Superior Firepower Pays Fat Dividends

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats unveiled a largely stand-pat budget Wednesday that calls for $1 trillion in new tax revenues over the coming decade but actually increases spending, while protecting the party's domestic policy priorities and adding $4 trillion more to the national debt than a slash

I sit back in amazement and watch Republicans self-destruct with ridiculous proposal after ridiculous proposal. Let's ponder two plans, neither of which is going anywhere, and one of them may very well cost Mitt Romney the election should he win the nomination. Ryan Plan Revives Deficit Duel The Wall Street Journal reports Ryan Plan Revives Deficit Duel

WASHINGTON -- Military services have outlined a series of spending cuts that will reduce planned raises for military personnel, curtail aircraft maintenance, delay new equipment for soldiers and the movements of aircraft carriers around the globe, documents obtained by USA TODAY show.

The Financial Time reports Hagel nomination expected this week. US President Barack Obama is poised to nominate Chuck Hagel as secretary of defence, setting the stage for a tough nomination fight focusing on the former Republican senator’s views on Israel and Iran. The announcement by Mr Obama of a new Pentagon chief to replace Leon Panetta could come as early as Monday, administration officials indicated. Mr Obama returned from a holiday in Hawaii on Sunday.

Imagine a military force that, for the first time since World War II, cannot fight and win a two-front war. This version of the U.S. military would also fall behind on maintaining its nuclear deterrence.

WASHINGTON — Facing an end of the week deadline, President Barack Obama said Monday that Congress can avert sweeping across-the-board cuts with “just a little bit of compromise,” as he sought to stick lawmakers with the blame if the budget ax falls. Speaking to the nation’s governors, Obama acknowledged that the impact of the $85 billion in cuts may not be felt immediately. But he also said the uncertainty already is impacting the economy, as the Pentagon and other agencies get ready to furlough employees.

Wall Street and the rest of the country woke up yesterday to the surprising news that the U.S. Gross Domestic Product had contracted in the fourth quarter of 2012, falling by 0.1 percent. 

By Zacks Investment Research: With interest rates stuck near record lows for the foreseeable future, more and more investors are looking at dividend stocks for income. But beware the siren call of high-yielding stocks.