Apple Struggling in China...who could have predicted that...

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/4072e1aa-d7d3-11e1-80a8-00144feabdc0.html#axzz227lQvLIW




Even though everyone says China and India are the emerging markets I keep saying people who make slave wages won’t be buying your expensive products. People said I didn’t know what I was talking about. But here it is…Exactly as I said.


If you make $17.00 a day you will not be buying a $500.00 Ipad. Sorry…but not going to happen. Anyone who is surprised by that isn’t paying attention.


When Apple officially launched its latest iPad in China last week, the big crowds and long lines seen at earlier such events were absent. A trademark dispute had delayed the iPad’s Chinese release but even in March, when the new tablet became available in the country through unauthorised resellers, retailers complained they had to slash prices 30 per cent in the first week because consumers were unenthusiastic. I am unenthusiastic about buying a Rolls Royce because I can’t afford it too. These people can’t afford Ipads. It is great that Apple saves money by only paying $17.00 a day, but those wages won’t afford an Ipad.
Tim Cook, Apple’s chief executive, said on Tuesday that there was no “obvious economic issue” holding back growth in China. Except that they can’t afford it. But some observers believe that the Chinese addiction to Apple products is fading because consumers are getting spoiled for choice and are becoming more price-sensitive because of the slowing economy.


Samsung, which had already been taking share from Apple in the Chinese smartphone market last year, has kept pushing out new models with equally attractive design and features but lower price tags. Huawei, the Chinese telecom equipment maker that is diversifying into consumer gadgets,offers sleek smartphones at a fraction of the price of the iPhone.


But some analysts see Mr Cook’s comments on India, where the iPhone is struggling to make headway, They don’t make much money in India either. Good for employers. Bad for sellers. They made their bed so now lay in it. as more concerning for Apple’s longer-term growth prospects as US and European smartphone markets become saturated.


In India’s price-sensitive markets, iPhones remain either the reserve of the wealthy or are relegated to the second-hand or black market.
Sunil Kashyap, 27, says the latest model – at nearly Rs39,000 ($706) – is well outside his budget.

“I like Apple; all my friends think it’s cool,” he says. “That’s why I bought an old model from a friend for Rs10,000 because otherwise it’s just too costly.”


The iPhone’s average selling price was $630 during the most recent quarter, according to Canaccord Genuity. Most of the Google-based handsets cost less than $200

US Attack Plan shown to Israel‏

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i9FfqcEooQfNvZ7Zx2YvvbvCkbdw?docId=69cb46fd508a4356a15691e783e31930

 An Israeli newspaper reported Sunday that the Obama administration's top security official has briefed Israel on U.S. plans for a possible attack on Iran, seeking to reassure it that Washington is prepared to act militarily should diplomacy and sanctions fail to pressure Tehran to abandon its nuclear enrichment program. Translation - please don’t attack Iran before the November Election.  We have a plan and there is no need to rush.  So please trust us and do nothing.  Please…Please…Please.

Haaretz said National Security Adviser Tom Donilon laid out the plans before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a dinner at a visit to Israel earlier this month.  See the USA has a plan….  Look at all these papers (maps, weapons systems, troop positions) and relax.  The most important thing is the election. You guys not screwing it up with another war.  Wars are a distraction and Obama needs the time to explain why there are still no jobs 4 years after hope and change.  Please allow him to focus.

The American official also said Donilon shared information on U.S. weapons that could be used for such an attack, and on the U.S. military's ability to reach Iranian nuclear facilities buried deep underground, the newspaper said. It cited another U.S. official involved in the talks with Israel as concluding that "the time for a military operation against Iran has not yet come."  We can discuss again after Obama wins reelection. For now just sit tight.  Please…. nothing screws up a campaign like another expensive war.

The U.S. Embassy had no immediate comment. Haaretz cited Tommy Vietor, a spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council, as declining to comment on the confidential discussion between Netanyahu and Donilon. The White House also declined comment.

Both Israel and the U.S. think Iran's ultimate aim is to develop weapons technology, and not just produce energy and medical isotopes as Tehran claims. U.S. officials are concerned that Israel might attack Iranian nuclear facilities prematurely (Before the election), and have been trying to convince Israeli leaders they can depend on Washington to keep Iran from becoming a nuclear power.  Trust the US to stop Iran…..  Sure the last 6 years of trying to stop Iran have been a failure.  Sure the US was unsuccessful stopping North Korea from developing Nuclear Weapons.  In 2001 Bush declared North Korea part of the Axis of Evil and they wouldn’t be allowed to get a Nuclear weapon.  In 2006 they got the nuclear weapon anyway.  Just like Pakistan got one.  Just like India got one.  But this time will be different…… so just trust us.

Israeli leaders have repeatedly said they would not contract out their country's security to another nation.  Translation – We have no confidence in your ability to stop Iran and we are going to do, what we are going to do, no matter what you say.  So make sure you are prepared because once we do it you will be sucked in.  Make sure you are ready.

Facebook deflating‏

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443343704577552821977075352.html

The Facebook balloon is flying around the room letting out lots of air as people figure out it is not a cash cow.

Facebook is a great idea and connects lots of people.  It is not a way to make lots of money.  Some money…Maybe!  Lots of money, in the Billions and Billions of dollars…..I don’t see it. 

The rest of the world isn’t seeing it either.  The hype around Facebook today is like the 1999 internet bubble (all over again).  Lots of hooting and hollering and no real reason behind it.  Facebook is like Napster.  Everyone loved it.  Lots of people used it.  But when it was time to make money it didn’t work. 

I love Facebook but I would never pay for it.  It really annoys me when I click on things and it announces to the world Andrew just read XYZ.  If I want people to know what read I would post it myself.  So now I hardly ever clink on anything because that is real annoying.  That gripe has been the knock on the site the entire time.  Privacy!  If I am in control then I like it.  If other people are seeing things I didn’t give permission then I am annoyed.  Facebook is always trying to blur the line on privacy so they can increase their reach in hopes of turning that into $$$.  I think they need to accept that Facebook is a good idea but stop kidding themselves into thinking it is a giant pot of gold.

Facebook Inc. shares on Friday traded at their lowest levels ever as the company continues its struggle to convince investors that it can leverage its immense popularity, especially on mobile devices, into revenue and profits.

In its first quarterly report, Facebook reported its slowest revenue growth in at least a year, a tripling of its costs and expenses, and a decline in some levels of user activity. Also, the company offered few specifics on future results and how it plans to profit from users spending more time on mobile devices, a trend that is less profitable for the social network.

"The lack of guidance and the well-publicized shift to mobile is weighing" on Facebook shares Friday, Oppenheimer analyst Jason Helfstein said. "Additionally, the company provided commentary suggesting higher [third quarter] expenses."

For its part, Facebook remains confident in its prospects, especially in mobile.

"Mobile is a huge opportunity for Facebook," Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said on the company's earnings call Thursday. "Over the next five years, we expect 4 billion or 5 billion people to have smartphones. That is more than twice as many people that have computers today." But how do you turn that into revenue????

Soda Companies RACING to drop HFCS‏

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-07-26/soda-companies-racing-for-a-new-sweet-spot

Coke and Pepsi are chasing after the sweet spot: a soda with no calories, no artificial sweeteners and no funny aftertaste.

The world's top soft drink companies hope that's the elusive trifecta that will silence health concerns about soda and reverse the decline in consumption of carbonated drinks. But such a formula could be years away.

That's because the ingredient that makes soda taste good is also what packs on the pounds: high-fructose corn syrup. Artificial sweeteners like aspartame that are used in diet drinks don't have any calories but are seen as processed and fake. Natural sweeteners that come from plants present the most promising alternative, but companies haven't yet figured out how to mask their metallic aftertaste.

There's good reason that soft drink makers are so eager to tweak their formulas. Once a beloved American treat, sodas are now being blamed for the nation's bulging waistlines— two-thirds of the country's adults are overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

All the negative publicity has some once-faithful soda drinkers cutting back.  

NYPD caught spying in NJ‏

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iyvYb0VOAZY1cUyl0T1E17fap8ew?docId=c4a05f37a89041189ca2c4bd63e5e234

He saw something. He said something. And he inadvertently uncovered a secret spying operation that the New York Police Department was running outside its jurisdiction.

In June 2009, a building superintendent at an apartment complex near the Rutgers University campus opened the door to unit 1076 to conduct an inspection. Tenants had been notified of the inspection weeks ago and the notice was still stuck to the door.

He turned his key, walked in and immediately knew something was wrong. A colleague called 911.

"What's suspicious?" a New Brunswick police dispatcher asked.

"Suspicious in the sense that the apartment has about — has no furniture except two beds, has no clothing, has New York City Police Department radios," he replied.

"Really?" the dispatcher asked, her voice rising with surprise.

The caller, Salil Sheth, and his colleagues had stumbled upon one of the NYPD's biggest secrets: a safe house, a place where undercover officers working well outside the department's jurisdiction could lie low and coordinate surveillance.

Since the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the NYPD, with training and guidance from the CIA, has monitored the activities of Muslims in New York and far beyond. Detectives infiltrated mosques, eavesdropped in cafes and kept tabs on Muslim student groups, including at Rutgers.

The NYPD kept files on sermons, recorded the names of political organizers in police documents, and built databases of where Muslims lived and shopped, even where they were likely to gather to watch sports. Out-of-state operations, like the one in New Brunswick, were one aspect of this larger intelligence-gathering effort.

"There's computer hardware, software, you know, just laying around," Sheth continued. "There's pictures of terrorists. There's pictures of our neighboring building that they have."

"In New Brunswick?" the dispatcher asked, sounding as confused as the caller.

New York authorities have encouraged people like Sheth to call 911. In its "Eight Signs of Terrorism," people are encouraged to call the police if they see evidence of surveillance, information gathering, suspicious activities or anything that looks out of place. The Homeland Security Department has long encouraged citizens to be vigilant under its "See Something, Say Something" campaign.

The call from the building superintendent sent New Brunswick police and the FBI rushing to the apartment complex. Officers and agents were surprised at what they found. None had been told that the NYPD was in town.

At the NYPD, the bungled operation was an embarrassment. It made the department look amateurish and forced it to ask the FBI to return the department's materials.

The emails highlight the sometimes convoluted arguments the NYPD has used to justify its out-of-state activities, which have been criticized by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and some members of Congress. The NYPD has infiltrated and photographed Muslim businesses and mosques in New Jersey, monitored the Internet postings of Muslim college students across the Northeast and traveled as far away as New Orleans to infiltrate and build files on liberal advocacy groups.

In February, NYPD's deputy commissioner for legal matters, Andrew Schaffer, told reporters that detectives can operate outside New York because they aren't conducting official police duties.

"They're not acting as police officers in other jurisdictions," Schaffer said.

In urging New Brunswick not to release the tape, however, the NYPD made no mention of the fact that its officers were not acting as police. In fact, Lt. Cmdr. William McGroarty and Assistant Chief Thomas Galati argued that releasing the recording would jeopardize investigations and endanger people and buildings.

Further, the apartment, No. 1076, was rented by an undercover NYPD officer using a fake name that he was still using, New Brunswick attorneys told the AP.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has defended the police department's right to go anywhere in the country in search of terrorists without telling local police. And New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa has said he's seen no evidence that the NYPD's efforts violated his state's laws.

Muslim groups, however, have sued to shut down the NYPD programs. Civil rights lawyers have asked a federal judge to decide whether the spying violates federal rules that were set up to prevent a repeat of NYPD abuses of the 1950s, when police Red Squads spied on student groups and activists in search of communists.

Sandy Weill‏

http://nymag.com/news/articles/ceos/weill.htm

What Sandy Weill was paid to help destroy the US economy.   

$314,643,220!

  

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/banking/story/2012-07-25/Sandy-Weill-big-banks-Citigroup/56481238/1

 Sandy Weill is having a change of heart. The aggressive dealmaker who built Citigroup on the idea that in banking, bigger is better, said Wednesday that he believes big banks should be broken up.

Speaking on CNBC's "Squawk Box," the 79-year-old Weill appeared to shock the show's anchors when he said consumer banking should be split from riskier investment banking. That would mean dismembering Citigroup and other big U.S. banks, like JPMorgan Chaseand Bank of America.

It's an idea that's traditionally more in line with the banking industry's harshest critics, not its founding fathers.

Weill retired as CEO of Citigroup in 2003 but remained chairman until 2006, b(The banks imploded right after he retired.  How convenient) building it into a giant that offered both consumer and investment banking.

"I think the world changes," he said, "and the world that we live in is different than the one that we lived in 10 years ago."  It is different today because you f*cked it all up.

It's an ironic twist coming from an empire-builder who nursed Citigroup into a behemoth.

Weill said the radical change is necessary if U.S. banks want to rebuild trust(Trust that was lost because of YOU!!!!) and remain leader of the world's financial system.

The Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 was repealed in 1999, eliminating the legal separation between consumer banking and investment banking. As a result, the largest banks, not only take deposits and make loans, but have also become huge buyers and sellers of complex financial derivatives and asset-backed securities. Those higher-risk investments have helped them become more profitable, but they've also opened up the banks to huge trading losses.

But in the same interview, he showed his fondness for the industry. He credited mega-banks for providing capital markets that helped convert communist countries to capitalism  (Yes China is all about Democracy today thanks to Mega Banks….),and moved poor people into the middle class.  He meant to say moved middle class into the poor house.  He misspoke.

"It is really sad what is happening, and it's sad for young people," he said  (Sad thanks to you)

Sandy Weill is a snake.  He was the CEO of The Travelers and at one time the highest paid CEO in the country.  He made hundreds of millions of dollars laying people off.  He merged the Travelers with Citi Bank and then discarded the Travelers and stole their umbrella logo.  Eventually he sold it back to the Travelers for millions of dollars.  Then he grew Citi Group using fraud and unsavory business practices until it was about to implode and then left the carnage for everyone else to clean up.  Now that he is retired (still with bank accounts over flowing with money) he is free to admit everything he did was a terrible idea.  How nice!  They ought to hang the b*stard.

Hillary Clinton Creating Jobs in Burma

http://www.voanews.com/content/burmese-president-says-nationa-at-cricial-juncture/1404354.html

Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama are working hard to create new jobs in Burma.  Just in case Chinese labor becomes too expensive here is another opportunity for US Companies to dump their US employees and move the work overseas.  At some point Barak and Hillary will get back to wondering why there are no US jobs but for now it is all smiles and back slapping.  Yay Burma.

U.S.  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Burmese President Thein Sein met in Cambodia to encourage new U.S. investments in Burma.

Secretary Clinton told the Burmese leader that she is sending a high-power delegation of more than 70 American business leaders to his country now that Washington has eased restrictions on investments and financial services in recognition of ongoing political reforms.

"This week has been a milestone in the relationship between our two countries," Clinton said.  "Just two days ago, President Obama announced that the United States is easing restrictions, to allow more U.S. companies to do business there(Send US jobs there). And a few months ago in Washington, I urged American businesses to invest (Send US jobs)and to do it responsibly."

Secretary Clinton and President Thein Sein met for more than an hour ahead of a business forum meant to encourage greater U.S. investment (Investment = Jobs  It is important to understand the code words.) in Southeast Asia.

In their private talks, Secretary Clinton thanked the Burmese leader for the recent release of political prisoners and encouraged him to release them all. But if you don’t we will still send you our jobs.  That is what we do in America.  We are a very giving people.

She urged Burma to end its military relationship with North Korea. President Thein Sein said his country has no nuclear relationship with North Korea and is reviewing its military ties with Pyongyang. But if you don’t end the relationship with North Korea the jobs will still be coming.  Don’t you even worry about it.

Iran flexing their muscles‏

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57471948/iran-reports-war-games-showed-missile-accuracy/

War games this month showcased missiles with improved accuracy and firing capabilities

Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards conducted the exercise in the central desert, firing ballistic missiles including a long-range variety meant to deter an Israeli or U.S. attack. The targets were models of foreign military bases, and the stated goal was to show that Iran's missiles can hit Western bases and Israel.

Several Iranian news websites reported Friday that 90 percent of the missiles hit their targets and said this showed their increased accuracy.

Another achievement, the reports said, was Iran's capability of firing multiple missiles within seconds. The media reports said this would create a challenge for the U.S. or Israel to intercept incoming missiles should a war break out.

Iran has a variety of missiles. including a Shahab-3 variant with a range of 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) that can reach Israel and southern Europe. The missiles, which can carry a nuclear warhead, are also capable of hitting U.S. bases in the region.

Some of the missiles used during the war games used solid fuel, the reports said, improving the accuracy of the missiles.

"Within 10 minutes, a considerable number of missile were fired at a single target. The achievement, called high firing density, makes it impossible for anti-missile systems to intercept and destroy them. In the end, the target is definitely hit," said a report on irannuc.ir. Translation don’t think your 10 Patriot Missile batteries will protect your bases from the 90 missiles we will be firing at you if you attack us.

The Pentagon released a report June 29 noting significant advances in Iranian missile technology. The report was prepared before the latest Iranian missile tests.

The report to Congress, signed by U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, acknowledged that Iran has improved the accuracy and power of its missiles. Up to now, U.S. reports have downplayed the accuracy and effectiveness of Iran's missiles.

Iranian lawmaker Ismaeil Kowsari, a former Revolutionary Guard commander, said Iran has upgraded its missile deterrence.

"Our missiles are more accurate and lethal than ever," Kowsari told The Associated Press on Friday. "These achievements send clear signals to the West that Iran is a formidable force, making enemies think twice before making any decision to attack us."

Iran's Revolutionary Guard commanders said during the war games that the tests were a "response to the political impoliteness of those who talk about all options being on the table."

This chess match is getting real interesting.  In the 1991 Iraq war Patriot missiles were effective because the Iraqi scud missiles were very inaccurate.  Iraq only launched a small number and even then a couple of lucky shot got through.  If Iran is going to use high numbers of missiles to overcome the Patriots (and they are accurate) that is a real problem. 

The solution is to take out the missiles first and overwhelm the Iranians before they can fire.  Iran is a huge country though and it is not so easy.  Finding mobile scuds in 1991 wasn’t easy either. 

In 2003 the US tried “Shock and Awe” which was suppose to overwhelm Iraq and make them quit.  That didn’t work either and the war went on for 8 years.

There are really no good options.  Do nothing and Iran gets Nuclear weapons, with an often stated goal of wiping Israel off the map.  Attack first and find yourself in a much tougher situation with no way out.  The US has bases all over the region which can now be accurately reached by Iran.  That changes the equation a lot.  Israel can’t really attack and not let the US know because the response could put thousands of US personnel in immediate danger.  There is really not a lot of great options.

If Israel is to be believed and they will not live with a Nuclear Iran then an attack will be coming sooner rather then later.  When (if) that happens all h*ll is going to break loose really quickly.

1992 VS 2012‏

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/19574539/kobe-bryant-responds-to-michael-jordans-trash-talk-he-knows-im-a-bad-motherexpletive

Kobe is delusional.  The 1992 team were all legends.  Every member of that team was royalty.  Even Laettner in 1992 just finished one of the greatest college careers ever.  The 2012 team is 3 legends and a bunch of good players.  The 2012 team would have zero chance of beating the 1992 team.  Anyone who says otherwise has no idea what they are talking about.  Kobe Bryant has a lot of Michael Jordan’s qualities but he is not Michael Jordan.  He could never beat Michael one on one.  In his prime Michael would take Kobe to school and whoop his azz.  Kobe should just go try and win a gold and be quiet about things he knows nothing about.

Jimmy V‏

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuoVM9nm42E

Jimmy V famous speech in March 1993 announcing the V Foundation for Cancer Research.  In April 1993 he died of Cancer.  If you have never seen the speech you should watch it.  Jimmy was a basketball coach who won the national championship in 1983 with North Carolina State.  He was also a commentator for ESPN.  I always assume everyone knows this and then I realize this was 19 years ago.  Kids today have no idea who the guy was.

http://www.jimmyv.org/

OUTRAGE..The US Olympic Uniforms are made in China. (Wink wink)‏

http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/story/_/id/8160403/2012-olympics-china-made-team-usa-uniforms-ignite-anger

Republicans and Democrats railed Thursday about the U.S. Olympic Committee's decision to dress the U.S. team in Chinese manufactured berets, blazers and pants while the American textile industry struggles economically with many U.S. workers desperate for jobs.

Must be an election year if both Republicans and Democrats are outraged.  Oh that is right it is an election year.  Normally Republicans and Democrats LOVE that everything is made in China.  In fact it is them that have allowed it to happen.  Very surprising now they would be so upset.

I am so upset. I think the Olympic committee should be ashamed of themselves. I think they should be embarrassed. I think they should take all the uniforms, put them in a big pile and burn them and start all over again," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev  HAHAHAHAHA Harry Reid…What a joker.  Hey Harry China has been manipulating their currency for years…What have you done about it?  What is that Harry?  You say NOTHING has been done about it.  Well isn’t that kinda hypocritical for you to be crying your crocodile tears when really these problems are your fault.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi told reporters at her weekly news conference that she's proud of the nation's Olympic athletes, but "they should be wearing uniforms that are made in America."  Hey Nancy…Have you been to the mall in the last 20 years.  EVERYTHING is made in China and you are responsible.  Where is the proper leadership????

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said simply of the USOC, "You'd think they'd know better."  You would think John Boehner would know better too.  But he doesn’t.

"It is not just a label, it's an economic solution," said Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y. "Today there are 600,000 vacant manufacturing jobs in this country and the Olympic committee is outsourcing the manufacturing of uniforms to China? That is not just outrageous, it's just plain dumb. It is self-defeating."  YEAH Fake outrage….There is nothing better.  This is Oscar worthy stuff you are seeing right here.  Tom Hanks couldn’t give a better performance.

Bankruptcy, Bankruptcy, Bankruptcy, Race to the Bottom.‏

San Bernardino California is bankrupt.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/11/sanbernardino-bankruptcy-idUSL2E8IB2E520120711

Mammoth Lakes California is bankrupt.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-03/mammoth-lakes-california-files-for-bankruptcy.html

Stockton CA is Bankrupt.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/27/stockton-california-bankruptcy_n_1629390.html

Scranton PA is in a race to the bottom.  All City Employees now make minimum wage.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-07-10/pa-dot-mayor-cuts-city-workers-pay-to-minimum-wage

It is good news everywhere you look.  Corporate America sends all the jobs overseas (which is a good thing according to them…..  It helps the economy).  Meanwhile back in the real world all the tax revenue dries up and this is the result.

Outsourcing discussion all the rage‏

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/11/us/politics/obama-and-romney-trade-shots-a-few-possibly-accurate-on-outsourcing.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all 

Every four years everyone in politics takes all my issues and tries to make them their own.  Tarriffs, Deregulation, Outsourcing.....they are all in vogue when it is time to vote.

Today it is outsourcing....Everyone is talking about who is responsible.

Obama is responsible for outsourcing....No Romney is responsible for outsourcing...No Obama. No Romney.  The truth is they ALL LOVE outsourcing.  LA...LA...LOVE IT.  They can't get enough of it.  Romney has made hundreds of millions of dollars getting rid of all our jobs and Obama hasn't done too bad himself.  So enjoy the show as they each point at each other, when in reality they both are guilty as sin.

Once the election is over you won't hear the subject again for another 4 years.  It is all just for show.

Obama wants to end Tax cuts for Rich (Wink Wink)‏

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-presses-middle-class-tax-cut-extension-in-iowa-campaign-trip/2012/07/10/gJQAVbyFbW_story.html

In a non election year Obama's days are filled with meetings involving a who's who of corporate America.  CEO's from all different industries meet and dine with the President.  

But in an election year he is all about sitting around the kitchen table talking to regular middle class folks with kids.  He understands their problems and he is working hard to make their lives better. (Wink wink)

Obama wants to extend the Bush tax cuts for the middle class....How nice.  He is looking out for the middle class.  He wants the tax cuts for the rich to expire (wink wink). 

 Well just like I told you in 2010.... the Bush tax cuts for the rich will be extended.  They will be extended if Obama wins and they will be extended if Romney wins.  No matter what you hear from now to the election I assure you it is all just blah blah blah blah.....  Don't believe any of it.  

Save this email because next December we will be referring back to it when the tax cuts are extended for the rich just like I am telling you.  When it happens all the professional talking heads will act amazed it happened.  You won't be amazed though because you got to read my email where I am telling you they will be extended.  You can go to Vegas and bet on it.  It is a sure thing.  Social Security may get cut and Medicare may get cancelled but rich people will get their tax cut.  You heard it hear first and you will be reminded (that you heard it hear first) next December.

Obama helping to kill the remaining pensions......‏

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/companies-win-cut-in-pension-contributions-critics-say-saving-pensions-is-even-bigger-concern/2012/07/09/gJQAg3aUYW_story.html

 A new law will let companies contribute billions of dollars less to their workers’ pension funds, raising concerns about weakening the plans that millions of Americans count on for retirement.

The equation underscores a harsh reality for unions, consumer advocates and others who normally go to the mat for workers and retirees: When it comes to battling over pensions, the fragile economy of 2012 gives the business community a lot of leverage.

If only corporate America had some money…… Poor corporate America……….

http://blogs.barrons.com/incomeinvesting/2012/03/14/u-s-companies-sitting-on-1-24-trillion-cash-hoard/

AARP lobbyist Debbie Chalfie said the seniors organization was concerned that companies contribute the right amount to their pension funds, but at the same time, “We want to make sure employers continue offering these plans.”  Nobody gets a pension anymore.  Anyone who still has a pension Obama is working hard to kill those too.  AARP needs to get a clue.

Even the Pension Rights Center, which advocates for pensioners, was torn. Executive Vice President Karen Friedman said the group was “sympathetic to business concerns” that companies have been hurt by the recession, though still worried that reducing corporate pension contributions could hurt consumers.  Businesses have been hurt by the recession…... that they created by getting rid of all the jobs.  It is their fault.  Get rid of excessive CEO pay and make the people who created these problems pay for it.

All the Big Unions (and watch dog groups) are paper tigers.  Lots of bark and not much else.  They have been neutered by the corporations they were supposed to be fighting.

Little by little corporate America is shedding all of their employee obligations.  The car companies did it in bankruptsy court.  Now the airlines are working on doing the same. http://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20120709/NEWS03/120709916?tags=%7C63%7C307%7C74%7C77

Whatever they can’t get done on their own Obama (and Congress) are all too happy to help.  Just keep those campaign contributions coming.

http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jul/09/news/la-pn-obama-raises-71-million-in-june-falling-short-of-romneys-haul-20120709