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At least this cartoon portrays the relationships properly. In the “old days” (pre 2009) the market was looked at as a forward looking indicator for the economy. With all of the QE (quantitative easing) that the Federal Reserve has undertaken QE1, QE2..QE-indefinitely, it has pumped billions into the financial system and Wall street can borrow for .25 % interest. So they borrow billions, turn stocks and bonds for a 2 to 3 percent profit and feed the markets with contrived activity.
Meantime, “the folks” are still buried in debt, have houses totally undervalued with mortgages that significantly exceed the market value. Add to that layoffs, higher cost of living, insurance etc and they are living paycheck to paycheck. Then we have the last frame for the homeless, chronically unemployed, mentally ill and no hope for the future. Not much of a connection to the all time highs reached by the markets. What’s ridiculous is Europe is back in recession, unemployment in Spain and Greece is as high as 25% in some areas yet their stock markets are reaching all time highs as well. Disconnected? To say the least…
Income distribution is meaningless. Money is meaningless. Availability of consumable goods is meaningful. Availability of necessary services is meaningful. If I have all I need, I don’t care if you have more. We tax the productive and thereby reduce the ability of lenders to capitalize new business. Production decreases as interest rates rise. The Federal Reserve buries the evidence by manipulating interest and the money supply. But the harm is still done. The cost of production is increased and the cost of necessary goods and services is increased and the poor are most harmed. Raising more taxes to offset the inequity actually increases inequity. The system of the Capital controlling wealth is the Capitalism delivering the promised economic oppression it purports to eliminate.
You know, there isn’t a polite way to say this. That particular bit of meaninglessness has been copy/pasted, slightly modified, to virtually every message board on the internet. Why? It sounds meaningful, but as a discussion of anything it’s just sound bites masquerading as dialogue. And how many people does it take to try to start a meme, anyhow? Income distribution is meaningless? So nothing in the USA would change if we had the old Venezuelan deal of the 3000 who owned everything, and all the rest rent or starve? What accountant considers cost of production and taxes to be identical? This is just noise.
but what if you don’t have all that you “need”? But then I suppose if money, services (road, transportation?), and consumable goods (food, shelter?) are meaningless, then I suppose you don’t “need” anything – except maybe love (or is that a service?). Interesting, but not sure where that gets us. The bit about taxing productivity and that hurting the economy is just fantasy gibberish.
‘Disconnected? To say the least…’ - Another good post. I don’t know what the prescription is for QEn, but the stimulus did have a positive effect by stemming job losses and creating positive job growth. - I believe the real solution to the bank problem is to get rid of ‘too big to fail’ and by making banks accountable for their behavior. That’s probably not going to happen because Republicans, and some Democrats will not let it. - More job creation is still needed and the Fed can do only so much. Republicans sabotage efforts to grow jobs.
The key is that people starving don’t have all they need, obviously. What accountant doesn’t take the cost of business, including wages and taxes into account? Fire them immediately, or stop electing them anyway. They aren’t serious. If I have plenty of stupidity, and I do, I don’t care if you have more. I have all that I require. When the government, whichever wealthy and powerful entities or parties of which it may be composed, decides what I need, then I am in trouble.
Money is not goods and services. If it were, there would not be a Federal Reserve adjusting interest and manipulating inflation. Read carefully to see if any portions of the content have left out. Money is not actual wealth. It is a medium of exchange through which labors are performed without the limitations of straight barter. I can trade an hour’s labor for anything, even if the people with whom I am trading find no need for the labor I perform. Taxation raises the cost of production. That is no fantasy. People who are taxed seek increased wages. Businesses do the same. If you cannot demand higher wages to offset the cost of government, you are harmed by taxation. Simple fact. Government demands budgetary inflation of 12% per annum. Try getting that in your wages. If you can’t, you are harmed by taxation. If you are on a fixed income, you have my sympathy.
“Well Chris Matthews on MSNBS says Americans are doing FANTASTIC!
He wouldn’t be lying just to keep his position as a shill for the O administration, would he?"
to listen to you conservatives, you’d think it was the poor and the middle class in the country that were making out like bandits. in fact I’ve heard that argument made by your ilk many times.
the poor poor rich people have to carry all the load. it just isn’t fair to all the poor rich people!
“the poor poor rich people have to carry all the load. it just isn’t fair to all the poor rich people!”
Until you realize that that is where the poor people come from. They could be rich people if they were allowed to prosper. Poor people are just rich people who have been ground down by the weight of oppressive rule, whether it is a monarchy, a totalitarian dictatorship, a socialist utopia or a corporation-controlled former republic.
From recession woes to social networking, Matt Bors’ cartoons dissect and satirize the ways of the world to make readers think and laugh about the real issues affecting them.
Chip Bok by Chip Bok
Steve Breen by Steve Breen
Comments (16) (Please sign in to comment)
Uncle Joe said, 3 months ago
In other words, It’s the income distribution, stupid!
mickey1339
said, 3 months ago
At least this cartoon portrays the relationships properly. In the “old days” (pre 2009) the market was looked at as a forward looking indicator for the economy. With all of the QE (quantitative easing) that the Federal Reserve has undertaken QE1, QE2..QE-indefinitely, it has pumped billions into the financial system and Wall street can borrow for .25 % interest. So they borrow billions, turn stocks and bonds for a 2 to 3 percent profit and feed the markets with contrived activity.
Meantime, “the folks” are still buried in debt, have houses totally undervalued with mortgages that significantly exceed the market value. Add to that layoffs, higher cost of living, insurance etc and they are living paycheck to paycheck. Then we have the last frame for the homeless, chronically unemployed, mentally ill and no hope for the future. Not much of a connection to the all time highs reached by the markets. What’s ridiculous is Europe is back in recession, unemployment in Spain and Greece is as high as 25% in some areas yet their stock markets are reaching all time highs as well. Disconnected? To say the least…
ConserveGov said, 3 months ago
Well Chris Matthews on MSNBS says Americans are doing FANTASTIC!
He wouldn’t be lying just to keep his position as a shill for the O administration, would he?
BrassOrchid
said, 3 months ago
Income distribution is meaningless. Money is meaningless. Availability of consumable goods is meaningful. Availability of necessary services is meaningful. If I have all I need, I don’t care if you have more. We tax the productive and thereby reduce the ability of lenders to capitalize new business. Production decreases as interest rates rise. The Federal Reserve buries the evidence by manipulating interest and the money supply. But the harm is still done. The cost of production is increased and the cost of necessary goods and services is increased and the poor are most harmed. Raising more taxes to offset the inequity actually increases inequity. The system of the Capital controlling wealth is the Capitalism delivering the promised economic oppression it purports to eliminate.
old1953 said, 3 months ago
@BrassOrchid
You know, there isn’t a polite way to say this. That particular bit of meaninglessness has been copy/pasted, slightly modified, to virtually every message board on the internet. Why? It sounds meaningful, but as a discussion of anything it’s just sound bites masquerading as dialogue. And how many people does it take to try to start a meme, anyhow? Income distribution is meaningless? So nothing in the USA would change if we had the old Venezuelan deal of the 3000 who owned everything, and all the rest rent or starve? What accountant considers cost of production and taxes to be identical? This is just noise.
mtretter said, 3 months ago
@ConserveGov
Well you know he just keeps getting that thrill up his leg!!
masterskrain said, 3 months ago
@ConserveGov
No more then Billow Reilly and Rush lie to keep their positions as shills for the Republican National Committee!
tranquil-d
said, 3 months ago
but what if you don’t have all that you “need”? But then I suppose if money, services (road, transportation?), and consumable goods (food, shelter?) are meaningless, then I suppose you don’t “need” anything – except maybe love (or is that a service?). Interesting, but not sure where that gets us. The bit about taxing productivity and that hurting the economy is just fantasy gibberish.
braindead08 said, 3 months ago
@mickey1339
‘Disconnected? To say the least…’
-
Another good post.
I don’t know what the prescription is for QEn, but the stimulus did have a positive effect by stemming job losses and creating positive job growth.
-
I believe the real solution to the bank problem is to get rid of ‘too big to fail’ and by making banks accountable for their behavior. That’s probably not going to happen because Republicans, and some Democrats will not let it.
-
More job creation is still needed and the Fed can do only so much. Republicans sabotage efforts to grow jobs.
BrassOrchid
said, 3 months ago
@old1953
The key is that people starving don’t have all they need, obviously. What accountant doesn’t take the cost of business, including wages and taxes into account? Fire them immediately, or stop electing them anyway. They aren’t serious. If I have plenty of stupidity, and I do, I don’t care if you have more. I have all that I require. When the government, whichever wealthy and powerful entities or parties of which it may be composed, decides what I need, then I am in trouble.
BrassOrchid
said, 3 months ago
@tranquil-d
Money is not goods and services. If it were, there would not be a Federal Reserve adjusting interest and manipulating inflation. Read carefully to see if any portions of the content have left out. Money is not actual wealth. It is a medium of exchange through which labors are performed without the limitations of straight barter. I can trade an hour’s labor for anything, even if the people with whom I am trading find no need for the labor I perform. Taxation raises the cost of production. That is no fantasy. People who are taxed seek increased wages. Businesses do the same. If you cannot demand higher wages to offset the cost of government, you are harmed by taxation. Simple fact. Government demands budgetary inflation of 12% per annum. Try getting that in your wages. If you can’t, you are harmed by taxation. If you are on a fixed income, you have my sympathy.
NeoconMan said, 3 months ago
Obviously the “Standards” aren’t doing so well; they need to vote for the GOParty that will channel more money upwards to the job-creating Dows.
NeoconMan said, 3 months ago
@rightisright
rightisright said, “A fake rally by charlatans and banksters”
Nothing fake about it, I’m making millions. You’re one of those anti-free enterprize Liberals, aren’t you?
dannysixpack said, 3 months ago
ConserveGov said, 5 days ago
“Well Chris Matthews on MSNBS says Americans are doing FANTASTIC!
He wouldn’t be lying just to keep his position as a shill for the O administration, would he?"
to listen to you conservatives, you’d think it was the poor and the middle class in the country that were making out like bandits. in fact I’ve heard that argument made by your ilk many times.
the poor poor rich people have to carry all the load. it just isn’t fair to all the poor rich people!
BrassOrchid
said, 3 months ago
@dannysixpack
“the poor poor rich people have to carry all the load. it just isn’t fair to all the poor rich people!”
Until you realize that that is where the poor people come from. They could be rich people if they were allowed to prosper. Poor people are just rich people who have been ground down by the weight of oppressive rule, whether it is a monarchy, a totalitarian dictatorship, a socialist utopia or a corporation-controlled former republic.