Friday’s inauguration will mark another great opportunity for possible change in our country and the lives of millions. I’m excited! Here are some interesting trends and possibilities I’m thinking about. I’m hopeful we’ll all see some greatly needed change.
Confidence surveys have soared since the election (Conference Board’s highest level since 2003). I hope this is an indication of better things to come. To truly revive the economy on a lasting basis, we need better policies, not just more confidence. The new White House promises comprehensive corporate tax reform, a rollback of Obamacare, and more freedom to build energy infrastructure. These policies would lift growth and generate real, lasting, gains in confidence, too. Remember, government doesn’t create wealth. The private sector does.
Eight years ago on President Obama’s inauguration date the total US debt was $10.6 trillion. The total US debt as I write this is $19.9 trillion. The increase of $9.3 trillion (over 8 years) is an average daily deficit of $3.2 billion. These numbers are unfathomable for most of us. This has to be reversed! We are all paying a price for this and we, or our children and grandchildren, will pay a heavier price if it’s allowed to continue.
Our millennials are well behind the preceding generation in a number of categories. I wrote about this two weeks ago.
There were 19.0 million college students during the fall of 2016 (undergrads and grad students). We are now in the fifth year (2012-2016) that the total number of students has dropped each year. What does this trend reveal about the value and cost of an education in our current system? Or, about the importance of an education?
I’m hoping we’re on the verge of great change that will impact our lives for the better. We need it. Our kids need it. Our grandkids need it.
To Your Very Best 2nd Half,
