Open Thread
You call the shots on discussion subjects. We're on an extended Easter break.
posted by Blog Master @ 8:04 AM
Monday, March 24, 2008
Previous Posts
- Politics & Politicians: What’s Bugging You?
- Political Humor or Not?
- Open Thread: Fire Away!
- For Sale: E-One
- Nader Enters Presidential Race!
- McCain vs. NYT: Truth or "Hit Job"?
- City Golf Courses: A Financial Burden?
- Obama Mania! Will It Last?
- Open Thread: What Are You Thinking?
- Your Thoughts On Super Tuesday?
61 Comments:
When are we going to see that stock market collapse Dr. Doom & Gloom Ellsworth predicted last Monday? DJIA was up last week and is on a roll today. Is economy better than thought?
The National Black Republican Association (NBRA) started a new phase of its nation-wide educational campaign by putting up the group's first "Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Republican" billboard in Orangeburg, South Carolina, just off of exit 145 of I-26--a daily traffic count of 60,000.
Interesting approach. Understand Ocala is also on the list for signs. Why would they even consider Ocala?
Doom Buster :
I am pleased to see you enjoy the staged machinations of the stock market. Obviously you aren't that knowledgeable or you would heed the advice of Warren Buffet who says the market is overpriced and earnings by many companies are bogus.
In the interview he did on CNBC , Mr Buffet said that he buys companies that he knows will still be viable "even if they shut the stock market down for a couple of years like they did during the depression" . Notice Mr. buffet says companies not stocks.
Right now with traders using logarithmic trading programs as well as other dubious programed trading stragedys, its not about the stocks themselves but about math and momentum . When these techniques fail, which they are bound to, then you will have chaos in the market.
Logarithmic trading goes against all normal trading dynamics
As I have stated before on both the economy and the market, whenever the inevitable has been postponed by intervention, as was the case last week, then the whirlwind becomes worse.
I challenge you again. Where have I been wrong with my forecasts on the economy ??? Where ???? Where ???
As for your question "Is economy better than thought ? My answer is no, it's worse .
I refer you to Paul Krugman's [Princeton University ] article in the recent Fortune Magazene where he states that: 1. From a financial stand point, this recession will equal the sum of 1990 and 2001.
2. The recession will not end until at least 2010 and will probaly run into 2011. This is an optimistic view, I have seen worse. I personally think 2012.
3.That we will have a ZIRP policy [ zero rate interest policy ] Think about that one and the profound effect this will have on savings and bonds,the willingness of other countries to buy our debt,liquidation of our debt instruments by Japan and China will be brutal if this policy seems eminent. The USA had a ZIRP for several years during the depression. Krugman says that "there's a good chance it won't be " [adequate monitary policy ]Klugman states that cutting interest rates hasn't helped yet.
3. Klugman doesn't think much of the stimulus plan. People will put the money in the bank or pay down credit card debt, they won't spend it . Where have you heard that before Doom Buster ?
4. We will have 6-7 trillion dollar in capital losses in housing, a average 25% decline in the value of houses. Where have you heard that before ?
Mr. Klugman will be on CNN on March 28th, 8:00 PM- Stay tuned !
Clayton Ellsworth
VoR: How about joining me sometime this week to help Mayor Ewers with his Spring clean up of Ocala?
We have through Friday to help “Keep Ocala Clean and Green.” All we have to do is spend a couple of hours picking up litter along city streets, in city parks, cemeteries and other areas. I’m going to work in the cemeteries. With taxes in the shape they are, I’ll be going to one very soon and want it to look good for my arrival!
We can select a site or call the Ocala Public Works Department and have a location assigned to us. Public Works will provide us the required safety equipment and supplies.
The reward for our hard work is a cookout and awards ceremony from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday at Tuscawilla Park.
Hope you can join me.
in response to ells...sometimes it is better to brief than to be right
Voice of Reason says . . .
City Guy, I would love to spend time talking with you about local politics and everything else. A while back, Stan offered to meet up and discuss the hospital and medical issues of the area. I would have loved to hear him because I know that he knows what he is talking about. PWF sounds like a great guy also. There are other great bloggers here too.
The truth is, probably 10-15% percent of the public would like to see me on the gallows at the Square. I will have to remain a blogger.
As to the clean-up, its just another attempt to get the concerned 20% to do the work of the dead-weight 80%. While good residents are out picking up the McDonald's bags from lowlifes, there will be 100s of able-bodied jerks in jail sitting around doing nothing. There will be 1,000s of able-bodied students laying on their backs playing XBox with a bowl of double fudge ice cream balanced on their chest. And there will be 100s of young men loitering outside of package stores swilling Milwaukee's Best and Old Crow, throwing the empty cans and paper-bagged bottles on their potholed city street.
As you are out cleaning and the streets, take time to look at what you are picking up. Hold the cigarette butt between your fingers and imagine the nice young lady who threw it out of her window. Maybe she was wearing a "A Touch of Class" t-shirt and was arguing with her worthless boyfriend as she sped recklessly down the road on her free battered-spouse cell phone.
Ponder the rusty catalytic converter that you encounter. Maybe it came from a 1973 Ford Futura that still lets forth its lovely exhaust like a porta-potty pyre.
Look deeply into the smashed Hormel Lunchables container that hold in your hand. Think about the child walking home from school who dropped it there for you to pick-up. Did he eat the whole thing? Maybe he just ate the mechanically separated chicken pepperoni and threw down the crackers and sauce with the package. Maybe there was a dessert in the package and he ate the dessert only and the crows slopped-up the mechanically separated chicken. Did he also throw down his Coke can that he used to get his high fructose corn syrup rush and wash down the Ridilin pill that his mom gave him?
Finally, ask Ewers what is more difficult: ask the 20% who pull the wagon to clean-up after the 80% who ride in the wagon or demand that the police chief start enforcing litter laws?
VoR
Low pants isn’t just a kids thing. I was at Wendy’s on Saturday and two girls in front of me were giggling. I looked at the man at the counter in front of them. He was 60-70 years old and had his baggy blue jeans pulled down lower than the law should allow. No wonder the girls were laughing. The old man was gross and by the way he was white.
Voice of Reason says . . .
ANON 8:21, that's what you get for eating at Wendys! What were you thinking? We you able to get the mechanically separated chicken chunks while you were there or did you settle on the USDA Grade F Utility Beef (school lunch) hamburgers?
Victor V's Spring Clean Up post made me think of something. I was thinking of investing the time to nominate my own award nominees for the award ceremony. If I get some posts from bloggers asking me to make the awards, I will spend the time writing a post. If I don't get any requests here, I won't waste my time and your eyes. So, do you want me to make my own "Spring Clean Up" awards?
VoR
VOR, go for it !
The VOR's golden fleece awards.
CE
What Were They Thinking? From Fox News:
A British web site that encourages girls as young as 9 to embrace plastic surgery and extreme dieting in the search for the perfect figure.
http://www.missbimbo.com/
Hang in there, it takes awhile for the site to download. Probably very busy!
The "Miss Bimbo" Internet game has attracted young girls who are told to buy their virtual characters breast-enlargement surgery and to keep them "waif thin" with diet pills.
Health-care professionals, a parents' group and an organization representing people suffering from anorexia and bulimia criticized the web site for sending a dangerous message to impressionable children.
In the month since it opened the site, which is aimed at girls aged from 9 to 16, has attracted over 200,000 members. Wonder how many are from the U.S.?
Baggy pants laws and web sites for young Bimbos--what the hell is the world coming to?
Clayton,
What say you about another property tax reform proposal?
The Tax Reform Commission is putting a tax-swap Amendment on the November ballot that eliminates the school tax from our property tax bill (about a 25% reduction) and replaces that with an additional 1% in the state sales tax. The additional state sales tax receipts would be returned to local school boards for their use.
Voice of Reason,
Sure, let’s see your spring clean up awards.
Ocala sales of existing homes in February : 181 sales-down 43% - median price down 16% - Summary, worst numbers in the state. ITYS
Clayton Ellsworth
I’ll give Dr. Ellsworth a pass for awhile. Though, I still think he is wrong on our economy. I’m going to get some more economic thinking about our local business situation this Friday. There’s a program called "Making It Happen" from 1 to 5 p.m. at Ocala Breeders Sales to discuss positive aspects of Ocala's economy. Maybe the good Dr. will join me.
Man Oh Man! The Democrats are getting bad with all the trash talk toward each other. As a friend told me, the Democrats have a difficult choice. They have to pick either a nut with two boobs or a boob with two nuts. What a choice!
America has really mistreated Mr. & Mrs. Obama! No opportunities, can't earn a decent living, etc. Can we now understand why she has hated America? I guess because they were't able to earn $1.5 million.
"Barack and Michelle Obama earned close to $1 million in 2006, paid more than $318,000 in taxes and got a $40,000 refund, according to the couple’s tax return released by the Democratic presidential candidate’s campaign on Tuesday.
The Obamas owed the government $277,000 after itemized deductions, which included $60,449 in mortgage interest and $60,307 in charitable contributions."
Politics pays well. Wait until we see what the other two made. The Big O may be the poorest of the three.
VoR--too bad you can’t help me with the City clean up. Give us your Clean Up Award Winners.
Another point. Who would have thunk it. The major league baseball season starts in the U.S. and where is the first game played---in Japan! Are we truly a global economy or what.
Voice of Reason says . . . .
Thank for the encouragement Clayton, City Guy, & Stan, etc. I've been tossing around some nominees so I'll put some work into the Spring Clean-Up Golden Fleece Awards.
I did notice that the Blogmaster wanted some positive notes about politics:
1. There is a good covey of local candidates who are challenging the incumbents. Competition is what will keep the US on top - I'm voting for all challengers of incumbency unless the incumbent has been exceptional like Ellsperman.
2. The old line media are going after all politicians as a result of the work of legitimate media like Fox News, AM conservative talk radio, the internet.
3. Criminal prosecutors are not afraid to go after politicians as evidenced in the Nifong debacle, Fla. Sen. Gary Siplin, Spitzer, the current Detroit mayor jerk.
VoR
Check out the new online format for the Star-Banner, if you haven't already:
www.ocala.com
It is much better than the old one. Although, there seems to be a problem with slow downloads on some of the pages. We also discovered that. They are working on correcting the problem.
It is better. I had no problems downloading anything from the site.
VOR, who pray tell among the challangers are you takin about. none that i can see. some qualify for oberman worseest award.
Stan,
I like the tax swap. Easy decision for me because we're low on the consumption totem pole.
Clayton Ellsworth
Doom Buster :
Dr. Ellsworth was my father.
Dr Ellsworths are brothers 2 and 3and a cousin in Laramie Wyoming.
I have to get by on my good looks, street smarts and keen intellect.
You may refer to me as "The Silver Fox " this is more fitting.
Why don't you use your real name ?
I like to know who my critics are, especially ones that ignore the fact that to date, my forecasts have been on the money . Housing I have been dead on and long before anybody else .[ I may have been blogging under Agent back then.] I forecast that the economy would be the number 1 issue of the presidential campaign way back on August 19th 2007. Do you know of anybody else who was forecasting this back then ?
"Sadly, it is safer to be wrong in a crowd than to be the lone voice who is right " From the book, "The Coming Economic Collapse" by Dr. Stephen Leeb with Glen Strathy published in 2006. I
I have never taken the safe way or easiest way out. That includes a little over 2 years of leading a double life working undercover with the FBI in Ohio on , of all things, horse race fixing, which included Pete Rose who I knew was going down for income tax evasion . Seems Pete forgot all his card sales and used a "10 per center" at track windows.
No gloom buster, Ive never been afraid to stick my neck out as mom used to say.
How about using your name and sticking your neck out a little.
Clayton Ellsworth
Clayton,
Agree with you on the tax swap. For those who are conservative on discretionary spending, it’s a net positive change. For those who are big spenders it will be a breakeven or more expensive change.
I calculated we will keep 75% of the school tax savings even with the increase in sales tax.
Early polling indicates it will get the 60% required. However, the naysayers will come out of the woodwork on this change.
P.S.:"The Silver Fox" sounds a heck of a lot better than being called "The Bald Eagle"!
Voice of Reason says . . .
As to the local challengers, my main point was that it is nice to see the incumbents aren't given a free ride.
Some of the challengers are good. Strickland seems like a legitimate challenger with some answers for businesses.
Trusdell might give the voters a better budget and less union style goldbricking.
Shaw has a very good chance against "Thank You" Zanetti. Shaw is more qualified than anyone sitting on the school board right now and paid his dues with very respectable campaign in the State House race.
The others are pretty unknown to me. Can anyone shed any light on:
Ronald John Wray, DEM Superintendent of Schools?
Johnathan Raymon Connell NON School Board-2?
Bernard LeCorn NON
School Board-2?
Jacqueline Porter NON School Board-2?
Karen Francis-Winston NON School Board-3?
Emerson J. Clauss III REP County Commissioner-1?
Mark Gamoneda NON School Board-3?
If you do, do a public service and let us know.
VoR
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mr. Voice of Reason tells us he’s not voting for any incumbents except David Ellsperman. I would agree with him about Ellsperman who has done a good job and probably won’t have any competition. I would disagree with him on three incumbents who have opponents. How could anyone vote for Paul Truesdell over Ed Dean? Truesdell is a terrible choice, unless you want to destroy the Sheriff’s department. Mike Sizemore over Stan MacClain is OK if you want to vote for someone who is supporting spending hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars on running a train through parts of residential Ocala. Go ahead and vote for Ray Strickland instead of Charlie Stone if you don’t mind having an insurance man who is part of an industry that is trying to put it to people buying almost any kind of insurance in Florida. I don’t know enough about the School Board incumbents who might be running to comment. Better be careful in going anti incumbent. May not like what you get.
Voice of Reason says . . .
I'm not so hot on Strickland either. It is notable that the insurance industry always has corporation at the top of Forbes' list. Corporations like Exxon and Ford at least produce product. The insurance companies manufacture paper, lobbyists and excuses why to not pay claims.
Truesdell - what's wrong with him?
As to light rail (if that's what Sizemore wants), I'm always mixed on the issue. It is very good for a community and it has served Europe very well. I will say that any city that has one is a much more vibrant and livable city than a city without one.
However, it is very expensive and risky if you try to recreate a working system today.
It's a hard call, do you say that Sizemore's idea is visionary or stupid and wasteful. Plain and simple, the automobile is unsustainable. Sprawl and the automobile has made many American cities unlivable and miserable.
Does anyone know about those other candidates?
VoR
There’s an opinion on the blogger about Andy Kesselring deciding to stay on for another term as County Commissioner. Take it to the bank, not going to happen.
He’s going to leave the Republican Party and run as an Independent against Kurt Kelly for State Representative. Don’t be surprised to see something on it soon. He had already said he’d run for the Rep. position—the switch of party is new news.
I have forecast that as interest rates went down, foreigners would find US treasurys a bad deal.
The South Korean National Pension System, the 5th largest pension system in the world states that the will no longer buy US treasurys because of the poor yield and the need to diversify. The mananger said that they will probaly dispose of some of the treasurys they have and buy European Government debt.
This is just the tip of the iceburg.
Clayton Ellsworth
On the lighter side, no kidding :
Coming soon spring water from Chiefland Florida.
A Ontario bottler of "spring" water wants to buy 300,000 gallons of water from Chiefland to combine with spring water from Wekiva Springs. Ice River Springs will remove chemicals like chlorene from the Chiefland water so that it will be "more natural".
This somewhat natural water will be marketed under the labels
"Canadian Essence " Canadian Moutain " and "Ice River Springs "
No kidding !
Clayton Ellsworth
Kesselring could win if there aren't any democrats who run. He gives the independents someone to vote for and many democrats aren’t likely to vote for Kelly.
Voice of Reason says . . .
I would definitely vote for Kesselring over Kelly.
Go Kesselring for Florida House!
VoR
This has to be the news headline of the day!!
Woman Who Sat on Toilet for Two Years Still 'Very Sick'
A definite: What Was She Thinking?
VOR - sizemore and his bud ed anderson want to try and run the CSX down the powerline from the appleton thru all se ocala subdivisions. the idea is to not have trains going threw downtown ocala, but it destroys east ocala residential area. aint got anythign to do with light rail, it is freight trains and dozens and dozens of blocked streets or crossings. call ferguson and ask him, it goes by his front door. he's loving it, i'll bet.
as fer truesdell, well just look at his website or talk to any of a bunch who have left him in last six months.
pwf says --
Someone called me and told me of the question about the railroad and the proposed East Ocala route. The blogger is correct: the plan was to head straight south from NR 35th Street along the Florida Progress powerline, alongside the Appleton, Garden Club,through Silver Springs Forest and all other subdivisions until south of Ocala rejoining the mainline fo the CSX.
The plan offred by Dr. Anderson and Mike Sizemore was to get the trains out of downtown Ocala when the big expansion of the railroad and number of freight trains was started.
Both the city council and county commission killed the deal about four years ago, but last year, they got it approved for a study by the Transportation Planning Organization -- IF and that was a big IF -- they could get funding as an earmark from Congress.
Three tries and no money and now all the tax cutting efforts of the Governor and legislature (haven't seen much yet) and the plan has officially been dropped by the TPO.
It would have been a total disaster financially (in full disclosure, I do live about 700 feet from their route) and no politician who ever wanted to be re-elected would have approved it even if the money had come.
It would have required an overpass over SR 326, NE 35th, Silver Springs Blvd., 17th Street and all other east-west streets would have either had overpasses or the whole railroad would have been on a trestle because of elevation up and down through the developments.
But it is a dead issue, a dumb one in my view, but others may disagree. It had nothing at all to do with light rail, and it would have cost $750 million or more by the time they paid for all of the homes they ruined and all of the overpasses.
And can't you just see Florida Progress okaying a deal to have 40-50 freight trains a day running along side the mail north-south transmission line on a narrow right of way?
Mike Sizemore did come by and explain what he was trying to get was a real transportation study and that he was not tied to the powerline route, but he admits it is a dead issue.
Hope this explains the issue.
And VOR, you can buy my lunch someday. That would be fun! We might even invite Stan. --pwf
I'll use "Mr." Doom & Gloom from now on instead of "Dr." I don't want to offend those medicos in your family. I'll start using my name on the blog as soon as I retire. In the meantime, you'll have to accept "Buster". Hope you come to a postive Ocala economic event tomorrow.
Voice of Reason says . . .
The Spring Cleaning Awards:
The Hose the City Award
E-One
For attempting to hose the city with a bill for it’s failing business model.
The Money Pit Award
Ocala City Manager - Paul Nugent
The Ocala Sand Pit was winning this award until the City found out that the City Manager is more of a money pit than the Sand Pit.
Criminal’s Choice Award
State Prosecutor – Brad King
For allowing an impression to perpetuate that Marion County is an easy place to get away with a crime.
Affirmative Action Posturing Achievement Award
Assistant Superintendent of Schools – Diana Green
For taking advantage of mail order degrees (probably at government expense) and government quota programs to obtain a position that has considerable influence over an outrageous $700 million budget with an appalling failure rate. Not only that but placing herself as heir-apparent to appointed superintendent should the idiotic movement of change from an elected superintendent to an appointed one materialize.
Especially ridiculous is that she is constantly clamoring for more money for capital improvements while taking advantage of mail order degrees.
The Audacity of Broke Award
MRMC CEO – Steve Purves
For getting a half-million dollar a year salary for running a $3.5 million deficit. Then, having the unmitigated audacity to ask the taxpayers to make up for his failure to balance his budget.
The Golden Peanut Award
Ocala Mayor – Randy Ewers
For his unfailing commitment to the cause of World understanding of every lotion, potion, notion, salve, ointment, liniment, cream, food, and lubricant that George Washington Carver concocted from peanuts.
VoR
If Sizemore gets elected he can use his skills at relocating railroad lines and have the county government buy a "sky hook" for all households in the county. Really the kind of thinking we need on the Commission.
Blaming management for the fiscal squeeze at the hospital sounds to me a lot like blaming a farmer for the weather.
Voice: I think you missed some great award opportunities in County government.
Voice of Reason says . . .
I knew that the awards would be woefully incomplete but I was running out of time for the awards and today was the deadline (based on the Spring Clean Up week).
I would love to see some more awards so feel free to chime in.
VoR
Doom Buster , Why do you think the stock market is a good place to be invested ? What economic trends will give rise to higher priced market ? What fundementals of the market are you baseing your optimism on ?
Voice of Reason, bring it on, more.
County Government has a treasure trove of bone headed decisions to skewer.
Clayton Ellsworth
A little over one year ago:
1) Consumer confidence stood at a 2 1/2 year high;
2) Regular gasoline sold for $2.19 a gallon;
3) The unemployment rate was 4.5%.
Since voting in a Democratic Congress in 2006 we've seen:
1) Consumer confidence plummet;
2) The cost of regular gasoline soar to nearly $4 a gallon;
3) Unemployment is up to nearly 5% (a 10% increase);
4) American households have seen $2.3 trillion in equity value evaporate (stock and mutual fund losses);
5) Americans have seen their home equity drop by $1.2 trillion dollars;
6) 1% of American homes are in foreclosure.
America voted for change in 2006, and we got it. Can we afford to vote for more (Democratic) change in 2008!
Killing us said :
Please explain statistic by statistic how electing Democrats caused these problems . For every accurate answer you give I will counter with ten reasons that Republican failed economic and energy policies caused the statistics you site.
Gloom Buster : All major indexes were down this week except the NASDAQ which was up very marginally.
The market was on a terror ? Right?
But don't worry, Richard Band says the Dow is going to 16,000 this year, he doesn't look at fundamentals just technical data. Band has a good record over all but this is a market that has to be judged on fundamentals as well.
By the way, I have a few stocks that I am recommending to sophisticated investors to accumulate on the dips ahead , hold and forget.
These are stocks in companies that will not be hurt in the long run by programed trading [legalized pump and dump ] or logarithmic hocus pocus.
Will share with you and bloggers on demand.
Clayton Ellsworth
Voice of Reason says . . .
Are you saying that you will give us some stock tips CE?
Let's hear them.
VoR
CE--Both parties share responsiblity for our screwed up economy. Go back in history and tell us which party started Social Security and Medicare. Two programs that will be bankrupt in the not too distant future. Which party is talking about spending billions on more "socialism" of our government? For every point you make defending the party now in control of our foundering economy, I'll make a point in history of how that party is continuing to lead us on the road to being a third world nation.
Victor V: I saw this piece of history on another blog and it’s worth repeating--even if it's a long message. Yes, the Democrats are as responsible as anyone of leading us down the path we are on.
Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social Security (FICA) Program. He promised:
1.) That participation in the program would be completely voluntary,
2.) That the participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their annual incomes into the program,
3.) That the money the participants elected to put into the program would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each year,
4.) That the money the participants put into the independent "Trust Fund" rather than into the general operating fund, and therefore, would only be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program, and no other Government program, and,
5.) That the payments to the retirees would never be taxed as income.
Q: Which political party took Social Security from the Independent "Trust Fund" and put it into the General fund so that Congress could spend it?
A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the democratically controlled House and Senate.
Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax Deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding?
A: The Democratic Party.
Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social Security payments?
A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the "tie-breaking" deciding vote as President of the Senate, while he was Vice President of the U.S.
Q: Which Political Party decided to start giving SS payments to immigrants?
A: That's right! Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party. Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65, began to receive Social Security payments! The Democratic Party gave these payments to them, even though they never paid a dime into it!
Then, after violating the original contract (FICA), the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away! And the worst part about it is uninformed citizens believe it!
We need to get rid of the do nothing Congressmen. Won;t make any diffeerence who is the President. The problem is who we have elected to represent us in Wash. D.C. Includes both parties.
Killing us said is specifically blaming the 2006 democratic contolled congress for the problems he listed. My response was made accordingly. Iwill respond again accordingly if need be.
Clayton Ellsworth
I'm also disappointed that nothing is happening in Congress to solve our many problems. The Democrats are wasting valuable time. All we have heard for as long as I can remember about the Social Security fix that is needed is let the new President solve it. We have been through new Presidents, Democrat and Republican and the problem still is there. The Democrats solution to every problem is to get government more involved and take more of our tax money. I saw this article in the Gainesville paper about the Democrats solution to the economy problems. Again, typical spend more money approach. This is the article:
The Sun ran an article detailing Obama's and Clinton's economic plans if elected. First, all politicians are dead to me, but our systems forces us to elect one for president.
Obama and Clinton do nothing but reinforce the Democratic Party mentality of hand-outs and big government. One proposal is to offer $30 billion to homeowners and long-term unemployed. To be fair, this will help some who are truly in need, but what we are doing is bailing out irresponsible home buyers living beyond their means.
The market will correct itself and be healthier in the long run. The “long term” unemployed are those who have stopped looking for a job.
The Democratic Party continues to place no accountability where is needs to be. If you want a better life the opportunity is there and has been without new government hand-outs.
Dan Whitcraft,
Gainesville
I stick with my comments about the reason for our problems. I'm not alone.
Want change?
www.truesdellforsheriff.com
I don’t own any stocks and used DJIA as one example of the overall economy. Mr. Ellsworth, don’t assume me as a big investor. All my assets, other than house, are in a 401-K plan. All in one of those stage of life accounts. It’s down 4.6% since the start of the year. Compare my downer to most stocks and it’s not that bad. I’m leaving my account alone. I believe the economy will be back positive sooner rather than later. In my opinion, painting a picture of our economy as doomed is a political scare tactic. A big downturn-possibly-but not the disaster you are predicting. A little temporary gloom but not doom. Call me an optimist, that’s the way I look at things. I'm with people like those at Friday’s Ocala Economic summit and take the positive road.
What's a stage of life account?
In voting for a new President, we should remember the words of Thomas Jefferson as spoken by Rush Limbaugh:
A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.
Doom Buster,
The Stock Market closed today ending the worst quarter in nearly 4 years.
Clayton Ellsworth
Doom Buster,
"painting our economy as doomed is a political scare tactic ".
That is absurd . I have been talking about it for a long time and I am no politician . I have nothing to gain by scaring anybody and to think I have any clout beyond getting my dogs to mind is a real stretch. I don't take my cues from politicians but from experts like Warren Buffet, Jimmy Rodgers, Bill Gross, Paul Krugman,Paul Farrell, to name just a few. Do you consider them Doomand Gloomers ?
Our private library of books on economics is greater than that of our public library, a fact we found out last week looking for new books on economics at the main branch. We did find 15 new books by Ron L. Hubbard, founder of Scientology, on the "new " shelf instead, but that's another subject.
I stipulate that there is a lot of denial as was the case before the tech bubble burst, before Enron blew up, before the housing bubble broke.
I found it a bit ironic that on the same day as your pep rally a local food bank said that some of their shelves were bare because of unprecented demand. A little "temperary gloom" I guess.
Suggest you talk to the social services agencys and Salvation Army to find out if they are experiencing a little "temperary gloom " by the people they are seeing.
Oh, I know, the poor will always be with us.
Clayton Ellsworth
Maybe Doom Buster is correct. What recession? Is it all about politics?
www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,343671,00.html
Bauer Financial has lowered the rating of Ocala National from two stars [ problematic]to 0 stars.
See St.Petersburg Times story today.
Either a shotgun marriage or failure is eminent.
Clayton Ellsworth
Sounds like ONB needs a new president?? Who is the President of the bank anyway??
Post a Comment
<< Home