The Decline and Fall of the American Empire - from Alfred W. McCoy's story

"Under current projections, the United States will find itself in second place behind China (already the world's second largest economy) in economic output around 2026, and behind India by 2050. Similarly, Chinese innovation is on a trajectory toward world leadership in applied science and military technology sometime between 2020 and 2030, just as America's current supply of brilliant scientists and engineers retires, without adequate replacement by an ill-educated younger generation."


See the rest of this article here:  http://www.thenation.com/article/156851/decline-and-fall-american-empire
"This (article) originally appeared at TomDispatch."

Estate Tax section of new tax bill

“Obama agreed to exempt the first $5 million of a deceased person's estate, and to tax the rest at 35 percent. Congressional Democrats had expected a 45 percent tax rate on anything above $3.5 million. Without congressional action, the estate tax will revert to an even higher rate: 55 percent on estates valued above $1 million.”

I just don’t get where the government (Republicans or Democrats) get off thinking it’s OK to tax an estate that already paid taxes on the money in the first place.  This country just slowly chips away at ethics and morals every year.  I don’t look forward to what this country is going to look like in 30 years if we don’t do something drastic with our government.  

Welcome to a blog about things that make you say "Really?"

My intent is to stir up some thinking and perhaps some action among us (yes, me included) that usually sit idly by and just watch as our world, government, whatever slowly dissolves around us.  So, I created this blog and will simply post things that make me say, "Really? And we are all fine with this?"  No, I don't think we are fine with it but most of us just think that one person can't change the world.  Well, one person may not be able to change the world but one person can certainly fire the first shot that starts the revolution. I want people to post to this blog or reply to it or whatever, I will be the catalyst but want everyone's input.  So, BANG!  Here comes the first shot. Let's hope that this blog grows and gathers momentum and our voices can be heard.