-
On Winter Tour
February 6, 2012 | 13 comments
-
Searching for a Way Out
January 25, 2012 | 34 comments
-
Back in Touch
January 12, 2012 | 61 comments
-
I'm Joseph Cotten
December 29, 2011 | 85 comments
-
Christmas for Me
December 16, 2011 | 65 comments
Ben Stein's Diary
Amid the Collapse
Our Clear-Eyed Diarist in top form.
Monday
Here I am in Atlanta. As usual, I am staying at the Ritz Carlton in Buckhead, one of my favorite hotels. When I checked in last night, though, the lobby was a little different from the usual. The Black Entertainment Television Awards is having a ceremony here in Atlanta. Many of the participants are staying at the Ritz Carlton. They are gaily decked out in bling and T-shirts and lop-sided baseball caps. Their lady friends are lovely and wearing actually normal outfits, quite different from the men. They scared me a bit, but then they started shouting out "Clear Eyes" to me, and all was well.
I ate at an Italian restaurant near the hotel. It was so horrible I really cannot say. The food and my reaction to it kept me up all night. This goes back to something I have often said, namely that fast food is better than expensive slow restaurant food in about 90 percent of cases.
Anyway, that was yesterday. Today, I spoke at Georgia State University. It is a huge campus, but mostly vertical. It does not have a big leafy lawn, at least not that I saw. On the other hand, it has many friendly students. They turned out in droves, major standing room only, to hear my little speech, then asked questions for about an hour.
Then we re-assembled in the lobby and I signed autographs and posed for photos with many hundreds of them. The kids were uniformly intelligent, cheerful, and polite. I did that autograph and photo thing for more than two hours, and I was really tired by the end of the session. But I figure if someone waits in line for two hours to get her photo with me, I owe it to her to sit there and wait.
Truth to tell, I love doing it. I think I should have been a politician, but now it's too late. I have done too many bad things to ever even consider being a politician. Besides, I would only like the campaigning part, not the actually working in the civil service part.
Especially, I would not like the getting up early part.
Well, anyway, I did that, and by the time I got home, I was so tired I didn't go out to my usual, New York Prime, for a fine meal. I just had eggs in my room and went to bed.
Tuesday
Up in the morning and off to ATL to fly to Austin, Texas. As usual, I was in the last row of first class. As usual, the mothers with crying babies were in the first row of coach behind me. I've gotten so I feel a bit on edge if I do not hear those crying babies behind me. But why do the airlines do it that way? What's the point of torturing us first class flyers with that endless crying? Maybe the kids have more legroom that way so they can kick our seats.
Anyway, I got to Austin and went to my hotel room at the Four Seasons. Really nice hotel overlooking Lake Ladybird, named for LBJ's late wife, a true saint and a believer in beautification. No one but me remembers this, but also a willing and eager participant in one of the most crooked empire-building deals of all time. That was when LBJ, as a powerful member of the Senate, got the Federal Communications Commission to shower TV and radio licenses on Ladybird and him. On a salary of about $25,000 a year, he assembled an empire worth hundreds of millions or maybe billions. Good old-fashioned graft. Now lobbyists cannot even take a Senator out to lunch. What a difference! But do we get better laws now? I wonder. I hope so.
Still, LBJ deserves credit for helping, mandating changes in civil rights legislation, change that has made possible our first partly black President, whom I expect to be elected a few weeks after I write this. I do not expect Senator Obama to be able to accomplish anything at all. But I do think that black people should feel that one of their own is Chief Magistrate. They have been feeling bad for so long, it's time they felt good. Well, I guess the ones at the BET show feel good, but the others don't. Or some of them don't. Anyway, you get my point. The problems this country faces are basically not solvable by government, so at least for ceremonial reasons, why not have a President who cheers up a long dispossessed part of the electorate?
Actually, I shouldn't say that. Government can do a lot about the current financial crisis. In fact, after my nap, I went out to a country club to speak to a large group of financial people about how government started this crisis. They started it by mandating home loans to people without credit worthiness, then made it worse by not regulating or banning credit default swaps arranged by people without any insurable interest in the bonds they "insured." Now, government can cure the crisis by guaranteeing solvency of inter-bank loans and by sharply curtailing liability under credit-default swaps. They are also going to need a real stimulus package of major size.
Of course, instead, under that imbecile, Henry M. Paulson, we get state socialism of banks and investment banks. The bailout has morphed from being a help to borrowers in Muncie to being an immense life raft for Paulson's buddies on Wall Street. This is a last, desperate act of rapine against the American people by Mr. Paulson and I do not like it at all. Yes, give them loans they have to repay. Yes, underwrite their loans. But don't buy them and continue to let their executives loot the system. Why on earth should a farmer in eastern Washington state have to prop up Goldman Sachs with his hard-earned money?
I really do not understand why there is not revolution. The bailout was sold as a way to stabilize the mortgage situation, i.e., money for banks to allow them to keep lending to homeowners. Now it's a rescue package for billionaires in Greenwich. How come no one is even saying, "boo!" about this?
About the Author
Ben Stein is a writer, actor, economist, and lawyer living in Beverly Hills and Malibu. He writes "Ben Stein's Diary" for every issue of The American Spectator.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (30) | Leave a comment
Leave a Comment
More Articles by Ben Stein
More Articles From Ben Stein's Diary
http://spectator.org/archives/2009/01/19/amid-the-collapse
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
Current Issue
- Who's Really Conservative?
- Common Prayer, Uncommon Beauty
- Religion Is Not the Enemy
- Digital Subscription (Save 78%)
- Buy a single issue (Save 50%)
- Send Spectator as a gift
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
malm| 1.19.09 @ 8:22AM
Hi Ben, I am 61. Me and my super wife, a great RN, hoped to retire in 4-5 years. We were gonna go to Maine and live in the slow lane, and decided our volunteer work would involve helping out veterans. Maine has a a lot of poor rural counties, and more than a few vets in tough shape. But, with this crash we may not retire so soon. I do not not feel bad for us. We'll gut it out. I feel bad for the vets. My wife has the magic, and would have been able to help a few deserving people sooner. I get from you that traveling to big time destinations, and staying at hip places and eating at big time restaurants is not the ultimate deal. Meeting nice people along the way seems to be what you enjoy most. Very few celebrities or well off people talk like you. They gush about things like food, and name drop, or go on about golf or the this or that they did that is so hip and cool. I guess the rich and famous are different. The man who is the voice of the republicans today will soon be on, and showoff about the great time he had in his luxury box watching a football game. I don't begrudge, but the tone and content seem so off. I know this guy does a lot of good things for vets, as well. But, the boasting and showing off even as jest seems wrong, wrong , wrong. You should run for president. Do it, jump in and say what you write. It needs to be heard, the way you say it. If the republicans are ever to be a viable second party in our lifetimes somebody like you must stir up the pot. I can see you on that stage with all the candidates not uttering the usual blather the others must according to their handlers. We all have bad things in our past. You are not a coward for not wanting stuff public. I have my own baggage. Anyhow, you saw a pretty girl working at Starbucks ? Not true out here in Providence or Boston. However, women have taken over as bartenders, and then it is something else altogether. Like Tony Bennent sings, " beautiful girls walk a little slower when you walk by me". My wife doesn't mind this. She watches her one soap opera, and all the young actors in their underwear. Who cares ?
Jerry Dale| 1.19.09 @ 8:35AM
Greetings Ben,
Just read your itinerary noted in the Mon Jan 19 Spectator. It's always a pleasure reading your articles, I appreciate your wit, your knowledge, and your dedication as to what's right and good for, and about, the United States of America. Continue your good works, stay healthy, and God Bless!!!
Regards,
Jerry Dale
National League
Baseball Umpire (Ret)
A WORLD DECEIVED| 1.19.09 @ 10:17AM
Sorry again folks, all those planning to retire, you will have absolutely nothing to retire on.
Some will try and blame Obama, Obama has nothing what so ever to do with it. Try going back in time, Regagan, Bush the 1st, Clinton, Bush the 2nd. To be truthfull to those who want to know what the Hell is going on could trace this crime against the people to the 60's This plot is being put in place via each successive government. President Kennedy knew about this, and that is one of the reason he was assissinated, Bobby Kennedy knew also so he was assissinated.
His speech about secret societies, where what is going on cannot be revield to the people, well welcome to reality folks, what you saved for is not yours.
Even Tax payers money is being used to bailout these fraudsters, it's American wide, it's Europe wide. If you think you will ever get what you vote for only dreamers, who are dreaming themselves into poverty in their old age.
While every one was watching the BALL GAME, and reading about what BRITNEY was doing, and wondering about HOLLYWOOD, and who is doing what you should have had your eye on your own life. While The Newyork Times was telling you all was well, and the WASHINGTON POST, and Fox News, and CNN, and CBS, and all the rest of the crooked criminal ferternity, was stealing your pension, and your investments, all Americans was being hoodwinked by the American fantasy, trillions of dollars of debts.
Rev Wright said the Chickens have come home to roost. While Americans was getting excited about which illfated nation thewy can invade, and how many old women old men and children they can drop bombs on, calling them terrorist, because they have no self defence. Your house was being burgled by the government they put their trust in instead of GOD. When you get your two cents on the dollar you will know if you can retire, because the New AMERO is coming. If every time America elect another crook, the amount of people who goes out to hail them as God, took the time to find out what is happening to America, and held these common crooks accountable, America would be in a better shape today. They spend billions to gain the Presidency, ask your self why. One thisg is true, it has nothing to do with the people of America but more to do with thew masters they serve.
Phil Hoey| 1.19.09 @ 10:18AM
Happy New Year Ben: General Comments on retirement for the boomers: I am 62. Retired from Verizon a couple of years ago. I went to work for the former Bell Atlantic in 1988, really happy I got the job. I was every happier when I lifted by middle finger the to thugs that ran Verizon, took all my money out and ran like hell. They seriously 'worked' over the mid and first level managemet of the company. I was very lucky - my financial advisor put all the funds in bonds and Treasury notes. It has gone down but not as much as if I had left it in securities (ha - bad choice of words). I continued working after leaving Verizon - now working in the Federal Govt. I had originally planned on only working for 2 or 3 years but since I have lost over "$100k in equity on my home and could not sell it any way I will most likely work until ?????? My wife and I will be able to take care of ourselves but what is very very troublesom is the lack of opportunity I see for younger people. Rather than taking care of ourselves will the current crop of college grads be completly dependent on Uncle Sugar for their 'golden years? OUCH.
Retirement in the meaning of 'go to Florida and enjoy the land of no snow is a reality for people who left the work force in the time period from 1955 until perhaps 2000. I am not a gloom and doom person but I am concerned about the future. There will be a day when the piper will have to be paid.
All the best - Go Blazers - class of 64.
Terry O| 1.19.09 @ 12:48PM
I wholeheartedly agree that Hank Paulson is an 'imbecile.' He may not be the worst Treasury Secretary in our history, but there's no one in his league for doing damage to the republic.
Social Security was designed as a Ponzi scheme, so all of us that have paid in hoping (if you planned on it, maybe you're an imbecile) to receive a public pension. Assigning blame to any single politician or even any string of politicians is ridiculous. Every politician in federal government for the last sixty plus years knew this scheme would eventually collapse. The fact that the government has run it outside the possibility of criminal prosecution was the ONLY way it has continued to exist. Bernie Madoff's funds lasted thirty plus years, Social Security in 70 plus and still the political elite continue to put off the reckoning. It absolutely MUST come.
Marc Jeric| 1.19.09 @ 7:50PM
I had to retire in 1965 after 33 years of working in this country, having been "riffed" out(Clinton's "Reduction In Force" in defense industries). At that time I calculated the amounts I paid in social security taxes, income taxes I paid on those, plus what the company paid for me - year by year; then I calculated what these combined amounts would have been if I had been permitted to invest at 4%/year above inflation. The amount was the staggering $1.8 million. Since my forced retirement in 1995 I have been receiving about $1,200/month in Social Security payments. Well, I would have preferred to start out my retirement with that $1.8 million instead!
Osamas Pajamas| 1.19.09 @ 9:59PM
Retirement in the tank ---- I'd hoped to volunteer daily at the Reagan Library upon retirement until the day I croaked, but it looks like I'll work 'til I drop --- if I don't get laid-off and fail to find work again. Blessed are they who are struck by lighning and felled in a single stroke.
G| 1.28.09 @ 7:49PM
Watch FREE full length Movies, TV Shows, Music (over 6 million digital quality tracks), Unlimited Games, and FREE College Educations @ InternetSurfShack.com
hghgfg| 11.18.09 @ 8:19PM
Mac TOD Converter,
TOD Converter for Windows
Poptropica | 4.8.10 @ 8:23PM
poptropica is a really fun game to play but people quickly discover that it’s a lot different than other popular kids games like Club Penguin or Dizzywood, where kids can meet up anywhere and chat or hang out. Most of poptropica is a single-player experience where you try to complete missions and quests in the game.
But Poptropica does have places where players can meet up to chat and even “battle” each other in a friendly way to earn status and points. Each island has a special area called a multiplayer room where different players can meet. For example, the Coconut Cafe in Shark Tooth Island. In order to connect with a friend, players should choose which island to play on and then head into the multiplayer room to chat and play games.
Tip: Friends should share their character names and describe their outfits to each other to allow for quick identification. Due to the popularity of Poptropica and the way it handles rooms, it might be necessary for them to re-enter and exit the multiplayer room before they can see each other.
huipo| 4.29.10 @ 5:49AM
ArenaBetting.com dukung fair play FIFA world cup AFSEL 2010
dunia pewayangan
thanks for your information
nbvnb| 5.3.10 @ 12:01PM
DVD to iPad Converter,
PDF to iPad ePub Converter
stewar| 11.7.10 @ 1:37PM
Wonderful blog! I truly love how it? s easy on my eyes as well as the data are well written. I am wondering how I can be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your rss feed which need to do the trick! Have a nice day!best music Ringtone
gustav| 11.7.10 @ 1:38PM
Can I make a suggestion? I think youve got something good here. But what if you added a couple links to a page that backs up what youre saying? Or maybe you could give us something to look at, something that would connect what youre saying to something tangible? Just a suggestion.