Booming US Economy-Reality Check-Bob Davis Podcast 811

These days Trump cultists love to talk about the booming economy. Time for a reality check. Learn more in Booming US Economy-Reality Check-Bob Davis Podcast 811.

Under 3 Percent

Especially relevant are Gross Domestic Product numbers from the 4th quarter of 2018. The average for the whole year is predicted to be under three percent.

Cherry Picking Numbers

Boosters like to cherry pick statistics. I like good old Gross Domestic Product numbers. They are released at the end of every quarter. GDP performance for each fiscal year is pretty hard to ignore. Especially when people say this president has ‘fixed’ the economy and worked miracles.

Just Because You Do Well Doesn’t Mean The Economy Is Doing Well

Moreover if I’ve heard it once I have heard it a thousand times. Saying your business is doing well does not mean the economy as a whole is doing any better than it has. The latest retail performance is a good example. This distinction is important only because the president wants us to believe he “blows Ronald Reagan Away”.

Objective Legislative Achievements On Economy

In Booming US Economy-Reality Check-Bob Davis Podcast 811 I objectively list President Trump’s few legislative achievements when it comes to the economy as well as his executive orders concerning the economy.

Hardly A Boom

In 2017 the US Economy grew by 2.2 percent. First quarter of 2018 was 2.2 percent. Second quarter 4.2 percent. Third quarter 3.4 percent. Fourth quarter 2.6 percent. Hardly a boom.

Not Even As Good As Obama

In contrast, President Obama’s best year was 2015, at 2.9 percent. Obama also presided over one quarter of growth of 5.1 percent, followed by another quarter of 4.9 percent growth. Better than Trump’s best two quarters so far.

Actual GDP Numbers

First of all growth is growth and we’ll take it. However, because of republican claims of great economic success, it’s time for a reality check based on actual GDP numbers.

And Obama Wasn’t That Good Either

At issue are claims by the president and his supporters he has done a fantastic job. Truth is so far his numbers are still about the same as Obama’s, which weren’t very good either.

We Pale In Contrast To The Early 80’s, Mid and Early 1960’s and 1950’s

Even more, all the numbers in our time pale in contrast to performance above 7 percent in the 80’s, high six percent in the 60’s and above 8 percent in the 1950’s.

Contrast our time with the 1980’s, 1960’s, or 1950’s.

What we’re living through is not a boom.

Republican Doesn’t Mean Conservative Anymore

Finally a republican in the White House does not guarantee ‘conservative’ economic management. Pushing for a weak dollar. Borrowing to stimulate. Trade Protection. Adding trillions to the national debt. More debt and deficit spending for ‘infrastructure‘ don’t seem like ‘republican‘ ideas.

Sponsored by Organo Coffee. Change Your Coffee Change Your Life

Booming US Economy-Reality Check-Bob Davis Podcast 811

Flu Shot Debate-Fake Boom-Easy Talker-Bob Davis Podcast 791

Turn me loose and I’ll talk up a storm. Every now and then I ditch show prep and freestyle a podcast. Check it out in Flu Shot Debate-Fake Boom-Easy Talker-Bob Davis Podcast 791.

Flu Shot Or Not

These days most people are getting flu shots. I usually forgo the vaccination. Mention this at a party and you’ll ignite a passionate response. Especially relevant is the recent death of a commentator from complications arising from H1N1.

The Boom That Didn’t Boom

Another show stopper is the suggestion our so called ‘economic boom’ isn’t. Moreover analysts are starting to write about the fact that US and world economic growth has been tepid at best.

Plunge Protection Team

In addition there are suggestions the shadowy “Plunge Protection Team” is behind the sudden upswings in the markets. Learn more in Flu Shot Debate-Fake Boom-Easy Talker-Bob Davis Podcast 791.

The Prague Delusion

Truth is many of us can’t tell the difference between opinion and news coverage. Consequently facts can confuse people suffering from the so called Prague Delusion. I’ll tell you about it in Flu Shot Debate-Fake Boom-Easy Talker-Bob Davis Podcast 791.

FaceBook Engagement

Finally every now and then I engage on FaceBook to see what people are thinking. Seems like most of my engagements are with other people’s posts. It’s most noteworthy when an engagement happens on my own podcast page. In Flu Shot Debate-Fake Boom-Easy Talker-Bob Davis Podcast 791 I talk about how I have pulled back from telling people what to think and what to believe.

Persuasion Is The Name Of The Game

In conclusion, so much content these days is focused on persuasion. People telling you what to think and how to think. Consequently it feels like we’re always being pushed in a direction whether we want to go there or not. Certainly podcasts as a medium can do better than cable news and talk radio shouters.

Sponsored by White Tail Builders and Johantgen Jewelers

Flu Shot Debate-Fake Boom-Easy Talker-Bob Davis Podcast 791

 

World Survives Eclipse-Western Wisconsin Road Trip-Podcast 742

Sometimes an eclipse is just an eclipse. Friday’s ‘Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse‘ did not destroy the world as predicted. These days someone needs to keep track of the soothsayers! We’ll talk about it in World Survives Eclipse-Western Wisconsin Road Trip-Podcast 742.

Best Economic Growth Ever!

Friday also marked the release of first quarter Gross Domestic Product numbers. To hear the president tell it, 4.1 percent economic growth is historic. Hear my take on the first blush of reporting on the good economic news in World Survives Eclipse-Western Wisconsin Road Trip-Podcast 742.

Does It Matter?

On a desolate lake road in Western Wisconsin at midnight, in the full moonlight, one wonders whether any of that matters anyway! What’s more the silence here in the middle of nowhere is incredible.

No Rules No Prep

I took a short road trip to what we like to call “God’s Country” to talk about organic farming. I’ll take that up in the next podcast. Every now and then I have to do walk and talk podcasts. No rules. No Prep. I call these ‘consolidation podcasts’.

A Midnight Walk Is Good For Making Sense Of It All

Because things seem to happen so frequently, following the news can be a head spinner. I do these walk and talk podcasts, usually at midnight, to try to make sense of it all.

News Flash! World Doesn’t End!

Furthermore last week the boomers were predicting the end of the world after the big eclipse. On top of that we are whipsawed by reactive coverage of the news. Getting subscribers and listeners to the Bob Davis Podcasts on track at the beginning of the week is one of my missions.

Good News Is Good News

Most noteworthy for this podcast is the release of the new economic data. 4.1 percent GDP growth in a single quarter is not unprecedented or even historic. It is good news. The key here is what caused the growth? Moreover is the growth sustainable?

Finding Truth At Midnight

In conclusion this week you may hear a lot of chatter about the economic numbers. Due to partisanship equal amount of chatter passing for ‘analysis’ will be negative and positive. Above all listeners wonder what to look for to find information without partisanship.

Sometimes you find a little bit of truth on a quiet country road in the mist and moonlight!

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

World Survives Eclipse-Western Wisconsin Road Trip-Podcast 742