Why the President's Jobs Plan Won't Work

The President has proposed a new plan to get people back to work.

The problem is one tax on businesses is skyrocking, not due to the federal govt. perse (though they are the ones extending benefits), but due to states.

State unemployment taxes have skyrocketed. Here in Florida a 12 fold increase.

"The minimum tax will jump from $8.40 per employee to $100.30 — an almost 12-fold increase — next year while the maximum will go up from $378 per employee to $459, state officials said Wednesday."

33 other states plan to hike these taxes a minimum of 3x the present rate. HI has a 500% increase coming.

This means we have gone past the tipping point. The action by the govt. will be too little too late.

Why the unemployment numbers went down...

The number of people in the workforce shrank by 291,000.


How this impacts the numbers is explained by the genius at Political Math:

Let’s say we have 20 people in the workforce and 2 of them fit the technical definition for unemployed, which means that they’re actively looking for work. That gives us an unemployment rate of 10%.

Now, let’s say one of the unemployed people got tired of being unemployed and decided to go back to school. She has now removed herself from the labor force, so we don’t count her when we count unemployed people. Let’s also say that one of the employed people lost his job and instead of looking for a new one, he decided to simply retire.

As you can see we haven’t added any jobs… in fact we have fewer jobs than we did before. But we took a higher percentage of people out of the “unemployed” group than we did out of the “employed” group. It’s now 1 person unemployed and 17 people employed. We’ve “slashed” the unemployment rate to 5.5%.

Monthly Rotation and checklist.

Don't forget it is rotation and check list week.


Tips this month:
Every six months it's a good idea to inspect and taste your water supply or even change it out. Even reaching into the barrel (or what ever you use and feel the sides for signs of algae/slime. Inspect any lids rubber gaskets etc..

Don't forget to inspect the gear and items in your personal carry bag. I discovered damage to my water purifier filter screen and the container carrying my silver had been crushed...both were in the bottom. I will have to rearrange their placement.

Economic Tsunami Alert

Economist Max Keiser who predicted the default in Dubai back in January has a really ugly take on the world economy.

Jobs saved?...

The White House has claimed it saved or created 1 million new jobs since enacting the stimulus since Feb. 2009. I'm very dubious about that number, but let's give them a benefit of the doubt for a minute. Let's say 1/3 of the stimulus money ($787 Billion) has been spent so far (though I think it's closer to half). Thats ~$262,000,000,000... divided by 1,000,000 equals ~$262,000 per job. The average yearly wage in the US is ~$41,000.....yikes! A difference of $221,000. I guess the jobs that were saved were the bankers and government officials that got us into this mess since those are the only wages in that upper bracket.

Year to date total jobs lost 24,496,541!!!!!!!!!!


Stats put together by this smart guy on WSJ MW

Year to date total unemployment numbers (non-seasonally adjusted):

2009 2008 2007 2006 2005

YTD Totals .. 24,496,541.. 16,132,767.. 13,333,451.. 12,940,565.. 13,978,938


July Totals.. 2,349,590.. 1,673,184.. 1,359,167.. 1,388,991.. 1,424,282

Aug Totals.. 2,321,221.. 1,803,676.. 1,318,189.. 1,295,295.. 1,292,461
Sep Totals.. 1,761,830.. 1,509,567.. 1,010,571.. 1,028,202.. 1,212,639
Oct Totals.. 1,914,499.. 1,746,354.. 1,215,868.. 1,120,169.. 1,301,831



Weekly totals:
The REAL numbers - don't mess around with phony seasonal adjustments as the economy is not following historical patterns - this week WELL up:

W/Ending … 2009 … 2008 … 2007 … 2006 … 2005
1/3/2009 … 731,958 … 521,311 … 499,979 … 475,889 … 540,927
1/10/2009 … 959,791 … 547,506 … 506,059 … 555,114 … 693,776
1/17/2009 … 763,987 … 415,149 … 506,709 … 439,873 … 467,862
1/24/2009 … 620,143 … 369,944 … 367,583 … 317,926 … 360,583
1/31/2009 … 682,176 … 380,138 … 359,959 … 318,805 … 364,704
2/7/2009 … 710,152 … 377,457 … 339,018 … 321,527 … 347,391
2/14/2009 … 619,951 … 325,754 … 363,018 … 310,078 … 309,290
2/21/2009 … 605,668 … 329,925 … 305,945 … 269,571 … 303,814
2/28/2009 … 645,827 … 345,165 … 299,000 … 272,478 … 290,776
3/7/2009 … 652,636 … 341,685 … 320,194 … 301,867 … 332,067
3/14/2009 … 601,193 … 335,917 … 298,927 … 294,764 … 307,061
3/21/2009 … 590,067 … 316,598 … 277,187 … 269,237 … 290,719
3/28/2009 … 599,299 … 341,846 … 273,432 … 265,370 … 291,378
4/4/2009 … 623,630 … 357,206 … 268,218 … 253,985 … 294,994
4/11/2009 … 610,522 … 370,949 … 328,266 … 314,696 … 339,709
4/18/2009 … 596,564 … 328,346 … 317,917 … 268,472 … 285,657
4/25/2009 … 580,377 … 337,858 … 303,984 … 291,349 … 299,891
5/2/2009 … 537,539 … 335,547 … 267,672 … 279,715 … 290,824
5/9/2009 … 570,412 … 325,480 … 274,801 … 317,239 … 297,347
5/16/2009 … 540,925 … 319,694 … 258,516 … 288,972 … 275,524
5/23/2009 … 538,268 … 326,518 … 270,446 … 277,168 … 276,761
5/30/2009 … 500,383 … 300,989 … 273,397 … 292,714 … 304,306
6/6/2009 … 581,080 … 373,046 … 263,527 … 260,263 … 289,914
6/13/2009 … 558,407 … 349,255 … 302,368 … 285,892 … 315,938
6/20/2009 … 568,552 … 358,159 … 290,951 … 277,441 … 289,831
6/27/2009 … 559,894 … 368,544 … 292,583 … 287,503 … 286,681
7/4/2009 … 581,145 … 401,672 … 300,348 … 304,638 … 327,268
7/11/2009 … 671,242 … 483,981 … 417,554 … 418,363 … 427,323
7/18/2009 … 585,575 … 411,408 … 383,839 … 377,115 … 374,665
7/25/2009 … 511,628 … 376,123 … 257,426 … 288,875 … 295,026
8/1/2009 … 466,695 … 382,792 … 270,563 … 259,974 … 261,906
8/8/2009 … 482,590 … 373,858 … 266,420 … 275,430 … 269,746
8/15/2009 … 457,985 … 343,169 … 257,573 … 256,259 … 257,151
8/22/2009 … 457,269 … 345,127 … 266,179 … 252,357 … 252,016
8/29/2009 … 456,682 … 358,730 … 257,454 … 251,275 … 251,642
9/5/2009 … 466,277 … 336,733 … 245,526 … 259,539 … 271,613
9/12/2009 … 411,126 … 382,249 … 261,971 … 240,231 … 322,387
9/19/2009 … 437,543 … 398,070 … 247,643 … 267,036 … 326,204
9/26/2009 … 445,618 … 392,515 … 255,431 … 261,396 … 292,435
10/3/2009 … 451,883 … 426,789 … 298,317 … 249,288 … 313,847
10/10/2009 … 509,730 … 454,065 … 306,519 … 307,646 … 380,093
10/17/2009 … 460,430 … 416,111 … 307,675 … 271,863 … 303,158
10/24/2009 … 492,456 … 449,389 … 303,357 … 291,372 … 304,733




Just some food for thought on GDP:

2007 GDP = $13.644 trillion, fed spends = $2.729 trillion, or 20.0%
2008 GDP = $14.546 trillion, fed spends = $2.983 trillion, or 20.5%
2009 GDP = $14.301 trillion, fed spends = $3.548 trillion, or 25.1%
2010 GDP = $14.546 trillion, fed spends = $3.766 trillion, or 25.9% if the economy gets back to 2008 - it won't.

Get out!

I apologize in advance I'm cross posting this on my 3 blogs...it's just too important. Please note this is just my opinion, and I'm not an investment professional.

For months the government, investment guru's etc. have been claiming the economy is recovering.....I call Bullsh!t! The economy is going into convulsions.... unemployment is at 17-20%, insiders (CEO, directors etc.) are selling off their assets, and banks are continuing to fail. Even the ISM (Institute for Supply Management) tried to paint a rosey picture with a positive statement:

(Tempe, Arizona) — Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in September for the second consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the fifth consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®.

But the important numbers PMI, Production, New Orders and Employment all showed multi-monthly CONTRACTION. If these areas are contracting...where is the recovery?
Foreclosures and Credit Card defaults continue to record levels.

A great explanation of the Employment numbers and how the government lies about the numbers without actually lying is explained HERE.

Ok so I have painted a bleak picture, but I'm not the only one.
What to do?
If you aren't moving from the market to cash, silver, maybe a bit of gold (those little 10th ounce peices are easy to lose), and barter items you are going to be hating life come 2010 (or sooner). Since we are into fall and heading for winter, many are already making like a squirrel and stocking up. I recommend if possible, to double down on this mentality.

The economy is getting better?..BDI continues to fall. Update

Update: Bureau of Labor statistics are caught fudging their own data!

Here is that last piece of data, over the previous three months:
-June 39 states down, 10 states up (1 unchanged)
-July 29 states down, 21 states up
-August 42 states down, 8 states up
Already, we can see a huge discrepancy in the numbers. While both sets of data, show huge, fictional improvements between June and July, the state-by-state data shows a reversal for August – with the labour market obviously deteriorating dramatically based upon their own measurements. However, this didn't stop the BLS from refuting its own data to report an improvement between July and August, when it released its aggregate number.

Economists continue with their upbeat predictions yet I don't see it. Everyone is happy that 'only' 530,000 people filed NEW unemployment claims.....thats over half a million people...how is that positive?
Another indicator I watch is the Baltic Dry Index. It is still plummeting which means manufactured goods aren't shipping, because companies and thus people aren't buying.

Chart from investment tools

The sickness...

Sorry I've been away folks...I have 3 sick kids at the house, and I'm busy getting them well. Possibly the flu, but unknown. I'm not a huge fan of sprinting to the Doctors if the body can fight it. So far I've gotten 2 better with one left. Nothing like a constant flow of Florida OJ into the system to get one better. I will try to get an article up on one of the blogs before I depart for the weekend (hey it's fall lacrosse season...woohoo!).

Doctors to 'jump ship' if Health Reform passes.

Probably one of the most damaging articles I've seen yet on Health Care Reform is by Investors Business Daily (IBD). 45% of all Doctors would consider quitting if the reform is passed.

Probably the most damning response was this

71% — the most lopsided response in the poll — answered "no" when asked if they believed "the government can cover 47 million more people and that it will cost less money and the quality of care will be better.

Folks if the doctors think it's this bad...why is anyone even considering it?

"Inconvenienced"

This story illustrates how quickly we forget on this day....that so many, warriors and their families, continue to sacrifice so we may go about our daily lives.

Story comes from BlackFive

Sergeant First Class William "Brian" Woods was a Team Medical Sergeant of Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne). On August 14th, Brian was shot and killed by small arms fire in Ghazni, Afghanistan. At 32 years old, Brian had done multiple tours of duty in the War on Terror. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and served four years before joining the Army and becoming a Special Forces Soldier.

He leaves behind a wife, Elizabeth, and two daughters in Chesapeake, MD.


It seems that Brian's funeral procession in St Louis county caused one motorist an "inconvenience". The motorist complained to the County Sheriff.

The original email below was sent to Sheriff Glenn Boyer on Thursday, August 27. Below is the citizen's email followed by Sheriff Boyer's response.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I tried to call you earlier this morning, but was unable to obtain your extension from the voice mail system as I was not sure of your first name or correct spelling of your last.

I was inadvertently in this procession as I was leaving work on 270 from Creve Coeur and proceeding on Hwy. 30 West. I have some issues and complaints. I called the Sheriff's office last night, but the officer in charge would not speak with me. His name was Corp. Curtis. I am in no way complaining about your officers. I, however, was not treated very fairly when I called last evening because I wanted a ticket/complaint/or at least a slap on wrist for the people involved. Let me explain:
1) This procession should never have been held during rush hour traffic! Hwy. 270 is dangerous and people drive way too fast and there is too much traffic. This soldier's certainly would not have want his family hurt on the interstate taking him to Cedar Hill. People were dead-stopping on the interstate even though the procession was in the far right lane, the other three lanes just stopped. There were many near accidents and possibly were after I drove through. I was in the 2nd to left lane, no way obstructing the funeral procession.
2) I exited off on Gravois (30 W), far right lane. Your police officers went in the left lane to stop any additional on-coming traffic so the procession could exit off 270 into the LEFT lane of 30. Again, I was in the right lane. The St. Louis County officer stopped and turned around at Weber Hill to return on 270 after the procession passed.
3) The road was not closed. (Only for president as far as I know.) Again, the road was not closed. Your officers only had the left lane blocked/closed for the funeral. All other traffic by MO law can proceed as long as they do not interfere (weave in and out )with funeral procession.
Let me say, that I did not know what was happening. I knew the did not have Kennedy coming to STL, at least not yesterday. I was at work all day. No news. Nothing reported on the traffic on the radio driving home.
Anyway, two of these dirty, nasty, renegade, who knows what motorcycle men that were escorting the procession proceeded to stop in front of me in the right lane on Gravois. I had to stop in the middle of an intersection. They proceeded to scream and yell at me about respecting this soldier, etc. One of them climbed off his motorcycle and came over to me and stuck his head in my car continuing to scream at me. I asked him what this was for and he told me I needed to stop as the officers had the road blocked and show some dang respect. #1, the road was not blocked, the funeral was in the other lane. #2, I am proud of our country and sorry for the family, but they had no idea where I was going or anything else. I could have a child at day-care, I could have been sick and racing to the bathroom, I could have a sick parent waiting for me, etc., etc.
#3, They are not law enforcement and had no right to stop in the lane on Gravois and they had no right to scream at me and intimidate and threaten me. If I would have had my pepper spray, I would have used it on this nasty man! He is just a big hoo ha that is not even related to this soldier. The other man did not get off his scooter, but was along side of my passenger window screaming.
I left an abusive husband 1 1/2 years ago and I did not need this intimidation. I was livid and shaking!!
My son is a deputy sheriff in another MO county. I respect police officers. It was not their fault as they were busy with traffic, but I called to make them aware of what was going on during this thing. The St. Louis County officer saw it but of course he was out of jurisdiction.
However, I called last night and your office asked me if I knew about this soldier. Again, I am sorry about him, but I am a taxpayer. I got a speeding ticket a few months ago and paid the fine. I do not deserve to be treated like this. I wanted to let the officer know how these men were acting. Also, they were driving into the turnarounds on Hwy. 30 and then back onto the road. the funeral was much further ahead. One of them nearly got hit by me and other people almost hit him and another as well. I wanted to lodge a complaint about them why they were still there, but no one in your office would take any information or do anything.
This was not a military funeral, even though it was a soldier. There were not military vehicles. It was a funeral and the road was not closed, the lane was closed, I was in the other lane and again, these nasty men had no right to do this and I would have liked them to get a ticket!
I am sorry for the soldier and his family but you cannot let these motorcycle renegades do this. They could have caused several accidents and I really wanted them arrested. If they had any respect for the soldier they would have dressed better and not looked and acted so scuzzy.

Thank you.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


Here is Sheriff Boyer's response:

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
From:
Glenn Boyer/JEFFCO
Date: 08/31/2009 02:05 PM

Subject: Re: Fw: Re: Funeral Procession - Yesterday p.m.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear XXXXX:

Yes, you do deserve a response and I am willing to give you one.

I would like to say that I am sorry for the inconvenience we caused you during the funeral procession of Sergeant 1st Class William B. Woods, but I cannot do so. I would ask instead that you take a moment of your time to take into consideration the scope of the event. Your very right to complain was the reason Sgt. Woods fought for his country and ultimately gave his life; thus making the ultimate sacrifice for you and your family.

Let me introduce you to him. After high school, Sergeant Woods entered the Marine Corps. After his contract was up, he joined the Army, where he became a Green Beret. He comes from a long line of military members in his family. His Uncle is a Vietnam Veteran and two of his grandfathers were World War II Veterans. His job in the Army was one of the most dangerous jobs - he was a sniper looking for the bad guys to stop before they killed or injured one of our soldiers. He has numerous decorations to include the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

He grew up in Catawissa and was best known by his middle name, Brian. He enjoyed the outdoors, playing sports, and skydiving. He had a wife, Elizabeth, and two daughters, whom he loved dearly. He was a soft-spoken, level-headed young man who was proud to serve his country no matter what the risk. Now, I did not know him, but I wish I did. I am quoting from newspaper articles written about him.

At the young age of 31, he was shot during an engagement with Taliban forces in Ghanzi , Afghanistan . He died of his wounds in Germany on August 16, with his family by his side. He did not choose the time of his death, nor did he choose the time his remains would be brought back to his home in Catawissa. He just did his duty. He was quite a young man.

While you were being inconvenienced in your car on your way home, there were soldiers just like Sergeant Woods carrying 100+ pounds of equipment in 120 degree heat, up some mountain or in the middle of some desert. They will shower out of a helmet liner if they get the chance. They will eat a cold meal of MRE's; something most people would consider garbage. They cannot text their family or friends, or go to McDonalds, or watch TV. They can only continue the mission and look out after the guy to the left and right of them. They don't complain because they know they volunteered. The only thing they ask is that we do not forget the sacrifices they have made.

One of the dirty "big hoo ha" bikers, as you call them, was Brian's uncle, a Vietnam Veteran, like myself. We were not treated with a homecoming. We were spit on and called baby killers by a misguided public. Brian's uncle was giving him the respect that he, himself, never received when he came back and I, for one, am proud of him for doing so.

You say that your brother is a deputy in another Missouri county. I am sure he would be proud to escort the casket of a fallen solder, the same as he would that of a fallen officer. I am also sure he would not agree with your complaint about being inconvenienced.

My mother recently passed away. She was a World War II Veteran, serving the U.S. Army. She would say, maybe you should pick up Sergeant Woods' ruck sack and carry on where he left off. Then you could see first hand what it really is to be inconvenienced.

Per your request, I will forward your complaint to the Prosecuting Attorney's Office for his review. It is my personal opinion that your complaint is self-serving and without merit.

Sheriff Oliver "Glenn" Boyer
>>>>>>>>>>>>>

And before any of you go to check Snopes to see if this is real or not (and Snopes is occasionally wrong), here is the article about the incident in the St Louis Post Dispatch(courtesy of Blackfive reader Val)
Here is a video interview of Sheriff Boyer:
 
Last, you can send a donation to Brian's little girls:
Monetary donations for Lily & Elle Woods can be made at ANY Bank of America location - simply ask to donate to:
Daughters of Brian Woods Trust Fund
Godspeed,Brian Woods.

Update: More here at Soldiers' Angels Germany.