Almost any argument that relies on GDP numbers to back up its claim is specious at best.

For example, you could have a tornado destroy a town and the disaster recovery spending would increase GDP. You could build a teleportation device that puts all delivery drivers out of work. GDP would decrease but there would be an overall increase in wealth and quality of life.

Thinking about economics through the lens of GDP is just the wrong way to think about the economy.

Here's a great Planet Money podcast on the invention of "The Economy" and on GDP: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2014/02/28/283477546/the-inve...