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5 Things To Ponder: GOP Takes Control

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Submitted by Lance Roberts of STA Wealth Management,

This past Tuesday the conservative Republican candidates garnered a resounding victory over their Democratic challengers in even some of the "bluest" states. The message that was sent by voters was quite clear: "The real economy sucks."

Despite headline statistics, for 80% of American's the real economy remains quite weak with income growth and quality job opportunities scarce. Accordingly, since most voters are generally uniformed about which candidate is running on which platform, the majority vote by the way they "feel" at the time of election. If things are good, they tend to vote for incumbents. If not, they vote for "change."

This weekend's variety of views and opinions on what Tuesday's election blowout means to the economy and the financial markets. Is it a sign of better things ahead or the beginning of the end of the current "bull market?"

But let's start with a bit of humor before we get we get into the serious stuff. (Warning: Strong language)


Jon Stewart election 110414 by lookatmyshirt
 


 

1) Republican's Lay Out Agenda by John Boehner and Mitch McConnell via WSJ Opinion

"Our priorities in the 114th Congress will be your priorities. That means addressing head-on many of the most pressing challenges facing the country, including:"

• The insanely complex tax code that is driving American jobs overseas;
• Health costs that continue to rise under a hopelessly flawed law that Americans have never supported;
• A savage global terrorist threat that seeks to wage war on every American;
• An education system that denies choice to parents and denies a good education to too many children;
• Excessive regulations and frivolous lawsuits that are driving up costs for families and preventing the economy from growing;
• An antiquated government bureaucracy ill-equipped to serve a citizenry facing 21st-century challenges, from disease control to caring for veterans;
• A national debt that has Americans stealing from their children and grandchildren, robbing them of benefits that they will never see and leaving them with burdens that will be nearly impossible to repay.

Let the fights begin.

 

2) Whose Economy Will It Be In 2016? by Zachary Karabell via Politico Magazine

"The ugly midterm campaign season provided one area of common ground: Americans and their candidates were almost universal in their disdain for the country’s economic performance over the past six years. In exit polls on Election Day, 78 percent of voters said they were worried about the economy, and clearly the Democrats took most of the blame.

 

Most likely heading into 2016 we face an overall economic picture that is just good enough to counter the collapse and crisis message, but not nearly good enough to lead to an era of good feelings. Maybe, and just maybe, that will offer an opening to someone willing finally to talk not just of two Americas, but of many Americas, some struggling mightily, some succeeding admirably, and multitudes in between. That would be a powerful message, because it would be real and true. Of that we have had precious little of late, but it may prove a winning formula for 2016."

 

3) Will We Get A Republican Bull Market Now? by Stephen Moore via Investors.com

"It was exactly 20 years ago, in November 1994, that Republicans under the maverick leadership of Newt Gingrich and his Contract with America took over the House of Representatives for the first time in nearly half a century.

 

What may not be remembered is that the GOP sweep continued what became the longest and strongest stock market expansion in American history. Investors fell in love with the idea of a centrist Democrat, Bill Clinton, in the White House and a conservative Congress."

Republican-bull-Market

 

4) Will A New Congress Take The Economy Seriously by Wayne Brough via Real Clear Markets

"Yet Obama and the Democrats have done little to address the underlying long term economic problems facing the nation. Indeed, the administration and Democrat controlled Senate have focused almost exclusively on the short run, with cash injections through various stimulus programs. While this should not be surprising, given the short political time horizons that dominate decision making in Washington, D.C., it is nonetheless disconcerting when looking at long run economic trends.

 

So as the new Congress convenes, the economy should rank high among priorities, especially the question of long term public debt. For too long, Washington has pushed the issue on to the next Congress, leaving entitlement spending on autopilot. But the problem is only going to get worse as more of the population shifts from the labor force to retirement."

 

5) Will The New Congress Bring Economic Renewal by Mohamed A. El-Erian via Bloomberg

"With Republicans in control of both houses, the markets hope the stage is set for a constructive cohabitation of a Republican Congress and a Democratic president, similar to what evolved under President Bill Clinton. The late 1990s are remembered for a number of important pro-growth legislative initiatives.

 

There is certainly some low-hanging fruit that is ripe for bipartisan agreement, and that could be acted on quickly (such as free-trade agreements, immigration reform and the overhaul of corporate taxation). But two big things are required for this to translate into a phenomenon that would decisively improve the prospects for growth, jobs and prosperity.

 

First, the two parties would need to be a lot less beholden to their political bases.

 

Second, the two parties have to be convinced (and trust, initially and over time) that their interests would remain aligned, even while pursuing objectives that are anathema to the other."

My opinion: Those two objectives are unlikely to be met as Republican's candidates are working under a "mandate" from their base. They won elections based on strict promises to repeal/reform the ACA, lower taxes and reform immigration but not give amnesty. This is likely to end in a "sea of red-ink vetos" from the White House and ongoing bitter fighting in the months ahead.

Bonus Watch: What Do Voters Want From Congress In January via Gallup


“The enemy isn’t conservatism. The enemy isn’t liberalism. The enemy is bulls**t." —Lars-Erik Nelson, political columnist

Have a great weekend.

 

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Fri, 11/07/2014 - 17:57 | 5425258 Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance's picture

Why, why, why do we invest so much time, attention and mental energy in a bunch of lying thieving psychopaths and their political parties?

 

WHY?

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 17:59 | 5425270 LawsofPhysics
LawsofPhysics's picture

Why? Simply put, because we can.  When everyone is spending 99% of their time securing food and water that shit will "fix" itself.

 

Same as it ever was...

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:01 | 5425277 economics9698
economics9698's picture

Typical tribe behavior, misdirection and bullshit.  Fuck Stewart and his brother.  If Stewart want to make money shut up then the prick can support ending the Federal Reserve.  End the Fed or STFU prick.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:02 | 5425283 LawsofPhysics
LawsofPhysics's picture

Yes, John is a good jew...

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:11 | 5425292 saints51
saints51's picture

Wonder if Jon has dual citizenship?

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:17 | 5425325 Bossman1967
Bossman1967's picture

Yes america and the ORANGE planet of CHEESEDICK

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:59 | 5425460 Vampyroteuthis ...
Vampyroteuthis infernalis's picture

Why, why, why do we invest so much time, attention and mental energy in a bunch of lying thieving psychopaths and their political parties?

Unfortunately, they lied their way to power.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 19:35 | 5425569 Anusocracy
Anusocracy's picture

Hunter-gatherer culture versus settlement culture.

Neither has much of a grasp of peace, freedom, property, and consequently, progress.

Both world fixers fixing the world until it's totally ruined.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 20:01 | 5425677 Totentänzerlied
Totentänzerlied's picture

Hunter-gatherer cultures are quite peaceful so long as they have enough unshared land.

(Ironically enough, they then overbreed, inevitably, leading to unsustainable group sizes, leading to group fission, leading to vicious intertribal warfare).

Sat, 11/08/2014 - 00:15 | 5426501 manofthenorth
manofthenorth's picture

Who is the richest scumbag politician and what party is he with you ask ????????

Michael Bloomberg – $27 billion

Michael Bloomberg is an independent Republican who is the current Mayor of New York City. Originally a Democrat, he switched to the Republican Party in 2001 when he first ran for the position. He left the party in 2007 and won a third term in 2009 as an independent, though listed on the Republican ballot line. He is the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP, a company that specializes in global financial data. He is considered as the seventh richest man in the country.

Kind of says it all right there. This fucking asshole holds the patent on flip-flopping , probably how he got so fucking obscenely rich !!

"Independent Republican originally a Democrat" What the fuck is that ?????

Bunch of bullshit , FUCK YOU TOO JOHN STEWART !!!!! Scumbag asshole , you are not even funny.

Party has fuck all to do with it.

Everybody knows it

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY

REPUBLICANS -DEMOCRATS = SAME SHIT DIFFERENT FULLY INTERCHANGEABLE PILES

I digress , sorry been drinking and have a little mad on.

Sat, 11/08/2014 - 04:32 | 5426767 jeff montanye
jeff montanye's picture

bill de blasio is mayor of new york  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayor_of_New_York_City

the rest is about right.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 22:49 | 5426274 Bossman1967
Bossman1967's picture

New boss same as the old boss

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:11 | 5425307 Pooper Popper
Pooper Popper's picture

The economy sucks ASS!

Everyone I know is holding on,,,,very,very few thriving...

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:37 | 5425384 XqWretch
XqWretch's picture

Mohamed A. El-Erian via Bloomberg: There is certainly some low-hanging fruit that is ripe for bipartisan agreement, and that could be acted on quickly (such as free-trade agreements...)

 

Yeah that will be great for the economy... just not the US economy... fucking retard

Sat, 11/08/2014 - 04:35 | 5426768 jeff montanye
jeff montanye's picture

not to mention deficit reduction

put william black as head of the treasury.  that would at least improve morale.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:14 | 5425313 NotApplicable
NotApplicable's picture

Why? Cognitive dissonance, of course!

"I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free..."

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:20 | 5425337 Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance's picture

"Why? Cognitive dissonance, of course!"

I resent resemble that?  :-)

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 19:26 | 5425540 Hacked Economy
Hacked Economy's picture

I'm as disappointed as anyone else with the failings of D.C., but it's just depressing to have continually read cynical comments from numerous ZH'ers over the past 3+ years, yet no solid suggestions for improvement.  And whenever I pose the challenge for anyone - anyone - to chime in on a suggestion for how to improve the Big Machine we all endure, nobody steps up to the plate.  All they can seem to do is give red arrows.  So sad...

ZH is definitely not what it was almost 4 years ago when I chose to join.  The days of Fight Club are long gone.  Now it's just Gripe Club.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 19:51 | 5425633 VWAndy
VWAndy's picture

Blow me. I dont recall ever reading a reply from you even tho I have made many good suggestions.

 So how about you man up and make a good comment about accountability. Or say the idea of a grand jury having total access to all NSA files?

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 20:00 | 5425678 Anusocracy
Anusocracy's picture

The answers are there.

Most people are wired to reject them.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 20:51 | 5425885 Citxmech
Citxmech's picture

Yet here you are - griping.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 21:20 | 5425989 seek
seek's picture

"End the Fed" appears in nearly every thread on ZH. That is a solid suggestion for improvement, repeated day and night.

Sat, 11/08/2014 - 07:51 | 5426873 Muh Raf
Muh Raf's picture

Oh, and lock up banksters guilty of obvious criminality rather than increasing their bonuses. And the US formulating a foreign policy that's in its own domestic interests. And stripping all dual Israeli citizens of any and all US political office. Not to mention a rake of sensible economic and financial alternative proposals all of which are worthy of consideration. Frankly the world is indebted to the stalwarts here who have the perseverance and conviction to keep advancing these causes in the face of the biggest excretion of fakery ever dumped upon humanity. May God bless all of you and those dear to you. This is a war of attrition. Illegitum non carborundum. Stay strong ZHers. And keep the humour flowing with it. It's a great release and a tonic for the troops. 

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 21:59 | 5426128 TheReplacement
TheReplacement's picture

Yeah cuz nobody here ever said end the Fed and proceed with the constitutional rule of law applied equally to all...

Are you a fool or a useful idiot?

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 22:09 | 5426162 Lamarth
Lamarth's picture

Solution: Identify the enemy and organize against it.

Many suggestions are to End the Fed. Not bad, but still almost as useless as the retard who posted "I'm withdrawing my consent by not voting". The Fed is a tool of the enemy, and it has many more.

The enemy is the cronyist state. This is supported by the false two party divide, in a democratic setup with huge pools of voters. Everything is designed so that if you don't like it, there's nothing you can do by yourself, or even without thousands of others.

Easiest thing to do is vote for a third party - even if it's socialist! Once other players become credible, the field is open. Large pools of voters is a fundamental problem. If 5 of you pick out a leader, it'll be pretty good, and if not, you'll change it quickly. 20 is still alright. 5 million and you have a never ending supply of sociopaths who sound good. You are better off with 1000:100:10:1 than 1000:1. Why? Because you always have a group of 10 to talk to for affecting change. You had it with the states electing the president, but you cut out a level and grew the population.

You can attempt to topple the system be leeching resources. A defensible position, but not likely to make your life better, unless freedom of association has been cancelled, at which point it's likely your only option. Until then, you can build up from the ground an alternative voluntary society and then use it to displace the present governance.

You need to recruit people. The easy way is to lean on cognitive dissonance. Make your suggestion, then when it's rejected, say something like "Ah, I see. You actually like blowing the politicians and banksters". They'll either come around or be scared of talking to you ever again.

Is this enough for you to get started?

Sat, 11/08/2014 - 00:34 | 5426536 manofthenorth
manofthenorth's picture

Disappointed ???? I am way past disappointed and getting closer to seriously pissed off every day. I will tell you what I think is fucking depressing. Americans are going to watch this fucker go down in flames just so they can have a smart phone , new car and a 3 bedroom in the burbs. What the fuck are you doing. Bitching about bitching ???? FUCKING CUNT.

GET OUT AND FIGHT FUCKER !

THERE IS NO FIXING THIS SHIT HEAP !

IT HAS TO BURN !

RESET TIME , ACCEPT IT

THERE WILL BE NO FIXING THE BIG MACHINE

I got your fight huckleberry


Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:22 | 5425343 angel_of_joy
angel_of_joy's picture

"Why, why, why do we invest so much time..."

Because it's one of the few shows in town. Probably the best one, too...

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 19:46 | 5425606 trader1
trader1's picture

one could invest some time in VGHSan enlightening, entertaining series for its target audience

 

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 21:45 | 5426081 motor_angel
motor_angel's picture

my roomate's step-mother makes $75 hourly on the internet . She has been without a job for 5 months but last month her paycheck was $20377 just working on the internet for a few hours. Get More Info... www.Yelptrade.com

Sun, 11/09/2014 - 23:29 | 5431229 KillinMeSmalls
KillinMeSmalls's picture

Fixed:

Why, why, why do we invest so much time, attention and mental energy in a bunch of lying thieving psychopaths and the people they elect?

And yes, I read your comment, applied for a ZeroHedge account (2 day wiat) and logged in just to post that comment. And they say I am not a Type A....

Sun, 11/09/2014 - 23:29 | 5431230 KillinMeSmalls
KillinMeSmalls's picture

Fixed:

Why, why, why do we invest so much time, attention and mental energy in a bunch of lying thieving psychopaths and the people they elect?

And yes, I read your comment, applied for a ZeroHedge account (2 day wiat) and logged in just to post that comment. And they say I am not a Type A....

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 17:56 | 5425259 LawsofPhysics
LawsofPhysics's picture

Disclaimer;

*****Past performance is no guarranty of future returns*****

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:20 | 5425338 disabledvet
disabledvet's picture

Democrats good for stocks Republicans good for bonds.

This President is a lame duck now. Congress controls not just the entire Agenda...but basically the entire Country.

If you can stop funding the Vietnam war you can stop funding anything "no legislation required."

The Agency will submit a budget. "Ooops, sorry. No money for that."

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:26 | 5425353 negative rates
negative rates's picture

Are we still voting?

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:40 | 5425403 disabledvet
disabledvet's picture

Low turnout. "Tight races.". Find me 5000 votes?  Bwhahahah.  " no problem."

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 23:52 | 5426437 ClowardPiven2016
ClowardPiven2016's picture

when legalizing recreational weed is on the ballot in my state i'll register to vote....watching this shit show blow up will be more fun if I'm stoned

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:27 | 5425356 Pool Shark
Pool Shark's picture

 

 

Democrats good for the Special Interests Republicans good for the Special Interests.

 

There; fixed that for you...

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:36 | 5425388 disabledvet
disabledvet's picture

No argument from me on that!  "But these are two ships passing in the night.". No priorities when it comes to ahem " budgeting" and then APPROPRIATING could be any different.

Republicans are GREAT for gold.  And they don't give a rats ass about the dollar.

No you won't here this on the news.  You have been warned.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:41 | 5425407 LawsofPhysics
LawsofPhysics's picture

The demographics of the country are what they are and those liabitlities need to be fed motherfucker.

 

Good luck.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 21:59 | 5426131 TheReplacement
TheReplacement's picture

They can but you surely cannot be suggesting they will. Wake me when they stop NSA spying on all.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:53 | 5425445 logicalman
logicalman's picture

I think there might be an exemption.

Past performance of government would seem to guarantee more of the same.

Looks that way to me, anyway!

 

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:01 | 5425265 Harbanger
Harbanger's picture

"My opinion: Those two objectives are unlikely to be met as Republican's candidates are working under a "mandate" from their base."

Opinions are like assholes, ...

 

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:04 | 5425286 Slave
Slave's picture

How about the new Congress fucking does NOTHING. They don't even show up. They don't vote for shit. They let the wheels of this entire bitch fall off. No debt ceiling increase. The cocksucker falls right apart. Who cares, let it all come down. If they did that I'd vote to re-elect every last one of em. Fuck this government. Let it die.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:18 | 5425329 Harbanger
Harbanger's picture

3 years ago when a few of the newly elected Repubs from 2010 tried pushing for a debt ceiling limit, they were labeled al-queda terrist by the RINO Repubs, the MSM and the establishment for trying to "shut down" the Govt.   For the author to think that Repubs are working on some mandate from their base is a joke.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:28 | 5425358 disabledvet
disabledvet's picture

Again "hey Agency dude...submit your budget." You don't need to show up to vote for that.  That's what we the taxpayer pay these clowns for.

Trust me...I've seen them do it "in practice.". They would not what a hundred bucks looked like if you waved it in their face.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:44 | 5425421 General Decline
General Decline's picture

The only thing worse than gridlock in Washington is no gridlock in Washington.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:38 | 5425380 Pool Shark
Pool Shark's picture

 

 

Demicans?

Republicrats?

Here's why both parties will ALWAYS vote to raise the debt ceiling:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFDe5kUUyT0

Fast-forward to the 12:30 mark...

 

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:42 | 5425411 disabledvet
disabledvet's picture

Lizard men!

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:00 | 5425273 saints51
saints51's picture

To the Author:

I Don't Give a FUCK!!!!

lets see. Do I vote for career politician A from the dems or career politician B from the repubs. The key word is "career". Understand that single word in politics then you will realize its all one big magic act. It doesn't matter if you like the show or not, you already paid for admission to watch.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:08 | 5425301 Yen Cross
Yen Cross's picture

    Hey BONER & MC CONNELL, you've been given the rope... It's up to you, (2) whether or not you choose to use that rope for good purposes, or to hang yourselves with it.

   The Amercan public has spoken. NO MORE GAMES!

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:20 | 5425336 Bell's 2 hearted
Bell's 2 hearted's picture

all they have is games ... i read where McCain (he's taking over as chairman of Senate Armed Forces Committee) said the first thing he's going to do is undo sequester for Defense.

 

Who's going to stop him?

 

no one

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:30 | 5425360 Yen Cross
Yen Cross's picture

   It's obvious where those ISM manufacturing numbers are coming from.

 Unfortunately, Mc Insane is the least of our problems.  Zerocare, Energy Policy, Regulation across the board, NSA spying,

  Misappropriation of the U.S. tax $ in general.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:14 | 5425315 Bell's 2 hearted
Bell's 2 hearted's picture

 A national debt that has Americans stealing from their children and grandchildren, robbing them of benefits that they will never see and leaving them with burdens that will be nearly impossible to repay.

whatever

 

They'll do NOTHING

 

putting a curb on debt means Rs cutting defense spending (haha) AND entitlements (haha)

 

cutting the budgets of a few regulatory agencies and/or NEA buys you only a few hours/days on the debt clock

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:16 | 5425320 Bell's 2 hearted
Bell's 2 hearted's picture

Forget about a balanced budget ... the dope representative for my hood talks about bringing the debt level down ... does the idiot realize that means running a SURPLUS ... and of course, he's full speed ahead on defense spending

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:28 | 5425357 negative rates
negative rates's picture

He's about exhausted, run out of time, and tell him there is a cliff ahead, that should cure his ills.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:16 | 5425323 MrButtoMcFarty
MrButtoMcFarty's picture

Bush=Clinton=Obama

GOP=DEM=INC

Nothing changes until K Street burns.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:44 | 5425420 Otto Zitte
Otto Zitte's picture

The central plan is obvious back to the FRB & WW1. 

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 19:53 | 5425640 TeethVillage88s
TeethVillage88s's picture

I'm not an expert, but we are just becoming the UK.

The Avg person in UK makes like 22K Pounds a year, but the avg household has 400K pounds in debt as many people got into the Real Estate Market to build wealth.

Today we have $57 Trillion in Debt in the USA not counting government liabilities for pensions, social security, MEDICARE. They keep hoping for Tailwinds in Housing to pull the Economy out of Recession... along with Student Debt & Sub-prime Auto Loans. We are a service based Economy like post WWI Great Britain... and so average wages in USA are flat since 1979.

The European banking system seems homogenous, except I see Germany Government helps businesses with 5 year no payment loans on new businesses in Alternative Fuels. This is also happening in China & Brazil.

Probably USA is too serious about bankruptcy and debt collection... Is bankruptcy a certainty in the USA as you get old & get ill? Education & Health Care Inflation are oppressive 700 pound Guerrillas.

Debt is the Strategy. Cause High Unemployment to keep people trapped and to put them in their rightful place.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 23:46 | 5426371 Otto Zitte
Otto Zitte's picture

Debt serfs in a corrupted feudal empire is the goal. Business as usual. Catholic Empire 2.0. A New Dark Age. The Pope is a lure for many. Deceptive, ain't He? The lures are tuned to their targets.

The numbers are fiction. They are measures, as the increments of a scale. Go outside. Right now. Look at the full moon. I see it too. Its the same everywhere on the planet. Now is real. Thats your baseline definition. If the market crashes many will starve, but how would that change the value of the crops to their producers? The producers will not starve: that is their baseline, everything else is a bonus for being most moral and just, and generous: for being abundantly productive. Trade is a synthetic extension of reality. Its a dream. We share many dreams. Lust is typical, at this level. Ignorance is even more typical at Jamie's level. Its clear. Look at them objectively. The only thing missing is my old man killing them like he did their soldiers. One at a time.

Distorting definitions is something criminals do, to duck their crimes. Today this encompasses ALL Cops. Lawyers. Judges. It has always described bad leaders. Most leaders have always been rotters propped up by bad leaders. Child molesters. Thieves of all sorts.

The worm is the skimmers. Usury is evil. Fix that with your laws, or it will end you.

There are no Jews. there are no Christians. There are no Muslims. There are no nations. There are only people, manipulated on a massive scale. Herded, their gifts wasted. Corporation is the popular term. The goal of The Adversary is to use computers to eliminate random variation. To map this "matrix", and in knowing it, become its God. God of this one extremely limited permutation.

What a waste. History proves that not one of us is limited to this control space, even when an aspect of us is captured by it. 

Your life is The Test. It is the only exam that matters. Spend it well. Brother.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:19 | 5425328 Jstanley011
Jstanley011's picture

So it was "conservative Republicans" who won? Not in my book. The way I see it, '94 was the conservative Republicans' once-in-a-lifetime shot, which they squandered (thanks Newt!). Politics nowadays consists of New Left Commies and Country Club Cronies swapping seats on the merry-go-round. Pathetic. A pox on all their houses, A POX I SAY...

…………``………./´¯/)
………..………..,/¯../
……………`…./…./
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………\……………..’…../
….”…\………. _.•´
…………\…………..(
…………..\………….\…

 

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:22 | 5425339 ebworthen
ebworthen's picture

Newt was too busy getting blowjobs from Women other than his Wife.

I second the pox and the finger.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 20:03 | 5425691 TeethVillage88s
TeethVillage88s's picture

Yes. Both Dems & Reps should have Conservative basis.

Parties can not coop the words progressives or conservatives... that is just propaganda. Republicans start wars, then refuse to pass tax bills to pay for them. Democrats spend money like drunken soldiers while republicans enable them to do it and take their own pork also.

Plus Democrats took up Bushes Agenda, showed they are war mongers, pushed further drone use, did not protect Individual Rights or the Constitution, ... Obama just gave us status quo while exponentially spending more money which the Senate passed in Continuing Resolutions which is treasonous if not some kind of felony (C.R Should be flat spending)

Congress is a 3rd rate performance group which plays to the TV Cameras.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:18 | 5425333 WTFUD
WTFUD's picture

Thanks be to Z/H and Others for making it unequivocally clear that THE BLUE/RED PONZI ruthlessly used by MSM , even some bullshitters on here is NO LONGER a WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTIVENESS to DIVIDE the SHEEP.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:26 | 5425335 ebworthen
ebworthen's picture

Yes, the enemy is bullshit - and the New Rome is crock full of it.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:22 | 5425342 In.Sip.ient
In.Sip.ient's picture

The insanely complex tax code that is driving American jobs overseas

 

I can vouch for another angle.  It also makes it difficult for

foreign cash to invest in America.

 

Excessive regulations and frivolous lawsuits that are driving up costs for families and preventing the economy from growing;

 

And this one does nothing for foreign direct investment either.

Might add that a civil forfeiture law that doesn't go thru the courts

does nothing for y'all as well...

 

!

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 19:02 | 5425468 TalkToLind
TalkToLind's picture

Yep.  And yet the gubermit turkeys still think it is their job to pass even MOAR legislation and create even MOAR regulations.  As the years go by the strangle hold on any person or business producing anything of value in this country gets tighter and tighter.  And those doing the squeezing play MOAR rounds of golf.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 19:41 | 5425587 TeethVillage88s
TeethVillage88s's picture

Not sure

These are old number, today $28 Trillion in Foreign Owned Assets.

Foreign Owned Assets
Here is a look at Exponential Growth (2004-2008) of Foreign Owned Assets in the USA from the Department of Commerce.
http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/international/intinv/iip_glance.htm ($26 Trillion foreign compared to $22 for US) (This is very interesting as Big Banks are growing strongly, but the number of total us banks is dramatically decreasing, like someone is gaming the system, Commercial Banks in the U.S. - FRED - St. Louis Fed)

http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/ROWFDN... ($3.16 Foreign Investment USA)
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/GPDI ($2.69 Private Domestic Investment)

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:34 | 5425372 Bennie Noakes
Bennie Noakes's picture

It won't be like the 90's. Barack Obama isn't anything like Bill Clinton. And McConnell isn't anything like Gingrich. And the economy is nothing like it was in the 90's.

The best that can be hoped for is two years of legislative gridlock. Massive deficits will continue and the economy will continue to limp along. Or there could be another crash.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 19:39 | 5425582 Bemused Observer
Bemused Observer's picture

I don't see this lasting for 2 more years. I know, I know, it never happens...but common sense tells you it will.
The swings are getting real wide...that's usually a sign things are becoming destabilized.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:39 | 5425397 The Fonz...befo...
The Fonz...before shark jump's picture

Dont worry, the Repubs are gonna piss away any political capital and advantage that they have by tackling some stupid wedge issues such as gay marriage...

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 19:35 | 5425574 Bemused Observer
Bemused Observer's picture

I give them a week.

I'm surprised it's taken this long...

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 20:12 | 5425726 GeorgeHayduke
GeorgeHayduke's picture

+1 for the most obvious and likely observation on this topic.

Once the Rethug's religious agenda begins all other issues of real importance will fall by the wayside as the MSM and the citizens battle it out over the social agenda. Much smoke and maybe even some fire will result, but none of it will touch Wall Street, the MIC, Big Pharma, Insurance, Big Ag, Too-Big-To-Fail, etc... Same as it ever was...

Sat, 11/08/2014 - 06:05 | 5426808 gwar5
gwar5's picture

The overtly religious agenda of the dems helped do them in:  pro-Muslim, pro-atheist, and anti-Christian.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 18:41 | 5425406 Otto Zitte
Otto Zitte's picture

Meet the new criminal line up. Same as the old criminal line up. They are consistent.

This is going to end in war. Foreign and domestic.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 19:33 | 5425567 TeethVillage88s
TeethVillage88s's picture

All we have is a House of Lords.

We need a House of Commons to represent the People not just the wealthy or those with Titles or those from Elite Families.

- House of Lords, Money Talks, no Limit to Soft Money, plenty of Gifts being given out, air plane rides, meals, conventions, weekend meetings at beach resorts, work shops at resorts

- USA had an Idea, there was a revolution that followed in France... so we see a lot of Window Dressing in USA & UK

- Liberty, Equality, Brotherhood = where is our House of Commons & No taxation without Representation

- House of Lords that is all I am Saying

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 20:22 | 5425769 WTFUD
WTFUD's picture

Heh Dude i'm the LORD of this MANOR and don't you forget it!

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 23:04 | 5426306 Otto Zitte
Otto Zitte's picture

USA had 2 vast oceans to protect it from these 2 legged parasites. The corruption is directly proportional to the contraction of these physical barriers.

The difference between the senate and the house is that when the senate is told to suck they just do it. Congress haggles over the price.

Which is why they were given the purse strings.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 19:06 | 5425480 Everybodys All ...
Everybodys All American's picture

This election was decisively about stopping Obama. Bare in mind there are a good 40%, many who did not vote this time around, who still would vote Obama a third term!

How in the hell do you come to any consensus or compromise on anything with that going on in the country? We have never been more divided as a country and it's largely because we have far too many people who have no idea what is going on.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 19:29 | 5425551 Direct Democracy
Direct Democracy's picture

American politics HAHAHAHAHAHA!  Americans are slaves to a corrupt political system.  Think about a Direct Democracy, Google it.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 19:43 | 5425595 atthelake
atthelake's picture

What do these crooks think will happen to their children and grandchildren, living in a second or third world country? Making million$ by betraying us is one thing but making million$ to betray your own blood is another.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 19:54 | 5425636 Sick
Sick's picture

We need a 3 strikes law for congress men and women.  Tell 3 lies and you're out.  This would get rid of all of them...quickly.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 20:09 | 5425710 TeethVillage88s
TeethVillage88s's picture

Yes implies less secrets, less classified documents, more transparency, more respect for FOIA Requests, and lots of auditing through out government & the government contractors like the Prime Dealers for FED.

Also Audit the FED, IRS, DOJ, FBI, CIA, Pentagon, SEC, FINRA, Financial Ratings Agencies, FNMA, FTC, Treasury, CBO, GAO, and shadow banking.

Brink back standard Accounting Rules, Standard Financial Instruments, and Auditing.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 20:01 | 5425682 Binko
Binko's picture

Holy shit! Is this idiot writer speculating about a new bull market? From this hyper-elevated level of stock prices? Based on what? All the minimum wage workers borrowing yet more money to buy yet more junk they don't need? On Twitter and Facebook zooming higher and higher on no revenue? With the whole world slowing? I mean, really, what in the world could even possibly drive any kind of new bull market?

Could we just not have more articles on ZH written by such clueless asswipes that think insane nonsense like we might have a new bull market under Obama/McConnell just because we once had one under Clinton/Gingrich. Dumbest thing I think I've ever read on this site. 

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 20:56 | 5425898 GeorgeHayduke
GeorgeHayduke's picture

It appears reality doesn't matter anymore. Hasn't for some time now.

However, reality does have a strange way of sneaking back into the world and kicking serious ass once it has been ignored long enough. She sure seems way, way overdue for an appearance, but I've thought that for some time too. I've given up waiting (hoping) for this trash heap to implode.

The music stops playing at one point and the longer it's been playing they've been removing seats from game. When everyone starts scrambling for their seat it's going to get really interesting. But then I've thought that for some time now and still I wait....

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 20:34 | 5425820 livefreediefree
livefreediefree's picture

Sorry for posting something substantive. Non-droll vacuousness seems to be the ZH corporate culture for articles like this.

Is there anything different today than vis-a-vis similar situations in the past? Yes.

We elected 4 Democrats Presidents post-WWII: Kennedy because he had major physical and intellectual talents, LBJ because of JFK, Carter because he was a conservative-appearing southern governor, and Clinton because he was a conservative-appearing southern governor.

Excluding Carter because we need to concentrate on newbies who never had been President, which Democrats lost: Humphrey a northern liberal, McGovern a northern liberal, Mondale a northern liberal, Dukakis a northern liberal, Gore a southern liberal, and Kerry a northern liberal.

Obama? A radical northern liberal.

From this historical perspective, Obama certainly is an outlier. Of course he is, being a radical Marxist redistributionist; aka, Progressive.

For 6 years, the American electorate experienced the effects of Progressivism. Not good. The only thing worse for Progressives than unsuccessful Progressivism is successful Progressivism. As a political philosophy, Progressivism not only carries the seeds of its own destruction but has a core creed which is doomed to self-destruct.

I don't need to argue this POV theoretically, because I can simply note it empirically: The reason the US is fucked up today is almost solely due to Progressivism.

I may not even believe the above shit that I wrote. There seems to be something, however, radically different about what happened Tuesday compared to the history of post-WWII America. Hey.

The only thing worse for Progressives than successful Progressivism is unrepentant Progressivism.

You go, Barack! Fight those cocksuckers tooth and nail. Never give in. Never compromise. Octuple down if you have to. Mock them, dismiss them, taunt them, show them how unbowed and triumphant you really are.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 22:05 | 5426151 GeorgeHayduke
GeorgeHayduke's picture

We also can look at conservative politicians not making it into the CEO slot either, without help from Diebolt, the Supreme Court and other shady business like Iran-Contra and Nixon's illegal pre-election Vietnam deals.

Another consideration on this topic is Jim Marrs' proposal that the person running for president who has the closest blood line to the Queen of England always wins. It has as much merit without the whole left vs. right obfuscation.

Sat, 11/08/2014 - 01:40 | 5426539 livefreediefree
livefreediefree's picture

whole left vs. right obfuscation

Do you know what your comment betrays an ignorance of? Western civilization since the Renaissance.

From the Advocates for Self-Government About page:

We accomplish our mission by: Changing the dominant “Left-Right” political model — which excludes libertarians — to a more accurate and inclusive map like the one used by the World’s Smallest Political Quiz

The world's smallest political quiz, a current article on ZH, mentions only liberals and libertarians. Absent is conservatism. So, if you agree with AS-G, then you plan to "change the dominant 'left-right' political model" by eliminating conservatism.

That's OK if destroying conservatism is your goal. However, it's also the goal of Authoritarian Progressives.

The rest of this exercise is left for the reader.

Fri, 11/07/2014 - 23:00 | 5426294 Otto Zitte
Otto Zitte's picture

You're just looking for some place new to put your icon. That row has been hoed.

Sat, 11/08/2014 - 00:13 | 5426496 robnume
robnume's picture

Well, it's like that old joke goes. "How do you know when a politician is lying? His lips are moving."

Sat, 11/08/2014 - 00:22 | 5426515 Why.Not.
Why.Not.'s picture

A sea of red ink from the White House will be a good thing for the Republicans in 2016. It will make clear that obstructionism always began with Reid and the Democrats, who prevented Obama from ever having to deal with potentially embarrassing legislation by killing it in the Senate before debate. Now Obie cannot hide. He will be forced to declare his positions on divisive issues, as will Senate dems. Potentially good theater to follow. Maybe.

Sat, 11/08/2014 - 00:33 | 5426535 livefreediefree
livefreediefree's picture

Yep. Obama doesn't know how to handle adversity. If Valerie is forced to get a double masectomy, Obama's in real trouble.

Sat, 11/08/2014 - 02:51 | 5426686 ThroxxOfVron
ThroxxOfVron's picture

It's our government -er, I mean dog; and it's old and very very sick.

We should be adults about this.

When we are done with the dreadful business of putting the old and very very sick dog down and have had a little talk with the kids about why we had to shoot the old and very very sick dog, we will go and get a new dog.  

A dog that does what the hell we tell it to do.

Sat, 11/08/2014 - 03:32 | 5426725 rex-lacrymarum
rex-lacrymarum's picture

What Congress should do: nothing. Go on vacation. Safer for everybody, and cheaper too. 

Sat, 11/08/2014 - 09:05 | 5426915 Last of the Mid...
Last of the Middle Class's picture

Every speech has "we should, we need to, we must" It's all a scam to keep them in power and the millions behind them broadcast this propaganda 24/7. Orange man and Mc Connell are going to save us? Shiiitttt I think not.

Sat, 11/08/2014 - 13:21 | 5427313 tvdog
tvdog's picture

If they won't abolish the TSA, I don't care who wins. Get your *&^% hands out of my pants.

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