General Discussion

Aepps22

(367 posts)

71. What can we do?

Thu Nov 2, 2023, 06:05 PM

Nov 2023

The economy for regular people isn't great but what can be done? This isn't a Joe created problem but he will be blamed. I think his standing with the autoworkers will be big. Part of this is a world problem but telling people that won't help. Given the gridlock in Congress and Manchin messing up the IRA and other legislation, what can we do to help mitigate this? The pandemic really did a number on the economy and delayed a lot of the effects that we're feeling today. Part of me believes that without the pandemic things wouldn't be as bad. When interest rates were low and the government was sending out checks, people felt like the economy was better when in reality things were being masked to keep the world economy from falling off of a cliff.

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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