The American President: What's in the job?

[Illinois59]

Prices are driven down by competition. The first company to move its plant to China will increase its profit margin, but when its competitors do the same, they are going to lower their prices to increase sales.

And the workers who lost their jobs in the U.S. now don't have the money to buy those products that were made in the U.S. or China. And conservatives can't explain why consumer spending is not going up as wages are forced lower and lower.

[Yogi Bare]

Prices are driven down by competition.

Really??

Competition hasn't driven down the price of gasoline. But, then again, when there are only 3 or 4 big players in the game (a near monopoly) they can all pretty much set their own prices the same. We've all noticed it - when one station increases its price 10 cents a gallon, all the other stations in the area do the same. If they truly wanted to be competitive, the other stations would leave their price where it was.

Competition hasn't driven down the cost of health care. It just keeps rising every year at a rate much greater than that of inflation.

Competition hasn't driven down the price of a new car. The average price of a new car is more than I paid for my first house.

[Gloria]

Really??

Competition hasn't driven down the price of gasoline. But, then again, when there are only 3 or 4 big players in the game (a near monopoly) they can all pretty much set their own prices the same. We've all noticed it - when one station increases its price 10 cents a gallon, all the other stations in the area do the same. If they truly wanted to be competitive, the other stations would leave their price where it was.

Yogi, you should do a little research into Gasoline Retailing.

Competition hasn't driven down the cost of health care. It just keeps rising every year at a rate much greater than that of inflation.

There will be no competition in health care as long as insurance companies and the government (Medicare) set prices. When you deal directly with doctors, it's surprising how competitive they can be.

Competition hasn't driven down the price of a new car. The average price of a new car is more than I paid for my first house.

That's inflation Yogi. The new car business is very competitive. The Model T Ford sold for $850.00 in 1909. That is $21,987.00 in today's dollars.

[Skinview]

Really??

Competition hasn't driven down the price of gasoline.

Its already down as low as the retailers can go, at the moment. But I see the price of gas drop often.

But, then again, when there are only 3 or 4 big players in the game (a near monopoly) they can all pretty much set their own prices the same.

More than that.

We've all noticed it - when one station increases its price 10 cents a gallon, all the other stations in the area do the same. If they truly wanted to be competitive, the other stations would leave their price where it was.

They would leave the price the same if they could. The price goes up and down because their costs go up and down. If the cost of oil goes up, its going to hit them all.

Competition hasn't driven down the cost of health care. It just keeps rising every year at a rate much greater than that of inflation.

Consumers tend not to shop prices in healthcare, and I think that has a lot to do with the rising cost.

Competition hasn't driven down the price of a new car. The average price of a new car is more than I paid for my first house.

Inflation happens.

[Skinview]

Then why is Wal Mart such a resounding success where cheap Chinese goods are the norm? The masses do not think like what you posted above. The masses want bargains and want to buy as much as they can for as little money as possible. This is psychological and has been around since before the industrial revolution. The USA does not consist of homogenious nationalists who put country first. They are referred to as consumers first and foremost and are taught consumerism from a very early age.

You make it sound like political movement! If someone goes into a store and sees the widget he wants for sale for $20, and the guy accross the street is selling the same thing for $10, the consumer doesn't have to be taught anything - he is going to walk across the street and buy it for $10.

[Skinview]

And the workers who lost their jobs in the U.S. now don't have the money to buy those products that were made in the U.S. or China.

For the moment. But sooner or later, the chinese are going to want something for their dollars, and they are going to buy something from us. A 777, a movie, real estate, whatever. The guy who made sneakers can get a new job working for Boeing. Lately the Chinese have been loaning us the money to pay for our Social Security checks. Maybe the sneaker maker will be making walkers and Geritol.

[Naturist Mark]

For the moment. But sooner or later, the chinese are going to want something for their dollars, and they are going to buy something from us. A 777, a movie, real estate, whatever. The guy who made sneakers can get a new job working for Boeing.

If that were true, there wouldn't be a trade deficit - by that logic all trade must be equal and reciprocal since any dollars made overseas must eventually be spent back here. Unfortunately there is a trade deficit, so something else must be happening, eh?

Certainly you need to take into account that the US dollar is not a purely US currency, it is the world's reserve currency (until the BRIC nations or others decide to change that). Dollars earned from selling products to the US can be spent anywhere and need never return to the US economy.

[Gloria]

What's in the job?

Can't answer......the job is changing every day.

According to Politico on Aug 10th Obama signed The Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011

In the middle of election season, Democrats and Republicans in Congress have come together to give President Barack Obama more power to appoint officials to jobs in his administration without seeking approval from the Senate.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/

Why didn't we hear of this??????

Lost in the hubbub last weekend over Rep. Paul Ryan’s selection as Mitt Romney’s running mate was the fact that Obama signed a bill that eliminates the need to obtain Senate confirmation for about 170 executive branch posts. That includes FEMA, DOD and Homeland Security. Scarey!!!!

I would be worried if any Republican President was given this power........not that he would abuse it.....but because that power would then belong to all future Presidents. Think what a really wacko president can do now.

[Naturist Mark]

According to Politico on Aug 10th Obama signed The Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011


http://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/

Why didn't we hear of this??????

Lost in the hubbub last weekend over Rep. Paul Ryan’s selection as Mitt Romney’s running mate was the fact that Obama signed a bill that eliminates the need to obtain Senate confirmation for about 170 executive branch posts. That includes FEMA, DOD and Homeland Security. Scarey!!!!

I would be worried if any Republican President was given this power........not that he would abuse it.....but because that power would then belong to all future Presidents. Think what a really wacko president can do now.

If this act is so scary ... why did Republicans allow it to pass? They control the House and filibuster nearly everything in the Senate - under current conditions allowing it to even come to a vote in the Senate is tantamount to GOP endorsement. If this is so dangerous, why did this bill cut through the partisan gridlock that prevents Congress from doing almost everything it is supposed to do? Did Obama offer them magic beans? Kenyan citizenship? Rides in his time machine?

[Gloria]

If this act is so scary ... why did Republicans allow it to pass?

I suppose I could be smug and say that they expect "their guy" to be elected in November and want him to have all the powers they can give him......but the fact that the act received so much Republican support makes it really scary.

Political Parties be damned. The GOVERNMENT (Dems or Repubs) is getting too powerful. By passing this act, the Senate is turning over another of its responsibilities to the executive branch. There goes the "checks and balances".