On any given day a huge number of articles and reports on the economic state of our nation can be found in magazines, newspapers and on the Internet. Every week on Thursday, the federal government discloses the latest number of Americans who have for the first time sought unemployment benefits. Unfortunately this weekly report number has recently been stuck in the range of 420,000 and negative news forecasts quickly follow.
Although this is unemployment report is depressing news, it does not stand alone when it comes to bad-news articles and particularly their headlines. Consider these headlines that appeared today:
1. 2011 MARKET CRASH IS COMING
2. NEW BANK RESERVE RULES TO SPARK GLOBAL RECESSION
3. OBAMA WANTS $600 BILLION IN NEW TAXES
4. RECESSION WILL RETURN NEXT YEAR
5. ECONOMIC SOFT PATCH NOT JUST TEMPORARY
6. US HEADED FOR EUROPEAN STYLED DEBT CRISES
7. WORLD ECONOMY TO COLLAPSE IN 2013
These various articles, to some degree, all gazed into the future and found nothing but bad news to report. It has to to be conceded that to some degree these negative lead-ins were intended to catch the attention of the reader so that the full report/opinion would be read. However, what is most bothersome is that these "headlines" came from some conservative sources and from some liberal sources and from some apolitical economists. The bottom line is that the poor/bad times the USA has experienced in the past 2-3 years are just not going to get better and almost all "experts" agree. These are not political tricks aimed at undermining BHO but real news reports and prognostications.
Prosperity will not gradually, on its own, return to America. Some drastic actions are needed and these drastic actions will require a reduction in the style of life of a great many of our citizens. A reasonable reduction in our life style will not turn our nation into a nation of poverty. Even with these reductions, Americans will still have more comfort items and comfort time than any other nationality on Earth.
However, the extravagance of American life will have to be moderated.
The above quoted headlines are meant to be noticed and the articles meant to be read. They combined cause some degree of concern which really needs to be acknowledged by our "leaders" and acted upon bravely.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
WORRIES
For those who wonder about the term of silence on this Blog, the writer is saving his efforts so to be able to vigorously attack BHO as the months before November 2012 approach. Even these anticipated renewed efforts will be greatly impacted by the selection of the Republican candidate who will challenge Obama.
This being said ... there are a couple of matters that have caught my attention and must be addressed. Obviously the American economy continues to stink; the unemployment rate in our nation remains unacceptably high; and the huge debts of the federal government and of most of our states are embarassing as well as dangerous. Adding to these concerns are two recently published "news points" which have caught my attention.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has received great publicity for announcing that it has issued arrest warrants for Gaddafi and his son. What a joke!
This international legal act is meaningless and is only a publicity ploy. The ICC has no assets by which to enforce any of its warrants much less a writ against Gaddafi who has sworn that he will die in Libya rather than flee the country, surrender, or be taken prisoner. Although it would be interesting to see how the ICC is funded. Looking at the opposite side of this limited combat situation in Libya, logic and the finger of guilty point at BHO as a national if not international criminal for ordering the American military to participate in yet another foreign conflict. This extended activity of our military in Libya violates federal law and probably some ICC statute.
The recently filed legal action by conservative Republican legislature members could well result with Obama being found to be in the wrong. Unfortunately, there is no chance that either the ICC or the US Marshal's office will arrest Obama for this or any other acts of incompetence.
Another matter that concerns me is a report of real estate sales in Miami. As the housing market failed across the nation, Florida and particularly the Miami/Dade County area really suffered. Literally thousands of condominium units were impacted. Now it is reported from Public Records that the sale of these condos in Miami/Dade County were 71% greater in the first quarter of 2011 as compared to the first quarter of 2010. The majority of these recently sold units were bank owned as a result of repos. The bothersome fact is that almost 50% of these 2011 sales were to foreigners.
I am pleased that this condo market has shown some improvement but the fact that people from Brazil and from Canada and from Europe have the financial ability to buy these drastically lowered-in-price units and not Americans is a clear indication that the American economy is still really struggling.
There is no simple, painless solution to the American economic debacle. All Americans, rich, middle class and poor will have to "tighten the belt"; vote to restructure the membership in parts of the federal government and most of the state governments; and push to reduce all public debts. Most importantly efforts must be focused on the most worrisome and threatening economic fact and that is that is our over one trillion dollar federal government debt to Communist China.
Enough of these worries for today.
This being said ... there are a couple of matters that have caught my attention and must be addressed. Obviously the American economy continues to stink; the unemployment rate in our nation remains unacceptably high; and the huge debts of the federal government and of most of our states are embarassing as well as dangerous. Adding to these concerns are two recently published "news points" which have caught my attention.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has received great publicity for announcing that it has issued arrest warrants for Gaddafi and his son. What a joke!
This international legal act is meaningless and is only a publicity ploy. The ICC has no assets by which to enforce any of its warrants much less a writ against Gaddafi who has sworn that he will die in Libya rather than flee the country, surrender, or be taken prisoner. Although it would be interesting to see how the ICC is funded. Looking at the opposite side of this limited combat situation in Libya, logic and the finger of guilty point at BHO as a national if not international criminal for ordering the American military to participate in yet another foreign conflict. This extended activity of our military in Libya violates federal law and probably some ICC statute.
The recently filed legal action by conservative Republican legislature members could well result with Obama being found to be in the wrong. Unfortunately, there is no chance that either the ICC or the US Marshal's office will arrest Obama for this or any other acts of incompetence.
Another matter that concerns me is a report of real estate sales in Miami. As the housing market failed across the nation, Florida and particularly the Miami/Dade County area really suffered. Literally thousands of condominium units were impacted. Now it is reported from Public Records that the sale of these condos in Miami/Dade County were 71% greater in the first quarter of 2011 as compared to the first quarter of 2010. The majority of these recently sold units were bank owned as a result of repos. The bothersome fact is that almost 50% of these 2011 sales were to foreigners.
I am pleased that this condo market has shown some improvement but the fact that people from Brazil and from Canada and from Europe have the financial ability to buy these drastically lowered-in-price units and not Americans is a clear indication that the American economy is still really struggling.
There is no simple, painless solution to the American economic debacle. All Americans, rich, middle class and poor will have to "tighten the belt"; vote to restructure the membership in parts of the federal government and most of the state governments; and push to reduce all public debts. Most importantly efforts must be focused on the most worrisome and threatening economic fact and that is that is our over one trillion dollar federal government debt to Communist China.
Enough of these worries for today.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
THANKS, RONALD MCDONALD
If he, and I should most likely say "if it", did not insist on wearing that "vivid" set of clothing, Ronald McDonald could well be a serious and popular candidate for President in 2012.
Although the published numbers have varied, it does appear that in May of this year only some 54,000 jobs were newly filled in our national economy. This is an absolutely negative piece of news and gives no assurance that the American economy is anywhere near being revitalized. What is more bothersome is that close to 30,000 of these above mentioned newly filled positions were solely as the result of actions by one business entity --- McDonald's Hamburgers.
In an economy such as ours, how is it possible that a fast food chain can so boldly lead the way in nationwide hirings?
No answer to this question pops into my mind but there is a fact that could well allow an intelligent guess. It has been published that in 2009 there were about 24,000,000 Americans receiving food stamp assistance. Today that number is much larger and is reported to be just over 50,000,000. Now my theory, which is based on no evidence nor on any actual experience, is that each and every McDonald franchise that operates in our nation has actively promoted that it will allow the payment for a "burger, fries and drink" with food stamps. This "buy with food stamps" program would impact millions of new potential American customers and therefore demand a substantial increase in staffing.
The sad points of this scenario are that many Americans are, in order to nourish themselves, being forced to accept handouts from government entities and that perhaps many of these Americans feel little if any remorse in using these taxpayers-paid-for-benefits to boost the profits of hamburger stands.
To be open and honest with all, I not only still enjoy today McDonald burgers and fries but actually worked at a McDonald's in Augusta, Georgia during the summer of 1967. "Welcome to McDonalds, how can we help you today?" is still a greeting locked in my memory.
Although the published numbers have varied, it does appear that in May of this year only some 54,000 jobs were newly filled in our national economy. This is an absolutely negative piece of news and gives no assurance that the American economy is anywhere near being revitalized. What is more bothersome is that close to 30,000 of these above mentioned newly filled positions were solely as the result of actions by one business entity --- McDonald's Hamburgers.
In an economy such as ours, how is it possible that a fast food chain can so boldly lead the way in nationwide hirings?
No answer to this question pops into my mind but there is a fact that could well allow an intelligent guess. It has been published that in 2009 there were about 24,000,000 Americans receiving food stamp assistance. Today that number is much larger and is reported to be just over 50,000,000. Now my theory, which is based on no evidence nor on any actual experience, is that each and every McDonald franchise that operates in our nation has actively promoted that it will allow the payment for a "burger, fries and drink" with food stamps. This "buy with food stamps" program would impact millions of new potential American customers and therefore demand a substantial increase in staffing.
The sad points of this scenario are that many Americans are, in order to nourish themselves, being forced to accept handouts from government entities and that perhaps many of these Americans feel little if any remorse in using these taxpayers-paid-for-benefits to boost the profits of hamburger stands.
To be open and honest with all, I not only still enjoy today McDonald burgers and fries but actually worked at a McDonald's in Augusta, Georgia during the summer of 1967. "Welcome to McDonalds, how can we help you today?" is still a greeting locked in my memory.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
National Debt and National Unemployment
A recent political article I read stated that Americans would not be concerned with the huge debt our federal government has incurred if the level of unemployment in our nation would drop to an acceptable number. The logic expressed was that with a much greater number of Americans working there would be an increase in federal tax revenue and the national debt would be diminished. That expression appeared to be logical until the author more than hinted that the employment cure could be realized by a massive federal hiring program.
No thought was given by the writer to the expense of such a program; to the lack of marketable products being produced by such a program; and to how such a program would be funded.
In other words, it was a liberal/progressive/socialist fraud.
Here are some facts. Today, June 2nd, the BHO Administration disclosed that last week another 422,000 Americans for the first time asked for unemployment benefits. This 422,000 figure is, according to Washington, "seasonally adjusted", whatever that means but which obviously is not an artificially increase number. In April the private employers in America created and filled 177,000 new jobs. In May, the month that just ended, this same segment of the American economy added only 38,000 new jobs. I wonder how many high school and college graduates there were in May and who will in June discover that no jobs exist and join the unemployed.
Now of course BHO functionaries have "let it slip" that government figures to be released tomorrow will show an increase in the nation of 150,000 jobs in May. Does that mean the government of America filled 112,000 job slots? AND Does that mean that all of these salaries benefits will do nothing more than increase the national debt even more?
Speaking of the national debt, it is currently greater than the already authorized $14.0 Trillion ($14,000,000,000,000.00). This almost incomprehensible figure does not include a projected $6.0 Trillion in unfunded but to be paid Social Security and Medicare benefits and a projected $1.o Trillion in unfunded but to be paid in military and federal government retirement benefits. So at best, Americans as a whole owe in federal debt at least $21.0 Trillion. Sadly that figure does no include the huge amount owed by us in State, County and City debts.
The truth is that Obama and his staff continue to mislead the nation on the two matters about which we are most concerned - national unemployment and national debt.
The reality is that there will have to be a "belt-tightening" across America to bring all economic matters back into line and to be coupled with a real effort to insure that in 2012 an incumbent is not reelected to the White House.
No thought was given by the writer to the expense of such a program; to the lack of marketable products being produced by such a program; and to how such a program would be funded.
In other words, it was a liberal/progressive/socialist fraud.
Here are some facts. Today, June 2nd, the BHO Administration disclosed that last week another 422,000 Americans for the first time asked for unemployment benefits. This 422,000 figure is, according to Washington, "seasonally adjusted", whatever that means but which obviously is not an artificially increase number. In April the private employers in America created and filled 177,000 new jobs. In May, the month that just ended, this same segment of the American economy added only 38,000 new jobs. I wonder how many high school and college graduates there were in May and who will in June discover that no jobs exist and join the unemployed.
Now of course BHO functionaries have "let it slip" that government figures to be released tomorrow will show an increase in the nation of 150,000 jobs in May. Does that mean the government of America filled 112,000 job slots? AND Does that mean that all of these salaries benefits will do nothing more than increase the national debt even more?
Speaking of the national debt, it is currently greater than the already authorized $14.0 Trillion ($14,000,000,000,000.00). This almost incomprehensible figure does not include a projected $6.0 Trillion in unfunded but to be paid Social Security and Medicare benefits and a projected $1.o Trillion in unfunded but to be paid in military and federal government retirement benefits. So at best, Americans as a whole owe in federal debt at least $21.0 Trillion. Sadly that figure does no include the huge amount owed by us in State, County and City debts.
The truth is that Obama and his staff continue to mislead the nation on the two matters about which we are most concerned - national unemployment and national debt.
The reality is that there will have to be a "belt-tightening" across America to bring all economic matters back into line and to be coupled with a real effort to insure that in 2012 an incumbent is not reelected to the White House.
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