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HomeFiddling While the United States Burns
Posted by Larry Doyle on April 8th, 2011 7:45 AM |
Ben Bernanke’s grand economic experiment of quantitative easing is nothing more than a policy of implementing negative real interest rates. That policy may provide support to puff the markets but it also promotes a very real transfer of wealth and income. The simple fact is quantitative easing and negative real interest rates as a formal monetary policy are neither practical nor sustainable over the long haul.
What do I view as a very real and dangerous consequence of Bernanke’s policy? I am of the strong opinion that Bernanke has created a facade behind which many in Washington and around the country continue to “fiddle while the United States burns.” We evidence this fiddling reality in the midst of the petulant and pathetic budget debate ongoing in Washington. While our leaders nitpick over pennies in order to ‘keep the lights on’, the destructive structural deficit our nation faces casts a very long shadow across our nation’s entire landscape. I firmly believe that many politicians have little true appreciation for that reality. (more…)
Will Wall Street Mortgage Settlement Talks Halt Homeowner Abuse?
Posted by Larry Doyle on April 7th, 2011 5:57 AM |
Call me old fashioned but the idea that those engaged in abusive, and very likely fraudulent, business practices are allowed to negotiate a settlement strikes me as un-American.
That said, the world of unintended consequences in our Uncle Sam and Wall Street dominated economic system brings us just such an un-American approach in terms of addressing our current mortgage mess.
Negotiate? Settlement? Growing up in Boston in a family full of lawyers, I was under the impression that fraud and abuse likely got you 5 to 7 years in a medium security facility and maybe you got out in 3 to 4 with good behavior. Perhaps that form of justice still applies to you and me but for the large monied interests who run this country, we’re talking negotiations and settlement. Wow!! Little wonder why the rage in our nation directed at the Wall Street-Washington incest continues to burn so strongly. Let’s navigate. (more…)
Now We Know Who Blocked the Whistleblower Protection Act
Posted by Larry Doyle on April 6th, 2011 7:50 AM |
Let it be known that with this commentary the Sense on Cents Hall of Shame inducts Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL), and House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH). What have they done to deserve this “honor”? A recent release points the finger squarely at them for assaulting our prized virtues and never ending pursuit of truth, transparency, and integrity. Let’s navigate.
This past January 10th, I inquired Which U.S. Senator Blocked the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act? and wrote:
Let’s bang the drum once again to promote truth, transparency and integrity. In this rendition, let’s collectively work to expose the Congressional coward, that is the United States Senator, who blocked the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act. In the process, Senator “Coward” took a stand against our prized virtues while defending the monied interests of corporate elitism.
Did you just vomit thinking that our hallowed halls upon Capitol Hill are populated with such louts? Why haven’t others on Capitol Hill raised a hue and cry? Fellow cowards? You think? Getting their bread “buttered” in the process? You think? What happened to our country? (more…)
The Tale of Two Economies
Posted by Larry Doyle on April 5th, 2011 8:16 AM |
What does our economic future hold? Great question, right?
Is our economy truly rebounding as much as our equity markets may portend or are we riding high predominantly due to government stimulus similar to an economic anabolic steroid? Is our future as bleak as the numerous and sundry doomsayers would proclaim? Does it appear as if our economy has a split personality or is operating in two different realms? Do you often wonder what others—especially those in Washington—may be seeing if the economic landscape in your backyard remains very challenging?
I continue to believe our overall economy is operating and will continue to operate with a ‘walking pneumonia’ type condition. The massive debt burdens at all levels of our economy continue to serve as a drag and inhibit any sort of truly robust rebound. Let’s navigate and take the pulse of Rick Davis of Consumer Metrics Institute which captures real time discretionary online consumer activity. (more…)
Unemployment Report Review, April 1, 2011: We Need Yeast
Posted by Larry Doyle on April 1st, 2011 8:52 AM |
This morning’s Unemployment Report may be presented as another in an ongoing series of gradually improving signs of economic recovery. That said, the report lacks one vitally important ingredient. What is that?
Yeast.
What? “LD, what the heck are you talking about?”
As any trained chef knows, “it’s the yeast that makes the dough rise!!” On that note, while pundits and analysts may care to focus on the headline unemployment rate declining to 8.8% and non-farm payrolls increasing by 216k, for those focused on the structural health and well being of our economy, I encourage you to focus on wages. (more…)
