As of the end of 2023, the typical U.S. worker could afford the same goods and services as in 2019, prior to the pandemic, and had an additional $1,400 to spend or save per year, according to a January analysis by Treasury officials.

Demar Byas of Pontiac, Michigan referred to experts touting the nation’s economic performance as a “slap in the face.”

“You’re celebrating these numbers, but we are struggling,” said Byas, who juggles several jobs to make ends meet. “It’s no relief in sight, and just say those numbers and to celebrate that, and as I said stuff becomes a slap in the face.”

  • dan42O
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    5 months ago

    Where the stats they use. Are they following one family or an entire town in bumpkins-ville-field-ton to make these statements. Taxes aren’t even due, earnings reports mean diddly from companies who have hit “record profits” after global pandemic. Whose ass do these economists sniff to get this numbers crunched. We still have variances in from 350$k earners hiding money, all while people less than 100k$ can afford to put down payments for cars, houses, food, credit cards, student debt.

    • hitmyspot@aussie.zone
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      5 months ago

      Lol, do you think they just make it up? It certainly skews towards creating wealth for the wealthiest but Treasury is not making stuff up, even if they massage in favour of a narrative.

      • dan42O
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        5 months ago

        So then why are representatives saying something else. Im trying to understand on why our government can give away money, okay one reason is charity makes sense. But there are depts in the us gov that say we can’t account for X$. And when I mean X I mean more than millions.

        • hitmyspot@aussie.zone
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          5 months ago

          Politicians lie to get elected all the time. Civil servants and public officials, not so much. It’s not usually in their interest to do so. Accurate data is more useful than propaganda in those roles.

          Yes, there are millions and billions washing around in government. They are literally entrenched the finances and well-being of hundreds of millions of people. Millions missing is a rounding error.

          It’s the same with large companies. Millions go wasted and millions go on products that never see the light of day. So long as most is useful and it’s used responsibly, it’s money well spent.

        • hitmyspot@aussie.zone
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          5 months ago

          Lol, no. It certainly has aspects of selectively presenting facts. However, so does any argument or debate, ever.

          Making stuff up is using false or fabricated information. Like your example of a definition that is objectively untrue.

          I understand you’re using a rhetorical device, but the point applies. You’re doing the very thing you accuse them of.