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Much to unpack here, and my Psych classes were few and long ago. But this is something that needs discussion: "Although the economy right now is doing better than at any time since the 1960s, polls show a majority of Americans would rather believe Trump’s lies...." The premise is based on the mistaken notion that 'people' are motivated by macroeconomic numbers. They may or may not read them and feel good for a moment, but then they go to the supermarket. Broccoli having to be on sale to be had for under $2/lb. Fish, what used to be the cheapest animal protein, can hardly be found for under $7. Chicken $1 a pound more than we remember. And that's just foods. Although gas prices are down to around $3 from their recent highs, we can all remember (and it wasn't that long ago) when gas was under $2. There's lots more in the macro - micro divide, but best not to become tedious.

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I still think economics are secondary to culture.

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It depends on how poor you are.

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IMHO, Musk, Thiel, Vance, Trump are culture warriors despite their wealth. Trump is more grifter than culture warrior, but his conduct has led to financial ruin. In terms of risk analysis all four have contingent liabilities beyond measure. Trump's immediate risk is jail.

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True William Politt, but a Trump presidency will not bring those numbers down, nothing will, short of a depression and over supply. Once prices go up, save for gas and eggs, then never go down, they haven't in my 85 years and the price of gas and eggs, may go down in the short term in response to supply and demand, but the trend is upwards.

The first gallon of gas I bought was $.29 when It hit $1 I was outraged.

The price of a gallon of gas was the same in Riverside, CA as it was in Pt Neches, TX at the gas station a block away from Texaco.. Personal experience 1964.

If anything prices will go up under Trump,especially for food, as he follows through on his deportation promise., and his culture war promises, will so demoralize the country, that commerce will be disrupted.

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