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Web site readers divided on how soon economy will improve

Thursday, April 2, 2009
By John I. Carney

More than a third of the respondents to a non-scientific Times-Gazette poll think it will be 2012 or beyond before the U.S. sees meaningful imporovement in the economy, but one in five believe the economy will turn around in the second half of this year.

The poll question was, "How soon do you expect to see meaningful recovery in the U.S. economy?"

Here is how the answers break down.

The second half of this year (or sooner): 20.5 percent (153 votes)

The first half of 2010: 19.7 percent (147 votes)

The second half of 2010: 13.9 percent (104 votes)

2011: 9.6 percent (72 votes)

2012 or beyond: 36.3 percent (271 votes)

A total of 747 votes were cast.

Of the comments that were left, several were sharp personal attacks on either President Obama or his predecessor President Bush, from people who blamed economic woes on one or the other.

Obama "is trying to take over the country and he is not giving the state and people the rights they are entitled to," said one commenter.

A different commenter was skeptical that bailouts will do much to improve the economy soon. "It's going be a long time as long as the ones who got us in the mess get the bailout," wrote the commenter, "and not us who would put it right back into the economy. The rich will put it overseas again because they're going to fill [their] pockets."

Still another commenter said that repealing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) "is mandatory" if the economy is to improve.

Voluntary web site polls are considered non-scientific because there is no way to guarantee that the people who choose to participate represent a true cross-section of the intended population.

Comments

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Looks like a sad time here in ole Bedford with so many gloomy folks.It will get better over time won't it,really?

-- Posted by grandpat on Thu, Apr 2, 2009, at 2:23 PM

The economy here can not improve with no manufacturing base.

NAFTA has destroyed that. If you doubt it,just look around town at the empty buildings and remember who moved to where !

Clinton started it, Bush continued it and obama will have the final nail so it is already appearing.

But have no fear ! obamination is here to save the day. He is sure doing a fine job so far.

-- Posted by BobM on Thu, Apr 2, 2009, at 4:16 PM

A time like this is when we as people should all bond together, help one another, pray for & with one another.

-- Posted by weras1 on Fri, Apr 3, 2009, at 8:02 AM

old man 57,

Good Word! I agree with your entire comment.

-- Posted by honda14 on Fri, Apr 3, 2009, at 12:17 PM

Bottom line is that our country cannot spend or borrow its way out of debt. That's what got us here.

Most of those that are saying it wont get better for a while understand and appreciate economics and how the process works.

It is my opinion that the increased debt load that the new budget requires and the additional stimulus money, "read borrowed and fake printed money", will eventually drive up interest rates and inflation within the next few years.

Not to mention the new tax increases that the Obama administration is imposing upon small business owners and others that are the life fuel of our economy.

Government is not the solution in this situation. Free enterprise is the solution and a capitalist economy is the direction that should be followed. The tarp money that was given to the automobile manufacturers was wasted, as they are for the most part still going to file bankruptcy. As any businessperson knows, and/or any person that has to manage their own budget at home, you have to life within your means.

These businesses need to fail. We should not reward a business for screwing up. Just as we should not reward people that over exposed themselves when buying a too expensive house that they could not afford..

Where in the heck to it become fashionable for people not to be responsible for their own actions? Just like when businesses screw up, what normally happens? They fail. The business that was competing with them prospers and usually buys out their assets.

One more thing to note, Socialist and Communistic countries have ALWAYS FAILED if you have an understanding of history.

BobM you are correct in regards to the loss of our manufacturing base; this is another disturbing element of this situation.

I wish our country well and I also wish that our new president do a good job with our country; however I am fearful that his economic policies will lead this nation down of bankruptcy and socialism and government control and the loss of our individual rights as Americans that we have so long appreciated and made this country so great.

So, yes to the rest of you that ask for prayer, please do so, because I never in my wildest imagination thought that I would see what's happening to my country occur within my lifetime.

-- Posted by Brett Favre on Mon, Apr 13, 2009, at 9:39 PM