Four years ago, the harsh reality of Covid hit the United States; the bottom fell out for millions of lives and livelihoods. We're in a far better place now, and where we are headed holds promise.
We needed and got both. It might be counterintuitive but giving money to people who don't technically "need" it, helps those who do. Getting the labor market going again and going strong is so important for people on the margins.
I'm referring to the wording. Relief was needed and if it also helped some that don't "need" it that's OK with me.
What I object to is the idea that ARA "stimulated" the economy. No, the Fed did that. And that is exactly the same argument against balming ARA (and all the Trump deficits) for the long then needed (though some might disagree) over-target inflation. The Fed did that, too.
Housing cost is a big reason why there is still so much angst among many americans- and that is whether renting or buying. The problem is many of the policy solutions are in the micro, local or regional realm and in a combination of initiatives. Politicians, economists, and policymakers often fall short in these areas and they are not "glamorous". It is time consuming, detail oriented, and likely to upset many constituents. That is why the problem festers.
Why don’t economists ever talk about the fact that more and more workers at the lower end of the payscale have to work at more than one job to make a living? The low unemployment rate and robust job market stats never seem to mention that. It seems to me that is a big reason why many don’t feel the economy is good right now, despite the improvements in employment. Workers have to work multiple jobs, far more hours than their parents worked, and still can’t save enough to buy a house like their parents and grandparents did. That should be a quantifiable statistic included in every news story or analysis of the economy.
We. Also, the average weekly hours of production workers has trended down over time. https://fred.stlouisfed.org/graph/?g=1imgw And the percent of workers with multiple jobs is only 5%, basically pre-Covid and also lower than decades ago. https://fred.stlouisfed.org/graph/?g=1imgr. PS: Building more housing is the top of my list for policymakers. We absolutely need more affordable housing.
It's not optimism. It's reality. I am simply sharing it. Someone said we got a triumph of hope over experience. He was wrong it was reality over experience.
Claudia I think you and Stephanie are warriors. and nothing would make me happier on a battlefield, than to look to my right and ;left, and see you girls there::)
As always, Dr. Sahm, well done. Clear, concise, and informative. I appreciate the clear-eyed optimism, too.
“go big, go broad, and go fast” with economic relief.
Yes. Relief! Not "stimulus."
We needed and got both. It might be counterintuitive but giving money to people who don't technically "need" it, helps those who do. Getting the labor market going again and going strong is so important for people on the margins.
I'm referring to the wording. Relief was needed and if it also helped some that don't "need" it that's OK with me.
What I object to is the idea that ARA "stimulated" the economy. No, the Fed did that. And that is exactly the same argument against balming ARA (and all the Trump deficits) for the long then needed (though some might disagree) over-target inflation. The Fed did that, too.
Housing cost is a big reason why there is still so much angst among many americans- and that is whether renting or buying. The problem is many of the policy solutions are in the micro, local or regional realm and in a combination of initiatives. Politicians, economists, and policymakers often fall short in these areas and they are not "glamorous". It is time consuming, detail oriented, and likely to upset many constituents. That is why the problem festers.
Why don’t economists ever talk about the fact that more and more workers at the lower end of the payscale have to work at more than one job to make a living? The low unemployment rate and robust job market stats never seem to mention that. It seems to me that is a big reason why many don’t feel the economy is good right now, despite the improvements in employment. Workers have to work multiple jobs, far more hours than their parents worked, and still can’t save enough to buy a house like their parents and grandparents did. That should be a quantifiable statistic included in every news story or analysis of the economy.
We. Also, the average weekly hours of production workers has trended down over time. https://fred.stlouisfed.org/graph/?g=1imgw And the percent of workers with multiple jobs is only 5%, basically pre-Covid and also lower than decades ago. https://fred.stlouisfed.org/graph/?g=1imgr. PS: Building more housing is the top of my list for policymakers. We absolutely need more affordable housing.
my apologies, I lack restraint sometimes. But remember this, I'm a warrior protecting lots of interests and sometimes responding in milliseconds:}
my apologies
Most Americans are better off financially now than before the pandemic. Really?
I think you've been brainwashed by big money interests somehow
I am sharing what Americans tell us. Show some respect to them. https://stayathomemacro.substack.com/p/most-americans-are-better-off-financially
I wish I had your optimism 😥
It's not optimism. It's reality. I am simply sharing it. Someone said we got a triumph of hope over experience. He was wrong it was reality over experience.
Claudia I think you and Stephanie are warriors. and nothing would make me happier on a battlefield, than to look to my right and ;left, and see you girls there::)