Economic security

Trump Versus Clinton: How Would Each Handle the Economy?

Even if Americans aren't fully cognizant of the math regarding the trajectory of the American economy, they know that it's not good. They feel it as they work long hours just to pay the bills, deal with debt, and — if possible — set aside money for the future.

Although the trend line has gotten markedly worse during the Obama presidency, it isn't a short-term problem. According to the Congressional Research Service based upon data provided by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the U.S. economy has experienced progressively slower post-recession recoveries over the past half century. During the past four recoveries, GDP growth clocked in at 4.5 percent, 4.2 percent, 2.8 percent, and the current 2.0 percent. That's hardly the stuff of a robust economic engine, especially considering that the average post-WWII recovery has been almost twice as strong as it is today.

Millions of Americans feel left out in the cold and are disaffected with those in power, leading to the rise of populist candidates Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders. Sanders may have faded away, but the bombastic Trump remains the Republicans' last hope to retake the presidency.