Meriam Webster defines, “bellwether” as:
- one that takes the lead or initiative
- leader
- an indicator of trends
Later on, they explain etymologically and for historical perspective, that wether means sheep and the original meaning of bellwether is the sheep that wears a bell and is the leader of the flock. But nowadays the last meaning dominates. A bellwether is an indicator of trends.
And so today I have declared Camera Girl as an American economic bellwether. Today she told me that eggs are now priced less than five dollars a dozen and officially back within her budget again. And later she told me that gasoline had fallen below three dollars a gallon.
Not one to waste such a moment I informed her that she needs to credit Donald Trump for these improvements. And with a minimum of eye-rolling she unironically credited the forty seventh President of the United States with this economic turn of events. Thank you, Camera Girl.
Alright I’ve banged the drum and declared victory over inflation based an a pretty small sample of prices. But you have to remember people who go grocery shopping look at the world precisely from that angle. When a dozen eggs costs eight dollars the sticker shock is visceral. When gas goes from two dollars to three seventy-five a gallon that’s an outrage to motorists. Especially if you don’t happen to have a six-figure salary.
So, what’s my point? Well, for the last couple of months I’ve been reading the Democrats talking points and the most consistent advice is for the Democrats and the media to flood the field with the fact that inflation is not decreasing but increasing. Okay, that’s a pretty potent strategy since inflation is primarily what got Biden and Harris bounced out of the race for the White House. Allowing inflation to go unchecked for even two years would be suicidal for the Republicans.
So it is with great satisfaction that I note that at least some of the most noticeable and irritating consumer prices have headed in the right direction. Now I can’t say exactly why this is happening. Is it Trumps policies already making an impact? Is it just the beauty of karma kicking the Democrats in the teeth and then patting Donald Trump on the shoulder like an old friend? Maybe. But whatever it is the guys at the Wednesday zoom call were kind of giddy about some of it.
So, I don’t know how long this will continue. But every week that it does seems to take its toll on the mental health of Chuck Schumer, Hakim Jeffries and AOC. All three seem to be close to a paranoid nervous breakdown. I saw a little bit of Schumer on a show (maybe the View) and he was gesticulating with his arms and rattling on in a high-pitched whine as if he might be working up to a seizure or a stroke. This is definitely where we want the Democrats. When their heads look like they might explode I don’t think we have to worry about them convincing the American people of much of anything at all. Well, maybe they might convince viewers that they’re unhinged. That they might do.
So, am I laying it on a little thick? Yeah, probably. But it’s not every day or even every year that our enemies look so flustered and tongue-tied. It’s a moment worth savoring.