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The problems Shanghai residents are facing during the covid lockdown in 2022. The experience of a 34 year old technology worker in Shanghai who is sent to a quarantine center in a 16 hour bus ride shows the difficulties people are facing in Shanghai, China. The zero covid policy is affecting the economy and the daily lives of people in China. In the US Democrats shifted away from strict covid protocols in 2021 after realizing that there were economic costs and costs for daily living of ordinary people, with lockdowns becoming less frequent in states such as Michigan, New York and California.

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Toyota's sales in Sepember fall 32% and Hondas sales fall by 24% showing how even the Japanese makers are hurting with sales of Corollas and Camrys down. Nissan's down by 37%. General Motors down by 16% but only because of fleet sales. And Ford down 34%. According to AutoNation CEO Jckson whereas in 2007 90% of auto loans were approved for buyers with top credit ratings now only 60% are getting approved.

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Tax cuts initiated by the Bush administration and to a smaller degree by the Obama administration account for $6.3 trillon of the $10 trillion deficit in 2011. This is about half the $12.7 trillion gap between the $2.3 trillion surplus predicted by the CBO a decade ago for the year 2011 and the current deficit of $10.4 trillon. Two wars and higher defense spending add another $2 trillion. The Stimulus added $700 billon. The Prescription Drug Benefit for seniors $272 billion. This is based on new analysis of CBO data by the Pew Fiscal Analysis Initiative. The record shows unrestrained spending by both parties has led to the current mess. Pete Domenici who chaired the Senate Budget Committee at the time of the first tax cuts in 2001 says "in the end the floodgates were opened." This also shows how quickly the situation can change if sound fiscal practices are abandoned. Two wars were financed entirely with borrowed money for the first time in U.S. history.

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Honda with its popular Civic and focus on small cars is emerging a winner as it increases market share and sales. During the first half of 2008 Honda sold 100,0000 more passenger cars than Ford. A new plant in Greensburg, Indiana will begin production in September making the Civic compact. By 2009 that plant could produce 200,000 Civics.

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Alluring scenery but hollowing out. Rail station in Dunedin New Zealand looks like it is from the 19th or early 20th century. New Zealand wages are 27% lower than Australian wages in 2025. New Zealand's weak, economy cuts in public services in 2025 affect jobs and employment. New Zealand sees emigration of 69,000 for the year to Feb 2025, highest on record.  Australia has mining and huge demand from China and India for its coal to support it's economy. In a paradox black coal in the interior supports a healthy lifestyle with weather and sports in the coastal belt of Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, and further up the coastline in Perth and Adelaide. New Zealand life means higher grocery prices and less quality than Australia, it means health services are not as good, and the public services are being cut to reduce the deficit and borrowing. Most migration is to Auckland and towns in the interior look scenic such as Dunedin but are increasingly seeing people leaving for lack of prospects, lack of pay raises and high cost of living, poor public services. This is a cycle that was felt in 2002 and goes back a long way and is unlikely to change. ...

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The maker of Purex detergent and beauty products is putting new focus on the American market.