U.S. economy grows at 4.8% Q-Q annualized rate

[Shi Huangdi]

Is anyone aware of any estimates as to how much of the growth is being fueled by our deficit spending?

[CrONoS]

It is not anormaly high?

4.8% Is it not the same rate as the golden era(1945-1975. 4.5%)?

Do you think this will lead into inflation? If it's so high, why does the feds doesn't raise is interest rates higher than only 25 points?

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
a) 4.8%

4.8 is the pre-tax figure.

[MRT144]

giving raises to folks will cause inflation.

[Odin]

Dan forgot to mention very little of the GDP increase trickled down to working stiffs.

[MRT144]

and why should it?

raises should only really be given to keep employees from leaving and losing the productivity they produce, or to reward increased productivity. they shouldnt be given just because the company makes more money.

and in a strong labor market you will see raises if the skills of the employee are valuable to a company. in most cases they are not and even in average growth times the marginal benefit of keeping some employees is not worth giving the raise.

its all about being valuable, productive and irreplaceable.

[MRT144]

and i hate to say it but everyone who makes at least 20k a year has enough money to invest in an index fund tracking the s&p 500, even if it means sacrificing things like eating out , having a nice car, etc etc.

sacrifice short term for long term gain is not the american way though

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by MRT144
and why should it?

raises should only really be given to keep employees from leaving and losing the productivity they produce, or to reward increased productivity. they shouldnt be given just because the company makes more money.

and in a strong labor market you will see raises if the skills of the employee are valuable to a company. in most cases they are not and even in average growth times the marginal benefit of keeping some employees is not worth giving the raise.

its all about being valuable, productive and irreplaceable.

This is why workers need to unionize in order to get their fair share of the pork pie.

[MRT144]

well i was going to say, the two things an employee can do is

a. deprive a company of their labor
b. invest in the/a company to profit from their own labor further

there are always caveats to both of these like

a. youre not valuable and replacable

b. the market sucks, and the job market is flooded with other people. but that plays into a.

[Ramo]

Spending by upper-income families appears to be driving much of the economy's growth. The average hourly wage for rank-and-file workers — who make up roughly 80 percent of the work force — has fallen by 5 cents in the last four years, to $16.49, after inflation is taken into account. Yet most well-paid workers have continued to receive raises.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/28/business/28econ.html?ei=5090&en=fd5df6447aef01ee&ex=1303876800&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

Let the good times roll.

[chequita guevara]

High gas prices are cutting into the pockets of the bottom 90%. You'd think more people would car pool, but our people are stupid. And that's why the ice caps will disappear.

[MRT144]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
High gas prices are cutting into the pockets of the bottom 90%. You'd think more people would car pool, but our people are stupid. And that's why the ice caps will disappear.

'

its funny cause its true. americans value convience and status before practicality. i dont have a car, and i probably will never again if i stay in seattle, but these are all lifestyle choices we make.

[Zkribbler]

MRT144, just out of curiosity: Are you a monorail rider?

[MRT144]

lmao, the monorail is worthless. it only goes from seattle center (where the worlds fair happend 44 years ago) to downtown. The voters of seattle had approved an expansion but it was bungled and now it was taken away by voters.

i ride the bus here which is surprisingly good, compared to the bay area.

[chequita guevara]

The only monorail that I've ever ridden that got you anyplace useful was in Disneyworld.