1. Define Current GDP. What is the current GDP in dollars?

2. In order to determine whether our GDP is progressing well, you should compare that GDP to plan and also look at the GDP trend
a. What has been the trend of the GDP?
b. Are we growing according to plan?

3. Define real GDP, what is the $ real GDP and how do we use this figure?

4. There are four components to the GDP (consumer, government, investment, and net export/import.)
a. Research and discuss each component's current dollar or percent rise or fall and why Use BEA -
b. Then, choose three of the above major rises and or falls and research why they happened. Do you feel that they represent a trend, and we should be alarmed – why or why not

5. How does our GDP rank when compared to other countries? Research

6. What are the United States competitive advantages? Research and discuss how you feel we will achieve growth as a country?

7. Research and discuss whether real disposable income has increased or decreased and why

8. What is the current percentage rise or fall in the consumer confidence index – what are the ramification of this statistic?

9. What is the current unemployment rate and what is the trend. Discuss and support with statistics why you feel the unemployment rate is acceptable. Particularly address:
• Who is impacted? – See Bureau of Labor Statistics and links given - give statistics and your reasoning why this is good or not good
• Occupations/industries – which occupations/industries were impacted – doing well, not doing well
• The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more). What is the trend
• Discouraged workers people who can work but are not actively seeking employment. This is usually because an individual has given up looking for a job..
• Are companies adding jobs? What is the trend
• Hours work/part-time employment – has it increased
• Employment participation rate -. The participation rate refers to the number of people who are either employed or are actively looking for work. The number of people who are no longer actively searching for work would not be included in the participation rate
• Wage growth

10. What is the Current Price Index – is it rising or falling and what does this mean in terms of our inflation rate? Is there a risk of out of control inflation – why or why not?

11. Summarize and further discuss economic growth. Include
• How does it compare globally
• What will be our growth in the future and why????
• Discuss the business component of growth use: Business confidence, building of inventory, availability of credit, oil price and Index of Manufacturing Activity in your discussion
• Select two presidential candidates – what is each’s plan for growing the economy?

1. Define Current GDP. What is the current GDP in dollars? 2....