Not Much Different Over Here

The euro zone economy shrank for a record sixth consecutive quarter in the first three months of the year, according to data released Wednesday. But when European heads of state meet next week in Brussels, don’t look for any big announcements about plans to stimulate growth.


Europe, experts say, seems to be in policy paralysis. With Germany, the Continent’s economic heavyweight, in the grip of pre-election politicking, no big European policy moves are likely until after that country’s elections in September. Even then, it is not clear that anyone has any masterstrokes planned.

NOT LIKE ANYBODY IS SUFFERING OR ANYTHING.

"Good" News: 3Q 2011 GDP +2.5%...

BAD NEWS: CNNMoney economists predict 4Q will slow to 2.2%; then 2.3% thru 2012. If this were true it would be abysmal; in fact, I expect the economy to contract again in 2012, and enter the long-pooh-pooh'd double-dip recession. We'll see who's right...(BTW U.S. unemployment still "officially" 9.1%)