The Recession is Over – But Is it Really?
Myrl Jeffcoat wrote this great blog. I have a degree in Economics and learned that it's all based on the definition of recession. A recession is 2 or more quarters (6+ months) of decline in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). So even if the economy is doing terribly, but the GDP is up, we are not in a recession.
Can you say, "flawed system?"
If you believe what national news media announced today, the recession is over. In fact it's been over since July 2009. That's 14 months ago, folks! So why is it most Americans aren't feeling the love?
In July 2009, the California unemployment rate was 11.6%. Today, it stands at 12.4%.
Wall Street has fared better, with many companies posting profit, and sitting on cash they are wary of investing or using to begin hiring. The Dow closed up +145.77 points today (10,753.62). The NASDAQ elevated +40.22 and closed at 2,355.83.
Wall Street is improved, but Main Street is lagging behind, along with the housing industry. Much depends on JOBS - JOBS - JOBS. And consumer confidence!
The current economic indicators that judge these things, and declare whether we are - or are not, in a recession, remind us of the opening lines of Charles Dicken's novel, A Tale of Two Cities -"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, and we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way-in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some if its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."
What are your thoughts? Do you believe the recession is over?
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