CONFIDENCE: Or is it politics?

Where do the consumers get their misinformation? For those of you who don’t read the Business section of our local paper, here’s the scoop. According to the article in Nov. 25 Press, Business Section, page B7, “… a business research group said consumers’ confidence in the U.S. sank this month as Americans worried about the state of the job market.”

The Conference Board said consumer confidence fell to its lowest level in a year and was surprised by this information considering the strong job gains in October.

Jeremy Zirin, chief equity strategist at UBS Wealth Management Research, also said he was surprised by this information because there are a lot of reasons for consumers to feel good right now. Employers are hiring and Americans have more money to spend because inflation and gas prices are low. There’s also evidence wages are increasing.

Not only has the job market improved but the sale of new houses has surged in the month of October and new home sales surged 17.6 percent during the first nine months of 2015.

Look around our town and witness the building surge, and the “Help Wanted” signs. I’m not referring to the “Help Wanted” signs hiring temporary employees for the holiday season, but signs prior to this time of year.

Misinformation is oozing from certain media in their attempt to put fear in the minds of the people. The purpose of this propaganda? Think upcoming 2016 election where, if the majority of voters are convinced, albeit wrongly, that our economy is struggling, you know how they will vote.

JANIE HANSEN

Coeur d’Alene