"DEMOCRATS PEDDLE DOOM, BUT THE MIDDLE CLASS NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD" - Stephen Moore: Dec 31, 2019; https://townhall.com/columnists/stephenmoore/2019/12/31/democrats-peddle-doom-but-the-middle-class-never-had-it-so-good-n2558710 [AS I SEE IT: This analysis is not as new as the article referenced at the end of it. It's telling that even a reporter from the mainstream media unequivocally pointed out how effectively President Trump's policies have been of benefit to so many Americans. Sometimes ... even those who always seem to ignore such truth -members of the Left and the mainstream media - have no choice but to admit what cannot be denied. - Stan]
Source: AP Photo/Anne D'Innocenzio
These days, when you listen to the gloom of the media and many of the presidential candidates, you have to wonder what country these Debbie Downers are talking about.
Former Vice President Joe Biden recently declared, "The middle class is getting crushed. And the working class has no way up."
Sen. Bernie Sanders stews that President Donald Trump's policies have brought "handouts for billionaires and hunger for the poor."
Mayor Pete Buttigieg claims that many working families are struggling so much financially they don't have enough income to be able to "afford a two-bedroom apartment."
The Washington Post says that Americans are awash in debt they can't repay.
Time out for a dose of reality. If things are so bad, how is it that a new poll from CNN -- hardly a network friendly to Trump -- finds 3 of 4 Americans rate the economy as pretty good or really good.
We have become so rich as a nation that even most poor families can buy dolls and baseball bats and $100 Nike basketball shoes for their kids, as well as cellphones that have more computing power than every computer used to put a man on the moon.
It is nonsense to say the poor and the middle class are worse off than they were 20 or 30 or 50 years ago.
Go to any neighborhood Walmart or Target, and you will see average and even low-income Americans -- blacks, whites, Hispanics, Asians, teenagers, mothers with three kids, and seniors -- filing out of the store with sometimes two or three shopping carts overflowing with toasters, winter coats, flowers, games, dog food, stuffed animals, potato chips, video games and every conceivable piece of merchandise -- all stuffed in the back of the minivan.
The rich are doing better for sure. Our wealth as a nation has now topped $100 trillion, and the rich have a big slice of that. But well over half of all Americans own stock through 401(k) plans and other retirement savings. When the Dow Jones rises by 10,000 points in three years, it isn't just Warren Buffett who feels the wealth effect.
This past year, median family income adjusted for inflation rose to $66,000 for the first time ever. Think about that. In 90% of the world, an income of $66,000 is rich, rich, rich. The average household income in China -- which is our major challenger for global supremacy -- is less than $15,000. That's less than one-fourth of the level in America. There is an old saying that is true now more than ever: If you have to be poor, America is a good place to be poor.
For all of the constant talk about stagnant wages for the middle class since the 1970s, the average middle-income household today has access to technology, entertainment, household appliances and health care that even rich people couldn't buy in the 1960s. The folks at The Heritage Foundation have found that even poor families today are more likely to have access to things like air conditioning, dishwashers, televisions and laptop computers than middle class families did 50 years ago. These are the dividends from our free market capitalist economy.
As our old friend Arthur Laffer wisely reminds us, people don't work to pay taxes. They work and earn income so they can buy things -- for themselves and for others. And we are doing just that. Barron's just reported another blockbuster Christmas shopping season. So much for all the gibberish a few months ago about a recession. We are all spending more -- because we have more.
Yes, of course, I know money can't buy love or happiness. But let's face it: More money is a lot better than too little. Prosperity is a wonderful thing.
[italics and colored emphasis mine]
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"CBS News' Major Garrett: Trump's Agenda of Helping Minority Communities Is a 'Policy Legacy'" - Beth BaumannBeth Baumann| @eb454|Posted: Dec 30, 2019; https://townhall.com/tipsheet/bethbaumann/2019/12/30/cbs-news-major-garrett-trumps-agenda-of-helping-minority-communities-is-a-policy-legacy-n2558665
These days, when you listen to the gloom of the media and many of the presidential candidates, you have to wonder what country these Debbie Downers are talking about.
Former Vice President Joe Biden recently declared, "The middle class is getting crushed. And the working class has no way up."
Sen. Bernie Sanders stews that President Donald Trump's policies have brought "handouts for billionaires and hunger for the poor."
Mayor Pete Buttigieg claims that many working families are struggling so much financially they don't have enough income to be able to "afford a two-bedroom apartment."
The Washington Post says that Americans are awash in debt they can't repay.
Time out for a dose of reality. If things are so bad, how is it that a new poll from CNN -- hardly a network friendly to Trump -- finds 3 of 4 Americans rate the economy as pretty good or really good.
We have become so rich as a nation that even most poor families can buy dolls and baseball bats and $100 Nike basketball shoes for their kids, as well as cellphones that have more computing power than every computer used to put a man on the moon.
It is nonsense to say the poor and the middle class are worse off than they were 20 or 30 or 50 years ago.
Go to any neighborhood Walmart or Target, and you will see average and even low-income Americans -- blacks, whites, Hispanics, Asians, teenagers, mothers with three kids, and seniors -- filing out of the store with sometimes two or three shopping carts overflowing with toasters, winter coats, flowers, games, dog food, stuffed animals, potato chips, video games and every conceivable piece of merchandise -- all stuffed in the back of the minivan.
The rich are doing better for sure. Our wealth as a nation has now topped $100 trillion, and the rich have a big slice of that. But well over half of all Americans own stock through 401(k) plans and other retirement savings. When the Dow Jones rises by 10,000 points in three years, it isn't just Warren Buffett who feels the wealth effect.
This past year, median family income adjusted for inflation rose to $66,000 for the first time ever. Think about that. In 90% of the world, an income of $66,000 is rich, rich, rich. The average household income in China -- which is our major challenger for global supremacy -- is less than $15,000. That's less than one-fourth of the level in America. There is an old saying that is true now more than ever: If you have to be poor, America is a good place to be poor.
For all of the constant talk about stagnant wages for the middle class since the 1970s, the average middle-income household today has access to technology, entertainment, household appliances and health care that even rich people couldn't buy in the 1960s. The folks at The Heritage Foundation have found that even poor families today are more likely to have access to things like air conditioning, dishwashers, televisions and laptop computers than middle class families did 50 years ago. These are the dividends from our free market capitalist economy.
As our old friend Arthur Laffer wisely reminds us, people don't work to pay taxes. They work and earn income so they can buy things -- for themselves and for others. And we are doing just that. Barron's just reported another blockbuster Christmas shopping season. So much for all the gibberish a few months ago about a recession. We are all spending more -- because we have more.
Yes, of course, I know money can't buy love or happiness. But let's face it: More money is a lot better than too little. Prosperity is a wonderful thing.
[italics and colored emphasis mine]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"CBS News' Major Garrett: Trump's Agenda of Helping Minority Communities Is a 'Policy Legacy'" - Beth BaumannBeth Baumann| @eb454|Posted: Dec 30, 2019; https://townhall.com/tipsheet/bethbaumann/2019/12/30/cbs-news-major-garrett-trumps-agenda-of-helping-minority-communities-is-a-policy-legacy-n2558665
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PRAYER MATTERS:
"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against
the disorder of the world. - Karl Barth
the disorder of the world. - Karl Barth
"Prayer is inviting God into a seemingly impossible situation and trusting/resting in His love and grace to accomplish His perfect will in His perfect time and for His greatest glory. Intercession is one of the great privileges AND responsibilities for EVERY believer."- Stan
World-Wide Prayer Requests:
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Praying Through the Open Doors World Watch List for persecuted believers:https://www.opendoorsusa.org/take-action/pray/monthly-prayer-calendar/
Monthly Focus | CHILDREN OF THE PERSECUTED CHURCH -This month, please pray with us for the littlest victims of persecution: the children of our brothers and sisters. Their stories show us persecution’s far-reaching impact—and remind us of Jesus’ words: “…for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matt. 19:14).
December 31 | IRAQ - Iraqi law states that if one of the partners in a marriage becomes Muslim, the other must follow and change their religion. Pray for Christians facing this persecution. Ask God to open hearts and change this law.
Representative name or photo used to protect identityDecember 31 | IRAQ - Iraqi law states that if one of the partners in a marriage becomes Muslim, the other must follow and change their religion. Pray for Christians facing this persecution. Ask God to open hearts and change this law.
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