[proxy_user]

No one can tell what is really happening. The economy is changing so much, that it will be possible to tell what is happening only in retrospect.

That's why the comparisons to the Depression are meaningless. We were a completely different society, and economy, then.

[Orangedog]

I'll start having faith in growth figures just as soon as these rocket scientists acknowledge the real level of inflation. Everything I spend money on has gone up. Groceries, electric, cable, phone, internet, pizza...just about everything. And don't even get me started on what cigarettes cost these days.

As far as the tax cut goes, every penny of mine was transfered to higher property & sales taxes and car/home insurance rates.

[YaYa123]

You're right, none of us non-experts know what's going to happen with the market or the economy. Indicators? I hardly even know what that means, but they are astoundingly good right now. Wish I knew more...I just listen to my husband, try to understand the FOXNews Saturday morning money shows, watch Neil Cavuto.

Louis Rukeyser's Wall Street" airs at 8:30pm est on CNBC.
(Husband translates this one for me.)

[Diverdogz]

I'm telling you, it really is hard to tell what the economy is doing here on the Emerald Coast of Florida. Lots of people are jobless and many are making much less then they had previously, and yet, brand new condos are being erected and are selling like hotcakes - all in the $300,000 range.

Can't help but notice all of the Mexicans working as construction workers. I don't know if they are illegals or not, but the work is getting done. The general contractors manage these projects very carefully and won't put up with slouch workers.

So, what is happening here may be an anomoly - if people decide to forego more expensive vacations, it could actually be a boon for the Emerald Coast as this is a great place to come, but a much less expensive vacation option than the Carribean or even South Florida.

[JasonC]

Believe me, if 6% real growth actually happens and is sustained over 6 months or more, you will be able to tell. That is a monster rate for anything more than a 1 quarter blip.

[fortaydoos]

There are MILLIONs of new jobs being created. Unfortunately for the average American, these jobs are in China and India.