The US Constitution put limits in place. The peoples’ representatives in the House were to be held responsible for the budget. And ‘only gold and silver’ were to be used as money. What could go wrong?
Thank you Bill for a better understanding of your point of view. I thought you were just another elite suffering from TDS, but I get where you’re coming from now, and almost agree. None of us know what the future holds, and the great odds are very little can be done to fix the extreme corruption in our government, but we still have hope. America is at a crossroads and in full control of the mentally ill, emotionally unstable and intellectually incompetent. This is the picture of today’s Democratic Party. Their policies have created an entire culture of communist, dependent on the working class to support them from birth to death, and creating a delusional system of entitlement that has destroyed the family structure and made the democrat the baby daddy for millions of dysfunctional zombies. They have poisoned our educational system to help reeducate and indoctrinate our children to believe that this most unconstitutional and corrupt system is the best solution for a problem they self created just to guarantee future generations of voters. How evilly brilliant of these most corrupt people and how terribly sad for America and our constitution and laws as we see all dismantled before our eyes. Yes Bill, all we have at this point is hope, because the remaining options are no option at all🤔
Glad You have come to understand Bill's writings. You and I are just as human as Bill. Some things in life take a long time to see. Others not . The day was not "wasted" , as We have learnt something. Just My view.
Thank you Don. Of course I don’t always agree with Bill, or many others in my life, but our differences doesn’t mean I respect or love them less. Our differences is what make us individuals and human. Sure, I will never accept the damage and evil many are committing against my country, but that is a very different battle that I will always stand against. Living in the last semester of my life, I try not to waste a moment not making a positive difference for others, and a very positive thing about BPR and our fellow readers here is because of your knowledge, I learn something new every day 😊
Thanks for writing back. Appreciate it. Re the last semester of Your life , I refer to mine as I never know when My shelf life will expire. One certainly never stops learning. Thanks again.
Interesting Steve and Don - here is my view - Bill is what he says he is. At his age, Bill has no need or upside than to be what he has become through a life full of a wide variety of experiences. He thoroughly (probably 90% of the time) enjoys writing these missives. Bill understand that without experiences you learn nothing about life and with experiences, if you are lucky, you become to have some wisdom. Wisdom is impossible without experiences. Bill is a cynic - as a result of decades of experiences. Life - with eyes wide open - makes you realize it is all about power and money. Yes, you can live in BFE and hide yourself from the world the vast majority inhabit, but that isn't "life" in my opinion. I don't always see it Bill's way, but - damn - he is spot-on. And, frankly, most of us here in Bill's realm are thankful for the opportunity to ponder his musings. As always, just an Ol' LSO's opinion.
There is an organization called Downsize DC that is working at the grassroots level to get a bill passed titled "One Subject at a Time Act". It states that each bill put up for a vote in Congress can only deal with one subject, clearly stated, which would mean no more omnibus bills, where the leaders slip hundreds (at least!) of pet pork paragraphs, that would have no hope of passing on their own, into a must-pass bill. Most of our worst legislation gets passed in this manner. If Musk would throw his support behind this bill, it might at least stem the tide, so DOGE can work on reducing waste without having it slipped back in again behind their backs.
Oh, and OSTA includes a provision that any bill passed as an add-on contrary to this act would not be enforceable in the courts.
"no more omnibus bills, where the leaders slip hundreds (at least!) of pet pork paragraphs"
As in the one included in their CR 2024 for giving themselves a 40% raise? My SS increase went to cover the Medicare insurance increase—no 40% for the lessors, only for our betters.
Looks like Musk is truly committed to getting spending under control, thus offering a glimmer of hope that some measure of fiscal accountability may be restored to Congress. It would indeed be a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year if the pendulum continues to swing in the direction of responsible government.
I hope that is true and Musk seems to overcome all his opponents. But he is facing a left wing press, democrats and RINOs that would rather have the country fail then have Musk or Trump save the country.
Yes, the media spin is nauseating, but he is a courageous SOB who will not be intimidated, and that’s what is needed to effect change. The big question: will members of Congress cave when their needy constituents, both wealthy and poor, don’t get the handouts to which they have become accustomed and throw tantrums?
You mean to tell me all the Democrats have turned off their TV's? Ha! The MSN was dying under Biden but thrilled Trump won behind the scenes. Now they have someone to beat up 24/7.
The Left are truly in the minority now. MSM is just an echo chamber for the Left Wing nuts to bounce around in. It's just not a significant factor anymore. They have made themselves irrelevant in today's market.
Stupidity and evil(or communist/globalist/democrats. These most corrupted souls are just hiding in the shadows waiting for the right moment to continue their insanity assault against America.
Nobody listens to the media anymore. On January 20th, just like the last 4 years, Americans are going to be able to see for themselves the effect of the change. Be it good or bad, (I believe it can only get better), it is going to be plain to see. Joe Biden didn't check out after he was elected, he never checked in. Whether Bill admits it or not, the last four years will go down as the worst leadership (and there is no confirmation on who it was) in American History. Get ready, the so-called media is going to blame the last four years on DT after January 20th, but the difference this time is he don't care. If DT accomplishes only one thing in the next four years, I hope it is the complete suppression of the Obamas, Clintons and Pelosi.
Exactly Bart! The Obama “Hope and change” turned America into the third world shithole the democrats/globalist/communist aspire America to be. We the people have our ideas for Hope and change to make America grest again. Will be interesting to see how these most corrupt and evil people fight against the will of the American people 🤔
Ah, and don't forget the famous Obama quote to the effect that "you didn't build that", completely ignoring how human progress comes about by building upon what others have achieved and accomplished by using one's own rational mind to achieve more.
Exactly John, Obama growing up in a communist/ bipolar household never understood the true meaning of the human struggle of survival, always relying on government assistance due to the inherent democrat mental disorder named color entitlement. No one he knew growing up built anything, but were experts at tearing things down, and the left have very few rational minds, as we have all been witnessing since the beginning days of America’s Obamanation…
SL: You seem to make a lot of statements that are not true, hoping no will fact check you. You hate the democrats and seem to think the Republicans can do No wrong. Trump was not that great of a president and I doubt won’t be that great of a president this time either. He shouldn’t even be running for President. We deserve better.
LOL!! That's why you're here, Dorothy. To enlighten us with the truth. And I've just realized you're a comedian too! Thanks. Two LOL's today on your responses.
SL: By the way, Obama didn’t grow up in a communist household.His real father, Barack Obama Sr. was a Kenyan senior governmental economist and who beat his wives and children ( not a nice man). President Obama's mother later remarried. Anyway, it’s an interesting read. Maybe you should do more reading on your savior, DT.
Yes, Bill, you have lived up to your self-described "cynicalist" moniker. While I don't disagree with the main thrust of your column today, I do have some issues with your oversights and interpretations. First, why don't you ever make the point that our Founders gave us a Constitutional Republic and not a Democracy? They abhorred democracy as mob rule, which of course it is, and the USA has come to be by largely ignoring the Constitution. Secondly, because Elon made a statement and Congress responded to it, you are willing to immediately dump Trump as a side show and anoint Musk as the main influencer in shrinking government just like all the lamestream media pundits are saying. Maybe the correct interpretation is that Trump has assembled a team and a group of "allies" that support what he wants to do and are willing to speak out. I am willing to admit that some of these may understand the problem better than he does and may help keep him on track if or when he veers off course. This is a testament to Trump's judgement in assembling a much better team this time around than in 2016. The whole vibe of this team is so much better than eight years ago. There is no reason at this point to be a "cynicalist" or pessimist. Let it play out and then make a judgement.
All that John and the fact that Trump and Musk are working for America for $1 a year! I know, that $1 is twice as much as any democrat is worth, but in the spectrum of our severely corrupt government and the insane money they steal and extort from our taxpayers, the stock market (and other nations), it’s a bargain of historic levels!
Steve, let us all remember that the federal government, in all its flavors, has stolen 35 trillion dollars of our money. Every time their corruption is mentioned, it must be thought of in this vane. Otherwise, it is "lost in translation." Even now, they want to raise the DEBT ceiling. More ghost money the benefactors will exchange for hard assets as we, the proles, become poorer, i.e. more in debt. Never forget, fighting this war will hurt!
SL: Tell us all about our severely corrupt government and the insane money they steal and extort from our taxpayers. I'm sure we would all like to hear about it. Ever heard of the Federal Govt.?
JPG: No, you know what the Federal Govt. is; so I won’t waste my time explaining it to you. If you are really that uneducated (I’m trying to be nice) look it up yourself.
"Stop the Steal" will be reverberating through every holiday party in DC. The continuing resolution, was the last hoorah for the congressional military industrial complex and company.
I have hope for Elon but know his will be an uphill battle, the landmines are being laid by the thousands every government zombie office is shredding day and night. The charges are being set on the bridges and the one way and road signs will be spun. The lies are being crafted while the no information answers are being rehearsed. The solution is simple cut all government offices budgets by 60% and require each to prepare a detailed budget before an increase is granted.
Many years ago during my religious days and as a member of the property committee we'd sharpen our pencil crunch and re-crunch the numbers come up with a budget. Each cycle the budget request would be cut by 30% with no explanation.
Frustrated the long term head of the committee resigned. I took over and soon realized the rest of the church budget was mostly wasted on b.s. while the building was falling apart. Next budget request was triple the last, as expected 40% was lopped off with no explanation. I had made progress, I soon learned the solution was to hire the cheapest and worst landscaper, snow shoveler, cleaning company, while directing the rest of the budget towards shoring up the building.
The complaint box was stuffed full each Sunday the place looked like a jungle, the sidewalks were half shoveled, the toilet paper was out. "What were we to do without the full funding or our property budget?"
The very same the US government has been using for 90 years.
Let the roads go to ruin, the bridges fall down, the long dead trees take out the power grid, students can't read. There's never enough money but everybody receives top pay with a pay raise each year, unlimited healthcare, 3 weeks vacation, a pension and can't be fired.
Rising up the food chain of religion, taught me it too is a finely tuned scam, to extract money from as many people as possible. When the money runs out the church reinvents is self and the looting continues.
Government is the same sort of scam perfected as the Roman empire transitioned to the Holy Roman empire. With government seemingly the money never runs out, taxes are always raised and though people complain they always pay. There is no need to reinvent or change the scam is guaranteed by the full credit of the people. People call for all the problems to be fixed and government never has enough funding.
No, cynicalist fits him perfectly, or pessimist. A realist looks at all the facts and makes an assessment. Bonner selectively looks at some facts that support his views and ignores anything that doesn't. Not that he doesn't get it right once in a while.
Ha, Ha!! Ellen, you're fine. I often criticize Bonner because of his mixed messaging. In any particular column that he writes, he usually makes some good points but then makes several inane points as well. He's a mixed bag. It's as if he makes some reasonable points that most people would agree with so that he can smuggle in some really questionable comments that are truly without any factual basis. He's clever. Many just swallow what he presents whole without taking the time to differentiate between the good and the bad. I don't let him get away with the bad.
Like our new world news organizations, you can feed the public five spoons of bullshit, but top it off with a little whipped cream and a cherry, and they only remember the cherry 🍒
Looking from afar … I can’t think of any other Western nation that passes ‘omnibus bills’ thru parliament. And, the names they put on these things, how could anyone them serious? ‘The inflation reduction act’ for example is an obvious slap in your face… fraud!!
The fact that the US can get away with it … for a while at least … a long while?? … will inevitably lead to your demise.
The questions may be “Four years from now will Elon & Donald and their billionaire peers have a greater or less percentage of the wealth, power, and influence? What beast is going to be starved and what calf is going to be fattened?”
Bill, I know it will help me and hopefully all your readers: will you please tell us who you believe, in today's environment, is capable of being president of the USA? I ask so I have a reference For when you say things like: " We are not merely ‘cynical,’ about the man coming into the White House... nor about his ability to MAGA the country. We just don’t believe that is the way it works. Even if he were smart, earnest, and competent, he couldn’t overcome the Primary Political Trend." So I ask, who would?? This will give us understanding. Thank you.
Sorry everyone, but i just had to do this:( this is from Chat-GTP ) Democracy is a Chimera.
Saying "democracy is a chimera" can be interpreted as a critique or philosophical observation that democracy, as an ideal, often combines incompatible or unrealistic elements, making it elusive or difficult to achieve in its purest form. Here’s an exploration of what this statement might imply:
1. Blending Contradictory Ideals
Equality vs. Efficiency: Democracy strives for political equality, giving every individual a voice. However, this can clash with the need for swift and decisive governance, especially in times of crisis.
Majority Rule vs. Minority Rights: While democracy emphasizes majority decision-making, it also seeks to protect minority groups, which can lead to tensions and compromises that may not satisfy either side fully.
2. Elusiveness of the Ideal
Democracy, in its ideal form, assumes informed, engaged citizens who prioritize collective well-being over self-interest. In practice, apathy, misinformation, and polarization often undermine this vision.
The ideal democratic state—where corruption is absent, everyone participates equally, and power is never abused—may appear more like a utopian dream than a practical reality.
3. A Hybrid System
Like the mythological chimera, democracy combines diverse elements: rule of the majority, protection of rights, free markets, social safety nets, and institutional checks and balances. This mix can make it seem both powerful and unstable, as different elements come into conflict.
4. Subject to Interpretation
Democracy takes many forms (liberal, social, direct, representative), and each version reflects the priorities and compromises of its society. The lack of a single, definitive form makes it feel like a shape-shifting entity—a chimera.
5. Criticism and Disillusionment
Some critics argue that democracy, particularly in its modern incarnations, is a façade that masks inequality and power imbalances. Elections and institutions may provide the illusion of control to citizens, while real power resides with elites or interest groups.
6. Potential for Creation and Destruction
Like the chimera in mythology, democracy has a dual nature: it can be a force for freedom, progress, and equality, but it can also devolve into chaos, demagoguery, or tyranny if its principles are abused or ignored.
This metaphor captures both the strengths and vulnerabilities of democracy, emphasizing its complexity and the challenges of achieving its ideals. Would you like to discuss any specific aspect further?
One would believe that the US should just default on most of the 36 trillion and play possum at this point. What do we really have to lose? Besides that, it will be a great excuse to layoff (fire) every durtbag and screw the Federal Reserve by simply telling it to pound sand, without any other explanations.😁
I completely understand and believe Bill's views. You can't just turn around all these representatives and Senators from their lack of integrity. They are only human and want more for themselves.
Let’s see when musk gets around to his gravy train, whether he is willing to cut. Solar, EV subsidies and the NASA, space cuts should be front and center. No need to go to the moon or mars if we don’t have the money
"US debt increased 100 times since 1969. And the dollar has lost 85% of its value."
So it seems the debt has pretty much just risen inversely to the dollar's decreased value.
Since the fiat dollar is itself a debt instrument, it makes sense that the decrease in purchasing power (quality) would be made up for by a corresponding increase in debt (quantity).
Thank you Bill for a better understanding of your point of view. I thought you were just another elite suffering from TDS, but I get where you’re coming from now, and almost agree. None of us know what the future holds, and the great odds are very little can be done to fix the extreme corruption in our government, but we still have hope. America is at a crossroads and in full control of the mentally ill, emotionally unstable and intellectually incompetent. This is the picture of today’s Democratic Party. Their policies have created an entire culture of communist, dependent on the working class to support them from birth to death, and creating a delusional system of entitlement that has destroyed the family structure and made the democrat the baby daddy for millions of dysfunctional zombies. They have poisoned our educational system to help reeducate and indoctrinate our children to believe that this most unconstitutional and corrupt system is the best solution for a problem they self created just to guarantee future generations of voters. How evilly brilliant of these most corrupt people and how terribly sad for America and our constitution and laws as we see all dismantled before our eyes. Yes Bill, all we have at this point is hope, because the remaining options are no option at all🤔
Glad You have come to understand Bill's writings. You and I are just as human as Bill. Some things in life take a long time to see. Others not . The day was not "wasted" , as We have learnt something. Just My view.
Thank you Don. Of course I don’t always agree with Bill, or many others in my life, but our differences doesn’t mean I respect or love them less. Our differences is what make us individuals and human. Sure, I will never accept the damage and evil many are committing against my country, but that is a very different battle that I will always stand against. Living in the last semester of my life, I try not to waste a moment not making a positive difference for others, and a very positive thing about BPR and our fellow readers here is because of your knowledge, I learn something new every day 😊
Thanks for writing back. Appreciate it. Re the last semester of Your life , I refer to mine as I never know when My shelf life will expire. One certainly never stops learning. Thanks again.
Interesting Steve and Don - here is my view - Bill is what he says he is. At his age, Bill has no need or upside than to be what he has become through a life full of a wide variety of experiences. He thoroughly (probably 90% of the time) enjoys writing these missives. Bill understand that without experiences you learn nothing about life and with experiences, if you are lucky, you become to have some wisdom. Wisdom is impossible without experiences. Bill is a cynic - as a result of decades of experiences. Life - with eyes wide open - makes you realize it is all about power and money. Yes, you can live in BFE and hide yourself from the world the vast majority inhabit, but that isn't "life" in my opinion. I don't always see it Bill's way, but - damn - he is spot-on. And, frankly, most of us here in Bill's realm are thankful for the opportunity to ponder his musings. As always, just an Ol' LSO's opinion.
There is an organization called Downsize DC that is working at the grassroots level to get a bill passed titled "One Subject at a Time Act". It states that each bill put up for a vote in Congress can only deal with one subject, clearly stated, which would mean no more omnibus bills, where the leaders slip hundreds (at least!) of pet pork paragraphs, that would have no hope of passing on their own, into a must-pass bill. Most of our worst legislation gets passed in this manner. If Musk would throw his support behind this bill, it might at least stem the tide, so DOGE can work on reducing waste without having it slipped back in again behind their backs.
Oh, and OSTA includes a provision that any bill passed as an add-on contrary to this act would not be enforceable in the courts.
"no more omnibus bills, where the leaders slip hundreds (at least!) of pet pork paragraphs"
As in the one included in their CR 2024 for giving themselves a 40% raise? My SS increase went to cover the Medicare insurance increase—no 40% for the lessors, only for our betters.
Maga-nifcent! Finally a compatibility with DJT's "For every 1 new legislation - 3 get dropped" type of common sense leadership ideas.
Looks like Musk is truly committed to getting spending under control, thus offering a glimmer of hope that some measure of fiscal accountability may be restored to Congress. It would indeed be a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year if the pendulum continues to swing in the direction of responsible government.
I hope that is true and Musk seems to overcome all his opponents. But he is facing a left wing press, democrats and RINOs that would rather have the country fail then have Musk or Trump save the country.
Yes, the media spin is nauseating, but he is a courageous SOB who will not be intimidated, and that’s what is needed to effect change. The big question: will members of Congress cave when their needy constituents, both wealthy and poor, don’t get the handouts to which they have become accustomed and throw tantrums?
Fortunately, hardly anyone listens to the left wing press. Mainstream (legacy) media is practically euthanized, and for good reason.
You mean to tell me all the Democrats have turned off their TV's? Ha! The MSN was dying under Biden but thrilled Trump won behind the scenes. Now they have someone to beat up 24/7.
The Left are truly in the minority now. MSM is just an echo chamber for the Left Wing nuts to bounce around in. It's just not a significant factor anymore. They have made themselves irrelevant in today's market.
Never underestimate the power of ignorance,
Stupidity and evil(or communist/globalist/democrats. These most corrupted souls are just hiding in the shadows waiting for the right moment to continue their insanity assault against America.
Nobody listens to the media anymore. On January 20th, just like the last 4 years, Americans are going to be able to see for themselves the effect of the change. Be it good or bad, (I believe it can only get better), it is going to be plain to see. Joe Biden didn't check out after he was elected, he never checked in. Whether Bill admits it or not, the last four years will go down as the worst leadership (and there is no confirmation on who it was) in American History. Get ready, the so-called media is going to blame the last four years on DT after January 20th, but the difference this time is he don't care. If DT accomplishes only one thing in the next four years, I hope it is the complete suppression of the Obamas, Clintons and Pelosi.
Exactly Bart! The Obama “Hope and change” turned America into the third world shithole the democrats/globalist/communist aspire America to be. We the people have our ideas for Hope and change to make America grest again. Will be interesting to see how these most corrupt and evil people fight against the will of the American people 🤔
Ah, and don't forget the famous Obama quote to the effect that "you didn't build that", completely ignoring how human progress comes about by building upon what others have achieved and accomplished by using one's own rational mind to achieve more.
Exactly John, Obama growing up in a communist/ bipolar household never understood the true meaning of the human struggle of survival, always relying on government assistance due to the inherent democrat mental disorder named color entitlement. No one he knew growing up built anything, but were experts at tearing things down, and the left have very few rational minds, as we have all been witnessing since the beginning days of America’s Obamanation…
SL: You seem to make a lot of statements that are not true, hoping no will fact check you. You hate the democrats and seem to think the Republicans can do No wrong. Trump was not that great of a president and I doubt won’t be that great of a president this time either. He shouldn’t even be running for President. We deserve better.
LOL!! That's why you're here, Dorothy. To enlighten us with the truth. And I've just realized you're a comedian too! Thanks. Two LOL's today on your responses.
JPG: The comedian is you. Your responses are always the same: Boring.
SL: By the way, Obama didn’t grow up in a communist household.His real father, Barack Obama Sr. was a Kenyan senior governmental economist and who beat his wives and children ( not a nice man). President Obama's mother later remarried. Anyway, it’s an interesting read. Maybe you should do more reading on your savior, DT.
Care to enlighten us on who Barry Soetoro is?
Yes, Bill, you have lived up to your self-described "cynicalist" moniker. While I don't disagree with the main thrust of your column today, I do have some issues with your oversights and interpretations. First, why don't you ever make the point that our Founders gave us a Constitutional Republic and not a Democracy? They abhorred democracy as mob rule, which of course it is, and the USA has come to be by largely ignoring the Constitution. Secondly, because Elon made a statement and Congress responded to it, you are willing to immediately dump Trump as a side show and anoint Musk as the main influencer in shrinking government just like all the lamestream media pundits are saying. Maybe the correct interpretation is that Trump has assembled a team and a group of "allies" that support what he wants to do and are willing to speak out. I am willing to admit that some of these may understand the problem better than he does and may help keep him on track if or when he veers off course. This is a testament to Trump's judgement in assembling a much better team this time around than in 2016. The whole vibe of this team is so much better than eight years ago. There is no reason at this point to be a "cynicalist" or pessimist. Let it play out and then make a judgement.
All that John and the fact that Trump and Musk are working for America for $1 a year! I know, that $1 is twice as much as any democrat is worth, but in the spectrum of our severely corrupt government and the insane money they steal and extort from our taxpayers, the stock market (and other nations), it’s a bargain of historic levels!
Steve, let us all remember that the federal government, in all its flavors, has stolen 35 trillion dollars of our money. Every time their corruption is mentioned, it must be thought of in this vane. Otherwise, it is "lost in translation." Even now, they want to raise the DEBT ceiling. More ghost money the benefactors will exchange for hard assets as we, the proles, become poorer, i.e. more in debt. Never forget, fighting this war will hurt!
SL: Tell us all about our severely corrupt government and the insane money they steal and extort from our taxpayers. I'm sure we would all like to hear about it. Ever heard of the Federal Govt.?
LOL! Never heard of it. Can you explain to everyone what the Federal Govt is?
🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
JPG: No, you know what the Federal Govt. is; so I won’t waste my time explaining it to you. If you are really that uneducated (I’m trying to be nice) look it up yourself.
Delegate, delegate, delegate. As Business mmManagement 101, puts it.
"Stop the Steal" will be reverberating through every holiday party in DC. The continuing resolution, was the last hoorah for the congressional military industrial complex and company.
I have hope for Elon but know his will be an uphill battle, the landmines are being laid by the thousands every government zombie office is shredding day and night. The charges are being set on the bridges and the one way and road signs will be spun. The lies are being crafted while the no information answers are being rehearsed. The solution is simple cut all government offices budgets by 60% and require each to prepare a detailed budget before an increase is granted.
Many years ago during my religious days and as a member of the property committee we'd sharpen our pencil crunch and re-crunch the numbers come up with a budget. Each cycle the budget request would be cut by 30% with no explanation.
Frustrated the long term head of the committee resigned. I took over and soon realized the rest of the church budget was mostly wasted on b.s. while the building was falling apart. Next budget request was triple the last, as expected 40% was lopped off with no explanation. I had made progress, I soon learned the solution was to hire the cheapest and worst landscaper, snow shoveler, cleaning company, while directing the rest of the budget towards shoring up the building.
The complaint box was stuffed full each Sunday the place looked like a jungle, the sidewalks were half shoveled, the toilet paper was out. "What were we to do without the full funding or our property budget?"
The very same the US government has been using for 90 years.
Let the roads go to ruin, the bridges fall down, the long dead trees take out the power grid, students can't read. There's never enough money but everybody receives top pay with a pay raise each year, unlimited healthcare, 3 weeks vacation, a pension and can't be fired.
Rising up the food chain of religion, taught me it too is a finely tuned scam, to extract money from as many people as possible. When the money runs out the church reinvents is self and the looting continues.
Government is the same sort of scam perfected as the Roman empire transitioned to the Holy Roman empire. With government seemingly the money never runs out, taxes are always raised and though people complain they always pay. There is no need to reinvent or change the scam is guaranteed by the full credit of the people. People call for all the problems to be fixed and government never has enough funding.
The leviathan that is the US government will never be restrained. I hope Elon has good security.
Instead of a cynicalist I would call you a realist. “Men of intemperate habits cannot be free; their passions forge their fetters.” Edmund Burke.
No, cynicalist fits him perfectly, or pessimist. A realist looks at all the facts and makes an assessment. Bonner selectively looks at some facts that support his views and ignores anything that doesn't. Not that he doesn't get it right once in a while.
I think I agree with his general view of things. Maybe I’m a cynicalist too. Or gullible. Or something.
Ha, Ha!! Ellen, you're fine. I often criticize Bonner because of his mixed messaging. In any particular column that he writes, he usually makes some good points but then makes several inane points as well. He's a mixed bag. It's as if he makes some reasonable points that most people would agree with so that he can smuggle in some really questionable comments that are truly without any factual basis. He's clever. Many just swallow what he presents whole without taking the time to differentiate between the good and the bad. I don't let him get away with the bad.
Like our new world news organizations, you can feed the public five spoons of bullshit, but top it off with a little whipped cream and a cherry, and they only remember the cherry 🍒
Looking from afar … I can’t think of any other Western nation that passes ‘omnibus bills’ thru parliament. And, the names they put on these things, how could anyone them serious? ‘The inflation reduction act’ for example is an obvious slap in your face… fraud!!
The fact that the US can get away with it … for a while at least … a long while?? … will inevitably lead to your demise.
Omnibus bills are the default in Canada for many years, for the same reasons, and with the same disastrous results.
The questions may be “Four years from now will Elon & Donald and their billionaire peers have a greater or less percentage of the wealth, power, and influence? What beast is going to be starved and what calf is going to be fattened?”
Good question. Only time will tell. Hope that You and I can see this in 4 years.
Me also.
Bill, I know it will help me and hopefully all your readers: will you please tell us who you believe, in today's environment, is capable of being president of the USA? I ask so I have a reference For when you say things like: " We are not merely ‘cynical,’ about the man coming into the White House... nor about his ability to MAGA the country. We just don’t believe that is the way it works. Even if he were smart, earnest, and competent, he couldn’t overcome the Primary Political Trend." So I ask, who would?? This will give us understanding. Thank you.
Sorry everyone, but i just had to do this:( this is from Chat-GTP ) Democracy is a Chimera.
Saying "democracy is a chimera" can be interpreted as a critique or philosophical observation that democracy, as an ideal, often combines incompatible or unrealistic elements, making it elusive or difficult to achieve in its purest form. Here’s an exploration of what this statement might imply:
1. Blending Contradictory Ideals
Equality vs. Efficiency: Democracy strives for political equality, giving every individual a voice. However, this can clash with the need for swift and decisive governance, especially in times of crisis.
Majority Rule vs. Minority Rights: While democracy emphasizes majority decision-making, it also seeks to protect minority groups, which can lead to tensions and compromises that may not satisfy either side fully.
2. Elusiveness of the Ideal
Democracy, in its ideal form, assumes informed, engaged citizens who prioritize collective well-being over self-interest. In practice, apathy, misinformation, and polarization often undermine this vision.
The ideal democratic state—where corruption is absent, everyone participates equally, and power is never abused—may appear more like a utopian dream than a practical reality.
3. A Hybrid System
Like the mythological chimera, democracy combines diverse elements: rule of the majority, protection of rights, free markets, social safety nets, and institutional checks and balances. This mix can make it seem both powerful and unstable, as different elements come into conflict.
4. Subject to Interpretation
Democracy takes many forms (liberal, social, direct, representative), and each version reflects the priorities and compromises of its society. The lack of a single, definitive form makes it feel like a shape-shifting entity—a chimera.
5. Criticism and Disillusionment
Some critics argue that democracy, particularly in its modern incarnations, is a façade that masks inequality and power imbalances. Elections and institutions may provide the illusion of control to citizens, while real power resides with elites or interest groups.
6. Potential for Creation and Destruction
Like the chimera in mythology, democracy has a dual nature: it can be a force for freedom, progress, and equality, but it can also devolve into chaos, demagoguery, or tyranny if its principles are abused or ignored.
This metaphor captures both the strengths and vulnerabilities of democracy, emphasizing its complexity and the challenges of achieving its ideals. Would you like to discuss any specific aspect further?
Thank you Rich, very informative and I believe we are at the #6 stage for our Republic. Don’t forget to buy the dip in crypto:)
One would believe that the US should just default on most of the 36 trillion and play possum at this point. What do we really have to lose? Besides that, it will be a great excuse to layoff (fire) every durtbag and screw the Federal Reserve by simply telling it to pound sand, without any other explanations.😁
Next, dissolve the IRS to ashes.
MAGA ✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼
I completely understand and believe Bill's views. You can't just turn around all these representatives and Senators from their lack of integrity. They are only human and want more for themselves.
Let’s see when musk gets around to his gravy train, whether he is willing to cut. Solar, EV subsidies and the NASA, space cuts should be front and center. No need to go to the moon or mars if we don’t have the money
"US debt increased 100 times since 1969. And the dollar has lost 85% of its value."
So it seems the debt has pretty much just risen inversely to the dollar's decreased value.
Since the fiat dollar is itself a debt instrument, it makes sense that the decrease in purchasing power (quality) would be made up for by a corresponding increase in debt (quantity).