If the economy is so good , why do so many people think it is so bad ?

[kentuck]

I think people are much smarter than the Administration gives them credit for. Most people have forfeited their 'taxcut' to higher gas and higher food prices, so they have not come out far ahead in the equation. But they also understand that there is no such thing as a free lunch. They know that when we are going into debt by a half trillion dollars every year, that spells serious trouble ahead. It means higher interest rates, higher mortgage payments, and perhaps higher inflation. That all spells "loser" to the average American.

It is these huge deficits that are preventing people from supporting the idea that we are in a strong economy. They know we have to pay for these deficits. We cannot go into debt at these huge amounts and expect to have a strong economy, regardless of all the rhetoric about "percent of GDP", etc... People are going to pay dearly for these taxcuts and most people, even unsophisticated in economics, understand when they are about ready to get screwed.

[bigtree]

1. The jobs 'created' are temporary with less pay and benefits

More folks have entered into the workplace who didn't have to before. Employers are hiring more part time workers. The trade deficit is still rising, and interest rates are creeping up, locking more folks out of the opportunity for a home or capital to start or maintain a buisness. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have to have some impact as more part time reservists and Guard are being deployed at a larger rate and longer.

[leftofthedial]

2. the economy is NOT good

the lies of the bushgang can not disguise reality.

wages are down. unemployment is much higher than has been stated in the bushgang's monthly political announcments on the economy. prices are rising. debt is increasing. people are FAR less economically secure than they were prior to the coup of 2000.

[Crunchy Frog]

3. It's that damned librul media again.

They keep repeating the negative things and ignoring the positive, just like in Iraq. They're just out to destroy our good and Godly President. <sarcasm>

[opihimoimoi]

4. Its a FALSE Economy born of Borrowing from the Future.

Our National Debt is $7 Trillion and growing. The Tax Cuts has an effect of getting more spending but at the cost of borrowing. Very Clever these Pubs. Its like getting a second motgage, get some money we can spend and free rich, but in the end, the loan gatta be paid.

[AndyHammond1970]

5. cause pure economic growth for Corporations....

is no real measure of livibility for the average citizen. The distribution of the wealth that is created is not felt outside a very small circle.

[MrSlayer]

6. Because it is bad. No work for 5 months will give you that impression.

It's only going to get worse if these assholes are allowed to retain their power.

[jburton]

7. Well I've got a new job!

I'm a part of the "Bush Economic Recovery"

Of course, it pays about HALF of my old job, has zero health care, zero stability (getting laid off any time would not be surprising) and zero chance for advancement.

I think lots of people share my predicament, but we don't show up in the "numbers" like unemployment, etc.

Lots of anxiety going around.

[AussieInCA]

8. inflation is rising monthly, no wage growth, people working longer hours

[kentuck]

9. A kick for old rockytop...

:)

[Bleacher Creature]

10. 1992 all over again

Does this surprise anyone?!? In 1992 Poppy Bush campaigned all across the country talking about how the Democrats were trying to sell people on the fact that the economy was in trouble, which in his mind, was false -- hence the phrase "It's the economy stupid."

In addition to the fact that he had to paint things as rosy as possible, he was also basing his opinions on the fact that all of the rich people he surrounded himself with were doing fine.

When people went to the polls, they based their vote on their own situation and not on Bush Sr.'s skewed perception. Hopefully history repeats itself.

[BevHarris]

11. It is always the opinion that regular people are dumb that

is the downfall of crappy leaders. That's one of the things we have going for us in today's political climate. These guys are so divorced from normal people, and so elitist, that they make mistakes.

And then I see these folks who are still saying "Bush is protecting us." Yeah. And they just sent their kid over to Iraq to assist in this fantasy.

I was at a Mother's Day dinner, and heard the restaurant chatter while waiting to be seated. Guess what: Everyone knows that the "new jobs" are McDonalds and the ones we lost, the good ones, just got farmed out to Bombay.

So the optimist in me hopes for two things: That people remember this at the polls, and that our votes can actually count.

And, of course, that we have an election at all.

Bev Harris