Will Media Cheerleading Of Economy Continue With `Depression' Level Unemployment?

As a regular listener to CNBC and user of their website - and - a regular user of the cable newschannels -- it's strange to consider the continuing language they use concerning the economy -- specifically, the term `green roots'. To the common man in America, that term implies `an improvement' or a sign of better things happening. This in an economy and government that is often borrowing nearly 100 billion a MONTH - just to keep the whole ball rolling at all.

Cheerleading the economy with a backdrop of Michigan's official unemployment rate now exceeding 15% -- the first state since West Virginia in the mid 1980's. Cheerleading the economy with a backdrop of 15 states with an unemployment exceeding 10% - and with 38 states showing increases in unemployment last month. Cheerleading the economy while knowing that certain counties in California have unemployment nearing 20% and one county, Imperial, OFFICIALLY at over 27% unemployed.

Cheerleading the economy while the `official' U-6 - government unemployment figure exceeds 16% - (this includes the those underemployed and those who have given up looking) and in Michigan the number is now over 22%. Cheerleading the stock market rally, while knowing the biggest rallies that ever happened before happened in the Great Depression. Cheerleading the economy while knowing that the `wealth destruction' in this downturn - The Great Recession - is unmatched by any recent `recession'; indeed, palling in comparison.

Finally, cheerleading the economy while knowing that much of the `stimulus money' - isn't spent - and what is appears to be wasted or inefficient in it's allocation. And, lastly - cheerleading the economy while knowing that the `stimulus money' `saved' state and even local government jobs - such as teachers and firemen - and knowing that they will be lost jobs within a year without MORE `stimulus'.

Here's some links used in putting this post together:

http://www.appeal-democrat.com/news/percent-84524-county-unemployment.html Proof of 27% official unemployment in a California county.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iG41E9cl-hj1iLR6_ln6q-z8FY4QD99GEABO4 Proof of Michigan's official soft unemployment over 22%.

http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2009/07/02/broader-unemployment-rate-hit-165-in-june/ Proof of U-6 unemployment in USA now over 16%.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123836938251967565.html "How a Modern Depression Might Look -- If the U.S. Gets There"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depression_(economics)

http://baselinescenario.com/2009/01/15/intrade-market-betting-depression/ 56% betting ON a depression based on this definition. Real betting.

Today's Fun Link: (just hit the red x for a cool picture)
http://drewt333.deviantart.com/art/Undead-and-In-Love-70233797

Future NY Times Headline - National Marijuana Tax Revenue Far Short Of Expectations

As we head into the holiday weekend - lets take a moment to relax our minds - and travel into the future to Dec. 2014; two years after a re-elected President Obama legalized marijuana. Indeed, to refresh your memory - in early December 2012, with the increased diversion of the `end of the world on Dec. 21st crowds' dominating the news - the President decided that he would `free every marijuana prisoner' in the nation and legalize and nationally tax the herb.

As you remember, by 2012, largely because of the Great Recession (as the downturn from the bank crisis of 2008 came to be called) 6 states had already legalized the plant and started to depend on the generated revenues and even on some increase in tourist trade (increases to the conventions in states with legal pot took off in comparison to `strict' states -as they - the non legal states - became to be known as). Indeed, the states that adopted the progressive `smoking bar' rules (letting over 21 age smoker establishments exist - like alcohol bars) - as opposed to the states which only allowed legal consumption in the home - did especially well in the revenue department. The `bar' states were also states that allowed advertising on billboards and most sold the herb in local shops and shut down the medical marijuana facilities. In these local shops, the product was sold at the price the market would bear and taxed at a higher rate than other goods and services - about 40%.

But, all states were not the same. By 2012, in 23 states, one could get a prescription for pot via ones personal doctor - but - still 28 states (The District Of Columbia became a state in 2011) were routinely arresting those in possession of pot. Interestingly, all of these arrest states had especially strong bar associations that had ties with local politicians.

But, the farce of readily available pot in one state and arrest in another - often - of course - within miles due to state lines - was becoming a little too much for even the worthless media and politicians to stand up in support of anymore. America was beginning to look like a place with no standard or morals when it came to justice -or marijuana policy. And, eventually, as you know, when the 4th budget with a trillion dollar deficit was announced - there was an outroar of protest to start ending the prosecution of all drug users - of `housing' millions at taxpayers expense.

The politicians in Washington knew they had to act and knew they had to compromise - so they passed on Dec. 4th 2012 - the National Marijuana Act (NMA). The NMA immediately declared marijuana a legal plant - and immediately set up a national chain of state run marijuana sellers stores - who would sell cannabis grown by the major tobacco companies (by this time the alcohol companies had bought the remaining tobacco firms) - in nearly every town with a population over 10,000.

The politicians were also pleased that as part of the negotiations over the NMA, they were able to still keep the prisons full (only a small % of those with longer sentences were pot users/sellers) and the lawyers busy with no change to the cocaine laws or sentences. Indeed, the prison industry said nary a word.

But, the best news - as it was sold to the non-marijuana smoking public - was that the price would be set at 50 dollars to 100 dollars an ounce and 85% was a TAX collected and split between the state and the national government (The stores were to run on the 15% of revenue as the rents were free - all were commercial properties that had been acquired by the banks the government owned since the Great Recession.) The other provision, of course, was the release of EVERY pot prisoner - no matter the charge - as long as the sentence was based solely on pot. Indeed, the joy of the 10's of thousands that December day two years ago was truly a proud moment in America. Real justice and just in time for Christmas. Indeed, the whole `legal pot thing' would quickly be swallowed up in the typical brainless media holiday spin. It was also expected that the new `low' price would keep home growing to a minimum. (Homeowners with children under 21 could only grow in a locked room was part of the NMA too.)

And, for a few months of 2013 - the added revenues were fairly significant. But, the politicians didn't figure on one thing - when they made possession of plants legal, totally legal, - a significant % of smokers started to grow their own needs - and found that it was very easy to do as most smokers needed less than a pound for a whole year - - even those that wanted more had no problem meeting their needs -as there was no limit on growing. (Outside growing on your own property was legal too.) And, by fall 2013 - with the first homegrown domestic crop - the sales in the stores began to dry up - as did the `revenue' the government wanted to make off the smokers backs. The same smokers they had ravaged the rights of for decades.

Because, those with lots of pot would give it to friends now - not even charge for it.

Oh, I forgot to say - when the NMA was passed - to satisfy the democrats concerns for `our children' and in deference to the republicans `religious right' - the law shut down all the smoker bars nationwide. Pot would NOT become an entertainment industry - this was not the first step down the slippery slope, the politicians promised - we would NOT be putting more druggies onto our nations roads. It would also guarantee the government as the sole legal source - I forgot to say that private selling was still illegal punishable with fine and `probation' (probation meant a monthly fee and contact with authorities for up to five years). Yes, the politics of the whole affair was complicated, but, done as only politicians can - wrongly.

Regardless, the free market price - rapidly returned to `the good old days' of the 70's -- regular smoke 15 an ounce, excellent smoke 35 an ounce. And, grown by a person one knew. And still sold in the friend network that worked so well for decades.

So, what was evident a year ago - winter 2013 - is now much worse. Virtually none of the oldtime smokers wanted to deal with the government in any way - even in a shop with killer 100 dollar an ounce pot. Indeed, almost 90% were now home growers and totally out of the market and tax scheme fostered by those who didn't know how smokers would react. Who didn't understand the remaining latent anger felt by them.

Indeed, about the only industries that directly benefited were the companies that made light systems and growing systems - because within a years time - the National Sales Stores were beginning to close. And, the anti-smoking forces had come out in force to discourage new pot smokers - who quickly dried up too. It seemed as if the laws really didn't discourage many from lighting up after all - despite decades of oppression and beyond stupid laws. If one wanted to smoke in 2011 before national legalization - one did.

And, then, I vaguely remembered an article I read on the internet. It had to be at least five years ago - perhaps in 2009. I swear, it had the same headline as I read here today December 14th 2014 - "National Marijuana Tax Revenue Far Short Of Expectations".

And, I chuckled to myself.

Real Heavy Politics

Hello, welcome to Real Heavy Politics - my name is Rick Phillips. I want to thank all of you for hitting the link to get to here - perhaps if you like what you see and read - you will bookmark this site. The reasons for this site, at this time, are multi-fold. I mean, obviously, you have tons and tons of choices from the internet for your news links - yet that is what I will be bringing you - along with my commentary. And, obviously, you have a ton and ton of political bloggers out there too - 99% with more name recognition compared to mine.

So, why do it?

Well, first, (I told you this was multi-fold.) I don't see the totality of MY views anywhere on the web. That, in itself, is not surprising - as I've always been told by friends that my politics was indeed - unique. And, obviously, I will explain much more about that. So, in a sense, like all bloggers - I want to get my unique take on things political `out there'.

Indeed, it's possible that you already know this. How? Because some of you are here from links I have on my two main blogs - both with `tinges' of politics. My first and main blog http://www.theheavystuff.com/ covers esoteric ideas but also has been forced at times into pure political posts too concerning media coverage of events and the near economic collapse of Fall 2008. Both I felt fell under the big umbrella of `the heavy stuff' - literally. However, I'd expect this blog will largely limit the political posts from now onward. Sites such as http://www.anomalist.com/ and http://www.dailygrail.com/ often cover my posts. Indeed, The Heavy Stuff has also had posts picked up by About.com and MSNBC.com - and according to my internet host statistics had 195,000 unique visitors last year.

My other blog is more political http://ufodisclosurecountdownclock.blogspot.com/ due to the issue I cover - which is obvious by reading the name. Indeed, this blog was even picked up earlier in 2009 by AOL.com - concerning the `orb' that seemed to go right over the Plaza on the day that President Obama was inaugurated. You see, I predicted it. (and that is what link AOL covered). Read the blog for more details - but - in reality, the prediction wasn't even that hard. One needs to be conscious of alot to put connections together - and - it is insight like that which I hope to transmit with this blog. Anyway, this blog (UDCC) has fewer readers than THS - but is in the Alexa.com and other ratings.

Finally, I also have a `Daily Webpage' on Squidoo at www.squidoo.com/anomalyman - which as you can guess by the AnomalyMan name - covers all kinds of diverse strange stuff. It is one of Squidoo's 2000 top-tier sites and often ranks in the top 1000 out of over 850,000 Squidoo pages. It's on this daily site that I've started to put more and more political links -- and -- that has led to this new blog - a place for the overflow of political links (on the Squidoo page - which I've done since 2006 - those readers look for less politics).

But, this page will be more than an overflow -- I hope that some of my AnomalyMan readers will indeed become regulars on this blog too. They have already seen my hand selected links for over 3 years now - and have consistently kept my choices right up in Squidoo's rankings. I also hope that the few who enjoyed my political posts on The Heavy Stuff - will check this out too. But, what I really hope is to find many who are like minded folks - probably about 50 to 62 years of age - who also feel the same way about the current system of the politics we have in this country.

And, I hope to attract those like-minded folks by highlighting the bloated government, horrific policies and worthless politicians we are all so very used to by now. I hope to present my political tone clearly and provide the right mix of links to have you bookmark this site in hopes you will return regularly.

And, with that as the introduction to this blog and myself - I present the first links to REAL HEAVY POLITICS.

May 6th 2009

Mexico passes bill on small-scale drugs possession

http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN01336313 -- Leave it to governments to do things all at once on occasion. Here, we have common sense from our neighbors to the south - decriminalizing, possession of up to 5 grams of pot and traces of hard drugs such as heroin and methamphetamines - cocaine minute amounts would also be legal to have possession of. How much will the media cover this is the question?

It also says a similar bill was passed in 2006 only to be vetoed by the President of Mexico due to pressure from the USA -- could that be why the media has done the big play up of Mexican violence lately? Just imagine if the cops in America suddenly could NOT arrest someone for having a joint or two? Can you imagine the disappointment from the Lawyers lobby?

War On Food

http://open.salon.com/blog/xylocopa/2009/05/03/war_on_food Here's a very strange story about the local Lorain, Ohio Sheriff's department RAIDING a Natural Food co-op (seems they are worried about distribution rules concerning food). Perhaps, the Lorain Sheriff's department has a bit too much time on its hands - don't you think? Should police follow every request of the politicians?

Adversity Index

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29976394/ There have been a few of these interactive maps lately showing the current Great Recession - I will run the others in the next day or two also. This is a VERY compelling map and seemingly refutes the polls of optimistic consumers. I bet you forward this link to someone.

Please feel free to comment on any story.