Happy Days Are Not Here Again-Back W/"Ranting" Andy Hoffman--02-06-2012

"Ranting" Andy Hoffman and I revel in the New York Giant's well earned Super Bowl victory. And of course we couldn't be happier with the Patriots' resounding and well deserved defeat. But while we are extremely happy on the sports' front, the economic arena continues to disappoint. While the Feds continue to release stupendous employment numbers, a closer look "under the hood," reveals a lot of statistical "hocus pocus" taking place. The economy actually lost 2.9 million jobs in January, but through the convenient magic of seasonal adjustments and the much maligned "birth-death" index, the reality is not so encouraging, to say the least.

What we actually have is a deteriorating job market and increasing unemployment. How do we scare that with the government's rosy scenario. Simple, it's election time and that means every statistic released by Washington is even more suspect than usual. The goal is to make the numbers look as good as possible to fool the public into believing the economy is recovering, when any thinking American knows the opposite is true. Will the Country wake-up, or are they beyond caring any longer? Being an optimist requires much hope, and even more faith in the ability of the public to honestly look themselves in the mirror and realize what's happening. Andy and I remain convinced this day of awakening is getting closer and closer. Let us know if you agree.

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