Gee, I am an economist, oft quoted in the WSJ, the Economist and Forbes. How come I have no idea what he is ranting about?
Yes, governments will changes the CPI for reasons that may be unrelated to politics. There are independent firms and groups that measure it as well, so it can’t get too far off track.
Housing and mortgages (and credit cards). Americans binges on credit, now its time to slow down consumption and save.
Housing collapse? Who said it would go up forever? Consumers need suck it up! You gambled and lost ... Live with it!
Recession? Sure, there is a slowdown. Dens could allow drilling in ANWR and off the Florida coast and lower costs for Americans. But its the Dems that WANT a recession! They want control!
Funny how people no long talk about the dot-com bubble. I lost a chunk of change because of it. So I remember that Clinton’s economy ended with a bust that the media refused to talk about.
As a non-economist I have to do what most non-economists do which is make local observations. If we were living in terrible times I would see deserted shopping malls and restaurants where I live (western Wisconsin). I don't see that. I would not see job listings in the local rag. There are lots of jobs being advertised. I was just in the Twin Cities for the past few days. Things look pretty prosperous there too.
You will never get Big Media to say things are still looking pretty good for average Americans as long as a Republican is in the White House.