I have not come to consume today
let time pass all tongues unchewed,
put memory out of the room today
forgetfulness no longer rude.

there is nothing left to consume today
these fanciful flights run anew,
no sticking magnetic boom today
words don't stop on their way through.

I have no intent to consume today
no stopwatch ticks hungrily past,
and as I drive through rain's sun-stopping gloom today
I realize I'm consuming gas.

The world continues flattening. A friend mentioned that certain corporate leaders are describing places within the U.S. as having cost structures equivalent to the third world, and asked "How long before the Bay Area is priced out of the market?"

In response, I ask: "How long before the market catches up to the Bay Area?"

"...it is quite clear that the Federal government cannot avoid or escape responsibilities which the mass of the people firmly believe should be undertaken by it. The political processes of our country are such that if a rule of reason is not applied in this effort, we will lose everything--even to a possible and drastic change in the Constitution. This is what I mean by my constant insistence upon 'moderation' in government. Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes you can do these things. Among them are H. L. Hunt (you possibly know his background), a few other Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or business man from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid."

-- President Dwight Eisenhower,
in a letter to his brother Edgar
dated November 8, 1954