The latest unusual economic indicator is located in your bathroom. It’s toilet paper! I’m not making this up. A recent article on MSN Money says toilet paper sales can tell us much about the economic recovery. (article here)
I feel obligated to comment on this new indicator since I have written about other unusual economic indicators. But I assure you that I will treat this subject with the seriousness and professionalism it deserves and will resist the temptation to include any snide puns.
Some economists are flush with excitement at the possibility of a new economic indicator, but I think the argument on this one is a bit too thin to do the job. You know that the situation has hit bottom (or touched bottom) when economists are reading toilet paper instead of tea leaves.
Toilet paper sales plunged in late 2008 and 2009 as the economy swirled downward. You could have knocked me right off my stool with this news. I would have theorized that toilet paper sales would be impervious to economic conditions, but The Great Recession was so nasty sales and production both went down.
Consider that there are no substitutes for this product. Corn cobs or leaves might work in a pinch, but are not viable in the long-term. However, many “downsized” people downsized their toilet tissue purchases. It is speculated that people went from using two-ply to one-ply and from name brand to cheaper off-brands. I knew the recession resulted in tough times, we now know it also created rough times.
There is a possibility that some people did intentionally cut back on toilet paper usage for environmental reasons. Sheryl Crow proposed in 2007 that global warming could be improved if people limited themselves to one sheet per session. Then there was the 2009 campaign from Greenpeace that claimed that our use of plush toilet tissue was destroying the environment. While I think it is important to go green, when green goes up against brown, brown usually wins. And if you wanted to quickly destroy an environment, imagine yourself on a four-hour plane ride with a group of Sheryl Crow disciples. (I wonder if those drop-down masks work at normal cabin pressure).
But what makes this recession different is the amount of people who suffered a reduction of income. The unemployment rate is around ten percent. Add in the part-time workers for economic reasons and the discouraged workers (no longer looking for work) and you are up to 17% of workers. Now add in the people who took a pay cut in 2008-2009 which is basically everyone in the transportation industry as well as many other hard-hit industries. Add to that nearly every commission sales person (including every real-estate agent). You need to include all waitresses and service providers whose income and tips depend on customer volume. Finally, you have many small business owners whose income also is based on volume. People depending on dividend and interest income from investments also took a hit.
Run the grand total and maybe 30% or more of the working population suffered a drop in income. And even with the recession over, incomes are still lower than a few years ago. While most corporate pay cuts have been restored, many people in the other categories are still are trying to recover. In addition, many workers laid off in 2008-2009 have found new jobs that pay less than their previous ones.
However, the economy after being strained is starting to loosen up and interestingly toilet paper production is up 13%. Toilet paper factories are being dumped on with orders and are pushing out product at a rate not seen in months. This is an indication that consumers are wiping away their economic fears and spending money again.
And now the market may be having a movement back to the other end. A new three-ply toilet tissue sold well in 2009 and continues to swell in popularity. The product’s success was probably fueled by people who maintained their income levels and were looking for more comfort. Or it may just be the stress of the economy has inflamed the hemorrhoids of the nation like never before (we need some o-balm-a).
You don’t need to be a bloodhound to know that conditions were smelly and this is one paper that you didn’t have to read to know things had hit the skids. I don’t want to poo-poo the findings too much, but this is a trailing indicator (so lift up your shoe and remove it from the discussion). I don’t believe this indicator means squat unless there is another recession of this magnitude. There are many products that followed the same sales pattern as toilet paper during this recession. It is not unique so I believe that we can eliminate this indicator from the discussion and start back to square one.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Very Dippy Thoughts
Today’s topic is the “double-dip”. Some double-dips are good. My favorite double-dip is a German Chocolate Cake/Jamoca Almond Fudge combination at Baskin Robbins. Likewise, double-dip roller coasters can be fun. Riding these is very similar to investing in the stock market. The major difference is that you are guaranteed to get off of the roller coaster with the same amount of money you started with, very different with stocks.
Most double-dips have negative connotations. The charlatan who unethically or illegally gains financially from drawing income from two sources, George Constanza double dipping his potato chip, and of course the dreaded double-dip recession.
Some analysts appear obsessed with the possibility that we will have a double-dip recession. Every week there are new articles on the subject, but double-dip recessions are rare. Economists are concerned that global credit problems, a Spanish banking crisis, a new Korean War, a second housing slump, money supply tightening and a disruption in Chinese trade, will plunge the U.S. economy back into recession. It is possible for this economy to fall back into recession, but to dwell on the subject is sort of morose and potentially self-defeating. There will be plenty of time to analyze it after it happens, so shut up already.
The Model T is not predicting a double-dip recession. The current graph of The Model T is shown below. It still says we are in the beginning of a “UL” shaped recovery. Note though that according to the graph, the economy will take an extended time to recover.
GDP Forecasts
My panel of economic experts forecasted a 2.8% growth rate for Q1 and the last revision was 3.0%. The panel is forecasting 3.5% for Q2, 3.1% for Q3 and 3.2% for Q4. So not even close to a double-dip predicted here. Although it should be noted that the panel members did not predict the first recession. (For what it’s worth, I personally think the forecasts for Q3 and Q4 are high).
The Stock Market
June is a key month for the market. The May drop was more pronounced than normal for the start of a bull market. If there is more correction in June, this market has no legs. Almost all the “data driven” models are predicting some type of market correction of 10-40% or even more. Most analysts predicting market increases are basing their forecasts on emotional based factors. They argue that the data models are not valid due to the indicators being unreliable due to the bizarre financial circumstances. This argument is self-defeating. If the economic indicators remain messed up, it is because the economy remains messed up. The unreliability of the indicators is a bad thing, not a good thing.
Yes We Could Double-DipThere is a way that a double dip recession could happen. If the stock market drops 20% or more in a short time period, panic will reenter the economy. Remember that all recessions have some psychological factors and if panic causes consumers and businesses to stop spending, you will get more layoffs and possibly another recession. This would indeed be a strange occurrence. The stock market could drop to where the data models say it should be and this causes the recession. It hurts my head to even think about this one. My suggestion is for everyone to head to Baskin-Robbins and chill out.
Most double-dips have negative connotations. The charlatan who unethically or illegally gains financially from drawing income from two sources, George Constanza double dipping his potato chip, and of course the dreaded double-dip recession.
Some analysts appear obsessed with the possibility that we will have a double-dip recession. Every week there are new articles on the subject, but double-dip recessions are rare. Economists are concerned that global credit problems, a Spanish banking crisis, a new Korean War, a second housing slump, money supply tightening and a disruption in Chinese trade, will plunge the U.S. economy back into recession. It is possible for this economy to fall back into recession, but to dwell on the subject is sort of morose and potentially self-defeating. There will be plenty of time to analyze it after it happens, so shut up already.
The Model T is not predicting a double-dip recession. The current graph of The Model T is shown below. It still says we are in the beginning of a “UL” shaped recovery. Note though that according to the graph, the economy will take an extended time to recover.
GDP Forecasts
My panel of economic experts forecasted a 2.8% growth rate for Q1 and the last revision was 3.0%. The panel is forecasting 3.5% for Q2, 3.1% for Q3 and 3.2% for Q4. So not even close to a double-dip predicted here. Although it should be noted that the panel members did not predict the first recession. (For what it’s worth, I personally think the forecasts for Q3 and Q4 are high).
The Stock Market
June is a key month for the market. The May drop was more pronounced than normal for the start of a bull market. If there is more correction in June, this market has no legs. Almost all the “data driven” models are predicting some type of market correction of 10-40% or even more. Most analysts predicting market increases are basing their forecasts on emotional based factors. They argue that the data models are not valid due to the indicators being unreliable due to the bizarre financial circumstances. This argument is self-defeating. If the economic indicators remain messed up, it is because the economy remains messed up. The unreliability of the indicators is a bad thing, not a good thing.
Yes We Could Double-DipThere is a way that a double dip recession could happen. If the stock market drops 20% or more in a short time period, panic will reenter the economy. Remember that all recessions have some psychological factors and if panic causes consumers and businesses to stop spending, you will get more layoffs and possibly another recession. This would indeed be a strange occurrence. The stock market could drop to where the data models say it should be and this causes the recession. It hurts my head to even think about this one. My suggestion is for everyone to head to Baskin-Robbins and chill out.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Hee Haw Economics
With respect to the late, great, Archie Campbell (video clip at the bottom)...
Q1 GDP increased at a rate of 3.2%
That’s good. The economy continues to grow and is growing at a rate slightly above average.
No, that’s bad. The economy usually snaps back much stronger when recovering from a deep recession.
Unemployment increased to 9.9% in April.
That’s bad. There are over 15 million people unemployed and the rate is approaching the psychologically depressing 10% mark.
No, that’s good. The unemployment rate increased despite the fact there was job growth of 290,000. This means the job market is improving and many “discouraged workers” have started looking for jobs again.
The housing market is showing signs of life
That’s good. Sales of new and existing houses are very strong and builder confidence is improving.
No, that’s bad. The housing market was being propped up by the tax credit that ended in April and action by the FED to support lower mortgage rates. There was a steep drop in building permits in March and inventories of new houses remains very high. This means future demand may not be as strong.
Gas prices are going down.
That’s good. Lower gas prices provide people with more disposable income which supports higher consumer spending.
No, that’s bad. Gas prices are an indicator of economic health. Prices are going down while crude is still spewing in the gulf. Something isn’t right.
Wal-Mart sales are up 6%
That’s good. Sales are recovering for many major retailers, indicating consumer spending is growing.
No, that’s bad. Wal-Mart’s U.S. sales are actually down 1.4%. Wal-Mart claims that many of its customers are so strapped for cash that they are making fewer shopping trips (due to gas expense) and using more food stamps.
Business inventories are increasing.
That’s good. Businesses are restocking in response to the severe inventory draw down and stronger consumer spending. The inventory build-up has boosted manufacturing activity and has been a strong contributor to GDP growth.
No, that’s bad. Inventories are approaching levels that are adequate for current spending amounts. This means the boost provided by inventory restocking is ending.
The government monetary and fiscal stimulus is working.
That’s good. The government’s efforts have stabilized the economy and have bought time for the economy to begin growing on its own.
No, that’s bad. The stimulus can only take us so far. As the stimulus begins to wear off, expect the economy to slow later in the year. The latest Leading Economic Index was negative for the first time in over a year.
The stock market went down over 300 points in one day last week.
That’s bad. The stock market rally has been the most positive economic news of the last year. The Greek freaks and slower economic growth could stop the rally.
No, that’s good. Several market analysts are predicting an ugly stock market crash. If the market is headed down, better that it happens in tolerable chunks instead of a frightening decent. Even if the stock market suffers a significant drop, it is critically important that consumer panic does not return.
A woman I saw at the supermarket was buying over 20 packages of frozen peas.
That’s good. If you have that much money to stock up on frozen peas, things can’t be that bad.
No, that’s just plain weird. I just hope her family is not surviving on only pea soup.
Check out the Archie Campbell clip: That's Good
Q1 GDP increased at a rate of 3.2%
That’s good. The economy continues to grow and is growing at a rate slightly above average.
No, that’s bad. The economy usually snaps back much stronger when recovering from a deep recession.
Unemployment increased to 9.9% in April.
That’s bad. There are over 15 million people unemployed and the rate is approaching the psychologically depressing 10% mark.
No, that’s good. The unemployment rate increased despite the fact there was job growth of 290,000. This means the job market is improving and many “discouraged workers” have started looking for jobs again.
The housing market is showing signs of life
That’s good. Sales of new and existing houses are very strong and builder confidence is improving.
No, that’s bad. The housing market was being propped up by the tax credit that ended in April and action by the FED to support lower mortgage rates. There was a steep drop in building permits in March and inventories of new houses remains very high. This means future demand may not be as strong.
Gas prices are going down.
That’s good. Lower gas prices provide people with more disposable income which supports higher consumer spending.
No, that’s bad. Gas prices are an indicator of economic health. Prices are going down while crude is still spewing in the gulf. Something isn’t right.
Wal-Mart sales are up 6%
That’s good. Sales are recovering for many major retailers, indicating consumer spending is growing.
No, that’s bad. Wal-Mart’s U.S. sales are actually down 1.4%. Wal-Mart claims that many of its customers are so strapped for cash that they are making fewer shopping trips (due to gas expense) and using more food stamps.
Business inventories are increasing.
That’s good. Businesses are restocking in response to the severe inventory draw down and stronger consumer spending. The inventory build-up has boosted manufacturing activity and has been a strong contributor to GDP growth.
No, that’s bad. Inventories are approaching levels that are adequate for current spending amounts. This means the boost provided by inventory restocking is ending.
The government monetary and fiscal stimulus is working.
That’s good. The government’s efforts have stabilized the economy and have bought time for the economy to begin growing on its own.
No, that’s bad. The stimulus can only take us so far. As the stimulus begins to wear off, expect the economy to slow later in the year. The latest Leading Economic Index was negative for the first time in over a year.
The stock market went down over 300 points in one day last week.
That’s bad. The stock market rally has been the most positive economic news of the last year. The Greek freaks and slower economic growth could stop the rally.
No, that’s good. Several market analysts are predicting an ugly stock market crash. If the market is headed down, better that it happens in tolerable chunks instead of a frightening decent. Even if the stock market suffers a significant drop, it is critically important that consumer panic does not return.
A woman I saw at the supermarket was buying over 20 packages of frozen peas.
That’s good. If you have that much money to stock up on frozen peas, things can’t be that bad.
No, that’s just plain weird. I just hope her family is not surviving on only pea soup.
Check out the Archie Campbell clip: That's Good
Sunday, May 16, 2010
This Insanity Won’t Stop!
Now for some words of wisdom from that great financier Buffet…..
I took off for a weekend last month
Just to try and recall the whole year.
All of the faces and all of the places,
wonderin' where they all disappeared
It's these changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes
Nothing remains quite the same
With all of our running and all of our cunning
If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane
Things are getting better. Attitudes are improving. The great majority of experts believe that the worst is behind us and the recovery has begun.
Yes, the economy is recovering faster than many expected, but we still have a long way to go. Things are not quite as good as they seem. Some factors to consider:
- The "percentage change" bias factor: Most economic statistics for 2010 are quoted as a percentage change over 2009. Since 2009 was such a horrible year, the 2010 percentage increases look better than they really are. On many factors it is more enlightening to look at the statistics over time. Many economic indicators (and industries for that matter) won’t “recover” until 2011 or 2012.
- Several sectors (housing, auto, finance, etc.) are being propped up by the government. There could be issues when the total government stimulus effort wears off. Expect economic growth to slow in Q4.
- A recent article in Business Week concluded that the banks are not doing as well as it appears on paper (love those creative accountants!).
- There are still problems in the housing sector and experts are uncertain what happens when all the so called “shadow inventory” (vacant houses owned by banks and individuals that are not on the market yet) comes back into play.
- There is a structural unemployment problem. The number of long-termed unemployed continues to grow. There are many people who have been unemployed for over a year. The number of people in the job-seeker groups that I previously belonged to is not decreasing.
On the other hand, there are many positives:
- Wages and hours worked are increasing. This means business activity is growing and more companies will need more workers at some point.
- Industrial production and capacity utilization keeps increasing.
- Freight growth is up. Trucking and railroad freight is growing faster than forecasted. UPS recently increased its forecast. Businesses continue to replenish inventories to support future sales increases.
- Retail sales are up. Consumer confidence is growing stronger by the week. The people with jobs are spending more money. I even did my part by finally buying a new, very expensive, big-screen TV so I could watch the Cleveland Cavaliers win the NBA championship (not making this up!).
- Auto sales are much stronger than forecast.
The Model T Got This One Right
While the Model T has not been accurate recently as a stock market predictor (its intended purpose), it has been very accurate charting the economic recovery. Back in October (seven months ago!), The Model T predicted what I called the “UL” recovery. It wasn’t a “V” shaped, it wasn’t an “L” shaped, but it was weaker than a standard “U” and it wasn’t a “double dip”. Here is the graph from October, and this basically reflects where we are at seven months later. We may be doing a little better than the graph right now, but if the economy does slow down in Q4, it should just about balance out. (I will publish a new graph soon)
What About Stocks?
This will be an extended recovery due to the damage to the financial and housing sectors. Because the business cycle has been extended, the stock market fluctuations within the cycle may be more pronounced. There is still a concern that the market has priced in a “V” shaped recovery, but is actually getting a much weaker “UL”. If this is the case, get ready for another wild ride. Remember, if we all weren’t crazy, we would just go insane.
Reading departure signs in some big airport
Reminds me of the places I've been
Visions of good times that brought so much pleasure
Makes me want to go back again (not quite)
If it suddenly ended tomorrow
I could somehow adjust to the fall
Good times and riches and sons of a bitches
I've seen more than I can recall
I took off for a weekend last month
Just to try and recall the whole year.
All of the faces and all of the places,
wonderin' where they all disappeared
It's these changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes
Nothing remains quite the same
With all of our running and all of our cunning
If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane
Things are getting better. Attitudes are improving. The great majority of experts believe that the worst is behind us and the recovery has begun.
Yes, the economy is recovering faster than many expected, but we still have a long way to go. Things are not quite as good as they seem. Some factors to consider:
- The "percentage change" bias factor: Most economic statistics for 2010 are quoted as a percentage change over 2009. Since 2009 was such a horrible year, the 2010 percentage increases look better than they really are. On many factors it is more enlightening to look at the statistics over time. Many economic indicators (and industries for that matter) won’t “recover” until 2011 or 2012.
- Several sectors (housing, auto, finance, etc.) are being propped up by the government. There could be issues when the total government stimulus effort wears off. Expect economic growth to slow in Q4.
- A recent article in Business Week concluded that the banks are not doing as well as it appears on paper (love those creative accountants!).
- There are still problems in the housing sector and experts are uncertain what happens when all the so called “shadow inventory” (vacant houses owned by banks and individuals that are not on the market yet) comes back into play.
- There is a structural unemployment problem. The number of long-termed unemployed continues to grow. There are many people who have been unemployed for over a year. The number of people in the job-seeker groups that I previously belonged to is not decreasing.
On the other hand, there are many positives:
- Wages and hours worked are increasing. This means business activity is growing and more companies will need more workers at some point.
- Industrial production and capacity utilization keeps increasing.
- Freight growth is up. Trucking and railroad freight is growing faster than forecasted. UPS recently increased its forecast. Businesses continue to replenish inventories to support future sales increases.
- Retail sales are up. Consumer confidence is growing stronger by the week. The people with jobs are spending more money. I even did my part by finally buying a new, very expensive, big-screen TV so I could watch the Cleveland Cavaliers win the NBA championship (not making this up!).
- Auto sales are much stronger than forecast.
The Model T Got This One Right
While the Model T has not been accurate recently as a stock market predictor (its intended purpose), it has been very accurate charting the economic recovery. Back in October (seven months ago!), The Model T predicted what I called the “UL” recovery. It wasn’t a “V” shaped, it wasn’t an “L” shaped, but it was weaker than a standard “U” and it wasn’t a “double dip”. Here is the graph from October, and this basically reflects where we are at seven months later. We may be doing a little better than the graph right now, but if the economy does slow down in Q4, it should just about balance out. (I will publish a new graph soon)
What About Stocks?
This will be an extended recovery due to the damage to the financial and housing sectors. Because the business cycle has been extended, the stock market fluctuations within the cycle may be more pronounced. There is still a concern that the market has priced in a “V” shaped recovery, but is actually getting a much weaker “UL”. If this is the case, get ready for another wild ride. Remember, if we all weren’t crazy, we would just go insane.
Reading departure signs in some big airport
Reminds me of the places I've been
Visions of good times that brought so much pleasure
Makes me want to go back again (not quite)
If it suddenly ended tomorrow
I could somehow adjust to the fall
Good times and riches and sons of a bitches
I've seen more than I can recall
Thursday, April 29, 2010
The Frito Bandito Rides Again
"Aye, yii, yii, yiiii, I am dee Frito Bandito. I like Frito's Corn Chips. I love them, I do. I want Frito's corn chips. I'll take them, from you."
You remember the Frito Bandito (If not, click here). He went around stealing everyone’s Fritos Corn Chips. He was very happy doing it. When he was caught, he was totally unrepentant. There is no evidence that he was ever punished for his crimes and the stolen Fritos were never taken away from his possession.
What a disgusting role model for children!
Today’s parallel? No, we’re not heading to Arizona. We’re going to Wall Street. Wall Street, where some financial firms sold securities that were loaded with “toxic assets” as high quality products to unknowing investors. Knowingly doing this is a crime. It’s called fraud. This crime was committed thousands of times. So how many arrests have there been? Haven’t read about many. Some executives have lost their jobs, but overall accountability has been virtually non-existent.
Repentance? Very weak there also. The Goldman Sachs executives testifying this week offered many excuses, but no contriteness. They tried to say it was the investors fault for buying the securities. If you knew the securities were flawed (as internal e-mails indicate) and you marketed them deceitfully, you are guilty. If you didn’t know the securities were flawed, you needed to know because that’s your job. That’s your area of expertise. You are still guilty.
Not only are the guilty not being punished, some are being rewarded. Those risky securities deals didn’t work out so well? That’s okay, here’s a bailout. Oh, profits are down? Here’s a big bonus anyway. If there is no profit, there should be no bonus. That’s the way it works everywhere else. The argument that not paying a bonus would result in a significant pay cut is laughable. Don’t like taking a 30% pay cut? Hey buddy, try taking a 100% pay cut like 15 million people in the U.S. because the companies you worked for (bleeped) up the whole (bleeping) economy! And the argument that workers not receiving bonuses would then leave their companies for other jobs? That means they voluntarily get to seek other employment. Again, many people now wish they had that opportunity.
If a robber gets caught stealing $100 after breaking into your house, he goes to jail. Some people who are responsible for millions in fraud, drive by the jail on the way to the country club. You may have some compassion for a robber stealing to feed his family. It is more difficult to forgive someone stealing to obtain a bigger yacht.
And they get to keep the money! What a sweet deal. Wearing wingtips and cufflinks should not prevent you from being punished for your crimes. How have they evaded the government’s punishment? The people in the government wear wingtips and cufflinks also. They also get massive campaign contributions.
So the Frito Bandito was just ahead of his time. He would have made a great securities trader during the past decade. Still, I would advise him to stay away from Arizona. Better to steal your Fritos in some other place. Aye, yii, yii, yiiii, indeed.
You remember the Frito Bandito (If not, click here). He went around stealing everyone’s Fritos Corn Chips. He was very happy doing it. When he was caught, he was totally unrepentant. There is no evidence that he was ever punished for his crimes and the stolen Fritos were never taken away from his possession.
What a disgusting role model for children!
Today’s parallel? No, we’re not heading to Arizona. We’re going to Wall Street. Wall Street, where some financial firms sold securities that were loaded with “toxic assets” as high quality products to unknowing investors. Knowingly doing this is a crime. It’s called fraud. This crime was committed thousands of times. So how many arrests have there been? Haven’t read about many. Some executives have lost their jobs, but overall accountability has been virtually non-existent.
Repentance? Very weak there also. The Goldman Sachs executives testifying this week offered many excuses, but no contriteness. They tried to say it was the investors fault for buying the securities. If you knew the securities were flawed (as internal e-mails indicate) and you marketed them deceitfully, you are guilty. If you didn’t know the securities were flawed, you needed to know because that’s your job. That’s your area of expertise. You are still guilty.
Not only are the guilty not being punished, some are being rewarded. Those risky securities deals didn’t work out so well? That’s okay, here’s a bailout. Oh, profits are down? Here’s a big bonus anyway. If there is no profit, there should be no bonus. That’s the way it works everywhere else. The argument that not paying a bonus would result in a significant pay cut is laughable. Don’t like taking a 30% pay cut? Hey buddy, try taking a 100% pay cut like 15 million people in the U.S. because the companies you worked for (bleeped) up the whole (bleeping) economy! And the argument that workers not receiving bonuses would then leave their companies for other jobs? That means they voluntarily get to seek other employment. Again, many people now wish they had that opportunity.
If a robber gets caught stealing $100 after breaking into your house, he goes to jail. Some people who are responsible for millions in fraud, drive by the jail on the way to the country club. You may have some compassion for a robber stealing to feed his family. It is more difficult to forgive someone stealing to obtain a bigger yacht.
And they get to keep the money! What a sweet deal. Wearing wingtips and cufflinks should not prevent you from being punished for your crimes. How have they evaded the government’s punishment? The people in the government wear wingtips and cufflinks also. They also get massive campaign contributions.
So the Frito Bandito was just ahead of his time. He would have made a great securities trader during the past decade. Still, I would advise him to stay away from Arizona. Better to steal your Fritos in some other place. Aye, yii, yii, yiiii, indeed.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
California Dreaming
News Item: 78% of Americans say they can’t trust the federal government and do not believe in its ability to solve the nation’s problems (Pew Research).
What it means: 22% of Americans are not paying attention.
A few weeks ago I wrote about the structural unemployment problem the nation is facing and the challenge of government to create an environment in which many new jobs are created by the private sector. To accomplish this we would need congressmen who have practical business experience in the private sector.
So quick, name all the current congressmen you know who fit this description. There may be some, but I can’t name them. Okay so let’s lower the bar. Quick, name all the congressman you know who show any understanding of business or basic economic principles. I can name two.
I knew there was a problem in late 2008 after the credit crunch hit. As I watched my company’s orders fall off the cliff because our customers could not obtain credit, I thought that unless this problem was addressed quickly a major economic plunge would soon follow. At the time Congress was engaged in discussions about many things regarding the economy, but this was being ignored. Finally, Rep. Eric Cantor (R- Virginia) clearly stated the potential impact of the credit freeze on equipment spending. Yes, I thought. Someone gets it, maybe we can be saved! No, members of both parties seemed confused by Cantor’s statement and went on discussing possible actions that did not prevent or even slow down the recession.
Another defining moment happened recently during the “Healthcare Summit” which was supposed to be a discussion and debate about the proposed healthcare bill. You remember what a debate is supposed to be. You give your argument without name calling, or stupid sound bites and then the other person gives his argument and then you productively discuss the issue back and forth. The audience is educated by the discussion and then has ample knowledge on deciding for themselves which ideas they prefer. This is essential in a democracy and oh so lacking today.
During the summit, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) brought up some economic issues of the plan for discussion. The problem was that no one on the other side felt qualified or comfortable to engage him in debate. This was sad and embarrassing. President Obama was left hanging with no help. It wasn’t really his place to debate the details of these issues, so he made some meaningless comments and quickly changed the subject.
So we need many more people in Congress who have business and practical economic knowledge for the new challenges we face. We need small business owners who have experience building things, making payrolls and managing workers. We need people who have gotten their “hands dirty” and understand how the economy works at the ground level. We need these people in cabinet level positions also. We have plenty of buttoned down geeks who understand high finance, what we really need are people who understand low finance.
There must be a change soon. We send trillions of dollars of taxes to be spent by people who have no practical economic sense of how to spend it. Most are lawyers and career politicians. Again, would you give your investment money to a financial advisor who had no financial experience? Would you set up a trust with an executor who had no idea how to manage it? If you don’t understand business and practical economics, I don’t want you anywhere near my tax dollars and it doesn’t matter what party you belong to. And they are my tax dollars because originally they came out of my paycheck. Some politicians are so dense that they oppose the Tea Party movement not on principle, but because they really do not understand why these people are so angry.
But things may already be changing. In two house district primary elections near where I live, there are candidates with strong business experience. One has no political experience but owns several car dealerships. Would I vote for him (I don’t live in his district) in November over the political hacks who vote as the party tells them to and then read the talking points to explain their actions? I think I would.
Also it is interesting to see what is happening in California this year since this is where many trends originate. Two of the strong contenders in the primary elections are Meg Whitman former CEO of eBay (governor) and Carly Fiorina former CEO of Hewlett- Packard (Senate). While you can’t consider them “small” business people, these woman know how to balance a budget, manage people and make a payroll. I almost wish that I lived in California so I could vote for both of them.
What it means: 22% of Americans are not paying attention.
A few weeks ago I wrote about the structural unemployment problem the nation is facing and the challenge of government to create an environment in which many new jobs are created by the private sector. To accomplish this we would need congressmen who have practical business experience in the private sector.
So quick, name all the current congressmen you know who fit this description. There may be some, but I can’t name them. Okay so let’s lower the bar. Quick, name all the congressman you know who show any understanding of business or basic economic principles. I can name two.
I knew there was a problem in late 2008 after the credit crunch hit. As I watched my company’s orders fall off the cliff because our customers could not obtain credit, I thought that unless this problem was addressed quickly a major economic plunge would soon follow. At the time Congress was engaged in discussions about many things regarding the economy, but this was being ignored. Finally, Rep. Eric Cantor (R- Virginia) clearly stated the potential impact of the credit freeze on equipment spending. Yes, I thought. Someone gets it, maybe we can be saved! No, members of both parties seemed confused by Cantor’s statement and went on discussing possible actions that did not prevent or even slow down the recession.
Another defining moment happened recently during the “Healthcare Summit” which was supposed to be a discussion and debate about the proposed healthcare bill. You remember what a debate is supposed to be. You give your argument without name calling, or stupid sound bites and then the other person gives his argument and then you productively discuss the issue back and forth. The audience is educated by the discussion and then has ample knowledge on deciding for themselves which ideas they prefer. This is essential in a democracy and oh so lacking today.
During the summit, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) brought up some economic issues of the plan for discussion. The problem was that no one on the other side felt qualified or comfortable to engage him in debate. This was sad and embarrassing. President Obama was left hanging with no help. It wasn’t really his place to debate the details of these issues, so he made some meaningless comments and quickly changed the subject.
So we need many more people in Congress who have business and practical economic knowledge for the new challenges we face. We need small business owners who have experience building things, making payrolls and managing workers. We need people who have gotten their “hands dirty” and understand how the economy works at the ground level. We need these people in cabinet level positions also. We have plenty of buttoned down geeks who understand high finance, what we really need are people who understand low finance.
There must be a change soon. We send trillions of dollars of taxes to be spent by people who have no practical economic sense of how to spend it. Most are lawyers and career politicians. Again, would you give your investment money to a financial advisor who had no financial experience? Would you set up a trust with an executor who had no idea how to manage it? If you don’t understand business and practical economics, I don’t want you anywhere near my tax dollars and it doesn’t matter what party you belong to. And they are my tax dollars because originally they came out of my paycheck. Some politicians are so dense that they oppose the Tea Party movement not on principle, but because they really do not understand why these people are so angry.
But things may already be changing. In two house district primary elections near where I live, there are candidates with strong business experience. One has no political experience but owns several car dealerships. Would I vote for him (I don’t live in his district) in November over the political hacks who vote as the party tells them to and then read the talking points to explain their actions? I think I would.
Also it is interesting to see what is happening in California this year since this is where many trends originate. Two of the strong contenders in the primary elections are Meg Whitman former CEO of eBay (governor) and Carly Fiorina former CEO of Hewlett- Packard (Senate). While you can’t consider them “small” business people, these woman know how to balance a budget, manage people and make a payroll. I almost wish that I lived in California so I could vote for both of them.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Beware the Devil Woman
This is the story of one man’s attempt at the pursuit of happiness and how it contributed to the Great Recession.
I won’t forget the first time I saw her. Bleached blond hair, heaving breasts, tight jeans, packaged all so right. You couldn’t miss her. I just stared at her from a distance, instantly realizing that she was oh so attractive and oh so out of my league.
I quickly passed by for a closer look when suddenly she spun around and said “Like what you see?”
I stood mesmerized, unable to speak a single word.
“Shy, I like that”, she cooed as she winked and bit down seductively on her puffy lower lip.
I still just stood there staring into her big blue eyes.
“My name’s Becky, Becky Housing, and I can make all your dreams come true”, she said.
“But I don’t think I can afford you”, I replied. “I mean I don’t think my assets are big enough to satisfy your requirements.”
“Oh don’t worry about that”, she said. “We will try a position I call “subprime”. It will give me all the pleasure I need and will be absolutely tantric for you.”
Then she slowly slid her hand down my body and squeezed my most private part ---my wallet.
Wow! She was a prime piece of real estate and I wanted in.
It felt so good being with Becky and my net worth continued to increase all because of her. There seemed to be no limit to the heights she could take me and it appeared to me that her assets actually grew more attractive every time that I saw her.
My friends marveled at my new found love. I was so in love with Becky and she had told me the truth: She was making all my dreams come true.
And she was so sexy and mysterious. When we had relations, the lights were always turned off. Becky said it was better for her if I was kept in the dark. I didn’t care, it was the best stuff I ever had.
I knew I had found true love and financial bliss and she kept taking my portfolio to higher and higher climaxes. I was determined to ride Becky wherever she wanted to take me.
But I was at work when I heard the news. There was a report that something very bad had happened to Becky. Some sort of “crash” that was related to this subprime method.
I rushed home and there was Becky lying motionless on the floor. Her fake breasts had ruptured and fluid was pouring out of her body and steaming out the door. Likewise liquid flowed from her fake lips. The beautiful hair was really a wig that was now lying on the floor beside her. I now realized that everything about Becky had been false. And incredibly, she wasn’t even a woman.
And it was even worse than that. There was this awful stench. It turns out her assets were toxic. I ran out the front door to warn my neighbors, but it was too late. To my horror I found out that other guys on the block had been secretly involved with some of Becky’s many sisters. One poor guy was involved in a threesome with Cindy Housing and Fannie Mae. He didn’t even realize that Fannie Mae would give it up cheap to just about anybody.
Now there was such a stream of toxic assets flowing down the street that it even destroyed the houses of people that never were involved with Becky and her sisters. It caused a chain reaction of pandemonium. Many people lost their homes. Many people lost their jobs. Some people lost both.
If only I could have resisted the allure of Becky Housing, my life and the lives of other would be so much better now.
I won’t forget the first time I saw her. Bleached blond hair, heaving breasts, tight jeans, packaged all so right. You couldn’t miss her. I just stared at her from a distance, instantly realizing that she was oh so attractive and oh so out of my league.
I quickly passed by for a closer look when suddenly she spun around and said “Like what you see?”
I stood mesmerized, unable to speak a single word.
“Shy, I like that”, she cooed as she winked and bit down seductively on her puffy lower lip.
I still just stood there staring into her big blue eyes.
“My name’s Becky, Becky Housing, and I can make all your dreams come true”, she said.
“But I don’t think I can afford you”, I replied. “I mean I don’t think my assets are big enough to satisfy your requirements.”
“Oh don’t worry about that”, she said. “We will try a position I call “subprime”. It will give me all the pleasure I need and will be absolutely tantric for you.”
 |
| She's a brick ---- house! |
Then she slowly slid her hand down my body and squeezed my most private part ---my wallet.
Wow! She was a prime piece of real estate and I wanted in.
It felt so good being with Becky and my net worth continued to increase all because of her. There seemed to be no limit to the heights she could take me and it appeared to me that her assets actually grew more attractive every time that I saw her.
My friends marveled at my new found love. I was so in love with Becky and she had told me the truth: She was making all my dreams come true.
And she was so sexy and mysterious. When we had relations, the lights were always turned off. Becky said it was better for her if I was kept in the dark. I didn’t care, it was the best stuff I ever had.
I knew I had found true love and financial bliss and she kept taking my portfolio to higher and higher climaxes. I was determined to ride Becky wherever she wanted to take me.
But I was at work when I heard the news. There was a report that something very bad had happened to Becky. Some sort of “crash” that was related to this subprime method.
I rushed home and there was Becky lying motionless on the floor. Her fake breasts had ruptured and fluid was pouring out of her body and steaming out the door. Likewise liquid flowed from her fake lips. The beautiful hair was really a wig that was now lying on the floor beside her. I now realized that everything about Becky had been false. And incredibly, she wasn’t even a woman.
And it was even worse than that. There was this awful stench. It turns out her assets were toxic. I ran out the front door to warn my neighbors, but it was too late. To my horror I found out that other guys on the block had been secretly involved with some of Becky’s many sisters. One poor guy was involved in a threesome with Cindy Housing and Fannie Mae. He didn’t even realize that Fannie Mae would give it up cheap to just about anybody.
Now there was such a stream of toxic assets flowing down the street that it even destroyed the houses of people that never were involved with Becky and her sisters. It caused a chain reaction of pandemonium. Many people lost their homes. Many people lost their jobs. Some people lost both.
If only I could have resisted the allure of Becky Housing, my life and the lives of other would be so much better now.
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