"Issue of the Day" Thread

[subiesweetie]

Thursday, November 8th, 2007:

Today's issue at hand:

What does everyone think about the current U.S. economy? Do you think we are going to go into a recession? Explain your answer.

[M@]

I am not going to participate in this thread.

[Brian]

Ron Paul FTW!

[nxbrennan]

I don't know when, but the irresponsible budget deficits and failing dollar seem to play a pretty big role in the volatility and instability of today's markets...and IMO will lead to widespread collapse. Don't know when, or if it'll be over a long period of time or short, but I think worries over mortgage foreclosures, widening income gap, and the economic recovery since 2001 without a reduction in unemployment are all indicators of how fragile our economy's becoming.

[subiesweetie]

I don't know when, but the irresponsible budget deficits and failing dollar seem to play a pretty big role in the volatility and instability of today's markets...and IMO will lead to widespread collapse. Don't know when, or if it'll be over a long period of time or short, but I think worries over mortgage foreclosures, widening income gap, and the economic recovery since 2001 without a reduction in unemployment are all indicators of how fragile our economy's becoming.
I agree 100%.

Another thing that concerns me is the value of the U.S. dollar in the international market. We're no where near being on an even playing field with the rest of the world. The U.S. dollar is worth nearly 50% less than the Euro. Someone please tell me how that is a good thing.

[Deltron_3030]

show us ur tits

[Terry]

What the guy above me said

[Jackrabbit]

The fed is keeping the recession at bay by lowering interest rates in an effort to save their buddies The Bank. The dollar weakens as a consequence. Inflation rises as does gold, silver and other commodities in response.

Look for gold to break $1000 an oz in early '08 and a sharp rise in silver shortly thereafter and oil at $100+ a barrel as the dollar weakens more.

Gas prices increase, especially natural gas (just in time for winter). The only saving grace is the holiday season, basically forcing people to spend money when they normally wouldn't.

After China holds the Olympics in 2008, look for them to dump a trillion $$ or so worth of US treasuries and start buying up business that will be trading on the exchange for pennies on the dollar.

Then again maybe not.

[myshtern]

Thursday, November 8th, 2007:

Today's issue at hand:

What does everyone think about the current U.S. economy? Do you think we are going to go into a recession? Explain your answer.

The US economy is a pretty big thing, it's difficult to say on the whole economy. Most people here probably dont follow economics enough to even be able to guess. You should ask more specific about whatever in the economy is concerning you.

[saabracr]

Issue: My transmission is fucking broken.

[Seved]

Ron Paul FTW!

:werd:

[Martian]

this subject is a repost

[myshtern]

From where?

[subiesweetie]

I like saabracr's issue. My issue of the day: my engine is fucked. *shakes head*

Anyway, back on topic.

So I'm sick today (this whole weekend, in fact). This got me thinking about certain things. How many of you guys got flu shots this year? If you didn't, why did you choose not to? What do you think of the new drug resistant staph infection (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MRSA) that's been showing up in the metro area?

Personally, I was required to get a flu shot because of my job at the fire department and being an EMT. I normally wouldn't have chosen to get one for myself, though. As far as MRSA is concerned, I'm not too worried about it. Being young and healthy raises your ability to fight illness. Authorities don't seem to have any set ideas about MRSA right now: no real way to prevent, no real way to treat it, etc. I'm not going to get overly worried about something that I have no control over.

[Jackrabbit]

I never get flu shots.
My son got one this year and was sick the next day.

[stu]

I've never had a flu shot, or the flu. Which is ironic because I'm out of work, sick today with something fucking terrible. :mad: