Economic-Boom-Smoke-And-Mirrors?-Bob Davis Podcast 872

Economic-Boom-Smoke-And-Mirrors?-Bob Davis Podcast 872

Everyone Gets An Award. So What?

These days we live in a world where everyone gets an award for participation. Every now and then reality intrudes on our blissful paradise. We’ll talk about the 3rd quarter GDP numbers and what they mean in Economic-Boom-Smoke-And-Mirrors?-Bob Davis Podcast 872.

Ballyhoo and BS

We’ve been the victims of economic ballyhoo at least since 2016. Even more for years since the recession of 2008 we’ve been sold all kinds of snake oil. Green Shoots. The Light At The End Of The Tunnel. Priming The Pump. Economic Boom!

GDP Is The Yardstick

Gross Domestic Product is the yardstick by which we measure the economic performance of the world’s countries. This is especially relevant in the United States, where we will choose a new president and congress in 2020.

How Are We Doing?

Economy is one of the yard sticks by which we determine how our leaders ‘are doing’ at their jobs.

Third Quarter

Therefore when the third quarter GDP numbers came out this week, we now have a third data point on which to judge US economic performance in 2019.

Smoke and Mirrors?

How are we doing? We’ll find out in Economic-Boom-Smoke-And-Mirrors?-Bob Davis Podcast 872.

What’s A Boom?

First of all exactly what does an economic ‘boom’ look like and are we really living through one?

What About All The Other Stats?

Second, what about other measurements like employment, government spending, consumer spending and productivity?

Concentrate On Outcomes

I have often described my mission with these podcasts as a quest to concentrate on outcomes and relatively objective analysis of those outcomes.

No Predictions

Above all I avoid predictions. I won’t use superlatives to describe how great or bad things are. I do not want tell listeners what they’re supposed to think or advocate for.

More Questions

In conclusion, these new numbers raise more questions than answers.

In addition, what about inflation, business investment and growth in the future.

Moreover what about intervention by central banks?

I wonder, if there’s an economic boom why do we need so much government spending and interventions to keep it going? What about the enormous spending deficits and public debt?

Meeting Challenges

Finally what are the biggest economic and therefore social challenges ahead. Are we on path to address those challenges?

I don’t hear too much talk about that on the campaign trail, in government and in the media.

Sponsored by John D. Scott Personal Injury Lawyer and Hoffman Hamer and Associates

Economic-Boom-Smoke-And-Mirrors?-Bob Davis Podcast 872

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:01 — 77.9MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

 

 

 

Real-Talk-2020-Election-Issues-Bob Davis Podcast 871

Real-Talk-2020-Election-Issues-Bob Davis Podcast 871

Political Chatter

These days there’s a lot of political chatter. We’ll talk about it in Real-Talk-2020-Election-Issues-Bob Davis Podcast 871.

Who the candidates are.

Who’s going to be nominated.

Which ones will win. It seems to change every week.

Not Much Real Talk About Issues

In contrast there hasn’t been a lot of talk about the issues. We’ll do that it in Real-Talk-2020-Election-Issues-Bob Davis Podcast 871.

Our Dream State Of Politics

This podcast opens with a quote about the dreamlike nature of our politics. Then there are the pundits who seem to want to break it down with percentages and numbers. To advocate. The desire is to make a call and tell you who’s going to win.

I won’t do that.

Art Not Science

Politics is more of an art than a science.

Personalities and Partisanship

In 2020 it may come down to personalities and partisanship, not polling and elections data from yesteryear.

Emotions Make Bad Decisions

Moreover I don’t think people driven by emotion, and armed with conspiracy theory, make decisions based on the so called ‘issues’.

Fluid Issues

Issues are also fluid. Killing a famous terrorist changes the fortunes of a president.

In addition so can a series of bad economic numbers or an economic crisis.

One day’s high is the next day’s low.

Long Lists Of Issues

I researched issues. Got long lists of ‘issues’. Certainly many of those ‘issues‘ are included in this podcast. Do they mean anything?

What The Media Is Selling You Already

Will these issues drive the election? That’s what most of the media is selling you.

Not me.

In contrast I’ve picked four key themes I think may have a big impact on what happens in 2020. Let’s not forget we don’t directly elect presidents in the US. We do directly elect congress and our statewide representatives and governors. Those elections are important too.

Themes

In conclusion it’s necessary say again I am not supporting or fighting against any candidate. I am not trying to convince listeners and subscribers we need to move a certain way in this country. You listen. Make your own calls.

Sponsored by John Scott Personal Injury Lawyer, Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul and Reliafund Payment Processors

Real-Talk-2020-Election-Issues-Bob Davis Podcast 871

 

 

 

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:01 — 66.4MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Flu-Shot-Or-Not-Bob Davis Podcast 870

Flu-Shot-Or-Not-Bob Davis Podcast 870

Flu Shot Or Not

These days it’s everywhere. Moreover we have the same fight  about the flu every year. Learn more in Flu-Shot-Or-Not-Bob Davis Podcast 870.

Hear The Flu In This Podcast

You can tell as soon as you download this podcast I am just recovering from a pretty bad bout with the flu. Voice a little weak. Especially relevant is the heavy congestion.

Hate Flu Shots

First of all I don’t like getting flu shots. I’ve always felt that actually getting the virus helps your body gain a stronger immunity. In addition I also believe it gives you some immunity to future strains. The good news is you’re possibly immune to the zombie apocalypse flu. The bad news is you got the flu, right?

Beginning To Understand Why People Get Flu Shots

In contrast as I get a little older I am starting to understand why vulnerable groups are encouraged to get shots. Senior citizens, and sometimes the very young. Finally after ten plus days in a malaise, coughing constantly and having to get medications I have some thoughts to share.

Like A Hurricane

The flu is like a hurricane. You know it’s coming. The storm might glance your island or miss completely. Then again it could be a direct hit. That’s what happened to me. Hurricanes are hard to predict and so is the flu.

Viral Disease

Influenza is a viral disease. Antibiotics won’t help. Anti-viral drugs can help early on. But in the midst of the flu nobody wants to sit in a waiting room.

Respiratory Attacks

Most noteworthy? Influenza is a respiratory disease attacking ears, nose, throat and lungs.

Coffee Started Tasting Bad

Early symptoms always feel like a cold or headache.

“How did you know you were sick”, they asked me. Truth is, the coffee started tasting bad five or six days out. Then a lot of sleeping. A lot!

Recovery Awesome

Furthermore when you start recovering you feel like a million bucks! As a result you gain some clarity about life. And stuff.

Enforced Vacations

My conclusion is every now and then an enforced ‘vacation’, coupled with a physical ordeal can kind of be fun. People tell me I drive myself pretty hard and I guess I do. Getting called out of the game for a few days isn’t such a bad thing. We’ll talk about it in Flu-Shot-Or-Not-Bob Davis Podcast 870.

Loving Life

I love life. Even when it’s uphill. Those moments make the downhill moments seem even sweeter.

We can get caught in the ACTION phrase of life’s loop. When you just have to stop you learn a lot.

Flu Shot? Where’s The Fun In That?

Then again, I could have just gotten a flu shot.

Sponsored By Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul, John D. Scott Personal Injury Lawyer and Reliafund Payment Processors

Flu-Shot-Or-Not-Bob Davis Podcast 870

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:01 — 71.0MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS