Opinion
By Steve Nicklas, 5-5-24Living in idyllic Nassau County, we are insulated from the economic, social and political upheaval gripping much of the country and the world.
A resilient bubble of prosperity, peace and freedom protects us like a cocoon. That is, unless the bubble deflates. Or worse, pops.
For those willfully ignoring the bubble-piercing deluge around us, here is a summary:
–College campuses like Columbia University and New York University are ablaze with chaos, including riots, heated anti-Israel protests, cancelled classes, etc.
–Not far away, political persecutions are on display in the public square in Manhattan. Rogue judges and biased state/district attorneys prosecute political opponents in kangaroo courts, like legal lynchings.
–Wars in Ukraine and in a combustible Middle East complicate foreign affairs. While the U.S. primarily adopts a position of appeasement.
–Technology-rich Taiwan is the tantalizing target of an aggressive China. While the U.S. is occupied with two other costly, complicated battles, now would be an ideal time for the Chinese. And President Biden refuses to confront China, appearing conflicted from the millions of dollars his family reportedly received from the communist nation.
–Crime is rampant in big cities, as police departments are defunded (mostly in Democrat-led states) and criminals are quickly released through lax bail laws. Meanwhile, police are often vilified and afraid to act. And lawlessness proliferates. Florida is not having any of this, by the way.
–Squatters can lay claim to a house they secretly occupy when part-time residents are away. Conservative states like Florida and Georgia are taking swift action to prevent this.
–Inflation chokes families and businesses like a financial noose. Food and energy prices are up at least 30 percent. More American families are struggling to afford food than in any of the G-7 countries, according to a Gallup poll.
–Liberal, tax-and-spend states like California, Illinois and New York endure budget deficits, and plead for federal support. To escape the burdensome taxes and regulations, residents and businesses are fleeing to places like Northeast Florida. With a shrinking tax base, so they raise tax rates even more. Obtrusive regulations are a form of control.
–Paralyzing illegal migration overwhelms cities and states. Fentanyl flows in as freely as the waters of the St. Johns River. Cartels gain wealth and power through trafficking drugs and women and children. While the current administration tells lies that the border is secure.
Meanwhile, the U.S. economy is facing a slowdown. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew at an anemic 1.6 percent lastquarter. Worse yet, government spending boosted the weak number.
In addition, corporate layoffs are widespread. Nike is the latest to cut jobs. As foreclosures in commercial real estate reached the highest level in a decade.
Yet the statistics from the federal government don’t reflect this reality. The misleading employment reports aren’t adding up, according to Danielle Dimartino Booth, the CEO of QI Research. Booth thinks the U.S. economy is already in recession.
“I’ve lost faith in our (government) statisticians,” Booth said on Fox Business. “What we’re seeing on the ground is simply not reflected in the data. It’s a complete aberration – that somebody in the former U.S.S.R. may be able to explain to us some day.”
When you doubt what federal government officials are telling you, it’s a sad day. It happens too often.
We are fortunate to have a state government that is more effective, transparent and truthful. And a savvy governor in Ron DeSantis.
It helps insulate us. This makes us happy.
Steve Nicklas is the managing partner of Nicklas Wealth Management in Fernandina Beach. He is also an award-winning columnist. His columns appear in weekly newspapers in Northeast Florida and in Southeast Georgia, and on his website at www.SteveNicklasMarketplace.com. He has published a book, “All About Money,” of his favorite columns from the past 20 years. The book is available on Amazon. He has also done financial reports for area radio stations and for National Public Radio in Jacksonville. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 904-753-0236.
The views expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Citizens Journal Florida
