Thoughts Out Of Season

It's surprising how little news regarding the ongoing financial dilemma afflicting many member-countries of the European Union. Just months ago it appeared that Europe and its continent-wide Union was coming apart at the seams. Riots where taking place in Ireland, Italy and especially Greece where the country's demise was being predicted by anyone who could hold a mic or pummel a computer keyboard. But what now? Have the EU's troubles been overshadowed by recent events perpetrated by the imbeciles that make up the United States government? Have austerity measures, beyond all odds worked leading Europe into a new era of prosperity that has brought a feeling of quiet contentment to the Union's suffering people? Not on your life! What is occurring right now throughout many countries in the EU is a collective sense of despair brought on by an extended period of economic downturn leading to widespread joblessness, food scarcity and a descent into poverty that has caused a d...

For months I have been following the current goings on in Europe especially as it pertains to the current so called "Euro Crisis". Countries like Spain, Italy, Portugal, etc... in exchange for loans from the European Bank have had to undertake a series of austerity measures that have buried these countries and their citizens in a misery which many are comparing to being on the losing end of a bitter war. These austerity measures include severe cuts in government jobs, sharp reductions in pay of up to 40 percent, crushing concessions by unions all to bring these countries in line with European Union targets of lowering the debt these countries owe. According to the theory, these austerity measures are supposed to, somehow lead to growth in the borrower countries economies. Who is it that is the biggest proponent of austerity? Germany and its leader Angela Merkel. According to them there is no other course but for the countries that are in trouble but to radically slash expense...

President Obama's State of the Union Address  was notable for several things: 1. Efforts to contain or slow climate change. This is a hot button issue in the United States as thoughts about it's causes and alleged progression run clearly down party lines. Republicans denounce it as a tool used by the pinko, tree hugging left to keep the United States dependent on foreign oil for the future; Democrats see climate change as a future significant threat to the globe and accuse Republicans of stymieing efforts at  curbing climate change so that their big oil donors will keep reaping record profits from the sale of oil and gasoline. Conclusion: no politician is really going to stick out his/her neck on an issue that may not cause any significant disruption to the globe in 40-50 years. Their chief concern, both Democrat and Republican is  garnering enough votes to get reelected in 2 or 4 years so you'll end up seeing a lot of kicking the can down the road on this issue 2. I...