Disrupting economy

The rise of the U.S. economy may be over. Investors are no longer earning as much interest on their Treasury bonds, as indicated by the recent flattening of the yield curve. This curve is a graph that tracks the value of Treasury bond interest up to the maturity of the bonds. This flattening yield curve has been the harbinger of economic recession since 1970.

The next recession will likely be the result of a confluence of damaging factors and events. The biggest negative factor may be the sinking reputation of America abroad. President Trump is a natural-born disruptor, and has ruined trust in America. The rest of the world must trust America in order to continue buying our products and services.

Also, if our bonds are no longer lucrative, then why buy them? China and other countries provide the money for Congress to operate when Congress accumulates budget deficits. Low-yield bonds and Trump’s disruptions could scare away these funding sources. Congress would be prompted to cut social programs out of future budgets and millions of governmental employees would be laid off. These unemployed workers would no longer have the money to buy services and goods. Here at home, Trump’s tariffs have already put the fear of bankruptcy into farms and businesses.

What can we do to fix the problem? We can remove the disruptor and install an enabler. GENE MASON Jacksonville