Tuesday morning links

You're living off principal in real dollars whether you get a high interest return on savings or not.

If the interest is high, so is inflation, which eats into your principal in real dollars. But you owe tax on the interest, which makes it worse.

If the interest is zero, so is inflation, and you simply live off the principal as before but without the tax.

Either way, every year your principal is worth less in real dollars, except in the interest case you get the illusion it will last forever.

Actually it lasts forever either way, if you cut the amount you use every year to match the real dollar value of the interest.

#1 rhhardin (Link) on 2012-02-07 07:18 (Reply)

Google FINANCIAL REPRESSION.

It is a term of art that will open your eyes.

#1.1 blert on 2012-02-07 18:13 (Reply)

I'm not a legal scholar, but I was thinking about Dionne's article.

In theory, what he's proposing is not against the Constitution. Congress shall make no laws prohibiting free speech, that's true. The Supreme Court would strike those down, that's for certain. But the Supreme Court, in theory, could reach a point where it determines certain thoughts treasonous, and therefore act as a de facto censorship committee without having Congress pass any laws.

It's a frightening thought, but Dionne has actually raised an issue which may need some deeper discussion by the legal profession. The Supreme Court could uphold the Constitution while limiting some of the portions which we hold most dear.

Perhaps I'm wrong about this - but it seems like a very improbable (but very possible) outcome. Maybe that's why Dionne hopes we will have a Supreme Court which will strike down the ruling eventually.

#2 Bulldog on 2012-02-07 09:44 (Reply)

The number of kind and selfless acts by men correspond to the attractiveness of women? That's funny, in that Mark Twain wrote that man is incapable of truly selfless acts in "What is Man." There is always an expected positive benefit for whomever is performing the "selfless" act.

This study would seem to reinforce that belief.

#3 arcs on 2012-02-07 11:38 (Reply)

The one thing we cannot speak about is the corruption that has spread through this country like an unchecked cancer. The mob may have started with small groups in Chicago, New Jersey, New York. But, when the teacher's joined the AFL/CIO and when the dems via then Governor Mondale legalized Indian gaming, which allowed gaming in all states. We have not had a clean education system. We have not had an honorable system of justice. We have not had the ability to defend the small individual entrepreneur. We have been ruled by evil. Plain and simple. Until we get organized around the idea of removing corruption, we do not have the spirit to once again lift ourselves up by our own spirit (that's gone). We will not have the strength to fight off unwanted take overs of small companies (that's gone). We do not have the ability to discuss openly the real issues confronting this nation. I laugh now when I hear Eastwood, or Obama, or Romney, or Gingrich telling us to go ahead like the people in generations before you did and raise up this country! BS--you raise it up--you have already stolen all the tools that made us strong! All the reasons we fought before you took when you your wealthy children were put into "leadership" positions they did not have the courage to uphold. You stole what our motivation when you removed excellence as the guiding factor for governmental employment, for teaching, for entering college. Yup, you sure and the hell removed all motivation that time! Shall I go on? The point is that the American people no longer have what it takes to either build, or defend a country that will pull itself out of this mess.

#4 apple pie on 2012-02-07 12:31 (Reply)

Nice diatribe, ap.

#4.1 XRay on 2012-02-07 12:39 (Reply)

Sorry, just had to blow off! Trouble with being a good typist is that sometimes the deleted words get re-typed faster than I can, apologies for the mistakes in printing. However, I hope I got the point across. "We the people" are no longer protected by our justice system. "We the people" are no longer able to participate in our own government, because all of the paid jobs go to special groups--not to the best qualified, or most competent, or even the most suitable. And, most importantly "We the people" are no longer capable of critical thinking because our schools have been a great tragic waste of time and money. "We the people" know that our efforts will not be rewarded! Let the thieves of Wall Street pull us out. Let the mob of the AFL/CIO pull us out. Let the fem/nazis and the gay community pull us out. Let the . . . .

#5 apple pie on 2012-02-07 12:51 (Reply)

In the NHS story, note it is the "local" admin that does not want to pay. I read some UK blogs which note this sort of thing. A woman living on the Isle of Wight was turned down for treatment because her local had neither the facilities nor the monies for it. Five miles away on the mainland, the local did the treatment as a matter of course. Could she go to the other hospital for treatment? No. Sort of makes a joke of the "National" part... Here in the US, my insurer may grumble if I have to travel 1500 miles to the Mayo Clinic for treatment, but will pay up.

#6 John A on 2012-02-07 16:01 (Reply)

Hey BD--NOW LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT. Your beloved city, that city which you love so much, that is the same city that in one week refused to hold a parade honoring our returning military, but can't wait to hold a big, fabulous parade for their football team?

Sheesh! Shame on your New York.

#7 apple pie on 2012-02-07 19:30 (Reply)

So the "hate hoax" started with someone finding a string of rubber bands RACIST? Good lord, has it come to this? Have these people gone mad?

I do not talk politics with Democrats, especially my relatives, the few that I still have. I think the Dems are all looney. Is there any point in discussing politics with someone who is bonkers? I considered their views long ago when everyone in my family was one of "Them" and found their ideas wanting. No need to go over old ground...with Liberals it never gets better, only worse.

#8 Agent Cooper on 2012-02-07 19:32 (Reply)

As a Catholic, I'm pleasantly surprised with the ecumenical backing of other faiths regarding the bald-faced aggression of the administration against fundamental Catholic teaching and beliefs, in forcing religious institutions to support actions antithetical to their core values--providing birth control and potential abortifacients as part of health care coverage. (As someone cleverer than I surmised--imagine the uproar if a vegan restaurant was forced to serve veal). As Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, archbishop of NY and president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops said, “In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences.” This after he was assured by the President that religious exceptions to health care mandates would be made available. Since Catholic hospitals provide services to one in six patients in the US, their closing or limiting of services to only Catholics could get interesting. Catholic Services already quit providing adoption services in Massachusetts rather than comply with a mandate to provide adoption services to gay couples. These are, sadly, interesting times.

#9 Mark on 2012-02-07 22:07 (Reply)

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Tuesday, February 7. 2012

Tuesday morning links