Was It Appropriate for a CNN Guest to Spill This New Theory About...
Does Trump Have His ATF Nominee Lined Up?
Village People Founding Member: Yes, I'd Consider Performing 'YMCA' at Trump's Inauguratio...
One of the Most Annoying NYT Columnists Is Finally Leaving
I'm Sure The View Regretted Inviting John Fetterman for This Interview
Science Lover Jake Tapper Connects Climate & Earthquakes, and WaPo’s Bronze Star Paradox...
Why Are Politicians So Weak?
Trump Administration Energy Policy Imperatives
One Story That Says It All
Thanks to the Elites, College Is Now a Costly Path to Nowhere
Pearl Harbor and the Power of Unity
Kamala Harris and (the Lack of) California Competition
Is This the Golden Age for American Government Reform?
Kavanaugh 2.0
Cut Government, Save Animals: Here Are 3 Awful Agencies and Programs DOGE Can...
OPINION

Contrary to Democrat Talking Point, The Economy is Working for Everyone

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Townhall.com.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
AP Photo/Alex Brandon

With the unemployment rate at its lowest level in 50 years and wages growing at their fastest pace in a decade, even Democrats cannot deny that the economy is booming. But in an attempt to downplay President Trump's economic success, they are claiming that these economic gains are merely going to the rich.

Advertisement

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said last week that "the evidence shows that most of the economic gains continue to benefit those already well-off." House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer claimed, "wages aren’t growing fast enough to allow millions of workers to keep pace and feel that real economic security is within reach." And Sen. Cory Booker broadly asserted that "Americans are struggling."

This Democratic characterization of Trump's economy is not new. Earlier this year, Kamala Harris said, "The economy is not working for working people.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer complained that “the state of the Trump economy is failing America’s middle class.” And for Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the economy is perpetually "rigged" -- whatever that means.

This diversion tactic fails on its merits. Start with unemployment rates, which are at or near record lows for Hispanic, black, female, and young workers. The unemployment rate for Americans without a high-school education, supposedly a group that's been shafted in today's economy, is hovering near a record low. The rate for those with disabilities has fallen by more than 20 percent over the last year to a mere 6.3 percent -- the lowest level on record.

Then look at wages. While average wages have been growing at about 3.2 percent for several months now, they've been increasing even faster for middle-class production and nonsupervisory workers. Last year, wage growth was 6.5 percent for the 10th percentile of workers with the lowest incomes -- about double the overall average. Contrast this wage growth to the paltry 2 percent average under President Obama.

Advertisement

Over the last five quarters, economic growth has exceeded 3 percent -- more than 50 percent higher than the average under the Obama administration. As socialist economist Thomas Piketty pointed out in his celebrated, if unreadable, tome, Capital in the 21st Century, the growth rate disproportionately benefits ordinary workers who often don't have exposure to the stock market. At 3 percent economic growth, standards of living triple over an average lifetime; at 2 percent growth they merely double.

That said, the stock market, which hit a record high this month, benefits ordinary Americans as well. Two-thirds of Americans aged 30 to 64 own stocks. They see the value of their pension, retirement, and college savings accounts rise with equity prices. Record stock prices also help those exposed feel richer, meaning they spend more, invest more, and tip more -- actions that directly stimulate the economy and benefit workers who don't own stocks.

Food stamp usage continues to decline. Disability claims are near a historic low. Initial jobless claims are at their lowest level since 1969.

This week, the Labor Department announced that there are a record 7.5 million unfilled jobs, millions of which pay good middle-class salaries. Forget a $15 minimum wage; President Trump's economy has created countless $50,000 jobs.

Survey data also demonstrates the broadness of this economic boom. According to Gallup, Americans' optimism about their personal finances is at a level not seen in more than 16 years. Consumer confidence continues to hover near a 21st century high.

Advertisement

Can you imagine the self-congratulatory speeches by Democrats if these numbers were coming out during the Obama administration?

No matter how strong the economy, there will always be some people who are left behind. It's just that right now that number is vanishingly small. In a desperate attempt to avoid giving Trump credit, Democrats will continue to pretend this number is bigger than it is. But Americans should take their claim for what it really is: a partisan talking point that has no basis in reality.

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos