GDP shrinks 1% in Q1

[silvrsvt]

While the Stock Market breaks through 17000 at the same time that the Moslem Socialist Kenyan resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, who you going to give the credit to, Mitt Romney? Idiot!

 

 

The Stock market could be artificially inflated because of lack of interest rates or people pumping it up to dump it at some point because all other options out there are exhausted to "make" money.

[akirby]

BHO is simply a (boy) in a Mans game, huh? No racial undertone meant, huh? Just asking.... Feel the same way about the Cowboy from Crawford TX or Dr Strangelove, his VP from WY? What else do you want to blame him for, Global Warming? Oh, I almost forgot, it does`nt exist, another "Lib" conspiracy theory. While the Stock Market breaks through 17000 at the same time that the Moslem Socialist Kenyan resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, who you going to give the credit to, Mitt Romney? Idiot!

 

Nothing racial about it so let's not go there.

[Imawhosure]

BHO is simply a (boy) in a Mans game, huh? No racial undertone meant, huh? Just asking.... Feel the same way about the Cowboy from Crawford TX or Dr Strangelove, his VP from WY? What else do you want to blame him for, Global Warming? Oh, I almost forgot, it does`nt exist, another "Lib" conspiracy theory. While the Stock Market breaks through 17000 at the same time that the Moslem Socialist Kenyan resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, who you going to give the credit to, Mitt Romney? Idiot!

I will remind you that progressives insist it is just republicans who make the rich, richer on Wall Street. Nothing could be further from the truth, because both partys get their warchests from very rich people. In fact, you don't acquire over a billion dollars to run for President, by people like you and I sending in 100 bucks to our party of choice.

 

Do you, or anyone on here actually think, that we being situated in the middle income percentile vote for republican ideas because we like the rich better than the poor? That would be ridiculous! We vote for where we believe jobs are going to come from, and for people who will support the policies that will make this happen. We want MORE people on our side, so we want them working; so when the government comes to take more of what they earn, they say "no, oh heck no." Giving people something for doing absolutely nothing, is exactly how to destroy a country.

 

And secondly---------> why would anyone believe what this guy tells them now? He has not only mislead the opposition, he has mislead his own constituents. I mean, let us be real here-------------->with all their computers, wisdom, brilliance, and past knowledge........they bring in a number like -.9, only to be revised to -2.9!

 

Geeze, Arizona and New Mexico, along with Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and every other Southern state must have had really cold, cold, weather; but how can you even attempt to say that, as it kinda doesn't fit into the global warming narrative either.

 

You know what, go ahead and believe what you believe, this is America, so it takes all kinds to make her work. If after 5yrs you can't see the forest through the trees as things are in total malaise compared to what they should be, then you are honestly grounded in your beliefs that have failed, but I still wish you well.

[fmccap]

BHO is simply a (boy) in a Mans game, huh? No racial undertone meant, huh? Just asking.... Feel the same way about the Cowboy from Crawford TX or Dr Strangelove, his VP from WY? What else do you want to blame him for, Global Warming? Oh, I almost forgot, it does`nt exist, another "Lib" conspiracy theory. While the Stock Market breaks through 17000 at the same time that the Moslem Socialist Kenyan resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, who you going to give the credit to, Mitt Romney? Idiot!

Bush and Cheney were garbage also.

 

You can blame him for promoting the junk science of global warming. It was all over the news that July 2012 was the warmest month ever on record. Now you barely hear a peep that NOAA has taken that back and reinstated July 1936 back as the record.

 

Do you expect the stock market to go down when they keep devaluing the money? It's going to rise just like everything else does. Moving forward from the point we are in it will rise for every future president under the current system and continually faster as the game goes on till it ends. Idiot!

[NickF1011]

 

 

The Stock market could be artificially inflated because of lack of interest rates or people pumping it up to dump it at some point because all other options out there are exhausted to "make" money.

 

Add in that companies are reluctant to spend any capital due to the unstable economy so their profits have been extraordinarily good, which pleases investors.

[phil1336]

 

 

The Stock market could be artificially inflated because of lack of interest rates or people pumping it up to dump it at some point because all other options out there are exhausted to "make" money.

Right, with the income disparity now overtaking the Nation, those Minimum Wage Workers getting $7.94@ hr have the funds and liquidity to either stash their money in the Bank to collect .025% Interest or give to their Financial Advisors to purchase Mutual Funds or Individual Stocks, huh?

[phil1336]

 

Add in that companies are reluctant to spend any capital due to the unstable economy so their profits have been extraordinarily good, which pleases investors.

Unstable economy due to what? Income Disparity and minimum wage non-union service sector jobs. You expect to cut "entitlements" such as Food Stamps & Unemployment Insurance when the fast majority of Americans lucky enough to be employed are working 2 Part-Time Jobs? Funny, both Costco & Ikea pay starting Wages w/benefits of between $12 & $14@ Hour and the are still profitable and (still) hiring. Guess they aren`t listening to the US Chambers of Commerce and the Billionaire Koch Brothers that raising minimum hourly wages is (bad) for Business and a Job killer.

[phil1336]

 

Nothing racial about it so let's not go there.

If you say so Kirby. Referring to Obama as a "Boy" has no (racial) connotation, agreed. After all, he is only 50% Africa/Kenyan Americans and the 50% from his White Mid-Western Mothers side of the Family, understood!

[phil1336]

I will remind you that progressives insist it is just republicans who make the rich, richer on Wall Street. Nothing could be further from the truth, because both partys get their warchests from very rich people. In fact, you don't acquire over a billion dollars to run for President, by people like you and I sending in 100 bucks to our party of choice.

 

Do you, or anyone on here actually think, that we being situated in the middle income percentile vote for republican ideas because we like the rich better than the poor? That would be ridiculous! We vote for where we believe jobs are going to come from, and for people who will support the policies that will make this happen. We want MORE people on our side, so we want them working; so when the government comes to take more of what they earn, they say "no, oh heck no." Giving people something for doing absolutely nothing, is exactly how to destroy a country.

 

And secondly---------> why would anyone believe what this guy tells them now? He has not only mislead the opposition, he has mislead his own constituents. I mean, let us be real here-------------->with all their computers, wisdom, brilliance, and past knowledge........they bring in a number like -.9, only to be revised to -2.9!

 

Geeze, Arizona and New Mexico, along with Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and every other Southern state must have had really cold, cold, weather; but how can you even attempt to say that, as it kinda doesn't fit into the global warming narrative either.

 

You know what, go ahead and believe what you believe, this is America, so it takes all kinds to make her work. If after 5yrs you can't see the forest through the trees as things are in total malaise compared to what they should be, then you are honestly grounded in your beliefs that have failed, but I still wish you well.

On the matter of wealthy Democrats doing as well as prospering Republicans, no argument with me. On the matter of Global warming, the disappearing Polar Ice Caps, the rising Sea level, really? Norfolk VA and its Shipyards will soon have to be abandoned due to repeated worsening flooding? Coastal parts of South FL are seeing constant coastal flooding and beach erosion. Man made? C02 induced? Cyclical? Its happening. True, large emitters of Carbon, China & India must reduce their output as well but only the World is Flat Society is part of the 2% that deny that Global Warming is not real but a myth. Don`t confuse Big Foot with Science. Leave that to Religion and Faith based Belief!

Edited July 1, 2014 by phil1336

[NickF1011]

If you say so Kirby. Referring to Obama as a "Boy" has no (racial) connotation, agreed. After all, he is only 50% Africa/Kenyan Americans and the 50% from his White Mid-Western Mothers side of the Family, understood!

 

In the context it was stated, it was obviously referring to him NOT being a MAN. You know, a grown up BOY. Stop looking for racism where it clearly doesn't exist.

[CurtisH]

. . . On the matter of Global warming, the disappearing Polar Ice Caps, the rising Sea level, really? Norfolk VA and its Shipyards will soon have to be abandoned due to repeated worsening flooding? Coastal parts of South FL are seeing constant coastal flooding and beach erosion. Man made? C02 induced? Cyclical? Its happening. True, large emitters of Carbon, China & India must reduce their output as well but only the World is Flat Society is part of the 2% that deny that Global Warming is not real but a myth. Don`t confuse Big Foot with Science. Leave that to Religion and Faith based Belief!

Few people argue that there is no climate change. Climate change has been going on for as long as the earth has been around. Man made? That's the real question. Most data indicates that, historically, CO2 increases have occurred after temperature increases. If so, then CO2 isn't a driving force regarding increased temperatures. Now, we all know that our climate isn't that simple. Some of us would like to see reasonable efforts expended on improving our carbon footprint. Costly draconian measures that may not have any real impact on the climate are what we object to. And those costly methods probably wouldn't help the GDP.

Edited July 1, 2014 by CurtisH

[Edstock]

From POLITICO

 

 

Memo: From Nick Hanauer

To: My Fellow Zillionaires

You probably don’t know me, but like you I am one of those .01%ers, a proud and unapologetic capitalist. I have founded, co-founded and funded more than 30 companies across a range of industries—from itsy-bitsy ones like the night club I started in my 20s to giant ones like Amazon.com, for which I was the first nonfamily investor. Then I founded aQuantive, an Internet advertising company that was sold to Microsoft in 2007 for $6.4 billion. In cash. My friends and I own a bank.

 

• • •

 

I’m not the smartest guy you’ve ever met, or the hardest-working. I was a mediocre student. I’m not technical at all—I can’t write a word of code. What sets me apart, I think, is a tolerance for risk and an intuition about what will happen in the future. Seeing where things are headed is the essence of entrepreneurship. And what do I see in our future now?

I see pitchforks.

[phil1336]

From POLITICO

 

 

Memo: From Nick Hanauer

To: My Fellow Zillionaires

 

You probably don’t know me, but like you I am one of those .01%ers, a proud and unapologetic capitalist. I have founded, co-founded and funded more than 30 companies across a range of industries—from itsy-bitsy ones like the night club I started in my 20s to giant ones like Amazon.com, for which I was the first nonfamily investor. Then I founded aQuantive, an Internet advertising company that was sold to Microsoft in 2007 for $6.4 billion. In cash. My friends and I own a bank.

 

• • •

 

I’m not the smartest guy you’ve ever met, or the hardest-working. I was a mediocre student. I’m not technical at all—I can’t write a word of code. What sets me apart, I think, is a tolerance for risk and an intuition about what will happen in the future. Seeing where things are headed is the essence of entrepreneurship. And what do I see in our future now?

 

I see pitchforks.

Other then France`s former Queen Marie Antoinette, who could have stated your position better. Simply keep repeating the virtues of unbridled Capitalism and Greed enough times to former MIddle Class Americans that have forever been pushed into the new "Caste System" of America`s Working Poor. Lets see......"Antoinette" telling her starving Peasants who had no Bread to eat to instead, eat Cake! Remember how that turned out for them? Income disparity brought to extremes usually ends up causing an extreme push back thats not very pleasant for anyone.

[RangerM]

If I owe someone an apology for working hard and being moderately successful, OR if I am supposed to envy the Amazon guy, I want to know why.

[akirby]

What seems to be lost in the liberals vs. conservatives extremist viewpoints is that neither policy seems to be working. I agree that trickle down economics doesn't work, but neither does using taxes in an attempt to redistribute income or thinking big government and big spending will improve the economy.

 

The Republicans need to get off the trickle down bandwagon. Stop giving corporations big breaks that don't guarantee job growth.

 

The Democrats need to stop throwing my money at businesses that have no real hope of succeeding just because it makes them feel good.

 

They both need to cut way way back on government spending but neither side seems willing to do that.

 

 

You can't force income equality. What we should be doing is encouraging businesses to grow and employ more people, so give them tax breaks for that. Lower the cost and hassle of doing business in the U.S. and more companies will do it. Give tax breaks and subsidies to companies that expand and actually create jobs, not just to companies that will pocket the difference.

 

I'm mixed on raising the minimum wage. If you price some jobs too high then employers will either automate the jobs because it's cheaper or simply exit the business. It will definitely cause prices to go up on food and other services that employ a lot of minimum wage workers. OTOH it might encourage more deadbeats to actually get a job.

 

The problem with Seattle is that a lot of businesses that would otherwise have gone downtown will simply move to the suburbs to avoid the $15 min wage. You can't force a company to do business in a certain location and you can't tax a business because it gets passed to the consumers either way.

 

I don't have all the answers but I know what's not working is what both parties have been doing the last 30 years.

[RangerM]

Perhaps we could look at the reasons that direct foreign investment in France has dropped by 94% in the last decade and go from there?

 

 

.........Foreign direct investment in the French economy has dropped by 94% over the last decade, to less than $5 billion in 2013 from an average of $84 billion a year in 2005-07.

That's according to a new report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. The $5 billion figure, as Matthew Slaughter of Dartmouth College and Matthew Rees point out in their latest weekly briefing, places France near the bottom of the member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The news comes amid high unemployment (France's jobless rate hovers intractably above 10%) and nonexistent to negligible growth (the country's statistical bureau projects the French economy will expand by a mere 0.7% in 2014). One in four French youth are unemployed, and many of the country's best and brightest are more likely to be found working in London, New York or Silicon Valley rather than in Paris.

Perhaps the strangest aspect of France's economic self-destruction is that it is often coupled with pro-growth rhetoric from the political class. That includes President Francois Hollande, who in February vowed to make France "simple," meaning easy to do business with. Even Mr. Montebourg occasionally strikes pro-growth notes, telling French tech entrepreneurs in June: "We need to build bridges with California. We shouldn't oppose it."

The trouble is that foreign businesses can see reality through the rhetoric. From manufacturers such as Titan International, the tire maker whose outspoken CEO Maurice Taylor last year aborted plans to buy a French factory because of uncompetitive labor rules, to tech companies such as Yahoo which last year saw its bid for French startup Dailymotion blocked by Mr. Montebourg, investors have good reason to doubt the French government's assurances.

Mr. Hollande still has a chance to fulfill his pledge to make France more investor-friendly and reverse his country's course. But that won't happen so long as the Socialists cling to anti-business resentment and the nostalgia-nomics of the 1930s.

[Edstock]

If I owe someone an apology for working hard and being moderately successful, OR if I am supposed to envy the Amazon guy, I want to know why.

 

You just don't get it, you really, really don't. That article had nothing to do with either owing someone an apology or envying a billionaire. Try re-reading it.

 

The author is wondering about the ongoing stability and prosperity of American society as a whole.

 

But when you automatically knee-jerk, well, it sure beats thinking don't it? Save time and energy — and comprehension.

[Edstock]

LeftLane News:

 

Daimler to launch autonomous trucks by 2025

 

Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz cars, is aiming to have a self-driving truck on the market by 2025.

Daimler unveiled what it calls Mercedes-Benz Future Truck 2025 this week, signaling the future of the transportation industry. Like some of Mercedes' passenger cars, the prototype big rig is capable of driving itself at speeds up to 55mph.

 

 

Breaker breaker, this here's the Rubber Duck, we got us a Robo-convoy!

So, let's say it takes that long (11 years) — bye-bye driving jobs . . .

 

 

Rubber Duck hood ornament on "Convoy" Mack RS700L at Museum of Transportation - St. Louis, MO

[RangerM]

 

You just don't get it, you really, really don't. That article had nothing to do with either owing someone an apology or envying a billionaire. Try re-reading it.

 

The author is wondering about the ongoing stability and prosperity of American society as a whole.

 

But when you automatically knee-jerk, well, it sure beats thinking don't it? Save time and energy — and comprehension.

Actually, I "get it" quite well.

 

"Income disparity" will never.....repeat---NEVER......get better. Reason? Zero never moves, and you could double the salary (or taxes) of everyone in the country, and income disparity only gets worse.

 

We live in a society where stupid (or just plain ignorant) people are easily manipulated. I don't worry about stability OR prosperity of society at all. The simplest reason is the type of persons the author is trying to describe would have trouble purchasing a pitchfork at a Home Depot without the price tag telling them what it is. That pretty much insures MY prosperity.

 

And the type of people who depend on that ignorance (to remain in power) require the glue of perpetual outrage for stability.

 

Income disparity, Hobby Lobby, gay marriage, Obamacare, illegal immigrants......etc.....etc.....etc.

 

I may have my political issues, but I never let any get in my way.

[Imawhosure]

I agree almost 100% with what Akirby has stated. There is a sweet spot that needs to be hit between the 2philosophies, and we have obviously gone to far to the left to be near enough to the sweet spot to grow. That doesn't mean we need go back to where we were 40 years ago, it just means we have over shot our target.

 

Also, on income disparity. REAL WORLD AMERICA------------> does allowing uneducated illegal immigrants into the country, improve, or continue fostering the the problem?

 

Once you understand the answer to that question; it becomes apparent that this supposed crisis is being created so that the person creating it can impose a political solution of his choosing. It would be laughable; were it not so sad, that Americans aree being arrested for protesting this policy on the border, while the ILLEGALS are being bused in, and not arrested.

 

Doesn't anyone see this as a very large danger sign for our civil liberties?

Edited July 6, 2014 by Imawhosure

[phil1336]

Blaming the woes of America at the feet of illegals that will do the work and perform the necessary Jobs that Blonde Haired Blue Eyed Americans won`t do is just throwing out another hate target and baiting the issue with a worn out Red Herring. Until you are willing to pay $25 to get your Car Washed or buy Tomato`s for $5 @ piece or purchase a Head of Lettuce for $7.50, at that point you can send the Mexicans and other Latino`s packing. With Slavery thankfully (behind us) for the most part, who else will do these terrible jobs? The build up of tens of thousands of Children at our TX and CA Border is just because they are fleeing their homeland because of the (lack) of civil liberties. America has no problem starting Wars to "democratize" the World and help keep our Military Industrial Complex well oiled with Profits but we are a bit more reluctant to offer safe haven here on our shores to those seeking a better life and running from oppressive regimes in their native land.

[grbeck]

Blaming the woes of America at the feet of illegals that will do the work and perform the necessary Jobs that Blonde Haired Blue Eyed Americans won`t do is just throwing out another hate target and baiting the issue with a worn out Red Herring. Until you are willing to pay $25 to get your Car Washed or buy Tomato`s for $5 @ piece or purchase a Head of Lettuce for $7.50, at that point you can send the Mexicans and other Latino`s packing. With Slavery thankfully (behind us) for the most part, who else will do these terrible jobs?

Soooo....

 

We must allow illegal immigrants to enter the country, as their presence keeps the wages of certain jobs low by increasing the supply of labor (so far, so good - we understand Econ 101). Failure to do so will increase the wages of those jobs which, in turn, will increase the price of goods and services directly connected to those jobs. The higher prices for these goods and services will result in a lower standard of living for the purchasers those goods and services.

 

But....

 

Increasing the minimum wage for those same jobs will not also increase the associated prices of goods and services. Business owners will miraculously eat the higher costs, or consumers will pay the higher prices without complaining, and the higher prices will in no way impact their standard of living or amount of income that can be spent on other things.

 

You might want to get your stories straight here...

 

Also, when people are desperate for money, you'd be amazed at the jobs they will do.

 

But if you can live off your girlfriend's (or girlfriends') SNAP, TANF and Section 8 benefits, why bother?

 

The build up of tens of thousands of Children at our TX and CA Border is just because they are fleeing their homeland because of the (lack) of civil liberties. America has no problem starting Wars to "democratize" the World and help keep our Military Industrial Complex well oiled with Profits but we are a bit more reluctant to offer safe haven here on our shores to those seeking a better life and running from oppressive regimes in their native land.

Governments in those countries have been quite adept at denying their citizens basic rights without U.S. help.

 

Unless you are advocating a military intervention to bring about democracy to those countries. The last time I checked, we recently tried that in two other countries, located far away (help me to remember the names of those countries...what are they?) and lots of people on the left were up in arms over that effort. Some of those people were posters on this very site (including one who seems to have disappeared), and were adamantly against it.

 

Or is it all okay when the letter behind the name of the person occupying the Oval Office is a "D" instead of an "R"?

Edited July 8, 2014 by grbeck

[phil1336]

I have mutual contempt for (both) Political Parties, be they R or D. This Nation as been run by Lobbyists for many decades now. Curiously, we don`t disagree much on my premise. Being a Vietnam era veteran, and one who was "Drafted" against my will, there has (not) been a declared War that needed to be fought since WW2. America seldom gets involved in "conflicts" unless there is something that can financially benefit the upper 2%ers. We have been close friends and allies to many Despots and Dictators just as long as they saw things (our way). Saddam Hussein if you recall was (our) Friend and Ally when we had our Hostage situation with Iran. Say what you want, remove all those "entitlement" programs you listed, you will (not) see the typical Caucasian American working those fields and picking those crops, including I might add either yourself or my damn self!

[akirby]

The only part I would disagree with is that going after Saddam was a financial decision. I believe that there was a real threat of terrorism to the U.S. either directly from Saddam or indirectly through Saddam supported Al Qaeda camps.

 

If you were president and terrorists had just killed thousands of people with a terrorist attack on US soil, would you sit back and let Saddam continue to operate the way he was operating and HOPE that another attack didn't happen? A leader who had already used WMDs on his own people and defied inspectors? Not me.

 

Did it financially benefit Halliburton? Sure. But I contend that Halliburton would have been involved regardless of which party was in power because they have the best resources readily available for such an action.

[grbeck]

We have been close friends and allies to many Despots and Dictators just as long as they saw things (our way). Saddam Hussein if you recall was (our) Friend and Ally when we had our Hostage situation with Iran.

Countries change alliances all the time. In the 1980s, compared to Iran, Hussein seemed reasonable. Unless I missed the time his government instigated the takeover of our embassy in Baghdad.

 

 

Say what you want, remove all those "entitlement" programs you listed, you will (not) see the typical Caucasian American working those fields and picking those crops, including I might add either yourself or my damn self!

Hispanics are, in fact, Caucasians. Even the ones that work in fields. And, in the 1930s, plenty of non-Hispanic Caucasians worked in the fields. Not all share-croppers in the South, for example, were African-Americans.

Edited July 8, 2014 by grbeck