Episodes
Monday Sep 30, 2024
Alternative Visions- Why US Economy Remains #1 Issue in 2024 Election
Monday Sep 30, 2024
Monday Sep 30, 2024
today’s show addresses #1 issue in polls that US economy remains the key issue in the Nov 2024 elections with voter concern for inflation remaining at the core. Harris says inflation has ‘come down’ & Trump says prices remain unaffordable. Which is true? Both. The show reviews the current high plateaued level of prices, including housing, rents, gasoline, food, autos and insurances, between 25%-35% above 2019 depending on sources. The candidates ‘dueling tax’ cut promises are compared and the condition of 120m households’ debt now at record levels (mortgage, credit card, autos, student loans) with delinquencies beginning to appear. Ability of consumers to continue spending given minimal real wage raises, rising debt & declining household savings rate, rising poverty rate and 40% increase of use of food banks since 2022. Unemployment at 8% (not 4.3%) per govt’s U-6 statistic. The show concludes with discussion of recent Zelensky-Biden meeting and US media-elite criticism of Zelensky’s ‘Victory Plan’