Age is not a particularly interesting subject. Anyone can get old. All you have to do is live long enough.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

“Fee – For – Fi – Fund – I Smell the Blood of Everyone!”

I’m just going to refer to this as “Part Two” of the “You Gimmick Me Sick,” rant about the entire Credit System. 

What a mess!  O.K. Billy Joel, maybe “We” didn’t start the fire, but what are we going for, “The Scorched Earth Affect?”  I mean, when are we going to pull our heads out of our assets, and smell the proverbial coffee (Which is up in the Commodities Market, btw)?   Although Dire Straights was referring to the Music Industry in the 80’s, their Hit Song, “Money for Nothing,” totally hits the nail on the head for “What is Wrong with our Global Economy today?”

We are living in an illusion that this “Perpetual money making machine,” will “somehow” sustain itself inevitably into the future.  Are you kidding me?  There is no “Perpetual Anything,” within our Entropy infected Universal Ecosystem.  Even children playing Musical Chairs get it.  Each time the music stops, more resources diminish, and there is one less player with a place to sit.  This is not rocket science!  It’s like we are all living in the Emerald City, and the Wizard of Oz is just standing behind that curtain pulling those levers, and shouting into the microphone, “Everything is just fine!”  Well, in the past couple years it looks like Toto has pulled that old curtain back, and well, there’s just us standing here looking at some old guy standing there shouting, “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!”

It’s just that “The Old Guy” is just a metaphor for the Ken Lays, Bernie Madoffs, and Earl Jones’.  You know those guys that took all that money from all those people, and none of it was real?  These are the “Bad Guys” that they want us to focus our hate on, as if the Legitimate Financial Players were so “Wholesome,” in regard to loosing our money.  It’s the same “You know what,” just a different pile, and you know what really “Goetz” me?  These Wizards of Wall Street simply understood that “The Entire Economy” was based upon the Largest Ponzi Scheme Ever!  It was guys like Madoff who figured out that the only way that he would ever get caught, is if the entire system crashed, and then it wouldn’t matter, because EVERYONE, even the so-called “Legits,” would be busted.  Here the media is pointing their cameras at these Frauds, all the while, Major Players like Richard Fuld of Lehman Bros. is playing the same angle, but blaming… What, Bad Luck?  Come on!  At least the Madoffs and Lays could hide behind the fact that they legitimately defrauded millions, where as, Fuld… what, just “Dropped the Ball?”  What’s the matter Dick, you didn’t see it coming?  Hey – I got an idea… The next time you are flying around in your Private Jet and the Fuel light comes on, why don’t you just play by the same strategy – Knob!

The point is that “None of it was real!”  Although they were taking “The Real Money” of Investors, they were all drawing interest from “Imaginary” funds!  Now, I’m not saying that there is no reality to our economy, because we do have industries actually manufacturing stuff, people are employed and obviously consuming things.  It’s just that in order to accelerate the rate of growth, the economy was injected with this synthetic steroid called, “Credit.”  Merle Travis, the original writer of the 1946 hit song, “Sixteen Tons,” put it best when he declared the words, “I owe my soul to the company store.”  This was in reference to working in the Mines, and well, “A Man has to eat between pay-cheques, right?”  Therefore, as so many of us do, he would buy things on credit, because “The Company” knew that he was “Good for it.”  They should, because he was working for “THEM,” after all.  Therefore the same employment provider was also the sole distributor of items purchases by its employees.  This was the perpetual economy created by the Mining Company, back in the day.  They were triple dipping by controlling the wages, as well as, the mark up on the merchandise, and the interest rate on the credit – Incredible!  This was legitimate price fixing.  Remember, just because you are doing something “Legitimate,” doesn’t necessarily mean that you are not a Crook!

Now, you may have noticed the common theme that I’m weaving here, between Modern Folk Music and Children’s Fairly Tales, and the reason that I’m getting at this, is to illustrate the consistency throughout the ages on these themes.  This economic Pipe Dream wasn’t established yesterday.  This system has been in place since the beginning of time.  It’s just that when this happens, the world turns to what it knows best – War!

A few weeks ago, I proposed on Facebook that we take a moment to look at the impact that certain Sci-Fi Writers have had on our civilization.  Due to their “Futuristic” thinking, they have actually inspired the creation of some of the technological advancements that we enjoy today, just because they planted a seed in so many adolescent minds. 

One story that dates back at least 300 years is the story of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”  Now, if you think about it, it’s really about Investing.  Mother gives Jack the Cow (Their Life Savings), and says, “Go sell it in the market, and buy some food.  This way we will not starve to death.”  Starve to death?  You have A Cow!  I’m not saying the plot didn’t have its share of holes, but the point is that we all know this story.  Jack takes the Cow, gets duped into selling the Cow for some “Magic Beans.”  He then returns home to Mom with the good news, and Mom smacks him upside the head, and declares; “Now we are dead!” (I think in the original story, Jack’s name was actually “Yacov” – Inside joke).  Relax Lady, Jack’s got this under control.  OH – NO!  Drama Queen chucks the beans out the window, and the next morning (ironically) Jack has an opportunity to redeem himself.  Long story short, Jack grabs the Goose that lays Golden Eggs, and bingo, Jack has a perpetual cash machine.  If my memory serves me correct, in some versions, his mother than tries to cook the goose.  Oh my goodness Jack, take one of those eggs and put Mamma in a Home!  Seriously, with a track record like that, Jack might find himself in the kitchen pot eventually – Ala Hansel and Griddle.

Therefore, in the same manner that Technologists have been inspired by Star Wars and Star Trek, Economists have been trying to find Jack’s Golden Goose.  The problem was that they “Laid” all their Faith in Real Estate, as this perpetually sustaining mechanism.  Really?  I thought that these guys were supposed to be good at Math.  We’ve been looking at a shrinking population base for the past 50 years.  We’ve known for decades that Gen-X, “Y and Z” (for that matter) would never be able to sustain the “Baby Boomers.”  Like Musical Chairs, there had to be some limit to the Real Estate Shuffle.  Once the Baby Boomers began to knock off, and suddenly we had a “Dramatic Increase” in Housing Supply, what happens to the Market?  It plummets!  Common Freaking Sense! 

So, what’s the solution?  Why do you think that Canada isn’t suffering as much as the U.S. in this Global Economic downturn?  The perpetual shuffle.  The irony to the whole situation, in the U.S., is that the “Common Man,” is blaming “Federal Immigration Policy” for their present economic woes.  All the while, it’s the “Immigration Shuffle”, rather than reproductive repopulation, that is somewhat sustaining the presently weak economy.  Canada, with our “More Welcoming” Immigration Policies, are filling the lower end housing markets with new immigrants, as well as, allowing wealthy immigrants and Gen X’rs to shuffle up into the next caliber of houses.  This perpetual motion is somewhat slowing down our Credit Crunch predicament.  Although this is buying us time, it is not solving the greater threat, which is this dependence on imaginary capital known as “The Credit System.” 

Here’s the deal; we tend to give so much Credit and Faith to those that are “In Charge,” assuming that they are where they are, because they deserve to be there.  As I had stated earlier, “Just because you are doing something “Legitimate,” doesn’t necessarily mean that you are not a Crook!”  There are some Laws that are “Universally” set (Laws of Physics), and therefore they are not left up to interpretation or negotiation, nor do they exist in order to be spun into support for one’s favor.  We need to be morally accountable when our actions affect our fellow person, especially when it affects someone’s Life and Livelihood.  What’s more, we need to hold those “In Charge,” accountable and responsible for their actions, before they are allowed to destroy all that we have worked so hard for. 

This is Billy Goetz, Wishing you all Wisdom and Success in the Coming Days.

“… And that’s all I have to say about THAT!”

Thursday, September 23, 2010

You Gimmick me Sick!


Everywhere I look today someone wants my money.  Well, isn’t that really what money is all about anyway – Spending?

A couple generations ago, they were all about “Savings,” or at least that’s what they tell us.  I’m sure many of you have had some “experienced” gentleman, give you the good old cliché, “You know, back in our day, you saved up to buy something.  You kids and your Credit Cards, that’s what’s ruining this country, you know?”  

Well slap the back of my head and call me “Charlie,” they were right!  The funny thing about Credit Cards is that the popularity of use has more to do with the convenience of a cashless system, rather than the “Borrowing” aspect (… So we tell ourselves).  “It’s for the points!” 

Wow – Technology eh?  Just a quick swipe of the plastic and vuala, you are the proud owner of a Big White Plastic Dog Statue. (Good - That void is finally filled)  I may be dating myself, but I remember back in the day, when they called the “Charge-ex” machine a “Chick- Chick.”  This was because of the sound it emitted when you made a carbon copy imprint of the Credit Card.  There was no Internet or even a Phone Call for small purchases.  It was assumed that if you had plastic, you were good for it.  Now, with all this data transfer “hocus pocus” … Purchase?  … “Declined!” 

Here’s my issue with Credit Cards, and more so, the issue I have with the technology surrounding their use.  Let’s say that I had, oh I don’t know, $400 left available on my $5000 limit, because I REALLY LOVE THOSE POINTS!  Anyway – Let’s say, after tax, the item which I am attempting to purchase is $401, just because.  You know those amazing technological doohickeys called Computers, and “The Internet?”  Well, as they swipe the card… Bingo – Bango – in a matter of mere seconds, “Sorry Sir – This purchase is over the limit that you have available on your card.  Do you have another Form of Payment?”  Presto Magic!  Just like that! (Snap – Hands to the Ceiling!)  “I love technology!”  O.K., here’s another scenario; Let’s just say, the purchase was $399 for that Magnificent Toaster from Home Outfitters, Bingo – Bango – “Here’s your receipt sir.”  Just like that – Done!  You’re eating the World’s Finest Toast within the hour.

NOW, one more crazy scenario: Oops!  “You know what?  I just realized that a $10 Toaster can make just as good quality Toast.  Oh – You don’t carry the $10 jobs here at ‘Home Outfitters’ eh?  You don’t say…  Your cheapest Toaster is $60 Bucks.  Oh well.  I’ll just return this one then and go purchase it from another store… No problem.”  Here’s the problem: For “some reason” when the store does a “reversal payment” on your Credit Card, it can take 3 to 5 business days for the funds to return to your Credit Card.  “Three to Five Business Days.”  Let’s take a moment to analyze the time ratios on this Marvel of Modern Technology: “Mere Seconds verses, 3 to 5 Business Days!”

SO what you are telling me is that, “NASA can land a Remote Controlled Toy on Mars, but it takes 3 to 5 Business Days to put (imaginary) money back on my Credit Card, when it took a blasted second to take it?”  REALLY?  That’s very fascinating, “Debbie” from Home Outfitters, with your all of $9.50 an hour.  Thank you for explaining to me, the intricacy of the workings of our ultra modern, and technologically advanced, Credit System.

I mean what’s with this whole “Hotel California” take on our money?  I laugh every time I see an Infomercial attempting to sooth my Buyer’s Remorse with all that, “Money Back Guarantee,” bunk.  “There’s no Risk.  If you change your mind.  Send it back…”  Send it back?  To where?  Where are you?  Should I send it back to your illusive “Returned Item Centre,” located next door to Dr. Evil’s Secret Lair?  Oh, you mean the address that you conveniently forget to include in that Infomercial or at the time the product arrived.  Well, let’s call and find out where I need to send this to… 

Where is their contact number anyway?  Hmmm…  All I have is this Sales Line…  (Beep, Boop, Beep, Beep – Calling Sales Line – Boop, Boop, Beep…)  Ring, Ring: “If you order within the next 30 minutes, we’ll include this miniature version of the Big White Dog Statue.”  (Hold Music…)  ‘I haven’t listened to ABBA in ages.’  “Thank you for calling The Acme TV Stuff Sales Centre, this is Julie.  What is the item that you wish to purchase today?”  - ‘Well, Julie, I’m actually calling about returning an item.’  “Well Sir, I’m sorry, but I cannot help you with that issue.  You have called the ‘Sales Centre,’ hence the reason I said, ‘Sales Centre’ at the beginning of this call.  You will have to contact the “Return Centre.”   - ‘Well, yes, Julie, I understand that, but I do not have the number for…’ – “Please hold.” – (La – la – la – Carpenters Hold Music- La la la la la la la).  “Yes Sir, the number is; Country Code 91 …” – ‘Wait… Julie, Country Code?  Do you have an 800 number for the Return Centre, I’m calling from Canada.’ – “No.  I’m sorry Sir, but the Return Centre is located in Kanpur India… the Area Code for Kanpur is 512… and…” – ‘Hold on a second there, Julie.  I’m not going to call India to return this item that I purchased in the @#&*% States!’ – “Sir.  You do not need to use such language with me, and besides, the item was most likely purchased here in India.” – ‘What? HERE in India?  Are you kidding me?’ – “Sir, I do not have a kid with you.  Here is the rest of the number that you need to call… 22281131…  Thank you for calling the Acme TV Stuff Sales Centre.  Have a nice day.  Call again.  Good bye.”  - ‘This is ridiculous!’ – (Beep, Boop, Beep, Beep, Boop – Calling International Long Distance – Boop, Boop, Beep…)  Ring, Ring; “Yoor kal iz impotant to us.  Plaze stay on the lane, and somewart will hulp yoo shorting” – ‘You’ve got to be kidding me!’ – “Thank you for calling The Acme TV Stuff Customer Service Centre, this is Julie.  What item do you require technical support with?”  - ‘Julie?  @#$%&!!!’  Click! – (Dial Tone).

The Good Book teaches us that, “A fool and his money are soon parted.”  Well, maybe that’s not “THE” Good Book, but whoever wrote that in ‘A’ Book, made a lot of sense.  The point is, is that we should not be so willing to part with our money, and even more so, when it is money that we have not even made yet, let alone taken the time to actually borrow, and set “reasonable” terms. 

We’ve become a Culture of Spenders without reason, because “There’s More Where That Came From!”  Wisdom has departed from us, and we wonder why we find ourselves in the present Global Economic situation.  I think this generation needs a course in “Tangible Economics.”  If you can’t see it, if you can’t feel it, and if it takes you more than a pay-cheque to pay back, IT AIN’T REAL!  A wise man once said, “A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.”  I have no idea what he meant, but I’m sure that it sounded good, at the time.  Here’s my attempt as wisdom, “Imaginary Money buys you imaginary Happiness.”

This is Billy Goetz saying, “Don’t believe the hype!”

“… And that’s All I have to say about THAT!”

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

I Ghetto Go to Wal Mart!


The question isn’t so much “Why Wal Mart,” but rather, “Why a 24 hour Wal Mart, if you cannot efficiently run it?”

It’s not like the Wal Mart in St. James is the only one that I have to compare with.  I’ve been to Wal Marts all around North America, from Montreal to Anaheim, but this location takes the cake.  “Hey, where’s the cake?”  All I can find is an empty shelf with a price label on it, right next to another empty shell with a price label.  “These prices are great, but where’s the product?”  I have coined the nick name for this location as “Old Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard.”  You know, as in going to fetch her poor dog a bone?

I mean, when I go to Wal Mart in Grand Forks, I find the shelves always stocked and the prices right, even after midnight!  …And on that note, I thought that we were in a recession, and that the Canadian Dollar was strong!  What’s the deal with $2 Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, when it’s $7 bucks here – All the time.  Don’t even get me started on the $3 Crunch n’ Munch that is only $1 in the States.  Come on!  Then again, notice how it’s junk food that is really bad for you, that I’m on about.  Maybe it’s like Cigarettes; they just inflate the price to off set the costs of Medi-care. 

Nevertheless, U.S. verses Canadian costs is a whole other subject.  The real issue is, Why is Wal Mart St. James in Winnipeg Manitoba, so ridiculously mismanaged?  This is not just some recent development.  I’ve been going there for years, and they just can’t seem to get it together.  I remember one time walking into this Wal Mart in the early evening (Not Even a Midnight Run) and the place looked like some kids had been set loose and knocked stuff all over the place.  There were items on the floor, in the isles, and I don’t mean just in boxes waiting to be placed on the shelves, but just lying on the floor, randomly.  I wasn’t the only one losing it.  There was a lady pushing her cart in front of me, who freaked out when she found a package of bacon sitting on the shelf in the Floor Cleaning Products isle.  O.K., so perhaps that was just some, Loser Shopper being a moron, but at the same time, have some respect for your work place, and pick up the crap.  WE, The Shoppers, didn’t want to move the bacon back to the Refrigeration section, because we did not know how long it had been there.  Our fear was that some Wal Martee was just going to do that anyway, and the next schmuck that picked up that package would be heading to the ER.  It’s a good thing that we don’t eat bacon! 

The amazing thing is that, I went back a couple days later, and it still looked that way!  I was like, “So, you’re going for this look?”  I remember one time walking down an isle and witnessed a location manager talking to someone who would have appeared to be a regional manager.  Anyway – I overheard this comment, “We’ve tried everything, but we can’t seem to get them to work.”  First of all, probably not the best place to hold this type of conversation, and second, you’d think that since they were actually addressing the issue, that something would have been done about it?  This was YEARS ago. 

I was there again last night.  Sometimes the Midnight Run is the best time to go, because you don’t have all the crowds, but then again the trade off is having to push a cart down an isle with boxes and products lying around everywhere.  Why?  To save a couple bucks?  No.  It’s the 24 hour issue.  When your hours are not “normal,” because you work until midnight, and or you are watching your kids all day, and don’t dare drag them into that zoo, it’s the only option.  Once they are in bed, and Mom is settled in for the evening, it’s a good time to break free. 

All I can say is that, perhaps it’s just the location.  Maybe I haven’t been to other Wal Marts located, “In the Ghetto.”  I remember one time, again years ago, when I was at another Wal Mart location, and a long story short, I had taken the wrong bus and was late for work, and so I was close to a Wal Mart, and so I ran to it, thinking that I could find a Taxi there.  I didn’t realize that Wal Mart St. James was the only Wal Mart that had a Taxi line, like at the Airport.  I guess this is another indicator of how “Special” this particular location is.  Trust me, I would drive the extra distance to avoid that Hole, and I do, when I can shop during regular hours, but the “Nice” Wal Marts are not open 24 hours.

“… And that’s all that I have to say about THAT!”


Can you teach a New Blog Old Tricks?

Hello... "Cyber-Space"

I'm not going to assume that anyone is actually reading this, but this is my first blog.  I know that "Blogging" has been around for a while now, and that a lot of crazy people, with their useless opinions, are just out there tossing their pointless ramblings into the Electronic Ether, like some scratchy note, written by a deranged madman, trapped on a dessert island, in the middle of the Pacific, and it is now floating in a bottle, to be found by who knows who?

Well, the point is, if you are reading this.  HELP!!!

I'm trapped on this Planet filled with Modern Philosophers and Theologians, grappling at each others throats, in an attempt to...  That's really the point, isn't it?  What do they (We) plan on getting out of all this Thinking?

O.K. Here's the deal.  I don't intend on coming across as "pretentious," but who are we kidding?  Anyone with an opinion comes across as pretentious, because G-d Forbid you actually feel passionate about your ideas!

In my own attempt at being humble, let me state that I'm just trying to get to the bottom of all this.  This thing we call -- "LIFE."  I don't believe in "Everybody is Right, in their own way," just as much as I don't believe that "There are many paths to G-d."  I do believe that Math (as much of it as we understand) is G-d's Language.  I just wish that I was more fluent.  With that being stated, I do believe in absolutes.  I just don't believe that any one of us is getting all the variables, in order to come to an absolute conclusion.

For this reason, I feel that we should have freedom of speech and or expression.  I don't claim to be RIGHT, but I do acknowledge that within my own crazy ideas, I see the potential of just stumbling over some obscure insight that may somehow, in some indirect way, alter the course of History.  I think that if we all had the chutzpah to state our thoughts, that somehow, within all the jabber, truth would present itself.

In fact, I think that this is what Blogging is all about.  Now, the real challenge, is to be able to sift through all this Cyber-Babel and connect the dots, in order to find the answers to "What is the Universe?" or "What is the Meaning of Life?"

Therefore, let me state this, "My position on Existentialism is that, the simplest solution is usually the correct one."  Now, that being stated, let me clarify what that means to me.  I think that a lot of us view life as if it was to mean something more.  Our error in over complicating things is, first of all, not comprehending the playing field before we engage the game.  This approach results in disappointment, when things do not go the way we want them to.  Instead of addressing our perspective on the matter, we begin to look at the mechanics and engineering of the process, in order to assign blame, and or to eventually gather enough data to find the way to achieve our objectives, in spite of the what is eternally best for us.  

Ultimately, a lot of us are driving down the highway backwards, viewing everything in the rear view mirror, and wondering why we have such an obscure view of what is really going on.  If we would just take the time to think for one second, maybe it is, "My Perspective," that is causing my problems in the equation, rather than how I am placing the variables into it.  Then, maybe we could see the Greater, yet Simpler, Meaning of the Universe.  Maybe then, we would not be so disappointed when things did not go our way.  Perhaps it was "Our Way," that was the problem all along.

I think that this was a good start.  I believe that I have laid down a foundation of who I am, and the way that I think.  Therefore, over time, as you experience my Rants about the World, "As I see it," you will come to understand what my point is, or at least laugh at my frustration, whilst I (in fun) sweat "The Little Things."

Until Next Time...

This is (Pen Name) "Billy Goetz"

"... And that's all I have to say about THAT!"