The initial results from Black Friday show overall spending up by one half a percent, and consumers spending 8 percent less than last year. The effect on Black Friday retail sales should come as no surprise with the unemployment rate at at a 26 year high, and economists projecting this figure to hold: (Bloomberg)“The economy is recovering, but at a distinctly subpar pace,” Jan Hatzius, chief U.S. economist at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. in New York, said in a note to clients. “Growth looks too s... Read Full Story

Democrats in the Congressare putting together a job stimulus package – legislators expect to get that to Obama’s desk by January 2010. It is unknown at this time, how much of the stimulus would fall under deficit spending. According to the Los Angeles Times, it is a matter of urgency to get this stimulus passed:Having been preoccupied with passing a health care bill, the White House is eager to demonstrate it is sensitive to the economic hardship Americans face. To that end, the White House... Read Full Story

Yesterday, Massachusetts Governor, Democrat Deval Patrick, cut funds for veterans, which had previously been approved by the legislature. The reason given was that these medical services are covered “elsewhere” either through Medicare or private insurance carriers. However, most of those policies offer partial coverage, leaving those veterans using the services, liable for the balance - in many cases, balances that they are unable to afford. Apparently, the Govenor has more concern with p... Read Full Story

Controvery over Abortion: Bishop Tobin and Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) image: CNAFromThe Boston Globe: A recent forum on Boston’s Public Television WBGH between Democrat Senate Candidates; touched on the subject of the rift between Rhode Island Congressional Representative, Patrick Kennedy, and the Bishop of Rhode Island Thomas Tobin. Tobin had asked Kennedy to refrain from participating in the Sacrament of Communion, a decision made over Kennedy’s support for federally funded abortions in the Hea... Read Full Story

Although the Health Care Reform bill currently before the Senate will be modified several times prior to a final vote; the current version does not deliver adequate coverage and or cost savings for consumers according to an AP report released today. The rush to push the bill through the Senate lately, has less to do with the populace, rather it is being eyes as a political tool, by both major parties. Some Democrats are pushing the bill through for “Obama”, making sure the President is not se... Read Full Story

Barney Frank (D-MA)4th District - Points the Way to More Taxes -image: stand up for AmericaHR 4130, entitled “Share the Sacrifice Act of 2010”, allows for an increase in Federal Income Tax to those earning as little as $22,600 per year in 2011. The Act is intended to offset the costs for the escalation in the Afghan War - the apparent surtax would be “necessary” in order to allow the current revenue levels to pay for the trillion dollar Health Care Reform Act, now before the Senate. In a Cong... Read Full Story

The decision by the Obama Administration to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, mastermind of the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington, has come under fire from both Republicans and Democrats – giving the impression that politics trumps reason. From New York’s embattled Governor, Democrat David Patterson to Republican’s in the Senate, agree in strong opposition to trying enemy combatants who were not captured nor held on U.S. soil, for a war crime committed against the United States. Pundits are w... Read Full Story

Deval Patrick with Barack Obama - Tax and Spend image msnbcAs the Nation, lately, is most likely to follow Massachusetts’ lead in matters of economic chaos (see Massachusetts Universal Health Care Debacle), Democrat Governor, Deval Patrick has renewed his call for for illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition assistance from the Commonwealth. Based on a report released by the executive branch advisory council, illegal immigrants would be eligible for in-state tuition, complete with fina... Read Full Story

Jimmy Carter Graces Cover of Time several times in 1979 - as dollar declined, oil prices rose, unemployement and inflation created the "misery index"In a speech before the Economic Club of New York, Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, predicted continued unemployment through 2010 yesterday. In addition, Bernanke noted that banks were less likely to release loans, another factor barring economic recovery. This came on the heels of a further weakening dollar and the continued rise of gol... Read Full Story

A recent article in Politico suggested that the Democrat Party may lose the “Catholic Vote” in 2010 should abortion be included in the Health Care Reform plan that has gone to the Senate – the argument: that Catholic Bishops will play a factor in how the rank and file votes in upcoming elections should the Bill include abortion has never been tested. The Catholic Identity versus the Political Identity of Catholics has, in the past, resulted in a run to the Party and away from Church Teachin... Read Full Story