Beware the Ides of March!

FOMC Targeting Growth-Killing Rate Hikes in an
Economy that Is Foundering, Not Overheating?

January Real Median Household Income Continued to Falter,
Down Year-to-Year for the Second Straight Month

First-Quarter 2017 Real Merchandise-Trade Deficit Is on Track for
Worst Showing Since First-Quarter 2007, An Early Negative for the GDP

If the Current Trend in Trade Is Not Altered,
Third-Quarter 2017 Real Deficit Would Be Worst Ever

Real Construction Spending Remained in Stagnant Non-Recovery,
Down for the Month and Year, Amidst Upside Revisions and Rising Inflation,
Still Shy of Its Pre-Recession High by 22% (-22%)