It may also finally lead to stronger wage increases.įinally, investors take all the issues that face the economy and the global issues identified in “The Merry Minuet” and still come out extremely optimistic. For those who question the strength of the employment recovery this response might reduce their concerns. In that regard, the survey showed finding qualified workers represented their second most important problem - after taxes of course.
Small business optimism can also play an important role in contributing to employment growth. Small businesses’ continuing optimism translates into a five point increase in their inventory plans for the fourth quarter when compared to August. The graph below shows their optimistic upsurge began in December, after the election, with a “Trump Bump” of 7 points. Similar to consumers, small business optimism remains high compared to recent history. Small Business Optimism - Also Getting Ready For the Holiday Season Of course, consumers will provide the ultimate verdict with their purchases during the holiday shopping season. Overall, August showed an increase of 5.6% over last August. The volumes represent the highest on record since 2000 when the N.R.F. The National Retail Federation’s (N.R.F) “global port tracker” reported imports broke records for the two months ending in august. Since our August commentary, an additional report provides a similar positive reading. Container volumes in the summer months reflect inventory building for the upcoming holiday shopping season. Our late August commentary pointed out the first signs of a strong holiday shopping season may be reflected by the strength of container volumes coming into U.S. Retailers bought into consumer optimism earlier this summer. Retailer’s Optimism - Grew Since Our Previous Commentary By then, in our view, consumers should know whether tax reform legislation passed and whether or not they will benefit. They also pointed out, if the expansion continues through the middle of next year that would mark the second longest expansion since the mid-1800s. Economists at the Michigan survey noted that this outlook suggests the expansion should continue at least into the middle of 2018. For perspective, since its 1978 inception, the index averaged 85.6. This represents the highest level for the index since early in 2004. The University of Michigan’s preliminary consumer sentiment index for October spiked 6 points to 101.1.
#Merry minuet lyrics plus
The French proverb applies: plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose – the more things change, the more they stay the same.Ĭonsumer Optimism - Highest In Over a Decade Nearly the same lyrics could be written today. For some perspective on the relative constant of world issues, let us look back about 60 years to a hit recording titled “The Merry Minuet”. In past markets, investors also faced similar issues. She is a former Tribune editor, retired teacher, historian, and book author.The optimism of consumers, business owners, and investors continues at high levels despite hurricanes in Florida, Texas, and Puerto Rico, fires in California, and possible nuclear confrontation in Korea. Let’s hope for the best in both regards.ĭiana French is a freelance columnist for the Tribune. The Mount Polley tailings pond breach was totally unexpected. Wildfires in the Cariboo have been on my worry list this summer. “What nature doesn’t do to us will be done by our fellow man.” That’s possible given the state of world affairs.
It ends with “But we can be tranquil and thankful and proud, for man’s been endowed with a mushroom shaped cloud … and we know for certain that some lovely day, someone will set the spark off and we will all be blown away.” It was written half a century ago but the lyrics are eerily apt today.ĭon’t have room for them all, but the song is a tongue-in-cheek poke at natural disasters plus the strife and unrest in a world that is “festering with unhappy souls.” The world situation reminds me of the Kingston Trio’s Merry Minuet. The Wonderful West isn’t always right, eg.
Choosing sides in disputes can get in the way of truces, never mind peace (Israel/Palestine).īesides, it’s hard to know which side to choose - who can we believe? What are we accomplishing with our war measures? Who is benefitting?Ĭertainly not the people who are on the front lines, nor the children on the Gaza strip. Now we are a buttinski nation that can’t keep its nose out of anything the USA is involved in. I liked it when Canada was respected as a peacekeeping nation.
#Merry minuet lyrics free
Monday was also the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War, the Great War that was to end all wars and make the world free for everyone forever. Monday was BC Day and most British Columbians probably took advantage of the good weather and enjoyed the holiday.