TRICKLE DOWN DISASTER

If "no news is good news," then all of the recent economic news must be.... And, in fact it is bad news. We have at least 16 banks under investigation over the Libor scandal-basically, banks price fixing interest rates, to communities going bankrupt, EU economic meltdown, slow job growth, slowdowns in China, blah, blah, blah.

This all started with e 2008 bank meltdown and subsequent bailouts along with their raising interest rate to consumers, failure to make loans and unwillingness to re-write mortgages. Of course, this is all still going on. However, to most, the problem seemed aloof, a drama playing out on Wall Street, a place far removed from reality. But lately things have really begun to 'trickle' down to Joe Big Mac. Salaries cut to minimum wage for police, firemen, etc; tax increases, loss of benefits, people fighting to destroy any hope of quality health care, fear over fights regarding social security, and folks now turning back to credit cards to make ends meet.

Yes, we now have trickle down disaster. My question is, why is it that wealth won't trickle down, but disasters do?

June4: Earth Shakes, Major Spaceweather Afoot

May22: Lots of News

MARKET APPEASEMENT FAILING EU ECONOMIES...

In several posts I  indicated that the whole concept of Market Appeasement (Wall Street) was a dangerous and even absurd economic policy. The numbers are coming in and the hypothesis was correct, 'letting the markets dictate public policy leads to economic disaster.' The only people who benefit from austerity imposed measures are Wall Street. They get: higher interest rates, more guarantees that their investments are safe, elimination of those nasty social safety nets, a poorly funded educational system keeping the masses ignorant, and control over governments and politicians. Who benefits? Them-no one else. So here's what's happening in Europe, do we really want this to happen here, too?

Eurozone Unemployment Hits 10.9 Percent, A Record High

LONDON Record high unemployment for the 17 countries that use the euro is set to increase the pressure on Europe's leaders to switch from a focus on austerity to a pro-growth strategy to stop the region from moving deeper into recession. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/02/eurozone-unemployment-hits-record-high_n_1470237.html

 

Op-Ed Columnist

Death of a Fairy Tale

By PAUL KRUGMAN

Published: April 26, 2012

This was the month the confidence fairy died.

Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times

Paul Krugman ---For the past two years most policy makers in Europe and many politicians and pundits in America have been in thrall to a destructive economic doctrine. According to this doctrine, governments should respond to a severely depressed economy not the way the textbooks say they should — by spending more to offset falling private demand — but with fiscal austerity, slashing spending in an effort to balance their budgets. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/27/opinion/krugman-death-of-a-fairy-tale.html?_r=1

2012 PROPHECIES

I am often asked, “Will 2012 happen?” Barring a hit by an asteroid or the arrival of Niburu, earth’s nemesis, December 21, 2012 will arrive. The world will not end. That’s the good news. So here is the rundown on the 2012 WAKING GOD PROPHECIES.

ECONOMY - No good news here. The EU debt crisis will create world-wide economic turmoil. The European Central Bank wants to be able to approve member nation budgets. Can you imagine, bankers having to approve a budget passed by Congress-Oh wait…. Even if this passes, (update: the EU has approved a version of this plan) the first time a member nation budget is not approved, all hell will break loose. Or, if this does not happen, investors are saying that nations that do not agree to this will not have their support. Chaos will ensure either way. As far as the American economy goes, it is already being negatively impacted by the EU debacle. Add the China economic constriction to the mix and the news is bleak. The out-of-control consumer spending is at an end. Watch for big drops in retail sales. Consumers will once again look to credit cards but we all know where that will end up. A Global economy brings Global economic problems. In a sense, we are experiencing the “Global Company Store.” But, as the top heavy economy crumbles, look for more localized, small is beautiful systems emerging. Continued depletion of resources will lead to scarcities. Continued environmental catastrophes will be a major factor in 2012. This is a positive event as the earth can no longer sustain the current level of rape and pillage. Advice? Keep basic necessities on hand. Have as many energy back-ups as possible-ways to cook, heat, light and eat. Rice and beans will get you through. Many more jobs will be lost, be prepared for the worst because the choices our leaders have made, or haven’t made, spells disaster!

CLIMATE – Totally no good news here either. Just look at all of the severe weather records that have been broken and the total inaction on the part of world leaders to ameliorate human impact on climate. Environmental disasters will continue to decimate insurance funds, destroy personal lives, and add to economic collapse. We are in the midst too many eco-system collapses and, much to the dismay of many, we are a part, not above nature. Climate tipping points have been reached and there is nothing we can do to avoid reaping what we have sown. However, forewarned is fore armed. Plan for the changes that are coming. Move away from any area that is prone to violent weather, quakes, water shortage, or sea rise. Get away from places that allow fracking, your water is poisonous and watch for damaging quakes in the west and mid-west. What we keep hearing is that scientist are constantly underestimating the effects of this or that factor; e.g. release of methane from Tundra, very fast glacial melts, sea current shift …. People think that climate change is always slow. This is not true and rapid changes have occurred in climate history. We are at one of those points now. Advice? I am not suggesting becoming a survivalist and hiding out in the mountains, although … I am suggesting that you have a Plan B where you can fend for yourself and family for at least 6 months. By those non-hybrid seeds this spring, assuming the climate will let you grow them. The wild card, solar flares! We have had several near misses. If we are hit head on, goodbye internet, power and ….

POLITICS – Can you say chaos? The left and right are sharply divided and nothing seems capable of bridging the gap. Not just in the U.S., you will see this division globally. People versus greed, those are the choices. I think we will see the brother against brother scenario and much social unrest. Don’t be surprised to see troops, illegally, deployed stateside. Fun times will not be had this summer, at the latest. Climate disasters and economic gridlock will create amazing tensions between haves and have nots. Cities will not be pleasant places to be. As for the Middle East, lots of danger lurks. It is quite possible that Israel will bomb Iran’s nuclear centers. The recent explosion at one of Iran’s missile sites could have been a test run. And, the downing and capture of an American drone by use of electronic jamming could put the U.S. in a supporting role. The Saudis would have no problem with this and with most of the Middle East in disarray, few are left to protest. Advice? Duck and cover! No, I don’t see a major nuclear exchange. But should this happen, relations with China would sink to an all time low. Remember, they hold trillions in U.S. debt and could make life even more economically miserable. Further, with public protests in Russia against Putin, he could use new tensions to demand more authority and become a true dictator, flouting the U.S./Israel as the scapegoats and lead the world to a new cold/semi-hot war. The other option is that Putin will be ousted but with Russians used to central authorities; it is possible another could rise from his ashes promising reform while instituting greater control, Stalin style. All in all, global politics will create further economic turmoil and the oceans will rise while politicians debate how to give banks more money. The whole in the dike is too big for a thumb. So keep an eye on events and plan accordingly.

So what’s the plan? SAVE YOURSELF! We create our reality and the reality that is coming this way is the fruit of our collective labors. However, we have all been advised to ‘be in, but not of’ this world. Meaning, yes, we live here, but don’t have to be caught up in the madness. This is the double edged sword. It is important to know what is going on, but even more important not to let events pull you into the whirlpool. A higher frequency is not affected by a lower one. The more you visualize your life as being filled with love and abundance, the greater your chances of avoiding the worst. This is the Time of Choosing discussed in the Waking God books. Not a religious choice, but a spiritual choice to consciously create a new reality for ‘your’ world. Sorry, as the character Mantrella says, “It’s not about saving humanity….” You can’t and all of the great master teachers tell you this. Actually, there really is no saving involved. Learn, experience, grow in wisdom and rise above the trials and tribulations and create a new earth. Evolve and let the dormant genes within you express themselves. We call these genes ‘god seeds.’ Again, not in any sense of worn out religious dogma, but rather, in the sense that we do and can create our reality and now is the time to do so consciously. Science is now telling us that the mystics are right. We live in an illusion of our own devices. So, is a way, by “Knowing thyself, you save yourself.”

Many prophets have pointed to this time as one of extreme danger or one of extreme evolution and enlightenment. The likes of Nostradamus, DaVinci, the Hopi, Mayans and others always painted two pictures; disaster or revelation. They told us that the bridge ahead has been washed out and that we need to detour. Many do not believe that the bridge is damaged and are unwilling to put on the breaks and veer to the less traveled road. Many cultures also talk about the ‘return of the gods.’ Is it not possible that the gods they refer to are us?

MARKET ACCOUNTABILITY: THE NEW EVIL

The Eu nations, with a few exceptions, God Save the Queen, have sacrificed sovereignty in order to achieve "Market Accountability." No more are we talking about accountability to people. Rather, the 'market' (Wall Street), is now the dictator of public policy. To give the 'market' veto authority over nation's budgets is the that this way comes. Why does no one see this and call it what it is? At least the Brits were not beguiled by the power of money-perhaps for the wrong reasons, but they had the courage to say NO.

Wherever you turn, governments are cowering to the 'market.' It is all about what is best for the investors, the people be damned. In Greece, according to the BBC, the plight of the people is so bad that they are killing their pets because they can't afford to keep them. For what, so some banker in NY can buy more bobbles and bangles? People's lives are being ruined, jobs lost, homes taken, pensions decimated, health care unfunded; all to ensure there is Market Accountability. 

S&P TAKES POINT ON NEW WORLD ORDER

Coming off record profits, no consequences for starting the world economic recession, and the expansion of the global economy, Wall Street is now openly ready to create their New World Order. Ahh, good old conspiracy theory, but sometimes the conspiracy is not a theory. Recent events regarding the debt crisis in the EU has made this effort at creating such an 'order' quite blatant.

We are all too familiar with the tales of economic woe in Greece, Ireland, Italy and even the U.S. "Investors" are demanding drastic cuts in budgets, at the expense of the people, and tax increases in order to appease financial interests. In Italy, the increase borrowing costs, which is creating even more of an economic problem, will also generate massive cuts. Spain and Portugal are on the brink as are many southern European nations.

Enter S&P and their magic 'downgrade' wand. This wand has been used to put the U.S. notice, basically ruined the Greek economy, what there was left of it, and is now aimed at the EU. For those who follow the Huffington Post, this headline should be familiar:
 NOWHERE TO RUN

S&P To Warn Of Downgrades For All Of Eurozone

Here's the deal, the European Central Bank wants to be able to approve EU member budgets and austerity programs to ensure that 'investments' are safe.  If members do not agree, then their rating will be downgraded and their economies will go belly up. S&P has fired the warning shot across the bow. Basically, Wall Street is acting with impunity with no one willing to just say NO. Even the U.S. is unwilling to pass a small tax increase on the wealthy to cover extensions in breaks for the middle class and working poor.

With the stalling "Occupy" movements, there appears to be no left standing to prevent the Wall Street onslaught against economies, the environment, government oversight and the middle and lower classes. Even with the warning by billionaire George Soros that the global economic system is on the verge of collapse, Wall Street still knows that they will come out on top. Perhaps they see this as an opportunity to rid the world of the flotsam and jetsam they call the masses in order to make life easier for the elite. But, perhaps they underestimate those masses and the very environment they seem so willing to sacrifice in order to achieve their own nefarious ends.

LOSE, LOSE FOR THE EU

Either the European Central Bank will gain financial sovereignty over the 17 nation union, or EU nations will suffer financial chaos. In order to 'win the trust of investors,' nations are being asked, threatened actually, to turn over their budget approvals to a central financial authority that can tel each country what and how they can spend their money. So basically, the banks, Wall Street, investors will dictate public policy for the 17 nations. The claim is that failure to do so will result in financial ruin with 'investors' unwilling to euro-nation bonds.

Can this be any more blatant? From what has been said, EU members will have to slash budgets, meaning loss of public jobs, pensions, heath, education ... in order to appease bankers. Is this the New World Order? The new world oligarchy? Why, any reasoning person should ask, do we continue to allow "INVESTORS" dictate public policy?

What is truly uncertain is whether or not events like the "Occupy" movement will have any impact on such moves by the rich and powerful. Has the growth in Wall Street power, as witnessed by their blatant disregard for anything-people, nation, climate, environment-become so strong that nothing can stand in their way as they seize control of every aspect of life? This are coming to a head in almost every human endeavor. 2012 is shaping up to be an interesting year.

ECONOMIC HOUSE OF SAND

There has been a lot of misplaced euphoria around jumps in the stock market and big Black Friday sales. The EU is in deep economic trouble. People need to keep something in mind. Where does all of the bail out money come from? It comes from the 99%. In order for EU nations to reduce their debt, they will be forced to cut government spending-things like pensions, health care, education...Jobs will be lost. Then, The EU nations will have to raise money, taxes, to pay off debts. Will they tax the wealthy? Well, if the U.S. is any measure, the answer is no.  Millions will suffer so that 'investors' will get their money-YOUR MONEY. Do you really think this is sustainable?

Then, we have 'economists' touting the huge outlays for holiday spending. But, we also have reports that tell us, yes, some gizmos and gadgets were bought, but, most people bought necessities at bargain prices. This is not a sign of recovery. Further, more consumer debt is racked up to pay for these expenses. This is debt the 99% cannot afford.

The underpinnings of the global economic system are collapsing, being washed away like sand by an economic philosophy of greed. But, keep piling blocks high enough and eventually it gets top heavy and collapses. If you are looking for signs of trouble as we head into 2012, the economy is one sure sign that spells trouble-big time!

WHO PAYS

While there is some touting about the EU financial plan agreement, the question is: WHO PAYS! All well and good to promise trillions of dollars, but unless they plan on just printing the money, who will pay for the losses and who will re-capitalize the banks? Beware government bailouts as they fall on the backs of you, me, and working people everywhere!