These are strange times. Our political world has rarely felt more divided, acrimonious, unsettled and unpredictable. Such conditions generally spread outward, affecting people’s confidence in the future and, ultimately, the direction of our economy. But in today’s world, all the anguish about our body politic seems to have little impact on the economy which continues to hum along as it has done for years and shows every sign of continuing to do.
On the national level, the past few weeks have seen considerable hand-wringing about the future of health care. On the left, there is a palpable fear that the Republican proposals from the House and Senate will take away the “essential benefits” that the ACA made law, force millions back into the ranks of the uninsured, and transfer billions of dollars from the poor to the rich. On the right, there is enormous anger at Washington which is thoroughly and completely in Republican hands, yet seems unable to deliver on the promise that has held the party together for eight long years and four election cycles – to replace, if not completely repeal, the Affordable Care Act – better known as Obamacare.
On the state level, if anything, things are even worse. There is a dark cloud hanging over Illinois, and it seems to grow blacker and more ominous with every passing day. The state’s calamitous stalemate over the non-existent state budget is about to enter year three. Only this time, there appear to be some real-world consequences that just might start to get the attention of everyday Illinoisans who seem to have brushed off our civic dysfunction up until now.
Specifically, the three major ratings agencies are all threatening to cut Illinois’ bond ratings to junk, an ignominious first in the illustrious history of our great country. With junk status bestowed upon our bonds, other impacts begin to unfold, some of which seem likely to draw the ire of our fellow citizens. Among these is the impending shut-down of all construction work on area highway improvement projects. That would include the rebuilding of the Circle Interchange and I-55/Lake Shore Drive, a development that might just catch the notice of commuters heading into and out of the Loop. Five state universities could be forced into bankruptcy. And oh, by the way, no more Powerball ticket sales in Illinois. Now if THAT doesn’t get people riled up, nothing ever will.
The conflict over health care in Washington, or the budget in Springfield, are just the latest skirmishes between the Democrats and the Republicans in an endless stream of conflicts that have been raging between the two parties and, more fundamentally, between Blue and Red America. Yet the stock markets – always a good barometer for how the country is feeling about the economy – are once again near historic highs. The Dow Jones closed Friday, June 30 at 21,349, not far from the all-time high of just over 21,500 earlier in June.
Am I the only one who feels like the disconnect between our political and economic realities is getting hard to reconcile? Has anyone else felt a little schizophrenic when contemplating the permanent state of crisis that defines our politics, and the blue skies and roses that describes our economy? I will admit to being delighted with the performance of my investment portfolio; but I’m still afraid to turn on the radio in the morning to listen to the news. And I have a feeling I’m not the only one. I just can’t seem to shake this feeling that something has to give. I just hope it’s something good. The way things are going, it is getting harder to be an optimist these days.
Ups and Downs
