The other 100 days

[msconduct]

 I've heard some anxiety from the US that with only 100-ish days till the election, the Dems are worried about cranking Kamala Harris's campaign up in time,  Well, I'm here to tell you, to paraphrase a former president, YES YOU CAN. In the UK, the ENTIRE campaign, BY LAW, is six weeks. And I can't tell you what a relief that is. The US election season seems to start on Day One of the new incumbent's tenure. When it was just an internal matter to the US, that didn't affect me, but now that the wrong choice of president would send the entire globe careering in a very bad direction, it's beyond exhausting and terrifying. 

And in my view, a long campaign is completely pointless anyway. I don't think most voters remember much beyond what happened just before the election. I'm convinced Hillary Clinton lost because of the James Comey ridiculous "buttery males" email probe, and for no other reason. And that was on October 28. I think it's an advantage for Kamala to have a short time to campaign while everyone's invigorated by the change. Go go go! 

Comments

[msconduct]

Yes, gas and food prices are the whole economy to many, and it's not unreasonable that that's thej case given that it's where it hits people the most obviously. I was formerly married to an economist so I know more about the larger economic picture than I would probably prefer. (On our first date he was moving the salt and pepper shakers around on the restaurant table to demonstrate the theory of comparative advantage.)

You have estate taxes? How SOCIALIST! We don't have those, or, very unusually, any capital gains taxes either. The case for them is obvious, but traditionally Kiwis invest principally in real estate so any government trying to introduce a capital gains tax would have a riot on their hands, as governments well know. Jacinda tentatively suggested it once, only to hastily backpedal.

I'm not so sure about food prices retreating, even with lower inflation. Food producers have seen what people will pay, and I'm not sure how readily they'll give up those higher prices. I hope you're right, however. Here, we don't have enough competition in the food area (one of the problems of a small population) but of course you're much better off in that respect.

AOC seems to have been retreating a bit towards the mainstream lately, which will only help her popular support. A friend of mine (a Kiwi) recently told me she wanted a bumper sticker that said "Childless cat lady for Kamala", so let's hope that meme will run and run.

[bill_schubert]

I saw the notification of this response come in and knew it was you (time of day).
I did remember you were once married to an economist. I listen to a bunch of econ podcasts and am happy to have that benmy total interaction. I think I wouldn't get on with someone who actually understands some of it. I prefer to think I'm the one who understands it. Knowing full well I don't.

I'm usually too optimistic about the economy. Since I'm on a fixed income I'm hoping things revert a little. I hate having to watch what we're spending on food. I usually don't but we can hardly afford some of the meat I used to but without thinking about it.

[msconduct]

Having brushed up against it, my opinion of economics only got lower. It starts with the assumption that people will behave rationally - wrong in many cases. I used to tell my husband that in those few words my entire field (psychology) was contained. I'm also yet to see economists accurately predict anything much at all, so what use are they? It's not called the dismal science for nothing.

I think your chances for meat at a decent price are pretty good. Trumponomics will probably be inflationary, but until then and after if reason prevails, it looks like the US is coming out of the inflationary bump caused by the pandemic.