Consumer Confidence Index drops unexpectedly to 6-month low in May; gas, job worries persist

Source: Associated Press

NEW YORK — Americans are losing faith that the economy will keep improving, according to a monthly survey.

The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index fell to a six-month low of 60.8 from a revised 66 in April, a sign of the toll that high gas prices, a choppy job outlook and a moribund housing market are taking on people’s psyches. Economists had expected an increase to 67.

“Consumers are considerably more apprehensive about future business and labor market conditions as well as their income prospects,” said Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center. She said fears of inflation that had eased in April picked up again in May.

The index, released Tuesday, is still far from the reading of 90 that indicates a healthy economy. It hasn’t approached that level since the recession began in December 2007.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/consumer-confidence-index-falls-unexpectedly-in-may-gas-job-worries-persist/2011/05/31/AGHvAQFH_story.html

when people stop believing all the happy talk? Tell us to keep clapping while they transfer another few trillion from the tax payer's pockets to Wall Street?

it's hard to believe that the administration is serious about keeping the bankers out of our pockets. $5 billion in taxpayer financed bonuses is mind numbing.

If we stand there staring at a pile a shit, it should not be unexpected when someone kicks a turd into out mouth. And we are being asked to swallow a lot of shit.

yeah, if you're, you know, Dumb as a Box of Rocks. :eyes:

taking" - I mean duh? the answer was right in front of their face all along, just like last month, and the month before and the month before

The problem that is surprising them is that they are believing their own BS and we're not. And they need us to believe worst than that late night preacher on the TV - their fortunes depend on it

The overwhelmed economists society is always surprised, shocked, and never expecting what is easy to see, based on observation of the big picture.

That seems more like propaganda designed to manipulate perception.

Which will only suck more jobs out of America --



Obama's stimulus was only 20% of what was required ... and he settled for less ...

as far as I can see the little bit of movement in the economy is coming from

people forced to move on necessity -- when cars die, when they are forced to move,

when purchases can't be avoided.


:nuke:

:rofl:

:rofl:

:rofl:


IF IT WASN'T SO PITIFULLY SAD -- !!

Hundreds of thousands of jobs every month --

and ended 60 years of Welfare guarantees --

and Obama has just given us two new trade agreements --

While unemployment is 15% --

And while ending the Social Security COLA's -- something even Bush didn't do!


Further the surplus -- which was more likely the Social Security Fund Surplus --

was turned over to Bush and the Repugs to squander -- !!


:nuke:

Hooray for us!!

we are replacing, certainly -- and salaries do not compare with jobs lost --

and destroyed unions --

54,000 manufacturing plants have closed down over the last 10 years -- !!

He promised to do so when he was forst elected in 1992 and he kept that promise.

-- not to mention the handicapped --

And, the conditions were made quite brutal at time!

If we want people to work, a humane society provides jobs at a living wage!

And child care!

What does it teach children when they grow up in a home where no one works?

is an attack on women and children --

Further, where did you get your ideas about motherhood from?

Is this what you have personally experienced?

when long term unemployment is considered --

And certainly we shouldn't be ignoring any unemployment --

especially with College grads now often unable to find jobs and taking

jobs which require less than a college education.

it's down from 17% not so long ago!!

Either one is :rofl:

I am not arguing that the formula is flawed. But that formula is set by statute, and can only be changed by an act of Congress. Are you suggesting that the President ignore the law?

And was Obama following law when he set up "Cat Food Commission"... ???

Rather the Congress voted against it --

And, I'm sure his pick of the notorious right wing Sen. Alan Simpson was just

another way of fighting for Social Security and senior citizens --


:rofl:


PS: Replaced the Blue Dog with Obama/Duncan -- united in their attack on

public education, teachers and their unions -- !!


Frankly, Freddie you're not worth the time -- you're on ignore.

It's always unexpected when Lucy yanks away the football.