Why the fate of the world rests with Ohio
So it’s Hillary for president then.
At least that’s my outside bet. But hey, what do I know?
Well, I’m an accountant, so my reasoning is mainly financial. (Yes money is boring, but I’m boring, so live with it.)
The US is in recession.
Yes, it is.
I’m sorry for all you die-hard optimists, but please let's all just get real for a moment.
The U.S. lost 63,000 non-farm jobs in February, the biggest drop since the start on the Iraq war, and overall, the private sector shed 101,000 private sector jobs in January alone. And there’s no end in sight either. Inflation and the general economy are worsening. When people are broke, they can’t pay their mortgages, which means more pain for banks, who in turn are more reluctant to lend money and when they do, it will be at a higher rate, which in turn means less dollars all round. And as the US stops spending, so the poor starving Chinese citizen will end up losing his job too, as US imports will also decline dramatically over the next year.
The eminent economists Ethan Harris and Jody Clarke predict things will get gradually worse, both inflation and unemployment will continue to rise, despite the Fed continually cutting rates, and the end result will be negative growth by the end of May.
Forget about the war, after all, no-one’s talking much about Iraq any more. All talk is of money and how it affects the average US citizen. In particular, please spare a thought for all those blue collar workers in the depressed US manufacturing heartland (N.Y. Pennsylvania, Ohio and in-between), who are feeling extreme pain in their wallets. Life for them is unrelentingly grim at the moment. Their jobs are being increasingly outsourced to India and Taiwan, and many of them are starting to blame the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) for their misery.
Enter into this gloomy scene the immaculately coiffured, blond haired witch, who will make it all disappear with a zap of her magic wand…hurrah for Hillary! She’ll swoosh in on her broomstick to save the day.
Barack lacks economic experience and he's dodged the NAFTA issue completely, but our future Madam Prez Hillary, saviour of the morally upstanding white proletariat worker, has pledged to renegotiate the same treaty that was once championed by her husband. The result? Ohio and the other swing states (once Bush devotees) are now so desperate for change, for hope, they will fall under her evil spell. Muggles beware!
Not convinced? Need another reason?
Well, it is popular knowledge amongst political analysts over here that however Ohio votes, the world follows.
Of course I could be wrong about US politics, and let’s hope I am. But if The Grand Sorceress is indeed ruling the world this time next year, then you can be sure I’ll be blaming everyone in Ohio…
Me, wearing clothes for a change.
At least that’s my outside bet. But hey, what do I know?
Well, I’m an accountant, so my reasoning is mainly financial. (Yes money is boring, but I’m boring, so live with it.)
The US is in recession.
Yes, it is.
I’m sorry for all you die-hard optimists, but please let's all just get real for a moment.
The U.S. lost 63,000 non-farm jobs in February, the biggest drop since the start on the Iraq war, and overall, the private sector shed 101,000 private sector jobs in January alone. And there’s no end in sight either. Inflation and the general economy are worsening. When people are broke, they can’t pay their mortgages, which means more pain for banks, who in turn are more reluctant to lend money and when they do, it will be at a higher rate, which in turn means less dollars all round. And as the US stops spending, so the poor starving Chinese citizen will end up losing his job too, as US imports will also decline dramatically over the next year.
The eminent economists Ethan Harris and Jody Clarke predict things will get gradually worse, both inflation and unemployment will continue to rise, despite the Fed continually cutting rates, and the end result will be negative growth by the end of May.
Forget about the war, after all, no-one’s talking much about Iraq any more. All talk is of money and how it affects the average US citizen. In particular, please spare a thought for all those blue collar workers in the depressed US manufacturing heartland (N.Y. Pennsylvania, Ohio and in-between), who are feeling extreme pain in their wallets. Life for them is unrelentingly grim at the moment. Their jobs are being increasingly outsourced to India and Taiwan, and many of them are starting to blame the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) for their misery.
Enter into this gloomy scene the immaculately coiffured, blond haired witch, who will make it all disappear with a zap of her magic wand…hurrah for Hillary! She’ll swoosh in on her broomstick to save the day.
Barack lacks economic experience and he's dodged the NAFTA issue completely, but our future Madam Prez Hillary, saviour of the morally upstanding white proletariat worker, has pledged to renegotiate the same treaty that was once championed by her husband. The result? Ohio and the other swing states (once Bush devotees) are now so desperate for change, for hope, they will fall under her evil spell. Muggles beware!
Not convinced? Need another reason?
Well, it is popular knowledge amongst political analysts over here that however Ohio votes, the world follows.
Of course I could be wrong about US politics, and let’s hope I am. But if The Grand Sorceress is indeed ruling the world this time next year, then you can be sure I’ll be blaming everyone in Ohio…
Me, wearing clothes for a change.
posted by Lin at 11:54 AM
9 Comments:
First, I'm not behind any leading candidate, as of yet. I'm a bit jaded on the whole thing.
As goes Ohio, so goes the Nation?
Hmmm. I agree to a point, and that's why us Ohioans, I am quite sure, will have a State constitutional amendment on our ballot. . It will either be 1) Gay Rights related 2) Abortion Related, 3) or some unworkable for of gambling. .In either case. .the people that are "pro" on the topic won't want the amendment as written, and the group that introduces the item, will be some obscure group noone has ever head of before.
Why? because. It's how the Republicans will rally the little old church going blue-haired ladies to vote.. Give them something to (their view) vote against. Worth the trip to the polls, and get the preachers in the pulpits all fired up. And while you're there voting for all that is decent. .follow the party ticket and back some good christian republicans.
Don't believe me? It worked the last 2 presidential elections.
NAFTA..
hmm you're part right. Obama DID comment on it.. that he would call it up for review as soon as he's in office, and shortly after he made those public comments, he "privately" told the Canadians "don't sweat it, aint gonna happen".just rhetoric for the show.
NAFTA.. what we were sold on, not as it stands, was a good thing.. Meant to raise all boats to our level, instead, it is sinking our economy towards them.
As originally written, Participating countries had to rise to our level (our being US/Canadian). As implimented by the congress that was in power (and amended to by following pro-business govt's). .We let those countries goods in as is.. A prime example, is the Mexican Truck, and Truck Driver.
Trucks in Mexico have considerably less safety standards, and enforcement of those Standards. Due to NAFTA, we have to let them on our roads, because they are licensed.
I've Seen these trucks in Nogales, AZ.. old, decrepit things, I doubt they would stand up to a typical safety inspection, let along a smog test..
The same goes for labor.. Instead of laborers approaching the US standard. it seems, our labor is sinking towards them..
So goes Ohio? Yes, so went Ohio, and, it seems everyone I talk to, wants change.. yesterday.
My concern is that in pursuit of change. .we may vote for the idea of change, and not for actual improvement of the situation.
Sorry, but Ohio isn't really the deciding factor. This is a very different race and Senator Clinton has been in second place (not first) for quite awhile. Anything can happen at this point.
The truth in what is now wrong with the American economy can be traced to a comment by Alan Greenspan the former Chairman of the Federal Reserve System (1987-2006). Alan defined our current problem many years ago during a congressional hearing on economics. I think this was the late nineties, I remember watching it on C-Span. Alan was asked what he thought “the greatest threat to stable economic growth was in the US today?” To which Alan responded that there was, “too much consuming going on”.
We have just simply been spending too much money, plain and simple. Money we didn’t have, money we hadn’t earned, we mortgage our futures and in some cases those of our children in pursuit of status symbols. It’s not what it is...it’s what it looks like. I know when I was growing up we were concerned if our car looked cool, now it just needs to look expensive.
The answer to this problem is not going to be Hillary, Obama , McCain or any of the other so called public servants. It is going to have to come from us, the people. We are going to have to tighten our belts, our purse strings, stop spending so much and start saving more. I am old fashioned, I admit it. I really do believe that there are only two important things in this world. The person next to you and what you are willing to stand up for.
Okay, I’m off my stump now, time for a beer.
Always,
David
Sure the customer finally comes thru and buys a machine after months of going back and forth. Things are a little brighter. Will make a little cash this month. Yea.
I'm on my second tea and listening to some great Willie Dixon blues and start checking my everyday blog list.
Then....Lin has to get into U.S. politics and our crappy economy again. In the past I would make my head hurt by trying to formulate a heartfelt response.
I used to worry about these things. I used to get depressed about the bad news every night on TV, in my daily newspaper and about the fact there is not a good candidate for President.
But luckily I have discovered the Miracle of Apathy. I smile everyday. It takes mere minutes to read the paper. I now have more time in my day for me since I'm not in front of the tube trying to digest the swill they pour out into the airwaves every day. Yes. I'm free - free at last.
In Fact. I'm thinking of starting a Apathy Party. I feel I can get all those people who don't vote now and feel powerless with the current political process. We will probably become the most powerful party in terms of numbers in U.S. history. Of course we won't use all that power, after all it's the Apathy Party, but it will be nice to know we have it.
Besides I live in Illinois. Not in it sucks to have the weight of the free world's continued success on your shoulders "OH10". And no that's not a typo.
If you want a concerned citizen view of American life and politics go to www(dot)theguyfromboston(dot)com Since you mentioned NAFTA - on the opening page of his site - pick - view my rants - then start with Mexican Truck Drivers. Not suitable for young children due to language. If I had a web site he'd have a link.
Now for the important part of the comment.
I like you wearing clothes.
D.L. Wood
David, you think like I do.
The UK has the same problem. I'm sparing everyone the economic rant about this country because I suspect most of the western world is going the sme way. Boom and Bust. Yin and yang.
Mr Wood, your vote shapes the world. Don't you DARE be apathetic or I'll have to come over there and spank you.
I kinda think Hillary is Sexy in a certain way...I wonder if she shaves her pussy. I can picture her in a vintage Garter, sheer wide panel panties...and seamed stockings. Im having a hard time picturing Obama wearing the same...so I'll vote for Obama...as I don't want to have lustful feelings towards our president.
Taking my politics very seriously here..in a country where the majority vote went for the runner up 8 years ago. It's all a joke!!
bt
Apathy does have its price....I'll await you arrival.
D.L. Wood
Don't blame me for Ohio.. I never voted for Bush, and I never voted against marriage, but little does it matter.. and I don't know that Obama is any better than Hillary. I am thinking of possibly voting for McCain, despite being a very liberal democrat.
McCain??? Oh, Orixx, we have to talk!!!
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