Ogabe

clipped from www.atimes.com The unhappy situation in America, of which we have long warned, should be contrasted with the healthy growth experiences of other countries such as Australia, New Zealand, China and India. The Australian central bank is now so confident in its growth potential that it has raised interest rates two months in a row. Though they have a center-left government, the Aussies have managed to control stimulus spending and overall debt. New Zealand is seeing an increase in real wages amid a strong Kiwi dollar. Much more than GDP, this is a signal that economic growth is truly returning to this island nation. China, a place where 9% annual GDP growth is considered a recession, is still developing its market economy while Obama cripples that of the United States. A currency's value reflects investors' faith in a particular nation. Though commentators are seizing on this figure or that to make the bull case, the dollar index belies their claims.