Posted on 03/21/2006 6:35:44 AM PST by pissant
PRINCETON, NJ -- Americans continue to resist giving the nation's economy positive ratings, regardless of what so-called "hard" economic indicators may show. Only about a third of Americans rate the current economy as excellent or good and 6 out of 10 say the economy is getting worse, not better. In general, these ratings are slightly worse than earlier this year, although still not as negative as they were early last fall after Hurricane Katrina and the rapid run-up in the price of gasoline. Views of the economy remain highly partisan, with Republicans the most positive, Democrats most negative, and independents somewhere in the middle. Independents in particular have become more negative in their views of the economy this year, and now are much closer to the negative attitudes of Democrats than to the more rosy views of Republicans.
Basic Indicators
Gallup routinely measures two basic indicators of consumer views of the national economy: ratings of current economic conditions, and views as to whether the economy is getting better or getting worse. The trends on both are presented in these graphs:
(Excerpt) Read more at poll.gallup.com ...
I'll have to admit that was funny! Soooo wrong, but funny. ;o)
Facts don't matter, apparently.
... you and I seem to be the same page. I fear the tin ear of the bots will cost them dearly. The backlash could result in the dimwits (Dems) taking control of on or more houses. That is what I find troubling.
See post 75
Sorry hedge, they're all included.
7. What goods and services does the CPI cover?
Also included within these major groups are various government-charged user fees, such as water and sewerage charges, auto registration fees, and vehicle tolls. In addition, the CPI includes taxes (such as sales and excise taxes) that are directly associated with the prices of specific goods and services. However, the CPI excludes taxes (such as income and Social Security taxes) not directly associated with the purchase of consumer goods and services.
Who are they polling? We have the lowest rate of unemployment in years here in Florida. Help wanted signs all over the place. I guess there aren't enough 50k a year starting salaries ofr HS drop outs?>>>>>>>>>
We have a HIGH unemployment rate here and the problem is the starting salaries of less than $25000. in many cases for college GRADUATES.
gas prices
offshoring of jobs
what's happening with pensions
those 3 reason are why alot of americans don't see the economy as being good.
"Independents... now are much closer to the negative attitudes of Democrats than to the more rosy views of Republicans."
Rosy? Try realistic! I'm afraid the MSM still has plenty of power to influence, including the ability to make people believe a lie even with realistic facts right in front of them.
"Come Sunday, Pacific Gas and Electric Co.'s residential customers will see, on average, an 11.1 percent increase in the price they pay for electricity.
The increase in their natural gas costs will be worse. Those are expected to soar in January to levels 43.4 percent higher than they were a year ago, extending a three-month run-up in gas prices.
The result: The average PG&E customer will face a combined bill of $224.06 in January, compared with $175.22 a year ago."
This is a great point. I bet the polls showing a more positive outlook in the South for example where people aren't being walloped by high energy bills. The Midwest and New England probably poll lower. The economy in general is healthy, disposable income I would speculate has gone down a bit in ratio's compared to the late 90's. A lot of my middle class friends are struggling a bit but it isn't Bush fault. It's high energy prices combined with rising interest rates/payments on all of those adjustable mortgages and credit cards.
See post 75
They're included but adjusted and manipulated well beyond any reasonable method.
"In this day and age of instant media, the President and his administration must communicate to the American people far more often and better than they have been on a host of issues. They typically let something snowball until it is far too late to counter in virtually every circumstance"
AMEN
Curiosity is driving me crazy!
Skunk Cabbage?
Sacred Cow?
Space Cadet?
Sacreligious Coward?
Slimy C*nt?
they always spin the number omitting "the volatile food and energy" segments.
so if you don't eat or use any energy, you'll be OK.
I have been tossing my resume everywhere. I am not even getting a nibble. I also speak with a lot of people all over the country they all say the same things. The economy is bad. >>>>>>>>>
It really is amazing, I ran my own business for about twenty years, I knew that technology changes would eventually kill that one but I figured I would simply take a job for my few remaining work years. Well, when the time drew near I realized that there were few jobs open in this area and VERY few that would pay enough to live on. I finally found something and have been working at it for just over three years and my pay rate has risen 35% in three years and is scheduled to go up another 10% in July. Sounds great right? Wait, after the July raise I will only be earning about 71% of what people doing the same job were paid four years ago! Yeah, that's right. I have never belonged to a union and have not supported a Democrat for President since I started voting but I am accused of both every time I disagree with all the rosy economic reporting. I simply don't see it here and when I talk to people in other areas they don't seem to see it where they live either. We have high unemployment here and the new employers that are coming in are offering well below median pay rates. We are at the point now that one year of a GOOD income amounts to as much as my father earned in his working lifetime and yet we hear that inflation has been nearly nonexistent since 1982 and other such nonsense. I am starting to wonder if I live in an alternate reality.
I hear it's so bad that even all those stupid folks who buy and sell bonds haven't figured out that they're losing their butts because inflation is double what the government reports. /sarcasm off
I guess the auction didn't go so well today did it?
The data, juxtaposed with the argument that Bernanke's speech emphasized the economy's strength, fed interest rate worries. Those concerns, anticipation of the FOMC decision, a lingering sense of uncertainty, and technical factors led to a sell-off across the Treasury market. Last week, improvements in bond yields drove the stock market's advance. Today, the benchmark 10-year rose to a 4.72% yield. Yields were up across the curve
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