Thank you, I always appreciate your input.  I understand, even if I don't agree completely.  The network hash rate has dropped by more than 60%.  Even with fewer miners online, I am only seeing 1/3 of the mining payouts I was previously receiving and am not sure how much longer I can keep my miners running on Shift.  (btw, I did figure out my second miner and did get it online.)  I guess, in the end, the market forces balance out.  There are likely more miners online than there are transactions happening right now, which is why the difficulty rate continues to jump.