Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis |
- What Can be Automated, Will be Automated: Video of Automated Meat Processing Plant Without a Soul in Sight
- Spotlight on Japan: Return of 'Abenomics', More Militarism, Tougher China Line; Outlook for Yen and Nikkei
- Is Boehner Capitulating on Tax Hike Boost? Blame Game Posturing
Posted: 16 Dec 2012 09:17 PM PST The days of getting carpal tunnel syndrome from cutting meat are now over, at least as measured by a meat processing plant in Greece, shown in the video below. The video starts out a bit slow, but is rather fascinating once it gets going. I played it until the end. Eventually a single person comes into view, but that person runs and monitors the machines. Link if video does not play: Greek Meat Processing Plant Automation Rules
Mike "Mish" Shedlock http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com |
Posted: 16 Dec 2012 02:36 PM PST The Japanese election hands former prime minister Shinzo Abe a chance for redemption according to The Guardian. Japan's voters appear to have short memories. Shinzo Abe, who is assured of becoming prime minister after his party's resounding victory in Sunday's election, last led the country in 2006, but stepped down after a troubled year in office.More Militarism, Preposterous Denial The BBC reports Shinzo Abe vows tough China line The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes says that as many predicted, Japan has taken a sharp turn to the right.Turn to the Right? More fiscal stimulus coupled with pressure on the central bank for looser monetary policies cannot be associated with "right-wing" politics. However, his request to change the constitution to allow Japan to "have a proper military and defend its own territory, including every inch of Japan's sacred land and sea - including the disputed Senkaku or Diaoyu Islands" is certainly right-wing. Abe's denial regarding "comfort women" in World War II is as preposterous as neo-Nazi claims that Hitler did not kill Jews. On these three issues, his monetary policy is a scary turn to the left, his militarism is a scary turn to the right, and his denial regarding "comfort women" is a dive straight into the loony bin. Yen, Nikkei The politics of Abe seem favorable for a continued decline in the Yen and a rise in Japanese equities. $XJY Yen Daily $NIKK Nikkei Daily Since Mid-November the Nikkei has been on an upward tear. The Yen has been in decline since the start of October. Both trends have favorable fundamentals, and both are worth watching. Mike "Mish" Shedlock http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com |
Is Boehner Capitulating on Tax Hike Boost? Blame Game Posturing Posted: 16 Dec 2012 10:11 AM PST House speaker John Boehner made an incremental move in Obama's direction in regards to tax hikes. Specifically, Boehner offered to raise income tax rates on households earning more than $1 million a year in exchange for containing the cost of federal entitlement programs. Discussion are private, and president Obama rejected the offer. Specifically, the president wants hikes on those making more than $250,000. Obama also wants to avoid making significant reductions in entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare. Blame Game Posturing On the surface, this appears to be a major change in attitude by Boehner. Previously, Boehner wanted to avoid all tax hikes, instead offering the closing of loopholes to raise revenue. Is this move a sign of capitulation or blame game posturing? I suggest the latter. Public opinion polls show a majority of people behind some tax hikes on the wealthy. Boehner now has an offer on the table. There may be one more move in Obama's direction to something like tax hikes on those making $500,000 or more. However, each move Boehner makes in the president's direction will likely require (and should require), a move by Obama in Boehner's direction. It would be easy enough for Boehner to demand so much reduction in entitlement programs that the president will not go along. Indeed, if Boehner makes incremental steps from no tax hikes to tax hikes on $1,000,000 or more, to tax hikes on $750,000 or more to tax hikes on $500,000 or more ... then if Obama rejects the offer, Republicans can rightfully pin this on the president. That is the game in play at the moment. If Boehner plays the game properly, Republicans can either get a reasonable deal, or avoid the blame if the whole thing collapses. Mike "Mish" Shedlock http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com |
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