I do like to get value for dollars spent, as do you, I am certain. That’s why we buy gold and silver on dips, look for sales at the grocery store, and check gas prices, looking for cheap ones. The entire merchandise profession, businesses, retail stores, and every place we buy things, tries to offer us value for money spent. There are shysters around, and that’s why bad word of mouth, or a bad rating from the ’Better Business Bureau,’ can kill a business. Bad food or poor service, can kill a restaurant quickly, and in any town, I will never go to a local Chrysler-Jeep dealer for service, as he always tries to tell you things are wrong, which aren’t. This dealership has a terrible reputation. Be it retail, wholesale, or a farmer’s market even, buyers want value for money spent. Nothing wrong with that, because it is competition which keeps variety high, service excellent, and prices reasonable. Competition is what capitalism is all about, in all fields.
By far, the largest hirer of employees, and the largest consumer of our dollars, is government, and especially at the federal level. Remember, everything you buy has taxes on it, but the item has far more hidden taxes, as well. The manufacturer of your purchased item, has paid taxes on his employees, fuel, property, utilities, and transportation. The wholesaler has done the same. The farmer has paid property taxes, taxes on his fertilizer, fuel, and machinery, and the supplier of machinery at all levels, has paid taxes on his labor, property, utilities, etc. We, in actuality may be paying about 95% in taxes at all levels. Think of a loaf of bread, as an example. The farmer has paid taxes on his farm, employees, machinery, fertilizer, etc. The maker of his machinery has done the same. The trucks who deliver the flour, the railroad who delivers it, all have paid taxes on every bit of machinery they own and use, plus fuel to run it, employees to drive it and repair it. Taxes were paid on the employees of the truck manufacturer, locomotive manufacturer, highway maintenance, and the list of taxes is endless, on a loaf of bread alone.
In buying something, we pay for it, and know what we are getting. We can see what we are buying, feel it, taste it, drive it, or whatever, and know that we will be satisfied with the deal we may make, or the purchase we may make.
Did you ever stop and think that all the 95% we are paying in taxes to governments, do nothing to show us we are getting a fair price, or that our taxes paid, are doing a good job? We pay and pay and pay, and have no choice as to what brand of government we might want, or be able to determine if the price paid is a fair price. We have no retail store to choose, if we want that bureaucracy, want a different one, or don’t want it at all. Government is thrust upon us with all its costs, and we have no ability to say a hearty “NO” to it. Maybe that’s the reason federal government employees average twice the salaries of those in the private sector, are difficult if not impossible to fire, and have plenty of benefits. All paid for us, and we have no choice as to whether we like them, want them, can fire them., or control them in any way. Government at the federal level grows like weeds, and it seems to be unstoppable and uncontrollable.
Prices of gold and silver
Do not be alarmed because the prices of metals are well below their peak. Unless you believe that the Fed is going to stop printing a trillion paper dollars a year, which are backed by thin air, then all tangibles will go up in dollars. Prices can be manipulated, but not for long. As an example, when Fed Chairman Volker raised interest rates, and slowed the presses down, inflation went from 12.5% to 1.1%. Gold went from $612.56 in 1980, down to $317.26 in 1985. Did it stay there? Of course not, any more than gasoline, lettuce, roofing, or tires stayed down, if they had a price correction. When will gold and silver overtake and exceed their former levels? I don’t know when, but I do know they will, just like in 1985. Within a couple of years from 1985, it had exceeded its previous high.
Secession
Maybe I am harping on a subject, but what in the world does Texas need with Washington D.C.? Washington D.C. is a thorn in the side of everyone, and a very costly thorn, which is virtually impossible to extract. Washington D.C. is an albatross around everyone’s neck, and with a bit of common sense, not only Texas, but Alaska should secede. Alaska certainly doesn’t need the D.C. bureaucrats, regulations, taxes, and harassment, any more than Texas. Both should secede! Alaska is too cold for me, but the Texas heat might not bother me.
Muslim violence
I cannot understand a religion that practices the most hideous forms of violence and murder. Ever heard of a Christian or Jew planting roadside bombs, blowing up restaurants, police stations, libraries, and government buildings? Heard of a Christian or Jew trying to blow up an airplane with a shoe bomb, or attempting to blow up Times Square? The Boston Bombers were two Muslim brothers. Know of a Christian or Jew killing other Jews or Christians? The Sunnis love to kill and Shiites, and do it all the time! Thousands of Shiites have been murdered by Sunnis over the years, and they’re both Muslims. The Quern says that infidels should be killed. The Bible has no such instructions, and the Bible condemns murder. A Muslim who murders, is promised instant paradise and virgins to boot. I just don’t understand how the Muslim religion seems to be increasing in numbers, when it advocates violence and murder. Christianity and Judaism advocate monogamy, and Muslims like polygamy. Christians and Jews are taught to respect women and wives, as opposed to Muslim’s harsh treatment of females. Maybe that’s why American soldiers are afraid of Muslims, who have shot U.S. soldiers in the back. Muslims seem to regard ’infidels’, such as U.S. Soldiers, as being worthy of death, and are “The Great Satan.” Is that why we have wasted the decades there, with little success? Is Iraq a success? Hardly, as the murders and corruption continue unabated, and oil profits are unknown. Has there been progress in Afghanistan? Not that I can see, as the corruption, murders, and heroin continue. The trillions of dollars wasted in Iraq and Afghanistan has cost us all dearly in reduced value dollars, which is a tax we all are forced to pay for George Bush’s two wars he got us into, for no reason. World War Two lasted less than four years. We’ve been in Iraq and Afghanistan for 13 years now, with nothing accomplished other than thousands of dead, tens of thousands of injured and mentally harmed as well.
P.S. Happy Birthday to Richard Wagner, who was born 200 years ago today. His personal life was abysmal, but his music and opera is simply wonderful!