If we could predict the future, accurately and consistently, many things would be easier and more successful to achieve! It would make things like investing successfully, buying investment real estate, buying a home (at the best opportunity), evaluating job/career opportunities, etc., a much easier task! However, in the real world, there are many uncertainties, and these are often significant and relevant, related to the overall performance and condition of the economy. With that in mind, this article will attempt, briefly, to consider, examine, and revise, 6 unknowns, which, significantly, are related to many components, etc, of our economy.

1. The impacts of large deficits: The United States of America is currently experiencing large/huge deficits historically! This started after the 2017 tax legislation, which created a deficit of about a trillion dollars! It continued, and grew larger, due to the needs, for greater amounts of public assistance, based on human needs, caused by the ramifications and impacts of the horrible pandemic! The hypocrisy of many politicians, who oppose and support deficit spending, selectively, when it seems to fulfill their personal/political agenda, creates a serious inconsistency in the way we proceed, redirect and manage federal funds, etc.

two. Inflation/recession, see – saw: Often the Federal Reserve Bank, monetary policy, and especially interest rates, etc., are based largely and efficiently on perceptions/fears, etc., related to potential dangers of inflation or recession. Traditionally, they use policies, making the borrowing facility and costs based almost exclusively on reaction, rather than proactive! When they fear inflation, interest rates go up, and when they hope to stimulate the economy, they relax these policies and lower rates! We are currently experiencing historically low interest rates! Is this a form of manipulation or well thought out policies?

3. Interest Rate Uncertainties: How long will rates stay low? Is the policy based on good strategy or politics and/or manipulations? These numbers often determine many components of our economy, especially housing (mortgage rates, etc.), stock market shocks, etc. How could these uncertain times cause potential ramifications?

Four. Future real estate/housing market: For some time now, the real estate market has been a vendor’s market, because the number of qualified buyers has surpassed, homes for sale! How long will this continue? The combination of pent up demand, stemming from the pandemic, etc., and mortgage rates at record lows has created a huge uptick/increase in home prices. Will that continue, slow, or something – backwards?

5. Future Jobs/Industries: Will we be prepared for the future by promoting job/professional training driven by future needs? Wouldn’t it make sense to focus on training former coal workers and others in sustainable industries etc like renewable energy, cyber security etc?

6. Importance of climate, environment and public health: If our top priorities are not, in areas like the climate, the environment, and industries related to public health, doesn’t that bode badly for the sustainability of our nation and the planet? Don’t we owe at least this to future generations? When partisan politics and populism seem to motivate many public leaders and procrastinate, when they should be proactive, isn’t that a clear and present danger?

Fortunately, or, unfortunately, little, of consequence/significance, is done, when politics, becomes a greater influenceWhat smart strategies and actions! Will you demand better, sooner rather than later?