Drudge Retort: Red Meat for Yellow Dogs
Friday, November 07, 2008

Sales at the nation's largest retailers fell off a cliff in October, casting fresh doubt on the survival of some chains and signaling that this will probably be the weakest Christmas shopping season in decades. Consumers are cutting their spending for many reasons, but high on the list is the weakening employment picture. Even people who still have jobs are pinching pennies as they hear of layoffs among friends and family.

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Wow, unemployment is sky rocketing and budgets of people across America is being foreclosed upon and now retailers are reporting huge collapse in sales.

Well, certainly sounds like Americans are being responsible but to listen to some of these hard core neocons they are just lazy freeloaders.

This is only the beginning, it will be getting far worse, we don't make anything so as those retailer fall in consumption so do the employees getting laidoff and the spiral will continue down until America decides we need to make things again.

From Merriam-Webster

Main Entry: bubble
Etymology: Middle English bobel
Date: 14th century
1: a small globule typically hollow and light
2 a: something that lacks firmness, solidity, or reality b: a delusive scheme
5: a state of booming economic activity (as in a stock market) that often ends in a sudden collapse

I wonder when bubble was first used in an economic description. I know of the South Sea Bubble of 1720, but would probably have to subscribe to the OED to find out my answer.

There is not one single necessary item sold at Nieman Marcus.

What are the Dems going to do to fix this? What is their plan? They are in control, they are accountable, we are waiting.

"Yap yap yap...ankle bite, ankle bite"

Strawdouche the pomaranian attack dog speaks and demands competance.

New to the game. Did not fel that way till Tuesday nite about 10:00 central.

Had 8 years of ass fucking by bush and ate it up.

Your transparent faux outrage is so cute.

Beeotch.

Duh.......

I, for some reason managed to sew up that hole that money always burns in my pocket. In the bank, it's safe, but usually I throw cash around as if it was already spent.

Been walking around with $400-500 in my pocket all week and haven't touched the cash card.

Oh I remember now......

I am saving up for a kegerator.

"Deep discounters like Wal-Mart and BJ's Wholesale Club reported gains."

This seems to happen at every slow down. I think people start trying to live within their means.

That and the easy credit has all but disappeared for many.

It's a good time to be in the rubber squash business (the kind you keep in the fridge to hide your $ in).

Let them all rot.

I've live my fiscal life responsibly even when I didn't have to. I've saved, made smart choices and lived well within my means.

Know what that got me? Not much. All the greedy idiots out there who lived on credit and overspent and overborrowed have screwed ME. My investments are down, my savings rates are down. My job is in jeopardy. I'm having a hard time selling a house in this market.

What'd I do wrong? NOT A DAMN THING. So to every company that capitalized on greed and credit and is going under, and to every idiot who couldn't live within their means and it losing a house, or a job, or a car, or whatever - I say GOOD, FINALLY YOU GET WHAT'S COMING TO YOU. I HOPE YOU DIE IN A RAINY COLD ALLEY UNDER A REFRIGERATOR BOX.

Oh I remember now......

I am saving up for a kegerator.

#6 | Posted by Manypaths at 2008-11-07 03:45 PM | Reply

I have a portable kegerator (the Co2, the lines, and a cooler with steel plate).

Keep saving. Those aren't cheap (at least the fridge ones). I wanted one but then NY came up with some screwy and backwards way to prevent kids from "binge drinking". They charged you $70 deposit for the keg, and the retailer charges another $35. The kicker is, you only have a limited window to get the empty barrel back or you lose the deposits (remember, it was designed to reduce binge drinking...).

I just demolished a 1/2 keg of Yuengling ($71) on the weekend of October 17th, and I've been looking for a reason to use up that CO2. Maybe Thanksgiving weekend?

"I HOPE YOU DIE IN A RAINY COLD ALLEY UNDER A REFRIGERATOR BOX."

Er....retail sales down....there will be fewer refrigerator boxes.

Yeah, I am looking at ones that run $700-800. Want it to be nice enough to have on display in the kitchen.

I am in the land of Microbrews and I can pick up 1/2 kegs for 85 bucks. Sierra Nevada runs $135!!!

Bastards. I just want to get rid of dealing with empty bottles.

There is not one single necessary item sold at Nieman Marcus.

#2 | Posted by grumpy_too

This economy doesn't run on necessary items. We've got to buy more and more UNNECESSARY ITEMS. Thats the engine our economy runs on. Any old widget will do and if you don't want to buy your widgets, Madison Avenue will come along to make you feel like your life will not have any meaning without this widget or that.

I just want to get rid of dealing with empty bottles.

#12 | Posted by Manypaths at 2008-11-07 03:59 PM | Reply

On it's face that sounds like the laziest comment, but I know exactly where you're coming from.

I'm a huge fan of draft/draught, and I don't understand the people that prefer bottled beer. Nothing beats a freshly poured glass or pitcher of beer on tap.
Clean up is easy, return is easy, and once you get the CO2 to the right point it's auto-pilot.

You must be looking in to the ones that are just above waist high with the tap on top? They're nice. I always liked the old-school refridge that was rigged for the keg and has the tap coming out of the door. I realize that harkens back to the college days/cottage type environment and isn't conducive to adult home entertainment though. The set up I have is great for parties on the go. I can put it in a mini-van, the back of my friends pick-up, etc and have drafts on the go. It also can be put on the ATV (it was a little difficult) and taken to the Steelhead area behind my house (I went out last night...they've finally made it upstream).

Post some picks once you get it.

Know what that got me? Not much. All the greedy idiots out there who lived on credit and overspent and overborrowed have screwed ME.
#9 | Posted by unklegwar

I hope that you are including all those people who bought stock on margin in your definition of "greedy idiots."

You must be looking in to the ones that are just above waist high with the tap on top?

Exactly. I have been reading that consistent temp. is also key and you have to buy a good one for that.

I always liked the old-school refridge that was rigged for the keg and has the tap coming out of the door.

Me too, but the little lady is not too keen with that Frat House look.

It also can be put on the ATV

Now THAT sounds like something I should consider.....

People would be able to buy stuff if they had the jobs. People would have the jobs if they hadn't been outsourced, off shored or filled by illlegals that send billions back to their home country. Maybe these retailers should open shops in Mexico, China and India where all of the jobs are!

Or make a good living staffing Offshore firms?

But, to each his own......

"This economy doesn't run on necessary items. We've got to buy more and more UNNECESSARY ITEMS. Thats the engine our economy runs on. Any old widget will do and if you don't want to buy your widgets, Madison Avenue will come along to make you feel like your life will not have any meaning without this widget or that.

#13 | Posted by Hagbard_Celine "

Who doesn't need a battery-operated spice rack?!?

SAVE US OBAMMY, SAAAAAAAAAAAVE US

You beer drinkers really need this...

"Oh the Edwardians and their moustaches: the damned hairy things seemed to be ever getting in the way, catching fire or becoming unattractively damp and potentially infected. To prevent this last problem, Fritz Baudisch filed a British patent to stop beards and moustaches getting moistened while drinking. His gadget consisted simply of a protective antiseptic paper disk that could be adapted to be folded over the edge of any drinking-vessel. Then, of course, it got damp and filled the toper's facial hair with papier mache. Drat.

CHICKENINOVEN your guy is still president, why don't you ask him to save you????
Oh, cuz you finally realized that he and his buddies planned the whole thing???
Took you long enough.

Sorry, all I can see right now is:

FIX IT!!!!

FIX!!!

IT!!!

FIX IT!!!!

Damn that was funny........

"I just demolished a 1/2 keg of Yuengling ($71) on the weekend of October 17th, and I've been looking for a reason to use up that CO2."

By yourself? Brother, that's some serious drinking...where's that AA phone number?

You know, only in America are drinkers considered to have a problem.

SAVE US OBAMMY, SAAAAAAAAAAAVE US

#20 | Posted by ChickenInOven at 2008-11-07 04:22 PM

I had to laugh when I read that. I pulled thru a fast food for iced tea Thursday...I was told things are gonna change in January...we won. The gal actually did a gig.

I think a certain number of Obama supporters are really going to turn on the brother in short order.

By yourself? Brother, that's some serious drinking...where's that AA phone number?

#24 | Posted by evilpolock at 2008-11-07 04:43 PM | Reply

You see, I made some bet with this guy and I knew it was a bad idea and I'd be losing some coin...

No, I didn't drink it all by myself, but it was a case of serious drinking. A buddy came in from LA, and we, along with 3 other friends killed the keg by Saturday afternoon. Then we worked over multiple 30 packs from that point, through tailgating at the Bills game, and Sunday night.
I think I shook the hangover yesterday at 1:30pm EST!

Hmmmm, perhaps there are those Obama supporters stupid enough to think that the guys going to wave a wand and all will be better, yes, they are indeed in store for quite a let down. If only they had listened to what he's been saying

That said, those that have listened know that we have a major challenge before us that's going to take elbow grease and sacrifice and good ol' American can-do-it-ness. I've got a hunch, could be wrong, but it's a hunch, that millions of Americans are ready to do what's right for AMERICA, do that work, make those sacrifices, making sure we're not only competitive but ready to lead again.

And that is the worse possible scenario for the right. People actually taking part in making the country better. As opposed to just shopping and yawning as our reputation and value to the world diminishes because of right wing hubris and a sick desire to bankrupt government and disenfranchise millions.

Man, if we make this work, if we fight back against each and every devious right wing ploy to keep the country frozen in a state they can later take advantage of, man, oh, man, they are done as a party, at least the current incantation.

God bless all and God bless America.

Clinton's Fault!

do that work

Whaaa? Work? Oh, hells no! Nobody told me NUTHIN' 'bout no work. Shit!

Sincery,
Obama Supporters

KINGZILLA

Why do you jump to conclusions based on nothing but your own thoughts?

No one expects miracles. We're in a hell of a mess that'll take a long time to dig out from under.

Outsourcing jobs offshore? Yup. Layoffs because people are fed up with buying useless crap that kills us and the environment and little kids in China? Yup. Corrupt pols covering for corrupt corps? Yup. Resource sucking war? It's there.

However, I cannot help but think, how come nobody ever gets going about temporary work and the trend to stop actually hiring people in this country in favor of stringing them all along for years on end with short term assignments that offer no health care or meaningful benefits?

When I first moved where I am now, I tried for 4 years to get into a stable job, but in my line of work (computer oriented office staff) it was all temp. I worked at one company for 3 of those years, got 3 raises, rave reviews and moved from position to position, but it turns out that they rarely actually hired anyone.

And of course, I got let go eventually, not for being a bad worker, but because it was that or give me another raise.

How the hell are we supposed to live with this crap?

PS - I solved my problem. I went in to business for myself. I'm broke, receive food stamps, and gosh dernit, I'm happier than ever before.

I guess we all have our own definitions of "successful".

Now all I need is the economy to turn north again, so I can actually turn a profit.

"However, I cannot help but think, how come nobody ever gets going about temporary work and the trend to stop actually hiring people in this country in favor of stringing them all along for years on end with short term assignments that offer no health care or meaningful benefits?"

Ain't nothing wrong with tempin. Except, as you mentioned, our farked-up health care system. Canadians I know think a whole lot less about absolute 40-hour-a-week employment, because they won't be uncovered. 35 hours a week is about 95% as good as 40 hours a week, unlike this country where 35 hours a week means you're a blood clot away from bankruptcy. 35 a week with a 10-hour night job is much more survivable than here.

Conversely, though, because they aren't having to add on all the health care malarkey, companies are also more willing to hire you on full-time.

When you prop up the economy on consumer spending financed by borrowing against inflated home prices this is what you get.

I just think back to all the jokers who said that a negative savings rate was not bad.

We only need two retailers anyway, Wal Mart and Sam's Club.

"We only need two retailers anyway, Wal Mart and Sam's Club."

Posted by fwthom

Was that totally random, or a glimmer of a sense of humor?

ff

A tax free holiday may help save this holiday season.

Went to every store in my area.

Sold out: Wii. $250.
Accessories: Sold out. Usually $20-$50 each.

This is constantly the case.

Has anyone ever looked at the Christmas tree with gift requests from children? You take a star or something like that off the tree to buy a kid a gift. Guess what they ask for?

I remember asking my folks for a board game for Christmas. Another year, a book. One gift. That's it - each Christmas. No credit card debt. A simple gift. I wouldn't dare make a Christmas list longer than a couple suggestions.

Today, kids expect everything and parents are spoiling them and themselves.

Wii. $250. Are people nuts?

Well what would you expect after 2 years of democrats crying how a terrible economy. They have scared the people so much it might take several more years to convince them it was all a false alarm.

Obama explained it well:

When you reject "spreading (sharing) the wealth (opportunity)" with everyone and give it all to the wealthiest and corporations
- who will have extra money to patronize your stores and products?

Repubs need to learn that America and capitalism does not mean to "funnel the wealth" only to the Kings at the very top like America is a pyramid scheme or crime family!

Rush-heads and minions seem to love being programmed to supply the Bush crime family funnels of welfare for the wealthiest while 95% of Americans suffers..!?

Remember Bush at his Party brashly addressing his self-generated "haves and have mores"...??

Rush crackBong has been paid millions to program millions of ditto-weak minds to only crave reverting (anit-progress) America backwards to a Royalist society which rewards only the wealthiest.

Rejecting anything "Social" and constantly applying divisive labels which directly intend to build hate against Americans, Media, Minorities and most People is as sick and disgusting as LimpDongs crusty ass boils - stop suckling on his infecting puss!!

What are the Dems going to do to fix this? What is their plan? They are in control, they are accountable, we are waiting.

#3 | Posted by sawdust

They have been in control of the nations purse strings for several years now. What have they done so far? Looks to me like our economy started sliding when they got control of congress.

Looks to me like our economy started sliding when they got control of congress.

#43 | Posted by Sniper at 2008-11-08 11:30 AM

shhhh!!!!!

People would be able to buy stuff if they had the jobs. People would have the jobs if they hadn't been outsourced, off shored or filled by illlegals that send billions back to their home country.

#17 | Posted by FedUpWithPols

Lets get back to the Trickle-Up thing where the government gives a bunch of poor people money so they can go to Walley World to buy that cheep chineese junk. That will fix our economy.

"Obama explained it well:

When you reject "spreading (sharing) the wealth (opportunity)" with everyone and give it all to the wealthiest and corporations
- who will have extra money to patronize your stores and products?" #41 | Posted by gunner

gunner is this the same 0bama who voted for the Wall St. Handout? Wow I sense real "change" in the wind. Ha-ha ha-ha ha-ha

Gosh, the illegal alien advocates should stop trying to minimize their numbers, and claim the 30 million or so who reside here among us. Imagine the effect on retail sales, home payments, housing rentals, loan repayments and the like if they were booted out as has been proposed.

They are so "integrated' in the fabric of American life, and the economy expanded in reliance on their consumerism , that the consequences of their ouster would have unimaginable negative economic ramifications.

We are hoist on our own petard, years of enabling the in-migration and presence of illegals, and now they are so enmeshed in this economy that we destroy ourselves with their ejection.

Oh. Oh. Is there a de facto North American Union?

"..Whaaa? Work? Oh, hells no! Nobody told me NUTHIN' 'bout no work. Shit! ...Posted by ChickenInOven"

Mamma Always Said 'Racists are as Racists Do'

If it Talks like a chicken, and Walks like a chicken. It's probablly a racist.

gunner is this the same 0bama who voted for the Wall St. Handout? Wow I sense real "change" in the wind. Ha-ha ha-ha ha-ha

#46 | Posted by Gimme_a_Scotch

Na......... did he vote for that?

They are so "integrated' in the fabric of American life, and the economy expanded in reliance on their consumerism , that the consequences of their ouster would have unimaginable negative economic ramifications.

#47 | Posted by Johnson

The billions they send back home every year sure does have an effect on our economy.

The millions we spend every year in emergency rooms to provide them health care does have an r=effect on our economy.

The millions we spend every year to lock up the criminals among them does effect our economy.

It would be better for the US if we rounded them all up and sent them home after we seal the borders and lock up the people that hire them.

It is costing us in the neighborhood of $340 billion every year to keep them around. What a deal.

Bush's fault.

"CHICKENINOVEN your guy is still president, why don't you ask him to save you????
Oh, cuz you finally realized that he and his buddies planned the whole thing???
Took you long enough.

#22 | Posted by danni"

Danni you know NOTHING about economics and should shut your mouth. BTW can you name us ONE for profit US company you respect????? No I didn't think so. Now how about all the dictators you respect??????

Let me guess......

Chavez, castro, Kim Sung, Mahmood Ahmadinejad, ...

And are there any for profit companies in their countries??????

#53 | Posted by DavetheWave at 2008-11-09 06:49 PM | Reply | Flag: Looooooser

Mamma Always Said 'Racists are as Racists Do'

If it Talks like a chicken, and Walks like a chicken. It's probablly a racist.

#48 | Posted by DUMPLING1

Oh look, it's Dumperling, calling me a racist for point out facts. Are you gay AND black? Nature sure dealt you a foul hand, bud.

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