People Are Starting to Have Serious Doubts About This Economy (Video)

In this 3 September 2026 published video, host Michael Bordenaro talks about the widespread public pessimism and growing corporate anxiety which has triggered a significant shift in confidence across the U.S. economy. Despite resilient consumer spending and stable headline employment numbers, many Americans report feeling trapped in a “boomcession”—an economy that appears strong on paper but creates severe financial strain in reality.

A primary driver of consumer anxiety is the cumulative burden of inflation, which has outpaced wage growth for several years. Major polls reflect historic lows in consumer sentiment, with a recent PBS/NPR/Marist poll showing that 63 percent of Americans believe the economy is not working for them personally. Skyrocketing costs for daily essentials—including a 54 percent surge in fuel prices over the past year—have severely strained household budgets. Housing also remains unaffordable for a vast majority, leaving only 53 percent of American adults owning their homes. 

The ongoing conflict involving the U.S. and Iran has heavily disrupted global supply chains. Intermittent closures and friction in the Strait of Hormuz have threatened global oil supplies and key industrial inputs like fertilizer and tech-essential materials. These energy shocks have spiked crude oil prices into the mid-$80s, driving up transportation costs and reinforcing inflationary pressures. 

The financial sector is flashing its own red flags. Yields on long-term government debt have surged to dramatic highs, with the 10-year Treasury yield climbing past 4.7 percent. High yields elevate the borrowing costs for mortgages, car loans, and corporate debt. Economists warn that these rising rates risk cracking institutional stability and adding to the U.S.’s massive $40 trillion national debt burden

The Federal Reserve, under Chairman Kevin Warsh, faces intense scrutiny. While Warsh has taken a hawkish stance at Jackson Hole, signaling that interest rates may need to remain elevated or even rise to combat sticky inflation, other senior Fed officials are split. This mixed messaging has left markets volatile as investors debate whether the central bank can successfully manage a “soft landing” without triggering a formal recession. 

It isn’t just everyday consumers who are worried. According to data from The Conference Board, CEO confidence plummeted by 12 points heading into the second half of the year, with nearly half of surveyed executives expecting conditions to worsen. Additionally, Wall Street’s tech-fueled rally has faced extreme turbulence over fears that the massive capital expenditures required for Artificial Intelligence are outstripping its immediate economic payouts, prompting concerns of an asset bubble burst. 

https://youtu.be/9Mm5JvXl7u8

00:00 – Introduction and Weather in California
00:13 – Michael’s Sunglasses: To Wear or Not to Wear?
00:37 – Today’s Topic: Doubts About the US Economy
01:58 – Expert Opinion on the Upcoming Recession
02:30 – Retail Sales and Inflation Trends
03:45 – Consumer Sentiment Reaches All-Time Lows
05:25 – Growing Consumer Debt in the US
05:54 – Low Personal Savings Rates
07:11 – Walmart’s Declining Stock Price
08:02 – Shift Toward Dollar Stores and Budget Products
08:50 – Live Q&A and Chat with Michael
10:50 – Analysis of the M2 Money Supply
12:55 – Future Economic Projections and Rising Costs
14:18 – Personal Success Stories in a Tough Economy
17:18 – Ways to Make and Save Extra Money
21:40 – Staying in California vs. Living in Florida
24:38 – Personal Decisions and Family Life
26:08 – Real Estate Advice for Potential Landlords
29:40 – Opinions on Taxes for the Wealthy
32:23 – Michael’s Honesty and Channel Premise
34:00 – Impacts of Going Off the Gold Standard
35:28 – Personal Favorites: Movies and Music
37:24 – Reality of Being a Landlord in Today’s Market
43:28 – Michael’s Early Career in Real Estate
45:22 – Balancing Life in California and Florida
48:40 – Investing in Precious Metals
49:38 – Staying in Shape and Fitness Routine
58:50 – Changes in the US Since the Pandemic1:01:08 – Future of Live Streams on the Channel
1:02:19 – Housing Market Issues and Future Supply
1:04:41 – Government Spending and Economic Solutions
1:07:00 – Viewer Demographics: Who Is Watching?
1:08:32 – Michael’s Future in Politics
1:11:11 – Moving to Florida: Real Estate Challenges
1:12:20 – Miami Beach: Current Cost of Living