Two notes from today's NY Times that, sadly, make me think our old American way of life is starting to change inexorably, perhaps for the worst.

 Ford's troubles continue: their products are not desired in the marketplace and their legacy costs continue to hamstring them.  When will Ford merge or be acquired is the question I have on my mind.  Probably when there is unseen value in the company which, I'm sad to say, I can't see right.  As a Michigander, this news is doubly bad.

It's no surprise pensions are slowly being phased out.  It's just sad that there may be irresponsible guesswork behind some pension calculations.