The Bozeman M trail earlier today. Still beautiful but it would be a lot better with snow.

Party Identification: Self-Identified and Leaners. Democrats lead GOP by 8 pts. Many Americans self-identify first as independent (see earlier post) but more now lean toward Dems.

Monday Data: Americans increasingly self-identify as "independent;" at highest levels in 40+ years.

Killing domestic oil? #Trump wants #oil to cost $50/bbl, far below breakeven point for new wells in U.S. Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas slide 12/10/25.

RIP #bobweir #gratefuldead

Births by year in U.S., 1928-2024. For share of population by generation see below.

Saturday Data: Share of population by generation, as of 2024.

Without #healthcare jobs (see below) 2025 labor market would have been a real loser. In 2025 the U.S. economy added an average of 49,000 jobs/month down markedly from 168,000 jobs/month in 2024.

Health Care Primacy: "Health care and social assistance accounted for virtually all private-sector job growth in 2025 — 713,000 of the 733,000 private-sector jobs added in the year."

Job-finding expectations are lowest on record.

American homes are significantly larger even while household size has dropped. #housing

The #Trump Admin cut National #Weather Service staff, reducing coverage and putting people at risk. But not to worry, it's using AI to make up forecasts for towns that don't exist.

Taking the Canadian Parks beaver out for a ski today.

Tuesday Data: U.S. lost "blue collar jobs" in 2025. @josephpolitano.bsky.social

Ever heavier? Americans' weight--both current and ideal--continues to rise during last 35 years.

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Which political group has seen the biggest drop in its expectations for America in 2026 compared to 2025? Republicans.

#Montana has one of highest rates of death by malnutrition.

Americans Predict 2026: Positive for stock market; downbeat about everything else--economy (inflation, jobs), political cooperation, China's power.

In 2025, U.S. Dollar fell against every major currency. Good for exports/trade deficit; bad for consumer purchasing power, inflation.

Why did #Trump take out #Maduro and what's interest in #Venezuela? Pick one or comment with more. -Oil -National Building -Narcotics -Distract from US Econ -Other?

Focusing on America: Consumer sentiment pretty down in n last year. Year-over-year change shows steep declines in current economic conditions, expectations for future. #Economy @umich.edu Surveys of Consumers.

What we watch=how we rate Trump. @gelliottmorris.com

Washington Monument in D.C. to be lit up for six nights starting tonight as part of initial celebrations for 250th U.S. anniversary. Think it looks pretty great.

GOP's biggest accomplishment this year (per Speaker): Tax bill that harms lowest earners (left) and helps the very highest earners (right).

Some great skiing today. #winter

NEWS: The corporate playbook for next year? Don’t hire. @wsj.com

In last year big business hired, while small companies shed #jobs.

Friday Data: Personal outlays (consumption) by income.

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." -Luke 2: 13-14

Not a great new thing:

More inspiration... @theathletic.com

NEWS: Grizzly spotted in December in Bangtails outside #Bozeman. @montanafreepress.org #mtnews #Montana montanafreepress.org/2025/12/23/g...

The kids are isolationist. Younger Americans much less likely that older adults to say U.S. should have active international role.

Sunday Data: @waymo.bsky.social reports far fewer car crashes than human drivers. h/t @bpmehlman.bsky.social

American voters: Price of #healthcare is a big problem.

Ready for #wintersolstice? Sunday, Dec. 21 at 8:03AM Mountain time. Tomorrow is shortest day of year (for Northerners!) #mtwx

Saturday Data: Labor force participation rates in Montana and Wyoming have continued to drop in last 5 yrs while Dakotas have steadied. Thoughts?

Employment in largest #Montana cities (metro areas) since 2000. Bozeman passed Missoula to be 2nd largest in 2018. #mtnews As of September, 2025: -Billings: 97K -Bozeman: 74.1K -Missoula: 70.5K -Helena: 45.7K -Great Falls: 37.6K

Top issues Americans believe President & Congress should focus on: inflation, jobs/economy, health care, senior programs, corruption in government. @navigatorsurvey.bsky.social

Timeline of changes in #Bozeman employment (for other #Montana cities, see earlier post below). First non-recession, non-seasonal jobs drop for Bozeman/Gallatin County in many years. MSA=Gallatin County. #mtnews #mtpol

Montana Metro Area Employment % Change, Sept 2024-25: -Billings: 0.7% -Bozeman: Down 3.6% one of largest drops nationally. -Great Falls: -0.3% -Helena: 1.6% -Missoula: 0.3% #mtnews #mtpol

NEWS: "If you throw out the year of the Coronavirus, 2025 is the worst year for job creation since 2009, and the Great Recession." @jamiedupree.bsky.social

Job Creation? In 2024, #Job gains averaged 186,000/month. In 2025 it's a fraction of that. #Employment

Op-Ed: Freedom From Want--How Our Moral and Common-Sense Obligation Provides a Better Life by MT Sen. Andrea Olsen #mtpol #mtleg dailyinterlake.com/news/2025/de...

In terms of strong support for federal #Healthcare (earlier post below), an even strong share of Americans support Medicaid funding to hospitals for uninsured.

Hope is in the air! Lindsey Vonn Just Won a Ski Race at Age 41—on a Reconstructed Knee

Americans have surprisingly strong view (2-1) that it's the "responsibility of the federal government to make sure all Americans have #healthcare coverage."

hare of aggregate income over time (by quintile). The wealthiest 20% have seen their share rise, everyone else has dropped.

Sunday Data: Mdian household income for 2024: $83,730. Figure below, inflation adjusted, breaks out over time by race & Hispanic origin.