Do you feel the U.S. economy getting better?

Question

In California, it looks like the big businesses have not taken heavy hits from the economic woes (although I see the small businesses are suffering badly).

1. How is your area? Do you feel the economy is getting better?

2. Do you think the U.S. economy will be fine in the future? Or do you think it will continue to get worse?

Answer 1

1.How is your area? Do you feel the economy is getting better?

The local economy is not healthy, but has some bright spots. For instance, healthcare jobs are plentiful. Also, machine tool, welding, and bookkeeping jobs are available. However, the ‘trades’ (machining, welding, millwright) are not hiring like they were last year. So, the economy, which is tied to the inflation rate, real estate devaluation, and a weak job market, is softening.  

2. Do you think the U.S. economy will be fine in the future? Or do you think it will continue to get worse?

Our economy has some serious challenges. I won’t explain in specifics because you didn’t ask for explanations… But, our economy will be weak for the foreseeable future. High energy prices won’t be a major problem if the economy creates more high paying jobs and if wages keep pace with the inflation rate. However, our economy is not creating jobs and wages are not keeping pace with inflation...

What’s particularly troubling about our economy is that we have a wartime recession. In fact, we’re now entering our second wartime recession in seven years (2000-2001 and current). The first-ever wartime recession was from ’73-’75, and the economic hangover lasted through 1983. The point here is that wars usually stimulate the economy through government spending – but even the unsurpassed outlays of this administration can’t seem to stimulate our economy. Not a good sign.