Commentary suggests lack of support for Bidenomics, teens display less polarization

Examining the Economy: Lack of Confidence in Bidenomics

The narrative presented by President Biden and his team suggests that he inherited a struggling economy upon taking office. However, accurate analysis from David Winston at Roll Call reveals that the economy had already started to improve before Biden assumed the presidency. Inflation was at a low 1.4%, and the unemployment rate had dropped from a pandemic high of 14.7% to 6.3%. Unfortunately, the implementation of trillion-dollar spending bills by Biden resulted in skyrocketing inflation. Prices have risen by 16.6% since he took office, while earnings have only increased by 12.2%, creating a negative wage gap of 4.4 points for Bidenomics. These economic realities explain why his job approval rating for the economy stands at just 34%, according to CBS News. People who regularly fill their grocery carts and cars are not buying into the narrative of Bidenomics.

Debunking the Divide: Teens’ Political Preferences

A survey claiming a significant gender divide in the political preferences of high-school seniors has generated unnecessary alarm, as explained by Emma Camp from Reason. It is true that more boys than girls identify as conservative, with girls identifying as liberal at a higher rate. However, a majority of both genders responded without aligning themselves with a specific partisan identity. Approximately 64% of boys and 58% of girls identified as moderate, none of the above, or simply stated they didn’t know. This reveals that surveyed high school seniors do not place significant emphasis on partisan politics. It is unnecessary to be concerned about youth polarization based on this poll, and it certainly does not justify government regulation of social media or online speech.

Examining New York’s Energy Policy: The Downside of Wind Power

An analysis conducted by James E. Hanley from the Empire Center reveals a critical weakness in New York’s energy policy: the need for long-term reliable backup power. The study demonstrates the significant cost associated with heavy reliance on expensive and unreliable offshore wind power, particularly due to frequent wind lulls during the summer. As a result, electricity users will be burdened with the expense of both expensive offshore wind power and backup power due to the unreliability of wind-generated electricity. The high electricity costs and the constant threat of blackouts may lead New Yorkers to reconsider their support for climate activism.

China’s Struggles with Global Influence

Despite China’s substantial financial investment in boosting its global popularity over the past decade, it has failed to achieve its desired results, as highlighted by Sadanand Dhume from The Wall Street Journal. When it comes to soft power, which encompasses a country’s ideas, institutions, and culture, the United States far surpasses China. While a 2005 poll indicated a slightly more positive view of China compared to the United States, global public opinion has since shifted negatively, with two-thirds of respondents from a 24-country poll holding an unfavorable opinion of China. China’s aggressive power play is offset by the fact that raw military and economic power can still hold greater weight than charm. Nevertheless, the United States has its own soft-power pitfalls, such as attempting to export controversial woke ideologies related to sex.

Challenges for Democrats with the Working Class

An important aspect overlooked by the latest New York Times poll is President Biden’s diminishing support among nonwhite working-class voters, as expressed by Ruy Teixeira from The Liberal Patriot. Biden currently leads former President Donald Trump by only 16 points among this demographic, compared to a 48-point lead in 2020 and President Obama’s 67-point advantage in 2012. This poses a direct threat to Democrats’ chances of victory, as nonwhite voters make up two-thirds to three-quarters of their base. The issue lies in the progressive shift of the Democratic Party, which no longer aligns with the more moderate leanings of the working class. Neglecting these concerns within the party may lead to a repeat of Trump’s unexpected success in 2020.

— Compiled by The Post Editorial Board