As 2024 begins, there is a lot going on in this world giving rise to a range of emotions — sadness, fear, anger, anxiety about the future, and some things to be thankful for. Let’s take a look at some things that, in the view of this scribe, are of the good, the bad, and the ugly.

First, the good. The United States is still the world’s richest and strongest nation, in terms of both its economic and military power. We have been through the worst of the Pandemic and the resultant tanking economy. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is high and rising. Employment is high with historic low unemployment. Inflation rates are declining, and wages, even for lower paid jobs, are generally rising. Mortgage rates are declining from their recent peaks.

Financial markets are flirting with all-time highs. That is of huge benefit to the richest twenty percent of people who hold the major share of stocks. But it also benefits those of lower income fortunate enough to have money in their retirement accounts.

So far, inflation has been tamed without a recession that was almost universally declared inevitable by critics, including many economists.

We are a politically divided nation but that’s not new. With the exception of the WWII years of 1941-1945 there have always been sharp divisions over one thing or another. Nevertheless, even with the slightest majority in the congress, significant legislation has been accomplished during the Biden administration.

The American Rescue Plan did a lot of good for a lot of people, businesses, and organizations. 

The CHIPS Act aids building semiconductors in America’s “rust belt.”

Although it consisted only of baby steps, the first major gun safety bill in a decade was passed. 

The Inflation Reduction Act reduced costs of insulin, and includes measures for future cost reductions of pharmaceuticals.

The (somewhat) bi-partisan Infrastructure Act is creating jobs while addressing long overdue projects to increase economic efficiency. Even Republicans who voted against it are claiming credit for projects in their districts. When Republicans controlled the presidency and both houses of congress, while claiming every month to be “infrastructure month,” nothing happened. Biden got it done with bi-partisan assistance.

On the world scene, there is much to worry about, but there is (mostly) bi-partisan support for aid to Ukraine. NATO is kept whole and, at least so far, American troops are not in serious ground combat.

Although the macroeconomic numbers indicate a strong and growing economy, Republican politicians take delight in that people do not feel good about it. But even this may be changing. The just-released University of Michigan Consumer Conference Survey reports the highest level of confidence since July 2021, and the largest two month increase since 1991.

There is indeed much to be thankful for  

Now, the bad.

Although we have always been a divided nation over one thing or another, we are now arguably more politically divided than ever since the Civil War over slavery. Even with a strong economy and the latest Consumer Confidence Survey notwithstanding, people are anxious about the future. Although inflation rates are declining — even average price of gas, perhaps the most closely item watched by consumers, is below $3.00 per gallon — prices of some goods and services, restaurant meals for example, remain high. Some analysts attribute continuing anxiety to remaining shock that has not worn off from the post-pandemic inflation.

Border issues remain a problem. As this is written, the more alert Republicans are urging that the pending agreement to tie border reforms to aid to Ukraine be approved. Trump and his more unhinged House Republican supporters insist not — complaining “it would give Biden a win.” It’s clear that they prefer the issue rather than solution.

Income and wealth inequality continues. These are policy choices. Prospective measures to address rising inequality are denounced as “socialism.” Politicians are reluctant to address it.

Gun violence remains a problem. The 2nd amendment should not be interpreted as affording the right of people to brandish weapons of war in public. Such weapons are designed to kill large numbers of people in minimal time. These weapons have no use for hunting, and are impractical even for self-defense.

Anti-Semitism and anti-Moslem sentiment is on the rise, as is racial division in general. It is morally and ethically wrong, and actually dangerous. Gerrymandering and various measures of voter suppression are clearly intended to limit voting among targeted groups.

And the ugly.

Since when do politicians, especially those claiming to be all for “freedom and liberty,” think they know better than a woman and her physician what is best for her. Pro-life? When a woman is forced to carry an ill-formed fetus to term and be near death before receiving medical procedures to save her life, even as the physician risks criminal indictment, this cannot credibly be termed “pro-life.” Denying physicians the freedom to exercise their responsibility to give life-saving care is beyond the pale.

Among things that politicians, including the many who are worthy of our respect, share in common is the danger of losing the next election — political danger, that is. However, long time conservative Republican, Senator Mitt Romney, informs us that some Republican colleagues confirmed to him that they voted not to convict Donald Trump during his second impeachment out of fear of physical safety for them and their families.

So now, however shockingly, it’s come to fear of physical harm, sufficient enough to affect the votes of powerful U.S. Senators. This is fear generated by the presidential candidate who elicits cheers when making jokes about former Speaker Pelosi’s husband being bludgeoned with a hammer, receiving laughs and cheers from his audience — and seeks absolute immunity for any action, however “over the line,” should he win in November.

The bad, and much of the ugly, requires responsible legislation. But laughter and glee over physical harm to political adversaries, however repugnant, is not illegal. That can only be dealt with by voters.

Trump will never get a majority of American votes. But he doesn’t need such a majority to get elected. A relative handful of additional votes from a few swing states will do it.

“The U.S. is at a crossroads” is no longer just a cliché.” This time, it’s reality.

— John Waelti of Monroe, a retired professor of economics, can be reached at jjwaelti1@tds.net. His column appears monthly in the Monroe Times.