BloggeRhythms

In what should be no surprise to any of those in the business world: “The U.S. economy sputtered in the first quarter, expanding at the slowest pace in two years as business slashed investment by the steepest amount since the Great Recession.” As reported by Jeffry Bartash @marketwatch.com.

The GDP slowed to a 0.5% annual growth rate in the first three months of 2016, the government said Thursday, after rises of 1.4%, 2% and 3.9% in the prior three quarters.

After overstocking last summer, companies have slowed production to get inventories back in line. Inventory value “rose by just $60.9 billion in the first quarter, the smallest amount in two years, according to the government’s preliminary estimate of GDP.” 

Many economists doubt business investment will show much strength in 2016, due to a “tepid global economic scene and a tumultuous U.S. presidential election marked by heavy anti-corporate rhetoric appearing to have made business executives more cautious.” 

While consumers boosted spending by a modest 1.9%, “much of the increase was on utilities and health care.” However: “Outlays on big-ticket items such as new cars, TVs and appliances, known as durable goods, fell 1.6%.” 

And then the report revealed the continuing symptom of an economy that is both, anti-business and consumer unfriendly, as follows: “Instead of splurging, consumers increased their rate of savings instead to 5.2% from 5% at the end of 2015.” And that’s because, as has been seen in the administration’s continual war against keeping the price of oil in a readily affordable range, prices are creeping up again steadily. Soon to wipe out whatever customers have saved that might have been spent on other economy-stimulating alternatives.  

Additionally, one more thing to be watchful for: While inflation as measured by the Federal Reserve’s preferred PCE index rose at only a 0.3% annual rate in the first quarter, “the core rate that excludes food and energy climbed 2.1%, up from 1.3% in the prior quarter. That pickup in core inflation could move the Fed closer to its next interest-rate hike later in the year.” 

Then, on another subject, hypocrisy has once again reached the n'th degree in regard to the double-standards applied by the current administration.   

Paul Bedard @washingtonexaminer.com, reports: “The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in 2015 decided not to deport but release 19,723 criminal illegal immigrants, including 208 convicted of murder, over 900 convicted of sex crimes and 12,307 of drunk driving, according to new government numbers. 

“Overall, those released into virtually every state and territory of America had a total of 64,197 convictions among them, for an average of 3.25 convictions each, according to an analysis by the Center for Immigration Studies. ICE also said that the group were convicted of 8,234 violent crimes. 

“The reason: Under President Obama's immigration policy changes, many criminal immigrants are being ignored even though local police and sheriff have urged ICE to take control of criminals in their jails and deport them.” 

At the same time, according to a copy of an agency report obtained by the News4 I-Team: “The U.S. Secret Service plans to raise the height of the White House security fence by 5 feet and add a new concrete foundation to reduce the risk of fence-jumpers. 

“The agency, along with the National Park Service, said it intends to begin building a “taller, stronger” fence to protect the White House. 

“Secret Service and National Park Service plans for the new fence would also include “anti-climb features” to deter fence jumpers. Small spikes, which officials call “pencil points,” were added to the current fence in 2015 after a series of jumpers leapt the fence on to White House grounds.grounds by 2018.” 

So, here we have the administration turning its back on thousands of criminal illegal aliens being released into society unbridled all over the nation, for every day citizens to have to worry about in their neighborhoods. 

Yet, when it comes to the POTUS’s very own home, fences are being raised to be unclimable. Which is even more elitist when one considers he’s almost never “home” anyway, traveling constantly seeking new courses to play. And this is the guy who ran for president because he wanted to help those in the most need of his caring assistance.  

On another issue: Ada Statler-Throckmorton writes @stanforddaily.com, about former House Speaker John Boehner joining David M. Kennedy, faculty director and history professor emeritus, in a talk hosted by Stanford in Government (SIG) and the Stanford Speakers Bureau on Wednesday evening. 

During the interview, “Kennedy asked Boehner to be frank given that the event was not being broadcasted, and the former Speaker responded in kind. When specifically asked his opinions on Ted Cruz, Boehner made a face, drawing laughter from the crowd. 

“Lucifer in the flesh,” the former speaker said. “I have Democrat friends and Republican friends. I get along with almost everyone, but I have never worked with a more miserable son of a bitch in my life.” 

Describing the other Republican candidates as friends, Boehner said he has played golf with Donald Trump for years and that they were “texting buddies.” 

Regarding Kasich, he said he “requires more effort on my behalf than all my other friends … but he’s still my friend, and I love him.” 

While for the most part accepting Trump as the presumptive nominee, he still expressed surprise at the candidate’s success. Although not praising Trump’s policies, Boehner did say he would vote for him if he becomes the nominee. But, he also said he would not vote for Cruz. 

And then, leading right into today’s update on Bill Clinton’s wife, Boehner also speculated about surprises that could come closer to the Democratic National Convention if her emails became a larger scandal. 

“Don’t be shocked … if two weeks before the convention, here comes Joe Biden parachuting in and Barack Obama fanning the flames to make it all happen,” Boehner said.” 

Therefore, whereas when it comes to “inside information” former Speaker Boehner is certainly as well-informed and knowledgeable as one can get, his expectations carry significant weight. And that certainly has to bring up the continuing question once again: Joe Biden, Mayor Bloomberg, Jerry Brown, and Starbuck’s chairman and CEO, Howard Schultz, are you guys reading this?    

That’s it for today folks.    

   

Adios