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.  

Sleight of Hand

There are many articles on how to take advantage of tax savings on tips and overtime. The responses are many, with some applauding the actions, while others think it won't do much due to that few will undertake the complexity of sorting out the different incomes from a form that doesn't specify how the taxes were collected. In my opinion, it really doesn't matter. Changing where the tax comes from doesn't relieve the burden. Tax less for wages? Increase excise, and sales taxes to compensate for the problem that is being avoided: Government entities spend too much, don't care how much it burdens citizens, and will always find another way to steal from the labor of their citizens. Tax sleight of hand is the continuing process of fleecing the public, and the public becomes more ignorant every new generation.

A Drop in the Bucket

 The Department of State eliminated nearly 100 million in unnecessary travel expenses.  That's not much in what the nation spends, but to a lowly person that worked all their life, it's mind boggling. When I consider the low-life, lazy, wasteful, puke-shits that wasted this money, it only reinforces my belief most government workers are unneeded, and the most important things are ignored.

**spit**

It's Different for Them

I've been laid off a few times in my life. Some were temporary, but most were permanent. It was part of the process: do your job, finish a project, and the job is over. Go find another. 

I've been watching some news reports about the government shutdown. There are some reports that state some of the layoffs may be permanent, and some may not be paid for not being at work. Otherwise, just like the private sector, which funds all government jobs, government employees may not get paid if they're not at work, or their job is over. That, and those that created this huge mess (just like in the private sector) are getting paid right along. 

I really don't know what to think, but some things suck. 

What it Is

No matter how it's sliced, diced, explained, or hidden, the United States government stole over 25% of my money over the last five years by borrowing unconscionable amounts of money on credit, and allowing inflation to hide the thievery. A less polite society would be stacking bodies.

Paying Their Debt For a Student Loan

I can't fathom the amount of money given to students without any collateral, especially the loans secured by the stealing of money from taxpayers. It's over a trillion dollars, with a substantial amount of the loans in default. So, without any recourse, except for wage garnishment, how are taxpayers going to be reimbursed for the largess of some corrupt politicians? 

Should universities be on the hook for the majority of the unpaid debt? Even our local university used the easiness of securing a loan to peddle degrees that flooded the market with potential employees without an avenue toward a job in the future. Many were two year technical degrees, but the market didn't support the number of students. That's unconscionable,  and the stupidity should fall on the university. If they have to rob their trusts, sell some of their real estate, and lay off some of their employees, then maybe that's part of the solution. They sold their snake oil, and it's time they became responsible for the problems they created. 

What about the politicians? They were involved with passing legislation that allowed the waste of taxpayer funds. Maybe their pensions should be taken, their salaries garnished, and those still in office faced with a very small staff. No junkets, fact finding missions, and no travel on military aircraft. They created this problem, and should bear some of the costs. 

The students are responsible too. They signed the agreement, and many either are paying in good faith, or have paid off their loans, but the default rate is too high. To make things worse, with the only jobs available for some degrees, and income that doesn't support the loan amount, paying the loan, and living, can't happen. That money is lost, and recovery will never happen. 

So, it appears the only loser in this student loan debacle is the taxpayers that produced, had their income reduced to pay for student loans, and were betrayed by the government. Expecting them to burden more is not an option. If the government has to sell off some national parks, stop giving any money in foreign aid, and go after the money promised to be repaid after the last world war, then so be it. Enough is enough, and it's time this problem is solved.

Foul Mood

I've been in a foul mood for the last few days. It's the culmination of many things, but more than anything else, it's the revealing of the amount of money outright stolen by the government. Someone being punished for their crimes is more than necessary at this time, and if justice is really served, prisons won't be large enough. I suggest tents in the desert as an alternative. Wasting more money on more government owned buildings is another thing that make my mood foul.

A Tale of Two Bridges

 It's not actually two bridges. It had two different names over time, and it consolidated the traffic of two streets that hadn't crossed the interstate for decades, but some planners (planners/politicians/grifters) decided it was necessary, and threatened to kill a puppy if it wasn't built. (No, they didn't plan to kill a puppy, but probably threatened to elect a more terrible derelict to Texas Congress. That's probably worse). It won't be standing much longer. Demolition is soon to start.

The bridge is masterpiece of glut, unnecessary embellishment, and for those that I knew that built it, a thing of beauty and accomplishment. Formwork required panels that reflected stonework of a time past, and the lighting was of a past century. The safety rails took some fancy detailing in formwork to reflect bannisters of an expensive staircase. I was impressed with the work. 

 It is beautiful, but in reality, the amount of traffic it allows convenience never satisfied the cost. That, and when I first drove under the finished bridge, I wondered if the clearance would become a problem in the future. That, and glad my commute through that area didn't have to deal with the construction traffic due to the bridge.

The interstate is in the process of expansion. Two main travel lanes in each direction are not enough. They haven't been for years, but funding wasn't available. The bottleneck at two major exchanges requires much more pavement, and from what I'm seeing, flyovers will be required. The bridge that had the name of a local politician, after the name of the two streets it consolidated, is in the way. In April, it will close, and the traffic on the interstate will become a nightmare for those traveling to, and from, across Texas. Demolition of a bridge over a live interstate requires detours, detours require the walls of death, and the carnage will begin.

So, progress is on the way. It requires me to avoid that section of the local city if I decide to visit. I already avoid it as much as I can, but now have another very good reason to not visit. It's looking too much like parts of Houston, and the traffic is sometimes worse. 

In a few months, there will be a much different appearance of this area.

So, What Did They Do With The Money?

 A few local communities are having problems with their infrastructure. Roads are the usual problem. Traffic changes, traffic loads increase, and even some newer roads are showing signs of problems. Many I watched during construction. Since I have no access to testing reports, or watched them performed, there's no way I can say it's due to shoddy construction, but know enough to see where it probably happened. Laziness, outright fraud, and unscrupulous contractors can lead to "boiler-housed" test reports, and failures in the future. City crews do what they can, but do so at a pace that guarantees they probably are rejects from the private sector.

The problem that is found more in the news is the problems with sanitary sewers. Regardless of the millions spent in the eighties by grants for rehabilitation, and new systems, the sewer systems are failing. Why? There's too much groundwater infiltration from dilapidated pipes, overloaded systems, and a failure to upgrade capacities. This causes the sewers to surcharge in rain events, toilets don't flush, and some neighborhoods are filled with people calling their insurance agent to claim they need new carpet. Why is there so much infiltration? Cities don't spend the money on for what it was intended. They spend it on useless salaries, unwarranted benefits, ridiculous programs, and the necessary things are pushed to the back burner...until they break. Then it becomes a crises without funds for necessary upgrades.

I'm sure this is not just isolated locally. Cities, like all government entities, are filled with incompetent, selfish people that never intend to do anything but secure a salary and retire with a pension you can't find in the private sector. It is what it is, and I'm glad I moved away from a city decades ago. I like my toilets to drain, my water supply to be without repairs I can't do, and not having to deal with the bureaucrats that ignore telephone calls. As far as the roads, our county commissioner does what they can, but is a politician. That explains it all.

Why?

Why does the U.S. government give grants to any university, while millions of taxpayers would like an additional few bucks in their pocket every month instead of watching it pissed off by bureaucrats and politicians?

Now That It Was Created, What Is To Be Done?

Through illegal elections, financial influence, and outright thievery, the U.S. has a ruling class. This class of people hold important government positions, weld their power with impunity, and stolen a tremendous amount of money from those that pay taxes. Now what do we do? Many have no wealth, except what they acquired through illegal stock trades, slush funds, and using regulations to improve their ability to acquire wealth. With that wealth came power, and with that power, they ignored laws, decency, and did so without any attempt at integrity. 

If those in the government were in organized crime, (I know, it is) their assets would be seized, and they would be charged for their crimes. They do this with drug dealers, bookies, and hired thugs. Whether this happens is to be seen, but the example must be set, and the criminals running the country need to face their prosecutions.