What does this GDP graph seem to be trying to tell us?

[underpants]

[NoMoreRedInk]

1. That Q303 was an anomaly in an upward trending GDP curve?

Did I get it right?

[underpants]

3. Bigger picture

Yes of course Q3 was an anomaly. There is growth sure but that was outside of the norm.

No I am looking for something on what the WHOLE graph looks like.
_|_

[Mika]

2. That we should check our parachute straps?

n/t

[underpants]

6. If that means what I think it does .....

as in "you are screwed" or "screw you" yes that is what I was going for.

[displacedtexan]

4. Looks like they cheated.

That's what it looks like to me.

[sadiesworld]

5. Even so...

isn't alot of the growth being spurred by government borrowing and military spending?

[trotsky]

11. And all the people who refinanced.

Because of the rates being so low, a lot of people "cashed out" some equity to make purchases. You can be sure that contributed.

[Gman]

7. That there was an extremely excessive amount of military spending

in the 3rd q.

[sadiesworld]

10. It is also my understanding (misunderstanding perhaps)...

that government borrowing is economic activity that registers as growth. No?

[Gman]

18. I don't know but it wouldn't make a lot of sense to do that

since GDP is a measure of the total output of the country.

[Jackpine Radical]

8. Too little data.

I suspect you think you see a peak at Q303 and the beginning of a slide thereafter. Well, maybe. On the other hand, all the data points except Q303 (a clear outlier) line up as a linear growth trend with a "beta" of about 0.6%.

I think in the long term the economy is unsustainable and we're in for rough times in maybe 1 to 3 years (and probably regardless of who's elected), but these data are irrelevant to that forecast.

[htuttle]

9. The chart appears to be 'flipping us the bird'

How appropriate...

[underpants]

14. Ding Ding Ding

We have a winner. The other responses are on the mark too.

[Jose Diablo]

12. Looks like debt masking as growth n/t

[kmla]

13. Ummmm.... The economy got a shot of Viagra during Q3...

...due to the increase in whorish defense spending due this questionable war we are ensconced in...

That's just my take on it...

[Lefta Dissenter]

15. Well, it appears to be telling us

that we're f*cked!

[underpants]

16. Love the smiley

Yes indeed it does.

[Lefta Dissenter]

17. and if bush is elected in November,

we're double-f*cked...