• star_wraith [he/him]@hexbear.net
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    72
    ·
    1 year ago

    People talk about “Econ 101”, but even in my actual Macro 101 course, taught by a libertarian professor, we had good discussions about how broad metrics like “GDP growth”, “inflation”, or “unemployment” in themselves can be distorted or meaningless without drilling down and really understanding the numbers. The example the prof used was talking about a low unemployment rate but if a lot of people have just given up looking for work then just looking at that one rate will tell you very little about what’s really going on.

    I just think it’s that libs know the economy sucks and are scared shitless because a bad economy means Trump wins.

    • Absolute@lemmygrad.ml
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      47
      ·
      1 year ago

      The whole “econ 101” bit has always been hilarious to me because in any other field of study I feel like the general understanding is a “101” course, undergrad whatever, is going to be intentionally simplified for the purposes of teaching broader ideas but as you learn more you find these explanations are inadequate on many levels. With economics however that surface level understanding is apparently enough to allow you to speak with confidence

      • Quexotic [none/use name]@hexbear.net
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        16
        ·
        1 year ago

        Exactly. This is the level of understanding employed by those saying that the economy is doing well. It’s a cynical tactic to paint it in a rosy light as the wage workers struggle.

        Also, I’ve only been through 100 level econ classes and it’s clear that the economic metrics in use are not particularly meaningful.

    • quarrk [he/him]@hexbear.net
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      40
      ·
      1 year ago

      I just think it’s that libs know the economy sucks

      Many will admit it, but they believe it is either unavoidable or delayed effects from Trump (may be partially true)

      As well, the natural cycle of capitalist crisis leads people to think that a downturn is in fact a good thing because it means the recovery is already coming. It shields systemic flaws and corruption from any attention because obvious wrongs are construed as natural.

      • Gosplan14_the_Third [none/use name]@hexbear.net
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        15
        ·
        1 year ago

        Because they believe his unconventional rhetoric as leading to policy that’s harmful for the nation - meanwhile those who love him think it’s the exact needed strategy to Make America Great Again

        They know Trump isn’t different; it’s a question of perceived strategic differences.

      • Aabbcc@lemm.ee
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        edit-2
        1 year ago

        Trump is doing nazi dog whistling and his cabinet members will be less competent and probably have worse traits like some of them thinking America needs to be a Christian state.

        I think federal spending on things that directly help people will be higher under Biden [source I made it up]

        Trump actively spreads a message of hate and intolerance by telling his fans that minorities are bad, so giving him a bigger platform would be a bad thing

        Those are some of the reasons bouncing around in my head of why trump is worse

    • Gosplan14_the_Third [none/use name]@hexbear.net
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      14
      ·
      1 year ago

      The example the prof used was talking about a low unemployment rate but if a lot of people have just given up looking for work then just looking at that one rate will tell you very little about what’s really going on.

      That’s something everyone in Italy and Poland knows lol, the joys of long economic crises.

    • DragonBallZinn [he/him]@hexbear.net
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      6
      ·
      edit-2
      1 year ago

      if a lot of people have just given up looking for work then just looking at that one rate will tell you very little about what’s really going on.

      And this is exactly what’s going on. Why are people going to even bother applying when porky-happy is so picky? If everyone “only hires the best” and I’m not “the best” why should I even bother applying?