The American economy is doing really, really, really well. The stock market keeps reaching new heights, with the S&P 500 hitting a new record five days in a row over a period that ended on Friday. We have the strongest GDP growth in the developed world; consumer spending keeps rising; gas prices keep falling; and inflation has dropped below 2%.
We noted the surprisingly-strong economic numbers back in December, which were boosted further by better-than-expected holiday spending figures. At the time, however, economists and political analysts were still confounded that Americans weren’t feeling what the numbers were clearly showing. Much of that, as it turns out, was because Republicans were trying very hard to convince Americans that the economy was in a bad place — knowing full well that a strong economy is terrible for Republican chances of winning the White House and retaining a House majority in 2024.
The economic vibes among Americans are finally starting to catch up with the data. Americans are now feeling bullish about their personal economic outlook in 2024; a recent survey from The Harris Poll showed that 63% of Americans rate their current financial situation as being “good” (including 19% who say “very good”).
Things are looking so strong, in fact, that Republicans are changing their tune. Even Dear Leader Donald Trump can’t ignore reality anymore:
Post by @bidenharrishqView on Threads
What a difference a month makes, eh? Here’s Rep. Ken Buck in early December 2023:
And here’s Trump via “Truth Social” this morning:
Yeah, THAT’S what’s happening.
We particularly like the line about how inflation “has already taken its toll.” When you have to shift your narrative from “things are terrible” to “things WERE terrible” to “things are better because of me,” you’re not winning the argument.
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Republicans are betting against America. Never bet against America.
Stock market economy …
In the broad area of wage growth & inflation, Fortune reported “From January 2021 to October 2023, national average wages and salaries grew by nearly $15,000, according to an analysis from Democrats on the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC) released Monday. That’s over $3,500 more than the increase in inflation during that same time period, the Democrats say.” Since then? “In December 2023, inflation amounted to 3.4 percent, while wages grew by 5.2 percent.”
Obviously, there is a fair amount of difference among individual situations — but the general trend indicates more people are doing better than those who are hurting.
Only group that is unreservably negative on the economy are those who were hoping for a meltdown under the Democrats.
The economy is in the crapper.
Eggs are up from 97¢/doz to $1.89
Crude oil is up from $36/bbl to $78.
Butter is up from €3146/ton to €5500.
Potatoes are way form €8.3/100Kg to €37.
As I said, davebarnes:
Only group that is unreservably negative on the economy are those who were hoping for a meltdown under the Democrats.
Business Insider, yesterday, had an article The 3 big reasons Americans are suddenly psyched about the economy that directly mentioned eggs.
If you think Republican policies are better able to control avian flu …. vote for them. If you think Republicans will somehow price control eggs, you are fundamentally confused.
Next time, pay attention to the sarcasm level in my posts
Even if I said the stock market would collapse if Biden were elected, this is definitely a Trump stock market ! Also, the sun rose today, thank you Donald Trump for that. Whatever would we do without you.
Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman has an excellent take on the state of the economy, and has a bit of fun with the GOP's economic "logic".
He compared the US's and EU's respective recoveries from COVID-19 and found the primary difference is, thanks to immigrants expanding our workforce, our economy has recovered and grown faster. Second, EU bankers are more conservative and appear more likely to push their economy into a recession by being overly restrictive.