Curmudgeonly Thoughts

An Offer They Can’t Refuse

fbk — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 20:08:10 +0000

Well, my track record remains intact. Once again, I have supported a Presidential candidate who then got out of the race early. Last election cycle, I got so frustrated with my power that I turned it to evil uses. I endorsed Hillary Clinton to get rid of her. Then I forgot about my puissance, and after McCain named Sarah Palin as his running mate, I worked for his campaign. We all know how that turned out.

Still, this is a truly awesome power. While I may not be able to help a favored Presidential candidate, perhaps I can help my financial situation. So, Newt, Mitt, John Huntsman, etc., how much will you pay me NOT to endorse your bid for the Presidency? Conversely, how much will you pay me to endorse, and therefore totally destroy, someone else’s Presidential bid?

Let the bidding war begin!

How to Get Elected

fbk — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:44:57 +0000

I’m going to change my name to “None of the Above” and run for President in 2012. You?

Joe Wilson and Gresham’s Law of Manners

fbk — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:06:52 +0000

Gresham’s Law is usually stated as, “Bad money drives out good.” Years ago the great author, H. Beam Piper, referred to Gresham’s Law of Manners, that bad manners drive out good manners. I think Congressman Joe Wilson has illustrated this rather well. The soi-disant Democrats or Progressives, who would more truthfully call themselves Socialists, Communists, and/or Fascists, have been using bad manners for years while the Republicans were supposed to hold themselves above that. Barack Obama has been lying and calling others liars when they dare bring up the truth. And after all of the lies and insults, I gather that Congressman Joe Wilson could no longer hold his tongue. In an outburst during the President’s speech to a joint session of Congress, Congressman Wilson showed the bad manners to yell at the President of the United States of America.

Now, mind you, what Congressman Wilson said was entirely truthful. Barack Obama was lying. Or perhaps Barack Obama is trapped in a fantasy land spurred by some sort of psychosis? I’m not sure that would be better for the country, but if it makes you feel better, have your own fantasy that a Democrat politician might be honestly hallucinating rather than lying.

For those of us who have been waiting for a little more tit-for-tat, a little dose of bad manners by a Republican to match the outrageous behavior of the Democrats, Joe Wilson’s honesty was refreshing. Was it an appropriate act of taste and decorum? Why should we care? Democrats have been doing much worse for at least forty years.

Joe Wilson for President!

Note to Spammers

fbk — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:49:08 +0000

Don’t bother. All comments on this blog have to be approved.

Welcome to Venezuela

fbk — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:29:25 +0000

Welcome to Nueva Venezuela!

I continue to watch as President Obama and his followers turn the US into the next Banana Republic. We have probably passed the point of no return. The Constitution doesn’t matter. The law doesn’t matter. All that matters is, “What has the federal government given me lately?” For those who watched it happen in Cuba, China, Venezuela, and other places, the pattern is very familiar. Or should I compare it to Zimbabwe? The current so-called “stimulus” actions are only going to promote runaway inflation.

Cod help us!

The Barbarians are Rising

fbk — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 03:16:09 +0000

“I’m sorry, Prince Edvard. You had a wonderful civilization here on Marduk. You could have made almost anything of it. But it’s too late now. You’ve torn down the gates; the barbarians are in.” – Lucas Trask, Space Viking, H. Beam Piper

***

“Don’t you? You were there; you saw what’s happening. The barbarians are rising; they have a leader, and they’re uniting. Every society rests on a barbarian base. The people who don’t understand civilization, and wouldn’t like it if they did. The hitchhikers. The people who create nothing, and who don’t appreciate what others have created for them, and who think civilization is something that just exists and that all they need to do is enjoy what they can understand of it–luxuries, a high living standard, and easy work for high pay. Responsibilities? Phooey! What do they have a government for?”

Trask nodded. “And now, the hitchhikers think they know more about the car than the people who designed it, so they’re going to grab the controls. Zaspar Makann says they can, and he’s the Leader.” He poured a drink from a decanter that had been looted on Pushan; there was a planet where a republic had been overthrown in favor of a dictatorship four centuries ago, and the planetary dictatorship had fissioned into a dozen regional dictatorships, and now they were down to the peasant-village and handcraft-industry level. “I don’t understand it, though. I was reading about Hitler, on the way home. I wouldn’t be surprised if Zaspar Makann had been reading about Hitler, too. He’s using all Hitler’s tricks. But Hitler came to power in a country which had been impoverished by a military defeat. Marduk hasn’t fought a war in almost two generations, and that one was a farce.”

“It wasn’t the war that put Hitler into power. It was the fact that the ruling class of his nation, the people who kept things running, were discredited. The masses, the homemade barbarians, didn’t have anybody to take their responsibilities for them. What they have on Marduk is a ruling class that has been discrediting itself. A ruling class that’s ashamed of its privileges and shirks its duties. A ruling class that has begun to believe that the masses are just as good as they are, which they manifestly are not. And a ruling class that won’t use force to maintain its position. And they have a democracy, and they are letting the enemies of democracy shelter themselves behind democratic safeguards.”

– Conversation between Otto Harkaman and Lucas Trask, Space Viking, H. Beam Piper

***

H. Beam Piper’s Space Viking is, unfortunately, the novel for our time. “The barbarians are rising; they have a leader, and they’re uniting.” We’ll soon reach over 50% of the people who pay no taxes, but instead, receive largesse from the public bourse. We are in the position of Rome, though, not Marduk, as in this novel, or Germany in the 1940’s. If we go fascist, there is no external power strong enough to pull our chestnuts from the fire. Most of the other soi-disant “free” countries are already halfway to National Socialism themselves. Rather than face down a United States that goes down this path, they will be more likely to join us in giving all power to the UN, just as most of the European states, although not the people, have ceded their authority to the European Union.

We had a wonderful civilization here in the West, especially the United States. We could have made almost anything of it, and did do much with it, raising living standards around the globe with our ingenuity and free trade. But it’s too late now. We’ve torn down the gates; the barbarians are in charge. Beam Piper saw it coming more than forty-five years ago. I suppose it isn’t hard to see for a student of history. I’ve seen it coming, too. But it’s different when it’s on your doorstep and knocking to come in rather than being held at bay in a kennel in the yard. Can we hope for a Reagan to emerge? Can we hope that there might only be need for a Reagan, as there was with the Carter years? If not, we’re more likely to need a Washington, and they are even more scarce than Reagans in the history of this country.

Read the book. You can buy it, or check Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/20728

The World’s Wisest Liberal

fbk — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:02:56 +0000

The world’s smartest and wisest liberal was walking along a beach when he saw something glass sticking out of the sand. Thinking that someone might trip or step on it and get cut, the liberal started working the piece of glass up out of the sand. When he had fully unearthed it, he saw that it was a beautifully worked and intricate multi-colored glass bottle. Out of curiousity, he pulled out the stopper.

Suddenly, he was engulfed in a cloud of smoke that formed above his head into a giant figure. In a booming voice this figure cried out, “At last! I have been freed! 20,000 years couped up in that bottle, and I’m free.”

Looking down at his bottle prison, the Djinn noticed the liberal standing with his mouth agog. “For freeing me, I will grant you one wish, but only one, so choose wisely.”

For a moment the liberal stammered, then he pinched himself, obviously to determine if he dreamed. Finally, he said, “I have always believed and been acknowledged by my peers as the smartest and wisest person they know. I always have the answers ready,” after a pause, he went on in an aggrieved tone, “But I never believed in people who could be trapped in bottles or grant wishes. This means that there are things that I don’t know. I want to know everything and truly be the wisest being that exists.”

The Djinn looked down sadly while shaking his head, “I cannot make you God, nor can I make you wiser and smarter than I am myself. Perhaps I can make you wiser and smarter than you are, though. Maybe by 20,000 times, to celebrate my freedom. Would that be acceptable?”

The liberal thought about it, and he couldn’t even imagine being 20,000 times smarter and wiser. He thought of all the things he could do with such intelligence and wisdom, and envisioned being the world’s first trillionaire. Greedily, he nodded his head in agreement with the Djinn. The Djinn waved his hand, and the liberal found himself transported from the beach, he also felt confused and anxious and realized just how little he really knew.

“Wait! I don’t feel wise or smart. I feel uncertainty and confusion. All of the things I used to believe are foolish, and what I now am certain of are almost the opposite. If I’m 20,000 times smarter and wiser, why do I feel this way?”

“In your former state, you believed you were wise and smart, but now you truly are. Things are neither as simple or as nuanced as you previously believed. Good luck! I have to go now,” and so saying, the Djinn evaporated into a mist that dissapated into nothingness.

The man who was formerly the world’s smartest and wisest liberal looked around the office he had found himself in, just as a man in a black suit came in to announce, “Mr. President, it’s time for us to start moving to get to the inauguration ceremony. If we move fast enough, we can be there before President-Elect Obama.”

Will some ask President Elect Obama…

Les Smart — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:13:55 +0000

1) Who will your suggested “Internal Security Force” defend us against since you don’t believe in securing the boarders? And why will it need to be the same size as our current military?

2) If you cut the current military budget by 25% and then establish this “Internal Security Force” that is to be equally funded, aren’t you actually increasing the overall military budget by 50%? (100 - 25% x 2 = 150) Did they teach basic math at Harvard Law School?

3) Why did you promise so much in your campaign and then immediately try to lower expectations in your acceptance speech? Duh, how silly of me. Promises are made to get elected and since you’ve never really accomplished anything you’re not sure you can deliver but what the heck you got elected.

4) Do you propose to change the name of our country to The United Soviet States of America?

5) How do you propose to tax the small business owners who earn over $250,000 per year and keep them from passing that expense on to the consumer?

6) Are you going to change the entire tax structure so those earning over $250,000 per year can no longer take advantage of the copious tax breaks to either drastically reduce their tax burden or even to eliminate it?

7) If you are going to reduce the military budget by 25% and we can’t now afford to sustain a force in Iraq and fight a war in Afganistan at the same time without over-stretching our forces, how will we be able to defend our country from an attack by say Argentina and/or Iran?

8) Why is it important to cut our military budget if the majority of our spending goes to welfare programs considering the constitution mandates that the national government provide for the common defence but, according to the defined and limited duties of our government under the constitution, welfare should fall under the egis of the states?

9) If race was not an issue in this election, would you have won without 96% of the black vote?

10) What kind of puppy are you going to get your children? (That’s one of the tough questions the media will be throwing at you in the days leading to you inaugeration. I just thought I’d prepare you.)

11) Will Rev. Wright say the prayer at your inaugeration? If not why not and (more importantly) if so why? Also will you allow them to play the national anthym?

12) Will Bill Ayers be our next Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Homeland Security or next Supreme Court Justice?

13) What will you name your dog? May I suggest Vladimir or Hugo?

14) Will the tax cut to Americans earning under $250,000 per year be more or less than those they will lose when you allow the Reagan tax cuts to lapse?

15) Will the American tax payers have to foot the bill every time Biden has to have his foot removed from his mouth? If so, will that mean you will have to hold back on tax cuts or other promised programs?

16) Will Hilary be given a spot in your cabinet or will you just put her in charge of the placement of important files?

17) Will Bill Clinton be given a cabinet position or will you institute a new position of Court Jester to the President?

18) What do you consider your greatest stength your outside shot or your rebounding?

19) Colin Powell has figuratively taken Monica Lewinski’s position will he find another way to serve your White House?

20) Would you rather go on a hunting trip with Dick Cheney or Sarah Palin?

21) Are you planning on reaching out across the isle to Republicans the same way you extended your hand to ‘Joe the Plumber’?

22) Is it okay for you to wear a flag pin now that you are President or does it clash with the pink color of your politics?

23) If your wife was finally proud of America for the first time in her adult life when you were nominated, is it fair to say now that you were elected that she is tickled pink?

24) When you pull the troups out of Iraq will you put them back in when the Shia and Sunni start up a revelotion to get control of the new government or will you leave that up to Iran to settle?

25) Will you try to explain to Senator Byrd that you are really the President Elect and not Joe Biden and will you offer Senator Byrd the position of US Ambassador to the UN so the entire world can enjoy his speeches?

26) Will Barney Franks be our next Secretary of Housing and Urban Developement since his work with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac helped assure your election?

27) How many steps before the King?

28) Will you be able to get it all done in two terms or will you need to pull a Bloomberg?

29) Did you really get all your campaign funds $10 at a time from individual donors? Didn’t anyone give like $11.75 or something?

30) Will you spare the lives of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity after your party distroys their careers?

More questions will follow if I’m still allow to speak and am free after this is posted.Secretary for Housing and Urban Developmentecretary for Housing and Urban Development

The Revolution

Les Smart — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:59:32 +0000

We are on the verge of a Socialist revolution in the United States of America. You can call the classes what you wish - the peasants or poor, the proletariat or the middle class, the nobles or the rich – they are practically the same as in Russia in 1905. Economic times were and are difficult and liberal and socialists doctrines have and are giving rise to discontent among the proletariat (middle class). The active revolutionaries were the intelligentsia in Russia of 2005. Today it is the Democrats and the media. The Tsar was unpopular as is President Bush and the downfall of their family/party was and is desired.

This is not rhetoric it is fact. In 1902 Lenin published his work “What is to be Done” that called for the organization of ‘the working class’ (middle class). Does all of this sound familiar?

So, Obama proposes no new taxes on anyone earning under $250,000. Although the Reagan tax cuts will run out in 2010 and everyone’s taxes will go up, this can be rectified through legislation. (I earned around $30,000 per year when the Reagan tax cuts came into effect and my taxes were cut. I suppose I may have been considered rich at the time but by who’s standards?) How may this affect the middle class (proletariat)?

First, think of who earns $250,000 and up in this country. Doctors, Dentists, many lawyers, professional athletes, small business owners, company executives, you may think of others but let’s first look at the small business owner.

Running a small business is a risky and difficult task. Some of these business are solid, some are ‘iffy’ and others are near failure. Increasing their taxes will do several things: 1) It will put some of them out of business and they will either fall into the middle class or even possibly into poverty depending on how bad their finances are and how marketable their skills are in the current market. 2) Many will not be able to absorb the drain of this increased tax so they will pass it on to the consumer (another name for the middle class) or cut cost such as labor. The middle classes will either absorb their tax burden through increased costs and/or the poor will increase with any laid-off worker who can’t find new employment. 3) The very wealthy can and some will leave this country to avoid paying this increased tax burden or find loopholes to avoid them. So, who really will pick up the tab for Obama’s new proposed programs?

Another interesting story will be the doctors. These professionals (the rich or nobles) run small businesses at their offices and will be faced with passing the expense to their patients with increased fees and/or laying-off employees. However, they will also be faced with the possibility of Nationalized Medicine. A Nationally run medical system will need to regulate the fees of the doctors or they will not be able to meet the expense of running such a program. The financial incentive people have today to invest time and money into a medical degree will dwindle and we will slowly see fewer doctors.

Like all other socialist regimes in the history of the world, it will be important for those in control of these government run programs to quiet opposition who may stir displeasure with what they do. The Democrats are already talking about re-establishing The Fairness Doctrine. Why? They are unhappy with the influence and power of Talk Radio that has been dominated by Conservatives regardless of many attempts to compete with them with liberal stations and liberal talk shows. Who will they silence next and how? Listen to the words and rhetoric of the Democrats who berate religious citizens and citizens who own arms. A Democrat in Pennsylvania called his constituants racists because they will probably support McCain. Opponents are ‘greedy’ and the Republican Vice-Presidential candidate is anti-intellectual.

These are troubling and frightening times and either American citizens want this revolution or they are ignorant of its coming. A dynamic speaker with a message of change is guiding them to it. Obama said, “We will change America and the world.” He openly advocates redistribution of wealth, my fellow Americans, that IS SOCIALISM. Those who oppose it are not advocating greed but rather the ideals and fundamentals this country was built on and prospered with for over 230 years.

Does the country have problems? Yes. But is solving those problems worth turning the control of our daily lives over to the government? Is a Medical system where a political bureaucrat determines who gets treated and how they get treated better than what we have now? Do we want to turn our banks and our medical system over to the people who have destroyed Social Security, Medicaid and the very banking system they are now bailing out and buying up? How many aspects of your life do you want to turn over to government? Socialism limits freedom.

Everyone should vote but everyone should consider what you are actually voting for. What change are you willing to accept? Both candidates offer change from the current leadership but one is striving to lead our nation to socialism and, if history tells us anything, all socialist nations fail.

Think / Vote

How Much Can We Learn?

fbk — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:35:36 +0000

One of my favorite topics is how organizations adapt. I think there will be an excellent chance to watch forced adaptation in progress with the franchisee-run Bennigan’s and Steak & Ale restaurants.

When a parent organization dissolves, but several children are left, there is heavy pressure for speciation. Years ago, an international organization went into receivership. It had many local chapters, where the members wanted to continue their local activities. One of the chapters bought the name from the creditors of the parent organization. Several others changed their names slightly, incorporated as independent organizations, and continued. Some affiliated with other large organizations. Over time, developments continued. Some chapters kept the original focus. Some others went defunct. Still others changed focus. One of the chapters that became independent, over the next several years, moved its focus from business strategy to public sector strategy.

Another example would be when AT&T was broken up. What were the long-term effects? For me, my current local and long-distance carrier is now AT&T. There were name changes along the way: AT&T ==> Michigan Bell ==> Ameritech ==> SBC ==> AT&T. While some of the children might still be running loose, many of them consolidated into the same entity. Of course, the Ma Bell breakup wasn’t natural, in the way that Bennigan’s and Steak & Ale could be seen as natural.

In the Bennigan’s / Steak & Ale situation, I expect several responses from the independent franchisees:

Affiliate with another chain, such as TGIF or Applebee’s,
Try to continue to operate independently, perhaps combined with a name change,
Some might try to band together as an association to save the Bennigan’s and Steak & Ale names from the liquidating corporation.
Where operations were marginal, this might be a final impetus to go under as a business.
Other miscellaneous strategies that I haven’t thought of, perhaps.

I don’t have the time or funding to study the long-term effects of this liquidation on the market and the adaptive strategies it engenders, but perhaps someone else does?