How ‘bout that economy?
It’s a new month and the new labor stats are out today: 112,000 new jobs in November, and not a one of them for me. Last week’s “Black Friday” retail sales figures were not so thrilling either, unless you’re an upscale retailer: Wal-Mart’s sales were off for the first big holiday shopping weekend. Because their slice of the pie is so much bigger than most of the upscale retailers combined, this is just one more weak middle- to lower-income consumer confidence indicator. I know I’ll be spending less this season on gifts . . . and electricity . . . and groceries.