Is the depression (recession) over? (suspect, school, state, rates)

[Peggy Anne]

As Gabby Hayes would say : "Not by a lonnnnggggshot, Barney!"

[zz4guy]

The economy is in a faster free fall than Michael Moore without a parachute.

[Chango]

Originally Posted by zz4guy

The economy is in a faster free fall than Michael Moore without a parachute.

Hopefully it bounces up just as fast as Michael Moore would too.

[wdavid002]

Yep...all gone...wiped out by our Supreme Commander..isn't he wonderful

[downtownnola]

I agree... this poll is useless.

You simply cannot measure a recession's end by the unemployment rate. Unemployment is a lagging indicator, and is likely to rise well into next year, even though the recession may indeed "technically" be over.

[cobolt]

Originally Posted by ViewFromThePeak

Treasury announcing millions of new foreclosures and nothing the government can do about it. No sale.

Good news is that my gold and silver is up.

What ever happened to those programs put in place to help homeowners and mainstreet? What ever happened to those programs put in place to buy up toxic assets?

[LordBalfor]

Originally Posted by InformedConsent

Consumers aren't spending. We have a consumer-driven economy. Consumers are either unwilling or unable to incur more debt to continue spending. You do the math.
The Government's Effort Has Failed - The Market Ticker

They will begin to spend - sentiment is already edging upwards again.

"Economists expected sentiment to improve because of rising stock prices and a sense that the recession may be ending."

Consumer Sentiment Improves in Early September - FOXBusiness.com (http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/finance/consumer-sentiment-improves-early-sept-umich/ - broken link)

Once the job cuts end (by spring) consumers will be a lot less worried about lossing their jobs and they will begin spending again - probably not to the same level they did before, but certainly a lot more than they are doing now. Right now they are saving (savings rates are up) so clearly there IS disposable income out there. People just need to be confident enough in the security of their own jobs to spend it - and as I said, that security will come once the job cuts have ended.

Ken

[nat_at772]

LOL I have a friend who works in retail and she said she thinks things are on the verge of turning around because she's noticed men are buying underwear again.

[LordBalfor]

Originally Posted by natalayjones

LOL I have a friend who works in retail and she said she thinks things are on the verge of turning around because she's noticed men are buying underwear again.

Actually the "underware index" is pretty well known. I don't think there is a real consensus about how valid it is.

How your undies track the recession - MSN Money

Here's an article in the Wall Street Journal about it (and other odd "indexes"):

Beyond the Underwear Index: Four Other Odd Consumer Indicators - MarketBeat - WSJ

Ken

[downtownnola]

Originally Posted by LordBalfor

Actually the "underware index" is pretty well known. I don't think there is a real consensus about how valid it is.

How your undies track the recession - MSN Money

Here's an article in the Wall Street Journal about it (and other odd "indexes"):

Beyond the Underwear Index: Four Other Odd Consumer Indicators - MarketBeat - WSJ

Ken

Haha, I was unaware of the "underwear index" but it makes sense! I just bought new underwear last weekend for the first time in about a year. The economy really must be getting better!