The data that came out today confirms that there has been no economy recovery in the United States. The official unemployment was up and no jobs have been created in the last two months and housing prices are still falling. So what has all this stimulus money bought to the common working stiff? Seems to me that the stimulus just brought more speculation in the financial markets and it put the nation much further into debt. The Government is still projecting 3 percent growth for the rest of the year. But, it won’t happen. They do not have a clue.
At this point in time the government is using smoke and mirrors to pay its debt obligations which are now about $14.5 trillion. They have to get a deal worked out that will pass both houses and the President by early next month or there will be a default on the national debt. I think they will work something out but the deal will be sneaky snaky and stupid (SSS).
The SSS plan that they are hammering out may come up with $2 to$4 trillion in cuts over the next ten years through a combination of raising taxes (that they will label as fees), through projections like growth in revenue (that are not based on reality), and perhaps once again readjusting the cost of living index (CPI) to screw people on fixed incomes. (I am not kidding, some are now saying that our CPI over estimates inflation because if beef gets too high people can eat chicken. Or if the price of wine goes up people can switch to beer. If that roomy luxury car costs too much you can switch to a Honda Civic.)
If some in government get their way inflation would not be based on what things actually cost it would be based on a market basket of generic substitutes pick by the government to replace pricier stuff. The fallacy should be obvious, after chicken gets too expensive they will substitute soy and after soy it will be dog food and after dog food you can just eat dirt like the Haitians. Likewise, if wine goes up you substitute beer and then I suppose you substitute soda and after that you substitute tap water. I suppose the car substitution will degenerate from luxury cars to Kia’s and then to used cars and finally to peddle bikes and foot-mobiles and mass transit (I might have exaggerated a bit here but I did not make this new proposed CPI up. This is the way that some of your representatives in government think. That substitution of the inferior for the superior in their price surveys is how some intend to limit the cost of living increase).
Yes, the SSS in Washington think they can save many billions in Social Security, retirement benefits, Veterans benefits, Medicare, Medicaid and food stamps etc., by giving us even more phony CPI data than we already are fed. Yet, everyone on a fixed income today already knows that inflation is way understated for people that have to live on the basics to survive. (People cannot eat gadgets from China that they cannot afford to buy anyway.) Some other countries subsidize basics that people need to survive on. If government is going to understate what it costs for poor people to live by throwing in high-priced electronic devices that poor people could never buy at any price they might try subsidizing the basics or having separate CPI’s. One for the rich and one for those on fixed incomes. People on fixed incomes have not received a cost of living increase for two years and it is a deliberate lie for government to pretend that the cost of living did not go up for most people.
Another lying scheme the SSS are going to use is to call more new taxes, “fees”. You get a picture of that every time you look at your phone bill with all those mandated “fees” that double the price of your phone service. Now think of government greatly expanding that on many things and you will get the picture.
What about the real cuts in the budget by the SSS? Don’t expect any. They might make some cuts by projecting unrealistic rates of growth over the next ten years but they really are not planning any major cuts in government. Many government agencies and agendas would have to be dissolved or cut in half to get to anything near a balanced budget and that is just not going to happen with this administration.
So what will really happen to our budget over the next ten years even if the SSS finds $2 to $4 trillions in savings? Our budget deficit over the next ten years even with a projected 3 percent growth rate scenario for the next 10 years will rise to $25 trillion and if you throw in a major war or another economic downturn you can double that. But even using that $25 trillion figure and with a projected unrealistically low intrust rate of 3 percent on our debt the interest on our national debt will be: – $25 Trillion x .03 or $750 billion a year by 2022 – or more than our defense budget. Now, let’s get realistic because the $25 trillion projected debt ten years from now will in reality turn out to be more than $35 trillion. And even under normal historical times the interest rate on the debt will not be 3 percent it will be about 5 percent. Now do the math: – $35 trillion x .05 = $1.75 trillion interest – or near what our entire revenue is now from all sources of income. And hey folks with quantitative easing and the risk of default, it is more than likely that interest rates will actually get much higher than 5 percent and if that happens we will have to default on our debt.
So I said all that to say this, the SSS program with $2 to $4 trillion in cuts or raised revenue is not really addressing our long term debt problem. All it really is doing is letting the politicians save face for the 2012 elections. The crap is still going to hit the fan as soon as interest rates start rising (and they will). Greece is a prime example of what is going to happen in parts of Europe and the United States so keep your eye on it. The interest rate on the national debt in Greece is now 22 percent and some other countries in Europe are following in her footsteps. It could mean the end of the EU as a socialistic democracy. I expect to see a more authoritarian form of government rise in that area soon. It will be more like the old Roman Empire.
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The second half of the year in the Middle East is going to be rather interesting. What will happen in Libya, Syria, Yemen, the elections in Egypt, and with the proposed creation of a Palestinian state? Will Iran have a nuclear test and will Israel respond? I really am not expecting an all out Middle East war this Fall because nobody is really in charge and there is little trust between the many factions. How long will Saudi Arabia wait to get nukes of their own from Pakistan if they believe Iran has them?
Like I said I am not expecting a major war in the Middle East this year but I cannot rule out 2012 or 2013. And it is almost inevitable that something major will happen seventy years from the creation of Israel in 2018 (perhaps the Psalm 83 war will start or conclude). I know that date seems so far away now but these things do have a way of dragging out. Even so, I think Iran will have to be dealt with shortly, and that will either come by Israel, the United States, a war with the Arabs or an internal revolution. This only makes sense since she is not mentioned as coming against Israel in the Psalm 83 war.
By the way, for the record, I think the Antichrist will not be associated with Islam. I think he better fits with the western conjectures about coming aliens or beings from another dimension. I think this demonic god/man will come disguised as a god and will try to make man a demonic hybrid species through the Mark and all that might suggest.
The spiritual aspects that he will project will be appealing to those that believe they can physically and spiritually evolve to become gods themselves. Those sucked into this deception will be those that now dabble in New Age and New Spirituality pantheism. So I think those looking for Islam to fulfill the Beast role are being short-sighted, much like those before them that also found contemporary Antichrists to preach against.
As I implied elsewhere on this blog, when the angels are cast out of heaven they are going to be very attractive and people are going to love their message and they will believe them. It is going to be like the gods came back to earth and are showing humanity how they can evolve to a higher being like themselves. It is not going to be some Islam prophet pushing Sharia law on the world. People will worship the Antichrist because they will want to become like him.
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Right now if I had to place a bet on the Republican nominee I would have to bet on Rick Perry. But, I am not endorsing anyone at this point. I think Bachmann will take the early lead in Iowa but she is going to run into trouble in the big states. Romney is not a true conservative and tea party people better hammer that home unless they want another Tweedle-dum and Tweedle-dee choice in 2012. If Perry decides to stay out I expect Huckleebee to come back in and run again on his Fair Tax agenda. I see a Perry-Huckleebee ticket as the most likely ticket to evolve.
The present income tax system is broken . It is unfair and it is nuts. Republicans should abandon it. No common person can understand this tax code and those that can afford tax professionals find ways to not pay their fair share. Along with any new Fair Tax system our representatives will have to come up with a law to force government to live within their budget except during times of actual nation emergency. Anything outside of the budget limits should require a super-majority vote in Congress.
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I find it rather bazaar that the number one Christian selling book and all the buzz from church folks these days is about the account of Heaven from the perspective of a kid who claimed that he went there in a medical crises when he was about four years old. Actually the book was written by his pastor father and it took years to pump his kid for the information about Heaven detailed in this book and to get it in print. I am not going to get into theological issues in the book here. I have not read the book and I don’t intend to read the book because I have better things to do with my time than read about a four-year old’s account of Heaven. Even Paul would not tell us about the third Heaven experience that he had but when he came back he understood the gospel and gave us most of the New Testament. He also said it was unlawful to even speak of what He heard in Heaven. I guess Paul’s caution about speaking about heavenly things has now been superseded by a four-year old who can tell us the fluff about Heaven that he says he seen and heard.
Heck, Todd Bentley and others in the NAR claim to go to Heaven all the time. I wish I had a thousand bucks for everyone that claimed to have gone to Heaven or Hell and come back with different bazaar accounts.
My question is not about the kid’s experience, or why his Pastor father got obsessed over what he could extract from the kid after his near death experience. Nor do I find the Pastor’s long obsession to find out what Jesus looked like, by showing his kid different pictures of Jesus over the years, anything that is worth contemplation (I thought everyone knew that Jesus looked like a Norwegian since most hang those pictures of Jesus on their church walls). Just read the first chapter of Revelation and you will get a good description of what Jesus really looks like these days. I guess my real question is, what is wrong with the faith of Christians? Why does this kid’s Heaven experience give them the faith that they already should have or give them more faith?
One last point, why do people get all upset when I take a critical view of such claims? Is Heaven and their faith founded on the subjective testimony of a four-year old or on the word of God? With that statement I will take my heavenly wings (that the kid says we all have in Heaven) and fly off the subject before the millions of people who read this book (and hang on this kid’s every word about Heaven) hang me and then petition John the Baptist, Gabriel and Jesus to send me South. Even so, I am sure a Catholic 4-year-old would never have left Mary out of his own heavenly experience.
On the topic of world / national issues, I continue to be amazed by corruption and perversion in the judicial branch. So, we have these bigot judges (from San Fransisco, go figure) who order the military to stop the ban on gays because, and I am not making this up, the Obama administration says it’s unconstitutional.
That is circular. So, instead of the judicial branch doing it’s job, it is now an Obama rubber stamp. Thus, the country no longer has a judicial branch. There is legislative and executive and that’s it – like the first section of blog eludes, “insane”. That is the only word to characterize the “official” country – insane (with SSS).
Because some Federal judges are insane it does not make them all insane. The judicial branch is not a rubber stamp of Obama yet. When Obama can decide what is Constitutional for the Supreme Court then the judicial branch is gone. Also remember that the Senate can block judicial appointments.
The smoke and mirrors game reminds me, so much, of Enron. Enron was just a miniscule picture of our government’s dismal financial situation. It was so far “down the drain” by the time everything was known, that any chance at recovery was impossible.
However, Enron was not able to print money (or they would have).
It wasn’t that intelligence was lacking. There were brilliant people there – greedy, lacking morality, but never-the-less, brilliant.) I believe that Andy Fastow was the brilliant evil genius.
I see many parallels. When the final financial fall of the US financial comes, it will be fast and furious – IMO.
Fast and furious – and then the rest of the world has no reason to respect US. Yeah, maybe my wish that >= 2015 for WW commencement/fallout is too optimistic.
I saw a poll in which Obama was competitive with the GOP candidates in their own home states – not that I read the article. But, clearly, the populous will get with it deserves. As Don has stated, only a substantial (and unlikely) repentance can save US. I would still believe God that, even with a 100% repentance on the part of the country, Americas could be an end times non-mention (after all, that would also be a 100% rapture) – completely unlikely. Which means the opposite.
I can see fast and furious. And probably not that far off.
Don,
First of all, if anyone gets upset because you don’t buy into a four year old whose seen Heaven, I’d inform them that you are skeptical because you are into truth and this declaration is not a small matter.
Seems to me that these same people who want to believe a “cute, innocent” 4 year old are the same one’s who’d be attracted to an Angelic, New Age, Demon.
Ya’ know, I’ve thought for a long time, if our culture used more peddle bikes instead of driving everywhere, we’d have a healthier, less obese America…of course, it could be quite the trek for you to peddle from the Ozarks to your store for bread, but hey, you’d feel so much better afterwards : )
And, I guess, our representatives figure, if we run out of eating dog food, we could always eat the dog : (
As far as Perry, Bachman, or whomever, I really hope that, at least, those who read this blog are not putting too much faith in these politicians to take the U.S. out of its rut…if they somehow managed to, I see it as very temporary at best.
Yeah David,
I agree that some buy into anything that wish to believe or that sounds good but church women eat these books up so you tell them that buying into such extra biblical accounts lead to other deceptions. I already tried that and it was, “off with my head”.
If I biked to where I shop I would be dead. Its not just the distance it is the hills, heat and humidity. sounds like you think the solution is to become like the Chinese, just bike everywhere and eat dog 🙂
Don,
I get that a lot, I bring out some truths about the future of the U.S. and Biblical realities…and I get scorned heavily at times…some people don’t like the way God does business or what is written in his Word.
On the hills, you just have to peddle harder…and think how lean and trim you’d be with the sauna like humidity : )
Yeah, my dogs are lean and muscular, it would make for tough, chewy meat…I don’t think that would happen for me as I regard my dogs higher than some regard their kids.
Do you mean to tell me that Don did not buy into the story of the 4 yr old returning from heaven??? Why…. It was on Robertson’s mostly Christian channel! It MUST be true.
In other news…I think the EPA is purposely forcing a confrontation with Perry over the electrical power plant issue.
Consider this scenario:
1. The EPA sends “enforcers” to the Dallas area to shut down “non-compliant” generating plants
2. Perry has Texas Rangers (not the baseball team) meet them at the gates and deny them entrance.
What happens from there?
Hi Don
I find it a little difficult to accept the conjectures of anti-Christ being a demonic god/man (not impossible but a little difficult). On the other hand I have little difficulty in seeing him as another Nimrod, Napoleon or even Hitler. The man Antiochus Epiphanes was anti-Christ’s counterpart; but I tend to look at Hitler as a case study.
When you look at the man, Hitler was less than impressive yet the German people followed him en masse (yes he did have his detractors). The people of the world are no different and coupled with the fact that the Christian Church will be removed prior to anti-Christ’s appearance the world must be even less discerning than Germany was in the 1930s.
I can imagine such a man rising again, and if demon possessed or indwelt by Satan what evil could such a man perpetrate, especially when Hitler’s atrocities are called to mind.
In regards to the last segment of this weeks blog I would suggest that your critics think (emote is probably a better word) that you are a wet blanket trying to smother the flames of their ecstatic revelations of the unknowable, and as you point out unlawful. But Don you are a watchman and such criticism is your lot. LIC (Love in Christ)
Brian,
If I recall correctly the Antichrist prototype Antiochus Epiphanes thought he was the reincarnation of Zeus or was incarnated by Zeus and that is why he had a statute of Zeus/Jupiter erected in the Temple.
I think after the deadly head wound a man is going to claim to be incarnated by Zeus and he will also put a image of himself in the Temple representing God. Remember Zeus/Jupiter is said to be the God of gods and also the Savior God. And remember when Satan is cast out unto the earth he is cast out with all his angels and will blaspheme those that dwell in heaven. So it is not just going to be Zeus. The whole mythology is coming to earth to prove that there was much more to this Old Age “myth” than meets the New Age pantheistic eye.
The second part about me being a wet blanket that wants to put out wild fires before they get out of control is correct.
Bob,
I think Perry should tell the EPA to play ball. If they intended to make rules up as they go along he should tell them where to go to play with the Devils.
Blessings, peace, joy, love and faith be multiplied unto you abundantly Don in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. I stumbled across your website by divine appointment Don and I thank the Lord for the occasion to communicate with you. Your thoughts about the anti-christ have also come across my mind as well. The alien propaganda that has been going into overdrive lately have really caused me to wonder how the enemy will use this to his advantage during his brief reign. I believe that “aliens” will play a big role in the end time deception. The “lie” that is coming will be so strong that even if it were possible, the elect would be deceived. The social conditioning about aliens, which is taking place throughout the world, is preparing those who don’t believe that the coming world-ruler will be a “god-alien” from another world. Satan, the master of deception, will pull out all the stops during his final act of this age. And he will have all his minions at his disposal as well, including those who will be released from the bottomless pit. It truly is the 9 o’clock hour. The hour of judgment. Because when 10:00 strikes the millennial reign of Christ will come. Hallelujah!
Hi DoU,
Thanks for your input. When the demonic/alien deception comes it will change the thinking of most of the people of the world overnight. When that deception hits, all world religions will then look rather silly. That is why all the books on the Islamic Antichrist threat are irrelevant. These authors do not understand the supernatural ministry of the two witnesses, nor do they understand the supernatural powers that will war against them when Satan and his angels are cast unto the earth. Satan and his angels will seek to deceive those on earth to war against each other and against God to bring about human self destruction. There is a reason why even the secular world is being set for the acceptance of extraterrestrial lifeforms.
Don-
I must admit that I read the “Heaven is for Real” book. You are right in saying women eat this stuff up. As a woman, I can only say that maybe it is because of the way we were created and our longing for relationships and intimacy. But it is a dangerous position and leaves us vulnerable. Anyway, I read it- a good portion of the book is the minister taking what his boy says and going back to the Bible to see if what the child reported is backed by scripture. Even so, I agree that reading such stuff does leave one open to deception.
Since I am responding to your comments as a woman and our vulnerablities, I would like to ask you to check out the following website so mabye you can add it to your list. http://solasisters.blogspot.com/
One more question- What are your thoughts on Chris Christie?
Hi Heather,
Thanks for your input
So far I just glanced at your site and it looks pretty good and it fills a gap that “More Books and Things” used to fill until Paula stopped posting. I will probably put a link up to it from my links directory this weekend.
Chris Christie’s is obviously doing something right in NJ. He has made it clear that he is not a candidate for President in 2012 so I have not checked into all his views, So I have no position on him right now for President.
Heather: Do you think “The Shack” also played on relationship and intimacy longings?
Heather ,
I checked out the Sola Sisters link , thought it was very good. I am in total agreement that
salvation is by grace alone through faith in Jesus alone to the glory of God the Father alone.
Nothing can be added to or subtracted from Jesus atonement for our sins. I really like Chris
Christie , but I think he wants no part of the mess in Washinton , D. C. , can’t imagine why
anyone unless they are specifically called by God would want to be President. Come soon Lord
Jesus is the only solution I see . BLESSINGS to YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bob-
I started reading “The Shack”,but when I got to the part about God being a African American woman, I threw the book down because I saw it as blasphemous… so I really can’t comment on it.
Don Fritts- I agree, one must be called by God to be president- too bad Chris Christie doesn’t feel called.
I guess we just all need to read our Bibles and eat our peas 😉
Hi Don
I wonder what your perspective on the current brouhaha re the media’s involvement in phone tapping etc. (As if the Governments of the world haven’t been guilty of this for years). Could we be seeing a beginning to Government run media i.e. Nazi Germany’s Joseph Goebbels
Brian,
It was already happening through shared intelligence through other nations although it was illegal for our government to spy on our own citizens. The Patriot act changed all that. It is obvious where we are heading if we do not reign in government and not just at the federal level either.
This on Debkafile (Israeli), today:
Israel has mobilized 22,000 police alongside thousands of soldiers, declaring the country on the highest level of preparedness for violent riots Friday, Sept. 23, when the Palestinians hold prayers and rallies in support of their application for UN membership. Radical groups are planning to break into settlements and Israeli city residential areas
Bob’s comment: It appears the groundwork is being prepared by the Palestinians for Psalm 83.
Bob From Texas,
I saw that…the only thing is, the cowardly Muslim ilk tend to attack when they think the opponents guard is down…not to say that events won’t happen on Friday or soon thereafter.
I agree – the only thing is, the cowardly Muslim ilk tend to attack when they think the opponents guard is down.
The murder of members of the Fogel family is a good example. I would guess that one goal of the Palestinians is to overrun the Israeli defenders or create scenes for
Yeah Bob From Texas,
You have a good point…the Palestinians could do that “Kodak moment” to try to draw sympathy and further anti-Israeli sentiment.