Does the New York Times Actually Understand Economics? Have Even a Clue?

WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy expanded at a sluggish pace in the fourth quarter although a big gain in business investment and higher exports of services led the government to push up its previous estimate for growth. Gross domestic product expanded at a 0.4% annual rate, the Commerce Department said on Thursday, just below the 0.5% gain forecast by analysts in a Reuters poll.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy barely grew in the fourth quarter although a slightly better performance in exports and fewer imports led the government to scratch an earlier estimate that showed an economic contraction. Gross domestic product expanded at a 0.1% annual rate, the Commerce Department said on Thursday, missing the 0.5% gain forecast by analysts in a Reuters poll. The growth rate was the slowest since the first quarter of 2011 and far from what is needed to fuel a faster drop in the unemployment rate.

WASHINGTON — The pace of hiring by U.S. employers eased slightly in December, pointing to a lacklustre pace of economic growth that was unable to make further inroads in the country’s still high unemployment rate. Payrolls outside the farming sector grew 155,000 last month, the Labor Department said on Friday. That was in line with analysts’ expectations and slightly below the level for November. Gains in employment were distributed broadly throughout the economy, from manufacturing and construction to health care.

ATHENS, Greece — France’s economy, Europe’s second-biggest, will grow by less than previously thought in 2013, President Francois Hollande confirmed Tuesday. While on a six-hour visit to Greece, Hollande said “everyone knows that for 2013, we will not reach our target, which was 0.8 percent.” He said a new growth target will be announced by the end of next month. France is waiting for the European Commission, the European Union’s executive arm, to release its economic forecasts for the 27-country EU on Friday. (MORE: Bold New Rule: Students in the U.K.

We have people without jobs and jobs without people TORONTO — A CIBC report released Monday suggests Canada’s economic prosperity is at risk due to a labour market split that sees high-demand positions go unfilled while lower-skilled workers languish in unemployment. “We have people without jobs and jobs without people,” said author and deputy economist Benjamin Tal.

If stimulus worked, then why isn't it? The US has $1 trillion deficits for four years in a row. If that's not stimulus, what is? Since it isn't working, the next question is how are we going to pay for it? While pondering those questions, please note US runs a 4th straight $1 trillion-plus budget gap. The United States has now spent $1 trillion more than it's taken in for four straight years.