Opus 2013-277: On the Street: Pumice Economic Meter

Based on totally unscientific observations I can tell you that the economy is not getting better.  Ignore the White House.  Don’t bother listening to the talking heads of the media.  Go take a drive during the morning rush hour.  Pretend like you still have a job.  You will notice that the traffic is much lighter than it was last year at this time.  At least it is on the roads I have been driving.  My driving includes both the east and west coasts.  The economy is not recovering based on traffic patterns.

When we were back east the government put in place their furlough programs.  It was noticeable in the number of cars on the road.  The teachers on my district went through this two years ago.  We were going to work fewer days.  That reduces the number of cars.  Think about how many people work for the federal government, send them home a few days and watch it get easier to drive to work.

Then pay attention to a growing trend as the country adjusts to the threat of Obamacare.  Companies are cutting back on the number of hours people work to get below the magic number that the Federal program uses to mandate expensive options.  The number of jobs are being reduced to make up for the additional expense of meeting requirements for the rest.  If you read more than the front page, sports and headlines, you will find that this is not just the greedy businesses.  Cities and local governments are doing the same thing. 

I know it is not scientific.  I know it could be just coincidence.  I also know that I averaged about 60 mph coming to work today when I used to creep along at 20-25 mph.  I know that the drive home has been much quicker for the past week than it was last year.  There are two things that tend to slow down traffic.  Accidents shut down the freeways longer because there are fewer people responding.  Road construction shuts off lanes as the government frantically spends money to try to act like things are better.

I am blessed.  I still have a job.  I still have health insurance.  Check with me tomorrow.  That may change.

homo unius libri