blademaster
I'm moving to Brazil
+2,075|6948
Most Americans (53%) now think the United States is at least somewhat likely to enter a 1930’s-like depression within the next few years.The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 39% think this outcome is unlikely.Nineteen percent (19%) say a Depression is Very Likely while 7% say it is not at all likely.

The latest results are more pessimistic than those found in early January, when 44% said a 1930’s-like depression was likely in the next few years, and 46% disagreed.In March 2008, only 38% of adults said the country is likely to slip into a depression, while most (55%) disagreed.

The most recent survey also found that half of all adults (49%) say today’s children will not be better off than their parents. Only 26% hold the more optimistic view, while another 25% are not sure. Those results have changed little from January, when only 27% said children will be better off and 47% disagreed. Twenty-six percent (26%) were undecided at that time.

Adults in their 30’s are the most worried, with 62% who say it is likely the nation will slip into a deep depression. Less than half (47%) of those Americans over 65 think the country will slip into a 1930’s-like depression.

Fifty-four percent (54%) of investors and 53% of non-investors say it is likely the country will slip into a serious depression. Forty-one percent (41%) of investors disagree, along with 38% of non-investors.A third (32%) of adults with children living at home with them say today’s children will be better off than their parents, while only 22% of adults with no children at home agree.

Related Rasmussen polling found that only 45% believe anyone who wants to work can find a job, but most say it is possible for just about anyone to work their way out of poverty in America.As the economy continues to flounder, consumer and investor confidence continue to hit record lows.

source
KEN-JENNINGS
I am all that is MOD!
+2,983|6935|949

53% isn't most Americans.  It's a majority, but not most.  I'm sure those all 53% weren't economists making educated predictions so this really means nothing to me except that Rasmussen should think of something more productive than calling people up and asking them how likely it is that the US will enter into a depression that most people polled probably weren't even alive to experience.
Diesel_dyk
Object in mirror will feel larger than it appears
+178|6297|Truthistan

KEN-JENNINGS wrote:

53% isn't most Americans.  It's a majority, but not most.  I'm sure those all 53% weren't economists making educated predictions so this really means nothing to me except that Rasmussen should think of something more productive than calling people up and asking them how likely it is that the US will enter into a depression that most people polled probably weren't even alive to experience.
Most definition from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/most
1 : greatest in quantity, extent, or degree <the most ability>
2 : the majority of <most people>

I'm sorry I had to


We are on the brink of depression right now.
The thing that will put us over the edge would be if Wall Street crowd succeeds in creating another bubble in commodities. That will flat out kill the economy and then there is no hope at all for dealing with the inflation that is going to be cause by the Federal Reserve printing all that money. That will put us into a depression.

If oil goes back to $100 and copper goes above $2.50 before the economy recovers.... you better start stocking your bunker and keep your powder dry.
Pochsy
Artifice of Eternity
+702|5846|Toronto
Great news for us up here in Canada, we can expect the same to happen with a 3-6 month delay. The worst part is we get to see it coming, meaning we don't get to wonder about out doom. That shits coming and theres no question.
The shape of an eye in front of the ocean, digging for stones and throwing them against its window pane. Take it down dreamer, take it down deep. - Other Families
DrunkFace
Germans did 911
+427|6984|Disaster Free Zone
Confidence or lack there of is as big a cause of economic conditions as any other.

If the people think there will be a depression, they stop spending money and save, causing the depression to happen.
Catbox
forgiveness
+505|7019
I think if BO keeps adding new spending packages repeatedly it will delay and extend the recession... but we will make it through this recession/depression eventually... One thing to remember with a so called depression is that the whole world doesn't stop... even during the depression in the 30s... 70 percent of the people still had jobs... did it suck...yeah....  but they all survived...
Love is the answer
blademaster
I'm moving to Brazil
+2,075|6948

[TUF]Catbox wrote:

I think if BO keeps adding new spending packages repeatedly it will delay and extend the recession... but we will make it through this recession/depression eventually... One thing to remember with a so called depression is that the whole world doesn't stop... even during the depression in the 30s... 70 percent of the people still had jobs... did it suck...yeah....  but they all survived...
I agree with ur statement its not like its gonna kill us all
Deadmonkiefart
Floccinaucinihilipilificator
+177|7009

KEN-JENNINGS wrote:

53% isn't most Americans.  It's a majority, but not most.  I'm sure those all 53% weren't economists making educated predictions so this really means nothing to me except that Rasmussen should think of something more productive than calling people up and asking them how likely it is that the US will enter into a depression that most people polled probably weren't even alive to experience.
>50% = Majority = Most
13rin
Member
+977|6782

Deadmonkiefart wrote:

KEN-JENNINGS wrote:

53% isn't most Americans.  It's a majority, but not most.  I'm sure those all 53% weren't economists making educated predictions so this really means nothing to me except that Rasmussen should think of something more productive than calling people up and asking them how likely it is that the US will enter into a depression that most people polled probably weren't even alive to experience.
>50% = Majority = Most
Majority = More

Super Majority = Most
I stood in line for four hours. They better give me a Wal-Mart gift card, or something.  - Rodney Booker, Job Fair attendee.
Flecco
iPod is broken.
+1,048|6968|NT, like Mick Dundee

blademaster wrote:

[TUF]Catbox wrote:

I think if BO keeps adding new spending packages repeatedly it will delay and extend the recession... but we will make it through this recession/depression eventually... One thing to remember with a so called depression is that the whole world doesn't stop... even during the depression in the 30s... 70 percent of the people still had jobs... did it suck...yeah....  but they all survived...
I agree with ur statement its not like its gonna kill us all
Err dude... What was that thing that happened right after the depression? In many ways it was the event that hit the reset button on the world economy... Little scrap in Europe with some crazy Austrian and another in the Pacific.


We didn't go into that war with nukes and it claimed the best part of a generation of men in the Western World.
Whoa... Can't believe these forums are still kicking.
unnamednewbie13
Moderator
+2,060|7074|PNW

blademaster wrote:

Most Americans [surveyed] (53%) now think the United States is at least somewhat likely to enter a 1930’s-like depression
Fixed. You can also say that as most Americans aren't educated very well in regards to history that it's easy to see why they would succumb to sensationalist paranoia purported by the media. All the more believable when there is some element of truth masking the glamour. I don't think it'll get quite as bad as the early 80's...let alone the 30's, but it will if everybody sits on their thumbs cowering at the topsy-turvy market.

In fewer words:

KEN-JENNINGS wrote:

[...] I'm sure those all 53% weren't economists making educated predictions so this really means nothing to me [...]

Last edited by unnamednewbie13 (2009-03-11 18:20:29)

FEOS
Bellicose Yankee Air Pirate
+1,182|6714|'Murka

I didn't realize "most Americans" were economists.

"Most Americans" get their info spoon-fed to them by Brian Williams and his ilk. Reasoned reporting doesn't sell ads. So that's not what "most Americans" get fed. And then they respond with that kind of garbage.
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein

Doing the popular thing is not always right. Doing the right thing is not always popular
BN
smells like wee wee
+159|7070
These polls are useless.

Ask experts about the economy.
DrunkFace
Germans did 911
+427|6984|Disaster Free Zone

FEOS wrote:

I didn't realize "most Americans" were economists.

"Most Americans" get their info spoon-fed to them by Brian Williams and his ilk. Reasoned reporting doesn't sell ads. So that's not what "most Americans" get fed. And then they respond with that kind of garbage.
"Most Americans" make up the economy, and their actions; determined by what they believe has a direct impact on the economy.

BN wrote:

These polls are useless.

Ask experts about the economy.
These polls are not useless. It's immaterial as to how or why people think this way, the fact they do will have a real effect on the economy. Any expert takes both consumer and business confidence into strong consideration when making any predictions about the economy.

If you believe you are likely to lose your job or get a pay cut, what are you most likely to do? It doesn't matter whether your were or weren't, your actions are based solely on what you believe.
Most sane people would start to save and cut down on non essential spending. This act on an individual bases is not going to have any effect what so ever, but enlarge that scenario to a majority of the population and you suddenly get a steep decline in sales. And Bam, you have your recession and business start cutting jobs.

The exact same thing happens in reverse during boom periods.
usmarine
Banned
+2,785|7064

DrunkFace wrote:

Most sane people would start to save and cut down on non essential spending.
thats what people should have been doing all along...
DrunkFace
Germans did 911
+427|6984|Disaster Free Zone

usmarine wrote:

DrunkFace wrote:

Most sane people would start to save and cut down on non essential spending.
thats what people should have been doing all along...
The economy can't sustain it's self without that spending. If everyone cut back on non essential spending you would quickly find yourself in a country with 50, 60 or possibly even 70% unemployment.
usmarine
Banned
+2,785|7064

DrunkFace wrote:

usmarine wrote:

DrunkFace wrote:

Most sane people would start to save and cut down on non essential spending.
thats what people should have been doing all along...
The economy can't sustain it's self without that spending. If everyone cut back on non essential spending you would quickly find yourself in a country with 50, 60 or possibly even 70% unemployment.
explain non essential for me then
DrunkFace
Germans did 911
+427|6984|Disaster Free Zone

usmarine wrote:

DrunkFace wrote:

usmarine wrote:


thats what people should have been doing all along...
The economy can't sustain it's self without that spending. If everyone cut back on non essential spending you would quickly find yourself in a country with 50, 60 or possibly even 70% unemployment.
explain non essential for me then
Go to your local shopping centre (A mall I believe you call it) and look around at all the shops. Now how many of those actually sell stuff you need?

Do you need that designer or brand name clothing? No.
Do you need that new album, movie, game or book? No.
Do you need a TV, ipod, games console, Blue Ray player, watch, computer, speakers, etc etc?
Do you need to go to a restaurant?
Do you need cable TV or Internet?
Do you need a new bed, desk any furniture or is what you have now good enough?
Do you need to renovate, or move?
Do you need that new deck, landscaped garden or even a tree?
Do you need a new car?
The list goes on.

Now all these things you cut back on, not only cost the jobs of the people selling the items but also those who transport it, manufacture it, design it , advertise it, test it, those who supply the materials, those who deliver the materials, those who mine the raw minerals, those who process, deliver the raw materials and a whole host of other jobs are lost who are no longer needed like cleaners, secretaries, managers, help centres, tech support etc etc.

Almost everything we own or do is a luxury, a want not a need.

There are only 3 needs in life:
Shelter - most people already have this
Clothing - Again most people already have this and anyone buying new clothing doesn't need your $80 designer shirt, a $5 Kmart one will do.
Food -  Like the clothing, the basics will do, no need for your caviar, $50+ wine and Filet mignon steak.
FEOS
Bellicose Yankee Air Pirate
+1,182|6714|'Murka

DrunkFace wrote:

FEOS wrote:

I didn't realize "most Americans" were economists.

"Most Americans" get their info spoon-fed to them by Brian Williams and his ilk. Reasoned reporting doesn't sell ads. So that's not what "most Americans" get fed. And then they respond with that kind of garbage.
"Most Americans" make up the economy, and their actions; determined by what they believe has a direct impact on the economy.

BN wrote:

These polls are useless.

Ask experts about the economy.
These polls are not useless. It's immaterial as to how or why people think this way, the fact they do will have a real effect on the economy. Any expert takes both consumer and business confidence into strong consideration when making any predictions about the economy.

If you believe you are likely to lose your job or get a pay cut, what are you most likely to do? It doesn't matter whether your were or weren't, your actions are based solely on what you believe.
Most sane people would start to save and cut down on non essential spending. This act on an individual bases is not going to have any effect what so ever, but enlarge that scenario to a majority of the population and you suddenly get a steep decline in sales. And Bam, you have your recession and business start cutting jobs.

The exact same thing happens in reverse during boom periods.
It is most certainly NOT immaterial how or why people think this way. I agree that they will have a real effect on the economy, regardless of why they think the way they do...but if they are thinking the way they do based on incomplete or bad information, bad things happen unnecessarily. Sometimes it happens on a much larger scale, depending on who gets the bad info and what decisions he/she makes because of it.

So yes...it is absolutely material how or why people think this way.
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein

Doing the popular thing is not always right. Doing the right thing is not always popular
DrunkFace
Germans did 911
+427|6984|Disaster Free Zone

FEOS wrote:

DrunkFace wrote:

FEOS wrote:

I didn't realize "most Americans" were economists.

"Most Americans" get their info spoon-fed to them by Brian Williams and his ilk. Reasoned reporting doesn't sell ads. So that's not what "most Americans" get fed. And then they respond with that kind of garbage.
"Most Americans" make up the economy, and their actions; determined by what they believe has a direct impact on the economy.

BN wrote:

These polls are useless.

Ask experts about the economy.
These polls are not useless. It's immaterial as to how or why people think this way, the fact they do will have a real effect on the economy. Any expert takes both consumer and business confidence into strong consideration when making any predictions about the economy.

If you believe you are likely to lose your job or get a pay cut, what are you most likely to do? It doesn't matter whether your were or weren't, your actions are based solely on what you believe.
Most sane people would start to save and cut down on non essential spending. This act on an individual bases is not going to have any effect what so ever, but enlarge that scenario to a majority of the population and you suddenly get a steep decline in sales. And Bam, you have your recession and business start cutting jobs.

The exact same thing happens in reverse during boom periods.
It is most certainly NOT immaterial how or why people think this way. I agree that they will have a real effect on the economy, regardless of why they think the way they do...but if they are thinking the way they do based on incomplete or bad information, bad things happen unnecessarily. Sometimes it happens on a much larger scale, depending on who gets the bad info and what decisions he/she makes because of it.

So yes...it is absolutely material how or why people think this way.
I'm not saying its a good thing, and there's probably a good argument to stop information like the OP to be published to stop over reaction of "the sheep". But the fact is, when enough people think something, their change in actions becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.
Varegg
Support fanatic :-)
+2,206|7113|Nårvei

DrunkFace wrote:

FEOS wrote:

DrunkFace wrote:

FEOS wrote:

I didn't realize "most Americans" were economists.

"Most Americans" get their info spoon-fed to them by Brian Williams and his ilk. Reasoned reporting doesn't sell ads. So that's not what "most Americans" get fed. And then they respond with that kind of garbage.
"Most Americans" make up the economy, and their actions; determined by what they believe has a direct impact on the economy.


These polls are not useless. It's immaterial as to how or why people think this way, the fact they do will have a real effect on the economy. Any expert takes both consumer and business confidence into strong consideration when making any predictions about the economy.

If you believe you are likely to lose your job or get a pay cut, what are you most likely to do? It doesn't matter whether your were or weren't, your actions are based solely on what you believe.
Most sane people would start to save and cut down on non essential spending. This act on an individual bases is not going to have any effect what so ever, but enlarge that scenario to a majority of the population and you suddenly get a steep decline in sales. And Bam, you have your recession and business start cutting jobs.

The exact same thing happens in reverse during boom periods.
It is most certainly NOT immaterial how or why people think this way. I agree that they will have a real effect on the economy, regardless of why they think the way they do...but if they are thinking the way they do based on incomplete or bad information, bad things happen unnecessarily. Sometimes it happens on a much larger scale, depending on who gets the bad info and what decisions he/she makes because of it.

So yes...it is absolutely material how or why people think this way.
I'm not saying its a good thing, and there's probably a good argument to stop information like the OP to be published to stop over reaction of "the sheep". But the fact is, when enough people think something, their change in actions becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.
^^ This tbh ...

It's like the media have an interest in the crisis and doesn't want it to end ...
Wait behind the line ..............................................................
FEOS
Bellicose Yankee Air Pirate
+1,182|6714|'Murka

Varegg wrote:

DrunkFace wrote:

FEOS wrote:


It is most certainly NOT immaterial how or why people think this way. I agree that they will have a real effect on the economy, regardless of why they think the way they do...but if they are thinking the way they do based on incomplete or bad information, bad things happen unnecessarily. Sometimes it happens on a much larger scale, depending on who gets the bad info and what decisions he/she makes because of it.

So yes...it is absolutely material how or why people think this way.
I'm not saying its a good thing, and there's probably a good argument to stop information like the OP to be published to stop over reaction of "the sheep". But the fact is, when enough people think something, their change in actions becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.
^^ This tbh ...

It's like the media have an interest in the crisis and doesn't want it to end ...
I believe we are in violent agreement.

Now where's the fun in that?
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein

Doing the popular thing is not always right. Doing the right thing is not always popular

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