More of the Same From The WH

Are they tone deaf or simply idiots. The latest from the government about the jobs they've created or saved, debunked http://tiny.cc/Mk7lS. What we learn as citizens is that the government, irrespective of the party in control, will tell the country what it believes they want to hear. It's pitiful, our governmental class is so out of touch with the citizenry that it is astounding. When will it change, I fear, no rather I expect, not within my lifetime. Congress is a joke, as is the Executive branch. I'm no kind of believer in the nonsense of the village idiot Glenn Beck, but the distance of our politicians from the people they reportedly represent is vast. I beyond troubled, I am despondent.

Thin Skin of WH Getting Pretty Old

Time to man up WH, the latest shot across the bow from the WH is against Edmunds.com, the car website. The shot attacks Edmunds.com's assertion that cash for clunkers cost the taxpayers $24,000 per car. While I question the number from Edmund's, the fact is the WH looks like clowns, trying to shout down all who challenge their programs. Grow up, everyone recognizes that we are playing on untrod ground. Quit being so defensive, do what you think is right, if the data shows you were wrong, do something shocking, admit it. The current administration continues to look weak.

Moreover, the administration's job creation numbers are pure fantasy. It is pitiable to put forward such lame information when the economic realities are so severe. It is entirely the wrong economic time to have such a pro-government administration in place.

The administration has shown precious little attentiveness to the present economic circumstances, instead they continue down a wish list that is out of step with present facts. I am extraordinarily troubled, the US economy is in shambles. Not beyond repair, mind you, but profoundly troubled.

I Question the Intellectual Strength of Valerie Jarrett

I watched her a number of times at this point and I am not yet convinced that this woman is all that bright, certainly not with regard to national politics. I know she has many acolytes not the least of which is the President himself, but I remain unconvinced. More importantly, I think her non-public, governmental knowledge is even more wanting. Frankly, I think her advice is atrocious. While her name is not associated with her unattributed comments to the press, I feel fairly confident her fingerprints are apparent on a number of items, yet of course her style is entirely different from the other 2 major spinners within the administration, Rahm and Axelrod. Her careless hiring decisions are one thing, but having a tin ear to the national political scene convinces me she is out of her depth.

How Bad Was That Call

The call on Joe Mauer's ball to right field in yesterday's Yankee Twins game was deplorable. I will say as succinctly as possible that it is the worst call I have ever seen in playoff baseball. The call was not even close and was absolutely abysmal. There is simply no excuse, the umpire was the left field umpire, unbelievable.

Big Fun on The Blog

Nothing to say other than I wish I saw sunshine and had income, oh well.

Glenn Beck - Roger Ailes' Nutjob

While I confess to watching Beck nightly (yes, I realize I'm part of the problem), it's because I'm totally fascinated by him. Do not worry about logical progression when watching the show, it's unimportant. Two plus two doesn't equal four, but just jump on board on the fun train! The 9/12 "project" is bizarre, what is the point, I watched him describe it innumerable times but I still have no idea what he's talking about. My conclusion, it's about Glenn, the entirety of the show and its antecedents are about Beck, logic need not apply.

Obama Speech to Joint Session, Stimulus Bill Saves/Generates 1 Million New Jobs, Stock Markets Up (Again)

It's a beautiful world, all is great, nothing to worry about, give me a break. Where is the reality potion, 'cause lord knows there is tons of demand. I am flummoxed, how long can this nonsense go on. Enough of my mindless ranting, I'm done.

Tonight Obama Speaks to Joint Session of Congress

Story on the web last night claims Reid and Pelosi have the votes and Obama wants to utilize hyper speed to push health care reform too, note that the story was light on specifics and that's the rub. I don't see how the Senate passes a bill nearly as comprehensive as the administration was looking/hoping for, point of fact, I think there's no shot. Leaks from the White House indicate that Obama will support the public option, but that ship sailed seven weeks ago.

The real remaining question is what type of speech Obama will deliver. I'd seriously question an extensive lecture format, because than nonsense simply won't work and its failure will leave a gaping hole in the hull of the USS Obama. Whether that leads to a democratic blood bath next November, despite current thinking, isn't a fait acompli, democratic fortunes are more tied to the economy. As to the economy, I am not optimistic. A jobless recovery, in my opinion, will result in an unmitigated romp for republicans. While the death of the republican brand may have been greatly exaggerated, the only real cure is one party rule, just what we have now.

I for one have lost almost entire confidence in the political class. These clowns (just pick a party) care very little about what happens in "real" America. They live in an unrealistic fantasy land. The vast majority of the state legislatures are, in fact, worse than the feds. State bureaucracies are even more ignorant of economic reality than the feds. States' have promised employees, police and teachers ridiculous pension and medical care that are simply not sustainable. Not only not sustainable now, but unsustainable in the best of economic times. But will government shrink, unlikely.

The Reports of My Demise are Greatly Exagerated!

Despite claims to the contrary, I am alive. My silence has been driven more by amazement than anything else. The administration is a mess. Lack of focus, overconfidence, and general ignorance of the body politic can all be blamed for the ineffectualness of the present administration. Oh, let's not forget ceding 'control/authority' to Nancy and the nut-jobs running the House of Representatives. I don't know what else to say at this point. More to follow.

A few comments regarding the inane equity markets: Please get a grip on reality. Sure the market is supposed to look forward six to nine months, but let's get a grip, true recovery is a ways off. The consumer is strapped, if not unemployed. Housing ain't going to recover when people with 770+ FiCO scores can't get mortgages. I think the recovery will be slow, but what do I know.

January 20th is Soon Enough

Left-leaning talking heads and op-ed writers are banging the drum for Obama to take the reins of government ahead of the constitutionally mandated date for the presidential transition.  On the other side of the political spectrum, there are silly claims of the "Obama recession."  

Neither of the foregoing persons possess much beyond a remedial understanding of the current financial crisis, if fact listening to them opine on these matters is painful.  Talk about being out of their collective depth, most of these folks most readily resemble Sarah Palin's rambling, nonsensical blather when they seek to characterize what's going on.

I argue that it is prudent for President-elect Obama move .cautiously.  This crisis is dynamic.  As the current administration's efforts have evidenced, today's "solution" may be next week's folly.  The US (and the world's) economy is trodding virgin territory.  Some of what will happen is beyond the control of government.  Better to move slowly and prudently, than respond as ifin  campaign mode.  The next administration needs to guard its credibility fiendishly with regard to our present circumstances.  A rapid response methodology is the polar opposite of what current circumstances demand.  Careful, thoughtful and to extent practicable, consistent economic messages are imperative to allow world markets to heal.