During my Christmas break, I actually “talked” to people and I’ve been such a writing hermit that I realized how out of the loop I really was. So, I set out to fix that. I started reading the New York Times again, I read three articles in Forbes and, just for balance, People Magazine–two whole pages of that.
Here’s what I now know:
- The US is in deep goat poo.
Gross generalization, but terrible and true. We’re about to see a half-trillion dollar tax increase–this will affect every working American. In case you’ve never written a check for a half a trillion, here’s how I finally was able to grasp the meaning of all those zeroes. I posted this on fb and here last year.
Start at birth and you have 0.
1 million seconds= your are 10 days old
1 billion seconds= you are 31 years old
1 trillion seconds= you’ve been dead for 30,000 years
10 trillion seconds (closer to the national debt figure)=you’ve been dead for 317,000 years
I’m not a political activist. I’m just a very scared tax payer–well, actually I’m just a writer who doesn’t like the idea of leaving our kids with all this debt.
To HELP us even more, our retired and elderly are likely to see cuts in programs like Social Security. But that’s okay, really. Because the senators and representative aren’t on Social Security.
Cherie Reich says
Have fun reading! It's much more fun than looking at the numbers. 🙂
Nas says
Wow, information we needed with some about Kim, which I could've have done without!
Congrats on your book!
Medeia Sharif says
I'm reading Alex's first book right now and also one of yours.
David P. King says
Is it wrong that I don't even understand why Kardashian is so popular? Stuff like this happens when you don't have cable. 🙂
Gossip_Grl says
Glad you are back to blogging, and enjoyed your well deserved break! Yeah I agree we are in some deep ca ca in this country. The S&P chart was amazing. The only investment we have is our IRA Roth, which only gained a little over $100 all last year. :/ I can't even begin to think about Kim Karshian having a baby, but hey I didn't think Snooki could do it either! 🙂 Enjoyed reading your post!
Misha Gericke says
Sounds weird, but I'm cutting back on my news reading. It just makes me angry and heaven knows, it's not like I can do anything about it.
Kelly Polark says
I agree with Theresa, Kanye doesn't seem to be the most stable, nurturing person to have a baby with. But those Kardashians love drama! 🙂
And yes, our country's finances are a hot mess right now. 🙁
I do read Us Weekly as pure, mindless entertainment when I don't want to dwell on our country's troubles.
Ruth Schiffmann says
Wow, thanks for the perspective on all of those zeroes. Yeesh!
DMS says
Sometimes it is better to not pay attention to the news! Hiding in books (reading and writing) is far more fun!
Hope your hike was fun!
~Stephanie
Christine Rains says
I'm reading CassaFire right now. We're all in need of a good book! Enjoy your hike.
Nick Wilford says
I'm reading Nancy's book now! I'm loving it. Can't believe it's her first book…
Err… the world is very messed up. That's my opinion on the economy. I think we should probably go back to trading with stones and shells and stuff – keep it simple.
Ciara says
The debt scares me. To have total power to raise the debt ceiling without a vote is terrifying!!
Jemi Fraser says
That's a scary amount of money. I had a graphic I used before showing the kids what a trillion was – it was stacks of $100 bill – mind boggling!
Samantha May says
Isn't funny how in the midst of all this debt crisis we can take solace in the fact that there will be another Kardashian oriented reality show in some 18 years?
Ah, America.
M Pax says
I'm out of it these days as to pop culture, but watch the news regularly, depressing as it is. I do like to know some of what's going on.
Like Catherine, I'm an optimist, too. Maybe that's naive. 🙂
Catherine Stine says
Hahahha, your post gave me a chuckle, even though it had some dire stuff about the economy. I'm an optimist, so I think we'll pull it together. I had a birdbrain few moments during the vacation when I watched about five Kim and Chloe Kardashian Take Miami's in a row. Eeek! Back to the intelligent rant of Fareed Zakaria.
Melissa says
The US is in deep goat poo.
LOL. Yup. (I know I shouldn't be laughing, but you put it that way, and, well…you're just so darn funny.:P)
What was that about no tax increase for those making less than 250k per year?
Uh-huh. Right…
I'll be turning off the news and escaping into my Kindle, too.
Lisa Gail Green says
Not so into the Kardashians! But yeah, the federal debt and taxes is so depressing I try to avoid it. Back to the writing cave!
Darby Karchut says
I just read the Wall Street Journal. It has the most balanced news, especially world affairs.
Angela Brown says
Some things are just interesting and not as depressing after a little research
Kim Kardashian actually being newsworthy, however, is far from research-worthy and thus so far from my radar.
Southpaw says
Ah, yes. Books: the great escape. I'm nose deep in one now.
Crystal Collier says
LOL. Facebook pretty much tells me everything I need to know about the world–and I have to take breaks to keep from getting depressed. Darn economy. Is it a wonder we like to run away to our reading worlds?
Bish Denham says
I'm like Diane. I just don't pay attention to the news. Who needs to be depressed by how terrible everything is or distracted by how some celeb is dressed? Give me something relevant, something meaningful, something fun. Give me Alligators Overhead!
L. Diane Wolfe says
That's why I avoid the news.
Theresa Milstein says
Quite a diverse set of news bits you gave us! That Kardashian phenomenon perplexes me big time. As a mother, with the stuff Kanye has done, I would FREAK if my daughter wanted to date him. It's like they live on some other planet with different rules from the world I live in.
Stephen Tremp says
Kim Kardishian is pregnant ans her divorce with Kris Humphries has yet to be finalized. This girl is seriously messed up.
Along These Lines ..... says
Since the S&P 500 Index and Kim Kardashian are both about as exciting as a bath caulking, shouldn't be hard.
Laura Eno says
This is why I quit reading news of any sort – apart from spotting of the zombie apocalypse.
The entertainment news is so trivial in relation to what's happening in our goat poo that I write fantasy. I'm happy in my own little world with my head stuck in faerie dust.
SA Larsenッ says
Elizabeth just hit it on the head!! So true. I agree with you about Katie. She's so cute. Kim…um…I think most of what she does is for drama. Maybe I'm wrong, but it feels that way.
Elizabeth Seckman says
We're smack dab in the middle of middle class and I feel like we're getting a butt whipping. Yeah, it's a little depressing…but I feel better knowing Kim is preggers and Katie is well dressed. 😉
Love the trailer! I don't know how I missed it before.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
I promise, my books won't depress you!
Social Security taxes shot up big time as well. In my paycheck, it was almost fifty percent. That's scary.