Rasmussen Poll: 34% Of Americans Say US Economy Is In Recession

[Mark E. Smith]

Sifted from the malarkey:

"Thirty four percent (34%) of American adults say the US economy is in a recession while 43% disagree and say it is not...Thirty four percent (34%) of men say the economy is in a recession along with 33% of women. However, 50% of men say we are not in a recession, a view shared by just 34% of women."

Any way you look at this, the numbers here are not good for an administration that has touted itself as the best friend the economy has ever had.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/daily.htm

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. hmm is that misery index rising?

Is reality starting to hit people in the face?

Still too low, the economy has been in recession for quite a bit

[toymachines]

2. that number will continue to rise

no doubt about it.

[onehandle]

3. Hidden Recession.

It may or may not be a technical recession, but you add up the financial factors that Bush and his pals are inflicting on the middle class, and it's just as bad if not worse.

Folks can feel it.

[smirkymonkey]

7. I agree - I feel it until it hurts.

The reality for most people I know does not reflect the buoyant reports on our booming economy.

[0007]

15. I feel it. Being on a fixed income will soon have all the seniors

screaming.

[theboss]

4. This is a dumb poll

The question should be, "Is your family doing well financially now?" or "Are you confident in the economy?"

A "recession" is a clearly defined thing. That would be like asking, "Are you sitting in a car right now?" Either you are or you are not. Opinion has nothing to do with it.

[BillZBubb]

5. Agreed, the poll is flawed

People who know the definition of recession would say no it's not. Technically, that is the correct answer. But they also might know that the economy is not doing well, despite nominal GDP growth.

[Inland]

6. It's not a recession. It's the new crap status quo of a failing America.

It's called being poor. A recession is something you go into, and come out of. Being poor is a way of life.

[last_texas_dem]

8. Men...

I wonder how much the disparity between men thinking we are in a recession vs. women thinking we are in a recession has to do with more men not wanting to accept the economy is doing badly with their precious Shrubbie spreading his "leadership" across the country?

I dunno, maybe I'm totally off, but my gender can be pretty obnoxious like that...

[ozone_man]

12. Not off at all.

The percentage of men voting for Bush was much larger than that of women. I think there is a direct correlation here. Bush men are still in denial, thinking we are just around the corner from prosperity.

Wait another year and compare what economists have to say compared to their bullish forecasts of the past few years. So, are we there yet, or is recovery just around the corner? ;-)

[Skarbrowe]

13. My delusional die-hard Republican step-brother just told me a few days

ago that our present economy is BETTER than the economy under Clinton. He is retired from Bethlehem Steel, which went bankrupt, I believe, and lost a good portion of his health benefits for himself and his wife. But, STILL, the economy is better now than under Clinton. He also said Valerie Plame's husband outed her CIA status and he was making a BIG DEAL out this Sandy Berger business. He said more way out there republican talking points, but my mind shut it out.

I tell ya, they are from another planet!

[Igel]

9. So, would this be a poll of the same population where a large

number believe Hussein was behind 911?

Polls are divine gospel when they agree with us, fermented pig manure when they don't. Doesn't matter if it's here or in "freeperville".

[kath]

10. Haven't they heard -- we're in a "jobless recovery" -- a bullshit term if

I ever heard one!

[Brooklyn Michael]

11. But....But....

....But, Bush says he doesn't pay any attention to the polls....But then Bush just said (regarding his dropping approval rating) that he saw other other approval polls that were rising.....but he ignores this one....but....wait! I've got it! He's an asshole!

[saigon68]

14. NO NO NO "We are on the CUSP of the Recovery ", the CHIMP

HE SAID THIS BEFORE.

[MichiganVote]

16. Recession per Republican economics

[Festivito]

17. My economic situation would look better than it is if I spent 25% more...

..than I made. It may even fool some people.

If your friend marrys someone and they make 40,000 between them, but, they need more. So, they borrow 10,000 each year and live like they make 50,000. Peers think they live very well on the same salary they make.

Just like Americans do not realize we are borrowing 25% tax increase, the peers do not know the couple is borrowing their way to an economic miracle look-alike.

It's not an economic miracle, it's abject stupidity.

Epilogue: The spouse runs off leaving your friend with a huge debt, so large, your friend cannot help his parent's retirement. Also, the president changes leaving US with a huge debt, so big we cannot afford even to borrow more money for SS.

[high density]

18. Technically, the economy is not in recession

but it's obviously very stagnant right now. I think my macroeconomics class from college would prevent me from currently answering yes to Rasmussen's "Is the US economy in a recession" question.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recession