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Give the Economy a Jolt
Author: BobR
Date: 08/03/2012 12:50:53
With the upcoming election, the choices being proffered generally revolve around 2 economic models. The Republicans are doubling down on their trickle-down economics, rebranded as "job creators". The Democrats are proposing a more bottom-up approach, assuming that creating jobs in the public sector will result in more jobs in the private sector as those new workers spend their paychecks.
But there are other differences besides economics, and one in particular plays into both economic models: energy. The Republicans are clinging to the old-school polluting technologies of oil and coal. They reason that more drilling will mean more jobs in the private sector and cheaper gas at home (which could stimulate the economy). I've written before why gas prices won't go down (hint: refinery capacity). There is also the Keystone pipeline project with the new jobs created working on that bit of infrastructure ranging between a few hundred and tens of thousands, depending on who you talk to (and who you believe).
The Democrats want to focus on renewable energy like solar and wind. They also believe that creating public-sector jobs rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure will stimulate the economy. It seemed to stop the freefall in Mar 2009, so there is likely some truth to that.
If renewable energy is the goal, then we definitely need to address the delivery system - the electric grid. An article in the WaPo yesterday reveals just how bad our electrical "grid" is, and that it is literally crumbling:
Everyone loves all their electronic gadgets - their phones, their Nooks, their iPads, their laptops, their big screen TVs... These all require electricity to charge and to run. Rechargeable hybrid cars are flying off the lots, because it's cheaper to charge them at home and run on electricity than it is to use gas. As the summers get hotter, we run the A/C longer.
We definitely need more electricity, and we need it in a way that doesn't pollute the earth even more. It does us no good to start building wind farms and solar facilities across the vast stretches of the US, however, if the electrons can't get from there to here.
Bridge and road repairs can be funded through gas taxes. Fixing the grid and making it more homogenous across the country is going to require an investment in federal dollars. That investment in materials and labor would put the tax dollars back in the hands of the American worker, providing jobs and stimulating the economy. It's an essential pre-requisite to building solar and wind power facilities.
It seems like a no-brainer.
But there are other differences besides economics, and one in particular plays into both economic models: energy. The Republicans are clinging to the old-school polluting technologies of oil and coal. They reason that more drilling will mean more jobs in the private sector and cheaper gas at home (which could stimulate the economy). I've written before why gas prices won't go down (hint: refinery capacity). There is also the Keystone pipeline project with the new jobs created working on that bit of infrastructure ranging between a few hundred and tens of thousands, depending on who you talk to (and who you believe).
The Democrats want to focus on renewable energy like solar and wind. They also believe that creating public-sector jobs rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure will stimulate the economy. It seemed to stop the freefall in Mar 2009, so there is likely some truth to that.
If renewable energy is the goal, then we definitely need to address the delivery system - the electric grid. An article in the WaPo yesterday reveals just how bad our electrical "grid" is, and that it is literally crumbling:
They began to bend in the roaring wind, then their steel girders snapped like twigs, the towers toppled and the lights went out.
Minutes before the windstorm arrived to pummel the Washington area on June 29, it swept east through West Virginia, crushing three electrical transmission towers that are a tiny part of an intricate power grid that's supposed to keep the lights on in America.
The term "grid" suggests a certain uniformity to the power system's structure, but the network more closely resembles a patchwork quilt stitched together to cover a rapidly expanding nation.
The United States doesn't yet face the critical shortage of power that has left more than 600 million people in India without electricity this week
But the U.S. grid is aging and stretched to capacity. More often the victim of decrepitude than the forces of nature, it is beginning to falter. Experts fear failures that caused blackouts in New York, Boston and San Diego may become more common as the voracious demand for power continues to grow. They say it will take a multibillion-dollar investment to avoid them.
Everyone loves all their electronic gadgets - their phones, their Nooks, their iPads, their laptops, their big screen TVs... These all require electricity to charge and to run. Rechargeable hybrid cars are flying off the lots, because it's cheaper to charge them at home and run on electricity than it is to use gas. As the summers get hotter, we run the A/C longer.
We definitely need more electricity, and we need it in a way that doesn't pollute the earth even more. It does us no good to start building wind farms and solar facilities across the vast stretches of the US, however, if the electrons can't get from there to here.
Bridge and road repairs can be funded through gas taxes. Fixing the grid and making it more homogenous across the country is going to require an investment in federal dollars. That investment in materials and labor would put the tax dollars back in the hands of the American worker, providing jobs and stimulating the economy. It's an essential pre-requisite to building solar and wind power facilities.
It seems like a no-brainer.
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
wickedpam on 08/03/2012 13:10:49
wickedpam on 08/03/2012 13:10:49
Morning 
Comment by 
Raine on 08/03/2012 13:29:20
Good Morning!
Another great blog, Bobber.
Raine on 08/03/2012 13:29:20
Good Morning! Another great blog, Bobber.
Comment by Raine on 08/03/2012 13:40:33
Raine on 08/03/2012 13:40:33
You know, Dana Bash also corroborates this Tax Story.
Comment by Raine on 08/03/2012 13:43:06
Raine on 08/03/2012 13:43:06
Harry Reid isn't running for President. I thing that argument is apples and oranges.
Comment by wickedpam on 08/03/2012 14:09:29
I'm kinda with John and Chris on this - I really hope someone isn't telling Harry a story to see what he would do with it. I hope he's as careful as that one caller who worked for him said he was.
wickedpam on 08/03/2012 14:09:29
Quote by Raine:
Harry Reid isn't running for President. I thing that argument is apples and oranges.
I'm kinda with John and Chris on this - I really hope someone isn't telling Harry a story to see what he would do with it. I hope he's as careful as that one caller who worked for him said he was.
Comment by Raine on 08/03/2012 14:10:02
Raine on 08/03/2012 14:10:02
So, this is interesting.
Now top Democrats on the Budget, Ways and Means, and Education and Workforce Committees want to know how people of Romney’s wealth can end up with 100,000 times that much money in a single IRA, and how much the tax and investment strategies they employ cost the Treasury in revenue every year.
In a letter Thursday to senior officials at the Treasury and Labor departments, Reps. George Miller (D-CA), Sander Levin (D-MI), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) want to know: Is this legal? How easy is this strategy to get away with? How much does it cost the government every year? And what can be done to end the practice?
“[W]e are alarmed to learn that wealthy taxpayers may be taking advantage of a tax subsidy that is designed to provide for retirement to instead accumulate massive amounts of tax-sheltered assets,†the lawmakers write. “Given your commitment to the rule of law and equitable treatment of taxpayers, we hope that you will evaluate this issue carefully to ensure that a select few are not being provided with a loophole that allows for wrongful tax evasion.â€
Comment by Raine on 08/03/2012 14:10:46
I think Harry has seen some of those returns that McCain got.
Raine on 08/03/2012 14:10:46
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
Harry Reid isn't running for President. I thing that argument is apples and oranges.
I'm kinda with John and Chris on this - I really hope someone isn't telling Harry a story to see what he would do with it. I hope he's as careful as that one caller who worked for him said he was.
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 08/03/2012 14:15:05
Mondobubba on 08/03/2012 14:15:05
:grunt:
Comment by wickedpam on 08/03/2012 14:16:01
Its a really good question - it seems like there are 2 sets of rules for IRA investors
wickedpam on 08/03/2012 14:16:01
Quote by Raine:
So, this is interesting.Now top Democrats on the Budget, Ways and Means, and Education and Workforce Committees want to know how people of Romney’s wealth can end up with 100,000 times that much money in a single IRA, and how much the tax and investment strategies they employ cost the Treasury in revenue every year.
In a letter Thursday to senior officials at the Treasury and Labor departments, Reps. George Miller (D-CA), Sander Levin (D-MI), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) want to know: Is this legal? How easy is this strategy to get away with? How much does it cost the government every year? And what can be done to end the practice?
“[W]e are alarmed to learn that wealthy taxpayers may be taking advantage of a tax subsidy that is designed to provide for retirement to instead accumulate massive amounts of tax-sheltered assets,†the lawmakers write. “Given your commitment to the rule of law and equitable treatment of taxpayers, we hope that you will evaluate this issue carefully to ensure that a select few are not being provided with a loophole that allows for wrongful tax evasion.â€
Its a really good question - it seems like there are 2 sets of rules for IRA investors
Comment by wickedpam on 08/03/2012 14:16:40
oohhhh I hope so - that would be awesome
wickedpam on 08/03/2012 14:16:40
Quote by Raine:I think Harry has seen some of those returns that McCain got.Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
Harry Reid isn't running for President. I thing that argument is apples and oranges.
I'm kinda with John and Chris on this - I really hope someone isn't telling Harry a story to see what he would do with it. I hope he's as careful as that one caller who worked for him said he was.
oohhhh I hope so - that would be awesome
Comment by 
BobR on 08/03/2012 14:27:25
I think this is related to the "paid no taxes" scuttlebutt. I am willing to bet he put Bain preferred stock worth pennies, then converted it to common stock, ballooning the value of his IRA, then - since it was in an IRA - deducted that from his taxable income, rending his taxes due to 0.
It's probably legal too, just another one of those loopholes...
BobR on 08/03/2012 14:27:25
Quote by Raine:
So, this is interesting.Now top Democrats on the Budget, Ways and Means, and Education and Workforce Committees want to know how people of Romney’s wealth can end up with 100,000 times that much money in a single IRA, and how much the tax and investment strategies they employ cost the Treasury in revenue every year.
In a letter Thursday to senior officials at the Treasury and Labor departments, Reps. George Miller (D-CA), Sander Levin (D-MI), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) want to know: Is this legal? How easy is this strategy to get away with? How much does it cost the government every year? And what can be done to end the practice?
“[W]e are alarmed to learn that wealthy taxpayers may be taking advantage of a tax subsidy that is designed to provide for retirement to instead accumulate massive amounts of tax-sheltered assets,†the lawmakers write. “Given your commitment to the rule of law and equitable treatment of taxpayers, we hope that you will evaluate this issue carefully to ensure that a select few are not being provided with a loophole that allows for wrongful tax evasion.â€
I think this is related to the "paid no taxes" scuttlebutt. I am willing to bet he put Bain preferred stock worth pennies, then converted it to common stock, ballooning the value of his IRA, then - since it was in an IRA - deducted that from his taxable income, rending his taxes due to 0.
It's probably legal too, just another one of those loopholes...
Comment by Raine on 08/03/2012 14:32:01
I think you may have a point there.
Raine on 08/03/2012 14:32:01
Quote by BobR:Quote by Raine:
So, this is interesting.Now top Democrats on the Budget, Ways and Means, and Education and Workforce Committees want to know how people of Romney’s wealth can end up with 100,000 times that much money in a single IRA, and how much the tax and investment strategies they employ cost the Treasury in revenue every year.
In a letter Thursday to senior officials at the Treasury and Labor departments, Reps. George Miller (D-CA), Sander Levin (D-MI), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) want to know: Is this legal? How easy is this strategy to get away with? How much does it cost the government every year? And what can be done to end the practice?
“[W]e are alarmed to learn that wealthy taxpayers may be taking advantage of a tax subsidy that is designed to provide for retirement to instead accumulate massive amounts of tax-sheltered assets,†the lawmakers write. “Given your commitment to the rule of law and equitable treatment of taxpayers, we hope that you will evaluate this issue carefully to ensure that a select few are not being provided with a loophole that allows for wrongful tax evasion.â€
I think this is related to the "paid no taxes" scuttlebutt. I am willing to bet he put Bain preferred stock worth pennies, then converted it to common stock, ballooning the value of his IRA, then - since it was in an IRA - deducted that from his taxable income, rending his taxes due to 0.
It's probably legal too, just another one of those loopholes...
Comment by Raine on 08/03/2012 14:32:19
Wassup buttercup?
Raine on 08/03/2012 14:32:19
Quote by Mondobubba:
:grunt:
Wassup buttercup?
Comment by Mondobubba on 08/03/2012 14:34:01
1.25 hours of talking to people come across as so stupid they need to be reminded how to chew.
Mondobubba on 08/03/2012 14:34:01
Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
:grunt:
Wassup buttercup?
1.25 hours of talking to people come across as so stupid they need to be reminded how to chew.
Comment by Mondobubba on 08/03/2012 14:35:28
Mondobubba on 08/03/2012 14:35:28
Dear software manufactures of America,
Your products are bloated, poorly designed crap that blows goats. Please stop this.
Your products are bloated, poorly designed crap that blows goats. Please stop this.
Comment by Raine on 08/03/2012 14:41:48
Raine on 08/03/2012 14:41:48
Rudy Guiliani? No effin way. 
Comment by Mondobubba on 08/03/2012 14:43:14
What about Il Duce?
Mondobubba on 08/03/2012 14:43:14
Quote by Raine:
Rudy Guiliani? No effin way.
What about Il Duce?
Comment by Raine on 08/03/2012 14:44:23
Raine on 08/03/2012 14:44:23
HEre, I think this will cheer you up Mondo:
A man driving a farm tractor ran over eight vehicles in the parking lot of a Vermont police station Thursday. With the vehicles crushed, police had no way to pursue the suspect after he drove off in the tractor. The motive is still under investigation
Read more: http://nbcnews.to/PK57vG
Photo: Demian Warner / The Newport Daily Express
A man driving a farm tractor ran over eight vehicles in the parking lot of a Vermont police station Thursday. With the vehicles crushed, police had no way to pursue the suspect after he drove off in the tractor. The motive is still under investigation
Read more: http://nbcnews.to/PK57vG
Photo: Demian Warner / The Newport Daily Express
Comment by Raine on 08/03/2012 14:44:53
John Fueglesang said he heard a rumor that he's gonna be the VP pick.
Raine on 08/03/2012 14:44:53
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
Rudy Guiliani? No effin way.
What about Il Duce?
Comment by Raine on 08/03/2012 14:47:28
Here is the Motive. 
Raine on 08/03/2012 14:47:28
Quote by Raine:
HEre, I think this will cheer you up Mondo:
A man driving a farm tractor ran over eight vehicles in the parking lot of a Vermont police station Thursday. With the vehicles crushed, police had no way to pursue the suspect after he drove off in the tractor. The motive is still under investigation
Read more: http://nbcnews.to/PK57vG
Photo: Demian Warner / The Newport Daily Express
Roger Pion, 34, allegedly flattened five marked cruisers and two unmarked vehicles, including a van used for transporting prisoners. A car belonging the the department’s bookkeeper was also damaged as the tractor pushed it to clear a path to the squad cars.
“It was a massive tractor,†Newport Express Publisher Ken Wells told the Free Press. “It has four six-foot tandem wheels on the back. It was red. It must be at least a 15-ton tractor.â€
“It’s pretty much the biggest tractor you can get,†Police Chief Seth DiSanto agreed.
Comment by wickedpam on 08/03/2012 14:49:26
that would be quite a stunner
wickedpam on 08/03/2012 14:49:26
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
Rudy Guiliani? No effin way.
What about Il Duce?
that would be quite a stunner
Comment by Mondobubba on 08/03/2012 14:59:18
I saw thing on the Book o The Faces yesterdee
This is much better picture of the carnage.
Mondobubba on 08/03/2012 14:59:18
Quote by Raine:Here is the Motive.Quote by Raine:
HEre, I think this will cheer you up Mondo:
A man driving a farm tractor ran over eight vehicles in the parking lot of a Vermont police station Thursday. With the vehicles crushed, police had no way to pursue the suspect after he drove off in the tractor. The motive is still under investigation
Read more: http://nbcnews.to/PK57vG
Photo: Demian Warner / The Newport Daily Express
“It was a massive tractor,†Newport Express Publisher Ken Wells told the Free Press. “It has four six-foot tandem wheels on the back. It was red. It must be at least a 15-ton tractor.â€Â
“It’s pretty much the biggest tractor you can get,†Police Chief Seth DiSanto agreed.
I saw thing on the Book o The Faces yesterdee
This is much better picture of the carnage.
Comment by 
Scoopster on 08/03/2012 15:02:57
Scoopster on 08/03/2012 15:02:57
Morning all & Happy Fridee!! 
So yeah.. now Mittens won't release his tax returns because he wants to know who talked to Harry Reid first!
So yeah.. now Mittens won't release his tax returns because he wants to know who talked to Harry Reid first!
Comment by wickedpam on 08/03/2012 15:04:40
wickedpam on 08/03/2012 15:04:40
oh btw, garden update - we have a deer family eating our crops!!!!!! Stupid deer!
Comment by Scoopster on 08/03/2012 15:07:02
OOh I know how ta handle that! Get some travel-size Ivory soap bars, tie 'em to wooden stakes and put those around you garden. The smell drives away animals.
Scoopster on 08/03/2012 15:07:02
Quote by wickedpam:
oh btw, garden update - we have a deer family eating our crops!!!!!! Stupid deer!
OOh I know how ta handle that! Get some travel-size Ivory soap bars, tie 'em to wooden stakes and put those around you garden. The smell drives away animals.
Comment by Raine on 08/03/2012 15:17:21
Also, get some hair clippings from the salon.
and Dried Blood.
Raine on 08/03/2012 15:17:21
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by wickedpam:
oh btw, garden update - we have a deer family eating our crops!!!!!! Stupid deer!
OOh I know how ta handle that! Get some travel-size Ivory soap bars, tie 'em to wooden stakes and put those around you garden. The smell drives away animals.
and Dried Blood.
Comment by Raine on 08/03/2012 15:18:17
Oh the pictures at that link are hysterical!
Raine on 08/03/2012 15:18:17
Quote by Scoopster:
Morning all & Happy Fridee!!
So yeah.. now Mittens won't release his tax returns because he wants to know who talked to Harry Reid first!
Comment by 
Will in Chicago on 08/03/2012 15:40:38
Will in Chicago on 08/03/2012 15:40:38
Good morning, bloggers!! BobR, thanks for a great blog. The recent power outage in India, impacting some 620 MILLION people shows why a good grid is important.
Also, with the increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, we need alternative energy as a way to wean us and the world economy off of fossil fuels. We should lead the world in these new technologies and create jobs that stay here.
As for Romney's vice presidential pick, I think that a Rudy Giuliani or a Marco Rubio would draw too much attention from Romney. So, expect a very boring and safe pick.
Also, with the increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, we need alternative energy as a way to wean us and the world economy off of fossil fuels. We should lead the world in these new technologies and create jobs that stay here.
As for Romney's vice presidential pick, I think that a Rudy Giuliani or a Marco Rubio would draw too much attention from Romney. So, expect a very boring and safe pick.
Comment by 
livingonli on 08/03/2012 15:41:59
livingonli on 08/03/2012 15:41:59
Good morning, everyone. Should we have a blogger reunion on October 27th in NYC considering a few of us were in that small crowd of 200 the first time around back in 2010?
Comment by BobR on 08/03/2012 15:44:26
and just go ahead and squat down and pee around the edges of the garden.
BobR on 08/03/2012 15:44:26
Quote by Raine:Also, get some hair clippings from the salon.Quote by Scoopster:Quote by wickedpam:
oh btw, garden update - we have a deer family eating our crops!!!!!! Stupid deer!
OOh I know how ta handle that! Get some travel-size Ivory soap bars, tie 'em to wooden stakes and put those around you garden. The smell drives away animals.
and Dried Blood.
and just go ahead and squat down and pee around the edges of the garden.
Comment by Raine on 08/03/2012 15:54:16
Raine on 08/03/2012 15:54:16
Quote by BobR:Quote by Raine:Also, get some hair clippings from the salon.Quote by Scoopster:Quote by wickedpam:
oh btw, garden update - we have a deer family eating our crops!!!!!! Stupid deer!
OOh I know how ta handle that! Get some travel-size Ivory soap bars, tie 'em to wooden stakes and put those around you garden. The smell drives away animals.
and Dried Blood.
and just go ahead and squat down and pee around the edges of the garden.
Comment by livingonli on 08/03/2012 16:04:16
livingonli on 08/03/2012 16:04:16
Lizz will be on Hardball tonight so I might have to actually watch or DVR it tonight.
Comment by Raine on 08/03/2012 16:15:49
Wow, HArdball? that is really cool.
WE will be at a baseball game tonite.
Raine on 08/03/2012 16:15:49
Quote by livingonli:
Lizz will be on Hardball tonight so I might have to actually watch or DVR it tonight.
Wow, HArdball? that is really cool.
WE will be at a baseball game tonite.
Comment by livingonli on 08/03/2012 16:18:42
Going to see the Nats or the O's tonight?
BTW, how about October 27th at the Beacon Theater?
livingonli on 08/03/2012 16:18:42
Quote by Raine:Quote by livingonli:
Lizz will be on Hardball tonight so I might have to actually watch or DVR it tonight.
Wow, HArdball? that is really cool.
WE will be at a baseball game tonite.
Going to see the Nats or the O's tonight?
BTW, how about October 27th at the Beacon Theater?
Comment by wickedpam on 08/03/2012 16:21:20
Don't see that last one happening but the rest I will get on ASAP 
wickedpam on 08/03/2012 16:21:20
Quote by BobR:Quote by Raine:Also, get some hair clippings from the salon.Quote by Scoopster:Quote by wickedpam:
oh btw, garden update - we have a deer family eating our crops!!!!!! Stupid deer!
OOh I know how ta handle that! Get some travel-size Ivory soap bars, tie 'em to wooden stakes and put those around you garden. The smell drives away animals.
and Dried Blood.
and just go ahead and squat down and pee around the edges of the garden.
Don't see that last one happening but the rest I will get on ASAP
Comment by Raine on 08/03/2012 16:24:11
NAt marlins. Friends have some extra Tix.
Too early to tell about NYC.
Raine on 08/03/2012 16:24:11
Quote by livingonli:Quote by Raine:Quote by livingonli:
Lizz will be on Hardball tonight so I might have to actually watch or DVR it tonight.
Wow, HArdball? that is really cool.
WE will be at a baseball game tonite.
Going to see the Nats or the O's tonight?
BTW, how about October 27th at the Beacon Theater?
Too early to tell about NYC.
Comment by Scoopster on 08/03/2012 16:50:18
Scoopster on 08/03/2012 16:50:18
AH CRAP.. Allen West is gonna be in RI this weekend.
I suddenly feel like throwing a pie tomorrow..
I suddenly feel like throwing a pie tomorrow..
Comment by Mondobubba on 08/03/2012 17:02:03
Dare I? I will. Menstrual blood. :dodges incoming bricks and feminine hygene products :
Mondobubba on 08/03/2012 17:02:03
Quote by BobR:Quote by Raine:Also, get some hair clippings from the salon.Quote by Scoopster:Quote by wickedpam:
oh btw, garden update - we have a deer family eating our crops!!!!!! Stupid deer!
OOh I know how ta handle that! Get some travel-size Ivory soap bars, tie 'em to wooden stakes and put those around you garden. The smell drives away animals.
and Dried Blood.
and just go ahead and squat down and pee around the edges of the garden.
Dare I? I will. Menstrual blood. :dodges incoming bricks and feminine hygene products :
Comment by wickedpam on 08/03/2012 17:02:25
wickedpam on 08/03/2012 17:02:25
you know I'm kinda sick of this whole "well unemployment is still above 8%" 
Didn't Obama start out with it over 10%
Didn't Obama start out with it over 10%
Comment by Mondobubba on 08/03/2012 17:04:25
8% is the magic number. It is the demarcation line between low unemployment and massive joblessness.
Mondobubba on 08/03/2012 17:04:25
Quote by wickedpam:
you know I'm kinda sick of this whole "well unemployment is still above 8%"
8% is the magic number. It is the demarcation line between low unemployment and massive joblessness.
Comment by livingonli on 08/03/2012 17:05:33
I think it was around 8-9% then too but I have always suspected Bush was cooking the books so the unemployment numbers during his years were lower than what they actually were considering the number of people out of work or who moved downward during the Bush years.
livingonli on 08/03/2012 17:05:33
Quote by wickedpam:
you know I'm kinda sick of this whole "well unemployment is still above 8%"
I think it was around 8-9% then too but I have always suspected Bush was cooking the books so the unemployment numbers during his years were lower than what they actually were considering the number of people out of work or who moved downward during the Bush years.
Comment by Raine on 08/03/2012 17:08:00
Raine on 08/03/2012 17:08:00
I'm sick of the Unemployment numbers because despite Obama getting Gop-Blocked at every turn it STILL has gone down WELL over 2% points.
Comment by Mondobubba on 08/03/2012 17:28:49
The economy is all the GOP has to run one. I think they know fully well that if they hadn't watered down the stimulus with tax cut, we would have a recovered economy.
Mondobubba on 08/03/2012 17:28:49
Quote by Raine:
I'm sick of the Unemployment numbers because despite Obama getting Gop-Blocked at every turn it STILL has gone down WELL over 2% points.
The economy is all the GOP has to run one. I think they know fully well that if they hadn't watered down the stimulus with tax cut, we would have a recovered economy.
Comment by wickedpam on 08/03/2012 17:37:05
October 2009 it hit 10.2%
Obama inauguration - Jan 2009 - so he'd only be in office 9 months, it was the tail end of the Bush stuff that was hitting crisis mode
National Employment Monthly
wickedpam on 08/03/2012 17:37:05
Quote by livingonli:Quote by wickedpam:
you know I'm kinda sick of this whole "well unemployment is still above 8%"
I think it was around 8-9% then too but I have always suspected Bush was cooking the books so the unemployment numbers during his years were lower than what they actually were considering the number of people out of work or who moved downward during the Bush years.
October 2009 it hit 10.2%
Obama inauguration - Jan 2009 - so he'd only be in office 9 months, it was the tail end of the Bush stuff that was hitting crisis mode
National Employment Monthly
Comment by livingonli on 08/03/2012 17:42:09
livingonli on 08/03/2012 17:42:09
Off to do some stuff since I now have money to get a few things.
Comment by Raine on 08/03/2012 17:50:10
Raine on 08/03/2012 17:50:10
From Think Progress:
Moody’s Analytics notes that the unemployment rate increase was “NOT statistically significant. Unrounded, was 8.254%, up from 8.217% in June.â€
Comment by Raine on 08/03/2012 19:08:07
Raine on 08/03/2012 19:08:07
Comment by Raine on 08/03/2012 19:08:44
Raine on 08/03/2012 19:08:44
I can't believe Randi is playing THE SONG!
Comment by Mondobubba on 08/03/2012 19:20:48
ROOF PIG! Most unexpected!
Mondobubba on 08/03/2012 19:20:48
Quote by Raine:
ROOF PIG! Most unexpected!