The Public Policy
Obama Is Delaying the Economic Recovery
Or to be more precise, he’s preventing economic recovery — and thus dooming his political future.
Unemployment continued to rise in June to 9.5%, with the loss of almost another half million jobs in the month (467,000). Stretches of the country can be considered in a depression, with the unemployment rate for Michigan at 15.2%, California 11.6%, Nevada 12.0%, Oregon 12.2%, Ohio 11.1%, North Carolina 11.0%, South Carolina 12.1%, Kentucky 10.9%, Tennessee 10.8%, and Indiana 10.7%. Over 100 urban areas now have unemployment rates over 10%.
Adult male unemployment nationwide is already in double digits at 10%. Black unemployment is 14.7%, with Hispanics at 12.2%. Teenage unemployment is 24%, with black teenage unemployment close to 40%.
In a shocking article in the Wall Street Journal on July 14, Mortimer Zuckerman, chairman of U.S. News and World Report, explained why the economy is even worse than these numbers indicate. At least another 1.4 million people have already given up looking for work and so are not counted in the official unemployment rate. Another 9 million workers have taken part time unemployment because they cannot find full employment, yet they are not counted in the unemployment rate because they have some employment. Zuckerman reports:
The average work week for rank-and-file employees in the private sector, roughly 80% of the work force, slipped to 33 hours. That’s 48 minutes a week less than before the recession began, the lowest level since the government began tracking such data 45 years ago.
Zuckerman suggests that adding those whose hours have been cut to those who cannot find a full time job would leave the real unemployment rate at 16.5%. He adds:
The average length of official unemployment increased to 24.5 weeks, the longest since government began tracking this data in 1948. The number of long-term unemployed (i.e., for 27 weeks or more) has now jumped to 4.4 million, an all-time high.
Because of all this burgeoning unemployment and underemployment, incomes across the board are now declining.
Why Obama Failed
Don’t believe the Obama Administration rhetoric about how this economy has just turned out to be so difficult and they are doing the best they can. While the economy is still getting worse, the truth is the recovery is long overdue. The National Bureau of Economic Research dates this recession as starting some time during December, 2007. The longest recession since World War II was 16 months, with the average being 10 months. The current recession has now lasted 19 months. By this reckoning, we should have had a normal cyclical recovery at least 3 months ago.
When President Obama was hawking his stimulus package costing the American people close to $1 trillion with interest, he told us that it would prevent the unemployment rate from rising above 8%. If we didn’t pass it, he said, unemployment would go to 9%. He and his Administration savants also promised that the stimulus package would go to work reviving the economy immediately. As Fred Barnes wrote in the Wall Street Journal on Monday,
Once the stimulus passed, Democrats said the impact would be practically instant. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) predicted “an immediate jolt.” Economic adviser Larry Summers said, “You’ll see the effects almost immediately.” White House Budget Director Peter Orszag said it would “take only weeks or months” to be felt.
Obviously, President Obama and his economic gurus didn’t know what they were talking about. Not only is unemployment today at 9.5%, but even the Obama Administration is now saying it will go over 10%. President Obama is now changing his story, saying the stimulus was never supposed to work this fast, and it is really a two-year program. But if the economic was in such tragic shape when he came into office, why didn’t he develop an economic program that would work faster?
President Obama also told us when seeking approval for his stimulus that it would create or save 3 to 4 million jobs. But America has already lost 7.2 million jobs from this recession, so President Obama spent close to a trillion taxpayer dollars on his stimulus to do half the job, even if it worked as planned. Since January when President Obama entered office, America has lost over 2.6 million jobs. So the stimulus as yet is not working as planned.
Indeed, it was obvious from the beginning that the stimulus as designed was going to create or save exactly zero jobs, because it was based entirely on old-fashioned, throwback, Keynesian economics, proven not to work over and over. The stimulus package involves just borrowing a trillion dollars from the private economy to increase government spending in the economy by a trillion dollars. That involves no net increase for the economy in any event. In fact, it involves a net loss at best, because the private sector spends the money more productively and efficiently than the government.
Moreover, this Keynesian borrowing and spending does nothing to change the basic incentives that govern the economy. Indeed, nothing anywhere in Obama’s entire economic package increases incentives for economic growth, or for investment in particular.
About the Author
Peter Ferrara is Director of Entitlement and Budget Policy at the Heartland Institute, General Counsel of the American Civil Rights Union, Senior Fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis, and Senior Policy Advisor on Entitlements and Budget Policy at the National Tax Limitation Foundation. He served in the White House Office of Policy Development under President Reagan, and as Associate Deputy Attorney General of the United States under President George H.W. Bush.
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jack| 7.22.09 @ 6:49AM
the present situation is just more proof conservatives must fight liberal and socialist ideas to the death everyday,there can be no rest. there can be no middle ground. we are either a free people definded by our free markets or we are on the path to serfdom. bush never took up this fight and with his compassionate conservative tag was in fact saying he was big government and thus an enemy of individual freedom. this has made it much easier for socialists and fascists to take control,for the public to ignore the radical history of obama and put him power. we can not appease the liberals and socialists as so many moderate republicans want to do,it only strengthens them and weakens the freedoms we once enjoyed. we must put a stake through the heart of these ideas that have failed every time tried and with an imbecile like Obama we have that opportunity to kill liberalism once and for all. will we take it?
Big J| 7.22.09 @ 7:30AM
Obama has no desire for economic "recovery". His vision for America is one collective, fully dependent on government.
To each according to his needs, from each according to his ability.
He must be stopped. The liberal elitists in Washington must be stopped.
I, for one will not stand by idly while this great country is being deliberately destroyed.
Bob denying Reaganomics worked in 3, 2, 1...
Robert Rosencrans| 7.22.09 @ 7:34AM
Personally, I wouldn't count on any recovery any time soon. The debt load of foreign governments in relation to the GDP has never been higher and this contagion most likely will trigger a worldwide recession. The same is true of the USA government debt load.
There are no green shoots and the foreclosure problem is going through round two.
Although the Obama administration inherited a problem they are like teenagers with a 100 dollar budget who want to change the world. Their views are unrealistic and they lack political astuteness.
If either the health care plan or the cap and trade pass it will trash the US economy for years, perhaps for decades. If both pass the Democrats will both Houses of Congress and they know it.
Obama is currently losing credibility within his own party. Many of them recognize the foolishness and complete idiocy behind the health care plan.
Obama has failed on the economy and that may be all that is needed for the Republicans to gain some seats in the next election cycle.
Robert Rosencrans| 7.22.09 @ 7:34AM
Personally, I wouldn't count on any recovery any time soon. The debt load of foreign governments in relation to the GDP has never been higher and this contagion most likely will trigger a worldwide recession. The same is true of the USA government debt load.
There are no green shoots and the foreclosure problem is going through round two.
Although the Obama administration inherited a problem they are like teenagers with a 100 dollar budget who want to change the world. Their views are unrealistic and they lack political astuteness.
If either the health care plan or the cap and trade pass it will trash the US economy for years, perhaps for decades. If both pass the Democrats will both Houses of Congress and they know it.
Obama is currently losing credibility within his own party. Many of them recognize the foolishness and complete idiocy behind the health care plan.
Obama has failed on the economy and that may be all that is needed for the Republicans to gain some seats in the next election cycle.
JP| 7.22.09 @ 7:44AM
Peter,
I think you may overstate the cyclical recovery. I have watched the Fed these past several months, and agree with Andy Kessler's assesment that the only time the Dow has gained any momentuem was when the Fed was buying up Treasury Notes. Bernecke is under tremendous pressure from the WH to keep adding liquidity to the economy no matter what. However, the problem the Fed Chairman is seeing is that all of that extra liquidity is doing is adding to stock and commodity speculation. When the Fed Chairman stopped buying, the Dow and Oil prices fell almost immedialty. The extra liquidity was intended to go into the consumer and small business credit markets; however, most banks are scared to death of what is going on in the Beltway. There's no telling if these consumers or businesses will be around in 2 years to buy off thier loans. So, the banks aren't lending because of the risk the Beltway is creating.
You mentioned that individuals and businesses may just go on a splurge and spend before any potential tax sets in. I am seeing the opposite. During the early spring there have been many firms in my area who said they may expand in order to meet the demands for the "Green Economy". Now all of them have said they have a wait and see attitude. Best see what happens with Health Care and Cap and Trade is the attitude.
If any of the 2 bills pass in thier current form, we will see one of the biggest job killers in our history. Businesses, especially small ones, will either fold up or shed many jobs. I think some Dems understand this. We may end up thinking fondly of 2009 when unemployment was only 10%. We are on track to overtake both France and Germany in unemployment numbers if things continue.
Deborah D | 7.22.09 @ 7:57AM
Can we prove he is purposefully trying to tank the economy? If so, wouldn't this be an impeachable offense? (Not that the Dems would start those proceedings.) However, if it can be determined that he (and they--the Dems) are purposefully doing things to hurt the economy and therefore the American people and the country...then I, for one, believe this is treason.
Deborah D | 7.22.09 @ 8:01AM
"Treason is any attempt to overthrow the government or impair the well-being of a state to which one owes allegiance." From dictionary.com
Old Soldier| 7.22.09 @ 8:08AM
The government drag on the economy is equal to the NPV of its expeditures minus transfer payments. (See, I was paying attention in Macro Econ.) Sure is a lot of drag happening right now.
stuart reed| 7.22.09 @ 8:09AM
Deborah D you are spot on!
The messiah has only one mission and we know what that is.
Don L| 7.22.09 @ 8:13AM
Reccessions are also psychological in nature. That is why the leftist media has always manipulated economic truth and speak of bad times under a GOP watch and good times under a Dem. However, when the people who invest, expand their businesses and hire, look at the takeover of their enterprises, and rtheir finbancial systems, they retreat into stagnation, waiting for the other foot to drop by the Obamanauts, or they just give up and pack it in. In either case, employment suffers, in some cases irreparably. One has to wonder if this isn't the real goal of the left - to destroy the capitalism that made us great and set up and economy where the people plead for the government to save them.
Someday even fiscal conservative willcome to realize that people who aggressively support the destruction of innocent life, will have no difficulty in the destruction of the economy, especially if they end up on top of the heap. In the meantime the mice still like the tune the piper's playing -hope and change. Maybe the townspeople will wake up in time -maybe they won't.
PlotBbehind aPuppet Government| 7.22.09 @ 8:21AM
It's not what Obama is doing it's about what everyone else is doing to survive, not only in America but world wide.
Those who are stupid enough to think Obama is about to wave his magic wand to save them may well end up waiting a long time.
Obama has one agenda, do what he is told. What Obama is told is to fool the Arab world to gain support, and fool the Russians to gain support, fool the Africans to gain support to forward American agenda around the world.
Obama has the majority in the house, so why is the healthcare plan such a problem, it's simple because he was fooling Black people to gain votes.
Why is Obama giving all this money to the Banks? and tha Banks then give the money to their staff, because Obama has no clue in Business. The people around him is acting against him, even people in his own party. Obama is a one term runner, Obama will be torn apart and dumped when the establishment gets what they want.
It's all about the 100 year war, to secure the Anglo American agenda. China is the problem in Africa for the resources, Russia being used to get Arms to the Afghan war, divide the relations with Iran and Russia, fool the Syrians into a false sense of security, while they think Obama is a secret Muslim, while he was going to Rev Wright Church, its all bull. Obama is a candidate for a set agenda, selected by the secret Government, the Government behind the Puppet.
That explains why Obama was on his African and Russian visits and Europe visits. Obama is doing what he has been told to do. Obama is running nothin in America, he is the man that takes the Blame, Obama was groomed by Zbigniew Brazezinski and George Soros. Obama was picked out long ago for this moment. Obama said himself that this was the moment.
Obama himself perhaps don't agree with a single thing he is doing, but he is doing what he is being paid to do. If McCain had won he would have to do the same. There will be no healthcare program, any one who think there will be is mad.
Obama ran his campaign on change, Obama will change nothing, because he is a puppet, he has no power do do any thing he is like the Carter Government, groomed by Zbigniew Brazezinski, who has also groomed Obama.
Obama is perhaps more dangerious than George W Bush. Because he has been groomed to stir up trouble with Russia and China, who can defend them selves. One Obama wants China out of Africa, so America gets the minerals, for nothing while China is willing to pay to promote better living conditions for Africans. Africans can see how they will have more resources to build schools hospitals. Zbigniew Brazezinski saw how a Black man would play well in Africa, to fool African leaders, so Obama is being used, to deceive the poor people of Africa, he is a Judas.
He is being used to put the Arab world into a false sense of security, thinking he will use deplomacy in the Arab world, while all along the plan is to attack the Syrians and destroy Lebanon, and Iran, and the break up of Pakistan, playing to destablise the Government.
End Game is to break up Russia and Pakistan and China, and India. If not America and Europe will end up Bankrupt with no future recovery as they lose their Economic power and shift to Asia. They have to fight for it, or Europeans and Americans will die in poverty. It's not Obamas fault it's, reality.
USA vs Russia vs Iran| 7.22.09 @ 8:44AM
The real issues are suffocated by the media. The American middle class is being destroyed by jobs offshoring and work visas for foreigners, while the incomes of the super rich are soaring. The US dollar’s reserve currency status is eroded. The US is massively in debt at home and abroad. Health insurance is unaffordable for the vast majority of the population. Injured veterans are being nickeled and dimed, while Halliburton’s profits escalate. Americans are losing their homes, while the US government bails out banks. Wars with Iran, Russia, and China are being planned in order to secure US hegemony.
Americans no longer have a government that is for the people and by the people. They have a government for and by special interests and an insane ideology.
But Americans have war, which lets them take out all their frustrations, resentments, and disappointments on “Muslim terrorists” and “Russian aggressors.” Few Americans are disturbed that 1.25 million Iraqis and an unknown number of Afghans have died as a result of American invasions based on Bush regime lies and deceptions. Even Americans, like Senator Biden, Obama’s selection for vice president, who understand that the wars are based on lies, still want the US to win. So, it was all a mistake and a deception, but let’s win anyway and keep on killing.
I know people who still complain that the US did not nuke North Vietnam. When I ask why Vietnam should have been nuked, they reply, “if we had nuked them we would have won.”
What would America have won? The answer is world loathing and the loss of the cold war.
For many Americans, war is like a sports contest in which they take vicarious pleasure and cheer on their side to victory. Millions of Americans are still bitter that “the liberal media” and war protesters caused America to lose the Vietnam war, and they are determined that this won’t happen again. These Americans have no realization that there was no more reason for the US to be fighting in Vietnam 40 years ago than to be fighting today in Iraq and Afghanistan or tomorrow in Iran.
Obama, if elected, is no guarantee against nuclear war. Obama has shown that he is as much under the Israel Lobby’s thumb as McCain. Obama’s foreign affairs advisor, Zbigniew Brzezinski, is not a neocon, but he was born in Warsaw, Poland, and has the Pole’s animosity toward Russia. The Bush administration has already changed US war doctrine to permit preemptive nuclear attack. With the US government determined to ring Russia with puppet states and military bases, war is inevitable.
Presidential appointees face confirmation in the Senate. Any of Obama’s appointees who might be out of step with plans for US and Israeli hegemony could expect opposition from large corporations and the Israel Lobby. There is no assurance that an Obama administration would not be positioned on “the issues” by the same special interests that have positioned the Bush administration.
Americans are filled with hubris, not with knowledge. They have no awareness of the calamity that their government’s pursuit of hegemony is bringing to themselves and to life on earth.
stephanie| 7.22.09 @ 8:56AM
Good Lord puppet government, you are full of conspiricies this morning. Pray tell, who is pulling the puppets strings?
This is ALL about Barry. I have never seen such an egotistical person. He puts Bill Clinton to shame! I long for those days when all we had to worry about was the stain on the blue dress and the wagging of that finger and the "I did not have sexual relations with....." Today we have so much more to worry about.
MikeVermont| 7.22.09 @ 9:04AM
FYI:
HOUSTON (Dow Jones)--Halliburton Co.'s (HAL) second-quarter earnings fell 48% on weak demand and lower prices, particularly in North America, where drilling activity has declined.
Who control the press?| 7.22.09 @ 9:06AM
NEWS YOU WON'T FIND ON CNN
War With Russia Is On The Agenda
By Paul Craig Roberts
Thinking about the massive failure of the US media to report truthfully is sobering. The United States, bristling with nuclear weapons and pursuing a policy of world hegemony, has a population that is kept in the dark--indeed brainwashed--about the most important and most dangerous events of our time.
The power of the Israel Lobby is an important component of keeping Americans in the dark. Recently I watched a documentary that demonstrates the control that the Israel Lobby exercises over Americans’ view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The documentary is available here: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article14055.htm
Joe S| 7.22.09 @ 9:14AM
There is one way to fight the Socialist takeover of America - make Obama fail. We should not invest in new businesses, buy govt motor cars, use bailed out banks, support health care reform or anything else associated with a lib agenda. In addition, small business owners must not hire new workers and must par their workforce by 15% to cover additional business costs. I know these are painful, but we must respond or let America die. Your choice.
Deborah D | 7.22.09 @ 9:14AM
I believe that "Plots Behind..." "USvsRussia.." and "Who control the press" are one and the same. Just a spammer in drag. Ignore him/her/it.
Russia China Iran pending WAR| 7.22.09 @ 9:14AM
Russia to Open Airspace to U.S. for Afghan War
01:23 PM (MSD) July 4, 2009
The Russian government has agreed to let American troops and weapons bound for Afghanistan fly over Russian territory, officials on both sides said Friday. The arrangement will provide an important new corridor for the United States military as it escalates efforts to win the eight-year war.
The agreement, to be announced when President Obama visits here on Monday and Tuesday, represents one of the most concrete achievements in the administration’s effort to ease relations with Russia after years of tension. But the two sides failed to make a trade deal or resolve differences over missile defense, and are struggling to draft a preliminary nuclear arms deal.
The blend of success and stalemate leading to Mr. Obama’s visit suggests that it is easier to talk about a “reset” button than to press it. The promise of a new era of cooperation was always predicated on the tenuous notion that a change of tone and a shift in emphasis might be enough to bridge deep divisions. But even with both sides eager for warmer ties, the issues that have torn Washington and Moscow apart did not go away with the transition at the White House.
Mr. Obama is less enthusiastic than President George W. Bush was about an antimissile system in Eastern Europe or NATO membership for Ukraine and Georgia, but has not abandoned either goal, to the consternation of the Kremlin. Despite American pressure, Moscow has not yielded in its confrontation with Georgia a year after their brief war.
Africa being fooled by Bush| 7.22.09 @ 9:19AM
George Bush visits Africa to promote AFRICOM
Horace Campbell look at Bush's visit as an attempt to further militarize the continent and consolidate US holding.
Av Horace Cambell | fredag 15. februar 2008
One year after the announcement that he United States government was going to accelerate the militarization of Africa, President George Bush is embarking on a journey to Africa to coerce African societies to align themselves with the neo-conservative agenda of the present US administration. President George Bush will visit five African countries between February 15 -21. The countries are Benin, Ghana, Liberia, Rwanda and Tanzania. George Bush is a lame-duck President who cannot visit real global players so this visit to Africa is an effort to shore up the credentials of the neo-liberal forces in Africa while promoting the conservative ideas of abstinence as the basis of the fight against the HIV –AIDS pandemic.
Barack Obama African deception| 7.22.09 @ 9:29AM
JAMES A. GOLDSTON is the Executive Director of the Open Society Justice Initiative. In 2007-2008, Goldston served as Coordinator of Prosecutions and Senior Trial Attorney at the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
BARACK OBAMA'S VISIT TO AFRICA & THE ICC PROSECUTION OF OMAR AL BASHIR OF SUDAN by JAMES A. GOLDSTON, OPEN SOCIETY JUSTICE INITIATIVE: (MaximsNews Network)
UNITED NATIONS - / MaximsNews Network / 07 July 2009 - Barack Obama’s visit to Ghana Friday—his first to Africa as President—comes as the continent is seething over the International Criminal Court’s indictment of President Omar Al Bashir of Sudan for crimes in Darfur. By quashing rumors that the United States may be waffling in its support of the Bashir prosecution, President Obama can do in Africa what he has done so successfully in Europe and the Middle East—use his personal popularity to recapture the moral high ground for U.S. foreign policy.
A decade after it was created, and still on its first trial, the International Criminal Court is under siege. Muammar Qaddafi, who currently heads the African Union, calls the charges against President Bashir “First World terrorism.”
Last week, an African Union summit refused to cooperate in the arrest of “African indicted personalities” unless the United Nations Security Council deferred Bashir’s case. And for the first time several of the court’s African member countries have seriously floated the possibility of withdrawing.
Some see double standards and neocolonialism in the court’s exclusive focus on Africa to date.
Many have trouble accepting that a court they played a role in creating may act independently.
Others blame the prosecutor for allowing politics to infect his decisions.
But the main source of discontent is clear: fear that an international court may indict a head of state and get away with it.
The court’s issuance of an arrest warrant threatens other political and military commanders who have committed crimes.
It also injects a new and uncertain element into the already complex dynamics of peace negotiations and conflict resolution.
Although the current crisis has emerged in Africa, these concerns extend well beyond the continent.
A Russian diplomat has criticized the Bashir warrant as “untimely” and “dangerous.”
China has issued cautionary warnings about the impact on regional stability
JimP| 7.22.09 @ 9:36AM
My guess at this point is that Obama is a naive/ignorant true believer communist who is realizing his socialist philosophy does not and cannot work in the real world. Being a malignant narcissist he will not admit he is wrong, so he'll continue push his plans while knowing he's going to be a one term Pres. He'll enjoy his million dollar date nights, wagyu beef, WH conert perks etc for 4 years, leave office and make millions on the speaking circuit, and a la Jimmy Carter spend the rest of his life as a sanctimonious moralizing bore who throws monkey wrenches into the works whenever he can.
The Death of America| 7.22.09 @ 9:39AM
"George W. Bush, Zionist Double Agent, American Traitor"
Friend of Israel's| 7.22.09 @ 9:58AM
"Who control [sic] the press?" just referred to an anti-Israel article by Paul Craig Roberts. Not being familiar with his name, I looked him up on wikipedia (which I use sparingly and cautiously.)
Wikipedia says this about Roberts: "In an article for Counterpunch magazine titled "Pirates of the Mediterranean", Roberts wrote that for 60 years, Israel has replicated "the 17th, 18th, and 19th century theft of American Indian lands by US settlers." Roberts repeated charges that Gaza is "the world largest concentration camp" populated by people who were "driven out of Palestine so that "Israel could steal their land." He called the U.S. State Department a "puppet" of the Israelis and the U.S. itself a "puppet state" of the Israelis. He concludes the article by claiming that "there’s no money for California, or for Americans’ health care, or for the several million Americans who have lost their homes and are homeless, because Israel needs it."
That tells me all I need to know about Roberts.
saleboter| 7.22.09 @ 10:01AM
"President Obama will not even be running for re-election then. "
Nice to think about but won't happen. His mega ego will take over.
Pingback| 7.22.09 @ 10:01AM
Today in Op-Eds | The DC Feed links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Colonialist Robbers,Obama | 7.22.09 @ 10:11AM
What is America’s agenda in Africa?
Labourers push a cart past a billboard depicting Ghana’s President John Atta Mills and United States President Barack Obama in Africa. /Reuters
By Abdikadir Abdalar
Posted Thursday, July 9 2009 at 00:00
As he prepared for his visit to Africa, President Barack Obama gave an interview in which he outlined his reasons for the choice of his first stop in Sub-Saharan Africa. He said he had chosen Ghana because, he argued, it is a beacon of democracy and good governance.
Veteran observers of US policy towards Africa may take a more cynical perception of this explanation because it is hard to recall a time when American policy towards the continent was shaped by such “good intentions” as pure promotion of democracy.
To the contrary, the list of countries which the US gives generous amounts of foreign aid in Africa and beyond is long and the election of the new administration has not done much to change this. Egypt and Algeria, for example, are anything but models of good governance.
Struck oil
Turning to Ghana, it is hard to ignore the obvious attractions it has for the United States. There is the fact that the country struck oil recently.
America is famously resource hungry and few would be prepared to believe that there is no link between Ghana’s ever closer ties to the US and the decision by Mr Obama to strengthen those ties by visiting.
Ghana is also situated very close to Nigeria, one of the United States’ most important sources of oil.
But Anglo-American interests in that country have come under frequent attack from rebels, primarily those associated with the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta.
Considering Nigeria is one of the most important sources of oil exports to the US after the nations in the middle east, it would be no surprise if the Americans will want to use Ghana to secure their interests in the region.
It cannot be a coincidence that Ghana has been mentioned as a possible host for the proposed Africa Command (Africom), the American military unit that focuses on Africa.
Only very optimistic observers would argue that the frequent visits that the US most senior diplomat on African affairs , Johnnie Carson, makes are purely geared towards generating good governance in Africa.
It is hard not to see the Africom agenda in these moves.
Let us not forget that American foreign policy in Africa and in many places around the world has been shaped above all by the need to secure American interests, despite the human rights record of the leaders involved.
Amor de Cosmos| 7.22.09 @ 10:14AM
The fatal conceit of socialism is that producers will go on producing even if they are saddled with disincentives. The belief is that producers are so greedily addicted to materialism that they just can't help themselves and will still keep producing no matter how much of a burden is imposed.
In fact, producers can and do go on strike. They will continue to work a 5 day work week, but overtime, weekends, and risky but rewarding ventures will recede from their lives. If you have to kill yourself in effort or take on a great chance and personal risk of loss to only recover one-third of your labor or ventured capital, you will trade leisure time (which is not taxable) for material things. The net result is less business and wealth creation, less employment and less tax revenue.
Lightworker is spending borrowed money on social engineering schemes. The most ironic thing he has said so far is that his administration is bringing a "New Era of Responsibility".
Lightworker lied; the economy died.
Michael Smith| 7.22.09 @ 10:19AM
Great article, Mr. Ferrara.
Not many people are stupid enough to believe they can grow richer by taking money from one of their pockets and moving it to another. However, evidently there are plenty of people -- including Obama's economic advisors -- who believe that we can grow richer by replacing a trillion dollars of private spending with a trillion dollars of government spending.
The only remaining question is this: how many times does economic interventionism by the government have to fail before our politicians will recognize reality?
The Obama deception| 7.22.09 @ 10:23AM
Aale Boter.
Obamas cover has been blown. Most smart people already knew Obama, was the same as Jimmy Carter, a waste of space trick pulled on the developed world. Obama is full of hot air.
Doing the dirty work of his paymasters, recking the ecomony to appease his Jewish Lobbiest, and the rich Jewish Bankers, like Goldman Sachs.
Goyims can sink in desease like Swine flu, and poverty. As long as Israel is OK, who care about America or the rest of the world.
John Galt| 7.22.09 @ 10:33AM
I agree...Obama failed math in school.
As ugly as it is, and it will get uglier, it is now up to survival of the fittest.
I can do math. Like most small businesses, I'm latching down the hatches and waiting out the storm.
Every dog has its day....BO's programs are not sustainable.
Too bad the citizens have to suffer through this Administration. Perhaps they might think before they vote in the next election. It is still an option the last time I checked.
Louis Jenkins| 7.22.09 @ 10:51AM
Why shouldn't Obama delay an economic recovery? Playing Chicken Little comes easy for most folks and he is no exception. A Congressman went to heaven but could not get in because all the spaces were occupied. St. Peter told him he'd have to wait. The politician said "let me in and in ten minutes there will be plenty of room." Once inside heaven the congressman began to spread the rumor that there was free gold in Hell. Everyone began to whisper the news and soon heaven was empty. The congressman was last out the gates at a dead run. St. Peter stopped him and said "There is no free gold in Hell!" To which the congressman replied, "All these people can't be wrong!" Tell an unbelievable lie long enough and it will be believed. Hitler did it.
JAH666| 7.22.09 @ 10:51AM
I think, maybe, we are seeing a trend here. I could ask; who let all the conspiracy theory advocates into the room? Deborah D sees it too, so I'll have to check the other conservative sites I peruse and follow. Some of those unsigned posts above are down-right funny. JimP has Obama pegged; it's all about HIM. He's a zealot for socialism and NOTHING will convince him that he is wrong. Before he won the election he or his campaign released the phrase "we are the one we've been waiting for" or words to that effect. A dead giveaway...
He will do terrible damage to this country during his one-term in the WH, but he will spend the rest of his life believing he did the right thing. Just look at Carter, he was the same.
william mony| 7.22.09 @ 10:54AM
obama is dooming america, and if we don't stop it, we will be a third world nation.
my father, said that when obama was elected, we should not go into "panic' mode, unfortunately, we see his agenda and indeed a little panic should set in.
if he tries to pass sweeeping gun control ocntrol legisaltion, after health care and cap and trade, then we know tyranny is in full effect.
wm
Pingback| 7.22.09 @ 11:13AM
Note To Rahm: I Need A Good Laugh - Politics and Other Controversies - Page 2 - City- links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
JeffW| 7.22.09 @ 11:23AM
Wow, I see the spammers are on this site in full force. Maybe its just me, but I wouldn't put it past some Obama supporters to try and undermine the conservative movement support by making some of their most popular sites to appear to be loaded with conspiracy theory nutjobs. Nice subterfuge, right off the Alinsky manual. Must mean they are getting nervous and things are not looking good for them to resort to such apparent and desperate tactics. Obama is sinkin rapidly. If his healthcare reform fails and unemployment continues to climb he will know how Carter felt and will be in the running to take the title of "Worst president ever"
William| 7.22.09 @ 11:45AM
JeffW you are correct. Some of them are paid to do exactly that. I suspect it is among the subfunctions of a certain taxpayer funded subversive organization - complete with a big red flag - called ACORN.
It doesn't matter. They have sown the wind.
Michael Tomlinson| 7.22.09 @ 11:48AM
“The National Bureau of Economic Research dates this recession as starting some time during December, 2007.” Can you say BS? This recession began with a modest down ticket of -.5% last summer and crashed after the Obama election in November 2008. Therefore, since Obama and Democrats are making things worse look for a recovery in 2010 when and if Republicans retake Congress and begin undoing the damage Obama Democrats have wrought. If that doesn’t happen the recovery will come after Obama is impeached or loses his potential bid for reelection in 2012 (I believe Obama’s narcissism will make it impossible for him not to run).
The Obama Democrat inspired depression was caused in part by Democrats in Congress covering-up the nefarious activity of Democrats Franklin Delano Raines and Jamie Gorelick at Fannie Mae and their Democrat cohorts at Freddie Mac. Coupled with Chuck Schumer’s reprehensible part in encouraging bank failures and economic chaos was inevitable. The failure of conservatives to label Obama and Democrats as the chief architects of our current economic problems only allows the scoundrels to blame others for their mistakes and corruption (don’t forget under Bush and the Republican Congress using supply-side economics taxes were never raised, spending was a pittance compared to today’s outlandish behavior, the economy was growing, wages were increasing, more illegal immigrants hadn’t been deported than in the past, Muslim extremists were dying in droves and America’s future looked bright).
As for Democrat statements about the stimulus they were correct. Once Democrats passed their massive tax and spend bill we did see an immediate impact as their recklessness dealt a body blow to a weak economy sending it into what is adding up to be Obama’s depression that’s falling heavily on the backs of working Americans (when Obama took office unemployment was 7.6% thanks to him and Democrats it is on the fast track to double digits that will exceed current dire predictions).
If Obama and Democrat tax increases weren’t so bad for the economy and country I’d be indifferent since the wealthiest in our country tend to be Democrats and were solidly for Obama in 2008. Thus, I find it hard to have “pity” for the fools who so eagerly voted for audacious change. In fact, I think they should get everything they voted for, but since it is impacting folks who didn’t swallow the Democrat deceit I can only pray that this Democrat stimulated chaos ends by election time next year – unless this happens then Obama’s dream of mimicking Cuba will be closer to reality as we march down the path to third world nation status and he makes himself Hugo Chavez.
Ron Victor | 7.22.09 @ 11:57AM
Great column. Facts are persistent things,and you have laid them out very well here. The numbers speak for themselves. The only issue I have with this column, is you saying Obama won't be running in 2012. He is far too obsessed with his own place in history to simply give in to a huge grassroots swell of anti government sentiment waiting to be released by then. cooperscopy.blogspot.com
Michael G.Gallagher| 7.22.09 @ 12:01PM
If you don't think this is too far out in space, pass it on!
Dear people, wherever you may be,
I've just finished rereading Atlas Shrugged for the third time. The first two times (a long time ago) I applied its lessons to the collapse of the Soviet Bloc. Now Ayn Rand's work seems more pertinent than ever due the events unfolding in my homeland.
The reason I say my homeland is because I'm an expatriate American English teacher living in South Korea. I've been living and working in the ROK for twelve years, but I still send in my absentee ballot for presidential elections every four years.
What I've been seeing taking place in the USA since January 20 is making me more upset by the day. The mounting deficits, the growing and dangerous dependence on China (many South Koreans are very jittery about China) to finance those deficits, the talk of instituting new (VAT and a big one at that) taxes to help cover those very same deficits, the bailouts of GM, and particularly Chrysler, the attempt to remove choice and private enterprise from the U.S. health care system, the stimulus that went mostly to government drones rather things that would really stimulate, and above all, the despicable behavior of the mainstream media in covering up Obama's real Chicago background. I had to go and find the red star at the top of William Ayers website all by myself!
All these things have made me very alarmed concerning the future of my country. So I've reached one overriding conclusion: it's time for Americans to revolt against royal authority for the second time in 234 years.
I say this because I don't believe the traditional legislative process can stop my country's slide towards the comfortable euthanasia of West European-style socialism. With the idiocy of Bush to guide them, the Republicans have done a very creditable job of taking Dirty Harry's 357. and pointing it at least at their feet, if not their heads.
So it's time to revolt. This will be a difficult idea for many Americans to grasp. After all, we are the product of a culture that has been based on the rule of law from its very beginnings back in medieval England.
What I'm talking about is starving the Government Beast. Come next April 15, 2010 don't send in your tax forms. Refuse to pay! If you're a small businessman don't pay your state (If you live in California, New York, or New Jersey, this applies especially to you) or federal business taxes. Don't pay your licensing fees! When the Bush tax cuts expire in 2011, don't file! Simply don't feed the Beast!
If you're worried about prosecution, there's safety in numbers. If ten million Americans refuse to pay, the looters can't possibly oppress more than a very small number of people. If ten million small business people refuse to knuckle under to the New Jealously Class, then the Beast will be truly crippled and will be forced to beg for mercy. View your refusal to pay blackmail to the looters as a civil rights issue along the lines of what inspired Martin Luther King during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and the early 1960s. IT IS NOT YOUR PATRIOTIC DUTY TO PAY HIGHER TAXES! In fact, it can be considered a form of treason to file on April 15, 2010.
Anyway, this has happened before. What most Americans don't remember or never learned is that in the run-up to the American Revolution the British backed down twice over the issue of taxes. Parliament repealed both the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts in the face of fierce colonial protests. Remember, the looters don't have the mighty Royal Navy behind them, or ranks of hard fighting British Grenadiers, all they have in their favor is the willingness to submit of a people who have been comfortable for far too long.
Deep in your hearts, you know this is the only way to stop the statists.
Michael G. Gallagher, Ph.D.
Seoul, Korea
sauruman56@yahoo.com
Michael Tomlinson| 7.22.09 @ 12:03PM
Great analysis JP! Don L like your insights too. I've been wondering where are the "fiscal conservatives" who bitched and moaned about Bush and the GOP? They seem to be incredibly muted in their criticism of Obama, the Democrat Congress and the blue dog lap dogs -- could it be they voted for the hope and change BS?
JeffW you've got a point too, but our side has its share of loonies too (albeit much smaller than Democrats who have Obama, Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi, Congress, the DNC, ACORN, MoveOn.org and Daily Kos). That's right Democrats I not only have utter contempt for your neo-fascist party, but I think your leaders and base are nuts.
Finally, have the "conservatives" who thought punishing Republicans was "good politics" finally realized that such juvenile behavior only empowers Democrats? Hello, this is what you get when you punish Republicans. Learn the lesson now or we're doomed in 2012.
Kris| 7.22.09 @ 12:04PM
I am not one for such huge tax rate increases but, I do find it funny that the article suggests that the recession started in December 2007 under former President Bush. No complaints for a year until we had a new President. A democrat, I might add. Only when a Democrat takes office is it okay for conservatives to bash him for spending money while the congress was controlled by Republicans from 1994 to 2006. Then, conservatives had the executive branch as well. President Bush recieved a balanced budget when he came into office and totally destroyed our economyu and now we have a President who is trying to restore that economy. Is he going about it the right way, probably not, but at least we know Democrats love to spend. What happened to being fiscally responsible from the right side of the spectrum?
Groucho| 7.22.09 @ 12:23PM
Obama and the Democrats are appeasors. That means, they like to apease people, including the terrorists.
Obama wants the economy to fail because he wants the country to fail. It's what all democrats want. They're traitors to this country.
Obama's not even a citizen of America, he's a citizen of Kenya.
The Republicans need to stand up and fight, and not go downstream like a bunch of dead fish. That means they have to work to progress the country and fight wealth redistribution in Washington so that America can live up to its God given potential as a free country, not a socialist.
Anthony| 7.22.09 @ 12:36PM
If you say the recession began in December 2007 and the recovery should have happened by April 2009, that means that Bush presided over well over a year of the recession. Would you say that he also was trying to prevent recovery? I don't understand what world you were living in back in November and December, but it was clear back then that things were not getting better. If your timeline is correct, we should have been on the road to recovery by then, and yet the stock market was decimated during that time.
I don't think the delay in recovery has been the fault of Bush or Obama, it's just that recovery takes time when the crisis was a rolling one that had to hit many different parts of the economy in succession before petering out. You have to be patient and stop believing that presidents actually control the economy.
John| 7.22.09 @ 12:37PM
I understand that the economists in the Obama White House do not understand why job recovery has not begun to occur. It is not hard to figure out.
1. Employers are racked with uncertainty about what the government will do regarding employee payroll costs. Hence don’t act now until the uncertainty goes away.
2. Employers know employment costs are going up with the obligation to provide health insurance or pay the excise tax Hence employers will either try to get by with fewer employees and/or increase the use of technology. Also, new employees will have to be more productive to compensate for the increased costs so this will lead to higher unemployment rates for the less talented. It all adds up to high unemployment rates.
2. The tax expense will be increasing, which will reduce cash flow and pressure the need for more productivity. See 1 and 2 above.
3. All non revenue generating costs will increase with cap and trade. Employers can control their variable costs to off set this and usually the biggest variable cost is labor. Hence they need to decrease these costs with the above.
In sum, costs will increase on all fronts just by opening the door in the morning without a benefit or a return on the increased cost. How will the USA look in the future as a result. See Europe for the last ten years. High costs and high unemployment.
Grzmlyk| 7.22.09 @ 12:42PM
Great article.
I do wonder where Troll extraordinare El Putzo Bobbo is, though. I have no doubt that he'll be along shortly under some guise to peddle his particularly brand of ACORN-manufactured supercilious snake oil (isn't it sort of cannibalistic for a snake to be selling snake oil?).
He's probably at Moveon.org's offices right now, amassing his ersatz statistics with which to cow us - you know, those "low corporate tax" charts and "effective" tax rate charts and "GDP" charts that are supposed to show us that the government couldn't possibly overtax the private sector or diminish its robust growth (as if cooked GDP numbers tell 1/5 of the story!) and that all is dandy under the Thug in Chief.
I mean, after all, who are we going to believe? Obama and his Bob-like minions, or our lying eyes (and wallets)?
Now that the public is starting to realize they're being fleeced to within an inch of their lives only to foot the bill for political patronage, payoffs, graft and corruption, and that Obama and his merry band of acolytes don't give a damn about you, me or even Bob, I wonder whether the mainstream media will begin to notice the would-be emperor is buck naked.
Just kidding. They won't.
JeffW| 7.22.09 @ 12:53PM
Kris,
Your right. Bush was not fisically conservative and many conservatives complained about it. However, keep in mind, it is Congress that it is responsible for the budget. So once again the deficit tanking in Dec 2007 can be pointed to the Democrats since they controlled Congress at that time. But leaving all of that aside, how does a wrong in the past make what Obama is doing and wants to do right?
It's the system needs change| 7.22.09 @ 12:53PM
Power is knowledge, the lack of it is death.
While the ill-informed is worring about Obama, he is making his money, he knows the contract, it's win win for Obama. Write another book or two still makes money.
What are the people writing on about Democrats going to make absolutely nothing, most by the end of this year if they had a business, it will be bankrupt. If they had a job, they will be unemployed. And they are so DUMB down they don't even realise that their economic outlook would be exactly the same even if Bush was still in office.
That is the level and mentality of these people have no dam clue.
Before Obama was elected every News Channel every News paper owned by Jews shouted Obamas praise, because there is where the Jewish Lobby to get what they want millions in bribery.
You want a different out come in elections then it needs to be ligimate. Wall Street Backed Obama to keep the Gravey train running.
Case in Point| 7.22.09 @ 1:01PM
POSTED BY GROUCHO:
" Obama and the Democrats are appeasors. That means, they like to apease people, including the terrorists.
Obama wants the economy to fail because he wants the country to fail. It's what all democrats want. They're traitors to this country.
Obama's not even a citizen of America, he's a citizen of Kenya.
The Republicans need to stand up and fight, and not go downstream like a bunch of dead fish. That means they have to work to progress the country and fight wealth redistribution in Washington so that America can live up to its God given potential as a free country, not a socialist. "
Are fu*king serious man? Do you have any idea how insane this sounds? Are you sitting in your basement rubbing cocoa butter on your eyelids singing about ducks with elbows? Your true colors are shining through.
Pingback| 7.22.09 @ 1:06PM
Washington Planner » Wednesday Required Reading links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Kris| 7.22.09 @ 1:11PM
JeffW, im not saying that Obama is totally right. Infact, he is 75% wrong about a lot of his options. What I am saying is that the article states that in Dec. 2007 we started to slide into a recession and the whole time President Bush was saying the economy was okay when us down at the bottom knew everything was wrong. We simply have a broken system and too much easy money. A lot of that borrowing happened under Republican's watch. Let me make myself clear, I am not a Democrat but I am also not a Republican. I am an Independent because I feel that both parties only answer top special interest groups. Big Business one one side and well, Big Business on the other.
Grzmlyk| 7.22.09 @ 1:15PM
Obviously, Obviously.
Duh. Yup. We're all mad as March Hares here. You got it. And in the Alice-in-Wonderland world in which liberals live, down is up (e.g., lower temperatures are proof of global warming), good is bad (e.g., low tax rates are not stimulative) and right is wrong (the second amendment is unconstitutional).
Oh. And insanity is sanity. So, yup. Conseratives are insane. Get it? Are ya clear now?
Swell. Now go back down your rabbit hole.
Steve| 7.22.09 @ 1:25PM
Genesee Co. Michigan unemployment is 20 percent. Lets see 8 millions Americans out of work. Thirteen millions Illegal Mexicans living and working here. What should we do mmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!
Freddie| 7.22.09 @ 1:48PM
Case in Point.
Who the hell is the Terrorist? Have you got a single idea how this political system ie run? or do you think there is no propaganda machine at work in the media to promote their agenda.
Bush could not even allow an investigation in Sept 11th, because he knew who was behind it. If one person gets killed in America they look for the killer. Over 3000 people was killed on Sept 11th and no investigation, ask your DUMB ass why.
The one woman who was getting things togather to invistage and have an inquiry into this the plane she was on Crashed. You people better wake up before its too late.
Many have lost their lives fighting in phoney wars, and no one ask why.
You people trust the Government blindly, you have no democracy, you have a shamble that looks like democracy.
What kind of future do people like you want, to keep sending your kids to war fighting because the government says so, with no honesty behind it, just throwing your lives away.
LAME DUCK| 7.22.09 @ 1:51PM
barac is already a pure LAME DUCK. he and his cronies are just obstructing american freedom. He wants rational healthcare for illegal immigrants. It's the ted kennedy plan the same plan that kennedy gave to mary jo koopppeccki. he wants to wreck your 401K's further by taxing the so called rich. anyone with even a little grey matter know that the rich pass that cost onto the consumer. Obama is right for cuba but not for america. He support global warming. al gore who failed science while at harvard isn't a scientist but only fools believe him. sorous has bankrolled obama and has flowed money into democratic cauffers. sorous even said that china will lead america out of the economic malaise that the democrats through fannie and freedie called.
dems will only get it when they are thrown out of office in 2010. barac will be a lame duck until 2012.
Kris| 7.22.09 @ 2:03PM
Lame Duck,Come on, you can't even spell his name. What like former President Bush wasn't a lame duck. Plus, we learned back in third grade you cannot put green house gases into the atmoshphere without it trapping heat.(at least most of us learned this) Now, there is a slight sham to 'global warming' but just because Al Gore states some misguided facts does not mean we are not contributing to the climate change that is occuring. Climate change is going to occur naturally, it is just that we are speeding up the process. Do you truly believe that John McCain was going to be any better?
Kris| 7.22.09 @ 2:10PM
I know this is off subject but,lets give up for ol' Dubya for paving the way for Obama. If it wasnt for his BS there would have never have been a need for Change. Thank you to all the republicans for voting in a loser twice. He couldn't manage a baseball team or the oil company his pops gave him. did we really think he could run a country.
Grzmlyk| 7.22.09 @ 2:21PM
Kris, I wonder if your side will EVER realize that the ogre in the cave - whom Al Gore SWEARS can be persuaded not to kill us if only we give Al Gore all of our money - is a figment of Al Gore's "fevered" imagination - and the hopes and dreams of those who see the global warming HOAX as yet another way to separate money from the people who earn it and give it to the people who do not.
C02 is a TRACE gas. There has been ZERO proof that C02 - which comprises only 4/10000ths of the earth's atmosphere - causes global warming. Zero. No scientific proof. Correlation is NOT causation. "Consensus" (which is falling apart in any case) is NOT fact.
The planet has been cooling for 10 years, which is why idiots like you have stopped calling it "global warming" and started calling it "climate change." A guilded rose by any other name, eh, Kris?
No doubt you are young and you want everyone to know just how much you CARE about the - hushed tones here - ENVIRONMENT; just how selfless you are because that makes it easier to score chicks.
Or maybe you stand to make money off of the global warming hoax, eh?
Those who think human nature has past what it was in the days when we believed bad weather was caused by angry gods are not looking at the global warming true-believers, who are just as reliant on myth, superstition and manipulation at the hands of opportunistic politicians as were our poor benighted forbears who made human sacrifices to appease those angry gods.
Kris| 7.22.09 @ 2:29PM
Grzmlyk,You must be joking. Do youreally believe that all we emitt intop the atmosphere is Co2. How young do you think I am? Scoring Chicks, Yes, you fucking moron I score chicks through Hot enviro talk. eh, are you Canadian. Like i mentioned earlier climate change isnt a term coined by the same people as the 'global warming'people. its a fucking fact that the earth goes through natural changes called CLIMATE CHANGE. My side, you think that you have to choose a side, cowboy, Republican- Democrat, Conservative-Liberal. My selfless comes from just being that selfless. you on the other hand sound... well. ignorant, Eh.
Kris| 7.22.09 @ 2:31PM
Plus, if your Correlation is NOT causation. "Consensus" is NOT fact were true than we wouldnt have gone to war with Iraq.
Grzmlyk| 7.22.09 @ 2:46PM
"Do youreally believe that all we emitt intop the atmosphere is Co2."
Is that supposed to be a coherent thought? Because I have no idea what you are asking me.
As for sides, yeah, I think you've picked a side if you seriously believe you are selfless. After all, the perception that one is selfless is central to the liberal mantra: "I am selfless. I am good. I CARE about others. Capitalists are bad. They are SELFISH. I am SUPERIOR because I want to force other people to be generous with their money."
You know, that whole thing.
You are right, however, that the climate does change on its own. Kudos to you. I'm told that solar activity has something to do with the temperature on earth.
And, since about the early 1960s, the old "I selflessly CARE about others" act has gotten many, many a guy into the sack with naive, lustful women on the prowl for sullen, poetic, sensitive, brooding, misunderstood, Christ-like idealists.
You missed that?
As for the rest, well, I'd rather have my level of ignorance than your level of literacy.
Grzmlyk| 7.22.09 @ 2:49PM
Kris, you can't possibly compare empirical science with geopolitical calculations.
Come on.
Grzmlyk| 7.22.09 @ 2:54PM
Ok, Obviously, I'll give it to you: There are a few whack jobs on this site.
But at least the whack jobs here are not running ABC, CBS, NBC, CBS, CNN, PBS, etc. At least they're not Senators or congresspeople. At least they're not the president.
So. You still have us beat when it comes to whack jobs.
Freddie| 7.22.09 @ 2:54PM
Kris where is the WMD? it was a lie. If you don't know that by now, you must be living in the same cave as the fictious Bin Layden.
JerseyJ| 7.22.09 @ 2:56PM
Kris thinks he ... "learned back in third grade you cannot put green house gases into the atmoshphere without it trapping heat"
Too bad you didn't continue on past the third grade.
Kris| 7.22.09 @ 2:57PM
Well, I have to say you're so right about me as if you've known me my whole life. I compared that because it is that same thought process that if you can link one bad guy to another its okay to attack them on the same basis. Like if you get one guy to roll over on the next in a criminal case. I did miss the 60's and im glad, I am no hippie bastard. I never said that capalist are bad and I am superior. You said that my friend. What i was asking you was do you believe that we only put co2 in to the atmospher? a very simple question. I just asked my little brother and even he could answer that.
Grzmlyk| 7.22.09 @ 3:09PM
I still don't know what you're asking, but I THINK you're asking if it's only C02 that we're emitting. No, I don't.
And I think that we've cleaned up the environment signficantly since the days of belching smokestacks. But there was more pollution 150 years ago, which is before what most people like Gore claim is the "hockey stick" that proves how disastrously we are creating global warming. And so these con men have settled on the benign C02 as the culprit.
This is no coincidence; C02 is emitted by pretty much every activity on earth - including non-human activity. Wouldn't it be great, they realized, if we could tax something that is ubiquitous and unavoidable?
I mean, you don't want to tax sulphur emissions -they're finite. But C02 is infinite, it's everywhere and its production cannot be stopped. Therefore, it makes the perfect source of fear-mongering created tax revenues.
I don't want to get into a pissing contest with you. Enjoy fearing that non-existent ogre. But when it comes time to take my money to appease him, I'll just send the tax collector over to your house and you can pay my share, ok?
Grzmlyk| 7.22.09 @ 3:17PM
Well good luck to you. Have a nice evening. :-)
kris| 7.22.09 @ 3:18PM
You too. :-)
Groucho| 7.22.09 @ 3:27PM
ACORN, AARP, NASA, and NAACP are communist fronts infiltrating American life and culture.
Obviously you're a clueless moron if you don't get that, or else you're a traitor too, and a fascist.
See, Obama thought his country was so imperfect he decided to pal around with terrorists.
But that's what dead fish do. They go downstream. Conservatives need to stand up and not take these things sitting down. They need to progress this great country and get it back on track.
Freddie| 7.22.09 @ 3:34PM
Grzmlyk
One thing is sure, the Gov is out there to make absolute you pay your taxes. Tax to work, tax to spend, tax to live in your property, tax to drive, tax on yopur loan, tax on what the Government borrow on your behalf, tax to collect their wages, tax to give to the FED, and the latest tax CARBON TAX. A tax to breath, or a tax to live call it what you like but that is the reality.
I call it evil, and while we are busy worring about Obama, what people in America needs to consider is how the hell they are going to live. That is the biggest reality of them all.
Hamley| 7.22.09 @ 3:54PM
Groucho
American culture and American life, Americans have no culture, that is why it was an easy country to take over.
Obama is not a terrorist, America has been in a transition for several years, the transition is near complete now. You can not change anything unless you can take the country back, and anyone that trys it will be killed. You can't fight the state, it's bigger than disgruntled people who hate Obama.
Obama is not the problem, the problem is things have change in America, because while every one was being DUMB down, no one was paying attention. There was a silent coup going on in America and no one knew.
It's called fighting the wrong enemy, the enemy was not in the Middle East, it was easy to use that concept on Americans because they are racist by nature, killing Arabs was no different than killing Blacks, or Hitler killing Jews, war mindedness based on hatred.
All the wars in Iran 1953 war 1979 war in Iran Iraq vs Iran sponcered and paid for by America. 1991 Golf war, 2003 Iraq war, and another pending war In Iran. While all that was going on America was being taken over slowly, by the Jewish Bankers they sponcer both sides of a war.
Americans work for Wall Street, a slave to the Jewish Bankers, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan.
Can America pay back the Chinese, the answer is no, because where can they get the money, only from the FED run by Jews for Jews, and the Americans have to be taxed to hell to pay back the printed money.
Europe was made bankrupt by the same system, that is why they love wars. Europe don't go to war they are dragged into war by the Americans. They don't want nothing to do with it because they know the trick.
Aaron| 7.22.09 @ 4:53PM
Everyone needs to read Meltdown by Thomas E. Woods if you want a real perspective on the economy and what is tanking it. The Fed Reserve is killing this country and Fed Gov is egging them on.
Freddie| 7.22.09 @ 5:15PM
Old Texan
You are too old to know what is going on. As Aaron said get the book and read it, for people like you it's perhaps too late, you have already been brain washed and dumb down.
History always reapeat it's self because people don't learn from History.
It's like a criminal who only steal 100 dollar bills and keep doing it because its a bigger note with more value.
Germany before the 2nd world war is a mirror image of the American economy now.
The 1st world war is what bankrupted Europe.
The Iraq war has bankrupted America, along with the Afghan war. America wants to attack Iran but they have no money, California is Broke. America is bailing out banks, and printing money like there is no tomorrows, and tax payers has to pay it all back leaving every man woman and child in thousands of dollars of debts.
Old Texican| 7.22.09 @ 5:28PM
Hi Freddie
My name is "Texican". That title is very important. We were here before Texans, or slave-owners, or Americans.
Of course that is of no interest to people like you.
Honest question: Is American English a second language for you?
Or........is your horrible grammar and spelling simply demonstrating your ignorance...of everything?
Pingback| 7.22.09 @ 5:33PM
The Effects of the Recovery Act- Truth in Jobs links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Don Carlson| 7.22.09 @ 6:29PM
I'm one who assumes that subscription to a conspiracy theory is symptomatic of crippled intellect, but Mr. Obama does look more and more like the Manchurian president.
langx| 7.22.09 @ 7:49PM
I have proof Bush was trying to tank the economy.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/02/24/national/main274334.shtml
Feb 2001
President Bush said Saturday that the most important number in the budget he sends to Congress next week is the $5.6 trillion surplus it projects over the next 10 years.
Where is our 5.6 trillion.
Democrats cautioned that surpluses projected over so long a period can turn into elusive fool's gold. And they continued to insist that as it stands the Bush tax-cut plan unfairly favors the wealthy over those of more modest means.
Then
President George W. Bush signed into law Thursday the first major piece of legislation of his presidency, a $1.35 trillion tax cut over 10 years.
So if he never gave his tax cut we would not be a trillion in debt.
Add on to that the Iraq war which was projected
to be paid with by Iraqi oil has cost another trillion.
Republicans are like an alcoholic meth snorter who crashes there car in a ditch.
When the Tow truck driver "Obama" shows up.
The republican goes into a meth rage and blames the two truck driver for wrecking his car when he's the one who's there to help him out the ditch he got into.
You Republicans should stop drinking and driving. Then leave the meth alone.
You've lost it.
You cheered everything Bush did why he drove us into a ditch and all you want to do is blame Obama "The Tow Tuck Driver".
He's here to help us after you destroyed the country. Yet you want him to fail.
You Republicans and Bin Laden have the same position.
You guys probably hate Obama more than Bin Laden.
With friends like the Republican party America has all the enemies it needs.
Sickening.
Ike| 7.22.09 @ 8:29PM
Deborah D: The U.S. Constitution defines treason as waging war against the United States or giving aid and comfort to enemies of the United States; that last bit refers to helping those who are making war on the U.S. And that's the only treason in our country.
Cathy6224| 7.22.09 @ 10:05PM
Michael Tomlinson,
I agree with you 100%. I have said it before and I will say it again.... The Democrats orchestrated this economic situation to ensure Obama's win. They intentionally did nothing to rein in Fannie and Freddie. Barney Frank was shown in a hearing on CSPAN saying if it isn't broke don't fix it. Frank, Dodd, Pelosi et al. Engineered the economic downfall so they could ensure Obama won the election. Because after all who would trust republicans. I tend to trust the republicans and conservatives more now than I do Democrats. Sad this is there was a time I believed what the Democrat party said about republicans and conservatives. That time is over. The republicans need to gain seats in 2010 so Obama can't ramrod through ANY policy.
Michael Tomlinson| 7.22.09 @ 11:48AM
“The National Bureau of Economic Research dates this recession as starting some time during December, 2007.” Can you say BS? This recession began with a modest down ticket of -.5% last summer and crashed after the Obama election in November 2008. Therefore, since Obama and Democrats are making things worse look for a recovery in 2010 when and if Republicans retake Congress and begin undoing the damage Obama Democrats have wrought. If that doesn’t happen the recovery will come after Obama is impeached or loses his potential bid for reelection in 2012 (I believe Obama’s narcissism will make it impossible for him not to run).
The Obama Democrat inspired depression was caused in part by Democrats in Congress covering-up the nefarious activity of Democrats Franklin Delano Raines and Jamie Gorelick at Fannie Mae and their Democrat cohorts at Freddie Mac. Coupled with Chuck Schumer’s reprehensible part in encouraging bank failures and economic chaos was inevitable. The failure of conservatives to label Obama and Democrats as the chief architects of our current economic problems only allows the scoundrels to blame others for their mistakes and corruption (don’t forget under Bush and the Republican Congress using supply-side economics taxes were never raised, spending was a pittance compared to today’s outlandish behavior, the economy was growing, wages were increasing, more illegal immigrants hadn’t been deported than in the past, Muslim extremists were dying in droves and America’s future looked bright).
As for Democrat statements about the stimulus they were correct. Once Democrats passed their massive tax and spend bill we did see an immediate impact as their recklessness dealt a body blow to a weak economy sending it into what is adding up to be Obama’s depression that’s falling heavily on the backs of working Americans (when Obama took office unemployment was 7.6% thanks to him and Democrats it is on the fast track to double digits that will exceed current dire predictions).
If Obama and Democrat tax increases weren’t so bad for the economy and country I’d be indifferent since the wealthiest in our country tend to be Democrats and were solidly for Obama in 2008. Thus, I find it hard to have “pity” for the fools who so eagerly voted for audacious change. In fact, I think they should get everything they voted for, but since it is impacting folks who didn’t swallow the Democrat deceit I can only pray that this Democrat stimulated chaos ends by election time next year – unless this happens then Obama’s dream of mimicking Cuba will be closer to reality as we march down the path to third world nation status and he makes himself Hugo Chavez.
ben dover n'grabim| 7.22.09 @ 11:50PM
Does BO (the president, not the dog) have anything to worry about? He acts as though he'll never have to answer to the people at election time. Is it possible, that he knows that Acorn will insure his re-election after they receive billions in funds? Will he try an end run around the Constitution like Chavez or Honduras for endless terms? If there's a continuing crisis, will he use this to prevent another election? The press won't care.
david| 7.23.09 @ 12:52AM
Great article! But Newt is not the answer either. We don't need anymore half ass Republicans running for office, or hitting the talk show circuit touting themselves as true conservatives. Newt likes to compromise and meet in the middle. We need to reject these policies completely.
Violette| 7.23.09 @ 2:41AM
Man, lots of liberal whackjobs out there--no wonder our country is so F'd up. I'd laugh if I could stop crying.
MayBelle Tucker| 7.23.09 @ 3:15AM
I just read that "The current recession has now lasted 19 months. By this reckoning, we should have had a normal cyclical recovery at least 3 months ago. " This is July 22, which means we should have had a "normal cyclical recovery" April 22, right? And the author is blaming Obama?!?!? On April 22, Obama had been in office three months, while the recession had been raging ... under the Bush administration ... for 25 months! That's two years and one month for Dubya to do something about it! So now, you're complaining that Obama hasn't fixed it in three months?!?! I'm sorry, but you are an absolute idiot!!
MayBelle Tucker| 7.23.09 @ 3:16AM
I just read that "The current recession has now lasted 19 months. By this reckoning, we should have had a normal cyclical recovery at least 3 months ago. " This is July 22, which means we should have had a "normal cyclical recovery" April 22, right? And the author is blaming Obama?!?!? On April 22, Obama had been in office three months, while the recession had been raging ... under the Bush administration ... for 25 months! That's two years and one month for Dubya to do something about it! So now, you're complaining that Obama hasn't fixed it in three months?!?! I'm sorry, but you are an absolute idiot!!
Pingback| 7.23.09 @ 7:16AM
President Obama - "Left vs Right": The debate continues - Page 212 - R/C Tech Forums links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Michael Tomlinson| 7.23.09 @ 8:41AM
Freddie the WMD are at the Muthana chemical storage facility in Iraq. Saw them and we guarded them until the SOFA agreement.
GEDOUG| 7.23.09 @ 5:44PM
It seems no one will simply accept what we've known from the start. This is exactly what Obama wants. As far as he is concerned his polices are working as designed. Joblessness, slow economic growth, a weakened defense, and a populace discouraged from believing in America is where the progressives want this country. It's the set up they need in order to install the form of soft tyranny they seek. They may have gotten the timing wrong and probably should have waited another generation before attempting the total socialist takeover. Although the progressive run public school system and state run media have been successful in dumbing down America to the point they could get one of them elected and I think there may be enough Freedom loving Americans left,and some waking up from the stupor to put a stop it this go around. Politicians and Presidents have lied in the past but I don't think a President in history has been so blatantly a bald face liar then this guy who calls himself barrack Husein obama....the hubris it takes at this level is breath taking. And what does it say about whaat he thinks about the average guy?
GEDOUG| 7.23.09 @ 5:54PM
It seems no one will simply accept and state what we've known from the start. The President of the United States is a liar! This is exactly what Obama wants. As far as he is concerned his polices are working as designed. Joblessness, slow economic growth, a weakened defense, and a populace discouraged from believing in America is where the progressives want this country. It's the set up they need in order to install the form of soft tyranny they seek. They may have gotten the timing wrong and probably should have waited another generation before attempting the total socialist takeover. Although through the years the progressive run public school system and state run media have been successful in dumbing down America to the point they could get one of them elected, I think there may be enough Freedom loving Americans left, and some waking up from the stupor, to put a stop to it this go around. Politicians and Presidents have lied in the past but I don't think a President in history has been so blatantly a bald face liar then this guy who calls himself Barrack Hussein Obama....the hubris it takes is breath taking. And what does it say about what he thinks about the intellect of the citizenry , the media, and especially his peers in politics? There must be a lot of so called professionals and intellectuals out there feeling like real fools for falling for this crap.
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Belle| 7.23.09 @ 8:46PM
What's with the double posting idiots like Maybelle and GEDOUG? Stupid liberals don't even know how to troll correctly. Losers.
so blue | 7.24.09 @ 11:55AM
To comment on the person comment that Obama is a one term runner is idiotic to say..If he doesn't win next election will be from negative people like yourself. The reason being is that this man inherited alot of problems from our past administration. How quickly you all forget, Bush has put this country in turmoil. I have noticed on this publication that their are so many negative views regarding our current President. It is like you all are wanting him to mess up. It seems that every issue the President is facing, you all are trying to find fault with. I don't think Bush has ever gotten this much disrespect. So if he is not re-elected, than I know exactly why. If Bush or any other President in office that is of the usual ethnicity that is in office, you all are more supportive and respectiful. Non the less, our President is very aware of all the negative feedback that he would be facing in his Presidency, so that is probably why he is focusing on the issues that mean most to him to get down for the people that appreciate what he is trying to do. Please continue your negativity because, it will only backfire. Their are no hidden agendas for Obama, he is not the Messiah, or Anti-Christ, or some hidden Muslim..Get over it and stop being racist..we all know that you cannot stand a non-white person to be in office.
so blue | 7.24.09 @ 12:11PM
@GEDOUG you are calling Obama a liar, and Bush wasn't!! Please get over yourself, so you don't think that what this country is experiencing now is from what previous administration already set in place. THE ECONOMY IS NOT GOING TO GET BETTER IN HALF A YEAR!! It takes time..Obama has not been in office that long. Oh what crap did we fall for..the only crap we fell for is letting past presidents mess up the economy. Remember Greed was their undercover motto..there was no thinking about the American People when they were in office. The Rich just want to stay Rich..so anything that cause for change they do not like.
Troll Spanker| 7.24.09 @ 5:07PM
Obama IS RICH, moron. So much liberal idiocy; no wonder we're so screwed.
so blue| 7.24.09 @ 9:26PM
@Troll I think you are calling yourself a moron right? Obama had very humble beginnings so he knows what the real American people the average person deals with ..we all do not come from generations of old money..and then want the rest of society to deal with their bs. Liberal this liberal that, keep preach big dummy.
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Andrew P| 7.27.09 @ 1:37AM
Never underestimate Obama. The Democrats know what they are doing. When over $500 billion of that Porkulus money is spent in just the first 6 months of 2010, the economy will get a huge boost of rocket fuel. Things will be improving rapidly just as the Democratic Congress is running for reelection. The Democrats will pick up 5 or more seats in the Senate. And then will probably have either a double dip or some serious stagflation in 2011-2014.
Tailgunner| 7.27.09 @ 1:53AM
There never WAS a 'stimulus'.
Democrats loaded their fiscal plates at Obama's bidding like Saturday Steak and Crab night at the local Bubba's Buffet.
This was never anything more or less than political payback and bribes.
Pingback| 7.29.09 @ 11:06AM
The Greenroom » Forum Archive » Democrats: You’re Stupid, So We’re Going to Blame Bus links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Sean McGrail| 7.30.09 @ 2:43AM
Wow, you gave Obama 6 months to turn one of the greatest economic crisis around. Any one who pays any attention to the markets knows that any action taken by the government, such as raising or lowering interest rates, takes 6 to 18 months to take effect. The Recovery Act was passed on Feb 16th, you have to wait until August 16th before you'll even see results. You'll have plenty of time before the 2010 mid term elections to decide if the recovery act had any effect. But it's premature to say Obama has failed. I mean wasn't it the republicans who were blaming Sept 11th on Clinton even though Bush had been in office for 9 months? (http://johnrmccommas.blogspot.com/2008/07/911-was-bill-clintons-fault.html)
Heck I think the republicans are even blaming Clinton now for the economic crisis even though they were in power for 8 years and could have changed whatever they wanted.
Isn't it curious that the Dow Jones Industrial average increased 250% under "liberal" Clinton rule, where he raised taxes and spent like crazy (but some how had a surplus when he left...go figure it out)...but then Bush comes to town, Cuts taxes...which supposedly is supposed to be great for the economy...he even gives back the surplus in the form of $200 and $400 checks...which we are told will be great for the economy! Only to find that the Dow jones drop 23%, the S&P 500 drop 36% and the nasdaq drop 59%. I don't know about you but my retirement fund has dropped more than $600 in the past 8 years. I'd rather the Government raise taxes on me (and the wealthy too) if I'm going to get a 250% return on my investments than a measly $600check.
I'd love to see your follow up piece a year from now, where you eat crow as the unemployment rate drops below 8% and the Dow is above 12,000.
Oh but you'll never admit that Obama did something right...you'll say it was some policy that Bush put in place...or that it was only because Republicans stood up to this administration and didn't let them go completely hog wild and spend away,the recovery would have been quicker and better...right.
Also, it must be great to preach to the choir, as everyone here agrees with you and there is no meaningful debate...just hate.
Pingback| 8.19.09 @ 6:09PM
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Robert| 8.21.09 @ 10:49AM
the bilderburg group
and BOHEMIAN GROVE are running the country
NOT A black man called barack
robert | 8.21.09 @ 10:51AM
cursed is the man who trusts in man
whose confidence is in the flesh
america is bankrupt IT WONT GET BETTER
dont you understand HYPERINFLATION and HUGE INTEREST RATE JUMPS
are coming like a tidal wave ITS JUST A MATTER OF WHEN NOT IF
look up
Peter Shiff
Gerald Celente
Jim Rogers
Max Keiser and wake up
Pingback| 9.6.09 @ 10:19PM
» The Big List of Reasons to Impeach Barack Obama Amorian: Contemporary Deist Lifest links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 9.10.09 @ 1:19PM
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thinker| 1.18.12 @ 2:31AM
Sorry to burst everyone's bubble, but you are all complete and total morons... Republican's wont pass any legislation which is supported by the president regardless of merit. That to me sounds like trying to prevent a recovery.
I mean god fucking damn you people are so stupid. Just ask this question. Who will benefit more from their being a poor economy when its election time? Obviously republicans because the incumbent, President Obama, will be stuck with most of the blame. So obviously it is in the best intrest of the Republican's to prevent the economy from recovering. I mean shit, the republicans would have no argument if the economy was in tip top shape. Lets see, Obama has attempted, key word there, to fix health care. He saved the American auto industry. He sent the order to go into Pakistan and kill Osama bin laden, and not just bomb him so we were able to verify the identity and retrive any information from the compound. Obama helped overthrow khadafi without putting one soldier on the ground and with the support of the united nations.
So yeah basically republicans have all their eggs in one basket, that being the economy argument...
Oh, and things look bad for that plan, because there have been 2 consecutive jobs reports with unemployment on the decline. Job creation is on the rise at a faster pace than what was expected...