Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
GDP REPORT
2nd quarter 2009 - 0.7%
3rd quarter 2009 2.2%
4th quarter 2009 5.6%
1st quarter 2010 2.7%
2nd quarter 2010 1.7%
3rd quarter 2010 2.6%
4th quarter 2010 3.1%
1st quarter 2011 0.4%
2nd quarter 2011 1.3%
3rd quarter 2011
Advance Estimate 2.3%
Second Estimate Nov 22
Third Estimate Dec 22
The GDP advance estimate for the 3rd quarter is fantastic. Hopefully this will signal a sustained upward trend in the economy.
Release dates in 2012 Gross Domestic Product
For 4rd QT 2011
Advance Estimate 1/27/12
Second Estimate 2/29/12
Third Estimate 3/29/12
3rd quarter 2009 2.2%
4th quarter 2009 5.6%
1st quarter 2010 2.7%
2nd quarter 2010 1.7%
3rd quarter 2010 2.6%
4th quarter 2010 3.1%
1st quarter 2011 0.4%
2nd quarter 2011 1.3%
3rd quarter 2011
Advance Estimate 2.3%
Second Estimate Nov 22
Third Estimate Dec 22
The GDP advance estimate for the 3rd quarter is fantastic. Hopefully this will signal a sustained upward trend in the economy.
Release dates in 2012 Gross Domestic Product
For 4rd QT 2011
Advance Estimate 1/27/12
Second Estimate 2/29/12
Third Estimate 3/29/12
As housing goes …. So goes the economy!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
The World of Baseball or Politics?
I am a baseball fan. My teams did not make it to the World Series this year. I wasn’t all that interested in watching and learning about the players and teams in the World Series. However, I still watch the games and I am now a fan of both teams.
Reflecting on this past season, I remember my favorite team and their problems.
At the beginning of the season, the fans had high hopes with new players and a new manager. The fans were excited about the season and they expected a winner.
The team seemed to be functioning however they were not playing up to expectations. In fact, the team was losing and the manager made questionable moves.
Surprisingly, the team decided to spend money on new uniforms and equipment. And, they started to give away baseball caps to the first 1,000 fans into the stadium for each game. Unfortunately, the team was still losing.
Just before the All Star break, the fans began to boo the players and manager. Interestingly, some of the players quit the game, retired or got traded. The manager was optimistic that the second half of the season would be better with some new players.
The team became dysfunctional. The newer teammates wanted to hustle and bring energy to how they played the game. The veterans of the team didn’t like how the new comers played the game. They especially did not like how they voiced their opinions on baseball strategy.
The team during this period had to raise the prices of tickets, all merchandise and at the concession stand. Still, the fans wanted the team to win. They called on the manager to play the game the way it is supposed to be played and win with the players on the team.
The manger did not adapt to the new team nor did the team adapt to the manager.
Surprisingly, half way through the second half of the season, the manager started to leave the dugout and go up into the stands to talk with the fans ---- during the game!
The manager told the fans that the team was dysfunctional and they will never win. But, as the manager, the fans need to believe in him because if given the right team with the right chemistry, his team will win.
The manager tried to explain why the fans had to pay more to attend a game. After all new uniforms and equipment cost a lot of money and someone had to pay for it.
Unfortunately, the team continued to lose but they dressed the part! The manager’s press conference after each loss highlighted the short comings of the players. The manager placed the blame on the shoulders of the players. He said that he knows best and certain players need to be traded so that he can properly implement his baseball strategies and become winners again.
The manager wanted again to buy new uniforms and change the image of the team. He also purchased new bats so that they could score more runs. He bought new baseball gloves so they could catch the ball more often. He even had the players chip in to subsidize the cost of the baseball hats so that every fan could have a hat.
The fans voiced their opinion. They wanted the manager to get out of the bleachers and get into the game.
Toward the end of the season, the team had the worst record in baseball. The fans continued to fill the ball park since they loved the game of baseball. The fans in the left and right field stands continued to boo while the fans in the middle remained positive and optimistic.
The manager traded their catcher. He is the best defensive catcher in baseball. Nobody would steal a base when he was behind the plate. The manager also traded his homerun hitter and the best pitcher on the team.
All of the other teams knew that these moves would make the team weaker since the team nucleus was gone. Other teams wanted to play our team. The other team could improve their hitting averages and steal bases at will.
At the end of the season, the manager would appear at the beginning of each game and set the line-up but again disappeared into the stands. The manager lost confidence in the players and the players lost confidence in the manager.
The fans only wanted a winner because they are loyal fans. We voiced our opinions but the manager and players didn’t listen.
Before the new season starts, we will watch two great teams play in the World Series. The Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals are putting on a great show for the game of baseball. The managers are engaged and each game has been fantastic to watch.
I am praying that it is not too late for our organization to succeed. Off-season moves will either make us again a winner or continue the trend of individual egos playing and managing a team sport. Fortunately, the contracts for the manager and players are up for renewal.
If you had a vote today, would you vote to retain the manager and the players or make changes?
Reflecting on this past season, I remember my favorite team and their problems.
At the beginning of the season, the fans had high hopes with new players and a new manager. The fans were excited about the season and they expected a winner.
The team seemed to be functioning however they were not playing up to expectations. In fact, the team was losing and the manager made questionable moves.
Surprisingly, the team decided to spend money on new uniforms and equipment. And, they started to give away baseball caps to the first 1,000 fans into the stadium for each game. Unfortunately, the team was still losing.
Just before the All Star break, the fans began to boo the players and manager. Interestingly, some of the players quit the game, retired or got traded. The manager was optimistic that the second half of the season would be better with some new players.
The team became dysfunctional. The newer teammates wanted to hustle and bring energy to how they played the game. The veterans of the team didn’t like how the new comers played the game. They especially did not like how they voiced their opinions on baseball strategy.
The team during this period had to raise the prices of tickets, all merchandise and at the concession stand. Still, the fans wanted the team to win. They called on the manager to play the game the way it is supposed to be played and win with the players on the team.
The manger did not adapt to the new team nor did the team adapt to the manager.
Surprisingly, half way through the second half of the season, the manager started to leave the dugout and go up into the stands to talk with the fans ---- during the game!
The manager told the fans that the team was dysfunctional and they will never win. But, as the manager, the fans need to believe in him because if given the right team with the right chemistry, his team will win.
The manager tried to explain why the fans had to pay more to attend a game. After all new uniforms and equipment cost a lot of money and someone had to pay for it.
Unfortunately, the team continued to lose but they dressed the part! The manager’s press conference after each loss highlighted the short comings of the players. The manager placed the blame on the shoulders of the players. He said that he knows best and certain players need to be traded so that he can properly implement his baseball strategies and become winners again.
The manager wanted again to buy new uniforms and change the image of the team. He also purchased new bats so that they could score more runs. He bought new baseball gloves so they could catch the ball more often. He even had the players chip in to subsidize the cost of the baseball hats so that every fan could have a hat.
The fans voiced their opinion. They wanted the manager to get out of the bleachers and get into the game.
Toward the end of the season, the team had the worst record in baseball. The fans continued to fill the ball park since they loved the game of baseball. The fans in the left and right field stands continued to boo while the fans in the middle remained positive and optimistic.
The manager traded their catcher. He is the best defensive catcher in baseball. Nobody would steal a base when he was behind the plate. The manager also traded his homerun hitter and the best pitcher on the team.
All of the other teams knew that these moves would make the team weaker since the team nucleus was gone. Other teams wanted to play our team. The other team could improve their hitting averages and steal bases at will.
At the end of the season, the manager would appear at the beginning of each game and set the line-up but again disappeared into the stands. The manager lost confidence in the players and the players lost confidence in the manager.
The fans only wanted a winner because they are loyal fans. We voiced our opinions but the manager and players didn’t listen.
Before the new season starts, we will watch two great teams play in the World Series. The Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals are putting on a great show for the game of baseball. The managers are engaged and each game has been fantastic to watch.
I am praying that it is not too late for our organization to succeed. Off-season moves will either make us again a winner or continue the trend of individual egos playing and managing a team sport. Fortunately, the contracts for the manager and players are up for renewal.
If you had a vote today, would you vote to retain the manager and the players or make changes?
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Peak of the Week – Going “Green”
The peak of the week is a look back in time and a peek ahead.
Source: Unknown
In the line at the store, the cashier told an older woman that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.
The woman apologized to him and explained, "We didn't have the green thing back in my day."
The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment."
He was right -- our generation didn't have the green thing in its day.
Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled.
But we didn't have the green thing back in our day.
We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks.
But she was right. We didn't have the green thing in our day.
Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts -- wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.
But that young lady is right; we didn't have the green thing back in our day.
Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana.
In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.
Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power.
We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.
But she's right; we didn't have the green thing back then.
We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.
But we didn't have the green thing back then.
Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.
But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the green thing back then?
And you are NOW just going green? Really?
Source: Unknown
In the line at the store, the cashier told an older woman that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.
The woman apologized to him and explained, "We didn't have the green thing back in my day."
The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment."
He was right -- our generation didn't have the green thing in its day.
Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled.
But we didn't have the green thing back in our day.
We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks.
But she was right. We didn't have the green thing in our day.
Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts -- wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.
But that young lady is right; we didn't have the green thing back in our day.
Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana.
In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.
Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power.
We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.
But she's right; we didn't have the green thing back then.
We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.
But we didn't have the green thing back then.
Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.
But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the green thing back then?
And you are NOW just going green? Really?
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
The Forgotten Worker!
The housing crisis is tied first to the job losses and second to the economic recovery. For years, I have been saying “As housing goes………..So goes the Economy”
There are over 17 million sole proprietorship's in the United States.
Add in single owner LLC’s and there is a significant business segment which have been severely impacted by the economic downturn but not reported on.
Sole proprietorship's account for over 70% of all businesses in the US. Sole proprietors do not show up in the unemployment line, they don’t receive company paid health care benefits nor do they receive paid holidays. Every day it is a struggle for the sole proprietor to survive.
Are you?
Employed or a sole proprietor that own a home not underwater
Many sole proprietors could not refinance their home and take advantage of lower interest rates since their income is probably not consistent nor considered acceptable to qualify for a loan.
Unemployed or a sole proprietor that own a home not underwater
The unemployed can receive 99 weeks of unemployment benefits. The sole proprietor --- ZERO. Neither will be able to refinance.
Employed, unemployed or a sole proprietor that own a home underwater
Today, banks will favor the employed while the unemployed and sole proprietors must pursue a short sale or foreclosure solution.
The vicious cycle continues……………As Housing Goes – So Goes the Economy!
Wake Up America!
There are over 17 million sole proprietorship's in the United States.
Add in single owner LLC’s and there is a significant business segment which have been severely impacted by the economic downturn but not reported on.
Sole proprietorship's account for over 70% of all businesses in the US. Sole proprietors do not show up in the unemployment line, they don’t receive company paid health care benefits nor do they receive paid holidays. Every day it is a struggle for the sole proprietor to survive.
Are you?
Employed or a sole proprietor that own a home not underwater
Many sole proprietors could not refinance their home and take advantage of lower interest rates since their income is probably not consistent nor considered acceptable to qualify for a loan.
Unemployed or a sole proprietor that own a home not underwater
The unemployed can receive 99 weeks of unemployment benefits. The sole proprietor --- ZERO. Neither will be able to refinance.
Employed, unemployed or a sole proprietor that own a home underwater
Today, banks will favor the employed while the unemployed and sole proprietors must pursue a short sale or foreclosure solution.
The vicious cycle continues……………As Housing Goes – So Goes the Economy!
Wake Up America!
Monday, October 24, 2011
A Different Perspective on OUR Debt
The US debt approx. $14,000,000,000,000
World population 7,000,000,000
If every human on the face of the planet contributed $2,000 to our debt, we could start over!
However, the world median income is LESS than $2,000 PER YEAR!
Oh!! What should we do?
Let’s start now to: Stop Spending
Pass Term Limits
Balance the Budget
World population 7,000,000,000
If every human on the face of the planet contributed $2,000 to our debt, we could start over!
However, the world median income is LESS than $2,000 PER YEAR!
Oh!! What should we do?
Let’s start now to: Stop Spending
Pass Term Limits
Balance the Budget
Wake Up America!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Property Rights versus Eminent Domain
5th Amendment to the Constitution:
……nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.
Definition of Eminent Domain:
“n. the power of a governmental entity (federal, state, county or city government, school district, hospital district or other agencies) to take private real estate for public use, with or without the permission of the owner”
Kelo v. City of New London, 545 U.S. 469 (2005)[1] was a case decided by the Supreme Court of the United States involving the use of eminent domain: to transfer land from one private owner to another to further economic development.
The case arose from the condemnation by New London, Connecticut, of privately owned real property so that it could be used as part of a comprehensive redevelopment plan which promised 3,169 new jobs and $1.2 million a year in tax revenues.
The Court held in a 5–4 decision that the general benefits a community enjoyed from economic growth qualified such redevelopment plans as a permissible "public use" under the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment.
……nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.
Definition of Eminent Domain:
“n. the power of a governmental entity (federal, state, county or city government, school district, hospital district or other agencies) to take private real estate for public use, with or without the permission of the owner”
Kelo v. City of New London, 545 U.S. 469 (2005)[1] was a case decided by the Supreme Court of the United States involving the use of eminent domain: to transfer land from one private owner to another to further economic development.
The case arose from the condemnation by New London, Connecticut, of privately owned real property so that it could be used as part of a comprehensive redevelopment plan which promised 3,169 new jobs and $1.2 million a year in tax revenues.
The Court held in a 5–4 decision that the general benefits a community enjoyed from economic growth qualified such redevelopment plans as a permissible "public use" under the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment.
WAKE UP AMERICA!
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