A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-08-05.... Bush booming, Democrats still depressed

JohnHuang2/DollyCali | December 8, 2005 | JohnHuang2/DollyCali

[DollyCali]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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Bush Boom still booming,
Democrats still depressed
by JohnHuang2

With the execution last week of convicted killer Kenneth Boyd and the killing of a key al-Qaeda leader in Pakistan, it was not a good week for the Democrats. Saddam was back in the courtroom. Democrats were back in the courtroom defending Saddam. Moreover, Bush still refuses to say he's sorry he kicked Saddam's butt. The President's speech at the U.S. Naval Academy in Maryland was superb. Yes, a roadside bomb Thursday killed 10 Marines on foot patrol near Fallujah, but that was the only bright spot for Democrats -- these wonderful patriots.

On top of that, there's growing worry that the milestone Parliamentary elections set for December 15 may go well. The last thing Democrats need. The party is broken, worn out and living hand-to-mouth as it is. Even worse for Democrats, a string of reports showing the U.S. economy is booming. The economy is so good that Democrats can't stop yammering about Iraq. But if you think I'm here to gloat, you're wrong. I'm not.

Reuters reports that President Bush "has launched a push to take credit for recent positive economic news the public has largely shrugged off." Immediately after the release of Friday's bullish employment report, Bush was on the South Lawn of the White House trumpeting the news. On Monday, he was in North Carolina. Gloating. I'm not sure that's the right approach, though.

That's why you won't hear a peep from me about how pessimists were wrong. They predicted spiraling gas prices, a string of hurricanes and the cost of the Iraq War would push the economy into recession. Surely, tightening by the Fed would. They were wrong. The Commerce Department last week reported that the "stagnant" economy surged by 4.3% in the third quarter, annualized. The pessimists and naysayers had egg on their faces, since 4.3% was the best rate posted in more than a year. We've seen 10 straight quarters of GDP growth at or over 3.3%, the best performance in 19 years. And the stock market has been on a roll. But should I rub it in? No.

In fact, you won't even hear me mention how the "jobless recovery" created 215,000 new jobs in the month of November, as reported by the Labor Department Friday. The number beat expectations. It was the biggest jump in non-farm payroll jobs in four months. Almost 2 million new jobs have been created in the past year, and more than double that since March 2003 -- but nary a word about it from me.

Here's what else my lips are firmly sealed about: The recovery in manufacturing. The economy last month added 11,000 new manufacturing jobs, after a gain of 15,000 such jobs during the month of October. We hadn't had two consecutive months of manufacturing job growth in over a year. The data shows the economy withstood the full brunt of three major hurricanes and the full fury of 7 gloomy New York Times editorials per week!

I suppose I could gloat that the overall jobless rate is 5% -- essentially full-employment -- but I won't. Not even going to mention that 5% unemployment is below the average jobless rate posted in the 70s, 80s and the 90s.

Look, if I were gloating, wouldn't I mention that gas prices have fallen by 30% since September, sending consumer confidence soaring by 13 points in November? Nationally, self-serve regular averaged just $2.13 a gallon. That's a drop of 88 cents a gallon since September. As energy costs eased, consumer spending surged by 4.2% in the third quarter and business spending swelled by 10.8%, annualized. October saw the biggest one-month spike in sales of single family homes in 12 years -- 13%!!! But, again, my lips are completely sealed.

And all this with low inflation. The core personal-consumption-expenditure prices index dropped from a 1.7% annualized rate for the second quarter to 1.2% for the third quarter.

Sure, it's tempting to mention all of this, but I haven't yet and I'm not about to start now.

;-)

Anyway, that's...

My Two Cents...

"JohnHuang2"

09-27-05 ~ Hall of Fame #13

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 12-05-05 Military Monday 12-06-05 Finest Christmas Tables, Part I 12-07-05 Christmas in New York

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[Billie]

I am SOOOOOOOOO glad to see My Two Cents back today, and what a fabulous one! Of course, I'm not gloating either.



No, not much. :)

LOL! You two! Super illustrations, Sistah, to go with a super essay - one in which JH was not gloating - and he could, you know. :)

[DollyCali]

Thanks Lori..

Plumber has left.. think we are go for that but the septic tank needs to be drained tomorrow.. 2 major expenses to deal with & no real buffer $$ wise. total will be about 750 for those services..

Furnace.. he is getting the new computerized parts.. that will no doubt be a hefty fee also. Hoping he is back today. It is really cold here.

Need to go check under all mattresses & see if anyone stored money there???

:-)

.

[DollyCali]

Thanks dave! I wonder if there is such a thing as normal? Not sure I have EVER experienced it.

[DollyCali]

Louie, the lowest reading on the inhouse thermostat is 40 & the dial is there. I broght in the other one from outside & it is reading 34 degrees. That is very cold for inside a home! but your frozen dude in the outhouse doesn't look exactly warm, does he?

[DollyCali]

Louie, the lowest reading on the inhouse thermostat is 40 & the dial is there. I broght in the other one from outside & it is reading 34 degrees. That is very cold for inside a home! but your frozen dude in the outhouse doesn't look exactly warm, does he?

[DollyCali]

mono-polar.. like that. Dated a guy once that fits the bill & it is appropriate for him..

[DollyCali]

Plumbing is a go... & Heat is back!

yea!

Up to a balmy 48 degrees in home now!

Time to celebrate!!!!

[prairiebreeze]

Thanks for the ping Dolly. John, you sure do know how to keep good secrets. :^D

Seriously, I'm sorry to hear you had a rough time due to Wilma. It was a travesty the reporting was so absent, we happen to know somebody in FL that lost their house. Tough indeed.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukkah or Warm Best Wishes of the Season, whatever applies best.

[Diver Dave]

Plumbing is a go... & Heat is back!
Time to celebrate!!!!

Oh-Oh! Watch out! You might be attacked by "normal" - and not that old Navy term - SNAFU. :)

[DollyCali]

yes, snafu is the only normal I guess I know.

:-)

and yes, I was Navy too!

[Pistov Elf]

Harrumph!! Banished to the ToyMines....Elves Strike...and now...Fatboy sends me to my room!!! I know! I know! If I just wouldn't sass him like I always do!!

But...I just wanna get the elves a little credit...we work hard and Fatboy (a.k.a. SANTA) gets all the credit!!

Well, we'll see...he can't make the deadline now!! Not without our help.... I'm sorry for the little boys and girls bout not getting their toys...but Blame Santa!!

Harrumph!! And you wonder why I'm usually...

Pistov

[DollyCali]

Awwww.. poor Pistov! I still say we need to steal you away to a nicer life!

Kids have too much stuff anyway & are much TOO MUCH materialistic.

Hideway in one of those bags & jump out at a nice looking area. *I personally recommend a WARM climate!

Thanks for checking in our favorite little Elf! I am still happy here at computer where there is a space heater. A nice long bubble/oil/herb bath is on the docket shortly. And some more cranberry tea w/ cabernet...

[luvie]

Welcome back, John...we have missed your rants so much around here. You are the voice of reason in the wilderness! Everything seems so clear after I read your essays. Thank you for being a conservative!...otherwise the DUmmies might be able to use your intelligent logic against us....wait a minute!!! We're talking about DUmmies, here. Never mind!

[Pistov Elf]

Ah Ha!!! So you were the one who took our icepoopinhouse!!

Santa...has jumped all over the elves for losing it...and he blames me to boot!!

Yep!! St.Louie1...a.k.a. Wolfie Toofums...you have earned Santa's Naughty List, again...and it's

BIG TIME!!!

Pistov

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Afternoon Pistov.

Uh oh,I think you sassed Santa a little to much, if he is sending you to your Mom.

I am sorry to hear, that Santa won't be making his deadline this year and that a lot of little boys and girls won't get their presents this year.:(

Maybe Santa will modernize his operation when he sees that he is working his elves to hard.

I'll be saying a prayer that all will get resolved soon.

Cheer up my little friend the busy season is almost over.

{{{HUGS}}}

Mrs.N.

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Afternoon LUVbo!!!!

{{{HUGS}}}

[luvie]

Hee-hee! Hi!..I gotta go to bible school now. Will you be here in an hour? Hope so...or somewhere!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

I'll be around.

Enjoy bible school.

{{{hugs}}}

[Aquamarine]

Oh boy, John's back and right on the money again!

Love the unique presentation Dolly and the pic's were perfect.

[GodBlessUSA]

Yippee Dolly,
That's great news!!