Tractor News What is driving up the demand for tractors?

[jyoutz]

I said in the past two weeks... in the previous 5 years, I’ve averaged a 25-30% investment return, annually. Inflation is out of control, the fed is going to ramp up rates throughout the year, the markets have fallen 12% YTD as of today. The biggest losses after the first of the year, in history. Technically I’ve not realized any losses, but the value of my investments have plummeted $100k since January 1st. This is the “greatest economy ever”... but I’m not seeing it. I’m not hopeful that this year will see much real growth as the fed tightens monetary policy, likely increasing unemployment as well.

We currently have the opposite problem to unemployment.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

We currently have the opposite problem to unemployment.

4 million workers have left the workforce through the pandemic. Left. Unemployment is very low, but also is the labor participation rate. It’s very low... those 4 million who left the workforce, are not counted in the unemployment numbers. The CBO projected we would add 1 million more jobs in 2021, than we actually did... we missed the mark. Those people decided not to return to work. I’m not saying that a slight increase in unemployment will be crippling... I am saying the economy is weak. Monetary policy will be making a big change to combat inflation, and it’s not going to lead to growth. Interest rate increases are followed by increases in unemployment historically. Neither of which is good for the average Joe... especially when Joe is paying 7% more for everything he uses.
The past 5 years have seen amazing returns... we are probably entering a few years of slow growth and stagnation due to poor monetary policy.

 

[Hay Dude]

8 million job openings in the USA
Employers have to pay more to entice people to work at those 8 million jobs because people were/are paid to stay home.
Higher wages contribute to increased consumer product prices (inflation).

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I don't feel government based should be a lifetime handout. Unemployment checks used to be for a 26 week maximum. I'm not an educated economist, but it was easy to see that when the gov stops giving away money, people would find work. Minimum wage jobs were primarily for high school kids. Now, people make poor choices when preparing, or not preparing for their future. Poor work ethic etc leads to more people only being qualified for mnimum wage. Now they are demanding more for their poor choices. I know there are lots of variables, but in a nutshell...

 

[sea2summit]

Then we don’t agree. Many countries around the world have imported more than exported and have done this for centuries.

Less than the majority of countries are that old, I’d be interested to hear which ones have maintained a trade deficit for more than 200 years. I assume we won’t talk about countries like Great Britain that occupied other lands “for trade” but legitimate one country sends money and the other sends goods.

 

[jyoutz]

Less than the majority of countries are that old, I’d be interested to hear which ones have maintained a trade deficit for more than 200 years. I assume we won’t talk about countries like Great Britain that occupied other lands “for trade” but legitimate one country sends money and the other sends goods.

This topic is shades of grey, not black and white like you insist.

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/051515/pros-cons-trade-deficit.asp

 

[sea2summit]

This topic is shades of grey, not black and white like you insist.

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/051515/pros-cons-trade-deficit.asp

You seem to back up any of your statements. This article talks about short term trade deficits as a way to improve economies and other anomalies, it doesn't reference any nation that still exists after "centuries" of trade deficit. Yesterday you had this big list of countries that did it. Why is it now shades of gray?

Then we don’t agree. Many countries around the world have imported more than exported and have done this for centuries.

 

[5030]

And then we would have no military, highways, etc..,

Headed that way anyway.

 

[jyoutz]

Headed that way anyway.

Actually infrastructure bill is going to provide states and local governments sufficient funds to do considerable infrastructure upgrades. It’s about time that we spent serious money on upgrading our own country. The amount of activity is going to be unprecedented in the near future. I work for US Forest Service and we are getting billions over the next 10 years to address hazardous fuels and forest management. Something that Congress has neglected for decades.

 

[rScotty]

I don't feel government based should be a lifetime handout. Unemployment checks used to be for a 26 week maximum. I'm not an educated economist, but it was easy to see that when the gov stops giving away money, people would find work. Minimum wage jobs were primarily for high school kids. Now, people make poor choices when preparing, or not preparing for their future. Poor work ethic etc leads to more people only being qualified for mnimum wage. Now they are demanding more for their poor choices. I know there are lots of variables, but in a nutshell...

I feel much the same way. The explosion in unconstrained handout programs have led people to make choices that require the handout programs to continue.