Atlas Forum: Respond to this Image

[Matty]

Those stats are absolutely meaningless without comparison to other economic recoveries. Once you actually bring up those, this recovery becomes the worst, slowest one in American history.

[Matty]

For example, despite the recession officially "ending" 6.5 years ago, household income is still 2k less than it was in 2007. Likewise, labor force participation rate has declined among EVERY demographic and age group EXCEPT those over 55.

Obama will be the first president in a long, long time to never have a year of 3% GDP growth as well. In fact, as of right now, W  has averaged more economic growth than this administration.

You can manipulate stats all you want, but most Americans agree that things are not better. Why do you think a mere 28% of Americans think things are going in the right direction?

[Matty]

That's a fair point. I actually think the very very weak recoveries abroad is what will cause our next economic downturn.

Some folks are already sounding the alarm on the worrisome decline in global trade in 2015. I have friends in trucking and transportation and they claim they are usually the ones who notice downturns before anyone else. Needless to say, they are noticing a decline right now.