http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/growth/ en-us Sun, 9 Nov 2008 20:07:39 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2128909/posts How would your 401(k) perform under a President Obama versus a President McCain? To find out, try the revealing calculator on the website of Americans for Tax Reform. This device considers the value of your investment plan, and then estimates how your money would fare, depending on whether Barack Obama or John McCain wins today’s election. Take, for instance, a 401(k) with a balance of $121,202 balance — equal to the average 401(k) at close-of-business 2006, according to the Employee Benefits Research Institute. Under Obama, such an account would shrink to $114, 293. But under McCain, it would grow to... National Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2128909/posts#comment Sun, 9 Nov 2008 20:07:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2118384/posts The message blasted at us day after day by the Obama campaign and its public relations machine, otherwise known as mainstream media, is that we are in a recession, we have been for essentially the last eight years, and the US is unique in this because of the failed policies of George W. Bush. We are not in recession. The economy of the last eight years has been fine. And we are doing better than our European know-it-alls who favor an Obama victory. At least that's what the most recent economic data show.... American Thinker http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2118384/posts#comment Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:28:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2095339/posts KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 1, 2008 – A new organization is improving the Afghan National Army’s ability to move capable forces from its training center to the operational commands. U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jesse Edwards, senior mentor and team chief for the Afghan National Army’s Consolidated Fielding Center, stands with ANA leaders during a graduation ceremony at Pol-e-Charki Garrison, Kabul, Afghanistan, Sept. 20, 2008. U.S. Army photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The sense of urgency for this new concept has increased following the announcement of plans to grow the Afghan National Army past the initial authorization of 82,000... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2095339/posts#comment Wed, 1 Oct 2008 23:50:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2084918/posts Commentary: BRIC is broke, and emerging markets are discouraging By John Prestbo Last update: 7:29 p.m. EDT Sept. 17, 2008 NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Many investors turned to emerging markets last year because those economies kept sizzling even as developed economies began cooling. Some pundits opined that emerging markets were the new global growth engine and that their momentum could save developed economies from sliding into recession. Indeed, that view held up for a while. In 2007, the Dow Jones Wilshire Emerging Markets Index rocketed up 45.4% on a total-return basis, while the DJ Wilshire Developed Markets Index gained 9.5%.... Market Watch http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2084918/posts#comment Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:20:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2078202/posts Government Growth Big-picture Report http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2078202/posts#comment Tue, 9 Sep 2008 16:48:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2072265/posts While the Democrats had their week of unchallenged propaganda about their party – how perfect it is and how terrible the Republicans are – the latest good news about the economy and the average adjusted gross income went unnoticed. Once again, when Democrats don’t like the facts, they just ignore them with the help of the mainstream media. On August 26, Investor’s Business Daily reported data from the Internal Revenue Service showing that the average U.S. income had increased every year for five straight years through 2006. In fact, the $58,029 average was $739 higher than the peak year of... northstarwriters.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2072265/posts#comment Mon, 1 Sep 2008 09:31:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2071877/posts SACRAMENTO – California is on the verge of initiating a historic rewrite of local planning laws, fusing for the first time the issues of urban growth and global warming. Unprecedented nationally, the complex legislation would steer communities toward land-use policies to contain sprawl, using as much as $12 billion a year in state-controlled transportation funds as an incentive. “This bill will change the way California grows,” said state Sen. Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, its author. Under the measure, the state Air Resources Board would establish targets for 17 regions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of a broader campaign to... San Diego Union - Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2071877/posts#comment Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:29:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2070225/posts In its preliminary 2Q08 GDP estimates, the Commerce Department said on Thursday, the countryÂ’s gross domestic product was revised up at an annual rate of 3.3% for the April-June period, exceeding analystsÂ’ initial estimates of a 1.9% increase as well as economistsÂ’ forecast of a 2.7% gain. Constant dollar GDP is now up 2.2% versus a year ago. The acceleration in real GDP growth in 2Q08 reflects a larger decrease in imports of 7.6% compared with a decrease of 0.8% in the 1Q08, and an acceleration in exports of 13.2% in the second quarter, compared with an increase of 5.1%... Seeking Alpha http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2070225/posts#comment Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:32:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2052620/posts Foxnews Alert! McCain is having a growth removed from his face today Developing... Foxnews http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2052620/posts#comment Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:02:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2052035/posts As Summer Temperatures Rise, Dark-Pool Volume Climbs Higher By Nina Mehta July 18, 2008 Dark pools are on a hot streak. They're tearing through volume records and turning into big-league market centers in their own right. Goldman Sach's Sigma X dark pool yesterday executed 406 million shares, making it the seventh-largest market center for U.S. equities. That put Sigma X in line behind Nasdaq, NYSE Arca, the New York Stock Exchange, BATS Trading, Direct Edge ECN and the National Stock Exchange. And ahead of all other venues. Sigma X's volume is up 100 percent over the last seven weeks, according... Traders Magazine http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2052035/posts#comment Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:40:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2047077/posts GENEVA (Reuters) - Record growth in the world's poorest countries has failed to prevent an increase in their total numbers of poor people, the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said on Thursday. Recent rising food costs threaten to undercut what modest progress has been achieved, while three quarters of people living in least developed countries (LDCs) still survive on less than $2 a day, it said in a report. Income under $2 a day does not allow most people to meet basic needs for food, water, shelter, health or education, the Least Developed Countries Report 2008 noted. The... Reuters on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2047077/posts#comment Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:26:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2044923/posts Census Bureau says New Orleans is the fastest-growing large city in the nation, recovering from being wiped out by Hurricane Katrina. NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- After being pummeled by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, New Orleans is showing signs of recovery - ranking as the fastest-growing large city in the nation, according to a government report released Thursday. The Census Bureau said New Orleans' population rose 13.8%, to 239,124, in the year ended July 1, 2007. That was a faster growth rate than any other city with a population of 100,000 or more. CNN Money http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2044923/posts#comment Sun, 13 Jul 2008 22:30:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2039810/posts "It's been described as the most serious financial crisis since the Great Depression. And it brings with it grave dangers for all American families ... ," said Martin Bashir on "Nightline." "Recession looms .... " On the "Today" show June 20, David Faber referred to "the recession ... these tough economic times." Yet that very day first-quarter GDP was revised upward again to 1 percent. America is not in recession, and who knows -- maybe we'll be less likely to have one if my compatriots would just chill. A recession is defined as two quarters of negative economic growth. We... Human Events http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2039810/posts#comment Wed, 2 Jul 2008 17:25:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2032909/posts Stimulus Response by: Brooke Rieder, June 18, 2008 With the burst of the housing bubble, skyrocketing oil prices, and ample media coverage of it all, hysteria is in the air over a potentially looming recession, and all eyes are on the economy. Enter the Bush 2008 Economic Stimulus package. A truly ingenious solution from a political standpoint, constituents’ worries are assuaged when they see concrete government intervention—especially when that intervention puts a $600 check in their pocket. The hope is that more money in the hands of consumers will lead to increased spending, and consequently stimulate greater production and investment.... Campus Report http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2032909/posts#comment Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:54:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2029355/posts Responding to concerns that a superhighway project running from East Texas to the border with Mexico could cut through private lands, state transportation officials said Tuesday that they will only consider putting it along existing roads. State officials have held almost 50 public meetings and received about 28,000 responses from residents about the proposed Interstate 69 project, which would be part of the so-called Trans-Texas Corridor network of toll roads. The "overwhelming sentiment" of the comments from the public was that the state should focus on using existing roads instead of carving new ones out of the countryside, said Amadeo... The Austin American-Statesman http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2029355/posts#comment Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:39:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2023048/posts Virginia’s unemployment rate fell 0.6 percentage point, from 3.9 percent in March to 3.3 percent in April. Employment increased mostly because of the increase in tourism jobs, construction work and the end of the strike... Virginia Business...Richmond Times-Dispatch http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2023048/posts#comment Thu, 29 May 2008 16:44:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2009638/posts County commissioners reaffirmed their stance against the Trans-Texas Corridor, and they took another step toward keeping county government transparent when they met Tuesday. First up on the court's agenda, commissioners heard a presentation by Connie Fogle on behalf of the newly formed Pineywoods Sub-Regional Planning Commission. According to Fogle, the Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 391, requires state agencies to coordinate with local commissions to "ensure effective and orderly implementation of state programs at the regional level." "Critical in the code is the word 'coordinate,'" she said. "This does not mean the commission has to cooperate. The intent is to... The Daily Sentinel http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2009638/posts#comment Thu, 1 May 2008 12:34:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2007990/posts Minutes south of Interstate 10 and Sealy, the pastures along FM 1458 are their own silent world in the morning. Mists lift to reveal black cattle, brown and spotted horses, snow-white egrets underfoot in lush green grass. Then a concrete mixer comes churning down the blacktop. Just up the road is a small subdivision. More are sure to come as city dwellers, including weekenders and retirees, move out in search of a quieter, simpler life — and relief from city traffic. Although the gradual influx may bring greater changes in the long run, what disturbs residents most is the planned... The Houston Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2007990/posts#comment Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:31:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2002614/posts McCain's speech reads like an attempt to unify a divided party by offering every faction something to make them happy. For the GOP's supply-siders and business interests, there are promises to extend the Bush tax cuts and slash corporate rates. For moderate Republicans clinging to seats in Democratic states, there's a pledge to cut the Alternative Minimum Tax, which hits upper-middle class Blue Staters hardest. For free traders, there's a shout-out to the Colombian Free Trade Agreement; for flat-tax obsessives, there's a call for an alternative tax-filing option, featuring just two brackets instead of four or five. For deficit hawks... The Atlantic.Com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2002614/posts#comment Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:53:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1997635/posts For Peyton Gilbert, the battle over the Trans-Texas Corridor is reminiscent of the moment in 1836 when Lt. Col. William Travis drew a line in the sand at the Alamo and invited those willing to fight thousands of Mexican soldiers to step across. "That line in the sand is the Trans-Texas Corridor, and it's a threat to our sovereignty again, just like at the Alamo," said Gilbert, 14, who is from Whitehouse, near Tyler. Gilbert was among a large crowd of people who marched down Congress Avenue to the Capitol on Saturday afternoon to demonstrate against the proposed highway-rail-utility corridor... Austin American-Statesman http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1997635/posts#comment Sun, 6 Apr 2008 20:02:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1986713/posts There's been a lot of talk about the new Trans-Texas Corridor — the next-generation "super-highway" — and opinions are varying. Now the debate is coming to Lufkin's doorstep. On Monday, the American Land Foundation, Stewards of the Range and TURF will hold a workshop at Lufkin's Pitser Garrison Civic Center on how to stop the Trans-Texas Corridor 69. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A portion of Texas citizens have voiced their opposition to the TTC-69 in public meetings held by the Texas Department of Transportation, but believing they are not being heard, four cities and their... The Lufkin Daily News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1986713/posts#comment Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:04:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1980987/posts WASHINGTON, March 5, 2008 – The numbers of U.S. special operations forces are expected to grow in the years ahead as the United States continues its fight against global terrorism, a senior U.S. military officer told a Senate panel here yesterday. By direction of the president, U.S. Special Operations Command is the lead combatant command for synchronizing Defense Department planning for the global war against terrorism, Navy Adm. Eric T. Olson, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Today, special operators are posted in 58 countries, mostly in small numbers, Olson said. More... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1980987/posts#comment Wed, 5 Mar 2008 23:25:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1972955/posts TYLER - Heated debates are cropping up in rural East Texas communities as the Texas Department of Transportation hold hearings on the proposed the Trans-Texas Corridor. It's the first construction project of it's kind in the country. The Texas Department of Transportation says they want it to make room for a growing state. "A thousand people a day move to texas," says spokesman Larry Krantz,"where are these people going to drive? The population in Texas is going to explode by 60% in the year 2030." Their plans involve moving commercial trucks off existing interstate highways and onto one of two... KETKNBC.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1972955/posts#comment Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:37:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1972422/posts AUSTIN - When it comes to road improvement and maintenance, by most accounts, the South Plains and Panhandle are fortunate. Despite a $1.1 billion accounting error, the Texas Department of Transportation recently reported no projects in the region have been canceled or delayed while cities like Dallas, Houston and Laredo had at least a half dozen highway projects delayed. But the $1.1 billion-error, which occurred because TxDOT inadvertently counted some bond money twice and consequently allocated more funding than it had, is just the latest problem plaguing the beleaguered agency. For months, TxDOT executive director Amadeo Saenz and other transportation... Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (Lubbock Online) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1972422/posts#comment Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:33:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1969718/posts THE COMEBACK OF THE GERMAN DINOSAURS Industry Returns as Economic Engine By Christian Reiermann The comeback of German manufacturing contradicts the notion that the future belongs to the service industry. Manufacturing firms are currently the engines of growth in the German economy, even for the service sector. These days Michael Walter, 43, often finds himself committing what would normally be considered sacrilege in the business world: He's turning customers away before they can even place an order with him. "I simply have to tell them that I won't be able to help them until later, says Walter, the CEO of... SPIEGEL Online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1969718/posts#comment Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:47:17 GMT