American Politics during the Obama Presidency

As expected, the numbers came in last week showing 2014 was the strongest year in job growth since 1999. Employers added 252,000 jobs in December, making it the 11th straight month of payroll increases above 200,000, the longest stretch since 1994. A total of 3 Million new jobs were created in 2014. GDP expanded at an annual pace of 5% in the third quarter, the healthiest advance in 11 years.

Now, remember quotes like this from Rick Scott, "[I]Obamacare is the biggest job killer in the history of this country.[/I]" Or from Ted Cruz: "[I]Look, my focus has been jobs, economic growth and, in particular, ObamaCare. ObamaCare: it's the biggest jobs killer in this country.[/I]". Pretty much every Republican is on record repeating this talking point. A talking point we now know was false, as the numbers demonstrate from the first full year of ACA implemention in 2014. Of course, most critical-thinking Americans knew they were being lied to (as usual) by Fox News and Republicans looking for political advantage.

Job growth was brisk in December, capping the best year for hiring in 15 years
[URL]http://fortune.com/2015/01/09/job-growth-increased-briskly-in-december-capping-the-best-year-for-hiring-in-15-years/[/URL]

Streak of Solid Hiring Bolsters Confidence About 2015
[URL]http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/us-adds-strong-252k-jobs-unemployment-56-pct-28108810[/URL]

[QUOTE=Esten;443131]Here's the distinction we need to make. There are investors who risk their money to start and grow a company. Along the way, jobs are created and at some point, hopefully, the company becomes profitable and the investor makes a profit off his investment.

Then there are those who come along to make money off already profitable companies. Like a parasite, they attach themselves to the host whether the host wants it or not. These leeches typically don't create jobs, but in a passive mode they don't generally cause job losses either. In an active mode, these leeches can and often do cause job losses. Here's a good example.

Amgen, bowing to hedge fund pressure, to cut up to 1,100 more jobs
[URL]http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-amgen-job-cuts-20141029-story.html[/URL][/QUOTE]I know people who work and have worked at Amgen. What they say is that for many yrs Amgen has been a pretty cushy place to work, lots of perks and job security, lots of buracracy and fluff. Amgen has built up alot of layers of fat over the yrs. So its good someone has gone in and done some hr surgery at Amgen. Most companies can use this sort of housecleaning now and then.

[QUOTE=Esten;443366]As expected, the numbers came in last week showing 2014 was the strongest year in job growth since 1999. Employers added 252,000 jobs in December, making it the 11th straight month of payroll increases above 200,000, the longest stretch since 1994. A total of 3 Million new jobs were created in 2014. GDP expanded at an annual pace of 5% in the third quarter, the healthiest advance in 11 years.[/QUOTE]More propaganda from the King of Propaganda.

First, as we've all discussed in the past, the official unemployment rate is an inaccurate count of the number of people who claim to be looking for work. In other words, if everybody without a job just stopped looking for a job tomorrow, we'd have an unemployment rate of ZERO. The only number that counts is the percentage of citizens who are working, and that number is at 62.7% for Dec 2014, down slightly from 62.8% in Dec 2013.

[URL]http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm[/URL]

Second, we could have been looking at these kind of numbers four years ago if Obama hadn't buttfucked every taxpayer and every employer in the country by borowing trillions of dollars to give to his constituents and by shoving Obamacare up the country's collective asses.

Third, the reason we are now FINALLY showing some signs of economic improvement (abet 4 years late) is because A) the new Republican majority in the Congress has given the job creators in the country reason to be optimistic in the knowledge that Obama'a radical agenda has now been thwarted, and B) oil production on PRIVATE land in the USA has driven down the price of energy, no thanks to Obama.

Esten, it's so funny how you look at these things. It's like if you shot a man, and he falls to the ground, and 4 years later as he is just now able to stand on his own two legs again, and you enthusiastically proclaim "See, I told you that you can shoot these guys all you want because they can take it. ".

[B]Anyway, the most important thing is that we're not talking about Obama's most recent foreign policy fuckup: Leaders from dozens of European and Mid-East countries walk arm-in-arm in Paris to show their resolve to defeat Islamic Terrorism, and Obama stays home. Talk about the mother of Unforced Errors.[/B]

Thanks,

Jax.

[URL]http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/14/opinion/tom-hanks-on-his-two-years-at-chabot-college.html?_r=0B[/URL]

Never mind that debate. But here's another great proposal from the clueless Obama for the everyday American. Free Community College. So instead of nitpicking like saying he should not be playing golf when an American has been executed, why don't you try to see the big picture, and that is giving the masses a better chance at improving their lives. And here is Tom Hanks to give you his opinion in the article above.

Was never Free. I paid for the Classes I took. They are having money problems now.

I think Tom forgot the classes were not free. Almost, but not.

[QUOTE=RevBS;443388][URL]http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/14/opinion/tom-hanks-on-his-two-years-at-chabot-college.html?_r=0B[/URL]

Never mind that debate. But here's another great proposal from the clueless Obama for the everyday American. Free Community College. So instead of nitpicking like saying he should not be playing golf when an American has been executed, why don't you try to see the big picture, and that is giving the masses a better chance at improving their lives. And here is Tom Hanks to give you his opinion in the article above.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Jackson;443389]oil production on PRIVATE land in the USA has driven down the price of energy.[/QUOTE]Certainly increased oil supply from this land has had an effect on the oil price, but its a minor factor in the general picture.

The four main factors are:

1. Low demand because of weak economic activity, increased efficiency and a growing switch away from oil to other fuels.

2. Iraq and Libya are maintaining their input despite the trouble in those regions.

3. The Saudis and their friends have decided not to reduce their own market share to restore the oil price. They could curb production but prefer to maintain their market share. Hurting enemies like Iran and Russia is a bonus.

4. Increased oil production in the USA.

The most vulnerable producers in this scenario are the frackers in the USA. The investment in this type of production depends on a high price. It will be interesting to see what happens to these investments if the current low price doesn't recover.

We don't need the Keystone XL Pipeline going through 7 states. We have a glut of oil now. Prices of gas are still coming down all over the USA. The oil is coming mainly from Western states like No. Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado etc. And Alberta, Canada oil is already coming across the border and being transported by rail and truck to the refineries. Theres no need to build the pipeline. At these low prices it doesn't work out financially.

You have to blame the drop in oil prices on Obama. Did some of you experts saw that coming? Somehow, all the delays and postponements of the bill will now allow it to undergo further reviews and debates. Some who despise him even called him the false Messiah. Very entertaining 24 months coming up. Get ready for the ride.

President Obama needs to have a pen with a lot of ink in it because he will be vetoeing a lot of bills from the GOP led House and Senate.

[QUOTE=BayBoy;443399]We don't need the Keystone XL Pipeline going through 7 states. We have a glut of oil now. Prices of gas are still coming down all over the USA. The oil is coming mainly from Western states like No. Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado etc. And Alberta, Canada oil is already coming across the border and being transported by rail and truck to the refineries. Theres no need to build the pipeline. At these low prices it doesn't work out financially.[/QUOTE]And you think these prices are going to last? Is it not better to have a pipeline from a continental friendly partner than to tanker it all the way from places which are not particularly friendly to us.

Additionally pipeline transportation is far safer than either rail or trucks.

[QUOTE=BayBoy;443399]We don't need the Keystone XL Pipeline going through 7 states. Canada oil is already coming across the border and being transported by rail and truck to the refineries. Theres no need to build the pipeline. At these low prices it doesn't work out financially.[/QUOTE]Perhaps you can explain how transporting oil by rail and truck is safer or even better for the environment, because I find your argument [B]ludicrous[/B].

I would much rather have oil flowing through a pipeline than rolling down the highway or through major cities by rail.

My understanding is the pipeline will be financed by private funds and the governments only involvement is issuing the permits. So why should we care if it works out financially?

It's there money isn't it?

[QUOTE=BayBoy;443402]President Obama needs to have a pen with a lot of ink in it because he will be vetoeing a lot of bills from the GOP led House and Senate.[/QUOTE]Yes and that way he can build a legacy of being the President of no, now even the low information voters will be able to see who's really the do nothing obstructionist in Washington.

Whats ludicrous is the claims by rightwingers about all the jobs the pipeline is going to create. The reality is very few permanent jobs will come out of this project. From the refineries the gas will be put on tankers and sent to countries like China, India, Japan etc. And the American people will get nothing out of this. The pipeline will make the big oil companies a lot of money, but the people not much.

Wow. You honestly believe everything you are told by TPTB.

The bureau of bullshit statistics. No better than the argentinian indec. Lets just hope US Shale can keep it up. At 46 bucks a barrel. LOL.

[QUOTE=Esten;443366]As expected, the numbers came in last week showing 2014 was the strongest year in job growth since 1999. Employers added 252,000 jobs in December, making it the 11th straight month of payroll increases above 200,000, the longest stretch since 1994. A total of 3 Million new jobs were created in 2014. GDP expanded at an annual pace of 5% in the third quarter, the healthiest advance in 11 years.

Now, remember quotes like this from Rick Scott, "[I]Obamacare is the biggest job killer in the history of this country.[/I]" Or from Ted Cruz: "[I]Look, my focus has been jobs, economic growth and, in particular, ObamaCare. ObamaCare: it's the biggest jobs killer in this country.[/I]". Pretty much every Republican is on record repeating this talking point. A talking point we now know was false, as the numbers demonstrate from the first full year of ACA implemention in 2014. Of course, most critical-thinking Americans knew they were being lied to (as usual) by Fox News and Republicans looking for political advantage.

Job growth was brisk in December, capping the best year for hiring in 15 years
[URL]http://fortune.com/2015/01/09/job-growth-increased-briskly-in-december-capping-the-best-year-for-hiring-in-15-years/[/URL]

Streak of Solid Hiring Bolsters Confidence About 2015
[URL]http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/us-adds-strong-252k-jobs-unemployment-56-pct-28108810[/URL][/QUOTE]

[b]Prove it![/b]
[QUOTE=BayBoy;443413]Whats ludicrous is the claims by rightwingers about all the jobs the pipeline is going to create. The reality is very few permanent jobs will come out of this project. From the refineries the gas will be put on tankers and sent to countries like China, India, Japan etc. And the American people will get nothing out of this. The pipeline will make the big oil companies a lot of money, but the people not much.[/QUOTE] If what you say is true why does the plan call for a leg of the pipeline to run to Patoka Illinois, not many tankers in Patoka.

Haha. People really think shale oil is profitable. Its all being financed by tax payer funded " free money " and junk bonds. 600 Billion worth so far. The industry could keep the ponzi going at 100 bucks a barrel. At 46 bucks. There is no chance. They won't even be able to refinance unless the tax. Payers get stuck with another bill. But what's another trillion between friends?

[URL]http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-12/shale-debt-matters-most-to-stock-investors-as-oil-plunges.html[/URL]