Thomas Frank: Predatory Elites and the Political-Professional Establishment

"That ain't workin' that's the way you do it
Get your money for nothin' get your chicks for free
We got to install microwave ovens custom kitchen deliveries
We got to move these refrigerators we gotta move these color TV's

Now that ain't workin' that's the way to do it
Play the guitar on the MTV
That ain't workin' that's the way you do it
Money for nothin' and chicks for free."

Dire Straits, Money For Nothing

Here is a link to Reality Asserts Itself Part 9, the interviews between Paul Jay and historian Thomas Frank.

America has institutionalized, has created economic and legal barriers to entry, in its current 'two party system.'

And now that both parties have given themselves over to Big money, albeit in various ways and slightly different forms, any dissent to the mandated narrative are finding difficult footing and expression.  We saw that clearly in the 2016 election, but the US is hardly alone in this.

Thomas Frank says, 'They can't see it, Paul.'   Indeed.  There seems to be a lot of that going around, on both sides of the aisle and in the audience and professional galleries, Thomas.

That is the nature of the credibility trap.  It is a well spring of self-interested hypocrisy and the misuse of words.

Frank's comments about the bible-believing pious Hillary are naively presented to the point of being almost sad, or else they would just be knee slapping hilarious.   How about giving us the chapter and verse for the bible passage concerning 'whited sepulchers.'  Granted, Bill and Hill could be thought of at the Jim and Tammy Faye of American televangelist politics.  Paul Jay does well to maintain his composure.

That is how it is, these days however.   As Jerry Garcia of The Grateful Dead put it so well, 'the lesser of two evils is still evil.'   Hypocrisy and lies notwithstanding.

Don't get me wrong in this.  The GOP is the worst, almost beyond all redemption.  I think what is so cloying about the Democrats is that they are scripted to be the good guys in this melodrama, and willingly act the part.   And yet their venality is showing.

Americans may loathe a conman or a villain, but they really despise a hypocrite.  And that is 'what happened.'

I think we are seeing a global phenomenon, a kind of a mass revulsion against that well polished hypocrisy.  And like most revolutions, in its anger it tends to make some very bad choices.

When one has picked a side, committed themselves as it were, and is rooting for either 'Red vs. Blue' in the games, it is all too easy to get caught up in the hypocrisy and selective morality of partisanship.

Even when it is clear that the guys running those games could care less about their loyal fans, in their quest for power and big money.  Like modern day professional football.

How Far Are the Exceptional Fallen

"Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt. He therefore is the truest friend to the liberty of his country who tries most to promote its virtue, and who, so far as his power and influence extend, will not suffer a man to be chosen into any office of power and trust who is not a wise and virtuous man.

We must not conclude merely upon a man's haranguing upon liberty, and using the charming sound, that he is fit to be trusted with the liberties of his country. It is not unfrequent to hear men declaim loudly upon liberty, who, if we may judge by the whole tenor of their actions, mean nothing else by it but their own liberty, — to oppress without control or the restraint of laws all who are poorer or weaker than themselves.

It is not, I say, unfrequent to see such instances, though at the same time I esteem it a justice due to my country to say that it is not without shining examples of the contrary kind; — examples of men of a distinguished attachment to this same liberty I have been describing; whom no hopes could draw, no terrors could drive, from steadily pursuing, in their sphere, the true interests of their country; whose fidelity has been tried in the nicest and tenderest manner, and has been ever firm and unshaken."

Samuel Adams

Stocks and Precious Metals Charts - First Trading Week of the New Year - Non-Farm Payrolls Report

Stocks, led higher by big cap tech, were on an absolute tear higher today.

Volatility as measured by the VIX was crushed lower.

The dollar continued to show weakness.

Gold rallied up through the overhead resistance, and made a stab at some levels we have not seen in some time. Silver showed its penchant for beta and was up a bit higher on a percentage level, firmly nailing down the 17 handle.

It will be interesting to see if we can crack 1330 in gold/dollars. What a powerful move we have had off the last FOMC meeting. But as noted, this has been the usual thing so many times last year.

There will be a Non-Farm Payrolls Report on Friday.

Have a pleasant evening.

Acceptance and Forgiveness

What is a proper disposition towards life?  It is to accept God as a loving father, who is full of tenderness and forgiveness for us, despite our willful blunders and hardened hearts. He yearns for us, as a father and mother yearn for the return of their most beloved child.

It is to accept that we are not lost, we are not abandoned.  We are wandering like a wayward child, full of our own headstrong delusions.  And our father waits expectantly, calling out for us through the darkness.   He sends the spirit out to find us, a light to find our way home to him out of the gloom of the night.

It is to accept that his door is always open, and that he will not abandon us, until he has at last welcomed us into his house.

How do we know what he is doing? Talk to him. He is always listening. He delights in our presence, and notes everything about us, as a loving parent does to a sleeping child. His love is boundless, but will not overwhelm us. Because that is how deep his love is for us.

God is our loving father.  If only we will accept it, and accept our life as it truly is meant to be, beyond the images and the shadows of the world.  For he has already humbled himself, and in his loving forgiveness laid down his life for us.

What more can we ask, what additional proof of his love can we require of him? ?