Why voters have become so partisan about the economy
May 28, 2024
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Annie Lowrey from The Atlantic explores why Biden isn't credited for the US economic boom. Mary Beth Sheridan investigates Mexico's cartels in the tortilla business. The podcast also discusses partisan economic perceptions and summer travel trends
Partisanship heavily influences how voters perceive the economy, affecting electoral outcomes.
Fragmented cartels in Mexico pose threats to communities and businesses, leading to extortion and fear.
Deep dives
Voters' Perception of the Economy
Despite positive economic indicators like employment rates and wages, voters' political affiliations seem to outweigh their economic assessments. Annie Lowry's research reveals that partisanship heavily influences how voters perceive the economy, suggesting that strong economic performance may not necessarily benefit the incumbent in elections.
Mexico's Cartel Influence on Tortilla Industry
Mexico faces a concerning wave of political violence linked to the fragmented cartel landscape. The shift from large cartels to smaller, local factions has brought extortion and fear to communities, even affecting businesses like tortilla vendors. Marybeth Sheridan's insights emphasize the pervasive reach of these mini cartels, illustrating how they impose control and extract resources from ordinary citizens.
Summer Travel Trends
As the summer travel season commences, airlines are preparing for record passenger numbers with 271 million travelers expected from June to August. Travelers should anticipate crowded airports and inclement weather, potentially disrupting flight schedules. While climate change may worsen turbulence, domestic airfares are predicted to be 13% lower than last year. Tips like enrolling in TSA Pre-Check and Fast Track can help navigate the travel rush.