Ever have a really great thought or idea and then have it pass through your head like a high-powered rifle bullet? You know - little epiphanies or revelations - like the formula for world peace, the meaning of life, or the name of an actor in an old movie that you’ve been trying to remember for the past six months. Happens to me all the time. About the time your brain goes into high gear and an idea “light bulb” turns on above your head - the power company cuts off the electricity to your brain.

Below is my attempt to gather some of those thoughts that stuck around long enough for me to write them down and try to save them for our readers and posterity. Not that I really think that posterity will give a hoot …

Where’s the money gone?

Over $300 Billion has been doled out to some of the largest Wall Street banks already, but no one can (or will) tell us where is has all gone. Home buyers still can’t get mortgages and car buyers can’t seem to get loans or leases. Something is very, very wrong - “very, very fishy.” I certainly hope that Paulson or Bernanke give us some kind of accounting for all the taxpayer money they’ve just handed over to the likes of Citigroup. Do we not deserve that little bit of respect? - 12/10/2008

Customized history…

George Bush seems to be spending the last few weeks of his presidency trying desperately to rewrite his record over the past eight years. He forgets that we’ve all lived through this painful time along with him and many of us have kept track of what he has really done. Does he imagine that if he simply restates his past speeches, that somehow the latest versions will, by default, become the “new truth.” Does he think that historians are so stupid that they will just ignore the thousands of transcripts and video of his speeches and public actions? The truth is that George W. Bush is the most documented and recorded public figure that has ever lived (with the possible exception of Britney Spears) and there is no possible way that he could possibly revise his history in the short time he has left. - 12/10/2008

Life as we’d like it versus living in the real world.

“The world of poetry, mythology, and religion represents the world as a man would like to have it, while science represents the world as he gradually comes to discover it.” - Joseph Wood Krutch. (Submitted by Lynn Vona, retired - twice winner of the coveted state of Washington math and science teacher of the year award during her distinguished career.) - 12/08/2008

Are We Really Going to See Zero Percent Interest Rates?

They are actually suggesting that the Federal Reserve could drop the Federal Funds rate to 0%! That would mean that the Prime Rate could drop all the way down to 3%, lowering rates on home equity credit lines and credit cards. Of course, I’m already getting letters from my credit card companies indicating that they will be increasing their margins (the spread between the Prime Rate and the effective rate) and their miscellaneous fees. What the Federal Reserve giveth, the credit card companies taketh away. Bastards!!! - 11/01/2008

The Amero, a New North American Currency?

Is anyone seriously believing the latest conspiracy theory about the government replacing all U.S. and Canadian dollars with the North American “Amero?” At the moment it seems that these rumors are just the ravings of wackos and conspiracy theorists, but I have to admit that there are some very compelling articles and videos floating around the Internet and YouTube.com that give the issue some credibility. Apparently, the development of the Euro during the 1980s saw the same pattern of financial events developing then as we are experiencing now. Not much we can do about it yet - but this whole issue of a common North American currency could become very interesting over the next couple of years. - 11/01/2008

I’m Afraid - Very Afraid

I can’t seem to get it out of my mind - a fear that something terrible might happen before our new President takes office. I toss and turn in my sleep, imagining horrible things, but not being able to visualize what they actually might be. I am not a religious person, but my heart tells me that we are predestined to face more terrible times ahead. I see a Depression and a total failure of the housing market. I see President Sarah Palin and her Cabinet of George Bush cronies. I see Rowe vs. Wade overturned and a solid Republican Supreme Court. Can anyone wake me up from this nightmare? - 10/20/2008

Colin Powell Endorses Obama

Colin Powell went out of his way to not destroy his friendship with John McCain as he endorsed Obama on Sunday. Like Obama, he was very deferential to McCain, acknowledging his heroism and dedication to public service. Powell nailed it though when he said that Obama represents the “new generation” and fresh thinking, while McCain seemed to be stuck in the past, with no clear vision of what his presidency might represent. -10/19/2008

McCain in the Hot Seat

I wonder if I was the only person watching the debate [10/15/08] and seeing John McCain squirm around in his seat like he had a wasp up his pants. He wiggled and winced, gritted his teeth, smiled that nervous smile of his, scribbled notes while Obama was speaking. He really didn’t act like he was even listening most of the time - just lining up for the delivery of his next standard campaign slogan. I really felt sorry for him most of the time in spite of his negative rhetoric. -10/16/2008

Palin Can Lie with a Straight Face

Sarah Palin rejects any fault or wrongdoing in connection with Troopergate. The report came out and said that although she acted “within her legal rights as governor” to fire the head of the Alaska State Police, what she did was “clearly unethical” and that she “misused her power.” This report was published word for word around the world and discussed at length on every major TV news show. But Palin then came out the next day to the press and in her speeches and said without any show of emotion or remorse that “the investigation proved that I did not do anything unethical and did not misuse my power.” How she can claim to be a Christian and be able to tell an obvious lie so easily is beyond me. - 10/12/2008

Plain Brain McCain

I wish someone would explain to John McCain that homeowners don’t “own” the mortgages on their homes - banks do! So just how is he going to “buy bad mortgages from the homeowners?” - 10/11/2008

Cindy McCain a Bad Actor?

Did anyone really buy Cindy McCain’s performance in Pennsylvania when she said that a vote “not to fund my son” by Senator Obama “sent a cold chill through my body.” Did she get a cold chill when her husband voted “not to fund her son” a few weeks later? - 10/11/2008

Who’s Slinging What?

John McCain said on October 7th that “[Barack] Obama has waged the dirtiest campaign in American history.” From where I sit it looks like McCain and his surrogate Sarah Palin are doing most of the unrepentant mudslinging. Obama has been very careful not to show disrespect toward either McCain or Palin in spite of their recent attacks on his character and patriotism. - 10/10/2008

By N2H