I went shopping today, in order to do my bit to counteract the global crisis and help the ailing retail business. It was really hard! Even though most shops have a mid-season sale on, it was difficult to part with much money. It seems most shops have adopted the same tactics; mid-season sale and cheap advertising to attract customers, and keeping stocks low to avoid not selling out. Digging their own grave?
To me it seems like a slightly desperate act to lower the VAT by 2.5%, as it is reportedly expected to be in Alistair Darling the British chancellors pre-budget speech. In my mind it is just going to reinforce the idea that buying worthless crap is really the meaning of life.
But, at least this is a stimulus package that will reach the consumer directly and not have to filter through banks as cheaper lending. Will desperation save us all?
For all of us who wanted Hillary Clinton to win the primaries and be where Barck Obama is now is hoping and praying that he will appoint her as Secretary of State. That must be one of the strongest teams the US has had for a long, long time. Let’s see what the recent past has brought the world. Barack + Hillary = a better world.
They tried to keep it low key, but soon enough, the world heard about Barack Obama’s meeting with Hillary Clinton in Chicago. It came as no surprise as he would have been mad not to ask her to join his administration, with her experience and good bipartisan relationships. Hillary Clinton has extensive foreign policy experience both from her time in the Senate and from being a former First Lady. Hillary as Secretary of State?
Mervyn King, the Bank of England’s governor, has warned that ’people should be concerned’ about the difficult times ahead. He said that interest rates might have to be cut to an all time low below 2 percent to help Britain’s ailing economy. Mr. King even indicated that the Bank of England was prepared to cut rates to 0 percent – or ‘whatever level is necessary’. A stark warning to Britons.
After the historic election of Barack Obama, the first African-American president of the United States , the head of Britain ’s equality watchdog has claimed that Britain is not ready to do the same. This is not due to racism from the British voters, but from within the political parties. No British Obama.
The future of America, and indeed also the world, looks a whole lot brighter after Barack Obama is elected as the 44th president. Thankfully, the election night didn’t offer us any excitement as it became clear early on that McCain didn’t really stand a chance against Obama, who has received high praise for his well-run campaign. Phew!
As usual it became Tuesday 4th November in Europe before America, but what kind of a result are we hoping for here?
I can’t say for sure, but I can say that the one McCain supporter I have met, changed his mind the moment Palin was selected as his Vice President candidate. So that should give a general impression on what Europe hopes for. But, since it is all out of our hands anyway, we can all just lean back, cross everything we have to cross and relax, while we enjoy something this campaign has had more of than any other before it. And that is Comedy! The world holds its collective breath.
US election during one of the worst financial crisis of all time – surely that’s something you don’t see every day. Personally I think it have been liberating to get an election that would take place in the middle of an extreme turmoil, as the election have been driven by the economic policies more than ever before. Election time during financial turmoil & Liquidity Solutions
An uncomfortable case has emerged for Barack Obama. In the last days leading up to the election, this couldn’t have come at a worse time. Barack Obama’s aunt in an illegal immigrant. Nobody yet knows how this came to light, but the republicans will have a field day, knowing how important immigration is to the majority of Americans who will vote on Tuesday. Troubles for Obama?