The problem is purchasing power. Most people recognize it costs a lot more to sustain their standard of living (assuming they can sustain it) than it did before inflation took off.
Meanwhile The Fed issued this yesterday. It's all in our imagination apparently:
Real wages have risen since before the pandemic across the income distribution. In particular, middle-income and lower-income households have seen their real earnings rise especially fast. And in the past 12 months, real wages overall have grown faster than they did in the pre-pandemic expansion.
Household purchasing power has increased as a result. In 2023, the median American worker can afford the same goods and services as they did in 2019, plus an additional $1,000 to spend or save—because median earnings rose faster than prices.
The U.S. economy now has over 2 million more jobs than pre-pandemic forecasters expected. Therefore, more and more workers are benefitting from increased purchasing power, thanks to the strong and resilient labor market.[1]
This pattern of rising purchasing power is particularly American: other advanced economies have generally seen lower, and in many cases negative, real wage growth.
I agree with the snowball effect and that many are avoiding the brand because what others might perceive of them if they were drinking it - not bc they care about Mulvaney one way or another.
And I can't think of a more impactful consumer boycott either.
Bud Light’s decline is benefiting one of its biggest rivals.
Molson Coors, brewer of Miller Lite and Coors Light beers, reported Tuesday its single best quarter of revenue since its 2005 merger, as drinkers continue to shift their allegiance away from the Anheuser Busch-made beer.
In a release, Molson Coors (TAP) said that combined US sales of its two flagship beers outsold Bud Light by 50% in the second quarter and were 30% higher than Modelo Especial, which overtook Bud Light sales in May and June. That’s a drastic change from the same quarter a year ago, when Bud Light sales were higher than Coors Light and Miller Lite sales combined.
No, it's a ridiculous point you're making. The US is making decisions on what to spend - and where - right now "here in the real world". Factoring in the inflation-adjusted dollar amount the US sent from 1948 through 2022 is completely irrelevant.
Did I say they were? I was obviously answering the question of who the people were who worked to keep Masterson's crimes quiet. It's pretty well documented.
Having read the book and being a huge Scorsese fan, I'm really looking forward to seeing Killers of the Flower Moon. Such a crazy, brutally tragic story in his hands is a must watch.
Also want to see what Ridley Scott does with Napoleon.
Me Too was a special phenomenon where any and every toxic transgression from from evil monster (Weinstein) to weird & creepy (Louis CK) was brought to light - regardless of political affiliation. Because its epicenter was the entertainment industry, these creeps skewed left. Seems like it would have been the perfect environment (2017-18) for these allegations against Brand from 2006-13 to be brought to light.
Now these accusations may all be true, but it's curious that they have surfaced only after he diverged from a few popular narratives. And of course, the allegations are enough to ruin his reputation and hurt him in the pocketbook. It doesn't even matter if he is innocent or not.
They, of course, are not referring to an elitist global cabal that secretly runs the world.
We know that the vast majority of those in the media are on the left. And naturally "they" tend to enthusiastically investigate those "they" deem to be on the wrong side of things. I'm sure many times because they are organically motivated and many other times because they are a receptive to following leads provided them by vested interests. Stories are planted all the time. It's how the world works. Is it not amazing how whenever someone on the right gets some traction how the knives come out?
Conversely, "they" are less curious about transgressions that might threaten those on their side. One can only imagine the type of Pulitzer prize level journalism we would be seeing if the Biden's were Republicans.
It's not a conspiracy theory, it's just how it is.
On “It’s The Economy, Stupid, But That Depends on Your Definition of “Economy””
Let them eat cake, amirite?
"
The problem is purchasing power. Most people recognize it costs a lot more to sustain their standard of living (assuming they can sustain it) than it did before inflation took off.
Meanwhile The Fed issued this yesterday. It's all in our imagination apparently:
Real wages have risen since before the pandemic across the income distribution. In particular, middle-income and lower-income households have seen their real earnings rise especially fast. And in the past 12 months, real wages overall have grown faster than they did in the pre-pandemic expansion.
Household purchasing power has increased as a result. In 2023, the median American worker can afford the same goods and services as they did in 2019, plus an additional $1,000 to spend or save—because median earnings rose faster than prices.
The U.S. economy now has over 2 million more jobs than pre-pandemic forecasters expected. Therefore, more and more workers are benefitting from increased purchasing power, thanks to the strong and resilient labor market.[1]
This pattern of rising purchasing power is particularly American: other advanced economies have generally seen lower, and in many cases negative, real wage growth.
https://home.treasury.gov/news/featured-stories/the-purchasing-power-of-american-households#:~:text=Household%20purchasing%20power%20has%20increased,earnings%20rose%20faster%20than%20prices.
On “Weekend Plans Post: Wrapping up Christmas Shopping”
I started writing something on non-Christmas Christmas movies.
Let's see if I actually finish it before Christmas ...
On “Napoleon And The Spasmodic Lamb Chop of Destiny”
Great closing paragraph! At least the film provided you the joy of writing that closer...
Disappointed in the reviews. Was looking forward to seeing it. Now, not so much.
Felt similarly about Oppenheimer. Really wanted to love it and absolutely did not. (I know I'm in the minority).
Biopics are tough. The best of somewhat recent memory (for me) was Scorcese's The Aviator. Brilliant and balanced portrayal of "the great man".
On “Sunday Morning! “Napoleon” by Ridley Scott”
Agree. It was part, Kill Bill without the pulp and action. Part Grosse Pointe Blank without the charm and funny.
I did enjoy the The Smiths soundtrack gimmick.
On “Understanding Libertarianism in the Current Moment”
However, the basic tenets of Trumpism draw some people with poor social impulses and instincts.
However, the basic tenets of ANTIFA draw some people with poor social impulses and instincts.
However, the basic tenets of Trivia Night Tuesdays draw some people with poor social impulses and instincts.
Etc
Etc
Etc
Show me the group and I'll find you some assholes.
On “Open Mic for the week of 10/9/2023”
I agree with the snowball effect and that many are avoiding the brand because what others might perceive of them if they were drinking it - not bc they care about Mulvaney one way or another.
And I can't think of a more impactful consumer boycott either.
"
I should have said "I agree with you" and not "Yeah".
My yeah was a nod to your post being the correct take.
"
Yeah, this isn't a correlation is not cause argument.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/01/business/molson-coors-earnings/index.html
Bud Light’s decline is benefiting one of its biggest rivals.
Molson Coors, brewer of Miller Lite and Coors Light beers, reported Tuesday its single best quarter of revenue since its 2005 merger, as drinkers continue to shift their allegiance away from the Anheuser Busch-made beer.
In a release, Molson Coors (TAP) said that combined US sales of its two flagship beers outsold Bud Light by 50% in the second quarter and were 30% higher than Modelo Especial, which overtook Bud Light sales in May and June. That’s a drastic change from the same quarter a year ago, when Bud Light sales were higher than Coors Light and Miller Lite sales combined.
On “Israel and Ukraine and Political Correctness”
Do you really think the Russians feel free to invade Poland?
"
No, it's a ridiculous point you're making. The US is making decisions on what to spend - and where - right now "here in the real world". Factoring in the inflation-adjusted dollar amount the US sent from 1948 through 2022 is completely irrelevant.
"
It's like we can't afford not to send $77B to Ukraine, amirite?
This sounds like a talking point from a BAE powerpoint deck.
"
What a useless, silly comment.
"
The US has sent about $77B to Ukraine since they were invaded by Russia. And they will no doubt continue to be funded.
The US sends about $3B to Israel each year. The US will certainly bump that up now. How much? No idea.
One can "support" each of these nations and reasonably conclude one is getting too much aid and the other not enough.
To assert that such opinion is"splitting hairs" and attribute such thinking to political correctness is silly.
On “Breaking Down the Band: Oasis, Radiohead, and Pearl Jam”
I wrote about Fake Plastic Trees but several paragraphs in my Radiohead section are missing for some reason.
On “Who is This “They” of Whom You Speak, Russell Brand?”
More than the usual suspects who feel compelled to post every single nitpicking thought that comes to them?
Interesting.
"
Did I say they were? I was obviously answering the question of who the people were who worked to keep Masterson's crimes quiet. It's pretty well documented.
This subthread is predictably way off track.
On “The 2024 Best Picture Oscar Race: The Post Fall Festivals High”
Having read the book and being a huge Scorsese fan, I'm really looking forward to seeing Killers of the Flower Moon. Such a crazy, brutally tragic story in his hands is a must watch.
Also want to see what Ridley Scott does with Napoleon.
On “Who is This “They” of Whom You Speak, Russell Brand?”
I dunno. Is the Church of Scientology a cabal?
"
Me Too was a special phenomenon where any and every toxic transgression from from evil monster (Weinstein) to weird & creepy (Louis CK) was brought to light - regardless of political affiliation. Because its epicenter was the entertainment industry, these creeps skewed left. Seems like it would have been the perfect environment (2017-18) for these allegations against Brand from 2006-13 to be brought to light.
Now these accusations may all be true, but it's curious that they have surfaced only after he diverged from a few popular narratives. And of course, the allegations are enough to ruin his reputation and hurt him in the pocketbook. It doesn't even matter if he is innocent or not.
"
They, of course, are not referring to an elitist global cabal that secretly runs the world.
We know that the vast majority of those in the media are on the left. And naturally "they" tend to enthusiastically investigate those "they" deem to be on the wrong side of things. I'm sure many times because they are organically motivated and many other times because they are a receptive to following leads provided them by vested interests. Stories are planted all the time. It's how the world works. Is it not amazing how whenever someone on the right gets some traction how the knives come out?
Conversely, "they" are less curious about transgressions that might threaten those on their side. One can only imagine the type of Pulitzer prize level journalism we would be seeing if the Biden's were Republicans.
It's not a conspiracy theory, it's just how it is.
On “Thursday Throughput: Decongestant Edition”
I take regular OTC Benadryl exclusively as a sleep aid.
Knocks my ass out every time.
On “Open Mic for the week of 9/11/2023”
You're better than this InMD.
"
Thanks Burt. It aint easy being green.
I also wrote:
"Being a Jets fan means waiting for the other shoe to drop and never being surprised when a boot comes down on your throat."
My further thoughts on Monday Night I posted on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/JohnPuccio/status/1701615455385895325
On “I’m Worried About the Gadsden Flag Kid”
Are you worried about the Greta Thunbergs and David Hoggs of the world as well? Shouldn't the parents in progressive movements know better?