EconAmerica : Why the American Economy Is Alive and Well... And What That Means to Your Wallet

Praise for EconAmerica "If you live in the real world, this book is a must-read. It is packed withusable insights into the future, the global economy, and what you and yourcompany need to know to be competitive now and in the future. Jeff Thredgold makes the dismal science a fun adventure to prepare you for not only what is coming, but how to take advantage of the great opportunities ahead." --Terry L. Brocksyndicated columnist, marketing coach, (http://www.TerryBrock.com) www.TerryBrock.com "In this insightful and practical book, Jeff Thredgold proves that 'interesting economist' isn't an oxymoron. Jeff takes the mystery out of economics and makes it easy to understand. If you want to know what's really going on in the American economy and the impact it has on your quality of living, read this book." --Mark Sanbornspeaker and bestselling author of The Fred Factor andYou Don't Need a Title to Be a Leader "With all the economic gloom and doom thrust upon us by the mediaand politicians, through econAmerica, Jeff Thredgold is a fresh breath ofeconomic hope--something that we all so desperately need today." --Ed RigsbeePresident of Rigsbee Research and author of PartnerShift "This account of history, economic data, and humanbehavior makes a compelling statement about how the Americaneconomy will prevail as globalization evolves." --Hazel J. PankeyDirector, Conference Programs, Industrial Asset Management Council "You continue to amaze us with your outstanding ability to present economic information in terms that everyone can understand, while also making it extremely interesting." --JOE BELEW President, Consumer Bankers Association ECONAMERICA......Page 3 Contents......Page 5 Preface......Page 9 Acknowledgments......Page 13 CHAPTER 1: THE ECONOMY......Page 15 U.S. ECONOMIC GROWTH......Page 17 GOODS AND SERVICES......Page 21 THE MISERY INDEX......Page 23 STATE OF THE STATES......Page 25 CHAPTER 2: EMPLOYMENT......Page 29 U.S. EMPLOYMENT......Page 31 A MINIMUM WAGE......Page 39 OUTSOURCING......Page 43 SMALL BUSINESS IN AMERICA......Page 47 CHAPTER 3: GOVERNMENT......Page 51 TAXES......Page 53 GOVERNMENT SPENDING......Page 57 BUDGET DEFICITS......Page 59 THE POLITICS......Page 62 CHAPTER 4: ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS......Page 67 THE ENTITLEMENT ISSUE......Page 69 SOCIAL SECURITY......Page 71 MEDICARE AND MEDICAID......Page 77 CHAPTER 5: INFLATION, MONEY, AND INTEREST RATES......Page 81 INFLATION......Page 83 THE FEDERAL RESERVE......Page 86 OTHER CENTRAL BANKS......Page 94 INTEREST RATES......Page 98 GOLD......Page 102 CHAPTER 6: THE CONSUMER......Page 105 CONSUMER INCOMES......Page 107 CONSUMER SPENDING...CONSUMER DEBT......Page 110 HOUSING......Page 112 CHAPTER 7: THE CHANGING WORKPLACE......Page 117 DEMOGRAPHICS......Page 119 EDUCATION......Page 123 IMMIGRATION......Page 130 CHAPTER 8: AMERICAN RETIREMENT......Page 135 BRIDGING......Page 137 DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS AND THE PBGC......Page 139 401(k) AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS......Page 142 CHAPTER 9: GUARANTEED AMERICAN GROWTH INDUSTRIES......Page 147 HEALTH CARE......Page 149 FINANCIAL PLANNING......Page 152 LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT......Page 154 CHAPTER 10: SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT......Page 157 THE STOCK MARKET......Page 159 SAVINGS......Page 165 NET WORTH......Page 167 CHAPTER 11: MAJOR GLOBAL ISSUES......Page 171 ENERGY......Page 173 CURRENCIES......Page 176 TRADE......Page 180 CHAPTER 12: MAJOR GLOBAL PLAYERS......Page 183 THE PACIFIC RIM......Page 185 EUROPE AND RUSSIA......Page 191 NORTH AMERICA......Page 197 CHAPTER 13: THE INTANGIBLES......Page 205 COMPETITION......Page 207 EMOTIONS AND CONFIDENCE......Page 209 THE POWER OF INCENTIVES......Page 213 CHAPTER 14: THE FUTURE......Page 215 THE AMERICAN CENTURY...AGAIN......Page 217 Index......Page 221 Praise for EconAmerica "If you live in the real world, this book is a must-read. It is packed withusable insights into the future, the global economy, and what you and yourcompany need to know to be competitive now and in the future. Jeff Thredgold makes the dismal science a fun adventure to prepare you for not only what is coming, but how to take advantage of the great opportunities ahead." 151;Terry L. Brocksyndicated columnist, marketing coach, www.TerryBrock.com "In this insightful and practical book, Jeff Thredgold proves that 'interesting economist' isn't an oxymoron. Jeff takes the mystery out of economics and makes it easy to understand. If you want to know what's really going on in the American economy and the impact it has on your quality of living, read this book." 151;Mark Sanbornspeaker and bestselling author of The Fred Factor andYou Don't Need a Title to Be a Leader "With all the economic gloom and doom thrust upon us by the mediaand politicians, through econAmerica, Jeff Thredgold is a fresh breath ofeconomic hope151;something that we all so desperately need today." 151;Ed RigsbeePresident of Rigsbee Research and author of PartnerShift "This account of history, economic data, and humanbehavior makes a compelling statement about how the Americaneconomy will prevail as globalization evolves." 151;Hazel J. PankeyDirector, Conference Programs, Industrial Asset Management Council "You continue to amaze us with your outstanding ability to present economic information in terms that everyone can understand, while also making it extremely interesting." 151;JOE BELEW President, Consumer Bankers Association "With econAmerica, author Jeff Thredgold sets the record straight by debunking some of today's most common economic myths - many of which have been perpetuated by the media - and presents a balanced picture of the U.S. economy and where it may be headed." "Filled with in-depth insights and practical advice, econAmerica focuses on the essential elements of a strong American economy, including the rising quality of jobs, wages, and benefits - and climbing stock prices. Along the way, it also provides clarity to critical areas within the U.S. economy - such as government and taxation, the entitlement issue, the Federal Reserve, consumer behavior, retirement realities, inflation and interest rates, and the power of incentives in the economy - that will help you make more informed financial decisions in both your personal and business endeavors. Leaving no stone unturned, econAmerica also takes the time to discuss a number of important international issues, from global competition and long-term currency fluctuations to energy availability, that continue to weigh on our economy."--Jacket