Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	The awesome economy
Date:	12/29/2014 2:11:20 PM

While improving thanks to the GOP takeover of Congress there is more work to be done to recover from the last six years of incompetence. Summary below from AT:

While crashing in recent months, gas prices at the pump still averaged this year above the pre-Obama annual averages.

The Deficit for the just-concluded Federal budget year was larger (in both dollar terms and as a percent of the economy) than in the years before the crisis.

Sales of existing homes are weaker than from before the bubble era, and sales of newly-built homes in 2014 was still weaker than all but two of the 45 years (!) leading up to Obama.

The Unemployment Rate for all of 2014 is on pace to be worse than any annual average under Bush and worse than most Clinton years as well. Household Income is 4.5% lower compared to when the previous recession started seven years ago.

The Poverty Rate -- the percent Americans living in poverty -- is worse than any year under Bush and worse than most Clinton years too despite the fact that the elevated Obama government spending for the poor suppresses the real poverty rate.

The economy over the last twelve months ending in September rose by $727 billion (in raw dollars) but only after the Federal Reserve pumped $710 billion into the economy during the same period.

The 120 days it took for the Dow to jump from 17K to 18K gave people some tickles but it is almost five times longer than the 26 days it took for the Dow to jump from 13K to 14K before the last recession.

The Economic Stress Index in Obama's first year was indeed at a devastating record high of 19, yet the Index is closing 2014 at an elevated 8. While this is a big improvement, it is still weaker than the four years leading up the recession (2004-2007) when the Index averaged annually a 5. The same four years under Clinton, the Index averaged a 3 and the same years under President Reagan it averaged a 4. 

Name:	MAJ USA RET -	Reply
Subject:	The String between Hope and Change
Date:	12/29/2014 8:03:34 PM (updated 12/29/2014 8:05:41 PM)

I conjure that liberals do not comprehend the string which connects us and events together. For example, some say the unemployment rate is improving… but, have no idea how energy prices and unemployment influence each other.  Some liberals tout the rising Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) yet, have no feel for the drastic drop of price at the gas pump.  Liberals will acclaim the rise in the DJIA and yet disparage the disparity between the rich and the poor (where IS that money going?) If I had $3,400 should I… based on ten years of history… invest that in a block of GM shares?  If I have a million dollars in cash… what should I do with it?  If I have a million dollars in cash… how do I best place it to benefit my employees (the ones I have left)? What do the executive actions of Obama have to do with my decision?

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If I consider the value of my work?  Does it mean more that I support my family or that I just “have a job.” If I have a job…. but cannot provide QUALITY and appropriate medical care for my family… even considering federal subsidies for my premiums… how should  I feel about my self-worth. If I used to be a financial advisor… but now, I am a 32 hour-per-week night manager at a convenience store… am I employed… or not?

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One of the jokes about geophysicists and data ends with “What do you want it to be?”  In graduate school we were imbued with the concept that the truth of data is NOT improved by processing.  The truth about the economy, jobs, wealth, retirement, racism, (usw) is in the morale of the people... not in the spin of the government directed, mainstream media.

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On that note… I agree we have had the promised “change.”  But, I submit… it has been at the cost of “Hope.”

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LMF Curmudgeon

Name:	architect -	Reply
Subject:	The awesome economy
Date:	12/30/2014 5:58:57 PM

Tell us O Great one...how long did it take the Dow to go from 14000 to 7000? ,How many fewer jobs were added during the 12 total years of Bush I and II compared to the first 6 yeras of Obama, compare the percentage increase in the deficit going up under W with the percentage drop under Obama...(Somebody please pass this along to MM...he refuses to read "unpleasant" stuff...and tell him to answer ths question rather than change the subject or question my sanity or lineage). 

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Greenspan agrees with me
Date:	12/30/2014 11:40:04 PM

Greenspan thinks Archibald is economically illiterate too!

Still won't read your posts Archie.....however, am really glad you are such a devoted follower of me.......you crazy lemming puppet  follower you!  

Name:	MAJ USA RET -	Reply
Subject:	Oh yes... AWESOME!
Date:	12/31/2014 10:29:32 AM

Clearly, not all folks understand the DJIA. At the present time it is OVERVALUED… due for a BIG correction. I am planning on it. I’d be willing to bet MM is doing so as well.

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During the prior administration, when the Democrats gained control over both houses of the legislature, unwise financial decisions by Congress led to (justifiably) crashes in certain sectors. Investors began to “hide the cash.” Check the deficit numbers and direction prior to the DEM takeover of Congress immediately preceding the election of the Pretender. Since that time… with DEMs in charge of both legislative and executive branches… the problem has been grossly exacerbated! It happens when one fails to budget.

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When the family learns that Dad is gambling away the household budget, domestic morale takes a dive. In 2007, Congress began spending money like a drunken sailor and punishing the source of the funds (the productive class). They have squandered so much that the debt has become impossible to pay (again, by the productive class). The end result will be smoke and mirrors (RE: Germany, 1935).

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If one believes that the economy is “awesome”… brother, it is… but, NOT in the way you think. The goose is dead.

- - LMF Curmudgeon

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	He was crowing about the stock values?!?!?
Date:	12/31/2014 11:54:47 AM

Now I know why I am not reading his posts and that confirms his economic illiteracy, not to mention his total disregard for the working poor and middle class that have been left behind while Obola's crony capitalists rake in the billions.  Yes, the market is up because of the ongoing distortions by the Fed, which cannot go on forever.  When their latest QE ends and interest rates rise there is going to be a big correction, possibly as much as 30%.  There is a reason the only money I have in stocks is in my 401k and IRA accounts, which I will not be forced to use for many years.  There is no fundamental reason for the rise in stocks other than they aren't money losing bonds or 0.25% interest rate on money market funds.  When both of those shift as the Fed stops pumping money into the system the wealthy Obola types and wise conservatives like us will take the profits and run whilst the smaller investor gets screwed once again.  

Maj, I respect your ability to read economic illiteracy on parade and not have it lower your IQ.....