With higher taxes and ever increasing regulation... plus the full impact of Obamacare kicking in soon... how in the HELL are "headwinds going to ease"? Seems MUCH more likely that headwinds will increase with accompanying DECREASE in employment... plus, more full-time employees reduced to part-time.
Can't they have the death penalty for incompetence? I read in China, public officials can get their heads taken off if they seriously mess up the economy or social policies....
It's called moral suasion only directed at the public instead of the bankers. Talking up the economy because if he doesn't the ride down is going to be disasterous.
Existing home sales 19 Nov 2012 "Highlights Sales of existing homes have been bouncing up and down and bounced back in October, up 2.1 percent to a 4.79 million annual rate following a revised 2.9 percent decline in the prior month. Sales in the Northeast, which was hit at month end by Hurricane Sandy, fell 1.7 percent. The report's other three regions, led by the West, all show gains. "Continuing to hold down sales is lack of supply, down from 5.6 months in September to 5.4 months for the lowest rate in 6-1/2 years. The number of homes on the market, at 2.14 million, is the lowest in 10 years. Price readings show little change with the median price, at $178,600, up 11.1 percent year-on-year and the average price, at $226,300, up 9.9 percent. "The National Association of Realtors says Sandy did hold down sales in October and is warning that the effect in November is likely to be greater. But the association notes that sales affected by Sandy are likely to be delayed, not canceled. "The trend for existing home sales is moving up but is still showing less strength than sales of new homes. Also released at 10:00 a.m. ET this morning is the housing market index from the nation's home builders which shows yet another big gain and which points to further strength for new home sales. The housing sector is on the mend which points to rising equity and householder wealth. The Dow is edging to opening highs following this morning's ten o'clock data. "