The economy has been a political mixed bag for the past two years. From an economic standpoint the economy is in good shape. Unemployment is down to 5.1% and GDP is at an acceptable growth rate at 3.5% for the last quarter. Under different circumstances this would be a success considering the slowdown from 2000-02.

During the 90’s a great deal of attention was paid to the stock market and its relation to the economy. The stock market is not a direct barometer of the economy. This is one of the first things that is taught in economic classes. After the Dow boom in the late 90’s a slow more measured growth rate for the stock market it a good thing.


Are Americans suffering from irrational expectations after the dot.com bust of 2000?

Is the war in Iraq distracting from the rebound?

Are higher gas prices depressing perception of the economy?

Is the administration doing its job? (If not what can it do differently?)

The answer is likely a combination to the answers of the questions abover.