Sure, the economy is fine. We're in a recovery, right?

[FiredMotorCompany]

The credit card bill is coming due, but the near term government shutdown pales in comparison to the pain to come.

 

 

The Fed's 'hidden agenda' behind money-printing

 

On the positive side, the easy money and low interest rates resulting from quantitative easing have been a shot in the arm to the economy, fueling the stock market and helping the housing recovery. On the negative side, The Fed accomplished QE by "printing money" to buy Treasurys, and through the massive power of its purchases drove interest rates to record lows.

But in the process, the Fed accumulated an unprecedented balance sheet of more than $3.6 trillion which needs to go somewhere, someday.

But we know all this.

I believe that one of the most important reasons the Fed is determined to keep interest rates low is one that is rarely talked about, and which comprises a dark economic foreboding that should frighten us all.

 

[cal50]

Considering Obama and his supporters think the economy is getting better is laughable.

(The same group that has run the federal government the last several years with no budget also).

 

 

Median Income Falls For 5th Year, Inequality At Record High

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/17/median-income-falls-inequality_n_3941514.html

 

 

 

[Langston Hughes]

Considering Obama and his supporters think the economy is getting better is laughable.

(The same group that has run the federal government the last several years with no budget also).

 

 

Median Income Falls For 5th Year, Inequality At Record High

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/17/median-income-falls-inequality_n_3941514.html

 

I find it strange when Cal50 and other conservatives offer support to the Occupy movement. What's even worse is that it shows the failure of our capitalist system and why we should move to the left more on fiscal matters.

[fmccap]

I find it strange when Cal50 and other conservatives offer support to the Occupy movement. What's even worse is that it shows the failure of our capitalist system and why we should move to the left more on fiscal matters.

We don't have a Capitalist system.

[Langston Hughes]

We don't have a Capitalist system.

 

 

And what do you believe we have?

[BlackHorse]

We haven't had a pure capitalist system in America for well over 100 years. It's only the socialist drones that complain about capitalism being the root of all that ills us. The reality is that it has been the overly meddlesome socialists that have caused the bulk of our economic problems.

Edited September 27, 2013 by BlackHorse

[Langston Hughes]

We haven't had a pure capitalist system in America for well over 100 years. It's only the socialist drones that complain about capitalism being the root of all that ills us. The reality is that it has been the overly meddlesome socialists that have caused the bulk of our economic problems.

I'm aware that we have a mixed economy. It is one of our greatest assets, the fact that we do not allow unbridled capitalism.

 

Your either poorly informed or you choose to be ignorant of many of the problems with of a solely capitalist economy. Regulation the hallmark of socialism and our mixed economy has protected the worker, the state and the society. It has allowed for a serious growth and still kept a sense of order within the system. Our greatest downfalls have been when we have removed thoughtful regulation and allowed the system to run itself unchecked. Capitalism like our government is at it's best when there are a series of checks and balances.

 

Unbridled capitalism is not only a failure, but it is inherently dangerous to the society in the countries that allow it. Ask workers in Bangledesh how they like the pro-business government and it's run amok capitalism.

[Langston Hughes]

Here's a capitalist paradise, Bangladesh and it's pro-business government. Wow, it doesn't look like it does so awesome.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/26/opinion/fed-up-in-bangladesh.html?_r=0

[fmccap]

I'm aware that we have a mixed economy. It is one of our greatest assets, the fact that we do not allow unbridled capitalism.

 

Your either poorly informed or you choose to be ignorant of many of the problems with of a solely capitalist economy. Regulation the hallmark of socialism and our mixed economy has protected the worker, the state and the society. It has allowed for a serious growth and still kept a sense of order within the system. Our greatest downfalls have been when we have removed thoughtful regulation and allowed the system to run itself unchecked. Capitalism like our government is at it's best when there are a series of checks and balances.

 

Unbridled capitalism is not only a failure, but it is inherently dangerous to the society in the countries that allow it. Ask workers in Bangledesh how they like the pro-business government and it's run amok capitalism.

You just asked what we had now you say you are aware of it?

 

Please provide evidence where regulation has resulted in serious growth.

 

Please provide the time frame from this great downfall we experienced that was caused by deregulation.

 

The market (people) are the checks and balances.

 

Edited September 27, 2013 by fmccap

[grbeck]

Here's a capitalist paradise, Bangladesh and it's pro-business government. Wow, it doesn't look like it does so awesome.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/26/opinion/fed-up-in-bangladesh.html?_r=0

 

 

If a "capitalist paradise" is one that is completely unfettered by regulations - at least, that is what the critics of capitalism always say - then Bangladesh does not fit that definition, at least according to the article you posted:

 

This astonishing response is the latest example of the blindness of Bangladesh’s leaders, including the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, to injustices the rest of the world can see but they refuse to acknowledge, let alone address. The government has not raised the $38-a-month minimum wage for clothing workers since 2010, despite persistently high inflation. And that increase was the first since 2006. (emphasis added)

 

The government regulates the economy, including the minimum wage of workers.

Edited September 27, 2013 by grbeck

[Langston Hughes]

You just asked what we had now you say you are aware of it?

 

Please provide evidence where regulation has resulted in serious growth.

 

Please provide the time frame from this great downfall we experienced that was caused by deregulation.

 

The market (people) are the checks and balances.

 

Reading comprehension is critical. Notice the differnec between what you belief i said and what i actually did say.

 

 

You read this...

You just asked what we had now you say you are aware of it?

 

And I said this....

 

 

And what do you believe we have?

 

Wow, that's different from what you thought i said. So either you struggle with understanding what is written or your intentionally being deceptive? I think we know which.

Edited September 27, 2013 by Langston Hughes

[Langston Hughes]

If a "capitalist paradise" is one that is completely unfettered by regulations - at least, that is what the critics of capitalism always say - then Bangladesh does not fit that definition, at least according to the article you posted:

 

This astonishing response is the latest example of the blindness of Bangladesh’s leaders, including the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, to injustices the rest of the world can see but they refuse to acknowledge, let alone address. The government has not raised the $38-a-month minimum wage for clothing workers since 2010, despite persistently high inflation. And that increase was the first since 2006. (emphasis added)

 

The government regulates the economy, including the minimum wage of workers.

 

 

There will always some government regulation in almost every country and your aware of that. And your also aware that if the capitalists had paid a fair wage that society would not have pushed the government to make such regulation. This of course illustrates the failure of capitalism, that it is inherently destructive and forces government action.

 

Even as place with as limited of government involvement as Bangladesh, which is a capitalist utopia as far as reality is concerned, has had to increase regulation to protect it's citizens. We see the effects of truly limited government and those of us who have sense understand that unfettered capitalism is evil.

[Trimdingman]

What we have is a combination of Communism and Fascism. Both of these ideologies are far left; Communism being the farthest left. What you call Capitalism is a slight easing of Communism and Fascism. To have Capitalism, we would have to do away with the bulk of government regulation, taxation, and social programs. You have never seen this in America, so you do not know what it would be like. It couldn't possibly be worse than what is ahead. We could have total prosperity and months of leisure time every year if the government didn't take it all, killing jobs to create poverty and to control the people. We don't need government in the modern world. Government is enslaving us.

[Langston Hughes]

What we have is a combination of Communism and Fascism. Both of these ideologies are far left; Communism being the farthest left. What you call Capitalism is a slight easing of Communism and Fascism. To have Capitalism, we would have to do away with the bulk of government regulation, taxation, and social programs. You have never seen this in America, so you do not know what it would be like. It couldn't possibly be worse than what is ahead. We could have total prosperity and months of leisure time every year if the government didn't take it all, killing jobs to create poverty and to control the people. We don't need government in the modern world. Government is enslaving us.

 

Wow, you have read very little about history have you? We didn't have that in this country when we had very little regulation. We had rivers and buildings that caught on fire, child labor, the slave trade, monopolies and a working class that had a lousy quality of life.

 

Perhaps being Canadian you weren't aware of American labor history.

[97svtgoin05gt]

I believe the biggest reason we're all in trouble is greed and gouging. In a scant 30 years (give or take) the average price of a car has gone from $10,000 to $30,000 or 3x increase. The other day I was in the grocery store and I had just one of the small hand baskets. When I was done, that basket of stuff cost me $75. There is no WAY I should be able to put $75 worth of food in a single little hand basket. Now, yes many of us are making more money but not at the pace that all of this stuff has gone. In order for it to all even out, we'd all need to be making $150k+ and up. If that were the case we'd all be in good shape. Our governments (state, local and federal) have all become bloated and overweight. There are too many people and most are making a lot more than they should be. Many school districts now have Drs. running the show as the superintendent. We didn't have Drs running school districts when I was growing up and we came out just fine. And I don't want to hear about "oh things are a lot more complex now". Yea, they're complex and the students score lower on everything now than they did back then. Then when you push these lazy kids out of the districts (run by the all knowing $200k Drs.) they have to attend colleges to the tune of $100k or more in some cases so they can get a job. You know how many of these graduates are standing around out there with no job and huge college debt right now?? Far too many. Governments: bloated and overweight = they gouge us to keep their fat salaries going. Schools: bloated and overweight = too many high powered people overseeing kids that aren't learning as well as they should be but fear more for teacher benefits and their fat salaries to really care = gouging us on property taxes. Stores and retailers trying to make 150% profit on everyday items all the time = gouging us. Wal Mart has meetings in the mornings at their stores to talk about what high margins they make on different new items. Gouging you and I the consumer all the while when we moved the production of all these items off shore it was supposed to drive costs down. Its been nothing but up up up for all the day to day items. Greed and gouging.

[fmccap]

 

The primary reason for wage inequity is the Fed's inflationary boom-bust practices. In addition, public unions and untenable pension obligations drive up costs (and taxes).

Ten Real Problems

 

1. Fractional Reserve Lending
2. The Fed
3. Lack of a gold standard
4. Deficit Spending
5. Public unions
6. Davis Bacon and prevailing wage laws drive up costs
7. Disability fraud
8. Warmongering
9. Politicians get into bed with corporations, unions, and crony constituents
10. Lack of incentives to hold down costs on medicare, food stamps, and entitlements

If you fix the first four or five, most of the rest of the problems will be fixed automatically.

Read more at http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2013/10/behind-scene-look-at-auto-manufacturing.html#zW7cahoSAf37IYR6.99

Edited October 11, 2013 by fmccap

[nruggiero]

 

 

The primary reason for wage inequity is the Fed's inflationary boom-bust practices. In addition, public unions and untenable pension obligations drive up costs (and taxes).

Ten Real Problems

 

1. Fractional Reserve Lending
2. The Fed
3. Lack of a gold standard
4. Deficit Spending
5. Public unions
6. Davis Bacon and prevailing wage laws drive up costs
7. Disability fraud
8. Warmongering
9. Politicians get into bed with corporations, unions, and crony constituents
10. Lack of incentives to hold down costs on medicare, food stamps, and entitlements

If you fix the first four or five, most of the rest of the problems will be fixed automatically.

Read more at http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2013/10/behind-scene-look-at-auto-manufacturing.html#zW7cahoSAf37IYR6.99

 

Too bad some people don't understand that.

[nruggiero]

I believe the biggest reason we're all in trouble is greed and gouging. In a scant 30 years (give or take) the average price of a car has gone from $10,000 to $30,000 or 3x increase. The other day I was in the grocery store and I had just one of the small hand baskets. When I was done, that basket of stuff cost me $75. There is no WAY I should be able to put $75 worth of food in a single little hand basket. Now, yes many of us are making more money but not at the pace that all of this stuff has gone. In order for it to all even out, we'd all need to be making $150k+ and up. If that were the case we'd all be in good shape. Our governments (state, local and federal) have all become bloated and overweight. There are too many people and most are making a lot more than they should be. Many school districts now have Drs. running the show as the superintendent. We didn't have Drs running school districts when I was growing up and we came out just fine. And I don't want to hear about "oh things are a lot more complex now". Yea, they're complex and the students score lower on everything now than they did back then. Then when you push these lazy kids out of the districts (run by the all knowing $200k Drs.) they have to attend colleges to the tune of $100k or more in some cases so they can get a job. You know how many of these graduates are standing around out there with no job and huge college debt right now?? Far too many. Governments: bloated and overweight = they gouge us to keep their fat salaries going. Schools: bloated and overweight = too many high powered people overseeing kids that aren't learning as well as they should be but fear more for teacher benefits and their fat salaries to really care = gouging us on property taxes. Stores and retailers trying to make 150% profit on everyday items all the time = gouging us. Wal Mart has meetings in the mornings at their stores to talk about what high margins they make on different new items. Gouging you and I the consumer all the while when we moved the production of all these items off shore it was supposed to drive costs down. Its been nothing but up up up for all the day to day items. Greed and gouging.

We have school principals AND teachers with PhDs, too...... I wonder how much money they owe. lol

 

A PhD is nothing but an ego booster..... My sister-in-law has one, and she is not more intelligent vs. a person without one!

Edited October 11, 2013 by nruggiero

[nruggiero]

NAFTA really did some damage to America..... Clinton is a traitor for signing that war criminal's bill.

[FiredMotorCompany]

 

 

The primary reason for wage inequity is the Fed's inflationary boom-bust practices. In addition, public unions and untenable pension obligations drive up costs (and taxes).

Ten Real Problems

 

1. Fractional Reserve Lending
2. The Fed
3. Lack of a gold standard
4. Deficit Spending
5. Public unions
6. Davis Bacon and prevailing wage laws drive up costs
7. Disability fraud
8. Warmongering
9. Politicians get into bed with corporations, unions, and crony constituents
10. Lack of incentives to hold down costs on medicare, food stamps, and entitlements

If you fix the first four or five, most of the rest of the problems will be fixed automatically.

Read more at http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2013/10/behind-scene-look-at-auto-manufacturing.html#zW7cahoSAf37IYR6.99

 

I hadn't considered them as a group per se. But, you make some good points.

[Langston Hughes]

 

 

The primary reason for wage inequity is the Fed's inflationary boom-bust practices. In addition, public unions and untenable pension obligations drive up costs (and taxes).

Ten Real Problems

 

1. Fractional Reserve Lending
2. The Fed
3. Lack of a gold standard
4. Deficit Spending
5. Public unions
6. Davis Bacon and prevailing wage laws drive up costs
7. Disability fraud
8. Warmongering
9. Politicians get into bed with corporations, unions, and crony constituents
10. Lack of incentives to hold down costs on medicare, food stamps, and entitlements

If you fix the first four or five, most of the rest of the problems will be fixed automatically.

Read more at http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2013/10/behind-scene-look-at-auto-manufacturing.html#zW7cahoSAf37IYR6.99

 

Mish again?

 

I don't know what type of bromance you have with the guy but he's a total phony. He has some serious wet dreams for the gold standard that just don't jive with a real global economy.

 

And I did like his onshoring because of robot bit? However, keeping and eye on manufacturing news, there has been a lot of talk about onshoring in manufacturing due to quality concerns related to workers.

[Langston Hughes]

I believe the biggest reason we're all in trouble is greed and gouging. In a scant 30 years (give or take) the average price of a car has gone from $10,000 to $30,000 or 3x increase. The other day I was in the grocery store and I had just one of the small hand baskets. When I was done, that basket of stuff cost me $75. There is no WAY I should be able to put $75 worth of food in a single little hand basket. Now, yes many of us are making more money but not at the pace that all of this stuff has gone. In order for it to all even out, we'd all need to be making $150k+ and up. If that were the case we'd all be in good shape. Our governments (state, local and federal) have all become bloated and overweight. There are too many people and most are making a lot more than they should be. Many school districts now have Drs. running the show as the superintendent. We didn't have Drs running school districts when I was growing up and we came out just fine. And I don't want to hear about "oh things are a lot more complex now". Yea, they're complex and the students score lower on everything now than they did back then. Then when you push these lazy kids out of the districts (run by the all knowing $200k Drs.) they have to attend colleges to the tune of $100k or more in some cases so they can get a job. You know how many of these graduates are standing around out there with no job and huge college debt right now?? Far too many. Governments: bloated and overweight = they gouge us to keep their fat salaries going. Schools: bloated and overweight = too many high powered people overseeing kids that aren't learning as well as they should be but fear more for teacher benefits and their fat salaries to really care = gouging us on property taxes. Stores and retailers trying to make 150% profit on everyday items all the time = gouging us. Wal Mart has meetings in the mornings at their stores to talk about what high margins they make on different new items. Gouging you and I the consumer all the while when we moved the production of all these items off shore it was supposed to drive costs down. Its been nothing but up up up for all the day to day items. Greed and gouging.

 

Stop buying the fancy shit at the grocery store. I like how everyone wants the gourmet shit but bitches about the prices.

[fmccap]

Mish again?

 

I don't know what type of bromance you have with the guy but he's a total phony. He has some serious wet dreams for the gold standard that just don't jive with a real global economy.

 

And I did like his onshoring because of robot bit? However, keeping and eye on manufacturing news, there has been a lot of talk about onshoring in manufacturing due to quality concerns related to workers.

Can you bring anything to the table?

 

1. Please provide your evidence that makes him out as a phony.

2. The gold standard just don't jive with our politicians spending habits. If Gold was as bad as you say then why do the US and other big countries have stockpiles? Even better why do the banks hold it also?

3. Look at where the deficit has gone since Nixon closed the Gold window in 1971. He said we would have a stable currency, it would be worth the same tomorrow as it is today. What happened?

4. Where are the jobs then?

[fmccap]

 

Stop buying the fancy shit at the grocery store. I like how everyone wants the gourmet shit but bitches about the prices.

What does that have to do with anything?

[Langston Hughes]

What does that have to do with anything?

 

Reading is FUNdamental

 

 

97svtgoin05gt, on 11 Oct 2013 - 4:19 PM, said:

The other day I was in the grocery store and I had just one of the small hand baskets. When I was done, that basket of stuff cost me $75. There is no WAY I should be able to put $75 worth of food in a single little hand basket.

 

Langston Hughes, on 12 Oct 2013 - 01:53 AM, said:

Stop buying the fancy shit at the grocery store. I like how everyone wants the gourmet shit but bitches about the prices.