Politics today in two graphs (aka good news/bad news for @democrats.org or vice-versa for GOP). First, Trump is underwater on every major issue and turnout since 2024 heavily favors Dems. But.... (1/2)

Wealthy get wealthier. While incomes groups grew at about same pace in 1990s, the net worth of ultra-wealthy exploded in past 20 yrs. Below: wealth distribution by income group.

U.S. citizens have lowest opinion of fellow citizens in world. By comparison, #Canada has the highest opinion of fellow citizens and #Mexico is not far behind.

Americans most likely to rate fellow citizens as "morally bad." U.S. the ONLY country where more respondents described morality and ethics of others living in same country as bad (53%) than as good (47%).

The cost of #childcare continues to increase. In #Montana, the avg cost was $15,080 per year in 2024--or 16.3% of the median family income. Nationally, childcare costs recently have been rising at nearly 2x rate of overall inflation. #mtnews

This weekend is the Mansfield-Metcalf dinner for @montanademocrats.org; 2 public service giants. Thinking of Mansfield's tombstone at Arlington. Nothing about Senate Majority Leader, Ambassador, or U.S. Rep. Simply: Pvt. USMC. Thanks Mike. You made us proud. #mtnews

Tuesday Data: Women win 2025 job market. Only sectors really growing last year--health care and education--dominated by women.

"Trump Cares Only About Himself While Montanans Pay the Price" in today's Bozeman Chronicle by @gijoehancock.bsky.social #mtnews #mtpol #montanan

Partisanship 101: It's fairly easy to tell which party controlled the Presidency based on their views of U.S. world standing.

Montanans have a "Goldilocks" view of federal lands in the state--just right. #mtnews #mtpol @montanafreepress.org

More Maine…

Just back from a week of skiing in the Maine woods—the @appmtnclub.bsky.social huts. It was glorious.

Legend. RIP.

One of Bozeman’s playgrounds: Hyalite.

The Trump Administration at work:

In 2023-24, #Montana saw a decline in real personal income (RPI) of 1.4%. By comparison, RPI increased in 46 states and D.C, and RPI for the nation increased 2.9%. The map below shows each state. #mtnews #mtpol

U.S. wealth distribution by income group. Wealthiest concentrations start at the bottom with top 0.1%. See that little organe bit at the top? That's 50% of Americans. @wsj.com

Fresh powder and quiet sounds along Big Horn Trail in #Yellowstone today.

Fawn Pass today in Yellowstone—windy, wild and beautifully empty. The Pass is back there somewhere 😂

“Don’t join the book burners. Don’t think you’re going to conceal faults by concealing evidence that they ever existed. Don’t be afraid to go in your library and read every book.” --Dwight Eisenhower, June 14, 1953.

No religious group, not even evangelicals, is confident Trump behaves ethically in office. [Below: support for Trump policies by religious affiliation.]

Monday Data: Support for #Trump plans/policies by religious affiliation.

NEWS: In 2024, 87% of Congressional races were decided in primary elections--where turnout is low, skews toward extreme voters, and overrepresents older, whiter, wealthier voters. Link: www.uniteamericainstitute.org/research/res...

How American Households Spent, 2024 -Total annual expenditures: $78,535 -Transporation and housing: 50% -Housing averaged $26,266 or 33.4% -Transportation was $13,318 or 17% -Food was $10,169 or 12.9%

#valentinesday costs more this year b/c of #tariffs

Change in personal income, 2023-24. A pretty clear national pattern.

How the Rule of Law Protects Liberty and Freedom by Sanders County #Montana Dem Chair. "Democrats are the party of liberty and freedom. Join us in standing up for American democracy, speaking out, and insisting on a government that is accountable to the public." #mtnews #mtpol

Despite cost to #Montana farmers and consumers, Zinke & Downing voted to keep tariffs on Canada. #mtnews #mtpol

Polls: Americans think Biden was better than Trump.

NEWS: 2025 worst year for job gains in non-recession year since 2003.

Wednesday Data: The exploding federal debt.

Since 2020, corporate profits booming (after inflation) while wages and benefits barely increase. Below: Trend since 1980 as corporate profits grow while labor share declines.

The Movement to Capital, Not Labor. Since 1980, corporate profits have nearly doubled while labor compensation has fallen.

NEWS: #Montana House Members (Zinke & Downing) tonight voted to not challenge Trump on #tariffs; but effort failed, allowing future vote on Canadian, other tariffs harming Montana economy. #mtnews #mtpol

It's still "the economy stupid"--Top Issue for Americans: Inflation and jobs together are at 39% (26+13). Health care is next at 11%.

NEWS: Democrats add #Montana 1st Congressional District to target list. #mtnews #mtpol abcnews.go.com/Politics/dem...

American Optimism Slumps to Record Low "The percentage of U.S. adults who anticipate high-quality lives in 5 yrs declined to 59.2% in 2025, the lowest level since measurement began nearly two decades ago."

Americans split on the economy: -Expect stocks and growth to improve -Interest rates about the same -Unemployment and inflation to worsen

"Take the #Measles #vaccine please"--a public health message from Dr. Mehmet Oz, current head of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.

Compare & Contrast: Corportate profit margins at modern highs (left). While job openings continue to fall (right). @bpmehlman.bsky.social

Still a hero to me. Vonn crashed out of her race today. Brave or reckless, I admire her drive and desire. Wishing her a full recovery. #LindseyVonn

Projection: US House seat races in 2026 if Dems perfrom 3% point better than Harris. Current polling has D's up by 5.2%.

Saturday Data: #Religious observance of Americans. 25% attend services at least once a week. A🧵from @pewresearch.org 1/4

Per capita income by #Montana county, 2024 State: $69,240 Gallatin: 94,573 Missoula: 74,223 Flathead: 73,843 Yellowstone: 72,985 Lewis & Clark: 67,391 Cascade: 63,865 County GDP is in earlier post. #mtnews

The broad economy is the top concern for Americans. Within that topic, here are their 5 highest priorities: -health care costs -price of food/goods -housing -electricity -jobs

Real GDP by #Montana County, 2024 State: $60.61 billion Yellowstone: $10.78 Gallatin: $9.28 Missoula: $7.13 Flathead: $5.51 Lewis & Clark: $4.48 Cascade: $4.41 #mtnews (graph in thousands chained 2017 $)

The partisan view of country's economy remains in force. If "they" control White House, it's bad. If "we" control, it's good.

RIP: My first full-time boss (also my best boss), Lee H. Hamilton, died Tuesday. A strong moderate, independent voice for Indiana and the nation and the model of competency.💔 Blessings to his wonderful family and all who knew him. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/u...

NEWS: Conservatives, call home. #Trump says states agents of federal government, trying to overturn 250 years of constitutional and conservative thinking.

NEWS: U.S. desperately needs more energy but Trump stopping #solar & #wind while forcing old, expensive #coal plants to stay open. Result: Ratepayers foot bill ($6 billion more by 2028) & more pollution. #energy www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...