Originally Posted by qtiger
Consumer confidence is back down to mid-2002 levels. GDP growth lower than expected.
Consumer spending, especially on consumer durables, is up, but things are still shakey. Most of that spending can be attributed to people wanting to buy cars and other high priced goods while interest rates are still low. A lot will depend on the next president to turn this instability into a real upswing. The oil prices are putting the squeeze on everything.
Inflation, stable
Interest Rates, very low
Unemployment, low
Stock Market, on upswing
People that I speak with are very upbeat and positive.
But you are correct, the price of crude is over $50 per barrel. Not around $20 per barrel like a year ago. But the price of crude is really out of the government's control.
Overall, most folks would agree that this administration has managed our economy very, dispite -- the War in Afgahnistan, the War in Iraq, and the recent damage done by hurricanes throughout the southeast.