The economy's prospects look rather good. George Bush's don't yet

[electropop]

Linked here from Yahoo News:

http://www.economist.com/world/na/displayStory.cfm?story_id=4275114

ALL presidents, whatever their confession or denomination, are closet numerologists. Numbers are how they read the mood and track the progress of the nation they govern. For George Bush, the numbers—rising casualty rates in Iraq, falling approval ratings at home—have not been good of late. Hence he is turning with some enthusiasm to a happier set of figures: those tracking the American economy's resilience and resurgence.
...
Unlike central bankers and presidents, the public at large sets little store by numbers. Only a fifth of those polled recently by CBS News thought the country's economic fortunes were improving, whatever the statisticians might tell them. More than half disapproved of Mr Bush's handling of the economy.

What explains their scepticism? In Mr Bush's first term, he was dogged by the question: Where are the jobs? Now the question is: Where are the pay rises? ...

[ComerPerro]

1. How incredibly biased

Republicans are always doing this shit:

The stats all show that the economy is improving

What stats? Gathered by who? What exactly are they saying about the economy? Be more specific!

Oh, what's that? You can't be specific, because you are spouting out total bullshit? That's what I thought...

And, I really hate the condescending bastard tone the writer takes.

What explains their skepticism? In Mr. Bush's first term, he was dogged by the question: Where are the jobs? Now the question is: Where are the pay raises?

And, be as sarcastic as you want, but its a legitimate question. But the asshole who wrote this is trying to make it sound like workers are greedy, and just have their hands out.

Lets face it: If Bush has things under control, the economy is great, and inflation is down, then why has the price of gasoline doubled during the five years he has been in office? Has anything else increased at that rate? Is that normal all of a sudden? Why haven't people's salaries gone up significantly?



I actually heard a right winger on the radio say: "It doesn't matter what the media, the liberals, or the numbers say. The economy is strong, its getting stronger.

[electropop]

2. Actually, I didn't read it that way.

It seemed to me he was drawing a distinction between Wall Street and the reality-based community, and not a favorable one for Wall Street/Bushco.

[BurtWorm]

4. It's typical of the Economist to take that tone.

Not a single mention of the price of oil. Wierd!

[paulk]

6. but, the economy is improving...

if you own stock in an oil company, a defense industry, or perhaps you're the CEO of a large corporation, things are only looking up! That's the magic of stats - you can cite the good numbers and ignore that the "upturn" is affecting only a small group of people.

And that's always how it is with the Republican economy.

[NV Whino]

3. Well... where ARE the jobs?

Mexico, you say?

[JAbuchan08]

5. "Now the question is: Where are the pay rises? ..."

Lay off guy, we haven't gotten around to fudging those numbers yet.