Pragmatic Speak

This says it all in terms of why the auto-industry bailout is a total waste of money…

Big Three Auto Execs Flew in Luxury Jets to Seek Multibillion-Dollar Bailout

How can you plead poverty and beg for a loan – and fly to the meeting in your own private jet?

I’m willing to stipulate for the purposes of this post that the world is plagued by large/complex problems that cannot be easily solved – or where decisive action cannot be taken. I don’t happen to believe there as as many as others seem to think – but for now, let’s go with that.

So when a situation comes along where there s decisive action to be taken – and a way to solve the problem – why doesn’t the world, or even one or two countries – act?

Case in point – pirates & Somalia. They are getting more bold by the day – and no one seems to want to act decisively. Why not?

Anyone that’s advocating giving the automakers an money is showing their true colors (political not logical thinking) while also showing their ignorance.

You Can’t Save an Unsustainable Business Model by throwing money at it! You can only postpone the inevitable.

Big 3 Beg for Aid as Bailout Bill Stalls

Feinstein Urges Web Sites Not to Sell Scalped Inauguration Tickets

...gun enthusiasts nationwide are stocking up on firearms out of fears that the combination of an Obama administration and a Democrat-dominated Congress will result in tough new gun laws.

Gun Enthusiasts Stock Up on Firearms Over Fears of Dem Crackdown

That’s a logical reaction based on a reasonable expectation if you ask me.

This kind of thing just infuriates me. Look at the picture – and think about what this thing is supposed to do. And while you‘re at it – think about the “operating instructions” that most certainly come with it.

Feds Probe Yamaha Off Roader After 30 Deaths

Is anyone surprised at “30 deaths“? If you’ve seen these ATV‘ers in action – careening wildly through the woods – across fields – over obstacles – you know exactly what I mean. And I’ve seen kids too young to leave their yards without a parent bouncing all over creation in these things.

Sources: Detroit auto executives, UAW Chief to Meet with Pelosi to Discuss Government Funding

If that headline doesn’t scream waste of money I don’t know what does. The very thought of pouring billions of dollars into an unsustainable auto industry is absurd. It might make great politics – but it’s a mis-guided total waste of money.

The UAW (with the auto industry’s at least tacit approval), and the auto industry itself – dug this big hole – and the taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for it. You simply cannot sustain an industry with inflated pay and benefits driving up the cost of every vehicle being built – while building the wrong vehicles!

The pundits are interpreting the “results” of the election and the analysis is just plain wrong – and downright offensive.

Democrats Make Southern Gains, but Racial Divide Remains

Let’s start with all the Civil War analogies. They started election night and I must admit I was absolutely floored when I first heard someone say that “Obama had taken the former Capital of the Confederacy“. Say what? This article in fact leads-off with a Civil War reference to Sherman “marching across the South“. And it keeps on making these inaccurate Civil War references and tie-ins.

It started at $250,000 – a number big enough that the targeted voter demographic would label that “rich“.

....... then it was $200,000 (Obama)

.............. then it was $150,000 (Biden)

FDIC, Treasury Mull Foreclosure-Prevention Program

Details are sketchy but it certainly seems like yet another unnecessary government intervention to alleviate homeowners of the consequences of their own bad decisions.

....the FDIC, under Chairman Sheila Bair, is pushing a plan to provide $500 billion to $600 billion in government guarantees on as many as three million problem mortgages.