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Republicans Own The House 4 More Years

As we continue the path of 4 more years with President Obama (re-elected on 11/6/12), he was one big problem and that is the Republicans.  The Republicans also held their position in the House 4 more years.  This has been a major road block for Obama.  A lot of the bills and changes Obama wanted to move forward never made it pass the House.  This was one of the main reasons I supported a new candidate.  Obama will continue to be road blocked by the House.  The House continues to express this to the Democrats that any measures given to them which raises taxes a dime, will not be support or moved along the House.

And that my friends is why we are looking at 4 more years of the same from Obama.  If he could have done early – it would have been done.

John Boehner Speaker Of The House
John Boehner Speaker Of The House (Republican)

Barack Obama Re-Elected For Second Term

The game is over and the masses have spoken.  Barack Obama has been re-elected for a second term.  At this time, it appears he will win the popular vote (barely) and the electoral vote which means another 4 years.

What will another 4 years bring us?  Well I hope it was better than the last 4 years.

The Republicans will hold the House again.  In short, more of the same except another 4 years.  Congratulations.

Barack Obama Re-elected 2012
Barack Obama Re-elected 2012

Obama May Negatively Impact Your Job

In a recent article for the Emerald City Journal, we spoke how voting for Obama may negatively impact your job and/or future job salary opportunities (lower offers).  We spoke about David Siegel the CEO of Westgate Resorts and the email he wrote to his employees (thousands of them).  Today more CEO’s are stepping forward with the same warnings that your job maybe on the line if you support Obama.  This time the email is from Saddle Creek President Cliff Otto.  In the email he expresses many things but it comes down to Romney’s positions on energy and taxes align with the company better.

I do think it’s fair that employees know what is coming to them.  Most voters just look at the benefits (hey! free health care everyone) yet don’t understand the consequences that their employer will need to make adjustments in the company to make the numbers work and that means the possibility of cutting staff.  It’s a smooth move by Romney.  He expressed it on a conference call with the National Federation of Independent Business.  Unfortunately, I don’t think it has really hit the voters yet or they simply don’t realize that businesses can’t just write off Obama Care they have to balance their budgets.  You can’t spend money you don’t have.  Companies with 100 employees would need to come up with an extra 100K per year at least for the Obama Care program and that doesn’t just grow on the money tree in the backyard.

Another email from a car part manufacturer in Michigan (Lacks Enterprises) is expressing the same consequences.  It basically says that if you don’t for Romney, it could result in higher taxes and lower pay.  He earges his employees to for “less government”.

Lastly, you probably have heard of Steve Wynn (Wynn Resorts).  They are the third largest casino operator in America.  Mr. Wynn went a step further and mailed a 60+ page packet to his 12,000 employees.  Steve Wynn has stated, “It would be a complete disaster if Obama wins, which is why I’m urging my employees to vote for Romney.”  It will cost Steve Wynn millions of dollars per year if Obama is elected.

Unlike David Siegel the CEO of Westgate Resorts who doesn’t come out and say it (don’t vote for Obama) more and more companies are getting stronger in their statements and making it quite clear that your vote for Obama may put your job on the line.

Presidential Election Day

Tuesday Nov. 6th is the big day.  It’s time for the presidential election.  First up Obama with the poorest record in history or Mitt Romney and his trust funds.  The presidential pick is yours – so who are you picking?  I’m sure either way we are screwed but I’m putting my “hope” with Romney this round.  I believe many fell the same way.  I have heard many changing gears to support the other side of the team.  The main reasons I will be supporting Romney is due to the fact Obama has the poorest record in history to date.  You can look at jobs, economy, or gas number they are all down compared to when he started.  Foreign policy is joke.  Second, the republicans won’t support any of his bills which means he simply won’t be able to get anything accomplished without their support and that is not going to happen in the next 4 years should he be re-elected.  Third and most importantly – Obama Care.  I really don’t need the extra bills in my life which will easily be $1,000 or more per year for health care for myself.  If not acquired, I will be fined (taxed without saying it) by the IRS!  The IRS will manage the program by the way.  It’s all just shady.  The idea is also bad for jobs.  Not just my job and life but everyone’s if you have one.  If you’re employed now you’re job will be evaluated should Obama be elected due to Obama Care and the new business expenses involved.  With that being said, my support is going to Mitt Romney.

I found myself even more engaged this year compared to any other year that is for sure.  I actively participated in all the debates and listen intensively.  The first debate was a game changer and just verified my reason to vote for Romney.  He manhandled President Obama.  The others were even in my opinion.  Biden may have got the edge on Paul Ryan which I didn’t see coming.  Joe Biden came off as a rude old man, however, he was more of an authority figured which hurt Mr. Ryan I think.   Obama tried to get more aggressive on the second attempt however it wasn’t enough to change anything.  There was one point where Mitt Romney told him to sit down and Obama did it like a scolded little kid.  Third debate was even with Romney trying not to over do it while keeping everything even.

I must say I am happy to see that the presidential election day is finally here.  The radio, tv, telephone message have become a real pain.  I am tired of the complaining, fighting, and lying from both sides just to persuade votes.  On Tuesday, all this garbage will be done with and we can move on to bigger and better things whomever our President turns out to be.  I’m also excited to pick on all the mistakes of the next president who ever that maybe.  Vegas odds have Obama winning by a large margin.  In the event Obama does take the election (which I don’t think is going to happen), it certainly wont be by the popular vote.

Presidential Election Day
Presidential election day this Tuesday. Obama vs. Romney last chance!

 

Losing Your Job With Obama Care?

With Obama Care running wild in the next few years there will be a common trend… letting people go.  As a business owner, I understand how it works.  However, as an employee, you may not.   At his point, I will only hire independant contractors.  That will take care of me.  However, companies with a larger staff will need to make serious cuts to make it work.  That means if you’re currently employeed, your job is in jeopordy.  Making it work for new hires shouldn’t be a problem though.  They will just get offered less when they start the job.  It’s simple math.  A job that normally starts at 50K will be offered at 38K now to cover the extra Obama Care expenses.  Of course less jobs will be available because company’s will have to pay more.   Since there are a lot of desperate people looking right now, they will take the “offer”.  Companies will simply offer you less (when starting the job) to absorb the extra costs involved of the Obama Care program.  If you got dental or health insurance now with your company, you already are getting this cut from your paycheck or were offered less when you started to cover those costs.  You didn’t really think you were getting eye/dental coverage for free did you?  It was calculated into offer before you even applied for the job.

I recently read an article about David Siegel the CEO of Westgate Resorts.  Mr. Siegel has a staff of 7,000 in Florida (battleground state).  He is very unhappy with Obama and sent out an email to everyone working for him basically saying that the economy isn’t a threat to you job but another 4 years of the same President puts your job at risk.  He continues to say that if any new taxes are levied on him he’ll be force to cut the size of his company.  He doesn’t mention Romneys name in the 1,400 word email and also says you certainly have the right to vote for whomever you choose.  However, it makes it quite clear employees will be cut if Obama is re-elected.

I admit I respect David Siegel for coming straight out with it.  SO many employees working right now will not get the luxury of that pre-notice email about their job.

 

Unemployment Rate A Broken System

The numbers for unemployment came out today for September and it just so happened to decrease to 7.8%.  I’m not here today to call the calculations a little suspect due to the timing of Obama’s re-election and the next debate, however, you can find a lot of people online pointing fingers and calling it bull.

I just wanted to write this up to give you a better insight into these unemployment numbers and tell you why the system is broken.  First the system is used to give you encouragement.  It’s development in nature and technical aspects are pieced together to make America look really good.  Well lets just give the system the benefit of doubt and say these numbers provided (7.8%) of Americans are unemployed.  So if these numbers are right they are saying less than 1 in 10 are unemployed.  Seriously – u believe that?  That just sounds ridiculously low.  I am confident I could claim 20% (2 out of 10) in my group of friends for sure right now.  Think about 10 people you know and see if that makes sense to you.

Second and most importantly, the system doesn’t count “discouraged workers” which they say is 802,000 people.  “Discourage workers” are defined as people not currently looking for work because they believe no jobs are available for them.  First problem here is for a big system like ours in America there is no way to track who is “Discouraged” or not discouraged.  No one calls you after you’re fired or let go to know your personal situation.  They don’t know if you’re looking handing our resumes or not.  There is no way to track (unless they are getting unemployment checks – A LOT don’t bother with that hassle) who is sending resumes or who have given up 100%.  It’s all just based on make believe info when it comes to “discouraged workers”.  If I’m out of work how do they know that I’m trying hard to find a new job or not – They can’t and I shouldn’t be labeled a “discouraged worker” (not in the unemployment calculations) because I can’t find work.

The 7.8% does not include the “discouraged workers”.  So if I’m working at McDonald’s and I’m let go, don’t file for unemployment, I’m now discouraged.  Geez that is just about everyone who loses a job whether they are filed or let go. These people are not calculated into the 7.8% figure.  If they say we only have have 802,000 “discourage workers” who just gave up that they know of – then realistically there must be millions and millions.

To fix this the system needs to add everyone into one pool except underage, state disabled, never had a job, and retirees.  That, however, will never happen.  If it did Americas unemployment rate would be around 20% or more!

That my friends is why the unemployment rates are completely false, not accurate, and completely broken.

 

Romney Lays The Smackdown On Obama

Last night was the first round of the debates for the presidential campaign.  I certainly was expecting a debate, however, it feel short.  It was 90 minutes of Romney laying the smack down on Obama.  It appeared at times Obama was being scolded by Romney like a child who did something wrong.  The only real debate and I use “debate” lightly was in regards to the topic of ObamaCare.  The President stood proud to have created such a program and seemed confident to talk about it. During the debate Romney mentioned laying off Sesame Street and big bird.  The producers of Sesame Street were not happy about losing that funding provided by the Government should Romney be elected.  The statement released by Sesame Street sounded like Romney was firing them.  In realty, Sesame Street has had a free ride for 43 years now and they just need to add commercials to the program.  Currently the show doesn’t have any sponsors or commercials.  I know the show is valuable but does it deserve to be founded by the Government.  Paying all their staff and CEO’s?  Non profits do make money and a lot of it… look at the Salvation Army or the Goodwill.

For this article I was curious just how much Sesame Street makes per year so I looked it up.  On their 2011 IRS form they pulled in 8 million dollars from Government grants.  I would say that is fair amount to work it out on there own right?  Well here is the kicker… they made an additional $45 million on product royalties!  Things like toys and Tickle Me Elmo’s for example.  Oh it doesn’t end there.  They have content and syndication deals also.  When it’s all said and done in 2011 Sesame Street pulled in $112 million dollars in revenue (not including the 8 million in Government support).  Big Bird is part of the 1%!  Why is Big Bird on Welfare then? This show can support itself. There has to be a better way to make that “poor” program work and I’m sure they will figure it out.  It’s just a good example of things that are not going to make everyone happy.  It was sad to hear that news from Romney he may cut them, however, looking at the money now and what the show is bringing in – they don’t need us paying for their show.  If you cut things some people will get mad and that is why most politicians don’t cut at all.  They want to save their office and don’t want the negative response by the few mad people.  Unlike Obama who is “helping” everyone with the handouts and not putting his neck on the line with any program cuts or decisions.  His goal has been fluffing up the job numbers (which he still failed at) and made 47% of the public loving the free handouts of the Government.  It’s pathetic.

None the less, it was a good showing for Romney.  I expect Obama to come with more heat next round, however, he better be ready with the answers to his failed numbers the last 4 years.  It’s going to be a tough road debating the negative numbers during his presidential history.  He can’t really say what he would do better this time because on every topic he has failed at it… plus why didn’t he implement this new approach the last 4 years.  The numbers of the last 4 years don’t lie.  The spending has never been worse.  Jobs are in the gutter and worse than when he started.  ObamaCare isn’t free like most of the public thinks and Mitt has already done it …. better.  We have a cyberwar with Iran and soon a real one.  Syria is falling apart.  North Korea hates us and we are running private operations there the administration doesn’t want to call a war yet.  China and Russia sure don’t support us.  National deficit is maxed more than Bush spent for the wars.  Can’t blame it on Bush because Obama raised it more in 4 years than Bush did in 8 years.  Obama on energy was a disaster and total loss of billions.  We are sending billions to countries who don’t appreciate it.  Our embassies are under terrorist attacks all over including Libya.  Could it get any worse with Romney even with little to no experience on foreign policy – it would appear he has a better shot at it from this point.  There really isn’t a topic that Obama hasn’t failed at.  You simply can’t debate with a failed record.  He can say what he want to do and what people want to hear but in reality he’s had 4 years and hasn’t implemented those things.  You just have to sit there and take it like a man just like Obama did last night.

The only thing Obama has working for him is his history of supporting and financially helping everyone for free.  The handouts to the public who will continue to support him until the end.  Can’t blame them really that would be a nice life and I wouldn’t want it to end.  It’s not their money so who cares right.  Obama has the African and Latino votes which is huge.  However, history has proven Republicans have done more for blacks than the democrats have ever done.  The civil rights movement was started by Republicans and wasn’t even backed by democrats!  Look that up if you don’t believe me.  Obama has supported the illegals so of course they will continue with the support for him.  Obama’s brand is strong.  He is a family man which I believe is true and that really hasn’t been displayed to the public for Romney.  American’s eat that up and feel better about someone who has that brand in place.

Next debate is Paul Ryan vs Joe Biden for Vice President.  I predict Ryan will mop the floor with him.  Ryan is an AMAZING talker and knows his numbers and facts well.  His banter and wittiness will be sharper than Biden. I suspect Joe Biden will do better than Obama because they will be more prepared due to how the Romney/Obama debate concluded.

Slow Release Of Libya Attack Info

As reported here on the Journal, we were one of the first to report the terrorist attack in Libya.  The Obama Administration was dramatically slow with the details.  The attack details were known early.. really early… by the intelligence community.  The Obama Administration then came out with excuses. The excuses included a video insulting the Mohammad which was false.  While being pressed, the Administration said they are still gathering information regarding the event and the details would be released soon.   The final result and conclusion was that they finally admitted several days later. It was of course a terrorist attack admitted by the Obama Administration.

The slow release and delay of information has to make me wonder what their plan was.  I can’t help but to think it was to help his re-election. Obviously the longer it takes for the public to figure it out the less the damage would be to him.  If they came out right away on the Anniversary of September 11th saying we had a terrorist attack would have dramatically cause unknown damage to Obama’s chances of re-election.  How long did it take them to figure out the 9/11 tower attacks in NYC.. a few hours.  It’s just a little to shady for me by the Obama Administration.

Romney vs Obama Debate Tonight

The time has finally come where we get to see the Romney vs Obama debate. It will be interesting for sure to see who will be the leader.  We all know Obama is a good talker and this debate may just win him the election if done right.  There are many problems he is going to have to have a response to such as both the low jobs and economy numbers.  I suspect his answer will be the typical point the finger to Bush and blaming the Republicans for holding up his proposals on the table.  As of right now, I don’t believe Romney is a very good talker so we’ll have to see how that works for him.

History has told us many elections are won or lost during the debates.  This election comes down to giving Obama another chance or letting someone new in there to see what he can do.  It’s a matter of how many people believe the excuses President Obama gives regarding his past and like I said he is a great talker.  You see Obama on talk shows like the view for example because they know talking good is one of his greatest assets.  Then as Romney mentioned in secret, that 47% of Americans are being supported by the Government so they are of course going to support Obama until the end.  Why would they change anything and vote for Romney? No way they would. Many people were easily convinced with the hopes and changes he was preaching 4 years ago and many are still on-board with the President.  It’s sort of like it doesn’t matter what he says – just how he says it (which is amazing).  I expect to see Romney start to say and support the things Obama supports to try to pull some additional votes.  We’ve seen this already with him supporting President Obama’s immigration policy.  More than 60% of voters supported Obama last time in 2008.  He will be making more and more promising trying to convince the Obama supporters to change their minds and try a new path.

If you’re watching the Romney vs Obama debate tonight you can find it on pretty much every tv channel at 6pm PST.

Over 50 million are expected to be watching the debate tonight.

Lets get it on!

Obama Refinance Plan FAILS

With our historically low mortgage rates, President Obama is pushing the Republicans again about a piece of legislation he proposed back in February.  The Obama Administration believes it would help many of the struggling homeowners and families trying to keep their homes, pay their debt, and prevent many foreclosures.

President Obama mentioned today on his weekly radio/Internet address that “Here we are – seven months later – still waiting on Congress to act”.  It’s the typical response from Obama and same whether we are talking about jobs or mortgages.

Republicans won’t agree to the proposal because of its $5 to $10 billion cost.  Like many things sitting in Congress from Obama they come at a high cost.  Just like this proposed refinance offer or the many construction bills on the table to inflate the jobs numbers spending money on special road projects that are not “must” have work.

The idea of refinancing your home fails in many ways.  Honestly, it was a failure before it even started.  The biggest problem is that it’s governed by your bank.  The bank evaluates if you even qualify for a refinance.  You need a job and steady income proven with years of IRS documents.  In short, you have a be a long term paying citizen to even quality.  If you break even at the end of the year when it comes to taxes or owe anything you wouldn’t “qualify” for refinancing.  On paper you wouldn’t be making any money to pay the bills.  However, if you’re really good citizen and make 100K a year (paying 35% to taxes) and keeping the rest – you would qualify for home refinancing.  If you get my point to be eligible by the bank you’re IRS documents must state you’re paying them and doing your civic duty.  Breaking even or paying the IRS isn’t going to allow you to refinance your mortgage rate.

The other problem and I am sure President Obama knows this (many homeowners don’t) is that Washington state like many states is a non recourse state.  If you ever just give up on your home and walk way in Washington State, the bank will foreclose on you (ruin your credit) and that will be it.  There will be no legal repercussions.  The bank won’t come after you for the remaining balance after auction should they lose money overall on your loan.  In some states they can sue you for the rest of the loan.   HOWEVER, take note that non-recourse doesn’t apply when you refinance.  Non recourse also doesn’t apply to equity loans should you have one. So trying to do the right thing may in fact make your financial issue even worse and that is why I would never support this refinance plan by Obama.  Many innocent people will get trapped into a bigger mess trying to do the “right thing” to make it work.  If you refinance and walk away the bank can come after you later once they low-ball it at an auction to some investor.

I have said it before that homes are not investments they are liabilities.  Buying something 4 times it’s worth will never work out.  The numbers simply don’t work out anymore.  Don’t get to attached and I’m a strong advocate of walking away if you must.  Banks got their bailout and already been paid for your home so know when to cut your losses on your home if you must.

By passing this Obama refinance plan, it forces people to try to make it work and not walk away from a really bad idea (home).  It puts you even more at the mercy of the bank and I assure you they don’t give a rats ass about you or your family.

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