www.ADVISOR.com

Many folks look back fondly on FDR’s efforts to pull us out of the Great Depression. Killjoys point out that FDR’s deeply flawed policies didn’t work – we had the longest, most sustained depression since perhaps the Renaissance.

At least some solace is taken from the widespread assumption that WWII finally bailed us out. Perhaps some see today’s overseas adventures as serving a similar purpose in this economic tailspin.

But we don't need no new stinkin' wars to "stimulate" the economy. I have a FAR better plan.

I enjoy CBS TV show "NCIS". There's a spark, an energy, that makes it appealing even after several years on the air. The NCIS characters are intelligent, the dynamics are interesting, and it is well-played by strong actors, The storylines are usually engaging and often quite clever. But I'm not sure the new spin-off "NCIS: Los Angeles" has any reason to have "NCIS" in its title.

EDITOR'S NOTE: There's a world of musical Boomers who are good enough to make some nice music, but not as a career. You hear them at parties and community events. You might even hear them practicing in a garage. These musical enthusiasts play what they can, when they can, for the fun of it -- classic pop/rock hits, cocktail jazz, easy listening standards, RB and more. If you are in an amateur band, or want to be, we hope this and subsequent articles will be helpful.

I take many road trips, often on routes I haven't traveled, to places I haven't been, and often in a large motor home. Many trips are for business, so I need to get to the right place at the right time. I rely on a computer to plan the trip, then drive the trip. Little GPS receivers are cute, cheap, helpful -- but limited. But fortunately, my vehicle has plenty of space for a laptop that is visible to the driver. So I drive with computer-based, GPS-controlled map/navigation software running on a big computer screen.

There are two major software products in this category, Microsoft Streets and Trips, and DeLorme Street Atlas USA, and I think one strongly out-classes the other. Here's what and why...

Here is a depressing comparison of California taxes and economic climate with the rest of the states (version 1.37 of my report). The news is breaking bad, and getting worse:

California has the 2nd highest state income tax in the nation: 9.55% at $48,000 income, 10.55% at $1,000,000 income.

California has by-far the highest state sales tax in the nation, 8.25% (not counting local sales taxes).

California has the highest state car tax in the nation, at least double any other state: 1.15% per year on value of vehicle.

This recession is bad, but for men, it is REALLY bad. According to US NEWS & WORLD REPORTS (May, 2009), "Men account for nearly 80% of the jobs lost since February 2008."

There are higher job losses in manufacturing and construction, where far more men than women are employed. This recession is the opposite of what has been seen in past recessions, where women have often lost more jobs than men.