The Labor department reports that our official unemployment rate has risen to 9.9% and the official “underemployment” rate is now at 17.1%. Not to worry though, because according to some, this is a very positive sign of recovery.

When panic grips the trading floor, things can get really ugly, really fast.

Since we really don’t know what happened here, we’d caution those holding stock positions to set tight stops in case this wasn’t an accident.

If Mr. Madsen’s assessment of the BP oil spill, the government’s response and motivations, and the oil spills economic effects are even remotely accurate, then we have a very serious problem developing.

Regardless of how the media and our public officials spin it, there can be no jobless recovery, because without jobs (production), there can be no spending (consumption). Monopoly money from the Federal Reserve can only go so far.

There’s a stark difference in how the media is reporting on rallies across the country. Of course, if you’re at the right rally, you get great coverage.

It seems that the American flag comes second to some of those enjoying the very rights that tens of thousands have died to protect.

It’s no secret that our best and brightest are a bit misguided (some would say brainwashed), and it’s because they’re only getting half of the story (ok, maybe like 1/100th of the story).

While we do not condone violence against the public, law enforcement or the US government, we have yet to see any clear evidence that any attacks were imminent.

This is what happens when the government nationalizes the banks that control the mortgage market. A government, for whatever reason, can then force the population to either buy, tell people where to buy, and how much to pay, depending on the whims of politicians.