A Lions Day

 

The month left like a lion and the beginning day of the next continued the lions journey.  It was snowing on the last day of January and the snow fell on into February.  It was a nice snow, gentle, light breeze and not real cold.  Late in the day the wind picked up some making the air like little ice knives picking at one.

Snow is appreciated for it is like a reservoir in the mountains and sores in drifts slowly melting into late summer.  Feeding the streams, supplying the reservoirs with drinking water. 

This is the water in the rivers and streams.  The water that keeps the grass green.  Unlike the midwest, we do not get lots of rain in the summer.  The mountain snowpack is our water storage.  The springs are supplied with the water in the far mountains and surfaces after long journey underground. 

The trees are coated, making a winter wonderland.  The outside is cleansed with the freshness of the snow.  Diamonds sparkle in the sunlight.  The pixie dust glows in the hidden sunlight.  The mighty powers of the sun are blocked by the thick clouds. 

Doing a winter snow dance, leaving footprints in the fresh snow, camera joyfully capturing pixels. 

Windows into the Past

 

In my wanderings, I will roam through some of the small towns.  Seldom do I travel the Interstate any more.  I prefer the slower pace of the old two lane highway.  Many I have driven before, now I see things I used to fly past. 

I put some extra time into my trips now so I can pause for a bit at some of the more interesting things. 

Many of the smaller towns are fading, less farms and ranches to support the communities and the with the Interstate, people whiz on down the road.  Many building sit empty, ghosts of another era now walk the floors, open the doors. 

 

 

Other days, they were active little hubs, people came and went.  Now they are collectors of ghostly webs spun from the past.

 

Sometimes these old buildings get a new life.  An out of towner sees one and wants it or sees an opportunity.  Occasionally it is a retiree that likes to fix things up.  A small section gains new life and old falling apart sections gain a new look. 

Then the new owner moves on or passes on and the new life building fades back into the past again. 

Sometimes it is hope faded.  A vision came to fruition soon to fade.  Empty the building sits, reminder of a hopes that was not shared.  There is a lure of country life.  There is also a harsh side of the romantic notions.  Too many people see nothing and pass by, pausing not to savor the country. 

Many a dream sits dimly in repose.  Days of different life, lived at a different pace.  The siren song of the big city drawing the masses.  Listen to the ghosts talk.  hear the dreams lived out, fading into oblivion. 

New desires and wants cover over the old.  Wanting the new, buries the past. 

I trundle down the road, capturing moments, freezing them into pixels.  Later times, I return to see vacancies.  My memories are all I see. 

Scars We Make

 

Out across the land roll the miles of wire, carrying electricity. Keeping the internet fired, cooking the meals, lighting out way into the future.  Like invaders from Mars the poles grasp the high tension wires.  Turbines whirl on far hill making little electrons to travel in the wires.

It is a grid of poles and wires that stretches around the world, ever shrinking the planet earth.  Clear eye stretching vistas are few and far between.  Lights on far hillside twinkle in the darkness, lights glow marking the prison. 

By our demands of conveniences, the landscape changes.  No longer is it trees marking the way.  Now it is logs standing on end, arms stretched out grasping the wire.  It brings a standard of living unthinkable centuries ago.

Side by side they march, big brother to the station, little boy to the home.  Each leaving their marks, a pock mark on the ground. 

Go back to living with candles, oils and wood.  What would happen if there was no longer electricity?   Smart phone would be nothing, computer would be silent the lantern would flicker.

Would it be the end of life or just a change?

On far hill are the white towers of the wind turbines, surrounding the high power lines, feeding more electrons into the wires.  Behind sets the gas fired power plant to make up for when the wind does not turn the turbines. 

It is a funny life.  The changes of tomorrow are yesterdays machines.  The windmill was one of earliest powered machines man made.    Returning to the dark ages, have candles, lanterns or oils.  When the toe is stubbed it hurts.  The land is scarred by man, nothing unusual.  Man is always fouling his nest. 

The Joys of Snow

 

Woke in the morning, looked out the window and the ground was dappled with frosty flakes of snow.  Large flakes were a falling, size of quarters and bigger.  Gently they tumbled earth ward.  Sinking into the warm earth, blotting the grasses and flowers.  Fall is here.

So many people carp, gripe and complain about winter, yet it is part of God’s creation and I really don’t want to make him upset.  Plus I enjoy the white stuff, I rejoice in for it is what replenishes life.  The solid liquid awaiting the spring warmth.  I can wear some different clothes, stay warm and go forth and partake of God’s gift.

A light dusting making new clothing of white mantles to wear for a bit. 

I know there are those who do not like snow and they tend to live in areas where it does not snow.  They have their hot summers, swelter in the humidity or eat the sands of the dessert. For them that is where they want to be.  These are the choices we have in life and many exercise their God given right to make choices. 

Man is extremely adaptable and can live under a variety of conditions.  The searing heat of the dessert, to the frozen tundra of the polar regions.  Even with the right equipment, man can live in the water.  The submarine stays underwater for months at a time.  Then man lives in space, floating high in space, encapsulated in a tiny space vessel. 

To complain about the snow, nope for it is but a brief moment in time.  As I write this, most of the snow has melted and the temps are in the mid 40’s.  Yes Fall truly is a wondrous time of year.  The Four Seasons can be had in a week. 

Walking, time to forth chase the steps my shoes are making.  Trod gently into that good day the Lord has given me.

White House Dictator…. a wanna be

There has been all types of discussion about the shutdown of government.  Yes it is a political show but there is also something bigger, individual freedom is at stake and so many miss that.
Freedoms are lost by laws passed and that includes taxes.  When the taxpayer is working to support a government that returns nothing a gaffe rolls out.  The population is hooked or they lash back and things get ugly.
The Healthcare act carries so many new taxes, the regulators could get to the point of confiscating all of ones income for taxes.  Very little about the taxing latitude of the regulators has been discussed.  When the bureaucracy has the ability to tax without congressional approval, there is danger.  look at what the bureaucrats did in the last election, what do you think they really want.
Right now if the Healthcare act is not stopped and the debt ceiling is not held, the populace will be at the vagaries of the government.  The executive branch will control the country and no longer will the halls of congress have any impact. 
Look at all of the executive orders Obama has been issuing and there have not been any uproar about it until this shutdown. 
Ugly as it sounds, if Obama wins, one just as well start getting used to living under a single ruling empower and congress just as well go home.  The Healthcare act gives so much power to the executive branch and along with the Patriot Act, the President has extensive powers with no congressional check. 
Like it or not, if the Republicans cave into the President, the country has been lost and the change Obama wanted will be locked in, Marxism. 
Yes we’ve been bellyaching at the politicians for the shutdown, but there is a bigger issue then political gain.  Look at how the different government agents have been treating the general population.  Throwing people out, locking people out, arresting people, and it is almost a police state.  That is scary how these people are acting on the White House orders.
Understand why the constitution has been so ferociously attacked the present ruling democrats.  It about people control, 
The Democrats want to destroy the Republicans so bad, they will destroy the US in the process.  So hope the Republicans will stand their ground, for me and for you. 
Forget about politics, look at what is really at stake….

Wandering Notes

 

Occasionally I will pause and collect the scraps up and put the puzzle out in a semblance of disorder.  Today a cool crisp 60 some degrees and a dusting of snow on the high peaks.  Then I;’ve seen the high peaks get dusted in July.  So the season changes.  Not that I want it, I would really like to see it stay here.  I have become selfish, want to keep my favorite weather. 

The golden haze of fall is tapping at the door.  Chasing away the over bearing heat of summer.  The days of the dog have faded into recesses of vagueness.   

Most of summer was spent getting ready for the icy fingers  from the next chapter.  Paint the house, fix some plumbing and other odd n ends out side.  Tend to the garden, gather in some produce, have fresh veggies, do some freezing and get ready for the fall.  Get the drive ready for the snows, spread some more gravel. 

Life has a rhythm that is different from the city.  One has to look to self for help.  Understand what it means to be independent but reliant on God.

 

The brow wiping time is but a past moment.  Sweltering heat rotates to the south to spread its wings down yonder.  Spring flows from my autumn.  Winter loses it grip to gain a new foothold.  Traveling across the divide.  

No longer can I carp about the heat, now I shall focus my attention on the snow flakes.

Years accumulate, the roof becomes whiter, the brown is subdued yet on goes life.

Now where did I place my notes.  I had some story notes someplace.  Darn it…. if I wasn’t so absent minded, I wouldn’t be so forgetful.  Oh well here comes the weekend…. Ya’ll have a good one.

Saturday Morning

 

The beginning of the weekend, time to relax or work the nubbins.  To reset the clock from the week of work.  Watch the morning cartoons, nice big country breakfast, leisurely enjoyed.  Saturday morning carries so many messages to people.

Today I pause for a bit in the morning.  Take my coffee cup, plop in the big easy chair, stare out the window, watch the occasional passing pick up, listen to the sounds of nature, the dusky sky becomes a peachy rose and traffic on the highway whizzes past. 

Yes it is a time for me to meditate a bit.  Reflect on what has been, contemplate what will be and organize the day some.

With the approach of autumn it is the time to prepare for the icy blasts of winter.  Finish up a few little projects, last things in the garden and some touch up on the house.  The early morning moments are a time for introspection.  No longer is it a break from school, sleep in, go hang out or head for the ball game.  Those days are ancient history.

The meditation time is a break from the agonies of daily life.  A time to slow down….. hum…. even smell the roses, if I had any.

Coffee is empty, time to do a few weekend chores.  Picks self up, takes coffee cup out to sink.  ya’ll have a great weekend and upcoming week.

Saturday Matinee

 

One of my passions and hobby is photography, in particular train photography. I go out of my way at times to follow along railroad tracks, hoping to catch a passing train.  This something I am not alone in.  There is a good sized cadre of train photographers around the world.  And like me, they like to get up close and personal with trains.

 

Often, this means traveling, walking on private property, usually the railroad right of way.  Shortly after 9/11, trains became a watched target of opportunity by various agencies.   What had once been a no hassle past time became a look over the shoulder.

Some railfans/photographers were hassled by police and security people, including me.  Even a few were arrested and had their cameras confiscated, including phones.  In some parts of the country it became gruesome.  Yet an uproar was made by various raifans and things kind of eased up. 

But as Homeland Security and TSA grew, the hassling grew again.  Cameras confiscated, fans jailed and others chased off and told not to take pictures.  Some rail photographers were labeled as a terrorist threat.  A justification for the government bureaucrats to hassle people.

Then that is not to say that some people use the guise of railfan/photographer to check things out for stealing.  Ther other thing is how many photographers use railroad tracks as a back drop for their pictures.  I have seen pictures of a couples having their wedding pictures taken while standing in the middle of the railroad tracks.  And various other poses on the railroad ROW.

No matter though, armed with my cameras, I sally forth to capture pixels.

The other part of railfanning is taking a train ride.  Sit in the car, few munchies and beverage, watch the scenery pass by, listen to the clatter of the car and wheels, a nice easy ride.

Short Prairie Clip

 

I have developed a fascination for things that move on the high plains.  This recent video is a contrast between two different types of energy sources.  Note that not all things are not moving or spinning.  Things malfunction/break, hence they stop.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eQPFdYgDVw

The area has become a mini energy center.  There are wind turbines that stretch for about 35 miles and 8-15 miles wide.  The oil filed is even a larger swath across the grassland but it is spotted.  The oil wells are not as large as the wind turbines nor do they look as obnoxious.  Then that’s my opinion.  But both are a blight on what was once a pristine pastoral farm and ranch land. 

Headlines

 

Ronal Regan was called the teflon President, because they said nothing stuck to him.  Obama is going to have to be called the kelvar president, for he hasn’t even been wounded by the bullets that have been hurled at him.

There was Benghazi, then the IRS and NSA plus the economy is sour.  There are other smaller bullets flying but they seem to fall on the ground.  Lots of talk but very little action.

Each week different stories are brought up but not much happens.  Read where the people at Benghazi had to sign non=disclosure statements.  That in and of itself is an indictment of the administration that said it would be transparent.  So much for being forthcoming to the public they are supposed to serve.

Crooks, tend to hide behind mis-directed statements and twist things to give themselves favorable light. 

How many people have you heard of being fired from the IRS?  There should have been no question about terminating the people that violated the trust of the public.  There should have been suspension of pay for numerous administrators in the IRS.  If there are no consequences to the people that abused their position in the IRS, what is to prevent others from doing the same.

The NSA stuff, one can lay at the feet of Bush.  It came from the Patriot Act passed after 9/11.  Then the Republicans voted to continue the Act just a few years ago.

The Patriot Act, almost gives the administration dictatorial powers.  It is probably one scariest pieces of legislation Congress has ever passed.  Look how the present President has abused this power.

The most visible part of this was the TSA people in the airports and look how many of them mis-behaved.

Yet the president lets things roll along, by saying nothing he consents to these different abuses of the public he was elected to serve.

Right now a race war is on the back burner.  So far has been calm, but for how long.

What is really sad is how many Democrats are in denial of how their President is mis-behaving.

Yes, kelvar president is pretty good.

Oh ….. For Frustrations

 

Projects become time consumers when the best of laid plans fail.  Great aspirations rode on the wings of hope.  The elements were laid out, a nice outline was made.  Together the pieces would make a nice tableau.  Some of the bits were stored over there, and some in here and the rest were scattered, in easy reach.

The moment arrived, the parts were to be gathered up and assembled.  Into the puter they were placed.  Delicate care was given to each.  Embellishments were added.  No parts left dangling.  Some time later the project was completed. 

The next phase begins.  The files are to be uploaded.  Wind the puter up, put the file name in the little box, sit back, let the bits and pieces be crunched into a whole.

Later the sum of the parts is completed.  The crunching is done, the verdict is in.  The puter at the other end says I have problems.  I sort through, see them and say, Okay, they are fixable. 

I go back through, gathering up new parts to replace the non acceptable pieces.  Time paces, the new bits are ready.  I delete and I replace, a whole new assembly is created.  To the upload page I go.  Into the window the file name is entered and the crunching process begins again.

Sometime later the crunching is finished.  Oh happy day, it is completed.  Then I see them, the little red dots.  I have issues it say.  I examine the issues, they are not major, I can fix them, just very time consuming.  A bit of steam ushers forth from the nostrils, it is becoming frustrating.

Again I go through patch and repair.  Go back and upload again and await the results.  Oops, it spits little red dots back at me.  harumph, more steam is rolling out of the nostrils, a bit of flame is rolling overhead.  I have to go through the process again, frustrations are building but I fix and redo things.

This learning curve is becoming a monster, I need to get a handle on things.  There in the little box is red letters, save and go on.  I click and everything is okay, all is great.  But I am not happy.  The changes have made other problems that need to be straightened out.  I go back redo things, check the files, make some more changes.  I am satisfied.  All the bits and pieces are where they should be.  I go to the upload page and put the file in.  The puiter sits there, crunching pieces and bits, sending them through cyber space. 

I check back, an error message is in the window, task was not completed.  I check things, see nothing wrong.  I try again, bleep the window say.  Whoops the ceiling is scorched from the flames issuing forth from the cranial structure.  I go back through and send a nasty note to the people at the other end, nothing.

I redo things again, put a little twist on and reload.  Voila, it is uploaded but with numerous red dots.  I click the ignore button and finish the project.  Humbug, a project that should of taken no more then two days, got stretched out over 8 days.  I did learn how to get mad at the other end and how to fix things. 

There are other projects on the drawing board, hopefully the will not be as fraught with these problems.

Such is the life of mice and me.

Throwing Bats Swinging Bricks

Been reading about the different decisions from the US Supreme court and the reactions from a variety of groups. 

One of the things that strikes me, is how quick some conservative groups throw their hands up and say they lost.  Did they really lose, I don’t believe so, they should reed and understand what is coming from the court.  Such as the AZ voting law and ID.  The court said they are to follow Federal guidelines and to vote, one has to be a citizen,   So if it is questionable about one’s citizenship a request for verification,ID, is not out of line.

Then on DOMA, never heard so much crying.  Yet the court affirmed that the states have the right reserved to them in the question of what constitutes marriage. 

This gives the states affirmation of their sovereignty and states should use this to override numerous federal mandates that are Constitutionally questionable.

Who really lost on DOMA, was the people’s imitative and that includes both sides of the isle.  Although the left tends to go to the courts to push their agenda and the right goes to the ballot not the courts.

Tow things come across to me out of these court decisions.  One is the gloating of the minuscule, special interest left wing groups.  Two is how easy the right wing conservatives are willing to concede defeat.

Take those two things and look at the debate over climate change and coal.  By executive order, the president eliminated 100’s if not thousands of jobs in the energy industry.  The Republicans have not challenged his orders or try to negate him.  The laws of the land are to emanate from congress, not the executive branch.

   ………….. What form is John Gault going to take?????

Bounding Waves of Green

 

 

With the peak of summer approaching a few fields of wheat are nearing harvest.  The stalks of wheat toss to and fro.  Following the whims of the breeze.

 

Edible Flowers

 

While back I posted a photo of a yucca blossom.  I got the comment that it appeared very delicate.  I thought wow, what a contrast for the spikey dangerous plant.  The spikes of the yucca are tougher on the skin then the thorns of a rose bush.  Yet the yucca was revered by the plains Indian.

 

The yucca held lots of nutriments and utilities for the Indians.  The root was a source of vitamins for them but to much and it was a laxative.  The yuccas cussing name was soap weed and does make a decent cleaning compound.   The spikes are tough enough to be woven into sandals and baskets.  It could also be flayed and used like a tooth brush, using the ground root as tooth powder.

For many though, the yucca was an obnoxious plant.  Like many plants, if it is growing in the wrong place it is a weed.

Because of the root nutriments, buffalo would root the yuccas up and eat the roots.  Getting past the spikes is a challenge.  Calves have been known to up root yuccas to get at the roots.

Oh those spikes are nasty.  Have been spiked by them.  Leaves a nasty, blackish, purple gash in the flesh and does the blood flow.  Person needs good protective gear when working with them.  Have heard of some people planting them in the wells of their basement windows to keep intruders out. 

 

The Indians had another use for the yuccas.  They could make a pretty good hooch from the root.  Grind up some root, put it in a buffalo bladder, add water and let it ferment.  The Indian would take their buffalo bladder and bury it and a month or so later, they would have a mescal.  It was party time on the plains. 

Oh, the yucca is also the state flower of New Mexico.

Floating Wind

 

The fascination of windmills, around and around they got.  No beginning, no end, Alpha and Omega stand by. 

Classic icon of the land, a ubiquitous machine.

 

Probably man’s first real successful machine of capturing energy and transferring it to another use.  Till that time, it was man power or animal to draw water up or grind goods.

A static photo is nice but I also feel there should be some motion.  So I decided to try my hand at videos.  Not the best but it was a kick.  Traveling the back roads looking for turning windmills was an adventure in itself.

A farewell turn

Shortly after I had made this video, I had to go on this road again.  Not paying much attention, I drove right past it.  On my way back I looked closer, still I drove past it.  I stopped turned around and went back, it was gone.  Well no wonder I drove past, I could not see it.  It had become invisible. 

The propellers and motor/gears had been removed.  Only the tower was left standing.  I wanted some more footage of it, now I had to settle for this.  Such was life, here today, gone next week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5UTlZICcHA

This was a composite of videos I made and pasted em together.  Kind of like it but have to try and make another and hopefully better.  I got permission from the singer to use her music.  Now to get some ghost riders of the wind music.

I had a kick makin these, I hope you enjoy as much as I did.

Now for some more practice.

To Many Taxes Equal Corruption….. etc…….

 

With all the government scandals, There is lots of finger pointing.  But one finger is missing, back at self, er, there are four of them.

For to many years, we have quietly sat by as taxes have increased.  An occasional voice was raised but no taxes were repealed or reduced by our politicians.  So all of the scandals should not be surprising.  We have been inviting this for a number of years.  A level of integrity is pretty low for lots of people and when they get into government, they see tons of money and millions of suckers.

The amount of money that goes into government coffers is staggering.  It is surprising that there is not more waste and corruption in government. 

Yet if I was to withhold my monies from the government, I would go to jail.  We have given the government that much power over our monies. 

Hear no Evil….. Speak no Evil….. See no Evil …………………  Or is it the 3 wise men?

So how does one go about protesting to much money in the hands of government.  It has been tried in the past, a thing called the Whiskey Rebellion and there were others.  The more successful one was the Tea Tax Rebellion.  The Tea people just flat threw the government out, AKA, monarchy and started a new government.

The wrote a bunch of documents to live under, that they thought would prevent an oligarchy from gaining power in this new country.  It was successful for a couple of centuries but seems to be coming unraveled for lack of zealous populace and wanton greedy politicians.

So what is it going to take to get the country back together for the people.  To wrest power back from the few?  How to stop sending in the taxes.  To many are afraid of the IRS and its associated government agencies.  So quietly the sheep will continue to be fleeced. 

Is There Oil Down There?

 

 

With the expanded use of fracing, there is a mini oil boom in the area.  Keep in mind, a drilling rig is a boom around here and there are usually 2-4 rigs drilling. 

The oil companies have been approaching people about going on their land for seismology testing,   Lots of the people have been turning them down, well been wanting money for them to drive on their land.

It is so dry that any travel on grassland destroys it.  The ranchers/landowners are wanting compensation fro damage to their land.

These big ole thumpers can cause lots of damage as they drive over the land shaking it.  Where they drove on some CRP land, one can still see the tracks where they drove, two years ago.  At existing wells thee is a big scar, for the plot and the access road.  If the hole is dry and they leave, the land heals real slow and is worthless for some years unless in a government program.

It is interesting, greed does overrule common business sense.  Some of the oil prospectors are kind of dumbfounded in being turned down.

For the rancher, it is his land for income.  Without the land, the rancher earns no money.  With the drought, the land is at about 20% usability.  Any damage adds to the loss for the rancher. 

Oh….. expect the big mac to jump in price, except they are usually milk cows not prime beeves.

Have a good weekend.

Hated Republicans

 

Been lots of news about big brother snooping in the lives of republican/conservative folks of late.  Saw a picture of some college students sending a thank you not to the IRS for prying in to the business of the Tea Party.  Have heard all kinds of demonizing remarks about conservatives.

From everything I hear, the republicans got to be the most evil people that ever walked on the earth of USA.  These past few years has been one of the most hate felled decades in the history of the nation.  Even the Civil War was not this hateful, although it was ugly.

Not sure what the republicans have done to deserve such hate mongering but are the democrats pouring it on.  It seems to be working for I have met people who despise republicans, they believe what they hear.

One of the things to learn is to question things.  Do not be a lamb and follow voices blindly.

One thing I hear, “without republicans, democrats would be better off.”  Interesting comment, yet I have heard it in so many areas. 

These are the same people that extolled the virtues of Castro and the Cuban revolution, exalted Che Gueverra, put the Peron’s on a pedestal and liked Hugo Chavez.  All these people were marxists/communists.

In every instance, the country these people took over as dictators, they failed.  The people of the various countries suffered under these dictators.  Oh, the cronies of these rulers lived lavish lives but the rest of the people struggled.

So when I look at a democrat any more I see a wanna be dictator.

Dust Bowl Returns

 

We are in the worse drought sine the 30’s.  Pastures are becoming barren and fields have very little growth.  This past week we got some moisture but all it did was help to make spit balls. The farmers and ranchers care for the land but there is very little they can do to control mother nature.  When it dries up and the wind blows, the dust will roll.

I have seen dirty brown snow and black muddy drifts out across the land.  Dust has boiled off fields, reaching sky ward, farmers have been plowing fields to stop the dirt from leaving and ranchers are selling off their stock.

Yet the relentless wind boils over the land.

Blow dirt drifts along the fence lines, covering the land in a fine grit.  Water rolls off the dirt, draining away.  Fields do not recover from the damage in a year or two.  Tumble weeds will sprout, sucking more moisture from the earth.  It will be a barren land for a time to come.

Yet like their ancestors, many will hang on and go about business, trying to get a living from the land.

In the middle of these howling dust storms are small oasis.  Water ponds that help wildlife survive.

Government Programs

 

Today there is lots of conversation over the governments healthcare program, known as Obamacare.   The government has been doing programs like this for years and a few can be traced back to the mid 1800’s.  A few were successful, most were failures and almost all have run their course but still are on the books.  One of the biggest government giveaways was the Homestead Act.  Million of acres was available for those who would put forth some effort and settle in what was perceived as a desert.

The other big land give away was the Pacific Railroad act.  This one made big money for a few moneyed people in the 1860’s and is still paying big dividends to the railroads today.  A railroad has more power then most cities and towns.  It also gave big chunks of land to the barons of the rail.  Today the Union Pacific Railroad makes more money off their land holdings and mineral rights from these government giveaways. 

It was the governments way of promoting businesses to build things, dangle the carrot out there and watch people chase the money.   It became a practice that is still going on today but so few were successful.  When a program fails, it tends to stay on the books and other ones crawl out of the woodwork to fix the goofy ones. 

Yet behind all these programs is big money.  The financial money bags tend to rake in big bucks.  Recently it was reported that some financial company executives had annual incomes of over 2 billion dollars a year.  These are not investors, manufacturers, they are speculators, gamblers.  When they hit big….. it is big….. when they fail, they drag others down with them.

This is what happened to the railroad speculators in the mid 1800’s.  Numerous railroad companies were formed to get money, in various ways but only a few actually built a railroad of any type.  They got big money though and there were all types of scandals. 

 

Hundreds of people hitch their dreams only to see them die in the swarm of speculation and greed.  Railroads advertised land along their route as being great farm land and people traveled out west to settle on the dream of a new life.  Sweat was spent building a life and a few years later the dream was a figment because of failed government policies and greed.  Crop prices had soared through the roof, people farmed more land, financed more property to chase the dollar of big prices on crops,  All based on government houses of cards and fueled by greed. 

In 1929 the market crashed.  Fortunes were lost and farm prices fell right along with the market.  Behind all this was the money people and poor government policy.  The big money markets had speculated  and lost.  Resulting in lots of other people becoming losers.  Greed fueled most of the speculation, individuals get big money and the government gets more money.

Where was common sense, probably on a tropical vacation dreaming of…………..?

When I look back at the bad times, I see government intrusion as being the primary culprit and greed being a motivating factor.  Government interference in the economy has been a failure over the centuries but it is not taught that way in the colleges.

Then the little thing, how we all want just a bit more money.  Greed is a big times culprit. 

Now the big question…… How to get big brother back in his hi chair and out of lives.  The roles of various government levels in not well defined and is understood even less by most people.