• =?UTF-8?Q?Voters_See_a_Bad_Economy=2c_Even_if_They=e2=80=99re_Doing?= =

    From Technobarbarian@21:1/5 to All on Sat Jul 16 11:33:18 2022
    "Voters See a Bad Economy, Even if They’re Doing OK"

    "Voters See a Bad Economy, Even if They’re Doing OK
    A New York Times/Siena poll shows remarkable pessimism despite the labor market’s resilience. That could be costly for the Democrats, and the
    economy.

    By Ben Casselman and Lydia DePillis
    July 15, 2022

    The fastest inflation in four decades has Americans feeling dour about
    the economy, even as their own finances have, so far, held up relatively
    well.

    Just 10 percent of registered voters say the U.S. economy is “good” or “excellent,” according to a New York Times/Siena College poll — a remarkable degree of pessimism at a time when wages are rising and the unemployment rate is near a 50-year low. But the rapidly rising cost of
    food, gas and other essentials is wiping out pay increases and eroding
    living standards.

    Americans’ grim outlook is bad news for President Biden and
    congressional Democrats heading into this fall’s midterm elections,
    given that 78 percent of voters say inflation will be “extremely
    important” when they head to the polls."

    "It could be bad news for the economy as well. One long-running index of consumer sentiment hit a record low in June, and other surveys likewise
    show Americans becoming increasingly nervous about both their own
    finances and the broader economy.

    Economists have long studied the role of consumer sentiment, which can
    be driven by media narratives and indicators unrepresentative of the
    broader economy, like certain grocery prices or shortages of particular
    goods. At least in theory, economic pessimism can become
    self-fulfilling, as consumers pull back their spending, leading to
    layoffs and, ultimately, to a recession."
    [snip]

    https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/15/business/economy/inflation-economy-polling.html

    IOW if the retrumplicans sing and dance hard enough they might get
    their wish--a recession, of sorts. In our life time two things have
    driven the economy far more than any other force: increasing population
    and improving technology. On top of that it looks like we're coming out
    of the pandemic ahead of the rest of the world. If we actually make it
    there I'm expecting one damn fine recession. As a nation we're like
    Barbie. Shit damn, we have all the toys.

    This also helps explain why no one here is actually suffering or
    even knows anyone who is really suffering. When you stop and look at
    what's happening all around you we're doing pretty damn good.

    I went out to pick up groceries this morning. Ahead of me I had a
    big brand new pontoon boat being hauled toward the coast by a big shiny
    pickup. The guy next to me had another big truck and a trailer full of
    nice ATVs. When I made it to the store the big parking lot next door was
    full of kids getting ready for a parade. You know what? None of those
    people looked like they were suffering. Judging by its parking lot
    Walmart is doing just fine too.

    Again, for emphasis:

    "Economists have long studied the role of consumer sentiment, which can
    be driven by media narratives and indicators unrepresentative of the
    broader economy, like certain grocery prices or shortages of particular
    goods. At least in theory, economic pessimism can become
    self-fulfilling, as consumers pull back their spending, leading to
    layoffs and, ultimately, to a recession.""

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adw772km7PQ

    TB

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From bfh@21:1/5 to Technobarbarian on Sat Jul 16 15:53:19 2022
    Technobarbarian wrote:

    "Voters See a Bad Economy, Even if They’re Doing OK"

    "Voters See a Bad Economy, Even if They’re Doing OK
    A New York Times/Siena poll shows remarkable pessimism despite the
    labor market’s resilience. That could be costly for the Democrats, and the economy.

    By Ben Casselman and Lydia DePillis
    July 15, 2022

    The fastest inflation in four decades has Americans feeling dour about
    the economy, even as their own finances have, so far, held up
    relatively well.

    Just 10 percent of registered voters say the U.S. economy is “good” or “excellent,” according to a New York Times/Siena
    College poll — a remarkable degree of pessimism at a time when wages are rising and the unemployment rate is near a 50-year low. But the
    rapidly rising cost of food, gas and other essentials is wiping out
    pay increases and eroding living standards.

    Americans’ grim outlook is bad news for President Biden and congressional Democrats heading into this fall’s midterm elections, given that 78 percent of voters say inflation will be “extremely important” when they head to the polls."

    "It could be bad news for the economy as well. One long-running index
    of consumer sentiment hit a record low in June, and other surveys
    likewise show Americans becoming increasingly nervous about both their
    own finances and the broader economy.

    Economists have long studied the role of consumer sentiment, which can
    be driven by media narratives and indicators unrepresentative of the
    broader economy, like certain grocery prices or shortages of
    particular goods. At least in theory, economic pessimism can become self-fulfilling, as consumers pull back their spending, leading to
    layoffs and, ultimately, to a recession."
    [snip]

    https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/15/business/economy/inflation-economy-polling.html


         IOW if the retrumplicans sing and dance hard enough they might
    get their wish--a recession, of sorts. In our life time two things
    have driven the economy far more than any other force: increasing
    population and improving technology. On top of that it looks like
    we're coming out of the pandemic ahead of the rest of the world. If we actually make it there I'm expecting one damn fine recession. As a
    nation we're like Barbie. Shit damn, we have all the toys.

        This also helps explain why no one here is actually suffering or even knows anyone who is really suffering. When you stop and look at
    what's happening all around you we're doing pretty damn good.

        I went out to pick up groceries this morning. Ahead of me I had a big brand new pontoon boat being hauled toward the coast by a big
    shiny pickup. The guy next to me had another big truck and a trailer
    full of nice ATVs. When I made it to the store the big parking lot
    next door was full of kids getting ready for a parade. You know what?
    None of those people looked like they were suffering. Judging by its
    parking lot Walmart is doing just fine too.

        Again, for emphasis:

    "Economists have long studied the role of consumer sentiment, which
    can be driven by media narratives and indicators unrepresentative of
    the broader economy, like certain grocery prices or shortages of
    particular goods. At least in theory, economic pessimism can become self-fulfilling, as consumers pull back their spending, leading to
    layoffs and, ultimately, to a recession.""

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adw772km7PQ

    ----------------------------------------------------------
    Lucky Lopez is a car dealer who has been in the business for about 20
    years. In recent meetings with bankers, where he bids on repossessed
    vehicles before they go to auction, he has noticed some common
    characteristics of the defaulted loans. Most of the loans on recently repossessed cars originated during 2020 and 2021, whereas origination
    dates are normally scattered because people fall on hard times at
    different times; loan-to-value ratios, or the amount financed relative
    to the value of the vehicle, are around 140%, versus a more normal
    80%; and many of the loans were extended to buyers who had temporary
    pops in income during the pandemic. Those monthly incomes
    fell—sometimes by half—as pandemic stimulus programs stopped, and now
    they look even worse on an inflation-adjusted basis and as the prices
    of basics in particular are climbing.
    ...
    Part of the problem is that some consumers’ incomes were temporarily
    high as the pandemic brought about debt forbearance, pandemic stimulus
    checks, enhanced unemployment benefits, and, in some cases, forgiven
    loans from the Paycheck Protection Program. Lopez says he recently
    bought a Bentley, McLaren and two Aston Martins—all purchased by
    buyers using PPP money as down payments, and all repossessed after few
    or no monthly payments.Another recent acquisition: a Silverado
    repossessed from a borrower with a solid 700 credit score who made two payments.

    Banks’ auto lending standards, meanwhile, went out the window, and
    then lenders jumped on the bandwagon of overpaying for cars, Lopez
    says. “Everybody thought the free gravy train would never end,” Lopez says.
    ...
    --------------------------------------------------------------- https://www.barrons.com/articles/recession-cars-bank-repos-51657316562

    Those trucks, boats, and ATVs you see may be about to be repossessed
    as the free money runs out from "debt forbearance, pandemic stimulus
    checks, enhanced unemployment benefits, and, in some cases, forgiven
    loans from the Paycheck Protection Program".

    The increased cost of food, gas, and other things is undeniable. I
    also allege that it's undeniable that a significant number of people
    were living paycheck to paycheck before inflation put them behind the
    curve and forced them into a new level of frugality.

    Walmart may be doing well because their stuff is generally cheaper,
    and I know a few people who don't eat ribeye as often as they used to.

    While I agree that self-fulfilling prophecies are real things,
    inflation and its consequences are not just perceptions - they are
    real, too.

    --
    bill
    Theory don't mean squat if it don't work.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Jerry@21:1/5 to bfh on Sat Jul 16 16:07:41 2022
    On Sat, 16 Jul 2022 15:53:19 -0400, bfh <redydog@rye.net> wrote:

    Walmart may be doing well because their stuff is generally cheaper,
    and I know a few people who don't eat ribeye as often as they used to.

    While I agree that self-fulfilling prophecies are real things,
    inflation and its consequences are not just perceptions - they are
    real, too.

    The bottom line seems to be - While the economy may not be that bad it
    is in nowhere as good a shape as it was a few years ago - and it is
    going in the wrong direction month by month.

    Moreover, the traditional Democrat voters who depend on government
    assistance are feeling the pinch - no matter the BS they are hearing.
    Their EBT card empties a lot sooner now than it did two years ago and no
    amount of "The economy is doing good" changes that fact.

    Abortion and personal pronouns rights seem to be the rallying cry of the
    Left, and that is a good thing because we conservatives know that
    Clinton's 1992 presidential campaigns watchword: Its the economy,
    stupid! is still true today. Luckily for the Conservatives the
    Liberals have forgotten that sage piece of advise and have moved on to
    personal pronouns and abortions. That BS effects only a small
    percentage of the population, but the economy effects everyone.

    MAGA!!!
    --

    Jerry O.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From George.Anthony@21:1/5 to Technobarbarian on Sat Jul 16 23:52:47 2022
    Technobarbarian <technobarbarian-ztopzpam@gmail.com> wrote:

    "Voters See a Bad Economy, Even if They’re Doing OK"

    "Voters See a Bad Economy, Even if They’re Doing OK
    A New York Times/Siena poll shows remarkable pessimism despite the labor market’s resilience. That could be costly for the Democrats, and the economy.

    By Ben Casselman and Lydia DePillis
    July 15, 2022

    The fastest inflation in four decades has Americans feeling dour about
    the economy, even as their own finances have, so far, held up relatively well.

    Just 10 percent of registered voters say the U.S. economy is “good” or “excellent,” according to a New York Times/Siena College poll — a remarkable degree of pessimism at a time when wages are rising and the unemployment rate is near a 50-year low. But the rapidly rising cost of
    food, gas and other essentials is wiping out pay increases and eroding
    living standards.

    Americans’ grim outlook is bad news for President Biden and
    congressional Democrats heading into this fall’s midterm elections,
    given that 78 percent of voters say inflation will be “extremely important” when they head to the polls."

    "It could be bad news for the economy as well. One long-running index of consumer sentiment hit a record low in June, and other surveys likewise
    show Americans becoming increasingly nervous about both their own
    finances and the broader economy.

    Economists have long studied the role of consumer sentiment, which can
    be driven by media narratives and indicators unrepresentative of the
    broader economy, like certain grocery prices or shortages of particular goods. At least in theory, economic pessimism can become
    self-fulfilling, as consumers pull back their spending, leading to
    layoffs and, ultimately, to a recession."
    [snip]

    https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/15/business/economy/inflation-economy-polling.html

    IOW if the retrumplicans sing and dance hard enough they might get
    their wish--a recession, of sorts. In our life time two things have
    driven the economy far more than any other force: increasing population
    and improving technology. On top of that it looks like we're coming out
    of the pandemic ahead of the rest of the world. If we actually make it
    there I'm expecting one damn fine recession. As a nation we're like
    Barbie. Shit damn, we have all the toys.

    This also helps explain why no one here is actually suffering or
    even knows anyone who is really suffering. When you stop and look at
    what's happening all around you we're doing pretty damn good.

    I went out to pick up groceries this morning. Ahead of me I had a
    big brand new pontoon boat being hauled toward the coast by a big shiny pickup. The guy next to me had another big truck and a trailer full of
    nice ATVs. When I made it to the store the big parking lot next door was
    full of kids getting ready for a parade. You know what? None of those
    people looked like they were suffering. Judging by its parking lot
    Walmart is doing just fine too.

    Again, for emphasis:

    "Economists have long studied the role of consumer sentiment, which can
    be driven by media narratives and indicators unrepresentative of the
    broader economy, like certain grocery prices or shortages of particular goods. At least in theory, economic pessimism can become
    self-fulfilling, as consumers pull back their spending, leading to
    layoffs and, ultimately, to a recession.""

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adw772km7PQ

    TB



    Anything that is bad for Biden is good for the country.

    --
    “Let me show you how I turned $45/year savings on my electric bill into
    $8.7 million” - Mr Dodge, AKA CC&P

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From George.Anthony@21:1/5 to bfh on Sat Jul 16 23:55:18 2022
    bfh <redydog@rye.net> wrote:
    Technobarbarian wrote:

    "Voters See a Bad Economy, Even if They’re Doing OK"

    "Voters See a Bad Economy, Even if They’re Doing OK
    A New York Times/Siena poll shows remarkable pessimism despite the
    labor market’s resilience. That could be costly for the Democrats,
    and the economy.

    By Ben Casselman and Lydia DePillis
    July 15, 2022

    The fastest inflation in four decades has Americans feeling dour about
    the economy, even as their own finances have, so far, held up
    relatively well.

    Just 10 percent of registered voters say the U.S. economy is
    “good” or “excellent,” according to a New York Times/Siena
    College poll — a remarkable degree of pessimism at a time when wages >> are rising and the unemployment rate is near a 50-year low. But the
    rapidly rising cost of food, gas and other essentials is wiping out
    pay increases and eroding living standards.

    Americans’ grim outlook is bad news for President Biden and
    congressional Democrats heading into this fall’s midterm elections, >> given that 78 percent of voters say inflation will be “extremely
    important” when they head to the polls."

    "It could be bad news for the economy as well. One long-running index
    of consumer sentiment hit a record low in June, and other surveys
    likewise show Americans becoming increasingly nervous about both their
    own finances and the broader economy.

    Economists have long studied the role of consumer sentiment, which can
    be driven by media narratives and indicators unrepresentative of the
    broader economy, like certain grocery prices or shortages of
    particular goods. At least in theory, economic pessimism can become
    self-fulfilling, as consumers pull back their spending, leading to
    layoffs and, ultimately, to a recession."
    [snip]

    https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/15/business/economy/inflation-economy-polling.html


         IOW if the retrumplicans sing and dance hard enough they might
    get their wish--a recession, of sorts. In our life time two things
    have driven the economy far more than any other force: increasing
    population and improving technology. On top of that it looks like
    we're coming out of the pandemic ahead of the rest of the world. If we
    actually make it there I'm expecting one damn fine recession. As a
    nation we're like Barbie. Shit damn, we have all the toys.

        This also helps explain why no one here is actually suffering or
    even knows anyone who is really suffering. When you stop and look at
    what's happening all around you we're doing pretty damn good.

        I went out to pick up groceries this morning. Ahead of me I had a
    big brand new pontoon boat being hauled toward the coast by a big
    shiny pickup. The guy next to me had another big truck and a trailer
    full of nice ATVs. When I made it to the store the big parking lot
    next door was full of kids getting ready for a parade. You know what?
    None of those people looked like they were suffering. Judging by its
    parking lot Walmart is doing just fine too.

        Again, for emphasis:

    "Economists have long studied the role of consumer sentiment, which
    can be driven by media narratives and indicators unrepresentative of
    the broader economy, like certain grocery prices or shortages of
    particular goods. At least in theory, economic pessimism can become
    self-fulfilling, as consumers pull back their spending, leading to
    layoffs and, ultimately, to a recession.""

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adw772km7PQ

    ----------------------------------------------------------
    Lucky Lopez is a car dealer who has been in the business for about 20
    years. In recent meetings with bankers, where he bids on repossessed
    vehicles before they go to auction, he has noticed some common characteristics of the defaulted loans. Most of the loans on recently repossessed cars originated during 2020 and 2021, whereas origination
    dates are normally scattered because people fall on hard times at
    different times; loan-to-value ratios, or the amount financed relative
    to the value of the vehicle, are around 140%, versus a more normal
    80%; and many of the loans were extended to buyers who had temporary
    pops in income during the pandemic. Those monthly incomes
    fell—sometimes by half—as pandemic stimulus programs stopped, and now they look even worse on an inflation-adjusted basis and as the prices
    of basics in particular are climbing.
    ...
    Part of the problem is that some consumers’ incomes were temporarily
    high as the pandemic brought about debt forbearance, pandemic stimulus checks, enhanced unemployment benefits, and, in some cases, forgiven
    loans from the Paycheck Protection Program. Lopez says he recently
    bought a Bentley, McLaren and two Aston Martins—all purchased by
    buyers using PPP money as down payments, and all repossessed after few
    or no monthly payments.Another recent acquisition: a Silverado
    repossessed from a borrower with a solid 700 credit score who made two payments.

    Banks’ auto lending standards, meanwhile, went out the window, and
    then lenders jumped on the bandwagon of overpaying for cars, Lopez
    says. “Everybody thought the free gravy train would never end,” Lopez says.
    ...
    --------------------------------------------------------------- https://www.barrons.com/articles/recession-cars-bank-repos-51657316562

    Those trucks, boats, and ATVs you see may be about to be repossessed
    as the free money runs out from "debt forbearance, pandemic stimulus
    checks, enhanced unemployment benefits, and, in some cases, forgiven
    loans from the Paycheck Protection Program".

    The increased cost of food, gas, and other things is undeniable. I
    also allege that it's undeniable that a significant number of people
    were living paycheck to paycheck before inflation put them behind the
    curve and forced them into a new level of frugality.

    Walmart may be doing well because their stuff is generally cheaper,
    and I know a few people who don't eat ribeye as often as they used to.

    While I agree that self-fulfilling prophecies are real things,
    inflation and its consequences are not just perceptions - they are
    real, too.


    If only they could save $8.7 mil on their electric bills.

    --
    “Let me show you how I turned $45/year savings on my electric bill into
    $8.7 million” - Mr Dodge, AKA CC&P

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From George.Anthony@21:1/5 to Jerry on Sun Jul 17 00:02:23 2022
    <Jerry Osage@osage.com> wrote:
    On Sat, 16 Jul 2022 15:53:19 -0400, bfh <redydog@rye.net> wrote:

    Walmart may be doing well because their stuff is generally cheaper,
    and I know a few people who don't eat ribeye as often as they used to.

    While I agree that self-fulfilling prophecies are real things,
    inflation and its consequences are not just perceptions - they are
    real, too.

    The bottom line seems to be - While the economy may not be that bad it
    is in nowhere as good a shape as it was a few years ago - and it is
    going in the wrong direction month by month.

    Moreover, the traditional Democrat voters who depend on government
    assistance are feeling the pinch - no matter the BS they are hearing.
    Their EBT card empties a lot sooner now than it did two years ago and no amount of "The economy is doing good" changes that fact.

    Abortion and personal pronouns rights seem to be the rallying cry of the Left, and that is a good thing because we conservatives know that
    Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign’s watchword: “It’s the economy, stupid!” is still true today. Luckily for the Conservatives the
    Liberals have forgotten that sage piece of advise and have moved on to personal pronouns and abortions. That BS effects only a small
    percentage of the population, but the economy effects everyone.

    MAGA!!!

    The pronoun people and the abortionists will be voting for democrats regardless. Conversely, the “who cares about your stupid pronouns” group and the pro life people will be voting for republicans. The problem for
    Biden, though, as you say, is the dumb pronouns and abortionist groups are relatively small in number when it comes to those who don’t care or are too fooled by Biden’s lies about the economy.



    --
    “Let me show you how I turned $45/year savings on my electric bill into
    $8.7 million” - Mr Dodge, AKA CC&P

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From kmiller@21:1/5 to bfh on Sat Jul 16 18:39:43 2022
    On 7/16/2022 12:53 PM, bfh wrote:
    Technobarbarian wrote:

    "Voters See a Bad Economy, Even if They’re Doing OK"

    "Voters See a Bad Economy, Even if They’re Doing OK
    A New York Times/Siena poll shows remarkable pessimism despite the
    labor market’s resilience. That could be costly for the Democrats,
    and the economy.

    By Ben Casselman and Lydia DePillis
    July 15, 2022

    The fastest inflation in four decades has Americans feeling dour about
    the economy, even as their own finances have, so far, held up
    relatively well.

    Just 10 percent of registered voters say the U.S. economy is
    “good” or “excellent,” according to a New York Times/Siena
    College poll — a remarkable degree of pessimism at a time when wages >> are rising and the unemployment rate is near a 50-year low. But the
    rapidly rising cost of food, gas and other essentials is wiping out
    pay increases and eroding living standards.

    Americans’ grim outlook is bad news for President Biden and
    congressional Democrats heading into this fall’s midterm elections, >> given that 78 percent of voters say inflation will be “extremely
    important” when they head to the polls."

    "It could be bad news for the economy as well. One long-running index
    of consumer sentiment hit a record low in June, and other surveys
    likewise show Americans becoming increasingly nervous about both their
    own finances and the broader economy.

    Economists have long studied the role of consumer sentiment, which can
    be driven by media narratives and indicators unrepresentative of the
    broader economy, like certain grocery prices or shortages of
    particular goods. At least in theory, economic pessimism can become
    self-fulfilling, as consumers pull back their spending, leading to
    layoffs and, ultimately, to a recession."
    [snip]

    https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/15/business/economy/inflation-economy-polling.html


          IOW if the retrumplicans sing and dance hard enough they might
    get their wish--a recession, of sorts. In our life time two things
    have driven the economy far more than any other force: increasing
    population and improving technology. On top of that it looks like
    we're coming out of the pandemic ahead of the rest of the world. If we
    actually make it there I'm expecting one damn fine recession. As a
    nation we're like Barbie. Shit damn, we have all the toys.

         This also helps explain why no one here is actually suffering or
    even knows anyone who is really suffering. When you stop and look at
    what's happening all around you we're doing pretty damn good.

         I went out to pick up groceries this morning. Ahead of me I had a >> big brand new pontoon boat being hauled toward the coast by a big
    shiny pickup. The guy next to me had another big truck and a trailer
    full of nice ATVs. When I made it to the store the big parking lot
    next door was full of kids getting ready for a parade. You know what?
    None of those people looked like they were suffering. Judging by its
    parking lot Walmart is doing just fine too.

         Again, for emphasis:

    "Economists have long studied the role of consumer sentiment, which
    can be driven by media narratives and indicators unrepresentative of
    the broader economy, like certain grocery prices or shortages of
    particular goods. At least in theory, economic pessimism can become
    self-fulfilling, as consumers pull back their spending, leading to
    layoffs and, ultimately, to a recession.""

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adw772km7PQ

    ----------------------------------------------------------
    Lucky Lopez is a car dealer who has been in the business for about 20
    years. In recent meetings with bankers, where he bids on repossessed
    vehicles before they go to auction, he has noticed some common characteristics of the defaulted loans. Most of the loans on recently repossessed cars originated during 2020 and 2021, whereas origination
    dates are normally scattered because people fall on hard times at
    different times; loan-to-value ratios, or the amount financed relative
    to the value of the vehicle, are around 140%, versus a more normal 80%;
    and many of the loans were extended to buyers who had temporary pops in income during the pandemic. Those monthly incomes fell—sometimes by half—as pandemic stimulus programs stopped, and now they look even worse
    on an inflation-adjusted basis and as the prices of basics in particular
    are climbing.
    ...
    Part of the problem is that some consumers’ incomes were temporarily
    high as the pandemic brought about debt forbearance, pandemic stimulus checks, enhanced unemployment benefits, and, in some cases, forgiven
    loans from the Paycheck Protection Program. Lopez says he recently
    bought a Bentley, McLaren and two Aston Martins—all purchased by buyers using PPP money as down payments, and all repossessed after few or no
    monthly payments.Another recent acquisition: a Silverado repossessed
    from a borrower with a solid 700 credit score who made two payments.

    Banks’ auto lending standards, meanwhile, went out the window, and then lenders jumped on the bandwagon of overpaying for cars, Lopez says. “Everybody thought the free gravy train would never end,” Lopez says.
    ...
    --------------------------------------------------------------- https://www.barrons.com/articles/recession-cars-bank-repos-51657316562

    Those trucks, boats, and ATVs you see may be about to be repossessed as
    the free money runs out from "debt forbearance, pandemic stimulus
    checks, enhanced unemployment benefits, and, in some cases, forgiven
    loans from the Paycheck Protection Program".

    The increased cost of food, gas, and other things is undeniable. I also allege that it's undeniable that a significant number of people were
    living paycheck to paycheck before inflation put them behind the curve
    and forced them into a new level of frugality.

    Walmart may be doing well because their stuff is generally cheaper, and
    I know a few people who don't eat ribeye as often as they used to.

    While I agree that self-fulfilling prophecies are real things, inflation
    and its consequences are not just perceptions - they are real, too.


    The idea of a strong dollar might seem like a farce to Americans after
    annual inflation hit 9.1 percent in June and the price of gas and food
    rose far faster. But the dollar has still become more valuable abroad
    even as it yields less in goods and services at home.

    Demand for the U.S. dollar in other countries has skyrocketed amid
    concerns about a global recession caused by high inflation, the war in
    Ukraine and lingering COVID-19 supply shocks.

    While the U.S. is not immune from those threats, the economy has held up
    far stronger than other nations, making its currency more valuable
    abroad. The dollar is also used as the world’s reserve currency, meaning foreign individuals and companies will often boost their holdings and
    conduct transactions in dollars to protect themselves from financial
    shocks.

    The strength of the U.S. economy has allowed the Federal Reserve to
    boost interest rates at a much faster pace. That makes the U.S. dollar
    more expensive to acquire — and more valuable in other countries.

    “A stronger dollar benefits American households directly if they want to travel to Europe, as the relative cost of everything is cheaper. It also
    makes imports cheaper for American households and businesses,” explained Angel Talavera, head of European economics at Oxford Economics.

    Half of American travelers say high prices kept them from traveling in
    June, up 8 percentage points from the previous month, according to a
    recent survey from Destination Analysts.

    But favorable exchange rates blunt the impact of inflation, which has
    risen at similar rates to the U.S. in Europe. Expedia data found that
    searches for summer trips to popular European destinations such as
    Paris, Frankfurt, Brussels, Amsterdam and Dublin rose by double digits
    last week. Copenhagen, Athens and Madrid saw similar increases in
    lodging interest, according to Hotels.com.

    https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/3561799-us-dollars-power-is-a-boon-to-americans-traveling-abroad/

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From bfh@21:1/5 to kmiller on Sat Jul 16 21:57:43 2022
    kmiller wrote:
    On 7/16/2022 12:53 PM, bfh wrote:
    Technobarbarian wrote:

    "Voters See a Bad Economy, Even if They’re Doing OK"

    "Voters See a Bad Economy, Even if They’re Doing OK
    A New York Times/Siena poll shows remarkable pessimism despite the
    labor market’s resilience. That could be costly for the >>> Democrats, and the economy.

    By Ben Casselman and Lydia DePillis
    July 15, 2022

    The fastest inflation in four decades has Americans feeling dour
    about the economy, even as their own finances have, so far, held up
    relatively well.

    Just 10 percent of registered voters say the U.S. economy is
    “good” or “excellent,” according to a New
    York Times/Siena College poll — a remarkable degree of >>> pessimism at a time when wages are rising and the unemployment rate
    is near a 50-year low. But the rapidly rising cost of food, gas and
    other essentials is wiping out pay increases and eroding living
    standards.

    Americans’ grim outlook is bad news for President Biden and
    congressional Democrats heading into this fall’s midterm >>> elections, given that 78 percent of voters say inflation will be
    “extremely important” when they head to the polls."

    "It could be bad news for the economy as well. One long-running
    index of consumer sentiment hit a record low in June, and other
    surveys likewise show Americans becoming increasingly nervous about
    both their own finances and the broader economy.

    Economists have long studied the role of consumer sentiment, which
    can be driven by media narratives and indicators unrepresentative
    of the broader economy, like certain grocery prices or shortages of
    particular goods. At least in theory, economic pessimism can become
    self-fulfilling, as consumers pull back their spending, leading to
    layoffs and, ultimately, to a recession."
    [snip]

    https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/15/business/economy/inflation-economy-polling.html


          IOW if the retrumplicans sing and dance hard enough they
    might get their wish--a recession, of sorts. In our life time two
    things have driven the economy far more than any other force:
    increasing population and improving technology. On top of that it
    looks like we're coming out of the pandemic ahead of the rest of
    the world. If we actually make it there I'm expecting one damn fine
    recession. As a nation we're like Barbie. Shit damn, we have all
    the toys.

         This also helps explain why no one here is actually
    suffering or even knows anyone who is really suffering. When you
    stop and look at what's happening all around you we're doing pretty
    damn good.

         I went out to pick up groceries this morning. Ahead of me >>> I had a big brand new pontoon boat being hauled toward the coast by
    a big shiny pickup. The guy next to me had another big truck and a
    trailer full of nice ATVs. When I made it to the store the big
    parking lot next door was full of kids getting ready for a parade.
    You know what? None of those people looked like they were
    suffering. Judging by its parking lot Walmart is doing just fine too.

         Again, for emphasis:

    "Economists have long studied the role of consumer sentiment, which
    can be driven by media narratives and indicators unrepresentative
    of the broader economy, like certain grocery prices or shortages of
    particular goods. At least in theory, economic pessimism can become
    self-fulfilling, as consumers pull back their spending, leading to
    layoffs and, ultimately, to a recession.""

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adw772km7PQ

    ----------------------------------------------------------
    Lucky Lopez is a car dealer who has been in the business for about
    20 years. In recent meetings with bankers, where he bids on
    repossessed vehicles before they go to auction, he has noticed some
    common characteristics of the defaulted loans. Most of the loans on
    recently repossessed cars originated during 2020 and 2021, whereas
    origination dates are normally scattered because people fall on hard
    times at different times; loan-to-value ratios, or the amount
    financed relative to the value of the vehicle, are around 140%,
    versus a more normal 80%; and many of the loans were extended to
    buyers who had temporary pops in income during the pandemic. Those
    monthly incomes fell—sometimes by half—as pandemic stimulus >> programs stopped, and now they look even worse on an
    inflation-adjusted basis and as the prices of basics in particular
    are climbing.
    ...
    Part of the problem is that some consumers’ incomes were
    temporarily high as the pandemic brought about debt forbearance,
    pandemic stimulus checks, enhanced unemployment benefits, and, in
    some cases, forgiven loans from the Paycheck Protection Program.
    Lopez says he recently bought a Bentley, McLaren and two Aston
    Martins—all purchased by buyers using PPP money as down payments,
    and all repossessed after few or no monthly payments.Another recent
    acquisition: a Silverado repossessed from a borrower with a solid
    700 credit score who made two payments.

    Banks’ auto lending standards, meanwhile, went out the window, and >> then lenders jumped on the bandwagon of overpaying for cars, Lopez
    says. “Everybody thought the free gravy train would never end,” >> Lopez says.
    ...
    ---------------------------------------------------------------
    https://www.barrons.com/articles/recession-cars-bank-repos-51657316562

    Those trucks, boats, and ATVs you see may be about to be repossessed
    as the free money runs out from "debt forbearance, pandemic stimulus
    checks, enhanced unemployment benefits, and, in some cases, forgiven
    loans from the Paycheck Protection Program".

    The increased cost of food, gas, and other things is undeniable. I
    also allege that it's undeniable that a significant number of people
    were living paycheck to paycheck before inflation put them behind
    the curve and forced them into a new level of frugality.

    Walmart may be doing well because their stuff is generally cheaper,
    and I know a few people who don't eat ribeye as often as they used to.

    While I agree that self-fulfilling prophecies are real things,
    inflation and its consequences are not just perceptions - they are
    real, too.


    The idea of a strong dollar might seem like a farce to Americans after
    annual inflation hit 9.1 percent in June and the price of gas and food
    rose far faster. But the dollar has still become more valuable abroad
    even as it yields less in goods and services at home.

    Demand for the U.S. dollar in other countries has skyrocketed amid
    concerns about a global recession caused by high inflation, the war in Ukraine and lingering COVID-19 supply shocks.

    While the U.S. is not immune from those threats, the economy has held
    up far stronger than other nations, making its currency more valuable abroad. The dollar is also used as the world’s reserve currency, meaning foreign individuals and companies will often boost their
    holdings and conduct transactions in dollars to protect themselves
    from financial shocks.

    The strength of the U.S. economy has allowed the Federal Reserve to
    boost interest rates at a much faster pace. That makes the U.S. dollar
    more expensive to acquire — and more valuable in other countries.

    “A stronger dollar benefits American households directly if they
    want to travel to Europe, as the relative cost of everything is
    cheaper. It also makes imports cheaper for American households and businesses,” explained Angel Talavera, head of European economics at Oxford Economics.

    Half of American travelers say high prices kept them from traveling in
    June, up 8 percentage points from the previous month, according to a
    recent survey from Destination Analysts.

    But favorable exchange rates blunt the impact of inflation, which has
    risen at similar rates to the U.S. in Europe. Expedia data found that searches for summer trips to popular European destinations such as
    Paris, Frankfurt, Brussels, Amsterdam and Dublin rose by double digits
    last week. Copenhagen, Athens and Madrid saw similar increases in
    lodging interest, according to Hotels.com.

    https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/3561799-us-dollars-power-is-a-boon-to-americans-traveling-abroad/

    It's all those people saving gas and getting more for their money by
    flying to Europe to buy eggs and ground beef instead of driving to
    Walmart.

    Download Mbps
    34.30
    Upload Mbps
    8.46
    Ping ms 47

    sigh. At least it's sorta consistent.

    --
    bill
    Theory don't mean squat if it don't work.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Technobarbarian@21:1/5 to bfh on Sat Jul 16 19:21:12 2022
    On 7/16/2022 12:53 PM, bfh wrote:
    Technobarbarian wrote:

    "Voters See a Bad Economy, Even if They’re Doing OK"

    "Voters See a Bad Economy, Even if They’re Doing OK
    A New York Times/Siena poll shows remarkable pessimism despite the
    labor market’s resilience. That could be costly for the Democrats,
    and the economy.

    By Ben Casselman and Lydia DePillis
    July 15, 2022

    The fastest inflation in four decades has Americans feeling dour about
    the economy, even as their own finances have, so far, held up
    relatively well.

    Just 10 percent of registered voters say the U.S. economy is
    “good” or “excellent,” according to a New York Times/Siena
    College poll — a remarkable degree of pessimism at a time when wages >> are rising and the unemployment rate is near a 50-year low. But the
    rapidly rising cost of food, gas and other essentials is wiping out
    pay increases and eroding living standards.

    Americans’ grim outlook is bad news for President Biden and
    congressional Democrats heading into this fall’s midterm elections, >> given that 78 percent of voters say inflation will be “extremely
    important” when they head to the polls."

    "It could be bad news for the economy as well. One long-running index
    of consumer sentiment hit a record low in June, and other surveys
    likewise show Americans becoming increasingly nervous about both their
    own finances and the broader economy.

    Economists have long studied the role of consumer sentiment, which can
    be driven by media narratives and indicators unrepresentative of the
    broader economy, like certain grocery prices or shortages of
    particular goods. At least in theory, economic pessimism can become
    self-fulfilling, as consumers pull back their spending, leading to
    layoffs and, ultimately, to a recession."
    [snip]

    https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/15/business/economy/inflation-economy-polling.html


          IOW if the retrumplicans sing and dance hard enough they might
    get their wish--a recession, of sorts. In our life time two things
    have driven the economy far more than any other force: increasing
    population and improving technology. On top of that it looks like
    we're coming out of the pandemic ahead of the rest of the world. If we
    actually make it there I'm expecting one damn fine recession. As a
    nation we're like Barbie. Shit damn, we have all the toys.

         This also helps explain why no one here is actually suffering or
    even knows anyone who is really suffering. When you stop and look at
    what's happening all around you we're doing pretty damn good.

         I went out to pick up groceries this morning. Ahead of me I had a >> big brand new pontoon boat being hauled toward the coast by a big
    shiny pickup. The guy next to me had another big truck and a trailer
    full of nice ATVs. When I made it to the store the big parking lot
    next door was full of kids getting ready for a parade. You know what?
    None of those people looked like they were suffering. Judging by its
    parking lot Walmart is doing just fine too.

         Again, for emphasis:

    "Economists have long studied the role of consumer sentiment, which
    can be driven by media narratives and indicators unrepresentative of
    the broader economy, like certain grocery prices or shortages of
    particular goods. At least in theory, economic pessimism can become
    self-fulfilling, as consumers pull back their spending, leading to
    layoffs and, ultimately, to a recession.""

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adw772km7PQ

    ----------------------------------------------------------
    Lucky Lopez is a car dealer who has been in the business for about 20
    years. In recent meetings with bankers, where he bids on repossessed
    vehicles before they go to auction, he has noticed some common characteristics of the defaulted loans. Most of the loans on recently repossessed cars originated during 2020 and 2021, whereas origination
    dates are normally scattered because people fall on hard times at
    different times; loan-to-value ratios, or the amount financed relative
    to the value of the vehicle, are around 140%, versus a more normal 80%;
    and many of the loans were extended to buyers who had temporary pops in income during the pandemic. Those monthly incomes fell—sometimes by half—as pandemic stimulus programs stopped, and now they look even worse
    on an inflation-adjusted basis and as the prices of basics in particular
    are climbing.
    ...
    Part of the problem is that some consumers’ incomes were temporarily
    high as the pandemic brought about debt forbearance, pandemic stimulus checks, enhanced unemployment benefits, and, in some cases, forgiven
    loans from the Paycheck Protection Program. Lopez says he recently
    bought a Bentley, McLaren and two Aston Martins—all purchased by buyers using PPP money as down payments, and all repossessed after few or no
    monthly payments.Another recent acquisition: a Silverado repossessed
    from a borrower with a solid 700 credit score who made two payments.

    Banks’ auto lending standards, meanwhile, went out the window, and then lenders jumped on the bandwagon of overpaying for cars, Lopez says. “Everybody thought the free gravy train would never end,” Lopez says.
    ...
    --------------------------------------------------------------- https://www.barrons.com/articles/recession-cars-bank-repos-51657316562

    Those trucks, boats, and ATVs you see may be about to be repossessed as
    the free money runs out from "debt forbearance, pandemic stimulus
    checks, enhanced unemployment benefits, and, in some cases, forgiven
    loans from the Paycheck Protection Program".

    LOL Get out much? This is Saturday. All the repo guys are out
    enjoying their weekend, along with everyone else. However it turns out
    someone is going to end up using all those repossessed rigs, along with
    all the other people using our highways, parks and waterways.

    The increased cost of food, gas, and other things is undeniable. I also allege that it's undeniable that a significant number of people were
    living paycheck to paycheck before inflation put them behind the curve
    and forced them into a new level of frugality.

    LOL "A new level of frugality" will be a novelty for anyone under
    30. For the rest of us a new level of frugality is still far better than
    just about any point in the last century.

    Inflation is real, but when I look at all of my expenses it really
    ain't all that bad.

    https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/gdp-per-capita-maddison-2020

    "GDP per capita, 1820 to 2018
    This data is adjusted for differences in the cost of living between
    countries, and for inflation. It is measured in constant 2011
    international-$.

    TB

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From bfh@21:1/5 to Technobarbarian on Sat Jul 16 22:50:20 2022
    Technobarbarian wrote:
    On 7/16/2022 12:53 PM, bfh wrote:
    Technobarbarian wrote:

    "Voters See a Bad Economy, Even if They’re Doing OK"

    "Voters See a Bad Economy, Even if They’re Doing OK
    A New York Times/Siena poll shows remarkable pessimism despite the
    labor market’s resilience. That could be costly for the >>> Democrats, and the economy.

    By Ben Casselman and Lydia DePillis
    July 15, 2022

    The fastest inflation in four decades has Americans feeling dour
    about the economy, even as their own finances have, so far, held up
    relatively well.

    Just 10 percent of registered voters say the U.S. economy is
    “good” or “excellent,” according to a New
    York Times/Siena College poll — a remarkable degree of >>> pessimism at a time when wages are rising and the unemployment rate
    is near a 50-year low. But the rapidly rising cost of food, gas and
    other essentials is wiping out pay increases and eroding living
    standards.

    Americans’ grim outlook is bad news for President Biden and
    congressional Democrats heading into this fall’s midterm >>> elections, given that 78 percent of voters say inflation will be
    “extremely important” when they head to the polls."

    "It could be bad news for the economy as well. One long-running
    index of consumer sentiment hit a record low in June, and other
    surveys likewise show Americans becoming increasingly nervous about
    both their own finances and the broader economy.

    Economists have long studied the role of consumer sentiment, which
    can be driven by media narratives and indicators unrepresentative
    of the broader economy, like certain grocery prices or shortages of
    particular goods. At least in theory, economic pessimism can become
    self-fulfilling, as consumers pull back their spending, leading to
    layoffs and, ultimately, to a recession."
    [snip]

    https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/15/business/economy/inflation-economy-polling.html


          IOW if the retrumplicans sing and dance hard enough they
    might get their wish--a recession, of sorts. In our life time two
    things have driven the economy far more than any other force:
    increasing population and improving technology. On top of that it
    looks like we're coming out of the pandemic ahead of the rest of
    the world. If we actually make it there I'm expecting one damn fine
    recession. As a nation we're like Barbie. Shit damn, we have all
    the toys.

         This also helps explain why no one here is actually
    suffering or even knows anyone who is really suffering. When you
    stop and look at what's happening all around you we're doing pretty
    damn good.

         I went out to pick up groceries this morning. Ahead of me >>> I had a big brand new pontoon boat being hauled toward the coast by
    a big shiny pickup. The guy next to me had another big truck and a
    trailer full of nice ATVs. When I made it to the store the big
    parking lot next door was full of kids getting ready for a parade.
    You know what? None of those people looked like they were
    suffering. Judging by its parking lot Walmart is doing just fine too.

         Again, for emphasis:

    "Economists have long studied the role of consumer sentiment, which
    can be driven by media narratives and indicators unrepresentative
    of the broader economy, like certain grocery prices or shortages of
    particular goods. At least in theory, economic pessimism can become
    self-fulfilling, as consumers pull back their spending, leading to
    layoffs and, ultimately, to a recession.""

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adw772km7PQ

    ----------------------------------------------------------
    Lucky Lopez is a car dealer who has been in the business for about
    20 years. In recent meetings with bankers, where he bids on
    repossessed vehicles before they go to auction, he has noticed some
    common characteristics of the defaulted loans. Most of the loans on
    recently repossessed cars originated during 2020 and 2021, whereas
    origination dates are normally scattered because people fall on hard
    times at different times; loan-to-value ratios, or the amount
    financed relative to the value of the vehicle, are around 140%,
    versus a more normal 80%; and many of the loans were extended to
    buyers who had temporary pops in income during the pandemic. Those
    monthly incomes fell—sometimes by half—as pandemic stimulus >> programs stopped, and now they look even worse on an
    inflation-adjusted basis and as the prices of basics in particular
    are climbing.
    ...
    Part of the problem is that some consumers’ incomes were
    temporarily high as the pandemic brought about debt forbearance,
    pandemic stimulus checks, enhanced unemployment benefits, and, in
    some cases, forgiven loans from the Paycheck Protection Program.
    Lopez says he recently bought a Bentley, McLaren and two Aston
    Martins—all purchased by buyers using PPP money as down payments,
    and all repossessed after few or no monthly payments.Another recent
    acquisition: a Silverado repossessed from a borrower with a solid
    700 credit score who made two payments.

    Banks’ auto lending standards, meanwhile, went out the window, and >> then lenders jumped on the bandwagon of overpaying for cars, Lopez
    says. “Everybody thought the free gravy train would never end,” >> Lopez says.
    ...
    ---------------------------------------------------------------
    https://www.barrons.com/articles/recession-cars-bank-repos-51657316562

    Those trucks, boats, and ATVs you see may be about to be repossessed
    as the free money runs out from "debt forbearance, pandemic stimulus
    checks, enhanced unemployment benefits, and, in some cases, forgiven
    loans from the Paycheck Protection Program".

       LOL Get out much? This is Saturday. All the repo guys are out
    enjoying their weekend, along with everyone else. However it turns out someone is going to end up using all those repossessed rigs, along
    with all the other people using our highways, parks and waterways.

    The increased cost of food, gas, and other things is undeniable. I
    also allege that it's undeniable that a significant number of people
    were living paycheck to paycheck before inflation put them behind
    the curve and forced them into a new level of frugality.

         LOL "A new level of frugality" will be a novelty for anyone
    under 30. For the rest of us a new level of frugality is still far
    better than just about any point in the last century.

         Inflation is real, but when I look at all of my expenses it
    really ain't all that bad.

    It ain't bad for me, either, but we ain't a lot of other people.

    https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/gdp-per-capita-maddison-2020

    "GDP per capita, 1820 to 2018
    This data is adjusted for differences in the cost of living between countries, and for inflation. It is measured in constant 2011 international-$.

    TB


    --
    bill
    Theory don't mean squat if it don't work.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From George.Anthony@21:1/5 to bfh on Sun Jul 17 13:51:00 2022
    bfh <redydog@rye.net> wrote:
    Technobarbarian wrote:
    On 7/16/2022 12:53 PM, bfh wrote:
    Technobarbarian wrote:

    "Voters See a Bad Economy, Even if They’re Doing OK"

    "Voters See a Bad Economy, Even if They’re Doing OK
    A New York Times/Siena poll shows remarkable pessimism despite the
    labor market’s resilience. That could be costly for the >>>> Democrats, and the economy.

    By Ben Casselman and Lydia DePillis
    July 15, 2022

    The fastest inflation in four decades has Americans feeling dour
    about the economy, even as their own finances have, so far, held up
    relatively well.

    Just 10 percent of registered voters say the U.S. economy is
    “good” or “excellent,” according to a New
    York Times/Siena College poll — a remarkable degree of >>>> pessimism at a time when wages are rising and the unemployment rate
    is near a 50-year low. But the rapidly rising cost of food, gas and
    other essentials is wiping out pay increases and eroding living
    standards.

    Americans’ grim outlook is bad news for President Biden and
    congressional Democrats heading into this fall’s midterm >>>> elections, given that 78 percent of voters say inflation will be
    “extremely important” when they head to the polls."

    "It could be bad news for the economy as well. One long-running
    index of consumer sentiment hit a record low in June, and other
    surveys likewise show Americans becoming increasingly nervous about
    both their own finances and the broader economy.

    Economists have long studied the role of consumer sentiment, which
    can be driven by media narratives and indicators unrepresentative
    of the broader economy, like certain grocery prices or shortages of
    particular goods. At least in theory, economic pessimism can become
    self-fulfilling, as consumers pull back their spending, leading to
    layoffs and, ultimately, to a recession."
    [snip]

    https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/15/business/economy/inflation-economy-polling.html


          IOW if the retrumplicans sing and dance hard enough they
    might get their wish--a recession, of sorts. In our life time two
    things have driven the economy far more than any other force:
    increasing population and improving technology. On top of that it
    looks like we're coming out of the pandemic ahead of the rest of
    the world. If we actually make it there I'm expecting one damn fine
    recession. As a nation we're like Barbie. Shit damn, we have all
    the toys.

         This also helps explain why no one here is actually
    suffering or even knows anyone who is really suffering. When you
    stop and look at what's happening all around you we're doing pretty
    damn good.

         I went out to pick up groceries this morning. Ahead of me >>>> I had a big brand new pontoon boat being hauled toward the coast by
    a big shiny pickup. The guy next to me had another big truck and a
    trailer full of nice ATVs. When I made it to the store the big
    parking lot next door was full of kids getting ready for a parade.
    You know what? None of those people looked like they were
    suffering. Judging by its parking lot Walmart is doing just fine too.

         Again, for emphasis:

    "Economists have long studied the role of consumer sentiment, which
    can be driven by media narratives and indicators unrepresentative
    of the broader economy, like certain grocery prices or shortages of
    particular goods. At least in theory, economic pessimism can become
    self-fulfilling, as consumers pull back their spending, leading to
    layoffs and, ultimately, to a recession.""

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adw772km7PQ

    ----------------------------------------------------------
    Lucky Lopez is a car dealer who has been in the business for about
    20 years. In recent meetings with bankers, where he bids on
    repossessed vehicles before they go to auction, he has noticed some
    common characteristics of the defaulted loans. Most of the loans on
    recently repossessed cars originated during 2020 and 2021, whereas
    origination dates are normally scattered because people fall on hard
    times at different times; loan-to-value ratios, or the amount
    financed relative to the value of the vehicle, are around 140%,
    versus a more normal 80%; and many of the loans were extended to
    buyers who had temporary pops in income during the pandemic. Those
    monthly incomes fell—sometimes by half—as pandemic stimulus >>> programs stopped, and now they look even worse on an
    inflation-adjusted basis and as the prices of basics in particular
    are climbing.
    ...
    Part of the problem is that some consumers’ incomes were
    temporarily high as the pandemic brought about debt forbearance,
    pandemic stimulus checks, enhanced unemployment benefits, and, in
    some cases, forgiven loans from the Paycheck Protection Program.
    Lopez says he recently bought a Bentley, McLaren and two Aston
    Martins—all purchased by buyers using PPP money as down payments, >>> and all repossessed after few or no monthly payments.Another recent
    acquisition: a Silverado repossessed from a borrower with a solid
    700 credit score who made two payments.

    Banks’ auto lending standards, meanwhile, went out the window, and >>> then lenders jumped on the bandwagon of overpaying for cars, Lopez
    says. “Everybody thought the free gravy train would never end,” >>> Lopez says.
    ...
    ---------------------------------------------------------------
    https://www.barrons.com/articles/recession-cars-bank-repos-51657316562

    Those trucks, boats, and ATVs you see may be about to be repossessed
    as the free money runs out from "debt forbearance, pandemic stimulus
    checks, enhanced unemployment benefits, and, in some cases, forgiven
    loans from the Paycheck Protection Program".

       LOL Get out much? This is Saturday. All the repo guys are out
    enjoying their weekend, along with everyone else. However it turns out
    someone is going to end up using all those repossessed rigs, along
    with all the other people using our highways, parks and waterways.

    The increased cost of food, gas, and other things is undeniable. I
    also allege that it's undeniable that a significant number of people
    were living paycheck to paycheck before inflation put them behind
    the curve and forced them into a new level of frugality.

         LOL "A new level of frugality" will be a novelty for anyone
    under 30. For the rest of us a new level of frugality is still far
    better than just about any point in the last century.

         Inflation is real, but when I look at all of my expenses it
    really ain't all that bad.

    It ain't bad for me, either, but we ain't a lot of other people.


    You saving $8.7 mil./year on your electric bill too?





    https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/gdp-per-capita-maddison-2020

    "GDP per capita, 1820 to 2018
    This data is adjusted for differences in the cost of living between
    countries, and for inflation. It is measured in constant 2011
    international-$.

    TB





    --
    “Let me show you how I turned $45/year savings on my electric bill into
    $8.7 million” - Mr Dodge, AKA CC&P

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From bfh@21:1/5 to George.Anthony on Sun Jul 17 11:17:09 2022
    George.Anthony wrote:
    bfh <redydog@rye.net> wrote:
    Technobarbarian wrote:
    On 7/16/2022 12:53 PM, bfh wrote:
    Technobarbarian wrote:

    "Voters See a Bad Economy, Even if They’re Doing OK"

    "Voters See a Bad Economy, Even if They’re Doing OK
    A New York Times/Siena poll shows remarkable pessimism despite the
    labor market’s resilience. That could be costly for the
    Democrats, and the economy.

    By Ben Casselman and Lydia DePillis
    July 15, 2022

    The fastest inflation in four decades has Americans feeling dour
    about the economy, even as their own finances have, so far, held up
    relatively well.

    Just 10 percent of registered voters say the U.S. economy is
    “good” or “excellent,” according to a New
    York Times/Siena College poll — a remarkable degree of
    pessimism at a time when wages are rising and the unemployment rate
    is near a 50-year low. But the rapidly rising cost of food, gas and
    other essentials is wiping out pay increases and eroding living
    standards.

    Americans’ grim outlook is bad news for President Biden and
    congressional Democrats heading into this fall’s midterm
    elections, given that 78 percent of voters say inflation will be
    “extremely important” when they head to the polls."

    "It could be bad news for the economy as well. One long-running
    index of consumer sentiment hit a record low in June, and other
    surveys likewise show Americans becoming increasingly nervous about
    both their own finances and the broader economy.

    Economists have long studied the role of consumer sentiment, which
    can be driven by media narratives and indicators unrepresentative
    of the broader economy, like certain grocery prices or shortages of
    particular goods. At least in theory, economic pessimism can become
    self-fulfilling, as consumers pull back their spending, leading to
    layoffs and, ultimately, to a recession."
    [snip]

    https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/15/business/economy/inflation-economy-polling.html


          IOW if the retrumplicans sing and dance hard enough they
    might get their wish--a recession, of sorts. In our life time two
    things have driven the economy far more than any other force:
    increasing population and improving technology. On top of that it
    looks like we're coming out of the pandemic ahead of the rest of
    the world. If we actually make it there I'm expecting one damn fine
    recession. As a nation we're like Barbie. Shit damn, we have all
    the toys.

         This also helps explain why no one here is actually
    suffering or even knows anyone who is really suffering. When you
    stop and look at what's happening all around you we're doing pretty
    damn good.

         I went out to pick up groceries this morning. Ahead of me
    I had a big brand new pontoon boat being hauled toward the coast by
    a big shiny pickup. The guy next to me had another big truck and a
    trailer full of nice ATVs. When I made it to the store the big
    parking lot next door was full of kids getting ready for a parade.
    You know what? None of those people looked like they were
    suffering. Judging by its parking lot Walmart is doing just fine too. >>>>>
         Again, for emphasis:

    "Economists have long studied the role of consumer sentiment, which
    can be driven by media narratives and indicators unrepresentative
    of the broader economy, like certain grocery prices or shortages of
    particular goods. At least in theory, economic pessimism can become
    self-fulfilling, as consumers pull back their spending, leading to
    layoffs and, ultimately, to a recession.""

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adw772km7PQ

    ----------------------------------------------------------
    Lucky Lopez is a car dealer who has been in the business for about
    20 years. In recent meetings with bankers, where he bids on
    repossessed vehicles before they go to auction, he has noticed some
    common characteristics of the defaulted loans. Most of the loans on
    recently repossessed cars originated during 2020 and 2021, whereas
    origination dates are normally scattered because people fall on hard
    times at different times; loan-to-value ratios, or the amount
    financed relative to the value of the vehicle, are around 140%,
    versus a more normal 80%; and many of the loans were extended to
    buyers who had temporary pops in income during the pandemic. Those
    monthly incomes fell—sometimes by half—as pandemic stimulus
    programs stopped, and now they look even worse on an
    inflation-adjusted basis and as the prices of basics in particular
    are climbing.
    ...
    Part of the problem is that some consumers’ incomes were >>>> temporarily high as the pandemic brought about debt forbearance,
    pandemic stimulus checks, enhanced unemployment benefits, and, in
    some cases, forgiven loans from the Paycheck Protection Program.
    Lopez says he recently bought a Bentley, McLaren and two Aston
    Martins—all purchased by buyers using PPP money as down payments,
    and all repossessed after few or no monthly payments.Another recent
    acquisition: a Silverado repossessed from a borrower with a solid
    700 credit score who made two payments.

    Banks’ auto lending standards, meanwhile, went out the window, and
    then lenders jumped on the bandwagon of overpaying for cars, Lopez
    says. “Everybody thought the free gravy train would never end,”
    Lopez says.
    ...
    ---------------------------------------------------------------
    https://www.barrons.com/articles/recession-cars-bank-repos-51657316562 >>>>
    Those trucks, boats, and ATVs you see may be about to be repossessed
    as the free money runs out from "debt forbearance, pandemic stimulus
    checks, enhanced unemployment benefits, and, in some cases, forgiven
    loans from the Paycheck Protection Program".

       LOL Get out much? This is Saturday. All the repo guys are out
    enjoying their weekend, along with everyone else. However it turns out
    someone is going to end up using all those repossessed rigs, along
    with all the other people using our highways, parks and waterways.

    The increased cost of food, gas, and other things is undeniable. I
    also allege that it's undeniable that a significant number of people
    were living paycheck to paycheck before inflation put them behind
    the curve and forced them into a new level of frugality.

         LOL "A new level of frugality" will be a novelty for anyone
    under 30. For the rest of us a new level of frugality is still far
    better than just about any point in the last century.

         Inflation is real, but when I look at all of my expenses it
    really ain't all that bad.

    It ain't bad for me, either, but we ain't a lot of other people.


    You saving $8.7 mil./year on your electric bill too?

    Almost - but it's transitory.


    https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/gdp-per-capita-maddison-2020

    "GDP per capita, 1820 to 2018
    This data is adjusted for differences in the cost of living between
    countries, and for inflation. It is measured in constant 2011
    international-$.

    TB







    --
    bill
    Theory don't mean squat if it don't work.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)