The New York Times economics columnist Paul Krugman has figured out why so many Americans aren’t properly grateful for the Biden economy‚ and his conclusion is quite a doozy.  MSNBC Legal Analyst Jill Wine-Banks asked Krugman why Americans “keep feeling basically depressed about the economy‚ even though all the numbers really do show‚ and all the serious economic commentators tell us that everything is fine again” during the Jan. 9 edition of iGen Politics. Serious economic commentator Krugman chose to ignore the many issues facing Americans in Biden’s economy and blame partisanship for America’s dim view of Bidenomics. Krugman said‚ “a lot of it is simply —a lot of people who say the economy is lousy —what they’re really saying is‚ ‘I hate the idea that a Democrat is president.’” Ah‚ so Americans who are having to pay an extra $11‚000 a year just to maintain a standard of living they had in 2021 are just being dumb‚ right Krugman?  During the same interview‚ Krugman chose to address crime and the economy at the same time‚ arriving at a very surprising conclusion: “We’re Back Baby.”  Krugman also claimed credit for being an early adopter of the idea that there is a severe disconnect between what he perceives to be the goldilocks state of the economy and how Americans feel about it. This bit of condescending propaganda has been relentlessly pushed by leftist outlets like CNN.  After Wine-Banks finished laughing at struggling Americans‚ Krugman made a grudging admission that maybe the fact that prices remain higher than they used to be has bothered some Americans. No kidding. “One possibility also is just that people’s reference point‚ economists like to look at inflation over the past year‚ or particularly when you’re trying to assess trends in the economy you want to look at the last six months. People’s sense of what things ought to cost--reaches farther back than that‚ maybe two years or more‚” Krugman said. He went on to add‚ “Inflation has–really plunged since early 2023 which means that inflation over the past two or three years still looks elevated and that may be affecting people’s perceptions.” It’s unclear why Krugman continues to double down on the false notion that inflation “plunged” even as it continues to increase albeit at a slower rate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics just released its report showing that consumer price inflation came in hotter-than-expected in December at 3.4 percent.  Kudos to Krugman for at least recognizing that not every American has the memory of a goldfish when it comes to remembering how prices used to be a few years ago. Under President Biden‚ Americans endured an average 5.9 percent monthly inflation rate from Feb. 2021 to August 2023. Too bad for Krugman’s narrative that Americans still remember when the average monthly inflation rate used to be just 1.9 percent over the course of the Trump Presidency (Feb. 2017 to Jan. 2021).  Conservatives are under attack. Contact The New York Times at 1 (800) 698-4637 and demand it distance itself from Krugman’s economic nonsense.

We’re barely two weeks into the new year‚ and already a flurry of activity — from new state and federal regulations to heightened tensions around the globe — stands to impact the economy and your finances‚ both in the short and long term.Here are some things to watch as we move through this year from today’s first-quarter vantage point.Big rules with bigger implicationsThere have been several rules put into effect or announced for 2024‚ and your voice and advocacy will be needed to overturn them and the harm they will cause. First‚ the Department of Labor imposed a rule that threatens to eliminate tens of millions of gig worker and independent contractor positions and could upend small businesses and the entire economy. This is based on the horrible AB 5 law from California‚ the incubator of all bad ideas. Next is the Corporate Transparency Act’s “Beneficial Ownership Information” rule‚ which is a mass data collection program targeting small businesses.Additionally‚ the Securities and Exchange Commission is considering whether to approve natural asset companies for listing on the New York Stock Exchange‚ which threatens all of our natural resources.Your advocacy is needed to resist and repeal all of the above.Also‚ the SEC finally approved a number of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds‚ which will undoubtedly shift the cryptocurrency landscape but also may bring central bank digital currency issues back into the spotlight.The consumer and the economy’s hard or soft landingOn the back of bonds‚ banks‚ and debt downgrades causing trouble last year‚ much terrain is left to navigate — and all of the aforementioned issues are still in play.We have seen growth on paper in the GDP‚ at the expense of consumer balance sheets and with big government deficits‚ but there would need to be a real shift in productivity to expect that level of growth to continue this year.Will government spending help keep the GDP in positive territory‚ or will we see a recession (expected to be mild if it happens) in 2024? As with last year‚ we may find that the economy is quite different looking at it in pieces‚ depending on factors such as industry and consumer wealth levels.And the threat of inflation remains very real. Regardless‚ the Fed will have its work cut out for it‚ as large government fiscal deficits remain an issue for Treasury market supply and demand. The Fed may have to intervene to avoid chaos.The electionWe are already seeing all kinds of shenanigans‚ including several states trying to keep former President Trump off the ballot‚ lots of infighting among the GOP ranks‚ talk over whether Joe Biden will make it to the November election‚ and a Congress that‚ despite a leadership change‚ doesn’t seem intent on making material fiscal progress before the election. Elections often bring with them market volatility‚ so be prepared for that. Also‚ don’t be surprised if we see a change in tone or policy in key areas‚ such as a shift in Federal Reserve policy to support the stock market before any election. The Fed will insist it isn’t acting politically‚ but you be the judge of that.The BRICS and G7On the global economic front‚ the BRICS countries — Brazil‚ Russia‚ India‚ China‚ South Africa — and other nations will continue to look at trade in their own currencies (potentially with a gold option for settlement‚ as has been the case with China lately).One item that might accelerate this is the push from various well-connected people‚ including former treasury secretary and Obama adviser Larry Summers‚ for the G7 to explore if it can “legally” seize $300 billion in frozen Russian assets and use that money to fund the war effort in Ukraine. Yes‚ this is as insane as it sounds‚ and we know the freezing of Russia’s assets led to all kinds of repercussions for the United States‚ as well as an acceleration in de-dollarization and non-dollar trade exploration. G7 leaders will discuss the move at their meeting in February‚ per recent reports.The peace dividendThe “peace dividend” is an economic boost derived from a stable geopolitical environment. Some folks view it concretely (a reduction in defense spending‚ no economic destruction‚ and the like from not being at war). Others view it in terms of sentiment. Less geopolitical volatility creates more certainty‚ and that sentiment moves markets in a positive direction.In either case‚ the peace dividend‚ if it hasn’t fully ended‚ “is clearly at the end of the road‚” as billionaire founder and CEO of Citadel Ken Griffin said recently. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. The fighting — and the massive payments from U.S. taxpayers to keep Ukraine on the battlefield — continued last year. Violence and turmoil accelerated with the terrorist massacre in Israel by Hamas (backed by Iran) that led to an official war declaration by Israel. This has renewed tensions not only in the Middle East but also throughout the United States and Europe‚ as terrorist sympathizers have been emboldened to foster chaos across major global cities.With the United States projecting weakness and a lack of leadership (remember‚ the Biden administration loosened sanctions on Iran and gave it access to frozen money to the tune of tens of billions of dollars‚ not to mention America’s overall weakened financial position)‚ there are heightened concerns over the possibility for conflicts in other areas as well. China may see an opportunity to seize Taiwan‚ for example. And North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un said recently he has “no intention of avoiding war” with South Korea. Of course‚ we expect other issues to come about and some old ones to rear their ugly heads‚ so buckle up and ensure you are fully funded in a personal emergency fund (at least 12 months of living expenses) and have considered portfolio hedges. Use your voice and take action where possible because it’s a critical time for our country and your prosperity.

Electric vehicles have not sold well in the used car market in Europe‚ with consumers fearful of a lack of charging stations and driving distance capabilities of the cars.A report by independent European outlet Euractiv explained that the largest electric vehicle markets in the European Union have not seen anywhere near the expected numbers for a secondhand‚ used-car market.In Germany‚ which has the most electric vehicles on the continent‚ used EVs only make up 1.58% of new ownership registrations as of November 2023. This is an increase over 1.23% in 2022.The figure comes from a group representing German car dealers (ZDK)‚ while other industry groups from Italian and Spanish markets reportedly place their used EV registration rates at less than 1%."When looking at these figures‚ the question arises as to whether it is even possible to speak of a real used [electric] car market at the moment‚” ZDK's Marcus Weller told Euractiv.Factors contributing to the poor sales of secondhand EVs include the higher purchase price‚ a perceived lack of charging stations‚ and the fact that the consumer worries about the driving range of plug-in cars.Weller also explained that despite battery technologies improving in recent years‚ it will be some time before the stronger batteries in newer vehicles make their way into a second owner's hands."These vehicles will not be available on the used car market for another two to three years at the earliest. And even then‚ the question arises as to whether there is already something better on the market‚" he noted.Friedrich Trosse‚ the general secretary of AECDR‚ a trade association of European car dealers‚ said that gas-powered vehicles are the safer option in the eyes of the consumer."The situation everywhere in Europe is pretty much the same. To say it very clearly‚ it’s almost impossible to sell used electric vehicles‚” Trosse claimed. The car dealer representative also tacked on to the issue of electric cars being too expensive. "Specifically the small cars‚ if they exist‚ are incredibly expensive‚ much more expensive than their [internal combustion engine] alternative."AVERE‚ an EV advocacy group from Brussels‚ Belgium‚ disagreed with the figures put forth by the car dealers.There is a "lack of trustful and aligned data" said Philippe Vangeel‚ AVERE secretary general. Vangeel echoed a similar sentiment put forth by the Canadian government‚ that the demand for electrical vehicles is so high that the wait times are too long for consumers."The pressure on the secondhand market is quite big [in terms of] demand for EVs‚ and people are really looking around where to find them‚" he claimed.The advocate also blamed car dealers for lacking knowledge in electric vehicles‚ which he said makes them less inclined to push the EV models.Vangeel noted that there should be an increase of electric vehicle purchases in Europe when governments force consumers' hand through low-emission zones.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A woman spent four nights trapped in a car wreck after she drove into a canyon in an attempt to avoid hitting a deer. The unnamed driver was traveling near Mount Baldy‚ California‚ on a winding road outside Los Angeles. She swerved to avoid hitting a deer and fell 250 feet onto the embankment‚ leaving her pickup truck crushed in a field of brush.The woman reportedly broke her ankle‚ CNN reported‚ and survived freezing temperatures by using blankets and supplies in her car. She also reportedly set up bowls in her truck to catch rainwater. The driver was allegedly trapped in a standing position‚ with her head partially out the window. However‚ due to her injuries she was unable to escape on her own.A fisherman discovered the woman on the fifth day as he was walking along a trail and heard her faint cries for help."I don’t know how she survived it‚" Chris Ayres told a CNN affiliate. "I saw the steering wheel‚ was almost folded like a taco. Her head must have hit that‚" he added.Ayres did not have any cell phone service‚ so he walked to the road to seek help. He tried to flag down an ambulance‚ but it didn't stop. A forest service truck later stopped.The San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team eventually came to the woman's aid and said the truck "couldn't be seen from the road." Ayres' "quest for new fishing waters ultimately saved her life‚" the San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team wrote on Facebook.First responders noted that if it were not for her blankets‚ the woman might not have survived."Probably helped her out a lot because it was very cold up there‚" Captain Ian Thrall from L.A. County Fire told ABC7. "Might be completely different circumstances if she didn't have anything to keep her warm at night."The county's Fire Air Operations team transported the woman to hospital.Ayres chalked the rescue up to divine intervention and said "It’s got to be God-led‚ I happened to stop in that one spot.""It’s almost like fate‚" he said.A few days earlier‚ a man similarly survived six days in a crushed car beneath a bridge in Indiana. Unable to capture water in a container‚ the man filtered rainwater through his shirt as it fell down from a drainpipe. He was rescued when two men came across him while out for a walk on their way to a local Bass Pro Shop.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Microplastics containing "forever chemicals" are racking up $250 billion a year in health care costs in the United States‚ according to a recent study conducted by New York University researchers‚ the Daily Mail reported.The chemicals‚ known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS‚ are man-made and used in many products‚ including non-stick cookware‚ water-repellent clothing‚ stain-resistant fabrics‚ cleaning products‚ cosmetics‚ and firefighting foams. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry‚ humans can also be exposed to PFAS by drinking contaminated water and eating contaminated foods. The substances are named "forever chemicals" because they do not break down.According to a 2020 study published in the National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine‚ PFAS have been linked to several health issues‚ including "altered immune and thyroid function‚ liver disease‚ lipid and insulin dysregulation‚ kidney disease‚ adverse reproductive and developmental outcomes‚ and cancer."Additionally‚ microplastics have been linked to disruptions in gut microbiome‚ inflammation‚ infertility‚ cancers‚ and heart disease. According to a New York University researcher‚ exposure to microplastics cost $289 billion in health care in 2018 — approximately $86 billion more than the COVID-19 disease."Plastics contribute substantially to disease and associated social costs in the United States‚ accounting for 1.22% of the gross domestic product. The costs of plastic pollution will continue to accumulate as long as exposures continue at current levels‚" the study concluded.Doctor Leonardo Trasande‚ a physician and lead author of the study‚ stated‚ "The diseases due to plastics run the entire life course from preterm birth to obesity‚ heart disease and cancers."A June study found that humans might be inhaling 16.2 bits of plastic every hour‚ or a credit card's worth of plastic per week‚ Blaze News previously reported. Microplastics‚ which are less than five millimeters‚ can be found in water systems and food supplies. The tiny plastic pieces can become lodged in tissues and enter the bloodstream‚ causing inflammation. A separate analysis published Monday found that nearly 90% of proteins contain microplastics. The study‚ conducted by researchers at Ocean Conservancy and the University of Toronto‚ found microplastics in 88% of tested food samples‚ including shrimp‚ fish sticks‚ fish fillets‚ chicken nuggets‚ top sirloin steaks‚ pork loin chops‚ chicken breasts‚ tofu‚ and other plant-based alternatives."This is a startling reminder of just how prolific plastic pollution has become – humans live on land and yet seafood samples are just as likely to be contaminated with plastics as are terrestrial derived proteins‚" said the study's co-author Dr. Britta Baechler. "And there's no escaping them no matter what you eat‚ it seems. The plastic pollution crisis is impacting all of us‚ and we need to take action to address its many forms." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The singer-songwriter's second LP found him at the cusp of a career that would lead to greater glories‚ while ensuring his stature on the singles charts. The post Leo Sayer ‘Just a Boy’: A Big Leap Forward appeared first on Best Classic Bands.

Overwatch 2 is at the heart of its eighth season‚ Call of the Hunt‚ which features new tank hero Mauga‚ the return of the popular prop hunt game mode‚ and soon‚ the 2024 return of the shooter's annual Lunar New Year event. Blizzard is now making an experimental change to its quick play mode for a limited time only amid the season's chaos‚ hoping to "learn what changes to Overwatch 2 you enjoy the most." Get ready to witness an even flashier flashpoint and more this weekend. Continue reading Overwatch 2 reinvents quick play with new limited-time mode MORE FROM PCGAMESN: All Overwatch 2 characters‚ Best Overwatch 2 settings‚ Overwatch 2 tier list

Cherry Xtrfy just launched a range of new gaming peripherals at CES 2024‚ including keyboards and microphones‚ but the most striking is the addition of new 8KHz wireless gaming mice that have the lowest latency yet of any gaming mouse. The Cherry Xtrfy M64 Pro and M68 Pro are the rodents in question and as well as having stunning performance we can attest to their comfortable shapes and incredibly low weight too‚ as we got a chance to try them. Continue reading I got my hands on the fastest gaming mouse on the planet MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card‚ Best gaming PC‚ Best SSD for gaming

The Biden administration challenged the move in a filing to the Supreme Court.

Adam Schiff for Brains Releases His Plan to Destroy America and Conservatives Are Having NONE of It