patrick.net

Let the government remove it's buying incentives and support of the banks, and then I'll call bottom. I still think 2012 (and now maybe 2014 after all the government intereference and bank shenanigans) will be closer to bottom in the fortress areas.

For example we have the house next door up for sale. We didn't know that back in 2000 or whenever, they bought for $200,000 over asking on an interest only loan - they can now not get it refinanced and have to sell - some quick tricks and a new kitchen and they now want $1.249m for it. Let's see what it gets shall we? I'll update you when we hear.......

My point is - I think there are a lot of people out there that we assume got safe loans that actually did some kind of fancy financing and are now hitting brick walls.

tatupu70 says

michaelsch says

2010 is radically different than 1992 or 1983 or 1974, or for this matter also 1929 because in all those years US had real economy producing real goods and services consumed in US and abroad.

And I have to comment on this. I’m so tired of people implying that we don’t manufacture things in the US anymore. Bullshit.

Well, then let us hear about our manufacturing. What do we manufacture and how does it compare to the days of automakers, steel, appliances etc.

Leigh says

Well, then let us hear about our manufacturing. What do we manufacture and how does it compare to the days of automakers, steel, appliances etc.

I think it's been posted on here previously, but I'll try to get a breakdown. In the meantime, just a quick fact-- US is world's largest manufacturer with a 2007 industrial output of $2.69T

One distinction worth noting is our comparatively anemic exports. Germany is actually the largest exporter of manufactured goods (high quality goods, I might add). It is also worth noting that employee compensation (except, of course, for C level executives) in manufacturing is also a fraction of what it was ten and twenty years ago in America.

Futurists cite this as merely part of creative destruction, insisting that America will reinvent itself to become a population of inventors and entrepreneurs while total automation takes over where manufacturing leaves off. That's where I smell bullshit.

I work in hc and read labels frequently out of curiosity. Plus, I was in a recent debate about where our medications are manufactured. Sure we might ASSEMBLE some stuff in the USA but I'd guess we import even more.

I stumbled upon this interesting site while searching for data: http://www.worldsrichestcountries.com/top_us_imports.html

Note the "Medicinal preparations" from Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Germany, France, UK. Italy and Spain

Then there is the "Other medical equipment"

Total US imports of "Medicinal preparations" is $78.9 BILLION$ in 2008

And here is the link for US Exports: http://www.worldsrichestcountries.com/top_us_exports.html

I wonder what the difference is between 'medicinal preparations' and 'pharmaceutical preparations'. Is that like the difference between 'crude oil' and 'fuel oil'?

It could be easily argued ENTERTAINMENT.... Tv shows, movies, music and pop culture / Celebrity in general is one of the united states greatest exports! AVATAR and most movies make far more overseas than they do in the US.

Can someone tell me the price of a house in China? I figure in the the US it won't drop below that level. I think I read it was about $60k-$80k. Anyone?

Landru3000 says

No? Sorry, but who do you think we are competing with for jobs and wage levels? I’d say wages are going to settle somewhere between what they mexico, and china.

Are you predicting the same for Eurpoeans?