“The goal of all of this coverage? At least in part, it’s to tick off Trump. The media have made a cottage industry of reporting stories in the most inflammatory way, deploying commentators to speculate on just how “angry” Trump must be, and then reporting on that subsequent anger. It’s a media-generated news cycle with nothing at the heart but a desire to poke Trump with a stick and see if he’ll growl.”

Unfortunately, it often works.

“The goal of all of this coverage? At least in part, it’s to tick off Trump. The media have made a cottage industry of reporting stories in the most inflammatory way, deploying commentators to speculate on just how “angry” Trump must be, and then reporting on that subsequent anger. It’s a media-generated news cycle with nothing at the heart but a desire to poke Trump with a stick and see if he’ll growl.”

Unfortunately, it often works.

Not enough people are awoke and are just sheep.

Watching the roast of Trump (2011). Whos in the crowd...John Legend and Christy. Snoop Dog talking highly of Trump.

Seth Mcfarlan saying one day, Trump will be president.

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Business...

I still think he’s a buffoon and I often cringe when he speaks in public. That said, he’s getting things done and definitely stirring up the pot. Whether that stirring will lead to positive change for this country remains to be seen, but I see a lot of things going on that I see as favorable.

I listen to a lot of NPR and I’ve even seen a change in their bias. It’s slight and here and there, I see it. I was driving to work the other day and they had a Dem Sen on talking about the release of the findings on the “no collusion report”. They were actually pressing and going against the hypocrisy of what the guy was saying. I was amazed.

Many of the “were gonna walk out” stances that Trump took and got the media all up in arms. Many have been effective negotiating stances. Give the guy a chance.

A Hawaii federal judge will rule the Korean war must continue.

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Early estimate for Q1 GDP has been released.... 2.3%

https://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/gdp/2018/gdp1q18_adv.htm

Early estimate for Q1 GDP has been released.... 2.3%

https://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/gdp/2018/gdp1q18_adv.htm

Dont know crap about gdp, but keep hearing about it.

Is that good? And is it because of trump?

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Dont know crap about gdp, but keep hearing about it.

Is that good? And is it because of trump?

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No, it's not good. This is a preliminary number and will be revised end of May but it's unlikely to move up significantly. Certainly not to the 4%-5% range some were expecting.

No, it's not good. This is a preliminary number and will be revised end of May but it's unlikely to move up significantly. Certainly not to the 4%-5% range some were expecting.

Yes. It is not good, not good at all. However, it's not Trumps fault that America doesn'tproduce anything of value these days.  Seem like the only thing America produces in the 21st century is whiners, tide pod eating morons, and freedom hating socialists.

Yes. It is not good, not good at all. However, it's not Trumps fault that America doesn'tproduce anything of value these days.  Seem like the only thing America produces in the 21st century is whiners, tide pod eating morons, and freedom hating socialists.

It's also a function of over indebtedness, which is a drag on growth. It's not entirely his fault but putting us even further into debt isn't helping.

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It's also a function of over indebtedness, which is a drag on growth. It's not entirely his fault but putting us even further into debt isn't helping.

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The USA will never get out of debt if it continues to not produce anything, and Trump has gone far to attempt to bring industry back into the US. 

GDP

"Gross domestic product is the best way to measure a country's economy. GDP is the total value of everything produced by all the people and companies in the country. It doesn't matter if they are citizens or foreign-owned companies. If they are located within the country's boundaries, the government counts their production as GDP."

No, it's not good. This is a preliminary number and will be revised end of May but it's unlikely to move up significantly. Certainly not to the 4%-5% range some were expecting.

You are absolutely correct. However, "not good" is relative depending on what you are used to living with. I suspect most who have an account here don't remember the 3.5%-7%+ GDP growth of the mid 1980's. Or even the ~4.5% GDP of the late 1990's. From the year 2001 to present (the last 17 years) I believe 2.3% is considered average. It will likely move up a tenth or two after the revision. Compared to the Obama years of negative GDP to an average of around 1.7% or 1.8% then 2.3% is looking quite good. So for those who are around maybe 30 or so, 2.3% doesn't look too bad. Much older than that and one could probably remember the good years in the late 90's. So 2.3% may or may not look good. It really depends on your perspective in life (Age and maturity).

Regular bank savings accounts used to pay like 0.50%. Now they are up to ~1.50%. If you are of the age where 0.50% has been the norm for the last 8+ years then 1.5% is looking pretty damn good right now. Those who are not that old will not be able to remember when a regular savings account paid 5% interest back in the mid 80's. A good portion of those younger than us will not even remember when they paid 3%. So seeing these rates made my nephew ask me why they are so low right now. I am seeing stepped CD's now in the market that are paying up to 5% in the last step. I have not seen that rate since BO (Before Obama).

Bottom line is what is NOT good to you and I may be good or great to the younger generations. 

You are absolutely correct. However, "not good" is relative depending on what you are used to living with. I suspect most who have an account here don't remember the 3.5%-7%+ GDP growth of the mid 1980's. Or even the ~4.5% GDP of the late 1990's. From the year 2001 to present (the last 17 years) I believe 2.3% is considered average. It will likely move up a tenth or two after the revision. Compared to the Obama years of negative GDP to an average of around 1.7% or 1.8% then 2.3% is looking quite good. So for those who are around maybe 30 or so, 2.3% doesn't look too bad. Much older than that and one could probably remember the good years in the late 90's. So 2.3% may or may not look good. It really depends on your perspective in life (Age and maturity).

Regular bank savings accounts used to pay like 0.50%. Now they are up to ~1.50%. If you are of the age where 0.50% has been the norm for the last 8+ years then 1.5% is looking pretty damn good right now. Those who are not that old will not be able to remember when a regular savings account paid 5% interest back in the mid 80's. A good portion of those younger than us will not even remember when they paid 3%. So seeing these rates made my nephew ask me why they are so low right now. I am seeing stepped CD's now in the market that are paying up to 5% in the last step. I have not seen that rate since BO (Before Obama).

Bottom line is what is NOT good to you and I may be good or great to the younger generations.  :shaka:CHASE

Inspector you and I are of similar age. I remember 4.5 % on savings accounts.
I was too young to worry about GDP but back then it wasn't bad.
Then came LBJ, Nixon, Ford, and the disaster of  Carter. You could only go up after Carter.
Frankly what destroyed the interest rates was the Fed deciding we had to have at least
a 2% annual inflation rate.  That is still killing us.  There was no way wages were going to increase
that much generally.  I hope and pray for a depression.
The best Interest rates I can find today is Tbills. Fair interest comparatively and you don't get taxed
on the interest. I don't know where you get "stepped CD's" but I'll look for them.
You are right in that the younger guys are hosed compared to us, but somebody let
a political party that will remain un-named raid theTreasury and we are now broke and
living paycheck to paycheck plus borrowing on top of that.  That doesn't seem to be slowing
down.  Get your Social security while you can!

The USA will never get out of debt if it continues to not produce anything, and Trump has gone far to attempt to bring industry back into the US. 

GDP

"Gross domestic product is the best way to measure a country's economy. GDP is the total value of everything produced by all the people and companies in the country. It doesn't matter if they are citizens or foreign-owned companies. If they are located within the country's boundaries, the government counts their production as GDP."

Antiquated industries like coal. We are more service and tech based now but that's the way it should be as a nation evolves. Do you want your kids working for Apple or in the coal mines? Making air conditioners or working at SpaceX?

Productivity isn't only the measure of tangible goods, you need to include goods AND services.

We do have issues with countries taking our intellectual property, which Trump is trying to address but too much of his focus is on bringing America back to the industrial age.

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Inspector you and I are of similar age. I remember 4.5 % on savings accounts.
I was too young to worry about GDP but back then it wasn't bad.
Then came LBJ, Nixon, Ford, and the disaster of  Carter. You could only go up after Carter.
Frankly what destroyed the interest rates was the Fed deciding we had to have at least
a 2% annual inflation rate.  That is still killing us.  There was no way wages were going to increase
that much generally.  I hope and pray for a depression.
The best Interest rates I can find today is Tbills. Fair interest comparatively and you don't get taxed
on the interest. I don't know where you get "stepped CD's" but I'll look for them.
You are right in that the younger guys are hosed compared to us, but somebody let
a political party that will remain un-named raid theTreasury and we are now broke and
living paycheck to paycheck plus borrowing on top of that.  That doesn't seem to be slowing
down.  Get your Social security while you can!

I suspected we are of similar age. Didn't want to be rude and ask. Carter was a disaster. I remember interest rates were so high that the construction business and employment rates were terrible. I was laid off regularly and had a hard time finding work. I worked 2 jobs (when I could get it) during that time to make ends meet.

The CD's are called step-up CD's and are available through my broker TD Ameritrade. The CD's are offered by different banks and entities and are available through any broker. Step-up CD's usually go for a set period say 10 years. They offer something like 3% for the first 5 years, then 4% for the next 3 years and then 5% for the last 2 years. Be aware I just made up those numbers. The last offer I remember was similar to that, though. That usually means you can get a non-step-up CD for a long term around 3%-3.50%. The step-up CD's are usually good quality in the BBB+ to AA quality range. The last ones I bought were from Chase Bank and Wells Fargo Bank.

I think the creation of the FED was a big mistake. Too much power with no real oversight.

I intend to start taking my SS as soon as I am able to. Even if I decide to continue to work. Which I hope I won't have to. Once you start getting it, it will be difficult for the government to stop.

I wish you the best and hope you get your SS as soon as you can.

Are these corporate bonds or CDs? They're two very different things. Based on the ratings you mention, they sound like corporates.

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Are these corporate bonds or CDs? They're two very different things. Based on the ratings you mention, they sound like corporates.

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They are CD's. I have not invested in any type of bond (Corporate or Municipal) in many years.

2.3% GDP is not good because the Administration said that the inevitable 4% GDP will pay for the $1.4467 Trillion added to the deficit because of the GOP omnibus. If the GDP doesn't shoot past 4% by end of Q2, the GOP is in for a world of hurt this November. That's not wishful thinking, that's concern of an impending doom.

The Administration is so chaotic that I sometimes wonder if an actual wooden spoon stirring a pot would be just as effective as Trump. John Kelly could be running around calling the wooden spoon an idiot with better results. Porn stars could sue the wooden spoon for covering up an affair. Sorry, just being dense again...