2
POPSThe THIRD leading cause of death in the US is?... Our medical system! Great article and these stats are based on the year 2000. It has only gotten worse since then. And we are getting ready to tax our country into third world status so that everyone has the same opportunity to be killed! Ironic, isn't it?
6
POPSWhy you should care about government debt... so it starts. Congress has spent more money in the past 12 months then EVER has been spent by any Congress. And Pelosi was in charge the entire time. The House, Madam Speakers domain, has produced the largest budgets we have ever seen. And then spent more.
3
POPSBusted! Or, things not to do when Christmas Shopping So, do you think his wife is upset that there - big as life - sits her grandkids Christmas present in the local paper? I bet good old Randy will be getting a good ole' butt chewing! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Bah Humbug - whichever doesn't offend you.
1
POPSWhich Major Country goes Bankrupt First? the article is worth skimming over and is a real good indication that Asia isn't as snowed as our citizens. The US would look worse if GDP were more accurately reported, by monthly tax collections/revenues it is way overstated. Want to start a pool?
2
POPSLower costs with more administration I have owned, ran and worked for a number of small, and a couple large, businesses in my career. I can honestly think of NO instance where hiring thousands of people, especially unionized, paid-for-life government workers, could lower costs for anyone. Even at 1900+ pages, it doesn't cover HALF the uninsured. This is success? Wake up people before 20% of your wages are stolen for shoddy "care."
5
POPSFreedom missing in government health laws I can see vaccinating foreigners against some diseases, but shoving a brand new vaccine, that doesn't even give real protection, is unreal. What the heck has happened to us America? Since when do people that are paid by pharmaceutical companies have enough power to force us to be their guinea pigs? Why don't we care about the girls murdered by this vaccine? Insanity at its finest
5
POPSAmericans are being sacrificed on the altar of big business First manufacturing, then IT. And, even in midst of the worst "recession" since the Depression, it continues on. Yet we, the still employed, don't care. We stock our homes with foreign made goods and spend our money with companies that are slaughtering our middle class. The irony is starting to show itself. Good luck to our children with the future. They are going to need it.
12
POPSWhy is the "cure" nearly always worse than the cause? I become more concerned with modern medicine in the form of pharmaceuticals daily. They are making rash, profit motivated, decisions and the government falls in line as the tax revenue and lobby gifts/graft is running free. Get healthy, get some sun, eat fresh, local produce and quit feeding the mega-national beasts.
7
POPSDon't fall for the recovery hype And this is more proof. More jobs moved away to never return. Direct result of demanding our government punish the rich and regulate businesses. They leave. Wake up, or enjoy systematic poverty throughout our society. Without jobs for the masses, the "luckY" or "smart" or "educated" will have to work twice as hard to pay for the millions that will never be able to support their families again. Plus additional government interference that is going to make everything too expensive for the majority. No magic money tree, small business can't take any more expenses and everything coming from Washington is going to make this worse, not better. China is very happy with our current government plans. Recovery my arse
13
POPSChildren deficient in sunshine vitamin And they are fat too. Could their be any correlation with the fact kids no longer play outside? Even in smalltown USA? Crazy. Do your kids bodies and minds a favor, kick their a*ses outside everyday. It was good enough for my parents, and it's good enough for my kids too. There is also strong evidence that cancer patients are more likely, than not, grossly deficient in Vit D. Maybe instead of spending thousands on health care and gym memberships, we should just go outside in the sunshine, sans sunscreen and take a walk.
14
POPSIf you aren't sick now, you soon will be Unreal. But wait, Obama PROMISED his taxes would not effect anyone making under $250k a year. You mean he lied? No way. So, once GWB's tax cuts for the rich expire, the average family making $40,000 a year see an increase of over $1000 in federal taxes. Then, Cap & Trade will cost us around $4000 a year in higher utilities and costs (and I think that is way underestimated) Then, forced health care will run another $12k for a family. Then what? Wonder how we will pay to feed our kids? Oh, that's right, tax the "rich" and give the rest of us food stamps. Great plan. Really doubt it will workout for most of us.
5
POPSTrends of a Bad Economy Regretfully the article didn't give us current year stats for many of their points. That would have allowed us to decide how many "green shoots" there truly are. Other than that, the article is really a great read
6
POPSBand together now, or be herded together later. Basically, this family started a co-op, which is a private membership organization where families band together and buy food in bulk and many times locally. The power in this country (unions, retail, FDA, USDA and mega-farmers as well as Dow & Monsanto) are pulling out no stops to shut down small farms and anything not chemically created. We should have the right to eat food grown on a farm without a mega-corporation making money. We should have the right to band together to cut costs without the mega-grocery stores & WalMart taking their cuts. We used to have these rights and while we are busy blogging, twittering & texting-they are being yanked away by coercion and force.
6
POPSSold out for the cheapest dollar by our own government. This is the underlying reason recovery will be weak and short lived. We can't compete with China and all the new laws, regulations and taxes won't make your boss's any more competitive on price.
7
POPSUnder Bush, or Obama, the results will be the same 1. If you are unemployed, or lost a substantial part of your income, or being screwed on credit cards, you won't get a modification. 2. If your home has lost too much in value as compared to debt, you won't get a modification. 3. Even if you get it, your odds of defaulting are still better than 50% in most cases. 4. Calling it something else, while doing the exact same thing that has failed twice already, would only work in fairyland. Apparently, we are in fairy land
3
POPSMore facts, not profit inducing hype The article goes on to give concrete examples of the damage "free trade" has caused us. This "recession" is happening for two reasons: 1-the government's greed and acquiessence to banking industry because of tax revenues & campaign/lobby contributions. And, the gutting of our wealth producing industries. For god's sake, go through your pantries and pull out only the goods that state MADE, PRODUCED or MANUFACTURED in America. If the label says "distributed", call the company and ask WHERE it was processed. You will be shocked. Now realize that China is quietly amping up prices and re-valuing the yuan. All the "cost savings" from off shoring will soon be for naught. And, we no longer have the machinery, equipment or government regulation (lack of) to re-create the industry.
3
POPSKeep telling yourself that offshoring was good for us US Tool, machine builder and other industrial companies on the brink. We have been lied to about globalization and the realization that we offshored our prosperity for temporary profits will eventually become undeniable to all. Sadly, it will come too late. This mess is a government greed vs. America's backbone and the backbone lost. Wake up people before YOUR industry is destroyed like American manufacturing was.
4
POPSMichigan-8 year "recession" This is what happens when your reward non-production, ignore your current workers & taxpayers and favor unions, bigger government and liberal feel good legislation. And it is coming soon to the rest of the country, the national plan seems to be at least partially based on Michigan's failed course. As the confiscation of the wealthy's assets and businesses continue, those that have anything left, will LEAVE. Many other countries would be HAPPY to take a much smaller share of the pie. Which is what is happening in Michigan. 100% of nothing is nothing, and that is what we get when we tax jobs out of existence.
9
POPSCleanliness is next to dry, flaky scalp. I know this is true. I quit washing my hair every day when I had my daughter (don't ask, she was not an easy newborn, or one year old). Anyway, I noticed a wonderful side effect, no more dandruff which had plagued me since childhood. Now, I only use shampoo a couple times a week and will rinse it and then condition it only. Glad to see I am not alone in the world.
1
POPSFederal Idiocy Strikes Again The IRS is firing their privatized collectors. Makes you think the program wasn't successful. Yet it was. And we think people that make decisions like this with OUR money can fix health care, energy or anything else? Name ONE program the feds operate within a budget that makes sense that produces extraordinary results. Just one. And, I'll have faith in "change". I doubt you can.
3
POPSSenate surveyed on personal tax filing Short clip, I only include the first Senator as a reference to the questions asked. Errors don't disturb me, we are human after all, and tax code is the most complex POS known to modern man. What IS disturbing is how many "declined to answer" which I have always found to mean, "I don't have to subject myself to this, even if I am the one that punishes you for the rules". See the article to find out what your Senators are disclosing, or hiding. Mine? 1. Answered, 1. Won't. Sounds just about par for the course.
6
POPSGood Intentions or Campaign contributions? One of the lead researchers into making the HPV vaccine, doesn't think we should be mandating this for children. Which legislator who is forcing these vaccines on our children will be willing to comfort the parents of the dead ones? (already 30 and counting). I've read a lot about this vaccine, and the death toll and other horrible disease count is climbing. Yet, more and more states just keep adding more and more unproven vaccines as mandatory. Makes you wonder if public health or campaign contributions are the leading reason. Two of the states were the vaccine is mandatory for 11 year old girls had governors who received MILLIONS from Merck in their campaigns. I'm sick of my child being a guinea pig for the government and a vehicle for record profits (and taxes of course).
10
POPSEwwwww, sorry, but I'll pass... I haven't had a full blown cold in 4 years, ever since I swore off the flu shots and religiously started using Zicam and vitamin D. As long as I start with the zinc therapy & mega-dose D within the first day or two of symptoms. But, if I DO get a cold, sorry, I'm going to blow my nose versus letting it flow down my face.
3
POPSSome good news in the US Of course, Wall Street disagrees. Though they are cutting some employment/facilities in Oregon & California. It is great to see a mega-national investing in the US and shuttering plants in low wage countries. Bright spots are very welcome!
4
POPSNow THIS is a solid reason to buy an American car Not one American brand car is in the top ten most ticketed cars in the US. I can attest that some cars just repel cops. I owned a refrigerator white Olds 88 for a decade. I loved that car. Once passed a cop doing 20 over the speed limit and all he did is turn his head, smile and wave. I still think he was just shocked to see the cute, little blonde instead of his grandma!
4
POPSSo off shoring creates jobs? The article goes on to state that the powers that be are ignoring this, even as our countries crumble under unemployment and increased government spending.
2
POPSWashington overvalues bank stocks You're kidding right? Our government, not know the value of a buck or an asset? Come on. This has to be a joke. Sadly, the biggest joke is whatever they today estimate the value at is STILL grossly overstated. Kind of makes $8,000 toilet seats seem like a bargain.
8
POPSTell me again how the Stimulus is going to work? And please, tell me again how sending more of our debt fueled "spending" to Chinese electronic manufacturers is going to save us? Can ANYONE see reality anymore? Or are we just going to keep playing out the tired old party lines as our once great nation falls? GLOBALIZATION did this to us. NOT subprime mortgages.
3
POPSChina grows while the West continues it's descent Over the past ten years, under the radar and the "global economy" BS, they sent their suppliers jobs to China. Now, there customers are there. Which will work fine until the day the Chinese slam shut their borders-keeping our technology, investments and products. Wake up people. This mess is not "subprime mortgages". It is lack of family supporting JOBS. And I'm not talking about the whineass UAW workers jobs. Continue allowing the government to shove high tech and globalization down your throats. Harsh poverty is coming. This is going to make the "Great Depression" seem like a walk in the park.
1
POPSLooks like the Coolest Burger Joint in the World I ran across this NZ restaurant when a blog had mentioned their "truth in advertising" job ad posted in their window. Today, I find out they officially have the coolest Restaurant Website Ever. If you have a few minutes to poke around their site, you will find great pics, flippant attitude and people that seem like fun. If I ever make it to New Zealand, I hope two things: 1. They are still open and 2. I'm still able to eat burgers in my old age...
4
POPSPlease quit listening to "expert"! Wow, wish I lived in these people's world. Unemployment is skyrocketing every day, people are being moved from full time to part time (could you pay your mortgage on 50% of your pay?), and this guys thinks that a "moratorium" on foreclosures will help? Banks are barely issuing mortgages NOW, you allow this to happen and they will stop altogether. And finally, the reason December sales "grew" was because of nationwide AUCTIONS. This is not a positive. We are not 3/4s of the way through, we aren't even 1/2 way there. Hope you all are stashing cash (at home, not banks) and stocking up on food, when all these foolhardy plans are finally stopped-as they will have to be-we will see the real trouble.
13
POPSWhy no one listens To bad news. This article contains an interesting chart showing how the "experts" were 90% bullish on the economy in November 2007, a mere 90 days before the bottom started falling out. And we continue to listen to those people. Makes me feel we deserve the world of hurt that is going to rain down on us. I just don't want to live through it, but I am preparing-as best I can.