I will say this:

The economy (only) "appears" strong because we have borrowed our way into a very temporary prosperity.

While Shell Oil makes record profits and allows more executives to purchase yachts and Rolls Royces, we fail to save for a secure future.

So we can purchase flat screen TV's for under $1500 at Wal-Mart, we fail to invest in a secure energy future.

This country may be creating wealth on a speculative real estate bonanza but we fail in maintaining the infrastructure.

So like a drunken pirate who plunders treasure, the good times are high but very short lived.

Eventually the bills will start coming due for healthcare, Bush's Iraq disaster and the promised benefits to the retirees.

The "Bush" economy is built on sand.

Wade

According to Rasmussen; Bushs approval rating is now at 44; it's getting better; and it should because he is a great President! "Hail to the Chief"!

We have reached the end of January 2007 and the fiscal catastrophe predicted by the Keynesians (3moreyears) has not come to fruition. In fact, the economy has improved since last fall when 3moreyears predicted the recession. Interest rates once again are being held steady by the Fed, inflation is held in check, the housing market has “soft landed,” unemployment is down, earnings and wages are up.

Wade's analysis lacks any support at all. Typical of Keynesians, he believes that the free market is messy and the only hope is government interference; “… fail in maintaining the infrastructure” is Keynesian code for, “the people are creating wealth and government isn’t getting their hands on it.”

As a factor of GDP, net foreign investment and foreign savings increased; while foreign debt has dropped. Keynesians refuse to believe that investment can be spurred by the market; Wade believes the only reason the market expands is because the government spends it's way into prosperity.

Notice his admonishment that we “fail to save for a secure future.” Yet liberals insist that there is no crisis in Social Security! Haven’t they been telling us for years that Social Security is the “safety net” prevents our grandparents from having to eat dog food?

This economy is hardly “built on sand.” In fact, the entire world continues investing in our economy; China’s ploy to artificially hold the value of the dollar has backfired on them, they have been forced to invest in their own economy and get out of ours as their currency doesn’t buy enough Treasury Notes. Meanwhile, Briton and others have filled the void nicely.

Wade, 3moreyears and the others can sit this out if they want, as for me; I’ll continue to invest, save for retirement (because the liberals’ dream of Socialist Security won’t be there when I retire) and enjoy the ride.

Btw, watch the price of Gold on the commodities Markets; if it rises today and tomorrow watch for another Bulls' Market on Wall Street. A drop in price will signal a Bears' Market.

This is probably the strongest real economy the US has ever had in history. There is no correlation between the savings habits of Americans and how big a CEO's yacht is. The country is in debt because of poorly conceived Social Security (which is probably the greatest contributor to lack of American savings) and Medicare programs.

With these large profits, corporations are now spending billions on new technologies to improve the world, including energy technologies. The companies are hiring at unprecendented rates and offering more money to workers.

In my company, the biggest problem I have in hiring new people or paying them more is that I have to shell out 15.4% of my revenues for Social Security and Medicare. If I could pay my workers more salary or give them a private health account, I would love to do that. Money isn't free, although some in DC want to think it is.

This is a great economy and hopefully no one gets into office and tries to screw it up. If GDP keeps going up, the poor people are still going to be much richer than the rest of the world. Not a bad consolation prize.

I apologize to my British friends; that should read "Britain." No offense intended.

So we can purchase flat screen TV's for under $1500 at Wal-Mart, we fail to invest in a secure energy future.

We can all afford to buy flat-screen TVs? I'd say that's pretty good. But I must concede one thing. Buying just about anything at Wal-Mart contributes to the trade deficit. On the other hand, Wal-Mart is one of the largest employers in the U.S., so buying things there does help create more jobs.

If you want a secure energy future, how about allowing us to increase domestic oil production, so we don't have to depend so much on Venezuela, Nigeria and the Gulf states?

the good times are high but very short lived.

The present expansion of the economy is the fourth longest in our history, exceeded only by the '83-'90 expansion (Reagan, Bush Sr.), the expansion of the 60's (which followed Kennedy's tax cut) and the '91-'01 expansion (Clinton between the Bushes). Short lived? Temporary prosperty? Huh?

The "Bush" economy is built on sand.

To my surprise, I learned that corporate profits have risen steadily under Bush, while they had been relatively flat during Clinton's second term, which also featured the "dot-com bubble". During this time, there was an increase in hiring that produced a large number of jobs, but reduced the profit-per-job ratio, and thus decreased the stability of those jobs. Then the "dot-com bubble" burst and those jobs disappeared. The unemployment rate increased from its low of 3.8% up to 4.2% before Bush Jr. took office. Since unemployment is a lagging indicator, this meant that the economy was already on its way down before Dubya even had the chance to do anything about it. This also means that to some extent the economy Bush Jr. inherited was built on sand.

Most liberals just dont care! They would rather the country sink to nothing, just so they can blame our President for something else.

Liberals dont want there to be success while our President is in office. Therefore, they will cover their eyes, plug their ears and say "I dont see or hear anything that you are saying! Therefore, it cant be true!"

Pathetic.

We have reached the end of January 2007 and the fiscal catastrophe predicted by the Keynesians (3moreyears) has not come to fruition.

Bane, I was thinking exactly the same thing last night when I saw that my wife's and my retirement accounts hit a new high yesterday.

There have always been doom and gloomers like Wade. I cannot imagine living in the negative -- always seeing the glass as half-empty (or completely empty) and always seeing it as someone else's fault as Wade does.

One of the most popular economic catastrophe books a couple decades ago was "THE GREAT DEPRESSION OF 1990":

The Great Depression of 1990 was on the New York Times best-seller list for non-fiction in the summer of 1987. It follows a standard formula for best sellers in forecasting: Forecast a great disaster, and include a formula for redemption. If the disaster occurs, you can say, I told you so. If it doesn't occur, you say, It is good that they listened to my advice. I saved them. How can you lose? When I first saw this book, it occurred to me that it was a hoax. Here is a man claiming to be a highly respected economist who makes a forecast and provides a date. The forecast is that the great depression will occur in 1990. A variety of paths to redemption are provided, the most important being that rich people should have to give up much of their riches, for it is the concentration of wealth that causes business cycles. (sound familiar?) This is a fact that Batra claims to have discovered. Batra suggests that society should tax this wealth. On the other hand, he also provides advice to rich people on how to preserve their wealth; put it in cash, then store it in a safe deposit box and at home. Businessmen should avoid long-term investments. (emphasis - mine)

If the economy is so great at the core, why is the federal deficit $10 trillion and the trade deficit increasing year over year?

If American corporate profits are so sound how can Ford Motor lose $12.7 billion?

If our economy is so healthy how come the slide in the dollar against foreign currency?

A truly solid economy should have long since repaired the damage of Hurricane Katrina.

An economy that provides good public education to its citizens is noteworthy, but truly lacks in the U.S.

A robust economy should depend upon real production of goods, not on a service industry that profits merely from moving money from one bank to another.

A solid plan to ensure the security of retirees is a sign of long term economic health that is lacking.

The economic picture looks good from the viewpoint of the stock market but when evaluating real "base" gauges the picture is very poor.

Like in the waning days of the Roman Empire when the upper class was squandering the public treasury on foolish wars, grand monuments and lavish parties, our country is the same wrong track.

Wade

There have always been doom and gloomers like Wade. I cannot imagine living in the negative -- always seeing the glass as half-empty (or completely empty) and always seeing it as someone else's fault as Wade does.

spook, this statement is actually incorrect. you see, if the exact state of the country was in the hands of a dem in the white house wade would think of nothing but how this economy is the best ever. and furthermore, we are kicking tail in iraq and the dems have the terrorists on the run. and there is no man made global warming.

see wade isn't a doom and gloomer. he's a "i don't want bush or any GOPer to have any success." kind of guy. these dumb-as-hell libs will find anything to claim that the economy is in bad shape. eventhough top economists say otherwise, libs are smarter than they. hell if bush were to come our tomorrow and claim that the sun will rise in the east wade and every other kook on here would still disagree.

Wade simply does not understand basic economics. He tunes in. religiously, to Airhead American, and sops up the Ranty Rhodes meanderings and the pap the other Airheads deal out, and comes away with a fuzzy concept of "national debt" and "borrowing" and so on.

Note the class envy apsect---how DARE those execs buy things Wade can't buy? Wade has apparently gone beyond the BS stage---that of the BUDDING Socialist---into FBS----Full-Bore Socialist. And that's fine. There's room in the country for some radical Lefties, if only to remind us of the dangers of drifting too far to the Left.

What would you do, Wade? Put limits on how much people can earn? Punish them for their productivity by confiscating their earnings and redistributing them according to what YOU see fit?

Why not draw up a chart, Wade, so we can all see what Wade The Socialist thinks would be a fair and equable distribution of national wealth. I'd start with how expensive a house you Socialists determine we NEED, and then go on to the top level of automobile you would find acceptable. You can list where we can and can't vacation, which foods are too luxurious to meet your standards, etc.

Lay it out for us, Wade. Now that you are out of the Socialist closet, fill us in on what life in the U.S. of A would be like if YOUR ilk took over.

almiranta,

notice no disdain for pres. candidate jon edwards' new house though? two-americas indeed.

While Shell Oil makes record profits and allows more executives to purchase yachts and Rolls Royces, we fail to save for a secure future.

Yah, isnt that a bitch? I mean these guys were digging ditches just a week ago and suddenly they were made CEO's of gigantic companies. You see Wade, if we paid our surgeons what we pay our janitors, who is going to suffer ten years of grueling school to be a surgeon?

BTW, dont companies have to produce cars and boats, companies which employ...well...people to make them, therefore creating jobs?

So we can purchase flat screen TV's for under $1500 at Wal-Mart, we fail to invest in a secure energy future.

Are these two mutually inclusive? Federal energy policy predicated on the flat-screen tv market? What?

almiranta,

notice no disdain for pres. candidate jon edwards' new house though? two-americas indeed.

the evil oil execs should be punished but the angelic trial lawyers get a free pass. i guess that's two america's.

The savings rate dipped to -1%, so now Americans are officially spending more than they are earning... Just so you know, this is the lowest level since the Great Depression...

Here

What would you do, Wade? Put limits on how much people can earn?

Almiranta, are you not actually a little surprised that the Dems haven't tried to put a "maximum wage" rider on the minimum wage bill. I think they would if they thought they could get away with it.

I'd start with how expensive a house you Socialists determine we NEED

IIRC, the people in the former Soviet Union who had the nicest houses were the SIC's (Socialists in Charge). My guess is, in a socialist Amerika, Wade would not be a SIC. Sorry, Wade, it's the chicken coop for you.

and then go on to the top level of automobile you would find acceptable.

See remark about house and substitute "car" for "house". Substitute "Yugo" for "chicken coop".

You can list where we can and can't vacation,

Can you say "virtual vacation", as in the Capital One commercial?

which foods are too luxurious to meet your standards, etc.

I think it's Borscht and water for Wade.

Thank GOD California is coming to its senses and seeking to outlaw all standard lightbulbs; 'Big Incandescent' has been ruling our lives for too long!

The good news for the economy is that the nation's automotive repair and body shops are going to have a booming business after we are forced to use low-power bulbs in our cars. Yay, my Yukon's flourescent headlight beams will now cast their light a whole twelve inches beyond the front fender.

Rana,
The thing you're missing is that since the Great Depression we have a greater investment class than ever before; homes, real property, investment portfolios and even you minimum wage types have 401(k) or Annuities, or Profit sharing or Retirement Funds through work. Americans aren't stupid, why invest in a CD or passbook account @ 2.35% when an IRA can get you a whole lot more.

You see, when foreign investors buy Treasury Bonds as safe harbor, the long term interest rates are held low; nice for your home loan, not so much for your Certificate of Deposit. Right now there is massive purchasing going on in the Long Term Bonds because, well because our economy is firing on all cylinders.

Only a small part of our “savings” is sitting at the First National Bank of Rocco Sluggo; and if I “borrow” to make purchases, it’s because the interest I pay for the loan is lower than the interest I earn from my IRA (or 403(b).)

Bongos,
When the energy crises hits this coming summer, and it will, remember to turn the thermostat in your car to 78. We all gotta do our part!

It's not about results; it's all about intentions.

President Bush has presided over the strongest economy in american history. God bless you President George W. Bush, the greatest president in american history.

The economy is strong, if you happen to be in the top 10%. For the rest of us, not so much...

ANYTHING, that is a positive on Bush's watch is once again either IGNORED, SMEARED OR TWISTED, by
the Leftists, as they HATE THIS PRESIDENT, AND ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING HE SAYS, DOES, OR ATTEMPTS
TO DO.

These obstructionists on the Left/Radicals that they are-will ALWAYS issue negative remarks as that is what they have done from day one of this administration-because they hate the fact that President Bush is STILL at the helm, and they have tried everything and anything(including the fact of trying to impeach him, to remove him) and
that is proven out, by the way they have not only "gone after the President, but used the Judicial System to go after anyone in his Administration. This is HOW they try to win elections-by "ousting those elected" in whatever ways they can.

UNTIL THE REPUBLICANS CAN 'UNITE' UNDER ONE PARTY,
AND FIGHT THESE OBSTRUCTIONIST DEMS, AND BEAT THEM
AT THEIR OWN 'DIRTY POLITICAL GAMES'- THEN THE GOP
WILL CONTINUE TO LOSE IN UPCOMING ELECTIONS.

THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO "STREET FIGHT LIKE THE DEMS
AND THIS IS WHAT IS NEEDED". Each time, that they
have bashed Bush, he needed to get in front of the
cameras, and BLAST BACK, NAMING NAMES. What he stated on Cavuto yesterday, "I don't pay attention
to the name calling, the smears, etc." -
WELL, MR. PRESIDENT, YOU "NEED TO PAY ATTENTION, AND FIGHT BACK, AS THEY ARE MAKING THE GOP LOOK LIKE A BUNCH OF WISHY WASHY-UPTIGHT, GENTLEMEN, THAT ARE ALMOST AFRAID TO LASH BACK, FOR FEAR OF BEING LABLED-UNGENTLEMEN-LIKE". AND YOU ARE LOSING THE PUBLIC'S BACKING, BECAUSE YOU "CONTINUE
TO LET THEM BEAT YOU UP, LIKE A PI`NATA". BELIEVE
ME, HILLARY WILL FIGHT THIS GOP LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW, AND YOU ALL BETTER GET TOUGH-OR LOSE AGAIN.

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE FIGHT WILL BE LIKE, I
SUGGEST YOU READ:

"HELL TO PAY"-The unfolding story of HRC, by the late Barbara Olson. THIS BOOK WILL TELL YOU,
"HOW THE FIGHT NEEDS TO BE FOUGHT AGAINST HILLARY,
AND JUST WHAT LENGTHS SHE WILL GO TO IN ORDER TO WIN IN HER QUEST FOR POWER AND MONEY"

What? No talk about the Libby trial?

One would think that you'd want to discuss this most insidious on crimes. After all nothing is exposing the putrid under-belly of how your heroes think better than this case.

PM,

I'm mot in the top 10% and things are pretty swell...are you sure you understand that you have to get a job and work, and all that?

I read this article below. I thought I'd share.

(Ed. Note: Longish article apparantly quoted in full...perhaps a link and some really appropriate quote from the article?)

Mr. Noonan,

I am not in the top 10% either and things are going relatively well for myself and my children. However things are not well for everyone.
Maybe in your city that is dependent on tax receipts from gambling and legalized prostitution things are going very well.
However in many communities (particularly rural) things are not so well. Many conservatives on here dismiss any misgivings of the economy as rants from liberals. But I am here to tell you quite a few rural conservatives are not happy with the economy because they are not seeing the same benefits. Because many of us are self-employed we do not have access to the same type of health insurance. I am fortunate because my wife works we have an excellent health coverage. But many of neighbors dont have the luxury. A trip to a hospital for a broken ankle can and have bankrupted some of neighbors.
If you work in the city for a corporation and have plenty of sick leave/annual leave, great health care your viewpoint on the economy is drastically different.
That doesnt make you a conservative or liberal. It just makes you someone with a different opinion.

I swear I think a big problem with our country is we want to identify ourselves as 'liberal' or 'conservative', or 'democrat' or 'republican'.
Its like Almiranta said in a different post; he/she would rather I voted for a republican politician (who was directly responsible for putting my farm out of business), then voted for Jim Webb a Democrat. How on God's green earth can you be so tightly identified with your party affiliation or 'label'? This goes for both sides, 'conservatives' & 'liberals'. You guys are becoming just like the Iraqi's. They identify themselves as Shia's and Sunni's. Not as Iraqi's.
You guys even argue over what percentage of the troops are 'democrat' or 'republican'.

When I meet someone I base my opinion on how they conduct themselves. Not what party they belong to. Not if they hate or love Pres. Bush. Not if they attend church or dont.

Maybe it has to do with my life experiences. I used to rail against the illegal mexicans coming into our area for work. I'll never forgot about 10 yrs I was a the only restaurant in town (yes its that small) Sal's pizza. There were a group of Mexicans(I used a slur back then. but Im a different person now) all talking in spanish. I was so beside myself I wanted to go out to my truck and run them off with my 30-30. Send them back to Mexico.
3 days later I saw those same guys at my church, two of them had their wives and kids with them. They didnt understand a word of english. But they had their spanish bible and were in church praying.
That really made me wake up and look at the person I was. Here I thought I was a decent fellow. I went to church all the time. Good to my neighbors. Yet 3 days early I was about to 'run off a bunch damn wetbacks'....those same people that were now sitting two pews in front of me praying.
That one incident changed my life forever. I dont judge people anymore.

You guys place way too much faith in politicians. You act like politicians can save this country and make it better. That is just hogwash.

Sorry for the long post. I certainly didnt mean for it to so long.
It just seems that every single post on here quickly becomes name calling 'you socialist' 'you fascist'.

Wade, wade, wade …

If the economy is so good, why are my daughter’s tires bald?

If American profits are so good, how can ford lose $12.7 billion and still be a viable company? How can they lose money and no-one is jumping out of windows? No one is dumping Ford Stock! A major company can lose billions and the economy just absorbs the loss? DAMN, it’s better than I thought! Thanks for reminding me just how good things are, you half-empty-kind-of-a-guy ~ you!

If our economy is so healthy how come the slide in the dollar against foreign currency increasing demand on our goods and services, and increasing the payoff on foreign currency exchanges?

A truly solid economy should have long since repaired the damage of Hurricane Katrina and we should all have flying cars by now, they promised!.

An economy that provides good public education to its citizens is noteworthy, but truly lacks in the U.S yet we still can’t get rid of Teachers’ Unions damn that Bush!

Roman Empire? Are you serious?

Hey Wade

See these number from the Bureau of Public Debt.
It presents a problem for you kooks that think that Clinton didn't contribute to the national debt. We conservatives will admit that the Republican led Congress spent like drunken whores, but Slick Willy did his part too. If you'll notice that during the mid 90's Clinton reduced our defense budget by app. 13% and not until GW took office was the budget increased..by 6-7%. If you'll add it up, it works out to be hundreds of billions of dollars that Clinton used to pay down the debt...but our military suffered as a result. Clinton knew that post cold war would bring a time of calm where we could easily get along with a weaker military, but 911 proved that allowing the military to slip into becoming the Maytag repairman would result in an undersized and under-strengthed military to fight the WOT.

09/29/2000 $5,674,178,209,886.86
09/30/1999 $5,656,270,901,615.43
09/30/1998 $5,526,193,008,897.62
09/30/1997 $5,413,146,011,397.34
09/30/1996 $5,224,810,939,135.73
09/29/1995 $4,973,982,900,709.39
09/30/1994 $4,692,749,910,013.32
09/30/1993 $4,411,488,883,139.38
09/30/1992 $4,064,620,655,521.66

Shame on any President or Congress that neglects our military in the future for the sake of politics!

There was a least one mention of Liberals interfering with the 'free market'.

There was also discussion about 15.4% for SS and Medicare.

1. This is not a 'free market'. The US Congress, GOP and Dem alike, participate in a market of 'tax breaks, incentives and much manipulation for various businesses.

2. The United States is the only 'first world' country that doesn't have some form of universal health care. I'm not sure about SS or pensions.
**The healthcare mention is not to discuss if their universal care is quality or not. It is just to acknowledge that it is included in their cost of doing business.**

3. The cost of participation in our society. Taxes.

a. Society is like a pyramid scheme. There aren't
many rich people at the bottom.
b. Some people start businesses and invent things.
c. Most people don't. But they are usually willing to work for those who do start businesses.

d. Some people die to protect our country.

e. I don't think that requiring those who want to build businesses to pay a tax for the privilege of having the infrastructure and protection of this country is too much to ask.

f. I also think that caring for those who can't manage for themselves is also part of the pact.

g. I don't believe that a public welfare system, either for businesses or people should be abused generation after generation.

Falgore notes; "..notice no disdain for pres. candidate jon edwards' new house though?" Or for Kerry's many luxurious, fully staffed, mansions, complete with staff and SUVs, reached by private jets?

Remember, these are the same guys who believe (we can't use the word "think"..) that foreign nations investing in America means that they OWN this country---that they have somehow taken out a lien on Disneyland or something. That if we default on an interest payment Lichtenstein can repossess the Sears Tower.

Ah, such economic ignorance----so proudly put on display for our entertainment...

The economy is strong, if you happen to be in the top 10%. For the rest of us, not so much...

PM, if the top 10% don't do well, neither do the rest of those of us who actually work for a living. As for you and your fellow freeloaders, it doesn't matter how the top do, as long as your government keeps providing your free handouts.

Wade
Gar Wood

"The savings rate dipped to -1%, so now Americans are officially spending more than they are earning... Just so you know, this is the lowest level since the Great Depression..."

The article goes on to say that people are spending like this because they feel confident in the economy, unlike in the 1930s when people dipped into savings to pay for the bare necessities of life.

THe study claims a negative savings rate by not including mandatory savings in the calculation. Combining personal and employer contributions the US people surrender roughly 16% of their salary to Social Security and Medicare, in effect making these their "nest eggs". If instead the Federal government required that Americans contribute that sum to a private savings fund it would be more transparent. A savings rate of 16% is actually pretty decent (except, of course, that the low rate of return these federal programs provides).

Glad you pinheads are still paying attention...Be back soon...Timing is off, but not by much...Here's my advice for all you b4b fans, invest heavily in the market...I'm just lookin' for some cheap property...keep on dreamin'...life is good...Cheers...