Theres no doubt that inflation numbers are squeezing standard of living,-- said John Ryding, an economist with RDQ Economics. And thats even more true abroad in the developed world where food becomes a much higher part of peoples consumption basket.--

As consumer budgets have gotten squeezed, so have corporate profits. Faced with higher shipping costs and pricier plastic, consumer products companies like soft drink maker Dr. Pepper Snapple Group have raised prices even as sales have fallen. The company said Wednesday that revenues rose 1 percent in the latest quarter after higher prices offset a drop in sales volume.

What have many been saying for quite a while now? That when consumers don't have income to spend on goods and services, businesses will become less profitable. The working class needs relief, not the investment classes.

I think you could argue that Americans overall are better off, because we have had a pretty good prosperous time, with low unemployment and low inflation and a lot of good things have happened. A lot of jobs have been created.

John Mcsame.

Thank goodness we aren't in the Jimmy Carter (the last touted savior of our world) status of unemployment, inflation and interest rates.

The Entire U.S. Population Is Thankful to NOT be in that situation.

..........the Bush goal is to turn America into a bigger Mexico........

....where working people know their place and appreciate working for 3 dollars a day .......

....now.....if he could only squeeze out the last of that pesky middle class..........

Higher Inflation Lowers US Standard of Living

Higher Inflation Lowers US Standard of Living

No shit, Sherlock.

When McSame said everything was wonderful, which of his 7 mansions was he saying it from?

Just wait 'til you see the price of beef this fall.

What? No spending rampantly on superfluous crap? People actually have to pass up those $5 coffees, giant TVs, $200/mo cable, nav systems, iPhones, etc?

Wahhhhh.

Just wait 'til you see the price of beef this fall.

Posted by Dave at 2008-08-14 10:20 PM | Reply | Flag: Flag: (Choose)
FunnyNewsworthyOffensiveAbusiv
e

not looking foward to it. We gotta quit making fuel out of our grains and hopps if we are to survive

We gotta quit making fuel out of our grains and hopps

Grains and hops fuel me, 12 oz at a time.

Goat you don't drink Lonestar I hope?

Goat you don't drink Lonestar I hope?

Not in a while, but if it's put in front of me, I would, I reckon.

I ain't giving up. Fucking leadership could be better. This inflation might encourage innovation, less lazy-asses. I'll still do my do 'til I'm done.

thank you Goatman. I was just curious. I've been in TX for 6 years now and have yet to try it. knowing you were in the Gulf I figured you'd had it. I'll give it a shot. thanks.

on topic -- doesn't every generation bitch about inflation? As a child I remember my grandfather cussing out a guy at an autoparts store because the oil filter for his car went up 20 cents to $1 and change. it's all relative I guess.

Bush has done a great job. Too bad Americans can't give him another 4 years.

When McSame said everything was wonderful, which of his 7 mansions was he saying it from?

Posted by COMMONSENSE

I think he was flying out to get the mail...

on the economy, it seems that Bush hasn't done too well, plus it seems you can get a sample of Bush's DNA from McCain's lips. (ass Dna that is)

Wow this is terrible news. Why doesn't somebody do something about this? What a tragic life I am leading. We have it really rough here in the United States, and its only getting worse.

Whats even worse is that there will be no good economic news ever again, and if there is, its only a fluke.

"What a tragic life I am leading. We have it really rough here in the United States, and its only getting worse."

-The Frog In The Ever-Warming Pan.

I have said this before, but... I travel around the world for my job. As I tell my children, you have to understand that just by the fact that you were born in the US you are better off then most of the rest of the world. Be thankful for that. While things are getting worse, we still have it very well.

We can only mask inflation so long then eventually it all catches up.

Doing stats anyway they want doesn't change the affect of earning less money.

"The Entire U.S. Population Is Thankful to NOT be in that situation."

Yeah, and they are especially glad that Reagan didn't listen to all that "energy crisis" nonsense.

**** Bush has done a great job. Too bad Americans can't give him another 4 years.

Posted by Apocalypto *****

......which penatentiary do you recommend ?......

I would recommend a longer term than 4 years.

Maybe 40.

PS, thanks Ben for keeping rates so low to delay the inevitable cyclical contraction in the economy in a vain attempt to sway the elections.

The working class needs relief, not the investment classes.

Sure, lets just tax our way out of this.

LOL

"Sure, lets just tax our way out of this."

Nah, wars are free.

Danni-
Republicans have proved that you don't need to balance a budget. You just spend, and rant about how taxes are always too high. And spend and spend and spend....

If you could all tuck your vaginas back into your panties please, my point was that you could tax the weathly all you want but it won't benefit the "working class". tony makes that argument all the time and he always concedes that point and then expresses his "wish" that it could work that way.

it doesn't.

I don't disagree with the points made about spending. I probably believe it is catastrophic more than you guys.

"If you could all tuck your vaginas back into your panties please, my point was that you could tax the weathly all you want but it won't benefit the "working class"."

Baloney. Tax the wealthy, pay down the deficit and restore the value of the dollar. Also higher taxation causes more investment into job creating enterprises which lowers unemployment and raises wages. Also higher taxes allow government to spend more on infrastructure repair and construction (as in alternative energy) and also lowers unemployment and raises wages. Since FDR higher taxes have been levied against the wealthy and have always benefited the working class and surprisingly the wealthy have gotten wealthier due to an expanding economy.
Lower taxes on the wealthy, as per George Bush, has been now proven to not help the working class and to create huge deficits which undercut the value of the dollar which doesn't help the working class nor the wealthy. they may have more dollars but they are worth only 60% of what they were when Bushco was appointed.

"I probably believe it is catastrophic more than you guys."

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm guessing you voted for the bastards.

Tax the wealthy, pay down the deficit and restore the value of the dollar.

Perhaps....decent point.

Also higher taxation causes more investment into job creating enterprises which lowers unemployment and raises wages. Also higher taxes allow government to spend more on infrastructure repair and construction (as in alternative energy) and also lowers unemployment and raises wages

We already had a thread recently about how corporations don't pay taxes....higher taxation won't change that....I assume you are talking about corporate taxes...right?

Lower taxes on the wealthy, as per George Bush, has been now proven to not help the working class and to create huge deficits....

This has been pointed out to the point of exhaustion....that is a spending problem.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm guessing you voted for the bastards.

Posted by BetelG

Okay, I'll play with you.....define "bastards"....be specific...I know that will challenge you.

Eberly-
Sure. Bush, and Republicans in general.

Eberly-
re: "This has been pointed out to the point of exhaustion....that is a spending problem."

Agreed, in part. What spending should have the Republicans and Bush cut?

Nah, wars are free.

Posted by danni

That is exactly how FDR and Truman felt.

Now what was the top tax rate during WWI and after?

Meant WWII.

BetelG,

I voted for Bush in 2000. didn't vote in 2004.

I voted for a dem governor (Sebelius) and dem attorney gen (can't remember his name....already resigned btw for a sex scandal)

damn me all to hell!!!!!!!!

feel better?

What spending should have the Republicans and Bush cut?

Iraq for starters....pork in general.

...and yet dumbfucks like this idiot that shot the Arkansas Democratic Chairman have been conned into believing its the "Democrats Fault". The only thing we know is he lost his job and lashed out at a Democrat. Lies work, especially on dumbfucks who have come to associate with conservatism, as it is served up by Republican spinmeisters, like Rush.

The Democrats aren't going to fix anything in a profound way, but they will reduce damage at the margins.

Both parties have been hi-jacked by FIRE (Finance-Insurance & Real Estate). Under Shrub, Corporate Bankrupties are at an all time high, but where would you hear about this problem? Instead Republican's pushed to make bankruptcy very difficult for individuals. Creditors can come after you for the rest of your life, harrassing you 16 hours a day at work and home. Little people are easy targets, there's lots of 'em and they have limited resources to operate in a ultra expensive legal system. Pushing the burden of proof onto little people is a moneymaker for a few and permanent poverty to many. Manufacturing has been kissed off, deficits grow, and Republican Think Tanks blast bullshit on the airways day and night.

The number of people who actually believe in "free markets" is astounding, especially when you consider that privitization hasn't saved anybody a penny anywhere in the world. Yet that is the claim that is repeated over and over and over again. Repetitive propaganda is very effective, especially on TV.

Iraq for starters....pork in general.

Posted by eberly at 2008-08-15 09:10 AM | Reply |

That's not crazy at all, Eberly. If you just quit talking about my vagina, others might see you as a relatively stable and reasonable ghost.

"We already had a thread recently about how corporations don't pay taxes"

Not talking about corporations, talking about individuals. Get them to invest in start-up businesses or expand existing businesses instead of just play the stock market. The low capital gains tax encourages playing stock market and doesn't low income tax rate reduces incentive to look for investment opportunities that help avoid tax.

"Iraq for starters....pork in general."

No argument here.

"The number of people who actually believe in "free markets" is astounding"

Not when you consider how much TV and radio time has been dedicated to selling the idea of it. It's amazing that more people aren't naming their kids Free Trade.

"If you just quit talking about my vagina,"

ARe you ashamed of you vagina???

"Lower taxes on the wealthy, as per George Bush, has been now proven to not help the working class and to create huge deficits....

This has been pointed out to the point of exhaustion....that is a spending problem."

The deficit is a spending problem. Trickle down is just total nonsense. Anyone can see that what wealth does is trickle UP. Poor people spend money as soon as they have it in their hands, if not sooner. Consumerism is what has been driving our economy.

"The deficit is a spending problem."

The deficit can be seen as a spending or as a taxation problem. It is just the result of the government spending more than it takes in. There are many benefits to government spending and many economies, as in Europe, succeed quite well with very high government spending. The right has propagandized against government spending for so long that many take it is a fact that what they say is true when it isn't. Without government spending and the taxes that pay for it you end up with ever increasing concentration of wealth at the top. The right's argument is that the intent then of higher taxation is "redistribution" or even "confiscation" of wealth when it is not so simple. TAx deductions are also created which provide ways to avoid paying high taxes, taking advantage of them saves that person the tax but also directs investment into industries such as alternative energy. In the end the wealthy tax payer ends up even richer and the working class end up with better jobs at higher wages while the nation ends up with the energy it needs.

NO SHIT! Is that the way it works?

Now I realy wonder why you libs thought Carter was so great.

Danni-
No, but Eberly seems to be angry with vaginas in general.

Who knows?

Who knows?

Posted by BetelG at 2008-08-15 10:09 AM | Reply

If anyone knows Vagina, it's Danni.

No, but Eberly seems to be angry with vaginas in general.

never

Eberly-
You use it as an insult. Why is that? Angry with mommy?

Angry with mommy?

that is the 2nd time this week a lib had to resort to bringing my mom into this. And to be accusing me of anger????? how hypocritical.

Perhaps I should have just used the "don't get your panties in such a wad" line to refer to the hysteria you guys get over the assumption that I will defend bush and the GOP on the way they have handled spending. I never do that.

Eberly-
What I noticed was your reflexive use of the vagina as an insult when you were challenged. You've done this many times before, so it begs the question as to your relationship with your mother and women in general.

Divorced? Never married?

What I noticed was your reflexive use of the vagina as an insult when you were challenged

wasn't aware of that.....how many times?

Divorced? Never married?

married once. 10 years next month. 3 children. Great relationship with my mom.

Eberly-
Great. I'm glad for you. So why do you insult people by calling them women?

Ever thought about that?

So why do you insult people by calling them women?

First, it is Vagina then it is women.

what are you talking about? You'll have to illustrate what you are talking about.

I see you haven't.

Say hey to the cunts for me, Eberly (mom and wife).

Here's Boyd, internet psychiatrist. As soon as I saw the first question, I knew we were in for a lightning round of irrelevant inquiries from Boyd the loser.

I forgot that boyd/badweek/cooper was betelg.

that his explains what fuckstain this loser is and why he is attacking me with no cause whatsoever.

my mom and now my wife.

If he had either I might respond in kind but I'm sure there is no fun in beating up a retard.

This must really take a chunk out of your minimum wage paychecks you trolls.

Eberly-
Not comfortable with telling your mommy and your wife to "tuck your vaginas back into your panties", so you say it here?

Not exactly original content, but obvious for what it is.

Ah, Wetandluvinit:
another self-retorting post from you.

Eberly:
If there were truly "no fun in beating up a retard," as you so...interestingly put it, we would never respond to your idiotic posts. But, we found out otherwise. We're having quite a lot of fun at your expense.

sam,

you are not having fun. liberals can't.

it is an impossibility

The deficit can be seen as a spending or as a taxation problem. It is just the result of the government spending more than it takes in. There are many benefits to government spending and many economies, as in Europe, succeed quite well with very high government spending.

Posted by danni

Who benifits from the federal government spending? The only federal government spending that can be justified is the military and the infrastructure.

Which European country is a great success with huge government spending programs?

Say hey to the cunts for me, Eberly (mom and wife).

Posted by BetelG at 2008-08-15 10:44 AM | Reply

One of your explanations for why you've changed handles so many times (and why you claimed to be leaving for good) was that some big meanie mentioned your wife.

Is that right Boyd?

Boyd?

Answer or admit you're a hypocrite.

Still waiting.

'Nite all

"Who benifits from the federal government spending? The only federal government spending that can be justified is the military and the infrastructure."

Every supplier, every employee of every supplier, the grocery store where the employees shop, the people who are effected directly by the spending....virtually all of the money the government spends flows back into and through the economy.

"Which European country is a great success with huge government spending programs?"

Germany, Brittain, France, Sweden, Denmark, Holland...virtually all of them.

Dani wants a socalistic society. Government entitlements cradel to grave.

As we all know England's health care system is top notch. I almost did that with a straight face.

This inflation must really take a chunk out of your minimum wage paychecks you trolls.

"Germany, Brittain, France, Sweden, Denmark, Holland...virtually all of them."

I have a friend getting his masters in Holland who claims the standard of living there is substantially below ours. Just how successful the most socialist systems are is largely a matter of opinion.

Every supplier, every employee of every supplier, the grocery store where the employees shop, the people who are effected directly by the spending....virtually all of the money the government spends flows back into and through the economy.

Herein lies the problem. Some never figure out that money will always flow UPWARDS regardless of where it starts. It HAS TO. The wealthy own all the means of commerce so ultimately when the poor spend whatever they get it becomes profits for the investor class.

Here is the difference between "trickle-down" and "upward flow":

With trickle down, the money of the wealthy may not be invested into ventures which actually create or facilitate the movement and ultimate sales of goods and services. Many times its invested in other areas (ie. precious metals) which don't help the working class whatsoever or very minimally. The money stagnates unless someone invests it into actually moving goods or products to consumers. When money in the form of taxes is taken from the wealthier and redistributed to the poor, the money immediately is spent on goods and services, goes to pay consumption taxes and ultimately becomes taxable income for those who supply the goods and services, while necessitating an employment stream to keep the process going.

Except for inflationary times of over-consumption, the latter cycle benefits everyone including the wealthy who may pay more at one point, but still gain even more as their investments gain value and make more profits. And taxes are paid as this money travels from hand to hand as well, keeping our infrastructure needs paid for.

I'm willing to listen to anyone finding a problem with this chain of events. But what I also want to see is the acknowlegement that money going to the poor ALWAYS ends up in the hands or profits of the ownership class, so why are those who profit from the transfer so much against it? Isn't consumption the engine of the economy, and if so why are so many loathe to give it fuel at a time its running way too lean? What about having an ordered society instead of unabated chaos doesn't appeal to such people?

"This inflation must really take a chunk out of your minimum wage paychecks you trolls."

Actually, retirees have more to fear from inflation than mainline workers. COL increases rarely reflect the true cost of living, and older folks are generally less able to hold a job. The younger worker can pick up a few extra shift hours or get a small, part-time job to more than make up for the effects.

It is easier for retirees to get part time work as their hours are more flexible.

Danni -- You are right that all of Europe has a great standard of living, but the historic dark side is that Europeans have no successor generations. Once the current crop of Europeans reach old-age, the only people left to inherit all their fine cultural and social landmarks will be immigrants with no appreciation for what it took to achieve the gains. That is the sorry half of Europe's peak civilization -- "no children = no future".

Hey ret,

Fixed income much?

"money going to the poor ALWAYS ends up in the hands or profits of the ownership class, so why are those who profit from the transfer so much against it?"

Clearly the only answer to that is that your original premise is untrue. If it were uniformly true there would be no reason for the "ownership class" to oppose socialism in any form.

"It is easier for retirees to get part time work as their hours are more flexible."

If they are still healthy enough. Many aren't.

Hey ret,

Fixed income much?

Posted by Salaryman at 2008-08-15 12:12 PM |

WHAT ??????????

Ah Joe,

What you fail to conceive is the avarice of the ultra wealthy. It really is hard for a normal person to understand. Not only do they want wealth; they crave power if they can push you down they are raised even further above you. These are people who would happily wipe their ass and flush with $10000 dollar bills but would not give you one single penny if you were starving to death.

ya, ret I thought you were a complete gasbag idiot.

salary,

How many of these people do you personally know? Or are you just so much jealous hot air?

"Higher Inflation Lowers US Standard of Living"

Dad comes home, upset again. The kids are in the living room. Two are playing with the Wii that is connected to the 60" TV that is on the wall and the other two are texting each other why they talk.

Mom is at the new computer they bought. She was playing video games before dad got home. Now she is on Ebay shopping for some jewelry.

Mom asks dad what's wrong.

"Have you seen the price of gas? It's up again. We can't afford these high prices. It's time for Congress to do something about it."

"You're right, dear. Say, let's go out for dinner tonight, like the steakhouse?"

"Sure! Let's grab the kids and go. By the way, hon, I brought home some prophylactics at the store for tonight and a sixpack."

"That's great. Let's drop the kids off at my mother's and we'll have some fun. Do you have any money for tip?"

"No, we'll just add it to the credit card. Kids, we're going out to eat."

"Yeah!!!" yell all the kids.

The family climbs into their SUV, two of the kids toting along their hand-held playstations, while the other two kids are watching their favorite DVD's in the back.

Dad is driving. Mom turns to him, "Honey, I upgraded our internet/phone/cable services like you asked me to. This is so great. No more dial-up and we have fifty more channels to watch."

The standard of living people are accustomed to isn't lowering at all. Their common sense is.

You know it's true ret. As sure as your mail order bride will leave you as soon as the money dries up.

"Clearly the only answer to that is that your original premise is untrue. If it were uniformly true there would be no reason for the "ownership class" to oppose socialism in any form."

They oppose it because the money does not necessarily flow back to the same wealthy people. When if filters through government spending it goes to many different people and some of them who are successful will be "new" wealthy people. The money will still flow upwards but the numbers of people in the higher income levels grows. That was one of the things said about the Clinton years, more millionaires were created than during any previous presidency. So, the reason I think most wealthy people oppose the taxation necessary to fund government spending and pay down deficits is because unless they invest in a business that earns money from government spending the profits will flow towards a new rich person.
Section 8 housing spends millions which all goes to landlords, most of whom own many properties. I am sure that program has "created" many millionaires from the taxes levied from people who were already millionaires but there is nothing stopping the "old money" from buying rental properties and making money. Many "trust fund babies" are millionaires but are unwilling to put forth the effort to run businesses which would increase their own wealth by profiting from government spending preferring instead to play the market through money managers.

Pet,

Do you wait till the water gets to your doorstep before doing something about a flood?

Do you wonder where all that smoke is coming from, but since you don't see any flames figure everything is A-OK?

"The standard of living people are accustomed to isn't lowering at all. Their common sense is."

Americans have less than 50% equity in their own homes for the first time since the Great Depression.

"They oppose it because the money does not necessarily flow back to the same wealthy people."

Which makes sense. I oppose it now because I think it's stupid, and I'd oppose it if I had any money too.

welfareman,

Are you like 8 years od????????

Well, I would love to stay and chat but I have a 11:00 tee-time.

Later trolls

"Which makes sense. I oppose it now because I think it's stupid, and I'd oppose it if I had any money too."

See back page thread about 40% efficient solar cells developed with federal funds. Stupid???
I don't think so.

Tony,

The average capitalist has no interest in what they will make tommorrow. They are interested in what they can make today.

This leaves them focused almost entirely on wages and benefits and energy costs. Attacking wages, through outsourcing and immigration, is one quick way to make a bundle today. Raising gasoline prices is another. Reduce insurance coverage each year based on items which cost the most the previous year. Never mind that the domestic market you're selling into will shrink.

The standard of living people are accustomed to isn't lowering at all.
Their common sense is.
Posted by Petrous

Beautiful.
You are absolutely correct.

The sad thing? It is by design.
A stupid populace is easier to control.

Even worse, it's primarily the stupid who are breeding.

There should be a test to determine IQ, income, and sanity BEFORE people are allowed to procreate, and we'd have a lot less problems.

Boyd?

"Americans have less than 50% equity in their own homes for the first time since the Great Depression.

Posted by danni"

Americans waste their money on what they want than paying towards their mortgage.

Americans borrow against their equity to buy what they want.

Barney?

Cooper?

Kazak?

Firefly?

Will?

Badweek?

"Americans borrow against their equity to buy what they want."

Borrowed. That was then, this is now.

Without equity borrowing demand for consumer goods will fall, unemployment will rise.

Without equity borrowing demand for consumer goods will fall,

SHIT! No borrowing! Americans will have to live within their means. What an economic nightmare! Oh, Rhett, what shall I do?

Consumer goods will be bought with credit cards.

People won't stop buying what they want. That will interfere with what they need to buy.

That isn't the government's fault or responsibility to fix. People who go into debt due to want deserve their hell they create.

I'm all for helping those who are in debt because of need. Many in need don't sacrifice their want.

"Americans will have to live within their means."

Er...tell Bush/Cheney that. Unfortunately you're a little late, the seem to have charged a couple of wars on the credit card. Now Mom and Dad (the American taxpayers) have to figure out how to pay it off as interest payments suck money from the treasury at 250 B+/year and rising.

Er...tell Bush/Cheney that.

Danni, why do you always deflect to an irrelevant topic? I was talking about the American consumer with my statement and you know that. What that has to do with Bush and Cheney 'charging' a war, I don't know.

If you can't counter the point at hand, let it be. You look like an idiot when you deflect to a non-relevant issue.

On average, IN THE LAST THIRTY YEARS EXPENSES HAVE INCREASED TENFOLD WHILE INCOMES HAVE RISEN 1.8FOLD. American families have adapted by working two jobs and going deeper and deeper into debt.

No politician will ever state these simple facts directly.

On average, IN THE LAST THIRTY YEARS EXPENSES HAVE INCREASED TENFOLD WHILE INCOMES HAVE RISEN 1.8FOLD

I'd like to see where you got this data, but that aside, costs increase because consumers buy more. They do it by going into debt.

When I was a kid, I never remember my dad pulling out a credit card to buy something. He wrote a check or paid cash.

It is not a politician's fault that Americans allow themselves to go deeper into debt. I know because I am in control of my financial situation. At the risk of sounding self righteous, with my income, I could easily get a 500,000 mortgage. But I don't. I choose to live in a modest middle class neighborhood in a 1500 ft^2 home. I could get a loan for a $80k car, but I choose to drive a 9 YO pickup truck. I could choose to buy crap, crap, crap, on my credit card, but I don't.

If I can live within my means (and I have for over 30 years, even when I was in some really tough financial situations) I know everyone else can too. Sorry, borrowers -- especially materialistic borrowers -- don't get my sympathy.

Goatman, actually it was you who was off topic. We had been having a fairly good discussion about taxation, government spending, the economy, etc. when you posted your snide little comment about individuals creating their own financial problems.
Me thinks you have a dislike for me and thus you like to criticize my posts more than my ideas.
Me thinks you are not the first nor the last poster like that.
Me thinks I will continue posting exactly the way I want and pretty much ignoring the personaly attacks.
Trust me, long before you posted here, before this was a moderated site I got attacked far worse than you are probably even capable of.

I got attacked far worse than you are probably even capable of.

You are right. I don't have the hate in me necessary to be capable of that kind of meanness. We are indeed in agreement on that.

The topic is "higher inflation lowers us standard living"

That isn't true today. The standard of living continues because of people continuing to buy on credit what they want, yet will complain about not being able to afford those things they need.

"On average, IN THE LAST THIRTY YEARS EXPENSES HAVE INCREASED TENFOLD WHILE INCOMES HAVE RISEN 1.8FOLD. American families have adapted by working two jobs and going deeper and deeper into debt."

I help those that truly are desperate.
But, the majority of those I have worked on their financial planning created their own mess by creating debt on wasteful spending.

It had nothing to do with gov't. The TV upgrade, the cable upgrade, the telephone upgrade, internet upgrade.

These are luxuries, not necessities of life.

If you can't afford to eat or put gas on your car but can afford cable and internet access, you go out to eat instead of buying groceries and bagging meals, if you smoke or drink alcohol (which are very expensive habits) your priorities are screwed up.

"The standard of living continues because of people continuing to buy on credit what they want,"

Most people are either maxed out or have stopped buying. There is no way that the economy will continue now as it has been going for the past few years when houses increased in value at ridiculous rates creating "equity" which has not largely disappeared. Therefore buying will have to slow down and the economy will then feel the effect. Remember teh stimulus checks??? Those were designed to keep things going until the election and are doing what they were designed to do. Without rising wages though we will go into recession if we aren't already there.

We had been having a fairly good discussion about taxation, government spending, the economy, etc. when you posted your snide little comment about individuals creating their own financial problems.

It is the elephant in the room you won't acknowlege. It is going on in household after household everywhere.

Most people are either maxed out or have stopped buying.

bullshit!!! If that were remotely true then I would have seen a Bestbuy close or a Circuit City close. People are still spending Danni. Of course, it has slowed down.

but you insist that "most people" have maxed out or stopped buying.

bullshit.

"If that were remotely true then I would have seen a Bestbuy close or a Circuit City close."

Oh gee Eberly, then they sent those rebate checks for nothing. Who knew??? Everything is great.

Er...I think they were referred to as "economic STIMULUS checks."

Danni,

You don't want to agree with me because you suffer from "buffalobob syndrome". You deflected so bad it isn't even funny.

but you insist that "most people" have maxed out or stopped buying.

bullshit.

Where have you been Eb? Haven't you seen the malls empty? The stadiums silent? The grocery stores and restauraunts only catering to the rich? The soccer fields and baseball diamonds gathering dust? People can't afford to buy clothes and are going around wearing a barrel? The freeways without cars? Golf courses a ghosttown? Sportsfishing and camgrounds shut down? Everyone is just sitting at home because things are just so awful. They are even resorting to eating dog and cat food. Where have you been Eb?

Garsh! We'll all be in fed housing projects before we know what's going on. Illegitimacy, poverty, no job skills, illiteracy, and crime...not to mention gold teeth and crack corners, and all the white ho's we can bust.

Make jokes but you all know that what I am saying is true....or maybe not....that is your problem.
Yeah, prices rise, wages stay the same, people buy more. Yeah, good logic there.

"You don't want to agree with me because you suffer from "buffalobob syndrome."

Or altenative answer....

BECAUSE YOU ARE WRONG!

duh!

I have admitted being wrong on here quite a few times, if you can prove me wrong then do it but just making silly comments doesn't prove anything.

Prices rise, wages stay the same, people buy more.

Prices rise which is normal, wages stay the same because you haven't applied for a new job, and people buy more junk instead of what they need.

These people who can't afford to eat - have they sold the junk they bought on credit yet?

There are people hard on their luck. Those that have, due to need, and only need, need help.

Those that have, due to want, and becuase of want, need to sell off their junk and pay off their debts.

Unfortunately, I've done people's financial budgets. They ate out way too much and there's nothing to sell to pay off their debt. At least those with purchases can sell.

Yeah, prices rise, wages stay the same, people buy more.

that wasn't what you said you friggin idiot.

you said this..

Most people are either maxed out or have stopped buying.

Most = more than half.

impossible other wise there would be much worse consequences RIGHT NOW.

this is how this shit goes everytime with you danni. you make a ridiculous statement then you backtrack and try to deflect from it.

"You don't want to agree with me because you suffer from "buffalobob syndrome"."

When your argument sucks, just deflect with some dumb "buffalobob" insult.

When your argument sucks, just deflect with some dumb "buffalobob" insult.

Of course this is coming from the king of McBush.

"impossible other wise there would be much worse consequences RIGHT NOW."

I already told you....STIMULUS CHECKS.

Why do you think they were sent out???

Because consumer spending was so high???

Ever get one before???

Now they are already talking about another one.

CRISPEE why do you think the STIMULUS CHECKS were sent out???

Well well inflation heh? Personal income and wealth have been declining..the real danger is DEFLATION.

For all those who profess to know why is the long bond DOWN in rate at like 4.75% if inflation is the problem? The bond market is saying the exact OPPOSITE.

BTW Ray is taking it up the you know where, as metals oils grains basic materials dive and the dollar soars.

PPS Danni how would that secretary be doing now if she had followed YOUR ADVICE and purchased gold instead of a cd???? She'd be negative that's FOR SURE

"You don't want to agree with me because you suffer from "buffalobob syndrome".

So true, nuggan doesn't talk from a position of logic...or even a stream of consciousness...just a waste of cyber space

CRISPEE why do you think the STIMULUS CHECKS were sent out???

I don't get one so I am not the best example. Single, no dependants, making X amount of dollars...

Not sure how a few hundred dollars some months ago has any bearing today. Nor do I personally see anything different in my every day life. What you seem to ignore is the fact people have been spending more than they can afford. Others have bought everything they need and of course they will spend less. But overall inflation does not have any bearing when people decide to buy something.It comes down to do I need it? Can I afford it? The malls are crowded. Stadiums are still being sold out. 100 million dollar weekends at the box office.

Keep in mind I am in the mortgage business and any good economic news or high inflation numbers usually mean higher rates. That and job numbers.

Why do you think they were sent out???

Because consumer spending was so high???

Posted by danni

Its buying votes. Do you realy live that far in the back woods?

It comes down to do I need it? Can I afford it? The malls are crowded. Stadiums are still being sold out. 100 million dollar weekends at the box office.

Inflation is bringing out what need really means and is showing unaffordable.

Stadiums are still being sold out???? Just went to a mariner game and I could have sat anywhere I wanted, even behind home plate. Barely anyone there.

Box office??? You talkin movies? What is a kid to do?

By the way you are talkin, there is no such thing as inflation, life is grand, and this talk of stardard of living is bull shit.

Well, selfish single people usually see things as you do but most people with kids and family have other responsibilities other than their single self. YOU have nothing to lose! Go figure.

"Its buying votes. Do you realy live that far in the back woods?"

Yeah?? For who??

Which party is benefiting??

"But overall inflation does not have any bearing when people decide to buy something."

Huh??? The price has no bearing on what people decide to buy??
That's news, big news!

Well, selfish single people usually see things as you do but most people with kids and family have other responsibilities other than their single self. YOU have nothing to lose! Go figure.

Posted by moneywar at 2008-08-15 05:01 PM

Sorry you made poor life choices and appear disgruntled. Not surprised you air them though.

As for your ignorant line about families and kids... Just because I don't qualify for the stimulous doesn't mean I don't have a mortgage to pay, a nephew with two lazy parents, my mothers housing expenses, along with many other obligations which are not mine. You are right I could easily just walk away and say fuck everybody and lose nothing. Go figure huh?

If I can live within my means (and I have for over 30 years, even when I was in some really tough financial situations) I know everyone else can too. Sorry, borrowers -- especially materialistic borrowers -- don't get my sympathy.

What about a family who has always "lived within their means" but might be forced to borrow to pay for a medical or family emergency over which they had no control?

Say the father's employer had recently dropped health insurance coverage and the cost to insure his entire family with a private insurance policy was too cost prohibative so now only the father (the breadwinner) was covered under private health insurance but not the rest of his family. And say one of his (now uninsured) children had a medical emergency and he had to put the cost on his credit card.

If you were him, you mean to say you would not go into hock to make sure one of your children received necessary medical care? (And don't hand out the standard crap Republican cure all of saying the father should have resorted to begging for money from charities and churches.)

You act like there is absolutely no possible circumstance where a financially responsible family might be forced to borrow money for non-materialistic reasons. Not everyone runs up their credit cards for fancy electronic toys and widgets, you know.

But overall inflation does not have any bearing when people decide to buy something."

Huh??? The price has no bearing on what people decide to buy??
That's news, big news!

Pretty novel concept you can't seem to grasp. Read it again. When people decide to buy something... Otherwise they wouldn't decide to buy. Right? Maybe you are different. Maybe you need a new cell phone and you will check the inflation numbers before deciding to buy. I don't know.