Weekly jobless numbers add to optimism
“The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits fell to a 3-1/2-year low last week and factory activity in parts of the Northeast gained speed in December, suggesting a further strengthening of the economic recovery.
While other data on Thursday showed industrial output shrank for the first time in seven months in November, much of the decline came from auto production, which analysts said was held back by temporary supply disruptions.
“It looks like we have just hit a clear patch on the road to recovery, where things are going to speed up a little bit,” said Mark Vitner, a senior economist at Wells Fargo Securities in Charlotte, North Carolina.
According to the Labor Department, initial claims for unemployment last week were 366,000, the lowest since May of 2008, before the economy began its cliffdive. (The number is seasonally adjusted to account for the normal holiday hiring.)
According to the Wall Street Journal:
” … surveys of large and small employers also show improving conditions and sentiment. A survey out Tuesday from ManpowerGroup hit its highest reading since 2008, while a report by the National Federation of Independent Business showed small businesses added workers in November after shedding them for five straight months. Labor Department data reflect a steady increase in job openings while consumer polls suggest people are feeling better about the job market.
“If claims can remain at this level, payroll growth will strengthen markedly within a month or so,” said Ian Shepherdson, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics.
That doesn’t mean that things still aren’t tough. They are. I was in the grocery store yesterday and was struck by a conversation I overheard between a man behind the counter and a customer, a seemingly prosperous older woman. It went like this:
Clerk: “How are you doing today, ma’am?”
Woman: “Oh. I’ve been better. Things have certainly been better.”
Clerk: “Well, I’m sorry to hear that. I always try to look at the bright side, ma’am, so maybe things will improve.”
Woman: “Yeah, well, you have a job. Right?”
Clerk: “Uhh, yes ma’am. I guess I do.”
Woman: “I don’t. And my husband was just laid off too, after working for the company for 30 years. So no, I’m not doing so well.”
The depression and sense of resignation in the woman’s voice told you more than her words did. Those of us with jobs or steady income should keep in mind how lucky we are during this holiday season.
– Jay Bookman
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411 comments Add your comment
JohnnyReb
December 15th, 2011
7:12 pm
Mr_B – any thought that I am not concerned for the children would be way off base. However, data shows the breakdown of the two parent family parallels a lot of other undesirable data such as teenage pregnancy, poverty, etc. I had rather see food stamps to a family who needs help to feed their children than feeding dinner to the kid at school. A family eating dinner together, even in front of the TV, is better.
Mr_B
December 15th, 2011
7:13 pm
Uh.. Hard Times…Common Sense forgot to push the satire button….
F. Sinkwich
December 15th, 2011
7:13 pm
Sorry Jm, anyone who would even consider voting for a Marxist euro-socialist like O’bozo loses all credibility.
Anyone who voted or even considered voting for O’bozo shares the blame for what’s happened so far to the greatest country the earth has ever known.
It’s reversible. Vote his a$$ out.
getalife
December 15th, 2011
7:14 pm
More good news.
The sc will debate corporations are people again.
cons,
Your party tried to shut down government eight times so they don’t get any credit for this good news.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 15th, 2011
7:14 pm
Ty– didn’t think you were capable of comprehending the points because they were longer than the bumper stickers you like…but thanks for playing!
Jm
December 15th, 2011
7:16 pm
Paul
Think about this. should the poor guy who inherits 100 KO shares, or a your kid who is just starting out in the working world and gets 100 shares from his new employer, should he have to watch the government eat 20-35% of his stock earnings?
Likewise, why should a large shareholder have to pay a lot in taxes if they own a retail stock but a lot less if they own an energy company stock, after double taxation
The system just makes no damn sense at all
Mr_B
December 15th, 2011
7:16 pm
Reb, I agree with you, but for some of the kids I work with every day it just ain’t gonna happen. I’ve had students who were living in cars or $25 a night hotel rooms, or with whatever friend has room on a ratty sofa.
ty webb
December 15th, 2011
7:17 pm
That’s it, I’m out. I hope about a handful of you guys have a good night…Go Falcons!
Mick
December 15th, 2011
7:17 pm
sink
People like you are a good enough reason to vote obama back in for four more….
AmVet - Read my lips. No new con refudiations.
December 15th, 2011
7:17 pm
Mick, your point at 7:03 is a good one.
How ironic that the freeloading welfare king Rushbo uses the American airwaves and pays zero – as in not one dime – for doing so, all the while lamenting about how others suck off of the government teat.
The public airwaves belong to the American people, and the Federal Communications Commission is supposed to be our trustee.
The American people are the landlords and the radio and TV stations, and the tiny handful of corporate giants that use them are the tenants.
They pay no rent and neither does the Manteats in Black.
So the freeloader gets to use OUR valuable property for free.
Read about how this travesty first started with the Radio Act of 1927.
Welcome to the new America. Where corporate welfare rules.
Mr_B
December 15th, 2011
7:18 pm
Sink uses the word “credibility”?
Oh! The IRONY! It burns!
Jm
December 15th, 2011
7:19 pm
Sinkwich
I accept that I bear blame for his many mistakes
I will be voting Republican unless the GOP nominates a complete idiot
Romney is my preferred option. It goes downhill from there…. Although there are aspects I like about all the candidates
Obama Haters are His Motivators
December 15th, 2011
7:21 pm
Weekly jobless numbers add to optimism.
WINNING
F. Sinkwich
December 15th, 2011
7:22 pm
“How ironic that the freeloading welfare king Rushbo uses the American airwaves and pays zero – as in not one dime – for doing so, all the while lamenting about how others suck off of the government teat.”
Uh, radio stations pay Rush for his show. The stations pay for the spectrum.
AmVet once again shows how stupid he is.
Go figure
Mick
December 15th, 2011
7:23 pm
jm
See, with all your prattle about dems, sinkwich represents the true repub voter base. He can’t get beyond the propaganda that tells him obama is a marxist, socialist, kenyan…thankfully, he resides in a sinking minority….
Doggone/GA
December 15th, 2011
7:23 pm
“Still shifts the burden for funding the feds away from corporations and onto individuals, doesn’t it?”
Welllll…it doesn’t matter who signs the check, ultimately ALL taxes are paid by the retail customer.
AmVet - Read my lips. No new con refudiations.
December 15th, 2011
7:25 pm
Uh, radio stations pay Rush for his show. The stations pay for the spectrum.
But he nor they pay us – the American people. And a semi-literate high school student could figure out that is the point.
You must have been something in the fifth grade though…
F. Sinkwich
December 15th, 2011
7:26 pm
Jm, just go vote for O’bozo. I’m sure all your lib ilk friends on Bookman’s blog here just love your “open-minedness” but you’ve shown your true colors.
barking frog
December 15th, 2011
7:26 pm
the conservative republican base wants to reelect the president.
that is the only logical explanation for supporting Newt versus
Romney. I think they actually like Obamacare and know that
the President is the only candidate that will see that it is not
repealed and he is stopping the wars.
Obama Haters are His Motivators
December 15th, 2011
7:27 pm
@F. Sinkwich December 15th, 2011 7:13 pm – Anyone who would even consider voting for a Marxist euro-socialist like O’bozo loses all credibility.
******************************************************
Who appointed ‘YOU’ as the CREDIBILITY POLICE?
Hater hater Obama’s motivator.
Weekly jobless numbers add to optimism!….Winning!…………
Jm
December 15th, 2011
7:27 pm
Here are the things in Obama’s defense
Health care is was broken and needed fixing (but his solution stinks)
Bank regulation was non existent and needed fixing (they have gone into overkill mode)
The economy did need a stimulus, but a lot less than $800 billion wouldn’t been fine, but I accept it)
Meanwhile, Obama has done nothing on:
Reducing the deficit
Reforming entitlements
Fixing his messed up new entitlement obamacare
Fixing the tax code
Getting government out of the way of biz
The president should wake up every morning asking himself: “how can I make American business more competitive and make America the place to create jobs?”
Every single morning. He doesn’t.
Mr_B
December 15th, 2011
7:28 pm
jm: If I remember right, you’re a Romney guy. In your mind, what would constitute a “complete idiot?” No snark intended; who could the GOP nominate that you wouldn’t vote for.
With respect: B.
Paul
December 15th, 2011
7:28 pm
Jm
“No. All taxes are ultimately paid by individuals one way or the other”
Sounds like a variation of “corporations don’t pay taxes.”
Some costs they pass along. Some they absorb – reduced margins, compensate by getting rid of assets, cut exec pay, all sorts of options.
Anyway, I’m off for a meeting.
Pleasant evening, all -
TaxPayer
December 15th, 2011
7:29 pm
The last I checked, the house Republicans gave Obama his increase in the debt limit all the way out past the election even though they just swore that the old debt limit was gonna destroy US. Then, the house Republicans went and agreed to cuts in the DoD and increased taxes and no cuts in Medicare or Medicaid or Social Security as the defaults for the deficit reduction negotiations just in case they decided to continue to do nothing. Good job, Grover Republicans.
Paul
December 15th, 2011
7:30 pm
Jm
HEY! “. All taxes are ultimately paid by individuals one way or the other””
Which means, no matter the rate, it doesn’t matter to corporations because they end up passing them on to individuals, right?
So the rate can be 25% or 99% and they just get paid by individuals, right?”
Later -
Mick
December 15th, 2011
7:32 pm
jm
You forget one important factor here, the economy went bust in sept. 08, people don’t have an avenue of money to tap into. No more equity lines of credit, credit card companies pulling back on credit lines. If business makes it, who’s going to buy it? This is a slow, painful recovery process. Even your hero romney does not have a magic wand to undo this, it will take some more time. At least the trends look promising, for now……
josef
December 15th, 2011
7:33 pm
Johnny
“josef – my concern and perception is, a lot of the kids come from homes where parental responsibility is not what it needs to be. Shifting one more responsibility to the state seems like the wrong direction.”
While I agree with much of what you are saying, being treated by and large by many as a “baby sitter,” at the end of the day, I will put the kids first and foremost, and they should not be punished for the sins of the fathers…
And, yes, we did talk about your Mom and her work with our children…and I’m sure she told you just how many “extra helpings” she put on certain plates…I hold those women in the cafeteria in the highest regard…
HARD TIMES
You don’t have much of a comprehension of sarcasm, do you…
and MY Republican candidates…are you new here?
Jm
December 15th, 2011
7:34 pm
Mr b
Perry comes across as an idiot. Even though he’s not a complete idiot
Bachmann makes me nervous even though I think she’s a very good person
Ron Paul is a nut. Admirable but a nut. In particular on the gold standard
Jm
December 15th, 2011
7:37 pm
Mick I agree that time is the biggest helper
But Obama can help or hinder the process
He has been hindering it for a while now (since day 1)
Overzealous belief in the ability of government and regulation to fix things
Mr_B
December 15th, 2011
7:37 pm
jm: So that leaves Newt, Santorum, Huntsman, Johnson?
Mick
December 15th, 2011
7:39 pm
jm
I think it would be more appropriate to say that congress can help or hinder the process, and we all know how that goes these days….
Mr_B
December 15th, 2011
7:39 pm
“Overzealous belief in the ability of government and regulation to fix things” and yet every day we hear complaints that Obama hasn’t fixed this or that yet.
AmVet - Read my lips. No new con refudiations.
December 15th, 2011
7:39 pm
Just in case anyone is even remotely inclined to believe the nonsense from F…
Some businesses, like cell phone companies, pay the government to use the airwaves (also called “spectrum”). Radio and TV broadcasters, though, use these airwaves free of charge. In return for this generous government handout, broadcasters are required by law to serve the public interest.
The guy obviously knows nothing of what he writes about concerning this matter. Because he has never read the first piece of information regarding it.
But then why should this one be any different than all of the others?
But LOL at his god given talent to step in a big steaming pile of his own ____ with great regularity!
Jm
December 15th, 2011
7:41 pm
Mr b
Yawp
I don’t really consider the low pollers as choices but any of those are ok (not ideal)
Newt has an absurdly large ego
But at this point, if someone just about blew up the government (metaphorically speaking) that’d be fine by me
Jm
December 15th, 2011
7:44 pm
Mr B
Republicans don’t want government to fix things
They want it to get out of the way and get smaller
Which will fix things
Those are not identical concepts
Mr_B
December 15th, 2011
7:45 pm
But at this point, if someone just about blew up the government (metaphorically speaking) that’d be fine by me
Before you go there, I’d check out how well that’s worked out for Somolia.
kayaker 71
December 15th, 2011
7:47 pm
Mr-B,
Govt regulations? Let me help you out a bit.
All in all, about 7 additional regulations proposed by Bozo and the EPA were recently pulled back due to Republicans in the house giving them a thumbs down. Of these were EPA Ozone regulations that have a long term cost of 19-90B over the next ten years, coal industry regulations at a long term cost of 10B, regulations for coal fired power plants at a 1.5B dollar price tag, a regulation that would commit commercial vehicles to additional scrutiny at a cost of 1-2B, .
New business regulations rose to 3573 final rules in 2011, about 10 NEW regulations/wk. According to the Federal Register, the newspaper of regulatory agencies, there are 80,405 pages of present rules and regulations that business must contend with. All in all, there are about 180M pages of binding federal laws and regulations which would take you a lifetime to read. Much of this was started when the Democrats took over power in Congress in 2006 and did not stop until 2010 when the Republicans took over. The average cost to each small business is 161K/yr, some of which is passed on to the consumer. Manufacturing is the hardest hit with average costs ranging about 688K/yr…. small business hosts the majority of the load. Estimated costs per employee…. a whopping $10,585/yr, much of this coming through Bozocare.
How can business survive under this load? Bozo is certainly the enemy of private sector growth. To him, private sector job creation boosts capitalism and to his end, capitalism is the abject enemy of what he is trying to change in this country through his love for government. He has given up on the white working American, according to the NYT. He will concentrate on that part of the electorate including the university academic, the labor unions, those on the dole and those Time magazine People of the Year. That’s all he has left. So don’t tell me that regulation is not smothering business growth. This “upturn” that Bookman is so proud of is not because of Bozo…. it is business surviving despite him.
Jm
December 15th, 2011
7:48 pm
The Government We Deserve
GENE STEUERLE
December 14, 2011
Teddy Roosevelt Redux?
On Tuesday, December 5, President Obama went to Oswatomie, Kansas, where Teddy Roosevelt in 1910 had made one of his most famous speeches. Democrats, the current president would have us think, are following in the tradition of Teddy Roosevelt in pushing for higher taxes on the rich and temporary Social Security tax breaks for the middle class.
This debate over the relationship between government and the rich has been part of every presidential contest for more than a century. But myths and misunderstandings pervade attempts to compare 2012 and 1910 with policy prescriptions in mind. Chief among the myths propagated by both political parties is that, for better or worse, larger and more engaged government has come about through taxing the rich.
In reality, Democrats today can’t solve our nation’s many budgetary woes primarily by taxing the rich, and Republicans risk alienating the middle class when they try to spare the rich from sharing the additional burdens most Americans soon must bear. But neither side is facing the truth head on: a full accounting reveals that the middle class simply can’t be spared.
For perspective, let’s return with President Obama to the Progressive era, stretching roughly from the late 19th century through the early 20th and bestrode by such figures as Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. Early in that period, the federal government was small, spending mainly on the postal service and benefits for Civil War veterans. The tax system was based largely on tariffs and excises on selected products, paid mainly by consumers. Since most income and trade weren’t taxed, receipts couldn’t finance more than a small government.
Meanwhile, the Industrial Revolution boosted the power of industrial barons at home and nation-states abroad. Whatever one’s view on the danger of vesting too much power in government, more was needed to countervail these other forces. And, except during the war years, the initial growth in government was fueled by higher taxes on the rich and on businesses. Ratified by constitutional amendment in 1913, the modern income tax excluded most households and collected more from corporations than individuals for decades. From this initial correlation between larger government and more progressive taxation sprang the myth that the two always go hand in hand.
Fast forward a bit. For the last six decades, government’s growth has been financed not by raising taxes on the rich and business, but by broadening taxes to most of the population. Gradually, most of the middle class has ended up paying income tax, though other offsets have kept income tax revenues from rising much relative to national income. In both the United States and Western Europe after World War II, almost all revenue increases have derived from taxes with relatively flat, not progressive, rates: Social Security taxes here and elsewhere, and value-added taxes in most other countries. Meanwhile, the top rate of income taxation—90 percent or more just after World War II—has been reduced first to 70 percent, then 50 percent, then between 28 and 40 percent. Despite the huge political rift now over where within that 28 to 40 percent range we should end up, many earlier tax cuts were sponsored or supported by both political parties.
Now look at taxes compared to spending today. The federal government is spending about $31,000 per household and collecting $19,000 in taxes—a gap that economic growth by itself barely influences.
Deficits like these are the stuff of economic nightmares. Something—no, a lot of things—must give.
Much of that give has to come from forgone spending, mainly slowing down the growth rate for health care and retirement costs. But spending is distributed more progressively than taxes, so spending cuts would largely hurt the middle class, which from far left to far right claims it shouldn’t be affected at all. The Occupy Wall Street crowd, for instance, asks the “99 percent” only what they should demand from the “1 percent,” while Tea Party supporters largely appeal to middle-class opposition to paying more taxes.
Both political parties face a dilemma. President Obama and the Democrats pretend that if they channel Teddy Roosevelt and go after the rich, all will be well and we can further extend middle-class tax cuts. But, of course, very progressive taxation can’t support modern government—not because the rich can’t pay more, but because most income in the economy resides with that 80 percent of the population that is neither poor nor rich.
Meanwhile, Republicans want to substitute incomplete math with new math. How can they possibly demand a huge amount from the middle class without asking for similar sacrifices from the rich? Even if the red team agrees to cut spending on everyone, the rich wouldn’t feel much of a pinch until they have to pay more taxes since government transfers don’t make up a large portion of their income.
Both political parties are bucking the basic arithmetic that compels shared sacrifice by almost everyone. Let both parties aspire to the leadership qualities they admire in Teddy Roosevelt, but not under the delusion that the problems vexing larger government today are the same as the ones the most famous Rough Rider took on a century ago.
F. Sinkwich
December 15th, 2011
7:48 pm
“Who appointed ‘YOU’ as the CREDIBILITY POLICE?”
Me.
getalife
December 15th, 2011
7:49 pm
Filk,
jm is your ilk.
The final episode of Homeland has a suicide bomber taking out half of government leaders.
The Agent is freaking out so they gave her Atavan.
Atavan will help your ods cons.
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
December 15th, 2011
7:50 pm
Well, all I got to say is, Newt’s zipper ain’t broke. It was on speed dial for many years but now old age done caught up with him and he can afford to be virtuous. Let’s just say that if he was arrested for attempting to jump the bones of a younger woman, he would be arrested for Assault with a Dead Weapon.
Anyhow, we’ll work hard to make sure those jobless numbers jump back up to where they need to be. We can’t afford to have the return of good times while this Obama is in office. With some luck we might could get the jobless rate over 10% before the election. Then if the rate falls we’ll take credit for it for having a Republican President. I hate to root against my own country, but you got to do what you got to do.
Anyhow, it’s time to hit the sack. I got a hard day stocking the stores for all you drunks tomorrow. I want you all lubed up and ready to swap weird music tomorrow night. That’ll be good for you and good for my 401k.
Have a good night everybody.
Mick
December 15th, 2011
7:50 pm
**Republicans don’t want government to fix things
They want it to get out of the way and get smaller**
I’ve got some land in the everglades you might be interested in if you believe that baloney. They sure did a bang up job the last decade of making gov’t smaller? It’s what you want to believe but the facts point elsewhere…
Mr_B
December 15th, 2011
7:52 pm
Precisely HOW will getting smaller help fix things, particulary those things which don’t lend themselves to to market forces? As I mentioned to Paul earlier, I can’t find a single business owner who can point to ONE regulation keeping them from hiring. Too much regulation didn’t create the collapse of the credit markets in ‘08. Why has it become such an article of faith among Republicans that a smaller government is better, just because it is smaller.
I’d hate to apply the same logic to my personal anatomy.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 15th, 2011
7:54 pm
K71, you do realize that many regulations clarify matters set forth in the actual law so that business has certainty in their application or non-application. And while it is “impressive” to talk about the size of all regulations, it certainly is false to claim that that all regulations apply to all businesses.
And yeah, I am telling you that regulation is not smothering business growth.
bman
December 15th, 2011
7:56 pm
I have no doubt things are getting a little better. I believe that it will be a slow growth (very slow) over the next year. The late Jan/Feb economic numbers will be interesting… .. as well as summer.
F. Sinkwich
December 15th, 2011
7:56 pm
“. Radio and TV broadcasters, though, use these airwaves free of charge. In return for this generous government handout, broadcasters are required by law to serve the public interest.”
BS. They are in business to MAKE MONEY (anathema to lib ilks, know).
If Limbaugh couldn’t bring in the listeners he’d be fired in a heartbeat.
I guess AmVet doesn’t understand capitalism, much like his butt-boy O’bozo.
Jm
December 15th, 2011
7:57 pm
Mick
There is the band of greedy corrupt self servers and subsidy selling republican
They are getting fired by the tea party
B
Government needs to get smaller reg wise and more importantly, spending wise
Fannie Freddie entitlements etc
Obama Haters are His Motivators
December 15th, 2011
7:57 pm
@F. Sinkwich December 15th, 2011 7:48 pm – “Who appointed ‘YOU’ as the CREDIBILITY POLICE?”
Me.
***************************************************************************
YOU’RE FIRED:
AmVet - Read my lips. No new con refudiations.
December 15th, 2011
8:00 pm
The credibility police sure doesn’t have any credibility regarding the “spectrum”.
And now rather than acknowledge the stupid and completely fallacious claim that he made just a few minutes ago – The stations pay for the spectrum – what does he do?
His ballerina imitation.
Too funny.
(But he’s one helluva fine American. Just ask him!)
TaxPayer
December 15th, 2011
8:02 pm
I rather enjoy the obvious pain and suffering that F. Sinkwich, kayaker, et al, are being forced to endure at the hands of President Obama. It makes me look forward even more to four more years.
F. Sinkwich
December 15th, 2011
8:04 pm
getalife is a doofus.
He proves it with every ignorant lib ilk post, some more than others.
You lib ilks can have him. He’s a poster child for your intelligence, or lack thereof.
TaxPayer
December 15th, 2011
8:06 pm
Finally, A Rich American Destroys The Fiction That Rich People Create The Jobs.
Not that anyone with a lick of sense actually needed someone to explain it to them so read all about it, Republicans.
Jm
December 15th, 2011
8:07 pm
Ok out for now
TaxPayer
December 15th, 2011
8:09 pm
A record high 50 percent of voters say the current Congress has accomplished less than others in recent memory — that’s more than previous highs of 43 percent in 2006 and 2007.
The Pew Research poll finds that those who say Congress has done less lately are more likely to blame Republicans for the inaction (40 percent) than Democrats (23 percent). Majorities of all adults view the Republican party as more extreme in its positions and less willing to work with the other side, and pluralities now view the Democrats as more honest and ethical and better able to manage the government.
Keep up the good work, Republicans.
josef
December 15th, 2011
8:10 pm
All’s I can say is that if I fail the Stinkwich smell test, I must be doing something right…
USMC
December 15th, 2011
8:12 pm
“Finally, A Rich American Destroys The Fiction That Rich People Create The Jobs.”==Taxpayer
LOL! What a buffoon!
Yeah that’s right, POOR people create all of the jobs in America.
Haven’t you heard of “Trickle UP Economics”???
Taxpayer continues to amuse with her lack of critical thinking skills and intelligence, but she is a great blogger and flame thrower.
F. Sinkwich
December 15th, 2011
8:12 pm
TaxPayer wants to confiscate wealth by the point of a gun so he will feel better about his sorry life and the poor decisions he’s made resulting in his misery.
Typical O’bozo voter.
getalife
December 15th, 2011
8:12 pm
filk,
More good news.
Justice Dept. going after Sheriff Joe.
Your ilk just cost Arizona millions in discrimination lawsuits..
carlosgvv
December 15th, 2011
8:21 pm
Jay, before you get too excited by these numbers, reflect on the question of just what kind of jobs are these? Are most of them good well paying jobs? Or, are most of them little more than minimum wage service jobs? Also, where do these numbers come from? Do they just include those on unemployment insurance or do they include those who have already exausted their benefits?
Midori
December 15th, 2011
8:21 pm
Getalife,
what’s this about Arpaio?
kayaker 71
December 15th, 2011
8:21 pm
So, like Norman Einstein, those of us who continue to postulate about things as they are and things as we wish they would be, are left with conclusions that we all doubt in many ways. We are the tail wagging the dog. We can only speculate as to what will happen in future political decisions that the electorate will make. But, basically, most of us have a an abiding love of country. The flag still makes us stop and take notice and our way of life, with all its warts, is still about the best that we can hope for. Try living out of this country for awhile…. it will put your priorities in order very quickly. This time of year always makes Manheim Steamroller sound a little better… calls to those who matter a little more urgent and whether or not you profess to be a Christian, the myth has it’s moments. All of this comes after one rum and coke too many. But I wish you well my friends… we are all in the same boat rowing for our very lives. May the journey continue for as long as the Old Man allows. At the end, we go out the same way we came in.
bman
December 15th, 2011
8:22 pm
carlos .. .. I was wondering if this also included part-time jobs, too. Any idea?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 15th, 2011
8:22 pm
Trickle up economics? Watch a few episodes of undercover CEO shows where the CEO tries and fails at the jobs performed by the 99%. Have yet to see one where the CEO did not walk away saying they had work to do to improve the company and that the employees had some good ideas or that company policies created problems. Let’s face it. It is the workers that create the product that the company sells that creates the profits for the company, not the accountants and not the CEO’s who are rarely worth what they are paid (with a few notable exceptions). I’d give Trickle up Economics a shot since Trickle Down has been a proven failure.
TaxPayer
December 15th, 2011
8:23 pm
Poor USMC! The poor fella confirms my statement regarding Republican’s inability to figure out the most obvious things on their own and instead pulls the typical lame attempt at shooting the messenger. He sounds like the typical Tea Party tool that just can’t part with his only weapon — his rod.
getalife
December 15th, 2011
8:24 pm
Hi Midori
Justice Dept. charged him on several civil charges.
Mr_B
December 15th, 2011
8:26 pm
Kayaker: and yet in spite of this massive federal intrusion on our patriotic business community, corporate profits are at an all-time high and not one business owner has been able to answer my challange to point out a single Obama regulation that has kept them from hiring a single employee that was needed for their business. How many have you been unable to hire Kayaker? 20? 50? 100?
jm: “Government needs to get smaller reg wise and more importantly, spending wise”
Why? What’s so magic about a small government?( Actually playing devil’s advocate here: I really do agree with you that there are a lot of things we spend money on that are foolish, and some regualations that don’t make sense. I just think that you need to look at each case individually. Line item veto would be a good idea.)
granny godzilla
December 15th, 2011
8:26 pm
of course things are better. you can feel it.
we can’t get cocky.
there are those who not only won’t help, but will also actively work to make things more difficult.
at our house we are happy and hopeful.
(my pork cutlets tonight – not so much)
Brosephus
December 15th, 2011
8:27 pm
I could almost write a screenplay to the stuff that’s posted here. It’s so predictible that it’s almost becoming boring to read..
kayaker
Been meaning to ask you if this is the kind of kayaking that you indulge in from time to time?
http://www.canoekayak.com/videos/noccalula-falls-first-descent/
TaxPayer
December 15th, 2011
8:27 pm
TaxPayerMeckler wants to confiscate wealth by the point of a gun so he will feel better about his sorry life and the poor decisions he’s made resulting in his misery.There. Fixed that for ya, F. Sinkwich. Now you can return to your President Obama hatefest of misery. Just five more years.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 15th, 2011
8:28 pm
Greetings Midori! This may help with that slime Sheriff Joe
Mr_B
December 15th, 2011
8:28 pm
josef: Being smelled by Sink? EEEEEEEUGH!
Mr_B
December 15th, 2011
8:29 pm
Hey, GG!
kayaker 71
December 15th, 2011
8:35 pm
Brocephus,
Thought about doing the round Florida trek but at age 74, that might be a little optimistic. We mainly do things a little more tame than the falls you portrayed. Many trips to the ocean in the Gulf and off the islands of Georgia. The rivers in North Florida are a wild life dream and if you like eagles, hawks and blue herons, this is your place. There are some places along the way that are very remote, private and beautiful that make camping at the top of the list.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 15th, 2011
8:38 pm
94% of the signatures have been collected to recall Walker — buh bye!
granny godzilla
December 15th, 2011
8:41 pm
Mr_B
Good evening.
Remind me who you are again?
josef
December 15th, 2011
8:42 pm
TAXI
“I rather enjoy the obvious pain and suffering that F. Sinkwich, kayaker, et al, are being forced to endure at the hands of President Obama. It makes me look forward even more to four more years.”
Best reason I can find to vote for him!
Brosephus
December 15th, 2011
8:43 pm
kayaker
You can probably still manage that trip. You just have to break it down into segments. Those falls from that article is one of the main attractions of my hometown. I honestly didn’t think I’d ever see the day where somebody went over and survived. There’s been a number of drownings there, and the name is actually derived from a legend. The legend states that a Cherokee princess Noccalulu threw herself off the falls to her death because she was being forced to marry someone she didn’t want to. There’s usuall about 1/100th of the amount of water that you saw flowing over the edge, so that was probably a once in a lifetime event for those guys.
I could get into the serene boating, but I don’t think I’m good for any of the white knuckled adventure stuff.
Mick
December 15th, 2011
8:43 pm
yaker@8:21
That was a pretty nice little essay. Tomorrow night when I’m out with my girl, I’ll raise a toast to your health and a prosperous new year! Did you know that 74 is the new 54?
Mr_B
December 15th, 2011
8:44 pm
Somewhat like Alice, I’ve been through so many changes that I hardly know anymore. I often catch your comments in the AM. I teach British Lit in Middle GA.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 15th, 2011
8:46 pm
Middle GA? Isn’t that the land of the Orcs?
Old Timer
December 15th, 2011
8:47 pm
The center of the anti-regulation meme is West Virginia, where coal owners want to be free to continue to pollute the air through coal-fired power plants. You can’t drive down I-64 or I-77 in that state without encountering huge billboards—paid for by the coal industry, of course—denouncing the EPA and excessive regulations.
Don’t be fooled by this anti-regulation business. The regulations they’re protesting are those that govern the use of coal—nothing else. Spreading the supposed burden to other businesses is merely a smoke-screen for the coal industry’s relentless assault on the regulations that govern that industry. Breathe deep. That’s good ol’ sulphur and mercury you’re inhaling.
TaxPayer
December 15th, 2011
8:48 pm
Best reason I can find to vote for him!
Whatever it takes and if that isn’t enough, just think about how much poor old Rush Limbaugh or [Insert favorite Republican name here] and company will be suffering.
josef
December 15th, 2011
8:49 pm
Kayaker
“At the end, we go out the same way we came in.”
Yep. There is that. Puts it all in perspective.
Mr. B
Shalom…eeeewwww is right!
USMC
What you got against flame throwers…you homophobe!
Mick
December 15th, 2011
8:49 pm
brosephus
I kayak and that’s just nuts….
Doggone/GA
December 15th, 2011
8:51 pm
“You can probably still manage that trip. You just have to break it down into segments”
Kind of like hiking the Appalachian Trail. The best advice that through-hikers get is: don’t think of it as a 6 month hike. Think of it as a series of 1 week hikes.
Redneck Convert (R---and proud of it
December 15th, 2011
8:52 pm
At the end, we go out the same way we came in.
You mean I got to crawl back up there? Ewww!
Brosephus
December 15th, 2011
8:54 pm
Mick
I lost a classmate in an accident in that gorge. There’s also been a few drownings in the pool below the falls. I was amazed at the fact that they survived it. That was actually the first time anybody’s ever done that too.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 15th, 2011
8:55 pm
You mean I got to crawl back up there? Ewww!
Well there is the optional back entrance but it do leave a lot to be desired!
granny godzilla
December 15th, 2011
8:58 pm
Mr_B
Forgive me if I mess up the “_” sometimes I’m not much of a typist.
I’m a middle American trying to speak English in Georgia who loves fish and chips.
Mick
December 15th, 2011
8:58 pm
brosephus
I don’t have that adrenalin gene going on…..I’m much more calculating and if there is any possibility of pain resulting from a stunt…..fagetaboutit…
josef
December 15th, 2011
8:58 pm
Y’all can have your kayaks…give me a pirogue on the bayou…I’ll take my chances with the moccasins and alligators…
getalife
December 15th, 2011
8:59 pm
I saw a kid in a kayak jumped a falls in Alabama on CNN today.
Looked like fun because he knew how to do it.
josef
December 15th, 2011
9:00 pm
good fight
The Imam’s told me I can’t make any comments relative to this one…
josef
December 15th, 2011
9:01 pm
Doggone
On tap for retirement is the Appalachian from start to finish…
getalife
December 15th, 2011
9:02 pm
Mr. B.
Teach us some British lit.
kayaker 71
December 15th, 2011
9:08 pm
joseph,
Read Bryson’s book, “A Walk in the Woods”, before you go.
Mr_B
December 15th, 2011
9:09 pm
Get: I leave that to USINUK for now.
Keep: No Orcs here, but plenty of Muggles.
Granny: Yo comprede; I’m originally fro Kansas, about as “Middle American” as it gets.
Mr_B
December 15th, 2011
9:10 pm
Yaker: EXCELLENT recomendation on Bryson, IMO.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 15th, 2011
9:11 pm
Now josef, don’t you do sticking your nose in this business
But yes it certainly was a straight line set up for a joke!
Would you prefer: 2 nuns walk into a bar. The bartender says I am sorry we don’t serve nuns here. The nuns say: _________ [Insert your punchline. Sorry, Force of Habit.]
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 15th, 2011
9:12 pm
Debate is on. Geesh, they all look presidential.
Newt is unzipped.
Patriotic he is