@Debra Law,
I'm inclined to agree with you here.
Among the prominent social/economic phenomina associated with now almost ended Obama Administration are the following;
=> a significant drop in the workforce participation rate. Many people have resigned themselves to long-term unemployment and, though able to work, are no longer counted in the unemployment statistics.
=> Lower than previous long-term GDP growth rates. We saw a fairly fast recovery from a sudden, deep recession and then leveled off at a lower than normal GDP growth rate ( a drop of over 1%/year - a very big economic effect there)
=> significant increases in measures of public dependency, including the numbers of foodstamp, recipients, those on Medicaid, Social Security disability programs, etc. (Together with the reversal of most of the provisions - and benefits - associated with the welfare reform of the Clinton years)
=> Significant drops in business investment, despite generally high profit margins. Many attribute this to the unpredictability that has resulted from.
the flood of workforce, environmental, and financial regulations that this inept administration has issued. This has a very direct bearing on the high earnings enjoyed by the investing and managing classes, compared to those who depend on wages. Instead of confidently investing profits in new enterprises, companies achieve equity growth through dividend payments and stock buy-backs.
It appears to me that Trump has outlined a pretty good approach to fixing precisely these issues. We will have to wait and see what is actually done by his Administration, and what are the observable consequences. However, most economic indicators point to increased GDP growth, job creation and investment in new and larger enterprises - all very good signs. In addition measures of consumer confidence have risen since the election, suggesting these views may be widespread among the public.
