Is It Only The Economy, Stupid?

A variation on the title of this post was coined by strategist James Carville as a missive to campaign workers leading up to Bill Clinton's successful 1992 presidential campaign against incumbent George H. W. Bush.  I've written about the subject many times over the years.  Is it only about the economy?  Or is there more?  I would postulate that it is the economy and much  more.

Tomorrow Donald J. Trump will be sworn-in as America's 47th President.  Who, in the lead-up to the festivities, would tell you that he alone can fix our country's hellscape of lawlessness, disorder, economic collapse, inflation, energy dependence, mobocracy, crisis and chaos.

Perhaps you share that view.  Not me; I would submit that by any rational measure of the condition of the United State of America the president-elect will be taking over a country in rather decent condition. Let's take a walk thru the relevant numbers.

Contrary to what the president-elect will tell you drug overdose deaths are down and the manufacturing sector has created more jobs than at any time in the last decade and a half.  Although some prices remain stubbornly high; inflation is down significantly.  Inasmuch as federal largess under both Trump and Biden contributed to the expansion of the money supply Trump now shoulders the burden to reduce the cost of my groceries.  Fair is fair. 

December delivered an overall blowout jobs report and wages are up and continuing to rise, all the while unemployment is at levels before the COVID shitshow hit the fan.  Domestic energy production of crude oil and natural gas are at record levels and we are now the global leader in production and export of crude oil.  Meanwhile, a gallon of regular unleaded, around here anyway, will set you back less than $2.50.  We are awash in an embarrassment of energy and production.

Nevertheless, it goes beyond the economy.  Illegal immigration is belatedly, but at long last down and we've found ourselves with the lowest violent crime rates in fifty years.  No American military forces are in a hot war elsewhere in the world and Trump's go-to Gold Standard for how he's doing - the stock market has set a new record for the past two years.  Finally, Americans have shown signs of coming around to actually recognizing and accepting the reality that conditions on the ground are pretty darn good.   

I'll bet you a steak dinner that in reasonably short order President Trump will take credit for the strong economy he is about to inherit.  That's because as I gaze across my landscape I don't see a hellscape; I see prosperity and the best economy on the planet.  If you think I'm making this up out of thin air; fight me.

Do not get the impression I am diminishing the reality that not each and every single last American, shares the same upwardly economic prosperity and living conditions.  Poor people and economically disadvantaged families are real.  Nor am I blind to politics.  It is certainly in Trump's self-interests to paint as bleak a landscape a possible for his base.  Nothing new under the sun there.

As Trump assumes office there are no shortage of challenges ahead.  Russia, China and Iran are failing states.  Russian and North Korean military personnel allegedly execute Korean wounded to erase evidence of North Korean involvement in the war against Ukraine. Ugh.

Here at home, domestic terrorism has, again, reared its head.  There is funding the budget and passage of a reconciliation bill, the DOGE, the debt ceiling, tax policy, Social Security and Medicare.  Will there be a comprehensive immigration policy?   99 cent a dozen eggs?

Placing a higher value on action I try to tune-out the talk.  Consequently, I'm looking forward to detailed policy to materialize.  You know, policies which will improve your and my prosperity and general lot in life.  And maybe make the world a safer place.

Donald Trump has been dealt a solidly good hand and I'm looking forward to being witness to how he plays it.

Bring it on.....