The Trust is Gone

After years of tax cuts for the rich the Obama cabinet nominations showed us that the high fliers aren't paying their reduced taxes.  Its unimaginable to have a Treasury Secretary that simply didn't pay taxes while working for an international organization that wasn't required to withhold personal income taxes.  We are now learning of all the secret Swiss bank accounts.  What do we do to these tax evaders, we offer them amnesty!  The top echelon of American income earners don't seem to believe in paying their fair share.  I suppose they believe they are being asked to pay more then their fare share and can afford the lawyers and accounts to befuddle the IRS should anyone start asking tough questions.  But the real loss is the trust that our country and economy rely on to function. 

As we learn of the billions in salary and bonuses paid to executives and Wall Street wheeler dealers while the rest of us loose our homes, savings and future, our belief in our Nation fades.  The economy may prove the easier crisis to right.  There is a deep seated doubt that middle America is getting a fair deal.  It is the middle that funds the country but the top that controls it.  How much longer do we stand for this arrangement as our jobs are sent overseas.  While globalization is great for the developing countries of the world and the stockholders of multinationals, its not always great for the people hurt by the stampede of jobs offshore.  We seem to have forgotten the balance between wealth creation and Nation.  Capitalism isn't America, we are a people who need to be factored in to the economic equation.

The Learning Keeps Coming

I have had an action packed learning week and it has nothing to do with the aquaculture course I'm attending sponsored in part by the US Government being held in the Russian Embassy for budding fish farmers in Guyana.  That is the dull part of the week.  The really interesting part of the week was having a new friend over for Pizza Hut Friday night.  I met this person at the local market where he works.  He goes about his tasks like all of the other young workers assisting customers and running transactions.  The only difference is, he is deaf.  I learned this when I noticed people writing down numbers on his hand.  This piqued my interest. 

I'm at the market often and have exchanged pleasantries with the young man regularly.  I wanted to learn more about the him but was stymied by my inability to communicate in my usual way.  We are both different in the world of Georgetown, I'm the white guy, so he was interested in finding out about me and between the two of us we exchanged names and a bit more with each meeting.  This was not placating my curiosity in the speedy internet fashion I am accustomed.  I wondered if he had a cell phone, it sounds dumb to ask a deaf person, but everyone under 30 uses their cell phone for texting.  It seemed a little odd to ask if he had a phone so we could text chat and in Guyana, the two cell phone providers don't play nice and won't exchange text messages.  So not only do we have to exchange phone numbers but we had to determine if we use the same provider.  This seems a daunting task to communicate the exchange of phone numbers so we can text. 

Weeks are passing as I am mulling the challenges of communicating something more significant than “hey how are you?”  Fortunately Georgetown is on the Internet and I am exceeding easy to find on the Internet because of a relatively unique name and picture for confirmation along with e mail, Skype, e fax and instant message addresses for making contact.  One Friday evening I receive an instant message from someone not on my instant message list.  My new friend has found me and through instant messaging, a way we can both easily and comfortably communicate.  Its been several weeks since we made contact and we continue to see each other at the market during the week.  The next step was getting together in person to chat.  We were now connected via cell text and instant messaging but always apart when we chat.  How were we going to communicate once we meet in person.  I'm not slow at texting but I'm no speed demon either, so the latest teen fade of texting back and forth while standing next to the person didn't seem a great solution, so I delay meeting as I attempt so solve this little challenge. 

I role the problem around in my head and start wondering about deafness and a communication work-around.  I wonder if he can understand me by feeling the vibrations in my throat.  I already know he reads lips and signs but this only helps a little.  I'm sign illiterate so that doesn't help at all.  Finally I settle on using my computer word processor.  At least we can keep a conversation going for an extended period of time.  So Friday is the day I extend an invitation for pizza.  I think attempting our first social meeting in a quiet setting will be best.  Food, especially pizza, usually overcomes reluctance in Guyana. 

Over pizza I start casually typing on my computer to talk and he replies with his cell phone.  We take turns reading each other's screens.  He is very fast on the nine key phone pad with predictive text and my decades of instant messaging with ten fingers keeps us conversing comfortably.  As we chat each of our other friends enters into our conversation as they text or instant message us.  There are some limits to how much you can type.  I finally resort to sharing pictures on my computer going with notion a picture is worth a thousand words hoping it will save my wrists from carpal tunnel discomfort in the morning.  

The things we'll do for cultural exchange and learning a new language.  I was initially disappointed that I would not be forced to learn a second language serving in Guyana.  I am wrong again, Creoles is a different language and my new friend teaches sign.  I now know how to sign pizza and notebook computer.  More to come!

The Beginning of the End

Two years ago when I migrated my notebook to Ubuntu, an open source Linux operating system, I could not say I believed Microsoft's rein was starting to end.  Today, happily, I do know the end is starting.  Who would have guessed a simple low cost computer would finally do in the giant monopoly.  Of course there are many factors, Microsoft continually releasing not ready for prime time software, Vista.  Google reigniting techies imagination with all that was possible once the Sun trailer, “The Network is the Computer” finally became a reality.  Users are gong on a computer diet and dumping bloated PCs, hardware, software and all.   Now as the netbook drives down from the computer market running mixed operating systems and smartbooks work up from smart phones on non-Intel 86 chips, the Wintel choke hold is releasing. 

I am under no delusions that our next master will be any more benevolent then our last.  They all start out so grand promoting visions of a brave new world.  But the business people will only be concerned with locking up markets and crushing competitors.  The software business has tended to support only one or two players in each segment.  Users wither and languish in this anti-competitive environment.  We'll enjoy a few years of price and innovation competition but the gates will slowly close on the new kingdom.  At the end of its rein Microsoft is still selling a spreadsheet for $250 bucks, a piece of software that was sold profitably for $49 15 years ago and is today available for free as open source software. 

We paid for it any way and in every way with lectures to boot about free markets and capitalism.  Without intellectual property rights the world as we know it would end.  Everyone would quit working, pack up their bags and go home.  Bill Gates seems to be the only one who packed up his bags and went home early.  Maybe we can take a closer look at this business model before we get Googled.  This isn't the first time we have been through the tech monopoly wringer, IBM was the first round and other smaller players got a nice piece of us before Microsoft gorged on the American economy for two decades.  Any chance of claw backs on ill gotten excessive entrepreneurial gains? 

Hear My Feet

While the US suffers one of its most dramatic economic slides in history, our political leaders continue their self interested re-election fund raising focused political agendas.  This was not the time to pour deficit spending into the organizations that lead the collapse of t he economy but the only voices heard in the Capital are those of the moneyed class.  Deep pockets pay for elections.  As long as our governance continues to have a horizon no further then their next re-election cycle we have little hope of making the structural and systemic changes required to avoid insolvency.  We can pretend the Social Security Trust fund is real but it is full of T Bill not Dollar Bills.  When your right hand borrows from your left hand you can't call the debt an asset, unless your Uncle Sam.  The  bill is coming due with the Baby Boomer's retirement.

Developing nations are coming on strong.  This is their opportunity to surpass the US.  American Corporations have grown lethargic and stifling.  We have moved from constant innovation to top down authoritarianism.  Now that the top guy is getting paid a 100 Million, we expect the master to bestow his wisdom upon us.   But it is impossible for one person or small team to drive the innovation we need to be competitive in a world of very hungry entrepreneurs in developing countries.  We have been lead to believe its the top guy that makes the difference not the individual contributors.  We are lost until we right this upside down model.  I have joined enough firms that shower me with compliments about my smarts and creativity during the hiring process, once on board I hear, sit down, shut up and we'll tell you how you are going to do your job.   I wonder why they hired me? 

Foreign students are still coming to America for the best college education in the world but they are leaving after graduation to return to there homeland.  Opportunities abroad are far greater then in the US.  The world has learned from our old model of innovation and investment, we have moved on to stagnation and  political stalemate.  The tide will turn as it has in the Golden State of California, once a state that could finance its high social spending with ever increasing population growth.  When taxes are too high and opportunity low, people are forced to seek new lands.    The worst of it is that the motivated best and brightest tend to lead the exodus.  By the time we appreciate the vote of no confidence by American's voting with their feet to work in more prosperous lands. it will be far to late to stem the hemorrhaging.  While we will likely survive this economic collapse, the best informed can see the next crisis, Social Security and Medicare for the Baby Boomers.  Not all of are are gong to remain in a state of denial waiting for our government to come clean on the problem which only gets worse the longer we wait.   

Me or My Mind?

On of the fascinating facets of the Peace Corps experience is taking the person out of their life and dropping them into a unknown world.  What becomes intriguing is the ability to watch and see one's self in action.  This becomes possible for two reasons.  First, because you are not living and striving in your own life, it is easier not to personalize and internalize events.  With a little more distance, it is easier to watch ourselves and be a better observer and critic.  The second useful change is that our life is now different but our actions and response are often not different: new stimulus, same response.  Suddenly we are aware of the obvious patterns that in our home life we believe is an appropriate response to stimulus but now suddenly reappears to a different stimulus.  Suddenly we don't seem so aware, our responses seem disconnected from actual experience.  So while you thought you were joining the Peace Corps to exchange cultures, you find yourself immersed in self discovery.  A rocky road on the best of days!

A Perfect Stranger

Life as a Peace Corps Volunteer presents all kinds of challenges.  The mental challenges of being a PCV creped up on me recently as a number of rough spots converged into a washed out road.  What I am most proud of accomplishing in Guyana is setting up a life with local activities, friends and fulfilling work.  This all vanished in a flash of disappointment and anger.  Its replacement didn't materialize.

Social networks are essential for maintaining a balanced outlook and reasonable expectations.  When you find ourself surrounded by a community with an entirely different outlook on life, you are deprived of a network of shared burdens.  We are sharing a common existence, but we do not share common concerns.  I am not wanting for food and medical support.  My housing is assured.  If there is an emergency, someone will come to my rescue.  Given my superior living condition, it is impossible to share my set backs and emotional hurdles with friends.  I'm feed, I'm healthy, I'm safe, what's to complain about?

If you have spent any time exploring your own mental states, you are well aware that logic doesn't rule.  Suffering from depression most of my life, I am keenly aware of the illogic of the mental state.  I am also aware of the spark that can change it so suddenly, for better or worse.  I'm learning to manage the downward sparks, arresting them before they take hold and seeking upward sparks when caught in a down draft.

That all said, serendipity still plays a role in our existence.  The other afternoon I was browsing one of the social networks on the internet.  I ran across someone of interest and struck up a conversation.  It was rather odd at first, stilted and elongated because it was an e mail chat.  I suggested increasing the intimacy by migrating to instant messaging.  I was promptly one upped and asked if I would like to chat on the phone. Well, not really, that is always odd and I'm not feeling up to my usual social self.  Nevertheless I  said yes, let's Skpye, its free.

Two hours later of mostly listening to this stranger from NYC, I felt as if a crack had opened in my down view.  We talked about living and maturing in the developed world.  All the interactions of life, love and work create the challenges that we sometimes navigate successfully and grow, while other times seek crutches to avoid facing directly.  The conversation reminded me about the importance of continuing personal internal development.  Looking inside, making an honest appraisal of the current state of being to create a thoughtful plan for change rather then floating along on a river of emotions.  There was the spark.  A stranger stateside, by sharing his challenges and dreams reminded me of my capabilities to manage my situation and state of mind.

Re-Integration

I've started a second wave of integration after my unceremonious expulsion from the Palace at QC, Queens College.  I was quite unaware of the rarefied life I enjoyed ensconced on the top college campus in Guyana.  I have since learned that water and power are not a guarantee but more a crap shoot off campus.  I am learning to take advantage of running water when it is running.  I thought I had out witted the regular power outages with my head lamp only to discover that there are no trade winds blowing across the 40 acres of playing fields into my new modest abode in densely populated Kitty.  One's fan is the sole bliss on which existence hinges, power is essential for this little necessity of equatorial life. 

Ah the joys of neighbors.  My nearest companions once were measured in fractions of a mile are now within spitting distance.  What was once my weekend pleasure of listening to the bands play at National Park are now the 24x7 joys of guard dogs barking, babies crying and a parakeet imitating all of the above.  The mild distraction of horns, construction and marital disputes seems hardly worth mentioning. 

The streets are no longer paved with diplomatic, police and defense force entourages.  While I have the luxury of the local constable around the corner giving me a slight sense of security in and around my new home, I am not the only one enjoying the protective umbrella.  Those who have imbibed to excess and lack a domicile find the sidewalks outside the station safe to sleep off their excesses.  One shopkeeper has posted a "No shit or pee here" bill.  For the illiterate he added barbwire and broken bottles.  To think I complained about having to set my derriere on raw porcelain before demanding a proper throne.  So I adjust to year two in the Peace Corps!

Raw

My feelings about gay issues in developing countries has under gone a complete metamorphosis since serving in the Peace Corps. I have several indigenous male friends now living in the capital city who have told me about being raped as children by their fathers. I now appreciate the urgency to address sexual repression. Child abuse, alcohol/drug abuse, domestic violence and the spread of hiv are all part of the fall out of antiquated social and religions norms.

I haven't cried in a decade until my friends told me about being raped by their fathers. I can't fathom the physical and mental devastation to a child.

News from the Equator

I have made it past the 6 month hump, life now seems completely normal. Good to have routines established. I have the good fortune of having the only semi resort next to my office. Monthly gym membership is cheap when a bunch of us go in on it. Membership includes a lovely pool. Needless to say I hit the gym everyday at lunch, best incentive I have ever had to get to the gym.

All is well in Guyana. The recession hasn't hit here, yet. Once the foreign aid dries up things will be different. While things are going to be extremely painful in developed countries over the next few years, developing countries, like Guyana, are likely to be set back a decade or more in development. Their education and health services will collapse from their current weak levels. I hope we are able to hold it together, there is a lot of talk about continuing foreign aid through this crisis, but when it gets really tough, it is hard to justify to your own citizens sending money overseas.

I call my experience Peace Corps light. My office is fridge from the AC. I have internet, of course only 512k burst! Many of my colleagues don't have a refrigerator, I live in a four bedroom two story house with a microwave over looking the high school playing field next to the ocean. Lovely sea breezes. The ocean is brown, which is why Guyana is not a tourist mecca. Shows you what a difference natural resources can have on a country.

Plenty of free time being a volunteer. My dad found a cheap way to ship in barrels of goods. I needed books! It cost more to ship them to Guyana then buy them. I now have a couple hundred book library to get me through for a bit. I took up Karate at the Y next door to my house and Auto CAD at the local tech training center. I live on a college campus, high school in the States, so I have no neighbors and most of my work colleagues are professionals with families living outside the city so I don't have a lot of ready made friends. The classes put me in contact with the real people of Guyana, as least as close as one can get in the city.

I'm suppose to present to to the President of Guyana and Cabinet this morning on IT growth and future with relations to educations. I work in the Min of Ed at the National Center for Education Resource development as an IT Manager. I get to work with senior level leaders and formulate education strategy. Great position for me.

Just being a small contributor to another's big success is reward enough to renew the energy for another day. As volunteers we get batted around in our daily efforts to make a contribution to Guyana, we are low man on the totem pole. A VSO, Volunteer Service Organization, counterpart and I often remind each other that sometimes the best we can do is be a good role model and give individuals the courage to pursue their dreams. A local Amerindian friend of mine expressed an interest in attending college in outside Guyana. He grew up in a very remote village that is only accessible by plane or a 25 mile hike to the Venezuela border and the International Highway. His family has migrated between Guyana and Venezuela based on the economic and educational opportunities. My Friend and his brother moved to Georgetown to further their education and have stayed on to work.

As is often the case, many children move to Georgetown and live with their young siblings to attend school leaving their families in the hinterland. As is often the case, luck shines on the prepared. Some time after expressing an interest in attending college, my friend mentioned that an international school was in Georgetown recruiting students for next fall. Of course he was a bit reluctant to turn up at a large public gathering at the large tourist hotel. I pointed out that this was his opportunity to prove that this was really a goal he wanted to achieve and that it was a small step that he could accomplish. After figuring out how he could miss a half day of work and turn up for the meeting and testing, the day arrived and with a bit of reluctance but made his way to the hotel. He took the math and english exam. He met the requirements for the english but was short on the math. He had several choices, he could retake the math exam in several months or changing his area of study to one not requiring passage of the math exam. It seemed the end of the road for enrollment in next year's class.

A few weeks later notice came via e mail that he had been accepted to the College. He was informed that a parcel was sent to him. We all can remember the excitement of receiving our first acceptance letter to college! But now the real work began. Getting accepted is one thing, getting a student visa and raising $11,000 plus living expenses is another. I wondered if I had encouraged my friend to reach further then was realistic only leading to his great disappointment. I thought of the doctor's oath to do no harm. But now was no time to loose my nerve, my friend was genuinely excited about the chance to studying abroad. I gave him the only advice I had to tackle such a challenge, start talking to everybody who will listen, don't expect them to have the money to help you, but hope they can direct you to someone who might be in a position to help.

Working in Georgetown gave him access to many people with whom to share his story and seek guidance on finding loans and scholarships. Everybody merited a call. A bit of personal selling as we call it in the United States. Luck shined again, a Guyanese woman living in College country with her husband was interested in sponsoring a student. The couple has no children of their own and wants to support a Guyanese in their effort to achieve a College degree. Contacts at different Ministries are working with the Embassy to work through the student visa requirements and paperwork. It is still early in the story but one worth sharing as all Volunteers struggle to make a difference in a country, in a community or with an individual. I thought I would share this with you on this auspicious day, the arrival of Guy21, another 35 American Volunteers who start on their journey of living and working in Guyana.

Constitutional Convention

We need to rethink America. Just changing course won't save us from following the historical decline of great national powers. After some 230 years, it is time to review our Constitution in the current world. Review how it has been interpreted and implemented, not only by the Supreme Court but by the economy. Does freedom of the press mean owned by the Fortune 500? Does freedom of speech mean using ones money with no limits? Does it make sense to give corporations the same standing in our democracy as citizens? Does separation of Church and State mean the Church is free to influence State?

We have a system that is designed to go slow. That was very wise, we make many errors in haste. In order to assess our current economic crisis and Constitutional underpinnings, we need to set National priorities. We can start with a dialog about why we are a nation. Are we a wealth creation machine? Is equity for all a central tenant of our Country? Should capitalism be written into the Constitution or is it a means to an end and what is that end? It often sounds like we are a Capitalist Democracy, not a Democracy that has a capitalist economy. There is a world of difference between the two. A sixth estate has emerged in the form of Corporations and their legions of lobbyist, what checks and balances do we need to protect the Nation and Government?

The task ahead is enormous. We will be attempting to not repeat history and not follow the English, Dutch and Spanish in decline. Leaders fight for the status quo. If we want to break from the past we must end our denial of impending crisis and history. We cannot continue deficits forever, demographics are against us in continuing Social Security and Medicare in its current form. Our current economy makes this point very clear. General Motors if dieing as it refuses to change. AT&T was wiped away during the telecom revolution. The recording industry was decimated by it inability to find a way forward in the digital music age. We need to be proactive and aware. We must see ourselves once again as a new emerging power using creativity to find a way forward. Our future is our own, we can choose to take the helm to guide it or we can wait until the outcome is obvious and inevitable.

Re-Examining Assumptions

I have spent most of my career as a Sales Executive earning a large chunk of my income via commissions. Until the recent economic crisis and the reading of an interesting new study, I have always believed in the value of direct monetary incentives to drive work performance. It seems clear now that allowing workers direct control of their income has damaged the organizations where they work and collectively lead to the current economic turmoil. The deeper questions is can we create a direct compensation model that properly incents people to do what is in everyone's best interest; worker, company, stockholder and society. The extreme example of compensation based on performance is what happens with CEOs. They have direct influence over the creation of their compensation package. It seems clear now that the worst excesses have been at the very top. Some how oversight of company managers has been seeded to company managers. I don't think anyone could or would expect this not to lead to disaster but we all understand hind sight.

Everything has become very short term. Most organizations focus on the next quarter and making the number. This leads to all kinds of decisions that weaken companies long term prospects. Working as a commissioned Sales Exec. the sign in front of my desk was the commissions to be earned by hitting my number. The organizations I worked for stated that my base salary should keep me focused on the larger issues of company best interest and general marketing. I recall few who considered their base salary an obligation to do more work beyond direct sales leading to commission. Ye s there were efforts made to ensure future quarters sales but not much beyond the next 12 months. This was exasperated by the increasing focus on quarterly results in the tech sector, worry about next quarter, next quarter. Every quarter became a hail Mary pass to make the number.

Quarterly focus on financial results has hurt companies that need to focus on longer term objectives. We see this in the reduction in research and development at American companies. As our compensation models have changed to quick hits, for employees and stockholders, we have moved away from personal long term goals of secure employment through successful companies and development of a successful long term career. We now live in an age of uncertainty. We are constantly worried our company will down size, get acquired or go out of business. In that constant state of insecurity workers are always looking out for a better short term opportunity. As soon as your employer faces a rough patch, the best and brightest start seeking the next rising star.

We all seek a rising standard of living but at what cost? Is increasing wealth worth the constant state of economic insecurity? We have been told that that is the way the world works in a global economy. I suspect that was a decision made by those with far less concern for their daily survival. As we face one of the worth economic down turns in history, the fate of individuals will be heavy impacted by their total wealth. Those who are at the top of the economic ladder will suffer but no where near the amount of those nearer the bottom. We tell ourselves most people don't have to think about where their next meal is coming from, do you know how many people don't get enough food in the US, around the World? Some people will have to decide between health care and food. Is that happening in your town? Is that happening to your parents or grand parents? Can we set aside some time to give our future some careful thought so we can help our political leaders set a direction we want our grand children to appreciate. Over the last 30 years we have only borrowed money from them. I just don't believe we will grow our way out of this hole.

Supply Side Deception

We are sold poisonous foods that make us unhealthy and toxic mortgages that end our dreams of home ownership. Buyer beware? That is an antiquated notion build upon the assumption that buyer and seller are equals; equals in power, equals in knowledge. Sellers are multinational corporations and buyers are still just you and me.

So don’t tell me I’m too fat and putting my health at risk after you sell me processed foods in packaging that cost more then the food inside them. Don’t tell me I should have read, understood and anticipated the risks found in the 20 page mortgage doc I was given ten minutes to review at the Escrow Office. These are the short comings of modern capitalism, inequality between buyer and seller. We can continue to unravel government regulation to let business innovate but all that innovation won’t just be new efficiencies and better business processes, many innovations will be old fashion buyer deceptions.

It is large organizations against citizens. We’ll get creamed, as we are now. Protection of the individual against church, State and majority is one of the founding principles of our Nation. It is a democracy of the people by the people for the people, until the majority violates the Constitution, then we have courts to protect our individual Constitutional rights against the tyranny of the majority. Some where along the way our rights and freedoms have been subjugated to the corporations, we have lost our rights to a non entity whose sole function is profit and who is not even enumerated in our Constitution as an entity worthy of protection.

Fickle Lenders

Will the Chinese keep buying our debt if we stop buying their products? With the consumer credit spigots shut off, few will be heading to the malls to shop our way out of this crisis. The Chinese invest in the US for two simply reasons, US Treasury Bills are the most secure, for the time being, and American Consumers buy Chinese products. With the plunge in consumer purchasing in the last two months, the Chinese economy is hurting. If doubts continue to rise about the strength of the US economy and nation, Treasury Bills might not seem such a safe bet. We are a debtor nation. We can't shop our way out of this fix, there is no one willing to lend to American Consumers. How do we replace the 20% of consumer spending that is from consumer borrowing? No one is buying securitized credit card debt on Wall Street. Plummeting housing prices have ended home equity loans. Where does a debtor turn?

I'm a Rat

I realize my nature as I'm watching the World Economy collapse and I'm out Nation shopping. I don't believe the US will pull a rabbit out of the hat one more time, although I'm impressed with the election of the first black President. What lead us to this economic calamity is our refusal to change with the times. The perfect example is the US auto industry. They have been on notice for 30 years that fossil fuels were not going last forever and pollution was going to be a growing problem. The industry spent billions on lobbyist and lawyers to influence, cajole and sue anyone and everyone who interfered with maintaining the status quo. Now they want a $25 billion dollar bailout on top of the $25 billion dollar loan to retool for more fuel efficient automobiles.

Corporate America has been allowed to buy our government and has grown so large that “too big to fail” is the rallying cry of the great capitalist CEOs. So now we are looking down the barrel of socialized industry. We won't provide health care for every American but we will provide bailouts for every Corporation that has screwed up. Crisis is the opportunity to make the monumental changes that could turn the US back from following the same strategies that lead to success in the past but now to failure. It is hard to think that the automobile that made the American economy and is one of our symbols, could now lead us into insolvency. Its hard to imagine the great Corporations of American might not have the best interests of America and Americans at their heart.

The challenge ahead for the new President are far greater then we imagine. Just surviving the economic melt down isn't enough. Patching up our relations around the World isn't enough. We need to recreate America. We need to study our Constitution. We need to agree why we are a nation and what we want to achieve as a Nation. Are we a nation of the people for the people or a nation of corporations for wealth creation?

A Higher Power

We are about to close the book on a President who answered to a higher power then the US Constitution. It seems many Americans would agree that this little experiment wasn't a success. The Nation was quite concerned when Kennedy ran for President, wondering if he would answer to his Catholic masters. The issue didn't come up with Bush because the majority of Americans are Christian. We can all trust one of our fellow Christians to make the right decisions. I would venture to say we have learned a good lesson about everyone's religion, never leave it up to a political leader to define and execute his higher beliefs, it may not be ours. We have agreed as a Nation to live under a Constitution, until we change this agreement, let's keep our higher power to our personal lives.

Consumer Diet

No one in the media wants to leak the bad news but with the end of consumer lending and home equity increases, the US economy is going to contract about 10% to 20%. That was the contribution of consumer credit to the overall economy. This shrinkage is going to be slow and painful. Prices tend to drop slowly when sales dry up. It is a wracking process to lower prices. Businesses build models around a certain price, when they have to cut prices they are forced to lower costs. That means cutting jobs and squeezing suppliers. And the process goes up the supply chain and around the world. We are heading for a long period of deflation. I suspect we will look back on this period as the equivalent of the economic perfect storm.

What started as a financial crisis was not stamped out to prevent it from growing into a banking and liquidity crisis. As the credit markets froze solid after the failure of Lehman Brothers the beginning of a crisis of confidence in markets and the Federal Government's ability to manage the crisis lead to an expanding global melt down. It had to happen, the US President and Republican Presidential Candidate were repeatedly telling everyone that the economy was fundamentally strong. When that proved wrong, confidence was lost. When the Fed and Treasury couldn't stem the crisis everyone wondered what was next. A rush for the exits started.

No one wants to be the one left explaining the consumer credit bubble crisis. We were told after all to spend our way through a war and previous economic down turns. While it is regularly argued that Governments, especially the US government, can run deficits indefinitely, consumers can not. The Federal Government is believed to be able to run deficits based on the assumption that foreigners will always believe that dollars and Treasury Bills are the ultimate safe haven. One would hope that we have learned that every assumption we hold true finally breaks down one day. It becomes clear that consumer debt levels are unsustainable when their assets took a hit, housing prices dropped across the country. It was suddenly obvious to everyone that consumers couldn't keep up with their debt without a home equity income stream.

Now that consumers can't cover their debt with increasing home equity, new lending has stopped. That lending amounted to a big chunk of our economy. The money printing presses that commoditize consumer debt on Wall Street shut down, probably for good or at least long enough not be able to bail out the American Consumer and prevent economic shrinkage. We will of course be left holding the bag. We are the payers of last resort because we need to eat. Big money will slowly start heading for the exits. I suspect the pace will quicken. I'm sure their wealth is safely spread around the world. The next time some charlatan tells you government is the problem, remember there is a difference between regulation and social programs. Our Government is the only power that can keep business in check. We had best regain that balance by taking back our government from the corporate money trough.

Too Much to Bailout

The rest of America is going to learn what New Orleans learned after hurricane Katrina, there are limits to what the Federal Government can do. We are also at risk of showing the World our financial limits. If we should reach those limits, we may find ourselves suddenly very alone. We can not bailout Wall Street, Banking, the Automobile Industry, Insurance and now the States are showing up with hat in hand. If we print that much money it will be worthless, which may lead the holders of reserves in US dollars to look to a more secure currency. Sure we all have great confidence in the dollar and the US economy but there is a tipping point when confidence is lost. If you have been watching the current crisis you are witness to such tipping points when confidence is lost. We go into this crisis with an out of control budget deficit, spending on an war that is unpopular around the World and an uncertain political environment. These are treacherous times, we should not under estimate the potential risks.

Bold action is require yet all we seem to get from the Federal Government is catch up ball. This isn't a confidence builder yet the line for a handout gets longer everyday as some new industry believes they are entitled to some of the $700 billion rescue plan. Its interesting to watch all the Captains of Industry change their free market stripes when there is money at stack. Welcome to the United Socialists States of America, brought to you by the free marketers of the Republican Party. And they are still asking for more tax cuts to pass the bailout! You have to know when it is time to sneak out of town with your tail between your legs. But in an age where statement wins the day over fact, the politicians will all remain in Washington claiming it wasn't there policies that caused the financial crisis but failure to enact more of those policies. A few brazen Republicans were running around town attempting to kill the Community Reinvestment Act, a law that requires banks to invest in poor neighborhoods. The Republicans tried to paint this law as part of the sub prime mess, it isn't, there are strict regulations including ability to repay the loan back and minimum down payments. So if you think that crisis is an opportunity for our politicians to discover a bipartisan plan forward, don't bet on it. There is too much money sloshing around town to put the Nation first.

Power Shift

Look who is leading the management of the current financial and economic crisis, Europe and Asia. This has been a long time in coming, we Americans have been in denial that we would ever loose our role as leading economic power. Along with the likely changes in how the international economy is run and regulated, the American role as economic philosophical standard bear is ending. The capitulation by the high priests Allen Greenspan was the eulogy of American hegemony.

While Europe, Asia and South and Latin American were learning to work together, the United States launched an unprecedented Bush doctrine of attack on potential threat of attack. We could not and did not build a consensus of nations to support us. Now we are the rogue nation. The nation others fear of launching unilateral actions. Other nations can not be confident that American will act as a steadying and calming influence in international affairs. We have been unwilling to be tempered by our allies. Our interest are the only that matter in our decisions.

The World changed after the end of the Cold War. America missed the opportunity to stand down and take our rightful place among peers to manage the international economy. Now we find ourselves not trusted or liked around the World. An axis of distrust and resentment. Americans' memory is short. We forget all the many transgressions of the Cold War. We only see ourselves as the rhetoric we profess and demand others to follow. We are facing tough times ahead, both economically and politically. We may just shock the world and do the unimaginable by electing a black president. That and the reversal of past doctrine might help ease us into the new world order we have remained oblivious to since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

We Thought We Were Flying

As many Americans wake up to the fact that their idea of retirement has become a passe relic from their parent's generation, many of us will be looking at the folks who lead us into this mess. The same ones who will be enjoying a very comfortable retirement. The CEO of Wells Fargo Bank expressed concern about the forced injection of capital in to his bank. Wells Fargo is on a sound footing and does not need the injection of capital. The CEO's concern was for his salary and stock retirement upon departure from Wells Fargo. He will be receiving $140 Million. Wow, is anyone really worth that much money? This seems more like a lottery winning then a compensation package. That is of course just one example. Every CEO in America is paid similar sums for the privilege, not to mention all the perks of planes and limos. It is time to have a debate about a person's financial worth. Handing out these lottery winnings to the captains of American Business warps the system and creates huge incentives for corruption. A brief review of the recent history of scandals from junk bonds, Milken and Boesky to Continental Savings collapse leader Keating, then the tech bust of hundreds of shell internet companies with no revenue being traded publicly should remind us that this in not the first crash that cost us dearly.

The argument that this is only a few bad apples doesn't hold true. These incidents are costing Americans billions and now trillions of tax dollars plus the individual losses that are wiping out retirement savings. It was often heard during the insider trading trials the plea that everyone was doing it. This leads me to the conclusion that there are a few criminal players willing to steal as much as possible and there are numerous other individuals taking advantage of the system. Remember, the financial sector doesn't make anything. It is support to be a vehicle for funding investment in business. They pay themselves by shaving off a piece of each transaction. The more transactions, the more income. Turning $1 trillion worth of home loans into $64 trillion worth of derivative paper is a lot of churning. This was for the sole purpose of making the initial $1 trillion investment grade so banks and our retirement funds could buy it. This sounds more like a ponzi scheme then investment banking. This is what tight regulation is all about. Look at your local bank branch. Is security tight around the people who work with all that cash? You bet. Why is the financial sector any different? These people are working around trillions of dollars.

This is one free marketer who's seen the light. The temptation is simply to great. We need to find a new approach.

If you Pay a Man Enough to Retire

He will either retire or start taking bigger risks because he has secured his position. When a person's self interest no longer requires a long term career to survive and support a family, a gambler emerges. You start swinging for the seats when your place is secure. You can only increase your power and prestige by increasing your wealth by magnitudes. While most of us are happy to see our income increase ten, twenty or more percent, this doesn't significantly change our life style. When you take home bonuses that you can not only retire on but live well in retirement, what are you going to do next year? Roll the dice to get an even bigger bonus!

We were sold that the super star CEO like Jack Welch could make us rich owning stock. Of course our sports and movie starts lead us to this erroneous conclusion and the top business leaders were more then happy to sell it. We forgot that all sports starts and many movies stars are expected and usually do retire early. They have a very short career. Business executive have very long careers. There success should be measure over a life time. We found ourselves searching for the next CEO or Fund star to attach ourselves to ride to wealth. Well guess what, stars fall as often as they rise. Our own greet got the best of us. Our government was acquired by the corporations so we have no wise hand intervening in the nations best interests.

What is our best interest, is the debate we should be having right now. What is the primary purpose of this Nation? What do we want our Country and Government to represent? We were sold on material acquisition but I don't find too many people terribly fulfilled on that journey. The philosophy is, what's best for Corporate America is best for America. Under that approach, all other issues are secondary. Get out of the way of business, they know how to run it. Are you happy with the results? Do you feel secure in your job? Do you have a sense of fulfillment? How are your health benefits? And your retirement, it that on track for a peaceful and relaxing sunset years?

Basically we have two chooses at this point. We can wrestle back control of our Country or we continue this slide. We are on track to follow the Dutch and English into secondary nation status after our turn as premiere economic leader. We had our opportunity after the end of the cold war to join the developed world as a partner in managing international affairs. Events and our President lead us down another path. We will be forced to change as the baby boomers retire and we lack the work force to continue to build our economy and are saddled with the costs of retirement. There just isn't enough money to cover the promises of social security and healthcare. I have heard it said that the Defense budget would be required to cover the cost. That seems about fair. To continue to spend more then all the other nations combined on defense seems unnecessary and unwise.

With overwhelming power we have become, as expected, a bully. We don't need to compromise and we don't. We can attack other nations on the oft chance they might attack us. Our economic interests are the basis for our international relations. Our choice now is to manage change and have some control over our destiny or be changed by the forces of economic realignment. Our leaders will deny the inevitability of change. Leaders never want change as it is a risk to their position. We can settle for the comfort of denial or look with our own eyes. We can draw our own conclusions. We have been lead astray long enough. We need to accept responsibility for the past and the future. It is time to take back America for the people.

Tiny Bubbles

As the bubble keep popping and getting larger with each pop, one wonders when the final bubble will finally let go. The biggest bubble of them all is the US dollar. When does the World decide it is no longer in their best interest to prop up the US economy? The Dollar has no backing, just our good name. Unpopular and expensive wars deplete our Treasury and stock around the world. A potential trillion dollar financial bailout adds tremendously to the US debt. When do Investors start to doubt the value of the dollar? When do Nations that rely on our markets to sell their exports worry that we will not be able to continue consuming? There will be no bailout when the Dollar collapses. All those years of finger wagging at developing nations will come back to haunt us as we no longer control the world currency of choice. We won't like our own medicine, “austerity”. We cannot continue to borrow our way out of trouble. Change now or change will be forced on us in the future.

Development has Changed

When the US was a developing nation, the rules and overseers were a lot different then today. Stripping the land of the forests was a great way to make way for farms, there was no concern for deforestation leading to global warming. Dumping pollution into rivers and onto the land was perfectly acceptable, there is so much of it, wasting a few thousand acres was irrelevant. Human rights was hardly a thought in any leading thinker's mind. It you needed labor, slavery was a great solution to bring cheap labor to a nation short on population. Opposition to development could be systematically exterminated, what we now call ethnic cleansing, ask the American Indians how that works. There was only one goal, to build a nation and get rich in the process. There were few friends in this efforts. Competing nations were as likely to buy your exports as attempt to militarily acquire the country. It is easier to advance when you have no concerns for unintended consequences. Things will be better for the next generation, the price paid by the current peoples are all part of the cost of development. The World has changed a lot since America was evolving from colony to Nation.

Now imagine a poor developing country attempting to grow its economy and raise its populations standard of living in the current World environment. It is not acceptable to leave anyone behind. Everyone must get an education. Health care needs to be distributed to all peoples no matter how far and wide they are spread. Protecting the environment is a top concern. A government needs more departments and ministries just to appear to be attempting to manage all the concerns the modern world places on it. It is a tough challenge to follow the current development regiment. Limited money must be spread across so many areas not a lot is left to focus on a few key areas of development. It was a bit easier when the primary choice a developing nations had to make was under which sphere of influence they want to fall: Western or Communist. Of course not only were the reins a bit looser but so were the masters with their tactics to influence politics within a given developing nation. Today numerous NGOs, Regional Authorities, Governments and business are pushing and pulling to shape and control emerging nations. It is a different world, while probably a lot better for the individual in the short run it is much harder to determine if all the stipulations from the developed world brings about the improved living standards that every person in a developing country is hoping and waiting for in their life time.

What Happened to Accidents?

Once again California demonstrates how tough it can get on its citizens who stray across the line. It was news to me that motor vehicle accident that cause the death of a person can lead to the incarceration of the driver found at fault without a DUI, Racing or Reckless Driving charge. If you are involved in an accident with a death and you are found to have violated a California Motor Vehicle Code you can be charged with one of several levels of Manslaughter. Most of those charges come with time in County Jail starting at one year minimum. I don't know of too many accidents that Police don't issue someone a citation for a violation of California Motor Vehicle Code. It is just a part of the accident investigation process that demonstrates a completed and closed investigation. If there is a death involve in the accident that $300 ticket can come with jail time. All of us are human and make mistakes. Driving is a known high risk activity that we all choose to participate. Driving Code Infractions that lead to the death while very sad and heart breaking should not compound the tragedy by incarcerating the driver found at fault. I'm not sure it is safe to drive in California if your freedom is important to you.

United in Discrimination

It is heart warming to see many of the religious institutions of Southern California unite in the common cause of opposing gay marriage and supporting a California Constitutional Amendment to ban it. With all the issues facing California, a 15 billion dollar budget shortfall, health care for the poor, education crisis and immigration, the leaders of our spiritual life have found common ground in discrimination. This is a rare insight into the core values and drivers in our religious institutions, power. It is not unusual for religions to find themselves on the wrong side of history like inter-racial marriage and womens equality, still not recognized in most religions. This particular stand is about power and politics. No longer waiting for the politicians to play the family values card, churches are placing themselves on the front lines of Presidential Election politics.

Both Presidential Candidates pandered to the religious power brokers by appearing before an Orange County Church for grilling in hopes of demonstrating their Christian credentials. All this Presidential Candidate genuflecting while the Church continues to receive tax exempt status as a non-political institution. It is time they pay their way in the political arena like all other Political Action Committees.

Changing A National Dream

It is said in Guyana that half of all Guyanese live abroad. With a population of only 700,000 the country is slowly depopulating. It seems odd for a nation with so many resources and virtually no natural disasters. I have often heard it said that no one starves in Guyana without working at it, usually with drugs and alcohol. Guyana has suffered, like so many developing nations under the torture of bad government. The situation is improving now but the divides created during colonization, slavery and indentured servitude remain an open wound used by Politicians and others to divide and conquer. There seems a national consensus that education is the path to development and higher living standards. Guyana lead the region in educated population before the dark period of the Burnham power grab of the 70's & 80's.

The educated and educators left the country. Anyone who could leave did leave to avoid violence and deprivation. Now Guyana has to rebuild but the people's dream is up and out. This is exploited by the CARICOM Regional Community of Nations happily accepting Guyana's teachers and IT workers. The more successful Guyana becomes at educating its people the faster they are able to migrate to other countries. This isn't all bad because those that leave often send money home which helps their families and the economy with hard currency. I wonder if the only way Guyanese will change their dream is when they see others from around the world coming to Guyana because of the opportunities. Then it will clear that there are huge resources and opportunities for all to enjoy to create a comfortable life.

Laundry Day Comes

I have fretted over this issue for quite some time. I happily violate PC policy regarding having our host mothers cook and clean for us. In a culture dominated by men, no one is comfortable watching an honored guest clean dishes and do laundry. I applaud their sensibility. Regardless of my over packing the day has come when I have nothing that I can put on my back now that I have departed the comforts of the home stay. Coming to the capital of Georgetown affords me many options. There are two laundromats, plenty of folks willing to help and of course doing it myself. I decide to take a stab at doing it myself so at least some of my PC experience will be reminiscent of the way it was back in the day of grass huts and lugging water.

I immediately find the entire situation intolerable. My hands are tired and my mind screams for sustenance. I am too distracted by this new work to think of meditation so I fall back to a more western approach. First, it seems my feet and legs will be far more tolerant of this repetitive activity then my hands. An episode of I Luv Lusy comes to mind, the show where Lusy is crushing grapes by stomping around in a huge barrel. Second, to improve on the exercise I will add a martini, now that my hands are free. I chill the local vodka in the freezer, which actually freezes the vodka to a slush. Standards are a bit looser down here and with the drinking issues, no one needs full proof liquor. I pour myself a glass and get to marching about in the wash tub. The rains have stopped and the heat is building so I'm left to wearing only shorts. Not proper cocktail hour attire but then I'm not doing proper cocktail hour work. The laundry is done, the pitcher is empty and I'm ready for bed. A job well done, as my British VSO counterparts would say and done with degree of class.

The President and the Pick Pocket

My first week at my permanent assignment was cut short by power outages, a holiday and numerous errands to put my new home in working order. I am one of the very few Volunteers who has experienced a housing upgrade from my home in the States. I have the good fortune to be assigned housing intended for VSOs, Volunteer Service Overseas, a British Organization. How the Peace Corps and VSO approach housing and security is very telling about each societies approach to life. The Peace Corps is obsessive about safety and security. You will return to the States alive. How you live in country may be an ordeal but as long as you come home alive all is not lost. VSO insists on comfortable and well appointed homes for their Volunteers. To the British it is how you live each day that is the priority. It reminded me of the stories of the British on Safari with proper dining and bedding arrangements. I now live in a four bedroom duplex with proper living room, dining room and kitchen. This includes blender, microwave, refrigerator and I have been threatened with being provided a TV. This is not what most returned Peace Corps Volunteers would tell of their experience. The Volunteers role is changing as development shifts from rural education and health to urban centers needing computers and infrastructure.

The week ended with the celebration of Black Emancipation. This is a large event held at the National Park just across the road from my home. I walked over to the celebration with a local friend to join several fellow volunteers. We enjoyed a few beer in the stands watching the musicians preform different cultural songs and dances. As the sun set it dipped below the roof of the stands. Even a setting sun at the equator is brutally hot. This caused the group to breakup. My friend and I went down on the floor of the park to stand near the stage to listen to the music. After a bit we headed out of the arena to walk through the vendors throughout the park. As we walked out I noticed the President of Guyana standing a few feet in front of me. A bit surprised, I asked if I was correct. I was, it is the President. So I walked up to introduce myself and shake hands. As this was a Black Guyanese event and the President is Indo Guyanese, the President was out pressing the flesh. To assist in the appearance of accessibility the President's security detail was not apparent. When I have seen him making a speech on TV a security person is always standing behind him. After meeting the President we continued into the park. My friend told me that the President and his close Ministers often frequent a local night club called Buddies. In a small developing country there is no elite clubs or special rooms for the elite. Everybody rubs elbows. To further prove this point, the following morning I was having breakfast across from the Prime Mister who was meeting with a contingent from China.

Things aren't always so well organized here. As we were walking through the Park on the road lined by booths a few cars were allowed to attempt to drive through the Park. As the crowd grew, passage became impossible. The vendors lining the road made it impossible for the crowd to let the cars pass. As we all funneled around the cars I suddenly found myself being pushed from behind. I immediately was aware that I was likely being targeted for a theft. The Peace Corps has spent a fair amount of time preparing us for these risks and I had spent enough time in major US Cities to know what was going down. I was already locked down. My money was folded up and tucked in a small pocket. My wallet was set up as a throw down if I was held up, just a few bucks, a useless credit card and ID. The last item was a cell phone. It was in a low front pocket that is double buttoned. As I got pushed I turned to see who was behind me. It turned out to be a cute young male. I didn't feel threatened. However after the second jam up I found the same person behind me pushing. I turned and told him to get lost, he did.

We walked on to the exit of the park. I noticed that one of the buttons on my double buttoned pocket was undone. I check the pocket and found my wallet, thinking all was well, we laughed about the close call. Then I realized I had a phone but no more. Fortunately it was the cheapest phone you can get, $25 US. So you see the dichotomy of life in Guyana from President to Pick Pocket. I joked with friends suggesting that money was tight and the President was moonlighting to meet budget short falls.

Flip Flops on the Road-Day 1

All I remember are two flip flops in the middle of the road. They look as if their owner had disappeared mid-way across Public Road. I was sworn in as a Peace Corps Volunteer 20 hours earlier, celebrated last night and am now heading to my permanent assignment in Georgetown. The give-a-way for why the flip flops are where they are is the black lines leading to them. I hear only the skidding tires and someone in our car screaming. It wasn't our car but the one in front of us. In typical aggressive driving tactics, the driver ahead decided to swerve around the women crossing the road. The woman crossed the lane of traffic of the on coming car but the driver changed lanes into the apposing lane of traffic to go around in front of the woman. Car and body collided. From the car behind we all watched as the situation developed and transpired. It was no accident.

I am relieved to see an ambulance at the side of the road, perhaps there is some fairness in this world. The local Guyanese traveling with us is screaming in horror at the accident which he is witnessing from the front passenger with unobstructed view. When the two new Peace Corps Volunteers express relief at seeing the ambulance we are calmly told by that same Guyanese that that ambulance is attached to the Sugar Company and would not be able to leave its post to assist the woman sprawled across the road.

There are times in life when you choose to engage and times you accept your uselessness. In this case I choose to protect myself from the images that might burn into my subconsciousness. I avert my eyes as we pass and do not leave the car to assist. This is not my country yet and I have no expertise in medicine. I say that with a degree of shame and acceptance of my decision of self preservation at this moment in my Volunteer stint.

The driver and passenger of the car picked up the unconscious women's legs and arms to heave her into the back of their wagon. Spine and neck injures are not a concern here. Even if an ambulance had come the driver often has no training, they are simply drivers. It is recommended that if you can get yourself to the hospital, you do so, it will be faster.

While visiting a Hospital on the Essequibo Coast during the previous two months of training the Head of a local Hospital commented that if a patient can't make the 30 minute trip from an out lying medical center to the hospital they really had no hope of surviving. They performed their first kidney transplant in Georgetown Hospital a couple of weeks ago, at least they think so, they are not completely sure that it had been attempted during a less well documented period in the history of the Country. Local and American Doctors teamed up to preform the surgery.

First Impressions from Guyana

So it seemed time to attempt to say something about this little adventure to Guyana. It is not easy to put such an experience to words. My existence for the last couple of months has been quite surreal. It feels like living in an altered reality. Everything is the same but not quite. On one hand it is clear that I am living in a developing country on the other it seems a perfectly normal existence.

Life is fragile. I expected to find death as a constant in daily life, I was not disappointed. My first night with my host family we reviewed all of their relatives living in the village I am staying. At least one member of two thirds of the related households had died. I have been to five cremations, two of which were double deaths of young men killed in drunken driving accidents. Cremations are a bit more up close and personal then I am accustomed to in the US. The bodies are burned in public on a funeral fire. To add to the excitement, I happened to have met the Health Officer who is required to over see all such events. Part of his responsibilities is to identify the bodies prior to cremation.

This inspection is not as one might expect. The bodies are on display next to the funeral fire. All the attendees come to view the deceased prior to the cremation. I had the good fortune of being pulled through a very tight jostling mass of Hindus to reach the bodies for inspection. Since my first double cremation I have declined the opportunity. Although I miss the opportunity to chat with with my friend the Health Inspector. He has to attend all cremations for the entire region. He does it with good cheer.

Weddings are proving to be a bit more fun. First off they last for days and are based around eating and drinking. Well, everything in Guyana is based around drinking. You don't keep track of drinks, you try to keep track of bottles. You can't buy drinks at Rum Shops or Beer Gardens, you can only purchase bottles. If you don't want a full quart or pint they will pour it into an old fifth bottle. I haven't had the need to actually buy a bottle at a Rum Shop as I'm the only white man and everyone wants to drink with whitie. The Rum is as good as advertised, some of the best I have tasted. Definitely a sipping Rum, unfortunately they drink it by pouring a splash into a dirty glass or plastic cut and adding water and soda, sometimes with ice. This is less then perfect. I had resisted mixing my vodka and rum but have finally succumbed because it is the only way to survive these sessions. Every time you think it is wrapping up someone slips off to the bar and buys another bottle. The bottle gets passed around and around the table until it is done or someone buys another bottle and the game goes on, it reminds me of drinking in the dorms at college.

Needless to say, things don't get done on schedule. The response to any query regarding when something may occur is “just now”,. This can mean in five minutes or never, it depends on the tone and expression, no joke, the local cultural trainers with the Peace Corps struggles explaining this little gem of an expression, Americans have a melt down at about this point in training and wonder how they will ever accomplish anything in Guyana.

I had my first little excursion into the jungle last week. I was visiting a current Peace Corps Volunteer in Mabaruma. This is in the most NW section of Guyana near the Venezuela border. We were within walking distance while visiting one village. I say walking distance because we were walking. The village is a series of homes build in a swamp along a raised wooden deck. I should say formally raised, it is now floating, at least before you stand on it. This is one step before they use canoes to travel to the single road through the jungle. The canoes look like more fun. They take their water transportation very seriously. The land of many waters is criss-crossed by rivers when it isn't flooded. On the single road through this part of the country there is pleasant little canoe stop with shack and tie up canoes. So civilized.

I'll close this brief note by saying the heat, humidity and mosquitoes are awesome, there is no escaping any of it ever but I love it. It is raw and real, the people kind and generous. I'll be sworn in as a Peace Corps Volunteer on July 24 and wouldn't miss a minute of it.

Peace Corps: Guyana

I have had the opportunity to live a spoiled life. It is just how it is being a white man in the US. When I realized how hollow that life is, I started seeking meaning. When the only reason I'm well today is because of where I was born and the color of my skin, I knew I had to use those gifts to help others. I can't live in a big shinny house or drive an exotic car down the paved life that is America. It is not that I'm any wiser or kinder then my country men, it is the agonizing boredom of the material life that drives me on. So I venture forth floundering around the globe seeking meaning and fulfillment. I can only hope to stumble across it before I die. I am not the first or the last to seek meaning in life. I realize that all I can do is keep seeking. So I go forth to Guyana tomorrow to see what is over that horizon.