U.S. Jobless Rate The Worst Since Records Began In 1967

The cold and hard reality of things is that the jobless rate in the U.S. is now the worst since modern records were begun in 1967. Nationally there are now 1 million fewer jobs posted online than just a few months ago. And initial jobless claims were reported at a staggering figure of 626,000 last week, a figure far worse than the 583,000 figure expected.

Meanwhile, Republicans continue to chip away at the economic stimulus package proposal in the senate, hoping to score political points while millions of Americans suffer with no job, unable to afford their house payments or rent, or being able to provide food or pay utilities. The situation is desperate for millions of Americans while some want to play politics back in Washington.

Some senate Republicans have put forth some worthy recommendations. And those proposals deserve a serious look. However, many others only hope to derail this major economic stimulus bill which aims to create 3 million jobs and offer help to American families through a wide range of spending proposals. During the Roosevelt years, it was proven that government spending and jobs creation projects were able to get the economy back on track despite Republican objections back then. And this latest proposal doesn't seem all that much different from those goals. However, Republican opposition is now able to build using right wing talk radio and bloggers. However these critics seem to offer few real answers or proposals on how to strengthen the economy, only critical views on this proposal.

In November, the voters clearly spoke for change with the economy. But Republican critics seem to want to impose "no action" on the economy instead, and the tyranny of the minority seem to want to impose their views on the majority of voters and their mandate for change back in November.

So let's hear it here critics. If you don't support this economic stimulus bill back in Washington, then what do you propose to strengthen the economy? Here's your chance to sound off. Let's have a lively discussion here.

Another 1960's Relic Might Close

The photo here is from 1978 when I was receiving a check as a prize from an executive of Capitol Records from Los Angeles for a Capitol Records display contest. My Galaxy Records was in direct competition with a number of other record retailers that during the booming late 70's until the 1980 recession knocked a large number of the stores out of business, eventually including my own Galaxy Records.

One of my main competitors that I always admired was the counterculture generation record store, Music Millennium. This store always had a funky 1960's underground hippie appeal, even though it was situated right in the middle of the affluent Laurelhurst District. I've remained a sometimes customer of this great funky 60's business that has survived since 1969. There were always great imports of T.Rex and other groups that I loved that I could always find at Music Millennium. In fact, the last Christmas gift that I ever received from my parents for Christmas 2007 was THE DOORS box-set, PERCEPTION, purchased at Music Millennium. Both my parents died within 90 days of each other later that year, so that last gift holds a special value to me.

At one time I had a strained relationship with Music Millennium owner Terry Curry, due to some newspaper ads I was running comparing prices, and Curry made an angry phone call to me one day to protest. But I still continued to admire his store. My own store had a far slicker persona than the funky Music Millennium, but I always loved that atmosphere compared my well lit and slicker operation. Music Millennium was always slightly dark inside, and always managed to have that smell of incense and hippie counterculture all about it while my store just wasn't as fun to shop at. My main draw was cheap prices. Music Millennium had both atmosphere as well as a large selection of great recordings in a relatively tight store.

Music Millennium did face some interesting challenges over the years. Since it's beginning, besides music, the store once had a huge stock of bongs and pipes to sell. And at one point when the tide began to turn against Marijuana use by government officials, during the Reagan era, Music Millennium was forced to comply and do away with the bong and pipe sales. You might have to ask what sort of counterculture nonconformists would bow down to government, yet Music Millennium probably felt that their main mission was always music, so why jeopardize that part of their business just to make some political point when times had shifted against them continuing to sell those controversial items.

But Music Millennium never lost it's antiestablishment appeal. During the 2008 presidential election they had plenty of anti John McCain bumper stickers to sell. Any good left leaning 60's generation-type certainly could still feel at home there.

Music Millennium certainly has good sections of all my favorite 60's artists such as CANNED HEAT, THE DOORS, JIMI HENDRIX, THE STONES, TEN YEARS AFTER, and even relatively forgotten groups such as THE FUGS or BLUE CHEER. The rare Cd versions of SILVER APPLES are there along with SAVOY BROWN and numerous other old time counterculture rock bands. No matter what you like with old groups, whether it be COUNTRY JOE & THE FISH or LEE MICHAELS, etc, you can usually find at Music Millennium, or they can get it if it's not out of print. It's one heck of a great store.

But all of this older inventory or pressings of older bands might just be part of what has gotten Music Millennium into their current mess. Music Millennium is still trying to sell to the aging 60's and 70's generation new Cds of favorite groups, when the problem is that the entire music scene has changed. Cds are less popular now than in past years, partly because many younger buyers now buy music downloads on the computer, or in some cases still use illegal downloading sites to shortchange the record industry and the artists. Add to this the recent serious economic decline, that the British Prime Minister is now calling a world wide "depression" and Music Millennium is struggling with a sales decline of about 50% in recent months, even despite Christmas sales. That's really devastating news.

This relic of the 60's survived the uptight Reagan, Bush and Bush-II regimes. Survived past economic slowdowns. But now a perfect storm of problems could torpedo this great 60's icon of a business.

The fact of the matter is that Terry Curry did everything right that he could to make his Music Millennium a perfectly cool place to shop for so many years since 1969 when this store opened it's doors. But now the economy as well as the music and the way that many buy their music has changed so much that perhaps Music Millennium might be doomed and not survive.

As a last ditch attempt at survival, the store is running a funny sale in which you sing a little song at the counter and you get a discount. It is a funky little typical Music Millennium quirk and just another reminder why this great store deserves to survive for many more years, but may not.

There are some bumper stickers sold around Portland by loyal Portlanders that read "Keep Portland Weird". Well, Music Millennium has done it's part for all these years. I wish Terry all the luck in the world to make his dream survive. Music Millennium is way cool. And I need some place to buy my HENDRIX and DOORS stuff.

High Performance Auto Parts Could Be Banned With Greenhouse Gas Hysteria

In Oregon, a senseless and not clearly thought out piece of bad legislation proposed by Governor Ted Kulongoski could give the state's top environment agency new broad and sweeping powers to ban the sale of some custom and high performance auto, truck and motorbike parts based on some absurd and naive notion that such parts somehow contribute to more air pollution. However, the truth is that many aftermarket high performance parts actually work far more efficiently than the cheaper OEM equipment installed on many vehicles, and in many cases actually save fuel while providing increased performance characteristics.

Many cash strapped automobile manufacturers purchase parts based on the lowest cost from suppliers. Because of this most new cars and trucks do have the best handling tires or the most fuel efficient engine parts. And only a few higher priced vehicles come standard with synthetic oil, which provides far better horsepower, performance and miles per gallon than the far cheaper normal petroleum oil does. Some synthetic oils such as AMSOIL may provide up to 10% better mpg than normal oil, besides higher horsepower and an engine life twice as long if not even longer. But the auto industry is in the business of selling vehicles, so selling cars with cheaper oils that allow them to wear out twice as fast is only good for their business.

Recently when President Barack Obama proposed allowing 13 U.S. states with some high air pollution areas to allow them to set tougher local air pollution rules, some states like California and Oregon were quick to react with some new pollution control proposals. However in Oregon, S. 2186, is little more than a hysterical and oversimplified dangerous bill that gives broad new powers to air pollution czars who really know nothing about the mechanics of cars, trucks or motorbikes. The bill claims to be some sort of an "emergency" declaration. So where's the "emergency"? And what serious person actually believes that the small number of car, truck or motorbike enthusiasts who put some custom aftermarket or high performance parts on their cars, trucks or motorbikes actually increase air pollution levels?

The fact of the matter is that there are many high priced custom wheels made from lightweight alloy materials that are far lighter than the cheap heavy steel OEM wheels. And some low profile performance tires are far more grippy and squirm around far less than the cheap OEM ones that manufacturers install to control their operating costs. You can spend a few thousand dollars on a set of high performance wheels and tires that are far superior to the cheap ones on a car or truck that barely top $200 to $300 in most cases. Any person with good sense knows that lighter weight will save fuel. Yet the Oregon bill could actually outlaw the sale of many aftermarket tires and wheels and force buyers to purchase more of the same cheap fuel wasting crap that dealers for many automanufacturers sell. What Einstein thought this one up?

Any any good motorhead knows that many aftermarket quality four barrel carbs can potentially offer better gas mileage than the cheaper OEM two barrel ones installed on many older cars. The four barrel versions generally have smaller throats, where only the other two throats open up during hard acceleration or at freeway type speeds, while the two barrel carbs have bigger throats that constantly open during any acceleration and waste gas. In most cases, many four barrel carbs are far superior at saving gas and reducing pollution than the cheap OEM carbs are.

Automobile manufacturers are working to improve the pollution problem with their vehicles. Toyota sells a great number of hybrid vehicles. And Detroit continues to conduct experiments with extreme hybrids, electric and fuel cell cars. This is where pollution problem will really be solved.

But the more serious problems of greenhouse gases and global warming certainly cannot all be blamed on the United States. Nations like India, China and Vietnam have many dangerously polluted cities with little air quality rules or regulations. In fact, the air quality is so bad in at least 500 big cities in China that it is the same health risk as if a child was smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. Many of these cities the air is black, the water polluted, and your throat and eyes burn. China has several times the population of the United States, and now has far more industry producing goods than the United States. The effect of China on global warming and green house gas emissions is very serious compared to the United States with many air pollution controls on both vehicles and industry. And so far not a single brand of Chinese manufactured automobiles meets American air pollution standards, only a few of their exported motorcycles or scooters do.

Certainly, states like Oregon might want to improve the air quality. And that's a worthy goal. However, a reckless ban on a few high performance auto, truck or motorbike parts is hardly going to improve the air quality, cut greenhouse gases or reduce holes in the ozone or other goals. These are larger problems that new automobile technology like fuel cell powered cars or nation's like China with huge pollution problems need to really resolve. A few aftermarket auto parts businesses shouldn't be made scapegoat for problems far larger that are far out of their control.

"Accelerated Vehicle Retirement" Legislation Could Slip Into Economic Stimulus Bill

One very bad piece of legislation that has the support of some environmentalists as well as the American automobile industry is an outrageous proposed $8 billion dollar program that would give cash vouchers of between $2,500 to $4,500 for owners of some later model SUVs that are not as fuel efficient as the latest models produced by Detroit to turn in their trucks to be crushed into scrap. This bill, S.247 could find it's way into the economic stimulus bill considered by the senate unless the public acts. In the house, car collector organizations such as SEMA and SAN, contacted Speaker Of The House Nancy Pelosi's office and managed to get this legislation removed from the house version of the economic stimulus bill.

This legislation could take as many as four million later model SUVs off the streets such as Chevy Blazers, Chevy Silverados, Chevy S-10s, Chevy Tahoes, Dodge Dakotas, Dodge Rams, Ford Explorers, Ford F-Series, Jeep Cherokees, Jeep Wranglers and other American produced truck that gets less than 18 miles per gallon average fuel economy.

Certainly the American auto industry is in a very difficult situation right now. But seeking to destroy millions of perfectly good running used trucks for the sake of selling newer models to the public is a dastardly way to prop their sagging industry up. A large part of the problem with Detroit is that the banks have tightened up credit so much recently that it is very hard for many persons, even with very good credit to get a loan to buy a new car or truck right now. And some large credit companies, such as GE, which makes many vehicle loans, has recently lowered the credit amounts of many borrowers, probably largely due to the serious financial problems that this large credit business has been facing recently more than the actual credit risk of many borrowers.

The fact of the matter is that large trucks fit into a unique class of vehicles in American society and should be allowed to serve out their lives like any other motor vehicle. Trucks are purchased by business to haul tools or supplies, or even by small operators such as lawn maintenance men. And larger families count on trucks to transport their families in safety since fewer large station wagons are produced nowadays. At one time station wagons with three rows of seats were produced in the U.S., but now only the SUV type vehicles use three seats.

And another problem is that with millions less of certain trucks on the road, used truck prices will skyrocket making used trucks less affordable to lower income person who rely on a truck for a small business or for a poor family. There will also be millions less used parts available from vehicle wrecking yards as well. Many used trucks can have a long life when they are repaired using used parts. Some vehicles such as Jeeps often suffer suspension parts damage when they are off-roaded, and cheap used parts will often quickly and cheaply replace damaged parts problems.

Not only will collectors and car enthusiasts nationwide be harmed by less older vehicles around for parts or customizing work, but some charities such as Father Joe, The Salvation Army, The Goodwill or many other organizations which count on used vehicle donations could suffer the loss of millions in revenue that could be used to help the poor, disabled or those in drug or alcohol recovery.

There is also an irrational reasoning that somehow the carbon footprint might be somehow reduced by destroying an older less fuel efficient truck. What is missing from this line of flawed reasoning is that it will take a great deal of energy to produce an entirely new vehicle by an automobile company creating great pollution as well as use of mineral resourses and mining and chemicals. Producing an entirely new vehicle will mean significant air and water pollution, sometimes only to gain a slight improvement in overall fuel mileage. And since much of the oil used in the U.S. is imported anyway, existing vehicles used in the U.S. aren't worsening any local pollution problems by very much because as older trucks wear out they are replaced anyway. And all later trucks have pretty good air pollution control systems as well.

In the past a number of American states have considered some vehicle scrappage legislation. But these proposed laws were not cost effective and did significantly reduce pollution problems or achieve their desired goals. All of these proposals were abandoned because they were bad ideas based on bad reasoning.

A coalition of environmentalists as well as automobile companies might well attempt to add S.247 to the financial stimulus bill. But this bill is neither cost effective, nor achieves desirable goals. It is merely a waste of money that will be harmful to many lower income persons, small businesses as well truck collectors, etc. It is a piece of bad legislation that deserves to be put to rest.

Rush Limbaugh Wants Obama To Fail

Loud-mouthed overweight blowhard prescription drug addict talk show host, Rush Limbaugh, let it be known to his millions of misguided radio listeners that he wants President Obama to fail recently. Thank you Mr. Limbaugh, you've proven my point that you really don't have the best interest of your country at stake, only promoting your own narrow screwed-up political agenda.

On Saturday morning, Mr. Obama's radio address presented goals of increasing the number of available mortgages and reducing interest rates to help jump start the terrible housing crisis. And the economic stimulus bill presents a wide range of financial and job creation goals to millions of American workers and businesses. Mr. Obama is working hard to try anything that might work to help to revive the American economy. He's acting as one of the most engaged presidents ever. And yet, Mr. Limbaugh wishes Mr. Obama to fail.

I know that drug addicts are unreasonable persons, but c'mon Mr. Limbaugh. Think about the good of your country once in a while, you overweight pompous twit. Millions of Americans are out of work right now. And the unemployment levels are reaching 9% in some well educated and normally affluent states like Oregon and Washington, despite the best efforts of political leaders to keep these economic situations with stability. Yet Mr. Limbaugh wants failure?

Mr. Limbaugh, like his partisan counterparts in congress who opposed the economic stimulus bill may object to some of the spending proposals in the bill. However, every bill has a number of provisions added that not every member of congress likes. But Mr. Obama has openly offered a hand to the Republicans to add any provisions or ideas to this bill and to remove any wasteful spending provisions.

Mr. Obama is making every effort to be a decent manager of the government, who is not very partisan. He is making every effort to revive the economy and to be inclusive to any ideas that might possibly work, whether they come from Democrats or from Republicans. Millions of Americans need a job to pay their rent, put food on the table and to afford to raise their children. An arrogant and pompous millionaire like drug addict Rush Limbaugh doesn't seem to understand this living in his ivory towers miles above the city. But real people are hurting big time. And Mr. Obama is seeking a bipartisan solution to the economic mess. Mr. Obama isn't seeking glory for himself, but genuine public service for the public good. And Mr. Obama would like all responsible politicians of either party to participate in this goal. This is the true meaning of public service.

Mr. Limbaugh could choose to act responsibly and make constructive suggestions for economic proposals, and Mr. Obama would be open to these constructive notions, but instead Limbaugh uses the airwaves to peddle political insult humor that he thinks is constructive politics. But it certainly isn't. Hey Mr. Limbaugh, think about the good of your country sometime, will you?

Dr. Demento vs. Steve Urkel

When Howard "The Scream" Dean was first chosen as the DNC chairman, my first reaction was utter horror. I thought, "My God, this guy can't even get himself elected to office, let alone anyone else". But fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised at the Democratic victories in both 2006 and 2008. Certainly events played a big factor in both Democratic wins. However, Dr. Dean proved himself to be far better at delegating responsibility to others than I had ever expected. And brilliant Democratic strategists won impressive victories in both elections. However, as good as the record of Dr. Dean has been , it is still hard for him to shake that reputation as the "Dr. Demento" of the Democratic Party.

Well, it seems that the Republicans almost tried to one up the Democrats this week, when they chose Michael Steele, a guy who almost makes Steve Urkel look like a hipster by comparison. Make no mistake about it, I personally like Michael Steele as a person, but he's a major league dork though. He's as square of a guy as you can possibly find. He just might be the most square African American dude in the entire country as well.

But despite the fact that the Democrats seem to have Dr. Demento as their party chairman, and the Republicans, a Steve Urkel clone, the real test is the ability of these two guys to respond to the strategic moves of each other and to attract the most voters to their parties.

On today's FOX NEWS SUNDAY, Michael Steele again seemed to hold lofty goals for his party such as recapturing the Hispanic vote, of which John McCain managed to capture only a mere 31% of, despite being more of a moderate on immigration policy than many other lawmakers within his party. Yet when it came to specifics, Steele seemed to offer more of the same old tired Republican thinking.

And when Chris Wallace mentioned that President Obama has a 70% approval rating with the public, Steele still defended encouraging congressional Republicans to oppose the economic stimulus package. Steele doesn't seem to be any more coherent with reality than John McCain or Sarah Palin were with the issues such as the economy. He still trots out the same old tired old party line and politics as usual. There's nothing new here. And although Steele is a very likable guy, he's certainly no Barack Obama by any means. So the Republicans hardly matched their party with the Democrats there.

Steele did mention that in 1994, Republicans won a comeback from their 1992 losses with their "Contract With America". Newt Gingrich was able to come up with a short list of specific legislation for Republican candidates to rally behind, and it did help them to win their elections that year. However, for now, the economy is the overwhelming issue. And if the Republicans continue to remain out out touch with the lion's share of American voters, then how in the world do they expect to win a decent share of offices.

In the end it may not matter, that one party is being lead by either a stand-in for Dr. Demento or a stand-in for Steve Urkel. It is their ability to manage campaigns and delegate responsibility. And that will determine which wacky personality's party actually scores the biggest electoral wins. Howard Dean has certainly surprised me before. So Michael Steele also has some real potential as well. You can't write either one off.

While I'm certainly glad to see more of Michael Steele, because I always enjoyed his commentary over on CNN any time he was a guest, I was certainly disappointed to see so little substance today. Steele is a very bright guy. But so far he hasn't thought through any really new ideas that will benefit the GOP that I see. But certainly I expect to see a good effort from him that the Democrats will certainly have to match.

Behind the scenes there is already a fierce funding battle taking place over the seat in Congress vacated by Representative Kristen Gillibrand, with both parties collecting funds although there aren't any candidates in the running as of yet. Behind the scenes both parties need to be that far ahead of events. I even helped out with a contribution the other day towards the unnamed Democratic candidate to help keep this seat in Democratic hands and to maintain the Democratic majority in congress for Mr. Obama to work with. Believe it or not, the parties are both laying the foundations for the 2010 races even though the dust has barely settled on this election.

Two Stroke Motorbikes Resist Modern Times

It almost seems quite amazing, but given modern pollution laws as well as the advancement of fine quality four stroke motorbike engines that the old two stroke engine design still endures today. Yet, the modern two stroke engine remains as a powerful workhorse for many smaller displacement motorbikes, turning out fine power and torque for the size of engine. And since two stroke engines fire once per engine revolution, there is always the potential of a power output twice that of a similarly sized four stroke design.

My little 2008 Benelli is a pretty good example of a modern two stroke motorbike. For the small 50cc engine size, the bike can nearly top 50mph. And it has great pickup. There is an automatic oil feed system that avoids having to mix oil and fuel. Yet for good reason the two stroke engine designs remain a subject of great controversy.

One of the biggest problems associated with the two stroke engine is the higher pollution levels they create. Two stroke engines must use oil in the gas in order to survive, and all produce at least some oil smoke. Especially in Europe, the two stroke designs have become a threatened species as air pollution rules tighten up. Yet fans of two stroke bikes of all types, both motorcycles and scooters, seem to have at least some new two stroke models survive. Even in the U.S., the EPA continues to allow more efficient two stroke motobikes to be sold, however in the future that could all change. However, at some point in the future, new two stroke engines motorbikes are very likely to become an endangered species, much to to the sadness of many motorbike fans.

Before 2006, motobikes with an engine displacement of 50cc or less were exempt from EPA certification. However, since 2006, all motorbike engines that are two stroke must be tested and certified by the EPA. This has made it more difficult for many two stroke models to be imported into the U.S., and probably explains why the 50cc CPI GTR, which has a sport bike type design body and a two stroke engine is no longer imported here. But the four stroke 180cc version is still available. The CPI GTRs are a real popular cult item throughout Europe and Asia, and on Youtube, many videos exist of fans showing off their bikes.

Yet, part of the appeal of the two stroke engine is the unique sound they create, the extra power as well as the smell of the engine. Two stroke engines have an appeal to a motorhead cult of motorbike followers. At one time some automobiles such as Saab actually used two stroke engines in their automobiles as well.

The two stroke is also a simple design to create. There are no valves. However, generally speaking, two stroke engines do not live as long as four stroke engines by any means. However, some pretty good synthetic engine oil on the market will extend the life of a two stroke considerably. However, the four stroke design has many advantages such as better fuel economy and a quieter sound. But since the four stroke only creates power on every other revolution due to the design where intake and exhaust valves must open and close, it may take an engine twice the size of a two stroke one to produce the same level of power. In some 50cc motorbike racing for example, some two strokes can exceed 130km(80mph)an hour, which is an unheard of speed for a similar sized four stroke engine.

And two stroke engines remain a popular design in some yard equipment as well as chainsaws because of the greater power they produce as well. However, as the EPA and other environmental watchdogs become more mindful of the state of the environment as well as growing concerns over global warming my best guess is that the future days of the two stroke might well be numbered. Little doubt in my view that these old style engines with such a simple design , that may not be very fuel or pollution efficient will someday be banned from production by law.

Two stroke engine fans need to enjoy these bikes while they're still here.