Economy's fine...it's just that gas is $2.60 and potatoes are $4.99

[linazelle]

for 10 lbs.

Oh yeah, and unemployment is really about 11% and the housing bubble is about to bust and interest rates are going up and....

And?

[fasttense]

1. Heating oil is $1.98 a gallon here in TN

What use to cost me $500 to $600 now costs me $945. Of course energy and food are not calculated in the inflation/cost of living numbers the government posts.

Wages are DOWN .60%. So we all get to pay out more in energy costs and food but we get a decrease in our wages and any pension tied to the cost of living wont be rising to actually meet those costs. But the economy is fine, great, oil companies certainly are making a killing.

[linazelle]

2. I'm so happy the economy is roaring

Roaring like an approaching tornado that is.

I'm just glad I didn't buy the new car I wanted. I got the old one detailed and made sure all repairs are done. I plan to be cautious for the time being--guess my consumer confidence fits right in with the recent polling reports.

[cthrumatrix]

3. but but but Shrubbie wore a polo shirt yesterday and said his tax cuts

were behind our economic progress

[magellan]

4. Who ever thought potatoes would become a rich man's food?

When ordinary people start having to choose between gas OR food, then we'll see some action on the streets. It's coming.

[formercia]

9. The French Revolution was catalysed by the cost of bread

and only the rich could afford it. I see it coming here. Joe sixpack may not understand the finer points of diplomacy but the cost of a case of beer rings clearly in his mind.

ca-ching$$$

[Le Taz Hot]

15. I hope not!

The French Revolution turned WAY ugly. Let's make it an American Revolution instead -- we did it right.

[SoCalDem]

11. and tomatoes are $3 a pound ...where they are grown

not flown in or trucked in on refrigerated trucks.....

There is no more "seasonal" fruit & veggies.. They are high price ANY time of year.

[ordinaryaveragegirl]

5. Milk is $3 a gallon here...

And I'm paying almost as much for gas now here in KS (of all places!) than I did in Chicago during the high prices two or three years ago. For the record, it spiked close to $2.50 here - after that stupid pork...I mean, "energy" bill got signed. Tell me there wasn't something in that for his oil buddies. Stroke the cronies, screw the people, KWIM??? ::rolling eyes profusely::

[whistle]

6. Picky, picky, picky....you do have cake don't you?

:sarcasm:

[B Calm]

7. As long as we are telling lies, wages are staying up with inflation..

[halsaxby]

8. Now wait a minute, there really is economic growth in the US.

So long as your net worth is 10 million or greater, anyway.

[durablend]

10. Have you been listening to Katie Whoric?

"Things are just PEACHY! I don't understand why Georgie's poll numbers on the economy are so bad!"

Well gee lady, maybe the rest of us don't have 7-figure paychecks to stare at all day. :eyes:

[Vinca]

12. Blah, blah, blah yesterday about job growth.

They don't mention the jobs are Walmart greeters and burger flippers. The quality of jobs is never discussed. There used to be high paid factory jobs when America made things. Then the "uneducated" could make a good living and take care of their families. And a note about heating oil. I'm worried - very worried - that some people will freeze to death this winter. Heating oil has always been affordable . . . until now. Unlike filling up the Hummer, running the furnace when it's 10 degrees out isn't an option.

[linazelle]

13. Where's Bluebear with the spinning avatar when you need him/her?

Listening to Couric and Today Show now. Bush just said "I think you are more worried about energy PRICES and health care PRICES." They closed by saying the economy is working so well, they are raising interest rates for a tenth time...

Can they spell INFLATION!!!!

What's sad is, people watching this actually believe these half truths at face value, they don't understand economics.

[newportdadde]

14. There is no inflation according to gov 'calculations'

The government reports and Fox News tells me so. Saw Kudlow and Krugman on MSNBC last night. Kudlow going on about how there is no inflation and the Fed should stop raising rates. I hate to tell him this but for us normal people we see inflation everywhere and its getting worse, like you mentioned look at freakin potatoes or other food products. But I guess if you have the 'help' buying groceries for you then you never notice.

I think we are looking at stagflation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stagflation

On another note why doesn't anyone talk about what jobs PAY. We have lost all of our good paying blue collar jobs and our white collar jobs are getting wacked left and right. In the past you could get a decent union job, put in your 30 and retire. Now its cut cut cut.. open up savings accounts for healthcare and then get your measily 401k match.