Divide, Conquer, Plunder, Persevere

Picture is Lindsey Lohan as Marilyn Monroe

Pathetic news:

Among all Americans, 19% approve of the way Bush is handling his job as president and 77% disapprove. source

That's a record low. Its more than is deserved. 98% of that floundering 19% have lost out under Bush whether or not they would admit it or even understand it.

Gossip news: McCain had an affair! Vicki Iseman? Not something I want to think about, but it does make McCain seem more human. One would suspect that this information is being revealed now so that we all forget about it by November. Most will have forgotten by the end of the week.

Money news: The rising price of oil is a big part of our newest inflation. Its interesting to remember that a one part of our financial solvency is dependent on big oil companies. If the world's energy needs were met by renewable resources, how would that solvency and stability change. I don't have an answer but its a reasonable question.

Anyone else having trouble adjusting to the resale wonder bread and generic peanut butter and generic jelly diet.

BBC: US inflation may stall rate cuts

US consumer prices rose by 0.4% in January, official figures show, more than many analysts had forecast.

Separate data showed that the US housing market was still experiencing problems, with construction indicators hovering near their lowest levels since 1991.

Neil Mellor at Bank of New York Mellon said the inflation data could raise fresh fears of stagflation - rising prices and stagnant growth.

There is an emotional element in the mix. I would propose that it is the stagnation of the Bush administration that greatly affects the economy. When the dominant emotional theme of an administration is the enhancement of fear, how do people respond over a seven year period.

We need new terminology to describe when a president causes emotional stagnation in the citizens - executive stagmotion syndrome?

BBC: US economy at a glance

The US economy, a $15 trillion giant which makes up 25% of the world economy, is in trouble, and could drag down world growth.

The US economy is also facing significant inflationary pressures because of record oil prices...

...unemployment is higher than it was at the end of the last boom in the l990s.

In the longer term, costs will rise as more people claim social security and Medicare payments as the Baby Boomer generation reaches retirement.

Will I ever see a dime in social security? This is a big concern especially since I began contributing to SS since way back in 1967, meaning I have contributed for over forty years and still have 8 or 11 years to go.

Regaring the inflationary aspect of the price of oil, the news tells the story.

MSNBC: Crude oil prices retreat after record close - After spike to a close above $100, crude may continue to climb

Oil prices pulled back a bit Wednesday after finishing above $100 a barrel for the first time a day earlier as investors seized on a refinery explosion and the possibility that OPEC may cut its output.

Yes the elusive $100 mark was fondled. Its only a matter of time before foreplay leads to unmitigated uncontrollable rapture.

AP: Fed forecasts inflation, unemployment

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday lowered its projection for economic growth this year, citing damage from the double blows of a housing slump and credit crunch. It said it also expects higher unemployment and inflation.

Oil prices on Tuesday jumped to a new record — topping $100 a barrel. Consumer prices, meanwhile, rose by a bigger-than-expected 0.4 percent in January, according to new government figures released Wednesday

The following tragic article should be read with great caution and care. People place great amounts of their well being on money, its simple. The article points to drug use as the reason for suicide but what is behind the drug use. I would suggest that it is a gnawing sense of sinking in an economic anxiety ocean. In spite of the economic difficulty, our value as people goes way beyond money, regardless of how much you have or do not have. This is too sad.

NYT: Midlife Suicide Rises, Puzzling Researchers

A new five-year analysis of the nation’s death rates recently released...found that the suicide rate among 45-to-54-year-olds increased nearly 20 percent from 1999 to 2004, the latest year studied, far outpacing changes in nearly every other age group.

For women 45 to 54, the rate leapt 31 percent.

At the moment, the prime suspect is the skyrocketing use — and abuse — of prescription drugs.