February 2019 Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey Reports Negative Indicators

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia February 2019 Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey reports negative indicators for general activity, new orders and shipments but the indicator for employment remained positive.

The index for current manufacturing activity in the region decreased from its January positive reading, falling into negative territory, the index’s first negative reading since May 2016.

Conference Board Leading Economic Index Declined in January

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the US declined 0.1 percent in January following no change in December and a 0.1 percent increase in November.

Based on preliminary data, the US LEI declined very slightly in January and December’s decline was revised up to no change,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, Director of Research at the Conference Board.” In January the strengths in the financial components were offset by the weaknesses in the labor market components. Th US LEI has now been essentially flat since October 2018. The Conference Board now forecasts that US GDP growth will likely decelerate to about 2 percent by the end of 2019.”

US Drill Rigs Running Increased Last Week

The number of drill rigs running in the US increased by two from the prior count, to 1051. Canadian drilling dropped by 16 rigs from the prior count, to 224.

US Raw Steel Production Operating at ACUR 81.0 Percent

In the week ending 2/16/19, US raw steel production was 1,866,000 tons as the ACUR was 81.0 percent. In the corresponding week last year mills operated at an ACUR of 77.9 percent. Thus far this year mills have produced prox 13,000,000 tons compared to the prox 12,000,000 tons produced in the like period last year.

Smollett’s Hoax

On the Smollett character the media has been obsessed with over the past few weeks: “A modern day lynching”, according to the black Democratic presidential hopefuls (Kamala Harris, Corey Booker, et al). They have not and will not apologize for their rush to judgment. No one holds them accountable. Why? Because no one cares to be labeled a racist. We know where the racism lies, and it is with those on the left. Look at what this idiot did, pretending to be beaten by “two white guys wearing MAGA hats.” Turns out, it was all bullshit-as usual.

Like the idiot Avenatti who got a taste of fame defending Stormy Daniels, next thing you know he was writing books, doing TV appearances and considering a run for the presidency. The gall of these people. You don’t even hear his name anymore-another loser. Apparently, the Smollett kid had his taste of fame and was about to lose it (a lack of talent perhaps?) and he didn’t like that, couldn’t accept that, so he plotted his little scheme. Never mind the number of men and women the Chicago police had to use investigating his bullshit and all the other expense involved in his charade. He should still be in jail. Another loser…and a racist to boot.

Reparations?

Kamal Harris and Corey Booker, Elizabeth Warren, among others, have resurrected the call for reparations relating to slavery some 150 years ago. Was slavery the right thing to do? No, but at THAT point in time it was common practice. Was our treatment of the American Indian proper? Of course not. Shall all of us who are innocent of that pay reparations to them? What about the Japanese Americans interred during WWII? Reparations? The Chinese immigrants? Reparations? The Irish immigrants? Reparations? The oppression of women? Reparations? I don’t think it would be the right thing to do and I don’t think it will happen. ALL of those mistakes or policies have ended as our country has grown. The argument is nonsense.

Infrastructure X (Keystone & Dakota pipelines) Regulation Reform XX 1 in 2 out
Individual Tax Reform XX Entitlement Reform
Business Tax Reform XX Education Reform X
Healthcare Reform Veterans Administration Reform X
Rebuild our Military X Trade Reform X
Secure our Borders (The Wall) XX Lead the world from the front XX
Help for the poor XX Drain the swamp X as we speak
Peace through unmatchable strength Support Israel X
Destroy ISIS XX Extreme Vetting XX
Conservative Supreme Court nominees XX American Jobs XX

I will track these campaign promises and will check them off as each is accomplished adding those I have missed as they become apparent. This is quite an agenda and will be difficult to achieve all in one term, but I believe the American people are behind him and know these things need to be done. Now, if he can get our legislators to support him instead of fighting him….

“MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN”

Have a great weekend…. God bless America!

Buy American made products whenever you can, it’s good for you, good for your friends and neighbors and good for our country.

If you are hiring…try to hire a veteran…. they are loyal, disciplined, hardworking…and they deserve our support.

By the way, if you wish to comment on my rants or offer any other insights you may have, you are encouraged to email me.

TEDDY ROOSEVELT ON IMMIGRANTS IN AMERICA…1907

In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American and nothing but an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag…We have room for but one language here and that is the English language…and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.”