STIMULATING TIMES

TIME (2008) 11/14

FOX/ 39

Since the stock market crash of early October, it appears more bad news is to come from hedge funds. Nearly all countries that are dealing with the economic down turn are turning to various stimulus packages. The one used by President Bush is a tax cut for everyone, but mainly for the rich. The wealthy then spend and it trickles down or out of the country. Fox, the economist for TIME magazine contacted Mark Zandi chief economist for MOODY INVESTMENT (Moody’s economy.com) His question was what is the strongest economic stimulus. Here is their assessment.

If you send 1 dollar into the economy for one year, what is the return on investment to the government?

1. One dollar tax rebate means that 1 dollar shows up in your mail box. The return to the government is 1 dollar and twenty-two cents.

2. One dollar unemployment insurance return is one dollar and sixty three cents.

3. One dollar on infrastructure (bridges, highways, streets and related improvements)

returns one dollar and fifty-nine cents.

4. One dollar in food stamps generates one dollar and seventy-three cents.

5. One dollar in a Bush tax cut generates thirty-one cents. That means in all of the above, the economic stimulator is worth the strategy except the Bush cuts of #5. In that choice, the society loses sixty-nine cents on each dollar. So it appears that a tax stimulus trumps a tax cut. Further, there is a stronger multiplier for the first four strategies listed above. As an example, you get your dollar and you spend it at the dry cleaners, they turn around

and spend it on equipment and rent. Those folks then spend it on something else. In each negotiation, THE MONEY IS TAXED BY THE GOVERNMENT. Thus you have a

much higher return.

WATCH FOR MALCOM GLAWELL’S NEW BOOK “OUTLIERS”

UU WORLD (2008) Winter

Schultz/ 27-29

Hold on. William Schultz has met just about every kind of person and especially famous people. What he discovered is that at certain times they are nervous and scared. He found that the bromide of “hold on” is appropriate. Don’t think that those folks on television and the computer are not nervous. Some have learned how to cover it, but they feel as afraid as a child that has lost their parents. That also applies to you. Don’t think top dogs are unafraid and always knowledgeable. They are not.

DIGNITARIANS

FULLER& GERLOFF/ 33-36

A dignitarian is a person who is attempting to avoid rankism in and among society. That means that all people regardless of what they say want their dignity. Stratification is everywhere. This they are not questioning. In fact, a society can not work without stratification. So that does not mean that lower strata people don’t want their dignity. So rather than say “boy” you say “sir.” You address people that garner the most esteem in the role that they play.

On the other hand, rankism creates animosity. It comes in verbal and physical terms. Thus, to get rid of rankism, you address people by their last name with a Mr. Mrs. Mrs.

Doctor, Professor. If they ask for a change, then you make it. You do not pull rank. Rankism comes to return to you like bad karma.

ADLAI STEVENSON

For 65 years, he walked the earth and was a very knowledgeable politician and attracted numerous folks to him. He was the Democratic candidate for president of the United States in 1952 and 1956.

He was also a Unitarian and a Presbyterian and he did so with the acceptance of both churches.

AARP (2008) JULY AND AUGUST

MADONNA TURNS 50

Well it had to happen. The Material Girl has become the Kabala spiritualist. As the AARP notes she continually changes and with the use of exercise and cosmetic enhancements, she looks much, much younger. Her ability to shock and garner news. That appears to keep her young.

THE WEEK (2008) 11/21

12/

Nate Silver at FiveThirtyEight.com was right on the mark in terms of predictions of the presidential race. He never polled. He looked at other polls and did hia. Nebraska does not have a winner take all state. There is one district that covers Omaha

and Lincoln, the two largest cities in the state. That part of Nebraska went for Obama by a handful of votes.

HEALTH & SCIENCE

24/

FUNGUS

There is a new fungus that can be grown in doors that when mixed with common cellulose, it becomes a bio-fuel.

BULLIES

Bullies generally become bullies when they have been bullied at home. However, new research with an fMRI shows that when bullies see violence of the bullying kind, they get a special high.

BACTERIA

Bacteria like women better than men. Scientist are not sure why. They guess that perhaps males have a higher acidity in their skin that kills bacteria.

SEX

It appears that kids who watch a lot of shows where sex is casual are correlated with earlier promiscuity.

COFFEE

Pregnant women should avoid coffee Just one cup of coffee is correlated with underweight babies.

THE NEW REPUBLIC (2008) 11/19

20-22/ JOHN B. JUDIS

AMERICA IS LIBERAL

Oh no! John Judas suggests that America is Liberal. With numerous quotes, history and all the rest, Judis claims that America is a Liberal country. His article is in response to John Meacham claim in an earlier NEW REPUBLIC that the USA is a center right country. Rich Lowry agrees, in exit polls nearly two to one conservatives out number

Liberals. E.J. Dione thinks there is a new realignment.

Please folks. Whatever, your persuasion, don't talk too loud if you are center-left. If you have to, talk in code. You do that and your chances of getting beat up are diminished.

If the USA is so Liberal, why are we not like Sweden, Denmark and other Scandinavian countries? Further, this also applies to West Europe.