Category: DEBT

Solyndra: The Green Dream That Burned Through Half a Billion Dollars

Solyndra did not fail because the future was fake. It failed because politicians confused hope with economics — and reality always sends the bill. — YNOT! There is an old rule in business that politicians learn only after they have spent someone else’s money: A government can print dollars. It cannot print wisdom. Back around 2009, America was told it stood on the edge of a green-energy revolution. The future would be powered by sunlight, electric dreams, and federal subsidies large enough to make accountants weep openly into their coffee. One of the shining stars of that revolution was … Continue readingSolyndra: The Green Dream That Burned Through Half a Billion Dollars

Is 2026 Just 1951 With Wi-Fi and AI?

“There’s no such thing as a free lunch. The bill always comes due — and it’s usually handed to you and me.” — YNOT! History doesn’t repeat — but it sure does remix the same track. Every generation believes it’s smarter than the last one. We have better data, better economists, better models, better spreadsheets. And yet, when the bill comes due, we reach for the same old playbook like it’s a family recipe. We may be entering what I’ll call the Treasury–Fed Accord of 2026. And yes — it already happened once. 🇺🇸 The Original: The 1951 Treasury–Fed … Continue readingIs 2026 Just 1951 With Wi-Fi and AI?

The $315 Trillion Paradox: If Every Nation Is in Debt, to Who?

“The modern banking system manufactures money out of nothing. The process is perhaps the most astounding piece of sleight of hand ever invented.” — Sir Josiah Stamp, former Director of the Bank of England 🪶 “The Greatest IOU Ever Written” There’s a strange comfort in owing money — as long as everyone else does too. Mankind once borrowed grain from his neighbor to survive the winter. Now, we borrow from the unborn to survive the quarter. We have traded our handshake for a signature, our gold for paper, and our promises for interest rates. Somewhere along the way, debt … Continue readingThe $315 Trillion Paradox: If Every Nation Is in Debt, to Who?

The Mall, the Card, and the Government

A fellow sailor I know had to close his Black American Express card. Not because he couldn’t pay the bill, but because his wife had a peculiar habit of blaming everyone but herself. Every time she went to the mall and came back with a bill that looked like the national debt, she said it was the mall’s fault. When he showed her the card statement, she said it was the card’s fault. So he called American Express and canceled the Black card. Now she’ll have to make do with a Gold one. And as he told her, “Who … Continue readingThe Mall, the Card, and the Government

Ignorance is never funny – UPDATED

Updated for 2025 8 billion people on earth 6 billion don’t know the world spins 5 billion don’t know that they should have rights 4 billion can’t or wont read a book 3 billion live in total poverty 2 billion don’t care about anything There are 335 million people in USA 50% of the registered voters voted at last election 30% of High school students won’t graduate high school 40% of college students will never finish 70% of people in this country will be functionally obsolete in 10 years 90% of the people reading this don’t care National Debt: … Continue readingIgnorance is never funny – UPDATED