Let’s be civil. The Flathead Beacon encourages vigorous discussion and lively debate, but we will delete comments that attack other readers, make accusations we can’t verify, stray too far off topic, criticize local businesses (call them if you have a problem), convict someone of a crime, use profanity or are simply judged to be in bad taste. We don’t always have someone moderating comments, so we ask for your help: If you see a comment that violates these ground rules, or you simply deem it offensive, please e-mail editor [at] flatheadbeacon.com. The views expressed in the comments section do not reflect those of the Beacon.
By john on 11-19-08
Thank you for writing this article… finely an honest, insightful look into just how bad the local economy really is. I also like that you went the extra mile and interviewed the chief economist from the MT Dept of labor, someone who really knows what is going on, unlike the DIL who’s most expert authority on the local economy is Joe Blow the local realtor who of course is going to say business is booming, please come buy my house. I think they (the DIL) have forgone the interest of their readers to please businesses advertising in their paper (realtors and Builders). Not only is what they write bad journalism, but does a huge disservice to the people of this valley who are now caught off guard by just how bad the economy is. We need to quit ignoring the 800 lb gorilla in the room; lets shoot it, mount it on the wall and get on with life.
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By JB on 11-19-08
I’m in agreement with john, thanks for not “sugar-coating” the truth of the state of the economy and the jobs outlook situation in Flathead County. The due diligence in the article shows the actual situation not only locally, but in the rest of Montana as well.
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By Nick on 11-20-08
I had a client of mine tell me that after the election he found out his business taxes would increase on his 200+ employee business, and he could no longer afford to keep operating at the same costs. So he immediately thought to raise his prices, except the economy is so bad he would ultimately lose customers. So he figured that he would have to lay off 8 people in order to survive financially. But he didn’t know how to choose which 8 were to be layed off because no matter what it just wouldn’t be fair. Well he said he went out in the parking lot, found 8 cars with Obama stickers on them, and made his choice…. and said “well, they wanted change, and it starts here.“
Im not saying this as a joke or to be mean to anyone, Im just putting this out there so everyone knows the reality of what is to come. Now, this new administration may ultimately lead to better things in the long run, but when you’re out there voting to increase the taxes of the rich to “spread the wealth” then you’d better realize who the rich employ. I hope this isn’t something we’ll see all over, but I just started my new position not too long ago and being low man on the totem pole, I’d most likely be the first to go if our company had to lay off some people…
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By Charlie on 11-20-08
I would say the global economic recession, leaning toward depression, might have a lot more to do with your client’s business troubles than any future tax increases. Sounds like petty scapegoating/retribution to me.
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By Citizen on 11-20-08
Last January I made a bet that before this year ended the DOW would be below 9,000. Then while making the bet, I thought that was too harsh and changed my mind and made the bet for below 10,000. Today it is 7555. A few months ago I started realizing, from the material I was reading, that a DOW 5000 will occur in the later part of this year or early 2009. Buckle up, help your neighbors, be a good person, and remember that it is better to give than to receive.
Greatest Depression here we come.
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By Pawned on 11-20-08
Bob Chapman says (International Forecaster)- Over the past eight years a major change has overcome America. As we have said before it is now socially and politically acceptable to lie and to mislead. Chiselers have stolen our rights under our Constitution, from us and our leaders in Washington and Wall Street and banking are corrupt. There is no one left to complain too. There is no one there to protect us. Our Congress, courts, law enforcement, and regulatory agencies only protect the elite. We have just seen massive fraud by Wall Street and banking and our government allows American taxpayers to illegally bail them out.
Beacon Readers Rated This Comment:
By Citizen on 11-20-08
@ Pawned - You are right on target. I visit that site often. Some other awesome sites you should look at are, professorfekete.com silverbearcafe.com lewrockwell.com mises.org
On CNBC right now they are talking about how the DOW will hit 6,000 this year and stay there for about 2 years. I am betting more of a DOW 5000 for 5-6 years.
Argentum et aurum comparenda sunt!
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By Citizen on 11-20-08
Baucus Says Economy Slide Near Bottom
By Matt Gouras, Associated Press, 03-18-08
HELENA – U.S. Sen. Max Baucus says he believes the economy’s slide is near the bottom, but more can be done by Congress to correct flagging confidence in financial markets.
That is our wise senator people! Saying that the market was bottomed in March! Today it is 7552! What an ignorant fool. Ron Paul knew and Max did not know anything. The DOW will hit 5000 Max, and your name is on the failed bailout of the money you STOLE from us….the people. DO not think we will forget your vote. We will never forget that MAX voted to steal the peoples money and give it to Wall Street.
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By Chinastyle4America on 11-23-08
Puma sponsors Olympic teams and star athletes around the world. But it is unlikely that even these finely conditioned athletes could keep pace with Puma’s workers in China, forced to work up to 16.5 hours a day, from 7:30 a.m. to midnight, six or seven days a week, for wages of just 31 cents an hour. How many athletes could endure the constant production line speed-ups, the relentless numbing repetitive motions, being yelled and screamed at, humiliated, only to return home exhausted to a crowded dorm room shared by 12 workers, without hot water and forced to eat food resembling “pig slop”? How many athletes could stand to be stripped of their most basic rights, knowing that if they ever dared to speak the truth, they would be fired immediately? Yet Puma workers in China endure just this, day in and day out, year after year.
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By JB on 11-24-08
There were reports some years ago that Nike workers in China were enduring the same conditions. This in a country that has no protections for common factory workers. Is it any wonder that quality of their products is substandard at best? You can’t get quality goods from China with workers that are not treated like decent human beings.
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Let’s be civil. The Flathead Beacon encourages vigorous discussion and lively debate, but we will delete comments that attack other readers, make accusations we can’t verify, stray too far off topic, criticize local businesses (call them if you have a problem), convict someone of a crime, use profanity or are simply judged to be in bad taste. We don’t always have someone moderating comments, so we ask for your help: If you see a comment that violates these ground rules, or you simply deem it offensive, please e-mail editor [at] flatheadbeacon.com. The views expressed in the comments section do not reflect those of the Beacon.
By john on 11-19-08
Thank you for writing this article… finely an honest, insightful look into just how bad the local economy really is. I also like that you went the extra mile and interviewed the chief economist from the MT Dept of labor, someone who really knows what is going on, unlike the DIL who’s most expert authority on the local economy is Joe Blow the local realtor who of course is going to say business is booming, please come buy my house. I think they (the DIL) have forgone the interest of their readers to please businesses advertising in their paper (realtors and Builders). Not only is what they write bad journalism, but does a huge disservice to the people of this valley who are now caught off guard by just how bad the economy is. We need to quit ignoring the 800 lb gorilla in the room; lets shoot it, mount it on the wall and get on with life.
By JB on 11-19-08
I’m in agreement with john, thanks for not “sugar-coating” the truth of the state of the economy and the jobs outlook situation in Flathead County. The due diligence in the article shows the actual situation not only locally, but in the rest of Montana as well.
By Nick on 11-20-08
I had a client of mine tell me that after the election he found out his business taxes would increase on his 200+ employee business, and he could no longer afford to keep operating at the same costs. So he immediately thought to raise his prices, except the economy is so bad he would ultimately lose customers. So he figured that he would have to lay off 8 people in order to survive financially. But he didn’t know how to choose which 8 were to be layed off because no matter what it just wouldn’t be fair. Well he said he went out in the parking lot, found 8 cars with Obama stickers on them, and made his choice…. and said “well, they wanted change, and it starts here.“
Im not saying this as a joke or to be mean to anyone, Im just putting this out there so everyone knows the reality of what is to come. Now, this new administration may ultimately lead to better things in the long run, but when you’re out there voting to increase the taxes of the rich to “spread the wealth” then you’d better realize who the rich employ. I hope this isn’t something we’ll see all over, but I just started my new position not too long ago and being low man on the totem pole, I’d most likely be the first to go if our company had to lay off some people…
By Charlie on 11-20-08
I would say the global economic recession, leaning toward depression, might have a lot more to do with your client’s business troubles than any future tax increases. Sounds like petty scapegoating/retribution to me.
By Citizen on 11-20-08
Last January I made a bet that before this year ended the DOW would be below 9,000. Then while making the bet, I thought that was too harsh and changed my mind and made the bet for below 10,000. Today it is 7555. A few months ago I started realizing, from the material I was reading, that a DOW 5000 will occur in the later part of this year or early 2009. Buckle up, help your neighbors, be a good person, and remember that it is better to give than to receive.
Greatest Depression here we come.
By Pawned on 11-20-08
Bob Chapman says (International Forecaster)- Over the past eight years a major change has overcome America. As we have said before it is now socially and politically acceptable to lie and to mislead. Chiselers have stolen our rights under our Constitution, from us and our leaders in Washington and Wall Street and banking are corrupt. There is no one left to complain too. There is no one there to protect us. Our Congress, courts, law enforcement, and regulatory agencies only protect the elite. We have just seen massive fraud by Wall Street and banking and our government allows American taxpayers to illegally bail them out.
By Citizen on 11-20-08
@ Pawned - You are right on target. I visit that site often. Some other awesome sites you should look at are, professorfekete.com silverbearcafe.com lewrockwell.com mises.org
On CNBC right now they are talking about how the DOW will hit 6,000 this year and stay there for about 2 years. I am betting more of a DOW 5000 for 5-6 years.
Argentum et aurum comparenda sunt!
By Citizen on 11-20-08
Baucus Says Economy Slide Near Bottom
By Matt Gouras, Associated Press, 03-18-08
HELENA – U.S. Sen. Max Baucus says he believes the economy’s slide is near the bottom, but more can be done by Congress to correct flagging confidence in financial markets.
That is our wise senator people! Saying that the market was bottomed in March! Today it is 7552! What an ignorant fool. Ron Paul knew and Max did not know anything. The DOW will hit 5000 Max, and your name is on the failed bailout of the money you STOLE from us….the people. DO not think we will forget your vote. We will never forget that MAX voted to steal the peoples money and give it to Wall Street.
By Chinastyle4America on 11-23-08
Puma sponsors Olympic teams and star athletes around the world. But it is unlikely that even these finely conditioned athletes could keep pace with Puma’s workers in China, forced to work up to 16.5 hours a day, from 7:30 a.m. to midnight, six or seven days a week, for wages of just 31 cents an hour. How many athletes could endure the constant production line speed-ups, the relentless numbing repetitive motions, being yelled and screamed at, humiliated, only to return home exhausted to a crowded dorm room shared by 12 workers, without hot water and forced to eat food resembling “pig slop”? How many athletes could stand to be stripped of their most basic rights, knowing that if they ever dared to speak the truth, they would be fired immediately? Yet Puma workers in China endure just this, day in and day out, year after year.
By JB on 11-24-08
There were reports some years ago that Nike workers in China were enduring the same conditions. This in a country that has no protections for common factory workers. Is it any wonder that quality of their products is substandard at best? You can’t get quality goods from China with workers that are not treated like decent human beings.