What's The Deal With Foreign Debt???

Reading an article that outlined the US’s debt to foreign nations just reinforced something that I already knew. We are owned by other countries! This is what this debt looks like (thank you Yahoo):
1. Mainland China, Amount of U.S. debt: $891.6 billion, Share of total foreign debt: 20.4%
2. Japan, Amount of U.S. debt: $883.6 billion, Share of total foreign debt: 20.2%
3. United Kingdom, Amount of U.S. debt: $541.3 billion, Share of total foreign debt: 12.4%
4. Oil Exporters, Amount of U.S. debt: $218 billion, Share of total foreign debt: 5%
5. Brazil, Amount of U.S. debt: $180.8 billion, Share of total foreign debt: 4.1%
6. Caribbean Banking Centers, Amount of U.S. debt: $155.6 billion, Share of total foreign debt: 3.6%
7. Hong Kong, Amount of U.S. debt: $138.2 billion, Share of total foreign debt: 3.2%
8. Canada, Amount of U.S. debt: $134.6 billion, Share of total foreign debt: 3.1%
9. Taiwan, Amount of U.S. debt: $131.9 billion, Share of total foreign debt: 3.0%
10. Russia, Amount of U.S. debt: $106.2 billion, Share of total foreign debt: 2.4%

What does this mean to us the average Joe, you ask? Well, for starters, it explains why so many toxic Chinese products are allowed into the US market. Since they hold the largest of our debt, we are kind off forced to play nice and buy as much of their stuff as possible…and since China’s quality control is nonexistent…well, let’s just say that if they don’t care if they poison their own people, do you really think they care about you and I? Right!
Number four on the list just says it all, doesn’t it? Here you have it people. The reason why we wage wars (and you thought this was about freedom and terrorism, didn’t ya?), and why we simply cannot use alternative fuel sources. Most of the places on this list really didn’t surprise me, but Brazil??? Really??? Yes, they are the largest economy in South America, but they’re still a third world country. What defines a third world country you ask? It is defined by a lack of a middle class, which oh by the way we, the US, is working on eradicating. But I digress! And then there is Russia! The same country that used to point nuclear weapons in our direction! Maybe that explains the large influx of Russian immigrants to our country in recent years.
Now I’m no economist, but I would love to see the debt structure of these countries. I mean, shouldn’t they use their resources to help their own? Naw! That would just make too much sense and we have to “play” politics. We give you this money and you take our trades in return. We just borrow money from someone else for who know what reasons. And again, it just shows that everything is done under the veil of being for the good of the people, when in reality it is only about one thing: Money!

What's The Deal With The Full Body Scanners???

While I am all for safety, these new "security measures" border on the ridiculous!!! Seriously! First off, I find the whole thing offensive. I am not a prude by any stretch of the imagination, but really??? And the BS about no one saving the images...yeah, right! No TSA personnel has a cellphone with a camera, huh? I am just waiting for some of these pictures to show up on websites. Even though you cannot see the individuals face, it is an invasion of privacy that has no place in a "free" society. Furthermore, if a terrorist wants to smuggle an explosive on board a plane, there are ways they can be hidden INSIDE the human body...and oh, by the way, the scanners do NOT show what you may have shoved up your anus (or other places). What's next? A full body cavity search?? Flying nacked? It would be funny if it wasn't so sad. And the American sheep are willing to be put through all this so they can "feel" safe! What most of the population fails to understand, is the fact that EVERY commercial/passenger plane also carries cargo. This cargo is hardly glanced at. About 5% of the cargo is randomly checked, and the rest just loaded. Done! This is based on the assumption that the cargo comes from trusted sources (there is a list) and therefore doesn't warrant scrutinizing. How is that for covering the front and letting your proverbial ass hang out in the breeze???

What’s The Deal With The Oil Spill?

I almost feel sorry for Tony Hayward! The last few times I saw pictures of him, he looked like he was about ready to stroke out! Unfortunately, the world is engaging in a blame game instead of focusing on what’s truly important: Fixing the problem and cleaning up the mess! Or maybe this is a diversion tactic, so the media (and consequently the consumers) are more caught up in what leaders do in their spare time instead of what needs to be done…and isn’t!

Don’t get me wrong, I am glad that funds have been made available to compensate people for their loss of income, etc., but this is no long term solution…it’s like placing a band-aid over a severed limb…pretty much useless. The media is whipping the public into a frenzy and the general populous is swallowing it hook, line, and sinker (I think the fishing reference is apropos). Wake up people!!! The President is not to blame, and neither is Mr. Hayward per say. Just remember, both have to answer to their respective “Boards” and don’t make decisions in a bubble.

Instead of pointing fingers and making demands for compensation, let’s roll up our sleeves; put our collective minds together and find a solution! Stop the leak! Start cleaning up the waters, beaches & habitats! Let’s take charge and don’t wait for “Big Brother” to do it for us! Where is the spirit that made this country so great???

What's the deal with the swine flu vaccine???

You know, I cannot help running the risk of sounding a wee bit paranoid!!! This is just a little too "fantastic" for my liking! First, "they" tried to get us to panic about the bird flu and the horrors we might face from it...when this pandemic didn't show as feared, "they" must have gone back to the drawing board and came up with yet another version of doom!

Who are "they" you might ask?? Not so sure myself! It could be simply the press and their never ending lust for sensationalism. (Or feeding ours!) It could be the pharmaceutical industry, trying to make yet more money than ever. First and foremost, it's just a crock that a "new strain" of the flu suddenly rears it's ugly head in Mexico (Why there? Because it's a popular GLOBAL vacation spot and a good place to start when your objective is to spread something as quickly as possible!). Then, miraculously, in less than 6 months, the pharmaceutical industry produces and our FDA approves for use a vaccine to save our lives! God bless them!!!

Interestingly enough, drug trials generally last several years before a new drug is presented to the FDA for approval. Then, after scrutinizing the supporting documents submitted by the respective pharma company, the FDA may or may not approve said drug for use and distribution. The FDA might also demand certain warnings be added to the label and any advertising associated with it. Hmmmm, not sure about you, but it doesn't seem to me that there has been much testing/clinical trials done prior to releasing this vaccine. Or has there??? Perhaps this vaccine has been in development for years...well before a need developed, and now that there is a need, the stuff is done just in time!!! What a lucky break for us poor smucks!!!
Either way, I know that I will take my chances with H1N1 and will not get a flu shot, nor will my family!!

What's the deal with sugar???

Not sure if everyone has heard, but in a misguided effort to help curb the obesity epidemic, our Government has decided it would be a good idea to assess a tax on drink items containing sugar. (We're talking sugary soft drinks, teas, certain juice products...you name it!) Do you really think paying 3 cents more for a can of coke will stop a junk food junkie??? Puhlease! In my opinion they're sugar coating (pardon the pun) a new tax by having us believe that it is in the best interest of public health! Sorry, I'm not buying it!

Supposedly, this extra money will go toward health care. According to several reports I've read, sugary soft drinks are the root of the obesity evil. And I say again, other than making us mad, will a few extra cents really stop us from indulging in our soda obsession??? NOT!

Now mind you, I do agree with the general assessment that soda is bad for our bodies. I rarely drink any, and I seldom allow my kids to. My CHOICE!!! But do we really need to be told what to do and be punished (in the form of a new tax) for not listening? Educate folks, give them options, but for God's sake allow us the freedom to destroy our health if we want to!!

What's the deal with the FDA???

You can't watch TV these days without being inundated by (prescription) drug commercials, tauting "cures" for anything from a limp dick to various pulmonary conditions! If you pay close attention, you actually understand some of the warnings that usually end the commercials, with some speed talker trying not to get his tongue in a knot.

Seriously, people! Who in their right mind would ever want to take a medication that has so many side effects?? And they all do!!! Not sure about you guys, but if there is a risk of "serious side effects, even death that has been reported" I'm not putting that in my body! (Thank God I don't have to worry about having a limp dick! LOL) I have yet to see a commercial that does not warn about some sort of side effects associated with their product...what gives??? And why in the hell does our Food and Drug Administration approve the use of these drugs???

I guess this goes back to the pharmaceutical companies lobbying on Capital Hill. Once approved, then they wine and dine the doctors, giving them incentives to prescribe THEIR medications.

Same goes for food...milk produced by growth-hormone injected cows, the meat from cloned animals, pesticides used on the vegetables, the list goes on! You don't have to be a scientist to know that this can't possibly be good for you!!! Is it really a wonder that one third of our population is considered obese??? That cancer and other serious diseases are running rampant?? Diseases that increase the need for heavy duty medications! Which in turn will increase sales for the pharmaceutical companies! Wake up! No one cares about what's best for the general population...it always comes back to one thing...MONEY!

What's the deal with the bailouts???

So all this talk about insurance reminded me about the Government bailing out the insurance industry after the 2 hurricanes hit a few years back...that led me to think about the bailouts of the auto industry and the banks. And now I'm thinking...So who in the hell is going to bail me out???

Since Government is synonimous with tax dollars, it is us the people flipping the bill to uphold the "back bone" of our country. Go ahead folks, dig deep. Who cares that you don't have a job, or that you're self-employed and your business tanked thanks to the poor economy. Who cares that you pay through the nose for gasoline...our tax dollars are hard at work fighting for the oil, instead of finding alternative methods to keep us on the go. (But that's another subject!)

I myself fall into this category. Pursued the American dream of small business ownership. Did it without a loan or a grant...just risked everything I owned. Wanted to be part of what makes this country great...and lost! I was at the beginning of the mortgage crisis, so no offers to help us with lower rates, no 2 year foreclosure time during which to pursue a short sale, nope...I just got screwed. Which leads me to another question...ahem, if you don't make a 20% down payment at the time you purchase your home, you are forced to pay mortgage insurance. So wasn't my lender covered when I was no longer able to pay??? If so, then why did they go after me? Isn't that double-dipping?? Anyway, now the car dealers are offering security to their customers in case they find themselves jobless, without dinging up their credit (I even see some home builders making this offer)...where in the HELL was all this help when I needed it??? Forgive me if I sound a little angry, but this just pisses me off!!!

The banks got the help, and instead of using the money to get straightend out and help more people keep their homes, they pay 7 digit bonuses to their executives. Nice!!! And for once, I don't have a suggestion on how to make this situation better. Anyone???