Syria

what a sad situation. is there anything that could be done to make it better?

My perspective

it was a mistake for other governments to encourage the rebellion,
that was a mistake that has led to this humanitarian disaster

No matter how bad Assad was, is it better now?
Is the right way to deal with bad dictators to take up arms against them?

So what about the future?

Let nature take its course without interfering. That is what I believe in.
Ultimately there will be a victor and there will be peace. Picking sides does not help that to happen.Unfortunately, helping the rebels is prolonging the struggle.

It would be better at this point to let Assad regain control.

Here is something I heard. This is really about the oil pipeline that the Saudis wanted to run through Syria.
This pipeline would lessen the power of Russia over Europe. Right now Russia is the main supplier of oil to Europe. They are able to threaten Europe with supply disruptions.
So the people who want Assad out have this big ulterior motive. I am heart sick over this.

But what is the truth? I don't really know. There are so many motivations.
But the choice to be violent is an individual choice.
We can each choose to stop being violent.

Great Economy

So what is right with this economy?
What is making stocks go up and up and real estate go up and up?
There is a lot of complaining about the moderate growth rate and the high unemployment rate.
But those things go together with low interest rates and a low rate of inflation.

Here are the positives in a nutshell

low interest rates
sluggish growth
abundant cheap labor
unemployment rate of around 7%
an aging population
new technology
good international trade relations


All these things are powerful enough to overcome the negative of government interference

New Entitlements

People need things. Lots of things. And the government needs to guarantee that everybody gets these things.

Clothing

Internet

Mobile internet with unlimited data

pets, dogs, cats, fish, birds

vacations to Europe

automobiles!! and good ones!! luxury autos for sure

furniture

nice furniture!

lessons, like tennis and piano and yoga etc.

dining out! at good restaurants!

air conditioning

landscaping

big weddings

big funerals

legal services

and there are so many more
These are all RIGHTS
everyone has a right to all these things and more and the government needs to get to work right now and make sure everyone has them