Here is something to help make Obama's speeches almost tolerable.
Just print out this page, distribute it to friends, and listen... (be sure to read directions at the bottom) Rules for Bullshit Bingo:1. Before Barrack Obama's next televised speech, print your "Bullshit Bingo"2. Check off the appropriate block when you hear one of those words/phrases.
3. When you get five blocks horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, stand up and shout "BULLSHIT!"
Testimonials from past satisfied "Bullshit Bingo" players:
"I had been listening to the speech for only five minutes when I won." - Jack W., Boston
"My attention span during speeches has improved dramatically." - David D., Florida
"What a gas! Speeches will never be the same for me after my first win." - Bill R., New York City
“The atmosphere was tense in the last speech as 14 of us waited for the fifth box." - Ben G., Denver
Send us an enmail to get the actual game board emailed to you...
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Small Business and Job Creation
Let me start by asking you a question. Would you put an addition onto your house if you had no idea how much it was going to cost? If you had no idea if the improvement to your house was going to be taxed at a different rate than the rest of the house? What if you didn't know if you were going to have to use a newer heating system and if you didn't you may end up paying a fine for everyday you didn't have the system in place? I think we would all agree the answer would be no.
This is the exact situation our small business owners are facing today. Due to the ever changing minds and focus of our administration, our small business owners can't really hire anyone, because who knows how much a new employee will cost tomorrow. Will the owner need to provide them with health benefits? Will they have to pay a higher tax on the increased productivity? What is the capitol gains tax going to look like on the investment gains they make?
With all of the uncertainty out there in the economy, it isn't hard to understand why business and job growth are not booming. Lastly, before we continue to vilify the banks, I would suggest we all talk to Bob Kelly, the CEO of Bank Of New York Mellon. In a recent interview he challenged people to do their research. Unemployment has almost doubled to over 10%, but bank lending is only down 10%, year over year. Banks would love to lend more money, that is there business. With spreads as they are, quality loans can create large profits, but there in lies the rub. Take a look at the open credit lines of small business owners. They are not using what is available already, let alone taking out new credit. In the face of the conditions I outlined above, it is easy to see why.
The same reasons I am not adding onto my house, as I had planned to, are the same reason these business owners are not expanding their businesses, too much uncertainty.
This is the exact situation our small business owners are facing today. Due to the ever changing minds and focus of our administration, our small business owners can't really hire anyone, because who knows how much a new employee will cost tomorrow. Will the owner need to provide them with health benefits? Will they have to pay a higher tax on the increased productivity? What is the capitol gains tax going to look like on the investment gains they make?
With all of the uncertainty out there in the economy, it isn't hard to understand why business and job growth are not booming. Lastly, before we continue to vilify the banks, I would suggest we all talk to Bob Kelly, the CEO of Bank Of New York Mellon. In a recent interview he challenged people to do their research. Unemployment has almost doubled to over 10%, but bank lending is only down 10%, year over year. Banks would love to lend more money, that is there business. With spreads as they are, quality loans can create large profits, but there in lies the rub. Take a look at the open credit lines of small business owners. They are not using what is available already, let alone taking out new credit. In the face of the conditions I outlined above, it is easy to see why.
The same reasons I am not adding onto my house, as I had planned to, are the same reason these business owners are not expanding their businesses, too much uncertainty.
Labels:
Bank of New York Mellon,
bob kelly,
small business,
US economy
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Time to get involved
I am not sure which "American People" the administration keeps talking about, but the outrage I am hearing has a lot more to do with the actions of the administration than with any bank, insurance company, or player on Wall Street. The administration is missing the point to what is most important to people, today.
The President continues to rail against Banks and there very existence seems to agitate him. He mentioned in his speech, "The out sized profits and bonuses," am thou the majority of banks lost money in the fourth quarter.
The President says Banks aren't loaning money, although lending is down only ten percent while unemployment has doubled. I would challenge Mr. Obama, to try to end money to the "credit worthy" right now. Most people who can pay you back, don't want your money because, who knows what the administration is going to come up with next.
Health care is a classic example of being out of touch, in that the idea we tax people who don't carry insurance, or do nothing. Wouldn't that be like taxing me because I don't smoke and don't pay four or five dollars a pack in taxes, which the government needs to support the outrageous spending? Besides, we already have care for everyone, as we all know, the hospitals have to treat you whether you are covered or not. Pay them back at ten dollars a month if that is all you can afford. The Hospitals have this already in the budget, just as banks budget for losses. It is part of doing business.
This brings me to the real frustration, as the administration continues to create very few jobs, has not disbursed the full stimulus, is talking about another one as we speak. I ask the administration to pick up the "White House Phone," listen to the people and let's actually get America working. For the rest of us. If you are not already...it's time to get involved.
The President continues to rail against Banks and there very existence seems to agitate him. He mentioned in his speech, "The out sized profits and bonuses," am thou the majority of banks lost money in the fourth quarter.
The President says Banks aren't loaning money, although lending is down only ten percent while unemployment has doubled. I would challenge Mr. Obama, to try to end money to the "credit worthy" right now. Most people who can pay you back, don't want your money because, who knows what the administration is going to come up with next.
Health care is a classic example of being out of touch, in that the idea we tax people who don't carry insurance, or do nothing. Wouldn't that be like taxing me because I don't smoke and don't pay four or five dollars a pack in taxes, which the government needs to support the outrageous spending? Besides, we already have care for everyone, as we all know, the hospitals have to treat you whether you are covered or not. Pay them back at ten dollars a month if that is all you can afford. The Hospitals have this already in the budget, just as banks budget for losses. It is part of doing business.
This brings me to the real frustration, as the administration continues to create very few jobs, has not disbursed the full stimulus, is talking about another one as we speak. I ask the administration to pick up the "White House Phone," listen to the people and let's actually get America working. For the rest of us. If you are not already...it's time to get involved.
Monday, September 7, 2009
A real "Who done it..."
Even if you aren't a sports fan this is very interesting!
36 have been accused of spousal abuse
7 have been arrested for fraud
19 have been accused of writing bad checks
117 have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least 2 businesses
3 have done time for assault
71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit
14 have been arrested on drug-related charges
8 have been arrested for shoplifting
21 currently are defendants in lawsuits,
84 have been arrested for drunk driving in the last year
Can you guess which organization this is?
NBA or NFL?
Give up yet?
Scroll down...
Neither,
it's the 535 members of the
United States Congress!
380 laws broke for 535 members = 70%
The same group of idiots that crank out
hundreds of new laws each year
designed to keep the rest of us in line.
36 have been accused of spousal abuse
7 have been arrested for fraud
19 have been accused of writing bad checks
117 have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least 2 businesses
3 have done time for assault
71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit
14 have been arrested on drug-related charges
8 have been arrested for shoplifting
21 currently are defendants in lawsuits,
84 have been arrested for drunk driving in the last year
Can you guess which organization this is?
NBA or NFL?
Give up yet?
Scroll down...
Neither,
it's the 535 members of the
United States Congress!
380 laws broke for 535 members = 70%
The same group of idiots that crank out
hundreds of new laws each year
designed to keep the rest of us in line.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Letter to Larry Kudlow
Larry, I am the guy you have been looking for to tell you, you are right! Since the collapse in September, when I lost most of my portfolio during September '08, I have not only gained back my losses, but doubling my pre-September balance. I have been promoted at work, as has my wife. Another promotion and raise look to be on their way.
As with any financial crisis, most people stop talking about the key component, revenue. I can't remember the last time I heard anyone talk about plain old revenue. The reason the banks are going to make huge profits soon, is because with their massive revenue streams, you can absorb an incredible amount of loss. Now when it turns, every dollar you don't lose is pure profit. This trend can turn quickly and the loss to profit swing can be immediate.
I am betting on old fashion believers in a free market, but get nervous whenever someone from the current administration says anything. The quickest way to economic prosperity would be to cut the government in half. Let me keep my raise and invest it, make myself money, and create opportunity for the innovative....
Jimmy
As with any financial crisis, most people stop talking about the key component, revenue. I can't remember the last time I heard anyone talk about plain old revenue. The reason the banks are going to make huge profits soon, is because with their massive revenue streams, you can absorb an incredible amount of loss. Now when it turns, every dollar you don't lose is pure profit. This trend can turn quickly and the loss to profit swing can be immediate.
I am betting on old fashion believers in a free market, but get nervous whenever someone from the current administration says anything. The quickest way to economic prosperity would be to cut the government in half. Let me keep my raise and invest it, make myself money, and create opportunity for the innovative....
Jimmy
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Realty Check
Over the past few weeks, it seems as though the American people have started to rethink Team Obama. The excitement at the beginning of the year, with the talk of change and progress, has been subsiding and being replaced with skepticism. Just as we found out with the kid who promised more recess and a pool, while running for Student Council, we are finding Obama to be mostly promises with little substance.
The economy is showing signs of recovery and slow growth, even though only about ten percent of the $787 billion stimulus has actually been spent. The money that has been spent, really had nothing to do with job creation and more to do with "pet projects" that otherwise would not have been funded.
health care reform looks to be more of a test of political power than anything to do with the protection of the uninsured. The administration is looking to spend over one trillion dollars, we don't have, to create a bureaucratic nightmare. If you really wanted to lower the cost of health care you would look at limiting lawsuits being filed against doctors. The real reason doctor's order "unnecessary tests" is to cover their asses, not profit generation. This would be tough for the Democrats, however, as it would anger their attorney base.
Talk to any small business owner, who is already dealing with a recession, tougher credit, and increased taxes about the health care reform and they will tell you it is going to shrink their payroll. It doesn't matter how low the cost, it is still an added expense many can't afford.
Lastly, it appears we are all taken aback by the obvious attack on capitalism. The American dream to work hard and be prosperous, is being threatened. The administration is looking to limit profits on financial companies, oil companies, Health Care providers, pharmaceutical companies and the list goes on. Now if you limit how much I can make, then you limit the taxes I pay, thus limiting your own income, which actually needs to increase by the trillions to pay off all the spending. No wonder we are getting skid dish and approval ratings are nose diving. These are our thoughts we look forward to yours...
The economy is showing signs of recovery and slow growth, even though only about ten percent of the $787 billion stimulus has actually been spent. The money that has been spent, really had nothing to do with job creation and more to do with "pet projects" that otherwise would not have been funded.
health care reform looks to be more of a test of political power than anything to do with the protection of the uninsured. The administration is looking to spend over one trillion dollars, we don't have, to create a bureaucratic nightmare. If you really wanted to lower the cost of health care you would look at limiting lawsuits being filed against doctors. The real reason doctor's order "unnecessary tests" is to cover their asses, not profit generation. This would be tough for the Democrats, however, as it would anger their attorney base.
Talk to any small business owner, who is already dealing with a recession, tougher credit, and increased taxes about the health care reform and they will tell you it is going to shrink their payroll. It doesn't matter how low the cost, it is still an added expense many can't afford.
Lastly, it appears we are all taken aback by the obvious attack on capitalism. The American dream to work hard and be prosperous, is being threatened. The administration is looking to limit profits on financial companies, oil companies, Health Care providers, pharmaceutical companies and the list goes on. Now if you limit how much I can make, then you limit the taxes I pay, thus limiting your own income, which actually needs to increase by the trillions to pay off all the spending. No wonder we are getting skid dish and approval ratings are nose diving. These are our thoughts we look forward to yours...
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