You know, a lot of things have changed.

Let’s look at a couple of things having to do with money. Or wealth. Or greenbacks, cheddar, benjamins, loot, dough, bills, smackeroos, etc..

I have been pondering the whole 99% thing. Or the whole 1% thing. I can partly explain why there is a 99%, and why they are so pissed off. You see, by all measurable standards, I am definitely in the 99%. And I’m in the 99% of that percent, and then the 99% of that percent. If you can find x in that equation, I’d like to go over the nature of our Universe with you. But that’s another story, uhh….I mean blog post.

I am part of a very unique generation. I was told, my whole young American life, how things worked. I would grow up, find a skill or trade, ply that skill or trade for someone or someone’s company for 25 years or so….. and viola! Retirement! Pension! Gold Watch! Golf Clubs and Grandkids, baby. I hear the weather’s nice in Florida.

At the same time, my quest for a comfortable later (or latter if you prefer) life would be aided by a couple of safe, “you can count on it!” bets. As I reaped the rewards of plying my skill or trade, I would save a little… maybe my employer would even add to it…and put it in the bank. No matter what, after some time, that saved stack o’ cheddar would multiply. On top of that, I would finance a home or property. Without fail that investment would surely gain in value, assuring that I would not only own it free and clear upon retiring, but it would also become a source of income, safety, and security during my Golden Years. A place for grandkids to complain “Smells like Old People”.

As a side note, competition was encouraged, and the neccesity of a college degree was not a foregone conclusion. Sure, you could go to college, graduate, and wear a tie. Or you could learn a skill, develop a talent, and not go to college. You might indeed earn less, but you would be able to construct a respectable life and a career.

There’s only one big problem with that. It turned out to be Bunk, Hokum, Smoke and Mirrors, Clinton Testimony…. you know, grade-A Bullsqueeze. It may have worked that way for my parents generation, and the one before that and before that, but no longer.

Now I know how all those dudes felt ages ago when they were told the stars weren’t just holes poked in the veil of the sky. “Huh? Wha? How could it be?”

You see, I live in a world where your house is NEVER worth more than it cost. Your money doesn’t accrue interest, in fact it is worth less every day. I also found out, through a friend in the Human Resources business, that it is frowned upon to have the same job for the same employer for a long period of time. Evidently not being able to stay in one place, or doing the employment pee-pee dance, is a plus. You also need to be able to view yourself as the be all-end all- most valuable asset in the world. It’s not just me, me, me, on Facebook, it’s at work also. Holy What the Cluck Batman?!

To be Continued……..