Take a look at this. The WSJ and other news agecies are trying to say that a DECREASE in GDP concurrent with an INCREASE in consumer spending relative to the quarter before is somehow GOOD.

The only thing this indicates is lower productivity during a time when central banking an government spending are starting to inspire changes in consumer behavior that will lead to higher prices. Duh.

In addition, note that the consumer spending numbers are LOWER than a year ago at this time, they are just 3 % NOT AS LOW as the last quarter. OH, BICYCLE REPAIRMAN, WE'RE SAVED!

Here are two reports to see, from the WSJ. Note how they are presented:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124100763955368325.html

Now, read this report, and pay particular attention to the mention about "new" jobless claims. What they don't tell you is that CONTINUING jobles claims are at their HIGHEST EVER, 6.2%. Please note also that, compared to teh earlier report, personal consumption numbers have actually DECREASED by 2% over the month. So you can see where pop reporters and politicians can pick an choose the information they want in order to portray the economy the way they want. They could portray it as having gotten much worse over the past month, or as "better" over the last quarter.It's not better at all...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124109449594372989.html

Want a good way to figure out whether things are better? The federal reserve is continuing its low-rate pumping of liquidity into the economy. Bad mojo, baby, ba-a-a-a-d mojo.