In the latest moronic attempt to grab headlines, another batshit crazy candidate has made the outrageous claim that she’ll “bring us $2 gas“. See, the thing that’s so annoying about US politics is that any candidate can say anything they want to rally their base, no matter how idiotic the statement is. So, how does she propose to bring back $2 gas? I mean, the most likely way the US will routinely see $2 gas is to either a) drive the world into a global depression which would put 1933 to shame. That would certainly suppress global demand adequately to drive down oil and hence, US gas prices. Conversely, she could b) completely subsidize gas to meet this artificially determined $2 level. But the Tea Party is opposed to anything like that. Simple dynamics ranging from OPEC’s ability to manipulate output to US refining capacity constraints to the insatiable demand of Americans (and now, the developing world) to consume gas will make it utterly impossible to ever promise gas at a substantially lower price than where it stands today – while we’re en route to a double dip recession.
Evidently, the calculus was that there are enough gullible and naive voters out there enticed by $2 gas that it may buy votes. Just like Obama promised all the hope and change we could ever wish for and “free health care“. Practically everything US political candidates promise is complete BS and never comes to fruition. So, we need to judge them on their prior results since promises are nothing but platitudes. And then, like McCain, candidates often change so much based on what their handlers tell them to do that they’re not the same person by the time it’s election time. It’s tough to have any faith in any of the bunch.
Now that I’ve got that ridiculous claim of the week off my chest, here are some great reads from the week across the various blogs I follow:
Posts from around the web:
- The Big Picture – Idiot’s Guide to the S&P Downgrade
-  The Burning Platform – Justice Dept Investigates S&P (what timing?)
- Financial Samurai – How Long Til You’re a Millionaire?
- Invest it Wisely – How Much to save and Why
- Len Penzo – Guess This Room Service Bill!
- Financial Highway – Dollar Matters: Insurance
- Fiscal Fizzle – Regrets from College days
- Oblivious Investor – Max Out Your 401(k)?
- Dividend Monk – On Warren Buffett’s Op-Ed
- 101 Centavos – Are Travel Agents Worth It?
- Retire by 40 – Q&A at Retire by 40
- SustainLifeBlog – 6 Smart Money Tips
Top Posts from Yours Truly…
- Renters Are Deluding Themselves – Here’s Why
- I’m Borrowing $50,000 From My 401(k) – It’s My Best Option!
- You Should NOT Be Losing Sleep Over This Market Crash
- US Loses Triple A Credit Rating – It’s About Time
- Is Cord Blood Worth It? How Parents Should Weigh Blood Banking Costs
- Despite What You’ve Read, Very Little US Spending is “Made in Chinaâ€
- 3 Ways to Short Italy Following Historic Austerity Measures
- 3 ETFs to Watch Following Shocking US Credit Downgrade
- My Thursday Market-Crash Awesomeness!
- Dividends from Stocks Account for Almost Half of ALL Market Gains!
- 4 Ways to Prepare for a Sudden Relocation
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow… that is a big ass.
All muscle baby !
As nutty as they come..!
It reminded me of the scene in Napolean Dynamite where the girl running for class president promised additional vending machines and more taco days for lunch, or something similar. Completely idiotic but unfortunately it probably will get her some votes.
Great analogy. What’s sad is we got the satire in the movie but Americans don’t get the joke during the election cycle.
She is nuts! That is a big bubble butt. 😀
Thanks for the mention.
Glad to give you a laugh.
Not that Bachmann has a monopoly on bullshit, the rest of the political field lay choice cowflops of their own.
Thanks for the link, Darwin, and that is indeed one giant ass. Just imagine the hat, and you’ve got Bachmann.
Oh, they’re all full o crap. Well, Ron Paul seems believable, but he’s too old to elect, it’s a shame. And he doesn’t believe in evolution which is disturbing; but then again, 90% of the other candidates cater to the hardcore religious as well…
Second the thought on Ron Paul. Of all the candidates, he’s the only one that I believe doesn’t let personal beliefs influence his votes or his policy proposals. There’s advantages to being a strict constitutionalist.
I’m totally disillusioned with the executive branch of power. Really, they can’t do anything. So why not promise anything? Congressional elections are really so much more important. And senatorial.
It’s tough not to be cynical.
Great roundup, and completely agree with your analysis and outlook! I don’t know about a global depression to put 1933 to shame… but who knows, it does seem we’re on our way to a double dip.
Oh, I’m not calling for such a catastrophe; I was saying that a global decline of that magnitude could bring gas prices down that low. After all, there are taxes on gasoline as well, so we’re talking like a 50% decrease in the affected underlying gas price. So to get it there, economy would have to be in a shambles. We could drill all we want, it barely puts a dent in our consumption.
I was looking forward to gas prices going down. Since she said they would if we voted for her, that’s exactly what I plan on doing. /sarcasm.