The Root.

Today's Tids Issue 3,749

For Dough-re-mi:

Let’s say for discussion purposes that an average American of reasonable wealth has a net worth of about $100,000. Now, Bill Gates is worth about 400,000 times that. This means that if something costs $100,000 for Mr. and Mrs. average, for Bill that’s about 25 cents. A forty five year old guy with yearning eyes for a $250K Lamborghini, would if he were be Gates only looking at 63 cents. Gates could buy a sports team in “Bill Money” equivalent to what a family of four pays for tickets, food and parking. Get the picture – money is pretty personal.  That’s why keeping up with the Jones is Centsless.

There’s something that bothers me about the new Starbucks “Roastery” Utra Premium “Reserve” coffee and the company’s expansion effort --at wallet busting prices too, I might add. What bothers me is that people will rush in and pay more for stuff that may or may not be worth it, but it will be chic for sure. And, the acceptance of higher price levels will tend to spread throughout the community to other more mundane purchases. All this does over time is elevate the prices of other stuff, meaning your money just stops going as far as you would like. They’re talking about future baseball player contracts in the 3-400 Million atmosphere. It’s like money is nothing anymore. Except for all of those who make up the fabric of America. In the TV program Bull last night they were sipping glasses of scotch that cost $47/glass! I was thinking, for $47 I could buy…um…er…hmmmm -- You can’t buy much for $47 dollars anymore. A twenty dollar bill in your pocket is like what a fifty cent piece used to be. That is the hardest thing about getting old, relating to what was and today.

There is no question in my mind that NCAA Football should go to an 8-team playoff as soon as they can.

Microsoft isn’t sitting around in Seattle sipping on Schultz’s Roastery Reserve coffee. The still big computer giant has announced the soon to be available full laptop cable phone that runs Windows 10. That’s good, because Bill Gates needs a new Lamborghini! Need a spreadsheet?

Southwest Airlines has never laid off a single person or had a pay cut. Running a company for employees tends to show up positively with customers. Let’s face it, employees are the face of company’s and are always out there among the public even when the advertising stops.

The Question:

Guess at the net worth of the following well known people and entertainers: Kelly Ripa, Tina fey, Jennifer Lawrence, Barack Obama, Oprah, Donald Trump, Monica Lewinsky, Doctor Phil, George Foreman and Celine Dion. Bonus: What are the 5 most expensive Whiskies?

The Headlines:

--Jobless Benefits Applications Fall By 10k; European Central Bank Holds Rates And Extends Stimulus.

--Federal Officials Say Two Juveniles Were Responsible For Setting Horrific Tennessee Fires.

--US Says Life Expectancy Curve Flatlining; Males Fall For 76.5 To 76.3, Woman Decreased 81.3 to 81.2.

--Repubs Hope To Increase Senate Majority To 52-48 After This Weekend Runoff To Replace Retiring David Vitter(R); GOP”s John Kennedy Leads Dem Foster Campbell By 14 Percentage Points.

--Aleppo Rebels Appear To be Acknowledging Defeat; Assad Says War Does Not End At Aleppo.

--Federal Judge Halts Michigan Recount Sealing Trump Win.

--Windows 10 Proving To Be A Huge Success As Laptops Regain Position of Strength.

--Kim/Kanye Divorce Talk Getting Louder.

One thing that came out of the various reviews of the 75^th anniversary of Pearl Harbor was that Journalists of that time used judgement. In a private interview with FDR, Edward R. Murrow learned a lot about the dilemma of a President as FDR opened his heart and soul about the event. ERM could have scooped the world and ran for the story, become a star, But, he opted to keep it private, save it for historians. Because he knew Americans more than ever needed trust in leadership. I doubt if that would happen today.

I think that lawsuit by a frozen Embryo against Sofia Vergara is possibly something more than silliness. In fact, the pro-abortion crowd may find it downright dangerous to one major aspect of their cause that tries to obviate the point at which life begins. How can an embryo win a suit if it isn’t considered human being by some. This has Monkey trial, supreme court ramifications.

This week in the NFL gets down to the meat, starting with tonight’s important game between KC and Oakland. The rest of the line-up ain’t chopped liver either. I expect the Tids record of 124-67-2 will take a hit as I see myself going out on a limb a bit this week. Ok, tonight -- I’m closing my eyes and staying with the home Team KC – even though Oakland is 5-0 on yet road. The other key meaningful matchups, meaning both teams are in the race and this game can make a difference, are Houston-Indy, Denver-Tenn, Seattle-Green Bay, Dallas-Giants, NE-Baltimore. Indy is at home so I got to go with them. Tenn needs this to stay with Indy or Houston, and Denver needs it to say with KC or Oak, I think Denver is a more mature team and will win (And, Elway is dressing for the game). Seattle looks really good, and then not so much. GB is at home in frigid weather and actually looked better last week I’m pickin’ the pack. Dallas has to lose one, and this is it, as Giant “D” rises up. And then there is the injury riddled Pats against the improving Ravens. This is a grudge match as the coaches don’t appear to be that friendly. Baltimore will win. TB_and New Orleans are almost in that meaningful group, with TB atop the division and NO having a wild card chance by winning out. I’ve been with TB and I’ll stay there. Similarly “Almost meaningful” are Pitt-Buff, Ariz- Miami and Wash-Philly. Pitt-Buff will be a tussle in the cold and maybe snow, and could go either way. Pitt has been playing well.  I’m going to say Miami snaps back and that Washington keeps Philly on the decline. Now those are the true and somewhat meaningful games but that does not mean the rest are easy. For instance, the Jets and Niners both suck equally but one has to win. I think the Niners will suck less at home. Carolina and Arizona are both decent teams capable of beating anybody. Carolina is at home and I pick them. Minn and Jacksonville will be a another close game but not entirely meaningful, although Minn  still has a shot. I have to pick the Vikes. For the rest, I have Cinn over Cleve and my favorite surprise team Detroit over Chi. This is going to be a fun week end.

Everybody thought the UConn woman would be rebuilding because they lost three first round draft players last year. Last night they showed they can still beat the best by taking control of Notre Dame when it counted.

I watched Neal Cavuto interview Jill Stein last evening and found that she is basically just another politician capable of avoiding answers trying to make points and increase her visibility with Bernie’s and some of Hillary’s progressive supporters. Hey, why am I writing about her and adding visibility.

Speaking of TV opinionators, Eric Bolling is becoming tiresome. He doesn’t listen and is the kind of closeminded personality who gives conservatives a bad name.

Here we go – The Trump Tower is advertising that Secret Service Protection is an amenity for residents. Does he know when to say no?

You have to say one thing about Trump, he is willing to talk to just about everybody. Last week it was Al Gore, and yesterday it was Leonard DeCaprio talking about green jobs and their place in boosting the economy. Personally, I think there should be a clear path for opening green jobs opportunities. It is inevitable regardless of your political persuasion. The problem under Obama was that he was willing to sacrifice existing industries and replace them instead of phasing out. He was an all or nothing guy, and all or nothing just doesn’t work if you are truly intent in reaching out to all Americans. I don’t know if Trump will, but at least he is talking.

The Answer:

Kelly Ripa has $100M in the bank. Tina Fey- $5 M, Jennifer Lawrence - $74M, Barack Obama - $12.5M, Oprah-%3.2 Bil, Donald Trump-$4.5 B, Monica Lewinsky-$500K, Doctor Phil-$400M, George Foreman-$300M and Celine Dion-$700M. The big Raps stars do very well with net wealth in the $500-900Mil range. Well known singer legends Springsteen, Keith Richards and Ringo Starr are each worth $350. Paul McCartney is worth $1.2 Bill. Bonus: #1 at $37,149 (Average price is The Balvemie 50 Year Old Single Malt. #2 is The Macallen Lalique 62 YO at $30,494, followed by Gorniodn & MacPhail Generations Mortlatclach 75 yo at $25,272, Glenfiddich 50 yo at $20,431 and finally at $18,699 we have The Macallaen Fine & Rare Vintage Single Malt.  I’ll take two.

Save your Confederate money because the South will rise again. Did Trump say that.

Spend it if you got it. See you tomorrow.