Move along - nothing to see here!

Folks, one of the reasons why I wake up and read Chuck Butler first thing is because of his humor! Now, don't get me wrong - this is really all not a laughing matter. But, today, we take a respite. Here's Chuck from Everbank in Today's Pfennig:

"Well... According to the U.S. Gov't statistics, we have nothing to fear any longer with regards to our economy, inflation, deficit spending, interest rates, etc., for you see, the 4th QTR GDP had a preliminary print of +5.7%! It's all seashells and balloons for us now folks... That's what the cable news guys said, and that's what's all over the news wires... Forget about saving, go out and spend, everybody's doing it, they say! Just fork over those Gold coins, there's no reason to buy them any longer, for everything is fine here in the U.S.... There's nothing to see here, move along...

BUZZZZZZZZZZ, thank you for playing, but that's a wrong answer! There's a nice parting gift for you at the door! Johnny... Tell them what they take home with them today!

Geez Louise... I mean even the economic propeller heads in Davos, Switzerland, we're drooling all over themselves at the U.S. economic growth... Of course none of them took the time to look at the number, and question it... 5.7% growth? With 20% unemployment? As the robot used to say on Lost In Space, "Will Robinson, that does not compute"...

OK... Let's take a step back for a moment... Remember the 3rd QTR GDP that was supposedly showing strong economic growth? Well... A funny thing happened on the way to the forum... Growth in the third quarter was originally estimated at an annualized rate of 3.5%, but was revised down to 2.2% after more information was received. And... Most of the 4th QTR growth came from increased manufacturing to rebuild inventories. Consumer spending - the biggest component of the U.S. economy - was down..."

No, don't fork over those gold coins! Take this opportunity to ADD more of those gold coins!