Author: Bill Wagner

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Use AI for Personal Research

With all the “news” slanted, I decided to use AI, to assist with presenting to me, available information from the internet. Because Politics over rules information, and there is so much media attention given to how I am suppose to feel about the economy, I decided to test results from Perplexity.

Caveat – Always review the results and the source(s) and understand these AI’s, Chatgpt, Grok, Perplexity, Meta and Google are Programmed as to how data retrieved, filtered and presented. As a human, use critical thinking to interpret.

Following is UNEDITED responses from Perplexity.

Compare Inflation from Biden years to Trump

Inflation was much higher during Biden’s term than during Trump’s first term, but the exact comparison depends on whether you use an average rate or the worst monthly peak. Biden’s average inflation rate was about 4.95% versus Trump’s first-term average of about 2.46%, and Biden’s inflation peaked at 9.1% in June 2022.

How they differ

  • Trump’s first term (2017–2021): average inflation about 2.46%.
  • Biden’s term (2021–2025): average inflation about 4.95%.
  • Biden’s peak: 9.1% year-over-year inflation in June 2022.
  • Trump’s latest year: one recent source reports inflation around 3.8% in April 2026, but that is after Biden and is not directly part of the Biden-vs-first-term Trump comparison.

Important caveat

A peak monthly rate and an average across a presidency are not the same thing. Some political comparisons also mix a single high month under Biden with an average under Trump, which makes the contrast look larger than an apples-to-apples comparison.

Plain-English take

If you want the cleanest headline, Biden-era inflation was higher than Trump’s first-term inflation by roughly 2.5 percentage points on average. If you want the biggest shock point, Biden’s inflation spike reached 9.1% at its worst.

Would you like a simple year-by-year table for 2017–2024?

Real wage comparison Biden era vs trump

Real wages were generally weaker during most of the Biden era than they were by the end of Trump’s first term, but the comparison depends on the exact metric and time window. One recent analysis says real wages fell 1.4% during Biden’s Jan. 2021–Jan. 2025 term, while another says real wages rose 0.9% in Biden’s final year alone.

What the data suggests

  • During Biden’s early term, inflation rose faster than wages, so purchasing power fell.
  • By the end of Biden’s term, real wages had improved somewhat, but one analysis says they still had not fully returned to January 2021 levels.
  • For Trump’s first year of his second term, one analysis reports wages up 3.7% and prices up 2.4%, implying about 1.3% annualized real wage growth.

Why comparisons differ

Real wages are usually measured as wage growth minus inflation, so the result changes a lot depending on whether you look at monthly data, a full presidency, or just the latest year. Political sources also often choose different endpoints, which can make the same economy look better or worse.

Simple takeaway

If you mean the full Biden era versus Trump’s first term, Biden’s period was worse for real wage growth overall because inflation outpaced pay for much of it. If you mean the most recent yearly trend, the latest Trump-era numbers look stronger on real wages.

Would you like me to make a side-by-side table of nominal wages, inflation, and real wages?

Yes, please provide a side-by-side table of those metrics

Here’s a side-by-side view of the main wage/inflation metrics we discussed.

PeriodNominal wage trendInflation trendReal wage trend
Trump first termWages rose, and one 2025 analysis says the first-year gain was about 3.7% Average inflation was about 2.46% Roughly positive, with one analysis implying about 1.3% annualized real wage growth in the first year of Trump’s second term
Biden eraWages rose, but inflation often rose faster during much of the term Average inflation was about 4.95%, with a peak of 9.1% in June 2022One analysis says real wages fell about 1.4% over Biden’s full Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2025 term
Latest Trump-era readingWages up 3.7% in the first year of the new term Prices up 2.4% in that same period About 1.3% annualized real wage growth

How to read it

Nominal wages are the paycheck number before inflation, while real wages measure purchasing power after inflation. That means a period can show wage growth but still deliver worse living standards if prices rise faster.

Main takeaway

The Biden era looks weaker on real wages overall because inflation outpaced pay for a large share of the term. Trump’s first-term inflation was lower, and the latest Trump-era wage numbers look more favorable for purchasing power.

Would you like this turned into a chart next?

Follow-ups

Yes, please generate a bar chart for these metrics

No, I prefer a line graph showing the inflation trend over time

Yes, but include a column for housing affordability as well

No, can you create a simplified summary table for a presentation

Yes, but show the comparison broken down by economic sector

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Government Shutdown – Is your Politician a Liar?

With Mid Terms in about a year, thought it may be good for everyone to start tracking their representatives.

Currently we have a Government shutdown, with the usual Democrat & Republican blame game. This blame game and Party politics is killing our great country. The person you vote for, should share your beliefs and vote according to what you and the people in your area want, not what the Political party wants. Why do they become puppets of the Party? Money and Backing to get re-elected.

Today’s topic, Government shutdown. Democrats voted against a CR, Continuing Resolution, to keep Government funded and open for 7 more weeks. a Very similar CR, had been passed 13 times previously. This time, democrats wanted to add things to “Clean CR”.

Now I see plenty of posts from Democrat elected officials, claiming Republicans are taking away or increasing your Health Care Premiums and Costs. Major flaw, the rates and subsidies are fixed until December 31. Plenty of time to negotiate, versus shutting don government.

Here’s a recap of the CR.

For those so inclined, here’s a link https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5371

Additionally, Speaker Johnson, lays out current road block to getting the CR passed, this is unedited. https://x.com/SpeakerJohnson/status/1973804284924854472

Yes Health Care is a major issue and needs to be addressed, but why shut down government and hurt the working people? Party Politics must stop.

I for one will remember Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) and Senator Ruben Gallego (@SenRubenGallego), when re-election time comes. Step up TODAY, open Governemnt, and then FIX Health Care for everyone. Fixing Health Care doesn’t take money from Middle Class to pay for someone else’s or use of Tax Dollars. We all feel the pain of that plan.

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Nazi, Fascist, Threat to Democracy

Words and phrase constantly used to make a political point. Words and phrase usage denied by democrats as inflammatory or being used over and over and over. It’s a proven fact, that telling lies and repeatedly making accusations without challenge, leads the listener to believe it.

Seriously, media cannot deny playing clips without challenging the terminologies legitimacy. The actors of using these these terms, cannot deny doing so, there’s a boatload of evidence, just do a search.

Now, the actors and the media are saying, we need to stop this rhetoric and be peaceful. Sounds great to me. But First.

The Actors and users of this rhetoric, Need to first APOLOGIZE for using.

The Actors and users of this rhetoric, Need to ADMIT they were WRONG for using.

The Actors and users of this rhetoric, Tell their base, Do Not Act upon the falsehoods previously spewed.

Once this done, those harmed and blamed will work with you. But as you’ve noticed, most aren’t buying your peaceful lies.

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Is News Media Complicit?

When an assassins’ shell casing has inscription containing Hate Fascists, makes me wonder, how complicit and instrumental are “news” organizations who broadcast Political Leaders uttering a conservative viewpoint as Fascist. Seems broadcasting without questioning the labeling, is totally irresponsible.

Allowing paid individuals, employees, to also use such terminology, or their guests, without questioning. What are the acts and facts point to this being true? Such questioning is absent. This absence perpetuates the lie and gives credence.

Maybe the American public can be somewhat held accountable for watching these broadcasts without demanding accurate reporting, or just turning them off.

Notice the word journalism isn’t used, because, entities , such as #CBS, #NBC, #ABC, #CNN and #MSNBC, appear to report happenings and slant reporting towards an agenda.

Personally, the number of times, the above mentioned media, broadcast a video or read a story, labeling a group as Fascist, repeatedly, begins to instill truth, even when logically it isn’t. Repeating a Lie, over and over, gives credence to the lie.

People need to practice critical thinking and reject media that allows, knowingly or unknowingly, such practices. All Media, not just the ones mentioned, because FOX, NEWSMAX & OAN can be one sided. Reject hate and violence, practice restraint and controlled dialogue. What is controlled dialogue? Calmly talking and exchange facts & ideas, without getting emotional and disrespecting each other.

Practicing controlled dialogue, includes using and understanding the terms and definitions. Often, the term itself is misunderstood. Cherry picking a part of definition may be the culprit of contention.

Yes, I am using a singular topic here, but the are many others where media peddles influence including other political murders or attempts. Now let your mind wonder into other topics causing political divide.

Reject Division, Practice Critical Thinking. Reject Political Agenda and work towards common ground.

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Government Spending

Dear Senators Sinema and Kelly,

As a voting Arizonian, please vote NO on the Manchin-Schumer Spending Bill.

I understand this is being sold as a reduction in taxes with Social spending to benefit people living in America.

However, I’ve never noticed money making companies willing to absorb tax increases. It may help in the short term, but shortly, these companies will pass the the increase onto us working people eventually. Whether it’s raising prices, or effecting the employees with lower raises or less in benefits. Worse case is forcing the companies to reduce U.S. lower force and outsource, to make profits. Profits drive stock market and corporate decisions.

While I appreciate the efforts to attract new and growing businesses to Arizona, seems this Bill could actually hurt that growth, with companies questioning growth in the U.S.

Inflation is killing our state and making it more difficult for our State to consider getting tax dollars to improve education and social spending at a local level. Consider, the average salary in Arizona is just over $63,000 annually, which isn’t even half your salary. In fact, 36% of your $175,000 base.

While this Bill will benefit you at the election in short term, it will hurt in the mid to long term. Large businesses work on the global platform, and know how to respond to government demands, to ensure they continue to make money.

Here’s the response I received from Mark Kelly. Is this a response to me or a basic form letter claiming to be a representative, yet doing what “he” wants to do.

I Do Not feel Represented.

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California Eliminates College Entrance Standards

While I understand the need to level the playing field for all high school students to enter a higher level of education, but eliminating entrance standards and making it subjective seems counterproductive to the mission of the institution.

I am referring to this https://www.theepochtimes.com/california-state-university-permanently-ends-standardized-test-requirements-for-admissions_4357369.html

Wouldn’t it be more helpful to set goals for these students and fix the current system that is letting them down. It’s not like this a new problem, the educational system has been letting students down for years, with the aid parents who don’t give a hoot and demographics where education isn’t stressed.

Considering California Budgeted almost $18,000.00 per K – 12 Student. National numbers per census bureau. https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2021/public-school-spending-per-pupil.html

Maybe instead of being progressive, let’s actual change the curriculum to useful skills to change the never ending cycle.

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Death of Women’s Sports

Title IX, makes it clear that “Women” sports are educational. But wait, if there is no such thing as female, ie a woman, what happens?. History looks at Title IX, https://www.history.com/news/title-nine-womens-sports

If everyone on the left is chastising others over questioning a Chief Justice, regarding gender and definition, obviously they haven’t thought out the implications. If there isn’t a woman, then there doesn’t need to be fair and equal, because there isn’t a distinction.

Schools will not need to conform to Title IX, keeping their Federal funding and not risk lawsuits. Schools are looking to make cutbacks. There will be non-gender specific teams, anyone can try out. The schools that can afford to keep equal but separate sports programs, will not be in depressed areas.

What about the state level, where they are begging for a way to avoid the transgender and sports issues.

Sorry, not everyone will get a trophy.

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Apply Border Policy to Colleges

What if we applied current administration border policies to colleges? Imagine, unregistered students being able to attend classes for free.

Then because they unregistered students need assistance, they are given degrees to help them out. While those who followed the rules, applied for admission, paid their credit hours fees, had to purchase their books, and ultimately had to pass the course.

Then because there is only so much space, the unregistered get to plop their butts in a seat while some of the paying students cannot get into the classroom to attend, take notes and learn. Making it very difficult to pass the course.

How long before paying students quit going to college. Who then pays to keep the schools afloat? What happens to the quality of education, because it won’t matter, they all pass.

How will our businesses succeed using these people? They will look elsewhere for ways to make themselves viable.

Something to think about, a policy that is well intended, yet not viable, is doomed and becomes a virus infecting other parts of the country.

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Influenza Deaths Dropped Dramatically

As I was looking through CDC Covid and Flu numbers, something popped out, in 2017 there were 52,000 Flu Deaths and in 2021 a mere 1,073. Appears CDC is not updating this chart any more, but I found the Influenza deaths mixed in with the Covid deaths. Below is how CDC reported Influenza, up until 2020. Why did CDC stop updating the Influenza Charts?

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/index.html
Recapping the Deaths by year

When I looked at Covid Deaths by Year, very surprised by the Influenza Death Column. In 2020, count went down to 8,785 deaths and in 2021 only 1,073. If you think it’s the flu shot, please refer to CDC stance, Flu is virus and cannot be cured, except by Natural Immunity.

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid19/index.htm

Curiosity drove me to look at Covid Deaths and Influenza combined. If you actually read the CDC numbers, they report Covid deaths as a whole of Underlying and Contributing. Simplified, Underlying is not the cause and according to CDC definition, a covid test doesn’t have to be performed, but the appearance of covid, allows death certificate to be coded with covid as underlying. Why would a doctor do this? Research government reimbursement for covid deaths. https://www.hrsa.gov/coviduninsuredclaim

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/covid19/mortality-overview.htm

Back to the point, if you review Influenza Deaths, combined with Covid deaths adjusted for contributing factor, the numbers are lower than 2017 flu deaths. For 2020 & 2021, taking 10% of 385,484 and 461,112 respectively and displayed in yellow.

Why isn’t this news? Why does the CDC and Media report cases, ie being sick. Why isn’t the Contributing factor death count, reported separately from all causes? Why can’t I find covid deaths coded and separated by vaccinated and not?

This is why many people are skeptical.