US Consumer Sentiment Tumbles to December 2011 Lows

[Purveyor]

Source: CNBC

U.S. consumer sentiment tumbled to its lowest since December 2011 in early March, hit by dissatisfaction with government economic policies and as fewer Americans expected to see improvements in growth or the labor market, a survey released on Friday showed.

The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan's preliminary reading on the overall index on consumer sentiment dropped to 71.8 from 77.6 in February, short of expectations for 78.

-CLIP
A record 34 percent of respondents made unfavorable references to government economic policies, beating January's prior record of 31 percent.

"The frustrations expressed by consumers essentially involve how little consideration has been given to how the government's inability to reach a compromise affects people's economic situation," survey director Richard Curtin said in a statement.

Read more: http://www.cnbc.com/id/100557749

[AndyA]

1. I would have been surprised if this weren't the story

The shenanigans of the GOP hurt Q4 2012 as well.

In fact, President Obama has done a pretty good job given the complete lack of cooperation on the right. The deficit is getting paid down, unemployment is dropping, stock market up, etc. Just imagine how much better things could be if the GOP hadn't spent the last four years BLOCKING recovery and progress.

Why isn't this terrorism? It's certainly harmful to the American people, and endangering their lives.

[Purveyor]

2. I heard a new meme from hannity this afternoon which is talking down the economy.

He was advising his 'listeners' to put off major purchases i.e. cars, houses, appliances as he is 'fearful' of where the economy is heading.

Those bastards what this economy to fail just to further along their agenda, citizens be damned.

They tried that during the election year 2012 but I thought they would give it a rest until at least 2014.

[AndyA]

3. So Hannity is fearful that the economy might be improving too much?

I can't watch the man. At all. I admire you for having the ability to hold it together while watching that man. I simply cannot do it.

Why in the world would anyone do that? Are there no Republicans unemployed right now? Do they all have well paying jobs with great benefits? Truly, Hannity's viewers must truly be ignorant to listen to this man, especially if the things he's telling people to do are harmful to some of them.

(By the way, not referring to you in any way as a Hannity viewer, don't want you to think I'm lumping you in with all the others. )

[dtom67]

4. I don't buy the analysis...

that consumer " frustration" has anything to do with "governments' ability to compromise". This interpretation is designed to get people to repeat the idea that " we should compromise" ; any deal , even if it screws SS and medicare, is preferable to no deal.

People respond unfavorably to government policies because they always involve enriching the Rich and impoverishing the rest of us.

If consumers have no discretionary funds, they will not buy stuff!

Please send me all future funding for stupid studies about consumers. Just read the statement above and send me the money. Come on, man. I have 26 more years to go on my mortgage.

or not.....

[high density]

5. huh? The media and GOP keep telling us the USA wants austerity

so Mitt Romney can keep his low taxes.