Attention, Wal-Mart Voters: Lost Jobs and Military Funerals Haunt Bush in the Heartland

Village Voice ^ | December 3 - 9, 2003 | Rick Perlstein

[cyncooper]

I understand this article.

We all understand this article, dear.

[finnman69]

Apparently Mr. Perlstein will be upset at this article. As will the 'Bush haters' depicted in this 'story'. If he critically read major newspapers every day he might have picked this up.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1032617/posts
Manufacturing at Highest Level in Two Decades
NY Times 12/2/03

American manufacturing activity rose to its highest level in nearly 20 years last month as factories raced to keep up with demand and indicated a readiness to expand their work forces for the first time in three years, according to a survey published on Monday.

In the latest good economic news, the Institute of Supply Management reported that its November survey of purchasing managers showed a surge in new orders and a big jump in production in almost every industry. The institute said its overall index of manufacturing activity climbed to the highest level since December 1983, an increase much greater than most economists expected.

But the bigger surprise was that manufacturers showed a wider readiness to hire workers after three years of reducing factory payrolls.

Major stock indexes rose yesterday to the highest levels in 18 months, with the Dow Jones industrial average rising 1.19 percent as investors became more convinced that the robust economic growth this summer was more than a one-time event.

Speaking at a fund-raising event in Dearborn, Mich., President Bush said his strategy of lower taxes had helped revive the economy.

"Our economy was strong and it is getting stronger," Mr. Bush said. "Productivity is high; business investment is strong; housing construction is strong. The tax relief we passed is working."

The positive news is tempered somewhat by the federal budget deficit, which is expected to reach $500 billion next year as growth is financed in large part with borrowed money, and by a lofty trade deficit.

Still, the new survey of manufacturing activity came on the heels of other reports indicating that the economy grew at an annual pace of 8.2 percent in the third quarter and the job market had begun to revive.

Economists said the data provided evidence that growth would continue to be strong next year, long after the effects from this year's tax cuts and the Federal Reserve's recent most reduction in interest rates wear off.

"I think this speaks to the strength of the economy right now, but it also speaks to the confidence of companies," said Norbert J. Ore, director of procurement at the Georgia-Pacific Corporation and chairman of the Institute for Supply Management's survey committee.

The institute said its index of manufacturing activity, computed from answers that purchasing executives provide about the pace of business activity, jumped to 62.8 from 57 in October. A reading above 50 signals that factory production is expanding rather than contracting. If it were to continue at the November level, the institute said, the index would correlate to overall annual economic growth of 7.3 percent.

Companies participating in the survey reported exceptionally big jumps in new orders as well as backlogs, both of which suggest that output will continue to rise robustly.

The buoyant conditions came through in 18 of the 20 sectors of manufacturing surveyed by the institute. The optimism ranged from producers of computers and office equipment to manufacturers of building materials, chemicals and machine tools.

Two other reports provided additional evidence of stronger growth. The Commerce Department reported on Monday that construction activity grew faster than many experts predicted. The value of building projects under way in October reached $922 billion, a monthly high. The increases were varied, in areas including residential construction, public works and commercial building.

Economists at J. P. Morgan said data from Europe and Asia showed that the global pace of manufacturing was picking up, as well. It said its global index of manufacturing activity had signaled an expansion for the last five months, with the United States and Asia leading the way.

The survey, which economists view as particularly important, provided evidence that a three-year deep slump in manufacturing is drawing to a close. American manufacturers have shed more than two million jobs since fall 2001, with many of the lost jobs in industrial swing states like Pennsylvania, Ohio and Missouri.

The encouraging economic data came at an opportune moment for President Bush, who is expected to anger steel makers this week by announcing the end of special tariffs against imported steel.

And while the job market had begun to improve modestly in August and September, that had occurred in service industries. The new survey announced on Monday provided the first evidence that manufacturers were finally poised to start hiring as well.

Economists are now fixing their attention on the next crucial piece of economic news: the Labor Department's monthly report on employment, which is to be released on Friday.

Forecasters are predicting an increase in November of about 125,000 jobs, roughly in line with the job growth in the previous two months. Though representing a turnaround from the steady stream of job losses before this fall, the economy needs to generate more than 200,000 jobs a month before the unemployment rate begins to drop significantly.

[happy elephant]

I too am upset about the Republicans spending like drunken sailors and the War on Terrorism is only a small part of that.However this is WW 4 and it has to be won decisivly, there is no amount of money too large that can make this war unjust...People are worried but this is a time that requires great corage.It may take 30 years but Islamic extremist must be pummeled and it will cost lives, I hope it is not the lives of innocence in our streets..

[CanisRex]

The reason they moved to Manhattan in the first place was to escape the sin of being white and middle class.

Perlstein lives in Illinois.

But anyhoo, I'm not saying he's unbiased; but I do think he's tapped into a vein that personally bothers me. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day and those of us who constantly disregard what the left say (and they do have a bigger megaphone overall) are doing ourselves an injustice.

[squarebarb]

My husband and I were in a bar in Wyoming watching the election results '96 when a smiling polite guy with a notebook introduced himself as a NY Times reporter and did we have any comments. He was out trolling amongst the gun-toters, I guess. Neither husband or I had a comment for him. I am 5'2" 120 lbs. but I knew if he quoted me I would become 200 pounds, bleached blonde hair, 'chipped nail polish'and a big gold cross around my neck. My husband would suddenly be missing a couple of teeth and his very expensive Stetson would have become a ballcap with WELLAND WASTE MANAGMENT printed on it and would have sprouted a tattoo saying DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR and I would have been drinking something with a tiny umbrella in it.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

I'm sorry but tell me why I care what the Village Voice thinks?

[cyncooper]

those of us who constantly disregard what the left say (and they do have a bigger megaphone overall) are doing ourselves an injustice.

I think that by commenting on what the left has to say we are not "disregarding" it. Some of us are pointing out the flaws in their "thinking".

[Rome2000]

Thers not a single Walmart in NYC and gay commies like Perlstein is the reason why.

Communists, Democrats, and Socialists have a real problem with capitalism.

[sausageseller]

Yea, the biggest black Friday shopping day in history, and they are out there shaking in the boots!

Being such a pessimist must really suck!

[zarf]

Perlstein's attitude is as Manhattan as it gets.

His descriptions of his subjects sound as if he's describing germs in a petrie dish.

[verity]

Perlstein simply reinforces my contention that not all life is precious.

[sausageseller]

He lives in New York according to this article: http://www.gmtoday.com/features/books/css/books002.htm

[Billthedrill]

Well, I don't know if Perlstein is aware of just how painful a self-parody this little screed is, and it may be kinder to allow him the comfort of his illusions. But I can tell him for a fact that copping this kind of attitude at the Hooty Owl Bar and Grill will get his patronizing New York butt kicked up between his pierced earlobes.

It honestly doesn't take a degree in Cultural Anthropology from NYU to comprehend the mysteries of the Darkest Heartland, only proximity and a relatively open mind. This mishmash of stereotype and wishful thinking doesn't describe any America that is seen by the actual inhabitants, but it certainly does conform to a set of city-bred prejudices and fond imaginings that has everything going for it except accuracy and humility.

[sausageseller]

From my link: Perlstein lives in Brooklyn’s Park Slope section, a neighborhood full of writers like Paul Auster

[Hill-William]

This Missouri Ozark redneck doesn't see it exactly like Perlstein and the Village Voice does. My failing no doubt. Ah, if only I was hip and lived in New York City. Good grief, "what a maroon," as Bugs used to say.

[dead]

I understand this article.

With all due respect, I don't believe you do.

He ends his article with a thinly-veiled call for "the red states" to embrace a stronger message of socialism from the Democratic party.

There are a lot of people who voted for Bush who wondered what happened to fiscal conservatism.

I do too, but that has nothing to do with Perlstein's call for union protectionism and more government control over evil corporations and their employment decisions.

[dead]

I'm sorry but tell me why I care what the Village Voice thinks?

I'm sorry but tell me who forced you to read it?