From: GCTHORNE@idbsu.idbsu.edu ("Broward " Crabgrass " Horne")
Subject:      The Lawnmower Strategy ( for the 90s )
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 92 14:18:13 MST
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               Avoiding the Federal Lawnmower
               ------------------------------

               A personal philosophy - by Me.


   Okay.  By now, it should be absolutely CLEAR to most everyone that

   i)    The Federal Lawnmower is being gassed up.
   ii)   New taxes are coming for dinner.
   iii)  Your Congress is out to lunch.
   iv)   Your standard of living is on the menu.

   I.   The Federal Lawnmower

      Over the past 4 years, I have developed the "Lawnmower strategy".

      If, by some means, I can be a SHORTER blade of grass, then, when
      Mr. Lawnmower comes calling, he will happily pluck everyone around
      me and go on his way.


    II.   Why be a Shorter Blade? ( or a Deeper Shade of Soul )

      Once it becomes apparent to bond buyers that the Federal Debt is
      out of control, the Federal Government will start mowing.  BIG-TIME.
      What will they mow?

      Inelastic goods.  Things that YOU can't do without, in the short run.

         Gasoline for sure.
         Tax exemptions for homeowners.
         Medical benefits.
         Food.

      Unlike the Federal Government, *I* am sure you can figure out the
      susceptible areas in your own life.


    III.  Steps towards becoming a Shorter Blade

       i)   If you're looking at a new car soon, make gas mileage a
            high priority.

       ii)  Move closer to work.

       iii) Work closer to home.

       iv)  If you're in a city in excess of 1-2 million -

                 a)  Get the hell out now.
                 b)  Trade your current home equity/debt into a paid-for
                     home in a smaller city.
                 c)  Try to garner enough land to grow some of your own
                     vegetables.

       v)  If you're in an export related job, get a new job.

       vi) If you're working for an oligopic, monolithic, fortress
           America company, consider your path carefully.  Personally, I
           would be completely unwilling to take on any debt while
           working for a company like IBM, ATT, Litton ( been there,
           done that ), etc.  Unless you are high up in the heirarchy,
           consider bailing.  And take your pension fund with you.
           While you can.


    IV.  Personal Experience

          Since 1989, I personally have cut my:

               a) car insurance by almost 60% in the past 3 years,
                  while doubling my coverage and halving my deductible.
                  Another 10% decrease is pending for next year.

               b) Reduced my taxable income by 50%.  My federal taxes
                  for 1992 will less than 1/2 of my 1989 taxes.

               c) Reduced my car registration by over 60%.

               d) Reduced my gasoline consumption by 25%

               e) Reduced my home energy costs by almost 50%.

               f) Reduced my housing costs to almost zero.

       All by moving from a big city ( Los Angeles ) to a small city ( Boise ).

       As the squeeze gets put on, I believe we'll see a greater migration
       from high-tax, welfare-bound big cities to mid-size cities, both by
       *working* people, and by companies.

       Me, I'm *already* a Short Blade.  The government can hardly do
       anything to me, without decimating 70% of the rest of the
       population.

       I figure y'all have somewhere in the area of TWO to SIX years
       before the Lawnmower is going full-bore.  In fact, I fully
       expect ANOTHER " 1990 Budget Agreement " in 1994, right after
       the elections.  You've been warned.

  Conclusion:

       For a rough estimate of what the U.S. as a whole is looking at,
       look at California.  I consider California a reliable model of
       what is coming.  Examine the tax increases.  Thrill to the *loss*
       of revenues.  Examine the 64 day bugdet crisis.  Ponder a
       Federal equivalent.  Look to the estimated shortfall NEXT year.
       Be chilled by the real loss in income and home equity.
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