The biggest bandwidth hog on planet Earth is the porn industry. Online porn is a $3 billion dollar business responsible for 35 percent of all Internet downloads. Viewers spend over 10 million hours viewing online porn. The dirty secret is the industry is behind the push to reinstate net neutrality.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3-2 late last year to repeal so-called net neutrality. The decision was handed down nearly two years from the date President Obama bullied the FCC into approving the regulation after the agency initially balked.
Of all the political and regulatory terms, none is more misleading than net neutrality. The Internet has always been impartial, open to all content, users and firms. The clever use of "neutrality" implies otherwise. The name is a deliberate attempt to obfuscate the issue and manipulate public sentiment.
Under the Obama FCC, the commission issued a regulatory fiat that requires internet providers to treat all web traffic equally. That sounds fair, right? But the porn industry along with Google, Facebook and Netflix supported the regulation to maintain their profitable business models.
Access to the Internet is provided by AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and other providers who build the on ramps. Without delving into the technological weeds, these access points include fiber, wireless towers, switching hubs and other infrastructure that costs billions of dollars.
The providers have been accused in the past of throttling or degrading traffic. Big gobblers of bandwidth have complained about unfair discrimination in the treatment of their Internet traffic. The complainers want the telecom providers to spend more money to handle the traffic they create.
Under their business models, firms that generate most of the Internet traffic do not have to invest in the network required for increased bandwidth demands. That gives a free ride to Netflix and the other behemoths listed above. Most net heads have no clue that bandwidth is not free.
The porn industry lusted over the old model endorsed by Mr. Obama that guaranteed they could create an Internet traffic jam without worrying about consequences. It has been a boon for online porn. Today there are 24.6 million Internet porn sites on the web, which attract 40 million viewers.
A single site, Pornhub, brags it has pumped out 91 billion videos since its debut. There are 44,000 visits to the site every hour. Viewers have watched 4.5 million hours of pornography, consuming more than 3,100 petabytes of bandwidth. One petabyte is 1,000,000,000,000,000 bytes.
All those viewers reached Pornhub by using an extension built by one of the Internet access providers listed above. Because it doesn't have to invest millions of dollars in Internet access, Pornhub can afford to offer its pornography for free, hoping to hook viewers into signing up for a paid service.
During the FCC's rule-making on net neutrality, the porn industry spent millions of dollars in social media. An industry post on Twitter read: Imagine paying for porn. #NetNeutrality. Young millennials, who expect everything online to be free, were most vocal about keeping net neutrality.
The fake news media continues to peddle the story that the FCC decision spells the end of the Internet as we know it. Net neutrality under the Obama Administration was nothing more than a Trojan Horse for controlling Internet content. The goal was to shackle conservative websites.
The charade should have been exposed long ago. But big media has been building its own versions of online newspapers, television and radio. Like the porn industry, they want the Internet service providers to offer more and faster bandwidth to their online subscribers. They are co-conspirators.
Thanks to the conspiracy, the pornography industry dominates the Internet. Every 39 minutes a new porn video is created. More than 2.5 billion emails every day contain porn. Search engines such as Google receive 116,000 queries every day for child pornography.
Net neutrality has been profitable for the burgeoning porn industry. It is an sordid business that is addictive, destructive and demeaning to women. By repealing net neutrality, the FCC under President Trump has made an important step toward reducing the subsidy of online pornography.
Monday, January 29, 2018
Monday, January 22, 2018
Media's S***hole Hysteria Over Remark
The Washington media has officially become unhinged. Deranged. Irrational. Unbalanced. But mostly dishonest. There aren't enough adjectives in the dictionary to describe the utter insane behavior of news outlets over President Trump's alleged use of a common term meaning excrement.
For more than a week, the news coverage has been nonstop after Illinois Democrat Dick Durbin claimed the president used the word s***hole to describe several countries, including Haiti. Democrats and their acolytes in the media went apes****. Bonkers. World War III headlines.
CNN, the least trusted news network, encouraged every person on its cable show to label Mr. Trump a racist for daring to refer to an African country as a s***hole land. The network repeated the offensive term so many times the joke was it should change its name to SHNN.
The source, Mr. Trump, denied using the specific terminology even as he admitted uttering some "rough language" during the private meeting on immigration with representatives of both parties in the Oval Office. The confab was supposed to produce a bi-partisan immigration agreement.
Instead, Durbin sabotaged it. He violated an unwritten rule of conduct and blabbed what went on in the closed door session. The media in its unmitigated effort to embarrass the president never bothered to check with others in the meeting. At least two Republicans never heard the word.
Senators Tom Cotton and David Perdue both publicly stated the president did not use s***hole in the discussion. Cotton, who was sitting as close to the president as Durbin, accused the Democrat of spreading false information. Despite the push back, the media stuck to Durbin's version.
No one at CNN checked Durbin's history. He has lied before about private White House meetings. In fact, Durbin told a whopper. In 2013, Durbin claimed that one GOP House member turned to Mr. Obama and said: "I cannot even stand to look at you." Racist screamed the hyperventilating media.
Only problem was Durbin made up the story. Asked about the matter at a White House briefing, press secretary Jay Carney told reporters that he had "spoke with somebody" at the meeting and discovered "it did not happen." Durbin never admitted he lied. He simply refused to comment.
For a moment, let's assume for the sake of argument that Mr. Trump did indeed refer to an African country as a s***hole. That places him in good company. The erudite Mr. Obama called the African country of Libya a "s***show" two years ago in an interview with The Atlantic magazine.
Do you recall any media outlets admonishing Mr. Obama as a racist? Crickets. If you think foul language demeans the office of president, do your homework. Mr. Obama in an interview in Rolling Stone called his opponent Mitt Romney a "bulls****er." Remember the media outrage? Me neither.
Mr. Obama, the paragon of presidential demeanor, also referred to rapper Kanye West as a "jacka**" in the audio version of his autobiography "Dreams From My Father." His vice president Joe Biden was caught on microphones using the f-word in reference to the signing of Obamacare legislation.
Those faux journalists at CNN apparently have forgotten that President Lyndon Johnson was celebrated for his profanity-laced White House. But in those years, the media protected the privacy of presidents. Potty language has been the grist of politics as far back as Harry Truman and beyond.
The media needs to stop pretending the use of the term "s***hole" in a private meeting bothers average Americans. It doesn't even raise an eyebrow in Realville. This episode exposes the media's naked hatred of President Trump for all the world to see. It isn't a pretty sight and it isn't journalism.
It's not surprising media approval is at an all-time low. A recent Pew Research study found only 18 percent of adults say they "trust the information a lot" that is distributed by national news outlets. Yet reporters and editors bristle at the sobriquet "fake news." The media deserves the nickname.
That's why most people shrugged at the words attributed to the president. Americans already know the real s****holes in Washington are the media organizations covering the president. This latest outlandish news coverage certainly did nothing to change the public perception.
For more than a week, the news coverage has been nonstop after Illinois Democrat Dick Durbin claimed the president used the word s***hole to describe several countries, including Haiti. Democrats and their acolytes in the media went apes****. Bonkers. World War III headlines.
CNN, the least trusted news network, encouraged every person on its cable show to label Mr. Trump a racist for daring to refer to an African country as a s***hole land. The network repeated the offensive term so many times the joke was it should change its name to SHNN.
The source, Mr. Trump, denied using the specific terminology even as he admitted uttering some "rough language" during the private meeting on immigration with representatives of both parties in the Oval Office. The confab was supposed to produce a bi-partisan immigration agreement.
Instead, Durbin sabotaged it. He violated an unwritten rule of conduct and blabbed what went on in the closed door session. The media in its unmitigated effort to embarrass the president never bothered to check with others in the meeting. At least two Republicans never heard the word.
Senators Tom Cotton and David Perdue both publicly stated the president did not use s***hole in the discussion. Cotton, who was sitting as close to the president as Durbin, accused the Democrat of spreading false information. Despite the push back, the media stuck to Durbin's version.
No one at CNN checked Durbin's history. He has lied before about private White House meetings. In fact, Durbin told a whopper. In 2013, Durbin claimed that one GOP House member turned to Mr. Obama and said: "I cannot even stand to look at you." Racist screamed the hyperventilating media.
Only problem was Durbin made up the story. Asked about the matter at a White House briefing, press secretary Jay Carney told reporters that he had "spoke with somebody" at the meeting and discovered "it did not happen." Durbin never admitted he lied. He simply refused to comment.
For a moment, let's assume for the sake of argument that Mr. Trump did indeed refer to an African country as a s***hole. That places him in good company. The erudite Mr. Obama called the African country of Libya a "s***show" two years ago in an interview with The Atlantic magazine.
Do you recall any media outlets admonishing Mr. Obama as a racist? Crickets. If you think foul language demeans the office of president, do your homework. Mr. Obama in an interview in Rolling Stone called his opponent Mitt Romney a "bulls****er." Remember the media outrage? Me neither.
Mr. Obama, the paragon of presidential demeanor, also referred to rapper Kanye West as a "jacka**" in the audio version of his autobiography "Dreams From My Father." His vice president Joe Biden was caught on microphones using the f-word in reference to the signing of Obamacare legislation.
Those faux journalists at CNN apparently have forgotten that President Lyndon Johnson was celebrated for his profanity-laced White House. But in those years, the media protected the privacy of presidents. Potty language has been the grist of politics as far back as Harry Truman and beyond.
The media needs to stop pretending the use of the term "s***hole" in a private meeting bothers average Americans. It doesn't even raise an eyebrow in Realville. This episode exposes the media's naked hatred of President Trump for all the world to see. It isn't a pretty sight and it isn't journalism.
It's not surprising media approval is at an all-time low. A recent Pew Research study found only 18 percent of adults say they "trust the information a lot" that is distributed by national news outlets. Yet reporters and editors bristle at the sobriquet "fake news." The media deserves the nickname.
That's why most people shrugged at the words attributed to the president. Americans already know the real s****holes in Washington are the media organizations covering the president. This latest outlandish news coverage certainly did nothing to change the public perception.
Monday, January 15, 2018
Democrats: It's the Economy Stupid!
Not even one of the 236 Democrats in the House and Senate voted to cut taxes in last year's legislative showdown. Hardheaded Democrats believe their stonewalling will be rewarded at the polls in the mid-term elections. Apparently, they have forgotten the mantra of Bill Clinton.
During his first presidential run, Mr. Clinton was reminded daily by his handlers that voters really cared most about the economy. It didn't mean Americans weren't concerned about other issues. But they voted with their wallets. Thus the theme "It's About the Economy Stupid!" was born.
Judging from their trashing of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017, Democrats apparently are living in some alternative universe where voters are more worried about deficits, Obamacare, gun laws, opioids or unisex bathrooms. They have seriously miscalculated. And Democrats will pay for it.
Recent polling by the Gallup organization lists economic problems as the single most important issue by a wide margin. Yet Democrats are betting voters will believe their fatigued narrative that only the rich will benefit. They think Americans are too dumb to notice the increase in their paychecks.
Democrats are employing their dogeared political playbook, advocating for the issues of healthcare, the environment, gun control, race relations and LGBT rights. They are out of touch with most Americans. The Gallup Poll of Americans nationwide illustrates their folly.
Only eight percent of Americans think race relations is the most important issue. Five percent mention healthcare, three percent the environment, one percent gun control and one percent gay rights. By comparison, 17 percent of people surveyed tick the economy as the top issue.
The party's position on tax cuts has undergone a radical metamorphosis over the last 50+ years. Once Democrats were at the forefront of the tax reform effort. For instance, President John Kennedy championed one of the largest tax cuts in history which became law in 1964.
Under GOP President Richard Nixon, Democrats Ted Kennedy and Walter Mondale led the effort to slice taxes in 1974. More than 20 years later in 1997, a reluctant President Clinton signed a tax cut bill that was shepherded through Congress by Republicans.
Despite Mr. Clinton's disappointment, 201 Democrats in the House and Senate joined Republicans in approving the measure, known officially as the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Earlier in his eight-year term, Mr. Clinton had spearheaded a legislative effort to hike taxes.
Even in 2003 when President Bush campaigned for a tax cut package, nine Democrats signed on to the legislation. Democrats' support for tax breaks has now dwindled to zero. Virtually every Democrat who has campaigned for office in the last eight years has supported raising taxes.
Democrats are under the illusion that Americans will overlook last year's vote on tax cuts when the mid-term elections roll around in November. It is a risky proposition for a party that will be defending 23 seats in the Senate, plus two held by independents who caucus with Democrats.
In comparison, Republicans will have eight Senate seats on the ballot. All 435 seats in the House will be up for grabs. If past elections are any guide to the future, Americans are normally reluctant to change parties when the economy is good. And right now America is experiencing a boon.
About 1.7 million jobs have been added since Mr. Trump became president. Unemployment has fallen to its lowest rate in 17 years. The unemployment rate for African-Americans, which zoomed as high as 16.8 percent under Mr. Obama, has dipped to 6.8 percent, the lowest since 1972.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has topped three percent in the last two quarters. During Mr. Obama's tenure, the GDP never reached three percent, widely regarded as the number indicating healthy economic growth.
The stock market is rocketing into new territory, setting record closes 17 times last year. (Remember when Democrats credited Mr. Obama for stock market gains during his tenure?) Since January of last year more than $5 trillion in wealth has been added to the U.S. economy.
Peevish Democrats ignore the economic news at their own peril. Their answer is to point to polls that show Mr. Trump's popularity ratings are in the dumpster. Popularity contests are for chumps. The most accurate polls are overwhelmingly in Mr. Trump's favor.
Consumer confidence soared to a 17-year high in November. Similar indices for small and big businesses confidence are rising. Consumer and business confidence are a more accurate measure of the mood of the country than polls about personality popularity. This isn't high school.
This year's election likely will be a referendum on the economy. If it is, Democrats will rue the day they voted against tax cuts designed to lift the economy and create jobs. With their ballots, Americans will remind Democrats that it is still about the economy STUPID.
During his first presidential run, Mr. Clinton was reminded daily by his handlers that voters really cared most about the economy. It didn't mean Americans weren't concerned about other issues. But they voted with their wallets. Thus the theme "It's About the Economy Stupid!" was born.
Judging from their trashing of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017, Democrats apparently are living in some alternative universe where voters are more worried about deficits, Obamacare, gun laws, opioids or unisex bathrooms. They have seriously miscalculated. And Democrats will pay for it.
Recent polling by the Gallup organization lists economic problems as the single most important issue by a wide margin. Yet Democrats are betting voters will believe their fatigued narrative that only the rich will benefit. They think Americans are too dumb to notice the increase in their paychecks.
Democrats are employing their dogeared political playbook, advocating for the issues of healthcare, the environment, gun control, race relations and LGBT rights. They are out of touch with most Americans. The Gallup Poll of Americans nationwide illustrates their folly.
Only eight percent of Americans think race relations is the most important issue. Five percent mention healthcare, three percent the environment, one percent gun control and one percent gay rights. By comparison, 17 percent of people surveyed tick the economy as the top issue.
The party's position on tax cuts has undergone a radical metamorphosis over the last 50+ years. Once Democrats were at the forefront of the tax reform effort. For instance, President John Kennedy championed one of the largest tax cuts in history which became law in 1964.
Under GOP President Richard Nixon, Democrats Ted Kennedy and Walter Mondale led the effort to slice taxes in 1974. More than 20 years later in 1997, a reluctant President Clinton signed a tax cut bill that was shepherded through Congress by Republicans.
Despite Mr. Clinton's disappointment, 201 Democrats in the House and Senate joined Republicans in approving the measure, known officially as the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Earlier in his eight-year term, Mr. Clinton had spearheaded a legislative effort to hike taxes.
Even in 2003 when President Bush campaigned for a tax cut package, nine Democrats signed on to the legislation. Democrats' support for tax breaks has now dwindled to zero. Virtually every Democrat who has campaigned for office in the last eight years has supported raising taxes.
Democrats are under the illusion that Americans will overlook last year's vote on tax cuts when the mid-term elections roll around in November. It is a risky proposition for a party that will be defending 23 seats in the Senate, plus two held by independents who caucus with Democrats.
In comparison, Republicans will have eight Senate seats on the ballot. All 435 seats in the House will be up for grabs. If past elections are any guide to the future, Americans are normally reluctant to change parties when the economy is good. And right now America is experiencing a boon.
About 1.7 million jobs have been added since Mr. Trump became president. Unemployment has fallen to its lowest rate in 17 years. The unemployment rate for African-Americans, which zoomed as high as 16.8 percent under Mr. Obama, has dipped to 6.8 percent, the lowest since 1972.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has topped three percent in the last two quarters. During Mr. Obama's tenure, the GDP never reached three percent, widely regarded as the number indicating healthy economic growth.
The stock market is rocketing into new territory, setting record closes 17 times last year. (Remember when Democrats credited Mr. Obama for stock market gains during his tenure?) Since January of last year more than $5 trillion in wealth has been added to the U.S. economy.
Peevish Democrats ignore the economic news at their own peril. Their answer is to point to polls that show Mr. Trump's popularity ratings are in the dumpster. Popularity contests are for chumps. The most accurate polls are overwhelmingly in Mr. Trump's favor.
Consumer confidence soared to a 17-year high in November. Similar indices for small and big businesses confidence are rising. Consumer and business confidence are a more accurate measure of the mood of the country than polls about personality popularity. This isn't high school.
This year's election likely will be a referendum on the economy. If it is, Democrats will rue the day they voted against tax cuts designed to lift the economy and create jobs. With their ballots, Americans will remind Democrats that it is still about the economy STUPID.
Monday, January 8, 2018
The Rise and Fall of California
California was once a symbol of America's dynamic growth. In 1962, it supplanted New York as the most populous state. Business boomed. Waves of migrants flocked west. Roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects launched a new era of prosperity. California was branded The Golden State.
Today California's golden image has faded. A mass exodus of people is draining the state. Businesses are fleeing. Prices of everything from gasoline to energy and housing are skyrocketing. Illegal immigrants are swamping cities. California now is the trademark of failed liberalism.
Despite its glaring issues, California's government remains in denial. Delusional Governor Jerry Brown smears lipstick on the pig that is California. Things are not that bad he protests. But the facts cannot be disputed no matter the hyperbole whipped up by the governor and his Democratic Party.
The golden age of migration to California ended in 2010. From 1960 to 2010, its population leaped 137 percent. However, for the past two decades the state's residents are moving out in record numbers. From 2010 to 2015, 3.5 million Californians packed up and shipped out to other states.
The loss of residents has impacted the state's economy. Figures show that from 2013 to 2014 the outward migration resulted in a $21 billion loss in taxable income to California. The exiles are escaping to Texas, Nevada and Arizona, where cost of living and taxes are lower.
What matters most is that the largest number of people leaving are upper middle class residents making $100,000 to $200,000 annually. These high earners are being replaced by low-wage illegal immigrants. The trade off has squeezed the state's finances and created budget deficits.
From 2008 to 2015, more than 9,000 business pulled up stakes and departed California. Many firms cite California government's hostility to businesses as a main reason for their relocation. The state has some of the most onerous regulations and taxes, according to surveys.
Why the exodus? What makes California unlivable for so many residents?
California has the fourth highest cost of living at 132 percent of the national average. Electricity cost 10 times more than neighboring states. California gas prices are among the highest. It has the country's steepest sales tax (7.5%). Its top marginal income tax rate (13.3%) leads the nation.
Housing costs are a non-starter for many Californians. Median price for a home in the state is $499,500. That compares to the national average price of $180,000. Even renting an apartment is no bargain. The average monthly rental is $2,000. No wonder the state is losing residents.
Because of the astronomical housing costs, California has the lowest percentage of home ownership in the country. The average Californian pays two-and-one-half times the national norm for a single-family residence. Commercial real estate also carries one of the heftiest price tags in the nation.
Why does everything cost so much more in California? Part of the answer is the law of supply and demand. There are 39.2 million people competing for groceries, housing, gasoline and other goods. However, there is no escaping the fact that the biggest drivers of costs are taxes and regulation.
California's government wields heavy-handed regulation that adds cost to everything from gasoline to home building. The state mandates refinery specs for gasoline that hike the cost. State and local housing restrictions, codes and environmental standards raise construction prices.
The Democratic Party shoulders the blame for regulatory and tax excess. The party controls the legislature, governorship and virtually every statewide elective office. Both chambers of the California legislature have been dominated by Democrats since 1959, except during 1969 to 1971.
Under Democratic rule, government spending has spiraled out of control, fueling escalating taxes. Welfare spending in California is rising twice as fast as the U.S. as a whole. Governor Brown recently was forced to admit the budget deficit for 2018 will be $1.6 billion.
California's laissez-faire attitude toward illegal immigration has exacerbated the problem. A Pew Research study estimates are are 2.4 million unauthorized immigrants living in California, 6.7 percent of the total population. However, some estimates put the number as high as 3 million.
California is losing upper middle class residents with high incomes and replacing them with illegal immigrants, including 57 percent with no high school degree. That is a prescription of economic disaster. However, not many politicians in California seem fazed about the trend.
Shankar Singam, leader of a movement calling for California to exit the United States, has made it clear that his organization cheers the new population direction. He recently claimed it was a "good thing" to jettison the middle class to make room for a "new wave" of immigrants.
A cynic might conclude California politicians want to keep the state blue (Democrat) by importing more immigrants who traditionally vote like sheep for their party while exporting middle class voters who lean Republican. That's one strategy for maintaining a single-party state.
But surely no politician, not even one in California, would put the party above the state's future? The actions of Governor Brown and the California legislature make the question rhetorical.
Today California's golden image has faded. A mass exodus of people is draining the state. Businesses are fleeing. Prices of everything from gasoline to energy and housing are skyrocketing. Illegal immigrants are swamping cities. California now is the trademark of failed liberalism.
Despite its glaring issues, California's government remains in denial. Delusional Governor Jerry Brown smears lipstick on the pig that is California. Things are not that bad he protests. But the facts cannot be disputed no matter the hyperbole whipped up by the governor and his Democratic Party.
The golden age of migration to California ended in 2010. From 1960 to 2010, its population leaped 137 percent. However, for the past two decades the state's residents are moving out in record numbers. From 2010 to 2015, 3.5 million Californians packed up and shipped out to other states.
The loss of residents has impacted the state's economy. Figures show that from 2013 to 2014 the outward migration resulted in a $21 billion loss in taxable income to California. The exiles are escaping to Texas, Nevada and Arizona, where cost of living and taxes are lower.
What matters most is that the largest number of people leaving are upper middle class residents making $100,000 to $200,000 annually. These high earners are being replaced by low-wage illegal immigrants. The trade off has squeezed the state's finances and created budget deficits.
From 2008 to 2015, more than 9,000 business pulled up stakes and departed California. Many firms cite California government's hostility to businesses as a main reason for their relocation. The state has some of the most onerous regulations and taxes, according to surveys.
Why the exodus? What makes California unlivable for so many residents?
California has the fourth highest cost of living at 132 percent of the national average. Electricity cost 10 times more than neighboring states. California gas prices are among the highest. It has the country's steepest sales tax (7.5%). Its top marginal income tax rate (13.3%) leads the nation.
Housing costs are a non-starter for many Californians. Median price for a home in the state is $499,500. That compares to the national average price of $180,000. Even renting an apartment is no bargain. The average monthly rental is $2,000. No wonder the state is losing residents.
Because of the astronomical housing costs, California has the lowest percentage of home ownership in the country. The average Californian pays two-and-one-half times the national norm for a single-family residence. Commercial real estate also carries one of the heftiest price tags in the nation.
Why does everything cost so much more in California? Part of the answer is the law of supply and demand. There are 39.2 million people competing for groceries, housing, gasoline and other goods. However, there is no escaping the fact that the biggest drivers of costs are taxes and regulation.
California's government wields heavy-handed regulation that adds cost to everything from gasoline to home building. The state mandates refinery specs for gasoline that hike the cost. State and local housing restrictions, codes and environmental standards raise construction prices.
The Democratic Party shoulders the blame for regulatory and tax excess. The party controls the legislature, governorship and virtually every statewide elective office. Both chambers of the California legislature have been dominated by Democrats since 1959, except during 1969 to 1971.
Under Democratic rule, government spending has spiraled out of control, fueling escalating taxes. Welfare spending in California is rising twice as fast as the U.S. as a whole. Governor Brown recently was forced to admit the budget deficit for 2018 will be $1.6 billion.
California's laissez-faire attitude toward illegal immigration has exacerbated the problem. A Pew Research study estimates are are 2.4 million unauthorized immigrants living in California, 6.7 percent of the total population. However, some estimates put the number as high as 3 million.
California is losing upper middle class residents with high incomes and replacing them with illegal immigrants, including 57 percent with no high school degree. That is a prescription of economic disaster. However, not many politicians in California seem fazed about the trend.
Shankar Singam, leader of a movement calling for California to exit the United States, has made it clear that his organization cheers the new population direction. He recently claimed it was a "good thing" to jettison the middle class to make room for a "new wave" of immigrants.
A cynic might conclude California politicians want to keep the state blue (Democrat) by importing more immigrants who traditionally vote like sheep for their party while exporting middle class voters who lean Republican. That's one strategy for maintaining a single-party state.
But surely no politician, not even one in California, would put the party above the state's future? The actions of Governor Brown and the California legislature make the question rhetorical.
Monday, January 1, 2018
Nearly Always Correct Top Ten Predictions
The venerable Farmer's Almanac will celebrate its 200th birthday next year. With the exception of the Bible it may be the oldest continually published material on Earth. As has been its tradition, the Almanac annually issues its weather forecast for the new year. 2018 is no exception.
Using an undisclosed formula based on the moon and tides, the official Almanac weather prognosticator has decreed that 2018 will be a normal winter for most of the United States, except in the East and Central parts of the country. Heavy snows are predicted in January for the East.
More often than not the Almanac's forecasts are right. Not the same can be said for the annual predictions posted on this page throughout the years. But that will not deter your crystal ball gazing journalist from issuing his Top Ten Predictions for 2018.
The stock markets will roar for much of 2018 before getting the jitters in the fourth quarter after the Federal Reserve tinkers with rates amid concerns over early signs of inflation and the tightening of labor supply. The Dow still finishes at a record 26,100 despite volatile swings.
Tax cuts begin rippling through the economy as consumer spending rises and corporate investment climbs, helping the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to exceed 4.0 percent growth in at least three quarters of the new year. Annual growth tops 3.6 percent.
With the elimination of the Obamacare mandate, enrollment in the exchanges dips, fewer insurance firms serve markets and Medicaid costs skyrocket. Faced with the financial collapse of the federal plan, Congress approves a new health care initiative.
Republicans increase their majorities in the House and Senate in the midterms, defying political tradition which usually means losses for the party in power. A robust economy, increased hiring and pay raises convince voters to reward the GOP.
With consumer adoption of Amazon's Alexi and Google Assistant, more devices in business, the home, retail and the automobile will be equipped to handle voice commands to execute tasks and interact with customers, including kiosks at airports.
North Korea's madman Kim Jung Un launches a ballistic missile that accidentally strikes land or an airliner, bringing the world to the brink of war before the Chinese government orders thousands of troops to the border with North Korea to force a regime change.
Despite rising interest rates and increases in inventory, sales of new homes leap eight percent over 2017, edging into record territory. More Millennials opt out of their apartments to purchase homes as ownership increases to 65 percent.
The biggest political fight in Congress turns out to be welfare reform, instead of building the wall along the border with Mexico. Democrats walk out in protest as Republicans approve measures that bolster work-for-welfare provisions that were weakened under Mr. Obama.
The battle over Sanctuary Cities reaches the Supreme Court which rules 5-4 that Washington has the right to withhold certain funds if municipalities do not cooperate with the federal government on deportation and arrests of illegals charged with crimes.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller drags out his investigation of Russian Collusion until after the mid-term elections in hopes the Democrats will reclaim the House and impeach the president based on his findings. When Democrats fail, Mueller issues a report claiming some figures in administration ( but not the President) attempted to obstruct justice.
If you think predicting the future is easy, make your own list and email it to drewroy@swbell.net and we will compare results at the end of 2018. Whatever the outcome, it is unlikely any of us can match the Farmer's Almanac's record of accuracy.
Using an undisclosed formula based on the moon and tides, the official Almanac weather prognosticator has decreed that 2018 will be a normal winter for most of the United States, except in the East and Central parts of the country. Heavy snows are predicted in January for the East.
More often than not the Almanac's forecasts are right. Not the same can be said for the annual predictions posted on this page throughout the years. But that will not deter your crystal ball gazing journalist from issuing his Top Ten Predictions for 2018.
The stock markets will roar for much of 2018 before getting the jitters in the fourth quarter after the Federal Reserve tinkers with rates amid concerns over early signs of inflation and the tightening of labor supply. The Dow still finishes at a record 26,100 despite volatile swings.
Tax cuts begin rippling through the economy as consumer spending rises and corporate investment climbs, helping the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to exceed 4.0 percent growth in at least three quarters of the new year. Annual growth tops 3.6 percent.
With the elimination of the Obamacare mandate, enrollment in the exchanges dips, fewer insurance firms serve markets and Medicaid costs skyrocket. Faced with the financial collapse of the federal plan, Congress approves a new health care initiative.
Republicans increase their majorities in the House and Senate in the midterms, defying political tradition which usually means losses for the party in power. A robust economy, increased hiring and pay raises convince voters to reward the GOP.
With consumer adoption of Amazon's Alexi and Google Assistant, more devices in business, the home, retail and the automobile will be equipped to handle voice commands to execute tasks and interact with customers, including kiosks at airports.
North Korea's madman Kim Jung Un launches a ballistic missile that accidentally strikes land or an airliner, bringing the world to the brink of war before the Chinese government orders thousands of troops to the border with North Korea to force a regime change.
Despite rising interest rates and increases in inventory, sales of new homes leap eight percent over 2017, edging into record territory. More Millennials opt out of their apartments to purchase homes as ownership increases to 65 percent.
The biggest political fight in Congress turns out to be welfare reform, instead of building the wall along the border with Mexico. Democrats walk out in protest as Republicans approve measures that bolster work-for-welfare provisions that were weakened under Mr. Obama.
The battle over Sanctuary Cities reaches the Supreme Court which rules 5-4 that Washington has the right to withhold certain funds if municipalities do not cooperate with the federal government on deportation and arrests of illegals charged with crimes.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller drags out his investigation of Russian Collusion until after the mid-term elections in hopes the Democrats will reclaim the House and impeach the president based on his findings. When Democrats fail, Mueller issues a report claiming some figures in administration ( but not the President) attempted to obstruct justice.
If you think predicting the future is easy, make your own list and email it to drewroy@swbell.net and we will compare results at the end of 2018. Whatever the outcome, it is unlikely any of us can match the Farmer's Almanac's record of accuracy.
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