An "economic slowdown" next year would be devastating to the GOP

[WI_DEM]

As if Iraq, Plame, high oil and gas prices, high home heating bills, the response to Katrina, the Miers nomination and the potential for problems with Alito, and Bush's credibility gap were not enough we might be in for an "economic slowdown" or even a recession in 2006 according to some economists. The sad part is more human suffering with people losing their jobs and wondering how they will make ends meet, but if there can be any light at the end of that tunnel it would be this--it would probably be the last nail in the coffin of Bush/Cheney--a recession on top of everything else would, I think, almost gurantee huge Democratic gains in the midterm elections. The only reason it didn't in '02 was because foreign policy dominated the debate that year--and the Bush lies were not exposed as they are today or the consequences of his actions.

If Bush thinks that he will recover by calling Democrats names and questioning the patriotism of those against the war--he is in for a big surprise. It is hard to see how he will be able to recover from the consequences of his own actions.

[Deja Q]

1. Nevermind their refusal to do diddleys about offshoring/offpeopling.

People question when their needs are not being met.

You can have the slickest liars in the universe running the show; but if people don't have what they're accustomed to, questions follow.

"Why?" this.
"How?" that.

I don't expect a lot more Dem votes, but I've witnessed a lot of pukes become libertarians thanks to the dingdongs and twinkies (and their ho-hos) in charge right now...

[AX10]

2. A slow down/recession is a very real possibility.

With that too, we should be able to crush the GOP in the mid-terms.

[mtnester]

3. They better get ready now...I listen to what my family, neighbors...

friends, coworkers and strangers talking in restaurants are saying about what this Xmas is going to be like...and the buzz phrases are...

SCALED BACK
CUTTING BACK
NOT SPENDING NEAR AS MUCH
LIMITING THE AMOUNT WE SPEND
JUST NOT BUYING FOR AS MANY PEOPLE
CANNOT AFFORD TO SPEND AS MUCH AND PAY THE GAS BILL

etc etc etc

On one side of our family, we are all pitching in what we would have spent into a kitty to use to help pay my grandparents heating bill.

Gifts versus being warm? Guess what wins!

This will be a DISMAL Xmas season for retailers, IMO.

[HockeyMom]

6. Food prices

I just read in today's paper that the large supermarkets have announced that their prices will be going up do to increased shipping costs. The piece said they have tried to hold down prices, but can no longer afford to do so. Wonderful. Just in time for the Holidays.

[villager]

11. my sister was already laid off from her "seasonal" job

working customer service for a well-known children's clothing mfg. -- this type of job would normally be a slam-dunk through Xmas -- but not this year. Sales were too far down, and they had to "let some people go..."

[left is right]

12. we will all be singing

"I'm Dreaming of an Austere Christmas"

[left is right]

13. to help pay my grandparents heating bill

Not being at all snarky--that is truly one of the kindest things that I have heard in a long time. How fortunate that you all have each other. Special Christmas blessings to each of you.

[mtnester]

15. My grandparents are very frail, especially my grandma, she has

cancer and is cold alot (aside from being a skinny little thing). They keep the house VERY warm, and we are truly frightened about what their heating bill will become. We ourselves are younger and are able to turn our thermostat down, but why should they have to shiver in the very end of their lives? (if my grandma is with us next Xmas, I will consider it a miracle).

Everyone in the family kind of had a similar idea working, it just took all of 5 minutes to come to a consensus on it, since each of us wanted to do it anyway. We thought it would take at least that worry from them, as they both face much more difficult worries and should not HAVE to wonder if they can afford their heating bill.

I don't think we are the only family who will be doing this for their loved ones, and I kinda feel guilty about accepting your blessings on this, but I am grateful you took the time to send them my way!

[HillDem]

4. True, but

Growth is strong right now, ~3.8% I think. Do you think it will slow down? People are accumulating a lot of debt right now, will the economy go into a recession when people start to tackle their debt?

[Daphne08]

5. An "economic slowdown" would be devastating for too many

American families as well. We've been hit too hard over the last few years.

Oh, for the lovely days of the 90's when it seemed as if almost everyone had a little extra money.

[MN ChimpH8R]

8. But...but Clinton was getting a blowjob

:sarcasm: Maybe that prosperity was testimony to the power of the Clenis?

[BanzaiBonnie]

7. Bond market dropping steadily...

Gold on it's way up, up, up, as well as other metal values skyrocketing... interest rates are gonna keep going up. This administration has been totally irresponsible in their governance. Or should I say, lack of it.

[Seansky]

9. DEVASTATING TO GOP? WHAT ABOUT THE TAX PAYING,

HARD WORKING, NOT INDEPENDENTLY WEALTHY CITIZENS...

[xchrom]

10. then you'd think they'd all ready be

in hot shit.

[AndyTiedye]

14. TERRA! TERRA! TERRA!!!

Works first time, every time. :grr: