Almost everyone is better off, however it doesn’t translate optimism. I’d argue the populace hasn’t adjusted to the rise of social media very well. The entire place is fretting about what someone said somewhere about something then feeding off their amplified fear. Meh. They’ll learn.
There is no way people making less than 100k a year are better off. Housing and new cars are pretty much put of reach. Food gas and taxes are all higher taking a bigger part of what they bring home. A person in Ocala or Gainesville could buy a 3 bedroom 2 bath house for a lot less monthly payment 4 years ago than they can today. A new vehicle is at least 30% more and interest on a car loan is about triple what it was. Young people with a young family have taken a beating over the last 4 years.
A person making $100k today was only making $80k 4 years ago. Not arguing rents aren’t high due to low supply but pointing out there has been a lot of wage growth too.
I’m more concerned about our country and democracy with Trump back in the mix. He and his followers are threatening violence if he doesn’t win. imo our country and our long term strength is worse off with Trump having a good chance of being our potud again.
Yes. By March 2021, the U.S. unemployment rate had been in sharp decline for several months, standing at 6.1% and obviously still in free fall. The GDP was humming. That didn't stop Joe Biden from passing the $2 trillion Stimulus and Relief Package 5: American Rescue Plan. Mind you by all accounts, the economy had bounced back from Covid and most, if not all Covid restrictions had been lifted on businesses. Some highlights of Mr. Biden's unnecessary inflationary stimulus: Direct cash payments of up to $1,400 for individuals earning less than $75,000 a year, plus $1,400 per dependent. The payment decreased for those with income over $75,000, phasing out entirely for individuals with an income of $100,000 a year. $300 a week in expanded unemployment insurance through Sept. 5, 2021. Any student loan forgiveness passed from Dec. 31, 2020, to Jan. 1, 2026, as nontaxable income. $10,200 in unemployment benefits were free from federal taxes in 2021 for households with incomes less than $150,000 a year. For incomes of less than $300,000 a year for married couples filing jointly. By all accounts, the Fed Reserve had to keep printing money to set aside the debt created by passing this unnecessary stimulus. These measures compounded the inflationary pressure and kept demand above what supply could feed. You are just going to have to accept that inflation is Biden's baby. He could have dumped all that money into infrastructure, which would have been an investment for our future. Demand would not have been an issue, because as we know, the government is happy to take a very long time to complete a task. That's if he just had to spend $2 trillion, but of course, he didn't.
How about those that are making 40 to 50k? Do you live in Central Florida and have a realistic idea of what many if not most people are making? Many if not most of those people working at UF and Shands are not making anywhere near 100K. Closer to half of that. Of course doctors and some nurses do but not the average worker. I know a lot of blue collar workers, people who are paralegals and insurance CSR's and most will not break the 60K mark in Central Florida. Not many have had their pay go up that much and even if they have it would be taken just in the cost of housing. The cost of property, higher interest rates and insurance. Add higher property taxes also. Any raise is long gone and just the food bill is close to double what it was 4 years ago. Car insurance is close to double what it cost 4 years ago here in Florida. Home insurance is at least double. Then add additional cost of a vehicle and cost of maintenance and repairs. I can go on, but I will stop as that 20K you are taking a shot at is long gone. And that is assuming they even got a 20k raise.
How much violence was there in 2020/2021? Oh not counting the George Floyd violence pushed by the left. You can't seriously believe if Trump loses fires will be started, stores looted and fights breaking out in the streets. I say even if the election is stolen again violence will be no more prevalent than your average Saturday night in Chicago or on a New York subway.
What are you suggesting be done? Everyone isn’t rich. Sure. But I’d put the Dems policies for middle class America up against the GOPs any day of the week.
Young people with kids who are just starting out have to make sacrifices. Just like me and my wife did when our son was born in 1977.
Oh so you’re not an old white guy who earns more than $100k a year? If so, you’re a real saint carrying the poor folks mantle like you do. They salute you.
I don't live and have never lived in those places so I could not say. I have lived in and owned a business in Gainesville and I live in Marion County so I do know about this area.
I was just answering the question of are we better off than we were 4 years ago. I am not. I don't have the answers to all the problems causing it, but apparently neither do the Dem's. If anything they have added to the problem.
Sacrifices don't work if you can't afford or qualify for a loan. What do you want them to do live with their mommy until they are 40? Take out a loan and then hope the Dem's will have the tax payers pay it off in exchange for their vote?
I think his point is that it didn't "seem easier" for his generation. For me, I graduated UF in 99, tried to save through investment right away only to see negative returns for the next 12 years, bought a house in the mid 2000s only to have the value crash and take 15 years to recover, two significant recessions in the 2000s, then getting laid off in the 2009 during the "great recession" ... I had plenty to complain about. I turned out fine. These interests rates are not even historically "high"... someone pointed out we are near the 50 year average now. Higher interest rates are the result of a good economy. People probably need to get used to it. Giving out loans like candy on Halloween is what caused the great recession, as I recall.
