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Politics : Liberalism: Do You Agree We've Had Enough of It? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Kenneth E. Phillipps who wrote (134100)	5/31/2012 3:16:50 PM
From: d[-_-]b	4 Recommendations Respond to of 224707

Obama will be on the ballot in all the states Even if on all 57 states - he won't win.

To: Kenneth E. Phillipps who wrote (134100)	5/31/2012 4:06:44 PM
From: TideGlider	1 Recommendation Respond to of 224707

Nonsequitur TG, you know damn well that Obama will be on the ballot in all the states.

To: Kenneth E. Phillipps who wrote (134100)	6/1/2012 12:26:28 AM
From: Hope Praytochange	1 Recommendation Respond to of 224707

First-Period U.S. Growth Was Slower Than Thought By NEIL SHAH and KATE LINEBAUGH The U.S. grew slower during the first quarter than previously thought and continued weakness in the job market and elsewhere suggests the economy is struggling to gain traction. On Thursday, the government said gross domestic product—the broadest measure of all goods and services produced in the economy—grew in the January-to-March period at an annualized 1.9% pace, short of the 2.2% growth previously estimated. This means the economy had less momentum going into the second quarter and comes as fears are growing that a larger global slowdown is under way that could eventually weigh on domestic growth. U.S. GDP growth slowed more than initially thought in the first quarter. Separately, readings on ADP private payrolls and jobless claims signaled continued sluggish growth. Kathleen Madigan reports on Markets Hub. Photo: Reuters. Other reports Thursday supported the view of a steady but plodding recovery. The number of workers applying for jobless benefits jumped 10,000 last week to 383,000, a level that suggests the job market is growing, but only modestly. Meanwhile, a regional manufacturing report for the nation's Midwest industrial core showed slower growth last month. More Business Braces for Europe's Worst Ahead of the Tape: Friday's Data Deluge Retailers Got a Lift in May Less Saving, Stagnant Incomes Fewer Help-Wanted Ads Breaking Down GDP, Jobless Claim Reports The GDP report did contain glimmers of hope. First-quarter growth was trimmed, in part, by less inventory building by companies than initially thought. That could mean gains for the economy in the second quarter as companies replenish stockpiles. The report also suggested firms continue to spend and hire when they see opportunities. Corporate profits increased $11.4 billion before taxes in the first quarter after gains of $16.8 billion in the fourth quarter and $32.5 billion in the third quarter. Many U.S. companies anticipate lackluster growth for the rest of the year, citing factors including wariness about business spending. To juice earnings this year, companies aim to squeeze more out of their businesses through cost cutting and productivity gains while spending more to enter new markets. "Consumer sentiment remains well below the historical average and is just starting to return to 2011 levels," Scott O'Hara, head of North America for H.J. Heinz Co., said last week. "Consumers continue to focus relentlessly on price and value." Heinz, which makes ketchup and packaged foods, is spending more on marketing in the U.S. as it targets a growing tier of cost-conscious consumers. With supermarket sales sagging, Heinz wants to expand its presence in convenience, club and drugstores. It is also testing smaller and cheaper package sizes to appeal to struggling consumers. The company reduced its earnings outlook over the next five years by a percentage point to between 6% and 9%, and thinks growth over the next year will be even slower. In the quarter ended April 29, Heinz profit fell 22%, as it took charges related to cost-cutting moves and productivity improvements. Enlarge Image Close The deteriorating global picture has many companies worried. "You're looking at a more uncertain economic outlook," says Michael Feroli, an economist at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. "Exports had been a big source of support so far. That is very likely not to be the case going forward." U.S. companies, while flush with cash, don't want to invest at the wrong time. The pace of hiring by U.S. companies will slow in June for the fifth time in the past six months compared with the same month a year ago, according to the Society for Human Resource Management. Economists said while many companies are nearing the limit of how much they can produce with existing staff and equipment, they are postponing expansion due to worries about global growth, Europe and the U.S.'s own fiscal problems. U.S. mining-equipment maker Joy Global Inc. cut its profit guidance Thursday, saying economic uncertainty could keep American mining companies from completing expansion projects and international companies from developing new mining operations. Falling order rates and anticipated cancellations prompted the company to cut its 2012 revenue guidance by $100 million reducing revenue by 18 cents a share. "Our customers no longer have a great sense of urgency to bring new projects forward," Mike Sutherlin, Joy Global's chief executive, told a conference call.