Happy Spring Folks….the hills are alive….March came in like a lion….. And it looks like it will go out as a lion here in northeast Ohio…but it IS spring and things can only get better.

Rushin’ Borders

Vladimir Putin moves 20,000 troops in to Crimea, forces a positive referendum vote for the people to secede from the Ukraine. (I think their choices were secession now? or secession later?).

The president has levied sanctions on about 7 Russian officials. I am sure they are shaking in their boots and good old Vlad….he is just laughing. His land grab will likely not end here. The ramifications of these moves by Russia are very serious on a world scale. Others will view this weakness of the United States as their signal to move ahead with their own nefarious plans (a nuclear Iran, Assad retaining power in Syria, blatantly murdering his own people, Israel and the Middle East). Who will hold these rogue nations accountable? Not this president, that is evident after 6 years of weak back pedaling or non-existent foreign policy. Leading from behind has left us behind…and the rest of the free world (in my view)

Battle for Both Sexes

The Armed Services are creating training programs to prepare both sexes for combat, on an equal footing. Women on the field of battle? Not unless you are a Viking. Battle is a horrific and life changing event, most especially extended periods of combat, such as Iwo Jima, Okinawa etc. In my view, and for numerous reasons, (none of which by the way, concern a woman’s ability to fight), women should not be subjected to extended periods of combat.

In a political move last week, both Democrats and Republicans voted to extend unemployment benefits for an additional five months, retroactive to December. No guts…any of them. That is a disincentive to seeking gainful employment….but it’s a sure vote getter.

Industry Trends

Industrial production increased 0.6 percent in February after having declined 0.2 percent in January. In February manufacturing output rose 0.8 percent and nearly reversed its 0.9 percent decline in January, which resulted in part, from extreme weather (global warming). The gain in factory production was the largest since last August. Industrial production in February was 2.8 percent above its level a year earlier.

The capacity utilization rate for total industry increased in February to 78.8 percent, a rate that is 1.3 percentage points below its long-run trend (1972-2013) average.

The Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity (MAPI) now estimates the US economy will expand 2.8 percent this year, an increase from its previous estimate of 2.6 percent. MAPI also expects the economy to expand 3.2 percent next year and also forecasts that manufacturing production will rise 3.2 percent this year and four percent in 2015. These forecasts are in opposition to previous economic forecasts on which I have reported. I hope they are correct.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI)

Released Thursday, the index increased in February 0.5 percent following a 0.1 percent increase in January and a 0.1 percent decline in December.

The US LEI increased sharply in February suggesting that any weather related volatility will be short lived and the economy should continue to improve in the second half of the year.

Still no solid evidence on the whereabouts of flight 370. It has been 14 days now, the known facts are sparse and lead only to conjecture, but what a ratings coup for the news channels…it is all you hear about…inquiring minds want to know.

Remember:

Fast & Furious-providing weapons to criminals leading to a loss of American life. No one held accountable. The president was unaware.
The loss of 4 American lives at our embassy in Benghazi, Libya. No one held accountable. The president was unaware.
The IRS targeting conservative political groups for tax-exempt status. No one held accountable. The president was unaware.
The National Security Administration eavesdropping on the phone calls of American citizens. No one held accountable. The president was unaware.
The software program created for the Affordable Healthcare Act, at a cost of $1 billion (thus far) and 3 ½ years to “perfect”, has been unusable to the American people. No one held accountable. The president was unaware.
Spying on our Allies, specifically Angela Merkel of Germany. No one held accountable. The president was unaware. (although these things go on knowingly between countries all the time, the fact that our president denies knowledge of this is just another sign of his incompetence as the leader of the most powerful country on the planet).
“If you like your current insurance plan you can keep it. Period” Barack Obama
“If you like your doctor, you can keep him. Period” Barack Obama

Have a great weekend and….

Hug your children and grandchildren, tell them you love them.
Buy American made products whenever you can.
Hire a Veteran: they are patriots, honest, hard working, disciplined, loyal…. and …. They need and deserve our support.

God Bless America