Good article attached wherein the CEO of Intel, among others, sums up the situation pretty well.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-20014563-38.html?tag=mncol;1n

The bottom line is, only the private sector generates REAL wealth, and REAL income, from which a tax base is formed. If we don't have that, and don't want to do all we can to preserve that, then we might as well jump straight to 'Greece-land' without passing go. We simply have to get rid of everybody in Washington that has no appreciation for, and/or experience in, what is involved in creating private sector jobs and a capital friendly environment.

Better yet is to read the comments at the end of the article. The "capitalists" forget that people remember. People by the millions & millions remember getting screwed by these b@stards. Think Wall St. Think Big Banks. Think BP. Think Enron. Think Big Oil. etc, etc, etc

The comments are quite telling.

So because a few people in a few companies did bad things we should change the rules for everyone and dismantle free enterprise and sock it to all the business owners who happen to file taxes through Sub-S rules? Is that what we should do -- hammer all the job creators just because you think some people got screwed by 'big business'?

It appears that is the modus operundi of this crew of radicals in D.C. which is exactly why every business is sitting on the sidelines waiting it out, and hoping for REAL CHANGE real soon, before even considering making additional business investments in this country. All the while a couple tens of millions clamor for a job.

Absolutely NUTS.

The solution is a balance, where the market does not go crazy, but where the government puts appropriate measures that do not constrain the private sector. The problem is no one in DC, on either side of the aisle, has a reasonable solution. And I don't either. Today's U.S. economy is so diverse, so large and so interconnected to the world economy that I think it is too hard to grasp and try and find a policy solution.

But, it's a real problem. How do you drive the private sector, but also ensure that it does not screw over middle America? D's or R's haven't be able to find the solution yet.

While that is definitely a hard balance to strike, P-town, the current administration has gone TO THE EXTREME away from private enterprise. The result is the fear and uncertainty that has paralyzed business investment and job creation.

If I were a business or corporation in this environment, I would be taking a wait and see approach as well. You just don't know what might be coming down the legislative highway next that will derail your business and shutter your doors forever.

This is why we are not seeing any recovery to speak of, and specifically why we are not seeing any job creation by businesses.

Our only hope at this point is for a massive changeover of Congress in November that clearly sends the message to DC that it needs to get OUT of the way and let the market go where it's going to go. It may end up taking a dive for a short period of time thereafter, but I'm betting it will recover quicker than if we continue down this stalemate path we're now on.

The reason that this is the predominate feeling among business owners in America....

Writerbuckeye;461580 wrote:If I were a business or corporation in this environment, I would be taking a wait and see approach as well. You just don't know what might be coming down the legislative highway next that will derail your business and shutter your doors forever.

This is why we are not seeing any recovery to speak of, and specifically why we are not seeing any job creation by businesses.

Is a direct result of this.....

Writerbuckeye;461580 wrote:....the current administration has gone TO THE EXTREME away from private enterprise. The result is the fear and uncertainty that has paralyzed business investment and job creation.

And this is the only real solutuion.......

Writerbuckeye;461580 wrote:Our only hope at this point is for a massive changeover of Congress in November that clearly sends the message to DC that it needs to get OUT of the way and let the market go where it's going to go. It may end up taking a dive for a short period of time thereafter, but I'm betting it will recover quicker than if we continue down this stalemate path we're now on.

Spot on, Writerbuckeye.

I agree on that Writer, and that we have seen both extreme ends of the spectrum in the last 10 years. The 90s was nice, but still laid the seeds for our current situation.

I'd also have a wait and see approach. But, I also think the last year or so companies have discovered new ways of operating without the same overhead costs. Meaning, they can still obtain revenue and profit, but with less people.

I'd also agree on a swing over in Congress. Historically, Presidents are better with an opposing party in Congress. 1 party rule has a horrible history. But, if the R's take over, they need some firm policies and frankly a new Speaker. Boehner aka Orange man is awful

Ladies and Gentleman I (Belly) declaring that the bottom has dropout and the situation of Small Business is in an ever deeping and grave position of failure. Both of my businesses have had a roller coaster ride of increase sales and no sales. However in the last month the sales have drop with little or no indicators of an up swing this time….. As an owner of two businesses I have never seen or experience anything like this. We have cut and cut more and the stability and prospective business is not out there.
I have attented in the past year to demostrate the potential growth I could create and jobs developed ..... this administration is clueless to the value of private enterprises.

Obama for Small Business kiss my ass .....liar Fucking Unions that all Obama care for....

If I can’t sell my product who can buy someone else product so I can produce my product. Simple as that sounds that what drives business.

I hope all you Obama Butt Buddies have a plan to keep your ass warn and your family feed ……. It’s not going to get any better for the next 6 months and that will only be if the Congress and or Senate can be converted to a Republic majority then should some consumer confidence will return. The question is will enough consumer confidents return to help the economy so deep into financial collapse? If the Democrats keep the majority of the House and Senate … I’m buying more ammo because their will be rioting in the street and social unrest in America……. Worse that any civil right riots many of you have never witness.

ptown_trojans_1;461585 wrote:.........they need some firm policies and frankly a new Speaker. Boehner aka Orange man is awful

Pelosi hasn't exactly set the bar real high........

wkfan;461590 wrote:Pelosi hasn't exactly set the bar real high........

Nope, she has been one of the worst in memory. But, Boehner would not be much of an improvement. He is still a talking political hack to me.

Obama-Reid-Pelosi erroneously viewed the elections of 2006 and 2008 as an indicator that the country was ready to make a serious left turn and embrace European-style socialist policies. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The 2006 election sent a message to Republicans that spending like Democrats is not what the electorate was expecting. The 2008 election of Obama was a combination of Bush-fatigue and a mediocre Republican presidential candidate. Quite frankly the Dems could have nominated Pee Wee Herman and beaten McCain.

Once there's political balance in DC this November and private businesses see a less hostile mood out of Capitol Hill, they'll begin to hire slowly which will spark consumer confidence which will oil a sluggish economy. There won't be any need for more phony government stimulus.

believer;461649 wrote:Obama-Reid-Pelosi erroneously viewed the elections of 2006 and 2008 as an indicator that the country was ready to make a serious left turn and embrace European-style socialist policies. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The 2006 election sent a message to Republicans that spending like Democrats is not what the electorate was expecting. The 2008 election of Obama was a combination of Bush-fatigue and a mediocre Republican presidential candidate. Quite frankly the Dems could have nominated Pee Wee Herman and beaten McCain.

Once there's political balance in DC this November and private businesses see a less hostile mood out of Capitol Hill, they'll begin to hire slowly which will spark consumer confidence which will oil a sluggish economy. There won't be any need for more phony government stimulus.

believer - I agree 100%. I would only add this....the recovering economy, the increased spending by business, and the more optimistic populace will only serve to propel the socialist marxist Obama to a 2nd term. Like Clinton did, he will claim that his programs are working and he deserves 4 more years of On-The-Job training. When in fact, it was the BLOCKING of his socialist marxist agenda that will save this country. Ironic as hell, but likely the scenario.

Without the Republican Revolution of 1994, Clinton was a 1-termer, and he knew it. That, and the fact that the Rockefeller Republicans nominated Bob Dork as his opponent. That's like the Indianapolis Colts playing the Detroit Lions.

I think the key is having a balance of power in Washington. In the 90's under a Republican Congress and a Democrat White House, the economy boomed (also the dot com bubble and many other factors). Under a straight R's Congress and WH or a straight D's Congress and WH, the country has endured and is currently enduiring hardships.

We need a balance of power so that they can keep a better "checks and balances" in DC.

The problem is people are assuming that big business in this country actually wants things to get better.

This recession has been a boon for most of them. Corporate profits were through the roof the second quarter. As long as unemployment is high, they can keep labor costs down and worker productivity up. That goes straight to the bottom line.

Also, as long as the economy is in the shitter interest rates stay non-existent. If they need to borrow money, it is ample and cheap.

The worse things get, the more carrots they get. Cheap money, debt guarantees, you name it and the government/FED has handed it out. Those freebies go away if things get better, which is why the dirty little secret is that America's fortune 500 are just fine with the way things are now.

The problems this economy faces are so much bigger than Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Boehner, McConnell or whoever else is in charge of our government. Corporate America has literally raped and pillaged this country the past 2 years, and 99.9% of the population is completely oblivious to it because they are caught up with R & D sniping at eachother. That is just the way our politicians corporate benefactors like it, as it serves as a great diversion for them to take people's eyes off of the big picture.

^^^^^^^^^^^

Exactly. Private enterprise is screwing everyone over.

Paladin;462037 wrote:^^^^^^^^^^^

Exactly. Private enterprise is screwing everyone over.

Let me ask you some really easy questions:

1. Without private enterprise, which you loathe, where will you and the socialist democrats find the money to support and propogate your big brother government-knows-best agenda?

2. Without your hated private enterprise, who is going to pay for ObamaKare?

3. Without the detestable private enterprise, who will provide the innovation for future discoveries? Who will be rewarded for new inventions?

4. Without the evil private enterprise, who will provide jobs for the tens of millions of unemployed Americans?

5. Without the satanic private enterprises, who will pay into the social security trust fund? "Trust"....HAHHAHAHAhahahahaha

6. Finally...without the loathesome private enterprise, how will you eat?

I await your quick response to such easy drivel, comrade Paladin.

Allow me to give you a few obvious answers:

1. Without private enterprise, which you loathe, where will you and the socialist democrats find the money to support and propogate your big brother government-knows-best agenda?
They'll print it!

2. Without your hated private enterprise, who is going to pay for ObamaKare?
The govt!

3. Without the detestable private enterprise, who will provide the innovation for future discoveries? Who will be rewarded for new inventions?
The govt!

4. Without the evil private enterprise, who will provide jobs for the tens of millions of unemployed Americans?
The govt!

5. Without the satanic private enterprises, who will pay into the social security trust fund? "Trust"....HAHHAHAHAhahahahaha
The govt!

6. Finally...without the loathesome private enterprise, how will you eat?
The govt!

First , you have made an assumption which is wrong. Long time investor who likes a capitalist system. However, capitalism without rules & regs has already proved a HUGE failure. Spectacular ! Second, as Iggy pointed out, private enterprise is rolling in the dough now while the country suffers badly. And, with Rs in bed with business, there is no incentive to create jobs because they have been rewarded with exporting them instead. Private enterprise is currently ruining the country. They don't need helped, they need horse whipped. They don't need breaks, they need regulated ( again). They don't need sob stories, they need their azzes kicked for the Benedict Arnold role they have played in destroying 9 million good paying jobs that contributes to the destruction of our society.

Capitalism failed? When did that happen? Yes, bubbles form and cause hardships when they deflate, but when did we stop regulating business? Business isn't regulated? Good one.

The economy is cyclical. The global economy is cyclical. Some downturns are going to be worse than others, and we went nearly 30 years without a significant recession. And, truthfully, there have been plenty of economic shocks before, but the severity of this one really has a lot to do with artificial efforts to reduce or eliminate recession because the excesses of the internet bubble were never fully allowed to work their way out when we just injected a bunch of printed money back into the system. In just the last 30 years, we have had pretty major economic shocks - the S&L crisis, LTCM/Russian default, the Internet bubble, oil (a couple of times), and finally housing just to name a few of the major ones.

Everyone should own a home....Housing never goes down in price....Add-in historically cheap credit and Wall Street does what they do - move capital and facilitate transactions. Fanny and Freddie pumping out mortgages and Wall Street buying them and repackaging to sell to investors, enabling Fanny and Freddie to sell more mortgages. Yeah, Wall Street has a problem with incentives and overconfidence in faulty risk models, but don't pretend like Wall Street and big business is solely to blame or even mostly to blame. Irresponsible and ignorant home buyers and get-rich-quick investors are just as much to blame. The fed sitting on its hands has a lot of blame, as well. Fannie & Freddy, also. Heck, a 1st time buyer can still get a FHNMA loan with 3% down which certainly makes it a lot easier to buy too much house.

If one looks to "big business" as the party to blame for not having a job, that is not the fault of big business.

Paladin;462169 wrote:First , you have made an assumption which is wrong. Long time investor who likes a capitalist system. However, capitalism without rules & regs has already proved a HUGE failure. Spectacular ! Second, as Iggy pointed out, private enterprise is rolling in the dough now while the country suffers badly. And, with Rs in bed with business, there is no incentive to create jobs because they have been rewarded with exporting them instead. Private enterprise is currently ruining the country. They don't need helped, they need horse whipped. They don't need breaks, they need regulated ( again). They don't need sob stories, they need their azzes kicked for the Benedict Arnold role they have played in destroying 9 million good paying jobs that contributes to the destruction of our society.

Surely you jest. Private enterprise doesn't necessarily need help, but they do need the whipping to stop and government to get the hell out of the way. As long as the regulatory and litigation lovers have control in DC no one in business is secure in investing in this country. It has been capitalism and free markets that have allowed investors (including every John Doe who has retirement funds set aside) to experience over 10% returns for 12 decades, including the boom and bust cycles. Today, your government is offering a whopping 2.5% for a ten year bond, and all with the increasing probability of default. Oh yes, let's force the private sector to feed the pig (government) even more; certainly that will solve the problem as government will magically change its ways. Laughable.

It was at least heartening this morning to read the attached which confirms what I and others have been saying: the radicals in DC are headed home and it cannot happen soon enough!

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/41469.html

queencitybuckeye;462215 wrote:If one looks to "big business" as the party to blame for not having a job, that is not the fault of big business.

Truer words have never been spoken.

I think part of the reality a lot of people are having trouble accepting is in today's economy, if you want to continue to be paid well for what you do you have to be mobile. Whether your an accountant or a line worker, when business have cutbacks and you are in a tough area, you have to be willing to go where the jobs are. Culturally and socially that's not good, especially for families, but globalization means jobs (good jobs, anyway) are becoming more specialized and that means there are fewer and fewer jobs locally that you are qualified for.

People look at successful companies and say outsourcing is horrible. I've never seen a good argument for making bad business decisions, and when 80% of companies fail the first year and 99.9% never amount to anything more than a decent living for a family, those succesful companies didn't get where they are by making bad decisions. I've got competition around the US and also globally, if I want to launch a product and can put my factory in GA paying $10 an hours (instead of $15 in the midwest), or go to China/India and pay $2 an hour what are you going to do? I can outsource and pay some mid-level people and my shareholders well - and all that money generates taxes and sales for other businesses - or I can take on a competitive advantage and slowly bleed until my company goes out of business and my workers are left to find other employment.

Yeah, the last recovery saw hardly any of the productivity gains go to the worker, and more of it should have, certainly. But how much I don't know. Again, specialization is hurting people in that there isn't a company across the street that values your unique skills enough to pay you more. But you can' transfer some of the personal income taxes to corporations, either, because our corporate tax rates are already too high. I think the sad reality is that globalization isn't going to bring-up 3rd world workers to our level but will see a raising of them and lowering of us to a new equilibrium

Only an idiot goes out and pays more for a house, tv, car or whatever than he has to. We all shop around for the best deals. Businesses are no different, but people forget when they look at these big, faceless corporations that they were started by someone who looked for deals, too. I just don't see how shitting all over private enterprise and taking away incentives from the people who actually create jobs is going to help. Historically the US economy has had some major hiccups, but it's always evolved and emerged to be stronger.

Truthfully if you look at the house, the television, the cars and the clothes....Most are living well beyond the standard of people 30-40 years ago, such is the impact of technology and innovation. But Americans always want more, they got to keep up with the Joneses.

Another big factor I never hear mentioned is that A LOT more women are in the workforce these days. That is a heck of an increase in the supply of labor, and yet our economy has grown to absorb that.

ptown_trojans_1;461594 wrote:Nope, she has been one of the worst in memory. But, Boehner would not be much of an improvement. He is still a talking political hack to me.

Agreed. Eric Cantor would be a way better choice.

gut;462314 wrote:Only an idiot goes out and pays more for a house, tv, car or whatever than he has to. We all shop around for the best deals.

This includes all the socialists who hate capitalism....but desire the material comforts and luxuries it offers.

fish82;462324 wrote:Agreed. Eric Cantor would be a way better choice.

I'm agree, Fish. I'm a really big fan of Cantor, very good dude.