Where can I go to read about some REAL facts concerning our economy?

[Lex_Luthor]

I'm tired of the slanted stuff that's presented. Just looking for some good resources to educate myself for this election.

[Great-Kazoo]

How about starting with any 401, ira, or other retirement plan you might have. Gas pump, food, or other commodity prices.

[Irving]

Jim, looking at prices isn't going to interpret what is, or is not going on. Lex, NPR does a pretty good job trying to deliver factual information about topics. For example, just today I heard a piece talking about the debates last night when guns were brought up. NPR is the ONLY form of media to correctly state that automatic guns are NOT illegal in the US.

[Rucker61]

I'm tired of the slanted stuff that's presented. Just looking for some good resources to educate myself for this election.

Difficult request. Even if you can take the partisanship out of it, you've got two major schools of economics who disagree with each other with regards to process, metrics, goals, etc. Although some here will disagree, I'd look at the .gov metrics, the Wall Street Journal, the Economist and the Christian Science Monitor.

[Bailey Guns]

Yeah...WSJ.

[Teufelhund]

Bureau of Labor Statistics has actual numbers for economic factors.

http://www.bls.gov/home.htm

[cstone]

The best author I've ever read, who can explain economics in a clear, non-jargon filled way is Thomas Sowell.

[Great-Kazoo]

Jim, looking at prices isn't going to interpret what is, or is not going on. Lex, NPR does a pretty good job trying to deliver factual information about topics. For example, just today I heard a piece talking about the debates last night when guns were brought up. NPR is the ONLY form of media to correctly state that automatic guns are NOT illegal in the US.


My bad, i meant to look at your statement, see what it has not done.

[Irving]

I want to clarify that I only suggest NPR as casual listening, in place of talk radio.

[KestrelBike]

I want to clarify that I only suggest NPR as casual listening, in place of talk radio.

I think NPR is great for life/cultural stories (ie woman who got ripped off buying gold in Thailand, goes back 10 years later or something and gets revenge) but when it comes to politics, they are IMO pretty left-slanted.

[Irving]

KestrelBike, I totally agree. I think they do a decent job when they have two people from either side discussing and issue, or one person just laying out facts and not making much commentary. Also, I listen to local CPR. I know that you can listen online and get stuff from different places that is more liberal.

[gos]

I want to clarify that I only suggest NPR as casual listening, in place of talk radio.

Car Talk, Prairie Home Companion and This American Life are all excellent shows.

[Irving]

This American Life can have some stunning stuff.

[Colorado Luckydog]

Just looking for some good resources to educate myself for this election.

Just use your own brain. You don't need anyone to tell you that gas is way up, grocieries are way up, public service is up and now they want to raise your taxes. The economy sucks and is getting worse. We are borrowing money from China to pay out entitlements. Go to any employment office (unemployment line) and try to get a job that pays enough to live.

If you can't figure this out on your own, just go ahead and vote from you heart because your brain don't have a chance.

[ChunkyMonkey]

Bureau of Labor Statistics has actual numbers for economic factors.

http://www.bls.gov/home.htm

Yeah.. until one state didn't report its monthly unemployment rate.

[ChunkyMonkey]

Call me selfish, I vote w/ my wallet.. or w/ my wallet in mind.

[stevelkinevil]

Ask Ron Paul, or our founding fathers, they will tell you all you need to know. The start of the "federal Reserve" (cleverly named private bank) was the beginning of the end for this nations economy.

[Rucker61]

Just use your own brain. You don't need anyone to tell you that gas is way up, grocieries are way up, public service is up and now they want to raise your taxes. The economy sucks and is getting worse. We are borrowing money from China to pay out entitlements. Go to any employment office (unemployment line) and try to get a job that pays enough to live.

If you can't figure this out on your own, just go ahead and vote from you heart because your brain don't have a chance.

Then again, you have to look at factors like the DJIA is up to 13,557 from its low of 6,626 in early 2009, the GDP has grown from $13 trillion to $15 trillion in the last four years (up from $10 trillion since 2001) and housing starts are at a four year high.

It's a complicated subject.

[Colorado Luckydog]

It's a complicated subject.

It's not that complicated. Your great great great grandchildren will still be paying for President Obamalamadingdongs stimulus package. Like I said, if you can't figure this one out on your own, you have a lot more to worry about than who will be the next president.

[Rooskibar03]

The problem is much like politicians the media will never give you a straight answer to a question. You find one graph or chart that shows things are up only to find it only applies the one county on an odd month in the 3rd quarter of 09. 

I don't personally believe you can get the answers in any one place. I spend time (waaaay to much time) on both sides sites. Left, right, constantly cross referencing things back and forth. 

That said I do the grocery shopping in our house and I found this list pretty telling. I don't need any graph, chart or pundit telling me what I can see in my own household budget. 

Price of goods since 2009. 

Gasoline (gal) 158% INCREASE
Beer (16oz).   25% INCREASE
Eggs (doz)          73% INCREASE
Coffee (lb)          90% INCREASE
Peanut Butter  40% INCREASE
Milk (Gal)           26% INCREASE
Bread (loaf)   39% INCREASE
Pasta (lb)           44% INCREASE
OJ (16oz)            46% INCREASE
Apples (lb)            43% INCREASE
Wine (lt)             60% INCREASE
Electric Bill             42% INCREASE
Beef (16oz)      41% INCREASE
Butter (lb)              143% INCREASE
Tomatoes                 22% INCREASE
Turkey (whole)       5 6% INCREASE
Bacon (lb)               39% INCREASE
Ground Beef       61% INCREASE
Cookies (lb)        39% INCREASE

[Rucker61]

It's not that complicated. Your great great great grandchildren will still be paying for President Obamalamadingdongs stimulus package. Like I said, if you can't figure this one out on your own, you have a lot more to worry about than who will be the next president.

Knowing there's a problem is one thing. Having a solution is another. What's yours?

[Colorado Luckydog]

The problem is much like politicians the media will never give you a straight answer to a question. You find one graph or chart that shows things are up only to find it only applies the one county on an odd month in the 3rd quarter of 09.

I don't personally believe you can get the answers in any one place. I spend time (waaaay to much time) on both sides sites. Left, right, constantly cross referencing things back and forth.

That said I do the grocery shopping in our house and I found this list pretty telling. I don't need any graph, chart or pundit telling me what I can see in my own household budget.

Price of goods since 2009.

Gasoline (gal) 158% INCREASE
Beer (16oz). 25% INCREASE
Eggs (doz) 73% INCREASE
Coffee (lb) 90% INCREASE
Peanut Butter 40% INCREASE
Milk (Gal) 26% INCREASE
Bread (loaf) 39% INCREASE
Pasta (lb) 44% INCREASE
OJ (16oz) 46% INCREASE
Apples (lb) 43% INCREASE
Wine (lt) 60% INCREASE
Electric Bill 42% INCREASE
Beef (16oz) 41% INCREASE
Butter (lb) 143% INCREASE
Tomatoes 22% INCREASE
Turkey (whole) 5 6% INCREASE
Bacon (lb) 39% INCREASE
Ground Beef 61% INCREASE
Cookies (lb) 39% INCREASE

Great post! I take it you don't want to give him four more years! LMAO!

[Colorado Luckydog]

What's funny is, when Romney wins and turns things around very quickly....the Dems will say it was Obama, it just took time for his policies to work! That one always cracks me up!

[Rucker61]

What's funny is, when Romney wins and turns things around very quickly....the Dems will say it was Obama, it just took time for his policies to work! That one always cracks me up!

For those of us taking notes at home, can you define "turns things around" and "very quickly"?

[ChunkyMonkey]

For those of us taking notes at home, can you define "turns things around" and "very quickly"?

From free falling to stay afloat like fluffy cloud.

[tmleadr03]

The best author I've ever read, who can explain economics in a clear, non-jargon filled way is Thomas Sowell.

Seriously, start here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0465022529/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1350536597&sr=8-1&pi=SL75

One of the easiest economic writers to read. Road to Serfdom is good, but not an easy read. And for the life of me I can not read Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations.

Now for a quick and humorous lesson on the two warring philosophies Google hayek vs Friedman and watch the YouTube video. Awesome.

Snort. Posting this from my phone and noticed that auto correct capitalized Friedman but not hayek.

[tmleadr03]

From free falling to stay afloat like fluffy cloud.

I hear his poop smells like roses too!

[Rucker61]

The problem is much like politicians the media will never give you a straight answer to a question. You find one graph or chart that shows things are up only to find it only applies the one county on an odd month in the 3rd quarter of 09.

I don't personally believe you can get the answers in any one place. I spend time (waaaay to much time) on both sides sites. Left, right, constantly cross referencing things back and forth.

That said I do the grocery shopping in our house and I found this list pretty telling. I don't need any graph, chart or pundit telling me what I can see in my own household budget.

Price of goods since 2009.

Gasoline (gal) 158% INCREASE
Beer (16oz). 25% INCREASE
Eggs (doz) 73% INCREASE
Coffee (lb) 90% INCREASE
Peanut Butter 40% INCREASE
Milk (Gal) 26% INCREASE
Bread (loaf) 39% INCREASE
Pasta (lb) 44% INCREASE
OJ (16oz) 46% INCREASE
Apples (lb) 43% INCREASE
Wine (lt) 60% INCREASE
Electric Bill 42% INCREASE
Beef (16oz) 41% INCREASE
Butter (lb) 143% INCREASE
Tomatoes 22% INCREASE
Turkey (whole) 5 6% INCREASE
Bacon (lb) 39% INCREASE
Ground Beef 61% INCREASE
Cookies (lb) 39% INCREASE

An economicst would find this interesting, as the CPI has only risen about 8.4% from the beginning of 2009 until the latest figures (September 2012). Some areas to investigate the difference between your figures and the CPI would include the possibility that your products aren't included in the basket of goods that are measured for the CPI, although the basket does include cereal, milk, chicken and wine, among other items. He or she would also look at the types of food purchased - are you buying a higher quality of goods than previously, thus spending more money regardless of inflation. It could be that you aren't part of the demographic that is surveyed for the CPI, although the base demographic does represent about 87% of the people living in the US.

[Rucker61]

From free falling to stay afloat like fluffy cloud.

Any numbers associated with those descriptions? It's easier to measure that way. I didn't see a schedule, either.

[Colorado Luckydog]

For those of us taking notes at home, can you define "turns things around" and "very quickly"?

If you are still taking notes at this point, then you should just vote from your heart. Your brain won't ever get it.

[Rucker61]

If you are still taking notes at this point, then you should just vote from your heart. Your brain won't ever get it.

Sorry, I have a degree in accounting. I don't have a heart. How about those numbers?

[MrPrena]

So far , we cover cpi, ppi, core cpi, djia, housing stats , and commodities price.
,On top of that, I would like to add real wages, unemployment number including people who gave up. Underemployed is another huge factor as well.

[Colorado Luckydog]

Sorry, I have a degree in accounting. I don't have a heart. How about those numbers?

I'll try to type this very slow so you can get it. How much more are you paying for gas? How much more are you spending at the grocery store? Are you getting more for your dollar or less? How much more is the deficit? Obama has spent more money than all the other Presidents combined and it has done nothing but put us into debt that will take a miracle to get out of. If you don't understand that, then shove your degree where the sun don't shine. You can lead a horse to water but you can't fix stupid. Or something like that.

Obama is not the real threat to our nation. He is just one stupid a-hole. The real threat to our nation is that there just maybe enough people like yourself that would be stupid enough to vote him in again.

[Lex_Luthor]

Not that I need that information to get me to vote one way or another. I know who I'm voting for. I'm trying to come up with some sources to help educate some family, that aren't left-slanted resources. Particularly regarding unemployment rates.

[Irving]

I'd like to read about the Koch brothers from a website that isn't overtly liberal.

[MrPrena]

Yup. That is another way for government to tax us.
Increase money supply, numerous quantitative easing.







I'll try to type this very slow so you can get it. How much more are you paying for gas? How much more are you spending at the grocery store? Are you getting more for your dollar or less? How much more is the deficit? Obama has spent more money than all the other Presidents combined and it has done nothing but put us into debt that will take a miracle to get out of. If you don't understand that, then shove your degree where the sun don't shine. You can lead a horse to water but you can't fix stupid. Or something like that.

Obama is not the real threat to our nation. He is just one stupid a-hole. The real threat to our nation is that there just maybe enough people like yourself that would be stupid enough to vote him in again.

[oinco]

I disagree partly with those that suggest looking at .gov reports. There is a lot of "shift" that is put into those to paint the "correct picture" for those on the hotseat, to really get the pic- you would ideally need to consult those in the know for each industry report as to where/how/when those figures were collected and the associated potential errors and slant involved. i.e. think unemployment reports...it is so fondled you would think it was nickel night in Vegas.

I enjoy reading the footnoted and so far reasonably objective (barring the occasional rant) http://market-ticker.org.

This should pretty much sum it up:

http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?get_gallery=3577

http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?get_gallery=3576

The second report will become most blatantly telling when you think about the top two "layers" and how they inter-relate....and why are they even inter-relating in the first place?? And, to what extent is it legal that they interplay? Not a small answer.

[Rucker61]

I'll try to type this very slow so you can get it. How much more are you paying for gas? How much more are you spending at the grocery store? Are you getting more for your dollar or less? How much more is the deficit? Obama has spent more money than all the other Presidents combined and it has done nothing but put us into debt that will take a miracle to get out of.


I agree that the debt situation is dire. I don't see a plan from either candidate to fix it.




If you don't understand that, then shove your degree where the sun don't shine.


Is that where you keep yours?



You can lead a horse to water but you can't fix stupid. Or something like that.

I'll just put you down as "don't understand the question". I'll try again. You said that Gov. Romney, as President, would surprise the Democrats with how quickly he could implement a turnaround. I just asked how you would quantify "how quickly" and "turnaround" so that objectively, we will all know when we get there. Here are some ideas for you: have we turned around when the budget is balanced? When the debt sees its first reduction? When employment hits the level of [pick a year/pick a percentage]? When the GDP hits $20 trillion? When the reduction hits $1 trillion? In time, will this take one year? Four years? You made the claim, I presumed you had some definitions in mind. Is it just "wait and see"?

[Rucker61]

Not that I need that information to get me to vote one way or another. I know who I'm voting for. I'm trying to come up with some sources to help educate some family, that aren't left-slanted resources. Particularly regarding unemployment rates.

Good luck finding much at all on the economy that isn't tinged with partisanship at this time.

[spqrzilla]

We will have turned around as an economy when U6 unemployment starts going down significantly. Not the regular number that is reported, that might stay up as those people who gave up looking for work (included in U6) return to looking for work.

We will have turned around the economy when we start signficiantly adding more jobs than just the number required to meet population growth/immigration

[Rucker61]

We will have turned around as an economy when U6 unemployment starts going down significantly. Not the regular number that is reported, that might stay up as those people who gave up looking for work (included in U6) return to looking for work.

We will have turned around the economy when we start signficiantly adding more jobs than just the number required to meet population growth/immigration

Not a bad start. I presume that the jobs growth figures would be both a leading and trailing indicator of improvements in other economic factors, like [trailing] rebound in housing starts and increase in manufacturing output and [leading] increased tax revenues to balance the budget/attach the debt?

[MrPrena]

If you want to use a housing as leading and lagging indicators, you can probably use:

Leading: Look at Supplementary and Substitutes.
look at CAT , DuPont, LOW, HD, etc
Forecast from CEO of DHI, LEN, KBH, PMD, TOL, etc.

Lagging: foreclosure, bank #'s , new home permit, existing home sales. etc. etc,


Funny, CNBC is just talking about the housing.

[roberth]

I just go to the grocery store and the gas station. $80 buys alot less than it used to.

[Great-Kazoo]

I just go to the grocery store and the gas station. $80 buys alot less than it used to.

I already said that. Unfortunately to some those are not "facts" , or real numbers.

Until America has factories either reopening, or being built, to mass produce goods here, vs. import, we cannot regain the economic lead we once had.

[Scanker19]

Has anyone ever considered that prices have gone up because of the Minimum wage increase.

Seriously someone explain to me with crayons how the president effects the price of groceries, directly.


As far as the debt we have been rebuilding FT carson since 2006, we the GOV thought BRAC would be a good idea to house a division where there was not one before. How many of these contracts have bleed over. Times this by many other posts that we had no business rebuilding, Knox, Benning, etc.

[Rucker61]

I already said that. Unfortunately to some those are not "facts" , or real numbers.



I think we all understand that. $80 didn't buy as much in 1980 as it did in 1960, either. Understanding the rate of price increase, and the factors of those increases, is the next step, hench my reference to the CPI. One person's experience is anecdotal. More than that becomes data, and enough data analyzed scientifically becomes information, which is actually useful.




Until America has factories either reopening, or being built, to mass produce goods here, vs. import, we cannot regain the economic lead we once had.

Question on part of your statement. What goods do you think we can domestically mass produce economically enough to displace the import of cheap foreign goods?

[TFOGGER]

The Congressional budget office has a wealth of information about revenue and spending, none of it particularly cheery.


An 8+% increase in consumer prices in a receding economy it a horrible sign, as inflation will skyrocket when the economic growth resumes...

[Rucker61]

Has anyone ever considered that prices have gone up because of the Minimum wage increase.



A quick Google yielded this site, which seems to be fairly non-partisan.

http://economicsintelligence.com/2011/01/31/the-whole-truth-about-minimum-wages/

Here's another with some statistics:

http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/08/minimum-wage-unemployment-markets-economy-states.html

[Great-Kazoo]

I think we all understand that. $80 didn't buy as much in 1980 as it did in 1960, either. Understanding the rate of price increase, and the factors of those increases, is the next step, hench my reference to the CPI. One person's experience is anecdotal. More than that becomes data, and enough data analyzed scientifically becomes information, which is actually useful.



Question on part of your statement. What goods do you think we can domestically mass produce economically enough to displace the import of cheap foreign goods?


Shoes, socks, clothing/textiles in general. Shitcan the unions or not have them involved (Toyota?) and hopefully we could once again have competitive pricing.

[Rucker61]

Shoes, socks, clothing/textiles in general. Shitcan the unions or not have them involved (Toyota?) and hopefully we could once again have competitive pricing.

Assuming success in de-unionizing the workforce (not a small effort), do you intend that these new and reopened factories pay the prevailing minimum wage?

[Ronin13]

I agree that the debt situation is dire. I don't see a plan from either candidate to fix it.

Not to nitpick here, but really? I don't see a "fix," per se, but I do see two differing plans (if you will) to try to help- and I say try to help very loosely. One plan is to ask the top 5% to "pay a little more" in taxes, but no clear plan to reform any programs or help cut government spending (except in defense), claim to be making the market better for jobs, yet not relaxing regulations in some areas where it is needed that hurt job growth, and continued support of those who are unwilling to rise above assistance and staying on the government doll. The other plan is to cut taxes across the board, while still keeping the top paying the same percentage of the taxes (60%), relaxing regulations to help promote job growth, and cut some spending and reform some programs. I'll let you decide which is which- but like "Dirty Harry" Eastwood said "Let's let a businessman try."

You want a good gauge on the economy, do what Rooskibar did, look internally at your own household. I know I've seen an increase in most of the things I purchase over the last 4 years that is way out of control... Gas going up the way it has is not on par for "normal."
Here's is a graph to show Denver vs USA Average for the last 8 yrs:
http://66.70.86.64/ChartServer/ch.gaschart?Country=Canada&Crude=f&Period=96&Areas=Denver,,USA%20Average&Unit=US%20$/G

[Great-Kazoo]

Assuming success in de-unionizing the workforce (not a small effort), do you intend that these new and reopened factories pay the prevailing minimum wage?


Have to for success. An idea i would sign on to is become shareholders. We produce and profit, everyone does. This gives incentive for success and with todays social media (for those who use it) Think of the buzz when people say what they did has made them profitable.
Profit sharing worked with 2 small business i was involved in. Give an employee pride for their craft and hope they continue to grow.


Remember that commercial many years ago.
LOOK FOR THE UNION LABEL.
Translate that slogan in to some small business motto.
Pride in ownership, pride in your craftsmanship, Pride in general that is what builds, or use to build, American companies

[Rucker61]

The other plan is to cut taxes across the board, while still keeping the top paying the same percentage of the taxes (60%), relaxing regulations to help promote job growth, and cut some spending and reform some programs. I'll let you decide which is which- but like "Dirty Harry" Eastwood said "Let's let a businessman try."



Gov. Romney's plan depends on tax cuts stimulating the economny sufficiently to make up for the tax revenue shortfall. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to work. It hasn't in the past (see effects of 1986 Tax Act on 1987, or 1990-1991 recession and it isn't working in Ireland. Non-partisan economists continue to point this out, but the Romney campaign continues to use studies by partisan think tanks.

For example:

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/16/romneys-tax-plan-and-economic-growth/

the author is a former advisor to Presidents Reagan and GHW Bush.



You want a good gauge on the economy, do what Rooskibar did, look internally at your own household.



Again, that's anecdotal, not data, and certainly not information. Since 2009, I've purchased two cars and a bunch of new hobby gear. We, as a country, narrowly avoided economic collapse after the financial crisis, so I expect things to be wacky. I don't blame either administration for that; it was a big frigging problem that is going to take time to get under control.




.I know I've seen an increase in most of the things I purchase over the last 4 years that is way out of control...


Can you define "way out of control"?




Gas going up the way it has is not on par for "normal."



Google "speculators".




Here's is a graph to show Denver vs USA Average for the last 8 yrs:
http://66.70.86.64/ChartServer/ch.gaschart?Country=Canada&Crude=f&Period=96&Areas=Denver,,USA%20Average&Unit=US%20$/G

One of the basic tenets of economics is supply and demand, in that if supply exceeds demand, prices go down, and vice versa. However, the US is a net exporter of gasoline, meaning that the oil companies, who own the product, would prefer to sell gasoline refined in this country overseas, decreasing the available supply to US consumers. Should the government prevent that? Also, look at the rise in gas prices from 2005 to 2008, during some of the best economic times we had. How do you account for that?

[Rucker61]

Have to for success. An idea i would sign on to is become shareholders. We produce and profit, everyone does. This gives incentive for success and with todays social media (for those who use it) Think of the buzz when people say what they did has made them profitable.
Profit sharing worked with 2 small business i was involved in. Give an employee pride for their craft and hope they continue to grow.


Remember that commercial many years ago.
LOOK FOR THE UNION LABEL.
Translate that slogan in to some small business motto.
Pride in ownership, pride in your craftsmanship, Pride in general that is what builds, or use to build, American companies

Interesting and commendable plan. I'm not sure how successful you can be, in that unless you're producing cheaply enough to equal or beat Chinese and Indian import prices, you're not going to be competitive. Second, you (and I mean this revitalized industry as a whole) will need to have large enough workforce available to produce to the level required.

And unfortunately, nothing prevents the foreign imports from cutting their costs to become more competitive, especially if they have government support. I don't think we'll ever bring low-cost, labor intensive industries back to the US. That's not our forte anymore. High-tech, innovative industries with a technical advantage or high-barrier to entry are the areas we need to grow. That's going to take an educated workforce.

[BUC303]

I agree that the debt situation is dire. I don't see a plan from either candidate to fix it.

So who are you voting for?

[Teufelhund]

So who are you voting for?

Roseanne can fix it! Just look at how rich she is! She must know how to create jobs and stuff.

[Rucker61]

So who are you voting for?

Roseanne Barr.

[Rucker61]

Roseanne can fix it! Just look at how rich she is! She must know how to create jobs and stuff.

I posted before I saw this.

[BUC303]

Roseanne Barr.


And what plan has she come up with?

[Great-Kazoo]

Unfortunately our Pride in craftsmanship combined with a less than educated work force puts a damper on things.
HOWEVER I can utilize 2 resources that also absorb part of wages until X time into their employment.
1) Disabled vets are offered job services and educational benefits until age 60.

2) OTJ. State and county work force centers offer the On the Job training program to qualified people. The cover up to 50% of thei rwages for X amount of time on the job.

3) Welfare office does or use to do incentive programs to get people back in to the work force too.

There are Fed, state and cty programs as well as grants to get people back to work or retrained. Again unfortunately the people who want to do things like this are in my age bracket 55+ . Kids (18-30) don't want to or not interested in jobs where skills are what make the person, as a generalization.


Interesting and commendable plan. I'm not sure how successful you can be, in that unless you're producing cheaply enough to equal or beat Chinese and Indian import prices, you're not going to be competitive. Second, you (and I mean this revitalized industry as a whole) will need to have large enough workforce available to produce to the level required.

And unfortunately, nothing prevents the foreign imports from cutting their costs to become more competitive, especially if they have government support. I don't think we'll ever bring low-cost, labor intensive industries back to the US. That's not our forte anymore. High-tech, innovative industries with a technical advantage or high-barrier to entry are the areas we need to grow. That's going to take an educated workforce.

[roberth]

I already said that. Unfortunately to some those are not "facts" , or real numbers.

Until America has factories either reopening, or being built, to mass produce goods here, vs. import, we cannot regain the economic lead we once had.

Yup. You and I live in this place called reality and you're right on the second point too. I see that you've gone more in depth after you posted this.

[roberth]

Has anyone ever considered that prices have gone up because of the Minimum wage increase.

Yes, because it is all tied to government interference. Government shouldn't dictate wages, private enterprise does a fine job all on it's own.

[Sixgun]

I can't believe nobody said www.ar-15.co/. It's where I get all my current economy facts. Hehe[Tooth]

[loudbay]

zerohedge is a good resource. A little hard to read if economics isn't your first/second/third language, but if you take a step back and use the daily headlines as a dowsing rod, you'll surely gain some insight to the global economic scene. I think it's a very good site.

Cheers,
m.