Uncategorized
Hiring by Private Sector, Offset by Government Layoff
by Don Azarias
October 30, 2010
There’s no relief in sight for the economic crisis that’s being exacerbated by weak hiring by private sector in September and the unrelenting layoffs of federal, state, municipal and other local government workers in nearly three decades. While companies added an estimated 75,000 jobs last month, it’s hardly enough to bring much relief to the nation’s 15 million unemployed. The government layoff resulted in a net loss of 95,000 jobs. It seems like the die is cast for the majority of the incumbent Democratic lawmakers facing the midterm elections. However, congressional Republicans should not be too overconfident of their chances because majority of the American voters are calling for the heads of almost all incumbent lawmakers regardless of party affiliation. Continue reading
No COLA for Social Security Recipients in 2011
by Don Azarias
October 22, 2010
As a prelude to my column, I just found out that there are some people who are not aware that the federal government is using Social Security funds, not currently being used to pay recipients’ benefits, to finance other government spending. Continue reading
Health Care Reform Will Cover More But Cost More
by Don Azarias
October 15, 2010
According to those independent and neutral experts, President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul law is getting panned by Republicans (who else?), pundits and critics and, of course, by Democrats who are afraid of losing in the midterm elections. In their first comprehensive look, they are in accord that more Americans will be covered, but costs are also going up. Except for Obama and Democrats, almost everyone agrees that costs, indeed, will be going up. Continue reading
Lowest Marks Ever On Obama’s Handling Of The Economy
by Don Azarias
October 8, 2010
According to a recent poll conducted by Associated Press-GfK, President Barack Obama’s approval rating is at its lowest point ever on his handling of the economy. The majority of American voters have the same opinion in describing the economic and financial outlook as poor. Continue reading
Investors Wary Of Volatile Stock Market
by Don Azarias
October 1, 2010
With the stock market on a roller coaster ride on Wall Street, investors, big and small, are leery putting their money on individual stocks and skeptical that the market, in the midst of a stubborn recession, will regain it’s bullishness anytime soon. Continue reading
No Easy Fix For Sluggish Economic Recovery
Sept 24, 2010
by Don Azarias
A couple of months ago, a friend of mine from the cyberspace who loves to invest in the stock market made a friendly bet with me that the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) would be up to 11000 or 12000 by this time. Basing my calculations on the results of leading economic indicators, I decided to be cautious and told him that the DJIA would stay between 9500 and a little over 10000 during the same period. And to be honest with you, I was hoping that he was right. However, at the rate the economy is faring, I’m beginning to think that our bet will end up in a draw. The DJIA is currently between 10000 and 11000. Whatever the outcome, it’s something worth rejoicing because it’s not really as bad as most economists and analysts have predicted. Continue reading
Raymart Santiago reunites with Gelli – in a show
Sept 24, 2010
Former sweethearts Raymart Santiago and Gelli de Belen are re-uniting.
No, not for love, but for a show, the series called “Bantatay.”
They will star in the series 15 years after their last project together. Continue reading
Unemployment Level Highest In Nine Months As Layoffs Persist
Sept 18, 2010
by Don Azarias
The economy continues its downward tailspin as employers start laying off workers again as the economic recovery weakens. The latest number of people applying for unemployment benefits reached the half-million mark for the first time since November. Continue reading
Obama, the Democrats and U.S. Debts
Sept 12, 2010
by Don Azarias
For your information, China is now the largest holder of U.S. Debts. It now owns the bragging rights as the largest creditor to the most powerful country in the planet. China now owns nearly $1 out of every $10 in U.S. public debt. While the United States is also largely indebted to Japan, Russia (yes, Russia), Britain, India and the European Union, it is also heavily indebted to public entities and to domestic and international private individual investors and institutions. But analysts said China’s holdings are so vast that the existence of a larger… Continue reading
Recovery Loses Steam As Consumers Cut Spending
Sept 3, 2010
by Don Azarias
The Commerce Department said the gross do mestic product (GDP), which serves as the barometer to measure economic growth, grew at an annual pace of 2.4 percent from April to June. That’s less than the 2.5 percent economists polled by Thomson Reuters had forecast. The report confirmed investors’ belief that the… Continue reading