Mothra said:HuMcK said:
"I'm asking what specifically we're measuring when we say the economy is objectively worse."
That's actually not what your original question was, the objective measures language comes from my response and is a different ask. You were originally asking for details about why the GOP don't have a response on economic issues right now. I generally answered that (tariffs, Iran, Paxton's lackluster economic platform, etc).
For objective measures: inflation is higher now than it was when he took over (and getting worse), employment rate is holding but job creation is way below the Biden era (and not just the initial COVID boom either), federal deficit is more than it was when he took over, GDP is lackluster (far below what was explicitly promised by this admin). Really only the stock indexes are doing somewhat well, but observers are all watching with trepidation because everything is so precarious.
You say you aren't defending anyone, the classic "just asking questions" line. Ok, what's the point you're trying to arrive at then?
You're playing a little fast and loose with what these "objective measures" actually establish.
Take inflation. While the current year-over-year inflation rate is higher than it was in January 2025, that's a remarkably convenient starting point because it ignores what happened to the price level during the preceding four years.
Inflation averaged about 4.9% during the Biden years, compared with about 1.9% during Trump's first term, and consumer prices rose cumulatively by roughly 21% over the Biden years. Current inflation is 3.4%. So, yes, it has ticked back up. But pointing to 3.4% today as proof of how much worse things have become while ignoring the enormous inflationary run-up that preceded it is a fairly selective use of the data, but no surprise coming from you. I would not expect an intellectually honest discussion with you.
That's the only way they can play.
They sort of forget about:
1. Inflation was the worst in history under China Joe
2. They told us then that inflation was actually good
3. Remember when China Joe told all those blue collar workers to "learn to code"
4. The climate change hoax wiped out more blue collar jobs than anything since NAFTA
5. The left actively supports importing legal and illegal aliens to displace American workers
