Living-In-The-Past-Bob Davis Podcast 886

Living In The Past?

These days it sure seems like there’s a lot of people living in the past. Glory Days. Happier Times. Why? We’ll talk about it in Living-In-The-Past-Bob Davis Podcast 886.

Friends Have A Deep Conversation

One of the great things about friendship are the deeper conversation friends often have. Recently a good friend and I had a talk after dinner. The country is changing. There were regrets, a memories of a world that was maybe simpler and more predictable.

Obsession With The Past

Especially relevant is the question of when in life does this obsession with the past begin?

This Time Is The Best Time

I think we’re living in extraordinary times. Despite the difficulties I wake up every day excited about what’s going to happen next.

Where do you live in time?

Certainly children live in the now. Most adolescents probably live in the future. In contrast it seems like people start mentally residing in the past at some point in middle age.

When does the past become an obsession?

Because this is the time when the days are shortest maybe we have time for more reflection. It’s natural we would yearn for the traditions of a bygone age. But I have recently encountered some evidence that suggests we’re doing more than yearning for traditions. For instance…

Losing Trust

First of all a Pew study was released recently which says most of us don’t trust the media. ‘Conservatives’ are much more likely to distrust the media than their so called ‘liberal’ counterparts.

YouTube Is My Bellwether

Second because I watch a lot of YouTube I come across some pretty weird stuff. Moreover my favorite genre are the people who predict the apocalypse.

Three Days Of Darkness

Recently I ran across a vein of gold when it comes to apocalypse videos on YouTube. The three days of darkness people. I’ll tell you all about it in Living-In-The-Past-Bob Davis Podcast 886. However sometimes I think those predicting the end of the world are really seeing their own world end.

A Preoccupation With Death For Boomers

Most noteworthy? We don’t usually want to talk about death but a preoccupation with it can begin pretty early in life. I wonder if the result of that is an increasing reliance on memories of an easier, simpler time.

Avoiding That Mindset

Finally I try to avoid that mindset. I really do think this is an amazing time. Even though we have many challenges today.

We Remember The Good

In conclusion the one truth about the past is, we generally remember only the good things.

Journey Through Time

Furthermore all of us alive today are on a journey together through time. Like a train trip. Some of us will have to get off the train before others. Also new people will get on as we get off. We all have a role to play on this trip, but eventually it dawns on us…No matter how much we might want to, we’re not driving the train.

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Living-In-The-Past-Bob Davis Podcast 886

 

 

Person-Of-The-Year-Stunt-Bob Davis Podcast 884

Person Of The Year…A Waste Of Time

I am not often amused by what passes for news these days. Moreover our obsession with year end lists and rankings bores me to tears. On the other hand Time’s ‘Person of The Year’ stunt is always worth a few laughs. Learn more in Person-Of-The-Year-Stunt-Bob Davis Podcast 884.

Poster Child Greta

First of all the decision to put Climate Change Poster Child Greta Thunberg on the cover as person of the year for 2020 has upset your crazy Uncle Fred and all his baby boomer conservative friends.

Baby Boomers Love Their FaceBook

Even more no one would have paid any attention until these aging baby boomers took to FB to express their rage. Meanwhile we’re missing key issues that really matter.

Time! Number One! A Hundred Years Ago

Especially relevant is the fact that Time Magazine struggles to remain relevant.

What used to be the number one weekly magazine in the United States about a hundred years ago, is a shadow of a shadow of its former self.

Ask SIRI or Alexa

For example, without asking SIRI or Alexa, can you remember last year’s person of the year?

Crazy Uncle Changes Positions on Climate Change!

What’s more when was the last time anyone convinced anyone to change their position on Climate Change?

United Nations…Hotbed Of Capitalists!

Greta’s most noteworthy rage against the machine of conservative capitalists at the United Nations is pure comedy.

Stunt Culture and Person-Of-The-Year-Stunt-Bob Davis

Certainly we’re missing something here. I believe it must be said. Again. We live in a stunt culture. If the current president has proven anything it is drawing attention to yourself is the path to power and profit.

Constant Manipulation

As a result we are submerged in a fish tank of constant manipulation by all kinds of media in this country, feeding on one stunting public personality after another.

Like Moths To A Flame

They can’t help themselves and neither can we.

Taking The Bait Over and Over

Too bad so called conservatives have taken the bait. Again.

Kinda Funny Though

Although I must admit, some of the Greta Memes are pretty funny.

Sponsored by Virtus Law

Person-Of-The-Year-Stunt-Bob Davis Podcast 884

 

Trump-Republicans-Spending-Debt-Bob Davis Podcast 850

Another Trillion Dollars

This week the president’s budget deal adds a trillion dollars to the National Debt. These days it’s depressing when so called conservatives say, “Deficits Don’t Matter“. Learn more in Trump-Republicans-Spending-Debt-Bob Davis Podcast 850.

Trump Republicans Spending and More Debt

Above all, Trump’s spending is on pace with Obama first term red ink.

I’ll Pay Off The Deficit In Eight Years

Moreover campaigning in 2016, Trump said he’d pay off the deficit in just eight years. In those days the deficit was 20 trillion. It’s now almost 23 trillion.

Current Federal Debt Is Unsustainable? Bring It on!

As the president began his second year in office, the General Accounting Office released a report on the national debt. The current Federal Fiscal Situation is unsustainable, it said. More in Trump-Republicans-Spending-Debt-Bob Davis Podcast 850.

Republicans Addition To Debt Peaks In 2030

In fact, the GAO report showed US debt beginning to rise and peak in 2030, long after Trump has left the White House.

American Cities Are Broke Again

Over 70 US cities are in deep financial trouble. New York City is broke. Los Angeles isn’t far behind. Chicago is in a tailspin. I’ll explain it in Trump-Republicans-Spending-Debt-Bob Davis Podcast 850.

The Amount of Spending And Debt Is Shocking

When it comes to cities, counties and states investigators have to use forensic accounting to find out what’s going on. Even in small towns and counties across the country those investigations are uncovering a shocking amount of spending and debt.

Bonding On Bonding

Even more, states use bonding bills to get around balancing budgets. Therefore creating more debt through bonding.

Corporate Debt Binge

US corporations are on a debt binge too. Corporate debt is skyrocketing. It’s now 45 percent of our GDP. Much higher than during the 2008 crisis and dotcom bubble.

Americans Saved The Economy In The 2nd Quarter With More Debt

In addition Americans are more indebted than they were before 2008. US Household debt is 13.3 trillion in the second quarter. Much of it auto loans. Certainly Americans don’t save enough.

Conservatives Say Don’t Worry

Republicans say debt doesn’t matter and democrats have a new monetary theory. There’s nothing to worry about. Right? The US can “print” as much money as it needs as long as it prints US dollars.

Politicians Handing Out Goodies

Goodies like free college, single payer health, a green new deal, a higher minimum wage and guaranteed full employment are just around the corner. Just simply print money.

[Editor’s Note: In this podcast I used a quote from President Trump saying that he said, “No politician has ever been thrown out of office for not spending money. In fact he is reported to have told Senator McConnell, “No politician has ever lost his job for SPENDING money.”)

Forget Rome, England, Spain, Germany, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

Sponsored by Lacroix Law, Reliafund Payment Processors and Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

Trump-Republicans-Spending-Debt-Bob Davis Podcast 850