Battle of the Economic Schools

I got a chuckle out of the econostories.tv video "Fear the Boom and Bust". The one thing I have not seen is a Keynesian explain how the government stimulus in Japan failed after over a decade of massive government stimulus and spending. How is the current government approach different? Are there examples of Keynesian stimulus that we can see worked? It seems to me that the government has been trying to keep bubbles inflated for the last ten years. They want housing prices to stay high, so they make low interest loans, give a rebate to buyers, and modify loans. Last I checked housing prices were high compared to income on a historical basis. How is that good for the general population.

I am not convinced that the Austrian School is correct, but I don't have a lot of faith (backed up with facts) that the Keynesian approach reflects reality.

Gridlock

I did not realize that it is still possible for the Democrat senators to force an old fashioned filibuster from the Republicans. If they had the will and wherewithal they could force the "party of no" to take the podium and talk until they collapsed. The complaint is that this would stop any senate business from being transacted, but the current situation nothing is getting done. The headlines would be great at the very least.

FiveFingers

Vibram keeps coming out with new FiveFingers. In the next month the Bikila, which is designed for running. Several times this winter I have thought about how nice it would be to have a pair of the Flows for all this snow.

I wore my classics in Maui for a day, and had some irritation from rubbing high on the heel; I had not worn them for a few months in cold St. Louis. Might have to ease back into them this spring.

Away From Home

February has been busy for me.  Last weekend I drove up to Gridly, IL.  For testimonies and baptisms.  This weekend I am visiting Rachel and Josh.  It is Madeline's birthday tomorrow; she is turning five.  I also made use of the massive snow up here to go snowboarding yesterday.  A group from Josh's church were going, and I hitched a ride.  Next weekend I plan to visit Bluffton, IN with a group from Taylor.

Location : Industrial Hwy, Philadelphia, PA 19153,

Twenty Ten

I can't wait for the majority of people to realize that the best way to say 2010 is "twenty ten" and not two thousand and ten. It was not nineteen hundred and ninety nine. I am of course not the first person to take up this crusade, but I was hoping it would not be necessary.