The Crisis of our Currency, the American Dollar.

The national debt has grown every single year since 1958. and it will equal the entire GDP some time in 2010. Call it a tipping point, call it decline, call it whatever one wants; it is a crisis of epic proportions.

Unfortunately, our nation's leaders are either oblivious, in which case they are fools, or they are powerless and cannot even save their own land, or they do not care, in which case they are not "leaders" at all. Instead, they are charlatans, pretending to embody the national interest but only driving the nation into a huge abyss.

Neither party has produced a plan to deal with this emergency, although the warning signs have been abundant for over a decade. And without a demonstrable will to boldly act, nations overseas will continue to make their own plans.

We now have global economies, not just the eastern block and the US and it is right to have these economies affecting us but the problem is, we are not evolving with our policies regarding spending and the inflation of the currency; America has just lost everything it has built, the stability and strength of it's monetary position. The dollar is involved with transactions the world over and when the Fed, Treasury, and Congress inflate the currency and expand our debt obligations the way they are, foreign nations know eventually their dollar holdings will be much less valuable. Combined, this includes trillions of dollars of reserves, treasuries, corporate bonds, and securities, and they will obviously want to dump them.

Who could blame them? We make bad decisions and then, in essence, ask foreign powers (who are often hostile) to pay for these decisions. So, what do we do? Do we steer the ship of state out of turbulent waters? No, we have continued to steer it toward the deep beyond, which means the run on the dollar is close at hand, perhaps even inevitable. Fear in our ability to pay back our debts will encourage that run where the capability and willingness by our nation's leaders could prevent it.

Since nothing has yet changed, (especially since the Wall St. & Bank crisis) the best Americans can do is stock up on gold and perhaps, canned goods and hold on tight because it is going to get worse.

Happy Birthday America!

Reflections on Independence Day flooded my mind with the sights and feelings evoked while visiting Philadelphia a short time ago. This was the first time for me visiting any of America’s historical past and for a first timer, it was an experience never to be forgotten.


The trip lit a fire within, spurring me on an interior quest of the emotions of those poignant days when a group of men literally sweated out the words of our Declaration of Independence. The heat was unbearable in the Hall, the flies even worse and yet these men were driven by the same vision, the same yearning to create a foundation for freedom, for a true democracy.

America is the only true democracy although the Greeks and Romans did make an attempt but were defeated by complacency of their peoples. Because of this, I pray people will open their eyes and “see” and “hear” the lies and recognize how our media is masking the truth or not reporting it all, we must “hear” the hidden truths; man has no nobler function than to defend the truth. Americans have a duty to defend the truth, to fight for our freedoms again, to remind our corrupt government what our genetic framework is all about. The tea parties have been a wonderful way to peacefully state our dissent, but will that be enough?


I fear for my country (photo below) and, for anyone who has never been to the heart of our constitution, please take the time to go, to contemplate the Statue of Liberty as well during the days of visiting, to spend a few minutes thinking about what freedom means to you. The freedom to write what we want on a blog and not get thrown in jail, the freedom of the press (well not so free these days when you realize who controls it), the freedom to drive wherever we wish in our cars and to live in any state we choose, to strike up a new business and be an entrepreneur, invent, create…to breathe.

America is strong, her genetics will most likely save her from severe damage caused by corruption and socialistic moves of the current government however before she retaliates, I am convinced Obama is going to wreak a great amount of damage in a very short amount of time. Yes, he did inherit a mess but the mess started many administrations ago so we must not put the blame on just one previous president. While our flag waves, salute it, stand in awe of it and remember the many men who died for us, to give us the liberties we have today. Please do not stand with your hands over your crotch (Obama’s offence to America) during our anthem or pledge of allegiance. Think of Betsy Ross, think about those men in Philadelphia eons ago and light a fire within for your country. While you rush to see fireworks, to light the BBQ, stop, and remember.

Happy Birthday to all Americans.

California Miles

Exploring her own state is something she has not done much of so, she decided to grab her buggy and head off up the coast of California. She pointed her wheels towards the coastline until she arrived to stop in Santa Barbara and sip wine at the Harbor House as the late March fog swirled in around her.

Wandering up and down State Street in the heart of a lovely town, she wished she had a buddy with her to stop and eat at just about every wine bar and eatery there. As the fog really moved in, she decided to head out to Solvang for a little tour of the place one she had not revisited for over 25 years. Upon arrival she was truly surprised to see how much the town had changed over the years all except the Abelskievers. After a really fast tour and a jaunt through the farmer's market for a bag of fresh cherries and bucket of cookies she jumped back in the car and left for San Luis Obispo to spend the night at the Madonna Inn.

Reading some of the print material, she was fascinated to learn how Alex Madonna was such a good friend with William Randolf Hearst and how the two of them, with their dreams, created two masterpieces in their own rights. They both loved craftsmanship and quality and there seemed to be no end to their dreams. After a funky dinner in the pink restaurant, laden with photos of old Hollywood stars with the Madonna family, she headed back to explore the nuances of her funky room.

Clearly, the next day she was destined to visit Hearst's Castle and from one who has lived in Europe for over 10 years, living with, among and around villas, castles and palaces, this was enthralling, overwhelming, and humbling all at once. His vision, which he changed ad infinitum, was a mental work-out particularly when one can practically “feel” his vision, his dream and experience his efforts in every corner, in every piece of furniture, Della Robbia and gads of other antiques. Such fun it must have been for him! She almost envied that kind of power to create without limits.

OK, so onward and "upwards" in the buggy towards Big Sur. Nepenthe http://www.nepenthebigsur.com was her late lunch stop. Anyone ever been there? Spectacular vistas, architecture and a luscious Bordeaux! '99 Pichon Lalande, from Pauillac coupled with artisan cheeses of California. She was in heaven! Contrary to her habit of wanting more wine, she savored this glass over an hour, feeling it wash over her velvety in texture, reveling in the deep purple ruby color and knowing she would never be able to find a bottle of this once home. Ha, thanks to her favorite wine merchants...she found her paradise after returning hom. http://klwine.com

Off again, towards Carmel for a lightening fast "look" and then a late arrival into San Francisco for a night on the wharf. Always her favorite place to be anytime of the year! Those crab cocktails from the street vendors...! Later, in the room, she quietly planned the winery stops for the next day through Napa Valley.

The next day she flew through the wineries buying up a car load of "bottles full of grapes" and then headed out for a stop in Reno so she could spend the last night in another one of her regeneration spots, Mammoth Lakes...a small spot of tranquility this time of the year. The skiers were still there but just barely so the town was quiet and cozy. http://www.mammothlakes.com

What is next?

OK, so is anyone pissed off about this whole crisis? We should be and we should be writing letters to our congresspeople because we are going to be paying for this for the rest of our lives while the weasels who perpetrated this by not only finding the holes but creating more of them, keep getting more money, our money. We need a lynching squad for starters and we need to begin to voice our protest. We are losing control of our country as set out by the constitution and I do not know about you, but I am ready to stand up and make a lot of noise.