Craig's Corner

Apple users around the world upgraded to IOS7 this past week.   9 million people just bought new phones.   Many of them succumbed to the scam that went around the Internet:   that the new operating system would make their iPhone/iPad/iDevice waterproof .    It’s silly, really, to think that people are gullible enough to think that a software update would impact hardware.   I must admit a certain amount of amusement that I had in reading some of the outraged comments from people who upon learning of this feaux-feature prompted took their phone out and dunked it in water to verify.   It shouldn’t however, be surprising that people fell for it – millions of people vote for politicians who promise the same sort of reality-bending premise as the Apple scam.   Senator Ted Cruz has been vilified by both the Republican and Democratic establishment for his demagoguery of the Affordable Care Act (aka “ObamaCare”).   He has spent months cruising around the country, leading Town Halls,

Another gunman has gone on a shooting rampage.   Everybody from politicians and opinion makers to John and Jane Public express outrage.   Partisans get behind their well-worn(out) talking points.   “See what happens when guns are so freely available.”   “Who needs this type of gun to hunt?”   “Background checks.”   “Violent videogames (tv shows, books, comic books, etc.) are the cause!”   “We need to deal with mental health.”   There’s actual merit in each point, but it’s crazy what America does with the least sane amongst us. According to the National Institute of Mental Health , mental disorders are so common that approximately one quarter of adults are diagnosable for one or more disorders. The main burden of illness is concentrated among a much smaller proportion (about 6%) who suffer from a seriously debilitating mental illness. I’m not a doctor, haven’t studied the nuances of psychiatry or psychology outside of my own personal issues and don't play one on TV.  

Five years ago this week the world changed.   A series of events occurred in the first 2 weeks of September 2008, sparking what’s known as “The Great Recession.”   In the mid to late zero’s (00’s) I was part of the 1%, falling within the upper echelon of wage earners in the U.S., owning multiple properties and investments while giving away 20% to various charities.   I worked hard providing 7-figure returns for the companies I was managing.   I was laid off in January 2009 and did not obtain regular and consistent employment until December 2011 – three full years later.    In that time I lost savings, 401(k), all my properties, investments and ultimately filed for personal bankruptcy.   I went from the 1% to the 99%.   I’m not the only one.   The typical family in America lost $50,000 to $150,000 based on a study released this week by the Fed .      What brought this on this devastation was a most eventful month, with several key decisions by the Government: ·      

Children taunt each other with “liar liar pants on fire” – whose etymology dates to William Blake’s 1810 poem “ Liar .”   Watching cable news or reading various posts on the Internet – we see that the grown up version isn't all that different.   PolitiFact adopted the phrase in its determination of politicians who they determine are less than truthful.   Blog writers tend to go hyperbolic and use inflammatory rhetoric to make their points – something I have diligently tried not to do over the past three years and 165 posts.   Today could be different.   Today I can understand why names are called, and there is now the risk that the pants aren’t just on fire – they’re an inferno. President Obama did not have my vote in 2008 or 2012.   My policy differences with his platform are significant.   He articulated a vision for the country, a set of ideals and a variety of plans to fulfill his goals.   A majority of registered voters (but a minority of constituents) chose his pl