Christmas Sales Down: Lowest Since 2008.

Looks like Americans are having to cut back again. But bright side Colorado's unemployment is down to 7.7%. How many more people stopped trying?

Looks like Americans are worried about the wingnut teabaggers holding up the talks and whether or not the GOTP will send it off the cliff so they can be ideologically "pure." And this would be a surprise because_____________?

They wouldn't even sign off on Boner's "Plan-B" which would have raised the income limit to $1-million for the top tax-rate. (Of course, they just wasted a week farting around because they knew it would never pass the Senate, and would get vetoed anyway...) But never let reality get in the way of a stupid GOTP quixotic charge into the depths of stupidity...

I think this holiday season would have been far more successful if the fiscal "cliff" issue had been taken care of before the buying season started. If the middle class is uncertain what next year will bring in taxes, then they will not spend as freely right now.

Good points from both. Uncertainty tends to make people sit on their checkbooks. I also think Sandy cut Christmas sales.

I'm sure Sandy had an effect in the east coast numbers.......even the school shooting will have an effect, people are emotional, and an event like that can dampen people's holiday spirit.

Good point Archer. Hard to get up the gumption to go to the mall when the headlines are filled with horror like the firemen shooting. And when you have to worry about being laid off like hundreds of thousands of defense workers and GI's. Sure soldier boy, you will be home for Christmas in 2013, because the Army doesn't need you anymore.

If you are talking strictly 'national' retail, then yes, sales were a bit lower than expected this year. Local retail seemed to have fared a little better. However internet sales were up by 15%.

Weather events and the fiscal debate both anchored the season in terms of growth. The media coverage, which did a good job of explaining the negative consequences of the fiscal cliff, created this negative trend in consumer confidence and spending.

LadyJazzer wrote: Looks like Americans are worried about the wingnut teabaggers holding up the talks and whether or not the GOTP will send it off the cliff so they can be ideologically "pure." And this would be a surprise because_____________?

They wouldn't even sign off on Boner's "Plan-B" which would have raised the income limit to $1-million for the top tax-rate. (Of course, they just wasted a week farting around because they knew it would never pass the Senate, and would get vetoed anyway...) But never let reality get in the way of a stupid GOTP quixotic charge into the depths of stupidity...

:snowingsun: Another snow job from LJ, she never let's out that negotiation is a two way street so it is Obama and Reid's fault as much as Boehner's if the fiscal cliff is reached. Merrily we tobaggon along over the edge.

Personally, I hope they do... But it would better if it didn't... Only in the minds of the teabaggers does letting it go off the cliff so that they can technically vote for "tax-cuts" instead of a "tax-increase on the top 1%" have any difference whatsoever.

Plus, there will be 17 fewer teabaggers in the House (and 3 fewer in the Senate) when they come back...

And when they come back the $1-million limit, and the $400,000 limit will probably be off the table... It'll be back to the original $250,000 limit. How's that radical "purity" working out for ya?