There seems to be quite some debate about the state of the US economy. Some, like President Bush, believe that the US economy is “strong and vibrant”. Others, like the citizens quoted in this AP article, say that they are struggling, like never before, to make ends meet.
Nancy Pelosi (perhaps naturally) agrees with those citizens:
Times are “very good for the rich and very, very bad for the poor” who “can’t afford to live,” laments Larry Mitchell, 43, a now-and-then merchant peddling his wares recently in a submarine sandwich shop parking lot. He says the middle class is “having a hard time.”
[…]
“President Bush and the Republicans are out of touch with Americans who are living paycheck to paycheck and are struggling to make ends meet,” House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., counters.Her rank-and-file portrays an economy under Republicans that leaves behind the poor and hinders the middle class. Democrats also complain about a soaring federal deficit and Bush’s tax cuts “for the wealthy” during wartime.
[…]
“Everything from a loaf of bread to a pair of shoes,” seems to cost more, said Ronald Barrett, 70, a Democrat supervising a group doing community service on Scottsburg’s quaint town square in Indiana.At a nearby diner, waitress Jeanine Gordon, 32, who makes the minimum wage, mused about her latest trouble — her van has been in the shop for a week because she and her husband can’t afford to fix it.
“This is the least I’ve ever made in my entire life,” the Republican and mother of three said. “The gas prices went up and the tips went down.”
On the other hand, the AP uses undeniable positive STATS. Perhaps the economy as a whole has gotten ‘better’, but a lot of individual’s lives have not improved, or even gotten worse? (speculating here)
Ed Morrissey does not agree with the tenure of before mentioned AP article.
My problem is that I do not live in the U.S. so that I cannot give a fair report about the life of the average American. All I can do is look at the STATS (which never tell the whole story). These STATS seem to be quite positive.
Thoughts anyone?
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