Comments on: The Deflation Time Bomb http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/ a radical newsletter in the struggle for peace and social justice Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:19:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: charleydan http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-26119 charleydan Sun, 10 Aug 2008 03:02:37 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-26119 It amazes me that everyone wants to blame someone and seems to hold on to facts that please their agenda. The left wants to claim their 7 billion a year Human Services programs and the shortage of oil, and global warming. The right wants to claim their military at 6 billion a year and even now some of those on the right are voting big government and global hoax. Shortage of oil is only because free enterprise is not allowed. Iran has cut there oil production in hopes of removing the dollar and putting the Euro in place for oil exchange. Chavez seized the oil companies and despises the USA and has cut that production. Amercican oil is under moratorium, government restricted, and the list goes on. Global warming the hoax like so many scares before that is not human but nature caused. The latest global warming on trial in Britain and lost in there school system for teaching. Wake up and look at the otherside of the issue. The worst factor of all is Greenspan tinker with inflation for years and gave everybody the feeling that there is no reconciling. We all know that life always brings one back to reality. So if America does not cut expenditures and leave free enterprise adjust everything in its time. You can play and pay day always comes in a greater judgement. Good way to live it up and let your kids pay the consequences. And we call ourselves adults. It amazes me that everyone wants to blame someone and seems to hold on to facts that please their agenda.

The left wants to claim their 7 billion a year Human Services programs and the shortage of oil, and global warming.

The right wants to claim their military at 6 billion a year and even now some of those on the right are voting big government and global hoax.

Shortage of oil is only because free enterprise is not allowed. Iran has cut there oil production in hopes of removing the dollar and putting the Euro in place for oil exchange. Chavez seized the oil companies and despises the USA and has cut that production. Amercican oil is under moratorium, government restricted, and the list goes on.

Global warming the hoax like so many scares before that is not human but nature caused. The latest global warming on trial in Britain and lost in there school system for teaching. Wake up and look at the otherside of the issue.

The worst factor of all is Greenspan tinker with inflation for years and gave everybody the feeling that there is no reconciling. We all know that life always brings one back to reality.

So if America does not cut expenditures and leave free enterprise adjust everything in its time. You can play and pay day always comes in a greater judgement.

Good way to live it up and let your kids pay the consequences. And we call ourselves adults.

]]> By: Dave P. http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-13464 Dave P. Wed, 23 Jan 2008 01:12:10 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-13464 This is why we need Ron Paul in the White House. He is the only one speaking about the printing of dollars, etc. No wonder the media, and GOP have been trying to shut him up!!! I can`t wait to see the debates on MSNBC on Thursday! This is why we need Ron Paul in the White House. He is the only one speaking about the printing of dollars, etc. No wonder the media, and GOP have been trying to shut him up!!! I can`t wait to see the debates on MSNBC on Thursday!

]]> By: Danny Bruno http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-13261 Danny Bruno Fri, 18 Jan 2008 21:03:56 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-13261 The price of real Estate has already declined by 30% or more is some areas Southern California. The Investment Bankers are unwilling to acknowledge the level of exposure. Real Estate should decline some 50% from either its 2005 high or its 2002 high I am not sure which. Either way there is still a long way to go. The same mistake wwere made in Japan, and to this day still exists in almost twenty years later Japanhas yet to recover. Banks refused to acknowledge their losses! I would venture to say, we are on the same path, a planned collapse is in the making to restructure the entire World Financial Markets! Gold prices will continue their upward trend but will drop once investors realize you cannot eat Gold. Food and Water are a much better bet! This problem is simply too large to be managed successfully! DB The price of real Estate has already declined by 30% or more is some areas Southern California. The Investment Bankers are unwilling to acknowledge the level of exposure.
Real Estate should decline some 50% from either its 2005 high or its 2002 high I am not sure which. Either way there is still a long way to go.
The same mistake wwere made in Japan, and to this day still exists in almost twenty years later Japanhas yet to recover.
Banks refused to acknowledge their losses!
I would venture to say, we are on the same path, a planned collapse is in the making to restructure the entire World Financial Markets!
Gold prices will continue their upward trend but will drop once investors realize you cannot eat Gold.
Food and Water are a much better bet!
This problem is simply too large to be managed successfully!
DB

]]> By: Brian http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-13253 Brian Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:23:38 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-13253 please read this: jsmineset.com Gold will not go down.. the dollar index will collapse down to around .5200 .. how can gold go down if the dollar continues to weaken? also tax cuts have nothing to do with the price of oil at 99.00 It is the Wars and the outrages spending in washington District of Corruption.... the only Man running for President who has answers to these bad times is RON PAUL! please look into him! ronpaul2008.com please read this: jsmineset.com Gold will not go down.. the dollar index will collapse down to around .5200 .. how can gold go down if the dollar continues to weaken? also tax cuts have nothing to do with the price of oil at 99.00 It is the Wars and the outrages spending in washington District of Corruption…. the only Man running for President who has answers to these bad times is RON PAUL! please look into him! ronpaul2008.com

]]> By: Jerry T. http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-13205 Jerry T. Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:12:44 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-13205 Medicare and Social Security funds better be on the lookout for massive cuts, too. Medicare and Social Security funds better be on the lookout for massive cuts, too.

]]> By: Paul Becke http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-13202 Paul Becke Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:01:08 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-13202 It's them Commies what's done it! I knew it wouldn't be the likes of that nice Mr Milton Friedman and that nice Mr Pinochet and that nice Mr Greenspan what would cause all the economic ruin! It’s them Commies what’s done it! I knew it wouldn’t be the likes of that nice Mr Milton Friedman and that nice Mr Pinochet and that nice Mr Greenspan what would cause all the economic ruin!

]]> By: Donald Hawkins http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12959 Donald Hawkins Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:04:00 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12959 http://www.forbes.com/opinions/2008/01/04/poyang-lake-china-oped-cx_cob_0106poyang.html Go to this web site one of the best on China. Take a look at the picutres. In China probably two years water, food big problem. How is China different than the States 1.3 billion people. Here in the States crops will start to be a problem about the same amount of years two. http://www.forbes.com/opinions/2008/01/04/poyang-lake-china-oped-cx_cob_0106poyang.html Go to this web site one of the best on China. Take a look at the picutres. In China probably two years water, food big problem. How is China different than the States 1.3 billion people. Here in the States crops will start to be a problem about the same amount of years two.

]]> By: Scott Lamont http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12955 Scott Lamont Sun, 13 Jan 2008 07:46:25 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12955 One thing that I don't quite agree with Mike on is that there is no oil shortage. Every indication is that we are at a plateau in daily oil production and have been since 2004, which may represent peak oil having ALREADY occurred. The Saudis keep saying they are going to raise production, then keep missing their targets, and they are the main 'swing' producer. I don't know what Hugo Chavez is smoking, but they sure as hell don't have 200+ years of oil in the ground that can be meaningfully recovered. There are real constraints in energy production and distribution that will drive costs relentlessly higher, and of course the poor will get it in the chops. Note that I didn't say we are out of oil, or gas, or anything else, just that we can't match supply and demand anymore. That oil is $100 per barrel or close to does have a lot to do with the crash in the dollar's value, as Mike has said - which is yet another reason that producing countries may drop the dollar as the trade currency, to shore up the value of what they are being paid. That would likely result in a run on the dollar on the markets. Then the real fun will begin. However, everyone is looking at the peak cost of oil in terms of purchasing power (the crisis in 1973 would translate into roughly $103 per barrel in 2007 dollars), when for impact on the ordinary person, it has to be seen in proportion to what they earn and MUST spend in things like housing and food. With new efficiencies in energy use, we spend as little as a quarter of what we did on energy in a household compared to the last energy crisis (I did the math for our house, and we were at about 55% of what we would have spent in the mid 70's). When energy costs go up, borrowing is cut off, food gets expensive, and jobs disappear, that is when we will relive the crisis, and it won't really be about what the cost per barrel is. The sad thing is, that may be what is required to curb carbon output enough so that we can change our energy and economic system to something sustainable. I agree that the cost is being foisted on those of the working class by those who have benefited tremendously from the system as it has existed, but the only way I can see people getting angry enough to force politicians to do something not concocted by K Street is for exactly this sort of crisis to wake them out of complacency. And I have faith that ordinary people will come together and create real solutions. I hope we all buckle our seat belts for this ride. One thing that I don’t quite agree with Mike on is that there is no oil shortage. Every indication is that we are at a plateau in daily oil production and have been since 2004, which may represent peak oil having ALREADY occurred. The Saudis keep saying they are going to raise production, then keep missing their targets, and they are the main ’swing’ producer. I don’t know what Hugo Chavez is smoking, but they sure as hell don’t have 200+ years of oil in the ground that can be meaningfully recovered. There are real constraints in energy production and distribution that will drive costs relentlessly higher, and of course the poor will get it in the chops. Note that I didn’t say we are out of oil, or gas, or anything else, just that we can’t match supply and demand anymore. That oil is $100 per barrel or close to does have a lot to do with the crash in the dollar’s value, as Mike has said - which is yet another reason that producing countries may drop the dollar as the trade currency, to shore up the value of what they are being paid. That would likely result in a run on the dollar on the markets. Then the real fun will begin. However, everyone is looking at the peak cost of oil in terms of purchasing power (the crisis in 1973 would translate into roughly $103 per barrel in 2007 dollars), when for impact on the ordinary person, it has to be seen in proportion to what they earn and MUST spend in things like housing and food. With new efficiencies in energy use, we spend as little as a quarter of what we did on energy in a household compared to the last energy crisis (I did the math for our house, and we were at about 55% of what we would have spent in the mid 70’s). When energy costs go up, borrowing is cut off, food gets expensive, and jobs disappear, that is when we will relive the crisis, and it won’t really be about what the cost per barrel is. The sad thing is, that may be what is required to curb carbon output enough so that we can change our energy and economic system to something sustainable. I agree that the cost is being foisted on those of the working class by those who have benefited tremendously from the system as it has existed, but the only way I can see people getting angry enough to force politicians to do something not concocted by K Street is for exactly this sort of crisis to wake them out of complacency. And I have faith that ordinary people will come together and create real solutions. I hope we all buckle our seat belts for this ride.

]]> By: Polack in Idaho http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12953 Polack in Idaho Sun, 13 Jan 2008 03:33:04 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12953 There is actually a rather simple (although far from easy) solution to the problems of food shortage, poverty, climate change, and global recession, but it would require a major effort of will and a tremendous change of attitude. US can close half of foreign military bases, eliminate spending on futuristic senseless weapons, etc., and invest freed cash and assets into building de-salinization plants, exploiting tropical sun power, on African coast (perhaps other powers would pitch in as well). With a modicum of irrigation, starting from the edges of Sahara desert, it would be possible to generate a self-sustaining expansion of plant cover - that will become able, at some point, to hold ground water, and generate rains. Once the self-propelling expansion of plants begins in earnest, carbon dioxide level will start dropping - nothing absorbs carbon as efficiently as young trees. It would be up to African states to decide how this reclaimed green territory, but maybe they will be able to work out some arrangement - and if not, carbon will be sequestered anyway. The whole thing would require heads of states and leading politicians to espouse some mature and level-headed thinking - but who knows, if things get much worse, maybe - just maybe - they will be forced to acknowledge reality, at least to an extent sufficient to do something sensible, for a change... They will not be able to rule by their smoke and mirrors MUCH longer - the reality has a way of asserting itself. There is actually a rather simple (although far from easy) solution to the problems of food shortage, poverty, climate change, and global recession, but it would require a major effort of will and a tremendous change of attitude. US can close half of foreign military bases, eliminate spending on futuristic senseless weapons, etc., and invest freed cash and assets into building de-salinization plants, exploiting tropical sun power, on African coast (perhaps other powers would pitch in as well). With a modicum of irrigation, starting from the edges of Sahara desert, it would be possible to generate a self-sustaining expansion of plant cover - that will become able, at some point, to hold ground water, and generate rains. Once the self-propelling expansion of plants begins in earnest, carbon dioxide level will start dropping - nothing absorbs carbon as efficiently as young trees. It would be up to African states to decide how this reclaimed green territory, but maybe they will be able to work out some arrangement - and if not, carbon will be sequestered anyway. The whole thing would require heads of states and leading politicians to espouse some mature and level-headed thinking - but who knows, if things get much worse, maybe - just maybe - they will be forced to acknowledge reality, at least to an extent sufficient to do something sensible, for a change… They will not be able to rule by their smoke and mirrors MUCH longer - the reality has a way of asserting itself.

]]> By: Donald Hawkins http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12948 Donald Hawkins Sun, 13 Jan 2008 01:58:47 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12948 What you need is to weave your concern into the concerns of the masses. It's the young people who will live in a very tuff World and it used to be the young who if I remember right helped to stop the war. Somehow to get that 5 million in front of the Capital. It's the young who are idealistic that is just the way it goes and rightly so. Don't get me wrong many of the people I see who are trying to get the word out are not young but somehow managed to hold on to that feeling. Not easy in today's world. It is starting to change but time this time is what we don't have What you need is to weave your concern into the concerns of the masses. It’s the young people who will live in a very tuff World and it used to be the young who if I remember right helped to stop the war. Somehow to get that 5 million in front of the Capital. It’s the young who are idealistic that is just the way it goes and rightly so. Don’t get me wrong many of the people I see who are trying to get the word out are not young but somehow managed to hold on to that feeling. Not easy in today’s world. It is starting to change but time this time is what we don’t have

]]> By: Deadbeat http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12945 Deadbeat Sun, 13 Jan 2008 00:17:11 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12945 <i>Something I don’t get. We have maybe eight years to get very serious about climate change. </i> There force of capitalism, militarism, and exploitation really do not care about this timetable. They have the money to weather the weather. You have to convince the masses, especially the U.S. masses. However they are more focus on they day-to-day needs. Right now the masses want change but there is no programmatic plan being offered. Right now there is only "chicken little" rhetoric and what is need is a programmatic plan that can lead the masses in your direction. A plan to reduce military spending will resonate. Military consumption of oil and energy is extremely wasteful not only to the environment but to the economic needs of the nation. What you need is to weave your concern into the concerns of the masses. This is how you will build support. The environment is too important an issue to leave solely to the elites. Something I don’t get. We have maybe eight years to get very serious about climate change.

There force of capitalism, militarism, and exploitation really do not care about this timetable. They have the money to weather the weather. You have to convince the masses, especially the U.S. masses. However they are more focus on they day-to-day needs. Right now the masses want change but there is no programmatic plan being offered. Right now there is only “chicken little” rhetoric and what is need is a programmatic plan that can lead the masses in your direction.

A plan to reduce military spending will resonate. Military consumption of oil and energy is extremely wasteful not only to the environment but to the economic needs of the nation. What you need is to weave your concern into the concerns of the masses. This is how you will build support. The environment is too important an issue to leave solely to the elites.

]]> By: Donald Hawkins http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12942 Donald Hawkins Sat, 12 Jan 2008 22:59:40 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12942 They want you to believe that climate change is to complex for a mere mortal to understand. The markets same thing. To do the science the research took years of hard work and some figuring by some very smart people. The data from this last summer was pretty much it. We are in big trouble and out of time. The markets the economy unless we take action now on climate change GDP what GDP. Oh yes they there it is again whoever they are could bring this back maybe one more time with BAU that is business as usually and then only down hill from there and they most of them know this. I think many think that technology will save us they would be right but not with business as usually. They want oil, gas, coal more cars that only get 29 MPG and on and on sorry it doesn't work that way and that is the part that they can't seem to get there heads around. So they believe there own stuff and want us to do the same. Sorry I unplugged a few years ago and although it is harder not to live in that dream World I think I'll stay this way but remember it is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work… when you go to church… when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth. They want you to believe that climate change is to complex for a mere mortal to understand. The markets same thing. To do the science the research took years of hard work and some figuring by some very smart people. The data from this last summer was pretty much it. We are in big trouble and out of time. The markets the economy unless we take action now on climate change GDP what GDP. Oh yes they there it is again whoever they are could bring this back maybe one more time with BAU that is business as usually and then only down hill from there and they most of them know this. I think many think that technology will save us they would be right but not with business as usually. They want oil, gas, coal more cars that only get 29 MPG and on and on sorry it doesn’t work that way and that is the part that they can’t seem to get there heads around. So they believe there own stuff and want us to do the same. Sorry I unplugged a few years ago and although it is harder not to live in that dream World I think I’ll stay this way but remember it is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work… when you go to church… when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.

]]> By: Donald Hawkins http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12940 Donald Hawkins Sat, 12 Jan 2008 22:05:33 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12940 Something I don't get. We have maybe eight years to get very serious about climate change. Not talk action, change. A lot of us see injustice in many ways in this system to late we need to use the system we have now the best way to slow this down. We are out of time. Don't think so just watch the next two summers. To fight this problem everything changes no way around that. Something I don’t get. We have maybe eight years to get very serious about climate change. Not talk action, change. A lot of us see injustice in many ways in this system to late we need to use the system we have now the best way to slow this down. We are out of time. Don’t think so just watch the next two summers. To fight this problem everything changes no way around that.

]]> By: Deadbeat http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12938 Deadbeat Sat, 12 Jan 2008 21:51:09 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12938 <i>To me policy makers the private sector all have to get on the same page. Somehow that will probably be the hardest part working together. It will happen hopefully before it’s to late.</i> It's not going to happen. It'll be elites trying to convince other elites without mass participation. The only way to resolve this problem is through mass education and movement. The first place I'd start with is the reduction of military spending as that would free up money for the kind of societal restructuring that is needed. To me policy makers the private sector all have to get on the same page. Somehow that will probably be the hardest part working together. It will happen hopefully before it’s to late.

It’s not going to happen. It’ll be elites trying to convince other elites without mass participation. The only way to resolve this problem is through mass education and movement.

The first place I’d start with is the reduction of military spending as that would free up money for the kind of societal restructuring that is needed.

]]> By: Donald Hawkins http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12934 Donald Hawkins Sat, 12 Jan 2008 21:19:34 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12934 Now in the coming years for a few people to use credit or the World economy's as there own little piggy bank with this little problem called climate change thrown in is not going to work out well. Every situation has it's own set of rules and regulations. With climate change to look at it as inconvenient, well in just a few years inconvenient doesn't begin to explain it I just listened to John Edwards talk and if that is just not talk he understands the problem. Edwards said more than once that to slow a warming Planet will be as tuff or tuffer than World War Two. He's right. To me policy makers the private sector all have to get on the same page. Somehow that will probably be the hardest part working together. It will happen hopefully before it's to late. Now in the coming years for a few people to use credit or the World economy’s as there own little piggy bank with this little problem called climate change thrown in is not going to work out well. Every situation has it’s own set of rules and regulations. With climate change to look at it as inconvenient, well in just a few years inconvenient doesn’t begin to explain it I just listened to John Edwards talk and if that is just not talk he understands the problem. Edwards said more than once that to slow a warming Planet will be as tuff or tuffer than World War Two. He’s right. To me policy makers the private sector all have to get on the same page. Somehow that will probably be the hardest part working together. It will happen hopefully before it’s to late.

]]> By: AJ Nasreddin http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12931 AJ Nasreddin Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:36:21 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12931 Two things I don't get about people: 1. How can you take all that coal and oil out of the ground - all that carbon that took millions, if not billions, of years to put there and not effect the climate. It seems like simple math. 2. How can the government expect to keep printing dollars - and I mean they are printing millions, if not billions, of dollars and they still expect the dollar to have any value at all. It seems like simple math. My favorite economic news comes from: http://www.dailyreckoning.com/index.html My favorite economists this month is: http://www.dailyreckoning.com/Writers/MogamboGuru.html Check it out. These guys say we're headed for dollar collapse. Two things I don’t get about people:

1. How can you take all that coal and oil out of the ground - all that carbon that took millions, if not billions, of years to put there and not effect the climate. It seems like simple math.

2. How can the government expect to keep printing dollars - and I mean they are printing millions, if not billions, of dollars and they still expect the dollar to have any value at all. It seems like simple math.

My favorite economic news comes from:

http://www.dailyreckoning.com/index.html

My favorite economists this month is:

http://www.dailyreckoning.com/Writers/MogamboGuru.html

Check it out. These guys say we’re headed for dollar collapse.

]]> By: Deadbeat http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12927 Deadbeat Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:09:25 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12927 The way out of this mess is a combination of fiscal and monetary policies. Cutting interest rates and the decline of the dollar is not as bad and people think due to dollar hegemony. Fiscally, the U.S. needs to get out of Iraq and cut military spending. Military spending does not provide broad economic stimulus. Taxes must be raised on the rich and corporations. This will get the News media upset because the market will take a hit and the people who bring us the news are invested in the markets. However raising taxes on the rich and corporation will enable the government to finance and redistribute wealth without having to borrow funds. In addition the government needs to cut working class taxes and make the Income Tax more progressive on incomes over 200,000/yr and raise the Inheritance tax. Nader offered an excellent plan to eliminate Income taxes on everyone making less than 100,000/yr and for the government to charge a transaction tax on stock trades. That will curtail day-trading activity and promote investments. For the states there needs to be a restoration of Revenue Sharing. Re-install, Glass-Steagall and vigorously enforce Sherman Anti-Trust Laws. In other words, a complete undoing the Reagan counter-revolution/rollbacks that will get money and services directly onto the hand of the working class. Essentially a bottom-up economic stimulus. Clearly this will be resisted by the rich and most especially those that want to maintain the huge military expenditures. I also disagree with the traditional explanation of inflation. Inflation is not a bad thing. With growth there there will be inflation. Inflation should be kept at modest level. High level of inflation is attributed to the maldistribution of wealth and power. When you have oligopolies and live in a plutocratic society then all aspects of wages and prices are controlled by the few. The current crop of politicians cannot reverse the current trend therefore a grassroots movement is necessary to provide the power needed to alter this course. The way out of this mess is a combination of fiscal and monetary policies. Cutting interest rates and the decline of the dollar is not as bad and people think due to dollar hegemony.

Fiscally, the U.S. needs to get out of Iraq and cut military spending. Military spending does not provide broad economic stimulus. Taxes must be raised on the rich and corporations. This will get the News media upset because the market will take a hit and the people who bring us the news are invested in the markets. However raising taxes on the rich and corporation will enable the government to finance and redistribute wealth without having to borrow funds.

In addition the government needs to cut working class taxes and make the Income Tax more progressive on incomes over 200,000/yr and raise the Inheritance tax. Nader offered an excellent plan to eliminate Income taxes on everyone making less than 100,000/yr and for the government to charge a transaction tax on stock trades. That will curtail day-trading activity and promote investments.

For the states there needs to be a restoration of Revenue Sharing.

Re-install, Glass-Steagall and vigorously enforce Sherman Anti-Trust Laws. In other words, a complete undoing the Reagan counter-revolution/rollbacks that will get money and services directly onto the hand of the working class. Essentially a bottom-up economic stimulus. Clearly this will be resisted by the rich and most especially those that want to maintain the huge military expenditures.

I also disagree with the traditional explanation of inflation. Inflation is not a bad thing. With growth there there will be inflation. Inflation should be kept at modest level. High level of inflation is attributed to the maldistribution of wealth and power. When you have oligopolies and live in a plutocratic society then all aspects of wages and prices are controlled by the few.

The current crop of politicians cannot reverse the current trend therefore a grassroots movement is necessary to provide the power needed to alter this course.

]]> By: Deadbeat http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12925 Deadbeat Sat, 12 Jan 2008 18:43:34 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12925 <i>That’s right; the price of gas today is attributable to war, tax cuts and the relentless expansion of credit by the Federal Reserve — NOT OIL SHORTAGES!</i> Finally Whitney provides an economic perspective that exposes the TRUTH about the current energy situation and disprove the rhetoric offered by the "left" that the war on Iraq was for oil. In previous articles he did advance the "war for oil". It is nice to see that he's come around. As I've stated here on DV, Hugo Chavez stated that he has enough oil for the next 200 years and has more reserves than Saudi Arabia. It is an extremely revealing how many on the "left" want to advance their particular policy agenda rather than adhere to ideology and principle to provide cogent analysis. Because Whitney analyzes the course of event from a rational economic perspective he cannot deny the irrefutable facts and deserves kudos for not trying to spin those facts into rhetoric. Clearly the war on Iraq was about the Zioncon agenda of using the U.S. military to advance Israeli hegemony. This has caused the huge deficit spending. According the War Resister League nearly 80% of the debt is due to currently and past military expenditures. Also because "entitlement" are put "on budget" it conceals the real underlying U.S. "operating" budget of huge deficit spending caused by military spending. Because of this arrangement, politician who talk about "balancing the budget" attempt to do this by cutting social spending and shift "entitlement" money into the operating budget. What MUST be called for is the REDUCTION of military spending. However now that the interest of military spending is intertwined with Zionism and the Israel Lobby, the demobilization of the anti-war movement by the left is helping to advance the current economic crisis. Rather than have analysis that honestly explain the the conditions of the political economy, the rhetoric we are getting from the left are diversionary and dishonest. Environmentalist shift the the focus of the problem to blame individual consumption and not look at military consumption and demand a cut to military spending. How ironic that paleo-conservative have been demanding cuts to military spending since the end of the Cold War. We have "Marxist" refusing to provide radical analysis of the influence of Zionism upon U.S. foreign policy and the overall political economy. Their failure to analyze the Lobby has led to a misdirected analysis of "U.S. Imperialism". A proper analysis could lead to a mobilization for a boycott of Israel that would then incorporate an advocacy of the reduction of military spending. Had the left mounted a continuous challenge to the Lobby it could have confronted the anti-Arab racism which is the major thrust behind the "War on Terror". Gary Corseri says... <i>But things get worse: we’ve got a political-socio system that can’t or won’t deal with economic realities. </i> That has been the thrust of my arguments here on DV. If the left cannot honestly articulate the socio-political situation and offer solution arising from proper analysis then there is no force to push the politicians. This was the heart of Nader's criticism of the "left" who abandoned principles in 2004 . The "left" cowardice, its demobilization of the anti-war movement due to is unwillingness to confront Zionism, has abandon being the counterweight it needs to be to change and confront the current socio-political-economic order. That’s right; the price of gas today is attributable to war, tax cuts and the relentless expansion of credit by the Federal Reserve — NOT OIL SHORTAGES!

Finally Whitney provides an economic perspective that exposes the TRUTH about the current energy situation and disprove the rhetoric offered by the “left” that the war on Iraq was for oil. In previous articles he did advance the “war for oil”. It is nice to see that he’s come around.

As I’ve stated here on DV, Hugo Chavez stated that he has enough oil for the next 200 years and has more reserves than Saudi Arabia. It is an extremely revealing how many on the “left” want to advance their particular policy agenda rather than adhere to ideology and principle to provide cogent analysis.

Because Whitney analyzes the course of event from a rational economic perspective he cannot deny the irrefutable facts and deserves kudos for not trying to spin those facts into rhetoric.

Clearly the war on Iraq was about the Zioncon agenda of using the U.S. military to advance Israeli hegemony. This has caused the huge deficit spending. According the War Resister League nearly 80% of the debt is due to currently and past military expenditures. Also because “entitlement” are put “on budget” it conceals the real underlying U.S. “operating” budget of huge deficit spending caused by military spending.
Because of this arrangement, politician who talk about “balancing the budget” attempt to do this by cutting social spending and shift “entitlement” money into the operating budget. What MUST be called for is the REDUCTION of military spending.

However now that the interest of military spending is intertwined with Zionism and the Israel Lobby, the demobilization of the anti-war movement by the left is helping to advance the current economic crisis.

Rather than have analysis that honestly explain the the conditions of the political economy, the rhetoric we are getting from the left are diversionary and dishonest.

Environmentalist shift the the focus of the problem to blame individual consumption and not look at military consumption and demand a cut to military spending. How ironic that paleo-conservative have been demanding cuts to military spending since the end of the Cold War.

We have “Marxist” refusing to provide radical analysis of the influence of Zionism upon U.S. foreign policy and the overall political economy. Their failure to analyze the Lobby has led to a misdirected analysis of “U.S. Imperialism”. A proper analysis could lead to a mobilization for a boycott of Israel that would then incorporate an advocacy of the reduction of military spending. Had the left mounted a continuous challenge to the Lobby it could have confronted the anti-Arab racism which is the major thrust behind the “War on Terror”.

Gary Corseri says…
But things get worse: we’ve got a political-socio system that can’t or won’t deal with economic realities.

That has been the thrust of my arguments here on DV. If the left cannot honestly articulate the socio-political situation and offer solution arising from proper analysis then there is no force to push the politicians. This was the heart of Nader’s criticism of the “left” who abandoned principles in 2004 . The “left” cowardice, its demobilization of the anti-war movement due to is unwillingness to confront Zionism, has abandon being the counterweight it needs to be to change and confront the current socio-political-economic order.

]]> By: Donald Hawkins http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12920 Donald Hawkins Sat, 12 Jan 2008 16:41:02 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12920 Hell let's go for it. Just on the off chance that climate change is as serious as most of the World's scientists say what should happen to slow this problem down. The IPCC said by 2015 we need to keep CO 2 levels at today's level. 386PPM right now the most in 650,000 years and the changes to this Planet we are now seeing. James Hansen just said that passing 350 PPM in CO 2 is not good as positive feedback is kicking in and this is moving way to fast. It's not to late to slow this down but will take hard choices very hard choices. It is George Monbiot's opinion that we need to cut the use of fossil fuels by just 100%. Is he right probably. Can it be done, yes that is where the very hard choices comes in. Mike just say that the economy is in trouble and to get the market and the economy back to a norm is not going to be easy. The people who run the show Worldwide will want to bring the economy back anyway they can and the hell with this little problem called climate change that many of the smartest minds on this Planet say is the number one problem we face. Can we change the thinking on the economy to go after climate change 100%. I don't know? Let's just say this summer should be an eye opener to say the least. The ice up North will probably melt to record levels again and drought Worldwide again big problem. Flooding in many parts of this Planet not fun and crops again bad shape that I might add is highly inflationary. Then we will all see those surprises that James Lovelock talked about when asked what is the biggest problem with climate change. I am like Lovelock it is not anymore the numbers or models it is what I see with my own eyes or read about the changes that can be seen. We have the technology right now to do this will it be used in the way that is needed to slow this down again I don't know. This is a tuff one as the whole system is based on moving forward you know more cars more food more money more oil more gas more credit, Oops. It looks to me that to do this some people will make money but very little just break even would be good many will make nothing but that's Ok in my book not because I hate rich people but if we don't do this what happens. More of the same only it get's worst every year until that moving forward part is academic. To me right now what I hear like well in the year 2028 China will have to replace all it's old airlines, what. In the year 2028 if we don't go for it I don't think airlines will have much to do with it. My point to just throw these years around like we used to is well academic. Many people are facing this problem but the other side to the best I can tell are either listening to there own stuff or just don't care. It can be done but change yes you could certainly say that. Hell let’s go for it. Just on the off chance that climate change is as serious as most of the World’s scientists say what should happen to slow this problem down. The IPCC said by 2015 we need to keep CO 2 levels at today’s level. 386PPM right now the most in 650,000 years and the changes to this Planet we are now seeing. James Hansen just said that passing 350 PPM in CO 2 is not good as positive feedback is kicking in and this is moving way to fast. It’s not to late to slow this down but will take hard choices very hard choices. It is George Monbiot’s opinion that we need to cut the use of fossil fuels by just 100%. Is he right probably. Can it be done, yes that is where the very hard choices comes in. Mike just say that the economy is in trouble and to get the market and the economy back to a norm is not going to be easy. The people who run the show Worldwide will want to bring the economy back anyway they can and the hell with this little problem called climate change that many of the smartest minds on this Planet say is the number one problem we face. Can we change the thinking on the economy to go after climate change 100%. I don’t know? Let’s just say this summer should be an eye opener to say the least. The ice up North will probably melt to record levels again and drought Worldwide again big problem. Flooding in many parts of this Planet not fun and crops again bad shape that I might add is highly inflationary. Then we will all see those surprises that James Lovelock talked about when asked what is the biggest problem with climate change. I am like Lovelock it is not anymore the numbers or models it is what I see with my own eyes or read about the changes that can be seen. We have the technology right now to do this will it be used in the way that is needed to slow this down again I don’t know. This is a tuff one as the whole system is based on moving forward you know more cars more food more money more oil more gas more credit, Oops. It looks to me that to do this some people will make money but very little just break even would be good many will make nothing but that’s Ok in my book not because I hate rich people but if we don’t do this what happens. More of the same only it get’s worst every year until that moving forward part is academic. To me right now what I hear like well in the year 2028 China will have to replace all it’s old airlines, what. In the year 2028 if we don’t go for it I don’t think airlines will have much to do with it. My point to just throw these years around like we used to is well academic. Many people are facing this problem but the other side to the best I can tell are either listening to there own stuff or just don’t care. It can be done but change yes you could certainly say that.

]]> By: Doug Page http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12911 Doug Page Sat, 12 Jan 2008 13:11:07 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/01/the-deflation-time-bomb/#comment-12911 Mike seems "right on" to me, but even Mike ignores Henry Ford's 1920s lesson to Americans: "you have to pay your employees enough so that they can afford to buy new Fords." Nobody talks about this, not even Mike. It simply makes no difference that consumers will not borrow and banks will not lend, if the consumer has no job. Or has a very low paying survival job. American consumers are already maxed out on credit. So what difference does it make that they cannot or will not borrow even more? The real question is: How can we organize so that we can demand that we be paid adequately? Somehow money must be placed in the hands of us citizens so that we can buy. (Even this ignores the problem that the planet is finite and can stand not more "progress" and consumption.) Politicians, bought and paid for by the richest 1% are unlikely to place money in our hands unless we compel it somehow. Could we all possibly join together in a new organization? Something like "We the People?" It may be that capitalism in its present form cannot be salvaged. Doug Page, Tucson, AZ dougpage2@earthlink.net Mike seems “right on” to me, but even Mike ignores Henry Ford’s 1920s lesson to Americans: “you have to pay your employees enough so that they can afford to buy new Fords.” Nobody talks about this, not even Mike. It simply makes no difference that consumers will not borrow and banks will not lend, if the consumer has no job. Or has a very low paying survival job. American consumers are already maxed out on credit. So what difference does it make that they cannot or will not borrow even more? The real question is: How can we organize so that we can demand that we be paid adequately? Somehow money must be placed in the hands of us citizens so that we can buy. (Even this ignores the problem that the planet is finite and can stand not more “progress” and consumption.) Politicians, bought and paid for by the richest 1% are unlikely to place money in our hands unless we compel it somehow. Could we all possibly join together in a new organization? Something like “We the People?” It may be that capitalism in its present form cannot be salvaged.
Doug Page, Tucson, AZ dougpage2@earthlink.net

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