Category Archives: economic collapse

‘Job creation’ behind closed doors

Posted on March 7, 2012 by oddmanout215

How comforting that Barack Obama was scheduled to have another closed-door meeting last night with CEOs from America’s largest companies. Did he talk to them about job creation? Did he go so far as to urge them to “start hiring,” … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, Great Recession, humor, mainstream media, Obama, The New Depression | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Greenspan’s legacy is Ayn Rand’s

Posted on March 1, 2012 by oddmanout215

A new book by Gary Weiss details Ayn Rand’s profound influence on generations of right-wing ideologues. Her most prominent contemporary acolyte might be the smug U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, whose goals include abolishing Medicare and Social Security. However, I’m guessing … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, fiction, Great Recession, The New Depression | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Class warfare? It’s only just begun

Posted on February 26, 2012 by oddmanout215

I should change my name to Ed Anger. Or Joe Jeremiad. I’m disgusted that the robber barons who rule the GOP were able, with much help from the corporate media, to push into the language the catchphrase “right to work,” … Continue reading →

Posted in David Brooks, economic collapse, globalization, Great Recession, mainstream media, Mitt Romney, New York Times, The New Depression | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Serfin’ USA (the new feudalism)

Posted on February 22, 2012 by oddmanout215

Did Cameron Diaz go under the knife? Will the stars of Hangover 3 score big pay increases? These are the questions that try journalists’ souls. Meanwhile, in another world, in a piece called “Is Market Capitalism Dead?,” Columbia Prof. Thomas … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, globalization, mainstream media, Mitt Romney, New York Times, unemployment, Wall Street, world-wide economy | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Mitt, they see right through you

Posted on February 15, 2012 by oddmanout215

Gertrude Stein’s famous quotation — “There is no there, there” — is as good a way an any to describe Mitt Romney, who can’t seem to make a public statement without lying and/or contradicting himself. A Huffington Post story explains … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, Great Recession, liar, Mitt Romney, The New Depression, unemployment | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

CivilWarLand in bad denial

Posted on February 12, 2012 by oddmanout215

A must-read piece in today’s New York Times focuses on the declining fortunes of Chisago County, near Minneapolis, and examines an interesting paradox: The government safety net was created to keep Americans from abject poverty, but the poorest households no … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, Great Recession, mainstream media, Mitt Romney, New York Times, Occupy Wall Street, The New Depression, unemployment | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Don’t trust MSNBC, either

Posted on February 11, 2012 by oddmanout215

What, if anything, did the federal government’s $25 billion “mortgage settlement” deal with the big banks do to help people who lost their homes, or are on the verge of losing them because of deceptive practices by the banks? The … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, Great Recession, mainstream media, Obama, The New Depression | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Reagan’s wrecking crew

Posted on February 10, 2012 by oddmanout215

Where would America be without the two-term presidency of Ronald Reagan? Answering this question, Charles P. Pierce addressed the ghost of the Gipper on his 101st birthday: …You did more than anyone else to demolish the notion of a political … Continue reading →

Posted in campaign finance reform, economic collapse, Great Depression, liar, The New Depression | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Half-truths about the job market

Posted on February 7, 2012 by oddmanout215

Last week, news outlets were buzzing with happy talk about a dip in the unemployment rate in November. The problem is, anyone living in the real world knows that good jobs — i.e., jobs that pay well, or at least … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, Great Recession, mainstream media, The New Depression, unemployment | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Poe at the billionaires’ bash

Posted on February 1, 2012 by oddmanout215

Bill Moyers and William Winship commenting on the arrogance of “imperial swells” who throw grand parties to congratulate themselves on their great wealth: This one occurred here in Manhattan at the annual black-tie dinner and induction ceremony for Kappa Beta … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, fiction, Goldman Sachs, history, humor, New York Times, Occupy Wall Street, Wall Street | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment