Auguest was not a good month for job seekers. Last month was the first month in over a year that did not produce any more jobs in the U.S. Undboubtly, The EPA was pressured by the Obama Administration to back off the latest job killing proposal that would have cost businesses billions of dollars and stopped many projects that have been on hold due to the proposal. Oil prices sank along with the overall market, but crazy enough, gold found this to be a reason for moving up. Signs of deflation are not generally considered bullish, but in todays market environment, just about any type of news appears to send gold higher. Home mortgage rates which rise and fall largely in line with the 10 year treasury yields should see record or near record low rates this coming week. The 10-year rates on Treasuries actually traded at under 2% for part of the day. This is the lowest rate in over half a century. Confusing as it may be to anyone who has taken economics 101, the Obama administration is suggesting an extension of the 99 week unemployment vacation insurance program to allow those collecting an opportunity to collect for more than two years. Those that support Obama may want to send him a memo that extending the benefit will keep unemployment rates higher, and lower his chances for re-election. If there was ever proof that unemployment insurance should be privatized and become individual accounts that workers could tap into when they retire this is it. Don't expect the housing market to improve anytime soon either. With the latest numbers coming out and the US now suing banks, it is clear we are at least months out before any real uptick is going to be seen. If employment is the driving factor for the next election, this administration's future is clearly and in large bold font, written on the wall already.