Reader comments
Utah recovery months away, consultant says

recovery is months away -- 100+.

DEPRESSION! This is not a "recession". It doesn't take rocket science to see that.

If a housing contractions last five years, we still have three or four more years to go. The housing market was going gangbusters in Utah until 2007 - 2008. In 2007 and 2008, everyone kept repeating the same mantra, "But Utah is different. "

Let's hope things finally turn around by next year, but I highly doubt we've seen the bottom. Is this a depression or recession, depends on who you ask. Those who still have jobs, or those who lost theirs and can't even get one a Target.

Let's not forget about students that just graduated and can't get a job that have student loans to start paying on too.

We've been spoiled by two unprecedented periods of growth to the point that we've forgotten what a business cycle is like. This is a recession. People who call the current downturn a depression are not old enough or not educated enough to understand what the Great Despression was truly like--or even recognize a bad recession. And, even though the residential housing market may take a long time to recover, that doesn't mean other portions of the economy won't improve far earlier. Economists date the end of a recession by when contraction stops--not when growth appears. By that measure, the first-into-the-recession areas of the country have already hit bottom.

Thredgold's most recently published book is titled "Why the American Economy is Alive and Well". Opps! I guess he pulled this one on the shelf? Or is he willing to say what ever makes him a buck?

"Like a timid swimmer watching for drop-offs on the pool bottom." Say what???

Japan is still mired in their 10-year (and growing) recession. Government interference compounds and expands recessions.

Have you looked at the number of houses for sale in this state? Prices are still WAY too high which means we are a LONG way from being able to recover. Sellers and banks are still extremely optimistic on the prices they think these homes should fetch. Another 20%+ drop in prices is needed in most parts of the Wasatch Front. Until it happens, or inflation reduces the real value by that much, the Utah economy is going NOWHERE. With very little big business (other than church/government), Utah is dependent on housing, infrastructure growth and out-of-state folks coming for education. The education wave from the baby-boomers is fading, meaning there is little to drive a strong recovery for the next 2-3 years.

We have basically become a service economy that feeds on each other's ability to spend money...I would say we are still on our way to a big bottomless pit.

The socioeconomic situation has changed possibly forever.
Live beneath your means and you will have a good life.

With a state economy based mostly on:
1) Tourism
2) Scam-way
3) Speculative Home building
4) Reagan Outdoor advertising

Utah has a long-long recovery ahead.

You can't eat services, live in services, drive services, run your car on services, or wear services. Even lawyers and accountants eat, wear clothes and live in houses.

People still want computers, cameras, big-screen TVs, food, shelter, clothing and fun recreational and entertainment opportunties. The folks that produce them will do just fine.

As in the Great Depression some prospered exploiting those who did not.
Some people are going to get hit and hit hard if they haven't been paying attention to what's been going on for the last 8 years.

I'm pretty sure this headline would work just as well under the sports section describing the Jazz

How many people do you know, especially in Utah, that produce TVs, computers and cameras?

I can tell you this downturn started much sooner than they are saying (we started laying off two years ago), it is deeper than they are saying (I call it a selective depression...if it's hitting you it's hitting you hard), and it will last longer than they say. Coming out all depends on if the less-effected business can pull the effected businesses up instead of the other way around. It's brutal out here.

Fire 'em.
Outsource.
Relocate overseas.
Take away their health care.
The piece of the pie grows along with the purchasing power.
That is capitalism at its best.

same guy who said in February.....any time Summer at the latest, yeah right. We are deep in the soup....for a long time!

This type of cycle is good and bad. It is bad if you are not willing to work hard, hussle, be ingenious and creative. It is bad for you if you just want to show up for a paycheck or get employment based upon your education and qualifications. If you are willing to go above and beyond, provide innovative solutions, provide extraordinary products and work your butt off instead of just punching a clock, you will thrive. I would say 98% of the population has the ability to thrive in this economy. I would also say less than 5% of the population with the ability to thrive is willing to do the work it takes. There is more opportunity in a down market than an up market. My only grumble about this whole thing is that big businesses are being held up by taxpayers and small businesses because we live in an oligarchal society that positions politicians to carry out agendas for large business.