Curmudgeon Headlines In The News

I'm trying to stay away from these kind of posts, but I need to get some of them out of my system...

Iraq: More Then 1,000 Are Killed In May 2013
By Patrick Markey | Reuters

"The renewed bloodletting reflects worsening tensions between Iraq's Shiite-led government and its Sunni minority, seething with resentment at their treatment since Saddam Hussein was overthrown by the U.S.-led invasion of 2003 and later hanged."

Graterford Prison Replacement...
Joseph N. DiStefano | Inquirer Staff Writer

"...the second-most-expensive facility Pennsylvania has ever built. Only the Convention Center cost taxpayers more, according to state General Services spokesman Troy Thompson."Even though Pennsylvania's budget is in a bind for pensions, education infrastructure repairs and the like, isn't it a shame we have to spend $400 million on jerks?

Coastal Homeowners Stagger Under Insurance Costs
JEFF AMY | The Associated Press

"Rates in Florida rose 91 percent, most in the nation, while rates in Rhode Island went up 62 percent. Insurers say the increases are necessary to offset the risk they take in insuring millions of homeowners in harm's way."Negative nannies may assert, too bad. They shouldn't be living in these areas in the first place. However consider the Midwest tornados, the fires in California and the floods which have been occurring throughout this country far removed from coastal areas. All of these impact insurance rates nationally no matter where one lives.

According to The Associated Press Homeowner insurance rates have spiked throughout this country. They point out nationally rates have gone up 36% from what it was 7 years ago. Nearly double that of inflation. Although this article mentions homeowners I'm sure it pretty much reflects what all property owners alike have to pay whether they be real estate investors or business owners as well.

The rapidly rising property taxes and insurance rates affect everybody. Whether it be the consumer, a homeowner or a renter. So to you negative nannies who can't fathom that we're all in this together.. WAKE UP!



To continue with my cranking... this brings us to student loans. I posted about this ticking time bomb 3 weeks ago.

Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Council, James Kvaal






Curmudgeon Wrap Up: Getting It All Out My System :-)

Federal, state and local budgets are a mess. Infrastructure is a mess. Social Security and Medicare is a mess. A kid graduating college has little hope of owning a home for many years. Over $3 trillion dollars was wasted on Iraq's slowly collapsing government. We've over extended federal tax breaks which eat away Washington's revenue. The foolish who walk among us delude themselves into believing somehow sequester and other federal budget cuts for funding going to states, local governments and school funding doesn't have an impact on taxpayers locally.

From one end of the country to the other state and local governments have gotten into using taxpayer money to fund risky private enterprises that no sane investor would ever dare. A few examples are railroads and trolleys that once were created by selling shares in the hopes of making a profit. Building stadiums on the taxpayer's dime for multi million dollar sports teams with little required from them. Also hotels, apartments, business facilities of all kinds that developers themselves wouldn't otherwise without taxpayers' monies assuming the greatest portion of the risk.

It's little wonder why people have become apathetic here and elsewhere. People have been appealing every way possible at all levels and have failed to rein in government's reckless spending habits.

On one hand the governments at the federal, state and local levels tell us they're awash in red ink when it comes to needed basic services they've previously provided. On the other hand have money to blow on one thing after another where investors fear to tread.


NO, I'M NOT AGAINST DEVELOPMENT
If a group of folks want to risk their money I'm all for it. If a group of people think they can make a buck by building a railroad, hotel or a green energy project by voluntarily using their personal money ... go for it. That's what capitalism is all about.

That's not what going on here. Elected officials are seizing someone else's money (through taxes) at no risk to their own personal wealth and applying it to projects like I've mentioned. This while neglecting the funding for necessary core services like bridges, policing, fire, etc.

As you can see from the stories above property owners and kids starting out are being squeezed to a breaking point. We simply can't continue down this path. It's unsustainable. Government needs to get a handle not only on it's spending, but find a way to contain costs for medical needs, education, property ownership and to provide trade policies that create jobs. The things that put money into the average Joe's pocket while at the same time provides for the needs of the average citizen. Not just financial growth for those whom are well connected and are already well off.

I realize my words on this blog will have little to no impact. Nor change the path we're heading, but I just had get it off my chest and...