General Discussion

We are the Arsenal of Democracy and our own Fascism.

We use a lot of energy.

We sell a lot of $50,000++ vehicles.

Retail continues apace.

Americans spend their paychecks because they have to, and the government borrows and spends. What's the current year fiscal deficit? $2 trillion?

Almost billionaire tax cuts allow for luxury items to be sold.

Companies are panicked over AI. Fear of being left behind so they don't fire useless employees. They train them. But that chicken will come home to roost at some point.

On edit, to add ... I see some retailers adding hours, opening earlier, but also some running with skeleton crews. I heard a manager complaining this week about running the store on 3 or 4 employees, so much merchandise not being processed and put on shelves, the backroom overloaded, and having to sweep the floors herself. It wasn't she was unable to hire someone, it is being told to run on fewer headcount.