February 22, 2011
— Monty Or maybe not so much.
This WaPo article makes many of the same points I've made myself. Though US debt now as a percentage of GDP has been almost as high before (particularly during the World War II era), we were at the beginning of a high-growth curve then. Now? We've got a rapidly-aging workforce, a slow-growth economy, sky-high personal debt, and a public sector that groans under the weight of debt and unfunded entitlements.
Another problem is that too many of our elected officials are relying on the least likely scenario (i.e., a high-growth economic spurt) to pull us out of the debt-spiral. Obama's recent budget makes this belief explicit, but it's common among politicians of both parties. There is a prevailing belief that the interest-rate environment will remain stable, that inflation will remain low, and that we can continue to place our debt at low rates of interest. Given the upheavals in the middle east and the resultant spike in the price of oil, and the "hidden" inflation caused by spikes in the price of food and fuel, these seem like faulty assumptions -- yet most politicians, Democrat and GOP alike, speak blithely about managing the debt in terms of decades rather than years.
I just don't know why they think we have that much time.
[UPDATE]
Oops! Lauraw bade me to include a picture of a cute kitty-cat every time I post a DOOM thread. You know, to ease the burn.
Posted by: Monty at
04:02 AM
| Comments (198)
Post contains 255 words, total size 2 kb.
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 22, 2011 04:09 AM (UlUS4)
Posted by: Voltaires Crack at February 22, 2011 04:10 AM (RLKHp)
Posted by: Jack at February 22, 2011 04:11 AM (kCT7A)
Posted by: Barrack Hussein Obama at February 22, 2011 04:13 AM (Q5+Og)
End the "Schumer seat" and give the Senate back to the States. Repeal the 17th Amendment.
Posted by: tarpon at February 22, 2011 04:16 AM (g0QB8)
Posted by: TIM-MAY Geithner at February 22, 2011 04:19 AM (Q5+Og)
Posted by: dogfish at February 22, 2011 04:19 AM (N2yhW)
Posted by: epv at February 22, 2011 04:20 AM (KmKmh)
Posted by: Nancy Pelosi at February 22, 2011 04:21 AM (Q5+Og)
Yup...nothing to see here move along. Never you mind that festering, puss- oozing sore on the side of the countries skull. Every one stay calm and we'll get through this TOGETHER. Afterall, we are the ones we've been waiting for...right??
Posted by: dananjcon at February 22, 2011 04:21 AM (pr+up)
Think about how boned that statement is. Our children must spend the majority of their working lives fixing this fuck up. Guess we're not passing along a better life. That is the reality for squishy Repukes and Dems to take to heart.
Posted by: dogfish at February 22, 2011 04:24 AM (N2yhW)
The WI public school teachers are the salt of the earth. Not like those swastika infested TEABAGGERS. I fear we may see violence if these TEABAGGERS are allowed to congregate.
Posted by: Nancy Pelosi at February 22, 2011 04:26 AM (Q5+Og)
For the same reason they think that they can sell us on the idea of "The Religion of Peace", how sexual perversions are "totally normal" and should be taught to 3 year-olds, and how an Indonesian is "no different from a regular American".
Posted by: iknowtheleft at February 22, 2011 04:26 AM (N49h9)
Posted by: stan at February 22, 2011 04:27 AM (dSHKh)
I'd say this would make stimulating economic growth via lower taxation and lower regulatory burden a high priority, no?
Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at February 22, 2011 04:27 AM (9hSKh)
Posted by: Barrack Hussein Obama at February 22, 2011 04:28 AM (Q5+Og)
The debt is an ugly number, but only because the interest payments are a large part of the total budget. If we balance the budget the debt will disappear. Whether it takes 30 years or 50 years is immaterial. That it begins to shrink is vital.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJConservative) at February 22, 2011 04:29 AM (LH6ir)
Posted by: stan at February 22, 2011 08:27 AM (dSHKh)
Inflation stimulates spending the same way that breaking your window stimulates spending.
Posted by: iknowtheleft at February 22, 2011 04:30 AM (N49h9)
But publicly stating that we don't have that much time implies that they actually have to do something about it. Now. And pretty unpopular somethings, to boot.
And, being politicians, they're pretty seriously allergic to that sort of stuff.
Posted by: DocJ at February 22, 2011 04:30 AM (AWzOz)
The MFM have proven to be useless in getting the dire message of the countries financial woes to the sheeple. O'creily played a clip last night of Rachel Madcow proclaiming that Minnisota's fiscal house was in order and that Repubs and union busting tea party types are demagogue-ing the entire mess.(para)
Posted by: dananjcon at February 22, 2011 04:32 AM (pr+up)
Posted by: ParisParamus at February 22, 2011 04:32 AM (bgSjf)
That's just crazy talk.
Regulations, or so we are told by our betters in DC, stimulate economic growth because they level the playing field and eliminate illegal, unethical and risky business decisions. And because they know better than we do how to run every business in America, our future is safe with them.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJConservative) at February 22, 2011 04:33 AM (LH6ir)
Posted by: Jack at February 22, 2011 04:33 AM (kCT7A)
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at February 22, 2011 04:34 AM (OW0nw)
I have never understood the fear that China holds so much of our debt. What are they going to do? Foreclose?
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJConservative) at February 22, 2011 04:35 AM (LH6ir)
"Regulations, or so we are told by our betters in DC, stimulate economic growth because they level the playing field and eliminate illegal, unethical and risky business decisions. And because they know better than we do how to run every business in America, our future is safe with them."
I fully support the statements of this dildo. Solidarity!!
Posted by: Franklin Delano Raines at February 22, 2011 04:35 AM (Q5+Og)
We can't really blame the MFM or anyone. The whole country lived through the credit crisis. No one can claim that they aren't aware of how tenuous the situation is and how quickly it can collapse (along with the fact that we have no money left to buy any expensive and wasteful time with). But, if you mention a credit crisis scenario, most people act as if you have three arms ... as if something that just happened a couple of years ago is utterly unthinkable and not worth taking into account, at this point.
Posted by: iknowtheleft at February 22, 2011 04:35 AM (N49h9)
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at February 22, 2011 04:36 AM (OW0nw)
Posted by: ParisParamus at February 22, 2011 04:37 AM (bgSjf)
"The candyman doesn't worry about where the candy comes from. He's just worried about making sure everyone knows he's the candyman. That's how the candyman keeps his job. And his parking spot. And his free staff. And free travel. And assignments to The Important Committees."
You are a racist. Just another angry white man clinging to his Bible and guns.
Posted by: Barrack Hussein Obama at February 22, 2011 04:37 AM (Q5+Og)
Posted by: stan at February 22, 2011 04:38 AM (dSHKh)
Posted by: stan at February 22, 2011 08:38 AM (dSHKh)
Inflation stimulates spending and wanton investment because your welath is eroded if kept in money and not spent. That is exactly the same as the broken window analogy. You aren't spending to really "earn" anything, only to stop the bleeding. Neither is constructive spending, but merely fighting the decay/destruction of wealth if not spent.
Posted by: iknowtheleft at February 22, 2011 04:41 AM (N49h9)
Posted by: stan at February 22, 2011 04:42 AM (dSHKh)
Yes, inflation stimulates spending in unadjusted currency. But that's exactly the problem with inflation; you spend more money but get the same amount of goods and services as you did before. And because inflation is incredibly unpredictable, planning future spending is more difficult.
Imagine trying to plan long-term capital improvements of a business when the cost of money is essentially unknown.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJConservative) at February 22, 2011 04:43 AM (LH6ir)
"Yes, inflation stimulates spending in unadjusted currency. But that's exactly the problem with inflation; you spend more money but get the same amount of goods and services as you did before. And because inflation is incredibly unpredictable, planning future spending is more difficult."
This is a good plan. I highly recommend it.
Posted by: George Soros at February 22, 2011 04:44 AM (Q5+Og)
Boehner just has to keep pushing and keep getting pushed back by the Dem Senate and Obama. We will easily be able to make the case to the American voter that we need the Senate as well as the presidency back.
Posted by: Chitown Jerry at February 22, 2011 04:46 AM (Do528)
Posted by: stan at February 22, 2011 04:47 AM (dSHKh)
Posted by: Mr. Diddy Wah Diddy at February 22, 2011 04:47 AM (KeC7w)
Posted by: epv at February 22, 2011 04:47 AM (7n5AK)
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at February 22, 2011 04:48 AM (EpapN)
Posted by: Rose Colored Glasses at February 22, 2011 04:49 AM (swuwV)
Posted by: Chitown Jerry at February 22, 2011 04:50 AM (Do528)
This is the start of a beautiful friendship!
Posted by: B.H. Obama at February 22, 2011 04:52 AM (LH6ir)
In Theory everyone except for the coasts learned something from the credit crisis. You'd think the two states hit hardest by it would have changed their ways, but they didn't....Kalifornia and Nevada.
Posted by: Zakn at February 22, 2011 04:52 AM (zyaZ1)
And, even worse than mere inflation is the case of negative real interest rates (with the interest being paid being less than the inflation rate) which encourages truly undirected, desperate investments for outrageous returns. In this scenario, people are forced to take on much greater risk just to preserve wealth.
This is the situation, today.
Posted by: iknowtheleft at February 22, 2011 04:53 AM (N49h9)
Posted by: Jack at February 22, 2011 08:33 AM (kCT7A)
This is exactly what they want to do. Americans aren't having babies. We are barely reproducing at replacement levels. And we're better off than many countries - Canada, for example, is below replacement rate.
Who has babies? The 3rd world. So, the west has been importing from the 3rd world to make up for the lack of replacement, to keep the social programs flowing. In essence, there aren't enough of their own kids to rip off, so they are importing people to rip off their kids instead.
The major flaw in their plan? The 3rd world cultures aren't entrepreneurial. They end up being net losses to the system due to the burdens they place on social programs.
The second flaw? They assume these people will just assimilate and not force changes to the new host in exchange for their reproduction and potential future moneys.
So the newcomers drain the system, and then corrupt the culture. A double-net-loss.
Mark Steyn covers this very well in America Alone.
Posted by: grognard at February 22, 2011 04:53 AM (NS2Mo)
Shut the @&%$ up and write those checks. Michelle needs more ribs for lunch!
Posted by: B.H. Obama at February 22, 2011 04:54 AM (LH6ir)
Posted by: stan at February 22, 2011 04:55 AM (dSHKh)
Posted by: Mr. Diddy Wah Diddy at February 22, 2011 04:55 AM (KeC7w)
Posted by: Jack at February 22, 2011 08:33 AM (kCT7A)
Screw that. If we can be mirandizing foreigners in foreign lands (as with Afghan terrorists in Afghanistan) then we can just tell them they owe part of the US national debt, too. No need to make them citizens.
Posted by: iknowtheleft at February 22, 2011 04:55 AM (N49h9)
"This is the start of a beautiful friendship!"
Do you need some money for a non-profit public advocacy fund?
Posted by: George Soros at February 22, 2011 04:56 AM (Q5+Og)
I understand the politics quite well. But the facts are unassailable.
As for paying off the debt with inflated dollars (created by the Fed), that means that in all probability we will not have taken the substantive steps necessary to decrease the deficit, and that means more borrowing at the now inflated rates. That is an ugly spiral that won't end well.
The only rational way to dig ourselves out of this mess is to decrease the deficit, using whatever techniques will yield the greatest cuts, until we reach a balanced budget. At that point the rosy growth scenario will actually be reality, and we will grow our way out of the debt.
Needless to say, I am not holding my breath.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJConservative) at February 22, 2011 05:00 AM (LH6ir)
Posted by: stan at February 22, 2011 05:02 AM (dSHKh)
How about closing every military base in Western Europe? Those fucks have zero force projection because we are the ones spending the money so they don't have to. If we need bases, put them in Eastern Europe where people appreciate us.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJConservative) at February 22, 2011 05:04 AM (LH6ir)
If the market-ticker guy is to be believed (and I kind of do, since his arguments are largely based on the mathematics of the situation), we're now talking months, not years, so all this talk about our next election is pointless.
Posted by: Methos at February 22, 2011 05:05 AM (Ew1k4)
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJConservative) at February 22, 2011 05:06 AM (LH6ir)
Posted by: Weimar Republic at February 22, 2011 05:08 AM (JpFM9)
Posted by: logprof at February 22, 2011 05:11 AM (gWfpg)
This is a perfect time in our history to give everyone free tax payer funded health care. It will only cost us trillions. but it's FREE!
*spfft*
Posted by: Lemon Kitten at February 22, 2011 05:12 AM (0fzsA)
Posted by: Paul Heindenberg at February 22, 2011 05:13 AM (JpFM9)
Posted by: kidney at February 22, 2011 05:13 AM (3j6OS)
"65 That's actually a pretty ugly looking cat."
You don't know the half of it. But she chews on a short rib mighty fine.
Posted by: Barrack Hussein Obama at February 22, 2011 05:13 AM (Q5+Og)
Posted by: Monty at February 22, 2011 05:13 AM (4Pleu)
Until we remove the obstacles to greater domestic production, including offsetting foreign export subsidies, there's really not much to be gained by fixing the budget. The US is slowly being frozen out of new industries, as the "current" industries that give birth to new tech are being off shored. At this point the only effective means we have of fighting them is to continue overspending (which is the actual cause of currency debasement, no matter what the Fed does). Increasing the cost of imports by this means is the only way to get around the "free traders."
Happily, the US government is not revenue constrained. The states and local governments are, but the Treasury creates money as needed, and can not run out.
Posted by: Reactionary at February 22, 2011 05:14 AM (xUM1Q)
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJConservative) at February 22, 2011 09:04 AM (LH6ir)
My husband and I were having that exact conversation yesterday. We decided the only really necessary overseas base, and it's not in Europe, was South Korea. We gave Japan a 'maybe' but then decided against it.
Posted by: Tami at February 22, 2011 05:15 AM (VuLos)
Posted by: nevergiveup at February 22, 2011 05:17 AM (0GFWk)
Posted by: nevergiveup at February 22, 2011 05:17 AM (0GFWk)
They are staying at the upscale Sebastian Hotel on Vail Mountain, where rooms start at $650 a night and range up to more than $2,400 for multi-bedroom suites.
The trip came just days after the President tried to sell his cost-cutting budget to the American people by asking them to stay at home.
‘If you’re a family trying to cut back, you might skip going out to dinner, or you might put off a vacation,’ he said
What a SOB. Via JWF. An out of touch SOB.
BO, that is, not JWF.
Posted by: Mama AJ at February 22, 2011 05:20 AM (XdlcF)
We need bases throughout the world to shorten our supply lines. But having them in W. Europe makes no sense. Why should we pump money into their economies on the off chance that Russia will roll the tanks through the Fulda Gap. It's not going to happen.
If we need bases, put them in Poland, where the government supports us, and freedom.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJConservative) at February 22, 2011 05:20 AM (LH6ir)
Posted by: Monty at February 22, 2011 05:21 AM (4Pleu)
Duck! Here comes a sternly worded letter.
Posted by: Somalia at February 22, 2011 05:21 AM (LH6ir)
--If you ask me, intentional inflation is one of the most (if not the most) cruel non-violent things a government can inflict on its citizens. Decades of savings upon which people barely able to work depend, disappearing in months. Allowing stability and predictability to vaporize for the young. It ushers in a culture of malaise and acedia and creates a Hobbesian mentality in the people.
Posted by: logprof at February 22, 2011 05:22 AM (gWfpg)
Posted by: Beto at February 22, 2011 05:23 AM (j5CHE)
Posted by: Barrack Hussein Obama at February 22, 2011 05:24 AM (Q5+Og)
Posted by: nevergiveup at February 22, 2011 09:17 AM (0GFWk)
The appropriate response is to raze the pirates' home towns, totally erasing their families' existences from the Earth. To start.
Of course, we have an Indonesian in the White House (which isn't too different from a Somali) so chances are better that the Americans' home towns will be razed.
Posted by: iknowtheleft at February 22, 2011 05:25 AM (N49h9)
Posted by: CAC at February 22, 2011 05:26 AM (lV4Fs)
Of course, we have an Indonesian
in the White House (which isn't too different from a Somali) so chances
are better that the Americans' home towns will be razed.
Posted by: iknowtheleft at February 22, 2011 09:25 AM (N49h9)
Way ahead of you.Posted by: Detroit at February 22, 2011 05:27 AM (LH6ir)
Posted by: logprof at February 22, 2011 09:22 AM (gWfpg)
I agree to the extent that it must be kept as limited as possible, but there has to be a little inflation. The average rate of inflation through the 1980s was about 6%, and we did just fine during those years. As long as it is accompanied by growth in productivity and employment, and wages are allowed to rise along with it, it's not so horrible. It's far better than a deflationary debt spiral.
Also - it's important to note the differnce between inflation resulting from monetary policy and simply price increases resulting from supply and demand imbalance. Right now food and energy are going up - and they're going to keep going up as long as people in the 3rd World are eating more food and driving more cars and generating more electricity. Monetary policy can't help that. Only growing more food, drilling for more oil, and building up nuclear power plants will fix that.
Posted by: Reactionary at February 22, 2011 05:28 AM (xUM1Q)
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJConservative) at February 22, 2011 09:20 AM (LH6ir)
I really just want to watch the Europeans go ape-shit when we pull out.
Posted by: Tami at February 22, 2011 05:28 AM (VuLos)
Posted by: CAC at February 22, 2011 05:30 AM (lV4Fs)
Posted by: nevergiveup at February 22, 2011 09:17 AM (0GFWk)
Posted my response to this on the headline thread. It is time someone but the smackdown on Somalia, decisively. Not another Blackhawk Down moment (thanks Clinton, you ASS), but a tactical strike that sends a clear message: we will END you. Mogadishu needs to be nothing but a smoking hole in the ground.
Gee, isn't it great that we've got such a hawkish president? He'll definitely take action! Golly gee, yes he will! He's the bestest EVER, even if I still haven't gotten the unicorn he promised me.
Posted by: MWR at February 22, 2011 05:31 AM (4df7R)
That would be a pleasure. They have been sucking on the American teat for so long that they don't know how to do anything for themselves.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJConservative) at February 22, 2011 05:33 AM (LH6ir)
Posted by: logprof at February 22, 2011 05:34 AM (6dq0h)
At least the pirates have been taken care of, there's some small solace.
Still, we need to avenge the deaths of the hostages at least seven-fold. Too bad actually protecting Americans from foreign attack isn't even on the list of Sissypants' priorities.
/btw, kudos to whomever I appropriated "Sissypants" from.
Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at February 22, 2011 05:34 AM (9hSKh)
Posted by: Tami at February 22, 2011 09:28 AM (VuLos)
...
I have watched way too much raunchy British comedy. I read "when we pull out," and... well...
I denounce myself.
Posted by: MWR at February 22, 2011 05:34 AM (4df7R)
Quick, get out the missiles and bomb another aspirin factory!
Take that you bastards!
Posted by: Bill Clinton at February 22, 2011 05:35 AM (JpFM9)
Also - it's important to note the differnce between inflation resulting from monetary policy and simply price increases resulting from supply and demand imbalance. Right now food and energy are going up - and they're going to keep going up as long as people in the 3rd World are eating more food and driving more cars and generating more electricity. Monetary policy can't help that. Only growing more food, drilling for more oil, and building up nuclear power plants will fix that.
Posted by: Reactionary at February 22, 2011 09:28 AM (xUM1Q)
--Yes, the monetary policy was what I meant by "intentional," as opposed to organic inflation as a side-effect of bona fide growth. That's the kind of crap Fourth World shitholes do, not what America should be doing.
Posted by: logprof at February 22, 2011 05:35 AM (gWfpg)
Posted by: MaureenTheTemp at February 22, 2011 05:36 AM (8kq7+)
I have watched way too much raunchy British comedy. I read "when we pull out," and... well...
I denounce myself.
Posted by: MWR at February 22, 2011 09:34 AM (4df7R)
As soon as I hit 'post', I thought 'why did I use the words 'pull out'?
Posted by: Tami at February 22, 2011 05:37 AM (VuLos)
Who told you to put the balm on? I didn't tell you to put the balm on! Do you know what a balm is?
Posted by: Jackie Chiles at February 22, 2011 05:37 AM (vdfwz)
Caveats/Challenges:
- I can't leave the urban area in the near term.
- I can't own a gun.
- I'm an American in Canada.
I know I'm well and truly screwed, but I'd at least like to try to do what I can.
Posted by: grognard at February 22, 2011 05:38 AM (NS2Mo)
The American Spectator's Jeffrey Lord has the details. LINK
Excerpt:
The Dean Dollars are being specifically funneled to the Wisconsin State Senate Democratic Committee (SSDC) -- an apparent violation of Wisconsin election law that pointedly says, according to the Wisconsin Election Board's Legal Counsel in a 2005 decision,that the "SSDC may not accept a contribution of more than $6,000 from a single committee in a calendar year." (Note: the Election Board is now called the "Wisconsin Government Accountability Board.")
Posted by: mrp at February 22, 2011 05:39 AM (HjPtV)
TOTUS is working up an apology for the Chairman to read later today.
Posted by: snort! at February 22, 2011 05:39 AM (K/USr)
Posted by: nevergiveup at February 22, 2011 05:40 AM (0GFWk)
"Caveats/Challenges:
- I can't leave the urban area in the near term.
- I can't own a gun.
- I'm an American in Canada.
I know I'm well and truly screwed, but I'd at least like to try to do what I can."
Buy a lot of beer. Hoser.
Posted by: Barrack Hussein Obama at February 22, 2011 05:40 AM (Q5+Og)
Posted by: maddogg at February 22, 2011 05:40 AM (OlN4e)
/btw, kudos to whomever I appropriated "Sissypants" from.
Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at February 22, 2011 09:34 AM (9hSKh)
Barky will react by importing more Somali pieces of shit to the US, because we really need to stock up on muslim primitives, here.
Posted by: iknowtheleft at February 22, 2011 05:41 AM (N49h9)
President Obama wasn't there personally to pick off the pirates WITH HIS MIND!!
April 16,2009 - Kidnapped Americans saved by President Obama's sharp and cool judgement
February 22, 2011 - Kidnapped Americans killed by Bush's policy of sending terrorists to Gitmo
Posted by: The MBM at February 22, 2011 05:41 AM (vdfwz)
Posted by: maddogg at February 22, 2011 05:44 AM (OlN4e)
Posted by: JackStraw at February 22, 2011 05:44 AM (TMB3S)
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 21% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as president. Forty-one percent (41%) Strongly Disapprove, giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -20
Posted by: Tami at February 22, 2011 05:45 AM (VuLos)
It's not completely hopeless. I think its going to involve stocking up to the extreme and keeping a very low profile when the SHTF. I was just looking for a source of more specifics, particularly home defense when firearms aren't an option.
Yes, I have other, more "primitive" weapons, you could say.
Posted by: grognard at February 22, 2011 05:45 AM (NS2Mo)
Posted by: Nancy Pelosi at February 22, 2011 05:45 AM (Q5+Og)
Posted by: The Green Humungus at February 22, 2011 05:45 AM (GwPRU)
If Bubba is not buying shit, the economy still sucks.
http://tinyurl.com/46l2ubq
Posted by: Kemp at February 22, 2011 05:46 AM (JpFM9)
"Yes, I have other, more "primitive" weapons, you could say."
Threaten to destroy your cache of beer. You will have them over a barrel.
Posted by: Thunderdome at February 22, 2011 05:47 AM (Q5+Og)
Posted by: justin cord at February 22, 2011 05:48 AM (VTmgu)
"Yes, I have other, more "primitive" weapons, you could say."
Threaten to destroy your cache of beer. You will have them over a barrel.
Posted by: Thunderdome at February 22, 2011 09:47 AM (Q5+Og)
I was considering taking a few squads of like-minded Canadians to take over the Molson plant and defend it at all costs. The problem is there aren't many like-minded Canadians.
Posted by: grognard at February 22, 2011 05:48 AM (NS2Mo)
Posted by: Monty at February 22, 2011 05:48 AM (4Pleu)
O/T
Varney reporting regular gas $4.09 in LA.
The liberal/socialist in Hollywood rejoice in their good fortune.
Posted by: Fish the Impaler at February 22, 2011 05:49 AM (ZHsNw)
Oh, I'm not relying on any economic growth to get the US out of this mess. In fact "out" is such a judgmental term, and really, why would you let the opportunity to create a crisis go to waste?
Posted by: Barack Obama at February 22, 2011 05:49 AM (7BU4a)
Posted by: bigred HO HO HEY HEY HOW MANY JOBS BARACK KILL TODAY? at February 22, 2011 05:50 AM (cX9pO)
Posted by: maddogg at February 22, 2011 05:50 AM (OlN4e)
Posted by: pitythefool at February 22, 2011 05:51 AM (4/zwX)
- I can't leave the urban area in the near term.
- I can't own a gun.
- I'm an American in Canada.
At least you have a lot of alcohol available to make improvised Molotov Cocktails.
I dunno any websites or books for urban area disaster prep, but a good start is making a go-to bag filled with meds, food, essential tools, extra clothing...things like that. It needs to be something you can grab and carry out within the space of a few seconds to a few minutes.
Remember this bit of "sage" advice - in any disaster, your prime asset is you. Any weapon, tool, or supply you have can be broken, degraded, or depleted. What you really need is in your head - learn to be creative and improvise. It'll also help plan out ways to survive a few horrible scenarios, such finding rally points or fortifying parts of your residence.
Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at February 22, 2011 05:51 AM (9hSKh)
Posted by: nevergiveup at February 22, 2011 05:52 AM (0GFWk)
It'll also help to plan out ways to survive a few horrible scenarios, such as finding rally points or fortifying parts of your residence.
Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at February 22, 2011 05:52 AM (9hSKh)
Posted by: Monty at February 22, 2011 05:53 AM (4Pleu)
The trip came just days after the President tried to sell his cost-cutting budget to the American people by asking them to stay at home.
‘If you’re a family trying to cut back, you might skip going out to dinner, or you might put off a vacation,’ he said
This clown goes on vacation every time he has to put in two consecutive 8 hour days and he's saying this shit? If the 52ers are still buying the MBM's CYA for that, Ace is right that we're all Europeans now
I'm sure the businesses in tourism heavy places, many whom still worship the water he walks on will appreciate the drop in tourism, ie Hollywood, San Fran, New York City, and Cape Cod won't mind as long as some Stimulus cash comes to make up for it
Posted by: kbdabear at February 22, 2011 05:53 AM (vdfwz)
They are staying at the upscale Sebastian Hotel on Vail Mountain, where rooms start at $650 a night and range up to more than $2,400 for multi-bedroom suites.
The trip came just days after the President tried to sell his cost-cutting budget to the American people by asking them to stay at home.
‘If you’re a family trying to cut back, you might skip going out to dinner, or you might put off a vacation,’ he said
I hope the RNC has enough collective intelligence to be capturing all this information to run in commercials, but, I highly doubt they will. It wouldn't set the "proper tone", you know.
Posted by: havedash at February 22, 2011 05:54 AM (sFD5n)
OT: Via Breitbart.tv:
Obama: Planned Parenthood Controversy ‘Manufactured’
The guy is an idiot.
Posted by: MWR at February 22, 2011 05:55 AM (4df7R)
After living here, I never want to hear another word from a Canadian about how ignorant and self-centered Americans happen to be. I've never seen a population so willfully pull the wool over their own eyes as this one.
At least in this part of Canada. I know there are exceptions but it's ridiculous.
At least I have the advantage of forewarning. While they are killing their former friends over scraps, I will at least be able to get by. I hope.
Posted by: grognard at February 22, 2011 05:56 AM (NS2Mo)
Posted by: Monty at February 22, 2011 09:53 AM (4Pleu)
Tell you what, I'll take the hot women off ya'alls hands, but only because I'm so damn soft hearted.
Posted by: maddogg at February 22, 2011 05:56 AM (OlN4e)
Posted by: bigred HO HO HEY HEY HOW MANY JOBS BARACK KILL TODAY? at February 22, 2011 09:50 AM
I'm sure they'll all be sent to the Somali community in Minneapolis where they'll be given cab driving jobs. After all, executing terrorists just gives them another recruiting tool, right?
Posted by: kbdabear at February 22, 2011 05:57 AM (vdfwz)
O/T
Varney reporting regular gas $4.09 in LA.
The liberal/socialist in Hollywood rejoice in their good fortune.
Posted by: Fish the Impaler at February 22, 2011 09:49 AM
I don't use oil, I ride in a limo
Posted by: Zsa Zsa Huffington at February 22, 2011 05:58 AM (vdfwz)
Posted by: Monty at February 22, 2011 06:01 AM (4Pleu)
Posted by: grognard at February 22, 2011 06:02 AM (NS2Mo)
"Planned Paretnhood should not be funded by tax payers. Can't they get money from George Soros?"
No, I have all of money short the US Dollar. The president promised me a surprise.
Posted by: George Soros at February 22, 2011 06:02 AM (Q5+Og)
I don't use oil, I ride in a limo
Posted by: Zsa Zsa Huffington at February 22, 2011 09:58 AM (vdfwz)
Yea Zsa Zsa, I don't use oil either because I drive a Chevrolet Volt. I plug it in for free, and then drive down Mulholland Drive waving to all my metrosexual friends.
Posted by: Rob Reiner at February 22, 2011 06:03 AM (ZHsNw)
Posted by: texette at February 22, 2011 06:04 AM (nebDq)
The folks I've met in Alberta -- Edmonton and Calgary areas -- seemed to be pretty down-to-earth types. They're to Canada what Nebraska or Wyoming is to the United States in many ways.
Posted by: Monty at February 22, 2011 10:01 AM (4Pleu)
I've heard the same thing. Unfortunately, I'm in Toronto so connecting with like-minded folks is much more difficult. This city does have a lot going for it, and the politics are improving (new mayor is a big improvement, for example), but there's a LOT of ignorance and ostrich behavior here. What's worse is that many of these types are absolutely convinced they know everything.
Posted by: grognard at February 22, 2011 06:05 AM (NS2Mo)
Last week I had Sally Struthers riding in my Volt, and a few fans mistook her for Meggy McCain. It must be the blond hair?
Posted by: Rob Reiner at February 22, 2011 06:06 AM (ZHsNw)
Posted by: texette at February 22, 2011 10:04 AM (nebDq)
Thanks! I will check out those sources. You're right that water filtration is a huge need - there's no way I could store enough. Thanks for the tips!
Posted by: grognard at February 22, 2011 06:07 AM (NS2Mo)
Posted by: JackStraw at February 22, 2011 06:07 AM (TMB3S)
In the city of Davis, California it is illegal to personally own a Nuclear device. If you detonate the device within city limits it is a $500 fine. Appearently the law works...Davis, CA still exists !!!!!!
Posted by: Winston Holmes at February 22, 2011 06:07 AM (SZy+Y)
Posted by: Monty at February 22, 2011 06:09 AM (4Pleu)
Posted by: CATS at February 22, 2011 06:11 AM (GTbGH)
2 Iranian warships enter Suez Canal en route to Syria ...The military rulers apparently had no choice but to grant the ships passage because an international convention regulating shipping says the canal must be open "to every vessel of commerce or of war." Egypt also cannot search naval ships passing through the waterway.
How reassuring.
Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at February 22, 2011 06:13 AM (9hSKh)
Iowa City (in hot competition with Madison WI for "the Midwest's most worthless pinko town") has the same sort of law. They just got into a fight with the state over which roads they were allowed to install "nuclear-free zone" signs at the city limits. State determined they weren't vital information, like "Hospital" or "State Park" and forbids them on state-maintained roads, like US Hwy 6.
If the Radish Liberation Front ever secures a suitcase nuke, guess the first place we're going...
Posted by: HeatherRadish at February 22, 2011 06:17 AM (nAOMZ)
Posted by: Mr. Pink at February 22, 2011 06:18 AM (h2+O0)
"You say that it is your custom to burn widows. Very well. We also have a custom: when men burn a woman alive, we tie a rope around their necks and we hang them. Build your funeral pyre; [then] beside it, my carpenters will build a gallows. You may follow your custom. And then we will follow ours."This is the kind of president I want.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJConservative) at February 22, 2011 06:24 AM (LH6ir)
Posted by: nevergiveup at February 22, 2011 06:24 AM (0GFWk)
To prolong this period of looting what yet exists.
Posted by: El Presidenté at February 22, 2011 06:24 AM (H+LJc)
Green Jobs !!
Confirmed: Obama administration sunk $535 million in Porkulus funds in green-energy turkey
Solyndra, Inc. was supposed to have showcased the effectiveness of the Obama administrationÂ’s stimulus and green jobs initiatives, but instead it has become the center of congressional attention for waste, fraud and abuse of such programs.
Posted by: kbdabear at February 22, 2011 06:24 AM (vdfwz)
They went out to dinner, and dined on vegetables grown by unpaid child labor:
The vegetables came from the greenhouse at Brush Creek Elementary School in Eagle as part of the Sowing Seeds program. Liken has helped spearhead the program, which allows local students to grow and harvest their own food and emphasizes the importance of nutrition, agriculture and sustainability.
Seriously. Scarfed down food kids were growing for their own lunch. How pissed would you be if you'd been working on your veggie patch all year, then found out your teacher gave your harvest to some rich hag?
Posted by: HeatherRadish at February 22, 2011 06:24 AM (nAOMZ)
Tell you what, I'll take the hot women off ya'alls hands, but only because I'm so damn soft hearted.
Posted by: maddogg-------------
*get's out his hot babe disguise* "Oh Maddog!"
Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at February 22, 2011 06:30 AM (f9c2L)
Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at February 22, 2011 06:35 AM (f9c2L)
If you wingers like your doom & gloom...you can keep it. I on the other hand am an optomist. I believe a 4-5% growth in GDP over the next few years will result in a 4-5% decrease in the GOP and ya'll can all kiss my tan ass.
That is all.
hehe ya see waht I did there? I'm brilliant.
Posted by: Barak O. at February 22, 2011 06:36 AM (pr+up)
"How about closing every military base in Western Europe? Those fucks have zero force projection because we are the ones spending the money so they don't have to. If we need bases, put them in Eastern Europe where people appreciate us."
This. Our bases won't defend Western Europe from the most serious threat it faces anyway -- Islamic conquest from the inside out.
Posted by: JPS at February 22, 2011 06:37 AM (nqCdq)
I wonder if the food was delivered during a ceremony with the children dressed in colorful native costumes? Makes me want to subscribe to National Geographic for the details.
Posted by: mrp at February 22, 2011 06:38 AM (HjPtV)
Those good old "gov estimates" again. That means we owe more than the entire number of the grains of sand in the world.
As for Obama's budget, it was never intended for anything but a political statement. His intent is the same as FDR's. Spend and tax, spend and tax. He is trying like all git out now to get the tax part in place.
He even has a few squishes signing on to help him in a "bipartisan" manner. Let us pray that the House has the balls to stop him.
Posted by: Honey Badger at February 22, 2011 06:39 AM (M9Ie6)
Posted by: For Those That Wonder About What Honey Badger Thinks at February 22, 2011 06:41 AM (46UmW)
The kids aren't eating the foods Queen Worf and King Barry are ordering them to eat, it seems. And in his home fiefdom of Chi-Town no less;
'This Food is Disgusting, Which is Why I'm Not Eating Lunch'
"If they're going to feed us healthy, they need to feed us something good that's healthy," said Mijoy Roussell, a sixth-grader at Claremont Academy who was skipping lunch in favor of a packet of candy. sophomore Jacob Hernandez said as he picked at unsalted rice and beans at North-Grand High School. "Last year, they had a yellow Puerto Rican rice. But this year it's all dry, and you can tell they put a lot of stuff in there, but "This food is disgusting, which is why I'm not eating lunch."
"They want us to eat healthy food, but the food has no flavor,"what's the point if there is no flavor?"
Posted by: kbdabear at February 22, 2011 06:43 AM (vdfwz)
Posted by: For Those That Wonder About What Honey Badger Thinks at February 22, 2011 06:44 AM (46UmW)
But I am a little annoyed at the rising cost of the high rag paper we use to print all those billions on.
Damn cotton pickin' cotton pickers.
Posted by: Helicopter Ben at February 22, 2011 06:56 AM (h0RtZ)
Posted by: Vic at February 22, 2011 07:01 AM (M9Ie6)
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at February 22, 2011 07:02 AM (ypWHs)
Posted by: Monty at February 22, 2011 10:09 AM (4Pleu)
It's true. I'm not a city person, but this one has grown on me. Apart from the "death trap when the world economy collapses" aspect, I rather enjoy it here.
Lefties here generally tend to be more fair than in the US. The media in general isn't as awful. I don't get Fox News on cable, but the Toronto Sun and National Post tend to provide decent coverage, and the tv news media is generally much more balanced than the network coverage in the US. They all have blinders on, but at least they aren't as corrupt about it.
I'll have to keep my eyes open for kindred spirits here, as it were. In the meantime, I lurk and occasionally post here to get my daily fix of American spirit.
Posted by: grognard at February 22, 2011 07:05 AM (NS2Mo)
I'm near Toronto. Jeff offers you his protection.
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at February 22, 2011 11:02 AM (ypWHs)
Sweet! Feeling better already!
Which direction are you?
Posted by: grognard at February 22, 2011 07:06 AM (NS2Mo)
Posted by: Michelle "Chewbaca" Obama at February 22, 2011 07:07 AM (SZy+Y)
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at February 22, 2011 11:08 AM (ypWHs)
Nice. If I could get past Oakville/Burlington in the mass exodus, I might be able to make it. 
It's difficult enough on a typical Saturday, much less in a time of crisis.
We may be able to move towards Hamilton in a year or two. We're working on it, and I hope there's time enough. I'm skeptical - we'll see, I guess.
Posted by: grognard at February 22, 2011 07:23 AM (NS2Mo)
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at February 22, 2011 07:31 AM (ypWHs)
Posted by: sauropod at February 22, 2011 07:33 AM (zmwmc)
Any details on the modicum? Bring the knowledge, brah. Because I'm not seeing the way out that doesn't involve vast pain.
Posted by: toby928™ at February 22, 2011 07:41 AM (GTbGH)
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at February 22, 2011 11:31 AM (ypWHs)
When we make the move, I'll probably GO train into Toronto, at least for a little while, but my wife will need to go to Mississauga. The 407 is a great suggestion that we'll need to use after we move. It certainly couldn't hurt to have the transponder a little earlier for escape purposes.
It's good to know how to get out of dodge. Heading north isn't an option - just seeing how the 400 packs up every weekend during the summer tells me that is going nowhere in a crisis.
Posted by: grognard at February 22, 2011 07:46 AM (NS2Mo)
Boned.
Posted by: toby928™ at February 22, 2011 07:48 AM (GTbGH)
Posted by: arhooley at February 22, 2011 08:01 AM (QgJdL)
LOLOLOL....LOLOL...!!
Posted by: mrp at February 22, 2011 08:05 AM (HjPtV)
Posted by: Imam Obama at February 22, 2011 08:08 AM (QcFbt)
Posted by: sauropod at February 22, 2011 09:37 AM (zmwmc)
Seriously, people need to stop breeding pets specifically for deformities like flat faces, it causes health problems and not just with Persian cats. They're animals, not fucking Bonsai trees.
/rant
Posted by: Merovign, Bond Villain at February 22, 2011 10:43 AM (bxiXv)
Posted by: Jamfish at February 22, 2011 11:01 AM (14vVh)
Some discomfort, yes, but not vast pain. (Maybe some VAT pain ...)
Posted by: sauropod at February 22, 2011 01:37 PM (zmwmc)
1) I don't think you quite realize how much spending has gone UP since 2007. A freeze would not even CLOSE to accomplish your goals.
2) All right, how are you going to do that anyway? We can't even get them to stop RAISING spending? Unless 2012 is an electoral massacre for the Democrats, I don't see half of what you're asking happening.
And don't even fucking get me started on VAT. You won't like me when I'm an angry Badger.
Posted by: Merovign, Bond Villain at February 22, 2011 11:24 AM (bxiXv)
Current projections are to add $9.3T to the debt over the next 10 years.
Posted by: toby928™ at February 22, 2011 11:45 AM (GTbGH)
Posted by: sauropod at February 22, 2011 05:29 PM (zmwmc)
WhatÂ’s this theme you use? Is it customized?
If customized can you please facilitate me the website of the company who designed it for you?
I would apreciate to have him/her do one for me also!
Posted by: gucci by gucci at February 28, 2011 04:39 PM (sWuzb)
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Posted by: Stankleberry at February 22, 2011 04:05 AM (Vresn)