Apparently, economists have said that the recession is over. The summer of recovery worked! Oh, never mind the thousands of people that apply for unemployment everyday, never mind the increasing unemployment rates, and never mind the continued decrease of the U.S. dollar. It is all part of the mast recovery plan.
This week in the political arena the House was debating on whether or not to extend the Bush-era tax cuts to everyone or just to some. Despite the four dozen plus Democrats that were in favor of extending the tax cuts, the House decided to adjourn so they could hit the campaign trail a week early. Seems to me that the Democrats are really nervous about this upcoming election.
As of June unemployment is 9.6% nationally. Yes, it could be worse, but wouldn’t one think that since the recession is over that the unemployment rate would be down to around 6%? Just the other week, unemployment claims rose another 456,000: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/23/AR2010092301481.html
I think someone should tell those 456,000 people that just filed for unemployment that the recession is over. However, an interesting article that appeared in yesterday’s Washington Post said that Americans are still least likely to work farm jobs: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/27/AR2010092701753.html.
It really seems like the Democrats know that they are going to lose the House in November and possibly lose the Senate too. President Obama and Vice-President Biden continue to lambaste voters and telling them to “buck-up” : http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704116004575521901674416306.html. They are having a tough time reconnecting with voters because the voters are totally disgusted with Congress. For instance, Speaker Nacy Pelosi’s approval ratings are as low as BP’s: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Pelosis-negatives-hit-all-time-high-as-unpopular-as-BP-103977024.html#ixzz10sylHcYh.
The point of this post is not to explain why the American people are disgusted with Congress right now and why the Democrats are going to lose in November, rather, it is about why the economy is still not recovering.
Essentially, China owns the U.S. It might be true that China needs the U.S. more than the U.S. needs China. Simply put, without the U.S. China would not be able to sell or buy as much debt or businesses. Everyday the U.S.’s debt continues to rise. Congress continues to spend billions, even trillions of money that is not there and yet they still cannot decide to extend tax cuts for all or some. The U.S dollar is struggling against every other currency: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-29/dollar-is-near-five-month-low-versus-euro-on-fed-debt-purchase-speculation.html. However, on a good note, now would be the ideal time to buy gold. When the U.S. dollar is struggling do politicians and economists really expect the American public to have confidence in the economy? I think not.
There are rare signs that the economy is doing slightly better than it was in 2008. For instance, the stock market is supposed to have its best September since 1939: http://www.cnbc.com/id/39430155. This is still concerning. If one remembers the Great Depression of the 1930s the economy of today almost mirrors it, except on a smaller scale. During the Great Depression, the economy showed signs of recovery about 2 years in but then had another horrible collapse. I am not an economist but some economists have projected another economic collapse sometime in the near future.
To prevent further damage several things need to happen. First off, tax cuts for all need to be extended. Along with that, spending needs to be cut. After both of those things are done we would see a little positive shock to the economy. Tax cuts will create incentives not only for tax payers to spend their money but it will also give businesses incentives to create more jobs. It is a fantastic idea. When spending is cut, we could hopefully start paying off our national debt. That might be a good start. When there incentives out there for tax payers and businesses we might see a resurgence of the U.S. dollar which will create consumer confidence. A strong dollar means a strong U.S. economy.
By no means are we in a depression. However, the recession is still here and for those of us about to graduate college, we should be nervous about finding a job.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Patriot Act 2.0
Does everyone remember October 26, 2001? It was the infamous day that liberals screamed afoul. It was the day that President Bush signed H.R. 3162. For those of you that do not know what bill that was, it is the Patriot Act. Just a quick reminder, the bill passed the House 357-66 and passed the Senate 98-1.
One might be wondering why I bring this topic up. Just recently, the Obama administration has proposed legislation to tape the internet. For instance, they could check our emails, Facebook, Twitter, etc. because they are looking out for our security. Or is there another reason they proposed this legislation? I thought that these same people were the ones to speak out against the Patriot Act because it violated privacy. (Check out the source at the bottom of this page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_PATRIOT_Act)
The Patriot Act seems legitimate at its core. The purpose is “To deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world, to enhance law enforcement investigatory tools...” (http://epic.org/privacy/terrorism/hr3162.html). When this bill was passed, mostly everyone was feeling patriotic after the attacks on our land. Most people wanted those who committed these atrocities to pay and we would do anything and everything to make sure they were held responsible and answer to our wrath. Ensuing September 11, 2001, we went to war against terrorism, we passed the Patriot Act, and we created the Department of Homeland Security. Everything seemed to be running smoothly.
All of a sudden, our post-9/11 sentiment ended. Some people started to hate the war because they thought it was just like Vietnam via the interpretations made by the media. Liberals started to hate Gitmo because they wanted to give terrorists their rights. Also, some people hated the Patriot Act because they wanted to be left alone and not have their private lives under scrutiny and this fear of the government listening into your phone conversations and what books one would take out of the library swept the nation. Most liberal leaders like the ACLU, Feingold and countless others screamed with outrage.
May I pose a question: where are these leaders now that Obama has proposed similar legislation but to look at personal emails, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc.? Does this not seem a bit like a double standard? This legislation would not only affect private citizens but it would affect businesses. It could affect our trading policies, our open markets, and countless other parts of our economy too. For instance, how much would this cost our already ailing economy? Two interesting articles are as followed: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100927/ap_on_hi_te/us_internet_wiretaps and http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2026411320100921
Now for the fun part: my personal opinion. I have had no problem with the Patriot Act. I understand that some people feel that it violates their privacy. I totally understand that. Here is one question for those that are anti-Patriot Act: if you do not check out any books that have to deal with making bombs or terrorist activities and if you do not have phone conversations planning to blow something up, what is there to fear the government listening or looking at your life? I have nothing to hide. I’m sure 99% of Americans have nothing to hide, maybe even more. As for this new legislation being proposed, I feel the same way, to an extent. I have questions to whether or not this is looking for people that speak out against the administration (which I highly doubt is the case since that is unconstitutional), or is this to actually look for suspected terrorists? Like I said before, I have nothing to hide; I’m not a terrorist, contrary to popular belief. However, I would like to see those who so vehemently opposed the Patriot Act oppose this legislation too. Double –standards at its finest.
One might be wondering why I bring this topic up. Just recently, the Obama administration has proposed legislation to tape the internet. For instance, they could check our emails, Facebook, Twitter, etc. because they are looking out for our security. Or is there another reason they proposed this legislation? I thought that these same people were the ones to speak out against the Patriot Act because it violated privacy. (Check out the source at the bottom of this page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_PATRIOT_Act)
The Patriot Act seems legitimate at its core. The purpose is “To deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world, to enhance law enforcement investigatory tools...” (http://epic.org/privacy/terrorism/hr3162.html). When this bill was passed, mostly everyone was feeling patriotic after the attacks on our land. Most people wanted those who committed these atrocities to pay and we would do anything and everything to make sure they were held responsible and answer to our wrath. Ensuing September 11, 2001, we went to war against terrorism, we passed the Patriot Act, and we created the Department of Homeland Security. Everything seemed to be running smoothly.
All of a sudden, our post-9/11 sentiment ended. Some people started to hate the war because they thought it was just like Vietnam via the interpretations made by the media. Liberals started to hate Gitmo because they wanted to give terrorists their rights. Also, some people hated the Patriot Act because they wanted to be left alone and not have their private lives under scrutiny and this fear of the government listening into your phone conversations and what books one would take out of the library swept the nation. Most liberal leaders like the ACLU, Feingold and countless others screamed with outrage.
May I pose a question: where are these leaders now that Obama has proposed similar legislation but to look at personal emails, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc.? Does this not seem a bit like a double standard? This legislation would not only affect private citizens but it would affect businesses. It could affect our trading policies, our open markets, and countless other parts of our economy too. For instance, how much would this cost our already ailing economy? Two interesting articles are as followed: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100927/ap_on_hi_te/us_internet_wiretaps and http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2026411320100921
Now for the fun part: my personal opinion. I have had no problem with the Patriot Act. I understand that some people feel that it violates their privacy. I totally understand that. Here is one question for those that are anti-Patriot Act: if you do not check out any books that have to deal with making bombs or terrorist activities and if you do not have phone conversations planning to blow something up, what is there to fear the government listening or looking at your life? I have nothing to hide. I’m sure 99% of Americans have nothing to hide, maybe even more. As for this new legislation being proposed, I feel the same way, to an extent. I have questions to whether or not this is looking for people that speak out against the administration (which I highly doubt is the case since that is unconstitutional), or is this to actually look for suspected terrorists? Like I said before, I have nothing to hide; I’m not a terrorist, contrary to popular belief. However, I would like to see those who so vehemently opposed the Patriot Act oppose this legislation too. Double –standards at its finest.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Republicans vs. Tea Partiers
The Republican Party is a bit torn right now. After a clear domination of Tea Party candidates in primary races in many states this past week, the Republican Party needs to decide if they are with or against the Tea Partiers.
After Delaware’s Republican Senate primary on Tuesday many Republicans were upset that O’Donnell won a close race. These upset Republicans were hoping the very moderate Republican, Congressman Mike Castle won the primary. Maybe these Republicans don’t realize that Mr. Castle was ok with siding with Obama and the pretty liberal members with Congress. The upset Republicans apparently think that it is an ok thing to not stand up for your true beliefs and follow the “flow.” But these upset Republicans are forgetting something: the “flow” is what people are upset about.
All of that “Hope and Change” that Obama has promised hasn’t come true. It has continued to be politics as usual; lobbyists, big corporate money, favors, and games continue to dominate Washington. That is exactly what the Tea Party wants to stop. Sounds pretty familiar, huh? I think I remember. Back in the presidential election I think I remember Obama wanting to “change” Washington. Well that hasn’t happened.
I am not saying that the Tea Party candidates that are hopeful Congressman/women, Senators, and Governors will do any better. However, they would be elected by people who are not afraid to throw them out of office. Last time I checked, the Republicans used to stand for this too. However, they have lost their ways. If the Republicans do not side and support those Tea Party candidates that won their primary races, November will not be as victorious as hoped for.
Here is what the Republican Party needs to do. First, they need to come out and support the Tea Party candidates. They need to funnel money into their campaigns and do whatever they can to help. Second, the Republican Party needs to embrace this new movement of angry voters and use it to their advantage. If the Republicans do this, they can see their lead in many of the close races in November go in their favor and potentially it could carry over to 2012. Thirdly, the Republican Party needs to admit that they did not help their cause these past two years. They did not stand up against Pelosi, Reid, and Obama. They were weak and afraid of losing their seats. The Republicans need to realize (and the Democrats) that every seat is the people’s seat!
Only time will tell what will happen in November. As it looks right now, the Republicans will gain the majority in the House and who knows what will happen in the Senate. My suggestion to the Republicans is that they use the Tea Party movement to their advantage and not throw them under the bus for their own political safety.
After Delaware’s Republican Senate primary on Tuesday many Republicans were upset that O’Donnell won a close race. These upset Republicans were hoping the very moderate Republican, Congressman Mike Castle won the primary. Maybe these Republicans don’t realize that Mr. Castle was ok with siding with Obama and the pretty liberal members with Congress. The upset Republicans apparently think that it is an ok thing to not stand up for your true beliefs and follow the “flow.” But these upset Republicans are forgetting something: the “flow” is what people are upset about.
All of that “Hope and Change” that Obama has promised hasn’t come true. It has continued to be politics as usual; lobbyists, big corporate money, favors, and games continue to dominate Washington. That is exactly what the Tea Party wants to stop. Sounds pretty familiar, huh? I think I remember. Back in the presidential election I think I remember Obama wanting to “change” Washington. Well that hasn’t happened.
I am not saying that the Tea Party candidates that are hopeful Congressman/women, Senators, and Governors will do any better. However, they would be elected by people who are not afraid to throw them out of office. Last time I checked, the Republicans used to stand for this too. However, they have lost their ways. If the Republicans do not side and support those Tea Party candidates that won their primary races, November will not be as victorious as hoped for.
Here is what the Republican Party needs to do. First, they need to come out and support the Tea Party candidates. They need to funnel money into their campaigns and do whatever they can to help. Second, the Republican Party needs to embrace this new movement of angry voters and use it to their advantage. If the Republicans do this, they can see their lead in many of the close races in November go in their favor and potentially it could carry over to 2012. Thirdly, the Republican Party needs to admit that they did not help their cause these past two years. They did not stand up against Pelosi, Reid, and Obama. They were weak and afraid of losing their seats. The Republicans need to realize (and the Democrats) that every seat is the people’s seat!
Only time will tell what will happen in November. As it looks right now, the Republicans will gain the majority in the House and who knows what will happen in the Senate. My suggestion to the Republicans is that they use the Tea Party movement to their advantage and not throw them under the bus for their own political safety.
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