Thursday, December 17, 2009

It's been a while, Part 2


Ok, so yesterday was pretty random considering I haven't posted in a month. I've had quite a bit to write about in the past month, but it seems like the time slips past so quickly. On the surface, that probably seems absurd, considering I'm at my desk most of the day staring at computers. Generally, though, those computers are tossing numbers all over the place that require my attention...and writing often requires a fair amount of attention as well. Seeing as I'm not getting paid to write anything, but those numbers tossing around might help pay a few bills (or, in yesterday's case, cause me to further ponder the question why I STILL deal with those numbers every day)...I haven't written much.
Of course, there has been A LOT to talk about. Thanksgiving with family, and all the things to be be thankful for. Abbie's first birthday (it's already been a year, CRAZY). Abigail walking. Abigail pointing at things and starting to give us some serious baby talk. Abigail making it all the way up the stairs without us knowing. Abigail smiling and hugging and generally being such a happy, content little girl.
Some much needed rest...a few extra days sleeping in. Lots of 1 year old birthday parties. A strained Achilles (getting better...that's the first time I've done that, and it is NOT a pleasant injury). Looking back on all the year has brought us and looking ahead at what's to come. Lots to talk about, indeed.
As for yesterday's quote...Kira has often asked me to talk a bit more about what I think about the present state of things with regards to the economy. While I'm no expert (Who is, really?)...I certainly have some opinions, particularly with the present state of things. So, from time to time I might toss something out there, like yesterday's quote. Keynes had little faith in the private sector and thus argued that public participation (i.e. government) was necessary in order for stable, productive markets (it goes without saying that the preceding is perhaps the crudest definition of Keynesian economics ever written, and I would surely receive a failing grade on any econ 101 paper with said definition). While I agree that blind faith in the private sector is akin to locking the fox in the hen house...insatiable greed run amok knows no bounds and will never lead to a beneficial end...I don't believe Keynes could have ever imagined government intervention on the scale we see today. And just as the belief in "free markets" is naive, the HOPE that the government...the big tax and big spend, earmark, special interest, our forefathers are rolling over in their graves, government...is equally unfounded.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

It's been a while

"Speculators may do no harm as bubbles on a steady stream of enterprise. But the position is serious when enterprise becomes the bubble on a whirlpool of speculation. When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. The measure of success attained by Wall Street, regarded as an institution of which the proper social purpose is to direct new investment into the most profitable channels in terms of future yield, cannot be claimed as one of the outstanding triumphs of laissez-faire capitalism…." While I certainly do not agree with alot of things Mr. Keynes had to say, this sure does strike a chord with me