Comments on: Hard Truth Weekly Reader – Shall We Panic?

By: MasterPo

MasterPo — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 04:02:11 +0000

“Most economists think that the stimulus package was too small to promote real job growth”

If $787 BILLION (or $850 BILLION by some estimates – odd that no one really knows the total cost don’t YOU think?!) was “too small” then Heaven help us all!!!

Spoken like a true Obama worshiper.

By: dwhite2762

dwhite2762 — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:31:52 +0000

Master Po, I just don’t understand how you can take that stance after Bush landed us in a war without reason and removing a budget surplus and landing us in the worst financial crisis is 70 years! I agree that most Americans are confused over the bailout (700million under Bush) and the Stimulus (under Obama). You seem to have forgotten as well. Its only been a year! The crisis was worse than we thought. Most economists think that the stimulus package was too small to promote real job growth. In my state, the green jobs are doing well. I’m all for it.

By: MasterPo

MasterPo — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:14:24 +0000

Dwhite – One important issue: We didn’t have Obama!

Now before you leap on me, I do mean it in the deepest political sense.

Whether or not it was successful or even the correct action, Bush did try several things to help like keep taxes low, interest rates low, and the nation safe from attack. That sets a positive tone for people. Psychology always plays a BIG factor in all this.

By contrast, Obama *PROMISED* the Stimulus would save further job loss (do I have to post the link to his January 2009 Washington Post editorial again?). He promised real jobs, real leadership, real hope.

Instead we got 10% unemployment, a handful of *temporary* make-work government projects for a few people, a QUADRUPLING of the annual deficit, an historic overall budget debt, several terrorist attacks, a healthcare bill being rammed down the throats of the people, and the *promise* that MAYBE in 10-15 years a few thousand “green jobs” will be created (please define “green job” specifically).

What is most telling: CBS/NY Times poll shows only 6% of America believe the stimulus has worked. (By comparison 7% of American believe Elvis is still alive!)

And what do we get? The Obama admin saying it’s just a lack of us understanding how great the Stimulus is working.

My wallet understands all too well.

By: dwhite2762

dwhite2762 — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:00:53 +0000

It intrigues me that this site is getting scared NOW!! Was everyone this spooked in 2004 when the housing market started to tank? What steps did everyone take when the jobs lost in the recession got over 10% and 8.4 million people in the country lost their jobs? What stockpiles did you make when over 1 million people had their houses forclosed? I mean how much worse do you really think its going to get?
It reminds me of the whole millenium scare that frightened people into buying generators and dried beans. What the article did was try to frighten without offering any really sensible solution. People in this country have to quit being frightened by the right and the left media and start acting like adults.

By: MasterPo

MasterPo — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:42:00 +0000

Kitty – I would think in a real end-of-the-world scenario the gov would more likely try to confiscate guns and possible weapons than gold. But I do agree that they can pass laws (or more likely Executive Orders, esepcially with the current crop of bozos) that would make the purchase or redemption of gold illegal. NTL, I’m sure there would be a way around it. Probably an underground market. Much lower than spot but still cash-able.

D – I stand corrected. NTL, a measure of preparation would be prudent. Not sure about stocking the pantry for an extended seige. But some extra supplies overall isn’t a bad idea. And lots of ready access to cash as well as cash on hand.

FWIW, I told my wife the other day until further notice I don’t want her to let her car drop below half a tank. She thinks I’m nuts (for many other reasons too ) but at least I let her use my Amex for the gas so she figures while I’m paying…

By: dwhite2762

dwhite2762 — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:18:24 +0000

Under Bush (Feb 2003), the new Department of Homeland Security urged Americans to to buy duct tape and plastic sheeting to seal windows and doors in the event of a terrorist attack. Sorta like the old duck and cover advice from the 1950s. Tom Ridge held a press conference with this advice followed by Bush telling America it was a good idea.

By: kitty

kitty — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:36:39 +0000

Additionally, gold ownership (except for collectibles and jewelry) was illegal 1933-1974. Even if you keep your gold coins in the freezer and nobody knows about them, you couldn’t easily sell it or show that you have it in such circumstances.

Granted, now that no country is on gold standard, the repeat of 1933 gold confiscation is unlikely, but we are talking about end-of-the-world type of scenario here.