Am I a terrorist?

In response to the suggestion that because I support Occupy Wall Street movements and some of those members are communists, anarchists, antisemites, and various other violence inspired nutballs... am I one of those too by association?  Am I advocating violence which has or would kill Americans?

I'm saying that degree of awful bloodshed is going to happen whether we choose to accept it or not. I'm not advocating. I do not think it is necessary. But it is *inevitable* if the small fraction of wealth holders do not recognize their obligation to police themselves in such a way as to allow the vast majority to have basic human rights which really boil down to reasonable freedom from pain, safety of your person and your family, food, shelter, and education.

I, personally, do not advocate anarchy, bloodshed, antisemitism, or any of the rest of that. I do recognize that some portion of OWS movement is made up of some of these nutballs, but that still does not change the fact that international financial agencies with no elected authority control my life, your life, and the lives of billions of people so that a handful can play dice and enjoy ridiculous indulgence. Not just gross indulgence, but ridiculous indulgence. And not "Americans can no longer afford 3 cars" hardship, but 700,000 people in a single tech factory in China are kept in a compound to slavishly produce iPads 16 hours a day kind of hardship. Wall Street has reach far outside of America--by design!

So spare me your tears for dead Americans. We've killed millions with our exploitation and ravenous demand more and more Wal-Mart crap. We've driven whole nations in to poverty. We sparked wars for profit and oil. We've bombed the fuck out of people who live in stone huts. We've backed banana republics, put dictators in to power, and face stomped on the human rights of dozens of nations. We are the god damned terrorists. And it all comes back to the unbridled greed most aptly represented by Wall Street. I wish to god it wasn't true. 

That degree of greed and exploitation will come to end... willingly or unwillingly... without bloodshed if we are smart and with unholy bloodshed if we are blind. Not because I wish it or think it is the only way. But because I know parents will not watch their children starve and die of treatable illness while blocks away other children are fed to obesity and the stores are stacked full of medicine. That parent isn't going to care if what they are doing is right or wrong. When there are thousands of grieving hate-filled parents and we've given them no other option because we find every excuse in the book to ignore them, then blind rage takes over. It is a historical lesson taught for thousands of years. This situation is dire. If *only* a few Americans die we will be lucky.

That is why I support OWS... to avoid the violence that will come.  If the message gets through and the greed is tempered with wisdom and compassion--just a little--then we have a chance to adjust and avoid any violence at all.  Make no mistake OWS *should* be 100% non-violent.  We don't require it and it actually won't solve the problems, only set us up for another round of bloodshed later.  But if we learn this time to take rational stock and step back from the edge, then there is hope that we are learning.  Hope that we can be compassionate even in the face of lesser economics.  That is what I hope for.

Corp America(tm)

This is a bit of satire that I wrote last night, but like all good satire it has a degree of truth…  But for the record I have no means to establish Corp America and it is not a real entity.

I am tired of dancing around the issue.  The current system of smoke and mirrors controlling our politics is inefficient and a bit childish.  So I’m going to call a spade a spade and design a better system.  I’m going to establish Corp America™*.

Corp America is going to have one purpose; to absolutely control American politics and policy.  I’m not going to flinch from that fact at all.  Corp America is out to buy votes, make laws, and secure our interests.  Buying stock in Corp America will allow every share holder to exercise more voting power than they have ever had at the ballot box.  Working for Corp America will put you on the front line of political influence and impact to our society.  Our agenda will be clear, published, and voted in by the share holders.

Our capital will be used in strategic investments to make profits and foster our agenda.  Our intent will be to make the USA better for Americans, a more respectful member of the global community, and an earnest proponent of profits for the middle-class.  We will have a legal department, HR, accountants, consultants, assistants, executives, project managers, and a healthy benefit package.  We will strive to be the America we want the US to become.  Our physical projects will focus on improving America’s infrastructure (transport, utilities, and resources).  Our soft products will focus on improving education and access to education.  As an employee, it will be your job to get smarter.  Corp America projects would emphasize green energy sources, technologies to reduce emissions, secondary education facilities, and projects to develop public transportation.  Corp America will participate in the stock market, investments, and a company credit union.

Our headquarters will be located as close to Congress, the Whitehouse, and Supreme Court as is financially possible.  Bonus pay will be given based on traceable influence to policy makers.  We will never be covert.  All of our salaries will be public knowledge.  We will stand out.  We will be visible, vocal, and determined.  All of our profits will be spent on gaining control of the US government—including placing our employees in to the government.  Our employees in government will continue to earn Corp America paychecks as long as they voluntarily continue to participate in Corp America policies set by the shareholders.

Corp America will not discriminate on the basis of sex, religion, orientation, race, shirt size, pet preference, or favorite color.   We will not seek to influence these areas of society other than to insure there is no discrimination in America for anyone.

We are neither Republican nor Democrat.  We seek to be neither Conservative nor Liberal.  We speak for all Americans with focus on restoring the middle-class and working to move more from poverty up and more from ultra rich down.  Equality of economics is not the goal, just a smoothing of the curve.  There will always be rich and there will always be poor.  We will endeavour to do all we can to limit the extremes.

All employees will be required to participate in all elections.  Individuals must vote to their conscience, but we would hope that conscience aligns with Corp America™ shareholder policy.  Voting is a minimal condition to receiving any bonus pay.  To be clear you can earn your bonus for any vote on any issue—you simply must vote.  Each member of your household must vote if they are legally allowed to do so.  Our corporate training will focus on getting the best information and education around our agenda issues to our employees.  We will maintain a website detailing how our corporation wishes to vote on all issues on the ballot in every district where we operate.  Again, you always vote the way you wish, but we will document what we feel is the best vote and back it up with unbiased reasoning and analysis freely available to Corp America employees and publicly posted on our web presence.

The workers of Corp America will automatically be unionized as a free benefit for the first year of employment.  After the first year, the employee will be responsible for dues to be set by the Corp America Union.  Corp America will establish a pay ratio between the highest paid and lowest paid employee regardless of where that employee sits in the organization.  

Should you gain elected office as a Corp America employee, your immediate duties will cease and you will assume your new role as a public official.  You will uphold all legal and ethical obligations to your post.  Your job at Corp America will become being an effective leader in your role.  You will gain access to our political advisors and educational resources.  Corp America will determine what actions to take should you violate the law or ethical policies—this may include termination and notification of proper legal authorities.  Corp America will not attempt to hide any of your actions and will actively seek to bring all such actions to public view.

Buy American.  Shed the illusion of democracy and embrace the real democracy of our times.  Invest in Corp America.  Recruiting today!


*A real trademark will be selected later; suggestions welcome.

Thanksgiving 2010

Hey, today is Thanksgiving in the US and Friday after in New Zealand.

For the first couple of years we tried to do a little celebration here in Wellington.  But it was, of course, nothing like home.  A family holiday just isn't a family holiday with no family and when no one else is celebrating. 

NZ has a number of good substitutions so we certainly don't suffer from lack of great food or days off.  For me, I only miss the chance to get together with everyone, to putter around my parent's house, and get to hang out with my brother(s) and sister.  I haven't seen my nieces and nephew in years.  And of course I miss Chandler and Sabrina most of all.  **Hugs** for you all.

Today is beautiful.  A stunning warm day by the sea in New Zealand.  The other night the full spread of the southern stars were out.  The moon over the water is as stunning as the sun.  Life still has its complexities, but it is good.  I am thankful for all these things I have seen and done.  I am always hopeful for the chance to visit and see more family more often.  I take full advantage of each day by the beach.  I climb mountains and ride along coasts.  I tramp through cool woods and look out from wild high places.

Life is never perfect.  Life is always perfect.

Happy Thanksgiving one and all.  Looking forward to seeing you on the horizon very soon!

The Deflation

US Justice system is attacking Americans

Last year I wrote about an article from the Rolling Stone that described how Goldman Sachs was allowed to outright steal billions from the Stock Market by Naked Short Selling and still nothing has been done.  Goldman Sachs still controls our economy under the Obama administration...

Now the same reporter details how in the aftermath of the housing crisis, banks are in some cases stealing homes from owners.  The regulations around proof of lean ownership are being tossed out the window and banks are bold-faced making up documents to prove they own mortgages to foreclose on them.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/17390/232611

Again I'll point out that while many people may have bought too much house to afford, they mostly did it on the advice of the lenders who all universally encouraged them as financial professionals that they could afford these loans.  The banks were financially motivated to make any loan to virtually anyone which they did in the most convoluted way possible and at factory speed.  Millions of home loans were created, sold, re-sold, combined, sold, and then used as investment holdings.  They lied about their value consistently for decades.  Now they blame delinquent mortgage payers as they justify fast tracking 100's of thousands of foreclosures.  What the hell is going on in America?

The Lakota

A long while ago I wrote this blog about Maori history.  I touch on the feeling that, for me, Maori history was so miraculous to read about because of the history in my own country.  I think most Americans know what has happened to our own indigenous population, but we don't dwell on it.  You couldn't... it is too much.  But I found this video last night and I thought I would re-post it.  It is not a happy TED video.  But I think it shows in stark contrast how the Lakota are treated compared to how the Maori have been treated.

Wellington has no Pay-At-Pump

Disclaimer: Author has not visited all petrol stations in Wellington region.  There are at least 2 completely un-manned pay-at-pump stations--1 of these just opened last week.

I pondered this the other day and felt this mild difference between Wellington an the US was note-worthy.  None of the petrol stations I visit have any facility to pay at the pump.  Many stations require that you pre-pay--especially at odd hours or for pumps that are in the ideal jet-away-illegally position.  But they just don't do pay at the pump.

To me, this is particularly odd since Kiwi's live and die by their EFTPOS (debit card) for virtually everything.  The coffee cart in the parking lot will take one.  Even the gas station will take it at the register... just not at the pump.  I don't know if the system to set this up is just seen as added expense or what.  Certainly adding the feature now would be a cost sink and probably couldn't be made up with petrol sales so the pump owners would have to just absorb it.

In some ways this is quintessential Kiwi.  Folks here are very stingy about value.  Few things are done merely for convenience, it has to have real meaningful value.  Paying at the cashier only takes a few more minutes.  As the crime rate rises, they might drive toward it as a safer option for midnight cashiers, but just to save a few minutes for the average punter? yeah nah, bro (means No).  The attitude is something like "Go inside like everyone else.  Talk to real human. Buy some coffee."

There are 2 fully automated stations with no attendants, but these appear to really only be used commercially.  I tried using it once and eventually had to give up.  They are not like the dummy-proof devices in the US.  There is one pay station and you have to select which pump you're paying for and know how much you're going to pump in advance, etc.  Even then I couldn't get the damn thing to work.  So for purposes of this discussion, I can still say there isn't really a pay-at-pump option.

One could also say that New Zealand is just behind the times a bit.  This is often repeated.  I think the Beatles are even quoted as saying New Zealand was just like the UK... in the 1800's.  So I suppose it isn't surprising that this modern frivolity is absent.  And that's really the point of this post.  NZ is not striving to be at the cutting edge of modern.  NZ typically does not attempt to deliver every convenience.  The very idea is distasteful to Kiwis.

They died for your right to vote

This is going around a lot today... and it's bugging me.  First things first... Vote.  Vote today and every day you're allowed.  Celebrate your right to vote and remember that indeed perhaps the best thing our Armed Forces can collectively point to as a reason to sacrifice is this all important right to vote.  But...

Let's be honest here.  US Soldier's haven't been dying for our right to vote since perhaps WWI.  They have been dying on the various missions of our Government which have been decided upon by our politicians.  Our politicians have largely been elected by their ability to secure massive campaign funding.  That funding comes from corporate contributions and wealthy donation.  Corporations and the wealthy donate that money in their own self-interest.  It is not much of a leap to say our Armed Forces go out to die for those self-interests.  Now I can't speak for how the world worked in WWI or WWII, but that's how it's working today.

I don't say this to belittle the contribution our more contemporary service men and women make today.  They are amazing, heroic, and nobel in the real definitions of each word.  But the Armed Forces are extentions of Political Will.  The Political Will of Bush to invade Iraq did not further the interests of Americans.  It did not make our right to vote more secure.  It did not foster a spirit of global unity which resulted in an improved view of the American Way of life.  I hate to characterize why those soldiers died.  I am afraid if I really understood why they died I'd be so disgusted I couldn't write about it and I'd be ashamed to call myself an American. 

So, to me, saying our soldiers (today) have died to protect my right to vote feels like an insult to soldiers.  A lie.  A convenient justification to the price of freedom.  I just can't stomach it.  Certainly (hopefully) some of what soldiers do and die for is the protection of freedom and Americans.  But sooo much is not.  It still boils down to political interest and corporate agenda.  Your right to buy cheap socks from Wal-mart might also be something our soldiers are dying for.  The right of ridiculously wealthy oil barons to remain ridiculously wealthy.  Perhaps even worse rights.

None of this is the fault of the soldiers.  None of this reduces the value of your right to vote.  Just be careful what you attribute to a soldier's sacrifice.  Be honest about what we ask them to die for.  Do not allow a politician to convince you that they are dying for your right vote, for your freedom.  Or at least realize there are other reasons far less nobel that they may also be dying for... and Vote.

A strange string of thoughts

Okay... so Amy woke up humming the tune to "Those were the days" which got me humming it.  Then I played it on YouTube and that made me think of songs by Doris Day.  So I played a little Doris Day.  In that list she sang a song with a co-star, Gordon MacRae.  It was a lovely song and his voice was really amazing.  I was surprised I had not remembered the actor.  So I looked him up on wikipedia.  His bio sums up with, "Gordon died in 1986 at his home in Lincoln, Nebraska." My home town!  It was just sorta weird.  So I looked up more and found a picture of his headstone in Wyuka Cemetery.  That particular graveyard is the largest I can recall in Lincoln.  Related to that search I found out that his widow died just a couple of week ago (also in Lincoln).

Strange how things work when we start chasing a string of thoughts.

Dominating my thoughts has been Doris Day.  On one side I know virtually all the roles she most fondly remembered for were so completely sexist and stereotyping.  Yet, how could you not dream of that perfect Hollywood world?  Movies have certainly changed.  But I still look back on those films (old even before I discovered them) as some of the best I've seen.  Doris, of course, is an amazing performer.  I do wonder sometimes who the greatest actors of our time will turn out to be.  I think folks will look back on Sandra Bullock in a similar way as Doris Day, but Sandra will never carry a tune the same way.  Hard to say what time will bring.

Doris Day is still knocking around after all these years.  Born in 1922, she'll be 88 this year.  I don't think I discovered her until the mid 80's so she would have been in her 60's already.  Ah the magic of movies... Doris will be stealing the hearts of young fans for at least a 100 years.

The real Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff lived a far from perfect life.  Her story is inspiring by itself.  It highlights many of the flaws remaining in American gender roles at the same time it tells of her ability to overcome.  I only hope I can be so resilient in my own life.  When Doris sings in my mind, I feel I can be.

Two and Half Years in New Zealand

This June our original 30 month Work to Residence application is up.  We arrived in Jan 2008 from Overland Park, KS.  We sold our house, gave away about a third of everything we owned and attempted to sell our 2 cars.  At the time of our decision the exchange rate was in the 80's and even with all things considered it was an income cut to move.  We had 6 weeks of a Serviced Apartment booked in Wellington, our 6 suitcases, and the 3 of us.

We found a home to rent in about 3 weeks.  We had a car leased in 4 weeks.  We used the small bit of cash we had to pay for a few new appliances in our home.  A co-worker generously let us borrow a trailer load of "camping" gear to live with until our container arrived.  The rest of our stuff appeared in record time about 6 weeks after we arrived.  No one I've talked to got their stuff faster.  Our son enrolled in Waterloo Primary School and started in Feb with the rest of the class.  Within about 2 months we were, more or less, fully established in Lower Hutt just on the east side of the Wellington harbour.

The first 6 months was a constant exercise in "What is different?" Everything from ketchup, to banking, to eating out, to politics were all different in small to significant ways.  It took a good year before I stopped noticing the differences in everything.  Change is stressful, even when desired and good.  We all struggled at some point.  We missed family.  We missed Mexican food.  We missed the ease we had from familiarity.  It took a while to get used to.

Financially the story gets alarming.  The costs were higher than we expected and we expected high costs.  But we did adjust.  We've not really suffered, but we certainly have prioritized.  The exchange rate dropped from 80 to 60 to 70 then to 50 before making a slow recovery to 70 again; recently it is dropping again below 70.  Dramatic shifts made paying bills difficult and then impossible.  We had to rework a lot of things and even cashed out retirement funds to make settlement payments to the bank.  The worst part was our 2 cars never sold and all we could do was let the finance companies re-claim them.  After 2 and half years, I think we're mostly stable.  We are not losing money, but we are not saving effectively either.  We still rent the same place.  We ended the lease on the NZ car after about year.  It was cheaper to buy one with cash.  Our biggest bills are US debt, Rent, Gas/Electric, and groceries (in that order).

Our story started with a job offer from Telecom NZ so I had employment immediately.  Amy struggled for over a year to find a job.  It proved difficult to get interviews as an immigrant.  However, once you did get hired, work history helped smooth the way for other employment.  In general, the work here has an easier pace compared to the US.  All the employers I've talked to seem to understand a more natural rhythm to families and work.  Holidays are bunched up at the end of the year being summer school vacation, Christmas, New Year's, and Waitangi Day (sort of the NZ founding day).  This makes the work load from November to February pretty light.

New Zealand today (and historically) seems to be shaped by two major themes; small population and geographic remoteness.  Everything seems like a small town.  Truly remote areas are so sparsely populated you might not see another human for miles.  But even a short 45 minute trip out of Wellington can get you to an empty coast line or scenic rolling hills.  Small populations mean small economies.  Folks don't move to NZ to get rich.  It might be comparable to moving to Montana or South Dakota; mostly rural with only a few focal points of wealth.  Being a remote country and really not even "on the way" to anywhere means that, unless you're really trying to get to New Zealand, you won't end up there.  Without the same profit motivations as say, Australia, growth in NZ is slower.  Markets are mostly saturated and there are not going to be "new" markets.  What you see is what you get in New Zealand.

We have watched the politics of NZ unfold around us and we are certainly affected by the changes, but we haven't really participated much.  The long established Labour party was voted out and replaced by the National party.  I don't know that either of them have great platforms... so about the same as the US.

One big change for me is that I can barely read US news sources any more.  The stories are horrific by comparison.  The details of torture, murder, and gruesome death have become just too shocking to read.  The scandals of top politicians, hate mongering, and religious zealotry are hard for me to acknowledge.  I struggle to comprehend that I am from that place.  NZ has its share of social issues, but seems to completely lack carnage, seedy scandal, or extremism.  Violent crimes occur.  Horrible things still happen in bad circumstances.  But there still is plenty of room for other news.

So what now?  Well, we've applied to become Residents.  We have to make all the same immigration hurdles we made the first time.  This is quite expensive to pay for again (well over $3000 total), but should be the last "serious" round of checks.  My job offer with Telecom is indefinite.  I do good work and while Telecom has plenty of problems, I feel like I can make it better.  I don't know how much longer we'll stay.  Perhaps another couple of years.  I would like to take the stability we've had and turn it back in to a retirements savings and investments.  That could take another 5 years.  If that plan worked out, then I think we would all be just fine with it.  Sometimes I wish New Zealand wasn't quite so far away or quite so under populated... but then I remember that New Zealand would be none of the things I love if it was.

The year 2009

     2009, where did it go?  It feels like I rolled over in bed and discovered it was 2010.  "Damn, slept in late!"  Yet, when I think back I can recall a full year of events.
     For me the year started with an amazing hope.  The election in the US rolled across the whole world with a wave of optimism.  At the time, I had not realized how important that election was.  When it happened, I was not prepare for my own feelings of it.  It was good.  Of course, reality being what it is, the world has still struggled in 2009.  I am not envious of Obama's place in history.  I hope he does well.
     We had many fantastic visitors this year.  My folks came down in January, then my Mom again with my kids in June.  My father-in-law, Don, was down in July--as he had the year before.  His sister, Maurine, joined us for a couple of those weeks.  Lastly, and not the least, Amy's step-mom, Cindy, who many thought could never make the trip, flew down for a week to pick up Gabe in December.  He is with all his grandparents now on holiday and will be back in Feb.  If we were to count days, we spent about 3 and half months with visitors in New Zealand.  I spent a week in Kansas in October for the kids' birthdays.  There is something entirely different about visiting with family for many days or weeks.  I remember seeing folks for a single occasion or just a dinner.  We'd chat and have a good time, but it doesn't compare with sharing a home with them for days.  It is a good thing.  I look forward to it.
     Of course we lost many people in 2009.  Two of my good friends lost their fathers.  My dad died in November.  Another dear friend lost her 19 year old son.  Always we are left with more questions than answers.  The world lost many... some good, some bad, and some that were hard to tell.  Humans were terrible to each other in some places and kind in other places with less media attention.  I have no scale to measure this year against other years.  Life remains a perfect balance between tragedy and miracle that is unevenly meted.  May we all find strength when we need it and share joy when we find it.
     My family is doing well.  I found my brother, Nathan, who I had lost for some 20 years.  Not only did I find Nathan, but he had a daughter in October.  My other brother, Justin, added to his family the easy way and adopted Kingsley just this year.  Many family members on my Dad's side have found me and we have talked.  I now have seven children in the generation after me.  Strange to think about.
     I have seen glittering black sand beaches with crashing turquoise and white waves.  I have seen volcanoes in the distance.  In Kiakoura we saw seals and perhaps the most beautiful vistas on Earth.  At the Abel Tasman park I witnessed the most beautiful sunsets of my life.  Each and every day, I have admired the Wellington harbour.  Many days I have sat at a cafe with a view to the water with a cappuccino and marvelled at how good life can be.
     Each year will have its struggles.  2009 was not easy, but I lived.  2010 looks to be a year of greater promise and perhaps greater challenges.  Whatever comes, I will be happy to live it.  When I find joy, I will share it.  When I need strength, I will ask for it.  To all who have made my life wonderful, I give a deeply felt and humble, thank you.

Naked Short Selling

Sounds pretty sexy, eh?  Anything with "naked" and "shorts" in the title ought to involve Spring Break co-eds, but not today.  This is an update to the financial story I blasted out on Facebook a few weeks ago.  The story came from Rolling Stone and basically describes this basic scenario around short selling.

First a very basic explanation of short selling on the stock market which is 100% legal and a good thing to do.  Say you have a feeling that stocks in BobCorp are going to go down.  They've been flat for a while and the whole Bob-sector is down and you think BobCorp is likely to drop soon.  So you come to me (a big BobCorp stock owner with 10,000 shares) and you ask to borrow them for a few days and I agree.  You take the shares I gave you and promise to pay me back or return all my shares in 3 days.  The current share price is $100 and so the total value is $1,000,000.  You immediately sell all my shares for $1 mil.  The next day, the fallout you expected happens and BobCorp shares fall to $50 a share.  You then immediately buy back 10,000 shares at a cost of $500,000.  You then give me back my 10,000 shares and pocket the difference--a cool half mil for only 2-3 days work.  Again this is all legal and it work because really there are a few fees in there for me and the broker.

Now in this example I was the stock owner of real shares.  I really gave you 10,000 shares to sell and you really bought and sold 10,000 shares.  All good.  But this not what is happening *today* on the US stock market.  Today if you wanted to short sell a stock you would only have to call up your broker and tell them you wanted to short sell 10,000 shares of BobCorp.  They may not have 10,000 shares to give you, but they'll act like they do and they'll sell off 10,000 shares for you (they get a % fee on all transactions remember).  But in reality lets say they only owned 8,000 shares to lend.  But in the US you can still pretend you have 10,000 shares and so 2,000 shares are effectively "created" from nothing and sold to the market.  Some buyer got 2,000 bogus shares in the deal.  Later you buy back the shares from the market and give them back to the broker.  Maybe they are "real" maybe not... it doesn't seem to matter, the extra 2,000 shares stay on the market.  This is Naked Short Selling.  Now the broker knows those 2,000 shares are not real and they are keeping track of them.  They will pay dividends (if any) on them because they make so much money on the fees that it is still profitable for them to float these shares.

The real problem here is that there is not even a rational limit on how nuts you can go with overselling shares.  Most people realize that if you flood any market with goods the price goes down.  The same is intensely true of the stock market.  So here you have a system were you can totally artificially create more shares and then flood them on the market to drop the price--which totally *works* for you because you're more and more money the farther the price tanks.  In fact, throw in a couple of nasty rumors about impending lawsuits or the CEO sleeping with underage hookers and you get a real old fashioned hachet job on the stock price.  You make a mint.  The company you just abused? Well it will might recover or maybe it just files for bankruptcy.  Who cares? You made millions.  Other investors in that business will take the loss.

This is all legal in the US.  The current stock trade system doesn't verify that a broker really has the shares they lend and since the brokers are paying the fees and handling the transactions--no one complains.  Folks who have complained (for years) have been ignored.  It obviously makes too much money to be stopped.  Incidentally... some of the folks most likely to used this trick in the biggest ways are now financial advisors to the President and hold seats on the SEC...

Interestingly enough... this doesn't work in New Zealand.  Trades have to settle in 3 days.  That means you have to really have the shares in 3 days or the broker is busted.  I can't speak for other markets around the world, but I suspect most of them have a way to prevent this.  This corruption is obvious to the rest of the world.  But I don't see too much outrage about it in the US press... I don't think it was even reported by CNN... hmmm... wonder why?

Micro-Blog

I have so much I want to write about that I am paralyzed with it.  So in an effort to dislodge I'm going to blast out micro-blogs on each topic.  Hopefully I can expand again later...

My Dad:
Dying, but looking pretty good.  Chemo was stopped so that makes you feel better.  Visit was emotionally complex, but ultimately good.

My Kids:
Totally awesome to see them. Great to spend so much time just following them around from school to home and such.  Good to talk with their teachers.  Field trip with Sabrina was one of the best times I've had.  I put 2000 miles on the car I borrowed from my in-laws (Thanks Judith and Cindy!)

Vegas:
Still the same.  The Bellagio may be my favorite hotel of all time.

The US:
It was actually hard going back.  Vegas didn't help as it is an exaggerated version of all things excess in America.  I was battered by it somewhat.  Everyone I visited with was working harder than before, more stressed, and generally stretched.  It was an incredible favor to be able to stay with Carey and Graham while I was there (thanks!).

Wall Street:
I read an article about how fundamentally illegal market manipulation may have collapsed 3 of the 5 big banks in America.  The article was posted in Rolling Stone which I found odd.  But despite the most glaring and flagrant manipulation no official investigation was underway.  Most concerning is that if you looked at who had the most to gain such an act you would see the other 2 banks.  There were many suspicious dealing by these 2 leading up to the collapse.  I am appalled to now think these crooks will never be held accountable and the money they stole from Americans will never be given back.

NZ History:
I have been reading "The Penguin History of New Zealand" (Penguin is a book publisher here) by Michael King.  It is insightful and well written.  I am delighted to read about the amazing journey NZ has taken.  I am surprised to discover that for at least a generation, NZ did not teach this history which is rich in culture and identity.

NZ Stock Exchange:
I have begun to write letters to the NZX to ask if the scheme above could happen in NZ.  I would push them to make sure it is not.

NaNoWrMo:
Yes, it is coming up.  But I again don't think it is something I can push for.  But I am sure to write some.  I will likely work more on Threshold--the projected I started last NaNoWrMo.

The Ex:
While in the US I also had to work on a new agreement with my ex.  Such things are always stressful, but we worked really well together.  As a result of the compressed schedule we had to spent more time together than we have in probably 10 years.  It was weird, but it was also good to demonstrate how much we had both changed and moved on.

Motorbikes, Trains and Automobiles:
We bought a small cheap car to replace our leased car.  This will give us more cash back per month.  With the motorbike option I can actually commute cheaper than the the train.  But NZ weather can be unpredictable so I keep a 10-trip pass handy for the worst of days.  Overall though, the new set up looks good.  Amy drives the car to work and I take the bike/train.  Gabe goes to good kiwi gal's house after school 3 days a week.

US Shopping:
I did take advantage of US shopping to get a few goods.  Mostly bulk Ibuprofen and Asprin.  But I did stop at a western outfitter and pick up stuff you truly can not get in NZ... I got new boots with silver tips, several western shirts, and new jeans.

Work:
Busy as, but doing well.

Kiwi Spring:
Cold as, bro.

Party I want to have:
I want to host a Battlestar Galactica party featuring a few episodes, a BBQ, and some play of the BSG board game.  Not sure I will... but I think of it fondly.

More on Health Care

Let’s break this health care thing down in to something real rather than pound our podiums about “communism” and “Nazis”.  Wild assertions that the President really wants “death boards” or to destroy the Constitution are whacko.  The President wants no one in America to have to suffer without health care.  That’s the goal.  Address the goal.  Is this bill going to deliver this or not? Should we deliver this as a nation or not?  These are valid questions.  But let me suggest something concrete.  I will even use myself as an example—not even a “wild” example.

I am 39 years old and by the US insurance definition, I am “uninsured.”  That is, no American based insurance system has my coverage.  That means that if anything were to go wrong with my health now, the US based health care system would deny all coverage of it.

My son is 12 and covered by my ex-wives health care in the US.  He has a chronic medical condition that will require care his whole life.  But under current regulations, most insurance companies will see what it has cost to cover him over the course of his whole life.  Once an arbitrary “lifetime maximum” value is met, they can all deny him coverage.  Even if this limit were lifted, he will be forced to work for a large corporate employer who must cover him with their plan.  He will never be able to work independently or start his own business—the cost of self-coverage would be too high *and* they can deny covering pre-existing conditions.  You see the rules are different when you are a individual that when you are a member of a corporation.

These are not fictional situations.  This is me and my life.  My choices for me and my son are work as a slave to a Corporation or die an early death bankrupt.  That’s the America we live in.  Work for a corporation, give all your income to them, or go to an early grave with nothing to pass on your children.  I can not imagine a more un-American concept.

You can not apply Capitalism to this system.  “Deregulating” health care will eliminate some red-tape which will remove some costs.  This is not insignificant.  But the flaw isn’t in the government oversight.  The flaw is that economic laws can not be applied to human life.  Again I will say that when the product being sold is Life, then the demand is infinite and the supply limited.  This means you will pay any amount to get Life to exclusion of all other goods.  The “market” will be split between those that can afford to pay and those who can not.  Failure to pay will mean early death and economic ruin for your family.  Even if we could as a culture buy in to such a system, I can not imagine we would choose it.

For decades now, Americans have believed their health care system is the best; that the whole world wants to come to America for a variety of reasons including the great health care.  This belief is false.  Many around the world are appalled at how we treat the poor and visitors to our country.  Sure some of the very rich will fly in to Boston for world-class medical care.  But 99.999% of Americans will never need that care and many that need it will never get it because it will be denied by their insurance companies.

The American system can deny any treatment that proves unprofitable.  They can drop anyone who suddenly becomes gravely ill.  They can plunge any family in to a nightmare of litigation over claims in order to "save costs."  They can pay dozens of professionals to work 24x7 to keep your petitions from being actioned.  They can do this because it makes money.  Because it is good Capitalism. 

The whole point of this health care bill today is not to establish an unchangeable medical system that will cripple America.  The point of this change is to establish that Americans have a guaranteed right to health care regardless of who they chose to work for, regardless of where they live, and regardless of their income bracket.  We can work out the financials and policies as we go.  But we have to start here.  All Americans are granted the right to Live.  The Constitution doesn't officially grant us this right.  But also true is that the Constitution says *nothing* about the right to Capitalism.  Capitalism does not equal Freedom.  Capitalism in business is fabulous.  Capitalism as the judge of human life is not.

We the People have established this Consitution of the United States.  We the People entrust the government to promote the general Welfare.  We the People should be granted Life by our government.

A reposted message about Health Care Reform

    The White House, Washington


    Dear Friend,

This is probably one of the longest emails I’ve ever sent, but it could be the most important.

Across the country we are seeing vigorous debate about health insurance reform. Unfortunately, some of the old tactics we know so well are back — even the viral emails that fly unchecked and under the radar, spreading all sorts of lies and distortions.

As President Obama said at the town hall in New Hampshire, “where we do disagree, let's disagree over things that are real, not these wild misrepresentations that bear no resemblance to anything that's actually been proposed.”

So let’s start a chain email of our own. At the end of my email, you’ll find a lot of information about health insurance reform, distilled into 8 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage, 8 common myths about reform and 8 reasons we need health insurance reform now.

Right now, someone you know probably has a question about reform that could be answered by what’s below. So what are you waiting for? Forward this email.

Thanks,
David

David Axelrod
Senior Adviser to the President

P.S. We launched www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck this week to knock down the rumors and lies that are floating around the internet. You can find the information below, and much more, there. For example, we've just added a video of Nancy-Ann DeParle from our Health Reform Office tackling a viral email head on. Check it out:

Health Insurance Reform Reality Check

8 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage

   1. Ends Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.
   2. Ends Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays: Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.
   3. Ends Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care: Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.
   4. Ends Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill: Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill.
   5. Ends Gender Discrimination: Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender.
   6. Ends Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage: Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive.
   7. Extends Coverage for Young Adults: Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.
   8. Guarantees Insurance Renewal: Insurance companies will be required to renew any policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won't be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick.

Learn more and get details: http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/health-insurance-consumer-protections/

8 common myths about health insurance reform

   1. Reform will stop "rationing" - not increase it: It’s a myth that reform will mean a "government takeover" of health care or lead to "rationing." To the contrary, reform will forbid many forms of rationing that are currently being used by insurance companies.
   2. We can’t afford reform: It's the status quo we can't afford. It’s a myth that reform will bust the budget. To the contrary, the President has identified ways to pay for the vast majority of the up-front costs by cutting waste, fraud, and abuse within existing government health programs; ending big subsidies to insurance companies; and increasing efficiency with such steps as coordinating care and streamlining paperwork. In the long term, reform can help bring down costs that will otherwise lead to a fiscal crisis.
   3. Reform would encourage "euthanasia": It does not. It’s a malicious myth that reform would encourage or even require euthanasia for seniors. For seniors who want to consult with their family and physicians about end-of life decisions, reform will help to cover these voluntary, private consultations for those who want help with these personal and difficult family decisions.
   4. Vets' health care is safe and sound: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will affect veterans' access to the care they get now. To the contrary, the President's budget significantly expands coverage under the VA, extending care to 500,000 more veterans who were previously excluded. The VA Healthcare system will continue to be available for all eligible veterans.
   5. Reform will benefit small business - not burden it: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will hurt small businesses. To the contrary, reform will ease the burdens on small businesses, provide tax credits to help them pay for employee coverage and help level the playing field with big firms who pay much less to cover their employees on average.
   6. Your Medicare is safe, and stronger with reform: It’s myth that Health Insurance Reform would be financed by cutting Medicare benefits. To the contrary, reform will improve the long-term financial health of Medicare, ensure better coordination, eliminate waste and unnecessary subsidies to insurance companies, and help to close the Medicare "doughnut" hole to make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors.
   7. You can keep your own insurance: It’s myth that reform will force you out of your current insurance plan or force you to change doctors. To the contrary, reform will expand your choices, not eliminate them.
   8. No, government will not do anything with your bank account: It is an absurd myth that government will be in charge of your bank accounts.  Health insurance reform will simplify administration, making it easier and more convenient for you to pay bills in a method that you choose.  Just like paying a phone bill or a utility bill, you can pay by traditional check, or by a direct electronic payment. And forms will be standardized so they will be easier to understand. The choice is up to you – and the same rules of privacy will apply as they do for all other electronic payments that people make.

Learn more and get details:
http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck
http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck/faq

8 Reasons We Need Health Insurance Reform Now

   1. Coverage Denied to Millions: A recent national survey estimated that 12.6 million non-elderly adults – 36 percent of those who tried to purchase health insurance directly from an insurance company in the individual insurance market – were in fact discriminated against because of a pre-existing condition in the previous three years or dropped from coverage when they became seriously ill. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/denied_coverage/index.html
   2. Less Care for More Costs: With each passing year, Americans are paying more for health care coverage. Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have nearly doubled since 2000, a rate three times faster than wages. In 2008, the average premium for a family plan purchased through an employer was $12,680, nearly the annual earnings of a full-time minimum wage job.  Americans pay more than ever for health insurance, but get less coverage. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hiddencosts/index.html
   3. Roadblocks to Care for Women: Women’s reproductive health requires more regular contact with health care providers, including yearly pap smears, mammograms, and obstetric care. Women are also more likely to report fair or poor health than men (9.5% versus 9.0%). While rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure are similar to men, women are twice as likely to suffer from headaches and are more likely to experience joint, back or neck pain. These chronic conditions often require regular and frequent treatment and follow-up care. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/women/index.html
   4. Hard Times in the Heartland: Throughout rural America, there are nearly 50 million people who face challenges in accessing health care. The past several decades have consistently shown higher rates of poverty, mortality, uninsurance, and limited access to a primary health care provider in rural areas. With the recent economic downturn, there is potential for an increase in many of the health disparities and access concerns that are already elevated in rural communities. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hardtimes
   5. Small Businesses Struggle to Provide Health Coverage: Nearly one-third of the uninsured – 13 million people – are employees of firms with less than 100 workers. From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%. Much of this decline stems from small business. The percentage of small businesses offering coverage dropped from 68% to 59%, while large firms held stable at 99%. About a third of such workers in firms with fewer than 50 employees obtain insurance through a spouse. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/helpbottomline
   6. The Tragedies are Personal: Half of all personal bankruptcies are at least partly the result of medical expenses. The typical elderly couple may have to save nearly $300,000 to pay for health costs not covered by Medicare alone. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction
   7. Diminishing Access to Care: From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%. An estimated 87 million people - one in every three Americans under the age of 65 - were uninsured at some point in 2007 and 2008. More than 80% of the uninsured are in working families. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction/diminishing/index.html
   8. The Trends are Troubling: Without reform, health care costs will continue to skyrocket unabated, putting unbearable strain on families, businesses, and state and federal government budgets. Perhaps the most visible sign of the need for health care reform is the 46 million Americans currently without health insurance - projections suggest that this number will rise to about 72 million in 2040 in the absence of reform. Learn more: http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/assets/documents/CEA_Health_Care_Report.pdf

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