It will get bad before it gets better. We can only hope the path to "better" is not blocked by voter interference.

Businesses were reluctant to fire because quality labor is hard to find. Existing workers are slow walking work so there is enough work to do so they don't lose their jobs. This hurts productivity. Now tariff costs are trickling to the bottom line so businesses are not hiring and expect to fire at some point. Meanwhile, consumers are terrified and lowered spending. I see it in the stores. Closeouts, rollbacks. Bargains online. It will be bleak.