The NPR Politics Podcast
Americans Say The Economy's Bad, But Spend Like It's Good
May 13, 2024
Scott Horsley, NPR's chief economics correspondent, dives into the intriguing disconnect between American consumer sentiment and economic realities. He discusses how inflation, interest rates, and rising debt are reshaping voter behavior as they approach the polls. The talk highlights the surprising strength of job growth against a backdrop of economic anxiety, and the influence of social issues like abortion over traditional economic concerns. Horsley also addresses the challenges facing the housing market, adding layers to the ongoing financial narrative.
15:26
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Consumer sentiment influences economic perceptions, impacted by gas prices and stock market trends.
- Inflation, higher than desired, contributes to widespread discontent despite positive economic indicators like job growth and wage increases.
Deep dives
Current State of the Economy
The job market remains strong with US employers adding 175,000 jobs in April. Unemployment rate has been under 4% for over two years. Inflation is still elevated with March's rate at 3.5%. Despite wages rising faster than prices, consumer sentiment hit a six-month low, indicating pessimism about the economy.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
