The U.S. economy posted a stunning drop of 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter, defying expectations for slow growth and possibly providing incentive for more Federal Reserve stimulus.

The economy shrank from October through December for the first time since the recession ended, hurt by the biggest cut in defense spending in 40 years, fewer exports and sluggish growth in company stockpiles.

The Commerce Department said Wednesday that the economy contracted at an annual rate of 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter. That's a sharp slowdown from the 3.1 percent growth rate in the July-September quarter.

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Read more:http://www.cnbc.com/id/100419252

Is "stunning" worse than "unexpected" or not?

Stunning, my aunt fannie !

How bad must it be if the statistical tools can't mask it?

The blue line on the chart below show real GDP adjusted by an index that measures the cost of set standard of living.

Rick Santelli Responds to Negative GDP Report: 'We Are Now Europe'

Rick Santelli made a stunning observation Wednesday about the shocking report that the economy actually shrunk in the fourth quarter last year.

"We are now Europe," he declared on CNBC's Squawk Box.

"Hey Joe," Santelli said, "when you act like Europe, you get growth rates like Europe, and our discussions with economists sounds like we're in Europe. They have the same discussions constantly."

"They’re always doing the right thing," he continued. "They’re always thinking they know better. And this is the kind of growth. We have become Europe. We are now Europe."

Steve Liesman pushed back, “We reduced federal spending, government spending by 15 percent. Which part of that’s not Europe don’t you get?”

“And why do we need to reduce government spending?” asked Santelli. “Because we run trillion dollar deficits for crying out loud.”

Read more: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppa...e#ixzz2JTOCYgmT

I'm no genius but this doesn't surprise me in the least.

President needs to take a course in econ 101. Take away the incentive to increase business, take away the incentive to work.

"Hey Joe," Santelli said, "when you act like Europe, you get growth rates like Europe, and our discussions with economists sounds like we're in Europe. They have the same discussions constantly."

"They’re always doing the right thing," he continued. "They’re always thinking they know better. And this is the kind of growth. We have become Europe. We are now Europe."


Yup!! President is winning, we are Europe.

Oh, goodie.

An excuse for more 'stimulus.'

Just what we need.........

And the people just voted in this clown for another term. Heartbreaking.

Our populations likes that this is happening.

Quote: Weird Tolkienish Figure wrote in post #7

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And the people just voted in this clown for another term. Heartbreaking.

Our populations likes that this is happening.

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