Ok, since my earlier post on GDP was ignored, and it keeps being brought up again, I'm going to restate it. It seems that some are making the point that the rise in GDP reflects a healthy economy. GDP is determined by adding private consumption + government spending + investment + net exports. We know that government spending now is out of control. The rise in private consumption is being driven almost exclusively by the real estate boom - higher mortgages and property values. According to the latest government data consumer spending is DOWN (0.3 rise against a 2.1% rise in the consumer price index). So the rise in private consumption is not driven by consumer spending. The rise in the GDP is being driven by the massive government spending (which is creating record deficits) and the real estate bubble . So it's probably wise not to use GDP as your main arguement for economic health in the country.
I'd say the economy is better than average. Which kind of surprises me. I'd have thought the deficits would have had a greater impact. I would think that Houston would be booming with all the oil money. I know that Calgary is. But we pick and choose our measures. That's the cool thing about the net. I can quickly find support for pretty much any point I want to make. Trader could (and has) listed a zillion reasons why the 'clinton' economy was bad...but the bush one is good. A declining dollar signifies a good economy? hmmmm...it may be good short term for the exporters...but hardly a measure of a good economy. Our Dem friends are doing the same dance. I can say that the economy is doing quite well...and that George is still a weenie...and that i'm not on the side of the terrorists...and that the Iraq invasion has been seriously messed up...and that there shouldn't be an unconditional withdrawal....but it was still ill-advised to go in. So....who's side am i on?
We ignored you because you didn't support your claims with any linked data. Your data doesn't even look right. Here is the chart on personal expenditures. You have the andymoon syndrome of looking at slivers of broader measures and claiming there's a problem. There's a reason why the aggregate numbers such as GDP and unemploymet are measured - they take all these slivers into account.
The hiring market is very strong right now. The only people not seeing the strength are, well, the IT network services folks, many of whom are prominent liberals on this very BBS... and people wonder why the board has such an anti-economy bent to it...
Being an IT folk, things have been to good in the industry but its not the end of the world. I took a job in Tucson that pays less the St. Louis, but it is what this smaller market will support. Took me 2 1/2 months to find a job after moving here; about what I expected. I think some people in the IT field got spoiled with the ridiculous money being thrown around during the Dot.Com craze. Healthcare, housing and energy costs are what is causing my dollars to not stretch as far as they used to.
Fair point. Won't be partying like it's 1999 for a while in that field....not sure it would have made much difference who was in the White House though....Can't be much fun if you're the one laid off even if the majority are doing well.
Hayes; I see your point and apologize for not making it clearer because I was making a more general point in regard to the discussion of whether dissent is patriotic.
way to go, you dorks are even messing up the google ads: Economy Graphs 99% of People Stay Broke You Now Have a Choice Gdp Forecast Sale New and used Gdp Forecast Check out the deals now! Us Economy Gold eases as market awaits US growth data Economy Curious About Economy? View Your Credit Score Now. Here let me help... p*rn BOOBS DAMES HOT CHICKS Go Go Google Ad Bot
To be fair there are several different discussions going on here at the same time. No need to apologize. My own explanation is a work in progress and certainly is only getting clearer as we discuss it more.
The economy is so yesterday.....seriously, who really cares what some numerical figure says? The only number I care about is what's in my pot. If I am doing well, the economy is great. If I am not, it's Jimmy Carter's fault.
I notice there is a slight level in the increase of Chance's care coming off all time lows. We are in for an upturn in the Chance careness factor. Congrats everyone! We are moving in the right direction!
the sick thing is as an econ major.. i actually like the info in this thread... if we are going to be TECHNICAL and all econ like.. was there ever even a recession.. by the official definiton.. that economists use?
