Name:	architect -	Reply
Subject:	It's all Obama's fault
Date:	12/28/2015 8:35:07 AM

Inspite of MM's predictions, Master Card has reported it's holiday season sales were up 7.9% this year over last including a 20% increase in online sales!!

Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	It's all Obama's fault
Date:	12/28/2015 8:59:31 AM

Guns and Ammo

Name:	Shortbus -	Reply
Subject:	It's all Obama's fault
Date:	12/28/2015 10:12:26 AM (updated 12/28/2015 10:13:28 AM)

20% decrease in bricks and mortar sales.  (and sales taxes)

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	It's all Obama's fault
Date:	12/28/2015 2:00:32 PM

My very casual, limited observation is that people were not out shopping in stores as much this year.  I think as each year that goes by, more people are more comfortable with online shopping.  So many companies are now offering free shipping, as well as discounts well before Christmas. 

It doesn't surprise me that sales would be up.  I think some of it is guns and ammo sales, but in general, things are more expensive than they used to be.  Now that I am retired, I have the time to really notice the prices of things and everything has gone up in price.  Additionally, people tend to charge everything, even their coffee! 

Name:	lucky67 -	Reply
Subject:	It's all Obama's fault
Date:	12/28/2015 4:17:32 PM

HAVENT FACTORED IN RETURNS YET ! PLUS ALL THE COLLECTION OF THISE WHO BOUGHT & CANT PAY--DREAM ON ARCH

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	It's all Obama's fault
Date:	12/28/2015 4:51:52 PM

Yes, I think it is a bit premature to say how this holiday spending will really come out.  I do believe that people are feeling better about the economy - maybe not the entire economy, but I don't think they as worried as they were about their job security, and that tends to make people feel better about holiday spending.  But as fly fishing points out there are always those that buy a bunch of things for Christmas and then return half of it and those that overspend on their credit cards, and then can't pay. 

But since so many people buy everything on their credit cards so they don't have to carry cash, it doesn't surprise me that spending would be up. 

Name:	architect -	Reply
Subject:	Dream on?!
Date:	12/28/2015 5:54:17 PM

Please explain how it is that so many people on this forum refuse to admit that any good news while Obama is in the White House is in fact good news?  Most of you guys are so blinded by unbending bias and hatred that anything whatsoever that might cast Obama in a slightly less negative light is considered "liberal" bias at best and an outright "lie" at worst and in all instances a nightmare!

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Dream on?!
Date:	12/28/2015 7:38:59 PM

I'm not blinded by bias against Obama.  You see, I'm in the group that, for the sake of this country, hopes that things go well, no matter who sits in the WH.  Because if the President's policies fail, we all fail.  I believe that the economy is cyclic, so therefore it will surge and retract.  We live in a global economy, so it's just as important what China is doing that impacts our economy, as to what Obama is doing. 

But that raises an interesting point about achitect's post.  Is Mastercard's reporting limited to U.S. spending or global spending?

Name:	architect -	Reply
Subject:	Hound
Date:	12/29/2015 8:47:48 AM

There are perhaps half dozen posters on this forum that are alway willing to think for themselves, at least looking at alternatives, supporting their statements with facts, and always recognizing good fortune for the nation regardless of whether the president has a R or D after his name.  You are at the top of that list.  It is very disconcerting that most of the rest, unwittingly in most but not all instances, place the advancement of their own political agenda or that of a political party above the general well being of this nation and its citizens.  Everybody on this forum knows (most will not admit it) that if the recent recovery and current state of the economy had occured under a President McCain or Romney it would be receiving at least positive and probably rave reviews by all the members of this forum rather than only from those half dozen aforementioned few.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Hound
Date:	12/29/2015 9:54:17 AM

You can love the President (anyone) or hate the President, but it is stupid to do anything other than hope he has it right.  So many things are out of the hands of the President (even though they would have you believe otherwise during the campaign).