Friday, May 8, 2009

Zero Hedge: Of Mice And Men

Zero Hedge: Of Mice And Men

Why the stress test is good and we should all stop worrying. Not really.

Table A-12. Alternative measures of labor underutilization

Table A-12. Alternative measures of labor underutilization
U3 hits 8.9%, looks like we cross the 9% by next month. Unless we start to see a slow down we are only 4 months from 10%.
Good News U6 slowed it rate of climb. But it still at 15.8.
Other bad news is growth is all public sector. So we are losing tax payers and gain tax supported jobs.

Hot Air » Blog Archive » More madman management: Feds to pressure TARP CEOs to resign?

Hot Air » Blog Archive » More madman management: Feds to pressure TARP CEOs to resign?

Now we can call him El President not just President. As he is using much more force than Bush did with the Bankers. Right or Wrong this will end badly.

The Market Ticker

The Market Ticker
A rather fun take on the bond markets. Problems ahead.

US House Passes Bill To Probe Financial Crisis

US House Passes Bill To Probe Financial Crisis

In somewhat shocking news, we are going to a Pechora like commission from the 30's. Should be fun to watch. If we can get the same quality as the 9/11 commission maybe it will do some good.

martin armstrong

martin armstrong
So the government wins round 1 by strong arming all parties.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Chrysler won't repay federal bailout 'loans' - May. 5, 2009

Chrysler won't repay federal bailout 'loans' - May. 5, 2009

In news that is a shock to know one, Chrylser will not repay $7 Billion in taxpayer dollars it got. Guess that bridge help someone? Or did Bush's Team just use it to push the problem to Obama?

Stress Tests: What's That Light? - The Market Ticker

Stress Tests: What's That Light? - The Market Ticker

Excellent take on what is going on. Once again this site is exterme on the bullishness but things look kinds of bad.

American Express Still Going Nuts Cutting Off Customers

http://www.businessinsider.com/american-express-still-going-nuts-cutting-customers-off-2009-5#comment-49fee80a4b54379700db479d

This is a key reason AMEX must be in Deep trouble. I have three cards and use them for business travel. Have never missed or been late on payments. Each month I charge about 50% of the total credit limit. In six months they have cut the credit limits on all my cards by 75%. I called after they cut me again this weekend and the phone person person says there is note on my account they don't like my debt level on my house so they are lowering my credit line! I said what does that have to do with my Amex or with the fact I have been a solid customer for 15 years? Just our new policy. So I decided to cancel all my cards. I have a Citi card as well and plan to shift all business to it. I also have around 20 co-workers who have Amex cards and they have been though the same thing. I can only concluded Amex is suffering serious loses and is pulling all stops to try and stop it. So if you business plan is to get rid of all customers how will you make money?

Chrysler in doomsday jobs warning

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/279096cc-3679-11de-af40-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1
So we gamble now. Up to 300,000 jobs are at stake, those would be just direct losees.
If we end up in liquation we could be talking 600,000 or more in job loses.