Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Another book on surviving hard times

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1934170062/boingboing

Anybody wanna review one of these? Fortunately, it looks like there are several good books available.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Payday loans are evil

http://www.harpers.org/archive/2009/04/0082451

I hate these places. They suck the life out of the poor. Then they claim they're "helping."

Monday, May 11, 2009

we were warned 10 years ago

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/11/glass-steagall-act-the-se_n_201557.html

"I want to sound a warning call today about this legislation," he declared, swaying ever so slightly right, then left, occasionally punching the air in front of him with a slightly closed fist. "I think this legislation is just fundamentally terrible."

The legislation was the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act (alternatively known as Gramm Leach Bliley), which allowed banks to merge with insurance companies and investment houses. And Dorgan was, at the time, on a proverbial island with his concerns. Only eight senators would vote against the measure -- lionized by its proponents, including senior staff in the Clinton administration and many now staffing President Obama, as the most important breakthrough in the worlds of finance and politics in decades.


* * * *

Deregulation of our economic system is a green light for greed to run amok. Now we are paying for that. Kudos to those who tried to prevent the collapse.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

The Urban Homestead; book review

http://earthfirst.com/book-review-%E2%80%93-the-urban-homestead-your-guide-to-self-sufficient-living-in-the-heart-of-the-city/

"Ever since I happened upon the Path to Freedom website a few years ago, I’ve been very interested in urban homesteading. I’m eager to drink in as much information as possible for use now, as a renter, and in the future, once I own my own home. So, I was excited to read The Urban Homestead: Your guide to self-sufficient living in the heart of the city, by Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen of the ‘Homegrown Evolution’ blog."

looks like a useful book.