28th Ammendment

Here's an idea that was passed to me and I am passing it on ...

No one has been able to explain to me why young men and women serve in the U.S. military for 20 years, risking their lives protecting freedom, and only get 50% of their pay. While Politicians hold their political positions in the safe confines of the capital, protected by these same men and women, and receive full pay retirement after serving one term. It just does not make any sense.

Monday we learned that the staffers of Congress family members are exempt from having to pay back student loans. This will get national attention if news networks will broadcast it. 

When you add this to the below, just where will all of it stop?

For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed while citizens must live under those laws. The latest is to exempt themselves from the Healthcare Reform... in all of its forms. Somehow, that doesn't seem logical. We do not have an elite that is above the law. I truly don't care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent or whatever. The self-serving must stop.

If each person that receives this will forward it on to 20 people, in three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message.. This is one proposal that really should be passed around.

Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution: "Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States."

Taking the Euro-zone crisis to another level - national insults!

Headlines out of Germany are getting nasty.  Have a look at this CNBC article by Senior Editor John Carney.  There's some pretty inflammatory overtones.  Wonder if leaders in some Euro-zone countries will take offense to Germany's "holier than thou" attitude?  Coming from a country that pretty much set the world's record for 'unholy' achievements, you could see where comments like those that the article speaks of could lead to some very nasty retorts.  If this escalates it could potentially unwind the momentum that appears to be going in the direction that Germany wants.  I hope they put a lid on this before that happens!

Euro-Zone Get's Sick and Asia Takes the Medicine

One of the most interesting and positive aspects to the Euro-zone crisis is Asia's response. China's new five year strategic plan is a game changer! Their stated move to greater internal consumption, and increased currency valuation will reduce their dependency on foreign exports at a time when Europe's demand for exports will drop. Given recent announcements on rates and reserves, It appears that china may be stepping up those efforts.

From a world GDP standpoint, it is easy to imagine that china's acceleration may overshoot Europe's slow down. A similar dynamic can happen in India. Furthermore, let's give some credit to the new thinking in Europe about capitalism and competitiveness. Behind the scenes of the protests there is growing recognition of the unsustainable nature of their entitlements and work rules. Europe is awaking to the fact that they can not survive unless they can compete in the world economy. (No more free lunch.) Furthermore, the same market forces that are driving up their borrowing rates are demanding a systematic response that is grounded in a sound economic development growth plan. Therefore, as the euro-zone transitions from a deficit financed economy to a self-sustaining economy we can expect the returns to work their way into equity futures. Simply put, the average European has to make a greater contribution to productive society.  German Chancellor Merkel would like the "writing on the wall" to be somehow structured into the treaties as a price for a euro rescue. You have to give her credit for having nerves of steel! She dangles her euro partners' feet over the cliff knowing they are tied together at the waist.

Last but not least, as if the USA Fed needed another reason to maintain aggressive monitory policy, they surely have it. USA reserves, hot off the presses, are pouring into Europe to help their bank solvency. Back home in the near-term the success of USA treasury auctions is off the Fed and markets minds. Inflation is tame enough to keep a less weary eye on. As for US's defecit, there's much to not like about the dysfunctional way we arrived at deficit reduction but it is reduction. All focus is on growth to bring down unemployment. And even with the most partisan congresses I've ever known, there is unanimous belief that we need to create private sector jobs and reduce waist in government.

The only question in developed countries is where does the growth come from, or more specifically how do we achieve lasting, not artificial, private sector jobs?  Some of the answers are obvious, an so the question is more whether or not we have the political will to make the changes that will spur growth!