THE DREARY DECADE
THE DREARY DECADE
BUSINESS WEEK (2009) 6/13 &20
23
By looking at STANDARD & POOR’S STOCK INDEX, the 2 worst decades since the beginning of the 20th century into the nearly completed decade of the 21st century are
1930 and 2000.
The very best was 1950 and 1980’s and 1990’s. However, the 1950’s did not have the debt. Our allies and enemies were rebuilding from World War II. In the mid 50’s we had over 50% of WORLD’S GDP.
The 80’s and 90’s are troublesome. Large debt was attached to huge growth and in the 90’s the financial world was filled with funny money, but most Americans did not know that.
The 40’s 60’s and 70’s were somewhere in the middle. The costly Vietnam War brought the end of the 60’s downward and the 70’s were days filled with stagflation. Both parties ran the country during that decade.
A SLOW BURNING FUSE
THE ECONOMIST (2009) 6/27-7-3
All over the first and portions of the second world, the populations of those countries are growing older. That is great for the environment and bad for the economy. Old people cost more and do not work as much.
THE ECONOMIST reviews numerous countries with the same report. We are getting older. So, that means younger generations are going to fight increases in social security and medical care. If the younger generations, gather together to cut or slow down taxes, they save money. Older people vote more. However, if the young and middle eat their old, they could cut everyday allowances at 70 and medical care at a certain date.
So what does that mean? It is called a morphine drip. You are lying in bed and the drip goes into your system. You can experience a form of heaven on earth. At what age? Each country would have to decide. Seventy-five makes sense.
THE CASE AGAINST MARRIAGE
THE WEEK (2009) July 17/ LOH/ 44-45
The author spends a great deal of time discussing her divorce and why marriage should be ended. At any rate, Americans rank marriage high and divorce the most compared with other first world countries.
My suggestion is a modification of her hypothetical system. Further, it would gain the acceptance of many religious organizations. Females and males marry, but they live with another same sex person. All the 4 are straight. When the first child arrives, much of the time is spent with the females. They can also work or work out some arrangement.
At the beginning of the 5th year, the two males get the kids. They live with them for many years. Further, the children become surrogate parents. Fathers usually have an easier time showing authority to the kids.
After 10, child lives periodically with both parents depending on the situation. However, if the child does get in trouble it is back to see Dad. I know, I know some Dads are easy marks. Further, daughters can perhaps hustle their fathers more easily.
So, mom and dad get together when necessary and maybe to have some enjoyable times alone and together.
Surely, someone will try this or has tried this and we will get some anecdotal information.