{"id":29540,"date":"2015-02-07T09:36:20","date_gmt":"2015-02-07T17:36:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lenpenzo.com\/blog\/?p=29540"},"modified":"2024-12-15T09:09:30","modified_gmt":"2024-12-15T17:09:30","slug":"black-coffee-deceitful-data-dying-dollars-and-dueling-doulas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lenpenzo.com\/blog\/id29540-black-coffee-deceitful-data-dying-dollars-and-dueling-doulas.html","title":{"rendered":"Black Coffee: Deceitful Data, Dying Dollars and Dueling Doulas"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>It’s time to sit back, relax and enjoy a little joe<\/em> …<\/p>\n

Upward and onward.<\/p>\n

By the Numbers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Oh, yes … Before we get to the credit and debits, here is a little more info on doulas and the benefits they offer:<\/p>\n

50%<\/strong><\/span><\/span> Decrease in overall cesarean rate for women who have a doula present during labor<\/p>\n

25%<\/strong><\/span><\/span> Decrease in the length of labor for doula-assisted women<\/p>\n

40%<\/strong><\/span><\/span> Decrease in use of oxytocin when a doula is present<\/p>\n

60%<\/strong><\/span><\/span> Decrease in requests for epidurals for women who have a doula present during labor<\/p>\n

10,000<\/strong><\/span><\/span> Number of certified doulas worldwide<\/p>\n

Sources: AmericanPregnancy.org<\/a>; DONA International<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Credits and Debits<\/strong><\/p>\n

Credit:<\/strong><\/span> Who says it’s hard finding employment in the US? The government just announced that the unemployment rate fell to 5.6%<\/a> and our booming economy added another 257,000 new jobs in January. Woo hoo!<\/p>\n

Credit:<\/strong><\/span> But wait … it gets better: The Bureau of Labor Statistics also announced upward revisions<\/a> to the November and December job figures. In fact, they say the US economy has a million more jobs today than it did on Halloween. Wow!<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> I don’t know about you, but the numbers suggest to me that the robust US economy might soon find itself on the verge of overheating<\/a>. Then again, if that’s true, how does one explain the dearth of stories about employers across the nation having trouble finding workers to hire?<\/p>\n

Credit:<\/strong><\/span> Hey, I’m not the only one who is skeptical. The CEO of Gallup, Jim Clifton, says the latest government unemployment figures are “a big lie<\/a>.” Paul Craig Roberts, who is a past Assistant Secretary of the US Treasury, thinks the numbers lack any credibility<\/a> too.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> I mean, something doesn’t add up. If unemployment is just 5.6%, why is the employment-to-population ratio still 4% lower than it was in 2006<\/a> — and why do 1 in 5 American households<\/a> still collect food stamps? Anyone<\/a>?<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> There must be some explanation for why the mainstream media takes these government numbers at face value. With a booming economy and more people supposedly driving to work, the average US gasoline price shouldn’t be 33% lower<\/a> than it was 12 months ago — but it is.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> Here’s the biggest disconnect of all: If the US economy is as good as we’re being told it is, then why is the Fed keeping interest rates near zero<\/a>? Bueller<\/a>?<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> The answer is partly because, after a 44-year run, our current debt-based monetary system is in the final stages of imploding. In fact, it’s a mathematical certainty. It’s also why the world is now awash in more debt<\/a> than it was during the 2008 financial crisis.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> The world’s central banks have created so much currency out of thin air that David Stockman — who served as President Reagan’s Office of Management and Budget director — recently warned: “When this collapses<\/a>, it will be the day of reckoning. Maybe then we can start over.” M-m-m maybe?<\/em> Gulp.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> One thing is certain: As we get closer to our economic day of reckoning<\/a>, the growing data distortions being disseminated by the government and mainstream media are becoming more obvious.<\/p>\n

Credit:<\/strong><\/span> The socialist paradise of Venezuela has already reached its economic day of reckoning. Well … it has if condom prices are any indication. ZeroHedge reports that a 36-pack costs $755 at the current exchange rate<\/a> — assuming you can find them. Forward!<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> It’s no coincidence that, ever since the US stopped imposing a debt limit on itself, federal spending has gone completely off the rails. This year the budget deficit will increase 20%<\/a> — despite record tax revenue. I know.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> To help close the gap, perhaps the IRS should rescind their decision to offer extra tax refunds to the illegal aliens<\/a> who were recently granted amnesty by an unlawful presidential executive order. Just sayin’.<\/p>\n

Credit:<\/strong><\/span> Hey, with that in mind, can one of you Big Government nanny-state cheerleaders out there remind me why the US needs to extract even more<\/em> tax revenue from “greedy” corporations and “the rich<\/del>” people earning more than $200,000<\/a> annually?<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> In fact, the US is so deep in debt now, the day is not far away — 2021, to be exact — when those associated interest expenses will surpass<\/a> defense spending. Er, assuming we get there. Right, Mr. Stockman?<\/p>\n

Last Week’s Poll Results<\/strong><\/p>\n

Which of these places do you think is best for hiding valuables?<\/p>\n