The Minnesota bridge reminds me of all the foul ups. You GIs remember FUBAR. No one mentioned that the state of Minnesota is running a two million dollar surplus. Why aren’t they fixing their own infrastructure?

The waves from the river had hardly hit the bank when commentators were blaming President Bush for not providing money to fix the thousands of bridges and other infrastructure. They all said he has billions for the war in Iraq, but none for us folks at home.

No one has bothered to tell these self-styled “experts” that the money for the Iraq war came from the same place the money for Medicare and Social Security comes from. We (that’s the government – you and me) allow it to be printed it out of thin air. It is called deficit spending which very few understand. That’s what Big Ben (Bernanke) does. He prints fake money with the fancy name of fiat currency.

Many years ago money (the dollar) was backed by gold, but slowly through the years the amount of gold for redemption has been decreased until it was abolished completely. You can’t go into the bank or to Ft. Knox and ask to have your bills redeemed for gold. Gold is the only true measure of wealth that cannot be diluted.

Look on every bill you have. It is printed that, “This note is legal tender for all debts public and private”. No one or state is allowed to create money or legal tender coins backed in gold or silver.

How many bridges need to be fixed? How many miles of water and sewer pipes should be replaced? Why are we building new roads when we can’t keep up with the maintenance of those in place?

Sure, money can be created, but most people do not realize each time money is created without commensurate assets it dilutes the cash and that is inflation. All dollars and debt outstanding buy less each time.

If any government wanted to go to war and the cost be paid out of treasury surplus there would be very few wars. Many states have laws requiring a balanced budget. It would be wonderful of the U.S. central government had that law.

Because of a slowing economy there will be many states that will be required to cut back on services or they will raise citizens’ taxes. Which will you prefer?

Ask your governor how many bridges he is willing to cross?

Al Thomas' book, "If It Doesn't Go Up, Don't Buy It!" has helped thousands of people make money and keep their profits with his simple 2-step method. Read the first chapter at http://www.mutualfundmagic.com and discover why he's the man that Wall Street does not want you to know. Copyright 2006 All rights reserved.

Copyright 2007 Albert W. Thomas All rights reserved. Author of "IF IT DOESN'T GO UP, DON'T BUY IT!"