US Economy

Tom Cobb · US Economy

I have been saying that we are not in a recession. In TX there is tremendous amount of contruction of houses, businesses, etc. going on...everywhere you look. In the DFW area 93,000 jobs have been created as a result of the gas drilling in the Barnett shale. There are probably isolated pockets but we are not in a recession. The media, which are mostly liberals want you to believe that so that they can get the democrats elected. Read the article below.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,343671,00.html

bth9461

Good article TC, putting politics aside, as truckers if the economy really does bad it will hurt us. What I would like to see is a good study showing a state by state GNP figure, then compare that to the states approach to taxes, and its posture towards business in general. Is it a freindly place to do business or not? Industry specific information could also be useful.

Brian

TGPILOT

Even the chairman of the Fed. Reserve used the "R" word today saying that it looks like it's upon us.
Tom

bth9461

There are lots of reasons why a Recession occurs. Fuel prices are just one contributing factor. MI has been out in front of the rest of the country on the R-word. Much of it is self-inflicted, with a little help from Washington.

We might be headed there, but it still takes two qtr's of negative growth. I think it is time to be concerned, but Hysteria no. The News media has a dog in this hunt. What is needed is a hard look at the way Gov't negatively effects economic growth, with bad policy and too high of taxation.

One of the problems is that some people are hoping for a recession, and what we are looking at is talking are self into a recession.

Also the American people need to be more concerned on how we spend our money. For to long a time now we have been price driven on the products we use, and this has hurt our local MFG's. We buy too much junk that is more easily produced over sea's, where low wages have a big advantage, plus much less Gov't costs too. Not all products can be produced here, but our MFG's should concentrate on high quality long lasting products, where workmanship might count for some thing.

Rather than lowering our wages here, we should look at lowering the cost of doing business here first. Wages are just one part of the cost. Gov't taxation and regulation hurt us maybe more than the wage structure.

A state by state study could give us a accurate picture of what Gov't costs our business's.

Bought the kid some new rain/muck boots last night, at the local sporting goods store, they were made in the USA, they were only a little more than the cheap chinese stuff on the shelf and much better made. He could use these to do HZMT clean up. Of course Walmart probally only has the Made in CHINA junk. You gotta look.

We have created many of these problems, by demanding to much from Gov't and shopping CHEAP, CHEAP, AND CHEAPER.

Brian

bth9461

TC, you mentioned the "R" word on another thread, well the numbers just came in and we had 1/2 % growth for the first Qtr, thats ZERO Qtrs with no negative growth. It takes 2 Qtr's of negative growth.

Things are not perfect because of the fuel/food prices, but it kind of amazes me that the US economy has not completely tanked with the burden of these high prices and all the negative press. And the Election year politics coming from both McCain and the Democrats.

We have problems but it has not got that bad YET. The wheels could come off the cart of the US Economy, but for now we are just going over some speed bumps, this is nothing like the late 70's or the 30's. We might get there eventually but not just yet.

McCain has some good tax issues, but he is completely wrong on Energy Policy, and Clinton/Obama will even be worse. So things can get worse, if Washington keeps screwing up. We need to look at the succesful segments of our Country/Industries and emulate them. There are examples to follow, we just need our leaders to open their eyes.

The Rustbelt states have created much of there own problems, but the Federal Gov't can spread these problems all across the country. Liberal policy and corrupt politicians(both parties)/business leaders/lawyers, are sinking our economy. They act like a anchor on the productive people of this country.

I am surprised that things have not collapsed, but the Country is stronger than any of us can really know. The shame of it all is that we could acomplish so much more, if MR. COMMON SENSE was running the country. Where did that guy go, thats what I want to know?

Brian

LBZ

"I am surprised that things have not collapsed, but the Country is stronger than any of us can really know. The shame of it all is that we could acomplish so much more, if MR. COMMON SENSE was running the country. Where did that guy go, thats what I want to know?"

Too many liason's, lobbyist's and special interest groups to get anything accomplished from even the most honest of character sent to Washington.

However our economy and infrastructure are very resilient even in times of high fuel/food and banks letting speculators inflate pricing and grant loans. Would have taken a historical high spike on the stock market for several years to offset what the housing market was doing.

bth9461

Call me an Idealist, but I believe Men were given free will by GOD, and that they choose to do wrong. They know it is wrong to pedal influence, they might do it legally, but the know it is wrong. Short sited and selfish, two traits that MR. COMMSENSE would not have.

When we get a few good men running things, that is when things get changed for the better. I hope this happens some day, again. Personally I think we might have to waite for our young Terror Warriors to come of age as leaders. It is this small core group of futrue leaders that are being tested under fire as young men/women, now on the field of battle. This is what gives me some hope, many of these guys have volunteered for 3-5 tours, and even losing arms or legs does not stop them. This current crop of warriors could be the best we have ever produced.

They remind me of the Rangers/Paratroopers/Marines/Pilots from WWII, or the Civil War Vetrans (both sides, very brave men).

Pound for pound this all volunteer force is quite remarkable, and I think they might produce many good Congressman and some good Presidents.

They give me hope, God Bless the all.

Brian