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Poll results

Last Friday the federal government released its monthly jobs report, showing:

•  U.S. employers added 353,000 jobs in January — twice the predicted number. Nearly all major industries saw net increases in hiring.

•  Average hourly pay climbed 0.6% from December, the greatest monthly gain in nearly two years, and 4.5% above the wage level in January 2023.

•  The U.S. unemployment rate remained flat at 3.7% and has now come in below 4% for two straight years, the longest such streak since 1967.

Meanwhile, the inflated costs of just about everything have dropped sharply and are becoming more manageable.

After peaking at 9.1% in June 2022, the Consumer Price Index was just 3% last June and only 3.4% in December. Not low enough, according to the Federal Reserve, but getting there.

"We've got six good months of inflation data and an expectation that there's more to come," said Fed Chairman Jerome Powell last week. "Let's be honest, this is a good economy."

But that's little consolation for people who continue struggling to pay high prices for some needs, especially housing. And the Consumer Confidence Index remains far below pre-pandemic levels. Clearly, not everyone agrees with Powell.

Overall, how do you feel about the current health of the U.S. economy?
Extremely optimistic (16%, 46 VOTES)
Somewhat optimistic (38%, 109 VOTES)
Neutral (10%, 30 VOTES)
Somewhat pessimistic (19%, 55 VOTES)
Extremely pessimistic (17%, 49 VOTES)
Poll Description

Last Friday the federal government released its monthly jobs report, showing:

•  U.S. employers added 353,000 jobs in January — twice the predicted number. Nearly all major industries saw net increases in hiring.

•  Average hourly pay climbed 0.6% from December, the greatest monthly gain in nearly two years, and 4.5% above the wage level in January 2023.

•  The U.S. unemployment rate remained flat at 3.7% and has now come in below 4% for two straight years, the longest such streak since 1967.

Meanwhile, the inflated costs of just about everything have dropped sharply and are becoming more manageable.

After peaking at 9.1% in June 2022, the Consumer Price Index was just 3% last June and only 3.4% in December. Not low enough, according to the Federal Reserve, but getting there.

"We've got six good months of inflation data and an expectation that there's more to come," said Fed Chairman Jerome Powell last week. "Let's be honest, this is a good economy."

But that's little consolation for people who continue struggling to pay high prices for some needs, especially housing. And the Consumer Confidence Index remains far below pre-pandemic levels. Clearly, not everyone agrees with Powell.

  • 289 Votes
  • 3 Comments
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3 Comments

  • Tony Payne
    February 8, 2024

    Facts are stubborn things. American employers are putting people to work, wages continue to climb, inflation continues to fall and consumer confidence has steadily risen. The economy is in very good shape and likely will continue thanks to President Biden's aggressive support of employers and their workers. That said, the President and Congress have to start paying down the national debt AND pay for any new benefits by raising taxes and/or making strategic spending cuts. The national debt currently is $34 trillion and in the next ten years, the interest payment for what's been borrowed to run the government will rise by >$10 trillion. It's time to pay the piper.

  • February 5, 2024

    The accumulative inflation not counting food and energy over the past 3 years is >20% and still rising. Food and energy inflation over the same period are both >30%. Housing costs are even worse. Uncle prices go up, they rarely go down. And wages have not kept up with total accumulative inflation over the past 3 years.

  • February 5, 2024

    They didn't add or create 353,000 jobs, they filled 353,000 jobs. There is a huge difference. They come out with this number and it is supposed to be great and then next month buried on page twelve of a newspaper will be an article on how the number should have been lower. Do they really think anyone believes these numbers. Very few new jobs have been created where there wasn't a job before. We are seeing jobs being filled, huge difference. Welfare needs to go back to being a safety net and not a way of life for millions of people. Then more would go back to work.