the economy

in response to the ongoing economic debate from december 6:

recession: a period of general economic decline; specifically, a decline in gdp for two or more consecutive quarters.

gdp hasn't been down for two consecutive quarters since like 2001.

economic growth rate: the pace at which economic growth increases during a given interval. the quantities most commonly used to measure economic growth rate are gross national product and gross domestic product. the growth in gross domestic product is usually a good indication of economic growth, but in an economy for which earnings from overseas are substantial in relation to gross domestic product, it is better to look at gross national product.

so gdp is in fact a good indicator of economic growth. both gdp and gnp are up. also, u.s. workers' productivity went up 4.7 percent this past quarter. productivity is an essential factor in long-term economic health.

i will try and find numbers on your employment remarks. but with unemployment at 5 percent, this is lower than i think any average rate since the 60s. people are working.

and as far as me being brainwashed, being here allows me to be bombarded by critics from both sides of the isle. i read about all points of all issues every single work day. i see a lot of things that go on behind the scenes and have formed a few new opinions with respect to a number of issues. although there are times when i feel it would be best to distance myself from the democratic party, i continue to lean toward the party with my beliefs and because they remain a strong voice in power, i will stick with them.

final note: "More importantly, [the federal government] helped America weather a very difficult five years, during which we’ve been hit with a stock market decline, recession, terrorist attacks, corporate scandals, high energy costs, and devastating natural disasters. History is replete with examples of even some such events sparking massive economic calamities. Instead, we’re charging ahead with a growth rate that remains the envy of the world. If we have a crisis, it’s only one of confidence, which is perhaps understandable in a time of war, but is certainly in contradiction to the real state of the economy." - Senator Jon Kyl
http://realclearpolitics.com/Commentary/com-12_13_05_JK.html
p.s. my laptop is shot.