U.s. Economic Backdrop Improves - 1894 Words

US Economic Backdrop Improves There is now increasing conviction in the view that Q1’s contraction to US real GDP was, in fact, transitory, as opposed to the onset of a new and slower growth trend. Special factors, such as bad weather, the labour dispute at West Coast ports, and statistical noise were all to blame for the negative outcome. Members of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) are, therefore, relieved to be witnessing a generally better-than-expected tone to US economic data in recent weeks. These include higher automobile sales, although I suspect it will be a struggle to achieve much higher readings in the near future. Meanwhile, initial jobless claims continue to hover at very low levels. Respectable labour demand is now†¦show more content†¦This would have constituted a very modest recovery from Q1’s contraction. There has, however, been a recovery to +2.2%. It is, though, still below the Blue Chip Consensus estimate of +2.8%. Consumer spending is expected to be the larges t single contributor to Q2 real GDP growth, followed by business investment and government spending. Meanwhile, inventory liquidation will present, by far, the stiffest headwind, followed by net exports. Real final sales (GDP less inventories) will, according GDPNow, come in at just under +3%, a respectable reading. The best measure of domestic demand (final sales to domestic purchasers) will also register a gain of around +3%. In terms of assessing the risks of overheating and, therefore, rising inflation, the Fed looks at the growth of domestic demand vis-à  -vis supply-side developments in the economy. A few weeks ago, I alluded that both US productivity growth and labour force expansion were nothing to write home about during the current recovery. The supply-side of the US economy is certainly growing at less than +2% per annum, considerably below the underlying growth of aggregate demand. This implies that inflationary pressures should be slowly brewing. The Employment Situation report for June showed average hourly earnings rising just +2% on a year ago. On the surface, this is hardly the type of stuff that would send shivers down the spines

Comparing Shakespeares King Lear with Mitch Alboms...

Shakespeares King Lear versus Tuesdays with Morrie William Shakespeares King Lear is a tragedy of a king who is unable to comprehend the truth of the human condition until he is stripped of his kingdom, family, and the basic components of human dignity. At the end of his existence, even the one person who he loved, his daughter Cordelia, is taken away. Similarly, Morrie Schwartz in the popular nonfiction book Tuesdays with Morrie does not fully come to terms with himself and what is valuable in life until he has been cruelly stripped of what makes his life meaningful by a chronic, terminal illness. Both Morrie and Lear do not gain full understanding until they lose everything. Thou art the thing itself:/unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor bare, forked animal as thou art. Off, off, you lendings! /come unbutton here (III.4). At the height of his madness on the heath, Lear sees Edgar, who is in disguise as the madman poor Tom of Bedlam, hiding from his father. Lear, having been cast out by both of his daughters, is distraught and strips his clothes off as well. He finally understands the transience of human existence, and how that humanity is ultimately nothing but a naked animal, without all of the gaudy trinkets conveying power. Morrie similarly comes to despise the obsessions of the world, including the topics of celebrity journalism that his student Mitch focuses upon, as meaningless. The truth is . . . once you learn how to die, you learn how to live,

Wicked Soundtrack free essay sample

A friend introduced me to the hit Broadway musical Wicked and I immediately fell in love with its soundtrack. The show describes the life and times of the Wizard of Ozs Wicked Witch of the West. Even if one is unfamiliar with the story, the musical talents of Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth are exciting and powerful enough to hook anyone. No One Mourns the Wicked starts the album with a bang! It introduces both the story and the emotional, yet humorous tone of the soundtrack. Glinda, the Good Witch, poses a question that hints at whats to come: Are people born wicked? Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them? Dear Old Shiz sways from the pop-like tunes on the rest of the CD and uses an arrangement reminiscent of choral pieces. Here we go back to when Glinda and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch, were best friends. One of the more up-tempo pieces, Popular, really shows off the versatility of Chenoweths voice. We will write a custom essay sample on Wicked Soundtrack or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The round style backups on top of the crystal-clear vocals and humorous lyrics make for a very entertaining song. Probably the highlight of the album, Defying Gravity is the turning point of the soundtrack; the lighthearted lyrics become more emotional and powerful. The energy level is incredible and gives the listener a real rush. Elphaba announces that she will try defying gravity and cries, So if you care to find me, look to the Western sky! As someone told me lately, Everyone deserves the chance to fly! For Good, the stunning finale where the former best friends tell each other that because they knew one another they have been changed for good, is truly touching as they go their separate ways. Wicked has something for everyone. Humor, fantastic music and a touching story are in every song. This soundtrack will leave you dying to see the musical. In the end, Wicked will change the listener For Good.