A daily series, Connect! Unite! Act! seeks to create face-to-face networks in each congressional district. Groups regularly socialize but also get out the vote, support candidates and engage in other local political actions that help our progressive movement grow and exert influence on the powers-that-be. Visit us every morning at 7:30 A.M. Pacific Time to see how you can get involved. The comment thread is fun and light-hearted, but we're serious about moving the progressive political agenda forward.
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Do You Own Any Stocks ?
The reason I ask is that we had a big event the other day, The Dow hit 17,000. I didn't see anybody in the streets and I didn't hear any celebratory gunfire but I got the distinct impression from the Corporate Media that I ought to be happy about this, maybe even ecstatic. Of course, I don't own any stocks. Most people don't. You often see 47% cited as the percentage of Americans who own stocks. This counts indirect ownership through Mutual Funds and Pension Plans. The actual number of people who own stocks directly is probably much lower and no one denies that stock ownership is concentrated among the wealthy. This notion that half of all Americans own stocks is important to defenders of the status quo because it makes it seem that the USA is some sort of Socialist country where the People actually do own the means of production. So, the story goes, when The Dow is up we should all celebrate because it means we're all doing well, no matter what our everyday experience tells us.
The idea that The Dow is a good indicator of general economic well-being has obvious propaganda value, false as it is, and I've heard public figures make this claim explicitly on more than one occasion. Dow fetishism in media and government also serves to obscure the changes that have taken place in the way our economy functions; the reasons for the New Normal that our leaders are so anxious for us to accept.
The full name of The Dow is the Dow Jones Industrial Average, industrial as in manufacturing. In Olden Times, companies made things and people bought them. Companies raised money by selling shares, or stocks. Investors would be entitled to a share of the profits the company earned and these would be distributed to the shareholders as dividends. People would buy stocks with the expectation of getting dividend checks from the companies every quarter. They invested for income. Now of course more profits are made by financial shenanigans than in manufacturing and people buy stocks to speculate on price movements of the shares themselves. Dividends hardly matter. This chart shows how nearly all companies used to pay dividends. Some companies are starting to pay dividends again. These stocks are known among investors as dividend stocks, as opposed to momentum stocks, which I assume means pump-and-dump. A lot of the action these days involves companies that don't pay dividends because they don't make any profit. Investors used to evaluate stock prices using something called the PE ratio. PE stands for Price/Earnings and it was a simple fraction, price per share over earnings per share. The PE ratio went out the window in the 90s during the first tech bubble when people began speculating on companies that never made a nickel. The PE ratios for these companies is undefined. If you'll remember your introductory algebra, division by zero is impossible. Here's an article from October of 2013 about 8 internet companies whose shares are worth over $1 billion but have never made a profit. ☛ Time Twitter stock is worth $11 billion but so far no profits, let alone dividends. Amazon finally made a profit last year, but not very much. Facebook may make a lot of money someday by putting ads in people's faces but I'm not sure they've paid any dividends yet.
I suspect that something is rotten on Wall St. I've read about High Frequency Trading and crooked IPOs and I know that the only way to "beat the market" is with insider information. I think the game is rigged and I don't think I'd buy stocks even if I had any spare money, which I don't. I don't give a damn about The Dow. I think median wages and the Gini index are much better measures of where we're at economically. It seems to me that eventually, sooner or later, all these projected earnings and imaginary profits will have to be realized by somebody buying something and as long as the people don't make enough money to buy things, the stock market is all BS. How 'bout you, Limousine Liberals and Boutique Bolsheviks,
Do You Own Any Stocks ?
Latest Updates on Kossack Regional Meet-Up News Can Be Found Below the Orange Group Hug.
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We invite you to join in this effort to build our community. There are many ways to pitch in.
If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one.
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Los Angeles Kossacks June 28th Meetup Report
by susans ♥ for Los Angeles Kossacks
The Los Angeles Kossacks ranks have increased by 40% in the last few months. New members attended the latest recreational field trip to see the retired space shuttle Endeavour at the California Science Center in Exposition Park near downtown Los Angeles.
Back Row L-R: Vyan, Chiwere, susans, Otoelbc, mommyp00ka, Ducktape
Front Row L-R: Robin, 714day, Little Loner, Moody Loner, jakedog42 and grandaughter, SanFernandoValleyMom
Please visit susans's diary for details on the Space Shuttle. You can still REC it. You can join Los Angeles Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to susans.
by John Crapper ♥ for Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks
Organizer John Crapper completed another meet-up, from his agenda:
Next, I updated the group on our efforts to identify campaigns we would like to assist in the upcoming elections. There are three that have been under active discussion but nothing has been firmly decided. We all agreed it was important to pick races that would help Washington Democrats regain control of the Senate.
Next, I asked for ideas, suggestions and assistance identifying future guest speakers. In connection with that I urged all to invite their friends to become Kossacks and join us to enhance our clout.
Longtime Kossack
LarisaW, President of
Progressive Radio Northwest (PRNW), was in attendance. She is leading an effort to bring back progressive radio to the NW.
All photos courtesy of mlharges:
L-R: John Crapper - John Crapper, his SO & momomia - TBoneApollo - Piren
L-R: EagleKeeper - Flamingogrrl - doingbusinessas - momomia
Please visit John Crapper's diary for MORE photos and commentary! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to John Crapper.
by Avilyn ♥ for New Jersey Kossacks
The New Jersey Kossacks held their inaugural meet-up on June 14, 2014. Thanks so much to Avilyn for taking up the reins and leading this important group. She noticed in all of the Christy diaries that many New Jersey folk came out of lurking or signed up to comment. She was motivated by this to start this group. I'm glad because there's a lot of work to do in New Jersey. I also noticed in her start-up diaries that many people couldn't attend this event but wanted to be invited to the next event. She had 18 Kossacks sign up with her first announcement of the new group. This is excellent and I'm sure there are more New Jersey Kossacks out there.
Here's the group photo:
L-R: Christin, Mr. Christin, belinda ridgewood, zitherhamster
Please visit Avilyn's diary for many MORE photos plus food pr0n! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join New Jersey Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Avilyn.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Thursday, July 10th
Denver Kossacks Meet-up at NPR Taping of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me
Host Peter Sagal with panelists Paula Poundstone, Tom Bodett and Brian Babylon.
TIME: 7:30 PM
LOCATION: Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Hwy 93 just North of Morrison • Morrison
Tickets: $40-70 at TicketsWest
ORGANIZER: Send ColoTim a kosmail to get in his block of tickets.
RSVPs:
1. ColoTim
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me will be in CO
Tuesday, July 15th
Nashville Kossacks Meet-up at a Music Venue
The Players featuring Brent Mason, John Hobbs, Paul Franklin, Eddie Bayers, and Michael Rhodes
Price: $10.00 [Tickets]
DINNER TIME: 6:00 PM?
SHOW TIME: 9:30 PM
LOCATION: 3rd and Lindsley Music Venue, Bar & Grill (menu)
818 3rd Ave. S • Nashville
ORGANIZER: Send ZenTrainer a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. ZenTrainer
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Nashville KosKats Meet-Up July 15th
Wednesday, July 16th
Annual Cheers & Jeers Dinner to Kick-Off NN14, Kossacks Only
TIME: 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Vicente's Cuban Cuisine
1250 Library St • Detroit
A 0.6 mile walk from the host hotel, the Marriott
The blue dots represent the walking-on-foot route. The grey lines are the People Mover routes.
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to RSVP.
RSVPs:
1. Common Sense Mainer
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. smileycreek
4. paradise50
5. side pocket
6. Mrs. side pocket
7. norm
8. maggiejean
9. Shockwave
10. a gilas girl
11. susans
12. Sara R
13. belinda ridgewood
14. sidnora
15. Mr. sidnora
16. thankgodforairamerica
17. brillig
18. mik
19. K1
20. loggersbrat
21. Dave in Northridge
22. 714day
23. NormAl1792
24. winifred3
25. texasdad
26. texasmom
27. peregrine kate
28. provokingmeaning
29. justiceputnam
30. tmservo433
31. Mark E Andersen
32. Son of Mark E Andersen
33. winkk
34. theRoaringGirl
35. shermanesq
36. Doggie269
37. shanikka
38. jakedog42
39. ramara
40. skohayes
41. DebtorsPrison
42. gmats
43. Adam Blomeke
44. LuLu
45. Chicklette
46. PerfectStormer
47. 4Freedom
48. DemSign
49. vicki
50. Cedwyn
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Daily Kos Staff:
1. Markos Moulitsas
2. Susan Gardner
3. Will Rockafellow
4. Meteor Blades
5. Joan McCarter
6. Faith Gardner
7. Laura Clawson
8. Chris Bowers
9. navajo
10. Jen Hayden
11. Elisa Batista
12. Denise Oliver-Velez
51. jotter
52. aha aha
53. Dennis Shreefer
54. ohmydem
55. Brainwrap
56. Mrs. Brainwrap
57. Eclectablog aka Chris Savage
58. Anne Savage
59. BlueBarnStormer
60. sandiegodem
61. Pam Miles
62. TexMex
63. linkage
64. 2thanks
65. bunnygirl60
66. binkaroni
67. zenbassoon
68. nomandates
69. thepegster
70. Ooooh
71. figbash
72. TrueBlueMajority
73. tgypsy
74. slowbutsure
75. cooper888
76. gotmooned
77. Muskegon Critic
78. belinda's dad
79. ericlewis0
80. mideedah
81. sherman54
82. Larry Kestenbaum
83. ChemBob
+ Ten scholarship recipients
Maybees: N in Seattle, Turbonerd
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Friday, July 18th
Daily Kos Detroit VA Hospital Service Project
Sara R delivers 65 quilts, hand knit scarves and hats, books, 65 teddy bears, hand made greeting cards, and phone cards from the DK Quilt Guild, WAYWO, the Readers & Book Lovers, IGTNT and individual Kossacks to the nursing home at the Detroit VA Hospital. This is a wonderful project that many people can be involved with even if they don't attend the convention. If you care about veterans in a nursing home this is your project. Please volunteer to help.
DELIVERY TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Volunteer Office of the Detroit VA Hospital
4646 John R St. • Detroit
ORGANIZER: Send Sara R a Kosmail to participate in making the gifts and/or deliver them.
RSVPs to help deliver gifts:
1. Sara R
2. NormAl1792
3. Winifred
4. linkage (videographer)
5.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: DK Quilt Guild: What Inspires You?
Plenary Session Tables during the rest of the Convention
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to have a seat reserved for you in the main ballroom of the convention center for the big events. These tables will be there so we can all find each other as a group. The seating is not assigned. You can float from table to table. I'm only counting to see how many tables I need to reserve.
Motor City Kossacks:
1. peregrine kate
2. provokingmeaning
3. ChemBob
4. Brainwrap
5. Mrs. Brainwrap
6. Eclectablog aka Chris Savage
7. 2thanks
8. Sydneyluv
9. DoReMI
10. Mideedah
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Motor City Kossacks:
1. GwenM
2. dkmich
3. NormAl1792
4. tgypsy [Honorary]
5. gregsullmich
6. SharonRB
7. SharonRB's friend
8. Muskegon Critic
9. ICanDoThis
10. Mr. ICanDoThis
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SFKossacks Table:
1. navajo
2. Meteor Blades
3. smileycreek
4. paradise50
5. side pocket
6. Mrs. side pocket
7. Tim Delaney [Honorary]
8. maggiejean
9. Jeff in CA
10. Mrs. Jeff in CA
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SFKossacks Table II:
1. a gilas girl [Honorary]
2. justiceputnam
3. Dragon5616 [Honorary]
4. DebtorsPrison
5. tmservo433 [Honorary]
6. shanikka
7. aha aha
8. jotter
9. norm
10. figbash [Honorary]
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Los Angeles Table:
1. Shockwave
2. susans
3. Dave in Northridge
4. gmats
5. 714day
6. jakedog42
7. slowbutsure
8. cooper888 [Honorary]
9. gotmooned [Honorary]
10.
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New York Table:
1. sidnora
2. Mr. sidnora
3. belinda ridgewood
4. thankgodforairamerica
5. Denise Oliver-Velez
6. hayden
7. TrueBlueMajority [Honorary]
8. belinda's dad
9. zenbassoon [Honorary]
10. 4Freedom [Honorary]
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Seattle, Portland & Texas Table:
1. Lefty Coaster
2. Sara R
3. loggersbrat
4. N in Seattle
5. linkage
6. nomandates
7. texasmom
8. texasdad
9. TexMex
10.
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Cheers & Jeers Table:
1. Common Sense Mainer
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. brillig
4. mik
5. K1
6. vicki
7. Cedwyn
8. Pam Miles
9. shermanesque and
10. doggie269
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Maybees:
kjoftherock, angry marmot, boran2, Turbonerd, northerntier, northerntier's SO,
Sunday, July 20th
Kansas Missouri Kossacks Meet-up with Lyon County Democrats & Governor Candidate Paul Davis
Paul Davis (D-KS) who is running against Sam Brownback will be present. Potluck Dinner format and short meeting for Kossacks/Democrats afterwards. There will also be several other candidates and a full meeting of the county party.
POTLUCK!
TIME: 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Emporia Senior Center
603 E 12th Ave • Emporia, Kansas
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Tim Huelskamp Asserts Benghazi is a Bipartisan Conspiracy.. And the Man who Could Beat him this year
Saturday, July 26th
Meet the Candidates in Hutchinson, Kansas!
• Jean Shodorf (Candidate for Secretary of State)
• Brian E Davis (Candidate for State House of Representatives)
• Jim Sherow (Candidate for 1st District US House of Representatives)
• Jill Docking (Candidate, Lt. Governor)
• Various County Party Leadership
TIME: 11:00-3:00 PM
LOCATION: Pyle Park
100 E. Ave. B • Hutchinson
BBQ, watermelon and other food provided. Bring a lawn chair.
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Major Kansas Events: Your Chance to Change a State
Sunday, July 27th
Phoenix Kossacks Roll Out the Red Carpet for navajo
Event will be potluck, so please sign up here with food, beverages or booze
TIME: 4:00 PM
LOCATION: Mother Mag's Rooftop Terrace
(address given privately to RSVPs) • Downtown Phoenix
ORGANIZER: Send Mother Mags a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Mother Mags
2. navajo
3. Azazello
4. Mrs. Azazello
5. arizonablue
6. Mr. arizonablue
7. Kane in CA
8. puzzled
9. Late Again
10. Mr. Late Again
11. rasbobbo
12. DaNang65
13. Stripe
14. Sun Tzu
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Maybees:
dewey of the desert
Mr. dewey of the desert
PSzymeczek
Skippah
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Latest diary: Arizona meet-up: Summer potluck with Navajo!
Saturday, August 9th
Kansas Missouri Kossacks Picnic - Local Candidate Speaks
Meet at the Hays city park to enjoy a free hamburger/hotdog/watermelon feed. Jim Sherow along with other local candidates will be speaking.
TIME: NOON
LOCATION: Municipal Park
1st and Main • Hays, Kansas
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2. Skohays
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Major Kansas Events: Your Chance to Change a State
Saturday, August 9th
LA Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 2:00 PM?
LOCATION: TBD
[Address] • Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send susans a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. susans
2. Shockwave
3. navajo
4. Meteor Blades
5. Knucklehead
6. SanFernandoValleyMom
7. Otoelbc
8. Chiwere
9. Vyan
10.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Los Angeles Kossacks June 28th Meetup Report
navajo maintains the above event list. Kosmail her if you have any diaries
about your event or if you have changes or additions.
EVERYONE is welcome, tell us what you're working on,
share your show and tell, vent, whatever you want.
This is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.