Go-go economy becomes so-so economy
WASHINGTON (
MarketWatch) Millions of Americans who want a full-time job still cant find still one. Worker paychecks are barely keeping ahead of inflation. And governments at all levels are struggling to prevent future costs from spiraling out of control.
All of these ailments can be traced to one malady: slow economic growth.
The U.S. is in a straitjacket. Sure, the economy has been growing steadily at a 2% clip since a recovery began in mid-2009. But the U.S. is expanding well below its historic growth rate of 3.3%. And it hasnt topped the 3% mark in a decade the longest barren stretch in modern times.
Politicians have taken notice. Theyve seized on the dull performance of the U.S. economy as they jockey to capture the White House in 2016. Republican contender Jeb Bush has publicly made the goal of a 4% economy the early rallying cry of his campaign.
Forget 4%. Virtually every economist of any political stripe says its an impossible dream. Most are doubtful the U.S. can regularly achieve 3% growth again. And even those who do disagree on what needs to done. ...............(more)
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/go-go-economy-becomes-so-so-economy-us-faces-dimmer-future-absent-big-fixes-2015-08-04