Hot Cocoa 🍵!

Israel, congressional gridlock, new House speaker, Ukraine, Hunter Biden. The headaches of a U.S. president.

For the month of October, the jobs report showed a small net of 150,000 jobs.

The U.S. economy saw job creation decelerate in October, confirming persistent expectations for a slowdown and possibly taking some heat off the Federal Reserve in its fight against inflation.

Nonfarm payrolls increased by 150,000 for the month, the Labor Department reported Friday, against the Dow Jones consensus forecast for a rise of 170,000. The United Auto Workers strikes were primarily responsible for the gap as the impasse meant a net loss of jobs for the manufacturing industry.

The unemployment rate rose to 3.9%, the highest level since January 2022, against expectations that it would hold steady at 3.8%. Employment as measured in the household survey, which is used to compute the unemployment rate, showed a decline of 348,000 workers, while the rolls of the unemployed rose by 146,000.

A more encompassing jobless rate that includes discouraged workers and those holding part-time positions for economic reasons rose to 7.2%, an increase of 0.2 percentage point. The labor force participation rate declined slightly to 62.7%, while the labor force contracted by 201,000.

“Winter cooling is hitting the labor market,” said Becky Frankiewicz, chief commercial officer at staffing firm ManpowerGroup. “The post-pandemic hiring frenzy and summer hiring warmth has cooled and companies are now holding onto employees.”

Average hourly earnings, a key measure for inflation, increased 0.2% for the month, less than the 0.3% forecast, while the 4.1% year-over-year gain was 0.1 percentage point above expectations. The average work week nudged lower to 34.3 hours.

The Fed uses wage data as one component of its inflation watch. The central bank has opted not to raise interest rates at its past two meetings despite inflation running well above its 2% target. Following Friday’s jobs data, markets further reduced the probability of a rate hike in December to just 10%, according to a CME Group gauge.

From a sector standpoint, health care led with 58,000 new jobs. Other leading gainers included government (51,000), construction (23,000) and social assistance (19,000). Leisure and hospitality, which has been a top job gainer, added 19,000 as well.

Lauren Boebert approves of House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Manufacturing posted a loss of 35,000, all but 2,000 of which came because of the auto strikes. Transportation and warehousing saw a decline of 12,000 while information-related industries lost 9,000.

“After years of incredible strength, the labor market could finally be slowing. The topline miss, plus downward revisions and higher unemployment, deliver a strong message to [Chair] Jerome Powell and the Fed,” said David Russell, global head of market strategy at TradeStation. “Further tightening is now highly unlikely, and rate cuts could be back on the table next year.”

In addition to the October slowdown, the Bureau of Labor Statistics revised lower its counts for the previous two months: September’s new total is 297,000, from the initial 336,000, while August came in at 165,000 from 227,000. Combined, the revisions took the original estimates down by 101,000.

Job creation skewed heavily to full-time workers, reversing a recent trend. Full-time jobs grew by 326,000, while part-time tumbled by 670,000 as summertime seasonal jobs wrapped up.

The report comes at an important time for the U.S. economy.

Following a third quarter in which gross domestic product expanded at a 4.9% annualized pace, even better than expected, growth is projected to slow considerably. A Treasury report earlier this week put expected fourth-quarter GDP growth at just 0.7%, and 1% for the full year 2024.

Fed policymakers have deliberately tried to slow the economy in order to tackle inflation. On Wednesday, the Fed’s rate-setting committee chose to hold the line for the second consecutive meeting after a series of 11 hikes since March 2022.

Markets expect the Fed is likely done raising, though central bank officials insist they are dependent on incoming data and still could hike more if inflation doesn’t show consistent signs of falling.

AIPAC continues its hateful attacks on Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib.

Inflation data has been mixed lately. The Fed’s preferred gauge showed the annual rate fell to 3.7% in September, an indication of steady but slow progress back to its goal.

Surprisingly strong consumer spending has helped propel prices higher, with solid demand giving companies the ability to charge higher prices. However, economists fear that rising credit card balances and increased withdrawals from savings could slow spending in the future.

I am guilty of dehumanizing. I call the former Republican president, Washed Up 45. I say that Lauren Boebert, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz, Cori Bush, Paul Gosar, Jim Jordan, Ro Khanna and Ronny Jackson are worthless. I call Sean Hannity a softball because he does corny interviews with Republicans. I look at Americans as cynical people who are a mixture of ideologies. And yes, we are human.

But in dire times, is it fair to say that I am saddened by the state of our country.

We are giving more money to funding wars. We are still dealing with gun violence. We are not fixing problems at home when it comes to kitchen table issues. Biden may get fair grades on how he is running government but his foreign policy agenda is out of touch.

He may have lost my support after he took a stance that many progressives disagree with.

As we enter the final two months of 2023, we see President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on the wrong side of history. They can boast about jobs and a stable economy, but to a fickle American, it is not enough.

The conflict in Israel and Palestine has became the No. 1 issue in the world. It has opened up wounds that affects both sides of the political spectrum. Republicans and Democrats both are infighting.

Republicans finally got a member who is now the House Speaker and he is already failing at his job. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) was selected after six Republicans were rejected.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was ousted in October setting off three weeks of not having a functioning House of Representatives. Johnson, the seventh choice was finally voted with an overall majority. Johnson, a relatively unknown lawmaker has now became an open book.

His wife was a former gay conversion therapist. Which means Johnson was allegedly gay at one point in his life. He also claims to have an adopted Black son. But recent pictures only show he has two white daughters and two white sons. Johnson is very Pro-Israel and it was a resolution that was recently passed with nine Democrats and two Republicans opposing funding to Israel. Johnson purposely left Ukraine funding out which angered Biden and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Johnson so far has angered members of the Republican Party. Worthless member Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) has feuded with Johnson and several members.

She called Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) out after he announced his retirement, slut shamed Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), nicknamed Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) and blasted Johnson for not backing her resolution to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).

Greene and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) voted against funding Israel. Greene did it because she was rejected in her censure resolution. Massie because he said he will be "America First" over Israel. Massie was called out by the Pro-Israeli lobbying firms.

Tlaib and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) faced attacks from not only the right but from the left as well. They joined with Greene and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) in opposing funding to Israel. The lobbyist group American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and its affiliates the Anti-Defamation League and Democratic Majority for Israel are promoting Islamophobia. They are criticizing Tlaib, Omar and Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN) for opposing funding to Israel.

They are also using dog whistle politics against Omar and Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO). 

Wesley Bell, the prosecuting attorney of St. Louis County, announced on Monday that he was ending his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat in Missouri — which he launched in June, hoping to unseat Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) — to instead challenge Bush for her House seat.

AIPAC and DMFI has now bankrolled Bell in trying to oust insufferable Bush. 

Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) and Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ) also announced they are retiring.

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) told a Black reporter to shut up after she asked Johnson a question about his role to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) was confronted by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Sen. Todd Young (R-IN).

The senators spoke on the floor to ask for unanimous consent to confirm military nominations by voice vote, one nomination at a time. They argued with Tuberville. They pleaded with him. They upbraided him — and they spoke at length about the people whose nominations he was blocking. 

As each nominee was put forward for a unanimous consent vote, the presiding officer asked, "Is there objection?" 

And every time, Tuberville answered, "I object."

Tuberville has been stopping the Senate from approving military nominations en masse for months because of funding for the border wall and his protest a Pentagon policy that pays for travel expenses for service members who must leave the state to obtain an abortion and other reproductive care.

Biden to visit Maine to honor the victims of the Lewiston mass shooting.

Romney (R-UT) is retiring. The 2012 Republican presidential nominee and one term senator has written a book that criticized Biden, Washed Up 45, Greene, Tuberville, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX). He wished the Senate would do its job and pass legislation. He praised moderate members for at least keeping the Senate from being a place of utter chaos.

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has 12 federal charges. He is accused of bribery, acting as a foreign agent and lying to federal authorities. He refuses to resign and has made it clear regardless he will run. Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) has announced a primary challenge. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), a former Democrat turned Republican is being courted to run.

Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) launched a lackluster presidential campaign. He claims that Biden's age and his declining poll numbers are the reason for his run. Former Republican operative Steve Schmidt is running his campaign. Republican mega donor Harlan Crow has pocketed a donation to Phillips. The moderate lawmaker also faces a primary challenge if he concedes and decides to run for his seat come reelection.

Nikki Haley is currently in second place with 15% of the vote. No where close to Washed Up 45 but enough to be a threat. He already labeled his former UN Ambassador a "bird brain" afterwords. 

Mike Pence, Larry Elder, Will Hurd and Perry Johnson withdrew from the 2024 Republican presidential nomination race. Pence announced his withdrawal at the Republican Jewish Coalition. Pence will not confirm his support for his former boss.

Washed Up 45 was told to clam up. U.S. Magistrate Judge Tanya Chutkan warned the former president to stop attacking Jack Smith and witnesses. A gag order was imposed on the former president due to his relentless posting on Truth Social.

New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron had enough of Washed Up 45, Donald Trump, Jr. and Eric Trump's bullshit. In the fraud trail, Washed Up 45, his sons and lawyers act like they did nothing wrong. New York Attorney General Letitia James has sued the former president and Trump Organization for inflating assets and lying to officials. His company is at the verge of utter collapse.

 

World leaders (except the U.S., Great Britain, Canada, Australia, Japan and European Union) are frustrated with Israel and the lawlessness. Israel did air strikes on a refugee camp, hospital, mosque, UN-sponsored schools in the Gaza Strip. They continue shooting civilians in the West Bank. These are war crimes and they are calling for a ceasefire now.

The U.S. continues to not accept the calls for a ceasefire. It is causing Biden to lose support among young voters, Muslims, Jews, Arab American voters and progressives. Biden's stance on Israel has become a lightning rod. It has divided moderate and progressive Democrats.

Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), an Afro-Latin openly gay lawmaker has been the most vocal pro-Israel member thus far. He has falsely labeled Pro-Palestinian protests as anti-semitic and tied several commentators to supporting Hamas. Progressives are mounting a challenge against him, Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ).

Gov. Jim Justice of West Virginia may pose the most serious threat to Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV). Justice announce he will run for the U.S. Senate.

Ohio, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Florida, New Jersey, Arizona, Missouri and Pennsylvania will be the states to watch for. Republicans need two seats to regain control. Democrats need to hold Arizona, Ohio, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia to keep control. Democrat have an opportunity to flip the House with Rep. George Santos (R-NY). It will be a challenge to beat him after Congress failed to oust him. His criminal charges and being denounced by New York Republicans will not be a factor.

We will have the results of the Kentucky governor's race this month. Andy Beshear will face off against Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron. If Cameron wins, he will become the first Black governor of Kentucky. He will be the first African American Republican to hold a governorship. Last month, Republican attorney general of Louisiana Jeff Landry won the October primary beating all Republican and Democratic rivals to become governor-elect.

Louisiana was held by two term Democratic governor John Bel Edwards. He was term limited and Democrats failed to put money into the state.

We still have an actor and automotive strike. 

We had a walkout at CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid. Many pharmacists demand more pay and incentives to keep them.

Rite Aid has filed for bankruptcy. Yellow Trucking went out of business. There are three Kmarts left in the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. O'Charleys is closing 80 restaurants in the United States. Target had announced closures of 15 stores.

Yes, folks are working two jobs. I am a testimony of that. But I am confident that in the short term I will have all the resources to reapply for the job I prefer.

The Congress has less work than most Americans. It is infuriating that the average worker works more hours than 157 House members and 36 senators.

Republicans see the only path to victory is basically obstruct and complain about the president. They won't offer solutions or policies. All they care about is trying to keep folks angry with culture wars and distractions.

Carlos Latuff made Biden uncomfortable.

President Joe Biden's headaches:

1. Washed Up 45.
2. The Republicans in the House of Representatives and the Senate stalling his agenda.
3. The media asking him about Washed Up 45's controversies.
4. The Supreme Court making controversial decisions that impact the country.
5. Gun violence and Congress not doing anything to stop it.
6. Inflation.
7. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
8. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA), Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA), Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rep. James Comer (R-KY), Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), Rep. George Santos (R-NY), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX), Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) and Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO).
9. Republican governors Ron DeSantis, Doug Burgum, Kay Ivey, Greg Abbott, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Bill Lee, Glenn Youngkin, Kristie Noem, Kim Reynolds, Brian Kemp, Brad Little and Greg Gianforte.
10. Federal Judges and Supreme Court members appointed by Washed Up 45.
11. The junk food media and their never ending dramatizing of world events.
12. Anti-Vaxxers. 
13. Lawmakers and activists who protest the CDC guidelines during the pandemic.
14. The endless culture wars that Republicans find outrage in.
15. Washed Up 45 and his minions on Fox, Newsmax, OANN and the internet.
16. Facebook, Twitter and TikTok. The idiots who run it and the idiots who post on it.
17. Fox, Breitbart, Libs of TikTok, The Daily Mail, Newsmax and OANN's relentless talk about conspiracies. The endless attacks on the president's age, First Lady Jill Biden, Hunter Biden, Ashley Biden and the conspiracies about the president's mental capacity and health.
18. The endless racism towards Biden's allies Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Barack Obama.
19. The relentless talk about spending despite the former president's reckless spending.
20. The lack of civility towards fellow Americans.
21. Vladimir Putin.
22. Xi Jinping.
23. Kim Jong-Un.
24. Benjamin Netanyahu.
25. Alexander Lukashenko.
26. Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

Monthly reminders: 

The coronavirus doesn't care about your age, race, gender, sexuality, nationality, religion, politics, economic or social standings. It doesn't care about your business, your performances, your personal finances and travel. It doesn't care about the funerals, the birthday parties, the weddings, the vacations, the events and your graduations.

An active shooter doesn't care about the politics, race, gender, sexuality, nationality, religion, your finances, your family, your plans that day, your successes, your failures, and most importantly, your life.

You're not safe in the school, the concert, the hospital, the church, the casino, the bus station, the subway, the light rail train, the buses, the malls, the local big box store, the political rally, the protest rally, the women's center for reproductive surgeries, the mosque, the synagogue, the state buildings, the workplace, the gas station, the family picnic, the food truck rally, the funerals, the birthday parties, the graduations, the wedding, the televised events, the sporting events and many more events that have some terrorist with a firearm. Domestic violence, suicide, racism, culture war inspired, politically motivated and international operative inspired are types of gun violence.

Food prices, energy prices, rent, city services and college education have risen. Companies are struggling to find workers. They are now trying to push incentives to get workers in.

Real Reasons To Why Unemployment Rate Stays The Way It Is! The main reasons why some are not working.

1. DEAD
   
2. BORN
3. IN PRISON
4. IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
5. IN MIDDLE SCHOOL
   
6. IN HIGH SCHOOL
7. IN COLLEGE FULL TIME
8. VOLUNTEER
9. DISABLED
10. INFLATION
11. STAY AT HOME PARENT
12. RETIRED 
13. QUIT ON THEIR OWN
14. TERMINATED FROM EMPLOYMENT 
15. NOT HIRING UNQUALIFIED
16. NOT HIRING TOO QUALIFIED
17. ACTIVE MILITARY
18. NATURAL DISASTERS
19. MASS SHOOTINGS DISRUPTING DAILY ROUTINE
20. BEING LAID OFF DUE TO CLOSING OR STAFF REDUCTION
21. DESTRUCTION TO FACILITY OR PROPRETY
22. OUTSOURCING JOBS TO OTHER STATES OR COUNTRIES
23. BEING UNDOCUMENTED IN FEAR OF I.C.E. OR U.S. AGENCIES
24. BEING PUBLICLY OUTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA DOING SHAMEFUL ACTS
25. PARTICIPATING IN UNCIVIL OR VIOLENT PROTESTS

Jobs are looking good despite fears.

Companies are cautious about hiring employees. With the average wages stagnant, many are not looking forward to returning to a job that pays dirt wages. Many who worked in the retail, restaurant and low end service industry are not willing to take a job for less than $10 an hour. Matter of fact, no one can survive on $15 an hour.

Republicans don't see the bigger picture itself. They rather continue to believe in conspiracies about people collecting the safety net and not going back to work.

Give them a liveable wage and maybe things might improve in the job market.

We can't always assume that folks are lazy. People are literally dying from being exposed to the coronavirus, gun violence and folks are tired of the status quo of their jobs.

Many single mothers are having trouble trying to find quality daycare or family members to watch children. On top of that, some have lost family members due to the pandemic. A homemaker may have lost their spouse. Some may have no choice but to watch their children or loved ones due to the aftermath of the pandemic.

The face of evil.

Folks are still trying to rebound from medical bills, late rent payments, owing taxes and college loans.

Republicans are white nationalists without a conscience. 

Washed Up 45's presidency and Republican controlled governments killed millions of Americans. Biden has a slim majority in Congress and things can't be done with obstruction from both parties.

Holding these lawmakers accountable is not just a pledge, but a promise. You need to learn who represents your community. Your local community member, your school board member, your mayor, your state representative, your state senator, your governor, your U.S. Representative, your U.S. Senator and the president need to be held accountable for their actions. 

We need to put pressure on Republicans and Democrats to do something to improve everyone's lives.

The call number to the U.S. Capitol is now going to be used. This is the official phone number, 202-224-3121. Let them know that "doing nothing", "refusing calls for a ceasefire in the Middle East," endless "thoughts and prayers," "hearts going to" and "good guys with guns" will be no longer accepted and you want legislation to curb gun violence as well as end the status quo. Let them know that being in your district means you are tasked to bring results to the constituents who voted for you and convince those who didn't consider you the next election. Let them know that women deserve the right to safe medical procedures. Let them know that their failure to pass legislation are the reasons why democracy and the economy are in free fall.