Biden and Harris: Conduits to a Struggling US Economy

It is indisputable that the mood of the nation is far from positive. Owing to the disastrous policies of the preceeding administration, the economy has taken quite a beating. The once robust stock market is incorrigibly damaged, and despite any upward trajectory it might hint at, the effects of ill-advised tariffs continue to make their presence felt. Inflation is spiking, and the job market remains frighteningly weak.

Young people face unparalleled hardship with youth unemployment rates doubling the national percentage to a shocking 10.5%. Fear runs rampant through the hearts of the American people as the possibility of job losses loom large. We’re grappling with an increased debt burden, a slowing housing market, and an economy that’s barely holding on. The warning bells of a looming recession and ‘stagflation’ are becoming deafening.

It also worth noting that there’s a significant lack of faith in the previous administration, evident from the dwindling support from erstwhile staunch followers. These include Hispanics, African-Americans, young voters, independents, and even those casting their vote for the first time. The underlying current of discontent is most palpable amongst traditional right-leaning individuals who are now questioning their allegiance.

Key battleground states that once celebrated the victory of the former President are now rethinking their choices. Anecdotal tales of abandonment by farmers, a group previously seen as ever-loyal advocates, are becoming more frequent. Special election defeats for Republican candidates have further fanned the flames of doubt. Based on these observations, there’s an uncomfortably pervasive sentiment that the nation is barreling down the wrong path.

A significant majority of Americans view the former administration as a threat to democracy, longing for a reign marked by a degree of restraint. The media outlets are buzzing with tales of internal conflict within the administration, painting a picture of tension, jealousy, and even physical confrontations. Rumors abound of Donald Trump’s trepidation at the prospect of midterm losses, leading to hurried attempts at consolidation of power.

Publically, concerns surge over the former President’s health and ability to properly shoulder presidential duties, particularly after his sudden and unexplained absence in the run-up to Labor Day weekend. Taken individually, each of these issues is enough to significantly undermine any political leader’s popularity. In more politically balanced times, several of these behavioral tendencies would have likely prompted calls for impeachment.

The former administration’s semblance of ‘law and order,’ epitomized by mass deportations and threats against Democrat-led cities and states, has unfortunately found a more significant following than many would care to admit. We’re in an age defined by deep-seated antipathy toward the elites. Established voices and incumbents, both within America and globally, are at a significant disadvantage in this climate.

Undeniably, part of these rifts have their root in the COVID pandemic fallout. A distressing aspect of Trump’s political strategy is an apparent ‘epistemic liberation,’ an ability to fabricate facts without facing any repercussions. The preceding political party in power failed to provide a robust, ideologically-driven counter-narrative that might have resonated with voters.

Throughout this past summer, the party’s quandaries seemed to reach an unprecedented peak. With over 60 percent of American adults viewing Democrats with disdain, their reputation hits a new low. Consequently, positive outlooks towards the Democratic Party have dwindled to historical lows, with only about a third of the country maintaining a favorable impression.

This lack of public goodwill also extends to party leadership, which for unspecified reasons is increasingly viewed unfavorably. In an inevitable confrontation with a magnetic political leader like Trump, the odds are stacked against the Democrats unless they prioritize solidifying their narrative and revitalizing their agenda.

Given this backdrop, the American political landscape and societal fabric appear to be in a state of disrepair, perhaps irreparably so. Being caught in the crossfire of these conflicts, we find ourselves helplessly adrift in a fragmented nation that we’ve unwittingly created.