Name:   MartiniMan - Subject:   No surprise there Date:   12/17/2015 4:03:49 PM

As I was told by our banker the general belief is that this small rate increase was already baked into the stock market.  Had they raised it 50 basis points or more it may have had some impact.  All the Fed is trying to do is build in some cushion so they have something they can do when the next recession hits.  Of course it doesn't give them much of a weapon in the event of another slowdown.  Such is life when you have such a pathetic recovery as we have seen over the last 7 plus years.  Hard to store food for the winter when all you can get is enough to keep from starving to death today.  Had this been a normal recovery the Fed's base rate would be between 3% and 4% which would have given them some available stimulative tools when the slowdown occurs.  No chance of that happening with Obama and Hillary economics.

We needed a real recovery with real improved employment, real increases in wages, real GDP growth, etc.  Instead we have gotten the new normal, which is pathetic economic performance and 10%+ unemployment.  I suppose the good news, in a warped sort of way, is that if the GOP wins the White House in 2016  the govt media complex and Democrats (but I repeat myself) will suddenly find the current economic performance to be unacceptable and will trot out the usual suspects telling us how bad it is.  And of course the next recession will not be dear leader's fault despite them having not only blamed Bush for the last one but still blame him for the pathetic recovery.  Hypocrisy is a key attribute of the left overhsadowed only by their economic and foreign policy illiteracy.