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via Wandervogel Diary I know that a lot of Americans are sighing in relief,just a little bit. It appears we’ve weathered the worst in the Great Global Recession. There is also a lot of distraction from our home woes,thanks to the Egyptians (and others). I’d like to inject a bit of a reality check here,though. In spite of the apparent easing of many people’s situations and the high stock indices,there may be plenty of trouble ahead. In the form of another dip to the current recession,perhaps. (Yes,I know;there are folks who say we’ve been out of recession for over a year. Sure doesn’t feel that way.) Here are some indicators: Mortgage defaults continue to rise New home sales at lowest rate since records started Unemployment takes a big jump up Job listings down,month over month;trend downwards since September Oil price is back over $90 a barrel,and unleaded gasoline is back over $3 a gallon everywhere. I know,an increase in gasoline prices usually signals an increase in demand,fueled by an improving economic landscape. In this case,though,it’s more likely due to fear over the potential closing of the Suez Canal in the aftermath of the Egyptian crisis. That is to say,one way to artificially increase demand is to reduce suppy,and we’re possibly facing that now. Remember,last time we were a year into the recession before the “authorities”confirmed the problem. (This is typical timing on these things,from our government.) So even if the National Bureau of Economic Research says we’re not in recession now,the real answer is,the jury’s still deliberating… That’s the Real View from the Sidelines… Powered by Zoundry Raven
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Never mind that our beloved President says we need to create more jobs,and that we need to get businesses moving again. His actions speak louder than these words;here’s proof that the current Administration is definitely anti-business… Anybody with any complaint about their boss,in any business anywhere in America,can now get free help suing. Thanks to a new alliance between the U.S. Department of Labor and the American Bar Association. All a person has to do is call a toll-free number and they’ll get referred to the ABA who will help them find a fee-contingent lawyer partner. Then the games begin! Typical of government,no consideration of consequences was given,other than to lighten the load on overpaid federal workers. Right now,there are about 36,000 complaints a year that the USDOL can’t address. Too few people,too little budget. This has been a good thing,as it has allowed hotheads time to cool off,and sleazebags with frivilous claims time to reconsider. Now,though,that check on lawsuits is gone. So businesses,get ready to write some hefty checks as a consequence. This will kill small businesses and put the chill on hiring like you’ve never seen before. How? Small firms don’t have deep pockets. As soon as someone wins a judgment,regardless of merit,that firm is likely to have to close up. Any business watching from the sidelines then has to reconsider their hiring plan;maybe they only outsource? Overseas? (You see where this is going.) This includes a large number of medical people,who already have to overcharge by 100% or more for malpractice insurance just to keep their doors open. Let a flood of new suits hit that industry and you can kiss most providers goodbye. Just having to defend against one or more frivolous suits can suck the life out of small companies. This impending tidal wave of attacks is fully supported by our government,and enabled by lawyers hungry for more fees. If that doesn’t put a chill up your spine,then you’re already dead… That’s the View From the SnS Legal Desk… Powered by Zoundry Raven The Epi-Log on Epicurious.com:Chili without the Chile (Not really) http://bit.ly/hJCOkh # Super Bowl-worthy chili stands out in a crowd:Recipe for all-or-nothing chili http://bit.ly/gpwouE # Smoked paprika adds kick to this chili (and is great in many other dishes too!) | StAugustine.com http://bit.ly/gEXeXs # Dig In And Fill Up At The New York [...] Weekly jobless claims climb 51,000 to 454,000;snow a cause,certainly,but is the double-dip here too? –MarketWatch http://bit.ly/gf95tm # Inspector general:Mortgage modification program a 'failure'–USATODAY.com http://usat.ly/eamMeg # The Associated Press:Foreclosure activity up across most US metro areas http://bit.ly/fEQ1Zc # Powered by Twitter Tools [...] It’s been a long time since we were last seen crossing the border running for our lives around here. We’re back now,though,and this time you won’t be able to get rid of us so easily we’re here to stay. After all,there’s so much doom,gloom,fire and devastation fun going [...] | |||||
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Obama’s State of the Union and Science:Boy,Did He Miss on This One
Obama’s State of the Union address carried a different tone on its surface than his previous ones. A lot (maybe way too much) will be written by the professional pundits on exactly what his speech signifies. I want to focus on only one point:Mr. Obama’s contention that we need more education in [...]