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It may NOT feel like it…But they say the Economy IS Good…Open Thread for 10/10/24….

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We’re THREE Weeks out from Election Day 2024….

People ARE ALREADY voting….

The polls have Harris/Walz ahead by a slim margin….

The main thing voters say they are concerned about IS the Economy….

The “experts’ say it’s actually a pretty good one….

I have complained here about the ‘expert’s’ and what I feel….

For me this HAS been about High consumer prices and interest rates…..

 

Well?

Gas prices around my way have dropped by almost  a Dollar a gallon…

My wife and I where shopping in the local Stop and Shop and the sales stickers where ALL over the shelves….

Home interest rates are @ arount 6.5% which is higher that a few years ago….

But have actually been cut by a percent or two….

 

The biggest thing HAS been employment….

Were I work and from everyone I hear from?

Workers ARE needed…..

I mean EVERYWHERE from Cops, Cooks, School employyees’, food business’s …..

EVERYWHERE….

 

President’s don’t actually have anything with the economy….

If they did?

They’d wait until a few minths out from their second term campaign and then drop the intereste rates, send out checks, and order sales at the super markets…..

Biden  and Harris are driving the place right now….

Trump wants to cut everything you might want oif ya vote for him…

Last time he left a rexcession for Biden to pump money into to keep the bottom from falling…

I don’t how Donald Trump would do any better as President….

I mean the guy is out selling sneakers andd watches?

If people are actually buying his stuff?

The economy MUST BE doing good, eh?

Sooooo?

Vote FOR them driving the Bus right now….

Democrats….

Vice President Harris…..

 

By just about every measure, the U.S. economy is in good shape. Growth is strong. Unemployment is low. Inflation is back down. More important, many Americans are getting sizable pay raises, and middle-class wealth has surged to record levels. We are living through one of the best economic years of many people’s lifetimes. Yet it’s barely mentioned in popular culture or on the campaign trail.

Polarization in the United States makes it difficult to talk about any truth, even about the economy. Last Friday’s jobs report surpassed all expectations. As soon as it came out, Republicans such as Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida tried calling it fake. In reality, even if the report is later revised down, it will still show an economy that is humming along. And consider the bigger picture: The United States has nearly 7 million morejobs than it did before the pandemic, and the largest share of 25-to-54-year-olds working since 2001. Many experts didn’t think it even possible for the labor market to become this robust again. Some theories considered Americans too addicted to video games or drugs, or simply too lazy to work. The jobs rebound has proved the experts wrong.

The story on inflation is similar. Two years ago, economists were predicting a recession. Many said it was impossible to lower inflation without a downturn and widespread job losses. Yet we are living through this miracle. Report after report shows inflation cooling off. On Thursday, we learned that inflation has cooled to 2.4 percent. It’s so close to the 2 percent target again even Federal Reserve officials aren’t that worried about it anymore. And there is no recession in sight….

…

The best metric to watch is consumer spending. Even as Americans tell pollsters they are gloomy, they keep on spending — especially on eating out, visits to amusement parks and pumpkin patches, and tickets to concerts and sports events. This is yet another signal of a healthy economy….

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  6. For sure probably most voters cast their vote on the basis of that broad term,” the economy.”

    Forever immortalized by James Carvilles early 90s dictum,” it’s the economy stupid,”presidential campaigns, particularly by the out of power party, are now built around such ,even if they don’t use the term.

    As for myself, I have always preferred the slogan that many professional economists often use,”Presidents get way too much credit for a good economy and way too much blame for a bad economy.” Indeed, there exist a myriad of factors that go into the “ economy,”many beyond the control of whoever happens to be President.

    In our present society however the above is not politically “ correct” in a manner of speaking. No, whether one’s perspective is the “ economy “ be good or bad?Its all because of who is President.See no need for more technical economic explanations that can cause one’s eyes to glaze over .Its all ( fill in the blank as to the name of the President ) fault!

    Ain’t politics great!

  7. A friend of mine from Out west asked me the other day if I had read Jed Vance’s book, “ Hillbilly Elegy.”

    I told him I hadn’t as I was from South Carolina and I was already well acquainted with “ White Trash” and the unofficial state motto is “ thank God for Mississippi .”

    Didn’t need to read about it.

    He laughed.

  10. A race I’m keeping an eye on is the Republican on Republican General Election in Western Louisiana between House Speaker Mike Johnson and a hardcore MAGA lunatic. House Republicans have been fraught with internal strife ever since the party narrowly regained the House. While Johnson, not unlike his predecessor McCarthy, is an unusually base figure even by the low standards of past luminaries of the House GOP(Gingrich, DeLay, Hastert, Boehner, Ryan), he has still taken a public stand against the overtly racist tweets of several back bench members, to say nothing of the deal he rightly cut on Ukraine funding.

    Of course, this is window dressing. As James Carville recently said, “When the man from Benton is your racial progressive, you’re in trouble.” But the party faithful heard the message, and aren’t happy. Now, he’s posturing by holding up disaster aid in Congress. But when people hold grudges, they don’t generally go away within a few weeks.

    Democrats in that district, who poll around a third of the district vote, have an unenviable task in deciding how to swing that election. A powerfully dishonest pissant versus a quixotic turd. To echo another poster on this board, we need to see the party in all its ugliness and shame. And a lack of power next to that shamefulness is a plus. Whatever is done in that district, may it be done ugly but right.

    Also, a new interview with the Speaker. Among other things, he’s flip flopping on Ukraine. https://punchbowl.news/article/house/mike-johnson-nearly-one-year-as-speaker/

          • So James would like to hear what I have to say.

            I have been trying to follow Obama’s advice, rather than argue with folks on line, go out and do something. And, I have, I have raised over 50K for Kamala with a no cost “nickel and dime” fundraiser and dropped mail to over 1,000 occasional voters in North Carolina (and organized mailing parties in other states). Both the husband and I have maxed out to her campaign.

            Given the comments here, I appear to be living rent free is several people’s minds here without even posting, I suppose that is some type of flattery. But being stalked on my social media page by a weird Republican is rather creepy

            Especially when the stalker, who has decided to find my past political work humorous, can’t even seem to get his own dick to work.

            My thoughts on the campaign: I would rather be Kamala Harris than Donald Trump today and she is going to win this, and it won’t be close.

            The Democrats are on track to take the House back and banish Bible Mikey to the back benches and they have a shot at the Senate if Trump continues to implode.

            This election is a cross between 1980 and 2008 (both elections where I served on staff). In 80 the American people were disappointed in Carter’s job as President but initially afraid of Reagan being trigger happy and too right wing. Once the debate happened you could feel the air go out of the Carter campaign and Reagan won comfortably. The majority of Americans don’t trust Donald Trump and are tired of his schtick. They need to feel comfortable with Harris and from what I am seeing in the campaign numbers and the early voting numbers, things are moving in her direction.

            In 2008, notwithstanding Corey Gross’s prediction that George Allen was going to be the next President or that the selection of Palin as VP candidate as a certain landslide for McCain, Obama won the election. I see the Harris campaign generating the same type of response from volunteers and voters (there is empirical evidence developing of that each day).

            Harris has run a flawless campaign with the type of coordination we saw in 08 and her messaging is sharp and on point.

            And yes, I will be back working for Harris and my old friend Sherrod Brown in Ohio from this Sunday through Election Day — win or lose. These silly jealous and snarky comments from someone who couldn’t prevent his party from being taken over by the racist horde (a racist horde he has spent years making “what about” excuses for) are just sad. Clearly Corey Gross and this pathetic imitation of SE are jealous.

            I hope everyone here does what they can do to help protect democracy on November 5 and that doesn’t mean spending the whole day on-line making electoral predictions. If you need some suggestions on what you might do I will be very happy to make several suggestions.

            • Thank You Keith…

              Kepp up the Good Work ….

              I AM doing MY piece here……

              Have donated and keeping the faith up thouse who doubt everywhere I can….

              I TOO believe that Harris/Walz WILL be the outcome and that Democrats will take the House…..

              Good to hear from ya Keith…

  13. News and sentiments on Lily Ledbetter, the equal pay advocate who passed away yesterday at age 86.

    https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2024/10/lilly-ledbetter-dead-at-86-alabama-workers-legal-fight-led-obama-to-sign-fair-pay-act-of-2009.html
    https://barackobama.medium.com/my-statement-on-the-passing-of-lilly-ledbetter-6f2c7d2d04af

    News and sentiments on Tom Donohue, the 24 year Chairman of the US Chamber of Commerce who died today at 86.

    https://www.axios.com/2024/10/14/tom-donohue-chamber-commerce-dies-86
    https://www.uschamber.com/about/statement-on-the-passing-of-former-u-s-chamber-of-commerce-ceo-thomas-j-donohue

  14. All the candidates to whom I’m looking to send money. If anyone would like to help me figure out the best uses of what money I get on pay day next Tuesday, please make your constructive suggestions.

    1. NC row office Democrats Rachel Hunt(Lieutenant Governor), Mo Green(State School Superintendent), Wesley Harris(Treasurer), Natasha Marcus(Insurance Commissioner), Sarah Taber(Agriculture Commissioner)

    Already donated to Braxton Winston for Labor Commissioner, and bigger money than what I have has already flowed into the Governor and AG races several times over.

    2. Bethany Mann in the Exurban St. Louis district formerly represented by Dick Gephardt
    3. Ray Hartmann in the Suburban St. Louis district
    4. Dennis Baker in the Tulsa district(their Mayors race flipped to blue, could be a sleeper)
    5. Janelle Stelson and Ashley Ehasz in Harrisburg and Suburban Philadelphia, PA, districts respectively.
    6. Leslie Mehta in one of the coastal Virginia districts
    7. Kathryn Harvey in the Greenville/Spartanburg district(the incumbent R is scandal tainted and could be an upset possibility if Harris does well in the area)

    As you hopefully can see, I want to make this count.

    • I wouldn’t invest money in a sure loss on number seven on your list.

      Timmons will be easily the winner.Democrats haven’t been competitive in that district in over twenty years.The Republican usually wins by twenty points or so.

      As to the “ scandal?”Timmons problem was always going to be the Republican primary and he won, close though it was.

    • Weeded out the Missouri and Oklahoma seats. They may be Suburban seats, but the population centers are break even on a good day for Democrats while being surrounded by 70+% Republican counties. No point. At least an even spread of +25 or so counties surrounding a population center like Lexington, KY, are doable in regards to cutting down margins and getting the votes from our areas. Plus some of the NC row office candidates who seem well positioned to ride the wave, probably don’t need my money as much, and can afford to take a “fly under the radar” approach. Both Hunt and Taber are my likeliest donations, alongside the two in PA.

      Though the Greenville seat is in my finalists for donation considerations, I do take Jack’s point. It’ll be a hard one, but doable with a solid turnout in Greenville(Spartanburg is a whole other thing, inflexibly Republican that one). Local media seems to be touting this race, though it may just be that they’re trying to get clicks.

      In other news, my idea of projected House gains are down to an austere if still large number.

  15. I do want to take back the “brainless” remark. Because ultimately, I’d rather be thought of as a “pathetic imitation” than any of the pejoratives directed at CG. Downright complimentary, even.

    Frankly, I should know better than to placate him and his love of boomer men like Cheney, Bush, Romney, Manchin, and Keith. Nor is this an isolated incident from me. Time for a time out.

  16. Republican kook Marjorie Taylor Greene claims that a supporter of hers says that her votes for MJT and Trump were “ switched” on a Dominion voting machine.

    As Greene is not only a kook but a well known liar and cheat ?Whether anything occurred at all is highly suspect but she better be careful .Dominion has shown they are not willing to put up with these lying MAGA creeps .

    The Kook better tread carefully or she could find herself in a messy legal situation.

  17. There is something mildly amusing about Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis effort to censure some ad being run by some pro choice group on television stations in support of a referendum question because they are allegedly “ not true” while DeSantis himself is backing the most notorious liar in American political history ( and that’s saying something!) .Apparently, a federal Judge stopped DeSantis from threatening legal action against stations running the ads.

    Well there are “ lies” and then there are LIES ! Right Ron?

  18. On Jan. 6 2021, a mob of Republican thugs and hoodlums invaded the capitol of the United States violently.Some were literally threatening to hang the Vice President .

    Meanwhile a few days ago the instigator of the insurrection ,Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump , in language of the flower children of the late sixties,labeled the riot “ peace and love,
    .”

    Who knew the criminal was really a closet hippie!

  19. Former Director of National Intelligence ( and Republican Senator from Indiana) says that he suspects that Putin is blackmailing Trump.

    If proven true? The average Trump voter would probably shrug.

    • Putin is the one true god to these people. A former manager at my store has as much as said his red line with Biden, Harris, and the Democrats was standing up to Putin in his war on Ukraine.

      A Libertarian, to boot. Go figure. They all, with their love of all things Putin, Trump, and Alex Jones, are the living embodiment of “The Narcissist’s Prayer.”

      “That didn’t happen.
      And if it did, it wasn’t that bad.
      And if it was, it’s not a big deal.
      And if it is, that’s not my fault.
      And if it was, I didn’t mean it.
      And if I did, you deserved it.”

  20. I just saw where Trump is talking about Arnold Palmer’s schlong. Shaking my head.

    Meanwhile, the lines for the Harris rally in Atlanta went around the block. And that was two hours before she arrived. I was in the East Metro Atlanta area hitting fall festivals and filming the roads. Speaking of, if James’ sister is ever in Conyers, Gil’s Taqueria is where the good stuff is at.

  24. Saw the movie “ The Apprentice”which depicts Trumps relationship with the notorious Roy Cohn, his mentor and attorney, and his first wife Ivana.Parts are fictional ; however, it was Cohn who imbued in the young Trump the three rules,1. Never never admit to anything 2. Deny everything and3.Attack, attack attack.

    The rape scene with Ivana was gratuitous ( she later denied it had occurred although it was an issue in their divorce.)Cohn had drawn up their pre – nup.As Trump grows older he later sort of abandons Cohn who is dying of aids.Trump is always asking doctors if he could “ catch “aids from Cohn.

    Not a great movie but entertaining .Trump of course has blasted it .Worth a watch if you get around to it.

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