The U.S. Misery Index and Bidenflation's Impact on Everyday Americans: No Matter How You Slice It, Things Aren't Going Well With Average Americans

PJ Media ^ | 03/01/2023 | Gwendolyn Sims

[SeekAndFind]

The U.S. Misery Index was a concept conceived by economist Arthur M. Okun in the 1970s to describe and quantify the level of economic distress experienced by everyday Americans. The index, while not perfect, can nonetheless be used as a powerful tool to help Americans and their leaders understand the existing economic forces affecting not only their lives but the financial circumstances of the country as a whole.

The index is calculated by adding the official U.S. unemployment rate to the U.S. inflation rate and is a popular indicator of economic health or distress. The higher the U.S. Misery Index, the more distress or misery there is in the economy as Americans struggle to make ends meet. Although initially coined “the discomfort index,” today the sum of these two rates is known simply as the U.S. Misery Index.

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U.S. Misery Index = U.S. Unemployment + U.S. Inflation

 

Current U.S. Misery Index: Unemployment 3.4% + U.S. Inflation 6.41% = 9.81%

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As the index rises, more and more people feel frustrated and anxious about their current and future economic opportunities. As Americans feel more anxious about the future, one of two things happens: either they curtail spending or they utilize credit spending, which increases their personal debt. And debt — as our leaders in Washington, D.C. don’t seem to know — only adds to financial misery.

As the graph shows, the index has fallen slightly over the past few months. So why are most Americans not feeling the misery ease? The answer, though complicated, lies mainly in the sleight-of-hand accounting methods of Biden & Co. As PJ Media’s Matt Margolis reported last week, we shouldn’t be fooled by these numbers because “Joe Biden’s relationship with the truth is not very good

[SeekAndFind]

In fact, when Biden took office inflation “was a mere 1.4%, which was on par with the average inflation rate of 1.2% for all of 2020 and was the lowest monthly inflation rate of Biden’s entire presidency.” Later, inflation rose to a high of 9.1% in June of 2022, and now in January 2023 inflation is fairly stagnant at 6.41%. On what planet are 6.41% inflation and the higher prices it brings for consumers something to cheer about? Planet Biden, apparently.

[Theoria]

2020 and 2021 covid cash had to go somewhere. Asset inflation, market enthusiasm, etc.

[lgjhn23]

FJB and his merry band of vile flying monkeys.

[hinckley buzzard]

The peak in June 1980 spelled doom for Jimmy Carter’s re-election, and gave us Ronald Reagan.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: The peak in June 1980 spelled doom for Jimmy Carter’s re-election, and gave us Ronald Reagan.

Today, even with the Misery Index high, Republicans can’t even take over Senate and barely won the House.

[libertylover]

Yeah, but no matter how you slice it, many, many, many will still vote Democrat.

[vpintheak]

Obvious solution is to increase taxes and give more money to Ukraine. Almost forgot that we have spend more on welfare too.

[Vaduz]

Things Aren’t Going Well With Average Americans

You will have nothing and you will like it

[ridesthemiles]

IF the TRUE UNEMPLOYMENT number is 3.4%-—I am Mother Theresa

[Grampa Dave]

“Yeah, but no matter how you slice it, many, many, many will still vote Democrat.”

Just like their Grandparents, parents/uncles aunts and siblings/cousins, who voted Democrat for their lifetimes.

Close to 50% of the current California population and 30% for a lot of the rest of our nation’s population are voting for ever as democrats. The rest of us pay their taxes and often live like orphans in large and dysfunctional families.

Many states are facing near open revolt and positive large sections/counties leaving liberal states and aligning with conservative states.

Conservative Greater Idaho is basically becoming a possible mecca for conservative citizens in many counties in Oregone and the north border/counties of California. Conservative are ready to leave their states (Oregone and California) and join the new and Conservate Greater Idaho State.

[Grampa Dave]

‘Greater Idaho’ movement gains steam as Oregon counties vote to secede!:

Idaho State Rep. Barbara Ehardt joins ‘Fox & Friends’ to discuss policies pushing conservatives to leave Oregon and explains the process for the 11 counties to secede.

https://www.foxnews.com/video/6321485040112