Energy companies want the ability to adjust to markets, for feed stock (imported or domestic, sour or sweet) and export (to wherever it maximizes profits). Motiva upgrade makes it largest U.S. refinery "By combining our upstream and downstream capabilities, integrated companies can drive innovation and match resource with demand," Shell CEO Peter Voser said at the ceremony marking the completion of a five-year, $10 billion expansion that doubles the capacity of the refinery, a joint venture of Shell and Saudi Aramco. http://www.chron.com/business/article/Motiva-upgrade-makes-it-largest-U-S-refinery-3600658.php Exxon Mobil moves to expand chemical plant Exxon Mobil Corp. is planning a multibillion-dollar petrochemical expansion at its Baytown complex, looking to take advantage of the country's increasing supply of natural gas. The company joins other petrochemical producers, including Dow Chemical Co. and Chevron Phillips Chemical Co., that have announced natural gas-fueled expansion plans in the Houston area in recent months. http://www.chron.com/business/article/Exxon-Mobil-moves-to-expand-chemical-plant-3603742.php
Motiva is done, the article announces the opening. It is at the end of the propose XL pipeline though it was built to take sulfurous Saudi crude.
June jobs report: 8.2% unemployment - 80,000 jobs added (need ~150,000 to keep up with population growth). - 1/3 of the jobs created where temp jobs. - 11% unemployment for hispanics. 14.4% for African Americans. - 85,000 went on disability in June (Disability Ranks Outpace New Jobs In Obama Recovery) Takers out numbering the Makers. Unbelievably scary.
More of the same crappy numbers I'm sure Oblamer will cite W again just a pitiful performance on the jobs front, especially when the stimulus was supposed to reduce unemployment according to the Oblamer administration
Romney's response to crappy jobs report. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-Xk-b14nEZc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Obama's response: 'Step in the right direction' <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SxVF7_G5Hb8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Not sure what direction he is referring to.
Romney does understand that the goal is to create jobs in America, right? We know he's good at sending those overseas, but I'm pretty sure that's not what we want.
The way the media and government reports them, yes. The situation is worse than it is pitched by the media to the American people. Had hope a few months ago it was turning around but too much wealth has been sucked up by the 1% with no trickling down. Most recoveries at this point are localized efforts seen in a handful of cities in a few states.
Mitt Romney said he would have done the opposite of what the President did. What, contract fiscal policy, deregulate the banks, and hang the FOMC? I get to sit back now and point at Europe. wow, this must be how it feels like to simplistically fear-monger.
After 10 months of unemployment I start my new job tonight. I also didn't apply for unemployment for those 10 months but instead lived of off savings. Feels good to be going back to work.
No educated, intelligent observer of this economy can say that Obama has helped the economy. Remember that the Federal Reserve has been pumping money into this economy for 3+ years now, and we've had 0% interest rates. It takes an incredibly atrocious political effort to NOT have a flourishing economy under those conditions -- congratulations Obama, you found a way to do it. It is complete and total ineptitude from an individual who simply does not understand the economy and the business world. Business leaders are nearly unanimous in their disapproval of how he has handled the economy. It's quite clear to most that higher energy costs, higher taxes, more regulation, and higher labor costs will suffocate growth and suffocate hiring. Obama's administration has openly pursued all of these policies (through EPA activism, consistent threats of higher taxes, Obamacare and Dodd-Frank, and pro-union policies). All of them. Obama has lost the confidence of the business community domestically, and has lost the confidence of the financial community globally. Did you read Wolfgang Schauble's (Germany's finance minister) comments last week? He basically told Obama to quit blaming Europe because the debt level in the US is higher than theirs -- people are laughing and scoffing at the leadership of the largest economy in the world. This should not happen, and does not happen with competent leadership. Obama has squandered an easy opportunity to preside over a period of economic expansion -- a simple regression to the mean after the collapse in late 2008 would have made him look like a hero. Instead of leading, he shows his true colors by abandoning pro growth policies and instead pursuing liberal political goals which have hurt the economy. It's a shame, and unfortunately millions of Americans must suffer as a result.
No point in delving into your whole troubled mind dump, but for teh lulz on teh unanimity: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-11/obama-winning-investors-by-49-38-against-romney-in-poll.html
There is no regression to the mean. Have you seen the Beveridge curve shifts? What we are seeing is long-term structural unemployment, and a new reality for the natural rate of unemployment. Private markets gone amok have cost America and the world dearly. FV, tell me, what economic policies would you have advocated that would expand the economy? Bear in mind the following FACTS.
