Ron Paul going back to dirt roads, probably not as he thinks that the states should be the ones making the decisions on roads. You ought to look up some policy positions prior to making uneducated statements.
The problem is that no person suited for the presidency wants to be the president (Obama included). Too bad H Ross Perot was scared from running for the office. Hopefully Ventura steps up and runs as an independent as you would have a choice of Obama, and probably Obama lite in Mitt.
Unfortunately the media and establishment is giving us these whack jobs - Paul is not one as John Stewart has clips of the media talking about how they wont interview him.
While yes the fed has been printing money, the velocity of money has been collapsing which is deflationary, which in order to prevent a deflationary depression the fed is trying everything it can to stop that from happening.
The common belief that people should get a pay raise every year is based on the inflation caused by the increases in monetary and credit supplies. If that did not occur then annual pay increases would not need to happen to maintain the same quality of consumption.
The "fed's" hidden tax on the destruction of the purchasing power of the dollar is a major issue that most do not even think about. They just assume that prices are going to rise over time - which does not need to occur.
-- But if we are unnecessarily more or less forced to waste it through poor construction, what's the downside to building with that in mind in the first place? Ultimately we all pay the price for wastefulness.--
Wastefulness is what a free market tries to eliminate. One does not need to look much further than the comparative house size in old town to see that over time home sizes grew (stories of settlers living in tents or caves also tells a story).
Housing lost its basic premise of shelter over time. Heck living in a house/apartment is not the only option. One can live in a camper/yurt/etc. though the government might yell child abuse if you have kids in that situation.
Much of our life is spent just paying for our technology and do we really need all of it. Would life be more enjoyable without all the ipads, laptops, fancy cars, etc.. many in the city go to work, to pay for their gym memberships, parties, etc. when if one worked in a physical job with others they could almost fill all of those needs without the expense - maybe more contently.
In conjunction with what sled said that person that needs a home is going to build a very small home which by nature consumes a lot less energy and probably is heated with wood. So that home is using a more renewable energy supply - however with the methane digesters out there natural gas is pretty much a renewable resource.
I cringe at the CAFOs that are responsible for the creation of most of the inputs for them. However, they are able to operate because of government subsidies for grains - a distortion to free market forces.
Heck even oil is renewable. Oil is simply a battery - a store of energy via a hydro carbon. This battery requires a reaction to free the hydrogen from oxygen - which plants do via photosynthesis and we can do via electrolysis. Though we need to combine that hydrogen with carbon, which the Germans did by heating the mixture under pressure with coal. Today we can use solar concentrators which, if not mistaken, have created temperatures far high than what the Germans used in WWII.
I am not a chemical/mechanical engineer and do not have time to actually put my mind to solving this problem or I would.
With this you have a renewable energy source that does not require the entire countries infrastructure to be thrown out the window via electric cars which if off the lead acid battery type off gas toxins that could pose a problem if large enough numbers were concentrated.
-- Why build homes to last 200 years if, in 20 years, the neighborhood is going to be purchased by Wal-Mart and all those structures leveled anyway--
So the broader question here is what efficiencies did wal-mart create that makes it in need of regional super centers? Personally it is the banking system which has given rise to the corporations - via government intervention vis a vie tax breaks for savings in 401ks which can not be invested for ones own benefit (primarily they are invested in stocks or bonds - which benefit the corporations).
Throw in the wage controls in the 40s which gave rise to pensions, which are now guaranteed by a creation of the federal government - giving rise to more cheap capital that the small guy does not have access to.
Thinking radically the government is the cause of many of our problems. Returning to a more limited government structure and a sound monetary system would give rise to a more egalitarian and sustainable world.
Without that government intervention people would not build things that they did not hope were going to last for 200+ years. It is the cheap money that the fed has created which has fueled the insanity that is the disposable world we live in today.
Superpower - that is fading quickly as just like the fall of the German wall was caused by economic collapse, the current deficits are turning the US into a super pauper.
I agree that the carbon credits are simply a transfer of wealth and should not be the course of action - having investigated the whole program benefits and how they are calculating stored carbon.
See - sustainability is not just global warming (though I mostly agree with the thought process that most climactic change is comes from off this planet -58 at a neighbors house last winter and no sun spots vs this year many and large and warmer temps).
The government subsidies for grains have depleted our top soils, nutrient densities in foods and others. The soil depletion puts us at greater risk of flooding, famine and other problems. The nutrient depletion and cheapest calories at the fast food outlet have caused the health care nightmare in this country.
Both issues are of far greater importance than climate change - new name means we are more likely heading towards mini ice age, imo. with many issues surrounding that as much food comes from places like Canada which could cause world wide famine. Cooling is a far bigger problem than warming, imo..
That interest rate thing. At one point people bought things based upon price now it is on payment and with the ability to deduct interest (not a foregone conclusion that it will continue) it has caused prices to increase.
Though historically this happens about every 70-80 years as the older generations pass away and the younger ones that did not go through a deflationary depression forgot the lessons learned in years gone by.
The real difficult thing in the US might be that inflation pressures keep up on Need items food and energy and want items (a McMansion, condo in a ski town a really nice car vs transportation) face deflationary pressures.
Scott, the biggest point of efficiency and consolidating factor was the ease with which corporations were able to borrow and print money via stocks. Making capital far cheaper for them than anyone else in the marketplace.
Another key component in distribution is the craig grain elevator which was bought and will most likely not exist as a supplier for the oil/gas fields is using it to distribute product more inexpensively.
Still working on stuff. Plan on participating in events in the future. Hope to plant more produce this summer (though primarily only those which grow here easily - trying to work with nature not fight it).
Though there is enough "new" things being experimented with right now - just trying to overcome the regulations that exist. Right now that is the putting in a septic system (more money which I do not have enough liquidity for) and not having to over design a system that is going to not handle much more than a little detergent and a little bleach - though the goal is a high temp dishwasher, $, which will eliminate the need for most harsh chemicals).
Routt County Republicans favor Romney in precinct caucuses
Ron Paul going back to dirt roads, probably not as he thinks that the states should be the ones making the decisions on roads. You ought to look up some policy positions prior to making uneducated statements.
The problem is that no person suited for the presidency wants to be the president (Obama included). Too bad H Ross Perot was scared from running for the office. Hopefully Ventura steps up and runs as an independent as you would have a choice of Obama, and probably Obama lite in Mitt.
Unfortunately the media and establishment is giving us these whack jobs - Paul is not one as John Stewart has clips of the media talking about how they wont interview him.
February 8, 2012 at 2:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Our View: Pay freeze has long-term impact
While yes the fed has been printing money, the velocity of money has been collapsing which is deflationary, which in order to prevent a deflationary depression the fed is trying everything it can to stop that from happening.
The common belief that people should get a pay raise every year is based on the inflation caused by the increases in monetary and credit supplies. If that did not occur then annual pay increases would not need to happen to maintain the same quality of consumption.
The "fed's" hidden tax on the destruction of the purchasing power of the dollar is a major issue that most do not even think about. They just assume that prices are going to rise over time - which does not need to occur.
February 5, 2012 at 10:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Sustainability expert: 'Standard approaches aren't enough'
-- But if we are unnecessarily more or less forced to waste it through poor construction, what's the downside to building with that in mind in the first place? Ultimately we all pay the price for wastefulness.--
Wastefulness is what a free market tries to eliminate. One does not need to look much further than the comparative house size in old town to see that over time home sizes grew (stories of settlers living in tents or caves also tells a story).
Housing lost its basic premise of shelter over time. Heck living in a house/apartment is not the only option. One can live in a camper/yurt/etc. though the government might yell child abuse if you have kids in that situation.
Much of our life is spent just paying for our technology and do we really need all of it. Would life be more enjoyable without all the ipads, laptops, fancy cars, etc.. many in the city go to work, to pay for their gym memberships, parties, etc. when if one worked in a physical job with others they could almost fill all of those needs without the expense - maybe more contently.
January 31, 2012 at 8:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Sustainability expert: 'Standard approaches aren't enough'
In conjunction with what sled said that person that needs a home is going to build a very small home which by nature consumes a lot less energy and probably is heated with wood. So that home is using a more renewable energy supply - however with the methane digesters out there natural gas is pretty much a renewable resource.
I cringe at the CAFOs that are responsible for the creation of most of the inputs for them. However, they are able to operate because of government subsidies for grains - a distortion to free market forces.
Heck even oil is renewable. Oil is simply a battery - a store of energy via a hydro carbon. This battery requires a reaction to free the hydrogen from oxygen - which plants do via photosynthesis and we can do via electrolysis. Though we need to combine that hydrogen with carbon, which the Germans did by heating the mixture under pressure with coal. Today we can use solar concentrators which, if not mistaken, have created temperatures far high than what the Germans used in WWII.
I am not a chemical/mechanical engineer and do not have time to actually put my mind to solving this problem or I would.
With this you have a renewable energy source that does not require the entire countries infrastructure to be thrown out the window via electric cars which if off the lead acid battery type off gas toxins that could pose a problem if large enough numbers were concentrated.
January 31, 2012 at 9:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Sustainability expert: 'Standard approaches aren't enough'
-- Why build homes to last 200 years if, in 20 years, the neighborhood is going to be purchased by Wal-Mart and all those structures leveled anyway--
So the broader question here is what efficiencies did wal-mart create that makes it in need of regional super centers? Personally it is the banking system which has given rise to the corporations - via government intervention vis a vie tax breaks for savings in 401ks which can not be invested for ones own benefit (primarily they are invested in stocks or bonds - which benefit the corporations).
Throw in the wage controls in the 40s which gave rise to pensions, which are now guaranteed by a creation of the federal government - giving rise to more cheap capital that the small guy does not have access to.
Thinking radically the government is the cause of many of our problems. Returning to a more limited government structure and a sound monetary system would give rise to a more egalitarian and sustainable world.
Without that government intervention people would not build things that they did not hope were going to last for 200+ years. It is the cheap money that the fed has created which has fueled the insanity that is the disposable world we live in today.
January 30, 2012 at 5:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Sustainability expert: 'Standard approaches aren't enough'
Superpower - that is fading quickly as just like the fall of the German wall was caused by economic collapse, the current deficits are turning the US into a super pauper.
I agree that the carbon credits are simply a transfer of wealth and should not be the course of action - having investigated the whole program benefits and how they are calculating stored carbon.
January 29, 2012 at 8:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Sustainability expert: 'Standard approaches aren't enough'
See - sustainability is not just global warming (though I mostly agree with the thought process that most climactic change is comes from off this planet -58 at a neighbors house last winter and no sun spots vs this year many and large and warmer temps).
The government subsidies for grains have depleted our top soils, nutrient densities in foods and others. The soil depletion puts us at greater risk of flooding, famine and other problems. The nutrient depletion and cheapest calories at the fast food outlet have caused the health care nightmare in this country.
Both issues are of far greater importance than climate change - new name means we are more likely heading towards mini ice age, imo. with many issues surrounding that as much food comes from places like Canada which could cause world wide famine. Cooling is a far bigger problem than warming, imo..
January 29, 2012 at 5:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Speaker: Normal home value appreciation could begin by mid-decade
That interest rate thing. At one point people bought things based upon price now it is on payment and with the ability to deduct interest (not a foregone conclusion that it will continue) it has caused prices to increase.
Though historically this happens about every 70-80 years as the older generations pass away and the younger ones that did not go through a deflationary depression forgot the lessons learned in years gone by.
The real difficult thing in the US might be that inflation pressures keep up on Need items food and energy and want items (a McMansion, condo in a ski town a really nice car vs transportation) face deflationary pressures.
January 29, 2012 at 5:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Sustainability expert: 'Standard approaches aren't enough'
Scott, the biggest point of efficiency and consolidating factor was the ease with which corporations were able to borrow and print money via stocks. Making capital far cheaper for them than anyone else in the marketplace.
Another key component in distribution is the craig grain elevator which was bought and will most likely not exist as a supplier for the oil/gas fields is using it to distribute product more inexpensively.
January 28, 2012 at 6:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Sustainability expert: 'Standard approaches aren't enough'
Still working on stuff. Plan on participating in events in the future. Hope to plant more produce this summer (though primarily only those which grow here easily - trying to work with nature not fight it).
Though there is enough "new" things being experimented with right now - just trying to overcome the regulations that exist. Right now that is the putting in a septic system (more money which I do not have enough liquidity for) and not having to over design a system that is going to not handle much more than a little detergent and a little bleach - though the goal is a high temp dishwasher, $, which will eliminate the need for most harsh chemicals).
January 28, 2012 at 6:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )