Expect Economy Remain Sluggish Under Obama

How bad were Romney and the GOP to not be able to put out an average incumbent?

To his credit, Obama sure can push a mean campaign. Average thinker and was even meek in debating but he sure knows how to make politics fun. 

Policy wise, he's Bush Heavy.

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How divided is America really? As far as I can tell, they've given Dubya two terms and now Obama the same mandate. That's 16 years to two incumbents from each side along with divided Houses. So. I think Americans know what they're doing. I read somewhere the GOP has won a plurality once  since 1988. The thing is, 60 Minutes ran a segment about how fed up Americans are of gridlock, yet that's pretty much what they voted for.

In Massachusetts, they chugged out a guy in Scott Brown who worked across the aisle, for an ideologue in Elizabeth Warren. Was there really a reason to fire Brown? Not to mention voting for a most despicable individual in John Tierney. My friend keeps telling how smart they are in Mass. I'm not so sure.

Question: Is the concept of 'checks and balances' working?

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Just my take but so far, the conservative reaction - though thoroughly disappointed - to the loss is nowhere near as unhinged when liberals reacted with irrational vitriol after Bush's second mandate.

But liberals are the rational ones. As this article clearly shows.

I guess they didn't think to apply this to the likes of Maddow, O'Donnell and Matthews.

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If the South clings to guns and religion, does the North stick to big government? O'Neill!!

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Barack Obama exhibited little ability to creatively lead any meaningful charge on the economy. His strategy was - tax, spend, subsidize, wait, presto.

Obama spent a lotta time engaging in divisive class warfare rhetoric as well. He alienated the business class and I don't see how he can repair this. Not with the likes of Elizabeth Warren in the fold now.

I'm guessing this will be an easy 'I told you so.'

Sure there were successes - if you count corn ethanol and the auto industry as prime movers of the economy.

WSJ summarizes what's in store for business and Obama.

Look for the opportunities rather than sulk.

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Markets were down significantly - partly because of Europe and increasingly businesses cutting jobs and hours to prepare for Obamacare - but also the election results for a couple of days now. Americans voted for the status quo and markets don't like the uncertainty. Right now, the markets are retrenching signalling they don't think Obama is good for business.


I'm gonna go out on a limb and say all major economic indicators (growth especially) will be sluggish to inconsistent the next little while - perhaps his whole term.

Unless the financial equivalent of 'Sandy' comes in and helps him out.

Right now, I'm bearish.

Obama has made clear the system is rigged and needs to be made "right." The question is does he have the remedy?

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If you own investments and voted for Obama, congrats, you just made your path to prosperity that much harder as tax on investment income (capital gains and dividends) is poised to rise - if the Bush tax cuts expire.

I always tell friends and family (most have much at stake in terms of investment), stop voting against your financial interest.

In the end that matters more than fucking Big Bird.

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Will Liberals say, "but half the country didn't vote for Obama!" like they do up here only it's "66% of Canadians didn't vote for Harper!"

Of course not.

Irrational thing to say to begin with.

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Someone made the point that African-Americans basically closed ranks with Obama and wondered why this is not "racist?"

The other person replied, "if Andrew Cuomo was running wouldn't Italians vote for him?"

I interjected and said, maybe 50 years ago. No longer I think. I know if a left-wing Italian runs for office, I ain't voting for him. It's gonna take more than a couple of shared tribal O's in our names to get me to support you.

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