Plenty of economists agree with Paul Krugman that today’s S&P downgrade is “no big deal,” citing Japanese long-term interest rates that stayed low even after the country was downgraded in 2002. Show of hands: How many people want the fate of the U.S. over the next nine years to approach the fate of Japan over the previous nine years? [View news story]
Krugman, is irrelevant and usually wrong. Do the opposite and you will be winning!
Rep. Barney Frank - the Frank in "Dodd-Frank" - held a Wall Street fundraiser yesterday, less than a year after authoring a sweeping crackdown on the financial industry. Some bankers saw it as a striking display of chutzpah, even by Wall Street standards, but most were not about to miss the chance to hobnob with - and donate to - one of Wall Street’s top cops. [View news story]
Frank = "one of Wall Street’s top cops". And we wonder why this country is in the mess it is in?
President Obama will lay out yet another plan for trying to spark some life back into the economy when he gives his State of the Union address on Tuesday. The program includes investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, clean energy and education. But as with countless proposals in the past, any new spending plans are likely to hit strong opposition from Republicans, who would probably prefer to hear about cuts and deficit reduction. [View news story]
Someone needs to tell Obama it isn't his money, he has been living and using OPM his whole existence.
Some economists say investors might come to see the S&P warning in a positive light if it prods Congress to focus on delivering real deficit reduction. But as Democrats and Republicans both claim the S&P decision validates their respective policies, compromise might actually become more difficult. [View news story]
Both sides are bought and paid for by lobbyists and wallstreet goons. They have no real interests in reducing the deficit, only serving thier keepers. Someone needs to tell them they work for us, not the other way around.
Is Sheryl Sandberg plotting a departure from Facebook (FB)? In a column discussing Lean In, the COO's upcoming book on women in the workplace, the NYT's Jodi Kantor notes speculation about "whether Lean In is the first step toward a new career for [Sandberg], perhaps in politics." New York's Kevin Roose, observing Sandberg has succeeded in her goal of turning Facebook from a hot startup into an online ad giant: "I predict she will leave Facebook within the next year. In fact, I think she would be crazy not to." [View news story]
Great, just what our country needs another progressive hack.
David Kotok is happy to fade Meredith Whitney's bet against municipal debt. An improving economy has state and local revenues on the rise at the same time budgets are being cut, writes Kotok. "We're going to dig in our heels on the other side." [View news story]
What improving economy? All smoke and mirrors, any increase in revenues to the federal govt and states will be short lived.
Fed policy has pumped up the stock market and allowed companies to borrow money at low rates, but few others enjoy benefits, so many economists view QE2 as a disappointment. But Ryan Avent thinks the program has been mostly a success: "Growth in the first quarter is disappointing, it’s true. Without QE2 it would be more disappointing still, and very probably negative." [View news story]
At least we would be off the crack, and long term better for it.
After his pompous declaration that there's "no risk" the U.S. will lose its AAA credit rating and other statements, Geithner has downgraded his own credibility to "junk," Jonathan Weil writes. "The problem for leaders who make indefensible claims like this one is that, after a while, nobody knows whether to believe anything they say." [View news story]
MMM, "after a while, nobody knows whether to believe anything they say." Anybody that even for a minute embraces what these shills and hacks say might even be remotley true is just sick. Honestly this country is doomed if these creeps are the best our country has to lead it. And when was Geithner even considered even somewhat credible? Not in my lifetime that is for sure. Honestly the American people deserve better than this, WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!
Fisker Automotive, the struggling government-backed hybrid sports car maker, terminates 75% of its staff in what sources said was a last-ditch effort to conserve cash and stave off a potential bankruptcy filing. The company, which raised $1.2B from investors and tapped nearly $200M in government loans, has only around $30M in cash remaining. About 160 workers were fired at a Friday morning meeting at its Anaheim, Calif., headquarters, and were told that the company couldn't afford to give them severance payments. [View news story]
Tim Geithner has informed the president of his intention to stay on as Treasury Secretary. As the only remaining member of Obama's original senior economic team in a very difficult period, it raises the question whether he is staying because he wants to - or because no one else can be found for the job. [View news story]
Bozo, Dumbo, Pinnochio, elmer fudd, daffy duck, take your pick. I personally think yosemitte sam would be more than qualified with regard to the current measuring stick they are using in washington. Oh i almost forgot foghorn leghorn. They are all more qualified. Oh wait non of them are crooks.
"Not since 2008 have federal officials and bankers been so clearly aligned in their push for the same policies," goes a NYT article describing the concerted effort by the financial industry to get debt ceiling legislation passed. "Everyone was on the same page," says a power broker, describing a recent meeting of lobbying honchos at the Treasury Department. [View news story]
Sad thing is the alignment of the Fed and Banksters are against what is best for America and its people.
House Majority leader Eric Cantor pulls out of budget talks led by VP Biden over a disagreement on taxes that will require the input of President Obama and Speaker Boehner to resolve. "We've reached the point where the dynamic needs to change," says Cantor. [View news story]
Regan, seemed to do quite well cutting taxes and spurring growth. 40-50 years of data? A lot of good this current administration is doing with the data. They are clueless and incompetent, period.
"Has any single human being, either directly or indirectly, cost the United States more money than Osama bin Laden?" Ezra Klein considers the direct effects on the economy from 9/11, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, enhanced security measures, high oil costs that may have started the credit bubble that led to the financial crisis... "we're talking about many trillions indeed." [View news story]
If I had my vote Bernanke and Geithner are right up there as costing our society trillions and reducing future standard of living.
The U.S. economy is in a bubble inflated by “phony money” from the Fed and will burst within a few years, David Stockman warns; when it bursts, the U.S. "will descend into an era of zero-sum austerity and virulent political conflict." Paul Krugman calls Stockman’s conclusions "pathetic and embarrassing... full of big numbers that are scary because they’re big numbers.” [View news story]
Blah, Blah, Blah. The biggest threat to the United States of America in the next 5, 10, 25 even 50 years from now is one thing. Liberalism / progressive movement, if they continue it gets much worse. If it subsides we will be fine. End of story, oh and Krugman lol what a Odumbo shill.
The U.S. government can push back a default a month or more after the Aug. 2 deadline set by the Treasury Department, Wells Fargo chief economist John Silvia says. The Fed and Treasury can work together to generate enough cash "probably for the next two or three months," adding credence to reports that the U.S. is telling big banks a default won't happen. (earlier: I, II) [View news story]
Just talked to Bernie Madoff, he was laughing uncontrollably. When I asked what was so funny, he replied Ponzi!!! Btw he was watching obama and reid speak on T.V. I asked him if he had any other comment? He stated I dont have anything on those crooks.
Plenty of economists agree with Paul Krugman that today’s S&P downgrade is “no big deal,” citing Japanese long-term interest rates that stayed low even after the country was downgraded in 2002. Show of hands: How many people want the fate of the U.S. over the next nine years to approach the fate of Japan over the previous nine years? [View news story]
Rep. Barney Frank - the Frank in "Dodd-Frank" - held a Wall Street fundraiser yesterday, less than a year after authoring a sweeping crackdown on the financial industry. Some bankers saw it as a striking display of chutzpah, even by Wall Street standards, but most were not about to miss the chance to hobnob with - and donate to - one of Wall Street’s top cops. [View news story]
President Obama will lay out yet another plan for trying to spark some life back into the economy when he gives his State of the Union address on Tuesday. The program includes investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, clean energy and education. But as with countless proposals in the past, any new spending plans are likely to hit strong opposition from Republicans, who would probably prefer to hear about cuts and deficit reduction. [View news story]
Some economists say investors might come to see the S&P warning in a positive light if it prods Congress to focus on delivering real deficit reduction. But as Democrats and Republicans both claim the S&P decision validates their respective policies, compromise might actually become more difficult. [View news story]
Is Sheryl Sandberg plotting a departure from Facebook (FB)? In a column discussing Lean In, the COO's upcoming book on women in the workplace, the NYT's Jodi Kantor notes speculation about "whether Lean In is the first step toward a new career for [Sandberg], perhaps in politics." New York's Kevin Roose, observing Sandberg has succeeded in her goal of turning Facebook from a hot startup into an online ad giant: "I predict she will leave Facebook within the next year. In fact, I think she would be crazy not to." [View news story]
David Kotok is happy to fade Meredith Whitney's bet against municipal debt. An improving economy has state and local revenues on the rise at the same time budgets are being cut, writes Kotok. "We're going to dig in our heels on the other side." [View news story]
Fed policy has pumped up the stock market and allowed companies to borrow money at low rates, but few others enjoy benefits, so many economists view QE2 as a disappointment. But Ryan Avent thinks the program has been mostly a success: "Growth in the first quarter is disappointing, it’s true. Without QE2 it would be more disappointing still, and very probably negative." [View news story]
After his pompous declaration that there's "no risk" the U.S. will lose its AAA credit rating and other statements, Geithner has downgraded his own credibility to "junk," Jonathan Weil writes. "The problem for leaders who make indefensible claims like this one is that, after a while, nobody knows whether to believe anything they say." [View news story]
Anybody that even for a minute embraces what these shills and hacks say might even be remotley true is just sick. Honestly this country is doomed if these creeps are the best our country has to lead it. And when was Geithner even considered even somewhat credible? Not in my lifetime that is for sure. Honestly the American people deserve better than this, WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!
Fisker Automotive, the struggling government-backed hybrid sports car maker, terminates 75% of its staff in what sources said was a last-ditch effort to conserve cash and stave off a potential bankruptcy filing. The company, which raised $1.2B from investors and tapped nearly $200M in government loans, has only around $30M in cash remaining. About 160 workers were fired at a Friday morning meeting at its Anaheim, Calif., headquarters, and were told that the company couldn't afford to give them severance payments. [View news story]
Tim Geithner has informed the president of his intention to stay on as Treasury Secretary. As the only remaining member of Obama's original senior economic team in a very difficult period, it raises the question whether he is staying because he wants to - or because no one else can be found for the job. [View news story]
"Not since 2008 have federal officials and bankers been so clearly aligned in their push for the same policies," goes a NYT article describing the concerted effort by the financial industry to get debt ceiling legislation passed. "Everyone was on the same page," says a power broker, describing a recent meeting of lobbying honchos at the Treasury Department. [View news story]
House Majority leader Eric Cantor pulls out of budget talks led by VP Biden over a disagreement on taxes that will require the input of President Obama and Speaker Boehner to resolve. "We've reached the point where the dynamic needs to change," says Cantor. [View news story]
"Has any single human being, either directly or indirectly, cost the United States more money than Osama bin Laden?" Ezra Klein considers the direct effects on the economy from 9/11, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, enhanced security measures, high oil costs that may have started the credit bubble that led to the financial crisis... "we're talking about many trillions indeed." [View news story]
The U.S. economy is in a bubble inflated by “phony money” from the Fed and will burst within a few years, David Stockman warns; when it bursts, the U.S. "will descend into an era of zero-sum austerity and virulent political conflict." Paul Krugman calls Stockman’s conclusions "pathetic and embarrassing... full of big numbers that are scary because they’re big numbers.” [View news story]
The U.S. government can push back a default a month or more after the Aug. 2 deadline set by the Treasury Department, Wells Fargo chief economist John Silvia says. The Fed and Treasury can work together to generate enough cash "probably for the next two or three months," adding credence to reports that the U.S. is telling big banks a default won't happen. (earlier: I, II) [View news story]