Category: Random

Fee Writes

The Phenomena That Is Donald Trump

Love him or hate him – you have to concede that “the Donald” has made a huge impact on the political scene in USA.

Thing is – it could happen here, and, in fact, could happen in any country that has a global capitalism mentality.
The way I see it the plebs are just simply over it. We, yes I put myself in the plebeian group, are over the large corporations, the big banks and the mega wealthy who have managed to re-organize the way the money flows.
What they have done in their bid for mega wealth is undermine and deplete the middle class. The middle class gap has shrunk so much that we no longer have the lifestyle I remember growing up in.

Robert Reich, who was Secretary of Labour in the Clinton administration, knows a thing or two about capitalism. He’s all for it, but done in the right way, not where the rules have changed in favour of the top 1%.
I bring him into the post ‘cause he’s written a very fascinating book ‘Saving Capitalism’, where in it he defines reasons why the Trump phenomena is happening – actually you can put Bernie Sanders in this equation as well because it all boils down to people being totally fed up with they way life for the majority is.

Now it relates to USA – but have a read ….. you can see N.Z. and any other capitalist country in there as well

   •   In the 1950s a schoolteacher, baker or mechanic could earn enough to buy a house, purchase two cars and raise a family but this is no longer possible unless they are willing and able to borrow substantial sums of money.
   •   CEOs of large corporations now earn more than 200 times the average worker’s income compared with 20 times 50 years ago.
   •   The richest 1 per cent of Americans now receive more than 20 per cent of the country’s income compared with 9-10 per cent in the 1950s and 1960s.
   •   Politicians pay more attention to the needs of large corporations, compared with individuals, because these corporations are successful lobbyists and make huge political donations.

So why couldn’t there be a Donald Trump here in N.Z.? Personally I can’t think of anyone who would fit the bill – but that’s not to say that he’s not out there.

I’m not naive, I realise we can’t go back in time, but we should be able to do something that will get the numbers of middle-class built back up, get the working class paid better and get more of a balance so more people are able to get ahead.

And just to put it into the N.Z. perspective – the average CEO remuneration for 2015 was $2,868,300 and the average N.Z income was $52,800.
It’s time that the ‘free market’ actually had some rules that gives a fair go to everyone who wants to get ahead and prosper and get the middle class back to having a combined wealth that makes it the richest of all.

It’s going to be interesting what happens in USA – If neither Trump nor Sanders get in (which is very likely), then it will be business as usual, but if one of them does, then, I believe, there will be a change – be it good or bad, but there will be change and it will affect N.Z. one way or another.

Source: BreakingViewsNZ

Fee Writes

The Burbs

My time with Ginge is about 1/2 way through, so thought I’d give you the low-down on how he’s been.

More to the point – what I’ve been up to aside from when I’m at work.

Like Millie before him (About Millie), Ginge took a liking to my suitcase. A-ha! learned from the last cat, suitcase lid is down. Didn’t stop Ginge though and practically every day I found him curled up on top of it. Perhaps a psychological reflex on his part that “if I get on top, she won’t be able to use it and won’t leave me” ?????

And, if you’re wondering what the sticker on the suitcase says …. “I’m touring around spending my children’s inheritance” one of a few sassy stickers that I have on my bag.

I came home one day to find Ginge on my bed. Now I’m not sure if he’s supposed to be there or not, but hey I wasn’t going to argue with him.

So on the bed he stayed and when he did get off his fur stayed behind!

I will say this for him – he’s a good watchdog and growls at anything odd that comes onto the section. Quite often find him guarding the front door. Hahaha – more like asleep at the front door.

One last update for you. I’ve traded in the bike for walking shoes. Didn’t use the bike very much this summer and now that I’m moving around – well, I don’t do hills anyway and as you can see by the feature photo at the top, this place is pretty hilly. Plus, it would mean leaving it outside in some places. Oh who am I kidding – it was time, o,k?
I’ll think about getting another one when I’m settled in my apartment, yup, that’s still the goal!

But, I have to be careful, oh yes, I sure do – this “walking” lark and “hula hooping” business just might make me a bit fitter. And woe betides if that happens as I would then have to concede my sedentary lifestyle to the annals of history and accept a new me.

Wait a minute – isn’t that what I’m attempting this year? A new me?

And my parting shot for this post? Cooking last night and I can categorically say that the fire alarm works!!!! Oh why, oh why, did I not turn on the extractor fan??? It took me F.O.R.E.V.E.R. to shut the thing up.

Fee Writes

Animals | Random

I Have Returned!

The West Wind blew me back to Pyes Pa and Ginge.

Yes, I am trying to grab your attention with a ridiculous first sentence. The West Wind didn’t blow me back – that was “Mary Poppins”, or was that the East Wind? Or maybe it was the East wind blew around Juliette Binoche when she played the mysterious Vianne in the movie “Chocolat”. Ha! See, you now think that I’m really good at remembering characters in old movies. Nah, just good at putting questions to Mr Google.

Leaving the delightful Millie at Bayfair on Easter Monday, I drove off to Pyes Pa arriving late morning. As I already knew this home, it was quite easy to unpack and get myself sorted. However, Ginge was nowhere in sight. In fact, by late afternoon I was getting slightly concerned.

Now Ginge gets fed in the garage and the door to the garage is raised ever so slightly so he can come and go as he pleases. (Cat door currently not installed). Nothing for it. I had to go into the garage, get his container of food and begin going around the house and grounds shaking said container and calling. Nothing. Zilch. Not a pecky-boo from the lad. Around this time I was getting worried. Unwanted thoughts came flooding into the old grey matter – you know the ones – the scenarios, the “what ifs” and the “bloody hells” …. do I – oh dam, what to do? I sure didn’t like the idea of losing a beloved one on my watch.

With the thoughts crowding into my mind and still shaking the container, I headed back into the garage. The gods were watching over me….no sooner had I stepped inside the door when I heard his voice (and a meow that can only come from a large Ginger cat I might add). Sort of a “what you want?” “what you wake me for?” ….. I could hear him, but couldn’t see him. Nothing to it, kept him “talking” so I could follow his voice.

I discovered him right at the back on a shelf about 300 ml off the floor in a dark corner. It took all of my decorum not to collapse onto my knees and kiss the ground he had walked on. Of course not, that didn’t even enter my head – just a bit of literary claptrap to keep you entertained. You are entertained, aren’t you? If so, be a sport and add a comment once you’ve finished reading this …. scroll down, the comment box is down there.

Besides, comments tell me that someone is actually reading this stuff which is a real boost to my ego, and we all know that people who live alone need to have their egos boosted from time to time.

Will continue at a later date with more on Ginge. I’m here for another couple of weeks.

…. another little scroll will get you to the comments … just down there

Fee Writes

Animals | Random

Millie and I Say Goodbye

The end has come. I shifted out of the Bayfair house-sit Easter Monday and took up residence again with Ginge.

Sweet, Sweet Music

Just a quick post today to say that Jazz Fest in Tauranga was great.

AND – to top it off …. weather was awesome!.

O.k., so only went on Saturday, but it was sunny. We sat in the shade, listened to great music and enjoyed the company…. what could be better? Well, if Black Spider Stomp had been there – but perhaps next year.

However, what music we did hear, it was great.