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Chart Of The Day: When $0.99 Becomes Unaffordable, We Have A Problem

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Earlier today, fast food juggernaut McDonalds reported same store sales for the month October. At -1.8%, this number was well below expectations of -1.1%, and a drop from September's 1.9%. It was driven by a 2%+ drop in comp store sales across all locations: US, Europea and APMEA, with the US performing just as bad as Europe. Most importantly, this was the first monthly drop in MCD comp sales since March 2003! So our question is: at what point does the perpetually self-deluded US population finally admit to itself that when even 99 cent meals are no longer affordable, that this country has a problem?

Charting the last 4 years of McD sales, and eagerly looking forward to 4 more years.

 

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Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:49 | 2961688 Bunga Bunga
Bunga Bunga's picture

How come to make fast food healthy? Big pharma can't make big profits without pink slime, pesticides, genetically modified organisms and too much sugar and salt.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:41 | 2961100 slackrabbit
slackrabbit's picture

Don't see as many homeless people are here......

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:42 | 2961106 NEOSERF
NEOSERF's picture

Clearly a temporary pink slime issue, expect them to rename the "Dollar Menu" to be "Its a SNAP menu" and everything will turn around

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:03 | 2961221 XitSam
XitSam's picture

The Dollar Menu is for people that work to earn their FRNs.  SNAPers get to order whatever they want.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:28 | 2961570 sethstorm
sethstorm's picture

I'm not sure that's an entirely bad arrangement given the lack of quality in the "food".

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:51 | 2961149 GottaBKiddn
GottaBKiddn's picture

 

Please pass the ketchup blend.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:58 | 2961188 Fox-Scully
Fox-Scully's picture

Quantity not Quality

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:26 | 2961270 HD
HD's picture

"Looks like they will have to reduce the quality of the meat?"

But where would they find a large population of domesticated corn-feed animals to replace 100% All-American beef?

 http://www.coolpicturegallery.us/2010/09/craziest-fat-guy-having-trouble...

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:41 | 2961650 pods
pods's picture

Surprised they didn't keep pushing him back in the water?

Quick, his skin is drying out, put some water on him.  No, don't pour water down his blowhole, he will drown!

pods

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 18:25 | 2962395 blunderdog
blunderdog's picture

Well, it's good we can all laugh 'cause he's such a fat fuck, but he's got more hot pussy hanging around with him than 99% of the posters here...must be his sense of humor.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 18:39 | 2962441 Tijuana Donkey Show
Tijuana Donkey Show's picture

There is a difference in hot pussy "hanging around" and being able to actually fuck it. The only hot, wet piece of action that guy is seeing is a McRib. 

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 19:25 | 2962571 blunderdog
blunderdog's picture

Most guys will take whatever they can get.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:33 | 2961337 Shleprock
Shleprock's picture

Eat an appl while it still has value?

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:57 | 2961440 Bobbyrib
Bobbyrib's picture

They should ask for Taco Bell's recipe..

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 16:14 | 2961788 Overfed
Overfed's picture

Hint: sawdust.

Even cheaper than pink slime.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:27 | 2961561 sethstorm
sethstorm's picture

You can't reduce the quality of the meat any further while being able to say that it is meat.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:57 | 2961725 venturen
venturen's picture

No problem....Bernanke annouces Quantative Eating 4( QE4) where the FED will order McDonald meals for everyone and will sell all the toys from kids meals pay for it.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:25 | 2961017 Alpo for Granny
Alpo for Granny's picture

Next stop...Prime cuts in gravy.

Welcome to my world, bitchez!

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:01 | 2961209 Bicycle Repairman
Bicycle Repairman's picture

I'll stick to Friskies, thanks.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:24 | 2961289 graneros
graneros's picture

My cats and grandma all agree that Super Salmon flavor is the best.  A little catnip for desert and then sit and watch them all bounce off the walls.  Though Granny's walker can do some serious damage to the picture window.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:43 | 2961372 Alpo for Granny
Alpo for Granny's picture

Sonny, if you haven't pulled rails of catnip off a male escort's ass, you haven't lived. Chase it with a snausage or two and that will put you right for the daytime soaps.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:07 | 2961490 Dr. Engali
Dr. Engali's picture

I'll pass on the catnip...but I'll thank you for the belly laugh.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:28 | 2961049 Right-on Left-off
Right-on Left-off's picture

New language at checkout ... Can you afford fries with that?

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:31 | 2961327 Shleprock
Shleprock's picture

McRib me baby!!

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:57 | 2961441 dugorama
dugorama's picture

Unaffordable or inedible?

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:19 | 2960992 Stackers
Stackers's picture

Just need to bring back the McRib.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:21 | 2961003 Stoploss
Stoploss's picture

Let me guess, MCD is too big to fail..

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:35 | 2961076 Tortfeasor
Tortfeasor's picture

Too fat to fail.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:53 | 2961425 krispkritter
krispkritter's picture

Too fat to fall.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:49 | 2961135 Waterfallsparkles
Waterfallsparkles's picture

Mc Rib almost the same as pink slime.  It is made with Mechanically seperated meat.  Basically all of the junk left on the bone after they take the meat off.

They put this in hot dogs also.  I stopped eating anyting with Mechanically seperated meat.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:19 | 2960993 spastic_colon
spastic_colon's picture

quick....halt the VIX!

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:20 | 2960995 digitlman
digitlman's picture

Maybe people are finally getting that it isn't real food and are not going as often or at all?

 

I know I did.  Cast off as much Frankenfood as possible.

 

Sadly, I am sure I am wrong.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:25 | 2961026 CommunityStandard
CommunityStandard's picture

Count me in that number too.  Fast food doesn't see a dime from me.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:35 | 2961077 marcusfenix
marcusfenix's picture

not as wrong as you might think, sales of non GMO organic food are really picking up steam and big food is suffering for it across the board.

and it's all word of mouth, I know at least a dozen people where I work that have sworn off frankenfood after I started pointing out that there a dozens of easily accessible medical studies pointing out the fact that this shit is not anywhere near as safe or healthy for you as monsanto, walmart, mcdonalds or the USDA would like you to believe.

then they told there family and friends and so on...

I mean it's really not that complicated of a choice, eat poison or don't eat poison.

hmm...

 

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:43 | 2961112 NotApplicable
NotApplicable's picture

What's truly interesting about this? It's all voluntary action based on education/awareness of the problem.

Gov. only comes in after the fact with their ad campaigns in an effort to seek credit for it (i.e. smoking rates).

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:31 | 2961323 Diogenes
Diogenes's picture

Yesterday the news that prescription drug sales are down, now McDonlald's is feeling the pinch. Is it possible Americans are wising up and getting healthy on their own?

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:47 | 2961388 DosZap
DosZap's picture

 Is it possible Americans are wising up and getting healthy on their own?

No such luck,they are BROKE, and have no choice.Just give it another 6 mos.

If the POTUS makes in the full 4yrs, w/out impeachment,he will single handedly w/Bernies help,be blamed for the  ENTIRE melt down.

The Dems will never see another White House(if one is left),for 30 years.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 16:03 | 2961712 Agent P
Agent P's picture

Look at the economic backdrop over the last four years, and Obama was re-elected...against a moderate no less.  I don't think the Dems are the ones that need to worry about winning the White House for the next 30 years.  If the Repubs don't change course and continue moving further to the right and pissing off all of the population growth in this country, they may never see the White House again. 

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 18:31 | 2962410 blunderdog
blunderdog's picture

I continue to be struck at the historical similarities: it's almost exactly like the events surrounding the last administration.

The Dems can EASILY throw it--all they'd have to do is run Biden in 2016. 

Remember what happened with Gramps Maverickety and the Alaskan MILF...

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:01 | 2961457 Dapper Dan
Dapper Dan's picture

I  strongly recommend reading Wendells books, particularly The Art of Commonplace.

 

“The passive American consumer, sitting down to a meal of pre-prepared food, confronts inert, anonymous substances that have been processed, dyed, breaded, sauced, gravied, ground, pulped, strained, blended, prettified, and sanitized beyond resemblance to any part of any creature that ever lived. The products of nature and agriculture have been made, to all appearances, the products of industry. Both eater and eaten are thus in exile from biological reality.”
?
Wendell Berry

 

The great enemy of freedom is the alignment of political power with wealth. This alignment destroys the commonwealth - that is, the natural wealth of localities and the local economies of household, neighborhood, and community - and so destroys democracy, of which the commonwealth is the foundation and practical means.”
?
Wendell Berry, The Art of the Commonplace: The Agrarian Essays

 

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:10 | 2961497 Bobbyrib
Bobbyrib's picture

From what I have heard, big food owns a lot of the organic food that you can purchase (excluding actual produce).

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 16:24 | 2961820 Overfed
Overfed's picture

I almost completely stopped eating fast food over the last year or so. I only lost about 5 lbs (I'm only about 180), but  my BP dropped over 20 points.  That shit'll kill ya'.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:34 | 2961341 DosZap
DosZap's picture

Just like everything else, the $1.00 meals are crap, and you need a magnifying glass to see the $1.00 item.

Local large gas/diesel stations in and around my A/O, were selling refills on fountain drinks, all summer for $0.53 up to 64 oz.

Now summers over,went back to reg price of $0.79, just went by this a.m., and was informed going to $1.07 asap.

I told them great, now you lose two vehicles gasoline fill ups each week.............LOL

Idiots.......anyone knows the fountain drinks,esp refills are like $.05 cost for them.

Just like Mickey D's, there are NO bargain meals there anymore.............NONE.

$4.00 and up......................never ate their crap anyway, except an occasional breakfast.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:21 | 2960996 TheCanadianAustrian
TheCanadianAustrian's picture

You think 99 cent burgers being unaffordable is bad? What will you call it when 99 dollar burgers are affordable?

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:23 | 2961014 EscapeKey
EscapeKey's picture

No doubt Marketwatch will claim this a great success, as people are now skipping fast-food places to eat in proper restaurants.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:55 | 2961172 NotApplicable
NotApplicable's picture

Long Ramen Noodles!

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 18:32 | 2962417 blunderdog
blunderdog's picture

    What will you call it when 99 dollar burgers are affordable?

Incredible GDP growth.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:20 | 2960998 philosophers bone
philosophers bone's picture

I think the point isn't that $0.99 isn't affordable, it's that people are ordering the McDoubles and Bacon Double Cheeseburger, etc. for $0.99 rather than paying $10.00 for a Big Mac, thereby impacting revenues.  I love ordering a couple of McDoubles for a couple bucks, but they get pissed off when you don't order a drink or fries with it, because that's where the margin is.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:24 | 2961019 spastic_colon
spastic_colon's picture

went to b-king yesterday while waiting for my car (first time in years), ordered a hamburger (no cheese) and a water....$1.06....I thought the guy was gonna hit me.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:40 | 2961095 ManOfBliss
ManOfBliss's picture

What kind of faggot goes to McDonald's and orders a hamburger and a water?

 

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:50 | 2961142 CommunityStandard
CommunityStandard's picture

The slightly overweight ones.  The obese ones order a lot more.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:59 | 2961193 SoCalBusted
SoCalBusted's picture

They order a diet coke

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:24 | 2961293 spastic_colon
spastic_colon's picture

good point sorta....luckily i'm very comfortable with my man-ness for any clever comebacks....or just slow

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 16:08 | 2961768 Mr Pink
Mr Pink's picture

I guess Manofbliss has a J.O.B. at MickyD's !

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 20:16 | 2962657 Jendrzejczyk
Jendrzejczyk's picture

What kind of moron gets the name of the restaurant wrong while trying to insult someone else?

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:42 | 2961109 lasvegaspersona
lasvegaspersona's picture

spastic

you really think the McD's labor force is that motivated?...that they care enough to want to hit you?

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:27 | 2961303 spastic_colon
spastic_colon's picture

point taken.....i was safer than i thought

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 16:38 | 2961880 philosophers bone
philosophers bone's picture

The general staff aren't motivated enought to get made, but the assistant associate management supervisor trainees who are on track to make associate management supervisor get really pissed off!

Sounds like a career for ManOfBliss.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:11 | 2961251 Bicycle Repairman
Bicycle Repairman's picture

My McDonalds offers coffee for $1.00.  I get a large (24 oz?, sorry Bloomberg) and split it with my wife.  Partying like it's 1979.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:12 | 2961504 Bobbyrib
Bobbyrib's picture

No, but your stomach probably hit you within an hour after eating that crap.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:28 | 2961051 Shizzmoney
Shizzmoney's picture

BOOM! great point here. Plus, I do think people are choosing better food. Prop 37 in CA (although it lost being outspent in ads by onsanto, et.all 46m to 8m), points to people saying, "You know what, maybe going to the grocery store to buy a burger to cook is a better choice.  And, it tastes better!".

On top of that, McD's gives AWAY freebies all the time.  My dad, who is a cop, get a shit ton of coupons from fast food joints all the time (I assume they the fast food joints this as most cops are on the go).

I think the majority of fast food joints become a bubble sooner or later.  As inflation increases, they are going to have to either raise the prices of their food (the only reason ppl eat here in bulk is due to the price) or pay their workers more (which won't happen, and ppl will finally wake up and have respect for themselves). 

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:32 | 2961063 KidHorn
KidHorn's picture

Making you own will probably taste better, but when you factor in buns, onions. ketchup, etc..., you can't beat 99 cents for price.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:03 | 2961220 SoCalBusted
SoCalBusted's picture

Prop 37 was presented as a classic CA prop.  The first sentence sounds great, but when you read the entire thing you find out who really is supporting it and other nasty side effects/carve outs.  In this case it was the bloodsucking lawyers.  Passing Prop 37 would have required labelling on dog food, but not steaks.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:10 | 2961249 XitSam
XitSam's picture

I have heard that it also put all responsibility for labeling on the retail store.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:28 | 2961052 BooMushroom
BooMushroom's picture

The margin has shrunk on the sodas, too, as (I'm guessing) people are always buying the large for $1 rather than the small for $1.29 like they used to.

When I want a coke, I go to McD's now to get the 32oz for $1+tax, rather than the drugstore get the 20oz for $1.59+tax+deposit.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:34 | 2961075 BooMushroom
BooMushroom's picture

This must be that "margin collapse" Tyler has been telling us about.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:50 | 2961141 Seasmoke
Seasmoke's picture

when i want a coke, i ask for a cup of water and then i get a coke

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:55 | 2961150 dumpster
dumpster's picture

a coke .. look at the stuff in that drink.. sugar yadda , not one redeeming ingredient.

the aware folks who still shop macdonalds and the health robbing aspect of the american diet .

pour the coke on the battery poles to clean for crap build up.. then pour it in your stomack to get instant poison .

maybe the macdonald story ius getting out and folks are looking for healthy ..a hamburger and coke fries will increase the medicasl costs of the average american blind to things that are healthy ,

a 99 cent hamberger coke has hidden costs ..that come up in later health life .

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:12 | 2961257 Bicycle Repairman
Bicycle Repairman's picture

I use Coke as an insecticide.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 16:12 | 2961777 Mr Pink
Mr Pink's picture

Sugar in coke?! Not in this country...that would considered health food

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 17:07 | 2962053 Offthebeach
Offthebeach's picture

What do you think is in your stomach, rose petals?
Gag up some puke and it will melt the battery terminals, the battery and the firewall.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:29 | 2961057 KidHorn
KidHorn's picture

Who gets pissed off? Does the owner run the drive through window? Where I live, the central americans couldn't care less what you order.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:22 | 2961000 TruthInSunshine
TruthInSunshine's picture

McSoylent

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:22 | 2961008 i8emallup
i8emallup's picture

No, this is an anti-problem. 

America is finally beginning to eat fewer "Crappy Meals."

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:39 | 2961093 Tortfeasor
Tortfeasor's picture

And more dumpster-meals.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:23 | 2961012 drchris
drchris's picture

"The term “the Obama Free Fish Filet” has been all around since the day Barack Obama became the president of the United States of America. Many people think that Obama is giving free fish filets to the poor in order to redistribute the wealth of rich people. Since then two groups are mudslinging at each other.

It’s true that government provides free fish filets to the poor and disabled people. But the Obama part is not true as Obama didn’t initiate this program. It’s on the run since the administration of Reagan."

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:23 | 2961013 ZAPatty
ZAPatty's picture

The problem is you can't buy fast food with food stamps.  That's all the long-term unemployed have now that their unemployment benefits have been exhausted.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:34 | 2961073 KidHorn
KidHorn's picture

I agree that's a big part of it. It's SNAP debit cards now. No longer called food stamps.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:38 | 2961091 Matt
Matt's picture

Incorrect. You just swipe yo EBT (NSFW):

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

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:45 | 2961121 insanelysane
insanelysane's picture

ZA,

RI has a pilot program to change that.  http://www.dhs.ri.gov/FamilieswithChildren/FoodAssistance/tabid/824/Default.aspx

At the moment is only for elderly or disabled or homeless people but not sure how they know if you have a home or not when you are standing in line ordering.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 18:39 | 2962437 blunderdog
blunderdog's picture

    At the moment is only for elderly or disabled or homeless people but not sure how they know if you have a home or not when you are standing in line ordering.

There are these amazing devices called "computers" which communicate information about you when you use an identifiable transaction card.  You should check that shit out.  They're probably going to be big someday.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 18:36 | 2962433 blunderdog
blunderdog's picture

In NYC, you can if you're officially homeless.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:24 | 2961015 slaughterer
slaughterer's picture

The "pink slime" scam pushed MCD diners to Applebees and Taco Bell.  

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:24 | 2961016 stinkhammer
stinkhammer's picture

quick call the hamburgler and fry guys!!

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:24 | 2961020 orangedrinkandchips
orangedrinkandchips's picture

NO PINK SLIME!!!

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:25 | 2961022 Mine Is Bigger
Mine Is Bigger's picture

It appears there has been a sharp increase in the number of people adopting the no-wheat diet.  This could be a factor.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:38 | 2961090 forwardho
forwardho's picture

In Greece, there has been a sharp increase in the number of people adopting the no-eat diet. A much greater factor

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:02 | 2961214 NotApplicable
NotApplicable's picture

Since going primal, I don't even like the "better" restaurants. as the same damn poison-food truck stops at all of them.

I've also lost 15-20 lbs while pigging out on bacon and eggs.

www.marksdailyapple.com

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 18:47 | 2962460 Tijuana Donkey Show
Tijuana Donkey Show's picture

Yes, and I bet your ass-stank could kill a city. Piggin out on bacon and eggs, have some mercy, that has to a a hell of a smell. 

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:25 | 2961025 PUD
PUD's picture

Spaniards have to wait as long as 3 days for a happy meal to show up in a dumpster now that's how bad it is

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:47 | 2961126 malikai
malikai's picture

No big deal, the happy meal lasts for years who there's no bother on the lag time.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:34 | 2961339 BooMushroom
BooMushroom's picture

Same thing in Staten Island!

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:25 | 2961032 mr. mirbach
mr. mirbach's picture

Funny how MCD's sales skyrocketed when they started accepting credit cards,  does this mean that sheeple have reached their credit limit?

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:44 | 2961118 resurger
resurger's picture

+1

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:27 | 2961034 virgilcaine
virgilcaine's picture

I had a hamburgler doll as a kid.  Hamburgler was cool.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:26 | 2961036 realtick
realtick's picture

Nice chart

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:27 | 2961039 Hangfire
Hangfire's picture

McDonalds is a rip off, if you are not exclusively eating off the .99 cent menu it's going to cost you like $8 for a crappy meal.  My allegiance is sworn and true to In-n-out burgers, I have pity on anyone in this country that doesn't have access to one!  

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:32 | 2961064 Shizzmoney
Shizzmoney's picture

In-n-Out is fantastic.  Ditto with Five Guys (with free peanuts).

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:40 | 2961098 Hangfire
Hangfire's picture

Haven't tried five guy's yet though there is one in my area.  May actually try it today on my way to the tungsten shop.   

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:41 | 2961101 ManOfBliss
ManOfBliss's picture

Five Guys is ridiculously overpriced.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:49 | 2961136 insanelysane
insanelysane's picture

Agree. Took 3 teenagers there a week ago and it cost me $50.  They ate everything and took a couple pounds of peanuts for the road.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:55 | 2961168 Shizzmoney
Shizzmoney's picture

Five Guys is very expensive.  Yet again, its actual REAL food, and if there is anything to be learned during this pre-hyperinflationary phase......REAL stuff that has actual VALUE is going UP in price.  On top of that, the Five Guys folks know that ppl are getting sick of McD's, and milk the customers a little to make profit due to this.

 

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:40 | 2961096 WAMO556
WAMO556's picture

In and Out Burgers are AWESOME.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:28 | 2961047 vidman32
vidman32's picture

99 cent problems and Mcdonalds got one!

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:28 | 2961048 RopeADope
RopeADope's picture

The homeless population looked at the 99 cent menu and then at their own poop and decided homemade was healthier.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:34 | 2961072 forwardho
forwardho's picture

Ugg, thats nasty. But oh so true.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:45 | 2961122 Dr. No
Dr. No's picture

Also you need a car for the Drive through.  A couple of years ago, A guy was standing at the outdoor Mic and gave me a $1 to buy burger.  He said they would not sell to him if he was not in a car.  Homeless cant catch a break!

 

He gave me the exact amount of money, down to the cent after tax.  I told the window maid I was buying a burger for the non-car owner and asked them to bag is seperate.  They did.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:59 | 2961195 insanelysane
insanelysane's picture

Homeless can use their SNAP card at Subway in Providence, RI.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:24 | 2961552 Bobbyrib
Bobbyrib's picture

Before I could drive, I got my friends to act as if we were sitting in a car and acted like I was driving it. We sat in mid air and when I went to place the order, the pricks still wouldn't serve us. The inside was closed. Oh well, one less meal at Taco Smell. 

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 18:43 | 2962448 blunderdog
blunderdog's picture

The "no car, no service" policy was implemented for indemnity 'cause so many drive-thru customers are unconscious enough to roll over someone standing in front of their vehicle.  It's just corporate legalism stuff.

I vaguely remember this as starting some time in the mid-'80s, as I had friends who were working at McD's at the time.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:29 | 2961056 dwdollar
dwdollar's picture

"So our question is: at what point does the perpetually self-deluded US population finally admit to itself that when even 99 cent meals are no longer affordable, that this country has a problem?"

Well, if Greece is any indication we have a long way to go yet.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:31 | 2961062 Mr Unknown
Mr Unknown's picture

If they could start excepting SNAP cards the sales would go through the roof!

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:36 | 2961082 Jim B
Jim B's picture

Most states do allow the cards to be used for fast food!

The new normal, I work and don't eat out much, but I pay taxes to facilitate recipients eating out!!!!

Makes me want to work harder to pay more taxes! LOL!

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:36 | 2961623 Mr Unknown
Mr Unknown's picture

I thought they were having to rely on Frozen cheese burgers from the grocery store. Had no idea they could buy fast food with them. That pisses me off!

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:34 | 2961069 cbxer55
cbxer55's picture

It's all my fault! I have not eaten at Mickey Dee's in over a month. Have not eaten at any of the fast food joints in over a month. Look for negative reports from them, coming up soon. ;-)

Once again, go long Ramen noodles.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:36 | 2961084 Misean
Misean's picture

McD's marginal consumer are kids on the way home from the gov't youth indoctrination prison camp and 20 somethings. Kids parents don't have the spare bucks for the kids to grab junk on the way home and 20 somethings can't get a job, so they're at home eating the Peeps leftovers whilst trying to figure out how to make student loan paymets with a $0.00/month cash in flow....

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:40 | 2961094 Disenchanted
Disenchanted's picture

 

 

 

Have it your way...bitchez.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:41 | 2961099 Dr. No
Dr. No's picture

I was recently in Brazil where a BigMac combo meal is $18R ($9 US).  That economy is HOT.  Close up shop in the US and sell Bigmacs in Brazil.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:41 | 2961102 Intoxicologist
Intoxicologist's picture

McDogmeat

I never cared for their hamburgers, but I used to like the fish sandwiches until they shrunk out of sight. And the price ballooned.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:43 | 2961113 cocoablini
cocoablini's picture

Maybe the general populace is eating better, less or looking at Innout Burger instead(privately held)

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:44 | 2961115 Hammerabi
Hammerabi's picture

Does competition get any credit for this?

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:44 | 2961116 NEOSERF
NEOSERF's picture

McSNAPpy burger coming to your town soon...

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:44 | 2961117 Spastica Rex
Spastica Rex's picture

I hate McDonald's food. You couldn't pay me to eat it.

Well....

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:50 | 2961144 resurger
resurger's picture

Is it even beef! it's worse than pink slime.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:56 | 2961178 Spastica Rex
Spastica Rex's picture

Right - I don't even know.

But actually, for 20 bucks, I would eat a Big Mac and then use the money to go somewhere I liked the next day.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:32 | 2961329 Flakmeister
Flakmeister's picture

Very pragmatic...

With practice you could get good at palming it.....

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:45 | 2961123 Seasmoke
Seasmoke's picture

$1 ????....what are you talking about !!!.......the menu is now almost all up to $1.19

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:47 | 2961128 Collapsed
Collapsed's picture

I think what a lot of people are missing is that we are currently undergoing a shift in thinking.  More and more people are becoming hip to the fact that McDonalds (and all fast food and sugar and HFCS and prescription pills and vaccines etc...) are COMPLETELY awful for them.  It is not a gigantic portion of the population but it is definitely enough (and growing everyday) to put a pretty good dent in some sales.   Soon enough it won't matter if they are giving the shit away for free, people who are educated on the subject will not buy/use it.  These companies are in trouble, long term, and there is nothing they can do about it...

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 13:48 | 2961129 Flakmeister
Flakmeister's picture

Crockett,

Shall we continue here?

Here is somthing for you to twiddle with, it can access all the temperature data (some sets going back to 1750)

http://www.skepticalscience.com/trend.php

Do you want to play with trends? 

 

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:06 | 2961212 CrockettAlmanac.com
CrockettAlmanac.com's picture

I want to know the answer to the question which I've asked you about repeatedly but which you've refused to answer. Do you agree with James Lovelock (whom you have suggested is a white wizard of the modern age) when he says that everyone on Earth will die by 2100 with the exception of a few people living at the poles? If you don't find his statements to be over the top hysteria then don't worry -- there's still time for you to apply for a position as one of Santa's elves.

 

We are in a fool's climate, accidentally kept cool by smoke, and before this century is over billions of us will die and the few breeding pairs of people that survive will be in the Arctic where the climate remains tolerable.

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/james-lovelock-the-eart...

 

 

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:49 | 2961313 Flakmeister
Flakmeister's picture

If it will truly make you happy...

If the global temperature rises by 6 C by the end of the 21st century, his prediction will very likely be well on its way to being bourne out...

You can find someone else to quibble over the details with....

-----------------------------

Now about your claims on trends:

Note that August 1997 was shamelessly cherry-picked by David Rose in the Daily Mail because it gives the lowest warming trend to the present of any point before 2000....

 

http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2012/11/short-term-trends-another-proxy-fight/

So here are a few things that are all equally true, conveniently plotted for your amusement:

  • The linear trend in HadCRUT4 from August 1997 to August 2012 (181 months) is 0.03ºC/decade (blue) (In GISTEMP it is 0.08ºC/decade, not shown).
  • The trend from August 1975 to July 1997 is 0.16ºC/dec (green), and the trend to August 2012 is 0.17ºC/dec (red).
  • The ten years to August 2012 were warmer than the previous 10 years by 0.15ºC, which were warmer than the 10 years before that by 0.17ºC, which were warmer than the 10 years before that by 0.17ºC, and which were warmer than the 10 years before that by 0.17ºC (purple).
  • The continuation of the linear trend from August 1975 to July 1997 (green dashed), would have predicted a temperature anomaly in August 2012 of 0.524ºC. The actual temperature anomaly in August 2012 was 0.525ºC.

The first point might suggest to someone that the tendency of planet to warm as a function of increases in greenhouse gases has been interrupted. The second point might suggest that warming since 1997 has actually accelerated, the third point suggests that trends are quite stable, and the last point is actually quite astonishing, though fortuitous. Since all of these things (and many others) are equally true (in that their derivation from the underlying dataset is simply a mechanical application of standard routines), it is clear that our expectation for the future shouldn’t be simply based on an extrapolation of any one or two of them – the situation is too complex for that.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:01 | 2961443 CrockettAlmanac.com
CrockettAlmanac.com's picture

 

If the global temperature rises by 6 C by the end of the 21st century, his prediction will very likely be well on its way to being bourne out...

 

Lovelock is quite sure of his prediction. He says that we must begin powering down society although billions will die regardless of such efforts. By using the qualifier "if" in your post are you suggesting that you find Lovelock's claims to be less than credible? Has he lost the status of being your white wizard? And don't you think that people will want something more certain than "If the global temperature rises," before they are willing to power down society?

 

So what should we do? First, we have to keep in mind the awesome pace of change and realise how little time is left to act; and then each community and nation must find the best use of the resources they have to sustain civilisation for as long as they can. Civilisation is energy-intensive and we cannot turn it off without crashing, so we need the security of a powered descent. On these British Isles, we are used to thinking of all humanity and not just ourselves; environmental change is global, but we have to deal with the consequences here in the UK.

 

Unfortunately our nation is now so urbanised as to be like a large city and we have only a small acreage of agriculture and forestry. We are dependent on the trading world for sustenance; climate change will deny us regular supplies of food and fuel from overseas.

 

We could grow enough to feed ourselves on the diet of the Second World War, but the notion that there is land to spare to grow biofuels, or be the site of wind farms, is ludicrous. We will do our best to survive, but sadly I cannot see the United States or the emerging economies of China and India cutting back in time, and they are the main source of emissions. The worst will happen and survivors will have to adapt to a hell of a climate.

 

Perhaps the saddest thing is that Gaia will lose as much or more than we do. Not only will wildlife and whole ecosystems go extinct, but in human civilisation the planet has a precious resource. We are not merely a disease; we are, through our intelligence and communication, the nervous system of the planet. Through us, Gaia has seen herself from space, and begins to know her place in the universe.

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/james-lovelock-the-eart...

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:10 | 2961496 Flakmeister
Flakmeister's picture

That is not how the game works, Wormtongue. it now my turn....

Do you still stand by your statment that warming stopped as per

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2217286/Global-warming-stopped-16-years-ago-reveals-Met-Office-report-quietly-released--chart-prove-it.html

Will you admit that the above article is flawed, intellectually dishonest and deliberately designed to mislead people? 

 

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:18 | 2961512 CrockettAlmanac.com
CrockettAlmanac.com's picture

I just learned that your white wizard has come clean, Flak. Suddenly I've found a modicum of respect for the man. How about you?

 

He (Lovelock) said: 'The problem is we don’t know what the climate is doing,' he told   'We thought we knew 20 years ago. That led to some alarmist books – mine included – because it looked clear cut, but it hasn’t happened.

 

'The climate is doing its usual tricks. There’s nothing much really happening yet. We were supposed to be halfway toward a frying world.

 

'[The temperature] has stayed almost constant, whereas it should have been rising - carbon dioxide is rising, no question about that.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2134092/Gaia-scientist-James-Lovelock-I-alarmist-climate-change.html#ixzz2BfFAKK4w

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:22 | 2961546 Flakmeister
Flakmeister's picture

That not nice Wormtongue... Now be a good boy and answer the two part question..

You only make yourself look like a filibustering Senator, Strom Thurmond defending segregation comes to mind...

Here it is again:

Do you still stand by your statment that warming stopped as per

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2217286/Global-warming-stopped-16-years-ago-reveals-Met-Office-report-quietly-released--chart-prove-it.html

Will you admit that the above article is flawed, intellectually dishonest and deliberately designed to mislead people?

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:48 | 2961685 CrockettAlmanac.com
CrockettAlmanac.com's picture

The science shows that your models and hysterical predictions are wrong as I've stated over and over again. Perhaps the chilly weather (sans global warming) has brought on an ear infection. Better have that looked at.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:53 | 2961704 Flakmeister
Flakmeister's picture

I'll take that as a No to the former and a Yes to the latter...

Did I get that right? 

Worm?

Worm, are you there?

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:56 | 2961715 CrockettAlmanac.com
CrockettAlmanac.com's picture

Now I see the problem. You hear the opposite of what people say to you. What an odd malady.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 16:12 | 2961782 Flakmeister
Flakmeister's picture

Ah, Worm, ah there you are...

You should look up Gish Gallop and then look in the mirror.....

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 14:41 | 2961366 Diogenes
Diogenes's picture

You are a little out of date. A few months ago Lovelock announced that he was wrong, the latest data did not support his predictions and he wished to retract the doomsday stories he put out from 5 to 20 years ago. When asked why he was the only global warming alarmist to do this, he pointed out that he was 92 years old and retired and had nothing to lose career wise.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:13 | 2961489 CrockettAlmanac.com
CrockettAlmanac.com's picture

Thank's Diogenes, that's great news! The global alarmists are being forced to admit their mistakes due to the fact that multiple sources now confirm that so called global warming leveled off fifteen ago. It's good to see the AGW crowd looking at the actual science rather than the broken models and the social agenda which they had hoped to achieve through their fabrications. Looks like Al Gore won't be adding additional taxes on your lamp oil after all, Diogenes.

 And here's the link:

 

Environmental scientist James Lovelock, renowned for his terrifying predictions of climate change's deadly impact on the planet, has gone back on his previous claims, admitting they were 'alarmist'.


The 92-year-old Briton, who also developed the Gaia theory of the Earth as a single organism, has said climate change is still happening - just not as quickly as he once warned.


He added that other environmental commentators, such as former vice president Al Gore, are also guilty of exaggerating their arguments.


The admission comes as a devastating blow to proponents of climate change who regard Lovelock as a powerful figurehead.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2134092/Gaia-scientist-James-Lovelock-I-alarmist-climate-change.html#ixzz2BfDGKPoO

 

So how do you feel about your white wizard now, Flak?

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:18 | 2961525 Flakmeister
Flakmeister's picture

Grima, no one will play with you unless you play by the rules...

Now quit with the strawmen and answer the question I posed (with the Daily Mail link) above....

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:19 | 2961531 CrockettAlmanac.com
CrockettAlmanac.com's picture

So you're determined to be the last rat on that sinking ship? It would be sad if I gave a damn about drowned rats.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:23 | 2961549 Flakmeister
Flakmeister's picture

You are loosing more face with every post that you avoid the question...

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:49 | 2961689 CrockettAlmanac.com
CrockettAlmanac.com's picture

I believe that what Dr. Judith Curry stated in that article is correct. I've now answered that question for perhaps the fourth time.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 15:58 | 2961723 Flakmeister
Flakmeister's picture

No, that was not the question that was put to you...

You can slither away now Wormtongue, my point has been made...

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 16:04 | 2961752 CrockettAlmanac.com
CrockettAlmanac.com's picture

So you asked me about a daily mail article in which Dr. Judith Curry said that the AGW models were flawed and whether I agreed with that. I said that I did. And now you're going to pretend that you were talking about something else entirely?

By the way, this is getting seriously dull.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 16:15 | 2961794 Flakmeister
Flakmeister's picture

Worm can also play a weasel very well... Today is the first time you mentioned Judith...

So you still stand by the intellectual honesty of that chart?

 

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 16:44 | 2961907 CrockettAlmanac.com
CrockettAlmanac.com's picture

And another swing and a miss from Flakmeister. You and I discussed her only four days ago. Guess you're not real good with historical data and stuff.

 

 

 

Sun, 11/04/2012 - 13:14 | 2946369 Flakmeister
Vote up!

3 Vote down!

-17

Making more shit up, eh?

Chew on this you lying sack of shit:

http://skepticalscience.com/nuccitelli-et-al-2012.html

 

 

Sun, 11/04/2012 - 13:24 | 2946390 CrockettAlmanac.com
Vote up!

12
Vote down!

-1

Isn't it more likely that the guy who has no means to argue other than his potty mouth is the one who makes things up? But you're in good company. AGW fanatics are being called out by their more responsible peers.

 

Prof Judith Curry, who chairs the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at America’s prestigious Georgia Institute of Technology, said that Prof Muller’s claim that he has proven global warming sceptics wrong was also a ‘huge mistake’, with no  scientific basis.

Prof Curry is a distinguished climate researcher with more than 30 years experience and the second named co-author of the BEST project’s four research papers.

Her comments, in an exclusive interview with The Mail on Sunday, seem certain to ignite a furious academic row. She said this affair had to be compared to the notorious ‘Climategate’ scandal two years ago.

Like the scientists exposed then by leaked emails from East Anglia University’s Climatic Research Unit, her colleagues from the BEST project seem to be trying to ‘hide the decline’ in rates of global warming.

In fact, Prof Curry said, the project’s research data show there has been no increase in world temperatures since the end of the Nineties – a fact confirmed by a new analysis that The Mail on Sunday has obtained.

‘There is no scientific basis for saying that warming hasn’t stopped,’ she said. ‘To say that there is detracts from the credibility of the data, which is very unfortunate.’

 

Maybe you should change your handle to TakingFlakmeister.

Thu, 11/08/2012 - 17:27 | 2962100 Flakmeister
Flakmeister's picture

Well, quoting pretty much a whole article does allow a snake some leeway..

I am calling you out and Curry out but since Curry is not here, you have to defend her...

The article is being put forward under false pretenses and the central claim has been shown to be wrong by: 

1) The trend data

2) The Nucitelli paper  which shows Curry to playing fast and loose with the truth...

So if you think cherry picking one particular month to define a trend is robust science, then you are a fool...

So, Wormtongue, is it liar or fool?

 

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