U.S. Economic Outlook Dims

[Zorra]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. economic outlook dimmed on Tuesday after reports said business productivity grew more slowly in the third quarter than first estimated, labor costs rose and other indicators signaled softening activity.

Chain store sales fell in the crucial shopping period after Thanksgiving, planned job cuts climbed during November and a survey of consumer confidence waned in possible pointers that the economy tempered its pace in the final months of the year.

Outstanding U.S. consumer credit swelled to $2.093 trillion in October, the Federal Reserve (news - web sites) said.

The Labor Department (news - web sites) said nonfarm business productivity, or worker output per hour, grew at a 1.8 percent annual rate in the July-to-September period -- the slowest clip since the fourth quarter of 2002. It also nudged up growth in unit labor costs to a 1.8 percent pace in a potential boost to inflation.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=580&e=1&u=/nm/20041207/bs_nm/economy_usa_dc

[WI_DEM]

1. has there ever been any steady good news on the economy

since Bush has been president? I don't think so.

[Zorra]

5. Well, demand for torches and pitchforks is expected to increase this

Holiday Season.

[VegasWolf]

11. Bible sales are way up too. Gay wedding apparel is down. n/t

[Anakin Skywalker]

12. LOL! With fundies threatening jail time

and what not, sex toys sales are way down too! Just a reminder, antiquated laws against pleasure still exists in many states' books. (mostly red ones)

[bhikkhu]

17. Porn market is booming, actually, from what I have heard. n/t

[Just Me]

2. It's gonna' be a very cold winter. n/t

[trogdor]

3. The Bush hangover has begun.

I figured it wouldn't start until the new year. I don't know why.

[ooglymoogly]

6. the drunken binge has only just begun

[underpants]

4. Uh-OH Mr.Krabs isn't going to be happy with less productivity

[livinbella]

7. How do you spell crabby cakes, with a 'c' or with a 'k'?

I could sure go for some.

[underpants]

9. K-- I just reqatched the Training video episode last night

That show hopefully is teaching kids to have ZERO alliance to their employer/boss.

[MisterP]

14. we have Patrick for President!

*Bush sits there with board nailed to forehead*

[llmart]

8. But....but....but....

before the election we were all told by the whoring mainstream media how "blistering" the economy was. Hmmmmm..... I wonder if they were just saying that to confuse the general public?

Anyone with an ounce of brain and common sense can tell you that the economy has NEVER picked up in the last 4 years. It's all lies and smoke and mirrors.

[gnofg]

10. stop it

Hey the economy is booming. Didn't you know. * told us so. Everything is up. I actually spoke to one of the big retailers in the country(corp headquarters) and sales suck.

[Anakin Skywalker]

13. So Remind Me Already!

All freepers lurking, tell me once again, why "the economy is strong" - Bush 3:16?

[sandnsea]

15. Finally, we've turned the corner...

ooops, wrong direction.

[cliss]

16. All eyes are riveted on the Magician.

He smoothly sweeps his hand, and presto! a $20-dollar bill appears in his hand. The audience looks at him, astonished. They look at their neighbor, their mouths hanging open. Thunderous applause. How did he do that? Wow. He's amazing.

One woman looks at her friend and says, "Did you see that? That money came out of thin air".

Sound familiar?

[demgrrrll]

18. Someone on one of the other boards keeps posting that China is not

going to make a big move until after the 2008 Olympics. Everything I am reading is urging payment of all credit card debt. I keep wondering about that bill that they passed which seemed to benefit the credit card companies. If the interest rates go sky high many people will default. I am also reading that it is time to lock in a fixed rate.

[radfringe]

23. that's why I call him the

HOCUS-POTUS :evilgrin:

[billyoc]

24. Abra-Ka-Diebold!

:)

[texpatriot2004]

19. Hey, didn't we "turn the corner" somewhere way back there?

[psychopomp]

21. Yes, we did

Just not going anywhere:
http://www.toostupidtobepresident.com/shockwave/turningcorner.htm

[pinniped]

20. I hear tourism is up 1000% at the Grand Canyon NP since word...

got out that Noah's Flood carved it up.

[LynnTheDem]

22. and we're still stuck with George W. Hoover.

Stuck & screwed.