Why don’t Americans feel better about the economy?

The Washington Post ^ | May 19, 2015 | Chico Harlan and Sarah Halzack

[2ndDivisionVet]

If there was any time for American consumers to feel good, it would be this moment. Job growth is brisk. Paychecks are finally nudging up. And a surprise drop in gas prices has given the average household an extra $700 a year.

But six years after the end of the Great Recession, Americans are startlingly anxious about their economic prospects. They are sitting on their money in a way that suggests that the consumer psychology may have fundamentally changed, with people less willing to spend than they were during other periods of economic prosperity.

Government data released Friday showed that the economy shrank at a 0.7 percent annual rate between January and March, in part because consumers pulled back on spending. The disappointing numbers interrupted a steady clip of positive economic news that many analysts had used to suggest that the nation was on the verge of liftoff....

[lucky american]

Because we have 200 Trillion in unfunded mandates and there is no way out of that. The economy will collapse. Today, tomorrow or ten years from now. I plan on being as prepared as I can possibly be. I’m holding on to every penny like its made of gold.

[Cowman]

Take a drive downtown — If you can afford the gas. The High end shops at the mall are nearly empty, JCpenney is nearly empty, Walmart is full but only a couple days a week, Goodwill and the Salvation Army store are packed full.

This is what happens when technical careers are shipped to China and everyone is working three part time jobs to almost make up what they had before.

If the Press wasn't in full defend mode for Jug Ears they would be saying the D word for both the emotional and economic status of the country.

[2ndDivisionVet]

We have jobs here:

http://www.indeed.com/jobs?as_and=&as_phr=&as_any=&as_not=&as_ttl=&as_cmp=&jt=all&st=&salary=&radius=50&l=76208&fromage=last&limit=10&sort=&psf=advsrch

[Cboldt]

I blame it on the press. We need better cheerleaders, then all will be better and the people will be happy.

[DH]

“...Job growth is brisk. Paychecks are finally nudging up. And a surprise drop in gas prices has given the average household an extra $700 a year.”

WoW! What a crock of poop!

My business is related to the oil industry and my products sell nationally. I’ve been around for a very long time and have survived the oil recessions of 1982, 1986 and now, entering another here in 2015.

This idiot who wrote “growth is brisk, paychecks are finally nudging up and etc.......” has absolutely no idea to which he addresses.

Why doesn’t he go ask the oil related industries, workers and all who sell to their employees just how wonderful it is in Texas, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Montana, and other states where drilling is coming to a near complete stop. And where the hell does this genius come up with this $700.00 savings calculation.

This is nothing more than “feel good stew” to slop the public with. Just wait, the damage to the oil industry will come to see all soon.

[TalBlack]

“with people less willing to spend than they were during other periods of economic prosperity.”

“Other”. Pravda.

In no way manner shape or form can the last 6 years or even the last year be called prosperous.

[SECURE AMERICA]

Why don’t Americans feel better about the economy?

Where to start?
1. The economy SUCKS..
2. The MSNM lies about it in favor of the Government.
3. The Government lies about it.
4. Our Nation is moving or has moved from a full time employment labor force to a part time labor force.
and on and on................

[ProtectOurFreedom]

"Unemployment Rate" is a bogus government stat totally meaningless in the face of this chart. The number of people who have so despaired of ever finding a job That they have permanently left the labor force is at an all-time and unbelievable high. Obama set the world in flames in Ukraine, Russia, ME, China and elsewhere. He blathers about global warming being the biggest threat to mnpankind in the presence of ISIS. He has seriously reduced our ability to defend ourselves against these threats. Companies won't allow many people to work more than 30 hours because of Obamacare. Where is the hope? I don't see it anywhere (except maybe Nov 16).

[VerySadAmerican]

The “Great Recession” ended when the white house said it ended.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

I see the Denton Boy Scouts are looking for a Membership Executive. Do they require LBGQXYZ experience?

[laconic]

The next Post article will reprise the boom of 1929 about the wonderful economy: “A chicken in every pot and two cars in every garage”. Except for Colorado which will be “some pot in every garage”.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

..... positive economic news that many analysts had used to suggest that the nation was on the verge of liftoff....

Liftoff? According to the Kenyan we’ve been on the “verge” for six years. American “consumers” are smarter than the so-called economic “analysts” who think government created bubbles represent real economic growth.

[cuban leaf]

I commute 160 miles a day. The price drop was huge for me.

[ro_dreaming]

Why don’t Americans feel better about the economy?

Because I am just now bringing home the same salary I was in 2003 when I was laid off. I’ve been at this company for 10 years now, and for several years in a row (3), I did not get a pay raise at all - in fact, most of us did not.

Of course, that money does NOT buy as much now as it did then - gas, milk, eggs, bread, meat, chicken, sausage, hell, EVERYTHING was cheaper then.

[norwaypinesavage]

Whatever Obama is putting in the liberal cool aid, it certainly is working. Authors such as these are either totally blitzed out of their minds, or so stupid they can’t even read what they write.

[norwaypinesavage]

I misread your link title. I read it as: “Obama Has Lowest Average IQ of Any President on Record”. I think both versions are accurate.

[DH]

I commute 160 miles a day. The price drop was huge for me.

---

You are an exception to the rule. However, if the economy worsens and you lose your job you will finally land on earth with the rest of us.

[cuban leaf]

I can retire in January. We moved from Seattle to a small (32 acre) farm in central KY in2011. We bought it two weeks before the 2008 election.

Two streams. Three natural wells. Lots of game. Surrounded by farms. It’s why my commute to Louisville is 80 miles, each way. And worth it.

This guarantees nothing, but mitigates risk. And life is a list anyway. I go when the Lord says it’s time.