter G. Peterson Foundation

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Our Federal Government may have painted themselves into a corner.  With a debt that continues to grow they face greater and greater pressure to keep interest rates artificially low while at the same time creating a situation where “investors” – buyers of debt bonds – become less and less inclined to invest in securities of a possible “sinking ship”.

What is the old saying about choosing your poison?

Bob Bandy

June 2019

Soylent Green – 1973 – MGM

IT IS NOT MY INTENT BUT THE FOLLOWING MAY OFFEND SOME.  

File this under the category of a both macabre and frightening vision of the path our culture seems to be on.  

My first plan was to write about this movie from a humorous perspective but on second thought decided that the movie is a bit too close to current reality.

If you have never seen the movie Soylent Green you should watch it.  At the time it came out in theaters it seemed “beyond the pale” and impossible.  Almost humorous.  Now, some 40+ years later and observing what is happening to American values makes me wonder.

Within this 40+ years I have witnessed a great lessening of the reverence for the sanctity  of  human life in many segments of our society.  A sort of hardening or callousness. 

I see America drifting into a scary, Orwellian World where “up is down”,  “wrong is right” & “lies are truth”.  An insane asylum where insanity is in charge and normalcy is locked in rooms clad in straight jackets .

Watch the movie and study the character, played by Edward G. Robinson, about the “final solution” for dealing with the elderly.

We live in a world where too often we grant celebrity status to even the most dishonest and disreputable politicians and excuse criminal activity by corrupt government employees, while at the same time we devalue the most vulnerable of human life. 

Are unwanted humans now considered disposable?  Some percentage of our population seems to feel it is.  

Is the time coming when we reach a point in our culture where the unwanted  are viewed as just another source of protein?  In 1973 this may have seemed preposterous.  

What once seemed preposterous seems less so now. 

Recyclable is now being put into practice.  At least it is in one State.  I just saw recently that the State of Washington has passed a law allowing human “Composting” and have a facility in operation for this purpose.  It was reported in the news that if you leave a “loved one” there for composting they will give you “compost” in return to take home for your garden.

Consider this macabre scenario:  The spouse is leaving for work:

“Hey Hon.  Uncle Harry died yesterday.  He’s in that plastic tub on the back porch.  Do you mind dropping him off at the Composting Center on your way to work?   Oh, and while you’re there, check and see if Grandma is done.  The rose bushes on the Patio need some fresh compost.”  

How far off the path of respect for human life have we drifted?

Is it within the realm of possibility to think America might have a Soylent Green Future?

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”  Author Unknown – generally credited to Edmund Burke.

Bob Bandy

June 2019

 

 

Congressman Jerrold “Jerry” Nadler

 

“Jerry” Nadler is the Congressional Representative for the 10th district of New York in the U.S. House of Representatives.  He has served in this position since 1992.  He is currently serving as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

On his best days he is a clown and a buffoon.  But, that is on his best days.  Most days he is just a frustrated, angry, incompetent Party Line Drone.

He was a member of the consortium in Congress that passed a law that forbids the release of Federal Grand Jury Testimony.  The original purpose of this law was to protect Bill Clinton from unflattering comments made in Grand Jury testimony during the Clinton Impeachment Hearings,   This law requires the “redaction” of such material.  It is a Federal Crime to violate this law.

“Jerry” is now the architect of Contempt of Congress proceedings to hold United States Attorney General William Barr in Contempt of Congress for refusing to release un-redacted copies of Federal Grand Jury testimony in the Robert Mueller Report in direct violation of a law that he, Jerry Nadler, championed and helped pass.

The irony is that if Attorney General Barr acquiesced to Congressman Nadler’s demands, he would be in violation of the law and subject to Impeachment himself for violating his oath of office to enforce the law.

You can’t make this kind of idiocy up.  

Congressman Nadler may be a Legend in his own mind but he is also a prime candidate for my “Hall of Shame – Clowns, Criminals and Lundatics in Congress”.

Bob Bandy

May 2019

 

 

 

 

 

Typical Workplace Entry Level Job

 

LOOKING BEYOND THE “GOOD INTENTIONS”

Like most folks I want everyone willing to work to make as much money as possible.

I am always suspicious of Government efforts to “fix” perceived problems with “Feel Good” Legislation which is often just a way for Congress to “buy” votes.

If the Government mandates a $15 hour minimum wage, who are the Winners and the Losers?

While some workers who currently make less than that will get a boost in pay,  other workers will lose jobs which will be replaced by automation or simply eliminated because the job they were doing is not viable at $15 an hour.  

A mandated $15 an hour minimum wage would not allow me to accept less than $15 an hour even if I want to.    What about the freedom to work out a compensation plan with a prospective “employer” that is mutually acceptable?  What about working for less than $15 an hour to help a friend in a struggling “start-up” business?  What about apprenticeships? 

I believe that there is value in having entry level jobs where workers can learn the discipline and basics of creating value in the marketplace through their efforts while they develop skills and habits to increase their value to those who pay their wages.  It is fair to say that many entry level employees are getting paid while getting an education in the “real” world of work – sort of “cheap” College. 

If you require employers to pay wages that can’t be compensated for in the price of the goods and services they are selling, those jobs will be eliminated by either automation or bankruptcy of the place of business.  It is what it is.

Minimum wage jobs were never meant to be career jobs frozen at minimum wage which cannot adequately support a family.  Think of them more as “training for better things” positions or supplemental jobs.  Often these jobs are filled by students or others looking for extra spending money or to subsidize special purchases.  

Question?  If $15 an hour is good, would $25 an hour be even better?  Why not $50 an hour?  Or $100 an hour? 

Whatever the hourly rate is the money to pay it has to come from somewhere.  Some would say to take the higher wages out of the greedy employers profits.  That may sound good till you realize that without profits the so-called “greedy” employers have no incentive to put up with the grief and headaches of being in business.  At some point the cost of automation starts looking pretty attractive to those who are actually paying “salaries”.  Robots don’t call in sick on critical days.  They don’t come in late to work because the dog hid the car keys,  they don’t …… fill in the blank. 

In my life I learned that if I wanted more income, I needed to make my efforts worth more to either my employer or my customer.  Discipline, education, effort.

If enacted into law, a $15 an hour minimum wage will benefit some number of current minimum wage employees who will see a boost in pay but the real beneficiary of a higher minimum wage is Government.  A higher minimum wage means Government gets to skim more off the top of larger payments confiscated from both employees and the employers and funneled into the Social Security Ponzi Scheme.  

There will also be losers due to the inflationary pressures from higher labor costs: 

• Folks on fixed income (like the elderly and disabled).
• Those whose jobs would be eliminated (students, entry level workers etc.).
• Many who are currently in “apprenticeship” positions.
• Many employees for marginally profitable to non-profit businesses.

For more about Government and the Social Security Ponzi Scheme just type Ponzi Scheme into the Search window on the left side of  the Home page and hit enter on your keyboard.  It will take you to an article I wrote back in March of 2018 about what the thieves in Congress did with “your” Social Security “Trust Fund” dollars.

You can agree or disagree but I offer this as food for thought.

Bob Bandy

May 2019