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walkingman

(10,212 posts)

30. Although I am pretty fortunate in terms of economics, I am in a pessimistic mood

Thu Nov 2, 2023, 02:17 PM

Nov 2023

because I see our Democracy crumbling before my eyes and very little is being done to stop it.

I'm not talking about just the last few years (although it has taken quite a hit) but over the last 4-5 decades. WIth the election of Reagan I think you can easily see a shift from the working class to corporate control of almost everything.

I worry for the young people and the world my generation has left them. I always had the intent to leave a better world for those that come after me.

Maybe for those that don't have a long-term perspective (are not old) then today's world is normal but for someone like myself, I find it bizarre.

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The Economy Is Great. Why Are Americans in Such a Rotten Mood? [View all] usonian Nov 2023 OP

In what way is the economy great? Calculating Nov 2023 #1

It's not "super high". It's been largely tamed. maxsolomon Nov 2023 #4

The article, like most, spends most of its time on polls, and little on factual data. Here's a little usonian Nov 2023 #5

I just looked at my quarterly report from my state retirement, the last three quarters I have gone backwards. Chainfire Nov 2023 #6

That's crazy Johnny2X2X Nov 2023 #25

Same here Rebl2 Nov 2023 #63

Inflation is about 3.8% right now..... Happy Hoosier Nov 2023 #17

"nobody can afford a home anymore?" Johnny2X2X Nov 2023 #40

Corporations are buying them Calculating Nov 2023 #47

Yep Rebl2 Nov 2023 #64

Inflation not that high, somepeople are buying homes NoRethugFriends Nov 2023 #58

Well mortgage rate are almost as high as they were comradebillyboy Nov 2023 #2

Bought my second house in 1985. llmart Nov 2023 #8

YEP, bought mine in 1981, 14% HAB911 Nov 2023 #13

Its not just the interest rate, its also the high cost of a house that makes it so bad now. honest.abe Nov 2023 #15

Yeah, folks have gotten very used to very low rates. NT Happy Hoosier Nov 2023 #18

Ummm no they aren't and this type of thing is why people think the economy is bad edisdead Nov 2023 #10

Been in a rotten mood since MOMFUDSKI Nov 2023 #3

Oh, you have to have faith, baby! That money is going to come trickling back down on us any minute. Chainfire Nov 2023 #7

I think it's mostly related to cost of housing.. renting or buying. honest.abe Nov 2023 #9

Food and housing (rent) TheRealNorth Nov 2023 #22

In my area, people have been priced out of their normal standard of living. LightBright Nov 2023 #11

I rarely go shopping much any more except for groceries and drug items. llmart Nov 2023 #12

I think that job creation has been a big part of Bidemonics. usonian Nov 2023 #14

Credit cards are being used a lot by Americans now. jimfields33 Nov 2023 #84

Americans have always used credit cards a lot, at least for the last few decades. llmart Nov 2023 #94

Because inflation stuck and housing sucks Sympthsical Nov 2023 #16

+1 honest.abe Nov 2023 #19

Pretty soon, young people will be inheriting enormous wealth. usonian Nov 2023 #20

That's a tricky circumstance to depend upon Sympthsical Nov 2023 #26

I'm "counting" on increased life span. Taking vitamins and exercising. usonian Nov 2023 #31

And you're one of the good ones for it Sympthsical Nov 2023 #36

Thank you. usonian Nov 2023 #38

What I'm seeing Avalon Sparks Nov 2023 #81

I wonder what percent of young people will actually inherit high value homes from parents. honest.abe Nov 2023 #27

A very small percentage of young people inherit enormous wealth questionseverything Nov 2023 #33

Being back tax incentives for housing Dirty Socialist Nov 2023 #44

Mortgage interest deductions never went away MichMan Nov 2023 #49

Still can Rebl2 Nov 2023 #65

Why are they saying the economy is great if Americans say otherwise? leftstreet Nov 2023 #21

Mostly jobs, I think. nt usonian Nov 2023 #23

Have they wondered if maybe the jobs don't pay enough? n/t leftstreet Nov 2023 #24

The only people who have a personal interest in the unemployment rate are those who are looking for jobs MichMan Nov 2023 #74

I consider it the fault of businesses for higher prices. LiberalFighter Nov 2023 #28

Imagine how much better the world would be without the insane concentration of wealth. Nt usonian Nov 2023 #29

I think price gouging is absolutely the reason for higher prices. walkingman Nov 2023 #41

Although I am pretty fortunate in terms of economics, I am in a pessimistic mood walkingman Nov 2023 #30

The harder we have to work. usonian Nov 2023 #32

Let's be honest the economy is not great DestinyIsles Nov 2023 #34

If people could hardly afford the necessities anymore, inflation wouldn't be what it is. W_HAMILTON Nov 2023 #43

People can just decide that groceries, rent, and gas are optional? MichMan Nov 2023 #51

No, instead, they make cuts to their "wants" so they can pay for their "needs," but... W_HAMILTON Nov 2023 #85

I believe that it is because the economy is measured by GDP instead of by factors that affect ordinary people. barbaraann Nov 2023 #35

Rotten neighbors, even if one agrees with some ... sanatanadharma Nov 2023 #37

Outside of DU :-) I am at peace usonian Nov 2023 #46

We are definitely concentrating on bad things bedazzled Nov 2023 #80

We may be in another decade of malaise Shermann Nov 2023 #39

There is no "record inflation". ClimateHawk Nov 2023 #45

The point is that there is malaise over inflation Shermann Nov 2023 #50

It was at its highest levels in 40 years though MichMan Nov 2023 #53

Inflation is down but prices aren't. nt Autumn Nov 2023 #88

the politics of grievance overshadow real satisfaction mike_c Nov 2023 #42

Yes. Americans used to be known for their optimism... betsuni Nov 2023 #73

Because they go home and watch Sean Hannity for four hours and he scrambles their brains. Initech Nov 2023 #48

A rotten mood? Conjuay Nov 2023 #52

The bills are getting higher and higher too. Sure, wages have gone up, but so has everything else. So the net SWBTATTReg Nov 2023 #54

Post removed Post removed Nov 2023 #55

I have been going to the food bank once MerryBlooms Nov 2023 #56

The advent of the internet and its easy spread of disinformation... brush Nov 2023 #57

How about because, in general, Americans are spoiled AF. nt Persondem Nov 2023 #59

been to a grocery store lately? nt msongs Nov 2023 #60

Going shortly, to get a mini-cake. usonian Nov 2023 #62

Humans aren't equipped to handle this much information/input... Chakaconcarne Nov 2023 #61

Housing has been turned into investment class assets JCMach1 Nov 2023 #66

"With a little help from my enemies" usonian Nov 2023 #67

The economy is great for who? I grew up in the 1950s and 1960s, most families lived doc03 Nov 2023 #68

Corporate America pushing for a recession GuppyGal Nov 2023 #69

I've met my most basic self. He's a dumpster diving mentally ill homeless guy. hunter Nov 2023 #70

What can we do? Aepps22 Nov 2023 #71

Just because the aggregate numbers are good doesn't mean... Xolodno Nov 2023 #72

Easier answer. The definition of "Great Economy" differs from person to person. WarGamer Nov 2023 #75

I'm retired, and not thinking of making money with a craft, or consulting. usonian Nov 2023 #79

If we only had honest objective news... GreenWave Nov 2023 #76

I'm grumpy. I blame a general feeling of insecurity. Aussie105 Nov 2023 #77

People are agitated by a lifestyle of peak everything bucolic_frolic Nov 2023 #78

I live in the land of Kroger. And Kroger is gouging massively. SalamanderSleeps Nov 2023 #82

Why I'm so old .... usonian Nov 2023 #83

You believe a 1.5% profit margin is proof of massive gouging ? MichMan Nov 2023 #86

After they pay their shareholders 1.5% is what they have left in the pot SalamanderSleeps Nov 2023 #90

Annual dividend of a whole whopping $1.16 per share MichMan Nov 2023 #92

If their share is underperforming that's really their problem. SalamanderSleeps Nov 2023 #93

Wage growth has exceeded inflation for several months running right now Johnny2X2X Nov 2023 #87

There is an entire billion-dollar industry devoted to making Americans angry, afraid, depressed, and despairing. Aristus Nov 2023 #89

The economy is hard on red minimum wage states. $7.25 an hour in 2023? pwb Nov 2023 #91