Economic optimism - FB conversation

I posted this photo of the gas station next door to my office.

J.S.: Lower gas prices are an indicator of a sinking economy

B.R.: J.S., I dare you to prove it.

R.W.: Lower gas prices are an indicator of more supply than demand. One reason for that could be less products are being shipped across the country. Another reason, fewer people are driving to work. I think I just proved it, twice.

B.R.: Hmmm...speculation does not equal proof, but those are two interesting correlations.

Me: In other words, I dare you to prove the unprovable.

B.R.: Sure. I'm just tired of people insisting that the economy sucks. It does no good to anyone. Economic improvement and positive outlook go hand in hand, so to offer another unprovable theory, the economy won't get better until we stop saying it's getting worse.

Me: Sorry, B.R.. There isn't much to be positive about. Being a realist is no character flaw.

B.R.: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/business-news/positive-economic-signs-on-horizon-says-fsb-16255928.html

Positive economic signs on horizon, says FSB - Business confidence remains low but there are some "positive" economic signs for the year ahead, according to the Federation of Small Businesses.

B.R.: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/01/03/december-s-economic-signs-looked-positive-amid-uncertainty.html

December’s Economic Signs Looked Positive Amid Uncertainty - As the fiscal cliff approached, most U.S. consumers and businesses calmly carried on, Daniel Gross reports.

B.R.: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress/us-hiring-shows-signs-of-strength-even-as-white-house-congress-battle-over-budget/2013/01/03/659edea2-55e1-11e2-89de-76c1c54b1418_story.html

WASHINGTON — The U.S. job market showed resilience in three reports Thursday, su...ggesting it may able to withstand a federal budget battle that threatens more economic uncertainty in coming months.

B.R.: http://www.startribune.com/business/185493762.html?refer=y

Minnesota bounced back from a five-month economic slump as remodeling projects and orders for medical devices surged in December

Me: Wow, Ben, did you read these articles? First, a projection is not an existing status. Second, the Daily Beast is not a trustworthy source, Chris Rugaber is an economic illiterate, a 1.7% projected rate of growth after a 5 month downturn is not a recovery. etc, etc, etc.

The media ha been cheerleading for a strengthening economy for more than a year now. It's amazing how optimistic they are in their reporting with a democratic president as compared to a better economy all through the Bush administration, where it was all doom and gloom. Did you have similar sentiments back then about being positive?

B.R.: Yes, I did. I was somehow able to dislike the president without doing my own personal bit of harm to the economy.

Me: Don't mistake my position. I've refused to participate in the Great recession and will continue to do so. But it ain't my job to rah-rah anything.