[Westbrook]

More likely an intentional casualty of Hussein’s islamo-fascist terrorist friends.

[old and tired]

Christmas shopping is already a casualty of the Obama economy. Back to school sales - the best predictor of Christmas sales - were the worst in years.

[Responsibility2nd]

It’s not just the shopping that will be affected. It’ll be the charity donations.

This is do-or-die time for the charities. From the kettles of the Salvation Army to the United Way agencies and thousands more; they ALL will be begging for money.

I think I’ll xerox my paystub only showing what my new Obamacare related health premiums will be and say: “Wish I could help you, but Uncle Hussein took all my excess charity monies AND MORE!”

[SMARTY]

Since he was first ‘elected’ I have observed a total moratorium on ALL discretionary spending.

ALL!

That means...pay for ONLY the necessities

[nascarnation]

This assumes people will even have a clue how much any of this costs by Christmas shopping season. So far all I’ve seen is delays.

[Huskrrrr]

I’m already seeing Christmas adds from retailers. Desperate times.

[Jane Long]

I’m going to make handmade gifts like lap quilts, homemade jams/breads and such and donate my $ saved to candidates who are primarying RINO’s who opposed cloture to implement RINOCare.

[Sacajaweau]

Bottom line....Obamacare is about tracking people....their income, their assets. One lady advisor said it....as soon as you inquire...it goes into a computer.

[autumnraine]

Christmas looks grim as it is right now.

Probably buy a lot of second hand stuff for the kids.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

[The Sons of Liberty]

Christmas Shopping Season - Will it become an 'unintended' casualty of Obamacare?

I'm afraid there is no "unintended" to it; the muzzie commie is waging open warfare on Christianity and America.

[cherry]

no....remember all the govt workers keep getting their raises and they don't have to worry about obamafiasco.....

same for retirees....

same for illegals and deadbeats and the "earned" income crowd....

the takers will always have enough money...

but even we workers....will we NOT spend or send money to our children and our grandchildren?.....I think we will...

[Mr. Jeeves]

Last year’s season was already a casualty of Obama’s re-election. He’s going for back-to-back progressive wins. :)

[DYngbld]

We have spent 50% less each year for the last three years. We just don't have it to spend. I don't see it getting any better, and I have good job.

Daily/monthly expenses have gone up, the pay check has stayed the same. My 20year old cars need replaced but there is not enough left to save up for newer ones. I refuse to go into debt or take government "freebies" (that I don't qualify for, because I am paying for those who do).

[taildragger]

Obamacare could be the a tipping point. If and that is an if, large consumer durables that need loans, appliances, cars etc are delayed because of these cost I could see a back-slide for sure. Maybe the bigger ticket items and Christmas getting hit.

[lee martell]

Hiring will be at a much lower level than usual, then mainly for temporary jobs totaling less than 30 hours a week. With Zero benefits too! The 47% is about to reap what it has repeatedly sown per presidential elections.

[steve86]

I've been thinking this for some time, along with a dive in consumer sentiment about the same time.

However, not all state exchange plans will have "huge projected increases in rates, copays and deductions".

For example, the "Silver" plan I am looking at has a "Deductible of $1,500/$3,000" and an "Annual Out-of-Pocket Limit of $6,350/$12,700". Prescription drugs are as low as $5 co-pay (mail order) with no deductible. Office visits are $20 copay but I think the deductible does apply to them.

I don't know what the federal exchange deductibles look like..

[showme_the_Glory]

Christmas for me is a: water purifier, generator, food storage supplies, etc. I need to catch up quick. Looks like dark skies ahead for gun tote’n, bible believ’n folks like me. Never imagined I’d think about being a prepper.

[BfloGuy]

Will the Christmas Shopping Season be effected?

Yes, it probably will.

But even though the media acts as if retail sales -- particularly at Christmas -- are the foundation of the American economy, they're wrong.

Business investment drives the economy -- not consumer spending. And business has not been investing in growth since 2007 [oil-drilling a notable exception]. The general lack of business investment, though, is the cause of the current stagnation.

I suspect that, to everyone's relief, this year's Christmas sales will beat last year's. It will be meaningless. That will be an effect of the true costs of inflation running higher than what the government publishes.

It's production that matters -- not consumption. You can't consume till you produce. A lot of people ain't producing any more.

[grania]

Disposable income is already way down for day-to-day purchases. That's because of less work hours, teens not getting wages they mostly spend, and retirees not having interest on their savings to put into local economies. Obamacare insurance costs will take a lot of what's left out of the economy, since anyone who has enough income to afford it is not going to get a subsidy. Thus, the money that used to go into local restaurants and recreation, home repairs etc will dry up. Local businesses will be impacted the most. When they start closing like they did during the recession, local governments won't be able to pay their bills.

But the dudes running the insurance companies, providing computer services, etc? They'll reach even greater heights of prosperity and domination.