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To: Oblomov who wrote (17109)	2/10/2004 9:28:08 PM
From: Lizzie Tudor	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 306849

>we clearly have a dichotomy between economic statistics and reality What are you basing this on? Are you channeling the shades of Thorstein Veblen and Vance Packard? I'm basing it on an 8% GDP with no job growth. Given the size of our economy, an 8% GDP would require staff just to collect the taxes pouring in from various "use fees". From Darfot's post below, Message 19791087 Read the commentary towards the bottom. That is the level of anger I am confronted with every day from all over the country. The only people that think things are great are folks on stock chat boards, or the Bush administration. Its quite amazing really.

To: Oblomov who wrote (17109)	2/11/2004 1:14:29 AM
From: gpowell	Respond to of 306849

Consider that irrational beliefs persist when the beliefs are in some way utility enhancing and have little or no cost to the individual. I am reminded of the story told about an associate professor of political science and his wife who were convinced that Ronald Reagan was about to start a nuclear war. At a party one night, they were again spouting off about Reagan when someone offered them 10K, up front, for their house – the house to be turned over after Reagan’s scheduled term in office - when presumably, in accordance with their beliefs the house value would most likely be zero. Of course, they declined. For individuals without some underlying problem, their irrational beliefs are greatly reduced when the costs of those beliefs exceed the psychic gain.