Man, has the phrase "there are no guarantees" ever been more true?
Each day comes a new story about jobs that are going away - and that our comfortable lives are in a bit more in peril. From airline workers to barristas to health insurers.
Don't worry ol' chum... I'm ready!
Bam! Boof! Pow! Holy Bernacke, Batman, another blow to America's economic status!
Does this feeling of economic quicksand under our feet make us want to call out for help, stretch out our hand for the sure grip of someone with the power to pull us free, brush us off and send us on our way.
Are we gravitating to some hero to save the day?
Look at our presidential race. Sen Barack Obama, some believe, is an orator who will inspire us all to join hands and provide comfort and a boost to lagging economic fortunes. His speaking skills will urge us to find solutions to these perilous times and drive us to pick up our faltering brothers and sisters when the axe falls.
Yeah, right say the anti-Barack-istas. This is just a glib, slick-talking politician with a sharp-looking mug who will dazzle us enough so he gains enough votes to get into the White House. And, they'll pose, hasn't Obama proved that with his campaign finance pledge change-up.
We need a seasoned steady hand who has endured before and will help us endure now, say the backers of Sen. John McCain. He's a war hero, a POW who held up under years of confinement at the hands of the enemy. And, by God, say the McCain-ites, he's bucked his own party from time-to-time.
Really, counters the un-McCainiacs. He's embraced his party's platform like a mama hugs her college boy at Christmas break. And, if McCain were really secure in his military credentials, would he get so steamed when asked if they qualify him for the presidency.
Flying ballarina girl is here. What's it pay?
And yet, the times they are a straining... and someone out there has got to right the wrongs?
If not those guys, what do we do?
Maybe we put out an ad in the paper... seek someone who can fill the bill and be the savior.
Just watch out for the stampede of applicants, looking for some kind of job.
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Comments: 18
So, if we tax "the rich" more, the stock market won't fall even further?
So, if we tax "the rich" more, "the rich" will continue to expand their businesses and invest more in the stock market, and take more economic risks because the rewards have decreased?
So, if we "punish" the US oil speculators, the rest of the speculators in other countries will stop speculating?
So, if the government spends more, it will "save" the economy?
So, if 4% of mortages today are bad, that means 96% are good.
So, if unemployment is 5.4% today, in economic terms, 4-5 % is full employment, so, this isn't the Carter years.
So, does Obama's "change" really mean a change back to Carter years?
George Will calls the "social hypocondria".
Hero ain't a job I'd be applying for. I'll go for something a bit less.
Then why is unemployment at 5.4%? Economics classes being taught today say 4-5 % unemployment is "full employement"?
"You seek faith"?? Obama says we don't need faith! Oh, wait, he says we need faith in governement and not faith in God.
So next quarter, you are expecting 10%?
So, "sticking it to those damn oil companies" is going to lower the price of oil? Or just feel good?
I don't want a hero. I want someone to call it the way it is and do something to help people not save them. Help people instead of the corporations. In times of crisis the idea that you help corporations first and in turn they will profit, hire people, and not raise prices is fundamentally flawed. The republican party, John McCain, and Bush have been "hero" to the corporations. There are heroes after all.
more fuel for the fire
Energy companies are not disfunctional, but health care is.
"Micheal, do you remember the late 1980's? That was unemployment! That was high interest rates! That was inflation! That was people in a real financial hurt."
Gee...imagine that...8-9 years of failed borrow and spend republican economics, and recession. What a shocker.
"Then why is unemployment at 5.4%?"
It's not measured the same way. The methodology was changed in the 90's, and the result is that the actual number is anywhere from 2-2-1/2 times the reported number. In other words, REAL unemployment right now is probably around 12%.
"price controls? Like Nixon and Carter? NOW THAT WAS EFFECTIVE!?"
This was Ford. (see: Whip Inflation Now)
"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/11/AR2008041103250.html "
Oooooh...the "holy" opinion of a neocon propagandist! Now, THERE'S some compelling "proof" for you!
"more fuel for the fire "
Oooooh!!! Even MORE neocon propagandizing!
There you have it folks! All the proof you need that the economy is doing GRRRREATTTT!!!
Then we had this long period of prosperity. These were the years that people like me grew from college grads to career trackers to parents.
So, in a way... and from the point of view of someone just beyond 40.... this is new.
Where are we at now, with the Bush administration's efforts to eliminate the estate tax, tax breaks during time of war, and profiteering opportunism, most notably in Iraq, at great cost to the American tax payer?
Perhaps it's just coincidence, eh?
In God We Trust, as long as it's printed on rolls of 20's and 50's. Right, Winston?