Will Greece print the drachma? Will California soon follow and print the cali?

Will Greece start printing the drachma?

With the unfolding economic crisis hitting the EU,  speculation is running rampant that Greece will not adopt the austerity measures it's partners are demanding in order to get bailed out.

Greece has been the economic poster child for run away socialist entitlement spending that has cratered it's economy.  Even the hint of trying to rein in the out of control spending driving it into an economic death spiral,  brings thousands into the streets in violent protests.

Being a sovereign country the Greeks can drop the euro and go back to printing their own currency.  Rumor has it, the drachma  (Greek currency)  printing presses mothballed for years,  are getting serviced and ready to start printing again.  Of course what will the drachma value be worth on the world market?
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Now President Obama tells Greece to eat their peas


California: The canary in the mineshaft

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 California is in a similar situation to Greece.  Facing a 16 billion dollar budget deficit this year alone, California is also buckling under long term debt and obligations of hundreds of billions of dollars . Top heavy in unsustainable entitlements, social programs and public employee unions who pretty much hold sway over whatever gets done in the capital, California's golden state status, has been downgraded to a nickle alloy.

If California's Governor's new tax schemes don't get approval from the voters and quite possibly even if they do, California is facing an economic calamity that could  push it into bankruptcy.  Many of it's cities have followed the states economic path of irresponsible labor contracts and run away spending finding themselves teetering on fiscal insolvency.

It wasn't long ago when California found itself out of cash and resorted to printed IOU's in lieu of paying their bills. An IOU is just another word for a promissory note, which is currency.

Will California follow Greece's lead and print their own currency? Why not, they have so much in common.  A Mediterranean climate, generous social welfare programs and run away spending.

The new currency's name should have a California flair to it, so it should be named the cali.

Since they are environmentally conscious, the printing presses (manufactured in China) will be powered only by solar and wind.  

The new cali of course, would be printed on 100% recycled paper.   The ink used to print the new rainbow colored cali, will be of the highest quality and environmentally sensitive soy ink.

The bills of various denominations, would have pictures of great names in California's history...Perhaps the ones who steered California to the financial precipice it now finds itself on? There is a long list of potential candidates.

The most unique gifts: Time capsules in American and world history: lifemagforsale.com

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard: carrollstandard.com

Obama's energy policy pushing America back to the future

Americas reliable energy resources are being attacked on all levels.  When was the last time a nuclear power plant was built in America?  Even hydro electric dams are under assault & being torn down in the name of environmentalism.  Energy Secretary Steven Chu said he would like to see our gasoline prices the same as Europeans.  Of course  environmentalists on the left have been waging war on coal, oil and gas for years.

This mindset couldn't have been any more apparent when I was attacked for writing a column about governments "war on coal".

An environmentalist had his simplistic answer to my column on the war on coal. He just claimed that "coal kills" and people needed to revert to a simpler lifestyle,  use less energy and make that energy "green".  He bragged how he used wood to heat his home, along with wind and solar.  He tried to stay "off the grid" as much as possible, in the rural lifestyle he enjoys.  Of course on further questioning, he did admit to the use of "auxiliary power" in order to supplement his off the grid lifestyle for cooking and refrigeration.

He suggested people move out of cities to get closer to nature and live off the grid.  It was certainly interesting listening to him with his simple answer to stave off the pending "climate crisis" and save the world....All of the simple answers without thinking about the consequences to society.  In Washington,  that same mindset of government planners who know what's best for us is on vivid display. They are not afraid to let reason stand in the way of their Utopian plan.  Their plan will, like in the movie, take us "back to the future"

For the millions of people who don't have access to firewood, or govt subsidized solar, or wind systems to supplement their power needs, there is still the need for plentiful cheap power.

The world has seen other Utopian dreamers in the past.  China's Premiere, Mao, ordered his "great leap forward" to modernize China.  Reports are that over 60 million people died of exposure and starvation in 4 years. 

Americas engine of prosperity is powered by cheap and nowadays relatively clean energy, this is the backbone of American might. We are still a great manufacturing country in spite of  inroads by other countries.  But our new high tech information age, is requiring the use of even more power.

Companies such as Google and Apple use the power equivalent of small cities in order to keep their data centers providing vast amounts of information.  Many of these power hungry companies, although waving the "green banner,"  are quietly moving their data centers,  to other states that have lower cost electricity powered by coal.

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We have already seen a great migration of American companies to foreign shores, due to lower labor costs, less taxation and far less regulation.  How long will it be before the next impetus for Corporations to leave our shores is due to high energy prices? President Obama already said his policies would necessarily make our utility prices skyrocket?  I believe he was telling the truth

I asked Janet Gellici,  the CEO of the American Coal Council, to give me an idea of  the assault her sector of energy producers was under by the Obama administration:

She said "The Obama Administration’s intent has been to increase the cost of coal in an attempt to level the playing field for more expensive energy resources, i.e., renewables.  They have been doing this primarily through excessive regulation of coal utilities and coal producers ~ in the process of attempting to bankrupt the coal industry, he’s contributing to the economic demise of our country".

The bulk of our electrical energy production is from coal and natural gas, with nuclear and hydro electric farther down the line.  "Renewables" such as wind and solar, provide a tiny fraction of Americas energy needs in spite of billions thrown at them by the social engineers in Washington DC.

The free market has a way of determining winners and losers, in spite of government meddling.  Let the energy industry compete to determine what the cheapest & cleanest source of energy will be. Due to private sector technological advances, we have abundance of natural gas.  We also have an abundance of cheap coal reserves that can fulfill our energy needs for hundreds of years.

Innovations in the clean burning of gas, coal and oil have made remarkable advances in recent years, to the point that when you look at a modern coal fired power plant, it is hard to tell whether it is on or not.  Let's use our ingenuity to find even cleaner and more efficient ways to use our energy natural resources.  Lets encourage these industries instead of punish them.  After all,  if our energy prices "necessarily skyrocket" many of us might be forced to "live off the grid." and we all might end up "back to the future."


The most unique gifts: Time capsules in American and world history: lifemagforsale.com

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard: carrollstandard.com

The "war on women" backfires on Democrats, but media silent

New polls show there has been an eight point shift in Mitt Romney s favor ability with women.  Previously President Obama had the momentum with women scoring 49-43% over GOP challenger Mitt Romney. But there has been a tremendous swing towards Romney showing he is ahead in this key demographic, being favored 48-46%, over President Obama.

The months of portraying Republicans as "waging a war on women" by keeping them, metaphorically and literally, barefoot and pregnant, has backfired on Democrat strategists.  Todays polls show their "chickens are coming home to roost."

The reason their scheme has failed?  Because there is no war on women, real or imaginary by the GOP, or Mitt Romney.

No matter how many Sandra Flukes, get set up to testify how unjust life is because they might have to pay something for their birth control pills.  Or how many imaginary "Julias" are portrayed by the Obama re-election committee showing how, through state planning, they are cradle to grave government dependents......There are millions of women who deny these ploys and see where the real war is these days.

The real war on women is a failing economy under policies by the present administration. This administration who thinks more government is the answer to any problem. 
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 Women are welcome to the highest level of achievement by the GOP,  there are no glass ceilings to stop them from achieving any goal they may want. Women are looking at Mitt Romney s success as a businessman, Governor, humanitarian and architect of a hugely successful Olympic Game and see that his leadership could turn the economy around.

You would think this important seismic shift in public opinion would gain headlines with the main stream media, but there is barely a mention of it.  After months of aiding and abetting the Obama re-election campaign by hyping the "war on women," Obama and the mainstream media have little to show for their efforts.

The facts is, the economy and the deficit are of main concern to Americans and that is where their focus is, no matter how many sideline issues, or shiny objects are thrown out by the Democrats.

The most unique gifts: Time capsules in American and world history: lifemagforsale.com

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard: carrollstandard.com

Tea Party is changing America without soiling a cop car, or occupying a city

The Tea Party surfaces and flexes its political muscle at election time.  The Tea Party has galvanized Americans into action without occupying one city or breaking one merchants window...They're working within the system to affect change where it matters, at the political level.

Tuesdays elections were a wake up call for the political establishment in America. Even more so for the main stream media who were busy trying to bury the Tea Party with stories of them becoming  irrelevant. But while they focused their attention on our cities under assault by the "Occupy Movement", the Tea Party was busy organizing it's forces and preparing for elections.

Other groups of citizens, alarmed at the course the left has set the country on, have paid attention to the Tea party message of smaller government, balanced budget and taking a hard look at long term incumbent politicians who go along to get along.
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Where Irish American  Eric O'Keefe treads, incumbent politicians tremble

Power to the people! The Tea Party can't be bought

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In Wisconsin the Tea Party and other citizen groups have battled back against outside union forces who poured millions into a campaign to remove the sitting Governor, Scott Walker.  Tuesdays primary elections saw record turnouts of voters who went to the polls to show their solidarity and support,for the Governor, even though it was not necessary for them to vote.  The Governor got more votes than his two Democrat opponents combined.  He is now up by 5% in the polls,  with the main recall election against him less than a month away.

In Indiana the Tea Party and affiliated organizations, flexed their political muscle again when their candidate unseated long time incumbent Republican Senator Dick Lugar, who was gunning for a 6th term.  Democrats expressed shock at Lugars loss, describing him as a "reasonable" and experienced Senator.  Tea Party members and many Republicans said he was an out of touch incumbent who had been in office too long and called him a Rino (Republican in name only).

Democratic Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called Lugar's loss "a tragedy for the Senate." Conservatives and Tea Party members say John Kerrys comments vindicate Indianas result, since Kerry is the epitome of big govt and failed govt programs.

In the meantime in North Carolina, the Democrats might be ruing the day they chose that state to hold their Presidential Convention, where the Tea Party has been organizing and consolidating.  It might not be the friendly Democrat state that was thought.  Tuesday citizens flocked overwhelmingly to vote for Mitt Romney and to amend their state constitution to outlaw gay marriage and defined marriage as between a man and a woman.

After Obama and the Democrats 3 year war on energy, the citizens of West Virginia went to the polls in the Democrat primary, where only President Obama and a Texas prison inmate were on the ballot.  The prison inmate garnered 42% of the Democrat vote.  When their Senator was asked if he voted for President Obama in the primary, he wouldn't answer the question.  Senator Manchin is a Democrat.

Even when their candidates don't win, the Tea Party makes a mark and sets the tone.  In Utah they have targeted long term Republican Senator Orrin Hatch.  He was able to beat back their challenger, but only by becoming more in line with the Tea Partys principles.

The Tea Party is not dormant,  it is very active and looking to get even more engaged in the upcoming political process.   It spurred monumental change to the political landscape in the 2010 elections and it is cranking up to do the same in the 2012 elections.  They will accomplish this change by being respectful to their fellow citizens.

The most unique gifts: Time capsules in American and world history: lifemagforsale.com

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard: carrollstandard.com

Mitt Romney is a problem solving, decent man, it's time to let it be known

Mitt Romney is the odds on favorite to get the GOP candidacy for President.  After the last several months of primary warfare he has been attacked from all sides, including shots from President Obama. Many people think he hasn't fired back at his critics as hard as he should. Of course his opponents say he is a street fighter who is unmerciful in his attacks.

But there's so much more to him, from his civil rights activist father, his own philanthropy, his problem solving abilities and his unheralded selflessness.  I am wondering why he hasn't aggressively gotten this part of his message out.  Is it that he is a self effacing man who doesn't like to promote his good deeds? Perhaps that's it.

But this is big league politics and you are in the tank with sharks, time to let people know who you are.

In that vein, I am going to expand on just a few facets of the Mitt Romney character that get drowned out by an avalanche of negativity.

Mitt Romney's Dad,  George, was born in Mexico to parents living in an American colony,  they eventually moved back to the US where they raised George.   He became a successful CEO  in the auto industry, Governor of Michigan and an unsuccessful Presidential candidate. George was a huge supporter of the civil rights movement and marched in solidarity with the Reverend Martin Luther King.  These made marks on Mitt and he always had a sense of fairness and compassion for others throughout his life.

Mitt attended Stanford University, Brigham Young University and graduated Magna Cum Laude near the top of his class at Harvard Grad School of Law-Business.  He is a highly intelligent man.  But throughout his time in school he had part time jobs in order to make extra spending money.  Even though his family was wealthy, they instilled in him a work ethic that has guided him to success.

Mitt Romney became CEO of Bain Capital.  With his brilliant leadership they rescued many companies that were doomed to failure and reorganized many of them into successful entities. His company saved or created thousands of jobs, the opposite of what you hear in the media.

While CEO of Bain,  Mitt learned that his partner’s 14 y.o. daughter was missing in New York City.  Mitt shut down his billion dollar company and sent the senior managers into New York’s underground culture to find her.  He hired private investigators and authorized printing of 300,000 fliers to distribute. In addition, he set up command posts at two hotels and kept up the search until they found the young girl shivering in a basement, suffering from a drug overdose.  All of this was done at his and his fellow executives expense.

Mitt decided to give his family inheritance away to charity after the death of his Father.

After Mitt Romney left Bain Capital, he took over as head of the floundering Olympic game preparations in Salt lake City.  He turned, what was going to be a sure disaster into well run and successful Olympic Games.  Mitt donated all of his salary and benefits for this work to charity as well as donating 1 million of his own money to the Olympics.

He ran for Governor of Massachusetts which had a 3 billion deficit and the countries highest unemployment rate.  Just like with the Olympics, as Governor of Massachusetts he reorganized the state and turned it around.  During his entire term,  he refused to take a salary

Mitt Romney has given millions to charity over the years, some figures say he gives about 16% of his annual income away to charity.  Compare that to many of his prominent critics who talk a good game, but who only manage to be charitable when it comes to giving other peoples money away.  Mitt gives his own.

Mitts and his wife Anne have been together since their teens and have 5 children.  Anne  is a huge asset to Mitt, she is combination of grace, dignity, compassion, intellect, poise and common sense.  She has had her health issues dealing with breast cancer and multiple sclerosis during the years.  But they have never left each others side. 

As we watch our country spiral into unsustainable debt and  no budget for 3 years, due to lack of leadership, it's time for someone with character and know how to turn our ship around. Mitt Romney is clearly the man for the job.

The most unique gifts: Time capsules in American and world history: lifemagforsale.com

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard: carrollstandard.com

Is Candidate Elizabeth Warren from the same tribe as Professor Ward Churchill?

Elizabeth Warren

Recently  it has come to light,  Massachusetts US Senate Candidate Elizabeth Warren, has been claiming minority status as a Native American, even though she might be only 1/32 Cherokee. 

The Boston Herald reported Warren listed herself as a minority from 1986 to 1995, in the Association of American Law Schools’ annual directory.

The education industry is the incubator of affirmative action programs, set asides, special dispensations and hiring based on ethnicity.  So when someone claims minority status as a "Native American", doors may open to them where they would normally be closed to others. What a bragging right for an educational institution to have a real Native American on their faculty

Previous employers say that her minority status claim had no bearing on her employment...You don't say!  Those employers, all academic institutions include: University of Pennsylvania, University of Texas, University of Houston Law Center and presently Harvard law School.

Warren claims she used the status as a minority in hopes of being invited to a luncheon, or something.

Ward Churchill

Of course Warrens claims of being 1/32 Cherokee, seems to be 1/32 more than another infamous academic tribe mate, ex Professor Ward Churchill, the former "ethnic studies" Professor at the University of Colorado.  Churchill was fired from his post after making claims that the victims of 9/11 were “little Eichmanns”, or Nazis and he Considered America to be a genocidal nation.

Churchill was another "academic" who took advantage of the system by falsely claiming to be an American Indian in order to qualify for an affirmative action teaching position in Ethnic Studies.  Special dispensations were made for Churchill to get this position.

In 2005 the Rocky Mountain News published a genealogy of Churchill, and reported "no evidence" that he had even "a single Indian ancestor." A Denver Post genealogical investigation drew the same conclusion.

Dennis Miller opined that these academics may be descendant's of the Great Chief  "Spreading Bull".

If we are going to breakdown our ethnic backgrounds into 1/32 parts in order to gain special status, then it seems we can all lay claim to some sort of heritage, no matter how infinitesimal it may be. 

The most unique gifts: Time capsules in American and world history: lifemagforsale.com

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard: carrollstandard.com

The bizarre tale of a cabin full of frozen cows, butts heads with bizarre government red tape

In late March the first sketchy reports reached civilization about a surreal scene in a remote backwoods Colorado cabin.  Two snowshoers intending on spending the night in the rustic cabin, opened the door to discover it was packed with frozen cows. Immediately many people rushed to the conclusion this was the work of cults in some sort of bizarre Stephen King scenario.    

But sadly for conspiracy theorists and even sadder for the cows, forest service officials pieced together the scenario that lead to the untimely demise of the hapless bovines in the wilderness.

Cattle are allowed to graze on National Forest lands, so many ranchers take advantage of this and let their livestock roam the mountains fattening up on the lush grass they find in the western US.  But when autumn comes ranchers round them up from the high country and get them down to the valleys before the heavy snow hits.

But these hapless cows were part of a missing herd caught in a sudden storm and entered the cabin for shelter, evidently too confused to find their way out they were trapped and died.  The harsh Colorado winter froze them solid.
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But now the story takes a bizarre twist, what to do with the bodies of these cows before they thaw?  Official are nervous the decomposing bodies could contaminate groundwater.  They are also concerned the smell of decomposing cow would draw predators, like bears and mountain lions in the area and possibly cause hazards to hikers. So forest officials want the cows out.

Spring thaw is coming quickly so a decision has to be made soon. Many solutions have been proposed to deal with the problem, but nothing has been finalized yet due to classic bureaucratic nonsense that makes any simple problem a nightmare wrapped in red tape.

Instead of just lighting the cabin on fire and having a barbecue, there are concerns there might be "toxic" materials in the cabin, so tests must be made, then there's environmental concerns due to smoke-soot pollution, etc. Of course the other simple solution is bring a few trucks in, use chainsaws to cut up the frozen carcasses and haul them out.  Can't do that because it's a wilderness area and no mechanized equipment is allowed in. 

How about just helicoptering the carcasses out?  An expensive proposition but one that wouldn't disturb the delicate wilderness area, but no,  can't use a helicopter in this manner in this area.

The use of explosives has been suggested to blow up the cabin and it's contents. Since the cabin had already been slated for dismantling, it sounds feasible but all of the necessary studies have not been completed yet.

That might leave one last option before the thaw comes:  Use hand saws and pack animals to haul away the thousand of pounds of beef.

Stay tuned to see how this eventually works out, I am sure a committee will come up with the perfect solution.