The economy’s strength and stability — defying many of the most optimistic predictions — represents a remarkable development after seemingly endless crises

As 2023 winds to a close, Powell and his colleagues are far from declaring victory on inflation. They routinely caution that their actions could be thwarted by any number of threats, from war in the Middle East to China’s economic slowdown. Americans are upset about high costs for rent, groceries and other basics, which aren’t going back to pre-pandemic levels. The White House, too, is quick to emphasize that much work remains.

Yet the economy is ending the year in a remarkably better position than almost anyone on Wall Street or in mainstream economics predicted, having bested just about all expectations time and again. Inflation has dropped to 3.1 percent, from a peak of 9.1. The unemployment rate is at a hot 3.7 percent, and the economy grew at a healthy clip in the most recent quarter. The Fed is probably finished hiking interest rates and is eyeing cuts next year. Financial markets are at or near all-time highs, and the S&P 500 could hit a new record this week, too.

      • BraveSirZaphod@kbin.social
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        1 year ago

        You’re already ahead of 90% of Lemmy with that.

        I wonder how many people here would agree with the idea of lowering taxes in order to reduce inflation.

      • Nudding@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Good, I’d hate for the mods here to delete points of view that they don’t agree with 🤪. Like the Climate sub!

        • silence7@slrpnk.netOP
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          1 year ago

          It’s not a matter of disagreement; there’s room for legit disagreement about a lot of things. It’s a matter of joining in a active fossil-fuel-industry disinformation campaign. That gets me to take content down because it’s basically impossible to have a rational discussion when that’s part of it.

          • Nudding@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            Thinking that humans are a net negative to the natural world and deserve the consequences of the climate apocalypse isn’t a fossil fuel industry disinformation talking point, you literally just disagree with my opinions and shadowbanned me without warning or way to appeal. Big difference in “taking content down” and the former.

            • silence7@slrpnk.netOP
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              1 year ago

              Doomerism is in fact a fossil fuel industry talking point; it’s part of what they do to discourage action.

              If the only solution is suicide, nobody will act.

              • Nudding@lemmy.world
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                1 year ago

                My solution isn’t everyone killing themselves at the same time. And you’d know that if you didn’t ban me without recourse.

                • Psychodelic@lemmy.world
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                  1 year ago

                  Idk the original discussion but I totally support the ban.

                  Insufferable people that talk past others are the absolute worst people to try and have a dialogue with - especially when they’re more interested in listening to themselves anyway.

                  First, seek to understand, then try to be understood

                  • Nudding@lemmy.world
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                    1 year ago

                    Discourse denouncing bullshit puff pieces disguised as uplifting climate news is hard to swallow, so I understand.