Obama 2012-Are You Better Off Than Four Years Ago?

[Ms Tree]

Wow, economy tanks and property values sink from an artificial high? Next thing you will do is tell me the earth is round and if I let go of this strap I won't float of the planet.

 

[dapoes]

Economists revising growth expectations down.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304066504576349792417402616.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

The world's largest economy may be facing a growth problem.

After a disappointing first quarter, economists largely predicted the U.S. recovery would ramp back up as short-term disruptions such as higher gas prices, bad weather and supply problems in Japan subsided.

But there's little indication that's happening. Manufacturing is cooling, the housing market is struggling and consumers are keeping a close eye on spending, meaning the U.S. economy might be on a slower path to full health than expected.

"It's very hard to generate a rapid recovery when rapid recoveries are historically driven by housing and the consumer," said Nigel ...

 

[dapoes]

Consumer confidence falls unexpectedly in May http://yhoo.it/ji7iD3

Gotta love the liberal media in the era of Obama. Bad news is "unexpected"? More like, things have gotten worse since Jan 2009.

 

[Kev3188]

When was the last time consumer confidence was up? This wariness has been around a long time, has it not (as in even before GW took office)?

P.S. Yahoo is now "liberal media?"

 

[dapoes]

When was the last time consumer confidence was up? This wariness has been around a long time, has it not (as in even before GW took office)?

P.S. Yahoo is now "liberal media?"

Come on Kev, your smarter them that. First, if you look at the statistics you would know better then to make such an absurd statement. Secondly the article was from the ever liberal Associated Press, not Yahoo.

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/united-states/consumer-confidence

 

[Kev3188]

It's true; I'm brilliant.

Seriously, I'm noting the fact that over (at least) the last 2 administrations, there has been a consistent worry from consumers. Consumer spending may come up/down, but the "confidence" (I use the term loosely) hasn't been there in awhile. These stories come out about, what, every 6 weeks?

"Unexpected?" No, not really... My surprise will come when a study is issued showing confidence is through the roof.

The AP is liberal now too? Oy...

Just watch PBS or the BBC; it'll do your BP wonders.

 

[dapoes]

It's true; I'm brilliant.

Seriously, I'm noting the fact that over (at least) the last 2 administrations, there has been a consistent worry from consumers. Consumer spending may come up/down, but the "confidence" (I use the term loosely) hasn't been there in awhile. These stories come out about, what, every 6 weeks?

"Unexpected?" No, not really... My surprise will come when a study is issued showing confidence is through the roof.

The AP is liberal now too? Oy...

Just watch PBS or the BBC; it'll do your BP wonders.

Don't let the facts get the way Kev. I gave you the stats, and you give me spin? Your spin is hilarious at best.

 

[Kev3188]

Put the knife down for a sec...

I'm not spinning anything. I'm saying that while stats may indicate consumer spending and/or confidence is down, the collective attitude hasn't been "up" in a long time. Can you honestly remember the last time that consumer confidence was rocketing up? I certainly can't, but I'll bet it's been several years at least. Maybe a better way to put it is: Who are the people that have had a rosy outlook at any point over the last decade?

 

[SparrowHawk]

Come on Kev, your smarter them that. First, if you look at the statistics you would know better then to make such an absurd statement. Secondly the article was from the ever liberal Associated Press, not Yahoo.

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/united-states/consumer-confidence

It really doesn't matter who published an article. What matters is the underlying source. When I got into a debate of the debt and who incurred the most debt during there tenure I went straight to the US Department of the Treasury. They have a very nice little program where you can plug in dates and it will tell you how much debt was incurred on a daily basis,

Everybody is so quick to point out that "Bush doubled the debt" which is almost true as it's slightly less than half. I'll easily concede that.

However when you do a comparison based upon average monthly growth, The Debt grew an average of $51 Billion per month. Under the current gang it is growing $132 Billion per month or put another way roughly 2.5 times the rate of growth under Bush.

The REAL point to the above is you have to separate the actual facts from the presentation of same. Once you do that you can make an informed decision.

 

[dapoes]

Kev, I have given you the link to statistical data that shows a much different picture. I'm not sure what it is your trying to say. If you go back and look at the stats since they started charting, then you will see that during the era of Hope and Change is near the lowest if the lows.

Leave my knives alone. They have never done anything to you.

 

[Kev3188]

Kev, I have given you the link to statistical data that shows a much different picture.

I know. I read both links. On the latter, I changed the parameters to go back 10 years instead of just to 1/09. I'm not disagreeing with what the stats themselves show. What I'm saying is that they don't always correlate to how the "man on the street" might feel. It seems like even when these surveys show everything is great, that's not really reality for a lot of people. Make sense?

As for the Yahoo/Ap article, my point was that it's not news at all. How their conclusions can be "unexpected" is beyond me. Must've been a slow news day. I don't care if you're far right or far left; that mindset shouldn't be surprising.

Leave my knives alone. They have never done anything to you.

When you stop being so quick to draw 'em, I'll leave 'em be...

 

[dapoes]

At least there is some bright spots: The number of govt-owned limos soared 73% during Obama first 2 years: http://bit.ly/lCzPH4

 

[dapoes]

I know. I read both links. On the latter, I changed the parameters to go back 10 years instead of just to 1/09. I'm not disagreeing with what the stats themselves show. What I'm saying is that they don't always correlate to how the "man on the street" might feel. It seems like even when these surveys show everything is great, that's not really reality for a lot of people. Make sense?

No. That's just your opinion on the matter. Change the time period to when they first started keeping such stats (1967). The results are telling.

As for the Yahoo/Ap article, my point was that it's not news at all. How their conclusions can be "unexpected" is beyond me. Must've been a slow news day. I don't care if you're far right or far left; that mindset shouldn't be surprising.

Slow what? Seriously? In case you haven't noticed, the liberal media had set the premise that everything is rosey in the age of Hope and Change. Its been like that since Jan 2009. And so when data is released that tells the truth, the liberal media is "shocked" an paint it "unexpected".

 

[Kev3188]

No. That's just your opinion on the matter. Change the time period to when they first started keeping such stats (1967). The results are telling.

Of course it's my opinion! I even noted that my take was separate from what statistical indicators might show. My experience over the last decade has been that consumers are in general pessimistic in their outlook. Sometimes that agrees w/the polls released, and sometimes it runs counter.

Slow what? Seriously? In case you haven't noticed, the liberal media had set the premise that everything is rosey in the age of Hope and Change. Its been like that since Jan 2009. And so when data is released that tells the truth, the liberal media is "shocked" an paint it "unexpected".

Yes, "seriously." Again, I don't care if one is far left or far right; to be surprised that people aren't "up" on the economy is to be delusional. Who expected the outcome to be different?

 

[dapoes]

Of course it's my opinion! I even noted that my take was separate from what statistical indicators might show. My experience over the last decade has been that consumers are in general pessimistic in their outlook. Sometimes that agrees w/the polls released, and sometimes it runs counter.

Ok i guess...

But the statistics run counter to your "experience". Right?

Yes, "seriously." Again, I don't care if one is far left or far right; to be surprised that people aren't "up" on the economy is to be delusional. Who expected the outcome to be different?

So you agree that the liberal media are essentially clueless and embarrass themselves?