The economy sucks, stupid!

By Michael J.W. Stickings

McCain today on Ingraham's radio show:

I still believe the fundamentals of our economy are strong. We've got terribly big challenges now, whether it be housing or employment or so many of the other — health care. It's very, very tough times. It's very tough. But we're still the most innovative, the most productive, the greatest exporter, the greatest importer.

But what fundamentals? As Think Progress notes:

• Inflation is rising;
• Real wages are declining;
• Unemployment is increasing;
• Cost of food is rising;
• Optimism about economy is declining; and
• Foreclosures are still increasing.

Not to mention that the dollar is weak, recent budget deficits have been enormous, the national debt is expanding at an astounding rate, placing an ever-greater burden on future generations, and emerging superpowers like China and India are growing rapidly, meaning that is essentially in relative decline overall as the world's leading power.

But, of course, McCain doesn't understand the economy, as he himself has admitted, and, for all his noxious faux populism (gas-tax pandering, "celebrity" attacks on Obama), doesn't have a clue what conditions Americans are facing: rising oil and gas prices, home foreclosures, massive job losses, skyrocketing health-care costs, profound uncertainty not just about the future but about paying the bills and putting food on the table. For him to talk about how "tough" it is out there is simply insulting.

There's one thing I do think is certain: It is becoming clearer and clearer as the campaign rolls on that McCain is an incredibly stupid man.