‘Relax’ is not a winning economic message

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/12/06/economy-consumers-affordability-vance-johnson/

Republicans have a holiday message for cash-strapped Americans: chill out.

“Relax,” Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) advised on Thursday, assuring voters they will feel better once provisions from the Big Beautiful Bill kick in next year. “We are exactly on the trajectory of where we’ve always planned to be. Steady at the wheel, everybody. It’s gonna be fine."

There’s nothing as soothing as being told to calm down when you’re struggling to pay for groceries, let alone Christmas presents.

Consumers don’t see it that way. Gallup said Thursday that its Economic Confidence Index has slipped seven points to -30, its lowest reading in 17 months. Consumers estimate they will spend an average of $778 on holiday presents, down from $1,012 at this point last year. Growing numbers are using buy now, pay later services, another indication people feel strapped for cash. Data released Wednesday by ADP showed an unexpected drop in private payrolls by 32,000 last month.