Affordability is a top three concern for many Americans. Every day it feels like consumer prices climb higher. The cost of owning a home is seemingly further out of reach than it used to be. The burden of debt is now a common theme for many families and individuals across America. A change must occur in government and especially in Congress. No longer can appropriation bills be obstructed to achieve a political party’s agenda or stuffed with funding for wasteful, unnecessary items. The American people employ Congress, and the American people are unhappy with Congress actions. Congressional decisions directly impact the economy. However, that is not to say that the President does not have a major impact, economic foreign policy always affects the United States internal economy. The difference between the President and Congress is that Congress is given the responsibility to appropriate taxpayer dollars to necessary and beneficial goals that meet the United States best interest. If Congress waste funding or allocates money towards harmful objectives, then the American people and economy are left to bear the burden. But spending isn’t the only contributor to economic problems. Inflation has climbed rapidly and Congressional spending combined with irresponsible management by the Federal Reserve has been an affordability killer. This hike in inflation, especially over the past five years, has widened the gap for first-time home buyers and raised consumer prices noticeably.

             Consider the economy through GDP (Gross domestic product is a monetary measure of the total market value of all of the final goods and services which are produced and rendered during a specific period of time - usually a year - by a country or countries). Each of the largest contributors to GDP are directly affected by the laws Congress passes and the regulations government agency administrative leaders put into place. Real estate, professional and business services, manufacturing, healthcare and social assistance programs, wholesale and retail trade, information, and construction are some of the highest contributors to national GDP. Each of these categories is highly influenced by the laws Congress implements and administrative policy. There are a number of ways Congress and government agencies can influence the GDP giants, but taxes levied is probably the biggest factor. Congress dictates tax policy and has wielded this power in modern times in an undesirable manner. Ill-constructed agency rules and compliance burdens tend to cause delays and extra costs inevitably hampering economic growth and affordability. Congressional spending always messes with the economy by bringing in an unpredictable variable. Depending on the state of federal government spending, certain programs and employees of the federal government are hung out to dry financially. It is undeniable that the federal government has a massive part in the balance and prosperity of the American economy. While our government is and should be part of the economy, the problem is when the government begins to be the focal point and main driver of growth or recession. Through overspending, mismanagement of funds, and out of control debt the US Congress has caused economic concern and problems. To increase affordability requires a unified front by Americans. “We the People” can ensure the current Congress changes their behavior or we can replace them with individuals who will make better choices for Americans. Next week we’ll take a look at economics for the next generation and find out how “We the People” can be instrumental in creating a stronger economy.