BAD SIGNS
September 18th, 2011 at 8:37:15 AM
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What are your personal signs that time are bad? Not paco's great charts, news reports, etc. But what you have noticed in your everyday life?
I supplement my fixed income by reselling books, Dvd's, and Cd's on Amazon. I buy them at auctions, thrift stores, and mostly garage sales. This spring I noticed that at every 5th or 6th yard sale, Daddy was selling one of his toys. There was a For Sale sign on his truck, motorcycle, boat, etc. By summer i was seeing lots of garage sales where everything had obviously been in storage, and people decided to part with their stuff, rather than pay for storage.
WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL SIGNS OF BAD TIMES !
I supplement my fixed income by reselling books, Dvd's, and Cd's on Amazon. I buy them at auctions, thrift stores, and mostly garage sales. This spring I noticed that at every 5th or 6th yard sale, Daddy was selling one of his toys. There was a For Sale sign on his truck, motorcycle, boat, etc. By summer i was seeing lots of garage sales where everything had obviously been in storage, and people decided to part with their stuff, rather than pay for storage.
WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL SIGNS OF BAD TIMES !
September 18th, 2011 at 9:39:18 AM
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Quote: buzzpaffWhat are your personal signs that time are bad? Not paco's great charts, news reports, etc. But what you have noticed in your everyday life?
I supplement my fixed income by reselling books, Dvd's, and Cd's on Amazon. I buy them at auctions, thrift stores, and mostly garage sales. This spring I noticed that at every 5th or 6th yard sale, Daddy was selling one of his toys. There was a For Sale sign on his truck, motorcycle, boat, etc. By summer i was seeing lots of garage sales where everything had obviously been in storage, and people decided to part with their stuff, rather than pay for storage.
WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL SIGNS OF BAD TIMES !
Kind of mostly related to restaurants:
1. Sit-down places giving more push to cheaper appitizers, and mentioning how many meals they sell for under a "key-number" price (eg: losts of meals for $14.99 or less.
2. Decline in sales of appitizers and desert sales.
3. More and more people "just having water" with their meal. I do this often as my stomach can no longer handle the fountain drinks at sit down places, but if cash is short the $2-3 for a drink is a way to lower the price of the meal.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
September 18th, 2011 at 11:35:46 AM
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Yes, I think you are correct. Various personally noticed signs can be revealing. I've driven by places that have a vehicle for sale near the gate. They are more numerous and are not all these old clunkers. Mowers, boats, etc. seem to have joined the for sale ranks. Items that are being sold for income not "barn cleaning" or "bought a newer and bigger one and getting rid of the old one".
I've also noticed a number of businesses have complained about job seekers. One convenience store use to get one every week or so, now its every day.
Of course any such "shakeout" is good. Sort of a getting rid of the junk before the bank forecloses perhaps?
I've also noticed a number of businesses have complained about job seekers. One convenience store use to get one every week or so, now its every day.
Of course any such "shakeout" is good. Sort of a getting rid of the junk before the bank forecloses perhaps?
September 18th, 2011 at 12:20:51 PM
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Casino growth, and lottery growth. Folks gamble more in bad times.
September 18th, 2011 at 1:01:22 PM
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My simple lifestyle usually meant that anything I did want was as simple as getting it. That's no longer the case, even though nothing in my financial life has changed. I can't put my finger on it, but my dollar just seems...thinner. Watered down. It's like burning some cured birch wood; you seem to have enough for a night's fire, but 15 minutes later it's all burned up and now you're cold.
Also, something I just realized today - $3.79 at the pump last night didn't even register in my mind. It wasn't until watching an old Top Gear episode this morning that it clicked. The episode was from 2008-ish and I saw a sign for regular unleaded that read $2.68. I was like WTF? Today at $2.68 would noticably increase my financial status. At high school graduation prices ($0.69 p/gal), I'd be positively rich.
Also, something I just realized today - $3.79 at the pump last night didn't even register in my mind. It wasn't until watching an old Top Gear episode this morning that it clicked. The episode was from 2008-ish and I saw a sign for regular unleaded that read $2.68. I was like WTF? Today at $2.68 would noticably increase my financial status. At high school graduation prices ($0.69 p/gal), I'd be positively rich.
The opinions of this moderator are for entertainment purposes only.
September 18th, 2011 at 1:12:04 PM
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I see a lot of signs that economic activity is off its low of a couple years ago, but hasn't gotten any better.
There are job openings to fill vacated positions but no one's really growing staff, and any opening has a lot of competition. Hotels don't have to offer fire-sale rates -- they're expensive in periods of high demand -- but no one is building any new properties anywhere. I (still) see lots of out-of state plates wherever I go in here in the Colorado mountains, so some people can clearly afford to travel.
That said, there is a LOT of retail space out there. Borders, Circuit City and Blockbuster are the most obvious casualties, but there have been others, and no one is coming in to occupy this space.
I think the economy has become bifurcated with a fair number of people able to continue spending like nothing happened. But nothing is really cheap like it was in 2009.
There are job openings to fill vacated positions but no one's really growing staff, and any opening has a lot of competition. Hotels don't have to offer fire-sale rates -- they're expensive in periods of high demand -- but no one is building any new properties anywhere. I (still) see lots of out-of state plates wherever I go in here in the Colorado mountains, so some people can clearly afford to travel.
That said, there is a LOT of retail space out there. Borders, Circuit City and Blockbuster are the most obvious casualties, but there have been others, and no one is coming in to occupy this space.
I think the economy has become bifurcated with a fair number of people able to continue spending like nothing happened. But nothing is really cheap like it was in 2009.
September 18th, 2011 at 2:00:31 PM
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Quote: FleaStiffI've also noticed a number of businesses have complained about job seekers. One convenience store use to get one every week or so, now its every day.
A local gas station/store advertised a month ago
for a 2nd shift clerk in the Sunday paper. By Tue
afternoon they had gotten over 50 applications
for a $9 an hour job. The owner was beside himself
with delight, he got to pick the best one. He said
prior to 2008 nobody would have applied. He ran
an ad once for 3 weeks and got nobody.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
September 18th, 2011 at 3:02:47 PM
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Quote: 7outlineawayThat said, there is a LOT of retail space out there. Borders, Circuit City and Blockbuster are the most obvious casualties, but there have been others, and no one is coming in to occupy this space.
I have been noticing and wondering about this big-time. And it is a mixture of anchors and smaller stores empty aropund here. There are "newer and nicer" places that are more filled, but shopping for sport seems a very dated activity. You are right, no concept seems "the next big thing" for retail, local or chain.
I read someone once claimed "the Great Depression was not all that bad if you were in the 75% who had a job." Seems the same to me now, if you have a job you just keep plugging away. Keep reducing debt and keep liquid.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
September 18th, 2011 at 3:15:21 PM
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Quote: AZDuffmanI read someone once claimed "the Great Depression was not all that bad if you were in the 75% who had a job." Seems the same to me now, if you have a job you just keep plugging away.
I've read that unless you lived in a big city, you
mostly weren't even aware there was a Depression.
Most people still lived on farms and in small towns
in the 30's. And its true, if you were in the 75% who
had a job, and stayed clear of the Hooverville's and
the inner cities, you only heard about it and didn't
really see it except for the newsreels in the movie
theatres. And the same is true for Vegas right now.
There are a lot of unemployed people in Vegas,
who are losing their homes or are about to. But if
you have a job, and mind your own business, you
aren't really aware of whats going on.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
September 18th, 2011 at 4:29:17 PM
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Quote: FaceAlso, something I just realized today - $3.79 at the pump last night didn't even register in my mind. It wasn't until watching an old Top Gear episode this morning that it clicked. The episode was from 2008-ish and I saw a sign for regular unleaded that read $2.68. I was like WTF? Today at $2.68 would noticably increase my financial status. At high school graduation prices ($0.69 p/gal), I'd be positively rich.
i usually stay away from any politcal or religious discussions, but the way things are going with the economy this is really p^ssing me off. gas prices! out of all this suffering i think one of the only people laughing to the bank are the oil companies! i can just see the oil company execs and oil traders sitting around smoking cigars and thinking how much more they can squeeze out of the economy. people blame obama and the government for our economic mess but outside of their stupid infighting they are trying. just that any money the government tries to pump into the economy the oil companies are right there sucking it up! like vultures circling around the smell of money!
hypothetically, just imagine how much the economy would be affected by every dollar or even .50 that gas prices would go down. it would be far more reaching than i could even begin to discuss here. but do you think the powers who are really in control would let that happen? lol noooooo way! and who would this hurt? only the poweres who would never let this happen!! but not you or i.
i say, FIX gas prices. DON'T let oil be traded and FIX oil prices, and watch who cries. then we'll find out who really controls this world. oil price is the first thing i look at, then the market. watch how one follows the other.
.
September 18th, 2011 at 4:50:50 PM
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Quote: inapi say, FIX gas prices. DON'T let oil be traded and FIX oil prices, and watch who cries.
You will.
Carter tried something along those lines. The result was a gas shortage and long lines at gas stations.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
September 18th, 2011 at 5:03:56 PM
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Quote: NareedYou will.
Carter tried something along those lines. The result was a gas shortage and long lines at gas stations.
yes, there would be no incentive to produce oil. but that's what p^sses me off that they have us by our ding dongs. hypothetically, put a gun to their heads and take the oil.
.
September 18th, 2011 at 5:04:13 PM
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Quote: NareedYou will.
Carter tried something along those lines. The result was a gas shortage and long lines at gas stations.
Not quite correct. Carter REMOVED price controls that were first put in place by Nixon. I would agree Carter acted too slowly and left them in place for too long, however. (Nixon was quite to the left on economic policy, and Carter was further right than most people today give him credit for. He was unquestionably further right than Obama is.)
I remember this era quite vividly. There was also odd/even gas rationing (state laws), depending on the last digit of your license plate. Most gas stations were also closed on Sundays back then, meaning Fridays at gas stations were predictably crazy.
Gas may be expensive today, but at least you can buy as much of it as you can reasonably use.
September 18th, 2011 at 5:16:18 PM
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Quote: 7outlineawayNot quite correct. Carter REMOVED price controls that were first put in place by Nixon. I would agree Carter acted too slowly and left them in place for too long, however. (Nixon was quite to the left on economic policy, and Carter was further right than most people today give him credit for. He was unquestionably further right than Obama is.)
I remember this era quite vividly. There was also odd/even gas rationing (state laws), depending on the last digit of your license plate. Most gas stations were also closed on Sundays back then, meaning Fridays at gas stations were predictably crazy.
Gas may be expensive today, but at least you can buy as much of it as you can reasonably use.
Carter didn't remove gasoline price controls, they lasted literally until the day he left office. He might have removed other price controls, but not on oil.
Oh, to the poster who thinks gas prices are "too high" and "oil execs are greedy," just don't buy gas. The oil companies never sold a drop of gasoline somebody didn't want to buy as I always say.
DRILL, BABY, DRILL!
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
September 18th, 2011 at 5:24:24 PM
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Quote: inapyes, there would be no incentive to produce oil. but that's what p^sses me off that they have us by our ding dongs.
If you want a useful target for your anger, write your representatives in Congress and urge them to remove restrictions on oil drilling in protected areas and off-shore.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
September 18th, 2011 at 6:00:52 PM
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I recall an mkl thread where the gas issue was brought up. I understood little of it and didn't really find a nugget of hope to cling to.
I'd rather focus on things that we have control over, instead of sitting like doe-eyed beggars waiting for Massah to extend his grace unto us. $3.79 gas is stupid, but I can manage. What buggers me more is how we waste it. I don't encourage a curtailment of freedom, as we all deserve the freedom to race, or go for a Sunday drive, what have you. But "wasting it" in the sense that our tech is so sad. The new Dodge Viper has an EIGHT POINT THREE LITRE engine, yet gets but 500bhp. Our friends across the pond can get 600+ out of a lowly 3 litre. Surely there's ways to improve our modes without making big swings to diesel or (><) electric.
Dodge's new Ram gets 390bhp out of their 5.7 litre hemi, and has one of those features that shuts down half the cylinders when they're not needed. My cousin has one and gets nearly 30mph out of that 5.7 litre, 2.5 ton monster. I had an older, "always 8 cylinder" model and I got 16. A two-fold improvement, and exactly along the lines of what I think we need. SATNAV, voice command, DVD players, parking assist, massage seats, WiFi hotspots, seriously, give me a break. Cram all that mess and give me an economical V8 that lasts through more than 3 NY winters before going all to hell.
I'd rather focus on things that we have control over, instead of sitting like doe-eyed beggars waiting for Massah to extend his grace unto us. $3.79 gas is stupid, but I can manage. What buggers me more is how we waste it. I don't encourage a curtailment of freedom, as we all deserve the freedom to race, or go for a Sunday drive, what have you. But "wasting it" in the sense that our tech is so sad. The new Dodge Viper has an EIGHT POINT THREE LITRE engine, yet gets but 500bhp. Our friends across the pond can get 600+ out of a lowly 3 litre. Surely there's ways to improve our modes without making big swings to diesel or (><) electric.
Dodge's new Ram gets 390bhp out of their 5.7 litre hemi, and has one of those features that shuts down half the cylinders when they're not needed. My cousin has one and gets nearly 30mph out of that 5.7 litre, 2.5 ton monster. I had an older, "always 8 cylinder" model and I got 16. A two-fold improvement, and exactly along the lines of what I think we need. SATNAV, voice command, DVD players, parking assist, massage seats, WiFi hotspots, seriously, give me a break. Cram all that mess and give me an economical V8 that lasts through more than 3 NY winters before going all to hell.
The opinions of this moderator are for entertainment purposes only.
September 18th, 2011 at 7:13:27 PM
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Quote: NareedIf you want a useful target for your anger, write your representatives in Congress and urge them to remove restrictions on oil drilling in protected areas and off-shore.
my letter vs. a few hundred milliion lining pockets? i think if i can point to where i think one of the real reasons why our economy is struggling to get on its feet then i have made better use of my typing.
i did say 'hypothetical', to make a point. i know it can't be done.
i do use as little gas as i can. during the gas crisis of the 70's i rode my bike and didn't go to a gas station for years. would still like to do this, but too old.
gas is not what we 'want', but what we think we 'need'. so like drug lords the oil companies have us by our twinkies.
i agree that it would be 'better' if the U.S. could produce more of its own oil, but my point is that the recovery of our economy is being held hostage by gas prices and oil companies.
.
September 18th, 2011 at 7:16:41 PM
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Quote: inapgas is not what we 'want', but what we think we 'need'.
Silly me. I was so sure my car ran on gas.
Quote:i agree that it would be 'better' if the U.S. could produce more of its own oil, but my point is that the recovery of our economy is being held hostage by gas prices and oil companies.
The recovery is being held back by the Keynesian policies enacted by Obama and the Democratic-controlled Congress. Oil prices have little or nothing to do with it.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
September 18th, 2011 at 7:22:45 PM
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Quote: AZDuffmanCarter didn't remove gasoline price controls, they lasted literally until the day he left office. He might have removed other price controls, but not on oil.
Oh, to the poster who thinks gas prices are "too high" and "oil execs are greedy," just don't buy gas. The oil companies never sold a drop of gasoline somebody didn't want to buy as I always say.
DRILL, BABY, DRILL!
One factor that is interesting in political discussion (and you find examples everywhere on any news story where there are extended comments) is that even in things that already happened you find a lot of dissenting opinion.
Makes you wonder if there is any hope at all sometimes.
Sanitized for Your Protection
September 18th, 2011 at 8:03:04 PM
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Quote: NareedSilly me. I was so sure my car ran on gas.
The recovery is being held back by the Keynesian policies enacted by Obama and the Democratic-controlled Congress. Oil prices have little or nothing to do with it.
exactly why i stay away from politcal or religious topics. pointless.
.
September 18th, 2011 at 8:07:41 PM
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Quote: Nareed
The recovery is being held back by the Keynesian policies enacted by Obama and the Democratic-controlled Congress. Oil prices have little or nothing to do with it.
It's hard to me to even list how many ways I find that statement flawed.
Oil is actually one of the few single prices that DO have substantial impact. When the market is distorted by speculation or the political policies of the exporting countries it does have a make a real difference to the global economy.
Democrats haven't controlled Congress since the 2012 elections.
Try to remember what a 'Keynesian" policy is. It is to run deficits during recession (to stimulate the economy) and surpluses during expansion (to tamp inflation and pay off the deficit). We did that in the 1990's, thanks to George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. It worked perfectly.
Then came George W. with his tax cuts that intentionally unbalanced the budget, a war in Iraq we didn't need and didn't even pretend to pay for, and a recession in 2007 that was allowed to balloon into a banking crises in 2008.
Obama did one Keynesian thing when he took office: The stimulus. Our drift back towards a double-dip recession is probably caused by its end. The current economy of the USA is replaying mistakes from 1936-1938.
Mark Abe
PS: I find your comments on gambling to be quite astute.
September 18th, 2011 at 8:10:34 PM
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I think part of the answer to the oil problem is natural gas. I like parts of the Pickens Plan (but I don't really think wind is a long term answer). We have an abundance of natural gas in this country and the only auto manufacturer that mass produces a natural gas vehicle for the consumer is Honda (Civic GX).
Out in California, we have natural gas piped to just about every household. You can fill up your car at your home overnight via a low pressure home filling station. They also have natural gas fillng stations, but not really enough to make it an inconvenience. If I had a significant commute (mine is only 9 miles round trip) I would get seriously look at a natural gas vehicle.
Right now natural gas is $2.45 by me for a gasoline gallon equivalent. Regular Gasoline in Southern California is currently $3.90!
Civic GX's City/Highway combined mpg is 31. Now I know that is not up to the Prius's 40+, but since you can buy 1.6 gallons of natural gas for every gallon of gasoline, the Prius only wins once its combined city/highway mileage gets above 51 mpg. I am also guessing the battery replacement is a lot more expensive on a Prius than a new CNG tank for the Civic and more environmentally friendly.
If we figured out how to get natural gas as a real transportation energy source (besides just fleet use by buses, etc.), you would see a big drop in the cost of oil.
That and drill baby drill!
Out in California, we have natural gas piped to just about every household. You can fill up your car at your home overnight via a low pressure home filling station. They also have natural gas fillng stations, but not really enough to make it an inconvenience. If I had a significant commute (mine is only 9 miles round trip) I would get seriously look at a natural gas vehicle.
Right now natural gas is $2.45 by me for a gasoline gallon equivalent. Regular Gasoline in Southern California is currently $3.90!
Civic GX's City/Highway combined mpg is 31. Now I know that is not up to the Prius's 40+, but since you can buy 1.6 gallons of natural gas for every gallon of gasoline, the Prius only wins once its combined city/highway mileage gets above 51 mpg. I am also guessing the battery replacement is a lot more expensive on a Prius than a new CNG tank for the Civic and more environmentally friendly.
If we figured out how to get natural gas as a real transportation energy source (besides just fleet use by buses, etc.), you would see a big drop in the cost of oil.
That and drill baby drill!
September 18th, 2011 at 8:16:13 PM
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Quote: MarkAbeIt's hard to me to even list how many ways I find that statement flawed.
[..]
Quote:Democrats haven't controlled Congress since the 2012 elections.
You're one to talk....
In any case Obama's been in office since January of 09. he had democratic controlled Congress until January 2011. That's nearly two years in which he imposed all his policies his way. If they haven't helped it's because they can't.
As to the Bush tax cuts, they generated more revenue, not less. Had Bush possessed an ounce of fiscal responsibility, he wouldn't have driven up the deficit, aided and abetted by the Republican-controlled Congress.
Quote:Obama did one Keynesian thing when he took office: The stimulus. Our drift back towards a double-dip recession is probably caused by its end. The current economy of the USA is replaying mistakes from 1936-1938.
Well, we agree on one thing. But the stimulus did nothing to help. We're heading to a double-dip recession because of it, not because it ended. Unemployment has remained high despite some recovery because the uncertainty introduced to the markets by Obama's policies.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
September 18th, 2011 at 8:22:17 PM
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As for bad signs, I watch the layoff announcements. Headlines like BofA laying off 35,000 is not a good thing. That is getting back to the times when we saw announcements of 1000's of layoffs each week and things got worse and worse until the layoffs stopped happening and businesses were "right sized" in managements minds.
Fed & State Governments are going to need to get smaller over some period of time as well and those layoffs, while they may be required, are still going to affect us getting out of this recession. Less people having the ability to buy things as a result of being laid off is going to take time to absorb. It is a worthy goal to decrease government waste & spending, but the process is not without pain along the way. Those "wasteful" wages are being spent in the economy somewhere and taking them out of the economy is going to have an impact.
Same with decreasing the size of the Postal Service. It may be the right answer and I don't want to argue that point, but those layoffs like others will have a negative impact on consumer spending and therefore draw out the current economic situation.
I don't see this economy getting better for a long time. Two plus years for sure, maybe three. I am hoping that we sort of stay at this level and grind forward with a slight upward bias. Like 1-2% GDP growth would be best case. It is going to be OK for those that hang on to their jobs and really ugly for some that have been laid off and can't find a replacement. Not a great time in America right now for sure.
Fed & State Governments are going to need to get smaller over some period of time as well and those layoffs, while they may be required, are still going to affect us getting out of this recession. Less people having the ability to buy things as a result of being laid off is going to take time to absorb. It is a worthy goal to decrease government waste & spending, but the process is not without pain along the way. Those "wasteful" wages are being spent in the economy somewhere and taking them out of the economy is going to have an impact.
Same with decreasing the size of the Postal Service. It may be the right answer and I don't want to argue that point, but those layoffs like others will have a negative impact on consumer spending and therefore draw out the current economic situation.
I don't see this economy getting better for a long time. Two plus years for sure, maybe three. I am hoping that we sort of stay at this level and grind forward with a slight upward bias. Like 1-2% GDP growth would be best case. It is going to be OK for those that hang on to their jobs and really ugly for some that have been laid off and can't find a replacement. Not a great time in America right now for sure.
September 18th, 2011 at 8:57:13 PM
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I'm not sure what your comment about George W.'s tax cut was. His cuts caused a drop in revenue. He quite certainly had not an ounce of fiscal responsibility, and did drive up the deficit (actually took us from a surplus to a deficit), aided and abetted by the Republican controlled Congress.
Obama hardly had "imposed all his policies his way," particularly because the Republicans in the Senate remained ready to filibuster whenever they wanted. He did pass a stimulus for the period mid 2009 through mid 2011. During that time the USA economy expanded slowly and unemployment overall declined from about 12% to about 9%. Since it ended we have been sliding back toward a double-dip.
Any uncertainty in the markets was introduced by John Boehner's unprecedented decision to politicize the raising of a deficit cap.
Sorry about the typing error. It was of course the 2010 elections. I do however expect Republicans to win in 2012.
Obama hardly had "imposed all his policies his way," particularly because the Republicans in the Senate remained ready to filibuster whenever they wanted. He did pass a stimulus for the period mid 2009 through mid 2011. During that time the USA economy expanded slowly and unemployment overall declined from about 12% to about 9%. Since it ended we have been sliding back toward a double-dip.
Any uncertainty in the markets was introduced by John Boehner's unprecedented decision to politicize the raising of a deficit cap.
Sorry about the typing error. It was of course the 2010 elections. I do however expect Republicans to win in 2012.
September 18th, 2011 at 8:59:30 PM
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Quote: ParadigmI think part of the answer to the oil problem is natural gas. I like parts of the Pickens Plan (but I don't really think wind is a long term answer). We have an abundance of natural gas in this country and the only auto manufacturer that mass produces a natural gas vehicle for the consumer is Honda (Civic GX).
I'm not savvy on this Pickens Plan, but gases other than petrol? Why not?
I've seen it in big rigs, where propane is basically used in a similar fashion as nitrous. Obviously it's toned down for utilitarian use, but it results in the same outcome - cool the air to make a more dense oxygen mixture and get more power from the current fuel. I even seen a '57 Belair with a 502 that ran solely on propane. Granted, if I had a hotrod I'd want a pure petrol, thumping, loud machine, but for my daily driver? You betcha, gimme what works on the cheap.
Or just put a bloody turbo on everything already. Seems to work for Ferrari.
The opinions of this moderator are for entertainment purposes only.
September 18th, 2011 at 9:35:18 PM
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Quote: MarkAbeAny uncertainty in the markets was introduced by John Boehner's unprecedented decision to politicize the raising of a deficit cap.
Please. It's not as if the economy was going along great and then suddenly collapsed.
You should get your facts straight. Obama took over with an unemployment rate of 8.2%. Since then it climbed to a high of 10.1% in October of 09, and has hovered around 9.1% since then. Some stimulus, eh?
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
September 18th, 2011 at 9:43:30 PM
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Quote: NareedSome stimulus, eh?
Stimulus? You mean the Porkulous slush fund to
pay back the Obama cronies who got him elected?
That stimulus?
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
September 18th, 2011 at 10:23:13 PM
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OK, I see that the name-callers have broken the discussion. Shame on you Bob, and all your kind who fail to understand the ultimate slush fund of an entire unnecessary war to help defense contractors and the oil companies, including that foreign-chartered one the former Vice President headed.
Let me return to topic then: What I notice is that when I mail checks to people like dentists and the maid service they now get cashed the same day they arrive. These people used to go to the bank weekly and now do it daily.
Let me return to topic then: What I notice is that when I mail checks to people like dentists and the maid service they now get cashed the same day they arrive. These people used to go to the bank weekly and now do it daily.
September 18th, 2011 at 10:31:36 PM
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Quote: MarkAbeWhat I notice is that when I mail checks to people like dentists and the maid service they now get cashed the same day they arrive. These people used to go to the bank weekly and now do it daily.
Yes, so what. When I write a check at some places
they run it thru the register and hand the check
back to me. The money was instantly deducted
from my account. The days of floating checks are
gone.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
September 19th, 2011 at 7:17:05 AM
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Quote: MarkAbeShame on you Bob, and all your kind who fail to understand the ultimate slush fund of an entire unnecessary war to help defense contractors and the oil companies, including that foreign-chartered one the former Vice President headed.
If you're going to take that position, then no discussion is possible.
Granted the decision to invade Iraq proved to be the wrong one, why do those who oppose Bush fail to recall the country went into that war with full Congressional approval, and kept going at it through various appropriations by Congress? To be sure Congress was controlled by the GOP, but most Democrats voted in favor. There were no filibusters, no investigations, no calls for impeachment. If Bush really launched a private war of his own and the opposition let him have a free pass, shoulnd't we be calling for the heads of all ranking Democrats in the House and Senate for gross dereliction of duty?
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
September 19th, 2011 at 10:15:49 AM
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Back on topic.
I work in an industry that was particularly hard hit by the recession. There were quite a few layoffs affecting our group because customers were holding off on implementing our product. Now, we are busy as ever, and we're hiring again to fill the demand. It's a different type of demand however: much more focused on ROI than it was before, and contracts and spending are alot tighter.
However, for me particularly, I've been steadily employed my entire life and have a few backup plans and a large network of people to rely on should I get forced out of work.
Financially, I've never advocated a waste of gas by purchasing a huge vehicle that I don't use, so the swings in gas prices I'm more or less impervious to. Are the oil companies swindling us at the pumps? Absolutely. Is it price fixing by oil companies? Probably. Is the government turning a blind eye to it? Likely. Will we see a drop in fuel prices due to the recent drop in oil prices from their highs in the summer? Not really. It's disgusting.
So, for me, my lifestyle is roughly the same as it is before the recession. Yep, i drink water at restaurants now, but not because i don't want to pay for it, but more for health reasons. I find myself ordering milk instead of soft drinks or alcohol at dinner. I'll happily support the economy.
I work in an industry that was particularly hard hit by the recession. There were quite a few layoffs affecting our group because customers were holding off on implementing our product. Now, we are busy as ever, and we're hiring again to fill the demand. It's a different type of demand however: much more focused on ROI than it was before, and contracts and spending are alot tighter.
However, for me particularly, I've been steadily employed my entire life and have a few backup plans and a large network of people to rely on should I get forced out of work.
Financially, I've never advocated a waste of gas by purchasing a huge vehicle that I don't use, so the swings in gas prices I'm more or less impervious to. Are the oil companies swindling us at the pumps? Absolutely. Is it price fixing by oil companies? Probably. Is the government turning a blind eye to it? Likely. Will we see a drop in fuel prices due to the recent drop in oil prices from their highs in the summer? Not really. It's disgusting.
So, for me, my lifestyle is roughly the same as it is before the recession. Yep, i drink water at restaurants now, but not because i don't want to pay for it, but more for health reasons. I find myself ordering milk instead of soft drinks or alcohol at dinner. I'll happily support the economy.
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You want the truth! You can't handle the truth!
September 19th, 2011 at 10:51:41 AM
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Quote: boymimbo
Are the oil companies swindling us at the pumps? Absolutely. Is it price fixing by oil companies? Probably. Is the government turning a blind eye to it? Likely. Will we see a drop in fuel prices due to the recent drop in oil prices from their highs in the summer? Not really. It's disgusting.
Do I like answering my own questions? Absolutely!
September 21st, 2011 at 6:42:23 PM
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Is this a sign of bad times or just the future ?
Public health advocates and their litigators say compulsive gambling is a crisis that has reached epidemic proportions and something must be done to stop casinos from injuring the many addicts who look to them to feed their roughly $50 billion a year habit.
"It's very similar to the drive to snort coke or smoke crack. It's that pressing, that urgent," said Henry Lesieur, a gambling treatment therapist.
"There's a huge cost to communities, there's a huge cost to individuals, particularly to families of compulsive gamblers," said Scott Harshbarger, president of Common Cause, a citizens group that promotes government accountability.
Harshbarger is also the former attorney general of Massachusetts who launched the tobacco industry lawsuits. In the biggest class-action settlement in history, tobacco companies agreed to pay 48 states $246 billion in damages.
Now, Harshbarger is ready to tackle gambling, which he calls the next public health crisis. He said casinos could hold a huge potential payout to help recovery efforts for addicts.
"If you're going to lure people to come, and families to come, you need to deal with the reality that this introduces potential addiction problems," he said.
Public health advocates and their litigators say compulsive gambling is a crisis that has reached epidemic proportions and something must be done to stop casinos from injuring the many addicts who look to them to feed their roughly $50 billion a year habit.
"It's very similar to the drive to snort coke or smoke crack. It's that pressing, that urgent," said Henry Lesieur, a gambling treatment therapist.
"There's a huge cost to communities, there's a huge cost to individuals, particularly to families of compulsive gamblers," said Scott Harshbarger, president of Common Cause, a citizens group that promotes government accountability.
Harshbarger is also the former attorney general of Massachusetts who launched the tobacco industry lawsuits. In the biggest class-action settlement in history, tobacco companies agreed to pay 48 states $246 billion in damages.
Now, Harshbarger is ready to tackle gambling, which he calls the next public health crisis. He said casinos could hold a huge potential payout to help recovery efforts for addicts.
"If you're going to lure people to come, and families to come, you need to deal with the reality that this introduces potential addiction problems," he said.
September 21st, 2011 at 7:09:29 PM
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Quote: buzzpaff
"It's very similar to the drive to snort coke or smoke crack. It's that pressing, that urgent," said Henry Lesieur, a gambling treatment therapist.
Yeah, whatever. Of course it looks like a crisis
to him, he does it for a living and has an agenda.
There's always some crisis thats about to devour
us and it never quite materializes, does it.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
September 21st, 2011 at 7:14:48 PM
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Now Bob Next you will be telling me Rick Perry can be bribed for a mere $5,000. He has a much higher price usually, but this was to help his buddy.
September 21st, 2011 at 8:33:12 PM
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OK, I'll have to admit it - I agree with Bob on this one. The people speaking about our gambling "crisis" all have a personal stake playing up the issue.
Oh, and Nareed -- I think the bulk of the blame still lands on the administration for lying to all of us about the 'weapons of mass destruction' that the UN inspector said just before we invaded that he couldn't find. And I DO think they should have gone to jail, and many of the congressional leaders voted out of office. I personally (believe it or not) opposed the Iraq war from day one because, as I told anybody within earshot, "Saddam Hussein has killed 3000 fewer Americans than Osama bin Laden, and we should get him first."
Oh, and Nareed -- I think the bulk of the blame still lands on the administration for lying to all of us about the 'weapons of mass destruction' that the UN inspector said just before we invaded that he couldn't find. And I DO think they should have gone to jail, and many of the congressional leaders voted out of office. I personally (believe it or not) opposed the Iraq war from day one because, as I told anybody within earshot, "Saddam Hussein has killed 3000 fewer Americans than Osama bin Laden, and we should get him first."
September 21st, 2011 at 8:35:20 PM
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This is one time only a fool would disagree with BOB. Gee, those 20 years went by fast. LOL
September 21st, 2011 at 9:24:29 PM
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Quote:Oh, and Nareed -- I think the bulk of the blame still lands on the administration for lying to all of us about the 'weapons of mass destruction' that the UN inspector said just before we invaded that he couldn't find.
You see, the funny thing is no one has brought forward any evidence of a deliberate deception taking place, because there is no such evidence. You may believe as you please, but if you want to argue the facts of the matter your beliefs will only get in the way.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
