Weekly jobless numbers add to optimism

And by the way First!!! and foremost

• Link
• Report this comment

Peace and prosperity.

• Link
• Report this comment

Jay forgot to mention the EBT card, 5 kids and her driving away in a brand new Lexus.

Also the fact that she bought 50 dollar bottles of wine and cigarettes on the card.

• Link
• Report this comment

Hey, just ignore the middle class jobs that have been offshored. Concentrate on the minimum wage jobs like Perry did in Texas.

Oh yeah, Newt’s zipper isn’t broken he’s just feeling patriotic.

• Link
• Report this comment

…a customer, a seemingly prosperous older woman.

The depression and sense of resignation in the woman’s voice told you more than her words did.

Her husband had a career at a company for 30 years and she’s depressed?

Odds are that he is fully vested in a benefits package that is now longer available at that company. Also, I would bet heavily that his position was not discontinued but the company hired or promoted someone younger, under a different benefits package, for less money.

• Link
• Report this comment

Wait a minute! Since when is working for the same company for thirty years considered a bad thing. I only got in twenty before retiring and I coulda used those extra ten years to further pad my retirement accounts.

• Link
• Report this comment

For the jobless

There are better days ahead if government will get out of the way

• Link
• Report this comment

Common sense

“Oh yeah, Newt’s zipper isn’t broken he’s just feeling patriotic.”

No wonder he shills for the wonderdrug industry….

was gonna wait to go off track and downhill, but that was just too easy…..

• Link
• Report this comment

So we’re finally seeing some effect of the R’s taking control of the house a year or so ago.

If O’bozo had done NOTHING after assuming office — no stimulus, no Obamacare, no additional regulations, etc., the ecomony would have significantly improved long ago.

• Link
• Report this comment

Watching weekly unemployment claims is as informative as watching daily Rasmussen republican polls. Suggest watching the monthly “total nonfarm private employment” number at economagic.com/em-cgi/data.exe/blsce/ces0000000001

• Link
• Report this comment

These personal anecdotes from Jay really pull at the heartstrings…I think back to the one with Jay and his “conversation” with the restauranteer who can’t afford to not pay illegals slave wages, and the tears start flowing…Jay, if this opinion thing doesn’t work out, you should definitely get in touch with “Lifetime”…They’re always looking for scripts.

• Link
• Report this comment

Good news makes them angry.

Weird.

• Link
• Report this comment

Paul
I’ve said this a dozen times

No new regs
Get rid of old regs
Eliminate the corporate tax
Close the deficit

As I’ve provided answers a dozen times already I will not elaborate

• Link
• Report this comment

Jay
I may shed a few tears, but they don’t flow like Boehner’s…okay…”I’m getting a little verklempt…Talk amongst yourselves”.

• Link
• Report this comment

“What, specifically, did the House do to cause initial unemployment claims to be the lowest since May ?”

They stifled O’bozo’s socialist initiatives, Paul.

Thanks for asking.

• Link
• Report this comment

Hey Jay. No issues……

By the way CEO’s pay jumped 35% this year….. and Corporate America has hired how many new workers ?

• Link
• Report this comment

Yeah jobs

Bloomberg had another piece on the skills and mobility gap increasing unfilled new jobs

• Link
• Report this comment

Funny Oscandal wasn’t the fault of the bad economy, he fixed it. Exactly how? Green Jobs? Let’s wait until the completion of the first quarter of 2012 before we pop the bubbly, we’ll find an uptick in unemployment even though the numbers were seasonally manip…er adjusted.

• Link
• Report this comment

Peter
Deficits do matter. I’m not dick Cheney

• Link
• Report this comment

Talk of Republicans wanting the economy to stay down so Obama will not be reelected is hogwash. This republican wants the economy to improve and improve quickly. Any good news is good for all especially for small business owners like the boss and I.

Enough softness; has anyone noticed the drive-by media has not pushed the info Jay provides? That is not a coincidence or that other news is greater. It is because the Left wants a deal to extend unemployment and news of lower unemployment won’t help that effort. The lesson here is, the administration uses the legacy media to influence public opinion and to push their agenda. I’m glad to see Jay posted this data. He may be in the tank for Obama, but still has a line to reason.

• Link
• Report this comment

Jm

Thanks.

But, you know, Pres Obama put out a call to business months ago – “tell us what regs are getting in your way” and the response has been weak. Remember those numbers Jay posted listing the percentage of layoffs caused by regulations, as identified by businesses? Next to zero percent.

The deficit gap hasn’t been closed. So why the decrease in initial unemployment claims now?

Corporate tax is lots lower than it was not all that long ago. One would think it would’ve had a positive economic effect without lowering any more, wouldn’t one? Obviously other factors are in play.

josef

So that’s what caused the burning! I was about to call my doc and asked him if he had something like Nexium for my ears.

F. Sinkwich

“They stifled O’bozo’s socialist initiatives, Paul.”

So doing nothing other than blocking the other party is a recipe for economic recovery?

It would seem all the Republican candidates disagree with that prescription.

• Link
• Report this comment

Peter 6:42 when I need a really inaccurate psychic, I’ll ask for one

Until then, pester someone else

• Link
• Report this comment

Well Jm what would you have expected from McCain and Palin ?

• Link
• Report this comment

Only that will save this wonderful country.

Kamchak, like O’bozo, doesn’t have much use for the good ol’ USA.

Thanks for proving brother getalife’s point, ilky.

I merely tried to point out that it wasn’t weird, so I guess you proved my point too.

Oooohh, a twofer.

• Link
• Report this comment

JohnyRed
Whats up man? hope all is well with you
http://money.cnn.com/2011/12/15/news/economy/unemployment_benefits/index.htm?iid=HP_Highlight

Took all of 30 seconds to find something about jobs….

Is CNN not part of the “drive by media”… Rush who loves to use that phrase surely thinks they are

• Link
• Report this comment

Paul
My solutions are long term remedies, not overnight ones

The marginal corporate tax rate hasn’t been changed. The whole code really needs reforming which includes removing the corporate tax

I blame both parties for an absurd accumulation of stupid regs, not just democrats. Biz has actually provided lots of feedback on bad regs. Obama obviously said he wouldn’t just enact any recommendations.

There are good regulations and bad ones. There’s a long list of bad ones.

• Link
• Report this comment

G’devenin’ all.”“Amen to that. Gratitude requires humility. Something the “I did it all myself, my bootstraps, nobody every helped me with my good choices” crowd could stand to remember”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4BYOJ1tc-k

• Link
• Report this comment

Quite the conundrum… If the “party of NO” is blocking Obama from doing anything, then how is it his actions or policies that are creating such “good” economic news?…seems one meme needs to be retired.

• Link
• Report this comment

Peter I voted for Obama

Palin is a joke and a bad choice. I regret having Obama as president, but sadly, if facing the same choice and the same set of circumstances I would have voted for Obama

Palin was a really awful choice

So was Obama

McCain Lieberman wouldn’t been cool

But you only get two (real) choices in the booth

• Link
• Report this comment

I love good news.

Keep them coming Jay.

• Link
• Report this comment

The really big obstacle to hiring is the uncertainty of Bozocare. While touted as the answer to all of our health care woes, it is obvious, even in 2011, that it will be the 40# monkey on the back of small business. That “you can keep your own doctor” crap and “it will pay for itself through cracking down on welfare fraud” are two of the biggest lies that Bozo and his team have stated. And small business, along with larger firms, have no idea what this fiasco will do to profits and employee benefits that they are responsible for. This will turn out to be the biggest and most intrusive fiasco in our health care history. If unemployment is getting better, it is not because of Bozo and all of his friends…. it is in spite of them.

• Link
• Report this comment

ty

Foxy Lady is a right wing plant…

• Link
• Report this comment

JohnnyReb
December 15th, 2011
6:51 pm
Yes, I listen to Rush. His interview with Gretta last evening should be required viewing by anyone interested in politics.

I mistakenly tuned in for a few short minutes. Cruela Deville, I mean Gretta asked Rush if there was anything Obama has done that he admired. Rush responded some lame not-funny windbag response about vacations and golf. First, it was a stupid question. Second, the fact that Rush could not even say Osama Bin Laden pretty much says everything I need to know about ol’ Rush.

• Link
• Report this comment

If the “party of NO” is blocking Obama from doing anything, then how is it his actions or policies that are creating such “good” economic news?…seems one meme needs to be retired

Well ty… I know its a hard to comprehend but the Executive Branch does have some powers to act under previously passed legislation. And of course there has been the legislation that has passed despite Republican obstruction such as the stimulus, healthcare insurance reform, etc.

• Link
• Report this comment

Johnny

I’m for the three meals a day…served with no discrimination to one and all…it’s government groceries to begin with and good for the farm economy…but most importantly, it takes care of the most vulnerable among us…I see plenty of hunger on a daily basis,,,little ones “sneaking” apples, cereal, juice and the like for the little ones at home and their own supper…

• Link
• Report this comment

Jm not saying you didn’t vote for the lesser of two evils, so why all the crying all the time ?

McCain and Palin were a silly choice, and how could anyone think she was qualified ?

You seem to forget the country is making a come back, and the job numbers are an indication.

• Link
• Report this comment

Paul @ 6:43

I’ve repeated put out a call on this and other blogs, and among my friends in the business community to point out ANY regulation promoted by president Obama that has caused them not to hire an employee for whom there was otherwise a need.

Score so far- “0″, nada zilch, nullset, love; it all comes out the same.

• Link
• Report this comment

662 billion on defense.

Fiscal cons are silent.

More US infrastructure and green energy investments please.

• Link
• Report this comment

Paul
I advocate eliminating the corporate tax

But increasing the capital gains and dividend tax to equal the top marginal tax rate on wages

• Link
• Report this comment

Mr. B

That was great. Thanks.

• Link
• Report this comment

Sinkwich

My roots go back here over 300 years and Unmentionable’s further than that…and yours? Not that it matters, but if you’re going to start claiming this, that or the other American is better than another…keep in mind, you might want to be careful decreeing who is, and who isn’t a “good American.”

And, yes, pushed to the check-a-box I would check Socialist for myself…I wouldn’t Obama…not even a solid right wing Social Democrat he…a centrist…

• Link
• Report this comment

reb

Since rush works for clear channel, they will protect him at all costs. He puts a face on corporate pig….

• Link
• Report this comment

Jm

Still shifts the burden for funding the feds away from corporations and onto individuals, doesn’t it?

You know, through many periods of great economic growth the business community funded a far, far larger share of federal operations than they do now.

Did I mention that was during times of great economic growth with rates that were higher than they now are?

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

BTW, did I ever tell you my mother managed the lunch room in a Coweta County school and retired from same. Her school provided breakfast and lunch, and yes used loads of the government surplus food.

• Link
• Report this comment

Peter
Because it makes American business uncompetitive

Because it fosters an absurd amount if disruptive, corrupting, useless, and wasteful lobbying in DC

Because you can tax dividends and cap gains higher ad achieve the same thing as an offset

Because many corporations can get around the tax anyhow

Because it adds significant transactional costs to business operations (double book keeping)

Because it creates business winners and losers

Just get rid of the whole damn thing and end the double taxation mess

• Link
• Report this comment

@Common Sense isn’t very Common December 15th, 2011 6:05 pm – Jay forgot to mention the EBT card, 5 kids and her driving away in a brand new Lexus. Also the fact that she bought 50 dollar bottles of wine and cigarettes on the card.

************************************

You sound like an idiot. Where is your compassion?

Everyone knows that you cannot purchase cigarettes and wine on those EBT cards.

Are you jealous that she drives a Lexus and you don’t.

• Link
• Report this comment

Paul 7:04
No. All taxes are ultimately paid by individuals one way or the other

And if you raise the CG and div tax, you have solved the loss of revenue problem

In fact you’ll bring in more revenue

• Link
• Report this comment

Keep up the good fight,
just stick with:
Obama=”good” things
GOP=bad things
and when in doubt, “inherited”!

shorter, more precise, and it fits on a bumber sticker.

• Link
• Report this comment

Uh.. Hard Times…Common Sense forgot to push the satire button….

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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

• Link
• Report this comment

That’s it, I’m out. I hope about a handful of you guys have a good night…Go Falcons!

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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

• Link
• Report this comment

“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

• Link
• Report this comment

“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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

@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!…………

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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……

• Link
• Report this comment

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

• Link
• Report this comment

jm: So that leaves Newt, Santorum, Huntsman, Johnson?

• Link
• Report this comment

“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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

**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…

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

“. 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.

• Link
• Report this comment

@F. Sinkwich December 15th, 2011 7:48 pm – “Who appointed ‘YOU’ as the CREDIBILITY POLICE?”
Me.
***************************************************************************

YOU’RE FIRED:

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

“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.

• Link
• Report this comment

filk,

More good news.

Justice Dept. going after Sheriff Joe.

Your ilk just cost Arizona millions in discrimination lawsuits..

• Link
• Report this comment

Getalife,

what’s this about Arpaio?

• Link
• Report this comment

carlos .. .. I was wondering if this also included part-time jobs, too. Any idea?

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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.)

• Link
• Report this comment

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/

• Link
• Report this comment

Greetings Midori! This may help with that slime Sheriff Joe

• Link
• Report this comment

Hey, GG!

• Link
• Report this comment

94% of the signatures have been collected to recall Walker — buh bye!

• Link
• Report this comment

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!

• Link
• Report this comment

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?

• Link
• Report this comment

Middle GA? Isn’t that the land of the Orcs?

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

brosephus

I kayak and that’s just nuts….

• Link
• Report this comment

At the end, we go out the same way we came in.

You mean I got to crawl back up there? Ewww!

• Link
• Report this comment

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!

• Link
• Report this comment

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…

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

Doggone

On tap for retirement is the Appalachian from start to finish…

• Link
• Report this comment

joseph,

Read Bryson’s book, “A Walk in the Woods”, before you go.

• Link
• Report this comment

Yaker: EXCELLENT recomendation on Bryson, IMO.

• Link
• Report this comment

Debate is on. Geesh, they all look presidential.

Newt is unzipped.

Patriotic he is

• Link
• Report this comment

A pep talk for the 99% ….

This December 19th marks the 235th anniversary of Thomas Paine’s American Crisis #1. First published in the Pennsylvania Journal, it brings hope from a dark time during our revolution. Thomas Paine, who eleven months earlier published his sensational work, Common Sense,which helped ignite the rebellion, would once again bring the American people hope. The same hope that American Crisis #1 brought the Patriots can inspire the Occupy movement to withstand this winter.

Thomas Paine brilliantly stated, “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country, but he that stands now, deserves the love and thanks of men and woman.” In these 41 words, the gravity of the situation leaps from the page and pulls the reader into the momentous task of staying the course. The course of liberty is never an easy one, nor is the duty to fight against tyranny. In late December, 1776, the American Revolution was teetering on the brink of collapse. General Washington, after suffering a serious defeat in New York City and a long retreat through New Jersey, saw his army on the verge of destruction. During these trying times Thomas Paine’s words inspired the Continental Army and the American people to stay the course.

At this very moment, the Occupy movement is at an impasse, after being evicted from many of their camps. However, we too must stay the course. They curse us in the conservative media. They call us socialists, anarchists, un-American and many more labels to stir up fear of those fighting for the livelihood of the American middle class. As Thomas Paine so eloquently stated in American Crisis #1:

“Let them call me rebel, and welcome, I feel no concern from it; but I should suffer the misery of devils, were I to make a whore of my soul by swearing to one, whose character, is that of a sottish, stupid, stubborn, worthless, brutish man.”

Recently, Bill O’Reilly stated that the Occupy movement has officially come to an end. This statement, as premature as a Jersey Tory’s cheerful glee as Washington’s army retreated from the Hudson to the Delaware will not be proven true. As Paine stated: “I thank God, that I fear not. I see no real cause for fear. I know our situation well and can see the way out of it.”

The economic royalists, our modern day Tories, will only be able to do so much to silence us. They use the officers sworn to protect us to disperse us, they use the sheriffs to force us out of our homes, they threaten our social safety net, they cut our education, and push us deeper and deeper in debt. Yet we won’t be silenced. If we allow ourselves to be silenced, we will commit an unforgivable offense to the American character. We, the people must be the ones who take our government back in November 2012, or lose it forever.

Rich Bergen

• Link
• Report this comment

josef

I don’t know about those moccasins… They have a bit too much attitude for me.

getalife

That’s probably the same story that I linked to earlier from my hometown. I wouldn’t use fun to describe that stunt.

• Link
• Report this comment

Brosephus

They do, that! I don’t mess with ‘em lightly…

• Link
• Report this comment

josef: the secret is respecting the moccasin’s space. Just don’t try to be where the moccasin was first.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bro,

It is a new extreme sport.

Like a ride at Six Flags.

We jumped of rock quarries and bridges into water.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mr B…

Fond childhood memories had to do with moccasins…the Rothschild Place is in the upper reaches of the Tallahatchie end of the Delta where it meets the hills…during the spring high water the moccasins headed for the high ground…would go out for target practice with Mama and Granny…

• Link
• Report this comment

wiccan, thanks so much for that 9:15.

Of course the cowards and lackeys want the protests to all just go away. Nothing has changed for them in that regard since the days of the civil rights and Viet Nam war protests. And liars like O’Reilly think their cowardice will prevail over righteous and patriotic civil disobedience.

The weaklings and sunshine patriot sellouts were dead wrong then and they are dead wrong today.

Mark my words, the protests are nowhere near finished.

They will be invigorated and the words of Paine will inspire us who fight the good fight against tyranny and oppression.

• Link
• Report this comment

good fight

Mr B

G-d Alm-ghty in the Book of Genesis cursed the snake and I see no reason to doubt H-s dictum!

• Link
• Report this comment

newt is lying about lobbying again.

fox is attacking him.

• Link
• Report this comment

AmVet – The 4th of July next summer – Philadelphia – I am expecting great things!

• Link
• Report this comment

getalife, Hunstman honesty is the kiss of death in the Republican Party.

And his intellectual acumen doesn’t help much when the base is, as he notes, “anti-science” too boot.

Loathing liberals is the number one priority in the Party of No and he does not fit their bill…

• Link
• Report this comment

getalife – brainwashed, eh? You are giving away your age. That’s a word I would use.

• Link
• Report this comment

Ryan just said he doesn’t want to lead. OOOOPS

• Link
• Report this comment

To all of you nay sayers who doubt Obama don’t count him out yet.

Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

It is far more useful to be aware of a single shortcoming in ourselves than it is to be aware of a thousand in somebody else. For when the fault is our own, we are in a position to correct it.

• Link
• Report this comment

Wy den is smart and knows Medicare must be reformed

• Link
• Report this comment

jm,

It ends it silly.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bro
Our labor is expensive

So we have to make our capital cheap to compete

And they have cheap capital too because they don’t tax it as much as we do

• Link
• Report this comment

Getalife

Replaces it. And protects current retirees

• Link
• Report this comment

So we have to make our capital cheap to compete

And they have cheap capital too because they don’t tax it as much as we do

Ok…

We drop capital taxes… So now we have cheap capital. We still can not compete because of labor. Cutting those taxes would be more beneficial IF we were already creating jobs and needed the extra investment. Right now, we need DEMAND. Capital does not automatically increase demand. How many businesses are going to hire just because they have extra capital onhand?

• Link
• Report this comment

“A seemingly prosperous older woman”

Fear not liberals. The wealthy have most certainly taken a bath in the last couple of years with nearly 2 in 5 millionaires disappearing according to IRS tables. That’s awesome news for the “hate the wealthy” crowd around here. The downside is that they took their tax contributions and the jobs their businesses provided with them in their sinking ships.

Newsalert has posted a chart from a Wall Street Journal blog titled “Recession and the Rich.” The chart, based on 2009 IRS figures, shows that the number of taxpayers reporting annual income over $1 million fell 39 percent between 2007 and 2009; the number of super-wealthy individuals making over $10 million annually plunged 55 percent. The carnage wasn’t confined to millionaires. The number of taxpayers earning over $200,000 per year also decreased by 612,000 – or 13 percent. If you are tempted to join Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., in a bit of schadenfreude over the fact that nearly four in ten millionaires disappeared in two years, don’t be. The chart also shows how the loss of these top income earners adversely affected the federal government’s bottom line. Aug 20, 2011

http://digg.com/news/politics/obama_s_economy_where_have_all_the_millionaires_gone

• Link
• Report this comment

“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.
***************************************************************

No matter what happens, it all works out in the end.

It may not work out like Obama had planned, but it did work out and may actually even be better than Obama planned.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bro

Age old chicken egg

We’ve been over this before

You need both

But you can’t have consumption without investment

• Link
• Report this comment

“It doesn’t end Medicare”

Yeah and you voted for Obama.

Not buying it..

• Link
• Report this comment

I guess we need to thank Bush because up until today all the Lib’s on here say the economy is due to Bush.

Thank you George!

• Link
• Report this comment

jm

But you can’t have consumption without investment

You only need initial investment. Consumption leads to additional investment. Right now, we don’t have consumption, so what good is investment doing us? Don’t you think that if investment alone could push demand, we would have seen increases based on the profits that major companies are reporting? Delta’s projecting increasing profits this year, yet they’re cutting their routes by 2-3%. That doesn’t sound like profitability because of increased demand to me.

It’s not an egg vs chicken thing. You can invest every single dollar in this country into a product. If there is no demand for it, you’ve wasted your investment. Do you honestly think that investors are gonna throw money at every little thing that comes their way right now with the way this global economy is?

• Link
• Report this comment

They learned nothing about the Iraq disaster.

Warmongering on Iran.

Vote gop for war with Iran.

• Link
• Report this comment

Jm,

But…but….but the rich still haven’t paid their fair share. Doesn’t matter if 2 out of 5 of them don’t exist anymore. They should have paid more as or before their businesses went belly up.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bro – that’s why the people have been conned since Capital Gains taxes were lowered. When the US had low unemployment and high manufacturing output capital gains could be low to increase money flowing throughout the system (allowing more currency for loans, etc).

The US is made up of consumers, when they were employed they spent and saved, generating demand which was fulfilled within the borders of the US.

When manf. jobs were offshored it started the trend of lower tariffs (because the manf. were US based).

It took a few years for the gap to close between demand and jobs to jump up and bite us in the butt and that is what is happening. How many necessary items are produced offshore that the US doesn’t have the capability to build.

If the trade tariffs were raised to what the item would cost to be made in the US then I think we would see some manf. coming back to the US. That along with cancellation of all work visas might make an immediate difference on demand.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bro
You can’t increase demand

Almost every American has a car. A house or apartment. Tv’s bicycles, stereo’s, food and water.

Demand can only be increased so much, and it is slight

If there’s not a factory, how can you buy the good

I really get bored with this argument liberals make

In reality you need demand and investment. And the government can’t do much to spur either other than getting out of the way

• Link
• Report this comment

Jobs create demand jm.

• Link
• Report this comment

Getalife
Not my problem if you can’t believe I voted for O

Hell I went to the inauguration

Got to watch history from the top of a law firm building

• Link
• Report this comment

Doom

Libs don’t understand finance

It’s not in their DNA

• Link
• Report this comment

cons usually do what fox tells them to do so that is change.

• Link
• Report this comment

Jm: “Because he is competent

He will clean up government”

Like Draghi’s cleaning up Italy?

Look what the cat dragghed in.

• Link
• Report this comment

Draghi is getting it done

Noodle over this: you know Europe is in trouble when a German is the Pope and an Italian is running the central bank

• Link
• Report this comment

Jay
Campaign season………..

Did everybody say bomb Iran?

• Link
• Report this comment

You can’t increase demand

my oh my….. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at that one…

I’m guessing you think people buy one car and it lasts a lifetime. Yep, we’re still buying solid state electronics and appliances that last 30-40 years.

Dude, sometimes I wonder if you really even think about what you post before you hit that submit comment button. Accidents happen, natural disasters happen, and sh*t just breaks down and quit. Demand is there when people have money to spend. You put 5 million people to work and we’d probably see 6% GDP growth based on the pent up demand that’s sitting in this country.

If there’s not a factory, how can you buy the good

I tell you what, you go build a coach whip factory, deck that summb*tch out with the latest in robotics and technology, and see how fast your “investment” turns to sh*t. It’s the demand that creates the factory, and not the other way around. You get bored with that argument because you’re either to stubborn or downright dense to admit that you’re not right.

• Link
• Report this comment

Jay

You said a mouthful there. Ron Paul isn’t my favorite politician, but he made them look like useless jackasses, not just the regular jackasses they normally look like.

• Link
• Report this comment

Since lower Capital Gains taxes haven’t increased demand for life sustaining goods lets raise the taxes on Capital gains to the same as earned wages.

Let’s cut taxes on companies that have PROVEN that they have created jobs with their tax cuts.

Let’s cut out the loopholes that allow corporations pay 0% taxes (unless it’s for new equipment) along with the monitoring for job offshoring.

These can be adjusted yearly for deficit reduction along with debt reduction.

More demand creates jobs which increase demand, which create a broader tax base which reduces entitlements (food stamps, section 8 housing, etc).

• Link
• Report this comment

Paul is isolationist

Like democrats

Thats why you like him

I am in between isolationist Paul and the neo cons

• Link
• Report this comment

Beat me to it jay – ron paul put the michele bachmanns of the world squarely in her place. If you want more war – vote GOP…

• Link
• Report this comment

“Don’t you think that if investment alone could push demand, we would have seen increases based on the profits that major companies are reporting? Delta’s projecting increasing profits this year, yet they’re cutting their routes by 2-3%. That doesn’t sound like profitability because of increased demand to me.”

The classic supply siders vs Keynesian argument.Investment does lead to spurred demand as the supply siders point out. Why? Few businesses are profitable immediately. Some may never earn a profit. Others may take years and years to turn a profit. But their investment spurs growth and bottom up middle and lower class demand because even though the company may not be making a profit demand is being spurred.

Let’s say you start a business like a restaurant which may or may not work out for you the owner. Doesn’t matter. Your employees are going to get paid and make money, your suppliers will, the people who built the restuarant or manage the grounds, security, or who print the menus and sold you dishes, furniture, condiments, everything that goes into a restaurant. They are all making money and especially their employees. Regardless of whether or not that restaurant owner ever makes money his employees will and so will his suppliers. Overall aggreggate economic demand has in the mean time been spurred substantially by the money made by the employees and suppliers of that restaurant.

That’s the other fascinating thing about liberals and their criticism of “trickle down” economics. The real world reality is that its trickle up since the business owner is the last to be rewarded. His employees, suppliers such as the builders who built his restaurant, etc. all those people get paid long before the owner ever makes a dime. And to think liberals call it trickle down economics with the idea that employees or people at the bottom are the last to get paid or get “trickle down share”. Reality is quite different.

As for Delta being more profitable yet decreasing routes that’s apples and oranges. Their current profitability has nothing to do with future demand which they apparently feel is weak enough to justify route cuts.

• Link
• Report this comment

Jm

“I am in between isolationist Paul and the neo cons”

You must be lost at time because on certain issues they are so far apart; you would be in the middle of nowhere.

• Link
• Report this comment

Now perry is warmongering on Mexico.

Good grief.

• Link
• Report this comment

NoCom

I could go for something like that. I’ve suggested this before in relation to corporate taxes… Start everybody out at 35% with no deductions. Give them rate decreases when they create jobs domestically. As long as they do so, give them the opportunity to cut their rates to 15%. When they shut operations domestically and outsource, their rate goes up. Anytime they do something destructive towards the domestic economy, their rate goes up. I’d set the ceiling at 35% and the floor at 15%. If they wanted to segregate domestic profits from international, then they’d get a flat rate of 20% on foreign profits.

• Link
• Report this comment

Where is our military going jm. They just spent 662 billion more on war.

• Link
• Report this comment

newt lost the Latino vote.

• Link
• Report this comment

Why in the h3ll does anyone thinks e-verify works? are they totally out of touch with reality?

• Link
• Report this comment

“Since lower Capital Gains taxes haven’t increased demand for life sustaining goods lets raise the taxes on Capital gains to the same as earned wages.”

Common sense I’m not sure I agree with your linking of capital gains to life sustaining goods but I will agree that we could raise the cap. gains tax from 15-18 or 19% without affecting investor behavior and bring more revenue to the table. Just not sure if we should do it now or wait another year to make sure we don’t regress.

“Let’s cut taxes on companies that have PROVEN that they have created jobs with their tax cuts.”

Can’t. That would be govt picking and choosing winners and losers in an arbitrary and capricious manner. Who wants a bureaucrate having that kind of power over businesses he doesn’t understand.

“Let’s cut out the loopholes that allow corporations pay 0% taxes (unless it’s for new equipment) along with the monitoring for job offshoring.”

I’m with you on cutting out the loopholes. But cut the overall corporate tax rate or else we won’t be at all competitive internationally. As for offshoring we’ve been offshoring for decades. Its nothing new and if we’re not careful companies could move their entire operations offshore. Could backfire on us big time.

“More demand creates jobs which increase demand, which create a broader tax base which reduces entitlements (food stamps, section 8 housing, etc).”

I’m with you on all that.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bro can get a tax break as soon as he has someone on his payroll

Until then, no breaks for bro

• Link
• Report this comment

What does he stand for?

Jobs

• Link
• Report this comment

Social issues.

Yawn.

More discrimination.

For jobs, more tax cuts and no regulations will work this time.

Failed ideology.

Boring debate..

• Link
• Report this comment

TD and Jm

You do know that the French Special Forces have been praised by US commanders numerous times for the efforts in Afganistan…. right?

Not saying Special Forces by any means makes up an entire military; however their efforts are slightly different than people here in the US like to portray.

• Link
• Report this comment

Doom

That was a nice little essay that would be great if we were discussing start-up or fairly new businesses. When trying to relate your story to established ones, it kinda falls flat. You also fail to account for the cutback in hours and/or staffing if that restaurant isn’t doing well and the fallout that comes with that. Once that death spiral starts up, it’s kinda hard to break out of it using supply side economics. It might not be impossible, but it’s a formidable task. I honestly don’t give a rat’s ass if it’s supply side, kenyesian, voodoo, or muppet economics, I just want government and business both to do what’s right for the country. As long as the country and the people do well, all else will fall into place.

As for Delta being more profitable yet decreasing routes that’s apples and oranges. Their current profitability has nothing to do with future demand which they apparently feel is weak enough to justify route cuts.

http://www.ajc.com/business/delta-air-lines-predicts-1259858.html

“Delta Air Lines Inc. said Wednesday that it expects an $800 million profit this year, and it will be solidly profitable in 2012.

The company said in a filing that it will earn $1.1 billion in 2011 if special items are excluded. Analysts surveyed by FactSet were expecting adjusted net income of $977 million.

Delta had earned $429 million through the first nine months of this year.

Delta CEO Richard Anderson said that airline will be profitable next year even as fuel prices remain higher than historic averages. He was speaking in New York at the company’s annual investor conference.

The Atlanta-based airline is also repeating its prediction that it will cut 2012 flying by 2 to 3 percent.”

What were you saying about apples and oranges??? The CEO’s confident they will be profitable even after factoring in higher than average fuel prices AND flying less. Of course their current profitablity has nothing to do with future demand, but that future profitability surely does…

• Link
• Report this comment

Common.

You also need to pay their FICA, unemployment insurance, demonstrate worker safety, demonstrate your 401k plan fairness, comply with all anti discrimination laws, keep track of their time, comply with OSHA, you get the idea

Get to work common

• Link
• Report this comment

Newt says life begins at conception, but he had his marriage annulled which makes his children bastids.

What an asshat.

• Link
• Report this comment

Trotsky

I worry about north Korea, Pakistan, china, and Russia

Peace through strength

Use as a last resort, but don’t be weak

• Link
• Report this comment

We should start you at 35%

And when you prove you’ve created a whole entire job you can get a break

Which jobs do you want to count? Do you want to count the catering company that’s contracted to provide food for people being held pending their departure from the airport? Seems like they wouldn’t have that contract if I didn’t send people back home. What about the company that makes the admission stamps that I use on a daily basis? There’s the computer manufacturer, the furniture manufacturer, you have TBI, the company that manages the E Concourse, and there’s quite a few other companies that I help create jobs by my constant demand for their products?

If you want me to have a payroll, does the guy treating my lawn count? He’s paid monthly. What about my pest control guy, he’s paid directly by me?

I can play this game all night long…

• Link
• Report this comment

No bro

Payroll buddy

Where’s your payroll

No break for you until you show your payroll

Do you know what that is?

Its not an invoice

• Link
• Report this comment

jm

When cops have payrolls, cops go to jail. As long as I have a badge on my chest, you’ll never see me with a payroll.

• Link
• Report this comment

Brocephus,

Yes. My example is a microeconomic example. However that example that I speak of also holds true when talking about established businesses expanding and or opening new plants, outlets, etc. The same principles apply.

What I’m talking about is that if you do this in the macro sense there will be increased aggregate demand. There will always be businesses who cut back hours and do poorly on a micro level but individual cases of this have nothing to do with the macro sense of what I speak of.

Of course we will always have the typical boom and bust business cycle of expansion, then a bubble and a pullback or recession that we should just stand back and let things run their course. Govt interference as the Great Depression proves and as Obama has proven only makes things worse.

The only thing John Maynerd Keynes and what we would later call the Milton Friedman school of economists agreed on regarding the great depression is that the Federal Reserve made things worse. Same as today.

• Link
• Report this comment

JM – this crappola comes from a guy who moved to Fl. and his wife flies to work weekly.

You have advocated raising Capital Gains Tax to the same level as taxes on wages and eliminating loopholes.

They tax rates were lowered with the intent to create jobs during the previous administration, since that hasn’t occured then proof will be required to further those corporations tax rates. If no proof is forthcoming their rates go up.

Simple solutions for simpleminded people.

So what do you know or feel about e-verify or the H1b visa issue.

• Link
• Report this comment

When obama gets re-elected, the funny farm may be jm’s next stop, singapore will refuse him because of the liability….

• Link
• Report this comment

Amvet
Yes
In the primary and general, no less

I do shake my head about it sometimes

Better choice than palin ticket tho

I would like a better option this time

• Link
• Report this comment

Common
Everify is ok by me tho it stinks of big brother

• Link
• Report this comment

Brocephus,

On delta if they are profitable but cutting routes did it ever occur to you that the 2-3% of routes that they are cutting are their unprofitable routes? Or that in some cities rather than having 3 flights a day each at around 25 or 30% capacity that they think they can reduce it to 2 flights a day at near 100% capacity. I’m sure they know their own business better than you or I so I’m just going to say they have their reasons for cutting some flights or routes.

• Link
• Report this comment

jm – then you don’t understand that e-verify is a bad system that only works IF the employer is honest.

• Link
• Report this comment

Doom @ 11:02

I’ll give you extra points for working an Obama dig in that one.

As far as the 35%, I wouldn’t just slap them with it all at once. It would be done gradually to avoid disruption as much as possible. Use a period of 3-5 years to gradually close the loopholes. At the same time, the rates would gradually adjust to reflect their economic impact. By the time you get to the end of that 5 year period, a company that’s being domestically beneficial would be sitting at 15%. Only companies, like GE, that have been able to reduce their liabilities to zero would see an increase. Just call it skin in the game.

• Link
• Report this comment

Doom

My point with using Delta as an example is to show that demand doesn’t automatically equate to profit just as investment doesn’t do the same. I’m a bit more aware of some of the routes they’re cutting and it’s because of the lack of demand and/or multiple flights to the same area. They’re also cutting CRJ’s and replacing them with MD88’s. That gives them more seats to sell while having the potential to drastically lower their fuel per passenger costs. Their profitability is coming from them being more efficient as opposed to anything else.

• Link
• Report this comment

Good night all. I have to get up early and pay taxes so jm can sit on his butt and blog all day.

Be good to each other and pray for the returning trrops and their families.

But extra prayers for those that didn’t return and the ones that returned broken and maimed and their families to have the strength to go forward.

• Link
• Report this comment

Time for me to fold myself….

Catch y’all later

• Link
• Report this comment

Brocephus,

I see what you are saying and its a nice idea to reward companies for staying here but a lot of companies like mom and pop small businesses have no intention of doing international business anyway. The majority of small businesses don’t use outsourcing anyway if I just think of all the local merchants I do business with.

I still just think 35% is too high for some companies who absolutely have to outsource to remain competitive. As I understand it if Apple made the I-phone completely in the U.S. instead of overseas it would cost $1600. So while I would love to see them compete in the U.S. I don’t think it would be feasible at a 35% rate with no write-offs. And if it were feasible still for them they would be the exception to the rule.

Everyone else- China, everyone would be making our stuff(heck they kinda already do)and there wouldn’t be any American companies employing anybody. Besides Apple still employs a lot of people here- just not the cheap labor that manually puts together the I-phone.

I like your ideas but just not sure that top 35% rate would work for everyone.

• Link
• Report this comment

Been an interesting conversation. I’m calling it taps though. Ya’ll have a good night.

• Link
• Report this comment

Jm: “If you guys like socialism so much, move to Greece”

Socialism? Greece? That all died under a hail of IMF austerity bullets. Haven’t you been reading the papers?

• Link
• Report this comment

Trotsky
True enough
Not many safe places for a socialist nowadays
Best to stay here probably

If you luck out, Obama will make the US as socialist as Greece

• Link
• Report this comment

Vote Newt.Leave Delta’s management to Delta,Vote NewtVote Newt.

• Link
• Report this comment

Wait until after the new year before you cheer, Jay.

• Link
• Report this comment

Happy Friday, all y’all…

http://news.icanhascheezburger.com/2011/12/15/political-pictures-war-on-christmas-2011-camp-kwanzaa/

Looking for a job?

http://history.icanhascheezburger.com/2011/12/15/funny-pictures-history-door-to-door-cremation/

• Link
• Report this comment

Mick,
We have that in common too. I was an extra in the movie “Tora, Tora, Tora”. That was a really cool experience.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mick – no way!!! Very cool!!!

go see it and let the rest of the class know if you made the cut – and where we can find you. I’ll watch even the worst movies if someone I know is in them (my uncle used to do extra work all the time – and he was in some SERIOUS stinkers! although, he did 1 national Sprint commercial and had a funny bit in Golden Girls)

• Link
• Report this comment

“The real rate, 11 percent.”

even if you want to go by U-6 unemployment, that peaked at 17%, so 11% is still moving in the right direction …

• Link
• Report this comment

Steel

Habeas corpus, quo vadis? Sound familiar, Normal…

• Link
• Report this comment

Josef,
Grant expels the Jews from his Military District in 1862, right?

• Link
• Report this comment

GG – I don’t know … they seem to love SCHISMS …

• Link
• Report this comment

USinUK

ya’ gotta’ point there.

• Link
• Report this comment

they did about seven takes for those scenes which probably are about a total of a minute or two worth of screen time.- Mick

I’ve heard the same stuff. Had a client that was in a movie and he told me that one on scene that the star- I think it was DeNiro but I can’t remember, and the costar literally practiced one line for a couple hours. It was one of the highlight lines of the movie so they wanted the exact tone, pitch, and exact facial expression and body language for that one scene. Doesn’t surprise me though when you think about the most classic scenes and lines from movies that tend to stick in people’s memories. I can’t even imagine how long it probably took Deniro to perfect his “you looking at me?” routine in taxi driver because that scene took a solid couple of minutes.

• Link
• Report this comment

“very boring and repetative. they did about seven takes for those scenes which probably are about a total of a minute or two worth of screen time”

makes you appreciate the movie scenes that are really emotional – you have to wonder how many times they had to film them!

• Link
• Report this comment

Wonder if jay will drop some debate coverage today….

• Link
• Report this comment

jm

I might, if you actually had something to say besides the daily obama hate over and over….

• Link
• Report this comment

Newt: I am the father of the Tea Party!

Well if you are choosing your “children” I would go with the internet. But Newt is not as bright as he wants to believe.

• Link
• Report this comment

Go easy at the Kraft Services table Mick.

• Link
• Report this comment

I do hope the job situation is improving.

I was in the country SE of Atlanta the other day and passed an older, but well kept home. There was a hand painted sign by the road that read:

Need Work
Anything!

• Link
• Report this comment

Speaking of Whole Foods:

Newt Gingrich says you can use food stamps to get to Hawaii

Righties do seem to use some strange travel agencies. I did not even know Whole Foods had a travel agency

• Link
• Report this comment

So I have an ethical question…. this is especially for the guys here who are pro-life but against the Obamacare mandate….

If I don’t have medical insurance and have a baby that pops out at 28 weeks — the baby cannot breath, suck, and swallow properly until week 36 — are you going to mandate that I contract with a private business — a doctor or hospital — to care for that baby at my own expense? And how is that different from the mandate to buy insurance from a private company?

• Link
• Report this comment

“If I don’t have medical insurance and have a baby that pops out at 28 weeks”

Lets talk about poor judgement on your part!

• Link
• Report this comment

When Moses came down off Mount Sinai carrying the stone tablets, the Chamber of Commerce immediately fired off a press release denouncing the job-killing 10 Commandments

teleprompter, socialist, muslim, regulations kill jobs, wmds,

and the list just keeps growing..

• Link
• Report this comment

My comment is awaiting moderation.

Wonder why?

• Link
• Report this comment

I have been released.

Oh to enjoy the full freedom of the blog.

Thanks.

• Link
• Report this comment

Barking

like most folks I am moderate on those things that require being moderate

• Link
• Report this comment

Jay,

Don’t you know regardless of what you report on the economy there will be idiots who refuse to believe that it’s actually improving?

• Link
• Report this comment

I find it hilarious and disturbing at the same time, that the lib minions say Barack is doing wonderful when some numbers turn around, but when the numbers go in the tank on the same Barack watch, it is someone else’s fault or something else. Never Barack. He da greatest ever. NOT.

• Link
• Report this comment

@ bookman parrott

Yes he is!

Obama 2012!

• Link
• Report this comment

“Don’t you know regardless of what you report on the economy there will be idiots who refuse to believe that it’s actually improving?”

It is not that so much but when you discover over and over how the liberals skew research results to get their desired results one tends to lean back and say…..really?

• Link
• Report this comment

Oh no typos!!! Live with it.

• Link
• Report this comment

It certainly does not take a rocket-scientist to know that numbers can be easily manipulated. Does the purveyor of our new numbers take into account those that have lost their unemployment benefits and are not tallied in those filing for benefits? Ask those standing in line at the various Labor Dept. offices if they are happy with the new numbers and how long they have been unemployed. Let the readers see those numbers. I will be happy when my neighbors return to work, not when I hear someone, somewhere else has attained a job. These numbers mean nothing unless one is amongst those that attained one of these mostly seasonal jobs. Let’s see how good the numbers are in February, when there are fewer holiday-workers.

• Link
• Report this comment