1

Also, economists are wrong. A lot.

 

Punchin' down, buddy.  Punchin' down.

2 You know what else will be unexpected? The 2012 election results

3 Unprecidented!

4 Another half-mil on the ash heap.

Wait until they let their census drones go.

5 So that's how babies are made? How very unexpected?

6 I'm still funemployed, is this too "unexpected"??

7 Well, if the economist you've hired keep missing such an obvious economic connection between the unemployment rate and Obama's job killing policies, maybe they should be fired.

Which leads to an interesting question, if MSNBC and CNN finally fire these idiot economists who don't ever expect unemployment to rise, when the out of work economists file for unemployment, would that still be a "unexpected" increase in the unemployment rate?

Hmmm..

8 Wait, I thought the recession ended last week? I recall Ogabe doing a victory lap and all the pundits going on about how we turned the corner.

9

Another half-mil on the ash heap.

Wait until they let their census drones go.

I am willing to bet we enter the double dip just prior or just after the 2010 election.

I am pulling all of my non IRA  money out of the stock market in the 4th qtr to avoid two things, the coming decline and the new taxes as a result of the expiring bush tax cuts Jan 1 2011

10 This just in: dim-witted journalists unexpectedly use the word "unexpectedly" in any story where the policies of their pals, the Obamacrats, look as bad as expected.

11 Unicorn delivery also has shown no marked upturn.

12

Henceforth: The word 'economy' will be replaced with 'Obama-economy' no matter where I am and no matter who is within ear shot.

It's my turn to 'speak truth to power'. It's their turn to squirm.

13 >I am willing to bet we enter the double dip just prior or just after the 2010 election. They will pull out all the stops to make damn sure that doesn't happen until after. I see lots of gov't temp jobs in Sept and Oct.

14 the only economic news that would be "unexpected" would be something positive in the long term.... and that ain't gonna happen as long as the First Failure is in charge. Ear Leader's mad economic skillz are right up there with his testosterone levels: undetectable.

15 Gabe being the only HQ blogger up before 10 AM , how unexpected

16 Let me be clear, I inherited this recession. Bush did it.

17

Cardinal Barry Obama: Nobody expects the unemployment numbers to rise!

18 Let's not jump to conclusions. The unemployed are acting stupidly.

19 I'll be glad when Barry joins the unemployed ranks.

20 Can we start all posts with the words "Hence forth"? Also can we start using the phrase "fort night?"

21 Come on guys, it's hard to get it right with Easter and all. We've never had Easter before.

22

Can't wait for Obama to unilaterally ban the use of this;

http://tinyurl.com/ydnsdub

 

23 I waited too long to go to the bathroom and unexpectedly shit my pants...

24 The media spinning these numbers?  Unecpected.

25 Could someone please 'splain something to me?

Initial jobless applications increased by 18,000 to 460,000 in the week ended April 3

How come I see these numbers of several hundred thousands of new jobless claims in a week's time over and over, but then they report job gains at the end of the month??

Signed.
Puzzled in Chicago..


Oh.. BTW.. what does punch up and punch down mean?

Signed,
Clueless in Chicago..

26 Christmas this year?  That's unexpected.

27 The stuff further down is interesting, in a "we seem to be fucked" sort of way.

The number of people continuing to receive jobless benefits decreased 131,000 in the week ended March 27 to 4.55 million, the fewest since December 2008. The continuing claims figure does not include the number of Americans receiving extended benefits under federal programs.

The number of people whoÂ’ve used up their traditional benefits and are now collecting emergency and extended payments fell by about 223,000 to 5.81 million in the week ended March 20.

So that's ~11 million people collecting checks, minus 250k who have run out of checks to collect, which doesn't count long-term unemployed who fell off prior to March 20.

28 We couldn't predict job growth for that week because there was a Thursday in it.

29 21 Come on guys, it's hard to get it right with Easter and all. We've never had Easter before. Posted by: robtr

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

It's because it's a moving holiday.. waaaay too hard to keep track of that.. for cripes sake, they only have 20 Cray supercomputers dedicated to the task!

30 I blame the Easter Bunny. he egged these people on to file claims.

31 Whoa!  You mean, like, summer is going to start pretty soon?  Really?  That's totally unexpected.

32 Nothing is "Expected" with these assholes, except that you will continually have less and less freedom and money as they steal it from us every day.

33 Dude!  Are you telling me that, like, if you put gasoline on a fire, that the fire gets bigger?  Since when?  Man that is totally unexpected.

34 Voters Issue Strong Rebuke of Incumbents in Congress: http://is.gd/bk6oS

35 About the only thing that is expected is global warming. BTW, how did my peeps in Chicago enjoy the snow last night? 

36 No one expects the Spanish Inquisition, either!  Haha!  It's the comfy pillow for you.

37 Good news!  We traced a .02% drop in unemployment claims among men over 6' who are named 'Dave' or 'Darnell.'

38 "This morning, the sun unexpectedly rose!"

39 Someone needs to dig up Zombie Milton Friedman.

40 In other good news, I still have my job, and at 150% of the private sector average salary.

With bennies.

And I can't be fired!

41 increased by 18,000 to 460,000

WTF that's a huge range to pull an asstatistic from.

Are they asking the guy behind the counter at the liquor store what he thinks the high and low are and printing it.

42 Someone needs to dig up Zombie Milton Friedman. You sure about that? With the lack of brains in D.C., I'll be coming for yours.

43

Someone needs to dig up Zombie Milton Friedman.

Must eat AP Economist Brains!

44

Policies pursued by a man who never had a real job results in no job gain - unexpected.

Regarding Ogabe's recent baseball gaffes - is there anything this guy has a clue about? One thing?

45 I had a dream last night about Megan Fox and woke up experiencing morning wood, unexpectedly...

46

Hi folks,

I just wanted to drop by and say that we as Senators, have it in our best interest to get the best press possible. This is why we have made it a requirement of all major media outlets to write stories that only reflect the greatness of our political leaders.

It is so important to fresh, clean water and renewable energy, and healthy Americans that we do this.

All the best,
Debbie

47 is there anything this guy has a clue about? One thing?

Posted by: Hexenkessel at April 08, 2010 10:02 AM (mI11M)

Clue???

48

You think these numbers are bad, wait til we see the revised numbers

49 initial jobless claims? Another half million just losing their jobs? They're using 'unexpected' in the "unexpected by the 52 clueless percent who voted for this fuck" sense.

50 Unexpectedly, every geek in America spent the night banging supermodels; then they woke up.

51 we supply kinds of oilfield equipment,like volvo filter,cat filter,donaldson filter,fleetguard filter,delco starter,delco remy starter,bosch alternator. All cheap price goods from china.

52 48% of Americans unexpectedly kicks the other 52%'s idiot asses off.

53

The Crapulus continues its good work.

 

54

Nothing is "Expected".

 

And yet, we're told that these are the smartest people on the planet, espeically when compared to ChimpyMcHitlerburtonnostemcellscowboynobodylovesusBush.

55

Regarding Ogabe's recent baseball gaffes - is there anything this guy has a clue about? One thing?

Arugula.

And perhaps waffles.

56 Trying to manufacture a "racial" media event at a Kill The Bill protest...

Getting nothing - Unexpected!

57 49

You think these numbers are bad, wait til we see the revised numbers

Posted by: Ben at April 08, 2010 10:04 AM (wuv1c)

And wait until we see the actual numbers that pencil-necked geek Peter Orzag has hidden in his unexpectedly hot starfucker wife's dildo drawer.

58 Tomorrow's Headlines:
Local News: Unemployed Man Unexpectedly Loses Home, Car.
State News: Serial Child Rapist Unexpectedly Given Death Penalty.
Science and Nature: Heavy Object Dropped from Roof Unexpectedly Hits Ground.
Sports: Cubs Unexpectedly Fail to Reach World Series.

59

"The week leading up to Easter and the two weeks that follow are traditionally a 'volatile time' for claims, a Labor Department analyst said, making it difficult to discern the underlying trend in applications."

That's a new one....

More analysis from the Labor Department:

"The week leading up to Chinese New Year and the two weeks that follow are traditionally a 'volatile time' for claims..."

"The week leading up to the summer solstice and the two weeks that follow are traditionally a 'volatile time' for claims..."

"The week leading up to Administrative Assistant's day and the two weeks that follow are traditionally a 'volatile time' for claims..."

I could keep going....

60 My o my, that Cincinnatus fellow sure left a mess for Romulus Augustus.

61

 we supply kinds of oilfield equipment,like volvo filter,cat filter,donaldson filter,fleetguard filter,delco starter,delco remy starter,bosch alternator. All cheap price goods from china

 

YAY, we have a new spammer. Welcome to the club, there are free drinks in the green room. I'm sure you'll have a lot to talk about with the laptop battery guy

62 I can imagine an unexpected conversation Barry had with his grandmother: Barry: Crap grandma. I got an unexpected F in math this week. Grandma: Didn't you get an F last week too? Barry: Yea. Damn teacher. Grandma: And the week before? Barry: Uh-huh! Grandma: And each of the previous 50 weeks? Barry: You got it. Grandma: And you say it was unexpected? Barry: Absolutely. Teacher should have given me an A+ cuz I'm an A+ boy. Grandma: So what exactly are you doing different than last week? Barry: Different? Like how. Grandma: Different as in something that would not get you a F again. Like studying, doing your homework, or even merely showing up for class. Barry: You know I don't have time for class and homework when I'm busy with the Young Communist League meetings. And anyway, good communists don't do homework. That's the oppression of the fascist institution. Grandma: So once again, how is this F unexpected?

63

"The week leading up to Easter and the two weeks that follow are traditionally a 'volatile time' for claims, a Labor Department analyst said, making it difficult to discern the underlying trend in applications."

That's a new one....

So let me get this straight...THREE WEEKS surrounding an annual, but shifting period of time with no real economic import other than Peeps and Cadbury egg sales are "volatile."  These guys are really just seeing what sticks to the wall at this point.

 

64 UnPresidented.

65 At this rate, I'll never sell these watermelons.

66 Hexenkessel, I've been saying to any one who'll listen, "This Obama economy is just wonderful, isn't it?"

It's long past time we start tying that millstone around his neck.

67

START was a good news/bad news situation.

Good news: Obama didn't exactly bow to Medvedev.

Bad news: He unexpectedly swallowed.

68

So let me get this straight...THREE WEEKS surrounding an annual, but shifting period of time with no real economic import other than Peeps and Cadbury egg sales are "volatile."  These guys are really just seeing what sticks to the wall at this point.

 

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at April 08, 2010 10:14 AM (B+qrE)

 

Apparently those guys are eating crackberry egss, not the Cadbury variety.

69 The MSM constantly beat the 'failing economy' drum during the Bush years, when unemployment was at 5%.  Now they constantly beat the drum 'for a recovering economy under Obama'.  Only problem is that the economy, under his policies, will do anything but 'recover'.

70 It's long past time we start tying that millstone around his neck. Don't forget the 'Obama income tax increases'. I know, not really his, but it will be fun if anyone calls you on the details.

71 Lying is proving very difficult.

72

More analysis from the Labor Department:

"The week leading up to Chinese New Year and the two weeks that follow are traditionally a 'volatile time' for claims..."

"The week leading up to the summer solstice and the two weeks that follow are traditionally a 'volatile time' for claims..."

"The week leading up to Administrative Assistant's day and the two weeks that follow are traditionally a 'volatile time' for claims..."

The week leading up to St. Patrick's day and the two weeks that follow are traditionally a 'volatile time' for claims, as Irish people like me are gradually found where they collapsed, thus ending the gigs of many a temp.

The week leading up to Memorial day and the two weeks that follow are traditionally a 'volatile time' for claims as Irish people like me are kept busy creating, dousing and cleaning up after BBQ fires, not to mention the 3rd degree sun burns incurred because I left my dumb Irish ass on the beach too long.

73 just joking! it was expected

74

Posted by: terex parts at April 08, 2010 10:05 AM (XpIZa)

Great. Looking for $20 million drilling rig owners on the AoSHQ moron board.

That is really excellent targetted marketing.

At least a few of us have a couple of lace wigs in the closet...

75 Sandra Bullock unexpectedly sporting new mustache.

76

Sports: Cubs Unexpectedly Fail to Reach World Series.

That was harsh. And unexpected.

Posted by: Mallamutt

 

We expected it.

77

The number of people whoÂ’ve used up their traditional benefits and are now collecting emergency and extended payments fell by about 223,000 to 5.81 million in the week ended March 20.

So that's ~11 million people collecting checks, minus 250k who have run out of checks to collect, which doesn't count long-term unemployed who fell off prior to March 20.

This correlates nicely with the 4% rise in people who have been unemployed 27 weeks or more last month.

78 We're hardest hit.

79 I am just wondering when some major news organization comes out and finally says that if we were counted the unemployment the same way they did in the 30s and 40s we would already be in what they call a depression.

You know that big bad economic nightmare that all that huge deficit spending of TARP and porculous was supposed to avoid.

This is the FDR commie fiasco all over again. The government takes a bad situation, which it created in the first place, and makes it worse by doing incredibly stupid things.

It has been proven over and over again that manipulation of the economy by central governments NEVER works.  But the insane people in charge keep trying it.

80 We're hardest hit.

Posted by: Temporary Mall Easter Bunnies

 

You acted stupidly.

81 "The year leading up to the election of an Islamo-Marxist and the four years that follow are traditionally a 'volatile time' for claims..."

82 You can put a suggestion in the box:

http://tinyurl.com/ylc2pl5

Of course, one wonders why if the stimulus "worked beyond anyone's wildest dreams", they would even NEED a Job Creation suggestion box.  But those guys are all way smarter than me.

83 O/T:   Have you noticed the number of after shocks after the Baja quake?

84 Don't forget the 'Obama income tax increases'. I know, not really his, but it will be fun if anyone calls you on the details.

I'm kind of hoping that will force some of those 47% who pay no tax back onto the rolls (no offense to any morons on the brink).  I liked the Bush cuts in general, but narrowing the tax base was stupid.

85

More Americans unexpectedly filed claims for jobless benefits last week, a jump that may in part reflect difficulty in seasonally adjusting the data ahead of the Easter holiday.

Now they call it Easter?  I thought it was the "Spring Holiday"?  Must be those damn Christian militias again.

86 No one expects the Spanish inquisition, either.

87 Newsbreak: 13 year-old boy looking at Playboy Magazine unexpectedly gets hard-on...

88 You can't tax yourself out of a recession, and you can't spend yourself out of a financial hole. why should any of this surprise anyone with commonsense?

89 this morning on CNBC they were touting positive retail sales.   Hey, when you are so low it's unbelievable, it's easy to top that.  Shame on you Abercrombie, you spoiled the bunch.

90

The year leading up to the ham-handed takeover of the healthcare industry and it's re-organization conducted with typical government efficiency, and the decades of horrific stupidity, bureaucratic neglect and avoidable carnage that follow are traditionally a 'volatile time' for being alive. Unless you want an abortion or viagra.

In that case, we gotcha covered.

91

I will bet anyone here 40 dollars, that when the Bush tax cuts expire in 2011, the Obama administration calls the tax increase a Bush Tax Increase.

 

92 It's kinda like those 'unexpected' crop failures in the old Soviet Union, year after year.

93

"The week leading up to Administrative Assistant's day and the two weeks that follow are traditionally a 'volatile time' for claims..."

Hey - it's Administrative PROFESSIONALS day.  you must be racist.

94

I notice that this report is of actual jobless claims versus the report last week which was a survey.

To tell you the truth, I'm not sure how an "economist" can even make a prediction on a weekly basis. What information does he use to make the prediction? I doubt he has access to the information (plant closings, etc?) quick enough to beat the actual reporting data of the unemployment offices around the country.

My guess he gets a "feel good vibe" and predicts a reduced initial claims or an "harsh buzz" and predicts an increase in claims.

95 Pissed-off voters with a clue unexpectedly self-organize into a major political force.

96

You can't tax yourself out of a recession, and you can't spend yourself out of a financial hole. why should any of this surprise anyone with commonsense?

 

Divorcing my ex wife was expensive

 

 

_{(i've never been married, but lets just pretend for the sake of the joke)}

97

O/T  Hardly any black Republicans?  Think again. 

http://tinyurl.com/yb8p2y7

 

98 It's totally unprecedented, this rash of unexpected jobless claims -- unheard of some might say!

99

Posted by: CUS at April 08, 2010 10:25 AM (wOGfT)

Being somewhat of a masochist, I looked at some of the suggestions in the Obama suggestion box. Things like "National Railway System". And "Medical Marijuana". The sort of stupid shit that a typical worthless Obama voter would dribble out.

I simply put down "Quit right now"

100 Job Creation suggestion box

"Stop fucking taxing and regulating the shit out of everything, you slimy, craven, clay-brained whoreson.  Regards, Radish."

101

It's totally unprecedented, this rash of unexpected jobless claims -- unheard of some might say!

there are worse rashes we could get.

102

More Americans unexpectedly filed claims for jobless benefits last week, a jump that may in part reflect difficulty in seasonally adjusting the data ahead of the Easter holiday.

Now they call it Easter?  I thought it was the "Spring Holiday"?  Must be those damn Christian militias again.

Posted by: bib sis

 

We need someone who reflexively hate Christians and all things Christian to tackle this issue. A fellow that will not allow thought to impede him.

Where's Christoph?

103

Posted by: CUS at April 08, 2010 10:25 AM (wOGfT)

Being somewhat of a masochist, I looked at some of the suggestions in the Obama suggestion box. Things like "National Railway System". And "Medical Marijuana". The sort of stupid shit that a typical worthless Obama voter would dribble out.

I simply put down "Quit right now"

I think we should legalize it. it would make living under the obama admin that much easier to take.

oh and isn't Amtrak essentially a national Railway System?

104 93 this morning on CNBC they were touting positive retail sales.  

Posted by: curious at April 08, 2010 10:28 AM (p302b)

They're still trying to dump their pets.com stock on that network.

After the government dumps a trillion or more of inflated borrowed dollars into the economy, it has to turn up somewhere.

 

105

More "Unexpected" Jobless Claims

And by "unexpected" I mean TOTALLY EXPECTED!!

106 Folks should tour the Country video taping all the closed businesses. Make it a channel in YouTube and on Breitbart's sites.

107

Job Creation suggestion box

We need to crate more of those green jobs.  I didn't expect that we wouldn't creat any.

How about we force Americans to purchase something - other than healthcare.  That will create jobs, I'm sure.  I think we should require every American to purchase some of those robotic bees made at Harvard.  The stimulus funded robotic bee program.  Make it mandatory for every man, woman, child in America to buy one.  That will get this economy moving. 

 

108

Divorcing my ex wife was expensive

_{(i've never been married, but lets just pretend for the sake of the joke)}

Posted by: Ben at April 08, 2010 10:29 AM (wuv1c)

Let's also pretend you're not gay.

109 "Stop fucking taxing and regulating the shit out of everything, you slimy, craven, clay-brained whoreson.  Regards, Radish."

You are a whoresonist.  Consider yourself banned.

110

As Spring progresses, temperatures unexpectedly rise. New fears of global warming grip the world as Al Gore predicts that Denver will be under water by August.

111

Divorcing my ex wife was expensive

Redundant, too.

112 107 Thank you for getting my little joke.

113 Guam tipping over and capsizing, now that would be unexpected...

114 Job Creation suggestion box: Nullify the 2008 Presidential Election. Do a do-over with Palin vs. Sheriff Joe in the top spots. Obama fetches the coffee and MexCain fetches the donuts.

115

Posted by: Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz at April 08, 2010 10:34 AM (cQyWA)

Obviously, a fellow moron with kids in the house. 

116 "I'm still funemployed, is this too "unexpected"??"

It's funexpected!

117 Wow! Didn't see this one coming (serious sarc)   Obamas to Appear on "American Idol" President Odumbass and the First Chewy took time out of their busy schedules on Wednesday to sit down for a taping with "American Idol" as part of the hit show's fundraising event set to air next week.   (I may may substituted some words in the original text)  

118 You are a whoresonist.  Consider yourself banned.

Posted by: CUS

 

And you are a bannist. To the Guillotine with you.

119

114 Can I trade my robotic bee for a couple of pet crows?

120 I decided to bing the author (Schlisserman) and 'unexpectedly' (can I use 'bing' as a verb since I prefer it to google?).  2000 hits!  It seems that Courtney Schlisserman is caught by surprise very easily.

121 So Dancing with the Stars and Kate of Jon and Kate plus 8 beat out Idol for like the second time so Idol wants to up the rating by having the presidential duo on?   Aw, that's a nice try.

122

And you are a bannist. To the Guillotine with you.

And you are a decapatationist in a different font.

 

123 Obamas to Appear on "American Idol"

Thank God.  They're just not on TV enough.

124 Beck said this morning he wanted to get permission to bring a camera into the national archives and show the American people some of the stuff in the special rooms.    That would be great but thanks to that Sandy guy probably won't happen.

Always wondered what he thought was so important to get out of there .....

and he didn't really get in trouble.  

125

Idol wants to up the rating by having the presidential duo on?

Who get's to wear the dress, Obama or Biden?

126

Don't mean to interrupt, but I'm really sorry that I got drunk with that underaged Guatemalan hooker then climbed your fence and  fucked your kids' pet cocker spaniel.

Please buy some more overpriced Nikes shit so they can pay me.

Thank you.

127 I had a coworker once who was studying economics at USC. He claimed economists were put on the earth to make astrologers look accurate.

128

And you are a decapatationist in a different font.

 

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here)

 

You say that like it's a bad thing.

129 Tiger, that new commercial is wholly creepey.

130

I came here directly from an article by Paul Krugman. I've never read such economic bullshit in my life. If The Vapid One© is listening to anyone as stupid as that guy, there's no wonder we're in the fix we're in.

131 American Idol?  Impress me -- go on WWF (you know it's coming).

132

Who get's to wear the dress, Obama or Biden?

Posted by: ErikW at April 08, 2010 10:42 AM (KhHsk)

 

What I meant was, ya see, that, um...

Oh forget it.

133

114 Can I trade my robotic bee for a couple of pet crows?

Why yes - but you will have to pay a special tax to do that.  We should encourage everyone to trade their robotic bees for whatever they like but tax, tax, tax, every transaction.  We'll create jobs and tax revenue and good will!  What an unexpectedly good idea.  See being VP is big f'n deal.

134 Anybody who hasn't been doubling the Administration's announced unemployment statistics is suffering from terminal naivete.

135 You are a whoresonist.  Consider yourself banned.

Posted by: CUS

 

And you are a bannist. To the Guillotine with you.

that'll never come back to bite you in the ass.

136 If unemployment increased you would think there would be people in DC picketing and holding signs that say "we need jobs" but there aren't any.  Don't understand that.  I'm told in the 60's and 70's people would have been doing that.  I wonder why in 2010 they aren't?

137

So at what point does bad economic news become expected?  What am I saying?  Duh... As soon as the Republicans can be blamed. 

Oh, and free tip to Fox News Radio feed:  Your economic forecasts are a joke.  You don't have to proclaim Economic Apocalypse, but, as Mr. Gob Bluth would say, "Come on!"

138

Beck said this morning he wanted to get permission to bring a camera into the national archives and show the American people some of the stuff in the special rooms.    That would be great but thanks to that Sandy guy probably won't happen.

OK I have visions of when Geraldo opened up Al Capone's secret cellar.  Ha, ha, All he kept saying was "Oh here's more 1920s stuff"  Can't look at him without remember that pathetic show.

139

Sorry for straying off the path... again, but;

The left just kills me.  They can find nothing good what-so-ever in the lifestyle of freedom, but they, along with their exalted leader, would have us embrace this bullshit -

http://tinyurl.com/yb6qr3d

 

140 You are a whoresonist.  Consider yourself banned.

Posted by: CUS

 

And you are a bannist. To the Guillotine with you.

that'll never come back to bite you in the ass.

Posted by: Ben

 

No, no it won't. But the other end may be in peril.

141

Wait for it......This was totally unexpected

Chris Rock: ObamaCare Opponents Like Those in ‘60s with ‘I Hate Martin Luther King' Hats http://bit.ly/dBbuMl

142

If unemployment increased you would think there would be people in DC picketing and holding signs that say "we need jobs" but there aren't any.  Don't understand that.  I'm told in the 60's and 70's people would have been doing that.  I wonder why in 2010 they aren't?

Ha, ha, because who needs a job when you can get the gubmint to pay for your rent, food, utilities, free blakberries to smokers in DC who need help quitting, healthcare, etc, etc.

143 I think the claims were unexpected because these people should have just sucked it up and not filed, rather than make Bambi look bad by jacking the number up.

144 Some person called Beck and said they received $800 extra on their tax refund.  Beck is saying to send it back.   I don't think so.  Bet it is the $800 in stimulus...that she doesn't realize that she didn't get....

Caller saying the $800 is the "making work pay" credit...claims to be an accountant....

They noticed most people are not claiming it so they will change it and send you the extra money...

Guy says he has the forms in front of him and the letter from the IRS....

The letter from the IRS says "you've made an error, and we are changing it".....

145 I'm told in the 60's and 70's people would have been doing that.

Really?  I'm told that protesters in the 60s and 70s weren't real big on working for the man.

146 Obamas to Appear on "American Idol"

Remember when they got all pissy when we called him 'The World's Biggest Celebrity?'

147 WASHINGTON (AP) -- Rates for 30-year home loans surged last week, rising to the highest level in eight months due to the improving economy and the end of a government push to make mortgages cheaper.

148

Americans Send 10,000 Roses to Netanyahu Following Mistreatment By Obama http://bit.ly/9RrL84

149 "153 Obamas to Appear on "American Idol"

Remember when they got all pissy when we called him 'The World's Biggest Celebrity?'

Posted by: nickless at April 08, 2010 10:56 AM (MMC8r)"

Can't help but think of this as a win/win....AI thinks their ratings will go up and BO and MO, after that picture of the oldest one yawing on drudge, have to payback the girls for being such boring parents.

150 Gold is at $1152/oz.

151

Caller saying the $800 is the "making work pay" credit...claims to be an accountant....

They noticed most people are not claiming it so they will change it and send you the extra money...

You WILL suck my teat!  SUCK IT!

152 Nice post.

What is really troubling is that Democrats simply do not care about the unexpected impact of this regime's economic policies. They have stopped releasing their forecasts of where they think the economy is heading because everytime they do, charts like this begin appearing.

This chart clearly demonstrates the gloss this regime wishes to put on their economic policies and that it in no way reflects reality.

Employers are not hiring people because they are uncertain what is next with this regime. They do not know which major tax increase is coming next. They cannot rely on government statistics because those statistics are being manipulated to produce positive spin ... and then quietly revised downward later on when nobody is looking.

Our country's economy will not improve as long as Democrats are in power. It really is that simple. If you are out of work ... hold on as long as you can ... and make god-damned sure you're registered to vote in the November elections.

If there is a Democrat holding a seat in your Congressional District, then dig into the sofa cushions and donate some spare change to the Republican challenger. (Don't bother donating to the RNC because that money is being pissed away. Donate directly to your local candidate.)

If you're unemployed ... offer to man the phones for your Republican or Tea Party challenger for a few hours. Not gonna kill 'ya. Go to the Tea Party rally even if it is only to show a face and hold a sign. You might meet up with someone who knows about a job ... you never know!

You don't have to sit there and do nothing and take it from these fucking Democrats. We can fire them. We can fire them all. Once Republicans are back in control of the Congress, they can start issuing subpoena and swearing in witnesses and we can get to the bottom of the crimes that are being committed by these Democrats.

If you do have a job ... your country needs you. There are 20 million people milling around without jobs or holding crap part-time gigs. And that number is only going higher "unexpectedly." Democrats will make up for that lack of wages by raising your taxes and creating new taxes altogether (VAT). So just because you have a job doesn't mean you're safe.

Democrats are spiraling the country out of control.

But we have the power to stop it.

153

NOT unexpected:

The smell coming out of the White House

Anyone familiar with Chicago knows that there are things that cling to those who move into a new environment.  It is hard for politicians to get rid of the smell of  corruption and the old stock yards.  These days no matter what kind of air freshener is used to cover it up in Washington, the reek  emanating from the White House permeates everything around it including the Democrat controlled House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.

What  Americans are learning is that when a politician and the people he surrounds himself with come from Chicago and Cook County, the odor that has hung over that area of the country has become a shroud casting a dark cloud over the future of the United States.

154 Gold is at $1152/oz.

Posted by: Rodent Freikorps at April 08, 2010 11:01 AM (dQdrY)

The Krug's in the in-ground safe look better every day.  Fly to Freeport for a day trip, cash the Krugs at Bank of __________, never return with more than $5000 cash, and send the mental 'fuck you' letter to the IRS. 

155 WASHINGTON (AP) -- Rates for 30-year home loans surged last week, rising to the highest level in eight months due to the improving economy and the end of a government push to make mortgages cheaper.

Translation: Mortgage rates rose and people still employed but on the fence locked in. Economy still sucks but we will pretend this indicator says otherwise.

156

I'm told in the 60's and 70's people would have been doing that.  I wonder why in 2010 they aren't?

The people that usually protest have not been told to protest by the media, so that their plight can be laid at the President's door.  Wrong kind of President.

ps. The people who are protesting don't count.  Wrong kind of people.

 

157

For the eight years of Bush, the template for economic news headlines was:

"<insert good news here> Despite Fears of Recession"

For example:

Economic Growth Continues for 10 Straight Quarters Despite Fears of Recession

Inflation in Check Despite Fears of Recession

Employment at Record High Despite Fears of Recession

But my favorite headline of this ilk was in the New York Times during JulianiÂ’s tenure:

Crime Decreases Despite Rising Prison Populations

 

158 154 WASHINGTON (AP) -- Rates for 30-year home loans surged last week, rising to the highest level in eight months due to the improving economy and the end of a government push to make mortgages cheaper.

Wow. And here I thought it was just greedy lending practices before the end of the Apr. 30, buy your house and get 8000 free from the taxpayers program.
I am such a simpleton. Dang that Easter- clouding the ability of government to see the true unemployment picture for that week. Here let me help you fucking morons.

It sucks. Wages suck. Taxes suck. A 13 trillion dollar debt with another 50 trillion in entitlements suck. Rising interest rates means that debt will begin to shoot up as we refinance into rising rates. We just added 30 million non tax paying cretins to our tax bill. We can't pay. What about that scenario is so incredibly fucking hard to understand?

159 These traitorous slackers filing for unemployment are racists.

160 Another Grim Milestone for Bush in Iraq and Afghanistan. Unexpected bad numbers for Obama. What was the line they used for Bush's economic news?

161 Anybody who hasn't been doubling the Administration's announced unemployment statistics is suffering from terminal naivete.

Indeed.

162

Print out a copy of this graph and place it on the desk of every fucking liberal you know. http://tinyurl.com/ykue72d

 

163

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Rates for 30-year home loans surged last week, rising to the highest level in eight months due to the improving economy and the end of a government push to make mortgages cheaper.

Translation: Mortgage rates rose and people still employed but on the fence locked in. Economy still sucks but we will pretend this indicator says otherwise.

also Translation: Hope sales will decline from this day forward. also if you can't afford a house with a 5% 30 year fixed, then you probably shouldn't own one.

164

Rates for 30-year home loans surged last week, rising to the highest level in eight months due to the improving economy and the end of a government push to make mortgages cheaper.

Stagflation here we come!

Add to it a naive belief in disarmament, and the world will get really, really interesting....

165

Unexpected breaking news:

---------

Opposition leaders in Kyrgyzstan today declared that they had seized power and had taken control of security headquarters, state television and various government buildings.

The declaration came a day after riot police shot dead at least 60 people and protesters attempted to storm the main government building in the capital, Bishkek.

The opposition leader, Roza Otunbayeva, called for President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to resign and said she planned to run an interim government for six months to draft a new constitution for the central Asian state.

Speaking in Bishkek's ransacked parliament building this morning, Otunbayeva said Bakiyev was currently in the south of the country and had apparently taken refuge in the town of Jalal-Abad. Asked whether the new government had plans to arrest him, she said: "He should resign. His business is finished in Kyrgyzstan."

--------

What's scary is the reasons behind the coup.  From a poster at Danger Room:

I was talking to my friend in Bishkek yesterday, and heÂ’s been out and seen the central square near the white house, and says there is a lot of angry and injured people as well as a large amount of looting and burning. Also, the police are the only ones to stay away from because they are shooting indiscriminately. From him talking to locals, the main five reasons are:

1) Government raised the prices of everything – especially natural resources, like water, gas, electricity – and this was raised by a lot! It is so much, that the local people can’t afford it. Prices have doubled, or even tripled in some cases. But the government has been selling off a ton of the nation’s resources to other countries, especially to Khazakhstan and Russia, and in those countries, the prices of the resources is low, yet it is high in Kyrgyzstan. Furthermore, the government has been saying that it will raise its prices even more.

2) Government arrested key opposition leaders throughout Kyrgyzstan. The people want them released. (They have reportedly been released now.)

3) Government is corrupt.

4) President Bakiev was slowly becoming more and more authoritarian.

5) Jobs – almost nowhere to be found, unless there are connections and bribery

---------

Sounds a bit too familiar.

166

Also, economists are wrong. A lot.

These guys are makin' me look good!

167

rising to the highest level in eight months due to the improving economy^a and the end of a government push to make mortgages cheaper^b.

a:  Bullshit.

b:  Effing DUH!!!!!  This is what happens when you remove subsidies.  For another variant please see the removal of Medicare drug benefit subsidies for private group insurance plans.  Ditto "Cash for Clunkers" and whatever tax dodge Charlie Rangel worked up for himself last week.

168 Please watch my latest propaganda video, it has me in it.

169

“Unexpectedly

ThatÂ’s what you are

Unexpectedly

CanÂ’t count that far

“Saved or Created” is so risible

Your job growth, it is invisible

I think youÂ’ll be unemployed

Unexpectedly too-ooo!”--Nat "King" Hussein

170 so their initial figure was off by 4% EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT !!!

171 also if you can't afford a house with a 5% 30 year fixed, then you probably shouldn't own one.

Raaaaacist.

172

Sounds a bit too familiar.

Posted by: Ed Anger at April 08, 2010 11:15 AM (7+pP9)

and coming to a neighborhood near all of us.

173 Wow. Someguy comes with a clean, freindly, straight forward, albeit not concise, helpful post.  Totally Unexpected.

174

165  For the people in power?  Easy, that would be "why you aren't stfu and paying anyway, serf; you don't need more than a three room, cold water flat, turnip porridge twice a day (potatoes on Sunday), and some raggedy homespun...now, pay up!".

 

I'm glad I can trade for the crows -- I'll pay the tax. (bwahhahaha)

175 179 Wow. Someguy comes with a clean, freindly, straight forward, albeit not concise, helpful post.  Totally Unexpected.

Posted by: Guy Fawkes at April 08, 2010 11:20 AM (7VvJB)

and no SCREAMING capitalization.

I give it a solid B+

176 Wow. Someguy comes with a clean, freindly, straight forward, albeit not concise, helpful post.  Totally Unexpected.

Posted by: Guy Fawkes at April 08, 2010 11:20 AM (7VvJB)

Meh, I liked him better when he was, FUCKING PUNCHING DOWN

177

No economist of the Austrian school would think our continued suffering was 'unexpected.' What the stimulus has done is drive a nail in the credibility of Keynesian economics for all time.

Or to put it in AoSHQ-moron terms, Zombie Ludwig von Mises just ate Zombie John Maynard Keynes's brains.

178 173

Also, economists are wrong. A lot.

These guys are makin' me look good!

Posted by: a Dallas/Fort Worth weather forecast at April 08, 2010 11:15 AM (q/kmn)

As someone who has flown out of DFW multiple times, that is a major accomplishment for the economists to make you look good.

179

#178: How the subprime mortgage debacle came about, succinctly explained.

Isn't Affirmative Action wonderful? It's not just for jobs anymore!

180 Trolls on the Qatarian let go thread.  Rand/mathsez and Bert & Ernie. 

181

Rates for 30-year home loans surged last week, rising to the highest level in eight months due to the improving economy and the end of a government push to make mortgages cheaper.

Next week's Newsflash: New Home sales plummet unexpectedly!

182 Where are the all those great econometric models, which, as the global warming lunatics are quick to tell us, can accurately predict future levels of measures so simple as those filing for unemployment?

This was always my first question to the global warming fools: Econometric models have been around far longer than climate models, model a much simpler system, have been better financed and have had much stronger minds working on them ... but econometric models have added up to ... jackshit.

183 169  No, no I won't -- because they would merely point to Reagan and the Bush's, and say "see, see our poor president inherited this!"  or some such nonsense.  Casting pearls before swine, and all that.

184 The dismal science.

Economists are bought and paid for herd animals. Sheep. Most haven't had an independent thought since sneaking a peek at their sisters private parts.
1500 dollar gold is gonna look like a steal a year from now.

185

"So let me get this straight...THREE WEEKS surrounding an annual, but shifting period of time with no real economic import other than Peeps and Cadbury egg sales are "volatile."  These guys are really just seeing what sticks to the wall at this point."

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE OUR POWER OVER YOUR FEEBLE, SUGAR-DRIVEN ECONOMY.

AS WE CANNOT BLINK, WE ARE ALWAYS WATCHING YOU FROM OUR CELLOPHANE-ENCASED WATCHTOWERS.

186 Don't blame the economists. Predictions are hard to make, Especially about the future.

187 "No economist of the Austrian school would think our continued suffering was 'unexpected.' What the stimulus has done is drive a nail in the credibility of Keynesian economics for all time."

If only that were true. But the nail has been driven into Marxism's coffin over and over and over, and yet it persists, despite overwhelming evidence to its destructive force.

Like entropy, stupidity increases.

188
If Hillary Clinton gave you a magic "reset" button that you knew would make the 69,456,897 people who voted for Obama suddenly and "unexpectedly" disappear, would you push it?

189
This is all a plot to put Iowahawk out of business.  How the f*ck can you parody this parade of clowns?

It would be comical if the end result weren't so tragic for so many.

190

Admiral Eddie over at Hotair has video of Sarah Palin's speech in Minnesota last night.....

....like her or not ...(me??...love her)..... but no one can say she doesn't have presence

She is funny as hell in the speech. Great line..she says Obama is addicted to opium..and let's that sink in for a sec...but then spells it out O-P-M...other people's money

She does the whole speech pretty much off the cuff..unlike Toonces who can barely even understand what's on his teleprompter...let alone be able to speak to 3rd graders without it

I seriously had a dream about me Palin and Michelle Bachman once...and waking up sucked

191 @177

Shouldn't you be cowering under your bed, troll? 

67 I am so frightened by muslims

Posted by: Math sez at April 08, 2010 11:15 AM (mhD2v)

192

Senior House Dem: Latinos view President Obama with 'suspicion'

A member of the House Democratic leadership said Wednesday that Latinos view President Barack Obama with "suspicion" for failing to meet expectations.

 "The president made a promise. He hasnÂ’t fulfilled that promise. Rightfully, I think a lot of folks are questioning where the presidentÂ’s priorities are."

193 Bernake is supposed to be some kind of great depression scholar and yet he continues to do the exact same things they did back then in conjunction with turbo Timmy.  I don't find the economic reactions are unexpected at all.

The federal reserve is the main cause of recessions.  Its specifically designed to do so.  It comes as no surprise to me that they are now talking about a huge VAT to confiscate wealth and transfer it to varied monied interests.

194 I seriously had a dream about me Palin and Michelle Bachman once...and waking up sucked.

I had the same dream with those two and Anne Coulter. I just slept for three day and ordered pizza.

195

so their initial figure was off by 4% EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT !!!

Clearly, you are missing the UNEXPECTEDNESS of it all...

It is not the news that we are snarking, for we are here are all well-aware that the recession is far from over.  Our derision is focused on the adverb used to modify the news.

Context, my friend.  Nuance.

196 And you are a bannist. To the Guillotine with you.

Wow.. we've got a guillotine?  Cool.  Not exactly standard equipment for most racist homophobic rednecks.  Now that's unexpected.

197

I seriously had a dream about me Palin and Michelle Bachman once...and waking up sucked unexpectedly with morning wood...

Posted by: beedubya at April 08, 2010 11:29 AM (AnTyA)

FIFY 

198 If Hillary Clinton gave you a magic "reset" button that you knew would make the 69,456,897 people who voted for Obama suddenly and "unexpectedly" disappear, would you push it?

Posted by: MikeO at April 08, 2010 11:29 AM (lBmZl)

Probably but the number of people employed wouldn't change

199 Will the Lame Stream Media O'Dumbo supporters hype the increase this week like they did the decrease last week when the hires were all cencus workers and illegals (criminals) hired, annual occurance,  by America's farmers to plow the fields?

200 If Hillary Clinton gave you a magic "reset" button that you knew would make the 69,456,897 people who voted for Obama suddenly and "unexpectedly" disappear, would you push it?

Is it a shiny, candy-like button?

201 Had a job interview yesterday. It's looking pretty good but wages aren't what I hoped. A couple of my selling points (besides what an awesome employee I would be) are the fact that I already have Tricare and that there is no need to pay unemployment insurance for me because I can't collect it anyway.

202

Yahoo has a story about UPS. They're hiring drivers, fyi.

It pays, on average, 74K(!!!)

203 122

Posted by: Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz at April 08, 2010 10:34 AM (cQyWA)

Obviously, a fellow moron with kids in the house. 

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at April 08, 2010 10:38 AM (B+qrE)

My name is Doof and you'll do what I say...Woop woop!

204 Hey! I had to layoff alot of people. The busy season is over now.

205

U.S. News gives the economy a solid B+.

Remember, there are two kinds of recessions.  One that people feel and one that economists don't seem to get.

206

As someone who has flown out of DFW multiple times, that is a major accomplishment for the economists to make you look good.

Because you know what what was really unexpected?  A foot of snow in February, after we told everyone we'd only see 3", 4" tops.

We are the MASTERS of the shocked-face.  It goes like this: 

207 This film had a money shot? Very unexpected ineed,

208 wre-ge-ge-ge-ge-ge...

209

Yahoo has a story about UPS. They're hiring drivers, fyi.

It pays, on average, 74K(!!!)

i just saw that. I used to feel bad for those guys wearing brown shorts, but dear lord 74 thousand? If i get fired i know where i am applying.

210 Don't blame the economists. Predictions are hard to make, Especially about the future.

Posted by: Yogi Bera at April 08, 2010 11:28 AM (fwSHf)

Ok.. predicting a future earthquake, maybe that's a bit on the tough side.  Putting your hand in a car door, slamming the door shut, and then being surprised your hand hurts?  That's just stupidity of the highest order.

It doesn't take psychic clarity to realize that when you declare war on the economy, raise taxes, and put businesses on the defensive in every way imaginable that your jobless figures are going to go up.

If you do nothing but hurt the economy your not going to help unemployment, and any "economist" that can't "expect" that outcome should quit being an economist and go flip burgers for a living.

211 I doubt the economists actually predicted anything, unless they were Obama appointees. Economists are famous for that. Truman wanted to find a one-armed economist to avoid having to hear them always say "on the other hand."

212 Bernake is supposed to be some kind of great depression scholar and yet he continues to do the exact same things they did back then

Makes perfect sense to me--studying something doesn't mean you think it's bad or wrong.  Why risk accidentally improving the economy when you can go with stuff that has been proven to work?

213

Posted by: Porn Movie Reviewer

I dunno. Sounds like you've got options.

214

"My name is Doof and you'll do what I say...Woop woop!"

You can't foil a plot that built upon evil love!

215 damn sock...

216 Many in the service industry now demand cash, no checks/credit cards. Guess they finally got smart, no taxes.

217 It pays, on average, 74K(!!!)

They're Teamsters.

218

Yahoo has a story about UPS. They're hiring drivers, fyi.

It pays, on average, 74K(!!!)

UPS Careers.

219 I told them to expect this if they let a flood of illegals into the country.

220 freakin sock

221 Speaking of unemployment, did you guys see this? 
War on Interns

222

No economist of the Austrian school would think our continued suffering was 'unexpected.' What the stimulus has done is drive a nail in the credibility of Keynesian economics for all time.

Now would be a good time to learn to speak Greek.  That way when what is happening in Greece start here we can be the first to get what's coming?

223 Ewww.  I, like, totally have an unexpected sore on my hoo-hoo. 

224 It's funexpected!

225 The "unexpected" formulation is based on the median prediction of the economists who are making these predictions for the clients of the various investment banks.  So, these economists from various investment banks (Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs etc.) and independent research shops (like TrendMacro, which is Don Luskin's shop) all predict tons of economic data releases each week based mainly on other data, trends, models, and so forth.  For example, the weekly jobless claims figure for this week had a median projection of 435,000, and the range of projections was 420,000 to 450,000 (from 47 economists).

The markets didn't react much to the "unexpected bad news"... mainly because it wasn't very far off from what was "expected" anyway.  And a weekly number is nice because it's high frequency and timely, but it's also quite noisy.

226 Speaking of unemployment, did you guys see this? 
War on Interns

I'm having trouble reconciling that with the "mandatory volunteerism" signed into law last year. 

227 Helicopter Ben Bernanke made a 2002 speech in front of some lame ass outfit. During questioning, they asked him how he would handle a repeat of 1929. He said he would throw money out of helicopters, knowing that deflation was the real problem in 1929. It wasn't until 1933when we got off the gold standard, that they could fire up the big fed printing press. Thus we have bailouts, cash for clunkers, homes, free health care, and there is Ben ...shoveling free money to banks and out helicopters. Man of the Year.

If the Fed ever gets audited, people will fucking freak. Fractional banking in excess of 100-1. It is a complete fraud. The money doesn't exist. It never has.

228

They're Teamsters.

Eh. people need jobs.

229 At what point can we definitively say the media has lost all sense of causality?

_{A reporter walks out of the office, hit's the light switch, and suddenly the lights unexpectedly go out.}

230 OT:  Quinnpeahehaocmlkseikic poll :  Toomey 46, Specter 41

231 I'm having trouble reconciling that with the "mandatory volunteerism" signed into law last year.

Simple.  They're driving the kids into the non-profit sector, since non-profits are excluded from the requirement. 

232 Quit punching down, you ignorant fucking fuckwits, and fucking buy some of my replica someguy lace panties and wigs!

233 Also, economists are wrong. A lot.

As an economist, I should take offense, but there's an old saying:

"If you took all the economists in the world and laid them end-to-end, you still couldn't reach an agreement."

234 No worries, Wall Street sez these are the greatest economic times evah!!!

235 Don't newsrooms have a thesaurus?

236 http://tinyurl.com/ykeo2ec

Don't blame Martin Van Buren for America's first deflationary depression. Social mood rode higher in the saddle than did our 8th President, who only stood 5' 6".  Elected in 1836, by the time Van Buren assumed office in March 1837 a speculative bubble had burst and a banking crisis was at hand (sound familiar?) -- the national mood had turned south and the "Panic of 1837" followed. Van Buren was known as "The Little Magician," but he could not pull an economic recovery out of the hat. He met defeat seeking a second term.   America's first deflationary depression lasted until 1842. Van Buren blamed over-zealous business practices and a credit bubble (sound familiar 2x?). The panic precipitated bank failures; many speculators who bought land to capitalize on railroad expansion lost everything. The depression worsened as Van Buren continued Andrew Jackson's economic policies. Businesses failed and unemployment was widespread. There were even "food riots" in several cities.

237 Weathermen and economists seem to have about the same  accuracy rates.

238 Bernake is supposed to be some kind of great depression scholar and yet he continues to do the exact same things they did back then

Makes perfect sense to me--studying something doesn't mean you think it's bad or wrong.  Why risk accidentally improving the economy when you can go with stuff that has been proven to work?

It doesn't matter what any of the "economists" think. It only matters what the affirmative action lawyer wants and that is to turn us in to a full bore communist country.

He really doesn't give a damn what kind of pain that causes along the way.

239 Fractional banking in excess of 100-1.

And on top of that they are talking about having no reserve requirement at all!  So your ratio could go to infinity.

240

Chris Matthews explains the Unexpected unpopularity of the democrat party:

The problem is that we donÂ’t think in terms of what would the country be like if we didnÂ’t have Medicare for our parents as they get very old — in their eighties, for example, when theyÂ’re still alive, and they need health care, a lot of it.  And they donÂ’t have any source of income.  TheyÂ’re not working every morning.  TheyÂ’re not making a paycheck.  What would it be like in this country?  Calcutta? Poor people all over the place? Old people lying in the streets?  I mean, we donÂ’t think about what it would be if we didnÂ’t have health care, if we didnÂ’t have Social Security for people at the age of 65, if we didnÂ’t have unemployment compensation, if we didnÂ’t have a progressive income tax.  ThereÂ’s a lot of things we donÂ’t think about.  And the right-wing just pounds and pounds away at this idealistic notion of a cowboy country, everybody self-reliant.  I think the progressives, for all their power on the blogosphere, have not done a positive case for the advantages of some kind of a social state.

 

241
It's funexpected!

win

242

Weathermen and economists seem to have about the same  accuracy rates

Particulary the "hurricane forecasters"

243

Color me shocked, and unexpectedly so...

GM: More Troubles Coming Down the Road

The Government Accountability Office has a report out today on the unfunded liabilities of the GM and Chrysler pensions. The most controversial aspect of the bankruptcy reorganizations orchestrated by the Obama administration is that the companies reaffirmed their obligation to their retirement plans, which are often terminated when a company undergoes a bankruptcy.

The GAO report offers a rather dour picture of the plans' funding status:

Nevertheless, according to GM's projections utilizing valuation methods defined under PPA, large cash contributions may be needed to meet its funding obligations to its U.S. pension plans beginning in 2013

Let's see, right after the 2012 Presidential election.  How fucking convenient is that?

 

244 i don't know but i feel like "someone" is going to go all "capone" and call for a "punch down".............

245 Breaking: Adminstration full of leftist academic idealogs, led by two-bit community race-baiter with no executive experience, no economic knowledge, and crappy work ethic as a result of getting affirmative-actioned over the finish line all his life, unexpectedly can't govern for shit.

246 After reading that Matthews shit, I think I am going to eat myself.

247 This shit mustache was totally unexpected...

248 "He really doesn't give a damn what kind of pain that causes along the way."
Posted by: Vic at April 08, 2010 11:53 AM

You can't make an omelet without breaking--aw, fuck it.

249 The federal reserve is the main cause of recessions. 

Posted by: Guy Fawkes at April 08, 2010 11:32 AM (7VvJB)

I have to strenuously disagree, Guy.  Recessions are a natural part of the economic cycle, and such cycles are found in every aspect of nature.  The problem with the Fed is that people think that there is a way to smooth out these cycles in such a way as to avoid ever having any recessions, at all.  That is sheer idiocy, of course, but many economists and others seem to have bought into this monetary perpetual motion machine.

Further, we need recessions.  It is during recessions that brittle businesses dry up and disappear (as they should) and we are left with a more robust and adaptable business community.  When we have overly long periods of uninterrupted growth, we tend to be overrun with businesses that are totally dependent on this continued growth and are unable to survive even a small downturn in the environment, thereby making the eventual recession that much worse, as a huge percentage of businesses go belly-up at the same time.  As with any forest, periodic fires must burn through as part of the natural processes keeping the forest alive and robust and not allowing parasitic fast growth species to take over and spell total disaster when a wildfire eventually comes that cannot be stopped (as always happens, at some point).

250 64 So let me get this straight...THREE WEEKS surrounding an annual, but shifting period of time with no real economic import other than Peeps and Cadbury egg sales are "volatile."
----------------
I don't see how that's surprising. After all, everyone knows the two weeks before or after a full moon are traditionally active times for earthquakes.

251 Economists suck. 

Or at least most of them.  Read some Hayek (or if you're feeling really dangerous, some Mises or Rothbard).  You don't have to be an anarcho-capitalist to realize and respect that they were wrong about as often as modern economists are right—which is to say, very rarely. 

252 What would it be like in this country?  Calcutta? Poor people all over the place? Old people lying in the streets?  I mean, we donÂ’t think about what it would be if we didnÂ’t have health care, if we didnÂ’t have Social Security for people at the age of 65, if we didnÂ’t have unemployment compensation, if we didnÂ’t have a progressive income tax.  ThereÂ’s a lot of things we donÂ’t think about.

Funny, we didn't have Medicare, Social Security, health care, unemployment insurance and a progressive income tax for quite a long time here in America.  Most of those policies came about in the previous century, and many of them toward the end of the last century.

America was never like Calcutta before these programs were instituted, we didn't have poor people "all over the place" or "old people lying in the streets" then.

Also it's interesting to note that the "poor" in our country usually have better standards of living than the "middle class" of most other countries. 

But hey, never let logic, common sense or history stand in the way of liberal hyperbole and socialist policy making I guess.

253

Oh.. BTW.. what does punch up and punch down mean?

Punching down = what you're doing.

Punching up = what you should be doing if you had any fucking brains or balls.

Punching down is for losers.

Coffee is for closers. Coffee is for people who punch a hole in the motherfuckin ceiling fan.

The good news is, no coffee for you.

The bad news is, you've got 2 weeks to pull your shit together and straighten up before I punch up your goddamn spleen straight out of your loser mouth, because otherwise I'd be punching down if I kicked your ass right now.

And I don't punch down.

254

I'm glad Chirs Matthews could finally lay it all out on the table there for all to see what he really thinks of anyone older than 65:

You're old!  You can't do anything for yourself, unless the government is there to feed you your applesauce and change the channel to The Price is Right at 10:00!  Don't even bother trying to do anything for yourself, because that might only feed the Republican Narrative.

My 75-year-old father-in-law would yank Chris Matthews' arms off like paper towels over that quote at 149...

255

The problem is that we don’t think in terms of what would the country be like if we didn’t have Medicare for our parents as they get very old — in their eighties, for example, when they’re still alive, and they need health care, a lot of it.

We can perdict that this will not be a problem soon.

256

What the stimulus has done is drive a nail in the credibility of Keynesian economics for all time.

No, sorry. Bad ideas never truly die. They just go to hell to regroup.

257 Weathermen and economists seem to have about the same  accuracy rates.

Don't compare us to economists most of our bombs went off right where we planted them.

258

"Obamas to Appear on "American Idol""

How charmingly literal.

259 progressoverpeace,

I'd like to get into a lengthy discussion about the cause of recessions, but I need to run off to class (one of my microeconomics classes, fittingly enough). 

You're right about recessions being necessary to cleanse the economy of malinvestment.  But that's what the economy does constantly—bad businesses are always going belly-up.  This is normal and welcomed. 

It is less simple to explain why, suddenly, many businesses go out of business or cut back dramatically all at once, as in a recession.  I know that saying "artificial credit expansion" probably marks me as an anti-Fed nutjob, but that explanation makes more sense (and to me is much more intuitive) than Keynes' "Animal Spirits" or even less-discredited theories like RBC.

Recessions, like all economic activity, don't just "happen."  There is always a cause—just as with brushfires.  The clearing away of dead brush is the effect.

260 Government Motors. A perfect example of government gone berserk. The bailout. Then our lame ass "leader" kicking  Rick Wagoner to the curb. Then fucking every stockholder and bondholder. As GM emerges from bankruptcy, they keep the pension fund intact. Funding them after the 2012 elections? They lose another 3.5 billion in the last half of 09. Now they are claiming a return to profitability this year??? Bet me.

Go fuck yourselves. I wouldn't buy a GM product even if I had a job. I'll peddle my ass to my minimum wage job.

261 Most of the "recessions" in the last century have been caused by the government.

262

What the stimulus has done is drive a nail in the credibility of Keynesian economics for all time.

No, sorry. Bad ideas never truly die. They just go to hell to regroup.

Posted by: Entropy at April 08, 2010 12:09 PM (IsLT6)

And then reappear in Ivy League economics courses.

263 It is less simple to explain why, suddenly, many businesses go out of business or cut back dramatically all at once, as in a recession. 

You can see part of the mechanism for this in real estate.  When real estate prices are rising, developers overbuild.  It always happens and is just natural.  This happens in all areas and, every so often, there is an additive effect of these waves that brings on a natural recession - just the economy taking a breath and cleaning up.  These cycles cannot be stopped and to try is just to smooth out these variations for most of the time, but to invite gigantic moves when the artificial controls cannot keep a lid on the corrective actions that the economy will take, of its own.

I know that saying "artificial credit expansion" probably marks me as an anti-Fed nutjob,

Holding an anti-Fed view doesn't make anyone a nutjob.  There is an excellent case to be made against the Fed existing, most of which I tend to agree with.

but that explanation makes more sense (and to me is much more intuitive) than Keynes' "Animal Spirits" or even less-discredited theories like RBC.

Keynes believed in economic perpetual motion machines and benefits without any costs.  His belief that one could centrally control the monetary system in such a way as to do away with recessions and yield nothing but a constant growth is insane, to say the least.

Recessions, like all economic activity, don't just "happen."  There is always a cause—just as with brushfires.  The clearing away of dead brush is the effect.

Posted by: Fortunate Son at April 08, 2010 12:11 PM (trlZM)

It's not that "recessions [] just happen" but that they happen naturally.  No one can stop them, and to try and totally cork that natural phenomenon is to destabilize the system and invite much larger and more dangerous discontinuities at more infrequent intervals, which invite more central meddling and further serve to destabilize the system.  

I am anti-Fed in the sense that they have forgotten (to be generous) their only true role - the protection of the monetary system, not screwing around with the economy and the business cycle.  Of course, this is a widespread problem as almost no one made the distinction between the monetary problems of the credit crisis and the subsequent economic problems.  They addressed the Fed and spoke of "economic troubles", but the Fed is not supposed to be concerned with the economy, just the monetary system and the protection of the dollar, which the continued existence of the federal government depends on.

264

I had to change my underwear unexpectedly when that fart turned out to be a shart.

265 I can't remember a single occasion during the BooshHitler regime that any economic number was qualified with wonky BS like "difficulties in adjusting the data." Now every reported economic indicator comes with caveats and footnotes (except for CBO estimates on how many billions Obamacare will save us, of course). At the risk of someone describing math to me, I have to wonder how valid the methods used to "adjust" these data really are. I can't help but think of East Anglia whenever I see the phrase "adjusting the data" anymore.

266

And then reappear in Ivy League economics courses.

Don't blame the Ivys for Obamanomics.  I guarantee you that President Wee-Wee didn't get anywhere near a class that would require that much math.

267 punch down the new down ding

268 The Easter Bunny made that the unemployment numbers rise unexpectedly.

Fucker.

269

... to try and totally cork that natural phenomenon is to destabilize the system and invite much larger and more dangerous discontinuities ...

So, raising one's hand to make the seas recede is a bad idea?

270 initial unemployment claims peaked at 660,000 8 weeks after Obama was sworn in.

271 Maybe it's unfair to criticize the media for reporting in every story that bad economic news was "unexpected", since apparently they keep digging up economists who really are saying that they didn't expect this news.

Hell, my dog knew this was to be expected.

272 OT:  Anyone see how Allahpunditinmyass (I stole that from some commenter) is arguing about how The Precedent's nuke treaty is a good thing?  What a stupid twerp that guy is ... both of them, Allah and his buddy, and the guy he believes to be super-smart, the Indonesian Imbecile.

Allah's latest silly comment:

"Yes, ObamaÂ’s assumption that this will somehow deter other nations is juvenile, but like Liam said earlier in the thread, as long as we have enough warheads to threaten other nations with total destruction, symbolic little cuts like this are a non-issue. Again, given jihadistsÂ’ aspirations to get the bomb, the fewer nukes there are in play around the world, the better.

Allahpunditinmyass on April 8, 2010 at 1:01pm"

So ... it's really an anti-jihadi treaty ... What a frickin clown.

Sorry.  I just had to say that.  Carry on.

273 It is less simple to explain why, suddenly, many businesses go out of business or cut back dramatically all at once, as in a recession.  I know that saying "artificial credit expansion" probably marks me as an anti-Fed nutjob, but that explanation makes more sense (and to me is much more intuitive) than Keynes' "Animal Spirits" or even less-discredited theories like RBC.

Artificial Credit Expansion?  Anti Fed Nutjob Alert!  Anti Fed Nutjob Alert!

No seriously I think there is a lot too that actually, having the Fed artificially control interest rates causes a lot of investors to make investments that they wouldn't make if the market were allowed to set rates on it's own based on natural market forces of supply and demand.

When a recession hits and the Fed is more or less forced to address this by moving interest rates, the effects are much more pronounced than they would have been if the rate had been fluctuating naturally as a result of market forces. 
Much like walking over a tiger trap - you can't see the danger and eventually the sticks break and your in for a nasty fall.

274 "Yes, ObamaÂ’s assumption that this will somehow deter other nations is juvenile, but like Liam said earlier in the thread, as long as we have enough warheads to threaten other nations with total destruction, symbolic little cuts like this are a non-issue. Again, given jihadistsÂ’ aspirations to get the bomb, the fewer nukes there are in play around the world, the better.

Well I can address all this idiocy here or you can just read what I already had to say on the subject here:

http://sos.tblog.com/

275

More Americans unexpectedly filed claims for jobless benefits last week

Assholes, start fucking expecting it, OK? It's been going on for a year and a half already.

Save the U-word for things that really are unexpected, like

"Nancy Pelosi unexpectedly said something intelligent today."

"Prince Hussein unexpectedly did something pro-American today."

"Anderson Cooper unexpectedly revealed today that he is heterosexual."

Now any of that shit would be unexpected.

 

276 Posted by: StuckOnStupid at April 08, 2010 01:15 PM (e8T35)

Excellent post.  BTW, I pasted my comment into the headlines thread, since there was a news item on the nuke treaty that I didn't see before.

277 Excellent post.  BTW, I pasted my comment into the headlines thread, since there was a news item on the nuke treaty that I didn't see before.

I'll go looking for it then

278 and yet we unexpectedly bring in another 150,000 or more immigrants EACH MONTH while the country has 10% unemployment - you'd think we would unexpectedly slow this down while so many Americans are out of work......and that's not counting the unexpected number of illegals coming across the border to do the jobs that Americans are not allowed, cannot do, er won't do...(I knew I'd remember that phrase eventually).

279 Why risk accidentally improving the economy when you can go with stuff that has been proven to work?

Thanks Heather, that was the best laugh I've had in a couple of weeks.  Sad, true, but funnier than hell.

280 'Unexpected' is code for racism.

281 It would be VERY unexpected if the AP reported bad unemployment figures without any soft-pedaling.

282  
I'm out of work!  What the fuck am I supposed to do?  It will be a year before I find another fucking job!

283 ...so long as President Obama is pushing his anti-prosperity policies and failing to act to correct the situation, bad economic news is not "unexpected."

It's only unexpected to Obie, his minions, and his acolytes.

284 Daily Growth Index (possible GDP predictor) still sucks. http://consumermetricsinstitute.com/index.html I'll repeat my prediction. If we're in a double-dip recession by the Nov elections we'll see an 80 seat swing in the House.

285

After a year of working weekends (and eighteen months after being given what used to be done by four people) I 've been told I'm going to be laid off by May 1st after twenty years on the same job! 

I'm being replaced by younger more "tech savy" kids who will accept less.  No surprise here, except that my direct boss for 15+ years is already shorthanded due to my new responsibilities and will sorely miss me when I'm gone but will have to make due.  What happened was that my "new responsibilities" put me in with group of five fucking-30-year-old-Piranhs who saw me as the only thing standing between them a raise, though we've all been told repeatedly that it doesn't work that way, and history proves it. 

Excuse me, I'm going to get on the toilet and take a Big Shot of Heroin!

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