With the housing prices still declining in US and debt at record proportions in US, Europe and Japan, is there any way to stimulate the economy if it sputters again?
Europe is taking austerity cuts in their deficit to show the markets that they can cut their debt down, but the US is fearing doing that because the biggest engine of its growth is consumption which will take a significant hit if the government takes austerity measures, especially since the unemployment rate is at 12-14%. On top of this, the Bush era tax cuts are supposed to end next year, which means rise in taxes. Not to mention that the Fed lost about 5 trillion dollars to prevent a financial collapse in 2008-09 which means there is not much maneuvering room left.
Major economists are predicting global depression, the likes of which are never seen before. What are your views?
Europe is taking austerity cuts in their deficit to show the markets that they can cut their debt down, but the US is fearing doing that because the biggest engine of its growth is consumption which will take a significant hit if the government takes austerity measures, especially since the unemployment rate is at 12-14%. On top of this, the Bush era tax cuts are supposed to end next year, which means rise in taxes. Not to mention that the Fed lost about 5 trillion dollars to prevent a financial collapse in 2008-09 which means there is not much maneuvering room left.
Major economists are predicting global depression, the likes of which are never seen before. What are your views?