Tom Toles for December 30, 2014

You only have to hide the good news till after the election.

For years the GOP has blamed the poor recovery on Obama. If the economy roars for the next two years, breaking all records, do you think the GOP will give him credit? HA! Of course, the economy won’t roar, and presidents deserve neither so much blame nor credit as they get for things way beyond their sole powers to change. Still, I will make a prediction that I will stand by with unswerving certainty: no matter what the economy does, good or bad, Republicans and Democrats alike will say the same thing, every day, every month, and every year from here to eternity: “It would have done better if more of our candidates had been elected, and more of our policies had been implemented.” And half the country will believe each of them.

Hear! Hear!

The knowledge worker’s job is going the way the agricultural and manufacturing worker went. Something like 80 percent are now employed in services. Yes the model is changing and it will change the way we live our lives. I suspect the solution won’t come from government, it will come from creative people and entrepreneurs who figure out how to adapt and make money.

We need a complete rethinking of economics. 1. We can’t continue an economic system that is so damaging to the environment. (The “socialist” systems of China and the old USSR were if anything environmentally worse than the capitalist systems, so I’m not calling for that kind of command economy.)2. We shouldn’t continue an economic system that allows such disparities in wealth and well-being—not just in the US but in the world.3. If automation really does reduce the need for human employment, we have to rethink what a job is and what it means to have a job. And the benefits of automation need to be extended to all the countries of the world.

Ok, Jack. Just snap your little fingers and get it done instantly.

…if you didn’t realize the economy is doing so well; perhaps it isn’t.

I remember when Republicans and their communications wing, Fox News, were jumping all over Mr. Obama because of the high cost of gas. I went by a station this AM where regular gas price was posted as $1.89. I can’t wait to hear the Republicans praise the president for his work in bringing gas prices down.

Again, holding my breath.

coraryan, I am living on Soc Sec and do go to the supermarket- I think the economy is significantly better than it was and getting better. And jack75287 it was also the largest recession, closer to the depression than any previous recessions. Sometimes a quick fix causes more problems down the two.

“If you think the economy is doing well, you are not living on Social Security and you don’t go to the supermarket! Hogwash!”Your one of those takers the Conservatives are always referencing?

2015 will give the GOP the opportunity to prove their messiah’s vision correct; they can prove “government”, at least under them, IS the problem. (It’s already very evident from the last six years, but now they can take full credit??)

And it was up despite him, not because of him. Get my point?

Great discussion. But: ‘all the data HAVE been revised’

And I prefer self-checkout because I can handle it more quickly than a cashier.