Good Luck, Mr. Brit

So, I'm watching the news tonight for a few minutes (I get most of my news on the Internet), and the anchor dangles a carrot. A story is coming about a guy who says he will live for a year without spending a dime. I was interested enough to check back often until the story was reported. It finally came.

It was about a man living in England, a Brit, who had some degree in economics. He was fed up enough with the financial crisis that he was going to show his displeasure with the way things are by checking out of the system for 12 months. You heard me... 12 months.

How would he do it? He would trade his talents and skills for food and other needed items. Instead of a vehicle he'd ride a bike with a small trailer attached to carry possessions. Pretty interesting, though nothing terribly new. This idea has been tried before. Check out of man-made society and into the perfectly created earth. I do wish him well. As a basicguy, a simpler life is very appealing.

However, his last comment was the one that really caught my attention. When asked about capitalism, his profound reply was, "Capitalism is flawed." Wow. Now that is something I'd never considered. Really? Flawed, huh? Well, duh. Of course its flawed! Every man-made financial system is flawed. Name any financial system that has ever existed, and flaws can be revealed. Why is that? It's simple. Financial systems are flawed because people are flawed.

So, Mr. Brit, I do wish you well in your personal rebellion against the way things are in our financial world. With all of its weaknesses, capitalism has the power and energy to resolve massive financial challenges. There has never been anything quite so effective in eradicating poverty and building extensive civilized infrastructures. But sadly it engenders greed and other debilitating characteristics. Yet, even though I'm just a basicguy, Mr. Brit, I can see the day when you get burned by some person who doesn't quite live up to an agreement you made for your services. I hope it doesn't come to that... but all man-made financial systems are flawed... because people are flawed. Good luck, Mr. Brit.

Maintining a Lifestyle or Getting a Life

It's interesting to hear all the reports about how Americans aren't flying or buying or traveling like they used to. Reporters are fretting about it. So are business owners. So is Wall Street. Why all the head-scratching?

The government bailout may allow Wall Street executives, Corporate officers, and Bankers to maintain their unrealistic and expensive lifestyles, but no one else. Most normal Americans no what it means to live within their means. They know when there are financial challenges, it is more important to get a life than to maintain a lifestyle. They may not be able to afford a certain lifestyle, but they can afford a life. And the miracle? No one else has to bail them out so they can maintain some selfish lifestyle.

It's too bad our federal government hasn't chosen to learn from "we the people"... you know, the normal Joes and Plain Janes. I guess it's been way too long since our elected leaders had a real life instead of their false Washington lifestyle. Besides, there is nothing wrong with driving over to Grandma's house instead of the Cayman Islands for a change. I know I'm just a basic guy, but it seems to me that there is far more life in "getting a life" than in maintaining some false "lifestyle."

America's New Day May Be Too New

Well, a lot has happened since I last posted any thoughts. America has chosen an historic direction by voting into office Barrack Obama. He will become the first African-American to so serve. This truly is a new day for America. I just hope that this "new day" isn't too new.

Obama and his cadre of leaders are claiming a mandate from the American people for significant change. Why is it that whenever people win presidential elections they claim some mandate? Now, it is true, some have won by a landslide. In that case, a mandate can be claimed. But most win by a few percentage points. So, can one claim a mandate from just half the people? Not me.

One percentage caught my eye and told me a lot about what happened. In general, the percentage of Republicans and Democrats who vote in a presidential election is pretty even--37 to 38%. However, in this election there was an obvious difference. Democrats maintained their average, while the Republicans dropped by an amazing 7% to 8% points. Now this fact may not have changed result of this years election. But it is telling. It helps reveal that McCain never did garner the needed support of his party.

Change was inevitable for two reasons. First, how do you stand in the way of history? We have witnessed history in the making. In some ways, it's a remarkable time to live for we have come so far as a country. It's a journey we needed to make. Whether now or with this man, is the right time and person, I'm not convinced. Time will tell. Second, Republicans shot themselves in the foot. They betrayed their base support through their own pride and corruption. Who knows how long it will take to repair the damage and rebuild the trust.

In the meantime, with a Republican party as damaged goods, who will be in a position to act as a check and balance to a Democratic Party claiming a mandate? Government size and spending has already ballooned under Republicans, so what will happen as spend-happy Democrats seize even more control? I shudder to think.

Who knows, maybe Obama will come to his senses as he is absorbed in his "new day." I know, dream on, Basicguy.