READING THE TEA LEAVES 3

LIFE IS A GAME OF CONNECT THE DOTS, IF YOU DON'T CONNECT ALL THE DOTS OR DON'T CONNECT THEM IN THE RIGHT ORDER YOU NEVER GET THE PICTURE READING THE TEA LEAVES 3 Trump may or may not keep his promises, but democrats failed to take care of the country. Biden was too engaged in managing his wars, that he failed to pay attention to the people, he alienated everyone that he needed to get reelected. Americans that were fully supportive of the war in Ukraine couldn't pay for the war any longer as prices kept going up along with the cost of war. Fewer supported the unlimited war in Gaza, MSM that was all in on the war no matter what failed to understand what the people on the street were noticing. The liberals, the neo-cons were happy focusing full time on the wars while ignoring any and all domestic problems. Maybe trump was right that this will be the last time you'll have to vote. Now with the presidency, the House, the Senate along with the Supreme Court in in one party's hands that may become a "prophecy". Which will mean the end of the "American Experiment ". Not to say that Biden, the democrats and the media couldn't have seen it coming. This just may have been the biggest conspiracy itself. MORE TO FOLLOW M. N. R. 06 NOVEMBER 2024

READING THE TEA LEAVES 2

LIFE IS A GAME OF CONNECT THE DOTS, IF YOU DON'T CONNECT ALL THE DOTS OR DON'T CONNECT THEM IN THE RIGHT ORDER YOU NEVER GET THE PICTURE READING THE TEA LEAVES 2 If and when, Trump wins and Kamala loses, it will not be a fault of anyone but Biden, Biden was more pig headed than most other politicians ( with one certain other exception). His continued support of Ukraine, his support of Bibi, him ignoring the immigration crisis and total disregard of the economy has cost this election. All the topics Trump appears to be interested in. Even before the 7th of October crisis happened he had been out of touch. Why he was not 25thed out. I have no clue! The Constitution was not followed by those that take an oath to follow the Constitution! But, here we are. What the future holds for the American people? Trump may have been running since 2015, we have no clue what "new" plans or policies he has up his sleeve. His promises of the 2016 campaign didn't bear many fruits, we didn't get a healthcare plan, the border wall was only partially built, Mexico didn't pay for the wall, and with some draconian measures in place immigration was only slightly slowed. We did make deal to get out of Afghanistan but we also released 5,000 Taliban in the deal ( before the withdrawal). With the new tariffs promised, the prices of most items will definitely rise, and as the foriegn countries impose tariffs on American goods in retaliation our exports will suffer costing American jobs. If the regulations on businesses are dropped, the pollution will increase, the job site safety will suffer, and worker protections will go away. No more job security either. MORE WILL FOLLOW M. N. R. 06 NOVEMBER 2024

READING THE TEA LEAVES!

LIFE IS A GAME OF CONNECT THE DOTS, IF YOU DON'T CONNECT ALL THE DOTS OR DON'T CONNECT THEM IN THE RIGHT ORDER YOU NEVER GET THE PICTURE READING THE TEA LEAVES! Hang in there, it is almost over. Really, right now no one knows the final outcome, as predicted. But it could be clear by the time I wake up. (That depends upon if I go to sleep in the first place). I will be going to sleep soon, I am at ease, my conscience is clear, I am at peace, aren't you? I chided Biden over the Afghanistan withdrawal, I chastised the government for creating the war in Ukraine, I low key called out the destruction in Gaza, so if Trump wins tomorrow or the next week it will be Biden's fault. ( and his advisors). The US foreign policy has been run by the three letter agencies, as it is by the "military industrial complex", which in turn is run by the same bankers that own the FED, the IMF and the World Bank, which runs the UN and also promotes the "New World Order ". Oh you thought the US was a democracy, you know like " government of the people, by the people, for the people", o my goodness , how foolish. On the economy, Biden was really not interested, by the time he was pushed out, it was too late, it was too late two years ago when the corporations started making record profits, jacked up CEO pay and dividends and stock buy back. But the consumers do care about all of that, all they know is that prices are higher, how or why are no factors in the equation. MORE TO FOLLOW M. N. R. 05 NOVEMBER 2024

A BIG DAY!

LIFE IS A GAME OF CONNECT THE DOTS, IF YOU DON'T CONNECT ALL THE DOTS OR DON'T CONNECT THEM IN THE RIGHT ORDER YOU NEVER GET THE PICTURE A BIG DAY! So it is finally here, the day the world will stop, people in power around the globe are holding their breath, poor across the world know their lives will still suck. Governments around the world wonder who will be toppled by the CIA, others worry if they will be next on the list to be bombed. But here in America, on the 1st Teusday after the first Monday in the month of November, and in the year of the Lord 2024 our concerns are more mundane. Not about the quality or the character of the candidates, not about the Constitution or the rule of law, not about our own morals, or justice or fairness, but what party we belong to. We don't need a brain, we don't need to ponder, we don't need to evaluate, it is no different than watching a football game, we already know which team is "ours" and no matter what, our team should always win. It is 1235 in the morning (or very late at night), I'll be up at 8 AM, ( I am retired) shower, drink coffee and go stand in line to "do my civic duty", like it will make a difference. We don't really have a democracy, I don't think we even need a national election. We have red states and we have blue states. Results are already known, but the masquerade goes on, it is great entertainment and keeps the people busy. And yes, we love our "busy"! Billionaires, bankers and the industrialists want us "involved". Even though the finance bothsides and own the politicians of whatever party you vote for, not even joking. But go on, it is good for you to feel wanted. I tried to get excited, but it is boring really. People that have more work than they can handle complain about how bad the economy is, people that can't find qualified help for the low wages they offer complain that people don't want to work, and people that hire illegal immigrants complain about migration. People on SNAP and section-8 (rental assistance) complain about government helping "others", and landlords raise rents as people on assistance can get "free money ". We are just not that honest. We are facing real crises, the inflation has not gone away ( no matter who wins), we are facing an economic downturn, (no matter who wins), we are closest to a WW3 since the Cuban missile crisis, ( no matter who wins), but what, "ME Worry" ? It is no time to worry about who wins, we have bigger fish to fry. The worst thing we can do is to assume that if the "stuff" hits the fan, we will make it, it is a delusion we cannot afford. Even if we have 5, 10, 30 acres and a lot of ammo it will be difficult, very difficult, in a country where gas is no longer available, refineries are shut down, roadways are blocked, produce can't be moved, tractors can't be repaired, parts are no longer available. Not only! If Russia takes Ukraine then Latvia, Lithuania and Poland? What about Europe, If NATO is not there? If we impose tariffs the other countries will also. Stagflation is not just another word. It maybe worse. Good luck America, I WILL WRITE MORE SOON M. N. R. 05 NOVEMBER 2024

A BIG DAY?

LIFE IS A GAME OF CONNECT THE DOTS, IF YOU DON'T CONNECT ALL THE DOTS OR DON'T CONNECT THEM IN THE RIGHT ORDER YOU NEVER GET THE PICTURE A BIG DAY ? 1. So finally, it is here, tomorrow is the big day. Well, aren't you excited? I am not. In my 72 years, I have seen many of these "big days". Nothing much changes, really, nothing that really matters. We get excited over little things, only because we are supposed to, and that only because we are told to, we are told to be excited, we are programmed to be excited. Pavlov called this " conditioning" . As children we are told about "Santa Claus", Christmas comes, for months we have heard about Santa, we look forward to Christmas, and the presents and even as we grow older and we know for a fact now that there is no Santa, still we can't get away from the drama, the excitement, we are "conditioned". Literally! 2. Our lives are not about to change much in the ways that we believe they will. If the immigrants are deported, the prices of some goods may go up, the housing construction may slow down, the price of chicken, lettuce, beef, eggs may go way up, but who cares? If the abortion is banned it will not change my life, it may change the life of my granddaughters, but I don't have any, yet. So me worry? Why? We don't think, even when we are thinking. Most of us that "follow" the news have no idea. Facts are malleable, we create our own facts, we are thus programmed. I know, you want to say that you know the difference between truth and a lie, and I will never argue. Yet! We are conditioned to "believe" that our fantasies are real, more so than even reality itself. We cry at the movies, we get scared, we get upset, we "think" that reality shows are real, that no matter what news we watch tells us the "truth". None of which is true. But we are sure we can not be fooled. Worse, we even believe that that our "opinions" are not influenced when the news we watch is playing to our preferences and even on the internet the algorithms design what we watch only to reinforce our thoughts. No wonder we all believe we are "right in the absolute " and are even willing to fight to defend our "programming"! And we are being programmed every minute of every day. And the people making $16 an hour believe that the people making $11 an hour are being paid too much. A farmer raises sheep, he has a couple of sheepdogs, the dogs guards the sheep all day and all night, the keep the wolves and the coyotes away and fight them if the need be. Morning and night the farmer feeds the dogs some scraps, and the dogs are happy, they are fed, they have a place to stay. The dogs don't care why the farmer keeps them around or how much money the farmer is making, how rich the farmer is, how comfortable the farmer is, and if someone were to come to take the farmer's property, the dogs will fight them, even unto death. The dogs are conditioned to take care of the farmer. Always. Anyway. I WILL WRITE MORE SOON M. N. R. 04 NOVEMBER 2024

DEJA VU, AGAIN A6b

LIFE IS A GAME OF CONNECT THE DOTS, IF YOU DON'T CONNECT ALL THE DOTS OR DON'T CONNECT THEM IN THE RIGHT ORDER YOU NEVER GET THE PICTURE DEJA VU, AGAIN A6b With just days left before the elections, you would think that the candidates will address the actual problems of the nation and offer some honest solutions. Try to get the populace together not divide us. But what if they don't address the real problems because they have no real solutions, what if they don't want you to even know the real problems and want you distracted? The truth is that the elite don't want us to know the real issues, that they don't want us to know how bleak the outlook is, and that we have been made a fool of all along? Not many of us really understand that we are facing existential crisis, in food, in climate, in jobs, in energy costs, in labor (we have either too many jobs, or too few jobs, for the various sections of the labor pool). Our lives ( at a very personal, individual and family level) are affected more by the economy than anything else, regardless of what else you may believe to be "MOST IMPORTANT", don't fool yourself into believing otherwise. Take a few moments, step back from all the hoopla and the noise. We are 35 trillion in debt, the interest payment alone reached a trillion this year and it will only get higher as we borrow more money, and the interest rates rise next year. And the markets tell us that even if we have two more drops by the inauguration the rates will rise again. How do I know? Look at the mortgage rates that are already going up, mortgage rates are based on the expectation of the future rises in interest rates. Inflation will not slow, as the gold and other commodity prices are going up. But no one is talking about that. There is no candidate that can control the market or the interest rates or has a magic wand that fixes it. Food prices are ready for a huge jump also, our crops are suffering droughts and hurricanes both at the same time. And then there are the recalls, the factories being damaged by hurricanes, it is not just one thing. Concentration in industry is another, we have one or two or just few facilities to make or process many items. Did we forget the baby formula shortage already? When we have almost daily recalls on different items, chicken, meats, cereals heck even frozen waffles for goodness sakes. If we take our eyes off of what really matters we become susceptible to any distraction that comes along, so focus. I WILL WRITE MORE SOON. M. N. R. 21 OCTOBER 2024

DEJA VU, AGAIN A6a

LIFE IS A GAME OF CONNECT THE DOTS, IF YOU DON'T CONNECT ALL THE DOTS OR DON'T CONNECT THEM IN THE RIGHT ORDER YOU NEVER GET THE PICTURE DEJA VU, AGAIN A6a There is an election in 17 days, so they say, it is the most important election of our lives, ( they always say that), makes you feel important, like you and I really get to decide what comes next. Another lie we are expected to believe. We know that we only get to choose from the candidates that are sponsored by the bankers and the industrialists, but we play along, as if one or the other is sincerely concerned about the welfare of the country or our personal predicaments. Nothing could be further than the truth. No matter who gets elected or what policies or promises are offered, the life of the average American will not improve. No matter what you have done, where you are in life, is the result of your own initiative and your own choices. Don't blame, and certainly do not give credit to the politicians. Now if you have done really well, thank the politicians you were able to buy and bribe, and your richer friends that helped you. "It is the economy, stup/d", it was said, but what about your own economy? We complain about inflation but fail to realize that the house that we bought for a 100k 40 years ago is now worth half a mill, good or bad? Inflation has been with us for a very long time, even we just now happen to notice. Gold was $280 per ounce in 2000, it closes the week at over $2700 , yes that is inflation that you don't talk about, the stock market has doubled in the last 4 years, did you miss the boat? No wonder you complain about inflation, economy is complex no matter what anyone tells you. Market keeps shooting up, it is saying that inflation will get worse no matter who is elected. None, don't bet your house in which candidate will save us. Inflation will get much worse yet, no policy of either candidate will help the working class. I will write more real soon. M. N. R. 19 OCTOBER 2024

INFLATION!

LIFE IS A GAME OF CONNECT THE DOTS, IF YOU DON'T CONNECT ALL THE DOTS OR DON'T CONNECT THEM IN THE RIGHT ORDER YOU NEVER GET THE PICTURE For those that do not understand how the economy really works, inflation was predicted before even the pandemic was officially declared, I wrote a whole two part article on my blog, as to what will happen to the prices as a result, every thing I had mentioned came true, similarly when we started the war in Ukraine, I posted again about its negative effects on the prices, the shortages and the deficits, nothing unknown, yes our own policies are to blame, but it is a shared blame, by the left and the right, then there is the supply chain problem with the war in Gaza. Still if we compare our inflation with the rest of the world we are luckier than many others, since our food supply is still mainly local. Much of the inflation here can still be blamed on price gouging by corporations that are boosting their own profits. We don't want the government to control profits and the government (both parties) is beholden to their rich donors. It is same people here that want the government to stay out of the business's business are the one blaming the government for inflation, get some knowledge about how the world, that we live in, actually works. Ofcourse there will be another bout of inflation as a result of recent hurricanes, no only in housing costs, but also in agricultural products, the interst rate may be staying up a while. M. N. R. 10 OCTOBER 2024

DEJA VU, AGAIN A5

LIFE IS A GAME OF CONNECT THE DOTS, IF YOU DON'T CONNECT ALL THE DOTS OR DON'T CONNECT THEM IN THE RIGHT ORDER YOU NEVER GET THE PICTURE DEJA VU, AGAIN A5 I feel philosophical, I philosophical means depressed or down. But I am not depressed or down, I am numb, like that Pink Floyd song, "Comfortably Numb". Just that though, comfortable, don't know really what that song is about. "Like a distant ship"! I decided that I would be detached, not like a hermit though, just detached, "Watching the wheels", but watching the wheels is not really "detachment" one is still involved "in watching", it is difficult to be a true "Stoic" even, much as one would hope. I thought about how people really think, how do we become "something", as in something "definable", ofcourse we only want to be defined as someone accepted by those around us, so we end up emulating those we keep company with. We don't choose to, but maybe we do exactly that. We do have choices, we say, but what if we, ourselves, limit our choices? There is a tray full of beads of many colors and you wish to make a necklace per se, and you wish to make a necklace of red beads, so regardless of how colors are available, you only choose the red beads for your necklace, disregarding all others. Same is true of our knowledge, we only choose what we like. There was a study of what people order at a restaurant, it was discovered that most people, often, ordered the same items, regardless of all the many other choices available. We are like that. It is said that America is almost equally divided, I don't believe it to be true atall, the fact is that we are only GIVEN two choices, take it or leave it. There is no way that exactly half the population has exactly the same preferences as all others in that group. We are not choosing, we are told what we must choose, take it or leave it, this is not how a "democracy" should work. M. N. R. 03 OCTOBER 2024