The Mount Vernon neighborhood was once one of the richest in America. It was built from wealth that was earned in manufacturing, trade, and transportation.
Baltimore, the canary in our national coal mine! I lasted two years in that hell-hole of a city. That was in 1974-76. I snuck out of town on Preakness Saturday in May, 1976 and never looked back. I was there briefly in June 1998 to visit Camden Yards (big deal, and it didn't "save" downtown, either) and show Fort McHenry to my sons. I have passed, gladly, on other chances to return.
When "wealth that was earned" becomes a "dirty" subject, when terms like "fairness" and "equality" begin to take precedence in a supposedly "free" society, you know your time is up. A society cannot create wealth, cannot attain greatness, if "fairness" is its operating principle. Why? Because life isn't fair or equal. When it gets to that point, all you are doing is telling achievers, builders, innovators, and visionaries, "Go elsewhere". And guess what? They do. And your cities fill up with the opposite.
One other thing before I go: the constant observation by Bill Bonner in this latest essay is "fat"
and "poor". How does that happen? It happens, when government sets out to own you via indulgent vote-buying, what the Romans called "bread and circus". The government marks are too stupid, unmotivated, indoctrinated, and subsidized to notice. Best always. PM
P.S. In the interim from May 1976 to now, my hometown, Louisville, KY, became what I call "Little Baltimore". I seldom go there. I go out of my way NOT to go there. PM
When fairness is the operating principle it removes motivation, the primary thing that builds intelligence, wealth and success for society. A man can do anything he sets his mind to with motivation but can do essentially nothing without it.
A wonderful summary of the decline of Western civilisation. I come from Yorkshire in the north of England. I try to avoid going to my hometown of Leeds; I still love its football team but I view the city itself as you view Louisville.
The Left naively assumes the world is as they believe it should be rather than how it is in reality. They cannot contemplate any other view, despite the evidence. It’s little surprise as the majority of its politicians have never held a proper private sector job. Consequently, they incentivise fecklessness and disincentive prudence. And when their theories deliver social disaster, they dream up a litany of excuses to explain what prevented the outcome they expected/wanted. This, ironically, involves blaming the Right for the overt failure of Leftist welfare soaked idiocy.
Thanks in the extreme for this commentary. Evidently, no one in the West was prepared for our eventual decline. It came, ironically, after our greatest triumph: WWII. We are failing gradually and incrementally here; it is logical to expect that some final, and perhaps spectacular, dissolution will occur. Best always to you and yours. PM
It’s coming, Paul. Populations indoctrinated with lunacy, governments up to their necks in debt, deficits forever, evaporating work ethic, half the population suffering from mental health issues and the other half not sure what sex they are. What could possibly go wrong?
And there are young people — often students at the nearby ‘arts’ school — who are wondering if they should switch majors, switch schools, or switch sexes.
Wow! Unfortunately, more and more downtowns of America are becoming like Baltimore. Initially, started in the huge cities - you know the likes of San Francisco, Chicago, New York - but it is spreading fast across the country. It is a sign of decay that neither the government nor the media can cover up. It is just rotting out in the open. And, those not so inclined are moving out. It appears at least to this ol' man that there is no Make America Great Again. The U.S. is on a fast track to nowhere. You can hope and you can be optimistic - but you better prepare. America and all our lives are a-changin'.
Proof that the vote-buying works. Common sense would dictate a need to change direction, policy, etc., but that doesn't come about. Why? Some people will sell their birthright for a bowl of stew. Make that MANY people... Best always. PM
Does Kamaltoe's latest pledged give away of taxpayers money, to a very selective subset of the US' population, not qualify as 'Selection' Interference ... and a blatant illegality?
Where is the ZOG'd DoJ's pigbulls on this arrogant display of bribery and vote buying??
PS - Did anyone see yesterday where the "pentagon" issued a "federal directive" allowing our "military" to open fire on Civilians, in the "right" circumstances with the "proper" request from local "authorities"?
These disgusting traitors on the left HISTORICALLY do one of two things:
1. Project what they are actually doing onto the other side of the political aisle;
2. Telegraph ahead of time what misery they are about to inflict on the rest of us.
Every. Freaking. Time.
Number 2 apparently has something to do with the fine print in their demonic contract - can't dish out the evil without a warning to the sheep.
Obviously torturing innocent Patriots after J6 hasn't been enough for them. When we peacefully protest the blatant steal they are preparing to attempt AGAIN this November, we will have targets on our fronts and backs. Funny how someone shooting at you to kill focuses the mind.
SE: Innocent Patriots…My A**. If you had a TV and watched it for many hours while it was happening, you would change your mind. If you do the crime, you Do The Time. If Trump loses again, you will say it was rigged. Of course it was..only in your warped mind.
Refreshing, literary, amusing authentic piece on Baltimore. Bill is a great observer and writer ✍️. No wonder we read him. One of the few with a dream that became reality. Apparently, the teacher cognitive dissonance in school.
Gotta appreciate those 4 valuation measures. Meanwhile all us old timers, experienced people, sit here and lament the deterioration of the country and economy. We see it in the buildiings, the behavior, the attitudes, the motivation. We're pretty sure we are right while the young fund managers listen to the Fed and headlines from the MSMedia i.e. the same cohort that are harassing us with wokism, lies, covid, marxist chants, and a more "fair" world promise if you vote for me, and they keep on buying stocks that will take 20 some years to make one money. They love the new ideas like AI but we think we've seen it all before and WAR speaks loudly that essential indicator of integrity.
I wonder who built the church? The only answer to Baltimores problems will be to reinstall a good man in that church, start again with the foundation of society. Western prosperity was founded and built on the christian world view.
Love God, Love your Neighbour and Love your Enemy.
The christian world view was promoted by the elites of the 16th and 17th centuries with William Wilberforce and the Clapham sect being the most noted from history, following on were the American founding fathers, establishing the peace, prosperity, liberty and freedom that we have enjoyed until now. The Clapham sect included a great early economist, Henry Thornton.
We have no shortage of funds available for this task, personally my focus is on deploying my funds to the cause that will make a difference, re-establishing the fear of the Lord in society. Its the only solution to todays multiple crisis and even better, it has the blessing of the creator of the universe.
I love your perspective, Mr. Bonner. You remind me of Garrison Keillor. Your observations? Funny but sad. And yes....unfortunate. Revival in America? Much needed. Me thinks it might get worse before better, however. Carry on, sir!
We pray. We speak. Doesn't hurt to ask God what He can do. We vote. We speak up to others. We hold our ground...no matter the cost. Hard to do. Die fighten' or die frightened. We all have a big choice coming up.
My sister used to live right on the fringe of the Inner Harbor. The Inner Harbor was safe but just outside of it Baltimore was a third world country. SO glad when my sister got married and moved to the country.
Funny how all the relatively older folks on this thread see the decay in society yet seem to think they bare no responsibility for it. Seems to me, and I’ve mentioned it before, we are the ones which have been at the helm for the last 50 years. Why did we allow the growth of government, military, social payments etc . Not really the fault of these younger kids who grew up in a faithless society, where the family destruction was applauded. God help us all as one way or the other the ship will right itself. If we survive long enough with Israel’s idiotic behavior. Wish you well fellow readers.
Marcus you make excellent points. Since Dr Spock changed child care Republican have sat and counted their wealth or played golf, or other. My family stopped fighting for what they believed in, and I was busy at work, or with family and hobbies, thinking you were going to do it... You are right the kids who inherit this mess inherited from us and our parents.
Mr. Lockwood, I have been wondering about those stocks too. They have really been tanking the last two weeks. I hope Tom addresses this matter tomorrow. I'm not sure if the stocks are following the price of oil, which has been going down pretty fast based on what OPEC has been indicating lately; or, it's something else.
Well, we've learned something about Bill. Just because he couldn't find that tunnel, doesn't mean that it's not there. If I were building a secret tunnel from my office to the station to protect me and my fortune's (probably GOLD) emergency exit, I wouldn't want it to be well known or easily discovered. We all know what a great writer and historian Bill is but could it be that he is a poor tunnel discovery.
Young people have been propagandized by the schools. They come out trained for failure in a capitalist society or they may choose no freedom for some simple unrealistic vision of fairness. They want to remove hate, racism, prejudice. They want fairness and equal opportunity, all good things, but once out of school they have to relearn reality. I think this is what is influencing America right now. They do not realize there is no such thing as perfect fairness, equality and no racism or no prejudice.
I think this is part of the reason that Obama never explained to blacks and whites that one must build his own reaality for himself. Negotiate, do better work than others and work one's way to where he wants to be. Obama got lucky but his followers never received any wisdom, just a couple thousand meaningless bucks to buy votes and in return received a nice sounding fairness doctrine that led them down a disappointing road upon which they are still confused.
I love Obama's famous one-liner that sums up what he and all his fellow Marxists believe: "How do you pull yourself up by your bootstraps when you don't have boots?" Which was one way of saying, "You have no shot at success unless we (the government) give you one."
I say that in this country, there are opportunities to own a pair of boots everywhere, you just have to be willing to put the time and effort into earning them. And, once you own a pair that you earned the hard way, the sky is the limit. It's too bad Obama lacks the vision to recognize this.
Doesn't matter what color, religion, sex you are - or even, in some cases, talent you have.
*Be able to speak/read/write the English language
*Show up on time where you are supposed to be with the right uniform/equipment
*Have a humble, teachable attitude
Do these 3 things and NOBODY can hold you back in this Country.
Unfortunately, that Reality is rapidly disappearing under the dictats and philosophy of the leftists/statists/dimocrats/communists who we have mistakenly given any Power...
SE: You were going really good until you wrote your last paragraph. It’s amazing that Trump can be quilty of many crimes and you still think he is a wonderful person. How sad you are! One day maybe you will actually read about Trump’s misguided deeds; but I won’t hold my breath.
And the fraud begins to fall. Sit tight, Dot old girl. This is what is going to happen to ALL the lawfare "victories" you are so sure y'all have gotten away with...
SE: I think you are sick! You have too much hatred in your heart and soul ( if you have one). Trump has gotten away with too much already. Payback is going to be a b*****. Hope you are around to see it.Your article didn’t prove anything…try harder!
I find myself wondering if I am the only one who reads your daily posts primarily for what I suspect are almost accidental inclusions. In any case, this one was a gem: "And there are young people — often students at the nearby ‘arts’ school — who are wondering if they should switch majors, switch schools, or switch sexes." Thanks! I needed that.
Baltimore, the canary in our national coal mine! I lasted two years in that hell-hole of a city. That was in 1974-76. I snuck out of town on Preakness Saturday in May, 1976 and never looked back. I was there briefly in June 1998 to visit Camden Yards (big deal, and it didn't "save" downtown, either) and show Fort McHenry to my sons. I have passed, gladly, on other chances to return.
When "wealth that was earned" becomes a "dirty" subject, when terms like "fairness" and "equality" begin to take precedence in a supposedly "free" society, you know your time is up. A society cannot create wealth, cannot attain greatness, if "fairness" is its operating principle. Why? Because life isn't fair or equal. When it gets to that point, all you are doing is telling achievers, builders, innovators, and visionaries, "Go elsewhere". And guess what? They do. And your cities fill up with the opposite.
One other thing before I go: the constant observation by Bill Bonner in this latest essay is "fat"
and "poor". How does that happen? It happens, when government sets out to own you via indulgent vote-buying, what the Romans called "bread and circus". The government marks are too stupid, unmotivated, indoctrinated, and subsidized to notice. Best always. PM
P.S. In the interim from May 1976 to now, my hometown, Louisville, KY, became what I call "Little Baltimore". I seldom go there. I go out of my way NOT to go there. PM
When fairness is the operating principle it removes motivation, the primary thing that builds intelligence, wealth and success for society. A man can do anything he sets his mind to with motivation but can do essentially nothing without it.
Same with Faith, IMO...
Paul,
A wonderful summary of the decline of Western civilisation. I come from Yorkshire in the north of England. I try to avoid going to my hometown of Leeds; I still love its football team but I view the city itself as you view Louisville.
The Left naively assumes the world is as they believe it should be rather than how it is in reality. They cannot contemplate any other view, despite the evidence. It’s little surprise as the majority of its politicians have never held a proper private sector job. Consequently, they incentivise fecklessness and disincentive prudence. And when their theories deliver social disaster, they dream up a litany of excuses to explain what prevented the outcome they expected/wanted. This, ironically, involves blaming the Right for the overt failure of Leftist welfare soaked idiocy.
Thanks in the extreme for this commentary. Evidently, no one in the West was prepared for our eventual decline. It came, ironically, after our greatest triumph: WWII. We are failing gradually and incrementally here; it is logical to expect that some final, and perhaps spectacular, dissolution will occur. Best always to you and yours. PM
It’s coming, Paul. Populations indoctrinated with lunacy, governments up to their necks in debt, deficits forever, evaporating work ethic, half the population suffering from mental health issues and the other half not sure what sex they are. What could possibly go wrong?
Atlas Shrugged
A memorable line.....
And there are young people — often students at the nearby ‘arts’ school — who are wondering if they should switch majors, switch schools, or switch sexes.
Wow! Unfortunately, more and more downtowns of America are becoming like Baltimore. Initially, started in the huge cities - you know the likes of San Francisco, Chicago, New York - but it is spreading fast across the country. It is a sign of decay that neither the government nor the media can cover up. It is just rotting out in the open. And, those not so inclined are moving out. It appears at least to this ol' man that there is no Make America Great Again. The U.S. is on a fast track to nowhere. You can hope and you can be optimistic - but you better prepare. America and all our lives are a-changin'.
Ironically what do they all have in common? Long time domination by the democrat party.
Proof that the vote-buying works. Common sense would dictate a need to change direction, policy, etc., but that doesn't come about. Why? Some people will sell their birthright for a bowl of stew. Make that MANY people... Best always. PM
Hi Paul -
One man's Vote Buying is another ignorant slut's last-ditch effort to save a failing campaign:
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/next-level-vote-buying-harris-promises-black-men-20k-forgivable-loans
Does Kamaltoe's latest pledged give away of taxpayers money, to a very selective subset of the US' population, not qualify as 'Selection' Interference ... and a blatant illegality?
Where is the ZOG'd DoJ's pigbulls on this arrogant display of bribery and vote buying??
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Dorothy, Harry and Jimm are predictably silent.
Divert - Deny - Ignore.
It's the dimocrat communist way...
PS - Did anyone see yesterday where the "pentagon" issued a "federal directive" allowing our "military" to open fire on Civilians, in the "right" circumstances with the "proper" request from local "authorities"?
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/10/leo-hohmann-pentagon-issues-federal-directive-allowing-military/
These disgusting traitors on the left HISTORICALLY do one of two things:
1. Project what they are actually doing onto the other side of the political aisle;
2. Telegraph ahead of time what misery they are about to inflict on the rest of us.
Every. Freaking. Time.
Number 2 apparently has something to do with the fine print in their demonic contract - can't dish out the evil without a warning to the sheep.
Obviously torturing innocent Patriots after J6 hasn't been enough for them. When we peacefully protest the blatant steal they are preparing to attempt AGAIN this November, we will have targets on our fronts and backs. Funny how someone shooting at you to kill focuses the mind.
They are in for a BIG surprise, methinks...
SE: Innocent Patriots…My A**. If you had a TV and watched it for many hours while it was happening, you would change your mind. If you do the crime, you Do The Time. If Trump loses again, you will say it was rigged. Of course it was..only in your warped mind.
Yawn. Snort. YAWN.
Oh so ignorant.
PS - Still no comment on the illegal and Racist election interference give-away to ONLY "black" Americans? How very Fascist of you...
SE: Why bother? You are the Fascist and you will never change. You are so Stupid. How do you find your way home at night?
Divert - Deny - Ignore.
Every. Freaking. Time.
With NO substance beyond personal attacks...
Just a perfect example of how Marxism works in reality.
Refreshing, literary, amusing authentic piece on Baltimore. Bill is a great observer and writer ✍️. No wonder we read him. One of the few with a dream that became reality. Apparently, the teacher cognitive dissonance in school.
They teach
Brother Xave! I thought you had bailed! Good to "see" you! Best always. PM
Bill, you left off the most important part.
Just like New York, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago, Detroit, and OH so many others -
It's all the Fault of Trump and the Conservatives...
Gotta appreciate those 4 valuation measures. Meanwhile all us old timers, experienced people, sit here and lament the deterioration of the country and economy. We see it in the buildiings, the behavior, the attitudes, the motivation. We're pretty sure we are right while the young fund managers listen to the Fed and headlines from the MSMedia i.e. the same cohort that are harassing us with wokism, lies, covid, marxist chants, and a more "fair" world promise if you vote for me, and they keep on buying stocks that will take 20 some years to make one money. They love the new ideas like AI but we think we've seen it all before and WAR speaks loudly that essential indicator of integrity.
I wonder who built the church? The only answer to Baltimores problems will be to reinstall a good man in that church, start again with the foundation of society. Western prosperity was founded and built on the christian world view.
Love God, Love your Neighbour and Love your Enemy.
The christian world view was promoted by the elites of the 16th and 17th centuries with William Wilberforce and the Clapham sect being the most noted from history, following on were the American founding fathers, establishing the peace, prosperity, liberty and freedom that we have enjoyed until now. The Clapham sect included a great early economist, Henry Thornton.
We have no shortage of funds available for this task, personally my focus is on deploying my funds to the cause that will make a difference, re-establishing the fear of the Lord in society. Its the only solution to todays multiple crisis and even better, it has the blessing of the creator of the universe.
I love your perspective, Mr. Bonner. You remind me of Garrison Keillor. Your observations? Funny but sad. And yes....unfortunate. Revival in America? Much needed. Me thinks it might get worse before better, however. Carry on, sir!
Sure, but do we DO anything about what is reported in these Bonner/Keillor/Hanson essays?
Vote Harder...
Vote early and vote often…
With one hand on the lever and the other hand out...Best always. PM
GF: Well, that’s one way to win!
LMAO. Best always. PM
We pray. We speak. Doesn't hurt to ask God what He can do. We vote. We speak up to others. We hold our ground...no matter the cost. Hard to do. Die fighten' or die frightened. We all have a big choice coming up.
Welcome to Lake Wobegon, where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average.
Oh, Bill, I feel so bad that you found yourself in the midst of a bunch of Democrat voters the other day. You have my sympathy.
Ha!!
My sister used to live right on the fringe of the Inner Harbor. The Inner Harbor was safe but just outside of it Baltimore was a third world country. SO glad when my sister got married and moved to the country.
Funny how all the relatively older folks on this thread see the decay in society yet seem to think they bare no responsibility for it. Seems to me, and I’ve mentioned it before, we are the ones which have been at the helm for the last 50 years. Why did we allow the growth of government, military, social payments etc . Not really the fault of these younger kids who grew up in a faithless society, where the family destruction was applauded. God help us all as one way or the other the ship will right itself. If we survive long enough with Israel’s idiotic behavior. Wish you well fellow readers.
Marcus you make excellent points. Since Dr Spock changed child care Republican have sat and counted their wealth or played golf, or other. My family stopped fighting for what they believed in, and I was busy at work, or with family and hobbies, thinking you were going to do it... You are right the kids who inherit this mess inherited from us and our parents.
Why are the tankers tanking? Could it have something to do with the possibility that Israel may attack the Iranian oil facilities?
Mr. Lockwood, I have been wondering about those stocks too. They have really been tanking the last two weeks. I hope Tom addresses this matter tomorrow. I'm not sure if the stocks are following the price of oil, which has been going down pretty fast based on what OPEC has been indicating lately; or, it's something else.
Well, we've learned something about Bill. Just because he couldn't find that tunnel, doesn't mean that it's not there. If I were building a secret tunnel from my office to the station to protect me and my fortune's (probably GOLD) emergency exit, I wouldn't want it to be well known or easily discovered. We all know what a great writer and historian Bill is but could it be that he is a poor tunnel discovery.
Yes, I thought, with plenty of money and reason no one would find my secret tunnel!
Products of the Dept of Education indoctrination effort
Young people have been propagandized by the schools. They come out trained for failure in a capitalist society or they may choose no freedom for some simple unrealistic vision of fairness. They want to remove hate, racism, prejudice. They want fairness and equal opportunity, all good things, but once out of school they have to relearn reality. I think this is what is influencing America right now. They do not realize there is no such thing as perfect fairness, equality and no racism or no prejudice.
I think this is part of the reason that Obama never explained to blacks and whites that one must build his own reaality for himself. Negotiate, do better work than others and work one's way to where he wants to be. Obama got lucky but his followers never received any wisdom, just a couple thousand meaningless bucks to buy votes and in return received a nice sounding fairness doctrine that led them down a disappointing road upon which they are still confused.
I love Obama's famous one-liner that sums up what he and all his fellow Marxists believe: "How do you pull yourself up by your bootstraps when you don't have boots?" Which was one way of saying, "You have no shot at success unless we (the government) give you one."
I say that in this country, there are opportunities to own a pair of boots everywhere, you just have to be willing to put the time and effort into earning them. And, once you own a pair that you earned the hard way, the sky is the limit. It's too bad Obama lacks the vision to recognize this.
^^^THIS^^^
Doesn't matter what color, religion, sex you are - or even, in some cases, talent you have.
*Be able to speak/read/write the English language
*Show up on time where you are supposed to be with the right uniform/equipment
*Have a humble, teachable attitude
Do these 3 things and NOBODY can hold you back in this Country.
Unfortunately, that Reality is rapidly disappearing under the dictats and philosophy of the leftists/statists/dimocrats/communists who we have mistakenly given any Power...
SE: You were going really good until you wrote your last paragraph. It’s amazing that Trump can be quilty of many crimes and you still think he is a wonderful person. How sad you are! One day maybe you will actually read about Trump’s misguided deeds; but I won’t hold my breath.
Rut Roh -
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/26/trump-civil-fraud-appeal-oral-arguments-00181339
"questioned the Size and VALIDITY..."
And the fraud begins to fall. Sit tight, Dot old girl. This is what is going to happen to ALL the lawfare "victories" you are so sure y'all have gotten away with...
SE: I think you are sick! You have too much hatred in your heart and soul ( if you have one). Trump has gotten away with too much already. Payback is going to be a b*****. Hope you are around to see it.Your article didn’t prove anything…try harder!
Couldn't agree more.
I find myself wondering if I am the only one who reads your daily posts primarily for what I suspect are almost accidental inclusions. In any case, this one was a gem: "And there are young people — often students at the nearby ‘arts’ school — who are wondering if they should switch majors, switch schools, or switch sexes." Thanks! I needed that.
The one positive note about Baltimore, it's not Detroit...yet.