Opinion | "Everything Is Awesome"
While politicians may present a different narrative, the reality is that America is faring quite well. Here’s why Harris should contemplate acknowledging this fact.
TroibNews 
The public may be feeling discontent, and politicians may be emphasizing negative narratives, but there’s some encouraging news: America is thriving! As The Economist claimed on its latest cover, we are “The Envy of the World.”
The stock market has just reached another all-time high, and the uninsured rate is approaching a historic low. Apartment construction is booming, with activity not seen in decades. Crime rates, inflation, and illegal immigration are all decreasing. Economic growth, job creation, and wage increases are robust. The U.S. has officially ended its military engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan, and carbon emissions are dropping due to a rise in clean energy production. We remain the wealthiest and most powerful nation globally, a land of opportunity that has given rise to artificial intelligence, ultimate fighting, SpaceX, and the Hawk Tuah multimedia empire. And on a lighter note, following an 11-month absence of adorable cuddle-monsters, the National Zoo has welcomed two giant pandas.
Welcome to PMG Magazine’s fifth, once-annual, Everything Is Awesome column!
This series began in 2014, not because everything was genuinely awesome — the title was a humorous reference to a song from The Lego Movie released that same year — but to illustrate that many aspects of life in America were improving. The overarching message was that, despite the positive developments, many people, including politicians, maintained a perception that conditions were worsening.
This disconnect is evident today. Half of Americans believe that unemployment is at a 50-year high, while it’s actually closer to a 50-year low. Two-thirds of voters feel the country is on the wrong track, despite the fact that new business applications are at record highs, teen birth rates are at all-time lows, and the U.S. economy has expanded more than twice as rapidly as Europe’s since the onset of Covid.
This discrepancy between how things are perceived and how they really are becomes particularly significant in an election year. Former President Donald Trump portrays America as a crime-ridden, inflation-stricken nightmare plagued by “bad gene” migrants, while current Vice President Kamala Harris has largely opted not to argue that the nation is faring better than many believe. Instead, she suggests that Trump would make matters worse and emphasizes the need to move forward.
This sentiment is reminiscent of the 2016 edition of Everything Is Awesome, when Trump secured the presidency with promises to Make America Great Again, effectively overshadowing this series for seven years. Now that we can genuinely claim that things are on the upswing again, it’s important to reflect on what typically occurs to incumbent parties when they fail to acknowledge such improvements.
The Everything Is Awesome franchise was initiated after the Republican landslide in the 2014 midterms, at a time when 62 percent of voters rated the economy as “poor,” despite it booming at a 5 percent growth rate. We revisited it in late 2015 during the Democratic and Republican primaries when candidates painted a picture of an apocalyptic America, despite the fact that conditions were objectively improving. This gloomy atmosphere characterized the late Obama era, and I wanted to make a data-driven argument for optimism over negativity.
The tradition continued in 2016 as the nation was still on a positive trajectory, even as Trump won the presidency on a campaign filled with fabrications about rigged unemployment statistics and rising crime. Interestingly, once in office, he began taking credit for the positive trends he had previously denied. While the 2017 column acknowledged the ongoing economic successes during Trump’s presidency, it was far less jubilant, as Trump’s incessant lies, controversial retweets, and corrupt behavior were concerning.
I chose not to continue the tradition in 2018, despite a thriving economy. The impact of Covid, which significantly disrupted the economy, and the January 6 insurrection solidified my concerns regarding Trump. Even as conditions improved post-pandemic, the country was still grappling with adverse data and negative sentiments.
Now, after a seven-year pause, I’m reemerging because America is indeed back, but many remain unaware of how well we’re doing.
Similar to how the 2008 financial crisis helped elect Obama while simultaneously burdening his presidency, the pandemic and subsequent recession left Joe Biden with significant challenges. Despite a notable recovery, many Americans continue to express dissatisfaction.
The initial complaints revolved around soaring gas prices, which, as Trump often points out, plummeted below $2 per gallon during his tenure. Once the economy reopened, gas prices surged above $5 per gallon on Biden’s watch, but the national average has since dropped to $3.20. Additionally, there have been ongoing concerns about rising costs for essentials like food and housing, with inflation peaking at a troubling 9 percent in 2022 due in part to both administrations injecting funds into the economy during the pandemic. However, inflation has now decreased to 2.4 percent, just above the Federal Reserve's target and the lowest among G7 countries.
Despite ongoing frustrations regarding prices that remain high by historical standards, it's undeniable that wages have increased at a rate that outpaces inflation. Yet it’s perplexing that three out of five Americans believe we are in a recession when the economy has steadily expanded for three years, now exceeding pre-Covid levels with strong growth within the G7. The stock market keeps breaking records, foreclosures are on the decline, and the manufacturing sector shows signs of growth, while Republican leaders celebrate thriving local economies. Unemployment has fallen from 14.8 percent at the pandemic's peak to 4.1 percent today — again, the best in the G7. As Jim Harbaugh famously said, “Who’s got it better than us?”
Trump continues to depict America as a chaotic place overrun by migrants, but while illegal border crossings did initially spike under Biden, they have since declined to their lowest levels since Covid. Fatal drug overdoses are also decreasing for the first time in decades, contradicting Trump’s rhetoric implying a conspiracy linking Biden and Harris to drug trafficking. Despite three out of four Americans believing crime is on the rise, violent crime and property crime rates are actually falling and are lower than they were in 2020. Additionally, U.S. military deaths in combat zones have significantly decreased since troops are no longer engaged in official conflicts.
Media coverage often neglects the stories of soldiers who are safe, the decline in crime, or a quieter southern border. Reports about soaring gas prices or economic downturns tend to draw more attention than those highlighting a return to normal levels of fuel prices or the lack of a recession. Even some articles that present good economic news focus on the government's failure to communicate that positivity, with headlines like “Why many Americans still feel bad about the economy despite strong data” or “The Economy Is Good. Why Don’t People Know It?” The reason remains unclear, but clearer communication would certainly be beneficial.
Once again, my assertion isn’t that everything is perfect. While the economy overall is strong, many Americans still face challenges. Unfortunate events persist, from hurricanes and school shootings to global conflicts and climate change. Our political landscape remains polarized, and the public is often misinformed about significant facts.
Nevertheless, improvements are underway in America, and it shouldn’t be viewed as gauche or elitist to acknowledge these advancements. I have someone specific in mind who shouldn’t feel that way.
During last month’s presidential debate, the first question posed to Vice President Harris was, “You and President Biden were elected four years ago, and your opponent often asks his supporters: ‘Are you better off than you were four years ago?’ When it comes to the economy, do you believe Americans are better off than they were four years ago?”
Her response seemed evasive: “I was raised as a middle-class kid. And I am the only person on this stage who has a plan that is about lifting up the middle class and working people of America.” She elaborated on tax cuts for families and small businesses, but neglected to directly answer the question.
She didn’t say: Yes. Obviously. Much better off.
In her defense, Harris and her team are aware that many Americans think the economy is struggling. Eager to distance herself from her unpopular boss and his policies, there’s even evidence that her strategy of positioning herself as a candidate of change is resonating, though she faces challenges. Overall, she effectively countered Trump during the debate.
Yet the question of whether Americans are better off now is central to many elections, and if a candidate in national leadership for the past four years doesn’t affirm that, it could raise concerns among voters. It’s reminiscent of the Democratic primary debates in 2016, where candidates, despite steady improvements under Obama, conveyed a sense of national despair that was concerning.
While it’s commendable that Harris seems to be swaying some voters, they might still remember that she’s the current vice president. The Trump campaign is capitalizing on her previous role as a running mate by emphasizing his record, stating: “We are very proud of Bidenomics. Bidenomics is working!”
Harris may find it politically risky to assert that Everything Is Awesome while public morale remains low. Yet, by suggesting it’s time to “turn the page and chart a new way forward,” she risks implying that circumstances are dire. This sets a stage for the incumbent, whose administration has created 16 million jobs, to remind voters of America’s greatness. She could advocate that conditions are better than they were under Trump and that further improvements are on the horizon.
America is indeed exceptional! It’s a land where you can find McChicken $5 Meal Deals, enjoy the Constitution, stream Netflix, and experience peaceful transitions of power, which were largely unheard of until Trump’s tenure. Hiring remains steady, obesity rates are declining, and guess what? A new Lego movie was released last week. It’s a fantastic time to live in the United States, which is why so many seek to come here. We shouldn’t take this for granted; after all, next year might not be as bright.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
The stock market has just reached another all-time high, and the uninsured rate is approaching a historic low. Apartment construction is booming, with activity not seen in decades. Crime rates, inflation, and illegal immigration are all decreasing. Economic growth, job creation, and wage increases are robust. The U.S. has officially ended its military engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan, and carbon emissions are dropping due to a rise in clean energy production. We remain the wealthiest and most powerful nation globally, a land of opportunity that has given rise to artificial intelligence, ultimate fighting, SpaceX, and the Hawk Tuah multimedia empire. And on a lighter note, following an 11-month absence of adorable cuddle-monsters, the National Zoo has welcomed two giant pandas.
Welcome to PMG Magazine’s fifth, once-annual, Everything Is Awesome column!
This series began in 2014, not because everything was genuinely awesome — the title was a humorous reference to a song from The Lego Movie released that same year — but to illustrate that many aspects of life in America were improving. The overarching message was that, despite the positive developments, many people, including politicians, maintained a perception that conditions were worsening.
This disconnect is evident today. Half of Americans believe that unemployment is at a 50-year high, while it’s actually closer to a 50-year low. Two-thirds of voters feel the country is on the wrong track, despite the fact that new business applications are at record highs, teen birth rates are at all-time lows, and the U.S. economy has expanded more than twice as rapidly as Europe’s since the onset of Covid.
This discrepancy between how things are perceived and how they really are becomes particularly significant in an election year. Former President Donald Trump portrays America as a crime-ridden, inflation-stricken nightmare plagued by “bad gene” migrants, while current Vice President Kamala Harris has largely opted not to argue that the nation is faring better than many believe. Instead, she suggests that Trump would make matters worse and emphasizes the need to move forward.
This sentiment is reminiscent of the 2016 edition of Everything Is Awesome, when Trump secured the presidency with promises to Make America Great Again, effectively overshadowing this series for seven years. Now that we can genuinely claim that things are on the upswing again, it’s important to reflect on what typically occurs to incumbent parties when they fail to acknowledge such improvements.
The Everything Is Awesome franchise was initiated after the Republican landslide in the 2014 midterms, at a time when 62 percent of voters rated the economy as “poor,” despite it booming at a 5 percent growth rate. We revisited it in late 2015 during the Democratic and Republican primaries when candidates painted a picture of an apocalyptic America, despite the fact that conditions were objectively improving. This gloomy atmosphere characterized the late Obama era, and I wanted to make a data-driven argument for optimism over negativity.
The tradition continued in 2016 as the nation was still on a positive trajectory, even as Trump won the presidency on a campaign filled with fabrications about rigged unemployment statistics and rising crime. Interestingly, once in office, he began taking credit for the positive trends he had previously denied. While the 2017 column acknowledged the ongoing economic successes during Trump’s presidency, it was far less jubilant, as Trump’s incessant lies, controversial retweets, and corrupt behavior were concerning.
I chose not to continue the tradition in 2018, despite a thriving economy. The impact of Covid, which significantly disrupted the economy, and the January 6 insurrection solidified my concerns regarding Trump. Even as conditions improved post-pandemic, the country was still grappling with adverse data and negative sentiments.
Now, after a seven-year pause, I’m reemerging because America is indeed back, but many remain unaware of how well we’re doing.
Similar to how the 2008 financial crisis helped elect Obama while simultaneously burdening his presidency, the pandemic and subsequent recession left Joe Biden with significant challenges. Despite a notable recovery, many Americans continue to express dissatisfaction.
The initial complaints revolved around soaring gas prices, which, as Trump often points out, plummeted below $2 per gallon during his tenure. Once the economy reopened, gas prices surged above $5 per gallon on Biden’s watch, but the national average has since dropped to $3.20. Additionally, there have been ongoing concerns about rising costs for essentials like food and housing, with inflation peaking at a troubling 9 percent in 2022 due in part to both administrations injecting funds into the economy during the pandemic. However, inflation has now decreased to 2.4 percent, just above the Federal Reserve's target and the lowest among G7 countries.
Despite ongoing frustrations regarding prices that remain high by historical standards, it's undeniable that wages have increased at a rate that outpaces inflation. Yet it’s perplexing that three out of five Americans believe we are in a recession when the economy has steadily expanded for three years, now exceeding pre-Covid levels with strong growth within the G7. The stock market keeps breaking records, foreclosures are on the decline, and the manufacturing sector shows signs of growth, while Republican leaders celebrate thriving local economies. Unemployment has fallen from 14.8 percent at the pandemic's peak to 4.1 percent today — again, the best in the G7. As Jim Harbaugh famously said, “Who’s got it better than us?”
Trump continues to depict America as a chaotic place overrun by migrants, but while illegal border crossings did initially spike under Biden, they have since declined to their lowest levels since Covid. Fatal drug overdoses are also decreasing for the first time in decades, contradicting Trump’s rhetoric implying a conspiracy linking Biden and Harris to drug trafficking. Despite three out of four Americans believing crime is on the rise, violent crime and property crime rates are actually falling and are lower than they were in 2020. Additionally, U.S. military deaths in combat zones have significantly decreased since troops are no longer engaged in official conflicts.
Media coverage often neglects the stories of soldiers who are safe, the decline in crime, or a quieter southern border. Reports about soaring gas prices or economic downturns tend to draw more attention than those highlighting a return to normal levels of fuel prices or the lack of a recession. Even some articles that present good economic news focus on the government's failure to communicate that positivity, with headlines like “Why many Americans still feel bad about the economy despite strong data” or “The Economy Is Good. Why Don’t People Know It?” The reason remains unclear, but clearer communication would certainly be beneficial.
Once again, my assertion isn’t that everything is perfect. While the economy overall is strong, many Americans still face challenges. Unfortunate events persist, from hurricanes and school shootings to global conflicts and climate change. Our political landscape remains polarized, and the public is often misinformed about significant facts.
Nevertheless, improvements are underway in America, and it shouldn’t be viewed as gauche or elitist to acknowledge these advancements. I have someone specific in mind who shouldn’t feel that way.
During last month’s presidential debate, the first question posed to Vice President Harris was, “You and President Biden were elected four years ago, and your opponent often asks his supporters: ‘Are you better off than you were four years ago?’ When it comes to the economy, do you believe Americans are better off than they were four years ago?”
Her response seemed evasive: “I was raised as a middle-class kid. And I am the only person on this stage who has a plan that is about lifting up the middle class and working people of America.” She elaborated on tax cuts for families and small businesses, but neglected to directly answer the question.
She didn’t say: Yes. Obviously. Much better off.
In her defense, Harris and her team are aware that many Americans think the economy is struggling. Eager to distance herself from her unpopular boss and his policies, there’s even evidence that her strategy of positioning herself as a candidate of change is resonating, though she faces challenges. Overall, she effectively countered Trump during the debate.
Yet the question of whether Americans are better off now is central to many elections, and if a candidate in national leadership for the past four years doesn’t affirm that, it could raise concerns among voters. It’s reminiscent of the Democratic primary debates in 2016, where candidates, despite steady improvements under Obama, conveyed a sense of national despair that was concerning.
While it’s commendable that Harris seems to be swaying some voters, they might still remember that she’s the current vice president. The Trump campaign is capitalizing on her previous role as a running mate by emphasizing his record, stating: “We are very proud of Bidenomics. Bidenomics is working!”
Harris may find it politically risky to assert that Everything Is Awesome while public morale remains low. Yet, by suggesting it’s time to “turn the page and chart a new way forward,” she risks implying that circumstances are dire. This sets a stage for the incumbent, whose administration has created 16 million jobs, to remind voters of America’s greatness. She could advocate that conditions are better than they were under Trump and that further improvements are on the horizon.
America is indeed exceptional! It’s a land where you can find McChicken $5 Meal Deals, enjoy the Constitution, stream Netflix, and experience peaceful transitions of power, which were largely unheard of until Trump’s tenure. Hiring remains steady, obesity rates are declining, and guess what? A new Lego movie was released last week. It’s a fantastic time to live in the United States, which is why so many seek to come here. We shouldn’t take this for granted; after all, next year might not be as bright.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
