Alternative Thinking in Economics

I have a friend named Maya, who is very talented at advanced statistics. Over the weekend, together with some others across North America, we sat down to look over the numbers pertaining to unemployment. At least one was online via the telephone (that would be landline to you data comm and SS7 aficionados), the others communicated over the Web.

In looking at those numbers, together with correlating data, we arrived at some rough calculations that might give one pause.

It is important to mention the correlating data, as many commentators today simply ignore them. By correlating data I mean commercial real estate numbers, predicted foreclosures over the next year or so, debt generated by known leveraged buyouts, and various commercial financial vehicles (i.e., SPACs, STACs, BDCs, etc.), the recent COP report by Prof. Elizabeth Warren, the recent SIGTARP report from I.G. Neil Barofsky, growth in the national debt and deficit spending -- primarily from the two major causes (monetization of the debt and that "Forever War" spending), and shrinking tax revenues, expecially at the state level.

From our very rough calculations and data, Maya arrived at the conclusion that real unemployment at the end of 2012 would be approximately 40 to 45 percent.

Obviously, serious action is required.

In all fairness to President Obama, he entered the White House at the most terrible of times. But in all fairness to the American citizenry, he brought in a demolition crew to put the house in order.

And when constructing or remodeling a house, one always brings in a construction crew. Any other behavior is highly suspect.

There is a news show on NPR which is fond of putting forth memes or topical political thought in six words.

Gerard Celente has a great one which fits that limitation and describes the problem with America today: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, bullets, bombs and banks.

(True, I would make an exception with at least, or only three people at Harvard, Elizabeth Warren, Richard Parker and Lawrence Lessig, but many others have posed some serious problems to this country's economy and financial well-being.)

Annalee Newitz, wrote an excellent piece in the last issue of 2600, the well-known hacker's magazine. She had an excellent phrase: "hack, subvert and reconfigure.."

Ms. Newitz wasn't referring to computers, but to social and other types of systems in general.

I would suggest another six-word description of how to address this issue and bring in future revenue:

Hunting licenses to hunt congressional critters.

Now, I am not advocating violence of any sort. My suggestion would encompass the use of paintball guns and paintballs, of course.

This would be positive from many economic aspects. First, those hunting licenses would bring in much needed revenue, increased revenue streams for retail cleaners, more jobs as many congressional critters would probably hire more bodyguards, and it would be an awesome stress reducer -- thus lowering medical costs. (I can just imagine the dramatic jump in the GDP!)

The Harvard professor Lawrence Lessig, has recently reached the most logical conclusion that until we fix congress, nothing of any importance can truly be accomplished.

In other words, we are all simply spinning our wheels.

Prof. Lessig's excellent site on this matter is worth perusing.

The end result of the Rumpelstiltskin economics as practised by the banksters will most likely lead us to further catastrophes.