Graph of the Day
posted at 4:00 pm on November 6, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
The GOP has this out as part of the “Holding Democrats Accountable” effort. I’m with Glenn Reynolds on this one; the data speak for themselves without the editorial touch of “stimulus swindle” in the chart. It’s a stylized version of the Innocent Bystanders chart, which uses Christina Romer’s original graph for her completely-repudiated forecasting of the American economy. The only information missing from this chart is the $787 billion we spent to no effect whatsoever on job losses:
How much longer will Congress allow that red line to run before recalling what’s left of Porkulus?
Blowback
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“And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for those meddling kids…..”
BobMbx on November 6, 2009 at 4:02 PM
All according to plan…
javamartini on November 6, 2009 at 4:03 PM
LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAHAHAHAH!1!!1!!1!!!!!111!1
moonbatkiller on November 6, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Looks more like the stimulus caused the job losses, doesn’t it?
Count to 10 on November 6, 2009 at 4:03 PM
The recession is over
/getalife
deidre on November 6, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Does anyone else remember how the liberals were practically dancing in the streets over that one month drop in the unemployment rate back in July?
MarkTheGreat on November 6, 2009 at 4:04 PM
How much longer before the dems double down and go for Spawn of Porkapalooza?
ICBM on November 6, 2009 at 4:04 PM
I think “swindle” is an apt description, no reason to sugarcoat anything. This was a payoff to government employees and unions, not a “stimulus”.
echosyst on November 6, 2009 at 4:05 PM
The best part about that – the administration’s stimulus estimates were so far off that we’ve actually left the confines of the graph they produced.
BadgerHawk on November 6, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Oh Ed, you’re just so reasonable today!
First, you agree with Osama Obama when he warns us against jumping to conclusions about a murderous Muslim, and now you suggest it’s OTT to refer to the Chicago Jesus’s massive swindle as a, well, swindle.
Too many unicorns and rainbows for you, man. Time to get outside and smell the totalitarianism!
MrScribbler on November 6, 2009 at 4:05 PM
An updated logo for Obama.
Exurban Jon on November 6, 2009 at 4:05 PM
The graph is misleading because it doesn’t reflect all the millions of jobs he saved or created.
-ernesto
Daggett on November 6, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Ouch, that’s going to leave a mark.
ted c on November 6, 2009 at 4:06 PM
So if the Stimulus was suppose to save and/or create jobs, and as reported it did save or create jobs, why is unemployment going up?
BigMike252 on November 6, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Is it incompetence? Or does Obama want to turn the US into a dependent society? I am beginning to think it is the latter. The Democrats want people to be desperate, they want us to depend on the government for as much as possible…and they control the government.
Either that…or they are a bunch of idiots..neither of which inspires confidence.
Terrye on November 6, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Where’s the line for “this is how bad the economy would be if we didn’t do “anything”….?
ted c on November 6, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Actually, the GOP’s graph, apart from the background, kind of sucks.
BadgerHawk on November 6, 2009 at 4:07 PM
Surely you jest. When has Congress ever recalled any money?
portlandon on November 6, 2009 at 4:07 PM
All of this reason and logic must be stopped. Off to the re-education camp for you.
flyawaybird on November 6, 2009 at 4:07 PM
The Bush Recession is over.
But the Obama Depression has just begun.
Enoxo on November 6, 2009 at 4:07 PM
Nice.
BadgerHawk on November 6, 2009 at 4:08 PM
On the matter of incompetence, and worse, it is not just Obama.
But Hasan isn’t the sole guilty party. The US Army’s unforgivable political correctness is also to blame for the casualties at Ft. Hood.
Given the myriad warning signs, it’s appalling that no action was taken against a man apparently known to praise suicide bombers and openly damn US policy. But no officer in his chain of command, either at Walter Reed Army Medical Center or at Ft. Hood, had the guts to take meaningful action against a dysfunctional soldier and an incompetent doctor.
Had Hasan been a Lutheran or a Methodist, he would’ve been gone with the simoon. But officers fear charges of discrimination when faced with misconduct among protected minorities.
Now 12 soldiers and a security guard lie dead. 31 soldiers were wounded, 28 of them seriously. If heads don’t roll in this maggot’s chain of command, the Army will have shamed itself beyond moral redemption.
There’s another important issue, too. How could the Army allow an obviously incompetent and dysfunctional psychiatrist to treat our troubled soldiers returning from war? An Islamist whacko is counseled for arguing with veterans who’ve been assigned to his care? And he’s not removed from duty? What planet does the Army live on?
For the first time since I joined the Army in 1976, I’m ashamed of its dereliction of duty. The chain of command protected a budding terrorist who was waving one red flag after another. Because it was safer for careers than doing something about him.
- Ralph Peters
MB4 on November 6, 2009 at 4:08 PM
if you are cold, if you are thirsty, if you are hungry, if you feel threatened….then you are like putty… they can mold you into doing their bidding. It’s like the first 2-3 weeks of boot camp–break you down, shave your head, change your clothes, then turn you into something else.
bad metaphor b/c I’ve been in the military for 20 years but you get the point.
ted c on November 6, 2009 at 4:08 PM
There really are no words. This is deyond disgraceful. A real man would be ashamed.
milwife88 on November 6, 2009 at 4:09 PM
I’m glad I’m not the only one that saw this. My goodness… he’s literally becoming McCain. Maybe he spent too much time hanging around with Carly today?
MobileVideoEngineer on November 6, 2009 at 4:09 PM
BadgerHawk on November 6, 2009 at 4:09 PM
An updated logo for Obama.
Exurban Jon on November 6, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Loved it.
SKYFOX on November 6, 2009 at 4:09 PM
The Obama-nose-in-the-air picture would have been better.
Chuck Schick on November 6, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Where’s the affirmative action spoiler that makes this all look OK, or does that just happen on computer models like global warming?
Hening on November 6, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Exurban Jon on November 6, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Wh0a…!
It’s all coming up zer0es…
ted c on November 6, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Wait, according to that graph, the stimulus made unemployment WORSE according to Obama’s trusted advisors.
Accountability? I don’t think so.
uknowmorethanme on November 6, 2009 at 4:09 PM
This graph clearly shows the success of porkulous
-Nancy Pelosi
neuquenguy on November 6, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Celebrating unemployment while real Americans are suffering. Shame on you Hot Air.
Constant Parrhesia on November 6, 2009 at 4:10 PM
We are going to need a bigger
boatgraph.WashJeff on November 6, 2009 at 4:10 PM
I’m pretty sure that red line is racist. Projections are more accurate than actual measurable data, just ask the climate scienticianists, their graphs always tally with big government.
mudskipper on November 6, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Great picture of Obama.
He looks like a little (man)child who was told by his parents (we, the people) that he can’t have the shiny new toy he always wanted (gov’mint run healthcare).
Mark Boabaca on November 6, 2009 at 4:11 PM
“I won.”
-President Barack Obama
BadgerHawk on November 6, 2009 at 4:11 PM
We’ll use this crisis to force America into a unicorn paradise.
- Rahm
BadgerHawk on November 6, 2009 at 4:12 PM
Excellent. You have to make this into a bumper sticker and put it up for sale at zazzle.com or cafepress.
UltimateBob on November 6, 2009 at 4:12 PM
We are going to need a bigger
boatgraph.WashJeff on November 6, 2009 at 4:10 PM
you’re just full of one liners today aren’t you?
ted c on November 6, 2009 at 4:12 PM
Perhaps Frum has hacked Eds account?
uknowmorethanme on November 6, 2009 at 4:12 PM
When the points of the stimulus, and porkulus were to disable the economy further, don’t hold your breath waiting for them to stop anytime soon. $24 billion again, for first time home buyers? It just keeps coming!
capejasmine on November 6, 2009 at 4:12 PM
Bush’s Fault. I inherited this mess.
/Obama
crazy_legs on November 6, 2009 at 4:13 PM
How long until that red line produces another “stimulus.”
That money is gone. It will go to special interests, state governments, and GOTV efforts for Democrats.
Let’s not forget the pension crisis. I doubt that waits until 2012. I work for the state and I see alot of people retiring or talking about it. They want out while they think the getting is good…
Theworldisnotenough on November 6, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Looks like a success story to me….what’s the matter with you people??
PatriotRider on November 6, 2009 at 4:14 PM
c’mon revere! where’s your sarc tag?
ted c on November 6, 2009 at 4:14 PM
When does Mel Gibson jump out from behind the trees and start whoopin’ ass in this movie?
ted c on November 6, 2009 at 4:15 PM
But the unicorn population is thriving!
mankai on November 6, 2009 at 4:15 PM
I’m not laughing. The only work I’ve managed to pick up in the last year were small jobs I directly contracted with people given my skill set. I’ve got a part time job I’m starting soon for the holiday season as I’m getting darn near broke. I’m going to be in very bad shape come January. :(
clement on November 6, 2009 at 4:15 PM
The problem here is that the stimulus just wasn’t big enough
- Paul Krugman
BadgerHawk on November 6, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Massive government intervention in the 1930′s made a cyclical US recession into the longest deepest depression in our history. Now, the Administration and this Congress seems hell-bent on repeating this same feat.
Every time some Administration mouthpiece goes after evil corporations, or capitalists, more and more business owners tighten their belts, in fear that worse and more is to come. Unemployment continues and grows. Lack of capital investment wanes. The engine that has driven this Nation since our earliest days slows to a crawl.
And the response of the WH and Congress? Try to put the screws to those who have it in their collective power to work and purchase our way out of this depression.
Government spending won’t do it. Those who own businesses, those who actually hire other people to do jobs from the mundane to the spectacular are in fear that if they are seen as too successful, government will punish them.
At what point will common-sense economics be allowed to take over?
At no point under this Administration, this Congress, that’s for sure.
Can we get some real adults in charge, and soon?
coldwarrior on November 6, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Demofrengie Rules of Conquest
…
1. Never waste a crisis.
2. Never end a crisis before you have achieved your goal.
The Rock on November 6, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Nigel Tufnel: You see, most blokes, you know, will attempt to keep unemployment under ten. Where can you go from there? Where?
Marty DiBergi: I don’t know.
Nigel Tufnel: Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?
Marty DiBergi: Put it up to eleven.
Nigel Tufnel: Eleven. Exactly. One louder.
Marty DiBergi: Why don’t you just make ten percent unemployment the most and cancel the stimulus?
Nigel Tufnel: [pause] We are going to go to eleven.
WashJeff on November 6, 2009 at 4:16 PM
The Bureau of Labor Statistics acted stupidly.
- POTUS
BadgerHawk on November 6, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Lol. I’m mad I didn’t think of that first.
BadgerHawk on November 6, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Barack Obama’s Fairy Palace
uknowmorethanme on November 6, 2009 at 4:17 PM
OK…..sarc…
PatriotRider on November 6, 2009 at 4:17 PM
At least until we get a new Congress. Probably not then, either. :(
VanPalin on November 6, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Sure – if Obama’s goal was the implementation of the Cloward-Piven strategy (and I am convinced that is precisely his goal), then yes, this is a success story.
UltimateBob on November 6, 2009 at 4:19 PM
What line of work are you in?
Mark Boabaca on November 6, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Yes we can?
Daddy-O on November 6, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Unprecedented spending puts more people on unemployment? Who knew?
Not only will libs go all in with our money holding jokers, the President will bluff holding its loss over our heads as blackmail to get his agenda through and as a reward he and his gang of cut throats will give our money away to his vote base anyway.
Its California rules jokers wild, not theory, past practice.
Speakup on November 6, 2009 at 4:19 PM
The problem here is that the stimulus just wasn’t big enough
- Paul Krugman
BadgerHawk on November 6, 2009 at 4:15 PM
//
Stimulus actually made the FUNemployment rate worse than if there was no stimulus at all…look at the graph.
uknowmorethanme on November 6, 2009 at 4:19 PM
This chart is RAAAAAAACISSSSSSSST!
Cybergeezer on November 6, 2009 at 4:19 PM
i said sarc….!!!!
PatriotRider on November 6, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Yes, yes. When Democrats shut Republicans out of conferring on bills that will drastically affect our economy and make threats and force a vote 48 hours after providing a bill over 1,000 pages long and say, “We won,” we MUST make sure we are so very, very, very, very,very nice when we point our our criticisms of them because, if all else fails, we always have our manners. We can really pat ourselves on the back for that after we go down to the courthouse to process our bankruptcies.
Sultry Beauty on November 6, 2009 at 4:20 PM
President Obama = ObamaCare
10.2% = ‘Death Panels’
Kaboom!
BadgerHawk on November 6, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Yes, but his golf score graph is going in the other direction.
So, really, he’s doing quite well.
lorien1973 on November 6, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Next one needs to be a trillion gazillion dollars. That ought to do the trick./
VanPalin on November 6, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Is the red line the length of his drive off the tee over the last 10 mos? I’m confused. If so, he’s really gettin’ a hold of it.
//
ted c on November 6, 2009 at 4:21 PM
The nitpicking and political correctness accepting buffoonery from my fellow “Conservatives” is really rather annoying.
Sultry Beauty on November 6, 2009 at 4:21 PM
I knew that…. I was just playing along. ;-)
UltimateBob on November 6, 2009 at 4:22 PM
What kind of work do you do?
Mark Boabaca on November 6, 2009 at 4:22 PM
No, it’s the number of times he’s referred to “the mess we inherited”.
VanPalin on November 6, 2009 at 4:23 PM
This entire gaggle of inept fools that call themselves “Democrats” are the epitome of incompetent losers and gangsters.
rplat on November 6, 2009 at 4:23 PM
OT:
Just a little somethin somethin for the NY-23 to think about come election time 2010. In less than 4 hours Owens reverses himslef on major issues.
http://www.gouverneurtimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7623:owens-to-break-campaign-promises&catid=60:st-lawrence-news&Itemid=175
Elections have consequences.
milwife88 on November 6, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Ohh, I thought it was the number of tax cheats, radicals and former revvvruuundds that were on the dark side o’ the bus.
ted c on November 6, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Recall Porkulus? Never!
There are still a few special interest groups and campaign favors that need to be paid off. Those Greek columns don’t come cheap, ya know?
Barb Dwyer on November 6, 2009 at 4:24 PM
I’d laugh at the graph if my heart wasn’t so troubled as to the direction of the red line…
These guys are going to end up making Jimmy Carter look like Albert Einstein…
Khun Joe on November 6, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Okay, as a scientist with a heavy background in mathematics, I can’t let this one stand.
It’s way too easy to fool people by using statistics, and this graph does a good job of fooling people. If I were a layman, I would look at this graph and come away with the opinion that Obama’s policies have tripled the unemployment. However much I dislike Obama, that simply isn’t true.
It is much more truthful to use a realistic range for the y-axis — like, say, 2% to 12% — to show how Obama’s policies have failed. If anything, using a broader range is even more dramatic. See, for example, Innocent Bystanders’ famous graph.
Note that I blame Obama for high unemployment as much as anyone here, but I want to use a meaningful graph, not the phony graphs like the mainstream media uses.
We’re better than the mainstream media and we need to act better.
Michael McCullough on November 6, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Graphylococcus got you wee weed up?
Have some of that funky stuff1
ted c on November 6, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Shirley you’re not referring to the commenters here at hot air, are you? I don’t see any political correctness here (thank goodness), although there is some nipicking at times.
UltimateBob on November 6, 2009 at 4:26 PM
mike’s right, that graph out to start at y=0 and back up a few years.
ted c on November 6, 2009 at 4:26 PM
That is one scary line.
Bishop on November 6, 2009 at 4:27 PM
BadgerHawk – The genius of a scientist with a heavy background in mathematics, with none of the formal training.
BadgerHawk on November 6, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Let’s recall Barry, the Democrat Congress, then we’ll work on recalling the idiot legislation they’ve passed.
NoDonkey on November 6, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Until the 2010 elections are over?
ProfessorMiao on November 6, 2009 at 4:27 PM
That is one scary line.
Bishop on November 6, 2009 at 4:27 PM
it’s the yards on his drive off the tee over the last 10 mos, bish—he’s puttin’ the wood to it.
ted c on November 6, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Is the implication here that the unemployment rate would be lower without the stimulus? Like, if Obama’s promise projection was way off, wouldnt his w/o stimulus projection also be off by just as much? Would we be looking at 14+ without the public sector spending?
ernesto on November 6, 2009 at 4:29 PM
You’re right, Ed, it should be re-titled. How about, simply…
OBAMA’S STIMULOUS?
TXUS on November 6, 2009 at 4:29 PM
BadgerHawk – The genius of a scientist with a heavy background in mathematics, with none of the formal training.
BadgerHawk on November 6, 2009 at 4:27 PM
heh;
ted c on November 6, 2009 at 4:29 PM
I think “swindle” is an apt description, no reason to sugarcoat anything. This was a payoff to government employees and unions, not a “stimulus”.
echosyst on November 6, 2009 at 4:05 PM
I AGREE!
CCRWM on November 6, 2009 at 4:29 PM
MB4 at 4:08
Our armed services do not exist in a vacuum. They labor under the burden of political correctness, just like the rest of us. I wish it were not so, but it is.
I am certain that the army will be tough on itself and on any soldiers whose negligent actions caused this to happen.
GaltBlvnAtty on November 6, 2009 at 4:29 PM
And Krugman argues that point every week.
ICBM on November 6, 2009 at 4:29 PM
Maybe the “stimulus package” was designed to stimulate one thing…..unemployment.
if that’s the case, then it’s working like a charm.
ted c on November 6, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Bush unemployment 4.5%
Obama unemployment 10.2% (official) 17.5% (unofficial)
Yep, we got change alright.
18-1 on November 6, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Note the sudden exponential trajectory of unemployment and compare its chronology with this:
http://google.com/trends?q=health+care
DaveS on November 6, 2009 at 4:31 PM
I once had a college course named “how to lie using statistics (or something like that). The course taught students to create charts like this that exaggerate the numbers to make a point (or make a sale).
A trained eye or a critical thinker like yourself can catch the “nuances”, but most observers can’t, making this tactic quite effective.
UltimateBob on November 6, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Don’t tell me I’m not mopping fast enough, or I’m not holding it right. It’s a socialist mop.
John the Libertarian on November 6, 2009 at 4:32 PM
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