Another week and another piece of bad economic news. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the economy shrank by 1.4% in the first quarter of the year, the largest drop since the beginning of the pandemic. This adds to an already grim outlook for our country which includes rising prices for oil, food and most other consumer goods. I am afraid without a change in leadership the situation will not improve.
Sadly, we have a cognitively weak president who has no idea how to manage our country. He has failed to prevent the catastrophic situation in Ukraine which has caused negative effects worldwide reducing supplies of natural gas and fertilizer. As a result, farmers won’t be able to produce as many crops and this will cause food shortages and even higher prices at the grocery store.
The economic situation is as bad as it has been in decades. With the recent reports of slowing economic output, we are essentially in what is called “stagflation.” A stagnant economy coupled with fast-rising inflation that was most infamously experienced during the administration of President Jimmy Carter. Unfortunately, we have a president who is just as inept and I think the only solution is to also make him a one-termer.
President Biden has time and again proven he is not up to the job. From the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal, canceling the Keystone Pipeline, the bungled “Build Back Better” act, immigration chaos, record inflation and COVID mismanagement, his record is abysmal. It is no surprise that his approval remains at historically low levels.
What we need first is prayer. We should pray for our country and for our president. Ultimately, though, we need drastic change in the leadership and policies of our nation. Only by getting informed and voting in November can this be achieved. I am hopeful the GOP will take control of Congress so that we will have that check on the Biden administration that is sorely needed. I am confident this change will significantly improve the fortunes of our district, state and country.
May God bless and keep you and our great nation.
Hardy Billington represents District 152, which includes parts of Butler and Dunklin counties.