Category Democracy

Jul 4 2022

Happy Fourth of July


Armstrong Economics Blog/Uncategorized Re-Posted Jul 4, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

We thank those who continue to promote and fight for freedom. Despite the current president saying our constitutional rights are not absolute, the Founding Fathers ensured on July 4, 1776, that the American people would remain free.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Jun 21 2022

Consumer Spending for Father’s Day


Armstrong Economics Blog/USA Current Events Re-Posted Jun 21, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

Inflation will not deter Americans from celebrating Father’s Day. Consumers are expected to spend $20 billion on Father’s Day this year, according to the National Retail Federation. An estimated 76% of the US population will observe the holiday, which also falls on the newly created Juneteenth holiday. Americans are projected to spend an average of $171.79 each to honor dad, which is in line with last year’s average of $174.10.

According to the survey of 8,297 consumers, around 40% had planned to purchase gifts online. The majority plan to take dad out to eat or for a special outing, which is a welcome boost to the struggling food and hospitality sector. “Despite growing concerns about inflation, consumers plan to spend approximately the same amount as last year in celebration of Father’s Day,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay stated. Around 64% of those surveyed noticed higher prices for gift options.

Father’s Day was established in June 1910 after retailers saw the success of Mother’s Day, which was adopted three years prior. President Nixon signed the holiday into law in 1972, and it has been observed on the third Sunday of June ever since.

Jun 5 2022

Pentecost, The Birth of the Church


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on June 5, 2022 | Menagerie

Jn 20:19-23

On the evening of that first day of the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained.

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit gave the Apostles all the gifts they needed to go out and preach the Gospel to the world. Ultimately, all of them except John would die as martyrs.

Pentecost occurs 50 days after Easter Sunday, ten days after the Ascension. Mary and the Apostles prayed together continuously after the Ascension, and this is where we Catholics get our tradition of the novena, nine days of dedicated prayer.

Once, when I was struggling with an especially difficult spiritual battle, a wise priest reminded  me to call upon the Spirit when I prayed, to guide me and help me, but also to deliver my prayers perfected to God. Those words helped me to see the might, power, love and completeness of the Advocate, and truly brought home to me all the gifts God makes available to us.

Too often we forget to use them.

May 30 2022

Happy Memorial Day – Thank You Veterans and Servicemembers


Armstrong Economics Blog/Uncategorized Re-Posted May 30, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

Thank you to the brave men and women who have fought and continue to fight for our freedom.

May 26 2022

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the County Employment and Wages Summary Wednesday [DATA HERE].  The economic tracking measures the employment and wage increases at a county level throughout 343 counties in the nation.


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on May 25, 2022 | Sundance | 158 Comments

The BLS measures the data on an annual basis from December 2020 through December 2021.  The average rate of wage growth at a county level was 5.9%, far lower than the measured 8.5% inflation rate.  That means real wages, the income of most Americans at the county level have dropped.

However, within the data Florida stands out as having the largest number of counties exceeding the national average.  23 Florida counties are included in the BLS tracking.  An incredible 21 out of 23 Florida counties have wage growth that far exceeds the national average. [BLS, Table-1]

Additionally, Florida holds the top spot for the highest annual rate of wage growth in Palm Beach County with 15.6%…. AND… Florida holds the top spot for the highest annual rate of wage growth amid the ten largest counties, with Miami-Dade wage gains of 11.1%. [BLS, Table-2]

Congratulations Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida workers.   You have the rare distinction of having wage growth overall that exceeds the BLS measured level of Biden inflation.   It’s no wonder why so many people are heading to Florida for jobs.

FREEDOM. If you keep it, they will come.

May 8 2022

Happy Mother’s Day


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on May 8, 2022 | Menagerie

I’d like to return to a theme I’ve written about before. When we think of  Mother’s Day, it is natural for most of us to think of our own mothers and grandmothers, and since we are an adult community here, that means we mostly have in mind older mothers. I hope that if you fall into that category, as I do, your day is wonderful.  I hope you share my favorite gift, just some time with your family, laughter, joy, and making memories.

I would like to especially recognize young mothers and wish them a blessed day. Mothers with young children at home, or even teenagers, are in the most demanding phase of their lives. They are on the run from early morning until late at night.

There are tasks that need their attention before waking the family, then the morning rush of breakfast, dressing the kids, finding the homework and shoes, corralling everyone and loading the car, making it to school on time. Almost a day’s work before even their own workday starts, and then doing it all in reverse in the evening as they pick up kids. Then there are the demands of sports and extra curricular activities like music, dance, school projects, homework, last minute “Mom, I gotta have this (unusual, hard to find, expensive) thing tomorrow or I fail!!!”

Supper, cleanup, housework, laundry, helping with projects and chores and broken hearts and tears over hurts and troubles. And still, with all these demands on her, there are the needs of her husband, perhaps elderly parents, and her own responsibilities and career.

And somehow, there are superwomen who manage all this as a single mother. I truly hope they have appreciation from not only their kids, but most of the rest of us who underestimate the contributions of these moms to society.

The business done in the home is nothing less than the shaping of the bodies and souls of humanity. The family is the factory that manufactures mankind.
—G.K. Chesterton
from the book The Story of the Family
Apr 10 2022

Palm Sunday, Holy Week Begins


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on April 10, 2022 | Menagerie

At the Procession with Palms – Gospel

Lk 19:28-40

Jesus proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.
As he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany
at the place called the Mount of Olives,
he sent two of his disciples.

He said, “Go into the village opposite you,
and as you enter it you will find a colt tethered
on which no one has ever sat.
Untie it and bring it here.
And if anyone should ask you,
‘Why are you untying it?’
you will answer,
‘The Master has need of it.’”
So those who had been sent went off
and found everything just as he had told them.
And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them,
“Why are you untying this colt?”
They answered,
“The Master has need of it.”
So they brought it to Jesus,
threw their cloaks over the colt,
and helped Jesus to mount.
As he rode along,
the people were spreading their cloaks on the road;
and now as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives,
the whole multitude of his disciples
began to praise God aloud with joy
for all the mighty deeds they had seen.
They proclaimed:
“Blessed is the king who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven
and glory in the highest.”
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him,
“Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”
He said in reply,
“I tell you, if they keep silent,
the stones will cry out!”

Apr 10 2022

How Non-Career Politicians Speak


Armstrong Economics Blog/Humor Re-Posted Apr 10, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

Trump spoke candidly and off-the-cuff. He never wanted to be restricted by cue cards. As Nigel Farage said, people disliked Trump’s “New York-style,” but hey, you can’t deny that the man had a sense of humor.

Oh, and by the way, Kimmel, Al Gore was the politician who claimed to create the internet.

Apr 10 2022

President Trump Endorses Dr Oz in Pennsylvania Senate Race


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on April 9, 2022 | Sundance

Apparently, Pennsylvania politics is all about getting the suburban mom vote, or so the professionals in polling say.   This endorsement seems puzzling, but perhaps the Pennsylvania Treepers can clear it up.  Prior story on PA political happenings here.

I don’t want to dump on anyone, but Dr. Oz being endorsed by President Trump seems out of sync with the base.  Ultimately, it’s up to Pennsylvania Republican voters, and maybe they like this guy as the most viable candidate.  Voter registration ends May 2nd, and the Pennsylvania primary is May 17th {link} [General election Nov 8].

I am honored to receive President Trump’s full support and endorsement, and I thank him for that. President Trump knows how critical it is to change the kinds of people we send to Washington. I’m ready to bring an America First agenda to the Senate for Pennsylvania. pic.twitter.com/7gmhZupinr

— Dr. Mehmet Oz (@DrOz) April 10, 2022

Not a lot of people in my random unscientific Twitter poll are in favor.

However, how many people are from Pennsylvania?

(LINK to POLL)

Apr 9 2022

Republican Voter Registrations Surging in Pennsylvania Ahead of May 17 Primary


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on April 8, 2022 | Sundance

April 8, 2022 | Sundance | 209 Comments

Reuters has an interesting article about changes within the Pennsylvania electorate and a surge in Republican voter registration.   One of the key notes from their research is a large shift in Democrat registration voters switching to the Republican Party. “Republicans have converted four Democrats for every Republican who has switched to the Democratic Party, according to data published by Pennsylvania’s Department of State.”

In the Keystone State Republican U.S. Senator Pat Toomey is retiring this year, and Pennsylvanians will vote for governor following the exit of Democrat Tom Wolf.  Voter registration ends May 2nd, and the Pennsylvania primary is May 17th {link} [General election Nov 8].

The Pennsylvania voters, interviewed by Reuters, shared the issues they consider important to them including (1) crushing inflation, gas prices, (2) economy overall, (3) major rise in crime, (4) border security, and (5) cultural issues to include the leftist shift in education.

Even in strong Democrat districts like Philadelphia, the outcomes of Democrat local and national policies are turning voters toward the Republican Party.

The Reuters article frames the issue in terms of a warning to Democrats for the 2022 election, using example of voter registration shifts in key states.  However, as we have seen from the experience with the professionally Republican Party, if there’s one organization who can (intentionally) screw up an opportunity for push-back against advancing leftism, on either the state or especially the federal level, it’s the GOPe.

(Reuters) […] In addition to inflation and other economic issues, a growing number of Pennsylvania voters have become disillusioned with the Democratic Party over its perceived shift leftward on cultural matters, said Terry Madonna, a senior fellow in residence at Millersville University, a longtime political analyst in the state.

Madonna pointed to Republican Glenn Youngkin, who won the governorship of Virginia last year after campaigning on a promise to ban the teaching of critical race theory in schools, as an indicator of what will resonate with Pennsylvania voters.

“It’s not just inflation,” Madonna said, noting that Republicans scored a series of victories in municipal elections in the Philadelphia suburbs last year. “I think it’s a combination of things.” (read more)