I was crunching some numbers last night regarding the massive Wall Street bailout being suggested by Treasury Secretary Paulson. The suggestion is for Paulson to have discression to use a rolling $700 Billion to purchase bad (read toxic) commercial paper.
Some quick work on the calculator leaves me with this thought:
$700 Billion could buy 100,000,000 American citizens a $700,000 home. That's One Hundred Million Americans who could have their mortgage paid for (mostly) free and clear.
As for me, this Canadian would love to get even 0.000000001% of that bailout. Maybe I can claim to be a foreign bank with my own toxic paper to dump--apparently non-US institutions would qualify for the bailout too.
Which is only fair I guess, since Obama's suggested foreign banks help bail out the US economy.
Me, I could use $700,000 free and clear.
Sean
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The World is Going to Hell in a Hand-basket
But then again, hasn't it always been?
Lots of people are complaining that things are bad right now--from the economy to the environment to the state (or lack there of) of world peace. I agree, things are bad. The rich are getting richer, we're busy shitting where we sleep, and people are killing each other for natural resources, or the color of their skin/God they worship.
Was it any different 20 years ago? 200 years ago? 2000 years ago? During Jesus' time the rich were getting richer, arable land and water were being destroyed, and empires were busy waging wars on other lands (not to mention crucifying the occasional miscreant).
Twenty years ago, we were still locked in a cold war, people were still killing each other and acid rain was dissolving fish-stocks while kleptocrats were busy robbing the poor blind.
Nothing changes.
That doesn't mean we can't work towards building a better, more progressive, more socially just world for our children. I just think we shouldn't allow how bad things seem, and how dire the situation appears to keep us from continuing to work towards that goal.
So, Canadians, kick out the Conservatives and elect a progressive party. Americans, elect more and better Democrats, starting with Obama. The rest of the world, work towards social justice by pushing your governments to the left--steering clear of totalitarianism all the while (Stalin was no Liberal Progressive).
Yes we can.
Cheers,
Sean
Lots of people are complaining that things are bad right now--from the economy to the environment to the state (or lack there of) of world peace. I agree, things are bad. The rich are getting richer, we're busy shitting where we sleep, and people are killing each other for natural resources, or the color of their skin/God they worship.
Was it any different 20 years ago? 200 years ago? 2000 years ago? During Jesus' time the rich were getting richer, arable land and water were being destroyed, and empires were busy waging wars on other lands (not to mention crucifying the occasional miscreant).
Twenty years ago, we were still locked in a cold war, people were still killing each other and acid rain was dissolving fish-stocks while kleptocrats were busy robbing the poor blind.
Nothing changes.
That doesn't mean we can't work towards building a better, more progressive, more socially just world for our children. I just think we shouldn't allow how bad things seem, and how dire the situation appears to keep us from continuing to work towards that goal.
So, Canadians, kick out the Conservatives and elect a progressive party. Americans, elect more and better Democrats, starting with Obama. The rest of the world, work towards social justice by pushing your governments to the left--steering clear of totalitarianism all the while (Stalin was no Liberal Progressive).
Yes we can.
Cheers,
Sean
Friday, September 19, 2008
Five Years? Wow.
My daughter turned five this morning. I sometimes have a hard time believing it's been five years already. When I look back at all that's happened in my life since she was born--changing jobs, moving houses, getting divorced, finally taking some positive financial and personal steps--well, lets just say its been a pretty full five years.
Nonetheless, I've been happy, and productive and as always, don't regret a damned thing.
And best of all, I've had the opportunity to spend five years watching my darling baby grow into a smart and well-adjusted kindergartner.
It's been worth it.
Happy birthday sweetheart!
Love,
Dad
Nonetheless, I've been happy, and productive and as always, don't regret a damned thing.
And best of all, I've had the opportunity to spend five years watching my darling baby grow into a smart and well-adjusted kindergartner.
It's been worth it.
Happy birthday sweetheart!
Love,
Dad
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