Howdy friends and neighbors. I missed ya last week. Sorry, I was a bit under the weather and my nose was running so much that I was afraid that I might ruin the keyboard.
Man, where does a guy start this time? So much entertainment out in this old world lately and I only have limited space.
First, let’s laugh about the goings on in DC. A few weeks back I quoted Will Rogers as he talked about life in the 20’s and 30’s. He said, “America is the only country in which we can drive ourselves to the poor house in automobile.” I attempted to modernize his quote, but all I need to do is just sit back and let the US Government write the jokes, then just put their actions in print. I now have a 21st century quote to follow up on Will’s. “America is the only county in which CEO’s can fly themselves to the poor house in a Gulfstream private jet!” Again, the all so dramatic “bail out” news is so bad that it is somewhat hilarious to watch. Our nation has created bread and soup lines once again. Only the line is forming at the steps of Congress and corporate CEO’s are lining up to get their handout. Once they fill their cup, it’s back on the private jet to renegotiate their bonus.
Leadership in DC is running around looking for cameras to get in front of so they can let us dumb taxpayers know how smart they are. Again, I’m just sitting back putting in print the latest actions of our elected and appointed ones. You and I now own an insurance company, several banks, and all the bad loans that Fannie and Freddie could round up. It is possible that when this hit print, we may own some car companies. My favorite trade, a week or so back, was the Citibank deal. Us taxpayers took on about $320 billion in bad paper. Then, we threw in another $20 billion in cash. But here is the best part; we got $7.8 Billion in Citibank stock! How do I get a hold of these wheeler-dealers? I need to trade with these folks. I’ve got three old chronic steers, a crippled heifer, a blind, cryptorchid bull and four open cows that voted this past November. I would graciously take $9.5 billion for this fine stock plus $60 million in cash to prop up my operation. In turn I will give the taxpayers five of my best, black-baldy, young bred heifers. But of course, I will need to charge a fee to maintain these potential, profit makers for the government. Sounds like a fair deal to me. How about you? After all, you the taxpayers are the real beneficiaries here. Again, I don’t now wither to laugh or cry at what the next generation is going to have to clean up someday.
Let’s laugh at college football for a little while. But, I must tread lightly on this subject because this topic has the potential to stir the pot. Thank goodness Bedlam is over and the Big 12 South champ has been decided. The Slim Pickens Pokes need some defense and someone with half a brain selling tickets. 12,000 empty seats in the biggest game of the year: something to do with marketing season tickets that were overpriced to start with, I’m sure some Sooner fans would have paid way too much for these seats. The irony, I as an agriculture producer, am supposed to listen to folks at OSU and let it weigh in on my marketing decisions???? I’m still scratching my head. But I am a proud graduate, I think. As far as the poor Texas fans, well it’s hard to feel sorry for a Texas fan but the fact is they are going to have to sit at home and watch a Big 12 Championship game being played by two teams they beat! What a mess!
I’m Monte Tucker and that is what’s under my why couldn’t I have been sick this week too hat!
It is unfortunate that the auto CEOs’ foolish actions system is taking attention away from small planes, that in many areas, are a vital part of our economy. Many people rely on general aviation for travel, small business growth, and medical care, especially in rural areas. Don’t let the big three CEOs ruin the reputation of the aviation industry that is vital for the well being of so many small communities.