Uss Jimmy Carter

Recovery Summer? Mission Accomplished

“The idea that there might be a recession in the next year – I think that has substantial probability”

-- Yale University Economist Robert Shiller talking to the Wall Street Journal about the chances of a dibble-dip recession.

May saw the fastest increase in U.S. consumer prices since 2006. That’s cause for real concern because rising prices can either be a symptom of economic growth or a drag on a weak economy, and this sure ain’t the former.

In 2006, it was inflation. In 2011, it’s stagflation. The Federal Reserve can deal with inflation by reining in growth by increasing interest rates. But stagflation is much harder to cure (ask Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter ).

To defeat the last round, it took a one-two punch of massive tax cuts to stimulate economic growth combined with a drastic decrease in the monetary supply – Ronald Reagan stomping on the gas and then Fed Chairman Paul Volker simultaneously yanking the emergency brake.

Meanwhile, the Greeks are rioting again and the austerity-hobbled government in Athens looks ready to fall. If Greece ’s tiny economy finally fizzles it could take the Euro down with it. And with the U.S. government unable to borrow for itself, it can’t help with the latest proposed round of Euro floating.

Developing economies in China , India , Russia and Brazil are starting to show signs of distress as consumer demand slows in the West.

Here at home, housing prices continue to fall, banks are not lending, unemployment is on the rise and consumers aren’t spending.

President Obama is trying to stress that this isn’t part of a trend back into economic contraction – that a spike in gas prices, bad weather and a Japanese tsunami have caused a short-term problem that will soon fade as the underlying recovery takes hold.

But one of the problems with economists is that they have such a hard time predicting human behavior. The Obama economic team proposed a policy slate aimed at restoring growth while alleviating the disparities between the rich and poor and restoring the environment – mandatory health insurance, tax increases, global warming fees, etc.

But that strategy assumed that investors, capitalists and consumers would act in their own short-term financial interests rather than seeking to avoid the parts of the new package they did not like.

While conservatives say that it is regulatory uncertainty that is stifling the economy, it might also be described as political uncertainty. The 2010 elections showed deep vulnerabilities for Obama, leaving very much open the question of whether he will be elected to a second term.

The Presidency of Jimmy Carter: Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Carter, through his continuing efforts in promoting peace and human rights through the Carter Center, and his continuing interest in foreign affairs, continues to gain memorable recognition of his efforts.  One of his most cherished honors was given him in April 1998 when Secretary of the Navy, John Dalton, announced that the name of the third SEAWOLF-class submarine would be called the USS JIMMY CARTER (SSN-223), in honor of the only United States President to ever serve in submarines.  In fact, Carter progressed from Navy Submarine School in 1948, to preparing to become the engineering officer for the USS SEAWOLF (SSN 575), built to test a sodium-cooled nuclear reactor, and training others to serve on that SEAWOLF, in 1953. (California) Today, President Carter is honored once again, as he and Mrs. Carter each received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. (Presidential Timeline) Mr. Carter received the honor as a public servant and human rights activist, and Rosalynn Carter received her honor as a human rights activitist. (California)  The Presidential Medals of Freedom were given to both Carters by President Bill Clinton. (California)  This Medal is the Nation’s highest civilian honor.(California)  Mr. Carter has served our country well, in his post-presidential capacity, making unofficial diplomatic missions to such countries as Ethiopia (1989), Somalia (1993), North and South Korea, Haiti, and Bosnia (1994), and Rwanda (1995), in addition to monitoring elections throughout the world. (California)  He also joined former presidents Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and George Bush in serving on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Commission.

Submarine fiber optic communications systems, SFOCS.

Jimmy Carter, U.S. President and humanitarian

21st Century Submarines

Ssn-23 Jimmy Carter, U.S. Navy Submarine (Seawolf Class)

Great American Hypocrites, Toppling the Big Myths of Republican Politics