WOW! Right after BIDU comes yet another home run. Amazon is up huge in after hours trading. We'll see how much of it will hold tomorrow. I only own 50 shares of AMZN, but it's certainly better than nothing. After it's big expected opening tomorrow morning, I would consider buying more shares on a big dip, if that should happen.
but I have a huge problem with some people here that are total right wingers and I find it very difficult to keep my sanity with these people.
This is sort of like discussing politics with my wife's step son from Greece. He would bring a bottle of Ouzo and we would go at it. My wife heads for the other room. He is far left being part of the failed Greek Government. Of course it is no secret I lean slightly right of center. :shades:
My point is we are close to the same collapse as Greece. It is Liberal policies that you seem to believe in that have caused that country to land in a bankrupt condition.
I was waiting for this post regarding F from you. I like the usp you noted but we need to consider the economy, the price increases they are getting and the UAW potential impact. These DSR's outweigh the usp afaic.
usp = upsidepotential dsr = downsiderisk
We appreciate Ford’s product plans and debt reduction strategy. The benefits from these strategies have already been reflected in the company’s results. However, we are concerned about the company’s higher structural and commodity costs. We are also disappointed with the company’s Financial Services segment results.
As a result, the company retains a Zacks #3 Rank on its stock, which translated to a short-term (1 to 3 months) rating of Hold. Consequently, we reiterate our long-term recommendation of Neutral for the long term (more than 6 months).
We eagerly wait to see Ford’s arch rival, General Motors' (GM - Analyst Report) performance in the quarter with the release of its results on August 4, 2011.
Here is an interesting piece regarding weather forecasting. I would LOVE Charlie's thoughts on this. It sounds complex but it's an interesting service that IBM has provided. Looks like the jury is out on how precise the results are to implement the output data effectively in business decisions that directly correlate to weather conditions.
IBM is developing a dynamic, weather modeling program called “Deep Thunder” to enable actionable local weather forecasts for the private sector. Deep Thunder couples high-resolution weather forecasts with business processes to enhance operational planning and facilitate efficient and effective decision making processes. Or, as IBM puts it: “It is not about weather but integrating forecasts into decision making to optimize business processes.”
Absolutely. Ford is the only REAL USA auto company that sucked it up and led the transition WITHOUT OBAMA CARE!
I'll bet you can get it for around 11-12 in a few months. I firmly believe the rest of Q3 will drive stock prices lower considering the current and near-future climate, as well as the Ford financial drivers themselves. Competition from Korea and Japan (incentives) will give some indication by September.
Is it safe to say earnings are running better than you expected? it's the frickin debt ceiling holding us off of a 2-3% rise in the market this week IMO.
Yes, the Reid plan has problems. But, let's face it... if Republicans can't put together a comprehensive and successful package soon, the question will be whether or not they are willing to accept the Reid plan or something very similar... or would the Republicans allow the deadline to expire without compromising?
If the Republicans allow the deadline to expire, I will be soooooo disappointed in them. And, from a political perspective, it will look VERY bad for the Republicans, no matter how they try to spin it to the media.
Even with its problems, there are NO TAX increases in Reid's package already on the table for the Republicans to approve. Now, I am not saying they shouldn't massage this plan and try to come up with some more serious spending cuts, but if they can't get that done before the deadline, I would place the blame squarely on the Republicans at that point... and I imagine many Americans would as well. Additionally, the media would fry the Republicans... and rightly so.
IMO - they should take the Reid plan. In fact I'd take it now and move on. I'd just make sure the language makes it clear that no replacement costs can be made to the war savings unless they are national emergency and I'd say let's find a real $200mln instead of potential interest savings. Time to heal.
I am about as unimpressed as i could be with Obama on all this. Reid comes out great and a voice of reason. I like him.
Agree. I think we would have broken into 13K territory on the Dow... had it not been for our inept "leaders" dragging their feet and showing the whole world just how incompetent they truly are.
> But last night Obama was so deceiving in his talk.
Yes indeed. Total misrepresentations in his campaign speech.
GW Bush would never have misrepresented things in such a manner. He wouldn't have used precious Presidential prerogative of a prime time request in the first place.
And he wouldn't keep trying to compare himself to President Ronald Reagan, who wouldn't even take his suit coat off in the Oval Office, he so respected the responsibilities of the Presidency.
I am kind of curious. What makes raising the debt ceiling this time any less of a failure in leadership, than in 2006? Or why did Congress want to raise the debt ceiling in 1997 when Bill Clinton vetoed it. The bar was not raised for 5 more years. Seems they had to cut spending, if they did not raise the limit. If it is the fact that the more debt we have the higher the interest payments we owe, when would be a good time to call a halt to the madness? I say stop it now. Not in 6 months or a year and a half. Or are all the folks involved worried about the next election more than their grandkids? I would vote for my grandkids. NO MORE INCREASES IN THE DEBT. Cut entitlements, cut military, and get rid of half a dozen or more worthless agencies. Starting with the worthless Dept of Education.
Yes I believe the czars are on very shaky constitutional ground as well. For a socalled environmental President, he had no problem cutting the EPA budget by 13% this year. That would be a good starting point across the board. DHS has proven themselves nearly worthless so maybe 25% cut would be good. Top of the list would be the Justice dept. $28 billion for DOJ programs like Fast and Furious. I can see about 50% I would cut in that dept. The list is literally endless.
there are loads of new agencies, boards, cabinets, that BO has added for his Czars.
It's all a symptom of one of the major ideological differences between the parties. Democrats generally favor a larger and growing government... one that also places itself in the role of babysitter and overseer of all things... They favor high taxation and regulations for everything... they want everything to be "fair" to the point that nothing is fair at all... such as reverse discrimination, complicated and indexed taxes, and even how much salt a restaurant can put in their food. It's "big brother" but it's supposed to be a fair-minded big brother. In the end, it's less freedom.
Republicans generally favor smaller government, and prefer less regulations over everything. That leaves people more independent, and without the government babysitting and slapping them on the wrist for everything that isn't "fair". It's not lawless, but there is more freedom.
But, in a free society, even with its laws, when there are "problems" or "unfairness" within the society, there are always Democrats to start screaming for more regulations to combat it... and the next thing you know there is another agency, board, cabinet, and czar. And more revenues are required to fund the growing government entity, and it goes on and on and on. The Democrats then start spending more and more and more, and pressing for more and more taxes... supposedly on the "rich", but in reality, they want to tax the middle class into oblivion, and the result will be the wealthy and powerful that pay almost all of the taxes, and the working class that hardly pays any, and/or receives entitlements.
There is no perfect solution. But, when it comes to the whole ideology of bigger government versus smaller government, my vote goes to smaller government.
>one that also places itself in the role of babysitter and overseer of all things...
After Boehner's and Obama's speeches last night, MSNBC had a couple talking heads chatting about the awful possibilities that the social security checks might not go out (not real). One talking head said that the government need to "take care" of people.
Exactly what you were saying.
On the other hand, in Ohio the governor has made cuts to employees of state government and other public employees by cutting the amounts those agencies get. Those employees and their spending have been a factor in supporting many local economies. He has round criticized them and placed a Scarlet Letter "P" on their forheads, but the spending by them and retirees in Ohio has kept the economy going.
The growth in federal government is the only growth we've had in this country. The new jobs are mostly jobs there.
I am nervous about the future several months and what will happen in the economy and the stock market.
IMO - they should take the Reid plan. In fact I'd take it now and move on. I'd just make sure the language makes it clear that no replacement costs can be made to the war savings unless they are national emergency and I'd say let's find a real $200mln instead of potential interest savings. Time to heal.
Well, since you, TM, and I agree on this, it's a done deal . What are they waiting for?
And, I agree that the Dow would have reached over 13,000 if it were not for this debt ceiling mess. IF there a debt ceiling deal in the next few days, I still think that the market will start to sky-rocket.
"Republicans generally favor smaller government, and prefer less regulations over everything. That leaves people more independent, and without the government babysitting and slapping them on the wrist for everything that isn't "fair". It's not lawless, but there is more freedom. "
Has this ever existed in any venue not just on paper? It seems more theory than reality to my eyes. Republican regimes in my lifetime haven't exactly been fiscally conservative, and the social conservatism often goes against independence at the same time.
I would LOVE Charlie's thoughts on this. It sounds complex but it's an interesting service that IBM has provided.
I was skeptical about the accuracy of this model and after reading the article my skepticism is justified. My company has been using various models to more accurately forecast winds in wind farms in IA for power generation. Trust me, it is exceedingly difficult to be SO accurate in the microscale.
This is no excuse for my not buying IBM when you were recommending it though . I came very close to pulling the trigger on several occasions and I did not. I have been so "married" to AAPL that I have pretty much forgotten about many other stocks. At this point AAPL is paying off.
This is no excuse for my not buying IBM when you were recommending it though . I came very close to pulling the trigger on several occasions and I did not. I have been so "married" to AAPL that I have pretty much forgotten about many other stocks. At this point AAPL is paying off.
Let me put that in a little perspective. I have shifted the number of shares I own of IBM and AAPL around a little, but they have been fairly similar. Currently, after the latest weeding and pruning and fertilizing, I own 400 shares of each. That's all. But as of today... so far, AAPL has given me a return that is TWENTY TIMES as much as IBM. Need I say more?
The only other stock that is as amazing in my portfolio is BIDU. GOOG would also be amazing, but I don't own enough shares, which I may change on a dip.
I am a little surprised at you and Tag for wanting to accept the Reid plan. I am all for compromise, but this plan will not keep our credit rating from being downgraded, and neither would the Boehner plan.
If we get downgraded a good case could be made that the only viable solution would be massive tax increases. Is it possible that this is what many of our politicians want?
More real cuts in the Reid plan might do the trick but right now the only plan that would keep us from a downgrade is the original Cut, Cap, and Balance plan. Again, I am all for compromise but there just does not seem to be any middle ground here.
I am a little surprised at you and Tag for wanting to accept the Reid plan.
Len said he wanted to accept it now.
I said I wanted the Republicans to accept it if they can't come up with anything better before the deadline. I think the Reid plan is better than default.
I have been hanging in there through all of us, but I did sell some positions this morning, and then repurchased some of the same stocks at a lower price. For example, I sold my 400 AAPL shares, and then repurchased them for less than I sold them. I hope that is a good idea because even though it rings the register, it also changes the original base to a new base.
After watching a lot of interviews from a lot of sources, there is NO doubt in my mind that the Tea Party is holding America hostage. There would have been a debt ceiling deal by now if it were not for these scums of the earth. They say no to every tiny bit of compromise attempt and the Republican Party in general has been afraid to rock the boat so far.
...there is NO doubt in my mind that the Tea Party is holding America hostage. There would have been a debt ceiling deal by now if it were not for these scums of the earth...
IMO, the biggest problem seems to be that they are NOT willing to compromise. That's a character flaw.
I am rearranging a lot of stuff here. I like AAPL, BIDU, AMZN, and GOOG... and these prices are now more attractive. More opportunities might present themselves in days ahead.
>IMO, the biggest problem seems to be that they are NOT willing to compromise.
The Reid plan was noted this morning to be a 12-year plan rather than a 10-year plan by CBO. Most of the smaller than advertised savings are in the last 2 years. By that time, congress (dems and repubs) will have wiggled out of anything meaningful from it.
The Republicans have been negotiating against themselves. Osama has never put out HIS plan. He would just sitting kvetching about the plans of the republicans, and changing the goal post on the day Boehner gave up on Obama.showing leadership.
It is time for some compromise. I find the democrats have done little meaningful toward effecting said compromise. When Cap, Cut, and Balance was to come out the democrats on the committee had distracted attention from it by loudly touting the Reid so-called plan. Not very honest was it.
Our only hope is a balanced budget amendment. We have it in Ohio. The governor and republicans passed a budget with lots of cutbacks. However, the federal government in some people's eyes isn't supposed to ever quit "giving" people more than they can afford.
Just wait until ObamaCare starts adding on the trillions in 2014 with all the costs that were in other bills so the CBO didn't score them: it just scored the main bill. I am surprised the markets aren't looking forward to that cost debacle.
While officials from the Obama Administration raised their rhetoric over the weekend about the possibility of a debt default if the debt ceiling isn't raised, they privately have been telling top executives at major U.S. banks that such an event won’t happen, FOX Business has learned.
I am out of most of my other holdings in order to free up $$ in order to buy more AAPL. It will represent the best upside potential and to get through the mess we are in. I am buying with every dip, and saving $$ for later in the week.
It is not just the Tea Party that are skeptical of the Reid plan. I hope the GOP members in Congress read about the screwin' Reagan got by Tip O'Neill when he trusted him on the tax increase bill.
Dem lawmaker: 'Nobody I know' has seen Reid plan By Alicia M. Cohn - 07/27/11 11:23 AM ET
A House Democrat indicated Wednesday that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) might not have party members' votes locked down for his deficit proposal.
"I'm not going to commit to something that nobody I know has seen and had a chance to analyze," Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) said. "I want to see it."
Speaker John Boehner's (R-Ohio) deficit proposal was met with division within his party on Monday, resulting in speculation that Boehner's two-step plan does not have enough Republican support to pass the House, much less the Senate, where Reid said Boehner's plan would be "dead on arrival."
But Blumenauer said that few Democrats have had a chance to sign onto Reid's alternative measure. "I had dinner with one of my friends who is a senator last night, who was saying they're really interested in seeing the details," he said on CSPAN's "Washington Journal" program. "They haven't seen the details yet."
Getting excited about the Reid plan is premature. We are talking about adding $2.4 TRILLION more debt. We may have already passed up Greece's debt and are homing in on Zimbabwe.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Even as House Republican leaders work to retool their deficit reduction package, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says the plan will not get a single Democratic vote in the Senate, dooming it to fail.
Speaking at a Wednesday press conference, Reid would not say when he planned to bring his own bill up for a vote :mad:
Why should they give the Boehner plan one vote when even a lot of Republicans don't like it? The proof is in the pudding. Besides, as I stated before, this plan would require us to be in the same mess 6 months from now. That's outright stupid and not because it would favor Obama's chances for re-election. The markets would also hate such a plan. At this point, I don't care if Obama gets re-elected or not, just as long as we have a decent plan going forward.
On the other hand, even Larry Cudlow came out in support of the Reid plan last night. You can spin it anyway you want to but I reiterate that the Tea Party is holding us hostage. I repeat: They are the scums of the earth. The Republican Party better hope that a Michelle Bachmann type does not emerge as the winner for their Party. If so, it would be the biggest landslide victory in history for the Dems.
Perhaps, now that the market has tanked on real fears that the debt ceiling mess may not get straightened out by August 2, Congress will get serious a find a real quick solution. If not I thing we are all doomed.
IBM down .69%....AAPL down 2.6% almost 4 times as much in 1 day!
Of course, IBM will never return the gains of this white-hot performer. It is a bellwether instead for corporate performance in the IT sector. But I'll wager it hits 200 no problem by next year. Not terrific but nice!
We are not all going to be doomed. Eventually there will be action taken to curb spending and rewrite our insane tax code.
But, now you see what wreckless spending and unfair taxation can do. It attracts extremists into the picture... like Michele (strange, but spelled w/ one "L", BTW) Bachmann.
There MUST be efforts by our president, ANY PRESIDENT, Democrat or Republican, to balance our budget and to reform our complicated and unfair tax code.
If these things aren't done soon... then the outrage will only get worse... which will encourage more extreme reactions... which will result in our process of government being hijacked by political extremists.
We already see the proof. I can't stress this enough. The policies of tax and spend MUST be fixed... even if you agree with them, you will see that they will cause worse damage than you can possibly imagine because they will invite more extremism into the picture.
On the other hand, even Larry Cudlow came out in support of the Reid plan last night. You can spin it anyway you want to but I reiterate that the Tea Party is holding us hostage. I repeat: They are the scums of the earth.
I have not been to a Tea Party Rally or even watched one on TV. But I feel the same way about the President and the Democrats in Congress as you feel about the Tea Party folks. The TP candidates would not have swept the House and taken Harry's filibuster proof Senate away if not for the horrible first two years of Obama's Presidency. By not compromising with the folks that now control the House the Democrats are telling the American people, we don't care what you think. If they keep it up and cause the country to go into default, 2012 will have a House, Senate and Presidency that all look like a Tea Party. If the election was today, Obama would likely lose to Bachmann or Palin. He is acting like a spoiled brat that has to have it his way. Far and away the worst president in our history.
If the election was today, Obama would likely lose to Bachmann or Palin.
I believe you are grossly mistaken here. I could run for President and beat out Bachmann or Palin . Have you been paying attention the recent polls (any poll) lately? Just on this debt ceiling issue alone, something like 67% blame the Republicans.
I don't agree with everything the Tea Party says but they are not "the scum if the earth" by far. Unlike the rigid Dems. like B.O. who have a lot to gain with maintaining their stubbornness, the Tea Party serves as a conscience against this runaway train of unsustainable spending that the pandering Dems. are doing to maintain their special interests.
I think as far as the President's popularity, you are not getting out in public enough. Just for a test this morning I wore my McCain/Palin T-Shirt to WalMart. I got two thumbs up and not a single frown or negative comment. I think most Americans feel decieved by Obama. On the Left, Far Left and in the middle.
I DO think that the T.P. must compromise on taxation, such as billionaires while the the Dems. will have to compromise on spending, and not the hypothetical pseudo cuts of the Reid proposal.
I would love to see the Billionaires pay their share. Has not happened in the past. Not likely to happen now. You can pass laws, but have to enforce the laws. Look at what Soros announced today. He will be making his Quantum Hedge Fund a family only fund to avoid SEC laws. I have no problem if they kick up the percentage a bit on those making the really big bucks. I go along with most here that see that amount as income over $750k per year. I don't think the TP would object to that. They just want to see cuts in spending and sanity brought back to the Federal Government. The current level of spending is insane and NOT creating private sector jobs.
>recent polls (any poll) lately? Just on this debt ceiling issue alone, something like 67% blame the Republicans.
Are those polls of a balanced sample of likely voters?
Some polls choose a biased base of people and then pretend their results are meaningful; they are done just to back up the political opinion of the media group, network, newspaper, etc.
There is little doubt that the policies of this president have caused the invasion of the Tea Party. And the more out-of-whack things get and the longer it continues, the more we can expect the extremists and radicals to flock to the scene.
That said... at THIS point there is no way that Palin or Bachmann could win, but consider that Palin, and especially Bachmann ARE IN FACT IN POSITIONS OF INFLUENCE. You really should understand the reasons they are where they are. That's what worries me. Obama and his policies are an invitation to those kinds of extreme over-reactions... but they can NOT be ignored... or else it will get worse,
To a very large extent, Obama and his policies are inadvertently the cause of the increasing influence of the Tea Party.
At this point, the Republicans are being overly influenced by the Tea Party and I can't understand why they would do that. Very stupid. I am a Republican, but I would never endorse turning this situation into a political battle like this and I would never endorse sacrificing the country just to satisfy a handful of extremists.
None of this makes much sense to me. Apparently Obama knew our credit rating was in danger as far back as March of this year...and did nothing but spend and borrow more.
Charlie is right about one thing, if it wasn't for the TP the debt ceiling would have been raised with little fuss and we would have gone merrily on our way to bankruptcy.
I can't seem to get this mantra out of my head: debt, default, downgrade, democrats !
At this point, the Republicans are being overly influenced by the Tea Party and I can't understand why they would do that. Very stupid. I am a Republican, but I would never endorse turning this situation into a political battle like this and I would never endorse sacrificing the country just to satisfy a handful of extremists.
That has been exactly my point as well. I don't know if you read my post from earlier this afternoon, but I said at this point I don't care if Obama gets re-elected. Let's get a sensible (compromising) deal done. Having said that I don't care if he gets re-elected, however, does not mean that a Tea Party candidate can win. There is no chance in hell of that happening. I could live with a moderate Republican.
I think that is a way to put us in a box. If you are conservative you must be part of the Tea Party or a Rush listener. I am neither of those. And would feel offended if I had not spent much of my 37 years in the Alaska Teamsters debating the fallacies of Liberal ideology. AK Teamsters were married to the Democrat Party. So our PAC meetings were always interesting. There were enough of us that shared conservative views to get our point across from time to time. The social entitlement mindset is hard to overcome.
This whole current debate on the debt ceiling is the Democrats thinking they still have total control of the Federal Government. They had it for two years and screwed it up so bad that we are now in a near meltdown condition. Time for the adults to take over and force the children to eat their PEAS.
I thought there was no chance in hell that a previous no name, unqualified person could become president and look what happened: people hated Bush and his policies so much they brought it to fruition :confuse: .
I'm waiting for the poster to retract calling me a Tea Party member and telling me I should be one: "Perhaps you are a Tea Party member, but if not, I suggest you join them."
Then there's the Rush allusion: There are a couple of posters above (will not name names) that very much remind me of Rush Limbaugh and I cannot stand that guy."
I don't need to retract anything since you have all the characteristics of the far right. And that is your "right".
Comments
TM
This is sort of like discussing politics with my wife's step son from Greece. He would bring a bottle of Ouzo and we would go at it. My wife heads for the other room. He is far left being part of the failed Greek Government. Of course it is no secret I lean slightly right of center. :shades:
My point is we are close to the same collapse as Greece. It is Liberal policies that you seem to believe in that have caused that country to land in a bankrupt condition.
My hope is civility wins out.
usp = upsidepotential
dsr = downsiderisk
We appreciate Ford’s product plans and debt reduction strategy. The benefits from these strategies have already been reflected in the company’s results. However, we are concerned about the company’s higher structural and commodity costs. We are also disappointed with the company’s Financial Services segment results.
As a result, the company retains a Zacks #3 Rank on its stock, which translated to a short-term (1 to 3 months) rating of Hold. Consequently, we reiterate our long-term recommendation of Neutral for the long term (more than 6 months).
We eagerly wait to see Ford’s arch rival, General Motors' (GM - Analyst Report) performance in the quarter with the release of its results on August 4, 2011.
F Beats but Down YoY
Regards,
OW
Thank you.
All true, and very valuable... but when the price drops enough, it becomes compelling, don't you agree? Let's see how it pans out.
TM
IBM is developing a dynamic, weather modeling program called “Deep Thunder” to enable actionable local weather forecasts for the private sector. Deep Thunder couples high-resolution weather forecasts with business processes to enhance operational planning and facilitate efficient and effective decision making processes. Or, as IBM puts it: “It is not about weather but integrating forecasts into decision making to optimize business processes.”
The Case of Deep Thunder
Regards,
OW
I'll bet you can get it for around 11-12 in a few months. I firmly believe the rest of Q3 will drive stock prices lower considering the current and near-future climate, as well as the Ford financial drivers themselves. Competition from Korea and Japan (incentives) will give some indication by September.
Regards,
OW
If the Republicans allow the deadline to expire, I will be soooooo disappointed in them. And, from a political perspective, it will look VERY bad for the Republicans, no matter how they try to spin it to the media.
Even with its problems, there are NO TAX increases in Reid's package already on the table for the Republicans to approve. Now, I am not saying they shouldn't massage this plan and try to come up with some more serious spending cuts, but if they can't get that done before the deadline, I would place the blame squarely on the Republicans at that point... and I imagine many Americans would as well. Additionally, the media would fry the Republicans... and rightly so.
TM
I am about as unimpressed as i could be with Obama on all this. Reid comes out great and a voice of reason. I like him.
TM
Yes indeed. Total misrepresentations in his campaign speech.
GW Bush would never have misrepresented things in such a manner. He wouldn't have used precious Presidential prerogative of a prime time request in the first place.
And he wouldn't keep trying to compare himself to President Ronald Reagan, who wouldn't even take his suit coat off in the Oval Office, he so respected the responsibilities of the Presidency.
It's shameful.
It is hurting our country.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Amen Bro. And there are loads of new agencies, boards, cabinets, that BO has added for his Czars.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Top of the list would be the Justice dept. $28 billion for DOJ programs like Fast and Furious. I can see about 50% I would cut in that dept. The list is literally endless.
It's all a symptom of one of the major ideological differences between the parties. Democrats generally favor a larger and growing government... one that also places itself in the role of babysitter and overseer of all things... They favor high taxation and regulations for everything... they want everything to be "fair" to the point that nothing is fair at all... such as reverse discrimination, complicated and indexed taxes, and even how much salt a restaurant can put in their food. It's "big brother" but it's supposed to be a fair-minded big brother. In the end, it's less freedom.
Republicans generally favor smaller government, and prefer less regulations over everything. That leaves people more independent, and without the government babysitting and slapping them on the wrist for everything that isn't "fair". It's not lawless, but there is more freedom.
But, in a free society, even with its laws, when there are "problems" or "unfairness" within the society, there are always Democrats to start screaming for more regulations to combat it... and the next thing you know there is another agency, board, cabinet, and czar. And more revenues are required to fund the growing government entity, and it goes on and on and on. The Democrats then start spending more and more and more, and pressing for more and more taxes... supposedly on the "rich", but in reality, they want to tax the middle class into oblivion, and the result will be the wealthy and powerful that pay almost all of the taxes, and the working class that hardly pays any, and/or receives entitlements.
There is no perfect solution. But, when it comes to the whole ideology of bigger government versus smaller government, my vote goes to smaller government.
TM
After Boehner's and Obama's speeches last night, MSNBC had a couple talking heads chatting about the awful possibilities that the social security checks might not go out (not real). One talking head said that the government need to "take care" of people.
Exactly what you were saying.
On the other hand, in Ohio the governor has made cuts to employees of state government and other public employees by cutting the amounts those agencies get. Those employees and their spending have been a factor in supporting many local economies. He has round criticized them and placed a Scarlet Letter "P" on their forheads, but the spending by them and retirees in Ohio has kept the economy going.
The growth in federal government is the only growth we've had in this country. The new jobs are mostly jobs there.
I am nervous about the future several months and what will happen in the economy and the stock market.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Well, since you, TM, and I agree on this, it's a done deal
And, I agree that the Dow would have reached over 13,000 if it were not for this debt ceiling mess. IF there a debt ceiling deal in the next few days, I still think that the market will start to sky-rocket.
Has this ever existed in any venue not just on paper? It seems more theory than reality to my eyes. Republican regimes in my lifetime haven't exactly been fiscally conservative, and the social conservatism often goes against independence at the same time.
I was skeptical about the accuracy of this model and after reading the article my skepticism is justified. My company has been using various models to more accurately forecast winds in wind farms in IA for power generation. Trust me, it is exceedingly difficult to be SO accurate in the microscale.
This is no excuse for my not buying IBM when you were recommending it though
Let me put that in a little perspective. I have shifted the number of shares I own of IBM and AAPL around a little, but they have been fairly similar. Currently, after the latest weeding and pruning and fertilizing, I own 400 shares of each. That's all. But as of today... so far, AAPL has given me a return that is TWENTY TIMES as much as IBM. Need I say more?
The only other stock that is as amazing in my portfolio is BIDU. GOOG would also be amazing, but I don't own enough shares, which I may change on a dip.
TM
If we get downgraded a good case could be made that the only viable solution would be massive tax increases. Is it possible that this is what many of our politicians want?
More real cuts in the Reid plan might do the trick but right now the only plan that would keep us from a downgrade is the original Cut, Cap, and Balance plan. Again, I am all for compromise but there just does not seem to be any middle ground here.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Len said he wanted to accept it now.
I said I wanted the Republicans to accept it if they can't come up with anything better before the deadline. I think the Reid plan is better than default.
TM
TM
IMO, the biggest problem seems to be that they are NOT willing to compromise. That's a character flaw.
TM
TM
Exactly right!
The Reid plan was noted this morning to be a 12-year plan rather than a 10-year plan by CBO. Most of the smaller than advertised savings are in the last 2 years. By that time, congress (dems and repubs) will have wiggled out of anything meaningful from it.
The Republicans have been negotiating against themselves. Osama has never put out HIS plan. He would just sitting kvetching about the plans of the republicans, and changing the goal post on the day Boehner gave up on Obama.showing leadership.
It is time for some compromise. I find the democrats have done little meaningful toward effecting said compromise. When Cap, Cut, and Balance was to come out the democrats on the committee had distracted attention from it by loudly touting the Reid so-called plan. Not very honest was it.
Our only hope is a balanced budget amendment. We have it in Ohio. The governor and republicans passed a budget with lots of cutbacks. However, the federal government in some people's eyes isn't supposed to ever quit "giving" people more than they can afford.
Just wait until ObamaCare starts adding on the trillions in 2014 with all the costs that were in other bills so the CBO didn't score them: it just scored the main bill. I am surprised the markets aren't looking forward to that cost debacle.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
While officials from the Obama Administration raised their rhetoric over the weekend about the possibility of a debt default if the debt ceiling isn't raised, they privately have been telling top executives at major U.S. banks that such an event won’t happen, FOX Business has learned.
Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2011/07/25/obama-to-banks-were-not-defaulting- /#ixzz1TKCoiG2P
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
TM
Dem lawmaker: 'Nobody I know' has seen Reid plan
By Alicia M. Cohn - 07/27/11 11:23 AM ET
A House Democrat indicated Wednesday that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) might not have party members' votes locked down for his deficit proposal.
"I'm not going to commit to something that nobody I know has seen and had a chance to analyze," Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) said. "I want to see it."
Speaker John Boehner's (R-Ohio) deficit proposal was met with division within his party on Monday, resulting in speculation that Boehner's two-step plan does not have enough Republican support to pass the House, much less the Senate, where Reid said Boehner's plan would be "dead on arrival."
But Blumenauer said that few Democrats have had a chance to sign onto Reid's alternative measure. "I had dinner with one of my friends who is a senator last night, who was saying they're really interested in seeing the details," he said on CSPAN's "Washington Journal" program. "They haven't seen the details yet."
Not yet folks
Getting excited about the Reid plan is premature. We are talking about adding $2.4 TRILLION more debt. We may have already passed up Greece's debt and are homing in on Zimbabwe.
Speaking at a Wednesday press conference, Reid would not say when he planned to bring his own bill up for a vote :mad:
On the other hand, even Larry Cudlow came out in support of the Reid plan last night. You can spin it anyway you want to but I reiterate that the Tea Party is holding us hostage. I repeat: They are the scums of the earth. The Republican Party better hope that a Michelle Bachmann type does not emerge as the winner for their Party. If so, it would be the biggest landslide victory in history for the Dems.
Perhaps, now that the market has tanked on real fears that the debt ceiling mess may not get straightened out by August 2, Congress will get serious a find a real quick solution. If not I thing we are all doomed.
IBM down .69%....AAPL down 2.6% almost 4 times as much in 1 day!
Of course, IBM will never return the gains of this white-hot performer. It is a bellwether instead for corporate performance in the IT sector. But I'll wager it hits 200 no problem by next year. Not terrific but nice!
Regards,
OW
TM
We are not all going to be doomed. Eventually there will be action taken to curb spending and rewrite our insane tax code.
But, now you see what wreckless spending and unfair taxation can do. It attracts extremists into the picture... like Michele (strange, but spelled w/ one "L", BTW) Bachmann.
There MUST be efforts by our president, ANY PRESIDENT, Democrat or Republican, to balance our budget and to reform our complicated and unfair tax code.
If these things aren't done soon... then the outrage will only get worse... which will encourage more extreme reactions... which will result in our process of government being hijacked by political extremists.
We already see the proof. I can't stress this enough. The policies of tax and spend MUST be fixed... even if you agree with them, you will see that they will cause worse damage than you can possibly imagine because they will invite more extremism into the picture.
TM
I have not been to a Tea Party Rally or even watched one on TV. But I feel the same way about the President and the Democrats in Congress as you feel about the Tea Party folks. The TP candidates would not have swept the House and taken Harry's filibuster proof Senate away if not for the horrible first two years of Obama's Presidency. By not compromising with the folks that now control the House the Democrats are telling the American people, we don't care what you think. If they keep it up and cause the country to go into default, 2012 will have a House, Senate and Presidency that all look like a Tea Party. If the election was today, Obama would likely lose to Bachmann or Palin. He is acting like a spoiled brat that has to have it his way. Far and away the worst president in our history.
I believe you are grossly mistaken here. I could run for President and beat out Bachmann or Palin
Not sure who's poll you are referring to. WSJ has one going that has 42% blaming GOP, 33% blaming the Dems and 23% blaming both.
http://online.wsj.com/community/groups/question-day-229/topics/side-would-you-bl- ame-stalemate?commentid=2805207
I think as far as the President's popularity, you are not getting out in public enough. Just for a test this morning I wore my McCain/Palin T-Shirt to WalMart. I got two thumbs up and not a single frown or negative comment. I think most Americans feel decieved by Obama. On the Left, Far Left and in the middle.
http://nationaljournal.com/columns/against-the-grain/obama-s-battleground-state-- blues-20110726
Nor have I. Never been to any of the several rallys in the area! Even had someone here call me a Tea Party member and Rush lover.
I'm waiting for the OP to retract calling me a Tea Party member and telling me I should be one: "Perhaps you are a Tea Party member, but if not, I suggest you join them."
I'm a registered democrat. And I want to see us quit this excessive spending which will only get worse in 2014 with ObamaCare and the costs thereof.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Are those polls of a balanced sample of likely voters?
Some polls choose a biased base of people and then pretend their results are meaningful; they are done just to back up the political opinion of the media group, network, newspaper, etc.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
There is little doubt that the policies of this president have caused the invasion of the Tea Party. And the more out-of-whack things get and the longer it continues, the more we can expect the extremists and radicals to flock to the scene.
That said... at THIS point there is no way that Palin or Bachmann could win, but consider that Palin, and especially Bachmann ARE IN FACT IN POSITIONS OF INFLUENCE. You really should understand the reasons they are where they are. That's what worries me. Obama and his policies are an invitation to those kinds of extreme over-reactions... but they can NOT be ignored... or else it will get worse,
To a very large extent, Obama and his policies are inadvertently the cause of the increasing influence of the Tea Party.
At this point, the Republicans are being overly influenced by the Tea Party and I can't understand why they would do that. Very stupid. I am a Republican, but I would never endorse turning this situation into a political battle like this and I would never endorse sacrificing the country just to satisfy a handful of extremists.
TM
Charlie is right about one thing, if it wasn't for the TP the debt ceiling would have been raised with little fuss and we would have gone merrily on our way to bankruptcy.
I can't seem to get this mantra out of my head: debt, default, downgrade, democrats !
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
That has been exactly my point as well. I don't know if you read my post from earlier this afternoon, but I said at this point I don't care if Obama gets re-elected. Let's get a sensible (compromising) deal done. Having said that I don't care if he gets re-elected, however, does not mean that a Tea Party candidate can win. There is no chance in hell of that happening. I could live with a moderate Republican.
This whole current debate on the debt ceiling is the Democrats thinking they still have total control of the Federal Government. They had it for two years and screwed it up so bad that we are now in a near meltdown condition. Time for the adults to take over and force the children to eat their PEAS.
Then there's the Rush allusion: There are a couple of posters above (will not name names) that very much remind me of Rush Limbaugh and I cannot stand that guy."
I don't need to retract anything since you have all the characteristics of the far right. And that is your "right".