Page 2 of 2
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 4:05 pm
by Beagle
spacecase0 wrote:there is also a lack of cargo containers in the USA, because so many people in other countries are buying products made in the USA.
things are being sold as fast as they can be shipped.
I think that it will all work itself out in a happy way.
Yep, our export markets are really booming. That's basically because of the "weak" dollar right now. A weak dollar is not necessarily a bad thing, nor is a strong dollar necessarily a good thing. Unfortunately, oil is an import, and so it's very high.
A trade balance is what we always hope for, but seldom get.
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 7:21 pm
by Minimalist
spacecase0 wrote:there is also a lack of cargo containers in the USA, because so many people in other countries are buying products made in the USA.
things are being sold as fast as they can be shipped.
I think that it will all work itself out in a happy way.
What, exactly, do we make anymore?
Are you sure those containers aren't being shipped overseas to fill them up with cheap shit to be sold at Wal-Mart?
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:41 pm
by Beagle
There are many US things going like hotcakes all over the world. Computers comes to mind first, but any digital technology is selling. Cell phones, Ipods, and HDTV sets, along with satellite dishes.
Even here in middle Tennessee, our Jack Daniels whiskey is being exported in higher volume. Dell computers has moved here, so things are booming. Around the world, people are taking advantage of the weak dollar to buy US farm equipment of all kinds.
Naturally, I can't think of everything but that's a start.
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:56 pm
by Minimalist
I have a Dell. Most of the components are imported.
Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:05 pm
by Beagle
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id ... _article=1
WASHINGTON (AP) - The bruised economy limped through the first quarter, growing at just a 0.6 percent pace as housing and credit problems forced people and businesses alike to hunker down.
The country's economic growth during January through March was the same as in the final three months of last year, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. The statistic did not meet what economists consider the classic definition of a recession, which is a retraction of the economy. This means that although the economy is stuck in a rut, it is still managing to grow, even if modestly.
Many analysts were predicting that the gross domestic product (GDP) would weaken a bit more—to a pace of just 0.5 percent—in the first quarter. Earlier this year, some economists thought the economy would actually lurch into reverse during the opening quarter. Now, they say they believe that will likely happen during the current April-to-June period.
No recession, but pretty anemic.
Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:24 pm
by Minimalist
I don't trust those stats generated by the Bush administration any more than any other statistic the put out.
Lying is an art form to those people.
Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 9:20 am
by Beagle
Minimalist wrote:I don't trust those stats generated by the Bush administration any more than any other statistic the put out.
Lying is an art form to those people.
Geez Min, it's true that the Commerce Secretary is a Bush appointee, but all those stats are compiled by Civil Servants - some of whom have been on the job for 20-30 yrs.
I guess anythings possible but....
Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 9:52 am
by Minimalist
Beags,
I spent 33 years in government service as one of those civil servants. No one can appreciate the "line" between the career civil service and the political appointees who run the agencies.
Now, once the data has been collected, guess which group gets to make the final decision on what is released to the public?