I wish I suffered from richflation.

Linda M. is teh cool.

Jane, easy on the mukluks idea…

The poor unfortunate souls are just trying to drown their sorrows over the Republican losses last month.

It’s a cry for help.

Why would I not be surprised to find out that Mrs. Kenneth Lay is in line to buy one of those $14k handbags……..

Just wait for Ronnie Reaganomics to kick in.
The old trickle down theory.
Next year that stuff will be out of fashion.

This makes me want to puke. And Hill blew 30 million plus for her election.

Disgraceful and beyond the pale.

Oh, and Gore for President.

I have no problem with rich people per se. It’s how the rich use their riches that’s important to me. When I think of fine rich folks I think FDR, the Kennedys and a few more. Problem is, it seems these good people are far and few between. The divide between the wealthy and the middle and lower classes today is unconscionable. If things keep proceeding along these lines of greed, there will be a class war. And it’s not just the Republicans who are guilty of unmitigated greed.

History Will Not Treat Us Kindly.

Many people refuse to recognize the corruption and evil of our government, because the thought is simply intolerable. It undermines their fundamental beliefs and trust, and makes most of what occupies their days utterly trivial. The “solution” for these people is to tune-out any potentially upsetting epiphany. They welcome reassuring propaganda that reinforces our noble purposes in the Middle East and elsewhere. They do not care to investigate personally, or even listen to, the evidence of our considerable crimes.

So, it’s strange to realize we have no real representation in Congress or control over America’s future. Millions of Americans see the ship of state headed straight for an iceberg, and despite our protests the course will not change. It’s a classic nightmare.

History will not treat us kindly. We will be remembered as the Americans who insulated themselves from reality and remained self-absorbed, concerned with their own personal comfort and privilege while our government wrecked havoc on the world and destroyed our own culture. It will not be difficult for future generations to understand what happened and the sequence of events. The evidence is abundantly clear. The only question will be why Americans didn’t rise up and save themselves.

I wonder what percentage they mark up the product for the name on the label.

I wonder how much the people who actually make the stuff get paid.

I doubt the people buying that stuff know or care.

Financial decadence.

-GSD

My outrage is directed at the 50 million fools that voted for chimpie, twice. There can not be that many rich people. The ones that benefited from chimpie’s tax cuts. As far as I’m concerned, its so the wind, reap the whirlwind.

Jane,

Thanks for writing about this. When I’m here in Manhattan, I am finding myself arguing a lot with friends and acquaintances about the economy. It’s no surprise that even my liberal friends here think everyone is doing just fine.

It’s a completely different picture when I go home to rural NC. The disconnect is startling.

Am waiting to watch the “Hardball” college show at 7 PM. It’s being broadcast from Chapel Hill with John Edwards as the guest. It will be fascinating to see how much of the “Two Americas” theme is mentioned. My daughter tells me that expensive designer handbags are the campus symbol for wealth these days. Ugh!

OT From WaPo:

“Prince Turki al-Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States, flew out of Washington yesterday after informing Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and his staff that he would be leaving the post after only 15 months on the job, according to U.S. officials and foreign envoys. There has been no formal announcement from the kingdom.”

Should we be worried?

Thanks for linking that article, Sophist. It’s very good.

I also liked the opening salvo, here:

Most Americans are hiding. We are like the good Germans of 1933 who knew an authoritarian regime was consolidating its power, but thought we could avoid personal consequences if we kept quiet. We remained silent as enemies of the State were rounded up, and everyones’ liberties curtailed. It did not happen all at once. It was a process of conditioning.

Sadly, the crocodiles and tortoises aren’t unionized, so they see exactly no benefit from this excess.

Seriously, if I won the lottery today, I would be embarrased to spend that much on a purse. If I carried a purse. Well, I do carry a bag. With guy stuff in it.

On the other hand, my 11 year old 325 needs to be replaced, but that’s just a car.

OK Jane, I don’t have any use for a handbag. What are the expensive Xmas toys for the boys?

This conspicuous consumption is so riduculous and pointless that I almost pity these people. I definitely don’t envy them their wealth and status, if they feel it compels them to spend this much for the sake of a name and a fad. I wouldn’t mind having money, but I’d hate to ever be a “rich person.”

1,362 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND..

Citizen Hamsher and the Firepup Patriots:

I also am an RN and I see a more pronounced expression of “noblesse obliege” among the nauseously rich than ever before…there is this sense that “no matter how bad it gets for you, I won’t ever feel a thing and you can’t do a damned thing about it.” Not even a pretense of humility or real class…

Line ‘em all up against the wall!!!

KEEP THE FAITH AND PASS THE AMMUNITION, THEY AREN’T GUNNA GIVE IT AWAY!!!

Wow. $14 grand for a purse? How much for just the key chain?

From an October 6 op-ed by Paul Krugman:

If you want to see how the war against wages is being fought, and what it’s doing to working Americans and their families, consider the latest news from Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart already has a well-deserved reputation for paying low wages and offering few benefits to its employees; last year, an internal Wal-Mart memo conceded that 46 percent of its workers’ children were either on Medicaid or lacked health insurance. Nonetheless, the memo expressed concern that wages and benefits were rising, in part ”because we pay an associate more in salary and benefits as his or her tenure increases.”

The problem from the company’s point of view, then, is that its workers are too loyal; it wants cheap labor that doesn’t hang around too long, but not enough workers quit before acquiring the right to higher wages and benefits. Among the policy changes the memo suggested to deal with this problem was a shift to hiring more part-time workers, which ”will lower Wal-Mart’s health care enrollment.”

And the strategy is being put into effect. ”Investment analysts and store managers,” reports The New York Times, ‘’say Wal-Mart executives have told them the company wants to transform its work force to 40 percent part-time from 20 percent.” Another leaked Wal-Mart memo describes a plan to impose wage caps, so that long-term employees won’t get raises. And the company is taking other steps to keep workers from staying too long: in some stores, according to workers, ”managers have suddenly barred older employees with back or leg problems from sitting on stools.”

The greater the income disparity, the greater the increase in the price of luxury goods as people with high incomes compete with each other for limited resources. It also happens in high end residential real estate.

WASHINGTON – The Bush administration on Tuesday asked an appeals court to overturn a ruling that could require a redesign of the nation’s currency to help the blind.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200…..lind_money

Here in Park City, Utah Nine Mil just doesn’t buy you what it used to.

Another story from the lil’ hamlet of Park City. Even petty theft is inflating.

I will not pay more than $4.99 for a pair of socks.

And I crochet my own pantyliners from threads I unravel from Salvation Army sweatshirts.

lisadawn82 @
1

I wish I suffered from richflation.

I’m guessing you have tongue in cheek, no?

At least for me, I don’t wish that — because I don’t think I could sleep at night if I owned all those baubles while people starve right here in America — oh excuse me, there’s no more “hunger,” it’s “low food security.” I wouldn’t change places with the richy-rich if someone gave it to me on a silver (or platinum!) platter.

There is going to come such a backlash against this type of disgusting flamboyant consumption. The forces of history will not make an exception of the American super-rich.

Senator James Webb, for one, sees this clearly, and it’s what his amazing WSJ guest commentary was about. I was truly surprised they printed it. His point was that this type of obscene wealth, side-by-side with abject poverty, is nothing but an INVITATION to huge waves of social unrest.

Keep it up, you pigs! Marie Antoinette thought SHE was safe, and she had more than a “gated community” to keep her safe — she had castles and moats and soldiers.

You cannot mock the poor and get away with it over the long haul. For those who are agnostic or atheist, we can call it the forces of history. For people of faith it is also simple — God will not be mocked.

“Whatever you do to the least of My brethren, you do to Me.”

Such compassion he shows the country daily, eh OK?

The middle east is on the verge of a cataclysm. The departing Saudi is another sign that people are getting out of dodge….

Iraq must be very close to a complete civic collapse…….when that happens, look out.

Chimpy will be scratching his head on the day the region melts down. Rest assured, he’s fucked everything else up, this will be no different.

-GSD

steve talbert @ 21

The greater the income disparity, the greater the increase in the price of luxury goods as people with high incomes compete with each other for limited resources. It also happens in high end residential real estate.

To wit; the 1980’s, when Japanese came here with briefcases full of cash.
They bought everything they could get their hands on,. IIRC, it wasn’t too much later they were trying to liquidate it.

Dadhusker @
5

Why would I not be surprised to find out that Mrs. Kenneth Lay is in line to buy one of those $14k handbags……..

Actually, Kenny Boy (with his new cosmetically provided facial structure fully healed from the surgery) is probably ordering these things FOR her — from his laptop on whatever island his ill-gotten gains bought.

As Digby puts it, we are a nation of flabby shoppers. Couple this with “richflation” and the willingness to pay exhorbinate amounts for a label attached to an object, look for the meteorological rise to fame of the latest fashion designer, Oscar De La Tenta.

There is a hidden cost to all this extravagant wealth.

Alot of this “there’s enough for everyone,if you work hard”is crap. Our way of life is at the expense of others,and the more this snowballs the worse it will be.

This is why”they hate us”.Not for our freedoms,not for our liberty,not our democracy.People working for nothing to make stuff for Americans aren’t stupid,they know who profits and lives comfortably at their expense.

People starve and Americans can buy a 5 lb hamburger in one of many restaurants.We most likely throw away enough food every day to solve our own hunger crisis in this country.

I once worked for a large retail chain that would not allow us to donate food that would be thrown away soon to feed homeless people. The food was not spoiled,just not”pretty”(bananas with black spots,cheese with dried out edges,milk near it’s sell by date).Instead,they made us throw it in a dumpster and pour bleach on it,so the homeless could not get to it. They made us do the same thing with clothing that was flawed,but otherwise still wearable. Disgusting.

We’re 5 percent of the population of the world and use 25 percent of it’s resources. Those resources come at the expense of not just other people’s,but the planet itself.

Anyone who would pay that much for a freaking handbag doesn’t deserve to be wealthy. Not when others are going without just the very basics of life. Our system of “economics”is evil.

Yeah, sweetheart, grab that Gucci and high-tail it back to Fiddler’s Green before the zombies make a brunch out of you!

GSD @ 27

The middle east is on the verge of a cataclysm. The departing Saudi is another sign that people are getting out of dodge….

Iraq must be very close to a complete civic collapse…….when that happens, look out.

Chimpy will be scratching his head on the day the region melts down. Rest assured, he’s fucked everything else up, this will be no different.

-GSD

I am afraid that you are absolutely right, GSD.

More really bad stuff is just over the horizon.

And bushco did it with a willing majority of the electorate and Congress.

Mrs. K8 @ 29

Dadhusker @
5

Why would I not be surprised to find out that Mrs. Kenneth Lay is in line to buy one of those $14k handbags……..

Actually, Kenny Boy (with his new cosmetically provided facial structure fully healed from the surgery) is probably ordering these things FOR her — from his laptop on whatever island his ill-gotten gains bought.

I don’t think they have the Intertubes where Kenny Boy is now.

Bustednuckles @
6

Just wait for Ronnie Reaganomics to kick in.
The old trickle down theory.
Next year that stuff will be out of fashion.

I’ll keep my eyes peeled for it at Thrift Town.

Of course, anytime this subject is brought up, we get accused of encouraging class warfare. The wealthy tut-tut what is termed “the welfare state” financing a bunch of lazy people who the only work they do is on the system.

Welfare costs us around $250 to $300 Billion a year.

Funny thing is, aide to dependant corporations, or corporate welfare, is about the same amount, indeed probably much higher if one takes in all variables.

Joe D. @
12

My outrage is directed at the 50 million fools that voted for chimpie, twice. There can not be that many rich people. The ones that benefited from chimpie’s tax cuts. As far as I’m concerned, its so the wind, reap the whirlwind.

Joe, he wasn’t elected. The machines were rigged.

Somehow this reminds me of Don McLean’s “The more you pay, the more it’s worth.”

Oh how I wished I could afford that lady painted white,
A queen with high nobility of birth,
But the more you pay, the more it’s worth.
My pockets hung with empty blues,
Silent heels were standin’ on my growin’ pains,
My bid was not too bad, two bits was all I had,
And the stable boy just handed me the reins.
Well the gallery went wild, and the auctioneer half smiled,
What we don’t sell we shoot or give away,
‘Cause the more you pay, the more it’s worth.

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/d/don mclean/the more you pay_20264315.html

Perhaps it has already been remarked on but why am I not surprised and that is a scary 19%.

In a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll taken Friday through Sunday, a 54% majority says Bush will go down as a below-average or poor president, more than double the negative rating given any of his five most recent predecessors.

Just 19% expect him to be seen as outstanding or above-average, placing him last among the six.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/w…..htm?csp=24

Prediction. More troops sent to Iraq soon. Safe bet.

steve talbert @
21

The greater the income disparity, the greater the increase in the price of luxury goods as people with high incomes compete with each other for limited resources. It also happens in high end residential real estate.

And elected representatives?

The Middle East is just about out of control.

Oilfieldguy @ 36

Of course, anytime this subject is brought up, we get accused of encouraging class warfare. The wealthy tut-tut what is termed “the welfare state” financing a bunch of lazy people who the only work they do is on the system.

Welfare costs us around $250 to $300 Billion a year.

Funny thing is, aide to dependant corporations, or corporate welfare, is about the same amount, indeed probably much higher if one takes in all variables.

“Encouraging class warfare,” my eye! Everytime I hear that nauseating meme I want to spit.

There’s a class war going on, alright. But the poor didn’t start it, nosirree. The deck is stacked mightily against the “little guy.” And they know it, these richy-rich folks. They somehow think they “earn” their position in society because their wealth is proof of some sort of superior value.

It’s very late in the historical day to support the notion of an aristocracy. These dinosaurs will lose out in the end. I look to Latin America right now to see the 21st century face of progress.

Kos likes to speak of “people power,” and I like the term, too. I think it’s unavoidably coming, and these nouveaux riches types will ultimately prove to be confused dinosaurs. “Crashing the Gates” is another way of describing it, and I think it will ultimately be unstoppable. The question is just how messy and awful (and even violent, I fear) it will be first.

Is it time to nuke ‘em yet?

Income distribution:

The US population is represented along the length of the football field, arranged in order of income.

Median US family income (the family at the 50 yard line) is ~$40,000 (a stack of $100 bills 1.6 inches high.)

–The family on the 95 yard line earns about $100,000 per year, a stack of $100 bills about 4 inches high.

–At the 99 yard line the income is about $300,000, a stack of $100 bills about a foot high.

–The curve reaches $1 million (a 40 inch high stack of $100 bills) one foot from the goal line.

–From there it keeps going up…it goes up 50 km (~30 miles) on this scale!

Class war? Bring it on.

Breaking news from MSNBC: Judge orders ex-Enron CEO Skilling imprisoned immediately

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16161315/

Stephen Parrish, CPA @ 47

Breaking news from MSNBC: Judge orders ex-Enron CEO Skilling imprisoned immediately

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16161315/

I like it.

The US now looks so much like the Gilded Era, that one sometimes wonders if cycles like this are inevitable. If that is the case, then another Great Depression is in store before wealth is redistributed like it was from the 1930’s to the 1960’s. Google “gini index” and you will see what I mean.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilded_Age
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gini_index

Everybody on Tucker is laughing at Dennis Kucinich– among the asses are G. Gordon Liddy, and that dumbo A.B. Stoddard and oh yeah, Peter Fenn.

Kucinich is a man with ideas that I really like, and I hate seeing him tossed about by the weenies from the weenie circuit.

this kind of spectacular over-consumption makes me ill. even if I became fabulously wealthy overnight I couldn’t justify those kind of purchases. same goes for ultra-extravagant restaurants.

Stephen –

Thanks for the good news!

And God bless Judge Patrick Higgenbotham.

When I saw the headline earlier today that Skilling would stay out of jail for the next few months, at least, it was mighty discouraging.

I love this turn of events. And if I understand the matter correctly, as this is an apellate level decision, Skilling would have to get the Supreme Court to overturn it, no?

angie @ 50

Everybody on Tucker is laughing at Dennis Kucinich– among the asses are G. Gordon Liddy, and that dumbo A.B. Stoddard and oh yeah, Peter Fenn.

Kucinich is a man with ideas that I really like, and I hate seeing him tossed about by the weenies from the weenie circuit.

Evil people mock goodness everywhere, doncha know?

If you believe in karma, it’ll come back to bite them in the ass, one way or another.

Diamonds and peanut butter: true class divide.

Dickens would be right at home here today.

sofistic @ 49

The US now looks so much like the Gilded Era, that one sometimes wonders if cycles like this are inevitable. If that is the case, then another Great Depression is in store before wealth is redistributed like it was from the 1930’s to the 1960’s. Google “gini index” and you will see what I mean.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilded_Age
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gini_index

The Gilded Age is right.

I saw this coming, back in 1999. During Georgie’s campaign I learned that Karl Rove’s very FAVORITEST president in history was WILLIAM MCKINLEY.

That was the tell for what was coming in terms of economic policy.

Overheard today at the White House:

“At this festive season of the year, Mr. Cheney,” said the gentleman, taking up a pen, “it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.”

“Are there no prisons?” asked Cheney.

“Plenty of prisons,” said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.

“And the Union workhouses?” demanded Cheney. “Are they still in operation?”

“They are. Still,” returned the gentleman, “I wish I could say they were not.”

“The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?” said Cheney.

“Both very busy, sir.”

“Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course,” said Cheney. “I’m very glad to hear it.”

“Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude,” returned the gentleman, “a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?”

“Nothing!” Cheney replied.

“You wish to be anonymous?”

“I wish to be left alone,” said Cheney. “Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don’t make merry myself at Christmas and I can’t afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned—they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there.”

“Many can’t go there; and many would rather die.”

“If they would rather die,” said Cheney, “they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Besides—excuse me—I don’t know that.”

“But you might know it,” observed the gentleman.

“It’s not my business,” Cheney returned. “It’s enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people’s. Mine occupies me constantly. Good afternoon, gentlemen!”

Waaaaaay off topic but …

Pray for those missing mountain climbers in Oregon

http://www.ghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/…..cusir.html

Oregon and Washington are about to get hammered

Gotta run along now

stepped away for a couple of hours and missed an Al Gore thread?! damn….

angie @ 50

Everybody on Tucker is laughing at Dennis Kucinich– among the asses are G. Gordon Liddy, and that dumbo A.B. Stoddard and oh yeah, Peter Fenn.

Kucinich is a man with ideas that I really like, and I hate seeing him tossed about by the weenies from the weenie circuit.

Tucker’s guests are big brains. In their own minds. Kucinich is OK. I like this man.

Hugh — I don’t think even the visit of three ghosts could change Cheney’s heart.

Hugh at 56–

brilliant.

scarecrow @ 60

Hugh — I don’t think even the visit of three ghosts could change Cheney’s heart.

That duty falls to his always available autonomatrons, two of which are ex-NASCAR pit crew members.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 59

angie @ 50

Everybody on Tucker is laughing at Dennis Kucinich– among the asses are G. Gordon Liddy, and that dumbo A.B. Stoddard and oh yeah, Peter Fenn.

Kucinich is a man with ideas that I really like, and I hate seeing him tossed about by the weenies from the weenie circuit.

Tucker’s guests are big brains. In their own minds. Kucinich is OK. I like this man.

His voice and message need to be heard today just as they should have been before any war.

I hate seeing him and his message marginalized by stupid backwash and DC insiders.

I am reminded of The Gilded Age, like sofistic. Also Louis XIV and Versialles. Apres moi, le deluge . . .

angie –

One of the things I like most about Dennis is that he knows these people, and he knows he will be mocked –
and he doesn’t care.

That won’t keep him from speaking the truth.

There is a fine, deep nobility in Dennis Kucinich. Those who mock him reveal themselves to be truly ugly people — their souls are filled with this type of ugliness.

As a former antique dealer (late 19th and early 20th century). I miss quality. It’s very difficult to find in any price range in new goods.
It’s all about what is in fashion and not at all about why.

If I could go back in time I would love to just go shopping at Sears or Penny’s.

Eureka Springs,AR @ 66

As a former antique dealer (late 19th and early 20th century). I miss quality. It’s very difficult to find in any price range in new goods.
It’s all about what is in fashion and not at all about why.

If I could go back in time I would love to just go shopping at Sears or Penny’s.

Yeah. Things made to be repaired, things made to be maintained. I tell my customers, “We have our grandparents furniture. Our grandchildren will not have ours.”

Mrs. K8 @ 65

angie –

One of the things I like most about Dennis is that he knows these people, and he knows he will be mocked –
and he doesn’t care.

That won’t keep him from speaking the truth.

There is a fine, deep nobility in Dennis Kucinich. Those who mock him reveal themselves to be truly ugly people — their souls are filled with this type of ugliness.

He is noble and I listened to him on cspan yesterday with Prof. Cole talking about the Hopkin’s study of 655,000 dead Iraqis with the investigators and sanctioned by Ron Paul. (thanks, selise!) He is speaking the truth to the American people and I want to hear more; much more from him.

Did some Christmas shopping at Goodwill today. Great find – an old, wicker bicycle basket (in good shape)for $4. A friend found a little purse, couldn’t tell whether it was a knock-off or not, it cost $20. A little steep.

Do you think we will be able to get some of our money back from all the thieves populating our government?

Beloved Santa Claus gives and gives, our old scrooges take and take with hard hearts.

Eureka Springs,AR @ 66

As a former antique dealer (late 19th and early 20th century). I miss quality. It’s very difficult to find in any price range in new goods.
It’s all about what is in fashion and not at all about why.

If I could go back in time I would love to just go shopping at Sears or Penny’s.

Same here, Eureka, same here!

Even very simple, so-called “lower quality” items had quality. I have lots of my mom’s and grandmother’s things, and simple stuff like hatboxes and jewelry boxes (NOT the permanent kind of fancy box, just the temporary box the store packed the jewelry in) were handsomely made and beautiful.

One of the simplest things I enjoy the most is the set of “cheeseboxes” I have from my grandfather’s corner grocery store in the city. These were the wooden boxes the segments of cheese were packed in to ship to him for his little delicatessen area. These long wooden boxes sit in a frame to form a set of “drawers” which he would pull out to get at the many types of delicious (non-processed!) cheeses to serve his customers.

Sigh.

Emma Anne @ 64

I am reminded of The Gilded Age, like sofistic. Also Louis XIV and Versialles. Apres moi, le deluge . . .

…and then there was the Olympic ski jumper who said “apres moi, de luge“

Mrs. K8 @
43

Oilfieldguy @ 36

Of course, anytime this subject is brought up, we get accused of encouraging class warfare. The wealthy tut-tut what is termed “the welfare state” financing a bunch of lazy people who the only work they do is on the system.

Welfare costs us around $250 to $300 Billion a year.

Funny thing is, aide to dependant corporations, or corporate welfare, is about the same amount, indeed probably much higher if one takes in all variables.

“Encouraging class warfare,” my eye! Everytime I hear that nauseating meme I want to spit.

There’s a class war going on, alright. But the poor didn’t start it, nosirree. The deck is stacked mightily against the “little guy.” And they know it, these richy-rich folks. They somehow think they “earn” their position in society because their wealth is proof of some sort of superior value.

It’s very late in the historical day to support the notion of an aristocracy. These dinosaurs will lose out in the end. I look to Latin America right now to see the 21st century face of progress.

Kos likes to speak of “people power,” and I like the term, too. I think it’s unavoidably coming, and these nouveaux riches types will ultimately prove to be confused dinosaurs. “Crashing the Gates” is another way of describing it, and I think it will ultimately be unstoppable. The question is just how messy and awful (and even violent, I fear) it will be first.

Environmental changes can flip the system right quick, just takes one or two events.

The Middle East in chaos can flip oil prices into $100 in a week, with the meltdown of business two quarters behind.

Meanwhile the dollar falls unchecked. We look to speculative Wall Street and the value of certain rich real estate areas (like my town) to assure ourselves that “everything’s OK in the economy”. Yet, really, it’s all pretty much out of control.

I’m a positive guy, but it sure seems we’ve got one foot on the grave and one on a banana peel…

Once the substance hits the oscillating blades, my guess is the ones at the top fall the farthest. The Wall-Mart people know how to live on the cheap with hard times around every turn. My dear Gucci neighbors are a bit more vulnerable.

Attn Kucinich Fans,

He was on The Situation Room today and Leslie actually let him talk. I normally don’t sully my one afternoon off with TeeVee, but a guest had it on and it was thing of beauty -

And so I’m challenging all of the Democratic candidates for president on this point. If you vote for funding for the war, don’t tell the American people you’re opposed to the war.

If you vote for funding for the war, don’t bemoan the plight of the troops.

scroll down until it’s just Blitzer/Kucinich
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRA…..om.01.html

carmen @ 69

Did some Christmas shopping at Goodwill today. Great find – an old, wicker bicycle basket (in good shape)for $4. A friend found a little purse, couldn’t tell whether it was a knock-off or not, it cost $20. A little steep.

Do you think we will be able to get some of our money back from all the thieves populating our government?

Beloved Santa Claus gives and gives, our old scrooges take and take with hard hearts.

20 bucks is a little high for Goodwill.
I am fortunate, I have access to Mega Goodwills, the main processing outlets.
They bring stuff out in huge carts. Fifty cents a pound, out the door.

angie –

We saw that panel discussion last night, too. It was so excellent, and very moving. There were moments I was fighting back the tears. All Americans should learn these truths about the occupation of Iraq.

One thing which encourages me — I do believe that people like Juan Cole will be invited to testify to Congress much more often beginning in January.

“Ghastly, just gastly…” (Gloria Upson)

cbl @ 73

Attn Kucinich Fans,

He was on The Situation Room today and Leslie actually let him talk. I normally don’t sully my one afternoon off with TeeVee, but a guest had it on and it was thing of beauty -

And so I’m challenging all of the Democratic candidates for president on this point. If you vote for funding for the war, don’t tell the American people you’re opposed to the war.

If you vote for funding for the war, don’t bemoan the plight of the troops.

scroll down until it’s just Blitzer/Kucinich
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRA…..om.01.html

yay!

thanks, cbl!

marksb @ 72

Meanwhile the dollar falls unchecked. We look to speculative Wall Street and the value of certain rich real estate areas (like my town) to assure ourselves that “everything’s OK in the economy”. Yet, really, it’s all pretty much out of control.

I’m a positive guy, but it sure seems we’ve got one foot on the grave and one on a banana peel…

Once the substance hits the oscillating blades, my guess is the ones at the top fall the farthest. The Wall-Mart people know how to live on the cheap with hard times around every turn. My dear Gucci neighbors are a bit more vulnerable.

Most of us are within a paycheck of disaster. Our Gucci neighbours may whine but they’ll dine.

Mostly out of nostalgia: Here are your gas and oil prices

Average price for regular gasoline 12/12/06 in 50 states and DC

$2.80 plus 1 state : Hawaii
$2.70 plus 0 states
$2.60 plus 2 states : Oregon, Washington
$2.50 plus 2 states : California, Nevada
$2.40 plus 3 states : Alaska, Connecticut, New York
$2.30 plus 14 states
$2.20 plus 19 states
$2.10 plus 10 states

Average national price for regular gasoline: $2.292, unchanged from yesterday
Most recent low: $2.196 on November 7, 2006
December 5-12: down $.001 for the week

Highest average price: Hawaii $2.832
Lowest average price: Oklahoma $2.155

http://www.fuelgaugereport.com/sbsavg.asp

Crude Oil:
Nymex Crude Future $60.92, down $.30 from yesterday
Dated Brent Spot $61.96, down $.47
WTI Cushing Spot: $61.02, down $.20

The week was a wash for gasoline prices, rising then falling and finishing flat. Mild weather so far this winter has been an important influence on both gasoline and crude oil prices.

OT news bulletin: online sage Tom Delay says HRC is the one:

By the way, apparently the insider word he gave the winger bloggers is that that Hillary’s gonna be the next president.

Thanks Hugh!

john in sacramento @
57

Waaaaaay off topic but …

Pray for those missing mountain climbers in Oregon

http://www.ghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/…..cusir.html

Oregon and Washington are about to get hammered

Gotta run along now

Wow, we are. Thanks for the warning.

Storms so bad the past few days the vet had me tranq Kobe and Lucy who were freaking out. Katie just sleeps right through it.

Looks like it could get worse.

punaise @ 80

OT news bulletin: online sage Tom Delay says HRC is the one:

By the way, apparently the insider word he gave the winger bloggers is that that Hillary’s gonna be the next president.

That reminds me, are there any Republicans running for pres in 2008?

paul kruman spoke about the issues of “richflation,” (although he didn’t call it that) in june when he (with amy goodman, greg palast and randi rhodes) gave an excellent talk on “the new class war in america”. you can download the mp3 here.

i have some good quotes from it… hmm… i’ll go look for them.

marksb –

Agreed!

These “gilded” folk are the type who will take the plunge from their high-rise windows, something we have seen before. (And they’re the same type of people this time around, too.)

I’m lucky in that my mother (who was a teenager during the worst of the Great Depression) told me lots of tips on how to survive when there’s very little money for food or clothing. For example, she and her siblings often ate “mustard sandwiches” — and if times got a little better, it was a “catsup sandwich.”

During the sixties era I was given a book by my high school pal on how to live on the cheap (it was when we would fantasize together about how we would survive if we ran away from home, ha!) — the book was written with back-to-nature commune folks in mind, but contained lots of tips on how to make do with next to nothing.

The Paris Hiltons of the world would never soil themselves by stooping to primitive survival mechanisms. And so the dinosaurs will keel over.

Thank you, cbl, for the transcript link!

“Any goopers runnin fer president”?

Not sos you’d notice.

A quote of note in Jane’s post has one retailer saying this is their best season in the last 7 yrs.

That timeframe would include the dot com bubble.

ONLY explanation I can see would be a direct result of the top priority tax cuts enacted tout suite in ‘01 (and reenacted each time since.)

Sophist @ 9

History Will Not Treat Us Kindly.

Many people refuse to recognize the corruption and evil of our government, because the thought is simply intolerable. It undermines their fundamental beliefs and trust, and makes most of what occupies their days utterly trivial. The “solution” for these people is to tune-out any potentially upsetting epiphany. They welcome reassuring propaganda that reinforces our noble purposes in the Middle East and elsewhere. They do not care to investigate personally, or even listen to, the evidence of our considerable crimes.

So, it’s strange to realize we have no real representation in Congress or control over America’s future. Millions of Americans see the ship of state headed straight for an iceberg, and despite our protests the course will not change. It’s a classic nightmare.

History will not treat us kindly. We will be remembered as the Americans who insulated themselves from reality and remained self-absorbed, concerned with their own personal comfort and privilege while our government wrecked havoc on the world and destroyed our own culture. It will not be difficult for future generations to understand what happened and the sequence of events. The evidence is abundantly clear. The only question will be why Americans didn’t rise up and save themselves.

What a nastigram that article is. Yikes.
First of all, this country is NOTHING like Germany of 1933. NOTHING. To pretend that we have suffered anything like Germany had in the years after wwI is to be ignorant of history.
Also, to yet again read some dope imply that this country’s gov’t is as evil and corrupt as the nazis is just effin boring already. If it were there would be no bloggers. At least, not with their heads connected to their necks. The White Rose anybody?

Kelven,

have long awaited a Gloria Upson reference at the lake – excellent context!

Sincerely,
Bunny Bixler

Bustednuckles @ 74

carmen @ 69

Did some Christmas shopping at Goodwill today. Great find – an old, wicker bicycle basket (in good shape)for $4. A friend found a little purse, couldn’t tell whether it was a knock-off or not, it cost $20. A little steep.

Do you think we will be able to get some of our money back from all the thieves populating our government?

Beloved Santa Claus gives and gives, our old scrooges take and take with hard hearts.

20 bucks is a little high for Goodwill.
I am fortunate, I have access to Mega Goodwills, the main processing outlets.
They bring stuff out in huge carts. Fifty cents a pound, out the door.

Yeah I thought so too. You are so lucky to have access, first pickings. I have a friend with boxes full of fine silver from thriftshops. She’s a starving artist for the most part so it’s great that with ebay she can now make money from her “picking”.

Sophist @ 9

History Will Not Treat Us Kindly.

Many people refuse to recognize the corruption and evil of our government, because the thought is simply intolerable. It undermines their fundamental beliefs and trust, and makes most of what occupies their days utterly trivial. The “solution” for these people is to tune-out any potentially upsetting epiphany. They welcome reassuring propaganda that reinforces our noble purposes in the Middle East and elsewhere. They do not care to investigate personally, or even listen to, the evidence of our considerable crimes.

So, it’s strange to realize we have no real representation in Congress or control over America’s future. Millions of Americans see the ship of state headed straight for an iceberg, and despite our protests the course will not change. It’s a classic nightmare.

History will not treat us kindly. We will be remembered as the Americans who insulated themselves from reality and remained self-absorbed, concerned with their own personal comfort and privilege while our government wrecked havoc on the world and destroyed our own culture. It will not be difficult for future generations to understand what happened and the sequence of events. The evidence is abundantly clear. The only question will be why Americans didn’t rise up and save themselves.

I think it is important to not lump ourselves into a collective “we” when refering to the people who run America. Yes we do bear a certain amount of responsability for the way our country is, but that does not mean we accept that “we” are all bad americans because of specific peoples actions to undermine the ideals that most of us share. Part of propaganda is getting people to believe that the few represent the many. Part of stopping that is refusing to use language that is non-specific or generalizes people. We as a people are no more criminal in the way we deal with a corrupt government than any other country. Some protest, some don’t. Not all of the rich participate in undermining the middle class and poor. Many Americans of all classes and backgrounds ARE rising up. FDL and the rise of the blogosphere (which is really just the cyber aspect of the grassroots) are a perfect example of the people who will do everything they can to steer this great country back to Greatness.

There is going to come such a backlash against this type of disgusting flamboyant consumption. – lisadawn82@25

I share your sentiment, but history says otherwise. The robber barons of the late 1800s survived just fine, thank you, even after “one of their own” Republican presidents (T. Roosevelt) turned out to be pro-environment and a monopoly buster. Many of those same monied families made it through the great depression as well. The Rockefellers, DuPonts, Hiltons, et al are still here. Yes there was some pushback. The first IED terror bombing? Exploded on Wall Steet in 1920. How remembered is that?.

For every Wall Street millionaire trader that jumped out a window, there were plenty more that got out in time and passed on their wealth/power to their offspring.

One such trader was named Prescott Bush. Yes, that one, ol’ Grandpa.

There was an article in the nytimes today that said the higher the tuition cost, the more popular the school. Same with the pockebooks. There has always been a taste for conspicuous wealth in this country amongst the nouveau riche. I am just hoping that pricey underpants come into style so certain attention starved dimbulbs compete for being photoed keeping them on.

I don’t thinnk you lakers understand the power of getting out of your snark gold 301 helicopter, walking the carpet on soft hummer shoes with prada laces, listening to Porschebook Pro telling you in French what the adversaries are saying as you enter… it’s so simple as Hugo Brioni bossing around the hoi polloi. I like it, because it makes me me. did i say me?

apologies to Alice Waters, who served all these shits while also bringing healthful food consciousness to the masses. “Let them eat tofu!@”

selise @ 84

paul kruman spoke about the issues of “richflation,” (although he didn’t call it that) in june when he (with amy goodman, greg palast and randi rhodes) gave an excellent talk on “the new class war in america”. you can download the mp3 here.

i have some good quotes from it… hmm… i’ll go look for them.

Speaking of Amy Goodman she just recommended (on Democracy Now) a show that will air tonight on the Discovery Science channel (DTMS?) called “Taking The Hill” about all of the veterans (more than ever) who ran for congress in ‘06.

Tweety interviewing John Edwards says:

“I believe that many of the problems we face occured because Bush did not have the abilities, knowlege, or skills to be president of the US”

Seems like he might have told us that a bit earlier!! Like BEFORE two elections?

Today the fog blanketed the garden when I woke.

Healthful food, lovingly prepared, enjoyed with loved ones. Ooh, these are the riches of life.

punaise @
71

Emma Anne @ 64

I am reminded of The Gilded Age, like sofistic. Also Louis XIV and Versialles. Apres moi, le deluge . . .

…and then there was the Olympic ski jumper who said “apres moi, de luge“

And if he were from Chicago, it would be Da Luge.

Emma Anne @ 99

And if he were from Chicago, it would be Da Luge.

And in some parts of Chicago, that would be pronounced, “da loogie.” :)

Kucinich on CNN – Why should the new congress continue funding the war? Why buy a used war from this administration? hehe

New thread.
http://www.firedoglake.com/200…../#comments

carmen @ 91

Bustednuckles @ 74

carmen @ 69

Did some Christmas shopping at Goodwill today. Great find – an old, wicker bicycle basket (in good shape)for $4. A friend found a little purse, couldn’t tell whether it was a knock-off or not, it cost $20. A little steep.

Do you think we will be able to get some of our money back from all the thieves populating our government?

Beloved Santa Claus gives and gives, our old scrooges take and take with hard hearts.

20 bucks is a little high for Goodwill.
I am fortunate, I have access to Mega Goodwills, the main processing outlets.
They bring stuff out in huge carts. Fifty cents a pound, out the door.

Yeah I thought so too. You are so lucky to have access, first pickings. I have a friend with boxes full of fine silver from thriftshops. She’s a starving artist for the most part so it’s great that with ebay she can now make money from her “picking”.

I object to that.
Especially clothing. It’s not there for her to stock her store. People who don’t have enough money need to buy goods there.
That’s where my kitchen table came from, my coffee pot, utensils, my kids’ coats.

Habitat-Vic @ 93

There is going to come such a backlash against this type of disgusting flamboyant consumption. – lisadawn82@25

I share your sentiment, but history says otherwise. The robber barons of the late 1800s survived just fine, thank you, even after “one of their own” Republican presidents (T. Roosevelt) turned out to be pro-environment and a monopoly buster. Many of those same monied families made it through the great depression as well. The Rockefellers, DuPonts, Hiltons, et al are still here. Yes there was some pushback. The first IED terror bombing? Exploded on Wall Steet in 1920. How remembered is that?.

For every Wall Street millionaire trader that jumped out a window, there were plenty more that got out in time and passed on their wealth/power to their offspring.

One such trader was named Prescott Bush. Yes, that one, ol’ Grandpa.

And the Carnegies, the Mellons, the Scaifes. Doin’ well, thanks.

punaise @
51

this kind of spectacular over-consumption makes me ill. even if I became fabulously wealthy overnight I couldn’t justify those kind of purchases. same goes for ultra-extravagant restaurants.

Does this mean when we meet for dinner the place won’t be Chez Panisse?

Eureka Springs,AR @ 101

Kucinich on CNN – Why should the new congress continue funding the war? Why buy a used war from this administration? hehe

you make me (almost) wish i had cable tv! kucinich is right – i don’t want our nice new D congress to continue funding the bush/cheney/lieberman/mccain war.

Jacqrat @ 105

punaise @
51

this kind of spectacular over-consumption makes me ill. even if I became fabulously wealthy overnight I couldn’t justify those kind of purchases. same goes for ultra-extravagant restaurants.

Does this mean when we meet for dinner the place won’t be Chez Panisse?

probably not. perhaps that other Berkeley eatery: “T-Rex“

(actually, while Chez Panisse is indeed pricey, I was think more of the $400 lunch for two kind place a la The French Laundry in the Napa Valley…never been there).

Margot @ 103

carmen @ 91

Bustednuckles @ 74

carmen @ 69

Did some Christmas shopping at Goodwill today. Great find – an old, wicker bicycle basket (in good shape)for $4. A friend found a little purse, couldn’t tell whether it was a knock-off or not, it cost $20. A little steep.

Do you think we will be able to get some of our money back from all the thieves populating our government?

Beloved Santa Claus gives and gives, our old scrooges take and take with hard hearts.

20 bucks is a little high for Goodwill.
I am fortunate, I have access to Mega Goodwills, the main processing outlets.
They bring stuff out in huge carts. Fifty cents a pound, out the door.

Yeah I thought so too. You are so lucky to have access, first pickings. I have a friend with boxes full of fine silver from thriftshops. She’s a starving artist for the most part so it’s great that with ebay she can now make money from her “picking”.

I object to that.
Especially clothing. It’s not there for her to stock her store. People who don’t have enough money need to buy goods there.
That’s where my kitchen table came from, my coffee pot, utensils, my kids’ coats.

I’m sorry, I’m not quite sure what you’re objecting to. My friends’ entire house is made up of what she has “found”. She is one of the poor of our country, and she has been able to find silver jewelry, and at last, she’ll be able to earn some money from her great eye. Not soon enough however to save her teeth.

Jeeesh!

zig alert

Sorry about the zig alert. I thought it was near the end of the comments since a new thread was announced.

Hey, don’t knock Chez Panisse on this blog. Ms Waters (not Maxine) did more for fragging the supersize culture than… many. If only one could smoke Monica-soaked cigars afterwards. (Dem cigars… the last time i went through amurken customs, my whole stash of Cuban presents for my friends was confiscated, with the phrase, ” You know we’re going to have to burn these.”

And this is after i saw the White House cigar stash with so many illegal wonders.

Jacqrat @
105

punaise @
51

this kind of spectacular over-consumption makes me ill. even if I became fabulously wealthy overnight I couldn’t justify those kind of purchases. same goes for ultra-extravagant restaurants.

Does this mean when we meet for dinner the place won’t be Chez Panisse?

Jaqcrat, no offense, but if you think Chez Panisse is pricey, where the heck do you eat, McDonalds? In SoCal, she is considered moderately priced.

My favorite Alice Waters story: When her restaurant was fairly new a young family came in to eat. Their baby, about 5 months, was a little fussy and she watched them struggle to quiet the child and still enjoy their meal.

Alice approached them, asking how the food was, etc., and began to admire the baby. Before ya know it, she had their permission to whisk her off to the kitchen for the staff to admire. Alice put the baby in a wooden salad bowl in the middle of the work table in the kitchen and the baby banged wooden spoons and laughed and enjoyed the limelight while the parents and other diners finished their meals in peace.

Ambassador Waters, anyone?

punaise @ 107

Jacqrat @ 105

punaise @
51

this kind of spectacular over-consumption makes me ill. even if I became fabulously wealthy overnight I couldn’t justify those kind of purchases. same goes for ultra-extravagant restaurants.

Does this mean when we meet for dinner the place won’t be Chez Panisse?

probably not. perhaps that other Berkeley eatery: “T-Rex“

(actually, while Chez Panisse is indeed pricey, I was think more of the $400 lunch for two kind place a la The French Laundry in the Napa Valley…never been there).

Damn… them drinks at T-Rex are very pretentious – can’t we just go to Black and White liquors for a 40, then stop by Flint’s?

Oilfieldguy @
62

scarecrow @ 60

Hugh — I don’t think even the visit of three ghosts could change Cheney’s heart.

That duty falls to his always available autonomatrons, two of which are ex-NASCAR pit crew members.

When you demean meine pit crew, i give you shock and awe and speed. and the always available marketing.

Jacqrat @ 113

this kind of spectacular over-consumption makes me ill. even if I became fabulously wealthy overnight I couldn’t justify those kind of purchases. same goes for ultra-extravagant restaurants.

Does this mean when we meet for dinner the place won’t be Chez Panisse?

probably not. perhaps that other Berkeley eatery: “T-Rex“

(actually, while Chez Panisse is indeed pricey, I was think more of the $400 lunch for two kind place a la The French Laundry in the Napa Valley…never been there).

Damn… them drinks at T-Rex are very pretentious – can’t we just go to Black and White liquors for a 40, then stop by Flint’s?

I just mentioned T Rex ’cause of the name – haven’t been there. is it that bad? parent restaurant Lalime’s is excellent.

ah. yes, B&W Liquors – is that the place that had a fire in the upstairs apt. and they discovered a major weapons cache?

When our skylights are open at work, the BBQ smells of nearby Flint’s waft right in…

oops – too many links. sorry, mods.

jaqrat:

I just mentioned T Rex ’cause of the name – haven’t been there. is it that bad? parent restaurant Lalime’s is excellent.

ah. yes, B&W Liquors – is that the place that had a fire in the upstairs apt. and they discovered a major weapons cache?

When our skylights are open at work, the BBQ smells of nearby Flint’s waft right in…

carmen,
I think I flew off the handle. I apologize.

carmen @
110

Sorry about the zig alert. I thought it was near the end of the comments since a new thread was announced.

no problem – when it gets up to four quote boxes, trouble is just around the corner….

FYI, I wasn’t bashing Chez Panisse.

I can’t afford to eat there, and I guess I didn’t really look at the price before I linked. Was thinking Berkeley-known places, since that’s where Punny lives.

I wouldn’t eat at French Laundry, Punaise is right, that’s just stupid-expensive.

Sorry everyone got upset. B R E A T H E.

And if I had to smell Flint’s all day… I couldn’t be held responsible for my actions. It’s soo damned good.

Jacqrat @ 119

B R E A T H E.

And if I had to smell Flint’s all day… I wouldn’t be held responsible for my actions. It’s soo damned good.

and E A T !

(weird – your Flint’s remark doesn’t show up in your comment, but it appears upon quoting your comment…)

punaise @ 120

Jacqrat @ 119

B R E A T H E.

And if I had to smell Flint’s all day… I wouldn’t be held responsible for my actions. It’s soo damned good.

and E A T !

(weird – your Flint’s remark doesn’t show up in your comment, but it appears upon quoting your comment…)

I edited~! I’m edit-happy!~

mmm.. a 2-way with brisket and links…. [drool]

AFAIK, Alice Waters has not enriched herself with Chez Panisse. Note the lack of franchising, T-shirts, etc.

I’ll take a baker’s dozen a’ them there $29,800 baby blue crocodile Positano handbags. Gotta love that George W. Bush. He done give me a helluva lotta extree cash. Murry Chrissmus.

http://www.seriouskidding.com

well said. the rich are spending the obscene tax cuts they are getting while the middle class is wondering if the unemployment check will come at least till after the holidays. Or if that 3rd job working for the xmas season will help you afford a present for your kid. Or pay for the medication you need.
So, while you work that 3rd parttime job to pay for the medication, someone from the upper 10% comes into the store and wants you to go fetch that 2,000.00 Hermes bag for a little stocking stuffer.

while middle class folks are counting out their pennies at
Wal-Mart,

*****************************
I got newz. . .The middle class are running the country for the uber-rich. The rest of us are the working class. Do not let the petit bourgeousie mentality propaganda seep in too deep or you will be useless when the real action starts!

Margot @ 117

carmen,
I think I flew off the handle. I apologize.

Apologies accepted and thanks. Just returned after the local library Christmas party or I would have commented sooner.

Best Alice Waters spin-off I’ve heard of is the fact that at King Middle School in Berkeley they dug up the parking lot and are teaching the kids all about organic farming. Alice Waters is involved in sponsoring that in some way, and she has also been outspoken about the value of local, organic food.

That said, it’s not just the prices that are a problem about Chez Panisse. It’s that you’ve got to make reservations there a month or so ahead, and even then they’re hard to get!

Let a thousand Chez Panisses bloom!

punaise @ 122

AFAIK, Alice Waters has not enriched herself with Chez Panisse. Note the lack of franchising, T-shirts, etc.

I rarely make comments. However, I have to second what Punaise said about Chez Panisse. I am avid consumer of food related things (cookbooks, magazines, what have you) but I never read anything negative about Alice Waters nor her restaurant. If any article mention about the money-making aspect of the restaurant, they mention that the restaurant has not been financial success as anybody expect it to be, because of the high cost of the operation. Chez Panisse employs a lot of staff-cooks, foragers (their term for buyers), so on-for its size and buy top quality ingredients. I never been there so I cannot speak from my experience, but my understanding is that it is worth the visit and deserve every accolade it gathered. -Jill-

christ i am in the wrong business. i’m going into handbags.

Just to remind folks where this is all coming from: Goldman Sachs announced it set aside $16.5 billion (with a “B”) for Christmas bonuses. That’s an average of $622,000 per employee, though it won’t be distributed equally, to be sure.
http://www.nydailynews.com/fro…..3586c.html