Post US Globalization?

 China is attempting to forge a post-US globalization US Economy - US - World 

Food For Thought...

 Could the U.S. central bank go broke? 

Government Owned Businesses

Does it trouble anyone else that the US Government is buying stock in US companies? I know that the senior preferred stock is without vote or board seat, but it's ownership just the same. The original plan was to buy bad loans, so that the banks would be fine and it would help the home owners. But instead, the banks get bought and now the possibility of buying auto manufacturing.

How does this help the average person? How does this help the US economy?

Look people, if even CBS news asks the question about the government owning everything, you know the thought has to be serious. (And if you didn't catch that, watch the above video).

I know that our economy is in trouble. I know that people will lose jobs if companies fail. I also know that should our government invest in companies that have made bad decisions and also don't provide for (force) those decisions to be made differently, we're just investing in a bad company and will lose our money. Then it's just assets to be seized by the creditors. That's right-- the people who hold the promissory notes (loans) get to be paid before the shareholders.

I guess I'm just a little miffed.

Bad News

Bad

Sometimes it seems like things are going rough.  Even with the report that economy grew in the first quarter, "signs of mounting problems for the U.S. economy are everywhere."  

Prices for fuel are up (a fill-up cost me $25 at the pump three years ago but now costs me $46).  Prices for food are up.

Things may be more expensive for me - but God has met all of my needs.

It could be much worse.  In the US, we're only limited to 200 pounds of rice per visit to a grocery store!

Worse

12000 people are still buried in rubble following an earthquake in China - 72 hours after it struck and the death toll could rise to 50000.

In Myanmar,  "the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies estimated the death toll was between 68,833 and 127,990. The U.N. says more than 100,000 may have died.

"The U.N. and the Red Cross say between 1.6 and 2.5 million people are in urgent need of food, water and shelter. Only 270,000 have been reached so far by the aid groups."

But direct military flights cannot be made to the people - because the government of Myanmar will not allow it.

Reaction

So how are we to react to such horrible news?  Some ignore it; others complain.  Some people even turn to video games. (Side note: I'm not saying all video games are escaping bad news - but when the choice forced by lack of money is video games or food and someone has to think about it (like from the article: "I'd probably give up my cellphone," he said. "Probably not food. That's really tough. I like food.")

I find that there are only two ways to react: pray and help when able.  Donation sites are already set up for the China Earthquake, but financial aid is not everything, nor the most important thing.  I do not worry about what I will eat, drink, sleep or wear.  Not because I am loaded with resources (though I am not lacking either) but because I have a Heavenly Father who knows I need such things. 

33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. - Matthew 6:33-34

The best way to help is to make sure that people have heard about Jesus before the bad news.  If the bad news happens first, take care of the immediate need as well as sharing the love of God with them.  One without the other will not be truly loving a neighbor.

Stocks, 3D Maps, & Elections

Stocks
So I've finally found a brokerage with decent fees and no minimum purchase. I'll share which one after I can get credit for recommending someone. I'd get $50 if you signed up, but I have to wait 30 days before I can recommend anyone. I will, however, share my stock picks. I can't yet purchase because my ACH is still processing. Two companies that are relatively new and cheap to buy (penny stocks, folks) but I really like the companies' ideas.

One is APWL - Advanced Power Line. They are building high-speed internet connections through the electrical lines. It's still a work in progress, but I see that taking off -- high speed internet anywhere there are power lines in your home/office/etc. If that could be combined with a Vonage-type connection (Vonage has a portable VOIP telephone service that will follow you wherever you plug into high speed interent) to do charges, the portability would be nice. Some might argue that wireless is the way of the future, but lots of people still get DSL and cable internet. This would replace those types of connections.

The other stock pick is ITPD. ITPD is a company that is investing in medical-care facilities in Wal-Marts. The goal is to have a low-cost clinic in every Wal-Mart. Each facility would be staffed by nurses and groups of clinics would be managed by a doctor. Only two clinics have been opened so far.

Disclaimer: These are companies that I will be investing in... I make no guarantees on how they will do. Investing involves risk and should be a carefully managed part of your portfolio. I do not advocate "day-trading" or other get-rich-quick schemes.

3D Maps
We've all come to know and love Google Earth and the satellite images of Earth (and yes, they have Google Mars, too). Microsoft, not wanting to be left behind, also started its version with "bird's eye views" that had a closer image for certain cities. But it has now announced its three dimensional views of a few cities. It will be adding more in the future. It appears to be a composite of its earlier views, but combined it with a three dimensional frame and wrapped the photos onto the frame. I can't get any good views yet, but I think that's due to my current connection.

Will someone try and check it out for me? Thanks.

Elections Tomorrow
The 2006 Mid-Term Elections are tomorrow. I am not voting this year (yes, shame on me) because I failed to register in time -- the elections snuck up on me. It will be interesting to watch the results -- not the returns (the tally of who won) but how the country changes and in which direction it goes. These next two years are really pivotal for us.

As a side note, I prefer a divided government (control of Congress by one party and the presidency by the other). I think that best preserves the interests of our country. Only when the two sides work together is anything done and the excesses are limited (but not eliminated).

Until next time...

The mountains are high and the Emperor is far away

Japan's rich buy organs from executed Chinese prisoners.

It brings a whole new idea regarding prisoners providing a contribution to society. Does this reduce operating costs for the prisons or give a bigger paycheck to the guards? What a capitalistic idea. Not only charge for the bullet but make money on the body.