Et Tu Berlusconi?

Prime Minister of Italy ,Silvio Berlusconi got a broken nose, split lip and broken teeth from a voter in Italy yesterday in the city of Milan. That was Berlusconi's home town. In these days of would be empires e.g. , al Qaida and the United States which are projecting their aspirations among the remains of former empires -Italy's Roman Empire being the most famous- the assault on Berlusconi is worth noting. 

A quick look of Berlusoni's history on Wikipedia involves about a 2-3  foot scroll down of mostly allegations of criminal conduct without convictions. The allegations range from collusion with the Mafia in assorted schemes through corruption and bribery of the police and judges to tax fraud and criminal accounting techniques. His personal moral rap sheet is another matter.

But Berlusconi on a number of occasion has used his postion as head of state to pass laws in Italy's paliament to protect himself from prosecution and conviction. In two or three court battles the proceedings were stopped  because of a statute of limitations law that was passed by his majority in parlaiment while the court was in session.

One can understand the frustration of Berlusconi's assailant. One can hardly understand why there was only one such incident in Berlusoni's long tenure. Anyway, Berlusconi got off a lot easier than former empire dreamers Julius Caesar and Benito Mussolini did. 

All empires dissolve because of corruption. There will always be corruption . But the best way to limit it is to have more power locally so the corruption can be accessed and stopped more quickly and easily. I predict that this physical voter activism towards deseriving unindicted criminal politicians  will gain more popularity. George W. Bush and Dick Cheney are on many short lists if opportunity provides an opening.

Afghanistan Democracy: Can They Afford One?

America is one of the richest countries on the planet whith a per capita income of app. $48,000.00 per year. In spite of this wealth we are a debtor nation. Our democracy continues to generate new entitlements to any legal or illegal that can yell. And all these entitlements are expensive.

Afghanistan is having another election this weekend. Our politicians are seeing this as progress. How can Afghanistan afford a democracy when the per capita income is about app. $450.00 per year? Will their politicians work for free? Who will be given a subsidy with so little to spare? 

Bad News: We Only Have Ourselves To Blame

Sorry to break it to you boys, but the start of "white male suffrage" in the early 19th century brought the consequences of this crazy democracy we all now suffer through. The Federalist Party collapsed in app.1820.The Federalists held that only white male property owners could vote. But with Maryland's liberalizing who could vote in 1810 and other states following, the election of Andrew Jackson over John Quincy Adams was the first "democratic election". Then came woman sufferage and now illegals sneak a vote. 

Of course the seminal moment for ruinous democracy is the disconnect from property ownership and the right to vote. Because it's only a matter of time before the masses out populate and out vote the haves and give it to the have nots. And this includes taking from US citizens and giving to people around the world.

Don't let them vote your gun away. But I think no one trusts the government so when push comes to shove, the haves and the have nots will team up to shoot the politicians. It will be great fun.

Peace Negotiations Between Taliban, U.S. & Afghanistan

Last week representatives of the Taliban, U.S. and Afghani tribes had a round table discussion about the merits of a Taliban rule or a U.S. democracy as a government model for Afghanistan. Both the Taliban and the U.S. were trying to sell the Afghani rep on their own paradigm.

U.S. Rep. : Mr Afghani we want a democracy in Afghanistan.

Afghani Rep. : What will democracy bring and what will it cost me?

U.S. Rep. : First, we will stop bombing you. Second , democracy will bring law and order because we will send our lawyers to train your new lawyers. Thirdly we will show you how to share your wealth with people who don't work as hard as you do. The cost will be about 30% of your present daily income in cash to achieve both goals.

Afghani Rep. : I don't have cash. Can fruits and vegetables and my personal service be used in place of cash?

U.S. Rep. : No a democracy needs cash. We need the illusion of wealth and something that can be put in a sack in case the lawyers and pols have to leave town quickly and start a new democracy somewhere else.

Afghani Rep. : So I give real produce and get worthless paper in return.

Afghani Rep. : Mr. Taliban Rep. What do you want?

Taliban Rep. : All we ask is for you to let your hair grow, don't educate your women and for this we will cut you in on our drug business profits that lives off of the disenchantment of voters in democracies around the world.

Afghani Rep. : Where do I sign?

The Day After The "End Of Days"

According to the believers and vendors in all things related to "doomsday", the date will be December 21, 2012 @ 11:11 G.M.T. This date has been gleaned from disparit sources that include the Book Of Revelations, the Mayan Calander , predictions of Merlin and the Chinese philosophy I Ching.

A simpler explanation of the December date would be that the spookiest dates for these northern hemisphere inhabitants are the shortest and coldest days. And therefore any culture or race would become the most fearful during these times and speculate on the "end days". And so scientists will indeed find what they are looking for if they focus on the winter month. But suppose we all don't perish in about 3 years from now? What will we all do?

More relevantly speaking, suppose the rescue efforts of our self serving central planning politicians fails and our democratic way of government goes the way of the Dodo Bird? What we all do? Frankly I will play the cards I'm dealt. Grand economic schemes by thieving politicians and lobbyists shouldn't succeed anyway. I will take care of me and mine.