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The Icelandic króna just lost another 2.5% yesterday. It's fallen a total of 32% in the last 6 months alone. Do you know what that means? Say that ktsp and I saved $1000 last year. Now, if we go back to the US and take that money with us, it's going to be worth $68. Now, multiply that several times and guess how we're feeling right now. And we haven't hit bottom yet.
I really don't think most Americans appreciate the fact that EVERYTHING that goes on their country, affects EVERYONE else in the rest of the world... and usually with an even heavier impact. I'm not saying that the Icelandic banks' over-buying of too many European companies (which are all now folding) isn't part of our currency devaluation, but the last few dives in currency value here have all happened after shit went down on Wall Street this year. As in, within 12 hours later. It's phenomenal how much impact it has.
I'm really wondering what the bottom of this is going to look like. I was asking ktsp last night as we fell asleep, "Do we REALLY want to go back to the US, given the economy right now?"--he has a perfect good job here, and so far quite a bit of security. I'm wary of what's happening back in WA state, where the jobless rate jumped from 4.something percent a few months ago, to 6.1% as reported yesterday. That's where we'd be moving to. They say that they've added hundreds of jobs in the software industry, which would be his field... but that can't go on forever, with this shit happening. It worries me, on a personal level... and on a global/national level, I can't even fathom what is going on.
I can already imagine this being written up in the history books a century from now... it's the beginning of something huge. And yet here we are, in an election where lipstick and farm animals and skin color are deciding factors for people. (and abortion? Are you kidding me? Get a grip, people!!! Take a look at the front page of your newspaper, for god's sake)
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And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran
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