Which political party would do a better job on major issues? Dems lead on inflation and economy. Note: Post below has ranking of top issues in importance to Americans.

Americans rank their top issues; inflation and economy are most important.

Americans don't trust Trump to make good decisions for any of the major foreign policy issue facing the U.S.

Employment in #Montana statewide has been flat or slightly down since June 2024 (528.3K). #mtnews Larger MT city numbers in post below.

Trump approval rating on economic issues continues to fall.

For those who do want local news, TV is still the leader. Note that only 12% of Americans have paid get local news in the last year.

Tuesday Data: Americans paying less and less attention to local news.

Large cities in #Montana no longer adding jobs. Change Jan 25-26: -Billings: -0.5% -Bozeman: -1.2 -Great Falls: -3.5 -Helena: -0.5 -Missoula: 0.5 #mtnews #mtpol Great Falls had one of largest drops in employment nationally by %. Bozeman was a top drop city for parts of 2025.

Increase in gas prices since start of #iranwar by state.

Sunday Data: The growing gap between Wall Street and Main Street. @bpmehlman.bsky.social

“Driving the news: The 21.2% surge in gasoline prices in March was the biggest single-month percentage increase in records that date back to the 1960s.”— @axios.com #iranwar

Share of older Americans working at 20-year low.

Americans' top frustrations w/tax system? Belief that wealthy and corporations don't pay fair share. #taxes #taxday

This old house. Per @wsj.com "the median home is a record 44 years old." -New homes (supply) are not meeting demand; -Old homes have large upkeep costs.

Americans strongly support the federal government encouraging wind and solar power, far more than other options like coal or oil and gas.

The outdoor recreation economy is quite large. Graph compares it in 2024 to other important sectors such as mining, motor vehicles.

The spot price of Brent crude oil has doubled since the start of the #iranwar

Thursday Data: Comparing hourly earnings across several sectors. @jasonfurman.bsky.social @nytimes.com

Macbeth's soliloquy on life, death, and time is today's #nationalpoetrymonth entry. #Shakespeare at his most impactful.

It's #NationalPoetryMonth (No Foolin'). To celebrate, I'll try to post a poem a day--starting with "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost. Please reply w/favorites or DM me w/suggestions. For this poem, is it a celebration, remorse, wisdom?

Comparing educational attainment for #Montana and adjoining states. MT has highest share of bachelor's degrees (35.2%) and lowest share for those w/out high school diploma. #mtnews

Gas prices across U.S. by state.

Another poll, @gallup.com, showing healthcare, economy and inflation are top issues for Americans right now. Fox News poll w/similar results below.

Who's oldest? #Montana had higher median age in 2024 (40.4 yrs) than any adjoining state. U.S. median age in 2024 was 38.9. #mtnews Population growth by state below.

Why take Kharg Island?🤔 Would involve risk of life and expense for U.S. when embargo of fuels from Island would achieve same goals. #IranWar‌

Top Issues Concerning Voters: inflation (mentioned 2x), healthcare, and political divisions.

Population growth of #Montana and adjoining states: 2010-24. Idaho grew by far the fastest. Wyoming the slowest (only state that grew slower than the U.S.). #mtnews @headecon.bsky.social

Why does the federal budget deficit matter? By 2036, interest payments will exceed every other budget category: more than defense, Medicare or anything else. Below: exploding growth of interest payments.

Stocks in 2026: In the 12 weeks so far this year, stocks went up in 3 and down in 9. Overall, S&P 500 is down nearly 9% & most recent weekly losing streak is its worst in roughly four years.

Spending to cover interest payments for the national debt is the fastest growing budget category for the federal government. Below: How much we pay per year in interest.

For only 3rd time ever, more women are employed than men.

Interest payments on federal debt have reached $1 trillion annually--and are expected to increase rapidly in coming years. Raises interest rates, reduces ability to fund other programs (health, military, etc), or cut taxes.

State Rep Rosenzweig: End the secret data center deals. #Montana constitution, fairness, and common sense demand information about impacts, costs be available to public. #mtnews #mtpol flatheadbeacon.com/2026/03/25/t...

Educational attainment in #Montana compared to U.S. About same share w/college degree, much better at getting kids through high school. #mtnews Household income distribution in MT below⤵️

Trump's approval rating at lowest level since inauguration. When asked about the cost of living, just 25% approved of Trump's record.

Household Income Distribution, #Montana in 2024 (ACS) #mtnews

NEWS: Sen. Graham (SC) invokes Iwo Jima in call for Trump to ‘take Kharg Island.’ What he seems not to know: Iwo Jima involved 70,000 U.S. troops over 36 days of fighting with roughly 7,000 dead and 19,000 wounded.

Montana Demographics by Age and Gender. While most age groups grew between 2010-24, those now 45-64 shrank compared to earlier. #mtnews #Montana

Three+ weeks into #IranWar‌ and large majority (>2/3) don't think Trump has explain his goals.

American's views on national economy a year from now have plummeted. Poll: American Research Group

Avg. price for gallon of gas. #GasPrices For example, #Montana is $3.57.

Sprawl Nation: Americans consistently prefer larger homes, farther apart, with schools and stores several miles away.

Happiness Index: Nordic countries dominate as happiest countries in world. U.S. ranks 23rd.

Nearly twice as many Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of the economy as approve.

Wednesday Data: Voting Population by Generation @jeremybney.bsky.social

A warm winter. More than 420 counties--mostly in the West--had their warmest December–February avg. temperatures ever. #mtwx

Story about important of outdoor recreation to #Montana, where it ranks 3rd in nation. Graphic in earlier post. #mtnews dailymontanan.com/2026/03/16/m...

"Hope is not an action plan."--said a wise officer to me long, long ago. How quickly we've forgotten. #IranWar‌

With warm weather on the way, took the chance to ski up toward Big Horn Pass in Yellowstone today.