[tomjohn77]

The stock market has not moved up that much. The reason why 1/3 of the population thinks it is a recession is because of their decline in buying power. Mainly because they have not gotten the wage increase that others have and because of the increasingly high gas prices.

[LS]

I think that's right. Because of the little arrows on the TV screens, the psychological impact of the stock market is important to perceptions. Likewise, the constant drumbeat of "gas prices" has people in a tizzy, even though last night on the FOX business show, all the analysts agreed that we'd have to see $90 a barrel before it would seriously affect the U.S. economy.

But the MSM only covers high gas prices, not good jobs reports or rising productivity. There are academic studies that confirm this, especially during a GOP administration, when they are FAR more likely to report bad news over good.

[OpusatFR]

Fixed income is also pretty tough. Finding investment vehicles with a decent return has gotten harder and harder to do.

The inflationary increases take a toll on retirees.

[Dont_Tread_On_Me_888]

The stock market has not moved up that much.

You lack facts.

Here are some selected Morningstar Index returns for the last three years: NOTE: These are AVERAGED ANNUALIZED over the 3 year period, not simply the total return over three years (example--20% annualized is apprx a 60% return over three years)

Small Value Index + 22.01%

Small Cap Index + 21.18

Mid Value Index + 20.71%

Mid Growth Index + 18.92%

Large Value Index + 12.27%

Large Cap Index + 10.35%

S&P 500 Index + 11.48%

NASDAQ Index + 16.38%

Your opinion is an opinion, but the FACTS show that the broad market has had an OUTSTANDING return over the last three years.

If in doubt, choose FACTS over opinion. May I suggest to you that before you post, try doing some FACTUAL checking first. It makes your post so much more credit worthy to read.

SOURCE: http://screen.morningstar.com/index/indexReturns3YearDesc.html

[Eagles Talon IV]

Decline in buying power? I could nor disagree more. I just bought furniture for my new home and paid a fraction for this furniture then I paid for similar stuff 8 years ago. Much of it made in China but as someone who has at least some knowledge of quality I feel I can say it is more then worth what I paid and probably would cost 2-3 times more if made here. I also was at a Staples store today and saw flt screen monitors, 17" for $279.00. Only 3 years ago they were selling for about $499. A 3.1 mega pixel digital camera I paid $265.00 for a year and a half ago can be replaced with a 5 mega pixel multi mode digital camera for the same price. The 3.1 mega pixel cameras are now selling for $149. A 32 inch TV that cost almost $900.00 in the early 1990's can be bought for a bit over $300.00 today. Cell phone, computers, printers, you name it all have come down in price markedly as have clothing. Gasoline has gone up as have heating costs and any fuel oil related products but they have been offset by declines in the areas I mentioned. Except for housing and health care, products and services that have increased in price have generally done so within the bounds of inflation.

[JeffersonRepublic.com]

"The reason why 1/3 of the population thinks it is a recession is because of their decline in buying power. Mainly because they have not gotten the wage increase that others have and because of the increasingly high gas prices."

Whatever!

The reason that 1/3 think we are in a recession is because they are hardcore Democrats, and they don't want to believe Bush has done anything good.

Gas is not a big deal. I burn about 20 gallons a week. The high price has added about $10 per fill - I send more then that on coffee. Get real!

[Doctor Stochastic]

Yep. Small or no raises. Layoffs. Rising gas and grocery prices. No interest income. Lots of people see much reduced buying power over the last decade or so.

[Lazamataz]

The reason why 1/3 of the population thinks it is a recession is because of their decline in buying power. Mainly because they have not gotten the wage increase that others have

That's because that same 1/3 of the population really sucks on the job.

[atlanta67]

""The reason why 1/3 of the population thinks it is a recession is because of their decline in buying power.""

Wrong, more americans on homes than shares of stock and home values have been going up...additionally, i saw where nominal incomes the past 12 months have risen 6.6%, well ahead of inflation...i do agree with gas prices however

[dalereed]

"The reason why 1/3 of the population thinks it is a recession is because of their decline in buying power"

Illegals and the underground cash wages, at least in construction, have just come back to where they were 25 years ago.

I am charging people less than I was paying forman 25 years ago and having to furnish $20k worth of tools and 50 years experience to be able to charge that.

If I didn't have a home and condo paid for and no debt of any sort I wouldn't be making it.