When I awoke yesterday morning and glanced at the crawlers on my TV screen, I thought perhaps I was still dreaming, lost my mind entirely, or was watching some kind of fantasy show and not the financial news.
That was because the stock future prices, including the Dow, NASDAQ and S&P were rapidly climbing skyward, making absolutely no sense to me. Because the Supreme Court had just OK’d one of the biggest tax increases in history which soon will likely dampen the economy to practically a standstill, if not reverse it into another recession. In fact, I believe this huge step toward outright socialism might kill our business spirit altogether, whereas I can’t imagine anyone with any ability or iota of common sense who’d work diligently to financially assist some strangers who don’t work at all or contribute whatsoever.
However, I soon found out that the stock market surges had practically nothing to do with our new U.S. health care taxes at all, but were due to Europe’s reaching agreement on handling its financial crisis, which frankly confused me almost as much as would a celebration of the president’s economic mistakes.
According to CNN on-line, “Under this deal, European leaders agreed to create a single supervisory body to oversee the Eurozone’s banks which could use the single currency area's rescue funds, the European Financial Stability Facility or European Stability Mechanism, to aid banks directly without adding to governments' debt.”
They go on to report that an EU statement said “European Union leaders are hoping for implementation of the agreement by July 9, and the deal means Spain's formal request this week for Eurozone bailout funds to recapitalize its troubled banking sector will not add to its sovereign debt. Madrid had feared the increased debt load would send its borrowing costs even higher.”
So, here we have a case where other nation’s funds are being donated to a country that’s basically destitute and has no current solution to correcting its situation via productivity. However, the inflow of funds won’t be treated as a loan since they’re a gift. But, nonetheless, the underlying problems remain and consequently, when these new funds are exhausted, Spain will still be broke, hapless and hopeless, and thus I simply don’t understand why investors and oil speculators think this news is good.
In the meantime, though, while all these nations, including our own, wheel and deal and manipulate loans, gifts and new taxes, the folks who I think stand to potentially lose their proverbial shirts are the individual securities traders trying to figure out the markets. Because if all the nation heads, major banks and “sophisticated” market players have no clue as to what to buy or sell or bet on, or why or when, the odds for “little guys” doing well are probably far better for them at the racetrack.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/29/2012
If the Republicans win the coming presidential election, I think they’ll owe huge credit to SCOTUS’ Chief Justice Roberts, who did more for them than any political speech could. Because he could not have been clearer that as a law Obamacare had no standing or merit, but is in fact a new tax imposed on just about all who earn income in the U.S.
So here we have a situation where the nation’s economy couldn’t be much weaker and an incumbent who’s compounding the problem and making it far worse.
But, I think in stating their case, Republicans should avoid getting mired down in disputing 2700 pages of legal gibberish that’s crammed in the bill and make one very simple point, which is: If 26 million people who couldn’t afford health coverage before now have it, where will the money come from? The answer is, at a minimum approximately $400 billion of new taxes that are now legally stuck on the backs of all U.S. businesses and people earning income which may finally add up to be one of the largest new taxes imposed in the nation's history.
And that’s the issue that has to be hammered home, because if left alone the nation will continue down the slope toward economies like those presently draining Europe, where half the nations are broke and being supported by others, and almost all the rest are on their way to that result. Because, simply and purely, socialism doesn’t work now, never has, and never will for too many reasons to list in this space.
However, to give the incumbent some slack. He’s never held a real job, never earned a paycheck and hasn’t a clue as to how businesses or economies work. So from his perspective, basically formed from reading text books, lots of this idealistic gobbledygook looks good on paper.
And I must say, if the public covered my pay check, food costs, servants, health care, travel and entertainment and let me live in the White House for free, I’m not so sure I’d care about other folks tax burdens either.
So, if I could pick up some votes despite imposing crippling tax increases on those trying to operate businesses or earn some money, so be it. I’d be out of there in four years or less anyway which means the problems I created will be someone else’s down the line. And if nothing else, that seems to me to be the precedent that this president lives by.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
So here we have a situation where the nation’s economy couldn’t be much weaker and an incumbent who’s compounding the problem and making it far worse.
But, I think in stating their case, Republicans should avoid getting mired down in disputing 2700 pages of legal gibberish that’s crammed in the bill and make one very simple point, which is: If 26 million people who couldn’t afford health coverage before now have it, where will the money come from? The answer is, at a minimum approximately $400 billion of new taxes that are now legally stuck on the backs of all U.S. businesses and people earning income which may finally add up to be one of the largest new taxes imposed in the nation's history.
And that’s the issue that has to be hammered home, because if left alone the nation will continue down the slope toward economies like those presently draining Europe, where half the nations are broke and being supported by others, and almost all the rest are on their way to that result. Because, simply and purely, socialism doesn’t work now, never has, and never will for too many reasons to list in this space.
However, to give the incumbent some slack. He’s never held a real job, never earned a paycheck and hasn’t a clue as to how businesses or economies work. So from his perspective, basically formed from reading text books, lots of this idealistic gobbledygook looks good on paper.
And I must say, if the public covered my pay check, food costs, servants, health care, travel and entertainment and let me live in the White House for free, I’m not so sure I’d care about other folks tax burdens either.
So, if I could pick up some votes despite imposing crippling tax increases on those trying to operate businesses or earn some money, so be it. I’d be out of there in four years or less anyway which means the problems I created will be someone else’s down the line. And if nothing else, that seems to me to be the precedent that this president lives by.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Thursday, June 28, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/28/2012
The very good short-term news for the administration today is that SCOTUS, due to the yea vote by Chief Justice Roberts,upheld the health care law as constitutional, which means the legislation will stand.
Conversely, the horrendously bad long-term news for the administration in the coming weeks, in my opinion, is that the health care law will stand. And that’s because despite the fact that the law exceeds the powers of Congress as pure legislation, the way the administration’s attorneys presented their argument, the law can stand as a tax.
Justice Roberts words were, “'Congress had the power to impose the exaction in Section 5000A under the taxing power, and that Section 5000A need not be read to do more than impose a tax. This is sufficient to sustain it.”
So, after all the smoke clears, and all the self-serving congratulatory speeches and back-slapping are done by the Dem’s, I think the voting public will ultimately realize that not only has this law done irreparable harm to health care itself, it will boil down to one of the largest tax increases in history. And whereas the law only applies to particular sectors of the population, those who earn income will still wind up paying the costs of those who don’t. That’s Socialism 101.
However, what’s even worse for the administration is that thanks to the law’s survival, it’s likely the economy will worsen, unemployment will probably increase and small businesses will continue to suffer even more because now they have no short-term hope of reduction in hiring costs at all.
And now that all the waiting’s over, and SCOTUS has blessed the incumbent’s health care tax, I guess the big winner is Romney whose campaign just received a huge boost. Which gives us another example of my recurring point that the way for Republicans to win is to do nothing at all except sit back and watch the Dem’s self-destruct.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Conversely, the horrendously bad long-term news for the administration in the coming weeks, in my opinion, is that the health care law will stand. And that’s because despite the fact that the law exceeds the powers of Congress as pure legislation, the way the administration’s attorneys presented their argument, the law can stand as a tax.
Justice Roberts words were, “'Congress had the power to impose the exaction in Section 5000A under the taxing power, and that Section 5000A need not be read to do more than impose a tax. This is sufficient to sustain it.”
So, after all the smoke clears, and all the self-serving congratulatory speeches and back-slapping are done by the Dem’s, I think the voting public will ultimately realize that not only has this law done irreparable harm to health care itself, it will boil down to one of the largest tax increases in history. And whereas the law only applies to particular sectors of the population, those who earn income will still wind up paying the costs of those who don’t. That’s Socialism 101.
However, what’s even worse for the administration is that thanks to the law’s survival, it’s likely the economy will worsen, unemployment will probably increase and small businesses will continue to suffer even more because now they have no short-term hope of reduction in hiring costs at all.
And now that all the waiting’s over, and SCOTUS has blessed the incumbent’s health care tax, I guess the big winner is Romney whose campaign just received a huge boost. Which gives us another example of my recurring point that the way for Republicans to win is to do nothing at all except sit back and watch the Dem’s self-destruct.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
BloggeRhythms 6/27/2012
It’s said that it’s the little things in life that always get you. And I was reminded of that truism this morning when I read that Missouri Senator, Claire McCaskill, plans to skip the Democratic convention in Charlotte in September.
The excuse her campaign aide made for her decision was that she’s in the middle of a tough reelection fight herself and thus, feels it’s best not to go anywhere else at all. And this, or similar excuses, have been provided by about ten or twelve other prominent Dem’s in Congress, who aren’t attending either.
The reason I mention this is that, if nothing else, politics is a game of payback that works both ways. Bad or good. And politico’s themselves have very long memories, especially when it comes to those who did, or didn’t, provide support when needed.
Consequently, since I’m absolutely certain the group of Dem’s in question expect to remain in office, they surely understand the risks of snubbing an incumbent president who’s expected to be anointed again at a convention having no other purpose.
Therefore, I can only conclude that they sincerely believe he’ll lose the election next November. And if not, they’ve all made a horrendous political mistake because they’ve turned themselves into persona’s non grata regarding the White House. And despite the fact that these folks are politicians, I don’t believe that even they could be that stupid.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
The excuse her campaign aide made for her decision was that she’s in the middle of a tough reelection fight herself and thus, feels it’s best not to go anywhere else at all. And this, or similar excuses, have been provided by about ten or twelve other prominent Dem’s in Congress, who aren’t attending either.
The reason I mention this is that, if nothing else, politics is a game of payback that works both ways. Bad or good. And politico’s themselves have very long memories, especially when it comes to those who did, or didn’t, provide support when needed.
Consequently, since I’m absolutely certain the group of Dem’s in question expect to remain in office, they surely understand the risks of snubbing an incumbent president who’s expected to be anointed again at a convention having no other purpose.
Therefore, I can only conclude that they sincerely believe he’ll lose the election next November. And if not, they’ve all made a horrendous political mistake because they’ve turned themselves into persona’s non grata regarding the White House. And despite the fact that these folks are politicians, I don’t believe that even they could be that stupid.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/26/2012
CBS DC on-line, posted a quote from Condoleezza Rice on, CBS This Morning, wherein she said she’s “not interested in joining Romney, who has more than enough delegates to win the presidential nod at the party convention in Tampa.”
She further stated that “I didn’t run for student council president. I don’t see myself in any way in elective office.”
And although I really never gave her much thought as a possible Romney VP selection, now that I’ve been reminded, I think her candidacy might be perfect. She’s a consummate professional, with impeccable credentials and far more experienced than anyone in the current administration, right up to and including the incumbent himself. So, in summary, she might very well be the final nail in the Dem’s electoral coffin.
However, I had another thought this morning that might hand the president a second term by accident. Because if SCOTUS overturns his health care law, that might spark a hiring binge across the nation due to the significant future savings and freedom from bureaucratic harassment now hamstringing hapless employers.
Consequently, a spurt in economic activity gained by correction of one of the worst legislative decisions ever made, might actually lead to the reelection of the practically illiterate stooges and boobs who damn near killed our nation in the first place.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
She further stated that “I didn’t run for student council president. I don’t see myself in any way in elective office.”
And although I really never gave her much thought as a possible Romney VP selection, now that I’ve been reminded, I think her candidacy might be perfect. She’s a consummate professional, with impeccable credentials and far more experienced than anyone in the current administration, right up to and including the incumbent himself. So, in summary, she might very well be the final nail in the Dem’s electoral coffin.
However, I had another thought this morning that might hand the president a second term by accident. Because if SCOTUS overturns his health care law, that might spark a hiring binge across the nation due to the significant future savings and freedom from bureaucratic harassment now hamstringing hapless employers.
Consequently, a spurt in economic activity gained by correction of one of the worst legislative decisions ever made, might actually lead to the reelection of the practically illiterate stooges and boobs who damn near killed our nation in the first place.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Monday, June 25, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/25/2012
According to FoxNews on-line, the administration’s hammering Mitt Romney’s Bain Capital for contributing to the country's outsourcing shift, helped by a story Friday on the topic in the Washington Post.
Romney adviser, Eric Fehrnstrom, however said on CBS' "Face the Nation" Sunday that “No American jobs were shipped overseas in any of the Washington Post examples that were cited by the Obama campaign."
He explained that “outsourcing, in which services like customer service are taken out-of-house, and off-shoring, in which jobs are sent overseas, are two different things and the Post ‘conflated’ the two and that, "When companies like Coca-Cola, for example, build a bottling plant in China so they can sell more soft drinks to the Chinese, we should be applauding that, because that type of entrance into new markets is what makes our companies stronger."
Now, I don’t really know if there’s actually a difference between outsourcing and off-shoring. Nor do I believe it matters very much. Because I think the matter is the result of a much more important problem.
Much of the reason American entities seek foreign locations is due to strangling tax law, over-regulation, crippling environmental legislation, labor union domination, and an administration that’s just about totally anti-business. All of which is further reflected in our overall economy’s dismal performance.
However, far beyond that, if the administration truly wanted to stop American jobs and, far more importantly, billions of citizens hard-earned dollars flowing overseas, they’d permit drilling for oil right here at home. And that single step, in and of itself, would solve so many of our problems that telemarketers in India would soon be hired to recruit the millions of new hires that would be needed here
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Romney adviser, Eric Fehrnstrom, however said on CBS' "Face the Nation" Sunday that “No American jobs were shipped overseas in any of the Washington Post examples that were cited by the Obama campaign."
He explained that “outsourcing, in which services like customer service are taken out-of-house, and off-shoring, in which jobs are sent overseas, are two different things and the Post ‘conflated’ the two and that, "When companies like Coca-Cola, for example, build a bottling plant in China so they can sell more soft drinks to the Chinese, we should be applauding that, because that type of entrance into new markets is what makes our companies stronger."
Now, I don’t really know if there’s actually a difference between outsourcing and off-shoring. Nor do I believe it matters very much. Because I think the matter is the result of a much more important problem.
Much of the reason American entities seek foreign locations is due to strangling tax law, over-regulation, crippling environmental legislation, labor union domination, and an administration that’s just about totally anti-business. All of which is further reflected in our overall economy’s dismal performance.
However, far beyond that, if the administration truly wanted to stop American jobs and, far more importantly, billions of citizens hard-earned dollars flowing overseas, they’d permit drilling for oil right here at home. And that single step, in and of itself, would solve so many of our problems that telemarketers in India would soon be hired to recruit the millions of new hires that would be needed here
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Sunday, June 24, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/24/2012
Found an item on Drudge today that still has me chuckling. Because, according to Lorrie Goldstein of the Toronto Sun, “Two months ago, James Lovelock, the godfather of global warming, gave a startling interview to msnbc.com in which he acknowledged he had been unduly “alarmist” about climate change.”
Goldstein reports that Lovelock’s “implications were extraordinary.”
According to her, he’s “a world-renowned scientist and environmentalist whose Gaia theory - that the Earth operates as a single, living organism- has had a profound impact on the development of global warming theory.”
Additionally she wrote that “Unlike many “environmentalists,” who have degrees in political science, Lovelock, until his recent retirement at age 92, was a much-honoured working scientist and academic.”
As for myself, I never knew that was the case, however, now this whole global warming hubbub makes far greater sense. Because although I thought it was a political issue all along, I thought it was left-leaning scientists actually leading the cause.
Lovelock himself is well-credentialed and his inventions have been used by NASA, among many other scientific organizations. His electron capture detector in 1957 first enabled scientists to measure chlorofluorocarbons and other pollutants in the atmosphere, leading, in many ways, to the birth of the modern environmental movement.
But here’s the most interesting part to me, from Goldstein’s article: “Having observed that global temperatures since the turn of the millennium have not gone up in the way computer-based climate models predicted," Lovelock acknowledged, “the problem is we don’t know what the climate is doing. We thought we knew 20 years ago.”
He went on to say in a follow-up interview to the UK’s Guardian newspaper that while he "still believes anthropogenic global warming is occurring and that mankind must lower its greenhouse gas emissions, it’s now clear the doomsday predictions, including his own (and Al Gore’s) were incorrect."
So, what we have here is another example of one of my recurring themes. Follow the money, and in time you’ll surely find the truth. And in this case, the grants and government funding's were so huge a whole planet of people were impinged upon by a few self-serving zealots who wouldn’t quit although knowing full well they were wrong. In fact, these folks are so deceitful, they could easily get to the top in politics, where all they’d need to create is another phony cause.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Goldstein reports that Lovelock’s “implications were extraordinary.”
According to her, he’s “a world-renowned scientist and environmentalist whose Gaia theory - that the Earth operates as a single, living organism- has had a profound impact on the development of global warming theory.”
Additionally she wrote that “Unlike many “environmentalists,” who have degrees in political science, Lovelock, until his recent retirement at age 92, was a much-honoured working scientist and academic.”
As for myself, I never knew that was the case, however, now this whole global warming hubbub makes far greater sense. Because although I thought it was a political issue all along, I thought it was left-leaning scientists actually leading the cause.
Lovelock himself is well-credentialed and his inventions have been used by NASA, among many other scientific organizations. His electron capture detector in 1957 first enabled scientists to measure chlorofluorocarbons and other pollutants in the atmosphere, leading, in many ways, to the birth of the modern environmental movement.
But here’s the most interesting part to me, from Goldstein’s article: “Having observed that global temperatures since the turn of the millennium have not gone up in the way computer-based climate models predicted," Lovelock acknowledged, “the problem is we don’t know what the climate is doing. We thought we knew 20 years ago.”
He went on to say in a follow-up interview to the UK’s Guardian newspaper that while he "still believes anthropogenic global warming is occurring and that mankind must lower its greenhouse gas emissions, it’s now clear the doomsday predictions, including his own (and Al Gore’s) were incorrect."
So, what we have here is another example of one of my recurring themes. Follow the money, and in time you’ll surely find the truth. And in this case, the grants and government funding's were so huge a whole planet of people were impinged upon by a few self-serving zealots who wouldn’t quit although knowing full well they were wrong. In fact, these folks are so deceitful, they could easily get to the top in politics, where all they’d need to create is another phony cause.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Saturday, June 23, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/23/2012
I think it’s pretty clear by now, that regardless of political preferences, personal feelings, or just about any other rational measures there are, the administration’s proven unquestionably that it knows nothing about governing the nation whatsoever.
Nonetheless, they remain expert at what got themselves elected in the first place. Electioneering and self-promotion, despite any iota of substantiation of capabilities.
I mention this today because I found several news websites posting story’s about an incident at the White House on Friday, which was rebuked by them, regarding two visitors who were photographed last week at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, flipping their middle fingers below a portrait of the late President Ronald Reagan.
The two were invited guests at a reception marking gay pride month, the images reportedly were first published by Philadelphia Magazine, and here’s the response from Shin Inouye, a White House spokesman:
"While the White House does not control the conduct of guests at receptions, we certainly expect that all attendees conduct themselves in a respectful manner. Most all do. These individuals clearly did not. Behavior like this doesn’t belong anywhere, least of all in the White House."
So, here we have an incident that I believe practically no one would ever hear of, nor is it one of any kind of significant importance. Yet, the White House press machine has now gotten significant mileage via their reminder of how much liberals hate Ronald Reagan. And they can do this by innocently standing by while the media runs with the story.
However, this time around the administrations done such a horrendously poor job, press favoritism means far, far less. And they’ve harmed so many of their own in so many ways, even the most devout can no longer afford them.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Nonetheless, they remain expert at what got themselves elected in the first place. Electioneering and self-promotion, despite any iota of substantiation of capabilities.
I mention this today because I found several news websites posting story’s about an incident at the White House on Friday, which was rebuked by them, regarding two visitors who were photographed last week at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, flipping their middle fingers below a portrait of the late President Ronald Reagan.
The two were invited guests at a reception marking gay pride month, the images reportedly were first published by Philadelphia Magazine, and here’s the response from Shin Inouye, a White House spokesman:
"While the White House does not control the conduct of guests at receptions, we certainly expect that all attendees conduct themselves in a respectful manner. Most all do. These individuals clearly did not. Behavior like this doesn’t belong anywhere, least of all in the White House."
So, here we have an incident that I believe practically no one would ever hear of, nor is it one of any kind of significant importance. Yet, the White House press machine has now gotten significant mileage via their reminder of how much liberals hate Ronald Reagan. And they can do this by innocently standing by while the media runs with the story.
However, this time around the administrations done such a horrendously poor job, press favoritism means far, far less. And they’ve harmed so many of their own in so many ways, even the most devout can no longer afford them.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Friday, June 22, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/22/2012
While the nation waits for the release of the SCOTUS decision on the health care bill, I found an interesting item on NYDailyNews.com.
The entry quotes the the Associated Press, saying a “study by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee examined the U.S. relationship with the six nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.”
And as a result of that report, “The United States is planning a significant military presence of 13,500 troops in Kuwait to give it the flexibility to respond to sudden conflicts in the region as Iraq adjusts to the withdrawal of American combat forces and the world nervously eyes Iran.”
It further says that according to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, as the U.S. recalibrates its national security strategy, forces will be drawn in Europe while focusing on other regions, such as the Middle East and Asia. Panetta said he envisions about 40,000 troops stationed in the Middle East region after the withdrawal from Iraq and by comparison, a cut of two Army combat brigades and the withdrawal of two other smaller units will leave about 68,000 troops in Europe.
I mention this because as I recall, there was huge Democrat objection to our involvement in the Middle-East when “W” Bush and Dick Cheney were involved. Folks yelled and screamed about how the decisions were all about oil and protecting the interests of well-connected, wealthy friends of the administration. In fact, many wanted the then president impeached immediately.
However, today our presence builds in the region without a hint of concern, which makes me wonder why these self-serving Dems continually put politics above even their own safety. Because obviously “W” and Cheney were correct all along regarding the Middle-East dangers, yet the Dems would have rather been dead than concur with their opinion.
That’s it for today folks
Adios
The entry quotes the the Associated Press, saying a “study by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee examined the U.S. relationship with the six nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.”
And as a result of that report, “The United States is planning a significant military presence of 13,500 troops in Kuwait to give it the flexibility to respond to sudden conflicts in the region as Iraq adjusts to the withdrawal of American combat forces and the world nervously eyes Iran.”
It further says that according to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, as the U.S. recalibrates its national security strategy, forces will be drawn in Europe while focusing on other regions, such as the Middle East and Asia. Panetta said he envisions about 40,000 troops stationed in the Middle East region after the withdrawal from Iraq and by comparison, a cut of two Army combat brigades and the withdrawal of two other smaller units will leave about 68,000 troops in Europe.
I mention this because as I recall, there was huge Democrat objection to our involvement in the Middle-East when “W” Bush and Dick Cheney were involved. Folks yelled and screamed about how the decisions were all about oil and protecting the interests of well-connected, wealthy friends of the administration. In fact, many wanted the then president impeached immediately.
However, today our presence builds in the region without a hint of concern, which makes me wonder why these self-serving Dems continually put politics above even their own safety. Because obviously “W” and Cheney were correct all along regarding the Middle-East dangers, yet the Dems would have rather been dead than concur with their opinion.
That’s it for today folks
Adios
Thursday, June 21, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/21/2012
Searching for news on important pending issues, such as the SCOTUS decision on health care legislation and whether or not Attorney General Holder will be held in contempt of Congress, I came across a statement by Nancy Pelosi which once again proves that while most politicians are intellectually dense, she’s in a class by herself.
According to Matthew Boyle of The Daily Caller on-line, the House Minority Leader “attacked House Republicans for pursuing contempt of Congress charges against Attorney General Eric Holder on Wednesday.”
Boyle then quotes the Huffington Post and adds that Pelosi went on to say, “I could have arrested Karl Rove on any given day. I’m not kidding. There’s a prison here in the Capitol. If we had spotted him in the Capitol, we could have arrested him.”
Now, this is the same woman who said that she never read the health care bill before it was enacted, but was sure everyone would love it, and ran the House as if it was simply an extension of the White House, pushing through every bill that was sent.
However, I think someone should tell her that Karl Rove’s not an elected official and has nothing officially to do with Congress even if she thinks he might. Nonetheless, though, I guess she perceives he has extremely significant power if she’s so frazzled by him that she thinks he ought to be locked up.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
According to Matthew Boyle of The Daily Caller on-line, the House Minority Leader “attacked House Republicans for pursuing contempt of Congress charges against Attorney General Eric Holder on Wednesday.”
Boyle then quotes the Huffington Post and adds that Pelosi went on to say, “I could have arrested Karl Rove on any given day. I’m not kidding. There’s a prison here in the Capitol. If we had spotted him in the Capitol, we could have arrested him.”
Now, this is the same woman who said that she never read the health care bill before it was enacted, but was sure everyone would love it, and ran the House as if it was simply an extension of the White House, pushing through every bill that was sent.
However, I think someone should tell her that Karl Rove’s not an elected official and has nothing officially to do with Congress even if she thinks he might. Nonetheless, though, I guess she perceives he has extremely significant power if she’s so frazzled by him that she thinks he ought to be locked up.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/20/2012
Without going into great detail, I wanted to mention some thoughts about the Fast & Furious situation. Because I think it has a very good chance of becoming a major issue. Political and otherwise, as well
And while there are conflicting reports in the news, most reflecting extremely partisan positions, some things seem apparent, regardless.
After viewing the position taken by California Republican Congressman, Darrell Issa, who’s demanding specific documentation that Attorney General, Eric Holder, refuses to hand over, I think there’s a chance this standoff can turn into a legal battle. However, I also think there’s much more to the situation than that.
Because, if this all boiled down to the Department of Justice or White House possessing some items they didn’t want to release simply because it was felt the request was beyond the right of the Congressional inquiry, that could easily be understood. However, if the refusal stems from fear that the documentation contains questionable, or even illegal, evidence, we have something else.
And that’s the rub.
Because, as I recall, the Watergate scandal started out with a simple cover up of minor evidence that ultimately led to the political demise of Richard M. Nixon. And Bill Clinton’s transgressions eventually caused his being impeached.
So, today’s events may turn out be another case where the White House’s putting up a blustery front is only the tip of an iceberg which will likely be quite interesting to see.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
And while there are conflicting reports in the news, most reflecting extremely partisan positions, some things seem apparent, regardless.
After viewing the position taken by California Republican Congressman, Darrell Issa, who’s demanding specific documentation that Attorney General, Eric Holder, refuses to hand over, I think there’s a chance this standoff can turn into a legal battle. However, I also think there’s much more to the situation than that.
Because, if this all boiled down to the Department of Justice or White House possessing some items they didn’t want to release simply because it was felt the request was beyond the right of the Congressional inquiry, that could easily be understood. However, if the refusal stems from fear that the documentation contains questionable, or even illegal, evidence, we have something else.
And that’s the rub.
Because, as I recall, the Watergate scandal started out with a simple cover up of minor evidence that ultimately led to the political demise of Richard M. Nixon. And Bill Clinton’s transgressions eventually caused his being impeached.
So, today’s events may turn out be another case where the White House’s putting up a blustery front is only the tip of an iceberg which will likely be quite interesting to see.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/19/2012
Last Friday, many Republicans were upset when the president decided to flout the law by stating that Homeland Security would no longer deport undocumented immigrants under 30 years old who came to the U.S. when they were 16 or younger, have lived here for at least five years, and have no criminal record.
Florida Senator, Marco Rubio, was particularly displeased whereas he’s been drafting his own legal solution to the matter, and now has been perfunctorily upstaged.
However, now that I’ve thought the situation over it's become apparent that this is another case where the administration took a heavy-handed approach for purely political purposes, and then not only shot themselves in the foot, but practically blew a whole leg off.
Because, they’ve killed the economy to the extent that any kind of jobs are extremely hard to find and unemployment keeps rising. However, by pandering to a special interest group they’ve now added approximately 800,000 more to that number.
So, in one fell swoop, they’ve significantly increased the number of folks out of work, or displaced ones who might have been hired. And in that way they've dug their own reelection hole several feet deeper.
But most of all, they’ve proven again that it really hurts to be not only incompetent but stupid to boot when it comes to economic issues.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Florida Senator, Marco Rubio, was particularly displeased whereas he’s been drafting his own legal solution to the matter, and now has been perfunctorily upstaged.
However, now that I’ve thought the situation over it's become apparent that this is another case where the administration took a heavy-handed approach for purely political purposes, and then not only shot themselves in the foot, but practically blew a whole leg off.
Because, they’ve killed the economy to the extent that any kind of jobs are extremely hard to find and unemployment keeps rising. However, by pandering to a special interest group they’ve now added approximately 800,000 more to that number.
So, in one fell swoop, they’ve significantly increased the number of folks out of work, or displaced ones who might have been hired. And in that way they've dug their own reelection hole several feet deeper.
But most of all, they’ve proven again that it really hurts to be not only incompetent but stupid to boot when it comes to economic issues.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Monday, June 18, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/18/2012
I didn’t know a thing about David Axelrod, but saw him interviewed on a news channel last week. I had the volume off, but his name flashed on the screen as I quickly clicked from station to station.
Then this morning, I saw his name again in an article by Alex Pappas of The Daily Caller on-line headlined “Flashback: Axelrod called Bush ‘out of touch’ for playing golf in a bad economy."
As it turns out, Axelrod’s the incumbent’s chief campaign strategist, and in a video that surfaced from 1994 he called President George H.W. Bush “out of touch” for “tastelessly” playing golf while trying to convince voters that the economy is improving. His exact words were, “Bush tastelessly did it, often from the ninth hole, and from the cigar boat and other places.”
Then Axelrod added: “The impression you got was that he was out of touch,” and went on “you cite these statistics that say the economy is improving, you almost do political damage to yourself. If you stand up and claim great progress, you are only frustrating this alienated middle class more.”
As I digested the words of one of the president’s top advisors and considered that the incumbent himself hits the links nearly every week, I supposed that perhaps just like every other aspect of this administration, the guy at the top simply didn’t get the message. Which means that maybe when Axelrod was trying to tell his boss to stay off the course, his boss was out playing golf.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Then this morning, I saw his name again in an article by Alex Pappas of The Daily Caller on-line headlined “Flashback: Axelrod called Bush ‘out of touch’ for playing golf in a bad economy."
As it turns out, Axelrod’s the incumbent’s chief campaign strategist, and in a video that surfaced from 1994 he called President George H.W. Bush “out of touch” for “tastelessly” playing golf while trying to convince voters that the economy is improving. His exact words were, “Bush tastelessly did it, often from the ninth hole, and from the cigar boat and other places.”
Then Axelrod added: “The impression you got was that he was out of touch,” and went on “you cite these statistics that say the economy is improving, you almost do political damage to yourself. If you stand up and claim great progress, you are only frustrating this alienated middle class more.”
As I digested the words of one of the president’s top advisors and considered that the incumbent himself hits the links nearly every week, I supposed that perhaps just like every other aspect of this administration, the guy at the top simply didn’t get the message. Which means that maybe when Axelrod was trying to tell his boss to stay off the course, his boss was out playing golf.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Sunday, June 17, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/17/2012
Surfing Drudge for news just now, I clicked on an item headed “Beau Biden takes shot at Mitt Romney, hits Gov. Bev Perdue” on a site called newsobserver.com. In it, they say the vice president’s son went "off script," to fire a shot at Mitt Romney but hit North Carolina Governor, Bev Perdue, at the same time.
Mentioning that Romney didn't seek a second term as Massachusetts governor, Beau Biden suggested Romney’s failed economic policies hurt him and that "I've never met a successful politician who didn't run again." However, Governor Perdue, also in attendance, isn’t seeking reelection either, which obviously didn’t connect with him.
Now, while I thought the incident was quite amusing, because it so clearly illustrated the Biden family flaw of difficulty in handling public speaking intelligently, what intrigued me most was a reader's comment that I’ve copied and pasted below with no editing on my part whatsoever.
July 17, 2012 - 11:37am — beachbum3--well at the least beau has got a brain of his own an he doesnt have to have karl rove an cheney to be his brain. remember the weapons of mass destruction that were to never found to exist in the first place. an he an his father have demostrated that they have compassion an feeling of the working classes of this country. an not for some non-person coporate enitys that is only concerned with their own bottom lines an that is all that effect them is their profits an their bottom line for they care not even for their own employees. thank you
So here, I believe, we have an excellent example of the intellect of the typical Democrat voter, as well as the horrendous decline in education in the U.S. However, I could be wrong. Because it’s quite possible that beachbum3 isn’t simply some random reader of the story at all, but actually Joe Biden himself.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Mentioning that Romney didn't seek a second term as Massachusetts governor, Beau Biden suggested Romney’s failed economic policies hurt him and that "I've never met a successful politician who didn't run again." However, Governor Perdue, also in attendance, isn’t seeking reelection either, which obviously didn’t connect with him.
Now, while I thought the incident was quite amusing, because it so clearly illustrated the Biden family flaw of difficulty in handling public speaking intelligently, what intrigued me most was a reader's comment that I’ve copied and pasted below with no editing on my part whatsoever.
July 17, 2012 - 11:37am — beachbum3--well at the least beau has got a brain of his own an he doesnt have to have karl rove an cheney to be his brain. remember the weapons of mass destruction that were to never found to exist in the first place. an he an his father have demostrated that they have compassion an feeling of the working classes of this country. an not for some non-person coporate enitys that is only concerned with their own bottom lines an that is all that effect them is their profits an their bottom line for they care not even for their own employees. thank you
So here, I believe, we have an excellent example of the intellect of the typical Democrat voter, as well as the horrendous decline in education in the U.S. However, I could be wrong. Because it’s quite possible that beachbum3 isn’t simply some random reader of the story at all, but actually Joe Biden himself.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Saturday, June 16, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/16/2012
According to FoxNews on-line, Mitt Romney’s campaign had a record May, along with the Republican National Republican Committee, raising roughly $17 million more than Obama and the Democratic National Committee - $76.8 million to $60 million, respectively.
And I think that’s an extremely important indication of how much trouble, reelection-wise, the incumbent’s in. Because I believe donations from supporters are votes in and of themselves, truly reflecting donator’s opinions. And that’s why, as in most other situations, simply follow the money and you’ll find out what the truth is.
I also had another thought this morning about politicians and how many of their misguided ideas can come back and bite them. Because although I’ve never really considered politico’s physical characteristics as being critical to job performance, it’s possible they might be.
And in that regard, it’s now struck me that if Mayor Bloomberg’s so concerned about New Yorker City's citizen's weights, and feels it’s his job to curtail their caloric intake, perhaps voters should be concerned about mayor's heights.
Because, let’s imagine, a diminutive mayor was out on the road in a vehicle with just his chauffer. And suppose the chauffer became incapacitated and unable to drive, requiring the mayor to take the wheel. And what if that little mayor could barely see over the dashboard? I think that could potentially cause all kinds of vehicular, and perhaps even human and property, damage.
So, I think a trade-off’s required here.
If a law’s passed limiting calorie ingestion for chubby citizen’s greater good, simultaneous legislation should immediately take effect removing height-challenged people from public office. And in that way, everyone will be protected from potential future harm, and we’ll all sleep more worry-free every night.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
And I think that’s an extremely important indication of how much trouble, reelection-wise, the incumbent’s in. Because I believe donations from supporters are votes in and of themselves, truly reflecting donator’s opinions. And that’s why, as in most other situations, simply follow the money and you’ll find out what the truth is.
I also had another thought this morning about politicians and how many of their misguided ideas can come back and bite them. Because although I’ve never really considered politico’s physical characteristics as being critical to job performance, it’s possible they might be.
And in that regard, it’s now struck me that if Mayor Bloomberg’s so concerned about New Yorker City's citizen's weights, and feels it’s his job to curtail their caloric intake, perhaps voters should be concerned about mayor's heights.
Because, let’s imagine, a diminutive mayor was out on the road in a vehicle with just his chauffer. And suppose the chauffer became incapacitated and unable to drive, requiring the mayor to take the wheel. And what if that little mayor could barely see over the dashboard? I think that could potentially cause all kinds of vehicular, and perhaps even human and property, damage.
So, I think a trade-off’s required here.
If a law’s passed limiting calorie ingestion for chubby citizen’s greater good, simultaneous legislation should immediately take effect removing height-challenged people from public office. And in that way, everyone will be protected from potential future harm, and we’ll all sleep more worry-free every night.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Friday, June 15, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/15/2012
I think the major reason for the administration’s problems, and the significant likelihood of losing November’s election, is an unending continuum of extremely immature and ill-advised decisions on almost every major issue.
However, those are things that have happened because of inexperience and limited knowledge, and to date although demonstrating very poor judgment, they still remain within the law. A decision made today, though, goes far beyond mere incompetence and into another realm.
According to Jonathan Easley and Jordy Yager of The Hill on-line, “The Obama administration announced Friday it will stop deporting illegal immigrants who come to the country at a young age.”
The change in policy, they say, “could allow as many as 800,000 immigrants who came to the United States illegally not only to remain in the country without fear of being deported, but to work legally, according to a senior administration official speaking to reporters Friday.”
As for myself, I have no real problem with decisions made regarding immigration because our country was founded by folks from somewhere else. But I don’t see today’s announcement as an immigration issue at all, I think it goes far deeper than that. Because a precedent's being set here that says to me, the administration’s deciding on its own which laws to follow and which not.
Now, I may not be an elected official, nor part of the government either, but I’m on exactly the same footing as they are regarding what’s legal and what’s not. And if it’s okay for them to pick which laws they choose to follow, then so can I.
Consequently, what they’re doing is showing one and all that laws don’t matter a whit if you don’t agree with them, and you can go out and do whatever you want in that regard. And although there are all sorts of procedures and steps that can be followed to amend legislation correctly through well established protocol, if that doesn’t suit arrogant politicians goals, just ignore them.
So, in the end, what we’re witnessing right now is not only the poorest example of leadership our nation’s ever known, but also a compounding lesson of life. Because what’s being demonstrated is our government showing us that if you can’t accomplish your objectives by the rules, simply ignore them and cheat like any other crook.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
However, those are things that have happened because of inexperience and limited knowledge, and to date although demonstrating very poor judgment, they still remain within the law. A decision made today, though, goes far beyond mere incompetence and into another realm.
According to Jonathan Easley and Jordy Yager of The Hill on-line, “The Obama administration announced Friday it will stop deporting illegal immigrants who come to the country at a young age.”
The change in policy, they say, “could allow as many as 800,000 immigrants who came to the United States illegally not only to remain in the country without fear of being deported, but to work legally, according to a senior administration official speaking to reporters Friday.”
As for myself, I have no real problem with decisions made regarding immigration because our country was founded by folks from somewhere else. But I don’t see today’s announcement as an immigration issue at all, I think it goes far deeper than that. Because a precedent's being set here that says to me, the administration’s deciding on its own which laws to follow and which not.
Now, I may not be an elected official, nor part of the government either, but I’m on exactly the same footing as they are regarding what’s legal and what’s not. And if it’s okay for them to pick which laws they choose to follow, then so can I.
Consequently, what they’re doing is showing one and all that laws don’t matter a whit if you don’t agree with them, and you can go out and do whatever you want in that regard. And although there are all sorts of procedures and steps that can be followed to amend legislation correctly through well established protocol, if that doesn’t suit arrogant politicians goals, just ignore them.
So, in the end, what we’re witnessing right now is not only the poorest example of leadership our nation’s ever known, but also a compounding lesson of life. Because what’s being demonstrated is our government showing us that if you can’t accomplish your objectives by the rules, simply ignore them and cheat like any other crook.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Thursday, June 14, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/14/2012
Curiosity got the better of me yesterday, so I tuned in to watch Jamie Dimon testify before Congress about his bank’s two billion dollar trading loss. And, I’m pleased that I did because it reconfirmed many of my strongest beliefs.
First and foremost, I think the the JPMorgan Chase CEO displayed an incredible amount of patience, because almost all of those questioning him proved to be ill informed, completely unknowledgeable or outright stupid. Yet he spoke slowly, clearly and in very basic terms , in order not to embarrass them altogether. And considering how poorly equipped these politicos are to attempt handling a subject like this, I believe Dimon did them all a favor by helping them through subject matter far over their heads and allowing preservation of some of their dignity.
Through it all, one of things that struck me most was that almost all those addressing Dimon spent most of their five minutes of allotted time to make self-serving speeches for the record, and then asked childish questions seemingly not interested at all in the answers. Consequently, they seemed more concerned about looking good to their constituents than in trying to correct flaws in the banking system. And, in it’s own way I guess that makes sense, because few of those on the panel appeared to know much about finance at all and thus wouldn’t have really understood the answers anyway.
So, in conclusion I guess we’ve now seen another proof of cream rising to the top, as exemplified by Mr. Dimon, and worthless sludge sinking to the bottom, as proven by the hapless duds in office. But the saddest part of it all is that while these Congressional drones have nothing valuable to fill their time, Mr. Dimon could have better spent that morning back at his bank helping fix his own problems and then moving right on as always.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
First and foremost, I think the the JPMorgan Chase CEO displayed an incredible amount of patience, because almost all of those questioning him proved to be ill informed, completely unknowledgeable or outright stupid. Yet he spoke slowly, clearly and in very basic terms , in order not to embarrass them altogether. And considering how poorly equipped these politicos are to attempt handling a subject like this, I believe Dimon did them all a favor by helping them through subject matter far over their heads and allowing preservation of some of their dignity.
Through it all, one of things that struck me most was that almost all those addressing Dimon spent most of their five minutes of allotted time to make self-serving speeches for the record, and then asked childish questions seemingly not interested at all in the answers. Consequently, they seemed more concerned about looking good to their constituents than in trying to correct flaws in the banking system. And, in it’s own way I guess that makes sense, because few of those on the panel appeared to know much about finance at all and thus wouldn’t have really understood the answers anyway.
So, in conclusion I guess we’ve now seen another proof of cream rising to the top, as exemplified by Mr. Dimon, and worthless sludge sinking to the bottom, as proven by the hapless duds in office. But the saddest part of it all is that while these Congressional drones have nothing valuable to fill their time, Mr. Dimon could have better spent that morning back at his bank helping fix his own problems and then moving right on as always.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/13/2012
Yesterday, Darren Samuelson and Edward Isaac Dovere of Politico wrote about a memo by James Carville and pollsters, Stanley Greenberg and Erica Seifert, that addressed “what many in their party have been privately grumbling about for months: It’s still the economy, stupid.”
The memo also says that the incumbent’s talking about how a lousy economy is getting better isn’t doing him any favors with the American people or moving him closer to victory in November.
They then conclude that, “These voters are not convinced that we are headed in the right direction. They are living in a new economy - and there is no conceivable recovery in the year ahead that will change the view of the new state of the country. They actually have a very realistic view of the long road back and the struggles of the middle class - and the current narrative about progress just misses the opportunity to connect and point forward.”
I mention this because it’s another example of a premise I simply have never understood and still can’t at present. Because I believe it doesn’t matter an iota what somebody says when hard facts prove otherwise. And that, in a nutshell is the problem the country faces currently, whereas evidently these “advisors” think a change in message is going to make things better.
However, unfortunately for them, and all of us too, at the moment, the incumbent’s problems aren’t messages and words, he seems to have billions of those. The crux of the issue is, he doesn’t have the required knowledge or skills to deal with the nation’s problems. But I think if he could figure out how to reduce the deficit by a cent a word that he incessantly utters, we’d have a budget surplus in just a few days.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
The memo also says that the incumbent’s talking about how a lousy economy is getting better isn’t doing him any favors with the American people or moving him closer to victory in November.
They then conclude that, “These voters are not convinced that we are headed in the right direction. They are living in a new economy - and there is no conceivable recovery in the year ahead that will change the view of the new state of the country. They actually have a very realistic view of the long road back and the struggles of the middle class - and the current narrative about progress just misses the opportunity to connect and point forward.”
I mention this because it’s another example of a premise I simply have never understood and still can’t at present. Because I believe it doesn’t matter an iota what somebody says when hard facts prove otherwise. And that, in a nutshell is the problem the country faces currently, whereas evidently these “advisors” think a change in message is going to make things better.
However, unfortunately for them, and all of us too, at the moment, the incumbent’s problems aren’t messages and words, he seems to have billions of those. The crux of the issue is, he doesn’t have the required knowledge or skills to deal with the nation’s problems. But I think if he could figure out how to reduce the deficit by a cent a word that he incessantly utters, we’d have a budget surplus in just a few days.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/12/2012
While reviewing yesterday’s entry, about the coming bailout for Spain, it occurred to me that many readers may be unfamiliar with how that kind of debt really works. And to me, I look at the arrangement as if it were a business loan or mortgage.
In that regard, the first question a knowledgeable lender would ask a prospective borrower is: How are you going to pay the indebtedness back? And if the transaction was a significant amount, they’d likely require a detailed plan supported by documentation showing that the information provided was true, accurate and represented a reasonable expectation of future results.
The reason for the diligence performed by lenders, however, isn’t simply a pile of information to fill folders and be stuck in a drawer to prove they asked all the right questions. That data’s needed to assess the likelihood of borrowers meeting their obligations as expected and agreed. And the most important question of all usually regards precisely where repayment funds will come from.
The derivation of funds to pay back loans ideally generates from a borrowers activities. Consequently, for businesses, lenders seek customers whose operations are growing and therefore additional equipment, supplies, or resources are needed to help accelerate future success. In the case of a bigger mortgage, similar parameters apply such as, mortgagees earning higher income and increased property values.
Conversely, the worst situation for lenders, and the ones to always avoid, are those wherein borrowers have a dire need for additional funds yet presently have no viable expectation of how they’ll pay their obligation back. And in most of the cases like that, lending isn’t really a sound business at all, but more like taking the funds and going out to the track to wager on I’ll Have Another who we all know was scratched.
And that’s why, from my own experience, I’d question what’s happening in Europe right now and take a very hard look at the real probability of Spain’s ability to pay back $125 billion euros. Because from all the data I’ve seen about it's recovery chances, I think I’ll Have Another was a better bet.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
In that regard, the first question a knowledgeable lender would ask a prospective borrower is: How are you going to pay the indebtedness back? And if the transaction was a significant amount, they’d likely require a detailed plan supported by documentation showing that the information provided was true, accurate and represented a reasonable expectation of future results.
The reason for the diligence performed by lenders, however, isn’t simply a pile of information to fill folders and be stuck in a drawer to prove they asked all the right questions. That data’s needed to assess the likelihood of borrowers meeting their obligations as expected and agreed. And the most important question of all usually regards precisely where repayment funds will come from.
The derivation of funds to pay back loans ideally generates from a borrowers activities. Consequently, for businesses, lenders seek customers whose operations are growing and therefore additional equipment, supplies, or resources are needed to help accelerate future success. In the case of a bigger mortgage, similar parameters apply such as, mortgagees earning higher income and increased property values.
Conversely, the worst situation for lenders, and the ones to always avoid, are those wherein borrowers have a dire need for additional funds yet presently have no viable expectation of how they’ll pay their obligation back. And in most of the cases like that, lending isn’t really a sound business at all, but more like taking the funds and going out to the track to wager on I’ll Have Another who we all know was scratched.
And that’s why, from my own experience, I’d question what’s happening in Europe right now and take a very hard look at the real probability of Spain’s ability to pay back $125 billion euros. Because from all the data I’ve seen about it's recovery chances, I think I’ll Have Another was a better bet.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Monday, June 11, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/11/2012
According to Reuters “Euro zone finance ministers agreed on Saturday to lend Spain up to 100 billion euros ($125 billion) to shore up its teetering banks and Madrid said it would specify precisely how much it needs once independent audits report in just over a week.”
I mention this because the news has sent securities markets soaring higher in both, Europe and the United States, and frankly I simply don’t understand why. Because although the loan indeed relieves pressure on Spain's top banks, there’s no guarantee it will help to improve that nation’s economy in any way nor solve it’s underlying fiscal problems.
Much like the U.S., Spain suffers in three major areas: a real estate lending bubble burst, a recession followed and the nation endures very high unemployment, all three causing significant losses to its major banks. And as these problems fester, the banks involved slide toward insolvency and thus require bailing out.
However, as we've seen from our own experience regarding bailouts, our government's borrowing continues to grow, approaching 16 trillion dollars, unemployment remains very high at over 8 percent and some economists predict another recession coming while others insist we never really came out of the first one.
So, to repeat my original question, why are investors happily pumping money into U.S. stocks when all that’s really happened is a European nation’s that’s broke has added over a hundred million in debt to the amount it presently has no hope of ever paying back?
In conclusion, I can only state that if Spain were a borrower that came to my organization for financing and told me that the funds were needed to cover the lending mistakes they’d made in the past, and that without the loan they’d fold, I’d refer them to my biggest competitor and pray that those guys do the deal.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
I mention this because the news has sent securities markets soaring higher in both, Europe and the United States, and frankly I simply don’t understand why. Because although the loan indeed relieves pressure on Spain's top banks, there’s no guarantee it will help to improve that nation’s economy in any way nor solve it’s underlying fiscal problems.
Much like the U.S., Spain suffers in three major areas: a real estate lending bubble burst, a recession followed and the nation endures very high unemployment, all three causing significant losses to its major banks. And as these problems fester, the banks involved slide toward insolvency and thus require bailing out.
However, as we've seen from our own experience regarding bailouts, our government's borrowing continues to grow, approaching 16 trillion dollars, unemployment remains very high at over 8 percent and some economists predict another recession coming while others insist we never really came out of the first one.
So, to repeat my original question, why are investors happily pumping money into U.S. stocks when all that’s really happened is a European nation’s that’s broke has added over a hundred million in debt to the amount it presently has no hope of ever paying back?
In conclusion, I can only state that if Spain were a borrower that came to my organization for financing and told me that the funds were needed to cover the lending mistakes they’d made in the past, and that without the loan they’d fold, I’d refer them to my biggest competitor and pray that those guys do the deal.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Sunday, June 10, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/10/2012
According to Fox News on-line, back on May 1, 2012, Indiana Governor, Mitch Daniels, took part in a panel discussion at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California and suggested that public unions should go.
His comment came right after Scott Walker's history-making recall victory as Governor of Wisconsin, while Daniels himself has a record of curtailing union benefits in his own state.
He then suggested on Fox News Sunday that public-sector unions are past their prime and should be abolished, stating that “I think, really, government works better without them."
Not surprisingly, Dennis Van Roekel, president of the National Education Association (NEA), said Walker's victory was in part a product of "unlimited corporate funding in elections," and that Walker's side simply was able to push out it’s message better than the governor's opponents.
As for me, although pleased that folks are now finding that unions aren’t impervious and can be successfully challenged, I was certainly not surprised by the NEA’s reaction. However, I truly believe that Mr. Van Roekel’s wrong.
Because although it’s correct that significant funds were spent in getting out the anti-union message, what’s different right now is that the message has not only finally been heard, but also been seen to work. And consequently, I now expect the examples to be followed all over the nation.
And while Governor Daniels belief that government’s work better without unions, just wait until folks see the results that happen when teachers are forced to produce or else. Because I haven’t a whit of doubt that kids will finally begin to actually gain an education and later on, find businesses willing to hire them as well.
So in one big fell swoop we’ll solve two huge national problems. By voting the NEA out, the cost of greatly improved education will reduce and so will unemployment.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
His comment came right after Scott Walker's history-making recall victory as Governor of Wisconsin, while Daniels himself has a record of curtailing union benefits in his own state.
He then suggested on Fox News Sunday that public-sector unions are past their prime and should be abolished, stating that “I think, really, government works better without them."
Not surprisingly, Dennis Van Roekel, president of the National Education Association (NEA), said Walker's victory was in part a product of "unlimited corporate funding in elections," and that Walker's side simply was able to push out it’s message better than the governor's opponents.
As for me, although pleased that folks are now finding that unions aren’t impervious and can be successfully challenged, I was certainly not surprised by the NEA’s reaction. However, I truly believe that Mr. Van Roekel’s wrong.
Because although it’s correct that significant funds were spent in getting out the anti-union message, what’s different right now is that the message has not only finally been heard, but also been seen to work. And consequently, I now expect the examples to be followed all over the nation.
And while Governor Daniels belief that government’s work better without unions, just wait until folks see the results that happen when teachers are forced to produce or else. Because I haven’t a whit of doubt that kids will finally begin to actually gain an education and later on, find businesses willing to hire them as well.
So in one big fell swoop we’ll solve two huge national problems. By voting the NEA out, the cost of greatly improved education will reduce and so will unemployment.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Saturday, June 9, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/9/2012
I’ve mentioned today’s subject before, but recent events prompt me to bring it up again.
As regulars readers know, I’ve spent most of may career in financial sales and later on, managing others as well. And throughout, the single factor above all others that determined the worth of my employment was sales production. Because, for businesses, if they don’t produce revenue, they’re forced to close.
Consequently, for the sake of example, I might be the nicest, wittiest, most articulate, personable individual imaginable, but that’s not what pays the company’s bills. And if I, and my sales staff ,don’t produce, it doesn’t matter how much we’re liked, we’re not affordable.
And along the same lines, sales professionals are the simplest employees' to evaluate because their productivity’s easily measured and at the end of each period, be it weeks, months, quarters, years or whatever, goals have either been reached or not.
In that regard, when it comes to failure to meet goals, another business tenet kicks in, whereby poor performers are simply replaced. And that too, has nothing to do with anything personal, but merely reflects the fact that if the problem’s not fixed, there won’t be a business left at all.
Now, to me the preceding premises are precisely true and that’s why most employers follow them in their own way. Because, above all else, an entity's survival is always preeminent. And that brings me to my question for today.
Why is it that politicians can get away with incredible failure by making speeches? And why aren’t they regularly tested against their stated and given objectives? Because if the current administration ran like most businesses must, it would have been forced to close a couple of years ago.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Friday, June 8, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/8/2012
Perusing for news this morning, I found an interesting item in Time Magazine online by Mark Halperin and Elizabeth Dias. Halperin’s their senior political writer.
In their column, the authors report that quite a few things have turned sour for the administration recently, and highlight such events as the recent reelection of Scott Walker in Wisconsin, Bill Clinton’s barbs and so on. But what set me to responding was their opinion of what they call “the media freak show” and especially Matt Drudge’s website about which I’ve copied their writing exactly and pasted it below.
“Stalking that circus' center ring is Matt Drudge, whose caustic website continues to help drive the news cycle with an emphasis on negative, mocking items about Obama and Vice President Joe Biden and their wives. The latest sign of Drudge's potency: Ed Klein, the author of the virulently anti-Obama book The Amateur, was barred from major TV appearances and mostly ignored by the mainstream media, but the book's prominence on Drudge's website propelled it to the No. 1 slot on the New York Times nonfiction list.”
I mention this because I check the Drudge site every day and find it not only to contain substantial amounts of information, but unless I’ve missed it, no real opinion’s or slants from Drudge himself at all. What the site does contain is links to slews of articles on all kinds of timely subjects by authors and writers of every description. Consequently if visitors seek particular opinions they merely have to search and click on writers they choose.
Therefore, I think the Time writers made a slight misjudgment. Because Matt Drudge isn’t the one doing damage to the administration, the administration’s doing the harm to themselves. And the reason there’s so much negative news about them on the site is that they’ve fouled up so much that there’s far more bad news about them than good. So, instead of pointing fingers at the guy who simply provides access to the facts, maybe Time needs to sit down and realize they’re really finding fault with the truth.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
In their column, the authors report that quite a few things have turned sour for the administration recently, and highlight such events as the recent reelection of Scott Walker in Wisconsin, Bill Clinton’s barbs and so on. But what set me to responding was their opinion of what they call “the media freak show” and especially Matt Drudge’s website about which I’ve copied their writing exactly and pasted it below.
“Stalking that circus' center ring is Matt Drudge, whose caustic website continues to help drive the news cycle with an emphasis on negative, mocking items about Obama and Vice President Joe Biden and their wives. The latest sign of Drudge's potency: Ed Klein, the author of the virulently anti-Obama book The Amateur, was barred from major TV appearances and mostly ignored by the mainstream media, but the book's prominence on Drudge's website propelled it to the No. 1 slot on the New York Times nonfiction list.”
I mention this because I check the Drudge site every day and find it not only to contain substantial amounts of information, but unless I’ve missed it, no real opinion’s or slants from Drudge himself at all. What the site does contain is links to slews of articles on all kinds of timely subjects by authors and writers of every description. Consequently if visitors seek particular opinions they merely have to search and click on writers they choose.
Therefore, I think the Time writers made a slight misjudgment. Because Matt Drudge isn’t the one doing damage to the administration, the administration’s doing the harm to themselves. And the reason there’s so much negative news about them on the site is that they’ve fouled up so much that there’s far more bad news about them than good. So, instead of pointing fingers at the guy who simply provides access to the facts, maybe Time needs to sit down and realize they’re really finding fault with the truth.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Thursday, June 7, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/7/2012
It occurred to me this morning that there must be folks in the White House assigned to monitoring world-wide media mention of the incumbent 24/7/365, and to immediately take appropriate steps to counter negative commentary. And if I’m correct, and those folks actually exist, they must now be working super-diligently because their employer’s not only taking hits regularly lately, the derogatives are coming from his closest allies.
In the past few days the most damaging barbs have come from Corey Booker, Mayor of Newark New Jersey, and former president Bill Clinton while just yesterday former Director of the White House United States National Ecomonic Council, Larry Summers, suggested that the soon ending Bush tax cuts be reinstated in view of the economy’s weakness, something the incumbent’s dead set against.
However, going back to my opening thought, in each of the cases where disagreement’s arisen from presidential supporters, these same dissenters have issued retractions or “corrections” within hours of their original statements indicating that obviously some kind of White House damage control’s actually in place. Nonetheless, I believe the first words of the dissenters will stick in the minds of the public, and considerable harm’s being done regardless.
In the meantime, as bad as the management of our nation is at the moment, there are other places where leadership’s incredibly incompetent as well. And today’s example is from France. Because while the European economy is teetering close to the brink and unemployment in Greece reached almost 22%, Francois Hollande, president of France's new socialist government, cut the country’s retirement age to 60 from 62.
Holland cited “social justice” as his rationale, and I can see how such issues are extremely important to him and his compatriots. But I just wonder what these same folks will think when their coffers are totally dry and they not only won’t ever receive the pensions at 60, they’ll all be broke and homeless nationwide quite shortly.
Adios
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/6/2012
Another day, another double-barreled barrage at the incumbent.
That’s it for today folks.
Wisconsin voters soundly defeated the recall effort to unseat Republican Governor, Scott Walker, and Bill Clinton shot another torpedo at the administration.
I believe the gubernatorial vote, however, was more than simply repudiation by voters of Democrat’s desires to reinstate the state’s public union’s collective bargaining powers. I think it was also another strong indication that folks all across the nation are not only fed up with union’s tactics and costs, but have also had enough of Democrat policies, period.
And, as far as Wisconsin itself goes, Governor Walker has increased employment, lowered taxes and has improved the environment for businesses by taking tough stands on the state’s budgets and debt, while reducing government’s size, scope and regulatory involvement. All of which are diametrically opposed to the presidential incumbent’s beliefs and approach. Nonetheless, Walker’s state is proof that his policies work, while the administration can do nothing nationally except pile up almost $16 trillion in debt.
And then we have yesterday’s harpoon from Bill who told, CNBC, Tuesday that Congress should extend all the tax cuts due to expire at the end of the year, including those of his successor, George W. Bush, whereas Clinton believes the nation’s now in a recession. However, his position is completely out of step with the incumbent who’s pushing for their repeal.
Now, in fairness to Bill, his favoring extension wasn’t open-ended, whereas he added, "They will probably have to put everything off until early next year. That's probably the best thing to do right now. But the Republicans don't want to do that unless he agrees to extend the tax cuts permanently, including for upper income people, and I don't think the president should do that." And on tax questions in general he added “It's reasonable to expect top earners to pay more,” while defending the current tax structure, which he said wouldn't look so bad if the economy was doing better.
However, the point is, here’s one more case where he’s had to explain further or restate his original comment which directly conflicts with the incumbent. And that says once more to me that Bill’s no friend of the current administration at all. Nonetheless, I suppose if they were to separate themselves from him at this point, they’d not only look extremely foolish, he’d be free to snipe at them full time from outside. So, I guess they’ve got themselves a state-of-the-art modern Trojan horse.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/5/2012
A while ago, I opined that Bill Clinton had made some remarks that were out of step with the incumbent’s presidential campaign. At the time I suggested that perhaps they were simply slight differences in rhetoric, and would be corrected. But if not, perhaps they signified a concerted plan to undermine the incumbent’s chances for reelection.
Along the same lines, I also noted that I thought Bill was too seasoned a strategist to tip his hand this early and expected he’d wait a while longer to get openly hostile, leaving the incumbent’s flunkies too little time to counterpunch and react.
However, just yesterday Breitbart TV on-line seemed to sense the same hostility I did by posting an article headed, “Clinton Slams Obama: 'I’m the Only Guy Who Gave You Four Surplus Budgets,” in which they say that “Last night in New York City Obama and Clinton held a joint fundraiser. Bill Clinton had to remind everyone of the difference between his presidency and Obama’s.” Then Bill went on say “And, I care about the long term debt of the country a lot. Remember me, I’m the only guy that gave you four surplus budgets out of the eight I sent.”
So, here we have a broadside shot by Bill in a room full of Democrat deep pockets, which I now think can mean only one thing. He truly intends to get even for the end-around usurping of his wife’s presidential campaign and help clear the stage for her next run at the White House.
As for me, however, I just want to reiterate my sensing Bill’s intent considerably ahead of others, and also to add this latest happening to my growing list of folks, groups and organizations who’re are fed up with the incumbent for a whole host of reasons.
And as I’ve been repeating for some time now, if the Republicans are half as good politicians as they believe they are, they should just simply sit back and let the Democrats deconstruct on their own. Because everything the inept, unqualified incumbent does, anywhere, anytime, hurts more than it helps. And with an upset Slick Willy now sniping to boot, the election won’t even be a contest.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Monday, June 4, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/4/2012
Catherine Boyle, a staff writer for CNBC.com, wrote yesterday that in an address at the Festival of Economics in Trento, Italy, George Soros warned the attendees about the Euro saying “We are at an inflection point. After the expiration of the three months’ window, the markets will continue to demand more but the authorities will not be able to meet their demands.”
He then argued that the focus on austerity instead of growth had been a mistake by the European authorities, saying, “The authorities didn’t understand the nature of the euro crisis; they thought it was a fiscal problem, while it is more of a banking problem and a problem of competitiveness. And they applied the wrong remedy: You cannot reduce the debt burden by shrinking the economy -- only by growing your way out of it.”
His comments struck me because as I recall, he and the organization, moveon.org, which he’s purportedly closely tied to, were intensely involved in helping achieve the election of the current U.S. presidential incumbent. And if nothing else that incumbent is fiercely anti-business, anti-growth, and anti-anything else that furthers capitalism.
S o it seems to me that Mr. Soros isn’t too consistent in his beliefs or suggestions, but instead simply looks for opportunities to serve himself and his personal interests. And although I’ve no idea of how he plans to profit from steering Europe toward growth, I do recollect his Brazilian oil interests gaining from his electioneering efforts here in the states.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
He then argued that the focus on austerity instead of growth had been a mistake by the European authorities, saying, “The authorities didn’t understand the nature of the euro crisis; they thought it was a fiscal problem, while it is more of a banking problem and a problem of competitiveness. And they applied the wrong remedy: You cannot reduce the debt burden by shrinking the economy -- only by growing your way out of it.”
His comments struck me because as I recall, he and the organization, moveon.org, which he’s purportedly closely tied to, were intensely involved in helping achieve the election of the current U.S. presidential incumbent. And if nothing else that incumbent is fiercely anti-business, anti-growth, and anti-anything else that furthers capitalism.
That’s it for today folks.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/3/2012
This morning I caught a few minutes of an interview with Bill Gates from the 92nd Street ‘Y” in Manhattan which interested me for two reasons. First and foremost, I grew up around the corner from the place and spent significant time there; playing basketball, swimming and diving in the huge indoor pool, bowling on their lanes and shooting hours of billiards. And reason number two is because of what Bill had to say.
Adios
Although the focus of the conversation was centered on his charitable work and discussion of his travels around the globe trying to provide help in many places where needed, he supplemented his comments with references to his business experience. And that’s the part that struck me especially.
Because although I believe his politics run to the Democrat side -although my research shows that through 2011 his contributions run just about even between both major parties (Democrat 54.51%, Republican 45.49%)- he made one extremely interesting observation which I think puts all politicos in their place.
He opined that the best thing young people can do for themselves career-wise is to pursue something they love to do, concentrating most on developing the required skills and focusing less on income. And in that way, as they grow into their professions they’ll have a better chance at success, financial and otherwise, than by dwelling on dollars in the first place. In fact, in mentioning Microsoft he said that early on his major concern was developing software and making payroll, and he never imagined his eventual results.
And in that regard, although he never really dwelled on politics nor government at all, I think he made it more than clear that business and the economy overall are driven by people and their accomplishments, not the other way around. And considering that he’s personally in far better financial shape than a nation carrying fifteen trillion in debt, I think perhaps the administration ought to follow his advice, back off and simply leave folks alone. Because it’s quite obvious that business-wise, government simply doesn’t know what it’s doing, never has and never will.
That’s it for today folks.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/2/2012
Another miserable jobs report was released yesterday. This one, for May, surprised many, including the administration, showing the smallest increase in a year, while estimates for the two previous months were also lowered.
I mention this because the president was out making speeches somewhere as usual and naturally blamed Congress for the unemployment problem. And although I’ve not researched all of his remarks, I’m sure he must have blamed “W” too, which brings me to my point.
As a result, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 274.88 points, or 2.2%. Investors switched to U.S. Treasury bonds instead, pushing down yields to the lowest level ever, finishing at 1.467%.
I mention this because the president was out making speeches somewhere as usual and naturally blamed Congress for the unemployment problem. And although I’ve not researched all of his remarks, I’m sure he must have blamed “W” too, which brings me to my point.
I recollect writing this in the past, but I think it’s worth noting again that the incumbent’s continual avoidance of taking blame for the economic problems he’s caused remind me of the young lad who shot both his parents and then begged for the mercy of the court because he was an orphan.
However, without listing a page of regulations, penalties and roadblocks he’s inflicted on the business community since day one of his term in office, I’m quite sure that most voters are well aware of who’s responsible for the morass the nation’s in.
But, what I truly don’t understand is how anyone, politician or not, can sit back and watch the disintegration of the world’s greatest economy and not change an iota, although his ideas have proven wrong every step of the way. And what’s more confusing than even that is trying to figure out what he could possibly gain when the nation’s back is broken completely
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
Friday, June 1, 2012
BloggeRhythms 6/1/2012
I was never a Bill Clinton fan at all and always believed whatever success he had as president resulted from a Republican congress that kept him in check, and Allen Greenspan’s fiscal management at the Fed. But, nonetheless, many folks believe he’s a consummate, very astute politician.
Therefore, that brings me to something Bill said yesterday regarding Milt Romney’s qualifications to become POTUS. Because according to Byron Tau of Politico on-line, Bill said, “I don't think that we ought to get into the position where we say 'This is bad work. This is good work.' The man who has been governor and had a sterling business career crosses the qualification threshold."
And that’s what led me to the natural conclusion that maybe he really is doing it all for Hillary, unless of course he instead intends to endorse Monica Lewinsky.
And I mention him in that regard today because several weeks ago I told my wife that I’d read some comments he’d made that weren’t exactly in line with the spin emanating from the White House. And back then, tongue in cheek, I suggested that perhaps he sensed presidential blood in the water, and some kind of opportunity for Hillary in the event that the incumbent implodes before next November.
Well now it’s a few weeks later, and it seems that every time the incumbent opens his mouth he alienates another group of former supporters, keeps losing ground, and at times seems completely out of touch with reality. And in view of the incumbent’s continuing self-destruction I thought I’d put my thoughts about Bill on paper now on the admittedly quite remote chance I’m right about Bill’s opportunism regarding his wife.
Therefore, that brings me to something Bill said yesterday regarding Milt Romney’s qualifications to become POTUS. Because according to Byron Tau of Politico on-line, Bill said, “I don't think that we ought to get into the position where we say 'This is bad work. This is good work.' The man who has been governor and had a sterling business career crosses the qualification threshold."
So, in contradiction to a White House that’s conducting a slash and burn campaign and slinging as much mud as they can find or create against their rival, here we have Bill Clinton taking a higher road and moving away from the crowd. And since he’s never done anything except serve himself in the past, I think perhaps this is an indication of more campaign alienation to come in the future which I’m sure he certainly doesn’t intend to waste.
And that’s what led me to the natural conclusion that maybe he really is doing it all for Hillary, unless of course he instead intends to endorse Monica Lewinsky.
That’s it for today folks.
Adios
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