Sarcasm, Honesty, Objectivity

Here recently I have read the claims from Sun Magazine on cnnpolitics.com and saw this.

“Obama Wins!” is the headline of the edition on newsstands now, complete with “special collector’s edition” in red bold typeface.

The Sun News is a bi-monthly newspaper and its Oct 26-Nov 8 issue had to hit the streets, and the newsstands, before the election. So the editors decided to make a leap of faith and declare Democrat Barack Obama the winner.

I don’t know if it’s just me… or is that a bit soon? I do realize the polls don’t look amazing for McCain but it’s not like there is a giant landslide victory in store as we have had in some elections in the past (Such as, 1988,1996 or 1984 elections) . Here the polls are in favor of Obama but they are just polls. They are not counted votes. As stated from the newyorktimes.com

The latest breakdown… is a snap-shot in time; it is not a prediction of how the race is going to turn out Nov. 4. Ratings are based on variety of factors, including polling, previous elections results and the political landscape in the state.

I realize that there is a lean towards Obama, but I feel that news should wait to be news… not guess work. I realize The Sun News was hoping to be the first and to make sure they got it in between the publication cycle but it still feels like being first is more important that actually seeing what happens. We all know from prior elections that things change up to the minute… so making a giant publication that rules out the competition before people even get the chance to go to the polls for a final time seems to be quite silly.

The liberal leaning alternative newspaper ended by imploring its readers to get out and vote, “even if we did spoil the ending for you.”

Honestly… this seems a bit odd… go out and vote? Though we know who won? I really wish that people would be more concerned with voting and less with guessing… this isn’t just a race… this is America’s future.

During my mission statement I wanted to talk about the job market. More importantly to gear it in a manner that I wish to talk about… is the current operating system market. Currently in the world there are two truly competing operating system (OS to be called further)… Mac’s Leopard and Windows Vista. To clarify, an operating system is a platform in which most all computers run.

Currently all developers and software manufactures must choose a side since neither operating system has ways to coexist. This currently drives all companies that create software to development either for one system or provided it for both systems and proved two different technical support teams both of which can be rather lack luster because most cross platforms have to be completely different. (On a side note for those who are computer savvy, when I mean cross-platform I don’t mean duel boot, because in effect you are still running one or the other.)

The two warring factions are at a stalemate because neither has a third competition that is willing to attempt to bridge the gap. We need a third OS (most likely Google) that will try and bridge a gap between the two. Right now many jobs are being strangled out because of the stalemate that has been created between these two powers. I do know there are many minor operating systems such as Android and Linux but none of which have really tried bridging the gap. If the world had a third enterprise this would create a huge number of jobs, not just here in America but all over the world.

Unfortunately one of the limiting factors in this is that both companies’ rely on their user base and known “superiorities” over one another to compete. In other words you buy a Mac for easy use and design and Windows for servers and gaming (Not saying that this is actually true, just the general stereo type). However, both companies could make their system be compliant with each other. Much as battery types for common items and number 2 lead in pencils. However, both company’s battle to keep their OS from working together by maintaining strict codes and contracts… or in Mac’s case, you have to get it from Mac to be able to have their operating system.

A giant section of the world is based in computer and technology development, marketing and even technical support. With a third party in the mix, prices for the already overly inflated costs of operating systems would fall tremendously because it no longer would boil down to Mac or Windows. I think there should be more government activity in promoting an expansion in the operating system growth and over all compliance… less contracting and exclusion. Honestly… wouldn’t everyone like more choice in what runs your applications? When you go to the store to buy a product know that it will work no matter what brand of computer you buy? To know that jobs are being opened up because there is true competition to develop a operating system built on great design and not who has the best contract and widest user base?

So now to switch gears… the US is continuing its plan to strengthen the borders and build bigger fences and more barriers between us and Mexico. This has been a heated debate for years and will continue to do so. Most recently the plans to build up the fence that runs along Friendship Park and this is causing more controversy.

However, I realize that controversy over this issue and the humanity of walling people off from other parts of their family is present. However the reason that the fence is their is to keep the illegal Mexican immigrants out. A quote from the Newyorktimes.com

“Where else can she do that?” said her mother, Socorro Estrada, who drove six hours from Bakersfield, Calif., with family members to the fence. The baby’s father said he was on probation and could not leave the country and, in any case, the baby’s grandmother had advised them against traveling into Mexico with such a young infant.

This is a good reason why the fence is there. This mother was advised by family not to take the kid through Mexico… now I realize it is young but my Mother drove me for hours and hours to see my grandparents. It probably boils down to safety and being a citizen. There is defiantly a reason why Mexican immigrants come over to America.

http://www.mexico-child-link.org/mexico-factfile-statistics.htm

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20010219/filner20010207

The links provided are information on Mexico’s economy and other an article on why one may want to come to America. However, the other issue I take point is the argument that the wall completely divides family. It is a barrier and yes it is a major obstacle but its just that… a wall. You can go around that way both legally (and illegally). Ok, so the only way that it truly divides a family is if part of that family comes over illegally. Meaning that if that other side tries to comeback after crossing illegal to see their family they can’t come back.

If a person comes over to America illegally and expects to be allowed to freely come and go across the border then there would be no point in having a border. Now just to be clear, not stating whether I agree with it or not, just on the principle of the cognitive dissonance and makinga  point. If you legally came to America there wouldn’t be a problem going back and forth across the border.

So most recently I have watched a video on the new presidential candidates filming video’s for change and the prosperity of America. What’s most amusing is they are doing it for Wal-Mart. In Obama’s commercial he is talking about benefits, how America’s dreams are slipping away and keeping wages up. Well, why Wal-Mart? They said growing our economy? Wal-mart is notorious for terrible paying jobs and a majority of their workers on government aid.

Some Websites with facts on Walmart.

http://www.now.org/issues/wfw/wm-facts.html

http://wakeupwalmart.com/facts/

Meaning, that their employees are leeching from our government. Another thing… slipping American dreams and the need for a better economy? Wal-mart imports more goods from China and India than anything they get from America… other than what they have to. This goes against everything that both candidates have been gunning for. A America less dependent on foreign countries commodities seems to be lost in the bid to gain the votes of the million of Wal-Mart shoppers.

It’s not the I am just hating on Wal-Mart… they are a business their to make money. I feel like the candidates should do their research in fields other than pure numbers. Honestly… I don’t think i would want to vote for a candidate that preaches one thing and supports someone/company that does the complete opposite.

Samuel J. Wurzelbacher (Link attached thanks-) was made into a international name in his mention in the presidential debate several times. In the name a link is attached to his biography. Two things amused me most about this… first is the mass amount of attention this man got… and not for what he said but more or less trying to dig up dirt on him.

I have heard blastings from the plumber union for the last week about him. Seriously? I see everywhere that he isn’t a real plumber… Really? I mean, I know that may be against something in the rules of plumbing but on a political scale it doesn’t matter. He was a man, who was concerned and wanted to ask Obama a question. He wasn’t signing up to be ridiculed or burned at a stake. I realize all is fair and bringing up the point he said is all fair.

Next thing that interested me is if you listened to his interview he said a few great things. The Interview here. Sam (for short) comments on the fact that he was mention more times then many of the issues that are far more important. He talk about how we need to look at real problems and real solutions. I personally would have liked to hear more on our standings in war. What are military is doing and our budgeting.

How we are going to precede with a new commander in chief and how America may be perceived in the future. Honestly… pseudo plumber or not… the guy has a point. We need to look at the important things… less coverage on petty media exposed people and more on issues and topics that will shape our future.

~ Thanks MSNBC and Newyorktimes.com

America is going through a trend of raising minimum wage, inflating of our dollar and big spending to bail out companies and banks that are failing. Amidst all this mass spending and spiral into debt we have two new candidates that both seem well prepared to send us into more debt. I don’t know about the rest of America but the national debt is sky rocketing. When I turn on the TV or read an article, most of the time… if not 99% its how we can spend money and in what way to fix said problem.

The question being, shouldn’t we be looking at the fact we owe over 10 Trillion dollars is concerning. Some food for though (Thank-you www.brillig.com). We owe over 10 trillion, there is about 304 billion US citizens. That means in order to bail the government out of its spending hole, we each would have to give the US, 33,772 dollars… just to break even.

I think we should go and look at the fact that America is sliding into a massive debt slide. Instead of candidates spouting out how we can spend money… perhaps the US should be looking into saving and balancing the worth of our dollar. Honestly… everyone needs to realize this debt isn’t going to just go away. There needs to be a voice of realization… more debt, less worth… wonder why our economy is so poor?

So today the market rallied nearly 1000 points. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed today 936 points higher. This rise was not only in just the American stock market but all over the world. Other countries have been urged to do the same. However, this still falls into my idea of throwing money at problems doesn’t fix anything. This is still a temporary solution to a much deeper problem. One that dwells in corporate development and investment.

Taken from the newyorktimes.com

“Only four times in its history has the Dow risen more percentage points in a day. Those gains came in 1929, 1931, 1932, and 1933.”

Seems rather concerning to me. These dates all lead up to the Great Depression and a massive market crash.

Also taken from newyorktimes.com

“The Treasury Department followed suit on Monday after Wall Street closed, unveiling similar plans to take stakes in troubled companies and provide blanket insurance for deposits.”

I don’t know about you, but I want to see the results of the first attempt before I reveal plans to do this again. Honestly, America needs to take it slower. We don’t need to rush in and throw money at a problem that we don’t understand. Breathe.

I have been reading some articles in several different blogs that talk about how this is the last gasp of America’s dominance on the global scale. This seems to be a bit farfetched. Not that I am standing on the side of disbelief in the possibility that America could falter as the top economy in the world but also, in complete competence… who is going to stand up? I mean, right now if you look at the markets and value of the cash dollar to other world currencies you can see that we are all in the same boat.

Right now the whole world is suffering from the collapse of several key corporate entities. I think those who go as far as to say that America is about to head into another Great Depression are getting a little carried away. When the Great Depression hit in the late 20’s and 30’s we were still rather isolated from the rest of the world. The first World War had begun to open our doors but instantly we cut ourselves off.

Due to globalization it doesn’t seem as plausible that our economy would just pitfall as fast as it did back then. If ours did, others would follow, and due to this nature of intertwined fate we would most likely all fall. If this were to happen almost all of our economies would lose value and all of the worlds currency would level out. It would take something like a mass environmental of war catastrophe to really put us in a great depression… but honestly… it would be more like World Depression.

So now that this bill to throw 700 billion dollars at different companies has seemingly failed because the stock market is still ever plunging… the government is considering giving more money to banks?!?! I mean, I am by no means a raging capitalist but isn’t it about time to just realize the reason why we are here in from inflation and bad corporate management? I am not saying we can let them completely fail, but throwing money into a pit is against logic. I a problem was a hole in the ground and you need to get over it, throwing money into it till it fills up is NOT efficient. We need to build over this, side step those companies that have face-planted on the global scale. If we continue to patch up this broken machine its one day going to die. An irreversible, un-recoverable… epic fail.

We need to implement systems in which to truly monitor these industries… and I don’t mean the kinda-sorta organizations and policy in place. We need solid organizations that have the teeth to come down on some of these corporations before they can say… oh by the way… we owe/in debt/ don’t have. Honestly, we really need to stop throwing money at problems and look at the problem from a different aspect. We need to provide a real solution not a fast one, nor one that delays an inevitable pit fall.  

Most recently I have been reading the news on the offer to buy up Wachovia shares. Here is where this gets good. SO, Citgroup has offered 1$ a share to buy up much of Wachovia’s banking operations for a new total of 2.2 million dollars brokered by the FDIC. In response to this news, Wells Fargo said that they would buy the same deal but for 7 times that amount and WITHOUT government aid!

Here’s the best part:

“Even with the talks going on, Citigroup filed a lawsuit on Monday seeking $60 billion in damages from Wells Fargo and Wachovia for interfering with its deal. But hours later, Citigroup, Wachovia and Wells Fargo issued separate statements saying they agreed to freeze all litigation and formal discovery activity until noon on Wednesday. It appeared they had not reached agreement on negotiating terms.”

(Thank-you Newyorktimes.com)

Citigroup counters with a 60 BILLION dollar law suit? What for? Where did that number come from? I mean Citigroup was trying to get Wachovia for 2.2 Billion dollar steal and now they want to sue for damages? Here’s a HUGE problem in America. Corporate Greed.

Seriously, the country is trying to solve is financial problems and now we have a bank(s) that want to sue over damages? Can I sue for lost money and stability in the firms I was invested in? No. However, they can sue each other for being angry that Wells Fargo can make a better deal. Honestly, in times like this we don’t need fights over fine print that can be seemingly ignored in the first place. If you make a deal and someone beats you… then that’s it. Isn’t that capitalism? I guess these companies prefer complaining and hoping they can finagle their way into the green.