Purchasing power parity (PPP) compares currencies by using a common basket of goods to show differences in cost of living and standards of living across countries. https://t.co/X9Pcoi1XGM ...

RT 𝙷𝚒𝚌𝚔𝚖𝚊𝚗 (@shagbark_hick)Is it a sin for a man to voluntarily have no job or ambition -- so long as he manages to provide his family with food, shelter, water, and the basics of life?I.e, if a man won't get a job but scraps enough together to give his family an 800 sq ft house, rice and beans, thermostat on 45f, pot showers, cheap fruit and meat 3x week, mattresses and blankets, new shoes and pants once a year, bicycles for transportation -- and has no desire to obtain a higher standard of living -- is th ...

Economic Indicators - Purchasing power parity (PPP) compares currencies to show differences in cost of living and standards of living across countries [1]

Economic Comparison - Poland's standard of living is now comparable to the UK's [1] - Poland's standard of living continues to rise [1] Quality of Life - Poland is considered safer and cleaner than the UK [1] Infrastructure - Poland has faster mobile and internet infrastructure [1]

Economic Commentary - BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) is perceived as masking economic pain rather than reporting reality [1] - GDP (Gross Domestic Product) as a primary metric atomizes humans into economic units, neglecting the standard of living and individual flourishing [1] - The share of young adults living with parents has reached levels not seen since the Great Depression [2]

Trade and Tariffs - Trump administration's tariffs are negatively impacting the standard of living by increasing costs and reducing productivity [6][7] - While consistent tariffs are bad, the uncertainty and volatility of tariff rates are causing significant disruption to businesses and investments [9][10] - Tariffs are being absorbed by U S businesses and consumers, not significantly by foreign exporters [11][12] - Tariffs on inputs into U S manufacturing are raising costs for U S businesses [14] - Trump's tariffs may generate revenue like a sales tax, but are unlikely to yield the $300 billion claimed [21][22] - The U S has violated international trade agreements, potentially damaging its credibility [24][25] Dynamic Pricing - Dynamic pricing is being used by companies to charge different prices based on customer willingness to pay and market conditions [26] - Dynamic pricing can benefit sellers by optimizing revenue, but may face consumer backlash if not perceived as beneficial [27] - Dynamic pricing can lead to intense competition and potentially erode industry profitability, as seen in the airline industry [28] - Implementing dynamic discounting, rather than simply raising prices, may be a more effective strategy [29] Rare Earth Minerals - China dominates the rare earth mineral market, controlling around 60% of the overall market and nearly 100% of heavy rare earths [29] - The U S imports 95% of its rare earths from China, creating a vulnerability in defense systems [29] - Brazil is attracting miners to its mineral reserves, aiming to become a reliable non-China rare earth supplier [30] Housing Market - The U S is experiencing a housing crisis with rapidly rising housing prices due to land use restrictions and construction costs [30][31] - Trump administration policies, such as tariffs on Canadian lumber and restrictions on immigration, are negatively impacting housing supply and affordability [32] - Politicizing the Federal Reserve could lead to higher mortgage rates and reduced housing affordability [35]

Economic Impact of Tariffs - The implementation of tariffs is raising costs for U.S. businesses, which could lead to a reduction in GDP by approximately 0.5% in the long run [6][13] - The unpredictability of tariff rates creates chaos for businesses, making investments riskier and potentially leading to poor financial outcomes [7][8] - Tariffs are primarily affecting inputs into U.S. manufacturing, thereby increasing operational costs for companies [12][13] Labor Market and Immigration - The reduction of immigrant labor due to immigration policies is negatively impacting productivity and living standards for native-born workers [5][4] - The construction industry, heavily reliant on immigrant labor, is facing challenges that could further drive up housing costs [2][4] Auto Industry Dynamics - The North American auto industry is highly integrated, and tariffs on steel and aluminum are increasing production costs without effectively bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. [15][16] - The pressure on manufacturers to automate due to rising costs may not translate into job creation for U.S. workers [16][17] Revenue Generation and Fiscal Policy - Tariffs function as a sales tax on imported goods, which could theoretically help reduce the deficit, but the actual revenue generated may not be substantial [19][20] - The potential increase in tariff rates could lead to higher revenue, but the effectiveness of this approach in addressing the deficit remains uncertain [21] Long-term Trade Relations - The current administration's approach to tariffs is likely to damage U.S. credibility in international trade agreements, making future negotiations more challenging [22][23] - The violation of established trade agreements could have lasting repercussions on the U.S.'s role in the global trading system [22][23]

Trade & Tariffs - Tariffs negatively impact the standard of living by increasing costs and reducing productivity [3][4] - Trump's tariffs, while potentially reducing GDP by approximately 0.5% in the long run, pose a greater threat due to uncertainty and volatility, disrupting business investments [6][7][8] - US businesses, rather than exporters, are absorbing a significant amount of tariff costs, partly due to front-running and uncertainty about the tariffs' permanence [10] - Many tariffs are levied on inputs into US manufacturing, raising costs for US businesses [12] - The auto industry is particularly vulnerable to tariffs due to its integrated North American supply chain, where parts cross borders multiple times [15] - Tariffs function as a sales tax on imported goods, potentially increasing revenue and reducing the deficit, but the amount is unlikely to reach Secretary Besson's estimate of $300 billion [18][19][20] - The US is violating international trade agreements, damaging its credibility and potentially dismantling a system built over 90 years [22][23] Immigration & Labor - Immigrant workers are concentrated in specific industries and occupations that complement native-born American workers, and driving them out reduces productivity and living standards [4][5] - Industries that might return to the US are likely to be capital-intensive, creating more jobs for robots than for US workers [18] Economic Policy & Impact - The stated goal of bringing back manufacturing jobs may not be achieved due to automation and the integrated nature of industries like the auto industry [14][16]