Economy UP

“The closet economists on this site are boring.”

“The Bush economy has left a lump of coal in the Democrat's stocking.”

“Polluters that the Republicans are!”

“Economy is "up" jobs remain down. I assume, bacpac you have a job. Some of us don't.”

“Merry Christmas, stumprider.

What type of work do you do?

Unemployment is down as well.

It is not a jobless recovery, but NAFTA has had an impact on the manufacturing sector.

A wetback may have your job.

Happy Kwanzza!”

“Recent reports say Retailers are looking forward to end of the year sales to boost what has been a lack luster shopping year. Last year was down 5% from the year before and if you remember, everyone was looking at a real good start after Thanksgiving.

I'll be more than happy to help out by buying every gear deal I can!!”

“Happy Kwanzza!"
bacpac
04:28:04 PM
12/24/03

I KNEW you were black.”

“Kwanzza is based more on a communist philosophy than a socialist ideal which is a little wierd.

The racist aspect is clear.”

“Steelcase closing two plants, trimming hundreds of jobs

Union Confirms Layoffs At Local Ford Plant UAW: Affected Workers Shouldn't Expect Jobs Back Any Time Soon

Kraft Foods to lay off 6,000 worldwide

Layoffs begin at tobacco company”

“You know Violion is desperate when he starts getting bummed about layoffs at the tobacco factory.”

“I think jobs is the issue here. Not the product being sold...”

“Not desperate Buick – I’m very pro-tobacco in certain circumstances. I think they should hand cigarettes out for free at all Young Republican Club meetings.”

“I think they should hand cigarettes out for free at all Young Republican Club meetings.

Why? The Young Republicans would just turn around and sell the cigarettes at a substantial profit to Democrats on food stamps.”

“Not desperate Buick –
VioLiN
01:35:26 PM
01/28/04


How many MPG does he get?”

“on a good day 8



8 megabyte pictures”

“He called me 'Violion' first, Treebeard.”

“I see. Well, at least Buick makes sense. I don't know what the hell a violion is!”

“Perhaps it is an agressive feline?”

“Unless he meant Violyin'
Dunno, could be.”

“Heard on the ray did eeee oooo that the Fed stayed the course on interest rates, but recinded the aprt of the report where they said they would keep it that way for a long while, causing the Dow to drop. Whelp, iffin those interest rates go up, kiss this "recovery" goodby. Great F-ing economic policy, Geeee Double U Moron!”

“If I'm not mistaken, Alan Greenspan controls the interest rate, not GW Bush.”

“I'l spell it out fer ya, stick:

This recovery hasn't been chit.

Interests rates going up would be the dagger in the heart.

If Bush had sound economic policy for a real that resulted in a real recovery, the Fed wouldn't be afraid to raise interest rates. If the Fed so much as breathes the wrong direction, the market takes a dump. It's not strong enough.

At this rate, interest rates will have no other choice than to go up, resulting in Deflation.”

“Personally I haven't felt the need for an economic recovery. My lifestyle was sufficient to begin with and has only improved in the past 10-12 years.”

“Hey laqtis, sorry to hear things have been so bad for you. Really, I am, and I hope things improve for you. Luckily, things have been excellent for me. Of course I don't really look to the government for any assistance in my hopes and dreams, nor do I let the government have any say in the determination of my will. There is always opportunity for those who seek it. Also, at any given time there is also doom and gloom for those who seek it.

You've only got so many years to live on this earth, and so much gall in your bladder. Use it wisely, my friend. Life is good®.”

“kiss my ass, buck, you dim wit. Your demeaning additude sucks.”

“laqtis, you're taking me all wrong, man. I'm sincere. Cheers!”

“That's it. You now have the honor of being the first on my ignore list

Buh Bye, dip#&%!$


*Click*”

“The Fed will be forced to raise interest rates so that we can continue to attract foreign capital to finance Bush’s budget deficit (and our trade deficit). The resulting inflation will require higher interest rates…

Don’t cry for us Argentina.”

“With all due respect, Buck, you kinda asked for that response. You gave a traditional response to Laq by analogizing his life with that of one who seeks public assistance, and then telling him that you are sincere about that. Sorry if I am sticking my 2 pennies in when it's not my fight, but your posts read that way...”

“Treebeard, that talk of people wanting assistance from the government seems to be a standard response from those with not much to say.

I do like the one about Young Repubs selling the cigarettes though.”

“Hi Treebeard! No worries, man! I don't care one bit if anyone wants to put me on "ignore"! It wouldn't be the first time, ha ha! There's nothing anyone can say here that would ever prompt me to use an "ignore" button, as I can read or ignore anything I want without any buttons! It's a maturity thing my parents taught me. As for public assistance, not sure how you got that, I wasn't referring to "public assistance", but merely referring to those who seem to think the government is responsible for their worky poo, their livlihoods, and whether they're successful or even able to work or not. Opportunity exists for everyone. Some like to complain or be doom-and-gloom, even with all the fantastic ecomonic news that surrounds us, people still look hard to find gloom and will always say things suck. Some folks are just built that way. I have two jobs right now, and I could easily get a third. There are more people with two and three jobs than there are with none, so there isn't a lack of jobs or lack of opportunity out there. You could also start your own business and perhaps get rich, too, if one so desires. I have no doubt that if I wanted to put in the time and effort in my own business, I could be very wealthy. Or if I wanted any particular job bad enough and worked hard enough, I could do very well working for a company. But I would rather hike and paddle and take photos, I put no emphasis on $$ right now in my life. I prefer time over money, so I've arranged my life to reflect this. We can all arrange our own lives, despite who's in office or what's goin' on in the government. I'm not talking about government assistance programs, but merely complaining about opportunity in general. Opportunity is certainly there! Besides, our economy is strong. If you wanna find weakness in anything, seek and you will find. If you wanna find strength in anything, seek and you will find.”

“You paint a pretty rosy picture there, Buck. I wish these things were as easy as you make them sound, but I don't believe they are. There are issues out there in the real world that are not as easily reckoned with as you seem to think. Health care, for one. I haven't been out of work since 1998, but the costs of health care, combined with rising co-pays and less and less coverage of needed medicines have made my out of pocket expenses skyrocket in the last few years. So, if I b!tch about the powers-that-be's (if you will) lack of initiative on this issue, am I a whining liberal moron who is looking for a hand-out from the government? I think not. You find the economy strong. By the standard definitions, it may be so at this time (or merely look that way). But, I see it as volatile. In the last few days alone, I have read about thousands more layoffs from big companies across the nation. The jobs situation just doesn't seem to get better. Why that isn't more of a factor in the big picture, I don't know.

Another thing that has made me a skeptic of the state of our economy is how inflation is defined. As you may be able to tell, (and i will be the first to admit it) I am low on the totem pole of peole with any expertise in finance. I just know what I know from being a hard working man with a family of four to support. I'm told (from what I read) that inflation is low these days. Then, why are all the things I am buying (like food) so freaking expensive and going up at rates unimaginable. Is this because I am buying staples for the home, like food, and not buying cars and homes. Again, I don't know. Well, great, you can do well buying those big items because home mortgages are at a low and the car companies are giving big incentives to come in and buy something new! But, where does that leave a guy like me, who has a dependable used car and living in a rental home and spending my money on the more everyday items that (and I don't care what anyone says) are inflated like never before?”

“Tree - Your going down a slippery slope, I wouldn't even waste yer time. Logic and putting yerself in some elses shoes is something the he can not do. There's a reason he's single and I think that reason is fairly obvious. You know as well as I do that it's harder to get through life supporting a family than it is to be single. I'd like see him support a family of four while working three jobs, it's not possible. So, he's gonna tell it from his world, which is located up his ass.”

“Well, you can work three jobs and support a family. But, you better carry pictures of the wife and kids, because you will never remember what they look like without those...”

“that's what I'm saying....”

“You paint a pretty rosy picture there, Buck.

Hey, what can I say, I'm a cheery optimist! Life is good®.

Health care, for one. I haven't been out of work since 1998, but the costs of health care, combined with rising co-pays and less and less coverage of needed medicines have made my out of pocket expenses skyrocket in the last few years.

Hi Treebeard! Health care has been an issue for eons. Who should pay for it? The government? Business? Other people? It's the age-old question. As for me, I think we have our priorities out of whack. We are a country of excess and materialism, putting more priorities on houses and cars and stereos and eating-out than we do for our own health care. People get pissed off about rising health care because it's cutting into their money they'd prefer to spend otherwise, or it's making it harder for them to pay off their massive credit card debt they accumulated to buy "stuff" or go on trips, etc. I work for the government by day in a subsidized program for poor people. Anyone who seeks health care will get it. Even illegal aliens will not be turned away from medical needs. Children have access to all kinds of health care programs, ranging from being flat-out paid for or heavily subsidized, such as Healthy Families or other State programs. Everyone can get health care in one way or another, but no doubt things can be improved for such a "rich" nation as ours. But Americans aren't willing to pay for it, and too often they look at health care as another "tax" that cuts into their "fun" money.

So, if I b!tch about the powers-that-be's (if you will) lack of initiative on this issue, am I a whining liberal moron who is looking for a hand-out from the government?

#&%!$ about the powers-that-be? Well, this issue has been around for decades, spanning through Dem and Repub administrations alike, and Bush has been Prez for 3 years. You gonna blame Bush for all these past decades? That's fine if you do, but no wonder so many libs are #&%!$ers! Although we need more work, people fly around from all over the world for our fantastic, top-notch medical care.

But, I see it as volatile. In the last few days alone, I have read about thousands more layoffs from big companies across the nation. The jobs situation just doesn't seem to get better.


First of all, libs don't like "big companies" so they shouldn't be upset they are going under in the first place. :Þ Thank you, thank you very thank, thanks, you're all wonderul. We are losing jobs overseas, but we differ as to "why". I would argue it is because of liberal employee laws and demanding unions who have priced themselves out of work. They want better health insurance, constant pay raises, liberal work comp laws, more vacations, more sick leave, etc., etc., and they STILL complain big business is rakin' in the bucks. When they go to China with their business just to survive in the market place, don't sound so surprised. Also, we are changing our jobs, and this has been a trend. We are moving away from mfg and will continue to do so, and provide more service and technology type jobs. Service jobs typically don't pay as much, and technology is volatile.

I'm told (from what I read) that inflation is low these days. Then, why are all the things I am buying (like food) so freaking expensive and going up at rates unimaginable.

Here in Sacto, CA I don't see things going up in price like you're suggesting, so I'm not sure what you're referring to. In fact, it's even hard to get into nice restaurants in the evenings around here, apparently lots of people have lots of discretionary income. The things I purchase regularly, bread, milk, meat (excluding beef due to the Atkins diet craze), fast food, Coke®, veggies, fruit, socks, underwear, etc., are quite low, IMHO. In your area they must be "freaking expensive and going up at rates unimaginable", but not here.

Also, look at what you're saying. You're concerned about rising prices, you don't like paying them, yet you want the employees of these same companies to make good wages, have good bennies, get raises and family vacations and health care, and for the companies to stay in business, right? Then you should gladly pay high prices to support this. Otherwise, cheaper imports take their business away, and the jobs as well. Then where does that leave us? We either complain about high prices, or complain about losing jobs. Which will it be? Americans want cheap products and go to Wal-Mart and buy Chinese imports and then they wonder where our jobs are going?

But, where does that leave a guy like me, who has a dependable used car and living in a rental home and spending my money on the more everyday items that (and I don't care what anyone says) are inflated like never before?

Treebeard, this is my main point. You ask, "where does that leave me?". That's a good question to ask yourself, and a good question to answer yourself. The government, nor your company, will not be so concerned with your question of "where does that leave me?". You leave yourself wherever you wanna be left. If you are unhappy in your current situation (and I have before as well), simply look for another position or job or career WHILE you still maintain your current one, so when the opportunity arises, you tell your boss "I don't wanna be left here" and move on. We all have responsibilities for ourselves and our families, these are too important of issues to be left with your hands in the air asking the government and/or your boss "where does that leave me?". Treebeard, no doubt you are a smart guy and I'm not saying this to you "personally", but merely as a general philosophical concept, if you are in a situation you don't like, only you can change your situation to make it better. Nobody is as concerned about your life, your family, your job, and your happiness, as you.”

“Well, you can work three jobs and support a family. But, you better carry pictures of the wife and kids, because you will never remember what they look like without those...

Or, if time with your family is important, you can work one really good paying job and have lots of time with your family. There are tens of meeellions of Americans doing this, so can you.
It's up to you. It's not up to the government, nor corporate America, but up to you. That's the magic of this country. That's why people continue to flock to our borders and kick and scratch to get in here... for the chance to live how THEY choose, and to determine their own destinies by creating their own opportunities.

Or, sure, someone can work 2-3 jobs if they like to work. Or, they could not work at all and be broke. It's all up to us. That's what's so cool about this great land called America.”

“Buck, you missed just about every point I was trying to make.”

“You were warned....”

“Why do I get the feeling I'm about ready to be tackled by laqtis? Ha ha! :Þ”

“Buck, I don't have the time or inclination to go into this whole thing. But, I am curious about one thing. What do you do for a living?”

“Treebeard, I work for a government agency by day, which is a subsidized childcare program for families on welfare trying to get back to work but can't afford the childcare to do so, and I also work part-time for REI.”

“Thanks for answering...”

“Yer welcome!”

“KB Toys chain says it will cut 3,500 jobs and close at least 375 stores

IBM cutting 300 jobs in systems group


Sears call hub closing; 800 jobs cut off - Citigroup axes facility in eastern New Orleans


Ford to lay off 1,000 workers at St. Louis-area plant”

“Violin, it's good to see you feeling so bad for big business in corporate America! I knew you were a closet Republican! I knew it, I Knew It, I KNEW IT! GOOOOO BIG BUSINESS!!!”

“Bucky, when you are only talking to yourself, you will ALWAYS have the last word, LOL

Knock yourself out.”

“I heard that Kodak was eliminating 10% of it's work force, or something like that. Anyone confirm?

Maybe we should all just not pay attentin to the man behind the curtain and keep our heads in the sand?”

“Hey Tilt, I didn't think there was ever such thing as a "last word" around here! Ha ha!

laqtis, my friend, Kodak is elimating a chunk of its work force because of the digital camera revolution and film sales are way down and only getting worse. I know, it's Bush's fault that everyone is buying digital cameras. VOTE KERRY! BRING FILM BACK TO AMERICA!”

“I also heard today that the GDP grew at a slower rate than expected, causing a little ditty on Wall Street today.”