Tag Archives: US Economy

Break the Fifteen Negatives

By Admin | Published: August 3, 2010

As I was attempting to dry off from the torrential rainfall occurring in Chicago this AM, I had this thought: why are interest rates so low? Are the Granthams and Grosses of the world correct in their deflation scenarios?

Let’s look at all the reasons for low rates. Some are stand alone, some are related.

1 Slow or decelerating European and US economic growth.

2 European sovereign debt crisis.

3 European bank crisis.

4 China tightening to contain inflation.

5 No or slow demand for money.

6 Lots of money around from central banks.

7 Large amount of free reserves … …READ MORE

Posted in Front Page | Also tagged , , | 1 Comment

Bernanke Admission by Omission

By Admin | Published: July 22, 2010

I think the most “captivating” part of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke was not what he said, but what he omitted. Yes, the unusually uncertain comment captured the essence of why businesses aren’t hiring with European debt crisis, health care, Fin Reg and taxes all creating the miasma.

However, the chairman didn’t address or dwell on the Seinfeld economic theory of a double dip. He brushed off comments asking for details of what the Fed would do to stimulate the economy if it sank again from these levels.

This was the point I was attempting to make last night on … …READ MORE

Posted in Front Page | Also tagged , , | 1 Comment

Obama's Speech: FDR VS JFK

By Admin | Published: December 8, 2009

“It is the habit of the unthinking to turn in times like this to the illusions of economic magic. People suggest that a huge expenditure of public funds by the Federal Government and by State and local governments will completely solve the unemployment problem. But it is clear that even if we could raise many billions of dollars and find definitely useful public works to spend these billions on, even all that money would not give employment to the seven million or ten million people who are out of work. Let us admit frankly that it would be only a … …READ MORE

Posted in Front Page | Also tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Discovering No Spending:

By Admin | Published: October 7, 2009

In the past, consumer spending was 70% of the US economy. In the past, an increase in consumer confidence has led to an increase in consumer spending. We have seen global increases in consumer confidence including today’s UK numbers. US consumer confidence has risen from a low of 25.3 in February to 53.1 in September. However, retail sales are still lagging and are expected to be down 2.0% in September.

According to the Discover US Spending Monitor, US consumers are still worried about their personal finances and are limiting their spending plans. The survey showed 19% expect to spend more … …READ MORE

Posted in Front Page | Also tagged , , | Leave a comment

WGN Radio Clips From Saturday

By Admin | Published: September 10, 2009

Here are the two clips from my Saturday interview on WGB radio in Chicago.

Jerry Agar and I talked about job losses in the United States, job gains in Canada, and why I was joking when I said the Bush years weren’t really that bad compared to now.

Clip One: http://www.illinoispolicy.org/uploads/media/mulitmedia/jerry/Andy%20Busch%20clip%201.mp3

In next section, we also compared today to the 1930′s and talked about the amount of power the unelected chairman of the Fed has. In the second section, you will hear which nation I blame for the world-wide recession.

Clip Two

http://www.illinoispolicy.org/uploads/media/mulitmedia/jerry/Andy%20Busch%20clip%202.mp3… …READ MORE

Posted in Front Page | Also tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

  • Recent TWEETS @abusch