The debt crisis in Greece is a terrible one; but it's one in which they ultimately brought upon themselves. What has happened and what is happening now in Greece is a result of their governments brazen inability to live within its means. As of now, the debt-to-GDP ratio is estimated to be around a 160%. For comparison, the debt-to-GDP ratio for the United States currently stands at around 62%.
Only a couple of weeks ago, Standard & Poor's lowered the Greek sovereign debt to a CCC rating, making it the lowest in the world. It was only a couple of days ago when large-scale riots broke out in Athens in response to a series of austerity measures that were accepted by the government in order to secure more loans from various EU members and the IMF. Ultimately, the only way that Greece will be able to save itself is if it defaults on its loans, and then proceeds to restructure its entitlement systems.
Does the Greek debt crisis bode ill for the Euro, and for the EU as a whole? I certainly believe that it does. Greece is just but one of many countries in the EU that are experiencing severe economic problems (Portugal, Italy, Ireland and Spain are also on the brink). Spain, by most reports, will be the next country to fall. And if that does happen, then there simply will not be enough money to bail them out. In my opinion, it's only a matter of time before the Euro collapses.
The lesson that we can gain from Greece is a rather simple one: STOP SPENDING MONEY THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE! I fear that the United States could have its own debt crisis soon, and if that happens, you better believe that it'll be infinitely worse than the crisis that the Greek's are now contending with.
Best,
Kip
Sources: http://www.infowars.com/the-greek-tragedy-could-engulf-many-more-european-states/, http://online.barrons.com/article/SB126584181497144099.html, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Greece#2010-2011_debt_crisis
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Radical Environmentalism is our Gravest Threat
I came across something the other day with which I was unaware of; Agenda 21. Agenda 21 is perhaps one of the most chilling things that I have had the misfortune of encountering on the internet. Agenda 21 was drafted by the United Nations in the early 1990's, with its aim being to create a world of proper sustainable development.
According to the U.N., "Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations System, Governments, and Major Groups in every area in which human impacts on the environment." Now it's evident to everyone that wherever there are human beings, there's going to be an environmental impact. Sounds like an excellent way for the U.N. to expand its scope of power, eh?
What terrifies me is that the most rabid and influential environmentalist on our planet are calling for truly extraordinary measures in order for us to reduce our footprint on the environment. As most of you know, population growth is rampant in many third world countries, while it is stagnating, or actually declining in many developed countries. The primary objective of these people is to stagnate and then reduce the population in these lesser developed countries. Now what are these measures that many environmentalist are calling for? Well, the worst is population control.
In order to substantiate the claim that these people are really calling for population control, I'll include a few quotes from people who are the environmentalist, or who are funding the environmentalist movement. Ted Turner, the founder of CNN, states that "a total population of 250-300 million people, a 95% decline from present levels, would be ideal." David Foreman, Earth First Co-Founder has declared the his "first three goals would be to reduce human population to about a 100 million worldwide, destroy the industrial infrastructure and see wilderness, with its full complement of species, returning throughout the world." Finally, Prince Philip has asserted that if he could be reincarnated as anything, that he would come back to earth in the form of a virus, for the purpose of destroying humanity.
This is real, people, and it scares the living hell out of me. These people, this caste of the global elite, have a terrible disdain for humanity. What these people are calling for is akin to the eugenics of old, wherein they seemingly only want to keep the best of the best for their new world utopia. There is a monument in Elbert County, GA called the Georgia Guidestones. The Guidestones are inscribed with with a set of ten "principles" for a new age. Nothing serves to better epitomize the end goals of humanity for these people. The first "principle" is this: "Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature." I'll post a link in my sources from which you can read the remaining nine commandments of the NWO.
Just to further evidence what these people are up to, I'm going to post a couple of video's that go on to further explain what Agenda 21 is. Also, please check out my sources that you can do more research on the topic.
Cheers,
Kip
Sources: http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/10/un_agenda_21_coming_to_a_neigh.html, http://lewrockwell.com/rep2/al-gore-agenda-21-population-control.html, http://www.oldthinkernews.com/?p=201, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_Guidestones, youtube.com
According to the U.N., "Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations System, Governments, and Major Groups in every area in which human impacts on the environment." Now it's evident to everyone that wherever there are human beings, there's going to be an environmental impact. Sounds like an excellent way for the U.N. to expand its scope of power, eh?
What terrifies me is that the most rabid and influential environmentalist on our planet are calling for truly extraordinary measures in order for us to reduce our footprint on the environment. As most of you know, population growth is rampant in many third world countries, while it is stagnating, or actually declining in many developed countries. The primary objective of these people is to stagnate and then reduce the population in these lesser developed countries. Now what are these measures that many environmentalist are calling for? Well, the worst is population control.
In order to substantiate the claim that these people are really calling for population control, I'll include a few quotes from people who are the environmentalist, or who are funding the environmentalist movement. Ted Turner, the founder of CNN, states that "a total population of 250-300 million people, a 95% decline from present levels, would be ideal." David Foreman, Earth First Co-Founder has declared the his "first three goals would be to reduce human population to about a 100 million worldwide, destroy the industrial infrastructure and see wilderness, with its full complement of species, returning throughout the world." Finally, Prince Philip has asserted that if he could be reincarnated as anything, that he would come back to earth in the form of a virus, for the purpose of destroying humanity.
This is real, people, and it scares the living hell out of me. These people, this caste of the global elite, have a terrible disdain for humanity. What these people are calling for is akin to the eugenics of old, wherein they seemingly only want to keep the best of the best for their new world utopia. There is a monument in Elbert County, GA called the Georgia Guidestones. The Guidestones are inscribed with with a set of ten "principles" for a new age. Nothing serves to better epitomize the end goals of humanity for these people. The first "principle" is this: "Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature." I'll post a link in my sources from which you can read the remaining nine commandments of the NWO.
Just to further evidence what these people are up to, I'm going to post a couple of video's that go on to further explain what Agenda 21 is. Also, please check out my sources that you can do more research on the topic.
Cheers,
Kip
Sources: http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/10/un_agenda_21_coming_to_a_neigh.html, http://lewrockwell.com/rep2/al-gore-agenda-21-population-control.html, http://www.oldthinkernews.com/?p=201, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_Guidestones, youtube.com
Friday, June 24, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
The Nonsense of Ben Bernanke
Yesterday, the Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, gave his second press conference since serving in this position. He made it clear to the American people that he is "frustrated" by our slow rate of economic growth. Rather than blaming poor economic policies, Bernanke is attributing our stagnant growth rate to higher oil prices, as well as to the earthquake that occurred earlier this year in Japan.
Additionally, Quantitative Easing (QE) round two is going to be coming to an end this month. Throughout the course of QEII, the Fed purchased around $600 billion in Treasury bonds and notes, under the precept that it would help to further spur the economy. However, as evidenced by our ever stagnant economy, QE has done nothing to bring us true economic growth.
In the process of QE, the Fed has served to inject trillions of dollars into the economy, leading to the fear that this will further debase the value of the USD, and ultimately lead to inflation. Bernanke stated that the Fed will maintain interest rates at around 0-.25%. He also declared that the Fed is no hurry to raise them.
These artificially low interest rates could also prove to be more hurtful than helpful in the long run, as artificially low interest rates, in essence, subsidize short-term, low-return investment opportunities. This is harmful as this negates capital that would naturally go towards long-term, high-return investments.
Bernanke's press conference begs the question for as to whether or not there will be another round of QE. While Bernanke didn't necessarily allude to it, he still hasn't taken it off of the table. Furthermore, Bernanke claims that immediate budget cuts would have the capacity to hinder economic recovery.
Despite what Bernanke says, I believe that the market needs a natural correction. What the Fed is doing is akin to the habits of a drug addict; wherein they get their high, and then crash, thus creating the need to continue their addiction. Due to the intervention of the government and the Fed in the economy, this is exactly what appears to be happening. In reality, any economic gains that we have made can be attributed to this artificial nonsense.
Ultimately, I'm afraid that the continued use of this interventionist approach in regards to our economy is only going to result in an even bigger crash. The only role that the government should be playing is one in which they strive to create the most business friendly environment as possible. However, none of this seemingly matters, for as John Maynard Keynes once said, "in the long run, we're all dead."
All the best,
Kip
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/interestrates/8591772/Fed-chief-Bernankes-press-conference-as-it-happened.html
Additionally, Quantitative Easing (QE) round two is going to be coming to an end this month. Throughout the course of QEII, the Fed purchased around $600 billion in Treasury bonds and notes, under the precept that it would help to further spur the economy. However, as evidenced by our ever stagnant economy, QE has done nothing to bring us true economic growth.
In the process of QE, the Fed has served to inject trillions of dollars into the economy, leading to the fear that this will further debase the value of the USD, and ultimately lead to inflation. Bernanke stated that the Fed will maintain interest rates at around 0-.25%. He also declared that the Fed is no hurry to raise them.
These artificially low interest rates could also prove to be more hurtful than helpful in the long run, as artificially low interest rates, in essence, subsidize short-term, low-return investment opportunities. This is harmful as this negates capital that would naturally go towards long-term, high-return investments.
Bernanke's press conference begs the question for as to whether or not there will be another round of QE. While Bernanke didn't necessarily allude to it, he still hasn't taken it off of the table. Furthermore, Bernanke claims that immediate budget cuts would have the capacity to hinder economic recovery.
Despite what Bernanke says, I believe that the market needs a natural correction. What the Fed is doing is akin to the habits of a drug addict; wherein they get their high, and then crash, thus creating the need to continue their addiction. Due to the intervention of the government and the Fed in the economy, this is exactly what appears to be happening. In reality, any economic gains that we have made can be attributed to this artificial nonsense.
Ultimately, I'm afraid that the continued use of this interventionist approach in regards to our economy is only going to result in an even bigger crash. The only role that the government should be playing is one in which they strive to create the most business friendly environment as possible. However, none of this seemingly matters, for as John Maynard Keynes once said, "in the long run, we're all dead."
All the best,
Kip
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/interestrates/8591772/Fed-chief-Bernankes-press-conference-as-it-happened.html
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
All Hail Obama; Lawgiver, Judge and King!
Apparently President Obama now thinks that he has the capacity to push through any piece of legislation that he wants, via executive order, of course. This most recent abuse of the president's ability to issue an executive order comes in the form of Obama essentially legalizing the Dream Act.
The Dream Act was a bill which was being considered in the U.S. Senate earlier this year. The purpose of the Dream Act was to grant children of illegal alien's citizenship, so long as they enrolled in college, or volunteered for military service.
However, the Dream Act failed to pass in the Senate. Despite the actual legislature failing to make the Dream Act law, Obama decided to take measures into his own hands. Last Friday, he issued a memo telling federal immigration officials to be more lenient in regards to the deportation of illegal's who are enrolled in school, pregnant or nursing, or whose family members are performing military service.
The only logical conclusion that one can draw from this order is that Obama is becoming increasingly desperate to secure the Hispanic population's vote. According to Gallup, Obama's job approval rating is at 45% of American's approving, while 48% currently disapprove. These are not good numbers for a president who is seeking re-election in 2012.
What President Obama does not seem to realize is that we have check's and balance's in this country for a reason; to prevent a tyrant from coming to power. What is the point of having a legislature in this country when our executive disregards what they have already voted on, and takes measures into his own hands?
Kind regards,
Kip
Sources: http://www.examiner.com/immigration-reform-in-national/obama-issues-dream-act-by-executive-order-press-ignores#ixzz1Py9Q0tBP, http://www.gallup.com/home.aspx
The Dream Act was a bill which was being considered in the U.S. Senate earlier this year. The purpose of the Dream Act was to grant children of illegal alien's citizenship, so long as they enrolled in college, or volunteered for military service.
However, the Dream Act failed to pass in the Senate. Despite the actual legislature failing to make the Dream Act law, Obama decided to take measures into his own hands. Last Friday, he issued a memo telling federal immigration officials to be more lenient in regards to the deportation of illegal's who are enrolled in school, pregnant or nursing, or whose family members are performing military service.
The only logical conclusion that one can draw from this order is that Obama is becoming increasingly desperate to secure the Hispanic population's vote. According to Gallup, Obama's job approval rating is at 45% of American's approving, while 48% currently disapprove. These are not good numbers for a president who is seeking re-election in 2012.
What President Obama does not seem to realize is that we have check's and balance's in this country for a reason; to prevent a tyrant from coming to power. What is the point of having a legislature in this country when our executive disregards what they have already voted on, and takes measures into his own hands?
Kind regards,
Kip
Sources: http://www.examiner.com/immigration-reform-in-national/obama-issues-dream-act-by-executive-order-press-ignores#ixzz1Py9Q0tBP, http://www.gallup.com/home.aspx
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Another Folly in the Madness that is Obamacare
Unsurprisingly, a 'glitch' was found in the thousands of pages that make up the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. What is this specific glitch you ask? Well, it's a glitch that will allow approximately three million middle-class American's to get on the dole in the form of Medicaid.
Essentially, the glitch effects people who will retire early (62 years of age is when you can start collecting Social Security), provided that a married couple does not make more than sixty-four thousand dollars a year. This will allow anyone in said category to be eligible for Medicaid by the year 2014, assuming that the government does nothing to fix this error.
What surprises me, though, is that it was actually a bureaucrat who discovered this glitch. The man's name is Richard Foster, and he is the Medicare chief actuary. Foster is so troubled by this, that he actually says the matter keeps him up at night.
Unfortunately for Foster, policymakers are turning a deaf ear to him. Foster claims that no one is making this an urgent matter. However, one lawmaker, Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, says that the error is "unacceptable."
What makes this glitch even more troubling is the fact that the early retirees income from Social Security will not be considered in the application process. There are already an upwards of fifty million American's on Medicaid, and as it is a federal-state cost sharing partnership, this will only serve to add even more of a burden to state's that are struggling to balance their budgets.
This actually terrifies me, as Foster is probably one of only a handful of people who are going over the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act with a fine-tooth comb. I'm almost certain that we are going to hear of more of these 'glitches' to come, but as Nancy Pelosi famously declared, "we must pass the bill in order to know what's in it." Well, Rep. Pelosi, we're sure as hell finding out now.
Sincerely,
Kip
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110621/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_health_overhaul_glitch
Essentially, the glitch effects people who will retire early (62 years of age is when you can start collecting Social Security), provided that a married couple does not make more than sixty-four thousand dollars a year. This will allow anyone in said category to be eligible for Medicaid by the year 2014, assuming that the government does nothing to fix this error.
What surprises me, though, is that it was actually a bureaucrat who discovered this glitch. The man's name is Richard Foster, and he is the Medicare chief actuary. Foster is so troubled by this, that he actually says the matter keeps him up at night.
Unfortunately for Foster, policymakers are turning a deaf ear to him. Foster claims that no one is making this an urgent matter. However, one lawmaker, Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, says that the error is "unacceptable."
What makes this glitch even more troubling is the fact that the early retirees income from Social Security will not be considered in the application process. There are already an upwards of fifty million American's on Medicaid, and as it is a federal-state cost sharing partnership, this will only serve to add even more of a burden to state's that are struggling to balance their budgets.
This actually terrifies me, as Foster is probably one of only a handful of people who are going over the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act with a fine-tooth comb. I'm almost certain that we are going to hear of more of these 'glitches' to come, but as Nancy Pelosi famously declared, "we must pass the bill in order to know what's in it." Well, Rep. Pelosi, we're sure as hell finding out now.
Sincerely,
Kip
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110621/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_health_overhaul_glitch
Monday, June 20, 2011
Rick Perry: Potential Hypocrite in Chief?
Rick Perry, the current governor of Texas and possible GOP presidential hopeful, has seemingly always been a proponent of state's rights. However, when faced with the real opportunity to walk the walk, it appears that Gov. Perry is sitting idle.
It all started back in mid-May when the Texas House of Representatives passed a bill which would have made offensive TSA pat-downs illegal. Texas lawmakers voted unanimously to pass the bill, which then moved it on to its next stage in the Texas State Senate, where it was anticipated to pass just as easily.
Despite the bill's easy passage in the House, it never received the opportunity to become actual law in Texas. The reason for this unfortunate occurrence is that the Federal government caught wind of the bill, and would have absolutely none of it.
As the bill was taken up for consideration in the Texas Senate, the Department of Justice actually had the the audacity to issue the state of Texas a threat: they said that if they dared to pass the bill, then they would impose a no-fly zone over the state of Texas. This was enough to scare the senators into throwing the bill out the window.
However, there is still hope for the bill's passage, as there is currently a special session of the legislature going on in Texas right now. Because of this, Gov. Perry has the power to reintroduce the bill for consideration. The chief sponsor of the bill, State Rep. David Simpson, is urging him to do just this, along with other pro-freedom organizations, such as the Campaign for Liberty.
Notwithstanding hearing a multitude of urgings and pleas to bring back the bill for consideration, Gov. Perry continues to do nothing. Right now, he is the only person standing between a potential victory for state's rights in Texas. Additionally, if this bill was able to be made into law in Texas, it could set a precedent for other state's to fight back against the overarching power of the Federal government.
Until Gov. Perry seeks to act upon his principles and beliefs, I will continue to see him as only another politician without the ability to stand up for the sovereignty of his state.
I urge everyone to please call Gov. Perry at (512) 463-1782. Tell him to put into practice what he preaches. Ask him to prove that he is different from those who can talk the talk, but can't walk the walk. Tell him to take a stand for state's rights by bringing back up H.B. 41 and S.B. 42 during the special session of the Texas state legislature!
For Liberty,
Kip
It all started back in mid-May when the Texas House of Representatives passed a bill which would have made offensive TSA pat-downs illegal. Texas lawmakers voted unanimously to pass the bill, which then moved it on to its next stage in the Texas State Senate, where it was anticipated to pass just as easily.
Despite the bill's easy passage in the House, it never received the opportunity to become actual law in Texas. The reason for this unfortunate occurrence is that the Federal government caught wind of the bill, and would have absolutely none of it.
As the bill was taken up for consideration in the Texas Senate, the Department of Justice actually had the the audacity to issue the state of Texas a threat: they said that if they dared to pass the bill, then they would impose a no-fly zone over the state of Texas. This was enough to scare the senators into throwing the bill out the window.
However, there is still hope for the bill's passage, as there is currently a special session of the legislature going on in Texas right now. Because of this, Gov. Perry has the power to reintroduce the bill for consideration. The chief sponsor of the bill, State Rep. David Simpson, is urging him to do just this, along with other pro-freedom organizations, such as the Campaign for Liberty.
Notwithstanding hearing a multitude of urgings and pleas to bring back the bill for consideration, Gov. Perry continues to do nothing. Right now, he is the only person standing between a potential victory for state's rights in Texas. Additionally, if this bill was able to be made into law in Texas, it could set a precedent for other state's to fight back against the overarching power of the Federal government.
Until Gov. Perry seeks to act upon his principles and beliefs, I will continue to see him as only another politician without the ability to stand up for the sovereignty of his state.
I urge everyone to please call Gov. Perry at (512) 463-1782. Tell him to put into practice what he preaches. Ask him to prove that he is different from those who can talk the talk, but can't walk the walk. Tell him to take a stand for state's rights by bringing back up H.B. 41 and S.B. 42 during the special session of the Texas state legislature!
For Liberty,
Kip
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Greetings!
Welcome to The Daily Kip! I have finally decided to jump on the bandwagon and make a blog. I know that I am deserving of thunderous applause for finally accomplishing such an incredible feat! I have come to the conclusion that sense I already incessantly share my opinions with my family and friends, that I might as well make it into a public forum. I would classify myself as someone who is very passionate about politics, and the effects which politics has on our society and world, so I believe that this blog will be a good outlet for me to express myself.
This blog is going to be used primarily as a pulpit from which I can share my political views and analysis with anyone who cares to listen. Additionally, I welcome your own views and analysis. As indicated in the title of my blog, I am going to strive to make at least one posting per day, if not more. As I am staunchly opposed to censorship in the public realm, I will do my best to let all ideas flourish in this blog. However, personal attacks will not be accepted.
Again, welcome to The Daily Kip, and thank you for reading! I truly hope that this blog will become an environment where intellectual discourse will prosper!
Best regards,
Kip
This blog is going to be used primarily as a pulpit from which I can share my political views and analysis with anyone who cares to listen. Additionally, I welcome your own views and analysis. As indicated in the title of my blog, I am going to strive to make at least one posting per day, if not more. As I am staunchly opposed to censorship in the public realm, I will do my best to let all ideas flourish in this blog. However, personal attacks will not be accepted.
Again, welcome to The Daily Kip, and thank you for reading! I truly hope that this blog will become an environment where intellectual discourse will prosper!
Best regards,
Kip
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