Newsletter Nov 19, 2021

House Democrats neared the goal line with their Build Back Better Act on Thursday but a stall tactic by the minority leader delayed the vote.

3 things you must know

Democrats delay vote on Build Back Better bill till today
The House of Representatives gathered to take up the long-awaited and much-debated Build Back Better Act on Thursday night, but something funny happened on the way to the vote -- House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy's one-man show.
While filibusters aren't technically allowed in the House, McCarthy turned his "magic minute" into a marathon rant (more than 4 hours before Dems pulled the plug) in a last-ditch effort to derail the $1.75 trillion bill. The move ruffled the feathers of House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who was anxious to bring the bill to the floor after months of deal-making. She is familiar with the stall tactic, using the same ploy in 2018 in protest of immigration legislation.
FIND OUT HOW BOTH SIDES REACTED TO THE TACTIC

Poor employment numbers reflect stagnating job market
Inflation and supply chain issues have captured most of the pandemic financial news headlines, but the lingering problem of unemployment poses a serious threat to the economic recovery. Thursday's jobless numbers did little to improve the outlook.
Initial unemployment claims reached 268,000 last week, a drop of only 1,000 from the previous one. That's far below projections and cause for concern that the American workforce is creeping toward the finish line of going back to work at pre-pandemic levels.
SEE WHAT THE JOB NUMBERS SAY ABOUT THE RECOVERY

'Moneyball' holds valuable lessons on smart investing
One of the keys to successful, long-haul investing can be found in an unlikely source -- the hit book/movie "Moneyball" that tells the unlikely rags-over-riches tale of the 2002 Oakland A's. You don't have to be a baseball fan or a stock broker to get the end-game.
The small-market A's won the same number of games as the New York Yankees with only a fraction of the payroll by eschewing top-dollar free agents for proven utility players. The same rule applies to buying stocks and favoring reliability over potential home runs.
SEE WHY IT'S BETTER TO OWN FED-EX THAN FACEBOOK

Markets

DJIA	35,870.95	-0.17%
S&P 500	4,704.54	0.34%
Nasdaq Composite	15,993.71	0.45%
Japan: Nikkei 225	29,745.87	0.50%
UK: FTSE 100	7,255.91	0.00%
Crude Oil Futures	79.25	0.30%
Gold Futures	1,862.90	0.08%
Yen	113.98	-0.24%
Euro	1.13	-0.64%
* As of market close

Workers worldwide wage war on Amazon

If you haven't already gotten a jump on the holiday shopping season to avoid supply chain delays, now there's another reason to start early if you plan to use Amazon. A worldwide workers' protest led by a group called Make Amazon Pay is staging a global protest on Black Friday.

While harsher work and delivery stoppages are planned overseas that could further disrupt the global supply chain, the U.S. group will hold digital and in-person actions that target Amazon and Whole Foods. It's too soon to tell how much good or bad will come from the protest, but better safe than sorry as far as ensuring there are gifts under the tree.

FIND OUT THE LONG LIST OF DEMANDS WORKERS ARE MAKING

Gaetz wants to hire Rittenhouse as intern

Don't let a few homicide charges discourage you from aiming high. According to Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., 18-year-old defendant Kyle Rittenhouse, who faces four felony counts for shootings in Kenosha, Wisc., is an ideal candidate to serve as a congressional intern.

With jurors in their third day of deliberations in the highly charged case, Gaetz took to the air waves to say he might reach out to Rittenhouse about the job, assuming he isn't busy for the next 12 to 60 years. Who is Gaetz going to find to break in his hats and handle his dating apps?

FIND OUT HOW DETRACTORS REACTED TO GAETZ'S COMMENT

GOP pitching marijuana legalization bill

Democrats have traditionally owned the marijuana legalization debate, but now a Republican from the ultra-conservative state of South Carolina is weighing in on the issue. And in the spirit of passing the peace pipe, her idea is gaining support on both sides of the aisle.

Rep. Nancy Mace has introduced a bill that would decriminalize weed at the federal level while allowing states to continue to make their own laws regarding recreational or medical use.The biggest difference in her bill and the Dems' plan is the tax rate -- 3% compared to 25%.

SEE HOW MACE'S LEGALIZATION BILL IS PLAYING IN THE HOUSE