It is the time of the year for free holiday meals throughout the city. Non-Profits, churches, and senior centers all have delicious and free holiday meals starting about one week before the holiday.
Last year, when I was "Urban Camping", I ate at about 6 different places, on 5 different days. It was great, and the main meal of the day for me and many others.
This year however, I am only eating at the local Senior Center, and cooking a few things for later at my own place.
You see, this year I have been blessed with paid housing, food stamps, and LEAP utility payments. I don't need 6 free holiday meals, and it seems wrong to eat so much, if not truely in need(just because it's free). Unfortunately, many street people think of it as some kind of scam they need to take part in. They push their way to the front of the lines, thinking "me, me!" Get four free coats and sell three, etc. Even when I was "Camping" I thought that was wrong. Now the tanking economy has created even more need, and fewer resources.
So this year, I'll give up my place for others in need. It's the least I can do.
"Invite your enemies to dine on a cup of malice and a cold plate of revenge!"
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Recession? What Resession?
I went to check out a new Safeway store in the Pearl District. The Pearl is home to $350,000+ high rise condos, and the Baby boomer "yuppies", and their "yuppie puppies".
http://www.explorethepearl.com/
Everything about it is new, upscale, and well, chic. My observation is that none of these folks think they're in an Recession or soon, a coming Depression. One couple, twenty something, was buying six-packs of wine (not Ripple), and had a $30+ floral centerpiece. Remember all those news stories about declining retail sales, and folks barely able to buy food for their baby....well if your buying $30 flowers, your off in a different world.
I live about 15 blocks south of there, and looking out my window, the average car is a BMW or Mercedes. The West Hills, about 4 blocks west, is covered with $Million homes. These folks, lord knows where they work and can afford such digs, have no conception of recession. Their world is peachy keen, bright, and kinda Rosy through those pink glasses. I have heard them talking, while on the Streetcar, and avoiding the "R" word, thinking if they ignore it , they won't be effected. Uh huh.
Then take a further extreme. Folks in the "Home" I live in get/subscribe to lots of upscale magazines like GQ, Details, Architectural Digest, Vogue, etc. Pick one up some time...filled with dozens of ads for $50,000 watches (How many do you need? I'll bet a $30 Timex is as accurate by 5%), diamond jewelry, Aston Martins, BMW, Lexus, Jaguars, private Jets, Mega Yachts etc. Things to entice the masses, while ignoring the fact that most who have such things, got their money the old fashioned way...inheritance!
Which brings me to the crux of the whole matter. Our economy is entirely based on consumerism....buying crap we want, but don't need. Buying on credit for instant gratification. How many shoe stores in a mall do we really need? Many sell the same brands and/or are owned by the same company. Automobiles...do we really need hundreds of various models at various prices that all have four wheels, and go from point "A" to point "B"on the same road?
The Pacific NW prides itself, (a legend in their own minds) on "Sustainability" and "Green" environmental and economic policies, which in reality are a marketing gimmick to sell things and continue growth.
True "Sustainability" maintains a constant level of economy and does not need to grow. It is self sustaining, environmentally friendly by nature, does not require addition limited resources, imported cheap labor, outsourcing, etc. It is a class leveling economy...a truer "Middle Class". Unfortunately, it is also much an illusion.
http://www.explorethepearl.com/
Everything about it is new, upscale, and well, chic. My observation is that none of these folks think they're in an Recession or soon, a coming Depression. One couple, twenty something, was buying six-packs of wine (not Ripple), and had a $30+ floral centerpiece. Remember all those news stories about declining retail sales, and folks barely able to buy food for their baby....well if your buying $30 flowers, your off in a different world.
I live about 15 blocks south of there, and looking out my window, the average car is a BMW or Mercedes. The West Hills, about 4 blocks west, is covered with $Million homes. These folks, lord knows where they work and can afford such digs, have no conception of recession. Their world is peachy keen, bright, and kinda Rosy through those pink glasses. I have heard them talking, while on the Streetcar, and avoiding the "R" word, thinking if they ignore it , they won't be effected. Uh huh.
Then take a further extreme. Folks in the "Home" I live in get/subscribe to lots of upscale magazines like GQ, Details, Architectural Digest, Vogue, etc. Pick one up some time...filled with dozens of ads for $50,000 watches (How many do you need? I'll bet a $30 Timex is as accurate by 5%), diamond jewelry, Aston Martins, BMW, Lexus, Jaguars, private Jets, Mega Yachts etc. Things to entice the masses, while ignoring the fact that most who have such things, got their money the old fashioned way...inheritance!
Which brings me to the crux of the whole matter. Our economy is entirely based on consumerism....buying crap we want, but don't need. Buying on credit for instant gratification. How many shoe stores in a mall do we really need? Many sell the same brands and/or are owned by the same company. Automobiles...do we really need hundreds of various models at various prices that all have four wheels, and go from point "A" to point "B"on the same road?
The Pacific NW prides itself, (a legend in their own minds) on "Sustainability" and "Green" environmental and economic policies, which in reality are a marketing gimmick to sell things and continue growth.
True "Sustainability" maintains a constant level of economy and does not need to grow. It is self sustaining, environmentally friendly by nature, does not require addition limited resources, imported cheap labor, outsourcing, etc. It is a class leveling economy...a truer "Middle Class". Unfortunately, it is also much an illusion.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
The Last Election of 2008
Election Day is finally here, thank God. Two years of hell, hours of negative commercials, and rants from folks like Rush Limbaugh. Tonight, the victor will take the spoils of all this home and put it on a shelf!
2008 is the first time I have voted since the fiasco of 2000, and it will also probably be my last vote, for many reasons. One being, who really knows what happens to that ballot once it leaves your hands? Can you say "Hanging Chads"?
I fail to appreciate "Representative Government".....that's not democracy, that's a Republic...like ancient Rome. I would be content on removing all "Professional Politicians" and vote via the Internet, on all major policies. (Yes the Internet is safe for voting. You do your taxes, banking, and pay bills on it don't you?)
From my viewpoint, of the poor and working poor, the future of the USA seems lost in a fog of hopelessness and greed. 2012 approaches and many feel the End is near, in many ways. War, famine, overpopulation, depression, pandemic disease, etc. are just some of the many, and perhaps simultaneous crisis to End our world as we know it.
How does this affect our jobs, lifestyle, retirement, families and businesses?
Well, for one thing, strategic planning for worse case scenarios, can't hurt. Not planning and going ahead with wide eyed optimism may be fatal...to the country, to the world, to your family, and yourself.
More in future posts.
2008 is the first time I have voted since the fiasco of 2000, and it will also probably be my last vote, for many reasons. One being, who really knows what happens to that ballot once it leaves your hands? Can you say "Hanging Chads"?
I fail to appreciate "Representative Government".....that's not democracy, that's a Republic...like ancient Rome. I would be content on removing all "Professional Politicians" and vote via the Internet, on all major policies. (Yes the Internet is safe for voting. You do your taxes, banking, and pay bills on it don't you?)
From my viewpoint, of the poor and working poor, the future of the USA seems lost in a fog of hopelessness and greed. 2012 approaches and many feel the End is near, in many ways. War, famine, overpopulation, depression, pandemic disease, etc. are just some of the many, and perhaps simultaneous crisis to End our world as we know it.
How does this affect our jobs, lifestyle, retirement, families and businesses?
Well, for one thing, strategic planning for worse case scenarios, can't hurt. Not planning and going ahead with wide eyed optimism may be fatal...to the country, to the world, to your family, and yourself.
More in future posts.
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