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Seven Devastating Economic Facts
« on: January 17, 2014, 07:07:40 pm »
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/01/15/7-Devastating-Economic-Facts

 by Wynton Hall 17 Jan 2014, 7:59 AM PDT

U.S. economic conditions in 2014 continue to languish, as millions of Americans remain jobless. Seven economic facts underscore America’s increasingly dire economic outlook.

1. A Record 91.8 Million Americans Are No Longer in the Workforce

The latest Labor Department figures reveal that a record 91.8 million Americans are no longer in the U.S. labor force. To be included in the Labor Department's calculations for this statistic, a person must be 16 years or older, a civilian, not in an institution (such as prison), and someone who has not looked for a job in the last four weeks.

Minorities have been hit especially hard. As Dean Baker of the Center for Economic and Policy Research noted to PBS, last month’s jobs report also saw “the lowest rate of labor force participation among African-American men since we have kept that count. So that was really striking.”

According to the U.S. Census, 317 million people live in the United States.

2. Since Jan. 2009, the Number of Jobless Working-Age Americans Has Risen 9.6 Million People

As Michael Snyder notes:

Quote
The number of working age Americans that do not have a job has increased by nearly 10 million since Barack Obama first entered the White House. In January 2009, the number of "officially unemployed" workers plus the number of Americans "not in the labor force" was sitting at a grand total of 92.6 million. Today, that number has risen to 102.2 million. That means that the number of working age Americans that are not working has grown by close to 10 million since Barack Obama first took office.

3.  47.4 Million Americans Now Rely on Food Stamps

The Department of Agriculture, which oversees the food stamp program, says that 47,415,895 Americans – roughly one out of every six Americans – now receives food stamps. Indeed, for the last fifteen consecutive months, the number of individuals has consistently stayed above 47 million, a first in U.S. history.

Food stamp enrollments, which are considered an indicator of economic distress, have skyrocketed in recent years as the Obama administration has loosened eligibility requirements and aggressively promoted enrollments. In January 2009, 31.9 million people received food stamps.

4. A Record 10.98 Million Americans Now Receive Disability Checks

Social Security data reveal that a record 10,988,269 Americans now receive a monthly check for an average $1,146.43. Several recent studies and investigations have revealed that the nation’s disability program is rife with fraud and abuse.

When health care for disabled workers is included, U.S. taxpayers now spend $260 billion a year funding the disability program – a figure that exceeds the amount spent on food stamps and welfare combined.

5.  Nearly One in Three Americans Fell into Poverty Between 2009-2011

A new Census Bureau report released last week found that 31.6% of Americans fell beneath the federal poverty line for at least two months between 2009 to 2011, a 4.5% increase over the 2005 to 2007 period.

6.  42% of Americans Believe Themselves Worse Off Financially than a Year Ago

Gallup on Wednesday released its latest “Mood of the Nation” poll that found that 42% of Americans say they are worse off financially than they were a year ago, a number that has grown over the last two years.

7. U.S. Debt Now Stands at over $17.3 Trillion

America’s federal debt explosion continues unabated. In Jan. 2009, the national debt was $10.626 trillion. Today, America’s national debt stands at over $17,300,000,000,000.
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Offline olde north church

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Re: Seven Devastating Economic Facts
« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2014, 09:42:58 pm »
Quick question on food programs, food stamps, WIC, whatever:
How many farmers, family farm or agribusiness are receiving Agri subsidies?
Why?  Well, because I'm a bastard, that's why.

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Re: Seven Devastating Economic Facts
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2014, 10:50:31 pm »
Quick question on food programs, food stamps, WIC, whatever:
How many farmers, family farm or agribusiness are receiving Agri subsidies?

Too many.  Also, what about other indirect price supports, like the sugar import quotas that keep the price of sugar artificially high in the US?

Offline olde north church

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Re: Seven Devastating Economic Facts
« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2014, 11:18:27 pm »
Too many.  Also, what about other indirect price supports, like the sugar import quotas that keep the price of sugar artificially high in the US?

So we'll demonize people who are getting a couple hundred bucks a month to fill bellies while multiple millions go people to grow a crop, that would grow anyway, get a pass?  Brilliant.  Just brilliant.
« Last Edit: January 17, 2014, 11:19:20 pm by olde north church »
Why?  Well, because I'm a bastard, that's why.

Offline Rapunzel

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Re: Seven Devastating Economic Facts
« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2014, 02:59:58 am »
So we'll demonize people who are getting a couple hundred bucks a month to fill bellies while multiple millions go people to grow a crop, that would grow anyway, get a pass?  Brilliant.  Just brilliant.

First of all it is more than a couple of hundred dollars a month and it is being greatly abused.....

Second do you know what started the farming subsidies?  It started because the government wanted farmer to NOT grow food so they paid them to let their crops go fallow.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/businessdesk/2009/08/why-does-the-govt-pay-farmers.html

Like just about every boondoggle in this society the problem always goes back to big government not allowing the free market to work...... and this includes feeding the poor - churches used to take up that chore along with soup kitchens, etc... if a person is poor and cannot afford food then by all means feed them - but the current method is nothing but a big scam.
�The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves.� G Washington July 2, 1776

Offline olde north church

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Re: Seven Devastating Economic Facts
« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2014, 03:12:15 am »
First of all it is more than a couple of hundred dollars a month and it is being greatly abused.....

Second do you know what started the farming subsidies?  It started because the government wanted farmer to NOT grow food so they paid them to let their crops go fallow.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/businessdesk/2009/08/why-does-the-govt-pay-farmers.html

Like just about every boondoggle in this society the problem always goes back to big government not allowing the free market to work...... and this includes feeding the poor - churches used to take up that chore along with soup kitchens, etc... if a person is poor and cannot afford food then by all means feed them - but the current method is nothing but a big scam.

It's easy to target those without lawyers, it's like ripping the wings off of flies.  No, I don't support paying the able bodied either.
Why?  Well, because I'm a bastard, that's why.

Offline Rapunzel

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Re: Seven Devastating Economic Facts
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2014, 03:18:03 am »
It's easy to target those without lawyers, it's like ripping the wings off of flies.  No, I don't support paying the able bodied either.

We paying able-bodied and we are sending food stamps to Mexico. Yes. Mexico. In the Ryan/Murray budget they cut the military veterans promised benefits and put in food stamps for Mexico........ 

In addition in Appalachia a woman was sent down by Vilsack to sign up people for food stamps. You see in Applachia people are proud and have always made do without taking freebies from the government - but the government decided these people really, really needed food stamps so they sent this woman down there to sign them up...... she was so agressive that she ended up winning an award from her government agency....... now that wasn't enough they also worked with Telemundo and a few other Spanish=speaking stationa and developed a script for Spanish soap opera telling everyone to sign up for food stamps - and telling how easy it is to get food stamps.... oh and there is people like "surfer dude" in California who drives a brand new SUV, doesn't work (for a paying job) and gets food stamps and brags about buying lobster to feed himself and his buddies.....
�The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves.� G Washington July 2, 1776

Offline olde north church

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Re: Seven Devastating Economic Facts
« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2014, 03:20:29 am »
We paying able-bodied and we are sending food stamps to Mexico. Yes. Mexico. In the Ryan/Murray budget they cut the military veterans promised benefits and put in food stamps for Mexico........ 

In addition in Appalachia a woman was sent down by Vilsack to sign up people for food stamps. You see in Applachia people are proud and have always made do without taking freebies from the government - but the government decided these people really, really needed food stamps so they sent this woman down there to sign them up...... she was so agressive that she ended up winning an award from her government agency....... now that wasn't enough they also worked with Telemundo and a few other Spanish=speaking stationa and developed a script for Spanish soap opera telling everyone to sign up for food stamps - and telling how easy it is to get food stamps.... oh and there is people like "surfer dude" in California who drives a brand new SUV, doesn't work (for a paying job) and gets food stamps and brags about buying lobster to feed himself and his buddies.....

I would rather assistance go to the poor than to Agribusiness.
Why?  Well, because I'm a bastard, that's why.

Offline Rapunzel

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Re: Seven Devastating Economic Facts
« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2014, 03:24:21 am »
I would rather assistance go to the poor than to Agribusiness.

I would rather we didn't do either....  the so-called "poor" are milking this system for all it's worth - many are making more money off all their freebies and assistance than you or I...... and making a lot of money under the table for CASH........   it is disgusting to see the Medicaid (FREE HEALTHCARE) patient show up driving new SUV's sporting fancy rings, expensive tattoos, and most have big screen TV's and cell phones (which we pay for, too)....... why get a job when the government will take care of you courtesy of you and me... at least the farmers work from sun up to sun down..........  I think everyone on welfare should have to clean graffittii, clean trash along roads, and a host of other things... free should NEVER be free........
�The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves.� G Washington July 2, 1776

Offline olde north church

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Re: Seven Devastating Economic Facts
« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2014, 03:56:05 am »
I would rather we didn't do either....  the so-called "poor" are milking this system for all it's worth - many are making more money off all their freebies and assistance than you or I...... and making a lot of money under the table for CASH........   it is disgusting to see the Medicaid (FREE HEALTHCARE) patient show up driving new SUV's sporting fancy rings, expensive tattoos, and most have big screen TV's and cell phones (which we pay for, too)....... why get a job when the government will take care of you courtesy of you and me... at least the farmers work from sun up to sun down..........  I think everyone on welfare should have to clean graffittii, clean trash along roads, and a host of other things... free should NEVER be free........

I've been noticing a trend on Drudge lately, the "disabled", the "poor", the "illegal" have become targets.  LASER like focus on people without anyone to speak for them.  Well, we'll take the "illegal" out of the equation.  They don't belong here.  They take their chances.
The "disabled"?  Yeah, there is an huge pool of cripples from Augusta, Maine to Zamora, California, working under the table, not paying taxes, smoking cigars and laughing all the way to casinos and massage parlors.
The poor?  Not the SUV driving poor, the other 90% of the poor who are probably mentally ill, mentally challenged, untrainable for whatever reason poor.  Are you supposed to have this kind of poor clean graffiti after most of them work a 40 to 50 hour week and another 2 hours in transit?
After the Roman soldier with the ill servant and temptation in the wilderness, my next favorite parable is the one about the poor woman who gave 2 copper coins at the temple.  Yeah, some people are taking advantage of the system.  If 50% are taking advantage, that's still 50% who need assistance.  Even it's 90% who are taking advantage, it's 10% of a big number who in trouble.  We don't like when it's the 5% or 10% who lose their health care plane we are going to accept 10,000,000 fellow Americans who are going to bed hungry, unsheltered, unclothed?  Oh, yeah, there's "the Churches".  That's good for people who are somewhat with the program.  Is it good enough for someone who can't navigate the "real" world?
Not good enough for me.  I'll hire who I can.  Help who I can.  Serve who I can.
Why?  Well, because I'm a bastard, that's why.

Offline Rapunzel

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Re: Seven Devastating Economic Facts
« Reply #10 on: January 18, 2014, 04:16:23 am »
Then you do what was done for generations and generations... charities and churches care for those truly in need..... not the government...   and the mentally ill are walking around because of the government - Jimmy Carter to be blunt......  so there again the government is the problem, not the answer.  Truly disabled receive SS Disability benefits - unfortunately it, too, is being badly abused.
�The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves.� G Washington July 2, 1776

Offline olde north church

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Re: Seven Devastating Economic Facts
« Reply #11 on: January 18, 2014, 04:32:19 am »
Then you do what was done for generations and generations... charities and churches care for those truly in need..... not the government...   and the mentally ill are walking around because of the government - Jimmy Carter to be blunt......  so there again the government is the problem, not the answer.  Truly disabled receive SS Disability benefits - unfortunately it, too, is being badly abused.

The last time I was at Mass, about 25 years ago, there was a young lady who was pregnant or just delivered a baby and was being taken care of by the parish.  That I liked.  Then they had another young lady reading from the Bible at the altar in front of the group.  I got up and walked out, never to return.
Why?  Well, because I'm a bastard, that's why.

Offline Rapunzel

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Re: Seven Devastating Economic Facts
« Reply #12 on: January 18, 2014, 04:39:40 am »
The last time I was at Mass, about 25 years ago, there was a young lady who was pregnant or just delivered a baby and was being taken care of by the parish.  That I liked.  Then they had another young lady reading from the Bible at the altar in front of the group.  I got up and walked out, never to return.

What did you expect in a church... if not bible reading. We go to church for scripture.  I don't know what you real issue is with religion and God and it's none of my business, but frankly with your recent medical history I would think you would be wanting to get right with the man upstairs. 

I don't know if you read the story I posted in news two days ago about the woman who was going to have an abortion when a woman among a group of church protestors outside the clinic drew here attention and she talked to her - found out through this woman there was a LOT of help for her (something the abortion people - governmnent funded - never told her)....... she ended up opting out of the abortion, the church woman helped her and even said she would adopt the baby if it came to that... well the woman had not one, but two and is fast friends with the woman from the church who helped her and she is over the moon that she found help from these religious people and had her babies... oh and they are still helping her...   Government would have had her abort these beautiful babies.  The church people saved the babies lives and gave their mother a new lease on her life.
�The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves.� G Washington July 2, 1776

Offline Cincinnatus

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Re: Seven Devastating Economic Facts
« Reply #13 on: January 18, 2014, 04:42:47 am »
Quote
Obamacare will change the way Multnomah County pays for jail inmates' medical treatment

Quote
Backers have promoted the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion as a way to reduce health care costs for many Americans.

Multnomah County officials expect national health care reform to cut the county's medical bills, too.

By enrolling jail inmates in nationally subsidized healthcare -- best known as "Obamacare" to both the President and his critics -- the county could bill the federal government for the cost of providing some of them medical care.

County health department officials briefed Multnomah County commissioners on the issue this week.

In addition to saving the county money, enrolling inmates in Obamacare would also mean a significant percentage will now have insurance when their jail stay is done.

The county's corrections health care team has begun a push to enroll jail inmates in Medicaid or other forms of coverage. Seven "eligibility specialists" began working this week to help inmates complete their insurance applications, and they signed 22 inmates up for continuing care during their first day on the job.

County health officials say they hope to create a "warm handoff" from in-custody care to civilian care. Often, uninsured inmates who can't afford medical bills forego treatment once they are released from jail.

"The jail is the primary place where many inmates receive care, and we are trying very hard to change that, said Nancy Griffith, the county's director of corrections health.

National jail standards require governing bodies to provide healthcare for inmates. Historically, the cost has fallen upon the local government running the jail.

Multnomah County pays to provide mental health, dental, and medical care to 35,000 inmates yearly, at a cost of $15.7 million to the county, county spokeswoman Julie Sullivan said.

Under the Affordable Care Act, the county will still be responsible for funding in-jail care of inmates who are on Medicaid, but the county could bill Medicaid for inmates' hospital trips of longer than 24 hours. That alone could bring a savings of $1 million annually.

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2014/01/obamacare_will_change_the_way_1.html

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Offline olde north church

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Re: Seven Devastating Economic Facts
« Reply #14 on: January 18, 2014, 05:07:07 am »
What did you expect in a church... if not bible reading. We go to church for scripture.  I don't know what you real issue is with religion and God and it's none of my business, but frankly with your recent medical history I would think you would be wanting to get right with the man upstairs. 

I don't know if you read the story I posted in news two days ago about the woman who was going to have an abortion when a woman among a group of church protestors outside the clinic drew here attention and she talked to her - found out through this woman there was a LOT of help for her (something the abortion people - governmnent funded - never told her)....... she ended up opting out of the abortion, the church woman helped her and even said she would adopt the baby if it came to that... well the woman had not one, but two and is fast friends with the woman from the church who helped her and she is over the moon that she found help from these religious people and had her babies... oh and they are still helping her...   Government would have had her abort these beautiful babies.  The church people saved the babies lives and gave their mother a new lease on her life.

Had not a problem with the Bible or the reading.  Problem was a woman reading from the Bible.  I'm fine with the deity.
Why?  Well, because I'm a bastard, that's why.

Offline Rapunzel

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Re: Seven Devastating Economic Facts
« Reply #15 on: January 18, 2014, 05:16:05 am »
Had not a problem with the Bible or the reading.  Problem was a woman reading from the Bible.  I'm fine with the deity.

A woman???? 
�The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves.� G Washington July 2, 1776

Offline Cincinnatus

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Re: Seven Devastating Economic Facts
« Reply #16 on: January 18, 2014, 05:54:54 am »
Quick question on food programs, food stamps, WIC, whatever:
How many farmers, family farm or agribusiness are receiving Agri subsidies?

Maybe a better question would be how many people who don't really farm at all are getting subsidies:

Quote
Millions in farm subsidies flow freely to DC residents who don't actually farm

Quote
Washington, D.C., doesn't have many farms, or farmers. Yet thousands of residents in and around the nation's capital receive millions of dollars every year in federal farm subsidies, including working-class residents in Southeast, wealthy lobbyists on K Street and well-connected lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

In neighboring Chevy Chase, Md., one of the nation's wealthiest communities, lawyers, lobbyists and at least one psychologist collected nearly $342,000 in taxpayer farm subsidies between 2008 and 2011, according to the watchdog group Open the Books.

Taxpayer subsidies were also paid out to Gerald Cassidy, the founder of one of Washington's most powerful lobbying firms, Cassidy & Associates; Charlie Stenholm, a former congressman; and Chuck Grassley, a Republican senator from Iowa. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack continues to receive subsides even though he has overseen the agency that pays them since 2009.

All of it is entirely legal," said Adam Andrzejewski, founder of Open the Books, a group that created an online database and mobile app to track the subsidies.

The Department of Agriculture awarded nearly $178 billion in farm subsidies between 1995 and 2012, and another $39 billion in conservation subsidies, according to a second watchdog group, the Environmental Working Group.

Taxpayer subsidies to U.S. farmers predate the Great Depression, but the program has seen few reforms over the years and is now "out of control," Andrzejewski said. Billions once spent to keep family farms from going under now go mainly to agribusiness giants, like Monsanto and ADM, and to wealthy landowners who have never farmed.

The big-city farm subsidies show that savvy landowners are legally maximizing a return on their real estate investments at the expense of taxpayers, Andrzejewski said. They buy land, hire a farm manager and collect a check from the federal government, he said.

http://washingtonexaminer.com/millions-in-farm-subsidies-flow-freely-to-dc-residents-who-dont-actually-farm/article/2542174?utm_campaign=Fox News&utm_source=foxnews.com&utm_medium=feed
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Offline olde north church

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Re: Seven Devastating Economic Facts
« Reply #17 on: January 18, 2014, 10:40:36 am »
A woman????

I don't recall any Apostles name of Ethel.
Why?  Well, because I'm a bastard, that's why.