Industrial Output Slowed in March

US industrial output slowed in March, a signal that weakness persists for manufacturers and the energy industry. Industrial production-a broad gauge of output across US factories, mines and power plants-decreased a seasonally adjusted 0.6% in March from the prior month. Output has fallen for six of the past seven months. Weakness in the industrial sector is more evidence of cooling in the economy since the start of the year and raises concerns about the ability of the US to generate sustained stronger growth when the global economy is faltering. ~WSJ

It is likely that the inventory correction and stronger dollar continued to weigh on the output data in the first months of the year.”

Daniel Silver
JP Morgan Chase & Co. Economist

U.S. Raw Steel Production Rose Again

US raw steel production rose for the second week in a row as mills operated at an ACUR of 72.4 percent. In the corresponding week last year mills operated at an ACUR of 69.8 percent. Thus far this year mills have produced approx. 26,500,000 tons at an ACUR of 70.5 percent compared to the like period last year when mills produced approx. 27,000,000 tons at an ACUR of 71.5 percent.

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) Edged Down in March

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) edged down to -0.44 in March from -0.38 in February with three of the four broad categories of indicators decreasing from February.
The index’s three month moving average (CFNAI-MA3) decreased to -0.18 in March from -0.11 in February. March’s CFNAI-MA3 suggests that growth in national economic activity was somewhat below its historical trend.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey for April

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia released its Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey for April and reports no improvement in business conditions this month. Despite weakness in current conditions, the survey’s indicators of future activity showed continued improvement, suggesting that the fallback is considered temporary.

The Villainization of Donald Trump

Donald Trump handily won the New York primary on Tuesday, picking up 90 of the 95 delegates. Ted Cruz got zero. It occurs to me that all of the disdain directed at Mr. Trump-from the left and the right is most likely ALL spin. The fact is Trump is winning and they are all horrified by that fact.

The “polls” show Hillary whipping Trump in November (of course that is a projection, a guess- and you can wipe your rear end with either because both are useless). So, why will Hillary win? Because she is trustworthy? Because she was such a great Secretary of State? Because she was such a great senator? What has she done for the women and minorities she espouses to protect since her entrance into politics in the 1990’s? Absolutely NOTHING of consequence. This is laughable.

Her re-set with the Russians failed, she was a failure in Libya, got busted-but not held accountable for the Whitewater fiasco, busted for enriching herself with ill-begotten cattle futures-not held accountable, implicated in the death of Vincent Foster-but not held accountable. Under investigation by the FBI and the Department of Justice over her illegal server, it is likely she will not be held accountable.

How was she elected twice as senator from New York? Political favors. This is just what Americans are fed up with, the “establishment” and the “elites” running everything to benefit themselves. Certainly not the country and her citizens. So the left MUST attack Mr. Trump, they are horrified of him.

The Preservation of “Establishment Elites”

The Republican “establishment” and “elites” must attack him as well because Mr. Trump, the “outsider,” threatens to upset everything which they have worked so long and so hard to accomplish for themselves…again-not for the country and her citizens.

I believe the policies he wants to undertake for America AND her citizens are commendable: Secure borders, the strongest military, fair trade practice, proper care for our Veterans, repeal and replace Obamacare, bring good paying jobs back home, stop the government handouts to those who are not citizens, stop the flow of Muslims (or anyone else) into this country until they can be properly vetted (this is not what we want-it is what MUST be done in light of the current world situation.

It is NOT racist, radical Muslims have declared war on us, they proclaim “death to America!” Are we stupid?

It is the presidents’ job to protect the country and its citizens. Deporting the 11 million ILLEGALS that are here (unlikely to succeed-but someone please offer a better solution to the problem. Amnesty is NOT the answer) and then welcoming and supporting those who go through the process of becoming an American citizen (this is not racist either, we cannot let people just come here and live, hop on the government gravy train, take jobs from tax paying citizens-if we have a job for them. That is crazy thinking. What country on this planet, as a rule, allows just anyone to come into their country and stay? To collect government assistance? To take jobs from its citizens? To commit crimes that go unpunished??? This is all backwards.

What has happened to the America of my youth? We have to be concerned with our country and our citizens. This pandering to get votes in order to maintain their power is killing us. It is wrong and it must be stopped. Make America great again…

Speaking of Obamacare, United Health, the country’s largest healthcare insurer will pull out of the ACA in most states after projecting losses over $600 million for 2016. Affordable my ass. This will be his legacy alright, the screwing of America. Make America great again…

The Obama administration is buying 32 tons of heavy water, a key component in atomic weapons development, from Iran in an effort to safeguard its landmark (failure of a…) nuclear agreement with the country. The deal is estimated at $8.6 million. What are we doing?

The $20 Bill

Here we go again…pandering to the “politically correct” class who continue to ruin us. To gain favor with women and African Americans, Jack Lew, our esteemed Secretary of the Treasury announced today that Harriet Tubman, abolitionist, freedom fighter, patriot…and a Republican, will replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. I am not against a re-design of our currency but I do question the motives, the need and the cost. The typical outspoken feminists and race baiters will applaud the move, but I believe women and most African Americans are too smart to fall for that political nonsense. Also, in a move to further denigrate the Confederacy and its part in American history and to placate the race baiters once again, Andrew Jackson, our 7th president, slave owner, Indian fighter etc. will be moved to the back of the $20. Maybe they should try to do something that is actually beneficial to those who pay their overly large salaries and lifelong benefits. Make America great again…

 

“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.

Remember these tidbits as the election cycle grinds on:

  • Fast & Furious-Americans killed by guns supplied to the drug cartels…by the Department of Justice-Eric Holder presiding. The president was clueless. No one held accountable
  • Benghazi: Four Americans killed in an assault described as the result of a viral video. This was proved to be a false narrative. This was in fact, a planned act of terror. The president was clueless. No one even knows where he was as this went down. No one held accountable
  • “At this point, what difference does it make?” Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State
  • The IRS targeting of conservative groups and individuals. No one held accountable, Lois Lerner is on paid vacation and has refused to testify. The president was clueless. No one held accountable
  • Hillary using a private server for correspondence during her term as Secretary of State against the orders of the president. She thought “it would be more convenient…” Though the records were due when she left office, they were not submitted, subpoenas were issued, which she ignored for two years. Finally, she released 30,000 of some 60,000 alleged emails then she deleted the rest of the emails and will NOT turn over the server for investigation.