It's Not Great

There's some proclaiming that the economy is doing great. It's not. So much wealth was stolen over the last few year that the aggregate loss has hit U.S. citizens hard, and regardless of hype, there is no method to repair the losses in sight. While some are receiving raises, and others are making acquiring wealth from investments, those that were hurt hard by the Covid debacle are now suffering from the ridiculous economic policies from the last administration. Is there a cure? Of course, but it requires the government drastically cutting expenditures, hard line actions on corruption, and removal of all public funds from anyone, or company, that isn't owned by United States citizens.  

Oil Change and Tire Rotation

 Today I'll have the oil changed in the car, and the tires rotated. It's an occasional task, and it makes me think of today's costs. 

When I first started owning vehicles, the largest tires were 15 inch tires, and many of the vehicles I owned had 13, or 14, inch tires. They seemed to work well. That, and disc brakes were not common, nor anti-lock brakes. I don't know what the stopping distances were in comparison to vehicles today, but like anything, adjustments were made for what was available. I knew the limitations of the vehicle, and compensated for the limitation. Whether that's really that important today doesn't seem to be something so demanded, but I do know the larger tires are more expensive, and the electronics involved in brakes has increased the cost of vehicles. 

Oils have come a long way since I started driving. With the additives, and synthetics, oils don't break down like they once did. Where an oil change was demanded at 3000 miles in the past, the oils today can still have full lubricating qualities up to 15,000 miles. While I was working, we had a synthetic oil on one of our vehicles tested over time. The synthetic in the diesel truck we tested didn't show any degradation in performance until around 17,000 miles. 

Times change, and many of the changes are good. Where a vehicle in the past was basically shot at 100,000 miles, with good care and maintenance, some are still dependable at 300,000 miles. I know car companies would rather people buy more often, but with vehicles costing a substantial amount of a new homes, people just don't have the money and want to wait as long as possible before buying new.

It Will Require Some Work

Yesterday, after I awoke, my wife told me the microwave stopped working. A quick glance showed it had no power, since the clock was dark. My first though was to check the breaker. It was tripped, I reset it, and went to check the microwave. The clock was working. The light was working. The exhaust fan was working. I pushed the start button, and was rewarded with a low pop, and the clock went dark. 

I went back to check the breaker. It was thrown, so I reset it, and went back to survey the task now needing to be done. Examining the cabinet above the microwave showed some basic information on replacing the microwave. A little internet searching revealed how they're mounted above a stove, how much a new one would cost, and me thinking about the future. 

A new microwave that mounts above a range, and has an exhaust fan, isn't inexpensive, and considering the fact they don't last more than 10 years, I decided to remove the microwave, replace it with a range hood, and buy a microwave to place on the counter. Two things determined my decision: the cost of the new microwave, and the fact I didn't want to wrestle with the same problem in a few years, when I'll be older, weaker, and definitely have less patience, or strength. My wife agreed. 

So, we went and found a range hood, and a new smaller microwave for the counter. The range hood will probably last longer than we will, and the smaller microwave fits our use much better. We only thaw, or warm small items, and never cook anything large in a microwave. The range hood will move more air, which will be better than the low volume of the microwave/range hood soon to be in the trash. 

I'll soon tackle this task, and pray the duct work won't be challenging. That, and wrestling the heavy microwave from under the cabinet won't lead to smashed fingers, or dropping it on my foot. It shouldn't take too long, but I'm thinking there will be at least one trip for some hardware. 

It's done. With the help of my wife, and my sister-in-law, we tackled the project. My sister-in-law did the same thing a few years ago, so her experience, and foil tape were most helpful. 

The thing that worried me most was the lifting the old microwave out from under the cabinet. As it turned out, I rested it on my shoulder, when I lifted it from the wall bracket, and was deposited outside for disposal.

Taking Down Some Trees

 A neighbor had a huge pine tree struck by lightning last Summer. Concerned by its proximity to power lines, he contacted the co-op, and they agreed it was something they needed to address. They arrived this morning to take down the tree. 

The crew knew what they were doing. Using a large rope, and a snatch block, the feller climbed the the adjacent tree (which was within the easement), attached a rope, used a truck to pull the tree from the power cables, and took it down first. The dead tree was next. Both are now down, and we don't have to wonder if we would lose power if the tree fell. 

The tree will be cut into manageable sections, and taken to a burn area. It's a neighbor thing. One neighbor will have his yard spared from rutting from a tractor, and the other neighbor will have a huge fire for an evening barbeque. I call it a win-win.

Some Honesty Would Help

Dishonesty is rampant. Politicians proclaim they want to help, and then make millions on inside trading, gifts from just about everyone that can bribe them, and do so for decades. To make things worse, so many of them are corrupt, their supposed ethics watchdogs ignore the corruption. 

Many of those taking public assistance do so by lying. To make things worse, they drive expensive vehicles, which can be found at Section 8 housing, and in grocery store parking lots, where they use ill-gotten money to buy groceries working people can't afford. 

People hire illegals, their churches assist in helping them to survive in the United States, and when those that enforce the law try to perform their job, people riot, assault the officers, and the local government helps in the insurrection by promoting the violence. 

Many in the media choose to fabricate stories, outright lie, and think their subversive activities should be protected because of their distorted opinion of the First Amendment. 

Those that count the votes may be the worse. Not only are illegal votes counted, and any efforts to audit the ballots are met with law suits to prevent access. This destroys the integrity demanded by our Constitutional Republic. 

The only solution to these problems can never be legislated, or demanded. Integrity is a form of self-discipline that only comes from those raised in an environment that demands a refusal too use deception to achieve gain. That environment has been polluted by those that use any method - including criminal activities - to achieve wealth and power. 

How this disregard for honesty can be changed is something that won't happen without a conscious effort by people to make the change. I don't have much faith this will happen. Too many are part of the grift, too many are apathetic, and the slide downhill accelerates.