It's the economy stupid ?

Question

That is what the big story of the day. Which is also why,
the Democrats have the lead in the latest polls. But of
course some stiff necked Conservative, will tell you that
the sky is green, when it really is blue. The public has
an even better say so, in what is going on with the
country at large. Sometimes I question these so called
intellects, and their take on the economy. Greenspan
said himself, that this current administration is a complete
and utter failure. The economic agenda, is far more
important, than what is going on in Iraq. Been saying that
since 2003. Nobody listened. Well they get it now.
Our financial well being as a country is vital to the entire
industrial world. How much we spend does matter, on
a global scale. So is it the economy, or not ?
Best answer wins. ~~~

Answer 1

I am a strong believer in kitchen table economics.

I am middle class, near retirement age, and worried.

My property taxes go up, school taxes are sky high and rising. Sales taxes go up, and new cars cost way more than they used to and get poorer mileage. And no, I'm not even thinking SUV.

True interest rates on credit cards are usurious. Bankers need a spanking, not a rescue, and they blame the homeowners like half of them even know what they are doing, all they did was trust the bankers not to give them what they couldn't afford, after all went the thinking, if the bank thinks I'm good for it, I must be.

Ha!

At the kitchen table I decide if I'm going to buy more or less for Christmas, whether I can afford a car, or just the oil for heating and put it off till next year...maybe.

At the kitchen table we make all our financial decisions, Wal-mart or Macys or Neimans.

Me and millions of others, we don't spend, our economy tanks.

This morning on my kitchen table I wrote a check for 200 gallons of oil at $3.04 cents a gallon. Thats $608, and I use 800 a season, so I'll cut back a little for Christmas, no one will miss it.

I canceled my newspaper delivery, I'll read online.

The economy is local, as local as my kitchen table, as local as kitchen tables all over the USA, as local as the world.

All those kitchen tables.

Its the economy stupid...were truer words ever said?

Answer 2

I've seen the harmful effects of weed, I take exception to people saying it's no risk. But alcohol is also a huge risk to some, and causes some great social damage. Look at how many attacks and deaths there are per year because of it, but applying laws to it in the Prohibition era clearly didn't work, because it's so easy to make it yourself with a few ingredients. My parents never even thought about smoking weed, not in their day. They'd go out and drink but it was mainly to socialize, now it's nightclubs open all night with music so loud you can't talk, people are just going out to get hammered/stoned/laid. It's a bit sad that people seem to think they need a buzz these days to enjoy themselves or relax.

Answer 3

Things are much worse than people think. The "sub-prime" loans were never sold in a legal way - banks did not not exercise fiscal responsibility that they are required to do. Securities sold the funds backed by the mortgages without honestly disclosing the risks. Will it effect the election? Sure to the degree the people can't pay the the mortgage or got stuck with worthless funds. But most people don't know whats going on, not much is being reported. I never hear the words Bail Out or fraud mentioned in the main stream media - The Federal Reserve Board have made it clear that they will keep lowering interest rate as a way to reward the banks at least until the 2008 election. After the election when inflation has destroyed our savings and the economy as a whole- it will be your problem and not theirs.

Answer 4

Oh yes, Classic James Carville.



Though we have had 8 years under Clinton and another 8 under W. Bush nothing seems to have changed. Yes the economy was great under Clinton but I feel we are right back to where we started before Clinton. With the same 3 points that James Carville utilized to spear Bill Clinton into the Presidency.



Change vs. more of the same

The economy, stupid

Don't forget health care.

Answer 5

In the 2004 election, had people made the economy the single biggest issue of the election, GWB would NOT be the President today. Amazingly , the war in Iraq was also an unpopular issue in that election. It was then and there that we found how party loyalty trumps country loyalty. That is a shame.



Today, it is still the economy. We have corporations receiving welfare and CEO's getting tens of millions, just in annual bonuses. At the same time , we have facts that show the average Americans savings is at an all time low while the average Americans debt is at an all time high.



and I haven't even mentioned that the value of the U.S. dollar is in the toilet.



It was and still is the economy, stupid........................ (not calling you stupid as you seem to get it)

Answer 6

Yes, people will vote based on the economy. When the economy is doing very well, then people vote on other issues, such as foreign affairs. However, the general mood of the economy is bleak right now with the housing slump, rising unemployment, etc. Most people are uneasy about their economic future. They will vote based on their own interests, even if they talk out loud about "bigger issues" like global warming and Iraq.

Answer 7

If only, Zodiac. If Americans voted on the basis of the health of the economy, they wouldn't have re-elected George Bush in 2004 (provided they really did). Instead, what drove people to the polls were state ballots on gay marriage.



The housing market had ALREADY begun to stagnate in 2004. Experts outside of the NAR were predicting a bad crash and credit crisis (and currency crisis) even then. So it's not just the issue of the housing market having made them "feel good" back then. Back then, there were job losses, a falling dollar, rising oil prices, rising inflation, crippling their purchasing power THEN. They still didn't care. They voted out of fear.



I believe they will continue to vote out of fear and wanting to wear an image of being "moral", even if just to themselves this coming election. They will take any BS tossed out about the Dem nominee just like they did with the Swift Boat Liars dredge about John Kerry and make it their excuse to once again vote Republican.



And that will continue until far more of them are in dire financial straits. And with even more monetarism in place for the next 4-8 years, who knows how long it will take for them to realize that credit and printing money only make matters worse?

Answer 8

There is no recession. The economy is fine.



Here are REAL figures not the zodiac man's imaginary numbers.

http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.us.htm



Here is a story from today indicating how the fed say now that concerns over a recession in the near future are eased.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601068&sid=aLqSXDsX907c&refer=economy



So, where is your PROOF that the economy is so bad. You know, PROOF!



EDIT:

That's right give me thumbs down because the state of the economy is fine! This is hilarious!

Answer 9

A healthy balance is key to a national economy. Someone once said, " Show me your budged and I'll tell you your priorities". Our priority is obviously in waging war for the moment. Not child care, not the middle-class, not social security, not the environment, not the economy, not decency!

Answer 10

For the normal working public, this economy is in the toilet. For the stock holders, maybe not. Which is what everyone that supported the tax cuts and corporate welfare of this administration wanted. You only have to look back at Reagan and see who this helps, and hurts.

Answer 11

A recession is defined as 3 straight quarters of loss. We are not in a recession.

Answer 12

This country's economic status is in deeper doo-doo than most are willing to acknowledge. The next few years will enlighten many to the amount of damage the Bush administration has done.

Answer 13

Hey its the best we can do we have tried so many things before, its the best idea we can come up w/ but probably not hte right or fair one...

Answer 14

So you think we're in a recession, huh? Then I guess when the next recession does arrive you'll be calling it a depression.



It kills me that some folks simply can't stand 4.5% unemployment, 6% mortgage rates, and ridiculously low consumer prices; no - for them it's all bad.

Answer 15

Not as educated as you on this topic

I am looking forward to getting a democrat into office for a while again