Archive for September 22nd, 2010

What's the hurt if from Obama's tax hikes if you make more than $250,000 but less than $500,000

September 22, 2010

This week, a series of ‘angles’ on the debate to kill or keep the Bush Tax Cuts …

First, a couple of context points: I think all of the Bush Tax Cuts should be extended and, I’m not in the business of hepling the Dems with their messaging.  But …

According to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, the average taxpayer earning $200,000 to $500,000, will be socked an additional $988 if Obama jacks tax rates on “the wealthiest” Americans.

True, it’s more than pocket change, but it’s not going to threaten anybody’s lifestyle.

I wonder why Obamatrons aren’t highlighting the under $1,000 number to settle down the ‘almost rich’ who are collateral damage in his class attack?

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Data source: L,A, Times, The tax cut debate, September 15, 2010
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-taxes-20100915,0,6983741.story

Posted in Taxes | Leave a Comment »

Summers going, going ….

September 22, 2010

gone !

Not the season, the Obama econ adviser … the third to jump ship … along with budget director Orzag and Christine “8%” Romers.

Two points:

1) If the Stimulus is working as well as Obama and Biden say, why aren’t these folks sticking around for the applause ?

2) At Monday’s twn hall, the President was asked specifically if Summers or Geithner would be replaced … he answered “no pesonnel decisions have been made” … do you think (a) decision was made yesterday, or (b) Obama didn’t know, or (c) the President wasn’t answering truthfully ?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704129204575506281087034608.html?mod=WSJ_hps_LEFTTopStories

Posted in Financial Crisis, Obama Administration | 1 Comment »

What the heck is so funny about "being completely exhausted"?

September 22, 2010

If you haven’t seen this clip from Obama’s town hall … you’ve got to see it to believe it.

Summary: an African-American lady who describes herself as a middle class Obama supporter says that she’s exhausted defending the President and his ineffective policies.

Couple of points:

1) Note the President’s smirk when she’s asking her question?  I still can’t figure out what he thought was so funny.

2) His answer laid out “some of the things wI’m doing to help you” … e.g. health coverage for preconditions … none of which materially  impacted this lady

3) On the Monday  talk shows, Obamatrons were already saying she was a GOP plant … watch the wrath of the mainstream media come down on this lady … like they did on Joe the Plumber

I think this clip will have a noticeable impact on the Novemeber elections … she puts a face to buyer’s remorse … and can’t be dismissed as a Tea Party wingnut.

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Click link or picture to view:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5GqYtrSzAo&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5GqYtrSzAo&feature=player_embedded

Posted in Obama Administration | Leave a Comment »

Coca-Cola: You’re Still the One

September 22, 2010

TakeAway:  Coca-Cola, IBM and Microsoft again scored highly in this year’s Interbrand ranking of the 100 Best Global Brands.

Among other highlights, BP fell off the list (not a surprise, given the oil spill) and Hewlett-Packard jumped into the top 10 for the first time.

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Excerpted from the AdWeek, “Coke Tops List of Global Brands” By Todd Wasserman,September 16, 2010 

The list, based on “a unique methodology analyzing the many ways a brand touches and benefits an organization, from attracting top talent to delivering on customer expectation,” according to Interbrand, showed some big movers over the course of 2009-2010.

But in some cases, brands seemed to weather crises well. Toyota, No. 11 on the list, lost 16 percent of its value after its recall PR disaster earlier this year. However, it only fell three places. Goldman Sachs, despite its well-publicized troubles, actually rose from No. 38 to No. 37.

The biggest winners were tech brands, which seemed to withstand the economic times particularly well.

For example, Google’s brand value jumped 36 percent, making it a solid No. 4, while Intel (7) and HP (10) had a strong showing, as did Apple (17).

For the full ranking and explanation, go to http://www.interbrand.com/en/best-global-brands/best-global-brands-2008/best-global-brands-2010.aspx.

Edit by AMW

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Full Article:
http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/client/e3ic5827d475c9bb4365c4421ee4830c228

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Posted in Mktg - Brands | Leave a Comment »

Coca-Cola: You’re Still the One

September 22, 2010

TakeAway:  Coca-Cola, IBM and Microsoft again scored highly in this year’s Interbrand ranking of the 100 Best Global Brands.

Among other highlights, BP fell off the list (not a surprise, given the oil spill) and Hewlett-Packard jumped into the top 10 for the first time.

* * * * *

Excerpted from the AdWeek, “Coke Tops List of Global Brands” By Todd Wasserman,September 16, 2010 

The list, based on “a unique methodology analyzing the many ways a brand touches and benefits an organization, from attracting top talent to delivering on customer expectation,” according to Interbrand, showed some big movers over the course of 2009-2010.

But in some cases, brands seemed to weather crises well. Toyota, No. 11 on the list, lost 16 percent of its value after its recall PR disaster earlier this year. However, it only fell three places. Goldman Sachs, despite its well-publicized troubles, actually rose from No. 38 to No. 37.

The biggest winners were tech brands, which seemed to withstand the economic times particularly well.

For example, Google’s brand value jumped 36 percent, making it a solid No. 4, while Intel (7) and HP (10) had a strong showing, as did Apple (17).

For the full ranking and explanation, go to http://www.interbrand.com/en/best-global-brands/best-global-brands-2008/best-global-brands-2010.aspx.

Edit by AMW

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Full Article:
http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/client/e3ic5827d475c9bb4365c4421ee4830c228

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Posted in Mktg - Brands | Leave a Comment »

From the "fool me once" file: Business PACs shift $$$ to the GOP

September 22, 2010

According to data from the Center for Responsive Politics …

  • Business PACs gave 52% of their $72.2 million in total donations to Republican candidates from January through July. In the same period of 2009, corporate PACs had sent 59% of their $64 million in campaign contributions to Democratic candidates,
  • Overall, big banks, securities firms and other financial-services companies gave 55% of $18.5 million in campaign donations to Republicans in the January-through-July period. That’s a reversal from the same period last year, when they gave 65% of PAC donations to Democrats.
  • PACs that are run by labor unions give an overwhelming share of their donations to Democrats. Sixteen of the top 20 PAC donors to Democrats so far this election are operated by labor unions.  None of the top 20 PAC donors to Republicans have been labor unions in the current election cycle.

WSJ, Corporate Political Giving Swings Toward the GOP, Sept 21, 2010 
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703989304575503933125159928.html?mod=WSJ_hps_MIDDLETopStories

Posted in Politics - General | Leave a Comment »