Stupid Gov Tricks

In Costa Rica, as in many other places, this year is a census year. I intend to do everything possible to avoid being counted.

My experience with the census started in 1970, when my parents received "the long form" (for lack of a better name). I recall my father feeling important because "they" wanted to know all about him. I saw the form and felt creeped out. It asked things like how many bathrooms in the house, how many TVs you owned, etc. I remember thinking that this was none of their business.

Anyone who thinks the USSA gov—and govs the world around—don’t massage their statistics in some way must have a photo of themselves in the dictionary under “naïve”. Of late, some knowledgeable folks have been looking with suspicion at the unemployment figures, and with very good reason.

But for those of us who aren’t interested in the intricacies of the birth–death model, a video has been made to help sort out how our beneficent state currently defines “unemployed”:

(Or, watch it at YouTube if you prefer)

This is quite accurate, including the statistic cited at the end. At least as far as gov numbers go ...

As I have noted before Costa Rica is not a Libertarian paradise. Despite that I felt it was pretty good place for those who want a great deal of effective freedom. I am no longer sure about this position.

Finally getting to the long promised story of my trip to California. You were warned. [grin]

It all started months ago when my sister sent me tickets for the airfare. She'd always wanted to do that, but I'd never before agreed to fly... but I had a 2 1/2 year old grandson I'd never seen, and wanted badly to reconnect with my two sons, so I bit the proverbial bullet and accepted.

I recently saw this video interview of Bill Maher by Olbermann where Maher explains why he is criticizing Obama. Basically it is because Obama is not socialist enough. Specifically he criticized Obama's statement that he was not out to install a government health care system. Maher said "... why not, maybe our health care situation in this country would be as good as Costa Rica's or Morocco's" (at about 4:00 into the video).

plus c’est la même chose.

That’s the claim of a recent Economist article, titled The Ungovernable State. While I agree with the author(s) somewhat (not knowing the details of California’s constitution nor governance systems, I’m trusting that the information in the article is at least nominally accurate), at a fundamental level California is not alone.

To be blunt about it, the real problems aren’t the burst bubbles in the home mortgage market, in credit default swaps (CDS), in commercial real estate, nor in credit. It’s the systemic fraud masquerading as government policy that encouraged too much of the risky behavior that allowed bubbles to begin in the first place.

If so, don’t get too cheerful—it isn’t the kind of lawlessness we twel– 21 would like to see.

So, somehow the other day I ended up at Thomas.loc.gov—in case anyone reading is unfamiliar with it, that’s the part of the online Library of Congress where federal legislation is warehoused (it’s named in honor of Thomas Jefferson, which I rather doubt he’d find much of an honor). The link went to an expired version of some bill, so I spent a bit of time trying to track down the current crapola. Dunno that I ever got there, though ... what I saw while wading through the muck was quite off-putting.

As we were, just the other day ... I never thought I’d say this, but I actually agree with something The Anointed One is credited with saying.

A more accurate and "user friendly" term for the process commonly known as taxation.

- NonE

I flashed on something last night. Since the inauguration I don't think that I have seen one single photo, mention or sound-bite about Bush. NONE! Considering what we've got in exchange I don't know that it's been an improvement, but I must say it is so refreshing not to have that smarmy piece of crap in front of my eyes and ears anymore. Can you imagine the world sans politicians en toto? Not even Disneyland goes that far. Man, would that be something or what? You know what's a shame? I don't think Robert A. Heinlein had any children. Now THAT is almost criminal.

- NonE

Been trying to catch up with doings, both online and off–, and am lagging at each. (But I did learn how to purl at my last knitting lesson—woo hoo!) So much going on ... and behind the screen is a summary of stuff of most interest to me, and which I think may be of interest to a few of you.

Most people probably already know that Commiefornia is planning to issue IOUs instead of FRNs [wait: remind me again how those are different?] for tax refunds, but the next domino is surprising: it’s Kansas.