Prosperity

Lara Trump was on the campaign trail for her father-in law.

“The thing we can’t deny is that we were more prosperous and secure at the end of 2020 than we are now.”

Uh.

2020 was the Covid year - the stock market tanked. Jobs were lost. People were being stored in freezer trucks and hospitals were stuffed to the gills.

So we CAN deny the prosperity talk.

It’s a common theme.

“The economy was the greatest economy ever!”

Wasn’t.

And I often think about how things went so wrong over the last 50 years or so.

Here’s the one truth that can’t be denied.

In 1950, the rich controlled 64% of the wealth in this country.

There was 36% of the wealth available to spread out to the working class-types.

A man could send his kids to college, own a car and a home as a guy who hung Sheetrock for a living. Most women stayed home.

Know what the percentage of money controlled by the rich is in 2024?

94%!!

That money is in tax shelters, or is going for a yacht or a summer home.

The working class share - which is larger now - is just 6%.

Jobs are still being done - I spoke to a couple of guys who hang Sheetrock - they told me about not being able to afford a home - they work 50 hours a week at their main job and another 20 doing side jobs.

“Ain’t got a pot to piss in,” one guy said, and I work constantly.”

And how did it happen?

Remember trickle down?

Reagan introduced that little fantasy. It was re-upped as a talking point the last time they cut taxes on the wealthy.

So prosperous?

As the saying goes:

“Don’t piss on my leg and telling me it’s raining.”

We need a buzzer when a lie is told by a stumping politician.

That would be perfect.