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The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index dropped by 1.4 points, or 3.0%, in August posting 45.6 vs. 47.0 in July. The index is 0.2 points above its 12-month average of 45.4, 1.2 points above its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered into the recession, and 4.2 points below its all-time average of 49.8.
Jobs: Another week, another bad employment number — this one a 34,000 jump in jobless claims. Gee, what happened to Obama's "laserlike focus" on jobs? And for that matter, why hasn't his Jobs Council met in six months?
The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index edged up by 0.3 points, or 0.6%, in July posting 47.0 vs. 46.7 in June. The index is 2.4 points above its 12-month average of 44.6 and 2.6 points above its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered into the recession, and 2.9 points below its all-time average of 49.9.
Stalling job growth further darkened Americans' views of the economy, despite cheaper gasoline prices, according to the latest IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index.
The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index declined by 1.8 points, or 3.7%, in June posting 46.7 vs. 48.5 in May. The index is 2.6 points above its 12-month average of 44.1 and 2.3 points above its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered into the recession, and 3.2 points below its all-time average of 49.9.
While President Obama is out on the campaign trail talking about how bad things were four years ago, and how we have to go "forward" to his second term to see just how great things are going to be in the next four years, the biggest problem he's got is the here and now.
The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index declined by 0.8 points, or 1.6%, in May posting 48.5 vs. 49.3 in April. The index is 4.5 points above its 12-month average of 44.0 and 4.1 points above its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered into the recession, and 1.4 points below its all-time average of 49.9.
The recovery has not yielded job vacancies, but here are five ways to cure our labor woes.
America has long been a country where almost everyone, including the poor and unskilled, could get a job. Given the will to do a reasonable day's work, a job was a passport to economic and social well-being; it was the fount of self-esteem and the foundation of family life. Indeed, work was Life.
The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index improved by 1.8 points, or 3.8%, in April posting 49.3 vs. 47.5 in March. The index is 5.8 points above its 12-month average of 43.5 and 4.9 points above its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered into the recession, and 0.6 points below its all-time average of 49.9.
Economy: Darin Wedel, an out-of-work Texas electronics engineer who more than two months ago sent his resume to the White House at the request of President Obama, is still unemployed. It's a tale for our times.
High gas prices are still impacting the nation’s small business owners, according to a new survey by the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. The survey, “Entrepreneurs & the Economy: Trends, Issues and Outlook,” found that 72% of business owners are feeling pain from prices at the pump.
Election 2012: Ever deeper into the primary season the Republicans go without having yet chosen a nominee. They will eventually settle on one, but in the meantime the GOP candidates need to keep the focus on the economy.
The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index dropped by 1.9 points, or 3.8%, in March posting 47.5 vs. 49.4 in February. The index is 4.7 points above its 12-month average of 42.8 and 3.1 points above its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered into the recession, and 2.4 points below its all-time average of 49.9.
The gap between rich and poor is at its widest since the Roaring '20s. Obama complains that it's unfair, but a growing chorus of economists and sociologists say it's worse than that.
The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index improved by 1.9 points, or 4.0%, in February posting 49.4 vs. 47.5 in January. The index is 7.0 points above its 12-month average of 42.4 and 5.0 points above its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered into the recession, and 0.4 points below its all-time average of 49.9.
The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index improved by 4.7 points, or 11.0%, in January posting 47.5 vs. 42.8 in December. The index is 5.0 points above its 12-month average of 42.5 and 3.1 points above its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered into the recession, and 2.4 points below its all-time average of 49.9.
The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index improved by 2.2 points, or 5.4%, in December posting 42.8 vs. 40.6 in November. The index is 0.1 points below its 12-month average of 42.9 and 1.6 points below its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered into the recession, and 7.2 points below its all-time average of 50.0.
Jobs: Americans woke up Friday to the good news that the unemployment rate had dropped sharply from 9% to 8.6%. On closer inspection, the decline is highly questionable — and doesn't warrant a surge in optimism.
Budget Policy: Americans broadly agree that government has gotten too big and that spending needs to be cut. Great. But just what should be cut? On that, their message is a bit more muddled.
The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index improved by 0.3 points, or 0.7%, in November posting 40.6 vs. 40.3 in October. The index is 2.6 points below its 12-month average of 43.2 and 3.8 points below its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered into the recession, and 9.4 points below its all-time average of 50.0.
