What Is Your Price?

In most parts of the Arab world (including the Middle East) and throughout Asia, the term is "baksheesh" (aka bakshish). It's not considered unethical over there. It's simply a way of doing business in most parts.

What does that have to do with us?

Bear with me. I'm getting to it...

...starting with the many eyes and ears that are trained on the progress of the "Stimulus Spending Bill" being rammed through the Senate that, from what I hear, is about to be passed on Monday or Tuesday of next week.

After it passes, the American public will know what price each of their respective Reps have. Their price will be written into the Bill. It will be pretty easy to see how much an American politician costs in today's dollars.

For example, the price tag for U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter (R., Pa.), appears to be $3.2 Million... although maybe it's a wee bit higher than that since I haven't read the entire Bill. Maybe he has other little goodies in there to sweeten the pot even more.

To be fair, that $3.2 Million will supposedly create 20 new jobs.

At a cost of $160,000 per job created, I've heard that's on the low side of what other supposed jobs will be created by the "Stimulus Spending Bill".

In case you haven't heard, this is the largest Government Spending Bill ever in the history of the WORLD, not just the history of the USA.

Now... I'm wondering... since most jobs are created by small business owners in this country, what would happen if the Feds simply gave each profitable small business $1 million dollars? Would that create far more jobs, far faster and at a far cheaper price tag?

Doesn't matter.

As some on the Hill have now admitted (including BO in his speech to Dems at their retreat last week), this isn't about creating jobs.

To paraphrase BO, "This is about spending money."

This is more about the Government saying they can spend our money far better than we can. Most of it won't be paid for by us. We'll be paying the interest payments... if we can afford it... before our dollar falls off a cliff.

Many of the youth who voted for BO will be paying for it.

Their kids will also be paying for it.

Perhaps even their kids' kids' kids will be paying for it.

Who knows how many generations it will take?

But I digress.

Back to the main theme, here's another quote for 'ya.

The 1st Earl of Beaconsfield, Benjamin Disraeli (1804 - 1881), once said, "...it is a great mistake to suppose that bribery and corruption are means by which power can either be obtained or retained."

Well, it seems that Russia doesn't believe the quote above. They've bought (dare I say bribed?) away from the USA... a valuable, highly strategic piece of real estate in the "war on terror." What was the price?

In a setback to the escalating U.S. military efforts in Afghanistan , the president of Kyrgyzstan said Tuesday that his government will shut down the American air base in his country.

U.S. officials say that the Manas Air Base is vital to plans to send an additional 30,000 American troops to Afghanistan , a linchpin of President Barack Obama's efforts to pacify the country.

The announcement by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev came in Moscow , not in his own capital, and shortly after the Russian government reportedly agreed to lend Kyrgyzstan $2 billion, write off $180 million in debt and add another $150 million in aid. Although the Russian government didn't release a statement about the decision, the timing and place of the announcement indicated that the Kremlin had been involved. [link]

The USA was only paying Kyrgyzstan a paltry $63 million per year to lease the Air Base in addition to employing more than 320 Kyrgyz citizens at the base. (Hmmmm, I wonder if those jobs are lost now?) [link]

In fact, if you haven't noticed, Russia is sitting back right now playing a carefully thought out chess game with BO. Not sure if you heard their little ship movements, particularly in the Atlantic Ocean.

Now, if you think that chess game is taking some unusual twists, here's another game playing out.

In another region of the world, BO is being told exactly what he must do in order to retain the "special relationship" that exists between Saudi Arabia and the USA:

...condemn Israel's atrocities against the Palestinians and support a UN resolution to that effect; condemn the Israeli actions that led to this conflict, from settlement building in the West Bank to the blockade of Gaza and the targeted killings and arbitrary arrests of Palestinians; declare America's intention to work for a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction, with a security umbrella for countries that sign up and sanctions for those that do not; call for an immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from Shab‘ah Farms in Lebanon; encourage Israeli-Syrian negotiations for peace; and support a UN resolution guaranteeing Iraq's territorial integrity. Mr Obama should strongly promote the Abdullah peace initiative. [link]

Not to worry on that one though, since according to many journalists, rumor has it that the speaker of the above quote (namely His Royal Highness Prince Turki al-Faisal) is not too highly regarded these days.

Even so, it makes me wonder why the charges have been dropped against the alleged mastermind of the U.S. Cole bombing...

As many living in Asia and the Middle East already know, baksheesh isn't always in the form of money. It also comes in the form of favors. And it's not considered unethical over there. In fact, it's considered the standard way of doing business.

But lets move on and peep at yet another chess game just beginning.

History has taught us (most of us) how "protectionist actions" can quickly lead to trade wars. In fact, some believe such a position entrenched the USA deeper into the Big Depression.

For those of you who do not know, Canada and Mexico are now our largest trading partners. (Once upon a time, it used to be Europe.)

Canada has already cried out against the protectionist language embedded within the "Stimulus Spending Bill". But, by BO's actions, I'm guessing he doesn't know much about Canadians -- yet.

Here's a little tip 'fer 'ya, big guy.

Just like Alaska, you've gotta be pretty tough to survive in certain parts of Canada. Don't mistake congeniality for stupidity. You'll lose that chess game.

But which chess game does BO choose to put his focus on? Based on his actions, speeches and current travel plans to Elkhart, Indiana, he's decided to play chess with the American taxpayer instead, going out to campaign with the public for support of his "Stimulus Spending Bill" ...a Bill that several prominent economists (and many Americans) believe will do little (if anything) in the short term, and looks more like a free-for-all-spending plan to help BO get through his fourth year in the Oval Office, since the bulk of the spending seems to hit the street in that year.

Is he, per chance, merely campaigning for the next Presidential election?

As he and his cohorts in the House keep reminding us -- he won.

But for some reason, he just can't seem to stop campaigning long enough to actually lead, IMHO. He'd best start doing the job he was hired to do soon, paramount of which in his job description is to keep this nation safe.

But I digress (again)...

While BO hits a new campaign trail to convince all of us that he can spend our money better than we can, I wonder -- what is your price? What does he have to put into the package (or the speeches) that will make you swallow it?

Or what kind of fear-peppered doctrine can he intertwine into his rhetoric that will make you dance to the waters edge and gleefully wade into its depths drowning in the tsunami of Government debt about to wash over us all?

My apologies to the Pied Piper.

Maybe this is the "change you can believe in" that's heading our way.

Maybe it's not "socialism" as the far right (and even many moderates) are now crying out against. Maybe it's actually dictatorship.

Hmmmmm...

George Washington once stated, "Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder."

I wonder what that particular GW would be saying now?

Here's a Simulus Thought...

The new so-called "stimulus" pkg being pushed by BO has already turned into a 3-ring circus where all the elephants are crowding the room to catch the most peanuts being tossed about. (Kind of ironic that most of the elephants are Dems now.)

If they really insist on spending their way out of this recession (depression?) here's a thought...

Since they're treating it like a lottery already, let's turn it into a contest.

Let's take 75% of the so-called stimulus (which they say is $825 Billion but will probably be more like $1.3 Trillion) and give it to each state (based on per capita figures) as a zero-interest long-term Fed loan.

The RULES of the STIMULUS CONTEST:

Each State has to give a FULL PUBLICLY AVAILABLE ACCOUNTING of where each and every dime of their portion/allotment goes as it is spent -- real time -- accessible via the Internet so we can watch it as it is spent and know who got what where and why.

After 24 months from doling it out, each State is judged on how many new SUSTAINABLE jobs they have created with the funds they received. The remaining 25% goes out as a reward to the TOP TEN STATES who have created the most permanent jobs in their economy - bonus is in the form of a strings-free grant, not a loan. They get to do whatever they want with the REWARD so long as it is used for the people in their State. Heck, it could even be used as a whopping tax rebate if they so desire. Put it to a vote in their 2010 elections.

STIMULUS Repayment PLAN:

Tax income from new jobs created in all States during this "contest" can be used to pay down their Fed. loans (the initial 75%).

STIMULUS BONUS:
Even better... have a second contest to give out another reward for the States who pay down their Fed Stimulus Loan first.

Why Have a STIMULUS CONTEST instead of a FED Stimulus Plan?

1. Each State is unique. They know best what can stimulate their own economies. Some rely more on fishing &/or agriculture. Some rely more on mining, refining resources &/or manufacturing. Some are more knowledge based economies. And still others are more technology based economies.

This would at least ensure each State has a fair share (per capita) of such a huge stimulus budget, and not have the funds funnel only to certain pockets -- ignoring all the others that make up our great nation. And the friendly competition between States could actually become quite fun -- helping States become the best that they can be in areas/fields which they might already excel?

2. With each State getting it's fair share, citizens might actually work in partnership with their States having a clear eye on the WIFM (What's in it for me?) picture. Big BONUSES at the end will sweeten the pot.

3. It keeps the Fed Oversight (read Overhead) Umbrella out of the picture for the most part so they can go to work reducing their own bloated spending -- which IMHO has gotten totally out of control.

4. It moves the funds closer to the people much faster, particularly with a deadline in the picture.

5. It adds responsibility (via the repayment plan) to each State for putting the funds to work in the quickest and most effective manner.

6. It gets EVERYONE involved and with the tight timeline, leaves little room for State bureaucrats to drag their feet, will have tons of companies (existing and potentially new) vying for attention/funds competing to win part of the prize, and lets each State set up how the "repayment" of funds (or grants?) will work for each recipient.

7. The American spirit loves a challenge where there is some type of reward at the end... and I think that spirit has been a bit trampled on in recent decades because most of the rewards for challenges met by American efforts and tax payer dollars have gone to others abroad... not reaching many of us here at home.

Why the FEDS would never go for a Stimulus Contest.

Do I really have to list the reasons here?

You already know why.

So, in the end, be prepared for the BIGGEST old NEW DEAL that will simply result in a RAW DEAL for all future taxpayers -- IMHO.

when the BP catches up with BO's BA

No, I didn't fall off a cliff... but in some respects, I feel like I should have pushed this pile of plastic and metal off a ledge into the Grand Canyon.

I finally got my computer back last Wednesday... and I'm still catching up after missing it for almost a month while it sat (off and on) in the shop. It's a very long story that I prefer to forget for the moment.

So, in the absence of my computer, I was unable to blog my thoughts on the (important) event that happened in our country on January 20/2009.

Okay... so... some of you probably think I'm talking about the little UFO sighting that CNN cameras picked up on inauguration day. (Seen it? Take a look...)

It's no secret. I didn't vote for Obama.

And based on the decisions, statements, etc. that I've seen thus far, he's proving me right ...his policies (and other choices) are wrong for this time in our country's history.

He's not an idiot.

So I'm guessing he just doesn't understand how to micromanage and macro manage at the same time... or maybe he's one of those people that just chooses to see the tree instead of the forest?

Popping on my pop-psychology hat I'll give him this... making decisions that affect a wide range of people from an even wider range of backgrounds can be difficult for someone coming from such a dysfunctional background as his.

It takes a lot longer for the BIG PICTURE (BP) to catch up with the BIG AMBITION (BA) that such a background can instill.

But I digress...

Mistakes observed so far:
- Biden
- Vilsack
- Perrelli
- Geithner
- Clinton
- Holder
- tripping on the publicly witnessed oath
- holding a private 2nd oath
- so-called "stimulus" (NOT BY A LONG SHOT, PEOPLE!)
- closing Gitmo
- speedier troop withdrawal
- going up against Rush (this should be interesting)

Although he announced lifting restrictions on abortion funding, it's interesting that there hasn't been any major Roe vs Wade thing announced yet... but maybe he's read Harry Dent's latest book (The Great Depression Ahead: How to Prosper in the Crash Following the Greatest Boom in History) and BO now sees how population demographics affects the Big Picture?

Sidenote: Dent hasn't been all that accurate on the numbers thing, but he didn't factor in the Wall Street shenanigans in his previous book, so it's not surprising that Dent was off by a bit on the timeline (and a LOT on the final numbers) of the last bubble.

But again, I digress.

As much as I want to bite my tongue regarding the so-called stimulus pkg they're trying to ram through congress (and right up the taxpayers' you-know-what) I just can't. It won't work the way some might think. (more on this next week)

To quote Harry Dent, Jr., from a recent interview, "...the dumb money comes in last."

Dent was referring to the Stock Market.

Here's another quote from the same interview that I kind of liked:

"Your life is about to change for reasons outside of your control. You can't change the direction of the winds, but you can reset your sails!"

Oh well... when the BP catches up with BO's BA, maybe we'll see a course correction?

Next Bailout Might Be Your Local Government

By now, you're probably sick and tired of hearing about government bailouts... but a new bailout looming on the horizon doesn't appear to be getting much exposure on the tube, which strikes me as odd, since it may bankrupt more than one municipality.

Check out this November 22/2008 story in the LA Times:
"Credit market freeze may claim local governments as victims"

As the dreaded ARMs (Adjustable Rate Mortgages) start coming due in January of 2009 that many are predicting could create a new tide of foreclosures from skyrocketing interest rates, seems that few have realized there is another variable-rate financial instrument in common use by many States, cities and municipalities that could create new havoc on December 1 of this year. To give you an idea, here's a brief excerpt from the story:

The government agencies at risk issued a hybrid municipal bond known as a variable-rate demand note. The payouts on many of these issues have been driven sky-high by the credit crisis.

The situation prompted California Treasurer Bill Lockyer and 19 municipal treasurers to ask Friday for an emergency Federal Reserve program to restore liquidity to the malfunctioning market and force rates back down.

Without government intervention, there will be higher costs for taxpayers, more budget woes for localities and higher obstacles for crucial infrastructure projects...

The variable-rate notes were sold mostly to money market funds. The bonds carry maturities of up to 30 years but pay short-term interest rates that can be reset as frequently as once a day.

Until recently, the resets were not a problem for issuers. The dysfunctional credit markets, however, have exposed them to rate increases no one ever anticipated.

The Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority, for example, says the rate it is paying on $132 million in variable-rate notes has soared to as much as 12%, from as little as 1%. That's a difference of as much as $1.2 million in interest a month. The MTA says it may also have to pay $50 million to retire interest-rate swaps it purchased to hedge against interest-rate changes on the original notes.

For those who really think taxes are only going up on the wealthy per the Obamaplan, I heard there's someone looking to sell you a cool bridge.

Project Leper

If you missed the Glenn Beck Nov 6/2008 radio show, you might not know about "Operation Leper" that is now underway.

Here's a brief excerpt:

Project Leper is we intend to continue writing about the people on the McCain campaign who were sabotaging Sarah Palin and make them political lepers so when 2012 rolls around, they are not going to be able to work for their chosen 2012 candidate.

Three cheers to Erickson and his group over at redstate.com for highlighting this and sticking up for the lady who had to face down so much just for doing her job for her party and her country.

And three cheers to Jasper County for such a large voter turnout. Results on the Presidential Election side tally up as follows:
--> 59.6% McCain/Palin (7,669 votes)
--> 39.2% Obama/Biden (5,044 votes)
--> 1.2% Other (149 votes)

I see P.E.B.O. picked former Freddie Mac director, Rahm Emmanuel, for White House Chief of Staff. His nicknames include "Rahmbo" and "Absolute Enforcer" ...and according to this recent Bloomberg story, "Barack Obama once joked at a charity dinner that when Rahm Emanuel severed his middle finger, it almost rendered him mute."

Emanuel, it is reported, once sent a dead fish to a pollster he didn't like. And according to Dick Morris (author of "Fleeced"), though Emanuel served in various positions in the White House with him, even President Clinton didn't fully trust that one.

So while the Republican campaign staff try to set Sarah Palin up as their scapegoat in order to secure work in the 2012 elections, I sit here shaking my head, wondering why they're going after people in their own party when there is so much fodder on the other side of the fence. When they can't be loyal to their own candidates, who in the heck would want them on their team?

Have ethics, values, morals... all gone by the wayside?

It's just one more reason why I am a registered Independent.

Still, I tip my hat to redstate.com (and Glenn Beck) for stepping forward on this issue.

2008 Election Reaction

Simply this...

"In a world without truth, freedom loses its value." ~ Pope John Paul II

Obama and Coal

Both Obama's and Biden's stance on coal is not new -- IMHO, they hate it.

Biden's tirade against coal when he poked his finger at a citizen in a rope line at one rally clearly revealed his distaste for coal as a source to help meet our massive energy needs. It was well publicized.

What's upsetting a great number of people is more than just the issue of coal, it's the reporting (or lack of reporting) on what Obama said on the subject back in January of this year.

Yesterday, Sarah Palin demanded to know why the San Francisco Chronicle sat on this story for so long. The Chronicle responded by noting that the video has been available on their website since January 17th of this year. However, the Chronicle never reported on these quotes from Obama, and these statements certainly seem noteworthy enough to include in any look at Obama’s policies on energy.

Even more oddly, they never provided a transcript of the interview, an almost automatic step for any meeting between national political candidates and the editors of a newspaper. Why didn’t the Chronicle transcribe their meeting in the nine months between then and now? Did they realize how damaging this could be to Obama’s hopes in the middle of the primaries and chose to quietly shelve the interview? [link]

Here is an excerpt from the interview in question:



In a later part of the interview, Obama goes on to discuss other possible repercussions from his plans to enforce far tougher legislation on coal power plants across the nation.

This still consists of Obama sending “price signals” that discourage the use of coal. He does say that getting rid of coal altogether is an illusion, but he's obviously opposed to expanding its use or even keeping it at current levels. He wants to heavily fine coal operators in order to get “billions” for R&D on alternatives, which will send the coal industry reeling and energy prices skyrocketing, as Obama himself pledges later in the same interview.

View the full video below to hear Obama state clearly how, under his plan, energy prices will "SKYROCKET" ...in his own words:



Think about it... on the one hand, he will give 95% of working citizens a tax break -- for the 40% who don't pay taxes at all, call it what it is -- welfare. Then on the other hand, he will tax the coal power plants to the brink of bankruptcy, which will skyrocket energy prices... thereby wiping out that annual tax break in the first month your new energy bill comes in.

We all experienced the pain at the pump when oil prices rose through the roof.

Just wait 'til you see your electric bill multiply by up to 10 times or more what you are paying today. Businesses, small and large, are about to get pounded by that kind of energy policy.

Keep in mind, coal power plants feed into the grid.

It isn't just the coal states that will be heavily impacted (I'm seeing major job losses, possible/probable coal power plant shut downs, since many of them are running on shoestring budgets even now)... it will impact EVERYONE connected to the grid.

For the record, I'm against carbon capture (emission sequestration), because scientific studies have already proven how dangerous it could potentially be to our aquifers in the event of "leaks" and/or fissures... picture water turned to acid.

Here's what he has to say on that option:



How much has his "team" put into researching the energy dilemma we are facing?

To be fair, Obama and the Dems are not the only party in favor of CCS. Currently, the USA is budgeting a hefty chunk of change in that direction:

CCS is diverting funds away from renewable energy options. The US DOE’s 2009 spending on CCS is $623.5 million, a 26.4 percent increase over 2008, at the same time that it is scaling back programmes on renewable energy and efficiency by 27.1 percent to US$145.2 million. (read more here)

In my humble opinion, solutions to meet our energy needs must be safe, sustainable and preferably renewable. (And, for the record, there are several other clean coal technologies very much worth pursuing to help us keep the lights turned on.)

BUT -- I am most certainly a realist. I don't believe in wiping out one method of energy production until it can be fully replaced with another stable source of energy that is equal to and/or superior to what we have now.

It would be insane to turn off the power during these crazy economic times in which we live.

We are a nation extremely rich in coal resources.

It would be a shame and a waste, in my humble opinion, to not explore methods of being able to put it to good use in a safe, clean way to help power our nation. It can be done. I believe it. We have the technology, we have the ingenuity, and we have the determination and drive to make it happen.

But Obama, IMHO, has missed the entire point by a landslide.

If the polls are right, dig in. We're about to find ourselves in a world of hurt in the years ahead.

Sen. Evan Bayh comments on Fox

"Indiana's gonna go in a different direction..." says Sen. Evan Bayh (D) on a Fox News interview earlier today.

He's right -- in many respects.

For example, it's well-known how many CAFO owners and supporters have shovelled funds towards the Visclosky ticket over the years (and this year). And I, for one, will not be voting for him.

I'm not alone.

They also sent heavy support for a Democratic presidential nominee, but their guy lost in the primaries. I'm wondering if they've transferred their allegience to Obama now?

And then, of course, there's Mitch (R) and his "double pork production" slogan for Indiana. Definitely a NO vote on that one here in our area.

The October Surprise?

In "Bailouts and Bullets" I outlined a small piece of the very complex (and carefully crafted) puzzle that pushed the American taxpayers to their knees, landing them with the burden of bailing out humongous financial institutions even as they watched their own 401Ks disappearing before their eyes.

Yes, the CRA, particularly with the addition of the Clinton changes, was a major trigger... but in fact, the defaults in the sub prime mortgage arena were more like the kindling for a much bigger fire, something far more explosive - and evil IMHO.

I find it rather distasteful to see the media play up the sub prime mortgage side to the crisis with such a vengeance.

Lay off the mortgage defaulters for a minute.

Now, after you've taken your chill pill, how about reporting ALL THE FACTS... not just the little take-out window sound bites that you keep hammering on the little guy at the end of those sub-prime mortgages?

Let's take a walk back in history to the financial whiz kids era that brought about the biggest part of the mess, shall we?

Let's take a trip down CDS lane (Credit Default Swaps) starting with BISTRO.

The average taxpayer has no idea what BISTRO is, who dreamed it up, and how it became "all the rage" -- a working template for financial institutions throughout the world.


Before we begin this new journey... from what I understand, financial institutions couldn't securitize sub-prime before the revisions in the Community Reinvestment Act of 1995 (Clinton).

AND -- equally important -- a commenter on the article you are about to read had this to say in addition to the CRA related info:

The SEC had no authority to regulate Credit Default Swaps. Look up Brooksley Born. Greenspan, Robert Rubin and Lawrence Summers (Clinton's 70th and 71st Treasury Secretary) assured the agency which should have regulated them couldn't. The Commodities Futures Trading Commission, she was chair.

It started at J.P. Morgan. Then Credit Suisse caught on, building somewhat more toxic versions of it... and then, well -- I'll let you be the judge.

For those Americans who are still scratching their heads about this whole mess and wondering how a tiny percentage of mortgages out of the massive mortgage pie could have landed us all here, grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to read for the next 30 to 40 minutes...

Here is the most important (and best, IMHO) article you will ever read on the bailout subject -- The $58 Trillion Elephant in the Room

On another note...

I see Barney Frank and his buddies are gleefully rubbing their hands together wondering how much more money they should take from the taxpayers while we are all still reeling and somehow being made to feel guilty for the "so-called sub prime mess" that supposedly froze credit 'round the world.

NEWS FLASH to the House and Senate -- the American taxpayers are learning the truth. It would be wise if you put away that check book for now and wait to see how they plan to deal with the mess you allowed to happen on your watch.

For his part, McCain did try to reign things in on Fannie and Freddie. Obama must have later just been "present" as usual... I dunno.

Speaking of Obama...

Hey dude! Why don't you just fork over the necessary documents to prove your citizenship in the "Berg vs. Obama" case? It shouldn't take your legal team more than a few minutes to hand deliver it and get the whole citizenship thing cleared up. If you can afford to send such a HUGE fleet of investigators up to Alaska to do the smear job on Palin, seems like it would be a small feat for them to prove you are an American citizen.

Right?

You being a lawyer specializing in the Constitution, I would think this would be a very important little thing to clear up BEFORE the election, don't you?

And, ummmm, in case you're wondering ...no, I don't believe the factcheck.org site regarding this issue. You were in charge of doling out millions of dollars through the Annenberg Assoc, the very same association connected to factcheck.org. Nice try, though.

Just get your dang lawyers to high tail it on over to the courts with your documents. It's a very simple thing.

Unless... well, geez, I hate to even think it. Are you not an American citizen?

I won't tell everyone about the API tapes here. What your wife says to reporters isn't all that interesting to me. I never even watched her on "The View" or any of those other media spots.

But, I find it rather intriguing that your legal team should be fighting so hard to suppress the API tapes ... and fighting so hard to NOT supply the necessary documents proving your citizenship.

It's rather, odd... to say the least.

Meanwhile, a bit closer to home, did any of you happen to catch this article in Inside Indiana?

Way to go Jill Long!!! I applaud you for catching this and hope you will be successful protecting taxpayer interests here in Indiana. Thank you!

Fun With Words - Today's Word: FEAT
noun. notable deed; surprising trick.

Surviving the next four years in the USA

This is going to sound pretty weird to plenty of folks visiting this blog. That's okay. Consider it a wake-up call if, as I believe, the ballot boxes have already been stuffed and the 2008 elections already rigged.

Question: "The inner bark of which tree can be made into a soup to sustain life in the wilderness?"

Question: "What common weed can be used to make tea and/or coffee and can also be used to treat pneumonia, bronchitis, and other respiratory disorders, tinnitus, tonsillitis, osteoporosis, abscesses, anemia, boils, mammary tumors, cirrhosis, water retention, hepatitis, jaundice, rheumatism, warts, and may also be effective in eliminating or averting age spots.... AND can improve general health, and is beneficial to the kidneys, pancreas, spleen, stomach, and other organs?"

Question: "How can the sun be used to distill and purify water to make it safe for drinking?"

Question: "What is the safest way to preserve food in the wilds, far from any electricity?"

Final Question: "Think you don't need to brush up on your survival skills?"