Simply Off the Charts

Life these days seems to be taking even more disturbing turns with each passing hour, or two.

For instance, I was really shocked to read that Michael Jackson had to sell his Neverland Ranch last month. Even though it's been a long time since I've thought of the man as sane, something inside my psyche was dumbfounded with the thought of Michael having to give up something so valuable, at least to him.

And I guess he isn't the only one.

From the loss of innocent lives from famine, disease, lack of water, or war to the economy and environment it seems that we are all living in days where all statistics seem to be going off the charts.

Like a bad dream, to me, the thought of America shedding it's automotive industry through bankruptcy is something that can't possibly be happening. I mean, can it? Even if we didn't invent the automobile, we sure came close and it was these manufacturer's that provided real wealth, and a whole lot more, to this country for over 100 years. While smaller and emerging nations like South Korea and India jump into the automotive industry, more than 3 million Americans can't figure out how to save just one of the Big Three.

And from what I hear, everyone couldn't really care less. From lenders balking at customers who want to take out a loan to buy an American car to (mostly) Republicans who would rather just give it all to the largest banks, no one seems to care. Even the CEO of GM has said he would rather not accept a bailout from the Government and let the entire company fail than step down. This while he and his co-horts fly into Washington on chartered jets to ask for money.

Basically, our manufacturing base is for all purposes dead in the water and the life guard is busy oiling up the pretty babe with pearls tanning on the beach.

Now I can't remember how much we've given to Citi et. al. recently, but it certainly pains me to see that they've decided to pay us back by announcing a record downsizing of more than 70,000 people. To date, trillions have already been handed to our financial industry and all we get are more mergers and terminations. And lending hasn't recovered at all, especially while home prices continue to decline throughout the country leading me to think of this neat jingle ... Have a home, forget getting a loan!

Originally there was supposed to be a great bailout which would magically save us all, but after half of it has already been spent to little effect, now Paulson seems too afraid to take any more risk for fear of looking bad or something has decided not to do anything more until the new administration takes office about two months away. Simply incredible to think that he blames the problems he's having on the government taking too long to pass the legislation, but then when he does have it, would prefer to sit on half and just wait.

From imports, and exports piling up at our shipping terminals to the utter failure of our government to do anything of any real importance it's becoming quite clear to me that the IMF's new take on the economy not recovering until 2010 is probably overly optimistic.

While Bush & Co. are busy pouring over a record number of pardon requests, raking the environment by allowing for useless oil drilling in and around our most sacred national parks (like Utah's Arches National Park) and planning quaint little sleep-overs and dinner parties for guests, like a slew of other businesses and homes throughout America, the Big Three will be out on the streets by Christmas.

Lame duck session is right. Even if Obama is every bit the excellent President everyone wants him to be, it's hard to see what he or anyone will be able to do because the problems are too many and too far gone. Not to mention that fact that everyone is still too busy making out like chicken little over each and every appointment and suggestion that emanates from the transitional team, there is a very real possibility the lame duck session might continue for some time after January 20th.

What people are failing to see is that there is a very real possibility there won't be a recovery to come, and that realization is just off the charts.

So we've had a good run and in that time even produced some great hits, but like Michael we can't afford to live in our Neverland Ranch anymore.