2024 US Presidential Election

[Belacqua]

The economy is better under Biden than it was under Trump before covid, even excluding the post-covid boom during Biden's first year.

I confess that I know very little about economics, so this is something I need good non-partisan coaching about. 

We all know that certain economic indicators can look very strong without helping normal people. A strong Wall Street doesn't necessarily translate into more comfortable lives for normal people. 

(This has been clear to me here in Japan. For decades the US and the IMF, etc., have been urging Japan to modernize its economy, decrying a "lost decade," etc. They insist that Japan has to lay off lots of workers, decrease social spending, and cut way back on infrastructure. In other words, the economy is better if the people have austerity. So you know, cui bono, better for whom?)

It does look as if employment numbers are good. I've also read that US unemployment figures only count those who are actively looking for work; those who have given up don't count. So I can't say what the economy looks like to a middle-aged guy who can't relocate or train for a new career. 

Just now I saw a clip from NBC news showing that while unemployment is down, Trump is still way ahead in polls asking who will be better for the economy. NBC said that he's 22 points ahead of Biden in people's perceptions of that subject. So we can write that all off as stupidity or racism, and that's partly true no doubt. But why do people feel Biden is worse if the economy is treating them so well? 

Apparently homelessness is up sharply. Home prices and mortgages are up sharply. Inflation on groceries is high. 

I understand hating Trump. I have never been a fan.