Henry David Thoreau said, “If misery loves company, misery has company enough.”
The truth in the first half of this statement is seen in our daily political climate.
It seems while statistics show evidence of a robust economy, even under the scrutiny of the Misery Index, those who oppose the present administration attempt to drag others into their mythical land of Les Misérable.
The Misery Index was a term first used by Arthur Okun, an economic advisor in the Johnson administration. This index was invented to inform Americans of the level of ‘misery’ we had to suffer by adding the unemployment rate with the rate of inflation. This measurement was commonly touted during the decades of ‘stagflation’ (1970’s and 80’s) when the stagnant economy suffered with high unemployment and inflation.
During George H. W. Bush’s presidency, radical liberals constantly referenced the Misery Index as it soared to an enormous 10.7%. This eclipsed a 9.5% rate that occurred just after WWII and Clinton’s first term rate of 8.8 % (yet it was less than Reagan’s first term and Carter’s first). Currently under the G. W. Bush administration, the index is measuring a low 7.6%. Yet, according to John Kerry, the middle class of America is suffering an all-time high in the Misery Index.
So what gives?
Former Clinton economic adviser, Gene Sperling, and former Al Gore adviser, Jason Furman, have composed a new formula for the determination of the Misery Index. However, it has been described as ‘distinctly selective’.
Instead of inclusively using all consumer pricing data, the Kerry formula plucks out only three things: 1) college tuition (at public four year universities only); 2) health care; and 3) gasoline. Why just these three items? Undoubtedly it is because these have escalated more rapidly than the general rate of inflation. In addition, the new formula does not account for the overall unemployment rate. In its place, this method uses the actual number of jobs, which presents a bleak picture in comparison to the prior.
Even though the economy is showing robust signs of growth, there is a political spin that would have Americans believe we are indeed a miserable people. Why? It is because misery loves company. For some people, when they are not in power (in control), they feel miserable even though they are richly blessed. The only way some people can feel better about their situation is to convince others that they too are equally as miserable. Is it worth believing in a lie and sacrificing the overall morale of a nation just to win an election? Evidently, some think so.
No party is exempt from manipulating the statistics to their advantage. We as a people must ask what sources are being consulted and which modus operandi is being utilized to produce their results. If we do not start thinking, we will continue to be duped.
It staggers the mind to think Americans are the most prosperous civilization ever to inhabit earth and yet we can be persuaded to believe we are economically miserable. It seems a tad ironic that in the same evening newscast where pictures of starving Sudanese children are shown, Kerry’s dismal Misery Index numbers are also announced.
Look around America and count your blessings. Who wants to be in miserable company anyhow?