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09-30-2014, 10:12 AM
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#2
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,495
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I guess this is off topic but am I the only one who finds Diane Rehm's voice so painful to listen to that I can't listen to her show?
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09-30-2014, 10:22 AM
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#3
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Rio Grande Valley
Posts: 38,007
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As long as I can fund my consumption, I'll be doing my demand part in both continents. Otherwise, I don't really worry about it.
__________________
Retired since summer 1999.
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09-30-2014, 11:28 AM
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#4
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Syracuse
Posts: 3,501
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Quote:
Originally Posted by H2ODude
I guess this is off topic but am I the only one who finds Diane Rehm's voice so painful to listen to that I can't listen to her show?
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Indeed, but I do give her credit for sticking with it even after contracting that disease. I usually enjoy her guests, even the ones I disagree with. Usual her guest are even tempered and hope to impart information instead of arguing.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Early Retirement Forum mobile app
__________________
“No, not rich. I am a poor man with money, which is not the same thing"
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09-30-2014, 07:19 PM
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#5
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: West of the Mississippi
Posts: 17,171
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She asks some good questions though her prejudices do shine through. As far as low consumer demand, check out the Nov. 2014 issue do Consumer Reports for an article on new consumer spending habits.
__________________
Comparison is the thief of joy
The worst decisions are usually made in times of anger and impatience.
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09-30-2014, 07:52 PM
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#6
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,085
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Um, so why is this particular pundit being featured just right now? The bullcrap echo chamber that is the media operates 24/7 I guess...
__________________
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
- George Orwell
Ezekiel 23:20
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10-01-2014, 05:53 AM
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#7
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 11,317
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GravitySucks
Indeed, but I do give her credit for sticking with it even after contracting that disease. I usually enjoy her guests, even the ones I disagree with. Usual her guest are even tempered and hope to impart information instead of arguing.
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+1
__________________
Idleness is fatal only to the mediocre -- Albert Camus
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10-01-2014, 06:05 AM
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#8
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 12,597
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It is only painful to me because I can remember how mellifluous her voice was, years ago, before her voicebox was damaged.
I still like her persona, and that makes up for her raspiness. Rush Limbaugh's voice is OK - and I even agree with him from time to time - but his persona is so obnoxious that I literally cannot listen to his show.
On-Topic: I do not know the answer. If basing financial bets on the affairs of the current majority race (Euro-Caucasians), then the prospects for the U.S. economy seem dismal since so many of the ones my age didn't have kids, or only have one child (and the rise of the twee neologism, "Granddog," tells us all we need to know about where that population trend is going).
Nevertheless, I am observing, in my own little corner of the U.S., Central American immigrants aggressively working their way into the business class. This growing population segment may be shopping at the 2nd-hand stores now, but if current (personally observed) trends continue, they'll be looking to buy nicer things very soon. There are a lot of Central American immigrants around here and they won't all be mowing lawns forever (the guy who tiled my bathroom used to mow the lawn next door, and hopes to own his own remodeling company one day).
Amethyst
Quote:
Originally Posted by H2ODude
I guess this is off topic but am I the only one who finds Diane Rehm's voice so painful to listen to that I can't listen to her show?
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__________________
If you understood everything I say, you'd be me ~ Miles Davis
'There is only one success – to be able to spend your life in your own way.’ Christopher Morley.
Even a blind clock finds an acorn twice a day.
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10-01-2014, 06:17 AM
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#9
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Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 40,586
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brewer12345
Um, so why is this particular pundit being featured just right now? The bullcrap echo chamber that is the media operates 24/7 I guess...
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He just wrote a book, the interview was probably part of the promotional tour.
He's a smart guy, qualified, very analytical, not part of the bs chamber. He stands apart as a journalist because he knows his stuff and his writing focuses more on policy than politics. I'm not going to buy the book but may listen to the interview, not sure I buy into the secular stagnation theory.
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10-01-2014, 06:27 AM
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#10
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Williston, FL
Posts: 3,925
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I have no doubt that consumers, the majority of them, are spending less. That is why the great deflation fears are being talked about, especially in the EU.
When real wages fall, what are consumers supposed to do, spend more? We are in the great wage equalization period, that will last many years. It will continues until all people, in all countries, make the same wages to live a similar lifestyle.
Once one countries wages get too high, there will be another lower priced country to take it's place.
__________________
FIRE no later than 7/5/2016 at 56 (done), securing '16 401K match (done), getting '15 401K match (done), LTI Bonus (done), Perf bonus (done), maxing out 401K (done), picking up 1,000 hours to get another year of pension (done), July 1st benefits (vacation day, healthcare) (done), July 4th holiday. 0 days left. (done) OFFICIALLY RETIRED 7/5/2016!!
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10-01-2014, 07:39 AM
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#11
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Lawn chair in Texas
Posts: 14,183
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No worries; we're turning the rest of the world into good little consumers as fast as we can...
__________________
Have Funds, Will Retire
...not doing anything of true substance...
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10-01-2014, 10:09 AM
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#12
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Williston, FL
Posts: 3,925
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HFWR
No worries; we're turning the rest of the world into good little consumers as fast as we can...
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And then people will be crying because all those people are driving cars, and consuming energy... Causing more environmental damage.
__________________
FIRE no later than 7/5/2016 at 56 (done), securing '16 401K match (done), getting '15 401K match (done), LTI Bonus (done), Perf bonus (done), maxing out 401K (done), picking up 1,000 hours to get another year of pension (done), July 1st benefits (vacation day, healthcare) (done), July 4th holiday. 0 days left. (done) OFFICIALLY RETIRED 7/5/2016!!
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10-01-2014, 10:46 AM
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#13
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: South central PA
Posts: 3,469
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I do wish McDonald's would stop marketing all those wasteful plastic toys. They're made from oil and all end up in landfill.
Sent from my iPhone using Early Retirement Forum
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10-01-2014, 10:55 AM
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#14
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Syracuse
Posts: 3,501
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Wolf's point on stagnation was the fact we are in for a long period of de-leveraging, companies buying back stock instead of investing in growing the business, consumers cutting back, etc. It sounds reasonable that this would eventually be good for the economy, but I'd really like to see bond real returns be positive sooner than later!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Early Retirement Forum mobile app
__________________
“No, not rich. I am a poor man with money, which is not the same thing"
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10-01-2014, 12:00 PM
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#15
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: San Diego
Posts: 880
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Amethyst
It is only painful to me because I can remember how mellifluous her voice was, years ago, before her voicebox was damaged.
I still like her persona, and that makes up for her raspiness. Rush Limbaugh's voice is OK - and I even agree with him from time to time - but his persona is so obnoxious that I literally cannot listen to his show.
On-Topic: I do not know the answer. If basing financial bets on the affairs of the current majority race (Euro-Caucasians), then the prospects for the U.S. economy seem dismal since so many of the ones my age didn't have kids, or only have one child (and the rise of the twee neologism, "Granddog," tells us all we need to know about where that population trend is going).
Nevertheless, I am observing, in my own little corner of the U.S., Central American immigrants aggressively working their way into the business class. This growing population segment may be shopping at the 2nd-hand stores now, but if current (personally observed) trends continue, they'll be looking to buy nicer things very soon. There are a lot of Central American immigrants around here and they won't all be mowing lawns forever (the guy who tiled my bathroom used to mow the lawn next door, and hopes to own his own remodeling company one day).
Amethyst
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+1
This is what I observe also. Immigrants have always done better than native born, and have powered our progress. The immigrants I know work harder and longer than I ever could, starting from almost nothing are building businesses, always successful because of their hard work. This is the one card we have in our pocket which will keep us from ever becoming another Japan.
The ones I know don't want to shop second hand. Even if they buy little, they want the best. Seeing them I don't worry about the next generation of business builders or consumers.
__________________
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.
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10-03-2014, 06:00 PM
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#16
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 2,745
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Amethyst
Nevertheless, I am observing, in my own little corner of the U.S., Central American immigrants aggressively working their way into the business class. This growing population segment may be shopping at the 2nd-hand stores now, but if current (personally observed) trends continue, they'll be looking to buy nicer things very soon. There are a lot of Central American immigrants around here and they won't all be mowing lawns forever (the guy who tiled my bathroom used to mow the lawn next door, and hopes to own his own remodeling company one day).
Amethyst
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I notice that they seem to spend what they make .
Whether people like it or not, population growth fuels economic growth. US population is still on growing trend b/c of immigration. As long as that continues, I will not worry about stagnation. Japan has aging, and declining population. They had to look to export to generate growth and had tough competition from China, Korea, and others over the last 20 years. Apples and oranges ....
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10-03-2014, 06:14 PM
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#17
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Syracuse
Posts: 3,501
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robnplunder
I notice that they seem to spend what they make .
Whether people like it or not, population growth fuels economic growth. US population is still on growing trend b/c of immigration. As long as that continues, I will not worry about stagnation. Japan has aging, and declining population. They had to look to export to generate growth and had tough competition from China, Korea, and others over the last 20 years. Apples and oranges ....
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Gotta agree that demographics are hard to fight.
Seems there's a lot of people trying to curtail immigration to the US though. If they're successful this growth can't be counted on and I think birthrate for US citizens is below the replacement value.... Not sure if that's still 2.1 children per woman....
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Early Retirement Forum mobile app
__________________
“No, not rich. I am a poor man with money, which is not the same thing"
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10-03-2014, 06:31 PM
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#18
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 852
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We had an Echo Boom of kids born from 1984 to 1992... Those kids are just starting to move out into the world, get married, have kids, buy homes, minivans, car seats, etc. add in a growing middle class in India and China...I would like to see this guys math.
Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum
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10-04-2014, 06:05 AM
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#19
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 11,317
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Amethyst
I am observing, in my own little corner of the U.S., Central American immigrants aggressively working their way into the business class. This growing population segment may be shopping at the 2nd-hand stores now, but if current (personally observed) trends continue, they'll be looking to buy nicer things very soon.
Amethyst
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CaliforniaMan
+1
This is what I observe also. Immigrants have always done better than native born, and have powered our progress. The immigrants I know work harder and longer than I ever could, starting from almost nothing are building businesses, always successful because of their hard work. This is the one card we have in our pocket which will keep us from ever becoming another Japan.
The ones I know don't want to shop second hand. Even if they buy little, they want the best. Seeing them I don't worry about the next generation of business builders or consumers.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robnplunder
I notice that they seem to spend what they make .
Whether people like it or not, population growth fuels economic growth. US population is still on growing trend b/c of immigration. As long as that continues, I will not worry about stagnation. Japan has aging, and declining population. They had to look to export to generate growth and had tough competition from China, Korea, and others over the last 20 years. Apples and oranges ....
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+1 The American Dream has fueled our success for our entire history. That is why I am amazed at the fear of immigration rampant on our shores. We are a magnet for entrepreneurial spirits looking to improve life for themselves and their families. Just the people we want. We can deal with the small proportion of neer-do-wells who tag along -- they certainly are in no greater proportion than our own bad seeds.
__________________
Idleness is fatal only to the mediocre -- Albert Camus
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10-04-2014, 06:34 AM
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#20
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sarasota, FL & Vermont
Posts: 36,264
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I wonder if some of this reduced consumer demand was very predictable consequence of the Great Recession, similar to how our parent's generation reacted to the Great Depression. While it will undoubtedly result in slower growth, my hope is it will result in more sustainable growth as well and less consumer excess than in the past. I think more LBYMing and saving by the masses would be good even though it will have a adverse impact on economic growth.
__________________
If something cannot endure laughter.... it cannot endure.
Patience is the art of concealing your impatience.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Retired Jan 2012 at age 56
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