The Three Little Pigs & the Bailout

I hope everyone's parents read the story of the "Three Little Pigs" while you were in PJ's. If they didn't, you probably are homeless by now . If they did, I hope you paid attention to the moral of the story and avoided the fate of the "Big Bad Wolf".

Now, with the help of numerous schemes by brokers, bankers, and politicians to get folks into houses that they couldn't afford we are now faced with very uncertain economic times.

Never fear little piggies. It's an election year! It makes no difference whether your house is built from straw, sticks, or bricks. Nor is it important what you paid for it or even if you could afford it in the first place. The Feds are going to save your little wiggly butts from the Big Bad Wolf.

And who do you think is going to pay for all of it?

Everyone else.

McCain or Obama?

Everyone is so sure who should be the next President. Well, I'm not so sure. My vote drifts back 'n forth almost daily. I have two sons and my wife firmly in the O+ group and I have a daughter-in-law firmly in the MC squared camp. The east coast media comprised of all of the networks and the NY Times love Obama while the WSJ and conservative radio talk shows feel that McCain is the only one with the experience to lead the nation.

I think O+ and Mc2 are both credible individuals who have pressed the flesh and taken money from every special interest group on the planet. So, do they really represent who they are or what the money wants them to be? That's my dilemma.

Who will lead our country out of this economic mess and two front war that is draining our ability to be the vital leader of the free world? Who would want the job in the first place? Do you really have to be that vain knowing you will be despised by half of the people all of the time?

I'm on the fence and quite honestly I'm tired of thinking about it.

Aunts & Uncles

I just found out today that my Aunt G passed away. I was made aware a couple of weeks ago that she was not doing well and that if I wanted to see her I had better do it soon. Well, I got busy, distracted, or just forgetful. But, today I just felt that needed to be a priority, so I headed down to Greenwood to see her during my lunch hour.

Serendipitously, upon arriving at the front desk of Greenwood Village, the receptionist was the wife of the gentleman who got me over the hump in the sales game. Her mother, Ann, who is now 98, was my sons' babysitter back in the '80s. Then Dr. Hardin, who also in his '90s, walked in the door. I was surrounded by people I hadn't seen in years. That's when I found out that Aunt G had passed away that morning. I was late again. Dang it.

I was blessed to have a plethora of Aunts and Uncles. And, they were all very smart. They were a reflection of mainstream America. They all grew up during the Great Depression...hopefully the last one. Some served in World War II, others ran successful small businesses, two of them were nurses which seems to run in the family, and one of them took on the responsibility as head of the family when my grandparents died too young. They were all incredibly reliable when it came time to help out a family member. It was something my parents always did and now I know why. It was something they all accepted. Take care of your family even if they drive you nuts some of the time.

So, forgive me Aunt G for not coming to see you sooner. I'm sure you already have.

Three Things That Went "Thud" Last Week

There were three events last week that all made a resounding "THUD". One was O.J. Simpson's jaw as the jury read the verdict "Guilty" even if it was thirteen years late.

Second was Chicago baseball. You never expect the White Sox to do much. They actually win a series every fifty years. But, the Cubbies just can't finish a season. They broke my heart in 1969 and I will never forgive them. I haven't been able to watch an entire game since. They suck!


Third, were my retirement accounts. I do not know if the next Great Depression is at our doorstep, but it doesn't look promising. When I purchased my first car in 1966, it was better looking than it actually ran, much like the economy in 2007. My car required a quart of oil every week to keep running just like our economy needed sub-prime mortgages to maintain growth. Since I was in school and had very little income I was soon driving on four bald tires with no spare just like the economy was living on low-interest-rate adjustable mortgages with no chance of ever being repaid.

Well, the good Lord must have been watching over me. I didn't crash or even have the first flat tire for nearly three years. I eventually purchased a new car. Our economy has not been quite as fortunate and it has more than a flat tire and a sick engine. It's hemorrhaging and we can't find the bleeder. I even heard Jim Cramer of CNBC's "Mad Money" last night telling the world to salt away enough cash to last the next five years. How long was the last depression?

Anyway, when I was young, my only fears were being told "No!" when I asked a girl for a date and flunking out of college and getting drafted. Now, I'm too old to be drafted and since I've been married 34 years, "No" has a completely different meaning.

I think I'll just stop reading the newspaper and enjoy my grandchildren.