Donald Trump Is Inheriting the Best Economy in a Generation Thanks to Obama

Fortune ^ | 12/06/2016 | Chris Matthews

[SeekAndFind]

Thanks, Obama!

Donald Trump had a rocky campaign. And the transition has been bumpy as well. But he looks to be rolling onto the presidency on the smoothest economic path of any president in a long time.

Data ranging from wage and job growth to manufacturing-sector indicators show that Donald Trump is getting an economy in better shape than any new president in a generation. Take a look at the following four indicators to see just how fortunate the President-elect is:

GDP Growth

The only indicator that shows Trump inheriting a generally weaker economy than is typical is GDP growth. As you can see from the following chart, while Trump will assume management of a much stronger economy than Obama did eight years ago, GDP growth over the past year has been historically weak.

This fact is mitigated somewhat by a more slowly growing population, which leads to slower overall growth than a quickly growing population does. (Although even per capita measures of real GDP growth show the U.S. becoming richer at a slower pace.) And the fact that growth has been picking up recently. The economy grew at a 3.2% pace in the third quarter.

Wage Growth

Despite the good economy, voter surveys show that a good portion of Americans were unhappy with the economy. And that’s why GDP matters. It’s much more common for the typical American’s material situation to improve in an economy when overall GDP is growing quickly. So slow GDP growth has equally little or no raises. And that’s resulted in unhappy workers.

But that’s changing too. Recently there’s evidence that growth in wages in outpacing growth of the overall economy.

[Jimmy The Snake]

Most under reported Economic stat is Labor Participation Rate. This Gives you a better sense of Un-Employment as it counts the able bodied worker who gave up looking. It is hitting historic lows at 62.7%

I am curious when you look at this and Unemployment how many “employed” workers are working 2-3 Part Time jobs, or making half their Marketable Salary and thrilled to be working.

We have a very stagnant economy right now. Not horrible, but not awesome either. I believe with Trump’s roll back of Taxes on Corporations and People and also important Regulations - Things could really heat up & the Stock Market knows this as Stock Prices are all about future earnings.

[TADSLOS]

[M Kehoe]

One quarter’s data (albeit questionably), does not a trend make.

5.56mm

[mbrfl]

In other words, even the current anemic real median household income figure probably overstates the case due to under estimating inflation. I`m also curious as to whether various forms of wellfare payments count towards household income. If so, then that would be another reason for viewing these statistics as overstating the case.

[pieceofthepuzzle]

IMHO, what this represents is the left being worried that Trump is going to be successful, and do what they couldn’t in 8 years. This is a preemptive meme to position them to use this talking point to undermine Trump getting credit for his successes (e.g. ‘he didn’t build that’).

[Voluntaryist]

Kek means “lol” as in I’m laughing at the author of this ridiculous piece.
It’s a pro Trump meme :)

[umgud]

If the electorate believed this, HRC would have one. The bulk of American just didn’t see a robust recovery.

[Voluntaryist]

Also, DU is not very good at actually being funny...

[apillar]

Typical liberal media. Just like they blamed Bush for anything bad that happened during Obama’s entire eight years. They will try to give Obama credit for anything good that happens during Trump’s eight years...

[stylin19a]

different Chris....

[Mr. K]

especially when the cost of groceries has doubled over that time

[Maverick68]

agreed

[VTenigma]

And if you believe that one I’ve got some government unemployment number to sell you.

[Noumenon]

Same here. Since 2014.

[FredZarguna]

The only indicator that shows Trump inheriting a generally weaker economy than is typical is GDP growth

"So, except for that thing that happened just after 10 PM, how was your evening at the theatre, Mrs. Lincoln?"

GDP growth is the best overall indicator of economic health. Lots of the other numbers can be (and are, clearly in some cases, being) fudged. Expect the household median income numbers to be "adjusted" sometime during the first quarter, for example. The GDP itself was also "mysteriously" boosted for the third quarter; expect that one to be "adjusted" as well, as it has been (downward) several times during this fake presidency.

So, Chris advances the latest fake narrative in a fake column. He should go back to his fake news channel. Why was he given a forum in a business publication (other than Business Insider?)

[FredZarguna]

Correction: he can’t go back to his fake news channel, because he’s also a fake Chris Matthews.

[Gaffer]

That’s just Jim Jones koolaid sh!t right there.

[Carthego delenda est]

Thanks :)

[SaveFerris]

Chris Matthews needs to be locked up.

He’s a delusional liar.

[Pollster1]

Working Americans voted for President Donald Trump because they were so thrilled with Barack Hussein that they wanted Trump’s version of continuing that economy? Really? Or are they so stupid they didn’t understand how wonderful not having a job really was? Either way, that sounds like more fake news.