President Biden Doesn't Understand Why We Don't Understand. Really.

When questioned by reporters, or confronted with polls, President Biden just doesn’t understand why most of us “don’t get it.”  It’s a fact that the American people are struggling with providing just basic necessities for their families; but while enjoying ice cream recently, when Biden was asked about inflation and the economy, he answered as glibly as Marie Antionette —who, legend says, after hearing her starving people could not buy bread, suggested they eat cake. Biden was asked once again about inflation and the economy.  With a  straight face and apparent total disconnect from most people, Biden said, “Our economy is strong as hell.”

However strong the location of eternal damnation might be—the President apparently believes that if things look good to him, your inability to afford gas for your car or food for your family is no big deal.  Contrary to what people in the U.S. are observing with their own eyes and dwindling checking accounts, Biden believes everything is going swimmingly in the big picture.  But people don’t live in the big picture; they live day to day, paycheck to paycheck. The wonkish responses and politically-motivated stats from the White House are of little comfort to the vast majority of Americans.

The President and his advisors want to assure you that you are not feeling what you are feeling, that you are not seeing what is plainly in front of you.  Here are but a few examples:

• Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House: “Inflation is thereby, but it’s global and not as bad as it is in some countries.  We’ll have to message it better in the next three weeks ahead.  I think we’re in great shape.”  Speaking of President Biden she said, "[He's] done a spectacular job; he's had a better two years than most presidents you can name, certainly in the recent generations."
• Amos Hochstein, Senior Adviser for Energy Security: “The President’s actions have really brought down the price of oil and the price of gasoline and diesel and heating oil dramatically.”
• President Biden in talking about the Inflation Reduction Act: “This bill cut costs for families, helped reduce inflation at the kitchen table.”  Note:  This act was a climate bill and mainly about putting into law the goals of the so-called Green New Deal.  The Administration did claim it would save $300 billion and bring down inflation.  Immediately after this, the President’s order canceling student debt cost a minimum of $400 billion, wiping out any positive impact of that portion of the Inflation Reduction Act.
• Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre:  “Gas prices have fallen by $1.15 from their peak, which was not too long ago. . . . [E]very month the typical two driver family saves about $120 at the pump compared to where we were in mid-June.”  Note:  When President Biden took office, and before he launched multiple attacks on the fossil fuel industry, the national average for a gallon of gas was $2.38.  At its highest in the Biden Presidency, it was $5.00 a gallon—and more in many places.  So, when Jean-Pierre boasts of lowering gas prices, it is lowering from what was an unnecessarily high price created during—and some would say by—this Administration.
• Kate Bedingfield, White House Communications Director: “Every economic indicator shows an economy that is growing, that is stronger, that is creating jobs, that is putting more money in people’s pockets, and that is in part a result of President Biden’s economic agenda.”
• President Biden: “Economic growth is stronger here than virtually any other nation. Americans have more money in their pockets than this time last year — $100 more each month than last year — even after accounting for price increases.”

When President Biden was inaugurated, inflation was at 1.4% and gasoline was $2.38 a gallon.  Inflation under this President peaked at 9.1%.  When the President and his team boast about inflation coming down presently to 8.2% and gasoline is a dollar cheaper per gallon (though it is approaching $5.00 a gallon again), it is like an arsonist setting your home on fire.  Then when he helps you put out the fire using your own garden hose—the arsonist doesn’t understand why you are not grateful and more effusive in your praise of him.  But you know he started the fire! It is apparent in responding to questions from reporters that President Biden and his staff do not understand why you do not understand.

In a Politico report this week, 90% of those polled said they were worried about inflation and the economy, while 81% of voters said the economy will play a major role in how they vote in a few weeks.  As far as the President’s work is concerned, 54% of those in the poll disapprove of Biden’s job performance.  As to blame for inflation, 64% blamed the Biden Administration’s policies for the rise in prices.

Yet, even in light of the above figures and the overall mood of the nation, President Biden proclaimed this week that if his party maintains control of Congress, his first act in January will be to present a bill that codifies the right to abortion, making it the law of the land.  When polled about this issue, only 5% of the American people see abortion as the most important issue in the country.  His first act will not be to address the energy crisis, or Americans struggling to provide for their families, or any number of other issues foremost in our minds—but rather it will be to make it a law that, if it mirrors the legislation presented this past year by progressives in Congress, abortion is legal any time, even up until the 9th month of pregnancy and birth.

It is difficult to understand the agenda of this President and those on the Left who support his ideas and policies.  It seems like they believe if they keep repeating things that are blatantly not true—then somehow everyone will believe they are true, and maybe at some point they magically will become true.  From childhood, many of us remember the story of Peter Pan, who told us to “just think happy thoughts and you'll fly.”  Perhaps those in charge in Washington, D.C., believe a version of that: If they keep thinking it, and repeating it, it will actually be accepted. But that’s not going to fly with most Americans.