GDP growth - don't be fooled by the media

[68Camaro]

Folks, use your heads on this one. When the government pats itself on the back for GDP growing 4%, but overall inflation is at least 6-8% when correctly calculated, what is the REAL growth? (Hint - it starts with a minus sign.)

[beauanderos]

Folks, use your heads on this one. When the government pats itself on the back for GDP growing 4%, but overall inflation is at least 6-8% when correctly calculated, what is the REAL growth? (Hint - it starts with a minus sign.)

I'm sure the media would never unintentionally mislead us. You must be one of those conspiracy theorists.

Of course they would intentionally mislead us

[JerrySpringer]

Math is working out to not be the regular USA citizen's forte. I am not one to talk, but I see the cost of things are going up and know you have to do something other than just trust the official numbers. I think the stats put out are there to appease the general public. Remember, the government and big business have done some real whoppers of faux pas and they still go on and the public forgets. But quietly, banks still rake in the money.

[IdahoCopper]

If you believe government statistics, you are probably too stupid to vote.

[Mossy]

The feds now calculate inflation without adding in the cost of food and fuel "because they are too volatile". Har, har, har.

Volatile like "going up in flames", maybe.

[ScrapMetal]

I wondered that also when I saw that the growth rate for the 3rd quarter which was initially quoted at 3.6% and then revised to 4.1%.
Didn't long ago, the rates were "adjusted for inflation"?

Another "fact" that is suspect is new automobile sales. I would say most lease a car rather than buy it. Also, many car lots here are desperate for decent used cars, so I suspect more used cars are sold than new cars.

I also do not believe the unemployment rates can change so dramatically when they claim that 100,000 jobs were created in a month. With millions of people out of work or under-employed, I don't think 100,000 jobs created minus the continued job loss can swing the unemployment rate to that degree.

[everything]

Fooled how?, I have not had a raise in 6 years but I still made it through another year. Not only that, I get more silver and gold for my FRN now. Sure, it's bogus growth, but it's growth. And, when the economy goes boom, like it always does, that's where the little guy gets decimated, so just be prepared with your investments when the time comes.

[Saabman]

"Those that don't read the news are uninformed.......those that do, are misinformed."

- Mark Twain