Retail sales show impact of our fiscal policy

What a load of bs. I bet you can equate anything to somehow it's the fault of Bush.

Kmart has lower sales, it's the fault of Bush. How hillarious. You base the economy policy of the U.S. on sales at wal-mart and target. You have no shame.

You are the one full of BS

The issue is clear- Sales in stores where the wealthy shop is up and sales were the average person shops is not. I said Bush had achieved his objective. You are saying it is anti Bush. I guess you must think shifting wealth from the masses to the wealthy is a bad thing! George W. Bush - Robin Hood for the wealthy.

The issue is clear- Sales in stores where the wealthy shop is up and sales were the average person shops is not. I said Bush had achieved his objective. You are saying it is anti Bush. I guess you must think shifting wealth from the masses to the wealthy is a bad thing! George W. Bush - Robin Hood for the wealthy.

Shifting wealth. You have just lost it. You are basing your "facts" on sales at stores where you decide what class of people shop at. Anything to criticize Bush. Being poor in this country is not the fault of Bush, it's the fault of the person.

Retailers Disposable income, or the money left over after taxes, increased 0.3 percent in February following a 2.8 percent drop the previous month. Wages and salaries increased 0.2 percent, the smallest gain since November. Last year, wage growth accelerated to 4.9 percent from 2.6 percent in 2003. Retailers including Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Kohl's Corp. posted their biggest sales gain in February in nine months. Same- store sales rose 4.9 percent from a year earlier, the International Council of Shopping Centers said March 3, based on results at 69 chains. ``We were very pleased with the start of 2005,'' said David Chamberlain, chief executive officer at Stride Rite Corp., a Lexington, Massachusetts-based maker of footwear. ``Our first- quarter sales and earnings growth was strong.'' Stride Rite's sales rose 11 percent in the first quarter compared with the same three months last year. Tax refunds may also have helped underpin spending. U.S. taxpayers received an average income tax refund of $2,232 this year through March 25, up 5.6 percent from the same time in 2004.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=aKw6MGLXStzA&refer=top_world_news

Retailers Disposable income, or the money left over after taxes, increased 0.3 percent in February following a 2.8 percent drop the previous month. Wages and salaries increased 0.2 percent, the smallest gain since November. Last year, wage growth accelerated to 4.9 percent from 2.6 percent in 2003. Retailers including Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Kohl's Corp. posted their biggest sales gain in February in nine months. Same- store sales rose 4.9 percent from a year earlier, the International Council of Shopping Centers said March 3, based on results at 69 chains. ``We were very pleased with the start of 2005,'' said David Chamberlain, chief executive officer at Stride Rite Corp., a Lexington, Massachusetts-based maker of footwear. ``Our first- quarter sales and earnings growth was strong.'' Stride Rite's sales rose 11 percent in the first quarter compared with the same three months last year. Tax refunds may also have helped underpin spending. U.S. taxpayers received an average income tax refund of $2,232 this year through March 25, up 5.6 percent from the same time in 2004.

So I take it from this post that once again the COL has been proven wrong on his *assumptions". Although he will never admit to it.

So I take it from this post that once again the COL has been proven wrong on his *assumptions". Although he will never admit to it.

I think people like him just sit around and make things up to blame on Bush. He never presents facts, just his opinion and the way to blame Bush for it.

That does not alter the fact that the wealth under Bush has shifted to the wealthy. It has moved from the poor and middle income to the wealthy. The bottom line is that the economy is not growing at a rate that generates the federal revenue needed to balance the budget. Nothing you can say dmiler will alter that truth!

That does not alter the fact that the wealth under Bush has shifted to the wealthy. It has moved from the poor and middle income to the wealthy. The bottom line is that the economy is not growing at a rate that generates the federal revenue needed to balance the budget. Nothing you can say dmiler will alter that truth!

Number 1 I SAID NOTHING! And again you dance around the truth with "your" opinions! This post is on how Bush's policies are impacting retail sales! Yes or No? Island dog replied with "proof" that you are again wrong!Can you admit to that much?

Dr. Miller is defending the man once again. The system that you defend, Doctor, exploits the worker by stealing the true value of his labor. Don’t you get it? You've worked for peanuts your whole life, and yet you defend the billionaire boy's club as if you were one of them. Some would characterize such a person as a lackey for the man, while others would call that person a bitch. Wealth is a communal creation; no one man, or group of men ought to control the means of production. You idiot, I have not I showed you that takes the collective efforts and wisdom of village in order for society to flourish, which can only take place under a system of communal political-economy, as opposed to the whips and chains of capitalist pigs.

And once again you show your ignorance, your arrogance and you trollmanship. Again I'll repeat myself for those that are to myopic to read. I SAID NOTHING!!! This post is on how Bush's policies are impacting retail sales! Yes or No? Island dog replied with "proof" that again the COL is wrong! And FYI what I posted earlier was not a general comment. It was directed at someone in specific not you. I would appreciate it if you'd learn the difference.

For you Tarantula: Better to be thought a fool then to open ones mouth and remove all doubt.

Dr. Miller is defending the man once again. The system that you defend, Doctor, exploits the worker by stealing the true value of his labor. Don’t you get it? You've worked for peanuts your whole life, and yet you defend the billionaire boy's club as if you were one of them. Some would characterize such a person as a lackey for the man, while others would call that person a bitch. Wealth is a communal creation; no one man, or group of men ought to control the means of production. You idiot, I have not I showed you that takes the collective efforts and wisdom of village in order for society to flourish, which can only take place under a system of communal political-economy, as opposed to the whips and chains of capitalist pigs.

drmiler
No the Blog deals with the shift in wealth. Please read the first sentence. You are one of the most idiotic people that I've ever come in contact with.

drmiler No the Blog deals with the shift in wealth. Please read the first sentence. You are one of the most idiotic people that I've ever come in contact with.

*I'm an idiot?* It must be so since you can't read. Your OWN blog title says what?

Retail sales show impact of our fiscal policy

Where does that title say ANYTHING about shifting wealth? Now to be honest it does allude to that in the first sentence. But then the first sentence is not the blog title is it?

Compare Dr. Miller's writings of toCol. Gene and you will find that they are one and the same. Come clean!

Doctor Miller's genius knows no bounds. Notice how he manages to attack Michael Jackson's character without ever mentioning Mr. Jackson by name. Miller, that devil! I assure you that your cunningness will falter some day soon, and I will be there heartily laughing at your undoing.

I didn't know drmiler was so infatuated with Michael Jackson. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.......... Thanks for pointing that out.

You are one of the most idiotic people that I've ever come in contact with.

The title says impact on our fiscal policy. The text makes it clear the issue is the shift in wealth.Did you read the Blog?

Doctor Miller, I have to agree with Col. Gene; moreover, your obstinacy is wearing thin; admit that you are wrong and move on, man. If getting a grip is possible for you. BTW, I told you that I was right about Mr. Jackson.

That does not alter the fact that the wealth under Bush has shifted to the wealthy. It has moved from the poor and middle income to the wealthy. The bottom line is that the economy is not growing at a rate that generates the federal revenue needed to balance the budget. Nothing you can say dmiler will alter that truth!

Your theories have once again been proven wrong by facts. Can't you just admit that? You have not proven one thing, except that you will do anything to blame Bush.

yall should perhaps be a lil less hasty in dismissing the col's assertions. it took me less than a minute to locate the following (first hit at the top of the page in google...with plenty more reports to the same effect available there) which seems to support his point.

unlike a lotta the raving nonsense from worldweeklynewsdotnut that some of yall seem unable to resist posting, this was published by a fairly reputable news organization and the story even hadda by-line.

btw,a lot of retailers came to the same conclusion as col gene after last year's holiday season when high end stores did very well while those which generally serve a lower-income clientele reported much lower sales than usual.

(i excerpted these paragraphs rather than copy and paste in the whole article. there's a link if you wanna check the story in its entirety.)

Retail sales inch upward
March's 4.1% increase credited to early Easter
Pia Sarkar, Chronicle Staff Writer

Friday, April 8, 2005 Link

Sales at stores open at least a year -- known as same-store sales -- grew 4.1 percent in March, less than the 7 percent increase in the same period last year, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers, which compiled figures from 71 retail chains. Same-store sales rose 4.7 percent in February.

With Easter arriving early this year, March sales got an extra lift, but Michael Niemira, chief economist and director of research for the ICSC, said he expects April sales to soften.

Cold weather kept customers away from shopping, but high gas prices also influenced consumer spending habits, with lower-income households feeling the pressure more than higher-income households.

A survey of 1,020 adults conducted by the ICSC last week showed that 54 percent of those with a household income of less than $25,000 were driving less, and 57 percent of them had cut back on discretionary spending because of gas prices.

But for people in households with an income of $75,000 or more, 32 percent were driving less and 31 percent had reduced discretionary spending.

That might explain why March sales at discount chain Wal-Mart, where the average income for a shopper is $35,000, did not fare as well as Target, where the average shopper's income is $50,000, Niemira said.

Wal-Mart's same-store sales climbed 4.8 percent, compared with Target's 8. 2 percent increase.

Well, I can tell you this personally I am not bringing sales down at Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Amazon, etc. as I continue to buy products as my wants require me too.
Like today I picked up the 21 Best Songs of Three Dog Night CD and Chuck Berry's His Best Vol. 1 at Best Buy. I have ordered the complete series of Lexx (season 1-4), bought more Reverend Horton Heat, Cave Catt Sammy, etc. from Amazon along with Alec Empire's Intelligence and Sacrifice, I have purchased shaving items and other misc. stuff from Wal-Mart.

So retail sales should not be down in my book after all I am doing my best to fuel the economy, seek happiness and save/invest money as well.

- GX

21 Best Songs of Three Dog Night

someone's lyin bout at least 20 of those.

Reverend Horton Heat

shoulda said somethin...i coulda sent you that one.

Chuck Berry's His Best Vol. 1

if it dont include at least 3 of these: 'down the road apiece', 'you cant catch me', 'nadine', 'carol' and or 'promisedland', keep exchangin it til you get the volume that does.

swing low sweet chariot, come down easy
taxi to the terminal zone,
cut your engines n cool your wings,
lemme make it to the telephone.

los angeles...
gimme no'folk virginia
tidewater 4-10 oh 9
tell the folks back home itsa promised land callin'
and the po boy's on the line.

When you mentioned that I looked online at Amazon and ordered His Best Vol.2, which contains those songs but I also like Chuck's early stuff as well.
Such as:
Maybellene
Roll Over Beethoven
School Day
Rock and Roll Music
Johnny B. Goode

The other musicians I will probably pick up sometime in the future are Carl Perkins, Gene Vincent, Jerry Lee Lewis, Muddy Waters, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and more likely than not the Big Bopper. What can I say I am into Rockabilly or should I say rockabilly (past and present) has grabbed my musical soul and will not let it go!!

You know I also like Elvis's rendition of Promised Land and it figures that Chuck Berry was the man who came up with such an awesome song.

Goodness gracious great balls of later!!
- GX

between the two (i just checked out the tracklist for both), you've got just about all of his best known work worth having...and my ding-a-ling as well...and you're ready to start tryin to find the not-so-well known stuff.

Carl Perkins, Gene Vincent, Jerry Lee Lewis, Muddy Waters, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and more likely than not the Big Bopper.

vincent was the rockabilly king as far as i'm concerned (not to diminish any of the others) altho i've always been more partial to the blues side of the equation.

(berry was a disappointment every time i saw him perform; rather than fielding a band on the road, he'd call the union and have em send over three guys who worked for less than scale and were also the only three musicians in any city who apparently never heard one of his songs. not to be outdone, ive seen lewis threaten to kick a sideman's ass on stage on several different occasions...and little richard (once even on the same bill as lewis) throw a shirt made of pieces of mirror into the audience, none of whom were killed by some bizarre accident of chance.)

yall should perhaps be a lil less hasty in dismissing the col's assertions. it took me less than a minute to locate the following (first hit at the top of the page in google...with plenty more reports to the same effect available there) which seems to support his point. unlike a lotta the raving nonsense from worldweeklynewsdotnut that some of yall seem unable to resist posting, this was published by a fairly reputable news organization and the story even hadda by-line. btw,a lot of retailers came to the same conclusion as col gene after last year's holiday season when high end stores did very well while those which generally serve a lower-income clientele reported much lower sales than usual. (i excerpted these paragraphs rather than copy and paste in the whole article. there's a link if you wanna check the story in its entirety.) Retail sales inch upward March's 4.1% increase credited to early Easter Pia Sarkar, Chronicle Staff Writer Friday, April 8, 2005 Link Sales at stores open at least a year -- known as same-store sales -- grew 4.1 percent in March, less than the 7 percent increase in the same period last year, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers, which compiled figures from 71 retail chains. Same-store sales rose 4.7 percent in February. With Easter arriving early this year, March sales got an extra lift, but Michael Niemira, chief economist and director of research for the ICSC, said he expects April sales to soften. Cold weather kept customers away from shopping, but high gas prices also influenced consumer spending habits, with lower-income households feeling the pressure more than higher-income households. A survey of 1,020 adults conducted by the ICSC last week showed that 54 percent of those with a household income of less than $25,000 were driving less, and 57 percent of them had cut back on discretionary spending because of gas prices. But for people in households with an income of $75,000 or more, 32 percent were driving less and 31 percent had reduced discretionary spending. That might explain why March sales at discount chain Wal-Mart, where the average income for a shopper is $35,000, did not fare as well as Target, where the average shopper's income is $50,000, Niemira said. Wal-Mart's same-store sales climbed 4.8 percent, compared with Target's 8. 2 percent increase.

I don't know about anybody else but kingbee's post looks to me like it's the exact opposite from what the COL posted.