Uncle Sam Turns Blind Eye To Hidden Fees > in the back pocket

reply to pnh102

Re: in the back pocket

reply to pnh102
PNH returns. Surprise Surprise. (Not Really).

First off PNH. The U.S. dolllar is at it's lowest value EVER. IE inflation. That in itself means we're importing more at HIGHER prices and exporting at lower prices. The exporting part is good, but considering a MAJORITY of products are made overseas, we're paying more than ever.

Oil and Energy prices are at record highs while wages have not kept up with such increases. In the span of 3 or 4 years fuel prices have tripled.

We have spent around 1 Trillion on a war, yet we have neglected our own country. Ever seen the break down of what 1 trillion could buy? It could fund Healtcare for every American, Fund every school, build new roads, provide community programs, the list goes on. Yet, we use this money chasing big bad boogey men in a country who never harmed us. How about let's look at what one trillion could do in another aspect. It could fight crime. Crime has risen a lot under Bush. We have 20-22,000 murders in this country. Crime in the suburbs has seen record surges. The list goes on. How about hiring more Police, Firefighters, EMS, and creating community programs to keep kids engaged so they are off the street?

Better yet, unemployment took it's largest jump since 2001 to a national average of 5 percent. Sure, that 5 percent might not seem high but let's consider that people who lose benefits and aren't counted. The government then does s survey of 60,000 to "calculate" an index. So let's see, 60,000 people are representative of 300 Million? I don't know where this index was taken but I guarantee you not anywhere east of the Mississippi. You might have a great job and live in Maryland, but that doesn't mean everyone does. I have been to Maryland and the first thing I saw were multiple people holding signs begging for food within about a 20 minute drive of D.C. So maybe you aren't one of those effected. Good for you. However, many are. Step outside your enclosed world, and take a drive up and down this part of the country. You'll see how many actually are. If you believe we're not headed for a recession, that's fine . You are selling yourself a lie though. My family and many others I know have felt the economy crunch first hand and they are all professionals with an outstanding education. Therefore, your life doesn't speak for the rest of America.

Last, look at the stock market and the retail markets. Major companies are down for the year and most are predicting a recession. I guess their knowledge of the market is surpassed by your professional expertise. I'm assuming you are a financial adviser or went to school for stockbroking right? Probably not.

reply to marigolds
Mari,

Thanks I actually forgot that in my explanation to PNH. The government only tracks "unemployed" via the unemployment index and a survey of 60,000. They don't track the underemployed. Those who have the education or lack there of that are forced to take jobs that pay less than the poverty level. I am sure this number is VERY HIGH right now. Yet, we have no data on just how many are underemployed. The CIA World Factbook sticks the poverty level at 12 percent right now in the U.S. This is outdated and probably is a few percentage points higher considering the unemployment is still listed at 4.8 there.

reply to marigolds

reply to jc100

reply to pnh102
Yes but they track poverty level and the last figure courtesy of the CIA worldfactbook, which is outdated, tracks it at 12 percent. Figure another 2 percent and its 13-14 percent now as their figure for unemployment is off base there some. So yes, that's a HIGH NUMBER. 1 in 7 people in the U.S. are living in poverty right now.

reply to pnh102
No basis for your explanation but you offer loads of useless sarcasm. I think no one here can take you seriously. Every debate you have with me goes off base because some how you are the world authority on all subjects. Blatant B.S? I guess the CIA world factbook sticking poverty at 12 percent and probably at 13-14 now do to the increased unemployment since their last update, is wrong. I guess the financial companies predicting a recession are wrong. I guess the stock market losing money and the housing market going belly up is a figment of our imagination. We all know, PNH has the answers for all. Grow up. You might have a job but you lack something else. Common sense.

reply to pnh102
The government tracks part-time versus full-time employment. And that is the underemployment stat to be concerned about as it is a leading indicator to recession or stagnation.

More importantly, that stat is not dependent on the skill set of the employed person so it is not nearly as subjective. Instead, it is dependent on whether or not the person is seeking full-time work (still somewhat subjective, but no less subjective than whether or not a person is actively seeking employment).
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Well if we look at the current figures it should paint a picture. 5 Percent average unemployment (which I think is much higher, but let's take their data). 12-14 percent Poverty level. CIA world factbook quota 4.8 unemployment so I think its only fair to add about 1 percent to the poverty level to reflect a .2 percent jump. I figure .2 percent increase on 4.8-5 = 1 percent so thats how I figure at least 13 percent on the poverty. Anyhow, not a good picture that gets painted.