I don't know if it will work, I really don't. I suppose it might, but there are two things I don't like about it. First, it emphasizes a statist approach rather than a personal initiative approach. That is, "trust the state to take care of you—cradle to grave—every risk mitigated by the government." That is anathema to the bloggers at Knowledge of Rurul Ways. Plus, I don't know that statism has a real track record of success. On the other hand, the voters are tired of suffering losses that they feel can be blamed on global free trade, lax regulation, and fat cat greed, so perhaps full-blown statism is an idea whose time has come. Second, the $800 billion is supposed to reach the "economy" by way of government bureaucracies. The money is being funneled through state and federal agencies as a way to stimulate the private sector. Well, guess what? Government bureaucracies are notoriously ineffecient. Moreover, the bill comes with very tight deadlines. The money is supposed to reach the ground in a matter of days—30, 60, 120 days. Unfortunately, you can't get the paper work finished to buy a federal office chair in 120 days, so I don't know how $800 billion is likely to be distributed in less time than that. In any case, I may be wrong, but I'm not stupid: I read the whole package—407 pages—twice. I won't tell you what I found, but I intend to take advantage of it. Hey, maybe this bill will stimulate personal initiative after all.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Stimulus
I don't know if it will work, I really don't. I suppose it might, but there are two things I don't like about it. First, it emphasizes a statist approach rather than a personal initiative approach. That is, "trust the state to take care of you—cradle to grave—every risk mitigated by the government." That is anathema to the bloggers at Knowledge of Rurul Ways. Plus, I don't know that statism has a real track record of success. On the other hand, the voters are tired of suffering losses that they feel can be blamed on global free trade, lax regulation, and fat cat greed, so perhaps full-blown statism is an idea whose time has come. Second, the $800 billion is supposed to reach the "economy" by way of government bureaucracies. The money is being funneled through state and federal agencies as a way to stimulate the private sector. Well, guess what? Government bureaucracies are notoriously ineffecient. Moreover, the bill comes with very tight deadlines. The money is supposed to reach the ground in a matter of days—30, 60, 120 days. Unfortunately, you can't get the paper work finished to buy a federal office chair in 120 days, so I don't know how $800 billion is likely to be distributed in less time than that. In any case, I may be wrong, but I'm not stupid: I read the whole package—407 pages—twice. I won't tell you what I found, but I intend to take advantage of it. Hey, maybe this bill will stimulate personal initiative after all.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Free Fuel
When one's goal is to live a debt-free, cash-only lifestyle . . . and when the car's water pump has just blown up and the family is waiting for your next paycheck, there are two four-letter F-words that bring a certain tingle of warmth to one's cold soul. Yep. Free fuel. Valerie was running an errand today when she noticed a guy from the City trimming trees. She asked what he was going to do with the wood and, when it became apparent that it was simply refuse, she asked him to bring the dump truck around to our place. It is green, it is dirty, and it is box elder. But, I didn't have to find it on the stump and I didn't have to fork it on the truck. When it is cut, split, and cured, it will heat the house as well as . . . well, elm.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The Neighbors
Just two doors north of us is a neighbor who is having more problems with the roof than we are. Valerie has said that she wants to sneak in and use this place for a studio, but I think it is likely to be a hanta-virus infested rat hole. And knowing my affection for rat holes, you know that is saying something. There is also an abandoned shell just to the east of us which is less picturesque but just as empty. I kind of like the derelicts on the block; gives me a homey feeling.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Compost
We are building a compost pile for the coming growing season. The pile is largely composed of leaves, which we have been collecting from the yard between snowstorms. But, we also dump the ashes from the stove on the pile. Leaves will be good for the garden; ashes will be good for the garden; but ashes and leaves together can leave only . . . well, ashes. I dumped the ash bucket this morning, and then we went for a hike. When we got back, the compost pile was burning. It is nice for the compost to generate a little heat, but I don't want it to burn itself up.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Construction Materials
I thought our house was built of brick. But when I tried to scrape away some cracked plaster last night so that I could repair it, I found this. There is a layer of red sand covering a layer of small stones mixed with, I guess, old mortar. What kind of construction is this? Adobe? Home-made concrete? In any case, the glue is gone from it and it acts like the pile of loose sand from which it came.
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