On Monday the Chicago Business Barometer was released and it eased to 62.6 in June from a seven month high of 65.5, but was still up sharply in the quarter and consistent with a bounceback in Q2 GDP.

The Barometer was up considerably from 52.0 one year ago marking the fourteenth consecutive monthly expansion and the third month in a row above 60. The Barometer’s strength during Q2 was underpinned by strong rises in both New Orders and Production.

On Tuesday the Institute for Supply Management released its Report on Business:

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in June for the 13th consecutive month and the overall economy grew for the 61st consecutive month.”

The June PMI registered 55.3, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from May’s reading of 55.4 percent, indicating expansion in manufacturing for the 13th consecutive month. The New Orders Index increased 2 percentage points indicating growth in new orders for the 13th consecutive month. The production index dropped 1 percentage point below its May reading. Employment grew for the 12th consecutive month, the same level as May. Inventories of raw materials stayed the same as May and April.”

War & Innocents

Several weeks ago Hamas, a terrorist organization in Palestine, kidnapped three Jewish children , murdered them and buried them in a field under a pile of rocks. What kind of demons murder children in their fanatical quests, whatever they may be? Today I donated $5,000.00 to the Jewish Community Federation. The form asks where I want the money to go, I entered GUNS AND AMMUNITION. When you have rats in the house you must kill them or live with the consequences of not doing so.

The news this morning (07/02) reports the dead body of a Palestinian youth has been found in a forest near Jerusalem. I am usually an eye for an eye kind of guy-EXCEPT when it comes to innocent children who should not suffer for the ignorance of their elders. I suspect this was NOT a retaliatory act by the Israeli military.

Speaking of rats, Ahmed Abu Khatallah pleaded not guilty to US allegations that he helped carry out the 2012 attacks on the US Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. We read this rat his Miranda rights while he was at sea. Makes no sense to me whatsoever. You must kill the rats to get rid of them….

Unemployment Rate Falls to 6.1%

US employers added 288,000 jobs in June, a sign of improving labor market strength as the economic recovery heads into its sixth year. The unemployment rate fell to 6.1%, the lowest since September 2008. (all good and well however the QUALITY of the jobs being created are not what we need to have an improvement in wages and to bring qualified people back into the workforce).

The US has awarded a $190 million contract to the firm accused of defrauding the government while carrying out security background checks. That’s nice. Are you kidding me??

238 years old…

The United States is a puppy in many ways but old enough to know better in many others. We must hold this Republic near and close to our hearts. The sacrifices made by so many that we may enjoy the freedoms we have must never be forgotten. Enjoy this holiday weekend, raise your flag, wave her proudly.

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