1 Oh joy. It's as if our lives weren't shitty enough as it is.

2 we could expect a healthy dose of inflation (beyond the Fed's loopy currency devaluation QE crap) to ensue as the unemployment rate approaches 8%.

So we've still got ten years or so before that happens.

3 On the plus side, polyester leisure suits should be making a comeback any time now. 

4 So we've still got ten years or so before that happens.

Yea, but its going to kick like a .44Mag when it does.  This'll be a roided up version of stagflation.

5 The Roosevelt Institute? Let's rephrase the thread subject a bit: Expect a structural unemployment rate of 8%, gaping deficits, threats of inflation, and American decline if you elect a hyperliberal President and Congress. These "findings" were entirely predictable beginning in 2006.

6 Sure you might get inflation, but it will have nothing to do with unemployment. The Phillips curve was debunked with Reagan. Inflation will be because of the asinine QE. Remember "inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon."

7 The Roosevelt Institute is just providing cover for the one anyway. If structural unemployment is 8%, then O is off the hook a bit.

8 So we've still got ten years or so before that happens.

Thanks for the shot of optimism.

Who doesn't remember how quickly things became horrible under Carter's single term?! Ten years America's ass. That's shark speak for no one knows which straw will collapse this house of cards, so go ahead and keep on blowing.

9 Hopefully the hungry and unemployed perish quickly and quietly; nothing ruins the urban scenery like the lamentations of the destitute.

10

"On the plus side, polyester leisure suits should be making a comeback any time now." 

You don't know how bad I want to go to a Tupperware party, wearing a tight ugly sweat and polyester pants that show off my panty lines.

11 Hopefully the hungry and unemployed perish quickly and quietly

The violent urban food riots and over the top govt responses will kill quite a few.

12 All this can change in 2012. For those too young to remember when Reagan became President and the Carter years that preceded it, it's hard to adequately express what a gust of fresh air the Reagan inaugural was. Talk of decline, economic malaise, fawning media, denigration of conservative leaders as dunes: we've seen this movie before. Don't buy it.

13 #8  Who doesn't remember how quickly things became horrible under Carter's single term?! Ten years America's ass. That's shark speak for no one knows which straw will collapse this house of cards, so go ahead and keep on blowing.

And things overseas are much more dangerous now than then. 

/In the end, there will be only chaos. 

14

You don't know how bad I want to go to a Tupperware party, wearing a tight ugly sweat and polyester pants that show off my panty lines.

How YOU doin'?

15 Maybe they missed the rising prices of food and shrinking package sizes?

I remember the Carter years, and not fondly either.

16 The violent urban food riots and over the top govt responses will kill quite a few.

Posted by: Purple Avenger at December 17, 2010 07:59 AM (FaBpa)

That reminds me...I need to buy more guns.

17 #10  You don't know how bad I want to go to a Tupperware party, wearing a tight ugly sweat and polyester pants that show off my panty lines.

I remember seeing a commercial for some "liner" on VH1s best of the 70's that hid those lines.  Perhaps that product will make a comeback? 

18 Boned.

19 Miss Me Yet?

20 @10: I never understood why gals hate panty lines, but then display their g-strings with low-rider jeans. They're not ugly, no more than bra straps, and can be sexy. What's the big deal?

21 Communism never works, no country on earth has been able to do so, and the result is always the same millions dead.

So once we dispose of the Obama regime and their world government crap we can start to rebuild. It may take five years, but it can be done. First up is free our energy from the hands of these brain dead progressives. Imagine how much money that would put back in our economic system instead of giving the terrorists the money.

And to think I voted for Carter, an illness of youth.

22

"it has never been more likely than it is now for the unemployed to leave the
labor force over finding a job in the labor market."

 

What the heck does that even mean?

23 12-CoolCzec.  You are correct about Reagan but, since you were there like I was, you do recall it took slightly more than 2 years to turn the economy around.  But the big difference this time relative to Reagan era is the existing tax rates at the time.  In the late 70s, before Regan slashed them, they were upwards of 70-80% for the rich, scaling downward for lower incomes.

Now they're in the 30s.  So essentially we don't have the leverage to unleash all that extra growth capital into the market.  A bit scary.

24

15 Maybe they missed the rising prices of food and shrinking package sizes?

I remember the Carter years, and not fondly either.

Posted by: Gmac at December 17, 2010 08:01 AM (V1Av3)

I've been predicting the return of generics.

Gas will be $3.50/gal by mid-summer.

Good times.

25 That would be really depressing if not for the fact that economists have no fucking clue what they're talking about.

Economic predictions are as useful as the weather forecast for the month ahead.

26

Ten years ago I said Alan Greenspan was the devil, and my co-workers looked at me like I had two heads. I tried explaining that the Fed was going to take us down. They told me to watch out for the black helicopters.

How's my ass taste now, bitches?

27 Sorry to bring a ray of sunshine in to dispel the gloom, but I also remember the Carter and Reagan years.  As with any period, it was a mix of good and bad.  While Reagan did slash the astronomical top rates, noone actually paid those; they used loopholes, hence today's AMT.  It is also true that we had existential threats in the form of Soviet nukes and the looming annihilation of America's economy by the Japanese.  All in all, I'll take today.  We can and will come back from this. 

28 @23: yes, but we have some of the highest corporate taxes in the world - something worth looking at.

29

"I remember seeing a commercial for some "liner" on VH1s best of the 70's that hid those lines.  Perhaps that product will make a comeback? "

I wonder how well those sold?  You'd think they'd just not wear any underwear.

"They're not ugly, no more than bra straps, and can be sexy. What's the big deal?"

I don't know, we were trained to think they are embarrassing.  I never had a problem, since I didn't start wearing pants/jeans until College. 

30 What the heck does that even mean?

It means more of the U6 people without jobs have stopped looking for work than are even bothering to look for work.  IOW - its a measure of hopelessness.

31 I went grocery shopping and the meat and dairy are strait rape. Wait till the grains really start to explode

The little independent Butcher I frequent has trimmed their portions to maintain pricing.

32 The little independent Butcher I frequent has trimmed their portions to maintain pricing.

Become concerned when the alley in back seems remarkably free of feral cats and rats.

33 underalls

34 @20
To whit: http://tinyurl.com/24ubauy

35 Underalls are some retro thing from the mists of ancient time, now?

Geez, I got old.

36 10
You don't know how bad I want to go to a Tupperware party, wearing a tight ugly sweat and polyester pants that show off my panty lines.
Posted by: Joanie (Oven Gloves) at December 17, 2010 07:57 AM (HaYO4)

I'd pay good money to ^_not see that!

37

"To whit: http://tinyurl.com/24ubauy"

Please call a Pants-Exorcist.

 

 

 

 

38

(Reuters) - General Mills Inc (GIS.N) posted lower-than-expected second-quarter results, hurt by higher commodity costs and the effect of aggressive discounting meant to lure shoppers in a weak economy.

The results from the maker of Cheerios cereal and Progresso soups are the latest to show how the U.S. food industry is being squeezed by rising prices for ingredients like wheat and cocoa, and a fear that recession-weary consumers will resist the price increases needed to help cover those costs.

39 27-Pep, love your optimism.  But there is one issue today that didn't exist back in the Reagan era: rampaging sovereign debt.  Europe is getting trampled by it and could well bring down the Euro and thus European Union, which will foster nationalism.  Things will then get ugly.  The world will be hit by a strong bout of isolationism, including us.  Not sure of the timeline of all this

Sovereign debt is creeping through a lot of states, too.  We all know that.  It will become taxpayer vs unions, and there will be first civil disob. and then violence.

But, alas, I do agree with you.  We will get through it, but it will be nasty and probably take 5-7 years...starting now.

Anybody got a stopwatch?

40 now there are spanx.....

41 but we are all going to go hungry so we won't need spanx or underalls......our pants will be hanging off of us.....this Christmas the theme is "Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die"

42 33
underalls
Posted by: phoenixgirl at December 17, 2010 08:15 AM (eOXTH)

I don't think lacy posts this early (but I have been known to be wrong and also to be mistaken for spam).

43 McDonald's Happy Meals are cheap, - and they last forever.

44
Note that the authors' data runs only through August of this year. As I pointed out yesterday, things started changing in mid-August. They are exactly as pessimistic as I was last Spring: they're lagging the trends by 6 months.

45 23
But the big difference this time relative to Reagan era is the existing tax rates at the time.  In the late 70s, before Regan slashed them, they were upwards of 70-80% for the rich, scaling downward for lower incomes.
Now they're in the 30s.  So essentially we don't have the leverage to unleash all that extra growth capital into the market.  A bit scary.
Posted by: Sukie Tawdry at December 17, 2010 08:06 AM (jbCcb)

There's plenty of opportunity to remove the layers and layers of regulations that have been slathered on businesses since the 80s. I'm sure they could put the money poured into that gaping maw to better use.

46

There's plenty of opportunity to remove the layers and layers of regulations that have been slathered on businesses since the 80s.

Dream on.

47 39 27-Pep, love your optimism.  But there is one issue today that didn't exist back in the Reagan era: rampaging sovereign debt.  Europe is getting trampled by it and could well bring down the Euro and thus European Union, which will foster nationalism.  Things will then get ugly.  The world will be hit by a strong bout of isolationism, including us.  Not sure of the timeline of all this.

You've articulated this sentiment much better than I could have had.  While it is tempting to say this is only a repeat of the Carter years and that we'll (fairly) quickly cycle back, remember that things are only cyclical until they aren't.  For the reasons you've posted, this may be a unique time whose events will yield a "unique" conclusion.

And one could argue that while the USSR could have potentially wiped us out via a nuclear exchange, at least the USSR was rational, unlike the maniacs in Iran and even Venezuela who are seeking nuclear capabilities.  Nature abhors a vacuum and this is true in geopolitics.  As our power and prestige as a superpower (at least seems to) fade, nations such as China and Russia will fill the void. 

Then in the end, there will be only chaos. 

48 I really miss the good old days of -5.2% unemployment.

49 Hey don't worry Ace, we're not going to approach 8% unemployment any time soon so THAT won't be the trigger for inflation...

50 CIA's top spy in Pakistan pulled out of the country for safety reasons, U.S. intel says http://on.msnbc.com/hdZOJ3

51 As our power and prestige as a superpower (at least seems to) fade, nations such as China and Russia will fill the void.

Historically, this requires a navy capable of projecting power on a global scale to protect one's economic interests and deter potential challengers since all large scale commerce involves ports and sea lanes.

Neither Russia or China are in a position to project the required Naval power globally...yet.    If we keep slacking for another 10 years, that may change.

52

 

Here's what we need:

-Higher taxes on people making 200K or more.  Skip the billionaires like Warren Buffet.  Warren is a reliable liberal democrat, so he can keep all his billions as he continues as an economic sponge and robber barron for the left.

-When family business dies - and people making over 200K (the sweet spot) die - we steal their stuff.  Even though we already stole 40-60% of their stuff while they were alive. 

-Don't read this book: 

Shakedown: The Continuing Conspiracy Against the American Taxpayer

 

53

While it is tempting to say this is only a repeat of the Carter years and that we'll (fairly) quickly cycle back, remember that things are only cyclical until they aren't.

Another Taleb reader, I see.  Good to know that I am not alone, Kratos.

Take a look around and tell me who in our political class generates real wall-to-wall confidence that they have a grasp of even two or three of the big issues and are willing to go to the mattresses to address them.

Go ahead...I'll wait.

I know I'm going Eeyore a bit here, but unless we have a genuine revolution (I'm speaking political and cultural, not the gun kind) to arrest the slide, the coming decades (plural) are going to be unstable in every way we can imagine and, getting back to Taleb, a couple that we can't.

54

50 CIA's top spy in Pakistan pulled out of the country for safety reasons, U.S. intel says http://on.msnbc.com/hdZOJ3

Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at December 17, 2010 08:39 AM (9hSKh)

The CIA officer was identified earlier this month in a suit filed by a Pakistani man who claims he lost his son and brother in an American drone missile attack in the country's northwest frontier.
------
I wonder how he got the CIA agent's name.

Will the left show any curiosity, let alone outrage?

55

The empty storefronts in downtown Sacramento are telling you something.

Take a walk there (in the day light). Ignore the drug dealers. Watch your step (poo).

56

Joanie: You don't know how bad I want to go to a Tupperware party, wearing a tight ugly sweat and polyester pants that show off my panty lines. 

Panty lines were one of the few good things about the 70s.

 

57 Will the left show any curiosity

Not if they can't blame Bush for it.

58

Panty lines were one of the few good things about the 70s.

It kinda...no, completely depended upon the occupant of the device.

59 The empty storefronts in downtown Sacramento are telling you something.

The engine of job creation has been dismantled and sold for scrap.

60 Panty lines were one of the few good things about the 70s. It kinda...no, completely depended upon the occupant of the device. Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at December 17, 2010 08:49 AM (B+qrE) Amen to that

61

The engine of job creation has been dismantled and sold for scrap.

The engine of job creation is high-IQ babies.

And whites & asians just aren't making enough of them anymore.

Haven't been, since, oh, THE 1970s!!!

 

62 28 @23: yes, but we have some of the highest corporate taxes in the world - something worth looking at.

Posted by: CoolCzech at December 17, 2010 08:11 AM (tJjm/)

We also tax capital gains...which is double taxation. I'm shocked they don't tax the air we breathe...oh wait, cap and trade...never mind. They're working on it.

63

It kinda...no, completely depended upon the occupant of the device.

It being the 1970s and all, I was kinda envisioning Farah Fawcett, Kate Jackson, and Jaclyn Smith.

IYKWIMAITYD.

 

64 OTOH, the underground/barter economies are seeing a big resurgence.

65

We also tax capital gains...which is double taxation. I'm shocked they don't tax the air we breathe...oh wait, cap and trade...never mind. They're working on it.

For me, being a purist on cap gains is hard.  I give you example A:  George Soros.  The vampire is a financial manipulator, not an investor.  I see a difference in taxing productive investment and taxing currency raiders.

66 OTOH, the underground/barter economies are seeing a big resurgence. Posted by: Purple Avenger at December 17, 2010 08:54 AM (FaBpa) Oh you don't say? What have you bartered lately?

67

Kate Jackson

The totally underrated Angel.

68 This is news?

69

We must give everything to the unions.  The unions will save us.  While you look for a job, government unions and private union workers enjoy increasing benefits and penions.  We must squeeze the non-union worker and give more to the unions. 

 

 

70 67 Kate Jackson The totally underrated Angel. Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at December 17, 2010 08:55 AM (B+qrE) Oh, the "smart one"? I still remember that weepy budding feminist in a high school English class saying how that "poor woman" was being "forever typecast." Meanwhile, she pocketed more money per episode than I have yet to see after half a lifetime of work.

71 Mechanisms for people to reenter the workforce have collapsed.

What are we, chopped liver?

72

Mechanisms for people to reenter the workforce have collapsed.

What are we, chopped liver?

 

____________

Yes

 

 

73 71    yes

74

What are we, chopped liver?

What you need is a salad bar.

75 68 This is news?

Not really, but it tells the extent of the boning.

In any dire circumstance, immediately crying out "we're doomed" before assessing the entire breadth of the situation is instinctual and completely understandable.  However, one must suppress this urge and make an analysis, as complete as possible, of the looming threat.

Now that we know how boned we are, feel free to yell "The End is Nigh!", . 

76

We must kill off all private sector jobs and increase the union mob. Pay to play, baby.

 

77

75 68 This is news?

Now that we know how boned we are, feel free to yell "The End is Nigh!", . 

__________

Thank you .... THE END IS NIGH !!!

78

We must kill off all private sector jobs and increase the union mob.

What worked in Detroit will work for America.

You gonna eat that?

79 Russia is not returning to world superpowerdom anytime soon. Eastern European domination? Likely. And then the strongest nation in Central Europe, Germany, starts pushing back, and then some incident somewhere lights a spark....... Wait, haven't I seen this movie?

80 78   dont forget it's neighbor, Dearbornistan...

81 sock off

82

What's good for GM is good for America.

83

Russia is not returning to world superpowerdom anytime soon.

Thousands of nuclear warheads still count for something.

Just sayin'....

84

Democrats know everything about economics; especially JOHN Kerry. Marry a rich woman. Dump rich woman and marry an even richer woman!  Then tax the hell out of everyone else while you skip your yacht tax.

85 I never understood why gals hate panty lines, but then display their g-strings with low-rider jeans. They're not ugly, no more than bra straps, and can be sexy. What's the big deal?

Sure things:  the sun will rise, the sun will set, the media will always hate conservatives, grass grows green and women do whatever it takes to keep their asses from looking lumpy. 

86 So should I, or should I not buy gold?

87 Thousands of nuclear warheads still count for something. Just sayin'.... Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at December 17, 2010 09:08 AM (B+qrE) And all that Oil and Gas don't hurt either. Or their total lack of Morals

88

So should I, or should I not buy gold?

I'd go more into a precious metals fund.

89 79 Russia is not returning to world superpowerdom anytime soon. Eastern European domination? Likely. And then the strongest nation in Central Europe, Germany, starts pushing back, and then some incident somewhere lights a spark.......

The difference this time is that Russia can literally freeze out Europe any time they like by simply shutting off a few oil and gas lines.

Energy supplies can be used to great effect as blackmail.

90 Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at December 17, 2010 09:08 AM (B+qrE)

All rapidly decaying, both radiologically and mechanically. At least the suitcase nukes that the Russian mobsters are undoubtedly trying to sell to the terrorists probably won't work.

And the Russian conventional forces are nothing impressive either.

91

All rapidly decaying, both radiologically and mechanically.

They're investing in a new generation.  But I do agree with you on the conventional side.

92 The difference this time is that Russia can literally freeze out Europe any time they like by simply shutting off a few oil and gas lines.

Another of the kajillion things Ronaldus Magnus was right about...and no one mentions it now.

93 #91  They're investing in a new generation.  But I do agree with you on the conventional side.

Makes sense.  Nukes are all the Russians have. 

94 Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at December 17, 2010 09:14 AM (B+qrE)

Tell, tell! So much of their government investment is a sham that I tend to discount all of it.

95 All rapidly decaying, both radiologically and mechanically. They're investing in a new generation. But I do agree with you on the conventional side. Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at December 17, 2010 09:14 AM (B+qrE) the Russians are trouble makers. Always were and always will be. Look for Russia to do 2 things always: 1) what is in their best interests, which is normal for countries 2) to fuck the USA whenever and where ever it can.

96

Family median income in 1977 $16,000

Family median income in 2010 $ 56,000

With inflation you would need $ 64,000 to stay even.

97 Does anyone else fear that this Is this a reasonable baseline for a service-tech based economy? Farming jobs replaced by machines aren't ever coming back. There are no mills left for these workers to go to. What if there simply isn't work for a large swath of the population?

98

"Panty lines were one of the few good things about the 70s."

I'm kinda glad I was too young to remember much. I think all the panty lines and sausage-smuggling and nipples pressed into shiny double-knit  would've given me some serious mental issues. Wait a minute...!

99 We're going to need a bigger boat.

100

"it has never been more likely than it is now for the unemployed to leave the
labor force over finding a job in the labor market. This is a brand new phenomenon in this recession."

 

Everything Barry does is historic and unprecedented

101 Forget about European comebacks.  That ship's sailed, socially and demographically.  (Though I can see Russian hegemony in eastern Europe as protection against the whole 'Eurabia' thing development.  Those are nations that still remember the Ottoman yoke, folks, they'll make their deals.)

No, the Big One will start out Asian, though whether South or East is damn near a coin toss at this point.  Possibly a multi-way Charlie Foxtrot that just expands out of control.

102

Family median income in 1977 $16,000

Family median income in 2010 $ 56,000

With inflation you would need $ 64,000 to stay even.

Control for first generation immigrants, and we're better off.  Still, this demonstrates that despite almost fifty years of Great Society social tinkering, we're stagnant.  OK, despite or because of....

103

Possibly a multi-way Charlie Foxtrot that just expands out of control.

Hi!!!!

104 Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at December 17, 2010 09:24 AM (B+qrE)

My money is on "because."

105 Isn't changing the structural unemployment rate from 5.2% to 8% nothing more than moving the goal posts?  In a way, Barry can now say that real unemployment is now 1.8% above structural than 4.6%?  Kinda like created over saved?

I guess I'm going to have to get into their arguments on why it should be raised to see if it is nothing more than "cause we think so".

This is a brand new phenomenon in this recession.  Spending $2 trillion was a brand new phenomenon too.

106 My money is on "because." Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJConservative) at December 17, 2010 09:25 AM (LH6ir) yeah but "Who" is on First?

107

If the author's NAIRU rate conclusions are correct, we could expect a healthy dose of inflation

 

Inflation's already here.  It cost me almost 40 bucks to fill up my car (an Honda Accord, so not a big car) yesterday. 

The last several months, my grocery bills have been noticeably higher. 

108 Oh, and as far as panty lines, many manufacturers make panties that don't show lines now.  Panty lines be gone!

109 Of course, unrestricted immigration is the natural solution, because when there are less jobs to be had, the best option is to increase the number of people looking for them! Brilliant! /sarc

110 As long as we're speculating about WW IV, I'll put twenty bucks on China.  That whole one-child males-are-better thing has left them with about 20 million surplus dudes who are never, ever going to get married.  Groups like that can cause problems, unless they're provided a suitable... Outlet.

111

I lived through the Carter and Reagan years, too.  This time I think it's even grimmer because a substantial portion of the U.S. industrial base has been purposely dismantled by the Progressives.  The Feral Federal Government is an impediment, not a facilitator, to economic growth.

Until the overwhelming regulations are repealed and the unions broken, there is nothing to bring back wide-spread industry.  Entrepreneurs putting captial at risk to provide new goods, engineers to design them and skilled trades to make those goods is what drives economic growth.  All three components are lacking right now.

In the end, Kratos is correct.

112 No, the Big One will start out Asian, though whether South or East is damn near a coin toss at this point.  Possibly a multi-way Charlie Foxtrot that just expands out of control.

My money is on Afghanistan / Central Asia.  There are enough resources there that the regional players want, and it has traditionally been divided up to serve as a buffer between China, India, Russia and Persia.

113 As long as we're speculating about WW IV, I'll put twenty bucks on China. That whole one-child males-are-better thing has left them with about 20 million surplus dudes who are never, ever going to get married. Groups like that can cause problems, unless they're provided a suitable... Outlet. Posted by: Secundus at December 17, 2010 09:32 AM (TeNy3) North Korea?

114

All you Right Wangers don't know nothing about economics.  Consumer spending is up!  People aren't saving as much any more.  The recession was over months ago!  President Obama saved us from the worst economic crisis since Teh Great Depression. 

I'm getting free health care and free college tuition.  My government housing, foodstamps and third year of unemployment benefits are allowing me to relax and enjoy life worry free for the first time ever!  All the unemployed people are creating jobs as we spend every penny we get from Obama's stash.  In fact, for every dollar we spend, $1.58 goes back in and stimulates the economy. 

I like to think of President Obama as Jesus.  The loaves and fishes story is pretty illustrative of just what He's been able to do turning around our economy.  He takes your paltry 5 loaves and fishes, and He is able to feed us all.  Now if only the rich people would have to surrender more, He could end poverty in America.

115 On the screen we see the blades of a fan turning in slow motion. The camera pans right and we now see several shiny brown blobs heading for the fan. Duck and cover.

116

Of course, unrestricted immigration is the natural solution, because when there are less jobs to be had, the best option is to increase the number of people looking for them! Brilliant

1. Amnesty for illegal aliens.

2.  Create a larger dependent Class.

3.  Unlimited, endless political power.

4.  Profit!!!11111

117 113

Maybe.  At some point, the Norks are going to try to re-unify the peninsula.  I'd also keep an eye out for the middle east to to attempt Holocaust II on Israel at some point, especially if Iran gets nukes or even dirty bombs.

118 Maybe. At some point, the Norks are going to try to re-unify the peninsula. I'd also keep an eye out for the middle east to to attempt Holocaust II on Israel at some point, especially if Iran gets nukes or even dirty bombs. Posted by: Secundus at December 17, 2010 09:40 AM (TeNy3) Well I was joking about chinese boys getting some North Korean nookie, but your point is well taken

119 Honestly, since I started it, my formulation was one of two things, possibly both at once:

1.) Pakistan goes mental, new fight with India, other powers get involved piecemeal while Ogutless scrambles for the exit;

2.) China surprises everyone, makes a land push for the Central Asian and Siberian resource fields, thus picking a fight with Russia

My nightmare is #2, followed up by opportunism causing #1, and all of Asia from the Mediterranean to the Pacific turning into history's largest free-fire zone.  Which, the way this godforsaken century has been going, will probably not even approach the actual horror.

120 Actually, we should start a North Korean women's modeling agency.  Given how popular the body-by-Buchenwald thing seems to be...

121 I suspect a huge power struggle is now underway in North Korea. They made a provocative move and were rebuffed, not bj'd as usual. Since then, nothing. The silence is deafening.

122 Don't forget about me.

123 Don't forget about me. Posted by: Sudan (Now in North/South Form!) at December 17, 2010 09:46 AM (B+qrE) Small potatoes

124 That whole one-child males-are-better thing has left them with about 20 million surplus dudes who are never, ever going to get married.  Groups like that can cause problems, unless they're provided a suitable... Outlet.

I've heard this before, but I honestly don't get this rationale. That's maybe 3% of the male population. That doesn't seem like an awful lot who need to be either a) gay, b) uninterested in marriage or c) able to find wives outside the country. The idea that they'd be clamoring for war in the absence of a settled home life puzzles me, as does the idea that such a small portion of the population would be able to push the country into a war it would otherwise be unwilling to fight.

125 DarkLord, I'd add Russia opportunism in Eastern Europe and the Muslim underclasses in Western Europe to that list.

126 79 Russia is not returning to world superpowerdom anytime soon. Eastern European domination? Likely. And then the strongest nation in Central Europe, Germany, starts pushing back, and then some incident somewhere lights a spark.......
-------
So.... You're saying Poland is even more boned than California?

127

Small potatoes

So was Serbia in August 1914.

128 #124

No, no-- it's not that the males themselves would be clamoring for war.

129 Posted by: Waterhouse at December 17, 2010 09:49 AM (yyY6B)

Those 20 million are becoming increasingly concentrated in the cities.  The problem is that without prospects for marriage, coupled with decreasing employment prospects, these men have a greater incentive to turn to crime or social unrest.  One or the other, and the government could manage, but not both.  If competition for women is fierce, then good employment prospects give men the belief that they have a good chance.  If employment prospects are dim, then the availability of women and family will help the government keep these men from becoming too active, and even make them more open to relocation.

Marriage to outsiders is an iffy proposition, because it would require them to have access to outside women (most don't), and for those women to be willing to marry into such a structured society as communist China (most aren't). 

130 Small potatoes So was Serbia in August 1914. Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at December 17, 2010 09:53 AM (B+qrE) Touche

131 WWIV could start in Europe when a band of drunken youths strip the burka off a Muslim gal.

132 125: I actually accounted for that earlier--with the US no longer a decent ally, a fair bit of Eastern Europe will probably return to the Russian sphere for protection against Eurabian 'youth' (read, 'violence spreading out from Firangistan' [that's Islamified Western Europe to you]).

Combine with brushfire wars between Chinese and Iranian (!!) interests in Africa, and I predict this is going to make the bloodshed of the previous century look like a minor kerfluffle by comparison.

133 The Democrats are Arsonists. In order to win the 2008 election Soros and his friends and allies in the middle east engineered the stock market crash. That was a little fire to bring a hero, Fireman Obama, into office. Of course being Arsonists the Democrats every answer to a fire is to pore gasoline on it. Their thinking is:  pore enough gasoline on fast enough and you can drown the fire.

However the predictable result has occurred and they are burning the country to the ground. Panicking, they are trying to cut off the air; so they have decided to strangle small businesses with red tape.

The above is the charitable description of the Democrats as bumbling idiots and fools.

The accurate description of what is going on is that the bottom 10% of humanity, criminally insane, loud mouth, Beta Males, are doing exactly what they set out to do; destroy the world intentionally so that the Alpha Males can't do it accidentally. Everything is on course and proceeding according to schedule.

As Solzhenitsyn said: "The Gulags were not an unfortunate side effect of Communism, the Gulags were the whole point of Communism."

 Everybody here thinks Communism doesn't work; no, Communism works exactly as it was intended to work. The millions of deaths and human misery? All part of the plan; destroy the productive so they can't make the unproductive feel bad by comparison.

Better learn who the enemy is before it is too late.

134 83 Russia is not returning to world superpowerdom anytime soon. Thousands of nuclear warheads still count for something. Just sayin'.... Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at December It's an open question how many still function, and how many functional, modern delivery system they still have. Russia is really now a borderline 3rd World country.

135 Posted by: eman at December 17, 2010 09:44 AM (XXyJt)

I believe that every North Korean general is fully in the pay of the Chinese government.  They're paid to make sure that things don't get out of hand, but to otherwise let the regime do what it wants. 

136 Well, here in Savannah, several hospital employees are out of work after posting images of a patient's junk on Facebook and elsewhere (front page of today's paper).

I guess in their cases, there's always the TSA.

137 131 WWIV could start in Europe when a band of drunken youths strip the burka off a Muslim gal. Posted by: eman at December 17, 2010 09:58 AM (XXyJt) With their birthrate over there, it would have to be an international effort.

138 The unions will be the first private armys.

139 83 Russia is not returning to world superpowerdom anytime soon. Thousands of nuclear warheads still count for something. Just sayin'.... Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at December It's an open question how many still function, and how many functional, modern delivery system they still have. Russia is really now a borderline 3rd World country. Posted by: CoolCzech An open question best left unanswered.

140 corporate profits are at record highs and Wall Street is going well. I mean who really cares about the lazy workers who can no longer compete? There are plenty of jobs in fast food and at WalMart

141

Russia is really now a borderline 3rd World country.

They were always a nuclear arsenal perched atop a thrid world country.

142

Mechanisms for people to reenter the workforce have collapsed

 

Balderdash.  Eliminating off shore drilling, increased excessive gubamint regulation, uncertainty created by temporary tax cuts, foisting unwanted health care reform, villifying businesses, entire industries, and job creators, making onerous demands on small businesses (the 1099 debacle of health care reform, etc.), increased pursuit and prosecution of political "enemies", increased taxation and gubamint intrusion, encouraging people not to look for work by endless extensions of unemployment benefits, The White House determining winners and losers in the marketplace--those certainly shouldn't have any effect on job creation.

143 I believe that every North Korean general is fully in the pay of the Chinese government. They're paid to make sure that things don't get out of hand, but to otherwise let the regime do what it wants. Posted by: Alex Reasonable, but happens next? They tried and failed to get the reaction they wanted. Turn the dial to eleven next time?

144 "They're paid to make sure that things don't get out of hand,"


But where would they spend all that money? Are they even allowed out of North Korea?

145 141

...Now controlled by former KGB officers and some of the most ruthless organized crime outfits in history.

146 Come on PA, I would rather hear about electrical code than how boned we are. Hell, is there a moron who doesn't know we are boned untill we get rid of the commies in D.C.?

Come on, I know a good bit about electrical stuff but I don't know the code.

I'm also still drunk from last night so disregard this post.

So make sure you post in a nice format that I can cut and paste into my new book on electrical codes that I will not give any credit to you on.
 

147 144

You can buy people with things other than money.  Even easier in a country with a horrible manufacturing base and chronic food shortages.

148 Russia is dry-land pirate ship. Too bad we didn't nuke Stalin in 1945. Oops, sorry Ivan.

149 Don't forget the Scandic Hegemony is always lurking. Sneaky bastards they is.

150 Reasonable, but happens next? They tried and failed to get the reaction they wanted. Turn the dial to eleven next time?

Posted by: eman at December 17, 2010 10:05 AM (XXyJt)

The regime?  That I'm not sure of.  I would imagine that everyone is trying to figure out a way to let the regime save face in public, while privately making it clear that they will not try this shit again.

But where would they spend all that money? Are they even allowed out of North Korea?

Posted by: Lincolntf at December 17, 2010 10:06 AM (AzcBR) 

China and North Korea have ties, and I'd imagine that it's not too hard for a North Korean general to arrange for an 'official' visit across the border.  Besides, they can use that money to pay for smuggling luxury goods into North Korea.  I don't doubt that they sleep and eat very well.

151 Posted by: Secundus

I know, but that's different than being on a payroll. And while China and NK are inextricably linked, I don't think the NK military is completely controlled by or beholden to Beijing.

152 136
Well, here in Savannah, several hospital employees are out of work after posting images of a patient's junk on Facebook and elsewhere (front page of today's paper).
I guess in their cases, there's always the TSA.
Posted by: Jane D'oh at December 17, 2010 10:00 AM (UOM4

So that's where the TSA's farm system is located!

153 WW IV = The Hobo Wars

Yeah, don't laugh.

154 Doesn't Russia have a severe demographic crisis among its native population?

155

The loaves and fishes story is pretty illustrative of just what He's been able to do turning around our economy.  He takes your paltry 5 loaves and fishes, and He is able to feed us all.




JugEars is a dumbass. Why would you try to emulate Jesus with the loaves and fishes thing when water into wine is an objectively more awesome miracle?

156 Gee archie demonizes wall street and the eeeevil rich . How insightful .
 It's not like we've never heard your trite class warfare bullshit before , and yet every thirty years the electorate has to have a flirtation with leftism .

Fuck you archie , stupid asshole .

157

Why would you try to emulate Jesus with the loaves and fishes thing when water into wine is an objectively more awesome miracle?

Water into Glenfiddich 18 would have been even better.

158 How can you have inflation if people don't have money to spend? Isn't inflation caused by many dollars chasing few goods?

I agree with the person above - this is a BS story to give cover to the One.

159 Well, if I were China, I know what offer I'd make to the North Korean military brass:  "Make sure your lunatic in the granny glasses doesn't start another full-scale war, and when your regime finally collapses, we'll let you live.  And possibly retain your positions.  Since you can't beat the South and the U.S. without our help, you would do well to listen."

160 Great! Now we're like Europe!

161 And yes I meant pour not pore - sorry.

162 "Make sure your lunatic in the granny glasses doesn't start another full-scale war, and when your regime finally collapses, we'll let you live.  And possibly retain your positions.  Since you can't beat the South and the U.S. without our help, you would do well to listen."

Posted by: Secundus at December 17, 2010 10:18 AM (TeNy3)

There is always the shark tank Nork General

http://tinyurl.com/259udxw

163 I agree with the person above - this is a BS story to give cover to the One.

"I can't help it, structural unemployment is 8%" is not exactly a winning strategy statement.

164

Water into Glenfiddich 18 would have been even better.




True. But there weren't a lot of Scots in Galilee during Jesus' time.

165 Well, here in Savannah, several hospital employees are out of work after posting images of a patient's junk on Facebook and elsewhere (front page of today's paper).

Damn Jane what's going on with the GA rednecks down there? Why post it?  Were these big "junk" pictures AKA Dillinger size junk?

If so you must post links so Morons can make snarky comments and the 'ettes can make oooh and awww noises. 

166 All this WW IV stuff is crazy talk.

167

But there weren't a lot of Scots in Galilee during Jesus' time.

They were all still painting themselves blue, too.

168 There are plenty of hookers in China, and they'll service those guys. Remember: the guys are fully aware that if you're not making enough scratch to have a decent place to live, no Chinese or South Korean honey is going to have you anyway. Real Asian chicks (not the U.S. variety) are definitely money honeys. Cash is, first and always, the NO. 1 requirement for getting them to give it up at all, and they wouldn't even think twice about marrying a poor guy. He just doesn't qualify--it's like some five foot nothing guy hoping for the NBA.

There is no, like ABSOLUTELY NO, illegitimate birth over here. Sentiment about killing your kid is a luxury Asian women can't afford. Chicks with a kid and no husband are looking at a future where being a hooker would be the height of their possible future employment possibilities. There is plenty of sex and lots of sex workers, but it's cash on the barrelhead and an abortionist on call 24/7. Last stat I saw for South Korea, since 1973 there had been as many abortions in SK as there were people in the country (about 48 million.) The society makes women have to be mercenary and they learn the lesson early. That's why there is such a low marriage rate in Japan, China and Korea. Not enough big-bucks guys to make it worth a girl's while to sign on the bottom line. A guy with bucks, however...

169 OT: Megan Fox's sister. http://www.holytaco.com/taylor-cole-pictures/

170 163 I agree with the person above - this is a BS story to give cover to the One.

"I can't help it, structural unemployment is 8%" is not exactly a winning strategy statement.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at December 17, 2010 10:22 AM (B+qrE)

"It's not my fault - it's the economy that George Bush created" meme

171 There are plenty of hookers in China, and they'll service those guys.

I'll vouch for that

172 >>...Now controlled by former KGB officers and some of the most ruthless organized crime outfits in history. With a very large and aggressive Muslim minority. What could go wrong?

173

I believe that every North Korean general is fully in the pay of the Chinese government. They're paid to make sure that things don't get out of hand, but to otherwise let the regime do what it wants.
Posted by: Alex

North Korea is China's Id.  They conduct the foreign policy that China would like to conduct, but don't want to be seen performing. China supplies 90% of North Korea's imports; in other words, payment for service.

174

"It's not my fault - it's the economy that George Bush created" meme

Yesterday shot that one in the back of the head at point blank range.  With a howitzer.

175

1)...

2)...

2)...  <---??  Just how much Valu-Rite vodka did you consume last night?

176

There are plenty of hookers in China, and they'll service those guys.

How do you know this? Are you in shanghai now?

177 174

"It's not my fault - it's the economy that George Bush created" meme

Yesterday shot that one in the back of the head at point blank range.  With a howitzer.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at December 17, 2010 10:29 AM (B+qrE)

Agreed, but a dog always returns to eat it's vomit.

178 Posted by: eman at December 17, 2010 10:25 AM (XXyJt)

Hey went out and did a "not safe search"  No shitty "tats".

What up w/dat?

179

wan chai district

To be fair--Hong Kong is not China-China and the girls in Wan Chai are mostly Filipinas. 

...

...

...

So I'm told.

180 Vic, my husband made the comment the junk pics must have been pretty impressive.  Also, apparently the guy's name is out there.  Hello, lawsuit.

Our rednecks are more "edgy" than your SC rednecks.

181 /In the end, there will be only chaos. 
Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta)

Hey there, I was waiting for that.

Yeah, things aren't just worse abroad then than now.
For God's sake, our national DEBT!!!!!! our loss of INDUSTRY!!!

"Investors" selling bankruptcy to mutual fund retirees.

Shit, the savings and loan failure is squat compared to the Federal Reserve failure.

182

@15  Maybe they missed the rising prices of food and shrinking package sizes?
Not a thing, lass, it's as geuwd as neuw.

183 Hello, lawsuit.

Yeah, I expect that the hospital is calling every lawyer in GA and Philadelphia right now.

184 To be fair--Hong Kong is not China-China and the girls in Wan Chai are mostly Filipinas.

I wouldn't know about those kinds of things even though I speak some Tagalog and have heard about "skivvy houses".

Esa, delawa, tetlo....

185 It's an open question how many still function, and how many functional, modern delivery system they still have. Enough of the ICBM's work - it's the one part of the military we still fund. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4XzipgqfbY

186 McDonald's Happy Meals are cheap, - and they last forever.
Posted by: Jimmie F'n Carter


Ooooh, disgusting thing about preservatives.

No fond memories of Carter's administration that gave away Iran to Islamic theocratic terrorists, began the apology routine while hostages rotted in hell, gave up the essential to our national security Panama Canal, and destroyed what faith that yet remained between Americans and their government. All the while, consumers got hell interest rates, and manufacturers folded, no contracts no jobs.

187 172--  I think that question was answered at Beslan

188 2.) China surprises everyone, makes a land push for the Central Asian and Siberian resource fields, thus picking a fight with Russia. Why do you think we keep thousands of nukes - it's not because we're worried about you. We had a good laugh when Bammie talked about getting rid of nukes - how else are we going to defend Siberia?

189 59

The engine of job creation has been dismantled and sold for scrap filled with sodium silicate.

Posted by: Purple Avenger at December 17, 2010 08:49 AM (FaBpa)

Fixed.

190 188 2.) China surprises everyone, makes a land push for the Central Asian and Siberian resource fields, thus picking a fight with Russia.

Why do you think we keep thousands of nukes - it's not because we're worried about you.

We had a good laugh when Bammie talked about getting rid of nukes - how else are we going to defend Siberia?

Posted by: Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin at December 17, 2010 10:44 AM (Hu/Da)

I can also see Alaska from Siberia, and must get Moose and Squirrel

191 Great, so those who are out of work now may not be able to reenter the workforce? Fucking great I tell you. It just keeps getting better and better.

192 Why do you think we keep thousands of nukes - it's not because we're worried about you.

Believe me when I say...we're planning accordingly.

193 Believe me when I say...we're planning accordingly.

And then some.

194 Hey, you know what would ignite a fucking economic powder-keg? Extending unemployment benefits to 3,000 weeks.

195 194 Hey, you know what would ignite a fucking economic powder-keg?

Extending unemployment benefits to 3,000 weeks.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff in 2012 at December 17, 2010 10:48 AM (D9kBV)

Why not extend it to infinity and stand back baby? America would be like a super-triple cheeseburger with bacon and ham on top! Live it! YEA!

196 McDonald's Happy Meals are cheap, - and they last forever.
Posted by: Jimmie F'n Carter

I have a friend who saved a McDonalds hamburger (expirement for the kids).. they have had it for 2 years... looks the same as the day they bought it.

197 "...we could expect a healthy dose of inflation (beyond the Fed's loopy currency devaluation QE crap) to ensue as the unemployment rate approaches 8%."

I actually read their statement on that part exactly the opposite.  Their paper states, in regard to the NAIRU findings: "This argument is made despite the fact that  inflation is nowhere to be seen at the moment and instead, deflation is a major concern."

So, it would seem that they disagree with that part, at least.

Really, the only major problem I have with their paper (just skimmed most of it, but the arguments I read seem cogent, at least) is that they claim that lower (than 10.2%) unemployment at the moment is due to Government intervention- when we can be pretty certain it's the other way around.

198 196 McDonald's Happy Meals are cheap, - and they last forever.
Posted by: Jimmie F'n Carter

I have a friend who saved a McDonalds hamburger (expirement for the kids).. they have had it for 2 years... looks the same as the day they bought it.

Posted by: Timbo at December 17, 2010 10:50 AM (ph9vn)

Tell your friend, thanks. It save the Slurgs from the purging of the Meldonites in the 23rd century. We used it as a weapon in our rail gun to explode their Mothership.

199 In the '80s, post-Carter, a mortgage loan was 12% and a money market fund paid 18%. You can bet these things will happen again after the Dems get through with their mad spending binge. We hope it will only be this bad.

So sell your stock and get into money markets! Home values will drop when interest rates rise, so that's a wash.

200 OT:  Cool link for a smart military blog.  The Enola Gay cockpit 360.

201 I have a friend who saved a McDonalds hamburger (expirement for the kids).. they have had it for 2 years... looks the same as the day they bought it.

They could get the same result with a hand-ground free-range grass-fed homemade burger.  Drying food is an ancient form of food preservation. 

202

Tell your friend, thanks. It save the Slurgs from the purging of the Meldonites in the 23rd century. We used it as a weapon in our rail gun to explode their Mothership.

Stinkin' filthy Slurgs.

203 Extending unemployment benefits to 3,000 weeks.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff in 2012 at December 17, 2010 10:48 AM (D9kBV)

Why not extend it to infinity and stand back baby? America would be like a super-triple cheeseburger with bacon and ham on top! Live it! YEA!

Posted by: Radioactive Satellite Of LOVE at December 17, 2010 10:50 AM (LdYLm)

My plan is to extend unemployment benefits to the employed.  Our economy will take off like a sky rocket!

204 I don't know about this "missing" inflation.  Food and energy costs are rising rapidly, but officially offset by the collapsing housing costs.

Since most peoples housing costs are fixed, real people aren't benefiting from the decline.

205 200 OT:  Cool link for a smart military blog.  The Enola Gay cockpit 360.

Posted by: WalrusRex at December 17, 2010 10:57 AM (TVvXc)

Great link. Our family recently visited the Air/Space Museum at Dulles Airport. That is a great day trip if you are in the DC area. We got to see the Enola Gay up close. Highly recommended.

206 As the old pilots saying goes, we're out of altitude, out of options, and out of time.

You can trade altitude for airspeed or vice versa at any time. Low and fast is ok, high and slow is ok. High and fast is best. Right now? We're low and slow. It will end badly.

207

Tell your friend, thanks. It save the Slurgs from the purging of the Meldonites in the 23rd century. We used it as a weapon in our rail gun to explode their Mothership.

Posted by: Zortog of the FUTURE! at December 17, 2010 10:53 AM (LdYLm)

Will do!

208 Posted by: HeatherRadish

And the thing about McDonalds food is that it really doesn't "last" more than about 15 minutes. Reheat a cheeseburger or some Chicken Tenders in the microwave some time. They taste totally different.
Exception: Breakfast sandwiches. Those can get cold and be reheated after a couple hours and still be fine.

209 You know, since the progressives want "the rich" to "pay their fair share" so badly, how about this taxation plan: note, there are no "tax credits" or any such thing, but the math works as math should (that is, negative numbers exist):

Your taxes are now 10% of your Net Worth.

This does several things:
Those nasty "rich" we keep hearing about (Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, et. al.) won't have any way to hide income, since it won't be income based.

Those who are underwater on their homes (or, frankly, their cars, credit cards, or college loans- since anyone in debt is a de facto protected class apparently) will pay fewer or no taxes, or will receive an amount from the government based on 1/10th of their (negative) net worth: that is, someone whose net worth was -1000.00 would "owe" -100.00 in taxes and would therefore get a rebate of $100.00.

Of course, since the vast majority of people who would be hit hardest by this would be the truly mega-rich (for whom it would be nearly impossible to hide all their net worth), they would (presuming some amount of rationality) a) immediately renounce their citizenship and move out of country, b) start supporting and voting for Republicans in huge numbers to return the tax code to sanity, or c) be financially ruined in a few years.

I'd be good with options a or b, and consider c a wash- since they'd at least get their comeuppance for supporting the anti-growth, pro-dependency policies of Democrats.

210 Yeah, let's crank up that unemployment to infinity.

211 OT: Evil parrot

212

Reheat a cheeseburger or some Chicken Tenders in the microwave some time.

Those are McNuggets.

My daughter will rough you up for a mistake like that, man.

213 OT:  The Reverend Sharpton keeping it real.

214
They could get the same result with a hand-ground free-range grass-fed homemade burger.  Drying food is an ancient form of food preservation. 

Posted by: HeatherRadish at December 17, 2010 10:58 AM (4ucxv)

HA... I am sending that article to them.

215 Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at December 17, 2010 11:05 AM (B+qrE)

They have actual chicken tenders (the Chicken Selects).  They're what I eat when I'm forced to eat at McDonald's (nope, not the kids: the wife).  They're almost edible.

216 Europe is getting trampled by it and could well bring down the Euro and thus European Union, which will foster nationalism.  Things will then get ugly.

Well, that will jump start the world economy. Young men, ages 15 to 35, will die in a world war, which will reduce the overabundance of people looking for work. The survivors can get jobs rebuilding the bombed out cities and factories. Win win for the survivors.

217 Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here)


Au contraire. The Chicken Tenders (maybe they call them "Strips"?) are the "fancy" McNuggets at McDonalds.

(I have made that mistake in the past and got thoroughly schooled in the inadequacy of the McNugget compared to the mighty Tenders.)

218 In an effort to relate to the little people who are out of work, Michelle Obama wore a second-hand dress to a Washington Christmas party.

Do click through for the punchline.

219 Posted by: Craig at December 17, 2010 11:12 AM (xP8Aq)

Also, a war in Europe would be a handy way to find solutions to the issue of Muslim assimilation.

220

I have made that mistake in the past and got thoroughly schooled in the inadequacy of the McNugget compared to the mighty Tenders.

Heresy to my little girl.  She would have made a good inquisitor.

221 So the bottom line is... we're still boned?

oh good, situation normal then

looks like I picked the wrong time to stop sniffing glue

222 218 In an effort to relate to the little people who are out of work, Michelle Obama wore a second-hand dress to a Washington Christmas party.

Do click through for the punchline.

Posted by: HeatherRadish at December 17, 2010 11:16 AM (4ucxv)

Let them eat cock!

223

Michelle's ensembles are not complete without the really shiny shin thing she does so well.

What the hell is that stuff anyway?

It looks like what you shower to get rid of.

224 Simple. Print more money; government-mandated wage and price controls; and raise interest rates to 20% prime.

225 Fox News Alert:

WSJ guy says that pork bill is dead, all Repubs have now backed off.

CR passed by the House earlier now is the "deal".

226 oops sock off

227

I'm kinda glad I was too young to remember much. I think all the panty lines and sausage-smuggling and nipples pressed into shiny double-knit would've given me some serious mental issues. Wait a minute...!

And it's me you need to show, HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE?

Take a ride in the sky, on our ship, fantasize, ALL YOUR DREAMS WILL COME TRUE MILES AWAY!

The first time ever I lay with you, I FELT YOUR HEART SO CLOSE TO MINE!

 

 

Yeah baby the 70s...

 

228 Kirstin Gillibitch on Fox just now:

We need 7 billion dollars for 9-11 heroes in Fire Department and Police

Fact-1: Bill covers everyone who lived within any radius measurable to towers, not just responders.

Fact-2: NY law, contract etc with UNIONS already covers this.  "Heroes will not be impacted if this waste of 7 billion is passed.

Fact-3: Money goes to NYC. Money is fungible, it will go to socialism as it is transferred. i.e. Just another freakin' big city bailout.

Fox anchor statement after interviewing/licking Kirstin Giilibrand's balls (C-NY)

We will pray for this

You can't make this shit people.

229 What does "the unemployed leave the
labor force over finding a job in the labor market" mean?

230 229 People are giving up looking for work.  People filing for Social Security early.  Massive applications for SSI from the walking wounded who kept working.

231 Well 'conservatives' can always just say that this is from a 'left-tilting organization' and thereby just ignore what this analysis is really saying. They ALWAYS do. But this would be a near fatal eror. Tax cuts are NOT the solution. They may in fact be part of the problem. You will NEVER get a much smaller government especially since the unemployment rate is going to be so historically high for such a very long time. And therefore the need for that social safety net you all loathe will be greater than ever. And that costs MONEY. Coupled with the annoying little factoids about the catastrophic level of overall indebtedness at all levels of society, I think you are in fact ---- boned. We all are.

232 Coupled with the annoying little factoids about the catastrophic level of overall indebtedness at all levels of society, I think you are in fact ---- boned.

This was not a tax cut. It was keeping taxes the same, yet is WAS a spending increase.

Why is it that you Kommie liberals NEVER advocate spending cuts for anything but the military?

233 "Why is it that you Kommie liberals NEVER advocate spending cuts for anything but the military?"--Vic Jump to conclusions much or is it all just all knee-jerkism all the time with 'conservatives'. Sort of as it is with dogmatic 'liberals'. Two sides of the same dysfunctional coin. As it happens I support cuts in Government spending across the board AND permanent pay and benefit cuts for ALL Government employees, and a BIG reduction in military spending. AND higher taxes until such time as the current deficits are replaced by current surpluses, and the debt itself begins to shrink. My bottom line ----- if you can't afford it , you can't have it. But if the delusional brigade believes that you are going to grow yourselves out of this debacle, it ain't EVER going to happen. And if you further believe that those without jobs or income or opportunities are really going to just go off quietly and die so that you don't have to deal with them, which is what the 'reduce taxes' coupled with the 'no new deficits' mantras REALLY mean, I fear you will be disappointed. Again. You and I and most everyone is on the Titanic and we ain't getting off. No matter how much you stamp the little feeties and call people who disagree with you Kommies. Which by the way is just sort of sad. It's not 1980 anymore and it isn't going to be again soon.

234 Europe is getting trampled by it and could well bring down the Euro and thus European Union, which will foster nationalism.  Things will then get ugly.

Well, that will jump start the world economy. Young men, ages 15 to 35, will die in a world war, which will reduce the overabundance of people looking for work. The survivors can get jobs rebuilding the bombed out cities and factories. Win win for the survivors.

Posted by: Craig at December 17, 2010 11:12 AM (xP8Aq)

Unless they go back to musket and pike, good luck buying the weapons needed for a large modern army with those economies. And the demographics mean that a nationalist europe will probably be turning inward towards their muslim and foreign minorities for some time.

235 In an effort to relate to the little people who are out of work, Michelle Obama wore a second-hand dress to a Washington Christmas party.

Do click through for the punchline.
Posted by: HeatherRadish at December 17, 2010 11:16 AM (4ucxv)

Not so coincidentally, it looks way better than the first hand stuff she usually wears.

236 Oldcat - everyone can afford an AK47

237 But if the delusional brigade believes that you are going to grow yourselves out of this debacle, it ain't EVER going to happen.

Keep telling yourself that, you will be the only one who believes it.

Cut spending to 2006 budget levels, keep taxes the same PERMANENTLY.

Repeal 90% of the BS regulations and healthscam. Business will skyrocket and tax revenue with it.

238

"We're out of options."

 

i don't think we are out of options, there is one option we haven't tried yet -

smaller, less powerful, less expensive government.

I know all the Dems and about half the Repubs absolutely HATE that idea, but saying we are out of options when we haven't even tried the most obvious one is a tad disingenous. (not that i'm saying you are being that way intentionally, it's just that sometimes you are a little too eager to tow the standard line.)

 

 

239

anyone quote the last line from that roosevelt shithole study?

"Officials need to act in a bold and imaginative manner to repair the labor markets dysfunctions - much as Roosevelt did - or risk entrenching the social misery that engulfs many Americans today."

this plan will make us all ready for the next big attack c 2018, just like the New Deal did. Hey, maybe we can get Carter to run again in 2012, he's ready to finish the job that Reagan wouldn't let him finish...

240

These are the same kind of economists who believe Keynesian crap and have been advising the Obama administration since before he was elected.  Recall the prediction about the unemployment rate.

241  Roosevelt Institute, I was hoping it was the Teddy Roosevelt institute, not that other guy.

242 More Keynesian nonsense that inflation has anything to do with unemployment.

243 I agree with the pair of commenters who guessed that the Roosevelt Institute report was simply part of a Dem re-election strategy:  "Structural unemployment is the irreducible minimum you can have without inflation.  Until the last year of Bush this number was 5%, but Bush's awful, ghastly, inhumane policies--which we Dems didn't have a THING to do with--this figure is now ten percent.  So Chicago Jesus and our wonderful Dems can't possibly be blamed for high unemployment, since without Bush's mismanagement our current rate would be...six percent!"

Count on seeing more of this theory as we approach 2012.

244 Well, either we can accept that the structure has changed and adjust our expectations to the "new reality" of higher permanent unemployment, or alternatively we can TAKE THE GOVERNMENTS FUCKING STINKING DRUG-SHAKING MEATHOOKS OFF THE NECK OF THE FUCKING ECONOMY!

This message brought to you by the Economic Council for Commentary on the Fucking Obvious. The ECCFO thanks you for your attention, you dumb assholes.

245 Soooo...

All this trends toward meaning a growth boom in the Hobo market? I think I'ma gonna invest in a hunting preserve.