Tag Archives: 2012

Obama gas price facts August 6, 2012, Canadians embrace oil jobs, Canada unemployment rate falls to 7.2 percent, Canadians richer than Americans for first time

Obama gas price facts August 6, 2012, Canadians embrace oil jobs, Canada unemployment rate falls to 7.2 percent, Canadians richer than Americans for first time

“For the well-off in this country, high gas prices are mostly an annoyance, but to most Americans they’re a huge problem, bordering on a crisis.”…Barack Obama May 2008

“We can’t drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times … and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK,”…Barack Obama May 2008

“Because I’m capping greenhouse gases, coal power plants, you know, natural gas, you name it — whatever the plants were, whatever the industry was, uh, they would have to retrofit their operations. That will cost money. They will pass that money on to consumers.”…Barack Obama 

Obama’s “energy policy”, aka Chicago style pay to play politics, is destroying this country’s economy and jobs. Citizen Wells has kept you informed about the impact of high gas prices.

From Citizen Wells July 29, 2012.

“Gas prices are going back up and currently average $ 3.49 in the US. One of the biggest reasons gasoline prices have not risen further is the downturn in the US and world economies.”

“In 2009 when Obama took office, gasoline averaged around $ 1.85 a gallon. Here is a chart of gasoline prices for the last 3 years.”

“The Obama administration, despite the nation’s economic woes, effectively killed the job-producing Keystone Pipeline last month. The Arab Spring is turning the oil production of Libya and other Arab nations over to the Muslim Brotherhood. Iraq is distancing itself from the U.S. And everyone recognizes that Iran, whose crude supplies are critical to the European economy, will do anything it can to frustrate America’s strategic interests. In the face of all of this, Obama insists on cutting back U.S. oil potential with outrageous restrictions.”

“Part of Obama’s apparent war against U.S. energy independence includes a foreign-aid program that directly threatens my state’s sovereign territory. Obama’s State Department is giving away seven strategic, resource-laden Alaskan islands to the Russians. Yes, to the Putin regime in the Kremlin.”

“After Obama Blocks Pipeline, China Readies $15.1B Canadian Oil Deal”

“When President Barack Obama blocked the Keystone Pipeline, Republicans said the move would encourage Canada to pursue oil deals with China instead of the United States and cede a massive chunk of North American oil assets to the communist nation.

Now, with China’s state-run oil company CNOOC poised to cut a $15.1 billion deal–the largest ever foreign acquisition for a Chinese company–with Canadian oil company Nexen, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) are in full backpedal mode.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2012/07/29/july-29-2012-gas-prices-up-obama-energy-policy-rewards-friends-punishes-americans-alaska-island-giveaway-to-russians-keystone-pipeline-canada-china-oil-deal/

Not only are Obama’s policies stalling the economy with the high price of gas, they are killing jobs in the oil industry. Our friends to the north are not so foolish.

From the Wall Street Journal September 12, 2011.

“Canada’s Oil Sands Are a Jobs Gusher”

“For all its soaring rhetoric, President Obama’s “jobs speech” last week didn’t demonstrate a lick of insight into why economies grow or how wealth is created. It was merely trademark Obamanomics: using government diktat to move money that’s over here, over there.

Having spent an hour the day before with Ron Liepert, the energy minister from the Canadian province of Alberta, I found it especially disturbing to hear nothing in the speech about reversing the administration’s anti-fossil-fuels agenda. Canada has recovered all the jobs it lost in the 2009 recession, and Alberta’s oil sands are no small part of that. The province is on track to become the world’s second-largest oil producer, after Saudi Arabia, within 10 years. Meanwhile Mr. Obama clings to his subsidies for solar panels and his religious faith in green jobs.

U.S. unemployment is high because capital is on strike. Short-term offers to coax investors into taking new risks aren’t going to cut it when they have been forewarned that the president intends to pay for it all by raising taxes in the out years. The market dropped over 300 points the day after Mr. Obama’s speech.

On the regulatory front the picture is even gloomier. Much of America’s vast untapped energy potential lies dormant because Mr. Obama’s regulatory watchdogs have spent the past three years throwing sand in the gears of the permitting process for exploration and exploitation on federal lands. Separately, TransCanada has been trying since September 2008 to get a permit to build the Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta to the Gulf Coast. The Environmental Protection Agency has so far blocked it.

TransCanada’s Keystone XL pipeline could mean 118,000 American jobs, if the U.S. government ever issues the permit.

A glimpse of what all this has cost the U.S. economy can be seen by looking north to Canada, where animal spirits have been unleashed in the energy sector. Canada’s close economic ties to the U.S. have traditionally meant that when the U.S. gets the sniffles, Canada gets swine flu. This time it’s been different. Part of the reason is that Canada’s housing market was not poisoned by a federal government push to put unqualified borrowers into homes they could not afford. After the 2008 collapse of the housing bubble in the U.S., the Canadian financial sector remained strong.

That alone was not enough to protect Canada from the effects of the U.S. recession. The manufacturing sector was hit hard, and in the first quarter of 2009 the economy contracted by an annualized 7.9%.

Yet Canada has outperformed the U.S. since then. In 2010, according to the International Monetary Fund, Canada grew at 3.2% versus 2.9% in the U.S. In 2011, the IMF estimates Canada will grow at 2.9%; unemployment is now 7.3%. The IMF’s U.S. growth forecast is 2.5% this year, and U.S. unemployment is 9.1%.

One explanation for Canada’s more robust growth is its strong commitment to energy, which has become more valuable in U.S. dollar terms under Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s inflationary policies. Alberta is now producing two million barrels per day but expects that number will grow to four to five million within a decade.”

Read more:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904836104576560933917369412.html

From US News  July 18, 2012.

“For the First Time, Canadians Now Richer Than Americans

The average Canadian household is worth about $40,000 more than their American counterparts”

“The net worth of the average Canadian household in 2011 was $363,202.
While Americans might enjoy throwing politically-charged barbs at their neighbors to the north, Canadians now have at least one reason to be smug.

For the first time in recent history, the average Canadian is richer than the average American, according to a report cited in Toronto’s Globe and Mail.

And not just by a little. Currently, the average Canadian household is more than $40,000 richer than the average American household. The net worth of the average Canadian household in 2011 was $363,202, compared to around $320,000 for Americans.

If you’re thinking the Canadian advantage must be due to exchange rates, think again. The Canadian dollar has actually caught up to the U.S. dollar in recent years.

“These are not 60-cent dollars, but Canadian dollars more or less at par with the U.S. greenback,” Globe and Mail’s Michael Adams writes.

To add insult to injury, not only are Canadians comparatively better-off than Americans, they’re also more likely to be employed. The unemployment rate is 7.2 percent—and dropping—in Canada, while the U.S. is stuck with a stubbornly high rate of 8.2 percent.

Besides a strengthening currency and a better labor market, experts credit the particularly savage fallout from the financial crisis on the U.S. economy and housing market, which torpedoed home values and gutted household wealth. According to the report, real estate held by Canadians is worth more than $140,000 more on average and they have almost four times as much equity in their real estate investments.”

Read more:

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2012/07/18/for-the-first-time-canadians-now-richer-than-americans

 

Obama job facts August 5, 2012, Obama lies about jobs created, Fewer jobs since Obama and Democrats took control, Higher unemployment, Lower labor force participation

Obama job facts August 5, 2012, Obama lies about jobs created, Fewer jobs since Obama and Democrats took control, Higher unemployment, Lower labor force participation

“The United States economy has lost more jobs than it has added since the recovery began over a year ago.”…NY Times Sept. 20, 2010.

“Guilford (Large NC County) appears on it’s way to a third consecutive year with annual jobless rates in double digits. Economists say that likely hasn’t happened since the Great Depression.”…Greensboro News Record December 2, 2011

“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command. His heart sank as he thought of the enormous power arrayed against him, the ease with which any Party intellectual would overthrow him in debate, the subtle arguments which he would not be able to understand, much less answer. And yet he was in the right! They were wrong and he was right. The obvious, the silly, and the true had got to be defended. Truisms are true, hold on to that! The solid world exists, its laws do not change. Stones are hard, water is wet, objects unsupported fall towards the earth’s centre. With the feeling that he was speaking to O’Brien, and also that he was setting forth an important axiom, he wrote:

Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.”…George Orwell, “1984”

Obama is the biggest liar to ever occupy the Oval Office. One of his big lies is misleading the American Public on job creation. He only touts the jobs created, not the net impact of his policies. Not the jobs lost. Not the people dropping out of the labor force.

Here is a simplified example that explains what is happening.

Smallville USA, a fictional town, has five companies.

During the last month company A hires 2 people and company B hires 3. The mayor, interviewed by the local newspaper, brags about job growth in the town and states that 5 jobs were added.

What the mayor fails to mention is that company C dismisses 7, company D dismisses 5 and company E dismisses 3.

Smallville has a net loss of 10 jobs. The local economy is impacted. The mayor failed to mention that. So has Obama.

The misleading information, the lie, that Obama has been touting in his speeches can be found at BarackObama.com. Everything about the presentation of job creation leaves one with the impression that Obama has netted job gains.

For example:

4.5 million private sector jobs added in past 29 months.

The graph indicates many jobs lost prior to Obama taking office and the Recovery Act being signed.

The net jobs gained is not provided and no mention of the fact that the Democrats controlled congress beginning in January of 2007 until the Republicans took the House in 2011.

http://www.barackobama.com/jobsrecord?source=om2012_PR_G_gm-jobs-bg-search_core_&omtype=ofa&subsource=mkwid%7CXWIcSPIC%7Ckw%7C%5Bobama%20jobs%5D%7Cmatchtype%7Ce%7Cpcrid%7C15823272973%7Cpl%7C%7C&gclid=CN2Z5dLT0LECFW1j7Aod-SMAnw

Here is the acid test, the bottom line on Obama and the Democrats impact on jobs.

When the Democrats took control of congress in January 2007, the unemployment rate was 4.6 percent.

When Obama  took control of the White House in January 2009, the unemployment rate was 7.8 percent.

The stated current unemployment rate is 8.3 percent.

That is job creation???

http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000

And that is not all.

The Labor Force Participation Rate has dropped. If that rate had not dropped, the unemployment rate would have been significantly higher.

When the Democrats took control of congress in January 2007, the Labor Force Participation Rate 66.4 percent.

When Obama took control of the White House in January 2009, the Labor Force Participation Rate was 65.7 percent.

The Labor Force Participation Rate currently is 63.7 percent.

http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS11300000/

My reason for quoting Orwell’s “1984” should be crystal clear.


Unemployment rate 8.3 percent August 3, 2012, Labor force participation rate 63.7 percent, Black Latino Asian drops don’t compute, Numbers rectified?

Unemployment rate 8.3 percent August 3, 2012, Labor force participation rate 63.7 percent, Black Latino Asian drops don’t compute, Numbers rectified?

“The United States economy has lost more jobs than it has added since the recovery began over a year ago.”…NY Times Sept. 20, 2010.

“Guilford (Large NC County) appears on it’s way to a third consecutive year with annual jobless rates in double digits. Economists say that likely hasn’t happened since the Great Depression.”…Greensboro News Record December 2, 2011
“the Times of the nineteenth of December had published the official forecasts of the output of various classes of consumption goods in the fourth quarter of 1983, which was also the sixth quarter of the Ninth Three-Year Plan. Today’s issue contained a statement of the actual output, from which it appeared that the forecasts were in every instance grossly wrong. Winston’s job was to rectify the original figures by making them agree with the later ones.”…George Orwell, “1984”

From the US Labor Department August 3, 2012.
“THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION — JULY 2012

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 163,000 in July, and the unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 8.3 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment rose in professional and business services, food services and drinking places, and manufacturing.

Household Survey Data

Both the number of unemployed persons (12.8 million) and the unemployment rate (8.3 percent) were essentially unchanged in July. Both measures have shown little movement thus far in 2012. (See table A-1.)

Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for Hispanics (10.3 percent) edged down in July, while the rates for adult men (7.7 percent), adult women (7.5 percent), teenagers (23.8 percent), whites (7.4 percent), and blacks (14.1 percent) showed little or no change. The jobless rate for Asians was 6.2 percent in July (not seasonally adjusted), little changed from a year earlier. (See tables A-1, A-2, and A-3.)

In July, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks and over) was little changed at 5.2 million. These individuals accounted for 40.7 percent of the unemployed. (See table A-12.)

Both the civilian labor force participation rate, at 63.7 percent, and the employment-population ratio, at 58.4 percent, changed little in July.”

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

From the Employment Situation Summary Table A. Household data, seasonally adjusted.

 
Category     July 2011  May 2012  June 2012 July 2012
 
Participation rate      64.0     63.8     63.8              63.7                
 
White                                8.1      7.4           7.4          7.4
 
Black                               15.9     13.6   14.4         14.1
 
Asian (not 
seasonally adjusted)  7.7       5.2      6.3           6.2 
 
Hispanic                         11.3       11.0   11.0         10.3

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.a.htm

The white unemployment rate remained at 7.4 percent. The Black, Hispanic and Asian dropped by a combined 1.1 percent. They must be using new or fuzzy math or perhaps the numbers have been rectified as in “1984.”

Perhaps part of the reason is the drop in the Labor Force Participation Rate which is .3 percent lower than a year ago.

And speaking of Labor Force Participation Rate. Have you noticed the rate in West Virginia?

Michelle Obama UNCG speech August 1, 2012, Obama lies, Job lies, Tax lies, College tuition lies, Health care lies, Student loans and records hidden

Michelle Obama UNCG speech August 1, 2012, Obama lies, Job lies, Tax lies, College tuition lies, Health care lies, Student loans and records hidden

“The United States economy has lost more jobs than it has added since the recovery began over a year ago.”…NY Times Sept. 20, 2010.

“Guilford (Large NC County) appears on it’s way to a third consecutive year with annual jobless rates in double digits. Economists say that likely hasn’t happened since the Great Depression.”…Greensboro News Record December 2, 2011

“Because I’m capping greenhouse gases, coal power plants, you know, natural gas, you name it — whatever the plants were, whatever the industry was, uh, they would have to retrofit their operations. That will cost money. They will pass that money on to consumers.”…Barack Obama

I do not usually write about Michelle Obama. However, yesterday at UNCG, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, in Guilford County, Michelle Obama continued the tradition of Obama family lies in a political speech.

From the Greensboro News Record August 2, 2012.

“First lady talks up president’s successes in Greensboro”

“Michelle Obama on Wednesday ticked off President Barack Obama’s accomplishments during his nearly four years in office: passage of health care reform; more financial aid for needy college students; ending the Iraq War; and killing Osama bin Laden.

But Obama told the 2,400 spectators inside UNCG’s Fleming Gymnasium that the president needs their help to finish what he started, and she encouraged them to get other people involved when they campaign and go to the polls.

“We cannot turn back now,” she said. “We’ve got to keep moving forward.”

Obama’s visit comes just two weeks after Ann Romney, the wife of presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, visited Greensboro.

This is the first lady’s second stop here in recent months. She gave the commencement address at N.C. A&T in May.

North Carolina is considered a battleground state for 2012; President Obama narrowly won the state in 2008.

Obama attended a fundraising event in Raleigh after her appearance in Greensboro. She will return to North Carolina in September for the Democratic National Convention, which will be held in Charlotte.

The first lady touted her husband’s values and drew on their own working-class roots to relate to the audience.

Neither of her parents had a college degree, she said, but they saved and sacrificed so that she and her brother could attend college.

“Education was everything in our family. It was everything,” she said. “It was our ticket to the middle class. It was our pathway to the American dream.”

Obama said her family is a testimony to the “basic American promise” of a better life, no matter who you are or how you started out in life.

“Your president, my husband, understands that promise because that’s the story of his life as well,” she said, noting the president was raised by a single mother who put herself through school.

“Barack knows the American dream because he’s lived it,” she said. “And he believes that when you work hard and you’ve done well and you’ve walked through the doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you,” the first lady said to thunderous applause.”

“Cam Choiniere of Winston-Salem said the first lady came across as dynamic, warm, genuine and personable. “I just truly believe her and think that their (the Obamas) values and motives are so spot on,” she said.”

http://www.news-record.com/content/2012/07/29/article/tickets_for_michelle_obama_popular

If Michelle Obama had really spoken of Barack’s successes, it would have been the shortest speech ever.

From the transcript provided by the News Record.

“It means all of our kids should be able to go to college without a mountain of debt.”

“So, trust me, Barack Obama knows what it means when a family struggles.”

“This election is a choice about our economy. It’s about building a strong and growing middle class. So I want you to remind folks that Barack has cut taxes for working families by $3,600. Cut them. (Applause.) And also people need to understand he has cut taxes for small businesses 18 times. That’s what he’s done. (Applause.) Because Barack understands that rebuilding our economy starts with the restaurants and the stores and the startups that create two-thirds of all new jobs in this economy. ”

“This election is a choice about the health of our families. And listen to this — the fact is that over the past century — okay? — 100 years, so many of our Presidents have tried and failed to meet the challenge of health reform. But your President was determined. (Applause.) See, but Barack was driven by the stories of the people he met — the grandparents who couldn’t afford their medications; the families going broke because a child got sick; the woman dying of cancer whose insurance company wouldn’t cover her care. And that is what kept him going day after day. That’s why he fought so hard for this historic reform.”

“Because of this reform, our children can stay on our insurance until they’re 26 years old. (Applause.) So they don’t have to lose their health care when they graduate and they’re out there looking for a job, trying to build their lives.”

“This election, it’s a choice about whether our kids can attend college without a mountain of debt. Now, believe it or not, back when Barack and I were first starting out, and we were building our lives together, and we were so in love — (laughter) — we still are — (laughter and applause) — but our combined student loan bill each month was actually higher than our mortgage. Now, I know there are people out there who can relate to that. So, believe me, when it comes to student debt, Barack and I, we’ve been there. And that is why Barack doubled funding for Pell Grants and fought so hard to stop student loan interest rates from increasing. (Applause.) Because he knows how important it is for all of our young people to get the education they need for the jobs they deserve. ”

“I want you to tell them how many jobs he created. Tell them how much money he’s put back in the pockets of American people. You can tell them that more of our kids can afford college;”

http://www.news-record.com/content/2012/08/01/article/first_lady_michelle_obamas_written_remarks

If you listened to this horse crap, these political platitudes, or as we refer to them in NC, lies, I urge you to read and yes research what is presented here. The audacity of the Obamas has no bounds. To present those lies in Guilford County, with an unemployment rate over 10 percent!

First, the latest unemployment data from NC.

From Citizen Wells July 27, 2012.

“Unemployment Rates Increase in 84 Counties in June”

“North Carolina’s statewide unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) was 9.9 percent in June. This was a 0.4 of a percentage-point increase from May’s revised rate of 9.5 percent, and a 1.0 percentage-point decrease over the year.

Over the month, the unemployment rate increased in 84 counties, decreased in 11 and remained the same in five. Thirty-nine counties had unemployment rates at or below the state’s 9.9 percent rate.”

“Guilford County, containing both Greensboro and High Point had an increase from 9.6 to 10.3 percent.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2012/07/27/nc-unemployment-rate-9-9-percent-june-data-unemployment-rates-rose-in-84-of-100-counties-mecklenburg-home-of-democrat-convention-rises-3-percent-to-9-9/

Obama and the Democrats have been trying to do away with the Bush tax cuts. Also part of the deception from Obama, et al is taxing the “rich.” When companies are taxed more this is passed along to consumers. And perhaps the biggest impact comes from the “hidden taxes” in cost of goods as a result of high gas prices.

Gas prices have doubled under the Obama Administration and have impacted the price of nearly all consumer goods, especially food.

In 2009 when Obama took office, gasoline averaged around $ 1.85 a gallon. Here is a chart of gasoline prices for the last 3 years.

Michelle should have felt quite at home at UNCG. They have a similar mindset when it comes to spending other peoples money.

From Citizen Wells November 16, 2011.

“Tuition would rise 10 percent for UNCG students next year according to a proposal the university’s tuition and fee committee presented Tuesday night to the Student Government Association.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/uncg-10-percent-tuition-fee-hike-proposal-660-increase-in-state-university-of-nc-at-greensboro-spending-like-drunken-sailors-out-of-control-expansion/

From Citizen Wells February 12, 2012.

“Amid chants of protest from about 100 students, the UNC Board of Governors this morning approved President Tom Ross’ proposal for tuition and
fee hikes over the next two years.

Ross’ plan would raise tuition by an average of 8.8 percent across the system and keeps increases below 10 percent on every campus.”

“Today’s vote caps months of intense debate over tuition, which the system has used in recent years to help make up for legislative cuts to its budget. The
hikes have forced more students to take on extra jobs to pay for school, or drop out altogether.”

“The state mandates that at least 25 percent of the money from the tuition dollars go toward financial aid for needy students. Some board members recently have spoken out about that requirement, saying it essentially calls for students, who themselves may be struggling, to subsidize the education of other students.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/unc-tuition-hikes-university-of-nc-system-raises-tuition-costs-in-dismal-economy-working-students-and-families-pay-others-tuition-income-redistribution-unc-tuition-hikes-university-of-nc-system/

I have met and talked with many college students. Recently a UNCG student, who is struggling to support his family and attend school, confided in me that the recent tuition and health care increases (mandatory health care insurance almost doubled) could force him to leave school.

From Citizen Wells May 2, 2012.

“The UNC system began requiring students to be covered by health insurance in the fall of 2010. Students must either prove that they have their own insurance or buy a plan offered by the UNC system. Before that, 11 campuses required insurance; rates and coverage varied significantly among the schools.

On top of rising tuition and fees, those UNC system students who buy the university-sponsored health insurance plan will face steep premium increases in the next academic year.

The cost of health insurance will climb from a range of $61 to $77 monthly to a range of $118 to $133 monthly, according to a memo sent from UNC President Tom Ross to the UNC Board of Governors. On an annual basis, most students will pay about $500 to $700 more in 2012-13, depending on the campus.”

“Mallette said the insurance increases are due to the health care usage of UNC system students during the past couple of years, plus federal regulations on preventive care and pharmacy services issued in March. The process is complicated, he said, by the new provisions of the Affordable Care Act.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/obama-lies-work-on-unc-students-unc-student-health-care-increase-tuition-increase-high-unemployment-obama-uses-orwellian-language-to-sway-students-occupy-white-house/

Michelle and Barack Obama keep talking about their student loans. How do we know this is true? None have been reported on tax returns. And Obama has used many private and US Justice Dept. attorneys, at taxpayer expense, to keep all of his college records hidden.

From ABC News April 25, 2012.

“President Obama told students at the University of North Carolina Tuesday that he knows what it is like to struggle with student loan debt because he and his wife didn’t pay off their student loans until eight years ago.

That may be true, but a quick look at the Obamas’ tax returns shows they were making enough to be considered “wealthy” by the president’s own definition in
the years before his loans were paid off.”

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/04/behind-obamas-definition-of-wealth-and-paying-off-student-loans-2/

Ben Bernanke Federal Reserve gloomy forecast, August 1, 2012, US economy decelerated, Disappointing jobs reports and sharp slowdown in US growth

Ben Bernanke Federal Reserve gloomy forecast, August 1, 2012, US economy decelerated, Disappointing jobs reports and sharp slowdown in US growth

“The United States economy has lost more jobs than it has added since the recovery began over a year ago.”…NY Times Sept. 20, 2010.

“We tried our plan—and it worked. That’s the difference. That’s the choice in this election. That’s why I’m running for a second term.”…Barack Obama

“Because I’m capping greenhouse gases, coal power plants, you know, natural gas, you name it — whatever the plants were, whatever the industry was, uh, they would have to retrofit their operations. That will cost money. They will pass that money on to consumers.”…Barack Obama

From the Guardian August 1, 2012.

“Fed gives gloomy forecast on US recovery but no new stimulus yet”

“Fed chairman Ben Bernanke has consistently said that he is not ruling out direct action in the event of a stalling economy. Photograph: Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images
The US Federal Reserve signalled on Wednesday that it is increasingly worried about America’s fragile economic recovery – but once more stopped short of taking direct action.

After a two-day meeting, Fed officials said the economy had “decelerated somewhat” over the first half of the year, and gave a stronger signals they may take further action as they keep a close watch on the US recovery.

Weakness in the US economy has been underlined since the last Fed meeting by disappointing jobs reports and a sharp slowdown in US growth, which had led to speculation that the Fed might act. After two days of falls US stock markets had rallied ahead of the statement as investors expected action. But the Dow Jones turned negative when it became clear no action would be forthcoming.

“The committee will closely monitor incoming information on economic and financial developments, and will provide additional accommodation as needed to promote a stronger economic recovery and sustained improvement in labor market conditions in a context of price stability,” the central bank said in a statement issued at the end of the Federal open market committee’s (FOMC) two-day policy meeting.

Fed chairman Ben Bernanke has consistently stated that the Fed is considering further action should the recovery appear to be stalling.

There were fresh signs of weakness on Wednesday as a key poll showed economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in July for the second month in a row after 34 consecutive months of expansion. The Institute of Supply Management’s purchasing managers index (PMI) – which measures the acquisition of goods and services – stood at 49.8% in July, barely moving from June’s reading of 49.7%. The index must be above 50% to indicate growth.

Dan Greenhaus, chief global strategist at BTIG, said the Fed was “clearly on a knife’s edge with respect to providing additional stimulus”. Fed statements are parsed line by line for indications of change in policy.

In a note to clients, Greenhaus wrote: “Importantly, the first sentence in the FOMC statement, which noted in June that ‘the economy has been expanding moderately this year’ now says that ‘economic activity decelerated somewhat over the first half of this year.’

“They note that ‘household spending has been rising at a somewhat slower pace than earlier in the year’ while ‘inflation has declined since earlier this year.’ All told, the Fed clearly took down its assessment of the current economic situation.”

Ken Goldstein, an economist at the Conference Board in New York, said the Fed was in a fix. Republicans have already criticised the Fed’s actions and are likely to pounce on any action from the Fed ahead of November’s election.
“This is going to get increasingly political as the election approaches,” Goldstein said.

Goldstein said the economy seemed to be “muddling along rather than falling off a cliff,” and that he believed the Fed was unlikely to act unless evidence of a severe weakening in the US economy emerged.

With economy emerging as the key battleground of the 2012 election, economic indicators have seldom been more closely watched. Last week the commerce department announced that US gross domestic product (GDP) – the broadest measure of an economy’s health – stood at 1.5% in the second quarter, down from 2% in the prior three months, and 4.1% in the fourth quarter of 2011.”

Read more:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/aug/01/fed-us-recovery-stimulus?newsfeed=true

July 29, 2012, Gas prices up, Obama energy policy rewards friends punishes Americans, Alaska island giveaway to Russians, Keystone Pipeline, Canada China oil deal

July 29, 2012, Gas prices up, Obama energy policy rewards friends punishes Americans, Alaska island giveaway to Russians, Keystone Pipeline, Canada China oil deal

“For the well-off in this country, high gas prices are mostly an annoyance, but to most Americans they’re a huge problem, bordering on a crisis.”…Barack Obama May 2008

“We can’t drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times … and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK,”…Barack Obama May 2008

rising energy costs “one of the most dangerous and urgent threats this nation has ever faced” gas prices “are wiping out paychecks and straining businesses.”
Barack Obama August 2008

Gas prices are going back up and currently average $ 3.49 in the US. One of the biggest reasons gasoline prices have not risen further is the downturn in the US and world economies.

From the NY Times June 13, 2012.

“Mark Juull, a construction contractor for public and residential housing, has something to be thankful for in this sluggish economy: With global commodity prices falling, he’s saving $200 a week on fuel for his three trucks and finding deals on aluminum, lumber and roof shingles, which are typically made from petroleum.”

“Over the last month, global oil prices have declined by about 12 percent, while corn, copper, lead, cocoa and coffee have all dropped by 5 percent or more. Prices of corn, cocoa, oats, cotton, rubber, coffee, aluminum, silver, zinc and nickel are all more than 20 percent lower than a year ago.

Gasoline prices are falling precipitously, too, down nearly 20 cents over the last month alone, to a national average of $3.54 a gallon on Wednesday. That is nearly 45 cents below the high for the year reached in early April. The average household consumes 1,200 gallons of gasoline a year, so every dime shaved off the price of gas translates into a $120 annual savings, according to the Oil Price Information Service.

“The world economy is in risk of a recession and on that possibility, commodity prices weaken,” said Allen L. Sinai, chief global economist for Decision Economics, a consulting firm. “Lower inflation comes with weakening economies.”

Oil is among the commodities that have fallen in price the fastest despite continuing tensions in the Middle East and the tightening sanctions on Iran. OPEC production has been soaring in recent months because of mushrooming crude exports from Iraq, an almost total resumption of exports from Libya since the fall of the Qaddafi dictatorship, and a concerted drive by Saudi Arabia to push up production. At a meeting in Vienna on Thursday, OPEC is expected to decide to keep production steady despite weakening prices.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/14/business/economy/weak-economys-mixed-blessing-falling-commodity-prices.html

In 2009 when Obama took office, gasoline averaged around $ 1.85 a gallon. Here is a chart of gasoline prices for the last 3 years.

A long time commenter here brought this to my attention.

From WND February 16, 2012.

“The Obama administration, despite the nation’s economic woes, effectively killed the job-producing Keystone Pipeline last month. The Arab Spring is turning the oil production of Libya and other Arab nations over to the Muslim Brotherhood. Iraq is distancing itself from the U.S. And everyone recognizes that Iran, whose crude supplies are critical to the European economy, will do anything it can to frustrate America’s strategic interests. In the face of all of this, Obama insists on cutting back U.S. oil potential with outrageous restrictions.”

“Part of Obama’s apparent war against U.S. energy independence includes a foreign-aid program that directly threatens my state’s sovereign territory. Obama’s State Department is giving away seven strategic, resource-laden Alaskan islands to the Russians. Yes, to the Putin regime in the Kremlin.

The seven endangered islands in the Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea include one the size of Rhode Island and Delaware combined. The Russians are also to get the tens of thousands of square miles of oil-rich seabeds surrounding the islands. The Department of Interior estimates billions of barrels of oil are at stake.

The State Department has undertaken the giveaway in the guise of a maritime boundary agreement between Alaska and Siberia. Astoundingly, our federal government itself drew the line to put these seven Alaskan islands on the Russian side. But as an executive agreement, it could be reversed with the stroke of a pen by President Obama or Secretary Clinton.

The agreement was negotiated in total secrecy. The state of Alaska was not allowed to participate in the negotiations, nor was the public given any opportunity for comment. This is despite the fact the Alaska Legislature has passed resolutions of opposition – but the State Department doesn’t seem to care.

The imperiled Arctic Ocean islands include Wrangel, Bennett, Jeannette and Henrietta. Wrangel became American in 1881 with the landing of the U.S. Revenue Marine ship Thomas Corwin. The landing party included the famed naturalist John Muir. It is 3,000 square miles in size.

Northwest of Wrangel are the DeLong Islands, named for George Washington DeLong, the captain of USS Jeannette. Also in 1881, he discovered and claimed these three islands for the United States. He named them for the voyage co-sponsor, New York City newspaper publisher James Gordon Bennett. The ship’s crew received a hero’s welcome back in Washington, and Congress awarded them gold medals.

In the Bering Sea at the far west end of the Aleutian chain are Copper Island, Sea Lion Rock and Sea Otter Rock. They were ceded to the U.S. in Seward’s 1867 treaty with Russia.

Now is the time for the Obama administration to stand up for U.S. and Alaskan rights and invaluable resources. The State Department’s maritime agreement is a loser – it gives us nothing in return for giving up Alaska’s sovereign territory and invaluable resources. We won the Cold War and should start acting like it.”

http://www.wnd.com/2012/02/obamas-giveaway-oil-rich-islands-to-russia/

 

And now we learn.

From Patriot Update July 28, 2012.

“After Obama Blocks Pipeline, China Readies $15.1B Canadian Oil Deal”

“When President Barack Obama blocked the Keystone Pipeline, Republicans said the move would encourage Canada to pursue oil deals with China instead of the United States and cede a massive chunk of North American oil assets to the communist nation.

Now, with China’s state-run oil company CNOOC poised to cut a $15.1 billion deal–the largest ever foreign acquisition for a Chinese company–with Canadian oil company Nexen, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) are in full backpedal mode.

In a draft letter to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), Sen. Schumer writes:

I respectfully urge you, in your capacity as chairman of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), to withhold approval of this transaction to ensure U.S. companies reciprocal treatment.

Similarly, Rep. Pelosi is now sounding alarms of concern. In a statement, Pelosi spokesperson Drew Hamill said:

This deal prompts great concern about the Chinese government’s continued attempts to use its state-owned enterprises to acquire global energy resources.

Saying “I told you so” offers little solace to concerned Republican lawmakers.”

http://patriotupdate.com/26926/after-obama-blocks-pipeline-china-readies-15-1b-canadian-oil-deal

NC unemployment claims increase second highest in nation, July 26, 2012, 11948 claims, Second only to CA, NC Labor force decreased and jobs lost

NC unemployment claims increase second highest in nation, July 26, 2012, 11948 claims, Second only to CA, NC Labor force decreased and jobs lost

“The United States economy has lost more jobs than it has added since the recovery began over a year ago.”…NY Times Sept. 20, 2010.

“Guilford (Large NC County) appears on it’s way to a third consecutive year with annual jobless rates in double digits. Economists say that likely hasn’t happened since the Great Depression.”…Greensboro News Record December 2, 2011

Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.”…George Orwell, “1984″

Remember this article from the Greensboro News record reported here on July 20, 2012?

From Doug Clark of the Greensboro News Record July 20, 2012.

“North Carolina loses or gains jobs in June, depending on which state numbers you believe, if any”

“North Carolina lost nearly 8,000 jobs in June from the previous month, the state’s Commerce Department reports this morning.”

“The unemployment rate held at 9.4 percent, but that was because the labor force decreased.”

“Note: There are two sets of numbers in the report. You will see some media reports stating the state gained 16,690 jobs in June.”

“Please weigh in on the credibility of these numbers.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/north-carolina-loses-or-gains-jobs-in-june-depending-on-which-state-numbers-you-believe-if-any-july-20-2012-greensboro-news-record-doug-clark/

From the US labor Dept July 26, 2012.

“The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending July 14 were in California (+26,244), North Carolina (+11,948), Georgia (+8,372), Alabama (+4,148), and Oregon (+3,019)”

http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/current.htm

The unemployment rates for June by NC county will be released tomorrow.

North Carolina loses or gains jobs in June, depending on which state numbers you believe, if any, July 20, 2012, Greensboro News Record Doug Clark

North Carolina loses or gains jobs in June depending on which state numbers you believe if any, July 20, 2012, Greensboro News Record Doug Clark

“The United States economy has lost more jobs than it has added since the recovery began over a year ago.”…NY Times Sept. 20, 2010.

“Guilford (Large NC County) appears on it’s way to a third consecutive year with annual jobless rates in double digits. Economists say that likely hasn’t happened since the Great Depression.”…Greensboro News Record December 2, 2011

Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.”…George Orwell, “1984″

From Doug Clark of the Greensboro News Record July 20, 2012.

“North Carolina loses or gains jobs in June, depending on which state numbers you believe, if any”

“North Carolina lost nearly 8,000 jobs in June from the previous month, the state’s Commerce Department reports this morning.”

“The unemployment rate held at 9.4 percent, but that was because the labor force decreased.

These are “smoothed” seasonally adjusted numbers.

The picture is more positive year over year, according to the Commerce news release:

“Since June 2011, Total Nonfarm jobs gained 37,000 with the Service Providing sector increasing by 38,600 and the Goods Producing sector decreasing by 1,600. The largest over-the-year increase of major industries was in Government at 13,000, followed by Education & Health Services, 12,100 and Trade, Transportation and Utilities, 9,400.”

In case you missed it, the largest increase in employment was in government … Contrary to claims of public payroll slashing.

Unfortunately, a gain of 37,000 jobs in the past year is anemic. And now we’re slipping. Obviously, this is not an encouraging report for our state.

Note: There are two sets of numbers in the report. You will see some media reports stating the state gained 16,690 jobs in June.

The news release contains these statements:

“Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm industry employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased by 16,900 to 3,963,100 in June.”

And:

“The number of people employed (smoothed seasonally adjusted) decreased by 7,909 to 4,216,644 over the month …”

Here’s a BLS explanation (sort of) of smoothing. Obviously, this statistical maneuvering makes a significant difference. In the state’s numbers, we either have fewer people working but are gaining jobs, or have more people working but are losing jobs.

Please weigh in on the credibility of these numbers.

Addendum: Please see economist Dave Ribar’s helpful explanation in the comments below.”

http://www.news-record.com/blog/54431/entry/148571

Thank you Doug Clark for this factual, reality based reporting.

Stuart Levine sentencing July 19, 2012, Obama corruption buddy and drug user, Key witness Rezko trial, Long time associations with Rezko and Obama

Stuart Levine sentencing July 19, 2012, Obama corruption buddy and drug user, Key witness Rezko trial, Long time associations with Rezko and Obama

“Why did the Illinois Senate Health & Human Services Committee, with Obama as chairman, create and push Bill 1332, “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act,” early in 2003, which reduced the number of members on the Board from 15 to 9, just prior to rigging by Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department wait until December 2008 to arrest Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“At Rod Blagojevich’s December sentencing Assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Schar called Levine one of the most significant cooperators the Dirksen Federal Courthouse had ever seen.”…Natasha Korecki, Chicago SunTimes

Will Stuart Levine actually be sentenced today?

Stuart Levine, corruption buddy of Tony Rezko, Rod Blagojevich and Barack Obama is scheduled for sentencing today,  Thursday, July 19, 2012.

Daily Calendar

Thursday, July 19, 2012 (As of 07/19/12 at 05:48:25 AM)

Honorable Amy J. St. Eve                    Courtroom 1241 (ASE)

1:05-cr-00691 USA v. Levine 10:15 Sentencing

http://www.ilnd.uscourts.gov/home/DailyCal/0.htm

From Citizen Wells June 22, 2012.

“Prosecutors: Levine among ‘most valuable’ witnesses in 3 decades”

“Prosecutors called their key witness against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and two top advisers “one of the most valuable cooperators” in three decades of public-corruption prosecutions in a late-Friday filing arguing for a light sentence.

Stuart Levine could have faced life in prison under federal sentencing guidelines but prosecutors agreed to recommend a sentence of 5 years and 7 months in exchange for Levine’s cooperation. Friday’s filing comes after U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve, during a hearing in April, asked for a “lengthy recitation of Levine’s cooperation.”

Levine didn’t testify against Blagojevich, but prosecutors noted “the case against Blagojevich was made possible only by Levine’s cooperation.”

“The government not only used information provided initially by Levine in the case against Blagojevich, it was Levine’s decision to cooperate that set in motion the series of events that led directly to the government obtaining the evidence and witnesses it needed to prosecute Blagojevich,” prosecutors wrote.

Friday’s filing, in advance of Levine’s June 28 sentencing, recognizes both Levine’s cooperation and his extensive criminal history.

Levine testified against former Blagojevich fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko, who is now in federal prison, and was the star witness against Springfield power broker, William Cellini, who is awaiting sentencing. During his testimony at Cellini’s trial, Levine described in detail the million-dollar bribes he tried to orchestrate and told of his extensive drug use and cocaine parties he attended.

“Levine’s cooperation has proven to be every bit as important as the government hoped it would be. As a result of (his) assistance, the government charged and convicted people of extremely serious crimes who otherwise would not have been caught.””

“Federal prosecutors have lauded Stuart Levine as a great, cooperative witness. Why then did they not prosecute Blagojevich first to protect the citizens of Illinois and then wait until after the 2008 election to arrest him?

Couple the value given to Levine by the prosecutors with the timeline. There is only one logical conclusion to come to. The prosecution of Rod Blagojevich was delayed to protect Barack Obama.”

“2006 is the pivotal turning point.

1. Blagojevich and his corruption buddies are in trouble.

2. Blagojevich, the presumptive presidential candidate, is out and Obama, the unknown, is in. So is the fix.

Rod Blagojevich was elected governor of Illinois in 2002.

From the Blagojevich Criminal Complaint.

“Since approximately 2003, the government has been investigating allegations
of illegal activity occurring in State of Illinois government as part of the administration of Governor ROD BLAGOJEVICH. As further detailed below, the investigation has developed evidence that: (a) beginning not later than in or about 2002, ROD BLAGOJEVICH has conspired with multiple individuals”
From the Washington Post December 22, 2008.

“The wide-ranging public corruption probe that led to the arrest of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich got its first big break when a grandmother of six walked into a breakfast meeting with shakedown artists wearing an FBI wire.
Pamela Meyer Davis had been trying to win approval from a state health planning board for an expansion of Edward Hospital, the facility she runs in a Chicago suburb, but she realized that the only way to prevail was to retain a politically connected construction company and a specific investment house. Instead of succumbing to those demands, she went to the FBI and U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald in late 2003 and agreed to secretly record conversations about the project.

Her tapes led investigators down a twisted path of corruption that over five years has ensnared a collection of behind-the-scenes figures in Illinois government, including Joseph Cari Jr., a former Democratic National Committee member, and disgraced businessman Antoin “Tony” Rezko.”

“June 7, 2004: Stuart Levine, a longtime Republican reappointed to the powerful Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, abruptly resigns on the eve of several important hospital expansion votes. The revelation is the first indication that the Blagojevich administration is under federal criminal investigation.

June 27, 2004: The Tribune discloses that an official for one hospital seeking permission to expand was wearing a federal bug during meetings in an effort to expose extortion attempts by Levine and others for contributions to Blagojevich.

July 2, 2004: Levine resigns from his seat on the board of the state Teachers’ Retirement System. It remains undisclosed that federal authorities had secretly taped Levine’s conversations.

May 9, 2005: Levine is indicted on corruption charges. Federal subpoenas are issued to numerous administration sources, including top Blagojevich fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko”

“Aug. 5, 2006: The Tribune reports that Levine is cooperating with the federal investigation of state government.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2012/06/22/stuart-levine-sentencing-june-28-2011-rezko-blagojevich-obama-crony-levine-among-most-valuable-witnesses-in-3-decades-blagojevich-arrest-delayed/

William Cellini motion for sentencing delay July 18, 2012, Obama corruption crony, Judge James B. Zagel, Teachers Retirement System kickbacks

William Cellini motion for sentencing delay July 18, 2012, Obama corruption crony, Judge James B. Zagel, Teachers Retirement System kickbacks

“Why was Obama promoting Capri Capital and other investment firms at the same time that Rezko, Levine and Cellini were shaking them down?”…Citizen Wells

“The citizens of Illinois deserve public officials who act solely in the public’s interest, without putting a price tag on government appointments, contracts and decisions.”…Patrick Fitzgerald

“There is enough corruption in Illinois so that all it takes is someone who is serious about finding it to uncover it. If a U.S. attorney is not finding corruption in Illinois, they’re not seriously looking for it.”…Northwestern Law Professor James Lindgren

William Cellini, who was convicted of 2 counts of conspiracy to commit extortion and aiding and abetting the solicitation of a bribe on November 1, 2011,  will request a sentencing delay today, July 18, 2012 in the courtroom of Judge James Zagel. Cellini recently suffered a heart attack.

Daily Calendar

Wednesday, July 18, 2012 (As of 07/18/12 at 08:47:10 AM)

Honorable James B. Zagel                    Courtroom 2503 (JBZ)

1:08-cr-00888   USA v. Cellini                         10:15   Notice of Motion

http://www.ilnd.uscourts.gov/home/DailyCal/0.htm

From Citizen Wells January 5, 2012.

“Following Obama’s efforts, the Illinois Teachers’ Retirement System gave Ariel Capital $112.5 million to manage, and added hundreds of millions more over the next few years.”

“Three other minority-run firms — Holland Capital, Loop Capital and Capri Capital Partners — also saw hundreds of millions of assets turned over to them to manage after meeting with Obama and the state pension boards.”

“Capri Capital is a little more interesting.

From the William Cellini Indictment Press Release:”
“Cellini’s alleged crimes – essentially conspiring with others to force Capri Capital, also a real estate investment firm, and Thomas Rosenberg, a principal and part owner of Capri, to raise or donate substantial political contributions for Public Official A – were the subject of testimony earlier this year at the trial of alleged co-conspirator Antoin “Tony” Rezko. Cellini was charged with conspiring with Rezko, former TRS trustee Stuart Levine, the pension fund’s outside lawyer Steven Loren and others between the spring of 2003 and the summer of 2005 to defraud TRS beneficiaries and the people of Illinois of Levine’s honest services as a TRS trustee. TRS, a public pension plan for teachers and administrators in public schools statewide except in Chicago, serves hundreds of thousands of members and beneficiaries and has assets in excess of $30 billion.”

“March 6, 2008”

“Prosecutor Carrie Hamilton talks about how Highland Park businessman
Stuart Levine is central to the government case “

“She also explains how William Cellini, a powerful Republican power
broker, was also allegedly central to many of the alleged kickback
schemes at the Teacher’s Retirement System.
Hamilton finished remarks after an hour. She did not mention the name
of Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama, whose U.S. Senate
campaign in 2004 allegedly was the beneficiary of $20,000 in campaign
cash from intermediaries in the kickback schemes the government says
were orchestrated by Rezko.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/january-6-2012-obama-corruption-ties-william-cellini-hearing-judge-james-zagel-media-and-justice-department-protect-obama/