Does anyone else feel the economy won't get better?

[MidwestMom]

I don't wan to name parties or political people in this thread, but is anyone else, like me, beginning to think NOBODY can help?

[Signorina]

I think the economy is slowly getting better but that it will be a long while until it is a stable and good economy again. I think a lot of the trouble is the growing pains with transitioning to a global economy. And because of that; I don't think any US politician or policy can be a panacea. But what do I know?

Seems to me - democrat or republican, majority or minority congress- the more things change, the more they stay the same.

[StepTo2]

Rome didn't fall in a day... I think it's looking up, but it's a small up, not like after WWII.

[tiredmommy]

I dunno, MWM. My family is part of a dying breed... the middle class. While I can see that things are definitely precarious for the economy as a whole, I've seen some subtle shifts in the last few months. Namely, tv and newspaper ads for more expensive or more durable items like cars, appliances and furniture. People are slowly starting to go on vacation and out to dinner again. I've been receiving numerous direct marketing mailings daily. Most of this came to a pretty sudden stop in 2008 when the economy tanked. I believe, too, that the real struggle has been to put the brakes on job loss and start forward momentum. I casually follow the stock market (read that as not enough to make myself nuts) and I believe the issue there has primarily been that investors were spooked. But I slowly see that turning around as investors have decided to stay in and make some money.

Now, that is the perspective of a middle class housewife that works part time, lives within her means and has health insurance. Others, I'm sure, that are working class, working poor or disabled must have an entirely different view. It's scary being a paycheck or two from losing your home, not being able to feed your family or pay for medical care. It's truly become a tale of two cities (or two economies?) where the forces of the market allow some to stay safely afloat while others are cast into poverty.

[TeDo]

They all talk about more jobs available and ways to help people find jobs and tax breaks, etc but NONE of it is reaching the small rural communities. NOTHING has changed since 2008 except MORE houses being forclosed on and MORE businesses closing up shop. Our once thriving town of 5000 is dying and it is painful to watch. Even our McDonalds isn't hiring....they don't have enough business to require more employees and the ones that ARE there aren't going anywhere until they're hauled out in a body bag. It's sad. So yes, MWM, I do agree with you.

[Dammit Janet]

Economics isnt a particularly political thing however our economy tends to cycle on 8 to 12 year cycle. Sometimes even longer. Considering we are now considered a world economy, that cycle can be even more delicate. As far as our political system goes, it really has very little to do with who is in the White House but more to do with who is in charge of Congress. Bills get caught up there for years and that is where our laws are made or taken away.

One of my favorite classes was macro-economics and it is fascinating to see how just one decision made somewhere can have changes in such a long line. Such as your paycheck isnt just a paycheck to you...it basically quadruples in size as you spend it. Now if you save it in the cookie jar you do the economy absolutely no good...lol. But if you take a $100 to Walmart and spend it, that gives Walmart the money to pay employees and buy goods which means those employees spend money and more goods are made which mean those people who are making the goods are employed and being paid which means they are spending money...and so on and so on!

I loved that stuff!

So yes...I think the economy will turn around because we are all spending money still and someone is making the products and it is never going to just flop.

[KTMom91]

A year ago, Hubby was out of work and on extended unemployment. For us, things are looking up, comparatively. As far as the country, I think things are improving slowly, and I don't think it matters who's in office.

[shellyd67]

I sure hope so MWM ! In my area a huge refinery just closed leaving hundreds without jobs.

Businesses that have been around for 20 years are shutting their doors and real estate buying and selling is just non existant.

I was just having this conversation with my brother and and I have to admit I am worried.

DH and I own a small business and we are seeing a definite decrease in sales the past few months ...

SIGH ...

[TeDo]

I have been unemployed since May and unemployment ran out in August.....no more extensions....so now, when they talk about unemployment being on the way down, they are talking about the number of people that are RECEIVING unemployment. People like me don't even count anymore....and there are a LOT of us where I live.

[Dammit Janet]

The unemployment numbers are a scam. You cannot tell a thing by those numbers. It is true that those numbers only count those who receive unemployment, not those who are underemployed, who no longer receive unemployment, who were turned down for unemployment, who never applied for unemployment, who cant work, etc.