Monday, August 16, 2010

It's the Economy, Stupid

Numbers don't lie. The title of this post is what Bill Clinton ran on in 1992 & won. Now it's the Republicans hue & cry for the upcoming election. Our economy is in a recession that is not likely to end soon. The numbers for growth, jobs, consumer confidence, etc., are simply estimates & in this administration the numbers are almost always revised downward as the economists analyze the actual data. The savings rate is increasing which would be a good thing except those dollars aren't being used for purchases. Demand for goods and services is declining as uncertainty about the economy is rising. In January there will be even less disposable income as the largest tax increase in history takes place.

The Obama administration continues to whine about this being President Bush's economy, but it's Obama's now. Remember that $800 billion "stimulus?" It's been a failure and, in fact, it's not all been spent. There is news today reporting that only 8% of the budgeted green industry has been distributed. And Obama along with the Democrat Congress want another stimulus. They just voted for $29 billion to bail out teacher & public employee unions. That money is going to the retirement and health care benefit funds. But what about the people's 401K plans and health care benefits? I guess we're out of luck.

It's almost a certainty that there will be a Republican majority in the House after the election. A Senate majority is in question, but Republicans will likely pick up enough seats and no longer be shut out of the bill writing process. Since appropriation bills come out of the House it's possible that the uncontrolled spending will come to an end.

This country is on the path to bankruptcy and socialism. "We the People" have to stand up and make a difference this November.