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Consumer Comfort Plunges

BIGGEST DROP IN MORE THAN A YEAR … || By FITSNEWS ||  Excited about that modest economic growth the government announced this week?  Don’t get yourself too worked up.  Consumer comfort plunged this week – suffering its largest weekly drop in more than a year. Bloomberg’s Consumer Comfort Index (CCI)…

BIGGEST DROP IN MORE THAN A YEAR …

|| By FITSNEWS ||  Excited about that modest economic growth the government announced this week?  Don’t get yourself too worked up.  Consumer comfort plunged this week – suffering its largest weekly drop in more than a year.

Bloomberg’s Consumer Comfort Index (CCI) dropped 1.9 points to 40.5 – it’s biggest weekly drop since May 2014.

“The index has lost 3.5 points in the past month and has been lower only once since November,” the economists who compile the report (.pdf HERE) noted.

Here’s the index visually …

(Click to play)

consumer comfort

(Graph: Via Bloomberg)

Hmmm …

Obviously that last drop-off looks really, really bad … but the trend line over the last two years isn’t terrible.  At least not yet.

But with 93 million working age Americans out of the labor pool, wages stagnant and serious global economic headwinds looming … yeah, it’s gonna be hard to turn things around.

Especially with “Republican” leaders bending over for U.S. president Barack Obama literally on command.

Published weekly since December 1985, the CCI records Americans’ views on three key items: The national economy, the buying climate and their personal finances. Produced by Langer Research Associates, CCI data is based on 1,000 national random-sample landline and cellular telephone interviews, 250 per week (in a four-week rolling average).

***

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63 comments

Liberal Bliss August 1, 2015 at 2:46 am

You may be the last person in America surprised. Even Hillary is rnning against the Obama economy.

Reply
ImpaledNazarene August 1, 2015 at 4:47 am

How can this be? The mainstream media said that the US recovery is amazing! Especially due to the very low unemployment rate! Even the BLS said that the USA is recovering!
Obama has betrayed us!!! :-(

Reply
Imaginary Friend August 1, 2015 at 8:36 am

How has Obama betrayed us? The economy is WAY better than the closing months of 2008.

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flip August 1, 2015 at 9:20 am

Earlier this week, the President of these United States told a crowd of people who were actually interested in listening to him that, if he ran for a third term, he’d win.

A new Rasmussen poll begs to disagree.

According to that poll, 63% of Americans wouldn’t vote for him if was able and willing to run again. Only 30% said they’d support him for a third term.

Put the crack pipe down.Only people that think economy is good are the 100 million adults not working, on food stamps and Obamacare EXPANDED Medicaid

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Imaginary friend August 1, 2015 at 11:49 am

All the FACTS say otherwise. Try leaving the house sometime.

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Jack August 3, 2015 at 2:11 pm

Facts are biased against Republicans. That is why the don’t trust them.

idcydm August 1, 2015 at 1:14 pm

“Imaginary Friend”, “WAY better”…in 2008 you must have been in elementary school.

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ImpaledNazarene August 7, 2015 at 12:28 am

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please, explain your idiotic and incomprehendable conclusion.

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erneba August 1, 2015 at 8:03 am

If anyone in this country thinks Obama inspired confidence in this economy or did the right things to keep us on a comfortable recovery track, they don’t understand how our economic system works, they are delusional. or they are pure partisans.

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No facts August 1, 2015 at 8:38 am

Explain then. The economy is much better today than how GWB left it.

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Liberal bliss August 1, 2015 at 9:14 am

They lied to you about Bush, you fucking idiot. Are you too stupid to figure that out? Don’t answer.

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flip August 1, 2015 at 9:24 am

Please.100% increase on food stamp rolls,part- time work force because of Obamacare and 100 million adults not working.If gas prices weren’t lower the misery index would be unsustainable for a majority of families.

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Tazmaniac August 1, 2015 at 9:36 am

Tell that to the teen age kid who can’t get a job to save up for his first car because some 30 year old guy with a degree living in his parents basement , paying support to a baby mama is working his jobs flipping burgers or rounding up carts from the parking lot at Bi-Lo.

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Still no facts August 1, 2015 at 11:45 am

Problems caused by GWB administration. Burger flippers are doing pretty good under Obama, though. Get one of those $15/hr jobs.

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Returning to sanity now August 1, 2015 at 8:35 am

Wow. Things must really suck in SC. Reading comments here is like peeking into bizarro world.

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$9 trillion down the drain August 1, 2015 at 9:12 am

Yeah, I heard they gave you welfare recipients a raise, along with an increase in food stamp allotment. And if you vote for Hillary, you get 30 minutes added to your Obama-phone.

You can do a lot w/ $9 trillion going to deadbeats and lazy-asses, like you, selling your dignity to a dictator who hates our country.

Reply
Returning to sanity August 1, 2015 at 11:48 am

Look! It’s one of the Bizarros. Say some more dumb stuff!

Reply
easterndumbfuckistan August 1, 2015 at 9:26 am

Everyone one else is here going on about liberal this, economy that and I’m over going wow, they still make Lite Brite!

Reply
Victorious Secret August 1, 2015 at 9:38 am

+10 Winning!

Reply
Bible Thumper August 1, 2015 at 10:49 am

Note: “Flat Screen” on the box. They were trail blazers long before computer monitors went flat screen.

Reply
ShirleyRManley August 2, 2015 at 12:34 am Reply
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Slartibartfast August 1, 2015 at 6:59 pm

Or.. it’s a very old picture. The overlarge turtleneck is a dead 90’s giveaway.

Reply
euwe max August 1, 2015 at 2:31 pm

I blame Bush.

Reply
Bible Thumper August 1, 2015 at 2:45 pm Reply
euwe max August 2, 2015 at 9:35 am

Matthew 20 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.

2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.

6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,

12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.

15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

Reply
Bible Thumper August 2, 2015 at 10:34 am

Should we try to apply the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven here on Earth?
When I used to see people wearing a WWJD bracelet, I would think to myself, if you do what Jesus did expect the same result; crucifixion. It’s an interesting article.

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euwe max August 2, 2015 at 10:35 am

Should we try to apply the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven here on Earth?

——–

Matthew 6:9-13King James Version (KJV)

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Bible Thumper August 2, 2015 at 10:57 am

The reality is that most of us want to be hired at the eleventh hour and receive full pay. There are very few who will be willing to do a full days work. For the Kingdom of God to work human nature must change.
Romans 12: 2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Bible Thumper August 2, 2015 at 4:45 pm

Dan Price at Gravity has run into a few snags.

Luke 6: 31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

Dan didn’t do that. I don’t think Dan would like others giving to him what he didn’t need or earn. Especially if they felt the gift patronized or it was unfair.

Matthew 6:1-4
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

      “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
____________________________________

James 2: 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith rapart from your works, and I will show you my faith sby my works. 19 tYou believe that God is one; you do well. Even uthe demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?

While faith without works is dead, the bible also says works without love is also dead.

1 Corinthians 13 : 3
And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

That’s why Marxism and Socialism fail. That’s why Venezuela is a failed state. Love and compulsion are incompatible.

Mary August 2, 2015 at 6:21 pm

Love and compulsion are incompatible?? Hmm, so you would argue that god loves us and therefor does not compel us to do anything. So all the commandments, the direction to act in certain ways and do certain things are just suggestions?? We are free to ignore them without fear consequence?

I guess that would explain the reason most American Christians choose to ignore his commandments, as well as his warnings about the risk accumulating earthly wealth while others suffer. Perhaps if Christians,like you, really loved all mankind, there would be no starving children, no sick people without access to health care, no people without shelter.

So I ask in your philosophy who is more evil, the man who shoots an innocent child with a gun, or the man who allows 20 innocent children to die of starvation when he could prevent it? Or are you saying neither are evil, because “thou shalt not kill” and “feed the poor” are just suggestions you are free to ignore.

Bible Thumper August 2, 2015 at 6:59 pm

God commands us, but does not compel us. He told his disciples to follow him but never forced them. Everybody is given a choice. The demons fear God and follow his commands, but that doesn’t give them salvation.

Matthew 8: 28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”

30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”

32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.

The Old Testament Covenants are full of commands and punishments. They all failed. Jesus came as a man on a mission of love and forgiveness. His mission has inspired more charity than all the old testament covenants.

No one is saved by fear. You are saved by faith and love.

Mary August 2, 2015 at 8:05 pm

Perhaps we have a different definition of compulsion. No one can compel you to do anything. They can only punish you if you do not act in a specific way. Compulsion, is directing you to do something and punishing you if you fail to do it Now I realize god could physically make your body act in a specific way, while man cannot. But I do not think that is what you are talking about.

It is true that Christ did not compel his disciples to follow him, but that does not mean there would have been no consequences if they had not. Perhaps I am misunderstanding your point. Are you saying you believe Christ issued no commandments, and we are free to ignore his directions, commandments, suggestions (whatever you wish to call them) without consequence?

Mary August 2, 2015 at 8:14 pm

As a follow up to my last point. I disagree completely in regard to Westboro Baptist Church. I don’t think they have followed the commandments of Christ. I believe Christ commanded us to love all mankind. They are in direct violation of that Commandment, as are many modern Christians.

Further to say there is no element of fear in salvation is not correct. While Christ exhibited boundless love, he also stated, “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch
your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). And Paul says to work toward complete holiness because we fear God (2 Corinthians 7:1).

To say there is no threat of damnation, for those who fail to act as god commands, is a big leap and would ignore a lot of the bible.

Bible Thumper August 2, 2015 at 8:35 pm

Christ commanded us to love all mankind. 
That is true, but it should be something we want to do not merely because we are commanded. Can you really be commanded to love? Love is both an active and passive verb. It is something you do and feel.

I believe when feeding the poor, the love is more important than the nutrition. When the government does it, there is more often disdain than love. That causes more harm than good. The poor often express more a feeling of entitlement than appreciation.

Mary August 3, 2015 at 12:23 am

I think you use that as an excuse. You say you love mankind, but not as much as you love money. Many Christians today have readily accepted the belief that God demands nothing of them. That God wants them to be rich. That they can accumulate wealth while people starve and God will forgive them. The can turn their back on the poor, the sick as long as they pray for forgiveness. But that is not what Christ taught.

I noticed you did not answer my question. Who is more evil the man who shoots an innocent child with a gun, or the man who allows 20 innocent children to die of starvation, when he could prevent it?

Bible Thumper August 3, 2015 at 11:21 am

” You say you love mankind, but not as much as you love money.”
Money is to serve mankind, not for man to serve it. Without money and the creative, intelligent, resourceful use of money, there would be many more starving people.
I remember seeing heartbreaking news stories of starving children in Africa and Asia years ago. Video of children with distended bellies caused by chronic malnutrition. We rarely see those situations anymore.

Many of those same places are now developed and thriving. It was a combination of governments, private nonprofits (including wealthy contributors) and for profit development that helped turned to communities around. It is the for profit investment that makes the progress permanent.

I think we are all guilty of letting the 20 children starve. Only Tha man is guilty of shooting the child.

Mary August 3, 2015 at 1:19 pm

“I remember seeing heartbreaking news stories of starving children in Africa and Asia years ago. Video of children with distended bellies caused by chronic malnutrition. We rarely see those situations anymore.”

There are none so blind as he who will not see. Here, does this help clear your vision,

.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er1kTF3smOE

How about this?
http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/photo-gallery-a-half-million-children-face-starvation-in-east-africa-fotostrecke-70951.html

Perhaps you should read Matthew a little more closely. God will not judge us as a group. Each person will face god and answer for his actions or inaction. Not those of his brother.
But you are not alone. I rarely find people who claim to be “Christian” who believe they have any obligation to feed the poor or treat the sick, or shelter those without shelter. They all have excuses as to why God would not demand that of them. Surely god does not expect them to do something for poor people. If they are poor they deserve to be poor, I worked for mine, let them work for theirs. Isn’t that what I pay the taxes I don’t thnk I should have to pay for.
Matthew 25:31-46 is almost never taught in the Churches of the First world anymore. Ministers who are in religion for money do not know how to tell their contributors, they should spend money on the poor and not on the salary and perks of their preacher, priest, minister, etc.
Franklin Graham, the darling of the right, is worth 25 million dollars. He could save thousands from starvation with that money, but he does not. So how would he answer the question. Who is more evil? He like you would have an excuse as to why god wants him to have 25 million dollars.
I say all this not to judge you. I say it to ask you to stop using religion to support your politics. Stop pretending the American Right is filled with good people who respect an honor the teachings of Jesus Christ, while those on the left do not. Stop pretending to be pro-life when you are not. Stop being a hypocrite. Be true to yourself, and just admit, that you are not going to help even if you can. Discuss that with god.

Bible Thumper August 2, 2015 at 8:22 pm

Me and euwe max have running debate on whether God’s commands should be incorporated it man’s/government’s laws. We do that with laws on murder, theft etc… Efforts at social engineering are often counterproductive.

euwe max August 2, 2015 at 9:10 pm

God commanded the Jews to leave gleanings for the poor and the strangers. That was social engineering. He commanded them to take the strangers into their houses. That was social engineering. He commanded them to use the same laws to govern strangers as their own people. That was social engineering.

You can’t compel anyone to obey the law here, either. But you can make the punishment fit the crime when the law is disobeyed.

Like the angel who consumed the people with fire in the wilderness, and later, after David counted them.

euwe max August 2, 2015 at 9:09 pm

32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs,

——-
and they said, nah… we changed our minds – we’d rather go into a flock of geese.

euwe max August 2, 2015 at 7:19 pm

Love and compulsion are incompatible.

——–
So you think they should be called the 10 suggestions, then.

Bible Thumper August 2, 2015 at 7:26 pm

So, how would you judge Venezuela’s long term success with compulsion.

euwe max August 2, 2015 at 7:41 pm

I don’t think judging God’s word by someone’s success or failure is how His commandments should be prioritized.

Bible Thumper August 2, 2015 at 7:46 pm

If an effort to help someone results in harm and you are aware of it, then you are not following God’s commands.

euwe max August 2, 2015 at 9:15 pm

If God says “harm them,” (feed them) then “harm them”(feed them).

Bible Thumper August 2, 2015 at 9:19 pm

Jihadi Chistian? Fundamentalists?
God gave us brains. He expects us to use them.

euwe max August 2, 2015 at 10:00 pm

God gave us brains. He expects us to use them.

———
not to obviate his commandments though rationalization out of materialistic greed.

Mary August 2, 2015 at 6:07 pm

Thanks for that link. It is so true.

Mary August 2, 2015 at 7:55 pm

I think the answer to your question is yes.

I think the appropriate response to your later comment, is so what. Isn’t that what early Christians faced. While I don’t believe what you say is true, if it is so be it. Your reward will be in heaven. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul.

Lovinit August 1, 2015 at 4:17 pm

I can only rely on my own experience. Since the crash of 2008 the stock market has been on a raging bull market. I have made more money than I ever have in my life! My net worth has blossomed. My income has mushroomed and I pay more taxes than I ever did before and I’m glad about that because it means I am making more money than I ever have before. If you cannot make money in the last 7 years, there is no hope for you. All you guys moaning about the economy apparently don’t know how to work it to your advantage. It’s about time for a correction and I am beginning to sell off and accumulate cash so I can do it again after the bubble bursts. You might want to consider that yourselves–if you invest at all. I love the Obama economy. The Bush economy really sucked. Nobody, Republican or Democrat, can dispute that. He nearly ruined the country.

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rocko fraud mums-in law August 1, 2015 at 9:13 pm

Rocky where is the EBT card. I want some Food Lion chicken.
p.s. why did I have to pay $5 for a co-pay at my doctor? You told me I was on a free ride in America even though I am an illegal….

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Slartibartfast August 2, 2015 at 3:45 pm

Well, then you’ve made enough money to pay $57,000 for yourself and each of your children to cover your part of the $18,000,000,000,000.00 debt. Or you can rationally realize that all that’s happen is that our economic debacle has been transferred to our grandchildren, so you can make a profit with imaginary currency.

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Bible Thumper August 1, 2015 at 5:54 pm Reply
euwe max August 2, 2015 at 9:32 am

Especially with “Republican” leaders bending over for U.S. president Barack Obama literally on command.

———–
Don’t worry – you’ll get a Republican next year and spend another few trillion on a new war, or two.

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Beautiful, bright days ahead August 2, 2015 at 12:21 pm

I’m glad to see you are conceding. More of you admitting what a failure you’ve been, the easier it will be to begin to clean up the mess you’ve made.

When you LOVE America, and the American people, the country works. And we’ll get a president that does not HATE us. We’ll change the country immediately, because you will be plowed asunder, as you deserve.

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euwe max August 2, 2015 at 4:00 pm

War – the new patriotism.

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Liberal Bigots begone!!! August 2, 2015 at 9:51 pm

War on hateful, bitter Bigots and America Haters, like you and Obama.

When we cease to combat pieces of shit like you, it is a sign all of our greatness is gone.

I’d rather you just deport yourselves to some chaotic armpit country that deserves ignorant, backward and bloodsucking demons. That way we won’t have to deal w/ your Bullshit and the misery you perpetuate.

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euwe max August 2, 2015 at 9:59 pm

War is the air Republicans breathe.

Go Away Lourie August 2, 2015 at 10:09 am

Thank God Joel Lourie is leaving the Senate. That pompous ass did little, took credit for much and was loved by the press for smiling, which was his only contribution.

Lourie always showed up, after the fact, to provide the establishment solution to whatever issue that was at hand and had been ignored for years. The DSS issue is a perfect example.

My wife works there and says the situation is worse now than ever. But how much publicity and adoration Lourie has received!

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Reader better than FITS Staff August 2, 2015 at 12:18 pm

Thanks for that info. Any news this site finds painful is ignored.
That’s why there is very little on Hillary, and the implosion of her campaign, and the rejection of the Democrat PArty. .

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Rocky August 3, 2015 at 10:42 am

Late getting to this, but an interesting fact that was released today. So non-mortgage household debt has hit a 10 year high. The subsequent analysis finds that driving that debt is not credit cards or school loan debt, but the purchase of new cars. So….. that would put some damper on consumer confidence because that $375 a month that was freed up with lower interest on mortgages, lower gas prices, has been eaten up with a new car purchase. So what that tells me is we may see consumer confidence, whilest still elevated, might run flat for another two quarters, until raises and auto loans being paid off kick in. Still, we’re not seeing households default on mortgage debt at any high numbers, infact, stripping out the 2006 to 2008 trash that’s winding it’s way through foreclosure, new foreclosures and bankruptcy remains at historically low levels. So households are tightening their belts to payoff cars, but after that, it’s likely to expand again.

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